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  1. Should living in His presence as we go throughout the day be something we should attain to?
  2. Man was created to be inhabited by God through His Spirit. With a sincere devotion to God through the Holy Spirit, people can live in a place of overflow in His presence. God desires our revelation to become reality. The things that He has given us in our dreams He desires to make manifest in our lives. We have been given the ability to determine the path that we will travel through the our actions and the words of our mouth. REVELATION TO REALITY THROUGH DECREEING James 3:4 "Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires." James speaks of our tongues being like the rudder of a ship. As small as the tongue is, it has great control of where we end up. If we can learn to bring what we say under the influence of the Holy Spirit, good, eternal fruit will come of it. SEASON OF PRUNING Many have been in a season of pruning so that they may be even more fruitful in the next season. Pruning is not pleasant in the beginning, but later it yields a greater increase of fruit. "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." - John 15:2 During the season of pruning it is all the more important to keep integrity in what we do and say. We need to "Hold our rudder in right position" and "Stay the course." Even now promises are being possessed and there is more to come. As we experience a gradual increase in promises being possessed it will propel us into an remarkable season where doors will fly open to an abundant possession of promises. BE ACTIVATED This is a great time to be activated in the spirit. This means that we see opportunities at every turn. There are opportunities to demonstrate God's love to people. Don't assume that everyone has heard the truth of the Gospel or has experienced "His life". Take time to share the life of God with others. God wants us to expand beyond the borders we have preconceived in our natural mind. Don't say, "I can't do this" or "That is not me", because God wants to put something new in you. God continually "adds to us" things that would not be our "natural inclination". 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." Do you realize that we are all ministers of the Gospel? The pulpit is just one very small outlet of ministry. Jesus did close to 99% of His ministry outside the walls of a building. The five-fold ministry is just to get the saints equipped to go out into the world. PULL HEAVEN'S REVELATION INTO REALITY God is continually giving us inner vision to encourage us to believe and DECREE these things into existence. Take time every day to "pull down" those inner visions that God has given to you. Luke 11:2 - So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in Heaven, Holy is Your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven..." If God has shown you an inner vision, enter into worship and thanksgiving with DECREES –pulling down that vision and combining it with actions that will activate it. It is our part to make revelation reality in the earth. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  3. Luke 9:23 - "If anyone wishes to come after Me; he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." When the Cross is alive, it burns up the flesh – dreams of the flesh, ambitions of the flesh – all of the flesh. All of the flesh it consumes. It consumed man's flesh beyond recognition, and so it is with His own. So when the Father looks down, He sees the reflection of His Son, and then there becomes recognition. Let the Cross have its work. Let the grave contain what is causing death, but let the Spirit quicken what is life. Thank Him for the Cross; for the work of the Cross. For we are a people of His Cross -- you are marked by His Cross. Cast not away the Blood of Jesus. Let the Blood consume. Let the Blood be the fuel for the fire of the Cross. Let the Spirit of the Living God consume the flesh, so that in His Spirit you will live and move and have your being, but first there must be the working of the Cross. And as His Cross becomes your cross, know He has hidden you in His Cross. For your cross is within His Cross, and the enemy cannot beat you with your cross when you bow down and let the working of His Cross take precedence. Feel His Cross. Feel His Blood. It is real. It is truth. He is alive forevermore, and so are you. Your spirit is eternal. Let your spirit be free to mature through the working of the Cross. For, yes, there is death, but more importantly, there is the life of the Cross. Let His Cross consume you. Let His grave clothes transform you. Let His robes of righteousness transfuse you, through the Blood of the Cross. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  4. I love You, God, because You first loved me. (1 John 4:19) You sent Your only begotten Son, Jesus, to this earth out of Your love for me and for others. I have believed on Him and now, I will not perish - I have everlasting life. You did not send Jesus to condemn me, but to save me, and I thank You for that! (John 3:16,17) God, if You loved me that much, I should give love to others. (1 John 4:11) So, I will love others. It's a sign that I've been born of You, because You are love. But if I fail to love others, I fail to love You. Help me to always love! (1 John 4:7,8) I put on love each day, as if it's a coat, because I know that You consider it the highest of all virtues - Your love binds every other good virtue together and makes them one. (Colossians 3:14) Love is the most important sacrifice to another person that I can make. I will love God with all my heart, soul, mind and all my strength, Lord, and I will love my neghbor as myself. (Mark 12:33) Help me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. I do this in obedience to You, my Father in Heaven. (Matthew 5:44) I love others because You have loved me, and people will know that I'm a disciple of Yours because of the love that I show. (John 13:34-35) Circumcise my heart, God. Consecrate me and help me to love You with all my heart and soul so that I may truly live well! (Deuteronomy 30:6) Father, help me to remain in Your love just like Jesus. He always obeyed Your commands and always remained in Your love. (John 15:10) Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit! Through Him, You have poured Your great love into my heart! (Romans 5:5) God, I know the Your love matters the most - though I speak many words, including the tongues of angels, if I don't love others, my words are nothing but a lot of noise! I can prophesy, understand everything there is to know, and have faith enough to move mountains. I can give everything I have to feed the poor, even if I give my own body as a sacrifice to You, but without love, none of these things do any good at all: Love matters most! (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) Help me to see Your love for what it is - patient and kind, never envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, or easily angered. You love stops me from keeping a record of wrongs or delighting in what is evil. Your love helps me to rejoice in truth and always protect, trust, hope, and persevere! (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Whatever I do, Lord, help me to do it in love! (1 Corinthians 16:14) The covenant I have with You, God, is not because of something physical, like circumcision. My covenant was made through Jesus Christ - and my faith works by love! (Galatians 5:6) The fruit of your Spirit is love. (Galatians 5:22) I was called by God to be free! But, I don't use my freedom as an excuse to live in sin and do only what I want. Instead, I serve others in the way of love. (Galatians 5:13) God, You are rich in mercy and because of Your great love for me, You have made me alive with Christ! Even when I was dead in sin, you made a way of grace so that I could be saved! (Ephesians 2:4-5) I am being rooted and established in love. I'm gaining the power to grasp the amazing measurements of Your love. I realize that it surpasses all knowledge, but in "seeking" to find its measurements, I am being filled with the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19) I'm a volunteer prisoner of You and I will live a life worthy of Your calling. In humility, gentleness, and patience, I will bear what others do in love. I will strive to always keep the unity of Your Spirit and keep the peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3) I speak the truth in love and it causes me to grow up in all things - I'm a part of the body of Christ and we serve under the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ! We work together in love and this unites the whole body of Christ! (Ephesians 4:15,16) Like a child imitates those he admires, I imitate You Jesus, and live a life of love! Because You loved me and gave Yourself for me as a good-smelling offering to God, I will give myself to others, as an offering to You. (Ephesians 5:1) I will speak peace, love, and faith over all my brothers and sisters today! (Ephesians 6:23) Thank You for correcting my heart when I do wrong. I know that You discipline those You love. (Hebrews 12:6) I will live in harmony with others and be sympathetic, compassionate, and humble. (1 Peter 3:8) Above it all, I will love others deeply because love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) I have known and believed in the love that You have for me. You are Love and I make my life in You. Your great love is being perfected in me day-to-day. I will be able to have boldness in the day of judgment because I have a life of love! 1 John 4:16,17) I won't fear! Your love in me casts fear out! I'm being made perfect in Your love day by day! (1 John 4:18) ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  5. 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
  6. "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice." Psalm 63:5-7 In this classic Psalm, David teaches us a method to calm the screaming soul and find satisfaction even in the most critical circumstances. What is the method? -- Meditation. It's important to know that David was in the wilderness running for his life when he wrote this. He wasn't meditating on his kingly bed with servants tending to his every need. He was in a tough time. Nevertheless, he meditated on God; therefore, he could worship instead of weep. As we meditate on God, we will too. STAYED ON YOU David delighted in the law of the Lord (see Psalm 1:1-2). The Hebrew word for meditation used here is "hagah" (Strong's #1897) and it not just a mental exercise. Hagah means: to reflect, to ponder, to muse. However, it also means: to mutter, to moan, or to make a soft sound, to speak. The effect is to get lost in communion with God "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. " - Isaiah 26:3 In the midst of trials, one of the things we must do is stop and see where our mind is focused. The enemy of our soul would love for us to continue looking at our circumstance; however, that will not provide us the perfect peace and soul satisfaction we are desperate for. The harder the trial the more critical it is to get your mind focused on God. What does it mean to "stay our mind"? The Hebrew word for "mind" here is yetser (pronounced yay'-tser, Strong's #3336). The root of this word speaks of forming and fashioning, even squeezing something into shape. We see the word first in Genesis 2:7 as the Lord "formed" man out of the dust...or in Hebrew -- the Lord "yester" man out of the dust. Through this example, we can see that it takes a CONCIOUS EFFORT ON OUR BEHALF -- even "squeezing" our thoughts to be STAYED on God. The Hebrew word for "STAYED," is samech (pronounced saw-mak, Strong's #5564). Samech means to lean, lay, rest, support and it speaks of setting, placing or laying something upon something else so that it may be supported by it. TAKING OUR THOUGHTS CAPTIVE As we meditate and form or even squeeze our thoughts to focus on God instead of our situation, we are placing them on Him so that we may be supported by Him. That sheds more light on 1 Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." We are not merely meditating on the Lord because we trust Him. We are actually taking our thoughts captive and forming them, and setting them upon God. Through this purposeful process we will receive support, perfect peace, and the ultimate soul satisfaction. Just as a circle has no beginning or end, neither does God. His love is from everlasting to everlasting. This is what we can focus our thoughts on...the Lamb of God, the love of God. As we do that, we will be surrounded, supported, and kept in perfect peace in the heart of God. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  7. We let the Lord take our heart through a process. Just as Peter had to go through a series of events to be ready to be used in an extraordinary way, we realize that God has a process for all of us. What the Lord worked in Peter was a NEW IDENTITY, a dependency upon the Lord so that he would not trust in His own strength. We learn to lean on the strength of God, not taking things into our own hands. WE WALK IN DISCERNMENT BEING AN INFLUENCE FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD Philippians 1:9-11 - "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Keep your discernment. Love and discernment work together. They always do. We do not turn on love and turn off discernment. We do not turn on discernment and turn off love. Rather, we use them both together. True discernment comes from the Holy Spirit Who pours the love of God in our hearts. Jesus comes to bring the cure. That cure can only happen because He sees what is needed. WE KEEP OUR HEART FREE AND WALK IN LOVE Matthew 5:9 - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Be willing to reconcile with others who are embittered against you. Some may be in a bitter place not wanting to reconcile. Just realize you need to be willing to be a peacemaker. Pray that the Lord will tenderize their heart and fill them with the love of God. Bitterness blinds people. He who has a bitter root defiles many because they spread evil reports with gossip. Walk in love and pray that God gives them the gift of repentance. WE GET UNDERSTANDING ON SOWING SEED AND HARVEST TIME 2 Corinthians 9:6,7 - "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." Make an effort to understand the power of SOWING and REAPING. Realize that all God has entrusted to us we are the steward of. In that way, all that we have is seed that can be sown into different places. Our time invested in the spiritual development of others, work, money, prayers, worship is all seed that is sown. If we want increase in our life, both in the spirit and in the natural, we need to get the revelation of SEEDTIME and HARVEST. Who doesn't want a HARVEST in their lives? But we have to sow in order to REAP. WE DRINK HIS NEW WINE! Hebrews 1:8,9 - "But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions." We take time to not only seek the Lord, but to receive from the Lord the new wine of His PRESENCE. We allow God to fill us with His joy as the Holy Spirit saturates us. For it is the joy that comes in His PRESENCE that strengthens us. God will give us a fresh anointing as we simply receive in His PRESENCE. Jesus was anointed with the oil of joy far above all others. How much more do we need His oil upon our lives. WE ARE ALL COMMANDED TO DO THE WORK OF MINISTRY John 21:17 - "He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.'" One of the unique things about the Church of the New Covenant is that God has authorized and commanded every believer to do the work of the ministry! God wants an entire army of workers out doing the vital work of DISCIPLESHIP of the saints and building up His Body, the Church. Many churches are so focused on the salvation message that they fail to feed and help mature the sheep who have already come to salvation. Believers should be equipped to DISCIPLE the new believers so they will be effective in personal ministry. "My children with who I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you.." - Galatians 4:19 The true success of our ministry to others will be by how it brought forth the formation of Christ within the person God has given us to DISCIPLE. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  8. "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" - (Ephesians 2:4-6). As our minds are renewed and our faith grows, we take these realities as fact and live in the light of them. We come to know that we are above our enemies and refuse to walk in the flesh realm but take our place in Christ in the spirit realm. No longer will faith be a struggle, but a normal living in the realm of God. The spiritual realm places man where communion with God is a normal experience. We are not going to grovel in the earthly realm, but we are seated in the heavenly places with the Lord. Every Believer has the right, authority, and ability to minister out of the throne room just as Jesus did. "Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily" - (Colossians 1:28-29). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me." - John 10:27 The Lord said that His sheep know His voice -- He did not stay that His lambs did. Young Believers (in spiritual age) often need to follow (be discipled by) other Christians until they mature. One of the primary ways we mature and become sheep is by knowing His voice (walking in the Spirit). We should also be devoted to building on a foundation of sound doctrine and an understanding of who we are in Christ. This is part of growing in the truth and having a love for the truth but fundamental to our life is following the Person who is the Truth. INTO ACTION: Sit with a group of other Christians and seek to hear the voice of the Lord -- He will speak to them. When you hear others in the group begin to say what they heard, it builds your confidence that they are hearing the Lord. As people minister in the group, over time, their sensitivity to His voice can grow dramatically. Then they start hear Him at work, while shopping, or at any time and in any place that He wants to speak. AFFIRMATION: I make it a weelky goal to hear something from the Lord for another person. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  12. In this season, God is giving out new "out of the box" ways of doing things. Don't get set in "your" ways, but learn to embrace His ways. What does this really mean? It means not to think as the world thinks. Do not accept what the world calls normal. We need a fresh Gospel mentality that is willing to walk away from the things that hinder and hamper our CALLINGIN CHRIST. LIFTING THE HEAVY BURDEN God is looking for people who are willing to respond to His CALLING. Take Matthew the tax collector as an example, or any of the disciples. Jesus said, "Come and follow Me." What we do not see is all the details that were involved in the sacrifice of those who followed Jesus. Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." There is a hidden treasure that is only discovered by those who answer this call. For Matthew, it was deliverance from operating in the world's system as a tax collector, a boring occupation. God invites us to a life of adventure in the Gospel. It is better than we could ever imagine. When we respond to His invitation, He lifts the heavy burden of all the things of this life. Matthew probably had much burden, much boredom, and much anxiety. When he chose to follow the Lord he left all that behind. His burden became a thing of the past as He embraced the easy yoke of Jesus. Instead, he chose to experience the glory of God being with Jesus. It really comes down to the question of "What are we here for?" Are we storing up treasure in Heaven, or are we looking for our reward on earth? Are we still trying to be somebody when Jesus is saying, "Come, follow Me"? He lifts the heavy burden, bringing us into a place of ecstatic joy, life, and peace. The Gospel is still good news. Do we still feel it in our heart? A TIME FOR HEAVEN'S STRATEGIES We are in a time where God wants to release new strategies to us that go against the typical trend. There are ways of doing things that work. Being in a religious rut causes you to do the same things over and over again with the same result, never learning to move into something new, fresh, and different. Those caught in a religious trap are afraid of adventure, new things, different approaches, and will hold others back so that they won't feel so bad. Misery loves company. One of the main characteristics of fear is control. People in fear have to control to keep things safe for themselves. They will take things into their own hands rather than trusting the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." When we learn to trust the Lord, we then get a new and fresh perspective on things. It is like you had been in a box. As you learn to trust the Lord, you climb out of that box, seeing sunlight with the blue sky rather than darkness in the box. This is the way it