Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'christian'.
-
Exodus 16:4 - "Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or no." GOD TOOK A LITTLE, INSIGNIFICANT MATTER, THE FOOD THEY ATE--AND USED IT TO SEE IF THEY WOULD LISTEN TO HIM OR NOT. HE TOLD THEM HOW MUCH OF IT TO GATHER, WHEN TO GATHER AND WHEN NOT TO, AND WHAT TO DO WITH IT AFTER THEY BROUGHT IT IN. AND THE ISRAELITES WENT RIGHT OUT AND VIOLATED THOSE INSTRUCTIONS. THEY SHOWED GOD BY THEIR ACTIONS THAT HIS VOICE WAS NOT IMPORTANT TO THEM. THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO OBEY EVEN HIS SIMPLEST COMMANDS. GOD WORKS THE SAME WAY WITH US TODAY. BEFORE HE SENDS US ON A MAJOR MISSION, HE GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE WE CAN BE TRUSTED WITH SMALL INSTRUCTIONS. Luke 16:10 - "He who is faithful in a very little (thing), is faithful also in much." Ephesians 1:3 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." Heaven is the realm into which we are called to The earthly minded will constantly try to restrain those who are seekers of God with such statements as,"don't become so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good," which is precisely the opposite of true wisdom. Christ Jesus, and the only truly effective ministry we will ever have on this earth is originated from that position. The church that becomes too earthly minded is not doing the earth any good. We are called to be a bridge between heaven and earth, and to represent the reality of all we have been given in Christ Jesus in the heavenly places. Christians should be so saturated with heaven that it is more real to them than anything in the natural realm. Ephesians 2:4-6 - "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus."abide with "Then he said, 'Take the arrows,' and the king took them. Elisha told him, 'Strike the ground.' He struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him and said, 'You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.'" - 2 Kings 13:18-19 Breakthrough IS Coming: Keep Striking the Ground! Do not be discouraged if at first you don't see your victory manifest. Breakthrough will first happen in the spiritual, then in the natural. Just because you can't see it in the physical does not mean it isn't happening in the spiritual. Keep on striking the ground! What has been barren and withered for so long will begin to revive and flourish. And the good news is? All that you need forbreakthrough has already been given to you; it's already there! The Lord has deposited that miracle within you and it will bear fruit as long as we walk in accordance with the principles of the Kingdom. Affirmation: I AM WILLING TO HUMBLE MYSELF, LAY DOWN MY OWN AGENDAS/AMBITIONS, AND WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD -- KEEPING MY EYES FIXED ON JESUS. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Luke 8:14 - "The seed among the thorns represents those who listen and believe God's words but whose faith afterward is choked out by worry and riches and the responsibilities and pleasures of life. And so they are never able to help anyone else to believe the Good News." Your enemy wants to subdue your awareness and release a slumbering spirit. In this state he can sell you on giving in to a comfortable life thereby causing a corpse-like complacency. You will always avoid the challenges of "breaking out of the box" into the maximum life that Jesus died to get you into. The phrase "out of the box" means that someone or something has broken out from its barriers. It also means that someone has outgrown their history and has gone beyond their limitations. Luke 2:48,49 - "Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them. 'How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?'" THE PHARISEES HAD NO UNDERSTANDING OF THE FATHER'S HEART. MUCH OF CHRISTIAN ACTIVITY EXISTS THAT HAS NO RELATIONSHIP TO THAT SUPREME VALUE. THE GOSPEL IS THE STORY OF THE FATHER WOOING THE HEARTS OF MANKIND THROUGH HIS LOVE. WE CAN TRAVEL THE GLOBE AND PREACH THE GOSPEL, BUT WITHOUT A PERSONAL REVELATION OF THE FATHER'S HEART WE'RE CARRYING AROUND SECONDHAND NEWS - A STORY WITHOUT A RELATIONSHIP. THE FATHERS BUSINESS FLOWS FROM HIS HEART. THE CHURCH IS TO BE A MANIFESTATION OF THE FATHER'S HEART TO THE WORLD. WE ARE TO BE CARRIERS OF HIS PRESENCE - DOERS OF HIS WILL. GIVING WHAT WE HAVE RECEIVED RELEASES HIM INTO SITUATIONS PREVIOUSLY HELD IN THE GRIP OF DARKNESS. Galatians 6:7,8 - "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Observation: He has revealed the endless crop of boredom I will harvest when I base my life on pleasure-seeking instead of sowing acts of goodness and love for a harvest of eternal life. Luke 21:31 - "But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." Affirmations: I ASK THE LORD TO PROPEL ME INTO THE NEXT LEVEL OF MY GROWTH AND DESTINY. I AM DETERMINED THAT I WILL COOPERATE WITH HIM. Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Promises from God are met with "...He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature..." - 2 Pet. 1:4contradiction in the natural realm. God is announcing a reality to you that will most likely appear very distant and disconnected from your present situation. God's promises are prophetic glimpses of the realities He wants to release into and through your life. Promises Call You to PULL TOMORROW INTO TODAY. Promises will always contradict your present circumstances because God wants you to collaborate with Him, through faith, to bring His promised reality into the present, so that His will can be done. The Word of the Lord places a demand on your life. Will you adjust everything—your habits, your thought processes, your relationships, your pursuits—according to the promise you received, or will you continue with "life as normal?" Normal will never be invaded by the supernatural as long as we are content to continue with status quo rather than accommodate the promises of God. 1 Thessalonians 1:5, "For our Gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake." The message of Good News, "the Gospel," is followed by the reality of God's goodness being demonstrated in people's lives. For then, the reality of God's glory is touching people physically; bringing healing, restoration, and health in dramatic ways that cause people to "stand in awe." -- those who don't know God are struck with a healthy fear of God, conviction of sin and the need to come to a place of salvation. Acts 26:24-25 - Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!" But he (Paul) said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason." The words "beside yourself" mean to rave as a maniac, and it's the idea of incessant craving. Festus accused Paul of being crazy. Modern culture is not drawn to Christianity because the little they are exposed to is not extreme enough for them. What the world really wants to see is a Christian who is totally enthralled with who Jesus is. Our spiritual learning shouldn't be just systematic theology books but a distinguishable crazy love that goes public. AFFIRMATION: I won't give up, let up, or shut up until I get others to get up, rise up, and take up all who Christ wants them to be! 2 Corinthians 5:13 - "If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit." NLT One of the great men of God of the sixteenth century, Francis Xavier, charged the apathetic European students of his day to "give up your small ambitions and come and preach the Gospel of Christ." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Proverbs 13:12 - "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy." WITHOUT GOD HOPE IS REDUCED TO THE POWERLESS LEVEL OF FATE. WHILE LIFE CAN TAKE PEOPLE FROM HOPE TO DISAPPOINTMENT THE GOD OF HOPE LEADS PEOPLE IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES LOOK LIKE FOR YOU, THE HEART OF GOD IS THAT YOUR DREAMS WILL COME TRUE. Affirmations: WHEN DISCOURAGEMENT STARTS TO SET IN I FOCUS ON GOD AND THE INTEGRITY OF WHAT HIS WORD PROMISES BELIEVERS. I SPEAK WORDS THAT BRING HOPE AND LIFE TO OTHERS. I LIVE MY LIFE WITH FORWARD EXPECTATION AND SEE ALL MY DREAMS COME TRUE IN HIM. Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need." The Holy Spirit was sent to convict us of sin, and He will point out our sin. The remedy is to repent. Repentance is not just turning away from the sin, but it is turning to the Lord. If we only take a half step of turning from the sin, we will fall again. We must turn to the Lord, fleeing to the power of His cross, beholding His glory and nature. Then we will be changed. He increases in us as we behold His glory, not our own shortcomings. God wants to charge our faith today. He wants us to see it is not obtained by struggling and working and pining. "...the Father himself loveth you..." (John 16:27) "..Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses" (Matthew 8:17). "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:18). May we lay hold of this living faith today -- the Blood has never lost its power -- as we get nearer and nearer to Jesus wonderful things will take place. The baptism of Jesus must bring us to have a single eye to the glory of God; everything else is wasted time and wasted energy. The Holy Spirit wants us for the purpose of manifesting Jesus through us. The Holy Spirit moving upon us will make us to be like Him, and we will truly say, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." John 17:23 - "I in them and you in me, so that they may be completely one, in order that the world may know that you sent me and that you love them as you love me." Jesus went to the cross to give us what he already possessed. He rose again so we could be re-created in His image. We are the victory of almighty God! We are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. We are everything to the Father that Jesus is. AFFIRMATIONS: I was born again -- I wasn't half re-born. I wasn't made half-righteous or a quarter-righteous -- I was made the righteousness of God in Christ! I am a joint Heir with Him. I step up to the position of authority that Jesus has given me, to take my rightful place beside Him and learn to operate the way He does. Proverbs 25:2 - "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter." OBSERVATION: In reality the Bible is a closed book. Anything I can get from the Word without God will not change my life. It is closed to ensure that I remain dependent on the Holy Spirit. When I treat the Bible as a road map I live as though I can find my way through my own understanding of His book. Under grace I don't get a road map....I get a tour guide -- the Holy Spirit. He directs, reveals, and empowers me to be and do what the Word says. 2 Corinthians 5:14 says, "Christ's love compels us! We are convinced that One died for all, therefore all have died." Healing doesn't compel us, crusades don't compel us, and offerings don't compel us. In the Kingdom, it's Christ's love that compels us! Why? Because His love causes us to realize that everybody has received an invitation into this hidden world, this redeemed world. This realm is liberation from sin, liberation from demonic bondage, liberation from religious bondage—and it begins to spark something in people and awaken them to a fullness in Christ that they never knew! Romans 8:19 says, "That the whole world is waiting..." for what? For you to manifest Christ so that Christ can be made manifest in them. Their spirit is longing for Christ, the hope of glory—whether they know it or not! In Matthew 10:7 it says, "And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.'" We need to be INTENTIONAL about releasing the Kingdom in the overflow of our union with Jesus through His Blood! If God is pleased to give us everything, how can we not heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead?! As a Kingdom Dweller, it's inevitable. Let His Kingdom come! It is finished. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Isaiah 35:8,10 - "And an highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called, the Highway of Holiness. And the ransomed of the Lord will return, And will come with joyful shouting to Zion, With everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away." WHAT ATTITUDE FILLS THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO WALK TOWARD HOLINESS? .....JOYFUL SHOUTING....EVERLASTING JOY UPON THEIR HEADS.....AND GLADNESS AND JOY. THE IMPRISONED, IMPOVERISHED STATE OF THIS WORLD HAS DECEIVED US INTO THINKING THAT A LIFE WITH GOD IS ONLY A LIFE OF PAIN. JESUS COMPARED HIS MINISTRY TO ONE WHO "PLAYED THE FLUTE" (MATTHEW 11:17). HE SAID HIS MESSAGE OF GRACE AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD, WHEN IT WAS PROPERLY HEARD, SHOULD CAUSE MEN TO "DANCE" IN CELEBRATION! THE SCRIPTURES TELL US THAT JESUS "REJOICED GREATLY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT" WHEN HIS DISCIPLES RETURNED FROM A POWERFUL TIME OF EVANGELISM (LUKE 10:21). THE WORD REJOICE THAT IS USED HERE MEANT "TO LEAP MUCH FOR JOY." JESUS, THE KING, WAS LEAPING FOR JOY! Matthew 13:3 - "And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, 'Behold, a sower went forth to sow.'" As the Lord explained in the parable of the sower, words are also seeds. Seeds grow up to become plants that bear fruit. What is growing from our words? What will the FRUIT of our words be like? If we speak out bitterness, we are planting bitter fruit in the earth. If our words are filled with faith, hope, or love, we are planting trees that will one day bear the fruit of faith, hope, and love in the earth. AFFIRMATIONS: I realize that like seeds, words are very likely to multiply. I consider each day that my words will bear fruit. I determine that I will only sow that which brings forth the fruit of the Spirit. Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ" - 1 Corinthians 2:16 This is a cross–reference from Isaiah 40:13 which says: "Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor?". What Paul was trying to say is that along with the domain of the King comes the reality of our mind being merged with His! Under the law, no one could understand the mind of the Lord, but under grace, we have been given His very mind. This is the reality of a Kingdom Dweller. Our mind is no longer a battleground for the enemy, but a concourse for the Holy Ghost. According to 1 Corinthians 4:1, we are stewards of His mysteries! A steward literally means a governor. A kingdom must be in place for us to govern—and that Kingdom is His, and you are a governor of His mysteries on the earth! That being said, we no longer press in for more of what we don't have but learn all of WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST and OUR RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD which we have been granted through Christ Jesus' Blood! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
