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Seeking Rest in the Father’s Love

July 11, 2016 by Robert Hartzell

Seeking Rest in the Father’s Love

Isaiah 66:1, 2 Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?  For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.”     

At one time in my Christian walk I would awake at 5:30am and go to my church to pray each day, then study the Bible from 8 until noon. Almost everyday it seemed like I would try to fast. Unfortunately most days I ended up buying a box of Captain Crunch cereal and eating the whole thing for lunch! I desperately wanted to have Smith Wigglesworth’s anointing, to be a spiritual giant.resting in love

I sought intimacy with God but I sought it wrongly. I was trying to build God something through my works, to build an anointing and enough sacrifice to please Him. I had not learned to simply receive what He freely offers through humility and brokenness.

Father desires for us to know Him but because of misconceptions we have about who our Father is, we often end up discouraged. Our efforts end up not bearing the fruits we had hoped for. We try to work hard for Him, develop  something for Him. We try to do something rather than resting in His love.

However, all things are made by Him so there is nothing left to do. We’re just supposed to be with Him.

The very act of trying to do for God ends up keeping us from Him. 

Ps.131:1-2 — Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.It takes humility to let go of our own efforts and simply receive but it brings a glorious freedom.

Zach.4:6 — Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.

Ps.127:1 — Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it… 

Let us labor only to enter into His rest. (Heb. 4:11)

Filed Under: Father's Love Tagged With: Christianity, love

Fathers Love Transparency Secret for Freedom and Rest

April 7, 2014 by Robert Hartzell

Fathers Love Transparency Secret Brings easy freedom over darkness

We live in a world that values strength and belittles weakness. These are opposite values from the Father’s Love.

We idolize characters such as Rambo, John Wayne, and Jason Bourne. It is easy to feel that there is no way to advance in life if people see our weaknesses, our personal struggles. So we tend to be drawn toward hiding these things about ourselves. We want to put them in the dark where no one can see them. Yet, if we can’t even acknowledge we have struggles, how can we ever hope to overcome them?

So how do you live in Fathers love transparency?

Understanding what is darkness and what is light is step one and puts a huge tool in your hands for growth.

Blatant sin, of course, is darkness; however, there can be smaller, less noticeable ways where we might be living in the dark. 1 John 1:6 says,”… if we say we have fellowship with God, but we continue living in darkness, we lie and do not follow the truth.” So what exactly does this “living in darkness” mean? Simply put, anything that is hidden and not exposed. To paraphrase Andrew Murray’s definition of humility, darkness is not being willing to be known for who we really are.

If we are humble – being known for who we really are – then we find no reason to hide our past, our present struggles, or our future dreams. But being open and transparent like this involves risk. If we were to divulge certain things about ourselves, people may reject us or make fun of us, or even worse, they may not love and accept us. And it’s possible they may abandon us.

It’s much easier to stay in the dark than to take the chance of living in openness and transparency, but The Fathers Love Transparencyunfortunately, there are “friends” that tend to hang around us there. Fear, worry, anxiety, shame, guilt – all of these can be our ‘best friends’ when we’re in darkness. And there’s no peace or rest there. Only by embracing light do we position ourselves to experience growth and live ever deeper in Father Gods rest.

We can be free from our past and live emotionally present in all our relationships today! By facing the hidden darkness in our lives, we can find freedom to be who we really are, unashamedly. You begin living in the Fathers Love transparency.

Light is the place where we have the actual experience of feeling secure in our Father’s arms and live open-hearted to the world.

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Filed Under: Father's Love Tagged With: Christianity, Father's Love, fear, Rest, shame

Sonship Empowers Receiving Instruction and Correction for Growth

May 9, 2013 by Robert Hartzell

Sonship Empowers Receiving Instruction and Correction for Growth

God wanted to bring growth to my life. At first I battled embracing sonship to receive this growth in the package it came in. Let me explain.

When I was in my 20’s, I felt like ministry was not really working out for me, so I had the bright idea to try selling cars, of all things. I worked with a guy named E.T. He was a cool guy, always fun to be around, not judgmental of others or of his own lifestyle choices, which you might have called “loose,” to say the least. I was a young zealot of a Christian in those days, and one day I made some judgmental comment wherein E.T. said, “Robert, you’re tight.” He took it upon himself to elaborate on the number of ways I was not open and giving to other people. Sonship Empowers Receiving Instruction and Correction for GrowthNeedless to say, I did not really understand or appreciate this comment.

I went to my office fuming. “If E.T. knew what I gave in tithes and offerings he would not call me tight,” I thought. As I cooled off a little, I was able to ask God if there was any truth to E.T.s statement.

God began opening my eyes to many ways that I was actually tight. It flashed in my mind how I would often hide my demo (the car I was loaned from the dealership to drive), so if a customer came for service who needed to borrow a car to drive, the manager would look out the window and see some other salesmen’s demo to offer them. I realized that just because I give my tithe and some offerings, there are many other ways God wants me to be giving. Money is not the only way to give.

A whole new picture of what it means to give opened up. As I embraced a broader lifestyle of giving, a broader array of God’s blessings came into my life.

Are you willing to ask God today if you are giving in all the ways you could be?

Filed Under: Sonship Tagged With: Christianity, emotions, giving, Life skills, love, Sonship

Sonship Living Brings Fulfillment

April 26, 2013 by Cyndi Hartzell

Sonship Living Brings Fulfillment

Sonship Living Brings FulfillmentI just watched my niece receive her bachelor’s degree today. To me it’s always exciting to see graduates getting their diplomas. It’s such an accomplishment. There were some getting their masters and doctorate degrees too. Lots of hard work, studying and writing goes into that single piece of paper we all frame and put above our desks. It makes a statement.

One person taught that the objective of man is not to be happy, but to be fulfilled. I love this statement. Many times we run after the pursuit of happiness but we never obtain it. Maybe this is because “happiness” isn’t what we’re really looking for — fulfillment is.

Accomplishing any goal brings that sense of fulfillment, whether it’s hiking the Appalachian Trail or cleaning out the garage. I remember the feeling I felt when I finished my first marathon, it was overwhelming. I cried. I had never in my life dreamed I could have accomplished such a feat, but it started when I ran my first mile. I believe small achievements lead to bigger ones.

Though unfortunately there are those in our society that have a victim or welfare mentality – they want things given to them, to be taken care of by someone else, and have no desire to work and build anything themselves. I read something from a newspaper article recently that was a note to teenagers and young people that said it is they who owe society their gifts and talents rather than society owing them. They are young and strong, intelligent and skilled; it is they who can change the world. There are scientists, surgeons, photographers, writers, teachers, programmers, and a host of other gifts out there that we as a society need. I personally believe this is true of all ages, not just the youth of the world.Sonship Living Brings Fulfillment

When God created the world, He said afterwards, “It is good.” In fact, He said this after each thing He created. I believe this was that feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction that comes from a job well done. We are created in His image and we too, will have those feelings when we accomplish something.

Sometimes we think true happiness will come when we don’t have to do anything, when we can sit around all day and let our butlers, drivers, cooks, gardeners, and other workers do things for us. But unless we are accomplishing something ourselves, the happiness is empty. It’s okay to have all those servers as long as you’re working on something too. Only true happiness comes when we are fulfilled.

So whether it’s going to college, building a birdhouse, learning a language, painting a picture, or mowing the yard, accomplish something. Let that sense of fulfillment bring satisfaction and happiness into your life where you can stand back, look at it and say, “It is good.” I’m sure that’s how my niece feels right about now.

Filed Under: Sonship Tagged With: Christianity, Design, Destiny, Responsibility

Productive Devotions

February 8, 2013 by Robert Hartzell

Productive Devotions Occur By Learning to Work With Your Heart Rather Than Struggle Against It.

Around 8:45 this morning I’m preparing for my first prayer ministry appointment of the day and just feeling good; feeling joy and feeling God’s presence. Then I remembered, in my devotions this morning I journaled through issues that had been coming up.

It wasn’t a strong trigger yet aProductive Devotions number of times a particular event kept coming to my mind where I felt judgmental toward someone. As I asked God about it, I realized that beneath the protective judgment was a feeling of being “left out” of a particular activity. Logically, I knew there was no wrong intent on the part of the other person, but my heart was not lining up with my logic.

Discovery Prayer Ministry is never about forcing the heart, rather it is about discovering what’s happening there. So I waited on God to discover and I remembered a roommate I had years ago that had a lot of economic advantages I didn’t. I remembered feeling jealous toward him and even taking advantage of him.

I checked my heart for guilt but could sense I’d already repented and guilt had been dealt with. Then I noticed the “left out” feeling and God instantly spoke to my heart that He loves me and includes me, the same as He does for all His children. I looked back to the current event where I felt left out Productive Devotionsand it was totally peaceful.

The ability to work through issues with God is fundamental to all growth. So much of the Body of Christ does not experience the fruit of the spirit daily in their lives. It is not about praying enough or casting out wrong thoughts. It is about submitting to the King of love, and allowing Him to work in our hearts. This is what will cause the church to grow up.

God wants us to grow past condemnation and denial. He is calling His body to walk in active cooperation with His Fathering instruction, correction, love, and encouragement.

Filed Under: Christian Devotions Tagged With: Christianity, Prayer Ministry, Productive Devotions

Healthy Grief for Christian Maturity and Compassion

October 17, 2010 by admin

Healthy Grief for Christian Maturity and Compassion

“Dad was never there emotionally, he always seemed preoccupied. We didn’t do fun things together. He was so often intense, demanding, even critical. I wish we could have just hung out.” This example represents a real loss and requires healthy grief for Christian maturity and compassion.

When I begin working with a person in Prayer Ministry there are normally things that bother the person, ways they are triggered by others, ways life pushes their buttons. After awhile, when we get all those resolved, we come to an interesting place. The person is much more differentiated, and no longer easily triggered by the actions of other’s. However, passion for life is not necessarily restored.

