A Spirit of Excellence – Part 1

Foundation Scriptures:

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Daniel 6:3 KJV

Daniel and his friends had ten times more wisdom and understanding than the others. Daniel interpreted dreams and had an excellent spirit. The king promoted him ruler over the whole province of Babylon. Daniel raised up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They would not bow to the golden image and were thrown into the fiery furnace. Daniel would not stop praying to the one true God and was thrown into the lion’s den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were delivered from the fire in the furnace. Daniel was delivered from the lions. God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths.

  1. What Is a Spirit of Excellence?
  • A spirit of excellence, one anchored to the things of God, is the key that will bring you through trials and tribulations. It will enable you to succeed, have favor, and fulfill all that God has ordained for you to accomplish in your lifetime. How would you like to have an excellent spirit?
  • Definitions of Excellence: the quality of being outstanding or extremely good, distinction, quality, superiority, brilliance, greatness, merit, caliber, eminence, and mastery.
  1. Having a Spirit of Excellence Will Always Produce Fruit.
  • Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 15:16 KJV
  • Father, we ask You, in the name of Jesus, to help us develop an excellent spirit, one that is anchored to the Word of God.
  • Characteristics of an Excellent Spirit: great character, integrity, honesty, compassion, humble, teachable, ever learning, great work habits, dependable, meekness, consistent, confident, determination, diligence, adaptability, persistent, goal-oriented, enthusiastic, forgiving, self-disciplined, reliable, great stewardship, generous, grateful, bold, guard your heart, positive attitude, faithful, hopeful, surrendered to God, and Christ-like.
  • God blesses excellence! Where you find excellence, you will find God’s favor.
  1. We Must Pursue Excellence in All Areas of Our Lives.
  • Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23 AMPC
  • See Proverbs 22:29 AMPC and Ecclesiastes 9:10 AMPC.
  • Enemies of Excellence: mediocre, average, procrastinator, low self-esteem, lazy, compromise, low motivation, poor communicator, prideful, complacent, arrogant, boastful, conceited, callous, inconsistent, mentality of grass is always greener on the other side, excuse-driven, unreliable, unforgiving, fearful, negative, doubtful, slothful, easily offended, faithless, rebellious towards God’s Word, ignoring the Holy Spirit, and spirit of religion and tradition.
  • What Is Mediocre? Average, ordinary, of only moderate quality, not very good, middling, middle-of-the-road, uninspired, undistinguished, indifferent, unexceptional, unexciting, unremarkable, and run-of-the-mill.
  • Mediocre or average is being the best of the worst and the worst of the best. Are you happy with being mediocre? Do you believe that this is God’s best for you? Don’t conform to average or mediocre just to fit in. God’s best never intended for you to be just average or ordinary.
  • For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
  1. Apply Excellence in Every Area of Life.
  • Workplace: Show up ten minutes early. Don’t pack up to leave until you’re off the clock. Don’t surf the Internet and play games. Don’t take excessive breaks or long lunches. Do not steal office supplies. Do above what is expected. Work hard. Be a team player. Study to improve your skill set at your job. Keep your work area clean. Have a great attitude. Look people in the eye. Be polite. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
  • Appearance: Whether you wear dress clothes or casual, make sure that your apparel is clean and neat. Take care of yourself. Have proper personal grooming habits, good hygiene, and a healthy diet. First impressions are lasting impressions. You are the temple of the living God.
  • Vehicle & Home: Take care of your car even if it’s old. Detail it inside and out. Follow through with the regular maintenance of it. Keep your home clean. Make your bed. Wash your dishes. Take out the trash. Keep the yard mowed and maintained. Fix broken items immediately.  If you’re faithful in the little things, God will make you ruler over much.
  • Stewardship of Borrowed Items: If you borrow something, return it in better condition. If you borrow a car, return it with more fuel. Never use offering envelopes to take notes on. Pay your bills and pledges. Excellence = Stewardship.
  1. Enemy of Excellence: Offense.
  • And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9-10 KJV
  • The Bible tells us that Joseph did not get offended at his brothers when they mocked his dreams and threw him in a pit. Joseph did not get offended when he was wrongly accused and put into prison. Joseph had a spirit of excellence and would not yield to a spirit of offense. Joseph was promoted to the palace and was overseer of all of Egypt. The entire world, including his family, came to him to receive food during a global famine.
  • When you’re pressed and in a hard place, whatever is in your heart will come out. Having a spirit of excellence in the pit and in the prison took Joseph to the palace. This process took 13 years. Excellence is a journey; it’s not a one-time event.
  • Having a spirit of excellence does not make you proud or better than anyone else; it makes you humble and thankful. It’s a “heart thing” – not a hard thing!
  1. A Spirit of Excellence in Your Relationship with the Lord.
  • Pray and study the Word. Talk to Him and praise Him! Don’t forsake the assembly of the brethren; come to church. If you hunger and thirst after righteousness, you shall be filled. There are nine fruit of the Spirit. A spirit of excellence is composed of the nine fruit of the Spirit.
  • But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all—love]. 1 Corinthians 12:31 AMPC
  • A spirit of excellence is always love motivated; God is love.
  • Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39 KJV
  • If you have Christ, you have it in you to have a spirit of excellence.

