Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'jesus'.
-
Love this song from a few years back but I don't think many heard or remember this song. Such a beautiful song.
-
"...He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature..." - 2 Peter 1:4 Promises from God are met with contradiction in the natural realm. God is announcing a reality to you that will most likely appear very distant and disconnected from your present situation. God's promises are prophetic glimpses of the realities He wants to release into and through your life. SUPERNATURAL BENEFITS OF THE PROMISES OF GOD 1.) Promises Call You to Pull Tomorrow Into Today. Promises will always contradict your present circumstances because God wants you to collaborate with Him, through faith, to bring His promised reality into the present, so that His will can be done. 2.) Promises Teach You to Prophesy. Whether it's a prophetic word, a passage of Scripture the Holy Spirit is highlighting, or some expression of God speaking something to you, you have an assignment—when you receive a promise, you need to align your words with what God is saying. This is the essence of the prophetic: You saying what God is speaking. 3.) Promises Demand Lifestyle Adjustment and Accommodation. The reason there are so many unclaimed, unreleased promises is that the transaction is a two-way street. We just want God to do everything and us do nothing. God, in His glory and love, entrusts promises to us. That's His part. At the same time, we need to steward and carry the promises to fruition. It's not enough to get a prophetic word in a gathering; some people think that just because they "got a word," God is obligated to fulfill it. The Word of the Lord places a demand on your life. Will you adjust everything—your habits, your thought processes, your relationships, your pursuits—according to the promise you received, or will you continue with "life as normal?" Normal will never be invaded by the supernatural as long as we are content to continue with status quo rather than accommodate the promises of God. WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO YOU ABOUT HIS PROMISES 1.) The Lord wants you to inherit new promises: Position yourself and live in expectation! He is not looking for perfect people; just yielded ones. Mary was surely not perfect—she was simply willing to say "Yes" to an impossible promise. 2.) The Lord also wants to send the renewing wind of the Spirit to those of who you received promises in past seasons. He brings resurrection life to past-season promises. Ask the Holy Spirit for a fresh visitation of His resurrection power, breathing life upon those post-season promises and reviving them! "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" - Numbers 23:19 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
-
Daily Reading 39 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Hebrews 4:14-6:12 Genesis 49:1-50:26 Psalm 39 Audio 2:43 Audio 4:54 Audio 1:49 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen
-
Daily Reading 38 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Hebrews 3:1-4:13 Genesis 48 Psalm 38 Audio 2:25 Audio 3:43 Audio 2:14 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen
-
Matthew 13:26,28-30 - "But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay: lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest." THE QUESTION WE NEED TO ASK IS NOT "WHO IS A TARE?" BUT "AM I TRULY A WHEAT?" WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO JUDGE, UPROOT OR EVEN TRY TO "DISCERN" THE TARES BEFORE THE HARVEST TIME; EVEN JESUS WILL NOT REMOVE THEM UNTIL THEN. Affirmations: I REALIZE THAT LIKE SEEDS, WORDS ARE VERY LIKELY TO MULTIPLY. I CONSIDER EACH DAY THAT MY WORDS WILL BEAR FRUIT. I DETERMINE THAT I WILL ONLY SOW THAT WHICH BRINGS FORTH THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" - John 7:38 We are living wells and it is important to steward, guard, protect, deepen, and open that well. Wherever we go, out of our bellies will flow rivers of living water. God wants us to stay full of the oil. It's so important that we spend time deepening our relationship with Jesus so that when the time comes to enter into greater depths with Him, we are ready (Matthew 25). When you find Jesus in the midst of the whirlwinds surrounding moves of God, keep your eyes fixed on Him no matter what's going on around Him. As we stay focused on the one thing, our heart will burn with greater passion and fire for Jesus than ever before (Psalm 27). The origin of the word "focus" is influenced by the Latin word used for "fire". What we focus on shapes our lives and determines who we will become. When we focus on Jesus and on those things He has entrusted us within each