Are you Blessed and Highly Favoured?

Anytime I walk up to a fellow Believer in Christ and ask, "Hey! Howya doin!" and the response is - "Blessed and Highly Favoured" <-- I cringe, smile and say "Good." Somebody just said, WHY. Why in the world would you cringe? Simple. Alot of folk use Blessed and Highly Favoured and may not truly understand what it is they are saying. Keep in mind - I did not say "all". There are those out there who have been or haven't been taught that being "favoured" by God doesn't mean that He is on your side and no matter what happens - He owes you one.

No, no. I had to have a LONG talk with my Spirit. You see, my sister - the late Melissa Dukes - used to say that she wanted "to be closer to God". Her goal was to "favoured". Notice I did not say "blessed"? That's right. I had to give her the Scooby-Doo - ERRRR? As time went on, I saw for myself what it really means to be in God's Favor. I saw the way she responded. I found myself saying - O Lord, if this is Favor, Lord have mercy on me. Day in and day out - she continued to Praise and Bless the Lord. Somebody said, "She's putting on - it's all an act. Can't nobody be "that holy"..... <-- I laugh in your face and say - You didn't know My Sister.

When I was finally able to wipe the tears from my eyes and looked out across the church - I saw literally - a sea of people. I'm talking over 1 thousand people who came to pay their respects. I'm talking about looking out in the sea of people and seeing Coach Pat Summit. Yes, THE - Coach Pat - UT Women's Basketball Coach. Was Melissa faking - no sir. Coach Pat confirmed to all in attendance - My Sister was a strong Woman of God.

So, then I learned, Favor does not mean God is "ya boy" - He ain't even "ya Homie" - He's the one pointen you out like Michael Vick. He's the One that said - "Have you considered my Servant (Insert Your Name Here) . Yes. He's the One that looked down on Melissa and said, 1 order of Favor with a side of "Well done, thy good and Faithful Servant."

Hold up. Oh. You need something to back this up? You need proof? I gotcha.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (GNT) - Hear what God says: "When the time came for me to show you favor, I heard you; when the day arrived for me to save you, I helped you." Listen! This is the hour to receive God's favor; today is the day to be saved!

2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV) - (For he saith , I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold , now is the accepted time; behold , now is the day of salvation.

Why did I use GNT? Because I'm not smart enough to know that the KJV said. So - I use both translations. It is not "my job" to discern which is right - The Holy Spirit does that. So for those still reading, I continue...

When the time came to show me Favor? Ut oh. Yea, he heard me. O Lord, I'm running out of money. Oh Lord, the bank account is almost out. Oh Lord, my internet. Oh Lord, I Praise you for all you've done so far. Oh Lord, rent is due. Oh Lord, my electric. Thank you Jesus - there is none like you.

Oh yea - He heard me.

But He also said, when it came time to save you - remember that "Footprints in the Sand?" Oh yea - He will never leave nor Forsake. Even when I couldn't get off my couch - even when I had to use crutches to get into the church - even when I'm knee deep in Favoured Hell - I lift up my hands and say Thank you Jesus - I'm nothing without you.

From Dictionary.com: favor - the state of being approved or held in regard

Just one of many definitions of favor - but this is what it means to have God's Favor, Listen closely.

Job 1:5-12 KJV

5 - And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about , that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said , It may be that my sons have sinned , and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

6 - Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

7 - And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said , From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

8 - And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

9 - Then Satan answered the LORD, and said , Doth Job fear God for nought?

10 - Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11 - But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

12 - And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

The Lord said? Oh yea - He pointing us out like Michael Vick. Blessed is being able to wake up every morning. Blessed is being able to lift up *both* hands. Blessed is being able to *walk*. Blessed is being able to put the key in your car. Blessed is being able to crank it up . Blessed is being able to stand strong - when the wind of trial comes. Blessed is being able to stand firm - when the tide of tribulation comes. Blessed is being able to retreat in Him when the fight is fixed. Blessed is being able to lift up your hands in Victory and in Loss - and say - Thank YOU Jesus.

Whew.... yea....had to get my Praise on real quick - Blessed and Highly Favoured - Do you really know what it means? As My Pastor said Tuesday Night in Bible Study - Bad Things happen to Good People. Can people tell you are a Christian? Do you sit over in the corner - crying about what you DON'T have?

Or.....are you too busy to notice because you're Praising Him for all He has done?