That's a God thing

For the last two weeks my church was truly blessed to have Steven Furtick the pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte NC speak. If you have never heard of him then you don't know what you are missing. You can check out the messages Found Favor Part 1 and Found Favor Part 2 by clicking on them. He also wrote an amazing book called Sun Stand Still which I highly recommend reading.

Have you ever pondered what the greatest gift God has given you is? We're all blessed, but what one thing has been instrumental in so many biblical lives? It's all God's favor. Mary had it. Moses had it. Nehemiah found it. You can both find and lose God's favor. His favor is powerful and inspiring, but don't get it confused with favors from God. God's favor is not a favor. You can't achieve it you must receive it. The favor of God is so simple: the guarantee of His presence and the provision of His power to accomplish His special purpose through my life.

Favor's a pretty powerful thing. Who wouldn't want it right? God will give it to you if you are hungry for it, and once you receive it he can do more in your life than you would ever achieve on your own. So what are you waiting for?

The thing is God's favor doesn't always look like we expect. God's favor is not for our convenience or our purpose. God has a bigger plan and sees a much bigger picture than we can even imagine. Luke 1: 30-33 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Imagine if the angel had told Mary the whole picture. By the way you will have a baby and people will question whether you are an adulterous. That baby will be born in a cave. You will raise him and love him only for him to go off and preach to the world. But in the end he will save that same world, by dying a sinner's death on the cross. You'll get to be there to see it, but nothing you can do will change this. That's God's favor. Do you think you are still ready for God's favor?

God doesn't give us his favor for ourselves. Favor ain't fair. God did not choose you based on your performance, but based on your purpose. He will always give you the favor you need for that season in your life. What you need is not always what you want. Favor means letting God control the big picture even though the here and now might just suck. Favor isn't just about God giving you something. Favor can make you uncomfortable. Favor can mean something in your life ending. Sometimes favor hurts, but if you can even for a second spend some time in God's word you will see that he has a big plan. In fact you could read the beginning and the end in less than 20 minutes to know how it all turns out. In the beginning God created man and woman. In the end God prevails. Pretty simple and easy. Everything in between is part of the battle being waged to get there.

Favor will take obedience, and require you to be stronger than you ever thought you were. It may mean you change the world, or it might be an impact that you are never aware of. The thing is God chose you. He's calling right now, and taking the first step is pretty simple. Open his word and meet him there.

Footnote: Honestly after hearing this message I felt drawn to worship my God. A God who loved me that much. I felt unworthy of his favor, but I want it. Even if it means a hard road; I'd rather walk with Christ on that path then an easy road that goes nowhere. There is a battle going on. It is waged every day, and we are called to be a part. To stand up for what is right, to speak for those without voices, to love the wretched, and forgive each other.

Casting Crowns Courageous
we were made to be courageous
we were made to lead the way
we could be the generation that finally breaks the chains

we were made to be courageous
we were made to be courageous

we were warriors on the front lines,
standing unafraid.
but now we're watchers on the side lines,
while our families slip away.
where are you men of courage?
you were made for so much more.
let the pounding of our hearts cry,
we will serve the Lord.

we were made to be courageous,
and were taking back the fight.
we were made to be courageous,
and it starts with us tonight.
the only way we'll ever stand,
is on our knees with lifted hands.
make us courageous,

Lord make us courageous.
this is our resolution, our answer to the call,
we will love our wives and children,
and refuse to let them fall.
we will reignite the passion,
that we buried deep inside.
may the watchers become warriors,
let the men of God arise.

Chorus

Background:
seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God
seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God

Lead singer:
In the war of the mind I will make my stand,
in the battle of the heart, in the battle of the hands.
in the war of the mind I will make my stand,
in the battle of the heart, in the battle of the hands