Daily Devotional – 5/25/12 “Friday’s Favor”

Yea, you got favor so stop thinking you don’t. Stop saying that you’re broke because you’re speaking that into existence, simply restate it by saying, “I’m temporarily out of funds.” Stop saying you’re sick because you’re also speaking that into existence, when you should be saying, “I’m just not feeling well.” You are aware by know that the tongue has the power to speak life AND death, right? That’s what the bible says in Proverbs 18:21; yet we still speak things over our own lives and wonder why stuff is always happening. If you keep speaking harm on your son because he’s in the streets, then harm will find him when you should be speaking God’s protection. I’ve learned that most times it’s not because we have been so good that keeps allowing us to live but it’s because of the favor of someone who is praying for us. See, my grandma is the Favor that holds our family together and if you ask anybody else, they’ll tell you the same. Grandma has that type of favor that allows her to whisper a prayer and everything feels different. Our family is and has been extremely blessed but it’s not because we’ve always done what we are supposed to do but it’s because she’s being covered by the favor from God that no man can understand. Yea, she has that favor but we all do because favor is defined as a friendly regard shown toward another especially by a superior. Now, that alone should be enough for you to know that you have favor that will fill you when you feel like falling but if you still need a little bit more, let me give it to you.

1. You woke up this morning when it could have been the other way and a family member found your body cold with the blood no longer running warm through your veins and your heart not pumping but they didn’t.
2. After you sat up, you found yourself in your right mind because you remembered where you were instead of somebody having to tell you.
3. You had the activity of all your limbs and strength because you were able to get out of bed by yourself, bathe and dress yourself and even feed yourself because it could have been the nurse at the nursing home.
4. You can come and go as you please because you make your own decisions when it could have been the deputy at the prison.
5. You got a place to stay instead of sleeping outside or in a homeless shelter where you could be fighting with someone over the scraps somebody else threw in the garbage can or begging for money on the corner but you’re not.

If you don’t believe you have favor, look at the person who has their week filled with dialysis or chemo when your week is hanging out with friends or being lazy at home. Look at the many coworkers you have who has experienced death in their family over the last month, when you haven’t. So what if your boyfriend left, spend a few minutes crying and then get over it. Ok, your girlfriend turned out to be somebody other than who you thought, get over it. Your job laid you off, ok, man up and find another one to feed your family. Your car wouldn’t start this morning, ok, call someone or take the bus; the fresh air will do you good. You got a little pain in your body, ok, at least you’re able to feel it. Yea, you may be gifted at what you do but you can’t seem to get where you want to be, so what? This simply means it’s not your time. The bible says in Proverbs 18:16, “A man’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.” See, just because you have a gift it doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to open up doors but you have to allow the gift that God has given you to do it. If you’re using the gift that God has given you, for the good, then it’ll go ahead of you and speak on your behalf. Your resume, boss, coworker, spouse or family member can’t speak for you like your gift can. And when you’ve been blessed with a gift, God gives you the favor you need to keep it.

See, it’s like adding flavor to a pot that is cooking on the stove. Once you add the flavor, the smell goes throughout the house and it’ll bring people to the stove wondering what it is that is cooking in that pot smelling that good. It’s the same way with your gift. When you have the gift that God has given and you’re using it to make it fruitful, God will add favor to it and once the favor has been added, it’ll reach folk you had no idea it could. When God adds favor to your life because you’re living right, folk can wish death on you but they can’t kill you. When God adds favor to your living, folk can wish badly on it but they can’t take your joy. When God adds favor to your giving, folk can steal from you but they won’t break you. When God adds favor to your pay, folk can demote you but they won’t decrease your earnings. Oh, when God adds favor to your walk, folk can add obstacles but they won’t stop you from reaching your destination. When God adds favor to your goals, folk can add hurdles but they won’t stop you from reaching them. When God gives you favor, folk can even try to block your blessings but they won’t stop you from receiving them.

You have favor but you need to understand and realize it. If God didn’t give you favor, then why would he keep using you? Stop worrying about what other folks got because they could be great at making stuff look good. Just like an experienced baker can take a cake and add icing and you’d never know it was falling apart. You may be experiencing some rain, heartache, pain, difficulties and confusion in your life now but it’s not the end. Stop acting like God has placed a stop sign at the end of your road when it’s simply a yield sign. This yield sign isn’t there to stop you from moving ahead permanently, it’s simply giving time for the mess to be cleaned from the street. So take this moment and relax. When it’s your time to move, the sign will show GO and when you move this time, you won’t have any potholes or bumps. Besides, the only reason you faced a bumpy ride before is for you to appreciate the smooth sailing from here on out. So stop complaining and start enjoying the scenery because God has given you the favor to do so. Favor means God has faith in you to fulfill the purpose in which he has given you so stop fretting and being fearful and fellowship amongst folk who stands on God’s foundation.”