THE BLESSINGS OF GRATEFULNESS

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

All these curses shall come upon you and shall pursue you and overtake you till you are destroyed, because you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 They shall be upon you for a sign [of warning to other nations] and for a wonder, and upon your descendants forever. 47 Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of [mind and] heart [in gratitude] for the abundance of all [with which He had blessed you], 48 Therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord shall send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and in want of all things; and He will put a yoke of iron upon your neck until He has destroyed you.  Deuteronomy 28:45-48 AMP

Deuteronomy 28 is a record of the blessings of obedience, and of honoring and serving God, and the curses that come from refusing to honor and obey God. God would love for you to walk in abundant blessings and in a surplus of prosperity. He is not the one withholding blessings from you. It is your choice – you position yourself to receive or not. A major key to tapping into the blessings of God and protecting yourself from the attacks of the enemy is in your attitude. If put God first in your life, if you are grateful to God for all His blessings, and if you serve Him with joyfulness of mind and heart, the blessing on your life will increase. However, if you are ungrateful and you complain and do not appreciate the blessings you do have, you will open the door for the devil and bring curses on yourself and your family.

Gratefulness keeps you close to God and keeps you trusting in Him. You see His hand in every area of your life. You appreciate what He has already done for you yesterday, what He is doing for you today, and you look forward with a joyful, confident expectation to what He will do for you again tomorrow. If you slip into an ungrateful way of thinking, you begin to doubt God. You begin to think that He has not done enough for you. Maybe you doubt that He did anything for you at all – maybe it was you who did it for yourself. You start to think, “My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth!” (Deuteronomy 8:17) You even begin to resent Him because you think He has done little or nothing for you. All the blessings you have received begin to grow smaller and smaller in your mind and your troubles and trials begin to grow bigger and bigger.

All this time, the state of your attitude has had nothing to do with what God has actually done or not done, but it has everything to do with your own perception of what He has done or not done. You begin to push away from God when you really need Him the most. Of course, when you leave the presence of God, you step into the devil’s territory. This is why the devil loves to stir up ungratefulness in people. It brings them into a place where he can control, manipulate, and have dominion over them.

But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him].  1 Corinthians 8:3 AMP

Your grateful recognition of God’s blessing in your life is an expression of your love for Him. Love is a decision, not a feeling. God already loves you. You must decide to respond to His love and you must love Him back. It is a win-win situation for you and for God! Ungratefulness denotes a lack of love. When husbands begin to be ungrateful toward their wives or when wives begin to be ungrateful toward their husbands, for who they are or what they have done or not done, it erodes the love they felt for each other at the beginning and signals an end to the relationship – unless they get an attitude adjustment. When children do not appreciate their parents, it makes for a rocky relationship. Some kids have been raised by wealthy parents who gave them everything they wanted. Even so, they were greedy and ungrateful – they did not love or appreciate their parents. The more they got the more they wanted and so they even went so far as to murder their parents and siblings to get it all. However, they just ended up losing it all when they were put in jail!

