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Acts 28:3,5 - "And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. But Paul shook the snake off into the fire without being harmed at all." Observation: Every disaster the devil sends is an opportunity to advance the Gospel. Because I keep going and never give up, God's Spirit is always available to help me in every situation. 1 Corinthians 9:25,26 - "Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline; he does so in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer, who does not waste his punches." Affirmations: I AM EXHORTED TO LIVE WITH PURPOSE. I AM NOT JUST TO EXIST OR GET BY; NOR AM I TO MEASURE SUCCESS BY THE WORLD'S STANDARDS, BUT BY HEAVEN'S STANDARDS. I AM ENTRUSTED AS A STEWARD WITH GOD-GIVEN GIFTS, ABILITIES, AND RESOURCES. 1 John 3:22 - "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight".Isaiah 1:19 - "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land." This opportunity is given to all who are saved, but not everyone is willing to adjust to a "diet" that is conducive to spiritual growth. We will mature spiritually as we arediscipled into "who we are in Christ," our "right standing with God," and how to "walk in the Spirit". In our identification with the Lord in the outworking of His PURPOSE for our life, we must develop a sensitivity to the Lord's presence, that we might rightly respond to Him as He seeks to guide us toward spiritual maturity. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Genesis 4:3,4 - "And in the process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering." CAIN'S OFFERING WAS REJECTED BECAUSE HE OFFERED THE FRUIT OF HIS OWN LABORS WHILE ABEL OFFERED A BLOOD SACRIFICE THAT PROPHESIED OF THE COMING OF CHRIST. THIS LED TO A RAGE IN CAIN THAT CAUSED HIM TO SLAY HIS BROTHER. THE CROSS IS THE BASIS OF OUR ACCEPTANCE TO GOD AND REMAINS THE PRIMARY POINT OF CONFLICT BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND EVERY OTHER RELIGION, WHICH ARE ALL BASED ON MAN'S ACCEPTANCE THROUGH WORKS. Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." In the world "self-made" men and women are esteemed, but not so in Christ. Our goal is to be fashioned and established by the grace of God, not our own efforts. In this way we are his workmanship, devoted to becoming what he wants us to be. We are not working in order to gain approval, but because we love the one who loved us, saved us, and works through us. Hebrews 10:12,14 -- "But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God....For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." God see us with no flaw, spot or imperfection, so we honor His Word and the finished work of Jesus by saying "Amen!" To see ourselves as being far from perfect is not modesty, but a failure to understand the perfect sacrifice that Jesus has made for us. The Bible tells us, "For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." We have not only been sanctified, that is, made holy; but by the same offering of His body, we have been perfected. We are both holy and perfect in God's eyes! AFFIRMATIONS: When I find myself conscious of my sins, I say, "Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your wonderful work at the cross. It is a perfect work that has removed all my sins completely. I expect good things to happen to me because blessings are on the head of the righteous! (Proverbs 10:6) I don't doubt my perfection in Christ. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Acts 28:3,5 - "And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. But Paul shook the snake off into the fire without being harmed at all." Observation: Every disaster the devil sends is an opportunity to advance the Gospel. Because I keep going and never give up, God's Spirit is always available to help me in every situation. 1 Corinthians 9:25,26 - "Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline; he does so in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer, who does not waste his punches." Affirmations: I AM EXHORTED TO LIVE WITH PURPOSE. I AM NOT JUST TO EXIST OR GET BY; NOR AM I TO MEASURE SUCCESS BY THE WORLD'S STANDARDS, BUT BY HEAVEN'S STANDARDS. I AM ENTRUSTED AS A STEWARD WITH GOD-GIVEN GIFTS, ABILITIES, AND RESOURCES. 1 John 3:22 - "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight". Isaiah 1:19 - "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land." This opportunity is given to all who are saved, but not everyone is willing to adjust to a "diet" that is conducive to spiritual growth. We will mature spiritually as we are discipled into who we are in Christ, our "right standing with God" and how to "walk in the Spirit". In our identification with the Lord in the outworking of His PURPOSE for our life, we must develop a sensitivity to the Lord's presence, that we might rightly respond to Him as He seeks to guide us toward spiritual maturity. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

