It’s
dinner time at our house on a Sunday night as I begin writing this. Actually, it’s a bit late to be eating, but
hubby and I are trying to keep ahead of things for tomorrow’s schedule so we
didn’t get around to the meal until 8 p.m.
I’m
not complaining, but am serenely calm and feeling rather blessed. A hot plate of leftover spaghetti sits on the
left of the keyboard. I dig into it between
writing and nibble on a slice of bread with butter that rests near the plate.
How
marvelously favored … you know, besides
so many other things, having food available and not thinking where the next
meal may come from or whether or not I will even get to eat that day.
You
may be surprised, but I know that feeling.
Or should I say, I’ve experienced that fear. It was during times of lack that I came to
understand abundance and how it ties to being favored.
Thanks for joining us on Daily Favor Blog.
Desiring
Favor
As
Christians our utmost desire should be to tap into the good things that
accompany salvation, which includes receiving being favored by our
Creator. The sad thing is that most of
us didn’t know about favor, grace or “the blessing” (not blessings) of God.
I
was never taught about the favor of God or “blessing”, even though it’s in the entire
Bible. It was a subject that was avoided
like the plague (that and anything about the Holy Spirit) as if it was sinful,
selfish and not Holy.
It
didn’t make sense to me that Christians knew nothing (or very little) about
favor, especially when we form our life choices around being accepted, liked
and yes – “favored” by society.
Tell
me you don’t want approval, acceptance and to receive special benefits
especially from your family, co-workers or boss? Don’t you want people to be kind, generous
and sometimes merciful in certain situations?
Of
course, you do, and so do I. So then, if
that’s wrong why can’t we get it out of our thinking? I’ll tell you why, because it is in our DNA to be Surrounded by Favor
There’s
nothing wrong with wanting people to be nice to you or even having a bit of
favor thrown our way. It’s how God wired
us – we desire to be liked and loved.
The Bible tells us that even unbelievers know how to be kind, that leads
me to believe it must be something genetic that needs to be nurtured.
Everyone
ever born (or yet to be) has an inner desire to be accepted and
successful. From the beginning all
creation was genetically blessed by God.
Mankind was created to be achievers, not deceivers, but sin changed what would
have originally come to us naturally.
“Then
God blessed them, and God said to Adam and Eve (mankind Genesis 5:2); fill the
earth and subdue it, have dominion (I give you power) over it …” (Genesis 1:
22-28 NKJV)
Adam
and Eve never had to ask for God’s favor or blessings, because their world was
Divinely created just for them. They
lacked for nothing so what could they ask for anyway?
Favor
surrounded them – literally, because they were already in “right standing” with
God. All Adam and Eve had to do was walk
in favor. It was their shield against
anything harmful.
“For
You, O Lord, will bless the Righteous; with favor You will surround him (them)
as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:12 NKJV)
Mankind
learned that relationship was the key to everything the heart desired, whether
it was material, spiritual, mental or physical. It still holds true for today.
However,
when it comes to favor, we think there should be an equalizer – everyone who
does this or that receives it. You and I
know it doesn’t work that way.
Genetically
Favored
If
you are thinking there has to be something that sets a person apart from others
in order to gain such blessings, you would be correct (to some
extent). For man it’s works, but with
God, it’s righteous living or being in “right” standing with Him through
salvation (believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God). Adam and Eve stepped out of living right
before God, and it cost them the shield of favor they enjoyed from the
beginning.
This
is where physical DNA is shattered and having the DNA of Christ separates
everything of value. Every person that
comes into the saving knowledge of Jesus is automatically connected genetically
back to God’s favor, because of the favor He bestowed on Jesus.
I
know it may sound confusing, but let me put it like this to help you
understand. When Jesus died on the cross
as a sacrifice, all sin was covered by His blood making it possible for anyone
who believes to enjoy living in the favor of God. However, only “repented” sin receives the
blessing referred to as the favor of God.
Jesus
died for all, but not all believe. Those
who reject Him still live in their sin even though Christ died for them to be
free of it.
Those
who never believe in Jesus or seek forgiveness will go to Hell with their sin,
sickness, diseases and everything else that separated them from God. Can you imagine never being healed of
anything? That person who suffered in
life with a sickness will never be rid of it – ever!
It’s
important to believe today while there is still time and get back in “right” (favored)
standing with the Lord. The day of salvation
IS the day when God’s favor is genetically restored into our life through Jesus.
"For he says, In the time of my favor I heard you. and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you,now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV)
This
favor isn’t only for here on Earth, but for all eternity, just like it was back
in the Garden of Eden. No sickness,
disease, loss of limbs, blindness, sadness, regret, famine, drought or lack of
anything ever again - FOREVER! We can be restored to Divine favor in every way that could
possibly exist!
Salvation
is the means or the "only key" that unlocks the blessing of favor (now and for
eternity). Should we be angry that no
one told us about it when we were converted?
Possibly, or maybe it’s our own fault for not learning more about “this
Jesus” when we first answered the call to repent of our sin.
You
Choose or Reject Favor
All
people were created by God, but not all are His children. Those who choose to believe by faith in Jesus
Christ as the Son of God, become accepted into God’s family.
As
His children, “Charis” or “Chen” (Hebrew/Greek for favor) is automatically
given. It’s something everyone should
want to explore more, until they finally grasp the concept of just how deeply
God loves us and wants to be in our lives. (Read more on Charis favor here.)
God
is a Father that desires for good things to happen in our lives. He longs to
have fellowship with His kids, but they’re not responding to His calls. When we finally let Him in (by accepting
Jesus into our hearts by faith believing He is God’s Son), something changes.
Basically,
it means that God smiles and takes pleasure in accepting us as His very own,
because bottom line, we believed what He said about Jesus! … and who doesn’t
want to be believed when we say something, right?
“….
A voice came from Heaven saying, this is My Beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
(from Matthew 17:5 emphasis mine)
To
“hear Jesus” means more than listening to what’s being said. Believing God and acting on what He says is
what’s it’s all about, and when we do, we gain approval that rewards with
benefits or blessings (aka – favor!).
When
it comes down to it, we actually choose whether or not favor from God is part of
our lives from receiving or rejecting Jesus as His Only Begotten Son.
It’s
really not God’s fault, but our own if we never take full advantage of the
salvation benefit package. After all,
haven’t we seen it in the book of Psalms?
You know, the “run to” section in the Bible for all our problems!
“Bless
the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits…”
(Psalm
103:2 NKJV)
When
a relationship between God and mankind becomes severed by sin, receiving His
blessings are also cut off until a person repents and seeks forgiveness.
This
Week’s Challenge:
Getting
All the Good Benefits
Friend,
God will allow us to go down into the “valleys” of life so we can get a
revelation that He is and always has been the source we desire, not just His
favor.
It’s in our DNA that we long to be
connected to something greater than who we are or what we can get out of this
world.
Having
a relationship restored to our Creator is the best benefit that should never be
forgotten, and our Heavenly Father wants that more than we could possibly
understand. God wants to fill your life
with good things that only He can provide; He truly wants to bless your soul.
Our
challenge is to deeply focus on the benefits (blessings, favor and goodness)
that God gives to those who put their faith and trust in Jesus alone.
Look
at what you could be missing, and this is just a portion of the promises of
God!
"Bless the Lord, O my
soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
And forget not all His benefits:
He forgives all your iniquities,
He heals all your diseases,
He redeems your life from destruction,
He heals all your diseases,
He redeems your life from destruction,
He crowns you with lovingkindness
and tender mercies.
He satisfies your mouth with
good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord executes (gives) Righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed."
And justice for all who are oppressed."
(from Psalm 103:2-6 NKJV)
Today
is the day of salvation – today you can be “genetically” favored by God if you
want to be through receiving Jesus as your Savior or re-dedicating your life to
the Lord. Either way – the “benefits”
are in your favor.
Read
more about Charis – Chen Favor.
Psalm
103:1-6 Song "Bless the LORD, O My Soul" (Esther Mui)
If
this article has encouraged or helped you, please consider sharing it by using
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Until
next time, study God’s favor benefits package.
“God’s
favor comes through salvation.”
- 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.
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Disclaimer
Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
Scripture
reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible
Gateway.
Image
credit: Google Images Creative Common License if not specified.
Image: Pasta DNA of God Rejecting God Challenge
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God, Salvation, God’s Benefits Package, Benefits of Salvation, Jesus Christ,
Genetically Favored, Psalm 103, Fear, Promises of God, Genetically Favored for Good Things
