Read Appreciating creation reminds me that He cares for me
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. As I walk outside each day, marvel at the mystery. I look around and am amazed at the life surrounding me. Inhaling the air, I notice the sensation of the breeze across my face. I am struck by the beauty of creation. Day after day, creation speaks. Night after night, it makes Him known. They speak without a voice and shout loudly when they are noticed.
The beauty of creation wraps its arms around me. Today can be a good day or a trying day. No matter which, my Creator and His world are right here. He’s waiting to guide me through the day-to-day of my every day. I choose to think of His good thoughts towards me. His good thoughts are for me and not against me. They are more than all the grains of sand on every beach on every ocean and every dune in every desert. He rejoices over me with singing. He quiets me with His love. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me!
I feel grateful every time I think about creation and am amazed and in awe of what the Creator has created for me to enjoy. I gasp in sheer joy when I see deep purple blooms on the bushes or snowflakes falling from the sky. The rich, green grass of summer tickles my nose with its aroma. The laughter of children playing in the sun makes me smile and laugh inside. A rainbow reminds me of His promise. What am I that You are mindful of me? Who am I that You care for me? I am so grateful that You do. I am so grateful I can trust You.
If a troubling thought nags at my mind, I choose to do something about it. I take a walk in the open air and I breathe in; I breathe out. The aromas of nature and the caress of the breeze rise to meet me. Since my Father cares about the little sparrows, so they have food even if they don’t store up and the grass of the field, so it looks so good, even though it can be thrown in the flame tomorrow - I trust Him to take care of me. I remember I can cast my care upon Him because He cares for me. I worry about nothing, pray about everything, and thank God in all situations. Creation helps me remember Him and His care for me.
Today, I promise to be in the moment and take intimate notice of creation shouting the story of the Father’s love for it. The colour of the sky, the faint fragrance in the air, and the sound of the trees rustling in the breeze all remind me of His care for me.
Reflection Questions to Ask Holy Spirit:
When was the last time I made time for all that creation reminds me of Your care for me?
How do I make an opportunity to relax in the beauty of creation today?
Regardless of my mood each day, how can I remind myself to turn to creation for solace and sustenance for my soul?
Next Steps
Unlock a happier you with our FREE 70-Day Gratitude Challenge Course—transform your mindset at your own pace! https://revtrev.link/thanks
Align your thoughts with God’s thoughts for you. Discover profound insights with our 70-Day Gratitude Challenge book, ebook, and audiobook—your wonderful guide to cultivating appreciation and joy! Learn more - https://revtrev.link/thanks
Enhance your journey with the Live LIGHT Gratitude Journal, the perfect companion for the 70-Day Gratitude Challenge to inspire daily reflections and growth! https://revtrev.link/thanks
Don’t Forget to Give Thanks with Your Whole Heart
The Live LIGHT 70 Day Gratitude Challenge
Every day for 70 days …
Choose to give thanks – Decision Feel grateful for what you give thanks for – Emotions Show appreciation for what you feel gratitude for – Action
Learn to give thanks with your whole heart Check out the Live LIGHT with your Whole Heart course today - https://revtrev.link/heart
How a Convergence of Testimony can Help you Trust God in Uncertainty Trust God in Uncertainty: Discover ways to hold onto faith and find peace in uncertain times. Learn practical steps to deepen your trust in God's plan.
In this message, we explore the theme of "Trusting God in Uncertainty." Life often throws unexpected challenges our way, leaving us feeling unsure and anxious. Discover practical steps and biblical insights to deepen your faith and find peace amidst the chaos. Learn how to trust in God's plan and overcome fear by strengthening your spiritual foundation. Join us on this journey to spiritual growth and reassurance. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspirational content.
We live in a world that has yet to be redeemed, surrounded by people who at best are being redeemed and at worst and doing everything they can not to be redeemed, in bodies that yearn to be redeemed.
All that is to say, like Jesus said “In this world you will have trouble…” but he goes on and says “but take heart I have overcome the world.”
“Life will shake us, trust steadies us.”
If I could impart to brand-new baby Christians only three things they would be:
To Hear God
To Obey God
To Trust God when you can’t hear him and obeying him doesn’t make sense.
Because we’re all going to be there time and time again. We are 1 text, 1 email, 1 phone call away from everything changing, our world upending, our future being uncertain.
You might be there right now. Your hope will be tested in your relationships, in your health and in what you receive for what you do. Those three things make up who you are. Your identity will be tested. The enemy wants to kill, steal and destroy you. The Father wants to take what the enemy does and make you more like Jesus.
Will you trust Him in that process?
When life shakes us, trust steadies us.
Story of Daniel
Give background of story. Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:10-16) and took Daniel and his friends as hostages. They didn’t eat meat sacrificed to idols and still out performed all the others and God gave them unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. Daniel was given the ability to interpret dreams and visions (Daniel 1:17) The Babylonian empire was taken over by the Persian empire and Daniel rose in the ranks. That gets us to chapter six where Daniel faced time of uncertainty.
Daniel and the Lions Den
Read Daniel 6:1-28 (NLT)
Darius (daw-reh-yaw-vaysh’) the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province. The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king’s interests. Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.
Daniel found trustworthy
Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.
The trap is set
So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.” So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius! We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” So King Darius signed the law.
Daniel stayed trusting God
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?” “Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.” Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.
The King trusts Daniel to God
In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.” So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.
Because Daniel Trusted God
Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.
Repaying the evil
Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.
The end of the story
Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel did everything right and ended up in a lion’s den. But he trusted in his God and miracles happened. He is a wonderful example of:
When life shakes us, trust steadies us.
Can I pray?
My Day Job
My day job I work with companies who care about their employees mental wellness. Our service is unique. Instead of simply getting a phone number to call or app to use when someone is needing help to self-regulate in the moment, these companies go a step further and and bring our care team support system onto their worksite to make regular visit so that - over time - their employees have someone they already trust to talk to when they need to.
I connect teams with companies. So I need to look for people who are trustable, capable and caring to join our teams. And that means I’ve had to think about what trust looks like and how to build it between people. I’ve become convinced that the way we build trust between people is very similar to how we build trust between ourselves and God.
Let me explain…
Trust grows through...
Consistency over time
Compassion in tragedy
Companionship in teamwork
Convergence of testimony
Chancing the truth
Today I want to focus on Convergence of Testimony - basically how a multiplicity of stories helps us to trust not only each other, but also God. We don’t name and claim one verse with God and try to convince ourselves of the truth. Instead it’s an ever-developing, often more-complicating dance of trust that happens throughout our lives.
Convergence of Testimony
When I’m taking to potential Care Team members I let them know the progression we see on worksites. If they are going to be the first ones on the site, it’s probably not going to be going to be easy. Hopefully the employees are polite and a little communicative. But consistency over time will always lead to deeper trust. Just being there, showing up, remembering names and continuing stories…and over time, people will risk trusting you with their problems.
HR Trust us
The first ones who come to you with bigger problems will probably start with “HR told me to come talk to you.” HR love us when they learn to trust us. One more than one occasion I’ve had an HR tell me “Trevor you take care of the person, I’ll take care of the paperwork.” So the first people who come to us will usually say, “HR told me to come”.
Supervisors Trust us
Then when you’ve been there a little longer and helped a few more people, someone will come to you and say “My supervisor told me to come talk to you.” That’s great because it’s not an easy thing to have a supervisor trust you with their people. They need to see you in action. But when you help enough of their people, and maybe even help them - in time- they’ll trust you their team members.
Friends Trust us
Then in little more time, as HR is sending you people and supervisors are sending you people you’ll have someone come to you and say “My friend told me to come talk to you.”
That’s a convergence of testimony. This person’s friend trusts you enough to tell their friend to go to you for help.
When that happens, when you come on site, people will see you and their shoulders go back and a smile comes to their face. They sit up at their desk. They might smile and wave. It’s not that they all have something terrible to share with you that day. It’s that this convergence of testimony tells them that they are cared for and tells you that you’re trusted.
I have seen that when we have a convergence of testimony on the goodness of God, trust looks the same in us. We have peace, we have hope, we have joy.
So what is Trust?
1. Noun: Confidence: A firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Reliance: The state of relying on someone or something. Trustworthiness: The quality of being reliable or deserving of trust.
2. Verb: To place confidence in someone or something; to rely on the integrity, strength, or ability of a person or thing.
What is Biblical Trust?
Faith and Assurance Hebrews 11:1
Relationship with God Proverbs 3:5-6
Obedience to God John 14:15
Peace in Difficult Times Philippians 4:6-7
Confidence in God's Faithfulness Lamentations 3:22-23
When life shakes us, trust steadies us.
What does trust look like?
When we trust God we surrender control (Proverbs 3:5-6), have faith in his promises (Romans 4:20-21) and find peace in our uncertainty (Philippians 4:6-7) We seek out His guidance (Psalm 25:4-5) and endure through life’s challenges (Isaiah 40:3). We exchange our problems for His peace (1 Peter 5:7) and rejoice in His goodness (Psalm 37:3-4)
How do we know if we don’t trust Him?
The first clues we’ll notice are lacking are peace, joy and hope. If you don’t have peace, joy and hope, you’re not trusting God somewhere for something.
Romans 15:13 (NIV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." — Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
When we trust in God we have peace, joy and hope.
Imagine
Do you want to have peace and hope and joy at all times and in every situation?
Do you want to have no fear of bad news when it comes?
Do you want to exchange your problems for His peace?
You need to decide to trust him when difficulties come. Or better yet, trust him now if you don’t have difficulties. It’s never too early to start and never too late to trust God more.
When’s the best time to trust the Lord?
Well, when’s the best to plant a tree? Twenty years ago. When’s the next best time to plant a tree? Today.
When’s the best time to trust the Lord? Every day of your life. When’s the next best time to trust the Lord? You can start or restart today.
Listen,
You know you’re going to need it.
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
You know others will see it.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
You know you’re going to use it.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
When life shakes us, trust steadies us.
We need to know how to trust God. It matters.
So how can a convergence of testimony help you trust in the Lord at all times?
That’s a great question, I’m so glad you asked.
I’m going encourage you to:
Look down
Look up
Look around
Look back
Look ahead
Now when you do this, you need to make two decisions. These two decisions need to continually be made or else the practice I give you will lead to so many other places but not to trust and not to peace and hope and joy.
Are we clear? You will be.
Convergence of Testimony Tool
MY STORY
Decisions:
M - Meditate with Gratitude 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Y - Yield to His Control 1 Peter 3:15
Practice:
S - Soak in Scripture Psalm 77:11-12 T - Take time to be in His presence 1 Peter 5:7 O - Observe God’s work in others Hebrews 10:23-24 R - Rehearse what He’s done in your life 1 Corinthians 15:10 Y - Yearn for greater revelation Ephesians 3:17-19
The two decisions you need to make are - Gratitude and Lordship. Let’s remember this with the MY part of the MY STORY
M - Meditate with Gratitude
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
When we choose gratitude we look to what He is doing, not to what’s left undone. We need to do this with our whole heart, otherwise it can become toxic gratitude. You know what that is, saying you’re grateful without feeling it or showing appreciation.
