FAVOR OF GOD

KEYS TO BEING IN FAVOR WITH GOD.

G.I.J.N. AND GREETINGS FROM THE NEW HAVEN CONGREGATION. HAPPY TO BE HERE WITH YOU THIS MORNING ALONG WITH MY WIFE LORI AND OUR SIX CHILDREN - COLE - KATRIEL - CAMERON - KENZIE - KRISTINE - CORDELE.

THIS MORNING AS WE THINK OF THIS BEING THE 2ND DAY OF FEBRUARY - I WAS REMINDED OF HOW I OFTEN THINK OF THIS MONTH AS THE WORST MONTH OF THE YEAR - AND THAT STEMS FROM A TIME WHEN THERE WERE 2 BROTHERS WHO WORKED FOR ME AT ONE POINT - WHO’S ATTITUDE AND MOTIVATION WOULD GET REALLY LOW DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY. AND I DON’T KNOW IF ANYONE EXPERIENCES THESE WINTER BLUES OR CABIN FEVER OR WHATEVER YOU PREFER TO CALL IT - BUT IN THIS CASE IT WOULD GET SO BAD THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I CONSIDERED SENDING THEM HOME FOR THE WHOLE MONTH OF FEBRUARY BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH OF A STRUGGLE IT WAS TO WORK WITH THEM. THEY WOULD ACT AS IF EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE WAS AGAINST THEM AND JUST ASKING THEM TO DO SIMPLE TASK WAS SO DEPRESSING AND THEY WOULD ACT AS IF YOU WERE OVERBEARING AND DEMANDING OF THEM - HOWEVER ONCE FEBRUARY WAS OVER THEY WERE BOTH VERY RELIABLE DEPENDABLE CHEERFUL HELP AGAIN!

AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY GIVE THIS DEFINITION FOR CABIN FEVER: BOREDOM, RESTLESSNESS, OR IRRITABILITY FROM A LACK OF ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULATION, AS FROM A PROLONGED STAY IN A REMOTE REGION OR CONFINED INDOOR AREA. OTHER TRIGGERS COULD BE LESS SUNSHINE - COLDER TEMPERATURES AND LACK OF SOCIAL INTERACTION.

SO THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE SOME INSPIRATION TO OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE - SO WE ARE NOT DOWN IN THE DUMPS CHRISTIANS THAT THOSE AROUND US WANT TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM US - OR EVEN WORSE HAVE GOD DISPLEASED WITH US BECAUSE WE ALLOW THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD TO AFFECT OUR INTENTIONAL CHRISTIAN LIVING - THE MAYO CLINIC CALLS THIS TIME YEAR - S.A.D. WHICH STANDS FOR (SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER) THAT SAPS OUR ENERGY AND MAKES PEOPLE MOODY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.

SO THIS MORNING IF WE ARE FEELING THE WINTER BLUES - I WANT TO ENCOURAGE US BY THINKING OF HOW WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON OUR HEAVENLY FATHER RATHER THAN THE WEATHER OR CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND US. BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION TO MY THOUGHT PROCESS - DURING THE SEASON OF CHRISTMAS LAST YEAR I WAS CHALLENGED BY WHAT THE ANGEL TOLD MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS - AS YOU REMEMBER THE ACCOUNT WHEN THE ANGEL GABRIEL CAME TO MARY IN LUKE 1:28 AND SAID: Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. THEN IT SAYS MARY WAS TROUBLED AT HIS SAYING - AND GABRIEL SAID AGAIN IN VERSE 30 - FEAR NOT, MARY, FOR THOU HAST FOUND FAVOR WITH GOD. - THIS CHALLENGED ME - AM I FINDING FAVOR WITH GOD IN 2025? HERE WE ARE - ONE MONTH INTO THIS YEAR - POSSIBLY MOST OF THE NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS ARE BROKEN OR NO LONGER A PRIORITY. THE SNOW IS GONE - IT IS STILL COLD HOWEVER THERE IS NO PRETTY SNOW TO LOOK AT AND GO SLEDDING ON FOR THE CHILDREN - IT IS COLD BUT NOT COLD ENOUGH FOR SKATING - ALSO WE MAY FIND THE WINTER DRAB AND BROWN MUD MAY BE A DEPRESSING LANDSCAPE - THERE IS FLU AND SICKNESS GOING AROUND SO WE POSSIBLY ARE FEELING LESS THAN INSPIRED ABOUT LIVING OUR LIVES TO THE FULLEST - MUCH LESS BE AN EXAMPLE OF CHRISTIAN JOY THAT WE READ OF IN THE BIBLE.

SO WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO HELP ME TO HAVE THE RIGHT MINDSET AND A HEART SEEKING TO DO WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR ME AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND WILLING TO DO WHAT HE MAY BE ASKING OF ME IN MY LIFE.

I ALSO ASK MYSELF - WHAT IS FAVOR WITH GOD? HOW DO I FIND IT OR LIVE IT -WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IN A CHRISTIAN - WHAT DOES IT REQUIRE TO RECEIVE OR EARN IT?

HERE ARE 5 THINGS YOU WILL SEE IN AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS IN FAVOR WITH GOD.

BEING IN FAVOR WITH GOD:

SIGNIFIES A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP MARKED BY GRACE AND DIVINE APPROVAL.

HIGHLIGHTS A RECIPROCAL CONNECTION WHERE HUMAN ACTIONS ALIGN WITH GODS DESIRES.

ENABLES INDIVIDUALS TO EXPERIENCE GODS BLESSINGS IN PROFOUND WAYS.

IS NOT TIED TO ONES STATUS OR ACHIEVEMENTS.

REQUIRES SOMEONE WHO IS : FAITHFUL - THEY ARE AVAILABLE OR ALIGNED WITH GOD - THEIR VICTORIOUS - THEIR OBEDIENT - THEY HAVE A REPENTANT HEART ORIENTED TOWARDS GODS PURPOSES.

AS YOU THINK OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS - THINK OF HOW THAT THESE QUALITIES ARE FOUND IN THE PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE WHO ARE EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO FOUND FAVOR IN GODS EYES. A FEW OF THESE WOULD BE .…

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

ALREADY MENTIONED - JESUS MOTHER MARY - Luke 1:30 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.”

NOAH - Genesis 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

ABRAHAM - Genesis 12:2–3 “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

JOSEPH - Genesis 39:2 “And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.”

MOSES - Exodus 33:17 “And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.” AGAIN - A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP

DAVID - Acts 7:45–46 “Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.”

THERE ARE OTHERS WHO WE COULD CONSIDER WHO FOUND UNMERITED GRACE AND FAVOR IN GODS EYES - INDIVIDUALS LIKE - ESTHER - GIDEON - HANNAH, PAUL AND PETER - AND VARIOUS PEOPLE WHO GOD USED TO BUILD HIS KINGDOM.

THE BIBLE ALSO TELLS US THAT WE AS BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS ARE FOUND IN FAVOR WITH GOD - WE SEE THIS IN EPHESIANS 2 :4-8 - THE WORD GRACE IS USED IN VERSE 7 BUT IT IS THE SAME GREEK WORD USED FOR FAVOR- IT SPEAKS OF GODS FAVOR ON THOSE WHO RECEIVE SALVATION. GOD’S DESIRE FOR US TO BE PART OF HIS DIVINE APPROVAL - HIS DESIRES - HIS BLESSINGS - HE WANTS US TO BE FAITHFUL SO WE CAN BE PART OF GLORIOUS PLAN AND PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVE.

Eph 2:4 ¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his FAVOR in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

SO HERE WE SEE IN EPHESIANS THAT GOD HAS EXTENDED HIS FAVOR OR GRACE AND LOVE TO ALL - V7 IN THE AGES TO COME THROUGH CHRIST JESUS - TELLING US THAT THOSE WHO BY FAITH ARE SAVED BY GRACE BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST -AND WE HAVE THIS PROMISE - DROP DOWN IN VERSE 13 Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. THIS IS WHAT THOSE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT WERE LIVING FOR - TO BE NEAR GOD AND HEAR HIS VOICE AND DO HIS COMMANDMENTS AND WE SEE TIME AND TIME AGAIN HOW GOD USED THEM.

AS WE THINK OF THIS LIST OF PEOPLE WHO GOD CALLED TO BE USED TO DO HIS WORK - AND THOSE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE IN GODS KINGDOM -I HAD TO WONDER - HOW WOULD I HAVE RESPONDED TO GODS CALLING - THIS IS THE CHALLENGE I WANT TO THINK ABOUT - IF WE PUT OURSELVES IN THE PLACE OF NOAH - WE KNOW THAT HE IS THE TENTH GENERATION SINCE CREATION - JUST OVER 1,000 YEARS LATER AND THIS IS WHAT THE LORD SAID OF THE PEOPLE - AND I BELIEVE WE ARE LIVING IN A TIME THAT IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENT - GENESIS 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. SO AS WE LOOK AT THE WORLD AND THINK OF OUR SITUATION - IT IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENT - AM I WILLING TO BE A NOAH AND OBEY THE VOICE OF GOD IN 2025 - IF GOD CALLED ME OR YOU TO BE THE ONE TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS TO A WORK THAT WILL SAVE THE PEOPLE AND GET THEM TO HEAVEN AM I READY TO DO THE WORK Genesis 6:22 WOULD THIS STATEMENT OF WHAT NOAH DID BE THE SAME ACCOUNT IF IT WAS ME WHEN IT SAYS “Thus did Noah; according to ALL that God commanded him, so did he.” - OR WOULD I SHIRK MY RESPONSIBILITY -THINKING - WHO AM I AMONG SO MANY? . WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL I MAKE? OR THE TASK IS TO GREAT - HOW WOULD I RESPOND?

OR THINKING OF MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS -HERE WE HAVE AN ENGAGED GIRL - WHO THOSE OF US WHO ARE MARRIED WOULD ALL AGREE - UNDOUBTEDLY THIS COUPLE HAS ENOUGH HAPPENING AND GOING ON AS WE THINK OF OUR OWN ENGAGEMENT PROCESS AND THEN ADD THIS THE NEWS OF WHAT GOD HAS PLANNED FOR MARY AND JOSEPH IN BRINGING JESUS INTO THIS WORLD - WE WOULD ALSO AGREE - (THOSE OF US WHO ARE MARRIED AND RAISING FAMILIES) -SINCE WE KNOW AND UNDERSTAND FIRSTHAND HOW THAT THE JOURNEY OF MARRIED LIFE IS EVER CHANGING AND THERE ARE A LOT OF NEW AND UNKNOWN EXPERIENCES TO DISCOVER - SO IF YOU FOUND YOUR SELF IN MARY AND JOSEPH SITUATION - HOW WOULD YOU AND I RESPOND? WOULD WE SAY “NOT NOW LORD” - “NOW IS NOT A GOOD TIME” - “IT DON’T SUIT MY PLAN AND EXPECTATIONS IN LIFE AT THIS POINT” - SO OFTEN WE KNOW IN LIFE THAT THINGS HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF IF ITS A GOOD OR CONVENIENT TIME - WOULD ANY OF US FEEL LIKE WE ARE IN THE PROPER MINDSET TO GIVE AN ANSWER LIKE MARY - WHEN SHE SAID: IN LUKE 1:38 - HER REPLY : AND MARY SAID, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

SO HOW DO I OR SHOULD I RESPOND WHEN DESIRING TO BE IN THE FAVOR OF GOD - WHAT MINDSET OR HEART DESIRE IS NECESSARY TO ANSWER GOD CALL- AM I WILLING TO BE USED OF THE LORD? OR WOULD MY ANSWER BE LIKE THE ONE WE READ OF IN Ezekiel 22:30 “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” ARE WE WILLING TO STEP UP TO DO THE WORK THAT NEEDS DONE - LIKE WHEN GOD NEEDED SOMEONE LIKE NOAH - MOSES - JOSEPH - OR THE EARLY CHURCH OR THE ANABAPTIST WHO GOT A HOLD OF THE BIBLE AND KNEW THAT CHANGE WAS NECESSARY. HOW WOULD I RESPOND?

THE BIBLE TELLS US JESUS FOUND FAVOR WITH GOD AND MAN - SINCE WE ARE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS THEN WE SHOULD HAVE THIS GOAL AS WELL! SO WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO FIND FAVOR WITH GOD AND MAN. SO THIS MORNING I HAVE A SIMPLE OUTLINE.

3 KEYS THAT I PICKED OUT THAT ARE NECESSARY TO BE IN FAVOR WITH GOD.

LISTEN 2. TRUST 3. OBEY

AS WE GO THROUGH THESE KEYS - THINK OF HOW THEY WERE EVIDENT IN THE EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE AND THEN THINK OF YOUR OWN WALK WITH THE LORD - DO YOU HAVE THESE QUALITIES? IF YOU DO - THEN GREAT - KEEP GROWING IN THE LORD - IF YOU STRUGGLE WITH ONE OF THESE OR THERE IS A WEAKNESS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD - THEN I TRUST WE ARE WILLING TO PUT FORTH EFFORT TO CORRECT WHAT MAY BE KEEPING US FROM THE DEEP RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIP THAT GOD DESIRES TO HAVE WITH US AS HIS CHILDREN.

I HAVE PUT TOGETHER AN ACROSTIC FOR EACH OF THE 3 KEYS I HAVE PICKED OUT. SO GOING TO GO THROUGH THE LIST - MAKING COMMENTS OR PULLING VERSES TO EMPHASIS MY POINT.

LISTEN IS THE FIRST WORD - WHAT QUALITIES DO I NEED TO HAVE TO BE ABLE LISTEN AND HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD.

L - LOVE - I NEED TO LOVE GOD - JESUS OFTEN USES THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD LIKE WE SEE IN JOHN 10 - TO SHOW HOW GREAT HIS LOVE IS FOR US - SAYS HE WAS WILLING TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US - THAT HIS LOVE TOWARD US CAUSES US TO HEAR HIS VOICE John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” DO WE HAVE SO GREAT OF LOVE LIKE JESUS DID FOR GOD SO WE HEAR HIS VOICE - FINDING FAVOR WITH GOD BEGINS WITH LOVE FOR HIM.

I - INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - TO RECEIVE THE WORD OF THE LORD THE HOLY SPIRIT NEEDS TO BE PRESENT SO WE CAN HEAR AND UNDERSTAND 1 Corinthians 2:10 “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” REVEALING UNTO US THE THINGS OF GOD CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY HIS INDWELLING SPIRIT.

S - STILL SMALL VOICE - ARE WE FAILING TO HEAR GOD BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MUCH NOISE IN OUR LIFE - OR MAYBE WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE LOUD BOOMING VOICE OR THE FIRE OF THE LORD TO SHOW US THE WAY - WE KNOW THE ACCOUNT OF ELIJAH IN - 1 Kings 19:11–12 “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” ARE WE MISSING THE VOICE OF GOD BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT QUIETED THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD TO BE LISTENING FOR THAT STILL SMALL VOICE.

T - THANKFUL - ARE WE A THANKFUL PEOPLE - OR ARE WE COMPLAINERS LIKE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL - COMPLAINING ABOUT FOOD, WATER, MOSES AND AARON THE LEADERSHIP AND THE GIANTS IN THE LAND - AND WE KNOW THEIR REWARD -THEIR CONSEQUENCES LIKE SNAKES AND PLAGUES AND 40 MORE YEARS OF WANDERING - PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF MURMURINGS AND COMPLAINING. BUT RATHER WE SHOULD BE A THANKFUL PEOPLE Revelation 11:17 “TELLS US WHAT THE 24 ELDERS SAID IN WORSHIP OF THE LORD -Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.” KNOWING WHO THE LORD GOD IS SHOULD CREATE A DESIRE TO LISTEN WITH THANKFUL HEART AS WE THINK OF THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY -WHO FOREVER HAS HAD THE POWER AND HAS REIGNED OVER ALL FOREVER! PRAISE THE LORD AND THANK YOU GOD FOR WHO YOU ARE!

E - ENTHUSIASTIC - FOR US TO HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD WE NEED TO BE ENTHUSIASTIC LIKE ZACCHAEUS - HE PUT FORTH EFFORT TO SEE AND HEAR JESUS - AND WAS REWARD BY THE VOICE OF JESUS SAYING MAKE HASTE - AND HIS RESPONSE Luke 19:6 “And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.” HARD TO FIND THIS ENERGY IN MYSELF AND OTHERS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY - BUT THIS IS WHO JESUS CALLED TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH - WOULD HE CALL ME WITH MY CURRENT ATTITUDE OF LIFE?

N - NEW CREATURE OR NEW MAN - WE NEED TO BE LIKE ZACCHAEUS - THE VOICE OF THE LORD COMES TO THOSE WHO PUT OFF LISTENING TO THE OLD MAN. Ephesians 4:22–24 “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” GOD WILL SPEAK TO YOU IF YOUR MIND IS RENEWED AND SEEKING RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS.

SO HOW DO YOU KNOW IF IT IS THE VOICE OF THE LORD ? HOW CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE VOICE OF THE LORD - HERE ARE SOME GUIDELINES

THE VOICE OF GOD WILL NEVER CONTRADICT SCRIPTURE - IT WILL NEVER VIOLATE THE WORD OF GOD.

THE VOICE OF GOD WILL OFTEN CONFLICT WITH HUMAN REASONING. WE GENERALLY LOOK AT WHAT IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE OR THE REASONABLE THING TO DO.

THE VOICE OF GOD WILL ALWAYS CLASH WITH FLESHLY SINFUL DESIRES.

THE VOICE OF GOD WILL OFTEN CHALLENGE YOUR FAITH -

THE VOICE OF GOD WILL OFTEN REQUIRE COURAGE.

2ND KEY TO BEING IN FAVOR WITH GOD IS TRUST - THINK OF NOAH AND MARY AND JOSEPH AND THE OTHERS WHO GOD USED - WE LOOK BACK AND SEE HOW IT ALL WORKED OUT - BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THAT ADVANTAGE - SO WHAT DO WE NEED TO HAVE THAT LEVEL OF TRUST TO DO WHAT GOD ASK?

T - TRUTH - GOD IS TRUTH - KNOWS ALL THINGS - I LIKE TO SAYS THERE IS HIS SIDE - HER SIDE - AND THE TRUTH - SO WE TRUST IN THE LORD COMPLETELY TO BE IN HIS FAVOR BECAUSE AS - John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” ONLY WAY TO GOD THE FATHER IS COMPLETE TRUST IN HIM.

R - RESIGNED TO HIS WILL - WE WILL NOT TRUST GOD AND BE IN HIS FAVOR IF WE ALLOW OUR WILL AND HUMAN REASONING TO BE PART OF THE EQUATION - Psalm 37:5 “Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” WHEN WE PUT OUR COMPLETE TRUST IN THE LORD - HE WILL MAKE A WAY.

U - UNDERSTANDING - GOD UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS ALL OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES - AS HUMANS WE OFTEN USE THAT HUMAN REASONING TO JUSTIFY OUR ACTIONS TOWARDS OTHERS -SAYING “THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT THE SITUATION”. BUT GOD KNOWS ALL THINGS - IN Jeremiah 9:23–24 “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Neither let the mighty man glory in his might, Let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth - glory in this, That he understandeth and knoweth me, That I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: For in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” GOD UNDERSTANDS AND WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND AND KNOW HIM AS ONE WHO EXERCISES LOVING-KINDNESS AND RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT SO WE CAN FULLY TRUST HIM IN ALL THINGS.

S - SEEKS OUR BEST INTEREST - WHY TRUST THE LORD? - 2 Corinthians 9:8 SAYS “And God is able to make all grace )AND THE GREEK WORD USED HERE CAN ALSO BE FAVOR) - AND GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE ALL FAVOR abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” WE CAN TRUST GOD BECAUSE HIS DESIRE IS IN OUR BEST INTEREST - IT MAY NOT BE WHAT WE THINK OR HAVE IN MIND BUT GODS WAY IS BEST - TRUST HIM.

T - TRUSTWORHINESS - GOD IS A PROMISE KEEPER - GOD NEVER BREAKS A PROMISE AND EVERYTHING HE SAYS HE WILL DO - PAUL MAKES REFERENCE TO THIS IN Hebrews 6:17–19 READ IN THE NIV “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:” I LIKE THE LAST PART - GREATLY ENCOURAGED TO TRUST GOD BECAUSE HE CAN NOT LIE AND HAS OFFERED US THE HOPE AS AN ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL.

SO LISTEN AND TRUST - THEN WHEN GOD SPEAKS THE LAST KEY TO FINDING FAVOR WITH GOD IS OBEY.

WHY SHOULD WE OBEY -

O - OMNI’S OF GOD - THE OMNIPOTENCE - THE OMNISCIENCE - AND OMNIPRESENCE OF GOD - WE SHOULD HAVE THE DESIRE TO OBEY THE ONE WHO IS ALL - POWERFUL, ALL-KNOWING, AND EVERYWHERE PRESENT. THIS IDEA ALONE IS A STUDY ALL IN ITSELF BUT I LIKE HOW Ephesians 1:21 IS TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE GOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS DONE AND IT SAYS THIS THAT JESUS IS “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:” PRAISE THE LORD - WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBEY THE ONE WHO IS ABOVE ALL THINGS NOW AND FOREVER MORE.

B - BENEFITS FAR OUT WEIGH DISOBEDIENCE - THINK OF ALL THE HERO'S OF FAITH - IF THEY HAD DISOBEYED THEY WOULD HAVE MOST TIMES PERISHED - THINK OF NOAH - IF HE HAD SAID HE WAS TO BUSY - INADEQUATE - OR UNQUALIFIED FOR THE JOB - THEN HE AND HIS FAMILY WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED - DO WE SHIRK OUR RESPONSIBILITIES BECAUSE WE THINK THE COST IS TO HIGH. JESUS TELLS US IN Matthew 19:29 “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” AND THIS TAKES US TO THE NEXT LETTER - E

E - ETERNAL OR EVERLASTING LIFE - JESUS ALSO ASSURES US WITH THIS PROMISE IN John 14:23 “THAT IF WE HEAR HIS WORDS - TRUST - AND OBEY HIM - THEN WE WILL BE WITH THE FATHER . Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

LAST LETTER OF OBEY IS Y - WHY SHOULD WE OBEY THE LORD - BECAUSE - Y IS FOR-

Y - YOUR LOVING FATHER - WE WILL DESIRE TO OBEY BECAUSE OF THE GREAT LOVE OF THE FATHER - WHEN HE CALLS - THE FATHER WILL OFTEN ASK THOSE TO STEP OUT AND BE SEPARATE. 2 Corinthians 6:17–18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” WE BEGAN WITH THE LOVE OF GOD FOR L IN LISTEN AND WE END WITH YOUR LOVING FATHER - THESE TWO REASONS SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO PUT A SMILE ON OUR FACE AS WE STRIVE TO FIND FAVOR WITH GOD AND MAN.

SO MY DESIRE IS TO BE IN THE FAVOR OF GOD SO HE CAN USE ME FOR HIS KINGDOM. THE BEGINNING OF BEING IN FAVOR WITH GOD I BELIEVE BEGINS WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL LISTENING FOR THE VOICE OF THE LORD THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVING GUIDANCE IN OUR LIFE. THEN TRUSTING HIM TO SUPPLY OUR EVERY NEED WHETHER SPIRITUAL OR PHYSICAL SO WE ARE AVAILABLE TO BE OBEDIENT TO THE LORDS CALLING - SO THAT I MAY BE THE ONE TO STAND IN THE GAP WHEN THE LORD CALLS TO DO HIS WORK HOWEVER GREAT ARE SMALL A TASK IT MAY BE.

MY BURDEN IS THIS:

IF YOU DON'T HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD THEN TURN TO HIM AND SEEK HIM AND PRAY THAT HE BE LORD OF YOUR LIFE AND AND THAT HE WOULD BE THE GREAT SHEPHERD OF YOUR HEART SO THAT YOU CAN BE AT PEACE AND CLAIM THE PROMISE THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD AND HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

IN CLOSING - WHAT DESCRIBES ONE WHO IS FOUND IN THE FAVOR OF GOD? I HAVE THIS ACROSTIC OF THE WORD FAVOR.

ONE WHO IS IN FAVOR WITH GOD IS:

F - FAITHFUL - TO THE LORD

A - AVAILABLE OR ALIGNED WITH GOD’S WILL

V - VICTORIOUS - LIVING A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE

O - OBEDIENT - TO THE WORD OF GOD

R - REPENTANT - A NEW CREATION UNDER GOD CONTROL.

I TRUST THAT OUR DESIRE IS TO BE LIKE JESUS AS THE VERSE I READ AT THE BEGINNING TOLD US - ONE WHO WAS FOUND IN FAVOR WITH GOD AND MAN - SO SOME QUALITIES NECESSARY TO BE IN FAVOR WITH MAN ARE THIS - HERE IS ANOTHER ACROSTIC TELLING US WHAT WE NEED TO BE

FORGIVING OF OTHERS - WE CANT HOLD GRUDGES

ATTENTIVE TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS

VIBRANT AND ENTHUSIASTIC FOR KINGDOM

OPEN AND HONEST HEART

RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS

MAY WE FACE THE FUTURE ENCOURAGED TO LISTEN - TRUST AND OBEY GODS VOICE SO WE MAY WE GROW IN FAVOR WITH GOD AND MAN SO THE LORD MAY BE GLORIFIED AS WE CONTINUE LIVING INTENTIONAL CHRISTIANS LIVES - WHICH TO ME MEANS THAT :

ALL-DAY, EVERYDAY - WE PURPOSE IN OUR HEART TO LIVE AS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST.

LETS KNEEL FOR A WORD OF PRAYER.

PRAYER - OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN - WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORD - WE THANK YOU FOR THE EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO FOUND FAVOR WITH YOU - HELP US TO HAVE THE DESIRE TO BE FOUND IN YOUR FAVOR AND GRACE - SO THAT OUR LIVES MIGHT BE A TESTIMONY OF YOUR POWER WORKING IN OUR HEARTS - MAY OUR CONVERSATION - OUR CONDUCT AND CHARACTER REFLECT YOUR TEACHINGS FROM YOUR WORD - LORD - HELP US TO BE IN THE POSITION TO LISTEN AND TRUST AND OBEY YOUR VOICE - I PRAY FOR THOSE WHO MAY HAVE STOPPED LISTENING TO YOUR VOICE - WE ASK THAT YOU DIM THE CLAMOR OF OUR BUSY LIVES SO WE HEAR YOUR VOICE AGAIN. LORD HELP US TO BE FOUND IN YOUR FAVOR AND BY YOUR POWER SERVE YOU WITH OUR WHOLE HEART - O FATHER - I ASK NOW THAT YOU LEAD GUIDE AND DIRECT EACH ONE OF US TILL WE ALL REACH HEAVEN AND CAN HEAR YOUR VOICE SAYING - ENTER THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT AND CAN HEAR YOUR VOICE FACE TO FACE - LORD BLESS US TO THAT END - IN JESUS NAME - AMEN