Search the Community

2 Samuel 5:20, "So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, "The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water." David is speaking about his experience with the Lord's breakthrough. He describes it like an outburst of waters that is like a flood breaking down the wall of resistance coming from the enemies of God. This reveals how important it is for us to stay flooded with His Presence and let His waters spring forth in our lives. Breakthrough does not come to us as much as it comes "through us". Just as Jesus said, "rivers of living water will flow out of us." From Strong's Concordance -- #6556 "peres": a break (literally or figuratively): breach, breaking forth (in), forth, gap, breach, gap, breaking, breaking forth, breaking in; breach, gap, bursting forth bursting forth, outburst breach broken wall. GOD IS THE RIVER WHO BREAKS FORTH God is the river -- the One Who breaks forth with an outburst through the glory of His Spirit. He is the One Who breaks forth, springs forth inside of us driving out all resistance to His Presence and Person. Isaiah 59:19, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." NKJV "For He will come in like a narrow, rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives [overwhelming the enemy]." AMP AVAILING OURSELVES TO THE LIVING WATERS We all want this place of "overflow" in God's Presence. Breakthrough is an integral part of that overflow. To tap into a life of breakthrough is to avail ourselves to the living waters of the Spirit through staying connected to God, the Source of these waters. This should lead us to ask the question: "How do we find a consistent life that has a non-stop flow of God's presence, prosperity, and power?" The answer lies in our basic consistent plan of commitment to the Lord, a life of discipline or discipleship. The word discipline has been mostly used in a negative context, as in punishment. The true meaning of the word is to help us value being the Lord's disciples who are always learning, growing and increasing in His favor. There are many aspects to breakthrough, but the beginning is where we open up our spirit. Removing spiritual blockages are central to the progress of the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Thankfully God has created a simple way and method to bypass the complexity of reasoning to see this accomplished. Through lives of prayer and fasting, especially in the context of communion with God, we can accelerate the process of breakthrough in our lives. In the story of Isaac we see how the Philistines had clogged up the wells of His father (Genesis 26:18). In the same way the enemy is always trying to clog our wells to cause stagnancy, where there should be a flow, and hinder us in experiencing God's glory on a regular basis. The enemy wants to keep things in spurts rather than have us experience that rushing river of His glory. When we see that our lives need to be "unclogged" then we can approach God with this understanding, using prayer and fasting as tools to open up the channels of our hearts. There is a reason fasting is called "fasting". It gets things done faster. A DIFFERENT KIND OF FOOD John 4:31-34, "In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, 'Rabbi, eat.' But He said to them, 'I have food to eat of which you do not know.' Therefore the disciples said to one another, 'Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?' Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.'" Jesus said to His disciples that His food was to do the will of the Father. There is a key, that is not so hidden here, that brings us to a place of consistency of flow and connection in God's Presence. Jesus was being offered food, but He said that His plate was full and did not need that kind of food. Use this key as a starting point to help you move into a place of greater freedom in His Presence. Take fasting, the Word of God, prayer, and worship to clear out your well that God can bring your heart significant breakthrough and that you may experience His rushing river consistently through your life. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

Hebrews 4:12 - "For the Word of God is living and powerful.........." For one who has faith in the Word of God, there is nothing impossible. There are no impossibilities when there is faith..........and there are no exceptions....... Our faith in God's word is not just an abiding faith; it is active -- it is aggressive by nature. It has focus and purpose. Faith grabs hold of the reality of the kingdom and forcefully and violently brings it into a collision with this natural one. An inferior kingdom cannot stand. Matthew 11:12 - "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Romans 10:17 - "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing, by the Word of God. Philippians 1:28 - "Don't be afraid of your enemies; always be courageous, and this will prove to them that they will lose and that you will win because it is God who gives you the victory." PEACE IS SPIRIT POWER. YOUR PEACE, YOUR IMMOVABLE STAND UPON THE WORD OF GOD IS A SIGN THAT YOU ARE POSITIONED CORRECTLY IN PERFECT SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GOD. THE VERY FACT THAT YOU ARE NOT FRIGHTENED BY YOUR ADVERSARY IS A SIGN THAT YOU HAVE AUTHORITY OVER HIM. Isaiah 54:2 -- "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes." To walk in our DESTINY we must learn new ways and walk out of the old ways and comfort zones of the past. Now is the time to enlarge, stretch, lengthen, strengthen, spread abroad, resettle, inherit and inhabit the new places. It is time to let go of the old and reach for the new, embracing the high calling of God in our lives, to win souls and DISCIPLE new believers. The Holy Spirit has a divine plan. He will lead and guide us into the new by teaching us how to walk in resurrection power. Like Esther, we were created for such a time as this. AFFIRMATION: I ask largely so that my joy may be full. John 16:23,24 -- "In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

Romans 10:18 -- "But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their SOUND went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." The Helper, the Holy Spirit, is also ready to give us the double portion of His sound or voice. For those who welcome the Holy Spirit, He will give a new clear sound. People will be drawn to the sound right and left. Divine increase will abound right and left. Curses will be broken and blessings of God will be released. Now, as always, is the time to make ready our hearts for the Holy Spirit. God is ready to pour out gifts and freshness of His Presence and awaken our eyes to His goodness, giving us the double of His glory and the overflow and outpour of His blessings. Romans 12:12 - "Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation: be constant in prayer." WE'RE TO LIVE IN HOPE. WE'RE TO REJOICE. SO, WHEN SATAN COMES TO STEAL MY VICTORY AND TELL ME THAT GOD IS NOT GOING TO HELP ME THIS TIME: Strategies: I THINK ON THE WORD AND START REJOICING, I REJOICE THAT I AM IN HIM, I REJOICE THAT HEAVEN IS MY HOME, I REJOICE THAT GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN ME THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD. TRIBULATION MEANS BEING UNDER PRESSURE. WHEN PRESSURE COMES: I DON'T CAVE IN, I DON'T FAINT INSTEAD, I GO TO THE THRONE OF GRACE - I GO BOLDLY IN THE NAME OF JESUS AND GET THE HELP I NEED. I STAY "CONSTANT IN PRAYER" (I DOUBLE UP ON THE WORD) SO THAT I AM UNMOVABLE. 1 Corinthians 2:16 - "For who has known or understood the mind( the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ, the Messiah, and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart." First Corinthians 6:17 says that when we were joined to the Lord we became one spirit with Him. He came into union with us so that He can talk to us heart to heart -- His thoughts become our actions. He wants us to walk so closely with Him that we never lack power to overcome the evil of this world, and feel His heart of compassion toward those that are hurting or bowed down with sickness and pain. He wants to be one with us so He can reach out through our hands and fulfill his purposes in the earth. AFFIRMATIONS: I make a fresh commitment to walk in union with God. I give my attention to His Spirit in my inner man. I determine to yield to His voice and not the voices of the world or the flesh (senses)! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

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 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. Begin your day by walking the floor & worshiping God. You've got to stir up the gift that's within you and get your mind functioning right. (2Timothy1:6) Affirmations: NOW IS THE TIME FOR ME TO MOVE INTO GLORY REALM WORSHIP. I APPREHEND THAT TANGIBLE GLORY OF GOD IN MY LIFE AND SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS! MY MISSION IS TO CARRY HIS GLORY AND RELEASE IT. I AM DRAWN TO HIS HEART BY THE TRUE RICHES OF HIS PRESENCE. I CRAVE INTIMACY WITH THE LORD. My confession-the words I constantly speak day after day-determine all that I will ever receive from God, be it healing, prosperity, or peace. Song of Solomon 1:7 - "Tell me, you who my soul loves, where you feed you feed your flock, where you rest at mid-day." YOU BEG YOUR BELOVED (JESUS) TO SHOW YOU WHERE HE FEEDS HIS FLOCKS; YOU WANT TO EAT THE FOOD THAT HE GIVES THOSE THAT ARE UNDER HIS CARE. YOU DESIRE TO BE LOST IN GOD WITH JESUS WHERE YOU WILL WANT TO REST FOREVER. SIN CANNOT DECEIVE YOU THERE, AND HE WILL KEEP YOU FROM WANDERING AWAY. Psalm 23: 1,2,6 - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. What self-deception to expect to be in His heavenly kingdom in eternity, when we have resisted His claim to reign as Lord in our hearts here and now! "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the Kingdom....the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels" Matthew 13:37-39. The "sons of the Kingdom" are merely the word of God becoming flesh once again. John 1 declares that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. That same paradigm will be pertinent for the "sons of the Kingdom" present on the earth during the end-of-days confrontation. God's word will be manifested in a body of people who do the works of the Kingdom like He did (John14:12). If you don't keep your mind renewed with the Word of God, you will serve anything that comes along that disturbs you, especially your body. Affirmations: I STEP OVER THE LINE FROM TRYING TO BELIEVE TO ACTUALLY KNOWING BY DWELLING ON THE WORD OF GOD. I READ ABOUT IT, AFFIRM IT, AND THINK ABOUT IT. I PRACTICE SEEING MYSELF THROUGH THE EYES OF THE WORD UNTIL THE REALITY OF MY ROYALTY IN CHRIST RISES UP IN ME! 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) It is a stroke of satanic genius, and one of his most ancient devices, to persuade you piously to dedicate to God all that you presume to find good in the flesh, which God has condemned. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit...." John 10:10 (NASB) - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." Remember that as Believers in Christ we carry that same abundant, transforming spirit of Jesus to resurrect dead souls into the light and life of Christ! Moreover, Christians should grow in this authority by DISCIPLING new believers into their inheritance in Christ as well as begin resurrecting forgotten prophetic words, sidelined destinies, dead dreams, shattered relationships, and complete wholeness in every area of our lives! "......Freely you received, freely give" - (Matthew 10:8). Your life can be a display of the mighty works of God, a display of rivers of revelation, wisdom, and healing for harvest. With the workings of the Word in you, you'll become a slayer of any giant that stands in your way of advancing God's PURPOSE for your life. Even if there's a wall, you'll leap right over it. Exercising faith to fulfill your calling in Christ will always result in permanent spiritual results -- "fruit which remains" measured by the lives you have dramatically changed. "You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit -- fruit that will last, Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." - John 15:16 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

2 Corinthians 4:13 - "We have the same spirit of faith as he (the psalmist) who wrote, I have believed and therefore have spoken. We too believe, and therefore we speak." TO SPEAK BY FAITH IS SIMPLY TO SPEAK WORDS THAT AGREE WITH THE WORD OF GOD INSTEAD OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND YOU. IT'S SPEAKING FROM YOUR SPIRIT INSTEAD OF FROM YOUR MIND. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT GOD USES WORDS TO "CALL THOSE THINGS WHICH BE NOT AS THOUGH THEY WERE" (ROMANS 4:17). Affirmations: I SPEAK THE END RESULT OF WHAT GOD'S WORD TELLS ME ABOUT MY SITUATION AS OPPOSED TO THE WAY IT APPEARS TO THE SENSES. I STOP "TELLING IT LIKE IT IS" AND START SPEAKING AND BELIEVING THE PROMISES OF GOD. I PUT THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD TO WORK FOR ME. Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Ephesians 4:17-19 - "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness." THERE'S A SUBTLE STRATEGY SATAN USES TO TAKE CONTROL OF OUR LIVES. THE BIBLE CALLS IT LASCIVIOUSNESS AND IT MEANS "TO HAVE NO RESTRAINT" AND HAS BEEN PREACHED AS BEING EXTREME IMMORALITY, BUT IT DOESN'T START OUT THAT WAY. IT BEGINS WITH JUST A FEW SEEMINGLY INNOCENT THOUGHTS. THEN THOSE THOUGHTS GROW AND GROW UNTIL THEY BEGIN TO PRODUCE SERIOUS SIN. Affirmations: I DON'T LET SATAN USE THE STRATEGY OF LASCIVIOUSNESS ON ME. I MAKE MY MIND AND HEART TODAY TO OBEY GOD EVEN IN THE LITTLE THINGS. I AVOID BIG FAILURES BY WALKING IN HIS SPIRIT ONE SMALL STEP AT A TIME. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." - Psalm 23:4,5 When Jesus spoke out across the waters (John 21) and instructed the disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat in order to usher in a catch of fish, first John and then Peter recognized that it was the Lord. As soon as Peter knew that Jesus was standing there waiting, he waited no longer; he dove into the water (leaving the boat behind), and raced back to shore on his own to meet his beloved Lord. It's time for us to become like Peter in this passage, and stop waiting for Jesus to come out to us, but rather that we need to rush to be near Him! As soon as Peter was back on the shore, a feast was there waiting that had been prepared for him by Jesus Himself. It was also at this point when Peter had the deepest conversation he'd ever had with Jesus, which regarded love and his relationship with God, as well as his CALLING. (to feed the "sheep"). As you run to Jesus, and dive into your pursuit after Him, He will most definitely pour out His Spirit and presence on you like never before. He has a banquet feast waiting for you, which includes the new wine and manna of Heaven (also known as His joy, His PRESENCE, and His revelation). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

Revelation 19:14 - "And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses." In this passage a wonderful picture is painted of the armies of Heaven following Christ into battle. These armies have been washed in the Blood of the lamb. These are the souls of the departed saints that are going to return with Christ when He invades this world and destroys the armies of darkness. The Lord in this hour is about to send His fire upon the Church. Those that are not ready may not be prepared for this fire, but it is going to consume the darkness from their lives. They are going to be touched in the core of their beings and they will rise as Knights in White Linen. They will conquer darkness in the name of the King. YOU ARE A CONQUEROR! You are royalty in Christ. You are undefeatable in Christ. There is nothing that can conquer you. You are more than a conqueror. You are an overcomer who will overcome every trial and difficulty that is in your life. Everyone goes through difficulty. Everyone has something that they are facing which they must endure and overcome. Whatever the problem, you have Christ as the answer. As we allow Him to wash us clean of all the stains in our hearts then we will be prepared for the new thing that God has for our lives. It is not that we do anything to make ourselves worthy. Jesus did it all on the Cross. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT Your job is to stand and respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. As we respond to the issues He places before us, He will set us free of many things that have been holding us down: Just let God touch the deep places of your heart. You can feel the pain in there. Place yourself in a position to let him lift every burden from your life. Lie face down in the glory and tell Him you want to be changed. He will change you day by day. Just let go and let Him wash away the pain of your life. 1 John 1:7 says, "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin." And then in Hebrews 9:14, "How much more will the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." And again in Ephesians 5:26-27, "...that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might present the Church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." You are a part of this army of God that is rising. Jesus is going to cleanse every spot and wrinkle of your life. You are a Knight in White Linen. The work of Jesus on the Cross is sufficient to cleanse and set you free. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

