Staying within budget is often difficult when you work for any housing program in the USA, because getting your money can take months.
Work still has to continue; salaries, building supplies
and permits have to be considered even during those slow pay periods when you
are in business. We weren’t sure how God
would supply all our needs, but we believed He would as promised in Philippians
4:19.
There was someone else who was watching all this though …
satan, who was right there to turn the tables against us as faith was about to
go on trial.
Welcome new friends this week from:
See if your city/state/country made the list.
New on DFB – Scotland; Finland; Cape Town, Western Cape, South
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USA – Grundy &
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Falconer, Hermitage & New Castle, PA; Orange, TX; Brotmanville, NJ; Willow
Springs, MO; Pearl City, HI.
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.
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When Weapons Form
The construction was moving forward as my husband had all
the materials and workers on the building sites. At that time he owed about $3,500.00 to a
certain lumber yard for windows on a grant job.
Construction contracts for the government only pay once a
month. If they didn’t get to your bill during
their time in session, you had to wait until the next month. There was no direct deposit, so this could
take up to 30 days plus another 15 for the treasurer to send the check.
My husband went to the lumber supplier and explained that
his bill was submitted in plenty of time, and that it wasn’t his fault if it took
another 45 days for the governmental check to be issued. He had no way of knowing if his statement for
billing would be reviewed this month or not.
Since he was a regular customer for many years, he was assured it was
okay and was thanked for letting them know about the delay.
In past posts along our journey (like in “Finding that Place of Rest”), we have learned that the devil’s plan is to steal from, kill and destroy God’s
people. We’ve also learned that Jesus
came to annihilate and utterly obliterate satan’s plan.
“The thief (satan) does not come except to
steal, and to kill,
and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they
may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly.
(John 10:10 NKJV)
About two weeks later we received a large manila envelope
in our mail addressed to my husband and the county court, stating we
were being sued. The lawyer’s office accidentally sent us copies of the court papers they were filing, tipping us off
to their plans against my husband’s company.
Enclosed were their plans requesting the $3,500 for the supplies
bill, plus additional costs of $1,500 to cover lawyer and court fees. When I asked my husband what he was going to
do he said, “Trust the Lord to work this
out for our good and His glory.”
He began claiming the verse Isaiah 54:17 and patiently waited
for God’s favor over the situation. I didn’t say he was always calm, but at
least he was consistent in what he spoke.
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
and every tongue
which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is
the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and
their righteousness
is of Me. Thus says the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17 NKJV)
If we lost the case, besides damaging our reputation the
additional fines would really harm the business. God heard our prayers and blinded the enemy
to His actions of what He would have us do.
Unbeknown to the lumber company and their lawyer, was the
fact that another government branch that my husband was doing work for sent
their payment for the submitted bill earlier that quarter. With the payment check we received from a previous
contract, we were able to pay the other supplier who was suing us.
When my husband arrived at their establishment the
co-owner wasn’t there so he paid the billing office, got the “paid in full”
receipt and left. Our account with the
company was satisfied.
Not knowing what we should do about the documents, my
husband sought the Lord’s guidance. We
burned the enemy’s papers that were delivered into our hands by the Lord.
From that point on we had no idea what was happening and
that the lawyer re-filed the claim, which placed it farther back on the court docket. The Lord was about to show Himself mighty and
openly before those who would try to do us harm.
The devil tried to ruin us with his weapons, but they
were no match for the Lord.
The Weapon of Choice for Deliverance
Having paid the outstanding bill, we thought that the
case was closed. Not so. Another two weeks went by and my husband was
subpoenaed to appear before an arbitrator at the county court. The owner was there, his lawyer, the
arbitrator and my husband.
They acknowledged that payment was received with all
interest that needed to be paid, but still insisted we pay the lawyer fees and
court costs. This is how we saw the
favor of God manifested. Due to the
“accidental” paper work sent to us, the bill was actually paid before they even
filed with the court.
“[GOD] Deliver me from the enemy’s hand or
redeem me from the hand of oppressors ...” (Job 6:23 NKJV)
In the eyes of the law there wasn’t an outstanding bill. The arbitrator ruled in our favor excusing
the case, and they couldn’t collect any of the fees. God closed the door of the enemy and sent us
to another distributor who gave us contractor deals and benefits … something
the other business only did occasionally.