"But the men who had gone up with him said, 'We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are.' And they spread among the Israelites an evil report about the land they had explored. They said, 'The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes and we looked the same to them.'" - Numbers 13:31-33 OBSERVATION: God will often asks us to do something that is bigger than we are. Just because God promises you something, that doesn't mean you won't have adversaries. If God asks you to do something that appears to be difficult, He is also giving you an anointing to overcome it. The Children of Israel, through their unbelief, determined how long they were in the wilderness. God never intended them to stay in the desert for 40 years. Colossians 1:12,13 - "Giving thanks unto the Father ...Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." Many believers limit God without even realizing it by training their eyes on the limited resources of this world rather than the unlimited riches of God's Kingdom. Their faith fails when they think of the troubled economy on the earth or of the scarcity that surrounds them. The Bible says God has "delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." To be translated means to be taken out of one place and put into another. In other words, your citizenship is not primarily of this earth...you are first and foremost a citizen of the Kingdom of God. That means this planet doesn't have any right to dictate to you whether your needs are met or not. The Bible says God will meet your needs according to His riches in glory! (Philippians 4:19) AFFIRMATIONS: I wake up to the fact that I've been translated out of a world of poverty into a kingdom of abundance. Heaven's unlimited resources are available to me! 1 Corinthians 13:13 - "So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." The power of love is the greatest power in the universe. It's beyond defeat. It never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). When you release love into a situation, you have released God into it. When you release love into a situation, Jesus becomes responsible for its success. AFFIRMATION: I release love every moment into every situation, every prayer and every thought until it totally consumes my life. Love strengthens me and casts out every fear that has robbed me of God's greater blessings. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
2 Corinthians 3:18 - "But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." WE ARE TO BE TRANSFORMED "FROM GLORY TO GLORY." THIS INDICATES AN UNFOLDING PROCESS TO CHANGE US INTO HIS IMAGE. THIS IS NOT A PROCESS THAT WE CAN ENGINEER OR CONTROL, BUT IT IS "FROM THE LORD, THE SPIRIT." WE SUBMIT TO IT BY "BEHOLDING THE GLORY OF THE LORD." AS WE BEHOLD HIS GLORY, WE WILL BE CHANGED INTO HIS IMAGE. WHEN WE FALL INTO THE TRAP OF TRYING TO CHANGE OURSELVES, IT RESULTS IN LOOKING AT OURSELVES INSTEAD OF HIM. THIS WILL INEVITABLY LEAD TO THE BLACK HOLE OF SELF-CENTEREDNESS. EVEN AFTER WE ARE BORN AGAIN INTO THE LORD TRANSFORMATION NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE IN OUR LIVES. AS WE KEEP OUR ATTENTION ON HIM, WE WILL CHANGE, EVEN IF WE ARE OFTEN UNAWARE OF IT. Matthew 22:29 - "You are wrong because you know neither the scriptures nor God's power." In this passage Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their ignorance of the scriptures and God's power. What was the cause? They didn't allow the scriptures to lead them to God. They didn't understand......not really understand. The word "know" in this passage speaks of "personal experience." They tried to learn apart from such an experience. Their study didn't lead them to an encounter with God. It became an end in itself. We must seek until we find. How? Christianity is not a philosophy; it is a relationship. It's the "God encounter" that makes the concepts powerful. We must require this of ourselves. They didn't allow the scriptures to lead them to God. They didn't understand......not really understand. The word "know" in this passage speaks of "personal experience." They tried to learn apart from such an experience. Their study didn't lead them to an encounter with God. It became an end in itself. Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their ignorance of the scriptures and God's power. What was the cause? moved with the love of God to the point that we seek His face until we are "clothed with power from on high!" Luke 11:10 - "For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door will be opened." AMP Psalm 141:3 - "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." Affirmation: THE WORLD IS LIKE A RUSHING RIVER, PULLING AT ME, TRYING TO GET ME TO FLOW WITH IT. I MAKE THE DECISION TODAY TO PADDLE UPSTREAM AGAINST THE CURRENT BY SPEAKING GOD'S WORD INTO MY LIFE. Proverbs 4:20 - "My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Revelation 19:10 - "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." A testimony prophesies what is possible again. It declares another miracle is now available. It illustrates to all who will listen, the nature of God and His covenant with mankind. All He looks for is someone who will add his or her faith to the testimony given. Because He is no respecter of persons He will do for you what He did for another. Because He is the same today as yesterday, He is willing to do again what He did long ago. Revelation 4:1 - "After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."' That voice is still calling to all who will hear. There is a door open in heaven and the spirit is beckoning us to come up there. The ultimate quest of every Christian is to walk the earth from a position seated with Christ Jesus in the heavenly places. Therefore, our prayer must be the one that He taught His disciples, for His kingdom to come, and His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). We can never be too heavenly minded. The true good that we are able to do on earth will be dependent on the degree to which we have attained the heavenly treasures. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you". As soon as Paul saw the light from heaven above the brightness of the sun, he said, "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" - Acts 19:6 And as soon as he was willing to YIELD he was in a condition where God could meet his need; where God could display His power; where God could have the man. When you begin -- The place of yeildedness is just where God wants us -- yeilding and yielding to God -- He has a plan for your life, and you come into that wonderful place where all you have to do is to eat the fruits of Canaan. It is God's CALLING on one's life that counts. Paul was in the call of God. Paul's choice was to be a bondservant for Jesus Christ. "I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." - Acts 19:6. Paul saw that these things were working out a far more exceeding weight of glory. QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: Am I willing that God shall have His way today? Am I willing to follow Him -- will I obey Him? Am I willing to take the place of Paul, and yield and yield and yield, until God so possesses me in such a way that from my body virtue shall flow to the sick and suffering? ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Genesis 28:12 - "And he had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; andbehold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it." The word translated "angel" in the text is the Hebrew word "Mal'ak" (mal-awk'), which means to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, ie. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher). The point is the messengers that are to ascend and descend upon this ladder are not just angelic beings, but God's messengers, which WE ARE CALLED TO BE. 2 Timothy 3:5 - "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." ANY REVELATION FROM TODAY'S WORD THAT DOES NOT LEAD US TO AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD ONLY SERVES TO MAKE US MORE RELIGIOUS. THE CHURCH CANNOT AFFORD "FORM WITHOUT POWER" FOR IT CREATES CHRISTIANS WITHOUT PURPOSE. THOSE WHO RESTRICT THEMSELVES TO MERE WORDS LIMIT THEIR GIFT, AND MAY UNINTENTIONALLY LEAD BELIEVERS TO PRIDE BY INCREASING KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT INCREASED AWARENESS OF GOD'S PRESENCE AND POWER. MOVING IN THE IMPOSSIBLE THROUGH RELYING ON GOD SHORT-CIRCUITS THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIDE. Matthew 10:7,8 - "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." PRAYING FOR YOUR CHILDREN: 1. That they will know Christ as Savior early in life. Psalm 63:1, Timothy 3:15 2. That they will have a hatred for sin. Psalm 97:10 3. That they will be caught when guilty. Psalm 119:71 4. That they will be protected from the evil one in each area of their lives: spiritual, emotional, physical. John 17:15 5. That they will have a responsible attitude in all their interpersonal relationships. Daniel 6:3 6. That they will respect those in authority over them. Romans 13:1 7. That they will desire the right kind of friends and be protected from the wrong friends. Proverbs 1:10-11 8. That they will be kept from the wrong mate and saved for the right one. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 9. That they, as well as those they marry, will be kept pure until marriage. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 10. That they will learn to totally submit to God and actively resist Satan in all circumstances. James 4:7 11. That they will be single-hearted, willing to be sold out to Jesus Christ. Romans 12:1-2 12. That they will be hedged in so that they cannot find their way to wrong people or wrong places and that the wrong people cannot find their way to them. Hosea 2:6 QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: What am I willing to do to affect the spiritual destiny of my children? Am I willing to pray the above verses over my children every day? ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Matthew 12:28 - "If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you." The unseen world has influence over the visible. The Kingdom is here and now. We must acknowledge that it's in the invisible realm. The enemy's attempt to anchor my affections to the things that are visible is easily resisted when our heart is aware of the presence of the kingdom of God. Just as Jesus worked only through the Spirit of God, we need to do likewise as His agents. Psalms 103:19 - "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all." Philippians 3:12 - "But I keep going on, trying to grasp that purpose for which Christ Jesus grasped me." Affirmations: I DO NOT WANT TO JUST GIVE MENTAL ASSENT TO CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. I WANT TO SEE, HAVE CONTACT WITH AND LIVE IN THE EXPERIENCED REALITY OF CHRIST'S ACTUAL PRESENCE. I WANT TO PRESS INTO GOD TO LAY HOLD OF THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH CHRIST JESUS HAS SAVED ME AND WANTS ME TO BE. Psalm 63:1 - "O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You: my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is." "You should teach people who you can trust the things you and many other have heard me say. Then they will be able to teach others." - 2 Timothy 2:2 The true success of our ministry to others will be by how it brought forth the formation of Christ within the person God has given us to DISCIPLE. Church members need to be encouraged to "think bigger." They need to see themselves as ministers to their fellow-man. The Christian life is more than just commitment to Christ; it includes a commitment to other Christians. We need to rise up and release worship, intercession, and a song to the Lord to usher in an awakening to those floundering who need to be DISCIPLED (by us) into a higher truth. "You should teach people who you can trust the things you and many other have heard me say. Then they will be able to teach others." - 2 Timothy 2:2 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
2 Corinthians 3:7,8 - "Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious." THE GOAL OF REDEMPTION IS TO RESTORE MAN TO HIS ORIGINAL CONDITION BEFORE THE FALL, WHICH IS WALKING WITH GOD, OBEYING HIM, AND FULFILLING HIS MANDATE TO RULE OVER THE EARTH. GOD ALSO ESTABLISHED THAT HE WOULD NOT ONLY RESTORE MAN TO THE CONDITION FROM WHICH HE HAD FALLEN, BUT RAISE HIM UP AS A GLORIOUS "NEW CREATION," WHICH WAS TO BE MUCH MORE THAN SIMPLY RESTORED TO THE CONDITION OF THE FIRST ADAM - THE NEW CREATION MAN ACTUALLY HAS GOD LIVING IN HIM! GOD HAS MADE MAN HIS TEMPLE AND GOD DWELLS IN MAN. THE ULTIMATE QUEST OF EVERY CHRISTIAN LIFE IS THEREFORE TO BE THE INTIMATE FRIEND OF THE LORD. IF THERE IS ANY WAY WE CAN MEASURE TRUE CHRISTIAN MATURITY, IT WILL BE BY HOW CLOSE WE ARE TO GOD. OUR MATURITY WILL BE REFLECTED BY HOW MUCH OF HIS GLORY IS MANIFESTED THROUGH OUR LIVES. IS OUR RELIGION ABOUT SATISFYING OUR NEEDS AND DESIRES? 2 Corinthians 5:15 - "And He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." Romans 14:7,8 - "For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lords." Our salvation has freed us from ourselves so that we can live for God. We died to the law but we also died to all the claims and aspirations we had staked out as citizens of this world. We no longer live unto, or for ourselves, because we are no long our own. The whole meaning our individual lives and faith consists of serving His purposes. We will only discover and fulfill God's high CALLING (our DESTINY in Christ) when we allow ourselves to be fully subjected to the leading of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 - "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not you own? For you have been bought with a price." Philippians 3:10 - "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death." FOR HIS SAKE, WE CANNOT CONTENT OURSELVES MERELY WITH GOOD WORKS. ULTIMATELY, WE WILL DISCOVER THAT STUDY AND CHURCH ATTENDANCE ARE BUT FORMS THAT HAVE NO SATISFACTION IN AND OF THEMSELVES. OUR PLEASURE WILL BE FOUND NOT IN THE MECHANICS OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES, BUT THAT THESE DISCIPLINES BRING US CLOSER TO THE ALMIGHTY. WE HAVE SATISFIED OURSELVES WITH A SYSTEM OF HISTORIC FACTS ABOUT GOD WITHOUT PRESSING INTO THE REALITY OF GOD. OUR GOAL IS TO SEEK EARNESTLY FOR GOD UNTIL WE FIND HIM. Affirmations: TO TRULY KNOW GOD I MUST SEEK HIM UNTIL I PASS THROUGH MY KNOWLEDGE INTO AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ALMIGHTY. HAVING FOUND HIM I ALLOW HIS PRESENCE TO FILL MY SPIRIT WITH HIS PEACE. THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD DRAWS ME INTO THE PLACE OF SURRENDER, WHERE I YIELD MY BEING INTO HIS HANDS. AS I LISTEN TO HIM, I ASCEND HIGHER TO THE DWELLING PLACE OF LOVE. I PRESS-IN TO KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST WHICH SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
James 1:2-4 - "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." EVERY TRIAL IN OUR LIVES IS ALLOWED FOR TWO PURPOSES: THE FIRST IS TO CONFORM US TO THE IMAGE OF JESUS CHRIST, WHICH IS THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. THE SECOND IS TO BRING US TO A PLACE OF MATURITY WHERE HE CAN TRUST US WITH MORE AUTHORITY TO DO THE WORKS THAT HE DID, WHICH ARE THROUGH THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT. THEREFORE, WE MUST SEIZE OUR TRIALS AS JAMES ENCOURAGES, COUNTING THEM AS JOY, BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS LEAD TO THE DAWN'S LIGHT. Zechariah 12:1 - "Thus says the Lord, Who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth and forms the spirit of man within him." God is Spirit, and Zechariah 12 tells us that God formed the spirit of man within him. The human spirit is what makes relationship and fellowship with God possible at all. Through his spirit, man can walk in step with God. In the Spirit he is one with God. Through his spirit he knows of God and receives everything God wants to communicate to Him. It is in Man's spirit that Christ takes up residence. He who puts on Christ is one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17 - "But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him." Psalm 5:3 -- 'In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.' Hearing from God is living with expectation toward Him because expectation places a demand on the Holy Spirit. We should live with expectation toward God twenty-four hours a day, for He abides within us at all times. God does talk. He is speaking continually. Christians need to develop their receivers (their human spirits) which will enable them to tune in to the voice of the Holy Spirit. If we start our day by thinking of all that needs to be done, our minds will attempt to figure things out, and we'll shut God out of our thoughts. If we focus on Him, He will talk to us and direct our day. AFFIRMATIONS: I live with expectation, I pray with expectation, I listen with expectation -- I hear HIS VOICE. I take time to listen to the Lord to hear strategies for myself, my family, and the needs of the Kingdom. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Ephesians 1:5,6 - Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." We were chosen in Christ long before the earth was made. A low opinion of yourself or self-hatred is not from God but from the enemy. Prayer is not trying to get God to do something for you by making Him feel sorry for you. It is coming to Him knowing that you not only deserve what you ask because of the righteousness of Christ, but you also have a right to it because it is based on His Word. Hebrews 4:16 -"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." John 8:39 - "They answered and said to Him, 'Abraham is our father.' Jesus said to them, 'If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham."' Abraham was an alien and stranger on the earth. The goal of his life was to have a place in what God was building, not men. We are not the heirs of faith because we know that we must live by faith, but we become the heirs of faith by actually having faith, by doing the same deeds that Abraham did. We must devote ourselves to finding what is the Lord's CALLING on our life and sacrifice whatever is required to fulfill that calling. Galatians 3:6,7 - "Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham." James 3:8 - "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." Affirmations: I BOLDLY DECLARE THAT MY TONGUE IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. MY WORDS ARE SEASONED WITH GRACE, AND MY LIPS ARE CONSTANTLY GIVING THANKS TO GOD! THIS IS WHAT MY TONGUE SPEAKS BECAUSE IT IS SUBMITTED TO THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Exodus 16:4 - "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction."' THIS IS THE TEST OF WHETHER WE WILL GET UP FIRST THING EVERY DAY AND SEEK FRESH "MANNA" FROM HEAVEN. THIS FRESH DAILY WORD FROM HEAVEN WILL HELP KEEP US FRESH SPIRITUALLY. WHEN WE STOP GATHERING IT EVERY DAY, WE WILL START TO GROW STALE AND OFTEN START TO DETERIORATE. BUT WE NEED MORE THAN THIS TO ACTUALLY GROW SPIRITUALLY. GROWTH REQUIRES MORE THAN WHAT IS NEEDED TO JUST SUSTAIN US. WE NEED THE FRESH MANNA FROM GOD, BUT WE ALSO NEED THE MEAT OF THE WORD. WE WILL NOT GROW UNLESS WE ARE PURSUING MORE AND MORE DEPTH OF UNDERSTANDING, AND MORE INCREASE IN OUR VISION. 1 Corinthians 2:10 - " For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God." Joshua 1:9 - "Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." By far the greatest gift ever received by us is the Holy Spirit Himself. Those who discover the value of His presence enter realms of intimacy with God never previously considered possible. Out of this vital relationship arises a ministry of power that formerly was only a dream. The incomprehensible becomes possible because He is with us. "I will be with you" is a promise made by God to all His servants. It comes when God has required something of us that is humanly impossible. God doesn't have to try to do supernatural things. He is supernatural. If he is invited to a situation, we should expect nothing but a supernatural invasion. Psalm 59:9 - "O my Strength, I will watch and give heed to You and sing praises; for God is my Defense." The soul that is not recollected in one appetite alone -- the desire for God -- loses heart and strength in the practice of virtue. Affirmation: I WILL CONCENTRATE THE STRENGTH OF MY APPETITES ON GOD ALONE. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Luke 13:20,21 - "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened." Much like light that exposes, or salt that preserves, leaven influences its surroundings in a subtle but overpowering way. So it is with the infiltrating power of the Kingdom of God. Without a revelation of what God intends to do with His church, we cannot move in overcoming faith. When the main goal of our faith is to keep us safe from the devil, our faith becomes inferior to what God expects. Jesus had in mind more for us than survival. We are destined to overcome. Every conversion plunders hell. Every miracle destroys the works of the devil. Every God encounter is an "invasion of the almighty" into our desperate condition. This is our joy. Revelation 12:11 - "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Matthew 6:33 -- "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." SOME REMINDERS OF THE FATHER'S KINGDOM: 1. Kingdom is within: "The Kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the Kingdom of God is within (or among) you." Luke 17:20-21 2. Kingdom approached through understanding: "When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, He said to him "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." - Mark 12:34 3. Kingdom accepted like a child: "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." - Mark 10:15 4. Kingdom entered through spiritual rebirth: "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit." - John 3:5 5. Kingdom entered through doing the will of God: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of My Father who is in Heaven." -Matthew 7:21 6. Kingdom that will be inherited by the righteous: "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God?" 1 Corinthians 6:9 Psalm 31:19 says, "How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world." The Hebrew word for "great" is "rab", meaning abundant, large, of major importance, chief, weighty, noble, princely. And that is the basis, measure, and magnitude of God's goodness that He wants to lavish on us. The goodness of God is not something that God does; it is who He is! It is His nature to be the good to His children! He is incapable of sabotaging His nature! All we need is to choose to BELIEVE His goodness, DECLARE it, MEDITATE on it, SPEAK it over our lives and circumstances, RECEIVE it by faith, and watch what the Lord will do on our behalf! The Lord will bless you before a watching world! People are going to witness the power, provision, and blessings of God over your life! AFFIRMATIONS: I am confident that I see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! The Lord has stored up goodness for me and He's ready to lavish it over my life! The Lord will bless me and enlarge my territory. His hand and favor are becoming so evident in my life! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Hebrews 4:12 - "For the Word of God is living and powerful.........." For one who has faith in the Word of God, there is nothing impossible. There are no impossibilities when there is faith..........and there are no exceptions....... Our faith in God's word is not just an abiding faith; it is active -- it is aggressive by nature. It has focus and purpose. Faith grabs hold of the reality of the kingdom and forcefully and violently brings it into a collision with this natural one. An inferior kingdom cannot stand. Matthew 11:12 - "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Romans 10:17 - "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing, by the Word of God. Philippians 1:28 - "Don't be afraid of your enemies; always be courageous, and this will prove to them that they will lose and that you will win because it is God who gives you the victory." PEACE IS SPIRIT POWER. YOUR PEACE, YOUR IMMOVABLE STAND UPON THE WORD OF GOD IS A SIGN THAT YOU ARE POSITIONED CORRECTLY IN PERFECT SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GOD. THE VERY FACT THAT YOU ARE NOT FRIGHTENED BY YOUR ADVERSARY IS A SIGN THAT YOU HAVE AUTHORITY OVER HIM. Isaiah 54:2 -- "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes." To walk in our DESTINY we must learn new ways and walk out of the old ways and comfort zones of the past. Now is the time to enlarge, stretch, lengthen, strengthen, spread abroad, resettle, inherit and inhabit the new places. It is time to let go of the old and reach for the new, embracing the high calling of God in our lives, to win souls and DISCIPLE new believers. The Holy Spirit has a divine plan. He will lead and guide us into the new by teaching us how to walk in resurrection power. Like Esther, we were created for such a time as this. AFFIRMATION: I ask largely so that my joy may be full. John 16:23,24 -- "In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Romans 10:18 -- "But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their SOUND went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." The Helper, the Holy Spirit, is also ready to give us the double portion of His sound or voice. For those who welcome the Holy Spirit, He will give a new clear sound. People will be drawn to the sound right and left. Divine increase will abound right and left. Curses will be broken and blessings of God will be released. Now, as always, is the time to make ready our hearts for the Holy Spirit. God is ready to pour out gifts and freshness of HisPresence, and awaken our eyes to His goodness, giving us the double of His glory and the overflow and outpour of His blessings. Romans 12:12 - "Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation: be constant in prayer." WE'RE TO LIVE IN HOPE. WE'RE TO REJOICE. SO, WHEN SATAN COMES TO STEAL MY VICTORY AND TELL ME THAT GOD IS NOT GOING TO HELP ME THIS TIME: Strategies: I THINK ON THE WORD AND START REJOICING, I REJOICE THAT I AM IN HIM, I REJOICE THAT HEAVEN IS MY HOME, I REJOICE THAT GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN ME THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD. Tribulation means being under pressure. When pressure comes: I DON'T CAVE IN, I DON'T FAINT INSTEAD, I GO TO THE THRONE OF GRACE - I GO BOLDLY IN THE NAME OF JESUS AND GET THE HELP I NEED. I STAY "CONSTANT IN PRAYER" (I DOUBLE UP ON THE WORD) SO THAT I AM UNMOVABLE. 1 Corinthians 2:16 - "For who has known or understood the mind( the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ, the Messiah, and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart." First Corinthians 6:17 says that when we were joined to the Lord we became one spirit with Him. He came into union with us so that He can talk to us heart to heart -- His thoughts become our actions. He wants us to walk so closely with Him that we never lack power to overcome the evil of this world, and feel His heart of compassion toward those that are hurting or bowed down with sickness and pain. He wants to be one with us so He can reach out through our hands and fulfill his purposes in the earth. AFFIRMATIONS: I make a fresh commitment to walk in union with God. I give my attention to His Spirit in my inner man. I determine to yield to His voice and not the voices of the world or the flesh (senses)! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
2 Corinthians 4:13 - "We have the same spirit of faith as he (the psalmist) who wrote, I have believed and therefore have spoken. We too believe, and therefore we speak." TO SPEAK BY FAITH IS SIMPLY TO SPEAK WORDS THAT AGREE WITH THE WORD OF GOD INSTEAD OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND YOU. IT'S SPEAKING FROM YOUR SPIRIT INSTEAD OF FROM YOUR MIND. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT GOD USES WORDS TO "CALL THOSE THINGS WHICH BE NOT AS THOUGH THEY WERE"(ROMANS 4:17). Affirmations: I SPEAK THE END RESULT OF WHAT GOD'S WORD TELLS ME ABOUT MY SITUATION AS OPPOSED TO THE WAY IT APPEARS TO THE SENSES. I STOP "TELLING IT LIKE IT IS" AND START SPEAKING AND BELIEVING THE PROMISES OF GOD. I PUT THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD TO WORK FOR ME. Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Ephesians 4:17-19 - "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness." THERE'S A SUBTLE STRATEGY SATAN USES TO TAKE CONTROL OF OUR LIVES. THE BIBLE CALLS IT LASCIVIOUSNESS AND IT MEANS "TO HAVE NO RESTRAINT" AND HAS BEEN PREACHED AS BEING EXTREME IMMORALITY, BUT IT DOESN'T START OUT THAT WAY. IT BEGINS WITH JUST A FEW SEEMINGLY INNOCENT THOUGHTS. THEN THOSE THOUGHTS GROW AND GROW UNTIL THEY BEGIN TO PRODUCE SERIOUS SIN. Affirmations: I DON'T LET SATAN USE THE STRATEGY OF LASCIVIOUSNESS ON ME. I MAKE MY MIND AND HEART TODAY TO OBEY GOD EVEN IN THE LITTLE THINGS. I AVOID BIG FAILURES BY WALKING IN HIS SPIRIT ONE SMALL STEP AT A TIME. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." - Psalm 23:5,6 When Jesus spoke out across the waters (John 21) and instructed the disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat in order to usher in a catch of fish, first John and then Peter recognized that it was the Lord. As soon as Peter knew that Jesus was standing there waiting, he waited no longer; he dove into the water (leaving the boat behind), and raced back to shore on his own to meet his beloved Lord. It's time for us to become like Peter in this passage, and stop waiting for Jesus to come out to us, but rather that we need to rush to be near Him! As soon as Peter was back on the shore, a feast was there waiting that had been prepared for him by Jesus Himself. It was also at this point when Peter had the deepest conversation he'd ever had with Jesus, which regarded love and his relationship with God, as well as his CALLING. (to feed the "sheep"). As you run to Jesus, and dive into your pursuit after Him, He will most definitely pour out His Spirit and presence on you like never before. He has a banquet feast waiting for you, which includes the new wine and manna of Heaven (also known as His joy, His PRESENCE, and His revelation). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
1 John 5:4 - "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." THE WORD "WORLD" IS THE GREEK WORD "KOSMOS" WHICH ALWAYS REFERS TO AN ORDERED SYSTEM OF THINGS SUCH AS SOCIETY OR CULTURE. SO WHEN JOHN WRITES THAT WE HAVE A "VICTORY THAT OVERCOMETH THE WORLD," HE IS ACTUALLY SAYING, "WE HAVE A VICTORY THAT OVERCOMES, MASTERS, AND CHAMPIONS ITSELF EVEN OVER THE ORDER OF THINGS FOUND IN THE WORLD." THE WORD "OVERCOMETH" IS THE GREEK WORD "NIKOS" WHICH TELLS US THAT WHEN WE BEGIN THE WALK OF FAITH, WE ENTER INTO A REAL-LIFE COMPETITION. OUR FAITH PUTS US IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO THE DEVIL'S POWERS. THE APOSTLE PAUL SAID HE WAS "CAST DOWN, BUT NOT DESTROYED" (2 CORINTHIANS 4:9). ONE TRANSLATION SAYS, "WE OCCASIONALLY GET KNOCKED DOWN, BUT NEVER GET KNOCKED OUT!" THOSE WHO ARE BORN OF GOD HAVE THE SUPERNATURAL ABILITY TO KEEP GETTING UP AGAIN, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THEY FALL! JOHN USES THE WORD NIKOS TO DESCRIBE OUR SUPERIOR POSITION AS CHILDREN OF GOD OVER THE WORLD SYSTEM. WE ARE FULLY ARMED WITH EVERYTHING WE NEED TO BE SUPER-CONQUERORS IN THIS LIFE. Matthew 6:31 - "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?" IN ORDER TO NOT TAKE THOUGHT ABOUT ONE THING, ONE HAS TO FILL HIS THOUGHTS WITH SOMETHING ELSE. IN VERSE 31, JESUS GAVE US THE BASIC KEY TO CONTROLLING OUR THOUGHT LIVES. HE SAID "TAKE NO THOUGHT - SAYING." BY PUTTING A THOUGHT IN OUR MOUTH AND THEN SPEAKING IT, WE TAKE THAT THOUGHT. ONCE THE THOUGHT BECOMES SPOKEN WORDS, IT HAS BEEN ACTIVATED - ESPECIALLY WHEN A BORN AGAIN BELIEVER TAKES A THOUGHT AND SAYS IT. WE ARE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. WE HAVE THE GOD GIVEN RIGHT TO SPEAK AND EXPECT. Revelation 3:17 - "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Affirmations: I AM A "NEW WINESKIN," CLEANSED, EMPTIED AND CAPABLE OF EXPANDING WITH THE NEW WINE. MY HEART IS A CONTAINER INTO WHICH THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS POURED. I SWELL WITH CHRIST'S INNER FULLNESS. THE PURPOSE OF MY LIFE IS TO CONTAIN THE FRUIT AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. I AM DESPERATE IN MY SEARCH AND HUNGER FOR GOD! Galatians 4:19 - "My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Isaiah 66:2 - "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." THE HEBREW WORD FOR LOOK IS "NABAT" WHICH MEANS TO REGARD, PAY ATTENTION TO, OR TO ESTEEM. THE ONE WHO GETS GOD'S FAVORABLE ATTENTION IS POOR OR HUMBLE. HUMILITY IS NOT BEING WEAK, WIMPY OR SPINELESS. IN FACT OFTEN THE TRULY HUMBLE ARE MISTAKEN FOR ACTING ARROGANT. DAVID WAS ACCUSED OF BEING ARROGANT AND FULL OF PRIDE BY HIS OLDER BROTHER, ELIAB, WHO HAD BEEN REJECTED BY GOD FOR THE VERY THING HE ACCUSED DAVID OF (1 SAMUEL 17:26,28). BUT GOD CALLED DAVID A MAN AFTER HIS OWN HEART. A HUMBLE PERSON IS UTTERLY DEPENDANT ON GOD. THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT HIM. THUS, THEY SEEK HIS DESIRE AND WILL IN EVERYTHING. CONTRITENESS IS LIKENED TO BROKENNESS. TO BE BROKEN HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WEAKNESS, BUT WITH SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY. Psalm 51:16,17 - "For you do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not despise." Romans 8:33 -- "Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies." Mark 15:3 -- "And the chief priest accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing." Why didn't Jesus defend Himself? The reason: to remain under His Father's judgment and thus His protection. When we refuse to defend ourselves we are hidden under the hand of God's grace and judgment. There is no safer place. In contrast, those who defend themselves come under the jurisdiction of their accusers and their judgment, and thus they forfeit divine intervention. The moment I justify and defend myself I yield to my accuser as judge. I forfeit my spiritual right of protection, for He (my accuser) rises above me in the realm of the spirit as I answer His criticism. His influence is elevated by my self-defense. By attempting to prove my innocence, I am at the mercy of my accuser. 1 Peter 2:23 -- "He (Jesus) did not retaliate when He was insulted. When He suffered, He did not threaten to get even. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly." We start out in simple faith, trusting Him regardless of the circumstances. Then God makes a way when there is no way. We possess our promised land (seeJoshua 6:1-5) with step by step obedience. When you come up against your spiritual Jerichos, you've got to have the Word of God in your heart. Without it, marching around Jericho won't so any good. But with the Word in your heart in your mouth, you can march around impossible barriers declaring God's Word. Those walls have to come down. VICTORY DECLARATIONS: In all things, I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ who loves me. - Romans 8:37 God always promises me the victory in every circumstance. - 1 Corinthians 15:57 Thanks be to God who always causes me to triumph in Christ. - 2 Corinthians 2:14 I take possession of what belongs to me in Christ. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
1 Corinthians 1:9 - "God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on)." SEEDS OF AFFIRMATION, MEDITATION, PRAYER, WORKS, GIVING AND OTHER ACTS OF OBEDIENCE ARE READY TO BURST FORTH IN BUD AND FRUIT. HARVEST AWAITS THOSE WHO DO NOT YIELD TO DISCOURAGEMENT AND REMAIN CONSISTENT IN OBEDIENCE AND DILIGENCE. GRASSHOPPERS OF DISCOURAGEMENT WILL ASSAULT US WHEN WE'RE WEARY. OUR STRENGTH IS DIMINISHED WHEN WE ALLOW OUR MINDS TO ENTERTAIN AND DWELL ON INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO OUR SENSES. WHEN FOCUSED ON THE TURMOIL AND UPHEAVAL OF THE TEMPORAL WE'LL BE OVERWHELMED. IT WILL NOT BRING US STRENGTH, BUT DRAIN US. CONDITIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES WILL COUNSEL US TO GIVE UP. Affirmations: MY SEASON OF HARVEST AWAITS ME! I DON'T ALLOW THE GRASSHOPPER OF DISCOURAGEMENT TO DESTROY ALL I'VE SOWN. GOD'S PROMISE IS SURE AND BACKED BY HIS CHARACTER. Psalm 89:8 - "O Lord God Almighty! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord? Faithfulness is your very character." 1 Corinthians 15:4,6 - "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once." BEFORE YOU CAN RECEIVE THE FIRE OF THE SPIRIT, YOU MUST WANT IT. PERHAPS THAT IS WHY ONLY 120 APPEARED OUT OF 500 BRETHREN IN THE UPPER ROOM. Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find REST IN THE SHADOW of the Almighty." - Psalm 91:1 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil, for You are with me." - Psalm 23:4 It's not about death's shadow. It's about God Who is OVERSHADOWING us. Wherever we go and whatever we do, God is there. We find protection under His SHADOW. "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose THOUGHTS ARE FIXED ON YOU." - Isaiah 26:3 If we constantly look at how bad a situation is, peace will elude us. If we always wonder. "What are we going to do?" or "How are we going to make it? -- fear will grip our hearts. Peace comes when the eyes of our heart are FIXED ON JESUS - - the Author and Finisher of our faith. No matter what happens in the world, we can live without fear. We can enjoy life for we have been given a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Luke 11:8 - "I tell you, although he will not get up and supply him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his shameless persistence and insistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs." WE NEED TO STAY BEFORE THE FATHER, PRAYING FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT SAVED TO RECEIVE THE BREAD OF SALVATION --- LIKE THE MAN IN LUKE 11:8 DID FOR HIS FRIEND. WHY DO WE NEED TO PERSEVERE WITH GOD IN PRAYER CONCERNING THE SALVATION OF OTHERS? IT'S CERTAINLY NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO CHANGE GOD'S MIND. HE NEVER CHANGES. HIS MIND IS MADE UP. HE WANTS ALL MEN SAVED. THE REASON WE HAVE TO PERSEVERE IN INTERCESSION IS TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE DEMONIC FORCES THAT ARE TRYING TO KEEP GOD'S WILL FROM BEING ACCOMPLISHED. THOSE FORCES MUST BE BROKEN DOWN THROUGH PRAYER SO THAT STRONGHOLDS ARE DESTROYED AND SPIRITUAL BLINDERS ARE REMOVED FROM THE SPIRITUAL EYES OF THE PEOPLE WE ARE PRAYING FOR. WHILE GOD WILL NOT GO AGAINST THE WILL OF PEOPLE, HE WILL MOVE THROUGH OUR INTERCESSION TO REVEAL HIMSELF. THROUGH PERSISTENT PRAYERS GOD WILL BRING THEM TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR NEED FOR HIM. THEN THEY WILL REACH OUT FOR HIM AND SPIRITUAL REBIRTH CAN TAKE PLACE! Psalm 42:1 - "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." WE NEGLECT TO PAY THE PRICE FOR THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND WIND UP WANDERING AROUND IN A WILDERNESS OF OUR OWN MAKING, BEING PURSUED BY SATAN. EVERYTHING BEGINS WITH TOTAL ABANDONMENT, TOTAL SURRENDER AND TOTAL HUNGER FOR THE LIVING CHRIST - NOT THE THINGS HE GIVES OR IMPARTS, BUT CHRIST AND CHRIST ALONE. Psalm 63:1 - "O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. " Jeremiah 29:13,14 - "And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you says the Lord." Psalm 115:16 - "The heavens are the heavens of the Lord; but the earth He has given to the sons of men." The Lord requires the cooperation of men to move on the earth. This is why, even though the Lord knows what we need before we ask Him, He requires that we ask before He moves on the earth. When He demonstrates His kingdom and the powers of heaven to the earth, He does it through men. The Lord could have parted the Red Sea without Moses, but not without violating His own principles of authority. He could have brought down fire on the prophets of Baal without Elijah, but that is not the way He does things on the earth. He gave authority over the earth to men, which is why even the Son of God, Jesus, continually referred to Himself as the Son of Man. He had to come as a man to retake the authority over the earth that had been lost by man's transgression and subsequent subservience to Satan. God ordained that man should rule over the earth and the coming of His kingdom will, therefore, restore man's authority over the earth, to those who worship and obey Him. Affirmations: SINCE I AM IN CHRIST I AM IN ANOTHER REALITY AND ANOTHER LIFE ALTOGETHER. I EXPERIENCE HEAVEN NOW, AND LIVE A LIFE THAT DEMONSTRATES THE REALITY OF HEAVEN ON THIS EARTH. I AM CALLED TO WALK THE EARTH, DO GOOD ON THE EARTH, AND TO DO IT WITH POWER THAT IS NOT OF THIS EARTH. John 14:12 - "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
Prayer gives each Believer in Christ the opportunity to: Cast out demons! Pray for the sick and see them recover! Release history making intercession! Let's shift things through the prevailing power of effective intercession. What Is Intercession? An intercessor is a "go-between." An intercessor mediates, occupying a middle position. You become a middleman for God! The most familiar phrase is "standing in the gap," which comes from Ezekiel 22:30 (God speaking), "I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none" (KJV). Jesus, our High Priest, who sacrificed His own life to redeem us from death, is the foremost intercessor. He interposed Himself between sinful humans and the justified wrath of His Father, and He still intercedes for us, day and night. We read in the book of Hebrews, "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25, NASV). All Believers are called to be intercessors. There is no special list anywhere in the Scriptures indicating that prayer, praise, worship, and intercession are special "gifts of the Holy Spirit." They are the birthright of every Believer! We are each called to co-labor with Jesus Christ. We simply lift up to our Father every need, every desire, and every thought. But we do it from the heart, expecting, and we do it with a sense of delight, not obligation. You see, the Bible is filled with urgent summons to pray: "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NASV). What is God's will? Rejoice, pray and give thanks at all times! What an approachable Father God we have! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
-
1 John 4:17 - "As He is, so are we in this world." AT THE AZUSA STREET REVIVAL, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH A BLAZE, ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE PEOPLE INSIDE WERE WORSHIPING JESUS. WATER COULDN'T PUT IT OUT AS IT WAS NOT A NATURAL FIRE. IF THE FATHER FILLED THE OLD TESTAMENT HOUSES WITH HIS GLORY, THOUGH THEY WERE BUILT BY HUMAN HANDS, HOW MUCH MORE WILL HE FILL THE PLACE THAT HE BUILDS WITH HIS OWN HANDS! HE IS BUILDING US INTO HIS ETERNAL DWELLING PLACE. Hebrews 4:29 - "For our God is indeed a consuming fire." Matthew 16:24 - "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." THE CROSS IS NOT SELF-APPLIED - JESUS DID NOT NAIL HIMSELF TO THE CROSS. IF THE DEVIL FINDS US UNINTERESTED IN EVIL, THEN HE'LL TRY TO GET US TO FOCUS ON OUR UNWORTHINESS AND INABILITY. THIS IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE IN PRAYER MEETINGS WHERE PEOPLE TRY TO PROJECT GREAT BROKENNESS BEFORE GOD, HOPING TO EARN REVIVAL. THEY WILL OFTEN RE-CONFESS OLD SINS SEARCHING FOR REAL HUMILITY. IF I'M THE MAIN SUBJECT, TALKING INCESSANTLY ABOUT MY WEAKNESSES, I HAVE ENTERED INTO THE MOST SUBTLE FORM OF PRIDE. REPEATED PHRASES SUCH AS "I'M SO UNWORTHY," BECOME A NAUSEATING REPLACEMENT FOR THE DECLARATIONS OF THE WORTHINESS OF GOD. BY BEING SOLD ON MY OWN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, THE ENEMY HAS DISENGAGED ME FROM EFFECTIVE SERVICE. TRUE BROKENNESS CAUSES COMPLETE DEPENDENCY ON GOD, MOVING US TO RADICAL OBEDIENCE THAT RELEASES THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD AROUND US. 2 Corinthians 11:3 -- "But I fear...your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." The problem is that we mistakenly strive for information when in reality we need revelation. Ephesians 1:17,18 -- "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened....." The Holy Spirit within the believer ministers truth by revelation. In other words, it is revealed, not figured out. God does not talk to our brains! He speaks to the spirit of man. Jesus never said that water would flow out of your head, but that, "Out of your innermost being would flow rivers of living water." John 7:36 1 Corinthians 1:20 -- "Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" Affirmations: AS I STUDY, AFFIRM, AND MEDITATE ON THE WORD OF GOD, I SEEK WISDOM AND REVELATION FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT. AS I ENDEAVOR TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD, I PAY ATTENTION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT INSIDE OF ME -- HE HAS THE KEYS TO UNLOCK ANY SITUATION. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
