Entries tagged with “orphan mindset”.
Did you find what you wanted?
Wed 31 Aug 2011
‘I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father.’ (1 John 2:14)
The quality that I personally believe is most vital for prophetic ministry is an intimate relationship with the Father.
This kind of intimacy comes from having a revelation of, and personal encounter with, God as a loving Father. [1]
The Unbelieving Heart of the Believer
My mother-in-law used to speak fervently about ‘evangelising the unbelieving heart of the believer.’ This spoke of her call to minister healing to the hearts of Christians. [2]
The Hunk and I were passionately involved in world missions, and her favourite quote was a continual irritation to me. ‘What,’ I thought, ‘could be more important than evangelising the heart of the unbeliever?’
A Crisis of Faith
‘What has happened to all your joy?’ (Galatians 4:15)
By 2009, Mum’s voice began to be silenced as Alzheimer’s robbed her of the ability to convey what was on her heart. But her vision was to finally bear fruit in my life.
I had not realized the contradiction that was within me until burnout brought it to the surface.
After years of exhausting Christian service—comprised of unwise choices of my own making—I could finally go no further. The approval I had sought to work for was out of reach. My crisis of faith was summed up by the question I cried out 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?’
One day, as I voiced the question for the umpteenth time, I was surprised to hear God’s voice in response. His answer to me was, in brief, ‘You choose.’
I took time to consider the evidence of
- The Bible’s teaching
- The heart of the Father that Jesus demonstrated in the Gospels, and
- The gracious love of the Holy Spirit that I recognised and felt for others, but failed to perceive for myself.
Finally, I made a decision and a recommitment. ‘I believe that You are the God of grace and joy—and I receive You as my Lord and Saviour.
The matter was settled, and the unbelieving heart of this believer was converted. My spiritual eyes were opened to see my loving Father.
One Father, Two Sons, Three Positions
Following this revelation of God as Father, I moved into a period of recovery, during which Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son came to life for me. [3]
At that time I noticed three positions of sonship that were illustrated by Jesus’ parable, and I saw aspects of my journey in each of them.
1. The Lost Son
The younger son became separated from his father and his father’s household through sin and rebellion. After squandering his inheritance, he became destitute. He then found employment with a harsh foreign master who sent him to the fields to feed pigs, whilst not providing him with the food that he himself needed to live.
Ironically—in spite of the clear parallels between the lost son and someone who is a non-Christian or a backslider—at my lowest point, I mostly identified with the younger son.
My master had been a system of good works. I too had spent all that I had; not on ‘riotous’ living, but on ‘right’ living—doing the right things in my own strength. Now I was starving spiritually. But like the lost son, I finally came to my senses—it was time to come home.
2. The Serving Son
The older brother could have enjoyed the privileges of sonship and intimacy with the father. But although he lived in the Father’s household, he laboured as a servant.
His lack of intimacy with his father was demonstrated by his failure to rejoice at what his father rejoiced in—the return of his lost brother.
The older brother served for his future inheritance, but did not partake of the portion that was available to him in the present. Instead of enjoying what was his by right, he complained to his father, ‘You never gave me…’
I recognised that like the older brother, my focus had been on bringing pleasure to God by faithfully serving, performing and gaining results. Deep down, I felt I needed to do something to earn God’s blessing and favour.
My Christian life lacked joy. I began to see that I had been working for God’s Kingdom whilst neither enjoying, nor being fully aware of, the Kingdom inheritance that is available to me now.
3. The Embraced Son
Coming to his senses, the lost son returned, penitent, to a surprising reception. Instead of the father he was expecting to meet—a charitable employer who would take care of him as a servant—he discovered a love-consumed, waiting, embracing father.
His father ordered a feast, brought him into the household, and put a robe, ring and sandals on him—symbols of restored sonship.
Since the ‘conversion’ of my heart, I have come to realise that there is nothing I can do to gain my Father’s approval. I already have it, along with His unconditional love and acceptance. Rejection and low self esteem has fallen away. I know that I give Him pleasure, not through what I do, but simply because I am His child.
My focus is now centred upon my intimate relationship with God as being the most important thing—and I have fallen in love with Him in a greater way. Out of that love I can freely love others.
In the past, I struggled with an orphan mindset. But now, knowing Abba Father and being with Him gives me the greatest joy—abundant and effective service flows out of that place of rest. And finally, I am learning that there is a Kingdom inheritance available to me now—not just in the future.
Although I sometimes move out of this position, I recognise when I do and continually find my way home to the Father’s waiting arms.
I pray that you also will discover something in this study, as well as my own story, to move you closer in your own relationship with God the Father.
I also encourage you to follow this up by reading and prayerfully considering the original passage in Luke 15:11-32.
One Father, Two Sons, Three Positions: Which of These Describes You?
Notes:
[1] Jesus came to reveal God as Father (John 17:6-8, John 14:9-11) and to restore us to relationship with God as His children. This revelation of the Father accounts for some of the key distinctions between Old and New Testament prophetic ministry.
See also:
How To Weigh Up What The Prophets Are Saying Pt 2
And look out for the following post in future weeks: The Difference Between Old And New Testament Prophecy
[2] This expression, ‘evangelising the unbelieving heart of the believer,’ is a quote by John and Paula Sandford. In their book ‘The Transformation Of The Inner Man’, they write, ‘Paradoxically, we are healed by being taught to put no confidence whatsoever in our own flesh, simply to rest in Him.’ P10, Phil 3:3
Sandford, J & P. The Transformation of the Inner Man. 1982. Bridge Publishing. 412p
[3] In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus told a parable concerning a lost son who returned home to his father, in response to religious criticism of His association with ‘sinners.’At the time Jesus spoke this parable, the elder brother was illustrative of the listening Pharisees who were critical of Jesus’ fellowship with the sinners they despised. Sadly, many of them would end up shut outside of God’s Presence, whilst the grace of God would be extended to repentant sinners who put their faith in Jesus.
This same grace is available through Jesus to you and me today.
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.
© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog
On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church
Wed 30 Mar 2011
A Life out of Balance
Last week, I was shocked to learn that I have been imbalanced my whole life!
A podiatrist examined my feet and explained that they are not naturally straight. My ankles turn inwards, resulting in pressure being placed on the wrong parts of my feet when I’m walking. This condition explains recent soreness in my feet and possibly, the lower back trouble I have had for many years.
I would never have known anything was out of order if I had not been forced, through pain, to seek help.
The Paradox
Similarly, when we are experiencing internal pain that does not have an obvious or immediate source, it may be a signal that something in our lives needs attending to.
I was faced with a situation like this a couple of years ago, when I withdrew from most of my ministry and vocational responsibilities, exhausted.
The paradox, I realised, was that my devotional life was a key to my recovery. I desperately needed to reconnect in an intimate relationship with God.
But how could I, when instead of being life-giving, my devotional life had become just another task to accomplish, that I couldn’t face?
My spiritual life had become seriously out of balance—and I did not know how to bring it back to health.
8 Signs Your Devotional Life may be Caught in a Performance Trap.
Our devotional life is meant to be life giving.
Prayer and Bible study should never be a Christian duty—something we do to please God. We are already pleasing to Him.
Neither should it be about serving or pleasing people.
It is possible to know this (as I did), and yet still revert to a lifestyle of performance when under pressure.
So—what are some signs that your devotional life may be caught in a performance trap? See if you can identify with any of these:
1. Stuck in a Rut
You are bored with prayer and Bible study, doing the same things over and over and not sure how to break out
2. Condemnation
When you miss a devotional time, once or ongoing, you feel a nagging sense of guilt or condemnation
3. Failing to Meet a Standard
You generally feel as though you do not measure up as a Christian in your devotional life
4. Wrong Focus
You are concentrating more on doing the devotional activity than on having an intimate relationship with God
5. Not Life-Giving
Your devotional life is not recharging you spiritually, emotionally and mentally
6. Not Hearing
You haven’t sensed God speaking to you personally in your devotions for a long time, or at least not very often
7. Ministry focused
Your focus in prayer and study is primarily on the need to pray for other people or find Bible teaching for a ministry responsibility.
8. Stopping Altogether
Your devotional life—in particular, a set time you spend time with God in prayer and in Bible reading or study—is irregular or non-existent. You are not drawn to, or excited about it.
If you can identify with any of the above symptoms, I have good news for you! You CAN rediscover a regular time of prayer and Bible study that is life giving and fosters your intimate relationship with God.
