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

Foundation Scriptures: Romans 8:1-9 AMP

Vs. 1 Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.

If we are in Christ Jesus—belonging to Him, and serving Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength—we walk free from any and all condemnation! No one can lay a charge against us! If anyone would lay a charge against us, it would for sure not be Jesus or our Father God.

Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?] 34 Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?  Romans 8:33-34 AMP

Who dares to bring a charge against God’s elect, when it is God who has justified them? Who dares accuse or impeach those God has chosen? Would God? Definitely not! Why would God accuse those He has acquitted? Would Jesus? Of course not! Jesus paid too high a price for our righteousness—His own life! Even now Jesus is interceding for us and pleading our case with the Father! The Father, Son and Holy Spirit love us and nothing can separate us from that love! We are justified and made righteous in God’s eyes. If condemnation comes, it’s going to come from the devil, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).

Vs. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death.

There is a law of sin and death, but the child of God is freed from that law and can now walk in a higher law—the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus!

For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.  Romans 6:23 AMP

When you sin, the wages you receive is death, but when you receive Jesus as you Lord and Savior, you receive the free gift of eternal life. You can’t pay for eternal life, neither can you earn it—Jesus paid for it in His blood—however, no matter who you are or what you’ve done, you can have it free if you will just give your life to Jesus.

Wait and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing].  Isaiah 55:1 AMP

There is no price tag that can be placed on Jesus’ blood or His mercy or His grace, therefore it is offered as a free gift—His life in exchange for yours. It is free when we surrender to Him; it is free when we trust Him with our life.

Vs. 3 For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice]

God did what absolutely no one else could do—stripped sin of its power over those who accept Jesus and believe in the price He paid.

Vs. 4 So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit].
Vs. 5 For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.

God has delivered us from sin and its power. Now we must choose to walk in this freedom and this righteousness. We must learn what pleases our Father and we must seek and pursue those things which please His Holy Spirit.

Vs. 6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].
Vs. 7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot.

It is your choice and your responsibility to renew your mind to the will, plan and purpose of God. If you do not train yourself in the Word of God and yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading, your mind, which is carnal or fleshly, will pull you back into walking in your old ways—from which you have been redeemed!

Vs. 8 So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him.
Vs. 9 But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God].

Your flesh can never please God, but as you allow the Holy Spirit, who lives in you, to control and direct you, you will be truly pleasing to God and you will walk in the fullness of His grace, favor and blessing!

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

The Lord is good.

“You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes.” Psalms 119:68 NKJV

There are only two forces in the world – good and evil. These are complete opposites. There are attitudes and actions that fit in the “good” category and opposite
attitudes and actions that fit in the “evil” category. We are talking here about what it means to be good. God is good and everything He does is good. No one could ever accuse Him of not being good. God is constant and He is
consistent – He is never unpredictable or schizophrenic.
The qualities of “good” include justice and righteousness.

God is good to those who trust Him, follow Him and obey Him.

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.” Lamentations 3:25 NKJV

Those who sincerely seek God are the ones who will
experience His goodness.

“Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches
sinners in the way. 9 The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.” Psalms 25:8-10 NKJV

God is good because He is upright and true. He leads us into righteousness and teaches us His way if we look to Him. Humble people are teachable and open to the guidance and instruction of the Lord. When we follow Him and walk in His way, then we will experience His mercy.

The Lord is good – He protects and provides for His own.

“God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; The Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His
adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies; 3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The Lord has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet. 4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, And dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon wilts. 5 The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. 6 Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him. 7 The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. 8 But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies.” Nahum 1:2-8 NKJV

The way God’s children and the devil’s children experience God and His power is completely different. God does not choose His enemies. You choose to be God’s friend or His enemy by submitting to Him or rebelling against Him. God is very protective over His faithful children. Those who are mean to them do it at their own peril – they make God their enemy. God reserves His wrath for His enemies! The Lord is slow to anger, but He is very powerful. You want to experience His power at work for you not against you! His enemies always come off second best – defeated and destroyed. However, God is a stronghold – a fortress and protection – for those who are His. He knows them and He will always come through for them.

“Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be the Lord, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!” Psalms 31:19-21 NKJV

Those who fear God will be protected in and by God’s
presence. God’s goodness and kindness protect us from the schemes, plots and nasty words of our enemies.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. 10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” Psalms 34:8-10 NKJV

Those who trust the Lord will experience God’s goodness and will not go without any good thing. They will never
lack – even when their peers suffer lack. They will taste God’s goodness toward them.

“Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful
seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
Acts 14:17 NKJV

God shows His goodness by providing rain and abundant food, making us very happy!

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV

When we look to the Lord and choose to always follow Him, He provides everything we could possibly need – peace, restoration, forgiveness and righteousness, freedom from the bondage of fear, deliverance, boldness, comfort, food and drink, favor, and His ever-present presence. Goodness and mercy will follow me ALL the days of my life!

No Matter what situation we find ourselves in with our colleagues or classmate we must choose to walk in love. Relationships is the place to practice the fruits of the Spirit. Do not be the cause for strife between colleagues or classmates but be a peacemaker the bible says blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.

I have been able to rely heavily on the Holy Spirit and He always comes through. When I was 5 months old, I know God marked my life. Being here now is a result of that. So I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God and He always reminds me of His faithfulness in my life. He is so awesome! This is just the beginning of many great things to come!