It is sheer favor- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Acts 1-2
IT IS SHEER FAVOUR
MEMORIZE: “And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand” (Gen. 39:3) READ: Genesis 39:1-6 A friend of mine invited me to hold Bible study in his house. Being a wealthy man, he invited men of his class to attend it. There was this young man who managed to sneak into this meeting. He wasn’t wealthy but just rich. He had only 10 petrol stations. At the end of the teaching, he came to me and told me how blessed he was through the message. Then he gave me a gift of 10,000 dollars. As I received it, I blessed him and told him next time it will be more. He said Amen and left. The following year, I was re-invited by my friend and that young man was also present. At the end of the teaching, he came to me and said when he gave me a gift the previous year and I prayed that it will be more the following year, he did not understand what I meant. But that within one year, his fuel stations had increased from 10 to 110. Then he gave me another gift. While receiving it, I prayed that it will be more the next time and with all his strength he said ‘Amen’. Today, he is an example of the flourishing, having several fuel stations and businesses in the UK and other places. This year, the Lord will cause you to flourish in Jesus’ Name. Peter is one person who experienced what it means to flourish. What should I do to flourish? In today’s reading, when the Lord got to the lake, He saw two empty ships but He chose Peter’s. The first thing you will need to flourish is divine favor. In Romans 9:15-16, God said it is solely His prerogative to choose who to show mercy or compassion on. It is not necessarily your will or desire. You may desire it but if God has not chosen you for it, that blessing may elude you. As the elders say, It is not lack of food that does not allow a cat to be as big as a dog. They also say that Struggling does not necessarily lead to prosperity. Many people have toiled for several years of their lives. They have worked so hard yet have remained poor. It is favor. With divine favor, you are singled out of a crowd to receive help or support you do not even know of. In today’s reading, Joseph was just an ordinary servant like others in the house of Potiphar. But through divine favor, he rose to the peak of responsibility in that household. Through divine favor, he finally got to the throne of Egypt. One prayer you ought to make regularly is; Father, let me find favor in your sight. Those who became anything significant in the Bible had their fair share of divine favor. Are you enjoying this favor now? ACTION POINT: Go for medical check up at least once or twice annually and take adequate care of your body to enable it serve you.