It was less than twelve hours from when I was to post and
I still wasn’t ready. Trying to wrap
things up I discussed the topic of study over with my husband at
lunchtime. The only thing we could do
was come up with comical excuses as to why I wasn’t going to post this week.
“I could say we’re on vacation … (but that
would be a lie). Or, that “I was in treatment,” which wouldn’t be
too far off only it’s my hair getting a makeover.
With humor on his mind he added, “Put up a sign saying, “Gone fishing, you know, like with Jesus … oooh,
say you can’t make the post because you’re standing in line for the water slide
baptism.”
Truthfully, there was a reason, only I wasn’t sure what
it was.
“So … what are you going to tell them?” He asked. Looking somewhat baffled I said, “I don’t know.”
Welcome new friends this week from:
See if your city/state/country made the list.
New on DFB – Russia;
India; Kenya; Germany; France; United Kingdom; Saudi Arabia; Thailand; Ukraine;
Canada; Philippines; Jordan; Australia.
USA
– East
Wakefield, NH; Gibsonburg, OH; Oxford, AL; Lockport, IL; North Hartsville, SC;
Garner, Richlands & Elkin, NC; Lewisburg & Selmer, TN; Jersey Village,
TX; Murray, KY; Mayfair Estates, Cana & Maurertown VA; Bear, DE; Baldwyn,
MS; Hegins, PA; Clovis, CA.
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 be Discipled
by 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).
Daily Favor
During the middle of last week’s challenge about shining “New Home Lights” I declared to my
husband, “Thanks for trying to be a Light.”
With a smile he answered: “Honey,
I’m trying, but sometimes I run out of extension cords.”
Actually we’ve had an exceptional week for the most part
and quite calm, with Daily Favor going before us in so many things. Day after day we experienced blessings, and I
couldn’t help but want to share it all with you.
“Blessed and greatly favored are those who dwell in Your
house and presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah.”
(Psalm 84:4 AMP)
I could have videotaped my week showing you what I did
each day including tips on cleaning my house, but thought who would watch such
a thing. Then I realized, hey, I just
watched a lady’s You Tube video thinking, “Who
would watch a video like this!”
Thirty minutes later I told my husband about my bewilderment over her
vlog and proceeded to push the play arrow … yep, now two more people watched
it!
God has given us great parking spots so hubby wouldn’t
have to walk in the extreme heat. There
were sales on close-out items for the season, bargains that we didn’t expect
and a little down time to spend with one another for a mini staycation.
I was able to get organization done for some of my
crafting items and had triple the help enabling me to get it done four times
slower than usual. You read that right …twelve
little paws helped to rearrange the items each time I tried to set things in
place. Finally, I had to let them do their research and lose interest so I
could finish the task. A few hours later
all were satisfied.
 |
| Manny, Moe and Jackie! Not really these are Lady's kids. Read her adoption story. |
These were the “you can see it” or manifestations of God’s
favor that refreshes faith, but the unseen such as in spiritual favor was even
better.
One Thing Missing
Every now and then I see something posted on social media
about writing coaches giving tips on how to break through writer’s block. If you’re thinking that was the problem this
week, praise God it wasn’t.
Everything was in order for the post … except one
thing. Going through my checklist for
why I write this blog all the criteria had been met, but one part was missing
and no matter what I did it wouldn’t fall into place.
When I talked it over with my husband I explained how it
felt like I was trying to force something or make it to be what it wasn’t. Leaving out the “missing link” section and hitting
the publish tab just because its “Friday” wasn’t the answer either. It would have been easy and no one would have
ever known … except God and me (and hubby but that counts as one with the
Lord).
A wise leader, teacher, coach or person in authority
admits if they have missed the mark and takes correction from God. When confusion entered the picture I knew it
was time to stop until I heard clearly from the Lord. I had to face it … the post wasn’t
ready, and although I’d been in fellowship with God all week somewhere I missed
it. Well at least I thought I had.
There was only one thing to do, tell the truth. Sorry guys, “Keep shining bright for Jesus, others and those you love, I’ll see you
next time ... God’s not speaking this week.”
Oh how crushing that sounded! Not only would it be un-inspiring, it’s not
the “truth” at all.
Change Your Focus Ten Degrees
Not sure what I was going to use as the “fill-in” for the
missing section of the post, I prayed and set my thoughts aside thinking I’d
come up with something to say later.
