“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. John 10:2 AMP

7. A good Pastor/Minister desires divine success – they realize that they are under-shepherds under the Good Shepherd, Jesus, and they are responsible to Him for His sheep.

a. A good Pastor/Minister is a minister – not for money or popularity or any other selfish reason – but out of God’s call, out of love for Him, out of the desire to please Him, and out of love for people.

John 10:11-13 AMP – I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep. 12 But the hired servant (he who merely serves for wages) who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away. And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters [the flock]. 13 Now the hireling flees because he merely serves for wages and is not himself concerned about the sheep [cares nothing for them].

b. A good Pastor/Minister must be zealous and fearless to protect, heal, preserve, increase, watch over, and sacrifice for the flock.

Mark 16:15-18 NKJV – And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

James 5:14-16 NKJV – Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Luke 19:10 NKJV – For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

c. Father God uses strong words against pastors and ministers who do not do their job and who do not take care of the flock. He expects the pastors/ministers to love, lead, feed, protect, warn, reprove, rebuke, and admonish the flock. He also expects them to stand in the gap for them and warn them of things to come.

Jeremiah 23:1-5 NKJV – “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the Lord. 3 “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4 I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the Lord.

Ezekiel 13:1-9 NKJV – And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear the word of the Lord!'” 3 Thus says the Lord God: “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! 4 O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts. 5 You have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the Lord. 6 They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord!’ But the Lord has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed. 7 Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, ‘The Lord says,’ but I have not spoken.” 8 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,” says the Lord God. 9 “My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord God.

Ezekiel 34:1-5 NKJV – And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.

Ezekiel 34:10 NKJV – Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.”

Ezekiel 34:31 NKJV – “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord God. (See Ezekiel 34:1-31)

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NKJV

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NKJV

7. Grace cannot cancel the law of confession of sins before they are forgiven.

Receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior involves acknowledging our sin – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 KJV) – believing that Jesus died to pay the price for our sin and that He rose from the dead to give us His resurrection life. It involves confessing Him as the Lord and Master of our lives from that moment on. From that moment all your sin, and your old life, is washed away by the blood of Jesus – you receive a new heart, a new slate and a new beginning.

If you sin after that, God’s grace cannot erase the sin while it yet remains. In order for God’s grace to be applied to the sin, you must repent of the sin and confess it as sin. Once you repent and confess, you are forgiven by His grace.

8. Grace cannot forgive future sins, for transgression and confession are necessary before forgiveness.

The one thing that the Blood cannot wash away, nor can grace do away with, your future sin. The Bible says that you are New Creature in Christ and that you are the righteousness of God in Christ. When you sin, you must come and confess your sin to the Lord, ask His forgiveness and then He will forgive you. God cannot forgive you of sin you have not yet committed. Besides the Holy Spirit convicting you of sin, God can only begin to actually deal with your sin after you sin and after you repent and confess it to Him as sin. Repentance is not merely being sorry for getting caught, but it is being sincerely sorry for the sin and turning away from that sin.

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent. Revelation 2:5 NKJV

Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. Revelation 2:16 NKJV

Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. Revelation 2:22 NKJV

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Revelation3:19 NKJV

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:1-5 NKJV

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 NKJV

So they went out and preached that people should repent. Mark 6:12 NKJV

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds” Romans 2:4-6 NKJV

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 NKJV

9. Grace cannot cancel the responsibility of saved men concerning sin.

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:10 NKJV

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:12 NKJV

We are each responsible for our own choices and our own sin. We will reap what we sow here on earth and – no matter what – we will still have to give God an accounting of our lives and what we have done. Grace cannot change the fact that we must give an account and be held responsible before God, but grace can wash away our sin when we pray, confess, and repent of the sin we’ve committed so that we don’t have to take it with us when we go before the Judgment Seat. You never know when the end will come for you, that is why you need to make sure you keep your heart right with God at all times!

I have counsel and sound knowledge, I have understanding, I have might and power. 15 By me kings reign and rulers decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges and governors of the earth. Proverbs 8:14-16 AMP

10. A great leader is truthful above all.

Moreover, you shall choose able men from all the people — God-fearing men of truth who hate unjust gain — and place them over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to be their rulers. Exodus 18:21 AMP

Proverbs 29:12 AMP – If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will become wicked.
ERV – If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be evil.

