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Diligence: The Road to Success Charting the Course of Your Life for 2018

Foundation Scripture: 
He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. Proverbs 10:4-5 AMPC

1.God’s Word is the Handbook for Our Lives. 
We are God’s children and He desires that we should be blessed.
He gives us instruction, through His Word, on how we can please Him, and be blessed.
We will never be blessed if we are lazy, slothful and sloppy.
In anything and everything we put our hand to, we should do the best we can.
We should be diligent to do a proper job – not half a job – from beginning to end.
We should always endeavor to finish what we begin.

2. Laziness Leads to Poverty. 
If you are slack and lazy, you will be poor.
Learn a lesson from the ant.
Proverbs 6:6-11 AMPC – “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise! – 7 Which, having no chief, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provides her food in the summer and gathers her supplies in the harvest. 9 How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down and sleep — 11 So will your poverty come like a robber or one who travels [with slowly but surely approaching steps] and your want like an armed man [making you helpless].”
It is not difficult to be poor – all you have to do is nothing.
Proverbs 19:15 AMPC – “Slothfulness casts one into a deep sleep, and the idle person shall suffer hunger.”
If you are lazy, you will starve.

3. The Diligent will Rule over the Slothful. 
Proverbs 12:24 AMPC – “The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.” 
When you are lazy, you will never have control over your own life.
You will have to work, but it will be for someone else.
You will build their wealth with your “slave-labor.”
Instead of building your own wealth by your diligence.
The diligent man will always end up the boss over the slothful man.

4. God Will Bless the Work of Your Hands.
Deuteronomy 28:12 KJV – “The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand…”
Deuteronomy 30:9 KJV – “And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good…”
God will bless the work of your hands, not the seat of your pants.

5. Don’t Chase Rainbows.
Proverbs 12:11 AMPC – “He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits is lacking in sense and is without understanding.”
Proverbs 28:19 AMPC – “He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless people and pursuits will have poverty enough.”
Some people think that having faith in God to provide, means that they sit back on their laurels and do absolutely nothing, but that is a fantasy.
They are lacking in sense and are without understanding.
The blessing of diligent, hard work is abundant provision.
But when we try to find some other solution, without working (like a get-rich-quick scheme), we will invariably end up poverty-stricken, because we have bad judgement.

6. Diligence Leads to Blessings and Abundance.
Proverbs 27:23 AMPC – “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds.”
God blesses faithful, diligent hands that work.
Laziness should not even be named among God’s people.
Some people think that being in full-time ministry means that they can sit back and do nothing, but they are mistaken.
When you work for God, you should make a greater effort to be faithful and to do an excellent job.
Colossians 3:23 KJV – “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

7. In All Labor, there is Profit. 
Proverbs 14:23 AMPC – “In all labor there is profit, but idle talk leads only to poverty.”
It is good to have big dreams and plans.
But if you only talk about them and never get up and work to make it happen, you will never see them come to pass.
Proverbs 20:4 AMPC – “The sluggard does not plow when winter sets in; therefore he begs in harvest and has nothing.”
There is a time and a season to work and to do what you need to do.
Be careful to not allow opportunities to pass you by.
There is a time to work hard and there is a time to reap the reward of your labor.
The “work” part comes before the “enjoying the reward” part.
Proverbs 14:4 AMPC – “Where no oxen are, the grain crib is empty, but much increase [of crops] comes by the strength of the ox.”
If you did not have the ox, you would not have to clean up behind it.
But without the ox, there is no increase, no income.
You can’t take on a business, unless you are also prepared to take responsibility for it.
You have to be prepared to work hard, and do the necessary, unpleasant jobs, with a good attitude.
It takes work and commitment to bring the blessing in your life, but it is worth the effort to have the rewards.

8. Make a Decision Today to Engage and Be Diligent.
Write the vision.
Move in that direction every day.
Immerse yourself in prayer and God’s Word.
Pray like it all depends on God, and then go do like it all depends on you.
Just get up and go.
Do not hang around the talkers, hang around the doers.
Do not surround yourself with victims and negative people.
Hang around people who are positive and who are accomplishing things.
Your tongue is the rudder of your life.
Live it, speak it, do it.

For Unto To Us A Child Is Born by Rodney Howard Browne

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord  of hosts will perform this.  Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV

For to us a Child is born:

Unto us: The Child, Jesus Christ, was born to Israel – not just to Judah, but to both houses of Israel. Christ was descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Judah; Jesse; David; and from Israel as a nation.

To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given:
Jesus was born as a baby just like every other human. He grew up to give His life for mankind on the Cross. He was Born to be like us and to take our place – He was Given as an offering for our salvation.

The government shall be upon His shoulder:

The government – the empire – will be on His shoulders. To Him alone is given the authority to rule and the right to be the Sovereign of all the earth and the responsibility of rule, judgment and justice is upon Him.

His name shall be called:

Wonderful: a miracle; a marvelous thing

-Exodus 15:11 KJV – Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Counselor: advise; consult; to deliberate; guide. He is the only one who is supremely qualified to give counsel, advice and guidance to all.

-Psalms 16:7 AMP – I will bless the Lord, Who has given me counsel; yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.

