Entries tagged with “Father’s Heart”.
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Mon 30 Apr 2012
Encouragement is one of the greatest gifts that we can give or receive in our lives and ministries—and the story of Barnabas is a great example of this.
Who was Barnabas?
Barnabas was originally named Joseph. He was a Jewish Levite from Cyprus who became a follower of Christ.
The Apostles, in recognition of the gift on his life, renamed him Barnabas, meaning ‘son of encouragement.’ (Acts 4:36)
Bible scholars tell us that Barnabas also means ‘son of prophecy.’ [1]
It is no coincidence that encouragement (or exhortation) and prophecy are brought together in the name ‘Barnabas’.
When it comes to prophetic ministry, Paul said,
‘the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.’ (1 Cor 14:3)
An ability and God-birthed desire to encourage is vital to prophetic ministry.
3 Keys to Encouragement from the life of Barnabas
Every person alive needs encouragement. We need to have people around us who believe in us and call forth the best from us.
And we can be that person for somebody else.
Here are three things that we can learn from the life of Barnabas:
1. Live to Give—have a Generous Attitude
When we first meet Barnabas, he is giving. He has just sold some land and is laying the proceeds at the feet of the Apostles. (Acts 4:36-37)
Amongst the church congregation at that time, were people in need of financial assistance. And some, like Barnabas, gave the extra they had to supply the lack of others.
You cannot have an encouraging life without having a generous heart. To encourage is to give—to release, not withhold. And generosity is foundational to encouragement.
2. Be Another’s Champion
After encountering Jesus on the Damascus road, Saul—later known as the Apostle Paul—turned from violently persecuting Christians to preaching the very Gospel he had once despised. (Acts 9)
The only problem was, people did not trust him. Nobody believed that he could have changed. People knew Paul by his history and judged him accordingly.
One man, however, believed in the work of Jesus in Paul’s life. Barnabas took him under his wing and introduced him to the Apostles, giving him the opportunity to explain his newfound faith.
Barnabas was a champion for Paul at the time he most needed it.
Later, Barnabas sought Paul out, giving him opportunity to launch his ministry at Antioch. (Acts 11:25)
Maybe today God is calling you to be a Barnabas to someone—to see and believe in someone as God views him or her. Not according to that person’s past—but according to his or her God-given destiny.
3. Give Someone a Second Chance
John Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. However, he proved unstable, deserting the team in Pamphylia. (See Acts 15:36-41)
When Paul decided to revisit churches the team had planted on his first missionary journey, Barnabas was keen to give Mark another go.
However, Paul refused, believing it would be unwise to take Mark with them.
Barnabas’ high value of believing the best in people—and his particular belief in Mark—brought them into sharp disagreement.
Barnabas separated from Paul and took Mark with him to Cyprus.
Mark’s failure could have resulted in him being sidelined in his ministry.
Barnabas would not give up on Mark and continued to keep him active in ministry. As a result, Mark grew mature, faithful and useful.
Later the Apostle Paul refers to Mark as his ‘fellow worker’ (Philemon 1:24) and desires his presence ‘because he is helpful to me in my ministry.’ (2 Tim 4:11)
Barnabas saw the treasure in Mark, in spite of Mark’s past failure. He gave him a second chance—another opportunity to shine.
Is there someone around your life today that the Holy Spirit is nudging you to offer a second chance?
The Heart of the Father
Barnabas is described as ‘a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.’ (Acts 11:24)
However Barnabas was human, and certainly had his flaws. Paul notes, for example, that Barnabas was led astray by the hypocrisy of Peter and other Jewish Christians when they refused to eat with Gentiles. (Gal 2:13)
But there is something of the heart of the Father that we can learn from Barnabas.
All of us need encouragers like Barnabas around our lives—people who will believe in us, speak words of life to us, and champion us.
I am grateful for those who cheer me on, who believe in me and encourage me—like my husband, my teammates and leaders.
Encouragement and Prophetic Ministry
‘For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.’ (1 Cor 14:31)
One of the desires of my heart is that I will continue to grow in the area of encouragement—whether in friendship, in leadership, or in prophetic ministry.
- To see people as the Father sees them.
- To be a treasure-hunter who sees the gift of God in others
- To encourage and empower people to reach their destiny and fulfil their God-given potential.
The story of Barnabas teaches us what a lifestyle of encouragement can accomplish.