Matthew 17:14-21, "...A man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 'Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.' ... And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, 'Why could we not cast it out?' So Jesus said to them, 'Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.'" What is the implication of what Jesus is saying here? The picture is that the disciples were not able to cast out the demon – not able to set the person free. Why was that? Jesus makes it clear here that this person could not be freed except through fasting and prayer – also connecting this activity to that activation of faith in the heart. A price had to be paid for faith to be activated in their hearts. There is another clue. Jesus was able to cast out the demon. The implications of what Jesus said are that He Himself was living a lifestyle of fasting and prayer – therefore He was able to deliver the person. Matthew 6:31 - "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?" IN ORDER TO NOT TAKE THOUGHT ABOUT ONE THING, ONE HAS TO FILL HIS THOUGHTS WITH SOMETHING ELSE. IN VERSE 31, JESUS GAVE US THE BASIC KEY TO CONTROLLING OUR THOUGHT LIVES. HE SAID "TAKE NO THOUGHT - SAYING." BY PUTTING A THOUGHT IN OUR MOUTH AND THEN SPEAKING IT, WE TAKE THAT THOUGHT. ONCE THE THOUGHT BECOMES SPOKEN WORDS, IT HAS BEEN ACTIVATED - ESPECIALLY WHEN A BORN AGAIN BELIEVER TAKES A THOUGHT AND SAYS IT. WE ARE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. WE HAVE THE GOD GIVEN RIGHT TO SPEAK AND EXPECT. Revelation 3:17 - "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Affirmations: I AM A "NEW WINESKIN," CLEANSED, EMPTIED AND CAPABLE OF EXPANDING WITH THE NEW WINE. MY HEART IS A CONTAINER INTO WHICH THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS POURED. I SWELL WITH CHRIST'S INNER FULLNESS. THE PURPOSE OF MY LIFE IS TO CONTAIN THE FRUIT AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. I AM DESPERATE IN MY SEARCH AND HUNGER FOR GOD! Galatians 4:19 - "My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

"We can all draw close to Him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into His very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" - 2 Corinthians 3:18 We are in an hour where the greater glory is being poured out, which means the Church has a decision to make. Where God is highlighting the invitation for more of Him, He is also creating a distaste in the mouth of Believers for the fading glory. We just can't operate how we once did, camping around methods and messages, that simply do not carry this greater glory of the Gospel of Jesus. God is giving an opportunity for those who have been running on their own steam – to lay everything down and be filled afresh. It's His glory or nothing! His glory purifies and heals and He is purifying so deeply in this hour. He's doing it not to expose or shame, but to align our hearts with His again, so we can run strong! You are His glorious temple, His resting place – His habitation. He is asking today if you would allow Him to come in and open up the windows and doors of your heart so HE, the King of glory (Psalm 24:9), can come in and have His way. The Lord is shining His glory-light on dusty, dry bones piled up in the corners of hearts. Passion and zeal for the lost are buried under the stones of defeat. Let His glory flood your heart today. It's time to ARISE from the ground & SHINE! Romans 8:33 -- "Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies." Mark 15:3 -- "And the chief priest accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing." Why didn't Jesus defend Himself? The reason: to remain under His Father's judgment and thus His protection. When we refuse to defend ourselves we are hidden under the hand of God's grace and judgment. There is no safer place. In contrast, those who defend themselves come under the jurisdiction of their accusers and their judgment, and thus they forfeit divine intervention. The moment I justify and defend myself I yield to my accuser as judge. I forfeit my spiritual right of protection, for He (my accuser) rises above me in the realm of the spirit as I answer His criticism. His influence is elevated by my self-defense. By attempting to prove my innocence, I am at the mercy of my accuser. 1 Peter 2:23 -- "He (Jesus) did not retaliate when He was insulted. When He suffered, He did not threaten to get even. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly." "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. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

"Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted. A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years." - John 5:2-5 NASB This passage describes how at appointed seasons, there was a supernatural activity of the Holy Spirit that shifted the atmosphere from the natural to the supernatural. In between these strategic seasons, there was a time of testing. This certainly seems to be true in our lives as well. How we respond in times of waiting is critical: Will we get frustrated and move into doubt and unbelief? Will we lower the bar of our expectation in order to avoid disappointment? Will we take on false responsibility, acting as though the outcome all depends on our performance? Or will we look through different eyes, and see the waiting as a divine invitation to press into something more? EMBRACING OUR HUNGER There seems to be a period of time, an opportunity given by God during the waiting, for us to become so desperate that we turn our frustration into hunger instead. Hunger becomes a magnet that draws forth the supernatural activity of the Holy Spirit to invade the natural realm. Every circumstance is subject to change, and God invites us to co-labor with Him in the birthing of a new dawn, a new day and new beginnings—where God's calling on our life is unlocked and answers finally come tumbling forth! "When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, 'Do you wish to get well?' The sick man answered Him, 'Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.' Jesus said to him, 'Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.'" - John 5:6-8 NASB One greater than an angel came and declared that the waiting was over and a new period of time, not just a new season, had come. Everything changed then—and everything changes today—when Jesus, the Messiah, steps into the scene. We no longer look to the limitations of man, but rather to the unlimited power of the Son of God. So, what is our role in this process -- hunger expressed as a heart-cry of prayer! Let's, therefore, continue to ask that the Holy Spirit be released into the pool of our lives to bring forth a mighty visitation. "The wrestling quality of importunate prayer does not spring from physical vehemence or fleshly energy. It is not an impulse of energy, nor mere earnestness of soul. It is a wrought force, a faculty implanted and aroused by the Holy Spirit. Virtually, it is the intercession of the Holy Spirit in us." - E. M. Bounds ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him..." - Colossians 2:9,10 When the Spirit of God moves upon His people (His Church), encounters such as at Pentecost in Acts 2 take place—gifts begin to flow and demonstrations of His power and presence are released. While we love and embrace all the manifestations, the essence of revival is when the Holy Spirit touches the human spirit to awaken us back to our first love. Revival is when the fire of His love consumes us and we love Him back with that same love. Revival is relational...it is personal! Take these action steps, so that you may be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit. Cleanse your heart and mind and walk in greater depths of your identity in Christ! • Ask yourself: Is there anything in my life that is quenching the Holy Spirit? • Ask yourself: Is there anything in my life that is grieving the Holy Spirit? • Ask the Holy Spirit to forgive you of sins you may have committed. • Ask Holy Spirit to renew your mind. • Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and empower you to walk as Christ did and to walk in greater authority! 1 Corinthians 15:4,6 - "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once." BEFORE YOU CAN RECEIVE THE FIRE OF THE SPIRIT, YOU MUST WANT IT. PERHAPS THAT IS WHY ONLY 120 APPEARED OUT OF 500 BRETHREN IN THE UPPER ROOM. Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find REST IN THE SHADOW of the Almighty." - Psalm 91:1 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil, for You are with me." - Psalm 23:4 It's not about death's shadow. It's about God Who is OVERSHADOWING us. Wherever we go and whatever we do, God is there. We find protection under His SHADOW. "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose THOUGHTS ARE FIXED ON YOU." - Isaiah 26:3 If we constantly look at how bad a situation is, peace will elude us. If we always wonder. "What are we going to do?" or "How are we going to make it?" fear will grip our hearts. Peace comes when the eyes of our heart are FIXED ON JESUS - - the Author and Finisher of our faith. No matter what happens in the world, we can live without fear. We can enjoy life for we have been given a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

