Rodney Howard Browne shows us Jesus as he really is.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:1-14 NKJV

l.  Rodney Howard Browne explains that If Jesus were around today, He would be kicked out of most churches.

• Jesus was not religious and did not fit in with the religious crowd.
• Jesus was radical. He was unpredictable. He did not do what people thought He would or should do.
• 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 AMP – But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. 15 But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].
• Jesus was led by the Spirit of God in everything He said and did.
• John 3:34 AMP – For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God's own message], God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!
• Jesus is not physically here on earth where He can be seen. The only Jesus the world will ever see is in born-again believers, children of God, filled with the Holy Spirit.
• The only way that people can see Jesus in your eyes, hear Jesus in your voice and feel Jesus in your touch is if you allow the Holy Spirit to do a work in you as you obey Him by walking in the love of God toward others and by doing the works of Jesus.  
• To get a picture of what Jesus is really like—read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 

ll.  Rodney Howard Browne shows us that there are so many different opinions and theories out there about Jesus, but the Gospel portray Him as He really is.

• Jesus said what He meant and He meant what He said.
• The significance of Jesus’ words and actions get lost when people try to interpret the bible allegorically or figuratively, instead of literally.
• At the end of his account of Jesus earthly ministry, John says, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all recorded one by one [in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would be written.” (John 21:25 AMP)
• The things we need to know about Jesus are written in the four Gospels.
• His Birth; His Life; His Earthly Ministry; His Death; His Resurrection; His Ascension.
• His Birth: Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin. He was 100 percent God and 100 percent man.
• His Life: He led a sinless life even though He was tempted with everything that anyone of us are tempted with.
• Hebrews 4:15 AMP – For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.
• His Earthly Ministry: Jesus spent 30 years preparing for an earthly ministry that began when He was baptized in water and the Holy Spirit at the River Jordan. 
• His earthly ministry lasted about 3 ½ years and 70 percent of that ministry was healing the sick and casting out devils.
• His Death: His death at Calvary was for the sins of the world—the whole world.
• His Resurrection: Jesus was raised up from the dead and He stripped Satan of the keys of death, hell and the grave.
• His Ascension: The angel told the disciples, “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11a)
• John 14:12 KJV – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
• Jesus sent us another Comforter—the Holy Spirit, who is just like Him—the same Holy Spirit that anointed Jesus.
• This Comforter comes to live in us and with us. This Comforter would allow Jesus to live inside us and to have expression through us in the earth.
• Christian means: little Christ; little anointed one.
• Remember Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) And also, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.  29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:28-29)
• 1 John 4:4 NKJV – You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
• Allow Jesus to live big on the inside of you so that the world may know He is alive!

The Blood of Jesus Redeems us from sin.

1. Redeem—to clear by payment; to buy back or pay off; to recover; to exchange; to save from sins; to restore the honor or worth of; to recover ownership of by paying a specified sum; to obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity, by paying a ransom; deliverance by payment of a price; to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.
2. In the New Testament, redemption refers to salvation from sin, death, and the wrath of God by Christ’s sacrifice.
3. We are redeemed from our own works. We are redeemed from religion and tradition and the Curse of the Law.  
4. 1 Peter 1:18-19 AMP – You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, 19 But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.
5. Our sins are forgiven and no longer held against us.
6. Ephesians 1:7
7. We are purchased by the Blood of Jesus.
8. Acts 20:28

Blood has to be shed or there can be no remission of sins.

1. Hebrews 9:22 AMP – [In fact] under the Law almost everything is purified by means of blood, and without the shedding of blood there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins.
2. Under the Old Covenant, blood sacrifices had to continually be made for sin.
3. Hebrews 10:1-4 Under the old Covenant the blood of animals was shed to atone for sins. The blood of these animals only covered people’s sin. The Father looked at the blood and counted them as righteous. The animals were a type of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus became our “Sacrificial Lamb” (1 Peter 1:19). The Blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin and cleanses our conscience from dead works.
4. Hebrews 9:12-15
5. Under the New Covenant, the Blood of Jesus completely washes away our sin.
6. Colossians 1:14 AMP – In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.
7. Isaiah 43:25
8. Psalms 103:12
9. Revelation 1:5
10. Since Jesus shed His Blood, no more blood needs to be shed.
11. Hebrews 10:18

The Blood of Jesus reconciles us to the Father.

1. We cannot stand before God on our own merits. Our righteousness is like filthy rags.
2. Isaiah 64:6
3. Romans 3:23 NKJV – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
4. Through the Blood of the Cross, God has made peace, reconciling all things to Himself, once and for all.
5. Colossians 1:19-22
6. We are reconciled back to the Father.
7. Ephesians 2:13 NKJV – But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

The Blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

1. The Blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sin—the sin we committed before and after we were saved. If we make a mistake and repent, His Blood cleanses us every time.
2. 1 John 1:7 NKJV – But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
3.  As the old song says, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.”
4. The Blood of Jesus gave us a new and better covenant.
5. Hebrews 8:6

The Blood of Jesus allows us to come boldly before the Father.

1. When you come to God, you come boldly by the Blood of Jesus. You don’t enter by your own name. You don’t enter by your good works. You are bold because you know that His Blood gives you the right to come into God’s presence to ask for help.
2. Hebrews 10:19-23
3. We have a new and living way. We draw nigh unto God boldly, by the blood, with faith and a clean conscience.
4. Hebrews 4:15-16

The Blood of Jesus gives us the power to overcome.

1. Revelation 12:11 NKJV – And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
2. Talk about what God has done for you. Your testimony is a living thing—when you share it, you relive it.
3. 1 Corinthians 15:57

The Blood of Jesus is held in honor in heaven.

1. We reign as kings and priests on the earth through the blood of Jesus.
2. Revelation 5:9-10 NKJV – And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
3. No one is left out. The Blood of Jesus paid the price for every man, every woman, every tribe, every tongue, every people, and every nation!

With that miracle, Jesus showed forth His glory and His goodness. Rodney Howard Browne explains that the reason Jesus turned water into wine as His first miracle was because He wanted that to be a statement. Providing the wine is probably the least that He could have done.

First of all, Jesus came to save from sin and heal sick bodies. The last thing down the line would be to provide wine for a friend’s wedding. But I believe He’s trying to say, “I do the least thing I can do first, because I want to show you that there’s nothing in your life that I can’t take care of. If you accept Me as your Savior and your Healer, I’ll also be your Provider, so that when you have a need, you know I will supply everything that you need.”

In John 15:7, Jesus says, If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Whatever you need, ask, and He’ll give it. After this, Jesus went to the farther side of the sea of Galilee — that is, the Sea of Tiberias,

And a great crowd was following Him because they had seen the signs (miracles) which He [continually] performed upon those who were sick. And Jesus walked up the mountainside and sat down there with His disciples.

Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was approaching. Jesus looked up then, and seeing that a vast multitude was coming toward Him, He said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, so that all these people may eat? But he said this to prove (test) him, for He well knew what He was about to do.

Philip answered Him, Two hundred pennies’ (forty dollars) worth of bread is not enough that everyone may receive even a little.

Another of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,

There’s a little boy here, who has [with him] five barley loaves, and two small fish; but what are they among so many people?

Jesus said, Make all the people recline (sit down). Now the ground (a pasture) was covered with thick grass at the spot, so that the men threw themselves down, about 5,000 in number.

Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples and the disciples to the reclining people; so also [He did] with the fish, as much as they wanted. When they all had enough, He said to His disciples, Gather up now the fragments (the broken pieces that are left over), so that nothing may be lost and wasted. So accordingly they gathered them up, and they filled twelve [small hand] baskets with fragments left over by those who had eaten from the five barley loaves.

JOHN 6:1-13 AMP

This is a very powerful miracle of provision. People are hungry so Jesus takes a little boy’s lunch and then He multiplies it. Now it’s one thing to hear that God provides food and drink in Bible times, but it happens now too. When my family was living in the Transkei region of South Africa, I heard of a miracle of provision among Baptist missionaries. About sixty people had gathered one night at the mission, and all they had was one chicken. But they prayed and God multiplied their one chicken. All sixty ate chicken and were filled!

God’s provision is not just for Bible times — it’s for right now. It’s for you and me. If we just believe God, He’ll make a way where there is no way. God wants His people to live in a higher realm of the supernatural. It’s time to move up and live in a higher realm of the provision of God in our lives. We’ve got to quit looking at our own resources. If we’re looking at our salary as our source of supply, we’re

going to be devastated if our company closes down tomorrow.

This has got to become real in your daily life. It’s easy to clap your hands and sing in church, “He’s my Provider.” But it’s another thing to really trust in Him when you’re in the middle of a problem. When you lose your job, suddenly you find out how much you really believe in the Lord’s provision

Rodney Howard Browne teaches that if you

do any study on issues, try not to get side

tracked away from the simplicity of the gospel. Do not

run off on a tangent into something that does not produce

life.

You will always know if you are into false

doctrine when you begin to lose your joy and your peace.

The scripture says, “In thy presence is fullness of joy; at

thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm

16:11). Let peace be your umpire.

Allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in

your study of the scripture. Remember that the Holy

Spirit is the teacher. He will take God’s Word and make it

alive for you. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Having a Hearing Ear

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice. The voice

of a stranger they will not follow.” (See John 10:5, 27.) It

is interesting to find out that many Christians who have a

“quiet time” really have a quiet time because they never

hear from heaven. They never listen to see if God would

actually speak to them.

“As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are

the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). God will lead you by

His Spirit, but there needs to be a sensitivity to the

anointing and it only comes with spending time in His

presence. Only then do we recognize when God is

speaking to us and instantly obey. In other words, we

need to develop a hearing ear.

He That Has Ears to Hear

“He that has ears to hear what the Spirit is

saying,” is a phrase that is repeated throughout the New

Testament. It’s not talking about the natural ear, but the

spiritual ear.

We know the story of Samuel and how he heard

someone calling his name. He went to Eli and said, “You

called me.” Eli said, “I did not call you.” This happened

several times and then Eli realized that it was God who

was speaking even though he did not hear that voice (not

having ears to hear). He then said to Samuel, “Go lie

down and when you hear the voice, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for

your servant is listening.’” (See First Samuel 3:1-10.)

The Case of the Broken Telephone

We have heard the sayings, “There is none so deaf

as those who will not hear,” and “People hear what they

want to hear.” I am reminded of a story I heard of a

farmer who wanted God to speak to him, One morning,

as he was sitting on his front porch of his farmhouse, a

hand appeared and wrote in the sky the letters G P.

Instead of finding out any further information, the

farmer sold his farm and went on the mission field to

fulfill his heavenly direction. After failing hopelessly and

spending much time in prayer, he heard the Lord speak to

him. He said, “What is the problem, son?”

The farmer said, “Lord, I obeyed You. I did what

You told me. I read the letters in the sky and knew it

meant, Go Preach.” The Lord then said to him, “Son, the

letters did not mean, Go Preach; they meant, Go Plow.”

In this man’s zeal for God, he ran ahead and

misinterpreted the will of God for his life.

Perfect Timing

It is interesting to realize that most people don’t

miss God in the general direction of what God has called

them to do. Rather, they miss the timing, partly because

they don’t listen to what the Spirit of God is saying.

They have never developed their spiritual ear to

the point of hearing God’s voice more clearly. Instead,

they are led by circumstances and situations in their lives.

Blown by the winds of adversity, they wander around

aimlessly, never accomplishing the will of God.

Charismatic Gurus,

Have You Had Your Fortune Told Lately,

and Other Horror Stories

Another scenario is that some Christians gravitate

to so-called “prophets” ( charismatic gurus of the day ( to

get another “word from God.” But it’s always something

vague, something remote, and it never produces a

workable, tangible reality in their lives.

After several years, the individual has a large

collection of predictions, dating back over the years, and

not one has come to pass. But it’s another nail in the

religious coffin of death and bondage.

The truth of the matter is that prophecy is

confirmation, not information. The Bible says, “As many

as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

It does not say, “As many as are led by the prophets are

the sons of God.”

My Worship

Foundation Scriptures: John 4:19-24

The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  
John 4:19-24 NKJV

1. The differences between Old Testament worship and New Testament worship.

• Everything changed after the Cross, Resurrection, and Pentecost.
• 2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV—Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
• What changed everything? The veil of the temple was torn in two (Matthew 27:51), the Holy Spirit came out of the earthly tabernacle, made by the hands of man, to come and live in our hearts. We are His temple, made by His hands.
• True worship comes from the heart.  

2. We can learn a lesson from the children of Israel.

• Exodus 32:1-8
• While Moses was in the Glory, they were building a golden calf and worshipping it.
• This sounds like the modern church.
• What is a golden calf in today’s context?
• Anything that takes away from the presence of the Lord.
• Anything that draws attention away from God Himself.
• We don’t need anything other than our hearts, our hands, our mouths, our feet and His presence.
• His manifest presence is what we look for.

3. A type of Pentecost.

• The priests could not stand to minister— 2 Chronicles 5:11-14 KJV—And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: 12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) 13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; 14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
• The priests could not enter the room—2 Chronicles 7:1-3 KJV—Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. 3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
• The fire fell. The house was filled with the cloud of God’s glory. They worshipped, saying, “The Lord is good and His mercy endures forever”.

4. The Holy Spirit and worship.

• The Holy Spirit is our Comforter—our Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, and Standby
• Ephesians 5:18-20 KJV—And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Be filled with the Spirit.
• Speak to yourselves in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord.
• Give thanks always for all things.

5. New Testament worship is Spirit-led and proceeds from the anointing—not the flesh or the mind.

• Music that is anointed.
• Lyrics that glorify God.
• Word content—words of power, words of faith— not just mere words.
• Worship is about Jesus not about us.
• You cannot worship with an arrogant heart—true worship comes from a humble heart.

The people of this world are starving for true hope while, as believers, each of us is filled with hope and the light of God. It is up to us to be available so that we can share our message with unbelievers.

Rodney Howard Browne teaches that there is absolutely no hope in this life, or in the life to come, apart from a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Because of Christ, we have righteousness before God and the promise of resurrection—all because Jesus died in our place. All the hope we need for living in this life and eternity comes through Him.

According to Romans 5:6, Christ died for the ungodly—each and every person who will ever live. So what was Jesus’ plan for getting His message of salvation to all of these people? In Matthew 28, He commissioned the saved to share the Good News with the lost. In fact, spreading the word of God through people is the only method given in the Bible. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (v. 19). His disciples went without question. The Lord is still calling us to go, whether our field is a faraway country or our own workplace.

When God calls us, He doesn’t want excuses or pleas to wait; He wants our obedience. If we are surrendered to Him, the only thing we can answer when He calls us is yes. Could it be that God wants you to lay aside your plan for your life and take up His call—spreading hope to a rapidly changing world?

• 1.
• And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

• 2.
• And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

• 3.
• As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

• 4.
• Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

• 5.
• Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

• 6.
• And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake , hearing and seeing the miracles which he did .

• 7.
• For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies , and that were lame, were healed .

• 8.
• And there was great joy in that city.

• 9.
• But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery , and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

• 10.
• To whom they all gave heed , from the least to the greatest, saying , This man is the great power of God.

• 11.
• And to him they had regard , because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

• 12.
• But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized , both men and women.

• 13.
• Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized , he continued with Philip, and wondered , beholding the miracles and signs which were done .

• 14.
• Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

• 15.
• Who, when they were come down , prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

• 16.
• (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

• 17.
• Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

• 18.
• And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given , he offered them money,

• 19.
• Saying , Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

• 20.
• But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

• 21.
• Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

• 22.
• Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

• 23.
• For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

• 24.
• Then answered Simon, and said , Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

• 25.
• And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

• 26.
• And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying , Arise , and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

• 27.
• And he arose and went : and, behold , a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship ,

• 28.
• Was returning , and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

• 29.
• Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near , and join thyself to this chariot.

• 30.
• And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said , Understandest thou what thou readest ?

• 31.
• And he said , How can I , except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

• 32.
• The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer , so opened he not his mouth:

• 33.
• In his humiliation his judgment was taken away : and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

• 34.
• And the eunuch answered Philip, and said , I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

• 35.
• Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

• 36.
• And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said , See , here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized ?

• 37.
• And Philip said , If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest . And he answered and said , I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

• 38.
• And he commanded the chariot to stand still : and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

• 39.
• And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip , that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing .

• 40.
• But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

A Confession of Faith in God’s Hand of Protection on My Life

For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever; and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and listen to the cry of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call on You, for You will answer me.  (Psalms 86:5-7)

I belong to Jesus and have already defeated and overcome the enemies of Christ, because Jesus, Who lives in me, is greater and mightier than he who is in the world.  (1 John 4:4)

No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against me in judgment I shall show to be in the wrong. This peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition is the heritage of the servants of the Lord; this is the righteousness and vindication which I have obtained from Him.  (Isaiah 54:17)

The Lord is my Shepherd – He feeds, guides, and shields me – I shall never lack. He makes me lie down in fresh, tender, green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes me and restores my life; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even if I walk through the deep, sunless valley of the shadow of death, I will fear and dread no evil, for Jesus is with me; His rod to protect me and His staff to guide and comfort me. He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He anoints my head with oil; my brimming cup runs over. Surely only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house and the presence of the Lord shall be my dwelling place.  (Psalms 23:1-6)

For behold, Your adversaries, O Lord, for behold, Your enemies shall perish; all the evildoers shall be scattered. But my horn – emblem of excessive strength and stately grace – You have exalted like that of a wild ox; I am anointed with fresh oil. My eye looks upon those who lie in wait for me; my ears hear the evildoers that rise up against me. I am uncompromisingly righteous, therefore I shall flourish like the palm tree, I will be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful; I shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon – I will be majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible. I am planted in the house of the Lord and I shall flourish in the courts of our God. I am growing in grace and I shall still bring forth fruit in old age; I shall be full of the sap of spiritual vitality and rich in the verdure of trust, love, and contentment. I am a living memorial to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.  (Psalms 92:9-15)

The Lord is my Light and my Salvation – whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? Though a host encamps against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, even then in this will I be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and insistently require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord – in His presence – all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty, the sweet attractiveness, and the delightful loveliness of the Lord, and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock. And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me; in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; have mercy and be gracious to me and answer me! Lord, You have said, “Seek My face – inquire for and require My presence as your vital need.” My heart says to You, Your face and Your presence, Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require. Although my father and my mother have forsaken me, yet the Lord will take me up and adopt me as His child. What, what would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! I will wait and hope for and expect the Lord; I will be brave and of good courage and let my heart be stout and enduring. Yes, I will wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.  (Psalms 27:1, 3-8, 10, 13, 14)

Paraphrased from the Amplified Version

Jesus inspired great joy from the moment He was born – everyone who believed in Him, approaching Him with an open heart, experienced great joy! On the night Jesus was born angels appeared to shepherds in the field. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12 KJV)

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem wise men from the east followed a special star, which went before them, until they found Him. “When they saw the star, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy. 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)

When the wise men found Jesus, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy. The KJV says that they rejoiced with exceeding great joy and the NIV says that they were overjoyed. They came a long way to worship and honor Jesus and it was all worth it. Rodney Howard Browne explains that they were overwhelmed and beside themselves with joy and they worshipped him with their heart and soul and then with their treasure. In that day, you always brought a special gift when you came before the king and they had come prepared with very precious gifts to give Jesus – gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Because the wise men honored Jesus as King, they were overjoyed to be in His presence and thrilled to shower Him with gifts. God loves to bless us, it gives Him great joy, and He would like us to feel the same way about Him!

[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings. Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 AMP

God loves a cheerful giver. The Greek word for cheerful is “hilaros” from which we get our English word “hilarious.” It means that you are happy and merry, but also prompt and willing. A cheerful giver’s heart is in his or her giving and they do it promptly without griping. There is a true saying, “Givers never gripe and gripers never give.” Your cheerful attitude sets the tone and the standard every time for your giving. People who are willing to give, are happy to give, and people who are happy to give, don’t hesitate, argue, or waste any time. They have already made up their mind to obey God and they are happy to do it. They don’t have to stop and wonder what to do next. They don’t argue with themselves over what to do. When the opportunity presents itself, they give with a happy smile.

We want God to answer our prayers promptly and to meet our needs on time and therefore we should bless Him by not hesitating to sow our seeds cheerfully and promptly.

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever! And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 AMP

We should expect God to honor His word. This is faith in action. When you expect God to honor His word, you will not hesitate to DO His word! God promises that as you put Him first in your life and honor Him with your obedience in giving, He will grace you with every favor and earthly blessing so that you will have enough for your needs, your desires, and enough to share with others. God wants to bless you so much that you can be really generous in your giving. You will never have to give sparingly ever again!

Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal.

20 But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal;

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.   Matthew 6:19-21 AMP

Your heart follows your treasure – wherever your treasure goes, that is where your heart will go and that is where you will go. If you are born again, washed in the blood of Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit – your first priority is your relationship with the Lord. You love him and whatever is important to Him is important to you. From the moment you invite Jesus into your heart, the first thing you give God is your heart, the second is your money. The fact is that if God has your heart, He will automatically have your money.

In years past, there has been an attitude in the Church that those in full-time ministry are expected to be “perfect” and selfless and to sacrifice everything, while those who are not are allowed to do whatever they want to! However, this is not a scriptural point of view.

God expects the same commitment from every Christian! None of us is better or worse than our neighbor, but each of us is unique and each of us has his/her special place in the Body of Christ. We all have the privilege of being a part of the plan and purpose of God. There will be no unused members in the body of Christ and no one needs to ever feel left out!

If you know for sure that you are not called to contribute to the kingdom of God by means of full-time ministry, know this: you are called to contribute in some way – with your money – that which is precious to you! You may or may not be called to stand on a stage to preach, you may or may not be called to travel around the world to minister to the lost, but you are still able to be a part of preaching and ministering by giving your money to support those who go and who do! If we are truly born again we all have the same calling, heart, mission and goal: to build the kingdom of God!

There is absolutely no reason why any member of the body of Christ should not have treasure deposited in heaven. Every one of us has an opportunity to deposit treasure in heaven – through the winning of souls and by sowing our finances into the kingdom of God. You do not earn a living to put it in a bag with holes (Haggai 1:6), but you earn a living so that you can be a blessing to the kingdom of God with your resources. And in turn, God wants to have the privilege of blessing you and taking care of you, exceedingly, abundantly above all that you can ask or think! (Ephesians 3:20)

Now, if you are called to preach and minister, there is a time of preparation before you step out yourself. This preparation includes supporting the work of ministry with your time and your money. Be involved in ministry of helps and give your best into every offering!

Give into ministries that are doing what you are called to do. The more money you give into a ministry, the more you give your heart into it and the closer you come to being released into that kind of ministry yourself. Give into ministries that are doing things that you are not called to do – so that you can still be a part of building the kingdom of

God in areas that are different from what you will ever be involved in.

You never know what God will ask you to do next. We sowed a lot of money, for years, into ministries who do mass soul-winning outreaches, because we were not doing this at that time, and then one day, the Lord called on us to do one. Because we had already sowed into other ministries, we could stand on God’s Word to reap a harvest on what we had sown, to pay for our crusade. We sowed into it and then God called us to do it ourselves and He paid for it!

Your gifts to God, and His work, open the door for blessing in your life. They also open the door for favor – supernatural opportunities will come your way. If you are not called to ministry – keep on giving your best – so you can have treasure in heaven. If you are called to ministry – keep on giving your best – so you can have treasure in heaven and also before long your heart will follow your money. You will find all the right doors opening and you will be in full-time ministry, in the center of God’s will!

In 1 Samuel 17 the Israelites and the Philistines were facing off against each other – each of them on the side of a mountain with a valley in between. The Philistines were over-confident because they had a champion – a giant called Goliath of Gath – who was almost ten feet tall. He was covered in armor that weighed 5,000 shekels of bronze, the shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam and the head of his spear weighed 600 shekels of iron.

He came out every day to mock the Israelites and to challenge them to a fight. Verse 8 & 9 AMP says, “Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.”

Everyone in Israel was terrified of Goliath – including King Saul, who stood head and shoulders above his fellow Israelites. Because he trusted in the arm of the flesh, instead of in God, he was afraid. So he offered a reward to the man who would accept the challenge and kill the giant. David was the only one in Israel not afraid of Goliath. David did not trust in himself or his own strength or ability – he trusted in the Lord alone. He shocked, surprised and irritated others when he exclaimed, “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (Verse 26)

Saul heard what David said and called for him. He looked at David and saw what everyone else but God saw – an undersized teenager. He reminded David of how he was only an adolescent, and how Goliath had been a warrior from his youth. He tried to talk him out of it and fill him with fear. When you start to talk faith around people who are fearful, isn’t it amazing how they inevitably try to speak their own fears into and over your life and talk you out of trusting in God and acting on your faith? David had spent time in God’s presence – he was full of faith. He started with small things and worked his way up. With God’s help, he had killed a lion and a bear whilst tending his father’s flocks and herds. Taking the giant was no different in his eyes – he still needed God’s help to do it.

Saul tried to dress David in his own armor, but it did not fit him, neither was he used to it, so he took it off. Don’t allow the “Saul’s armor” of other people’s expectations to send you in the wrong direction. You can’t try to wear someone else’s anointing – you have to wear your own. Be bold enough to stick with what God has given you, no matter how insignificant it may seem. David laid down Saul’s armor and picked up his own sling. Armor is for defense. As small and unimpressive as the sling was – it was an offensive weapon. David had complete confidence in the Lord. He did not need armor to protect him – he had a sling in his hand – and God on his side. He wasn’t running away from the enemy – he was running toward him – to take him out! Goliath was unimpressed when he saw David. He cursed him and his God and called him a dog.

Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, Whom you have defied.

46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will smite you and cut off your head. And I will give the corpses of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.

48 When the Philistine came forward to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.

49 David put his hand into his bag and took out a stone and slung it, and it struck the Philistine, sinking into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.

50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck down the Philistine and slew him. But no sword was in David’s hand.

51 So he ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath, and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their mighty champion was dead, they fled.  1 Samuel 17:45-51 AMP

The giant expected someone with armor and a sword and he was confident that he would prevail. The young boy with a slingshot threw him for a loop – it was the last thing he expected. He was overconfident and he paid the price. God sent a small man with a big heart, who trusted totally in the Lord and not in himself – a man who had spent many hours practicing and who could throw a small stone with strength and deadly accuracy – to find the gap in the giant’s armor and the weakness that was exposed.

Don’t trust in your own abilities – trust in God and the call and anointing that is on your life. Practice obeying God in the small things and you will be ready when He calls you to a big thing.