‘Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.’ (2 Cor 13:11)
Notes:
[1] The Strongs concordances states that Barnabas means ‘son of Nabas (i.e. prophecy)’
The Chaldean word ‘nabas’ is used to describe Abraham as a prophet in Gen 20:7 and of Haggai in Ezra 5:1.
See for example: http://classic.net.bible.org/dictionary.php?word=Barnabas
Related Posts:
Prophesying Out Of God’s Love
How To Be A Supernatural Christian: The Good News
© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching
On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church
Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog
Do you have any questions or thoughts on the topic of encouragement? Has someone made a difference in your life by being a Barnabas to you? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment on the comments box. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.
Mon 6 Feb 2012
Many years ago when The Hunk and I were ministering full time with a mission agency, we attended a meeting together at which a prophet was preaching and ministering in personal prophecy.
After sharing some words of encouragement with my husband, the prophet turned to me.
‘God’s got a call on your life that is totally different to that of your husband. He wants you to be really developing that, preparing yourself because He has things for you to do that will see you fulfilled in your own right as a woman of God…’
Although to an observer I was simply a young mother and wife of a minister, God used the prophet that day to express His love towards me and to remind me that He had not forgotten His call on my life.
Love is a Vital Ingredient of Prophecy
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (1 Cor 13:2)
To prophesy is to communicate the intention and purpose of the Father.
This can be by way of simple encouragement to someone in your everyday life, or it may occur within the context of church life or ministry.
The Bible tells us that love is the prerequisite to prophecy in any situation. [1] Without love, the Apostle Paul says, we are nothing, and our words have an empty ring to them. (1 Cor 13:1-2)
Remembering this is vital as we develop our prophetic gifts and seek to grow in our ability to hear from God.
God’s Love is not Based upon what our Eyes see
‘He [the Messiah] will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears’ (Isaiah 11:3)
God looks beyond what is seen outwardly, to the inner heart of a person and speaks to the potential within.
My constant prayer is that I will not be distracted by what I see externally. ‘Holy Spirit, help me to see what You see.’
When the prophet Samuel went to Jesse’s family to anoint the next King of Israel, God spoke to him saying, ‘Do not consider his appearance… People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’ (1 Sam 16:7)
God’s Love is not Based upon our Ideas and Opinions
Whether negative or positive, opinions and preconceived ideas can hinder our ability to hear—and accurately share—God’s word. They also hinder the flow of God’s unconditional love through us.
This is especially true when we are ministering to people that we are personally acquainted with.
I have learned to be open to the Holy Spirit for Him to show me (and He often does)
- judgments that I need to repent of, or
- predetermined ideas that I need to set aside.
God’s Love is not Based upon our Feelings
When it comes to prophetic ministry, love is not based on an emotion that we feel, but upon seeing people from the Father’s point of view.
Here are three primary ways that we can become acquainted with His perspective:
1. Know what the Bible Teaches about God’s Love for People
We learn from God’s Word how much the Father values people—so much that He sent His Son to die for them. (John 3:16)
In the New Testament, the Father’s heart towards people is revealed through Jesus’ ministry to individuals.
For example, when Jesus spoke to the woman at the well, He did not use the knowledge He had of her sinful lifestyle to condemn her, but as the means to invite her to salvation. (John 4)
When we step into this perspective, and prophesy accordingly, we are better able to express God’s love.
2. Catch the Revelation of God’s Love Towards us
If we have not experienced God’s love for ourselves personally, we will be unable to express His love towards others.
Being aware of His grace towards me in my own humanity and weakness enables me to communicate His love and grace to others.
3. Value Intimacy with God Above all Else
We do not need to feel an emotion such as compassion to express God’s love to another. However, as we grow in intimacy with Him, He shares His heart with us.
Further, as we prepare for prophetic ministry in prayer, we can specifically seek God for His heart as well as His plans.
It is in His Presence that our hearts are changed to become like His.
We Express God’s Love in the Process of Prophecy
‘Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.’ (1 Cor 14:1)
Love should guide the whole process of prophecy. [2] This process includes:
- Weighing up the revelation we have received
- Ensuring that the message we share is encouraging and empowering (1 Cor 14:3)
- The way in which we deliver the word, and the timing of it
- Allowing the person room to weigh the prophecy up, and so on.
Love also requires us to seek accountability in the use of our spiritual gifts. [3]
God’s Love Requires us to put Others First
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13)
The bottom line of God’s love is its sacrificial nature. Love places the interests and life of others above that of our own. (Phil 2:1-8)
For those of us with a tendency to blurt out whatever comes to mind, love may invite us to pause; to process the word further, or to share at a more suitable time.
