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View Blog Ephesians 1:3,4 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as he has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." Many people who are doing something significant for God in the world are doing it "without their own resources" because God doesn't want us to depend on our own abilities. Instead, He wants us to be obedient by putting the vision on paper and then looking to Him to generate the funds and other resources that are needed to support His own work. Your provision, however, is usually hidden until you act on your vision. Whatever you were born to do attracts what you need to do it. Therefore, you first have to establish what you want to do, and begin to do it, before the need can be met. Most people work in reverse. They want to see the provisions before they start, but faith doesn't work that way. When we take action, then God manifests the provision. Genesis 22:13,14 - "The Abraham looked up and glanced around, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering and an ascending sacrifice instead of his son! So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide." God already prepared everything you would need before He created you so that you could do what you were born to do. He knew what you needed because He chose you for your vision a long time ago. God tells us we don't have to worry about our provision because He has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Affirmations: I KNOW THAT GOD WILL NEVER GIVE ME A VISION WITHOUT PROVISION. I REALIZE THAT MY PROVISION IS USUALLY HIDDEN UNTIL I ACT ON MY VISION. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14,15). As we confidently pray according to the promises in the Bible we can expect all the promises of the Lord to be yes and amen in Christ! There are literally thousands of Scripture promises in the Bible that can be applied to our lives. The Lord is true (see Revelation 3:7), and His promises are sure. When we pray out of the knowledge of His promises, we can pray with expectation for the answer. WE MUST INTERNALIZE HIS PROMISES Of course, if we do not know His promises, we will not be able to confidently go before Him in expectant faith to receive the manifestation of His promises. But as we grow in knowledge of His promises in the Word, we will receive a deeper faith, which will result in a life of trust and obedience. Faith doesn't come from information but from deeply dwelling (meditating) and hearing, through affirming out loud the Word of God. This is what God wants for us. We bring Him honor and glory when we fully live in His redemptive promises and, as a result, fully live out our divine DESTINY. When we know what He has already supplied for us, we become partakers of these precious promises. About this, Peter wrote: "By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires(2 Peter 1:24). This is why we need the spirit of wisdom and revelation to show us all God gave to us through the victory of the cross (see Ephesians 1:17). "Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God" (1 Corinthians 2:12 AMP). But as we behold Him, we are transformed from glory to glory (see 2 Corinthians 3:17,18). As our minds are renewed by the Spirit, our lives are transformed (see Romans 12:2). When our lives are transformed, we begin to think and act differently and we become hungry to understand God's PURPOSE for our life. As we begin to change, our influence on others and our environment is huge. PRAYER MEDITATIONS: The manifestation of the promises of God for your life. Revelation of His PURPOSE for your life. That this be a season of joy that brings advancement in the plans of the Lord for you! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father." - John 1:14 When the Word became flesh, it didn’t just stop with Jesus. The Word is still becoming flesh as He tabernacles with you, living within your tent of flesh and blood and redeemed humanity. You are His habitation, His dwelling place, and He has established His throne within the chambers of your heart, as a living tabernacle of His glory. The Word becomes who you are DESTINED to be, within the realms of glory; of grace upon grace and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and favor upon favor and gift upon gift. For the Word must increase and consume your flesh, consume it and be glorified so that when they look upon you they will behold His Glory, and behold one who is indeed begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. "The Word was the true light that enlightens all men....but to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will but born of God." - John 1:12,13 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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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 an 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/she is in Christ, his/her 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 http://afministry.ning.com
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John 15:7 - "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you." TO ABIDE IN HIM IS TO LIVE IN CEASELESS FUSION WITH HIS PASSIONS. IT IS HIS LIFE, HIS VIRTUE, HIS WISDOM AND HIS SPIRIT WHICH SUSTAIN US. WE BECOME PERFECTLY WEAK, UNABLE TO RESIST HIM. LIKE THE SON'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER, SO WE DO NOTHING FROM OUR OWN INITIATIVE UNLESS IT IS SOMETHING WE SEE HIM DO. Affirmations: I AM CONSTRAINED AND GUIDED BY HIS VOICE. I AM SURRENDERED AND IMPRISONED IN HIS LOVE. HIS PRESENCE IS NOT MERELY MY REFUGE, IT IS A PERMANENT ADDRESS. Song of Solomon 2:14 - "O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret place of the steep pathway, let me see your form, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your form is lovely." Colossians 3:15 - "And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from the Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts to which as members of Christs one body you were also called to live. And be thankful, giving praise to God always." IF WE ARE IRRITATED AND UPSET ABOUT THINGS IN OUR LIFE IT IS VERY HARD TO RECEIVE QUIET GUIDANCE FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT. SOMETIMES A CERTAIN ACTION IS IN QUESTION; SO WE LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST BE OUR GUIDE. THROUGH THE SUBTLE INWARD WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HE GUIDES US TO THE ACTION WE NEED TO TAKE. Affirmations: SINCE I MAINTAIN A THANKFUL, GRATEFUL HEART, I FIND IT EASIER TO HEAR THE "UMPIRE OF PEACE" WHEN HE MAKES A CALL. I DON'T STAY BUSY WITH THE THINGS OF THE WORLD ALL THE TIME - I GIVE TIME AND ATTENTION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. I AM THANKFUL AND GIVE PRAISE TO GOD ALWAYS. "After many days, the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth. So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria." - 1 Kings 18:1-2 In 1 Kings Chapter 18, Elijah knew in his spirit that something was on the horizon. He sent his servant six times to the sea, but he saw nothing. Although on the seventh time he saw a small cloud on the horizon (see verses 41-44). This cloud is coming our way! It's the new Reign from Heaven to fill us with faith, courage, and whatever we need. Whatever you are facing or dealing with, and no matter how hard the situation may be, God has sent the Fire of the Holy Spirit. He equips you to do the work needed. God had hidden many prophets in caves, but TODAY what God is looking for are the aggressive spiritual warriors carrying the Christ truth that cannot be stopped! Everywhere we go we will overcome injustice with His sword of the Holy Spirit (the Word of God). The cloud is on the horizon, and REIGN is on the way to devour and quench darkness. We will see the greatest advancement of God's Kingdom the world has ever seen. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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"My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working." (John 5:17) We work and partner with what he is already doing in Heaven. The father works in heaven and we work with the Holy Spirit on earth. "So Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he "sees" the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise." We are totally dependent on the Holy Spirit to discern the fathers will, so we can partner with heaven on earth. "For the Father loves the Son, and "shows Him" all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these so that you will marvel." - John 5:19-20 THE KEY IS IN PRAYER AND WAITING The context of the above Scriptures is Jesus and the intimacy he had with the father. In these verses, we see a great key to doing his will and manifesting his power. As we affirm and meditate on these verses our expectation to "see" will grow. Jesus knew the key was in prayer and waiting. "Jesus often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." - Luke 5:16. "Jesus also arose along while before daylight and prayed" - Mark 1:35. He lived to the Fathers will and took the time to pray and see how the Father was working. The blueprints for building and releasing the kingdom already exist already in heaven. There's already a true heavenly copy. For example, Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. God told him to "make all things according to the pattern shown to him on the mountain" - Hebrews 8:5. David was given the pattern for the Temple that his son Solomon would build too. (1 Chronicles 28: 11-19). SPEAK IT OUT We see it and proclaim it! Once we learn how to partner with God, by seeing whatever He directs us to see in the heavens, then we learn how to speak with authority in that realm, calling it forth in prayer. Then it manifests here on the earth. What you do in that kind of experience will change what happens to you in this realm. He is just looking for friends, ones who want to know His mind and His heart. He longs to share the secrets of His heart with those who tune their spiritual ears to listen to what His Spirit is saying. "I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the tower; and I will keep watch to see what He will say to me," -- Habakkuk 2:1 We wait, pray, look and "see" what The Lord "says to me." We must see by revelation. It is key to manifesting his power. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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Mark 11:23 - "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." - Jesus was talking about Spoken Manifestation. Jesus released His hearers into a Spoken Manifestation Anointing, where we step from a place of prayer (supplication and asking), to a place of commanding, through faith. Jesus said speak to the mountain! Maybe it is a sickness, maybe it is finances, family issues or church situations. God is calling us to speak to the mountains in our life and believe what we say. It transitions from us seeing God as far off in Heaven, answering our requests, to us recognizing that God lives by His Holy Spirit inside of us, and we can release that power through the spoken word. It's a different kind of thinking. Do you have a need? Release the Spoken Manifestation Anointing over your life and circumstances. Is there someone sick? Command the mountain of sickness into the sea! Are you believing for a greater presence of God on your ministry, so you can touch more people? Speak to the mountain in the mighty name of Jesus! Jesus was given all authority, and He said in the Scriptures that He has given that authority to us. It's time we speak to the mountains in our lives. ALBERT FINCH Ministry http://afministry.ning.com
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"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." - Romans 12:2 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7 Break loose of the earth's gravitational pull! Change your mind (Romans 12:2)! Don't get seduced down into the lower, base, everyday thought processes of life. Think on higher things (Philippians 4:8-9). Make going up higher in Christ your top priority! Breathe life back into your prayer life! Spend time with God! Go with Him to the places that He longs to take you, to show you all things He wants to do with you. He wants to lead you and guide you into all truth (John 16:13). He wants to show you your destiny! Expect God to speak! Many don't hear from God because they live with no expectation of His willingness to speak. We must approach the Lord as an innocent child, expecting God to speak. When you pray and ask God a specific question, you must believe that in the next few moments whatever you hear, will be the voice of the Spirit. The good news of the gospel is that He is speaking all the time. He doesn't speak intermittently, we just HEAR intermittently! Our own active mind is our worst enemy. The 'noisy' and wandering mind obstructs the voice of the Holy Spirit. How can we be sad, or hang our heads, or be distressed? Oh, if we only knew how rich we are! "I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread he will live for ever." - John 6:51 In the Holy Place, the Table of Shewbread was a symbol of thanksgiving for His divine provision. After serving its purpose in the Holy Place it was consumed by the priests. We must consume every revelation of the Lord to be molded into His image, bear His attributes, and re-create His ministry. Something very sophisticated, evil, powerful and unrelenting is conspiring to get you to accept a deadly substitute for your destiny. "Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another; the Lord heeded and heard them, and a book of REMEMBRANCE was written before Him of those who feared the Lord and thought on His name." - Malachi 3:16 Think about the wonderful things that God has done in and through you in the past. Re-dig the wells of your testimonies. They are evidence of future blessings and are reminders of His faithfulness to deliver you in your current situation. You have been prepared for a harvest, gathered in by arms of compassion. You have been comforted by the Lord so you may DISCIPLE others, loving them and equipping them to life. Are you ready to know God as Mighty God through your life? Are you ready to see Him not as a little bitty God, but Mighty God? As you begin to see God as a mighty God, it does something in you, and you won't be so easily tossed to and fro. Nothing is to hinder the seed of DESTINY God has planted in us. We are to break out of small-mindedness (unforgiveness), old mindsets, and human thinking and enter into the MIND AND PLANS OF GOD FOR OUR LIVES. It is only our lack of failure to obey that hinders the breakout. Romans 12:2 - "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Psalm 108:2-3 "Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people..." When we utter praise to God our spirit finds release, awakening ourselves to revelation of our oneness with God. As we lift our voice, bringing our spirit, soul, and body into unity of worship to God, there is an exponential increase in our awareness of His Presence in our lives. In turn, we are awakened to His voice, REVELATION, and Presence in our lives. In worship, the sacrifice is no longer physical expression or verbal declarations. We ARE the sacrifice. Fire always falls on sacrifice. And when we are the sacrifice, we cannot help but be changed. John 20:21 - "..."as the Father has sent me, I also send you." You are entrusted with power and granted authority to activate your commissioning to complete certain tasks, functions, or duties that no one else can do. To reach our DESTINY we must honestly reflect upon who we are: 1) Know and fully understand the finished work of the cross, 2) celebrate who we are now in Christ Jesus and 3) ask, knock, and seek God's PURPOSE for our life. (Matthew 7:7) This is the discipline we must incorporate in order to accomplish the purposes of God. We must repent of sin that limits our influence, replacing it with God's promises. Determine to live life to the fullest -- mentoring, discipling, and empowering others. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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"if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;" - Romans 8:17 We need boldness to act on God's Word. We need boldness to act on what the Spirit of God may say to us. The believer has covenant rights in prayer, as well as other covenant rights. The problem that defeats believers in their prayer life is the feeling of inferiority -- a sense of sin-consciousness. Some Christians begin their prayers with, "I'm so weak and unworthy," and then harp on their weaknesses and unworthiness throughout the prayer. "I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." - Isaiah 43:25 We are sons and daughters of God, joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. We are covenant people, and as we are covenant people we have a legal right -- a Body of Christ right -- to go into the Presence of God the Father with the same confidence and assurance that Jesus has. And we can do it boldly! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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"Then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine, and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied." - Deuteronomy 11:14-15 Many of us have recently undergone an intense time with a lot of warfare and opposition. However, even amidst the very opposition we may have experienced, the Lord was strengthening us. We will be found coming up out of our wilderness season, leaning on our Beloved (see Song of Songs 8:5). His desire during that time was to prepare and establish us for the new oil and abundance that He is getting ready to pour out. PREPARED FOR THE NEW The Lord does not waste our pain. Through the stretching and trials we have endured, we have been made stronger. We are now prepared for the "new" that He is ready to entrust us with. Mark 2:22 says that, "No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins." We are becoming new wineskins in this very hour in order that we may be able to contain the new, fresh wine and steward the increase well. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life" - Proverbs 13:12. The Lord is reviving weary hearts back to life, and He is healing hope deferred. The hardness of the previous season has lifted, and we entering into a time of singing and rejoicing! "See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, My darling; My beautiful one, come with Me" - Song of Songs 2:11-13. The Lord sends rains that will wash away the pain, weariness, and heartache from the previous seasons that you've experienced. "You gave abundant showers, O God; You refreshed Your weary inheritance. Your people settled in it, and from Your bounty, God, You provided for the poor" - Psalm 68:9-10. "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard." - Isaiah 58:8 Many have continued to stand and contend for God's promises even in the midst of great, personal pain and misunderstanding. "Lift your eyes, O weary ones, for your redemption, draws near" - Luke 21:28b. Not for a moment has the Lord left your side or forsaken you. The Lord is our burden bearer, and even now, He is breaking chains that have sought to keep us bound. Our Father is removing those heavy burdens that have weighed down His children. Be encouraged! Our Savior has seen every tear that you have ever cried, and He is rushing on the scene like a mighty warrior. "Yahweh is a warrior, Yahweh is His Name" Exodus 15:3. The Lord is strong and mighty in battle. He is bringing His beloved Bride into a season of rest, peace, and great refreshing. For where you were previously not able to let down because of the consistent battle, now you will be able to rest and drink deeply of the Lord's abundant peace. He, Himself, is fighting for you! REFINED BY FIRE, REFRESHED BY RAINS You have come through the fire of the last season, forged and refined like the gold, and you are about ready to see and experience the Lord's goodness like never before! What He is about ready to release in your life will bring you such joy and restoration that you will say, "How could I have doubted the Lord's great goodness and love for me, even for a moment?" After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before (see Job 42:10). "Those who have sown in tears are about to reap much joy" - Psalm 126:5. "And Elijah said to Ahab, 'Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain'" - 1 Kings 18:41. The Lord is sending the sweet, rains of abundance. Listen closely, do you hear it? ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified"' (John 7:37-39). Note that "river" is pluralized. This indicates multiple flows of the precious Holy Spirit so that by His divine power we will be partakers of His nature in us (see 2 Peter 1:3, 4). Each of these great flows of the precious Holy Spirit are available to every Believer to help us live in constant increase as we go about transforming the world for His glory. God desires us to see the Spirit of God flow in and through our lives for total victory and searing success in bringing in the Kingdom of God. We receive empowerment to do the extraordinary so that Jesus will receive glory and honor through His great power working in and through you. What's holding you back from being all that you can be in Christ Jesus? God wants to activate the workings of Christ Jesus through you, workings that will release a Holy Ghost revival in your heart! Romans 4:17 -- ....."God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did." When Jesus saw the man with a withered hand, He didn't say, "My goodness! It is so withered!" He said, "Stretch out your hand!" (Matthew 12:13). He CALLED FORTH what he wanted. He looked at the paralytic and said, "Rise, take up your bed and go home!" (Matthew 9:6). He didn't see it the way it was in the natural. He saw the way God meant it to be and He CALLED IT FORTH. God's way is to call those things that are not as though they are. And because we are made in God's image, we can also call those things that are not as though they are! God has confidence in us. It is Him working in us, both to will and to do His good pleasure (see Philippians 2:13). And as we discover our CALLING and Gods PURPOSE for our lives, it is the Father's good pleasure is to give us the power of His Kingdom (see Luke 12:32). These are decisive days of DESTINY. We must respond, allowing the Holy Spirit to empower and equip us for lives filled and overflowing with divine power and victorious valor (see 1 John 4:4). By praying the scriptures in the epistles of Paul that pertain to our inheritance in Christ we come to know who we are in Christ; the power that is flowing through us and our authority over sickness, distractions, or other issues of life. Our body is the temple of God and we have the right to take authority over every area of it – spirit, soul, and body. "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 Begin building your relationship with Jesus today by asking what you can do for Him; rather than telling Him what YOU want. This is the Key that unlocks the door to the abundant life. Your worship is not perfected when it leaves your lips. It's perfected when it enters His ears. Passion takes imperfect worship and prayers and perfects them in the ear of God. "Out of the mouths of babes...praise is perfected." - Matthew 21:16 If you want God's presence in your life, learn to be a praiser. Don't keep silent about His many benefits. Make it your purpose to find something new to sing to the Lord about every day. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.." - Psalm 103:2 Today, as we carry on the activities of our lives, Jesus Christ is praying for us. Tonight, as we sleep through the long darkness, Jesus Christ is praying for us. Continual prayer is being offered at the throne of God on our behalf by none other than the eternal Son. You are being prayed for right now. We can rest in this work of the Son on our behalf. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. - Hebrews 7:25 When the Word becomes as a burning fire in your heart and bones your focus will be on God's PURPOSE for your life and it won't be denied you. Because freely you have received the Word and freely you give of the powerful Word of the Lord. As long as you refuse to give up, God will make sure you excel in the next level of your DESTINY. So be joyful when you see spiritual contention in your life! It means you are on the verge of breakthrough and promotion. Mark 11:23 - "Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,'and does not doubt in his heart; but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him." A thought from God is not a part of your thinking process! When God drops or interjects a thought into your spirit, it has nothing to do with your thinking or rationalizing. He puts the thought into your spirit, bypassing the brain. We can control the PASSION and INTENSITY with which we live our lives. To get the fruitful life that God has purposed for us, we must go out on a limb away from the ordinary and complacent. "I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! But because you are barely warm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth!... Buy also some medicine (from Me) to put on your eyes, so that you may see." - Revelation 3:15,18 TEV ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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Philippians 3:10 - "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death." FOR HIS SAKE, WE CANNOT CONTENT OURSELVES MERELY WITH GOOD WORKS. ULTIMATELY, WE WILL DISCOVER THAT STUDY AND CHURCH ATTENDANCE ARE BUT FORMS THAT HAVE NO SATISFACTION IN AND OF THEMSELVES. OUR PLEASURE WILL BE FOUND NOT IN THE MECHANICS OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES, BUT THAT THESE DISCIPLINES BRING US CLOSER TO THE ALMIGHTY. WE HAVE SATISFIED OURSELVES WITH A SYSTEM OF HISTORIC FACTS ABOUT GOD WITHOUT PRESSING INTO THE REALITY OF GOD. OUR GOAL IS TO SEEK EARNESTLY FOR GOD UNTIL WE FIND HIM. Affirmations: TO TRULY KNOW GOD I MUST SEEK HIM UNTIL I PASS THROUGH MY KNOWLEDGE INTO AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ALMIGHTY. HAVING FOUND HIM I ALLOW HIS PRESENCE TO FILL MY SPIRIT WITH HIS PEACE. THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD DRAWS ME INTO THE PLACE OF SURRENDER, WHERE I YIELD MY BEING INTO HIS HANDS. AS I LISTEN TO HIM, I ASCEND HIGHER TO THE DWELLING PLACE OF LOVE. I PRESS IN TO KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST WHICH SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE. 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 THEIR AUTHOR. HE'S THE ONE WHO PROVIDES OUR WAY OUT FROM THEM. AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE TO THANK HIM FOR. Affirmation: I GIVE THANKS AS JESUS GAVE THANKS, NOT FOR SATAN'S ACTIVITIES, BUT FOR THE VICTORY GOD HAS GIVEN ME OVER THEM. God has made us a promise that if we will ask, He will answer. We read this powerful promise in Jeremiah 33:3 which states, "Call unto Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not." Prayer makes visible the things that have been concealed. The word "mighty" is literally "fenced in" with the connotation of being "cut off " or "inaccessible." In this, we understand that God has many things to reveal to us and through us, but we will never receive them unless we call to Him in believing prayer. Our prayers release God to reveal the things that He desires to show us. Remember the warning, "We have not because we ask not." It is time to claim the promises, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you," (Matthew 7:7). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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"The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in His hand. And the Lord asked me, 'What do you see, Amos?' 'A plumb line,' I replied. Then the Lord said, 'Look, I am setting a plumb line among My people Israel;'" - Amos 7:7-8 God's plumb line is all-important for discerning His voice. Amid all the noise of the world, we need to be able to distinguish God's voice clearly. God wants you to know what He is saying. Every follower of Jesus receives the gifts of revelation and discernment. Every Believer needs to use them! In fact, without discernment and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, we cannot progress in our use of any of the gifts and callings. We bring God's Word to dwell in the midst of the world as we daily walk in the Spirit and remain sensitive to His flow. Through our relationship with God, we receive revelation. And as we bring that revelation to the world around us, we incarnate His Word in our very ordinary lives—just as Amos did. No matter what your situation is, or where you've come from, you can receive revelation and grow in spiritual discernment. God wants to use you powerfully as a plumb line of God's Word to everyone around you. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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Matthew 22:14 - "For many are called but few are chosen." The words "appointed" and "chosen" are used synonymously in the new testament. Many are called. How Many? Everyone who has heard the Gospel message to be exact! Why are only a few appointed? Because only a few will forsake all their own desires, securities, lust for money, hindering relationships, etc. to fulfill the call upon their lives. Affirmations: I SEEK GOD FOR MY DESTINY, AND DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF THE HEAVENLY VISION. I FULFILL MY CALLING, I MAKE MY ELECTION SURE, AND RUN MY RACE FULLY TO THE END. 2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." If we're going to fully come into what God has for us we will have to come to grips with the issue of being more than "sinners saved by grace." Maturity comes from faith in the sufficiency of God's redemptive work that establishes us as sons and daughters of the Most High. Affirmation: I rise up to the high Call of God and stop saying things about myself that are no longer true. "I was asleep but my heart was awake, A voice! My beloved was knocking" - Song of Solomon 5:2 1. The best way to prepare for His revelation is to: immerse yourself in Scriptures concerning the topic at hand and to read books by others who have pursued the topic. 2. Use journaling to ask God to show you the insights you need to master the experience. 3. Go to sleep pondering the things you are learning, and as you lie in bed, you ask the Holy Spirit to grant you insight and revelation as you sleep. 4. We know from scripture that our spirit stays awake all night and works on whatever we ask it to (Song of Solomon 5:2). 5. When you awake in the morning -- the heart downloads the revelation it received during the night. When the flow is done, the devotional time is over. 6. Repeat the same steps each day until full revelation, mastery, and true knowledge on the topic are yours. 7. Follow the Spirit's flow wherever it takes you. 8. Expect to experience knowledge, wisdom, and insight beyond your natural abilities, for God is revealing the secrets of the universe to your heart. "I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; and I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, and how I may reply when I am reproved. Then the Lord answered me and said, 'record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time.'" - Habakkuk 2:1-3 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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SURELY your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life... " (Ps. 23:6 NIV). If you set your heart on pursuing the goodness of God, you're always headed in the right direction. POSITIONING OUR HEART Moses knew that really well. Moses prayed that he would know God, to know His ways, to know His presence, and to know His glory! And because his heart was postured in the right place, requesting for the right things, praying for the right priorities, the Lord then promised to shower him with His goodness! Moses prayed in Exodus 33: 13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight... 15 Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here." 18 And he said, "Please, show me Your glory." And the Lord replied: 14 And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 19 Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you..." To know God is to know His glory, to know His glory is to know His presence; to know His presence is to know His ways, to know His ways is to know His goodness! BELIEVING FOR GOD'S GOODNESS NOW! How would you like it if the Lord's goodness permeates and invades every area of your life this year, bringing healing and restoration, breakthrough and dreams fulfilled, relationship reconciliation and family salvation, debt cancellation and increased favor at your work? Psalm 31:19 says, "How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world." The Hebrew word for "great" is "rab", meaning abundant, large, of major importance, chief, weighty, noble, princely. And that is the basis, measure, and magnitude of God's goodness that He wants to lavish on us. And it says God has goodness "stored up" for those who fear Him. It's in the past tense. In other words, in the heart of God and from Heaven's perspective, the goodness of God is a done deal. He's got it ready; it's stored up for us. The goodness of God is not something that God does; it is who He is! It is His nature to be good to His children! He is incapable of sabotaging His nature! All we need is to choose to believe His goodness, declare it, meditate on it, speak it over our lives and circumstances, receive it by faith, and watch what the Lord will do on our behalf! The Lord will bless you before a watching world! People are going to witness the power, provision, and blessings of God over your life! AFFIRMATIONS: I am confident that I see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! The Lord has stored up goodness for me and He's ready to lavish it over my life! The Lord will bless me and enlarge my territory. His hand and favor is becoming so evident in my life! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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How many times do we try to reach through to Him – we pray, we fast, we read His Word, we worship? The enemy tries to block you, but how easy it is to come into His presence when you declare He is Lord; because he must bow down. "For greater is He that is within you, than he that is in the world." What you need right now, whether it be your children, your spouse, your finances, your health, lift it up to Him right now, for He can make all things whole. Like the woman with the issue of blood, she pressed through, and He made her whole. The man who had the legion – he was insane -- he cried out with what little bit he could and He made Him whole. The man who couldn't walk, even his parents were afraid. But He goes beyond circumstances and establishes wholeness, for He is the God of wholeness – the Alpha, the Omega. Allow Him to come in and take down any wall, any kind of hindrance, whether it be a large wall that you've been hitting your head against for years, or whether it be a teeny, tiny, picket fence – anything that would block His presence, from just devouring you, to where you could be swallowed up in the goodness of God. To where fear could not find a landing place, but faith would be the landing place. Faith conquers all fear. Don't make Him small. Understand, the King of the universe came to serve, to set free, to save and to heal, and to bring the good news that the Kingdom of God is not only around you, but is within you. Let His Kingdom come forth. Continue to pray His Kingdom come. Continue to pray His will be done. For, yes, He brought His Kingdom to earth – for you are of another Kingdom, as well as you are of another Spirit. Let His Spirit lift you up, from glory to glory – then you can look down and come to understand who you were called to be. For He is looking for a hungry people, a trustworthy people, overseers in His Kingdom, overseers in His vineyard – whether they have pain or whether they have strength; whether they have fame, or whether they be hidden; it makes no difference. He looks at the hearts of His own. "That He would grant you grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man....that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." - Ephesians 3:16,19 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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1 John 3:16 - "We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." 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 -- even 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 http://afministry.ning.com
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"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified"' (John 7:37-39). Note that "river" is pluralized. This indicates multiple flows of the precious Holy Spirit so that by His divine power we will be partakers of His nature in us (see 2 Peter 1:3, 4). Each of these great flows of the precious Holy Spirit are available to every Believer to help us live in constant increase as we go about transforming the world for His glory. God desires us to see the Spirit of God flow in and through our lives for total victory and searing success in bringing in the Kingdom of God. We receive empowerment to do the extraordinary so that Jesus will receive glory and honor through His great power working in and through you. What's holding you back from being all that you can be in Christ Jesus? God wants to activate the workings of Christ Jesus through you, workings that will release a Holy Ghost revival in your heart! Romans 4:17 -- ....."God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did." When Jesus saw the man with a withered hand, He didn't say, "My goodness! It is so withered!" He said, "Stretch out your hand!" (Matthew 12:13). He CALLED FORTH what he wanted. He looked at the paralytic and said, "Rise, take up your bed and go home!" (Matthew 9:6). He didn't see it the way it was in the natural. He saw the way God meant it to be and He CALLED IT FORTH. God's way is to call those things that are not as though they are. And because we are made in God's image, we can also call those things that are not as though they are! God has confidence in us. It is Him working in us, both to will and to do His good pleasure (see Philippians 2:13). And as we discover our CALLING and Gods PURPOSE for our lives, it is the Father's good pleasure is to give us the power of His Kingdom (see Luke 12:32). These are decisive days of DESTINY. We must respond, allowing the Holy Spirit to empower and equip us for lives filled and overflowing with divine power and victorious valor (see 1 John 4:4). By praying the scriptures in the epistles of Paul that pertain to our inheritance in Christ we come to know who we are in Christ; the power that is flowing through us and our authority over sickness, distractions, or other issues of life. Our body is the temple of God and we have the right to take authority over every area of it – spirit, soul, and body. "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 Begin building your relationship with Jesus today by asking what you can do for Him; rather than telling Him what YOU want. This is the Key that unlocks the door to the abundant life. Your worship is not perfected when it leaves your lips. It's perfected when it enters His ears. Passion takes imperfect worship and prayers and perfects them in the ear of God. "Out of the mouths of babes...praise is perfected." - Matthew 21:16 If you want God's presence in your life, learn to be a praiser. Don't keep silent about His many benefits. Make it your purpose to find something new to sing to the Lord about every day. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.." - Psalm 103:2 Today, as we carry on the activities of our lives, Jesus Christ is praying for us. Tonight, as we sleep through the long darkness, Jesus Christ is praying for us. Continual prayer is being offered at the throne of God on our behalf by none other than the eternal Son. You are being prayed for right now. We can rest in this work of the Son on our behalf. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. - Hebrews 7:25 When the Word becomes as a burning fire in your heart and bones your focus will be on God's PURPOSE for your life and it won't be denied you. Because freely you have received the Word and freely you give of the powerful Word of the Lord. As long as you refuse to give up, God will make sure you excel in the next level of your DESTINY. So be joyful when you see spiritual contention in your life! It means you are on the verge of breakthrough and promotion. Mark 11:23 - "Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,'and does not doubt in his heart; but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him." A thought from God is not a part of your thinking process! When God drops or interjects a thought into your spirit, it has nothing to do with your thinking or rationalizing. He puts the thought into your spirit, bypassing the brain. We can control the PASSION and INTENSITY with which we live our lives. To get the fruitful life that God has purposed for us, we must go out on a limb away from the ordinary and complacent. "I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! But because you are barely warm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth!... Buy also some medicine (from Me) to put on your eyes, so that you may see." - Revelation 3:15,18 TEV ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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"For our God is a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:29 God's voice dwells in the midst of the fire! Fire consumes the sacrifice, and in Romans 12:1-2we are told to surrender our bodies and renew our minds. As we lay our flesh upon His altar, we are consumed! Mark 9:49 - "For everyone will be salted with fire." We are called to burn for Him and be voices of awakening. The Father desires to set regions ablaze with holy fire, but it will take surrendered ones who have been in His presence and are burning. It will take those who fully yield and obey to give birth to Heaven's agenda for this hour. We must advance with our spiritual eyes open and carry a strong spirit of faith and authority. Bind up all false spirits and shake off their attacks. We are called to burn for Him! We are called to fuel the fires of revival and advance forward. We are called to be Heat Seekers! Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." GOD DOES NOT DEAL WITH TIME; HE DEALS WITH TIMING. SOMETIMES THERE ARE SOME DIVINELY PERMITTED DELAYS IN MANIFESTING WHAT YOU'RE BELIEVING GOD FOR: ie. HE PERMITS THINGS NOT TO COME TO PASS UNTIL HE CAN GET YOU IN A CERTAIN POSITION. IF YOU ARE FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH -- CERTIFYING AND CONFIRMING YOUR FAITH WITH THE WORD OF GOD AND STANDING FIRM UPON IT -- AND THERE IS A DELAY, THAT IS NOT THE TIME TO LET GO OF YOUR FAITH AND GIVE UP! THE DEVIL WILL TRY TO DECEIVE YOU INTO THINKING YOUR FAITH IS NOT WORKING OR THAT GOD IS NOT GOING TO COME THROUGH FOR YOU. Affirmations: I'M NOT MOVED BY WHAT I SEE. I'M NOT MOVED BY WHAT I FEEL. I'M ONLY MOVED BY THE WORD OF GOD. I BELIEVE GOD SAID WHAT HE MEANT, AND I BELIEVE GOD MEANT WHAT HE SAID. Proverbs 3:5,6 - "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. " "He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, from his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water." - (John 7:38)AMP As Believers in Jesus Christ we walk in and release a supernatural, prophetic river of life (seeJohn 7:38). It is already flowing through us. The reality of the new creation is this: When a person is born again, the Spirit of Jesus comes and takes up residence inside. From that moment forward, new life flows out of that person like a river of living water. The new life that flows through us makes it possible for the Kingdom of God to touch the earth. AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST: We are called to bear good fruit and fruit that remains (see John 15:16), We are called to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying (see John 16:13) and echo it in a meaningful, relatable way. Let him who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying (see Revelation 2:7). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:20 We are His representatives on this earth. Jesus came so we would know what God was like. This we can easily accept. But, Jesus went on to say, "As the Father hath sent Me, even so I send you" (John 20:21). The Father was full of confidence that the Son would fulfill His mission successfully and that He would obey in every area and rely upon the Holy Spirit to preach, teach, heal, and deliver. The Father has sent us to do the same thing and is confident that even as Jesus was successful, so will we be. That is God's view of us. When God chose you, He equipped you for His service. It's not a, "Maybe I'll make it," or, "Oh no, what if I fail..." God has full assurance that you will not only make it, but fulfill your destiny completely. He believes it. You must believe it also. THE PROPHETIC GIVES HOPE FOR THE FUTURE God is a God of the now, in the sense that He never changes, (see Malachi 3:6).We, His children, are not only people of the moment (now), but of the future, because we are being changed into His image (see Romans 8:29). You don't want to forever be like you are now. If all we had was the now, we would have little. Paul said, if this it, "we are of all men most miserable" (1 Corinthians 15:19). We need to press forward to the high calling of God which is in Christ Jesus (see Philippians 3:14). This high calling is prophetic, in the sense that we are going to be like Him one day (see 1 John 3:2). The prophetic gives purpose, hope, and vision for the now and the future. When we have purpose, we have joy. You have a divine PURPOSE -- seek it! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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Matthew 3:7 - "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" WHAT THE PHARISEES MOST FEARED WAS THAT JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS NOT PROCLAIMING ANY VALUE IN THEIR ROLES; IN ESSENCE, JOHN'S MESSAGE DETHRONED ANY REAL AUTHORITY TO BE HAD IN RELIGIOUS IDENTITIES. JESUS TOOK IT ONE STEP FURTHER. BUILDING ON JOHN'S FOUNDATION, HE SAID THINGS LIKE: "IF YOU ARE TO BE GREAT IN THE KINGDOM, YOU WILL BE LIKE THE LEAST OF THESE." HE ESTABLISHED A NEW GOAL THAT WOULD LIBERATE HUMANITY FROM CHERISHED STATUS AND RESTORE THE HEAVENLY POSSIBILITY OF UNION WITH GOD. Affirmations: I DO NOT ESTEEM THE SAME VALUES AS THE WORLD DOES. I DO NOT NEED ANYTHING ELSE TO COMPLETE ME. I AM SUSTAINED IN GOD'S LOVE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. Luke 20:46 - "Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts". Joshua 1:9 - "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." COURAGE COMES FROM TRUSTING GOD'S WORD. IT CAN'T BE MENTALLY DRUMMED UP. IT COMES FROM BELIEVING WHAT GOD SAYS REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES LOOK LIKE. DISCOURAGEMENT COMES FROM FEAR THAT GOD IS NOT GOING TO PERFORM HIS WORD ON YOUR BEHALF. FEAR IS THE DARKROOM WHERE NEGATIVES ARE DEVELOPED. FEAR COMES FROM NOT BELIEVING (DOUBT & UNBELIEF) GOD'S WORD. Affirmations: I REALIZE WHO I AM IN CHRIST AND WHAT I'VE BEEN GIVEN BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS. I STOP LISTENING TO SATAN'S LIES. I STOP RECEIVING EVIL REPORTS. WHENEVER SOMEONE TELLS ME THAT GOD IS NOT GOING TO DELIVER ME, I JUST TELL THEM "HE'S ALREADY DELIVERED ME IN THE NAME OF JESUS." I AFFIRM AND MEDITATE ON THE PROMISES OF GOD IN HIS WORD DAY AND NIGHT. "I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?" Isaiah 43:19 Often, the hardest thing about receiving something new FOR US is that it almost always requires something new OF US. Those new breaker waves we pray and believe for rarely flow through our familiar comfort zone. They don't stay within our boundaries or control, rather, they are the move of His Spirit calling us to jump outside our self-imposed box and ride the wave of a lifetime. Will we know the new thing God is doing in, through and around us? Will we recognize His fresh move, beyond our insecurities, critiques or judgments? Will we be able to embrace the very thing we've been praying for when it passes by just outside familiar waters? If we will, it will take courage. You have a Messenger of Courage within you, a Helper, the Spirit of Truth, and He is calling to you like He did Gideon and Mary, already addressing you as beloved and a victor, not just hopeful of such. He wants to visit you, meet you, and call to the courage He already sees within you. He wants you to see yourself as He does, and He is imparting to you the courage necessary to leap out and seize the moment that is only just beyond your reach to STEP INTO THE APPOINTED TIME OF YOUR DESTINY. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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Seeking Communion - August 14, 2018 http://afministry.ning.com/notes/Seeking_Communion_-_August_14%2C_2018
