Favor of God

God's Favor is beautiful. Often times when we watch TV and hear people talk about "favor" it is often equated with money, fame, awards, etc. and signify these things as "blessings" from God. Now do not get me wrong when I say this, I do believe that God does supply all of our needs including financial needs and he knows what we are in need of before we ask him. However, materials should not be the limit to favor, or prosperity. Favor is when you are able to lay your hands on the sick/hurt and they recover. You are actually reading from someone who is a testimony of that awesome healing power. (Mark 16:18b) Favor is when somebody talks to you or thinks about you, they think about a walking/living Bible and that is what God desires for us to be. Favor comes when doors of opportunity open up for you as a result of living righteously before God. Whenever you look through scripture and read about someone who has had God's favor as well as with man, it is often because of obedience, wisdom, love, faith, righteousness, etc. (Ex: The Prophet Samuel- 1 Samuel 2:26, David- 1 Samuel 16-17, The Prophet Daniel- Daniel 1:9, Jesus himself- Luke 2:52) Since favor comes through these characteristics that I have just listed, that means that whenever somebody gets up and claims that they have the Lord's favour when they were not doing what it took to receive his favour such as getting in his Word, having a desire to apply his word, but rather being stubborn and choosing to do things their way instead of waiting and trusting him, they are not testifying but rather "testi-lying". Come on people, it is basic A, B, C, 1,2,3. We just have to trust, obey, be patient and be righteous. Now, let's look at the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) shall we? The reason why the Father rejoiced over his wayward son was because he thought that the child was dead, but he was alive and he thought that he was lost but was found, all because that wayward son came to his senses. Now, it is time for us to look on the other side of this parable with the oldest son. Even though he could not understand why the Father and his servants were celebrating over the disobedient child by putting a robe on him, ring on his finger, and killing the fatted calf, the Bible says that the Father turned over to that son and said all that I have is yours. Even though the family was having a celebration for that particular time for the disobedient child who came back, the obedient child was still going to have his Father's inheritance, because he diligently obeyed his commandments. Even though God is a God of mercy and forgiveness, he still rewards obedience and righteousness and blesses those who are faithful with an inheritance.

1 Samuel 2:26- And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.

2 Chronicles 16:9a- For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him

Psalm 18:20-21 - The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

Psalm 34:19- Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 37:25- I have been young and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Daniel 1:9- Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince and the eunuchs.

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

1 Peter 3:12- For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

In his Matchless name,
Vaughn Resper, Jr.

God's Faithfulness outweighs my pain

As I look back over my walk as of late, I realize that no matter what may come my way, God's favor and faithfulness toward me outweighs any pain someone else may give me. I have had my share of pain from not only worldly friends, but also from Christian friends as well as family members, but that does not reverse the blessing and promises that God has for me. I was just listening to an old Albertina Walker song "Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around" and that song came and ministered to me right on time, because regardless of whatever friends may come in our lives we cannot allow what they do to affect us, because we have to keep ourselves on solid ground. I also realize that writing can be a pretty good form of therapy and self-examination because as I am writing I am able to purge myself in order to encourage others. I do not just say what I say to look tough and to sound intelligent but as a result of what I have been through. The Bible is not just some religious book, but it is the living word because as you study the Word of God, you are able to use the scriptures as a self-examination so that you could hold the Word up as a mirror and evaluate whether or not your situation or lifestyle reflects situations in the scripture. I will give you an example. For instance, when I look at the story where Jesus walks on water in the middle of the storm. When I read that story, it gives me encouragement and causes me to examine my own storm and how Jesus is leading my footsteps through the rain to bring me to my destination safely. When I look at how faithful God has been to me, it does not matter what struggle I may have, because he can wash it away. I thank God for his goodness and mercy following me all of the days of my life and how he has kept me from the time that I was in Elementary, Middle and High School to now. It is not by my strength but by his strength that not only could I make it but for a testimony to others that they could make it as well. This is why I would rather have Jesus more than anything because

Psalm 23:1-6
1- The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want
2- He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3- He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4- Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5- Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 89:33-34
33- Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
34- My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.

Lamentations 3:20-23
20- My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
21- This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22- It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23- They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Isaiah 55:11
11- So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.