And finally, for those of us who are shy and fearful—love compels us to step out of our comfort zones and speak.
Notes:
[1] Although my key focus is personal prophecy in this article, the same principles apply to other forms of prophecy such as prophecy to churches, groups or nations. For example, see How Do You Weigh Up What The Prophets Are Saying Pt 1
[2] For posts on the process of prophecy, view the following:
How To Exercise Your Prophetic Gift Pt 1: Understand The Process Of Prophecy
How To Exercise Your Prophetic Gift Pt 5: Creating A Safe Environment To Deliver Your Prophecy
[3] Accountability is vital to providing a safe environment, not only for us to grow in our gifts, but also for people to receive a message from God. See Prophetic Ministry In Church Life: Why Have Guidelines?
For more insights on Personal Prophecy, refer to Is Personal Prophecy Biblical?
Related Post:
The Spirit Of Encouragement: Are You A Barnabas?
Have you ever felt God’s love through a prophetic word? Do you have any experiences or questions to share about the topic of expressing God’s love through prophecy? Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.
Wed 12 Oct 2011
‘It is the privilege of sons and daughters to feast at the Father’s table.’
For 450 years, Israel lived in slavery in Egypt. Now, God was teaching the nation a different way of living—a life of faith.
How Israel Lived under an Open Heaven
‘Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens; he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven.’ (Ps 78:23-24)
The Bible tells us that God opened heaven to provide miraculous provision to the nation of Israel during its wilderness wanderings.
But God’s supernatural supply of their needs did not stop there—the wilderness manna was a sign of what was to come.
Israel’s destiny was to live in Canaan and continue a lifestyle of faith—dependent upon God for heaven-sent rain.
‘The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.’ (Deut 28:12)
Everything that is recorded in the Bible about Israel’s history is for our benefit and instruction. (1 Cor 10:11) The nation of Israel had to learn how to live by the provision of an open heaven, and so can we. [1]
Here are some principles we can learn from Israel’s history:
How to Position for an Open Heaven
1. Understand the Heart of the Father
We need to understand God’s motivation, in Israel’s history and for us today. He isn’t looking for dependent servants—He is seeking relationship. He desires sons and daughters.
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son… I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.’ (Hosea 11:1, 4)
The manna, the rain, were a revelation: not of provision, but of a Provider; a loving Father.
2. Intimacy and Obedience
The nation of Israel was in the right place, at the right time for a miracle.
And the reason that Israel was positioned for a heavenly miracle of provision was because one man—Moses—had an intimate relationship with God.
Having heard God’s voice, Moses was able to lead Israel in obedience to Him. Moses later left written instructions so that Israel could continue to live in obedience and reap the heavenly blessings.
Intimacy with the Father is the starting point for our miracle of provision. When we hear Him speak to us, and move out in faith upon His instruction, we will be in the right place, at the right time, for a miracle of supernatural supply.
3. Change your Source: Move from Self-Effort to Dependency Upon God
Having moved out in faith, Israel had no source of supply other than God. In Deut 11, God spoke to Israel, saying:
‘The land you are entering to take over is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you planted your seed and irrigated it by foot as in a vegetable garden. But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven… So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul—then I will send rain on your land in its season.’ (Deut 11:10-11, 13-14)
Here, God is comparing the resources of Egypt with that of Canaan. The source of Egypt’s life-giving water was the river Nile. It was predictable and safe. It was self-sufficient, but a limited means of supply.
The Nile’s water could be accessed by man-powered irrigation. When the Nile flooded, irrigation would take place naturally, but during the remainder of the year, it was hard manual labour to pump the water into the fields.
In Canaan, however, the countryside was primarily irrigated by rainfall—and dependent upon those rains coming in their due seasons.
The picture is of an entire nation dependent upon the rain. Even their yearly calendar revolved around the seasons and the crops, which revolved around the rains coming in their due seasons.
And God made it clear that He was the source of the rain and that He could pour it out or withhold it at will.
He said, ‘Serve Me with gladness and obedience and I will send the rain. Turn away from Me, and you will remove yourself from that open heaven—because you and I were meant to do this together. You were never meant to be alone.’ (See Deut 28)
4. Become a Co-Labourer with God
The life of faith is one partnership and co-labour together with God. Even though God sent the manna, the people of Israel still had to collect it, prepare it and cook it. (Num 11:7-9)
Even though God sent the rain upon the land of Canaan, the people still had to labour and toil the ground.
