Rodney Howard Browne

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because be hath anointed

me to preach the gospel to the poor; he bath sent me to

heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives,

and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty

them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

LUKE 4:18-19

 

This is the message Jesus declared all during His earthly

ministry. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath

anointed me to preach the gospel…, and the Gospel is Good

News! There are too many bad news preachers in the earth today.

 

All they want to do is bring doom and gloom. Some people seem

to think they’re Old Testament prophets, called to rail out against

sin. But thank God we’re under a new covenant. The message of

this new covenant is the same message that Jesus proclaimed: the

Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and He has anointed me to preach

the Gospel, the Good News.

 

The Gospel is Good News, my dear friend. Good News! I

bring you Good News! I bring you glad tidings. I bring you Good

News! Hallelujah! I get happy just thinking about the Good

News!

 

We all know the world is full of bad news. You can turn on

television news and all you hear is bad news. The last thing you

need is a preacher bringing you more bad news. We need to hear

the Good News of the Gospel: that Jesus still saves, Jesus still

heals, Jesus still sets free, and that Jesus is coming again. That’s

the Gospel!

 

The problem is that many Christians are confused. They

have a little bit of the old covenant, a little bit of the new

covenant, and they’ve made up their own covenant. Their own

covenant brings them under condemnation and bondage one

minute, and it sets them free the next.

 

In their confusion, they think God is blessing them one moment and the next moment He is saying, “I’m going to kill you.” They walk around waiting for God to beat them and hurt them for reasons known only to Him.

 

That’s not the Good News! The Good News is the same as it was when

Jesus walked the earth. Do you know why it’s still the same? Because

Jesus is still the same. Jesus has not changed!

 

The question I pose to you is, “What happens when Jesus shows up?” What happens when Jesus walks in the door? I want you to know that when Jesus walks in the door, the very atmosphere of the room changes. When Jesus walks in the door, sickness and death and poverty and the curse of hell go out the back door, saying, “It’s time for us to the leave.”

 

When Jesus walks in the door, you will know that He is there. You can see His nature and His character in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. What happens when He shows up? Jesus answered that Himself.

 

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it

more abundantly.

JOHN 10:10

 

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from

the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,

that he might destroy the works of the devil.

1 JOHN 3:8

I had to go to the Gospels to see Jesus and then to know Him. I

used to spend a lot of time, as I was growing up, thinking about

His conception and His birth, His life as a baby, as a child, as a

boy, a teenager, and then a man.

 

Although Jesus’ life and ministry fulfilled all the Old Testament

prophecies for the first coming of the Messiah, the details are

always astounding and unpredictable. The prophecy said the

Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2), but no one

could have guessed exactly the King of kings would arrive on the

scene.

 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise:

When as his mother Mary was espoused to

Joseph, before they came together, she was found

with child of the Holy Ghost

 

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and

not willing to make her a public example, was

minded to put her away privily.

 

But while he thought on these things, behold, the

angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream,

saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take

unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived

in her is of the Holy Ghost.

MATTHEW 1:18-20

 

Something really hit me when I first read this. How would you

like to be Joseph or Mary?

 

“Joseph, I’m pregnant, okay? Now listen, I know this is going to

sound crazy; and I love you with all my heart, but I have not

allowed another man to touch me. I’m a virgin, but I’m pregnant.

Oh, and the angel of the Lord told me that God was the father.”

Joseph’s not married and his lady, Mary, is pregnant. Talk about

embarrassing! How in the world do you explain to your family

 

The Man Behind the Myth

 

and friends how your girlfriend got pregnant if you say you

haven’t done anything? “Mary’s pregnant, and I know we’re

not married yet, but this is different. This is not what you think

it is.”

 

“You’re not even married, you haven’t had marital relations,

and she’s pregnant? Yeah, right. Don’t lie to us, Joseph.”

 

Do you understand what we’re dealing with here? These are

not saints; they are normal, everyday people. So Joseph came

to the only conclusion he could. He was going to have to break

off his engagement to Mary. I mean, who’s going to believe he

didn’t touch her — and just forget that crazy story about the

angel of the Lord? But then the angel of the Lord spoke to

Joseph in a dream and said, “Don’t break off your engagement

with Mary?

 

This whole thing is of God.” Now Joseph can say

for sure, “No, I am not lying! I’m telling you the truth? I never

touched Mary and neither has anyone else. An angel came to

me and said that the baby was conceived by the power of the

Holy Spirit.” But can you imagine the frustration? This has

never happened before. This is a unique, one-of-a-kind event.

Who will believe him? What will family and friends say about

this?

 

Thank God for the Word of the Lord that came to Joseph

through the angel. Knowing that this was done by the hand of

God was the only reason he and Mary could endure the shame

and reproach. I guarantee you, there were family members,

close friends, and neighbors who said, “Yeah, we know what

Joseph and Mary have been doing!”

 

“But we didn’t do it! The Holy Ghost did it? The angel of the

Lord spoke the Word and that’s it. We promise you, before

God, we did not do anything.

 

For me, this is where it all begins: Jesus’ supernatural conception.

