There are certain situations that have been brought to my attention recently, in which I would like to help people come to peace with concering their telling others about personal needs or situations. It is not easy admitting that we have weaknesses to others.
Imaginary conversations start swirling around in our mind thinking if we confess we need something or someone it means we do not have a grasp on things. People may think we are needy or weak and gossip about what we shared out of desperation.
Reaching out can literally backfire, causing us to shrink back in seeking help when we most need it. Even though sharing the need for help may be hard, the Bible does bid us to seek counsel from godly, wise individuals. Sadly those people may not be (and most likey are not) family, friends or co-workers.
However, as believers in Christ Jesus, we do not have to go through any trial alone. On the other hand, we need to be extremely cautious in whom we share our circumstances with if we do not have complete peace in our spirit in doing so.
Besides having those of faith in your prayer corner, God Himself is already aware of the situation. Taking our cares and concerns to the Lord is different; He is waiting for the Righteous to bring every burden to Him and leave it at His feet.
"Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the Righteous be shaken." (Psalm 55:22 NIV)
You can trust that everything you share from your heart is safe with the Lord. He will show you a way to the other side of the situation when there seems to be no answer.
"Cast your cares (anxiety, fears, concerns) on Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
Understand that just because things are not peachy in your life does not mean God’s favor is not available or working. On the contrary, it may be those very hardships that God is using to extend His blessings and favor (His grace) in ways not ordinarily noticed.
Say, I Am Strong!
Scriptures tell us about a situation in the Apostle Paul's life when he going through a difficult time. Did God pull him out of it? No, but he did get an answer, although it may not have been what he expected at the time. This is what Jesus said to him.
"My grace (favor, loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you (sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully); for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in (your) weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9a AMPC)
This passage lets us know that God is all for relationship with His children. It is in those weaknesses that God comes to rescue and shows His loving-kindness toward us. His power is more effective, complete and fufilled when we need Him most.
Paul learned a great deal about his own faith and the entire situation brought him closer to the Lord. God's favor was all he needed. It was more than enough for whatever he encountered.
Through this experience Paul shared how God delivered him through grace (unmerited favor). The Lord's power was greater than man's in every circumstance.
God Will Give You Strength
Although it may be difficult, God wants us to come to the knowledge that we do need Him.He does not think of us as "needy weaklings", but wants us to recognize that going to the Him for help acknowledges that we know He is the only One that can give us the solution we need for any situation.
God is not shocked about anything we have done or over the thoughts that we think. Nothing surprises Him or catches Him off guard. He already knows and has the solution to any issue or problem that could ever happen!
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthrew 11:28-30 NIV)
Notice ... He will not scold or think bad thoughts of those who seek Him.As a matter of fact, Jesus welcomes the weary and burdened, and wants to shower His children with loving-kindness, favor and mercy. (Read James 1)
Go Back to Move Ahead
The Bible teaches of a time when King David was at his lowest. Nothing was going right; his enemies were surrounding him and even his family was in trouble. David kept asking God, "When are you going to deliver me ... where are You? Why have you abandoned me when I need you the most?" (from Psalm 13 and 1 Samuel 22)
Does any of this sound familiar? I know I have asked those very questions of God, and more than once!
It did not take long for David to change the tune of his "night song", for even his enemies knew that the favor of God and His presence caused him to succeed in all he did. (1 Samuel 18:14)
The King trusted in the Lord despite how things looked. In order to keep going during a difficult time, he reflected on how the Lord brought him though every challenge leading him to victory. He realized that God's hand of favor (mercy) was on him even when he did not recognize it. At that moment he became strong in the Lord, and the power of God's might helped David overcomeand move ahead.
"... but I trust in Your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have (in the past and will now) rescued me. I will sing to the LORD because He is good to me." (Psalm 13:5-6 NLT emphasis mine)
There are plenty situations in my life when I know God's hand of favor surrounded me like a shield, and in the midst of trouble, I found strength to carry on when I did not know what to do. Many of those stories I have shared with you over the years here on Daily Favor, but only after I have gone to the Lord in prayer.
Let me encourage you to think back on the time(s) when you were at the lowest point(s) in your life. If you cannot remember a time, ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of the turning from weakness to "when you became strong". Exactly what happened?
How did God work His power (favor and grace) through the situation?When you were weak, how did God reveal His strength to you?
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My (God’s) ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
(Isaiah 55:9 NKJV)
What did you find out about yourself during that time of weakness? How did you become stronger allowing God's favor to work turning your sadness into gladness? Share some of those times with someone; your godly testimony could be the answer they have waited for all along in helping them to become strong.
As you choose to believe in the Bible as God’s truth, may He favor you with His strength and that your confession will always be …
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: When used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no place in our lives.
