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Found 14 results

  1. Hello everyone. I'm a long-time member who pops into Worthy when I have the time. I'm a strong believer who has done my best to support the body of Christ for many years. Now I'm having a major problem, and I hope my fellow Christians can help. I'm trying to keep this anonymous. We recently moved to a new town. In need of a new church, we asked a local friend if we could join her church. She was excited for us to join. On our first visit, we were slightly disappointed to find a very small church (I mean like 10-12 members) which had used to be much larger before it started dying out. Everyone in leadership was older than 45. Very conventional, very repetitive, and very very routine. We're not the sort of people who reject small churches because they're small. We are not "customer" type members who want a church to please us. We believe in serving where we are needed. The pastor kept saying he was praying for growth, and he said that we seemed to be an answer to his prayers, so we agreed to stick around and see if we could help. By help, I don't mean that we want to teach a class or sing on the worship team. I simply mean that we wanted to make some friends, get involved in some fellowship, and labor where we might be needed. Unfortunately, in the past several months since, we've come to see why this church can't grow. There is so much immaturity that it's stunning. The pastor and his wife get into arguments during worship practice, then they talk about each other before service, and they're still in a bad mood during service. I've actually witnessed the pastor's wife come stomping into the fellowship hall, complaining about the pastor to another member, and start slamming dishes while she set up coffee and donuts. This should give you some idea of how the sermons go. This is the church's behavior across the board. There is always some petty spat going on between members, and it usually leads to some new childish policy. Church members come together for 2 or 3 hours Sunday morning, go through a well-worn routine, and then leave. We've invited people out to lunch, and we got no takers. When we asked about setting up a home group, we got a list of excuses that people were too busy or couldn't go across town. All these months later, we are no closer to having real friends there. We're not being fed, we have no friends, we feel like we're surrounded by children, and we never know when we're walking into another soap opera. And we can certainly forget about teaching a class or singing on the praise team because the old members are doing just fine without us. Church leaders tell us over and over that it's a sin to criticize pastors. I am sure that this pastor is depressed and overwhelmed. The last thing we want is to judge him. But what are we supposed to do? He's always too busy to meet with us. If we just stop going, we're quitters. If we tell him he may need counseling, we're critical. How do you take someone aside for a (loving) conversation about a problem when they're too busy for coffee, too overwhelmed for more bad news, and probably unable to do change anything?
  2. 2 Kings 2:8,9,13 - "And Elijah took his MANTLE and wrapped it together and smote the waters....And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy Spirit be upon me....He took up also the MANTLE of Elijah that fell from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. And He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters." The word "mantle" means, "That which is thrown on or around--a physical covering." An actual mantle, cloak or robe, is an article of clothing. It is typically large and loose-fitting. This long outer garment or topcoat was in all probability the mantle worn by Elijah and then Elisha in II Kings 2:8-14. One of the most powerful of Bible stories, centered around a mantle, has a profound prophetic significance for us today. God wants to "throw" on us, and "throw" around us, a new, more complete spiritual mantle! It's time for us to do what Elisha did. It's time to ask and receive our new mantle. It's time for the "Doubling" to take place in our personal ministry to others also! It's Time to Put On Your New Spiritual Mantle! God wants to be your clothier. He wants to clothe you with your custom made, custom-fitted, spiritual MANTLE--all the power, gifting, and authority God has for you. It's time for you to become like Elisha. ASPECTS OF YOUR NEW MANTLE 1. Your new mantle is unique...no one else can successfully receive and effectively wear your anointing or mantle like you. 2. Your new mantle is all-inclusive...it contains everything you need to walk in the full power, gifting and authority of God for your life. Your mantle represents your spiritual DNA--who you really are or who you are to become. It contains all the spiritual resources necessary for you to walk out your DESTINY in Christ. 3. Your new mantle must be activated--Elisha immediately used his new mantle to "smote the waters." You need to activate your mantle today. How? Look for new opportunities to use this new power of God in your life. Today, right now, ask God for your new personalized MANTLE--to outfit you with it. Ask Him to be your clothier. It's time for you to experience what Elisha did--to get your new and even more powerful mantle. Amen! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  3. Matthew 6:26,27 - "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable that they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Jesus used an analogy from nature to help explain prosperity. Some people interpret this passage to mean that, since God is supposed to take care of them, they don't need to do anything themselves. Therefore, they just wait for God to act. How does God feed birds? He provides for them, but He doesn't personally hand-deliver food to their nests! The birds don't just sit around and wait for God to stop by with their meals. When Jesus said the heavenly Father feeds the birds, He meant that everything they need has been made available for them, but they have to go and get it. God does not build a bird's nest. He provides the twigs. The bird has to find them, pick them up, and bring them back to the tree it has chosen for a home. God does not leave worms on the top of the ground every morning. The bird has to go digging for them. It has to keep working, working, working until it finishes building its nest. It has to keep working, working, working until it gets the worm. Sometimes, God doesn't give us all the resources we need to fulfill our visions because He has called other people to provide them for us. He provides everything, but He provides it after you begin the work of the vision. Your obedience to your vision affects not only your life but also the lives of those who will work with you. Affirmations: GOD WILL SUPPLY MY PROVISION, EVEN IF HE HAS TO HAVE SOMEONE CROSS THE DESERT TO GET IT TO ME. GOD HAS PROVISION FOR ME THAT NO ONE BUT HE KNOWS ABOUT. ALL THE RESOURCES I NEED ARE ALREADY IN PLACE; THEY WILL BECOME VISIBLE IN GOD'S TIMING ONCE I START PURSUING MY VISION. Jude 22: And of some have compassion, making a difference. Affirmation: MY HEART RELEASES THE COMPASSION OF JESUS CHRIST TO HELP DELIVER PEOPLE CAUGHT IN THE DECEPTION OF SIN AND DARKNESS AND SET THEM FREE. "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" - (Ephesians 2:4-6). As our minds are renewed and our faith grows, we take these realities as fact and live in the light of them. We come to know that we are above our enemies and refuse to walk in the flesh realm but take our place in Christ in the spirit realm. No longer will faith be a struggle, but a normal living in the realm of God. The spiritual realm places man where communion with God is a normal experience. We are not going to grovel in the earthly realm, but we are seated in the heavenly places with the Lord. Every Believer has the right, authority, and ability to minister out of the throne room just as Jesus did. "Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily" - (Colossians 1:28-29). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  4. John 3:3 - "Jesus answered and said unto him, 'Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."' Once Israel partook of the passover their who world changed. They left egypt immediately to go to a place they had neveer seen. Likewise, when we partake of the passover sacrifice of Jesus everything changes -- we are BORN AGAIN into a whole new world. Believing for a manifestation of God's Kingdom in our lives and walking in a Kingdom mindset is vital. Why? Because we were created on purpose for this purpose! We are body and we are spirit; we are born from above. As a spirit being born from above and born again, we're to experience the Heavenly realm with our spiritual senses. You are living by another set of rules. You are living by a superior order. All believers are released into the work of the ministry in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit. Believe that! Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Observation: GOD DESIGNED ME SO THAT THE WORDS I SPEAK GO DIRECTLY INTO MY HEART. THE INTENT IS TO GIVE LIFE, MAKE ALIVE, AND QUICKEN THE HUMAN SPIRIT WITHIN. Psalm 42:1 - "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God." Affirmation: I ONLY QUALIFY FOR WHAT I PURSUE. Jeremiah 29:13 - "And ye shall seek Me, and find Me when ye shall search for Me with all your heart." Ecclesiastes 9:10 - "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  5. Matthew 5:8 -- "Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous - possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!" It may be dark in the world, but the Light of the World will make darkness light to you if you allow Him to open your spiritual eyes (the eyes of your heart) to the truth of the reality of Himself in the existing and coming challenging days. When we see ourselves for whom we truly are meant to be in God, we can begin to call others out of their limited ways into seeing the limitless reality that is available to them in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 -- "Blessed be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." Heaven is the realm into which we are called to abide with Christ Jesus, and the only truly effective ministry we will ever have on this earth is originated from that position. QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: Do I see myself for whom I am truly meant to be in God? If not--then why not? Who have I called out of their limited ways lately and shown them a higher life than what they are used to? ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  6. John 13:8 -- Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Peter could not imagine Jesus wanting to wash his feet -- his shocked reaction being "Lord, how can You wash my feet!" Jesus says to him: "Peter, if I don't wash your feet, you have no part with Me." What the Lord was actually saying to Peter was, "Peter you cannot walk together with Me in ministry, in service, and in effectiveness if you don't let Me wash your feet." John 13:9,10 -- "Then, Lord, Simon Peter replied, 'not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!' Jesus answered, 'A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And your are clean.....'" Once we have received Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are bathed all over, and cleansed by His blood once and for all eternity! His blood has perfected us forever (Hebrews 10:14), and we only need to wash our feet because we walk in the world and our feet pick up dust and dirt, causing us to stumble. HOW DOES JESUS WASH OUR FEET TODAY? Ephesians 5:25-26 tells us that "Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word." We, the church, are cleansed with the washing of water by the Word. The more we come under anointed teaching that unveils Christ through the Word, the more the cleansing goes on. And as our feet are washed, instead of stumbling, we will be walking and even running! Affirmation: I LET JESUS WASH MY FEET WITH A DEEPER REVELATION OF HIMSELF THROUGH HIS WORD. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  7. 1Peter 2:5 - "Come and, like living stones, be yourselves built into a spiritual house, for a holy, dedicated, consecrated priesthood, to offer up those spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ." Colossians 1:27 - "To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you , the hope of glory." When we realize that we are the House of God, then God is everywhere we are. He is just as powerful in us, whether we are on a mountain top, by the sea, amongst unbelievers in the world, or in an organized church meeting. The Kingdom of God wants so much to impact every aspect of our lives: every day, every minute, every breath, every step, every territory, every person, and every system we engage with. When someone disappoints us we look to Jesus and press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling (our DESTINY) of God in Christ Jesus. We need to have the mind of Christ, living out the life of Christ through us. Wherever Jesus walked, ministry happened. Whatever Jesus did there was ministry. Whomever Jesus met, there was ministry. Whomever He touched,there was ministry. When he walked into a building there was ministry. When He loved unconditionally, it was ministry. His life was ministry from the time He woke, until the day was done, and so, likewise should our lives be. Since we are "Kingdomized" we get up each day excited for what the Lord has for us that day. We begin to walk and flow in His "now" presence all day long. We begin to hear what the Father hears. We begin to see what the Father sees, regardless of what we hear and see in the natural. When we go into a meeting, we expect His presence to break down walls while bringing divine insight. When we walk into a potential business deal, we expect divine favor. When we encounter hostility, we realize that this person is hurting and needs a healing word spoken--but mostly needs love. When we drive through neighborhoods we pray for the residents and ask the Lord for His desire and love to reach them. God begins to touch them and open up opportunities for divine relationship. Affirmations: I EXPECT REVELATION, EXPECT IMPARTATION, AND EXPECT MIRACLES WHENEVER I SHOW UP. WHAT A GLORIOUS KINGDOM, WHAT A GLORIOUS GOD! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
  8. 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
  9. Malichi 4:5-6)-Behold,i will send you ( Elijah) the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.,and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children,and the heart of the children to their fathers,lest I come and smite the with a curse. What are your thoughts..? Im understanding that Elijah will play a majior role in the restoration of Gods truth ,among the people of God', And this will occur, shortly before christs return. Malichi, will be the factor in the establishment ,of proclaiming the kingdom of God on earth. Blessings,With Gods grace, 7Dove77
  10. Do you feel and believe that Christians should be able to share their Faith as a Personal Ministry, and have FB Groups as well I personally do that as well through graphic Art (Created Christian Art) and I have 2 Christian groups only in a few other Christian fb groups. I see Jesus Can Use Social Media but 1 must use Great Spiritual Insight and Wisdom.
  11. My wife and I regularly sing in Church; And there is a song, that she has suggested that we sing called, “just one more soul”; But I have been against the idea, because I just didn’t like this song. And this morning the Lord has shown me why “I don’t like it”: Because it is UnBiblical; In several ways. Here is a line from the first verse.... “The preachers are weary, the singers are tired”: For one thing, if this is the case in your Church, than the preachers and singers, need to either find some other ministry to do(one God is calling them to), or they need to get saved. Because doing things in the Spirit, will not be wearisome. But the next line, just might be right.... “The Church as we know it, is losing its fire” For sure, when members of a local Church are “laboring in the flesh”, they will lose God’s fire! And the last line of the first verse, gives the wrong response to this problem..... “But we must determine to keep pressing on”! If your laboring in the flesh, “more labor” is not the answer! Jesus said...... "Come unto me, all [ye] that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) ------------------------ Sure enough, there is some “work” involved, in staying close to the Lord; Such as Prayer and Bible study and Church attendance! But, the fruit of this labor, is learning to follow the Lord’s instructions: And His instructions are not Burdensome! They are fun!
  12. Several weeks ago my wife and I approached our pastor about starting a food pantry at our church. We have a desire to fufill God's command to help those in need in our church family and community. Our church isn't all that big, we run around 80 to 90 on Sunday morning so we do have enough folks attending to help stock the food pantry with not only food items but other necessities such as toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc. Just yesterday I went to two local grocery stores and gave them letters describing our ministry with the hopes that maybe one or both of them will support our church with donated items on occasion. My wife also mailed out letters to around a dozen dentists last week asking if any of them could donate any toothpaste or toothbrushes. Right now we are not planning on advertising to the community on our church website or hanging up flyers yet because our shelves aren't stocked well enough for that but we hope to get to that point. Currently, we are looking to just help those in our church family and accquaintances of those in the church as well as those who do on occassion do stop by the church and ask our pastor for help. My question for you all is do any of you have any experience in running a food pantry and if so, what advice would you give? Any good ideas on places to ask for donations or how to advertise to the community when we get to that point? Any thoughts would be appreciated! Michael
  13. When a problem arises within your church or the minister is becoming self righteous (pridful)....and more, and the Holy Spirit has stirred up your heart about the Truth in HIM, we are to follow HIM. Be the soldier God has called you to be. Stir up those spirits so everyone can grow in the Word of Truth. With God there is no respector of persons. Jesus was sent into the synogogues (churches) to speak against their hypocrisies. If you love your home church and your brothers and sisters you have sit amongest, you will not fear what man may do or say. Trust GOD! Within the brotherhood, we have been given the proper steps in which to follow. Mat. ch.18v15-20 15)Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him ALONE: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18) Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19) Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. People don't run away and find another church. What about those still there you said you loved? as Christ loved you. Yes, you will go through judgment, condemnation, and perscution from those that are supporting their itchy ears. Trust GOD! Fight the good fight of faith! Believe in GOD! From experience; everyone will grow in GOD and his WORD. The fiery darts will not shatter the shield of faith. The shield gets stronger when God goes to work because you believe in HIM. Faith without works is dead. God bless you
  14. This is a spin off thread off of "Tithing" in the Outer Court - Outer Court. These are priorities I submit would be a good guideline for Christians. I love this numeric sequencing of priority BUT what about this verse in relation to 2 and 3? Mt 19:29-30 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. NKJV It seems 1 stands always but 2 and 3 may be inverted depending on 1. Love, Steven Priorities: Jesus made it very clear throughout His ministry what His priorities were and how each of us should follow His example. He addressed the two fundamental categories that encompass all priorities. Jesus taught… Matthew 22:37-40 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” The first commandment addressed the vertical relationship between man and God. The second commandment addressed the horizontal relationship with other people. All of your priorities as a Christian will likely fall into these two basic categories. I actually would like to expand the order to differentiate between marriage and family. I would also like split ministry and work: 1. Loyalty to God – God comes first as we are commanded to Love God with all of our being and have no other gods before Him. Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Exodus 20:2 You shall have no other gods before Me. 2. Loyalty to Spouse – Nothing should ever become husband and wife who are knit together by God as one flesh. (Matt. 19:6) Men are to love their wives sacrificially and unconditionally. Women are to honor their husbands sacrificially and unconditionally. (Eph 5:33) Matthew 19:6 “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Ephesians 5:33 Let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects [honors] her husband. 3. Loyalty to Family – First to children as they are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3) and parent’s responsibility to bring children up in the Lord. (Eph 6:4) Parents are to instruct and give their children the law. (Prov. 1:8) Next parents & siblings, etc. Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother. Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers [and by implication mothers], do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. We are also called to provide for our own family. (1 Tim. 5:8) This included parents. Jesus spoke against the Scribes and Pharisees for “following tradition” but not taking care of their parents (Matt. 15:1-11) 1 Timothy 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Matthew 15:4-6 4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— 6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ 4. Loyalty to the Church (Ministry) – We are to love God, love people, take care of our own house, then look after the ministries in the Church. If you are reading this right now and you are a Christian serving the Church in some capacity and have put the service to the Church above your spouse or children, please hear what I am about to say. This can’t go on indefinitely. When your service to the church has a higher priority than those people in your own family, something has to give. Your marriage will suffer and your children will become angry with you. Even your ministry will become toilsome because when your home is not in order it’s difficult to minister to others with joy. At the very least you will be unhappy. Your relationships at home must be your priority. 1 Tim 3:5 For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God? 5. Loyalty to Work or Job – Why does ministry come before work? Because we are citizens of Heaven. Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” The Gospel is the priority. Riches and all things in this life will pass away. Many people have said, “I don’t have time to serve the Lord or go to church or do family things because I’ve got to provide for my family.” I would agree that providing for your family is very important, but when there is never any time left to serve the Lord or be a companion to your spouse or children, then something is wrong. Don’t let the seeds of the Gospel be choked by the things of this world… Mark4:19 ...and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Do you agree or disagree? Anything to add? Christ is Risen! Eagle Edit: to add Matthew 15 to #3 Family.
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