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Found 15 results

  1. When the word worship is mentioned in a Christian context I wonder if playing music and singing are the only things that come to mind. Of course there is a lot more to worship than music and singing. In addition to doxa referring to honour in Luke 14:10, five other Greek words used in the Bible variously translate into the English word worship as follows:
  2. Mark 3:27 says, "No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house." One time, after Jesus had cast out a devil and healed a deaf and mute boy, He explained that in order to overturn the works and activity of the devil, we must bind him first. Again in the New Living Translation Bible: "For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house" (Matthew 12:29). Christ in you is the one who is stronger and able to overcome. This is not the only place where the Lord plainly described a man as a "house" or habitation of the evil one. In the same chapter, He speaks of the unclean spirit cast out and, finding no other habitation, says, "I will return to my house" (see Matthew 12:44) and because no other had taken his place, he is able to "enter and dwell there" (see Matthew 12:45) with seven others more evil than himself. The key to real freedom and overcoming the strongman is to displace the enemy and establish the presence of God. Where satan has been commanded to leave, fill it up with God's Word and presence through daily intimacy. Where the presence of the Lord is, the devil isn't! Satan doesn't want to hang around where people are lifting up Jesus in worship and prayer. The presence of the Lord displaces the devil. "For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" (II Corinthians 6:14). BIND THE PRINCIPALITIES OF DISEASE AND SICKNESS As II Corinthians 4:4 shows us, satan is the "god of this world." He is the strongman with power to steal, kill, and destroy (see John 10:10) and he has the ultimate power of death (seeHebrews 2:14). The kingdoms of the world and their power and glory are the devil's (see Luke 4:5-6). Jesus has given us the ministry to binding and loosing what has already been bound and released in Heaven because of His finished work! "I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven" (Matthew 16:19). VICTORY OVER STRONG MEN Lofty arguments and opinions are the results of pride and evil and vain imaginations - the very strongholds in which demons reside. This then is the essence of demonic warfare -- the power of God to overcome the strongholds of demons. One way we can bind and weaken any demonic stronghold is by setting the captive free like Jesus and moving in our authority. While Jesus was here during His earthly ministry, He was freeing people from the devil by casting him out of them (see Luke 13:11-16; Mark 5:1-15; John 8:32-36). As we set the oppressed free, we weaken the strongman! We must remember,"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (II Corinthians 10:4). One of the greatest ways we can plunder the strongman's house and overcome the enemy's power is by understanding our true authority in Christ and how to resist the devil by submitting to God's promises. In I John 4:4, we're told that the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world. II Corinthians 10:3-5, Ephesians 6:10-18, and James 4:7-8 show us the proper way to resist the devil and defeat his schemes through submitting to God. What is more amazing is that Jesus gives authority and power to us. "Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness" (Matthew 10:1). In overcoming demonic strongmen and strongholds, we must remember the importance of prayer and intercession -- coming together in agreement to bind the principalities of disease and sickness during mass prayer before loosing and declaring the healing power of God! And continue praying with other Believers against strongholds until you get results. There is intensified power in the gathering of more Believers. Prayer with fasting intensifies faith, and faith will break strongholds. "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, 'Why could we not cast him out?' .....However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:19, 21). PREPARED FOR BATTLE We do not take on demonic strongholds in our own strength. We protect ourselves with the first five pieces of defensive armor and wield the one offensive weapon - the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. In verses 12 and 13 of Ephesians 6, Paul writes, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com
