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  1. It's not enough that fear has desecrated the saints, we must first deal with our alcoholic history in the body of Christ, and I'm talking about maddening wine, not Bordeaux. How is it created, and where does it arise from? It's becomes the blood of the saints spiritually we know that for sure! Let's NOT drink it!! You know here in this community we have discussed the holy priesthood, or rather the unblemished fatherhood of the male saints being offered to them by the Father of Lights right now. Undoubtedly this might come about through a movement of fasting and celibacy. Amen.
  2. Greetings, Are there any requirements to becoming a Disciple of Jesus Christ in order to be considered a Christian? If so, what are those requirements? Please answer the question using Jesus' words as reference.
  3. Who are today’s disciples of Jesus Christ? According to Jesus (Am I becoming a disciple myself – am I making others disciples? It is our mission) Matt 28:19 (Our Mission) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, There are just 6 things that Jesus said make and identify a disciple – 3 relate to the major areas of my life that God invites me to fully submit into His hands – my relationships, my possessions and my self will. The other 3 relate respectively to my continuing to allow God to impart Christ’s nature to my heart, my continuing to live in that new nature, which is love, towards other Christians and finally under the direction of God’s Spirit my ongoing willingness to share that nature– which is the life of Christ – through my prayers for and my words to both unbelievers and believers. Lu 14:26 If anyone comes to me and does not love less his father and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (In other words my love for God must be greater than my love for each of the members of my family and must exceed my love for myself – Surely in recognition that there is only One, Jesus Christ, who died for my sins how could my first allegiance and my first devotion not be to Him – otherwise I am not His disciple, and if I’m not a disciple of Christ what or who am I?). Lu 14:27 And whoever of you does not bear his cross (which is really his share of Christ’s cross, by understanding and believing that when we abide in Christ we share in His death on the cross to His flesh and thus become dead to our own flesh with its sin nature), and follow me (in the Spirit), cannot be my disciple. (Will I allow God to reveal to me that my own flesh, that is my human nature also being my sin nature where self rules, is despicable, ugly and the enemy of God? If so, I will gladly embrace the further revealed truth that when I am in Christ I am dead to my flesh with its sin nature because I now share in His death to the flesh on the cross - but if I reject God’s provision, in Christ, to free me from bondage to my sin nature, even though I know how it has harmed both me and others in the past, then I cannot be Christ’s disciple – and then what or who am I?) Lu 14:33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake (surrender ownership claim to) all that he has, he cannot be my disciple. (In other words cheerfully transferring my authority to God over position, possessions, money, ambition, acclaim, image, an independent will, and personal rights. When the full impact dawns in my heart that God purchased my life from Satan, with all that this implies both now and for eternity, it will not be difficult for me to see that my stuff came with that purchase and belongs to God. If I refuse to see this truth it casts doubt on the validity of God’s purchase and I cannot be Christ’s disciple – then who am I?) Jo 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed him If you abide in my word (continue in, feed your spirit on and walk in the light of) then you are my disciples indeed; (In other words day by day allowing God to impart more of His divine nature through His living words to my heart – progressively conforming me to Christ, by whose life in me I am enabled to overcome all 3 of my enemies, live in the center of God’s will and expand His Kingdom on earth. But if I drift away from God, neglect His ongoing salvation and lose my appetite for His daily spiritual bread my enemies will trample all over me and I will no longer be a disciple of Christ – then who am I?) Jo 13:35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another. (The love of God is in Christ Jesus, as we live in Christ, full of His Spirit with hearts abounding in His new and past words that He has spoken to us, His love nature as is reflected in 1st. Corinthians Chapter 13 will abound in us and through us to other Christians. But if we don’t live in Christ, in unbroken submission to His Spirit, and thoughts and words other than His abound in our hearts, then it will be impossible to walk in love towards other believers – and we will no longer be disciples of Christ – then who or what are we?) Jo 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples. (This is the fulfillment of our mission and our calling. It is only possible on a consistent basis as we believe and live in the five revealed truths outlined above concerning discipleship. Therefore now, in Christ, and being anointed by the Holy Spirit with our hearts daily nourished with more of God’s words, we will bear living fruit in the form of our prayers for others and in the form of our words that enter the hearts of others who have eras to hear them. In this way, through prayer and living words of God, the very life of Jesus Christ is imparted, birthing unbelievers into God’s Kingdom and making disciples of believers. Jesus said we are known in the spirit realm by the fruit of our lips. When we are in Christ, life giving words come from our hearts as living water – but when we are not living in Christ, we are detached from the Vine, our words are devoid of life and do damage to God’s kingdom – and we cease to be Christ’s disciples – and then what or who are we?). Matt 28:19 (Again, the Mission of a Christian is) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, A person has to be a disciple of Jesus themselves in order to be used of God to make others disciples of Jesus –Can I really be a Christian if I am not becoming nor intend to become a disciple of Jesus Christ? Let God answer this probing question in our hearts! God bless