The devil doesn’t care how you end up, as long as it is in a big mess. God does care for you – He wants you to experience abundant life in every area of your existence. He has done so much for you and has so much more planned for you. He wants to be able to do things for you, so wonderful that you haven’t even dreamt them up yet, never mind asked for them. He wants to be able to carry out His purpose and do exceeding abundantly above all that we dare ask or think – infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams! (Ephesians 3:20)

Open up your heart and your life for the blessings of God by remembering to joyfully and gratefully thank Him every day for everything He has done, everything He is doing, and everything He is about to do for you!

The Covenant Meal

Foundation Scriptures: 
Exodus 12:1-14 KJV

  1.  Salvation from Bondage.
    a.  The first eleven chapters of the Book of Exodus tell us about the bondage of the Israelites in Egypt.
    b.  In Exodus 12:1-14, God is outlining a way out – a plan of salvation.
    c.  He is not only setting His people free, but He is also judging the gods of Egypt.
    d.  God is holy – sin must be judged.
    e.  The tenth day of the month of Nissan this year is on March 26th.
    f.  One lamb (a year old), per family, is selected and thoroughly inspected for imperfections for three days.
    g.  If one small blemish is found, the lamb is not worthy of the sacrifice.
  2.  Sacrificial Lamb.
    a.  There were approximately 2.5 million people (family of 8) which equals 312,500 lambs.
    b.  God was specific: Roast it. Do not eat it raw and do not boil it.
    c.  On the 14th day of the month, after passing inspection, the lamb is sacrificed and the blood caught by a basin. Then it’s roasted.
    d.  A branch of hyssop is dipped into the blood and used to strike the lintels and side posts of the door.
    e.  When the angel of death passed by and found no blood, the firstborn would die.
    f.  God was not only allowing sin to be judged, but whosoever refused to do this was refusing God’s plan of salvation.
    g.  Someone had to die – either the firstborn, or the lamb.
    h.  There had to be the shedding of blood.
    i.  The wages of sin is death – without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.
  3.  Deliverance – Salvation and Healing.
    a.  As they ate the lamb, they had to be packed, dressed and ready to leave.
    b.  Imagine 300,000 lambs barbecuing at one time. The Egyptians must have known something was up.
    c.  The Israelites did all this by faith – inspected the lamb, killed it, sprinkled the blood, roasted it, and dressed to travel – all at the Word of the Lord, through Moses.
    d.  When God said to Pharaoh, “Let My people go,” He was saying, “If you touch them, you touch Me.”
    e.  They are the apple of My eye.
    f.  Covenant talk for covenant people.
    g.  He saved and healed them all.
    h.  Psalm 105:37 KJV – “He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.”
  4.  Supernatural Provision.
    a.  While they wandered in the wilderness, God supernaturally provided for His covenant children.
    b.  Supernatural deliverance at the Red Sea.
    c.  Pillar of cloud by day.
    d.  Pillar of fire by night.
    e.  Manna from heaven.
    f.  Quail from heaven.
    g.  Water from the rock.
    h.  Deuteronomy 8:4 AMPC – “Your clothing did not become old upon you nor did your feet swell these forty years.”
  5.  Born to Die.
    a.  They didn’t leave Egypt until: 1) The lamb was in them; 2) the blood was on them, 3) the Glory cloud was over them.
    b.  After this, every year, at the same time, they would prepare and partake of the Passover – the memorial covenant meal.
    c.  The priests and high priests began to breed lambs for the sacrifices.
    d.  Jesus – the Lamb of God – was born, and raised, to die.
    e.  When the shepherds heard about Jesus from the angels, they were watching their flocks. Lambs being prepared for Passover.
    f.  For twenty-nine years nothing was heard about Jesus.
    g.  At the age of thirty, Jesus’ ministry came under public scrutiny for three years.
    h.  John 1:29 KJV – “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
    i.  John 1:36 KJV – “And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!”
    j.  At the age of 33, He set His face, like flint, to go to Jerusalem (Isaiah 50:7).
    k.  On the 9th day of Nissan, the Lamb of God makes His triumphal entry, even as thousands of lambs come through the sheep gate.
  6.  Passover Feast.
    a.  Three days before He went to the Cross, Jesus celebrates the Feast of Unleavened Bread (seven days) and the Passover with His disciples.
    b.  He followed the pattern laid out by Moses, but on this day He was adding substance to what was, previously, types and shadows.
    c.  On the table was a bag with bread in three pouches, which to the Jews represented Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Or, to us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
    d.  He took out the center loaf.
    e.  Take, eat, this is My body broken for you.
    f.  There were four cups – three right-side up and one face down – Messiah’s cup – the cup of redemption.
    g.  Drink this cup, it is the New Covenant in My blood.
    h.  In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experienced the agony of facing the Cross and being offered up as a sacrifice for sin.
  7.  Passover Lamb.
    a.  Isaiah 53:1-7
    b.  The lambs were scrutinized for three days.
    c.  As the lambs are inspected for blemishes, Jesus is inspected (questioned) by the priests and High Priest.
    d.  Pontius Pilate said three times, “I find no fault in this man.”
    e.  The High Priest gave the command for Him to be crucified.
    f.  As they nailed Him to the cross, they sharpened their knives for the animal sacrifice.
    g.  He died, even as the lambs were being sacrificed.
    h.  As He died, He cried, “It is finished!”
    i.  The veil covering the Holy of Holies split in two from the top to the bottom.
    j.  The Old Covenant ended – the New Covenant began – an everlasting covenant established in the blood of Jesus.