Usually the last thing that comes up is grief and loss. Forgiveness has happened, lies have been displaced, yet, there is a loss. God made little boys and girls to need their fathers as available, engaged, safe, and fun. Releasing this loss is where deep connection is restored. The person is finally ready to move on to actively receive fathering from God and to live in community with others.

“Many have taken on our culture’s pain-denying view of grieving. Perhaps the most popular way in our culture of not paying attention to our losses and pain is by medicating ourselves through an addiction. People use work, TV, drugs, alcohol, shopping or food binges, busyness, sexual escapades, unhealthy relational attachments, even serving others at church incessantly – anything to medicate the pain of life.”

But grieving is part of our humanity, even as Jesus displayed it with the death of Lazarus. There are even many benefits from grieving. Here are a list of some from The Emotionally Healthy Church (p.168). Take some time to ponder these.

Benefits of Grieving:

  • We become compassionate as our Father in heaven is compassionate. Henri Nouwen rightly says grief is the way to compassion. There is no compassion without many tears… To become like the Father whose only authority is compassion, I have to shed countless tears and so prepare my heart to receive anyone, whatever their journey has been, and forgive them from the heart. Absorbing our own pain, we learn to forgive.
  • We have a greater concern for the poor, the widow, the orphan, the marginalized, and the wounded. We understand them.
  • We are less covetous, less idolatrous. We rarely say, “I’ve got to have this or I’ll die.” Life is stripped of its pretense and nonessentials. We are more apt to rid ourselves of the unimportant things in life others so desperately want – power, control, money, or approval.
  • We are liberated from having to impress others. We can follow God’s plan with a new freedom because we are not as motivated to please people.
  • We are able to live more comfortably with mystery when it comes to God and His plans. We are not afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when people ask us questions about God. We become much more flexible regarding God’s intentions for our lives.
  • We are characterized by a greater humility and vulnerability.
  • We place God at the center of our lives and begin rejecting superficial, trivial pursuits.
  • We experience an enhanced sense of living in the immediate present rather than postponing life until retirement. We easily now rearrange life’s priorities to be with our spouse (if  applicable) and friends.
  • We enjoy a new vivid appreciation of the basic facts of life – the changing seasons, the wind, the falling of the leaves, the last Christmas, people made in God’s image.
  • We have fewer fears and a greater willingness to take risks.
  • We are kinder. A love flows out of us that is not based on people’s intelligence, success, money, appearance, or expressions of love for us. People no longer feel evaluated, judged, or analyzed by us. They do not feel controlled.
  • We understand that what bonds us as followers of Jesus living in community is our brokenness.
  • We sense the reality of heaven in a new way, understanding more fully that we are only aliens and sojourners on earth.
  • We are finally at home with ourselves and with God.

Scazzero P. (2003). The Emotionally Healthy Church. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.

Filed Under: Prayer Ministry Tagged With: Christianity, Father's Love, Healing, personhood, Prayer Ministry

How to Fulfill Your Calling

May 28, 2010 by Robert Hartzell

How to Fulfill Your Calling – Steps Sons Take to Reach Their Destiny

Living as a son/daughter of God means you are proactive. Your heart attitude expresses submission to the Heavenly Father and walks out obedience. Sons can discern steps to move ahead and then take those steps. Here are some steps to consider for reaching your sonship destiny.

Know your design

It takes time and effort to know ourselves, to discover what makes us tick. You could start by asking yourself, “What comes natural to me?” I know a lady who found it came easy to study and that others naturally felt safe around her. She dove in and researched every conceivable aspect of Prayer Ministry. People started coming and receiving help. SheHow to Fulfill Your Calling saw people with very deep trauma healed time after time, and she quickly became a leader in the field. The redemptive gifts are the best tool I know of to help discover your design. Is it natural for you to make friends and influence people? Is it more natural to lead people and organize things to reach a goal? Do you get fulfillment working behind the scenes to make things happen?

Gain a skill set

Knowing our design helps us zero in on developing a skill set. In the example above, the lady focused on studying Prayer Ministry. I know of another lady that focused on mobilizing seniors to be a support to ministries around the city. Maybe your focus might be relational evangelism and you could become excellent at it and can effectively impart it to others. Maybe your area is finances and you could offer your services to small business owners and non-profit leaders in the Body of Christ. An accountant or doctor might realize they are particularly good at something, and could work hard to develop that niche.

Serving well brings Favor and Support

Once we have a skill set, we can become life-giving with it by serving others. As we serve well, people will begin talking about it. We will get word-of-mouth, free advertising! As that grows, others will come along and get under us and support our efforts because they see it really helps people.

Get Started!

It is often a mystery to people as to how they can fulfill the unique thing God has called them to do. In reality, there are practical steps. God wants us all to walk in what He has designed us all to be. Nothing is more fulfilling than walking in what you were made to do.

We offer coaching to help in this area. If you would like more information, please contact us.

Filed Under: Sonship Tagged With: Calling, Christianity, Destiny

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