RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF THE RIVER

[Albert Finch]

Matthew 3:13-17 - 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan [River], to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent Him [vigorously protesting], saying, “It is I who need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” 15 But Jesus replied to him, “Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John permitted [it and baptized] Him. 16 After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus), 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased and delighted!” The Amplified Bible

The Scripture (Matthew 3:13-17) tells us that when John baptized Jesus in the river, the heavens opened up with the voice of the LORD declaring that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus says something very interesting during this moment when He tells John the Baptist that this had to be done in this particular manner. Although John felt insignificant, Jesus was saying that he had to be the one to activate the destiny. God is calling for the leaders of today to get back into the river where what you do will be in response to the open heavens.

DISCOVERING OUR CALLING IN CHRIST

The river has many applications throughout the Word of God and our spiritual walk. However, the most significant is that the river is a place of life. It's the place where we discover our true identities as sons of God (discovering our CALLING in Christ) and the place (spiritually speaking) where we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. When we recognize that we are positioned in the river, in the things that we set ourselves to do, we discover that Heaven is actually open and declare what is needed to activate our DESTINY.

John the Baptist was a forerunner. Not only a voice, but an individual who paved the way for what was coming. A forerunner is someone who is willing to make a way for others when there is no way. A forerunner is someone who isn't willing to go down the same road again and again, but one who is determined to discover beyond natural limitations or boundaries.

LEADING SONS INTO THEIR DESTINIES

In this day there is a call for forerunners to be fathers. There is a real need in our day to see fathers arise to not only love sons, but to lead sons into their destiny. We need fathers who are willing to raise sons and set them into God's PURPOSE for their lives. When fathers have no desire to go beyond the realm of the known, they begin to build their private empires to keep everyone close to them at all times. However, when a father has the heart of a forerunner, he will raise sons to discover the revelation of their DESTINY.

The Lord is calling you to the river. He is calling you to do what must be done and in so doing, utilize the open heaven and declare the mandate upon your life. What you do as a forerunner is just the beginning, while what you do as a father will turn generations to shift the fatherless to their PURPOSE in Christ. The river is calling YOU!

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