TO LIVE IS CHRIST – TO DIE IS GAIN

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

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 AMP

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 Because we know that Christ (the Anointed one), being once raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him. Romans 6:8-9 AMP

I have been crucified with Christ. I was in Jesus when He died on the cross. I was in Jesus when He was raised from the dead. Death no longer has any power over me. The moment my faith connects with His promise, this becomes my reality. I am transformed from the inside out – a new creature in Christ. My life is not governed merely by external regulations, but it is led, guided and prompted by the Holy Spirit. I don’t live a life dictated and controlled by the flesh. I no longer fear the wrath of God. I live a life of absolute faith and implicit trust with one goal – to please Him and only Him.

I am not perfect yet – I am a work in progress. However, the more I come to know Him; the more I come into a revelation of His word, His character, and His plan for me – the more I realize how awesome He is, the more I fall in love with Him, and the more I commit my life into His hands. I no longer live just for me, I live for Him and He lives big on the inside of me. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live here in the flesh, on the earth, I live by faith in my precious Lord and Savior, Who loved me so much He gave me His all – He gave Himself up for me.

For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity]. 22 If, however, it is to be life in the flesh and I am to live on here, that means fruitful service for me; so I can say nothing as to my personal preference [I cannot choose], 23 But I am hard pressed between the two. My yearning desire is to depart (to be free of this world, to set forth) and be with Christ, for that is far, far better; 24 But to remain in my body is more needful and essential for your sake. 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and stay by you all, to promote your progress and joy in believing, 26 So that in me you may have abundant cause for exultation and glorying in Christ Jesus, through my coming to you again. Philippians 1:21-26 AMP

I am in love with Jesus. I have a revelation of what it means to have everlasting life. I will never die, but I will live eternally in God’s presence. I have eternal life right now. If my body dies, I (my spirit) will live on with Him forever. I already died the death of the cross the day I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. That old man is dead. That old sin nature is dead. No one can ever steal from me my resurrection life, purchased with the precious blood of the Lamb. I have glimpsed eternity and I am no longer afraid of death. Because I have crucified my flesh and counted the things of earth as dung, it makes no difference to me if I live here or if I live in heaven. My heart’s desire is rather to be in His glorious presence, but while I still live here on earth, there is work to be done. It is better for those who need Jesus that I remain and labor in the harvest field. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Either way I win!

None of us lives to himself [but to the Lord], and none of us dies to himself [but to the Lord, for] 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For Christ died and lived again for this very purpose, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Romans 14:7-9 AMP

Whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord. We don’t live for ourselves alone – we are accountable to Him. Whether we live or die, we will always belong to Him. We no longer live to and for ourselves, but to and for Him, Who died and was raised again for our sake.

