an attitude of approval or liking.
an act of kindness beyond what is due or usual.
FAVOR ~
The Bible speaks of the Lord's favor upon your life. We can read about favor, we can hear about favor and it becomes time to live in God's favor. You may ask how do I live in the Lord's favor? I have found that answer to be to receive the Lord as your personal savior and begin to live accord to his word (bible). Once your surrender your life to God, he begins to guide your mind in a new way of thinking. Just knowing that God is in control of my life, helps me more than words can say.
Isaiah 61 New International Version (NIV)The Year of the Lord’s FavorThe Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion--
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
FAVOR ~
Each day is a new chance to see the favor upon your life. Once your surrender your life to God, you begin to think a new day. It's time to trust God with all your heart and to lean not to your own understanding at times. God gives us a new day to start over. I love how breakfast is called that. It is time to break the fast of no food and sleep. We are awake and new thoughts come pouring into our minds. The thought of what day is this and what is the plan? The clock ticks and our schedules begin to move into action. Time to get ready and we often forget to start this day with God. A simple word of praise for a new day.
God is the God of new beginnings and wants you to live in his favor. Just look around you and see all the things you already have in life. You might not recognize the value of health or living in a warm place. You might not see the blessings of having running water or heat. Just having clothes to keep us warm and to count blessings of days gone by. It's a new day of hope, peace, joys, blessings and yes some will face some sorrows. God is with us each step of the way and let us not forget that.
In the verses above, we are reminded that God takes our sins away and give us beauty instead of ashes. God pours oil of joy instead of mourning. It's time to put on a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. We might not realize how we can carry a spirit of despair. Have you ever met that person where everything is always negative or they speak of how bad things always happen to them? I have been there and never realize that I needed to make some different choices. Choices to count blessings and not the trouble times. Time to praise and seek God with all my heart. Time to lean not to my own understanding and try harder to trust God. Days go by and we can become stronger in God or allow situations to tear us down. Be careful what you think upon.
The last verse of the scripture above:
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
FAVOR ~ HIS SPLENDOR
Great things come from giving our hearts and lives to God. Our mindset changes to seeing things his ways. Learning to pray and seek him daily. I have seen miracles and I know the power of God. I can not doubt that God is real but I had times of wonder in younger years. I have gone through lots of things in life and felt God a million miles away. I didn't understand so much in younger years, but I do now. Somethings are never meant to be. Some friendships or people we choose to be around are not life giving but life taking. They dont' want you to prosper in God. Other people are such a joy to be around. Choose to be around those who share JOY and positive lifestyle.
A new day brings new choices. A timing for everything with God and you were created for this day. A day to read this and plant hope in your life. Greater is he who is in you, than he who is in the world. I remember that saying in younger years and I didn't quite get it, but I do now. God is on your side and his favor in your life. Speak positive words to yourself and it will flow out when you see others.
My prayers continue for you, your family and friends.
~ Sparkie