DAILY WORD

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Comment by Albert Finch on October 26, 2015 at 6:49pm

UNLOCKING THE POWER OF GRACE

Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God."

Paul says that grace saves us "through faith." Faith unlocks the power of grace and releases it to function in our world--and faith itself is another gift of God. The difference between both gifts is, the grace-gift must be activated by the faith-gift.

WE MUST:
1. Believe that God is "rich in mercy".
2. We must accept as true that God loves us with "great love."
3. We must not doubt that He atoned for "our transgressions."
4. We must be confident we are "alive together with Christ."

John 1:16 - "For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace."

The same grace that turns our hearts toward Christ continues to work in us, transforming even our sufferings and trials into virtue and power.

We've been taught that grace is God's unmerited favor, which of course, it is. Yet unmerited favor is only on aspect of grace. In reality, grace is God's promise to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Romans 4:3 - "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
When Abraham "believed God" it meant that he believed what God had promised would come to pass. God promised to do for Abraham what Abraham and Sarah could not fulfill on their own. This is the glory of God's grace: it accomplishes what is otherwise impossible for us.

OBSERVATION:

Grace not only chooses me, saves me eternally and blankets my life with mercy, but grace also works in me realities unattainable without divine help.

Zechariah 4:7 -- "What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!'"

Zerubbabel had mountains in his life that were too much for him. He had a task that was beyond his abilities. Yet God promised His Spirit would help, and when it was done, multitudes would be shouting "Grace, grace" at the finished work.

AFFIRMATIONS:

I don't postpone my breakthrough -- I believe that God's grace is here to release me!

I don't run from the mountains in my life -- I face them with faith -- and shout "Grace,grace" to them and let God make my mountains into "a plain."

I speak to the mountain of discouragement, sickness or financial need -- GRACE, GRACE!

Comment by Albert Finch on October 25, 2015 at 10:31pm

TAKING ACTION ON YOUR VISION

Ephesians 1:3,4 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as he has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.

Many people who are doing something significant for God in the world are doing it "without their own resources" because God doesn't want us to depend on our own abilities.
Instead, He wants us to be obedient by putting the vision on paper and then looking to Him to generate the funds and other resources that are needed to support His own work.
Your provision, however, is usually hidden until you act on your vision. Whatever you were born to do attracts what you need to do it. Therefore, you first have to establish what you want to do, and begin to do it, before the need can be met.
Most people work in reverse. They want to see the provisions before they start, but faith doesn't work that way. When we take action, then God manifests the provision.

Genesis 22:13,14 - "The Abraham looked up and glanced around, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering and an ascending sacrifice instead of his son! So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide."

God already prepared everything you would need before He created you so that you could do what you were born to do. He knew what you needed because He chose you for your vision a long time ago. God tells us we don't have to worry about our provision because He has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Affirmations:

I KNOW THAT GOD WILL NEVER GIVE ME A VISION WITHOUT PROVISION.

I REALIZE THAT MY PROVISION IS UNUALLY HIDDEN UNTIL I ACT ON MY VISION.

Comment by Albert Finch on October 24, 2015 at 3:30pm

SAVING POWER

Exodus 12:13 -- "Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you....."

On the night of the first Passover, many of the children of Israel were probably anxious.
They may have said "Yes! We were told to put the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of our home and everything would be all right. Is that true?"
Or "Can the blood really protect me? Or How much blood do I have to put on my doorposts? Or Will the angel of death get me if I am fearful?

DO WE NEED TO DEVELOP DOCTRINE AND THEOLOGY OVER GOD'S CONDITIONS?

We do not need to add to God's conditions. He said, "When I see the BLOOD, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you."
He DID NOTsay, "When I see the blood, plus your understanding, efforts, obedience, faithfulness and refusal to give in to fear, then I will pass over you."

THE BLOOD ALONE SAVES

We are delivered by the blood of Jesus alone. If we think that it is because of our faith, then we will always be wondering, "Do I have enough faith? No, it is the blood alone that saves.

Saves from what? -- anything that doesn't match up with heaven.

