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Spend time in prayer so that you can get your spirit in shape. You were made to worship God. Jarius was a man who was desperate to worship God, and he was willing to fall on his face and worship God, even though a crowd of people was standing around, He wasn't ashamed. "And behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw Him (Jesus), he fell at his feet." - Mark 5:22 If we are concerned about what people think in an attempt to gain their approval (or honor), we will never take a stand in faith for anything that might be criticized. There is indeed a holy radiance surrounding a true Spirit-filled Christian. But when you harbor sin, "your light" becomes "darkness". The devil can traffic in any area of darkness, even the darkness that still exists in a Christian's heart. "So be very careful that your light never becomes darkness." - Luke 11:35 AFFIRMATIONS: God is asking me to bring Him His Word, to plead my covenant rights. I do not pray to God in ignorance but as a partner in His purposes. The Holy Spirit works mightily in me, giving me all the power I need to resist every assault the devil tries to bring against me. I confess that I walk in forgiveness! Offense, bitterness, strife, and unforgiveness have no place in my life. I am full of mercy, longsuffering, and slow to anger. Linger in His Presence a while. Rein in your impulses to plunge into the day’s activities. Beginning your day alone with Him is essential preparation for success. A great athlete takes time to prepare himself mentally for the feat ahead of him before he moves a muscle. Similarly, your time of being still in His Presence equips you for the day ahead of you. If you are not adequately equipped for the journey, you will grow weary and lose heart. Relax with Him while He readies you for action. "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10 "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." - Hebrews 12:3 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2 We are all running the race of faith in our Christian life. The Lord wants you to know He is running this race with you. He is cheering you on and interceding for you every step of the way. This race is about faithfulness and perseverance. There will be times along our course of the race where we are tempted to focus on distractions and we stumble. Jesus is reminding us to focus on Him and the path set before us because He has gone before us and knows the path ahead. God has a race path or a DESTINY for each of us and our role is to be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit and follow the path the Lord has planned for us. "May He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen," - Hebrews 13:21. "Faithful is He who calls you, and He will bring it to pass," - 1 Thessalonians 5:24 CAST OFF THE WEIGHTS THAT HINDER RUNNING YOUR RACE It is important for us to cast off everything that hinders us, anything that slows us down or trips us in our race. We are to lay aside any unbelief and doubt but instead trust in God and His promises as He is faithful to bring to pass everything He has promised. We are to set our mind on things above and use our spiritual sight as we run our race because as we do this we will see the road ahead very differently. Our role is to be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to walk by faith and not by sight. LEAPING OVER YOUR OBSTACLES We are called to persevere even when there are obstacles in our race. In 1 Timothy 6:12 we read we are to, "Fight the good fight of the faith." We can rise above our struggles and know we are overcomers in Christ as He has already won the victory for us. The Lord is reminding us to praise and trust Him in all parts of our race. This will cause us to leap over obstacles that may come our way in our race. The steadfastness of the Old Testament "witnesses" in Hebrews chapter 11 speaks to us of the rewards of never giving up. Their unyielding faith points to Jesus and urges us to follow their example and run with perseverance the race marked out for us. "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus," - Philippians 3:14 Jesus is our example of how to run the race and we are to walk as He walked. "The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" - 1 John 2:6 The Lord is highlighting the need to lean on Him as our source of strength when we are weary in our race. "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary," - Isaiah 40:31 Be encouraged as you run your race of faith – the Lord is running with you and He knows the race course He has planned for you. Cast off anything that is hindering your race and run with joy, hope, and freedom. Praise Him and