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John 13:8 -- Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Peter could not imagine Jesus wanting to wash his feet -- his shocked reaction being "Lord, how can You wash my feet!" Jesus says to him: "Peter, if I don't wash your feet, you have no part with Me." What the Lord was actually saying to Peter was, "Peter you cannot walk together with Me in ministry, in service, and in effectiveness if you don't let Me wash your feet." John 13:9,10 -- "Then, Lord, Simon Peter replied, 'not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!' Jesus answered, 'A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And your are clean.....'" Once we have received Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are bathed all over, and cleansed by His blood once and for all eternity! His blood has perfected us forever (Hebrews 10:14), and we only need to wash our feet because we walk in the world and our feet pick up dust and dirt, causing us to stumble. HOW DOES JESUS WASH OUR FEET TODAY? Ephesians 5:25-26 tells us that "Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word." We, the church, are cleansed with the washing of water by the Word. The more we come under anointed teaching that unveils Christ through the Word, the more the cleansing goes on. And as our feet are washed, instead of stumbling, we will be walking and even running! Affirmation: I LET JESUS WASH MY FEET WITH A DEEPER REVELATION OF HIMSELF THROUGH HIS WORD. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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1 Kings 19:9 - "Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'” So the word of the Lord came to him “what are you doing here Elijah”. This is one of the most important questions God will ever ask us. His questions probes the reality of our spiritual state. He is asking “how did your service to me become dry and desolate?” He wants us to know that when we fail to esteem Him as our first love, we will always find that a desert awaits us. God never intended for religion. He intended to have a people called by His name to steward, be productive, and carry His presence to those around us and to the nations. QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: 1. Does sitting in a church service each week hearing a good message and worshipping together give me all of what I need? 2. Am I living my experience of being part of the Church through two hours on Sunday and maybe a home cell group on Wednesday evening ie. is this the only thing that defines my spiritual development in the Kingdom? 3. Am I active in my thoughts and communications with the Father in my everyday life? 4. Am I being transformed by His presence? 5. Am I "asking, knocking, and seeking" to discover my destiny in Christ? 6. Am I personally discipling others to equip them for discipling new Christians in the Church body? 7. Do I believe that I can change the world? Luke 16:16 - "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." This realm of God’s Spirit does not come without “pressing” – without contending. The first thing about pressing is seeking. Pressing into it means there is a passionate pursuit of God in prayer. The word “to seek” means to diligently look for and search out earnestly until the object of the search is located. It is as crying out and hungering for the presence of God. AFFIRMATIONS: God is bringing my life to a new beginning. I press into and lay hold of the kingdom of heaven in an aggressive way. I have a burning heart of fiery witness and passion when it comes to exhorting others in their walk with God. I repent from trying to do God's will without abiding in His presence. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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1. When willl I be operating at the maximum of my potential as the righteousness of God in Christ? Answer: When I realize that God has made me a king and a priest untoHim. When I realize He has given me the kingdom, the power, and the authority to operate as His under-ruler in the earth. "He loves us and has washed away our sins with his blood and made us a line of kings, priests to serve his God and father." - Revelation 1:5,6 "For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life throught the One, Jesus Christ. - Romans 5:17 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession..." - 1 Peter 2:9 2. What is the spiritutal sacrifice that we can offer unto God? Answer: Praise, doing good works and discipling others. "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name." - Hebrews 13:15 "O Lord surely I am Your servant, to You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving." - Psalm 116:16,17 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." - Epheisians 2:10 "Go therefore and make disciples....." - Matthew 28:19 3. How do we acknowledge Satan's defeat? Answer: By praising God "And said to Him, 'Do You hear what these are saying?' And Jesus said to them, 'Yes, have you never read,: Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise?'" - Matthew 21:16 "Having disarmed principalities and powers He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." - Colossians2:15 4. When a