“But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, at an
acceptable and opportune time; O God, in the greatness of Your favor and in the
abundance of Your lovingkindness, answer me with truth (that is the faithfulness
of Your salvation or what accompanies salvation).” (Psalm 69:13 AMP emphasis
mine)
After washing up for dinner a different kind of
light went off as I heard in my spirit, “Change
your focus (as in move it). You’ve been
focusing on the wrong thing.”
Realizing that it was the Holy Spirit trying to teach me something I
engaged in the conversation.
“What do you mean?” I asked knowing that God would not hold back what
I needed to know in my journey as His disciple.
“For the Lord God is a sun (bright light) and shield; the
Lord bestows grace and favor and honor; no good thing will He withhold from
those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11 AMP)
Looking back at the passages I was studying all week, God
revealed to me that my focus was like that of the first disciples who missed it
in the beginning as well. We’ve been
following Jesus and learning how to be “modern day” disciples, witnessing the
wondrous works He has done but we’ve lost our focus already!
Continuing in His correction on what I was concentrating on
through the Holy Ghost, I heard in my spirit, “Look ten degrees to the right … what do you see?” I was visualizing what was happening as I
read each passage. Ohhhhh. Now I got it.
Just like the disciples, we look at all the things Jesus
is doing, has done or wait for what He will do in our lives and around us. We’ve constantly looking at everything else
but the DOER of the works. When I
changed my focus, Jesus was in front of me.
The missing aspect in the original post was
that there are times when we have to step away from all the works and marvel over
the Miracle WORKER.
When we stop to think about what the disciples were
living and learning it can be overwhelming.
They knew about God and that a Savior was coming. Watching Jesus, wouldn’t
it be easy to focus on all the things that were going on instead of the Son of
God Himself?
They saw this: Wow,
look what He just did.
Not this: Wow,
look that’s GOD.
Take a look at the photo. What do you see when you first look at it in
the center?
You basically notice the
people and surroundings right? Now look ten
degrees to the right (about where the 2 would be on a clock); what do you
see?
If we now focus on the Light of the cross, everything
else grows dim. God’s Light shines
bright on its own with no help from us; for me it’s amazing that Jesus would
ever want to take us on as His disciples.
I wouldn’t even want to have me as one. I’d say, “She
asks too many questions and is holding up the works!” Thank God that His ways are higher than mine.
His focus is on loving me and doing more
than I could ask or think.
God has sown His Son Jesus into our lives to reach far
beyond the cross. The Light illuminates
our path with favor, grace, mercy and protection. The real focus should be more on Him and spreading
the joyful news of a Wonderful God.
“Light is sown (like seed) for the righteous and illuminates
their path, and (irrepressible) joy (is spread) for the upright in heart (who
delight in His favor and protection).
(Psalm 97:11 AMP)
This Week’s Challenge:
Change Your Focus
Sometimes I get so caught up in the amazing work of God
that I cannot comprehend it all. When I share these thoughts with my husband he
says I’m like a pinball with all my questions bouncing everywhere… “and that’s another reason why the rapture
hasn’t taken place yet… Jesus isn’t ready for all your questions!”
Of course he’s only kidding, but seriously one has to
marvel at being able to have a relationship with such a wonderful GOD = The
Creator, Everlasting Father, LORD of Lords, Eternal Savior, Master of all
things. I could go on … (Isaiah 9:6)
“I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will
tell of all Your marvelous works. I will
be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praises to Your name, O Most High.”
(Psalm 9:1-2 NKJV)
“Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You
have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if
I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” (Psalm 40:5 NKJV)
For our challenge this week there’s not much more I can
say or share, other than to stop what you’re doing along your discipleship
journey and stand in awe as you focus on the wonder of Jesus Himself.
O Lord of Hosts, how blessed and greatly favored is the
man who trusts in You (believing in You, relying on You, and committing himself
to You with confident hope and expectation.” (Psalm 84:12 AMP)
Change your focus and as you do, everything will fall in place (even blog posts).
Wonderful Maker by Jeremy Camp
If this article has encouraged or helped you, please
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post.
Until next time, be greatly
favored by trusting in our wonderful God.
“Commit to Me with hope and expect favor to follow.”
Jesus Christ
*Unless
noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy.
Note: Emphasis
is 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.
... and
yes the word "discipled" isn't a word used by the world, but that of
believers.
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 the photo or link.
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
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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: GoogleImages or Dreamstime Creative Common License if not specified.
Image: Gone Fishing Change Focus Light Cross
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