All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others

Experiencing God's Favor...

“THE FAVOR OF GOD” -- by Pastor Arnold

1 peter 1:13 Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ.

One of the most important keys to living where God want you to be is to discovering how to experience more of God's favor. The bible states in Psalm 8:5 “that God has crowned us with glory and honor”. That word here honor translated as favor, and favor means to assist, to give you special advantages and to receive special treatment. You see brothers and sisters; God wants to make your lives easier. God wants to assist you, to promote you, to give you advantages. Has somebody been mistreating you recently? Rather than getting angry or trying to pay them back, start saying, "Father, I thank you that your favor is going to cause these people to start treating me well."
If you are struggling financially, say something such as, "Father, I thank you that you're causing me to be at the right place at the right time. You are bringing wonderful financial opportunities my way."
If you will live with that sort of attitude, before long God's favor is going to show up and that difficult situation will turn around to your benefit. The Old Testament character Job went through one of the most trying times any person could ever endure. In less than a year, he lost his family, his business, and his health. He had boils over his entire body and no doubt lived in continuous pain. But in the midst of that dark hour, Job said, "God, I know that You have granted me favor".
Job 10:12 Reads 12 You have granted me life and favor, And Your care has preserved my spirit.
Now, here's the amazing part of the story: There are forty-two chapters in the book of Job. Job made this statement of faith in chapter 10. He was not delivered, healed, and set free until chapter 42! But at the very beginning, when his circumstances appeared darkest and most hopeless, Job looked up and declared, "God, I know You have granted me favor." That's real faith. Job was saying, "God, I don't care what the situation looks like. I don't care how badly I feel. I know you are a good God, and your favor is going to turn this situation around."
No wonder God restored to Job twice what he had before! Brothers and sisters, if you can learn to stay in an attitude of faith, and in your darkest hour boldly declare the favor of God, nothing can keep you down. The Bible says, "Hope to the end for the divine favor that is coming to you" 1 Peter 1:13 tell us 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Certainly, this verse applies to the future blessings that Christians will receive at the return of Christ. But it is also a present truth. In other words, don't give up. Keep on believing, expecting, and declaring. Keep living in that favor mind, and God promises that good things will come to you. If you will keep your hope in the Lord, God says divine favor is coming. You may not be able to see it right now, but when God's favor shows up, things are going to change. Regardless of your circumstances, keep boldly declaring, "God, I know Your favor is coming my way." I have been praying for years for the Lord to give us a Church building. A real church house. We had a nice building down at Cincinnati Street even if it was hot We didn't get discouraged; we simply kept on believing for God's favor. Today, we are here in a real church house, and yes I am still believing that we will have our church house. Listen, I got and email the other day about this women that had an incident in which she had an emergency surgery, for some reason her insurance would not cover it. So she owed the hospital $50,000 dollars. So the hospital work out a payment plan for her. So she was paying this bill little by little each month. She could not afford this extra payment because she was a single mom her husband had passed away the year before. Well she did not get discouraged, she did not go around complaining about how tough her life was, Instead she stayed in an attitude of faith and expectancy, declaring God's favor over her life. She was on the lookout for God's goodness. Right before the holidays she received a letter from the hospital. The letter basically said, "Every year we like to choose a few families and do something good for them. And this year we've chosen you. We want to inform you that we are canceling your $50,000 debt." The letter went on to say, "Not only are we going to forgive your debt, but we are going to refund several thousand dollars that you've already paid us." Wow God can turn it around Amen, That is the favor of God.

You may say, "Pastor, that sounds great, but you don't know my luck. You don't know the mistakes I've made. I've done a lot of things wrong. I can't imagine God ever wanting to bless me like that." You're right. It won't ever happen-unless you change your thinking. You must become favor-minded. You have to start expecting God's blessings to overtake you, expecting God's goodness to show up in your life in a new way. We all have made mistakes and have had to ask for forgiveness. Once you've done that, move on, knowing that God still wants to pour out His favor in your life, to do great things in, through, and for you.
Israel's second ruler, King David, made a lot of mistakes. He committed adultery and even ordered a man to be murdered. But when he repented and sought forgiveness, God forgave him and gave him a new start. The Bible compliments David, saying, "He was a man after God's own heart." David didn't focus on his faults or on the things he had done wrong. No, he lived favor-minded. It was David who wrote, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." Notice, he was expecting goodness and mercy, not part of the time, but all the days of his life. I like this other translation how it puts it: "God's kindness and goodness chases me down everywhere I go." David's attitude was, "I just can't get away from the good things of God!" God keep bless me in everything. Amen. God has declared this to be your SEASON OF FAVOR for the rest of 2008! Brothers and sisters all of you are in the right place in the right time of your life's, because you know him today because God will open supernatural doors and give you an overflowing abundance of blessings for your homes … your careers … your ministries … and your marriages … as you fulfill your God-appointed destiny! Instead of expecting to get the short end of the stick, why not start expecting God's blessings to chase you down? Instead of expecting to barely get by in life, start expecting the goodness of God to overtake you. You may say, "That's all great, but I have a lot of problems. I'm facing some difficult times. I have a lot of negative things going on in my life."

The favor of God can bring you out of your difficulties and turn your adversities around for good. David said, "The favor of God keeps my enemies from triumphing over me." The Bible is full with examples of people, who were in great need, but then the favor of God came on them in a new way, and their situations turned around. Think about Noah facing the greatest challenge of his life. The whole earth was about to be destroyed by a flood, and God gave him the enormous job of building a huge boat, not to mention the gathering of the animals. No doubt, Noah was tempted to get discouraged. Yet amazingly, the Bible says, "Noah found favor in the sight of God." In other words, God was pleased with Noah, so the favor of God came on him in a fresh, new way, giving him unusual ability. God assisted him, and he was able to build that ark to save his family, the animals, and himself.

Consider Ruth. Her husband had died, the land was in a severe famine, and she and her mother-in-law, Naomi, didn't have any food. They were practically starving to death. Ruth went out to the fields every day and followed behind the harvester, picking up whatever leftover grain they had missed. And the Bible indicates that in the midst of that adversity, Ruth found favor with the owner of the field. That owner told his workers to leave handfuls of grain on purpose for Ruth. Notice again, the favor of God came during the crisis, and before long, Ruth and Naomi's circumstances turned around, and their needs were supplied in abundance.

Joseph is another biblical example of someone who found the favor of God in adversity. He was sold into slavery in Egypt, mistreated, and taken advantage of. But the Bible says, "The favor of God was upon Joseph." No matter what other people did to him, no matter where they put him, he continued to prosper. Even when unjustly being accuses of rape, and he was thrown into prison, he continued to thrive. The favor of God eventually caused him to be released, and he was put in charge of all Egypt's affairs. In each of these examples, the favor of God came in the midst of a trial. The favor came in a flood. Favor came in the famine. Favor came when somebody was being mistreated. In other words, the favor came in the midst of life's challenges. When you are going through tough times, like Joseph, somebody is mistreating you, or like Ruth, you're having financial difficulty, or like Noah, your whole world is falling apart-instead of becoming discouraged and developing a sour attitude, more than ever, you must choose to be favor-minded. Start declaring God's favor. Start expecting God's favor. As you go about your normal activities, understand that you have His favor available to you. Live with confidence; dare to be bold. You can ask for things you normally don't ask for, and even view your adversities in a new way. Why? Because deep down inside you know you have an advantage in life. You've got an edge. You have the favor of God.

IT'S GOD'S FAVOR.
AND YOU HAVE ACCESS TO IT! Favor is a rarely taught principle of the Word of God that refers to undeserved access or blessing. It's difficult for us to comprehend in our limited minds how God masterfully orchestrates our lives with seasons of blessing and access that we do not deserve and cannot earn. Yet favor abounds!

FAVOR is the current that moves you from your present situation into the destiny that God has for you.
FAVOR puts you in the right place at the right time to meet the right person to unlock your destiny!
FAVOR will do for you what your education … your spouse … your personality …your abilities … and your career cannot do.
FAVOR takes you from ordinary to extraordinary!
But you must act in obedience. There are doors waiting to be opened that only God's favor can unlock in your business, relationships, ministry, and career.

Hear my heart please … your success depends on it!
Don't miss the moment for which God has prepared you just because you see yourself in the flesh.
Remember Saints, The Bible states that we have to “hope to the end for the divine favor of God is coming to you”. This means that if we hope in the Lord, good things shall come to us. When good things will show up, things will change in our life. One touch of God's favor will turn around our situation. We maybe struggling financially, somebody is treating us badly or we are suffering from critical illness, speak the favor of God, declare it boldly releasing your faith that God wants to give you a favor. He wants to make your life easier. He wants to assist you. He wants to provide you with special advantages and He wants to give you favorable treatment. “God has crowned us with glory and honor”. “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly”.

When you know that the favor of God is upon you, it is much easier to live in confidence. Knowing that God will honor your word. God is watching the fulfillment of His words. He is a God who does not change. He is a God who does not lie. He will not violate His will. Whatever He says he fulfills. In fact “He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it” Be bold! Keep declaring and expecting the favor of God. You know deep down inside you that you have an advantage. You have an edge. You may now ask things that you normally don't ask. Say something like this “Thank you Lord for the favor that is on the way. Thank you for opening doors of opportunity for me. Thank you Lord for the wonderful financial blessings you are bringing into my life. Thank you that people will come to help me. Thank you that people will treat me well. Thank you that you are giving me complete healing”. Declare the favor of God in every area of your life. May it be to your business, family, and friends or even to those who persecute you. Because the favor of God is upon you.
See yourself as God sees you -- moistened clay ready to be molded by His hands and used for His
purpose.
CLOSING WITH THIS
You may be the most educated person in your field. You may be the most skilled person in your trade. You may be the smartest young man or lady in your class. But I can guarantee you that your attitude will take you further than your skill! Your attitude can become your avenue for favor with the people around you.