For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] one died for all, then all died; 15 And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 AMP

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN AND A CARNAL CHRISTIAN

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

If then you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things and have escaped from the world’s crude and elemental notions and teachings of externalism, why do you live as if you still belong to the world? [Why do you submit to rules and regulations?–such as] 21 Do not handle [this], Do not taste [that], Do not even touch [them], 22 Referring to things all of which perish with being used. To do this is to follow human precepts and doctrines. 23 Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh (the lower nature). [Instead, they do not honor God but serve only to indulge the flesh.] Colossians 2:20-23 AMP

When we were living in the flesh (mere physical lives), the sinful passions that were awakened and aroused up by [what] the Law [makes sin] were constantly operating in our natural powers (in our bodily organs, in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh), so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now we are discharged from the Law and have terminated all intercourse with it, having died to what once restrained and held us captive. So now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [under obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life]. Romans 7:5-6 AMP

You can be saved and still be a carnal Christian rather than a spiritual Christian. There is a difference between a carnal Christian and a spiritual Christian:

-Carnal Christians have not renewed their mind with the Word of God, or allowed the Holy Spirit to change them.

-They think, talk, and act, like the rest of the world and follow the world’s way of doing things.

-They allow their flesh and fleshly impulses to control them.

-They only function in the sense realm – what they can see, hear, touch, smell and taste.

-They only trust what they can see; they judge things by outward appearance.

-They try to keep God’s Law in their own ability.

-They try to control behavior without changing the heart.

-They try to serve God their way.

-They are afraid of God’s wrath.

-They do not have a revelation of God’s love for them, or His grace and mercy extended toward them, or the freedom that is available to them.

By mercy and love, truth and fidelity [to God and man–not by sacrificial offerings], iniquity is purged out of the heart, and by the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord men depart from and avoid evil. Proverbs 16:6 AMP

In contrast, the spiritual Christian has submitted themselves to the Word of God and the Spirit of God, to be taught and to be changed into His image: -They have died to material ways of looking at things.

-They function not just in the earthly realm, but also in the Spirit realm.

-They trust the unseen – the Holy Spirit.

-They trust the Word of God.

-They know God loves them and they love Him.

-They joyfully submit themselves to God’s Word, obey God’s commands, and serve Him.

-They act on the Word, doing what it commands.

-They practice the love walk.

-They enjoy the liberty of the Spirit.

-They are not afraid of God or His wrath, because they believe His Word.

-They have a revelation of His grace and mercy extended to all who believe. -They think, talk, and act like Jesus.

-They have a revelation of their place in God’s family.

-They see themselves as God sees them.

-They humbly acknowledge that they are nothing without Him and that He is always to be glorified and lifted up in their lives.

-At the same time, they are bold to stand up and declare and decree a thing, knowing that Heaven stands behind them to carry it out.

-They serve – not under obedience to the old code of written regulations – but under obedience to the promptings of the Spirit in newness of life.

The Peaceable Fruit of Righteousness – Part Two

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

Hebrews 12:11 AMP says, “For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Discipline – instruction, training, correction – is not pleasant at the time it is being administered, but it produces righteousness in the person being disciplined and ultimately it produces peace. If you will submit to God’s discipline – through His Word and His Spirit, you will bring forth the fruit of righteousness and peace.

And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him; 6 For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes. 7 You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline? 8 Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God’s children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all]. 9 Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we yielded [to them] and respected [them for training us]. Shall we not much more cheerfully submit to the Father of spirits and so [truly] live? 10 For [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for only a short period of time and chastised us as seemed proper and good to them; but He disciplines us for our certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness.  Hebrews 12:5-10 AMP

The biggest problem in the Church today, is that you have too many people calling themselves Christians – children of Father God – who do not, and will not, submit themselves to God’s discipline through His Word and Spirit. Paul tells us not to take God’s discipline lightly and not to get all bent out of shape or give up when He corrects you. We have seen so many people going round and round the mountain one more time, because they have areas of their life that are off limits to God. They will not allow the Lord to bring correction to them in particular areas of their lives, therefore they never grow in those areas and are always in bondage to the mistaken attitudes and ways of thinking that come with pride and sin. Of course, discipline is not pleasant at the time! None of us likes to be disciplined – its hard on our flesh and our pride and our ego – but if we will humble ourselves and allow the fire of God to do its work in us, we will come through the other side with a burden lifted; freer and more joy-filled than we have ever been before; with a new appreciation for our Father God and how much He loves and cares for us!