Note: What the Lord Has Done In Me by Reuben Morgan 1998 Hillsong Publication/ Integrity Hosanna Music.
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.
Content and Image Copyright from Favored1/Fay Ann Daniels unless noted. Do not copy.
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.
Join us for thirty days of thanks, as we enter into God's throne room to show our gratitude for His goodness and blessings through scripture, praise and prayer.
Day 26:
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for the Body of Christ and being able to worship together as a church. Each time we gather it is an opportunity to share with one another what You have done in each of our lives.
The testimonies of Your mighty works builds my faith and gives me hope for what You want to do for Your children. For what You have done in my life, I delight in sharing with others.
*For those who trust in Jesus Christ, God gives the promise of life here but also the gift of eternal life (in Heaven; a Kingdom that cannot be shaken) 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.
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. (Psalm 35:18 & 52:9)
Welcome, Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Daily Favor Teaching Blog, Thanksgiving, 30 Days of Thanks, Holiday, National Holiday, Holidays, Fay Ann Daniels, Challenge, Praise, Prayer, Faithfulness, Worship, Assembly, Church, Body of Christ, Testimony
We had just finished a long photo shoot with "pants" and
needed to pick something up at the store before we continued the session.Oh you don’t know what I’m referring to with
“pants” … July 27th was/is “National Take Your Pants for
A Walk Day” and I took it literally.Unfortunately,
those around me often get sucked into my world resulting in going on a journey
they didn’t expect.It’s a colorful
place full of unusual but interesting quests that I don’t like doing
alone.
I once had a student tell me, “You get us to do stuff we don’t want to do,
but in the end it’s OK.”Isn’t that
what a teacher is supposed to do? My job is to get students or adults to
explore new areas developing their gifts to reach their potential.
Anyway, the teacher part of me is always active out
of the classroom.You can ask my husband
about this, because he does the funniest, weird things for and with me that I’d
venture to say some wouldn’t.That’s where
this story begins …
Welcome new friends this week from:
See if your city/state/country made the list.
New on DFB – Nepal;
Bahamas; Poland; Ecuador; Montenegro; Slovenia; Moldova; Malta; Bolivia; Peru;
Hong Kong; Indonesia; Thailand; Greece; Kenya; Denmark; Algeria; Namibia; Antigua and Barbuda and
Austria.
USA – Thank you for your continued support.
I hope I didn’t leave anyone out; thank you for sharing this Outer Journey
on Daily Favor.(DFB - 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.
It was really hot, in the 90’s by Sunday afternoon and we
needed a break.I was almost finished
taking photographs with “pants” for a children’s story I am writing, when we
stopped at Walmart to pick up a few things before we continued shooting.We even joked how we couldn't leave “pants”
in the car with the windows closed. (I know it’s strange, but I warned you and
you kept reading.) Hubby dropped me off at the main entrance so I didn’t have
to walk in the heat.
With my suitcase tossed over my shoulder (my pocketbook
that weighs a ton) I made my way into the store grabbing a shopping cart for my
“luggage”.Pushing my cart just past the
front of the store, I stopped alongside the first food section to wait for my
husband.
There I was comfortably leaning forward on the cart with
my left leg propped up on the underneath bracket, when a gentleman leaving the
store said this in passing. “God bless
you.”Still resting in the same
position I smiled and said, “Thank You.”
Well you would have thought I invited him over for coffee
and pie, because he whipped around and was about to make himself at home in
conversation.Mind you he had already
passed me heading out the door when he turned around and came up from behind
me. Like a contortionist, he was bent
over with his body parts trailing and popped his head right in my face, “Are you a Christian?”Then it happened, he became uncorked and the
trial for Jesus started.
Not
Such a Revelation
Trying to engage me in conversation he slowly stood upright
and positioned himself to my left.I
moved a bit so that the shopping cart was between us, but it didn’t stop the inquisition.
His arm was stretched out over the cart when he began
flailing his finger at me and with a loud voice he asked,
“What is the mark of the beast?”
This is where the teacher part was
activated.
“I
see you have something in your hand.Are
you handing those out?” I diverted his question for a second,
but he went back to it so I played along.
“Are
you looking for the answer 666 or satan?”I asked.
“That’s
the mark of man.” He said angrily.
Then I said, “Yes,
we don’t really know what it will be, but God is looking for His mark on the
heart of man that says they belong to Him.”
He didn’t like my response so he threw something else on
the table. “You know who the Antichrist is?
It’s the Pope; he’s not a Christian you know.” By now I should say that he was overly excited
with his revealing the ground breaking news.
“We
don’t know who the Antichrist will be and don’t know if the Pope is saved or
not. His teachings may not line up with scriptures, but we are not the ones to
make that judgment on the soul of man,” I replied.
He went back to the “beast” issue and tried opening that
can again when I simply asked him, “What
answer are you looking for?What do you
want to hear me say?”
Then he called out the reference in Revelation 14:11, but
gave no details.I know the Bible but
don’t have it all memorized. He should have said what the verse was, but didn’t.
“And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they
have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever
received the mark of his name.” (Revelation 14:11 NKJV)
No
Tickets Needed
Customers were passing by watching how this
gentleman was pacing back and forth near my cart obviously getting frustrated
with me.The show had begun and I didn’t
even buy a ticket.
I never moved or even turned my head, but let him do the
circus act alone. That’s not what I would describe a believer as, but he stalked
me like I was his prey and about to pounce when given the opportunity.
Here’s when I got my hubby involved and he hadn’t even
entered the store yet. When it comes to me, he takes the Boy Scout motto
seriously,
“Be prepared!” (to do what is
necessary to help others.)
Has anyone told them that Jesus said it first?
Trying to appease him I replied, “Why
don’t you ask my husband the same question, he is well trained in the book of
Revelation. He’s parking the car and will be here in a minute.”
For the next five minutes I must have looked back at the
doorway a dozen times to see if he was in view, as the man with a mission kept
talking.
Finally, I saw him coming and told the man to ask the
same thing to my husband since obviously he was getting nowhere with me.It was like the cavalry came, not for me but
that man (so he thought).
Right
on Cue
Wheeling his cart up to my right he didn’t have to ask me
anything, but just waited for the action. (I tend to get myself in this
situation all the time).
Looking at the soul seeker I said, “Ask him the same thing you asked me.”
So he did, but in the middle of his statement
my husband rebuked him in a softer, yet assertive voice saying, “Yo, calm down man, lower your voice. You’re
scaring the customers.Why are you so
angry?”
Hubby quietly stood there letting the man have his
way.Now he didn’t like what my husband
had to say and asked more questions.Then my husband spun off a few of his own.
He started to answer my spouse when I asked him a
different question.It threw him off and
then he said, “Read the book” (referring to the one he still had in his hand). I spoke up ...
“Wait
a minute.If Jesus were to come right
now I wouldn’t have time to read that book. What are you trying to say? Tell me. What do I need to know right now?” I
pleaded.
I guess that was the breaking point, because he shoved
the book in my hand and declared, “Repent,
call on the name of the Lord and be saved.” as he quickly skirted past us
making a bee-line for the door.
That
Man Has Issues
We went about gathering our items and checked out at the
cashiers.Leaving the store we both
talked about how unsettled we felt and that we gained nothing from the
experience other than more questions.
Both of us recognized that this gentleman had a heart for
sharing the gospel, but didn’t know how to do it. Instead of drawing people to
the Lord, he was sending them away.
All week long it has been a focal point of our
conversations on how this man with a passion had no idea how to approach
someone about Christ.He was loud,
argumentative, condemning and controversial, but left no impact on us except he
was not prepared to give an answer like the Bible tells us.
"Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life, and if someone asks about your hope as a believer always be ready to explain it." (1 Peter 3:15 NLT)
Let’s suppose the people this “believer” approached,
weren’t born again. He shared nothing about the love of God, salvation, Jesus
or forgiveness.When I said I was a
Christian he wasn’t aware of how long I had been one, if I was a disciple or
had a Bible to read Revelation.He didn’t even know if
I said I was a Christian merely because I live in a country that calls itself a
Christian nation.
I was thrust into a deep conversation or should I say
debate, in the public eye where others watched his display.No one wanted to stop and listen, but made a
wide berth as they went around us.What
others observed looked like a man with issues.
The books he handed me weren’t gospel books or tracts,
but subject’s addressing Rome’s Challenge, Why Protestants Keep Sunday and the
National Sunday Law, all materials that a pastor, student or teacher in
religious functions might learn about in their studies.These are not evangelistic materials in the least
sense of the word, but perhaps books for a classroom or personal use.
Soul Ambassador
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were
pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”
(2 Corinthians 5:20 NKJV)
The Bible explains that each person, that accepts Jesus
as their Christ, becomes an Ambassador for him.The role of such an individual is to present the view and opinions of
the person they are representing.
A
person who wavers from this is no longer an Ambassador, but a counterfeiter or false ambassador. It’s
more about them personally (solely). They want their sole voice to be heard,
not the voice of Jesus concerning the soul of man.
As soon as the gentleman began giving me his statement on
what I needed to know, he started using the wrong voice as a spokesman for the
Lord.There is only one voice, one
message, one God that is to be shared and that’s the one Jesus commanded.