Matthew 6:10 -- "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

If we think that our deliverance depends partly on God and partly on us, we will not have a settled peace in our heart. But when we know that it its the blood alone that saves, we will have an unshakable peace.

Comment by Albert Finch on October 23, 2015 at 5:06pm

RAISING OUR EXPECTANCY

Isaiah 54:1 - "Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman," says the Lord.

YOU MAY BE BARREN NOW. SOME SEASONS THAT WE GO THROUGH ARE SEEMINGLY FILLED WITH DESOLATION, BUT TAKE COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT EVERY SEASON HAS A TIME FRAME AND A DEVINE SEED.
GOD IS ALERTING US TO RAISE OUR EXPECTANCY. OUR EXPECTANCY WILL BECOME OUR SPIRITUAL CURRENCY TO ALLOW TRANSACTIONS WITH HEAVEN.

Affirmations:

GOD HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE MY CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

WITH THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST, MY LIFE COULD BREAK WIDE OPEN!

THERE'S MORE AVAILABLE TO ME IN THE HEAVENLIES THAN WHAT I'VE CURRENTLY APPREHENDED.

I AM A RISK-TAKER, NOT AN UNDERTAKER.

Genesis 2:15 - "Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it."

SOME HAVE MISTAKENLY BELIEVED THAT LABOR WAS A PART OF THE CURSE, BUT MAN LABORED IN THE GARDEN BEFORE THE FALL. LABOR WAS NOT A PART OF THE CURSE; "TOIL" WAS THE CURSE.

TOIL IS DIFFERENT FROM LABOR. TO TOIL IS TO ACCOMPLISH ONLY WITH HARD AND PAINFUL LABOR. TOIL IMPLIES THE OPPOSITION OF THE CREATION INSTEAD OF ITS COOPERATION.

THE LORD INTENDED FOR US TO RECEIVE A DEEP SATISFACTION FROM OUR LABORS.
IT IS ALSO FUNDAMENTAL THAT EVERY PERSON FIND MEANINGFUL LABOR.

Comment by Albert Finch on October 20, 2015 at 10:22pm

QUENCHING THE PHILISTINE SPIRIT

"And Goliath cursed David by his gods. The Philistine also said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field." - 1 Samuel 18:43,44

Goliath first used fiery darts against David (his words of negativity), believing that the negativity alone would cause David to cower down! Yes, Goliath's negative words were meant to be a "first-blow" against David to weaken him so that Goliath could move in quickly for the kill!

For us today, a Philistine spirit might sound like this:

• You're too young (old) to be used of God.
• You haven't attended Bible college, so you're unqualified to lay hands on the sick and see them healed.
• You're not a good speaker.
• Your family was poor. How can you ever consider yourself blessed of God?
• You are not attractive, you're fat (skinny), or too short (tall).
• You are weak. Just take a good look at yourself. Is there anything about you of which you can really be proud?
• You failed. You sinned. God will never use you. God has abandoned you.
• Shame on you!

KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST

Did you notice that this spirit targets our significance? In other words, it targets our identity as a Christian: a blood-bought Believer, a child of the King, a son and daughter of God.

Satan desires for each of us to get stuck in cycles of feeling "insignificant." The dictionary describes insignificance as being unimportant and having no purpose in life However, when we don't know our full identity in Christ, we remain in a continual search for significance. This is exactly what Goliath attempted to do with David...infiltrate his belief system concerning his identity and his relationship with God!
This search will remain on our wilderness wandering map unless we begin to rebuke the words (fiery darts and arrows) and begin to agree with what God says about us.

WE MUST POSSESS OUR PROMISED LAND

You are already victorious because of the Cross. Still we must possess our Promised Land through AFFIRMING and MEDITATING the scriptures that have to do with our identity as born-again believers. Jesus paid the price for it – let's believe it and enter into it!

IT'S TIME FOR BREAKTHROUGH

Our true identity has been on the line – what do you believe about yourself? What do you believe about God? The truth must become established for breakthrough to occur. The fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16) are targeting our identity. The identity thief has a plan – to steal, kill, and destroy your future.

