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ONENESS

God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. 27 So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth. Genesis 1:26-28 AMP

Almighty God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – Creator of heaven and earth, created man in His image and likeness. He created them male and female. Both the male and the female, together, are created in the likeness of God. There is not one who is inferior to the other, but rather, they are complementary to one another.

Now the Lord God said, It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him. 19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every [wild] beast and living creature of the field and every bird of the air and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever Adam called every living creature, that was its name. 20 And Adam gave names to all the livestock and to the birds of the air and to every [wild] beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him. 21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs or a part of his side and closed up the [place with] flesh. 22 And the rib or part of his side which the Lord God had taken from the man He built up and made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 Then Adam said, This [creature] is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of a man. 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall become united and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not embarrassed or ashamed in each other’s presence.
Genesis 2:18-25 AMP

God first created one being, called Adam. But He said, “It is not good, satisfactory, or acceptable that the man should be alone. I will make him a helper – a mate – who is suitable, adapted and complementary for him.” He made Adam fall into a deep sleep and out of his rib – his side – he formed Eve. The Hebrew word, used to describe how God created Eve is different from the word used to describe how He created Adam. It literally means “built” or “skillfully formed”. God skillfully formed a mate for Adam, who would be specially adapted to him and complementary to him in every way. Eve was especially and specifically designed to be Adam’s complementary opposite – his counterpart. She would be suitable for him, intellectually, morally, and physically. He needed her; he could not do without her. Indeed, without her, he did not only lack companionship, but it would be impossible for him to be fruitful, or multiply, or replenish the earth!

Adam said, “This woman is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” God took some things out of Adam and put them in Eve; He left some things in Adam that He didn’t put in Eve. They need each other. God created them to desire each other – to desire the oneness of their unity. Woman is said not to have been taken out of man’s head to be lorded over by him, nor from his feet to be trampled on by him, but from his side to be equal with him, from under his arm to be protected by him, and from near his heart to be loved by him. This is God’s plan for a husband and wife!

He replied, Have you never read that He Who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be united firmly (joined inseparably) to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder (separate).  Matthew 19:4-6 AMP

But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man shall leave [behind] his father and his mother and be joined to his wife and cleave closely to her permanently, 8 And the two shall become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has united (joined together), let not man separate or divide.
Mark 10:6-9 AMP

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  Ephesians 5:31 AMP

God gave marriage as a special gift to Adam and Eve – they were created perfectly and complementary for each other. God ordained marriage – marriage is not a man-made thing – it was not brought about by culture, neither is it just for convenience. Marriage was instituted by God and involves three basic aspects: (1) the man leaves his parents and, publicly promises himself to his wife; (2) husband and wife are joined together by their commitment to each other – by taking responsibility for each other’s welfare and loving their mate above all others; (3) the two become one flesh in the intimacy and commitment of the sexual union that is reserved for marriage. Strong, healthy marriages include all three of these aspects.

Throughout the Bible, God treats this special partnership very seriously and if we are married, or plan to marry, then we should as well. Marriage requires commitment – are you willing to make that commitment that makes the two of you one? The goal in marriage should be much more than friendship; the goal of marriage should be oneness.

 

THE UNRIGHTEOUS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.  Ephesians 5:1-11 NKJV

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.  1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NKJV

We – the believers – are to be imitators of our Father God. Jesus saved us from the world – from sin and from death. He justified us. We are not saved to continue in sin – we are saved FROM sin, to sin no more. Jesus Christ loved us and gave Himself for us – an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. We belong to Him and we owe it to Him and ourselves to follow Him and stay true to Him. Those who have clean hands and a pure heart will see God – they will know Him here on earth and go to heaven when they die – but those who are unrighteous and who practice the works of the flesh and the works of darkness will not see God. The unrighteous and the sinner – the children of disobedience – will NOT inherit the kingdom of God. We were once darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. Now we must walk as children of light and we must expose the works of darkness for what they are.

These classes of people will not inherit the Kingdom of God:

1. Whoremongers or Fornicators (the immoral)
Greek: pornois – Fornicator; whoremonger; male prostitutes; libertines – persons who are morally or sexually unrestrained

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”  Revelation 21:7-8 NKJV

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.  Revelation 22:14-15 NKJV

2. Unclean persons
Greek: akathartos – homosexual; pervert; impure; foul; unclean; immoral; lewd; or demonic. This word is used 23 times of demon spirits and only twice in reference to people.

Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. Luke 4:33a NKJV

3. Effeminate (catamites)
Greek: ?malakos: of uncertain affinity; soft to the touch; effeminate; figuratively, a catamite. A catamite is a young man who submits his body to unnatural lewdness; a boy or youth who is in a sexual relationship with a man. “Soft to the touch” refers to men who have feminine traits to an inappropriate degree; lacking in manly strength or aggressiveness; especially marked with weakness, softness, and love of ease; excessively affected in his emotions.

4. Abusers of themselves with mankind
Greek: ?arsenokoites – sodomites; homosexuals; pederasts (lover of boys); lesbians; one guilty of unnatural offenses; sexual pervert

5. Adulterers (the unfaithful)
Greek: ?moichos – a (male) paramour; illicit lover; figuratively, apostate (a person who forsakes his religion or his cause)

6. Covetous men
Greek: pleonektes – holding or desiring more; eager for gain; avaricious, hence a defrauder.

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 NKJV

7. Thieves (robbers)

Greek: kleptes – a thief; a stealer (literally or figuratively).

8. Idolaters (false worshippers)
Greek: eidololatres – servant or worshipper (literally or figuratively) of an image or an idol.

9. Drunkards (drinkers of intoxicants)
Greek: methusos – a person who is habitually or frequently drunk.

10. Revilers (abusers of others)
Greek: loidoros – mischief; abusive, railer: reviler; verbally abusive; to assail with contemptuous or opprobrious (outrageously disgraceful or shameful) language; address or speak of abusively.

11. Extortioners (those who obtain by violence or threats)
Greek: harpax – rapacious; extortion: ravening.

12. Deceivers
Greek: apatao – to cheat; delude; deceive.

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
  2 Timothy 3:13 NKJV

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
  Titus 3:3 NKJV

13. Children (sons) of disobedience
Greek: apeitheia – disbelief; obstinate and rebellious; disobedience; unbelief.

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.  Colossians 3:5-6 NKJV

 

Marks of a Good Pastor – Part IV

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

  1. The good Pastor/Minister cares about his flock. He/she is well acquainted with his flock. He gives them godly private and public instruction and counsel. He/she is there to help and to serve.
  2. The good Pastor/Minister leads his flock and always points them toward Jesus.

John 10:3 AMP – The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out.

John 10:9 AMP – I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.

  1. The good Pastor/Minister prays for and intercedes for his flock to grow in the Lord, to know Him better, and to know who they are in Christ.

Ephesians 1:15-16 AMP – For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints (the people of God), 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.

  1. The good Pastor/Minister is a giver in every way. He sincerely preaches the truth. He is not manipulative. He puts his flock before himself and makes their spiritual well-being a priority. He gives his time and attention. He is not greedy and he does not covet any of the flocks’ possessions; neither is he a burden to them. He only loves, serves, encourages, warns, exhorts, encourages, protects and watches over the flock.

Acts 20:26-35 NIV – Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men.   27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

1 Thessalonians 2:4-13 NIV – On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed — God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

  1. The good Pastor/Minister sets a godly example for the flock and watches over their souls.

Hebrews 13:7 AMP – Remember your leaders and superiors in authority [for it was they] who brought to you the Word of God. Observe attentively and consider their manner of living (the outcome of their well-spent lives) and imitate their faith (their conviction that God exists and is the Creator and Ruler of all things, the Provider and Bestower of eternal salvation through Christ, and their leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness).

Hebrews 13:17 AMP – Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either].

The Tithe

Abraham brought the tithe to Melchizedek, priest of the Most High God:

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all. Genesis 14:18-20 NKJV

The word “tithe” literally means “a tenth”. Abraham brought his tithe to God through Melchizedek long before the Law was instituted. Through the ages, paying tithes is not a matter of Law, but a matter of FAITH and COVENANT!

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. 5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.  Hebrews 7:1-10 NKJV

Jesus is our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek:

Where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.  Hebrews 6:20 NKJV

Abraham brought tithes to God through Melchizedek – a type and shadow of Jesus, our High Priest. When we bring our tithe in faith and obedience, we are bringing it – not to man – but to Jesus, Himself.

Jacob considered the tithe a just return for all of God’s blessings:

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, 21 so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. 22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”  Genesis 28:20-22 NKJV

Before the Law was given, Jacob promised God that he would give Him a tenth of all that with which God would bless him. The order is this: first we receive the blessing of God, and then we give back to Him the tenth that is due Him of ALL He has given to us.

