by donfinto | Jan 10, 2018 | The Good Report
Often, I ponder the me of the past and the me of the present. I am continually
overwhelmed at the goodness of God, and I hope you do that also.
Not even Martha, after those 64 years of marriage, ever totally could perceive of my
crazy inferiority complexes and insecurities of my early years – which would often
show up even in later years. For example, I was 33 years of age when I began studies
at Vanderbilt. The opening day on campus I walked into the library to take a look
around and was so taken aback by the vastness of the card catalogue, that I could
not even walk up to a librarian to ask a question. I was afraid my total stupidity
would show up. I had to go outside and walk around awhile to pick up the courage
to go back and ask some questions.
I was petrified going into crowds where I knew no one or almost no one.
Through all those years, I found that insecurity and feelings of inferiority are not
Godly, but an inordinate focus on self. I found that kindness to those around me,
genuine interest in them, God interest in them outweighed any godless self-focus.
That’s why I enjoy remembering the time when the transvestite visited the Saturday
evening assembly, and God rose up inside me with love for him as I walked over to
express my great joy to welcome him to Belmont Church.
I am astonished amazed awed grateful for the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s keep turning our hearts to God and live out that Jesus-focused, Holy Spirit
empowered life with family, friends, and casual acquaintances, and let God take over
and do with it what He will.
by donfinto | Jan 3, 2018 | The Good Report
We are in a new season. God is into seasons. I began talking to the Lord recently about this “transition time,” pondering where, in Scripture, He might give us insights for such seasons. My mind immediately went to the opening verses of Joshua when God challenged Joshua about the new season in his life. Moses had died, and Joshua was now in charge. Listen to some of God’s words and make the application to your own life:
- “Moses is dead.” Well, of course Joshua knew that. Israel had mourned Moses’ death for thirty days, but God is making a point,
- “Joshua, resist the temptation to live in the past. Move ahead in strength.” Get ready… I am about to give to you… No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.” Anticipate future victories.
- “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Live in His Presence.
- “Be strong and courageous.” Do not be limited to your own view of who you are. Accept God’s assessment of who you are and who are destined to be.
- “Keep this book on your lips…meditate on it day and night.” Daily absorb more of His Word, and allow His Spirit to massage His truth into your inner being.”
- “You will be prosperous and successful…Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Live in expectation of blessings even in the hard times. Resist fear and discouragement through the help of His Spirit.
- “The Lord is with you wherever you go.”
May 2018 be one of the best if not the best year of your life. For Jesus-followers, the best is always ahead.
by donfinto | Dec 20, 2017 | The Good Report
Happy Chanukah! Merry Christmas!
The Chanukah-Christmas season is an interesting season – a “connect” season
between the Old and New Testament scriptures. Though it is a Jewish holiday, there
is no mention of Chanukah in the Old Testament. The only biblical reference to
Chanukah is in the New Testament in John’s Gospel: “Then came the Festival of
Dedication (translated ‘Chanukah’ in the footnote of most of our Bibles). It was
winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade” (John
10:22-23).
Chanukah celebrates the second-century- before-Jesus victory of the Maccabees over
the pagan ruler Antiochus Epiphanes. The only possible Old Testament reference to
the occasion is a prophecy by Daniel, describing the time when a godless ruler
would arise and “set up an abomination that causes desolation” in the Temple “until
the end that is decreed is poured out on him” (9:27). Antiochus did exactly that. He
sacrificed a pig on the altar in the Temple and brought into the Temple the vilest of
sexual perversions.
Without Chanukah, there would be no Christmas. If the Maccabees had not
overthrown this pagan ruler, the Jewish family would have been wiped out and
God’s promise of a World Redeemer through Israel’s Messiah would have been
forever thwarted.
In this season of celebrating the Jewish victory and the Jewish Messiah Who has
become our Savior, let us thank God for His continued victory over evil, and the
assurance that all His promises will come to fruition.
Happy Chanukah! Merry Christmas!
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