Luke 11:8 - "I tell you, although he will not get up and supply him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his shameless persistence and insistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs." WE NEED TO STAY BEFORE THE FATHER, PRAYING FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT SAVED TO RECEIVE THE BREAD OF SALVATION --- LIKE THE MAN IN LUKE 11:8 DID FOR HIS FRIEND. WHY DO WE NEED TO PERSEVERE WITH GOD IN PRAYER CONCERNING THE SALVATION OF OTHERS? IT'S CERTAINLY NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO CHANGE GOD'S MIND. HE NEVER CHANGES. HIS MIND IS MADE UP. HE WANTS ALL MEN SAVED. THE REASON WE HAVE TO PERSEVERE IN INTERCESSION IS TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE DEMONIC FORCES THAT ARE TRYING TO KEEP GOD'S WILL FROM BEING ACCOMPLISHED. THOSE FORCES MUST BE BROKEN DOWN THROUGH PRAYER SO THAT STRONGHOLDS ARE DESTROYED AND SPIRITUAL BLINDERS ARE REMOVED FROM THE SPIRITUAL EYES OF THE PEOPLE WE ARE PRAYING FOR. WHILE GOD WILL NOT GO AGAINST THE WILL OF PEOPLE, HE WILL MOVE THROUGH OUR INTERCESSION TO REVEAL HIMSELF. THROUGH PERSISTENT PRAYERS GOD WILL BRING THEM TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR NEED FOR HIM. THEN THEY WILL REACH OUT FOR HIM AND SPIRITUAL REBIRTH CAN TAKE PLACE! Psalm 42:1 - "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." WE NEGLECT TO PAY THE PRICE FOR THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND WIND UP WANDERING AROUND IN A WILDERNESS OF OUR OWN MAKING, BEING PURSUED BY SATAN. EVERYTHING BEGINS WITH TOTAL ABANDONMENT, TOTAL SURRENDER AND TOTAL HUNGER FOR THE LIVING CHRIST - NOT THE THINGS HE GIVES OR IMPARTS, BUT CHRIST AND CHRIST ALONE. Psalm 63:1 - "O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. " Jeremiah 29:13,14 - "And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you says the Lord." Psalm 115:16 - "The heavens are the heavens of the Lord; but the earth He has given to the sons of men." The Lord requires the cooperation of men to move on the earth. This is why, even though the Lord knows what we need before we ask Him, He requires that we ask before He moves on the earth. When He demonstrates His kingdom and the powers of heaven to the earth, He does it through men. The Lord could have parted the Red Sea without Moses, but not without violating His own principles of authority. He could have brought down fire on the prophets of Baal without Elijah, but that is not the way He does things on the earth. He gave authority over the earth to men, which is why even the Son of God, Jesus, continually referred to Himself as the Son of Man. He had to come as a man to retake the authority over the earth that had been lost by man's transgression and subsequent subservience to Satan. God ordained that man should rule over the earth and the coming of His kingdom will, therefore, restore man's authority over the earth, to those who worship and obey Him. Affirmations: SINCE I AM IN CHRIST I AM IN ANOTHER REALITY AND ANOTHER LIFE ALTOGETHER. I EXPERIENCE HEAVEN NOW, AND LIVE A LIFE THAT DEMONSTRATES THE REALITY OF HEAVEN ON THIS EARTH. I AM CALLED TO WALK THE EARTH, DO GOOD ON THE EARTH, AND TO DO IT WITH POWER THAT IS NOT OF THIS EARTH. John 14:12 - "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

The Lord is calling us up higher. When God begins to manifest His glory, we need to make sure that we don't try to pitch tents and build debasing structures. Jesus was transfigured before the eyes of Peter, James, and John. Peter suggested tents be built, but this was not the heart of God. When man sees the glory, there is the fleshly reaction to capitalize on what God is doing--building earthly structures, etc. As believers, we need to set our natural thinking aside, and ask the Lord to help us see with the eyes of His Spirit. The natural man cannot understand the ways of the Spirit. But our spirit within us is created to see and understand His ways. We commit ourselves to see with the eyes of our hearts and allow God to blow our minds with His limitless power! Endeavor seven times a day to withdraw from business and company and lift up your soul to God in private retirement. When we allow God’s purging fire to touch us He will place a covering of glory over our lives to protect us from the spirit of the world. There is a protection when we live in God’s purging fire. Song of Solomon 8:6 - “Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of the LORD." This verse says that the fire of love is actually the very flame of God. The best part about God’s fire is His fire of love. When we are touched by His fire He not only purges the dross out of our lives but He also consumes us with the fire of holy passion. God is looking to pull out His glory on the people who are consumed with one desire. Prayer: LORD JESUS, YOU ARE THE ONE WHO WALKS SILENTLY IN THE INNERMOST SANCTUARY OF MY SOUL. SO CAREFULLY YOU WEAVE YOURSELF INTO THE FIBERS OF MY BEING. TOUCH ME WITH YOUR CLEANSING, RENEWING FIRE. 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. For Christians to endure and prevail in the battles of life, more than anything else, we must have a vision for going higher into God's PURPOSE for our lives. This allows us to soar high above any of the conditions or problems of this world. This is how Paul and Silas soared in worship even when they were in a dungeon. No dungeon could hold their spirits. If the things of this world are still holding us down, then we have not been transformed. Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Affirmations: I AFFIRM, MEDITATE ON, AND VISUALIZE THE WORD TO BUILD UP MY INNER MAN. I HAVE THE EXACT WORD I NEED FOR EVERY SITUATION - A SPECIFIC, QUICKENED WORD FROM THE SCRIPTURES, PLACED IN MY HEART THROUGH MEDITATING AND AFFIRMING GOD'S WORD CONTINUALLY. BECAUSE THIS RHEMA FROM GOD IS IN MY HEART, I HAVE REAL SWORD POWER TO USE AGAINST THE ENEMY! 2 Peter 1:4 - "By which He (God) has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." Each of us has a promised land for our lives. God's promises are key to us entering into the vision that God has given us. If you are in a desert God is ready to take you out -- time to move on from eating manna to eating the food that God freely gives in the promised land of your DESTINY! If we want to be co-laborers with Jesus, fulfilling His PURPOSE FOR OUR LIFE, we must step out of the comfort zone and move into the life of faith where our only source is the invisible God and the integrity of His word. He said we cannot be His disciples if we don't do this. "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." - Luke 9:23 Ongoing filling with the Holy Spirit is available to all believers. At critical junctures, the Lord will fill us with a greater measure, often with manifestations of a new filling, because we have come into a new season of revival or commissioning. "Be filled with the Spirit....Always give thanks for everything to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 5:18,20 It is a mistake to think that only certain people with unique gifts can hear and see God. If I think that it's only for others, I remove myself from active faith. We must put on the mind of Christ so that the Spirit of wisdom and revelation is activated in our lives. To do this we need to have faith that God will show us new revelation in a way that we, individually, can receive. Revelation leads us to wisdom, and wisdom gives us strategy. "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him." - Ephesians 1:17 We recall that Jacob wrestled with the Lord all night, until daybreak? THEN it was that 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. "And He said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." - Genesis 32:26 AFFIRMATION: I change the way I talk -- I see the way God meant it to be, and start calling forth my miracle. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