Let's exalt the Lord and declare His identity as "The Breaker"! Yes, He is the Breaker – the one who breaks forth on our behalf (see Micah 2:13). God is breaking forth for us. Jesus broke forth and gave us life by the shedding of His precious Blood. It's time for faith to arise once more. Raise up your shield of faith today! Lift up the name of Jesus – your shield!

Comment by Albert Finch on October 13, 2015 at 3:47pm

PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

The parable of the talents (see Matthew 25:14-30) emphasizes that not all believers are given the same level of callings and gifts. The man who travels to the far country is Jesus and the servants represent us. A talent is a measure of money that represents the level of our call and gifts.

TWO IMPORTANT POINTS:

1. All of the servants are given something -- this tells us that there is not one person in the church without a CALLING on their life, accompanied by gifts.

2. The different levels of calls and gifts given to each of the servants were according to their own ability. Our ability is also given by God. We have nothing of value that was not given to us.
1 Corinthians 4:7 - "For who differs from another? And what do you have that you did not receive?"

THE THIRD SERVANT

Contrast the action of the third servant with that of the first two:

The faithful servants "went and traded" (v.16). The fearful one "went and dug" (V.18).
The first two invested. The last one buried.
The first two went out and took RISK. The third played it safe.
The reaction of the master to the first two--"Well done, good and faithful servant, you were faithful over a few things, I will make your ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord."
The reaction of the master over the third servant--"and cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (V.30)."

HE NEVER KNEW HIS MASTER

The sin was not mismanagement, but misunderstanding. The one-talent servant NEVER KNEW HIS MASTER. He should have. He lived under his roof and shared his address. He knew his face, his name, but HE NEVER KNEW HIS MASTER'S HEART.

FEARS LIST:

For fear of doing the wrong thing for God, I do nothing for God.

For fear of making the wrong kingdom decision, I make no kingdom decision.

For fear of messing up, I miss out.

Affirmations:

I PRAY DAILY TO THE GOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, FOR THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM. (Ephesians 1:17)

I BELONG TO CHRIST, WHO WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD, THAT I BEAR FRUIT UNTO HIM. (Romans 7:4)

JUST LIKE THE TREE OF LIFE NEAR THE THRONE OF GOD, I CONTINUALLY YIELD A FRESH CROP OF FRUIT. (Revelation 22:,1,2)

Comment by Albert Finch on October 9, 2015 at 10:37pm

CALLED TO BE A BRIDGE BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH

Exodus 16:4 - Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or no.

GOD TOOK A LITTLE, INSIGNIFICANT MATTER, THE FOOD THEY ATE--AND USED IT TO SEE IF THEY WOULD LISTEN TO HIM OR NOT. HE TOLD THEM HOW MUCH OF IT TO GATHER, WHEN TO GATHER AND WHEN NOT TO, AND WHAT TO DO WITH IT AFTER THEY BROUGHT IT IN.
AND THE ISRAELITES WENT RIGHT OUT AND VIOLATED THOSE INSTRUCTIONS. THEY SHOWED GOD BY THEIR ACTIONS THAT HIS VOICE WAS NOT IMPORTANT TO THEM. THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO OBEY EVEN HIS SIMPLEST COMMANDS.
GOD WORKS THE SAME WAY WITH US TODAY. BEFORE HE SENDS US ON A MAJOR MISSION, HE GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE WE CAN BE TRUSTED WITH SMALL INSTRUCTIONS.

Luke 16:10 - He who is faithful in a very little (thing), is faithful also in much.

Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

The earthly minded will constantly try to restrain those who are seekers of God with such statements as,"don't become so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good," which is precisely the opposite of true wisdom.
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.
The church that becomes to earthly minded is not doing the earth any good.
We are called to be a bridge between heaven and earth, and to represent the reality of all we have been given in Christ Jesus in the heavenly places.
Christians should be so saturated with heaven that it is more real to them than anything in the natural realm.

Ephesians 2:4-6 - But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus.

Comment by Albert Finch on October 8, 2015 at 4:38pm

NEW REALM OF POSSIBILITIES

Matthew 10:8,9 - "And into whatsoever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."

