by donfinto | Feb 16, 2014 | Uncategorized
“HE WHO IS KIND TO THE POOR LENDS TO THE LORD.” PROVERBS 19:17
Hudson Taylor, the man who helped to open China to the gospel tells his own story regarding this scripture. He was visiting with a poor family who had no food, and Hudson had a half crown in his pocket. As he began to pray for the family, he felt that his prayers were empty. He kept praying, but felt hypocritical because he could become part of the answer to his own prayer, even though he would have no money with which to buy food for himself. The God-pressure became so strong that he could not resist. He reached into his pocket, took out the half crown, and laid it on the table.
Making his way home, he says that his heart felt as light as his pocket.
Before he retired for the night, he quoted back to the Lord his own words from this proverb, “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.”
“Lord, please do not make this loan a long one,” he prayed, as he reminded the Lord that he only had a small portion of food for breakfast.
The next morning a messenger came as he was enjoying his last simple meal. A small envelope was delivered to his door. In the envelope was four times as much as Hudson had given away the day before plus a brand new pair of leather gloves.
Hudson said he learned then and there to put his money into the banks of heaven. They pay much greater interest than any earthly bank.
Be kind to the poor.
Blessings,
Don Finto
by donfinto | Feb 11, 2014 | Uncategorized
REDEEM IMAGINATION!!
“To him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory!” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Sometimes we steer so energetically away from godless imagination, that we tend to shut down imagination altogether.
Don’t shut it down; redeem it!
Imagine Godly encounters, Godly relationships, Godly actions, Godly success and prosperity, Godly future! Then move prayerfully in that direction.
Use Godly imagination when reading the Word, when praying!
Darkness is not driven out with a whip or a scourge, but by bringing light into dark places; Godless imagination is not driven out by a whip or a scourge, but by redeeming our thoughts.
Blessings,
Don Finto
{@donfinto}
“Equipping God’s people with His heart and purpose
for Israel and the nations.”
by donfinto | Feb 3, 2014 | Uncategorized
“Excel in this grace of giving!”
2 Corinthians 8:7
“Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” “A generous man will himself be blessed.” “A generous person will prosper.” “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.” Your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.”
“Command those who are rich… to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. … see that you excel in this grace of giving.”
Come under the fullness of God’s blessings! Give something away today! Let generosity become a part of your every day! Think outside yourself!
Blessings,
Don Finto
1) 2 Corinthians 9:6
2) Proverbs 22:9
3) Proverbs 11:25
4) Psalm 112:5
5) 2 Corinthians 9:11
6) Psalm 37:26
7) 1 Timothy 6:17-19
8) 2 Corinthians 8:2-7
by donfinto | Feb 3, 2014 | Uncategorized
What is a “blood moon” and why is it important?
And what is happening in these days that has caused this to be such a topic of conversation?
A “blood moon” occurs when there is a total lunar eclipse – the earth is positioned between the sun and the moon, the sun is hidden from view and the sun’s rays shine from behind the earth, giving the moon a red hue. A total lunar eclipse can only occur with a full moon. A total lunar eclipse can only occur with a full moon.
Why is the “blood moon” potentially important? Because Joel prophesied and Peter affirmed that “the sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Joel 2:30-31 & Acts 2:20). And God said, Genesis 1:14, that He put the sun and moon in the sky “as signs to mark seasons and days and years” (1:14).
What is happening in our day that has caused such attention to be focused on this prediction? Later this year and next year there will be four blood moons, all of which will take place on significant biblical feast days.
On the 14th of Nisan this year (Passover, April 15) the first will occur, the second on the 15th of Tishri (Tabernacles, October 8). Next year will bring precisely the same occurrence. A blood moon will take place on Nisan 14 (Passover, April 4) and again on Tishri 15 (Tabernacles, September 28).
The last time four blood moons occurred on these feast days in two consecutive years was in 1967/1968 during the time of the Six Day War when Israel took possession of Jerusalem for the first time in many centuries.
The prior occurrence of four blood moons in consecutive years on these two feast days was in 1948/49 during the time of Israel’s War of Independence. Before that time, we have to go back in history to 1493, the season of the Inquisition when the King and Queen of Spain were confiscating Jewish wealth, exiling or murdering Jewish people.
Another significant thing about this season is that in the midst of these four total lunar eclipses are two solar eclipses to take place on the first day of the biblical calendar, Nisan 1 (March 20, 2015) and the first day of the civic calendar, Tishri 1 (September 13, 2015).
- Nisan 14, April 15, 2014 – Passover – “blood moon” lunar eclipse
- Tishri 15, October 8, 2014 – Tabernacles – “blood moon” lunar eclipse
- Nisan 1 – March 20, 2015 – beginning of the year – solar eclipse
- Nisan 14, April 4, 2015 – Passover – “blood moon” lunar eclipse
- Tishri 1 – September 13, 2015 – Feast of Trumpets – solar eclipse
- Tishri 15 – September 28, 2015 – Tabernacles – “blood moon” lunar eclipse
What does all this mean?
Is this God’s proclamation that something extraordinary is going to occur during or just prior to the multiplicity of eclipses?
It would seem so, since that is what has happened in the past. Does this mean war in Israel and the Middle East? Will the outcome be good, as in the 1948 and 1967 conflicts? Or is greater hardship indicated as in 1493? We cannot know. Some suggest this could mean the rapture of the church prior to the great tribulation, but I find no biblical proof that we escape tribulation, and it seems the rise of the anti-Messiah will precede His return. Escape wrath? Yes, but not tribulation. We are continually warned to prepare for hard times, while at the same time assured that we will never experience God’s wrath. (See, for example, John 16:33 and Romans 5:9)
So what are we to do?
Keep walking strong and pray for victory for all of God’s people, and for millions to come into the kingdom. Surrender to Jesus! Listen to and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit! Worship! Share the good news! Be prepared to stand strong whatever may come. We have the assurance that in the end all will be well.
Blessings,
Don Finto
{@donfinto}
“Equipping God’s people with His heart and purpose
for Israel and the nations.”