believer is praising and worshipping God it stops satan. Why? Answer: The love of God and our praise produce an unseen force. this force is the power of God. God's very presence inhabits the praises of His people. "Yet thou art holy, who dwell in the praises of Israel." - Psalm 22:3 "Let the high praises of God be in their throats and a two-edged sword in their hands." - Psalm 149:6 5. What is the spiritual mortar that binds the spiritual living stones which build the body of Christ? Answer: Love "For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people." - Ephesians 6:18 "Come as living stones and let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 2:5 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." - 1 John 4:7 INTO ACTION: Affirm and meditate on the indicated scriptures several times daily until the renewing of your mind is made real to your spirit. AFFIRMATIONS: God inhabits my praises. (Psalm 22:3) I am part of a royal priesthood and have been given the ministry of reconciliation. (1 Peter 2:9 & 2 corinthians 5:19) As a lively stone that makes up the House of God I desire the sincere milk of the Word. (1 Peter 2:2,5) I am bold as a lion since I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (Proverbs 28:1 & 2 Corinthians 5:21 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Romans 4:17 -- ....."God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did." Sometimes we feel feel pain from sickness. How can we go around saying the Christ has redeemed us from this sickness? How can we say that by His stripes we are healed? God's way is to call those things that are not as though they are. And because we are made in God's image, we can also call those things that are not as though they are! CHANGING THE WAY WE TALK When God wanted to make Abraham a father of many nations, what did He do? He changed the way Abraham talked. At that time, Abraham did not even have a single child from his wife, Sarah, because she was barren. So how could he become a father of many nations? God changed the way he talked, How? By changing his name from Abram to Abraham, which means "father of many nations." Every time he said his name he called forth what God saw him already blessed with. When Jesus saw the man with a withered hand, He didn't say, "My goodness! It is so withered!" He said, "Stretch out your hand!" (Matthew 12:13). He CALLED FORTH what he wanted. He looked at the paralytic and said, "Rise, take up your bed and go home!" (Matthew 9:6). He didn't see it the way it was in the natural. He saw the way God meant it to be and He CALLED IT FORTH. AFFIRMATION: I change the way I talk -- I see the way God meant it to be, and start calling forth my miracle. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Stand firm and do not be moved! As believers, we are rooted and grounded in His magnificent love (see Eph. 3:17). Truly, the Lord will be strong on our behalf! This knowledge enables a courage deep within and causes us to be so anchored in His love that our hearts and minds are steadfast. Thus, we will reach a place of focus that comes from being led by the Lord. This creates in us perseverance through our faith as we hear and are led by Him. Holy perseverance is God-empowered boldness or courage that enables usdeep withinto persevere. One way we can define perseverance is simply to stay the course. This is a powerful blessing from the Lord that enables us to believe the impossible is possible. It is a work of the Holy Spirit within that enables us to have strength to stay the course, regardless of present circumstances or situations. This is what the prophet Isaiah wrote about: "Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice." - Isaiah 41:10 AMP ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Hey everyone! I have another question to ask that I can't seem to get out of my head. When it comes to preaching the gospel or sharing with others in a conversation with someone else. Why do they suddenly assume we are forcing it down their throats? When we as Christians don't even invite them to church or tell them "You have to accept Jesus or else!" I mean, I've shared the gospel with people in conversations without bringing up the church or forcing them. I don't understand why they have to assume things when the conversation is just reflecting off of a story a disciple went through. I hope my questions make sense, I see the world differently due to my Autism. Feedback would be appreciated. -
Hey everyone, Yesterday I visited a new church on my (Church Adventure). During the sermon the pastor was talking about Salvation. And the one thing that threw me off guard was the fact that he said "Revelation IS Salvation" I know that when it comes to the book of Revelation. There is lots of symbolism, and meaning to the end of days with the rapture and the mark of the beast. He tried explaining Salvation in Revelation. But it is impossible for me to see Jesus giving Salvation when he returns since he is going to bring justice for his people and finish the wicked. I wanted to know your opinion on Salvation and if it in any way relates to the book of Revelation?
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How do we move in heavenly authority in our lives?
