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FORGIVENESS FOR THE WORST SINNER

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

Luke 7:36-50  (NKJ)

36Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat   down to eat.

37And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil,

38and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.

39Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

40And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he said, “Teacher, say it.”

41″There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

42″And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

43Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.”

44Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.

45″You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.

46″You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.

47″Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

48And He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

The character of God is wonderfully revealed in this passage as we see Jesus’ response to this “notorious” sinner woman, “a social outcast, devoted to sin” (Amplified Bible). He is eating at the house of a Pharisee called Simon, when this woman of bad reputation walks in with an alabaster box of precious ointment. The last place a sinner woman would willingly go would be to a Pharisees’ house, because it was very likely that she would be stoned! But, she was so desperate for God’s forgiveness, that she was willing to risk censure and even death.

Romans 2:4 (NKJ) says, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Many sinners long for forgiveness and release from the bondage of their sin, but they are told by the religious leaders that God hates them and that He rejects them. When they find out the true nature and character of God and that He loves, accepts and forgives them, they come running to bathe His feet with their tears!

The Pharisee began to doubt that Jesus was actually a prophet because he thought that Jesus had not discerned what type of woman she was. In his mind, Jesus, the prophet, should have rejected this woman, but he had the wrong idea about God as many people do. But it is a lie of the devil! Romans 5:8 (NKJ) says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God loves sinners—He loves them right into His arms. Jesus Christ did not die for His friends, but for His enemies. He died for the unlovable and the unlovely.

The Pharisee, Jesus’ host, did not wash His feet, did not greet Him with a kiss, or even anoint His head with cheap, ordinary oil. But, this sinner woman wet Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed His feet and anointed them with the rare, costly ointment. The woman had faith in the love and forgiveness of Jesus, the Son of God, and she received His mercy and forgiveness. Thank God—He loves us with an everlasting love that has nothing to do with our worthiness, but with His grace and His mercy extended toward us.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE THE HEAD OF YOUR HOUSE – PART II

But I want you to know and realize that Christ is the Head of every man, the head of a woman is her husband, and the Head of Christ is God.  1 Corinthians 11:3 AMP

The husband is the head of the house. What does that mean? It means that you are responsible – you are responsible before God for the well being of your family – your wife and your children. To be responsible means to be accountable – especially to the Lord. The Lord has given you a divine position and a divine responsibility and you will give an account on how you led your family – whether you loved them, provided for, and protected them – or not. How can you fulfill the responsibilities of this position and live up to the expectations that God has for you? Not in your own strength! You have to trust in Him and not lean on your own wisdom or understanding!

As the head, the leader, the chief, and the captain of your own ship, you are ultimately responsible for the direction your family goes in. No matter what choices anyone else makes – for good or bad – you must still follow your Heavenly Father and do what you know is right from the Word of God.

Some men blame their wives for all the problems in the home and some wives blame their husbands, but each person is responsible before God for their own role and their own attitude and choices. As the husband and head of the home, if there is a problem that seems insurmountable and issues that can’t be worked out, do not be too afraid or too prideful to take your family into counseling with a godly counselor – with the emphasis on godly!

In the same way you married men should live considerately with [your wives], with an intelligent recognition [of the marriage relation], honoring the woman as [physically] the weaker, but [realizing that you] are joint heirs of the grace (God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off. [Otherwise you cannot pray effectively.]  1 Peter 3:7 AMP

As the head of the house by God’s design, you are instructed love your wife like Christ loves the Church – giving your life for her; you must realize and understand that she is more sensitive than you are physically and emotionally; you must be gentle, kind and considerate toward her. If you don’t do this and if you treat her harshly, roughly or inconsiderately, then your own prayers will be hindered and remain unanswered.

House and riches are the inheritance from fathers, but a wise, understanding, and prudent wife is from the Lord.
Proverbs 19:14 AMP

Only the Lord can give you a godly wife. This means that the Lord can give you a great wife to marry – OR – if you are already married to a wife, who is not so great, then the Lord can work on her and change her heart and make her a great and a godly wife! A great marriage takes two people, who are committed to God’s will and plan for their lives, above all else. Pray for a wife from the Lord. When you get a wife, treat her like the gift from God that she was intended to be.