trust in Him as He is faithful to equip you with all you need for every part of the course. Draw close to the Lord and allow Him to renew you and give you strength in the hard times of the race. Run the race appointed to you (God's CALLING on your life) and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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God responds with a literal invasion of heaven to earth through the worship of the believer. God responds to the praises of His people as mentioned in Isaiah 42:13 --"He shall go forth like a mighty man; he shall stir up his zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, Yes, shout aloud; he shall prevail against his enemies." As a communion with God in praise and worship, affirm out loud each of the below psalm verses 5 times per day. Also use them as a prayerful meditation as you go throughout the day. Psalm 8:1 - O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. NLT Psalm 19:7 - The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. NLT Psalm 20:7 - 7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God. NASB Psalm 24:1 - The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. NLT Psalm 24:8 - Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. NASB ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Ephesians 2:5,6,10 - "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace we are saved;) And hath raised us together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." As a believer I shouldn't have to "try" faith. I exercise my rights as a member of the body of Christ. He has raised me up with Jesus and seated me in heavenly places. He has given me His name, His blood, His authority, His power, His spirit. These rights are blood bought. Jesus suffered and died to give me the rights of our new covenant. 2 Corinthians 6:1,2 - "We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. " Acts 16:25,26 - "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a greatearthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bands were loosed." OBSERVATION: MY LIVING BY FAITH MOVES HIM TO HONOR MY FAITH; HOWEVER, WHEN I PLEASE HIM THROUGH MY PRAISE, HE VISITS ME IN PERSON. GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IS TRIGGERED BY MY FAITH, WHILE PRAISE BRINGS ME INTO HIS PRESENCE. WHEN I PRAISE GOD, HE RAISES ME OUT OF MY SITUATION. WHEN I FIND MYSELF IN TROUBLE, I USE PRAISE AS A KEY TO UNLOCK THE "PRISON DOORS" OF MY CIRCUMSTANCES. NO MATTER WHAT IS GOING ON IN MY LIFE, I WILL FILL MY MOUTH WITH THE HIGH PRAISES OF GOD! "Now you belong to Him who was raised from the dead in order that we might be useful in the service of God." - Romans 7:4 Shall we stop short of what He says we ought to be (our CALLING in Christ)-- shall we cease to come into line with the Mind which is always thinking of our best - shall we cease to humble ourselves before Him who took the way of the cross for us -- shall we cease to give him our all? "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10 NIV To what profit will it be if we hold back anything from Him who gives us a thousand times more than He ever asks from us? In Hebrews 2 He says He is going to bring many sons to glory. It means that He is going to clothe them with His glory -- may that be our vision. AFFIRMATIONS: I have a Jesus indwelling me and vitalizing me with a faith that believes His word will come to pass when I speak it. I have Jesus within me who will never let me get faint-hearted or weary in advancing His PURPOSE for my life. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is quick (or living), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." THE REASON THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT POWERFUL IN MANY PEOPLE IS THAT IT HAS NOT BECOME "QUICK" TO THEM YET. THE WORD IS NOT ALIVE TO THEM; IT IS NOT LIVING AND ABIDING IN THEM, SO NO POWER IS PRODUCED. HOW DOES THE WORD BECOME 'QUICK," OR ALIVE, IN A PERSON'S LIFE? BY HIS OR HER ABIDING IN IT. THEN, ACCORDING TO HEBREWS 4:12, AFTER IT BECOMES ALIVE, IT BECOMES POWERFUL IN HIS OR HER LIFE! YOUR MIND AND YOUR BODY AREN'T GOING TO PAY ANY ATTENTION TO THE WORD UNTIL YOU GET THE WORD INTO YOUR SPIRIT. John 6:63 - "The words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life." OBSERVATION: My 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. Affirmations: JESUS IS ALIVE. HIS WORD IS ALIVE. I AM ALIVE. HIS FAITH, WHICH HAS BECOME MY FAITH, IS ALIVE. HIS FAITH IS A LIVING FORCE. HIS FAITH. HIS HOPE. HIS LOVE. ALL THREE ARE ALIVE IN ME, READY TO DO THE SAME WORKS THAT THEY DID WHEN HE WAS HERE ON EARTH IN HIS BODY. Matthew 6:9 - "Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name." HALLOWED MEANS RESPECTED OR REVERED. THIS IS AN