Likewise, in order to position for God’s provision for our lives, we still need to work hard, to follow Biblical principles and to exercise wisdom as well as faith. We also partner with God through prayer.
5. Choose the Life of Faith
It is not easy to live a life of faith. It is not easy to trust God for His supply when He instructs you to step out in obedience to Him. As it is often said, FAITH is spelled ‘R-I-S-K.’
It is an amazing thing that having left a life of slavery, many Israelites still craved the provisions of Egypt. (Numbers 11)
When the Israelites said, let’s choose a leader and go back to Egypt, (Numbers 14:1-4) they were saying,
- We want safety, we want predictability
- We want to do things our own way, in our own strength
- We want to be self-sufficient
They were really rejecting God Himself. Sadly, they preferred bondage with familiarity, to freedom and having to go out on a limb to trust God.
6. Celebrate God’s Provision
The Feasts and celebrations of Israel were established around the seasons and the provision of rainfall.
Like Israel, we need to ‘mark the moment’ and celebrate and remember God’s supply for our lives, our families, our churches and ministries, and our communities.
He is a faithful and loving Father.
‘It is the privilege of sons and daughters to feast at the Father’s table.’
Do you have any experiences or questions to share on this topic? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.
Notes:
[1]. Last week, I shared that an open heaven is the inheritance of every Christian believer. ‘An open heaven is a state where there are no barriers between the earthly realm and the heavenly realm—the throne of God, and all the resources of heaven… These resources include the Holy Spirit, salvation, provision and blessing, miraculous intervention and angelic help in answer to prayer.’
For more information, see the following post:
An Open Heaven Is Your Inheritance
© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog
On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church
Mon 13 Dec 2010
The Least Likely List
Do you have someone in your world right now whose heart seems hardened towards God?
Someone, who—if you were to make a list of those who would be least likely to become a Christian—would be first on that list?
Who else is on your list?
The imaginary list we have just made represents the PERCEPTION that we have about people close to us who do not yet know Jesus as their Saviour.
I believe that our Heavenly Father wants us to review our perception, shake it up and exchange it if need be—until we see people around our lives the way HE sees them.
The question is: will we?
Why the way we see People Around us is Important
The way we view people in our lives who don’t know God is vital:
- If we believe someone is hardened towards God and unlikely to become a Christian, that belief will affect our thoughts, prayers and actions towards that person.
- If we believe God is at work in a person’s life, we will be expectant and pray, speak and act accordingly.
Most often, we look at the evidence of our 6 senses—what we have seen and heard, as well as our history with people—and make a judgement about the state of their heart towards God and their potential for salvation.
But the Bible reveals a different viewpoint: the Father’s perspective.
The Father’s ‘Most Wanted List’
If Jesus’ disciples had a ‘Least Likely List’ of those God would welcome into His Kingdom, the Romans—despised, brutal invaders—would have been at the top of the list, followed closely by Gentiles and Samaritans.
But Jesus continually surprised them.
Time and time again, Jesus showed His disciples that those on their ‘Least Likely List’ were actually on the Father’s ‘Most Wanted List,’ along with everyone else.
A Roman commander came to him asking for healing for his daughter. Jesus healed his daughter with a word and praised him saying, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” (Matt 8:10)
A Gentile woman came asking for deliverance for her daughter and the disciples wanted to send her away. Jesus tested her faith and then exclaimed, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” (Matt 15:28)
As Jesus ministered, He sought out the unloved, the unwanted, the despised. Tax collectors, prostitutes, criminals—all were welcome in God’s Kingdom.
One time, Jesus went out of His way to speak with a Samaritan woman with a bad reputation. An entire Samaritan city came to faith in Him after hearing the story of how she encountered Jesus.
Realising Jesus had been speaking with a Samaritan woman, the disciples were mystified. Jesus said to them, ‘Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.’ (John 4:35)
I believe Jesus is speaking the same to us today:
‘Open your eyes and look at people—see them the way I see them. They are ready to come to Me.’
Heaven’s Perspective
Here are 4 insights that I believe are vital to having God’s perspective about people in our world who don’t know Him yet.
1. God is Already at Work In their Lives
Paul said in Acts 17: 26-27
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
If there are people in your world, to whom you are connected in some way and who does not yet know Jesus, be assured that God is already at work in their lives.
The fact that God has arranged for them to be connected to you is just one evidence that He is already at work in their lives, positioning them to seek Him.
