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

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.

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

And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him. 18 Wives, be subject to your husbands [subordinate and adapt yourselves to them], as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives [be affectionate and sympathetic with them] and do not be harsh or bitter or resentful toward them. Colossians 3:17-19 AMP

Doing “everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” means bringing honor to Him in every aspect and activity of your daily life. You are a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ and you represent Him everywhere you go and in everything you do! Even and especially in your home! The “do everything in His Name” rule applies to husbands and to wives in the context of their marriage and family as much as it does to outside of the home. Husbands and wives have a specific role and specific function in the home, two working together as one, to accomplish the same goal – a blessed and godly family. It’s not a competition to see who’s smarter or better, but it is a team effort toward the same end result.

Husbands are instructed to love their wives with the agape love of God. Not mere selfish human love, but unselfishly and unconditionally. They are called and ordained by God, to be the head of, and the leader in, their homes. Every endeavor needs a head or a leader. Just as the human body has one head, so also the Body of Christ has one leader, Jesus Christ, and the family has one leader, the husband and father. As the saying goes, “Anything with no head is a monster and anything with two heads is a freak!” In order to have order in the family, as in anything else, there needs to be one head. God made us and He says that this responsibility belongs to the husband. Therefore, if a wife will honor God in her own life and respect His word, she will be content to allow, support, and encourage her husband to be the head of the family that God intended him to be.

In this passage in Colossians, mentioned above, and the next few verses after that, Paul gives the rules for three sets of household relationships – a) husbands and wives; b) parents and their children; and c) masters and slaves, or servants. Each category has mutual responsibilities – to love and to submit; to encourage and to obey; to work hard and to be fair. We must measure ourselves against God’s standards, and work to make sure that our life and relationships line up with His word. A godly marriage involves mutual submission, submitting ourselves to the lordship of Jesus Christ, and subordinating our own personal desires for the good of the ones we love. Marriage is not 50-50, it is 100-100! When we each put our spouse first, then we can’t help but have a successful marriage. The same goes for children. Raising a successful, happy family requires a great deal of unselfishness and sacrifice on the part of the parents. You put their welfare above your own. God also put our welfare above His own when He gave up his only begotten Son on our behalf!

Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 22 Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body. 24 As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. Ephesians 5:21-24 AMP

The word “submit” or “submission” means: to subordinate yourself; to put under; to be under obedience; to give over or yield to the power or authority of another; to defer to another’s judgment, opinion, decision. Men were created by God to be focused, to make decisions easily and to be natural leaders. Women were created by God to be very adaptable and flexible. Every team needs a captain. The team is lost without a captain to pull it all together, but a captain would be nothing without his players. If a team needs leaders and followers, if a business needs leaders and followers, then so does a family. In God’s eyes neither one is less than the other. When each takes their place with humility and grace, they are all together a powerful and successful team.

The devil has tried to make women feel inferior to men. When they do then they either become doormats or they fight so hard to show that they are equal or better than men that they lose sight of the beautiful gift of God that they are to their husband and family. Being the vice-captain of your team is not a more lowly job, it is a very important supportive position. The husband is there to cover, defend and protect his wife, and the wife is there to nurture, support and encourage her husband. Submission is not a dirty word. It is a collaborative and cooperative word. They say that behind every successful man there is a great woman and that is the truth. The virtuous woman, in Proverbs 31, is the ideal wife that the wise man seeks and hopes to find.

Proverbs 31:11-12 says that the virtuous wife’s husband trusts in her confidently, relies on her, and believes in her and is secure in the knowledge that she will do him only good, as long as there is life within her! He can trust her with his money; he can trust her with his children, with his heart and with his life. She is his comforter and encourager. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would be our comforter, standby and help. As women, we are created, ordained, and anointed, by God to fulfill this great earthly role in our husband’s life! It is not a burden, but it is a privilege! Proverbs 31:23 says that the virtuous woman’s husband is known in the city’s gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. In other words, he has a prominent place in the community – he is a successful man – and she has a huge part in that.

