Gtcotr/ss071909
Since it’s not what you know but who you know that makes the difference … we should realize that:
One moment of favor is worth a thousand days of labor.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
When our two children were in high school, our daughter in her senior year and our son was a junior, we decided to take one last family vacation before they graduated and began leaving home. We had saved for this vacation for a few years and were going to spend it all on this once in a lifetime adventure … a Mediterranean cruise …
(Tell the story of being a day late for our Easter European cruise and the favor we received which no amount of money could have afforded)
When no one else can; when no one else will; when no one else seems to care … God does, God can, God will!
Key Scriptures: Ephesians 3
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
In my line of work I depend on the favor of God. Let me show you what I mean …
(Play the video from Israel and the 100th episode of Postcards)
God cares about you; He knows exactly where you are and what you need. And, He has already provided for you before you even know you need or think to ask.
People you have never even met yet are waiting to show you the favor which God demands they give His children. All you have to do is participate by boldly approaching life as God designed it.
You are either acting or reacting in life. God has designed life to react towards you based upon how you act in life. So many people have it the wrong way around. The problems many people face today were caused by their reaction to some circumstance or situation of life. Life offers us daily opportunities to fail or to succeed, what we do with these moments make the difference. We should learn to act, never react, especially in critical moments of life.
God has made His children Kings and Priests in the earth. God created the world as a home for us and He created laws which govern life in favor of His children. The whole universe is set up to respond in a predictable manner to the stimuli of each individual. God governs all of His creation by laws.
One such law is The Law of Reciprocity
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
This law is stated, restated, and confirmed throughout the Bible. Basically … ‘You get what you give from the heart’ … not what you give from the hand or the head, but what you give from the heart. This law is activated and operates by the law of faith. And, faith is a heartfelt matter, even if you aren’t aware of it at the time.
Another is The Law of Friendship
Proverbs 18:24 ¶ A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Yet another law is The Law of Favor
Proverbs 3
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.
God has already predetermined that the person who shows favor to others will store up favor for themselves. Both heaven and earth favor one who is truly merciful from the heart. This is why Jesus grew into a man in the city of Nazareth having favor with both God and man. Jesus, above all others, showed mercy and favor to everyone, in fact … He gave His life for people who persecuted and crucified Him. From the woman caught in adultery to the Roman soldiers at the cross, Jesus showed true, heartfelt mercy.
No greater love has any man than to lay down his life for a friend.
I believe it’s time we Believers in Jesus begin acting like God intended and exercise the laws He instituted for our benefit by treating others with the same kindness and respect we desire.
Not only those we like or those who treat us good, but even towards our enemies. Jesus said that we should love our enemies and do good to those who curse us and persecute us.
Be kind; Be merciful; Be giving; Treat others like you want to be treated.
When people treat you poorly, don’t react! When life serves you a difficult burden, try to not react. Instead of reacting … act! Act like God and the world will react to you like you are His child. Exercise self control and don’t lose control. Overcome instead of being overcome. Have faith in God and you will gain both the favor of God and the favor of man. Remember, one moment of favor is worth a thousand days of labor … let the Spirit of God arise in you and boldly engage life as the winner God has designed you to be.
Don’t let stinking thinking get you down, depress you or make you want to quit. No body ever won a race sitting on the bench. Get up, get charged up, be merciful and act like you’re a child of God!