Paul asks the question: “For what son is there whom his father does not thus train and correct and discipline?” Discipline is for the good of the child. In those days fathers would instruct and discipline their children and God expects fathers to continue to do that today. Instructing, disciplining, correcting, and training his children is one of the main responsibilities of a father – not just putting a roof over your kid’s heads, clothes on their back, food on their plate, and sending them to a good school. None of these things will produce obedient kids and good, productive citizens without your personal, daily input. You have to realize that if you do not give your children guidance – someone else will; if you do not mold them and shape them – someone else will.

Politicians are always trying to remove or hinder parental authority – in the guise of what is good for the child – and have succeeded in many instances, but God put the responsibility for teaching, training, and discipline squarely on the parents, especially the fathers! You have to understand that we are in a war for the hearts of men. Ungodly law-makers and educators would love to have the opportunity to shape your child’s mind and attitude. Why do you think it was so important to the atheists for prayer to be taken out of school? This one decision has changed several generations – and not for the good. America is losing its moral compass as society encourages rebellion against authority and disdain for all that is good. If you do not take responsibility for appropriately disciplining your children, you leave them open for a life of rebelliousness against authority, resulting in rebellion against God, Himself!

Raising and disciplining a child is not the easy way or the lazy way – it requires effort and time and consistency. You have to discipline yourself to take the time and make the effort to input into your children. It takes lots and lots of love and patience. You have to put your own flesh under; you cannot afford to be selfish; you cannot abdicate your responsibilities and leave it up to the mother of your children to do it all on her own. A father’s influence on his kids is huge – whether he takes responsibility or not. He is directly responsible for how they turn out. A father who refuses to be involved with his children’s upbringing – whether he lives in the house or not – is sending a message to his children: you are illegitimate! That may sound strong, but illegitimate children are usually not acknowledged nor treated as sons. If you ignore them – that is the message you are sending – you are saying, “You are not loved or wanted.”

We are not illegitimate offspring – we are children of our Father God. Discipline produces respect. If we respect our earthly fathers and obey them, should we not even much more submit to our Heavenly Father and live! Earthly fathers discipline us for only a short period of time and chastise us as seems proper and good to them; but God disciplines us for our certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness.

Living in the Family of God

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

Foundation Scriptures: Colossians 3:5-25

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.  Colossians 3:5-25 NIV

1. In the Family, we have been raised to a new life through Jesus Christ—He was raised to new life therefore we have been raised up with Him.

  • We are to seek the rich eternal treasures that are above—in the Heavenlies.
  • Set your mind on the higher things.
  • You died with Him, you were buried with Him and you have been raised to new life with Him.
  • Putting off the old—verses 5-9
  • Putting on the new—verses 10-12

2. Your conduct in the Family of God.

  • Forgiving one another—verse 13
  • Put on love—verse 14
  • Let peace rule—verse 15
  • Be thankful—verse 15
  • Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord—verse 16
  • Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him—verse 17

3. Christian family conduct.

Verses 18-25

  • Husbands; wives; children; parents; fathers; servants.
  • The Word of God must be the foundation for our lives.

4. Foundational things you must do in order to live your life prosperously and effectively in the Family of God.

  • Decide to obey God’s Word and take it as the written, spoken, God-breathed pattern for your life in the Family.
  • Don’t be conformed to the world—its ways and ideologies.
  • Don’t be persuaded by outside influences—be controlled by the Holy Spirit.
  • The Holy Spirit is the One who has been sent to help you live your life in the Family.
  • He will constrain and restrain you and also release, empower and enable you to live by the grace of God to handle any situation that might come your way.

NB You are part of the Family of God in Heaven and Earth!

God’s Word For Raising Great Kids by Rodney Howard Browne

Children are a blessing from God. Many people treat them as if they are anything but a blessing. They will be more of a blessing if you apply God’s Word in the way you raise them. Stand on God’s Word for your family. Believe His promises.

For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you.  Psalms 147:13 NKJ

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.  Psalms 127:3-5 NKJ

The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.  Proverbs 20:7 NKJ

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table.  Psalms 128:3 NKJ

A wise child is an incredible blessing, but a foolish child will bring years of pain and grief. Foolish, undisciplined children disrespect their parents. Your children will give you the respect due you as a parent if you discipline, correct, teach and train them as the Word of God instructs. Protect your children and be careful over their friends and whom they associate with.

