by donfinto | Dec 13, 2017 | The Good Report
Let Scripture reign and let blessings flow!
Yes, I am overjoyed that President Trump has acknowledged and declared what God declared 3000 years ago, that Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel. Though our congress made this acknowledgement in 1995, earlier presidents, regardless of their good intentions have been ruled by fear, and kept signing extensions, thus refusing to establish the US Embassy in the capital city of this, our closest ally in the Middle East.
Yes, I am watching the news closely in the next few days, believing that the words of God to Abraham 4000 years ago will become a reality in the lives of our nation: that God will bless those who bless Abraham’s God-chosen descendants through whom the entire world has been and will be blessed (See Genesis 12:1-3).
I am praying for our nation, especially for impending Supreme Court decisions, that Godly decisions will be made, also praying against the raging wildfires in California, praying that as a result of President Trump’s courageous decision to affirm and bless the world’s host nation and city, we will be blessed.
Join me in prayer, asking the Lord to confirm His Word through blessing our nation.
by donfinto | Dec 6, 2017 | The Good Report
Life in Isaac and Rebekah’s home was not always pleasant. For the first twenty years of their marriage, Rebekah was barren. Then she conceived the twins, Jacob and Esau, and the Lord told Rebekah that “the older would serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23). Isaac obviously was not convinced that Rebekah had heard from God, since he was about to give the rights of the firstborn to his brother Esau. The intrigues of the household increased by Rebekah’s ruse and Jacob’s lies that put him before his father saying, “I am Esau your firstborn.” All this so enraged Esau that Jacob had to flee to his uncle Laban to survive.
On his way to Laban, Jacob had a God-encounter in which God Himself promised Jacob that he was indeed the inheritor of the promises given to his grandfather Abraham and father Isaac. God would raise up the promised descendants and through him all families of the earth would be blessed.
Fast forward twenty years, Jacob and his family now are returning to his ultimate homeland. Fear of Esau’s former rage still lingers and Jacob sends all kinds of gifts of appeasement, then finds himself alone in the still of the night.
A “Man” (later called “God,” see Geneses 32:30], began wrestling with him, but Jacob knew it was another God-encounter. “Let me go!” the “Man” cried. “I will not let You go until You bless me,” Jacob boldly responded.
“What’s your name?” the “Man” probed. “And [in shock of realization, whispering he said, ‘Jacob’ [supplanter, schemer, trickster, swindler]” (Amplified Version).
And God said, “Your name shall be called no more Jacob [supplanter], but Israel [contender with God]; for you have contended and have power with God and with men and have prevailed” (Verse 28).
There are times when God wrestles with us and wants us to win the wrestling match. He wants us to hold on to His promises so tightly that we will “not let Him go until He blesses us,” until He assures us that the promise is indeed ours.
As we/you find promises in His Word, He wants us to hold them tight even when we see no possibility of their being implemented. Twenty years had transpired since Jacob had personally received the promise from God and no fulfillment, but God had not forgotten.
What promises have you received? Are you willing to wrestle with God, and “not let Him go” until those promises become reality?
by donfinto | Nov 29, 2017 | The Good Report
If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given you.
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt because the one who doubts
is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”
James 1:5-7
How many times have I read this promise? Dozens, hundreds, probably more, but this morning I paused and let the promise sink into my spirit. I need wisdom, and the Lord promises me wisdom by simply asking and believing. Jesus Himself said on another occasion, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).
I need wisdom, lots of wisdom. I cannot live life well without God’s wisdom. Every relationship I have needs wisdom. So I am choosing to believe that I will see, feel, and sense God’s Presence both in the asking and in the walking it out.
And – in case we need even more incentive for asking, listen to what kind of wisdom we will receive: “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).”
I can feel myself relaxing and sighing deeply as I trust God to give me this kind of wisdom. Not stressful, anxious, or self-willed, but kind, pure, and merciful.
Let’s all pause and ask for wisdom.
Then expect to receive.
And walk forward in confidence and peace.
Have a good week.
-Don Finto