2. They are Created for Relationship with God
‘He [God] has set eternity in the hearts of men,’ states the writer of Ecclesiastes.
Peel away the layers and within every person is a need for God—a place of hunger that will only be fulfilled by a relationship with the Father through Jesus.
Created by God and for God, each person’s need for Him is written into his or her DNA.
In spite of what may be presenting, that inner need, the voice of the spirit within them, is continually letting them know of their need for God—even if they are currently trying to fill that need with other things.
3. Nothing They have Done Affects God’s Response to Them
As Jesus demonstrated, the worst of sinners are candidates for the grace of God.
Choices they have made seem to have led them further away from Him. The degree of possibility of their salvation—at least in our eyes—seems to be reduced.
Sometimes we have a personal history with people that gives us reason to believe they are unlikely to respond to God. We may even have been hurt by them.
But none of these things affects God’s heart towards them or His ability to reach and transform them. They are on His ‘Most Wanted List.’
4. Their Degree of Hardness of Heart does not Impact God’s Ability to Reach Them.
The Holy Spirit can break through the hardest of hearts. That is why you are His today. And what He has done for you, He can do for others.
It can happen in an instant. A criminal came to faith in Jesus in his dying moments on a cross. All it took was a one-sentence declaration of faith. (Luke 23:40-43)
Don’t be deterred by a person’s seeming attitude towards God. They might be a heartbeat away from faith.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.
(2 Cor 5:16)
We tend to see people through the lens of our culture, our priorities, our opinions, and our personal history with them. It’s time to take off these glasses and see people the way that Jesus does.
When we do, faith will rise up in us. We will pray, speak and act accordingly, giving the Holy Spirit freedom to move through us. And miracles of salvation will result.
‘Open your eyes and look at people—see them the way I see them. They are ready to come to Me.’
Prayer
Who was on the top of your ‘least likely list? Let’s pray for him or her now:
Father, right now I bring _____ before Your throne.
Thank You that you are already at work in ____’s life, drawing him/her to You by Your Spirit.
Thank You that ____ is on Your ‘Most Wanted List’; that you sent Jesus to die for ____ that he/she would not perish, but have eternal life with You.
Send Your Spirit to reveal Jesus to him/her, to assure _________ of the truth of the message of salvation.
Lord, I ask that You would send Your angels to continue setting up Divine appointments. Connect _____ with your people who will speak words of life to him/her. Speak to _____ through circumstances and at every opportunity, day and night.
Help me in my relationship with _____ to take opportunities to share Your love, to speak Your word and to have timely insights to share. Anoint me by with Your Spirit to be Your representative to _______ . I choose to stir up my faith with regard to ________’s salvation.
In Jesus’ Name
If you you have any responses or experiences to share on this topic, I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below. If the comments section is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.
Related Posts:
Divine Positioning: How To Be In The Right Place At The Right Time
Key To Prophetic Evangelism: What Is The Father Doing?
The Greatest Evangelist In The World Today
E-book: Pray For The Lost: Impact The Eternal Destiny Of Those You Love Through Prayer
© Helen Calder 2010
Enliven Publishing http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/
Now on team with David McCracken Ministries
Sun 5 Sep 2010
Fathers Day (Australia & New Zealand) Sunday 5th September 2010
‘Are You the God I am afraid You are—or the God I want You to be?’
My crisis of burnout in early 2009 could be summed up in this question that I asked at that time.
‘Are You the God I am afraid that You are—a task-master whose approval I can never win? Or the Father I have longed for—a God of grace and joy?’
How can it be that a Christian of 33 years could have such a crisis of faith?
The Orphan Spirit
‘I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.’ John 14:18
As Christians, we are beloved children—sons and daughters—of a loving Father. And yet for many of us, this truth is negated by a deep-rooted belief that we need to prove our worth in order to be loved.
We are born again as sons and daughters, a relationship so valued by God that Jesus paid the price of His life-blood for it, and yet many of us live as spiritual orphans. Why?
I first came across teaching about the ‘orphan spirit’ by Jack Frost in 2002 [1]. I read his articles with interest and agreement, little knowing that at least one statement would prove prophetic:
‘Often within the church it is difficult to tell whether a person walks in the heart attitude of an orphan or a son (this includes daughters). Outwardly, a person may have a pattern of service, sacrifice,discipline, and apparent loyalty,but you do not know what is inside a person until he or she gets bumped. Then the attitude of the heart overflows at a time when they feel they are not getting the recognition or favor they deserve.’ Jack Frost [1]
My loving Father arranged for the year 2008 to be the year I was ‘bumped.’ Due to transition in the ministry I served in, I had 5 responsibilities, and could do none of them well. It seemed that no matter how hard I worked, the approval I craved was withheld.