"The season has now changed, the bondage your barren winter has ended, and the season of hiding is over and gone, the rains have soaked the earth and left it bright with blossoming flowers. The season for pruning the vines has arrived. This new day of destiny breaking forth around you... the early signs of My purposes and plans are bursting forth, the budding vines of new life are now blooming everywhere; the fragrance of their flowers whispers: "THERE IS CHANGE IN THE AIR..."' - Song of Songs 2:11-13, The Passion Translation With a sense of excited expectancy, through faith, the Lord is leading us into changes that are not only bringing tremendous breakthrough, manifestation of promises, radical provision, visions of the future and hope like never before (Jeremiah 29:11), but implanting within the people of God a BIGGER seed to believe for the impossible. MUCH PRUNING HAS TAKEN PLACE There are swift changes upon the people of God that are going to be some of the greatest changes they have yet seen. There has been much pruning that has taken place to prepare the people of God to move into these changes. You have been perfectly placed now to move into greater realms of faith to believe for greater things and SEE them manifest. As you have NOT GIVEN UP you are stepping through the threshold of CHANGES. Glorious changes! Change is in the air! MORE THAN WE CAN ASK OR THINK What He has told you and SO MUCH MORE awaits you on the other side of your perseverance and faith. EVERY time you have said YES, Every time you have refused to give up, EVERY prayer you have prayed, EVERY time you have put one foot in front of the other, EVERY time you have delighted in Him, praised Him, He SEES IT ALL! He has seen EVERYTHING you have sown and has not turned His face away, but stored that seed in His heart to GERMINATE and now it is going to produce MORE ABUNDANCE than you can dream of. Ephesians 3:20 is the banner over you! "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..." Some of these changes upon you are going to PROPEL YOU into the next step of your DESTINY! Walking through this door with Him in the spirit labeled "changes" is going to CHANGE EVERYTHING! Get ready for a radically, glorious, heavenly, life change makeover and a whole new realm of GLORIOUS encounters with your GOOD, GOOD FATHER! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

1 John 4:17 - "As He is, so are we in this world." AT THE AZUSA STREET REVIVAL, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH A BLAZE, ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE PEOPLE INSIDE WERE WORSHIPING JESUS. WATER COULDN'T PUT IT OUT AS IT WAS NOT A NATURAL FIRE. IF THE FATHER FILLED THE OLD TESTAMENT HOUSES WITH HIS GLORY, THOUGH THEY WERE BUILT BY HUMAN HANDS, HOW MUCH MORE WILL HE FILL THE PLACE THAT HE BUILDS WITH HIS OWN HANDS! HE IS BUILDING US INTO HIS ETERNAL DWELLING PLACE. Hebrews 4:29 - "For our God is indeed a consuming fire." Matthew 16:24 - "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." THE CROSS IS NOT SELF-APPLIED - JESUS DID NOT NAIL HIMSELF TO THE CROSS. IF THE DEVIL FINDS US UNINTERESTED IN EVIL, THEN HE'LL TRY TO GET US TO FOCUS ON OUR UNWORTHINESS AND INABILITY. THIS IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE IN PRAYER MEETINGS WHERE PEOPLE TRY TO PROJECT GREAT BROKENNESS BEFORE GOD, HOPING TO EARN REVIVAL. THEY WILL OFTEN RE-CONFESS OLD SINS SEARCHING FOR REAL HUMILITY. IF I'M THE MAIN SUBJECT, TALKING INCESSANTLY ABOUT MY WEAKNESSES, I HAVE ENTERED INTO THE MOST SUBTLE FORM OF PRIDE. REPEATED PHRASES SUCH AS "I'M SO UNWORTHY," BECOME A NAUSEATING REPLACEMENT FOR THE DECLARATIONS OF THE WORTHINESS OF GOD. BY BEING SOLD ON MY OWN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, THE ENEMY HAS DISENGAGED ME FROM EFFECTIVE SERVICE. TRUE BROKENNESS CAUSES COMPLETE DEPENDENCY ON GOD, MOVING US TO RADICAL OBEDIENCE THAT RELEASES THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD AROUND US. 2 Corinthians 11:3 -- "But I fear...your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." The problem is that we mistakenly strive for information when in reality we need revelation. Ephesians 1:17,18 -- "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....." The Holy Spirit within the believer ministers truth by revelation. In other words, it is revealed, not figured out. God does not talk to our brains! He speaks to the spirit of man. Jesus never said that water would flow out of your head, but that, "Out of your innermost being would flow rivers of living water." - John 7:38 1 Corinthians 1:20 -- "Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" Affirmations: AS I STUDY, AFFIRM, AND MEDITATE ON THE WORD OF GOD, I SEEK WISDOM AND REVELATION FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT. AS I ENDEAVOR TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD, I PAY ATTENTION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT INSIDE OF ME -- HE HAS THE KEYS TO UNLOCK ANY SITUATION. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, my great army which I sent among you" (Joel 2:25). Since we serve a God of restoration, we might ask the question: "What can God restore?" The answer is that God can restore everything that has been lost; nothing is impossible with Him (see Luke 1:37). Whatever has been lost in your life, whatever has been stolen, and whatever has been taken from you, God is able to restore it. Not only that, but whatever you have willingly given up for God can be restored too. And Jesus promises, "Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:29). In other words, what we give up, God gives back. What have you sacrificed? Have you given up money or time? What has been taken from you – your health, your joy, your marriage, or your business? BELIEVE THAT GOD IS ABOUT TO RESTORE WHAT THE ENEMY HAS TAKEN FROM YOU: • How wonderful it is to cling to God's promises and know that He restores strength, energy, passion, and motivation, even in old age. The women said to Naomi toward the end of her life, after she had lost her husband and her sons: "And may [God] be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age" (Ruth 4:15). • God can restore your flesh: "'Put your hand in your bosom again.' So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh" (Exodus 4:7). • If you have lost property, then know that God is able to restore that as well: "So David said to him, 'Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually'" (2 Samuel 9:7). • Positions can be restored too: "Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand" (Genesis 40:21). • Our God of mercy, compassion, and love can restore those who fall: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). So, not only does God restore our lives, but He then uses us to bring restoration to others. To say it another way, Paul said, "[He] comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:4). • If our health has been taken away, then know that God is the One who restores our health. He said through Jeremiah, "'For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,' says the Lord" (Jeremiah 30:17). • Finances can also be restored as seen in Genesis 42:25: "Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man's money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey." • God even promises to restore the damages that have taken place in our soul – our mind, will, and emotions – so that we can prosper once again: "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake" (Psalm 23:3), and, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers" (3 John 1:2). • If we become discouraged, we must remember that God is the One who restores our joy:"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit" (Psalm 51:12). The joy of the Lord is our strength – if we lose our joy, we lose our strength. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

