Daily Favor Blog with Fay Ann Daniels. 

Biblical teachings on the favor of God.

God Made Me Laugh

These past few weeks have been quite difficult for so many of you that the ''pray with ceasing" scripture has been easy to follow.  Through all the troubles, tests and trials has it been hard for you to find anything to smile about let alone laugh?  Believe me, I can relate!  

However, although I can sympathize (and empathize), God's way of doing things somehow always causes me to look at things differently, and yes at times, even makes me laugh! 

"God made me laugh."

In your quiet time have you ever found things you can laugh about with the Lord?  Try it ... it won’t be as difficult as you think, trust me.  

In my Bible study time I found some things that, in my eyes, God must have seen as "humorous" from His perspective.  Maybe not, but I sure did, especially because they connected with me in some way.

Scripture teaches in Genesis 21:6 of a time where God caused Sarah to laugh when He did a miracle in her life.  Sarah had longed to have a child of her own and even though she was up in years, the desire never went away or stopped being part of her dream of being a mother.   Not having children myself, her situation was easy to understand having had simular prayers for a child along my own journey.

Everyone thought it was crazy for her to have a child at age 90, but not God and He gave her the desire of her heart ... it just took a looooooong time!

"And Sarah declared, God has brought me laughter (her son Isaac).  All who hear about this will laugh with me." 

If Jehovah was not laughing at how ridiculous this looked to mankind, surely He had a huge smile on His face.  After all, what would be your reaction to seeing a 90 year old woman carrying her first born?  I know, pretty amazing!  No wonder her tears from trialsome times turned into laugher!

Now God could have given her that child when she was younger, but He didn’t.  Sarah had to trust God at His word and stay in faith during difficult times before she saw her breakthrough miracle.

I imagine there were some "belly" laughs going on don’t you think when the big even finally took place?

Terrible to Terrific

There was another passage (2 Kings 6:1-7) where I can picture all the "boys" gathered when something strange took place.

The story begins with Elisha and the prophets gathered by the Jordan River because it was a larger area for prayer and meetings.  This new location would be perfect, so they assembled with tools in hand to begin cutting down trees to create a log area for sitting.

Suddenly as one man was chopping, his ax head flew off and landed in the water!  I know that situation probably wasn't funny at the time, but the way I envision this happening, it must have been a sight to see the ax head flying off the handle and through the air into the river.

I can picture the men watching and their heads follow the action as the ax head soars up into the air and crashes down into the river sinking with a big splash!  

In desperation the man cutting the tree yelled to Elisha, "Oh Sir, it was a borrowed ax!"  In other words, "Oh no!!! Do something! I will have to pay for that!"

Can you picture this ... Elisha takes a deep breath, then walks over to the man. Ok ... calm down.  

This is what really happened.

Elisha asked, "Where did it fall?"  When the man pointed to the place, Elisha then cut a stick and tossed it into the water at the exact spot the man showed him.

Immediately, the ax head floated to the surface and Elisha shouted, "Grab it."  The man reached out into the water and grabbed the ax head that was borrowed!"

What a relief that man must have felt when the ax was retrieved, and what extraordinary favor in the way it happened!  After the fact and perhaps years down the road, the story of the floating ax head told by this man probably incorporated a bit of laughter.

There is always going to be something that challenges and tests our faith, yet in the midst of those events God provides a way out with unusual opportunities where He shouts - "Here, grab it."  In other words God is saying - trust Me, here is the answer, grab hold of it by faith before it slips away and is gone!  

Laugh at yourself. 

With so much negativity going on in the world and things not working out as planned I know it can be hard to laugh at the simple, so called "dumb" things we do that really don't make that much difference.  We tend to take things to heart a little more than usual, but that is when we need to do exactly the opposite of how we are feeling.  In fact, we need to learn not to take everything so seriously and laugh at ourselves even during difficult times.

A few weeks ago we found ourselves having our own tool mishap.  Our beloved KC kitty was having another asthma attack.  We administed her medicines and tried the inhaler but nothing was working this time.  Hubby did mouth to mouth as I held her, but her tiny body did not respond and she went to Jesus in my arms almost immediately.

Hubby was experiencing pain from kidney stones again and was not up to what he needed to do for our sweet girl. The weather was brutal, cold and snowy with the ground frozen solid.  For days we worked the land trying to dig a final resting place for KC.  Losing daylight I held a flashlight for hubby as he dug and dug to no avail.  

Suddenly the shovel broke and the end flew across the yard.  We watched as it went into the air landing away from the dig site.  Okay, it was dark ... but it went somewhere!

Turning to one another we began laughing ... now what are we going to do? ...oh Elisha ...

No, the situation did not change - it was a sad time with difficult circumstances, but our attitudes did and God worked everything out for our favor including Hubby passing a kidney stone and not needing surgery.

So,what is the point I am trying to make?

The lessons we can learn from Sarah and the prophet's ax head are that God does care about all the details, small or large,  He is aware of our circumstances and in the midst of trouble God is always there with answers, even though they may seem strange, unlikely, impossible or humorous.

If we truly trust God and bring our cares to Him, He may provide or supply our need in surprising unusual ways of favor.  Somewhere in it all there is something that will cause us to smile or laugh; not at the problem, but because God will come through with the solution and it might cause you to break out in laughter!

In the beginning there was unbelief, but in the end  Sarah found laughter and new joy.  The awkward flying ax story changed from a terrible unfortunate accident to a terrific impossible event that turned the prophet's crying into leaps of thankful joy.

The psalmist reminds us of God's promise when he triumphed over his enemies:

"Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise His Holy name. For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime!  Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning." (Psalm 30:4-5 NLT)

I do not know what you may be experiencing at this time, but encourage you not to give up on God - joy is coming!  He holds nothing good back from you and is your hope of favor when faith seems weak.

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows (unique) favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless." (Psalm 84:11)

Like the anointed worship leader Don Moen wrote in an amazing song, "God will make a way, when there seems to be no way."

Believe God will do something new that will help you get through whatever it is by granting His unique favor to your situation as He did with Sarah and the perplexed prophet.

He will make a pathway to victory that you did not expect; it will cause joy and laughing to your spirit, soul and body. Then you will proclaim like Sarah, "God made me laugh!" 

Until next time, favored blessings!

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)   

Read Psalm 30 and Isaiah 43 promise for victory to a believer.

Introduction Photo

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

Fay aka Favored1 on Twitter, You Tube, Pinterest 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.

Original Songwriter: Don Moen; God Will Make A Way, Integrity'S Hosanna! Music

Content and Image Copyright from Favored1 unless noted. Do not copy.  

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 Creative Common License if not specified.  Photo by Favored1/Fay Ann Daniels

Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Daily Favor Teaching Blog, Favor, Prayer, Laughter, Trust, Hope, Faith, Difficult Times, Promises of God

Throne of Favor (Grace)

In following the right path with God so we can fulfill our journey, the Bible encourages us to enter into God’s throne room in prayer. 

 
Not only are we to come boldly to His throne with our petitions, but we are expected to enter shamelessly, confidently and courageously.

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)

Why is it important for us to approach God’s throne of grace?  The writer of Hebrews explains it clearly. “That we will find favor when we need it in any situation.” (emphasis mine)

See, our High Priest is Jesus. He understands our weaknesses, because He faced the same tests and trials we do. The difference, He never sinned. (Hebrews 4:15 NLT)

Jesus knows that we need that "grace card" of favor to complete our journey here on Earth.  That is why He makes it available to all who will believe Him and act on His word.  

Whenever you go to the Lord in prayer, remind yourself that you are entering a special place where grace abounds.  You will recieve God's mercy; rejoice, the throne of favor awaits you.

Until next time, favored blessings!

*For those who trust in Jesus Christ, God gives the promise of life here but also the gift of eternal life as an inheritance of being His child.  If you would like to have this gift also, click here to learn more.

Article taken from the teaching "The Grace Card".

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

Fay aka Favored1 on Twitter, You Tube, Pinterest 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 unless noted. Do not copy.  

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 Creative Common License if not specified.  Photo by Favored1/Fay Ann Daniels

Welcome,  Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Daily Favor Teaching Blog, Favor, Grace, Throne of God

Is the Vision Still in Your Heart?

Do you remember what the purpose of the vision in your heart was originally or has it been deflated, tossed aside and cut to bits in your thinking it will never come to pass?  If you have backed away from the vision why should God stick with it?

What dream or vision are you still waiting on to come to pass?  Have you done your part in each step or is God waiting on you?  It is time to search your heart and revisit what God wants to do through and for you.

Following through with the little steps allows God to grant favor in opening the door to the next part of your journey.  It may be as simple as getting your house clean and organized, or even creating a vision board to put before your own eyes like the Lord instructed Habakkuk in the scriptures.

"Write the vision and make it plain on tablets (so that it is easy to read), that everyone who passes by can read it quickly and easily.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time in the future; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie (fail).  Though it tarries or is delayed, wait for it; because it will surely come at the right time, it will not tarry or be late." (Habakkuk 2:2-3 emphasis mine) 

Take a look at my teaching on "Are Christian Vision Boards Necessary" for more help on fulfilling the vision of God through His favor. Then go ahead and have fun creating your vision board.  Be sure to put it in a place where you will see it several times a day.  Remember what the passage of scripture said: What you keep before your eyes will come to pass.

My prayer is that the Lord renews your heart, purpose and vision and in all you do to glorify God. 

*For those who trust in Jesus Christ, God gives the promise of life here but also the gift of eternal life as an inheritance of being His child.  If you would like to have this gift also, click here to learn more.

Until next time, favored blessings!

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

Fay aka Favored1 on Twitter, You Tube, Pinterest 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 unless noted. Do not copy.  

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 Creative Common License if not specified.  Photo by Favored1/Fay Ann Daniels

Welcome,  Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Daily Favor Teaching Blog, New Year Resolutions, Vision, Purpose, Vision Boards, Goals, God's Favor

A Year of Goodness

 
May the Lord bless your obedience and lead you down the path of His Daily Favor and goodness.  

"You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance."  (Psalm 65:11)

Teachings to help with those
 "New Year's Resolutions".

Praying you have a blessed year!

Happy New Year from Daily Favor!

Fay aka Favored1 on Twitter, You Tube, Pinterest 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.

Unless noted, scripture reference in series was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway.  Image Creative Common License if not specified. 

Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Daily Favor Teaching Blog, Fay Ann Daniels, New Year