The Tithe belongs (is holy) to the Lord:

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.  Leviticus 27:30 NKJV

And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord.  Leviticus 27:32 NKJV

If the tithe belongs to God, then we have no business keeping it one day longer than we ought. If you have any respect for God and His word, then the moment your harvest (income) comes in, you will set it aside to bring to the Lord the very next time you go to church. When the Israelites brought the tithe to the temple, they were to speak a confession over it – that it was truly the tithe of their income and that it had been handled, according to God’s word, like a holy thing.

Tithe on ALL that God has given you:

You shall surely tithe all the yield of your seed produced by your field each year.  Deuteronomy 14:22 AMP

Then there will be the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. There you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, and all your choice offerings which you vow to the Lord.  Deuteronomy 12:11 NKJV

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.  Malachi 3:10 NKJV

Since tithe means tenth – we are to bring the whole tenth of our income to God. We don’t tithe off of our leftovers, but off of the top. God knows when we bring Him the tithe or if we bring Him less. He is the source of our blessing and the one to whom we are accountable. Why would we even want to cheat God, when we know that we will be the only ones cheated (of a blessing). We bring our whole tithe because we love and honor our Father God and because we are both grateful for all He has provided and expectant for all that He will do to provide for and bless us in the future.

I Know the Plans I Have For You

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. 12 Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. 13 Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:11-13 AMP

 

Verse 11 in the KJV says, “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.”  Father God has thoughts and plans for us for peace. This word translated “peace” means: peace, welfare, well-being, happiness, favor, rest, safety, health, and prosperity.

 

God has NO plans for evil. It is the devil who plans evil against mankind. The commitment that God expects from us is that we come to seek Him with ALL our heart, to pray to Him, and to call upon Him. Then He promises that He will hear us and answer us. We are the ones who can settle for the devil’s plan for us, or we can choose God’s plan. God’s plan entails welfare and peace and hope and fulfillment of promises. No matter what we go through, we know that God will have the final say and His good plans for us WILL succeed!

 

Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.  Psalms 1:1 AMP

 

You can follow God’s plan for your life, or you can listen to ungodly people’s advice and ideas. God’s plan is for a hopeful future, but man’s plans will lead you down the road to nowhere. The decisions we make for our lives are not merely earthly decisions, but decisions whose impact is felt into eternity. God already has a path and plan laid out for you that will take you into life and blessing, if you will choose it.

 

Let all those that seek and require You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified! 17 [As for me] I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me. You are my Help and my Deliverer. O my God, do not tarry!  Psalms 41:16-17 AMP

 

It doesn’t matter what your circumstances are right now, the Lord is thinking about you and planning good plans for you.

 

Then [Israel] believed His words [trusting in, relying on them]; they sang His praise. 13 But they hastily forgot His works; they did not [earnestly] wait for His plans [to develop] regarding them.  Psalms 106:12-13 AMP

 

We must give God’s plans for us time to develop. Some people praise God one minute, and then the next, they forget what He has promised and they are off doing their own thing. We must believe God’s promises concerning us and not give up or get distracted. It is those who exercise faith and patience, who inherit the promises.

 

Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.  Proverbs 19:21 AMP

 

You can make all the plans in the world, but there is no guarantee they will come to pass. If you follow God’s plans, He will make sure that they come to pass, no matter what.

 

The Lord of hosts has sworn, saying, Surely, as I have thought and planned, so shall it come to pass, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.  Isaiah 14:24 AMP

 

God’s plans WILL come to pass. You can accept His plans for your life, and succeed; or you can go your own way and fail.

 

And the spirit of the Egyptians within them will become exhausted and emptied out and will fail, and I will destroy their counsel and confound their plans; and they will seek counsel from the idols and the sorcerers, and from those having familiar spirits (the mediums) and the wizards.  Isaiah 19:13 AMP

 

Anyone who fights against God, and tries to find direction instead from the devil, and his agents, will utterly fail. God will confound the plans of your enemy.

 

But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither do they understand His plan, for He shall gather them as the sheaves to the threshing floor.  Micah 4:12 AMP

 

Everyone will stand before God and will be at His mercy. He sent Jesus to take the entire wrath of God that sinners deserve, upon Himself; so that we could be shown mercy. Just as the sheaves were sorted after harvest, to keep the wheat and burn the tares, so all of mankind will stand before God and either be received into His Kingdom or be rejected and cast into hell, into the flame that never dies.