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Expectation is the key that unlocks the storehouses of heaven and opens the way for God to speak to us. Never pray without expectation. Expectation lets God know you are waiting for a response. He will always be faithful to answer an expectant heart. Do you want to hear from God? Live with expectation. Pray with expectation. Listen with expectation. You WILL hear His voice. Examine your lifestyle and see if the cares of this life, deceitfulness of riches, or the pleasures of this life, could be choking God's Word (Luke 8:14). Stay stirred up: don't let your spirit man get into a dormant state, as it will when you haven't prayed with intensity for several days. Prayer and praise stir up the still small voice of God. Be confident: you were born for this day. Don't delay: move forward in victory, taking your place as a harvester and as an overcomer, embracing fully the DESTINY God has planned for you. Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Make a decision to refuse all fear in the name of Jesus. Refusing to fear doesn't mean denial of circumstances, it just means that you will AGREE WITH FAITH IN GOD'S WORD and not fear. "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today...The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." - Exodus 14:13-14 What you say in the midst of your struggle will frame your situation. If you don't have the ability to speak blessing and faith, don't say anything. Don't create an atmosphere for the enemy by opening your lips to complain, criticize, accuse, shift blame, or attack. "You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of our mouth." - Proverbs 6:2 When challenges come, the devil will tempt you to go dig up the dead bones of the past -- the people who oppress you, the betrayals, hurts, pains, and you can decide whether you want to stay there in the graveyard of your past, or pass through the waters and get to the other side in the promised land. "But Jesus said to him, 'Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.'" - Matthew 8:22 God is fighting for you. He is fighting for your children. He is fighting for your well being. Your job is simply to stay FAITHFUL. He is bringing you out with blessing, possessions, and a double portion. He is bringing you into His promises. "The Lord will fight for you....." - Exodus 14:14 Just as a newborn needs nourishment and care, so do those believers who are new in the Lord. God has called His Body not only to preach the gospel, but also to DISCIPLE new believers. God wants to bless you with the privilege of flowing in a river of godly counsel that will answer people's questions and unlock their destinies. 2 Timothy 2:2 -- "You must teach others those things you and many others have heard me speak about. Teach these great truths to trustworthy men who will, in turn, pass them on to others." "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." - Psalm 23:1 The word "want" in the 23rd Psalm carries a broader meaning than simply not lacking anything. It also carries the idea of being utterly contented in the Good Shepherd's care and consequently not craving or desiring anything more. When we do not live in our position of authority, it is because we do not know our covenant rights. You have to move gradually from crying outward - crying out for people who you think can fulfill your needs - to the place where you can let yourself be held and carried by God. "Casting all your cares upon him; for he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 Tell God you are ready to be offered, and God will prove Himself to be all you ever dreamed He would be. "I am already being poured out as a drink offering." - 2 Timothy 4:6 In John 11:42 Jesus (talking to His Father) said, "And I know that You (God, the Father) always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." Jesus also said in John 20:21, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." Have faith that He always hears you. Have faith that you ALSO are sent by the Father to accomplish the DESTINY and plans He has for you. Have faith that He wants to save your family (see Acts 16:31). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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Hebrews 3:7 - "Wherefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, TODAY, if you shall hear His voice, harden not your hearts." The Holy Spirit says, TODAY. What does this mean? God is the Eternal One. With Him there is no yesterday or tomorrow; what we call past and future are with Him an ever-present NOW. His life is an ever-blessed, never-ending TODAY. Jesus has become the author of eternal salvation -- that is, a salvation which bears the character of eternity; its chief mark is that it is an ever-present NOW -- that there is not a moment in which Christ, who ever lives to pray for us, is not able to maintain us in it in the power of an endless life. Even as the Holy Spirit says TODAY, satan's word is ever "TOMORROW, God's demand is too great for TODAY." The Holy Spirit says, TODAY! That means that He who is the mighty power of God is Himself ready to work in us the CALLING He has on our individual life and asks; it is He who is each moment pleading for immediate surrender, for a present trust, because He bears with him the power of a present salvation. AFFIRMATIONS: TODAY, this very moment, the wondrous love of God is for me -- it is even now being poured out into my heart as I willingly receive it. TODAY, all that Christ has done, and is now doing in heaven, and is able to do within me -- this very day --- to advance His Kingdom PURPOSE for my life. TODAY, the Holy Spirit, is within me -- sufficient for every need, equal to every emergency. With every prayer I breathe, and every longing that rules in my heart, there is the Spirit of promise whispering, TODAY! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
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Isaiah 22:23 - "And I will fasten him like a peg or nail in a firm place; and he will become a throne of honor and glory to his father's house." This person will become a "supernatural gateway" or a "throne" of God for all of Heaven to flow through. According to Isaiah, we literally become a throne that the Lord Jesus Christ can rest upon to reveal His Kingdom of power and glory!Psalm 22:3 says: "God is enthroned upon (lives within, dwells in) the praises of His people." What does that look like? When we begin to praise God the Scriptures say that His throne and His presence are literally built upon us and come to rest on top of our praises. So, wherever the high praises of God are found, the throne of God will rest. Wherever the throne of God is, the King is -- there are angels and all of the resources of the government are present in reality. When we are connected with Heaven, we literally become a gateway for the supernatural to manifest in and around us. Heaven moves up and down upon us, releasing signs, wonders, and miracles with our cooperation. Jesus said, "For behold, the Kingdom of God is within you, and among you, surrounding you." - Luke 17:21 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
