AN INVITATION TO BE LIFTED UP

[Albert Finch]

When Jesus said, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17), it was not a message of judgment and condemnation – "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" was, is, and always will be a presentation through love and forgiveness that reaches out to everyone, offering a new way of thinking and being so that righteousness ( the ability to stand in the presence of Father God without the sense of guilt, inferiority or condemnation) can no longer be mistaken as something we have to do in the hopes of getting God to like us, but is something we are empowered by God to walk out because He is so in love with us.

Jesus invites us all to come up higher in righteousness (understanding our right standing with God), purity, morality, love, kindness, patience, joy, and compassion (see Matthew 5, 6 and 7), but He doesn't leave it at that. It is more than an invitation to do good or be better. He is well aware that on our own we are not capable of coming up higher -- only by living our life through Him is that possible. That's why He didn't leave us on our own. That's why He came into the earth. That's why He proclaimed everywhere He went, and to all that He met, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

His nail-scarred hand still reaches out. It still lifts up. It still invites us to grab hold of Him and be empowered by Him to live in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (see Romans 14:17) in Him. New Testament prophecy communicates this by expressing truth in love, conviction in mercy, correction in compassion, and transformation in hope – not condemnation in disapproval, or punishment in disappointment.

PLUGGING INTO THE HEART OF PROPHECY

The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus (see Revelation 19:10). What that means is that New Testament prophecy must "testify" of Jesus. It must show forth and put on display the One who saves because He loves, the One who proffers mercy over judgment, all while empowering revelation of our CALLING in Christ.

The Apostle Paul understood this when he told the Church at Corinth that the purpose of prophecy was to exhort, edify, and encourage others (see 1 Corinthians 14:3). This is what Jesus did when He walked the earth bringing forth the New Testament, and it is what New Testament prophecy is to be doing today.

New Testament prophecy must present the character and nature of Jesus – His love, light, life, presence, power, and personality – in a similar manner to how Jesus presented the Father when He was here in the earth - -prophesying that what Jesus did then He will do today.

PERSONAL DECLARATIONS:

[1] I speak Truth in Love and faith and see His saving, healing, transforming power manifest in our midst just as it did when Jesus walked the earth and declared, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (Matthew 10:7-8).

[2] The words I speak are spirit and life – exhorting, edifying, and encouraging people to discover God's PURPOSE for their life and walk in the fullness of all Jesus has given them (see John 6:63; 1 Corinthians 14:3).

[3] I am plugging into the heart of the Father, and from the abundance of my heart, my mouth will speak words that present the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit. (see Luke 6:45).

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
https://afministry.ning.com/