Friday, April 15, 2016

Spring Favor

For the past few nights my husband and I have spent long hours in conversation.  I asked him about how his week has been going and where did he see the favor of God working. 

One of the reasons I was trying to pull something out of him was because my week has been rather uneventful with not leaving the house.  With the weather turning cold again and not having central heating, someone has to stay home to tend to the heaters … so other than with hubby and the pets it didn’t leave much fellowshipping.  After posing the question about God's favor he didn't have much to say. 
When I got up on Thursday (April 14th, 2016) my husband was excited about having a list of things to share with me after spending time with Jesus on his journey.  With that in mind I invited him to be the first guest writer on Daily Favor.  Please make him welcome by sharing his post.  Thanks in advance!
Welcome new friends this week from:
See if your city/state/country made the list. 

New on DFBBarbados; Denmark; Finland; Ukraine; Vanuatu; Russia; India; Mexico; Romania; Australia; Bangladesh; Switzerland; China; Germany; Spain; Cambodia; Philippines; United Kingdom; Kenya. 

USA Hickory & Randleman, NC; Gerry, NY; Linglestown, PA; San Leanna, TX, Strasburg, VA. 

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).
Read Messages, updates on Hubby’s Heart and visit the Q & A or other sections. 

When a Man Loves a Woman
It’s the time of year when people feel they are about to burst if they don’t get outdoors and do something, especially Fay.  Some refer to it as “spring fever”, but my wife calls it “spring favor”… a time where we can really see the goodness of God in the land of the living.
We had a rather lengthy conversation, laughed a lot and then my wife threw in the hook by asking me about my week.  I should have seen it coming, but played right into her sweet smile.
She always does this right at bedtime.  I’m zonked and ready to go to sleep but she wants to talk … not easy conversations either … deep philosophical ones that make you have to think.
“How and where have I seen God’s favor this week?”  Really honey, at 3 a.m.? Guys don’t talk about that stuff, everybody knows that.  We go, we do, come back home, eat, take naps and sleep.  Seriously ladies, our lives aren’t that deep.
Understanding the teacher part of my wife, I knew she would expect some sort of an answer in the morning.  Seems we never escape the classroom no matter what our age.
That night (Wednesday) I prayed for my wife and her work on this week’s Daily Favor Blog, asking the Lord what He would have me share with her that would help along this journey. 

The Favor of Spring Time
Thursday morning I was like a proud kid waiting to show the teacher his homework.  I had written down a list of things that demonstrated how God’s favor was working.  “Lovey” didn’t even have her breakfast yet and was already writing on the chalkboard of my brain.  If Fay looked closer she would have noticed it was a dry erase board!
A clue for those of you who aren’t familiar with the life of a teacher, their goal isn’t to give you the answers, but to draw them out of you.  FYI – I don’t like drawing!
Once my wife listened to my list she had more questions for me to consider and so my assignment wasn’t quite finished.  This time she directed my focus to whether or not “spring” was favor, natural law or both.
Was she messing with my head? I began to wonder whether or not I was grasping the concept of favor at all. While I was taking out the trash and doing some chores, I saw “spring” in a new light.
Many of us view the changes of seasons as the favor of God; in some ways it is.  However these things occur because of the natural law that God put in motion way back in the Garden of Eden. (See Genesis chapters 1-2)
Flowering Vinca Vine
Because of the promises of God concerning sowing and reaping we are able to sow seeds in the soil and depending upon the seed sown, get flowers, plants or vegetables. 
Plus, according to 2 Corinthians 9:10 NKJV, God will “multiply the seed you have sown”.  We see this all around us every day.
“Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 9:10 NKJV)
It’s not like I didn’t know these things happen, but that I stopped to see how God was at work showing favor even when we don’t see it as such.  For instance, take a look at perennial plants.  We usually only have to plant them once, and because of the law of nature they come up every year.  
Hosta Plant 4/14/16
Let’s take it farther and consider another aspect like my wife suggested.  This is where I saw more than a few plants and shrubbery growing in and around our yard.
God’s favor was on the hands that initially did the work so that the beauty of the Lord could be established.  The wonder of how these things continue to grow is amazing in itself don’t you think?
“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes establish the work of our hands." (Psalm 90:17 NKJV)
Our hostas, daffodils and vinca vine not only come up yearly, but multiply so much that they have to be divided.  One plant turns into dozens of new plantings.  The initial plants were given to us; we’ve been able to sow to others from seed that wasn’t ours extending the blessing.
Bird nest in walnut tree.
 
Leaving the house I noticed that a dove had built its nest in the lowest branches of the walnut tree in our front yard.  We weren’t surprised by the inactivity of birds or squirrels at the feeding station, but believed the spring babies have arrived.  Growth is taking place all around us and with it comes new life in abundance.
The trees we now enjoy were once seedling plants. Years later we are reaping the benefits of the shade, beauty and delicious walnuts that someone else labored to provide.  Call it natural law, favor or both.  As for me, anything I didn’t have to dig a hole for sure is favor.
So to answer my wife’s question on how have I seen the favor of God in operation around me this week, all I need do is go to her place of rest and say:
“Honey, look out the kitchen window.  Who do you see working?”

This Week’s Challenge:
Love God’s Spring Favor 

Every spring we are reminded of the bounty that is in the earth with each bud, blade of grass or blossom that emerges. 
Watching nature bloom and change is something that we enjoy because of the grace of God.  He allows us to reap the benefits of such beauty whether or not we deserve it, simply because of His mercy (unmerited favor).  Read Psalm 104 and see.
Our challenge this week may not seem that impressive or challenging for that matter, but is something we all need to take seriously.  Simply said, when you go outside grow in grace and knowledge by thanking God for what you are seeing.  In other words, go hug a tree!
“But grow in grace (chen – favor), and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18 NKJV)
A friend of ours who is VERY thankful for spring favor!
 
Whether it is an open sky in the desert, lush gardens in a valley or plain grassy areas, no matter what the “outdoors” looks like … give God praise for the spring favor we enjoy through His natural law on the earth.  May favor spring forth and multiply as knowledge of our Creator increases.
 “Grow in the loving-favor that Christ gives you.  Learn to know our Lord Jesus Christ better. He is the One Who saves.  May He have all the shining greatness now and forever. Let it be so. (2 Peter 3:18 NLV)

Hubby’s “videos” of the week:
(He picked a poem about trees!)

 
BTW - Hug a Tree Day happens to be April 15th, but some celebrate it at other dates also!
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, grow in the grace (favor) of God! 

“My favor was sown from the beginning.”
Jesus Christ 

*Unless noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy. 

Note: When used, 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 product or link.
It couldn’t be a book because that would require cutting down a tree! 
 
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1167566&item_no=525206

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18
Indoor or Outdoor Resin 7.5” Figurine
 
  

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” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.

Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy. 
Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Gateway Bible.
Image credit: Google Images or Dreamstime Creative Common License if not specified.
Trees” Written by American poet Alfred Joyce Kilmer in February 1913.
Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
 
Grace, Loving Spring Favor, Seasons, Daily Favor Blog, In the Garden, Favor of God, Favored1, Perennials, Flowering Vinca Vine, Hosta Plant, Bird Nest, Walnut Tree, When A Man Loves A Woman, Teachers