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Day #83 of the Great Awakening with Drs. Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne and CTN! We may never know the impact of this Great Awakening this side of eternity, but I believe we can rest assured of one thing, people are being saved and lives are being changed for eternity! Isn’t this what we as Christians are supposed to be most concerned about?

I believe it is! It is easy in these times for us to kind of get into a cruise control mode where we are just going through the motions and neglecting to seek God’s face as we are constantly urged to do in the Bible! Through all the business and activities of revival I know it is easy to get into this mode but I hope and pray that we as the body of Christ are not allowing it! I believe that the Great Awakening in this world is not dependent on God alone!

I believe He is always ready and willing to show Himself strong on our behalf, what I also believe is that we must want to see this move of the Spirit of God with all our hearts! We must want it with desperation! Now is not the time to be relaxed, God is up to something and we need to seek Him until we know exactly what it is and what our part is! This is what the Holy Spirit has been working in my heart, the steadiness and fortitude needed on our behalf to see the move of God that is so needed today! We must not quit or become relaxed with our faith! We must persevere in our dedication and faith until America and the world have been shaken with revival! -Jennifer W

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During the first week of the Tampa Great Awakening I noticed how much everyone was pulling together to bring the meetings to pass.  There is so much that goes on behind the scenes to put on these services.  We have the staff, the church members and the students doing whatever it takes to make sure that this great move of God goes forth.  Some people are filling in two different ministries on some nights.  Some people are working in positions they never tried before.  Others are doing things that are out of their comfort zones. 

Now add other ministries like CTN and Overland Missions.  It was the most amazing thing to watch as everyone blended.  Everyone was treating each other with love and respect.  It’s almost like we’ve been friends for years even though we’ve just met.  Normally you would find that there would be some jockeying for position and a little muscling to get one’s way, but I haven’t seen any of that.  There haven’t been the normal problems you would find when you bring in several different organizations to work together.

People have caught the vision and are running with it. People are tired and there are many things to do away from church, but they have gotten over themselves and are focusing on the big picture. It is exciting to watch as every joint supplies to bring forth God’s plan for reaching America and the world. -Susan P.

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When Moses saw the burning bush in the desert, it not only astounded him, but it also caused him to turn aside and see this flame. When he approached this flame that burned but didn’t consume, he heard God speak to him concerning his life and the role he was to play in the plan that God had laid out for the deliverance of Israel. This week, the fire of God has been burning before me and as I have approached this flame that burns before me, I have gotten deeper vision about the plan of God for my life than ever before. Not only has the vision gotten clearer, but the fire has gotten in me and is burning on the inside. It drives me to do what it is that God has placed in my heart.

It pushes me to pursue the vision. I am so thankful for the fire of God that has been released this week because I am not understanding that in order to do this the way God wants it to be done, I must be faithful in what He places in my hands to accomplish. I have become the bush! I am on fire with the passion of the Father to accomplish what He has laid before me, but I am not consumed. The fire IS consuming everything that is not of God and everything that does not serve the purpose that He has placed before me! The fire of God is changing my life this week and I will not get out of it! I will stay in the hands of the Master who baptizes in the Holy Ghost and FIRE!!-Thomas R.

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To be here at the River at such a time as this is totally God. I know we are on the verge of Revival for this nation America. The entire atmosphere is filled with electricity from heaven. I get the sense of being in the divine will and plan of God. I may have missed the Azusa street revival but I am certainly not missing this one! I have been answering the phones and it’s just amazing how the enemy has held people in bondage, saved and unsaved alike. They are unaware of the true impact of the gift of Jesus Christ in their lives, unaware that he has paid the price for everyone of their sin, sickness, poverty, deliverance and the list goes on.  They are unaware that they only have to receive this full and free salvation by repenting of their sins and committing their lives into the hands of God and stop trying to live independent of him. The saved people have been so deceived and robbed of their authority by the lies they have believed from the devil. But God has been breaking yokes and bondages right over the phone. People are giving their lives to God on the phone. Healings are taking place; the calls are coming in fast and furious they want this Baptism of the Holy Spirit that they hear the man on the television speak about. They want the Fire of God because they have not been operating with power and zeal and God answers with a prayer hearing the cry of their hungry hearts. America has been waiting for this and it is just the beginning. –Rosemarie M.

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Bridget W.

Thank you for having brother Buford up there, thank God for the pioneers! Joy! joy! joy!
 
Marianne C.

Hi Pastors Rodney & Adonica, I’ve been winning souls since 2007! I’ve had the privilege of leading 958 to the Lord so far! Soul winning, is an honor, a privilege, a commitment and its fun! We all have to overcome our fear of what others will think, or say about us. The gospel script makes it so easy to lead someone to the Lord. As Pastor Jennifer says “Just read it”! The most amazing thing about the gospel script is once you learn it; it will just become a part of your routine every day. How many of us have found ourselves in a position where we wanted to witness to someone! We didn’t do it because we didn’t know what to say, or we were afraid that we might be thought of as a Jesus freak? That is why I LOVE the gospel script; it takes the guess work out of what to say and how to say it. Again it is so easy..Just read it! I started a facebook page about a year ago called “Soul Winning Sister’s”! I use this facebook page to encourage sisters in Christ to share Jesus in the market place & wherever they go! It’s a place to post testimonies as well as encouraging words. I want everyone to know if we will ALL make it a point to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit the Lord will bring people across our path daily that need a relationship with him.

Once you are set on FIRE the compassion for SOULS will burn 24/7 in your heart. The heartbeat of Jesus is souls and we must work while there is still daylight! God Bless you and your family for Revival Ministries! You have so touched and changed our lives forever!

I’m from Cookeville, TN!

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Foundation Scriptures: Matthew 26:28-29

The Blood of Jesus Redeems us from sin.

Redeem—to clear by payment; to buy back or pay off; to recover; to exchange; to save from sins; to restore the honor or worth of; to recover ownership of by paying a specified sum; to obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity, by paying a ransom; deliverance by payment of a price; to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.

In the New Testament, redemption refers to salvation from sin, death, and the wrath of God by Christ’s sacrifice.

We are redeemed from our own works. We are redeemed from religion and tradition and the Curse of the Law.  

1 Peter 1:18-19 AMP – You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, 19 But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.

Our sins are forgiven and no longer held against us.

Ephesians 1:7

We are purchased by the Blood of Jesus.

Acts 20:28
Blood has to be shed or there can be no remission of sins.

Hebrews 9:22 AMP – [In fact] under the Law almost everything is purified by means of blood, and without the shedding of blood there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins.

Under the Old Covenant, blood sacrifices had to continually be made for sin.

Hebrews 10:1-4 Under the old Covenant the blood of animals was shed to atone for sins. The blood of these animals only covered people’s sin. The Father looked at the blood and counted them as righteous. The animals were a type of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus became our “Sacrificial Lamb” (1 Peter 1:19). The Blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin and cleanses our conscience from dead works.

Hebrews 9:12-15

Under the New Covenant, the Blood of Jesus completely washes away our sin.

Colossians 1:14 AMP – In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.

Isaiah 43:25

Psalms 103:12

Revelation 1:5

Since Jesus shed His Blood, no more blood needs to be shed.

Hebrews 10:18
The Blood of Jesus reconciles us to the Father.

We cannot stand before God on our own merits. Our righteousness is like filthy rags.

Isaiah 64:6

Romans 3:23 NKJV – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Through the Blood of the Cross, God has made peace, reconciling all things to Himself, once and for all.

Colossians 1:19-22

We are reconciled back to the Father.

Ephesians 2:13 NKJV – But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
The Blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

The Blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sin—the sin we committed before and after we were saved. If we make a mistake and repent, His Blood cleanses us every time.

1 John 1:7 NKJV – But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

 As the old song says, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.”

The Blood of Jesus gave us a new and better covenant.

Hebrews 8:6
The Blood of Jesus allows us to come boldly before the Father.

When you come to God, you come boldly by the Blood of Jesus. You don’t enter by your own name. You don’t enter by your good works. You are bold because you know that His Blood gives you the right to come into God’s presence to ask for help.

Hebrews 10:19-23

We have a new and living way. We draw nigh unto God boldly, by the blood, with faith and a clean conscience.

Hebrews 4:15-16
The Blood of Jesus gives us the power to overcome.

Revelation 12:11 NKJV – And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Talk about what God has done for you. Your testimony is a living thing—when you share it, you relive it.

1 Corinthians 15:57
The Blood of Jesus is held in honor in heaven.

We reign as kings and priests on the earth through the blood of Jesus.

Revelation 5:9-10 NKJV – And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

No one is left out. The Blood of Jesus paid the price for every man, every woman, every tribe, every tongue, every people, and every nation!

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One of the things I have experienced at the “No Limits No Boundries” Minister’s Conference was a greater understanding of the foundation of my salvation. Philip Smethurs had shared in great detail the culture of Christianity in contrast to any other culture and how vitally important it is to live a life that reflects our Christian culture. I learned more about how the Holy Spirit’s role in ministry must be at the absolute core of how we live our lives, and how we must honor him and have absolute integrity so he can move through a clean life without areas of rebellion causing us to stumble.