He was born of a virgin. Jesus entered humanity in controversy,

as the rock of offense, the stumbling block —

because the whole thing was supernatural.

Jesus explained the foundation for strong relations : he claimed that in everything, we should treat other people the way we wish to be dealt with. When you concentrate on your chums, kin, and associates, do you see any of the following traits of a powerful relationship? – Pleasure and satisfaction.

- Loyalty. – Real concern for the other person’s welfare. – Truth . – Prayer support. – A want for the best for the other person. – Protection of one another from emotional, physical, or non secular harm. – Forgiveness. – Support . – Support. – Openhandedness .

- Respect and respect. – Acceptance of the other person for who he is. Many of us would need to say we do not have all these traits in each relationship. But is there a single quality that you wouldn’t need somebody to display toward you? Do you have relationship issues in your marriage? With your children? With your employer or employees? At church or in your neighborhood? Jesus made the solution clear. It is a command that we treat other people as we wish to be dealt with.

It needs work and prayer, but God always gives us the resources to be obedient. Are you ready to work at building robust relationships? Remember that Jesus commanded it, and so obedience isn’t optional. Ask God to offer you the patience and knowledge you will need to fix or brace the relationships in your life. One more thing.

Meditation is a critical part of a healthy, growing relationship with God. However, it is something that’s regularly left out of many believers’ lives. , we must inspect a basic, key query : how can we meditate? First, we must devote ourselves to the reading of God’s Word.

If we’d like to hear His message, then we must dig deep into Scripture. This isn’t mere book, but is instead the message of God to His folks. We have Scripture to know God better ; as loyal stewards of that present, we must make it an integral part of our lives. 2nd , we must learn how to pray Scripture back to God. That is, when we read a passage, whatever what the material is, we should lift that Word back up to heaven, showing that we are in harmony with what the Lord has spoken. This is how we attest the message of Scripture. 3rd , we must apply the Word. The Bible is not here for straightforward info ; rather, it was given for obedience.

If we don’t permit the Word of God to modify our life, then how much value do we actually place on it? 4th , we must submit to God’s will. As we spend time actively listening to God, he is going to share His plans for us. As we apply what we have heard, meditation will become more instinctive for us. Then, we’re going to find that we hear His voice thru each moment. God has a special message for you. Make the effort critical to hear what your heavenly Father is announcing. One thing more.

God is calling us as Christ followers to take risks—to stop playing it safe and to step out in obedience. While risk-taking creates uncertainty in our lives, there are some things of which we can be certain.

We will be challenged. Whether it’s because of hard work, complex relationships, or situations requiring greater faith, God will stretch us. As we take risks, we may feel doubt, indecision, and fear. Or, we might think we’re incapable or inadequate. These aren’t reasons to refuse God’s assignment; they are opportunities to trust the Lord.

We can count on God’s presence. It is impossible for believers to live a single day without the presence of God. (Hebrews 13:5) Our relationship with Him through Jesus Christ our Savior is a permanent one. His love for us is deep and abiding, and His promises are sure. When God calls us to risk being outside our “comfort zone,” we can obey because He’s there at our side.

The enabling power of the Holy Spirit is ours. The Spirit of God gives us the divine strength to be victorious. When we falter, He strengthens us. When we stumble, He steadies us. When we fall, He picks us up.

What is God asking of you that poses a challenge? Remember that when God asks us to step out amidst uncertainty and take risks, we can rely on His presence and His power to equip us. If you’ve said yes to the challenge, then you’ve become a Risk Taker for God! Feel free to add the initials R.T.G. after your name.

 

• 1.
• At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

• 2.
• And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

• 3.
• For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.

• 4.
• For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

• 5.
• And when he would have put him to death , he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

• 6.
• But when Herod’s birthday was kept , the daughter of Herodias danced before them , and pleased Herod.

• 7.
• Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask .

• 8.
• And she, being before instructed of her mother, said , Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.

• 9.
• And the king was sorry : nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat , he commanded it to be given her.

• 10.
• And he sent , and beheaded John in the prison.

• 11.
• And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

• 12.
• And his disciples came , and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

• 13.
• When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart : and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

• 14.
• And Jesus went forth , and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

• 15.
• And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying , This is a desert place, and the time is now past ; send the multitude away , that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

• 16.
• But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart ; give ye them to eat .

• 17.
• And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

• 18.
• He said , Bring them hither to me.

• 19.
• And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed , and brake , and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

• 20.
• And they did all eat , and were filled : and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

• 21.
• And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

• 22.
• And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away .

• 23.
• And when he had sent the multitudes away , he went up into a mountain apart to pray : and when the evening was come , he was there alone.

• 24.
• But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

• 25.
• And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

• 26.
• And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled , saying , It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

• 27.
• But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying , Be of good cheer ; it is I; be not afraid .

• 28.
• And Peter answered him and said , Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

• 29.
• And he said , Come . And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

• 30.
• But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid ; and beginning to sink , he cried , saying , Lord, save me.

• 31.
• And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt ?

• 32.
• And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased .

• 33.
• Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying , Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

• 34.
• And when they were gone over , they came into the land of Gennesaret.

• 35.
• And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;

• 36.
• And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole .