It's "Be Nice to New Jersey" week! Much has been said about this beautiful little state that qualifies it rightly so as being the true Garden state in North America.
If you've never been to New Jersey, summer would be the best time of year to taste the treasures that make it the true "garden" place among the states. The tomatoes and fresh corn especially,
Visit the historical sites throughout the state, or farmland produce markets in the southern areas. Be sure to allow time for visiting the various Jersey shore points for great entertainment and fine dining. Don't forget to try the famous boardwalk fries too!
You can really have fun in the sun walking the sandy beaches or strolling the boardwalk piers. Watch it come to life at night with live entertainment and rides for all ages. While at the shore, drop by the shops for some special gifts and souvenirs you can only get in Jersey. Don't forget those post cards you promised to mail! Get a kick out of watching candy makers while they make homemade fudge or mouthwatering salt water taffy. Be sure to bring extra home to your friends and family.
If you like boating, water skiing, fishing, camping or trailing, NJ is a fantastic place to bring the family on vacation. Be sure to bring your camera.
Everyone is welcome so why not plan a trip? Once you've visited being nice to Jersey will come easy!
By the way, thanks for visiting with me on Daily Favor. Since you're already here, why not browse through the hundreds of articles and read more about how you too can live in the Favor of God. (Click here: Tell Me)
Follow Fay on social media or her other blogs, and share these articles of faith with someone today!
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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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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Every child of God experiences the goodness of the Lord. Some refer to it as blessings, but in reality it's His Daily Favor and that's why I created this website.
Spend quality time learning and studying about the favor of God. Check out the current trending favored article(s) on the right, or the top interests of fellow believers under the most popular read posts. Subject, musical artists or author word searches are listed at the bottom of this site.
Use the Bible study topics from the topical word search for small group or individual spiritual growth.
Browse through the hundreds of articles and read more about how you too can live in the Favor of God. (Click here: Tell Me)
Follow Fay on social media or her other blogs, and share these articles of faith with someone today!
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. ImageCreative Common License if not specified.
Teaching Series, Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, The Blessing of Favor, Blessings, National Play Catch Week, Father's Day, Summer Activities for Kids, Family Activities
Every child of God experiences the goodness of the Lord. Some refer to it as blessings, but in reality it's His Daily Favor and that's why I created this website.
Spend quality time learning and studying about the favor of God. Check out the current trending favored article(s) on the right, or the top interests of fellow believers under the most popular read posts. Subject, musical artists or author word searches are listed at the bottom of this site.
Use the Bible study topics from the topical word search for small group or individual spiritual growth.
Browse through the hundreds of articles and read more about how you too can live in the Favor of God. (Click here: Tell Me)
Follow Fay on social media or her other blogs, and share these articles of faith with someone today!
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. ImageCreative Common License if not specified.
Teaching Series, Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, The Blessing of Favor, Blessings, National Play Catch Week, Father's Day, Summer Activities for Kids, Family Activities
Most of my friends and students know there was a time when
I was a super sports fan of two teams – the Philadelphia PhilIies (baseball) and
the Los Angeles Lakers (basketball). More so than my husband, I was ridiculously into
those teams, especially during the championship or playoff games.When people visited our home and saw the
signed memorabilia they assumed it was hubby’s when in fact they were all mine!
They also know that I’m just as big of a fan of t-shirts
with special sayings on them.You know the kind that really express what you’re
thinking, but aren’t bold enough to say it.
Welcome new friends this week from:
See if your city/state/country made the list.
New on DFB –Calgary, AB, Canada;
Saint John, Welsford, Westfield Beach, & Moncton, NB, Canada; Netherlands;
Curacao; Georgetown, Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana; Pakistan; Nigeria; Croatia;
Saudi Arabia; Slovenia; Nepal; Israel; Serbia; Turkey; Swaziland; Ecuador;
Bolivia; Qatar.
USA
–Asheboro, Cumberland, Holly Springs,
Hubert, Mount Pleasant & Stedmann North Carolina; Estero, Summerfield &
Ormond Beach, Florida; Anderson & Hartsville, South Carolina; Hoodsville,
West Virginia; Maurertown & Strasburg, Virginia.
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 be Discipled by Jesus on Daily
Favor Blog.
You are welcome to leave comments or prayer requests below.All are private. I would love to hear from
you and how Daily Favor has worked in your life.Contact me by leaving a message in the box at
the bottom of this week’s post.
Several years ago one of my seventh grade boys wanted to
do something special for my birthday.This
was unusual favor, because I didn’t receive gifts from my kids other than at
Christmas.He was one of those fun but
quiet students that had his own way of doing things.
Sharing our love for sports is where we found our bond,
and how our relationship grew into respect.I suppose this is where his gift idea came into “play” (pun intended),
and a way of the parent thanking me for getting his son to finally clean his
room.
It was one of my most precious moments in teaching when Bryan
and his father presented me a Lakers jersey. I was so proud of that special
gift that I sported it everywhere, sharing the story of a sweet boy pestering
his dad into trekking all over South Jersey to find one just for me.
Whenever I wore my Lakers jersey there was no doubt in the
onlooker’s mind of which team I was representing.The message was clear and I was proud to
share it without regret.
Where are the Jerseys?
Although athletic gear emerged during the first Olympics
in Greece back in the 770’s B.C., it has evolved throughout the years from the
sportsman wearing the garment to the general public.Wear and share message t-shirts for sports fans have been around
for over one hundred years.
Many believe the game of baseball was invented by New Yorker Abner Doubleday, but it is disputed whether or not it was an actual sport. However there isn't any question as to when it turned into one, and when a specific attire was to be worn during such games.
For baseball, fan uniform frenzy all began between two teams that ended up playing out their dreams on a "neutral" field. In 1846 Alexander Cartwright
organized the first recorded baseball game that took place between the
Cartwright Knickerbockers and the New York Baseball Club held at Elysian Field
in Hoboken, New York.
It
was a Presbyterian pastor from Springfield, Massachusetts who invented the
sport we know as basketball. On December
21st, 1891 the YMCA Training School got a front row seat to this “indoor”
sport that was merely created to improve athletic skills for football and
rugby. There were guidelines for team uniforms even back then!
New York Knickerbockers Baseball Champions 1865
Over
the years the designs have changed, but the love for showing off that special
piece of apparel hasn’t. I wonder what
these two men would think of the modern t-shirt jersey designs.
Sporting the #1 Team
With the World Series being the highlight of the week for
many people, there were a few things that really stood out in my mind.In a round-about way it reminded me of the
first disciples as being teamsters for Jesus.
A shirt that has made the rounds for many years poked fun
of the Chicago Cubs for never making it to the World Series. It had a picture of a can of Coke (the soda
beverage) with an "h" between the c and o. It stated, "Choke,
the official drink of the Chicago Cubs".
That schtick (gimmick) can no longer be identified with
the 2016 winners. The jersey t-shirt
can be put in the rag bin and is no longer valid, as the Cubs have now won the World Series for the first time
in 108 years!
When the disciples answered, “Yes, I will follow You” to
Jesus, they were saying that they were now going to be identified as being
exclusively signed to His team.Everything they did from that point on had to be representative of
Jesus, including their clothing.
In Biblical times, clothing was an instant identifier
that separated people, tribes and nations.Whether we’d like to believe it or not, it still is today. Just looking at the clothes people wear tells
you a great deal about the individual, their interests, likes and dislikes.
If someone had a look in your closet or drawers, what would
people be able to tell about you?Which
team are you sporting as number one?Is
there anything that says you’re a follower of Jesus?
Jersey’s for Jesus
It’s still true, I love fun jersey’s and still have some
that could leave a few people wondering. For example as a counselor this one I own
probably doesn’t reflect the interest of the client.
“Let me drop what I’m
doing and focus on YOUR problem.”
My blessed girl t-shirt jersey.
However, my interests have changed over the years.What people will find most among my apparel
are clothes that declare my discipleship to Christ (plus they are in super cool
colors).
God has promised to those who openly declare their belief
in Jesus that they will be favorably rewarded in this lifetime and in Heaven.That promise has been manifested in my life
so many times I can’t count them.
“So Jesus answered and said, Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who
has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children
or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,who shall not receive a hundredfold now in
this time — houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions — and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30 NKJV)
“So He said to them, Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left
house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the Kingdom
of God,who shall not receive
many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Luke 18:29-30)
Whenever I wear something that proclaims scripture or my
belief, favor and blessings always follow.The Jersey’s for Jesus message is one I’m proud to wear as I share my
faith in the Only Begotten Son of God.
This Week’s Challenge:
Wear and Share Faith
Depending on current trends or events, jingles, logo brands and slogan sayings
on clothing (especially t-shirts or jerseys) will continually change.There
is one message that will never change; you can wear and share it forever –
Jesus Saves.
Sometime it’s hard to share the gospel with people and
they aren’t always receptive to being told they are “sinning” against God.In our last challenge we were asked to go beyond
doing good as the world does, and do the works of Christ.
If we are truly being the disciples Jesus has trained us
to be, people will come to expect our lifestyle to reflect the message we
preach.They might not want to listen to
us speaking about the Lord, but they will “hear” the message we wear
without opening our mouths.
The challenge this week takes us into the clothes closet or drawer for a
peek at what message we’re sharing with the world, by wearing something that will
let people know we are all about team Jesus.
November 4th (the day of this post) is designated the actual “Jersey”
day, where people all over America (world) flaunt their favorite teams by proudly
wearing a representative t-shirt.This
is where we’re taking that concept farther.
Instead of wearing something that identifies us with Jesus on one day,
try doing it every day for the next week (continue on throughout the year).If you don’t have anything in that category you
might want to think about that …hmmm.Be creative and design your own jersey, after
all if Alexander Cartwrightcould do it why
not you?Paint or draw a message on an
article of clothing and show it off to the world.
Wear something that proclaims your faith through a message, whether it is
a clever saying, scripture or picture representing a biblical subject.You may want to wear a jersey, scarf, tie,
headband, bandanna, socks, jacket, shirt, jewelry … it doesn’t matter what as
long as it’s something people can see as you “wear and share” your faith in the
Lord.
With so many days in the year to wear whatever we like, isn’t it time
that people find out about our favored number one champion of the world - Jesus?
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, God’s favor is for sharing!
“Share your faith & receive My favor.”
Jesus Christ
*Unless
noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy.
Note: Emphasis
is given in some scriptures to show clarity or understanding and is not to take
away from the inspirited Word of God.
When used,
the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him
no place in our lives.
... and
yes the word "discipled" isn't a word used by the world, but that of
believers.
Disclaimer:
Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical
issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
What’s New This
Week:The Ball is in Your Court
I could give you tons of links to scriptural
apparel, but this one is for you to figure out on your own.You have a message to share about Jesus. What
do you believe?Who do you follow?Then wear and share that every day!
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
information on becoming a child of the Savior.
Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
There once was a preacher, a Levite and a Samaritan …
sounds like an opening to a joke doesn’t it? However, if you’ve been following along for this discipleship journey (and
read Luke 10 which I know you all have) you already know that it has to do with
a parable that Jesus told to His disciples.
What could possibly be the link between these three men
that Jesus made sure to point out in the scriptures, and what does it have to
do with being a Christ follower?Let me
begin with something that the Lord brought to my attention that happened in the
summer of 2004.
Welcome new friends this week from:
See if your city/state/country made the list.
New on DFB –Argentina; Mannersdorf
am Leithagebirge, Lower Austria, Austria; Olongapo City, Central Luzon & Tarlac,
Central Luzon, Philippines; Elhovo, Yambol Province, Bulgaria; Grand Bay, Moncton
& Welsford, NB, Canada; Cameroon; Chile; Gambia; Iceland; Milan, Lombardia,
Italy; Mexico; Norway; Portugal; Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, United Kingdom; Vietnam.
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 be
Discipled by Jesus on Daily Favor Blog.
You are welcome to leave comments or prayer requests below.All are private. I would love to hear from
you and how Daily Favor has worked in your life.Contact me by leaving a message in the box at
the bottom of this week’s post.
Don't miss out on this week's challenge
(below).
Subscribe and visit the Q & A or other sections. Tell Me
In the Heat of the Day
It was a hot and humid August afternoon, the kind where
all your clothes just stick to you because of the heat.My husband and I happened to be at my mother’s
house, but no one else was there.
While talking I got up and walked over to glance out
their glass front door in the banquet hall.I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but liked to see the traffic
on the highway that passed by their home.I guess it was a habit I got from childhood when we would sit on the
front porch counting cars or playing some sort of vehicle guessing game.
Anyway, during our conversation I noticed a young couple
with backpacks walking on the side of the road and didn’t think anything of it
until they sat down along the highway.About a minute later they got up and walked past the house and sat down by
the woods to get out of the sun.
Being a woman of curiosity I naturally wanted to check this
out for myself.So I called to hubby!You didn’t think I was going out there now
did you?
Getting up from the sofa he came over to the door.Pointing to the couple I asked him to “go see”
if they were alright and to give them each a Pepsi and cold bottled water.
A Drink in My Name
Being the obedient man that he is, hubby grabbed the
beverages and crossed the front lawn in a diagonal toward the woods on the
right of the property.Knowing that we
are to offer a drink to someone in the name of Jesus, that’s what he did. (Mark
9:41)
“For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in
My name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you,
he shall not lose
his reward.”
“Are you guys alright?” Hubby asked as he approached the
man and woman.At first the two thought
they were doing something wrong, but he assured them that all he was concerned
about was their well-being.
He didn’t ask anything else but handed them the drinks when
they started to share their story.Being
homeless, without money or a vehicle, they had been walking for days, sleeping
wherever they could and eating very little.You didn’t really need to hear the story, because all anyone had to do
was look at their tired and drained bodies to know something wasn’t right.
How Far Is Atlantic City?
The pair foraged across country: destination, “truck driving
school” in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Their mission was for both of them to secure
their CDL (Commercial Driver's License) and contract a position as team drivers for a cross country trucking
company.
After sharing their story hubby inquired if they had a
place to stay once they arrived in AC.Not having that luxury, their plan was to sleep on the beach or in a
park.
Looking up at my husband the man asked, “How far is Atlantic
City from here?”He told them
approximately 55 miles.Pulling
themselves up from the ground they both let out a weary sigh and said that they
had better get back on the road.At that
point hubby told them to sit tight and he would be back in a few minutes.
As He Is, So Are We
When my husband came back in the house and related their
story, we knew right away what we needed to do.As disciples of the Lord, we are to be as Jesus was in this world when
He walked the face of the earth. (1 John 4:17)
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have
boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world.”
While I was busy rummaging through my purse to see if I
had any cash, hubby got on the phone to a rescue mission that we supported and
ministered at in Atlantic City.He made
arrangements for them to stay there in a safe clean environment while they
attended the driving school.As he was
hanging up the phone I came in with the cash that I had on hand, and together
with what he had in his wallet, we were able to give them enough to buy two tickets
from the bus station twelve miles away.
Leaving by the front door, hubby called and motioned for
them to come to the car.With backpacks and
beverages in hand they got into our Blazer.
En route my husband stopped at a fast food restaurant (don’t remember
which one) and purchased a sack full of burgers and fries for their bus ride.
Was it Enough?
Once in the car, the couple really opened up and talked
about everything under the sun.Hubby inquired
about their relationship with Christ and they both said they received Jesus as
their Savior in their teens, but never really followed the practice of Christianity.
Arriving at the bus station the wait was only about ten
minutes until the next departure for the coastal city.With detailed instructions on how to get to
the Atlantic City Rescue Mission they stated their gratitude and boarded the
bus.
Never hearing how things turned out for the couple, we prayed
they would rediscover their first love in Jesus and all would work out on their
behalf.Something my husband and I are aware
of is that God put them before my eyes for a reason, and it was a test to see
what the “children of the Lord” would do.
If it is within our power, we are to do good every time
the situation arises.Taking a look at
the passage in Luke chapter ten, I’m still not sure we did enough.(James 4:17)
“Therefore to him that knows to do good,
and doeth it
not, to him it is sin.”
Turn of Evidence
I really can’t tell you how many times I’ve read the
account of the Good Samaritan throughout my life.Every time I read it or hear it preached, I
see it in a different light and wonder if there is more to the childlike story
we’ve been told as believers.(Luke
10:25-37)
The situation begins with a lawyer who in his own eyes is
a pretty good Jewish, God fearing man.He turns to Jesus after listening to the Messiah teach, and asks how to
receive eternal life.
Knowing the line of questioning this solicitor had in
mind, Jesus turned the inquiry around by putting the man in an awkward position
forcing him to respond with some aspect of intelligence.
Responding Jesus said, “What does the law say?” Referring to the Pentateuch and Laws of Moses,
without hesitation the barrister answered correctly.
Giving no more attention to the matter Jesus calmly
acknowledged he was correct and that if he did those things he would live
(eternally).You might think that
satisfied the legal eagle, but not so … he kept up with the cross examination
of Jesus.