There is something the Church seriously needs to attain to today. Somehow preaching has seeped in that makes one believe that believers have to get good first before graduating from being a baby christian. Well that happy day is never going to come if all they are doing is sitting at home, reading the bible-- trying to please God by improving their attitudes and behaviors, and thereby living unto themselves. The best way to cultivate a love walk is through personal ministry to others (helping others with their spiritual life). That requires action, time, and involvement. At the root of this problem is poor preaching ie. preaching that does not exhort the congregation into equipping its members to disciple new believers -- promoting the idea that they are inadequate or not ready for some reason. This has got to change. Jesus admonished the disciples, "...take heed what ye hear.." (Mark 4:24). We should not sit under teaching we know is in error, because that spirit of error is being transmitted -- ever though we may know that it is wrong-- it will eventually affect us if we hear it long enough. Churches, that are not encouraging and equipping its members to disciple other believers, should be turned away from. Now is the day of salvation! Now is the day of the equipping of the saints! Now is the day of Jesus Christ! ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

1. What is the primary purpose for developing a righteousness consciousness? Answer: It is so that we will respond to life as much like Jesus as possible. We have been predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2 "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven." - Matthew 5:20 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 2. How is Jesus able to do only that which He saw the father do and say what He heard the father say? Answer: Because of His awareness of the presence of God within Him; Jesus walked in holiness; Jesus nurtured His holiness through continual fellowship with His Father. "After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone." - Matthew 14:23 "Truly, truly, I say to you, 'the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does, these things the son also does in like manner. For Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes." - Matthew 5:19,21 "I and the Father are one." - John 10:30 3. What are some of the benefits of personal fellowship with God? Answer: Fellowship will cause us to know God and to think and respond the way He does. Fellowship purges us: causes holiness. "That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me." -John 17:21 "For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." - 2 Peter 1:4 "Since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh." - Hebrews 10:19,20 4. What is true holiness? Holiness is conduct that is in line with God's standards. "For in Christ there is all of God in a human body; so you have everything when you have Christ, and you are filled with God through your union with Christ." - Colossians 2:9,10 "For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." -Romans 8:29 "Leaving your former way of life, you must lay aside that old human nature which, deluded by its lusts, is sinking towards death. You must be made new in mind and spirit, and put on the new nature of God's creating, which shows itself in the just and devout life called for by the truth." - Ephesians 4:22-24 5. List at least two benefits to having a righteousness consciousness? Answers: Will cause us to love others; Will cause us to refuse to participate in anything which serves Satan; Motivates our every action and thought to glorify God. "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him." - John 14:21 "...every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you." -John 15:2,3 INTO ACTION: Affirm and meditate on the indicated scriptures several times daily until the renewing of your mind is made real to your spirit. AFFIRMTIONS: I bring forth much fruit because I abide in Jesus. The fruit I bear is through Christ only. (John 15.5) I am holy since I am in Christ Jesus and Jesus is in God and God is holy.(Leviticus 20:7) I hold fast to the confession of my faith since God is faithful to perform His word. (Hebrews 10:23) ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

1. When willl I be operating at the maximum of my potential as the righteousness of God in Christ? Answer: When I realize that God has made me a king and a priest untoHim. When I realize He has given me the kingdom, the power, and the authority to operate as His under-ruler in the earth. "He loves us and has washed away our sins with his blood and made us a line of kings, priests to serve his God and father." - Revelation 1:5,6 "For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life throught the One, Jesus Christ. - Romans 5:17 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession..." - 1 Peter 2:9 2. What is the spiritutal sacrifice that we can offer unto God? Answer: Praise, doing good works and discipling others. "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name." - Hebrews 13:15 "O Lord surely I am Your servant, to You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving." - Psalm 116:16,17 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." - Epheisians 2:10 "Go therefore and make disciples....." - Matthew 28:19 3. How do we acknowledge Satan's defeat? Answer: By praising God "And said to Him, 'Do You hear what these are saying?' And Jesus said to them, 'Yes, have you never read,: Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise?'" - Matthew 21:16 "Having disarmed principalities and powers He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." - Colossians2:15 4. When a believer is praising and worshipping God it stops satan. Why? Answer: The love of God and our praise produce an unseen force. this force is the power of God. God's very presence inhabits the praises of His people. "Yet thou art holy, who dwell in the praises of Israel." - Psalm 22:3 "Let the high praises of God be in their throats and a two-edged sword in their hands." - Psalm 149:6 5. What is the spiritual mortar that binds the spiritual living stones which build the body of Christ? Answer: Love "For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people." - Ephesians 6:18 "Come as living stones and let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 2:5 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." - 1 John 4:7 INTO ACTION: Affirm and meditate on the indicated scriptures several times daily until the renewing of your mind is made real to your spirit. AFFIRMATIONS: God inhabits my praises. (Psalm 22:3) I am part of a royal priesthood and have been given the ministry of reconciliation. (1 Peter 2:9 & 2 corinthians 5:19) As a lively stone that makes up the House of God I desire the sincere milk of the Word. (1 Peter 2:2,5) I am bold as a lion since I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (Proverbs 28:1 & 2 Corinthians 5:21 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Matthew 6:33 -- "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things whall be added to you." We all have things that we perceive that we need. What does God have to say to us about these concerns? According to Matthew 6:31, He tells us, "Do not worry." God cares about us having these things. He wants us to have all these things. In fact, He wants all these things added to us. And He tells us that the way these things are added to us is by us seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Therefore, our number one priority every day is to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. IT IS NOT TO SEEK TO ADD THESE THESE THINGS TO OURSELVES. RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD But what is righteousness? Righteousness is not right behavior. It is right standing with the Father. It is the clearance of all your guilt, which makes you able to stand before God. It is not something you get through right behavior. It is a GIFT from God. Paul calls it "the gift of righteousness" (Romans 5:17). And to "seek" this gift is to be CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE IT, TO CONFESS THAT YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS IN CHRIST. So this righteousness, we are told to seek, is not right behavior, but right standing before God, which comes to us as a gift when we receive salvation. At the cross, Jesus didn't just remove our sins, He gave us His righteousness so that today, we can come boldly before the throne of God and receive freely everything that He died to give us! AFFIRMATIONS: I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:21) I seek the righteousness of Jesus, not my own righteousness. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Hebrews 10:12,14 -- "But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God....For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." God see us with no flaw, spot or imperfection, so we honor His Word and the finished work of Jesus by saying "Amen!" To see ourselves as being far from perfect is not modesty, but a failure to understand the perfect sacrifice that Jesus has made for us. The Bible tells us, "For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." We have not only been sanctified, that is, made holy; but by the same offering of His body, we have been perfected. We are both holy and perfect in God's eyes! HOW DOES GOD SEE US? 1. God sees us perfect without any spot of sin. 2. He sees us covered in the beautiful white robes of His own righteousness. 3. He treats us as a righteous person because that that us what He has made us. Our sins have been purged perfectly. Today, Jesus is seated at His Father's right hand because His work of purging our sins is completely finished and perfect! So instead of being conscious of our sins, which is to have an evil conscience (Hebrews 10:22), you can have a perfect conscience -- a conscience that is free from the guilt and condemnation of sins. Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for convicting me of righteousness, not my own, but God's righteousness given to me as a gift. Keep on convicting me in the days to come, reminding me especially when I fail that I am still the righteousness of God in Christ. AFFIRMATIONS: When I find myself conscious of my sins, I say, "Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your wonderful work at the cross. It is a perfect work that has removed all my sins completely. I expect good things to happen to me because blessings are on the head of the righteous! (Proverbs 10:6) I don't doubt my perfection in Christ. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

1. Why was Jesus manifested in the earth? Answer: To destroy the works of the devil. "For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. All who are not deaf to the truth listen to My voice." - John 18:37 "The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil." - 1 John 3:8 "He was given over to die because of our sins, and was raised to life to put us right with God." - Romans 4:25 ".....He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." - Hebrews 9:26 2. Has the cross of Calvary delivered me from the guilt of sin? Answer: God made Jesus sin. Sin was not only reckoned to Him, but His spirit actually became sin. "God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:19,21 "Because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." - Hebrews 10:14 "If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." - 1 John 1:7 3. How are Satan and his works put under our feet as the body of Christ? Answer: Answer in the scriptures. "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death." - Revelation 12:11 "When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him." - Colossians 2:15 4. Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to build a righteousness consciousness through meditation and affirmation of the word concerning my right standing with God? "By this we know the we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." - 1 John 4:13 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me. - John 15:4 5. How will a righteousness consciousness affect my prayer life? "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you." - Mark: 11:23,24 "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it." - John 14;13;14 INTO ACTION: Affirm and meditate on the indicated scriptures several times daily until the renewing of your mind is made real to your spirit. AFFIRMATIONS: I know my prayers are hears by God because I believe on Christ Jesus His Son who gives me eternal life. (1 John 5:13) I receive through faith because when I ask in prayer I believe that I have received what I have asked for. (Mark 11:24) I transform my mind through affirming, meditating, and visualizing God's word.(Romans 12:2 & John 8:31,32) ALBERT FINCH MINSITRY

Is the sacrifice of Jesus enough to make us righteous?

