A Dose of Perfect
09/04/11 06:15 AM
"To find endurance
A DOSE OF PERFECT
I had a 'dose of perfect' today. A rare and wonder-full day of rest. I WENT TO THE SEA ~ TO BREATHE!
Arthur Gordon says in his book A Touch of Wonder:
all we have to do is seek out places
where great and elemental things prevail.
For some of us ~ the sea."
So I enjoyed a whole afternoon and evening alone, on a blanket in the sun, feet in the sand, good snacks,
my Bible, my journal, and God. Heaven!!!
I journaled 38 pages...
AWE-some! I've come to the Sea... to breathe. Semiahmoo at low tide ~ sparkling waters stretched out
before me. I am in the cleft of a log, on a small patch of Northwest Washington gray sand... out of the wind
- which feels like a perfect breeze to cool the afternoon and keep the clouds away - just for me.
THINGS THAT FLY
Feathered things
have wings
and dwell
in the air.
They fly free...
birds of all kinds,
angels,
little girls,
and me.
We:
start out crawling,
earth-bound things,
then grow and change
and find our wings.
'Ascended Life'
is meant for me,
not feathered, but
winged and free!
THE SONG OF SOLOMON
The wisest man who ever lived was first and foremost a lover.
Wisdom - leads to love.
Being wise - leads to loving:
more fully,
more deeply,
more passionately,
more completely.
God,
make me so wise
as to love those you give me,
well.
BEING GRANDMA
I walked the beach and searched for rocks that reminded me, for some reason, of each grandchild - and
wrote them each a poem.
THOSE WHO SUFFER
Those who suffer
know a deep wisdom
of which the happy
can never guess.
MY LIFE
My life is about to turn unusually multi-colored.
I want to create colors no one has ever seen!
THIS DAY
This day is delicious ~ because it has no 'have to's.' Very, very rare. I've carved it out of this week - rather
adamantly - through many requests and some teasing - the worst suggesting I may be 'indulgent.'
The best part of my self-care plan is this non-directed day in the sun by the water. As waves lap - my mind
is free to wonder. I am letting myself BE. I didn't learn this in church, or my family. I learned it on my own -
led by the Spirit - in trying to figure out how to be ME. With life's rush and people's needs - it's so easy to
lose oneself. I've paid too high a price for being a lost human being - and then, again, for finding my self -
that I am now rather adamant - albeit not often enough - that I must come to the sea to breathe.
My husband has accepted it - but still doesn't really understand. He just knows it is essential in the
rhythms of me being me. He likes the results - so has stopped arguing with the ingredients of the process.
I refresh by free time and space. This world affords little of it. I've learned to create it.
I NEED
... to walk righteously
from a calm center
of trust and obedience,
not straying from rest,
increasing in wonder,
in awe of all things.
Entering The Kingdom
with child-like wings,
serving my Savior
but not as a slave,
'Withed' as a lover
riding His waves.
THE SUN SETS ON AUGUST
I linger
and am made glad
by a fat black otter
scuttling across the rocks
into the cold evening sea...
by the biggest dragon fly
I've ever seen,
capturing his flying dinner
right above my head...
by two scraggly herons
crossing over the moon
slivered like an end parentheses
in the sky...
by a golden path on the sea
turning fiery backdrop
then emitting soft beams
out-raying through after-glow mist
as the blue sky darkens...
a couple in love
light a fire to keep warm,
with waves still rippling
their lazy beat on these rocky shores.
Just one more, God,
one more 'wonder'
and I'll head home...
sparkling city lights
twinkle on, across the bay
an airplane jets people away
who are less fortunate than I,
who sat by the SEA & BREATHED
all afternoon and eve.
I AM IN AWE.
I'M CALLING TODAY - "A DOSE OF PERFECT."
I bought sugar-free ice cream on the way home
and picked blackberries to go with -
in the dark, by flashlight,
with my husband.
PERFECT.
|
The Power You Have — Part 1: Agreements
04/08/11 03:03 PM
PART I. THE POWER OF YOUR AGREEMENTS
Remember - MAKE NO AGREEMENTS!!!
Hebrews 4:2 - "For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not MIXED WITH FAITH (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they UNITED IN FAITH with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe)."
Exodus 33: 1-2 - "The Lord said to Moses, Depart, go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought from the land of bondage, to the land which I swore... to give...I will send an Angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanite, Amorite, Hittite, Perizzite, Hivite, and Jebusite."
Exodus 23:22-33 - "I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. When My Angel goes before you and brings you to the Amorites, the HIttites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, and I reject them and blot them out, You shall not bow down to their gods or serve them or do after their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and break down their pillars and images. You shall serve the Lord your God; He shall bless your bread and water, and I will take sickness from your midst. None shall lose her young by miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. I will send My terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people to whom you shall come, and I will make all your foes turn from you [in flight]. And I will send hornets before you which shall drive out the Hivite, Canaanite, and Hittite from before you. I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate [for lack of attention] and the wild beasts multiply against you. LITTLE BY LITTLE I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and are numerous enough to take possession of the land. I will set your borders... for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand and you shall drive them out before you.YOU SHALL MAKE NO COVENANT WITH THEM OR WITH THEIR GODS. They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you."
We just finished another Awake & Arise weekend, March 18-20. It is always such a deep experience for me and our team, and every time is brand new! One of the main themes that came up again and again as we focused on the weekend in intercession several weeks in advance was THE POWER OF OUR AGREEMENTS! This is really on God's heart - and on mine.
He made it really simple: He said to us that our simple 'agreement' is powerful - He brings the seeds of fresh revelation, fresh belief - whatever we need - and all we need to do is say 'yes' or 'I agree' to have an ignition of His power within our lives! And the power of our corporate agreement (unity of faith) makes more possible than we can imagine! This is the power of The Body of Christ. This is the power of Community. This is the power of the intercession team around all we do during an A&A weekend!
A few months ago, during worship on a Sunday morning, I felt God's strong Presence and was aware of His arm reaching down and handing me something in the spirit realm. It looked like a big martini glass. I heard the words: "Mixed drink"and saw the words "Mixed with faith" from Hebrews 4:2. The Lord spoke to my spirit: "I am releasing a new mixed drink from Heaven - it is a new level of faith - to empower my people for breakthrough in every circumstance!" How do we 'mix our circumstances with faith'? - by our simple agreement - our YES!
Dr. Charles Kraft, in his book Confronting Powerless Christianity, states: "It is a principle of the spiritual world that both the devil and God have need of finding a person through whom they must work in agreement to accomplish their desires."
We can agree with Heaven, "Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth (in my life today) as it is in Heaven," or scripture says we can agree with Hell or 'give place' to Hell by granting demonic presence with their lies a 'safe place to dwell' within our lives! (i.e., Ephesians 4:26-27 and John 14:30)
John Eldredge, one of my favorite authors, in my favorite book of his, Waking The Dead; The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive, says it this way: "Be careful what or who you are agreeing with! The whole plan is based on agreements. When we make those agreements with the demonic forces suggesting things to us, we come under their influence. It becomes a kind of permission we give the Enemy, sort of like a contract. I'm serious - maybe half the stuff people are trying to "work through" in counseling offices or pray about in their quiet times is simply agreements they've made with the Enemy! Some foul spirit whispers, "I'm such a stupid idiot", and they agree with it; then they spend months and years trying to sort through feelings of insignificance. They'd end their agony if they'd treat if for the warfare it is, break the agreement they've made, and send the Enemy packing!!!!"
I'm serious, too!!!!! THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF. You are responsible for what you agree with!!! I promise you, an hour and a half with a Godly counselor is not going to make a difference if you turn around and make fresh agreements with the Enemy's voice! Your life - your physical, emotional and spiritual health, your depth of recovery, the speed of your healing and whether you reach the fullness of your destiny in Christ - will be determined by the daily agreements YOU make. No one else can do this for you. YOUR FREE WILL is simply that powerful - so use your power well.
