Begin in Favor: Part 1

Here we go again; another new year begins with high expectations and I’m already running behind not having taken down my Christmas tree yet!  There’s nothing wrong with that ... I think.  No, of course not … I just have to get in the flow of things. 

Vision boards, life plans, short or long-term goals … where does it all stop?  I know I should expect great things from God and myself, after all, it is in His overall plan for my life.

You know … sometimes it all seems a bit overwhelming trying to fill so many shoes juggling my time, activities, must do's and tasks throughout the day.  Is this scenario familiar and do you ever feel that way?  If so, join the millions of others who face the same thing yearly.

Thanks for joining us on Daily Favor Blog.  

Be sure to read updates and visit the Q & A or other sections. 

Disappointing Society

For the past few weeks the media, news, magazines, television and radio have flooded the airwaves or mailboxes with “ways to achieve your New Year’s resolutions” or things to add to the bucket list that we probably won’t have time for anyway.  Enough is enough … just how into self are we?

How long will it be before our adrenaline to "do it this year" falters and we slip right back into that slump of not achieving our goals?  I don’t know about you, but I’m not willing to take another disappointment in “self-achieving” in order to fit into society’s protocol for success. 

No matter what believers do, the world will never be satisfied with what we think is best for our life as Christians and living a life that is pleasing to God.  So, let me stop you right now before you already talk yourself out of what's going to be a great year.

Chosen for Holy Favor

This is going to be the year things happen.  How do I know?  I know because you have been chosen for favor from God. When any individual accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, upon salvation God bestows on them “Holy” favor.  

What I mean is, favor is deposited or distributed to us through God’s Spirit that resides in the heart of believers.  Unfortunately, the majority of Christians don’t know they have it. 

Here’s how it works.  How what works? How “Holy” favor works.

It’s really not that hard to understand.  Every person created is designed with “natural” built in skills and abilities no matter if you are a believer in Jesus or not.  These gifts or talents some may call them, are given with a purpose intended.  The sad thing is not everyone realizes that or uses their God given gifts for His plan.

However, those natural gifts turn into something amazingly spectacular and supernatural when they are used correctly, by that I mean for God.  When we release our gifts into the hands of the Holy Spirit, they put us in a category for preferential treatment for the outpouring of chosen or specific favor reserved for God’s children.

Attracting Favor

Have you ever noticed that when actors, politicians, musicians, sports personalities, authors, etc. that aren’t believers have outrageous salaries or acquire massive wealth, no one thinks much about it?  Regrettably the underlining mindset is, “they’ve worked hard for it,” as if everyone else doesn’t.

Christians, on the other hand that have great wealth or achieved fame are often hated.  Why is that?  It's because the world can't put a finger on it or understand how things “just happen” for believers.  They don’t have a clue as to how God’s favor makes people attractive and attracts people.

So my friend, what have you been attracting in your life?  Favor causes people to receive preferential treatment and here’s a good example of what I mean.  

Following the Rules

For most who follow sports they have probably heard of an athlete named Tim Tebow. The issue isn’t mainly with this young man’s talents or abilities, but the fact that he isn’t ashamed of sharing his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

When Tebow’s name started to become a regular among national ball players it was due to his outstanding running, throwing and competitive spirit.  It wasn’t long before the public dug into his “unimpressive” background, that is – unimpressive to the non-Christian world. 

How could a dyslectic, home-schooled, virgin, Christian missionary kid, gain such status in communities that run wild off the playing field?  “Ordinary” people like him don’t become Heisman Trophy winners or become best-selling authors.  They never get picked first for major ball teams, nor get to choose whether or not they want to play football or baseball because they’re that good!

For this ball player, Jesus is the most important part of his life along with caring for others as Christ does for us.  In Tim’s words, he began by following the rules.  Not his rules, but Gods.  He came to realize how important it is to serve the Lord, family and others over his own wants, needs and desires if he was to walk in favor.

Faith over Fame

Onlookers and fans who follow Tim have witnessed his faith in action, and they have also seen the ridicule he has received for professing his belief in Jesus as Savior. 