 

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.  Romans 8:28 AMP

 

When we, who are called according to His design and purpose, work obediently with God to fulfill that purpose, then He works with us and makes our plans good and our path straight. Even though the devil might try to attack and harass, he cannot stop you, or the plan of God, as you faithfully follow that plan. God’s purposes for you will come to pass. He will cause every circumstance to turn and line up with His plans for you. Find out what His plan is for you. Trust Him and follow Him and you will succeed.

THE CHARACTER OF GOD – PART THREE

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Psalms 86:15 KJV

 

Our Father God is:

 

  1. Full of compassion:
  2. Psalms 111:4 KJV – “He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.”
  3. Psalms 112:4 KJV – “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.”
  4. Psalms 145:8 KJV – “The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”
  5. Compassion: “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.” Compassion feels the suffering and moves to do something about it.
  6. Compassion saves and redeems:
  7. Matthew 9:36 KJV – “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”
  8. Compassion heals and delivers:
  9. Matthew 14:14 KJV – “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”
  10. Matthew 20:34 KJV – “So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.”
  11. Compassion feeds and provides:
  12. Matthew 15:32 KJV – “Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.”

 

  1. Gracious and Merciful:
  2. Psalms 103:8 KJV – “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”
  3. Psalms 116:5 KJV – “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.”
  4. Exodus 22:27b KJV – “…and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.”
  5. Exodus 33:19 KJV – “…I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.”
  6. When you turn to God in repentance, you will be met with His compassion.
  7. 2 Chronicles 30:9 KJV
  8. It’s because of God’s compassion and graciousness that many are not destroyed in their sinful state. He did not abandon them, even though they abandoned Him. Because of His graciousness, He does not snub us or turn us away when we humble ourselves and turn to Him for help.
  9. Nehemiah 9:17
  10. Nehemiah 9:31
  11. Jonah 3:1-10 and 4:1-2 – God forgives Nineveh.
  12. Joel 2:12-13 KJV – Rend your heart, and not your garments – He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.
  13. 1 Peter 2:2-3 – You have tasted that the Lord is gracious – desire His Word.

 

  1. Longsuffering:
  2. Longsuffering: long and patient endurance of injury, trouble, or provocation.
  3. Numbers 14:18 KJV – “The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.”
  4. The Lord is longsuffering, merciful and forgiving, but He cannot forgive those who will not repent.
  5. Romans 2:4 KJV – “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
  6. God is patiently good to us as He waits for us to turn to Him in repentance.
  7. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 KJV – Paul is an example of the longsuffering of Jesus.
  8. 1 Peter 3:19-20 KJV – God waited patiently for one hundred years for Noah’s generation to repent.

 

  1. Plenteous in mercy:
  2. Mercy: kindness; beauty; favor; pity.
  3. Psalms 103:8-11 KJV – “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.”
  4. Exodus 20:6 KJV – “And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”
  5. Exodus 34:6-7
  6. Titus 3:5-7 – According to His mercy, He saved us.
  7. Jude 21 KJV – “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

 

  1. Plenteous in truth:
  2. Psalms 85:10 KJV – “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
  3. Here we have four attributes of God – mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace – working in harmony to bring salvation to those who fear God.
  4. God’s Truth is sent forth to make known to all the will of God.
  5. Righteousness expects and demands obedience to the Truth.
  6. Mercy forgives man of all sin.
  7. This forgiveness and righteousness produces peace.
  8. Deuteronomy 32:4 KJV – “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”

 

  1. If you’ve seen Jesus, you’ve seen the Father:
  2. John 8:3-11
  3. The scribes and Pharisees tried to catch Jesus breaking the Law with a woman caught in adultery.
  4. He didn’t contradict the Law of Moses.
  5. He didn’t validate her sin, nor did He excuse it
  6. He acknowledged that, under the law, she was deserving of punishment.
  7. He demonstrated that not one man there, other than Himself, was in a position to judge her, or to carry out her punishment.
  8. He demonstrated forgiveness.
  9. He sent her on her way, saying, “Go, and sin no more.”
  10. The Father, through Jesus, forgives you when you repent – so go on and serve Him.
  11. 1 Samuel 12:24 KJV – “Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.”

Speaking Blessing Over Your Life

Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.  Deuteronomy 29:9 KJV

Sow these scriptures on God’s prosperity in your heart.
Speak them out of your mouth until they become real to you.

