Every child of God experiences the goodness of the Lord. Some refer to it as blessings, but in reality it's His Daily Favor and that's why I created this website.
Spend quality time learning and studying about the favor of God. Check out the current trending favored article(s) on the right, or the top interests of fellow believers under the most popular read posts. Subject, musical artists or author word searches are listed at the bottom of this site.
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Until next time, Favored Blessings
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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.
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I’m spending time with loved ones for the holiday weekend and pray that you are
able to be among those you favor as
well.
As
we are away from one another let us give thanks for the grace we have received
from our Heavenly Father, and for the fellowship we enjoy together here on
Daily Favor.
Until
next time, have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!
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.
Note: Emphasis may be given in some scriptures to show clarity or understanding
and is not to take away from the inspirited Word of God.
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 is geared toward spiritual awareness.
Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
Disclaimer Notes: Results may
vary due to lack of belief.
Unless noted, scripture reference
in series was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway.
Image credit: Image Creative Common License if not
specified.
News from Fay, Where Faith and Favor Meet, Favor of God,
Favor, Favored1, Daily Favor Blog, Thanksgiving, Holidays,Giving Thanks through Him, Giving, Give Thanks.
For
the past two weeks we’ve been studying things that put the brakes on God’s hand limiting His favor.From what you have “soaked up” I hope you
have begun to invest in yourself by putting into practice the steps that you
learned.
Have you become a sponge head thirsty for knowledge?
I’d
like to share with you one more thing that essentially prevents us from walking
in Daily Favor from the Lord in order to achieve the calling on our lives.You might be surprised to find out what the
culprit may actually be that has stopped the dream of your life from coming to
pass.Want to take a guess?
Need
to catch-up on the first two segments of this lesson?
The
number one reason why people don’t achieve their goals, dreams and vision is they
believe the naysayers and talk themselves out of it by saying,
“I’ll never be able to … There’s no way … How can I possibly…?”
As
soon as those thoughts pop into our thinking we need to nip it in the bud
and start doing what King David did.
When he got discouraged this believer would encourage (strengthen)
himself in the Lord by praising God and speak faith.
In
other words, when all the people turned against him David remembered what
scriptures said and chose to believe God about his destiny over the lies mankind mockingly spoke.
“Now David was greatly distressed, for the
people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved,
every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened
himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV)
If
you are willing and obedient, the Lord will help you succeed.Instead of talking yourself out of doing what
God has placed in your heart, talk yourself in to believing “I can do all things through Christ Who
gives me the strength to do whatever I need to achieve this.” (from
Philippines 4:13 emphasis mine)
Not
everyone is going to understand or believe in your dreams.Even your family may not get it, but don’t
quit. If you recall, David's brothers didn't have an ounce of faith in his abilities to slay Goliath. God saw the shepherd boy's faith and he had victory over this giant challenge! What man saw as impossible, with God's help David saw as possible.
God gave this to you, not them. They have their own dreams.Remember your heritage as a child of God and
tell yourself to keep going despite what others may think or say.
“Remember me, Lord, when You show favor to Your people; come
near and rescue me.Let me share in the
prosperity
of Your chosen ones. Let me rejoice in the joy of
Your people; let
me praise You with those who are Your heritage.”
(Psalm 106:4-5NLT)
Believe
that God will rain down favor on you because of obedience to His Word. Remind
yourself – it’s part of your inheritance as His child for believing in Jesus
Christ, God’s Son.
If
you can envision it you can live it.Surround yourself with people that will stay in the fight with you, and
believe me … it is a fight.The last
thing satan wants is for you to be happy and live the abundant life Jesus died
for on the cross.
“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill
and destroy.
I came that they may have and enjoy
life, and have it in abundance
(to the
full, till it overflows). (John 10:10 AMPC)
Keep
in mind though, with Jesus on your side you can do anything! The devil may be
the dream killer, but glory to God, Jesus is the dream fulfiller!
Let’s
put this on the bottom shelf and translate the concept into words we can grasp
or understand. God will bring it into
actuality, effect or make it real.He
will fulfill the promise, fulfill the dream, perform it, carry it out, meet the
required conditions and simply satisfy the desire!
Now
that we realize the vision or dream is something God put in our hearts,
what should we do next?Glad you asked.
Step 5 –
Take steps toward your dream and vision.
Do something!
Step Up and Step Out –
Keep Swinging
Until
we see what God sees in us, we’ll never become what He envisioned for us upon
creation.If we ever want to see more
favor come into our lives we have to step up and step out as we seek God for
guidance in becoming all He wants us to be.
You
have to begin somewhere, so start with something simple. I remember when we
were coaching Little League and this one little guy never got on base.It was frustrating just to watch, let alone
be the person everyone was staring at to see if he would ever hit the ball.
Well
one day during practice my husband saw that he was getting nowhere with the
boy.He walked out to the pitcher’s
mound and told the player, “Step up to the plate and swing; no matter where the
ball is just swing and keep swinging!”
The
rest of the team remained in the outfield waiting to see if Adam would hit the
ball.He began to swing and miss, swing and
miss.Instead of making fun of him, the
team started cheering him on shouting,
“This time you’ll get it ...
keep at it …”
Finally after 70 pitches from Coach Hubby, Adam connected with the ball. My husband's shoulder was sore, but our little ball player was ecstatic! I've never seen such a happy fellow.
It barely got out of the infield, but it didn't matter. Everyone jumped in excitement praising
him because he hit the ball!It changed Adam's attitude and the way he played the game. His mindset was transformed from "I can’t" to "I can do this".
That
season Adam turned out to be the best pitcher we had and never stopped hitting
the ball. At a tender age he learned the lesson that if you want a home run, you have to swing the bat!
The point is Adam acted on the
instruction he received. He stepped up to the plate and did something (kept
swinging until he hit the ball) before he was able to step out on the field as
a runner.
Just as no one can hit a ball without taking action,
no one can live their dream without stepping out in faith!
Speaking of stepping out … I have to tell you a little
secret.Remember my friend Champ (I
shared the story in part 2)?Well, he
may have been new to teaching, but he was a whiz at computers.
When we first met, I didn’t even know how to turn on a
computer.In the beginning I was
convinced that I would blow it up by hitting something wrong.Of course, he thought I was nuts, but he
didn’t stop believing in me.
Champ slowly guided me step-by-step and practically commanded me
to “get on the computer” now!For months
I asked questions and bugged the stuffing out of him if I didn’t understand
something.To this day he is still one
of the most patient “believe in you” kind of person I’ve ever met!
Eventually I learned how to program my own tests, quizzes, study
sheets and puzzles for the classroom.Who
would have thought my first website could be designed from a simple classroom
program called Print Shop?Was the
program for websites?No, but no one
told me I couldn’t do it – so I did.
I didn't see the "limits" so for me there weren't any. If we could apply that kind of thinking to everything we did imagine what our lives would look like now!
My colleague gave me the support needed to develop the skills God had already placed in me to pursue my calling. Friends, God has placed specific talents and skills inside you to bring your dreams to pass. He has placed people "out there" to help make it happen. (Remember what scriptures says? "He grew in favor from God AND man.")
I stepped out by passing on the knowledge and understanding from what I learned, which continued to build my skills. Although I wasn't an expert, that confidence led me to teaching others (including my mother) about simple computer basics. Neither Champ or I knew what the future would bring, but God did by putting two people in position for the favor that we'd individually enjoy in walking out our dreams and vision.
This Week’s Challenge:
Believe
in Limitless Favor
If we thought about how often we've put a stop sign in front of God when it comes to limiting His favor on a situation, it would probably bring us to tears. Thankfully, the grace (unlimited favor) of God forgives a repentant heart. He is loving, kind, patient and never gives up because His vision for us is greater than we could ever think or imagine.
Friends you have to learn to invest in yourself and your dreams;
God has!He believes in you, because He
placed the gifts and talents that are within you to achieve the “good end” that
was promised from before your birth.
“I will bless you with a future filled with hope —
a future of success,
not of suffering. (Jeremiah 29:11 CEV)
“I say this because I know what I am planning for
you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt
you.
I will
give you hope and a good future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NCV)
God gave the promise of a blessing for favor to those who keep His
commands by being obedient to Him.
“If you walk in My statutes and keep
My commandments, and perform (do) them, I will look on you with favor
and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm, establish and ratify
My covenant with you.”
(from Leviticus
26:3, 9 emphasis mine)
The
time is NOW to get focused on what you really want to accomplish in life.Dig your heels into the ground and stay
determined to finish well.
