Have you been to church this week for worship or "acts of service" in some manner? Perhaps you've done outstanding works for God through volunteering, giving or charitable deeds. I'm sure we can all add up our good works and even blew our own horn a few times. Shall I start my list? Of course not, that would be boasting and we know what God thinks about that, right?
Sadly, I'm sorry to admit, I've sometimes forgotten about His thoughts on the matter and most of the time it's usually right in the middle of my prideful act. Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 6:2 where He discusses how even good deeds can be done for the wrong reasons, turning the act into nothing but rubbish and simply for show or the "apprearance" of being religious.
"So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you (to advertise what you did), as the hypocrites do (like actors acting our a role) in the synagogues (or churches) and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by men, I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they (already) have their full reward." (from Matthew 6:2 AMP emphasis mine)
I remember a certain conversation from the film Flywheel. It took place as they were leaving the church parking lot when the wife asked her husband if they could go to the evening service as well.
"I wanna come back tonight for the evening service."
His response: "I'm not coming back tonight. I've got things to do at the (car) lot."
"On a Sunday, Jay?
He dug himself deeper: "I've already tithed my time to church this week."
Really? I've got things to do ... already tithed my time." Ouch!
Sometimes we think we’re honoring God by doing things we deem as “religious” to make people think we are godly, but trust me when I say, God knows our actions are only a front and aren’t from the heart.
To Jesus everything we do, even our worship, is in vain if we don’t really believe. In Matthew chapter 15 after the Lord finished speaking to the people, the disciples sensed His message didn’t go over big with the crowd.Speaking to Jesus they said, “Do You realize that what you said really offended the Pharisees?”(vs.12)
Of course the Master knew that figuratively calling a spade a spade would upset people, because no one wants to be referred to as a hypocrite. He was honest in telling it like it was and didn't hold back on being direct with His opinion, when they boldy declared their giving practices along with other so called religious activites.
Jesus said that anyone who isn’t truly His disciple/follower will be revealed and plucked out (pulled) by the roots. In other words, they are rotten like the tooth that decayed and had to be pulled out root and all.It was worthless, no good and needed to go.
God is looking for people to do the right thing, for the right reason, with a humble heart that isn't willing to take His glory. Sometimes that's a bit hard to do, when deep down we really want that praise.
Is there anything you are trying to keep secret that you know is sin? In the end it will be rooted up and Christ will reveal whether or not there is hypocrisy found.
Surely, no one (including me) wants to think of themselves as having anything rotten in them. Maybe a little dirt or a few dust bunnies in our spiritual closet, but certainly nothing that is "sin", or wrong?
Would you take a few moments to read my full teaching article on identifying and rooting out hypocrisy in our life and heart? I think you'll find it most helpful. You can find it by clicking here to read "Getting to the Root".
Until next time, favored blessings!
For further help on this subject check out our resources for this lesson entitled:
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*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.
Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
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.
Getting
into a rhythm for a new routine can be frustrating if you don’t keep the goal (vision)
in front of your eyes and in your thoughts.
Every time I set my mind to listening to a new teaching series or open a
book something would try to prevent
me from getting past the first few minutes.
Has
that happened to you in pressing onward in our challenge for taking off the
limits for God’s favor?If so, don’t be
discouraged, you are actually making progress, and satan knows this time you’re
serious about living a life with God’s Daily Favor.
With that said, let's continue learning about the things that limit the favor of God in our lives.
One
thing that I tried to instill in my students is that I didn’t care how stupid
or silly they thought a question was, if it popped into their thinking ask
me.That’s the way you solve problems,
by having options for answers.
When
I first went into teaching, I was full of questions that really couldn’t be
answered in a college class.I learned
that if you want to be something, surround yourself with people of the same
mindset as yours and ask them everything about the field as possible.Remember, they’re already there – you WANT to
be, but aren’t.
That’s
exactly what I did.I treated every
instructor as a reservoir of information. I was a sponge soaking up methods,
styles and ideas that went in line with what I wanted.I observed the best teachers, visited schools
and sat in on classes on my days off to witness how the top people in their
field went about teaching a particular subject.