Ephesians 3:16 - "That according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in your inner being." WHEN WE LEARN TO RECEIVE FROM OUR SPIRIT, OUR MIND BECOMES THE STUDENT AND IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. THROUGH THE PROCESS OF REVELATION AND EXPERIENCE OUR MIND EVENTUALLY OBTAINS UNDERSTANDING. THAT IS BIBLICAL LEARNING - THE SPIRIT GIVING INFLUENCE TO THE MIND. Galatians 5:25 - "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Romans 8:4 - "And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to our sinful nature but according to the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 5:7 - "For we walk by faith, not by sight." JESUS EXPECTS PEOPLE TO SEE FROM THE HEART. HE ONCE CALLED A GROUP OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS HYPOCRITES BECAUSE THEY COULD DISCERN THE WEATHER CONDITIONS BUT COULDN'T DISCERN THE TIMES (SPIRITUAL CLIMATE AND SEASONS). THE VERY FACT THAT THEY, OF ALL PEOPLE, WERE REQUIRED TO SEE IS EVIDENCE THAT EVERYONE HAS BEEN GIVEN THIS ABILITY. THEY BECAME BLIND TO HIS DOMINION BECAUSE OF THEIR OWN CORRUPTED HEARTS AND WERE JUDGED FOR THEIR UNFULFILLED POTENTIAL. Affirmations: I EMBRACE THE LIFE OF FAITH WHICH HAS ITS ANCHOR IN THE UNSEEN REALM. I AM NOT LIMITED BY MY NATURAL SIGHT -- FAITH PROVIDES EYES FOR THE HEART. John 3:3 - "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." What does it mean to "see" the kingdom of God? Jesus urged us to do an about-face in our approach to reality because His Kingdom is at hand. He brought His world with Him, and it's within our reach. He wants us to see reality from God's perspective, to learn to live "from" His world "towards" the visible world. But we have to change the way we think if we want to apprehend the Kingdom power that is available. Jesus was saying that when our minds are renewed, we will see the Kingdom displayed and proven as He did in His earthly ministry. His reality - is to raise up a delegated group of people who work with Him to destroy the works of the devil, who demonstrate and prove the will of God here on earth as it is in heaven. Affirmations: I HAVE AN UNRELENTING HUNGER TO WATCH THE KINGDOM BREAK INTO THIS REALM. I BECOME A CONNECTING POINT AND GATEWAY FOR GOD'S POWER. I AM A C0-LABORER WITH JESUS IN THE GREAT COMMISSION. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

Revelation 4:6,8 - "In the center and around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within." THE MANY "EYES" REPRESENT THE OPEN, ALL-INCLUSIVE VISION THAT IS THE RESULT OF BEING IN GOD'S PRESENCE. THESE "LIVING CREATURES" ARE SYMBOLS OF THE LIFE ONE FINDS AS HE ABIDES IN GOD'S PRESENCE. IN HIM, OUR EYES CAN THINK: THEY SEE WITH DISCERNMENT AND UNDERSTANDING. THE MIND OF CHRIST FUSES WITH OUR VISION, REVEALING WHAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE SEEN BY THE NARROWNESS OF OUR PERCEPTION; WE SEE "IN FRONT AND BEHIND" OUR VISION ALSO COMES FROM THE "CENTER OF THE THRONE." NOT ONLY DO WE SEE DISTANT SPIRITUAL REALITIES BUT WE ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO PENETRATE AND SEARCH THE DEPTHS OF GOD HIMSELF. 1 Corinthians 2:10 - "God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God." John 17:16,17 - "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." LIFE, AS WE PERCEIVE IT, IS BASED UPON WHATEVER NETWORK OF THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS WE ARE CURRENTLY ALLOWING TO GOVERN OUR SOULS. ON THE OTHER HAND, GOD DEFINES REALITY AS THE "TRUTH" FOUND IN HIS WORD. FOR US TO TRAVEL FROM OUR WORLD INTO THE REALITY OF GOD, WE MUST VIEW JESUS' WORDS AS DOORS THROUGH WHICH WE ENTER GOD'S ETERNAL KINGDOM. IN THE COMBINED MEANING OF ALL JESUS TAUGHT, WE FIND THE REALITY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. VICTORY COMES WHEN WE LINE OURSELVES UP TO THE REALITY OF GOD'S LIFE. John 10:10 - "I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly." The word "life" is from the Greek word "Zoe". It means Eternal Life. 1 John 6:7 - "He that believeth hath Eternal Life." The Holy Spirit would have us know this fact: that believing is possessing. The instant that you believe, you have. 1 John 5:13 - "These things have I written unto you that ye may know that ye have Eternal Life, even to you that believe on His Name." You may mentally assent and never have. You may hope and never have But the instant you "believe" it is yours. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

Matthew 27:32 - "Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: Him they compelled to bear His cross." "Compelled" - (Greek: "Aggareuo", Strongs 29) literally translated -- to be pressed into public service or compelled to "go". The word for "bear" (Greek; "Airo", Strong's 142), literal translation -- to take up or to take away. When Simon and Jesus took the cross to Calvary, "they were come (together) unto a place called Golgotha" (Matthew 27:33). Prophetically, Simon the Cyrenian represents each of us: We must all come to the place of the cross and die to our agendas and carnal thoughts for our lives and ministries. We must allow the Father's will to be done in our lives. We must all come to our own personal Golgothas. Just as Jesus was with the Cyrenian, He will be with each of us at the time and place of our personal death to self. "Jesus then said to his disciples, 'If anyone wishes to be a follower of mine, he must leave self behind; he must take up his cross and come with me. Whoever cares for his own safety is lost; but if a man will let himself be lost for my sake, he will find his true self.'" - Matthew 16:24-25 NEB The Kingdom of God is 24/7. It is continually in season and out (see Mark 11:13,14). It must become a dwelling place, a place that is inhabited. If it isn't, the normal Christian life will be seen as just a series of intermittent events. It will be seen only through an earthly reality when, all the while, we have available for us an eternal reality...Heaven on earth. "After this I looked and, behold a door was opened in heaven......And immediately I was in the Spirit.." - Revelation 4:1,2 God has made available for the Body of Christ open Heavens that will not shut, and we can dwell in these places. A living way is a breathing path that has limitless fruitful encounters. Affirmations: BY KNOWING HIM, BEHOLDING HIM, AND FOLLOWING HIM, THERE IS A TRANSFORMATION AND IMPARTATION THAT RELEASES HIS AUTHORITY IN ME. MY BASIC PURPOSE IS TO LOVE GOD, BECOME LIKE HIM, AND DO THE WORKS HE PREDESTINED FOR ME. God says He will redeem even your mistakes and every evil thing that the enemy meant for your harm...He will turn it around for good (see Genesis 50:20). God says He looks on your heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). He does not look at your mistakes, He looks at the life lived by His Son Jesus. Once you ask Him to forgive, He forgives. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" - (Romans 8:35a). David wrote "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" - (Psalm 103:12). One of the devil's greatest weapons is shame and guilt. This cripples Believers and causes them to live a life of discouragement and feeling like a failure. God did not save you, fill you with the Holy Spirit, and then throw you into the corner and say, "Hope you make it!" You have a CALLING and DESTINY in Christ. Walk in that glorious truth. Some believe that they are not "righteous" enough for God to use them. When we mention the word "righteousness," many people immediately think that it involves more performance and perfect behavior – a list of "do's and don'ts" from God. Righteousness is a gift from God and cannot be earned! (See Romans 5:17). Be assured that you are already righteous in Christ. His Spirit lives in you and, therefore, you are qualified to walk in the supernatural! We need to step out and do it! The Accuser of the Brethren has yoked many of us with guilt and shame because when we "mess up," we believe it has affected our righteousness. If you are hearing those words from the enemy, then he has targeted your future. Mark 15:3 -- "And the chief priest accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing." Why didn't Jesus defend Himself? The reason: to remain under His Father's judgment and thus His protection. When we refuse to defend ourselves we are hidden under the hand of God's grace and judgment. There is no safer place. In contrast, those who defend themselves come under the jurisdiction of their accusers and their judgment, and thus they forfeit divine intervention. The moment I justify and defend myself I yield to my accuser as judge. I forfeit my spiritual right of protection, for He (my accuser) rises above me in the realm of the spirit as I answer His criticism. His influence is elevated by my self-defense. By attempting to prove my innocence, I am at the mercy of my accuser. 1 Peter 2:23 -- "He (Jesus) did not retaliate when He was insulted. When He suffered, He did not threaten to get even. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly." "..therefore be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 2:1 Receiving grace from God has absolutely nothing to do with our performance at all; it is completely based upon undeserved favor. If God's grace were based upon our ability to do right and perform well, then we would not need His grace. We would then believe that because of our own abilities we have been blessed. This is such a deceptive lie of the enemy. He does not desire that we embrace the revelation of God's grace. We know who we are in Christ without doubt or fear. We are sons and daughters of God by His marvelous grace. We have the Blood of Jesus flowing through us. By His Blood we overcome the darkness of this world. Too many in the Church have limited themselves and limited God by not understanding their inheritance in Christ and their right standing with God. Colossians 1:27 - "...to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Expect exponential blessings in your breakthroughs. Expect faith upon faith to rise up! Expect advancement from strength-to-strength! Expect to go from glory-to-glory as God opens impossible doors for the advancement of His kingdom and His glory. "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us." - Ephesians 3:20 The way we live is a reflection of the state of our hearts. Yet, the state of our hearts is inflamed by our lifestyles. We've seen the indulgent lifestyle cripple the spiritual passions of a generation of nominal believers. The more we can do without material and sensual things, the more we will partake of the spiritual delicacies that feed passionate love. "A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life." - Proverbs 13:7 "May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory, that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one." - John 17:21,22 God wants the same communion or "common-union" with you that He had with Jesus. Your prayer life can make you so intimate with God that you will walk around and naturally manifest the works, or thoughts, of God, just as Jesus did. Is the heart on fire? Is your heart burning with desire for Him? Pursue Him. Quiet your soul before Him! Let your heart pant for Him as a deer pants for the water. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