season, this will help make us ready. Prayer: GOD, SEND YOUR FIRE IN EVERY AREA OF MY LIFE AND BURN AWAY ANYTHING THAT IS NOT OF YOU FOR THIS SEASON. REFINE AND BRING TO THE SURFACE THE GOLD. It's important to steward holiness and a consecrated life because the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). Song of Solomon 1:11 - "We will make for you chains and ornaments of gold, studded with silver." GOLD CHAINS REPRESENT PURE LOVE WHICH HAS ONE PURPOSE; TO DO EVERYTHING FOR GOD'S PLEASURE AND GLORY. THE INLAID SILVER SIGNIFIES THAT NO MATTER HOW WONDERFUL PURE LOVE IS, LOVE MUST STILL BE MADE VISIBLE IN GOOD WORKS. HE EXPECTS YOU TO NEGLECT NOTHING, IN HIS SERVICE OR IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRYhttp://afministry.ning.com
-
"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 Father's 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
-
1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Observation: CONFESSION DOESN'T MEAN BRINGING UP MY PAST. IT MEANS AGREEING WITH GOD ABOUT WHAT HE SAYS TO ME AND ABOUT ME. WHATEVER I TRY TO JUSTIFY, I HAVE NOT REPENTED OF. WHATEVER I TRY TO EXPLAIN, I AM NOT SORRY FOR. WHEN I AGREE THAT GOD IS RIGHT, THAT IS CONFESSING. 1 Corinthians 4:1 - "Let us be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." The kingdom of heaven is planted within us as a seed and it is intended to grow and expand within us and on the earth. We are called to glory and virtue; We show others how to be neither barren nor unfruitful in the ways of God.Since we are rooted and built up in Christ Jesus we are able to teach others (saved and unsaved) of a higher life in the Lord Jesus. Affirmations:I CONFESS THAT I HAVE TAKEN MY PLACE IN GOD'S PLAN. THE ASSIGNMENT GOD HAS GIVEN ME PROBABLY WON'T BE ACHIEVED QUICKLY. IT WILL TAKE UNBELIEVABLE STRENGTH AND ENERGY TO MOVE THAT VISION FROM THE REALM OF DREAMS TO THE REALM OF REALITY. BECAUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ME, I HAVE THE STRENGTH Song of Solomon 1:10 - "Your cheeks are lovely as a turtledove's; your neck as jewels." The cheeks represent both the inner and the outer life. Here they are compared to the beauty of a turtledove. The dove marries for life. If the dove's partner dies, the dove remains single without seeking another mate. If you were ever separated from you God, you could find no pleasure in anyone or anything else. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRYhttp://afministry.ning.com
-
1 Corinthians 2:2 - "For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." 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 7:36 Observation: NOTHING THAT I SEEK CAN BE AS SATISFYING TO MY SOUL, NO OTHER ANSWER AS BENEFICIAL, AS SEEING CHRIST WITH THE EYES AND UNDERSTANDING OF MY INNER MAN. Ephesians 1:17,18 - "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: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened." Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten the eyes of your understanding. Ephesians 6:17 - "And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God." Affirmations:I HAVE THE EXACT WORD I NEED FOR EVERY SITUATION - A SPECIFIC, QUICKENED WORD FROM THE SCRIPTURES, PLACED IN MY HEART BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. BECAUSE THIS RHEMA FROM GOD IS IN MY HEART, I HAVE REAL SWORD POWER TO USE AGAINST THE ENEMY! 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." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRYhttp://afministry.ning.com
-
Many Believers love on people by telling them how precious they are, help them out with things they need doing, and even say a prayer to bless them but never actually preach the Gospel to them. They try to explain that doing acts of love is synonymous with preaching the Gospel and that they can preach with actions rather than words. WE MUST PREACH THE GOSPEL Mark 16:15 - "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'" Acts of love are needed but they do not replace preaching the Gospel. Buying food for the homeless, carrying shopping bags for old ladies, showing care and love to the young and healthy and ministering to the sick and disabled are great opportunities to love -- to introduce the ones in front of us to the One who taught us how to love -- Jesus. Share about the Gospel -- Jesus' death and resurrection and how receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior by faith and repentance from sin can bring them into salvation. While it is true that we can't force people into the Kingdom but we must be confident in the Holy Spirit to believe He is already convicting the hearts of the ones we are speaking to and be BOLD to speak the Gospel message and give them the opportunity to receive the Lord. The full Gospel for