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

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

God did not give us a spirit of fear – God is not the author of fear – God is love and perfect love casts out fear! All fear comes from the devil. Not one kind of fear comes from God. The devil sows fear into people and then uses their fears to control and intimidate them. Faith is complete and absolute trust in the living God. Fear manifests itself in the absence of faith. There was no fear in the Garden of Eden until trust was broken and sin and guilt entered in through temptation and disobedience. We open the door to fear when we start to believe the lies of the enemy. You could say that we have faith when we believe the word of God and we have fear when we believe the word of the devil.

Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death–that is, the devil–15 And also that He might deliver and completely set free all those who through the [haunting] fear of death were held in bondage throughout the whole course of their lives.  Hebrews 2:14-15 AMP

Fear is paralyzing and keeps people in deep bondage. The strongest fear people have is the fear of death. Jesus came to die and rise again, defeating the devil and taking back the keys of death, hell, and the grave. Now, if you believe what Jesus has done for you and receive him as Lord and Savior, you lose your fear of death, because you know that even when this physical body dies, you will continue to live on. Eternal life is yours from now on, into eternity. If the worst thing that can happen to you is dying, and you no longer have a reason to fear death, then why should you be afraid of anything else or anyone else, ever again? Jesus told us to not be afraid of man – those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. He told us rather to be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28). God is the One we should be in awe of – not any man, nor any devil. God is the One whose opinion counts; He is the One we should respect; He is the One whose word will never pass away.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid What can man do to me?”   Hebrews 13:4-6 NIV

The only way to get rid of fear is to apply the word of God and your faith to the situation. Faith comes through the knowledge of God and His word – no other way. God said He would never leave you or forsake you. You can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” If God is for us then who can be against us? If God is on our side there is nothing that can touch us and no one who can harm us (Romans 8:31; Psalms 118:6). His word tells us that he has given us a spirit of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. God gives peace of mind in the midst of chaos.

God has given us a spirit of power. We have power over the devil, power over fear, power over temptation, and every other evil thing that comes our way on a daily basis.

God has given us a spirit of love. Perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). Fear brings with it the thought of punishment, but when we have a revelation of God’s love for us, and His mercy and forgiveness; we have no fear of what He might do to us. Only those who don’t know the Lord are afraid of Him – or they should be.

God has given us a spirit of calm and well-balanced mind. Fear does not need to rule your mind! When you know what God’s word says, you can and should take authority over your mind. Take authority over your thought life. Take authority over your will and your emotions. Your mind is like a child. If left to its own devices, it will run wild. You need to take charge of your mind and tell it what to think. As a sinner, your mind was programmed with all kinds of junk and fear. As a believer, you have a responsibility to yourself to kick all that junk and fear out and reprogram your mind with the life-altering principles of God’s word.

God has given us a spirit of discipline and self-control. Fear does not need to rule your life! You can take authority – by the power of the word and the Holy Spirit – over fears that manifest themselves in and through your body. You can speak peace to your body. You need to tell your body what to do – not the other way around. You can walk victoriously in this life through the power of the word of God!

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:11-12 KJV

Abraham waited patiently for the promise of God to be fulfilled — it was 25 years from the time God had promised him a son until Isaac’s birth. God has made us some exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4). The key to activating those promises in our lives is faith and patience. The way that any of the great saints of God received the fulfillment of the promises made to them by God, was faith and patience. We are to follow their example and allow them to inspire us into the same spirit of diligence. We cannot afford to be slothful, or we will fail. When we are sluggish, disinterested and lazy, we are being slothful. We hear a lot about faith and that we need to exercise faith in God, so that we may receive those things we’ve asked of Him. However, faith needs patience in order to work. Without patience, there is no faith!

Patience means the capacity, or willingness, to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming angry or upset. Synonyms of patience are calmness, composure, diligence, even temper, forbearance, fortitude, imperturbability, long suffering, perseverance, persistence, poise, restraint, self-control, serenity, staying power, and tolerance.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:2-4 KJV

Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.  James 1:3-4 AMP

We can’t really know the depth of our own character until we see how we react under pressure. Patience is produced through keeping your eyes on God and His word, and continuing to trust in Him, through all kinds of trials and tribulations. Patience involves steadfastness and endurance — refusing to quit or give up. We call that “bulldog faith”! Tests work patience and patience works perfection. Because our trials and temptations are often so intense, they seem to last for an eternity. Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth. Character and spiritual maturity grow and develop in us, as we allow patience to have its perfect and thorough work in us, through all the tough times and the difficult circumstances that life throws at us. Faith and patience go hand in hand and grow up together in us as we allow God to do His work in our heart and life. When we allow patience to have her perfect work, we will be perfect and entire wanting nothing and coming short in nothing.

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 NKJV

Now you have closely observed and diligently followed my teaching, conduct, purpose in life, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, 11 Persecutions, sufferings — such as occurred to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, persecutions I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me.  2 Timothy 3:10-11 AMP

Paul lists the characteristics that make a godly and successful Christian — faith, patience and love. Faith and patience go hand in hand, together with love and righteousness and godliness. Another word for steadfastness is perseverance. Paul needed perseverance to get him through all the trials and persecutions he had to suffer for the Words’ sake. He calls on us to follow the example he set, and at the same time, he assures us that even though he had to endure all this, the Lord was still faithful to deliver him in the end. We have to understand that trials, tribulations and persecution are all part of our walk down here. It doesn’t mean that God has abandoned us — on the contrary — He is with us through it all and will deliver us out of it all if we will only trust in Him and allow Him to do His work in and through us.

Urge the older men to be temperate, venerable (serious), sensible, self-controlled, and sound in the faith, in the love, and in the steadfastness and patience [of Christ].  Titus 2:2 AMP

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure.  2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 NKJV

Patience is the opposite of frustration, impatience, agitation and intolerance. The patience that we exhibit through all the tough things we go through in life is growing our faith. As our faith grows, we become stronger and more solid in the things of God. Our faith muscles are exercised. Just as physical muscles can only grow through opposition — weights — so our spiritual muscles — our faith — grows through opposition! The more our faith and patience grows, the more we can overcome the trials, temptations and attacks of the enemy. The more we grow in faith and patience, the greater our victories become! We can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us!

Through faith and patience, we will inherit the promises!

1. I am the Bread of Life  

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.  36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.  37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.  38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.  40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” 41 The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.”  42 And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves.  44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.  45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.  46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.  47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. 48 I am the bread of life.  49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead.  50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.  51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”  John 6:35-51 NKJV

2. I am the Light of the World  

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”  John 8:12 NKJV

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  John 9:5 NKJV

3. I am the Door of the Sheep  

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  John 10:7-9 NKJV

4. I am the Good Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.  12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.  13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.  14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  John 10:11-14 NKJV

5. I am the Resurrection and Life

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  John 11:25 NKJV

6. I am the Way, Truth, and Life

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.  John 14:6 NKJV

7. I am the True Vine

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.  John 15:1-6 NKJV

So they brought the ark of God and set it in the midst of the tent which David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. 3 And he distributed to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. 4 He appointed Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord and to celebrate [by calling to mind], thanking and praising the Lord, the God of Israel: 5 Asaph was the chief, next to him Zechariah, Jeiel (Jaaziel), Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, and Benaiah, Obed-edom and Jeiel, who were to play harps and lyres; Asaph was to sound the cymbals; 6 Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God. 7 Then on that day David first entrusted to Asaph and his brethren the singing of thanks to the Lord [as their chief task].  1 Chronicles 16:1-7 AMP

David appointed regular singers and musicians – musical priests from the ranks of the Levites – to minister continually before the ark. Their job description was to play musical instruments, blow trumpets in front of the Ark of the Covenant and sing and worship God continually. They were to personally worship God and also lead the congregation in worship. They were appointed to thank and praise God and call to mind – for the people – what God had done for Israel. They were to record – which means: commemorate; earnestly make mention of; be mindful of; recount; remember; make to be remembered; bring into, or keep in, remembrance; think on – the good things God had done. They were to celebrate the goodness of God and continue to remind the people – in music and song – what God had done, how good He is, and what He had promised. These psalmists ministered continually, morning and evening, from this time on through all of David’s life and also part of the time when other kings ruled. God’s praises should be continually in our heart and mouth!

O give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known His doings among the peoples! 9 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; meditate on and talk of all His wondrous works and devoutly praise them! 10 Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! 11 Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually! 12 [Earnestly] remember the marvelous deeds which He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He uttered [as in Egypt], 13 O you offspring of [Abraham and] of Israel His servants, you children of Jacob, His chosen ones! 14 He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. 15 Be mindful of His covenant forever, the promise which He commanded and established to a thousand generations, 16 The covenant which He made with Abraham, and His sworn promise to Isaac. 17 He confirmed it as a statute to Jacob, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, 18 Saying, To you I will give the land of Canaan, the measured portion of your possession and inheritance. 19 When they were but few, even a very few, and only temporary residents and strangers in it, 20 When they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people, 21 He allowed no man to do them wrong; yes, He reproved kings for their sakes, 22 Saying, Touch not My anointed, and do My prophets no harm.  1 Chronicles 16:8-22 AMP

After David appointed the psalmists, he began to do just what he had instructed them to do. He began to worship and praise God, commemorating His goodness and His glory. He did it for himself personally, and also led them in it, and in so doing, demonstrated to them what their function was to be. Not merely their function, but their very heart attitude – because praise comes from the heart. We don’t do it out of duty we do it out of genuine love and thanksgiving!

David admonished them to:

1. Give thanks unto the Lord.
2. Call upon His name.
3. Make known His deeds among men.
4. Sing unto Him.
5. Sing psalms unto Him.
6. Talk of all His wondrous works.
7. Glory in His holy name.
8. Let the hearts of seekers rejoice.
9. Seek the Lord.
10. Seek His strength.
11. Seek His face evermore.
12. Remember His marvelous works.
13. Remember His wonders.
14. Remember the judgments of His mouth.
15. Be always mindful of His covenant.

In this psalm, we find four elements of true thanksgiving:

-remembering (and commemorating) what God has done,

-telling others about Him and what He’s done

-showing God’s glory to others, and

-offering your own gifts – giving yourself, your time, and your resources.

If you are truly thankful, your life will show it – people will see it, and hear it, in and through you.

Praise and thanksgiving should be a regular part of our routine – each and every one of us – and we should not reserve it only for celebrations. These are some of the things that you should keep in mind when you are praising and worshipping God. Give thanks to God; call on His Name; sing to Him; sing about Him; sing about what He has done; remember and speak of His wonderful works; glory in His name; let your heart rejoice; seek the Lord – His face and His strength; remember His commandments. We should also be always mindful of His covenant – be mindful of: all that He has done for you;  all that He has done in you; all that He has promised; who He is to you; who you are in Him; how faithful He is; how generous He is; how awesome and wonderful He is! He is indeed worthy of our praise!

He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.  Proverbs 10:17 AMP

The Doctrines of the Gospel are godly:

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.  1 Timothy 6:3-5 NKJV

Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.  Titus 1:1-3 NKJV

The Gospel, the Words of Jesus, the Truth, is that which is after, or accords with, godliness. That means it belongs to godliness, it harmonizes with godliness, and it tends to godliness.  The fruit of preaching true doctrine is godliness – in the preacher and the hearer.  If your doctrine does not lead to godliness, you are not preaching the true Gospel.  The true Gospel is giving, sharing and sacrifice.  The Gospel condemns those who use the Gospel for their own gain, or to manipulate others.

Doctrine condemns immorality:

But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.  1 Timothy 1:8-11 NKJV

The Word of God condemns immorality. Some people think that walking in the grace of God allows us to do whatever we want, but that is simply not true.  Jesus said in Matthew 5:17-20 (NKJV), “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it.  He redeemed us from the curse of the law, and gave us a higher law – the law of love – to love God and your neighbor.  If you love God, you will not do anything to dishonor Him.  If you love your neighbor, you will not do anything to hurt him or her.

 Doctrine leads to fellowship with the Father and with the Son:

 That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.  1 John 1:3 NKJV

Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.  2 John 9 NKJV

Doctrine leads to holiness:

 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.  Romans 6:17-19 NKJV

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.  Titus 2:12 NKJV

As God’s children and His representatives, we should bring no reproach on the doctrine of the Gospel:

Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.  1 Timothy 6:1 NKJV

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things —  4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.  Titus 2:1-5 NKJV

If we humbly submit to the doctrines of the Gospel in our own everyday life, God is glorified through us.  However, if we personally disobey God’s word because we think we know better, we expose the Gospel to reproach – to be blasphemed and/or discredited.  If you preach the Gospel to others, and yet by your life you show that you do not believe it yourself, then your witness has lost its power and credibility.  If you call yourself a believer, then you should show honor to the doctrines of the Gospel, by truly submitting your life to the Word of God, and being a doer of His Word in every area of your life.

Foundation Scriptures:

Joshua 10:1-14

And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon, that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. 12 Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.  Joshua 10:11-14 KJV

1. The Mandate is Three-Fold:

1. a. Pray. Get in the Word. Fasting and prayer.
2. b. Preach the Gospel – win souls.
3. c. Make disciples.

2. Prophetic Words for the Last Days:

1. a. Phoenix, Arizona. “Tell the Church to speak to the sun. Tell the sun not to set just yet, for the sun is fast setting on the horizon of time. Just like Joshua commanded the sun and the moon to stand still, and they did. So the church will speak to the sun. I do not say, I will grant one more day, for there is not one day left, but I will give you one more hour.”
2. b. Megiddo, Israel. “We race to Armageddon.”

3. God’s Mandate – the Harvest.

1. a. Mark 16:15-16 KJV – And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
2. b. Acts 1:8 KJV – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
3. c. James 5:7 KJV – Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
4. d. Romans 8:14-19 KJV – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
5. e. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 KJV – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 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.

4. This Mandate is for Every Believer, Not Just for the Five-Fold Ministry:

1. a. From the littlest child, to the oldest saint.
2. b. Everyone mobilized.
3. c. Stay plugged in to the Body of Christ – the local Church.
4. d. Making disciples.

5. The Only Thing You Can Take with You is People.

1. a. John 3:16-17 KJV – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

6. We Must Have a Great Awakening in America.
   a. 1700
   b. 1800
   c. We need one now!

Let’s face it, it’s a whole lot easier for the enemy to keep you from doing something than to shut you down after you’ve started…especially if you’re from The River Church!

Your enemy wants you quiet!

Why do people get quiet?
– When they are intimidated
– When they are scared
– When they are tired
– When they are losing
– When they don’t have anything to say

Why do people grow loud?
– When they are excited
– When they are happy
– When they feel powerful
– When they are winning
– When they want to be heard

What you feed on is what fills you, and what fills you is what flows out of you.

Matthew 10:16-28 – you will be persecuted but don’t fear them

John  20:19-22 – the disciples were assembled in fear when Jesus appeared to them and breathed on them

1. Know the Word
* John 8:32 – know the Truth
2. Meditate on the Word
* Joshua 1:1-9 – be strong and very courageous
* We need to continually meditate on the Word, refreshing and cleansing ourselves with it
* By speaking it
* By singing it
3. Believe the Word
* Mark 11:23-24
4. Pray in accordance with the Word
* Jeremiah 23:29  “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”
* 24-hour War Room
5. Act on the Word
* Step out in faith
* Esther 4:14-16 have you come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

The Word of God must be continually entering into us for us to remain victorious.

Without that entrance of the Word into our hearts and minds and the reminder of the Truth and Victory that we live in, the influence of the world, through situations and circumstances, tries to drown out the voice of the Spirit.

We cannot acclimate ourselves to the world and its carnal surroundings, its ways and patterns of thinking and speaking.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

We are called to stand out, to be different, to be a light in darkness. “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:15

Scriptures on Safety, Security, & Trust:

“I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”  Psalms 3:6-8

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:8

“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”  Psalms 5:11

“In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” Psalms 56:4

“In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.”  Psalms 56:11

“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” Psalms 91:2

“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day.” Psalms 91:4-5

“There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” Psalms 91:10

“He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.”  Psalms 112:7

“Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.” Psalms 115:11

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.”  Psalms 118:9

“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33

“Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” Proverbs 3:23-24

“There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.” Proverbs 12:21

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”  Isaiah 43:2

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.” 1 Peter 3:12-14

Foundation Scriptures:

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 KJV

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2:8 KJV

Prayer Power Made Available to the Church.

The keys of the Kingdom.

Matthew 16:19 KJV – “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Authority has been given to us.

Matthew 28:18-20 KJV – “ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Elijah was a man of like passions and his prayers were answered.

James 5:16-18 KJV – “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

Be bold to pray and to take God at His Word.

A Praying Church is a Victorious Church.

Psalm 2:8 KJV – “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”

Standing in the gap and crying out – in prayer and intercession – for our President.

Isaiah 59:16 AMP – “And He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor [no one to intervene on behalf of truth and right]; therefore His own arm brought Him victory, and His own righteousness [having the Spirit without measure] sustained Him.”

24-Hour Prayer.

This is why we have the 24-hour prayer center.

We want to launch a prayer vigil 24/7, from today, specifically for our President.

We pray for Divine protection for our President; for God to have mercy on America one more time just like He has each century.

For another Great Awakening.

For total confusion in the camp of the wicked, and for the enemy to be set back.

For the wheels to be pulled off of Pharaoh’s chariots.

Whatever is being planned in secret, let it be exposed publicly.

For the Church to wake up and for the harvest of souls to come in.

Proverbs 29:2 KJV – “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

Will You Stand in the Gap and Pray on Behalf of Our President?

One more hour of daylight – the sun is fast setting on the horizon of time.

Pray – in the Spirit and also in English (or your language) whatever the Holy Spirit leads you to pray.

1 Corinthians 14:15a KJV – “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also…”

Make yourself available to be used of God to stand in the gap.

Yield to the Holy Spirit.

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.

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.