works when we see as God sees. He has blueprints for each of us that will release life, making us contagious with His love, presence and CALLING. Ask the Lord to get you out of the old place. Question your own thinking. Is your thinking in alignment with man's accepted way, or does God have a better way? Then, what are you willing to lay down for a fresh blueprint from Heaven? THE "YES" HARMONY EXPERIENCE 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 - " For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." When we get in on God's plans, it is then that we experience the "YES" from the Lord as a seal upon His best for us. The good is the enemy of the best. When we discover God's best plan for our lives, then we experience an even greater affirmation of His voice to us. As we come into harmony with the Holy Spirit, He brings us into a revelation of God's acceptance. Jesus received the affirming voice of God, not only because He was God's Son, but because He was walking according to he desires of the Father's heart. There is a place of precision and excellence where His affirming voice is made even clearer to us. This comes as we come into alignment with His voice and desires. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  13. "Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of Thy waterspouts: all Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over me." - Psalm 42:7 "Deep calls." Our Lord is a seeking God who desires a satisfaction that can be found only in us – our worship and our times of fellowship with Him. We were created for this purpose, which became marred by our association with the world. "At the noise of Your waterspouts." Our initial response may seem to us as being "noise," but as we continue to worship and spend time in fellowship with the Lord, it will become as a "song." "The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt Him." - Exodus 15:2 If we will be patient and not become discouraged, we will be immersed in His presence – "all Your waves are gone over me." Now, we are no longer in control. Others will notice the change in us and ask: "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?... " - Song of Solomon 8:5 "Deep calls." -- In order to rightly respond, we must become spiritually hungry. LET OUR PRAYER BE "DRAW ME" "Draw me, we will run after Thee: the King hath brought me into His chambers... " - Song of Solomon 1:4 This prayer, "Draw me," relates to our spiritual hunger. It is the most important request that we could ever set before the Lord. If we do not have this spiritual hunger, our interests will settle upon earthly pursuits, and we will seek satisfaction in them alone. Ministry can feed hunger, but only the Lord can create spiritual hunger. This prayer for us to become spiritually hungry will be effective only after we commit ourselves to rightly respond to the Lord – "We will run after You." The written Word is to become a present reality, and experienced. Thus, we must determine that we will steadfastly seek a closer relationship to the Lord. When He responds to our prayer and begins to draw us to Himself, all of our other needs will fall into their proper place and order, including His CALLING on or life. "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. " - Matthew 6:33 The greatest privilege and blessing that we can have is for the Lord to become active in our spiritual life experience and begin to progressively guide us toward our DESTINY in Christ. THE DEEP CRY OF THE LORD "My Beloved is mine... " - Song of Solomon 2:16 We tend to seek the Lord for what He can do for us. The Lord knows this, but patiently works within us so He will be able to take us further. "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 Therefore, He begins by revealing to us our present condition and spiritual need to know HisPURPOSE for our life. After He has accomplished the needed deliverance and correction within us, we will begin to seek the Lord for Himself. "I am my Beloved's..." - Song of Solomon 6:3 Now we are putting the Lord first, though much of our self-seeking is still intact. "Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth; for Your loves are better than wine. For Your ointments have a lovely fragrance; Your name is as oil poured out; therefore the virgins love You." - Song of Solomon 1:2-3 Notice that we are telling the Lord that we love Him because of all that He gives to us. We are saying, "I love You because I enjoy Your blessings." But again, the Lord looks beyond our self-centeredness and continues His work within us, until we see our need and confess it to the Lord. "Do not look on me, that I am black, that the sun has looked on me. My mother's sons were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but my vineyard I have not kept." - Song of Solomon 1:6 We realize that we have worked very hard "for" the Lord, even in the heat of the day, so that we have become "sun burned." But we have ignored the "deep" cry of the Lord, and have neglected our CALLING in His kingdom (vineyard). Therefore, He allows our circumstances to become a problem to us, which will result in "our mother's sons" (those we are close to) becoming angry with us. All of the things that we had depended on have suddenly become an enemy. Now we realize that we must have the Lord Himself, and we cry out for satisfaction. FEED MY SHEEP "Tell me, You whom my soul loves, where do You feed, where do You lie down at noon? For why should I be as one who is veiled beside the flocks of Your companions?" - Song of Solomon 1:7 Finally, we discover that we can no longer be satisfied to drink from the overflow of another's blessing, or to feed upon the testimony or experience of another, and we began to look for the Lord Himself. Immediately, the Lord responds: "If you know not, most beautiful among women, go in the footsteps of the flock, and feed your kids beside the shepherds' tents" (Song of Solomon 1:8). The Lord is telling us that we should feed the sheep he has put in our lives ("feed your kids"). Without the mentorship of someone who has an active, personal relationship with Him, the spiritual path can be obscure to "baby Christians". "He saith unto him, 'Feed my sheep.' He saith unto him the third time....'Feed my sheep.'" - John 21:16,17 "THERE I WILL GIVE YOU MY LOVES" Now, there is a complete change in our expression, as the Lord Himself has become the goal that we seek. "I am my Beloved's and His desire is toward me." - Song of Solomon 7:10 I have come from a salvation experience in which I had been satisfied to escape from eternal punishment, into a relationship in which my life is sold out to Jesus and His PURPOSE for my life. As I long for His fellowship, He can say to me: "Come, My beloved, let us go out into the field; let us stay in the villages. Let us rise up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flowers, whether the tender grape appears, and the pomegranates bud forth; there I will give you My loves" (Song of Solomon 7:11-12). We will be sent only after we have first come to Him. Now, as we commune together in the vineyard, we will find all that we have longed for (co-laboring with Him in our CALLING) , as we respond to the "deep" cry of the Lord – "There I will give you My loves." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  14. I impart my own life to others, exhorting and encouraging them with boldness in advancing God's Kingdom in word and power and in the Holy Spirit. - 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2:2,11,13 As I fight the good fight of faith and take hold of eternal life, I confess my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to others. - 1 Timothy 6:12 God did not give me the spirit of fear but a spirit of power, of love and of self-dicipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7 Through grace I am saved with a holy calling in Christ Jesus, to fullfill God's purpose from all eternity. - 2 Timothy 1:9 The Lord grants me understanding in everything. - 2 Timothy 2:7 I convince, rebuke, and exhort others in the Word through teaching and patience. - 2 Timothy 4:2 I fight the good fight of faith, finish the race, and keep the faith. - 2 Timothy 4:7 The Lord rescues me from all evil and takes me safely into His Heavenly Kingdom. - 2 Timothy 4:18 As a priest unto God I further the faith of God's elect and theirknowledge of the truth. - Titus 1:1 Through God's grace I give up everything that does not lead to God and renounce godless ways and worldly desires. - Titus 2:12 God poured out His Holy Spirit abundantly on me through Jesus Christ my Savior, so that by His grace I might be put right with God and come into possession of the eternal life I hope for. - Titus 3:6,7 I keep from friendship with the world as the Holy Spirit watches over my spirit with tender jealousy. - James 4:4,5 Christ personally bore my sins in His own body on the cross, so that I might cease to live for sin and begin to live for righteousness. It was the suffering which He bore which has healed me. - 1 Peter 2:24 I have received a spiritual gift to serve others faithfully, administering God's grace. When I speak I speak words that seem to come from God; I help as though every order was done at God's orders, so that in everthing God may receive the glory through Jesus Christ since to Him belongs all glory and power forever and ever. - 1 Peter 4:10,11 He has granted to me His exceeding great and precious promises, that through these I might escape from the corruption that is in the world through lust and become a partaker of the devine nature. - 2 Peter 1:4 I have been given all things that pertain to life and godliness through the kinowledge of God who has called me to glory and virtue. - 2 Peter 1:3 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  15. 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
  16. "Finding the sweet spot" could be a phrase for living in a place of enjoyment, peace and rest in relationship with God, and staying in balance and harmony with His design for our life. This is where the maximum Kingdom result is accomplished. It isn't about trying harder or spinning the wheels faster, but about relaxing into all that God has given and then joyfully working with Him in the Kingdom. HIS WAYS VS. OUR WAYS Proverbs 16:9 - "a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." We know that God's Kingdom works in a very different manner than man's world and that His perspective is much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). Human thinking is often focused on the fastest way to get from A to B – the shortest line between two points. It is often all about the destination, getting things done, and accomplishing our goals and agenda. God's thinking is much more relationally focused, and His concern is our transformation along the journey. He just isn't that concerned about us getting from A to B in the shortest time possible! God wants to meander along the trail with us for a while, more than being in a race to get to our next stop. His focus is to spend time with us so we get to know Him and His ways. His goal is to transform us into His image, rather than just have us check off the next item on the "dreams and goals" list. In other words, He wants us to ENJOY the journey WITH Him, taking in the many nuances that a relationship with the Most High involves: seeing Him in His goodness, experiencing His kindness along the way, reveling in His love, and dancing in His joy. These inward characteristics are all accessible to us no matter what is being accomplished on the outward journey of goals and pursuits. LEARNING TO REST Even when the outside pressures squeeze in. We are learning how to say, "It's been a good and fulfilling day," even when we can't check off all the things on our to-do list. When we don't perform to meet other people's expectations, or even our own, we can still live in the love and acceptance of the Father. It isn't about striving, performing, or accomplishing. It is about finding our pleasure in Him, living in the overflow of who He is and His pleasure toward us. We learn to live in the space of God's love, grace, peace and joy, and maximize the results of our energies spent. It's not so much about WHAT we accomplish, but HOW we live life during that process. ENJOYING THE JOURNEY As we step back and take the pace of life down a notch or two (maybe even three), we take time to reflect on His love and His good pleasure, no matter what the outward journey looks like. Are we operating in His agenda or ours? "Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want." - 1 Peter 4:2, The Message We want to be free to pursue what He wants and not be driven by what WE think needs to be done. We hear the still, quiet voice that says: "Stay by My side and enjoy the journey, regardless of whether or not you can see where it's going." "What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." - Matthew 6:31-33, The Message AN EASY YOKE In this age of adrenal fatigue and living a driven life, perhaps we all need the Spirit to show us which purposes are really our own agenda, and just how driven we, as a Western society, have become. Is it possible that our "goals and good activities" are running us ragged as we pursue God'sPURPOSE for our life (our CALLING in Christ), serve other people's needs, and try to achieve a host of other goals? If these not done from the right place and at God's pace, we may lose the peace and enjoyment of the Kingdom life. Contentment is a good measuring stick. Like Paul, can we have an abiding sense of being content regardless of what is happening around us? (Philippians 4:12) ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  17. "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord'" (Ezekiel 37:4). Everywhere the Living Water flows, life will suddenly spring up! The more the Word is preached, prophesied, declared, affirmed, discipled and confessed the more the dry bones will rattle and rise from death to resurrection power as an exceedingly great army. THE FLOODING OF GOD'S SPIRIT IS COMING Let's all draw near to Him and ask Him to flood our individual lives and the lives we touch and minister to -- for everything the water touches will spring to life. Let's spend more time raising our spiritual consciousness with the truths of our inheritance in Christ from the Bible so that there are no "empty places" in our souls. Let's spend more time worshiping the Father and praying each and every day, letting the Living Waters fill us and then flow out of innermost being to the people whose lives God has given us to affect and change. Let's flood the atmosphere around us every day with the glory of God! For He is the Kingdom and the power and the glory. As we do this, then we will see exactly what Habakkuk 2:14 says - "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  18. http://www.christianityboard.com/blog/48/entry-1041-reaching-through-to-him-meditations/
  19. Luke 17:20,21 - "The kingdom of God comes not with observation. For behold, the kingdom of God is within you." IF WE WAIT QUIETLY BEFORE GOD AND LEARN TO TURN THE EYES OF OUR SOUL TO THE INWARD PARTS OF OUR BEING -- OUR SPIRITS -- WE WILL ENCOUNTER HIM IN THE DEEP LEVELS, AS THAT IS WHERE HIS SPIRIT DWELLS. Matthew 25:30 - "And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Affirmation: THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GIVING ME WISDOM AND COURAGE TO STEP OUT AND BEGIN TO FULFILL THE DREAM HE AS BIRTHED SO DEEPLY INSIDE ME. Jude 22 - "And of some have compassion, making a difference." Affirmation: MY HEART RELEASES THE COMPASSION OF JESUS CHRIST TO HELP DELIVER PEOPLE CAUGHT IN THE DECEPTION OF SIN AND DARKNESS AND SET THEM FREE. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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