which the Lord died for must be preached. The ones we regularly interact with but never actually minister the Gospel to if unsaved, when they die, will go to Hell – despite our loving on them! THE JOY OF SALVATION Many times on street outreaches, we bless people with prophetic words and even offer to pray for their sicknesses, but again this does not replace preaching the Gospel of salvation. These are amazing ways to open up peoples hearts to hear the Gospel yet, the prophetic or healing words themselves do not save anyone. They are great tools to open up hearts to the Father's love but are never meant to be used as an end in itself but rather as a means to an end. The salvation of the soul is the ultimate goal. Even if you don't have a prophetic or healing word for the one in front of you, be encouraged to be bold to preach the message of salvation in love and power to them because the Gospel has more than enough power to turn people to Jesus. Let us be restored to the joy of our salvation. Remember that wonderful moment the Lord saved you and be joyful to bring others into the experience of salvation you have. What a joy to bring multitudes into Heaven with us as we understand the urgency of the times we live in. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
-
Daily Reading 36 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Hebrews 1 Genesis 45:1-46:27 Psalm 36 Audio 2:15 Audio 4:10 Audio 1:29 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen
-
James 4:6 - "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." If we are divided in our hearts from other churches, if we instinctively look down on other Christians or if we are at all self-promoting in attitude, we are walking in pride. As such, the Spirit that stands to resist our endeavors is not demonic -- it's God. Affirmations: I WALK IN LOVE AND HUMILITY, IM NOT TOUCHY, FRETFUL OR RESENTFUL!! WHEN I WALK, GOD WALKS. HIS HANDS ARE IN MY HANDS. I HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST. GOD IS NOT A MILLION MILES AWAY. HE'S INSIDE ME RIGHT NOW. HE'S MY FATHER AND I'M HIS VERY OWN SON. I'M A JOINT HEIR WITH JESUS AND MY BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST. I AM WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF HEAVEN ITSELF. John 14:2 - "In My Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you." Love is the inclination, strength, and power for the soul in making its way to God -- for love unites it with God. The more degrees of love it has, the more deeply it enters into God and centers itself in Him. A stronger love is a more unitive love, and we can understand in this manner the many dwelling places Jesus declared were in His Father's house. Song of Solomon 1:5 - "I am black, but lovely, daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon." THE CURTAINS OF SOLOMON REPRESENT YOUR HUMANITY WHICH CONCEALS THE WORD OF GOD MADE FLESH WITHIN YOU. HE HAS CAUSED YOU TO PARTAKE OF HIS BEAUTY; HE HAS CONCEALED HIS DIVINITY IN YOUR HUMANITY - YOU ARE AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE CURTAINS OF SOLOMON BECAUSE THE CROSS MAKES YOU LIKE YOUR BELOVED (JESUS). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRYhttp://afministry.ning.com
-
Daily Reading 35 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Luke 24:14-53 Genesis 44 Psalm 35 Audio 6:16 Audio 4:38 Audio 3:21 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen
-
2 Timothy 2:8 - "Don't ever forget the wonderful fact that Jesus Christ was a Man, born into King David's family; and that He was God, as shown by the fact that he rose again from the dead." You may be barren now. Some seasons that we go through are seemingly filled with desolation, but take comfort in knowing that every season has a time frame and a divine seed. God is alerting us to raise our expectancy. Our expectancy will become our spiritual currency to allow transactions with heaven. Affirmations: I REMEMBER THAT WHEN JESUS AROSE, I AROSE. WHEN HE CAME OUT OF HELL AND DEFEATED THE ENEMY, I CAME OUT OF HELL AND DEFEATED THE ENEMY. HIS VICTORY IS MY VICTORY BECAUSE I AM IN HIM. Colossians 2:15 - "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it." "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." - Matthew 16:6 Religious spirits endeavor to interfere with the free flow of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Believers. They can be hard to discern precisely because they are religious; they are pious, even hyper-spiritual. Their influence can pervade a person's life andchurch -- like yeast pervades a lump of dough. In New Testament times, the Pharisees were the watchdogs of religious purity, chastising any Jewish person who transgressed even slightly, promoting the perfectionistic performance of their strict interpretation of the requirements of the law of Moses. They held to "a form of godliness, although they...denied its power" (2 Timothy 3:5). We need to discern and look out for FIVE TELLTALE ATTITUDES: 1) Legalism, 2) Criticism, 3) Debate, 4) Opinion, and 5) Judgment. Let's apply that measure to ourselves and take the log out of our own eyes instead of pointing out the splinters in others' eyes. (Matthew 7:4-5.) THREE EARMARKS OF THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT: 1) Guilt, 2) Fear, and 3) Pride. A proud demeanor often masks the fearful, insecure soul of someone who is trying desperately to make the grade. Yet looking for security within oneself just perpetuates the anxiety, because self-centered security is such a poor substitute for God-centered security. In contrast, we need God's grace to shine where we are weak. That will make more of an impact for the Kingdom than perfectionism ever would, and will equip us for the deliverance of other people (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). Song of Solomon 1:5 - "I am black, but lovely, daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon." THE GREATEST EXPERIENCE OF THE GRACE OF GOD WOULD NOT COME FROM HIM IF IT DID NOT GIVE YOU A CLEAR VIEW OF YOUR MISERABLE STATE APART FROM HIM. AS YOU COME OUT OF THE CHAMBERS OF YOUR KING (JESUS) YOU DISCOVER THAT YOU ARE BLACK. WHAT MAKES YOU BLACK? SUDDENLY YOU SEE ALL YOUR FAULTS BY THE LIGHT OF GOD. NOW YOU SEE THAT YOU HAVE NOT BEEN CLEANSED FROM YOURSELF. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRYhttp://afministry.ning.com
-
Psalm 42: 1,2 - "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?" A poverty of soul must eternally torment that believer who is satisfied merely to reason about eternal life while remaining without the real possession and power of the indwelling Son of God manifest in his daily experience. If we are always reasoning, then we cannot cultivate the silence in which God speaks. Hunger for God is one of the greatest signs of life a person can have. We must press past intellectual awareness to hunger for heartfelt encounters that change and transform. OBSERVATION: RELIGIOUS FLESH IS CONVINCED THAT GROWTH IS MEASURED IN RELIGIOUS FACTS. TRUE SPIRITUALITY, HOWEVER, IS MEASURED IN THE DEPTH OF OUR HUNGER FOR GOD, WHERE OUR SOUL PANTS "FOR THE LIVING GOD" LIKE THE DEER PANTS AFTER WATER. 14 1 Timothy 5:21 - "Never be in a hurry about choosing a pastor; you may overlook his sins and it will look as if you approve of them. Be sure that you yourself stay away from all sin." Confessions: I CONFESS THAT MY CHARACTER, ATTITUDE, AND ACTIONS ARE BEING REFINED BY THE FIRE OF GOD IN MY LIFE. GOD IS CHANGING ME, TEACHING ME, AND PREPARING ME FOR GREATER RESPONSIBILITY. SO, TODAY I YIELD TO THE HOLY SPIRIT SO HE CAN DELVE DEEP INTO MY SOUL AND EXTRACT THOSE TRAITS THAT WOULD KEEP ME FROM THE BLESSINGS AND POSITIONS GOD WOULD LOVE TO GIVE ME! Song of Solomon 1:4 - "We will remember Your love more than wine; the upright love You." TRUE UPRIGHTNESS LEADS YOU TO LEAVE ALL THE WINE OF THE PLEASURES OF THE WORLD AND ALL THE ENJOYMENTS OF HEAVEN TO BE LOST IN GOD ALONE. HERE IS PURE AND PERFECT LOVE. FOR NONE BUT THE UPRIGHT CAN LOVE GOD AS HE DESERVES TO BE LOVED! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRYhttp://afministry.ning.com
-
2 Peter 1:3 -- "seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." Zechariah 9:12 - "Return to the stronghold, O prisoners who have the hope; This very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you." The word of breakthrough and double portion is our inheritance. It is ours. And yet, it will not be without a fight. It will be won first by prayer and then by action. There are some promises and blessings that come into our lives that come easily. But there are others that will only manifest when we stand and say, "I'm not leaving here until You bless me." - Genesis 32:22-31 Jacob contended for a miracle because he was desperate. As he contended for that blessing he gained something more. It changed him and strengthened him. In that encounter, the Lord changed his name to Israel which means "to contend and to prevail." Where is there an area of lack in your life? It is not what He has promised you. Contend for the Promise Land. It is yours—but you have to take it. When we refuse to let go, we will see breakthrough for He is the God of breakthrough. INTO ACTION: CLEAN HOUSE -- Go before the Lord and make sure there is nothing that stands in the way of your breakthrough. Unforgiveness, offense, and sin all can hinder blessing. "This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God." (Matthew 5:23-24 MSG) LISTEN -- It is important to spend