"It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it," - Micah 4:1 Climbing or ascending the Lord's mountain means that we: have a passionate hunger and growing love for the Father, develop the mind of Christ, listen to and obey the Spirit's prompting on a daily basis, and are mature sons of God in the process of becoming friends of God. We will expand our spirits with the spiritual fruits and gifts, and joyfully learn to walk in our true identity as God sees us. We will learn how to exercise and steward Kingdom influence. We will also encounter fellowship with other Mountain climbers who have joined us for this eternity-long journey. RISE UP INTO THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST What happens when God's glory is poured out upon a group (the Ekklesia) and not just one man (Solomon) or one nation (Israel)? The result is noteworthy and extraordinary and causes Isaiah 60 to be fulfilled. That day is now here, and it is time for the Church, the global Body of Christ, to rise up, show up, and grow up into the fullness of Christ so that His incomparable, surpassing glory and wisdom can be demonstrated through us to the world. The "greater works" mentioned in John 14, are simply the works of Christ living through you today, since Jesus ascended to Heaven after being resurrected from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God. You and I are His hands and feet on earth, and He has delegated authority to us as His sons and daughters – the Church. An "abundant life" means a life well lived: a life of service to others, a life of influence and purpose, and destiny and legacy. LIVING IN EXPECTATION AND BOLDNESS This is the most exciting time to be alive since the dawn of creation. It is time to live in expectation, boldness, faith, and confidence as we do the greater works. Daniel 11:32 says, "The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." To truly know God and come into and spend time in His presence is to be changed and empowered. Once again, in our own time, those "who have turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6) will be found in the earth and in the Church. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

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 WAS OVERSHADOWED 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, IS 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 http://afministry.ning.com

2 Corinthians 10:4 - "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." A STRONGHOLD IS A SATANIC FORCE THAT STARTS AS A THOUGHT, THEN LAYS ITS FOUNDATION IN A PERSON'S MIND, BUILDS ITSELF UP AND MAKES ITS ABODE THERE. YOU CAN'T SIMPLY CAST DOWN A STRONGHOLD AS YOU WOULD CAST DOWN AN EVIL THOUGHT OR IMAGINATION. YOU NEED THE WORD OF GOD TO BECOME LIKE A HAMMER IN YOUR LIFE IN ORDER TO TEAR DOWN THAT STRONGHOLD AND GET IT OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM. HOW CAN YOU GET RID OF A STRONGHOLD? BY HAVING A STRONG TOWER! Psalm 61:3 - "For thou has been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy." Proverbs 18:10 - "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." THE WORD OF GOD CAN BECOME THE STRONG TOWER IN MY LIFE THAT CAN DEMOLISH STRONGHOLDS. THE LORD THROUGH HIS WORD CAN PUSH OUT THAT SATANIC FORCE THAT'S BEEN HOLDING ME CAPTIVE. GOD'S WORD IS STRONGER THAN ANY STRONGHOLD! Observation: I FIND THE WORD OF GOD THAT APPLIES TO MY STRONGHOLD AND SATURATE MYSELF IN IT BY AFFIRMING IT FREQUENTLY AND MEDITATING ON IT AS I GO THROUGHOUT THE DAY. I THANK GOD THAT THE STRONGHOLD HAS BEEN DEMOLISHED AS I CAST DOWN ANY WRONG THOUGHTS. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "And all of us, as with unveiled face, because we continued to behold in the Word of God as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." When we come to God's Word, we will reproduce what we see. Proverbs 23:7 - "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Affirmations: WHATEVER MY HEART IS SET UPON WHEN I COME TO THE BIBLE, WILL DETERMINE MUCH OF WHAT I SEE IN THE BIBLE. For example, if I come to God's Word with evangelism on my mind, the Bible will open up new Scriptures that I never previously considered to be evangelistic. What I carry to this watering hole will determine much of what I see and reproduce.(Genesis 30:37-39) MY DESPERATION FOR THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT IS ON MY HEART MAKES ME AVAILABLE FOR THINGS THAT OTHERS SEEM TO CONTINUALLY MISS. BY KEEPING A PURE HEART, THE JOURNEY TO GOD'S WORD IS A JOURNEY WHERE NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

Isaiah 14:7 says, "The whole earth is at rest and is quiet; They break forth into shouts of joy." The Hebrew word for breaking forth, is patsach (paw-tsakh'), meaning: to cause to break or burst forth, break forth with, break out, break into pieces. Your praise is powerful. When you release your praise it causes a breaking forth. Isaiah 44:23 declares, "Shout for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done it! Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth; break forth into a shout of joy, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it; for the LORD has redeemed Jacob and in Israel He shows forth His glory." THE SPIRIT MUST FLOW FREELY IN OUR LIVES Your praise releases the Spirit of God, which removes the things or resistance set before you. That which has been damned up in your personal life or ministry. When we don't experience the patsach or the breaking forth in our lives, it causes us to become stagnant. In John 7:38 Jesus says "Whoever believes in Me, just as the Scripture has said: 'Streams of living water will flow from within him.''' As Believers we should always be at a place of flowing. When we're not flowing we get backed up, and our waters begin to get contaminated. The Spirit of the Lord should always be free-flowing in your personal life and in church. When the Spirit is unable to flow freely, it can quench the Spirit, causing it leave. WE CARRY REVIVAL WITHIN US Don't allow the enemy to silence your praise. There is power in your sound and voice. Your voice carries the prophetic DNA to bring breakthrough. When a prophetic sound is released it has an edge that cuts through or breaks through, so the Spirit of God can burst forth. Let your praise release the patsach! In the Old Testament of the Bible, when the Israelites went into battle, the worshipers would lead the way. The sound they released brought breakthrough and victory. Stand up and declare that patsach is hitting every area of your life. What has been shut up, shut down, and stopped up is breaking forth now in Jesus' name! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

