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

Thoughts on Stewardship
Worship at a Set Place
Foundation scriptures: Deuteronomy 12 verses 5 – 19

But you shall seek the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put His Name and make His dwelling place, and there shall you come; 6 And there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the offering of your hands, and your vows and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herd and of your flock. 7 And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you put your hand, you and your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you. 8 You shall not do according to all we do here [in the camp] this day, every man doing whatever looks right in his own eyes. 9 For you have not yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which the Lord your God gives you. 10 But when you go over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the Lord your God causes you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about so that you dwell in safety, 11 Then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause His Name [and His Presence] to dwell there; to it you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes and what the hand presents [as a first gift from the fruits of the ground], and all your choicest offerings which you vow to the Lord. 12 And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and your daughters, and your menservants and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your towns, since he has no part or inheritance with you. 13 Be watchful not to offer your burnt offerings in every place you see. 14 But in the place which the Lord shall choose in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all I command you. 15 However, you may kill and eat flesh in any of your towns whenever you desire, according to the provision for the support of life with which the Lord your God has blessed you; those [ceremonially] unclean and the clean may eat of it, as of the gazelle and the hart. 16 Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it upon the ground as water. 17 You may not eat within your towns the tithe of your grain or of your new wine or of your oil, or the firstlings of your herd or flock, or anything you have vowed, or your freewill offerings, or the offerings from your hand [of garden products]. 18 But you shall eat them before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord your God shall choose, you and your son and your daughter, your manservant and your maidservant, and the Levite that is within your towns; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all that you undertake. 19 Take heed not to forsake or neglect the Levite [God’s minister] as long as you live in your land.  Deuteronomy 12:5-19 AMP

1.  Even though this is an Old Testament passage concerning, the children of Israel, and the altar—the place of worship—we believe that several aspects of it apply to us today:

a. It is not scriptural to hop from church to church.
b. It is not scriptural to not go to church at all.
c. God sets the solitary in families.
d. We are not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together—even the more so when we see That Day approaching.
e. It’s not a matter of control—it’s a matter of covenant.

2.  We believe in the local church as the modern day “altar”—the place where we bring our worship and our offerings (our sacrifices).

a. God does not live in tabernacles made with hands.
b. We understand that He lives in us and that we are His temple.
c. Corporately we come together to fellowship with one another, to worship, and to bring our offerings, in the place that God chooses.
d. Not every church is where you should be but you should be where God sends you. Bring your families; your kids. Be rooted and grow. Come to a place of maturity.
e. Those who refuse to do these things are out of order—they are not under God-given authority. The apostle Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ”. The prerequisite for leadership is that they must follow Jesus and point you also to Jesus and not themselves. If they do not do this —what are you doing there?
f. Put your seed into good ground—that which produces for eternity.

Pastor Adonica’s Thoughts:
If you call yourself a Christian and you are not submitted to God in every area of your life, especially giving, then you are nothing less than rebellious. If you do what seems right to you and you do not obey the written word or allow the Lord to lead you on all these things, you have idols of self-will and un-submissiveness in your heart (Ezekiel 14:4 AMP). Pray about which church you should commit to and then commit, through thick and thin. Don’t follow the line of least resistance. Commit to a church and allow God to burn the junk out of your life.

Pastor Rodney’s Thoughts:
This passage is very plain. God did not want people sacrificing on any altar available. Even though we are on television, we have always believed that you are to tithe to the local church. The tithe does not go anywhere other than where you are being fed. That would be like living in your parent’s house, eating at your parent’s table, using their electricity, their covering, their wisdom, and paying board to the next door neighbor. You would be supporting those who do not even care for you. It is important for your spiritual well-being, just like the commitment of marriage. You don’t go around sowing your seed all over the place—only with the wife of your youth. You must be committed to a local church and bring your offerings and sacrifices there.

Prayer and Confession:
Father, this day I commit to support Your work in the place You have chosen for me. In faith I give and I worship You with my giving.

You cannot come to God on any basis other than faith:

Hebrews 11:6
KJV – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
AMP – But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].
K. E. Wuest – Now, without faith it is impossible to please Him at all. For he who comes to God must of the necessity in the nature of the case believe that He exists, that He also becomes a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him out.
GWNBS – No one can please God without faith. Whoever goes to God must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

It is impossible to please God if you have no faith in Him. Having faith in God, means that:
You believe in Him – you believe that He exists.
You believe His word and His testimony to you.
You believe that if you diligently seek Him, that you will receive an answer or a response.
You believe that if you diligently seek Him, that He will reward you.

