Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.  Romans 5:1-5 NIV

We have been justified through faith and we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have gained access, by faith, into this grace in which we now stand and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Because of all that He has done for us, we can rejoice even in the midst of pressure, persecution, trouble and anguish. The word in verse 3 rendered “tribulations” in the KJV and “sufferings” in the NIV actually means “pressure” – literally or figuratively. The KJV translates this word in various scriptures as “afflicted/affliction, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, and trouble.”

When people see the word “suffering” one of the first things they think of is sickness. There is a fallacy in religious circles that sickness and disease and calamities are good things and that they are good for us. The fallacy is that they are sent from God to teach us and to punish us. I wish they would make up their mind on which one it is! Teaching and punishing are opposites. One assumes that there is hope, the other that there is none. In reality, this opinion and all this “suffering” come straight from the gates of hell. You must be either brain-damaged or religiously brainwashed to think that bad things are good. Good is good and bad is bad. We need to wake up and realize that bad gifts are bad – not good – and that they do not come from God.

We believe that God is in control and He can do anything He wants to, but He has made it very plain, in His word, that He does not give us bad gifts and that He has given us the authority in the earth. He allows what we allow. He does not override or violate the choices we make.

We live in this earth full of sin and death – stuff happens to us – we encounter bad people and bad situations. People like to use Paul as an example of someone who endured sickness for God’s glory. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Paul mentions all his problems. He does not mention sickness or disease one time. The suffering he endured, the thorn in his side (mentioned in 2 Cor 12:7) was sent from the devil not God. It consisted of persecution, beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, hunger, cold, heat, lack and betrayals among other things, and yet God was with him and He was on his side and He brought him out every time. We don’t have control over the external influences that come to try to destroy us, but we can choose how we deal with them – we can choose life and blessing (Deut 30:19).

If hard things alone made you a better person then every body would be in a great place in their life and attitude, but we know that this is not the case. Many times, the hard things people have gone through have made them angry, bitter and resentful toward God and others. Many times, even people who claim that God made them suffer for their own good are actually angry with Him underneath their martyr façade. They have a victim mentality – which is very counter-productive.

We all go through hard things. This is not necessarily the end of your world. The hard things you go through can – in the end – teach you perseverance. You can learn and grow – and be better off – or you can whine and give up and end up full of bitterness and resentments. The hard things you go through don’t make you a better person – you (with God’s help) make yourself a better person, even in the middle of the hard things, by your own choices. Choose to endure, choose to win and not give up, and choose to have a positive attitude. Jesus is your only example – follow Him.

So how do you come through hard things – with a good attitude – having learned perseverance?

1. Know that God is on your side – pull in closer to Him – submit to Him in all things.
2. Know that the devil is your problem – resist him at all times.
3. Realize that you have the choice.
4. Maintain a humble, teachable spirit.
5. Find out what God’s word says about your situation.
6. Do exactly what it says.

The Lord makes the way of escape – He is the way out of every situation (1 Corinthians 10:13).

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

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:1-12 KJV

The Lord God, Creator of the Universe, sent His one and only Son to earth in the form of man, born of a virgin, to live, and to die for His enemies – in order to make them His friends. He came to save us from Hell and give us a way into Heaven. He did not have to do anything for us – He could have just left us in our sin and rebellion. But He chose to come down to our level to reach out to us and help us. The Father sent Jesus to cut an unbreakable covenant between God and man so that we could live in His presence forever.

Jesus was sent to His own people – but they did not receive Him (John 1:11). Instead, it was them who had Him put to death. He was despised and rejected, acquainted with grief, wounded, bruised, chastised for our peace, oppressed and afflicted. Those who took His life thought that He was smitten and afflicted of God. They thought that they were doing God a favor by destroying His life, but they did not know that it was all part of God’s great plan. Jesus was cut off out of the land of the living, He was stricken for the transgression of His people and He made His grave with the wicked. He died the death of a sinner.

But the Bible says that it pleased the LORD to bruise Him. It says that He put Him to grief – that He made His soul an offering for sin. It also says that He would see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied. Why would it please God to see his own Son, Jesus suffer and die? Because there was a method in the “madness.” God sent Jesus to die and to go right into Hell in order to destroy the power of the enemy. The devil thought he had the Son of God in his control. He thought that he had neutralized the Seed that was sent to bruise his head (Genesis 3:15). But Satan fell into God’s perfect trap. God tricked the devil, stripped him of his authority and control, the keys of death, Hell and the grave, and his claim to us – God’s creation. We were created and originally intended to serve God and bring honor to Him – not to bow our knee to a fallen angel! If Satan and his minions had known what was waiting for them they would not have crucified Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:8).

Hell could not hold Jesus, because He had committed no sin. Hell cannot hold a righteous man! The Bible says that by His knowledge shall the Lord’s righteous servant justify many, for He would bear their iniquities. Because of His obedience and the things He unselfishly suffered, the Lord said that He would divide Him a portion with the great, and He would divide the spoil with the strong – because He had poured out His soul unto death, He was numbered with the transgressors, He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

It pleased the Lord to bruise Jesus, to see Him suffer under the burden of our sin and to see Him die the death of a sinner – not because the Lord is a sadist, but because Jesus was made a sin offering for you and me. He was bruised in our place. His life and His blood were poured out on the altar to purchase your and my salvation. As painful as it was to watch His Son suffer, such was the joy of the Father, knowing that soon He would welcome millions of us into His eternal presence because we chose to receive the gracious gift of His sacrificed Lamb!

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

6 So then we are always full of good and hopeful and confident courage; we know that while we are at home in the body, we are abroad from the home with the Lord [that is promised us]. 7 For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance. 8 [Yes] we have confident and hopeful courage and are pleased rather to be away from home out of the body and be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth away from Him], we are constantly ambitious and strive earnestly to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing]. 11 Therefore, being conscious of fearing the Lord with respect and reverence, we seek to win people over [to persuade them]. But what sort of persons we are is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood by God, and I hope that it is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood also by your consciences (your inborn discernment). 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but we are providing you with an occasion and incentive to be [rightfully] proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who pride themselves on surface appearances [on the virtues they only appear to have], although their heart is devoid of them.  2 Corinthians 5:6-13 AMP

There are those who pride themselves on surface appearances – they pride themselves on virtues they only appear to have – although their heart is devoid of them. If you present yourself as something other than what you really are- you make yourself a liar. We all want people to like us and think good things about us, but in the end it really doesn’t matter what other people think of us – it only matters what God thinks of us! God plainly recognizes and thoroughly understands what sort of person we are. Can He find something in us that He likes and that is pleasing to Him?

There will come a day that we will all stand alone before the judgment seat of Christ and all that we have done and said – both privately and publicly, good and bad – will be revealed and judged. We will be judged according to what our purpose and motive have been, what we have achieved, been busy with, and what we have given ourselves, and our attention, to accomplishing. Even our priorities will be scrutinized. We will receive our pay according to these things. God is fair and just and He judges impartially. We are the ones who make our choices, whether good or bad, and we are the ones who receive the pay we deserve.

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.  1 Samuel 16:7b NIV

The only chance we have to redeem ourselves and change for the good is while we are alive here on earth. A wise man or woman would make sure that he or she lived their lives in such a way that is pleasing to the Lord, who looks on the heart not just on outward appearances.

3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.  1 Peter 3:3-5 NIV

Your true worth and beauty does not lie in your outward appearance – your clothes, your jewelry, your make-up and your “mask”. Your mask is the face you put on to impress people, to make them like you and to make them think of you the way you want them to think about yourself. Your true worth and beauty comes from inside, from your heart. It is alright to look good on the outside, but it is not the only area you should work on – you should rather work on cultivating a heart attitude that pleases God and is of great worth in His sight.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV

God has placed eternity in our hearts. Let us live for eternity. Let us make eternal things – not earthly things – our priority.

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

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own cityNazareth. 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.   Luke 2:25-40 KJV

It is easy for most people to look back today at the life of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and recognize and worship Him for who He is – the spotless Lamb of God – but when He was just a baby it was not so easy. When He grew up and walked and talked among them – it was not so easy. He looked like them and they thought that He was one of them. It is true that He was a man – but He was definitely not just a man! He was God in the body of a man, come to heal all those who were oppressed of the devil and sent to die for all men, to reconcile them to the Father.

People have a tendency to form set opinions and ideas of how things are and how they should be and then get stuck in a rut of ignorance and arrogance – they are not open to anything that is different from the way that they have decided that it is. We must realize that we are not perfect, we don’t know everything and we have a lot to learn. We should keep our heart open and humble, and then perhaps we will actually be able to receive from the Spirit of God and we will be able to adapt ourselves to Him, instead of expecting Him to change to suit us!

The Pharisees, at the time of Jesus, were arrogant, opinionated, and loved having the respect and admiration of the people. They thought that their knowledge and position made them better than anyone else. They refused to accept Jesus or to listen to Him even though they could not deny the anointing of God on His life and the power of God that flowed through His life. It was the ordinary, humble people, who did not think more highly of themselves than they ought, who recognized Jesus as a Man of God. Even then, many of them, who worshipped Him and looked to Him to heal them and provide for them, turned their back on Him in His hour of persecution.

Even though God had revealed to his people that the Messiah was coming, they all had their own opinion on Who He was and what He would do and many of them weren’t open to receive the One whom God had sent. Thank God for men and women like Simeon and Anna, who were wise enough and humble enough to recognize the Messiah when He arrived. Thank God for the shepherds who believed the angel, and the wise men who followed the star, looking for the One who had been born to save the world.

We must open our eyes and see that God is moving in the earth today and Jesus is still doing miracles today. We must be wise enough to recognize His hand and to receive His work in our life. The first thing we must do is to recognize Him as the Savior of all mankind and accept Him as our personal Lord and Savior. Then we must recognize and receive Him as our Healer, our Deliverer, and our Provider. We must expect miracles and the supernatural. We must keep a humble heart and be open to all that He has for us. Let us recognize Him this Christmas season and let us honor Him by inviting Him to have His way in our hearts and our lives.

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

Now about food offered to idols: of course we know that all of us possess knowledge [concerning these matters. Yet mere] knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature]. 2 If anyone imagines that he has come to know and understand much [of divine things, without love], he does not yet perceive and recognize and understand as strongly and clearly, nor has he become as intimately acquainted with anything as he ought or as is necessary. 3 But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him].

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 AMP

It is not enough to know the Word of God off by heart, back-to-front, and inside out, you must allow it to change your heart. A great deal of knowledge does not make you great – on its own, it could puff you up and make you feel important and lead to pride and arrogance. However, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty – who trust in themselves and their own power or goodness – and gives grace to the lowly – those who are humble enough to receive it (James 4:6). You may have knowledge, but without understanding, you will be unable to walk it out in your day-to-day life. For many people, God and His Word are just a theory and not a reality in their lives. The purpose of the Word of God is to bring you into a place where you do know God, where you come tolove Him and accept His Lordship in your life. The love of God builds you up. Everything God does for you and speaks to you is designed to bring you into that place of where you know Him and love Him and trust Him and become like Him.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness. 9 He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge. 10 He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  Psalms 103:8-12 AMP

God is love and He deals with us in love and with love. He gives all of us an example to follow. He does not deal with us according to our weakness, but according to His love and grace.

There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection]. 19 We love Him, because He first loved us.   1 John 4:18-19 AMP

Perfect love casts out all fear. When you understand how much God loves you, you have no fear. No fear of coming into his presence boldly (Heb 4:16), no fear of the enemy, no fear period!

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.  

2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

When you grow in love, you grow in the knowledge of God and in the knowledge that God is on your side. You can be calm because He watches over you. With the help of the Holy Spirit, you are in control of your emotions, your thoughts and your feelings. You manifest the fruit of the Spirit at all times.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him]. 8 He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God loved us so [very much], we also ought to love one another. 12 No man has at any time [yet] seen God. But if we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us and His love (that love which is essentially His) is brought to completion (to its full maturity, runs its full course, is perfected) in us!   1 John 4:7-12 AMP

Love springs from God – God is love. The way you learn about God is by walking in the love of God. If you are born of God, you are a child of love – you show forth His love everywhere you go. The more you make the choice to walk in the love of God, the more you come to know God and know His character. The more you walk in the love of God, the more His love is perfected in you and the more other people see the character of God demonstrated as His nature is manifested through you.

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

Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!

I am blessed and happy, and fortunate, because I reverently fear and worship the Lord and because I find great delight in His commandments.

My children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth, riches, prosperity and welfare are in my house and my righteousness endures forever.

Light arises in the darkness for me, because I am upright, gracious, compassionate and just, and I am in right standing with my Father, God.

A good person deals graciously and lends.

Good is coming to me, because I am generous and I lend freely.

It is well with me because I guide and conduct my affairs with discretion and justice.

Surely I will never be shaken. Surely I will not be moved forever.

A righteous person will be remembered forever.

I will not be afraid of bad news or evil tidings.

My heart is steadfast – firmly fixed – trusting, leaning on and being confident in the Lord. My heart is secure, established and steady.

I will not be afraid – I will wait to see my desire established upon my adversaries – in the end I will look in triumph on my foes.

I have freely distributed gifts to the poor and needy, my righteousness endures forever and my horn will be exalted and lifted high in honor.

The wicked will see it and be grieved and angered; he will gnash his teeth and waste away; he will disappear in despair. The desire and longings of the wicked shall perish and come to nothing.

Psalms 112:1-10 Paraphrased from the AMP, NIV and NKJV

Romans 4:17 says that, “God gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did,” (NKJV) “God gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were,” (NIV) and “God gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed.” (AMP)

God speaks into existence those things that He plans and desires. They do not exist until He speaks them into existence. People of faith have learned to do exactly what their Father God does. He created the universe – He knows how to get the best results. The Lord has made you many exceedingly great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4), but they will only be yours when you do what He tells you to do.

You must live a godly life and practice what you believe. You must know what God’s Word says about what He has promised you and you must do what God does – you must speak out His promises. You must call those things that are not as though they were. You might be financially strapped – call yourself blessed in Jesus’ Name. You might be sick – call yourself healed in Jesus’ Name. You might be depressed – call yourself filled with joy in Jesus’ Name. You might be childless – call yourself a joyful mother of children in Jesus’ Name. Your relationships might be full of strife – speak God’s peace over them in Jesus’ Name. You might have suffered loss – speak restoration over your situation in Jesus’ Name.

Whatever it is that you need – don’t waste your time speaking about the problem – rather speak the answer. You might not feel blessed, healed, joyful, or peaceful, but you can become blessed, healed, joyful, and peaceful, as you speak life and blessing, from God’s Word, out over your life, family and situation.

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

Love is a reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion that is inspired by God’s love for us and in us. Love sees all as valuable and precious, even when they do not appear to be so.

If I can speak in the tongues of men and even of angels, but have not love I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

And if I have prophetic powers and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not God’s love in me, I am nothing – a useless nobody.

Even if I dole out all that I have to the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not God’s love in me, I gain nothing.

God is love and His love is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit. Because love lives in me:

I endure long and am patient and kind;

I am never envious nor do I boil over with jealousy,

I am not boastful or vainglorious, neither do I display myself haughtily.

I am not conceited, arrogant or inflated with pride;

I am not rude or unmannerly and I do not act unbecomingly.

I do not insist on my own rights or my own way, for I am not self-seeking;

I am not touchy or fretful or resentful;

I take no account of the evil done to me,

I pay no attention to a suffered wrong.

I do not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but I rejoice when right and truth prevail.

I bear up under anything and everything that comes, I am ever ready to believe the best of every person, my hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and I endure everything without weakening.

Because love never fails, I never fail. God’s love in me never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end.

As for prophecy, it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

For our knowledge and our prophecy is fragmentary – incomplete and imperfect,

But when the complete and perfect comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.

For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim and blurred reflection of reality as in a riddle or enigma, but then when perfection comes we shall see in reality and face to face!

Now I know in part – imperfectly – but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood by God.

And so faith, hope, love abide

Faith is believing that what God said He would do, He will do.

Hope is a joyful and confident expectation.

Love is true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for us and in us.

The greatest of these is love.

Paraphrased from 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 John 4:8&16 and Romans 5:5 AMP

You will never walk in the blessings of God’s Word until you put it on the inside of you. You must get into the Word and get the Word into you so that it can start to work for you. The Christian who will not walk in love is immature, worldly, and carnal. If you desire to be a spiritual and mature Christian then you must become an imitator of your Father, God, and walk in love toward God and your neighbor – Christian and non-Christian alike – in all circumstances and at all times. Confess this passage of scripture until it becomes so much part of you and so real to you, that you begin to automatically walk in it everyday.

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

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs or a part of his side and closed up the [place with] flesh. 22 And the rib or part of his side which the Lord God had taken from the man He built up and made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 Then Adam said, This [creature] is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of a man. Genesis 2:21-23 AMP

Wives, be subject to your husbands [subordinate and adapt yourselves to them], as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord. Colossians 3:18 AMP

God created man and out of Adam He took and built Eve. Eve comes from Adam and is created to complement him and complete him. He needs her femininity and she needs his masculinity. They are never as effective alone as they are together. The two once more become one. The husband is required by God to love and protect his wife. The wife is blessed with the ability to adapt to her husband and it is her responsibility to do so.

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 5:22-24 AMP

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 5:31-33 AMP

Wives, as you submit and adapt yourself to the Lord Jesus, submit and adapt yourself also to your own husbands. Nowhere in the word of God does it say that all women should be submitted to all men, but it does say that wives are to be submitted to their own husbands.

In like manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives, 2 When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him–to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband]. 1 Peter 3:1-2 AMP

The greatest mistake many wives make is to try to change their husbands, especially by nagging. This is counter-productive and ineffective. You need to let God change him. God gave women an ability to influence their husbands and it is important that they use this power for good and not for selfish or evil motives. The Lord says that men will be won over, not by discussion, but by the godly example of their wives. Wives, have faith in God to minister to your husband and to take care of you and your needs – don’t give way to hysterical fears or let anxieties unnerve you – trust the truth of His word and obey His leading. He will work with you and in you.

Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; 4 But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them]. 6 It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you]. 1 Peter 3:3-6 AMP

God is not opposed to make-up, jewelry, or nice clothes, but He wants you to know that your appearance is not the most attractive thing about you. Your true beauty comes from your heart – the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is not anxious or wrought up – this is very precious in the sight of God.

The greatest need of a wife is to be cherished by her husband and the greatest need of a husband is to be respected by his wife. Wives – always respect and reverence your husband; notice him; regard him; honor him; prefer him; venerate and esteem him; defer to him; praise him; love and admire him exceedingly; appreciate, prize, and adore him; admire him; praise him; be devoted to him; deeply love and enjoy your husband.

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

My little children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God’s law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (one Who will intercede for us) with the Father–[it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father’s will in every purpose, thought, and action]. 2 And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world. 3 And this is how we may discern [daily, by experience] that we are coming to know Him [to perceive, recognize, understand, and become better acquainted with Him]: if we keep (bear in mind, observe, practice) His teachings (precepts, commandments). 4 Whoever says, I know Him [I perceive, recognize, understand, and am acquainted with Him] but fails to keep and obey His commandments (teachings) is a liar, and the Truth [of the Gospel] is not in him. 5 But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity). By this we may perceive (know, recognize, and be sure) that we are in Him: 6 Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself. 1 John 2:1-6 AMP

The way you know that you are getting to know the Lord more and more is because you keep His commandments; you do what He tells you to do; you conform to the Father’s will in purpose, thought, and action. Many people want God to speak to them by His Spirit, but they do not listen or obey when He speaks to them through His Word! When you are a new Christian, the primary way you come to know God is through His Word. The Holy Spirit is the One who reveals the truths of God’s Word to you and helps you to understand it. As you walk in the ways God has ordained for you, you will grow and mature in your love walk – you are an imitator of Jesus Christ and you walk and conduct yourself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.

But you have been anointed by [you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given an unction from] the Holy one, and you all know [the Truth] or you know all things. 21 I write to you not because you are ignorant and do not perceive and know the Truth, but because you do perceive and know it, and [know positively] that nothing false (no deception, no lie) is of the Truth. 22 Who is [such a] liar as he who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah)? He is the antichrist (the antagonist of Christ), who [habitually] denies and refuses to acknowledge the Father and the Son. 23 No one who [habitually] denies (disowns) the Son even has the Father. Whoever confesses (acknowledges and has) the Son has the Father also. 24 As for you, keep in your hearts what you have heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the first dwells and remains in you, then you will dwell in the Son and in the Father [always]. 25 And this is what He Himself has promised us–the life, the eternal [life]. 26 I write this to you with reference to those who would deceive you [seduce and lead you astray]. 27 But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do]. 28 And now, little children, abide (live, remain permanently) in Him, so that when He is made visible, we may have and enjoy perfect confidence (boldness, assurance) and not be ashamed and shrink from Him at His coming. 29 If you know (perceive and are sure) that He [Christ] is [absolutely] righteous [conforming to the Father’s will in purpose, thought, and action], you may also know (be sure) that everyone who does righteously [and is therefore in like manner conformed to the divine will] is born (begotten) of Him [God]. 1 John 2:20-29 AMP

The name “Christ” means “Anointed One,” so “anti-Christ” means anti – or against – the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The anti-Christ spirit is opposed to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is opposed to who they are and also everything that they are doing. The anointing is the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit. You cannot say that you are listening to the Holy Spirit if you are against everything He says and does. The proof that you hear and obey the Holy Spirit is that you honor, respect, and obey Him. If you submit to the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will teach you His Truth and also cause you also to recognize the Truth or the lie when you see them. The Holy Spirit will teach you all the things you need to know to live a successful life in God, here on the earth. When you give the Holy Spirit place in your life by your honor, respect and obedience, you will walk in the Truth of God’s Word and in all the blessings of God.

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

And it shall be that whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord [invoking, adoring, and worshiping the Lord–Christ] shall be saved. 22 You men of Israel, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man accredited and pointed out and shown forth and commended and attested to you by God by the mighty works and [the power of performing] wonders and signs which God worked through Him [right] in your midst, as you yourselves know–23 This Jesus, when delivered up according to the definite and fixed purpose and settled plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and put out of the way [killing Him] by the hands of lawless and wicked men. 24[But] God raised Him up, liberating Him from the pangs of death, seeing that it was not possible for Him to continue to be controlled or retained by it. 25 For David says in regard to Him, I saw the Lord constantly before me, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken or overthrown or cast down [from my secure and happy state]. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted exceedingly; moreover, my flesh also will dwell in hope [will encamp, pitch its tent, and dwell in hope in anticipation of the resurrection]. 27 For You will not abandon my soul, leaving it helpless in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor let Your Holy one know decay or see destruction [of the body after death]. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will enrapture me [diffusing my soul with joy] with and in Your presence.  Acts 2:21-28 AMP

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood up to address the people of Jerusalem and in the course of his speech, he quoted King David: “Therefore my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted exceedingly; moreover, my flesh also will dwell in hope” and the Amplified Bible expands on this statement, adding the words: “will encamp, pitch its tent, and dwell in hope in anticipation of the resurrection.” A tent is a temporary dwelling – it is not meant to be a permanent dwelling. Today we use them to go on a camping vacation; people use tents in emergencies, as temporary housing; in turbulent parts of the world, tents are used to house refugees. Except for certain peoples like the Bedouin, a tent is not where we ultimately aspire to be – it is not permanent – it is just something we have and use on the way to our more permanent and fixed habitation.

Hope is like a tent – it is not our house, but it is an appropriate temporary habitation on the way to our permanent house – the fulfillment of the promise. We may not have the promise – we may not be living in the house yet – but we know its coming! Not only is hope the tent, but hope is a tent pitched in a particular place – the place where it expects the house to be built.

[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go. 9 [Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.  Hebrews 11:8-10 AMP

Abraham was prompted by faith to leave his home and family and live as a temporary resident in a strange land, while he expectantly and confidently waited for a city with fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God. Abraham pitched his tent, and lived in it, in the land, promised by God to his descendants. This is the land in which his children and grandchildren would be born and the land they would eventually occupy. Abraham never built a house there – he lived in his tent until he died – because Abraham was not only looking forward to an earthly city – he was looking forward to a heavenly city! Faith confidently expects God to answer prayers and fulfill His promises. Abraham’s faith was his tent while he patiently waited and looked forward to his permanent habitation in the glory of God.

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].  Hebrews 11:1 AMP

Our faith is the proof that we have what we are believing for. We cannot see it yet, but the answer to our prayer of faith is on its way. We live in our tent of hope and faith while the house is being built for us and before long we will move into the house and experience the blessing we hoped for and confidently expected!