Jump to content

Search the Community

Showing results for tags 'calling'.

  • Search By Tags

    Type tags separated by commas.
  • Search By Author

Content Type


Forums

  • Christian Discussions
    • Study Group
    • General Discussion
    • Bible Study
    • Theology
    • Apologetics
    • Prophecy
    • Do you want to just ask a question?
    • Christian Culture
    • Everything Else
  • Videos
    • General
    • News
    • Comedy
    • Biblical Topics
    • Christian Music
  • Current News
    • Most Interesting News Developments
    • Worthy Briefs
    • World News
    • Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
    • U.S. News
    • Christian News
    • Worthy Watch / Worthy Insights
  • Worthy Ministries
    • Worthy Devotions
    • What's the latest with the Worthy Ministries?
  • Who's on the Lord side?'s Topics
  • Cooking club's Smokers & related recipes/techniques
  • Cooking club's What's your favorite recipe?
  • Cooking club's Salads - not just lettuce!
  • Cooking club's Soups and Stews
  • Cooking club's About Multi-cookers - features, tips, recipes
  • Cooking club's Taters!
  • Cooking club's Bread
  • Gardening.'s Gardening Club Forum
  • Photography How To (tips and tricks)'s Photography Club Topics
  • Maker's Club's Club News
  • Maker's Club's So, what do you make, what have you made?
  • Maker's Club's Physical Art, specifically!
  • Maker's Club's Life hacks & tips - useful things you know & have tried!
  • Bible 365's Misc. Things of interest
  • Bible 365's THE DAILY READING (see reading schedule)
  • Bible 365's Todays' Reading
  • Bible 365's Recently added or updated
  • Bible 365's Bible Trivia
  • Bible 365's Table of Contents
  • Bible 365's Tightly Moderated Discussions-Some Controversial
  • Bible 365's Specific Doctrines
  • Bible 365's WorthyChat Bible Studies
  • Bible 365's Bible Topics - Looking at the Bible Topically
  • Reading Club's Topics
  • Bible Trivia's Index to Bible Trivia and Answers
  • Bible Trivia's Bible Trivia Answers
  • Bible Trivia's Bible Trivia Quizzes
  • Bible Trivia's Announcements
  • Puzzle Club's Forums
  • The Prophecy Exchange's Resources
  • The Prophecy Exchange's Forums
  • Songs of Praise Poetry Club's Forums
  • Christ Centered Recovery Group's Lessons
  • Christ Centered Recovery Group's Testimonies
  • Christ Centered Recovery Group's 12 Steps and Biblical Comparison
  • Christ Centered Recovery Group's Forums
  • Diabetes and Low Carb Eating Support Group's Diabetes
  • Diabetes and Low Carb Eating Support Group's Low Carb Eating
  • Triumph Over Cancer's General topics
  • Triumph Over Cancer's Encouragement
  • Triumph Over Cancer's Tips and advice
  • Cat Chat's Information concerning cats and their servants
  • Cat Chat's Misc. unCATegorized cat things
  • Cat Chat's Our Feline Babies!
  • Gardening Club's Topics
  • Baking club's Miscellaneous
  • Baking club's sponge cakes
  • Bible - Daily Reading's Introduction
  • Bible - Daily Reading's 2023 Bible Reading Schedule
  • Deeper Discourse's Forum

Christian Blogs

  • traveller - Standing in the Wind
  • The Treasure In The Field
  • For the Love of God
  • Keys to the Kingdom
  • To Him be the Glory
  • Marathoner's Blog
  • Leonardo’s Blog
  • Word Studies Relating to Destiny
  • Searching the Scriptures.
  • Thought and Reflection
  • WilliamL's Worthy Insights
  • Marilyn's Messages
  • Bible Study Series
  • Albert Finch Ministry
  • Devotions
  • League of Savage Gentlemen.
  • ~~Angels Thoughts~~
  • A Desert Sage ?
  • Omegaman's Thought and Rants
  • Some Thoughts from AyinJade
  • Insights into Worthy Ministries
  • Bible 365's Reading Schedule - Click Read More to see
  • Bible 365's Basic Instructions
  • Bible Trivia's Guidelines
  • Songs of Praise Poetry Club's My Songs to the Lord

Find results in...

Find results that contain...


Date Created

  • Start

    End


Last Updated

  • Start

    End


Filter by number of...