The Danger of Christian Performance
Christian ‘performance’ is when we feel a need to do something a certain way in order to feel good about ourselves or to gain approval from God or others.
It invariably shows up in our devotional life, affecting our relationship with God.
I realise that performance may not be an issue that you face personally, even if you do relate to some of the above symptoms. You may simply be busy, or bored.
So over the next couple of weeks, I will give you a list of some practical things you can do to refresh your devotional life.
However, it is probable that presence of the above signs—like fruit—is symptomatic of a deeper issue other than just busyness or boredom.
That deeper problem may be an internal drive to perform.
And when performance is the underlying problem, the worst thing we can do is to try and fix our problem through creating another to do list!
The Hidden Roots of the Orphan Mindset
Deep down, hidden under the soil of our lives are root systems—beliefs that we live by.
This need to perform comes from an orphan mindset. [1]
We have an orphan mindset when:
- We find it hard to believe that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally
- We are seeking approval of our Father God through performance—doing the right things
- We fear or believe that He is disapproving of us when we do not measure up to a standard
Often this kind of deep-seated belief is related to the absence of a loving earthly father or father figure in our lives.
The Truth That Sets Us Free
With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can uncover the deep-rooted beliefs that have kept us from a love-relationship with God and replace them with the truth from the Bible.
Our Father loves us so much that He paid the highest price possible—the blood of His Son Jesus—to restore us to relationship with Him.
We can be certain of His love and His approval as sons and daughters—without doing anything to earn it.
‘God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.’ (2 Cor 5:21)
Recently I was listening to a message by Leif Hetland. [2] He reminds us that when Jesus went to the cross, God exchanged Jesus’ righteousness—His perfect ‘score’ with God—for our imperfect one.
Jesus replaced our D+ report card with His A+ one. Now that is good news!
Before we do anything, we already have an A+ on our report card—and that includes our devotional life.
Amazing grace!
If you sense that what I have shared today may be an issue for you, I encourage you to pause, reflect on this glorious truth and pray about it. [3]
Our whole life can be lived out of this joyful experience of freedom.
Notes:
[1] I first came across teaching about the orphan spirit when reading Jack Frost’s material in 2002. Since then, this vital teaching has become widespread in the church, bringing healing to many.
See the notes in the following post, where I share the links to Jack Frost’s original articles on this subject:
No Longer An Orphan: How I Discovered The Father’s Love
[2] This is from Leif Hetland’s message entitled ‘The Three Chairs.’ You can view this resource here (I notice it can also be found searching iTunes podcasts):
http://www.globalmissionawareness.com/Store/Products/1000016726/Store/MP3s/Which_Chair_are.aspx
[3] I share a prayer to help break free from an orphan mindset here:
Breaking Free From An Orphan Mindset
Do you have any ideas or experiences to share on this topic? I would love to hear from you. Leave a note in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.
© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog http://propheticpeople.com/
Now on team with David McCracken Ministries
Wed 26 Jan 2011
The simple chorus, ‘He Is Lord,’ has been a popular praise song since my early days as a Christian.
My pastor led the song at our church staff meeting last week. It was my final meeting after being on team for nearly 7 years. [1]
In the context of saying farewell to a group that has been like family to me—in order to pursue God’s call to serve elsewhere—the chorus was a reminder of what Lordship means: hearing and obeying God (Luke 6:46).
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once [Peter and Andrew] left their nets and followed him. Matt 4:19-20
As Jesus call to His first disciples illustrates, His Lordship (leadership) means three things:
1. Relationship—and in particular, hearing His voice (in this context, receiving instruction)
2. Releasing—leaving our own agenda in favour of pursuing His priorities
3. Responding—acting in obedience to His word, His call, His will.
Jesus’ Lordship is more than making a one-time commitment to Him, and it is more than asking for His guidance for important decisions in our lives.
The meaning of ‘Lordship’ is that Jesus is our leader. We may call Him Lord, but for Him to actually BE Lord, that means we are following Him—on a moment-by-moment, and daily basis.
The Joy of Following Jesus
I have come to realise that responding to Jesus’ leadership is neither a hardship to be feared, nor a duty to perform.
In the past, I had trouble with the concept of Jesus’ Lordship, fearing Him to be a hard taskmaster, when He has actually promised me a life of rest and joy. (Matt 11:28-30, Rom 14:17) [2]
Now I know that Jesus’ Lordship means following Someone whom I love and want to be with more than anyone else in this world.
Jesus’ Lordship in Our Daily Lives
‘Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.’ Rom 8:14
Recently, I have been meditating on what it means to live a supernatural Christian life. The bottom line is this: empowered Christian living is about relationship.
Our life with God should not just be a devotional appointment, but a dynamic living relationship with Him.
He wants to speak to us: not just in the context of
- Personal prayer, Bible study and devotions, or
- Ministry at our church or from teaching elsewhere
but also as we go about our everyday lives.
He does this through the Holy Spirit, whom He has sent to help us know God’s will. (John 16:12-15)
The Leadership of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit lives in us, and wants to communicate the Father’s purposes to us.
As we follow His leading, we can live like Jesus did—seeing people around us changed and impacted by God’s love.
So, what does this look like in practical terms?
Firstly, we need to remember that the Spirit speaking to us is not like a person speaking.
When we talk about ‘hearing God’s voice,’ we are using an earthly expression to describe a heavenly concept. We simply do not have a framework to understand it.
You and I use words, speech and body language to communicate. However, the Holy Spirit has endless ways that He can communicate with us.
7 Ways the Holy Spirit can lead us in our Daily Lives
Over the past year, the Hunk and I have seen some amazing things happen in our lives and in those around us.
Here are some of the things we have learned to pay attention to, as we go about our daily living:
1. Living in the fruit of the Spirit
It is important to realise that we do not need special guidance to live in the fruit of the Spirit. (see Gal 5:16-25)
In other words, when a situation arises that provides us with an opportunity to respond in a loving (patient, joyful, etc) way, we can just do it—asking for His help.
2. A thought, or ‘urge’ from the Spirit
The Spirit leads us through ‘promptings.’
Sometimes these can be subtle. We may have an urge to go somewhere or speak to someone and it is only afterwards we realise it was the Spirit leading us.
At other times, He is leading us to do something other than what we have planned personally to do. When this happens we need to be intentional about obeying Him.
3. A Difficulty Arises.
When a problem occurs, whether it is in our lives, or in the life of someone around us, it is an opportunity to bring God in on the scene through prayer.
We need to become more familiar with responding to a need immediately with prayer. This may mean offering to pray for someone who has a need.
4. An Opportunity Presents Itself (Col 4:5-6)
This can include:
- An opening in conversation gives us an opportunity to share an aspect of our faith
- We have an opportunity to express God’s love through practical assistance when someone is in need.
‘Seize the Day.’
5. Divine Appointments
A Divine appointment looks like coincidence at first.
We can probe a ‘coincidental’ meeting to test whether the Lord has arranged it.
For example, you meet an acquaintance while out walking, or at the shops and you pause to greet him or her.
It may simply be an opportunity to quietly pray for them as you part ways. But if they express a desire to connect further, or share a problem they are facing—explore the opportunity.
6. Prophetic Revelation
Prophetic revelation can include such things as spiritual dreams, symbols, visions and words and thoughts from God. [3]
7. Unique Ways
Ultimately the ways you hear from God will be unique to you.
In the same way that the voice of a friend becomes familiar over time, as we grow in intimacy with God we learn to recognise His voice.
Even though it can be helpful to look out for the above things, don’t forget that the Spirit will speak to you and lead you in many different ways. It’s not about finding a formula, it is about relationship. [4]
Remember, too, that when it comes to matters of hearing from God, especially in relation to prophetic experiences and decision-making, it is vital to have accountability in place—safe people we can check our guidance with. We never ‘outgrow’ the need for Christian leadership and being in a healthy church community.
When we get it Wrong
‘Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?’ (Luke 6:46)
We won’t always get hearing and obeying God’s voice right. I know that I often miss opportunities to respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
When this happens, I can confess my shortfall, receive God’s forgiveness, and move on, secure in His love.
Our walk with God is not one of perfection, but of grace (Rom 8:1-4). What is important is that our hearts are open to respond to Him and to grow in this area.
Do you have any experiences to share on being led by the Spirit in your everyday life? I would love to hear from you. Leave a note in the comments box below.
If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.
Notes:
[1] From 1 February 2011, I will be on the ministry team at David McCracken Ministries. You can read about it here: http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2011/01/20/annnouncement-and-article-by-david-mccracken/
(and yes, while there is a little bit of sadness at letting go of my previous role, there’s a whole lot of joyful anticipation at what is to come. Thank You Jesus!)
[2] This response can be a sign that we are still struggling with an ‘orphan mindset,’where we don’t comprehend who we are or Whose we are. You can read more about it here:
http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/11/04/breaking-free-from-an-orphan-mindset/
[3] You can read more about receiving prophetic revelation in the following posts:
http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2009/11/14/how-to-exercise-your-prophetic-gift-pt-2-how-to-receive-a-revelation-from-god/
http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/07/27/how-to-recover-the-wonder-of-hearing-gods-voice/
[4] Here is a post about having an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit:
http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/11/23/how-you-can-have-an-intimate-relationship-with-the-holy-spirit/
© Helen Calder 2011
Enliven Publishing
http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/
Tue 4 Jan 2011
Over the last couple of weeks I have been praying about a word of encouragement for my readers.
As I have done so, I have been continually drawn back to the words:
‘Year Of Visitation.’
At first, I hesitated. The words, ‘Year of Visitation’ were already familiar to me.
You see, this past year so many extraordinary things had taken place for The Hunk and me, that as the year was drawing to a close, I dubbed 2010, ‘Year Of Visitation.’
To be honest, this was a bit scary. How do you follow up a year like we have had? I found myself being lured back into an ‘orphan mindset.’ [1] I was being tempted to fear that in 2011 the Presence and work of God in our lives would wane.
Thankfully, as I have prayed for you, the Spirit has also lovingly addressed and corrected my own thinking.
Divine visitation should not be the exception; instead, it should be our expectation as we approach the New Year.
You and I can have a ‘Year Of Visitation’ in 2011 and beyond. The key lies in understanding what that means, and positioning for it in faith.
Visitation from God is a Biblical Concept
When God visits, supernatural breakthroughs occur. Prophetic words are fulfilled, seasons are shifted and new things are brought to birth [2]. Jesus gets the glory.
So—what does it mean, Biblically, to have a season of visitation from God? And how can we position ourselves for it?
Following are 6 of the times that the Bible tells us God visited His people.
As you read these accounts, there may be one or two that particularly resonate with you. If that happens, allow the Spirit of God to ignite faith in your heart, that His Word will be fulfilled in your life in the coming year.
1. Fulfilment of Prophecy & Removal of Barrenness
‘And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken.’ (Gen 21:1) [3]
A visitation of God broke the long season of barrenness in Sarah’s life, resulting in fulfilment of prophecy and the birth of Isaac, whose name meant ‘laughter.’
2. Recognising God Has Seen our Pain and Come to Act on Behalf of His People
‘When they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.’ Ex 4:31
A visitation of God broke the long season of Israel’s bondage in Egypt. They realised God had not left them alone in their suffering, but was intimately concerned for them. His power was about to be revealed.
3. Divine Help And Provision
‘ Then [Naomi] arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread.’ (Ruth 1:6)
A visitation of God broke a long season of famine in Bethlehem, Judah.
The rumour of God’s goodness reached Naomi, who was estranged and widowed in the country of Moab. God’s visitation impacted her personally as her inheritance and family line was restored.
4. Restoration of Inheritance and Homecoming
‘For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.’ (Jer 29:10)
A visitation of God broke the long season of Judah’s exile, and they returned to Jerusalem at His appointed time.
5. The Ultimate Visitation—Jesus
“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people…the Dayspring from on high has visited us” (Luke 1:68,78)
In the New Testament, Zacharias understood that the ultimate visitation of God to His people was fulfilled in the birth of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
6. Outpourings of the Holy Spirit
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” (Acts 3:19)
From the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 and throughout church history, we understand visitations of the Holy Spirit to be times of outpouring, bringing refreshing and empowering to God’s people.
3 Ways To Position For Divine Visitation
When God moves on our behalf, or in the lives of others around us, it is not because we deserve it—it is on the basis of Jesus’ shed blood, and the Father’s favour and mercy.
We cannot earn His visitation—however, we can position ourselves to enter into what the Father wants to do.
As you will see, the key to 2011 being a ‘Year Of Visitation’ lies in our relationship with God.
1. Understand God’s Timing
The primary key to experiencing Divine visitation lies in understanding the timing of God for our lives.
In each of the above situations in scripture, it was God’s time to act. For example:
- Sarah’s pregnancy with Isaac
- The four hundred years in Egypt come to its conclusion
- The seventy years in Babylon completed
- The birth of Jesus
You may know that there are two Greek words for time in the New Testament: The first is ‘chronos.’ This refers to ‘clock time’ or ‘calendar time.’ It is the word used for general time. [4]
The second Greek word for time is ‘kairos.’ Kairos means ‘due time, a fixed time, a season, or an OPPORTUNE time.’
A pregnancy is a great example of the two types of time. Approximately 9 months of ‘chronos’ time pass. But the moment comes when it is time to give birth. That moment is ‘kairos’—the due time.
God always desires to bring people closer to Himself, to fill us with His Spirit, to act on our behalf.
But we also need to see as Jesus did, what the Father is doing ‘now.’ (John 5:19)
Jesus always walked in the kairos time of God—and we can too.
Here are some arenas you might like to seek God for His kairos timing both now and throughout the coming year.
Ask, “Father, what are You doing in these areas?”
- A fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit
- An area of your life that needs breakthrough
- Family members and relationships
- Non-Christians that are around your life
- A shift of season
Prayer journaling is a great way to communicate with Him and record His response. [5]
2. Pray in the Season of Visitation
‘You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.’ (Jer 29:13)
When God spoke these words to Judah, He was saying, in effect, ‘When the kairos time comes for Me to deliver you, you will seek Me—and I will answer and deliver you.’ (see Jer 29:10-14)
The prophet Zechariah put this well when he said,
‘Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain.’ Zech 10:1
The prophet was saying, when it’s God’s kairos time, pray!
When we pray, we acknowledge that we cannot fulfil God’s plan through our own efforts. We need His help.
When that prayer is answered, Jesus gets the credit for what takes place.
3. Participate With God Through Acts of Obedience
When we have prayed, it is time look for ways to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. We want to participate with God in His work.
If God asks us to do something specific, an act of obedience can bring a powerful breakthrough.
Goliath was killed by the word of the Lord AND by a stone from David’s sling (1 Samuel 17). God provided food for a widow and her son, but first, she had to give away the last of what she had to Elijah (1 Kings 17:7-16).
Sometimes, however, it is not about doing anything except simply receiving—equally an act of obedience.
There are times to contend, and there are also times to just open our hands and say, ‘Thank you Lord.’
For we are His sons and daughters, and what we receive from Him, we receive by inheritance.
Through our relationship with God, we can experience the ongoing visitation of God in our lives—to move from visitation to habitation.
This is the desire of my heart. Is it yours?
Do you have any thoughts or experiences to share on this topic? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the space below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.
Notes and Related Posts:
[1] An orphan mindset is ‘Fatherless thinking.’ I share about this in the following post:
Breaking Free From An Orphan Mindset
[2] Our friend Steve McCracken from David McCracken Ministries has said: “The two phrases I am feeling for 2011 are a year of achievement and a
year of new things. I believe it is to be a year of firsts.”
[3] These scriptures are all quoted in the New King James Version (NKJV)
[4] VINE, M.A. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. 1985. Virginia: MacDonald.
An example of ‘chronos’ is in Matt 2:7. ‘Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time (chronos) the star had appeared.’
An example of ‘kairos’ is in Gal 6:9. ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time (kairos) we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.’ (See also 2 Cor 6:1-2)
[5] For an explanation and examples of prayer journaling, see the following post:
Activate Your Prophetic Gift Through Prayer Journaling
See also:
Prophetic Insight: Look Out, The Rain Is Coming!
© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Publishing
http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/
Now on team with David McCracken Ministries
Thu 4 Nov 2010
The Orphan Mindset
In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:5
A story is frequently told of a baby eagle that fell out of its nest and became separated from its family.
A mother chicken took pity on the apparently orphaned eagle and raised the baby as her own.
As it grew, the young eagle pecked and shuffled along the ground along with its chicken siblings, having never learned that life could be any different.
One day it looked up at an eagle soaring high in the sky and marvelled…
As sons and daughters of a living God we should bear the family likeness and carry out the family business.
But we will never fulfil our potential or live a supernatural Christian life while we are living with an orphan mindset.