God’s favor shield covered this situation, because as His
children we took on an attitude that we would be favored using the Word of God
as our weapon of choice. The Lord
delivered the enemy’s plan right into our hands (literally), caused another
check to come in to pay the bill before it turned into a loss, and moved on the
heart of the court in our favor.
Royal Court Favor
While I was praying over what the Lord would have me
share this week, He brought the court
case against my husband to mind. It seemed strange because we had both forgotten about the incident.
I really didn’t know why this episode that took place so many years ago was
important to what I was studying, until some conversations I had brought it to
light. There are reasons why we go
through things in life, and as believer’s the Lord will use all our trials,
tests and missteps for His glory to bring souls to Him.
I was reading about the favor of God on the sons of Jacob
… let me be more specific – Joseph, the favored
child, when I remembered the unjust court incident.
Do you remember the situation in the Old Testament of the
Bible (in Genesis 39) where Jacob’s son Joseph was treated unfairly by almost
everyone in his life? It started with
his jealous brothers who sold him into slavery at the age of seventeen, hoping
to get rid of their father’s favorite son.
Their plan backfired and even though
Joseph was a slave he found favor from Potiphar, a royal officer of Pharaoh, and the
LORD continued to bless the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake.
If we continue reading the historical account, it takes a
horrible turn when lies were formed against young Joseph for a crime he didn’t
commit. It was in prison where we see more
favor of God unfold on Joseph’s life.
Although Joseph was wrongly sent to prison he was not
alone on his journey. God never left or
forsook him, but moved on the hearts of those Joseph came in contact with by
giving or “crowning” him with favor.
“But the LORD was with Joseph and showed
him mercy,
and He gave him favor in the sight of
the keeper of the prison.”
(Genesis 39:21 NKJV)
Joseph believed what the devil meant for harm God would turn
into something good. He never became
bitter, lashed out or questioned God, but instead maintained a positive
attitude. No matter what he encountered,
Joseph’s heart remained faithful to the Lord. It was if he said to the devil,
“Bring it on … you’re no
match for my God.
His favor surrounds and
is on me!”
 |
| Daniel in the lions den. |
The weapons formed against us did not prosper either. God was with us for the battle like He was
with Joseph, Daniel and many more throughout history including Jesus.
The Lord fought for us, because by faith we held our peace and let
Him take charge of the situation. (Exodus 14:14)
He will be there for you also if you believe the Lord
will grant His favor in every situation that lines up with His will and plan
for your journey.
This Week’s Challenge:
Put on a “Favored Shield” Attitude
Perhaps you’re in a battle right now where things seem to
be forming against you from every side. I
know it might look hopeless, but it’s not.
That’s what the devil wants you to think, but he’s wrong and always is!
Do not be discouraged, God is right there with you and He
is very much in control. Be patient and
excited to see how He works things out on your behalf. Remember you carry spiritual weapons that are
far superior than the devil could ever imagine.
You have faith, favor and God!
Our challenge asks us to put on an “I am favored by God” attitude as a spiritual
weapon and shield against the enemy. Literally
picture God shielding you in every direction as if you were wrapped in His
loving arms.
Nothing is impossible for God; He can turn every
situation, test or trial around as long as faith is present. Believe that He will show mercy and loving
kindness by granting favor in the sight of our enemies.
When we see weapons forming against us from every side, we’ll
take on the “I am favored by God”
shield by speaking Isaiah 54:17 over each situation. It may look difficult but we can have a
positive “We're favored” attitude, because
Jesus is right here beside us to make sure it happens.
“There is only one thing
that will stop God’s hand of favor on our life: unbelief.” – Favored1
God is a shield for you and about (around) you! Dare to believe that favor will come to you
as it did Joseph. Lift up your head with
joy as the redeemed of the Lord. With the
help of the Holy Spirit, God will see you through to victory as you put on His
favor as a shield.
“But Thou, O
Lord, are a shield for me; my glory,
and lifter of my head.” (Psalm 3:3 NKJV)
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, put on God’s favor shield!
“Wear My favor as a shield against the enemy.”
Jesus Christ
*Unless
noted, 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.
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This is a CD we own and love to sing the songs in church. (Currently 75% off regular price.)
2
CD’s with 22 tracks. *A Shield About Me
is song #20 on this CD.
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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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.
Image: Government Housing Assistance Worried Man God's Weapon the Bible Joseph Found Favor
Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
The Favored Shield Weapon, Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Maranatha Singers, Trusting God, Struggle with Believing, Shield of Favor, Court of Law, Potiphar, Pharaoh