A great leader speaks the truth, even and especially when it’s not popular to do so. However, it seems that the majority of politicians, law-makers, judges, and even preachers choose to do the exact opposite. Only when a man is founded securely on the Word of God, will personal integrity be a priority to him. Otherwise, he will always choose the path of least resistance and lie when it’s convenient.

Great leaders do not lie themselves and they do not tolerate lying in those who work for them. Many leaders fail because they allow those under them to flatter them and tell them what they want to hear. Firstly, leadership needs to be willing to hear the truth. Secondly, the biggest flatterer is usually your “Judas” anyway. Many leaders fail because they do not immediately expel those who are found to be liars. If you tolerate liars, before long you will be surrounded only by evil, ungodly, unscrupulous people.

A truthful witness saves lives, but a deceitful witness speaks lies [and endangers lives]. Proverbs 14:25 AMP

Lies endanger the lives of good people. Lies, which are not confronted and exposed by the truth, can destroy many lives – even whole nations – and bring down mighty men.

Truthful lips shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is [credited] but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but for the counselors of peace there is joy. Proverbs 12:19-20 AMP

If you are truthful – you will have a good, long, prosperous career. If you are a liar, you will not last very long.

11. A great leader hates covetousness and greed.

Moreover, you shall choose able men from all the people — God-fearing men of truth who hate unjust gain — and place them over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to be their rulers. Exodus 18:21 AMP

Like a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16 A ruler who lacks understanding is [like a wicked one] a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness and unjust gain shall prolong his days. Proverbs 28:15-16 AMP

If a ruler or leader is covetous, then they can be bought. They will make decisions based on a money motive. They cannot be trusted to remain impartial or to judge fairly or to administer justice. The people under them are at the mercy of their greed. Money will be more important to them than righteousness and doing what is right.

But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing. 10 For the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many acute [mental] pangs. 1Timothy 6:9-10 AMP

Covetousness is a corrupting force and is the cause of many evil acts and much heartache and pain. One of the biggest problems in every nation, today, is that those in leadership have been corrupted by the love of money and have sold out to the highest bidder!

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] Hebrews 13:5 AMP

But the noble, openhearted, and liberal man devises noble things; and he stands for what is noble, openhearted, and generous. Isaiah 32:8 AMP

12. A great leader has a disposition to refuse bribes.

You shall take no bribe, for the bribe blinds those who have sight and perverts the testimony and the cause of the righteous. Exodus 23:8 AMP

A great leader is one who has kept their heart free from covetousness and who cannot be bought. Once bribes are taken, there is no hope of justice. You can see, in the countries where bribes are common – from the traffic police on up to the presidents and kings – corruption is the rule and justice is scarce or non-existent. Even the very lives of the people become worthless to the leaders as they pervert justice for monetary gain. There can be no prosperous and peaceful society where its leaders accept and encourage bribes.

So I took the heads of your tribes, wise, experienced, and respected men, and made them heads over you, commanders of thousands, and hundreds, and fifties, and tens, and officers according to your tribes. Deuteronomy 1:15 AMP

Great leadership is godly leadership. When the presidents and kings and law-makers and judges of all the nations – and all those under their command – turn in reverent worship toward the Lord and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ – then, and only then, will we see truly great leadership in action, and peace and justice will rule and reign in the nation

I have counsel and sound knowledge, I have understanding, I have might and power. 15 By me kings reign and rulers decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges and governors of the earth. Proverbs 8:14-16 AMP

10. A great leader is truthful above all.

Moreover, you shall choose able men from all the people — God-fearing men of truth who hate unjust gain — and place them over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to be their rulers. Exodus 18:21 AMP

Proverbs 29:12 AMP – If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will become wicked.

ERV – If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be evil.

A great leader speaks the truth, even and especially when it’s not popular to do so. However, it seems that the majority of politicians, law-makers, judges, and even preachers choose to do the exact opposite. Only when a man is founded securely on the Word of God, will personal integrity be a priority to him. Otherwise, he will always choose the path of least resistance and lie when it’s convenient.