Shortly before this last Awake & Arise, I was praying one morning, and God led me to the Exodus passages quoted above. This NOW word is an amazing promise [the Gospel of glad tidings] about GOD'S WILL in our lives! He WILL DRIVE OUT all our enemies; He promises to do all the work needed... as long as we do our part, which is to MAKE NO AGREEMENTS WITH them! If you study the meanings of the 'ites' listed, it's an amazing promise indeed! He will reject and blot out on our behalf: ADDICTIONS (Canaanites), FEARS(Hittites), BITTERNESS & REBELLION (Amorites), ISOLATION (Perrizites), and VICTIMIZATION (Jebusites). In other passages He adds DISILLUSIONMENT & UNFULFILLED DESTINY (Gergashites)! He says HE WILL DO THIS for us, but very carefully... not all at once, but LITTLE BY LITTLE, in other words - in the best way and timing to ensure our safety and increase in the process... AS LONG AS WE MAKE NO AGREEMENTS!!!!!
What a Savior! What a plan! What a vital daily personal practice!
SERIOUSLY... remember... MAKE NO AGREEMENTS!!
I want to include two of my favorite prayers to help you:
Breaking agreements with Hell:
(Fill in the blank with whatever you are struggling with i.e. negative thoughts, bitterness, isolation etc...)
1) In Jesus' Name, I nail _____________________ to the cross.
2) I break the power of all agreements I've made with _____________________, and I repent for 'joining with' _____________________.
3) Father God, I ask You to send _____________________ far away from me!
...and it can be wonderful to add:
4) And I ask You, Jesus, what do You have for me instead?
Making agreements with Heaven:
(Mixing faith with all your circumstances: fill in the blank with whatever circumstance you are anxious about.)
Lord, THANK YOU that this_____________________ is going to turn out SO WELL... because You are SO GOOD!!!!
Remember - MAKE NO AGREEMENTS!!!
Hebrews 4:2 - "For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not MIXED WITH FAITH (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they UNITED IN FAITH with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe)."
Exodus 33: 1-2 - "The Lord said to Moses, Depart, go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought from the land of bondage, to the land which I swore... to give...I will send an Angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanite, Amorite, Hittite, Perizzite, Hivite, and Jebusite."
Exodus 23:22-33 - "I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. When My Angel goes before you and brings you to the Amorites, the HIttites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, and I reject them and blot them out, You shall not bow down to their gods or serve them or do after their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and break down their pillars and images. You shall serve the Lord your God; He shall bless your bread and water, and I will take sickness from your midst. None shall lose her young by miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. I will send My terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people to whom you shall come, and I will make all your foes turn from you [in flight]. And I will send hornets before you which shall drive out the Hivite, Canaanite, and Hittite from before you. I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate [for lack of attention] and the wild beasts multiply against you. LITTLE BY LITTLE I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and are numerous enough to take possession of the land. I will set your borders... for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand and you shall drive them out before you.YOU SHALL MAKE NO COVENANT WITH THEM OR WITH THEIR GODS. They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you."
We just finished another Awake & Arise weekend, March 18-20. It is always such a deep experience for me and our team, and every time is brand new! One of the main themes that came up again and again as we focused on the weekend in intercession several weeks in advance was THE POWER OF OUR AGREEMENTS! This is really on God's heart - and on mine.
He made it really simple: He said to us that our simple 'agreement' is powerful - He brings the seeds of fresh revelation, fresh belief - whatever we need - and all we need to do is say 'yes' or 'I agree' to have an ignition of His power within our lives! And the power of our corporate agreement (unity of faith) makes more possible than we can imagine! This is the power of The Body of Christ. This is the power of Community. This is the power of the intercession team around all we do during an A&A weekend!
A few months ago, during worship on a Sunday morning, I felt God's strong Presence and was aware of His arm reaching down and handing me something in the spirit realm. It looked like a big martini glass. I heard the words: "Mixed drink"and saw the words "Mixed with faith" from Hebrews 4:2. The Lord spoke to my spirit: "I am releasing a new mixed drink from Heaven - it is a new level of faith - to empower my people for breakthrough in every circumstance!" How do we 'mix our circumstances with faith'? - by our simple agreement - our YES!
Dr. Charles Kraft, in his book Confronting Powerless Christianity, states: "It is a principle of the spiritual world that both the devil and God have need of finding a person through whom they must work in agreement to accomplish their desires."