This week I’m starting a 70 Day Gratitude Challenge where everyday I want to choose to be grateful, feel gratitude and show appreciation. We’re told in scripture to give thanks with our whole heart (Psalms 138:1) and that’s what it means. We make the decision, we feel the emotion and we act on that decision and emotion. I’m going to be doing live casts, podcasts and blog posts each day from September 19 through Canadian Thanksgiving to November 28 (American Thanksgiving).
Gratitude is so important to guard the actions I’m going to be encouraging you to do. To:
Look down
Look up
Look around
Look back
Look ahead
Because Gratitude grasps grace. We awaken to the grace of God and can extend His grace to others.
Am I giving thanks in all circumstances?
The second decision we need to continually make is lordship. The Y in MY reminds us to yield to His control.
Y - Yield to His Control
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.
Surrender and Lordship is not something we talk about much anymore. I think I assume we all know what it means. I know it’s not true. I just know I assume it.
For me lordship means He’s in the driver seat of my life. I need to go when He says “Go” and stop when He says “Stop” and wait when he says “Wait” because it’s in Him I can live and move and have my being.
And yet it’s so easy for me not to live that way in the day-to-day of everyday.
The good news is He gives us Holy Spirit to teach us all things. And He has this way of pointing things out for me that I grow clueless to on my own. Yes, sometimes it’s in the voice of my wife.
Don’t turn off your compassion. Compassion conquers comparison. Jesus was led by His compassion and you need to be led by the compassion He gives you. Since He is Lord, you follow Him.
Follow those gentle nudges and loud shouts of Holy Spirit. We need to abide in Christ and let his words abide in us. That’s what Lordship means. When he is Lord of my life, I can pray and ask anything in his name (John 14:13-17) and speak the very words of God (1 Peter 4:11)
When we agree that He is King and that’s a good thing, we are led by His compassion and compassion conquers comparison.
So we can:
Look down
Look up
Look around
Look back
Look ahead
With His grace and a heart of compassion.
In my heart have I set apart Christ as Lord?
So with grace and compassion we do these actions.
Look down
S - Soak in Scripture
Psalm 77:11-12 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Scripture is the revealed word of God. It’s written by 40 people over 1500 years across 3 continents, in 3 languages and it’s all about trusting God. It’s his love letter to us and it reveals the love of God which is why he is trustable.
If you want to have convergence of testimony so you can trust God in times of uncertainty, it starts with being in the word. Let the word of God dwell in you richly.
Am I letting the Word of God dwell in me richly?
Look up
T - Take time to be in His presence
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
When we are alone in His presence He can rewrite the story of our life. Where we saw lack, he can show us protection. When we saw pain, he can show us healing. Where we saw rejection, he can show us acceptance. We need his opinion of us, because that’s the only opinion that matters.
We have an enemy that comes to steal, kill and destroy. We need to be aware of our Good Father’s presence and hear his voice speak the words of life to us.
Whenever we go to Him in prayer we need to exchange your problems for His peace. When we’ve leave his presence without his peace, all we’ve done is complained.
When we hear what God says about us, it adds to the convergence of testimony that we need to trust Him at all times and in every situation.
Do I exchange my problems for His peace?
Look around
O - Observe God’s work in others
Hebrews 10:23-24 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
The saints overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. Revelation 12:11 When we tell each other the good things that God has done in our life, we invite Him to do it again. We need each other’s story. Your story becomes part of my story. Your good news connects with my good news and we have a convergence of testimony.
What has God done for others? Where can you see him working all things together for good in their lives?
If he did it for them, he’ll do it for you. If he did it for you, he’ll do it for you.
Observing the good God does for others adds to the convergence of testimony that helps us trust Him in uncertainty.
Do I rejoice with other’s testimony?
Look back
R - Rehearse what He’s done in your life
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
What has God done in your life? Can’t think of anything? Ask Holy Spirit to remind you.
Because you have been through the fire and have not been burned. You have been through the water and did not drown. You’ve been through deep waters and have not been overcome. You have seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. You can be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord because He has been good to you.
Read your journals. If you don’t have journals, ask Holy Spirit what He’d like to remind you of…then write it down someplace your remember to read it sometime. Your story is important to your future and even unborn generations.
Remembering what God has brought you through adds to the convergence of testimony we need to trust him when we might otherwise be concerned about his trustworthiness.
What is so amazing about grace in my life?
Look ahead
Y - Yearn for greater revelation
Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV) And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
One of the hardest times I have containing myself—it’s usually when someone is risking to share something with me and I need to contain myself and let them talk—it’s when someone says “I’ve studied the Bible and it does nothing for me.” I want to scream “You’re 16 years old! How have you studied the Bible? It’s still reading me!”
In the history of evangelicalism, we’ve done a great disservice to emphasize praying a prayer to make Jesus our Lord. First off, Jesus is Lord. We acknowledge that and start to live like he’s Lord. And that’s confession and repentance that leads to salvation. Secondly, we’ve inoculated people against the transformative power of the gospel by saying, “You want to not go to hell, say Jesus is Lord.”
We can know the love of God that surpasses knowledge.
Just consider that nonsensical statement…and be in awe.
Having a heart to know God (Jeremiah 24:7) adds to the convergence of testimony that allows us to have no fear of bad news even when it comes.
Probably, if I could teach brand new baby Christians 3 things it would be to always have a heart to Know God, Obey God and Trust God. Figuring those three out in your life, you’ll change your everyday world.
Do I have a heart to know God?
You and I need a continual revelation of the love of God, so that we can trust Him.
Bring it together
We need his grace and compassion as we...
Look down
Look up
Look around
Look back
Look ahead…
…testimonies converge from the book, time in His presence, our own experience, the story of others and greater revelation of His love… MY STORY will build your trust in God, so that …
When life shakes you, trust will steady you.
MY STORY
M - Meditate with Gratitude Am I giving thanks in all circumstances? Y - Yield to His Control In my heart have I set apart Christ as Lord?
Look down S - Soak in Scripture Am I letting the Word of God dwell in me richly?
Look up T - Take time to be in His presence Do I exchange my problems for His peace?
Look around O - Observe God’s work in othersDo I rejoice with other’s testimony?
Look back R - Rehearse what He’s done in your lifeWhat is so amazing about grace in my life?
Look ahead Y - Yearn for greater revelation Do I have a heart to know God?
Prayer
Conclusion
Wait on God - Time of reflection
Ask…
Am I giving thanks in all circumstances? In my heart have I set apart You as Lord? Am I letting Your Word dwell in me richly? Do I exchange my problems for Your peace? Do I rejoice with other’s testimony? What is so amazing about Your grace in my life? Do I have a heart to know You?
"How You Can BE REAL with God" looks into the importance of spiritual authenticity and provides actionable tips to foster a genuine relationship with God. Join us as we explore practical steps to enhance your faith journey by being true to yourself and honest in your prayers. Learn how to connect with God on a deeper level and cultivate a sincere Christian life.
Ephesians 4:14-25 MSG No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are easy prey for predators. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretence. Tell your neighbour the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
Can I pray?
We are continuing in our look on how to LIVE LOVED
Live LOVED
L - Leave pretence behind Psalm 62:8 O - Operate out of who God says you are Ephesians 2:10 V - Value revelation Romans 8:15-17 E - Embark on having well-healed wounds Psalm 147:3 D - Draw ever-deeper into His love Ephesians 3:14-19
The first step to Live Loved is to Leave Pretence Behind.
What do I mean by that?
The Problem
I’ve never been taught, but I’ve definitely caught and probably passed on a view that I’d call plastic Christianity.
You’ve definitely seen this. You’ve maybe even practiced it yourself.
6 Characteristics of Plastic Christianity
Superficiality see Mt. 15:8-9
Legalism see Ga. 5:4
Cultural Conformity seeRo. 12:2
Transactional Faith see Is. 29:13
Inauthenticity see 1Jn 1:6
Focus on Self not God see Ph. 2:3-4
The good news is… with any one of those characteristics the solution is confession and repentance. Confession is agreeing with God His judgment is right. Repentance is turning around and going in the opposite direction. I’ll show you how to do that in the remainder of this message.
I am all in favour of having scripture verses on our walls and around our photos. I’m not of fan of leaving it at that.
That to me is plastic Christianity. It’s when people see the show before they see the love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness faithfulness gentleness and self control. It is telling people about the hope that you have before they ask the reason for the hope you have and it’s ignoring the gentleness and respect part that we should never forget.
I cannot do it for the show or do it for the dough or do it for the worry or do it for the hurry. Jesus explains all this on the sermon on the mount.
In fact I’ve learned the value of doing everything with my whole heart. My emotions, my decision and my actions need to align for me to do anything with my whole heart. We’re told to do 7 things with our whole heart
7 things we are told to do with our whole heart
Trust God - Proverbs 3:5
Seek God - Jeremiah 29:13
Forgive Others - Matthew 18:35
Love and Serve God - Deuteronomy 10:12
Thank God - Psalms 138:1
Praise God - Psalms 103:1
Work as unto the Lord - Colossians 3:23
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”
So I believe we’re to do everything we do with our whole heart.
What is our whole heart? It’s our decision, our actions and our emotions. All three need to agree.
Every one of those characteristics of Plastic Christianity are focussed on something other than our whole heart.
1. Superficiality see Mt. 15:8-9 2. Legalism see Ga. 5:4 3. Cultural Conformity seeRo. 12:2 4. Transactional Faith see Is. 29:13 5. Inauthenticity see 1Jn 1:6 6. Focus on Self not God see Ph. 2:3-4
When you’re doing everything with your whole heart, working as unto the Lord, you cannot live as a plastic christian.
Does it really matter?
We live in a culture that ignores the positive things the church does for society.
I grew up watching every Christian in almost every tv show be the murderer, adulterer or child molester. It was lazy writing. See a Christian in a murder mystery, you know who did the murder. As a church we are irrelevant to society… we have an incredible positive effect on society, but it’s unrecognized and unappreciated.
Most of the church doesn’t know the positive effect it has on society. It does little to no good to clammer to get a seat at the table.
But individuals, people God has intentionally placed in the day-to-day of your everyday, respond beautifully to the love of God they see you in you. Everyone needs to know they are loved. They won’t know they’re loved if they don’t trust your love is real. No more plastic christianity!
Let me give you an example that happened over 30 years ago.
Story of two guys I worked with at the hospital on the weekend…. They told me about their lives and it was heartbreaking. We had some amazing conversations over breakfast. They were both gay…
When I told them I was stopping the shift because I was headed back to school, they asked where I’d be going. I told them “Seminary” and they were shocked. “You’re a Christian? But I like you.” I told them, “I like you too, I really appreciated getting to know you!”
They were the first people in that situation to share their reality with me. I was the first Christian they knew who didn’t yell at them, disown them or beat them up.
Christians, we’ve got to do better.
More recent friendship…looking for micro aggressions. People hold to all kinds of pain and don’t know God loves them and have only been told and only experienced that Christians hate them.
Christians, we’ve got to do better.
It’s starts with being real before God before we can be real before people.
