Articles by Randall E Howard

For decades, the message of salvation has been considered the simple gospel. At the conclusion of most evangelical churches, an invitation is given to those who want to receive this simple message by accepting Jesus into their heart. It is presented in simple fashion and those who want eternal life will respond by saying a simple prayer and then being considered a brother or sister in Christ on their way to heaven. But is the gospel so simple as this? When I read the scriptures and look at Jesus as well as the lives of the early believers, I see something a little more complex than simply walking the aisle of a church and saying a simple prayer. There are a number of questions that come to mind with regard to the simplicity of the gospel. For example, Was it a simple thing for Jesus to lay down His position in heaven and come to earth? Was it a simple thing for Jesus, the God of all creation, to humble Himself and become a man submitting to the very creation produced ...

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” As Americans, we should be proud and grateful that God has allowed us to live in a remarkable nation! As a church located in this great nation, we embrace the values of freedom and independence! We support the ideals of liberty because they are Biblical values and I am convinced that despite the moral decline of our nation, there is still hope for a bright future and greatness can still be our living legacy! However, there needs to be a renewed understanding of freedom and a return to the divine principles that made her great. This return is not at the bureaucratic level but at the grassroots level. We too often want to look up instead of at ourselves. This is still a nation of the people by the people and for the people! Therefore change must occur at our individual level rather than to always expect it from some other place. Atop the hill i...

Jesus came, lived, died, rose and ascended to produce a race of followers that would devote their lives to a spiritual counter-revolution! A counter-revolution is a revolution that moves against a previous revolution in an attempt to overthrow it and restore the original government. We know that in the beginning, there was a revolution that seized the heart of man and initiated a rebellious spirit that has moved from generation to generation driving the human race deeper and deeper into bondage. The tragic results were death, disease, despair, danger, devastation, and degradation. The government of satan was established in the hearts of men through the dominion of flesh and needed to be challenged and conquered. This Jesus did! Yet, there is still great need for mankind to join the work of Christ in this counter engagement. It is important that the original government of God be re-established in the hearts of men and in the culture of earth. It is time for the church to step...

Incarnational spirituality is the concept of word becoming flesh! John 1:1-5, 14 tells us … “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus literally became the Word and He materialized all that was spoken. This means that all the law and all the prophecies were consummated and fulfilled in Him becoming flesh. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17) The purpose of God becoming flesh was to fulfill not to abolish. There is an under...

"These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite, chief of the captains, he was called Adino the Eznite, because of eight hundred slain by him at one time; and after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there to battle and the men of Israel had withdrawn. He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword, and the LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to strip the slain. Now after him was Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered into a troop where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the people fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the midst of the plot, defended it and struck the Philistines; and the LORD brought about a great victory." (II Samuel 23:8-12) Have you ever felt as if you have resisted the de...

In 2006, a book entitled, “The Secret” , hit the market and immediately rose to the top of the New York Time bestsellers list.  The book claims to disclose a secret that has been held down through the centuries by those who have had great success in life.  It states that this secret has been fought over, pursued, hidden and protected.  It says that this secret has made the difference between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’.  The whole premise is based on what is called, ‘The Law of Attraction’.  This supposed law of the universe says that if we think of what we want and stay focused on it, believe with an attitude that we have already received it then it will come to us.  The book contends that there are frequencies from us that are sent out into the universe from our thoughts that cause the universe to realign to our desires.  These thoughts are to attract what we desire into our lives.  This whole process is said to be essential to bring forth happiness, joy and success in all we d...