One of our primary themes is that the Kingdom is built upon dreams in the hearts of God’s people. We were not designed to serve another man’s dream indefinitely. It can be good for a learning season to serve under tutors and governors, but Jesus eventually leads into our own heart’s motivations, or we languish on the vine and become discouraged.
Much of institutional Christianity and corporate hierarchies are built around the founder’s vision. You can sign up for the vision or you can fall by the wayside. Many of these visions are worthwhile, and supporting them is fine, unless it comes at the expense of your own dream. I know of very few organizations, spiritual or secular, that encourage people to engage their own hearts. The result is that most of these leaders and organization are “orphan generators.” You can serve them or you can go away. They exist for their own dream, not helping you to find your destiny. Oddly, many believers try to manufacture a false identity around being a life-long servant. Most wither spiritually because they are outside their heart and calling. Fear is the motivation to remain in on this monotonous treadmill where dreams and identities are surrendered for life.
What’s an orphan mentality? – Finding your place in the Kingdom is a dream come true… exciting, rewarding, and fulfilling. Our vocation, ministry and finances come together in our mountain, and fruitfulness is the result.
An orphan mentality can happen when we haven’t connected with our hearts and found our place in the Kingdom. The real issue is that we miss an aspect of connecting with our Father’s heart – work! We do have lots of apostles and pastors, but there are precious few “fathers” who will take the time to help us understand our hearts, get connected with our mountain and show us how to create the wealth to make it all sustainable to the point of overflowing. The Kingdom dynamic of releasing individual hearts is largely missing in both church and corporate organizations.
“Orphan” is simply a term for the feeling of being without a father. Feeling alone without someone else who cares enough to help. This loneliness, isolation and lack of purpose is not cured by going to more meetings. Simple prescriptions about finding our identity, rededicating our lives, and positive confessions are not credible answers either. The real cure is finding our purpose and making some progress in our calling, practically and financially.
Becoming a “son” or “King” – The essence of entering the Kingdom here on earth is that we find our purpose and engage in it. Sons share the work, the suffering, the persecution, the glory, and the wealth involved in doing what the Father is doing in every mountain. They have a strategy rooted in the desires of their own and their Father’s heart, and they make it happen by their own hands and by the power of God. It’s warfare and victories, messy and magnificent, all at the same time. On one hand it’s a party, a banquet hosted by the Father, to which many are invited; yet, it’s also a battle that requires great courage and persistence over time.
…because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Rom 8:14 NIV
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus Gal 3:26 NIV
Dare to dream – Why do some believers say “yes” to Kingdom while other are content to sit? In a word, it’s “fear.” The spirit of slavery is fed a daily ration of fear. Fear of failure is the essence of religious and political bondage. Servants don’t dream; sons do – they know they have an inheritance and permission to dream and build. They are not afraid to try; they know their Father will still love them if they fail. The reality is that dreams do come true. God does answer prayer in every mountain. He is building his Kingdom. He and we will complete the job.
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Rom 8:14-17 NASU
Led by the Spirit – Sons are led by the Spirit of God. That means they talk to Jesus, and more importantly, listen to what he says and they do it. They are not waiting for someone else to tell them what to do. Sheep hear His voice, sons obey His voice, and Kings share His dream and speak with His voice. Kingdom people are not afraid of initiative, prophetically or practically. Enterprise is the language of Kingdom. Our Father is creative, generous, loving and empowering… so are we. Perhaps most important is that His presence goes with us. He’s inviting you and I into a Kingdom filled with purpose and presence and destiny. He’s including us in His work. An orphan mentality is completely broken when we touch the realm of co-laboring with Jesus to build His Kingdom in a way that touches the dream in our own heart, in our own mountain. He loves His children that much.
The paradox is that when we get in touch with our own heart and dream, that’s when we are positioned to serve others and make a difference in their lives… help make their dreams come true.
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Ex 33:14 NIV
But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:17-18 NIV
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. John 14:12 NASU
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you… Jer 29:11-14 NIV
For we are God’s fellow workers…1 Cor 3:9 NIV
As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 Cor 6:1 NIV