Mighty God:

Mighty: p?owerful. By implication – warrior. Champion, chief, excel, giant, strong, valiant. God: Almighty; the Strong One. It literally means the Mighty Almighty, or the conquering God. Jesus was God in the flesh.

-John 1:1 KJV – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
-1 Timothy 3:16 KJV – And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
-Hebrews 1:8 KJV – But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

-1 John 5:20 KJV – And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Everlasting Father [of Eternity]: Jesus is one third of the Trinity and was there with the Father and the Holy Spirit from the beginning. He was there for the planning and execution of creation – nothing was done without Him. He is the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7).

-John 1:2-4 AMP – He was present originally with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. 4 In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.

-Hebrews 1:1-2 NKJV – God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.

Prince of Peace: Jesus brought peace between God and man as He reconciled the two by bearing the penalty of sin in His own body. Jesus brought about peace between men – uniting Jew and Gentile – all have sinned and all may receive forgiveness through faith.

-John 14:27-28 NKJV – Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

-John 16:33 NKJV – These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

-Ephesians 2:14 AMP – For He is [Himself] our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both [Jew and Gentile] one [body], and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us.

-Ephesians 2:17-18 AMP – And He came and preached the glad tidings of peace to you who were afar off and [peace] to those who were near.  18 For it is through Him that we both [whether far off or near] now have an introduction (access) by one [Holy] Spirit to the Father [so that we are able to approach Him].

-Philippians 4:7 NKJV – And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

By His Stripes

1 PETER 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

GALATIANS 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

HEALING IS NOW
1. Peter looked back to the scourging and the cross.
2. Paul looked back at the scourging and the cross.
3. Healing has already been purchased, past tense.
4. The first step to walking in divine healing and in redemption is to know that healing is already yours.
5. Faith begins where God’s will is known.
6. Healing must be settled in your heart, beyond a shadow of a doubt. You must know that it is yours before you can walk in it.

ISAIAH 53:1-12 THE GREAT REDEMPTIVE CHAPTER.

WHOSE REPORT WILL YOU BELIEVE
What you believe determines how you live and what you live with when it comes to sickness and disease.

All throughout the Word of God, we see what happens when people believe and when people do not believe.

  1. Believing says, “God can.”
    2. Doubt says, “Maybe God can and maybe God can’t.”
    3. Unbelief says, “God can’t.”
    4. In Numbers 13:32, unbelief is an evil report before the Lord.
    5. In Mark 6, Jesus could not do any mighty works because the people did not believe.
    6. Belief is a choice.
    7. In Mark 9:23, Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
    8. Jesus said that IF you can believe, ALL things are possible.
    9. Believing caused the impossible to be possible.
    10. Mark 10:46-52 – Blind Bartimaeus.
    11. Mark 5:25-34 – Woman with the issue of blood.
    12. Luke 5:17-39 – Paralyzed man.

THE ARM OF THE LORD
1. The Word of God talks about the hand of God coming on the prophets.
2. The Word of God talks about the finger of God.
3. In other places, the arm of the Lord is revealed.
4. John 12:37-41
5. Ephesians 1:19
6. Two questions are asked: #1 Whose report will you believe? #2 To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
7. The arm of the Lord is symbolic and representative of the manifested power of God.
8. The arm of the Lord is revealed to those who believe the report of the Lord.

THE CROSS
1. Death by crucifixion was for the worst of the worst, criminals, murderers, etc.
2. Isaiah 53:3 – They despised Him; soldiers spit in His face and mocked Him.
3. The cross was the worst reproach that there was, and this is how our Master died.
4. Place of extreme torture.
5. A place reserved for the lowest of the low.
6. Jesus was mutilated beyond recognition.
7. For six hours, Jesus hung on the cross.
8. Seven things He said on the cross.
9. “IT IS FINISHED,” was the last thing Jesus said.
10. The covenant that God made with Abraham is finished.
11. We have a new covenant; Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant.
12. God has moved Himself from a temple made with human hands and has taken up residence in us.
13. 1 Corinthians 3:16

JESUS OUR SUBSTITUTE
Isaiah 53:3-5

  1. He was smitten of God; God placed our sin, punishment, judgement, sickness, and diseases on Jesus.

Notice the words used:
• Despised
• Rejected
• Man of sorrows (pains)
• Acquainted with griefs (sickness)
• Stricken
• Smitten
• Afflicted
• Wounded
• Transgressions
• Bruised
• Iniquities
• Chastisement

2. He was wounded for our transgressions, not His own.
3. He was bruised for our iniquities, not His own.
4. THE LORD LAID ON HIM THE JUDGEMENT AND PUNISHMENT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE BORNE; WHAT 5. WE SHOULD HAVE BORNE CAME ON HIM.
5. He paid the price for us.
6. He bore our sin.
7. He bore our sicknesses and diseases.

BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED
1. The scourging.
2. Two Roman soldiers whipped Him.
3. Each stripe was Jesus taking our sicknesses and diseases.

HE OPENED NOT HIS MOUTH
1. He said nothing.
2. He could have opened His mouth and been delivered.
3. He said nothing because His purpose was to redeem mankind.
4. In Acts 22, Paul opened his mouth and was delivered.
5. Jesus could have opened His mouth and God would have delivered Him.
6. By His stripes, we are healed.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalms 127:3 KJV

Children come from God. They are created by Him as a blessing to us.

So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27 AMP

We are not evolved from amoeba of frogs or monkeys; we are created by Almighty God, male and female, in His image. He made the first man and woman and He placed in them the ability and desire to pro-create – to bring forth new life and more men and women, in the form of babies, who grow in the womb and are born into the earth. Mankind knows what to do to create (conceive) a baby, but it is God who guides the whole creative process and who forms the baby.

I made the earth and created man upon it. I, with My hands, stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host. Isaiah 45:12 AMP

For thus says the Lord — Who created the heavens, God Himself, Who formed the earth and made it, Who established it and did not create it to be a worthless waste; He formed it to be inhabited — I am the Lord, and there is no one else. Isaiah 45:18 AMP

God created the heavens and earth – not to be a worthless waste – but to be inhabited by His creation.

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself. Isaiah 44:24 NKJV

Thus says God the Lord — He Who created the heavens and stretched them forth, He Who spread abroad the earth and that which comes out of it, He Who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it. Isaiah 42:5 AMP

The God who made heaven and earth also made you and me. He formed us in the womb and He gives life – breath and spirit – to every one of us.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. Psalms 139:13-16 KJV

For thou hast possessed my reins:

For You formed my inward parts. “Possessed”, here, does not mean to possess or control; it means to own; acquire; set up; erect – to fashion, or form, or to cause to grow together in the womb. “Reins” literally mean “kidneys” and figuratively, it means the mind or inner self. It is referring to the foundations of our existence as a person. It could even be referring to what we now know as DNA. God is the owner and creator of the blueprint that created you and me.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

The creation of a person, from conception to birth, from one cell to billions of cells, in a perfectly functioning creation, is an awe-inspiring process. Ecclesiastes 11:5 NKJV says that, “As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.” We are indeed wonderfully and marvelously created by our Creator.

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret:

My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret. My substance, or my frame, was hidden from everyone except God as He made me in secret – in a special protected and private place – my mother’s womb.

Curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth:

Skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. “Curiously wrought” means: to variegate color, i.e. embroider; by implication, to fabricate; embroiderer, needlework, make curious work. My frame – of bones (the skeleton), and the external covering of muscular flesh, tendons, veins, arteries, nerves, and skin were skillfully and intricately woven inside the womb, which is the center of the body – from conception to full development.

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect:

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. “Substance” (not the same word as “substance” in the previous verse) means: a wrapped-up and unformed mass; referring to the embryo being imperfect or not yet fully developed. Even though it is “unformed” to the eye, at this stage, it is still a perfect little human being in process. A baby’s heart already begins to beat 18 days from conception, and by 21 days the heart is pumping blood through a closed circulatory system. A baby’s brainwaves can be detected at 6 weeks from conception

And in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them:

This is referring to the embryonic stage of growth, from the fertilized egg until the organs have developed sufficiently so that it can live independently. Even in this stage, the scripture says that all the human members or parts are contained or written in God’s book and that they are fashioned in accordance with God’s original pattern established when He created Adam and Eve. You were perfectly formed down to the smallest detail. Even all the hairs of your head are planned and numbered.

Even everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, whom I have made. Isaiah 43:7 AMP

My Name Is Written Down

The disciples came to Jesus after He had sent them

out to minister. They were so excited, they were jumping

up and down. “O, Jesus, isn’t it wonderful? Demons are

subject to us through Your name. We’ve been casting out

devils and you know what, they listen to us.”

 

Jesus said, in effect, “So what. I beheld Satan as

lightening fall from heaven. He’s defeated. Don’t rejoice

over the fact that demons are subject to you, but rejoice

over the fact that your name is written sown in the Lamb’s

Book of Life.” (See Luke 10:17-20).

 

My name is written down in the Lamb’s Book of

Life! My name may not be down in Who’s Who in the

Zoo. My name may not be down on this roll and that roll

and the bank roll. But my name is written down “when the

roll is called up yonder.” And I’m going to be there!

 

I’m part of the family of God. I’ve been bought

with a price. I’ve been brought out of darkness into light.

I’m an ambassador from the kingdom of heaven. I have my

passport made out. My visa’s stamped in the blood of

Jesus. I have first-class air tickets. I’m sitting on Rapture

Airlines. The flight attendant is serving me living water,

and new wine, and heaven’s bread. That’s something to get

excited about.

 

We don’t serve a dead God. We don’t serve a God

who’s deaf. We don’t serve a God who’s blind. We don’t

serve a God who has no power. Our God is still God. He’s

the same God of Moses and Elijah and Daniel. And He’s

alive in 1992. He wants to manifest Himself in 1992.

Too much importance has been placed on what

church you belong to. “Well, I’m of Paul and I’m of

Apollos,” we say. “We have a 5,000-seat church and a

thousand-voice choir. And you should see our deacons.

They can deke like no other dekes. Our elders can eld like

no other. Our church board is one of the boardest boards in

the city. We’ve got an orchestra. And have you heard our

pipe organ?” Well, who cares?