Diligently seek means: to search out; (figuratively) investigate; crave; demand; worship; enquire; seek after (carefully, diligently). It means constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything; pursue with persevering attention; painstaking. You can’t give up halfway – you have to press into God, and continue to press in – expecting to receive from Him and you will receive.

Faith is believing without seeing, or before seeing:

Hebrews 11:1
KJV – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
AMP – Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
ERV – Faith is what makes real the things we hope for. It is proof of what we cannot see.
NIV – Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
GWNBS – Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see.
HCSB – Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
BBE – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the sign that the things not seen are true.

Faith believes in the unseen over what is seen or perceived with the senses. If you have a title deed to a piece of property, it is the proof that you own it and it belongs to you, even if you have never actually seen it yourself. That title deed is a sure thing – it will hold up in a court of law. Faith is like the title deed – it’s the proof that you have what you are believing for, without having actually seen the manifestation of it yet. Once you see it – you no longer require faith. People say, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” but when you see it, you will know it. Believing is only operational before you see it!

Unbelief and fear do not please God:

Do not throw away therefore your confidence which is of such a nature that it has great recompense of reward, for you have need of patience in order that, having done the will of God, you might receive the promise. For yet a little, a very little while, and He who comes will come and will not delay. Now, my righteous person shall live by faith. But if he draw back in fear, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But as for us, we are not of the shrinking-back kind who draw back to perdition, but of the believing kind who believe to the end of the saving of the soul.  Hebrews 10:35-39 K.E. Wuest

Your faith – your confidence in God and His word – will result in a great reward. Faith is a requirement for receiving anything from God. He is only moved by our faith – not just our hoping – and we can receive nothing from God without faith. We need to have faith in God for salvation, healing, provision, protection, and any other thing that He’s promised us. If we shrink back in fear, or allow unbelief to quench our faith, we risk displeasing God.

There is only one way to get faith – by hearing and believing God’s word:

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

You can’t pray for faith. The Bible tells us that faith comes when you hear God’s word and faith increases the more you hear and meditate on God’s word and His promises. Surround yourself daily with God’s word and with people who speak faith in God’s word. At the same time, refuse to allow negativity, doubt and unbelief to come into your spirit through unbelieving, faithless sources. Don’t share with unbelievers what you are standing in faith for and look for their input – you know it’s going to be a faith destroying conversation! If you have to be around them, don’t ask for their opinion on spiritual things. Your faith has to be stronger than their unbelief, or they will end up pulling you down.

When you hear God’s word, in order for it to benefit you or profit you, you have to believe it and put your trust in it:

Hebrews 4:2
KJV – For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
AMP – For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they united in faith with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe).

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! 3 For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.  Psalms 91:1-4 AMP

There is a secret place that is in the presence of God where his children can find refuge and be safe and secure. It has nothing to do with the circumstances. Even in the middle of chaos and confusion, the presence of God is a haven of peace and protection for those who trust and are confident in Him. We can’t just do nothing and wait for God to come to us – He has already reached out to us and invited us into His presence. We must take that step toward Him – by pressing into His word and believing it! If you believe God’s word to you and you press in to it, then you will find that secret place. If you continue to trust only in Him, then you will come to permanently dwell in that secret place. When you trust in God, you will remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty – not blown about by every wind of adversity. No foe can withstand the power of God! Your confession should be: “The Lord is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I confidently trust!” When I believe and I speak my faith, then God will show Himself strong on my behalf! He will deliver me from traps – whether set by man or the devil. He will deliver me from sickness, disease and disaster.

Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear, revere, and worship You, goodness which You have wrought for those who trust and take refuge in You before the sons of men! 20 In the secret place of Your presence You hide them from the plots of men; You keep them secretly in Your pavilion from the strife of tongues.  Psalms 31:19-20 AMP

God is good! You have to trust God; you have to believe in His goodness in order to experience it. In the secret place of His presence He hides you from the plots and plans of men; He protects you from the strife stirred up by other people’s tongues; He protects you from gossip and slander. It’s not that those things won’t try to take you out, but if you continue to trust God and allow Him to fight your battles, you can just keep going and keep doing what He has called you to do. If you stay in His will, He will vindicate you and bring you through the storm.

Unto you, O Lord, do I bring my life. 2 O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. Let me not be put to shame or [my hope in You] be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me. 3 Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause.  Psalms 25:1-3 AMP

But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits. 12 For You, Lord, will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor). Psalms 5:11-12 AMP

If we trust in, lean on, rely on, and are confident in the Lord and not the arm of the flesh, then we will not be put to shame or be disappointed. Our enemies will not triumph over us, but they will be ashamed instead. If we are uncompromisingly righteous and if we take refuge and put our trust in the Lord, then we can sing and rejoice and praise Him. He surrounds us with goodwill and favor like a shield.

But the salvation of the [consistently] righteous is of the Lord; He is their Refuge and secure Stronghold in the time of trouble. 40 And the Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they trust and take refuge in Him.  Psalms 37:39-40 AMP

I love You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength. 2 The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. 3 I will call upon the Lord, Who is to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.  Psalms 18:1-3 AMP

Then shall my enemies turn back in the day that I cry out; this I know, for God is for me. 10 In God, Whose word I praise, in the Lord, Whose word I praise, 11 In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12 Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render praise to You and give You thank offerings. 13 For You have delivered my life from death, yes, and my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life and of the living.  Psalms 56:9-13 AMP

I know that God is for me! If I cry out to Him, He will answer and save me! The Lord is my salvation! He is my Refuge and secure Stronghold in the time of trouble. He is my strength; He is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; He is my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, and my High Tower! What can man do to me! He will deliver my life from death and my feet from falling!

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. 31 For who is God except the Lord? Or who is the Rock save our God. Psalms 18:30-31 AMP

14. Grace cannot prevent men from sinning if they choose to do so.

God has empowered man to use free will to choose to serve God or to not serve Him. None of us is a mere puppet. Grace cannot force you to do right or to not do wrong. Grace is not responsible for whether you do right or do wrong.

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:16-18 NKJV (see also Romans 6:16-23)

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors — not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  Romans 8:5-13 NKJV (see also Romans 8:1-13)

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.  Hebrews 6:4-9 NKJV

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”  31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  Hebrews 10:26-31 NKJV

15. Grace cannot force obedience.

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.  Revelation 22:17 NKJV

Grace cannot and will not force you to obey God. We must all come freely – of our own accord and our own desire – to receive the water of life, to be hungry for God, and to serve Him.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  John 3:16-20 NKJV

You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.  Galatians 5:4 NKJV

There is no law that can force you to obey God’s law. God’s grace is a gift that can only be received by faith. The Holy Spirit can influence you to obey God and help you to obey God, but He won’t force you to obey God. We, ourselves, are the ones who do both the sowing and the reaping.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.  Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV

Only in the presence of God is there true liberty – liberty of spirit, soul, and body. The most important and most powerful liberty comes from within when Jesus moves in after you invite Him and receive Him. Nothing else on earth can compare to the liberty of life and spirit of a believer who has allowed the Holy Spirit to have His way in him/her.

Freedom comes through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – and through the Word of God:

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  John 8:31-32 NKJV

We are free from spiritual bondage and fear of punishment and death:

And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  Hebrews 2:15 KJV

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”  Romans 8:15 NKJV

We are free from slavery to anyone but Christ, Who bought our freedom:

For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.  1 Corinthians 7:22-23 NKJV

As long as we serve God, we also willingly obey Him.  The more we submit to Him, the more freedom in which we walk.

We are free from the Law:

But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.  Romans 7:6 NKJV

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:2 NKJV

We do no longer serve God out of fear of punishment for transgressing the Law, but now we serve him from the heart, with joy.  We walk in the reality of forgiven sin.

We are free from the fear of death:

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  Hebrews 2:14-15 NKJV

We are free from the curse of the Law:

Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified).  Galatians 3:13 AMP

We are free from the control and power of sin:

For he who has died has been freed from sin.  Romans 6:7 NKJV

And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.  Romans 6:18 NKJ

We are free from corruption:

Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Romans 8:21 NKJV Our physical bodies may die, but God has promised us a glorified body that cannot die or grow old and perish.  All of creation will one day share in this glorious liberty!