time not just praying, but listening. Spend time in His presence to what He wants to share with you and write it down. We can miss a moment when we don't listen OR when we don't take the time to write down and preserve what He is saying to us (see Jeremiah 33:3). FIND YOUR PROMISE -- We have an entire Book given to us full of promises. Let the Holy Spirit illuminate His Word to you today and the promise He is breathing on in this season. Sit and read the Word until you sense the Spirit stirring something in your heart as He speaks it into you and brings it to life. As you speak it out, it will renew your faith and it will set in motion the very provision pregnant within that Word. CONTEND -- Don't stop. We don't stop until we see the blessing. Like Jacob, we wrestle and don't let go until it comes. When we start to see breakthrough, don't stop contending. It may have started to rain, but don't settle for just a trickle, pray for the overflow He has promised. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
-
Daily Reading 21 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Luke 23:26-56 Genesis 42 Psalm 33 Audio 6:39 Audio 5:08 Audio 2:08 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen
-
1 Peter 1:23 - "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." POWER IN PRAYER IS NOT BASED ON EMOTIONS, FEELINGS, OR THE THEORIES OF MEN, BUT UPON THE WORD OF GOD, OUR AGREEMENT WITH IT, OUR ONENESS WITH CHRIST, WHO IS THE LIVING WORD, AND OUR UNITY WITH GOD'S PURPOSES AND WILL. Hebrews 10:38 - "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Knowing that you are on the rock foundation of Matthew 16:18,19 and able to bind and to loose -- having that living faith that you can pray and know you have the answer because of God's promises, and the fact that Jesus said, "If Ye believe." It is on this rock that our faith must be based, and this will never fail; God has established it forever. Affirmations: I REFUSE TO RELINQUISH ANY OF MY GOD-PROMISED TERRITORY! MY FAITH IS TOUGH, RESISTANT, PERSISTENT, OBSTINATE, AND STUBBORN. MY SPIRIT IS SO TENACIOUS THAT IT REFUSES TO LET GO! IT ISN'T A QUESTION OF "IF" MY VICTORY WILL COME - IT'S ONLY A QUESTION OF "WHEN" IT WILL COME! Song of Solomon 1:4 - "Draw me (The Believer)! We (The Church) will run after you (Jesus)! The king (Jesus) brings me into his apartments! We will be glad and rejoice in you! We will recall your love, more fragrant than wine. The upright love you." NOW HIS BRIDE IS FILLED WITH UNSPEAKABLE JOY FOR SHE KNOWS THAT SHE IS FOUND IN HIM (JESUS). SHE PREFERS THE BRIDEGROOM (JESUS) OVER EVERYTHING ELSE. HERE IS THE HEIGHT OF HER JOY AND PLEASURE. Psalm 105:4 - "Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and crave Him and His strength; seek and require His face and His presence continually evermore." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRYhttp://afministry.ning.com
-
Psalm 51:6 - "Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom." As we cry out from a deep engaging of the Spirit of the living God within our spirit, we experience communion, which is a place of deep-to-deep fellowship with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit searches out the deep counsel of God for you and reveals it to you. Observation: DOCTRINAL TRUTH HAS AN ILLUSION ABOUT ITSELF: THE ILLUSION IS THAT KNOWLEDGE IS THE SAME THING AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. ON THE OTHER HAND, TRUTH THAT COMES BY REVELATION ALWAYS PRODUCES CHANGE; IT ALWAYS LEAVES US LESS SURE OF OURSELVES, MORE DEPENDENT UPON GOD, AND MOVE LOVING TOWARD OTHERS. Luke 18:7,8 - "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" How can we position ourselves to move forward? And what does the oil of preparation represent that separates those ready to transition from those who are not (see Matthew 25:7-8)? The Lord is looking for us to engage -- Worship, rejoicing, and "dying to self. While these aren't new concepts, there's a new grace on these practices to unlock strategies, preparing us to shift into the new things of God. We can engage and move forward as we determineto: • Worship Him anew. There is fresh anointing on Isaiah 40:31. As you worship and wait on Him, you will receive new strength, encouragement, and energy. • Rejoice in the Lord (Habakkuk 3:17-19; Philippians 4:4). Our circumstances may not produce rejoicing, but we can rejoice in Him. • Ask the Lord in what areas He'd have you die to self.Fresh strategy will flow from it. • Don't rush ahead of the Lord. Be sure to inquire of the Lord concerning every door of opportunity. Remember the examples of Abraham and Sarah when they got ahead of God, and Joshua when he forgot to seek counsel from the Lord (Joshua 9:14). • Stay vigilant in the Word and in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit how you should pray when you aren't sure how to pray, and praying the Lord's Prayer is also very powerful (Jude 20; Matthew 6:9-13). Song of Solomon 1:3 - "Draw me, we will run after you to the fragrance of your perfume." THE YOUNG MAIDEN (THE CHURCH) ASKS TO BE DRAWN TO HER BRIDEGROOM (JESUS) FROM DEEP WITH HER SPIRIT. THE BRIDE ALREADY UNDERSTANDS THAT THERE IS AN ENJOYMENT OF HER BRIDEGROOM DEEPER AND MORE LASTING THAN WHAT SHE NOW KNOWS. THIS CAUSES HER TO MAKE A NEW REQUEST: "DRAW ME", SHE SAYS "INTO THE MOST INWARD PARTS OF MY SPIRIT, SO THAT I MIGHT COMPLETELY RUN TO YOU." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRYhttp://afministry.ning.com
-
We have an enemy who wants free access to our lives...and we have angelic hosts to guide, guard, and protect us here on the earth (Psalm 91:11, Psalm 34:7). As we become more aware of both, while living in this day and time, living a lifestyle of victory becomes our daily norm. "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them." - Psalm 34:7 The enemy has many tactics to prevent us from stepping into our destiny. One of those tactics is distraction. Distraction can be a hindering spirit sent to draw us away from our God-given assignment and is a decoy sent to interrupt the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Distraction can be described as mental distress, a diversion sent to lead us off course, or something dividing our loyalties away from the will of God. Distraction is a ploy by the enemy to delay the fulfillment of our prophetic promises. A spirit of distraction has one main intent: to hinder! An oppressive spirit is always sent to kill, steal and destroy. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10 NEHEMIAH'S DISTRACTION In Nehemiah Chapter 6, Nehemiah had all but finished the wall of Jerusalem, except for installing the doors to the gates of the city. When the enemies of Judah realized that Nehemiah had completed the restoration process, they plotted against Nehemiah to stop his progress. Judah's enemies – Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem – devised evil schemes to hinder Nehemiah through distraction, conspiracy, and physical threats. "For a great and effective door has been opened to me and there are many adversaries." - 1 Corinthians 16:9 When Nehemiah faced opposition from his adversaries, he discerned the strategy of the enemy and avoided being drawn into the snare of verbal discourse and distraction. Nehemiah chose his battles by recognizing distraction as the main attraction sent by the enemy to halt and hinder his progress! Nehemiah didn't engage in a verbal dispute with his enemies because he believed that if God was for him, who then could stand against him (Romans 8:31)? Nehemiah used wisdom and undistracted focus to defeat the foe before him. Even when Tobiah and Geshem (which represents carnal thinking and the ways of the world) rose up as adversarial cohorts, Nehemiah didn't fall prey to the stress and pressure to perform to their demands. In Nehemiah chapter six, scripture says there was an entrance left open for the enemies of Judah to pass through and enter the city. The walls were erected as a fortress to protect them from outside opposition, yet there was still an opening through the doors to the city that left them vulnerable to an attack. When we leave an open door for our adversary to enter in wherever he pleases, he is more than willing to oblige us by occupying our unguarded territory with his presence. One of the keys to closing off unwanted spiritual warfare is to check the gates of our city! When access to the enemy is denied, there's no room for him to wreak havoc. We are careful to protect our ear gate, eye gate, heart gate, and mouth gate -- not giving the devil an opportunity (Ephesians 4:27). POSSESSING THE GATES OF OUR ENEMIES When Abraham believed by faith that God would provide a sacrifice to lay on the altar in place of his son Isaac, God blessed Abraham through his act of obedience by promising Abraham's descendants would possess the gates of their enemies (Genesis 22). We are descendants of Abraham! Galatians 3:29 in the NKJV says, "And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." To possess the gates of a city represents power. In the Word of God, business was established at the gates. Prophets stood at the gates of the city to make declarations from God (Jeremiah 7:2; 17:19). Kings sat at the city gates to dispense justice (2 Samuel 19:8). To possess the gates of our enemies means to conquer and defeat our adversaries by the power of the Holy Spirit. The word "possess" is the Hebrew word "yaras" which means to drive out previous