 

It doesn’t matter what church you belong to. It

matters what family you belong to. You are in either one

of two families. You’re either in the family of the devil or

you’re in the family of God.

 

To be born again is not confirmation. “I’ve been

through confirmation, Brother Rodney.” Well, wonderful.

 

Have you been born again? Jesus never said, “Ye must be

confirmed.” Jesus said, “Ye must be born again.”

“Well, Brother Rodney, I’ve been to catechism.”

You can’t “ism” it any other way. Have you been born

again?

 

“Well, Brother Rodney, we joined the church. We

filled in a membership.” Jesus never said, “Ye must fill in

a church membership. Ye must put thy name on the roll.”

He said, “Ye must be born again.”

 

“Well, Brother Rodney, we’ve been baptized in

water.” You can live under water till you get webbed feet.

But I’m telling you right now Jesus didn’t say, “Go under

water.” He said, “Ye must be born again.”

 

“Well, Brother Rodney, we had some water

sprinkled on our head.” You can have water sprinkled on

your head until you grow like a plant. He didn’t say, “Ye

must get water sprinkled on your head.” He said, “Ye must

be born again.”

 

“Well, Brother Rodney, we take communion.

Every week we have the Holy Sacrament.” You can

swallow grape juice or wine and wafers three times a day.

He didn’t say, “Ye must take communion.” He said, “Ye

must be born again.”

 

“Well, Brother Rodney, we observe religious duties.

We go to church regularly every Sunday morning and

 

Sunday night. We’re on every church committee.” He

didn’t say, “Ye must observe religious duties.” He said,

“Ye must be born again.”

 

You see, some people’s idea of the new birth is

adhering to what their father did and what their grandfather

did. But God has no grandchildren. Each one of us must

be born again for ourselves.

 

Many people have only an intellectual conception

of the Lord Jesus Christ. “I believe in Jesus,” they will say.

But is He your Lord and Savior? “Well, I believe in Him.”

Have you been born again? “Well, I believe Jesus, you

know. I believe in God.” The devil believes in Jesus. The

devil believes in God.

 

Even some of the worst sinners believe in God and

the Bible. When they get into a crisis situation, you’d be

amazed at what comes out of their mouth – the Bible.

They’ll quote anything they can think of. They get in a

motor car with a friend and he’s doing 120 miles an hour,

they start quoting scripture. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I

shall not want.” But that won’t save them. Jesus said, “Ye

must be born again.”

 

“Well, Brother Rodney, I’m a moral person,” some

will say, “If God is God how can all the good people in the

world, go to hell?” Because Jesus said, “Ye must be born

again.”

 

“But look at Brother Joe Blow. He was a good

man. He didn’t rob from anybody. He wouldn’t even hurt

a flea. Do you know that if he found a bug in his house,

he’d go and pick it up and nicely put it out. What a moral

man. What a man of high standing in the community.

Fifty years of marriage to the same woman. His children –

one is a doctor, the other one’s a lawyer. They were all

well respected. Do you mean to say he’s going to hell?

Jesus said, “Ye must be born again.”

 

You can’t be born again until you realize your need

to be born again. And you can’t realize your need to be

born again until you come face to face with the Lord Jesus.

The Bible says there is a way that seems right to man but

the end thereof is death (Proverbs 14:12). We have plenty

of cultured, refined, moral people, but unless they are born

again, they’re going to split hell wide open.

 

There is a Heaven to Gain and a Hell to Shun

There was a certain rich man,

which was clothed in purple and fine

linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

And there was a certain beggar

named Lazarus, which was laid at his

gate, full of sores,

 

And desiring to be fed with the

crumbs which fell from the rich man’s

table: more-over the dogs came and

licked his sores.

 

And it came to pass, that the

beggar died, and was carried by the

angles into Abraham’s bosom: the rich

man also died, and was buried;

 

And in hell he lift up his eyes,

being in torments, and seeth Abraham

afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

 

And he cried and said, Father

Abraham, have mercy on me, and send

Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his

finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I

am tormented in this flame.

 

But Abraham said, Son, remember

that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy

good things, and likewise Lazarus evil

things: but now he is comforted and thou

art tormented.

 

And beside all this, between us and

you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they

which would pass from hence to you

cannot; neither can they pass to us, that

would come from thence.

 

Then he said, I pray thee

therefore, father, that thou wouldst send

him to my father’s house:

 

For I have five brethren; that he

may testify unto them, lest they also come

into this place of torment.

Abraham saith unto him, They

have Moses and the prophets; let them

hear them.

 

And he said, Nay, father

Abraham: but if one went unto them

from the dead, they will repent.

And he said unto him, If they hear

not Moses and the prophets, neither will

they be persuaded, though one rose from

the dead.

Luke 16:19-31

 

This was not a parable. Jesus said, “There was a

rich man.” This actually happened. The rich man, who had

never begged in his whole life, died and he went down to

hell. Lazarus was the beggar who had nothing. All he

could do was eat the scraps from the rich man’s table. He

died and was carried into Abraham’s bosom.

 

The rich man was in torment. This tells me that hell

is a place of torment and that heaven is a place of rest and

peace. The earth is the only hell that the child of God will

ever know; the earth is the only heaven the sinner will ever

know.

 

The Bible says it’s appointed unto man (…once to

die, but after that the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). There are

people who are committing suicide and they’re thinking

that they’re going to end their life and go into blessing and

peace. They go from the frying pad into the fire. They go

straight into hell, a place of eternal damnation and eternal

torment.

 

Did you know they’re trying to pass laws in the

state of California where it’s illegal for a preacher to preach

on hell because he’s causing duress on people’s emotional

state? They’re trying to pass laws in this country where it’s

illegal to preach the gospel and bring people to a place of

decision.

 

If they ever pass that law, they’re going to have to

lock the door and throw away the key on me, because I am

not going to quit preaching the truth of the Gospel of the

Lord Jesus Christ. I’m going to tell people there’s a heaven

to gain and a hell to shun. Hell wasn’t made for man. Hell

wasn’t made fro God’s people. Hell was made for the devil

and his angels.

 

Those who are in hell right now – given the

opportunity – would want to come out because of the

torment. But if you told the, “When you come out, you just

accept Jesus,” they would turn Jesus down. That’s why

they must go to a lost eternity. It’s not because God wants

to keep them there, but because they do not want to accept

Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

 

The rich man said, “If you would send someone out

to talk to my five brothers, they would believe.” Abraham

said, “They have Moses and the prophets. They didn’t

believe them, why are they going to believe someone back

from the dead?”

 

The rich man never begged in this life. Lazarus

begged in this life. But the rich man became a beggar in

the life to come. I’d rather be a beggar in this life and not

beg in the life to come, than be someone who does not beg

in this life but must beg in eternal life. He was begging for

a drop of water to cool his tongue. He was begging that

Abraham would send somebody to go and speak to his

brothers. But even someone from the dead would not

convince some people of their need to be born again.

 

My schoolmates used to mock me and say, “You’ve

wasted your whole life serving God. You don’t run to the

parties, you don’t get drunk like us.”

 

I said, “First of all, I don’t want to do that because I

love Jesus and I’m having great fun anyway. But let’s say,

just for argument’s sake, that there is no God. Let’s say

there is no eternity. When I die and you die, we’ve lost

nothing.

 

“But what if there is a God and there is a heaven

and a hell? When I die, I’m going straight to be with the

Lord. What will you do when you stand before the

Almighty God? What will you say the? God will take you

back to this day when you and I were talking face to face

and you told me it’s a bunch of hogwash. You’ll spend the

rest of eternity in hell realizing the opportunities you’ve

missed.”

 

Hell is a place of torment. The people there are

going to see the missed opportunities they had to accept

Jesus.

 

I shudder to think of people who have come to our

meetings and stormed out because they didn’t want to

accept Jesus as Savior. In hell they will remember and say,

“O God, if only, if only, if only.” The reason they have to

go there is not because God wants to punish people but

because they do not want to accept Jesus Christ as their

Lord and Savior.

 

There’s only one way to God. The new birth is

through one door and that’s Jesus Christ. The new birth is

not through Mohammed. The new birth is not through

Buddha. The new birth is not through Confucius.

 

The difference between Jesus Christ and Buddha

and Mohammed and Confucius is you can go to Buddha’s

grave today and it’s full. You can go to Mohammed’s

grave today and it’s full. You can go to Confucius’ grave

today – it’s also full.

 

But the grave of the Lord Jesus Christ is empty! He

is risen. The stone is rolled away. That’s what makes

Christianity different from every other cult and every other

religion. Jesus Christ is alive. He is risen! If He hadn’t

risen, Christianity would be like every other cult. But He

rose from the dead.

 

Jesus rose and He’s coming back again. When He

left the earth, the angels said the same Jesus you’re seeing

go now is coming back (Acts 1:11).

 

If You Were Arrested for Being a Christian

The Bible says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a

new creature: old things are passed away” (Second

Corinthians 5:17). But if you look at some Christians,

there’s no telling that they’ve passed from death unto life.

 

I heard one preacher ask, “If you were arrested for

being a Christian, would there be enough evidence against

your life to convict you?” Some Christians would get off

on probation. Others would get life sentences without the

chance of parole.

FOR UNTO US IS BORN

Foundation Scriptures

Isaiah chapter 7 verse 14  Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign:  Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us ).

Luke chapter 7 verses 10 & 11  And when the messengers who had been sent returned to the house, they found the bond servant who had been ill quite well again.  Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and His disciples and a great throng accompanied Him.

1 John chapter 3 verse 8  But he who commits sin (who practices evildoing) is of the devil (takes his character from the evil one), for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning.  The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil (has done).

 

It is a historical fact that Jesus was born.  What scholars dispute is whether He was all God or all man or part God and part man.  We know, from the Bible, that He was God manifest in the flesh.  He is completely God and completely man.

 

Think about this:  His birth, life, death and resurrection have affected the earth like none other before or since.  He was the Word made flesh and dwelt among us.  He affected the timetable of a whole planet – this is not something you can deny or ignore.

 

Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6  –  For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father (of Eternity), Prince of Peace.

His name shall be called “Wonderful” because He is so wonderful.  There is none like Him in all the earth.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is so wonderful in His saving, healing and delivering power.  Wonderful in His miraculous virgin birth, wonderful in His sinless life, wonderful in His miracle ministry of signs and wonders.  Wonderful in His conquest of sin, sickness and satan at Calvary.  Wonderful in His supernatural resurrection from the dead.  Wonderful in His present day ministry interceding for us at the Father’s right hand in Heaven.  Wonderful in His power to cleanse and forgive every sin.  Wonderful in His ability to set every captive free.  Wonderful in His grace that heals the broken hearted and breaks every bondage.  He is wonderful because His love reaches out to touch and transform all who will come to Him and call upon His name.

 

Acts chapter 4 verse 2   –  But many of those who heard the message believer (adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus as the Christ).  And their number grew and came to about 5,000.

This Christmas, reflect again on the goodness of God and the fact that Jesus really is the reason for the season!  As Christians, we have something to shout about and celebrate, because Jesus lives and in Him we live and move and have our being.

 

Rejoice, child of God, for unto us a son is born, a Savior who is Christ the Lord!

WORSHIP AT A SET PLACE

Thoughts on Stewardship
Worship at a Set Place
Foundation scriptures: Deuteronomy 12 verses 5 – 19

But you shall seek the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put His Name and make His dwelling place, and there shall you come; 6 And there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the offering of your hands, and your vows and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herd and of your flock. 7 And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you put your hand, you and your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you. 8 You shall not do according to all we do here [in the camp] this day, every man doing whatever looks right in his own eyes. 9 For you have not yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which the Lord your God gives you. 10 But when you go over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the Lord your God causes you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about so that you dwell in safety, 11 Then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause His Name [and His Presence] to dwell there; to it you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes and what the hand presents [as a first gift from the fruits of the ground], and all your choicest offerings which you vow to the Lord. 12 And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and your daughters, and your menservants and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your towns, since he has no part or inheritance with you. 13 Be watchful not to offer your burnt offerings in every place you see. 14 But in the place which the Lord shall choose in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all I command you. 15 However, you may kill and eat flesh in any of your towns whenever you desire, according to the provision for the support of life with which the Lord your God has blessed you; those [ceremonially] unclean and the clean may eat of it, as of the gazelle and the hart. 16 Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it upon the ground as water. 17 You may not eat within your towns the tithe of your grain or of your new wine or of your oil, or the firstlings of your herd or flock, or anything you have vowed, or your freewill offerings, or the offerings from your hand [of garden products]. 18 But you shall eat them before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord your God shall choose, you and your son and your daughter, your manservant and your maidservant, and the Levite that is within your towns; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all that you undertake. 19 Take heed not to forsake or neglect the Levite [God’s minister] as long as you live in your land.  Deuteronomy 12:5-19 AMP

1.  Even though this is an Old Testament passage concerning, the children of Israel, and the altar—the place of worship—we believe that several aspects of it apply to us today:

a. It is not scriptural to hop from church to church.
b. It is not scriptural to not go to church at all.
c. God sets the solitary in families.
d. We are not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together—even the more so when we see That Day approaching.
e. It’s not a matter of control—it’s a matter of covenant.

2.  We believe in the local church as the modern day “altar”—the place where we bring our worship and our offerings (our sacrifices).

a. God does not live in tabernacles made with hands.
b. We understand that He lives in us and that we are His temple.
c. Corporately we come together to fellowship with one another, to worship, and to bring our offerings, in the place that God chooses.
d. Not every church is where you should be but you should be where God sends you. Bring your families; your kids. Be rooted and grow. Come to a place of maturity.
e. Those who refuse to do these things are out of order—they are not under God-given authority. The apostle Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ”. The prerequisite for leadership is that they must follow Jesus and point you also to Jesus and not themselves. If they do not do this —what are you doing there?
f. Put your seed into good ground—that which produces for eternity.

Pastor Adonica’s Thoughts:
If you call yourself a Christian and you are not submitted to God in every area of your life, especially giving, then you are nothing less than rebellious. If you do what seems right to you and you do not obey the written word or allow the Lord to lead you on all these things, you have idols of self-will and un-submissiveness in your heart (Ezekiel 14:4 AMP). Pray about which church you should commit to and then commit, through thick and thin. Don’t follow the line of least resistance. Commit to a church and allow God to burn the junk out of your life.

Pastor Rodney’s Thoughts:
This passage is very plain. God did not want people sacrificing on any altar available. Even though we are on television, we have always believed that you are to tithe to the local church. The tithe does not go anywhere other than where you are being fed. That would be like living in your parent’s house, eating at your parent’s table, using their electricity, their covering, their wisdom, and paying board to the next door neighbor. You would be supporting those who do not even care for you. It is important for your spiritual well-being, just like the commitment of marriage. You don’t go around sowing your seed all over the place—only with the wife of your youth. You must be committed to a local church and bring your offerings and sacrifices there.

Prayer and Confession:
Father, this day I commit to support Your work in the place You have chosen for me. In faith I give and I worship You with my giving.

