Giving Thanks - Day Four

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."

- Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV

 

I have favor with God and man....I am working on those things like love and faithfulness.  In the mean time God's grace is abundant, as are His blessings. 

 

I have been concerned about the amount of bills we have piling up; God is faithful. As I was praying I thought I should call ONE more time about a discount on my electric bill.  I had called previously, and they were not very helpful.  I just felt led to call again.  This time it was ALL God.  I just said, "I need your help, in whatever way you can!"  She said, "Let me see what I can do!" 

 

My bill is NOW at a $0 balance; she credited my account $476.  She completely reversed the huge deposit, and said that it should have never been placed on my account, in the first place. 

It's true that believers who are really committed to God will sometimes experience criticism and persecution. Jesus said we could count on it. He wanted us to know what we were getting into when we made the decision to follow Him.

If we're making a difference for God, we can't expect Satan to just sit back and do nothing to try to hinder us. But the Bible teaches us that we can pray for God's favor, which can be a powerful weapon against the enemy's attacks.

Psalm 89:17 "Our power is based on Your favor."

Psalm 5:12  "Surely, O Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield."

We are God's children--His chosen, His elect. And He is committed to protecting and providing for His own. When we concentrate on pleasing God, we can depend on Him to change people's hearts for our benefit. I did NOT deserve to have the deposit taken off, but God did something in her heart. 

 

Proverbs 16:7 "When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him." If God is willing and able to change the hearts of our enemies, surely we can expect Him to give us favor in the sight of our landlords, utility companies, employers, neighbors, and others we come in contact with. But we mustn't assume that this favor is automatic. Often, we will have to ask God for it, expecting Him to act on our behalf.  Before I called the electric company.....THIS WAS MY STATUS ON FACEBOOK! SERENA NEEDS FAVOR, today!  I prayed for it, and I received it.  Do it, try it....it works!