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

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

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

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

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

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

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

America – today 234 years old – born 4th July 1776 – birthed out of pain and a hunger to worship freely, wise men with their dreams came from the East; the first winter survived, through the red man they were blessed. Thanksgiving, a yearly reminder, we were blessed out of their provision. The new land yielding of her bounty, the fight for a new world is made, from east to west, new frontiers, covenants made, trail of tears, the red man would also give his blood as covenants were broken.

Over the decades, and down through the years, through all the pain, sorrow and many tears, many a man would lay down his life for freedom’s dream, and so while the sword and canon spoke, the pen being mightier than them all, produced a Bill of Rights; wise fathers penned the constitution. From this constitution we cannot sway, not one jot or tittle can be allowed to be taken away – not even by the highest courts of the land – for if it is altered America no more shall stand.

One nation under God, united, defeated the enemy’s might. Our flag was still flying by the dawn’s early light, propped up by our flesh, as men would resist to lower the flag, the broad stripes and bright stars that would signal a nation had been born – tyranny swept aside – the flag was still waving – over the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Many wars were fought on every front, even among us brother to brother – the blue and the grey as the red blood flowed – giving way to the red, white and blue. Slavery, the curse of every family, the cry of every mother – brought to a halt – the desire of all to be free. We hold these truths to be self-evident – all men are created equal – and from this Declaration of Independence we cannot sway.

Ellis Island would be the place where the stranger would come seeking freedom – the Lady with the Lamp the way beaming – give me your huddled and tired masses – they will find rest on my shores. 13 states, that became one nation under God, would grow to become a Jubilee of fifty nations within our borders. Many times, over the years, the balance of power would sway. Thankfully three divisions of government would equally tip the scales – the checks and balances by our founding fathers laid – the dream that all would be equal from a mountain the Promised Land was seen – that we would not be judged by the color of our skin. America would become the Land of Jubilee – the place of the dream.

This nation has walked away from its plumb line, three million-plus laws on the statute books you’ll find, replacing the Ten Commandments. Prayer taken out of schools, our people oppressed by drugs and alcohol, slaves to pornography and STD’s, HIV, millions of unborn babies aborted. While many are trying not to retain God in their knowledge, they are given over to a reprobate mind, professing themselves to wise they become fools, something has to be done and must be done soon. This cannot be done without Divine Intervention.

This is the day this is the hour – we must hear from Heaven and so now we pray.

You have guided us these many years, now hear from heaven, forgive our sin and heal our land – for You were seen in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps, altars were built in the evening dews and damps. As You died to make men holy, so we will live to make them free, Your truth is marching on.

O Sovereign Heavenly Father, in Jesus mighty name, we pray grant mercy on us one more time – as You have each century – a generation now lost their way – may we still say “in God we trust” and be “one nation” under thee. Heavenly Father, we as a generation refuse to give up – we will stand as one – and humble ourselves and pray, and seek your face and turn from our wicked ways. You have promised to come and heal our land – a new generation is rising up with faith, and the anointing to set the captives free, and marching through the land to see another Great Awakening. This is our purpose, this is our goal – IGNITING A GENERATION – for a nation to fulfill its call!

Poem by Dr. Rodney M. Howard-Browne

The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]. 13 Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment]. 15 [They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Psalms 92:12-15 AMP

According to Psalm 92, the uncompromisingly righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, grow like the cedars of Lebanon and flourish in the courts of our God. Even though they grow older, they are still growing – growing in grace – and still bringing forth fruit in old age. Some people say, “You are only as old as you feel!” And this is true, because your heart attitude greatly influences your mental outlook, your body, your choices and your outcome. Whether you are positive or negative, the longer you age the more your thought life affects your mind, your body, your health and your quality of life. You can be older chronologically, but be younger and younger on the inside. As a result, you can remain fresh and vigorous longer on the outside as well. Thank God for those righteous saints, who have a lifetime of experience serving God, and who still have the strength and enthusiasm to teach and impart this wisdom to the younger generation! They are a great inspiration, and can challenge the next generation to reach higher and to aspire to follow and imitate their life of faith and victory. It is a beautiful thing to see a much older, godly person who is still full of life and spunk and joy!

The Hebrew word for “bring forth fruit” means: to germinate; to cause to flourish; to bring forth fruit; to make cheerful; to increase. The word for “fat” means: fat; rich: fertile. The word translated “flourish” here, means: to be green; verdant; new; prosperous; flourishing. The Lord promises that the righteous will be fat and flourishing: full of sap – spiritual vitality – and rich in the verdure (greenness or freshness) of trust, love, and contentment!

So even as the righteous grow older, they will still be able to contribute – they will still flourish and increase and continue to produce fruit. This is not the normal way people age. Usually you lose structural fat and there’s no way you could be called “green”, because everything has started to dry out. After a certain age, you certainly can’t produce anything new anymore. And yet, the Lord promises that if we faithfully serve Him and honor His word, that we will renew our strength like the eagle. He promises that we can have a great quality of life – a sound mind and body – until it’s our time to go home! This strength and vitality, fruitfulness and productiveness, peace and contentment, is the evidence of God’s blessing on a life. The uncompromisingly righteous are living memorials – their blessed life brings glory to God! Their blessed life proves that God is good and faithful to His promises! The Lord wants to bless you – it brings Him glory! You need to bring your life over to where His blessing is being poured out. His blessing is not being poured out where sin abounds, but it is poured out where people revere and honor and obey Him!

As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. 7 Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 AMP

We need to be rooted firmly and deeply in God and His word. We need to walk with the Lord – regulating our lives and conduct, in union with Him and conforming to Him. If we do, then we will see stability, peace, provision and good fruit manifest in our lives.

He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident in his riches shall fall, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like a green bough. Proverbs 11:28 AMP

[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. 8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 AMP

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Psalms 1:1-3 NIV

The uncompromisingly righteous – who trusts in, leans on, and relies on God; who puts his hope and confidence in Him; who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers; who delights on the law of the Lord and who meditates on it day and night – shall flourish like a green bough; he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; he shall not see and fear when heat comes; his leaves will remain green and not wither; he will not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought; he will yield his fruit in season and he’ll not cease yielding fruit. Whatever he does prospers! And he will bring much glory to God!

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:6-11 NKJV

The love of money – greed; covetousness – is the root of all evil! A covetous person – one who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain – is an idolater, and will not inherit the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 5:5). You either serve and worship God – or your worldly possessions (mammon). Covetousness is not compatible with serving God, because it breeds only evil and destruction. A covetous person destroys lives – their own and that of other people.

These are the things that covetousness breeds:

1. Greed and murder:

But [when these men set a trap for others] they are lying in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. 19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain; such [greed for plunder] takes away the lives of its possessors. Proverbs 1:18-19 AMP
You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. James 4:2 AMP

2. Rebellion and Poverty:

There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want. Proverbs 11:24 AMP

3. Oppression and violence:

He who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself and he who gives to the rich — both will surely come to want. Proverbs 22:16 AMP
But your eyes and your heart are only for your covetousness and dishonest gain, for shedding innocent blood, for oppression and doing violence. Jeremiah 22:17 AMP
Woe to those who devise iniquity and work out evil upon their beds! When the morning is light, they perform and practice it because it is in their power. 2 They covet fields and seize them, and houses and take them away; they oppress and crush a man and his house, a man and his inheritance. Micah 2:1-2 AMP

4. Denial or rejection of God:

Remove far from me falsehood and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9 Lest I be full and deny You and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor and steal, and so profane the name of my God. Proverbs 30:8-9 AMP

5. Injustice:

Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves; everyone loves bribes and runs after compensation and rewards. They judge not for the fatherless nor defend them, neither does the cause of the widow come to them [for they delay or turn a deaf ear]. Isaiah 1:23 AMP
Both their hands are put forth and are upon what is evil to do it diligently; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters his evil desire. Thus they twist between them [the course of justice]. Micah 7:3 AMP

6. Backsliding:

Its heads judge for reward and a bribe and its priests teach for hire and its prophets divine for money; yet they lean on the Lord and say, Is not the Lord among us? No evil can come upon us. Micah 3:11 AMP

7. Deceitfulness and deceptions:

As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit. Matthew 13:22 AMP

8. Defilement:

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” Mark 7:21-23 NKJV

9. Temptations and lusts:

But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing. 1 Timothy 6:9 AMP
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 NKJV

10. A short life and a fool’s end:

Like the partridge that gathers a brood which she did not hatch and sits on eggs which she has not laid, so is he who gets riches by unjust means and not by right. He will leave them, or they will leave him, in the midst of his days, and at his end he will be a fool. Jeremiah 17:11 AMP

Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”‘ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21 NKJV

Jesus is all-powerful:

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 AMP

Jesus is the Son of God:

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35 NKJV

Jesus is God:

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23 KJV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5 NKJV

Jesus is the Messiah:

The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” John 4:25-26 NKJV

Jesus is the Judge:

For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son. John 5:22 NKJV

Jesus has authority over demons:

Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” Mark 1:27 NKJV

Jesus gives life:

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 NKJV

Jesus is the Good Shepherd:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11 NKJV

Jesus is the only way to God:

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus is the author of life:

But you killed the very Source (the Author) of life, Whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. Acts 3:15 AMP

Jesus is the wisdom of God:

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

Jesus is the head of the church:

For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Ephesians 5:23 NKJV

Jesus is the highest authority:

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV

Jesus is the Creator:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:15-16 NKJV

Jesus is faithful:

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13 NKJV

Jesus is coming again:

Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13 NKJV

Jesus is sinless:

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 NKJV

Jesus is holy:

For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens. Hebrews 7:26 NKJV

Jesus is the King of the ages:

They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Revelation 15:3 NKJV

Jesus is the Lamb of God:

But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. Revelation 21:22 NKJV