Love one another as I have loved you.(John 13:34 NKJV)
Once that message is given and a person
accepts Jesus as their Savior, the other things come with being discipled in a
setting more fit for questions and even controversial topics at times.
My husband asked me why I said “thank you” to the unconventional
Ambassador instead of “God bless you too” or something else.That’s not like you, but cold and uncommitted.
He immediately wanted to blame it on my comedian friend from last week’s post.
I chalked it up to the heat or hey, here’s an idea – maybe it was the Holy Spirit!
Redefining Love
Actually, I don’t know why I gave that answer, but
believe it was God reminding me that my journey is to include Him and His
ways.
Jesus has given us instructions for us to share His
message of salvation. No matter how we choose to do that it has to include
tenderness, love and affection.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another another;
as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34 NKJV)
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved
you.” (John 15:12 NKJV)
If you’re using the not so comforting “Ten Commandment”
guilt method to win souls, please stop. There’s nothing scriptural about it and
the condemnation tool isn’t yours to use.
It’s fine to hand out materials that would encourage
someone to dig deeper into God’s Word and find out more about Him.It’s not fine to bypass the way we go about doing
the Word of the Lord, especially when it’s spelled it out for us in the Bible.
That man believed he saw an open door, but had it shut
almost immediately because of his actions and lack of knowledge concerning
evangelism. Without love, you’re not going to reach anyone.All he wanted to do was tell me I was wrong
and why he believed most people were going to hell.If my answers weren’t right, then why didn’t
he give me the ones I needed to be saved?
Guard
the Faith
“O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the
profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called
knowledge – by professing it, some have strayed concerning the faith.” (1
Timothy 6:20-22)
When thinking about what our challenge was for this week
my hubby gave me his street version that is as plain as can be: “Don’t be a jerk for Jesus.”
I hear you but you're saying nothing.
He wasn't saying the man was a jerk, but that phrase does put it into
perspective.
So how do we go about speaking the right voice that shows we
belong to Jesus? If at any time we become argumentative and confrontational in evangelizing,
we’re using our own voice to vocalize our opinions.
The Word of God tells us in Proverbs that there are those
who like to hear their own voices and are puffed up giving airs.
That’s not the message we are to be sharing
in our Outward Journey, and if that’s what you gained from this teaching I’ve
used the wrong voice in presenting it.
“Jesus said to him, I Am the way, the truth, and the life.No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
(John 14:6 NKJV)
This
Week’s Challenge:
Using
the Right Voice
There is no doubt that you will have an opportunity
to share the message of the cross with someone this week, even if it’s in
passing. Instead of becoming a puma and jumping all over someone, we’re going
to say one sentence:
“Jesus (use His name) loves you.”Many believe in God, but not Jesus and it is His name that is going to
give them entrance into Heaven so we need to get used to saying it. If their
response is open and receptive, make a statement that will intrigue them into
wanting to know more.
Now as hubby would once have suggested, if they don’t respond you get
behind them, put them in a headlock with your knee in their back pulling them
to the ground and say,
“You love Jesus
yet?” (He's learned that isn't “Christian”.)
Although effective, it isn’t the Voice of God
or truth that would be leading the conversation or action.
Maybe this would be a better thing to say:
“I remember the day when I realized that
Jesus loved me, in spite of all I had done.It was so amazing.”
A remark like that may open a door for them asking you to
share when that was or what you did that was so bad, and that’s where your Ambassadorship needs to be vocal. If
they don’t respond, move on and pray that God will send someone else in their path.You will have another chance to share your
journey, trust me!
Use your voice to speak His Words and it will be the
right voice heard, because it's the Voice of Truth.
Do not be afraid to share what the Lord has done for you personally. God will bless and favor your actions as you disclose your
testimony about coming to accept Him as Lord and Savior.
No need for eloquent speeches, books toted under
your arms or even a phony ten dollar bill tract.Your experience is all you need in the
beginning.The other things will
come, but let God tell you when and where.
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. A.N.A. logo by
J.C.Penney, Inc.
Scripture reference was
taken from the New King James Bible Version provide by Bible Gateway Image credit: Google Images or Dreamstime Creative Common License if not
specified. Images: Angry ManScouts MottoCartKind of Christian ChartAmbassadorsRedefine LoveBlah Disclaimer
Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief. Wrong Voice, Favored1, Daily Favor Blog, National Take Your Pants for A Walk Day, Holidays, Ambassadors for Christ, Love, Discipleship, Evangelism, Voice of Truth, Testimony, Salvation, Anti Christ, Frustration, Holy Spirit.
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