A Priest, a Levite and a Samaritan
Continuing the interrogation, the lawyer smugly asked
“Who is my neighbor?”Jesus took position
and shared the parable of the “Good Samaritan”.
After Christ described who a neighbor was, it is doubtful
that the lawyer was pleased with the answer.He gives no evidence that his intentions toward all humanity were that
of stewardship, compassion or mercy, but that of mere selfishness.
What Jesus was conveying is that a neighbor isn’t just
the people who live next door to you.A “neighbor”
is any one that you have an opportunity to show mercy on (do good to/for by
showing unmerited favor) expecting nothing in return.
When God puts us along the path of others it is for a
reason.We are to “go and do” like the
Samaritan did by showing mercy and compassion on any individual in need
regardless of religion or position in life.
Samaritans of Mercy
Scriptures point out specific things that the Samaritan
actually did for a total stranger.He
took care of him physically going to the point of giving up his own
transportation by placing the left for dead man on his animal.
We learn how he cared for him throughout the night by
providing food, lodging and medical help.When it came time for him to leave, the Samaritan paid all the bills for
the traveler and gave his word that any further expenses would be taken care of
when he returned.
Who represents the Priest in this parable?
Who represents the Levite in this parable?
Without going into deeper study at this point, I’d like
you to take notice that the priest and the Levite saw what happened.They witnessed a man who was in desperate
need, but instead of doing as the “law” stated, they literally did nothing and crossed
the road to get as far away from the situation as possible.Now that wasn’t very “neighborly” for those
who the world would consider “God fearing” men.
Jesus - our neighbor and Good Samaritan.
The Samaritan helped and did everything needed.He went above and beyond caring for a stranger
much like what Jesus has done for us.In
this passage Christ is depicted as the “type” of Samaritan who cares and loves
us so much that He died on the cross for our sins while we were yet strangers
to the Kingdom of God.He saw our
battered lives, picked us up, washed away our dirty sins and lovingly welcomed
us into His house.
When I think back in my life I honestly cannot recall where
I did all that the Samaritan had done. Sure we’ve given meals, cups of water, a place
for lodging and even sowed vehicles over the years … but when did I ever follow
up or “go back” as this parable man did?Have I turned out to be more like the tongue wagging lawyer than the
sacrificing ancient of days servant?
This Week’s Challenge:
Beyond Doing Good
Over the years I’ve had plenty of chances to be the
disciple Jesus asks of me. There were
probably times where I’ve even crossed the street to avoid getting involved in
a situation that I deemed a bit messy.However, there was that one time specifically … what could we have done
differently?
Looking back we have wondered why we didn’t ask the
couple if they would like to pray the sinner’s prayer or rededicate their lives
to Christ, after all, both admitted they had fallen away from Him.Did they really know what accepting Jesus as
their Savior was or were they just familiar with the terminology?
Our challenge this week requires that we go beyond doing “good”
by getting more involved in being a type of Christ that reflects the goodness
of God beyond normal reaction or measure.
We need to understand that those of unbelief are like
that couple, who were travelers going nowhere, yet thought their destination
was all planned.God sent people along
their path but who knows how many noticed and crossed the street to avoid
getting involved when they realized they were homeless and penniless?How many Samaritans of mercy were put in place
before and after we came into contact with that wayward pair?
As modern day Disciples of Christ we have read the books,
studied scriptures and basically know what to do … the preacher and Levite knew
what God said on the subject of doing good too.Hey, even the unsaved know how to do “good” in some manner!
Are we still crossing roads of avoidance when our path is
jammed up with the unlovely issues of life?Do we run from opportunities to share the favor of God through eternal
salvation with others, instead of embracing the situation to lead someone to Heaven’s
doors?
Although we may not always be in the position to help someone
in the future, there is Someone who can and will – Jesus.His mercy – unmerited favor is for now and
eternity.He is the best friend and neighbor
that everyone needs, because no one will ever care for you like Jesus.
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
information on becoming a child of the Savior.
Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
Scripture
reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway.
Atlantic City, Beyond Doing Good, Daily Favor Blog, Discipled by Jesus, Discipleship, Eternity, Favored1, Michael R. Seaton, New Jersey, Salvation, The Good Samaritan, Christian Living, Inspiration.