REDEEMING THE TITHE

Redeeming the Tithe – It’s Holy to the Lord
Foundation Scriptures: Leviticus 27 verses 30 – 34

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord. 31 And if a man wants to redeem any of his tithe, he shall add a fifth to it. 32 And all the tithe of the herd or of the flock, whatever passes under the herdsman’s staff [by means of which each tenth animal as it passes through a small door is selected and marked], the tenth shall be holy to the Lord. 33 The man shall not examine whether the animal is good or bad nor shall he exchange it. If he does exchange it, then both it and the animal substituted for it shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed. 34 These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses on Mount Sinai for the Israelites.  Leviticus 27:30-34 AMP

In the book of Leviticus, Father God laid out what was required of the children of Israel, concerning tithes and offerings. One of the things they were required to do was to bring ALL the tithe of ALL their increase. They were not allowed to do two-percent, here and there, as they chose. It did not matter what they did for a living, they were to bring one whole tenth of their profits to the Lord. The tithe is holy – holy to the Lord. We must treat it as something holy – something that belongs, not to us, but to the Lord. The tithe is not something to be given, or not given, at our discretion. Bringing the tithe is an act of obedience and submission to God.

People are always trying to argue with God and man over the tithe and find a reason not to do it. Refusing to tithe is an act of rebellion, whichever way you look at it. The Bible uses the word “pay”, not “give”, in reference to the tithe. When you get the revelation that the tithe already does not belong to YOU, but to God, then you will be more apt to do what is right and pay your tithes. If this truth offends you, then realize that you have allowed the devil to lie to you. The devil definitely does not want you to tithe! Your disobedience cuts you off from God’s protection, places you in enemy territory, and gives Satan prime opportunity to wreak havoc in your life and finances. Make a choice, once and for all, to honor God and to reject the enemy’s manipulation and devastation from off of your life.

Something that is very interesting to note, here in Leviticus, concerning the tithe: the Lord gave them a way to redeem the tithe. This meant that if someone had skipped out on the tithe they could come back to the Lord and they redeem it by adding one fifth to their tithe. It was a “back-tithe”. For example: Let’s say that someone worked for a company and, for whatever reason, they were not paid for several months and then that company suddenly paid them up-to-date. The company owed them “back-pay” and would have to catch it all up.

How much more if we skipped out on our tithe for several months? How do we make it up? We add one fifth to it. Let’s say that our tithe was $300 and that we had skipped out three months. This means that we were behind on our tithes by $900 and, in order to catch up, not only should we catch up on our tithe, but, according to the scripture, we should add one fifth. One fifth would be $45, so to catch up we would then pay $945.

When we first came to America, in 1987, some pollsters claimed that 20% of born-again believers paid their tithes. However, most recently, they say that only 6% pay tithes. Can you imagine what the loss to the kingdom of God is on a monthly basis? Literally billions of dollars, that could have been used for the Gospel, are now lost. The needed finances don’t find their way into the Kingdom of God, but people are spending their money on themselves and their every desire. These unfaithful, disobedient Christians don’t realize that they are shooting themselves in the foot. They are missing out on huge blessings from God, because of their rebellion against the Word of God! Only at the judgment seat, will many see the reality of what giving to God was all about and how holy the tithe is to the Lord.

I want to encourage you to look at your life and take stock. Are you really totally committed to God? Are you committed to God in your finances? The tithe is only 10%! The government and your credit card company take much more than that! Why would anyone even think of not bringing the tithe to the Lord? It is His! Remember that He is the one that gives you the strength to get up every morning and to be able to do what you do to earn a living. Why would you not honor him every pay period?

Now, I am not suggesting that you have to work out what you owe as years of back-tithe and add one fifth, but I am suggesting that you should definitely repent and tell the Lord, “I am sorry – from this day onward I will tithe.” Do what the Holy Spirit tells you to do so that you can have a clear conscience before the Lord. Then start tithing, and don’t stop, until the day that the Jesus comes to take you home!

Prayer and Confession:
Lord, You have promised to bless and provide for me, and to rebuke the devourer on my behalf as I commit my tithe to You. From this day, until the day I see You face-to-face, I will honor You with my tithe – with one tenth of all my income.

The Enemy Is Looking for the Key

And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee,

wherein thy great strength lieth and wherewith thou

mightest be bound to afflict thee.

 

And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven

green withs that were never dried, then shall I be

weak, and be as another man.

Judges 16:6, 7

 

He knew that they could bind him with whatever

they wanted to and they weren’t going to hold him down.

But in the back of his mind he’s thinking, The last time

they bound me, I snapped those cords and took a jawbone

of a donkey and killed a thousand of them. Let’s just play

around with this. They can tie me up again. I’ll just tease

these people a little while, mock them. They think they’re

going to play with me. I’m the great Samson. I’m

indestructible.

 

Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her

seven green withs which had not been dried, and she

bound him with them.

 

Now there were men lying in wait, abiding with

her in the chamber. And she said unto him, The

Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he brake the withs,

as a thread of tow is broken when it toucheth the fire. So

his strength was not known.

 

And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast

mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee,

wherewith thou mightest be bound.

Judges 16:8-10

 

The devil will come at you constantly and he will

try to find the key to the anointing on your life. Now

remember, twice before, Delilah’s plan had failed.