EXPRESSION OF PRAISE. PRAISE AND WORSHIP ARE THE PRIMARY ACTIVITIES OF HEAVEN. AND SO IT IS TO BE FOR THE BELIEVER HERE ON EARTH. THE MORE WE LIVE AS CITIZENS OF HEAVEN, THE MORE HEAVEN'S ACTIVITIES INFECT OUR LIFESTYLES. WORSHIP IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. EVERYTHING ELSE WE DO IS TO BE AFFECTED BY OUR DEVOTION TO THIS CALL. Psalm 22:3 - "But you are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel." GOD RESPONDS WITH A LITERAL INVASION OF HEAVEN TO EARTH THROUGH THE WORSHIP OF THE BELIEVER. GOD RESPONDS TO THE PRAISES OF HIS PEOPLE AS MENTIONED IN ISAIAH 42:13 "HE SHALL GO FORTH LIKE A MIGHTY MAN; HE SHALL STIR UP HIS ZEAL LIKE A MAN OF WAR. HE SHALL CRY OUT, YES, SHOUT ALOUD; HE SHALL PREVAIL AGAINST HIS ENEMIES." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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2 Corinthians 6:17 - "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing: and I will receive you." The lifting up of hands is very beautifully parabolised in the making of the ark of the covenant with the mercy seat. God told Moses that He would commune with Him from above the mercy seat between two cherubims. These cherubims were made with their wings stretched out above them. This spiritually represents a believer coming before God's presence with his hands lifted up. It signifies the receiving of the presence of God. Affirmations: WHEN I INITIALLY BELIEVED THE WORD OF GOD, I WAS BORN AGAIN. I WAS SEPARATED SPIRITUALLY FROM THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS AND SEPARATED TO THE KINGDOM OF LIGHT. I GIVE THE WORD OF GOD FIRST PLACE IN MY LIFE; IT CONTINUES TO SEPARATE ME FROM THE POVERTY AND THE ANXIETY AND THE SICKNESS AND THE HATRED AND THE DARKNESS OF MY OLD HABITAT. Matthew 6:10 - "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." 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. Jesus never made the gospel simply a doctrinal exercise. His reality -- is to raise up believers 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. Affirmation: MY GOAL IS NOT ONLY TO CREATE A BETTER LIFE HERE, BUT, THROUGH SURRENDER, TO EXTEND THE KINGDOM OF GOD TO EARTH. FAITH BRINGS TO EARTH HEAVEN'S PROVISIONS; SURRENDER BRINGS GOD'S PRESENCE INTO THOSE PROVISIONS. Song of Solomon 3:7,8 - "Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; sixty valiant men surround it , the valiant ones of Israel. They all hold swords, being expert in war; every man has his sword on his thigh because of fear in the night." TO REACH THE BED OF THE TRUE SOLOMON, WHICH IS GOD, YOU MUST PASS THROUGH SIXTY BRAVE SOLDIERS. THESE SOLDIERS (WHICH ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD'S NATURE) CARRY THE WORD OF GOD LIKE A SWORD, SEARCH DEEPLY WITHIN YOU TO FIND OUT YOUR SECRET PRESUMPTIONS; AND THEY ARE APTLY FITTED TO DESTROY THEM. "FEAR OF THE NIGHT" -- THE NATURE OF GOD FIGHTS AGAINST ALL THAT KEEPS YOU IN DARKNESS, THAT IS , FIGHTS AGAINST YOUR SELF-NATURE WHICH TAKES FOR ITSELF ALL THAT RIGHTFULLY BELONGS TO GOD. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Matthew 11:29 - "Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest." Imagine bringing a problem, wrapped in a "burden bundle," to the throne of Jesus. Picture Him reaching out and offering to take it. Does the picture include your being all too glad to turn it over to Him or do you imagine yourself hesitating? Remember that trust is a part of praise. Affirmations: TODAY I STOP FIGHTING WITH GOD AND LEARN FROM HIM! I LET HIS WORD PUT TO DEATH THE TORMENTS OF THE SIN NATURE. I CEASE STRUGGLING; I CEASE WRESTLING AGAINST THE BLESSED ONE FOR I AM COMMITTED TO SURRENDER. MY REST COMES FROM BECOMING HONEST ABOUT MY NEEDS AND ALLOWING CHRIST TO CHANGE ME. Matthew 19:26 - Jesus looked at them and said, "with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." With God, all things are possible, and He easily factors in our human weaknesses. He is both almighty and providential – and He providentially chose to give us human beings a free will, risking our likely revolt. He knows what the devil does to us. He's still God, and He loves us. He takes the hands of those who ask Him to guide them and He will restore to them the years that seemed to have been lost forever. Observation: TIME SPENT IN PRAYER IS NOT TIME WASTED BUT TIME INVESTED. AS I EMBRACE THE WILL OF GOD, AS I LIVE BEFORE HIM IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST, AS I SEEK TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSES, NOTHING WILL BE ABLE TO HINDER MY PRAYERS. Song of Solomon 2:5,6 - "Sustain me with flowers, refresh me with apples; for I am lovesick. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand shall embrace me." AS SOON AS THE BRIDEGROOM (JESUS) SETS HIS LOVE WITHIN YOU, HE THEN BLESSES YOU WITH FELLOWSHIP DEEP WITHIN YOUR SPIRIT. YOU ARE ABLE TO BEAR MORE AND MORE OF GOD'S PRESENCE WITHOUT GROWING FAINT. CONFIRMED IN LOVE, YOU LIVE IN GOD. 1 John 4:16 - "Thus we have come to know and believe the love which God has for us. God is love; he who dwells in love is dwelling in God, and God in him." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Genesis 21:10 - "Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac." Freedom cannot abide in a slaves heart dominated by worldly desires and honors. Royal freedom of spirit attained in devine union has nothing to do with slavery. There are certain foundational attributes of servanthood and sacrifice that create a seedbed for the fragrance of Christ in our lives. Luke 22:26 - "Not so with you: on the contrary, the highest among you must bear himself like the youngest, the chief of you like a servant." Psalm 9:1,2 - "I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High." Affirmation: I ACTIVATE THE POWER OF GOD IN EVERY AREA OF MY LIFE BY SPEAKING THE WORD IN FAITH AND PRAISING GOD THAT HIS MARVELOUS WORKS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED IN MY BEHALF. Romans 5:5 - "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us." The proof of love is the willingness to change Observation: I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE SAME LOVE THAT COMPELLED JESUS TO GO TO THE CROSS. IT IS THE LOVE THAT COMPELS ME TO INTERCEDE FOR OTHERS. I PRAY FOR OTHERS TO RELEASE THEM FROM THE BONDAGE OF THE ENEMY. I PRAY FOR THEM SO THEY CAN COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Psalm 8:1,2 - "O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings has thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightiest still the enemy and the avenger." God equates praise with strength. Praise stops satan in his tracks. It is a weapon to use in calling a halt to satan's maneuvers. Psalm 9:1-3 - "I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence." Isaiah 60:1 - "Arise (from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you - rise to a new life)! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!" There is a way that we run that causes us to have victory. It is not enough to be on the course, we must be ON course the entire way. To the level that we maintain our FOCUS, we will also maintain consistency establishing the Throne of God in the earth through that CALLING of God on our life. Observation: I OPEN MY BIBLE AND STIR MYSELF UP WITH GOD'S GREAT PROMISES FOR MY FUTURE. I READ THEM OUT LOUD SO MY EARS CAN HEAR WHAT MY MOUTH IS SAYING. Romans 10:17 - "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing, by the Word of God." AFFIRMATIONS: I always receive from God because I have faith and do not doubt. I continually ask, seek, and knock concerning the things God has prepared for me understandidng His CALLING on my life because Jesus says I will receive, find, and it will be opened for me. I forget those things which are behind and reach forth to the calling God has put into my heart. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 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?" Observation: HE CREATES IN ME THE DESIRE TO FIND HIM AND RUN AFTER HIM. HE TAKES ME WITH HIS HAND AND LEADS ME WHERE I CANNOT GO BY MYSELF - ALONG A WAY THAT NO HUMAN EYE CAN SEE, AND THAT IS THE WAY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Mark 11:22,23 - "And Jesus answering saith unto them, 'Have faith in God. For verily I SAY unto you, That whosoever shall SAY unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall BELIEVE that those things which he SAITH shall come to pass: he shall have whatsoever he SAITH.'" Faith operates by believing and saying...and saying.....and saying. Affirmation: IT IS MY CONFESSION, OR WORDS OF FAITH, THAT BRINGS POSSESSION. Matthew 13;37 - "For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Acts 16;25,26 - "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." Paul and Silas chose not to focus on what they were going through; they chose to focus on what was happening through them. God's faithfulness is triggered by our faith, while praise brings us into His presence. When we praise God, He raises us out of our situation. When we find ourselves in trouble, we use praise as a key to unlock the "prison doors" of our circumstances. No matter what is going on in our life -- we fill our mouth with the high praises of God! 2 Timothy 2:24,26 - "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." Anything broken can be repaired; anything closed can be opened; anything lost can be recovered. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Haggai 2:9 - "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." Hebrews 6:1 - "Therefore let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ, advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity." Nearly 2000 years ago, the author of the book of Hebrews exhorted the Jewish Christians to leave the elementary teachings and principles about Christ, urging them to press forward into maturity. Today as we are DISCIPLED into a higher life in Christ we come before the very throne of God with boldness and confidence - stepping into maturity - as we encounter new realms of the Glory of God. Psalm 149:6 - "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand...." We are being commissioned by the Lord to step into new realms of Glory through worship and high praise. As we do this together, we are going to see the Kingdom of Power and Glory made manifest. God's Kingdom is taking dominion upon the earth and is displacing every stronghold of the enemy. Through high praise we destroy the plans of the enemy and bring to earth new realms of Glory not yet revealed. We are stepping into a realm of timelessness where the miracles in His presence are being made known to us. As we continue Heavenward, we are breaking the constraints of the natural realm and shaking off old paradigms. The doors of Heaven are opening wider than we've ever seen before and we are witnessing the unfolding of the scrolls of DESTINY. Both the seen and unseen worlds are being changed from one degree of Glory to another, and all are being transformed by the ever-increasing Glory of God. QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: How much time do I spend each day praising God out loud? Do I believe that praising and worshiping God will lead me into new realms of glory? PRAYER: Father, let me continually see Your goodness pass before me. Jesus wash Your Bride with Your Word - sanctify me so that I will be a resting place for Your holy habitation; You will present to Yourself - the Church in all her Glory. Holy Spirit, teach me how to move and operate in the realm of Glory as this time of acceleration is upon us, that I may arise in faith, in the experiential knowledge of the Son of God, with unparalleled demonstrations of the Kingdom of Power and Glory. In Jesus' name, Amen. AFFIRMATIONS: The Lord blankets me with His tangible, manifest presence, and cloud of glory. God is enlightening the eyes of my heart so that I would experientially know the inheritance of glory that lies within the saints. I declare the word of the Lord and see it supernaturally manifest. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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Blessings Brothers & Sisters..... Lately I have been hearing a lot about the desire to be "top poster",I have had a couple of private conversations where one member is actually taking a little "time off" from posting because he/she got so caught up in trying to accumulate posts that their purpose for being here at Worthy ,in the first place,became blurred,,,,,,I have not heard this from just one member but this particular one prompted me to begin this Thread,,,,,,,as we are always happy to see that Worthy Christian Forums is a very active and lively place,we must always be mindful of the True Purpose of our Calling,,,,,,,, As a new member it is always exciting to see our number of posts increase,we start out a "newbie" & soon a junior,senior,diamond etc,,,, I remember I was just thrilled to become a "Royal Member" but at that time I barely understood how it all worked,BTW,,,,I'm still just as excited to be here & very grateful to God for leading us all here,,,,,,,Praise the Lord,may we always be excited going about our Fathers Business & fellowshipping with one another! How many "posts" we have is not what is important but our motives are and the substance of what we are posting,,,,,,,, There are many Forums here ,outside of the Inner Court,where we can have some fun,let our hair down & just chit chat,,,,,,,, we enjoy the time we spend together and & that is fantastic.,,,,there is a time & place for everything & it is fine for Christians to take time out to just relax,,,,,,but are you just relaxing or trying to "post"?Your goal should not be "I want to have more posts than this one or that one" It is not a competition,it is a Blessed Place that God has Provided for us,,,,,He should ALWAYS be our number ONE priority,it is not about us,it is ALL about Him,,,, There is nothing wrong with having the desire to be productive,to give as much as you can,to do as much as you can but sometimes it is a good idea to re-think your position,your motives,the desires of your heart I hope to encourage everyone to keep on striving