How wonderful to see you in this New Year! I know it was last year, but it seems like
only a few days ago we talked. Pretty lame, but why not, right? After all, how many times can you tell that
joke a year – once!
Friends, we’ve come to the end of another year that has
had some hard bumps in this traveled road together. As I began writing this we were preparing for
another hospital visit and trip to the Urologist for hubby. No it’s not exactly how I’d like to finish
out the year, but I’m extremely grateful all the same.
I’m excited to share with you what we’ll be doing in the
New Year on Daily Favor, but first things first.
Welcome new friends this week from:
See if your city/state/country made the list.
New on DFB – Montreal,
QC, Canada; Como, Lombardia, Italy; Ludlow, England, United Kingdom; Mannersdorf
am Leithagebirge, Lower Austria, Austria; Oswestry & Great Gaddesden,
England, United Kingdom; San Pablo City, Calabarzon, Philippines; Mexico City,
Distrito Federal, Mexico; Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India; South Sudan; Istanbul, Istanbul
Province, Turkey; Hong Kong; Jamaica; Japan; Kenya; Nigeria;
Vietnam.
USA – Doctor
Phillips, Ocala, Johnson, Bradenton & Weirsdale, FL; Russellville, AR; Warner
Robins, GA; Louisville & Paducah, KY; Mandeville, LA; California, MD;
Pickerington, OH; Colonial Park & New Kingstown, PA; Blount Beach, TN; Mount
Vernon, Pulaski & Yakima, WA.
I am so happy for your visit and hope that you come back
each week to participate in the weekly challenges. God has been faithful and we expect His favor
to abound in the lives of those who chose to Journey with Jesus on Daily Favor
Blog.
You are welcome to leave comments or prayer requests below. All are private. I would love to hear from
you and how Daily Favor has worked in your life. Contact me by leaving a message in the box at
the bottom of this week’s post.
Don't miss
out on this week's challenge (below).
“Balms” A Give-a-way
The temperatures have been all over the place with it
being in the upper 60’s five days ago and this week in the 20’s. Just one more
thing pointing to the truth of the Bible as it speaks of the unpredictable
weather to come where we won’t recognize the seasons as they are normally.
When the climate is so cold we cannot leave the house for
long periods of time. Having to shut off
the heaters when we aren’t home it can get quite chilly if we’re gone several
hours.
Knowing this I decided that hubby would have to fend for
himself at the hospital and pick me up directly after he was finished. I had an inkling that his waiting would be
extended because his appointment wasn’t until 9:30 a.m. and I was correct.
Making our way to the doctors for him to read the x-rays,
my husband and I got into another giggle fest over me handing out Avon lip balm
to strangers. The look on some people’s
faces was if I was handing them a snake!
Well it didn’t stop there. Laughter continued in the
medical care lobby on up to the waiting room, with hubby carrying my pocketbook
while I was on my quest to conquer the cracked lips in the city.
We were only sitting a few minutes when the nurse motioned
for us to come in to see the doctor. Stopping at the first door on the left, she
took my pocketbook from my husband as he entered the “essentials room” where he
was ordered to make a deposit and leave it in the take-out box. (I don’t think
I need to explain, I hope not anyway.) Leaving him behind, the nurse escorted me
to another room saying, “Follow me young lady.” No wonder I like her best!
Now seated in the inner waiting room the nurse took all
the medical vitals she needed, shared her Christmas stories and left the
room. I’d share them with you but forgot
to get permission. You would have loved them! They involved a cat, new shoes
and a lot of wipes! Let me assure you they were quite “fumer – ous!”
I can’t remember why we were laughing, but when the
doctor entered the room he said, “You’re
not supposed to be having this much fun in a doctor’s office.” With that
being said he got down to business, bid us good tidings and said he didn’t need
to see the hubster for a year. Thank you
Jesus!
Receiving a good report it put us in an even better
mood. As we approached the elevator my
husband said, “Quick get in, we’ve been
here a long time.” We arrived a little
past 11:00 a.m. and now it was almost 4:00 p.m.
His statement was based on this enormous wall clock with a big hole in
the middle. It doesn’t work and hasn’t
for years. Time stands still when you’re
there ….
The elevator doors opened and we stepped in, but as hubby
reached out to push the floor setting I heard someone say, “Yo, chubby, how about taking the stairway!” How utterly rude! I looked around and saw it
was my husband cracking jokes as if he had an audience (which isn’t abnormal
for him).
The doors closed and I was laughing so hard I started
coughing, which wasn’t a pretty sight for the person who was waiting to get on
as we exited. So what did I do? I gave
her a lip balm!
Year End Favor
We hadn’t been gone that long from the house so I figured
it would be a good time to pick up some things at the store. God granted us favor in 75% off sales,
unexpected coupons and meeting new people to give away more lip balm.
On our way home I received a phone call which lasted some
time. This woman was depressed,
discouraged and disheartened over her current situation. As our conversation was near ending I asked
her to tell me something good she would like to happen in her life.
