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We all know the heart is an important organ in our body. The human heart’s job is to pump nutrient-rich blood throughout our body. If the heart is not working nothing else is working either. Therefore, it is imperative that we maintain and take care of our human heart. We are told to eat right and exercise, because if we don’t, we can experience problems. But, not many of us know, we have the same responsibility to take care of our spiritual heart. The heart more often refers to our spirit, the innermost organ or the center of your being. Therefore, if we do not take care of our heart spiritually we can experience problems. In that same manner we must do whatever it takes to maintain our spiritual heart. I’ve learned the way to do this is by monitoring our thoughts and emotions, because every emotion is based out of love, faith or fear. We must do away with all negative attitudes, pride, un-forgiveness, malice, and hatred because all these things affect our heart.

The devil put thoughts in our head so we should never respond to the first strong emotion, or make any important decision for our life when we are tired, worn out, upset, or when we are experiencing weakness anxiety or fear. The human heart is well protected from outside danger and it is very difficult to reach I’m told. In the same manner we must also protect our spiritual heart from outside danger. When God saved us he changed our heart and our spirit became new. Therefore, we must allow the word of God to work in our heart and renew our minds until there is nothing left of our old nature. God does not want anything from us without a sincere heart so we must strive to live in peace with everyone, and love thy neighbor as thyself—- which is the greatest commandment. But most of all what I learned last week is that it’s not about outwards things but about the consecration of the heart. God wants a healthy heart, one that is pure and upright. We must long and strive for Holiness of heart because Holiness comes from a pure heart.
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This week has been a major heart check. It has been a reminder that the heart is the most important thing; the heart is where everything starts. God doesn’t look at the outward appearance but He looks at the heart, not just our actions but our motives and intentions. I know that my heart has not always been right and there are areas that the Lord has shown me that I need to work on. It all starts with the little things, we have to be watchful and on guard. We have to be watchful of what we put in our heart, and what we meditate on. God is such a good God, he doesn’t just tell us we are wrong and we need to fix things but he goes further and shows us what we should meditate on. Philippians 4:8 “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any raise, think on these things” When thoughts come we have the choice to take those thoughts and meditate on them or we can cast them down. I love how good God is, Psalms 130:3-4 says “If you, Lord, should keep account of and treat [us according to our] sins. O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You [just what man needs], that You may be reverently feared and worshipped.” I am so thankful that the Lord is merciful, that he is always on our side. I am thankful that he doesn’t look at my past sins and failures and judge me based on those, but he loves me and forgives me. He is patient, kind, and ever ready to believe the best, he never fails.

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During this series of teachings on “The Matters of the Heart” some very profound wisdom and courage was planted into my life. These are things that really ministered to me, the story of Saul and David, the differences between religion and Righteousness, finally having a pure heart before God.

The story of Saul and King David Ministered to my heart greatly, because it show’s how pure David’s love for God was. One thing I learned from the story is if we’re doing what we ought to do we won’t put ourselves into a situation like King David. We won’t be on top of the roof looking at Bathsheba while we’re suppose to be at war, at work, reading or whatever the case maybe. David went on to sin against the Lord, showing us that every one will fall short of the glory of God. Later on David turns from his sin and with a repented heart continued serving God. Now David had many different choices set before him as do we in our everyday life. David had the chance to kill Saul twice, but because of his integrity and his Love for God he didn’t. This shows us that if we trust in the Lord our God no matter what situation we get into he will always see us through. God even delivered David when he brought trouble upon himself. David was wise enough to acknowledge God in all of his ways. David was a man after God’s own Heart. This story is the perfect example on the matters of the heart.

Now I want to talk about the difference between Religion and righteousness which has everything to do with the Matters of the Heart. Many people think you have to be religious in order to be Righteous. Righteousness is being free from works. While on the other hand Religion emphasizes on works. No man can earn righteousness, it is purchased by God. Religious people often believe you have to do all sorts of things in the flesh in order to please God. The bible says the opposite of that, there is nothing we can do in our flesh to please God. Righteousness is something we must understand was bought for the believer by the blood of Christ. The Bible does say none is Righteous no not one. Religious people take that scripture out of context by believing it justifies them to be able to do anything and everything they want because the Bible says no one is Righteous anyway. Religious people such as Pharisees believe they have to do all sorts of works to earn it, they honor God with there lips but there heart is far from him. It is so amazing God sent Jesus just so we wouldn’t have to be a far off from him and his presence no more striving to reach him. We can know he came to set us free from Religion. We can put on what was purchased for us, true Righteousness.