to be the very best you can be and continue to participate,getting to know one another & doing what we came here to do,,,,,,just don't lose focus or get distracted by the things that are not important,I know some people that say very little (like my husband) but when they do speak ,they speak volumes The speak volumes because they are grounded & rooted in the Word of God,mindful of their words,prayerful and in Relationship with the One they love,the One they rely on to give them the Words,,,,,,,,,don't get side tracked,keep your eyes on Jesus,not your posts,,,,,,,,,,,,,, When I first came to Worthy so did Oakwood,we became friends & we were both here a lot in the wee hours of the morning when very few people were on,one day he brought to my attention that he was trying to catch up to me and it almost became a race for points,I had to pause for a moment & remember why I was here,,,,,,,,I never again looked at how many posts I had,I don't care,I want to say what the Holy Spirit prompts me to say,,,,,,,& then there is also my time to goof around but never to be anything more than the humble servant I am,let us boast for CHRIST,,,,,,,,,To God be the Glory With love-in Christ,Kwik
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I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this song!!! I like her interpretation as well... enjoy and praise God!
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I was reading a Psalm recently. Psalm 81. I'm not the best at faithfully reading my bible, but this time God really pulled me deeply into it. Old testament, history, etc... things I'm not a very good student of. Add to that the Psalms, and you read a few, they start to feel like the same thing over....and over....and over... My attention focus impaired brain just doesn't usually follow either subject (history or the psalms) very well. This time, however, I followed all the extra notes and references and read the Psalm all the way through twice, then went back to each one and focused on each side note. God called me to examine it deeply. In it, I discovered God asked for two things (in this Psalm). First... to worship ONLY God, that there IS only one God. Second... that worship and praise is not optional. It's actually a statute or a command. It was for Israel, too. Continued reading reveals a bit about israel's history, it makes reference to the waters of Maribah where people were beginning to question God and to grumble and Moses and Aaron didn't obey completely either. It talks about how Israel DID not obey Him. Obey what? Well we know that God does ask some things of us, but in this passage, it seems like God is saying they didn't obey the two points above. They worshipped false God's and Idols, and they did not praise Him. It goes on to say that the results of obedience would have had a worldly impact (it specificially says then those who were against God would turn back cringing before God in my Amplified bible). It also said that Israel itself would have had all of it's needs provided for, comparing these provisions with honey flowing from rock and fine wheat. Instead, Israel spent years wandering in a desert and then MANY MORE years later on as slaves... all because mankind is disobedient of the most basic principles. Love ONLY God and prove it through your praises. So, when we praise, what can it affect? Whom can it affect? Sounds to me like Psalm 81 reveals that when we praise, we have national (even global) impact on those around us as well as provisions and blessings for ourselves. No wonder God commanded praise.
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I know some stuff has been said about Israel Houghton, but that doesn't take away the scriptural basis of truth in this song. It's a praise song, and that's exactly what it does: praises the Lord! Declares His praises! Emphatically so! As He deserves, although He deserves much more than we could ever give! Hallelujah!!!
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How great is our God? All creation testifies to our awesome Lord! Psalm 33: 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. My God is awesome! Psalm 33: 8-9 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. 9 For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Stars praise Him. The creatures of the sea praise Him! Psalms 148:1-14 1Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! 2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! 3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light! 4 Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created. 6 He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths; What if we could have a little glimpse of how creation praises God? Check this out!
