In or out of favour?- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezra 1-4
IN OR OUT OF FAVOUR? Sunday, July 25, 2010
MEMORIZE: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52) READ: Luke 2:49-52 “Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). One divine virtue you cannot do without on earth if you must accomplish your earthly tasks, is favor.  When a hopeless slave girl suddenly turns into a queen unopposed and when an imprisoned slave suddenly becomes a world ruler without any form of opposition, these could only be as a result of divine favor.  God’s favor is something very powerful. It can turn a business which started on a meager amount into a large business empire.  There is nothing favor cannot accomplish in the life and situation of the favored. It is so indispensable that even our Lord Jesus Christ could not do without it while on earth. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). If there was anyone who enjoyed favor, it was our Lord Jesus.  He was born into favor.  His birth was heralded by angels. He also grew in favor before God and men. He never ran out of favor.  As an infant, the ruling power was under intense threat because of Him. Wise men travelled a long distance just to have an opportunity to bless Him. Prophecies concerning His birth and times were fulfilled while fresh ones were released into His future. In this life, there would always be a difference between the one with favor and the one without favor.  Everything under creation works for the one who is favored of God. If God can smile at you, everything else will smile at you. Some people were born into favor like Jesus but unlike Him, they ran out of favor as they grew up. This is why parents must be very careful what they do, and how they live today as it could affect the destinies of their families sooner or later.  If you want to increase in favor, continue to do those things that please God. Obey Him promptly.  Flee from secret and open sin. Sow into the lives of others, favor them, assist the needy and intercede for the distressed. Make others joyful on your account. Regularly visit and dwell in God’s  presence. The Lord will favor you this season. When you are favored, the sun, moon and stars will work for you. According to Acts 2:47, favor also makes a difference between an ever increasing church and a stagnant church. Your church may not be growing because it is out of favor. Are you out of favor? Ask God to bring you  into favor today and make you grow in it. ACTION POINT: Father, surround me with favor as a shield.