BLESSED BY GODS FAVOR

Lesson from 01-27-17

BLESSED BY GODS FAVOR

When Gods blessings are released and the windows of heaven are open over you, Gods blessings begin to pour out on you that you cannot contain. They will be overflowing

Malachi 3:10   ¹⁰ Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

These blessings are more than spiritual bumps on your arms, and feeling good about your relationship with God. When God manifests his blessings, it is a visible sign of favor to those observing your life.

If you intend to follow Christ Jesus and serve him, I believe it is the will of God that you walk in the favor of the Lord. Divine favor is the ability to walk under an open window of heaven.

Having a window open and keeping a window open are two different things. Getting a window opened happens because of Gods redemptive grace, but keeping it open is a result of Gods covenant favor.

It may surprise you to know that the same word translated and used for grace is the same word for favor in Hebrew text, spelled favour.

While Greek and Hebrew meanings are the same, there is one major difference between grace and favor. Grace is unearned and a free Gift from God: But favor may be deserved or gained.

Romans 3:23-24   ²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

We have all sinned and fell short of Gods glory, but Gods mercy and his grace, through the redemption in Christ Jesus we’re justified by his amazing grace.

Romans 5:19-21   ¹⁹ For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

²⁰ Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

²¹ That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

By Adams disobedience, we were made sinners, but because grace reigns through Christ our Lord we are made righteous unto eternal life.

Romans 6:14   ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Sin has no dominion over the believers, for we are not under the law but under grace.

The basic meaning of grace of God is: Gods free gift of mercy and salvation given to believers. God is indicated when grace is multiplied or added and called “more grace” or highly favored.

James 4:6   ⁶ But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

The difference between simple grace and multifield grace or favor is this, saving and redemptive grace is unearned. Favor can be earned by obedience to God.

Both are free gifts of God, Grace is the reward for believing upon Christ Jesus and believing his word. Favor is a reward for acting upon the promises of God.

The question of favor often baffles ministers in the ministry. Some build larger congregations than others, yet the smaller ministries are just as effective.

Some teachers have a gift of communication and knowledge. I don’t believe God randomly selects favorites, maybe it’s because some may not be tapping into Gods favor.

Favor can be obtained from God though acts of kindness and obedience and following Gods will for your life.

God selects people who will use every gift they have for the kingdom of God.

Mathew 6:33   ³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Job 42:10   ¹⁰ And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also, the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Job’s blessing was lost by a battle, but regained by divine favor. In fact, the increases after the battle came in the form of a double portion.

Luke 6:38   ³⁸ Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Favor can be obtained with God and man, God’s word speaks of it.

1 Samuel 2:26   ²⁶ And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.

Luke 2:52   ⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Why is it important to obtain favor with God, and with man? Your entire life revolves around dealing with people. God uses men to give unto your bosom.

Therefore, favor with God and man is important. Favor can open the door you need to see the works of your hand blessed. The bible is filled with promises of favor for the believer.

It is just as important to understand what favor is not, as it is to understand what favor is. Favor does not involve good looks or physical attraction.

Your physical beauty, for, or appearance do not determine your level of favor with God. Favor is not charisma or polished personality.

In the secular world, people use their charm or personality as a plus. Real favor does not involve either. Favor is a supernatural action from God that enables Him to receive the glory, when he works on our behalf.

If it was our gift, ability or personality, then we would accept the praise of men, and think our personal gifts obtained the favor.

Favor doesn’t exempt you from trials. People feel that if they are in Gods will they are exempt from problems. Others believe that if they have the favor of God, everything will always go right.

This is not true, sometimes, even with favor we will experience troubles. The reason I know believers are blesses is not because they are exempt from trouble, but because they keep making it through the storms.

Favor is the assurance that God is with you and will see you through, in spite of these attacks. When things seem to fall apart and trouble surrounds you, don’t believe the lie of Satan, that God has forsaken you and His favor can’t be found.

Favor does not exempt you from tribulation. However favor will enable you to always come out on the other side with the victory.

Trouble, disaster, and difficulty are not signs of lack of favor. They are only signs that you are still alive and living on Earth. That you are not exempt from difficulty; always remember, when it comes to favor, if God is for us, who can be against us.