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Ten Reasons to Give Thanks to God

1.  For He is good

Psalms 118:29 AMP – O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.
Psalms 34:8 AMP – O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.
Psalms 73:1 AMP – Truly God is [only] good to Israel, even to those who are upright and pure in heart.
Psalms 86:5 AMP – For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever]; and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You.
Psalms 100:5 AMP – For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.
Psalms 119:68 AMP – You are good and kind and do good; teach me Your statutes.

2.  His mercy endures forever

Psalms 118:1-4 AMP – O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! 2 Let Israel now say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. 3 Let the house of Aaron [the priesthood] now say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. 4 Let those now who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord say that His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

3.  The Lord answered me

Psalms 118:5 AMP – Out of my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free and in a large place.
Psalms 99:6 AMP – Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called upon His name; they called upon the Lord, and He answered them.
Psalms 120:1 AMP – In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He answered me.
Psalms 138:3 ERV – When I called to you for help, you answered me and gave me strength.

4.  He set me in a large place.

Psalms 118:5 AMP – Out of my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free and in a large place.
2 Samuel 22:20 AMP – He brought me forth into a large place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.
Psalms 18:19 AMP – He brought me forth also into a large place; He was delivering me because He was pleased with me and delighted in me.

5.  He is on my side

Psalms 118:6 AMP – The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Hebrews 13:6 AMP – So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?  
Psalms 27:1 AMP – The Lord is my Light and my Salvation — whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?

6.  He takes my part

Psalms 118:7 AMP – The Lord is on my side and takes my part, He is among those who help me; therefore shall I see my desire established upon those who hate me.
Psalms 118:13 AMP – You [my adversary] thrust sorely at me that I might fall, but the Lord helped me.

7.  He is my strength and…

8.  He is my song

Psalms 118:14a AMP – The Lord is my Strength and Song
Exodus 15:2 AMP – The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.  
Isaiah 12:2 AMP – Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and song; yes, He has become my salvation.

9.  He is my salvation

Psalms 118:14b AMP – He has become my Salvation.
Psalms 118:21b AMP – You have become my Salvation and Deliverer.

10.  He has heard me

Psalms 118:21a AMP – I will confess, praise, and give thanks to You, for You have heard and answered me
Psalms 34:4 NKJV – I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
Psalms 66:19 AMP – But certainly God has heard me; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.

We have so many great reasons to give thanks to the Lord. He is good to all; always; in every way. He is indeed worthy of all of our gratefulness and praise.

The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created]. 10 All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your loving ones shall bless You [affectionately and gratefully shall Your saints confess and praise You]!  Psalms 145:9-10 AMP

How does that happen? How could women have a mother love like that even when they don’t have the children physically or how does a woman who has the children physically have that love?

JOSHUA’S CALL

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ minister, 2 Moses My servant is dead. So now arise [take his place], go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving to them, the Israelites. 3 Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given to you, as I promised Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon to the great river Euphrates–all the land of the Hittites [Canaan]–and to the Great [Mediterranean] Sea on the west shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6 Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. 9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:1-9 AMP

Moses was the one called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and the one called to lead them into the Promised Land. However, because the majority of the Israelites were faithless and fearful, they were unable to immediately cross the Jordan or take possession of this land of milk and honey. A whole generation had to die off before God could take them in. By that time Moses was quite old and then, unfortunately, he also disqualified himself by disobeying a direct order that God gave him – therefore God told him that he would not lead them over the Jordan or complete his mission. Joshua would have been merely an important leader under Moses – one of his right-hand men – helping Moses and Israel take the land, but now he was promoted to be the actual one who led the entire nation into their inheritance. This was a huge responsibility for him – a mission he could NOT complete without the help and intervention of Almighty God! Anything God asks you to – you’re going to need His help. Don’t ever think you can do it by yourself – He doesn’t expect you to.

