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.
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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.
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. ImageCreative Common License if not specified.
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If you are a believer in the Work of the Cross, you have probably learned there are many ways to “preach” the redemption gospel. Biblical teaching and even writing are among the most common ways to tell the message of the cross, but there are tons more!
Other methods of sharing Holy Week may be in the form of handing out gift cards, Bibles, gospel tracts and religious literature. Keeping these items in my car or purse helps me to be ready when God places an open door circumstance before my eyes.
Selling products or promoting something specific like wearing shirts and hats that have a scripture reference speak volumes when trying to convey a passion. These are always fun for me and I've had my share of lively conversations with strangers over the apparel I've often sported for a cause!
Decorating your home inside and out with a cross or sign in lights about Easter lets those who pass by know you believe Jesus is the Son of God without ever opening your mouth. At our last home my husband built a giant 12 foot cross and positioned it at the front of our property. During Holy Week it was draped with a purple cloth and anyone who drove down the surrounding streets saw our faith in action. Restrictions in our current residence do not permit us to have such a large display, however, we still have a cross in lights mounted to the house.
Watching programs and movies about Jesus such as The Passion or The Jesus Film sometimes help get a message across that can often be quite difficult, especially if you don't have all the answers to those hard questions about Christianity people frequently ask. We've shown several films in our home, and when they were over it lead to so many heartfelt conversatons including the prayer of salvation. If this is something you'd like to do, be sure to serve some great snacks and don't forget the good popcorn!
All of these ways to get the message out about God's unmerited favor for forgiveness of sins are terrific and are powerful tools to be used in the correct setting. However, did you know that individual testimonies through story telling are the most effective? It's true.
You don't have to be a preacher or bible teacher to tell someone about Jesus Christ. Simply sharing a few stories on how you learned about God can inspire people and cause them to seek out the person you call Lord.
This week believer's in Christ have a wonderful opportunity to share what it means to be "saved" by telling the events that happened in what we refer to as "Holy Week or Passion Week". Follow the footsteps of Jesus on His journey to the cross with these helpful passages from the Bible. I've listed the daily events and scriptures on the Holy Week Timeline of Events. View here.
"Go into all the world and preach the good news gospel to everyone. Anyone who believes in Me (Jesus) and is baptized will be saved, but those who refuse to believe will be condemned to hell." (from Matthew 28:16-20 and Mark 16:14-19 emphasis mine)
For those of you who haven’t come to accept Jesus, you can change that right now.God’s gift of salvation favor (grace) is free, all you have to do is receive it by faith.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16)
In John 11:25-26 of the Bible, Jesus spoke these words to a woman named Martha, "I Am the Resurrection and the life, He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
As a Christ follower and in obedience to the Great Commission command of my Savior, I'd pose this same question to you dear reader. Today if you put your trust in Christ; He promises to forgive and forget the past that you desperately want to leave behind.You can do it by saying this prayer sentence by sentence.
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.
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Did you know that every person born will receive grace from God whether or not they realize it? From the beginning of creation God's grace demonstrated through Daily Favor was in His plans.
As Christians throughout the world begin celebrating Holy Week, read about this thing called "grace" in our classic pick of the week and discover for yourself just how much God loves you.
Learn to walk in God's unmerited favor and practice showing grace to those around you each and every day. You'll favor the rewards!
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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.
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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".
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.
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not specified. Image
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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!”
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.
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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.
What
do “ewe” first think of when it comes to Easter? Do you believe in Easter like I do?
When most of us think of
Easter certain things immediately pop into our heads: colored eggs, marshmallow
chicks, chocolate goodies, furry bunnies and of course, the precious little
lamb. Not everyone automatically thinks
of it as Resurrection Day for Jesus Christ or the message that was to follow
the conquering of the cross.
Welcome to this Special Holiday Edition of Daily Favor!
Note: News on Sally the Sheep - see below.