Joined

  • Start

    End


Group


Website URL


Location


Interests

  1. When it comes to receiving a spoken prophetic word over your life -- don't let it fall in barren soil. We have to cultivate our hearts so that the word produces the expected fruit in our life just as you would care for natural ground that you've placed a demand of harvest on. The ground must be prepared, watched over and watered. STEPS ON HOW TO WATCH OVER THE WORD 1. Position yourself to receive. Hunger often attracts the word to your life. Of course there are times that the Lord will speak when you're not looking for it, but there is just something about hunger and desperation that gets Heaven's attention. Blind Bartimaeus stopped Jesus in His tracks because he was desperate and positioned to receive. Have a heart full of expectation and desire for God's will on your life. Pray for and trust in His direction! "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." Proverbs 3:5-8 2. Catch the word. Wnen you receive a word to get it on paper as quickly as possible. Writing a word down is the first step in us taking ownership of our part of it. "And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Habakkuk 2:2-4 3. Watch over the word. When you receive a prophetic word, it is important that you are faithful to steward that word. Pray about it, read it, repeat it, and embed the word in your spirit! You must partner with the word over your life! The Greek word "rhēma" is used in Ephesians 6:17 and calls it the sword of the Spirit (the word made real to your spirit)! When the enemy comes at you to bring doubt and hinder destiny on your life it is with this rhēma that you combat the devil! When the devil tells you that you will not, and cannot – remind him what the word says. Affirm out loud and meditate frequently on the rhēma spoken over your life! "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." - Ephesians 6:17 4. Take action on the word. "For everyone who asks receives [lambano], and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." - Luke 11:10 The Greek word "Lambano" is an active aggressive verb which indicates receiving INTO ACTION or taking possession through ACTION. Perhaps you were led to believe that you should ask of God and then wait for the answer to fall on you at the right time, as if you were expecting Him to throw a glass of water at you, if He felt like it. However, this Scripture says that everyone who asks MUST TAKE ACTION to receive it. Everyone who asks must "lambano" the answer from God, who is not only willing now but is also waiting for us to do so. 5. Trust in the timing of the word. Do not despise a season of training as God will use it to establish you for where you are going. Be careful to not allow what you may think is a delay to get you discouraged and give up on what the Lord has spoken over you. Trust the Lord and in the timing of His word. He is faithful that spoke over you and is not slack concerning His promise! "So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." - Isaiah 55:11 Be like the faithful farmer – tilling, cultivating and watering what has been planted. Watch it grow in you and enjoy the harvest of seeing it come to pass! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  2. Some people that attend church are looking for "Christian Counseling" but what would be more beneficial in most circumstances would be "Discipleship Equipping." That would involve focusing on their spiritual condition rather than their personal problems. Areas that involve discipling are: 1. Understanding their inheritance in Christ and who they are in Christ. 2. Understand their "Right Standing With God." 3. Understanding of how to "Walk in the Spirit. Having been discipled in these areas they are now ready to go and disciple and equip others for discipleship. Matthew 28:19 - "Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Jesus said, "Your attitude must be like my own, for I the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life." Romans 2:8 - "God will pour out His anger and wrath on those who live for themselves." ALBERT FINCH MINISTSRY
  3. Psalm 29: David’s Breakthrough Psalm - " A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, Give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars, Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth, And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everyone says, "Glory!" The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, And the LORD sits as King forever. The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. Breakthrough in the Glory brings about many things. When the breakthrough comes it breaks, shakes, sets afaire, and births! And it brings about strength and peace. Those in the atmosphere of His presence experience strength and peace. When the King of Glory comes through the gates, He is strong and mighty. When we are in the Presence of the Mighty King, we give honor, glory and power to His name and the glory releases a realm of honor and righteousness. Strength and might are two attributes that flood the atmosphere in His presence. Strength and might are released deep into the hearts of God's people such that people have the strength to cast off their burdens and supernaturally believe the impossible to be possible. The strength of the Lord establishes us in "we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us" (Philippians 4:13) What an amazing thing it is to see the glory of the King drench a place and to witness the release of His holy zeal that transforms downcast souls into mighty ones! Strength and might -- strength and might comes when we usher in His presence, when the mighty ones "give unto the Lord the glory due to His name" when we"worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" (Psalm 29:1,2) Questions to Ask Myself: ARE THERE CROOKED PLACES IN MY LIFE THAT NEED TO BE MADE STRAIGHT? (THE ANOINTING STRAIGHTENS MY PATH). ARE THERE SEEMINGLY INSURMOUNTABLE OBSTACLES THAT PREVENT ME FROM ACCOMPLISHING THAT WHICH GOD AS SET OUT FO ME TO DO? (GOD WILL SMASH THROUGH AND BREAK INTO PIECES THE GATES OF BRONZE!) AM I IMPRISONED BY INESCAPABLE BARS OF IRON? (GOD WILL CUT THEM!) DO I WANT TREASURES AND THE HIDDEN RICHES OF SECRET PLACES? (HE WILL GIVE THEM TO ME (ISAIAH 45:1-3) ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  4. Romans 12:2 - "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the entire renewal of your mind so that you may prove for yourselves what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect in His sight for you." The only way to consistently do Kingdom works is to view reality from God's perspective. The mind is the essential tool in bringing Kingdom reality to the problems and crisis people face. God has made it to be the gatekeeper of the supernatural. In the transfiguration of Jesus He talked with Moses and Elijah. The reality of heaven radiated through Jesus, and He shone with incredible brilliance. His body revealed the reality of another world. The word "TRANSFIGURED" in Mark 9:2 &Matthew 17:2 is the same word for transformed in Romans 12:2 (Strongs 3339). The renewed mind, then, reflects the reality of another world in the same way Jesus shone with heaven's brilliance. It's not just that our thoughts are different, but that our way of thinking is transformed because we think from a different reality - from heaven toward earth! That is the transformed perspective. Affirmations: MY RENEWED MIND ENABLES ME TO PROVE THE WILL OF GOD. I WILL PROVE THE WILL OF GOD WHEN I PUT ON DISPLAY THE REALITY OF HEAVEN. AS I COME INTO AGREEMENT WITH GOD'S INTENDED COMMISSION FOR MY LIFE, MY MIND BECOMES A POWERFUL TOOL IN GOD'S HANDS. Jeremiah 6:19 - "Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people - The fruit of their thoughts, because they have not heeded My words nor My law, but rejected it." QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: 1. Is my thinking being transformed? How? 2. How am I building a transformed thinking consciousness? 3. What is different now about the way I think as opposed to 3 months ago. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  5. Job 2:13 - "So they sat down with Job on the ground for seven days and seven nights, and none spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief and pain were very great." Job's life helped create the awareness for the need of a savior. Job is the question. Jesus is the answer. If our study of Job (and other Old Testament issues) doesn't lead us to Jesus as the answer, it reveals we never really understood the question. Any understanding we have about the nature of God that can't be seen in the person of Jesus, must be questioned. Ephesians 4:13 - "In the knowledge of the Son of God we shall become like mature men, reaching to the very height of Christ's stature." Notice that coming into maturity is the result of gaining the knowledge of the Son of God. This revelation will completely change the believer, because as we see Him we become like Him. This will enable us to accurately represent Jesus. Ephesians 1:17 - "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him." Prayer: I PRAY TO GOD TO GIVE ME THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST SO THAT THE EYES OF MY UNDERSTANDING MIGHT BE ENLIGHTENED AND THAT I MIGHT KNOW WHAT IS THE HOPE OF MY CALLING IN CHRIST. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  6. Revelation 3:7 - "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens." TAKING HOLD OF THE KEY OF DAVID The key of David is entering into the most holy place where the glory dwells. The tangible presence and glory of God is accessed through intimate Throne Room worship. Jesus paid the price and shed His Blood so that we could enter in to the holiest of all through Him (Hebrews 10:19-22) Colossians 1:27 - "To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." We must enter the "Throne Zone" in order to see the tangible glory of God manifested in our midst. It is in that place that we find the glory and anointing needed to transform atmospheres on earth. We are called to be carriers of His glory. By laying hold of the KEY OF DAVID, we lay hold of the glory of His Spirit allowing Him to manifest in us and through us. It is all about having a throne room paradigm. This is the proper perspective for believers. SEEING FROM THE HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE Ephesians 2:5,6 - "Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." We are not to see things from an earthly vantage point but from a Heavenly perspective. It is there that we are seated in the Heavenly places ablove all demonic forces. As we take hold of this key of worship in the glory, we move into deeper realms of intimacy with God, greater revelation and understanding of His divine purposes, and we have the anointing to establish and plant His Kingdom in the earth. Psalm 18:33 - "He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places." The Lord is calling us up higher. When God begins to manifest His glory, we need to make sure that we don't try to pitch tents and build debasing structures. Jesus was transfigured before the eyes of Peter, James and John. Peter suggested tents be build, but this was not the heart of God. When man sees the glory, there is the fleshly reaction to capitalize on what God is doing--building earthly structures, etc. NEW WINESKIN THINKING Mark 2:22 - "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins." If we are to partake in what God is pouring out in this hour, we must have a new mindset--a new wineskin ie. we don't lean on our own understanding. Leaning on natural thinking and old ways are like crusty and stiff wineskins. These mindsets cannot carry the new wine of God's glory that is being poured out. WE SHOULD HOLD TRUE TO THE WORD, BUT REMAIN FLEXIBLE IN REGARDS TO HOW THINGS SHOULD LOOK IN REGARDS TO THE MOVING OF GOD'S SPIRIT. 1 Corinthians 2:11 - "For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God." As believers we need to set our natural thinking aside, and ask the Lord to help us see with the eyes of His Spirit. The natural man cannot understand the ways of the Spirit. But our spirit within us is created to see and understand His ways. We commit ourselves to see with the eyes of our hearts and allow God to blow our minds with His limitless power! Affirmations: NOW IS THE TIME FOR ME TO MOVE INTO GLORY REALM WORSHIP. I APPREHEND THAT TANGIBLE GLORY OF GOD IN MY LIFE AND SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS! MY MISSION IS TO CARRY HIS GLORY AND RELEASE IT. I AM DRAWN TO HIS HEART BY THE TRUE RICHES OF HIS PRESENCE. I CRAVE INTIMACY WITH THE LORD. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  7. Will you say "yes" to Him? Knowing that your life may change drastically as a result, will you accept His invitation?
  8. 1 Kings 19:9 9Then 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 God's calling on my life 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 about to bring 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
  9. As followers of Christ we are to be bold, brave, and extremely courageous. Scripture declares in the book of Joshua: "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:8–9, NASB The last phrase contains an overwhelming promise -- the abiding presence of God. Keep this promise in the center of your heart: "...for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go!" This promise is repeated throughout Scripture and is the foundation of the promise in 1 John 4:4: "Greater is He [God] that is in you, than he that is in the world." Our God is truly an awesome God! Prepare to behold Him in a manner not seen in our lifetime. God is at this time responding to the invitation of Isaiah 64:1, "Rend the heavens and come down." The time has come for the true conquest. The question is: Are you ready? THE CONQUEST The conquest – the act of conquering – has commenced. This is the main event. It is not time to hold back. Now is the time to give your all to the Kingdom of God. It is time to ARISE and ADVANCE. With a spirit of excellence, you must be giving everything for the sake of advancing the cause of Jesus Christ. True Christianity is more about what we do than what we say (see 1 Corinthians 4:20). It is time for action not just mere words. You are equipped to function in boldness and true authority (see Luke 10:19). You have been given an anointing in what God has PURPOSED FOR YOU -- an unction to function, which is unstoppable; with Christ you are invincible. You are more than a conquer (see Romans 8:37). Not only has Almighty God called us to be brave and courageous, He has commissioned us for these important days. We need to be prepared for conquest that brings about a swift and sure change. God's plan for His people is the plan of victory, not defeat (see Jeremiah 29:11). CALLED AND COMMISSIONED You are called and commissioned to be a radical overcomer. Begin to speak these promises over your life: Joel 3:10 - "Let the weak say I am strong". Micah 3:8, "...truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord!" Deep within the soul of every true Christian beats the heart of an overcomer. The word "overcomer" suggests victory after a hard struggle. We are to be strong, willing warriors. Never forget we are fighting from victory not for victory. Christ has won the victory; we just move into what He has provided. Now is the time for the troops of the Lord to volunteer willingly (see Psalm 110:3). We are to become history makers and world changers. God has determined the exact time of our birth. Truly we are in the Kingdom for such a time as this (seeEsther 4:14). Never forget: the Kingdom is in you for such a time as this. You had absolutely nothing to do with the timing of your birth. It's God's plan. Looking forward to this day, He determined that you would be a great tool in His hands to fashion the Kingdom of God. DECISIVE DAYS OF DESTINY God has confidence in you. It is He working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure (see Philippians 2:13). In Luke 12:32 the Father's good pleasure is to give us the power of His Kingdom. These are decisive days of destiny. God is calling each of us to arise and take hold of our CALLING in Christ Jesus to advance in His PURPOSE for our life. Yield yourself anew and afresh to God's Holy Spirit, be filled with power and purpose, and determine to make the most of these days of transition from glory to glory. Live to hear HIM say, "Well done good and faithful servant!" ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  10. "And said, Verily I say to you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:3 It is very important that the foundation upon which we stand is "The Rock," our Lord Jesus Christ, and that our life is hidden "in Christ." If our spiritual experience is resting on sand, that is, if we are trusting our own abilities, we will fail when the pressures of life increase. We can walk in stability and confidence with Him, if we hold to the potential that rests within us before the Lord in simple child-like trust -- we will be enabled to rise above the limitations that we place upon ourselves, and enter into all that He has made available for us. When difficulties affect us and we begin to lose our spiritual direction, if we will become quiet and look to the Lord, we will recognize that beneath our vacillations is a layer of spiritual strength and hope that had been deposited within us through our identification with Jesus in His death and resurrection -- which was confirmed in the peace that came when He took up His abode within us. We need only to realize that we are a new creation - that old things have passed away and our life is hid in Jesus, and that our strength comes from Him. With David, we should be able to say, "The Lord is my light and my salvation..." (Psalm 27:1). If we will meditate on the past victories that we gained by placing our lives in His hands, this will become personally real to us. Paul said, "I press toward the mark..." (Philippians 3:14). This "mark" is ourCALLING in Christ. We look past our vacillations to see there is within us a deep inner determination to press through to the place where our responses no longer emerge from our Adamic nature, but from the new creation that we have become. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  11. "..therefore be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 2:1 God's grace is undeserved, this means that God's goodness is not expressed to each of us because we are good; it is given to us because He is good! Sometimes it's hard to even wrap our minds around this fact. This is because most of us have, in reality, believed that grace is based upon performance and our religious works. However, receiving grace from God has absolutely nothing to do with our performance at all; it is completely based upon undeserved favor. If God's favor were based upon our ability to do right and perform well, then we would not need His grace. We would then believe that because of our own abilities we have been blessed. This is such a deceptive lie of the enemy. He does not desire that we embrace the revelation of God's grace. BONDAGE IN FEELING PERFORMANCE-ORIENTED "And if by grace, then it is no longer of works: otherwise grace is not longer grace." - Romans 11:6a There is bondage in feeling as if you are continually "missing the mark." Performance-oriented people experience difficulty resting in God, which is linked to God's grace. We can spend many years believing that God is disappointed in us if we didn't quite measure up to His standards. We can also be deceived into believing that God's blessings are linked to how well we perform – as if His blessings were dependent upon our "good behavior" or "religious performance." This false belief sets us up for even more failure and disappointment. It becomes cyclical. If we are ashamed, there is no confidence to boldly run to Him for grace and empowerment to transform. Shame and guilt robs us of our confidence to run boldly into God's arms – in fact, it causes us to run away from Him! God knows we will never be perfect. He does not desire perfection due to our own strength for that would be "deserved favor." Grace is undeserved favor. The Lord desires for us to know that He is daily perfecting us through His divine grace. To believe that "it is up to us and our own ability to become transformed" is to believe that "the finished work at the Cross was not effective". Jesus Himself was perfect and, therefore, we are blessed and empowered to live holy through Him. "through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." - Romans 5:2 Many of us have been blinded concerning how to receive God's blessings. The Accuser of the Brethren has lied to us and said that God's blessings are based upon "works" rather than simply because God loves us. Remember God IS love! You cannot separate God from love. He blesses us simply because He loves us. WALKING IN THE SUPERNATURAL AND DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably..." - Hebrews 12:28 Many might ask what the connection is between grace and the supernatural. We can't walk in the supernatural without His grace! Our faith needs to rest upon Jesus and the price He paid for the sick to be healed, the poor to be blessed, people to be set free, etc. If we focus on Jesus and His ability to heal the sick many of us would experience more miracles. Because we haven't seen the miracles for which we cry out, many times we feel that we didn't "perform" well and, as a result, we will shrink back from stepping out and praying for the sick or for demons to flee, etc. When Jesus came to earth, He brought Heaven with Him. He came so that He could live in us – we became the Tabernacle for the Spirit of God. It is His ability in us that will empower us to experience more of the supernatural. "To them God has chose to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." - Colossians 1:27 RIGHTEOUSNESS "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians 5:21 Some of you may also believe that you are not "righteous" enough for God to use you. When the word "righteousness is mentioned," many people immediately think that it involves more performance and perfect behavior – a list of "do's and don'ts" from God. Righteousness is a gift from God and cannot be earned! (SeeRomans 5:17). Be assured that you are already righteous in Christ. His Spirit lives in you and, therefore, you are qualified to walk in the supernatural! We need to step out and do it! The Accuser of the Brethren has yoked many of us with guilt and shame because when we "mess up," we believe it has affected our righteousness. If you are hearing those words from the enemy, then he has targeted your future. ACHIEVE YOUR FUTURE The Accuser of the Brethren came against many in the Bible who God used mightily. The Bible is full of stories about people who were living in ordinary circumstances and empowered to do the impossible. God sees much in you! He desires for you to boldly run to His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16)right now to receive a fresh empowerment to achieve HisPURPOSE for your life (yourDESTINY in Christ). Don't allow past shame or guilt to hold you back any longer. The Lord desires to release His blessings to you today. Receive it; believe it and it is yours! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  12. Isaiah 9:7 - "Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end......" How important is increase to God? Jesus once cursed a fig tree for not bearing fruit out of season (Mark 11:13-14)! A man in one of His parables was cast into outer darkness for burying his money and not obtaining an increase for his master (Matthew 25:24-30). When the main goal of our faith is keeping 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. Affirmations: I FORGET THE PAST AND REACH FOR THOSE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS CALLED ME. I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: 1. Do I have an increase or a survival consciousness? What fruit am I bearing today - in season or out of season? 2. What conversion, miracle, or God encounter have I experienced recently? ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  13. God has empowered us! We are anointed for action! Our mission and mandate? Establishing the Kingdom! We are chosen by Him and for Him! "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 AFFIRMATIONS: I have a God-given purpose! I was chosen by Almighty God in eternity past to live in the present. I have a divine DESTINY. NO one on earth can accomplish what I have been commissioned to do! It's time to get God's opinion of you; you're essential to His eternal plans and purposes -- so become the bold, brave, radiant warrior you are called to be. Arise, lift your head -- walk with confidence and assurance that God is with you. Therefore be radiant and shine bright in this sin-darkened world. We have a PURPOSE -- we have been chosen by God. ACCOMPLISHING THE COURSE SET BEFORE US You are divinely prepared to accomplish the task God has assigned you. You can do something no other human being can do. Meditate and ponder this message; believe that you have been chosen by Christ, for Christ, and your life will take on even greater zeal and purpose. Jesus said: "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." - (John 15:16). Your confidence and courage will soar as you understand in greater capacity the depth of these words -- "YOU ARE CHOSEN BY CHRIST!" Let these words wash over your soul – they are like refreshing water to the thirsty. You have been chosen by Christ, for Christ; the choice was made before the foundation of the world (see Ephesians 1:4). Knowing this promise will release you from rejection and depression. You Can Impact the others -- the hurting and the Lost. The goal is to finish the course and to be able to say with all confidence, "I've kept the faith and stayed on course, accomplishing the task set before me" (see 2 Timothy 4:7). It is to that individual Christ will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). INTO ACTION: God gives us His power for a purpose: the gifts are tools, not toys, and anointing is for action (see Acts 1:8). God releases His anointing on His children for one main purpose: to impact the nations, to bring the hurting and lost to Himself. During these days of division and confusion, the message of Christ's redemptive love and overwhelming mercy must be heard and heeded. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  14. "And a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased."John 6:2 When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food. But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. YOU give them something to eat." Matthew 14:15-16 FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISHES Philip would have sent these to the fast-food restaurant in the next village. Andrew remarked about a "lad" who had some food, but he only had "five loaves and two fishes." Jesus had told the disciples to feed all who were hungry. Immediately, these disciples began to express the reasons why they were unable to do so, saying that they did not have adequate resources. It is very important to recognize that Jesus already knew that they did not have the means to feed this multitude. "And this He said to prove him: for He Himself knew what He would do." John 6:6 The Lord often asks us to go beyond our abilities. Our usual response is to express our limitations, not realizing that Jesus is asking us to place our limited ability in His hand, so He can multiply it. Therefore, concerning these five loaves and two fishes, Jesus said: "Bring them here to Me." Matthew 14:18 Once the limited resources of the disciples were placed in His hands, Jesus multiplied them, and the multitude was fed to the full. A HIGHER REALM OF IDENTIFICATION WITH HIM This was perhaps the best meal this multitude had ever eaten. But several hours later, they were back asking for a repeat performance. Jesus refused and brought a word of correction. He told them to seek their satisfaction on an HIGHER LEVEL. Then Jesus offered His very life for them to partake of: "I am the living bread which came down from Heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." John 6:51 They had gladly received the miracle of multiplication on the lower level of experience, but rejected the higher realm of identification with Him. "The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us His flesh to eat?" John 6:52 If we are perceptive, we will discover that this spiritual principle is in operation in our lives at this present time. Whenever the Lord moves on us in any measure of provision or healing, it is His intention to take us further, into a higher realm of identification with Him. Jesus was looking forward to the time when He would stand at the door of our heart, knocking, in order to gain entrance that He might sup with us, and we in turn with Him, in which we partake of His very life and blood. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."Revelation 3:20 PARTAKING OF HIS LIFE When He fed the multitude on the lower level, they sought to take Him by force to make Him their King. But on the higher level, they rejected Him. Therefore, Jesus stands alone at the door, speaking to whomever will respond (if anyone hears). Today, all too many Christians are satisfied to remain in the first area of spiritual blessing and provision, and are not seeking to enter into a personal relationship with the Lord, to discover His CALLING on their life. There is a depth in spiritual revelation and understanding into which the Lord desires to bring us, which involves a partaking of His very life (our DESTINY in Christ). This will bring us into an identity with Jesus in the "fellowship of His sufferings," which refers to His (and our) being rejected and misunderstood, but leads to a depth of satisfaction and fulfillment that only those who partake can understand God's PURPOSE for their life. "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death." Philippians 3:10 EATING HIS FLESH There are many who will respond when the blessings are flowing, but when it comes time to "eat His flesh," (PARTAKE OF HIS LIFE) they say, "This is a hard saying, who can hear it?" and they disappear. The Lord is speaking of our partaking of the foundational characteristic of His life – that of His ministry and giving His life for another. Many will receive the blessings that He offers, but few will identify with His sufferings. The purpose of this revelation of Jesus to us, as being a person with feelings, is to bring us into the experience of personally knowing Him, that we might be able to identify with Him in the giving of His life to others. In this last hour, the Lord is yet seeking those who are willing to go beyond the surface blessings, to enter into the place of identification with Him in the "fellowship of His sufferings." Here, in intimate, deep communion with Jesus, we will begin to partake of an intercessory identification with Him, in which His life can now be lived and made known through our lives. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  15. From Glory to Glory (Read 1 Peter 1 & Colossians 1) 2 Corinthians 3:18 18But 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. (As children of God, part of our inheritance is experiencing the glory of God and being transformed into new levels of His glory. Each level of glory carries with it a particular blessing and thrill for the believer. In understanding the glory of God there are two aspects to consider – the aspect of experiencing and the aspect of being transformed into His glory.) 1 Peter 1 :7-8 7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory Jude 1:24-25 24Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Psalm 24:6-7 & 149:4-5 6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face—even Jacob. Selah.7 Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O £ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! 4For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.5Let the godly ones exult in glory; Let them sing for joy on their beds. (To experience the glory of God is to experience His manifest presence. It is to be beyond an abstract understanding of His omnipresence to knowing that God Himself is there with you, tangibly in your midst. The Hebrew word for glory (KABOD) is also the word for weight. When the bible speaks of the “glory” it is not speaking so much of something aglow as of something with substantial force to it. When the glory of God is in a place something forceful, weighty, and mighty is present in the spiritual realm. People can recognize it. They will want to be there. The glory of God is the full weight and quantity of His attributes and perfections. The glory of God is essentially that He is and does.) Some ways to experience God’s glory: An overwhelming sense of His utter holiness; when all we can do is bow and worship Him in awe. Experience a great sweep of His joy that bring deep refreshing to our spirits. The born-again experience of His saving grace. We may catch a fresh glimpse of His mighty power, causing new faith to arise in us. These kinds of experiences may be quite occurrences in our devotional times, however the manifestation of His glory may be a dramatic supernatural manifestation of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4,6 4in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 6For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. Colossians 1:27 27to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Becoming transformed by the glory of God is central to the Christian life. The very character and ways of God were exhibited through Jesus when He walked the earth. Jesus was the incarnation of God’s glory, weighted heavily with divine attributes. Christ is our hope of glory. Through Him we are being made into carriers of the glory of God. As believers in Christ, we are to be in a position of being transformed into the image of Christ – and that means mirroring the glory or characteristics of God.) 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. (Why is it necessary to move from glory to glory? Isn’t one glory as good as the next? The answer is no. The reason is because in every season of glory we experience a new order that God brings into our lives as we mirror His image to a greater extent. But then we begin to add a new method – a subtle plan or strategy of how we operate in that order, which is our own way of implementing what we have learned from God. We must resist the temptation to become legalistic or build binding doctrines around a truth that God revealed around a season of glory because these tenants (beliefs) can prevent us from moving forward when the time comes to change the seasons in our lives. If we do not allow God to move us from glory to glory we will get caught up in living in the old season as the Holy Spirit moves us to becoming more like Christ. The methodology of the old season will not propel us into a new season. We need something new and fresh. We need a new glory.) Psalm 22:3 3Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. (All throughout God’s word we see that God is enthroned in praise. We glorify Him through our worship. That is why praise and worship are essential in experiencing God’s glory. Praise is the element of celebration that can transport us into the throne room of God. Once we are in the throne room at His feet we need to worship and adore Him. As we worship Him in that intimate place He begins to reveal His glory to us. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  16. Luke 8:14 - "The seed among the thorns represents those who listen and believe God's words but whose faith afterwards 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 confortable 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 it's 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 carring around second hand news -- a story without a relationship. The Father's 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. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  17. "God put His stamp of ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit he had promised...so that your minds may be opened to see His light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you...and how very great is his power at work in us who believe. This power in us is the same as the mighty strength which he used when he raise Christ from death." - Ephesians 1:13,18-20 Shall we stop short of what He says we ought to be -- shall we cease to come into line with the Mind which is always thinking for our best -- shall we cease to humble ourselves before him who took the way of the cross for us -- shall we cease to withhold ourselves from Him. Can a true believer come to God today without a cry to God to make them, as it were, flames of fire? God shall endue you in that you won't be satisfied until you feel the very members of your body on fire with a Spirit-kindledPURPOSE. DAILY AFFIRMATIONS: I have a Jesus indwelling me and vitalizing me with a faith that believes I can speak the word, and the thing is done. I have a Jesus within me who has never let me get faint-hearted or weary. I press on in faith along the line of God's pourpose for my life, and the outpouring which I have longed to see will come. I never let go of the vision. Since all blessings come from above, I keep my eye on Jesus who strengthens me in the way. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  18. Romans 15:13 - "May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing -- through the experience of your faith--that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope." Hope is a devine dream. It's an inner image that's bigger than you are because it's built on the promises of God. Example: If the doctor told you that you will never walk then you see yourself climbing mountains and bringing the word of God to hurting people. You find in scripture (Isaiah 40:31) where it says those who wait on the Lord shall run and walk and not faint or be weary. You look at it until you see nothing else. Picture yourself walking for miles and running from one place to the next, telling everyone -- Jesus as raised you up and made you whole. Affirmations: Today I am becoming a dreamer. I take the word of God and build some dreams.....NOW! Psalm 37:4 - "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart." Matthew 24:45 - "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household?" The word tells us that God shows Himself strong in behalf of those whos hearts are "perfect" toward Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). "Perfect" doesn't men that we have to do everything just right and live without making a mistake. It means "devoted" -- a heart consecrated, dedicated, loyal and faithful to God. Who is faithful? The one who spends his time doing what God as called him to do -- or as Jesus put it, the one who takes up his cross and follows him. The one who denies his fleshly desires and spends his life on the things God desires him to do. AFFIRMATIONS: Today I decide to be a faithful and wise servant. I find out what is stealing my time from the Lord. I take up Jesus' thoughts today. I take up His purposes and plans. Now is the time to be faithful! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  19. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord....for he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river...nor will cease from yielding fruit..I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." - Jeremiah 17:7,8,10 As we pursue God's PURPOSE for our life (Matthew 7:7,8), His Kingdom and righteousness--all things--are added to us. We move ahead in the army of God, advancing His Kingdom. As long as we keep marching, we're changing because faith moves us ahead, step-by-step. If we don't give up, eventually we walk into the Promised Land. The last command of Jesus while on earth says, "Go!" That's why we often see the anointing increase as we go, moving with the cloud. FROM NARROW - TO TRANSITION - TO ENLARGEMENT We are in a process of change. Our gifts are being drawn out of us in stretching dimensions. We have been and are going through places of testing and confinement in the Body. What is this place of testing and confinement? This is a place less wide than we are accustomed to or have expected to be in. If we respond properly to the "narrow or confined place," we will enter into the phase of "transition" to be brought into a "larger place" in the Spirit. The new place is like the camel going through the eye of the needle (Matthew 19:24). One school of thought was that that was a narrow gate. The only way the camel could get through was to be unloaded. This is the needle – the narrow gate. This is a place of unloading the weights of the past and a place of fresh commitment to the Cross where we die to self all over again. The "narrow place" (Matthew 7:14) can lead us out of captivity into a new and open field. HOW CAN WE MAKE THE TRANSITION? Transition times are when the Lord redefines and makes adjustments necessary for us to move forward. He gives us new focus and direction. He teaches us about Himself in a new way. We must seek the Lord for both revelation and the ways of God in times of change. His revelatory perspective bridges the past season with the new one. Without clear revelation and communication during transition, we can lose the strength and wisdom of our past victory. But we desperately need His strength to go from glory to glory. It isn't the new thing coming that is so hard to deal with, it's the transition from the old state of affairs to the new one. As you travail in this season, ask the Lord to give you strategy to protect your vision. Remember, the dragon attempts to steal new birth (see Revelation 12:4). Press forward! Cry out for greater grace to be granted to keep moving forward. When these changes manifest, enlargement occurs. To "enlarge" is to expand, to set free, become greater in size and intensity. Enlargement – or going through the new open door – is a process, not just a proclamation. Press through the narrow, withstand the transition, and receive enlargement. THE PROCESS OF CHANGE 1. A new level of revelation is released, 2. Your present vision starts to be adjusted, 3. New vision is secured and established, 4. Fresh strategies are revealed to you, 5. You see a greater fullness of your inheritance before you, If you are experiencing a "narrow place of confinement," or you sense you are in transition, be assured, He is about to visit you with a fresh demonstration of His Spirit. May your resources increase and your trials become stepping stones to renewed power and revelation. When you have come through the "new door," there are others who have been watching your pilgrimage. When you are strengthened, you will be enlarged to give spiritual succor to others in Jesus' name! "Each one's work will become clear; for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work...If anyone's work which he has buit on it endures, he will receive a reward." - 1 Corinthians 3:13,14 How exciting to know that change originates with the Creator of the Universe. "For we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Press forward! Going backward is not an option -- "We go from glory to glory, and glory doesn't go backwards." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  20. Matthew 6:22 : "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." MIRRORS OF THE SOUL The eyes are the literal mirrors of a person's soul and reveals much about a person's deep inner man. In that deep place of the heart, the eye of the body that is full of light, can also reveal secrets into the unseen realm depending upon a person's intimate connection or transparency with God. Our eyes are portals of Heaven that we many times overlook within ourselves and within others. THE FACE OF AN ANGEL In the case of Steven in the New Testament, he was a man who was full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5). He was so full of grace and power that he performed great wonders and signs among the people during his day (Acts 6:8). In the synagogues of Asia, they disputed with Stephen because of their own stubborn misperception and blindness of spiritual sight (Acts 6:9). Stephen preached with boldness and they were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:10). Even to the point of death, he had no fear to speak God's truth because his "eye" saw something beyond this natural world. All that sat in the council, looking steadfastly and intently at him, saw his face and countenance "as it had been the face of an angel" (Acts 6:15). Seeing that Stephen was "full of the Holy Spirit… he gazed intently into Heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God," saying, 'Behold, I see the Heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God'" (Acts 7:55-56). A LIFESTYLE OF GAZING When Stephen "gazed" (NAS) or "looked up steadfastly" (KJV) into Heaven, the Greek definition and meaning of this was not only that he fixed his "eyes" but also purposed his "mind" into Heaven. The eyes of his mind and the eyes of his heart went into auto-focus by the power of the Holy Spirit, as in the sense of stretching his eye sight towards the face of God that gave him the supernatural power to endure the kind of death he was about to experience. This reveals that Stephen had a "lifestyle of gazing" into the eyes and heart of God and is the reason why he was so filled with the glory of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave himself over to locking his eyesight on the Lord Jesus Christ, and it caused everything else to either become dim or disappear in his perception of reality. He was so overtaken by the Holy Spirit that the unseen realm at that moment was more real to him than the seen realm of the excruciating pain of being stoned to death. In these last days we are going to need this kind of supernatural strength and power to be able to endure the days ahead of us with a lifestyle of gazing. CAUSE OF SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS The enemy continues to try to bring disgrace and discredit the people of God through spiritual blindness – blindness that is caused by the lack of looking and gazing into the face of God as a regular exercise of intimate worship or the lack of CONFESSING and MEDITATING on the Scriptures to find food for the soul and nourishment for the spiritual eyes. Ephesians 1:18 - " I pray that your inward eyes may be illumined, so that you may know what is the hope to which He calls you..." Ephesians 6:17 - "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God." Because of life's distractions, sin and self-righteous pride, this was one of the stumbling blocks of the Pharisees that prevented them from seeing that Jesus was really who He said He was, God. Because they couldn't see, they couldn't believe. If they couldn't see, they had no vision and they missed out on entering into the Kingdom of God. THE EYE OF THE LORD IS MOVING So now the Lord is reminding us in 2 Chronicles 16:9 which says, "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." God is on the move, running and eagerly searching with the laser beam of His eyes, looking for those who are filled with His light to see that He is ready to strongly support those whose eye lenses of the heart and mind are turned completely towards Him. He is inviting us into the journey of His heart – into the journey of the unseen realm. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). No one has seen God at any time (John 1:18), yet Jesus tells us in the beatitudes that the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). If God is wanting us to look and gaze intently at Him, isn't it because He is looking and gazing intently at us? The eyes of God reveal intimacy and longing and a strong desire to be with us now and forevermore. God is longing for those who are longing for Him. If you are experiencing an indescribable longing in your heart toward God, that means He is drawing you. PRAYER OF RESTORATION AND VISION: God, thank You for saving my life and thank You for restoring my soul. God, open my eyes to see You like never before. Help me to see and perceive through Your eyes. Restore my vision that may have become dull or blinded through discouragement, circumstances, sin, hardship or even neglect. Forgive me for not responding to Your voice when You are calling me. Draw me, God, and I will run to You. Open the eyes of my heart, God, that I may see You face to face. I come boldly to Your throne to worship You in Spirit and in truth and to love You sincerely with all my heart, mind, soul and strength by CONFESSING and MEDITATING on your Word. I thank You for hearing my prayer and my heart's cry to be closer to You. I give You honor and glory and praise this day, in Jesus name I pray, Amen! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  21. In Luke 4:1-13, satan tempts Jesus with the offer of rulership over all the kingdoms of the world... Jesus rejects this proposal. Jesus' Kingdom in this age is not a kingdom of this world(John 18:36-37). He refuses to seek a kingdom for Himself by the worldly methods of compromise, earthly power, political maneuvering, external violence, popularity, honor and glory. Jesus' Kingdom is a spiritual Kingdom ruling in the hearts of His people, who have been taken out of the kingdoms of this world. As a Heavenly Kingdom, we can operate and maintain in this realm but it comes with a cost. It is gained through: Suffering, self-denial, humility, and meekness.It does require giving our bodies as a living and Holy sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2).Fasting is a key here that enables us to stay on target;We know we have complete devotion and obedience to God whenever we are struggling with spiritual weapons against sin, temptation, and satan (Ephesians 6:10-20). As Christians we resist conforming to this world. "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33 Those who follow Christ are urged to seek, above all else, His Kingdom and His righteousness. Jesus points out HIS Kingdom and HIS righteousness in HIS Kingdom. We pray every day that God's Kingdom will come in the mighty power of the Holy Spirit to save sinners, to destroy the demonic, to heal the sick, and to magnify the name of our Lord and that we be given daily revelation of our CALLING on how to facilitate this. QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: What are 3 areas of my life that I am adversly conforming to the world. 1. 2. 3. What actions am I going to take to re-align my priorites. 1. 2. 3. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  22. Jesus instructed His disciples to pray..."Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven" (seeMatthew 6:10, Luke 11:2). As we pray as Jesus instructs, we are actually praying for Heaven to touch earth. When Jesus came He brought His world to ours! He demonstrated the Kingdom of God on earth. His example of demonstrating God's goodness through signs, wonders, miracles and powerful demonstrations was meant to be teaching tools for us to do the same on earth today. There is no sickness in Heaven and, therefore, it does not belong on earth! Also, there is no poverty, lack, disease or hopelessness in Heaven therefore, it does not belong on earth. Jesus commissioned His disciples with these words: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give" (see Matthew 10:8; Luke 10:9). When we became new Christians we were told what "not to do" and taught that we needed to be "perfected" – which placed much emphasis on us, our ability, and our religious performance. LET GO OF YOUR LIMITATIONS Many of us limit God today. We can even witness a miracle and almost immediately shift back into doubt and unbelief. At the time of creation, both Adam and Eve were created to experience "limitless living". This type of lifestyle is experiencing our lives without any types of hindrances or limitations. Limitless living is not for the purpose of self-gain, but is experienced so that we can fulfill ourDESTINY and PURPOSE. And, without limitations, we can fully demonstrate and experience God's power on earth. FULFILLING OUR DESTINY "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened: that you may know what is the hope of His calling....." - Ephesians 1:18 Since we are saved by the finished work of Jesus on the Cross, God's supernatural, transforming power is available to us for the fulfilling of our divine destiny in Christ. We need to shift our perspective. Yes, part of our destiny as children of God is to demonstrate and experience God's power. We were born with a PURPOSE to fulfill. God made you with a specific "PURPOSE." The word purpose means "the reason something exists." Therefore, we can easily conclude that God created us for a very specific reason. Mankind, as a whole, was created in the image of God with the purpose of taking dominion. When we use our God-given authority, we are also empowered to demonstrate God's divine power on the earth. This is the time to demonstrate and experience God's power in our life. JESUS HAD A PURPOSE According to 1 John 3:8, Jesus also had a purpose. His purpose was to "...destroy the works of the devil." We discussed that Jesus brought His world into ours. But, let's delve into this more. The word purpose in Greek is the word "tupos" (pronounced too-pos) and it means "model or imitation." WhenJesus was destroying the works of the devil, He became a model for us to imitate. When we are also on assignment, on purpose, we are imitating God. In fact, this is one of the ways that we are able to give Him glory – by imitating Him! Satan is consumed with targeting us, as he did Eve in the Garden, attempting to cause us to doubt our identity in Christ. If we believe opposite of who we are, (i.e.; sons and daughters of the King and made in His divine image), we become powerless to fully imitate God. Why is that? It is because when we doubt our identity in God, we also doubt our ability to be demonstrators of His power. Problem is the enemy has placed many different limitations upon us which hinder us from demonstration. It's time to take the limitations from our past off! DEMONSTRATION OF HIS POWER Becoming a demonstrator of God's unbridled power is one of the most exciting journeys we can experience. The word "demonstrate" means that something is being "shown or proven." In other words, when we allow God to use us and we pray the prayer of faith for someone to be divinely healed, we are at that time imitators of God. (Just like Elijah, Elisha, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and others!) We are proving God's love as we pray for the sick or the needs of His children. But also, consider this fact: when they are healed, it is then that God's perfect will has therefore been "proven" and "demonstrated". What a privilege it is for God to use us to prove His love through demonstration. Satan targets our mind with lies. THE LIES OF THE ENEMY THAT LIMIT US SOUND LIKE THIS: • You're not smart enough to teach God's Word. • What makes you believe that God would use someone with a past like yours? • You are a complete failure in life. How can God use you? • If you pray for the sick, they might not get healed. Just think of what people might say about you. • You are not qualified to demonstrate God's power • You are flawed. God cannot use someone like you! MORE LIMITATIONS Religion completely negates our need for "relationship" with God. In fact, many times it completely replaces it! Another limitation in the Church is the pressure to "get results". This is all rooted in performance, perfectionism and self-introspection. How many times have we believed the lie that we are a "failure" because we did not witness the desired results? The enemy will use this lie to limit US. On the other hand, God desires that we experience His limitless lifestyle! After all, didn't Jesus say that all things are possible to those of us who believe? Is it then any wonder why the devil attacks our faith? QUESTIONS TO ASK OURSELVES: What do we believe is holding us back? What are our limitations? God desires to empower us to let go of such limitations as: • reliance on ourself • efforts to please God through religious performance • disappointments • emotional pain and trauma • defensive and defeated attitudes PRAYER: I pray today confirming that I am fully empowered to demonstrate Your Kingdom on earth. I agree with what Your Word says concerning my destiny and purpose and that I am created to give You glory. I pray that You reveal the limitations which rob me of being a Kingdom demonstrator. I pray that You shift me into continuous seasons of limitless living. I decree that there are no limits to what I do or experience in Christ, In Jesus' name, Amen! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  23. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight..." - Ephesians 1:3-4 NIV It is vital now for every Spirit-filled Believer to start exercising the spiritual senses, particularly the eyes, to see what God has for you! It may be dark in the world, but the Light of the World will make darkness light to you if you allow Him to open your spiritual eyes (the eyes of your heart) to the truth of the reality of Himself in the existing and coming challenging days. As a result, at daybreak, your path will shine ever brighter until His glory arises in your midst. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see..." (see Hebrews 11:1-2 NIV). You can be sure of what you hope for when you realize that it already exists with God in the heavenly realm, which you have access to through Christ Jesus (see Colossians 1:12-14, 27; 3:3-4). SEE VICTORY "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 If you are in a battle, your spiritual eyes will help you to see victory, as Joshua saw his prayers answered in the Spirit as he pondered in anguish the conquest of Jericho, which to the natural eye, spelled d-e-f-e-a-t. In scanning the heavenlies – that is, opening his spiritual eyes – Joshua saw victory assured (see Joshua 5:13; 6:2). If you can see what God has promised, even in light of your circumstances, and receive it as truth by faith, you have the reality of Heaven's answer for you. SEE BEYOND LIMITATION Healthy spiritual vision will help you to see beyond limitations. Such godly vision is insight into how to move into purpose. Every Believer has a God-ordainedCALLING and PURPOSE, a DESTINY in Him. His desire for you is to anoint, equip, and mature you to fully walk in the fullness of your purpose in a manner that impacts and transforms your life, your family, your community, your city, the world around you. Imagine seeing that impact beyond the gigantic "Jerichoical" walls of limitation that in the natural seem to preclude the possibility of Promised Land possession (PURPOSE). You may face huge barriers of impossibilities in the natural, but the Lord can show and give you heavenly blueprints for the tearing down of those limitations. SPIRITUAL EYES -- A GOD-GIVEN ADVANTAGE Our natural eyes see rejection, lack, and roadblocks. Our spiritual eyes see favor, provision, and new ways. The eyes of understanding are our advantage in these days – a God-given advantage to see by the Spirit of the Lord, to understand what the world cannot, to pull on Heaven, on joy, on our future hope, that we might glorify Him, break through, break out, become victors and not the victimized, and bring His light to the world. Yes, we can pull on the hope of the future, the future's accomplishment, and bring it into the present; even in our sadness for lack or despair over our barren state, we can be glad! Isaiah told the barren woman to break forth into singing, to rejoice over her barrenness as though she had many children: "Sing...break forth into singing." Why do you suppose Isaiah counseled her this? Because God wanted her and us to see the promise, to experience the thrill of victory now, the joy of salvation now, contentment in our calling now, on earth as it is in Heaven now. Rejoicing rends the Heavens for major breakthrough. With spiritual eyes open we can see what should, could, and will be, and by faith bring it forth into the here and now. The precious Holy Spirit illumines our eyes to see into this realm of yes and amen. Unlike our natural eyes, which tend to be near or far-sighted and limited peripherally, our spiritual eyes can see limitless scope – whatever the Father chooses us to see. GRAB HOLD Improve your spiritual eyesight by way of studying what the Holy Spirit has revealed of God and of His promises in and throughout the Word, by: diligently staying in fellowship with God, daily confessing and meditating the promises to the believer in scripture -- pronouncing them over your specific situation and, praying specifically for God to illuminate your own heart to His truths. Believe and relish the truth! The truth will set you free, and transform your life! Ask God for more of what you cannot see. Reach out in faith, and take hold of it! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  24. Many people are crossing spiritual frontiers. People are leaving old seasons of life and entering new ones. One of the most profound crossings ever made was when the nation of Israel walked across the dry riverbed of the Jordan River under the leadership of Joshua. More than one million people camped at the water's edge waiting for the word of the Lord to part the water. First, God would need to speak to Joshua and let him know what this passage would entail. Joshua 1:1-9 - After the death of Moses the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, "Moses My servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses -– from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.' No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. "Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is My command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." EACH CROSSING WILL BE DIRECTED BY A WORD FROM GOD -- "THE LORD SPOKE TO JOSHUA" Joshua was told to walk anywhere within the land God had defined. Wherever Joshua chose to step would be his, within the boundary of the promise. He was a man living under the direction of God's revelation. Each area of our lives has a word from God assigned to it. Each of our families has a word. Each financial decision we make has a word assigned to it. Each relationship we enter into has a word from God assigned to it that will direct how that relationship will develop. It is wisdom to discover these words before we begin the journey. Joshua obeyed the word of the Lord. He didn't deviate to the right or to the left. He stayed true to the word of the Lord and the Lord stayed true to the promise He made to Joshua and the nation of Israel. EACH CROSSING WILL REDEFINE THE NATURE OF OUR CALLING -- "THE TIME HAS COME FOR YOU TO LEAD THESE PEOPLE" Obedience to the CALLING transformed Joshua, revealing more of what God saw in him, had planned for him, and wanted to do through him. Each time we take a step of faith our life manifests more clearly of who we already are in Christ. Like a chisel in the hand of a master sculptor, God fashions us with each step we take. Under the hand of the Master we begin to resemble the person who we already are in Christ. EACH CROSSING WILL BRING A REMINDER OF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS -- "FOR I WILL BE WITH YOU AS I WAS WITH MOSES, I WILL NOT FAIL YOU OR ABANDON YOU" We never do what God calls us to do alone. He is always present with us in each moment of the passage. As Joshua called the people forward to cross the Jordan, that move could appear to be, at the very least, naïve, if not foolish. The decision to cross the Jordan River at this season of the year, would ride on the shoulders of this new leader. It was a fearful and stressful moment. In that moment God assured Joshua that He would not fail or abandon him. Jesus chose to forgive His tormentors amidst the pain of His crucifixion. He told us to bless our enemies even as they wage war against us. When we do this, our future will be defined by the heart of God, not the fear of what can happen to us as the result of human brokenness. EACH CROSSING WILL TEST OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF STRENGTH AND COURAGE -- "BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS." Three times in the first verses of Joshua 1 the Lord tells Joshua, "Be strong and courageous." Why would God say this to Joshua three times? Because Joshua, the great warrior-leader, would experience both fear and weakness as he faced the prospect of crossing the swollen Jordan River and the enemies beyond. This fear and discouragement have faced the people of God in the past and it will have to be addressed by each of us now and in our emerging future. A repeated theme in Paul's ministry was his strengthening and encouraging of the churches. He strengthened and encouraged these churches because they were feeling weak and discouraged when he arrived in their midst. Likewise we are to exhort, encourage, equip, and DISCIPLE those who God places in our path. Today, believe that God is taking you into a new future (His PURPOSE for your life) amidst all the pain and obstacles that are now standing between you and what God has promised. God is your passage-maker and He will never leave you alone in the crossing you are about to make. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  25. Three Aspects of the Spirit #1 - Conscience The conscience discerns right and wrong and is not influenced by knowledge or outward persuasion. Conscience will condemn sometimes when one’s reasoning condones. Scriptural examples of the functioning of the conscience: John 13:21 - After Jesus had said these things, He was troubled (disturbed, agitated) in spirit and said, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.Acts 17:16 - Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Romans 8:16 - The Spirit Himself testifies together with our own spiritthat we are the children of God. 1 Corinthians 5:3 - For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. 2 Corinthians 2:13 - I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went from thence to Macedonia. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
×
×
  • Create New...