  3. Joshua 1:6 - "Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them." AFFIRMATIONS: SINCE I AM COMMITTED TO PRAYER AND HAVE COURAGE TO STAND ON GOD'S WORD -- I AM CONFIDENT THAT GOD WILL ANSWER FROM HEAVEN. I REFUSE TO GIVE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF BATTLE AND AM DETERMINED TO RECEIVE MY REWARD. Hebrews 10:35 - "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward." Proverbs 24:16 - "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief." 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 (Numbers 14:24), 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) Psalm 37:23,24 - "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." Jesus prayed in Matthew 6:10, "Your Kingdom come, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father interceding for us! We must find out what Heaven is saying over our lives, ministries, businesses, churches, cities, and nations. Now is the time for Kingdom increase! We must make sure we steward the increase properly.Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." Proverbs 4:25-27 says, "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil." In this upcoming season do not allow circumstances or situations to get you off track. When breakthrough comes we must make sure we are ready to walk in the breakthrough and steward it well. Don't wear yourself out worrying. Remember you don't get stronger in the good times but you grow the most during seasons of trials, tests, and tribulation. Warfare seasons are meant to strengthen us so we can receive our breakthrough. Don't look at where you are, look at where you're going. Make sure you are connected to the right people in this season. Surround yourself with only those who will help you walk in the purposes and plans God has over your life. Align yourself with people who stay in the battle until they inherit the promises and the purpose that God has designed for them! Hebrews 6:12 says, "We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  4. Hosea 4:6 - "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Revelation is so essential in our lives that The word vision refers to the spirit of revelation coming upon you, giving you a vision of things that are unseen. Proverbs 29:18 says similarly, "Where there is no revelation the people cast off restraint." A more correct and complete translation is: "Without a prophetic revelation, the people go unrestrained, walking in circles, having no certain destiny." Without it we perish. This is what we live by. Without unfolding prophetic revelation that expands your capacity to see life from God's perspective, you will perish. Without seeing your present circumstances through God's eyes, you will spiritually die. Revelation is critical to the normal Christian life. Ephesians 1:17 - "For I always pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation (of insight into mysteries and secrets) in the deep and intimate knowledge of Him. " Affirmations: I HUNGER FOR AND VIGOROUSLY PURSUE REVELATION. I CRY OUT DAY AND NIGHT FOR THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. I ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO REVEAL TO ME THE MYSTERIES THAT ARE LOCKED IN SCRIPTURE. Ezekiel 22:30 - "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none." We are called to intercession because God does not do anything in the earth without the cooperation of a man. He intends for us to work together with Him to accomplish His will. What price can be put on this glory realm? The entrance to the door of this Realm is your "overcoming spirit." It's time for your DESTINY to be set in motion. Nothing will stop you now! Wanting at times to give up but not giving into that -- you will ride the wave of an overcoming spirit. You overcame in the corridor of transition! He has hidden manna for you (Revelation 2:17) , that will sustain you and nourish you in ways you have not known. He has given you big dreams to dream and walk out and greatness of heart and bounty of spirit. There is a readiness -- you will go forth NOW and overcome. You will conquer, and as you go and as you pursue, you will increase and you will overtake, for He is with you and His Word is in you No more backing up and no more backing down. IT'S TIME! It's your Deuteronomy 1:11 'kairos time" that says -- "....He will bless you just as He has promised you." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  5. Prayer gives each Believer in Christ the opportunity to: Cast out demons! Pray for the sick and see them recover! Release history making intercession! Let's shift things through the prevailing power of effective intercession. What Is Intercession? An intercessor is a "go-between." An intercessor mediates, occupying a middle position. You become a middleman for God! The most familiar phrase is "standing in the gap," which comes from Ezekiel 22:30 (God speaking), "I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none" (KJV). Jesus, our High Priest, who sacrificed His own life to redeem us from death, is the foremost intercessor. He interposed Himself between sinful humans and the justified wrath of His Father, and He still intercedes for us, day and night. We read in the book of Hebrews, "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25, NASV). All Believers are called to be intercessors. There is no special list anywhere in the Scriptures indicating that prayer, praise, worship, and intercession are special "gifts of the Holy Spirit." They are the birthright of every Believer! We are each called to co-labor with Jesus Christ. We simply lift up to our Father every need, every desire, and every thought. But we do it from the heart, expecting, and we do it with a sense of delight, not obligation. You see, the Bible is filled with urgent summons to pray: "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NASV). What is God's will? Rejoice, pray and give thanks at all times! What an approachable Father God we have! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  6. Wow! The Holy Spirit is to be acknowledged as a person at all times. Why? Because He is. I didn't understand what it meant for the the Holy Spirit to be the access point to Jesus until the closer I think I am to Jesus, the more the Holy Spirit shows me that there is a process to get to the King. Firstly, it is important that we get to know who the person of the Holy Spirit is. In my experience, He is the 'information center' who is willing to reveal all that one needs to know 'if' we are obedient to His instructions. I say this because the Holy Spirit speaks to us everyday; He answers questions, comforts us and guides us in all things but our obedience to His voice is what really determines whether He can trust us to share even more truths with us. He speaks to us in our dreams While I understood that the Holy Spirit will teach us everything and remind us of all that Jesus has spoken John 14:26, it was only two months ago that I learn that He is the One who has given all of us our dreams. There are different kinds of dreams; some are for warning, some are prophetic and some are for making intercessions etc. But for us to identify the kind of dreams we have it will take more than our physical understanding to interpret such. I wasn't able to distinguish my dreams until after a few months of spending time with the Holy Spirit. He knows every person from our past and those who are in our lives presently The Holy Spirit uses people who we are familiar with to bring across His message in our dreams. Though I always understood that He does that, I never appreciated its importance until the Lord showed me in my dream someone I knew from High School but only keep in touch through social media. But as there is no partiality with God Romans 2:11, He revealed that this person was very troubled and in that case I was to make an intercession. Not surprisingly, when I reached out to the young lady on Facebook, she confessed the exact, and I repeat THE EXACT issue that the Holy Spirit had shown me in my dream. Isn't our God amazing!? It was in that moment of confession that I recognized that our dreams are probably the most common medium through which the Holy Spirit speaks. Continual Fellowship strengthens the Holy Spirit's trust in us We will rarely find ourselves sharing very sensitive information with strangers. It is the same with the Holy Spirit. He will put us through all kinds of tests to see how trustworthy we are and two ways to show our trustworthiness is by being obedient and engaging in prayer and worship. I cannot help but emphasize the word obedience, after-all the bible states that Obedience is better than sacrifice, a listening ear than the fat of rams, 1 Samuel 15:22. So I found that the more I worship, the further the Holy Spirit takes me into the spiritual realm. I am truly humbled to know this much more to experience it. All honor and praise to the Holy Spirit. Continual Repentance It is so important that we repent of our sins daily as we serve a holy God. As for me I sin everyday - not only by my deeds but by my very thoughts. Getting to know the Holy Spirit speaks to understanding His standards and meeting His expectations according to the Word of God. I struggle at times to be consistent in worship and reading the word but thanks be to God He understands that the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak Matthew 26:41. Therefore the Holy Spirit being fully aware of our weaknesses just wants us to seek cleansing so He may continue to work through us as He so desires. I can do nothing without the Holy Spirit. I literally ache in the spirit if I ever feel like I've disappointed Him. How can you tell that you have disappointed the Holy Spirit? Let me hear from you...
  7. "Before she went into labor, she had the baby. Before the birth pangs hit, she delivered a son....So I open the womb and not deliver the baby? Do I, the One who delivers babies shut the womb?" - Isaiah 66:7-9 Soul travail is an impassioned deep level of intercession (prayer) that affects the spiritual atmosphere so that the lost can hear the gospel and make a decision to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We literally push back the blinding oppressing power of the enemy so that the gospel penetrates the heart. Effective witnessing can never be done without a burden, anguish and true weeping for souls in prayer first! BURDEN US WITH HIS HEART We cannot have believers being stirred up to win souls out of duty or obligation because it's the Christian thing to do. But we can cry out and say: Holy Spirit come and burden me with his heart. Holy Spirit come and put inside of me the desire of God! Holy Spirit come and break me like You are broken for souls to be saved. Help me to travail for souls. LET JACOB BE OUR EXAMPLE We need to be wrestlers with God for souls. We need to become like Jacob (Genesis 32:24-30) and say, "I'm going to get a hold of you Lord God. I am going to wrestle with You, O God. I am going to labor right here in the spirit until You bless me with the burden for souls. The apostle Paul talks about travail: "My little children, for whom I lobor in birth again until Christ is formed in you." - Galatians 4:19. Paul had already labored and travailed for their spiritual birth and once again he is in labor until Christ is formed in them. OVERCOME WITH THE HEART OF GOD There is a fire -- there is an anointing that can fall on us so that we are literally overcome with the heart of God. There is grace available from the Lord to bow before Him on our face, weeping, crying out, and there is grace for us ot be touched by the Holy Spirit to labor and travail for souls. And God can take us out of our comfort zone and compel us by His Spirit to go into the streets to share the gospel with the lost. We will not be operating from a sense of duty and oblitgation. Jesus never ministered to people because it was something he had to do or because it was His job. Rather He reached the lost because of His great love for them. WE HAVE A GREAT PROMISE OF HOUSEHOLD SALVATION AND REVIVAL "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31) Travailing in warfare prayer can break satan's power -- through the ministry of binding and loosing we can truly help push back the blinding power of deception keeping souls from making a decision for the gospel. In order for Jesus to be the greatest intercessor, to be the greatest High Priest and to have the ministry forever of intercession (Hebrews 4:14, 5:1-10), He had to really relate and identify with where we're at. He had to identify with us. We need to identify with the lost too. When we allow the Holy Spirit to take us into a place of identification, we will actually identify with the plight of the lost to the point that our heart and emotions become involved. At this point we need to persevere and allow ourselves to move into prayer in a deeper and deeper way, travailing for the salvation of souls. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  8. 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, 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 MINISTRY
  9. 1 Timothy 2:1 - "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men." We can bear the burdens of others and we are the go-between for them before God. We identify with the weak, helpless, fear-filled, unborn, sick, poverty stricken, homeless, hungry, depressed, and spiritually destitute. We ask on their behalf, in faith, believing. Then, as the Father gives direction, we GO and minister to them and His power becomes available to set them free. AFFIRMATION: I inwardly ask for the joy of the Lord and a deeper awareness of His presence to rise up within every person I meet. 1 Corinthians 15:34 - "Awake to righteousness, and sin not: for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame." AFFIRMATIONS: I press-in to and become conscious of the reality of the righteousness God birthed in me the moment I received Jesus as Lord. As that righteousness consciousness grows and develops within me, it will eventually become bigger and more powerful than all the problems that surround me as I seek God's purpose for my life. I am becoming more skillful in "the word of righteousness." Hebrews 5:13 - "For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the Word of righteousness; for he is a babe." Matthew 5:8 - "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Affirmations: I CANNOT HAVE A GREAT LIFE UNLESS I HAVE A PURPOSE CENTERED LIFE. I CANNOT HAVE A GOD'S PURPOSE FILLED LIFE UNLESS I HAVE A PURE MIND. I CANNOT HAVE A PURE MIND UNLESS I WASH IT DAILY WITH THE WORD OF GOD. 2 Timothy 2:16 - "Keep away from godless and foolish discussions, which only drive people farther away from God." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  10. 1 Corinthians 4:20 - "For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power." OBSERVATION: When the Lord calls me to do a task, I must resist looking to my resources for the ability to carry it out, but rather to God's resources. Ezekiel 22:30 - "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none." We are called to intercession because God does not do anything in the earth withou the cooperation of a man. He intends for us to work together with Him to accomplish His will. Proverbs 4:20-23 - "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Affirmations: I AM DILIGENT TO KEEP MEDITATING AND CONFESSING THE PROMISES IN THE WORD UNTIL THEY OVERTAKE MY LIFE. I KNOW THAT EVERYTHING THAT I RECEIVE FROM GOD STARTS WITH THE WORD IN MY HEART. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  11. Hello brothers/sisters! This is a continuation to my first post, ' A Catholic belief-- Worshipping saints? ', as I can't post responses. Check it out here to get further information and not be confused : kwikphilly said: I was surprised to know that "most" of your friends are catholics,that's different.......so,may I ask,how did you come to islam?Or perhaps you asre referring to the acquaintances you made on the internet,just wondering? response: I was raised muslim by an Islamic family. To be more specific, I was raised Shia muslim, one of the two major denominations of Islam, the majority being Sunni Islam. As I grew up I did not touch on many other faiths but around 13 years old my curiosity finally sparked up a thought about our abrahamic religions. I began researching and studying, and my parents also did not mind it at all which was a blessing. And for catholic friends, I meant that in my life at the moment. Most of my school friends / community are catholics so I've learned a fair amount from them. Steven S said: Simply put, the catholics believe that they decide who are and aren't saints based on a process called canonization. This is done posthumously and involves a few steps, such as investigating the life of the person in question, how they lived, their deeds, etc.. It also includes beatification, which is basically a "verification" of a miraculous occurrence being attributed to their intercession after death. Basically, in lay terms, this means that someone was to have prayed for them to intercede with God, after they are dead, and then that prayer is answered, indicating, in the opinion of the catholic church, that the person is in heaven and that God is answering their prayers. This typically has to occur one more time and then, after this process, they are canonized. Not to beat around the bush, none of this is mentioned in the actual bible. The bible mentions saints many times throughout both the old and new testament, but it is either directly plural or in the plural sense with the one instance of the singular version being Philippians 4:21 (Php 4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. ) The bible never mentions a process, at all, like the one mentioned above. The general understanding of the word as it stands amongst evangelical and most general protestant denominations is that the saints are followers of Christ, people whose ultimate faith lays in God. I believe that the greek root in this instance actually means something along the lines of "one who has been made holy" or something along those lines (I fully admit that I am no greek expert by any stretch). All of my brothers and sisters here are saints, as are all the ones who have physically passed on before me. .......... In short, this is a practice based on tradition that has been developed over centuries in the catholic church. There is no biblical basis for either the canonization process or prayer to saints. Whether or not it is idolatry in a technical sense, it is certainly not a biblically rooted practice. .......... response: Very good context! I also see this is how Catholics believe. Now I have one question: Even if intercession is not biblical, is it still fair to deem it wrong or idolatry? I am sure there are many Christian practices that may not be exactly biblical, but I still do not think it negates the idea of intercessions. Intercession may be inaccurate in terms of bible evidence, but is it morally wrong and/or religiously wrong? A fair and just God should say that it isn't; Jesus chose John as a disciple and apostle, John was steadfast on his faith and close to God both physically and spiritually (Jesus even personally praised him during one point in time in the bible), so If I asked Jesus, on behalf of your clean apostle John, to grant me a prayer, why is that wrong? John SAW Jesus and Jesus PRAISED him for his good intentions and motives. If I asked Jesus for something, and mentioned John, and knowing how close John was to Jesus, would that not further facilitate the granting of my prayer? I am reiterating the same question over and over again but I'm just trying to be as clear as possible. Sorry to get into detail, but if the majority Christian faith believe in intercessions (Catholics and denominations of), it gets me kind of curious as to why the minority (Christians; not by much though) would not believe in it. Is it possible to say that half of Christians would not be sent to paradise, even if they believe in Jesus as God and Savior, because they intercede with saints? That would definitely have an impact of how Christians view the atonement and salvation. ( See my first post about this topic)