We are free from the bondage of or to man:

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more.

1 Corinthians 9:19 NKJV

God has set us free from the opinion and control of man – only God’s opinion of us, and His will for us, counts. We take our orders from God alone; even so, we choose to love and serve others at His direction.

We are free from religious ordinances:

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  Galatians 4:3-5 NKJV

Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations —  21 “Do not touch, do not of the taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using — according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.  Colossians 2:20-23 NKJV

When you are a child, you need outer boundaries to protect you and to lead you in a form of discipline and training.  As you grow, you learn to form inner boundaries.  An unsaved person needs the outer boundaries to keep them on track, such as the Law.  A spiritual person is governed by the Holy Spirit within, and he is led and directed by the spirit, and not by the flesh.  God is not impressed with mere religious rituals; He looks for worship – in spirit and in truth – from the heart

There is no freedom for the wicked:

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  John 8:34-36 NKJV

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  Romans 6:20 NKJV

The freedom to sin is not freedom. Submission to sin is submission to bondage and the devil. True freedom comes from yielding to righteousness and the Holy Spirit.

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  Hebrews 10:19-23 KJV

We draw near to God:

1. By boldness:

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.  Hebrews 10:19

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV

We can come boldly into the Father’s presence – the throne of grace – because of Jesus and His righteousness. He has made us worthy to come into His presence. If we understand the perfect righteousness that has been made ours, then we can come in boldly. If we try to come in timidly, we may as well not come in at all. You come – not based on your righteousness – but on His.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.  1 John 4:17-19 KJV

Even on the Day of Judgment, we can have boldness because we know that our sins are washed away, and we stand righteous before him, because of the love of God for us through Jesus.

2. By the blood of Jesus:

“…to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus…”  Hebrews 10:19

The only way we can come anywhere near to God is by and through the blood of Jesus.

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.  Colossians 1:20-21 KJV

Jesus’ blood made peace between God and man and reconciled us to Himself.

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.  Hebrews 12:24-25 KJV

He is the mediator of the New Covenant established through the shedding of His blood.

3. By a new and living way:

By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.  Hebrews 10:20

It’s a new way – a New Covenant – and because He is alive forever – a living way.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17-18 KJV

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.  Galatians 6:15 KJV

Sin cannot stand in the presence of God. When we receive Jesus, He gives us a brand new heart and makes us a new creature. Now we can come into His presence, the righteousness of God in Christ.

4. By the high priesthood of Christ.

“And having an high priest over the house of God…”  Hebrews 10:21

Under the Old Covenant, the only way into the presence of God was through the high priest. Under the New Covenant, Jesus is our High Priest forever. We must come through Him to the Father.

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17 KJV

He is a merciful and faithful High Priest – showing mercy – not judgment. Anyone, who comes to Him, can be reconciled to God.

See Hebrews 4:14-16 above

Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are – He went through everything we go through, yet He did not give in to sin or temptation. Only a sinless man could go to the Cross on our behalf. He knows exactly what we go through, He understands, and He has made a way to the Father for us – through His blood. We can come to Him, not on the basis of our good works (because none are good enough), but on the basis of what He did for us.

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  Hebrews 9:11-12 KJV

We have the right to come into God’s presence and stay there – eternally – because our High Priest – Jesus – obtained that redemption for us.

Foundation scriptures:

And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. 13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. 14 And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou? 15 And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.  Judges 1:12-15 KJV

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. 24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. 25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. 27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. 28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.  Joel 2:23-31 KJV

1. Reinhard Bonnke.

1. a. Reinhard Bonnke was in Lesotho in his early years.
2. b. He was struggling just to meet his basic needs.
3. c. He cried out, “Lord is this how it is always going to be?”
4. d. The Lord answered, “No.”.
5. e. The Lord spoke to him about Judges, chapter one.

2. In the last days.

1. a.In the last days, prior to the return of Jesus, something significant is going to happen.
2. b. The two streams will come together.
3. c. The upper and the lower springs.
4. d. The upper – finances.
5. e. The lower – the anointing.
6. f. You can see the upper, but you cannot see the lower.

3. There is a flood coming to the body of Christ.

1. a. Niagara Falls – the Lord spoke to me.
2. b. That’s what I want to give My Church, but they are standing trying to catch it with a glass.
3. c. A new vehicle for the Church.
4. d. Profit/non-profit.
5. e. Separation of church and state was to keep the government out of the church.
6. f. The great end-time transfer of wealth – the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
7. g. 2 Corinthians 8:9-10 KJV – “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
8. h. It is time for financial dominion.
9. i. Joel 2:23-31

4. We are believing God for 100 millionaires to be raised up.

1. a. Job 22:23-28
2. b. If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.
3. c. Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.
4. d. Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.
5. e. For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.
6. f. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.
7. g. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.

5. I decree over the River Church.

1. a. God is raising up 100 multimillionaires at The River.
2. b. I decree that no weapon formed against you shall prosper.
3. c. Everything you put your hands to, will prosper.
4. d. The devourer will be rebuked off everything that pertains to you.
5. e. The windows of heaven are open over your life.
6. f. Poverty and lack are broken over your life.
7. g. God is increasing you more and more.

h. Deuteronomy 28:1-14

And they returned from scouting out the land after forty days. 26 They came to Moses and Aaron and to all the Israelite congregation in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh, and brought them word, and showed them the land’s fruit. 27 They told Moses, We came to the land to which you sent us; surely it flows with milk and honey. This is its fruit. 28 But the people who dwell there are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, there we saw the sons of Anak [of great stature and courage]. 29 Amalek dwells in the land of the South (the Negeb); the Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwell in the hill country; and the Canaanite dwells by the sea and along by the side of the Jordan [River].

30 Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it. 31 But his fellow scouts said, We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are stronger than we are. 32 So they brought the Israelites an evil report of the land which they had scouted out, saying, The land through which we went to spy it out is a land that devours its inhabitants. And all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the Nephilim [or giants], the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. Numbers 13:25-33 AMP

Twelve scouts – one from each tribe of Israel – were recruited by Moses to spy out the Promised Land. At first they all brought a good report that it was indeed a land flowing with “milk and honey” and offered the enormous cluster of grapes as proof. However, ten of them immediately followed that up with an evil report – a negative, fear-filled report – of how large and powerful and intimidating the inhabitants were. Only two of them, Joshua and Caleb, brought a good report.

Caleb quieted the frightened crowd and confidently told them, “Let us go up at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it!” His confidence was not in himself or in Israel, but in Almighty God, who had promised to give them this fine land. Unfortunately, the crowd shouted Joshua and Caleb down and the decision was made to not go up to take the land. They immediately started wailing, crying, complaining, and wishing they were back in Egypt. What short memories they had of how bad it was in Egypt – they forgot how they cried for freedom from the Egyptians, which was why God sent Moses to get them OUT in the first place – and they had already forgotten the great miracle of their deliverance from Egypt. Now they are crying because God wanted to take them INTO the Promised Land! What a bunch of shallow, whiny babies!

And all the congregation cried out with a loud voice, and [they] wept that night. 2 All the Israelites grumbled and deplored their situation, accusing Moses and Aaron, to whom the whole congregation said, Would that we had died in Egypt! Or that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why does the Lord bring us to this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and little ones will be a prey. Is it not better for us to return to Egypt? 4 And they said one to another, Let us choose a captain and return to Egypt. 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of Israelites. 6 And Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among the scouts who had searched the land, rent their clothes, 7 And they said to all the company of Israelites, The land through which we passed as scouts is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow [of protection] is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not. 10 But all the congregation said to stone [Joshua and Caleb] with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting before all the Israelites. Numbers 14:1-10 AMP

Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb begged them not to rebel against God and begged them to trust the word of the Lord. Instead the people committed treason against God, in their hearts, and planned to stone them. It took God, himself, showing up to stop them from killing Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb. In the end, God did not take these rebellious people up into the Promised Land. He assured them that they would remain in the desert until all of them died there – except Joshua and Caleb – and that their children who grew up in the wilderness would be trained to obey God and would eventually go up and take this land and enjoy it in their generation. This was not God’s choice for them – they chose this course. The majority ruled, but unfortunately the majority was dead wrong!

We have a tendency to give credence to the majority and to allow the majority to rule and to decide what’s right, but we can see from this example that the majority opinion is not an accurate measurement of right and wrong. The voice of the minority is drowned out and usually not considered or given a hearing. However, TRUTH cannot be measured by numbers and for the most part truth stands against the majority’s opinion. The devil tries to convince people that there is no absolute truth and you can have and live your own version of the “truth”. However, truth is something that cannot be bent and twisted. There is only one TRUTH, which is unchangeable, because it is guaranteed by the character of God! God IS truth and His word is the last word on anything and everything! Most often, you must stand alone in order to stand on the side of truth, but take heart and know that you are not alone, because, at the same time, you are standing on the side of God! And when you are on God’s side, your adversaries become God’s adversaries! If God be for you – who can be against you!

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16 KJV

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread. 1 Corinthians 11:23 NKJV

The night Jesus was betrayed was the night of the Passover meal. He instituted Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper that same night. Passover celebrated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. The Lord’s Supper celebrates our deliverance from sin and death through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24 NKJV

The bread represents the body of Jesus, which was broken, marred and scourged for us – for our healing and restoration. 1 Peter 2:24 NKJV says, “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed.” We partake of communion as a memorial of what Jesus did for us – we remember and celebrate it on a regular basis.

In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:25 NKJV

The cup is a symbol of Jesus’ blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. It symbolizes His blood that sealed the New Covenant, which is based upon better promises. The New Covenant does not replace the Old Covenant, but it completes and fulfills it. By eating the bread and drinking the cup, we signify and proclaim that we are remembering Jesus’ death for us, and also renewing our commitment to serve Him.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

1 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV

“As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup…” This means that there is no set schedule for partaking of the Lord’s Supper. You can receive Communion as often as you need to or want to. We remember Christ in the Lord’s Supper by thinking about what He did and why He did it. We look back to His death and at the same time, we look forward to His second coming. If we partake in Communion out of ritual or religion, it loses its significance, but if we remember what He did and look forward to His return, it becomes a powerful point of contact for our faith. Don’t partake of Communion without preparing yourself spiritually. Gratefully remind yourself of what Jesus has done for you and allow the reality of your forgiven sin to inspire you to live passionately for Him like never before.

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:27 NKJV

We should not partake of Communion irreverently, unworthily, or in an unfit manner. Those who wish to partake should first be born again – a sinner would be unworthy to partake. We should take the Lord’s Supper thoughtfully; we should take it worthily, with due reverence and respect; we should take it with respect toward His body and also toward His Body, the Church; we should prepare our hearts and come humble, submitted and yielded to Him.

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 1 Corinthians 11:28 NKJV

Before we partake of Communion, we should examine ourselves for any unconfessed sin or bad attitudes toward Him or others.

For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 1 Corinthians 11:29 NKJV

The Lord’s Supper is not a normal meal. If you do not treat it with the respect it deserves, you invite judgment on yourself. In a sense, no one is “worthy” to participate, but because of Jesus, we can share in His Supper, knowing that, by His grace, we are forgiven and righteous before Him.

For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 1 Corinthians 11:30 NKJV

By Jesus’ stripes, we were healed. When you partake of the Lord’s Supper with respect to what it represents, by faith you receive His life, His strength and His healing power. If you do not believe that His broken body represents your healing, then you will stay sick. It is not a meaningless ritual, but it is a living, powerful celebration.

For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 1 Corinthians 11:31 NKJV

If we repent of our sin, God will forgive us. God cannot and will not forgive unrepentant sin. When we judge ourselves and ask for forgiveness, our sin is washed away forever. If we do not examine and judge ourselves and repent, then our sin remains and will be judged in eternity.

But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

1 Corinthians 11:32 NKJV

When God deals with us and convicts us of sin, He is disciplining us like a parent disciplines a child – a small pain now to avoid a bigger pain later.

Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

1 Corinthians 11:33-34 NKJV

Partake of the Lord’s Supper out of consideration for others. It is not time for a dinner party. The Corinthians were turning the Lord’s Supper into a carnal feast – the wealthier ones eating their fine food in front of the poorer ones, who did not have as much to eat.

Paul admonished them, “If you are hungry, eat at home!” The Lord’s Supper is not an occasion to feast, but an opportunity to remember Christ’s sacrifice.

As you receive Communion, celebrate what He already did and celebrate that He is coming again very soon!