Whether it’s “Tebowing” (kneeling to pray) and bowing his head before a game, telling his testimony or sharing the love of Jesus in giving, “Mr. T” certainly is shining the light of Christ.

His desire to spread the salvation message demonstrates that faith without action means nothing and doesn’t give God much to bless on our part.  Throughout his rise to stardom Tim has always put his faith first, and in doing so it has driven him to universal fame beyond what he could have done with mere “talents” or “abilities’ on his own.

With the knowledge that all he possesses is a gift from God, using the platform and influences given to him, he painted specific Bible verses such as John 3:16 and Proverbs 3:5-6 on his eyelids before football games.  The media became so obsessed calling it “The Tebow Rule”, that it was the most searched term during a BCS Championship Game (college football Bowl Championship Series).

Since his youth, Timothy Richard has proclaimed Jesus in his walk of “purity” maintaining his virginity pledge until marriage.  His obedience to scriptures has brought the blessings of God, causing him to experience favor from God and man beyond the hallowed locker room halls. 

The “world” recognizes that there’s something different about Tim and his walk of faith.  It is so prevalent that the sports world has referred to him as “The Chosen One.” 

Now how do you think they arrived at that particular terminology?  They see THE Chosen One – Christ Jesus, working good things in him according to the plan God has on his life. 

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who

love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

(Romans 8:28 NLKV)

I like how the New Life Version words this passage.  It brings it all to light.  

"We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan."

(Romans 8:28 NLV)

There’s that word again – chosen.  Now it’s all starting to make sense, right?  However, Tim’s not the only chosen one.  All God’s children are chosen for a specific purpose according to their skills distributed for His plan.

Faith and Obedience are a Choice

There is something that believers need a revelation of about being chosen by God.  Former Pastor John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota once wrote in an article about how Christians should revel in the awesomeness of being a chosen priesthood. 

In short, he explained that,

“Our faith is not the basis of God’s choosing us, but the result of it because of His grace (unmerited favor).  Since our faith and obedience is owing to God’s choice of us, we can know we are chosen.  Being chosen by God means that God shapes history on your behalf.”

We choose to believe what we want in life.  Choosing to believe God and what He says about Jesus places a label on you as “chosen” for favor.

When Tim chose to believe and obey, God saw his faith.  Faith to believe God over man caused history to change favoring a young man from Jacksonville, Florida to stand out from the rest. 

His faith caused him to receive favor, which affected and effected his "giftedness" opening doors of opportunity that no man could shut. Come on … you can’t make up this stuff!  Faith and favor are roommates in the heart of a believer!

Scripture also tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that God has a purpose and a plan for our life.  It doesn’t always have to be something over the top, but He could want you to perform simple tasks that lead up to things like mission trips or other marvelous life changing events that change history forever! 

“We are His work. He has made us to belong to Christ Jesus so we can work for Him. He planned that we should do this.” 

(Ephesians 2:10 NLV)

I can tell you this.  His plan is for you now, not someday.  It may take a while, but it starts today!  Oh, and another thing.  It’s not about making you famous, but that could happen and if it does it’s still not about you.

Be sure to come back for the conclusion of this article, and in the meantime keep working on your vision board.  First, click on this video to see how beginning with God begins your life in His unmerited favor!

 This Is The Day with Tim Tebow 

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Until next time, you were chosen for favor!

I chose to favor you.

-        Jesus Christ

What’s New This Week: Click on the link.

This is the Day: Reclaim Your Dream.

Ignite Your Passion.  Live Your Purpose

by Tim Tebow

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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.

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.  Images:  Woman Comforting  What You Attract Tebowing Eagles Game  Obey God

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:  Creative Common License if not specified.  

News from Fay, Where Faith and Favor Meet, Salvation, Favor of God, Favor, Favored1, Daily Favor Blog, Tim Tebow, John Piper, Begin in Favor: Part 1, Teaching Series, Christian Vision Boards, Obedience, Faith, Faithfulness, New Year's Resolution.