“God can cause opportunity to find you. He has unexpected blessings where you suddenly meet the right person, or suddenly your health improves, or suddenly you’re able to pay off your house. That’s God shifting things in your favor.” –Joel Osteen
“Many have a vague idea that they must make some wonderful effort in order to gain the favor of God. But all self-dependence is vain. It is only by connecting with Jesus through faith that the sinner becomes a hopeful, believing child of God.” –Ellen G. White
Forward Thinkers, I have a spiritual forecast to announce and you need to prepare yourselves for a heavy F.O.G (Favor of God) Warning. Fog is formed or developed when two different climates come together; climate is described as the present condition one is experiencing. Therefore, a fog is created when two opposite weather conditions come together at the same time. Forward Thinkers, when cool air meets dry land, fog is created under these conditions. I know by now you are asking Pastor, “what does fog have to do with what I’m dealing with in my life on today”? Remember Forward Thinkers, the bible says whatever happens in the natural is always present in the spirit and whatever is loose on earth is also loose in heaven.
FOG = Favor of God (spirit) fog (natural) is produced when two opposite conditions meet.
Forward Thinkers, when the condition of sickness comes into the presence of healing these two opposite conditions produce fog (favor of God). The “favor of God” causes believers to declare they are now healed.
Forward Thinkers, when the condition of poverty collides with the condition of prosperity these two opposite conditions produce fog (favor of God). The favor of God produces a new condition of being free of debt.
Forward Thinkers, when the climate of depression gets mixed up with the climate of joy these two opposite climates producesthe favor of God (fog). Forward Thinkers, in the midst of the fog you can declare you’re now smiling.
Forward Thinkers, here is one more example of fog (favor of God) being produced. The condition of frustration blows into the condition of peace and fog (favor of God) shows up and the new condition for the Believer is satisfied.
Forward Thinkers, the FOG (Favor of God) covers you and moves with you and the “Favor of God” is ready to turn your condition around today.
Psalm 90:12-17 (NIV)17 May the favorof the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.
Forward Thinkers, King David is saying the Favor of God will make you forget all the days of trouble which you have experienced in your past. Thank God now that the Favor of God don’t have you looking like what you been through. The favor of God is getting ready to cause everything you put your hands on to succeed this season. Forward Thinkers, your season of failure is over and you are now experiencing the favor of God (fog).
Proverbs 8:35-36 (NIV)35 For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”
Forward Thinkers, wisdom allows us to receive favor from the Lord and wisdom + favor allows us to reach our full potential in life. We must stop seeking the foolishness of the world and chase after the wisdom of the Lord, because wisdom produces “favor”. Forward Thinkers, I don’t know about you but, I need the favor of God operating in my life this season.
Forward Thinkers, here are five facts on the Favor of God
1) Approval
The condition of rejection combined with the condition of approval produces FOG (Favor of God) and the favor of God produces the new condition of being approved and accepted. Forward Thinkers, the favor of God allows you to experience yes over no.
Luke 5:8 (NLT)8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.”
Forward Thinkers, God looks at your credit score, background check, work history, level of education, and your resume; then says “ok, is there anything too hard for God?” He then stamps APPROVED on your future in spite of your past.
Warning: Forward Thinkers, when your credit is restored don’t go out and blow it by repeating the same mistakes which produced a negative climate for you in the first place.
Forward Thinkers, when Jesus asked the question, who do they say I am, all the other disciples could not answer but Peter shouts “you are the Son of God.” Peter received the Favor of God. Forward Thinkers, it’s time to acknowledge the favor of God is on you.
2) A Generous Act
Forward Thinkers, the Favor of God will cause someone to show you uncommon favor this season. Forward Thinkers, the favor of God will cause miracle money to show up in your life right on time and men will unexpectedly pour favor into your life.
Exodus 12:36 The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.
Forward Thinkers, their faith was strong enough to ignore the past facts and their obedience to do what God said, “released the Favor of God into their lives under some very difficult conditions”.
Remember the bible says give and it shall be given to you. The favor of God will be pressed down and running over in your life this season. You can start shouting Greater Favor in 2015.
3) Preferential Treatment
Forward Thinkers, the Favor of God will also release unexplainable success in your life causing you to experience breakthroughs even if you’re still in the back of the line.
1 Samuel 16:11-1211And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the children?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12So he sent and brought him in. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.”
Forward Thinkers, they say it’s not your turn but the Favor of God now says it’s your time.
Notice David was a man known for praising God even before the favor of God showed up. Forward Thinkers, if you need the favor of God to show up in your house then start praising God in your house first.
4) One Granted Privileges
Forward Thinkers, with the Favor of God, you will be able to do what you have not been able to do before. The Favor of God turns failed attempts into successful testimonies.
John 21:3-7 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,”
Forward Thinkers, Peter declared the “Favor of God” and today I challenge you to do the same and start declaring it is the favor of God that’s turning your condition around this season.
5) One Most Likely To Win
Forward Thinkers, with the Favor of God you are no longer the underdog now, you are the favorite, therefore; it’s time you shifted your mindset.
Forward Thinkers, during this season of favor stop replaying your past and fast forward into your future; if you don’t like what you see, hit pause and edit the picture.
Isaiah 38:2 When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,
Forward Thinkers, when Hezekiah didn’t like his current condition he prayed and reminded God of His promises and covenant protection. The Lord granted him Favor and changed his outcome. Forward Thinkers, we serve the same God of favor that extended the life span of Hezekiah.
Pastor E. A. Deckard is the Senior Pastor/Founder of the Green House International Church located, 16711 Ella Blvd. Houston, Texas, 77090. To contact Pastor Deckard for speaking engagements contact him at pr.ghic@gmail.com or the church website www.ghic.net.