We can agree with Heaven, "Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth (in my life today) as it is in Heaven," or scripture says we can agree with Hell or 'give place' to Hell by granting demonic presence with their lies a 'safe place to dwell' within our lives! (i.e., Ephesians 4:26-27 and John 14:30)
John Eldredge, one of my favorite authors, in my favorite book of his, Waking The Dead; The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive, says it this way: "Be careful what or who you are agreeing with! The whole plan is based on agreements. When we make those agreements with the demonic forces suggesting things to us, we come under their influence. It becomes a kind of permission we give the Enemy, sort of like a contract. I'm serious - maybe half the stuff people are trying to "work through" in counseling offices or pray about in their quiet times is simply agreements they've made with the Enemy! Some foul spirit whispers, "I'm such a stupid idiot", and they agree with it; then they spend months and years trying to sort through feelings of insignificance. They'd end their agony if they'd treat if for the warfare it is, break the agreement they've made, and send the Enemy packing!!!!"
I'm serious, too!!!!! THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF. You are responsible for what you agree with!!! I promise you, an hour and a half with a Godly counselor is not going to make a difference if you turn around and make fresh agreements with the Enemy's voice! Your life - your physical, emotional and spiritual health, your depth of recovery, the speed of your healing and whether you reach the fullness of your destiny in Christ - will be determined by the daily agreements YOU make. No one else can do this for you. YOUR FREE WILL is simply that powerful - so use your power well.
Shortly before this last Awake & Arise, I was praying one morning, and God led me to the Exodus passages quoted above. This NOW word is an amazing promise [the Gospel of glad tidings] about GOD'S WILL in our lives! He WILL DRIVE OUT all our enemies; He promises to do all the work needed... as long as we do our part, which is to MAKE NO AGREEMENTS WITH them! If you study the meanings of the 'ites' listed, it's an amazing promise indeed! He will reject and blot out on our behalf: ADDICTIONS (Canaanites), FEARS(Hittites), BITTERNESS & REBELLION (Amorites), ISOLATION (Perrizites), and VICTIMIZATION (Jebusites). In other passages He adds DISILLUSIONMENT & UNFULFILLED DESTINY (Gergashites)! He says HE WILL DO THIS for us, but very carefully... not all at once, but LITTLE BY LITTLE, in other words - in the best way and timing to ensure our safety and increase in the process... AS LONG AS WE MAKE NO AGREEMENTS!!!!!
What a Savior! What a plan! What a vital daily personal practice!
SERIOUSLY... remember... MAKE NO AGREEMENTS!!
I want to include two of my favorite prayers to help you:
Breaking agreements with Hell:
(Fill in the blank with whatever you are struggling with i.e. negative thoughts, bitterness, isolation etc...)
1) In Jesus' Name, I nail _____________________ to the cross.
2) I break the power of all agreements I've made with _____________________, and I repent for 'joining with' _____________________.
3) Father God, I ask You to send _____________________ far away from me!
...and it can be wonderful to add:
4) And I ask You, Jesus, what do You have for me instead?
Making agreements with Heaven:
(Mixing faith with all your circumstances: fill in the blank with whatever circumstance you are anxious about.)
Lord, THANK YOU that this_____________________ is going to turn out SO WELL... because You are SO GOOD!!!!
God's Anger ... is For You!
03/28/11 10:19 AM
Have you ever had someone angry for you?
What would your life feel like if you knew, by experience, that someone fiercely strong and hugely able to do something about it... was angry FOR YOU? Angry on your behalf? Angry at your enemies who came against you and were too strong for you?
What would we let go of if we knew that someone so strong was watching out for us and protecting us from harm? Our measly self-protections? Our pockets of self-pity? ...where we've allowed a slimy spirit to have a little place somewhere within because we were offered some small recompense for the wrongs we've suffered? Ridiculous!
We have a God Whose anger is not shut down or repressed. It is very available to Him but NEVER used against the innocent. It is strong and scary for sure... but used only FOR our SURE protection!
Here's a wonderful, true thought for your day:
GOD IS ANGRY FOR YOU.
GOD WILL NEVER USE HIS ANGER AGAINST YOU.
HE IS ANGRY AT YOUR ENEMIES.
YOU WILL BE PROTECTED!
DECLARE the following Psalm of David out loud... and have a great day!
Psalm 18:2-3, 6-18, 46-50
The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer;
my God, my keen and firm Strength
in Whom I will trust and take refuge,
my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation,
my High Tower.
... so shall I be saved from my enemies.
In my distress I called upon the Lord
and cried to my God;
He heard my voice out of His temple,
and my cry came before Him,
into His [very] ears.
Then the earth quaked and rocked,
the foundations also of the mountains trembled;
they moved and were shaken
because He was indignant and angry.
There went up smoke from His nostrils;
and lightening out of His mouth devoured;
coals were kindled by it.
He bowed the heavens also
and came down;
and thick darkness was under His feet.
And He rode upon [a storm]
and flew [swiftly];
yes, He sped on with the wings of the wind.
He made darkness His secret hiding place;
as His pavilion round about Him were dark waters
and thick clouds of the skies.
Out of the brightness before Him
there broke forth through His thick clouds
hailstones and coals of fire.
The Lord also thundered from the heavens,
and the Most High uttered His voice,
amid hailstones and coals of fire.
And He sent out His arrows
and scattered them;
and He flashed forth lightnings
and put them to rout.
Then the beds of the sea appeared
and the foundations of the world were laid bare
at Your rebuke, O Lord,
at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.
He reached from on high,
He took me;
He drew me out of many waters.
He delivered me from my strong enemy
and from those who hated and abhorred me,
for they were too strong for me.
They confronted and came upon me
in the day of my calamity,
but the Lord was my stay and support.
He brought me forth also into a large place;
He was delivering me
because He was pleased with me
and delighted in me.
The Lord lives!
Blessed by my Rock;
and let the God of my salvation be exalted;
The God Who avenges me
and subdues peoples under me.
Who delivers me from my enemies;
yes, You lift me up above those who rise up against me;
You deliver me from the man of violence.
Therefore will I give thanks
and extol You, O Lord...
for Your Great deliverances and triumphs!
What would your life feel like if you knew, by experience, that someone fiercely strong and hugely able to do something about it... was angry FOR YOU? Angry on your behalf? Angry at your enemies who came against you and were too strong for you?
What would we let go of if we knew that someone so strong was watching out for us and protecting us from harm? Our measly self-protections? Our pockets of self-pity? ...where we've allowed a slimy spirit to have a little place somewhere within because we were offered some small recompense for the wrongs we've suffered? Ridiculous!
We have a God Whose anger is not shut down or repressed. It is very available to Him but NEVER used against the innocent. It is strong and scary for sure... but used only FOR our SURE protection!
Here's a wonderful, true thought for your day:
GOD IS ANGRY FOR YOU.
GOD WILL NEVER USE HIS ANGER AGAINST YOU.
HE IS ANGRY AT YOUR ENEMIES.
YOU WILL BE PROTECTED!
DECLARE the following Psalm of David out loud... and have a great day!
Psalm 18:2-3, 6-18, 46-50
The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer;
my God, my keen and firm Strength
in Whom I will trust and take refuge,
my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation,
my High Tower.
... so shall I be saved from my enemies.
In my distress I called upon the Lord
and cried to my God;
He heard my voice out of His temple,
and my cry came before Him,
into His [very] ears.
Then the earth quaked and rocked,
the foundations also of the mountains trembled;
they moved and were shaken
because He was indignant and angry.
There went up smoke from His nostrils;
and lightening out of His mouth devoured;
coals were kindled by it.
He bowed the heavens also
and came down;
and thick darkness was under His feet.
And He rode upon [a storm]
and flew [swiftly];
yes, He sped on with the wings of the wind.
He made darkness His secret hiding place;
as His pavilion round about Him were dark waters
and thick clouds of the skies.
Out of the brightness before Him
there broke forth through His thick clouds
hailstones and coals of fire.
The Lord also thundered from the heavens,
and the Most High uttered His voice,
amid hailstones and coals of fire.
And He sent out His arrows
and scattered them;
and He flashed forth lightnings
and put them to rout.
Then the beds of the sea appeared
and the foundations of the world were laid bare
at Your rebuke, O Lord,
at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.
He reached from on high,
He took me;
He drew me out of many waters.
He delivered me from my strong enemy
and from those who hated and abhorred me,
for they were too strong for me.
They confronted and came upon me
in the day of my calamity,
but the Lord was my stay and support.
He brought me forth also into a large place;
He was delivering me
because He was pleased with me
and delighted in me.
The Lord lives!
Blessed by my Rock;
and let the God of my salvation be exalted;
The God Who avenges me
and subdues peoples under me.
Who delivers me from my enemies;
yes, You lift me up above those who rise up against me;
You deliver me from the man of violence.
Therefore will I give thanks
and extol You, O Lord...
for Your Great deliverances and triumphs!
You're a Favor-ite!
03/07/11 09:25 PM
I've been studying FAVOR.
We are hearing a lot about the word GRACE in this new year, but God's been showing me that GRACE and FAVOR are exactly the same word. They are used interchangeably in both the Old and New Testaments, as different translations of the same Hebrew and Greek word: chen/charis.
Most of the appearances of this word in the Old Testament (used 37 times as grace and 26 times as favor) say the same thing: So & So (Noah, Moses, Joseph, Ruth, Esther...) found "chen" in the sight or in the eyes of the Lord. In the Old Covenant apparently favor would "come upon" people occasionally, just like the Holy Spirit (as opposed to the constant indwelling we are privileged to experience in the New Covenant)! I am SO thankful God let me be born during New Covenant times, aren't you???? But, back to FAVOR...
In Luke 2:14 the heavenly host of angels announced something extremely different and outrageously amazing to a bunch of forlorn shepherds... they said: Glory to God! In the highest heaven and on earth - peace! Good will toward men - ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS! What I see in this announcement is a change of guard. Whereas favor came upon a few lucky individuals who got God's special attention before - now HIS FAVOR HAS BEEN RELEASED TO ALL HUMANS! When Christ was incarnated in flesh - God's favor came on "all flesh." We - each and every one of us - are now rightfully "favor-ites." In the OT there were lots of 'ites" to contend with - who were separate from God's children. Jesus came and brought His Father and His kingdom with Him - and gave us all a right to be called sons of God if we would receive Him.Through Him we received "grace upon grace." (John 1:16) We are "Favor-ites" one and all!
It is wonderful to study what the Greek and Hebrew words for "Favor" mean (and I'll let you do that part, for now)... but it is very enlightening to study what Webster has to say as well. Here is a fascinating list ...
WEBSTER'S definition's of FAVOR:
favored; liked; approved
be pleasing to
too kind indulgence
unfair partiality
to prefer unfairly
to be too indulgent toward
be partial to
specially privileged
to afford advantages for success
promoted
specially privileged
provided with advantages
favorite: (as a "favor-ite" YOU ARE:)
1. a person or thing regarded with special favor, preference, or affection
2. a person liked very much and granted special privileges by a king, high official, etc.
3. a competitor considered most likely to win
Lance Wallnau defines FAVOR as:
The attraction of God to you
so that God can move through you
and cause people to promote you.
And Dutch Sheets has said:
Faith will move your mountains.
Favor will get others to move them for you.
So, today, receive it and believe it!
YOU ARE A "FAVOR-ITE!"
YOU ARE UNFAIRLY PREFERRED!!!
YOU ARE A PERSON LIKED VERY MUCH AND GRANTED SPECIAL PRIVILEGES BY THE KING OF KINGS!
YOU ARE AFFORDED EVERY ADVANTAGE FOR SUCCESS.
No wonder they call it "The GOSPEL OF the GRACE (FAVOR) of God!
~ ACTS 20:24
We are hearing a lot about the word GRACE in this new year, but God's been showing me that GRACE and FAVOR are exactly the same word. They are used interchangeably in both the Old and New Testaments, as different translations of the same Hebrew and Greek word: chen/charis.
Most of the appearances of this word in the Old Testament (used 37 times as grace and 26 times as favor) say the same thing: So & So (Noah, Moses, Joseph, Ruth, Esther...) found "chen" in the sight or in the eyes of the Lord. In the Old Covenant apparently favor would "come upon" people occasionally, just like the Holy Spirit (as opposed to the constant indwelling we are privileged to experience in the New Covenant)! I am SO thankful God let me be born during New Covenant times, aren't you???? But, back to FAVOR...
In Luke 2:14 the heavenly host of angels announced something extremely different and outrageously amazing to a bunch of forlorn shepherds... they said: Glory to God! In the highest heaven and on earth - peace! Good will toward men - ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS! What I see in this announcement is a change of guard. Whereas favor came upon a few lucky individuals who got God's special attention before - now HIS FAVOR HAS BEEN RELEASED TO ALL HUMANS! When Christ was incarnated in flesh - God's favor came on "all flesh." We - each and every one of us - are now rightfully "favor-ites." In the OT there were lots of 'ites" to contend with - who were separate from God's children. Jesus came and brought His Father and His kingdom with Him - and gave us all a right to be called sons of God if we would receive Him.Through Him we received "grace upon grace." (John 1:16) We are "Favor-ites" one and all!
It is wonderful to study what the Greek and Hebrew words for "Favor" mean (and I'll let you do that part, for now)... but it is very enlightening to study what Webster has to say as well. Here is a fascinating list ...
WEBSTER'S definition's of FAVOR:
favored; liked; approved
be pleasing to
too kind indulgence
unfair partiality
to prefer unfairly
to be too indulgent toward
be partial to
specially privileged
to afford advantages for success
promoted
specially privileged
provided with advantages
favorite: (as a "favor-ite" YOU ARE:)
1. a person or thing regarded with special favor, preference, or affection
2. a person liked very much and granted special privileges by a king, high official, etc.
3. a competitor considered most likely to win
Lance Wallnau defines FAVOR as:
The attraction of God to you
so that God can move through you
and cause people to promote you.
And Dutch Sheets has said:
Faith will move your mountains.
Favor will get others to move them for you.
So, today, receive it and believe it!
YOU ARE A "FAVOR-ITE!"
YOU ARE UNFAIRLY PREFERRED!!!
YOU ARE A PERSON LIKED VERY MUCH AND GRANTED SPECIAL PRIVILEGES BY THE KING OF KINGS!
YOU ARE AFFORDED EVERY ADVANTAGE FOR SUCCESS.
No wonder they call it "The GOSPEL OF the GRACE (FAVOR) of God!
~ ACTS 20:24
He'll Redeem Every Mistake
12/22/10 05:51 AM
Romans 8:28 And we know that in ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Special greetings to all our readers this Christmas season. I have a special Christmas story to share with you.
Christmas traditions are really important in our family. For over 20 years we have had a special candle-light dinner for our family Christmas party — with the same menu. It started when my boys were young ... and has continued every year until now. The main course is Ham loaf. Though daughter-in-laws have joined us and it is not their favorite, the boys are adamant about not changing the menu. This year we were discussing by email if we wanted to change one of our gift traditions ... and my middle son said, "I don't care ... as long as there is Ham loaf and family!" In that order.
Well, I made a BIG mistake this year. I waited too long to purchase the Ham loaf. Our party was early this year because of one son's work schedule, and in all my running around I left it till the night before. I had a feeling it was a bad idea. East Side Deli is the only store in the Northwest that sells this Ham loaf — and it's very popular. I stopped in after 8 p.m. friday night — and, you guessed it ... the entire freezer in the back corner of this little corner store was EMPTY! The Asian man behind the counter said, "We all sold out, but we get more on Monday or Tuesday." "You don't understand", I said. "This is the main course for our family Christmas party — for over 20 years now ... and I have to have Ham loaf!" I even told him about my sons email ... as if that would make him go to the back and cook some up himself. He shook his head and said, "No ham loaf until Monday."
I panicked. As I got into my car I immediately called my mom and my sister to see if they had by any chance purchased a ham loaf or 2 this year and had them in their freezer. No such luck. They said, well, there's always turkey ... even they did not understand. As silly as it might seem ... I knew my kids would be devastated.
So, I got home and began a search online — allrecipes.com is my friend. Out of the hundreds of ham loaf recipes I chose one that sounded like it might be close to the ingredients we were used to.
The next morning we found out no local grocery store would grind 3 pounds of ham for sanitary reasons. So, my husband went and bought the ingredients and took the ham to my parents house who have an old meat grinder. They spent some special time together grinding ham, and I spent longer than usual mixing and preparing the loaves.