Romans 10:10 - "For with the heart man beleiveth unto righteousness......." Romans 5:17 - "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." Paul makes two significant statements about righteousness: 1. With the heart man believes unto righteousness. 2. When we receive Jesus and we are born again, we receive "the gift of righteousness." Righteousness is a gift. Too often we have associated righteousness with "good works." The Bible teaches good works and right conduct, but all of our good works and right conduct will never make us righteous. If good works made us righteous, we wouldn't need Jesus. Another fallacy about righteousness is that we've thought we had to grow into some kind of "high spiritual state" to be righteous. We can grow in the Lord and we can develop spiritually, but we cannot grow in righteousness. We will never be any more righteous than we are right now! 2 Corinthians 5:17,21 - "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. For he hath made him (God has made Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." Matthew 6:33 -- "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. In Christ we become new creatures. In Him we become the righteousness of God when we are born again (verse 21). This righteousness we are told to seek is not right behavior, but RIGHT STANDING before God, which comes to us as a gift when we receive salvation. Romans 4:5 -- "But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness." We are not righteous because of how morally upright we are. We are not righteous because we exercise self-control. We are not righteous because we read 10 chapters of the Bible daily. We are not righteous because we feel righteous. We are the righteousness of God in Christ solely because the sacrifice of Jesus made us so. When we believe this, our faith is accounted for righteousness. If we are righteous by our deeds, we don't need faith. We also don't need faith to know that we are sinful. But we do need faith to believe and declare that we are the righteousness of God in Christ, in the midst of our struggles with temptation and sin. At the cross, Jesus didn't just remove our sins, He also gave us His righteousness so that today, we can come boldly before the throne of God and receive freely everything that He died to give us! Affirmations: I seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, not my own righteousness, and "all these things shall be added to me." I expect good things to happen to me because blessings are on the head of the righteous (Proberbs 10:6). I am righteous only because of the blood and finished work of Jesus at the cross. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Do we have the authority to transform lives?

1. How do you know that God wants us to reign in life?Answer: Romans 5:17 "For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive th abundance of grace and of the gift of reighteousness will reign in life through the One Jesus Christ. - Romans 5:17"For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And you are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power." - Colossians 2:9-10"for you are all one in Christ Jesus, and if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise." - Galatians 3:28-29 2. List 3 ways Jesus is victorious over Satan. Answer:(1) He healed and deliverd all that were oppressed of the devil.(2) He destroyed the power of Satan at the cross of Calvary.(3) Through the new creation the believer is set free as he receives Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Satan's spiritual hold on the believer is severed as he is set free. "Since we, God's children are human beings -- made of flesh and blood -- He became flesh and blood too by being born in human form; for only as a human being could He die and in dying break the power of the devil who had the power of death." - Hebrews 2:14-15"...for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me." - John 14:30"therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 3. Why is His victory our victory? Answer: What God wrought in Jesus is wrought in us. Jesus was made sin with our sinfulness that we could be made righteous with His righteousness. We were crucified, died, made alive, and raised together with Him. "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." - Galatians 2:20"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....and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 1:19; 2:6"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians 5:21 4. What has God given us to walk victoriously in this life? Answer: We have His nature, His armor, His power, His Spirit, His name, and His word and the authority to use them for His purpose in the earth. "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you." - John 14:16,17"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." - Ephesians 6:11,14-16"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7 5. How does a man sever himself from satan's hold on his life? Answer: 2 Peter 1:3,4"Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." - 2 Peter 1:3,4"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10"Our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him." - Romans 6:6,8 INTO ACTION:Affirm and meditate on the indicated scriptures several times daily until the renewing of your mind is made real to your spirit. AFFIRMATIONS:Since I have received God's overflowing grace and the free gift of righteousness, I reign as king in life through Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17) I am born of God and have victory that conquers the world through faith. (1 John 5:4) Just as Jesus cursed the fig tree, I curse those things in my life that are not bearing godly fruit. (Mark 11:21) ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY