WHAT HAPPENS TO US AS WE ABIDE
Quick science lesson: in physical change, the physical state of matter changes – i.e., goes from ice to water from water to steam but it’s all still water – the chemical composition does not change, just the state of the matter. In a chemical change, not only does the state change but the chemical makeup changes as well.
In Numbers 21:8-9, the bronze serpent is a type of Jesus on the cross. In John 3:14-15, people who are “bitten” with sin can look upon Him(Jesus) and live (have everlasting life). Our friend, Duncan Smith who pastors Catch The Fire Raleigh (Raleigh, NC) tells of a time when He was soaking in the Lord’s presence and Father said to him, "Ask me what bronze is made of?" So he asked Him and Papa said, "Bronze is a metal made of tin and copper."
Upon further research, Duncan found that tin radiates white light and copper absorbs light. Tin is a rare and precious metal. Copper is found in abundance. Can you see how these 2 metals prophetically symbolize Jesus and man?
However, when tin and copper are melded together in fire, they fuse and become one. And once melded they become known as a bronze. Bronze can never be anything else no matter what is done to it. This is what happens when Jesus died on the cross. We died with Christ on the cross, we died with Him and while He was roasting on the cross in anguish and agony, we were being fused with Him and becoming one with Him. And like bronze, Rom 8:35-39 declares that nothing shall separate us from the Love of Christ. Jesus became one with you in this life and death so that you could become one with Him in eternity.
In a chemical change, the essential nature of the object is transformed. It can never go back to what it was before. I was a sinner, now, I am a saint. I don’t ever go back to being a sinner again. Our human nature is totally transformed. Important to note that we never lose our personhood. We all have a unique individual expression. That is why we are a body, not everyone is a hand or a mouth, or a lip or a nose.
As we abide in Him, the fire of His love touches all of our unhealed places and transforms us into vessels of honor who are then able to carry the fire of His love to others (Is. 6:1-8)
James 1:21 says, "in humility, as we abide in the vine, we receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls." Our whole being needs to be saved: body, mind, emotions, and spirit.
As we read John 15:1-11, we see that we are to attach ourselves to the word of God. As we abide in the vine our joy is made complete.
We hide the word of God in our hearts (Ps. 119:11) We abide in the vine by meditating on and rehearsing the word of God in your heart, which is to contemplate or to reflect upon the Word and the personhood of Jesus.
Remembering that the letter alone kills, but the Spirit gives life. We need a vibrant relationship with Holy Spirit. He is our come alongside friend. He reveals truth to us and gives us a revelation of the Word as Father perceives it not as we perceive it from our life’s experiences.
Have you ever visited your local optometrist for a checkup? He brings the lenses in front of your face and he says, "Which is better, A or B?" You can see from A but when he puts the lenses in front of you for B, it becomes crystal clear! Doing life with Holy Spirit is like that. With A, you're seeing and doing life through colored lenses and it's ok but when Holy Spirit comes and places lens B in front of you, you know go from glory to glory and you see a dimension of truth you maybe have never seen before. It all becomes crystal clear!
As Holy Spirit brings the Word alive to us we go from truth to greater measures of truth. For example, we go from being a heathen in need of salvation to being a servant – I just want to serve the Lord, from servant to friend, from friend to son, from son to Bride. God is multifaceted. As we abide in Him we are allowed to experience greater measures of Him. According to John 1:33 the Spirit descended and remained on Jesus. Jesus experienced the fullness of Holy Spirit without measure. As we abide in the vine, we too are allowed to experience the fullness of Holy Spirit without measure (John 14:16-17).
"By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit( 1 John 4:13).
Abiding in the vine is living in a perpetual state of being connected to the Godhead. It is developing a relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. How do I develop relationships? 1) Trust 2) communication 3) common interest 4) honesty 5) time together.
Abiding in the vine means that our life is hid in Christ – we are constantly at rest in Him. We’re not moving ahead of Him or lagging behind. I am yoked with Christ.
"Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son" (2 John 1:9).
Abiding in the vine means that I live a sinless life. 1 John 3:6, 9 says, "Whoever abides in Him sins not."
Abiding in the vine is the place where my will and the Father’s will become one. I have no will but that of God(John 5:30).
As we abide in the vine, He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul… (Ps 23) – Here God comes alongside of us and walks with us, sharing His Word and His heart with us.
Abiding in the Vine is finding value in who you are; sonship is a birthright given to me by Papa. That’s my value. I am a son of God. I can rest in His love. I can trust Him. In abiding, I discover my destiny. When I come into kingdom alignment then I can receive my kingdom assignment. I cannot bear fruit without intimacy. In order to know what God wants me to do, I must first know who God has called me to be. My identity is revealed as I abide in Him.
Abiding in the vine allows the presence of God to become natural to us. I choose to focus my attention on God. I choose to be with Him. My repeated choice to abide becomes a habit and a habit sustained becomes a lifestyle.
What does the vine provide? Food, nourishment, strength and stability, identity, a life source, support
The vine nourishes and waters the branches – Christ becomes our root source. He is the well that waters and refreshes us. He is our river of life, our constant state of flowing water that allows us to be filled to overflowing.
Who is doing all of the work then? Easy. The vine is. We exchange our work, our striving for REST and we trust Him and relax. He is holding us up, undergirding us and supporting us. We lean into His strength and His goodness knowing that in my weakness, HE is strong.
What is our job then? It is simply, TO BE. Supernatural is not what you do; it’s who you are. When Moses asked God whom should I say sent me. His reply was tell them I AM sent you. Who is I AM? Everything you need in the moment you need it. What is grace? Everything you need in the moment you need it. The precise manifestation of favor whereby the VINE enables you to do that which needs to be done through HIS STRENGTH and POWER and not your own.
HOW DO WE PRACTICE ABIDING IN THE VINE
Worship – Worship involves our entire being: heart, mind, will, and emotions. It’s a total abandonment of our will. How do you stay afloat at sea? Every muscle is completely relaxed, face arched back looking heavenward – water encompassing all but a little of you – still enough of your personhood that you are still uniquely you and yet you are completely immersed in water. That is the perfect picture of your life as worship to God.
Physical calm - I am at one, I am centered, I am my whole self no matter the situation. God is my support. He is my strength, my stability. QUIET MYSELF DOWN.
Focused attention – I am continually turning my heart and my thoughts toward the VINE. He captivates me. He is the object, the person upon which I fix my gaze. He is my life source, my identity. I know who I am because of who HE is in me. He has deposited His seed within me, and I produce His fruit. I become so focused on Him that everything else fades into the background. FIX MY EYES ON JESUS.
Letting be – I am no longer striving to become something. I am simply being that which I already am. I no longer have to work at being a good Christian. I am because His righteousness has made me good. I am free from performance. I don’t have to earn my way into the heart of the vine. He chose me and gave His life for me.
Rest is not a position of inactivity. Rest is a position of secure faith out of which activity flows.
(Heb 4:9) There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. Remains in the scripture means to abide; not to depart; to continue to be present.
Abiding in the vine is entering into God’s rest. It is bringing your life into agreement with God.
Receptivity – I am aware of His presence. I am stuck on God. I am God reliant and not self reliant. Everything that I am comes from God. I am completely dependent upon Holy Spirit for day to day living.
Spontaneous flow – freedom to be who you are. Walking in tandem with Holy Spirit. Inner promptings.
"As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father" (1 John 2:24).
Abiding in the vine is not just about you deepening your relationship with Jesus. The Father Himself loves you and desires to know you and be known by you. Jesus wanted you to know His Dad and for the joy of being able to introduce His dad to many more sons, He endured the cross. Abiding in the vine allows the Love of Father to be shed abroad in your heart. Increased levels of love equals increased levels of freedom. The closer you get to God, the freer you get. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.
Abide in Him and allow His seed to be reproduced in you.
©2010 Felicia Murrell YzCounsel Ministries
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Papa's Bidding
You Bid Me Write; You Bid Me Come; You Bid Me Dream with Thee
What are the thoughts of Christ today? What’s on the mind of royalty?
“O My Fair One, How I Do Love Thee
No Matter of Counting Can Measure the Ways
Come Love on Me. Come Be With Me
Rest ‘til your heart’s content
My thoughts for you will amaze you, woo you
Drawing Merry and Wonderment
How Do I Love Thee
O, How My Hearts Bursts For you
I Love To be in the room
O, How I Dance For you. How I delight in you
Your radiance is like full moon”
You Bid Me Write; You Bid Me Come; You Bid Me Dream with Thee
What are the Thoughts of Christ today? What’s on the mind of royalty?
“To Display my love to you, sing my song to you
Feel your hand in mine as we sway in time
Our hearts in sync to one tune
Heaven On Earth I sing. Glory and Love I bring.
Justice released. My presence increased.
Goodness and Peace to all men
I poured out my life for you; came down to die for you.
Because I want you to live
My Heart is full for you. Nothing But Good for you
Freedom and Joy I give”
©2010 Felicia Murrell YzCounsel Ministries
Thursday, May 20, 2010
PROPHETIC INSIGHT ON THE MIDDLE TN FLOOD OF 2010
Flying at 50,000 feet, I asked the Lord, "Father, what are you doing? What does this mean? How do we partner with you?"
This is what I heard (May 7, 2010): The prayers of creation were ushering in a revelation of His sons. I kept hearing, "Ground swell. Ground swell. Even as the land was quickly flooded and gusts of wind blew on the area, so I am flooding Middle Tennessee with my Presence in even greater dimensions than you've known before. Even as unnatural things happened in the environment, supernatural things are beginning to manifest in Middle TN. The air is becoming thin. The air is becoming thin. There is an increase in the angelic and the presence of supernatural beings. Even as many rally to aid victims in need, so shall my sons and daughters rally together to pour out my love on the needy, the broken, the hungry, the castaway. Intercessors, put your boots on the ground. Blow the trumpet in Music City. Sound the alarm, the sons are rising. The sons are rising. There is a suddenly that is getting ready to happen and the outcome is greater than we have dared to imagine. Shift is happening. Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard. Release the sound over the dam."
©2010 Felicia Murrell YzCounsel Ministries
This is what I heard (May 7, 2010): The prayers of creation were ushering in a revelation of His sons. I kept hearing, "Ground swell. Ground swell. Even as the land was quickly flooded and gusts of wind blew on the area, so I am flooding Middle Tennessee with my Presence in even greater dimensions than you've known before. Even as unnatural things happened in the environment, supernatural things are beginning to manifest in Middle TN. The air is becoming thin. The air is becoming thin. There is an increase in the angelic and the presence of supernatural beings. Even as many rally to aid victims in need, so shall my sons and daughters rally together to pour out my love on the needy, the broken, the hungry, the castaway. Intercessors, put your boots on the ground. Blow the trumpet in Music City. Sound the alarm, the sons are rising. The sons are rising. There is a suddenly that is getting ready to happen and the outcome is greater than we have dared to imagine. Shift is happening. Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard. Release the sound over the dam."
©2010 Felicia Murrell YzCounsel Ministries
Coming Out Of The Closet
One day as I was communing with Him, I fell into a deep sleep with my face upon my pillow.
As I slept, He touched me and I saw myself hid in the furtherest recesses of my closet, cowering in the darkness; kneeling in the corner; arm above my head to protect myself from the world and all therein.
The closet door gently creaked open and I made not a sound, willing myself invisible, afraid for what was next.
Immediately a fragrance overtook me, so sweet was the smell, I lowered my hand and lifted my head to draw in more of the sweet smelling savor.
Much to my dismay, I realized, I had been found out! My secret place uncovered! Exposed to the One.
But wait, what is that look in His eyes? They look like doves eyes. So peaceful, so safe. "I wanna go with You", I thought, "am I safe with you?"
As if He could read my thoughts, He smiled, extended His hand and bid me, "Come. Come up here. I went to prepare a place for you so that you could be with me where I am. My Dad has many rooms in His house. If that wasn't the truth, I wouldn't say it to you. I promised I wouldn't leave you as an orphan. I came for you. I promised I wouldn't leave you comfortless. Have you met Helper, My friend? Your friend? He will guide you into all truth. Why has your soul been so downcast? Put your hope in Me alone. Here, let me take this (False Security - my black cape). And here let me take this (Extra - my false comfort). And here, can I have that? (Wall - my defense mechanism I've used all of my life to survive). And if you'd like, you can hand me those lies, those fears, and that ball of unforgiveness. No pressure, only if you'd like. Come, come walk with me through the valley of the shadow of death. It's ok. Nothing to fear now, I am with you. My rod and my staff, they will provide comfort for you. And you can have as much of me as you want for surely goodness and mercy are with you. And beloved, I have good and perfect gifts for you, compliments of My Father and Your Father. You see, you never sweep a house clean and leave it empty. So for everything you've given me on our journey together, I want to restore to you gifts that were rightfully yours from the beginning: my signet ring, this is your all access pass to the Kingdom. All of heaven is open to you. There is nothing on hold from you. With my ring, you shall decree a thing and it shall be established for you and light will shine on your ways. I also bestow upon you, the robe of righteousness - you are forever secure in my love. Every decision made from my love, every thought, every action, every word, every deed done from my love will be correct. To live from my love is to have My mind. My scepter is always extended to you. The veil is torn in two. You can forever come and be with me where I am. You never have to leave my presence. In me is fullness of joy and at my right hand, I always have pleasures. I have also for you a jeweled crown. I am your defender. My love is your greatest weapon. No longer are you to merely survive, I hereby crown you to thrive."
Though I was weak and faint, with every step, He lent me His strength. With every word spoken from His lips, I stood more erect. We walked and we walked, sometimes just walking and saying no words.
As I continued to sleep, I looked again and realized no longer was a little scared abandoned orphan girl walking with Him. That person was no more. The pauper was made alive to God in Christ Jesus!
Awakened to her identity, now a radiant princess adorned in her royalty.
Who is that dancing upon the mountain? You are a radiant song, a breath of fresh air, still magnolias hung on its branches. Who is that partnering with heaven to transform the world? You are my fair one, my beloved, my bride. Who is that? Who are you?
I am the called out one. You have called me out of darkness, out of the recesses of my closet corner into your marvelous light. Good bye false security, good bye wall, good bye lies. Good bye false comfort. Hello Father and all you offer.
©2010 Felicia Murrell
As I slept, He touched me and I saw myself hid in the furtherest recesses of my closet, cowering in the darkness; kneeling in the corner; arm above my head to protect myself from the world and all therein.
The closet door gently creaked open and I made not a sound, willing myself invisible, afraid for what was next.
Immediately a fragrance overtook me, so sweet was the smell, I lowered my hand and lifted my head to draw in more of the sweet smelling savor.
Much to my dismay, I realized, I had been found out! My secret place uncovered! Exposed to the One.
But wait, what is that look in His eyes? They look like doves eyes. So peaceful, so safe. "I wanna go with You", I thought, "am I safe with you?"
As if He could read my thoughts, He smiled, extended His hand and bid me, "Come. Come up here. I went to prepare a place for you so that you could be with me where I am. My Dad has many rooms in His house. If that wasn't the truth, I wouldn't say it to you. I promised I wouldn't leave you as an orphan. I came for you. I promised I wouldn't leave you comfortless. Have you met Helper, My friend? Your friend? He will guide you into all truth. Why has your soul been so downcast? Put your hope in Me alone. Here, let me take this (False Security - my black cape). And here let me take this (Extra - my false comfort). And here, can I have that? (Wall - my defense mechanism I've used all of my life to survive). And if you'd like, you can hand me those lies, those fears, and that ball of unforgiveness. No pressure, only if you'd like. Come, come walk with me through the valley of the shadow of death. It's ok. Nothing to fear now, I am with you. My rod and my staff, they will provide comfort for you. And you can have as much of me as you want for surely goodness and mercy are with you. And beloved, I have good and perfect gifts for you, compliments of My Father and Your Father. You see, you never sweep a house clean and leave it empty. So for everything you've given me on our journey together, I want to restore to you gifts that were rightfully yours from the beginning: my signet ring, this is your all access pass to the Kingdom. All of heaven is open to you. There is nothing on hold from you. With my ring, you shall decree a thing and it shall be established for you and light will shine on your ways. I also bestow upon you, the robe of righteousness - you are forever secure in my love. Every decision made from my love, every thought, every action, every word, every deed done from my love will be correct. To live from my love is to have My mind. My scepter is always extended to you. The veil is torn in two. You can forever come and be with me where I am. You never have to leave my presence. In me is fullness of joy and at my right hand, I always have pleasures. I have also for you a jeweled crown. I am your defender. My love is your greatest weapon. No longer are you to merely survive, I hereby crown you to thrive."
Though I was weak and faint, with every step, He lent me His strength. With every word spoken from His lips, I stood more erect. We walked and we walked, sometimes just walking and saying no words.
As I continued to sleep, I looked again and realized no longer was a little scared abandoned orphan girl walking with Him. That person was no more. The pauper was made alive to God in Christ Jesus!
Awakened to her identity, now a radiant princess adorned in her royalty.
Who is that dancing upon the mountain? You are a radiant song, a breath of fresh air, still magnolias hung on its branches. Who is that partnering with heaven to transform the world? You are my fair one, my beloved, my bride. Who is that? Who are you?
I am the called out one. You have called me out of darkness, out of the recesses of my closet corner into your marvelous light. Good bye false security, good bye wall, good bye lies. Good bye false comfort. Hello Father and all you offer.
©2010 Felicia Murrell
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
God's Fatherlike Qualities
As I was reading about the Father Heart of God and the depths of His love for us, I was so overwhelmed with these thoughts. I found myself studying seven areas of God’s Fatherlike qualities that have oft times been misrepresented to us – either through childhood situations or life experiences and hurts. Because we tend to see God through the lens of our own perceptions, we may have a reality about Father (Abba, Papa) that isn’t His reality.
The areas are: 1. Authority 2.Trust 3.Values 4.Affection 5. Presence 6. Acceptance 7. Communication
Let’s reflect for a moment and in the process, I pray, draw closer to the heart of Papa God.
1. What breeds distrust in you in the area of authority? Was there some male figure, who wrongly misrepresented himself to you through physical, verbal, or mental abuse? Sometimes, we shrink away from God’s authority because we assume He will be like other authority figures in our lives. Let me assure, He will not. Papa God is perfect love. You don’t have to run from Him. Even when you are wrong, even we you have sinned, even when you doubt or feel discouraged, run to Him. Run to Him, Beloved and hurl yourself upon His lap. Rest in Him.
2. Maybe as a child you lost a parent or were “orphaned” because other things took precedence over you in your parent’s life. Perhaps there’s been someone you trusted to be there “forever” that chose not to honor and keep a forever covenant. Now as God’s child, you find it difficult to trust in His faithfulness. Perhaps shattered childhood promises, neglect, or a broken heart causes you to approach Him with cynicism and distrust. Know, beloved that God is there. He has always been there, through every hurt, through every disappointment – even now, at this very moment, He is there. He is waiting with outstretched arms. 2 Timothy 2:13(TLB) records,” Even when we are too weak to have any faith left, He remains faithful to us…and He will always carry out His promises to us.” Go on, beloved. If your family member or spouse or friend or pastor failed in their responsibility to you, recognize it, forgive them, and go on to receive God’s love.
3. God’s values are significantly different from ours. While we tend to be caught up in the pursuit of things, the greatest demonstration of what God values is you. His Father heart for you is revealed in His concern for every single detail of your life. God is in the dailies. He loves to bless you, He longs to love you. Papa is not stingy, possessive, or materialistic. He values you.
4. You, dear one, are the apple of God’s eye. Even covered with mud, sin, shame, guilt, He doesn’t turn you away. No, as a mom would wash the feet of child whose being playing outside in the mud before coming in, Papa simply takes the garden hose filled with His son’s blood and washes you clean and draws you into a loving embrace. He pursues you with His forgiveness and His love. Stop running from Him, run to Him.
5. God has the ability to be with you all the time. It is true that He never leaves or forsakes you. He is always there, Jehovah Shammah. Do you understand why the reality of this truth is so important? Imagine if you will, a time in your own life, when you waited all day by the window for your mom or dad. Imagine that you had planned a romantic evening for a special someone in your life only to have him come home grumpy, not wanting to engage. Imagine that your mom and dad came home, time after time, too tired to revel in the finger-painted picture, too tired to hear about your day at school, give you a hug, make eye contact, the enemy begins to use these wounds to sow ungodly beliefs in your thoughts and your heart. “You’re not important. No one values you. No one wants to spend time with you.” You know, all of the lies we unwittingly entertain. Unfortunately, those lies unchecked create an expectation of alone-ness and isolation. We begin to be lonely and expect surface friendships, even in our relationship with God. Since our parents weren’t there, we reason, God couldn’t possibly be either. Beloved, God is our for REAL Father. He always will be. There is nothing fake or pretentious about Him. Try not to resent the failings of your human mom and dad. Try not to resent the failings of special someones' who did not meet your expectations. Rather, forgive and release them. And run to Dad, Jehovah Shammah, who is always there.
6. Let’s face it – we live in a performance based society. Much of the love we give and receive is based on conditions, whether spoken or unspoken. We, unconsciously, convey to our kids, “if you make the soccer team, if you bring home a good report card, if you clean your room, then you are loved, then you are accepted, then you will receive my praise. God, however, IS unconditional love. He loves us because He is love. We don’t need to do anything to convince Him to love us, while we were yet sinners, He loves us. All we have to do is receive His love. An even greater reality that Abba wants you to glean from His love, He approves of you. You are the apple of His eye. Imagine if Doug brought me flowers and said, “I love you, Felicia.” And then I in turn ran in the room and grabbed my wallet and tried to pay him for his expression of love. It would be like a slap in his face that I just couldn’t accept and receive his expression of love. Beloved, what is your response when God says He loves you? Do you just toss His bouquet of roses to the side with a shrug and a feeling of unworthiness? Do you fall on your knees with guilt promising to pray more, serve more, read your Bible more, do more, or whatever more frantic activity you think will be repayment enough for Abba’s love? Stop striving, dear one. As content as a sleeping babe curled in the arms of his mom after a feast of nourishment at her breast, so does the Lord desire you to be in Father’s love. Rest in His love. Stop your striving, dear one. Rest in His love. Enjoy the deep sense of peace that comes from knowing Dad loves you just as you are. “He is mighty to save, he will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
7. If you have been hindered in your relationship to God because of lack in some area of parental love, because of disappointment, or what you believe to be unjust circumstances, tell the Lord how you feel and ask Him for help. You MUST choose to forgive anyone who has hurt you. No matter the offense, you are 100% responsible for forgiving. There is no peace in bitterness. And beloved, don’t allow those subtle lies of the enemy to fool you. You are not alone. You are not the only who’s been there. All flesh is grass. All have sinned. All have hurt or been hurt. What counts is that you communicate those hurts to the Lord and ask forgiveness for the hurts you’ve extended to others. Talk to Him and then listen, He’s waiting to talk back.
God is the Perfect Parent, receive His love.
©2008 Felicia Murrell
The areas are: 1. Authority 2.Trust 3.Values 4.Affection 5. Presence 6. Acceptance 7. Communication
Let’s reflect for a moment and in the process, I pray, draw closer to the heart of Papa God.
1. What breeds distrust in you in the area of authority? Was there some male figure, who wrongly misrepresented himself to you through physical, verbal, or mental abuse? Sometimes, we shrink away from God’s authority because we assume He will be like other authority figures in our lives. Let me assure, He will not. Papa God is perfect love. You don’t have to run from Him. Even when you are wrong, even we you have sinned, even when you doubt or feel discouraged, run to Him. Run to Him, Beloved and hurl yourself upon His lap. Rest in Him.
2. Maybe as a child you lost a parent or were “orphaned” because other things took precedence over you in your parent’s life. Perhaps there’s been someone you trusted to be there “forever” that chose not to honor and keep a forever covenant. Now as God’s child, you find it difficult to trust in His faithfulness. Perhaps shattered childhood promises, neglect, or a broken heart causes you to approach Him with cynicism and distrust. Know, beloved that God is there. He has always been there, through every hurt, through every disappointment – even now, at this very moment, He is there. He is waiting with outstretched arms. 2 Timothy 2:13(TLB) records,” Even when we are too weak to have any faith left, He remains faithful to us…and He will always carry out His promises to us.” Go on, beloved. If your family member or spouse or friend or pastor failed in their responsibility to you, recognize it, forgive them, and go on to receive God’s love.
3. God’s values are significantly different from ours. While we tend to be caught up in the pursuit of things, the greatest demonstration of what God values is you. His Father heart for you is revealed in His concern for every single detail of your life. God is in the dailies. He loves to bless you, He longs to love you. Papa is not stingy, possessive, or materialistic. He values you.
4. You, dear one, are the apple of God’s eye. Even covered with mud, sin, shame, guilt, He doesn’t turn you away. No, as a mom would wash the feet of child whose being playing outside in the mud before coming in, Papa simply takes the garden hose filled with His son’s blood and washes you clean and draws you into a loving embrace. He pursues you with His forgiveness and His love. Stop running from Him, run to Him.
5. God has the ability to be with you all the time. It is true that He never leaves or forsakes you. He is always there, Jehovah Shammah. Do you understand why the reality of this truth is so important? Imagine if you will, a time in your own life, when you waited all day by the window for your mom or dad. Imagine that you had planned a romantic evening for a special someone in your life only to have him come home grumpy, not wanting to engage. Imagine that your mom and dad came home, time after time, too tired to revel in the finger-painted picture, too tired to hear about your day at school, give you a hug, make eye contact, the enemy begins to use these wounds to sow ungodly beliefs in your thoughts and your heart. “You’re not important. No one values you. No one wants to spend time with you.” You know, all of the lies we unwittingly entertain. Unfortunately, those lies unchecked create an expectation of alone-ness and isolation. We begin to be lonely and expect surface friendships, even in our relationship with God. Since our parents weren’t there, we reason, God couldn’t possibly be either. Beloved, God is our for REAL Father. He always will be. There is nothing fake or pretentious about Him. Try not to resent the failings of your human mom and dad. Try not to resent the failings of special someones' who did not meet your expectations. Rather, forgive and release them. And run to Dad, Jehovah Shammah, who is always there.
6. Let’s face it – we live in a performance based society. Much of the love we give and receive is based on conditions, whether spoken or unspoken. We, unconsciously, convey to our kids, “if you make the soccer team, if you bring home a good report card, if you clean your room, then you are loved, then you are accepted, then you will receive my praise. God, however, IS unconditional love. He loves us because He is love. We don’t need to do anything to convince Him to love us, while we were yet sinners, He loves us. All we have to do is receive His love. An even greater reality that Abba wants you to glean from His love, He approves of you. You are the apple of His eye. Imagine if Doug brought me flowers and said, “I love you, Felicia.” And then I in turn ran in the room and grabbed my wallet and tried to pay him for his expression of love. It would be like a slap in his face that I just couldn’t accept and receive his expression of love. Beloved, what is your response when God says He loves you? Do you just toss His bouquet of roses to the side with a shrug and a feeling of unworthiness? Do you fall on your knees with guilt promising to pray more, serve more, read your Bible more, do more, or whatever more frantic activity you think will be repayment enough for Abba’s love? Stop striving, dear one. As content as a sleeping babe curled in the arms of his mom after a feast of nourishment at her breast, so does the Lord desire you to be in Father’s love. Rest in His love. Stop your striving, dear one. Rest in His love. Enjoy the deep sense of peace that comes from knowing Dad loves you just as you are. “He is mighty to save, he will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
7. If you have been hindered in your relationship to God because of lack in some area of parental love, because of disappointment, or what you believe to be unjust circumstances, tell the Lord how you feel and ask Him for help. You MUST choose to forgive anyone who has hurt you. No matter the offense, you are 100% responsible for forgiving. There is no peace in bitterness. And beloved, don’t allow those subtle lies of the enemy to fool you. You are not alone. You are not the only who’s been there. All flesh is grass. All have sinned. All have hurt or been hurt. What counts is that you communicate those hurts to the Lord and ask forgiveness for the hurts you’ve extended to others. Talk to Him and then listen, He’s waiting to talk back.
God is the Perfect Parent, receive His love.
©2008 Felicia Murrell
Friday, April 9, 2010
A THRONE ROOM CONVERSATION
For my birthday last year, I gave myself the gift of time...I poured oil in our jacuzzi tub and lined it with bath salts. With candles lining the tub, I loved myself. Setting the ipod to the tunes of Alberto and Kimberly Rivera, I soaked in the presence of my Heavenly Daddy, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.
At some point, as I lay my head against the bath pillow, the music stilled itself and I began to hear a conversation. Quickly finding the towel to dry my hands, I began to journal what I was hearing. For eight months I've treasured this and held the words in my heart.
Why share them today? Because I feel that Papa would have me pull back the veil and show others that you too can have an intimate relationship with the Lover of your soul. You too can know the song that was sung over you before you were placed in your mother's womb. I hope that mine, will invoke a longing within your heart to hear your own song of belonging and destiny.
May you come to intimately know the One who is the giver and sustainer of all life.
Felicia Murrell
August 23, 2009
I have loved you with an everlasting love. The day I formed you, knitted you, fashioned you, my eyes were upon you - glued to you. My precious one, I created you with strength. I put ore in you and blew on the embers with the wind of my fire. I fashioned you, knitted you, handcrafted you. I poured faith in you. I gave you leadership and strength; broad shoulders to carry the weight of my anointing. I gifted you with song and poured a well of worship deep, deep, deep into you. An effervescent pool of love bubbling up from within. I gave you wisdom, insight, discerning of spirits. "What else," I cried, "what else can I give to this one I love so dearly? What can I give to this champion, this warrior woman of mine?" Strength, Courage, Boldness, Understanding, Revelation, Grace, Grace, and more Grace. Ah Yes!! I shall give her My favor to go with her, to open doors, to prepare the way...and resiliency. Yes, Spirit, she shall need resiliency and endurance for the long haul. Wow, Father! Look at her! Look at what You've created. Isn't she beautiful? You should call her joy, happy. Yes, Son, I shall put it in the heart of her family to call her Felicia. For a season, she shall walk and her identity will be veiled. She will be called out of her name and will not know or recognize all that is within her but then a day shall come, surely even now the hour is upon her, where she shall arise and declare herself blessed of the Lord. So much beauty in her name. Yes, indeed Father, beautiful.
At some point, as I lay my head against the bath pillow, the music stilled itself and I began to hear a conversation. Quickly finding the towel to dry my hands, I began to journal what I was hearing. For eight months I've treasured this and held the words in my heart.
Why share them today? Because I feel that Papa would have me pull back the veil and show others that you too can have an intimate relationship with the Lover of your soul. You too can know the song that was sung over you before you were placed in your mother's womb. I hope that mine, will invoke a longing within your heart to hear your own song of belonging and destiny.
May you come to intimately know the One who is the giver and sustainer of all life.
Felicia Murrell
August 23, 2009
I have loved you with an everlasting love. The day I formed you, knitted you, fashioned you, my eyes were upon you - glued to you. My precious one, I created you with strength. I put ore in you and blew on the embers with the wind of my fire. I fashioned you, knitted you, handcrafted you. I poured faith in you. I gave you leadership and strength; broad shoulders to carry the weight of my anointing. I gifted you with song and poured a well of worship deep, deep, deep into you. An effervescent pool of love bubbling up from within. I gave you wisdom, insight, discerning of spirits. "What else," I cried, "what else can I give to this one I love so dearly? What can I give to this champion, this warrior woman of mine?" Strength, Courage, Boldness, Understanding, Revelation, Grace, Grace, and more Grace. Ah Yes!! I shall give her My favor to go with her, to open doors, to prepare the way...and resiliency. Yes, Spirit, she shall need resiliency and endurance for the long haul. Wow, Father! Look at her! Look at what You've created. Isn't she beautiful? You should call her joy, happy. Yes, Son, I shall put it in the heart of her family to call her Felicia. For a season, she shall walk and her identity will be veiled. She will be called out of her name and will not know or recognize all that is within her but then a day shall come, surely even now the hour is upon her, where she shall arise and declare herself blessed of the Lord. So much beauty in her name. Yes, indeed Father, beautiful.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Orphan or Son
An orphan spirit is not a demonic spirit but rather a lifestyle one takes on because of a sense of fatherlessness. Orphans are insecure. Orphans keep to themselves. They are easily threatened. They don’t have an identity or their identity is based on what they do not who they are. Orphan thinking always leads us away from God. Orphans are always looking for the high place, the place of recognition, there is a constant pressure to work for and earn everything that they believe they deserve.
Here are a few things you may here an orphan say, : “I’ve got to fight for what is mine.” “If it is to be it’s up to me.” “If I don’t do it, it won’t get done.” “If I want it done right, I have to do it myself.” “I can’t depend on anyone.” “I don’t trust anyone.” “I’ve been hurt so many times; I will never let anyone close to me again.”
Orphans often feel inferior, are independent and self reliant. Orphans are selfish, self centered, self focused. Orphans are critical, judgmental, uncooperative. Orphans are impatient. Orphans show ingratitude, always focusing on what they think they deserve. Orphans always have a need to be right. They display disloyalty and will play people against each other to win people over to their side. Most orphans are full of pride and have a great fear of man, meaning that it matters to them what men think. They are consumed with pleasing people because of a need to be loved, a need to be accepted. Orphans are often disobedient, rebellious, and buck authority. Even though they want to be loved, want to be accepted, they almost always feel like they never will so they respond in anger, they don’t try, they do the opposite of what is asked or expected of them.
Christian Orphans do all the right things: obedient; works hard; follows all the rules. They are good at performing, religious striving. They read the bible more, pray more, fast more, serve more, do, do do but experience little to no joy; not walking in or experiencing the fullness of God.
The good news is that Jesus promised us in John 14:18, “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.” The Father, Himself, declares in 2 Corinthians 6:18, “And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.”
Inside each of us is a little child that needs to be loved. When we humble ourselves and submit ourselves in childlike faith to be parented by Papa God, then He can come and minister His love to us. We understand that sons, who come to Papa in childlike faith, trust.
Sons are carefree – they don’t worry or reason things out. Sons just accept it at face value, they are sincere – there is no pretense, Sons are honest. Sons are innocent. Jesus was our perfect example of what God desires from all of us as sons, and that is to live a life of absolute trust and dependence on Papa God. We know that were created by love for love to be loved and to give love. God made us to live in the center of His love. We are most fulfilled when we find our home in God’s love.
Let Papa love you today.
Repeat this prayer aloud:
Abba, I long to be loved by you. I come to you as a little child. Have a relationship with me. Accept me. Treat me as your own. Adore me. Love on me. Teach me how to love you. Abba, I trust you. I know that you have my very best interest at heart. Lord, I open my heart to you. Touch all those areas of my life that cause me pain. Minister your love to me. God heal the hurts and the wounds. Heal all of the unloved places. Cause my ear to hear your voice and my heart to receive your love. Papa, teach me how to receive. I want to be a son(daughter). I want to be your son(daughter). I give you permission to invade my world with your love.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
For more teaching on the orphan spirit, Mark Stibbe’s book, From Orphans to Heirs and Jack Frost’s book ,From Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship are both great resources.
© 2010 Felicia Murrell
Here are a few things you may here an orphan say, : “I’ve got to fight for what is mine.” “If it is to be it’s up to me.” “If I don’t do it, it won’t get done.” “If I want it done right, I have to do it myself.” “I can’t depend on anyone.” “I don’t trust anyone.” “I’ve been hurt so many times; I will never let anyone close to me again.”
Orphans often feel inferior, are independent and self reliant. Orphans are selfish, self centered, self focused. Orphans are critical, judgmental, uncooperative. Orphans are impatient. Orphans show ingratitude, always focusing on what they think they deserve. Orphans always have a need to be right. They display disloyalty and will play people against each other to win people over to their side. Most orphans are full of pride and have a great fear of man, meaning that it matters to them what men think. They are consumed with pleasing people because of a need to be loved, a need to be accepted. Orphans are often disobedient, rebellious, and buck authority. Even though they want to be loved, want to be accepted, they almost always feel like they never will so they respond in anger, they don’t try, they do the opposite of what is asked or expected of them.
Christian Orphans do all the right things: obedient; works hard; follows all the rules. They are good at performing, religious striving. They read the bible more, pray more, fast more, serve more, do, do do but experience little to no joy; not walking in or experiencing the fullness of God.
The good news is that Jesus promised us in John 14:18, “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.” The Father, Himself, declares in 2 Corinthians 6:18, “And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.”
Inside each of us is a little child that needs to be loved. When we humble ourselves and submit ourselves in childlike faith to be parented by Papa God, then He can come and minister His love to us. We understand that sons, who come to Papa in childlike faith, trust.
Sons are carefree – they don’t worry or reason things out. Sons just accept it at face value, they are sincere – there is no pretense, Sons are honest. Sons are innocent. Jesus was our perfect example of what God desires from all of us as sons, and that is to live a life of absolute trust and dependence on Papa God. We know that were created by love for love to be loved and to give love. God made us to live in the center of His love. We are most fulfilled when we find our home in God’s love.
Let Papa love you today.
Repeat this prayer aloud:
Abba, I long to be loved by you. I come to you as a little child. Have a relationship with me. Accept me. Treat me as your own. Adore me. Love on me. Teach me how to love you. Abba, I trust you. I know that you have my very best interest at heart. Lord, I open my heart to you. Touch all those areas of my life that cause me pain. Minister your love to me. God heal the hurts and the wounds. Heal all of the unloved places. Cause my ear to hear your voice and my heart to receive your love. Papa, teach me how to receive. I want to be a son(daughter). I want to be your son(daughter). I give you permission to invade my world with your love.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
For more teaching on the orphan spirit, Mark Stibbe’s book, From Orphans to Heirs and Jack Frost’s book ,From Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship are both great resources.
© 2010 Felicia Murrell
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