Finding
my way around dozens of districts led me to receiving favor from the right
people in positions that God had reserved for me.By His grace I was blessed with numerous
awards locally and from the state, including the coveted teacher of the year.
Did
this mean I was better than anyone else? No, I just learned to ask questions
that would fill in the blanks of where I wanted to be at that stage of
my life.As I learned I acted taking one
step at a time.
Becoming
A Sponge
One
time a new teacher made the big mistake of asking me if I thought he was a
“good” teacher.Being friends in the
field I felt I could be honest with him … that was my mistake.
Having
many years of instruction (good and bad) under my belt in a soft authoritative
voice I replied, “I think you’re going to
be a great teacher one day.”
Well,
that not only busted his bubble but it really made him angry, because in his
mind he was already quite stellar in the classroom. I wasn’t trying to take
away from his skills or talents, but was passing on some wisdom that I learned
earlier in my career about studying.
“Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved,
a workman (tested by trial) who has no reason to
be ashamed,
accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.”
(2 Timothy 2:15AMP)
He
was moving toward that goal, but didn’t have all the tools he needed to get to
his desired end – not at that time as a beginning teacher.After Champ got over the initial shock, he went
back to college, began asking questions and watched fellow co-workers go about
the business of shaping young lives.
Let
me share something ...Asking questions
wasn’t always easy, but not asking them meant not moving closer to the desires
of my heart.Those hard questions helped
elevate me into the place where God had favor.So, learn to swallow your pride and become a sponge.
It’s
been many years since I made that statement to my long-time friend, and that “young”
teacher is now “seasoned” and excels in his teaching area.He became a “Sponge Bob” so-to-speak.
I
am so pleased to share with you that Mr. C. received the honor of being named
teacher of the year in a high school of over 1,500 students. Well done Champ!
Step 4 – Study and learn all about the things you need to do next.
When the desire to become a writer got stronger, I believed it was
God’s will for my life to expand my teaching in a new area.I educated myself and studied the field in
depth to find out what I needed to know about other forms of teaching (as well
as online).
Using the scriptures of Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 and 2 Timothy 2:15 as
my guide, I am persuaded that it is the duty of a Christian to study so that we
may be approved unto God and serve as an authority in our field.
“Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered
wise, and he taught
the people everything he knew. He listened
carefully to many
proverbs, studying and classifying them.The Teacher sought
to find just the right words to express truths clearly.
The words of the wise are like cattle
prods—painful but helpful.
Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded
stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep. But, my child, let me give you some further
advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.
That’s the whole story. Here now is my final
conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.God will judge us for
everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.”
(Ecclesiastes 12:9-14NLT)
I truly believe that you cannot teach with authority what you do
not know, therefore, I researched an area and then practiced what I learned. Sometimes it was a bust, but with perseverance
I got better at my craft and grew in favor from God and man.
Has it worked? Yes. Changing
my mindset, I believed that if I did my part, God would do His and open doors
of opportunity in places I couldn’t. Granted I’m not where I want to be - yet,
but praise God I am much farther ahead of that girl who wouldn’t go near a computer
keyboard!
Baby Steps
The devil will always try
putting distractions and obstacles in your way to prevent you from getting
where you want to be in life.Did you
get that when I mentioned it in the opening paragraph ?I said “try”, meaning you don’t have to give
in to his attempts to sabotage your dreams!
You have to believe God has great things planned for you in order
for it to happen.Believe and act, even
if it means you have to take baby steps at first.
There is a young writer friend of mine that since he was in his early
teens proclaimed bigger dreams in his life. By the time he was nineteen he
already had several small books published and started an online training
program.
How did he do it? He watched, listened and proclaimed what he
wanted to happen.
"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7a)
In his heart this “boy” was already a big-time expert, even though
he wasn’t at that time.He called what
he saw in the spirit realm into the natural or physical realm by speaking it
and taking the necessary steps to bring his dream into a reality.
Can’t you see how this is what God expects us
to do? What is in your heart?