Until we do, we will live like the eagle in the story, believing that we are subject to limitations that do not exist.
We need to fully comprehend the Family that we belong to.
Recently I wrote a post entitled, ‘No Longer An Orphan: How I Discovered The Father’s Love.’
I have come to realise that it is possible to experience significant healing in this area, and yet still be restricted by orphan (Fatherless) thinking.
I can pay mental assent to the truth of my acceptance as a child of my Heavenly Father, and yet my feelings and responses sometimes reveal a deep-set belief that God has left me to live life alone and apart from Him.
Like other ‘strongholds’ in our minds [1], this way of thinking needs to be recognised and expelled from our lives and replaced with the truth of God’s Word.
So how do we recognise and deal with an orphan mindset?
In previous posts I have discussed the orphan spirit as it relates to our relationship with God as Father.Here are two further areas that I have been challenged over recently:
Signs of an Orphan Mindset
1. We have an orphan mindset when contemplating what God has called us to do continually makes us feel inadequate or afraid.
Jesus said,
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth… I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:16,18)
An important aspect of ‘comprehending the Family that we belong to’ is being aware of the relationship of the Holy Spirit to us.
The reality is that we will never be or do what Father has called us to, without the Presence and enabling power of the Holy Spirit.
So why do we often feel alone?
Here are two questions to consider:
- How would my life be different if I brought the reality of the Holy Spirit’s presence into the picture of my life?
- How could I live if I took into account, not my own inability, but His ability, for every moment, every challenge, both present and future?
2. We have an orphan mindset when we believe that it is impossible to follow in Jesus’ steps.
Like the young eagle gazing at the eagle soaring in the sky, I look at the life of Jesus presented in the Gospels and wonder.
Can I really aspire to be like Him?
I know I am called to be a disciple—follower—of Jesus, my life a reflection of His.
Somehow, it is much easier to relate to the unlikely heroes of Scripture—those flawed and sinful people that God used to change history—than to Jesus.
And yet, Jesus’ life is the picture of what my life can look like.
The Apostle Paul puts it this way in Romans 8:29:
‘For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.’
Or as Eugene H. Peterson puts it in ‘The Message,’
“We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in [Jesus]”(Rom 8:29)
As children of God, we are created in His image and share His family likeness—His DNA. The same Holy Spirit that anointed Jesus also lives in us.
We are called to be Jesus disciples—but orphan thinking will cause us to be His followers in name only.
To be a disciple of Jesus requires us to actually live with and to learn from Him in the same way that His disciples did in the Gospels.
This comes not only from Bible study, but also by living life with Him as a present and continual experience.
An orphan mindset and belief system will act as a veil that will keep us from encountering Jesus and having a face-to-face relationship with him.
Prayer to be Released from the Orphan Mindset
Perhaps you can identify with some of the struggles I have shared above. You might like to join me in this prayer:
Father, I am sorry for the times that I do not recognise and embrace the truth of my relationship to You—that I am your fully loved and fully accepted child.
I repent of the times I feel and act as though I am an orphan alone, when Jesus has paid the highest price of His life that I might be a member of your family.
I renounce [refuse to have any longer] the orphan mindset, with all of its lies, rejection and unbelief, especially… [include anything specific God has shown you]
I ask that by Your Spirit you will continue to expose and deal with any residue of orphan thinking in my life.
Thank You for the gift of new life and for receiving me into Your Family. I choose to believe the truth of who I am in relationship to You and who You are in relationship to me… [include any relevant scripture references here]
In Jesus’ Name.
[1] A stronghold is a belief system that is contrary to what the Bible teaches. For more information see 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Related posts:
No Longer An Orphan: How I Discovered The Father’s Love
4 Symptoms of the Orphan Spirit in Church Life
How Your Perspective Can Impact Your Destiny
1 Father, 2 Sons, 3 Positions: Which Describes You?
© Helen Calder 2010 Enliven Publishing
Now on team with David McCracken Ministries
Do you have any thoughts or experiences to share on the topic of an orphan mindset? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the box below. If the comments area is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.
Tags: Disciple, Father, Father's love, Holy Spirit, orphan mindset, Orphan spirit, Prophetic Teaching, Sonship, Stronghold, Supernatural, Supernatural Christian
‘I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father.’ (1 John 2:14)