Lambing
Season
It’s
“lambing season” as my writer friend and breeder of sheep Titia would call it;
something we look forward to each spring.Her 30 years of expertise lies in the breeding of the rare Dutch sheep
called Drenthen Heath Sheep (Drents Heideschaap).
I
first heard of Titia’s lambs on a writing platform where we both worked.In 2011 she began writing about the birthing
process and kindly started naming the newborns after fellow writers.
Over
the years she has continued sharing her stories about the lambing seasons and
follows up on each of them.Although
lambs are always adorable, there was something else that caught my attention as
she shared her experiences through her online pen.
The
Second Chance Sheep
I’ve
never been one to fall asleep counting sheep, although I have dared to
try.Counting sheep stories would even
be more tiresome if they were all the same and followed the traditional “cute
little lamby pamby” scenario.That’s why
when I began to follow Titia’s sheep stories they stood out from the rest.The distinctive thing about my friend is the
way she treats each lamb that is birthed in her care.
There are numerous reasons why a newborn animal may be
rejected by its mother.Most breeders
think that when a ewe wards off her offspring, it’s a sign of nature, and
consequently the newbies of such activity rarely live.Titia isn’t like those breeders, she believes
in second chances for all her lambs.
The
Bible refers to people as sheep that have gone astray.We are in need of someone to see past our
flaws and give us a second chance.Titia’s way of thinking and doing is godly.
Not
a Nursery Rhyme
As
I prepared for this week’s writing the first thing that came to mind was “Mary
had a little lamb,” and I’m not referring to the nursery rhyme.
Following
the stories of my friend led me back over 2,000 years when another lamb was
born in Bethlehem … one that Mary the mother of Jesus would have to sacrifice
one day because of sin that had come into the world.
“But now the Righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed,
being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the Righteousness of God,
through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.
For there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood,
through faith, to demonstrate His Righteousness, because in His forbearance God
had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the
present time His Righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the
one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:21-26 NKJV)
God
would send His Son, Jesus, a human lamb that would replace the sacrifice of
lambs of all breeders.The Lamb of God
would be the second chance that we would all need, but not all would believe is
necessary.
Like
some of the breeders Titia refers to in her writings, not everyone believes in
second chances, good outcomes or taking on that which was rejected.Thankfully we have a God that doesn’t think
that way and Jesus understands exactly how we feel.
Today
is Good Friday, a Holy day in which we remember the death of Jesus Christ who was
crucified for sinners.Many places of
business close their doors at 2 PM as a gesture of “holiness” and good practice
for those who do follow the Messiah.Oh
how we forget what happened between 9 AM – 3 PM.
When
you see films or photographs they depict Mary as broken and distraught over the
death of her little lamb, her son who would be born with the “soul” purpose of
dying.Those scenes bother me
tremendously for several reasons.Yes,
Mary would see her son crucified, something that would tear at her heart, but
we’ve forgotten something.
What
we forget is that Jesus didn’t stay the little lamb in flesh, but in
spirit.Jesus was pure in every aspect
of His life, without spot or blemish. This is something Mary never would
forget.The Bible tells us that Mary was
fully aware of the day her Son would be led to the slaughter like a sheep, and
that she “pondered these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)
Although
it may be hard for us to understand this concept, God didn’t leave Mary
unprepared.She would see God’s purpose
for Jesus carried out in her lifetime.
Mary would bear witness of who really believed the message Jesus proclaimed
and see the powerful arm of God when she stood at the foot of the cross.Her eyes would gaze on the Son of Man being
rejected, despised, weakened in flesh, and weighed down by sorrows sickness and
disease.
She
saw a sinless individual take on the punishment of sin for all stray sheep (mankind)
and submit to the Will of the Heavenly Father without opening His mouth for reprieve.
(Isaiah 53)
Mary’s
lamb was always the sacrificed sheep from the day He was born. There would be
no other substitute before or after Jesus’ birth. This wasn’t a concept she had
to come to believe.It was already in
her heart from conception.
