April
seems to be taking a page out of March’s book beginning as windy as the
previous month.
Apparently, life's answers are blowing in the wind! (Sorry, it was too easy to go there!)
From what I’ve
been reading she has done this in the past, earning her another holiday on the
12th called the National Big Wind Day. Does
this impress you? Didn’t think so … that
is unless this falls somewhere in your line of work or course study.
The
yearly event is actually a reminder of when the Mount Washington Observatory recorded
the highest earthly natural wind gust of 231 miles an hour back in 1934.
My
point is that for many, many years (even before it was recorded), the wind has been making a big impression
in our lives and still does. Truth told
we’d be nothing without it.
Read:
Wherever the Wind Blows (Part 1 of series)
Thanks for joining us on
Daily Favor Blog.
It
Happened – again!
In
part one entitled “Wherever the Wind Blows”, I told you about
the mysterious daffodils that showed up along
the fence of our back yard. Well, it
happened again – almost.
Earlier
in the week I raked the yard collecting two large piles of branches and
twigs from storms earlier in the month.
The yard was prepared for my husband to mow on Thursday.
As
he was making a mowing path around the side of the house, he noticed a tall leafy plant
sticking out of the middle of the yard.
It was a single tulip! I’m starting to
get a feel of how the Garden of Eden must have been with flowers popping up all
over the place. Gotta love it!
Still
wondering how this particular plant got there, it caused me to take notice of
the power of God in the elements.
Perhaps there’s a pattern to all this moving about of plants, animals
and even people? Why is it that we don’t
recognize “something’s happening” by God until He puts it directly before our
eyes?
Wind
Power
Many
of us have seen the power of wind and what it can do. Windmills, wind energy such as in turbines
are good examples of the magnitude of wind as a resource.
However,
did you know that the Bible mentions “wind” almost 2,400 times using various
meanings for the term? For Him to bring
it to our attention so many times it must be pretty important.
There
is a specific Bible definition for wind power, which is the Holy Spirit Who
puts all things in motion. He literally
is the “wind beneath the wings” of everything if you know what I mean.
From
the very beginning Yahweh (the Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus) used His pneuma
(Greek word for Spirit) when creating the world. We learn more about this “Wind” power in scripture when God breathed life in man from the books
of Genesis and Job.
“And the earth was waste and void; and darkness
was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face
of the waters.
(Genesis 1:2 ASV)
The same verse in the CEB translation reads like this:
“The earth was without shape or form, it was dark
over the deep sea,
and God’s wind swept over the waters. “
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground,
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man
became
a living being.” (Genesis 2:7 NKJV)
The Spirit
of God has made me, and the breath of the
Almighty has
given me life.” (Job 33:4 NKJV)
Using
the wind as a comparison, the Spirit
of God and mankind is invisible. No one
can see how it works or know where it will move. However, we can see the effect of what the
Spirit of God does in branches bending when wind is present or in the very movement
of our own bodies.
On
the lighter side, if someone says you’re full of hot air you can assure them
that’s exactly right! In reality, what we
are witnessing (and living) is the fruit of the Spirit, which is the result of
the action done by the power of the wind (the Holy Spirit).
Wherever
the Wind Blows, God is Moving
There
is another type of wind that Jesus talked about in a conversation with His
disciples right before He was crucified on the cross. How timely too as this weekend is Palm Sunday!
In
John 20:22 Jesus described what people who believed in Him (as the true Messiah)
would receive from the Heavenly Father as empowerment
to carry out the Great Commission message of salvation after He was resurrected.
With
the Disciples gathered around Jesus, the Lord demonstrated what would happen on
the day of Pentecost (when the Holy Spirit would descend from Heaven to come live
inside Christ believers) by breathing on them as in a burst of wind. His illustration was to show how the Holy
Spirit would fall on them with
power.
“And
when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to
them, Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22 NKJV)
When the time came that’s exactly what happened because
they believed and received what Jesus said about the "where and how" God would be moving. Isn’t it interesting that the Holy Spirit
didn’t move quietly, but instead came in like a rushing wind?
What happens when a mighty gust of wind blows through
something? You got it – things move because nothing can stand
against its force. The power behind the wind is greater than the
object in its path.
That force of Holy Spirit power is a “favor” gift from God
for believing in His Son Jesus as the One and only Savior. It’s not
available to anyone else even if they claim to believe in God the Father. Jesus said this to His followers:
"Let not your heart be troubled.
You believe God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1 DRA)
Not only did the Spirit of God fill the people on the Day
of Pentecost stated in Acts chapter 2, it also filled the house demonstrating
that God was moving in that place and at that specified time. The
sound was so loud that it was heard in the street causing people to gather
wondering what was happening.
No doubt after their “little talk with Jesus” the Disciples
made sure they were where He told them to be at a specific date in time. It was
on that day they received the favor of His power in their lives for carrying
out the vision God gave each of them.
The power of the Holy Spirit causes a situation to fulfill
the purpose God intended. Using the metaphor of how the wind blows,
the Holy Spirit appears suddenly and stirs the atmosphere changing everything. I
am absolutely convinced that when the wind blows, God is moving something
around for His purpose and plan!
Breeze
of Hope
There
probably wasn’t a “big plan” in those daffodils showing up near the back alley
of our house or the stray tulip; who knows, maybe it was just for this
article. The truth is God never ceases
to show up in places I didn’t expect just to remind me that He has already
been there.
When
the Lord chooses to shower favor it’s because of love and He may demonstrate it
in a multitude of ways, I’m just using those plants as an example of the
unexplained. I don’t know why God allowed
those little buds of sunshine to bloom around our property, but I’m glad He
did.
How
may times have you sensed something has changed, but you couldn’t put your
finger on it? Not everything can be
chalked up to “science” or “nature’s way” can it?
Each
year we are blessed to witness the renewal of Spring Favor,
but have we become like the world who denies the power of the Holy Spirit? Do we need to revisit Genesis 1 on a regular
basis so that we remember the original Big Wind Day that caused things to first
move?
God’s
Spirit gives us life to enjoy the creation that was prepared for mankind, but
His power of favor gives believer’s supernatural gifts and abilities enabling
them to fulfill The Great Commission in leading souls to Christ. It is this supernatural breeze of hope that
fills us with joy knowing that the promise of salvation is not just for now,
but for eternity!
“This is what the Lord says:
I will answer your prayers because I have set a time (of favor) when I will
help by coming to save you. I have chosen you to take my promise (salvation
breeze) of hope to other nations.” (Isaiah 49:8a)
This
Week’s Challenge:
Watching the Wind
When
the wind is blowing, we can see what it’s doing through movement. If the trees sway, leaves rustle or clouds
disperse it is evidence that wind is present and about to do something without our
help.
Our
challenge this week will cause us to be mindful of three things: our physical surroundings, what’s
happening in the community, and personal life changes.
First,
over the coming weeks take a closer look at the things that are blooming around
you besides beautiful flowers, bushes or trees.
What is happening that you had no part of in planting – literally!
Second,
notice what the Holy Spirit is “blowing” across your life path so that you will
recognize the breeze of hope is all around you.
What is He doing in the lives of other believers in carrying out their
vision? Does it bring clarity to your
own calling?
Third,
expect God’s Mighty Wind to fall on you with blessings. Remember, like the Disciples, you have to listen
for the voice of the Lord AND be in position at the time of delivery!
God
has promised that those who listen, seek, wait and watch for His Spirit to move will
receive blessings and obtain favor from Him.
Be on the lookout for a “Big Wind Day” to blow past your dwelling soon! It will be impressive and surely something to
record!
“Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching
daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 8:34-35 NKJV)
Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs 8:34-35 NKJV)
“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them
around your neck.
Write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and (good understanding) high esteem in the sight of God and
man.”
(Proverbs 3:3-4 NKJV)
Holy Spirit I surrender, take me where You want to go.
Plant me by Your Living Water, plant me deep so I can grow.
Rushing Wind by Keith Green
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Until next time, a Windfall of God's favor is coming!
"Believe and receive the power of the Holy Spirit Wind."
- Jesus
Go deeper in study by reading the Life in God's Garden series - where favor began!
What's New This Week: Click on the link.
by:
Reinhard Bonnke
Available
in eBook and Spanish
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: Wind Gust Tulip Wind Power WIndmill John 20:22 Challenge Creative Common License if
not specified.
Lyrics line from Rushing Wind by Keith Green
Where Faith and Favor Meet, Salvation, Favor, Favored1, Daily
Favor Blog, Creation, God's Promises, Promises of God. Holy Spirit, Power, Big
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