Articles by Randall E Howard

While much of the church has wandered into philosophies that speak more to the standards of this world and away from the true gospel that Jesus preached, there is a need to emphasize the simplicity of the gospels and to apply the principles that will cause us to be faithful and fruitful in this life and beyond. This is the third article in a series of articles on “The Simple Way to Fulfill the Purposes of God in the Earth”.  In recent writings, I have outlined two things: Making Disciples and Creating Community. This article emphasizes the third point clearly expressed in the New Testament and exemplified in the life of Christ – Building the Kingdom of God! Making disciples leads to the creation of covenant community that leads to building the Kingdom of God. Before we go too much further, please see the deeper connection. The Kingdom of God will not emerge unless a Christ centered Christian community is created! A Christ centered Christian community will not develop unl...

This is the second of three articles on “The Simple Way to Fulfill the Purposes of God in the Earth”. While it is not so simple, it would seem to be the only way to really produce results. Of course, when we operate in the power of the Holy Spirit, the simplicity of it all truly comes into play. The Way is a three-fold focus found in the teachings and activities of Christ: Making Disciples (see previous article on “The Mandate of Making Disciples” ) Creating Community and Building Kingdom Today the article is on “The Call to Create Community.” I want to point to Acts chapter 2 that says, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45  And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46  And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47  praising God and having favor with all the people. A...

We are living in a dangerous time, particularly in the Church. It is dangerous because of the false messages coming forth from the pulpits of America. Political correctness and outright heresy are rampant.  An example of such a danger that I have addressed is a prosperity gospel that promotes materialism in the body of Christ. I am convinced that we need to be patient and wait on God to take care of us – to persevere with faith and the expectation of the return of Christ to make all things new. The reason this needs to be pointed out is because of the increased discouragement that is prominent in many. A growing number of people don’t seem to see the results they desire within the time frame they want it in. Therefore, they fall away from the faith because they are jealous that the wicked seem to prosper while Christians suffer or go without. It is important to note that we are not in competition with the world! While the earth belongs to the Lord and will at some point b...

It is important for us to pay close attention to the writings of James under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of the book of James was to define FAITH THAT WORKS in the life of the believer while going through adversity. It was to let those believers scattered throughout the nations know that trials and tribulations are useful to prove our faith by the way in which we handle these difficulties and that fruitful works will follow legitimate faith. James says to … - COUNT IT ALL JOY when you enter into different trials! - KNOW that trials develop perseverance that produces maturity! - ASK FOR WISDOM to prove faith in the midst of adversity! We are then told that God is actually working with us in our trials ready to give them a crown of life for endurance and victory – for passing the test. As I have often said about the tests of life for a child of God, it is impossible to fail. You simply have to keep taking them over until you pass. The key is learning and growing. ...

Too often in Christianity there is a friction between faith and works. Arguments are made over which is superior. Those who are proponents of faith, of course, tend to believe that if you simply believe anything is possible to you. Those who take issue with the extreme faith camp can actually elevate works to the degree that it seems to take precedence over faith thus magnifying our human efforts out of proper proportion. But the arguments that lead to extremes are unnecessary when a proper evaluation of Scripture takes place. Faith and works are not at odds with one another but are loving partners in the circle of life. When we speak of faith, we know that it comes through hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Thus, God is the author and the finisher of our faith! We also know that works are impossible except through the gift of grace that comes from God. Therefore, God is not only the author and finisher of our faith, He is also the power and initiator of our work. No...

The Church has a profound opportunity to lead out in the 21st century on, what we believe to be, the key components of the Kingdom of God and it’s full manifestation on earth.  But before we can lead out, we must live out these expressions in a determined, definitive way in our areas of life and ministry. I am convinced that the theoretical past must give way to a practical present thus revealing a glorious and tangible future fully enjoyed by our Father and His family.  This, of course, will require faith at new levels.  We certainly understand that without faith it is impossible to please God or to bring joy to His heart.  But we must also come to realize that while our faith must be in God first, it is also something that becomes the basis of life with one another.  In other words, I am of the persuasion that faith in each other brings not only pleasure to the heart of God, but it brings the same to the hearts of His children.  This is one way that...

“In the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.” (II Timothy 3:1-5) “There will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words.” (II Pet. 2:1-3) “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You...