I also learned how a life connected to God can produce ability which can bring us to a place of authority and responsibility in the world system, because God is the source of all grace and ability comes from him. I also learned a lesson about appreciation and giving financial support to a ministry and how partnership can be a connection between ministries and individuals to lay a firm foundation for God to build on. I also learned how a nation can be blessed through Godly leadership through the example of the life of First Nations National Chief Matthew Coon Come.

His life exemplifies how a nation can be taken over through God’s grace and wisdom. It is incredible what God can do through willing yielded vessels! I was also impacted by the awesome testimonies of raw missionary work in remote places of the world were we heard incredible stories of how God moved in villages where the gospel was never heard before. It was great to hear what God has done throughout the world through the pastors and missionaries represented at the conference and I am grateful for the testimonies given during the 8 days of “No Limits No Boundries”. 

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Sunday was a key example of what can happen when the body of Christ unites. I was so amazed at what took place. I have only been coming to the river for 3 months. I have never seen a church body come together with one focus, like I did Sunday. I was so impressed when I saw Christians being sold out and ‘’being the church instead of doing church’’. What happened is what should be happening in every church, every Sunday around the world. People taking the gospel into the world, being a witness not just doing witnessing. Being in the world and not of it, not being of the world but not in it. I was in the main service, so I got to see the hundreds of people taking a stand and accepting Jesus. The moms the dads, uncles, aunts, grandmas, grandpas, husbands, wife’s taking a stand for their families. After service seeing the joy on the all the kids faces. Sing and talking about this man JESUS. Then I looked up and saw the buses and the food and toy give away. The workers joking and talking with parents, the children playing and riding new bikes. If we just change are focus and put it on Jesus, everything will change. If we just let the love of God flow through us, Gods goodness will draw in the lost like a vacuum or a really big bug zapper. I am so thankful to be a part of what God is doing here at The River at Tampa Bay. Not only being a student at RBI, but getting to see the impact of a church that is being the church. And I love God’s church when we are the church. I’m excited to see what God is going to do next.

Worship Soundtracks from RMIRiverSong on Vimeo.

Last Sunday was great at the River Church at Tampa Bay! The children’s ministry had about 70 children who were 3 to 4 years old. All of them received Jesus as their Savior and were delighted to receive Him as Lord. After the children had accepted Jesus their countenance changed and their behavior changed. There were so many happy faces all over the room. I could feel the positive energy and excitement exuding from the children. Peacefulness was in the room as well. Some of the children, who missed their moms when they first came into the room, stopped crying, and enjoyed the activities along with the rest of their newly found friends.

It really gave me joy to see the children enjoying themselves. They eagerly learned many lessons about Jesus. There were several games and activities for them to participate in. They seemed to enjoy the games and lessons, which involved singing and dancing the most. The joy of the Lord was evident in the laughter displayed as the children’s teachers talked about the Lord and various stories in the bible.

I loved to see the children worship Jesus. They did not hold anything back from the Lord when they praised Him. I could see that the children genuinely felt the love of Jesus the entire time they were in the room. When you see the love of God on children’s faces, you know Jesus is someone worth knowing.

There are many things that I could say about what happened last Sunday, but the most important was that the children received Jesus and grew in their relationship with the Lord. The presence of the Holy Spirit was felt when the children worshipped the Lord. There are no words to express how much the love of Jesus touched their hearts.

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I am grateful to God for joining me to the River Church Ministry. In the deepest part of my soul I have yearned for God to use me to be a witness for Him. My desire has always been to go deeper in the things of God. My life’s goal was to be used by God in the fullest and to touch the lives of people with the love of God. I longed to be used as a mouthpiece to do and to say the things He wanted me to say and to be bold while doing it. I had been looking for a church like the River since I was 21 and now that I am here I truly believe that God has fulfilled one of the deepest desires of my heart. Everything I wanted in a church home the River provided. Since being here I am in awe at how God answered my prayer in detail. Since coming to the River I have been eternally changed from the inside out and I have been used mightily to touch the lives of many people. I am grateful to God for allowing me to be apart of such a Holy Spirit filled church. I believe the vision of Pastor Rodney and Adonica to see souls saved is evident in our church and the vision has passed down to the congregation and has now become the heartbeat of my life. Because of this ministry I now feel revived, alive and energized to fulfill the call of God on my life. As a result, of Pastor Rodney & Adonica and the River church family I now have a passion for lost and a greater hunger for the things of God. I know that since coming here my hunger and thirst for God has heightened and my craving for souls and the things of God will last a lifetime.