Start to obey and act on the Word.

Thank You Lord that You desire that I prosper and be in health even as my soul prospers. (3 John 2)

Thank You that I am prospering in my mind, in my body, in my spirit, and in my finances.

Thank You Father, that it is Your will that I prosper. It says in Your Word that You delight Yourself in the prosperity of Your servant. (Psalm 35:27)

Lord, because I keep Your commandments, You delight in prospering me. Thank You that I am prospering in my marriage, in my business, and in every area of my life. My family is blessed. Whatever I put my hand to is prosperous and blessed. (Deuteronomy 30:8-9)

Thank You Father, that You commanded us to be fruitful, and to multiply. Thank You that as I honor You, in every area of my life, I am fruitful and increased. (Genesis 1:22)

I delight and meditate in the Word of God day and night and keep it in my mouth; therefore, my way is prosperous and I am having good success. (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2)

Lord, I meditate upon Your Word. I delight in Your Word. I am like a tree planted by the rivers of water. My leaf does not wither. I bring forth fruit in season. Whatever I do, will prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Thank You Father, that You have blessed me to be a blessing.
(Psalm 21:6)

Thank You, that because I am a tither, the devourer is rebuked for my sake. You have opened the windows of heaven and are pouring out for me such blessing that I cannot contain – there will not be room enough to receive it. (Malachi 3:10)

I have given and it is given unto me, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. I have an abundant supply.
(Luke 6:38)

My God supplies all of my needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

I confess that because I walk in righteousness, God’s favor and blessing rests upon me. (Psalm 5:12)

Because I love God’s Word, I increase in wisdom and favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)

I walk in God’s favor today in all my business dealings.

I walk in God’s favor today with people.

He makes His face to shine upon me today. He is gracious to me today. I walk in His blessings and in His peace. I expect something good to happen to me today. (Numbers 6:25-26)

With God all things are possible. So today, I am expecting God’s favor and success to be upon me! (Mark 9:23)

I am blessed wherever I am – in the city or in the country.
My children are blessed. My business is blessed and increasing.
My produce and productivity is blessed.
I am blessed when I come in and blessed when I go out.
The Lord will thoroughly defeat my enemies.
The Lord will command the blessing on my storehouse (income; savings).
The Lord will command the blessing on everything I set my hand to.
The Lord will command the blessing on me in the land He gives me.
Thank You Lord that You are opening Your good treasure to me.
Thank You that You give the rain to my land in its season.
Thank You for blessing the work of my hands.
Thank You that I will be the lender, not the borrower.
The Lord will make me the head and not the tail.

I will be above only and not beneath.

I carefully heed and observe the commandments of the Lord my God.(Deuteronomy 28:3-8 and 12-13)

Jesus has redeemed me from the curse of lack and poverty and want.  Because of Him, I am blessed! (Galatians 3:13)

I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed, I AM BLESSED!

The Lord gives me grace and glory. No good thing does He withhold from me. (Psalm 84:11)

Wealth and riches are in my house. I reverence the Lord and delight greatly in His commandments. I will not be afraid of evil tidings. My heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  (Psalm 112:1; 3; 7)

My storehouses are filled with plenty. I honor the Lord with my possessions and with the first fruits of all my increase. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

I am willing and obedient and I do enjoy the good of the land. (Isaiah 1:19)

Because I trust in the living God and not in possessions, He gives me richly all things to enjoy. I am rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. (1Timothy 6:17-18)

I have sought first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Now all those things I need are being added to me. (Matthew 6:33)

I believe that Jesus Christ, Who was rich, was made poor for me that I, through His poverty, may be made rich – abundantly supplied.
(2 Corinthians 8:9)

God is able to make, and is making, all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) abound toward me, so that I have more than enough for myself and also to be able to be a great blessing to God’s work and to other people. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

I am a child of God and a joint heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17)

I have received abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness so I reign as a king in life through Christ Jesus. (Romans 5:17)

In due season, I shall reap, because I do not give up. I continue to give, to do good works, and to be a blessing. (Galatians 6:9)

Why We Were Created

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

Foundation Scriptures: Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:7

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

Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7 AMP

1.  Man was created by God – formed him out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.

  • We did not evolve—the theory of Evolution is exactly that: a theory—not a law.
  • But now [in spite of past judgments for Israel’s sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.  Isaiah 43:1 AMP
  • 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
  • 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