  4. Many Believers love on people by telling them how precious they are, help them out with things they need doing, and even say a prayer to bless them but never actually preach the Gospel to them. They try to explain that doing acts of love is synonymous with preaching the Gospel and that they can preach with actions rather than words. WE MUST PREACH THE GOSPEL Mark 16:15 - "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'" Acts of love are needed but they do not replace preaching the Gospel. Buying food for the homeless, carrying shopping bags for old ladies, showing care and love to the young and healthy and ministering to the sick and disabled are great opportunities to love -- to introduce the ones in front of us to the One who taught us how to love -- Jesus. Share about the Gospel -- Jesus' death and resurrection and how receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior by faith and repentance from sin can bring them into salvation. While it is true that we can't force people into the Kingdom but we must be confident in the Holy Spirit to believe He is already convicting the hearts of the ones we are speaking to and be BOLD to speak the Gospel message and give them the opportunity to receive the Lord. The full Gospel for which the Lord died for must be preached. The ones we regularly interact with but never actually minister the Gospel to if unsaved, when they die, will go to Hell – despite our loving on them! THE JOY OF SALVATION Many times on street outreaches, we bless people with prophetic words and even offer to pray for their sicknesses, but again this does not replace preaching the Gospel of salvation. These are amazing ways to open up peoples hearts to hear the Gospel yet, the prophetic or healing words themselves do not save anyone. They are great tools to open up hearts to the Father's love but are never meant to be used as an end in itself but rather as a means to an end. The salvation of the soul is the ultimate goal. Even if you don't have a prophetic or healing word for the one in front of you, be encouraged to be bold to preach the message of salvation in love and power to them because the Gospel has more than enough power to turn people to Jesus. Let us be restored to the joy of our salvation. Remember that wonderful moment the Lord saved you and be joyful to bring others into the experience of salvation you have. What a joy to bring multitudes into Heaven with us as we understand the urgency of the times we live in. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
  5. 2 Kings 2:8,9,13 - "And Elijah took his MANTLE and wrapped it together and smote the waters....And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy Spirit be upon me....He took up also the MANTLE of Elijah that fell from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. And He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters." The word "mantle" means, "That which is thrown on or around--a physical covering." An actual mantle, cloak or robe, is an article of clothing. It is typically large and loose-fitting. This long outer garment or topcoat was in all probability the mantle worn by Elijah and then Elisha in II Kings 2:8-14. One of the most powerful of Bible stories, centered around a mantle, has a profound prophetic significance for us today. God wants to "throw" on us, and "throw" around us, a new, more complete spiritual mantle! It's time for us to do what Elisha did. It's time to ask and receive our new mantle. It's time for the "Doubling" to take place in our personal ministry to others also! It's Time to Put On Your New Spiritual Mantle! God wants to be your clothier. He wants to clothe you with your custom made, custom-fitted, spiritual MANTLE--all the power, gifting, and authority God has for you. It's time for you to become like Elisha. ASPECTS OF YOUR NEW MANTLE 1. Your new mantle is unique...no one else can successfully receive and effectively wear your anointing or mantle like you. 2. Your new mantle is all-inclusive...it contains everything you need to walk in the full power, gifting and authority of God for your life. Your mantle represents your spiritual DNA--who you really are or who you are to become. It contains all the spiritual resources necessary for you to walk out your DESTINY in Christ. 3. Your new mantle must be activated--Elisha immediately used his new mantle to "smote the waters." You need to activate your mantle today. How? Look for new opportunities to use this new power of God in your life. Today, right now, ask God for your new personalized MANTLE--to outfit you with it. Ask Him to be your clothier. It's time for you to experience what Elisha did--to get your new and even more powerful mantle. Amen! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  6. "I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2 NASB) We are anointed to transform our area of influence for the advancement of the Kingdom and to bring glory to God. God anoints us to fulfill the plans and CALLING He has for us. The anointing allows you to move into a supernatural walk with God. The Lord is filling people with His Spirit and increasing the anointing on the lives of people so they may powerfully impact their area of influence for Him. This is a time of transformation for those who surrender to the Lord and submit to the pruning and refining that the Lord is doing at this time. There is a repositioning and realigning that is occurring as part of the preparation for what is coming. The Lord is removing hindrances and refreshing His people. He is filling them with the power of His Spirit and raising them up to carry His PURPOSE for their lives. AFFIRMATIONS: I am not designed to drift - I am designed for DESTINY. God has called me with a holy calling, not according to my works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to me in Christ Jesus before the world began. Since I am in Christ I am in another reality and another life altogether. Luke 9:23 - "And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” When Jesus called His disciples, it was for total commitment. They had to be willing to leave everything to follow Him, and so do we. If He is not the Lord of all, then He is not our Lord at all. All Christians are called to be "soldiers of the Cross". All soldiers know that they can be called upon to pay the ultimate price for their cause. For this reason, the soldiers of the Cross are called to take up their crosses and commit to die daily to their own interests in order to serve the interests of Christ. In order to hear His voice, you must release all your worries into His care. Entrust to Him everything that concerns you. This clears the way for you to seek His Face unhindered. Let Him free you from fear that is hiding deep inside you. Sit quietly in His Presence, allowing His Light to soak into you and drive out any darkness lodged within you. Accept each day just as it comes to you, remembering that He is watching over your life. Rejoice in this day that He has made, trusting that He is abundantly present in it. Instead of regretting or resenting the way things are, praise Him in all circumstances. Trust Him and don’t be fearful; thank Him and rest in His freedom. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:6–7 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  7. Since the moment we first came to Christ, there has been an updraft of the Holy Spirit, a constant drawing from God lifting us upward toward the fullness of His Presence. Let's surrender to this wind of God and allow Him to carry us into our holy future (our DESTINY). The disciples did not just pray and sit around waiting for God to enter the "playing field" to convert the world on His own. They went out into the world so that the Holy Spirit might go into the World. "The Lord worked with them." - Mark 16:20 Times of difficulty give us an opportunity we don't have otherwise, and that is the opportunity to demonstrate sacrificial love to Him by ministering to him instead of attending to our pressing needs. This is what makes strengthening yourself in the Lord completely opposed to self-sufficiency. "Strengthen me according to thy word...I have chosen the way of faithfulness." - Psalm 119:28,30 AFFIRMATIONS: I am not designed to drift - I am designed for destiny. The Lord wants me to rooted in Him, not rooted in my idea about Him. Jesus calls me to a higher love, to embrace the burning and passionate heart of God. It is time to set every part of your being in alignment with God's purpose for your life -- to establish His Kingdom on the earth. God honors His Word above His name (see Psalm 138:2), so proclaim His Word, declare it into the atmosphere and the angels will respond and perform it! Our words will seed the atmosphere and the Lord will send His angels to perform it! He promises us His Word will not return void (see Isaiah 55:11). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  8. As God's people we learn to live on the basis of hearing God's voice and obeying His word. "The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works." - John 14:10 If we are "in Christ", we are moving with the most pressing speed, for we are "in" the most dynamic man who ever walked the earth. When He says to us, "Follow me", He is inviting us to a high-speed chase down the roads of our life. On that chase there is no rest except eternal rest and no security except eternal security. "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. The reshaping of our values and our desires is the key work of the Holy Spirit. This reshaping brings us into conformity and harmony with God's purpose for our lives (our DESTINY). AFFIRMATIONS: God is helping me walk out of the problems that have tried to grip my mind and my life. I declare this by faith in Jesus' name. I confess and meditate on God's word day by day. That word is equipping, outfitting, and furnishing me with all the spiritual gear I need to take the adventurous trip God has planned for my life. As you become increasingly aware of His Presence, you find it easier to discern the way you should go. This is one of the practical benefits of living close to Him. Instead of wondering about what is on the road ahead or worrying about what you should do if…or when…, you can concentrate on staying in communion with Him. When you actually arrive at a choice-point, He will show you which direction to go. Many people are so preoccupied with future plans and decisions that they fail to see choices they need to make today. Without any conscious awareness, they make their habitual responses. People who live this way find a dullness creeping into their lives. They sleepwalk through their days, following well-worn paths of routine. As the Creator of the universe, He is the most creative Being imaginable. He will not leave you circling in deeply rutted paths. Instead, He will lead youalong fresh trails of adventure, revealing to you things you did not know. Stay in communication with Him. Follow His guiding Presence. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." - Psalm 32:8 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." - Genesis 1:1 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  9. Ezekiel 47:9 - "And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes." THE WATERS (WHICH REPRESENT WHAT GOD HAS DEPOSITED WITHIN US) MUST REACH THE SEA (WHICH REPRESENTS THE MASSES OF HUMANITY WHO ARE WITHOUT CHRIST). GOD HAS PUT SOMETHING INSIDE OF US AND HE WANTS IT TO FLOW OUT. THE MORE IT FLOWS OUT, THE MORE LIFE IT'S GOING TO BRING. IF THERE'S ONLY A TRICKLE AT FIRST, HE WANTS IT TO BECOME A MIGHTY RIVER. IT AFFECTS LIVES; IT BRINGS HEALING! IT BRINGS DELIVERANCE! THE DEAD SEA IS STAGNANT BECAUSE NOTHING FLOWS OUT OF IT. IT'S LIKE THE CHRISTIAN WHO GETS A LOT OF GREAT TEACHING AT CHURCH, GOES TO OUTSIDE CONFERENCES, RECEIVES TONS OF PRAYER, BUT NOTHING GOD PUTS IN EVER FLOWS OUT. IT IS A BAD CASE OF SELF-CENTEREDNESS APPEALING OVER SELF-DENIAL. WHEREVER THERE'S A DRY PLACE -- A NEED -- THE WATERS NEED TO GO THERE. Affirmations: MY JOB IS TO WIN THE LOST TO JESUS CHRIST. THERE IS LIFE COMING OUT OF ME WHEREVER I GO. Matthew 28:19 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations....teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you." A young man told his pastor "I'll pursue signs and wonders when I know I have more of the character of Christ in me." As good as that sounds, it comes from a religious mindset, not a heart abandoned to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Is it possible the reason there are so few miracles in North America is because too many before us thought they had to become better Christians before God could use them? Yes! That single lie has kept us in perpetual immaturity because it protects us from the power-encounter that transforms us. The result is we have converts trained and over trained until they have no life, vision or ingenuity left. WHEN THE NEXT GENERATION PICKS UP A BIBLE, THEIR FOCUS WILL NOT BE ON EMOTIONAL HEALING OR SELF-ESTEEM. THEY WILL ASK WHERE THE TRIGGER IS AND HOW TO FIRE IT. WHEN THEY READ THE WORD, THEY WILL WANT TO APPLY IT TO THE TAKING OVER OF NEIGHBORHOODS FOR GOD! 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." The Scripture instructs us to give thanks IN all things , not FOR all things. When tragedy or calamity strikes we are not to thank God for them. He is not the author. He's the One who provides our way out from them, and that's what we thank Him for. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  10. 1 Corinthians 2:9 - "But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him." It has never entered our mind what God has prepared for us while on this earth. His intent is grand. Instead of confining ourselves by our imagination and experience, let's press on to a renewed hunger for things yet to be seen. As we pursue the Extravagant One with reckless abandon, we will discover that our greatest problem is the resistance that comes from between our ears. But faith is superior. And it's time for us to make Him unconcerned about whether or not He'll find faith on the earth. Luke 18:8 - "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." YOUR FIRST STEP IN DRAWING CLOSER TO GOD IS TO REALIZE THAT YOU KNOW GOD FIRST IN HIS WORD. TIME SPENT MEDITATING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT IS TIME SPENT WITH JESUS. MOST PEOPLE TRY TO KNOW HIM THROUGH THEIR FEELINGS AND THAT JUST WON'T WORK. LETTING THE WORD DOMINATE YOUR THINKING IS TO ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HAVE CONTROL OVER YOUR MIND. AS YOU DO THAT, YOUR FEELINGS WILL EVENTUALLY FALL IN LINE. Hebrews 3:13 - "But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Affirmations: I STIR UP MY FAITH AND EXPERIENCE MORE DEEPLY THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD IN MY LIFE THROUGH MY EXHORTATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF OTHER BELIEVERS. I INTEND TO FIND A WAY TO ENCOURAGE SOMEONE WHO NEEDS STRENGTH AND UNDERSTANDING TODAY! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  11. Matthew 12:28 - "If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you." The unseen world has influence over the visible. The Kingdom is here and now. We must acknowledge that it's in the invisible realm. The enemy's attempt to anchor my affections to the things that are visible is easily resisted when our heart is aware of the presence of the kingdom of God. Just as Jesus worked only through the Spirit of God, we need to do likewise as His agents. Psalms 103:19 - "The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all." Philippians 3:12 - "But I keep going on, trying to grasp that purpose for which Christ Jesus grasped me." Affirmations: I DO NOT WANT TO JUST GIVE MENTAL ASSENT TO CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. I WANT TO SEE, HAVE CONTACT WITH AND LIVE IN THE EXPERIENCED REALITY OF CHRIST'S ACTUAL PRESENCE. I WANT TO PRESS INTO GOD TO LAY HOLD OF THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH CHRIST JESUS HAS SAVED ME AND WANTS ME TO BE. Psalm 63:1 - "O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You: my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is." "You should teach people who you can trust the things you and many other have heard me say. Then they will be able to teach others." - 2 Timothy 2:2 The true success of our ministry to others will be by how it brought forth the formation of Christ within the person God has given us to DISCIPLE. Church members need to be encouraged to "think bigger." They need to see themselves as ministers to their fellow-man. The Christian life is more than just commitment to Christ; it includes a commitment to other Christians. We need to rise up and release worship, intercession, and a song to the Lord to usher in an awakening to those floundering who need to be DISCIPLED (by us) into a higher truth. "You should teach people who you can trust the things you and many other have heard me say. Then they will be able to teach others." - 2 Timothy 2:2 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  12. Matthew 4:25,5:1,2 - "And there followed Him great multitudes of people from Galilee and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan. And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto him: and He opened His mouth and taught them." THESE LOCAL COMMUNITIES LEFT ALL WHEN THEY HEARD JESUS WAS NEAR. WITHOUT FORETHOUGHT, WITHOUT PACKING A DONKEY, WITHOUT SO MUCH AS TAKING EXTRA FOOD OR TELLING THOSE WHO REMAINED AT HOME WHEN TO EXPECT THEM, THOUSANDS OF MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN SPONTANEOUSLY FOLLOWED CHRIST TO A DESOLATE PLACE. BUT WE READ OF NO ONE COMPLAINING THAT THE "SERVICE WAS TOO LONG," OR "THE WEATHER TOO HOT," OR "THE MESSAGE WAS BORING." WHATEVER THEY LACKED IN COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE WASOVERSHADOWED BY THE GLORY OF BEING WITH JESUS! PEOPLE SAW IN JESUS MEEKNESS, BOUNDLESS POWER AND PERFECT LOVE. IF WE WOULD WIN SOULS, PEOPLE MUST SEE IN US THIS SAME JESUS. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." EVERYTHING, EVEN OUR INTELLIGENCE, AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE ARE NOW SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. OLD FAILURES, PREJUDICES, AND ATTITUDES ARE DESTINED TO GO. NEW FAITH AND HOPE SHOULD BE GROWING WITHIN US DAILY. Observation: HOW DO I ATTAIN SUCH A WONDERFUL NEW BEGINNING? I RECEIVE THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST INTO MY HEART TO EMPOWER ME AND I AFFIRM AND MEDITATE ON THE WORDS OF CHRIST TO DIRECT ME. WHATEVER I FIND IN ME THAT IS NOT LIKE JESUS, - I CRUCIFY. The key that opens the door to the kingdom, is found in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." If you have decided to live based on where the best job is, or career opportunity, or even the best schools for your children, and you are having a hard time finding a local church that you fit into, it is likely because you are not in the will of God for your life. If you truly live seeking first the kingdom, you will make every major decision based on where you are CALLED to be for His PURPOSE for your life. Then the jobs, schools, and everything else will be added to us. They may not be the jobs we want, or even the schools, but they are the ones we need, and our Father knows best! QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: Where does God want me to be? What does God want me to do? ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  13. Matthew 6:13 - "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever." THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS HIS POSSESSION, WHICH IS WHY HE ALONE CAN GIVE IT TO US. WHEN WE DECLARE THAT REALITY WE MOVE INTO DECLARATIONS OF PRAISE! THE LORD'S PRAYER HAS TWO MAIN OBJECTIVES: (1) MINISTER TO GOD OUT OF AN INTIMATE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP; AND, (2) BRING THE REALITY OF HIS RULERSHIP (THE KINGDOM) TO EARTH. Ephesians 2:6 - "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." When Jesus decided to multiply the bread, He did not do it for just a few friends, He waited until He had a crowd of 5000! When He turned the water into wine He did not just make a few bottles - He made about 120 gallons! He was trying to show His disciples how to think big. There was no way that they could exhaust heaven's supply of bread or wine. All of the things that overwhelm our thinking each day would not even be able to register as a thought if we were truly seated with Christ in the heavenly places. Affirmations: MY FUTURE IS BIGGER THAN MY GREATEST THOUGHTS CAN YET COMPREHEND. JESUS CAME TO SHOW ME HOW TO START THINKING FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE IN HEAVEN. Psalm 115:8 - "They who make idols are like them; so are all who trust in and lean on them." IF OUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GOD IS NOT CHARGED WITH THE LIFE AND POWER OF GOD, MERE KNOWLEDGE BECOMES AN IDOL IN OUR MINDS. IT IS EASY FOR US TO HAVE IDEAS AND IMAGES OF GOD THAT ARE UNTRUE, WHICH THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD REMOVE IF WE WOULD LET HIM. THE POWER OF CHRIST'S LIFE IS FILTERED AND PROPORTIONALLY DIMINISHED BY THE NUMBER OF THESE WRONG IMAGES EXISTING WITHIN US. Matthew 24:4 - "Jesus answered them, 'Be careful that no one misleads you (deceiving you and leading you into error).'" ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  14. 2 Chronicles 17:9 -- "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him..." The word tells us that God shows Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are "perfect" toward Him. "Perfect does not mean that we have to do everything just right and live without making a mistake. I means "devoted" -- a heart consecrated, dedicated, loyal and faithful to God. Who is faithful? The one who spends his time doing what God has 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. Psalms 37:28 -- "For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones." Revelation 2:10 -- "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." AFFIRMATIONS: Today I decide to be a faithful and wise servant. I find out that is stealing my time from the Lord. I serve His interests instead of my own. I take of Jesus' thoughts today. I take up His purposes and plans. Now is the time to be faithful! INTO ACTION: What has God called me to do? ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  15. Jeremiah 33:3 - "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable thing you do not know." PRAYER IS MEANT TO BE ANSWERED - OR GOD WOULD NOT ASK US TO PRAY. JESUS DIDN'T PRAY WITHOUT EXPECTING TO BE HEARD. Hebrews 3:13 - "But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Develop and "discipleship consciousness" and a "love consciousness" for the lost as well as for the brethren. We do this through love by discipling new believers into a consciousness of their inheritance in Christ (Galations 5:6 - "For in Jesus Christ .... faith which worketh by love." Affirmations: I STIR UP MY FAITH AND EXPERIENCE MORE DEEPLY THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD IN MY LIFE THROUGH THE EXHORTATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF OTHER BELIEVERS. I INTEND TO FIND A WAY TO ENCOURAGE SOMEONE WHO NEEDS STRENGTH AND UNDERSTANDING TODAY! Psalm 141:3 - "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." Observation: THE WORLD IS LIKE A RUSHING RIVER, PULLING AT ME, TRYING TO GET ME TO FLOW WITH IT. Affirmation: I MAKE THE DECISION TODAY TO PADDLE UPSTREAM AGAINST THE CURRENT BY SPEAKING GOD'S WORD INTO MY LIFE. Proverbs 4:20 - "My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  16. There is something the Church seriously needs to attain to today. Somehow preaching has seeped in that makes one believe that believers have to get good first before graduating from being a baby christian. Well that happy day is never going to come if all they are doing is sitting at home, reading the bible-- trying to please God by improving their attitudes and behaviors, and thereby living unto themselves. The best way to cultivate a love walk is through personal ministry to others (helping others with their spiritual life). That requires action, time, and involvement. At the root of this problem is poor preaching ie. preaching that does not exhort the congregation into equipping its members to disciple new believers -- promoting the idea that they are inadequate or not ready for some reason. This has got to change. Jesus admonished the disciples, "...take heed what ye hear.." (Mark 4:24). We should not sit under teaching we know is in error, because that spirit of error is being transmitted -- ever though we may know that it is wrong-- it will eventually affect us if we hear it long enough. Churches, that are not encouraging and equipping its members to disciple other believers, should be turned away from. Now is the day of salvation! Now is the day of the equipping of the saints! Now is the day of Jesus Christ! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  17. Matthew 5:8 -- "Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous - possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!" 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. When we see ourselves for whom we truly are meant to be in God, we can begin to call others out of their limited ways into seeing the limitless reality that is available to them in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 -- "Blessed be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." Heaven is the realm into which we are called to abide with Christ Jesus, and the only truly effective ministry we will ever have on this earth is originated from that position. QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: Do I see myself for whom I am truly meant to be in God? If not--then why not? Who have I called out of their limited ways lately and shown them a higher life than what they are used to? ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  18. 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 your 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. Maybe they "cut you off" because of their bitterness. 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, work, money, prayers, worship is all seed that is sown. One plants, one waters, but God gives the increase! 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? I believe we all do. 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 in His CALLING on our life 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
  19. As the Lord taught in the Parable of the Sower, many will depart when testing comes. Many depart from Church, and many are now even departing from pursuing their CALLING in Christ when the tests come. You can never pass a test by quitting. 1 Peter 1:7 AMP - "So that the genuinenes of your faith may be tested, your faith which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire....." OUR CONNECTION TO GOD AND ONE ANOTHER The Cross is a vertical post that represents our connection to God and a horizontal one that represents our connection to one another. One thing that taking up our cross means is that we must have both of these in our lives. Of course, our connection to God eclipses the importance of our connection to one another and must always be kept first. But if we have this and keep it first, we will also have the other. As John also wrote, we cannot love God who we do not see if we do not love our brother who we can see (see I John 4:20-21). John 20:21 -- "Just as the Father has sent me forth so I am sending you." This is certainly a command of Jesus for the Body of Christ to meet the needs (both temporal and spiritual) of new believers so they may indeed advance in the faith. The humbling service of DISCIPLING a new believer into: WHO HE IS IN CHRIST, HIS RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD, AND WALKING IN THE SPIRIT is the most valuable Christian service someone can minister to someone who has just had the "born again" experience. OLD THOUGHT PROCESSES In order for the church to advance into her destiny there are old thought processes that need to be dismantled: 1. The idea that higher spiritual advancement and development is reserved for the clergy. 