Isaiah 14:7 says, "The whole earth is at rest and is quiet; They break forth into shouts of joy." The Hebrew word for breaking forth, is patsach (paw-tsakh'), meaning: to cause to break or burst forth, break forth with, break out, break into pieces. Your praise is powerful. When you release your praise it causes a breaking forth. Isaiah 44:23 declares, "Shout for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done it! Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth; break forth into a shout of joy, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it; for the LORD has redeemed Jacob and in Israel He shows forth His glory." THE SPIRIT MUST FLOW FREELY IN OUR LIVES Your praise releases the Spirit of God, which removes the things or resistance set before you. That which has been damned up in your personal life or ministry. When we don't experience the patsach or the breaking forth in our lives, it causes us to become stagnant. In John 7:38 Jesus says "Whoever believes in Me, just as the Scripture has said: 'Streams of living water will flow from within him.''' As Believers we should always be at a place of flowing. When we're not flowing we get backed up, and our waters begin to get contaminated. The Spirit of the Lord should always be free-flowing in your personal life and in church. When the Spirit is unable to flow freely, it can quench the Spirit, causing it leave. WE CARRY REVIVAL WITHIN US Don't allow the enemy to silence your praise. There is power in your sound and voice. Your voice carries the prophetic DNA to bring breakthrough. When a prophetic sound is released it has an edge that cuts through or breaks through, so the Spirit of God can burst forth. Let your praise release the patsach! In the Old Testament of the Bible, when the Israelites went into battle, the worshipers would lead the way. The sound they released brought breakthrough and victory. Stand up and declare that patsach is hitting every area of your life. What has been shut up, shut down, and stopped up is breaking forth now in Jesus' name! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

"Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" - John 4:35 It is time or us to be thankful to God for His grace that will empower us who are willing to look beyond challenging situations to see (and have faith in) the fullness of God in every set of circumstances – expecting Him to fulfill His promises no matter what temporary facts may seem to be in the moment. In this, there will be an ability to resist and deny the lures of our old carnal nature (or flesh) that have tripped us up and limited us in the past. There will be a grace to focus on God, step into His fullness, and trust in His ability to fulfill His promises. For example, if in the past you have been limited by fear, doubt, discouragement, impatience, procrastination, intimidation, depression, frustration, irritability, or any other manifestations of your old carnal nature, this is the season to grab hold of the fullness of God, and by His grace step beyond your former limitations and step into the fulfillment of the glorious new creation you were created to be. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14 Genesis 3:1 - "Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he (Satan) said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, 'You shall not eat from every tree of the garden"'? Observation: IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE THAT MY THINKING, BELIEVING AND SPEAKING ARE RIGHT. IF I DON'T TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY, THE DEVIL IS GOING TO THINK MY THOUGHTS FOR ME. HE'LL ACTUALLY HAVE ME BELIEVING WHAT HE WANTS ME TO BELIEVE. AND HE'LL EVENTUALLY HAVE ME CONFESSING WHAT HE WANTS ME TO CONFESS, FRAMING MY WORLD WITH THE WRONG WORDS AND LETTING HIM HAVE DOMINION OVER ME. Revelation 12:17 - "So then the dragon was furious (enraged) at the woman, and he went away to wage war on the remainder of her descendants - on those who obey God's commandments and who have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Luke 10:21 -- 'In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight."' One way we can be convinced we've heard from God is that the answer is simple. Jesus took complicated problems of blindness, leprosy, and paralysis, and simplified them into obedience -- 'Go wash.' ' Go show yourselves to the priest.' 'Take up your bed and walk.' Hearing God's voice doesn't mean we understand all the mysteries of the world. It means that God will articulate a word or command that will simplify, heal, and deliver us in our situation. This is the ultimate Christianity -- communication and communion with the Holy Spirit, knowing more and more about Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Affirmations: AS I STUDY THE WORD OF GOD, I SEEK WISDOM AND REVELATION FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT. AS I ENDEAVOR TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD, I PAY ATTENTION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT INSIDE OF ME -- HE HAS THE KEYS TO UNLOCK ANY SITUATION. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

Luke 1:26,28 - "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail thou art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." WHEN GOD CHOSE TO BRING THE MESSIAH THROUGH THE VIRGIN MARY, HE SENT GABRIEL THE ANGEL TO BRING THE MESSAGE. WHEN THE APOSTLE PAUL WAS ABOUT TO SUFFER SHIPWRECK, AN ANGEL OF THE LORD TOLD HIM WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE ANGELS DID WHAT GOD COULD HAVE DONE EASILY HIMSELF. BUT WHY DIDN'T GOD DO THOSE THINGS HIMSELF? FOR THE SAME REASON HE DOESN'T PREACH THE GOSPEL: HE HAS CHOSEN TO LET HIS CREATION ENJOY THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVICE IN HIS KINGDOM. SERVICE WITH PURPOSE AFFIRMS IDENTITY. A GODLY SELF-ESTEEM IS DERIVED FROM DOING "AS HE PLEASES". AND TRUE SERVICE IS AN OVERFLOW OF WORSHIP. WE ALWAYS BECOME LIKE THE ONE WE WORSHIP. HOW COULD HE WANT ANYTHING MORE FOR US THAN THAT? Jeremiah 1:12 - "Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it." Affirmations: IF I HAVE MY THINKING RIGHT, MY BELIEVING RIGHT, AND MY SPEAKING RIGHT, I WILL UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S NOT WHAT I SEE THAT SHOULD DETERMINE FOR ME WHETHER THE WORD IS WORKING. THE WAY I CAN KNOW THAT MY WORLD IS BEING FRAMED BY THE WORD IS BY WHAT'S IN MY HEART AND BY WHAT I'M SAYING. SO NO MATTER HOW THINGS LOOK, IF I'M SPEAKING THE WORD OF GOD IN FAITH, - I DON'T QUIT! I STAY IN FAITH AND GOD WILL MANIFEST HIS GLORY IN MY SITUATION. 2 Corinthians 10:4,5 - "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." We must topple the "stronghold of our experiences." The only one who has a right to shape our lives is Jesus Christ. We must determine to allow nothing and no one to shape us, not even our personal experiences, unless they are consistent with the promises of God. To the degree that our experiences do not conform to the Word of God, they subtly teach us that God is not who He says He is. In other words, even though you were not healed, you should not conclude "healing is not for today." God's provision is eternal, which means that until heaven and earth pass away, He as provided for our healing. In regard to sin, though we repeatedly stumble, we must continue to believe God for grace to overcome. We must give ourselves room to grow into new insights. We must never surrender our faith in God's Word! Experiences may seem valid, but if they have left us thinking that Jesus is not the same today as He was in the Gospels, the conclusion we have drawn is wrong. It is a stronghold that must be pulled down. Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Revelation 22:13 - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Romans 3:4 - "Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com