2.  We were created as a result of God’s divine purpose.

  • Isaiah 43:7 says, “I have created man for my glory.”
  • Man is a created being, purposed by God to bring Him glory.
  • God said, “Let us—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” make man in OUR image.
  • Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. 5 For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]–6[So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:4-6 AMP
  • [For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago].  2 Timothy 1:9 AMP

3.  Six things that set you and I apart from all of God’s creation.

  • Man is created by God.
  • Man alone—of all created beings—received the very breath of God.
  • Man is formed in God’s image.
  • Man is created for God’s glory.
  • Man was planned and designed in a council of the triune God.
  • Man has been redeemed by the God-Man, Jesus Christ. (Jesus was all God and all man.)

4.  Man was created in God’s image.

  • Not a physical image—God is a Spirit.
  • A personal image—one who designs, plans and communicates, wills and feels (is pleased and displeased).
  • God saw everything He had made and behold it was very good (Genesis 1:31)
  • Man is a moral being—man was created with a sense of accountability to his Maker.
  • Man has a conscience.
  • When man does right, his heart assures him—when he does wrong his heart condemns (convicts) him.
  • Man has a social image—to love a wife, who is from his side, to be equal to him; near his heart, to be loved by him; under his arm, to be protected by him.
  • Man was commanded to multiply and replenish the earth.
  • Out of the Ten Commandments—six concern our relationships with our fellow man.
  • Man was made to have communion with God, his family, and his friends.
  • Man is a living soul—a whole being—a spirit and a soul in a body. The body was fashioned to live forever, but when sin entered the world that changed and death began to work in the body.

5.  Ten facts about the body.

  • It is a mortal body that will return to the dust out of which it was fashioned (Genesis 3:19; Psalms 104:29).
  • Even though the body is made from the dust of the ground—it is wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14-16).
  • Man’s body is only a temporary tabernacle for man to live in (2 Peter 1:14; 2 Corinthians 5:1).
  • Man’s body will be glorified in the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:44a & 53).
  • The body of the born-again man is the temple of the Holy Spirit. This is why it should not be used as an instrument of sin (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
  • When you dedicate yourself to God, your body is a living and holy sacrifice (Romans 12:1).
  • The redeemed man’s body is a weapon against the devil (Romans 6:13).
  • Redeemed man enjoys certain benefits of Christ’s redeeming work in the Body even in this world (Matthew 8:16-17).
  • You will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ on what you have done in the body (2 Corinthians 5:10).
  • Man’s body of dust, which he inherited from Adam, bears the image of Adam as well as the image of God (1 Corinthians 15:45-49).

Working Out Your Salvation

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

FOUNDATIONS OF MY FAITH
MY ABSOLUTES–THINGS I CANNOT COMPROMISE

WORKING OUT YOUR SALVATION

Foundation Scriptures: Philippians 2:12-13

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV

Working out my salvation.

  1. The moment you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, you become a new creature—your Spirit is made brand new; re-created; eternity comes to live in your heart; eternal life is yours. You are translated out of the kingdom of darkness, into the kingdom of light. Heaven is now your destination and your new home!
  2. Your soul—mind; will; emotions—needs to be renewed.  This is your responsibility. You work out your salvation by submitting —spirit, soul and body—to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
  3. James 1:21-27
  4. Don’t be a fake. Be real—with God, yourself and others.
  5. God wants a pure heart more than mere good works.
  6. God is full of mercy and grace, but it is a mistake to take God’s grace and mercy for granted.
  7. Hebrews 10:26-29
  8. God is kind, gracious and loving, but He is also righteous and He expects righteousness from us.

I must walk in love and forgiveness.

  1. If you don’t forgive, the Father cannot forgive you.
  2. Mark 11:25-26 AMP – And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings.
  3. Luke 17:3-4
  4. Ephesians 4:32

I must not neglect fellowshipping with the Saints.

  1. You are not the only one out there—no man is an island.
  2. God wants us to look out for one another.
  3. Each of us needs to experience truth and grace—people who will tell us the truth and confront the sin in our lives, and people who will love us, accept us, forgive us and encourage us in our walk with God.
  4. Hebrews 10:23-25
  5. Work to live in harmony with each other.
  6. Romans 12:16
  7. 1 Corinthians 12:25
  8. Love each other.
  9. John 13:34-35

I must read the Word and pray daily.

  1. Fellowship with God through His Word and prayer.
  2. John 15:1-8
  3. Talk to the Lord. Listen for His voice. Spend time in His presence. Stay hooked up to Him.

I must be involved financially in Kingdom business.

  1. Tithes—local church.
  2. Malachi 3:8-12 AMP – Will a man rob or defraud God? Yet you rob and defraud Me. But you say, In what way do we rob or defraud You? [You have withheld your] tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer [insects and plagues] for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine drop its fruit before the time in the field, says the Lord of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.
  3. Offerings—local church and missions.
  4. 2 Corinthians 8:12-15
  5. 2 Corinthians 9:6-12
  6. Poor and needy.
  7. 2 Corinthians 8:7

I must live my life as a daily witness to Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

  1. Acts 1:8 AMP – But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
  2. Sharing Jesus by my actions.
  3. 1 John 3:18 AMP – Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).
  4. Sharing Jesus by my words—witnessing.
  5. Proverbs 11:30 NKJV–The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

N.B. (Important note) I must be a soul–winner!

PERSECUTION FOR THE WORD’S SAKE

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

So the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”  Genesis 3:14-15 NKJV

The devil hates God. He tried to exalt his throne above God’s throne. He is rebellious and full of pride and iniquity. Because he hates God, he also hates man—who was made in God’s image. He tried—and succeeded—in corrupting man and cutting him off from God through sin and disobedience, but God has a Master Plan and the devil will not win the war in the end!

When the devil tempted Adam and Eve, and they ate the fruit and sinned against God, God told the devil that One (Jesus) was coming—the Seed of the woman—who would bruise his head. After that, the devil was watching out and trying to kill anyone he thought might be the One. When he saw that Abel pleased God, he thought he was the one and influenced Cain to murder his own flesh and blood brother. He continued through the generations to try to destroy all mankind in general, and those who pleased God, in particular.

When Jesus was born, the devil realized that He was the One. He stirred the religious leaders to hate and kill Jesus, but he had no idea that he was signing his own death warrant! This was God’s plan all along, that Jesus would be crucified, die, rise again and, in the process, strip the devil of the keys of death and hell and his authority over man. The devil thought he was getting rid of Jesus, but he did not realize that God’s plan was to make many more little “Jesus’”! On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled 120 with the power and the fire of God, and ever since then He has filled an innumerable number of God’s children with this same power! They are running around the earth preaching the Good News of the Word of God and doing the works of Jesus. What a nightmare for the devil!

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:3-5 NKJV

Everyone who is full of God’s Word is dangerous to the devil. Whoever gets hold of God’s Word and gets God’s Word in them is victorious over the devil! The Word of God is the devil’s defeat! He has to stop the Word. Mark 4:17 says that trouble and persecution arises on account of the Word. All persecution comes for the sake of the Word of God—to hinder and or stop it.

Jesus is the Word of God, made flesh, who dwelt among us (John 1:1-14). He was manifested to destroy the works of the devil (Acts 10:38). The devil persecuted Jesus. He tried to tempt Jesus to sin, but was unsuccessful, so his next plan was to stir men up against Jesus to stop Him and/or kill Him. He tries to do the same with you and me to try to stop God’s powerful Word!

The Word of God is the power of God. The Word of God created all of creation. Hebrews 11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 4:12 AMP says that, “the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.”

James 1:21 says that the Word of God—implanted and rooted in your heart—contains the power to save your soul and Romans 1:16 says that the gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. The devil knows the power of the Word of God and his plan is to shut the Word up and keep it from bringing life and freedom. Those who are full of, and submitted to, the Word of God are devil-defeaters so his attack is directed at the Word of God in their heart and life.

Persecution arises to steal the Truth from you—to try to stop you from walking in life and freedom and to try to stop you from sharing the Truth with others and seeing them saved and set free. If you are going to be a doer of the Word, then you will be persecuted. Don’t get offended when you are persecuted—it’s nothing personal. You are being persecuted for the Word’s sake—not because you are so special. Don’t focus on the people, or what they are doing or saying, either. Recognize that the devil is behind it. Don’t allow him to pull you down to his level; don’t allow him to tempt you into a dog-fight where you are punching at shadows instead of preaching the Gospel, doing the works of Jesus, and destroying the devil’s works; don’t allow him to distract you from the plans and purposes
of God.

Keep preaching the Word of God, keep your heart pure and your hands clean, walk in love and do the works of Jesus. The devil may try his best to stop the Word of God, but will always fail. God’s Word will eternally endure and prevail!