 

Playing on the Cliff of Your Life

 

But Samson is going to play again. He’s going to

make up some funny story and mock them again. You’d

think he would be wise and say, “No, I’m on the edge of

the cliff about to fall off. I need to be cautious here. I

need to leave this woman. I need to leave this company

and go and do what God has called me to do and stop

messing around here in the camp of the world.”

 

But it seemed good to him to have fun. You see,

people have this idea that they can carry on in the world.

They think they can carry on with ungodly relationships

and ungodly acquaintances and it’s fine. They say, “It’s

not having an affect in my life.”

 

It might not have an affect on you now. But two

or three years from today what type of person are you

going to be? It might not show an affect in your life right

now. But five years from now, where will you be?

 

Will you be more on fire for God five years from

now? If you are less on fire for God than you were five

years ago, then you need to change what you’ve been

doing for the last five years and get to the place where

you can stay on fire for God, full of the Holy Ghost, and

walking in the Spirit.

 

And he said unto her, If they bind me fast with a

new ropes that never were occupied, then shall I be weak,

and be as another man.

 

Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him

therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon

thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in

the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like

a thread.

Judges 16:11,12

GOD’S FAVOR ON YOUR LIFE

Thoughts on Stewardship

Lessons from Exodus

Because of God’s Favor On Your Life, You Will Never Go Empty-Handed

Foundation Scriptures: Exodus 3 verses 19 – 22

And I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go [unless forced to do so], no, not by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out My hand and smite Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in it; and after that he will let you go. 21 And I will give this people favor and respect in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be that when you go, you shall not go empty-handed. 22 But every woman shall [insistently] solicit of her neighbor and of her that may be residing at her house jewels and articles of silver and gold, and garments, which you shall put on your sons and daughters; and you shall strip the Egyptians [of belongings due to you]. Exodus 3:19-22 AMP

1. When God stretches out His hand, extending His favor toward you, amazing things begin to happen.

a. The Lord’s favor was on Israel, when He delivered them from Egypt. He told the children of Israel that when they left Egypt, they would not go empty-handed. God is not a robber neither does He condone taking what is not yours. He does however believe that you should receive that which is owed to you. God says that the laborer is worthy of his hire (1 Timothy 5:18) and He also told the Israelites that if their brother is sold to them as a slave, they should work for six years and be freed, with compensation, in the seventh year. “And when you send him out free from you, you shall not let him go away empty-handed. You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress; of what the Lord your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.” Deuteronomy 15:13-14 AMP

b. God told the Israelites to spoil the Egyptians.

c. The Israelites did not leave with the Egyptian’s junk —the stuff you would usually find at a yard sale—they walked away with their very best clothing, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold. This was their payment for the years they were enslaved and abused.

2. Remember that Israel had been afflicted; they had been misused and abused; they had been in captivity and slavery for 270 years.

a. God heard the cries of the Israelites. God told them that He knew that the king of Egypt would not let them go unless he was forced to do so by a mighty hand.

b. He told them that He would stretch out His hand and smite Egypt with signs and wonders so that pharaoh would let them go.

3. The Lord told the Israelites:

a. I will give you respect and favor in their sight.

b. You will not go empty-handed.

c. You shall spoil the Egyptians.

N.B. God’s favor, and His favor alone, will cause you to spoil the “Egyptians”.

Pastor Adonica’s Thoughts:

God has great plans for your life. He does not play favorites—God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). You can have the same favor on your life as Moses and the children of Israel, if you will submit your life and heart to the Lord, unreservedly. Don’t miss out on all the blessings of God’s favor and anointing that could be on your life, because you won’t obey God when He speaks. The Lord told Israel, “Do not say in your [mind and] heart, after the Lord your God has thrust them out from before you, It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to possess this land–whereas it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you.” (Deuteronomy 9:4 AMP) Obedience brings favor—rebellion brings disaster.

Pastor Rodney’s Thoughts:

God had great plans for His people, Israel. He had made promises to them, through their fathers, and God always keeps His promises. His plan for them did not include slavery in Egypt, but for them to live as free people in the land He had promised to them. God does not keep His promises because of us, but because of Him, but unless we obey Him when He tells us to do something, we will not see the promise fulfilled. If we do not obey, we will not receive the promise, just as the same people, who were brought out of Egypt, disqualified themselves from entering the Promised Land because of rebellious disobedience. God planned to bring His people out of captivity and into the Promised Land. This land was a good land—a land that overflowed with milk and honey. This land had enemies in it, but God had already given them the victory. First He had to deliver them from Egypt.

Because of God’s favor on Israel, He moved to deliver them through His signs and wonders (His anointing and power). When you walk with God in obedience—no matter what you may be facing—know that the Lord will deliver you. He will give you favor and deliver you by the anointing—through signs and wonders. There is nothing like Divine Favor. This favor can take you where money cannot take you. In our life and ministry, I have seen the hand of God deliver us many, many times out of impossible situations and give us great favor. People often notice and comment on the extreme favor that is on our lives. This favor does not come without a price—the price is absolute obedience! Get in line with God’s will for your life today—obey the Lord, and let the Lord deliver you and grant you His divine grace and favor.

Prayer and Confession:

Father I thank you, in Jesus Name, for delivering me out of my current circumstances and for granting me supernatural, divine favor. I commit to obey You in all things and I expect to receive Your blessings on my life.