A popular Christian song at the time my children were small included the line, ‘The mountains are His, the valleys are His, the whole world is under His smile.’
One day my young son said to me, ‘Mummy, the whole world is God’s chin, isn’t it?’ When I asked him why, he said, ‘The whole world is under His smile, so it must be God’s chin.’
The metaphor of being ‘under God’s smile’ is tricky for a young (and literal-thinking) mind to grasp. The truth of what it means can also be difficult for those of us who are older to comprehend.
However, once we catch the revelation of Father’s affection towards us, our lives and ministry will never be the same.
We Have God’s Love and His Affection
‘For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son…’ (John 3:16a)
When we look at the cross, we begin to comprehend the love of God. But have we also caught the revelation of His affection towards us?
In a world of damaged and broken relationships, love is an emotion that is often mixed with dark feelings. In our humanity, it is possible to love someone, whilst simultaneously being disappointed, disapproving or hurt. We even talk of ‘love-hate’ relationships.
Yet the love of our Father God towards us includes His affection and affirmation. His approval of us as His children has nothing to do with our behaviour, but all about what Jesus has done.
When God sees you, He looks through the cross.
You are His beloved. You are ‘under His smile.’ He not only loves you, He approves of you. He is pleased with you. You have His favour. He actually likes you.
‘And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”’ (Luke 21:22b)
1. Knowing God’s Affection Will Transform Your Prophetic Ministry
‘The Father dearly loves the Son and discloses to (shows) Him everything that He Himself does.’ (John 5:20a, AMP)
Are you seeking to grow in the gift of prophecy? In John 5, Jesus mentioned the basis by which He received prophetic revelation and lived a supernatural life, which is the way we can, too. And that, very simply, is this:
Our Father wants to share with us the things on His heart and mind with us, because He loves us.
Another translation reads,
‘For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does.’ (John 5:20a, MEV)
- Picture God walking with Adam and Eve in the garden, sharing the things that are on His heart (Gen 3:8)
- Or walking with Enoch, disclosing things of the future (Gen 5:24, Jude v14)
- Sharing His plans with Abraham, the ‘friend of God’ (Gen 18:17, Is 41:8)
- Talking with Moses ‘face to face, as a man speaks to his friend’ (Ex 33:11)
It’s time to re-examine our relationship with God and the reasons we seek prophetic revelation from Him.
- Do we seek to hear from God because of our love for Him?
- Do we seek prophetic insights because we are focused on His love for others?
- Do we seek prophetic revelation because of a particular need or ministry engagement?
All of these reasons are good.
But when we catch the revelation that God wants to share with us because of His love and affection towards us, our prophetic awareness will increase.
Suddenly, it is not about Him responding to us, we are responding to Him. God is the initiator—waiting and wanting to share. He wants to walk and talk with us. He is waiting to ‘bubble over’ the things He is thinking about.
Knowing this increases our expectancy and faith.
We will see the ‘greater things’ of His Kingdom that we have longed for.
‘For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.’ (John 5:20)
2. Knowing God’s Affection for You Will Transform Your Life
- Knowing His affection heals us of our need to perform to win God’s approval. We are already approved. There is freedom in this revelation.
- Knowing His unchangeable affection breaks the power and cycle of sin and shame as we recognise that these things have no power over us.
- Knowing His affection gives us security. Fear cannot hold us. Knowing He is smiling at us gives us courage to face the future.
When you know His affection, you realise your worth. You are not valued by your accomplishments. If all of these were removed, you are still valuable to God and approved by Him.
You are under His smile.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
Related Posts:
No Longer An Orphan: How I Discovered The Father’s Love
Your Value To God Is Not Based Upon What You Do
Do you have a testimony about knowing God’s affection, or can you think of some more ways that the revelation of our Father’s affection can impact our lives? Leave a comment in the comments box – if this is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.
© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching
On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church
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Am Blessed With The Word Of God,its Like A Prophecy To Me,we Thank God May He Bless You More And More.
This is the primary area of my life that i have to constantly work on.I was not raised in a Christian home and did not come to faith until i was 22. I went straight to see a counselor in the church and Holy spirit had given him a word for me, “David, like the David of old will come to you suffering from a hangover from his past”.That was 25 yrs ago and it was exactly how i felt and so began the process of undoing,removing and replacing many thoughts,attitudes,actions,feelings and behaviors that i had about God, myself,the world and others that where contrary to the bible.The more i journey with Holy spirit, read the word believe it by faith do what it says and allow it to transform my thinking and my life the more i know of Gods love, favor and affection towards me.I often feel his presence and see him moving more now because i believe him and have a deep personal relationship with him we are great friends [now i am crying because i love God so much] people know whats wrong with them, they don’t need to know that, they need to be held, hugged and to know Gods love for them, right now.
Hi David, that’s so good…
It reminds me of something my husband Malcolm said yesterday when I was sharing with him about this article – he said this is a message that men need to hear, and they need to hear it in a way that they can relate to. Maybe that’s because in our culture, guys are brought up to prove themselves, to look good and to put on a ‘brave front.’ Knowing Father’s affection and approval eliminates the need for all that performance stuff.
Your life is a message that others need to hear, David, I pray that you have many opportunities to share what God has done in and through you.
Helen Calder’s teaching = BRILLIANT!
Haha, thanks Steve!
Back at you… everybody check out http://www.believinginyou.com.au/
AMEN and AMEN !!!! I ABSOLUTELY AGREE.
Helen your Prophetic Teaching is such a Wonderful BLESSING, and INSPIRATION to ALL the Body of CHRIST. Always Revealing the HEART of GOD to Us, with the WISDOM of GOD, and OVERFLOWING with the LOVE of GOD, thank you again Helen.
I have a testimony about encountering the Love of JESUS. I have written it as a poem. I was so inspired by the word I saw in point 1. “Suddenly”
GOD Breathed into me
Then SUDDENLY, I could See
Like a Twinkling of an Eye
The Veil of Heaven Opened Up, beyond the Sky
Then Suddenly, I could Hear, the BREATH of GOD so Near
Like the Oil of Heaven, Flooding All Over me
Like Rivers of Living Water, Running so Crystal Clear
Suddenly, I begin to Hear
The BREATH of GOD so Near
GOD whisper into my Ear
HOLY SPIRIT, Drawing me Near
Oil of Heaven Washing All Over me
Anointing my Eyes to See
I Abide in CHRIST, and HE Abides in me
I Belong to CHRIST, and HE Belongs to me
Chosen in the Heart of GOD, Before the Foundation of the World you See
Such a Wonderful, Glorious, Beautiful Mystery
GOD LOVES ME
GOD is Stirring the Healing Waters of HOPE, inside my Soul
Stirring the Healing Waters of LOVE, JOY, PEACE, and making me Whole
SUDDENLY, I begin to SEE beyond the Fog, there is CLARITY
SUDDENLY, I begin to SEE beyond the Storm, there is VICTORY
SUDDENLY, I begin to SEE beyond the Winter, there is SPRING
SUDDENLY, I begin to SEE, GOD LOVES ME
Poem by Irene Kyriacou
I love it Irene! Thanks so much for sharing your gift. I feel like some prophetic artwork could go hand in hand with your poetry too, there is some wonderful imagery there. How good would that be? 🙂
I will come back to this and read again, too. Very inspiring x
Un poco cansado pero con nuevas perspectivas acerca del Ministerio profetico,en el congreso recibi nuevas enseñanzas acerca de la manera de como opera el maligno en nuestras vidas,en especial en el Ministerio profetico,como debemos tener cuidado acerca de este obrar,en nuestro cuerpo como en nuestra alma,los cuales en ocasiones nesecitan liberacion…las recomendaciones que dieron acerca de orar por nuestros hijos en donde pudiera estar obrando este enemigo…Me llamo la atencion del profeta que ya no ore personalmente por aquellos que han sido llamados al Oficio de profeta,ahora lo hace pero en forma general…aqui fue un momento para entender pues algunos que hace años recibieron profecias personales,esperaron por una respuesta del Señor,no fue asi y se quedaron en