One of the most important things I learned in the sessions is about having a pure heart before God. I was refreshed on the teachings of walking in love. Love has everything to do with keeping our heart pure. The Bible says watch over your heart with all diligence for out of it flow the issues of life. Pastor Adonica taught us that our heart is like a garden, gardens take time and effort. Our Heart will take time and effort too; we have to get rid of all the bad things in a garden if we want healthy fruit to grow. The same with our heart, we have to get rid of sin, and arrogance, anything that would hold us back from producing healthy luscious fruit has to be pruned from our heart. Any good fruit has to be nourished and cultivated. We have to be very careful what motive we do things in because when we get to heaven everything we have done on earth will be tried and sent through the fire. What is not of God any wood, hay and stubble will be burnt. This would leave us with nothing to show for our life on earth, no eternal gifts to bring our king. This is why we must protect our heart and walk in the Love of God always.

Everything we learned in the “Matters of the Heart” class was absolutely astonishing, some of it was brand new information and some of it was very much needed refreshed information. God has already begun to deal with me about many different areas from the teachings on the Matters of the Heart.

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The kitchen crew of the world famous BLUEWILLOWINN received Jesus today (12 saved in the kitchen) Family at campus(6-7 people) Mexican restaurant (2 students) Waiters (almost led everyone to the Lord at restaurant) -got led to the Lord Lady got saved in nursing home.

John Paul G
Georgia United States

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As I went out today to speak the gospel of Jesus Christ one man stood out. I went through the scriptures and he know Jesus but said “no” when I asked him if he was going to Heaven. I went on and as he began to weep I could feel true presence of God. We continued and a vision came upon me from God. In the vision God was sitting in Heaven, the man that was in front of me was walking up stairs toward God. Now through Jesus I knew this man was saved. care giver at nursing home soften up, received Christ, hugged Kim. Walmart: guy, girl and baby “we would no go to heaven” gave their hearts to Christ. “Thank you so much”.

Kim S
Georgia United States

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Hi, Pastor Rodney … I was speaking with Pastors Eric & Jennifer today at the G.A.T. – Sanford pastor’s breakfast. Jennifer suggested I email you my testimony. My wife, Jean & I were hit by the Holy Spirit in Lakeland in ’93 and we have never been the same. We were in the second service you held at the Carpenter’s Home Church and have been mega-blessed in hundreds of your services since. We were with you at The River of Tampa Bay every Sunday (starting the second Sunday) for the first six months in the Sun Dome. The Lord opened a door for me to serve as an associate pastor at an inner-city Assembly of God on Martin Luther King Blvd. there in Tampa (“Freedom Ministries Assemblies of God”). I came (with Jean and our daughter, Connie) to ask your counsel about it after church one Sunday in the Sun Dome. We loved worshipping at The River so much, I was honestly hoping you, as our pastor, would say something like, “You’re not ready” or “You should stick around The River for another season”. Instead, the Lord had you lay hands on us and say, “Go … Go … that’s what the River’s all about … run with the fire”. After we got up off the floor, we knew we were to go. The next 3 years of our lives were filled with many blessing and many, many challenges. Freedom Ministries, where we were serving, had 24 homeless (and very needy) men living upstairs. I was working as director of corporate support at WEDU-TV during the day and serving at Freedom Ministries during the evenings and on weekends. Every chance we could, we came and jumped in The River. Countless times we were blessed, refreshed and recharged in your services. Many, many times God used you to speak a word to us that brought ‘just what we needed’ at that specific time to ‘get us over the next hill’. Without some of those rhema words, Jean and I know that we know we would not still be in the ministry today! In 1999, with our senior pastor’s full blessing and a wonderful send-off service (I left my six-figure job at WEDU-TV) and we planted Higher Ground Ministries as a non-traditional, outreach-focused church in DeLand, FL. Countless times over these past 8+ years, we have come back to The River during Camp Meetings, Minister’s Meetings, Holy Spirit weekends and just any time we can. Each and every time we do we feel as if we are “coming home” or reconnecting with the mother ship. The Holy Spirit continues to refresh and bless us so through your ministry. We take turns hooking up to our Revival IPOD and can’t begin to tell you how instrumental you and Pastor Adoncia have been in our lives. I have found DeLand to be a hard and religious area and our local church has struggled. Yet, by God’s favor, we continue to press on in full time ministry and recently planted another church in Cocoa as well. In spite of the challenges in the local church, the Lord continues to smile on each and every outreach we hold. Last year we spearheaded 68 outreaches in 16 cities and witnessed 534 first time salvations and 112 rededication … all glory to God! We have held hundreds of meetings in 9 prisons in Florida (led two men on Death Row to the Lord, recently headed up our second mission to Honduras where we held 10 meetings in 5 days and saw more than 230 born again. By God’s grace we have held outreaches in nursing homes, children’s homes, teen pregnancy centers; half-way houses, homeless shelters, etc. … even a few churches In spite of the ‘light and momentary trials’ we have seen well over 2,000 souls saved … because God used one fiery missionary from South Africa to say, “Fill!” and “Never the same!” Most recently we were able to be a part of the G.A.T. – Cocoa. Our schedule allowed us to be there for 2 nights and 1 day. We had the joy of going out on the streets in Cocoa with your drummer, Austin (great guy). We witnessed probably close to 100 decisions that day just in our little group. One of our guys in the Cocoa church came to me the week before the G.A.T. and said, “I’ve been walking with Jesus for 15 years and have never actually prayed with anyone as they received the Lord.” The next week, he and his son hit the streets of Cocoa with one of your teams and in just a few hours those two guys led 20 people in the prayer of salvation! Through the Great Awakening Tour – Cocoa, a fire has been lit in our hearts to take the gospel to the streets with one-on-one street evangelism … and our folks are catching ablaze! We can’t begin to tell you how excited we are about G.A.T. – Sanford! We are making some noise around here and will continue to. I know the Lord has great things in store and we are absolutely thrilled to be a part of it! Words fail to convey the gratitude Jean and I have for the price you and Pastor Adonica have paid for revival. Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough. Please suffice it to say, we love you and earnestly have and will continue to pray for you, your family and awesome ministry at RMI. With You for the Harvest, Jim B

Jim B
Deland Florida United States

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I couldn’t make it to Cocoa, Florida, but two newspaper guys got saved, today! They were ripe for the picking! One guy needs a car to go to church. Could you agree with me in prayer that God will provide for him a car? Thanks! I went to see Dr Rodney& Adonica Howard-Browne, not knowing what to expect…But I was healed after he prayed for me. I have had 7 spinal surgeries and have lived with horrible pain for 12 years. The Doctors told me I will always be in pain, might as well get used to it. Three days now and no pain…thank you Jesus

Linda H
Rockledge Florida United States

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I participated in the Great Awakening in Tulsa and went out with the group on Saturday. I have a Christian school and we went to a retirement center at Christmas and led 13 people to the Lord. I would like to do more teaching on soul winning. Do you have a copy of the class that is taught before going out? It was so helpful and so well done I would like to listen to it again before I teach it.

Amber W
Broken Arrow Oklahoma United States

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TBN broadcast with my 2 teenage sons and their friends .you said put your hand on where you think you spirit is and command the joy of the Lord to come out. We all did it and the friend couldn’t drive home he was so filled up with laughter. That joy stayed with me; and helped me through the accidental death of one of those boys. Now I’m sharing the stories of salvations in the witnessing sessions and a friend and I went to the mall and used the tract . 5 were saved. Now there are 3 other ladies who want to go out with us.

Jeanette F.
lloydminster Alberta Canada

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NH Older lady-rededicated her life-reached up pulled soul winner down kissed him on the cheek-that was from Jesus. I have been on the website a few times and decided to join Soul Patrol at my home church. We out to win souls for the Lord and that Saturday a Catholic was born again! Two others souls were saved that day as well.I never thought I would be bold enough to go out and preach the Gospel but I did through Jesus Christ who strenghtens me in all areas that I lack in.Praise God!

Jackie S
Fort Pierce Florida United States