Matthew 3:11 - "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire."

OH, HOLY SPIRIT....OH, FIRE! THAT SO INTIMATELY AND TENDERLY PENETRATES THE FIBRE AND CORE OF MY SOUL.....CLEANSE ME, BURN IN ME, WITH YOUR PASSION FOR CHRIST!

John 5:44 - "How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?"

We need to decide if we are going to let all of the previous wounds and disappointments determine who we are, or if we are going to be like Christ, using the Cross to determine who we are, seizing the occasion to die to ourselves and rise above this world and live in resurrection power. We cannot be resurrected unless we have first died.

Observation:

I KNOW I AM RELATING CORRECTLY TO GOD WHEN MY HUNGER FOR HIS GLORY CAUSES ME TO FORSAKE THE PRAISE OF MEN.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place." - 2 Corinthians 2:14

God lives among the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). As we praise God we sense His presence and in His presence there is fullness of joy. Praise is a powerful spiritual weapon as it changes the atmosphere around us. In the Scriptures we read how the walls of Jericho came crashing down, giving victory to God's people due to the Israelites releasing shouts of praise(Joshua 6:20). In Acts 16:25-26, we read that the prison doors shook open when Paul and Silas prayed and praised God.

Praise lifts our eyes from the battle to the victory, for Christ has already won the victory. We are more thanconquerors in Christ Jesus. It is the will of God for us to rejoice in Him no matter what comes. As we rejoice in God, we release joy to others.

Rest in Him and praise Him in the storm. He is the God of the impossible and He is working all things for your good. Join your heart toHis and allow His love to give you strength.

"You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever." - Psalm 16:11

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY