Where Flowers Bloom So Does Hope

Daily Favor is where ...

"faith and favor meet." 

It's sometimes hard to see the good in the midst of a crisis.  That's exactly how the world feels in what we are experiencing right now, and why as a follower of Christ this message has been on my heart.  

Acquainted with trials on a global scale, former First Lady of the United States, Lady Bird Johnson, understood the importance of keeping hope before our eyes during times like this in her message:

"Where flowers bloom, so does hope."

Her proclamation of hope was seeded in her faith and belief in God.  This is where I am rooted also, and why Daily Favor is so important in the life of any believer.

With social media and news in a tailspin, it may be difficult to see that God is still very much at work.  There is good news; look closely, spring is trying to bud in front of our eyes, proving He is and always will be, in control!

God wants us to use this time to see what He is doing in our own lives.  Social distancing from others doesn't mean we are to be distant from Him, but we should be doing the exact opposite.

I am more excited than even watching what God is doing and unfolding before me, even during my own tribulations!  He is revealing Himself and faithfully answering prayers.

"You have granted me life and favor

and Your care has preserved my spirit."

(Job 10:12)

There truly is an "other side of trouble" the world needs to experience!  This is the most perfect time ever in history to draw close to God and get in on what He is doing through believers.  

Scriptures tell us to:

"Come close to God and He will come close to you.   Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world." (James 4:8 NLT)

It's time to get back in the favor of God by spending time with Him.  Revisit your vision, goals and faith status.  Have you gotten side tracked by dividing the loyalty line between God and man wrongly?

Stop following after the world that doesn't recognize you as a Christian because of your lifestyle or behavior.  God is working things out for your favor; can't you see it?

God is Moving on Hearts

I'd like to encourage you that God is moving at this time!  He wants you to prepare to bloom and be the flowers of hope the world is seeking desperately. 

You see, when a flower is blooming something inside it is happening.  It's in the process of becoming the best flower God intended it to be.  The result is, anyone who looks upon it can see there had to be a change from what was into what it has become.

Friends, God is preparing you to become the best "flower" (gorgeous testifying witness for Him) possible.  He needs you to bloom at the exact time of His favor,  for others to "see" what God has done and is doing through you.

I want to inspire you in the Lord.  This isn't a time for resting at home and doing nothing but complain about what we want to be doing.  No, it's time to receive favor from the Holy Spirit and "Bloom Where You Are Planted"!  (Read more about that here.)

For Such A Time

God wants you to experience His Daily Favor more than ever so the message of hope in Christ Jesus reaches the lost.  It's literally the "for such a time as this" as Mordecai said to Esther concerning the Jewish nation. (Esther 4)

In our current age, this message for prayer, fasting and hope is for all people.  If we keep silent people will perish not only physically, but they will be eternally separated from God! 

How are you reacting to this global crisis?  Where is your focus? Or as Lady Bird also stated during a difficult time the country was facing:

"It's odd that you can get so anesthetized by your own pain or your own problem that you don't quite fully share the "hell" of someone close to you."

Is she right?  She gave more sound advice: 

"Become so wrapped up in something 

that you forget to be afraid."

"The challenge we now face is to build on the record of the past, 

to continue new responsibilities 

and seeking new opportunities to serve." 

Can it be that easy and how does that apply to today?  I wanted to use a familiar political figure as an example for a specific reason in driving this message of hope home and into your heart.

What we are experiencing as a whole isn't political, physical, social, financial or emotional, but it's a spiritual pandemic.  You read that right!

Spiritual Pandemic!

Fear is skyrocketing among people from every nation.  The world is desperately reaching out for help.  Life has gotten more than real; it's become overwhelmingly frightening to some shattering their coping skills to the core.

Websites and broadcasts on faith are being flooded with questions. Christian literature and Bibles are flying off the store shelves as skeptics scramble to find answers for things they don't understand or comprehend.

Mankind is ready to receive the message of hope in Jesus, because they are afraid and worried over their future.  If you are a believer in Christ, don't give up on hope because of what you see happening in the world.   Remember, the truth that set you free through the grace of God (unmerited favor) you now possess.

People need to know hope is alive and blooming all around them through the work of Christ.  We should be excited for this opportunity to do what we've never been able to do so freely! 

The window for getting the gospel message out is open now, but it will not last once the crisis is over.  Now is the time to act!

Be a part of our "bouquet of hope" by sharing this Tell Me link.  Direct souls to the salvation message.

Hope Based on Trust

Every one that visits this biblical teaching site is like a unique flower sent by God to learn how to bloom for Him.  Here faith and favor meet, because hope is on our hearts by the blessings received through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.

When believers share Christ, whether it is through a testimony or sharing gospel materials such as this, together we become the irresistible blooms of hope that people desire.

Do we experience the same situations and crisis' as everyone else?  Yes, but our hope and trust is in Jesus, not what the world is doing or can do.  No matter what, our hope is in the Lord.

It's our time to be the flowering blooms, saturating the world with beautiful hearts and fragrant attitudes.  Hope for a bright future is what others need to see or hear from us.

This Week's Challenge:

Let Hope Bloom

When a variety of blooming flowers are arranged together in one place for a specific thing, they brighten the area and bring joy to those who are around them.  The array of blooming flowers in the above photo is a good example of what I mean, and a flower company from the Netherlands knew how to share this point in encouraging people to have hope.

I'd like for you to join our growing Daily Favor family, as we come together by faith in reaching souls during this unsettling time in global history.

Prayerfully direct people to where hope is always blooming in these articles of faith on Daily Favor, and let's tell others the reason for our hope.  

"You must worship Christ as Lord of your life.  And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it." 

(1 Peter 3:15 NLT)

As long as the earth remains, there will be flowers, and where flowers bloom there is God in whom we place our hope!  

Hope Blooms Eternal (New Gospel Song April 2020)

Lyrics by Kumalawaty Sundari 

Until next time, favor blooms through hope! 

“Favor waits for those who seek Me.”

- Jesus Christ

Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used a treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.

   

What’s New This Week: Click on link.

Where Flowers Bloom So Does Hope Journal

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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 “TellMe About Jesus” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.

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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 Hub. 

*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.

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The Redemptive Promise

I want to take this time to thank everyone who has been instrumental in being an incredible help to so many during this critical period in the history of the world.  We are appreciative for all you are doing and uplift you in prayer daily.

The Redemption Promise

Although people of faith cannot gather in buildings or structures of any nature as usual to observe services for Holy Week, it does not take away from the special time Christians celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Events beginning with Palm Sunday through Good Friday all lead to Resurrection Day, where Jesus rose from the grave.  This documented truth is the basis for our faith, and why we believe what we do.  Our hope comes from the Lord and His promises for redemption of sin through Christ alone.

The sacrifice Jesus made through dying on the cross in taking our sins upon Himself, was and always will be the greatest form of grace – unmerited favor anyone could give for those He loved. 

"For God loved the world (you and me) so much He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Jesus will not perish in Hell, but will have eternal life in Heaven with God." 

(John 3:16 emphasis mine)

Jesus loves you.  He died to redeem (save and forgive) you from all sin.  No other God has done that or ever will, because He is the One and only true God. He rose from the dead conquering death and sin that the devil lords over mankind.  

As the world faces a silent enemy in the spread of the “C-virus”, the real enemy behind it is satan.  He is a thief and his goal is to kill, steal and destroy as many souls as possible. (John 10:10)

It is vital that we do not give in to his lies and fear, or believe that there is no hope, because that is simply not so!  Our focus needs to be on what God is doing, because He is not silent!  The message of a Risen Savior should be louder than anything the devil is trying to do.

Friend, no one conquers the grave without Jesus. This is why we rejoice and can live in continual hope.  He is risen!  Only those who believe in God's Son will share in the favored Heavenly Kingdom for eternity.  Don’t be left out; believe in Christ now before it's too late.

Read about the greatest gift of love in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ in Matthew chapters 26-28.  For more answers about the Christian faith and salvation through Jesus Christ visit the Tell Me section of this site.

In obedience to God’s command and following governmental guidelines, the office is closed.  We are observing this special day during Holy Week in remembrance of what Jesus did for us on the cross at home.  

This is a unique opportunity for us to build our relationship with Jesus and with those we love.  Don’t waste it with things that have no eternal value.

Be thankful that God is in control.  His redemptive promise through Christ Jesus is working things out for your good.  

Use this time to study from the topical word search list on the right or catch-up on the trending or popular article(s).  You can read about Christ on the cross in my teaching the "Beauty of Chen Redemption".

More teachings on the Cross of Jesus:

                                Mary Had A Little Lamb

                                Cross Favor: Part 1  Part 2

I am truly thankful for all of you, and looking forward to our next time of fellowship on Daily Favor!  Blessings for the Easter holiday.  

Until next time, have a blessed Resurrection Day!

Please subscribe and share these articles of faith with someone today!  It is a way of giving hope to others.

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Favored1 on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Pinterest, Google Plus and Articles.

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.

Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.

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  

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Remembering Grace

Welcome to a special edition of

Daily Favor for Palm Sunday!

Thanks for joining us on Daily Favor Blog. 

Subscribe, read and visit the Q & A or other sections. 

Born to Receive Grace

Did you know that the word “grace” is mentioned in the Bible almost 150 times in several aspects or contexts of the phrase or act?  That’s a fact, and so is this … Every person ever born will have received the grace of God in their lives whether they realize it or not. 

During my Bible reading I thought about all the people who received the grace of God during the life work of Jesus while here on earth.  This doesn’t even count those who walked in the favor of God recorded in the Old Testament.

The time period I want to talk about is around the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry when He fulfilled His calling by the Heavenly Father.  If you compared it to our times, to look at what was happening you would think Jesus had won a world title with all the praise He was receiving from “fans”.

“Christ became human flesh and lived among us. We saw His shining greatness. This greatness is given only to a much-loved Son, from His Father. He was full of loving favor and truth.” (John 1:14 NLT)

The Passover Story

It seems almost poignant that the world would be experiencing such harsh times as plagues, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes and devastation that the Easter holiday is upon us.

Picture Jesus slowly entering Jerusalem riding a borrowed donkey.  The streets overflowed with people anticipating the week long Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) feasts, parties and gathering whatever they needed for the events at hand. 

It’s a time where the Jews celebrated spring, birth and the forty-year long Israelite journey from slavery out of Egypt to freedom as told (mostly) in the Old Testament books of Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

Then there were the Jesus followers of that period – they were filled with joy due to the grace that was shown them in healing, restoring finances, relationships and so much more that isn’t even recorded! 

“For out of His fullness (the superabundance of His grace and truth)

we have all received grace upon grace (spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift).” 

(John 1:16 AMP)

The Forgotten Passover Story

Sadly, most of those people forgot about the grace of God as noted in the Bible.  I can give you an example right up to the time of Christ’s death. 

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, followers of the Lord laid palm branches on the ground crying out, 

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! 

The King of Israel!” 

Literally they were shouting (when saying hosanna that is) save us now, I pray O LORD and send prosperity. (Psalm 118:25)

Tracing back from the time spanning between the triumphal entry to the crucifixion of Jesus it was only a few days, but boy did mankind have a change of heart!   

It didn’t take long for them to trade in their loyalty coats of what Jesus did for them.  Whew … one wonders if they really understood the grace they received, forgetting what the Messiah did for them and witnessing all those miracles day after day too.

Although it’s easy to judge, let’s step into the present Jesus followers. Have we truly grasped the concept of God’s unmerited favor and grace?

Okay, what if I was to ask you this - How long does it take for you to forget when someone has shown you grace or mercy?  One week … one day … one hour?  Scary I know, it doesn’t seem like the first “Jesus followers” were that different than us.

When we fail to demonstrate the grace of God that has been given us, we have forgotten the New Testament Passover story also.  It’s as if Christ’s dying on the cross to redeem us from sin was of no effect and really wasn’t that big of a deal.

Thankfully by faith, when we repent of our sins, God’s gift of grace is available and still in effect.  Whether we receive it or not won’t change what Christ did and why He did it. 

“For by grace you (we) have been saved through faith,

and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God,

not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

(Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)

This Week’s Challenge:

Practice Grace

For those who believe in Jesus Christ as the risen Son of God, the next seven days starting with Palm Sunday, are referred to as Holy Week.  

As we prepare for Resurrection Sunday celebrations no matter where they will be, I’d like for us to remember the grace of God that is ours because of the work of Jesus on the cross. 

Our challenge this week is to be a vessel of grace in which God can use.  First, we have to identify if there is any recognizable sign of it before we can actually act on practicing grace (unmerited favor) on anyone.

Next, do a spiritual heart check-up on yourself.  Is there evidence that you’ve been changed by saving grace (the favor of God through salvation)?

Grace can change a heart if we live like God’s love is for real.  Believe you are forgiven by grace, then live like that (like you are forgiven!) and it will be easier to show grace (give favor) to others.

In these difficult times we especially want to live like, and show, Jesus to the “least of these” the way scriptures teach in Matthew 25:31-45.   Ask the Holy Spirit for help in living out God’s grace so that everything points to the redemptive cross of Jesus.

With feeling a bit crowed from having everyone home due to the pandemic, we reach our boiling points in frustration levels much quicker.  So, let’s put these few guidelines into action starting now.

When your children (or spouse for that matter) get into mischief, don’t blow it out of proportion, but show them grace (cut them some slack).  That may even mean you have to leave the room for a few minutes to get a deep breath and rethink the situation.

If your neighbor, co-worker, boss, friend or spouse seems unruly or unfair, remember grace … they’re going through this too, but may not be handling it the same!

While standing in line at the bank, check-out or deli (social distancing acceptable at six feet or more), administer grace while being patient.  No one wants to wait, especially if someone next to them may be harboring a disease. 

You are the “experienced” example … remember, the Christ follower others want to see!  Be that person Jesus trusted His favor to in forgiving you.

The world has never experienced anything of this epic nature. We truly are in this together, and I’m not referring to the “high school” kind of thing!  This is real, this has touched all of us on some scale and it isn’t over – yet!

No one needs to be pinned to the cross ever again for a sin they’ve committed. Jesus already took care of it, so we can (must) live by and through the eyes of His grace, giving favor to all even if it’s undeserving.

The world is hurting and is desperately seeking help, begging for someone to come save them from all that is happening.  People are looking to believers for answers and help that isn’t like what they can get on their own. 

They want rest for a weary soul, and we can show them how to receive it through Jesus by the way we act during any crisis.  As in the days of Noah, the door for coming to Christ is open, but for how long before God closes it?

We can show the world that grace through love can be theirs too.  Let this Holy Week be the start of your remembering the grace (unmerited favor) of God for whatever sins you’ve committed in the past. 

Remembering that we have been given the gift of grace through salvation by believing in Jesus Christ, living examples of God’s grace is what we want others see and receive from us.

In celebration of the love of Jesus who died for us on the cross, and as followers of the Messiah, may our prayerful words reflect those who first came to believe – “Hosanna, Jesus I pray, save us now and send prosperity!”

Save Us - Jesus Triumphal Entry

Until next time, remember God’s saving grace favor.

“My grace, saving favor I give to you.”

Jesus Christ

What’s New This Week: Click on link.

Live by Grace, Walk in Love Devotional

By Bob Goff

Available in Hardcover, eBook and audio.

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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.

Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.

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: Palm Sunday  Passover News  Triumphal Entry Easter Challenge

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