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Letting His Spirit Rule And Reign - Meditations
Albert Finch posted a blog entry in Albert Finch Ministry
In His Presence Are the Answers That You Seek. Wear the crown of glory that He would have you wear uprightly. Lay down any identity that man would come with. Man would come and try to push His crown off your head, and put upon it a counterfeit identity. Lay down all these things that rush into your mind – to where you cannot even come into His presence, because your mind, your spirit, is somewhere else. Call everything that would command you to give up dreams and visions and hope – command it to be cast behind you, for it is of the enemy. Let His Spirit rule and reign. Let Him begin to flow out of you – with discernment, with knowledge, with worship. Practice this when you're alone. "My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." - Pslams 62:5-8 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY -
Matthew 6:33 -- "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things whall be added to you." We all have things that we perceive that we need. What does God have to say to us about these concerns? According to Matthew 6:31, He tells us, "Do not worry." God cares about us having these things. He wants us to have all these things. In fact, He wants all these things added to us. And He tells us that the way these things are added to us is by us seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Therefore, our number one priority every day is to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. IT IS NOT TO SEEK TO ADD THESE THESE THINGS TO OURSELVES. RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD But what is righteousness? Righteousness is not right behavior. It is right standing with the Father. It is the clearance of all your guilt, which makes you able to stand before God. It is not something you get through right behavior. It is a GIFT from God. Paul calls it "the gift of righteousness" (Romans 5:17). And to "seek" this gift is to be CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE IT, TO CONFESS THAT YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS IN CHRIST. So this righteousness, we are told to seek, is not right behavior, but right standing before God, which comes to us as a gift when we receive salvation. At the cross, Jesus didn't just remove our sins, He gave us His righteousness so that today, we can come boldly before the throne of God and receive freely everything that He died to give us! AFFIRMATIONS: I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:21) I seek the righteousness of Jesus, not my own righteousness. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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To secure our attention and place us on the pathway God desires, there are strategies that He employs that are very effective. As much as we are not to be ignorant of satan's devices (2 Cor. 2:11), we must be even more knowledgeable of the ways of the Lord (Ps. 25:4). Knowing God's ways will result in us experiencing His mighty acts (Ps. 103:7). Three ways God works to move us in a new direction: 1. DISRUPTION OF OUR PLANS When stuck at an impasse, it is a natural tendency to return to familiar surroundings. We see this in the lives of the disciples after Jesus' death. They went back to fishing even though they had clearly been mandated to forsake their vocation and follow Christ (see Luke 5:10-11; John 21:3). Because they were commercial fishermen, there may even have been economic motives behind their actions. Nevertheless, we see clearly that there was no lasting provision and no permanent peace in returning to past environments. When God leads us out of a place of familiarity and the way forward is blocked, what is the solution? There are some breakthroughs reserved for us that can only be accessed through prayer. We must seek God until we receive a clear answer from Heaven. Whether it was Paul's night vision of the man in Macedonia summoning him, or the voice of Jesus speaking to the disciples on the seashore in Galilee, the New Testament Christians received clear direction from the Spirit and were able to regain momentum and experience breakthrough. 2. DISAPATION OF RESOURCES Just as Elijah had foretold, the word of the Lord came to pass. "And there was a severe famine in Samaria ..." (1 Kings 18:2). During the famine, God looked after Elijah. He gave him specific instruction relative to how he would be sustained. "Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 'Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.' So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook" (1 Kings 17:2-6). Cherith which means "place of covenant," was where the Lord demonstrated His faithfulness in taking care of Elijah. However, the day would come when the brook would run dry and the birds would no longer fly (see 1 Kings 17:7). Although Elijah had come to depend on such provision, God seemed to have no compunction at all in cutting off these resources. Has Your Brook Dried Up? Have you experienced something similar? Your streams of resource have dried up. During such a time, trust that the Lord will soon speak to you like He did to Elijah. "Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 'Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you'" (1 Kings 17:8-9). You will see that the place where He leads you will be the place where He feeds you. Where the Lord guides, He provides! 3. DISSOLUTION OF RELATIONSHIPS Here is a powerful truth to embrace when a key connection you value has dissolved for no apparent legitimate reason: The Lord is turning the hearts of men in the direction He desires (Prov. 21:1) and is in fact making it easier for you to let go and move forward into your next assignment. Therefore, do not take the matter personally nor become bitter with people as though they are rejecting you. TRUSTING IN GOD'S GOOD GUIDANCE Sometimes Father God's ways do not make sense to us. Scripture even attests to this reality."For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Is. 55:9). No matter how it may appear on the surface, He is actively involved in the affairs of our lives. On occasion, He may even interrupt our plans resulting in us experiencing a sense of anxiety due to a perceived loss of control. However, as uncomfortable as we may become, we must trust that He is leading us along the best pathway for our lives. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye on you" (Ps. 32:8). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ. - Eph. 1:3 I am sealed in Christ with the Holy Spirit as a pledge of my eternal inheritance.- Eph. 1:13,14 I receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. - Eph. 1:17 As the eyes of my understanding are enlightened, God is revealing to me His calling on my life. - Eph. 1:18 Since I am a believer, the mighty power of the Holy Spirit is available to me. - Eph 1:19 Even when I was dead in my sin, He made me alive in union with Christ. He gave me the same life with which he quickened Christ - for by grace I am saved. - Eph. 2:5 I am raised up to sit with Christ in heavenly places. - Eph. 2:6 I am His workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has before ordained that I should walk in them. - Eph. 2:10 I am no longer an outsider but share citizenship with the saints because I am one of God’s own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself. - Eph. 2:19 In union with Jesus Christ I am being built together with the other saints into a spiritual dwelling for God in the Holy Spirit. - Eph. 2:22 I am a fellow Heir, and of the same body, and a partaker of his promise in Christ by the gospel. - Eph 3:6 Since I have boldness and confident access in Christ Jesus, I glory in tribulations and not lose heart. - Eph. 3:12,13 Out of His glorious riches He strengthens me with power through His Spirit in my inner man. - Eph. 3:16 Since I am coming to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, I have the richest measure of the Divine presence and am filled and flooded with God Himself. - Eph. 3:19 God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that I ask or think, according to the power that works in me. - Eph. 3:20 I trust the one God and Father of us all, who is above all, pervading all, and living in me. - Eph. 4:6 Above all, I take the shield of faith, wherewith I shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. - Eph 6:16,17 I pray on every occasion as the Spirit leads; keeping alert and never giving up; praying always for all God’s people. - Eph. 6:18 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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"If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land." - Isaiah 1:19 This opportunity is given to all who are saved, but not everyone is willing to adjust to a "diet" that is conducive to spiritual growth. Therefore, Jesus said, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). In other words, "Few will pay the price in order to be chosen." This process of qualifying begins after we have received the gift of salvation, which has been freely provided for us by Jesus upon Calvary's Cross. The outworking of this gift of salvation requires us to acknowledge that we will face problems and difficulties in our life experience, and of greater consequence, that we will view them rightly. Only then will we be able to appropriately respond to the Lord in the midst of them. We will mature spiritually as we are discipled into who we are in Christ, our "right standing with God" and how to "walk in the Spirit." "Come, My beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give you My loves." - Song of Solomon 7:11-12 There are levels in our spiritual growth, and in our identification with the Lord in the outworking of His PURPOSE for our life. For this process to be accomplished, we must develop a sensitivity to the Lord's presence, that we might rightly respond to Him as He seeks to guide us toward spiritual maturity. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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As Christians how can we increase our measure of impact on society?
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Psalm 78:23-25 -- "Yet He commanded the clouds above, and opened the doors of heaven; And He rained down manna upon them to eat, and gave them food from heaven. Man did eat the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance." As we read in John 6:31-35, Jesus is the manna from heaven. We must have a fresh encounter with Him, every day, and we must partake of Him every day. We should be more addicted to the son of God than a junky is for his next fix. If a junkie does not get his fix he will soon begin to shake. Most of the shaking we go through in life is the result of our not having partaken of Christ, every day. We, too lose our spiritual strength, our vision, and soon go into spiritual convulsions when we do not partake of Him. John 4:13,14 -- Jesus answered,......."The water I give will become a spring of water gushing up inside that person, giving eternal life." QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: What is the status of my spiritual strength and vision today? What am I dong to foster my addiction to Jesus -- NOW? ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Hey everyone, How would you respond to people who slander or make remarks about God in a vile way? Saying stuff like, "God is cruel." and other things? I tend to get defensive over the issue and I find myself always defending God or correcting them.
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Exodus 14:11,12 - "They said to Moses, 'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt...It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!'" There was something comforting about the past that the Israelites preferred at this point to the unknown dilemma of future freedom. It would seem they were so afraid of the unknown that they might even have been willing to settle for second best and remain in an oppressed lifestyle rather than face the trial of exodus. SURRENDER SELF-PITY TO GOD 1. One of the most effective ways to destroy the habit of feeling sorry for one's self, is first of all to focus on God and start affirming the promises of God promised to you in scripture (your inheritance in Christ). Then, purpose to think about other people. 2. Ask God to give you someone that you can help with their spiritual needs -- and go minister to them -- tell them about Jesus -- look after them and take an interest in their spiritual development. 3. Let go of the past and move into new opportunities to discover our CALLING andDESTINY in Christ. Even though our enemy will use fear of the unknown to overwhelm us and cause us to lose courage, we must endeavour to maintain a bold faith in the face of adversity. 4. STANDING AND STILLNESS IN WARFARE IS STRATEGY Exodus14:13,14 - "And Moses said unto the people, 'Fear Ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall see them again no more forever.'" Ephesians 6: 10,14 - "Finally, my bretheren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness." When we stand firm, God enables us to overcome our enemy in His truth. We quickly discover in spiritual skirmishes that God's authority is truly indisputable and the enemy must bow the knee to the King of kings. God said that the people would never have to face the enemy they faced that day again. In other words, the battles we win today remain future victories. By faith we can maintain ground taken without having to fight the same battle twice. Furthermore, we do not need to revisit old wounds: what God has healed, He has healed. Ongoing introspection has no place in a people whose focus is the Lord. 5. REACH OUT "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.'" Exodus 14:15-16 There is a time to stand and a time to move. If we don't discern a new season with God's instruction to "move on," our past has then the potential to be used as a "crutch" - meaning it remains a familiar comfort zone and a possible stumbling block to the new things God has for us. Our authority in Christ raises itself as a banner of victory over our circumstances, situations and any and all intimidation and enemy assault. We must do our part, like Moses, in learning to exercise our God-given authority over our circumstances. Moses raised his staff, commanding what stood before God's people in the natural environment to be aligned with Heaven. He then stretched the staff out as a gesture of faith in ACTION. Similarly, we have to do our bit to engage by faith and believe that Jesus' finished work on the cross will deliver every area of our lives into total freedom. In this way we will experience Kingdom transformation and acceleration of DESTINY! QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: 1. Am I happy in my confort zone or do I really want to change -- that is, reach for the earthly DESTINY God has for me. 2. How many people am I presently discipling? Am I equipping these people to disciple others so they can advance the "Great Commision"? ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Hi all. A new video about escaping the Great Tribulation. The video length is a little under 5 minutes and takes a post-tribulation position. As usual, I'm keen to hear what others think.
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Hebrews 10:12,14 -- "But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God....For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." God see us with no flaw, spot or imperfection, so we honor His Word and the finished work of Jesus by saying "Amen!" To see ourselves as being far from perfect is not modesty, but a failure to understand the perfect sacrifice that Jesus has made for us. The Bible tells us, "For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." We have not only been sanctified, that is, made holy; but by the same offering of His body, we have been perfected. We are both holy and perfect in God's eyes! HOW DOES GOD SEE US? 1. God sees us perfect without any spot of sin. 2. He sees us covered in the beautiful white robes of His own righteousness. 3. He treats us as a righteous person because that that us what He has made us. Our sins have been purged perfectly. Today, Jesus is seated at His Father's right hand because His work of purging our sins is completely finished and perfect! So instead of being conscious of our sins, which is to have an evil conscience (Hebrews 10:22), you can have a perfect conscience -- a conscience that is free from the guilt and condemnation of sins. Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for convicting me of righteousness, not my own, but God's righteousness given to me as a gift. Keep on convicting me in the days to come, reminding me especially when I fail that I am still the righteousness of God in Christ. AFFIRMATIONS: When I find myself conscious of my sins, I say, "Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your wonderful work at the cross. It is a perfect work that has removed all my sins completely. I expect good things to happen to me because blessings are on the head of the righteous! (Proverbs 10:6) I don't doubt my perfection in Christ. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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How much time per day should we spend confessing our sins and shortcomings?