ascuas…La ultima sesion profetica se encargo de aclarar algunas dudas del quehacer pastoral, y lo hizo en publico,como tambien la correccion que hizo a un profeta ,y todo lo hizo en publico…En Mexico es costumbre que si algun predicador,profeta,apostol,etc…comete un error acerca de doctrina,no es corregido en publico,se hace en una sesion personal y en secreto…y jamas se expone en publico…Enfatizo tambien que si un profeta tiene llamado a las naciones,si desea ser usado por el Señor,debe aprender ingles de lo contrario su Ministerio sera opaco,sin trascendencia,sin mucho poder…DISCULPEME,esto ultimo no le crei…La mayoria de profetas que visitan Mexico,la mayoria usan de interpetes:CINDY JACOB,BILL HAMON,FRANK HAMON,STEVE THOMPSOM,RICK JOYNER,ETC…todos usan interpetes…ignoro su perspectiva acerca del PODER DE DIOS PARA USAR A SUS VASIJAS,AUNQUE NO HABLEN INGLES…si estoy equivocado acerca de esto le ruego me disculpe,pero no puedo concebir a un DIOS OMNIPOTENTE LIMITARSE A UN IDIOMA…pobres los franceses,nigerianos,italianos,argentinos y todo aquel que tenga un Ministerio y que no hable ingles…para terminar dio una profecia a un joven y en ella decia que Dios lo usaria para levantar 20 iglesias,pero tendria que aprender ingles…Hna.Helen…yo se que hablar otro idioma nos ayuda de muchas formas y maneras,en cualquier lugar y oficio,pero no hacerlo impresindible…Por otro lado reconozco el afecto,caridad y soporte del Señor en nuestro Ministerio,lo hare con ustedes orando por usted como por el Ministerio profetico que el Señor le ha dado,lo demas vendra por añadidura…Gracias por leer estas lineas y por sus consejos a traves de sus paginas …
Hi there Jose,
It sounds like you have had a good time at the conference and learned many things.
I agree with you that language is not a barrier and that God will use any person He chooses, regardless of what language they speak.
If God calls us to minister predominantly (mostly) to people of another language, then learning some of that language is wise and practical, but if traveling through many countries (as the people you mention do) then it is not possible to know every language of the people you minister to.
God is not limited by language or culture and He is faithful to His promises. You have a powerful God!
Hna.Helen,algo esta sucediendo en nuestro contexto ministerial profetico,y no solo en lo profetico…debido a mi falta de conocimiento y desarrollo en el Ministerio profetico me fui como persona hambrienta por adquirir dicho conocimiento,compre libros de varios profetas ,especialmente de USA…Bill hamon,Steve Thompsom,y tros mas…lei y relei dichos libros,no solo sus enseñanzas,tambien todo acerca de la vida de un siervo de DIOS,de tal manera que deje en mi mente dicho patron de ideas ,y esto me ha servido para juzgar la conducta de dichos siervos de DIOS:COMO VIVEN EN SUS HOGARES, Y COMO DESARROLLAN SUS MINISTERIOS …y he encontrado que algunos son unos pillos,alguno van ya por la tercera esposa,y esto sucede entre las mujeres tambien…algunos de estos siervos acusan a sus exposas de lo peor,ellos son fieles gatitos fieles al Señor y lo hacen en publico…PERO LA BIBLIA DICE:ESPOSO DE UNA SOLA MUJER…en caso de fallecer la esposa o el esposo puede volver a casarse pero que sea en el SEÑOR…HE ESPERADO QUE ALGUNOS HERMANOS SE PAREN Y DIGAN ,HNO.LA BIBLIA DICE ESTO…PERO NO HA SUCEDIDO,ANTE ESTA SITUACION EL AMOR DE ALGUNOS HERMANOS SE HA ENFRIADO…SE CUMPLE LA PROFECIA QUE DE ENTRE LOS MIEMBROS DE LA IGLESIA SALDRAN HOMBRES CORRUPTOS DE ENTENDIMIENTO,QUE ENGAÑARIAN Y DESVIARIAN A LAS OVEJAS …HNA.HELEN,ESTO SUCEDE EN EMEXICO,ESPERO QUE EN AUSTRALIA SEA LA EXCEPCION…ESTAMOS ORANDO POR EL MINISTERIO DE USTED Y EL DE SU ESPOSO,DIOS BENDIGA A LOS MIEMBROS DE SU FAMILIA…LE ENVIE UN COMENTARIO ANTERIOR ESPERO LLEGUE,SALUDOS DESDE MEXICO.!
Hi Jose, yes we are blessed in Australia with a high level of integrity in the prophetic ministry. However, we must always remember that it is God who sees the heart and we only look upon the outside.
‘But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”’ (1 Sam 16:7)
Stay hungry for God, and desire integrity and holiness, knowing it’s only in His strength and through Jesus we are righteous. Pursue Him and be blessed, and we pray for your nation Mexico also. 🙂