Listen
to motivational Bible teaching daily and change how you think about your
life.Ask loads of questions and study,
study, study your field becoming a sponge of knowledge.Then be bold knowing that God has given you
everything you need to succeed and take steps in moving toward your dream or
vision.
Jesus
is telling you to trust Him when He says,
“No boundaries … release Me … take off the limits!
Start
believing that the Daily Favor God wants to pour into your life is limitless.There is no end to the things He desires for
you and all of it is good!
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.
Note: Emphasis may be given in some scriptures to show clarity or understanding
and is not to take away from the inspirited Word of God.
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 is geared toward spiritual awareness.
Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
Disclaimer Notes: Results may
vary due to lack of belief.
News from Fay, Where Faith and Favor Meet, Favor of God, Favor, Favored1, Daily Favor Blog, Limiting Gods Favor,
Israel and New Breed, TD Jakes, Teaching Series, Vision Live Your Dream.
Getting
into a rhythm for a new routine can be frustrating if you don’t keep the goal (vision)
in front of your eyes and in your thoughts.
Every time I set my mind to listening to a new teaching series or open a
book something would try to prevent
me from getting past the first few minutes.
Has
that happened to you in pressing onward in our challenge for taking off the
limits for God’s favor?If so, don’t be
discouraged, you are actually making progress, and satan knows this time you’re
serious about living a life with God’s Daily Favor.
With that said, let's continue learning about the things that limit the favor of God in our lives.
One
thing that I tried to instill in my students is that I didn’t care how stupid
or silly they thought a question was, if it popped into their thinking ask
me.That’s the way you solve problems,
by having options for answers.
When
I first went into teaching, I was full of questions that really couldn’t be
answered in a college class.I learned
that if you want to be something, surround yourself with people of the same
mindset as yours and ask them everything about the field as possible.Remember, they’re already there – you WANT to
be, but aren’t.
That’s
exactly what I did.I treated every
instructor as a reservoir of information. I was a sponge soaking up methods,
styles and ideas that went in line with what I wanted.I observed the best teachers, visited schools
and sat in on classes on my days off to witness how the top people in their
field went about teaching a particular subject.
Finding
my way around dozens of districts led me to receiving favor from the right
people in positions that God had reserved for me.By His grace I was blessed with numerous
awards locally and from the state, including the coveted teacher of the year.
Did
this mean I was better than anyone else? No, I just learned to ask questions
that would fill in the blanks of where I wanted to be at that stage of
my life.As I learned I acted taking one
step at a time.
Becoming
A Sponge
One
time a new teacher made the big mistake of asking me if I thought he was a
“good” teacher.Being friends in the
field I felt I could be honest with him … that was my mistake.
Having
many years of instruction (good and bad) under my belt in a soft authoritative
voice I replied, “I think you’re going to
be a great teacher one day.”
Well,
that not only busted his bubble but it really made him angry, because in his
mind he was already quite stellar in the classroom. I wasn’t trying to take
away from his skills or talents, but was passing on some wisdom that I learned
earlier in my career about studying.
“Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved,
a workman (tested by trial) who has no reason to
be ashamed,
accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.”
(2 Timothy 2:15AMP)
He
was moving toward that goal, but didn’t have all the tools he needed to get to
his desired end – not at that time as a beginning teacher.After Champ got over the initial shock, he went
back to college, began asking questions and watched fellow co-workers go about
the business of shaping young lives.
Let
me share something ...Asking questions
wasn’t always easy, but not asking them meant not moving closer to the desires
of my heart.Those hard questions helped
elevate me into the place where God had favor.So, learn to swallow your pride and become a sponge.
It’s
been many years since I made that statement to my long-time friend, and that “young”
teacher is now “seasoned” and excels in his teaching area.He became a “Sponge Bob” so-to-speak.
I
am so pleased to share with you that Mr. C. received the honor of being named
teacher of the year in a high school of over 1,500 students. Well done Champ!
Step 4 – Study and learn all about the things you need to do next.
When the desire to become a writer got stronger, I believed it was
God’s will for my life to expand my teaching in a new area.I educated myself and studied the field in
depth to find out what I needed to know about other forms of teaching (as well
as online).
Using the scriptures of Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 and 2 Timothy 2:15 as
my guide, I am persuaded that it is the duty of a Christian to study so that we
may be approved unto God and serve as an authority in our field.
“Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered
wise, and he taught
the people everything he knew. He listened
carefully to many
proverbs, studying and classifying them.The Teacher sought
to find just the right words to express truths clearly.
The words of the wise are like cattle
prods—painful but helpful.
Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded
stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep. But, my child, let me give you some further
advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.
That’s the whole story. Here now is my final
conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.God will judge us for
everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.”
(Ecclesiastes 12:9-14NLT)
I truly believe that you cannot teach with authority what you do
not know, therefore, I researched an area and then practiced what I learned. Sometimes it was a bust, but with perseverance
I got better at my craft and grew in favor from God and man.
Has it worked? Yes. Changing
my mindset, I believed that if I did my part, God would do His and open doors
of opportunity in places I couldn’t. Granted I’m not where I want to be - yet,
but praise God I am much farther ahead of that girl who wouldn’t go near a computer
keyboard!
Baby Steps
The devil will always try
putting distractions and obstacles in your way to prevent you from getting
where you want to be in life.Did you
get that when I mentioned it in the opening paragraph ?I said “try”, meaning you don’t have to give
in to his attempts to sabotage your dreams!
You have to believe God has great things planned for you in order
for it to happen.Believe and act, even
if it means you have to take baby steps at first.
There is a young writer friend of mine that since he was in his early
teens proclaimed bigger dreams in his life. By the time he was nineteen he
already had several small books published and started an online training
program.
How did he do it? He watched, listened and proclaimed what he
wanted to happen.
"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7a)
In his heart this “boy” was already a big-time expert, even though
he wasn’t at that time.He called what
he saw in the spirit realm into the natural or physical realm by speaking it
and taking the necessary steps to bring his dream into a reality.
Can’t you see how this is what God expects us
to do? What is in your heart?
“As it is written, (the Lord said) I have made you 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 4:17NKJV)
Believe, speak and see with the eye of faith what it would look
like to be living out your vision and dreams.Imagine it in your mind. What you imagine will come to pass whether it
is a good or bad thing.
This
Week’s Challenge:
Becoming A Sponge
One
of the wisest lessons I’ve learned in my inner journey to Jesus is that pride
has no place in God’s best plans for our lives.If I ever want to finish the race that was ordained for me by the Lord,
I’ll need His favor and that can only happen if I follow the path He sets
before me. It's the same for you!
Learning
to become a sponge for knowledge by asking questions even if others thought
they were dumb was something I had to overcome quickly. Pride and fear of
embarrassment limited what God wanted to do in my life.
Without
understanding knowledge means nothing.Wisdom is the key to unlocking the understanding of knowledge so it can
elevate you into position for favor.
Wisdom comes from learning God's Word and His ways. It causes knowledge to become understanding, and when that happens favor will follow.
Since wisdom is an attribute of God's that we fall short of, He has given us permission to ask for it in making quality decisions that will lead us to His favor. Asking in faith without doubting is primary to receiving.
“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God,
and it will be given
to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for
asking. But
when
you ask for something, you must have faith and
not doubt.”
(James 1:5-6CEV)
The
Bible also tells us that wisdom is the principle or main thing we need before
anything else.I’d challenge you to go
into your prayer closet and start asking God those questions you thought
weren’t important enough to be answered.
In
boldness become a sponge for knowledge and ask the questions you were afraid to
ask.Whether it is online, by phone or
in person, open your mouth and be precise on what you want to know concerning
ways to proceed in achieving your ultimate goal(s).
After
that prepare yourself to learn.Successful people are goal action minded and embrace learning so they
can grow.It isn’t something they think
of as a chore, but a process for the journey.
Take
the limits off of God’s favor by studying the things you need to do next in
taking a step toward your dream, goal or vision.God promises that you will be happy, blessed
and favor the results of your efforts.
“Happy (blessed – favored, fortunate, enviable)
is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets
understanding
(drawing
it forth from God’s Word and life’s experiences).”
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.
Note: Emphasis may be given in some scriptures to show clarity or understanding
and is not to take away from the inspirited Word of God.
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 is geared toward spiritual awareness.
Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
Disclaimer Notes: Results may
vary due to lack of belief.
News from Fay, Where Faith and Favor Meet, Limiting God’s Favor: Part 2, Twila Paris, Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Favor, Growing in Favor, Wisdom, Why Study the Bible, Teaching Series, Weekly Challenge, Pride.