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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. Ultimately, the Lord desires that we LIVE A LIFE OF LISTENING. If we insist on God speaking audibly to us, it basically breaks one of His fundamental laws -- It is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). It takes no faith to hear or obey an audible voice. But it does take faith to pay attention to the still small inner voice and witness of the Holy Spirit. It takes dicipline to command all manner of distractions to be still while we wait before God. KEEPING A RECORD In beginning a life of expectation we need to keep a RECORD. Reasons for keeping a record: 1. The act of keeping a record is an act of expection in itself. You are expecting God to TALK TO YOU. Expectation pulls virtue out of God. 2. Impressions that you receive from God have a way of being quickly forgotten. Anything that God speaks to you is not a product of your reasoning mind or thought processes. Whatever way His voice comes to you, it all bypasses the intellectual reasoning process, and is given to your spirit. When the Lord 'drops' knowledge into one's spirit, it usually has nothing to do with the rationalizing process the mind was going through at the time. His voice may have actually interrupted our thought process. FOCUS ON THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR FIRST WAKING MOMENTS In the first few waking moments of the day, while the mind is still fresh and coming out of sleep, the Holy Spirit will talk to us. It's as though He catches the brain off guard, and in those first few seconds and minutes (if we pay attention) we will hear the Lord. 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
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Four Kinds of Power – Dunamis Miracle Anointing (Read Acts 1 & 2) 1 Corinthians 1:18; 4:20 18For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 20For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. 2 Corinthians 4:7 7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; (The anointing we call “Dunamis” comes from the New Testament Greek word that describes a special kind of explosive power from God. Dunamis means dynamic, miraculous power, might, magnitude, violence, mighty work, great power, abundance, great strength, great virtue and to do the impossible.) Revelation 4:5 5Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; (Dunamis is exuberant! It’s bold, experience oriented. It is the manifestation of God’s lightening.) Luke 24:49 - "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Acts 1:8 8but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (It is about pressing in for miracles, signs and wonders. Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them and gave them Dunamis power. After the disciples waited ten days the Holy Spirit came. They had a “Dunamis” encounter, and the New testament church was birthed.) Luke 4:14; 4:36; 5:17 14And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 36And amazement came upon them all, and they began talking with one another saying, “What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out.” 17One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. (This supernatural endowment involves preaching and teaching the gospel and “healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”) Acts 4:31,33 31And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. 33And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. (“And they spoke the word of God with boldness”. It was right after this encounter with the Holy Spirit that “with great power (Dunamis) the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus." Summary: The miracle anointing is “Dunamis power”: When we have the anointing for miracles, at any time we can say who wants to be healed? Let’s release our Dunamis power. It’s not about us, it’s about Jesus’ miracle anointing (The Hebrew word “MASHACH” for anointing means rubbing or smearing with oil to consecrate someone. It’s also the word “SHEMEN”, which is the “burden removing yoke destroying” power of God.) In Ephesians 5:18 the apostle Paul told believers “do not be drunk with wine in which is dissipation but be filled with the Spirit.” So what does it mean to be filled? We’re talking about a constant encounter of Dunamis power. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Colossians 3:15 - 'Let the peace of God rule in your heart...' A very fundamental way God speaks to individual believers is through His peace. Too often we take the peace of God for granted. God's peace is that eternal tranquilizer that governs our being. Romans 5:1 -- 'Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Ephesians 2:13,14 -- 'But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of division between us.' There is a difference between having: 1. The peace of God and, 2. Having peace with God Any born-again believer who loves God and desires to serve Him has peace WITH God. This is simply part of the blood covenant. His peace is part of the package. But a common way God speaks to the believer is through the "peace OF God", or lack thereof, concerning specific situations: Colossians 3:15 (Amp) -- 'And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from the Christ rule (act as an umpire continually) in your hearts -- deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds -- (in that peaceful state) to which (as members of Christ's one body you were called (to live). And be thankful -- appreciative, giving praise to God always.' THE HOLY SPIRIT DECLARES PEACE TO OUR SPIRIT The Holy Spirit within is that Heavenly Umpire who