tenants, cast out, succeed, to expel, and to utterly dispossess. God has given us all power and authority over the enemy, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against us (the Church) (Matthew 16:18-19). VOCALLY AFFIRM YOUR BREAKTHROUGH We occupy a place of authority by making declarations of breakthrough, casting out the works of darkness wrecking havoc upon the earth, and disarming the enemy at the gate! God is bringing turning points into the Body of Christ with His signature all over them. NOW is the time to claim your inheritance and possess the gates of your enemies. Blessing and multiplication is your portion. What the enemy meant for evil, God is turning around for His good. "Blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the Heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore, and your descendants shall possess the gates of their enemies." - Genesis 22:17 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
-
Daily Reading 30 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Luke 22:1-38 Genesis 39 Psalm 30 Audio 7:58 Audio 3:08 Audio 1:32 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen
-
Daily Reading 31 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Luke 22:39-71 Genesis 40 Psalm 31 Audio 7:58 Audio 2:59 Audio 3:11 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen
-
Daily Reading 32 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Luke 23:1-25 Genesis 41 Psalm 32 Audio 6:39 Audio 7:30 Audio 1:34 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen
-
John 6:63 - "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are life." WHEN WE HALT OUR SPIRITUAL ASCENT TOWARD GOD AT THE PLATEAU OF DOCTRINAL KNOWLEDGE, WE BECOME PEOPLE WHO NEVER REALLY CHANGE. INSTEAD, OUR OLD NATURE SIMPLY PRETENDS TO BE NEW. THE LONGER WE SETTLE FOR JUST HEAD KNOWLEDGE, THE MORE OUR CHRISTIANITY BEGINS TO DEGENERATE INTO A RELIGIOUS SPIRIT. Romans 8:26 - "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." There are times when we are called by God to pray strong prayers and help to birth the will of God into an area. These strong desires mirror the strength of God's feelings. We, like Hannah (1 Samuel 1:11-16), need to be in-tune with what God is ready to bring forth in that given hour. That can only be done through intimacy with God and through a willingness to allow Him to use us. Affirmation: I CONFESS THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY PARTNER! HE ENLIGHTENS MY EYES; HE SHOWS ME WHAT I CANNOT SEE BY MYSELF, AND HE GIVES ME THE RIGHT WORDS TO SAY WHEN I PRAY. WITH HIM AS MY HELPER I AM GETTING BETTER AND BETTER IN PRAYER EVERY DAY! Song of Solomon 1:2,3 - "For your love is better than wine and your ointments more fragrant than the choicest perfumes; your name is as ointment poured forth; therefore do the maidens love you." THE NAME OF THE BRIDEGROOM (JESUS) IS SO LOVELY THAT YOU FIND YOURSELF WHOLLY OVERCOME BY HIS POWER AND SWEETNESS. LOVE TAKES PLACE WITHOUT ANY FORCE. YOUR SPIRIT IS SO FULL OF LOVE AND YOU FIND THE LOVE OF YOUR BELOVED SO PLEASURABLE, THAT YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE CARRIED AWAY BY THE CHARMS OF LOVE. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRYhttp://afministry.ning.com
-
Only with God-given discernment can we tell apart the good and evil influences that surround us. We often come up against "demonic influences". This influence is a spiritual force that twists and taints and pollutes God's ways. It is like a spider web, and people get stuck -- writhing in their captivity, they act out of a "web mentality". Religious spirits endeavor to interfere with the free flow of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Believers. They can be hard to discern precisely because they are religious; they are pious, even hyper-spiritual. Their influence can pervade a person's life and church -- like yeast pervades a lump of dough. That's why Jesus said, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees" (Matthew 16:6). In New Testament times, the Pharisees were the watchdogs of religious purity, chastising any Jewish person who transgressed even slightly, promoting the perfectionistic performance of their strict interpretation of the requirements of the law of Moses. They held to "a form of godliness, although they...denied its power" (2 Timothy 3:5). Generally, the religious spirit promotes a works-based or performance-based lifestyle. Although the Cross of Jesus has made performance-based religion a thing of the past, the religious spirit likes to keep it alive so that people will labor under a triple burden of guilt, fear, and pride. Every person on earth rightfully seeks a sense of acceptance, but the religious spirit keeps the ultimate