Examples of this are Elijah with Elisha, Jesus and the disciples, Paul with Timothy and Moses and Joshua. We often don't realise that these are practical examples of spiritual covering. The way in which Paul wrote to the churches and loved and admonished them is an example of the practicalities of covering too.
The Bible speaks of us as being babies when we are born again, but we are supposed to mature. How can we mature however without someone who is a part of our lives helping us. The Bible tells children to honour their parents and this is because parents are a covering to their children. Parents love, protect, watch over and provide for their children, and they also discipline and advise them. However parenting (or good parenting) all occurs within the boundaries of a relationship that is healthy for all involved. As children grow they learn to help, support and be a blessing to their parents also.
Spiritual covering should provide similar benefits and blessings, but is found within the context of a relationship. It is not something an administrator can setup but is something that happens in the heart. God intends for everyone to be under spiritual covering so that they can mature, bless others, receive blessing and so that there can be a flow of love and grace through the body of Christ.
As a house church, you too will need to be in a relationship that provides spiritual covering. Don't rush into this, but prayerfully consider who God is placing in your life to bring blessing, grace and to also watch over and care for you. For God's blessing to come to a home church it must be under spiritual covering. When you have chosen, then submit and be a blessing. Don't take benefit for yourself without being a blessing in return. Be a blessing and you will receive greater blessing back. Serve those God places over you.
One marvellous benefit of being a true spiritual son (one who has a spiritual father) is that it provides a spiritual inheritance. Rather than having to work to lay a foundation you will be able to build on the foundation laid by another. Do not ignore this vital principle. Covering is not meant to restrict you, but to bless you.
http://www.davidsplace.info/id/264/index.htm
THE CONCEPT
"Who Is Your Spiritual Father/Mother? It's very important!"
Choosing my spiritual father changed my life forever. Kneeling by his chair, with a trembling voice, I ask him if he would be my spiritual father. He agreed and we began.
Later, as we ordained his wife into the gospel ministry (she never had a spiritual father), my new spiritual father came to me while I was lying in the altar during an invitation time at church and draped his suit coat over me in a prophetic act. He was giving me his spiritual covering in the Lord. And with it, I inherited a call to heal the land and transform cities and nations.
I believe that each believer needs a spiritual father and/or mother. First the natural and then the spiritual. We each have one natural father and mother. We should give ourselves fully to one spiritual father and to one spiritual mother. More than that leads to division and double mindedness.
I have several spiritual sons and daughters. The more I commit myself to them, the happier they are and the more fulfilled I am. It is a good thing.
Sons (daughters) choose to be sons (daughters). Sons (daughters) choose who is to be their spiritual father. It takes a son to make a spiritual father.
A spiritual father covers and nurtures the son. He carries the son forever in his heart and prayers. A spiritual father never abandons a son.
A spiritual father makes room in his life for inviting the son to accompany and join him in special events and activities. He makes the son feel like he is legitimately part of the family with full privileges.
A son honors his spiritual father. A son comes home often. He takes responsibility for calling and contacting his spiritual father often with news of how he is doing. A son delights in keeping his spiritual father up to date concerning his life.
A son carries the vision of the spiritual father and sees to it that the vision never dies and that it is fully completed. A son is a defender of the faith of his spiritual father.
A son gladly and generously supports his spiritual father so that the father can minister to other sons in the family and sons who are in trouble.
THE FATHERING AND MOTHERING CONNECTION, a new concept in spiritual family and belonging, is a part of "Connecting the Net Worldwide" and "Networking the Networks of FullnessNetwork." It is a ministry of Fullness in Christ Ministries and Fullness in Christ Church. Some are already involved. If you are feeling like you do not have a "spiritual home" that loves and cares for you or you do not have a qualified and acceptable spiritual covering for your church or ministry, Bev and I believe God has given us a solution.
The condition of the church and its leadership has become a major prayer concern of ours and we want to share it with you. Please pray with us about this important concept.
SPIRITUAL FATHERS AND MOTHERS
When we entered the Spirit-filled life, we slowly began to be "cut off" from our denominational friends and connections. Finally, together with many thousands of others like ourselves, we found we were "living outside the camp" of the connected life we had once held dear. As a result, we have become fervent prayer-warriors for pastors and other ministers around the world who have no vital connection to a home base or family. They have no home base and thus have largely become lone eagles, often picking what they can from the desert floors and dry creek beds.
Today there is a need in the body of Christ for fathers and mothers! We call this apostolic father and motherhood. God does not want the present situation to continue. He is doing two gigantic things right now to correct the situation. Both will take enormous amounts of humility, selflessness and courage. He is opening hearts of sons and daughters. And He has raised up fathers and mothers ready to provide a "home."
TO BE A SON OR A DAUGHTER, YOU MUST FIRST HAVE A FATHER
God has opened the hearts of sons and daughters who have needed a "home" but have not had one for so very long, or maybe never. You see, a son or daughter must first appear or be manifested before there can be a father and mother. These sons and daughters whom God has given open hearts are now ready to receive fathers and mothers. They are ready to "get connected" to their "home."
Galatians 4:7 "Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God."
God has raised up anointed apostolic fathers and mothers who will offer a "home base" for those who have had enough of life and ministry without it. Bev and I have counted the cost, and have said "Yes" to the call of God to serve as father and mother, offering a "home."
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."
1 Corinthians 4:15-17 "For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church."
GOD DOES NOT WANT SPIRITUAL DICTATORS OR AUTHORITARIANS.
HE WANTS HUMBLE APOSTOLIC FATHERS AND MOTHERS
When God gets a spiritual father and mother connecting in a "home base" relationship with sons and daughters, the day is over for the lone eagle in the desert and dry creek beds. A new day is dawning.
HUMBLE OVERSIGHT HAPPENS IN MEANINGFUL AND BLESSED RELATIONSHIPS
In a "home base" atmosphere, deep friendships occur that last for a life time. Family is forever. Yes, we have disagreements and differing opinions about things. But we never forget the most important thing. Families love each other and never, under God, leave each other.
HOW DID JESUS DO IT? HE CALLED UNTO HIMSELF THOSE WHOM HE WANTED
Bev and I want you to know that we have chosen you because we want you to be in close with us in these last days. It will be important that we do this. We would like you to pray about it.
Mark 3:13 "And He went up to the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him"
AND NOW, WE CALL YOU!
If your heart is being or has been opened to become a son or daughter, then you have been chosen by us. Your response closes the loop and is the key to this working in what we believe is the Lord's plan for this hour. Bev and I have already made the choice to choose you. The rest is up to you.
WHAT WE ARE CALLING YOU TO:
We have in operation now at FullnessNetwork the offer of "The Spiritual Father and Mother Connection" and "Spiritual Covering for Churches and Ministries" as described above, providing a "home base" and "oversight" for those who hear the call.
IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING OF INTEREST TO YOU, e-mail us. Go to: Contact US for the address. Explain to us what you believe the Lord has shown you.
Click on the link below for a more detailed description of "How It Works."
Remember, you are always in our prayers and thoughts.
Ras and Bev Robinson, Founders and OverseersFullness in Christ Ministries
Fort Worth, TX USA
http://www.fullnessonline.org/Fathering/Concept.htm
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