A woman who takes her rightful place – as a strong, secure woman – under the headship and leadership of her husband is not a weak woman. She is a woman of strong character and a woman who pleases God.

A virtuous and worthy wife [earnest and strong in character] is a crowning joy to her husband, but she who makes him ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. Proverbs 12:4 AMP

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

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. John 12:27 NKJV

Jesus came for this purpose:

1. To save from sins:

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21NKJV

2. To be King of the Jews:

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37 NKJV

3. To fulfill the law:

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. Matthew 5:17 NKJV

4. To call sinners to repentance:

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Matthew 9:13 NKJV

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Luke 5:32 NKJV

5. To bring division:

Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ Matthew 10:34-36 NKJV

6. To give rest:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

7. To save from destruction:

For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them. Luke 9:56a NKJV

8. To give His life for the church:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. Ephesians 5:25 NKJV

9. To redeem from iniquity:

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:14 KJV

10. To seek and save the lost:

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10 NKJV

11. To make a New Covenant:

For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:28 NKJV

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. Hebrews 8:6 NKJV

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:15NKJV

12. To put away sin:

He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Hebrews 9:26 NKJV

13. To suffer for people:

Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. John 12:27 NKJV

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 NKJV

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2 NKJV

14. To ransom (redeem) people:

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28NKJV

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 NKJV

15. To preach and heal:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18-19 KJV

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 NKJV

But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” 39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. Mark 1:38-39 NKJV

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:23-24 NKJV

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

But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. 3 [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. 4 [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God. 5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them]. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 AMP

This segment of scripture talks about four things that people love. Three of them are unhealthy and detrimental to your spiritual, physical and emotional well-being; and only one of them is healthy, good, productive and blessed. There are people who are lovers of self, lovers of money and lovers of sensual pleasures; and then there are those who are lovers of God. If you truly love God, you can’t love these other things. If you love these things, then you are not a lover of God!

Lovers of self:

Lovers of self are selfish and self-centered. The Bible says that they are disobedient to parents, abusive, blasphemous, scoffing, ungrateful, unholy, and profane. They are without natural, human affection, callous and inhuman, relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement), slanderers, false accusers and troublemakers, treacherous betrayers, rash, and inflated with self-conceit. They are self-willed, arrogant and presumptuous. Because they are so selfish and self-centered, they do not care for others – for their feelings, their well-being, or even their life. Selfishness brings strife and division and also cruelty and cruel acts.

But by your callous stubbornness and impenitence of heart you are storing up wrath and indignation for yourself on the day of wrath and indignation, when God’s righteous judgment (just doom) will be revealed. 6 For He will render to every man according to his works [justly, as his deeds deserve]: 7 To those who by patient persistence in well-doing [springing from piety] seek [unseen but sure] glory and honor and [the eternal blessedness of] immortality, He will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and self-willed and disobedient to the Truth but responsive to wickedness, there will be indignation and wrath. Romans 2:5-8 AMP

Lovers of money:

Lovers of money are covetous and greedy. They are aroused by an inordinate, greedy desire for wealth, and are proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:24 that we have to make a choice between God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in). You cannot serve both.

For the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many acute [mental] pangs. 1 Timothy 6:10AMP

The love of money will harm and destroy the one who loves it and other people as well. The Pharisees were all pious on the outside, but they were covetous and lovers of money on the inside. They opposed Jesus, not because He was wrong, but because their hearts were turned away from God because of greed and arrogance (Luke 16:14-15). Hebrews 13:5 AMP tells us: “Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]” – because God will never fail you nor let you down!

Lovers of sensual pleasures:

Lovers of sensual pleasures are addicted to pleasure. The more they get, the more they want and yet, they are never satisfied! The Bible describes them as intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. They are lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.