And I have come down to deliver them out of the hand and power of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a land good and large, a land flowing with milk and honey [a land of plenty]–to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Exodus 3:8 AMP

For you are to cross over the Jordan to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God gives you, and you shall possess it and live in it.  D
euteronomy 11:31 AMP

God calls Joshua to lead His people and gives him his mission:
–  Moses is dead
–  Joshua, you arise and take his place
–  Take the Israelites – over the Jordan and into the land I am giving them

When God speaks something or makes a promise, He will not back off or give up on it, or forget His promise. He WILL do it! He promised that He would take the Israelites across the Jordan into the Promised Land. Moses couldn’t do it, therefore Joshua was charged with this mission. God will do whatever it takes and use whoever will obey – to get it done. He looks for and carefully chooses the one who will trust and obey Him completely – He will do the rest. When God calls you to do something, you can do it – with His help! He doesn’t call you because you are necessarily the strongest or the smartest or the best – He calls you because you make yourself available, because you have proved yourself faithful, and because you are prepared to implicitly trust Him. You might not even be the first one God calls for a particular mission, but make no mistake; you are not His poorer choice or lesser choice! You are just in the right place at the right time! When God calls, then it’s up to you to pick up the baton and do the best that you can, until you cross the finish line!

For if you diligently keep all this commandment which I command you to do, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave to Him – 23 Then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you shall dispossess nations greater and mightier than you. 24 Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the River, the river Euphrates, to the western sea [the Mediterranean] your territory shall be. 25 There shall no man be able to stand before you; the Lord your God shall lay the fear and the dread of you upon all the land that you shall tread, as He has said to you.  Deuteronomy 11:22-25 AMP

God promises Joshua the same things he promised Moses:
–  Every place upon which your foot shall tread – I have given to you – as I promised Moses
–  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life
–  I will not fail you or forsake you

If God calls you, then He will equip you and help you. When God calls you, you cannot look to the past for direction. You must get your direction from the Spirit of God. The mission may be the same, but the strategy will be fresh! Always remember that you are working for Him – He doesn’t work for you. It’s His mission – He has the best strategy. He also knows what you need to get the job done. If you obey Him and do what He asks, then He will go before you and make a way for you; He will provide everything you need. What you need to do is to trust Him and obey Him – that’s all! He will not fail you – He will provide everything you need when you need it. Because it’s His mission and not your own, you can call on Him and count on Him to meet your needs, protect you as you go, and even move mountains on your behalf!

THE ABSOLUTE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

Rodney Howard Browne teaches on Self-existence

  1. John 5:26 AMP – For even as the Father has life in Himself and is self-existent, so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself and be self-existent.
  2. God is the absolute source of all life and being.
  3. Colossians 1:17 AMP – And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together).
  4. He is before all things and by Him all things consist.
  5. He is not dependant for being or essence upon any source outside Himself, thus He is self-existent.

Immutability

  1. Malachi 3:6a KJV – For I am the Lord, I change not
  2. James 1:17 NKJV – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
  3. Hebrews 13:8 NKJV – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
  4. 1 Kings 8:56 NKJV – Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses.
  5. Romans 8:38-39 NKJV – For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eternity

  1. 1 Timothy 1:17 NKJV – Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
  2. Exodus 3:14 KJV – And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
  3. Psalms 90:2 NKJV – Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
  4. Revelation 1:8 NKJV – “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
  5. Revelation 22:13 NKJV – I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
  6. 1 John 5:12 NKJV – He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Rodney Howard Browne teaches that God is Omnipresent

  1. Jeremiah 23:23-24 NKJV – “Am I a God near at hand,” says the Lord, “And not a God afar off? 24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.
  2. 1 Kings 8:27 NKJV – “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!
  3. Matthew 28:20b NKJV – And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
  4. John 14:16-17 NKJV – And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
  5. Everywhere the Church goes, there the Holy Spirit is present.
  6. John 16:8 NKJV – And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.

Omniscience

  1. Psalms 139:1-4 NKJV – O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
  2. 2 Kings 4:20-27
  3. Acts 5:1-11
  4. Revelation 2:1 – Revelations 3:22
  5. Ephesians 1:7-10
  6. Ephesians 3:8-11
  7. Romans 8:28 NKJV – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Omnipotence

  1. Jeremiah 32:17 NKJV – Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
  2. There is not a limitation of His power.
  3. We see the greatness of His power in His created works.
  4. 2 Corinthians 4:18
  5. Isaiah 40:15 NKJV – Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.
  6. Daniel 4:35
  7. Genesis 18:14
  8. Ephesians 1:15-23

Sovereignty

  1. God is sovereign over angels, principalities and powers, demon spirits and Satan himself.
  2. He rules in heaven, on earth and under the earth.
  3. Ephesians 1:4-5 NKJV – Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
  4. Revelation 22:17
  5. Matthew 23:37
  6. John 5:40
  7. John 3:16-17
  8. 2 Peter 3:9

