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

Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth away from Him] or away from home [and with 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].  2 Corinthians 5:9-10 AMP

Nothing that you do here on earth goes unnoticed in eternity. You may think that you can sin and get away with it, or maybe you did a good thing and you think that no one took notice of it. However, at the judgment seat of Christ, everything you did – good and bad – will be revealed and exposed. The judgment seat of Christ is a judgment seat for believers.

So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes [again], for He will both bring to light the secret things that are [now hidden] in darkness and disclose and expose the [secret] aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his [due] commendation from God.  1 Corinthians 4:5 AMP

Every one will be judged and receive his or her pay according to what they did – good or evil – and according to their purpose and motive in doing it. You will be judged according what you have achieved, what you have been busy with, and what you gave your attention to accomplishing. So it makes sense that we should all take a good hard look at our own heart, attitude, motives and works and judge them know. Then we can make the necessary adjustments so that on the day when all is revealed, we are not ashamed over anything that we have done on earth.

For whosoever keeps the Law [as a] whole but stumbles and offends in one [single instance] has become guilty of [breaking] all of it. 11 For He Who said, You shall not commit adultery, also said, You shall not kill. If you do not commit adultery but do kill, you have become guilty of transgressing the [whole] Law. 12 So speak and so act as [people should] who are to be judged under the law of liberty [the moral instruction given by Christ, especially about love]. 13 For to him who has shown no mercy the judgment [will be] merciless, but mercy [full of glad confidence] exults victoriously over judgment.  James 2:10-13 AMP

If you are a Christian, you are no longer subject to the Law – you have been redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13). Your focus is not on keeping the Law itself, but rather on walking in the love of God toward all men, because love fulfills the law – if you walk in the love, you will not transgress the Law (Romans 13:10). So you should speak and act like people who are to be judged under the law of liberty – the law that commands us to walk in the love of God. If you are merciful, you will receive mercy, but if you are hard and judgmental toward your brothers and sisters, then you will be shown no mercy either. So, in a sense, you are the one who chooses the measure of judgment that you will receive. You would be smart to start showing as much mercy as you can!

None of us lives to himself [but to the Lord], and none of us dies to himself [but to the Lord, for] 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For Christ died and lived again for this very purpose, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God [acknowledge Him to His honor and to His praise]. 12 And so each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God. 13 Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.  Romans 14:7-13 AMP

None of us lives or dies to himself, but we live and die as unto the Lord – whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord. With that in mind, we should be constantly ambitious and earnestly strive to be pleasing to Him. We please Him when we are kind, considerate and merciful toward each other. If we do this then we will not be ashamed to give an account of ourselves to God when we stand before Him.

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

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.   Romans 8:1 AMP

There is no condemnation – no guilt – for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They are totally forgiven and the record of their sin has been completely wiped out by the blood of Jesus. Jesus bore the punishment of their sin. They are acquitted of any wrongdoing in the high Court of Heaven. There is no more accusation that can legally be brought against them.

Revelations 12:10 says that the devil is the accuser of the brethren. He is also a liar. He does not want you be forgiven or to receive God’s forgiveness. He wants you to be condemned to hell for your sin and if he can’t keep you from being washed in the blood of Jesus, he will try to keep you from the presence of God through guilt and condemnation. He wants you to remain in bondage to sin and guilt. He brings accusation and condemnation and tries to make you think that it is God Who feels that way about you.

However, the Word of God says that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit certainly do not accuse the blood-washed Christian. John 3:17 AMP says that, “God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.” Jesus has no desire to condemn you to hell at all – that’s why He was born and that’s why He died – to love you, to accept you, and to save you from death and hell.

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 8:34 AMP

Jesus is at the right hand of God right now interceding for you, standing in the gap for you, asking – pleading – for mercy for you. There is no way He would be condemning you at the same time.