continaully declares peace -- or lack of peace. When a Christian may express concerning a decision, 'I just don't have peace about it.' He is not saying he does not have peace WITH God, but that he lacks the peace OF God concerning the specific decision he is trying to make. At other times, when a decision has to be made, the Holy Spirit within may give a tremendous inundation of peace that gives assurance to the believer. This overwhelming peace is indicatation that the decision is in the will of God. THE ABSENCE OF PEACE IS THE ABSENCE OF CONFIRMATION When we walk with God and begin to turn the wrong way, we may immediately sence something lacking. We know His presence is mysteriously missing. We should be sensitive to that lack of peace. As we walk in the Spirit, we should take note when His Presence is missing and turn around. Then ask why. He will reveal the reason. The peace OF God, or the absence of His peace is the voice of the Lord. It is clearly one way He communicates to every child of God. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Psalm 18:28-29 says, “For You will light my lamp; the Lord My God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall.” Not only will you leap over a wall, but you will receive supernatural strength, leap over every obstacle, and position yourself to go through the opening door that God has for you. Fear not the enemies on the other side of this gate. For you will leap through your new point of entry and tread upon the enemy’s head. REPLACE YOUR PAST WITH JOY! You must find your place of “departure.” There are some things you NEED TO LEAVE BEHIND as you depart one phase or season, you will also see your place to enter. May He accelerate time for you. Develop new strength to run the race ahead. Seek Him like never before, and all things will be added to you. Leap forward and you will find yourself moving in the perfect will of God! Remove any mask of sadness and turn your sorrow to laughter. In the land of New Beginnings, you must remove the masks and veils that have formed in the past season so you can now form your “true” identity for the future. NEW IDENTITY AND AUTHORITY Isaiah 41:15 ("Behold, I will make you to be a new, sharp, threshing instrument which has teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, and shall make the hills like chaff") has become a key word for you. There is a new identity and authority for you in the invisible world. This will allow you to display the wisdom of God to the powers and principalities that have blocked you in past seasons. You will be filled with joy. The Lord is renewing your strength. May the power of barrenness break. May you know and walk in the advantage of light over darkness, and may light and revelation break the power of darkness around you. Shout, “My Fear shall Laugh!” Celebrate! Declare deliverance from any deep hidden grief. Ask the Lord for joy and laughter to arise in your emotions. Declare your emotions are healed and restored. One of the best verses to shout out loud is, "The Lord will make my feet like hinds' feet." You should decree that you will skip and jump on the mountains of the circumstances in your life. You should decree that your fortunes are increasing and becoming strong. As joy increases you are propelled into a season of deliverance. A TIME FOR HEALING This is a time for transformation in the area of healing. Begin to believe for God to put you in touch with people that need healing--both physical and emotional. Decree healing in their bodies and lives! Your true identity should begin to be reflected . There is an identity for you in the invisible world that gives you authority. Guard yourself from idolatry. Begin to change your wardrobe--both spiritually and physically! The Lord made the body and relates His Body to our body. DECLARATIONS: 1. Declare that any root of depression and despair break. 2. Bind any confused communication or miscommunication. Declare that your words and expressions will be clear. 3. Ask the Lord to remove your worry and anxiety over supply. Declare that you will find your supply in “hidden” dimensions. 4. Declare anything that is robbing your joy will be detected and removed. Wait for the Lord’s saving grace to be released in a new way and divine judgment to work against your enemies. (Read Exodus 23 and Isaiah 40.) ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Hosea 4:6 - "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Proverbs 29:18 says similarly, "Where there is no revelation the people cast off restraint." A more correct and complete translation is: "Without a prophetic revelation, the people go unrestrained, walking in circles, having no certain DESTINY." The word vision refers to the spirit of revelation coming upon you, giving you a vision of things that are unseen. Revelation is so essential in our lives that without it we perish. This is what we live by. Without unfolding prophetic revelation that expands your capacity to see life from God's perspective, you will perish. Without seeing your present circumstances through God's eyes, you will spiritually die. Revelation is critical to the normal Christian life. Ephesians 1:17 - "For I always pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation (of insight into mysteries and secrets) in the deep and intimate knowledge of Him." Affirmations: I HUNGER FOR AND VIGOROULSLY PURSUE REVELATION. I CRY OUT DAY AND NIGHT FOR THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. I ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO REVEAL TO ME THE MYSTERIES THAT ARE LOCKED IN SCRIPTURE. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