Moral Attributes

  1. Holiness
  2. Leviticus 11:44-45
  3. Isaiah 6:1-5 1 Peter 1:13-16
  4. Righteousness (Justice)
  5. Genesis 18:25 Deuteronomy 32:4
  6. Romans 3:22b-26
  7. Love (Mercy; Goodness)
  8. 1 John 4:8-11
  9. 1 John 4:16
  10. Deuteronomy 7:6-8
  11. Truth
  12. His Word is true.
  13. He is the only true God.
  14. He is faithful to keep all His promises.
  15. Titus 1:2a
  16. John 1:14
  17. John 14:6
  18. Romans 3:4

A Journey through the Bible

Let’s go on a journey through the Bible, from Genesis to

Revelation, and let’s see how Jesus is portrayed through the Word

of God. 1

 

In Genesis, He is the Seed of the Woman.

In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb.

In Leviticus, He is our High Priest.

In Numbers, He’s our Pillar of Cloud by day and our Pillar of

Fire by night.

 

In Deuteronomy, He is the Prophet like unto Moses.

In Joshua, He is the Captain of our salvation.

In Judges, He is our Lawgiver.

In Ruth, He is our Kinsman Redeemer.

In First and Second Samuel, He’s our Trusted Prophet.

In Kings and Chronicles, He is our Reigning King.

In Ezra, He’s our Faithful Scribe.

In Nehemiah, He’s the Rebuilder of the broken walls.

In Esther, He’s our Advocate.

In Job, He’s our Ever-Living Redeemer.

In Psalms, He is the Lord, our Shepherd, so we shall not want.

In Proverbs, He is our Wisdom.

In Ecclesiastes, He is our Goal!

In the Song of Solomon, He is our Lover and our Bridegroom.

In Isaiah, He’s the Prince of Peace.

In Jeremiah and Lamentations, He is the Weeping Prophet.

In Ezekiel, He’s the Wonderful Four-faced Man.

In Daniel, He’s the Fourth Man in the burning, fiery furnace.

In Hosea, He’s the Eternal Husband, forever married to the

backslider.

 

In Joel, He’s the Baptizer in the Holy Ghost.

In Amos, He’s our Burden-bearer.

In Obadiah, He’s our Savior.

In Jonah, He’s the Great Foreign Missionary.

In Micah, He’s the Messenger with beautiful feet.

In Nahum, He’s our Avenger.

In Habakkuk, He’s the Evangelist pleading for revival.

In Zephaniah, He’s the Lord, mighty to save.

In Haggai, He’s the Restorer of the lost heritage.

In Zechariah, He’s the Fountain springing up with

everlasting life.

 

In Malachi, He’s the Son of Righteousness, rising with healing in

His wings.

 

In Matthew, He’s the Messiah.

In Mark, He’s the Wonder Worker.

In Luke, He’s the Son of Man.

In John, He’s the Son of God.

In Acts, He’s the Holy Ghost, moving among men.

In Romans, He’s the Justifier.

In First and Second Corinthians, He’s the Sanctifier.

In Galatians, He’s the Redeemer from the curse of the law.

In Ephesians, He is the Christ of unsearchable riches.

In Philippians, He’s the God who supplies ALL of our needs.

In Colossians, He’s the fullness of the godhead bodily.

In First and Second Thessalonians, He’s our Soon-coming King.

In First and Second Timothy, He’s the Mediator between God

and man.

 

In Titus, He is the Faithful Pastor.

In Philemon, He’s the Friend of the oppressed.

In Hebrews, He’s the Blood of the everlasting covenant.

In James, He is the Lord who raises the sick.

In First and Second Peter, He’s the Chief Shepherd, who shall

soon appear.

 

In First, Second, and Third John, He is Love.

In Jude, He’s the Lord coming with ten thousand of His saints.

In Revelation, He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

OFFERING OF THE FIRSTLINGS

Thoughts on Stewardship – Lesson 27 from Deuteronomy
Foundation Scriptures: Deuteronomy 15 verse 19-21

Offering of the Firstlings

All the firstling males that are born of your herd and flock you shall set apart for the Lord your God; you shall do no work with the firstling of your herd, nor shear the firstling of your flock. 20 You shall eat it before the Lord your God annually in the place [for worship] which the Lord shall choose, you and your household. 21 But if it has any blemish, if it is lame, blind, or has any bad blemish whatsoever, you shall not sacrifice it to the Lord your God.  Deuteronomy 15:19-21 AMP

1.  It is very important to God that His people set aside and bring the firstling of their flocks and herds to Him

a. They had to be firstlings – the firstborn of the flock
b. It took faith to bring the firstling – you had to believe that there would be a “secondling”, a “thirdling”,
and a “fourthling”, etc.
c. This firstling was to be set aside ahead of time and then brought to the place of worship
d. It was sacrificed to the Lord at the place of worship and then eaten in His presence
e. The firstling could not be lame or blind – it had to have no blemish or imperfection whatsoever
f. It would need to be carefully inspected
g. If something is inspected, it means that it has to be considered and carefully looked at – with much
contemplation and thought – rather than something brought haphazardly or as a mere afterthought

2.  Even though this command was given under the Old Covenant, why would we – under the New – assume that we are free to dishonor God by giving to Him any other way?

a. Maybe we don’t raise animals – but we do earn a living – we must bring the Lord the “firstling” – right
off the top
b. We honor God by putting Him first, rather than last in our priorities
c. We should set aside our offering with much thought, contemplation and inspection – and then bring it to
His house as an act of worship – to honor Him for His goodness, His mercy, His grace, His loving
kindness, and all of His bountiful blessings
d. If we really respect a person – a man or woman – and we really want to bless them, we will do
something to honor them, such as bringing a gift that reflects our gratitude and appreciation
e. It is extremely appropriate – and in some cases, expected – that you bring a gift when you are meeting
someone very important
f. Your gift sends a message. For instance, we give gifts to our husband, wife, family, or friends, on
birthdays, or anniversaries, or other special occasions, that reflect how much we think of them
g. They would be offended if we forgot to bring something or if we gave an inferior gift
h. What about our Heavenly Father? Is He not more important – is He not more precious to us – than any
mortal man? We expect His generous, abundant, timely blessings on us and so we should also honor
Him in kind

Pastor Adonica’s Thoughts:
Isaiah 43:22-25 AMP says, “You have not called upon Me [much less toiled for Me], O Jacob; but you have been weary of Me, O Israel! You have not brought Me your sheep and goats for burnt offerings, or honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not required you to serve with an offering or treated you as a slave by demanding tribute or wearied you with offering incense. You have not bought Me sweet cane with money, or satiated Me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have only burdened Me with your sins; you have wearied Me with your iniquities. I, even I, am He Who blots out and cancels your transgressions, for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Is this you? Have you taken advantage of God’s grace and generosity? Have you offered God nothing but your sins and iniquities? Have you done nothing but burden Him and weary Him? If so, it’s time for a change. It’s time to make up your mind to start to please God and bless Him with your obedience and your blemish-free firstlings!

Pastor Rodney’s Thoughts:
Everything we have comes from God. Nothing we have comes from ourselves. He loves us – we love Him. He blesses us – we bless Him. It amazes me how many people expect the blessing of the Lord in their lives and yet the Kingdom of God is neither their priority nor their concern. When we make the Kingdom of God our priority – when we put God’s house first and bless and honor Him – then He will bless and honor us. Let’s honor God by bringing our first and our best – not the last or the lame or the blind.

Prayer and Confession:
Father, I honor You with my firstlings and I honor You with the best that I have. I will obey You and bless You, because everything I have is Yours.

DON’T FORGET

Thoughts on Stewardship – Lesson 22 from Deuteronomy

Don’t forget where you came from
Foundation scriptures: Deuteronomy 8 verses 10 – 20

When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for all the good land which He has given you. 11 Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His precepts, and His statutes which I command you today, 12 Lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses and live in them, 13 And when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all you have is multiplied, 14 Then your [minds and] hearts be lifted up and you forget the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, 15 Who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, but Who brought you forth water out of the flinty rock, 16 Who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. 17 And beware lest you say in your [mind and] heart, My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth. 18 But you shall [earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19 And if you forget the Lord your God and walk after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. 20 Like the nations which the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 8:10-20 AMP

1.  People have a tendency to forget where they have come from very quickly.

a.    They get their eyes off of the Lord and onto their circumstances.
b.    This is not only when they are in peril, but also when they are blessed.
c.    If it was important for the children of Israel to not forget from whence the Lord had brought them, how much more is it very important for us today?
d.    The Word warns us to be careful and not to be deceived by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
e.    We have to be anchored firmly in the Lord, and His Word, and not in possessions or people.
f.    We must remind ourselves, on a daily basis, where the Lord has brought us from, and where we could have been. We must keep a humble and a pure heart before the Lord.

2.  In this passage, God was warning His people not to forget Him, but to continue to gratefully remember Him.

a.    Some people turn to the Lord only in a time of extreme trouble, but when it all turns around, they quickly forget their deliverer.
b.    God says you must remember Him. It is HE who gives you the power to create wealth.
c.    Don’t ever be lifted up in pride, where you think it’s you, your talents, your abilities, and how great you are.
d.    It’s ALL Jesus and NOT us.

Pastor Adonica’s Thoughts:
The Lord provided for the Israelites in the desert, where there was no natural provision for them. Without God, they were as good as dead. But He also provided for them in the Land of Milk and Honey. ALL of it was from God. Just because you are in a good place and you seem to be able to provide well for yourself, don’t forget that it is God who has given you, not only the things you have, but also the very ability to provide for yourself. Nobody enjoys being taken for granted – especially the Lord. Never take the blessings of God for granted. Don’t treat Him only as your last resort. If you want to maintain the blessings of God in your life, you would be wise to always remember to thank the Lord for all that you have and thank Him and trust Him also for all you need – now and in the future. Look to Him as your source and supply and honor Him as such.

Pastor Rodney’s Thoughts:
I have had the privilege of observing many different people over the years and have noticed that modern day people are no different from the Old Testament saints. Many times, businessmen who become successful, forget Who got them there. Preachers are the same way. The Word plainly states that one of the things God hates above all others is pride. God tells us over and over that He resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. So take time today to reflect on where you’ve come from and give the Lord all the glory.

Prayer and Confession:
Father, I thank You that You are my source and supply. Without You – I am lost. I remember that You are the one who gives me the ability to make a living and to create wealth. I humble myself before You today and I continue to keep my eyes fixed firmly on you.

THE REPENTANT HEART

So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord.  Acts 3:19 AMP

The root meaning of repentance is: a change of mind (and heart) and purpose. It is deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like. The only way to repent is to have true godly sorrow. There is a difference between regret and repentance. Some people are sorry for being caught in the act of sin, but are not repentant of the sin itself. Sin is not a weakness, an unfortunate happening, or a mistake. It is a transgression of divine law; any act regarded as such a transgression, especially a willful or deliberate violation of some religious or moral principle; any reprehensible or regrettable action, behavior, or lapse. Sin is a personal guilt—each one independently will give an account of his/her own sin.

Iniquity is gross injustice or wickedness. Some people have iniquity in their heart. Deep down on the inside, they desire to commit sin even though they have not yet done it for fear of the humiliation of being caught. Sins of the heart also require repentance. Turn to God. Acknowledge your sin and then confess your sin with godly sorrow and the gift of repentance, which only God can give you. Acts 11:18b says, “Then God has also granted to the gentiles repentance unto life.” 2 Timothy 2:25b says, “…if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.” You repent by believing God’s Word. Jonah 3:5 AMP says, “So the people of Nineveh believed in God and proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth [in penitent mourning], from the greatest of them even to the least of them.”

God’s mercy should never be taken for granted, because some things can never be changed, no matter how sorry you are afterwards. Hebrews 12:16-17 AMP says that Esau sold his birthright for a single meal. “For you understand that later on, when he wanted [to regain title to] his inheritance of the blessing, he was rejected (disqualified and set aside), for he could find no opportunity to repair by repentance [what he had done, no chance to recall the choice he had made], although he sought for it carefully with [bitter] tears.”

REPENTANCE FOR THE SINNER
1. By the preaching of the Gospel
Now when they heard this they were stung (cut) to the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles (special messengers), Brethren, what shall we do? 38 And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Acts 2:37-38 AMP

2. Through the Goodness of God
Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God’s will)?  Romans 2:4 AMP

3. Remember this very important fact: God’s mercy is extended to ALL
The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.  2 Peter 3:9 AMP

REPENTANCE FOR THE BELIEVER
1. Through God’s reproof and chastisement
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.  Hebrews 12:6 AMP
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. 11 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 [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness—in conformity to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God].  Hebrews 12:10-11 AMP
Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude].  Revelation 3:19 AMP

2. A New Vision of God
I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, but now my [spiritual] eye sees You. 6 Therefore I loathe [my words] and abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.  Job 42:5-6 AMP

3. The Loving Reproof of a Brother
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.  2 Timothy 2:24-26 NKJV

THREE FRUITS OF REPENTANCE
1. Acknowledgement and confession of sin

2. Humility – asking God for mercy
But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the especially wicked sinner that I am!  Luke 18:13 AMP

3. Very, very important – making restitution (or apologizing)
So then Zacchaeus stood up and solemnly declared to the Lord, See, Lord, the half of my goods I [now] give [by way of restoration] to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone out of anything, I [now] restore four times as much.  Luke 19:8 AMP

CONCLUSION
In order to stay in right standing with God, you must maintain a repentant heart toward Him. You must keep your heart humble and have a teachable attitude and a thankful heart. Never be self-righteous. Check your own temperature on a daily basis. Be very careful with whom you associate and whom you allow to influence you. Allow the Word of God to be your guide and the peace of God to reign in your heart. When you sin, confess immediately. Make right, accept the cleansing of the blood, and walk on. In this way, you ensure that your heart is a consistently repentant heart and is always right in the eyes of God

THE GLORY

Thoughts on Stewardship – Lesson No 16 from Exodus

An Offering Always Precedes the Glory
Foundation Scriptures: Exodus 40 verses 25 – 35

Moses set up and lighted the lamps before the Lord, as the Lord commanded him. 26 He put the golden altar [of incense] in the Tent of Meeting before the veil; 27 He burned sweet incense [symbol of prayer] upon it, as the Lord commanded him. 28 And he set up the hanging or screen at the door of the tabernacle. 29 [Moses] put the altar of burnt offering at the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting and offered on it the burnt offering and the cereal offering, as the Lord commanded him. 30 And Moses set the laver between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing. 31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet there. 32 When they went into the Tent of Meeting or came near the altar, they washed, as the Lord commanded Moses. 33 And he erected the court round about the tabernacle and the altar and set up the hanging or screen at the court gate. So Moses finished the work. 34 Then the cloud [the Shekinah, God’s visible presence] covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle! 35 And Moses was not able to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud remained upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.  Exodus 40:25-35 AMP

1. Moses put sweet incense on the golden altar and placed sacrifices – the burnt offering and the cereal offering – on the altar of burnt offerings as an offering to the Lord.

a. The result was that the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

b. Because of the glory of God, Moses was not able enter into the tent of the congregation.

2. When we come to God, we should not come empty-handed. Something happens when we come to worship the Lord with our gifts.

a. Our offering rises like sweet incense to the Lord.

b. The Lord, Himself, receives our offerings.

c. When the praises go up, the blessings come down.

d. The Lord pours out His glory, His goodness, His grace, and His favor.

N.B. Let your offering be as a sweet smell to the Lord – sweet incense that causes the glory of God to come down.

Pastor Adonica’s Thoughts:
The glory of God can only come down in the midst of people who are completely submitted and obedient to the Lord. We are demonstrating our submission and obedience when we give God what He asks us to give. The Bible says that we must make a choice between God and mammon. When we bring our offerings to the Lord in generous obedience, we show Him that He means more to us than anything else in the world and He receives our gifts and graces us with His wonderful and precious presence in every area of our lives.

Pastor Rodney’s Thoughts:
When it comes to offerings, one of the things that I have witnessed over the years is that when people give from their heart as an act of worship, or when they give sacrificially to the Lord, something amazing happens! God invades the place – God invades their lives – and supernatural things happen. It has nothing to do with the amount, but has everything to do with the heart.

Prayer and Confession:
Father, I pray that You would receive my offering and my gifts as a sweet-smelling savor. You are so awesome to me and I love to worship You with my very best.

The Goodness of God

The Bible says it’s the goodness of God that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). I think repentance has become a bad word today. If you talk about repenting in the church you’d think you’d just cussed. Some people will bawl crocodile tears and say, Oh, I’m so sorry. I’ll never do it again, Brother Rodney Howard Browne, I’ll never do it again.”

You pray with them and they go right out the door and do it

again. They didn’t repent!

 

Jesus said, “All that the Father giveth me shall come

to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out”

(John 6:37).

 

God doesn’t reject you, He accepts you. Yet there are

ministers who thinking they’re John the Baptist

and they want to knock people over the head all the time

and hope that they’re going to come in and get saved.

 

Even an old hog has enough brains to know that if

every time he goes to drink from a water trough, a brick

falls on his head – he shouldn’t drink there anymore. And

people wonder why no one wants to come to church. It’s

because the preacher beats them up.

 

The Bible says it’s the goodness of God that leads

to repentance. The Bible also says, “Whosoever shall call

upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

God will not cast anyone away.

 

You may say, “Brother Rodney, I’ve had it with

that person. I’m as the end of my rope with that person.”

The end of your rope is the beginning of God’s rope.

Where your grace ends, God’s grace begins. Where your

mercy ends, God’s mercy begins. Where your love ends,

the love of God begins.

 

Some Christians are a terrible advertisement for the

Lord Jesus Christ. In actual fat, I wouldn’t send some

Christians to help someone on the brink of suicide. The

man’s standing at the top of a 30-story building about to

jump off. You send some believer there and the man will

take one look at them and say, “That’s it. I thought there

might be hope, but now that I look at his face I know

there’s no hope.”

 

Too many Christians are walking around looking

like a bomb hit them. “I’m saved, Brother Rodney Howard

Browne.” Saved from what?

 

“I’ve been in the Way for forty years.” It’s

time you got out of the way so we can move one.

Some people believe 1 John 1:9 is for the sinner.

 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us

our sins.” That’s not written to the sinner; it’s written to

the Church. If a 40-year-old sinner had to confess his sins,

he’d have a lot of sins to confess. It would take him

another 40 years to confess his sins. It’s for the believer to

confess his sins.

 

God doesn’t find out about your sins when you

confess them. Some people think when they go to God and

say, “Lord, I’ve sinned,” God says, “My, I didn’t know

that.” God is not surprised by your sin. He’s waiting for

you to confess them so He can forgive them.

 

Sin separates. You watch people who were on fire

for God and suddenly they get into an area of deception and

they open themselves up to sin. The devil knocks them in

the head and they go into an area of sin and then they stop

going to church.

 

Romans 10:8, 9 says, “But what saith it? The word

is nigh thee, even in they mouth, and in they heart: that is,

the work of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt

confess with they mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe

in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou

shalt be saved.”

 

God wants you to run to Him, not from Him. If you

confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, believe in your

heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

That is what gets us born again.

 

For with the heart man believeth

unto righteousness: and with the mouth

confession is made unto salvation.

For the scripture sayeth,

 

Whosoever believeth in him shall not be

ashamed.

 

For there is no difference between

the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord

over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

For whosoever shall call upon the

name of the Lord shall be saved.

How then shall they call on him in

whom they have not believed? and how

shall they believe in him of whom they

have not heard? and how shall they hear

without a preacher?

 

And how shall they preach, except

they be sent? as it is written, How

beautiful are the feet of them that preach

the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings

of good things!

Romans 10:10-15

 

But as many as received him, to

them gave he power to become the sons of

God

John 1:12

 

God has a plan for your life. Accept Jesus today,

come as you are, and allow Jesus to come into your heart.

 

Pray this prayer right now:

 

Father, I come to You in the precious name of

Jesus. Lord, You said in Your Word that if I confess with

my mouth Jesus is Lord and I believe with my heart that

God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved. So Father, I

confess right now Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Savior.

Lord Jesus, come into my heart. I repent of all my

sins. Wash me in Your precious blood and cleanse me of

all my sin. I turn my back on the world. I will serve You

from this day onwards. Thank You for changing my life.

Amen.

 

What It Means to be Born Again

 

Foundation Scripture: John 3:16

 

1. Needs to be a greater understanding of the New Birth.

a. 2 Corinthians 5:17

b. A New Creation

c. Colossians 1:13

 

2. My Name is Written Down.

a. Luke 10:17-20

b. Proverbs 14:12

c. Luke 16:19-31

 

3. The New Birth Brings Change.

a. John 3:1-4

b. John 3:5-21

c. 1 Peter 1:23

d. 1 John 3:14

e. Romans 10:8-10

 

Prayer to accept Jesus as Your personal Lord and

Savior;

 

Father, I come to You in the precious Name of Your

Son Jesus. Lord You said in Your Word, that if I confess

with my mouth that Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Savior

and I believe in my heart that God has raised Him from the

dead that I will be saved.

 

I make the decision today to surrender every area of

my life to the lordship of Jesus. Jesus come into my heart take

out the stony heart and put in a heart of flesh. I turn

my back on the world and on sin-I repent and I put my trust

in You-I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I would like to

thank You for dying on the cross for my sin and shedding

 

Your blood for me so that I might be forgiven of my sin.

Thank You that You rose from the dead and that one day

You are coming back for me.

 

I confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh ad

the He is my personal Lord and Savior-thank You Lord

Jesus for saving me. I accept by faith the free gift of

salvation. Amen (so be it).

 

Dear Friend,

If you just prayed that prayer, I would like to

welcome you into the family of God- your sins are forgiven this

is the good news of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

You are now a child of God and you will live with Him

forever. I encourage you to do several things to get to

know Him.

 

1. Read your Bible and pray every day (talk to Jesus about

everything in your life).

 

2. Find a Bible-believing church that believes in the

lordship of Jesus Christ.

 

3. Be around strong believers that will encourage you in

your walk with God and lift you up.

 

4. Tell someone around you of your new- found faith and

joy that only Jesus can bring.

 

5. Use this book and my other books and tapes to help you

in your new walk with God.

There Is an Anointing to Teach

 

The teaching anointing is different from the

preaching anointing. It is more subdued, but it has a

definite flow to it. You will find that the teaching

anointing carries revelation that causes the listener to see

plainly and clearly what the Spirit of God is saying to the

Church.

 

I am convinced in many circles today that instead

of teaching the simple gospel of the Word of God, men

are complicating the lives of God’s people. Instead of

teaching that brings one into freedom, they preach people

into bondage and tradition.

 

Paul wrote to the Galatian church and said, “O

foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?” (Galatians

3:1). You see, the Judaisers were preaching circumcision

and trying to get the Galatian church back under the law.

Paul said to them, “Having begun in the Spirit, are ye

now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3).

 

Keep the Message Simple

 

We must keep the gospel simple to feed the flock

of God, not choke them. Even Psalm 23:2 says, “He

leadeth me beside the still waters.” A true shepherd will

not take his flock to drink in a fast-running brook.

Because of the position of the sheep’s nostrils, the sheep

would drown. The shepherd cuts a U shape in the bank of

the river and allows the water to run into it. The sheep

can drink from the still water.

 

So it is in the church. Whenever the Word of God

is taught with simplicity, then God’s people will be set

free and they will grow into maturity. There are some

things that we can be dogmatic on such as basic Bible

doctrines, the absolutes of God’s Word. But we cannot

and should not be dogmatic concerning the non-absolutes

of God’s Word.

 

In Africa, one of the animals that roams freely is

the giraffe. The giraffe is known for its long neck. It has

the ability to feed upon the leaves up high in the tall trees.

The smaller animals, such as the little deer, cannot reach

these tall trees and so have to eat on the ground.

Starving Sheep and Constipated Shepherds

Many ministers are feeding giraffes while the

little deer are starving because they do not have the

ability to reach the food. They do not even understand

what is being preached.

 

I am disturbed by the fact that many people do not

understand what is being preached from the pulpits of the

land. They will sit in their pews and think, I don’t know

what he’s talking about.

 

Then they observe others taking notes and they

think to themselves, Well, they understand what he’s

talking about. I know I don’t, but then I have always been

slow in understanding certain things. But they should

realize that the person taking notes didn’t know what he

was talking about either and was probably writing a note

to a friend. If the truth were known, the preacher doesn’t

know what he’s talking about himself.

 

Let’s get back to the simplicity of preaching the

gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ so that the sheep may be

fed. You know, God’s Word is so simple, you need an

idiot to help you misunderstand it.

 

There Is an Anointing to Heal

 

We have to understand that there is an anointing

to heal. The scripture says in Acts 10:38, “How God

anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and

power: who went about doing good, and healing all that

were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him,”

The anointing is the presence of God. We know

that in His presence is the fullness of joy and so in His

presence is healing divine. In His presence there is no

lack.