Great leaders do not lie themselves and they do not tolerate lying in those who work for them. Many leaders fail because they allow those under them to flatter them and tell them what they want to hear. Firstly, leadership needs to be willing to hear the truth. Secondly, the biggest flatterer is usually your “Judas” anyway. Many leaders fail because they do not immediately expel those who are found to be liars. If you tolerate liars, before long you will be surrounded only by evil, ungodly, unscrupulous people.

A truthful witness saves lives, but a deceitful witness speaks lies [and endangers lives]. Proverbs 14:25 AMP

Lies endanger the lives of good people. Lies, which are not confronted and exposed by the truth, can destroy many lives – even whole nations – and bring down mighty men.

Truthful lips shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is [credited] but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but for the counselors of peace there is joy. Proverbs 12:19-20 AMP

If you are truthful – you will have a good, long, prosperous career. If you are a liar, you will not last very long.

11. A great leader hates covetousness and greed.

Moreover, you shall choose able men from all the people — God-fearing men of truth who hate unjust gain — and place them over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to be their rulers. Exodus 18:21 AMP

Like a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16 A ruler who lacks understanding is [like a wicked one] a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness and unjust gain shall prolong his days. Proverbs 28:15-16 AMP

If a ruler or leader is covetous, then they can be bought. They will make decisions based on a money motive. They cannot be trusted to remain impartial or to judge fairly or to administer justice. The people under them are at the mercy of their greed. Money will be more important to them than righteousness and doing what is right.

But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing. 10 For the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many acute [mental] pangs. 1Timothy 6:9-10 AMP

Covetousness is a corrupting force and is the cause of many evil acts and much heartache and pain. One of the biggest problems in every nation, today, is that those in leadership have been corrupted by the love of money and have sold out to the highest bidder!

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] Hebrews 13:5 AMP

But the noble, openhearted, and liberal man devises noble things; and he stands for what is noble, openhearted, and generous. Isaiah 32:8 AMP

12. A great leader has a disposition to refuse bribes.

You shall take no bribe, for the bribe blinds those who have sight and perverts the testimony and the cause of the righteous. Exodus 23:8 AMP

A great leader is one who has kept their heart free from covetousness and who cannot be bought. Once bribes are taken, there is no hope of justice. You can see, in the countries where bribes are common – from the traffic police on up to the presidents and kings – corruption is the rule and justice is scarce or non-existent. Even the very lives of the people become worthless to the leaders as they pervert justice for monetary gain. There can be no prosperous and peaceful society where its leaders accept and encourage bribes.

So I took the heads of your tribes, wise, experienced, and respected men, and made them heads over you, commanders of thousands, and hundreds, and fifties, and tens, and officers according to your tribes. Deuteronomy 1:15 AMP

Great leadership is godly leadership. When the presidents and kings and law-makers and judges of all the nations – and all those under their command – turn in reverent worship toward the Lord and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ – then, and only then, will we see truly great leadership in action, and peace and justice will rule and reign in the nation

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 KJV

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23 KJV

The Lord promised to give us a sign – a sign that the Messiah had arrived – and it was the sign of the virgin giving birth to a baby. A virgin is a pure, unmarried, young woman. She is not merely a young woman, but one who is also pure and undefiled – who has never known a man. Of course we all know that it is impossible for a virgin to even conceive, never mind give birth, because it takes a man and a woman to make a baby. It always has and it always will. Why was it so important for the Messiah to be born from a virgin?

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Romans 5:12 KJV

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. Romans 5:14 NKJV

Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful]. Psalms 51:5 AMP

When Adam sinned, sin and death entered into the world and from that moment on sin was passed down to every person born after that from generation to generation. This was an obstacle that could be overcome by no mere man or cured by no amount of good works. No matter how many people were born, there was not one who was born who was free from sin or able to permanently free themselves or others from sin! Man needed God’s help.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:26-35 KJV

The birth of Jesus was unlike any other before or since. His mother was a woman – a woman like any other woman – conceived in sin like all mankind. However, His father was not Joseph – a man – His Father was God Himself. Unlike the rest of us, He was born holy and sinless. He had to be born as a man – to become one of us to take our place on that Cross. He also had to be born sinless, and then live a sin-free life, in order to be able save the sinner – you and me – and take our place in dying to sin and being resurrected into new life.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV

The reason that the devil so fights the virgin birth is because without it, we have no Savior and the message of the Gospel collapses. Men have tried to say that Jesus was just a good man – merely a prophet like all the others – and not the Son of God. If that were true then that would make Him a liar and just one of us. He could never have died for our sin if He was a sinner as well. So the Gospel is rendered powerless. Men have also tried to deify Mary, however, Jesus was not born sinless because of having a holy mother – He was born sinless because He has a holy Father! There is NO biblical evidence that Mary was anything more than a God-fearing, faith-filled, obedient, pure young virgin. Jesus needed to be born to a human mother so she could give Him His earthly body. If she was immaculate then that makes Him all God – and it was vital that He be both man AND God in one body. With His death and the shedding of His own blood, He ratified an eternally unbreakable covenant between God and man.

For since [it was] through a man that death [came into the world, it is] also through a Man that the resurrection of the dead [has come]. 22 For just as [because of their union of nature] in Adam all people die, so also [by virtue of their union of nature] shall all in Christ be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 AMP

Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5 AMP

We are all born into this earth by “water” – natural birth – and when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior we are born again – this time born of the Spirit! Our spirit is made alive and we become a new creature in Christ! Our natural birth gave us natural life and our spiritual birth gives us supernatural, everlasting life! Thank God for the faithfulness of the virgin, Mary, to believe the word of the Lord and to obey God in allowing Him to use her to bring forth both her, and our, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Luke 5:1-11

Teaching children to swim begins with a simple lesson – they must be taught to put their face in the water. That first step will open the door to learning how to swim. Unless the child masters that one small skill, swimming remains out of reach, and some future pleasure is sacrificed.

Obeying God always begins with a small step, one that may sometimes seem insignificant or unrelated to the task at hand. Yet it is where God wants us to begin. Jesus had been addressing the crowds when He asked to get into Peter’s boat. This did not seem like a request that would open the door to ministry or even great blessing. But it was the place where Peter was to start. Our saying yes to God in the small things is an essential step to His greatest blessings. Other people will also derive benefit from our obedience. When Simon Peter consented to Jesus’ request, the result was two boatloads of fish, more than enough for all those with him.

Obedience to God may require us to do some things that appear unreasonable. A carpenter asked professional fishermen to stop fishing and take Him on board. Those with Peter may have questioned why he suspended the work to accommodate Jesus. Others may question us on whether the matter is important or reasonable. We may wonder too.

Obedience in the smallest of matters can open the door to God-ordained opportunities and lead to blessings for us and others. How do you respond to God’s requests? Does the word “yes” come quickly to your lips?

—

Teaching kids to swim starts with a straightforward lesson – they have to be taught to put their face in the water. That primary step will open the door to learning the way to swim. Unless the kid experts that one little talent, swimming remains out of reach, and some future pleasure is sacrificed.

Obeying God always starts with a small step, one that may infrequently seem trivial or not related to the task to hand. Yet it is where God wants us to start. Jesus had been addressing the crowds when He asked to get into Peter’s ship. This did not appear like a request that would open the door to ministry or perhaps great blessing. But it was actually the place where Peter was to start. Our saying yes to God in the tiny things is an essential step to His best blessings. Folks will also derive benefit from our obedience. When Simon Peter consented to Jesus’ request, the result was 2 boatloads of fish, more than needed for all those with him.

Obedience to God may need us to do some things that appear irrational. A carpenter asked pro fishermen to stop fishing and take Him on board. Those with Peter could have queried why he postponed the work to accommodate Jesus. Other people may query us as to whether the problem is vital or reasonable. We may wonder too. Obedience in the tiniest of matters can open the door to God-ordained opportunities and lead to blessings for us and others.

Teaching kids to swim starts with a straightforward lesson – they have to be taught to put their face in the water. That primary step will open the door to learning the way to swim. Unless the kid experts that one little talent, swimming remains out of reach, and some future pleasure is sacrificed.

Rodney Howard Browne explains that obeying God always starts with a small step, one that may infrequently seem trivial or not related to the task to hand. Yet it is where God wants us to start. Jesus had been addressing the crowds when He asked to get into Peter’s ship.

This did not appear like a request that would open the door to ministry or perhaps great blessing. But it was actually the place where Peter was to start. Our saying yes to God in the tiny things is an essential step to His best blessings. Folks will also derive benefit from our obedience. Rodney Howard Browne points out that when Simon Peter consented to Jesus’ request, the result was 2 boatloads of fish, more than needed for all those with him.

Obedience to God may need us to do some things that appear irrational. A carpenter asked pro fishermen to stop fishing and take Him on board. Those with Peter could have queried why he postponed the work to accommodate Jesus. Other people may query us as to whether the problem is vital or reasonable. We may wonder too. Rodney Howard Browne teaches that obedience in the tiniest of matters can open the door to God-ordained opportunities and lead to blessings for us and others.

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

2 Chronicles 24:14  (KJV)
14And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. [And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.]

Under the Old Covenant, God used certain material things to represent spiritual things or principles. In the Temple, there were vessels specifically designed and intended for serving and worshipping God. Under the New Covenant, we are the vessels who serve and worship God, anywhere we go. The vessels used in the temple were holy and sanctified. We should be holy and sanctified and we will be – if we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us.

Ezra 6:5  (KJV)
5And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.

We, God’s creation, were designed and intended to worship Him, not other gods or the devil. We function at our best in the place that God intended for us. Everything else is frustration and torment.

Romans 9:20-25  (KJV)
20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

People use this passage of scripture to say that God ordains our way in a manner that leaves us with no choice. They say that God is the one who sovereignly chooses to use us for good purposes or bad, but that is a misrepresentation of scripture. If you read the entire passage in Romans (we do not have space for the whole chapter here), you will see that God is talking about and defending His mercy – extended toward the Gentiles, the heathen, the ungodly – not just toward the Jew. In verse 22, you will see that God did not desire or plan to have destructive, evil vessels on the earth, but rather He bore their evil doing with patience and long suffering. It is not that God does not have a specific plan for our lives – He does. God has planned for all of us to be vessels of mercy, prepared for glory. We choose whether or not to be what God intends for us to be.

2 Timothy 2:19-22  (KJV)
19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Being either a mud pot or a fine golden vessel is our choice. We change from the ignoble to the noble as we purge our lives from sin and the crud of the world.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7  (KJV)
6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Our vessel (body) may be made of earth, but as we yield to God and His presence and power in our lives, we shine forth His glory. We are golden vessels when we are yielded vessels.

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

Job 3:25  (NKJ)

25 For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.

Job did not have problems because God is mean—Job had problems because he operated in fear. He sacrificed to God all the time for his children because he was fearful for them—that they would sin and disown God in their hearts. God put a hedge of protection around Job, but his fear caused the hedge to come down and the devil was able to attack him. Later, Job repented for his attitude and for the wrong words he had spoken in his ignorance.

Jeremiah 42:16  (NKJ)

16 ‘then it shall be that the sword which you feared shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt; the famine of which you were afraid shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there you shall die.

Do not operate in fear, because you open the doors for that thing you fear to come upon you. For example, some people are terrified of cancer and yet they end  up getting cancer. As Christians who fear God, we have God’s hand of protection upon our lives, but we can remove ourselves from that protection— by our fear.

2 Hebrews 2:14-15  (NKJ)

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Fear of death brings bondage. Any kind of fear brings bondage—even if  it is an unwarranted and unreasonable fear. Fear doesn’t have to be based on anything real to keep people in bondage. Most of the time, the fear that people have—is totally unnecessary. It does not help them or make their situation better, but rather, worse.

II Kings 17:38-39  (NKJ)

38 “And the covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods.

39 “But the LORD your God you shall fear; and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”

The only person we are to fear is God and even then, it is not a scared fear, but a reverential fear.

Deuteronomy 31:6  (NKJ)

6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One       who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Joshua 10:25  (NKJ)

25 Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”

God is on our side. He fights for us. He is always there for us. He never lets us down. No matter how great the enemy appears to be, God will defeat them on our behalf—if we will walk in faith— not fear— if we will have courage and trust completely in Him.

I John 4:18  (NKJ)

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

When we operate in fear—we are tormented. When we have confidence in the great love that God for us, we can rest in the palm of His hand. His wings cover us. The Lord is our hiding place and His angels watch over us.

2 Timothy 1:7  (NIV)

7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Fear has no place in the life of a believer. When God places His Spirit in us, He gives us a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. Let the Spirit of God flood your heart and rise up big on the inside of you, and you will be filled with faith. Any thought of fear must leave. You will close the door to the devil and God’s hedge of protection will surround you and keep you.

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

Hebrews 11:1-3  (NIV)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

 

Every created thing that we see with our eyes has its origin in God and the things we cannot see. God is a Spirit (John 4:24) and He brought the entire universe into existence by His spoken word. This realm we know existed first in God and He caused it to manifest on this plane of existence of which we are conscious. Just because you cannot see God or the spirit realm with your eye, does not mean that they do not exist.

 

2 Corinthians 4:5-9  (NIV)

For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

 

Just as God, the Creator of the universe, spoke out saying, “Let there be light” and there was light (Genesis 1:3), so has He shone His light into the darkness of our sinful hearts and illuminated our hearts in order that the knowledge of His glory may be revealed in and to us through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even though we live in frail, human vessels of earth, this precious treasure of God’s power and grace and glory can even more clearly be seen to be of God and not of us. While our mortal flesh limits us, the unlimitedness of God’s great glory abides on the inside of us. Even though we are persecuted and attacked, we cannot be crushed or destroyed. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).

 

2 Corinthians 4:13-18  (NIV)

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

We do not lose heart in the midst of our adverse circumstances because we fix our eyes on those things that we cannot see. Even though our outer man (our body) is wasting away, our inner man (our spirit) is everyday growing and being renewed and strengthened. We must realize that this earthly realm and what we see is temporary and subject to change, but the spirit realm is unchanging, deathless and everlasting for all eternity. Therefore we must take our eyes off of what we can see and stop trusting in it because it is unstable and it will not last. The things we cannot see will stand secure. Put your trust in God and in the mighty work that He is doing on the inside of you. Do not just focus on your earthly existence. Change your focus to the everlasting realms of God. Lift up your eyes and see those things that really are important to your spirit life and your eternal existence.

Stop looking at the little clay pot you live in and see the glory of God that shines out from the inside of you. Become more conscious of the great work that God is doing in you and the treasure that is within you. Spend your time becoming acquainted with God and His glory. He wants you to come to know His glory. God is not hiding from you; He is working in you. You have to lay aside the things of the flesh and count them as nothing compared to the great things that God is doing in and through you. You will not live here on this earth, in this body, forever. But you will step out of this body into an eternal body and you will continue to live on in Gods mighty and awesome presence forever!

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to deathagain and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I wasbeaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger frombandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, indanger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored andtoiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gonewithout food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of myconcern for all the churches.  2 Corinthians 11:23-28 NIV

Paul was a man who was committed to God and committed to preaching the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Before he was so radically saved, he persecuted the Christians and even had them killed. After he was saved, he endured incredible hardships and persecutions himself, even to the point of death for the sake of the Gospel, and yet he never gave up. He persisted, keeping his eyes on the finish line and on the prize. He was committed until the very end. There were no other options for him – he was determined not to give up – he ran the race to win the prize.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

The secret of Paul’s resilience and persistence was that he did not allow his circumstances to influence his attitude. He stayed the same no matter what he went through because he kept his eyes on Jesus. Most people are all upset when things don’t go their way – they either have a pity party or they get mad with God. When things go well – they think that they are the bee’s knees! Either way they take their eyes off of Jesus. They are like a see-saw – wobbling all over the place – so busy looking at their circumstances that they forget their heavenly mission and they get nothing done. Paul knew what he was called to do and he knew who called him. God was on his side and he was not afraid of men or devils. Jesus Christ was his strength and he was secure in Him. Paul did not allow anything to sway him or to stop him.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.Hebrews 12:1-4 NIV

It is important to be both well trained and determined. Starting a race is not the hard part. Finishing the race is the hard part. There are rough roads, the weather is contrary, and your body gets thirsty and tired and sore. It is even harder if your critics are harassing you and persecuting you along the way. You have to fix your eyes on Jesus and be filled with His strength and power, allowing the Holy Spirit to refresh you as you go. There is a crown of righteousness waiting for those who fight the good fight and finish the race!

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 NIV

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day– and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.  2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV