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

Foundation Scriptures:

And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? 34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

Luke 5:33-35 KJV

While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. 23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? 30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

Acts 10:19-33 KJV

1. Jesus Said “When” You Fast, Not “If”

a. Fasting does not move God, it moves you.

b. It subdues the flesh.

c. It breaks strongholds and delivers from bondage.

d. Set yourself aside for prayer, fasting, and reading the Word.

2. Supernatural Things Happen When You Fast and Pray

a. Acts 10:1-8 and Acts 10:9-23

b. Acts 10:24-33

c. Acts 10:30

Cornelius was fasting and supernatural things started happening.

3. Relationship, Not Ritual

a. It is imperative that you do not do this out of a ritual, but out of a relationship with Jesus.

b. Do it to press into Him.

c. James 4:8: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

d. Be hungry for Him.

e. Do not look for manifestations, visitations, or angels, etc. The devil can also manifest as an angel of light to deceive.

f. Lay your heart out before Him; allow Him to do a work on the inside of you.

g. The work He does in you will be an eternal work and it can never be taken away from you.

4. The Supernatural Will Be Natural in Your Life When You Live a Life Set Apart

a. Not in bed with the world.

b. Not dirty and soiled.

c. With clean hands and a pure heart.

5. Living a Fasted Life

a. Be led by the Holy Spirit.

b. Cornelius fasted 4 days. You can fast one, three, seven, twenty one, or forty days.

c. Let God lead you.

d. Skip a meal.

e. Press in – praying, studying, fellowshipping with the Lord.

f. Lay aside hobbies, television, games – anything that distracts you, and consumes your time.

6. We are Going to Press in this Wednesday – as a Church – and Fast and Pray

a. We did three days last week.

b. Let’s do one day this week.

c. I believe that great breakthroughs are taking place:

i. In people’s hearts.

ii. In people’s bodies.

iii. In people’s families.

iv. In people’s marriages.

Foundation scriptures:

And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.  Deuteronomy 8:17-18 KJV

And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. 3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. 6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. 8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways. 10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee. 11 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee. 12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. 13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: 14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 KJV

 

1. You shall remember the Lord your God.
2. It is He who gives you the power – the anointing – to create wealth.
3. The anointing is the touch of God on your life.
4. When God breathes on you.
5. God’s favor and blessings.

 

2. All these blessings.
3. Deuteronomy 28:1-14
4. The promise:
5. High above all the nations
6. Blessings will overtake you

iii. Blessed in the city and the field

1. Fruit of your body; ground; beasts; increase of your cattle and herds
2. Your basket and your store
3. Coming in and going out

vii. Your enemies will be smitten – defeated – before your face and will flee from you seven ways

viii. Commanded blessing on your storehouse and blessing on your land

1. Holy people
2. They will see the anointing on you and will be afraid of you
3. Surplus of prosperity – fruit of body; livestock; around; in the land He’s given you

xii. Rain in its season; bless all the work of your hands; you will lend and not borrow

xiii. Head and not the tail

1. It is time for God’s people to arise in the power of the Holy Spirit and possess the land.

 

3. God’s promises are true.
4. Ecclesiastes 2:26a AMP – “For to the person who pleases Him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and heaping up, that he may give to one who pleases God.”
5. Psalms 18:30 AMP – “As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him.”
6. Psalm 23 – The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want; I shall not lack.
7. He is El Shaddai – the God Who is more than enough – the All Sufficient One.
8. He is Jehovah Jireh – my Provider.

 

4. Know this: If you are His child, then His blessings and abundance are for you.
5. Today we break the curse of lack and poverty off of your life.
6. Today we decree and declare God’s richest and abundant blessings on you.

 

5. The power of God is here to touch you – receive it today.
6. Psalms 96:2 KJV – “Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.”

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Philippians 4:8 KJV

The Word of God tells you how to live a productive, successful, fruit-filled life. It all begins not merely with choosing good actions, or even good words, but it begins on the inside of you – in your thought life! Your thoughts shape and direct your attitude. Your attitude shapes and directs your every choice, word and action. The Amplified Bible says that you must FIX your minds on these good things. That’s because, as Jesus told us in Luke 6:45, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. Whatever fills your mind is coming out of you – no matter how hard you try to contain it!

The word THINK used here is translated variously as: think; impute; reckon; count; account; suppose; reason; number. THINK means: to reckon or account; to count; to compute; to calculate; to count over; to take into account; to make an account of; to impute; to number among; to reckon with: to reckon inward; to count up or weigh the reasons; to deliberate; to gather or infer; to consider; to weigh; to meditate on; to suppose; to deem; to judge; to determine; to purpose; to decide. This word deals with REALITY. If I “think”, or reckon, that my bank account has $50 in it, it has $50 in it. Otherwise I am deceiving myself. This word refers to FACTS not suppositions.

Proverbs 23:7 says that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. That means that what you think – the attitude of your heart – is the real you. You might say what is expected of you to say, but your actions will betray your true feelings. People who say one thing, yet mean another, are not being truthful; they are not even being polite; they are being manipulative and deceitful. This person is a bad friend, because relationship is based on truth. You might think that you have a relationship; however, there is no real relationship, where one of the two is lying to the other.

Fix your mind on things that are true and truthful

The worst kind of person is a deceitful person – a liar. Many people have convinced themselves that they have the truth or that they know the truth, and yet they are self-deceived and blinded by sin. The only TRUTH is in Christ Jesus. The only whole truth is found in the totality of God’s Word. Psalm 119:160 AMP says, “The sum of Your word is truth [the total of the full meaning of all Your individual precepts]; and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever.” When you think or meditate on God’s Word, you are meditating on TRUTH.

Fix your mind on things that are honest

Think on things that are honest and honorable, or worthy of honor. The Amplified Bible says that you should think on: whatsoever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly (or appropriate). The word translated HONEST means: august; venerable; reverend; grave (serious); to be venerated for character; honorable. This has to do with good and solid character. Think on things that promote good character and good morals; not bad ones.

Fix your mind on things that are just

Think on things that are righteous, just and right. JUST means: upright; righteous; virtuous; keeping the commands of God; observing divine laws; innocent; faultless; guiltless; approved by, or acceptable to, God. Someone who is considered just, or righteous, by God, is a person whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God. The Lord tells you to think only on those things that line up with His Word and that are acceptable to Him. There are many things that are acceptable to man and the world’s system, but they are unacceptable to God. Our thoughts and meditations must be approved of by God, and acceptable to Him – not man!

Fix your mind on things that are pure

Think on things that are pure and chaste and clear. Do not allow carnality in your thought life. Romans 8:7 says that the mind of the flesh – with its carnal thoughts and purposes – is hostile to God. It cannot and does not submit itself to God’s Law. In order for your thinking to change and become pure, rather than be defiled, you must submit to Word of God and fill your mind with God’s principles. Your mind must be renewed and washed by the water of the Word of God! By the Word of God and with the help of the Holy Spirit, you can evict carnal, fleshly, lustful thoughts far from you. And then begin to think on those things that are pure, holy, sacred, chaste, modest, immaculate, innocent and clean.

Fix your mind on things that are lovely

Think on things that are lovely. Think on things that are acceptable and pleasing to God. Don’t fill your mind with things that are nasty and ugly. Don’t read or watch things that are nasty and ugly and cruel and evil. Read the Word of God and good, clean, godly books and watch good, clean, godly programs and movies.

Fix your mind on things that have a good report

The Amplified Bible says: think on those things that are kind and winsome and gracious. Think positive thoughts – not negative. Think positive things about people and things. Love believes the best – not the worst – of everyone (1 Cor. 13:7).

Fix your mind on things that have virtue

VIRTUE means: moral goodness; any particular moral excellence; modesty; purity. Let your thoughts be virtuous and good.

Fix your mind on things that are worthy of praise

If there is anything worthy of praise or commendation – think on those things.

Paul began this whole verse with the words: “Finally, my brethren”. There are a number of things we can and must do in order to please God, to be in right-standing with Him and to be successful in our Christian walk. One of the most important of these is to grab a hold of our thought life. We can no longer afford to let the devil have his way in our mind. We must tear down the strongholds of the enemy and evict our old carnal, worldly way of thinking. Instead we must replace our old thoughts and attitudes with the very thoughts and attitudes of the Word of God. We have been given the mind of Christ and do hold the thoughts, intents, feelings and purposes of His heart    (1 Cor. 2:16).

 

 

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.  16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.  John 10:14-16 NKJV

Jesus said: “I am the Good Shepherd. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. They will hear My voice and there will be one flock and one Shepherd.” Jesus was Jewish and salvation was offered first to the Jews, but ultimately it was intended for ALL people – ALL tribes and ALL nations. “This fold” refers to the Jews and those “not of this fold” are the Gentiles. Jesus laid down His life and died for Jews AND Gentiles – He died for the sins of the world! People are always trying to restrict God’s salvation to their own little group, but Jesus said that anyone who hears His voice is included in His flock. There is ONE flock and ONE Shepherd!

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  John 17:20-23 NKJV

Jesus loved us before we were born! He prayed to the Father for His disciples and also for each one of us, in succeeding generations, who would believe in Him through the testimony of His disciples and His Word. The glory of God in our lives makes us all ONE in Him. The Father’s plan was for us to be made perfect together, as ONE body. The Father’s plan is for the whole world to know that He sent Jesus and that He loves each one of us as much as He loves Jesus!

Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh — who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands — 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.  Ephesians 2:11-22 NKJV

Jesus came and preached peace to you who were afar off (Gentiles) and to those who were near (Jews)! We can ALL belong to Jesus’ flock through faith. We don’t need to be born into the “right” family; we don’t need to belong to a particular nation or a particular denomination; we don’t need to do certain works or rituals; we just need to believe in Him. Jesus is our Peace! He broke down any and all walls of separation between man and God – and man and man. He reconciled all of us to God in one body through the cross. We ALL have access to the Father through the Spirit of God. Jesus is our Good Shepherd and our Chief Cornerstone! We are no longer strangers and foreigners, but we are citizens of God’s Kingdom and also members of the household of God! We are brothers and sisters of the same Family!

For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”  12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  Romans 10:11-13 NKJV

WHOSOEVER calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved – whether Jew or Greek (Gentile)! The same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him!

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free — and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.  1 Corinthians 12:13 NKJV

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:28 NKJV

By ONE Spirit we are baptized into ONE body! Your station in life has no bearing on your salvation – Jew or Greek; slave or free; male or female – we are ALL His flock; we are ALL His children. Every man, woman, or child who ever lived, has the same privilege and opportunity to become God’s child. God’s Kingdom is the great equalizer!

Children, obey your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right. 2 Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother — this is the first commandment with a promise — 3 That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.  Ephesians 6:1-3 AMP

Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you. Exodus 20:12 AMP

Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.  Deuteronomy 5:16 AMP

Honor your father and your mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.  Matthew 19:19 AMP

Jesus gave us two commandments: love God and love your neighbor. This love is agape – seeing others as valuable and precious – the love of 1 Corinthians 13. He defined your neighbor as being every person you know – this includes family. Each of us is commanded to love with no exceptions – therefore we have no excuses not to love. Husbands are commanded to love their wives and their children. Wives are commanded to love their husbands and their children. Children are commanded to love their parents and they show this love by honoring and obeying and being courteous toward their parents.

Both children and parents have a responsibility to each other. Children should honor their parents even if they think that their parents are demanding and unfair. Parents should gently and kindly care for their children, even if the children are disobedient and disagreeable. Both should be thoughtful and loving toward each other, putting each other’s interests above their own.

Children are to honor and obey their parents because:

It is right

It is a commandment

It’s a blessing of well-being

Long life is promised

This is the fifth of the Ten Commandments and the first commandment that has a promise attached to it. The promise is that your life would be lengthened, or extended, and that it would go well with you in the land which the Lord gives you. What a great promise – you will live longer than you would have otherwise – that means that you will be healthier than you should be at every age. A blessing of long life, favor, possessions, health, and blessings are pronounced over you when you honor and obey your parents!

Why wouldn’t anyone want these great promises over their lives? Unfortunately, too many people are too ungrateful, angry, unforgiving, selfish, self-centered, and/or entitled to obey God’s Word and honor their parents. We don’t honor our parents just because they are super, duper parents, because no one is perfect. Some parents did a better job than others; however, we are to honor them just because they ARE our parents.

When society honors their elders, then the wisdom of the elders is passed down the generations. However, when the younger generation thinks they know it all and that their elders are ignorant then society can do nothing else other than spiral downward.

If you are angry at your parents: Ask yourself why you are angry. Take it to the Lord; measure it against the Word of God. Ask yourself if you have a right to be angry. You may be angry because of things they did or didn’t do or it may be because you responded badly to things that happened or because you just had a bad attitude. Confront those feelings; acknowledge your anger and also the cause of your anger; ask the Lord to help you to release the anger to Him. Make a conscious decision to forgive them and to let it go and let it drop. Ask the Lord for forgiveness for the anger you have held onto.

If you are bitter and unforgiving: Do the things above. Forgive; let it go; let it drop. Ask the Lord to forgive you and to help you get rid of bitterness.

If you are selfish or self-centered: Repent and as the Lord to help you to walk in love. Start preferring others before yourself. Go and serve your parents in any way you can. Love them; be kind and patient and generous with them.

If you have a victim mentality: STOP! Remember that you are not the center of the universe and the sun does not revolve around you! Forgive – and then go help and serve others.

If you are ungrateful: Stop focusing on the negatives. Look for the positives. Make up your mind to appreciate all the good things your parents have done for you and the positive influence they have been for you. If you think you can’t find anything good then at least be thankful that they gave you life. Most of us have much more than that to be thankful for anyway.

If you have a sense of entitlement: Acknowledge that you have been spoiled. Realize that you might be an ungrateful person and decide to start appreciating things and people and to be grateful. Realize that no one owes you anything at all. Life is an empty cup – you must fill it!

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Colossians 3:20 AMP

Children are to obey their parents in everything. This means to obey: in all things; all (manner of, means); always; daily; in as many as; thoroughly; whatsoever; in the whole (completely); whosoever.

The obedience God requires includes inward reverence, as well as outward acts. There is a difference between obeying and honoring. To obey means to do as you are told; to honor means to show respect and love. One is an outward act; the other is an attitude of the heart. We obey God first and parents second. Obedience to parents does not include or involve disobedience to God and His Word. Adult children are not asked to be subject or subservient to domineering parents. While children are under their parents care, they are to obey. However, the responsibility to honor your parents is for your whole life long.

It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.

9 It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes. Psalms 118:8-9 NKJV

It is not wise to put your trust in anything or anyone else other than Father God. If you trust Him, you will succeed and be blessed. If you trust in other things or people, you will fail.

The wicked do not trust in God: 

Therefore, when the Lord heard, He was [full of] wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob, His anger mounted up against Israel, 22 Because in God they believed not [they relied not on Him, they adhered not to Him], and they trusted not in His salvation (His power to save).  Psalms 78:21-22 AMP

Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, To the oppressing city! 2 She has not obeyed His voice, She has not received correction; She has not trusted in the Lord, She has not drawn near to her God.

Zephaniah 3:1-2 NKJV

Do not put your trust in idols: 

They shall be turned back, They shall be greatly ashamed, Who trust in carved images, Who say to the molded images, ‘You are our gods.’  Isaiah 42:17 NKJV

“What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it, The molded image, a teacher of lies, That the maker of its mold should trust in it, To make mute idols? 19 Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ To silent stone, ‘Arise! It shall teach!’ Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, Yet in it there is no breath at all. 20 “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.” Habakkuk 2:18-20 NKJV

Do not trust in your own righteousness:

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’  13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’  14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 18:9-14 NKJV

Do not trust in lies and falsehood:

Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, It will not come to us, For we have made lies our refuge, And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.”  Isaiah 28:15 NKJV

This is your lot, The portion of your measures from Me,” says the Lord, “Because you have forgotten Me And trusted in falsehood.  Jeremiah13:25 NKJV

Do not lie yourself and do not tolerate lies from others. Do not lie, for any reason, to save yourself.

Do not place your trust in man:

Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord. 6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited.  Jeremiah 17:5-6 NKJV

Do not trust in earthly alliances or worldly partnerships:

Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!  Isaiah 30:2 NKJV

But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people. Will he prosper? Will he who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and still be delivered?

Ezekiel 17:15 NKJV

Egypt represents the world or the world’s system. Do not put your trust in it or them.

Do not trust in wealth or mammon:

Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches, 7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him.  Psalms 49:6-7 NKJV

The righteous also shall see and fear, And shall laugh at him, saying, 7 “Here is the man who did not make God his strength, But trusted in the abundance of his riches, And strengthened himself in his wickedness.”

Psalms 52:6-7 NKJV

He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.  Proverbs 11:28 NKJV

And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!  Mark 10:24 NKJV

The curse of those who trust in anything other than the Lord:

“Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin; 2 Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!  3 Therefore the strength of Pharaoh Shall be your shame, And trust in the shadow of Egypt Shall be your humiliation.

Isaiah 30:1-3 NKJV

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the Lord!  

Isaiah 31:1 NKJV

Foundation scriptures:

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.  James 5:13-18 KJV

And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.  1 Kings 18:36-39 KJV

1. Elijah was a man of like passions.
    a. James 5:13-18
   b. An ordinary person.
   c. He believed God.
   d. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

 

2. The showdown.
   a. 1 Kings 18:36-39

 

3. Three parts of this prayer.
   a. Elijah worshipped and exalted the Lord.
   b.When you exalt Him, He shows up.
   c. He is the God who answers by fire.
   d. Fire will fall this week of your life; body; marriage; family; business; finances; ministry
4. Worship.

   a. Verse 36: Lord God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Israel.
   b. Elijah was worshipping God and talking about His covenant.
   c. Abraham – father of many nations – God changed his name and blessed him.
   d. Isaac – laughter – God blessed and multiplied him – even in famine (Genesis 26).Jacob – Israel – God blessed him – he was a deceiver, but God extended grace to him.
   e. Begin to worship Him – bless Him – exalt Him – lift Him up.

 

1. Ask Him to prove Himself now over your circumstances.

   a. Elijah asked the Lord to hear, and answer, so the people would know that He is God.
   b. Come now and deliver us, your people. Show Yourself to be the Strong of the strong, the Great of the great.
   c. Prove Yourself now. Save. Heal. Deliver. Set free. Provide. Wreak havoc in the camp of the enemy.

 

1. Then the fire fell.

   a. The Lord He is God! The Lord He is God!
   b. He will show Himself strong on your behalf.
   c. Psalm 126:1-3 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.”
   d. This is the week of answered prayer.
   e. This is the week of deliverance.

Foundation Scriptures: 
To You belongs silence (the submissive wonder of reverence which bursts forth into praise) and praise is due and fitting to You, O God, in Zion; and to You shall the vow be performed. 2 O You Who hear prayer, to You shall all flesh come. 3 Iniquities and much varied guilt prevail against me; [yet] as for our transgressions, You forgive and purge them away [make atonement for them and cover them out of Your sight]! 4 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You choose and cause to come near, that he may dwell in Your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple. 5 By fearful and glorious things [that terrify the wicked but make the godly sing praises] do You answer us in righteousness (rightness and justice), O God of our salvation, You Who are the confidence and hope of all the ends of the earth and of those far off on the seas; 6 Who by [Your] might have founded the mountains, being girded with power, 7 Who still the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples, 8 So that those who dwell in earth’s farthest parts are afraid of [nature’s] signs of Your presence. You make the places where morning and evening have birth to shout for joy. 9 You visit the earth and saturate it with water; You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; You provide them with grain when You have so prepared the earth. 10 You water the field’s furrows abundantly, You settle the ridges of it; You make the soil soft with showers, blessing the sprouting of its vegetation. 11 You crown the year with Your bounty and goodness, and the tracks of Your [chariot wheels] drip with fatness. 12 The [luxuriant] pastures in the uncultivated country drip [with moisture], and the hills gird themselves with joy. 13 The meadows are clothed with flocks, the valleys also are covered with grain; they shout for joy and sing together.  Psalm 65:1-13 AMPC

1. Giving God the Glory.
We give glory to God in humble thankfulness.
When God comes toward us with blessings, we should go meet Him with praises.
We should stand ready in everything to give Him thanks.
All the world owes Him thanks, but the praises He receives come from His own – His Church.
Psalm 145:10 KJV – “All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.”
All His works praise Him, but only His saints bless Him – with worship and adoration.

2. Giving God the Glory for His Grace.
In this Psalm, we are directed to give God all the glory – for His power and His goodness, which He displays.
We give Him glory for the grace He extends toward us.
He hears prayer.
Not only does He hear prayer, but He answers prayer – exceedingly, abundantly above what we ask (Ephesians 3:20).
He pardons sin.
Micah 7:18-19 KJV – “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”
He satisfies the souls of His people.
We are so blessed to be able to live in His presence.
We have the comfort of an everlasting covenant with Almighty God.
In His house is an abundance of goodness, righteousness, and grace.
He protects and supports them.
In God’s house there is enough for everyone.
He gives it to us freely, without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1).
He judges His enemies, but He takes care of His people.

3. Giving God Glory for His Provision.
He is our Creator.
He established the earth and it abides.
He stills the sea and it is quiet.
Even the wind and the waves obeyed Jesus (Mark 4:41).
In the farthest regions of the earth, creation testifies of Him and His works.
He set the sun and the moon in motion, and they are still obeying His command.
Genesis 8:22 KJV – “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”
He created everything we see, and He keeps it all going even now.

4. He Crowns the Year with His Bounty and Goodness.
He rains down blessings.
He makes the earth fruitful.
It brings forth fruit and grain, abundantly.
These are not skinny blessings.
They are luxuriant blessings, dripping with fatness.
1 Timothy 6:17 KJV – “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”
Wherever God goes, He leaves a token of His mercy behind.
Ecclesiastes 3:13 KJV – “And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.”
All good things come from Him.
James 1:17 KJV – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
Matthew 5:45 KJV – “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
He makes provision for all the people of the earth – good and bad.
But He pours out blessings on the righteous.
We are truly indebted to Him.
We owe Him our praise and we should give it to Him willingly.
Those who have experienced His generous, abundant blessings, shout for joy and sing (worship) together.

1. The ungodly

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful. Psalms 1:1 NKJV

2. Sinners (Psalm 1:1)

3. Scorners (Psalm 1:1)

4. Workers of iniquity

Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity. Psalms 6:8a NKJV

5. Deceitful persons

I do not sit with false persons, nor fellowship with pretenders. Psalms 26:4 AMP

6. Evildoers

I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked. Psalms 26:5 NKJV

7. Criminals

My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. 11 If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; 12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit; 13 We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; 14 Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse” — 15 My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; 16 For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood. Proverbs 1:10-16 NKJV

8. The foolish

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20 NKJV

9. The angry man

Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate, 25 Lest you learn his ways and get yourself into a snare. Proverbs 22:24-25 AMP

10. An excommunicated church member

And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Matthew 18:17 NKJV

11. Those causing divisions

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. Romans 16:17 NKJV

12. Backsliders

Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. 2 John 9-11 NKJV

13. False teachers

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 NKJV

14. The disorderly

But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7 NKJV

15. The disobedient

And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 NKJV

16. Unbelievers

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 NKJV

17. Fornicators (1 Cor. 5:9)

I wrote you in my [previous] letter not to associate [closely and habitually] with unchaste (impure) people — 10 Not [meaning of course that you must] altogether shun the immoral people of this world, or the greedy graspers and cheats and thieves or idolaters, since otherwise you would need to get out of the world and human society altogether! 11 But now I write to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of [Christian] brother if he is known to be guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater [whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God], or is a person with a foul tongue [railing, abusing, reviling, slandering], or is a drunkard or a swindler or a robber. [No] you must not so much as eat with such a person. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 AMP

18. Covetous people – greedy; lovers of money (1 Cor. 5:10)

19. Extortioners (1 Cor. 5:10)

20. Idolaters (1 Cor. 5:10)

21. Railers – Slanderer; verbally abusive; foul-tongued (1 Cor. 5:11)

22. Drunkards (1 Cor. 5:11)

23. Lovers of themselves – self-centered (2 Tim. 3:2)

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV

24. Boasters (2 Tim. 3:2)

25. Proud people (2 Tim. 3:2)

26. Blasphemers (2 Tim. 3:2)

27. Those who are disobedient to parents (2 Tim. 3:2)

28. Unthankful or ungrateful people (2 Tim. 3:2)

29. Unholy people – profane (2 Tim. 3:2)

30. Those without natural affection – callous; inhumane (2 Tim. 3:3)

31. Trucebreakers (2 Tim. 3:3)

32. False accusers – troublemakers (2 Tim. 3:3)

33. Incontinent – intemperate and loose in morals and conduct (2 Tim. 3:3)

34. Fierce people – uncontrolled (2 Tim. 3:3)

35. Despisers of good or of those who are good (2 Tim. 3:3)

36. Traitors (2 Tim. 3:4)

37. Headstrong – rash; impulsive; without self-control (2 Tim. 3:4)

38. Highminded people – arrogant (2 Tim. 3:4)

39. Those who love pleasure more than God (2 Tim. 3:4)

40. Hypocrites – those who have “a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof” (2 Tim. 3:5)

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:8-17 NKJV

The Gospel came through Jesus Christ.

Jesus was the first to preach the Gospel. He preached it and He died and rose again to fulfill it.

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9:35 NKJV

The Gospel must be preached.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18-19 KJV

Jesus was anointed to PREACH the Gospel – and He faithfully fulfilled that call and commission. Now He, Himself, calls and commissions all believers – you and me – to pick up where He left off and PREACH the Gospel to EVERY creature.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:15-16 KJV

In order for the Gospel to be preached, a preacher is required.

Nowhere in the Bible does it tell us to just sit back and do nothing while God does all the saving He wants to do. People are not predestined for salvation or not at the whim of God. God says that He is unwilling that any soul should perish. In other words, if it were all up to Him, alone, everyone would have no choice, but to get saved. The fact is that He created us with a free will to choose our own eternal destiny. People will have the opportunity to be saved once they hear the Gospel preached. That is why it is so vital that preachers preach the Gospel – with faith and boldness – so that all are able to hear. Not only five-fold preachers preaching, but every believer, everywhere.

The preacher must be sent.

The preacher of the Gospel must be sent – by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Sent, ideally, from both God and the Church – the body of Christ. Ministry is not something you do on your own – you must be anointed for the task and sent out with faith, prayer, and direction from the Holy Spirit.

And He sent them out to announce and preach the kingdom of God and to bring healing. Luke 9:2 AMP

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” John 4:34 NKJV

As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. John 17:18 NKJV

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21-22 NKJV

The Gospel must be heard.

How can they call on Him if they don’t believe? How can they believe if they have not heard? Faith comes by hearing the word.

With many such parables [Jesus] spoke the Word to them, as they were able to hear and to comprehend and understand. Mark 4:33 AMP

The Gospel must be believed.

And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. Acts 5:14 NKJV

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV

The Gospel must be obeyed.

And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Hebrews 5:9 NKJV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 NKJV

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24 NKJV

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 1 John 5:2 NKJV