Nevertheless, in [the plan of] the Lord and from His point of view woman is not apart from and independent of man, nor is man aloof from and independent of woman; 12 For as woman was made from man, even so man is also born of woman; and all [whether male or female go forth] from God [as their Author].
1 Corinthians 11:11-12 AMP

Contrary to modern opinions and attitudes, men and women do need each other. Not all men and women, but one special man for one special woman. Men are not superior to women and women are not superior to men. Comparing men to women is like comparing apples and oranges – they are completely different, but they are both important. Men are created differently from women – and women from men. Men are important and women are important. They each have a specialized function and a unique place in the family. We can say that they are “hard-wired” differently by God. This unique hard-wiring gives husbands and wives each their special place, specialized gifts and specialized strengths.

God created us all differently so that we could “complete” each other and not “compete” with each other. Competing is completely fruitless and unproductive, but cooperation can accomplish great things.

Husband, your job is not to Lord it over your wife and kids, but to be the priest and prophet of your house and to lead them with the help or the Lord. In order to do this, you must be completely submitted to the Holy Spirit. Serve God yourself – honor His word and His Spirit. Never use scriptures to dominate, manipulate or control your family, but to bless and edify them. Remember that it takes a huge dose of unselfishness to be a great husband and father!

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

A man must leave his family behind on the day he gets married. That means that he and his wife are starting a fresh new family. If a man can’t “cut the apron” strings, then he shouldn’t get married. If a man is not ready to grow up and leave the safety and comfort of his parent’s protection, then he is not ready to get married – no matter how old he is. Love and honor your mother and father, but do not allow them to control, interfere with or meddle in your marriage. You are the new head of your house – stand up and take your place! You are the head of your new family and must make godly decisions on their behalf.

Eight Things God is to Man

  1. Deliverer 

I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me.  Psalms 30:1 NKJV

And he said: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; 3 The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. 4 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.  2 Samuel 22:2-4 NKJV

The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. 3 I will call upon the Lord, Who is to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.  Psalms 18:2-3 AMP

And so all Israel will be saved. As it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will banish ungodliness from Jacob.  Romans 11:26 AMP

  1. Healer 

O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.  Psalms 30:2 NKJV

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.  Isaiah 53:5 AMP

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed.  1 Peter 2:24 NKJV

  1. Preserver 

O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Psalms 30:3 NKJV

You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.  Psalms 32:7 NKJV

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.  Psalms 121:7-8 NKJV

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!  2 Timothy 4:18 NKJV

  1. Holiness 

Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.  Psalms 30:4 NKJV

Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders?  Exodus 15:11 AMP

And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24 AMP

  1. Comforter 

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.  Psalms 30:5 NKJV

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  Psalms 23:4 NKJV

This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.  Psalms 119:50 NKJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV

  1. Provider  

Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.” Psalms 30:6 NKJV

And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].  2 Corinthians 9:10 AMP

  1. Protector  

Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled. 8 I cried out to You, O Lord; And to the Lord I made supplication: 9 “What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth?  Psalms 30:7-8 NKJV

The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. 3 I will call upon the Lord, Who is to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.  Psalms 18:2-3 AMP

  1. Helper  

Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!” 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.  Psalms 30:10-12 NKJV

Behold, God is my helper and ally; the Lord is my upholder and is with them who uphold my life.  Psalms 54:4 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?  Hebrews 13:6 AMP

 

Thirty Things That Grace Can Do – Part I

  1. Grace can save the world.

Genesis 6:8 AMP – But Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of the Lord.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

 

  1. Grace can give one all good things.

 

Psalms 84:11 NKJV – For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

 

  1. Grace can bring men to repentance.

 

Zechariah 12:10 AMP – And I will pour out upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace or unmerited favor and supplication. And they shall look [earnestly] upon Me Whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him as one who is in bitterness for his firstborn.

 

  1. Grace can impart great blessings.

 

Acts 4:33 AMP – And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace (loving-kindness and favor and goodwill) rested richly upon them all.

 

  1. Grace can bring salvation.

 

Titus 2:11-12 AMP – For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind. 12 It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world.

 

Ephesians 2:4-10 NKJV – But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

 

  1. Grace can impart faith.

 

Acts 18:27 NKJV – And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace.

 

  1. Grace can justify.

 

Romans 3:24-25 NKJV – Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith.

 

Titus 3:7 NKJV – That having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

  1. Grace can overcome sin.

 

Romans 5:20 NKJV – Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.

 

  1. Grace can reign in life if permitted.

 

Romans 5:21 NKJV – So that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

  1. Grace can make one God’s elect.

 

Romans 11:5-6 NKJV – Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

 

  1. Grace can give boldness.

 

Romans 15:15 NKJV – Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God.

 

  1. Grace can make the unclean, clean.

 

1 Corinthians 10:29-31 KJV – Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

  1. Grace can give power.

 

1 Corinthians 15:10 NKJV – But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

 

A Clay Pot or a Golden Vessel

But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it.  2 Timothy 2:19 AMP

The foundation that God has laid and upon which we build our life, is God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is true and unshakeable. Like any great monument, it bears an inscription, which reads, “The Lord knows those who are His!” Therefore everyone who claims to be His child and to belong to Him must give up ALL iniquity and distance himself, or herself, from it.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use]. 21 So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work. 22 Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.  2 Timothy 2:20-22 AMP

We are all “vessels” – some are fine vessels of gold and silver – for noble uses; some are made of wood or clay – for menial use. Romans 9:21 asks the question, “Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?” God is the one who has created each and every one of us. He has a great plan for each of our lives.  HIS plan is for each of us to be a vessel of HONOR. When we submit to Him and His plan for us, we reach our highest potential. However, when we disobey Him and rebel against Him, we make ourselves a dishonorable vessel.  Some people blame God for the fact that they are a clay pot – a dishonorable vessel – but that is their choice.

It is the person who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences and who cleanses himself from the ignoble and unclean, who will then be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, and fit and ready for any good work.  We, ourselves, must choose to do what is right. We must both shun, and flee from, youthful lusts.  We cannot make excuses for ourselves, because there are no excuses that are acceptable.  We must aim at righteousness and pursue it.  We must aim to do right to and be right; to conform to the will of God in thought, word and deed.  We must AIM AT and PURSUE faith, love and peace and harmony with fellow believers. Also, it is beneficial for us to have fellowship with fellow Christians who have a pure heart toward God and who live what they say they believe.

Blessed (happy and to be envied) are those who cleanse their garments, that they may have the authority and right to [approach] the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city. 15 [But] without are the dogs and those who practice sorceries (magic arts) and impurity [the lewd, adulterers] and the murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and deals in falsehood (untruth, error, deception, cheating).  Revelation 22:14-15 AMP

2 Corinthians 7:1 AMP says, “Therefore, since these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God.” Jesus washed us clean in his blood; He removed our dirty rags, washed us clean, and put a robe of righteousness upon each one of us. It is our responsibility now to keep those garments clean. We do this by staying away from the sins (in body and spirit) that defiled us before, and continuing to consecrate ourselves to God. Going back to your old sin is like going to roll in the mud in your clean clothes. Once you were dirty, now you are clean; why would you even want to go back and get dirty again?

Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is. 3 And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless). 4 Everyone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness; for [that is what] sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God’s law by transgression or neglect — being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will).  1 John 3:2-4 AMP

Believers, we are all God’s children.  When we see Him, we will be like Him – until then we are a work in progress – as we press in to Him, we are progressively becoming more and more like Him.  Because we hope to see Him, and because we hope to be like Him, we purify ourselves just as He is pure. The definition of sin is to be lawless – breaking and violating God’s will by transgressing against His word and/or neglecting to obey it; being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will. There is no excuse for sin – we are each responsible for our own actions and we are held accountable for them.

You may start out as a little clay pot – you may look like one and feel like one – however, God has much greater plans for you.  If you will just to submit to His will and to His word, and allow Him to purify you and do His work in you, you will grow into a vessel of honor, set-apart just for Him and perfectly suited for His highest purposes and plans.

Joseph: From the Pit, to the Prison, to the Palace

Genesis 37:11-14 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying. And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem. And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I. And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

 

Joseph was only age 17; his brothers hated him because his father favored him.

 

Genesis 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

 

Do not allow anyone to stop you from dreaming. It’s time to dream again.

 

Genesis 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him.

 

Genesis 39:1-8 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand.

 

Potiphar’s wife lied and said that Joseph tried to commit adultery with her.

 

Genesis 39:20-23 And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.

 

It’s how you handle the pit and the prison that will determine if you make it to the palace.

Pharaoh’s butler and baker were thrown into prison. Joseph interpreted their dreams correctly that in 3 days the butler was restored and the baker was hanged.

 

Genesis 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.

 

Genesis 41:8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

 

Genesis 41:14-16 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

 

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream that there will be 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine and then he gave Pharaoh the strategy or blueprint to save not only Egypt but ultimately all countries.

 

Genesis 41:39-44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

 

Genesis 41:57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

 

Deuteronomy 15:6 For the Lord thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.

 

God gave Joseph position and favor. He had such Godly wisdom and insight that when the entire world was in a famine, they came to buy from him. He had the solution.

The wealth of the world came to Egypt.

The wealth of the world did not change Joseph.

God is raising up “Josephs.”

Joseph was in the right place when he was in the pit, prison, & palace.

Forgive everyone who has ever hurt you. Do not allow an offense to hinder your promotion.

It’s time to dream again.

No Silent Witness

Foundation Scriptures:

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.  Matthew 26:31-35

Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.  Matthew 26:69-75

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7Foundation Scriptures:

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.  Matthew 26:31-35

Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.  Matthew 26:69-75

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

Foundation Scriptures: 

 

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.  Matthew 26:31-35

 

Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.  Matthew 26:69-75

 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  

2 Timothy 1:7

 

  1. We cannot be undercover Christians
  2. We should not try to live under the radar.
    b.The Middle East – India – USA
    c.     Do you know you are saved, beyond a shadow of a doubt?
    d.     Because of compromise, or fear, many hold back.
    e.     Marriage (husband and wife) commitment – ring – travels and takes it off.
    f.      Some Christians are embarrassed and shy about Jesus.
    g.     Peter loved Jesus; however, he denied him three times.

 

  1. Will your life count?
    a.Take a bold stand.
    b.     It takes a decision and it takes Holy Ghost empowerment, like Peter on the day of Pentecost.
    c.     God has not given you a spirit of fear (timidity) but of love, power and a sound mind.
    d.     Do your family, friends, and acquaintances know your commitment to Jesus?
    e.     Paul said: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:6).
    f.      Acts 4:13 KJV – “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
  2. Jesus asked: When I come back, will I find faith on the earth?
    a.Luke 18:8b KJV – “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
     b.     Matthew 11:12 KJV – “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”
     c.     Stephen was stoned.
    d.     The Apostles died terrible deaths.
    e.     Mark 13:13 KJV – “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
     f.      Philippians 1:21 KJV – “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
     g.     Romans 14:8 KJV – “Whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”
  3. The great cloud of witnesses is watching over the banisters of heaven.
    a.Hebrews 11 – the hall of faith.
    b.     Hebrews 11:1-2 KJV – “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.”
    c.
         Hebrews 11:32-40 KJV – “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”
     d.     Hebrews 12:1 KJV – “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
  4. This is not the hour to be lukewarm, but to be radically on fire for God.
    a.Will you be counted?

Continue to Preach the Gospel Despite Persecution

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

The days of visitation and punishment have come; the days of recompense have come; Israel shall know it. The prophet is [considered] a crazed fool and the man who is inspired is [treated as if] mad or a fanatic, because of the abundance of your iniquity and because the enmity, hostility, and persecution are great. 8 Ephraim was [intended to be] a watchman with my God [and a prophet to the surrounding nations]; but he, that prophet, has become a fowler’s snare in all his ways. There is enmity, hostility, and persecution in the house of his God.  Hosea 9:7-8 AMP

The prophets of God, the true people of God who speak and live God’s Word, will inevitably suffer persecution when their nation is full of sin and rebellion against God and the Truth of His Word, however, the Gospel must continue to be boldly preached.

The Christian who believes in the power of the Word of God, who is filled with the power of God, who is wholly submitted to the Word and the Spirit, who has clean hands and a pure heart, who is not ashamed of the Gospel, who preaches the truth and lives a godly life, is the devil’s worst nightmare! If the devil cannot stop you from obeying the Great Commission, then he will stir up persecution against you to try to hinder you, discourage you, and/or prevent you from continuing.

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
  1 Corinthians 1:21-24 NKJV

The Gospel is the same to all, but not all receive it the same way. Sincere people, who sin because they don’t know any other way, still have a conscience that convicts them, especially when the truth is preached. However, a person who has silenced their own conscience so that they can continue to sin, does not welcome, but rather rejects, the Truth. The generation which has embraced evil will be stubborn and rebellious toward God; therefore, they will claim that God’s righteous messengers, who speak His Word, are merely “crazed fools”, rather than God’s watchmen, so that they can have an excuse for their own sinfulness. Unwarranted enmity, hostility, and persecution, directed toward the messenger, are the results.

If you are a child of God, then you have been given the ministry of reconciliation – to introduce people to Jesus Christ and see them reconciled to the Father. Sometimes you are welcomed; sometimes ignored; sometimes attacked. You cannot quit because you are not welcomed – the word must be preached and the seed sown regardless of the reception.
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
  2 Timothy 4:2-5 NIV

The Amplified Bible says we must be ready to preach the Word of God anytime and every time, “…whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable; whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome.” We are not responsible for the response TO the message, just the delivery OF the message. We cannot preach merely what people WANT to hear – we are to preach the Truth – we are to preach what they NEED to hear, whether they like it or not. We must correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  2 Corinthians 4:2-6 NKJV

The devil will try to blind men so they can’t see the Light or hear the Truth and so they don’t receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, but as you preach the Truth, God’s light shines into their hearts and they are converted. If you preach your opinion, you will get nowhere, however, the Gospel is full of the power of God and when you preach Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, then the power of the Gospel is released into men’s hearts and the Holy Spirit goes to work to touch and change their hearts.

You don’t know, you cannot tell beforehand, who will receive the Truth and who will not. Saul (renamed Paul) persecuted the Church terribly – he captured them, jailed them and even killed them – but Jesus met with him on the Damascus road and he became a bold proclaimer of the Gospel, himself. That is why you must be prepared to preach the Gospel and continue to preach the Gospel, through persecution and opposition if needs be, until all have heard and God’s will is done!

The Word and The Spirit Agree

I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.  Psalms 138:2 NKJV

Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), 17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 AMP

The most important document for the child of God is the written word of God. Without God’s word you have nothing to stand on; without His word you will develop your own belief system based on theory and supposition. If you choose to formulate your own belief system without submitting to the Word of God, you will build your life on sinking sand. The word of God is the plum line – straight and true – setting us and keeping us on course. The Word of God is the Rock upon which we establish our lives; without it the Church is lost.

There are people – even those who claim to be Christians – who try to discredit the Word of God. They say that its nothing but legalism and we shouldn’t base our lives on it. However, Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) says that, “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” God’s Word is not a dead book – it is alive and full of power! God’s Word exposes even the thoughts and purposes of people’s hearts.

When people try to hide from or deny God’s Word its rightful place of honor in their lives – you know that they are hiding from it and in so doing, hiding from God. Usually it’s because of the sin in their lives that they refuse to judge or repent of. John 3:19-21 (NKJV) says, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” 

What is the light Jesus is talking of? It is the light of God’s Word! Psalms 119:105 (AMP) says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” and Proverbs 6:23 (KJV) says, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” We must come to the light of God’s Word and measure ourselves according to it and line our lives up with it. This is the only way to please God and also walk the straight path of life, rather than walking on the detours of destruction that the devil has planned for us.