  12. A. Ask God to Soften Their Hearts Ezekiel 11:19 - "And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh..." Pray for the condition of their hearts to change. B. Spirit of Conviction Ask for the release of the spirit of conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come. John 16:8 - "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment..." C. Spirit of Revelation Ask for the spirit of wisdom and revelation (dreams, visions, inspiration etc.) Ephesians 1:17-19 - "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might..." D. Recall To Remembrance. Ask the Lord to bring to their remembrance any of the good Word of God that they were taught from their childhood to this day 1. John 14:26 - "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." 2. Isaiah 55:11 - "So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." E. Pray Prayers of Forgiveness Forgive your mother, your father, your son, your daughter. Forgiveness is the master key that unlocks the prison door to a heart of stone. Through forgiveness comes a place of identification. The model prayer of Jesus is not an individual prayer. It is a corporate prayer. Matthew 6:9-15 - "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.)'" F. Pray for Laborers to Be Released to Your Loved Ones Matthew 9:38 - "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." G. Pray for a Revelation of Eternity Ask the Lord to give them an awareness of the realities of both Heaven and Hell. Ask the Lord to reveal that none are righteous and that we each need to receive the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus! H. Resist the Enemy Pray to break the powers of darkness that are generationally hindering your loved ones from the saving power of Jesus' Blood. I. Solicit Other People's Prayers Enroll others on your team of intercessors to pray for your family. Ephesians 6:19-20 - "...and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." 2 Corinthians 1:11 - "...you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed upon us through the prayers of many." J. Revelation of God's Love Ask for God's love to overwhelm them. (Don't pray for bad things to happen to them.) 1. Romans 2:4 - "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and (forbearance) and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" 2. Romans 12:14, 19 - "Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not...Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord." EXPECT GREAT THINGS! Let revival begin. Release your faith and believe the Lord for more of His presence to come to your family. Stand as a Prophet, Priest, and King of your family before the Lord and your own home and family for the glory of God's great name. PRAYER OF SALVATION FOR FAMILY MEMBERS Lord, I bring my family members to You right now. I bless them in Jesus' great name. I call forth that You soften their hearts and release the spirit of conviction upon them. I pray that You reveal the goodness of God to them and draw them to repentance. Release laborers across their path that will move in power and kindness. Release demonstrations of Your love to them for Your holy name's sake. I pray myfamily members into God's eternal family, in Jesus' name! Amen ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  13. Why do we need to persevere with God in prayer concerning the salvation of others?
  14. Hello brothers/sisters! After a fair amount of time spent chatting about this idea with some members, I feel like It would be efficient if I made it a post. In the shortest way possible, the question is : How do Catholics actually view the saints? Some information: It seems that the Catholic belief of saints has been a little misconceived, but nonetheless very controversial. Before touching on how a Catholic 'worships' a saint, I think it is fair to point that some Catholics may have exaggerated their belief of what a saint actually is. If you look in Catholic churches, you may find candles mounted with statues of supposed saints ( reminding us very well of how idols were shown in the older times ) and these sorts. Now one can confidently say that in Christianity, the one lone person who deserves worship is God, our Jesus Christ. Although Catholics tend to observe this as well, I think it is fair to say that maybe we should look at what they actually consider what saints are? Most of my friends are Catholics, and information from them concerning how saints are went like this: Their general view tells me that because saints have a close relationship with God, It is possible to intercede from them, praying towards God, on behalf of them. Some members on the forum told me that this counts as idolatry, because only Jesus deserves to be worshiped and no one can intercede for Jesus Christ. Now I do see why this can initially show offense, but I, not being Catholic nor Christian, may find a better understanding of it. I will give an example of how a Catholic actually may perceive the intercession of a saint: We will have three people. Ben, Bob , and Bill . Ben is the moderator of a website, and Bob and Bill are sub-moderators. Now I come in, wanting to also be a sub-moderator of this site. I will say to Ben " Hello Ben! On behalf of Bob and Bill (the sub-moderators of the site) may I be a sub-moderator as well? " --- You will see I haven't actually asked Bob and Bill for anything. The question was entirely directed to Ben , but I merely referenced Bob and Bill because as they are sub-moderators to Ben, they will have a better name to themselves then If I used somebody like Bart( Bart is our fourth person, being a normal member). Ben chose Bob and Bill to be sub-moderators, for their knowledge and skill, and so referencing them may give me a better chance of Ben accepting my proposal of being a sub-moderator as well. Does this example above count as idolatry? I will appreciate feedback and criticism where applies. I will apologize beforehand for any Catholic who took offense to anything in this thread -- I do not have all the knowledge and I could have definitely misconstrued something. My aim is to clear up possible confusion with how Catholics view a saint, because in our Abrahamic religions, idolatry is not welcome.
  15. http://www.christianityboard.com/blog/48/entry-1031-power-study-c61/ INTERCESSION
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