Rodney Howard Browne shares a teaching on Thoughts

For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).2 Corinthians 10:3-5 AMP

Rodney Howard Browne shows us that as humans, we live on this earth in the realm of the flesh. We function in the sense realm through our five physical senses – touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. But we must remember that there is also a spirit realm and we must learn to be aware of and sensitive to the things of God like we already are to the things of the world. Although this earth realm is our reality, the battles we fight are spiritual battles. We must remember that people themselves are not our enemies – the devil is the enemy. However, we have the advantage – God is on our side! He gives us spiritual weapons to deal with a spiritual foe.

2 Corinthians 10:4 (NAS) says, “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses”. Our weapons are divinely powerful – the weight of heaven is behind us – resulting in the overthrow and destruction of strongholds. We cannot war in our own ability, but we war in the power and might of the Holy Spirit, because the fortresses, or strongholds, that we wage war against are not in the flesh or up in the air somewhere – they are found in the minds of people! The battle arena for the spirits of men is the soul – the mind, the emotions and the intellect. Only God’s word and His Spirit can penetrate the darkness of a blind mind.  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NIV

Rodney Howard Browne teaches us that the devil – referred to here as the god of this age – has blinded the minds of many people with his lies and corruption. They think that they know the truth and they think that they are right, but they cannot see the truth and they refuse to see the truth. The fortresses and strongholds in people’s minds are arguments, theories, reasoning, attitudes, opinions and imaginations that oppose the true knowledge of God. Because of pride and arrogance, people believe a lie and in their minds, set themselves against the truth. God’s word is the truth and it is the only reality. Anything else is a lie and will lead you into darkness, confusion and destruction. Either God or the devil is holding every person’s thoughts and purposes captive. We fight a battle to capture our own thoughts and purposes and the thoughts and purposes of others with the word of God and the Spirit of God. Instead of thoughts being held captive by the devil – we capture them for Jesus. We must cast down vain imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Our thoughts and motivation must be lead captive into the obedience of Christ – the Anointed One. The anointing will capture your mind and heart if you will allow him to work freely in you. Don’t allow your thoughts to run wild – reign them in and control them with the word and the anointing. If you wish to succeed in your life you must control your thoughts – you don’t let them control you.

But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:14-18 NKJ

Rodney Howard Browne shows us that the light of God’s word will shine in to bring truth and life and freedom into our lives. When we receive the truth of the Gospel, the veil that was on our heart is removed in Christ. We can now receive the truth and we can begin to understand God’s word and come to know His heart for us. Just as God’s word and His anointing have transformed us, so they will transform others. Always be bold to preach the truth of the Gospel and to allow the anointing of the Holy Ghost to flow through you so that the strongholds that hold people prisoner may be brought down, demolished and destroyed. So that they may walk in the liberty Jesus purchased with His blood and so that they may be transformed into His image, from glory to glory.

Rodney Howard Browne shares a teaching on Working Together

Foundation Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:7-97 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 2 Corinthians 6:11 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. Philippians 4:14-19 14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from

Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
In the Word of God, it is clear that partnership with a ministry is scriptural and it is not some new thing. God has ordained that people join up with ministries and hold up their hands. We are laborers together with the Lord. The anointing that is on this ministry comes into your life the moment that you partner with this ministry, because you become covenanted, or joined together with us, in helping spread revival around the world. You share in the same reward that the ministry receives. Every soul saved comes to your account. God notices every little thing that you do. He is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love.
Philippians 4:17 (Amp) says, “Not that I seek or am eager for [your] gift, but I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit [the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account].” You have a heavenly bank that you can deposit into and if you can deposit, then you must obviously be able to withdraw. Matthew 6:19-21 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Jesus said that where your treasure is, that is where your heart will be also. I am convinced that many people will be surprised when they get to heaven to see all that they laid up there because of their generosity down here on the earth. On the other hand, many will be disappointed because they did not do more for the
kingdom of God. Adonica and I would like to thank all of our partners, not only those at The River, but also those that have joined together with us from all over America, to pray for this ministry and to support us financially. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for your commitment to the Lord and to us. Without you, we would not be able to see our dream – America being shaken by revival – come to pass. We love you – our friends and partners in the Lord.

II Thessalonians 3:10-12 (NAS)

10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat.

11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.12 Now such persons we
command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.

Paul gives very clear instruction and direction to the church in this passage concerning how they were to apply their time and resources. He told them to mind their own business, work and lead a disciplined life. You see their lives were turned upside-down when they received Jesus and were baptized in the Holy Ghost. They spent their time meeting in houses, learning more about Jesus. It was all so new and different for them. They gained new friends and lost some old ones. Everything changed for them. Some of them were called into full-time ministry. They left their jobs and went out preaching. But in the course of time, these new Christians needed to find some direction for their lives and Paul supplies it here. The same thing happens today when we get born again. Everything changes for us. We are different on the inside. We learn new things, some of which are totally contrary to the things we have learned in the past. In the world, we are told to hold on to what we have, but God tells us to give. In the world we wear ourselves out to supply our families with the basics, but God tells us that if we will obey and serve Him, He will meet our needs. This can be confusing for new Christians. Indeed, some people think that because God helps us we can sit back and do nothing and He will just do everything. It does not work that way. God will help us and bless us, but we must do our part. We must be disciplined and we must love to work. Working with God on your side is different from doing it all by yourself, by the sweat of your brow. It is much easier because you have the mind of Christ. He leads you and gives you wisdom so that your labor is productive. He blesses the work of your hands; but, if your hands are not working, He has nothing to bless. If God has called you into ministry, He will not call you out of your job into NOTHING. He will call you into a time of study or preparation or He will call you into ministry which is WORK. Usually there is a transition time. One thing phases out as the other takes over. You start to minister and you get so busy ministering that you don’t have time to do secular work. Some people claim that God has called them into a life of faith, so they quit working. Many times it’s not a life of faith, but a life of hope. “Gee, I sure HOPE that God
comes through for me while I sit here doing nothing!” God will bless the work of your hands not the seat of your pants. Whether you work in business or in the ministry, it is all WORK. Being called of God is no excuse to be lazy. There is a joy and a satisfaction in working hard and doing something worthwhile with your life. When you make up your mind to discipline yourself, to work hard, and not be lazy or sloppy, God will begin to bless the work of your hands. Psalm 128:1-4(NIV)1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.
4Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.

Foundation Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:1-14(NAS)
1″Now it shall be, if you will diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2″And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the LORD your God. 3″Blessed {shall} you {be} in the city, and blessed {shall} you {be} in the country. 4″Blessed {shall be} the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your beasts, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock. 5″Blessed {shall be} your basket and your kneading bowl. 6″Blessed {shall} you {be} when you come in, and blessed {shall} you {be} when you go out. 7″The LORD will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they shall come out against you one way and shall flee before you seven ways. 8″The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you. 9″The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to you, if you will keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and walk in His ways. 10″So all the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of you. 11″And the LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your beast and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. 12″The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13″And the LORD shall make you the head and not the tail, and you only shall be above, and you shall not be underneath, if you will listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe {them} carefully, 14and do not turn aside from any of the words which I command you today, to the right or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

These are the blessings that come to those who obey God’s Word. Anyone who says that tragedy and destruction come from God has obviously not read their Bible! The curse comes to those who disobey God and go to serve other gods before Him. God will not destroy you, but you will be destroyed because you wandered into the enemy’s territory. Thank God we don’t have to walk under the curse, but we can walk in the blessing.

Galatians 3:13-14(NAS)
13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us– for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”–14in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Thank God – Jesus has redeemed us from the curse! We can walk in the blessings that our Father has made available to us. Meditate on the blessings – they are yours. We don’t have to accept anything less!

Foundation scripture: Proverbs 18:20-21 (Amp.) A man’s [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. You may have heard the saying, “Your life is in your hands.” In the Word, the Lord says that your life is in your words. This means that the condition of your life depends upon your words. There are choices that you make every day about your life and you are making them with your mouth. You could be speaking good words over your life or bad words. Perhaps you have reaped a harvest that you do not like, because you have been speaking negative words over yourself. Most of the words we speak are a result of habit. In other words, many times we speak without thinking about what we are saying. We are so used to saying things a certain way that we do not notice that our words are negative and producing death in our lives. You may have wondered why you seem to always be eating really bad fruit, but you may not have connected it to the words that you yourself have been speaking for years. The words you speak carry consequences and you must be satisfied with your harvest. If we were asked what harvest we would like to reap, we would no doubt reply that we want a good harvest, a life harvest – not a death harvest. No one in their right mind really wants to reap death and destruction, but we may be reaping them as a result of our own words. Matthew 12:33-37 33 Either make the tree sound (healthy and good), and its fruit sound (healthy and good), or make the tree rotten (diseased and bad), and its fruit rotten (diseased and bad); for the tree is known and recognized and judged by its fruit. 34 You offspring of vipers! How can you, speak good things when you are evil (wicked)? For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things: and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things. 36 But I tell you, on the day of judgement men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they men speak. 37 For by your words you will be justified and acquitted and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced. We are raised, in this world’s system, to believe that the words that we say do not have consequences, but they do. Jesus says that we must give an account for every negative, useless, silly word that we have spoken. You may not want them to, you may not think they do, but you are passing sentence on your self with your mouth every day. “You nearly gave me a heart attack!” “We can’t afford it!” “You are useless!” “You will never amount to anything!” “I am sick to death with you/this situation!” “I cannot do it!” “I am not good at that!” “I never get anything right!” These are the devil’s words. They are what he is saying to you. These are not the words that your Father speaks over you. Your Father says,“You are a blessing!” “You are blessed!” You are loved!” “You are favored!” Change the way you think and speak and begin to agree with God’s word for your life.