THE REALITY OF BEING BORN OF THE SPIRIT MEANS THAT A WHOLE NEW REALM OF POSSIBILITIES, CHALLENGES AND OBSTACLES NOW UNFOLDS BEFORE US. THE IDEA THAT THE ONLY RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH HEAVEN IS THE ONE WE EXPERIENCE AT DEATH IS SIMPLY CONTRARY TO THE WORD OF GOD.

Hebrews 11:3 - "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

I NEED TO THINK, BELIEVE AND SPEAK, NOT ACCORDING TO THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN - MY CIRCUMSTANCES - BUT ACCORDING TO THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN - THE WORD OF GOD. AS I AM FAITHFUL TO THINK, BELIEVE AND SPEAK ACCORDING TO THAT WHICH IS NOT SEEN, GOD WILL MAKE THOSE THINGS TANGIBLE IN MY LIFE. HE WILL MAKE THEM "SEEN"!

Psalm 25:14 - "The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant."

FEARING GOD MEANS TO HAVE RESPECT FOR HIM, TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS MAJESTY AND GREATNESS, TO HONOR HIM AS GOD - TO RESPECT HIM AS THE MYSTERIOUS, INDESCRIBABLE LORD, TO BE FAITHFUL TO HIM AND TO FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY TRUST HIM.
AS I CHERISH HIS CLOSENESS HE DISCLOSES HIS SON, WHO IS THE HIGHEST SECRET OF ALL - CHRIST, THE MYSTERY OF ALL MYSTERIES.

Psalm 16:7 - "I will bless the Lord, Who has given me counsel: yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons."

Comment by Albert Finch on October 7, 2015 at 4:35pm

MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN

Matthew 22:14 - "For many are called but few are chosen."

The words "appointed" and "chosen" are used synonymously in the new testament.
Many are called. How Many? Everyone to be exact!
Why are only a few appointed? Because only a few will forsake all their own desires, securities, lust for money, hindering relationships, etc. to fulfill the call upon their lives.

Affirmations:

I SEEK GOD FOR MY DESTINY, AND DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF THE HEAVENLY VISION.

I FULFILL MY CALLING, I MAKE MY ELECTION SURE, AND RUN MY RACE FULLY TO THE END.

2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousnes of God in Him."

If we're going to fully come in to what God has for us we will have to come to grips with the issue of being more than "sinners saved by grace." Maturity comes from faith in the sufficiency of God's redemptive work that establishes us as sons and daughters of the Most High.

AFFIRMATION:

I rise up to the high Call of God and stop saying things about myself that are no longer true.

Comment by Albert Finch on October 6, 2015 at 8:44am

LEAN ON ME

Song of Solomon 8:5 -- "Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?"

In order to learn new ways to walk we must first learn to lean.

Proverbs 3:6 -- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

Leaning on our Beloved often requires us to lean away from our own understanding. His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts. This often leaves us with a lack of understanding. When leaning and depending on God for direction, more often than not He will ask us to do things and go places that make no sense to our natural ways of thinking. And when we begin to obey His leading, the "leaning" will become even more essential.
Intimacy and dependency are vital for receiving knowledge and revelation about how to walk and where to go--as well as the timing of each step.

STEPPING OUT OF BONDAGE INTO TRUTH

Psalm 25:4,5 -- "Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; build me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long."

As we allow the Holy Spirit to show us every lie that had held us in bondage, we allow Him to exchange them for the truth that will set us free. The accuser had been shouting accusations at God and His people, but we need to know how to quiet our hearts in order to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit that will lead us into all truth.

DREAM BIG -- EXPECT LARGE

Ephesians 3:20,21 --" Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!"

It is time to live like those who know that HE IS ABLE!

"Go possess the land." (Numbers 13:30).
We need to quit limiting our expectations and "dream big" -- advancement to our DESTINY depends on it.

God may ask us to do something that would exceed what we would ask for or even imagine. He may give us something that is more than we imagined, but we must be willing to hear and obey even when it makes no sense.

QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF:

What is God asking of me?

What are my dreams?

What are His dreams for me?

Am I ready to see God do immeasurably more than I ask or imagine?

Is His Word truth?

Then He is able to do more! His power is at work in us so we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

AFFIRMATION:

I dream big and then learn to follow His lead as I lean.

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