Listen brothers and sisters, how you see something is often more important than what you see. I'm talking about your perception and attitude about a situation. When young David was confronted with Goliath, he had a totally different perspective than his brothers. They saw a man too big to kill. David saw a man too big to miss! Same giant. Same challenge. Different perspective. In Psalm 102, the psalmist begins with all of his problems. But before long, he recalls the mercy of God. He begins to focus on the promises and favor of God. His attitude suddenly changed. He says, "The set time has come for Your favor to be manifested in my life." Change your attitude about the difficulty you're facing today. Your crisis is nothing more than an opportunity for God to do something on your behalf!

I believe that we are often limited in receiving because our expectation is small. But, when you have expectations that God will remove mountains in your life, He will! Your expectation can break off limitation. That's why you must quit saying things like, "nothing good ever happens to me." Hey, you're honored and favored of God! Paul said to young Timothy in 2 Tim. 2:10, "I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." Paul calls us the elect. The word elect means hand-picked. Brothers and sisters done of You are here tonight by accident - you were handpicked, chosen, elected. God loves you that much! You may have had negative words spoken over you as a child. People said, "You'll never amount to anything;" "you're a nobody;" "you're too big;" "you're too small;" "you're too skinny;" "you're too fat;" "you're too educated;" "you're not educated enough..." And you believed it. But, right now, God is breaking off those limitations and delivering you from every evil word spoken over you. You are an Ambassador for Christ. Ambassadors for nations get special favor and preferential treatment. They have escorts leading them to the embassy. They're chauffeured in big cars. And God wants to give you preferential treatment. Remember, God wants to give you favor in your time of trouble and your expectation can break off limitation. When the favor of God surrounds you like a shield and defense, every adversity will be turned into a victory! Joseph is a perfect example of this. Regardless of his position with his family, while in prison, or with Pharaoh, Joseph's position with God never changed. His position with God always changed his present condition.

Genesis 39:2-4 says, "The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. His master put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned."

Joseph always rose to the top! I believe that God will allow you to rise to the top in every situation! Your position with Him can change the condition that you are presently in. David was brought up out of a pit. Joseph was brought up out of slavery, and up out of prison. Moses was brought up out of a basket floating down the river. Isaac was brought up in the midst of a famine. And God will bring you up! God wants to give you favor in your time of trouble, and your position with Him will always change your condition. You'll always be at the top and never at the bottom.

Listen Your Biggest Battle Can Become Your Biggest Blessing
David had a battle with a giant. Saul had a battle with pride and jealousy. And only you know where your battle is today. Your battle will become a burden or a blessing. I believe that God wants to turn your battle into a blessing! Psalm 89:17 declares, "You are their strength. What glory! Our power is based on your favor!" In every battle we face, God's favor can take what the enemy means for evil and turn it into good. God can reverse every curse and turn it into blessing! Brothers and sisters The appointed time has come tonight for all of you. The moment designated has come for all of you tonight. This is your hour for all of you tonight. You're going to be blessed all day and all week. Get ready for it! Amen. Amen.

Let Pray……………………..

Father, I resolve to walk supernaturally with you. I resolve to be free from bondage, free from the power of Satan, and let every person hearing this message resolve to walk
supernaturally with you. In Jesus name, Amen!

I encourage you to receive these words and meditate on them; let them sink down deeply into your heart and mind and become a reality in your life. Practice doing something similar with your family. Learn to speak blessings over your life, your friends, your future. Remember, a blessing is not a blessing until it is spoken. If you'll do your part and start boldly speaking blessings over your life and the lives of those around you, God will provide everything you need to live the life of abundance He wants you to have.
Now I speak to: every mountain of fear every mountain of discouragement every mountain of stress every mountain of depression
Every mountain of lack and insufficiency And I say, “Be removed and cast into the sea in Jesus' name!” I expect the best day of your life's spiritually, emotionally, and financially every day in Jesus' name! Amen.

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Comment by Prophet on May 28, 2010 at 12:18am: Spot on Kathleen,

AMEN and AMEN and Hallelujah..........

you are such a refreshing blessing to me everyday

Be Blessed

Comment by Christy Gabriel on May 27, 2010 at 8:35pm: Thank you and thank you again dear sister for sharing this long message with me. Praise the Lord. Haleluja!!! AMEN. CG

Comment by CESAR HUSMILLO on May 27, 2010 at 3:02pm: Amen. Thank you Lord for I have found favor from You. Glory be to God.

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