"Behold, I have made you a new, sharp threshing sledge with double edges...you will rejoice in the Lord, You will glory in the Holy One of Israel." - Isaiah 41:15,16

Are we ready to dive into the bottomless treasure chest of God for our lives? When we awake spiritually hungry, the Lord is up to something in our life because He initiates the spiritual hunger.

As we turn aside from our regular routine -- He is calling us to turn aside from our present existence -- He is calling us to turn aside from those things that have hindered us -- He is calling us to turn aside into HIS FLAME! As we turn aside, God is going to begin to seep into the dry soil of our heart and awaken us into a new passion and a new FIERY desire for Him.

Since meditation on the Scriptures, prayer, and intercession are a service we owe and because the grace of God is found in this service, we should train ourselves to set apart a regular hour for it. This is not "legalism"; it is orderliness and fidelity.

Who can really be faithful in great things if he has not learned to be faithful in the things of daily life?

DAILY HUNGERING AND THIRSTING FOR HIM

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." - Colossians 4:2

Who is He that we should hunger and thirst for Him and set aside time to seek Him diligently?

TAKING UP OUR CROSS

The gospel doctrine of the Cross, that is, of dying to self is the only way to life in God. The true Christian life, which is to be a disciple of Christ, is a life of sacrifice. "Taking up our cross" means that we 'die' to the right to do as we please, and surrender 'unconditionally' to the Lordship of Jesus. It was on the Cross that Jesus suffered the ultimate injustice, but He did not retaliate, or ask the Father to retaliate, but rather to forgive.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY