People's Words

Are You Light? God Favor Ministries

Are You Light?
Matthew 5:14-15 (NLT)
“You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you leave your home, what do others see? When you are at work, what do people pick up about you? How about at the grocery store? What about the nail shop?

Do people find you approachable or offensive? Are you smiling or frowning? What does your face and your actions say about who you are to those that don’t even know you?

In the last week and a half (during a really trying time in my life, remember?), I was approached by people both known and unknown. A couple of them had never met me, while the rest of them hadn’t seen me in several years. This was in three different places, all on different days.

In short, the people were saying, “Wow, you look great! You have such a presence about you.” One person said, “I was watching you and you were just walking and smiling like you are at peace. I wanted to tell you that.”

Shocked, I thanked them in each situation. Funny, but they don’t know my situation- I am not wearing my life’s valley on my sleeve. I have a job to do-and Jesus gave me the description.
He said that we are the light of the world, that can’t be hidden; for the entire world to see (v.14).

I told each group of people they were seeing the light of Christ in me and I asked if they knew Him. You see, this was an opportunity to expose the plan of salvation- to share the Good News.

Despite yourself, try to walk with the light today. Smile more, walk with peace, pray and seek encouragement quietly. Give encouragement when it is needed.

It may be easy or hard, but do it for Jesus. After all-He told us this is who we are. Amen.

Lack Nothing- God Favor Ministries

Lack Nothing!
Psalm 34:8-10 (AMP)
8O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.
9O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear.
10The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Can I share with you what I am standing on this morning? I am standing on the Word of God. I am standing on His truth. I believe that He is good and delivers grace and mercy.
Psalm 34 rests with me today. For I have tasted and have seen the goodness of the Lord (verse 8)!
I have seen joy come from sorrow. I have seen restoration come from destruction. I have seen His word come to convict the sinful heart. I have seen what God has for us in the spiritual realm. My eyes are opened.
The word today says that the people of God (who seek and require His presence) will lack nothing- No Good Thing! That means anything that is of benefit, that is worth your existence will be provided.
What has the enemy lied and told you? What has become threatened in the earthly realm?

Satan and "Suppressed Self" say things like this:

· You are not good enough
· You are broke
· Your dreams are unnecessary
· Your sin will never leave you-(you will always struggle with that issue)
· Your health will not be restored
· You are not worth the time or the effort
· You lack successful relationships
· The recession will cause you to lose everything

I come to tell you - whether you stand in the deepest of poverty to the riches of this world-God says you will lack nothing! Everything beneficial for your living, your purpose, and His glory is expected to be provided. The list above DOES NOT LINE UP WITH THE WORD OF GOD!!!!!!!!!

It starts with you faith house- your mind. Who are you going to believe? The media? Your friends and family? Yourself? Your bills stacked up on the counter?
Listen-Before we can conquer the physical with productive actions, we must choose to mentally take charge of The Promise. Then- our actions and the actions of others will follow our expectations.

With God’s promise you lack nothing!
Love and Acceptance from others is present!
Finances are provided!
Productivity is increased!
Purpose is fulfilled!
Relationships are restored!

Again, I ask you- who are you going to believe? Whom do you fear? Whom do you worship?

God Favor Ministries
http://www.godfavor.org/
http://fromhisheart2yours.blogspot.com/

"The Ride of Life" God Favor Ministries

The Ride of Life
Psalm 25:1-5 (AMP)
1UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life.
2O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. Let me not be put to shame or [my hope in You] be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me.
3Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause.
4Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.
5Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remember the days when you were learning to ride a bike? At first, you were heavily dependent on the person who stood close by you, teaching you and guiding you. After that, you gradually improved and began to take “the straightaways” in stride. You could handle the balance- the ride was a bit wobbly, but over all-it was smooth.

Ooohhh, but when you came to the street corners where you had to turn, your confidence may have faded a bit. You may have wobbled even more so; perhaps you even fell at the first turn.
You got up, or rode back to your beginning place and talked with the one helping you along; gaining the confidence to try it again.

Sometimes I think we are like that with God. When something is new or exciting, we start off grand. Then, as long as the road is straight, we are cheering life on! But when life’s turns get in front of us, we go back to our teacher and learn a little more.

The word says that, “I bring you my life.” It says that, “I trust, lean and rely on you.” This not some of the times, or a part-time dependency- but we are to trust and lean of God as an eternal dependency.

God wants to show us the paths (verse 4). He wants to teach us and lead us (verse 9). Jesus never wants us to be so improved that we dampen our connection with Him.

How dependent are you on God? Today I challenge your heart to that inner place. Picture your life as a street and your faith is on that bike. Are you still leaning on Him? Or, have you gotten the hang of the ride so that you only call on Him at the corners and turns?

May God guide you, teach you and show you the pathway He has chosen-today and every day.

In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

God Favor Ministries
http://www.godfavor.org/
http://fromhisheart2yours.blogspot.com

Part 2- "Love Them? How??"

Part 2- Love Them? How??
1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)
7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

I shared yesterday that one of the many storms I faced was within my marriage. I explained that, although the love was still there, we were struck with other challenges that seemed insurmountable.
When I spoke to my husband Tuesday, I asked him, “Baby-why we still in this? We have been through so very much? Why are we still here?”
He said, “Well, 1Corinthians says that love endures.” I loved it! He went to the word of God to defend our position! I then asked him what would he also tell others to help them in times of trouble and triumph within their marriage and he said, “One word-commitment.”
God had placed it on my heart that he and I share the video inspiration together today so that we can inspire someone today. For-just this past Sunday, we were deciding if we could really stay in this marriage and grow the way each of us felt was our path.
I have never seen it written that marriage was easy. If our circumstances were desperately different, God perhaps would show me different ways to overcome; but as for this time- this is where we stand.
We stand together. We stand on God’s word. We stand on the truth. That is how this couple is making it. You may not be happy everyday within your marriage, but you can be joyful- in knowing God is with you at all times! I am joyful that God encourages us to endure, remain hopeful and never give up!
So we do this thing with joy.
Not begrudgingly staying together-happily, supporting, committing, loving-one another. We don’t agree with each other all of the time, and yes- trust and heartache has taken place between us….BUT…
You see-my covenant means the world to me. I took those vows seriously in front of the pastor and witnesses. And so did Bryant. So we seek the truth (which is the Word of God) and the truth has shown us victory!
I hope that you have been inspired in some way by part 1 and 2 on “Love Them? How??”
If you haven’t watched the video version of this message; please try. It is just a candid, unedited version of me and my husband trying to do this thing; day by day- each day at a time.
God Bless You!

Love Them? How?? -God Favor Ministries

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing Loving Your Mate- How?
1 Corinthians 13: 2, 4, 5 (NLT)
2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is for singles who desire marriage, married couples who are newlyweds, and those who are veterans.
I have been very candid with you sharing that I have been facing storms of varied circumstances and one of them was the state of my marriage. It was not a question if we loved each other; it was how could we make it work for the both of us.
Paul says in His word that you can possess all of the gifts God issues, but if you don’t have love- it is nothing. Jesus commanded that we love others. But the question is-how?
People usually can grasp the romantic side of love. Whether it is through physical attraction, sexual attention, or monetary provisions; people can ascertain that aspect of love.
But what about when love gets tough? When plans change-when people change-when you question yourself saying, “What was I thinking? How can I make it in this marriage?”
Listen, I don’t condone abusive relationships-period; so this does not apply. For love does not abuse and I believe God loves you enough that He wants you safe and free from harm- Jesus took all of the torture that we need-Amen?
Yet if you found sound qualities in your mate that outweighed the undesirable costs, AND you all are yoked in the belief of God-then we have to realize how to love that person-the way God says.
Yesterday, I had the chance to speak to three couples with different circumstances and let me tell you, they had love! Through the tears, the trials, and their happiness-they get it.
Key Points:
1. Love is Patient- this may need to be an attribute that we must learn-some of us just don’t have it.
2. Love doesn’t demand its own way- we must balance our desires with that of our mates.
3. Love is not irritable- check your levels here- how can you overcome this?
4. Love doesn’t keep record of wrongs- we are not perfect- we mess up- if Jesus kept all of our records…whew…!!!
5. You both must be willing to follow the word of God- if one is not on board-lay them on the altar of prayer and pray without ceasing for the man or that woman to be delivered on the other side of bondage. Amen?
You must realize that God desires your mate to see His love through you! Pastor Ed Jones and his wife Sylvia taught this message and it was phenomenal!

Is your mate able to see the love of Christ through you? If you are single and desire marriage, are you preparing your faith house (mind) and heart to become this vessel, honestly?

Join me tomorrow for Part 2 of this message. May the peace of Christ Be with You. Amen

God Favor Ministries
Www.godfavor.org
http://fromhisheart2yours.blogspot.com

"He Will Never" God Favor Ministries

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

“He Will Never”
Hebrews 13:5-6(NLT)
5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
“I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”[a]
6 So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yesterday I shared with you my heart and where I was in my journey. Today as I went into my prayer time and talked with God- my time with Him became intimate and intense- I loved every minute of it!
Not even two hours later, I received devastating news that was a huge blow to my family. As I sat there receiving the news; I smiled.
I was reminded of the scripture that many of us are familiar with- “I will never leave you. I will never abandon you. I will have no fear. What can mere man do to me?”
I was reminded that God was with me-no matter the situation. Later that day, I spoke deeply with a friend of mine and she shared with me one of the trials of her past. You see, God had told her before it ever happened that she would get through it. And you know what? She did just that. Sure she cried, and felt overwhelming emotions-but God was there- the whole time.
Today, no matter where you are in your life, I want you to really feel the words of the Scripture.
Feel God say, “Child, I’m not going anywhere. Sure I know where you are in your journey- I knew it when you were yet in your mother’s womb. You have made it thus far-I will never leave you alone.”
Doesn’t that sound divine? Through every triumph, victory- both large and small; through every pain and every trial- there He is. There He is. Staying put-loving you. Amen.
God Favor Ministries
www.godfavor.org
http://fromhisheart2yours.blogspot.com

"Your Personal Measuring Stick"-God Favor Ministries

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing “Your Personal Measuring Stick”
Ephesians 3:14-19 (NLT)
Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth
14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,[e] 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.[f] 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This has been such a trying time in my life. The valleys in this season’s journey seem ever deepening; and the curves seem forever long.
As I sat talking with my husband about one of the many situations that are attacking my spirit at this time- I began to share with him the measurement of my faith. It was one of the few times I could actually feel the growth that has occurred through years of submission to God. I told my husband what would have happened if this situation had occurred in my past.
At that moment; my eyes welled with tears as the thought came into my head. I said to my husband, “God loved me enough to allow me the grace to witness my own personal growth.” I repeated that statement several times- and each time it became more and more real to me.
You see, I am not measuring my growth by other folk’s mistakes and personal journeys. I am looking deep into life’s mirror and finding that God loves me-enough. This is personal- just for me.
Today- whether you are on top of a mountain or in the depths of a valley-take out your personal spiritual measuring stick. Measure your spiritual growth. Instead of focusing on how much better you need to become; focus at this moment on how far you have come. Then, I invite you to thank God for giving you the opportunity to measure the distance. Be encouraged- there is some growing going on!

Unshakable! (God Favor Ministries)

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Unshakable!
Hebrews 12:25-28(NLT)
25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”[a] 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.
28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you walk up to column at the White House in Washington DC and attempt to push it- it will not move. If you shot a bullet targeting that column, it may become marked- but it will not move. If you run full force into any brick wall (with every bit of rage, anger or strength that you possess), you will be injured- perhaps seriously injured.
Unshakable-the structure was immovable-it was not intimidated by your force. It was not moved by your anger or your weaponry. It remained in place.
The Word today says, ‘ be careful not to refuse to listen to the One who is speaking, for He is inescapable.’
The comparison here is between the Ancient Israelites refusing to listen to Moses – soon experiencing a voice from God that shook the Earth! Then it reminds us that God promises that He will again make the earth shake-and heaven also! The only thing remaining will be that which was unshakable.

So because of this:
· We are to worship God with holy reverence,
· We are to listen,
· We are to be faithful, and
· We are to be obedient!

I desire to be in the Kingdom that is unshakable (verse 28)! I want to be in that number-when the Saints go marching in!
So I challenge your listening this morning, your faithfulness, your obedience and your heart for worship! May you take it up a notch so that God will notice you are building an unshakable foundation. Amen.

God Favor Ministries
www.godfavor.org

You Have Come to Jesus- Your Mediator

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

“You have come to Jesus-The Mediator”
Hebrews 12:24(AMP)
24And to Jesus, the Mediator (Go-between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].(A)
Romans 8:34(NLT)34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today is significant because it marks a day of repentance-it is Ash Wednesday. It marks the 40 days before Jesus died and paid it all- Yet He Got Up and Defeated It All!

This entire chapter reminds us of who we serve. In the earlier verses, the author tells us where we have not gone- and now this verse reminds us of where we have arrived.

Friends, we didn’t have to experience the anger and wrath of God! We didn’t go through what the Ancient Israelites experienced. We are on the other side; we are experiencing the blood of Jesus- our mediator, our healer, the one who rose from the dead.

Get this: The reason we are able to repent and celebrate begins today! It is because in 40 days, Jesus will have taken the walk to death and the victory of resurrection.

Do you know He is mediating for you? The scripture (Romans 8:34) says that Jesus is pleading for believers. Every misstep we make, ever wrong turn that we take- there is Jesus- pleading on our behalf.

The blood of Jesus makes the everlasting mark of recovery in our lives. In every struggle in your life, every celebration, and every heartache- you can come to Jesus.

Allow Him to mediate (go between on your behalf) for you. Talk to Him, cry with Him, laugh with Him- give Him access to your heart. So that you can experience the fullness of His perfect gift-joy in having eternal life! Amen.

God Favor Ministries

"Your True Citizenship"

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

"The Belt and Switch"-God's Discipline

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Jesus Says to Ask and Seek!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing