LOSE FAVOR WITH THE WORLD
We may lose favor in the eyes of the world because we follow JESUS, but honestly this is ok. Wouldn't we rather have HIS favor upon us anyway? Isn't that what we seek.......a deep connection with the LORD of the universe and loving HIM so much that following HIM is above all we know?
My word for 2024 is FAVOR. Every year I ask GOD to show me a word that HE wants me to focus upon, to reflect and to learn all I can about it and it's meaning in GOD'S economy.
I have been reflecting upon the fact that right there in the middle of cancer and doctors, HIS favor is and has been upon me. HE meets me most when I truly need HIM and I know HE is near. How HE meets me the most is giving me the courage I need to walk into one more doctor's office or to have one more scan. And so I will continue to ask for this special grace to come my way and then look for it with whole heart......
EXODUS 33: 13 "NOW THEREFORE, IF I HAVE FOUND FAVOR IN YOUR SIGHT, PLEASE SHOW ME NOW YOUR WAYS, THAT I MAY KNOW YOU IN ORDER TO FIND FAVOR IN YOUR SIGHT."
Those words were said by Moses before he was to take the people into the Promised Land. When we ask for favor, there is no way of knowing ahead of time what it will be. But I believe that when you ask, GOD answers in HIS way.......here is how the LORD answered Moses:
EXODUS 33: 14 "AND HE SAID, "MY PRESENCE WILL GO WITH YOU, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST."
Ahh, rest and peace and knowing HE is with us wherever we go! It's a true desire of our hearts isn't it? We so want and need HIS wonderful favor!
JESUS said we are to come to HIM as little children and those who have this childlike innocence will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. When we walk closely with JESUS, we lose favor in the eyes of the world, but not in HIS eyes! HE sees us as we truly are........HE knows exactly what we need. HE is our father and we are HIS children.
IT'S OK TO LOSE FAVOR WITH THE WORLD, BECAUSE YOU GAIN HIS FAVOR FOR ETERNITY.
PSALM 27: 11 "TEACH ME HOW TO LIVE, O LORD. LEAD ME ALONG THE RIGHT PATH, FOR MY ENEMIES ARE WAITING FOR ME."
And Ignatius said this........
"THERE ARE VERY FEW MEN WHO REALIZE WHAT GOD WOULD MAKE OF THEM IF THEY ABANDONED THEMSELVES ENTIRELY TO HIS HANDS, AND LET THEMSELVES BE FORMED BY HIS GRACE."
Today, let yourself be formed by HIS grace. Abandon yourself into HIS hands. Let yourself be formed by HIS Cross and live in it's shadow every single day. HIS favor is truly worth it at all cost. Lose favor in this world and gain HIS favor for all of eternity!
ROMANS 11: 6 "AND SINCE IT IS THROUGH GOD'S KINDNESS, THEN IT IS NOT BY THEIR GOOD WORKS. FOR IN THAT CASE, GOD'S GRACE WOULD NOT BE WHAT IT REALLY IS - FREE AND UNDESERVED."
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