A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother.  Proverbs 10:1 NAS

A wise son makes a glad father, but a self-confident and foolish man despises his mother and puts her to shame.  Proverbs 15:20 AMP

A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.  Proverbs 17:25 NKJ

Whoever keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise son, but he who is a companion of gluttons and the carousing, self-indulgent, and extravagant shames his father.  Proverbs 28:7 AMP

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him. 25 Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.  Proverbs 23:24-25 NKJ

Take responsibility for the raising of your own children. You shape their future! Eli got in trouble with God because he allowed his sons to do whatever they wanted to do. Undisciplined, untrained children lose out on their inheritance —spiritual and material.

Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.   Proverbs 22:6 AMP

A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, and will share in the inheritance among brothers.  Proverbs 17:2 NAS

Don’t be shocked when your kid does dumb stuff. They are kids! You will need patience and you will need to be consistent in your discipline and training ­—not just for a day —for at least 18 years!

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.  Proverbs 22:15 AMP

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left undisciplined brings his mother to shame.  Proverbs 29:15 AMP

Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your heart.  Proverbs 29:17 AMP

Withhold not discipline from the child; for if you strike and punish him with the [reedlike] rod, he will not die. 14 You shall whip him with the rod and deliver his life from Sheol (Hades, the place of the dead).  Proverbs 23:13-14 AMP

He who spares his rod [of discipline] hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines diligently and punishes him early.  Proverbs 13:24 AMP (…disciplines him promptly NKJ)

Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.  Proverbs 19:18 KJV (…do not be a willing party to his death. NIV)

Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul.  Proverbs 29:17 NKJ (…he will give you peace…NIV)

A child is accountable for his/her attitude and behavior just the same as an adult. “He’s just a kid” is a cop out. Kids are responsible for themselves and should be held accountable.

Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right. Proverbs 20:11 NKJ

Your leadership style in the home relates directly to your leadership style in other areas. You can act like you have it all together out there, but back home your kids know the real story! Your first responsibility is your own family. You cannot abdicate your familial responsibilities and then expect God to use you in the church. If you want a leadership role in the church you must be a leader in your home. Show some character and integrity in your home and you will be fit to minister to the Body of Christ!

He must rule his own household well, keeping his children under control, with true dignity, commanding their respect in every way and keeping them respectful. 5 For if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how is he to take care of the church of God?  1 Timothy 3:4-5 AMP

Let deacons be the husbands of but one wife, and let them manage [their] children and their own households well.  1 Timothy 3:12 AMP

[These elders should be] men who are of unquestionable integrity and are irreproachable, the husband of [but] one wife, whose children are [well trained and are] believers, not open to the accusation of being loose in morals and conduct or unruly and disorderly.  Titus 1:6 AMP (…wild and disobedient NIV)

The Truth About the Grace of God

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17 NKJV

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24 KJV

There is a difference between mercy and grace. Mercy is what we receive when God does NOT give us what we DO deserve. Grace is what we receive when God gives us what we DO NOT deserve. We receive both when we obey the gospel and receive Jesus as Lord. The truth is that grace cannot be withheld from man because of any demerit and it cannot by lessened by demerit; neither can it be mixed with the law of works. However, this does not prove that we do not have any conditions to meet in order to receive the benefits of grace. There is not one scripture that teaches unconditional grace, or that God gives grace to those who disobey the gospel. God’s love is unconditional, but His grace is not. You must cooperate with God in receiving, and continuing to receive, His grace.

Romans 2:11 AMP says: “For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another].” God is not a respecter of persons. The same rules apply to all. If He saves just one sinner, who disobeys, then He is under obligation to save them all.

1 John 1:7 NKJV says: “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” God is under obligation to believers only when they walk in the light and remain true to the gospel. He is not under obligation to sinners until they receive Jesus and start obeying His word.

Titus 2:11-12 NKJV says: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”The grace of God teaches us that we should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and should live soberly, righteously, and godly here and now. Grace can go no further, if people do not obey its teaching.

It is possible to:

1. Receive grace in vain

2 Corinthians 6:1 NKJV – We then, as workers together with Him, also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

2. Frustrate (set aside) the grace of God in your life.

Galatians 2:21 NKJV – I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

3. Fall from grace

Galatians 1:6-8 NKJV – I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

Galatians 5:4 NKJV – You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

4. Fall short of the grace of God

Hebrews 12:14-15 NKJV – Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.