What is the greatest commandment?
Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT): Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
To live LOVED we love God. And we can love God and love others by remembering how we are loved by Him…
To live loved means that we’re loved…
and the fact we’re loved by God is most important.
John 16:27, Romans 5:8, 1 John 3:1; 4:10;19, Revelation 1:5
Because God’s love for us surpasses knowledge
Ephesians 3:17-19
and nothing can separate us from His love…
Romans 8:35-39
…remembering God is love and love comes from God
1 John 4:7-8;16
…and he disciplines those He loves.
Hebrews 12:6; Revelation 3:19
Understanding and experiencing God’s love for us …allows us to L - Leave pretence behind
How do you leave pretence behind?
That’s a great question, I’m so glad you asked.
You need to BE REAL before God.
How to BE REAL before God Tool
BE REAL
B - Be honest with your self and God 1 John 1:9 E - Examine your humility James 4:10
R - Respond to Him in Worship John 4:24 E - Engage trusting Him Proverbs 3:5-6 A - Access available accountability Galatians 6:2 L - Leave the judging to Him Psalm 139:23-24
Let’s unpack…
B - Be honest with your self and God
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Superficiality refers to a shallow approach to faith that prioritizes outward expressions, such as rituals or appearances, over genuine inner transformation and heartfelt devotion to God.
Matthew 15:8-9: "These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules."
Confession and repentance replaces superficiality.
We have His pardon so we can BE REAL before God
Romans 3:23-24 NLT For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Would God say I’m superficial in my walk with Him?
E - Examine your humility
James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Legalism is strict adherence to religious laws and rules, often at the expense of grace and mercy. Legalism emphasizes performance and compliance over a personal relationship with God, leading to judgmental attitudes.
Galatians 5:4: "You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace."
We have His propitiation so we can BE REAL before God. Propitiation means God’s justice is satisfied. It’s part of the aspect of grace we need to BE REAL before God.
Be honest with God. You can say to God, “Not that it’s true, but it feels that it’s true…”
Hebrews 4:16 NLT So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Would God say I’ve fallen away from grace?
R - Respond to Him in Worship
John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
Cultural Conformity is tendency to align one's beliefs and practices with societal norms rather than biblical truths. This can result in compromising core values in order to fit in or be accepted by the surrounding culture.
1 John 2:15-17: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
Worship keeps us away from cultural conformity.
We have His presence so we can BE REAL before God
In His presence is fullness of joy. His presence transforms us. Worship cannot be the slow part of the song service, it needs to be our life.
Romans 12:1-2 NLT And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Would God say I’m conforming to the world or do I worship Him in Spirit and in Truth?
E - Engage trusting Him
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Transactional Faith is mindset that views the relationship with God as a transaction, where blessings or favours are expected in return for religious actions or behaviours, rather than emphasizing trust, love, and surrender.
Isaiah 29:13: "The Lord says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.’"
Transactional faith is overcome when we trust God to be God and God to be good.
As we trust in Him, we have His peace, hope and joy so we can BE REAL before God.
Romans 15:13 (NLT) I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Would God say I’m trusting Him? Do I have peace and joy and hope?
A - Access available accountability
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Inauthenticity involves presenting a false image of spirituality that does not reflect true faith or integrity.
1 John 1:6: "If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth."
Inauthenticity is seen by everyone. It’s confronted by friends.
We have His people so we can BE REAL Before God.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Do I allow someone else to see me as I am?
L - Leave the judging to Him
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Focus on Self not God is emphasis on personal desires, happiness, or success over selflessness and service to others. This characteristic often leads to a self-centred approach to faith rather than a commitment to love and serve others.
Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Don’t give God credit for the works of the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. Don’t judge someone else’s servant.
Leaving the judging to God destroys our focus on self.
We can have His perspective so can be BE REAL before God
What do you love about them?
Romans 14:10 NLT So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Would God say I have selfish ambition or vain conceit?
How do you Leave Pretence behind? BE REAL before God.
BE REAL
B - Be honest with your self and God 1 John 1:9
Mt 15:8-9, Ro 3:23-24, His Pardon, Would God say I’m superficial in my walk with Him?
E - Examine your humility James 4:10
Ga 5:4, He 4:16, His PropitiationWould God say I’ve fallen away from grace?
R - Respond to Him in Worship John 4:24
1 Jo 2:15-17, Ro 12:1-2, His Presence, Would God say I’m conforming to the world or do I worship Him in Spirit and in Truth?
E - Engage trusting Him Proverbs 3:5-6
Is 29:13, Ro 15:13, His Peace, Hope and JoyWould God say I’m trusting Him? Do I have peace and joy and hope?
A - Access available accountability Galatians 6:2
1Jo 1:6, Heb. 10:24-25 His People Do I allow someone else to see me as I am?
L - Leave the judging to Him Psalm 139:23-24
Phi 2:3-4, Rom 14:10 His Perspective Would God say I have selfish ambition or vain conceit?
His pardon, propitiation, presence, peace hope and joy, people and perspective enables us to BE REAL before God.
Will you BE REAL before God?
2 Chronicles 7:14. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
It’s not the politicians or economy or society to change. It is on us to humble ourselves and pray and seek his face and turn from our wicked ways…
That’s what it takes to BE REAL before God?
Will you BE REAL before God today? Will it change the way you live this week?
Discover the joy of a deeper relationship with God in "Live LOVED." This course explores the profound love of the Good Father through engaging discussions and reflective exercises. Learn to embrace your identity as His cherished child and experience God's love in your daily life. Join us on this journey to cultivate peace, purpose, and belonging, whether you're new to faith or seeking deeper understanding. Embrace the transformative love that awaits you!
Discover the concept of an orphan spirit and learn how to experience God as your loving Father, transforming your spiritual journey with His grace and love.
In this message, we explore the concept of the orphan spirit and how it impacts our relationship with God. Learn how to experience God as your good, good Father and transform your spiritual journey with His love and grace. Discover practical steps to heal from an orphan spirit and embrace the fatherhood of God in your daily life. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on deepening your faith and understanding God's love.
“Do you have any further study of God as a Father? I have an orphan spirit from my past and a leader has said that to defeat it I need to study the fatherness of God.”
I thought it was a great question, and was surprised to learn I’ve never addressed it head on.
As I got into studying on it, I realized I had more than enough material for at least six messages and understood God was prompting me to change my plans for one of the courses I know He wants to do. It’s coming together amazingly and you’ll reap the benefit of it first.
The problem with the “Orphan Spirit”
The problem is the Bible never talks about the “orphan spirit” it’s a term we’ve coined more recently to describe a situation that many Christians find themselves in.
An "orphan spirit" is a term used in some Christian circles to describe a mindset or attitude where a person feels abandoned, rejected, or without a sense of belonging, particularly in a spiritual sense.
This can manifest in feelings of isolation, insecurity, and self-reliance rather than trusting in God's love and provision.
Fatherlessness
The biblical term that is often associated with the concept of an "orphan spirit" is "fatherless" and that feeling of fatherlessness that can be a better term to reflect the condition of being without a father, which can imply feelings of abandonment, lack of guidance, and emotional pain.
Let me highlight what I see in the Bible around fatherlessness. We are told…
8 things the Bible says God is to the Fatherless
God is…
1. ...a father to the fatherless Psalm 68:5
(NJKV) "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling."
2. …a helper to the fatherless Psalm 10:14
(NKJV) "But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, To repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless."
3. …a protector of the fatherless Jeremiah 49:11
(NKJV) "Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive; and let your widows trust in me."
4. …the one who shows mercy to the fatherless Hosea 14:3
(NKJV) "Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses; Nor will we say anymore, 'To the work of our hands we will not rise.' For in You the fatherless finds mercy."
5. …the one who vindicates the fatherless Psalm 10:18
(NKJV) "To vindicate the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more."
6. …the one who executes justice for the fatherless Deuteronomy 10:18
(NKJV) "He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing."
7. …the one who relieves the fatherless Psalm 146:9
(NKJV): "The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down."
8. …the one who places the lonely in families Psalm 68:6
(NLT) God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
God is speaking about literal orphans, not just someone with an orphan spirit.
But it does show us his heart towards those who feel and act like an orphan, even when they are amazingly loved by Him.
God’s heart is for the fatherless. He is as a protector and provider for those who are fatherless, highlighting His desire to fill the void left by earthly fathers.
We see His heart towards them in how He wants us to show His heart to them:
11 Ways the Bible Says we are to treat the Widows and Fatherless
God wants us to…
1. …worship him by visiting the fatherless James 1:27
(NKJV): "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."
2.…care for the fatherless Proverbs 19:17
(NLT): If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!
3. …defend the fatherless Psalm 82:3
(NKJV): "Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy."
4. ..never mistreat the fatherless Exodus 22:22-24
(NKJV) "You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.”
5. …never oppress the fatherless Zechariah 7:10
(NKJV): "Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother."
6. …never steal from the fatherless Isaiah 10:1-2
(NKJV): "Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, Which they have prescribed To rob the needy of justice, And to take what is right from the poor of My people, That widows may be their prey, And that they may rob the fatherless."
7. …never pervert justice against the fatherless Deuteronomy 24:17
(NKJV): "You shall not pervert justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow's garment as a pledge."
8. …never steal the land of the fatherless Proverbs 23:10-11
(NKJV): "Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless; For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you."
9. …never do violence against the fatherless Jeremiah 22:3
(NKJV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.'"
10. …stand up for the fatherless Isaiah 1:17
(NKJV): "Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow."
11. …speak for those who can’t speak for themselves Proverbs 31:8-9
(NLT) Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
We are to show God’s heart to people who have God’s attention, even if they don’t feel they have His attention.
How do you know if you have an orphan spirit?
An "orphan spirit" is a made up term and with made up terms I feel we can do better. I’ve too often seen someone in a position of power tell someone “You’re operating from an orphan spirit” to put someone in their place who offers a different perspective that they disagree with.
I think the term “feeling of fatherlessness” is better because it’s a feeling, not a position.
It moves it from something I need to be cast out of me and I need to be delivered from to something I can confess and repent of —as I’m convicted and prompted and empowered by Holy Spirit.
It’s like I have responsibility but it’s Holy Spirit’s work in me.
There is a metanoia - a changing of our mind, a repentance that needs to take place. But the difference is how we think and feel and not on who we are.
Does “feeling Fatherless” make better sense?
Feeling Fatherless refers to a mindset or attitude that manifests a sense of abandonment, lack of belonging, and feelings of inadequacy. Individuals with this mindset may exhibit several characteristics. Here are some common traits along with biblical citations that encourage positive change in the emotion:
8 Characteristics of Feeling Fatherless and what to remember
Feelings of abandonment
Fear of Rejection
Insecure Identity
Striving for Approval
Isolation and Withdrawal
Difficulty Trusting Others
Bitterness and Resentment
. Lack of Purpose
1. Feelings of Abandonment
People with an orphan spirit often feel abandoned and alone, leading to deep emotional pain.
Remember: Psalm 27:10 (NKJV): "When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me."p
2. Fear of Rejection
A constant fear of being rejected can stem from feeling unloved or unaccepted.
Remember 1 John 4:18 (NLT): "Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love."
3. Insecure Identity
Feeling Fatherless can lead to uncertainty about one’s identity and worth.
Remember Galatians 4:7 (NLT): "Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir."
4. Striving for Approval
Individuals may strive excessively for approval and validation from others, feeling they must earn love.
Remember Ephesians 1:6 (NLT): "So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son."
5. Isolation and Withdrawal
A tendency to isolate themselves due to fear or past hurts can be prevalent.
Remember Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT): "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."
6. Difficulty Trusting Others
A distrustful attitude towards others can be common, stemming from feelings of betrayal or hurt.
Remember Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
7. Bitterness and Resentment
An orphan spirit may lead to feelings of bitterness towards others, particularly authority figures.
Remember Hebrews 12:15 (NLT): "Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many."
8. Lack of Purpose
Individuals may struggle with a sense of purpose or direction in life, feeling lost or aimless.
Remember Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT): "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
The characteristics associated with an orphan spirit can create significant barriers to experiencing love, acceptance, and fulfillment in life. Recognizing these traits can be the first step toward healing and embracing one's identity as a beloved child of God.
Those are tips to help you see if you’re feeling fatherless and how you can start not working out of fatherlessness. Sometimes that’s all somebody needs.
You make the decision to stop thinking from lack and what you don’t have and start being thankful for all you have and those verses become anchors for you to think God’s thoughts about your situation. You confess your thinking not God’s thoughts, train your brain to think God’s thoughts.
And you’re good. You realize God is good, and is working all things together for the good of making you more and more like Jesus, so you’re good.
But others may have a bit of a journey to get to the place that you don’t think I’m doing you a disservice to you to make you think slapping a Bible verse on a feeling is all you need to change it.
The length of your journey has little to do with how long you’ve been a follower of Christ and more to do with the lies you believe.
(This is where this one message becomes at least five more. )
How do you Break the (Orphan Spirit) Feeling of Fatherlessness?
To break the feeling of fatherlessness you need to know you have a Father who loves you. It can’t be head knowledge alone, it needs to be worked into the day-to-day of your everyday.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that you need to live LOVED
What does it mean to Live LOVED?
That’s a great question. Here’s what the Bible tells us about what living loved looks like.
If you’re not growing more and more like this, you may be hindered by feelings of fatherlessness…
To live loved means that we’re loved…
and the fact we’re loved by God is most important. John 16:27, Romans 5:8, 1 John 3:1; 4:10;19, Revelation 1:5 Because God’s love for us surpasses knowledge Ephesians 3:17-19 and nothing can separate us from His love…Romans 8:35-39 …remembering God is love and love comes from God 1 John 4:7-8;16 …and he disciplines those He loves. Hebrews 12:6; Revelation 3:19
To live loved means that we love God…
…with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength. Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27 …more than the earliest, dearest and nearest love. Matthew 10:37, Luke 14:25 …more than anything else in this world. Matthew 6:24,Luke 16:13, 1 John 2:15 and show it by obeying Jesus…John 14:15, John 14:21, John 14:23, John 15:10, 1 John 4:18-22, 1 John 2:3-5, 1 John 3:10 , 1 John 3:23, 1 John 5:2-3, 2 John 1:6 …helping his people Hebrews 6:10, 1 John 3:11,17-18 …caring for the least of these Matthew 25:32-40 and seeking His Kingdom in all things… Matthew 6:33 Knowing we’re promised a crown of life…. James 1:12
To live loved means we love in action and truth
Our motivation is love… 1 Corinthians 16:14, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Galatians 5:6, Colossians 3: 17 Our labour is prompted by love… 1 Thessalonians 1:3 We’re generous… 2 Corinthians 8:7-8 We speak the truth in love… Ephesians 4:15 We walk in love… Ephesians 5:1 We grow in love… Philippians 1:9, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:10 We keep ourselves in God’s love… Jude 1:21 We have peace and are thankful… Colossians 3:14-15 We find comfort in love… Philippians 2:1 Our love springs from hope… Colossians 1:5 We have compassion, kindness, humility and patience Colossians 3:12
To live loved means we love each other
We love each other as we love ourselves… Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, Luke 10:27, Galatians 5:14, James 2:8, 1 John 4:10-11; 2 John 1:5 Because He first loved us… 1 John 4:19-20 Our love is sincere, we’re devoted to one another with brotherly love and honour one another above ourselves… Romans 12:9-10 We share with God’s people who are in need and practice hospitality… Romans 12:13 We forgive… Colossians 3:13-14 We are patient, kind. We don’t envy, don’t boast and are not proud… 1 Corinthians 13:4 We are not rude, we’re not self-seeking, we’re not easily angered… 1 Corinthians 13:5 We’re unoffendable and keep no record of being wronged… 1 Corinthians 13:5 We always protect, always trust, always hope and always persevere. 1 Corinthians 13:7 We are united together John 17:23 And can’t be motivated by fear 1 John 4:18 Knowing love covers a multitude of sins 1 Peter 4:8 The only debt that remains outstanding is our debt to love one another…Romans 13:8
To live loved means we love even our enemies
We don’t take revenge… Romans 12:19 If our enemy is hungry we feed them or thirsty we give them something to drink…Romans 12:20 We bless those who curse us… Luke 6:28 We pray for those who persecute us…Matthew 5:44 If someone strikes one cheek, we turn the other to them…Matthew 5:39 We represent our Father who is love and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous…Matthew 5:45
Are you living LOVED?
How can you live that way? How can you live more and more this way?
That’s a great question, I’m so glad you asked.
