Today I want to encourage you that as you continue to follow Jesus, you will grow and increase in favor. Luke 2:52 tells us that “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Obedience to God, brings favor. Jesus did what he saw the Father do and because of that, God said of Jesus “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) Jesus was perfectly obedient to God and because He pleased God, He grew in favor with God and with others.
Proverbs 16:7 says “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” When you grow in favor, God begins to work in your life to cause others to think favorably towards you, even your enemies! Now we need to understand we won’t please everyone with everything we say and do, but when we make the determination to please God, the favor of God will override the work of those who don’t appreciate what we do.
In our Ethiopia Gospel Festival, last year, we had so many wonderful things happen. I remember however, there was some resistance by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to the “foreigners” bringing their “western religion” to the City of Mizan Teferi. They had organized an event at the same time as our Gospel Festival seeking to undermine our event. Because of the favor of God on our event, and all the wonderful miracles that were happening, all the people who were supposed to go to their event, came to our event instead!
Among them was a young man who was deaf and mute. He came to our Gospel Event even though his Ethiopian Orthodox family had told him that if he went to the “foreigners” event, he would have no home to come back to. He said “I’m going anyway, God is going to heal me.” On the second night of the event he was beautifully and miraculously healed by Jesus. His who family came to a saving faith in Christ as a result. So many miracles took place that the whole city changed it’s view of the “western religion” in that City. The Pastors were so happy. They had experienced favor with God and the people.
When it comes to Evangelism and reaching people for Christ, we all need God’s favor! When Philip the Evangelist finished his work sharing the gospel in Samaria and when all the people saw all the miracles of God, Acts 8:8 tells us “There was great joy in that City.” The favor of God on Philip resulted in him having favor with the entire city of Samaria. Today, as you obey and follow Jesus, you will grow in favor and you will have an impact on others for Jesus. Through faith in His finished work, you qualify for the same favor on your life that Jesus had.
When Jesus was born, we see wise men coming from afar to worship him. The Shepherds were visited by Angels and came to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The favor of God draws people to Jesus in supernatural ways. The favor of God is a supernatural fascination and a curiosity with the things of God, which draws people.
In John 3 we see the story of Nicodemus coming to Jesus with questions, “Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”
(John 3:1-6)
Because of God’s favor on Jesus, others were drawn to him; even great leaders. The fame of Jesus ministry had spread throughout the land. People had heard about the wonderful miracles and how He taught with authority unlike anyone else. Jesus had favor on His life towards God and people from all walks of life.
Nicodemus said, “We know you are a teacher come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus used this favor and this opportunity to present the only way to enter the Kingdom of God. God’s favor draws others to Jesus and causes them to enter the Kingdom of God. The purpose of God’s favor is to bring people to the Savior.
Recently, I’ve had unsaved family members approaching me and asking me questions about the Gospel. Some of these family members have never shown any interest in the Gospel for many years. I know that they know I am an Evangelist and they are interested in what I am doing, but I also believe it is God’s favor. Favor will draw people to you and it will draw them to Jesus.
Today, I believe God’s favor is increasing in your life, and as you continue to obey and follow Jesus, you will see others come to you with questions. They will be drawn to Jesus through your life because of the wonderful outpouring of God’s favor on your life.
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