The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.  Isaiah 9:2-7 NIV

When sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden, so did darkness. The eyes of man’s understanding were darkened and wisdom and knowledge ebbed away. The truth became hidden to everyone except to those who hungered for it. While sin may be pleasurable for a season, it wreaks havoc wherever it is entertained. Sin will kill you. God created you for nothing less than truth and righteousness and therefore your spirit cannot be satisfied while any lie or any unrighteousness exists in your heart. Your heart hungers to be at peace with God, your creator. Jesus is the light we long for. We may look everywhere else, except the right place, for that light, but Almighty God has revealed to us the true light who lights every man – Jesus!  When we find Him – we experience His light and we know that He is alive and real.

When you find Jesus, the Light of the world, you find peace and you find joy. Joy follows Him like a shadow. Where He goes, joy goes. Everyone His presence touches is filled with joy. Angels brought the shepherds good tidings of great joy when they announced His birth. The Wise Men rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. The people He touched, healed and delivered were all filled with joy. His disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit, despite severe persecution. In his presence is fullness of joy!

Jesus is our victor. There is no reason for us to fight or shed blood again. There is no battle we face where He has not gone before us and defeated our enemy already. We simply go boldly in to the enemies’ camp to divide the spoil! We need never to fear an enemy again. We need never to be oppressed by an enemy again. We just enforce the enemy’s defeat.

Jesus is the child, born into the earth to conquer our enemy. He is the Son, given generously by the Father, to be a sacrifice and an offering for sin – sent to die as a ransom for many. The government is on His shoulders and His throne is established forever. He will rule and reign eternally in justice and righteousness. He is highly exalted – the King of kings and Lord of lords! He never changes – He is eternally the same.

But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” He also says,

“In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?Hebrews 1:8-14 NIV

Oh worship Him forever all ye people. He is worthy of our praise! At Christmas and every day of the year.

We pray God’s richest blessings on you and your precious family and we trust that you will have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

With much love – Pastors Rodney and Adonica, Kirsten, Kelly and Kenneth

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

The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment.  Proverbs 10:16 NIV

Our righteous labors will result in wages that bring life and blessing, but the profit of the wicked leads to further sin and the resultant punishment.

And you shall grope at noonday, as a blind man gropes in darkness; you shall not prosper in your ways; you shall be only oppressed and plundered continually, and no one shall save you. 30 You shall betroth a wife, but another man shall lie with her; you shall build a house, but you shall not dwell in it; you shall plant a vineyard, but shall not gather its grapes. 31 Your ox shall be slaughtered before your eyes, but you shall not eat of it; your donkey shall be violently taken away from before you, and shall not be restored to you; your sheep shall be given to your enemies, and you shall have no one to rescue them. 32 Your sons and your daughters shall be given to another people, and your eyes shall look and fail with longing for them all day long; and there shall be no strength in your hand. 33 A nation whom you have not known shall eat the fruit of your land and the produce of your labor, and you shall be only oppressed and crushed continually.

Deuteronomy 28:29-34 NKJV

When you are rebellious and disobedient to the Lord, everything you have worked for and everything that is precious to you will become the property of others. You will become a slave to your enemy.

Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, 48 therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the LORD sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you. 49 The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young. 51 They will devour the young of your livestock and the crops of your land until you are destroyed. They will leave you no grain, new wine or oil, nor any calves of your herds or lambs of your flocks until you are ruined.

Deuteronomy 28:47-51 NIV

You must serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity. When you are blessed of the Lord, you must appreciate your blessing and continue to serve and honor Him with joy and gratitude. If you are ungrateful and unappreciative, you open a door for the enemy to destroy that for which you have worked so hard.

For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham. 43 He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy;

44 he gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for–45 that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws. Praise the LORD.   Psalms 105:42-45 NIV

When you turn to the Lord, honor Him and remember Him, you will reap what others have sown. They will do the work, but because of their disobedience, you will benefit.

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, And the treader of grapes him who sows seed; The mountains shall drip with sweet wine, And all the hills shall flow with it. 14 I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them;

They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. 15 I will plant them in their land, And no longer shall they be pulled up From the land I have given them,” Says the LORD your God.  Amos 9:13-15 NKJV

When you obey God, everything you put your hand to will prosper. You will be blessed with the fruit of your labor.

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”  1 Timothy 5:17-18 NIV

God’s plan is for you to get what you work for and to be blessed by your labors. Slavery is a result of disobedience, but every person should be able to enjoy what he or she deserves and to reap what he or she has sown.

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

What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? 10 I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. 12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor–it is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 NKJV

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, made the observation in the book of Ecclesiastes that nothing is better for us than to rejoice, and to do good in our lives. He also says that it is the gift of God for every man and woman to eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their labor. According to this – God wants us to enjoy our lives.

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.   Ephesians 4:28 NIV

God expects us to work and to enjoy the fruit of our own work. We are not to take that which belongs to another – the things they have worked for. God wants us to work for our own blessing and He wants us to be very blessed so that we can share with others.

Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him-for this is his lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 NIV

Many people think that acquiring wealth and possessions will make them happy, but this is not usually the case. They want what they don’t already have. Much of the time, people think that the grass is always greener on the other side, but they soon find out that it is not. Even though they have a lot – they want more and are never satisfied. It is truly a gift of God to be blessed with prosperity and to be happy and contented at the same time and this is God’s desire for us.

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. 2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Psalms 128:1-2 NIV

When you fear and honor God and walk in His ways then you will enjoy the fruit of your own labor and then blessings and prosperity will be yours.

You shall carry much seed out to the field and gather but little in, for the locust shall consume it. 39 You shall plant vineyards and tend them, but you shall neither drink of the wine nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. 40 You shall have olive trees throughout all your territory, but you shall not anoint yourself with the oil; for your olives shall drop off. 41 You shall beget sons and daughters, but they shall not be yours; for they shall go into captivity. 42 Locusts shall consume all your trees and the produce of your land.  Deuteronomy 28:38-42 NKJV

If you will not honor and obey the Lord, then other people will enjoy the fruit of your labor – people you don’t even know or like. They will take your land and the fruit of your land. They will even take you and your family captive. You will be indebted to them because “the rich rule over the poor

and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters–that you may be increased there, and not diminished.

Jeremiah 29:4-6 NKJV

If we have been rebellious and disobedient in the past and if we have struggled and suffered because of it – then it is time to turn around, repent and become sold out for God.  When we repent, then God will restore what we have lost and add more to it besides. The Lord will bless us and increase us. We will once again enjoy the fruits of our own labor.

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

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.  Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.  Revelations 1:18 KJV

Jesus was sent from the Father to take back the authority of the earth from the devil and to give it back to man. Jesus has the ultimate authority, but He gives believers the right to use His Name in the earth to take authority over the devil and demons and over sickness, disease, poverty, death, and everything else that hell has to offer. As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we also celebrate His death – He was born to die in order to defeat the devil and to redeem mankind. Thanks be to God – Jesus fully accomplished the thing that He was sent to do.

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 16 And he came toNazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 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. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.  Luke 4:14-21 KJV

Jesus came to heal, deliver, and set us free. Jesus heals, delivers, and sets us free because it is His nature to heal, deliver and set free. He heals, delivers, and sets us free because He loves us. He healed, delivered and set people free while He was on the earth and He is still doing it today.

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.  Acts 10:38 KJV

God anointed Jesus, on the earth, with the Holy Ghost and power so that He could do good and heal all that were oppressed of the devil. Today, Jesus anoints us with the Holy Ghost and power so that we can do good and heal all that were oppressed of the devil. As far as God is concerned, healing and setting free is a good thing!

We can honor Jesus today by continuing to do His works on the earth today. There is a great attack on all things supernatural today. The devil is trying to suck people into the bondage of the occult and the demonic through psychics, witchcraft, speaking to the dead, Satanism and other ungodly religions. In the mean time, sadly, the Church is backing off of the Holy Spirit, the anointing and the display of the power of God. This is not a time for the Church to be wishy-washy and mealy-mouthed, but it is time for the Church to rise up in faith and power and take back what the devil has stolen. Let us honor Jesus this Christmas, and always, by following His example and doing His will and His works.

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

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.   Matthew 5:19-20 KJV

The word “Christ” means “Anointed One” and the word “Christian” means “Christ-like” or “little anointed one.” If you are a Christian, you are saved by grace, washed in the blood of Jesus and born again into His image. You are supposed to come progressively to know the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. You are supposed to grow in your knowledge of God and in the process become more like Him. You are supposed to walk like Him, talk like Him, and act like Him.

Unfortunately, there are many Christians who think that the Word of God is optional. They don’t believe that it is important to obey God by being a doer of the Word of God. Even more unfortunately, there are people who stand in a place of leadership in the Body of Christ, who teach God’s Word to others, and who do not live what they say they believe. You lead by example. Jesus said that if you are a doer of the Word of God and you live what you believe and preach and you lead others to do so, then you will be called GREAT in the kingdom of heaven, but if you do not then you will be called the LEAST in the kingdom of God.

The Pharisees and Sadducees taught people rules and regulations, but they themselves did not do all the things they taught others. They put all their trust in themselves. They preached a works program – that it is your works that are vital to your salvation – but it was nothing more than mere religion and man’s tradition. Isaiah 64:6 says that, “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Our own efforts and righteousness are insufficient before God, the Righteous Judge. We all need the mercy of a Savior. We all need to be washed in His blood so that we can put on the robes of righteousness that only He can bestow.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”   Matthew 9:10-13 NIV

The Pharisees and Sadducees set themselves up as representatives of God, but they were hard, religious and judgmental toward those they considered “sinners.” God’s whole message to man is that He made us and He loves us and He has our best interests at heart. John 3:17 says that Jesus was not sent from the Father into the world in order to judge, to reject, to condemn, or to pass sentence on the world, but He came so that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. If you represent God and speak for Him, then you must have His heart. You must preach mercy and show mercy to others – not judgment and condemnation. If the Pharisees and Sadducees truly represented the Father, then they would have loved the people and not judged or criticized them. Jesus rebuked them for their hypocrisy and they hated Him for it.

He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [that they were upright and in right standing with God] and scorned and made nothing of all the rest of men: 10 two men went up into the temple [enclosure] to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men–extortioners (robbers), swindlers [unrighteous in heart and life], adulterers–or even like this tax collector here. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I gain. 13 But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the especially wicked sinner that I am! 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified (forgiven and made upright and in right standing with God), rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.  Luke 18:9-14 AMP

If you are too arrogant to receive the Word of God into your own life and submit to it, then you will not receive the blessings of the Word. However, if you will humble your heart to receive God’s Word, if you will submit to God and to His Word by your words and your actions, then you will receive all the blessings that He promises and you will be GREAT in the kingdom of God!

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

Those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High shall rest, abide and remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty.

Therefore I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress and my God. On Him I lean and rely and in Him I confidently trust!”

Surely He shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly and perilous pestilence.

He shall cover me with His feathers and under His wings I shall take refuge.

His truth and faithfulness shall be my shield, buckler and rampart.

I shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow – the evil plots and slanders of the wicked – that fly by day, nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at my side and ten thousand at my right hand, but it shall not come near me.

Only with my eyes – as a spectator – shall I witness the reward of the wicked.

Because I have made the Lord my refuge, and the Most High, my dwelling place, no evil shall befall me, nor shall any plague, calamity, or disaster come near my house or my family.

Because I obey and serve Him, He shall command His angels and give them charge over me – they will accompany, defend and preserve me and they will keep and guard me in all my ways. They will lift me up and bear me up, so that I will not strike my foot against a stone.

I shall tread upon the lion and the cobra; the young lion and the serpent I shall trample underfoot.

I have this promise from the Lord:

Because I have set my love upon Him, therefore He will rescue, deliver and protect me. He will set me on high, because I know, understand and acknowledge His name, because I have a personal knowledge of His mercy, love, and kindness, and because I trust and rely on Him, knowing He will never, ever forsake me.

I shall call upon Him and He will answer me. He will be with me in trouble; He will deliver me and honor me. With long life He will satisfy me, and show me His salvation.”

Psalms 91:1-16

Paraphrased from the NKJV, NIV, and AMP

This is not a perfect world – there are many things that threaten your life and your safety – and in order to survive and thrive, you need supernatural protection.

God has made you many wonderful promises, but if you want to walk in the blessing of them, you must believe that they apply to you, you must confess them with your mouth – speaking them out loud – and you must joyfully and confidently expect the Lord to hear and to answer. Confess this psalm every day – hide God’s Word in your heart – until it becomes a reality in your life.

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

I listen diligently and pay attention to the voice of the Lord my God.

I am watchful to do all His commandments,

which He commands me this day.

Therefore the Lord my God is setting me high above

all the nations of the earth.

All these blessings are coming upon me and overtaking me because I heed the voice of the Lord my God:

I am blessed in the city and blessed in the field.

The fruit of my body is blessed and the fruit of my ground is blessed and so is the fruit of my beasts, the increase of my cattle and the young of my flock

My basket is blessed and so is my kneading trough.

I am blessed when I come in and blessed when I go out.

The Lord is causing my enemies, who rise up against me, to be defeated before my face.

They may come out against me one way, but they will

flee before me seven ways.

The Lord is commanding the blessing upon me in my storehouse and in all that I undertake.

The Lord my God is blessing me in the land, which He has given me.

The Lord is establishing me as a person holy to Himself, as He has promised me, because I am faithful to keep the commandments of the Lord my God and walk in His ways.

All the people of the earth see that I am called by the Name of the Lord and that His hand is upon me, and they are afraid of me.

The Lord is making me to have a surplus of prosperity, through the fruit of my body, of my livestock, and of my ground, in the land which the Lord promised to give me.

The Lord is opening to me His good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to my land in its season and to bless

all the work of my hands.

Therefore I will lend to many nations, but I will not borrow.

The Lord is making me the head and not the tail.

I am above only and not beneath.

I am blessed today and every day, because I heed the commandments of the Lord my God, which He commands me this day and I am watchful to do them.

I will not turn aside from any of the words, which He commands me this day – to the right or to the left – to go after

other gods to serve them.

I am abundantly blessed, because I serve the Lord my God with joyfulness of mind and heart, in gratitude for the

abundance of all with which He has blessed me.

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 and 47

Paraphrased from the Amplified Bible

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.  Joshua 1:8 AMP

The Lord spoke to Joshua and told him to meditate on the Word of God day and night and to speak nothing else, but the Word, out of his mouth. In this way, he would become a doer of the Word and he would become prosperous, wise and successful. This is not just for Joshua, but for every one of us. God’s Word is no respecter of persons. If you will meditate on God’s Word – put it in your heart, speak it out loud, think about it and act on it, you too will be prosperous, wise and successful.

God has given us many wonderful and precious promises, but they will only become ours when we believe what He has said to us and we act on His Word and take hold of his promise. It is like a gift under the Christmas tree – the gift may have your name on it, but it will stay there, just as it is forever, unless you go over to the tree, pick it up, open it up and start to use it! When you meditate on God’s Word, you must read it, memorize it, think about it – rolling it over in your mind – and then confess it to yourself and over yourself. Keep confessing it until it becomes so real to you in your spirit – more real than the things and situations you are seeing with your natural eye. When you meditate on God’s Word and confess God’s Word, you begin to see the promise with the eye of your Spirit, and sooner or later you will see it manifested in the natural realm!

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

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.  1 Peter 3:7 KJV

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

God gives specific instructions to husbands and wives that, if obeyed and followed, would lead to a long, happy, and prosperous union. The biggest hindrance to any relationship is an attitude of rebellion against God’s word, an attitude of selfishness, and a tendency to see the splinter in one’s partner’s eyes whilst ignoring the log in one’s own eye (Matthew 7:3). The only person you can change is you! It would be especially useful to remember this before you take the plunge and enter into a marriage covenant with someone with whom you think needs some improvement.

Marriage is not a competition. Neither is it an opportunity to control or manipulate another person. It is not an occasion for one-upmanship. The bottom line is that you can either win – or you can be happy! You have to realize that on the day you said, “I do!” you became teammates on the same team – not opponents on different teams. If you want to win in life, you have to protect the unity of the team. We only win as individuals when we win as a team!

Today, we are speaking specifically to husbands. Many husbands get married thinking that they are going to automatically be the boss and that their wives will just have to submit and do whatever they say. In fact, many of them remind their wives to submit to them on a regular basis, without realizing that they have given her nothing to submit to! Men need to understand that they have a responsibility to love and appreciate their wives. When you were dating, you did not take her for granted – you were trying to impress her. Don’t stop nurturing your relationship just because you are married!

Husbands, love your wives [be affectionate and sympathetic with them] and do not be harsh or bitter or resentful toward them.  Colossians 3:19 AMP

Recognize your differences and appreciate them. Women are physically, mentally, and emotionally different from men and this is not a bad thing. We all have our place and function in this world. Men and women were designed to complete one another not compete with one another. It is very important that husbands realize that their wives are physically weaker. This is not an opportunity or a reason for the man to dominate his wife, but rather for him to make sure to protect her and be considerate and gentle with her. Even though you are different in the flesh, you are equal in the Spirit. God does not consider only the outside and therefore treat you differently from each other, but He looks on the heart, sees everyone the same, and treats you the same. In the Spirit the same rules apply to men and to women. On the outside, women may be different from men, but they are definitely not inferior in God’s eyes. Men and women – we all have value.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, 27 That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless]. 28 Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. 29 For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, 30 Because we are members (parts) of His body. 31 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. 32 This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church. 33 However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly].  Ephesians 5:25-33 AMP

Husbands love your wives in the same way that Christ loves the church; love her unselfishly; prefer her above yourself; protect her; be prepared to give your life for her; love her like you love yourself; nourish, carefully protect and cherish her; leave your parents physically and emotionally and be permanently joined to your wife; put her needs above your own; learn what she needs; learn what’s important to her; you may never totally understand her, but love and accept her for the unique creation that she is; appreciate her; find out what her love language is; demonstrate your love for her in the way she understands love; be patient; be affectionate; be verbally positive and encouraging; don’t tear her down with your mouth; never harm her physically or emotionally; spend time communicating with her; care about what she cares about; help her in the house and with the kids; bring her gifts on a regular basis (they don’t have to always be huge or expensive gifts, they just need to be thoughtful); take her to dinner; buy her flowers, and dresses, and perfume; kiss her often; hug her; tell her you love her every day.

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

When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue. Proverbs 28:2 AMP

Many times people blame their leaders for all their problems, but God puts the responsibility on both leaders and followers to be righteous and to do righteously so that they can all be blessed and prosper – especially when the people are in a position to vote for their leaders. When a nation is disobedient and rebellious, their land is unstable and they have many different rulers. When a nation is righteous, they will have a righteous ruler – a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge – and will be stable over the long term. The people of a nation must decide to honor and serve God and then He will be able to bless them and give them godly, consistent leadership.

Those who forsake the law [of God and man] praise the wicked, but those who keep the law [of God and man] contend with them. Proverbs 28:4 AMP

When people are unrighteous, they admire those who are wicked. That is why they end up with wicked people in leadership. Those who keep the law of God will challenge ungodly people and unrighteous leadership.

When the [uncompromisingly] righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; but when the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves.

Proverbs 28:12 AMP

When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves; but when they perish, the [consistently] righteous increase and become many. Proverbs 28:28 AMP

When the [uncompromisingly] righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh. Proverbs 29:2 AMP

When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall see the fall of the wicked. Proverbs 29:16 AMP

When the wicked rise to power and are in authority – the people hide themselves and groan and sigh and transgression increases in the nation. However, when the righteous triumph and are in authority the people rejoice – there is great glory and celebration – and the righteous increase in number.

Evil men do not understand justice, but they who crave and seek the Lord understand it fully. Proverbs 28:5 AMP

Like a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16 A ruler who lacks understanding is [like a wicked one] a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness and unjust gain shall prolong his days. Proverbs 28:15-16 AMP

Evil people have no idea what justice is, neither do they know how to rule justly. A wicked ruler is one who lacks understanding. He is a great oppressor of the poor – he is like a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear. Only those who earnestly and sincerely seek the Lord understand justice – they understand their responsibility toward the poor and the helpless – those who need to be protected. They know that they have no right to take advantage of others just because they have a position of authority. The righteous hate covetousness and unjust gain and, because of it, they conduct themselves honorably and therefore God will bless them and will extend their own life.

The [consistently] righteous man knows and cares for the rights of the poor, but the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge. Proverbs 29:7 AMP

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, 5 Lest they drink and forget the law and what it decrees, and pervert the justice due any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away, and wine to him in bitter distress of heart. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty and [seriously] remember his want and misery no more. 8 Open your mouth for the dumb [those unable to speak for themselves], for the rights of all who are left desolate and defenseless; 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:4-9 AMP

The wicked do not care about the poor or their situation or their rights. However, God expects those in authority to faithfully and righteously judge the poor – to know and care for their rights. In order for leaders to lead and judge righteously, they must not abuse alcohol, drugs, or any other addicting or hallucinogenic substance. A good leader is sober, exhibits self-control in mind, body and spirit, is not greedy or selfish, does not think more highly of himself than he ought, and puts the needs of others above his own. If those in authority rule faithfully and righteously God will bless them and cause them to remain in leadership.

The king who faithfully judges the poor, his throne shall be established continuously. Proverbs 29:14 AMP

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

This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, we beseech You, O Lord; send now prosperity, O Lord, we beseech You, and give to us success!  Psalms 118:24-25 AMP

No one, in their right mind, deliberately wants to be a failure. Every one wants rather to prosper and be a success. The one thing every one must recognize is that success in only one area is not true success. If you make a lot of money and lose your own integrity, have you truly succeeded? If you reach all your goals and lose your family, what have you truly gained? The first step toward prosperity and success is to recognize that it comes only from God, not us. No one can claim to be “self-made.” At the very least, there were other people along the way who helped you achieve your goals. How much more do we not all need the Lord to help us? Really, if it is not God who prospers us, we are not prosperous at all. Everything we have is His and comes from Him!

Ultimate prosperity – true success comes only when every area of your life is well and blessed: your spirit; your soul; your body; your marriage; your family; your relationships; your work; your finances. Ask God for your prosperity – look to the Lord for your success!

Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may deal wisely and prosper in all that you do.  Deuteronomy 29:9 AMP

Obedience to God’s will and His word are what brings ultimate success and prosperity. God’s wisdom is the source of true prosperity.

Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.  Joshua 1:6-8 AMP

Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. 2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. 3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].  Psalms 1:1-3 AMP

Joshua and David both learned the key to prosperity: keeping God’s word in their heart and mouth every day. They meditated in the word daily and it began to change them from the inside out. They became strong and bold as they received revelation from God’s word. They trusted more and more in God and His word. They did nothing without His help and guidance and God’s hand was upon them to succeed and prosper in everything that they did!

For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.  Proverbs 1:32-33 KJV

Prosperity destroys fools! They do not know how to handle it. They use their blessing to destroy themselves. They become arrogant; they become wasteful; they devalue relationships; they love money and use people; they trade in their current spouse for a new one; they believe that they don’t need anyone – even God!

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider that God has made the one side by side with the other, so that man may not find out anything that shall be after him.  Ecclesiastes 7:14 AMP

Life is full of ups and downs. When you are walking in prosperity, it is important to remember to be grateful. Never take the blessing for granted. Always appreciate what you have right now – no matter how big or small. Tell God how much He means to you. Show Him how much you appreciate Him and His blessing on your life.

On the first [day] of each week, let each one of you [personally] put aside something and save it up as he has prospered [in proportion to what he is given], so that no collections will need to be taken after I come.  1 Corinthians 16:2 AMP

Give according to the increase. Every week, remember to set aside something, from the blessing and prosperity that has come in to you, to give back to God. As long as you give back to God out of what He has given you, you will remember that it is He who gives you the ability to get wealth and no one else (Deut 8:18) and as long as you continue to obey, serve, and acknowledge Him in your life – He will continue to prosper and increase you.

If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness and joy.  Job 36:11 AMP