“As it is written, (the Lord said) I have made you a father of
many nations in the presence of Him whom he believed — God, who gives life
to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” (Romans 4:17NKJV)
Believe, speak and see with the eye of faith what it would look
like to be living out your vision and dreams.Imagine it in your mind. What you imagine will come to pass whether it
is a good or bad thing.
This
Week’s Challenge:
Becoming A Sponge
One
of the wisest lessons I’ve learned in my inner journey to Jesus is that pride
has no place in God’s best plans for our lives.If I ever want to finish the race that was ordained for me by the Lord,
I’ll need His favor and that can only happen if I follow the path He sets
before me. It's the same for you!
Learning
to become a sponge for knowledge by asking questions even if others thought
they were dumb was something I had to overcome quickly. Pride and fear of
embarrassment limited what God wanted to do in my life.
Without
understanding knowledge means nothing.Wisdom is the key to unlocking the understanding of knowledge so it can
elevate you into position for favor.
Wisdom comes from learning God's Word and His ways. It causes knowledge to become understanding, and when that happens favor will follow.
Since wisdom is an attribute of God's that we fall short of, He has given us permission to ask for it in making quality decisions that will lead us to His favor. Asking in faith without doubting is primary to receiving.
“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God,
and it will be given
to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for
asking. But
when
you ask for something, you must have faith and
not doubt.”
(James 1:5-6CEV)
The
Bible also tells us that wisdom is the principle or main thing we need before
anything else.I’d challenge you to go
into your prayer closet and start asking God those questions you thought
weren’t important enough to be answered.
In
boldness become a sponge for knowledge and ask the questions you were afraid to
ask.Whether it is online, by phone or
in person, open your mouth and be precise on what you want to know concerning
ways to proceed in achieving your ultimate goal(s).
After
that prepare yourself to learn.Successful people are goal action minded and embrace learning so they
can grow.It isn’t something they think
of as a chore, but a process for the journey.
Take
the limits off of God’s favor by studying the things you need to do next in
taking a step toward your dream, goal or vision.God promises that you will be happy, blessed
and favor the results of your efforts.
“Happy (blessed – favored, fortunate, enviable)
is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets
understanding
(drawing
it forth from God’s Word and life’s experiences).”
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.
Note: Emphasis may be 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.
Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental
or physical issues but is geared toward spiritual awareness.
Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
Disclaimer Notes: Results may
vary due to lack of belief.
News from Fay, Where Faith and Favor Meet, Limiting God’s Favor: Part 2, Twila Paris, Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Favor, Growing in Favor, Wisdom, Why Study the Bible, Teaching Series, Weekly Challenge, Pride.
Meeting a goal is something that always makes me feel
great, especially when it’s for God.However, I have to say that my pride and vanity haven’t always taken a
back seat when it comes to things “turning out good.”
I remember when a “certain person” finished a project
that he had been working on for some time.Standing in front of his masterpiece he made this statement, “Look what I did.”The mental pointing finger of “How can he be so prideful and vain?”
popped into my head almost automatically.
It wasn’t long after that event I found myself thinking
the same way when I finished directing a play, but as a “good” Christian I
didn’t say it out loud.
Welcome new friends this week from:
See if your city/state/country made the list.
New on DFB – Fuengirola,
& Granada, Andalucia, Spain; Charlottetown, PEI & Winnipeg, MB, Canada;
Mumbai; Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan; Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India; Ivrea, Piedmont,
Italy; San Pablo City, Calabarzon, Philippines; Bahamas; Bulgaria; Lebanon;
Denmark; Libya; Argentina; Cameroon.
USA – Altoona, PA; Newton, Harding & Sussex,
NJ; North Hartsville & Pine Ridge, SC; Sunrise & Dundee, FL; Tuscaloosa,
AL; Canby, OR; Yakima, WA; McIntosh, GA.
Thank you for your continued support and sharing Believing
Our Belief on Daily Favor.(DFB -
Daily Favor Blog) Living
my life before God and man, by sharing experiences as I walk out my faith.
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.