As we sat down and did our usual sharing before eating, I had to share the story and my apologies that it may not be quite the same this year - but hoped they would appreciate all the effort we went through to keep our tradition intact.
THEY LOVED IT! They all ended up deciding it was the best ham loaf they'd ever tasted ... the extra pineapple sauce on top was the clincher... and they want me to make it this way every year from now on, if I wouldn't mind!!!!!
So, what was at first a bad judgement call on my part, ended up becoming our new 'favorite' and our family traditional menu was enhanced, not diminished. It also added a special dimension with my kid's grandparents blessing the event with their contribution... and we've already decided we will make a tradition out of grinding ham with them each year from now on.
A simple lesson, really. But profound for many things in life. What we consider our mistakes, usually end up opening new doors and bringing more good into our lives in the long run. Not because we did everything perfectly... but because God is good and knows how to turn ALL to our good in the end.
So whatever you are facing this holiday season... pray this simple prayer I am learning:
"Lord, thank You that this is going to turn out so well,
because You are so good."
Have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous (in every way) New Year!
Love,
Janet
Special greetings to all our readers this Christmas season. I have a special Christmas story to share with you.
Christmas traditions are really important in our family. For over 20 years we have had a special candle-light dinner for our family Christmas party — with the same menu. It started when my boys were young ... and has continued every year until now. The main course is Ham loaf. Though daughter-in-laws have joined us and it is not their favorite, the boys are adamant about not changing the menu. This year we were discussing by email if we wanted to change one of our gift traditions ... and my middle son said, "I don't care ... as long as there is Ham loaf and family!" In that order.
Well, I made a BIG mistake this year. I waited too long to purchase the Ham loaf. Our party was early this year because of one son's work schedule, and in all my running around I left it till the night before. I had a feeling it was a bad idea. East Side Deli is the only store in the Northwest that sells this Ham loaf — and it's very popular. I stopped in after 8 p.m. friday night — and, you guessed it ... the entire freezer in the back corner of this little corner store was EMPTY! The Asian man behind the counter said, "We all sold out, but we get more on Monday or Tuesday." "You don't understand", I said. "This is the main course for our family Christmas party — for over 20 years now ... and I have to have Ham loaf!" I even told him about my sons email ... as if that would make him go to the back and cook some up himself. He shook his head and said, "No ham loaf until Monday."
I panicked. As I got into my car I immediately called my mom and my sister to see if they had by any chance purchased a ham loaf or 2 this year and had them in their freezer. No such luck. They said, well, there's always turkey ... even they did not understand. As silly as it might seem ... I knew my kids would be devastated.
So, I got home and began a search online — allrecipes.com is my friend. Out of the hundreds of ham loaf recipes I chose one that sounded like it might be close to the ingredients we were used to.
The next morning we found out no local grocery store would grind 3 pounds of ham for sanitary reasons. So, my husband went and bought the ingredients and took the ham to my parents house who have an old meat grinder. They spent some special time together grinding ham, and I spent longer than usual mixing and preparing the loaves.
As we sat down and did our usual sharing before eating, I had to share the story and my apologies that it may not be quite the same this year - but hoped they would appreciate all the effort we went through to keep our tradition intact.
THEY LOVED IT! They all ended up deciding it was the best ham loaf they'd ever tasted ... the extra pineapple sauce on top was the clincher... and they want me to make it this way every year from now on, if I wouldn't mind!!!!!
So, what was at first a bad judgement call on my part, ended up becoming our new 'favorite' and our family traditional menu was enhanced, not diminished. It also added a special dimension with my kid's grandparents blessing the event with their contribution... and we've already decided we will make a tradition out of grinding ham with them each year from now on.
A simple lesson, really. But profound for many things in life. What we consider our mistakes, usually end up opening new doors and bringing more good into our lives in the long run. Not because we did everything perfectly... but because God is good and knows how to turn ALL to our good in the end.
So whatever you are facing this holiday season... pray this simple prayer I am learning:
"Lord, thank You that this is going to turn out so well,
because You are so good."
Have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous (in every way) New Year!
Love,
Janet