2. The idea that spiritual training and discipling is the sole responsibility of the pastor and/or elders. 3. The idea that it takes years in the faith to be able to DISCIPLE other believers. 4. The idea that the only thing the laity is to be involved in is Church programs and listening to sermons. Submitting to DISCIPLESHIP training develops a "personal ministry to others consciousness" in the believer as well as promotes unity and brotherly love in the fellowship of the Body of Christ. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  20. Isaiah 60:1-2 "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee...the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee." A central role of us being here on earth is to establish the Throne of God where we are. Whenever we worship, pray, preach or engage in any activity of God's Kingdom, it is so that God's authority and rule would be established in the hearts of people, cities, regions and nations. Our role is to manifest His glory so that everything around us is affected by His Kingdom glory. EXPANDING THE BORDERS Numbers 14:24 "But My servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed Me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it." Through our persistence and consistency in worship and SPIRITUAL ACTION TAKEN ON BEHALF OF OTHERS, we expand the borders of what is currently established concerning the realm of Heaven on earth. If we lose sight of OUR PURPOSE that God has for us being here we will drift aimlessly into things that are not fulfilling, but leave us empty and confused as to why we are here. Like Caleb, we need a "different spirit" that is exemplary in faith. For he who is born of God"overcomes" the world, possessing and inheriting the promises. (1 John 5:4) AFFECTING YOUR ATMOSPHERE Daniel 7:25 "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High..." It is absolutely needed for us to keep our eyes on the intentional PURPOSES of God for US being on the planet. Every day is an occasion to affect the atmosphere of where we are. Don't allow the enemy to weary you, causing you to lose focus and bring you into an oppressive state of mind. Jesus gave His life so that we, first of all, would find freedom and then be able to be the conduits of His glory in the earth. He has given us His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the most powerful weapon that we have because He is the very Person of God inside of us! We, therefore, live out our privilege of being a dwelling place of God. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in THE HOLY GHOST. This is a basic foundation of Kingdom living. Romans 14:17 "For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." The Church should put much more emphasis on the Holy Spirit, because we cannot overcome or glorify Jesus without Him. It is an awful pride to think we can live without this intimate communion with the Spirit. We are to be completely dependent upon Him. BE ON COURSE Our lives cannot be like "teeter-totters" that shift one way, then go the other way. We have aDESTINY! Divine focus is an essential element that steers us like the rudder does a ship into the place of consistent lives before His Presence. Imagine a ship that is constantly going off course. It may get back on course over and over again but so much time is wasted. That is why Paul tells us to run the race "to win". 1 Corinthians 9:24 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." There is a way that we run that causes us to have victory. It is not enough to be on the course, we must be ON course the entire way. To the level that we maintain our FOCUS, we will also maintain consistency establishing the Throne of God in the earth through that CALLING of God on our life. HIS THRONE Revelation 4:2-3 "Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in Heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald." Wherever we are, we are to be establishing His Throne. This is not our personal throne, our ministry or whatever would have to do with personal agenda. This is Heaven on earth where God's glory, THROUGH US, is changing atmospheres and the heart's of men. When His Throne is established, Heaven invades earth, His power is demonstrated and lives are changed. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  21. 1 Peter 2:9 -- "For you have been chosen by God Himself -- you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God's very own -- all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light." We know we are a priesthood, chosen by God, possessed by God, holy like God and royal to God. We have immediate access to Him and we don't need a human priest as a mediator because our Heavenly Father provided one Mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ. We have direct access to God, through God. CALLED TO MINISTER Now we're certainly not chosen, possessed, and holy to do nothing and to live mediocre lives. Of course not! We're called to minister in the presence of God, to live an active role in His presence. Our lives are a priestly service through: 1. Holy intercession, and 2. DISCIPLING new believers into their inheritance in Christ. WE ARE LIFE GIVING PRIESTS Romans 12:1 -- "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." As priests we are to serve God no matter what our vocation. Not because we have to, but because we want to! And, there is not one vocation that is more "sacred" than another because Christ is Lord over all. His Word applies to all. The Word does not say that ministry is "sacred" and other vocations are "secular." Life itself is sacred. God is life and all Believers are life giving priests. Because we are royal priests we are called into royal service, to be a wonderful message to the world! We have been commissioned to display His nature, His kindness, His goodness, and HIS MINISTRY to a world that needs to know Him. We can bear the burdens of others and we are the go-between for them before God. We identify with the weak, helpless, fear-filled, unborn, sick, poverty stricken, homeless, hungry, depressed, and spiritually destitute. We ask on their behalf, in faith, believing. Then, as the Father gives direction, we GO and minister to them and His power becomes available to set them free. EQUIPPED FOR DISCIPLESHIP As soon as we're saved we are to be discipled so we can be disciples doing what Jesus did. Then, we GO and equip more disciples (Matthew 28). We move out of the church building into the works of the Kingdom! AFFIRMATIONS; I am not designed to drift -- I am designed for destiny. I seek God for my destiny, and don't lose sight of the heavenly vision. I carry within me the resurrection power of Christ -- I have the power to BECOME. I am ready to expand my reality and become the destiny for which I have been predestined. "Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect." - Romans 12:2 NCV Sometimes the events of life seem to distance us from the awareness of His presence an we feel cast into a wilderness. In the wilderness, we tend to tune into the bitter past of life rather than the sweetness. However, it is in the wilderness that God speaks most clearly and opens the portals of heavenly revelation. "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His CALLING...." - Ephesians 1: 17,18 We can position our hearts to become an open portal to Heaven -- where God infuses us with His presence and revelation abounds -- flowing to us and through us. Like Moses' encounter with the burning bush, new direction often becomes clearer in the wilderness and DESTINY unfolds through the oddest signs along the trail. As we move into the sweetness of His presence, we exit the wilderness of circumstance. REACHING THE CENTRAL PLACE OF OUR INWARD WALK By not speaking, desiring, nor reasoning, we reach the central place of the inward walk -- that place where God speaks to our inward man. It is there that God communicates Himself to our spirit. "For God alone my soul waits in silence." - Psalm 62:1 We recall that Jacob wrestled with the Lord all night, until daybreak? THEN it was when the Lord blessed him. We persevere against any and all difficulties which confront us in our seeking the Lord's presence in our spirit. We are steadfast until the Lord gives our spirit His blessing. Job 26:14 - "And these are but the out fringe of His works; how faint the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?" A revelation of the thunder of His power catapults us out of our wildernesses, shatters the realms of darkness and releases the awe of God through signs and wonders -- through us as we walk in His authority. As our heart becomes an open portal of His love -- the awe of His power thunders around us and we find ourselves walking IN THE FULLNESS of Him, not just alongside of Him; carrying this authority to release the realm of Heaven on earth. AFFIRMATION: My heart is a portal for His love. PRAYER: Father, I abandon myself to You. You love in me Your only begotten Son. You see Him in me. You embrace Him in me, because He has willed to identify Himself completely with me by that love which brought Him to death, for me, on the Cross. Amen ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  22. John 13:13-15 -- "Jesus said, 'You call me 'Teacher and Lord' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I , your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet. You also should wash one another's feet. I have set you and example that you should do as I have done for you.'" John 20:21 -- "Just as the Father has sent me forth so I am sending you." This is certainly a command of Jesus for the Body of Christ to meet the needs (both temporal and spiritual) of new believers so they may indeed advance in the faith. The humbling service of DISCIPLING a new believer into: who he is in Christ, his right standing with God, and walking in the Spirit is the most valuable Christian service someone can receive who has just had the "born again" experience. OLD THOUGHT PROCESSES In order for the church to advance into her destiny there are old thought processes that need to be dismantled: 1. The idea that higher spiritual advancement and development is reserved for the clergy. 2. The idea that spiritual training and discipling is the responsibility of the pastor and/or elders. 3. The idea that it takes years in the faith to be able to DISCIPLE other believers. 4. The idea that the only thing the laity is to be involved in is Church programs and listening to sermons. Submitting to DISCIPLESHIP training develops a "personal ministry to others consciousness" in the believer as well as promotes unity and brotherly love in the fellowship of the Body of Christ. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  23. Exodus 14:11,12 - "They said to Moses, 'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt...It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!'" There was something comforting about the past that the Israelites preferred at this point to the unknown dilemma of future freedom. It would seem they were so afraid of the unknown that they might even have been willing to settle for second best and remain in an oppressed lifestyle rather than face the trial of exodus. SURRENDER SELF-PITY TO GOD 1. One of the most effective ways to destroy the habit of feeling sorry for one's self, is first of all to focus on God and start affirming the promises of God promised to you in scripture (your inheritance in Christ). Then, purpose to think about other people. 2. Ask God to give you someone that you can help with their spiritual needs -- and go minister to them -- tell them about Jesus -- look after them and take an interest in their spiritual development. 3. Let go of the past and move into new opportunities to discover our CALLING andDESTINY in Christ. Even though our enemy will use fear of the unknown to overwhelm us and cause us to lose courage, we must endeavour to maintain a bold faith in the face of adversity. 4. STANDING AND STILLNESS IN WARFARE IS STRATEGY Exodus14:13,14 - "And Moses said unto the people, 'Fear Ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall see them again no more forever.'" Ephesians 6: 10,14 - "Finally, my bretheren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness." When we stand firm, God enables us to overcome our enemy in His truth. We quickly discover in spiritual skirmishes that God's authority is truly indisputable and the enemy must bow the knee to the King of kings. God said that the people would never have to face the enemy they faced that day again. In other words, the battles we win today remain future victories. By faith we can maintain ground taken without having to fight the same battle twice. Furthermore, we do not need to revisit old wounds: what God has healed, He has healed. Ongoing introspection has no place in a people whose focus is the Lord. 5. REACH OUT "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.'" Exodus 14:15-16 There is a time to stand and a time to move. If we don't discern a new season with God's instruction to "move on," our past has then the potential to be used as a "crutch" - meaning it remains a familiar comfort zone and a possible stumbling block to the new things God has for us. Our authority in Christ raises itself as a banner of victory over our circumstances, situations and any and all intimidation and enemy assault. We must do our part, like Moses, in learning to exercise our God-given authority over our circumstances. Moses raised his staff, commanding what stood before God's people in the natural environment to be aligned with Heaven. He then stretched the staff out as a gesture of faith in ACTION. Similarly, we have to do our bit to engage by faith and believe that Jesus' finished work on the cross will deliver every area of our lives into total freedom. In this way we will experience Kingdom transformation and acceleration of DESTINY! QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: 1. Am I happy in my confort zone or do I really want to change -- that is, reach for the earthly DESTINY God has for me. 2. How many people am I presently discipling? Am I equipping these people to disciple others so they can advance the "Great Commision"? ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  24. Haggai 2:9 - "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." Hebrews 6:1 - "Therefore let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ, advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity." Nearly 2000 years ago, the author of the book of Hebrews exhorted the Jewish Christians to leave the elementary teachings and principles about Christ, urging them to press forward into maturity. Today as we are DISCIPLED into a higher life in Christ we come before the very throne of God with boldness and confidence - stepping into maturity - as we encounter new realms of the Glory of God. Psalm 149:6 - "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand...." We are being commissioned by the Lord to step into new realms of Glory through worship and high praise. As we do this together, we are going to see the Kingdom of Power and Glory made manifest. God's Kingdom is taking dominion upon the earth and is displacing every stronghold of the enemy. Through high praise we destroy the plans of the enemy and bring to earth new realms of Glory not yet revealed. We are stepping into a realm of timelessness where the miracles in His presence are being made known to us. As we continue Heavenward, we are breaking the constraints of the natural realm and shaking off old paradigms. The doors of Heaven are opening wider than we've ever seen before and we are witnessing the unfolding of the scrolls of DESTINY. Both the seen and unseen worlds are being changed from one degree of Glory to another, and all are being transformed by the ever-increasing Glory of God. QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: How much time do I spend each day praising God out loud? Do I believe that praising and worshiping God will lead me into new realms of glory? PRAYER: Father, let me continually see Your goodness pass before me. Jesus wash Your Bride with Your Word - sanctify me so that I will be a resting place for Your holy habitation; You will present to Yourself - the Church in all her Glory. Holy Spirit, teach me how to move and operate in the realm of Glory as this time of acceleration is upon us, that I may arise in faith, in the experiential knowledge of the Son of God, with unparalleled demonstrations of the Kingdom of Power and Glory. In Jesus' name, Amen. AFFIRMATIONS: The Lord blankets me with His tangible, manifest presence, and cloud of glory. God is enlightening the eyes of my heart so that I would experientially know the inheritance of glory that lies within the saints. I declare the word of the Lord and see it supernaturally manifest. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  25. We see that the engine of the Gospel message that drives it into the world--is His presence and glory. It is not a tantalizing self-induced experience that produces no fruit, but rather an illuminating light which leads the world to Jesus and becomes the pillar of fire that leads His Church into the world. Yet often in contemporary circles, we see the opposite in effect. We want to privatize His glory and keep it shrouded in personal experience, assuming the world will simply "catch on". WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD Look at the words of Jesus carefully, "No man after he has lit a candle puts it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick so that they that come in may see the light..." (Luke 11:33). "YOU are the LIGHT of the WORLD" (Matthew 5:14). We have become the transfiguring light of His presence and are the only hope of the world to see it. "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory..." (Colossians 1:27). OUR MISSION: Our job description now is to reveal the Light of eternity in a dark world void of it. We are light to the world and are here to TRANSFIGURE and TRANSFORM it. In Luke 10:2, harvest is literally mentioned three times, "Then He said to them, 'The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'" A "reaping or crop" is not "going" to be ready. It "was already" ripe, and the only hindrance to that reaping were the workers or laborers. That word "laborer" can be interpreted in the ancient text as "toiler or teacher." This world needs to be DISCIPLED into the Word of God. TEACHING AND PREACHING As far as we appear to be climbing this current mountain of revelation and gifts, we can never disqualify the necessity of teaching and preaching His Word. It's the very reason the glory was given and that divine power was granted -- to "be His witnesses." Look at Philip as he encounters the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:26-39. Philip became the prophet to Africa's royal court sent by God along the roadside. He became the teacher that illuminated the ancient text of Isaiah revealing Christ to him. Then he was a mighty evangelist who baptized the man in water along the way after the eunuch openly confessed, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God..." (verse 37). STEPPING INTO OUR DESTINY Rather than dissect God's power into cookie-cutter theologies, let's fully embrace the sheer power of His presence and step into the brilliant light of the "Lord of the Harvest" and become His prophets, kings, priests, teachers and evangelists to the world. Three effects of this: 1. In that exact moment, the world begins to press around us like moths to the flame as it did Him and all of them then. 2. We suddenly realize we have entered a harvest that is a result of prophecy and has become the answer to His ancient prayer, "...pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest" 3. You become that laborer and you become that harvester and the prophecy of Jesus of a great glorious white harvest continues to be fulfilled and unfolded. GREAT PROPHETIC ADVENTURE The harvest we face today is a prophetic one born on the winds of prophecy uttered from the mouth of Jesus two thousand years ago. Like Philip, we run to it! We may see kings bow, princes baptized and vagabonds saved. This great prophetic adventure awaits us, and His glory will carry us into the white light of His presence, because we "are a city set upon a hill that cannot be hid" and we are the "Leukos" or "light of the world." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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