Did Santa’s statement to Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer
come to your thinking when you read this sub-title?I thought it would, and so I was effectively
influential in what I set out to have my readers do. Was this an honest way to
communicate a message in order to get you to continue reading, even though it
was effective?One might go as far as
saying it was a little prideful for me to think I could influence people like
that.
My intentions weren’t really to draw your attention to a
red nose, but rather to a statement about a nose. Isn’t it something how we
can manipulate thoughts by our words?Well,
that’s what happened when someone said two words to me and it had nothing to do
with noses.
Anne of Green Gables is a big thing in our house. We love
watching the films, and my husband and I have our favorite parts about each of
the movies.
Like most couples we have
codes or phrases that make us laugh, but there are also some theatrical lines
that help us keep those prideful moments in check.One of them is from a scene with Anne Shirley
when she was having a conversation with her best friend Diana and Diana’s rich Aunt
Josephine.
The three ladies had returned to Aunt Josephine’s
house after a rather ritzy luncheon where they heard opera singer Madame
Selitsky sing “Non mi dir, bell’ idol
mio”, a song from the Mozart opera “Don
Giovanni.”
There was some chit chat about their afternoon when the
aunt asked Anne what she thought of city life and the high society crowd.Then the girls exchanged criticisms with Anne
leading the way.
Anne: Madame
Selitsky had a definite alabaster brow, Diana.
Diana: Did you
see Alice Bell there, parading around like she had an alabaster brow?
Here comes the zinger …
Anne: If I had
Alice Bell’s crooked nose, I wouldn’t … Oh no, I shouldn’t have said that.That’s uncharitable.I was comparing it to my own nose and that is
vanity. Someone complimented me on my nose long ago and I’m afraid I’ve
thought about it far too much ever since.”
Getting a compliment on a job well done is fine, and
should be rewarded, but when you’ve “thought about it far too much” that’s when
pride and vanity have overstepped their bounds in the life of a believer.
As you’ve gathered that happened to me a few weeks ago,
thus this article!
Top Influencer
It wasn’t a big deal really, or it shouldn’t have been,
but I took it seriously and “I’m afraid
I’ve thought about it far too much ever since.”
Someone had remarked online that I was a “top influencer”
and I have to say I kind of liked that.As a matter of fact, I liked it so much that I saved it to my
email.When I was sharing the glorious
moment my loving, devoted husband willingly flagged it, totally taking
me down with the line from the movie.Busted!
To be fair I did question what and who I was influencing
(after stepping off the enormous ego cloud).Was I really making a difference?I was getting excited that I was about to reach one million views on my
social media sites and questioned … “why?”
Tons of people have reached that and millions more. Why were people checking out my articles or sites?Was I making a difference or was it what they
call “stumble upon it” traffic?
Effectiveness
Around the time this happened I was studying the book of
Philemon. Why is a good question to ask right here, but I’m sure the Lord knew
I’d be living this lesson shortly. I’ve read this rather short letter of Paul’s
dozens of times.
I can’t say I’ve actually “studied” it to some depth; after all it's only one chapter. How much can there be to study? (You
won’t share that confession with my Bible instructors right?)
It didn’t take me long to stop reading and focus on the
opening verses of the single chapter.At night
I read from my electronic Bible and the setting is on large.When you view the scriptures only two lines
show up at a time.
What I’ve noticed over the years is when reading like
that specific words or phrases jump off the screen. When that happens I pause
and ask the Holy Spirit what’s going on that I need to grasp in that passage.
This is what I was reading and how it looked on my electronic Bible screen.
(Philemon 1:1-7 KJV)
1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto
Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer,
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to
the church in thy house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord
Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good
thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the
bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. (Philemon 1:1-7 KJV)
I got so excited about verse six that I spent three days
contemplating it and going over the sentence in my mind.The words that showed on my Bible screen were
“that the communication of thy faith may become effectual.”
Often the word communicate in the Bible refers to giving
financially, and we know Philemon did that. However, that’s not what Paul was
saying in this particular passage. He told Philemon that he prayed that the
“communication” or “fellowship” of his faith would become effective in the
lives of other believers by the way he showed his faith outwardly through good
works.
So, does being influential mean we have been effective? If
so, what are we or who are we “effecting” (and affecting) with our influence?
Is This Correct?
Wanting to make sure of what I believed this to mean, I
cross referenced and combined the phrases (not to change or take away from the
scriptures, but for comprehension and teaching purposes) from several lessons
and translations, including Greek.This
is how it reads in plain language:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God, making mention of you
always in my prayers, 5 Hearing of your love and faith, which you
have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 And I am praying that the communication (fellowship
sharing) of your faith may become effectual (effective; put into action) and
powerful by the acknowledging (accurate knowledge as you understand and
experience) of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation (comfort and
encouragement) in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been
refreshed by your kindness, brother Philemon. (emphasis mine)
Effective Influencer
Although this New Testament book/letter discusses
forgiveness of a master to a slave when Onesimus becomes a Christian, the Lord
was revealing something more.
What God was showing me is that He wants His children to
be effective in the way they influence others, and even shows favor to those
who actively share their faith in Him.When we testify about what we believe and why we believe the way we do,
we are acknowledging that we have an accurate understanding of Who Christ is
and what He did for us on the cross.
If we are to become effective for Jesus, we have to have
influence over those who God puts in our path.Not the kind of influence in the way that we force people to do things,
but in the way we influence their decision to become a Christ follower.
Rather than thinking about how influential I’ve been, I
started wondering how effective have I been in sharing my faith.When people read my articles or materials,
are they comforted, encouraged or refreshed by my loving kindness as Paul said
Philemon had been?It’s something I need
to think about every time I put “pen to paper.” (Yes, I still use a journal notebook.)
In other words, have I communicated effectively in the
way I present the gospel through the message of faith, belief and God’s favor?
When we make mention of one another in prayer do the
words “hearing of his/her love and effective faith which he/she has toward
the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints”
ever cross our lips?If not, then
perhaps we’re not top influencers after all.
This Week’s Challenge:
Communicate Effectively
In sharing his faith in Jesus, Philemon communicated
effectively. This refreshed and
encouraged his brethren in the Lord. By doing these “good works” the Lord
showed him favor in business, along with causing him to become influential and
effective for God.
Our challenge would have us look at the people in our
lives that we are influencing by answering these seven questions about our own behavior.
1 - Are we top influencers for ourselves or for
Christ?
2 - Is pride behind our thoughts that we’ve given way too
much attention?
3 - Are we effectively sharing our faith in the way our
testimony encourages or enriches the lives of those God puts before us?
4 - Does the way we influence cause God to bestow favor
on us so that we can be effective vessels for Him?
5 - Have we communicated (fellowshipped) effectively by
encouraging and refreshing other believers so that they in turn will do good
acts of kindness?
6 - Have we made it clear that every good thing in us is
because of Jesus?
7 – Have we acknowledged Jesus is the One who lavishes favor
on those who believe in Him?
Let me reiterate … have I actively communicated
effectively in the way I present the gospel through the message of faith,
belief and God’s favor without being prideful or vain? I hope so ... even if it
comes with a bit of humor.
The next time someone pays you a vanity compliment (maybe
even on your perfectly shaped nose) or acknowledges something wonderful you
have done, don’t fall into pride by reflecting way too long on the
adoration.
Accept the praise with grace and thanksgiving, because it
was the goodness of God who gave the power through His favor.
In future, may we all become top influencers as we communicate
our faith in Jesus Christ effectively, so that the hearts of others will find
great joy, be encouraged and refreshed.
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.
Individual message from the series: Can One Person Make A
Difference?
Something entirely new – The free PDF study guide for “Can
One Person Make A Difference? Being a Church that Makes A Difference” by
Charles Swindoll. Here is the link:http://www.insightforliving.com/pdf/messagemates/03.23.2015-mm.pdf
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.
Image credit: Google Images or Dreamstime Creative Common License if not specified.
Image: Look by beafunmum Influence by socialmediatoday Paul scroll by overviewbible Anne of Green Gables Script by Sullivan Entertainment, Inc. Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