There are some deluded Christians who claim that we should exalt the Spirit above the Word and they tell us not to make the Word our authority. This is a lie from the pit of hell. Even Jesus, Himself, is called the “Word made flesh” in the first chapter of John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God… …And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-2 and 14 KJV)

If the devil cannot keep you from the Word of God, he will always try to discredit it by twisting it or questioning it. The devil is the original rebel against the Word of God and His authority over all His creation. He even tried to deceive Jesus by bringing in doubt and unbelief: “IF You are the Son of God…” and then he quoted scripture out of context. Jesus did not fall for his lies and simply answered him with, “It is written…” (Matthew 4:1-10). Jesus fell back on and relied upon the Word of God and would not allow the devil to pull Him in another direction. If Jesus gave God’s Word that much honor, then we should too!

[Yet] first [you must] understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is [a matter] of any personal or private or special interpretation (loosening, solving). 21 For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so — it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:20-21 AMP

The Bible says that you should study so that you can rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). There is a right way and a wrong way – this is why you need the Holy Spirit to help teach, lead and guide you concerning God’s Word. The Holy Spirit inspired people to write down God’s Word so that it could be preserved for, and observed by, successive generations. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Word and He still confirms God’s Word to us today. He does not speak on His own authority; He will never speak anything contrary to the Word of God, or anything that is not already witnessed to in the Word of God. The Holy Spirit speaks ONLY the Word of God and also reminds us of what God has already said to us (John 14, 15 and 16).

We need the Word of God AND we need the Holy Spirit. They are not independent of each other and we cannot try to divide them. We must yield our lives to the Word of God and also to the Holy Spirit. This is the only way to walk in God’s ways, to please God, and (when we die) to see God!

How to Be Led by the Holy Spirit

Foundation Scriptures:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  Romans 8:14 KJV

  1. The sons of God are led by His Spirit.
    a. As a child of God, one of the greatest and most important things that you can learn, and master, is the ability to hear God’s voice and to be led by His Spirit.
    b. Romans 8:14
    c. Romans 8:16 KJV – “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”
    d. When the Holy Spirit lives in us, He will enlighten us and guide us through our own spirits.
    e. Proverbs 20:27 KJV – “The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.”
  2. We need to become spirit-conscious.
    a. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV – “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
    b. I am a spirit-being. I have a soul. I live in a body.
    c. There is a difference between spirit and soul.
    d. Hebrews 4:12 KJV – “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
    e. 1 Corinthians 14:14 KJV – “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth…”
    f. James 2:26 KJV – “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
    g. James 1:21 KJV – “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
    h. Hebrews 10:39 KJV – “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
    i. You cannot receive the Word of God or the things of the Spirit of God while you are filled with the spirit of the world and yielding yourself to sin and uncleanness.
    j. Romans 12:1 KJV – “I beseech you therefore,
    brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

    k. 1 Corinthians 9:27 – “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
  3. The number one way God leads us is through the inward witness.
    a. God does not lead you through your head – your thoughts – He leads you only through your spirit man!
    b. He leads you through an inward intuition.
    c. When God leads you in a direction, you might feel: a desire in your spirit toward that thing; a peace; a green light; or a go-ahead.
    d. When you are heading in the wrong direction God will restrain you, you might feel: a check; a red light; or be grieved in your spirit.
    e. 1 John 5:10 KJV – “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”
    f. 1 John 3:14 KJV – “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”
    g. 1 John 3:24 KJV – “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”
    h. Romans 9:1 KJV – “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost.”
    i. Colossians 3:15 AMP – “And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]…” 
    j. Ezekiel 36:26-27 KJV – “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”
    k. Never put out a fleece.
    l. Judges 6:37-40 KJV – “Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. 38 And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. 39 And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. 40 And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.”
    m. The enemy can influence the circumstances.
  4. Following the inward witness.
    a. Psalm 18:28 KJV – “For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.”
    b. Don’t be in a hurry.
    c. Isaiah 28:16 KJV – “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
    d. You can train your spirit and you can trust the inward witness of the Spirit to lead and guide you.
    e. John 16:13-15 KJV – “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”