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.  Romans 8:2 AMP

There are physical laws and spiritual laws. On the earth, there is the law of gravity and the law of lift. Even if you said that you didn’t believe in gravity and jumped off a building to prove it, you would still fall all the way down until the ground suddenly stopped your descent! The law of gravity worked on you. However, there is a law that transcends the law of gravity and that is the law of lift. If you climb into an airplane and start the engines and go fast enough, you will take off and fly through the air. In this case the law of lift transcends and overrides the law of gravity. Only if you run out of gas or if something goes wrong with the plane, that compromises the law of lift, will the law of law of gravity then take over, once again, and the airplane will make sudden and unfortunate contact with the ground.

In the same way, the law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus transcends and overrides the law of sin and of death. The law of sin and death is in operation on the earth. However, Jesus holds the keys to death and hell and the law of the Spirit of life overrides the law of sin and death in the lives of all those who believe in Jesus and have received His eternal life and who obey His commandments.

But if Christ lives in you, [then although] your [natural] body is dead by reason of sin and guilt, the spirit is alive because of [the] righteousness [that He imputes to you].  Romans 8:10 AMP

When Jesus lives in you, even though your body has the law of death at work in it, the law of life is operating in your spirit and your spirit is alive. Your spirit will never die, never be separated from the presence of God. You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and you have eternal life living and working in your spirit right now.

Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day.  2 Corinthians 4:16 AMP

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

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

Fear does not come from God. God is the author of love and of faith, which go hand in hand. The Bible says that God has given us a spirit of love. There is no fear in love.

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:14-18 NIV

We know and rely on the love God has for us. As we live in God and He lives in us, His love is made complete in us. Perfect love casts out fear. The more we become aware of how much God loves us, the less we fear punishment and death. If we don’t fear death, if we don’t fear God, if we don’t fear His wrath, then what else is there to fear? When we are confident in God’s love, we are also confident in His hand upon us—His hand of protection and provision. We have nothing to fear from man or beast, because we know—we have a revelation—that God is on our side at all times and in all things. We can go forward confidently—fearing nothing and no one!

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 NKJV

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Hebrews 10:38-39 NIV

Faith pleases God—fear does not! God is not pleased with the fearful, faithless person. Those who have no faith cannot be His, because the only way to come to God is to come in faith. If you are His, it is because you have faith in Him. God wants you to know Him—His nature and His character—that He IS and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. It pleases God when you have faith in Him and when you press in to Him—believing that He is a rewarder. The whole foundation of your relationship with God is founded on faith in Him, confidence in His Word, and an expectation of receiving the rewards He has promised.

The righteous live by faith! The righteous are righteous because of their faith! They have met God; they know God; they have come to know His nature and His character; they know how much He loves them; they know how much He has done for them and how much He has promised to do for Him. They have the absolute confidence in their Heavenly Father that a young child has in their loving, caring, earthly father. Our Heavenly Father wants us to know how kind and loving He is. Anyone who believes otherwise does not know Him and, therefore, is not one of His children.

Those who shrink back in fear do so because they have no faith in God and no knowledge of Who He is. God is not pleased with those who shrink back in fear, but He is pleased with those who believe, because it is this very belief that is your salvation.

In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear). Ephesians 3:12 AMP

Because of Jesus; because He loves you; because of what He has done for you; because you trust Him; you have no reason to be afraid of the Father. It is the Father Who sent the Son to die and be raised up again to bring you and me into a relationship with Him. He initiated the relationship and the fellowship. He is the One Who desires to bless us. Because of Jesus, when you come into God’s presence to speak to Him, you do not expect Him to punish you, but you expect Him to receive you, hear you, answer you, and bless you. The more you know of God’s love for you, the more confident you become in that love and the more confident you become in your everyday life.

Fear has no place in your life. Because you have faith in God, your Father, you have confidence to go forth and do His will and live your life in faith and in peace!

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

Furthermore, brethren, we beg and admonish you in [virtue of our union with] the Lord Jesus, that [you follow the instructions which] you learned from us about how you ought to walk so as to please and gratify God, as indeed you are doing, [and] that you do so even more and more abundantly [attaining yet greater perfection in living this life].  1 Thessalonians 4:1 AMP

When your mother gave birth to you, you had everything you needed to live on this earth as a member of your family. You were “you” only a smaller version, with no knowledge of the world you were born into. You had your body, but you didn’t know what to do with it or how to control it. All you knew how to do was to drink milk and to cry when you were hungry, tired, or uncomfortable, or when you needed to be held. You had to grow up and learn how to control your body and your impulses. You had to learn how to walk, talk, feed yourself, communicate, obey, be courteous, share, work, give, be kind, be a decent person, etc. You had to learn to obey and respect your parents. If your family did not care for you and teach you, you would not have the skills you needed to be successful in your relationships and your life.

When you receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior your heart, your spirit, is instantly changed. You are like a brand new baby in the spirit. The only problem is that you have this body that wants to do its own thing and you have to learn how to control it and bring it under subjection to your spirit. The way you do that is through the Word of God. Many people claim to be “born-again,” but their conduct tells another story. Some of them have never been taught that they must obey the Word of God and that they ought to walk and conduct themselves in such a way so as to please and gratify God. They are still pleasing themselves.

For you know what charges and precepts we gave you [on the authority and by the inspiration of] the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice, 4 That each one of you should know how to possess (control, manage) his own body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honor, 5 Not [to be used] in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and have no knowledge of His will  1 Thessalonians 4:2-5 AMP

The best way to avoid sexual sin is to stay away from the source and cause of it. Protect your eyes and ears. Don’t even think that you can look at it and be okay. The battle between good and evil, sin and righteousness in your life begins in your mind. Guard yourself in this area. Don’t allow ungodly TV channels in your home. Put a blocker on your computer. In order to avoid sinning, you have to be able to control your body, but if you feed your mind pornography and perversion, you can be sure that you are going to have a very hard time preventing your mind and your body from leading you straight into sexual sin! You control your body by keeping your mind on things that are pure. The heathen don’t know God. They don’t feel that there is anything wrong with what they do with their bodies. You are not an ungodly heathen. You know the difference between right and wrong. Don’t follow ungodly people down the path of destruction. You are not ignorant of God’s will for you!

That no man transgress and overreach his brother and defraud him in this matter or defraud his brother in business. For the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we have already warned you solemnly and told you plainly. 1 Thessalonians 4:6 AMP

Don’t defraud your fellow Christians with your sexual impurity. Don’t go after someone who is not your wife – she belongs to someone else. If you go after her, you will wreak havoc in many people’s lives through your lack of self-control. Keep your eyes and your hands to yourself. Keep you mind pure in this area.

Don’t defraud your brother or sister in a business transaction! There seems to be so many people, who call themselves Christians, who are liars and thieves when it comes to money and business. God is very serious when He tells us to be honest and faithful with money. He tells the thief to steal no more and to work honestly with his hands and to give to those who are needy (Ephesians 4:28). Don’t be a thief; don’t be a liar; don’t defraud people by deception; don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep; don’t take what is not yours. Do you have any fear of God? Remember that God is the avenger in all these things!

For God has not called us to impurity but to consecration [to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity]. 8 Therefore whoever disregards (sets aside and rejects this) disregards not man but God, Whose [very] Spirit [Whom] He gives to you is holy (chaste, pure).  1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 AMP

God has called us to purity – to consecrate ourselves to Him – to be dedicated to Him. If we disregard God’s word about sexual purity, we are not rejecting man, but we are rejecting God. Every person who chooses sexual immorality is also making a choice against God. It is a fact that Atheists and Agnostics are way far more likely to see nothing wrong with sexual impurity and sin, than a person who loves and obeys God. Always stay in close relationship and fellowship with God – this fellowship is your protection!

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

Thoughts on Stewardship – Lesson 27 from Deuteronomy
Foundation Scriptures: Deuteronomy 15 verse 19-21

Offering of the Firstlings

All the firstling males that are born of your herd and flock you shall set apart for the Lord your God; you shall do no work with the firstling of your herd, nor shear the firstling of your flock. 20 You shall eat it before the Lord your God annually in the place [for worship] which the Lord shall choose, you and your household. 21 But if it has any blemish, if it is lame, blind, or has any bad blemish whatsoever, you shall not sacrifice it to the Lord your God.  Deuteronomy 15:19-21 AMP

1.  It is very important to God that His people set aside and bring the firstling of their flocks and herds to Him

a. They had to be firstlings – the firstborn of the flock
b. It took faith to bring the firstling – you had to believe that there would be a “secondling”, a “thirdling”,
and a “fourthling”, etc.
c. This firstling was to be set aside ahead of time and then brought to the place of worship
d. It was sacrificed to the Lord at the place of worship and then eaten in His presence
e. The firstling could not be lame or blind – it had to have no blemish or imperfection whatsoever
f. It would need to be carefully inspected
g. If something is inspected, it means that it has to be considered and carefully looked at – with much
contemplation and thought – rather than something brought haphazardly or as a mere afterthought

2.  Even though this command was given under the Old Covenant, why would we – under the New – assume that we are free to dishonor God by giving to Him any other way?

a. Maybe we don’t raise animals – but we do earn a living – we must bring the Lord the “firstling” – right
off the top
b. We honor God by putting Him first, rather than last in our priorities
c. We should set aside our offering with much thought, contemplation and inspection – and then bring it to
His house as an act of worship – to honor Him for His goodness, His mercy, His grace, His loving
kindness, and all of His bountiful blessings
d. If we really respect a person – a man or woman – and we really want to bless them, we will do
something to honor them, such as bringing a gift that reflects our gratitude and appreciation
e. It is extremely appropriate – and in some cases, expected – that you bring a gift when you are meeting
someone very important
f. Your gift sends a message. For instance, we give gifts to our husband, wife, family, or friends, on
birthdays, or anniversaries, or other special occasions, that reflect how much we think of them
g. They would be offended if we forgot to bring something or if we gave an inferior gift
h. What about our Heavenly Father? Is He not more important – is He not more precious to us – than any
mortal man? We expect His generous, abundant, timely blessings on us and so we should also honor
Him in kind

Pastor Adonica’s Thoughts:
Isaiah 43:22-25 AMP says, “You have not called upon Me [much less toiled for Me], O Jacob; but you have been weary of Me, O Israel! You have not brought Me your sheep and goats for burnt offerings, or honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not required you to serve with an offering or treated you as a slave by demanding tribute or wearied you with offering incense. You have not bought Me sweet cane with money, or satiated Me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have only burdened Me with your sins; you have wearied Me with your iniquities. I, even I, am He Who blots out and cancels your transgressions, for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Is this you? Have you taken advantage of God’s grace and generosity? Have you offered God nothing but your sins and iniquities? Have you done nothing but burden Him and weary Him? If so, it’s time for a change. It’s time to make up your mind to start to please God and bless Him with your obedience and your blemish-free firstlings!

Pastor Rodney’s Thoughts:
Everything we have comes from God. Nothing we have comes from ourselves. He loves us – we love Him. He blesses us – we bless Him. It amazes me how many people expect the blessing of the Lord in their lives and yet the Kingdom of God is neither their priority nor their concern. When we make the Kingdom of God our priority – when we put God’s house first and bless and honor Him – then He will bless and honor us. Let’s honor God by bringing our first and our best – not the last or the lame or the blind.

Prayer and Confession:
Father, I honor You with my firstlings and I honor You with the best that I have. I will obey You and bless You, because everything I have is Yours.

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

Foundation Scriptures: John 14:13-26; John 15:26; John 16:7-15

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.  16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. 19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.  20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.  21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.  24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.  26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.  John 14:13-26 NKJV

“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.  John 15:26 NKJV

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;  10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;  11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.  14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.  15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.  John 16:7-15 NKJV

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the God-Head. He IS God

• He is omnipresent—every where
• He is omnipotent—all powerful
• He is omniscient—all knowing
• He is the One Who makes Jesus real to us. He is the Artist Who paints Jesus on the canvas of life

The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Believer

• You are born again by the Holy Spirit
• John 3:5-7
• The Holy Spirit bears witness to us that we are the children of God
• 1 John 5:10
• Galatians 4:6-7
• Romans 8:14-17
• We are baptized into the Body of Christ at the New Birth.
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
• The Holy Spirit seals the believer.
• Ephesians 1:13-14
• Ephesians 4:30
• The Holy Spirit sanctifies the believer.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13
• 1 Peter 1:1-2
• The Holy Spirit helps us to mortify the flesh.
• Romans 8:5-13
• The Holy Spirit enables us to be transformed into the image of Jesus.
• 2 Corinthians 3:18
• The Holy Spirit produces fruit in the believer’s life.
• Galatians 5:22-23
• The Holy Spirit’s Work in Relation to Ministry
• He baptizes us, fills us and empowers us for service.
• Acts 1:8
• He reveals to us God’s will through His word.
• 2 Peter 1:20-21
• He helps us to pray.
• Romans 8:26-27
• Ephesians 6:18
• Jude 20
• 1 Corinthians 14:14-15
• He gives us the power to preach, teach and demonstrate the Gospel.
• 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
• 1 Thessalonians 1:5
• The Gifts of the Spirit are made available to us.
• 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

The Comforter – Our Comforter

• John 16:7
• John 14:16
• He comforts us by leading us into Truth.
• John 16:13
• He not only teaches us, but He continues to remind us of God’s word and His promises.
• John 14:26
• He shows Himself TO us, He does a work IN us and He works THROUGH us.

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

“’If an alien or a temporary resident among you becomes rich and one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells himself to the alien living among you or to a member of the alien’s clan, 48 he retains the right of redemption after he has sold himself. One of his relatives may redeem him: 49 An uncle or a cousin or any blood relative in his clan may redeem him. Or if he prospers, he may redeem himself. 50 He and his buyer are to count the time from the year he sold himself up to the Year of Jubilee. The price for his release is to be based on the rate paid to a hired man for that number of years. 51 If many years remain, he must pay for his redemption a larger share of the price paid for him. 52 If only a few years remain until the Year of Jubilee, he is to compute that and pay for his redemption accordingly. 53 He is to be treated as a man hired from year to year; you must see to it that his owner does not rule over him ruthlessly. 54 “’Even if he is not redeemed in any of these ways, he and his children are to be released in the Year of Jubilee, 55 for the Israelites belong to me as servants. They are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 25:47-55 NIV

Under the Old Covenant, if the Israelites owed a debt they could not pay, they were sold into slavery. However, they retained the right to redeem themselves—to buy themselves back out of slavery. If they prospered enough to cover the debt, they could redeem themselves, otherwise they needed to be redeemed by a wealthier family member. If they were not redeemed, they remained enslaved until they were set free in the Year of Jubilee.

Adam and Eve initially belonged only to God, but through sin and disobedience they became slaves of the devil and all mankind together with them from then on. We all became subject to the devil and his death and destruction in our lives. Psalms 49:7-9 AMP tells us that, “None of them can by any means redeem [either himself or] his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—8 For the ransom of a life is too costly, and [the price one can pay] can never suffice—So that he should live on forever and never see the pit (the grave) and corruption.” At that point, not one man or woman could ever redeem themselves back from the devil, because the ransom of a life is too costly and all the wealth of the world would never be enough to pay for even one life. Mankind was doomed to end up in hell! We were desperately in need of someone with the means to come and redeem us. Father God promised a Redeemer for those who put their trust in Him and from then on His people looked for their Redeemer to come.

David rejoiced in the promise of God, that He would send a Redeemer, “But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead); for He will receive me. Selah.” (Psalms 49:15 AMP) David encourages Israel to continue look to the Lord for their redemption, “O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is mercy and loving-kindness, and with Him is plenteous redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.” (Psalms 130:7-8 AMP)

Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free]. Matthew 20:28 AMP

For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 Who gave Himself as a ransom for all [people, a fact that was] attested to at the right and proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 AMP

Awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realization of our] blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One), 14 Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds. Titus 2:13-14 AMP

But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as] our Righteousness [thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God], and our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and our Redemption [providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin]. 1 Corinthians 1:30 AMP

Thank God, Jesus came to ransom and redeem us and buy us back from slavery to sin and the devil. Only Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Father, could afford the price of our redemption. The price was His own life—His precious blood poured out as a sacrifice! He gave His life as a ransom for ALL! Everyone who accepts Him as Lord and Savior is redeemed from out of the devil’s grip straight into the arms of God! We belong to Him and only Him. The devil no longer has any more rights over us! Colossians 1:13-14 AMP says, “[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.

Jesus is my Savior, my Redeemer and my Jubilee!! Thank God, I can rejoice with Job and David and all the saints and say, “For I know that my Redeemer lives!” (Job 19:25)

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

Foundation Scriptures: Luke 1:41-44; Luke 2:8-10; Matthew 2:10-11

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Luke 1:41-44 NKJV

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  Luke 2:8-10 NKJV

When they saw the star, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy. 11 And on going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasure bags, they presented to Him gifts—gold and frankincense and myrrh.  Matthew 2:10-11 AMP

l.  The whole Christian / Christmas message is based and rooted in JOY.

• Even in the womb, the baby John, who would become known as John the Baptist, leapt for joy in the presence of the unborn baby Jesus.
• The angels announced glad tidings of great joy to the world, singing and worshiping the Lord. This word “great” here in the Greek is “megas” and means: exceedingly, great; greatest; high; large; loud; mighty. (We get our word “megaphone” from the same root word as the word “great” here)
• When the wise men saw the star they were filled with ecstatic joy. The KJV says exceeding great joy. The Greek word for “exceeding” means: vehemently; in a high degree; much. The word “great”, as in the previous scripture, means: exceedingly, great; greatest; high; large; loud; mighty.
• So their joy was as big and loud as joy can get!

ll.  Wherever the presence of the Lord is, there is JOY – whoever the Lord touches is filled with JOY.

• Psalms 16:11 AMP – You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
• Acts 2:28 AMP – You have made known to me the ways of life; You will enrapture me [diffusing my soul with joy] with and in Your presence.
• Psalms 2:4a NKJV – He who sits in the heavens shall laugh.
• Job 5:22a NKJV – You shall laugh at destruction and famine.
• Acts 13:42 Wuest – And the disciples were continually filled with joy and controlled by the Holy Spirit.

lll.  Jesus faced and endured the cross for the JOY set before Him.

• Hebrews 12:2 NKJV – Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
• Acts 2:23-28 NKJV – Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
• No matter what Jesus had to endure, He chose to obey His Father. He knew that He would face death, but His hope was in the fact that the Father would never let Him remain in the grave. He knew what great joy lay on the other side of obedience and He expected to experience that joy!
• Matthew 25:21-22 NKJV – His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
• Eternal joy awaits the faithful, in the presence of the Lord.

lV.  Those who know and serve the Lord have many reasons to be full of JOY.

• Luke 10:21-22 NKJV – In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
• Luke 10:20 NKJV – Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.
• The source of your joy is not in yourself, or your accomplishments, or even in the fact that devils run from you. Your joy is in the fact that Jesus has saved you from death and destruction, brought into fullness of life and that your name is written in His book of life!
• Isaiah 61:10 AMP – I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

V.  God’s Kingdom—here on earth—is a JOYFUL, JOY-FILLED Kingdom.

• Romans 14:17 KJV – For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
• In God’s kingdom, what we eat and drink is not what matters to the Lord. What does matter is a right way of life, peace, and joy, which all come by and through the Holy Spirit.
• Galatians 5:22-23 AMP – But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
• The greater the work of the Holy Spirit in you, the more of the fruit of the Spirit will be manifest in your daily life, including the fruit of joy. A joyless religion is just that – religion. Serving Jesus means a life full of the joy of the Lord!
• 1 Peter 1:8 AMP – Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy.
• Our joy comes from the fact that the blood of Jesus has eternally saved us from sin and death. No matter what else happens in our life, we need have no fear of death, hell or the grave ever again.

Vl.  No matter what you go through, you can still be filled with JOY.

• John 16:22 NKJV – Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
• Happiness and joy differ in that happiness is dependent on circumstances and joy is not. Joy comes from a heart filled with the Spirit of God.
• Job 8:20-21 AMP – Behold, as surely as God will never uphold wrongdoers, He will never cast away a blameless man. 21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter [Job] and your lips with joyful shouting.
• True joy can only be experienced by those who fully serve God. The sinner can never experience this joy; the backslider is the most unhappy person on the earth!
• Proverbs 14:12-13 AMP – There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is heaviness and grief.
• Without Jesus in your life, your laughter is empty and your happiness is temporary.
• Psalms 5:11 AMP – But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits.
• Psalms 126:1-6 KJV – When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. 3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
• Philippians 4:4 NKJV – Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

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

But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared, 5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 [And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope. Titus 3:4-7 AMP

Because God, our Savior, loves us so much, He sent Jesus Christ as our Savior to rescue us from our helpless state of bondage to sin and death. We need a Savior, because we are powerless to save ourselves—if we could help ourselves, we would not need a Savior. Savior means: a person who saves, rescues, or delivers; a person who rescues another from harm, danger, or loss; one who saves from any form or degree of evil. Jesus was the goodness and loving-kindness of God in the form of man. The Father sent Jesus to save and rescue us out of His pity and mercy, not because of our righteousness, because we did not have any. He saved us so that we could be justified by His grace and become heirs of His eternal life.

There are seven different Hebrew and Greek words for “salvation.” The word “salvation” in the Hebrew and the Greek is an all-inclusive word. It encompasses all that is included in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ: salvation; deliverance; save; health; help; welfare; safety; victory; Savior; defend; avenge; rescue; preserve. Salvation is redemption made effectual to the individual by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1. Jesus came to save us from our sins:

She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God]. Matthew 1:21 AMP

God exalted Him to His right hand to be Prince and Leader and Savior and Deliverer and Preserver, in order to grant repentance to Israel and to bestow forgiveness and release from sins.
Acts 5:31 AMP

2 Peter 2:20 AMP says that we escape the pollutions of the world through the full and personal knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2. Jesus is the Savior of the Jews, the Savior of the Gentiles
—the Savior of the whole world—no one is left out:

And He has raised up a Horn of salvation [a mighty and valiant Helper, the Author of salvation] for us in the house of David His servant. Luke 1:69 AMP

And so all Israel will be saved. As it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will banish ungodliness from Jacob. Romans 11:26 AMP

For with my [own] eyes I have seen Your Salvation, 31 Which You have ordained and prepared before (in the presence of) all peoples, 32 A Light for revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was before unknown] and [to bring] praise and honor and glory to Your people Israel. Luke 2:30-32 AMP

And they told the woman, Now we no longer believe (trust, have faith) just because of what you said; for we have heard Him ourselves [personally], and we know that He truly is the Savior of the world, the Christ. John 4:42 AMP

3. Jesus is not just the Savior of a select few. He becomes the
Savior of every person, from every nation, who confesses
and acknowledges that He is indeed the Savior of the world:

And [besides] we ourselves have seen (have deliberately and steadfastly contemplated) and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son [as the] Savior of the world. 15 Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God. 1 John 4:14-15 AMP

With a view to this we toil and strive, [yes and] suffer reproach, because we have [fixed our] hope on the living God, Who is the Savior (Preserver, Maintainer, Deliverer) of all men, especially of those who believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to Him). 1 Timothy 4:10 AMP

4. Jesus annulled death depriving it of its power over us and
brought us life and immortality:

[It is that purpose and grace] which He now has made known and has fully disclosed and made real [to us] through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, Who annulled death and made it of no effect and brought life and immortality (immunity from eternal death) to light through the Gospel.
2 Timothy 1:10 AMP

5. Jesus purchased our freedom from iniquity and purified us
to be His own people, who are enthusiastic about being
good not bad:

Awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realization of our] blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One), 14 Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds. Titus 2:13-14 AMP

6. Jesus saved us from the limits of this world, making us
citizens of heaven:

But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior, 21 Who will transform and fashion anew the body of our humiliation to conform to and be like the body of His glory and majesty, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself. Philippians 3:20-21 AMP

Thus there will be richly and abundantly provided for you entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:11 AMP