You can live knowing you are LOVED. We’ll use the word LOVED to help us remember.
How to Live LOVED Tool
L - Leave pretence behind O - Operate out of who God says you are V - Value revelation E - Embark on having well-healed wounds D - Draw ever-deeper into His love
L - Leave pretence behind
Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Are you honest with God? Do you regularly pour out your heart to him? Learn to do this, it will serve you well for now and all eternity.
Be honest with God. The most powerful tool to be honest with God is to use the phrase: “It’s not that it’s true, but it feels that it’s true that…”
Your emotions tell you what you actually believe. For example—Since the God of all hope fills us with all peace and joy as we trust in him… if I don’t have peace and joy, I know I’m not trusting him. So I can go to him and ask him “What am I not trusting you in or for?” He will show me. I’ve asked for wisdom, he gives it generously without finding fault. Then I agree with him—that’s confession, confession is agreeing with God. Repentance is changing my mind and turning around and going in the opposite direction. Then I have peace and joy again.
Tip:
Use the language of the Psalms. Psalms are emotional truth. They will stretch your theological comfort at times.
To live loved you need to stop pretending with God.
The good news is..
The surprise is for you, not Him. He won’t ever be surprised (Psalm 139:1-4) or disappointed in you (Romans 8:38-39).
Am I done with pretending with God?
O - Operate out of who God says you are
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
You do good works because of who God says you are, not to get his approval or others approval. You don’t do it for the show, or do it for the dough. You don’t do it for the worry or do it for the hurry. This is what Jesus told us in the sermon on the mount, you know the message where he revealed more and more and more about our good Father.
Tip:
Go to https://revtrev.com/realme and print off your personalized identity in Christ. Print it off and start memorizing or reminding yourself of it.
The good news is…
He empowers you to accomplish every good work prompted by faith (2 Thessalonians 1:11).
Am I living out who God says I am?
V - Value revelation
Romans 8:15-17 "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ."
Since you’ve received him and believed in his name, you have the right to be a child of God (John 1:12). Since you are led by the Spirit you show you are a child of God (Romans 8:14-16) Since you are in Christ through faith, you are a child of God (Galatians 3:26-27). You have been chosen before creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephesians 1:4-5) as all his children have. See what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are (1 John 3:1).
That’s our theological understanding. How do we move it from thought to practice?
Tip: Be grateful for what’s been revealed to you, ask Holy Spirit to teach you how to make that make a difference in your life.
The good news is…
Holy Spirit does the work of transformation. Our role is to be in the Book.
Do I value the revelation of His love I have right now?
E - Embark on having well-healed wounds
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
The first time I heard this phrase it came out of my mouth as a word of knowledge. I was teaching at a church in Calgary on how to fast from negativity. I said something like “Some of you take pride in your wounds and you need to know God takes pleasure in your well-healed wounds.” Afterwords…
When Jesus showed his disciples his nail-scarred hands and offered to show them his wounded side, he was showing them well healed wounds.
Well healed wounds are what he wants for us.
Many have had cruel, abusive or absent fathers, so how can they relate to the God of the universes using the same name as someone who has hurt them?
It’s only when you have well-healed wounds that you can.
Tip:
It could take: - counselling, - community, - forgiveness, - living unoffended at God.
Miracles can happen, but often God uses process. If you’ve been wounded in community, you need to be healed in community.
The good news is…
He works all things together to make us more and more like Jesus. He will finish the good work He’s started in you.
Are my wounds healing well?
D - Draw ever-deeper into His love
Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIVUK) For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Tip:
We want to learn to value God’s opinion more than our own.
Since he rejoices to see the work begin in us to recognize His love for us and alignment of our lives to live loved, it’s ok if we’re not a finished product.
There may be days we don’t live like Jesus told us to live. He reminds us on the sermon on the mount that we have a good Father in heaven in…
The good news is…
Your Father... ...sees what is done in secret and will reward you ...knows what you need ...sees what is done in secret and will reward you ... forgives you ...sees what is done in secret and will reward you ... feeds and takes care of the needs... ... knows that you need them. Your Father is perfect.
Do I have a growing revelation of God’s incomprehensible love?
How can you better understand God as Father?
Learn to Live LOVED
L - Leave pretence behind Psalm 62:8 Am I done with pretending with God? O - Operate out of who God says you are Ephesians 2:10 Am I living out who God says I am? V - Value ongoing revelation Romans 8:15-17 Do I value the revelation of His love I have right now? E - Embark on having well-healed wounds Psalm 147:3 Are my wounds healing well? D - Draw ever-deeper into His love Ephesians 3:14-19 Do I have a growing revelation of God’s incomprehensible love?
Conclusion
There is no biblical term called the Orphan Spirit. There is a position that lead to disadvantage called fatherlessness that God shows his heart for and instructs us to care for.
Feeling Fatherless -what some people call the orphan spirit- is broken through the ever-revealing, never fully understanding revelation of the love of God and responding to His love by living LOVED.
My prayer for you today is Paul’s prayer for the church in Ephesus.
Ephesians 1:17-21, 3:16-19 (NIVUK)
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
I speak against any feelings of fatherlessness and call out for wounds to be well-healed. I speak peace to storms and faith where doubts assail. I speak life. I speak hope. I speak joy…
Discover the joy of a deeper relationship with God in "Live LOVED." This course explores the profound love of the Good Father through engaging discussions and reflective exercises. Learn to embrace your identity as His cherished child and experience God's love in your daily life. Join us on this journey to cultivate peace, purpose, and belonging, whether you're new to faith or seeking deeper understanding. Embrace the transformative love that awaits you!
