What do you think Favor means? We say things like: “Hey, could you do me a favor?” or “I just need this one favor.” We are referring to favor as help or help in a special circumstance because a person has something that will help accomplish the circumstance.
If an angel said that you are highly favored you would likely think that this was very good news. God, was going to open doors, offer smooth sailing, and life was going to become greatly successful. Mary, did not understand what this favor meant.
Luke 1:26-28
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Bill Johnson shared a message at Bethel Church about favor that I found very helpful. Johnson says that not everyone has the same favor. The Bible records that Jesus grew in favor. Jesus began with less favor than He ended up with.
Extreme favor attracts extreme opposition. Mary was pregnant while engaged to Joseph. Joseph did not believe her story, but planned to put her away. Sometimes favor is misunderstood.
God did something for Mary that was not normal. It was totally God. Favor put her in a position where people talked about her. Favor can cause accusation.
When you have God’s favor, some things work for you that will not work for others. Samson had favor. He did feats of strength that could not be performed by any other person. Samson was favored but his character was foolish.
Favor is an expression of God’s affection. God brings His presence to us as an expression of His affection and as an encouragement for us. This cannot be used to promote us, but God. Our identity must not be based on His favor upon us.
Living as one highly favored of the LORD:
Ponder it in your heart – Mary considered this favor and made it personal.
Quiet Confidence – When Joseph was going to divorce Mary, she quietly depended upon her Lord to vindicate her. Confidently trust God to be with you through all situations.
Authority – Mary was given authority as a young mother to raise Jesus, the Son of God. God will give you authority for whatever He is favoring you to accomplish.
If an angel said that you are highly favored you would likely think that this was very good news. God, was going to open doors, offer smooth sailing, and life was going to become greatly successful. Mary, did not understand what this favor meant.
Luke 1:26-28
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Bill Johnson shared a message at Bethel Church about favor that I found very helpful. Johnson says that not everyone has the same favor. The Bible records that Jesus grew in favor. Jesus began with less favor than He ended up with.
Extreme favor attracts extreme opposition. Mary was pregnant while engaged to Joseph. Joseph did not believe her story, but planned to put her away. Sometimes favor is misunderstood.
God did something for Mary that was not normal. It was totally God. Favor put her in a position where people talked about her. Favor can cause accusation.
When you have God’s favor, some things work for you that will not work for others. Samson had favor. He did feats of strength that could not be performed by any other person. Samson was favored but his character was foolish.
Favor is an expression of God’s affection. God brings His presence to us as an expression of His affection and as an encouragement for us. This cannot be used to promote us, but God. Our identity must not be based on His favor upon us.
Living as one highly favored of the LORD:
Ponder it in your heart – Mary considered this favor and made it personal.
Quiet Confidence – When Joseph was going to divorce Mary, she quietly depended upon her Lord to vindicate her. Confidently trust God to be with you through all situations.
Authority – Mary was given authority as a young mother to raise Jesus, the Son of God. God will give you authority for whatever He is favoring you to accomplish.
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