5. Turn grace into lasciviousness

Jude 1: 4 AMP – For certain men have crept in stealthily [gaining entrance secretly by a side door]. Their doom was predicted long ago, ungodly (impious, profane) persons who pervert the grace (the spiritual blessing and favor) of our God into lawlessness and wantonness and immorality, and disown and deny our sole Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

6. Sin in spite of grace

Romans 6:1-2 NKJV – What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

7. Continue or discontinue in grace

Acts 13:43 NKJV – Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

8. Minister grace to others

1 Peter 4:10 NKJV – As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

9. Grow or not grow in grace

2 Peter 3:17-18a NKJV – You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

10. Receive or reject grace

John 3:16 NKJV – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Revelation 22:17 NKJV – And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

James 4:6-10 NKJV – But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Persecution From The World by Rodney Howard Browne

This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do. 15 I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.] 16 You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you. 17 This is what I command you: that you love one another. 18 If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world [no longer one with it], but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you. 20 Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word and obeyed My teachings, they will also keep and obey yours. 21 But they will do all this to you [inflict all this suffering on you] because of [your bearing] My name and on My account, for they do not know or understand the One Who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin [would be blameless]; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates Me also hates My Father.24 If I had not done (accomplished) among them the works which no one else ever did, they would not be guilty of sin. But [the fact is] now they have both seen [these works] and have hated both Me and My Father. 25 But [this is so] that the word written in their Law might be fulfilled, They hated Me without a cause.  John 15:12-25 AMP

Jesus loved us so much that He sacrificed His life for us—His friends—as He calls us. He only had one life to give and He gave it freely and utterly. Only those who obey His commands can claim to be His friends. Jesus is the one who promoted us from servants to friends. What an honor to be called a friend of God! We did not choose Jesus—He chose us—He loved us and died for us and invited us into His family. We have a choice to make as well—to either accept or reject His offer of salvation. He chose us and appointed us to bear lasting fruit so that whatever we ask the Father, in the Name of Jesus, He will give us. Jesus wants us to get our prayers answered! We should consider it a great, great honor that Jesus loves us so much!

Because Jesus is our Lord and Master, we owe Him our unconditional obedience, but Jesus asks us to obey Him simply because we love Him. The Father, Himself, loves us and desires that His love be freely reciprocated. Indeed, He has been so devoted to us; we owe Him something in return. We owe Him our honor and loyalty. 1 Corinthians 7:23 ERV says that, “God paid a high price for you, so don’t be slaves to anyone else.”  You need to take your eyes off of other people—stop caring about what they think of you more than what God thinks of you and be loyal in every way to the One who saved you and set you free.

Jesus goes on to speak of persecution. The world—the world’s system—hates Jesus; hates righteousness; hates what is good—without a cause and for no reason. The god of this world—the devil—has blinded the eyes of the unbelievers so that they should not discern the Truth (2 Cor. 4:4). They hate Jesus and they hate you, but don’t even know why themselves. If the world hates you—know that they hated Jesus first. If you were one of them and like them—they would love you. But because you are not one of them and you are not like them, they hate you. A servant is not greater than his master—if they persecuted Jesus, they will persecute you as well. Don’t be surprised at persecution when it comes, because everyone who desires to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). If they hate you, they hate Jesus too. If they hate Jesus, they hate the Father who sent Jesus to die—even for them. Before Saul became Paul, he too hated Jesus and all Christians, but his eyes were opened and he ended up giving his life for the sake of the Gospel!

Christians get enough hatred from the world—we need each other’s love, support and encouragement. Many times, we think that other Christians are our problem, when our only problem is the devil. He comes to sow discord so that he can divide and conquer. When the Christians of the Early Church were persecuted, they pulled together, called on the Father in unison and continued to boldly preach the Gospel, perform miracles and meet the needs of the people. It’s time the Body of Christ woke up and stopped fighting each other, rather, stood side to side and faced the devil—our true enemy—and fought and conquered him! Jesus asks us to please Him by unselfishly loving one another and he will give you the strength to do it.

Reaching Souls across America

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