PROVOKING DIVINE FAVOUR

TEXT: EXODUS 3 : 21, EXODUS 12: 35 – 36

WHAT IS FAVOUR?

According to Merriam-webster on line dictionary and doctronary.com, favour can be defined as:

(a) Friendly regard shown towards another especially by a superior.

(b) Gracious kindness

(c) A special privilege or right granted or conceded

(d) Something done or granted out of goodwill, rather than from justice or for remuneration.

(e) Excessive kindness or unfair partiality or preferential treatment.

People often say Grace makes a man function without struggle while favour makes a man receive without asking. But one of the ways God shows His goodness to people is through divine favour.

This is exactly what Israelites experienced in Egypt according to our texts.

“And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall come to pass but, when ye go, ye shall not go empty” Exodus 3 : 21

“And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians Jewels of silver, and jewels of gold and raiment: And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians” Exodus 12 : 35 – 36

HOW DO I PROVOKE GOD’S FAVOUR

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

So then it is not of him that willeth, or of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy”. Romans 9 : 13 – 16.

Though God says he will show mercy or favour upon whom he will show mercy, it is possible to provoke God’s favour.

1. BY YOUR PRAYER

There is a type of prayer that provokes divine favour. This is the prayer that avails much. The Amplified Bible describes it as:

…..The earnest (heart felt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working) James 5 : 16

Hezekiah was sick unto death and God sent prophet Isaiah to inform him that he would surely die. Hezekiah’s prayer in Isiah 38 provoked God’s favour and He added 15 years to his life.

2. TRUSTING GOD

“Jesus said unto him, if thou can’t believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” Mark 9 : 23

We can provoke the favour of God by our faith and trust in Him. In Luke 8 : 43 - 48, The woman with the issue of blood experienced the favour of God because of her level of faith.

3. THE POWER OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Praise is a powerful tool in provoking God’s divine favour. “But thou art holy, thou that inhabitatest the praises of Israel” Psalm 22 : 3

A person of praise will steer clear of murmuring. When you murmur, you limit God and favour will be far from you.

“And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord and the Lord heard it and his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp”. Numbers 11 : 1

Paul and Silas experienced the favour of God in prison in the process of praising God. Acts 16: 25 – 26.

In Marks 6 : 21 – 23. Herod’s daughter had danced before Herod. He was so pleased with her dance that he told her to ask him for anything she desired, even to the half of his kingdom. Favour was released as a result of her dance.

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his counts with praise; be thankful unto him and bless his name’ Psalm 100 : 4

4. SHOWING FAVOUR

“Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy” Mathew 5 : 7 Brethren, the level of favour you enjoy is a function of the level to which you favour others. The law of seedtime and harvest controls the issue of favour. Do you want to walk in favour? Then be a person of favour.

In the book, Esther (2 : 21 – 22) Mordeci got wind of a plan to kill king Ashasuerus and leaked it, thereby spairing the king’s life. A time came when Mordecai was also to be killed, but his earlier seed of favour will not allow it. See Esther 6 : 1 – 3.

5. YOUR CONFESSION

Your mouth is a weapon of authority ordained by God to keep you in perfect dominion. If you say positive things based on the word of God in your heart, you will get positive results. Favour moves in the direction of those that say favourable things.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” Proverbs 18 : 21

6. YOUR GIFTS

“ A man’s gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men” Proverb 18 : 16

There are three areas your gift can provoke the favour of God.

(a) Prophet Offering

The widow of Zarephath and the Shunamite woman enjoyed divine favour by reason of what they gave to the prophet. (1Kings: 17 : 10 – 24 and 2Kings 4 : 1 – 37).

(b) Giving To The Poor

When you give to the needy, you can provoke the favour of God. “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again” Proverbs 19 : 17.

(c) Giving To Your Parents

“Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Eph. 6 : 2 – 3

Your gift to your parents irrespective of their wealth or wickedness will provoke the favour of God.

7. BEING KINGDOM FOCUS

“But seek yee first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” Mathew 6 : 33

There are two ways:

1. Soul wining: Mathew 28 : 19 – 20
Your pratical involvement with God in His purpose for reeping the over-ripe harvest of souls guarantees His divine favour.
2. Sacrifices: Sacrificial giving towards God’s kingdom or business is trigger for divine favour.
In second Chronicles Chapter 1 verses 6 – 7; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offering and God gave him a blank cheque which signifies unusual favour.


SUSTAINING GOD’S FAVOUR

TEXTS: GEN. 39 : 2 – 6, 21

INTRODUCTION:
Provoking God’s favour is not the ultimate for a believer. The key thing is how do I as a believer sustain divine favour. What does it take to operate under perpetual divine favour.

Joseph is one biblical example that operate under continous favour of God. Even while he was in prison, he experienced the favour of God.

HOW DO I SUSTAIN DIVINE FAVOUR?

1. FAITHFULNESS: 1 Corth 4 : 2, Proverb 28 : 20
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful”. 1 Corth 4 : 2

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent” Proverbs 28 : 20. Joseph faithfulness ensures his continuous favour. He said “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God? Gen 39 : 9

A faithful man, after God has blessed him will not miss his tithes. He will not forget about his service in the House of God.

2. REMAIN CONNECTED: Hosea 12 : 13
“And by a prophet the Lord brought Isreal out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved”. Hosea 12 : 13

After God has blessed Joseph in a strange land, He did not forget his root. A branch that is cut off from a tree will die a natural death. When God blesses you don’t forget your root.

3. LIVE IN FORGIVENESS. Gen. 45 : 7
“And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance” Gen 45 : 7
Joseph despite all that his brethren did to him, even when he had opportunity to revenge, he did not”

David had several opportunities to avenge the wickedness of Saul to him but he refused. No wonder David also enjoyed continuous favour from God.

4. LIVE IN OBEDIENCE: Gen 2 : 22

Abraham enjoyed constant favour from God because; he lived a life of total obedience. Even after God has blessed him with a child after waiting many years, he obeyed God and offered the child for sacrifice.

Saul lost the throne despite God’s promise to his generation to sit on the throne forever due to disobedience.

5. BE JOYFUL Isaiah 12 : 3

Joseph did not complain for one day even despite the experiences he went through. He was so charming even as a slave that the madam of the house wanted to sleep with him. Even in prison, because he was full of joy he was made the head of other prisoners.

One way to enjoy constant favour from God is to always display Joy irrespective of what you are passing through.

“Therefore with joy shall ye draw water our of the wells of salvation” Isaiah 12 : 3

6. LIVE A LIFE OF THANKSGIVING

“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him with Psalms” Psalm 95 : 2

“Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God’ Philippians 4 : 6

Brethren, it takes thanksgiving to provoke favour of God and it also takes thanksgiving to enoy continuous favour.

An adage says “When a child thanks an elder for yesterday’s blessing, he will definitely get another one.

Most Israelites died in the wilderness because they forgot the God that delivered them from Egypt and began to complain.

“And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; and the Lord heard it and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. Numbers 11 : 1

Brethren, continuous favour from God requires a life of daily thanksgiving. A person of thanksgiving will not have any cause to complain or grumble. Anyone that complains will never experience God’s blessings.

The Three Realms of the Prophetic, Part 2

Anointed Worship, Teaching, and Miracles from Ohio

The Three Realms of the Prophetic, Part 1

THE TOUCHING STORY

An unemployed graduate woke up one morning and checked his pocket. All he had left was $10. He decided to use it to buy food and then wait for death as he was too proud to go begging. He was frustrated as he could! find no job, and nobody was ready to help him.

He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week. He looked at them. They were so lean that he could see their bones coming out. Their eyes had gone into the socket.

With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. The old man and children prayed that God would bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin.

The young graduate said to them "you need the prayer more than I do".

With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the ground. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an advertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address.

He decided to go there with the old coin the old man gave him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. The proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young graduate a photograph. This same old coin was worth 3 million dollars. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for 3 million dollars within an hour. He collected the Bank Draft and went in search of the old man and little children.

By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone. He asked the owner of the canteen if he knew them. He said no but they left a note for you. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them.

This is what the note said: "You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin" Signed God the Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost. 1 Kings 17:10-16; Matthew 11:28-30.

Have you given all to Jesus Christ? If you haven't, do so today and he will su rprise you.

PRAYER:

Here is your financial blessing! It's a simple prayer, you've got 30 seconds.

If you need a financial blessing, continue reading this e-mail.

Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God, I pray to you that you abundantly Bless my family and me. I know      that you recognize, that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all Who believe and trust in you.

Father, I send up a prayer request for financial blessing for not only the person who sent this to me, but for Me and all that I have forwarded this message on to. And that the power of joined prayer by those who believe and trust in you is more powerful than anything.

I thank you in advance for your blessings.

Father God, deliver the person reading this right now and those who will read it in the near future from debt and debt burdens. Release your Godly wisdom that I may be a good steward over all that You have given me Father, for I know how wonderful and mighty You are and how if we just obey You and walk in Your word and have the faith of a Mustard seed that You will pour out blessings.

I thank You now Lord for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come Because I know You are not done with me yet.

In Jesus name, I pray,

Amen.

WHAT IS GOD AND THE BIBLE SAYING ABOUT YOUR SITUATION?

YOU SAY	GOD SAYS	BIBLE VERSES
You say: "It's impossible"	God says: All things are possible	(Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"	God says: I will give you rest	(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"	God says: I love you	(John 3:16 & John 3:34 )
You say: "I can't go on"	God says: My grace is sufficient	(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out"	God says: I will direct your steps	(Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it"	God says: You can do all things	(Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"	God says: I am able	(II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it"	God says: It will be worth it	(Roman 8:28 )
You say: "I can't forgive myself"	God says: I Forgive you	(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage"	God says: I will supply all your needs	(Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"	God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear	(II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"	God says: Cast all your cares on ME	(I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I'm not smart enough"	God says: I give you wisdom	(I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone"

CURRICULUM VITAE OF JESUS

Name:

JESUS CHRIST

Address:

Ephesians 1:20

Phone:

Romans 10:13

Website:

Bible

Keywords:     

Christ, Lord, Saviour and Jesus

My name is Jesus - The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my CV because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Feel free to read my details below.

Summary 
Now that you've read My CV, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate Uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart.
In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47).
When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15).
Send this CV to everyone you know, you never know who may have an opening!

Qualifications 

I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)

I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)

I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)

I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)

The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me,(See Galatians 3:14) 

Occupational Background 

I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49).

I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.

My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17) 

Skills and Work Experiences 

Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to Be poor no more, healing the broken-hearted, setting the captives free,

Healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke   4:18).

I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me Shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33). Most importantly,

I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John1:7-9) 

Educational Background 

I encompass the entire breadth   and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6). In me are hidden all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a lamp unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).

I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21). 

Major Accomplishments 

I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26). I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15).

I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15). I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead! There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: 

www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access it. 

References 

Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance. 

Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life?

• by Dr. Bill Bright

Every day can be an exciting adventure for the Christian who knows the reality of being filled with the Holy Spirit and who lives constantly, moment by moment, under His gracious direction.

The Bible tells us that there are three kinds of people

1. Natural Person

(Someone who has not received Christ.)

"A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised" (1 Corinthians 2:14).

2. Spiritual Person

(One who is directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.)

"He who is spiritual appraises all things...We have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:15).

3. Carnal Person

(One who has received Christ, but who lives in defeat because he is trying to live the Christian life in his own strength.)

"And I brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to carnal men, as to babes in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still carnal. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshy, and are you not walking like mere men?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

God has provided for us an abundant and fruitful Christian life

Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" (John 10:10).

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22, 23).

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

The Spiritual Person

Some spiritual traits which result from trusting God:

The degree to which these traits are manifested in the life depends upon the extent to which the Christian trusts the Lord with every detail of his life, and upon his maturity in Christ. One who is only beginning to understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit should not be discouraged if he is not as fruitful as more mature Christians who have known and experienced this truth for a longer period.

Why is it that most Christians are not experiencing the abundant life?

Carnal Christians cannot experience the abundant and fruitful Christian life

The carnal person trusts in his own efforts to live the Christian life:

1. He is either uninformed about, or has forgotten, God's love, forgiveness, and power (Romans 5:8-10; Hebrews 10:1-25; 1 John 1; 2:1-3; 2 Peter 1:9; Acts 1:8).
2. He has an up-and-down spiritual experience.
3. He cannot understand himself - he wants to do what is right, but cannot.
4. He fails to draw upon the power of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life.

(1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Romans 7:15-24; 8:7; Galatians 5:16-18)

The Carnal Person

Some or all of the following traits may characterize the Christian who does not fully trust God:

(The individual who professes to be a Christian but who continues to practice sin should realize that he may not be a Christian at all, according to 1 John 2:3; 3:6, 9; Ephesians 5:5).

The third truth gives us the only solution to this problem...

Jesus promised the abundant and fruitful life as the result of being filled (directed and empowered) by the Holy Spirit

The Spirit-filled life is the Christ-directed life by which Christ lives His life in and through us in the power of the Holy Spirit (John 15).

1. One becomes a Christian through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, according to John 3:1-8. From the moment of spiritual birth, the Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit at all times (John 1:12; Colossians 2:9, 10; John 14:16, 17). Though all Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, not all Christians are filled (directed and empowered) by the Holy Spirit.
2. The Holy Spirit is the source of the overflowing life (John 7:37-39).
3. The Holy Spirit came to glorify Christ (John 16:1-15). When one is filled with the Holy Spirit, he is a true disciple of Christ.
4. In His last command before His ascension, Christ promised the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to be witnesses for Him (Acts 1:1-9).

How, then, can one be filled with the Holy Spirit?

We are filled by the Holy Spirit by faith; then we can experience the abundant and fruitful life which Christ promised to each Christian

You can appropriate the filling of the Holy Spirit right now if you:

1. Sincerely desire to be directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 5:6; John 7:37-39).
2. Confess your sins. By faith thank God that He has forgiven all of your sins - past, present and future - because Christ died for you (Colossians 2:13-15; 1 John 1; 2:1-3; Hebrews 10:1-17).
3. Present every area of your life to God (Romans 12:1, 2).
4. By faith claim the fullness of the Holy Spirit, according to:
   His Command: Be filled with the Spirit. "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).
   His Promise: He will always answer when we pray according to His will. "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14, 15).

Faith can be expressed through prayer...

How to pray in faith to be filled with the Holy Spirit

We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith alone. However, true prayer is one way of expressing your faith. The following is a suggested prayer:

"Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ's death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit."

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If so, ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit right now and trust Him to do so.

How to know that you are filled (directed and empowered) with the Holy Spirit

Did you ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit? Do you know that you are now filled with the Holy Spirit? On what authority? (On the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word: Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:22, 23.)

Do not depend upon feelings. The promise of God's Word, not our feelings, is our authority. The Christian lives by faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word. This train diagram illustrates the relationship between fact (God and His Word), faith (our trust in God and His Word), and feeling (the result of our faith and obedience) (John 14:21).

The train will run with or without the caboose. However, it would be futile to attempt to pull the train by the caboose. In the same way, we, as Christians, do not depend upon feelings or emotions, but we place our faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God and the promises of His Word.

How to walk in the Spirit

Faith (trust in God and in His promises) is the only means by which a Christian can live the Spirit-directed life. As you continue to trust Christ moment by moment:

1. Your life will demonstrate more and more of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23) and will be more and more conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
2. Your prayer life and study of God's Word will become more meaningful.
3. You will experience His power in witnessing (Acts 1:8).
4. You will be prepared for spiritual conflict against the world (1 John 2:15-17); against the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17); and against Satan (1 Peter 5:7-9; Ephesians 6:10-13).
5. You will experience His power to resist temptation and sin (1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 1:19-23; 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 6:1-16).

Spiritual breathing

By faith you can continue to experience God's love and forgiveness.

If you become aware of an area of your life (an attitude or an action) that is displeasing to the Lord, even though you are walking with Him and sincerely desiring to serve Him, simply thank God that He has forgiven your sins - past, present and future - on the basis of Christ's death on the cross. Claim His love and forgiveness by faith and continue to have fellowship with Him.

If you retake the throne of your life through sin -- a definite act of disobedience -- breathe spiritually.

Spiritual breathing (exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure) is an exercise in faith that enables you to continue to experience God's love and forgiveness.

1. Exhale -- confess your sin -- agree with God concerning your sin and thank Him for His forgiveness of it, according to 1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 10:1-25. Confession involves repentance - a change in attitude and action.
2. Inhale -- surrender the control of your life to Christ, and appropriate (receive) the fullness of the Holy Spirit by faith. Trust that He now directs and empowers you; according to the command of Ephesians 5:18, and the promise of 1 John 5:14, 15.

Adapted from Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life? by Dr. Bill Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. © Campus Crusade for Christ. All rights reserved.