In James 5:1-5, James rebukes the people who are rich and trust only in their riches and he tells them in verse 5 (AMP); “Here on earth you have abandoned yourselves to soft (prodigal) living and to [the pleasures of] self-indulgence and self-gratification. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.” And Jesus warned us in Luke 21:34 NKJV: “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.”

[Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures. 4 You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God. James 4:3-4 AMP

Lovers of God:

Lovers of God submit to Him – His Word and His Spirit – and they walk in newness of life and in obedience to Him in every aspect of their lives.

So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God). Colossians 3:5 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, 13 Awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realization of our] blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Titus 2:11-13 AMP

By me kings reign and rulers decree justice. Proverbs 8:15 AMP

God holds all men accountable for their choices and actions. Those in leadership are held to an even higher standard. We should expect our leaders to demonstrate the following characteristics, and if they don’t, we should hold them accountable.

Leaders should be trustworthy

Moreover, you shall choose able men from all the people — God-fearing men of truth who hate unjust gain — and place them over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to be their rulers. Exodus 18:21 AMP

A leader should be trustworthy — honest, faithful, dependable and reliable. The people should be able to safely put their confidence in their leaders.

Furthermore, he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside [the church], lest he become involved in slander and incur reproach and fall into the devil’s trap. 1 Timothy 3:7 AMP

A leader should have a good reputation inside and outside the church. He should personally submit himself to God’s word in every area of his life. He should avoid the very appearance of evil.

Leaders look out for the people’s best interests

And Moses said to the Lord, 16 Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation 17 Who shall go out and come in before them, leading them out and bringing them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep which have no shepherd. Numbers 27:15-17 AMP

As I live, says the Lord God, surely because My sheep became a prey, and My sheep became food for every beast of the field because there was no shepherd — neither did My shepherds search for My sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves and fed not My sheep. Ezekiel 34:8 AMP

A leader’s responsibility is to look out for the best interests of ALL the people. He should never think that the people are there merely to serve him and his interests, but he should give himself to serve the people and put their interests ahead of his own. Many leaders have become dictators out of selfish ambitions. A leader should not play favorites either. Some leaders take from some to give to others — this is not biblical and it is a system doomed to fail.

Leaders should represent God in their decisions

He appointed judges throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 And said to the judges, Be careful what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord, and He is with you in the matter of judgment. 7 So now let the reverence and fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking of bribes. 2 Chronicles 19:5-7 AMP

Leaders should remember that they are accountable to God and they should govern humbly and in the fear of God, looking to Him and His word for wisdom and guidance.

Leaders should receive advice

Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14 AMP

An arrogant leader is a bad leader. A good leader has wise counselors and is not too proud to admit that they don’t know everything or that they were wrong about anything. A good leader is willing to change to be better.

Leaders must serve others

And Jesus called them to Him and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men hold them in subjection [tyrannizing over them]. 26 Not so shall it be among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, 27 And whoever desires to be first among you must be your slave — 28 Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free]. Matthew 20:25-28 AMP

A good leader serves the people and does what is good for them. A bad leader serves himself, by giving the people what they want, even if it’s not good for them. A dictator dominates the people and does only what is good for him.

Leaders should sacrifice for others

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep. 12 But the hired servant (he who merely serves for wages) who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away. And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters [the flock]. 13 Now the hireling flees because he merely serves for wages and is not himself concerned about the sheep [cares nothing for them]. John 10:11-13 AMP

Leadership requires many sacrifices and you should not seek a leadership position unless you have counted the cost. A bad leader will sacrifice the people and their interests to further his own.

Leaders should be obeyed

Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God’s appointment. 2 Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves [receiving the penalty due them]. 3 For civil authorities are not a terror to [people of] good conduct, but to [those of] bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and commendation. 4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:1-4 AMP

God gives us leaders so that there can be order and peace in the nations. These leaders in turn must lead in a good and honorable way.

Leaders give an account to God for their actions

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

Rodney Howard Browne discusses what Jesus did

when Jesus was tempted of the devil. Jesus did not

cast him down, but said, “It is written.” When He stood at

the tomb of Lazarus and prayed, it was not out of

desperation, but for the benefit of those around Him. He

turned first toward heaven, speaking only to God, not

addressing demonic realms. Then out of His relationship

with His heavenly Father, He proclaimed the desired

result. (See John 11:41-44.)

Also, in the country of the Gadarenes, the demons

knew who Jesus was. They said, “Have you come to

torment us before our time?” They knew that their time

was not yet and they pleaded with Him to cast them into

the swine. He did, not in a three-hour battle, but with one

word ( go! (See Mark 5:1-14.)

Rodney Howard Browne Teaches that There Is a True Intercession

I am not against true intercession which is the

Holy Ghost praying through us the perfect will of God for

any situation. But I am against fleshly prayer that

produces nothing but pride in the individual’s life and

robs them of their joy and peace and their productivity in

the kingdom of God.

A city like Los Angeles, California, is a classic

example of a city that in recent times has been

bombarded by prayer in some form or another. Yet it has

seen anything but revival. It has seen earthquakes, racial

rioting, drought, and more. I am not saying that we will

not see revival come to L.A. If and when it comes, it will

not be to the credit or glory of men, but through the

outward working of the Spirit of God through men,

resulting in many won into the kingdom of God.

Rodney Howard Browne answers whether it’s Fact or Fiction?

Again, I must emphasize that I am not against true

intercession. But remember that the devil realizes he can’t

stop the Church from prayer. He can, however, get us

praying in the wrong direction. This will result in nothing

but dead works, frustrating the believer and causing him

to be caught up in a super spiritual world of warfare and

demonic forces, fighting a seemingly never-ending battle.

Yet he is never doing the works of Jesus ( preaching,

teaching, and demonstrating the power of God.

And even if he or she did minister, it would not be

with an over comer’s mentality of seeing the victory

purchased at Calvary as a finished work. Instead it is a

warfare mentality seen through the eyes of a Christian

writer’s novel. The truth is, Jesus has already won the war

and given us power and authority.

The Red Rag Mentality

The Church reminds us of a bull in a ring chasing

a red rag as his opponent, not realizing it is the matador

holding the rag who is his problem. If the bull ever found

out the truth, that would be the end of the matador. Even

so, the Word of God declares that when the enemy is

revealed on that day, many will be amazed. They will

say, “Is this the one who did bring kings down?” Many,

including the Church, will be astounded.

We need to realize that the devil is defeated. He is

not omnipresent and he is a creation, not creator. These

simple truths will help us to see clearly that prayer must

be used primarily to fellowship with the Lord and to

spend time being filled up in His presence. Then out of an

overflow of His touch, we minister to the needs of hurting

humanity.

The Study of the Word of God

Paul, in speaking to Timothy, said, “Study to

shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth

not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”

(Second Timothy 2:15). Every believer needs to have a

workable knowledge of God’s Word. One of the problems

we face is that many Christians don’t even know the

basics of the Word. They are caught up in the nonabsolutes

of the Word. It is not producing life and joy and

freedom, but rather death and bondage to man-made

doctrines and forms.

The scripture says many walk after the doctrines

of men, “having a form of godliness, but denying the

power thereof” (Second Timothy 3:5). That is why Paul

admonished Timothy to, “Preach the word; be instant in

season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all

longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when

they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own

lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having

itching ears” (Second Timothy 4:2, 3).

Don’t Throw Arrows in the Dark

The study of the scripture should be systematic,

rightly dividing between the Old and the New and

between absolutes and non-absolutes. It is evident that

many take a little of the Old and a little of the New and

make up their own covenant. It is one that brings them

into freedom for a little while and then puts them back

into bondage.

I suggest that once a believer has a workable

knowledge of the scripture, then he or she spend time in

the Epistles and also the Gospels. We should study the

Epistles to find out what is available for us through the

finished work of the cross. We should study the Gospels

to follow closely the ministry of Jesus and to build into

our lives an image of Jesus and His earthly ministry.

Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do

shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do”

(John 14:12).

Any time spent in the Old Testament must be

backed up with time spent in the New. Otherwise the

student will come out with a picture of negativity and

failure because the Old Testament was a type and shadow

of the New. The Old without the New produces bondage

and death.

The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old

and the completion of everything Jesus came for. That is

why He cried, “It is finished,” and the veil of the temple

was rent in two from top to bottom. The Holy Spirit came

out of an earthly tabernacle made with the hands of man,

never again to live therein. He now lives in my heart and

your heart. Thus the scripture says, “We have this

treasure in earthen vessels” (Second Corinthians 4:7).

So the people, finding that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, themselves got into the small boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25 And when they found Him on the other side of the lake, they said to Him, Rabbi! When did You come here? 26 Jesus answered them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, you have been searching for Me, not because you saw the miracles and signs but because you were fed with the loaves and were filled and satisfied. John 6:24-26 AMP

Jesus fed the multitude of people because He loved them and cared about them. When He left the place where they were, they came to look for Him, not because they had a spiritual hunger or because they wanted more of His ministry and His teaching, they just wanted the food! Jesus rebuked them for their carnal motivation. Many people follow Jesus just because of what they can get from Him – they use religion to gain money, positions, prestige, comfort, or even political votes, but those are totally self-centered motives. A true believer will follow Jesus simply because they know He is the Truth, the Way and the Life! Every one of us should do a regular heart-check. Are we following Jesus for what He can give us – or for what we can get out of it – or are we totally committed to Him; even if it costs us; even unto death? There is a price to pay to serve Him.

Stop toiling and doing and producing for the food that perishes and decomposes [in the using], but strive and work and produce rather for the [lasting] food which endures [continually] unto life eternal; the Son of Man will give (furnish) you that, for God the Father has authorized and certified Him and put His seal of endorsement upon Him. 28 They then said, What are we to do, that we may [habitually] be working the works of God? [What are we to do to carry out what God requires?] 29 Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger]. John 6:27-29 AMP

Jesus told them to stop striving and working so hard for the things – and the food – that will perish and pass away. He told them to rather strive for and work for those things that last forever. Jesus – God’s Word – is the source of the food that lasts forever unto eternal life. Many sincere people seek to find a way to please God and to receive a reward for their works, but they don’t know to go about it. All the religions of the world are trying to find the answers. Jesus ’answer is simple: believe on the One whom God has sent. You must believe that Jesus is who He says that He is – that He is the Messiah – the Christ – the Son of the Living God. We must believe in what He said and what He did and who He is. That is the way to please God.

Therefore they said to Him, What sign (miracle, wonderwork) will You perform then, so that we may see it and believe and rely on and adhere to You? What [supernatural] work have You [to show what You can do]? 31 Our forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as the Scripture says, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat. 32 Jesus then said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Moses did not give you the Bread from heaven [what Moses gave you was not the Bread from heaven], but it is My Father Who gives you the true heavenly Bread.

33 For the Bread of God is He Who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world. 34 Then they said to Him, Lord, give us this bread always (all the time)!

35 Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time). John 6:30-35 AMP

Some people are never satisfied with the signs God gives them. They always want yet another sign before they’ll believe, and the signs God gives are never good enough for them. They always have an excuse for their doubt and unbelief and disobedience. Jesus told us about a rich man that ended up in Hades. He begged Abraham to send the beggar Lazarus to warn his brothers not to come to this terrible place of torment, but Abraham said to him: “If they do not hear and listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded and convinced and believe [even] if someone should rise from the dead.” (Luke 16:31 AMP) God wants us to trust in His Word, because it is His Word, not just because it’s what we wanted to hear. God is not in the business of entertaining us with magic tricks, but He will tell us and show us the truth. We must trust Him and obey Him in faith!

The miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes was not enough for the unbelieving crowds, because, as they put it: “Even Moses fed us with Manna – bread from heaven! What can You do, Jesus, over and above that, to prove to us that we should believe and follow You?” Jesus replied that Moses didn’t give them true bread from heaven; he gave them supernatural bread that only fed their physical bodies, but not their spirits. Jesus said, “I am that Heavenly Bread; I am the Bread of Life!” Then the people said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always – all the time!” They were still focused on the bread they could put in their mouths and their stomachs.

Jesus’ answer to them was, “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst anymore.” People eat natural bread to satisfy physical hunger and to sustain physical life. We can satisfy spiritual hunger and sustain spiritual life only by having a right relationship with Jesus Christ. We can’t just stare at the heavenly bread, but we must actually eat it. We must receive God’s Word and allow Him into our heart and our daily life.

15But 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.

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

Foundation Scripture: Mark 7:24-30  (NKJ)
24From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. 25For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. 26The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”28And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.” 29Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.

Healing is the children’s bread. Bread is a basic food. Every country and every culture has its own kinds of bread. The bread may look different and taste different from culture to culture, but around the world, most people eat it every day. Even if people are quite poor and don’t have much to eat, bread is usually one of the few foods they do eat.

Galatians 3:26-27  (KJV)
26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

We are children of God, because of Jesus, because we believe in His sacrifice, which He made on the cross of Calvary. Jesus paid the price on the cross for sins and for sickness and disease. He took them both into His own body and died, once and for all removing sin and sickness from those who believe.

Healing is as much part of God’s plan for us, as is salvation. Healing is a basic right of every child of God – just as it is a basic right of every person to have and eat bread.  So many times, people wait for God to decide, one day, in the sweet by and by, whether or not to heal them. The only problem with that is that it won’t get you anywhere. That is because God has not only already done His part, but He has communicated His will and His plan with us through His word. If we are ignorant of the fact that healing is ours now, it is because we have not read or received His word.

Acts 10:38  (NKJ)
38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Healing is part of your heritage – child of God. Sickness and disease are from the devil, but healing is the children’s bread.

Revelations 22:2  (NKJ)
2In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Healing and divine health is, and always was the normal state of anyone who belongs to God. Adam and Eve were not even able to get sick, before sin destroyed their and their children’s bodies. Because of Jesus, we once again have the right and the privilege to walk in divine health. Just as we received Jesus as our Savior, we must receive Him as our Healer. We are not waiting for some sovereign move of God to heal us, but God is waiting for us to receive the revelation that healing is the children’s bread!

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

1. He loved me first.

 

I John 4:19  (NKJ)

19      We love Him because He first loved us.

 

2. He sent Jesus as a sacrifice to pay the price for my sin.

 

John 3:16  (NKJ)

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

 

3. His blood has redeemed me.

 

1 Peter 1:18-19  (NKJ)

18      knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

19      but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

 

4. He does not judge, reject or condemn me.

 

John 3:17-18  (NKJ)

17      “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18      “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

5. He forgives me.

 

I John 1:9  (NKJ)

9        If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

6. His love and goodness cause me to seek His grace and His mercy and repent of my sin – so that He can forgive me.

 

Romans 2:4  (NKJ)

4        Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

 

7.He is my Father and He has made me His child.

 

Galatians 4:6-7  (NKJ)

6        And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

7        Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

 

8. He hears and answers my prayers.

 

I John 5:14-15  (NKJ)

14      Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

15      And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

 

9. He cares about me and provides for me.

 

Matthew 6:31-33  (NKJ)

31      “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

32      “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33      “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

 

10. I belong to Jesus and no one can snatch me from His hand. I am His – for all eternity.

 

John 10:28-29  (NKJ)

28      “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

29      “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.