I emerged in 2009 free of all but one of the ministry roles, but burnt out and exhausted. It was in the ensuing crisis of faith that I asked the question, ‘Are You the God I am afraid You are—or the God I want You to be?’
Discovering the Father’s Heart.
It was in this year of brokenness, devoid of the ability to achieve, that I discovered the grace of my Heavenly Father.
This was chiefly expressed through my husband, who bravely bore the burden of providing for our household, giving me as much time as I needed to recover.
I also discovered grace through friends who encouraged me to find and express my own voice, resulting in this blog.
I discovered grace through the presence and patience of my pastors and church family.
I discovered grace through reconnecting with the Father and allowing Him to peel back the layers of my need to perform, replacing them with His love.
Living as Sons and Daughters
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matt 3:17
Two weeks ago I listened as Leif Hetland [3] taught on ‘The Orphan Spirit.’ An orphan, he said,
- Sees God as a master
- Lives by love of the law
- Is always insecure
- Needs to be noticed
- Is one for whom discipline is a duty
Whereas a son and daughter:
- Sees God as a loving Father
- Lives by the law of love
- Has security, rest, peace
- Has total acceptance
- Is one for whom discipline is a delight
He went on to share five truths associated with this—the revelation of belonging, of being wanted and valued, of favour, of being seen and watched over by God, and of being approved.
It was a great message, and when Leif gave the call for those who needed to respond to stand, I actually stayed seated—a testimony to the work God has done in my life over the past year.
Kingdom Citizenship
Leif then asked the worship leader, Steve Swanson, to sing a song of the Father’s love over us. As I opened my heart to God in that tender moment, I had a vision:
‘I was looking at a secured metal briefcase. It immediately reminded me of the movie ‘The Bourne Identity,’ when Jason Bourne went into the secure bank deposit and came away with a briefcase that contained passports, weapons and a wealth of money.
Down the right-hand side of the briefcase was a combination lock. It was very long—a set of numbers that would be impossible to remember. At the moment I noticed it, the Father said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got this covered.’ He opened the case.
To my surprise, the case contained no wealth—in fact, it was relatively empty.
All it contained was a single passport.
I knew that it was a Kingdom passport, and that it was mine because I was a daughter of the King. The front cover was embossed with a large crown, along with the face of a lion. ‘The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.’
God in His grace chose a revelation that had personal meaning to me. You see, my family and I are not citizens of the country we are now living in. This has been an ongoing source of frustration to us, as there are rights and privileges we do not have access to here in Australia.
Now, He was showing me that I am a citizen of His Kingdom, belonging to His Tribe, fully qualified, with all the rights and privileges attached to being a daughter of His Kingdom. There are no places in His will I cannot go to—every door my Father opens I can pass through.
I did not realise that there was a wound attached to my citizenship status until God chose at that moment to reveal and heal it.
But better than that—the truth of sonship has, once and for all, dropped from my head to my heart. I no longer need to live as a spiritual orphan. I am a daughter of the King.
And the answer to my question?
‘I am the God you want Me to be. I am the Father you have longed for—the God of grace and joy.’
If this article has spoken to you, you may be interested in the following resources that I have referred to:
[1] Here are the links to download Jack and Trisha frost’s PDF articles on the orphan spirit:
(Note when you click on these links it will download the PDF files immediately. You can check out Shiloh Place Ministries website here: http://www.shilohplace.org/ )
Slavery To Sonship (1) Exposing The Roots Of The Spiritual Orphan
Slavery to Sonship (2)
[2] Leif Hetland – Healing The Orphan Spirit (Teaching CD)
Related Posts:
For a prayer to help you break free from an orphan mindset, read the first of the following posts:
Breaking Free From An Orphan Mindset
4 Symptoms of the Orphan Spirit in Church Life
1 Father, 2 Sons, 3 Positions: Which Describes You?
© Enliven Publishing 2010 Helen Calder
Now on team with David McCracken Ministries
Do you know of any resources about the orphan spirit that could help others who are on this journey? I would love you to share them with us in the comments section of this post.(If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down).
Encouragement is one of the greatest gifts that we can give or receive in our lives and ministries—and the story of Barnabas is a great example of this.