acceptance—God's—just out of reach. The motivation of a religious spirit demands that we need to earn God's approval. By His death and resurrection, Christ Jesus has secured our acceptance with the Father once and for all as we place our faith in Him. SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT Yet when we live and breathe in an environment tainted by the religious spirit, it is difficult for us to discern that we're being affected by that demonic influence. It can be easier to spot the religious spirit in someone else, and to judge them, than it is to recognize it in ourselves. We need to discern and look out for FIVE TELLTALE ATTITUDES: 1) Legalism, 2) Criticism, 3) Debate, 4) Opinion, and 5) Judgment. Let's apply that measure to ourselves and take the log out of our own eyes instead of pointing out the splinters in others' eyes. (Matthew 7:4-5.) Watch out for the big THREE EARMARKS OF THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT : 1) Guilt, 2) Fear, and 3) Pride. A proud demeanor often masks the fearful, insecure soul of someone who is trying desperately to make the grade. Yet looking for security within oneself just perpetuates the anxiety, because self-centered security is such a poor substitute for God-centered security. In contrast, we need God's grace to shine where we are weak. That will make more of an impact for the Kingdom than perfectionism ever would, and will equip us for the deliverance of other people. (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). THE HOLY SPIRIT -- OUR HELPER IN DISCERNING THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT As passionate Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are each called to be "Worshipper of God and Deliverers of Men." As we worship God and surrender ourselves to Him, He meets us with freedom. As we ask the Holy Spirit to cast His light on the hindrances that keep us from receiving and discerning His revelation and acting upon it, He answers our prayers and sets us free, and we are empowered to give away what we have received. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
-
Ephesians 6:16,17 - "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God". Some are willing to spend hours in prayer asking for a miracle instead of planting the Word of God in their hearts, which in time would produce the miracle. Prayer is what water and fertilizer are to a seed. They help the Word release its life. But if you haven't planted the seed, it doesn't matter how much water and fertilizer you apply, the soil still won't produce fruit. It's the seed that has life! Affirmations: I CONFESS THAT I WEAR MY SALVATION TIGHTLY AROUND MY MIND LIKE A HELMET. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW HARD THE DEVIL TRIES TO HACK AWAY AT MY MIND, I STILL STAND STRONG BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT JESUS' DEATH AND RESURRECTION PURCHASED FOR ME! Hebrews 4:1 = "Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it." "What is rest? -- It is abandoning the need to control -- The worries whichincite you to control keep you from resting. When you try to make everything happen your way, you have no rest. The worries which make you doubt other people multiply in your imagination as you think about all the things they might do wrong. Even when you curtail your activities, you find no rest when you worry. Resting is not a matter of physical stillness; it is peace in the inmost being, which comes from trusting Him with all your circumstances. Change the way you think in life-giving ways. It won't work if you do it on a performance basis because it's a lifestyle change. Think of it as changing your style to receive life – a lifestyle. You're not at the mercy of your emotions; your emotions are subject to your righteousness. You are a righteous person. (2 Corinthians 5:21). You can do this. Learning to rest is a process. Pick one thing that you struggle with and make an effort to commit it to Him. Then, whenever you find yourself failing to do that, recommit it to Him with greater fervor. Gain one victory like that and the others will become simpler.Hebrews 4:3,11 - "For we which have believed do enter into rest...Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest...." Song of Solomon 1:2 - "Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth." Observation: GOD UNITES HIMSELF WITH MY SPIRIT, AND I AM ABLE TO BEGIN TO EXPLORE THE FULLNESS OF GOD. THE JOURNEY TOWARD THIS COMPLETE UNION IS A PLACE WHERE MY SPIRIT IS COMPLETELY POSSESSED BY GOD. CONSIDER THAT JESUS IS CALLED "THE WORD." THE "KISSES OF HIS MOUTH" IS NOTHING LESS THAN THE VITAL COMMUNICATION OF THE WORD OF GOD TO ME. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRYhttp://afministry.ning.com
