BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

God created us in His image, and if He is disposed to show us His favor, should we not also be disposed to show favor to others? As we sow seeds of favor into the lives of those around us, we will begin to grow in favor in our own lives, just as Jesus did. The Bible says, ‘‘Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). If Jesus had the ability to increase in favor with God and man, then so do we. Walking in the favor of God brings pleasure to our lives. Psalm 5:12 says, “For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield” (NKJV). The Amplified version of this scripture puts it this way: “As with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor).” Despite what some Christians might tell you, God does not object to our having pleasure in this life. As a matter of fact, being a believer should be fun. After all, Jesus prayed for His disciples “that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves” (John 17:13). As Jesus’ prayer suggests, our joy is meant to be a reflection of His own joy. The messianic prophecy of Isaiah says of Jesus that “the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand” (Isaiah 53:10). Living a life characterized by joy and godly pleasure is another way that we show forth the image of God in which we were created. Crowned With Glory and Honor Throughout the years I’ve been in ministry, I’ve encountered many people who have not enjoyed the victories that belong to them, because they have such a poor self-image. Jesus said we should love others as we love ourselves, but I’ve found that there are a lot of folks who don’t even love themselves. The Word directs us to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1). In other words, we are not to be weak where the favor of God is concerned. We are to be strong and have a positive outlook regarding the favor of God. Many believers, especially those who were not raised in environments where they were praised and encouraged, have difficulty grasping this truth. Carolyn and I were driving home following dinner one evening when she noticed a bumper sticker on the car in front of us. At first glance it appeared to be one of those positive messages announcing that a child is an honor student at some particular school. But when we looked closer, we read these words: “My child is the number one inmate at the Texas state prison.” Now, I’m sure that when those people put that sticker on their car, they did it because they thought it was funny—not because they wanted their child to end up in prison. But the point I want to make is this: When a child grows up hearing words like these being spoken over his or her life, it’s quite likely that the child will fulfill what has been decreed. I’ve had people ask me, “Do you mean that confessing things like that over my children will cause them to turn out that way?” My answer is always, “They will unless there’s divine intervention.’’ The Word of God teaches us to “train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it’’ (Proverbs 22:6). The words we speak over our children, good or bad, carry great power. This is why it is so important to declare God’s divine favor over our families on a daily basis. For those who were not brought up hearing words of grace and divine favor spoken over them, I have good news. The Word of God can be used to tear down “arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ’’ (2 Corinthians 10:5, NKJV). Paul described the Word of God as “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart’’ (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV). Through the Word of God, we have the ability to change our thinking and cause it to line up with what God says about us. God says we are made in His image. We have been crowned with glory and honor. We walk in authority and dominion. Armed with the Name of Jesus and the Word of God, we can take authority over the untruths and disheartening circumstances that seem to be controlling our lives. God’s favor can change even the most impossible-looking situation. Remember Psalm 84:11? “The Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace [divine favor] and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” I don’t care how dire your circumstances may be or how much money you may need or how negative a report you may have received from the doctor or the lawyer—or even how many times you may have been told you would never amount to anything. When the favor of God comes on the scene, failure and defeat are no longer inevitable. The favor of God brings good things into your life; it brings prosperity. When we truly understand just how important we are to our heavenly Father, doubt and insecurity will vanish, and we will walk in the fullness of the heritage of favor that is ours in Jesus Christ. V This article was excerpted from the book "The Favor of God" by Jerry Savelle. Jerry Savelle is president and founder of Jerry Savelle Ministries International and founding pastor of Heritage of Faith Christian Center in Crowley, Texas. ******ADVERTISEMENT******** The Favor of God (book) and The Favor Factor (3-CD series) by Jerry Savelle. Available now at kcm.org/mag. Order today! ****************************** FEB '14 : BVOV : 27

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