Mourning
Turned to Gladness
We
assume that Mary was full of tears and doubt when she saw Jesus’ lifeless body
being removed from the cross.However,
there is nothing to bear this as truth except our own feeling of losing a loved
one to death, especially a child.
After
the cross we next hear of Mary waiting her assignment from her risen Son and Savior as she
prayed in the Upper Room with the rest of the believers. If she was stricken with
grief, would she have followed such an instruction, or was it merely wishing
the words of Christ would come to pass?
How
glorious to be in Mary’s position.How
pleased Jesus was to be that little lamb.Those who looked upon the death of Christ saw it as loss, but Mary knew
there was something to be gained. She believed God and in Him.
On
Thursday, April 2, 2015 a new lamb called "Cooper" was born (namesake of another writer), to breeder Titia. He is twin to brother Brad.
This little one will be loved and cared for
in every aspect of his entire life, not only as a lamb but into adulthood.
He
is a reminder of lambs being born into the body of Christ each day; precious, hungry and waiting to be fed.
Unlike Cooper, who has someone to watch over
and guide him, there are thousands coming into the fold of Christ without
caregivers.
New
believers or “lambies” often receive tremendous favor from God and have tons of
bottled up energy bursting to be released. Lamb believers are sweet and full of
excitement that the seasoned sheep sometimes don’t want to be bothered with or resent.Lambs will eventually become sheep, and all
sheep need to be shepherded.
Just
as Mary knew what was to come of her little lamb, scripture tells us what happens
to those who fall away or never believe
in the Son of God as the redeemer of sins and giver of eternal life.
Those
who remain in unbelief give up on hope, second chances and their part in the
Resurrection.If you have accepted Jesus
as the Christ, Messiah and Living Son of God, it is part of your resurrection
contract for eternal life to share what you know about the Word of God.
Jesus,
risen Son of God, thank You for the price paid and the victorious work of the
Cross. The tomb is empty giving hope forever more, with life everlasting.
Thank You for taking our sin and
shame. Thank You for loving so much that You grant amazing favor, mercy and
grace. You are worthy; Holy is the Lamb of God!
Jesus
is the Son of God, seated on His Throne in Heaven. Our Passover Lamb Christ Jesus who took our place on the cross, is
worthy of our praise, but He is also worthy of our sharing the message of the
Resurrection not just the cross.
This
Week’s Challenge:
Adopt
a Lamb
Sharing
responsibility for a living thing is a tremendous undertaking as Titia would attest.However, taking part in the eternal life of
an individual is something that requires much favor from God if it is to be effective
in changing that soul.
Our
challenge this week won’t be one that ends in seven days.It is something that we want to do as an
ongoing part of the flock of our Good Shepherd Jesus. God would have us “Adopt
a lamb”, a new believer, by putting their name in your heart continually as if
they were your own (like God did with you).
In
your prayers this week, ask the Lord who needs tending to when it comes to new
lambs among the Christian flock.Instead
of just praying for them, get involved as an elder sheep by seeing to some of
their needs spiritually.Lead them to
services such as small group classes for new believers, and even attend them
with the lamb if need be in the beginning sessions. (Hebrews 3)
Bring
new believers to church socials, invite them to Christian fellowship dinners
and provide them with literature or materials that will help them grow in their
faith. Mind you, this isn’t to persuade them to your way of thinking, but to
encourage them to seek God’s will and way for their life.It’s their journey; lead them to the path of
God.
If you are not a lamb ... child of God's, you can be right now. Read what to do here.
Mary
gave birth to Jesus, God’s first little lamb; for Him it’s always lambing
season. As we remember the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus this week,
let us thank Him for the cross and be mindful that:
Special thanks to Titia for her kindness. Read more about Titia my Dutch friend.
Sally the beloved virtual sheep has moved! She is a reminder that all sheep (human or creature) have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus, so Sally now lives at Favored Pets.
“I favored you on the cross.”
Jesus Christ
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Week: Click on book/product 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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