Sunday, February 19, 2006
Living In The Favor of The Lord
(Psa 5:12 NIV) For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
In order to live in the Favor of The Lord we must position ourselves in right relationship with Him in several areas of our lives. The Lord wants to favor those who diligently and fervently seek Him. Some of these important areas are:
First-Living in the Favor of the Lord through Prayer.
A major key in maintaining a right relationship with God and to live in the Favor of the Lord is through prayer.
In Matthew 6:33 the Word speaks of the importance of prayer- But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
(James 5:15-18 NIV) And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. {16} Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. {17} Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. {18} Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
Second-Living in the Favor of the Lord through Faith.
God’s Favor always follows Faith. Nay-saying and perpetual doubting are a choice to die in the wilderness. Jesus said in Matthew 9:29- Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you”.
In the midst of these trying days Faith is required to receive everything we need. (Heb 11:6 NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Third-Living in the Favor of the Lord through Obedience.
God’s favor follows obedience.
(Rom 6:16 NIV) Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
Walking in obedience to God’s Word opens the door to truth which guards and protects us from the deception of enemy.
(2 John 1:6 NIV) And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
What has the Holy Spirit been asking from you lately? Are you ready to obedience His voice and leadership?
Fourth-Living in the Favor of the Lord through Patience.
God’s Favor is a traveling companion to your patience in Him.
After Joseph interpreted the cupbearer’s dream in prison, it was two years before God used his obedience and patience to dramatically favor his beloved servant. And yet, God’s Hand had been on Joseph throughout both lean and prosperous seasons of his life. Genesis 39:1- 41:16
Conclusion:
Our Prayer Life, Our Faith in God and His Word, Our Obedience to God, and Our Patience all determine the level of God’s Favor in our lives and church. Are YOU willing to pay the price, to take the steps to see the release of God’s Favor in YOUR life?
