[For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So [numberless] shall your descendants be. 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah’s [deadened] womb. 20 No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, 21 Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised. Romans 4:18-21 AMP

Faith is defined as: confidence or trust in a person or thing; a belief that is not based on observed proof or evidence. Abraham had no proof – other than God’s promise to him – that he would have a son. According to his and Sarah’s advanced age and her barrenness, it was physically and naturally impossible. However, he still continued to unwaveringly believe and trust in God’s word to him. In fact, with every passing year, his faith grew stronger, rather than weaker! The scripture tells us that Abraham grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God.

Praise and faith go hand in hand!

Abraham praised God and gave Him glory and all the time his faith was also being strengthened. Ephesians 1:12 AMP says, “So that we who first hoped in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him have been destined and appointed to] live for the praise of His glory!” When we put our confidence in Father God and in Jesus Christ, we have a reason to praise and rejoice! At the same time, praising Him and rejoicing in His goodness, strengthens our faith in Him.

For we [Christians] are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit and by the Spirit of God and exult and glory and pride ourselves in Jesus Christ, and put no confidence or dependence [on what we are] in the flesh and on outward privileges and physical advantages and external appearances. Philippians 3:3 AMP

But Christ (the Messiah) was faithful over His [own Father’s] house as a Son [and Master of it]. And it is we who are [now members] of this house, if we hold fast and firm to the end our joyful and exultant confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ]. Hebrews 3:6 AMP

A true follower of Christ puts no confidence in the flesh, but in God’s word alone. A true follower is also a true worshiper. We are indeed members of the household of faith if we hold fast and firm to the end, with a joyful and exultant confidence in our hope, who is Christ. We don’t praise God only because everything is going well for us – we praise Him no matter what the circumstances – we praise Him because He is the answer to our problems and the way out of our predicament. We praise Him for all He has done, for all He is doing and especially for all He is going to do!

I like what it says in Hebrews 3:6 (AMP) also: that we should have a “sense of triumph”! Hallelujah! We can praise and worship God in hope, with a sense that we have already won the battle – and indeed we have for Jesus has already defeated our foe! We WILL triumph – we WILL be victorious – if we keep believing and if we keep praising! If praise and worship – in faith – to God could bring Jericho’s impenetrable walls down, then praise and worship and faith will bring down any walls that the devil has erected against you!

Here are some scriptures that demonstrate faith and worship in action and the wonderful benefits of both:

In the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge. Proverbs 14:26 AMP

O God, my heart is fixed (steadfast, in the confidence of faith); I will sing, yes, I will sing praises, even with my glory [all the faculties and powers of one created in Your image]! Psalms 108:1 AMP

The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be glad in the Lord and shall trust and take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory and offer praise. Psalms 64:10 AMP

And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord. Psalms 40:3 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. Psalms 5:11 AMP

What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You. 4 By [the help of] God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me? Psalms 56:3-4 AMP

For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence. 6 Upon You have I leaned and relied from birth; You are He Who took me from my mother’s womb and You have been my benefactor from that day. My praise is continually of You. 7 I am as a wonder and surprise to many, but You are my strong refuge. 8 My mouth shall be filled with Your praise and with Your honor all the day. Psalms 71:5-8 AMP

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

Foundation Scriptures:Ephesians 5:18-20

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. 19 Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, 20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Ephesians 5:18-20

To Be Filled With The Spirit You Must Be Empty

• Empty yourself of yourself.
• Empty yourself of sin.
• Things of the world
• Desires that are not of God
• Deal with the things of the past; cut them off

Colossians 3:5 AMP – So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).

• Once you empty yourself you must do something about filling yourself up.

You Must Be Thirsty

• If you hunger and thirst after righteousness you will be filled, if you draw nigh unto me.
• Matthew 5:6 AMP – Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!
• James 4:8a AMP – Come close to God and He will come close to you.
• As the deer panteth for the water.

Psalms 42:1 AMP – As the hart pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God.

You Must Be Hungry

• Spiritual appetite—develop it
• How can you be filled with the Spirit when you are filled with everything else?
• Spiritual junk food
• Isaiah 55:1  (Message Bible)  “Hey there! All who are thirsty, come to the water! Are you penniless? Come anyway—buy and eat! Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk. Buy without money—everything’s free! Why do you spend your money on junk food, your hard-earned cash on cotton candy? Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best; fill yourself with only the finest. Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words.

You Must Come Expecting To Be Filled

• Filled with the New Wine
• Filled with the Holy Spirit—filled with God Himself
• Ephesians 3:19 AMP – [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

You Must Allow the Lord To Fill You

• With joy shall ye draw forth water out of the wells of Salvation.
• Isaiah 12:3 AMP – Therefore with joy will you draw water from the wells of salvation.
• We have all been made to drink unto one Spirit.
• 1 Corinthians 12:13 AMP – For by [means of the personal agency of] one [Holy] Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit.

You Must Give Out So That You Can Start The Whole Process Again

• Empty, thirsty & hungry, expectation, allow God to fill you—give out.
• But be ye being filled
• Constantly filled and emptied, filled and emptied…
• Ephesians 5:18 AMP – And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.

STAY HUNGRY & THIRSTY

Worship Soundtracks from RMIRiverSong on Vimeo.

Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].  James 4:10 AMP

He said if you want the Lord to be able to use you, then you will need to make yourself available to Him. You will need to be willing to humble yourself so God can use you. If you will humble yourself—lower yourself in your own estimation before the Lord—He will make your life significant—He will make your life count for eternity. Micah 6:8 AMP says, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?”  What God requires of us, above all, is justice, mercy and humility. If you want to lead a significant life, you will have to humble yourself to love and serve others.

1 Corinthians 13:5 AMP says that love, “is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. He states love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].”  There can be no love without humility and no humility without love. Because of the attributes of love, only the humble are capable of walking in love. The proud and arrogant cannot and do not love others, because they are selfish—they are number one in their own heart and life. Pride, conceit and arrogance are empty and vain. He believes that pride puts its own needs first, but love puts others before itself and the needs of others before its needs. You could say that pride is rude and unmannerly, acts unbecomingly, insisting on its own rights and its own way, is self-seeking, is touchy, fretful and resentful, and it takes everything personally. Love, however, humbles itself to serve and put others first; love humbles itself to not take things personally; love humbles itself to keep being kind to people who are being mean.

He said that finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble).  1 Peter 3:8 AMP

Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Hestates that instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. 4 Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 AMP

To live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.  Romans 12:16 AMP

We are commanded by the Lord to be compassionate, courteous, sympathetic and understanding—not haughty —to live in harmony with one another and to be readily and easily adjustable. Remember—we are servants of the King —He commands us not to overestimate ourselves or to be so important in our own eyes that we can’t give ourselves to doing humble tasks for ourselves and others. James 3:13-18 says that if you are wise and intelligent, then you—by your noble living—should show forth your good works with the humility which is the proper attribute of true wisdom. He warns us that unchecked pride stirs envy, jealousy and strife and that this prideful behavior is carnal and even demonic in origin and outworking. He said that God’s wisdom, on the other hand, is humble and peace-loving, pure and courteous; it is willing to listen and yield to reason; it is whole-hearted and straightforward; it is impartial and genuine; full of compassion and good fruits and produces, and leads to, peace.

I therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service, 2 Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another. 3 Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.  Ephesians 4:1-3 AMP

Rodney Howard Brown states that Paul begs us to lead a life worthy of the Lord’s divine calling on our lives. No matter what anyone else does, you have to choose to walk in love and peace. Romans 12:18 AMP says, “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” You have to be willing to put an effort into guarding and keeping harmony, unity and peace alive. It takes lots of patience to live in harmony and unity with others and it is love and humility that make patience possible.

Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble). 9 Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God—that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].
1 Peter 3:8-9 AMP

The humble person is one who can continue to love someone who is cruel and mean, and still pray for their welfare, happiness, and protection, returning blessing for evil, rather than fighting back. When we submit to the Lord to obey Him, rather than following man’s wisdom or allowing our flesh to rule us, we will come out on top in the end. There is a reward for those who walk in love, humility and unity toward each other. They are the ones who inherit His blessings. The Lord has promised to bless those who walk in love with His welfare, happiness and protection.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

Rodney Howard Browne shows Christians the importance of receiving the prize.

       1. The Race for the Prize.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NKJV – Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.  26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 

2. Perseverance and persistence will gain you the prize. 

2 Timothy 2:3-13 NKJV – You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 

3. We have to press in toward the mark. 

Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV – Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV – Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

2 Timothy 4:6-8 NKJV – For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 

Rodney Howard Browne warns Christians to not be deceived

James 1:12-17 NKJV – Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

 1 Peter 5:1-4 NKJV – The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 

 Revelation 2:10 NKJV – Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Rodney Howard Browne discusses the trials of life.

Revelation 3:10-11 NKJV – Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.  11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 

     4. Crown No. 1—The Crown of Rejoicing—The Soul-Winner’s Crown.

 Philippians 4:1 NKJV – Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 

All heaven rejoices over one sinner that comes to repentance (Luke 15:7).

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy (Psalms 126:5).

Every soul you win, or help to win, will come to your account. 

This goes toward your Crown of Rejoicing.

      5. He Who Wins Souls is Wise.

Proverbs 11:30 NKJV – The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. 

Psalms 2:8 NKJV – Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 

Set your sights on the soul-winner’s crown!

For this to work in your life, you’ve got to take God’s Word for it. You’ve got to accept it, believe it, and hide it in your heart. You’ve got to stand upon the Word of God. You’ve got to activate the Word of God in your life. It’s a cause and effect relationship that you can see in Psalm 91:9- 10 (AMP):

Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.

These verses mean you can sleep at night in total peace because He’s there with you. We’ve heard testimonies from farmers who have been faithful to obey God, and when a freeze came, everybody else’s farm froze up, but their farm didn’t. Why? Because Jesus was their protector.

Do you know how many times I’ve heard testimonies of people who love God with all their heart who have a terrible car wreck and get out without one scratch on them? They should have been dead, but He was their protector.

Why will no evil nor any plague or calamity come near your tent? For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

We’ve got angels looking after us, and I’m not talking about little babies with big diapers and a bow and arrow! I’m talking about ten- or twelve-foot angelic beings. Your enemies will be running around in total confusion when the angel of God encamps about you. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

HEBREWS 1:14

Angels are out there working on your behalf. They’re all ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those of us who are heirs of salvation. If you’re an heir of salvation, then the angels of God have been sent forth to minister for you and in your behalf. They are protecting you. They’re working in your behalf. They’re going ahead of you to make the crooked way straight. They’re going ahead of you to give you the supernatural, divine favor of God

And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

2 KINGS 6:3.5-17

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 NKJV

He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves:

Jesus died for us – all of us. He saved us and made us brand new creations in Christ. The love of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Now that we belong to Jesus, His love doesn’t allow us to be selfish – we don’t live for ourselves any more, but now we live for Him and we live to serve others. We live no longer for ourselves, but for Him who rose again for us.

From now on, we regard no one according to the flesh:

We don’t regard Jesus Christ after the flesh and we don’t regard one another after the flesh either. Jesus is not a mere man, but He is God in the flesh – He died and rose again and is seated at the right hand of God. It doesn’t matter who you were before you met Jesus; it doesn’t matter who anyone says you are; it doesn’t matter what you’ve done; it doesn’t matter what you think of yourself or what anyone else thinks of you; it doesn’t matter what anyone says about you. If you are born again then the only thing that matters is what Jesus thinks and says about you – YOU ARE WHO HE SAYS YOU ARE!

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away and all things have become new:

The old you has passed away! Your old life has passed away! Your old ways of thinking and doing have passed away! Now your heart is new and your life is new. Your future is changed! Eternal life is in your heart and heaven is in your future.

Your new life is the opposite of your old life. In your old life, sin dominated every aspect of it, but in your new life, sin has no more power over you. The more you come to understand the greatness of the love and forgiveness that has been poured out on you, the more you live to please God and serve righteousness. The more you yield to the righteousness of God and allow it to work in you, the less power sin has over you.

Now all things are of God:

All things are of God in your new life. His presence and His blessing fill every aspect of His life. If you are truly saved, you won’t allow anything in your life that is ungodly or un-Christlike, because you have experienced true life and you know that your old life has nothing to offer compared to your new life. Your new life revolves around your new family – Father, Son and Holy Spirit and also your brothers and sisters in Christ. You live to please Him, because you have experienced the true liberty of the presence of God in your life.

God, the Father, reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ:

The word reconciliation means “to restore to favor”, or for those to make friends again who were once enemies. We were once enemies of God, but we have been reconciled to Him and restored to favor.

He has given us the ministry of reconciliation:

Since we have been reconciled to God, he has put us in the ministry of introducing others to Him, so that they too can be reconciled to Him!

He has committed to us the word of reconciliation:

The Father has committed to us a message that will bring reconciliation between Him and the world. The message is that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them. Jesus took the full brunt of the punishment for sin so that we could be fully forgiven and stand boldly in the presence of God.

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us:

When we preach the good news of the Gospel, God Himself is speaking through us, pleading with those who need His love and forgiveness. You are His ambassador – you speak for Him and you stand for Him. You have the most wonderful, powerful, precious message for the world that they have ever heard. You implore them on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!”

We have all these blessings because:

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.