God Favors Me....Entry #1

I thank God for His continued mercy, grace, protection, deliverance, FAVORS He displays in my life.  Hence the name of this Blog 'Highly Favored' 

I recently applied to a Fellowship program being sponsored at work.  One of the application requirements was an Essay in addition to several other factors which include the approving signature/endorsement of my immediate Director and her Director.

After submitting my application for signatures, this is the feedback I received from the Director:

" I am so excited you’ve decided to do the Fellows Program and I wholeheartedly support your decision.  Your essay was wonderful – I actually got goose bumps!  I believe you do have the makings of a great leader, and I look forward to watching you accomplish your dream."

Today I thank you God for your Favor and Favor among 'men' it is written in your word:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

I am Highly Favored...

Don’t be Foolish

I am doing well in case anyone was wondering!  Yes, I am alive and doing well, Thanks to God.  I appreciate each and everyone that values this space enough to read my thoughts, inspirations, prayers, praise, longings/desires and anything else that inspires the writings in this space. 

My inspiration today comes from a story that most have heard before. The foolish and wise virgins in Matthew 25.  There were 10 of them.  The story says 5 were wise and 5 were foolish. 

Both groups went to meet the groom, took their lamps and slept while waiting.  Now when the announcement was broadcasted that the groom is coming and the instructions was given to go out to meet him, the foolish requested that the wise give them some of their oil. But the wise refused and told them to go and buy their own as there would not be enough to share.

My thoughts:

How guarded do we keep our relationship with God including the influence of the Holy Spirit?

Do we allow circumstances and/or others to drain our ‘Oil’?

Individuals that appear to have the same spiritual goals and objectives can cause us to lose out on our blessing if we are not careful of who we let in our space.  Don’t be fooled by individuals who attend church service and have a desire to follow Christ.  We are all sinners in need of God’s grace and love however, we need to stand firm on our decisions, watch out for individuals who are undisciplined in their actions. don't allow anything or anyone to diminish the influence of the holy spirit in your life. Keep your focus and when it is time to arise from slumber (whatever slumber may be to you) don’t allow anyone to take, use or diminish your determination, your drive, your joy, your destiny in Jesus.

For You

The words to the prayer below inspires me and I hope it will inspire, encourage and uplift you too...

My Prayer for You

May God remember you like Noah,

Favor you like Moses,

Honor you like Mary,

Fight for you like the Israelites,

Prosper you like Isaac,

Promote you like Joseph,

Intervene for you like Ester,

Protect you like Daniel,

Use you like Paul,

Heal you like Naaman,

Answer you like Elijah,

Anoint you like David,

Keep you safe like Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego

Amen!

This is my Cry_This is my Plea

I feel so left out and abandoned.  Why not me Lord?  I know that you have not forsaken me, I know that you love me but there is this one thing that seems to be out of my reach.  I've prayed and cried, cried and prayed and you have been silent on this matter.  Is it me?  what is it that is blocking?  You said in your word  that you desire that I should prosper and I am convinced that you mean I should not only prosper in material things but emotionally, socially and relationally as well.  I trust you God,  I believe you, reveal any flaws that I need to change, anything that stands in my way that his holding back this blessing I bind in the name of Jesus Christ, Father I ask you to reverse every curse, every stumbling block, every shadow of doubt.  I ask you to release from the storehouse of heaven what I stand in desire of.... A Husband the one selected by you and will be sent by you.  You said if our earthy father knows how to give good gifts How much more my Heavenly Father.  God you said there isn't any good thing that you will withhold from those who love you and keep your commands.  Please continue to uphold me, please continue to teach me, please continue to have mercy upon me Oh God my Strength and my Redeemer.

Random Personal Updates

Career:  I praise God today that I received a promotion on my job Yesterday.  This is an excellent career opportunity and I'm excited about what the future holds.  God has truly favored me and I am eternally grateful to My God the Creator of Heaven and Earth and all living things.

Hair: Sometime ago I posted about my hair and contemplating perming.  Well, I did not perm, but I did cut my hair very low with the decision to start over and be purposeful with treating/moisturizing and conditioning well.  I did this back in February and have been doing well.  I don't wear my hear to work this way though...I have a couple lace fronts that I wear while out until I'm comfortable with the length and body to expose.

Relationship:  Not in any relationship.  I need to work on my social life in order to meet people.  I go to work, church and home.  Not sure what is in my future but still trusting God.

Not About Me

Sometimes I am unable to pray.  I think about talking to God and wanting to be closer in relationship with Him but sometimes there is a valley that I experience and the longer I take to start reading His word again and have consistent prayer the more guilty I feel and the more I stay away. 

This week the the Holy Spirit revealed to me that I worship God and acknowledge Him because of who HE is, not because of how right/wrong, righteous/unrighteous, worthy/unworthy, guilty/free I feel. I worship God because Worship is all about acknowledging HIM as Creator, Lord of lords and King of kings.  The frame of mind that I am In does not change those facts. As a result there is no need for me to feel that valley of guilt when I need to talk to my God even though I have not been purposeful in attending to our relationship.  He remains 'I AM' irrespective of anything else and for that He will always accept me as I acknowledge Him,  Praise Him and be mindful of Him; why? He is worthy to be Praised. 

 My favorite: Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
² Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
⁴ Their line^[a] has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
⁵ Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
⁶ Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
⁸ The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
⁹ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

¹² Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
¹³ Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Work With What I Have

My most recent inspiration comes from the biblical story about the Widow who's son and herself was near death and she had virtually no food left in her home.  A prophet came by and requested something to eat.

1Kings 17:12 (GNT) "By the living Lord your God I swear that I don't have any bread. All I have is a handful of flour in a bowl and a bit of olive oil in a jar. I came here to gather some firewood to take back home and prepare what little I have for my son and me. That will be our last meal, and then we will starve to death." 

The prophet then reassured her and gave her instructions which I am sure stretched/tested her faith as she knew what the food situation was in her house.

1Kings 17:13-15  Don't worry, Elijah said to her. Go on and prepare your meal. But first make a small loaf from what you have and bring it to me, and then prepare the rest for you and your son.¹⁴ For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says The bowl will not run out of flour or the jar run out of oil before the day that I, the Lord, send rain. The widow went and did as Elijah had told her, and all of them had enough food for many days.¹⁶ As the Lord had promised through Elijah, the bowl did not run out of flour nor did the jar run out of oil.

The inspired message I received from this account is that God has and will continue to bless what I have. It is a proven fact that "little becomes much, when we place it, in the Master's hand". I found myself lamenting on how I currently don't have a lot of friends, no current visible prospect of a husband, no children, this and that...

Then I realized a paralel through this story for personnal applicaiton.  This widow did not have meat...but she had a spoon full of flour that God blessed and multiplied.  Her husband passed away.....but she still had her son.  She thought her and her son would die....but God came through right on time.

I need to work with what I have while I practice obedience/exercise my faith.... God will continue to bless me and everything concerning me as he provided. I am learning to be more thankful and consious for what God has and is doing in my life and leaving my desires to God's good and perfect will. 

Not my will Lord, but yours be done in my life.  You are perfect in all your ways; you know me better than I know myself.  Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.