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.
If
you haven’t read the first steps, here’ s Limiting God’s Favor: Part 1
Step 3 – Ask lots of questions.
No
Question is Stupid
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 2:15 AMP)
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 12:9-14 NLT)
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 4:17 NKJV)
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 1:5-6 CEV)
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).”
(Proverbs 3:13 AMPC)
(Give Us) Wisdom – Twila Paris
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Until next
time, favor comes from having wisdom!
Ask Me for wisdom and favor will follow.
- Jesus Christ
What’s New This Week: Click on the link.
by: John Mason
*Unless
noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy.
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.
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.
Unless noted, scripture reference
in series was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway.
Image credit: Creative Common License if not
specified. Lady at Computer Ask Questions Be A Sponge for Knowledge Bible Study Notes Let's Do This
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