Are You Favor-Minded?
Hi Girls! Let me ask you a question: Are you favor minded? Not sure what that means? Think about these questions for a moment: Do you go about your day expecting to be treated nicely? Do you expect to find great bargains when shopping? Do you expect to have complete strangers do nice things for you? Do you expect things to move along smoothly for you? Are you surprised when things don't go your way? Are you shocked when someone actually says no to you? If you answered yes to these questions, you are living favor minded. I am not talking about thinking the world revolves around you, or that it owes you anything. I am talking about the fact that as a child of the Most High God, you do in fact have special favor. The key to enjoying this favor is to expect, receive, and even ask for it! Favor is one of my favorite blessings from God. It's fun, adventurous, and often makes for great testimonies. Those of you who know me well, know that I openly claim my favor, and I receive it! My friends like to shop with me because the sales people love to give me free things. A few months ago I went into a store with a $10 off any item coupon. I found a shirt already on sale for $15. When I went up to the register to pay for it, the manager told the cashier to go ahead and comp it, it was "close enough". The cashier looked a little like a deer in the headlights, but proceeded to ring it up, charge me nothing, put the shirt in a bag, and wish me a great day! That is just one of many shopping experiences. In fact, it's to the point where if I do not receive any special deal, I am somewhat shocked. Again, let me stress, this is not an attitude of arrogance, but an understanding and appreciation of what it means to be a child of God. I never get angry with someone if they do not treat me with favor, I am simply a little surprised. Living favor minded helps take the stress out of my day to day life. I simply trust that the Lord will help me get the things done that I need to. He will put me in the right place at the right time. He will soften the hearts of those I come into contact with. If you haven't been feeling Highly Favored lately, take a moment today and ask the Lord to show you His favor. Thank Him in advance for the mountains He is moving in your behalf!
Psalm 67:1 May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us.
Love you all-
Jen
Psalm 67:1 May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us.
Love you all-
Jen
when you say to just "ask" for God's favor...How? What specific way or words does one ask for favor?
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That is a great question. I "ask" for favor the same way I ask the Lord for all things....through prayer. Here's an example of a simple prayer I say regarding favor. "Dear Heavenely Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I thank you that I have been chosen to be your daughter. Your Word says that obedience to your Word leads to favor with both God and people (Proverbs 3 1-4). I thank you for your Word. I ask for your help understanding and obeying your Word. I thank you in advance for the favor I am going to receive today from you and from others. In Jesus name. Amen." After I pray, I go about my day with the expectation that I will receive favor! Hope that helps!
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thanks Jen
I guess the expectation is the problem for me. I go to the store to get my groceries and expect to find what I need. But expecting from God what I need is a different subject.
How do I work on expecting from God, after I have asked for His favor. Sorry Jen for so many questions.
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Diana- You never need to apologize for wanting to learn more about God's promises. I have a couple of suggestions for you. first of all, write down and meditate on all the ways the Lord has blessed you in the past. when you recall all that He has already done for you, it is easier to expect that He will do more for you. The other suggestion is to study the very nature of God to see and understand that He in fact wants to bless you and pour out His favor on you. Try going to www.biblegateway.com and keyword search things like God's faithfulness, favor, blessing, It will pull up a list of scriptual referneces you can meditate on and see the things God wants to do for you. Joel Osteen is an awesome Pastor who often preaches on God's favor. Both of his books helped me understand Gods desire to pour His favor on me! They are Your Best Life Now, and Become a Better You. God Bless! jen
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Jen, so when you ask God for favor, do you ever ask for a specific thing. Court date, final exam at school. Or, do you ask for favor in general and God will do favor with you.
thanks you. I am glad you understand God's favor, because this is confusing to me.
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There are times when I ask for specific things. For example "Lord, I ask for your favor today when I go shopping. Pleaase lead me to the best deal and the perfect gift for my friend." "Lord, I ask for favor at the store when i try to return this item I do not have my receipt for." Other times I pray more generically as we don't know all the things God wants to do for us, and we do not want to put limits on Him. For example "Lord, I thank you for your favor today. I boldly confess I have favor, and I thank you in advance for it."
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Jen, I appreciate the "sample" prayers that you provided for me. I am not fluent or eloquent, but I'm working on it. I read the Joel Osteen books and I truly love the sample prayers that he provides, however, it was your sample prayers that made the most sense to me. You put them in layman's language. I find myself all day long, whispering to myself the little prayers. Thank you Jen.
You mentioned that Joel Osteen had made you understand the favor of God. Can you share your thoughts. I read the books twice, but I think you got more understanding on the subject than I did, since we are all on different levels of understanding.
Sorry to bother you Jen, but I want to understand. Not understanding throws me into anxiety attacks honestly.
diana
Thank you Jen.
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Diana-Thank you for your kind words. In addition to the Joel Osteen books, I have also watched many of his services on tv. He is on a few different networks. He often preaches about favor, and he always teaches in a very encouraging and practical manner. You can probably watch his broadcasts on the computer, I've never tried. We all have different understanding and depths of knowledge, and for me, favor is one of them. I cannot tell you why. The other thing that has helped me, is to study the very nature of God and to look at Him truly as my Father, my Dad. What parent doesn't favor their children, even when they are not doing everything perfectly? I do know that God does not require your prayers to be eloquent, He loves any word that is directed to Him from you. He looks at your heart, not your speech. He also does not want you to be anxious about anything, especially your relationship with Him! He wants the gifts He has for you to bring you joy, not sorrow. Take a deep breath an rest in Him. Jen
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Great conversation on Favor ladies...Diana I appreciate you asking the questions. I have an example of favor in my daily life to share...I caretake for our apartment building and part of my responsibility is being on call once a month. I pray for favor before I take the on-call phone that the property is protected and that the people all use their own judgment and abilities to manage any issue that arises and that there are no issues called to the on-call phone. To this date, there has been only one call way back. After that I started my praying and God has shown up and blessed this area with favor! Thank you, Lord!
Jen...Great messages...I believe discipline is a major factor in my life so I need to hear it and hear it and hear it! Thanks!
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That is great news Stacey !!
Jen, I am working hard declaring favor in my life. I got up this morning and went on the Joel Osteen and listened to Victoria, and learned so much. Thank you both for such motivation and great news!
I have something to share. Today I had to bar-b-que and I had to remove the skin of the 20 pieces of chicken legs and thighs. I said "God, I thank you for your favor in making this job go fast and easy." ...before I knew it, I was done in what seemed like 5 minutes. I then went outside to the grill and declared... God, I thank you that this chicken that this chicken will be delicious for my family. I don't have to tell you anything. The recipe was so simple, it was Mrs Dash Hot and Spicy, I didn't even put salt or lemon or anything. When I say simple, it was simple, the grill gave the chicken a great toasty coating and it tasted great! That was my favor for today.
diana
diana
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Diana-
Praise the Lord! I love to hear favor testimonies! Keep doing what you are doing, and expect nothing less than royal treatment, (after all, our daddy is the King of Kings)! Another one of my favorite "favor requests" is for great parking spots....just remember to give te glory and thanks to Him. God is so fun, and He knows the little things that keep us girls happy. Feel free to continue to share with us! Your sister in Christ-Jen
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Thank you Jen.
I know that God loves those who seek after Him, and I am one of those who has chased Him since I was 13 years old, if not younger. Sometimes, I felt so frustrated, I felt that God was something that was so intangible, so distant. I can't express myself, that sometimes I often asked God, "God, am I praying the right way? If there is another way, please let me know. Why do I feel like I can't reach you" ...and that made me sad. For the first time ever, and I am 56 years old, I feel as though I am on the right path, if not God will change my direction again.
Thanks Jen.
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Diana-I cannot put into words the excitement I feel for you. I am humbled and honored to be used by Him to offer any words that will help you in your walk with the Lord. I too have experienced that "chasing" feeling. Sometimes the very thing we need to do is to stop chasing and simply be still and let the Lord speak to our heart.
I was wondering where you heard about this website. Do not feel obligated to answer. I am blessed to have you here either way!
Love-Jen
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I found your website through a Google search for "developing favor of God"
Jen, I think my frustration can best be described as anxiety, also like a panic attack.
Life is always a work in progress and so am I.
Please remember me in your prayers.
diana
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Diana- I had no idea my website would be pulled from google. I do not believe in coincidence. To me, this is a perfect example of the Lords desire for you to understand how much He loves you, and how much He has in store for you. God loves it when we use His Word in our prayers. Tonite I prayed Psalm 34:4 out of the Message Translation for you: God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears. Sweet dreams......Jen
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