After she did I spoke blessings and God’s favor on her
for each situation and encouraged her in the Lord. When I was finished I asked her to do the
same for me. By the time we hung up her
hope was renewed and she was looking forward to what God would do in and
through her for the coming year.
During my Bible studies this week I asked the Lord to
pinpoint exactly what He wanted me to share with you as we begin a New Year
together. I had been in prayer over this
for months, but needed it narrowed down.
There were so many positive and exciting directions along my rabbit
trail thinking that I wasn’t sure what was to come first. My conversation with this lady reaffirmed
what I had thought.
Obi? A Better Hope
Over the past year we have covered a lot of ground as
we’ve learned to practice what we say we believe. This isn’t something that is tossed aside as
we move on to something else, but is to be incorporated in life always.
The word “hope” has been
floating around my brain for some time, and it wasn’t
a flashback of the Star Wars: Episode IV – “A New Hope” scene when Princess
Leia pleaded, “Help Me Obi-Wan-Kenobi,
you’re my only hope!”
 |
| Does this annoy anyone? |
There weren’t any special effects or light sabers
swishing about my head. I knew this was from God, but I wasn’t sure what He
wanted me to convey to you until last week when I read a passage in the book of
Hebrews.
“For the law
made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”
The New King James reads this way,
“For the law
made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we
draw near to God.” (Hebrews 7:19)
What this woman was expressing in our conversation is
that she needed a better hope than what she was settling for in her life. Isn’t that true for all of us? We hope for things and when they don’t come
the way expected, we settle for the lesser hope and forget going to God for
something better.
Jesus and His ways are our better hope. When we believe God and trust His way is “better”,
we can be sure that what we hoped for isn’t nearly as good as what God wants to
give or show us.
Some may think that we’ve overcome great obstacles this
year, and hoped things would have turned out differently for us. I have to tell
you, even though this has been a difficult journey to share with you, it has
also been rewarding, full of God’s grace, mercy and definitely much favor.
The Journey Gets Better
It’s time for a fresh new start. Forget the past, the failures
and mistakes. God wants you to walk in fresh favor and is willing to show you
where it is, but you’ll have to let Him lead the way.
I’m excited to share with you that over the course of
2016 we’ll be taking on new challenges, changing the way we think or do things,
and travel new roads of favor as we journey with Jesus.
Will you come with me as I reveal the stops along our
travels? I hope so. The journey
continues to get better and I’d like you by my side as God pours out His favor
on us.
This Week’s Challenge: Speaking A Better Hope
Being encouraged when we are feeling weary is helpful isn’t
it? I know your words of support have been
a mainstay during trying times for me this year, and as believers it’s
something we are urged to do on a regular basis.
Scriptures state that as believers in Christ Jesus (who
is the better hope) we have the promises of God that speaks things into reality
before they exist. Our part is to call
them into our life by faith, as we hope for the better promises to manifest.
“… (as it is
written, I have made you (Abraham) a father of many nations) in the presence of
Him whom he believed – God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which
do not exist as though they did.” (Romans 4:17 NKJV)
Sometimes people lose heart and don’t have the emotional
strength to start over or stay in hope as they wait on God. That’s why this
week’s challenge is so vital.
Our challenge will be to speak words of hope into the
lives of those we encounter. In the name
of Jesus, speak by declaring healing, success, joy, friendship, love, restitution,
peace and prosperity into their lives personally.
With his permission I share this example, which is one of
the many blessings we have exchanged throughout the years. We have done this on
a regular basis and pray for one another. Jahmadar’s words of inspiration have
always come at the right time, because he is in fellowship with the Lord.
“Notwithstanding
all the gloomy global projections, beloved of God, I speak and declare in faith
unprecedented blessings on you and your loved ones in the New Year - 2016.” (Jahmadar Cassie @jahmadar)
“Thank you for
the wonderful confession, blessing and declaration. I receive it with gladness
to share with others. What a source of inspiration you have been my friend. May
God continue to sanctify you unto Him as you share His message of hope.” (Fay)
Stand in agreement with the Word of God. Declare in
the name of Jesus that they (the individual you are speaking to) will see the
hand of the Lord through unprecedented blessings and favor. When you are finished,
ask them to do the same for you.
My husband and I speak these blessings of favor into your
life. In the name of Jesus receive and believe them as already yours.
Heavenly Father,
We declare and speak blessings to unfold on the lives of
all who read this. Physical body - be made whole. Finances - be set in order. Families reunite. Peace – come now. Restoration begin. Hope –
refresh. Favor - be loosed on your life.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen (it is done).
If this article has encouraged or helped you please
consider sharing it by using the social media icons provided at the end of this
post.
Until
next time, we are favored with new hope through Jesus!
“Believe in Me for fresh favor.”
Jesus Christ
*The names
in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy.
Note: The
words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no
place in our lives.
Disclaimer:
Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical
issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
What’s New This Week: Click on book link.
by Joel Osteen
Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I
know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also. Click on the above tab “Tell Me About Jesus” for more
information on becoming a child of the Savior.
Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy. Revised 4/23/20
Scripture
reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway.Image credit: Google Images Creative Common License if not specified.
Image: A Better Hope Star Wars
Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
