What is Favor?

Hello Friends,

I have noticed a lot of people that say they are blessed and
highly favor. Some of whom may not be able to give a clear answer to what favor
is. However what some may call favor may actually not be favor. In order to
know if you have favor or not, you first have to understand what it is. Favor
as defined in dictionary.com:

Favor -

1.	something done or granted out of goodwill, rather than from justice or for remuneration; a kind act

..

2.	friendly or well-disposed regard; goodwill

.

3.	the state of being approved or held in regard

4.	excessive kindness or unfair partiality; preferential treatment:

So from the definition we can see that favor is not fair.
Also we can see that it is not something you rightfully own but it is granted.
Now lets get an understanding of the meaning by looking at some examples. This
reminds me of the children of ....Israel....,
because of the faithfulness and obedience of one man, Abraham, a nation of
people were blessed and highly favored.
From this example we can see that favor is transferable. This is also
depicted other occasions in the bible: David to Solomon, Noah and his children,
Elijah and Elisha. Therefore we as Christians should be careful in how we live
because we can either transfer favor or curse to our offspring or to the people
around us. Yes curses are transferable too. Look at the children of Israel in
Joshua: 7, due to the disobedience of one man, Achan, the children of Israel
was defeated by the people of Ai, an enemy they were supposed to defeat easily.
Another example is David and Bathsheba (II Samuel 11); because of the evil that
David did in acquiring her, the first child suffered the consequence, death.
Not to mention the inheritance we received from Adam.

Now that we have some type of understanding of what favor is
lets look at some situations/scenarios and see if it is favor or not

I am blessed and highly favored, I got a new car with no
money down and I did not even have the income needed in order to get it on my
own. It was nothing but the favor of God

I was praying that God would bless me with the money
necessary to get the rent paid. Then the Lord placed it on a person heart to
give the money and more. It was nothing but the favor of God

I was doing 85 in a 55 and I pass a police car. Then say the
lights flashing and I had slowed down and the police car passed me. It was
nothing but the favor of God.

Now from what you read before these scenarios would all of
them be considered favor of God moments? A quick hint, it also will have to
agree with the word of God and some of the scenarios are vague. If you want the
answer we can discuss it further.

To recap favor is transferable preferential treatment that
is granted to a person, place, or thing.
I hope this help in understanding what is favor and as stated before I
leave the scenarios to you to figure out and if you would like to more insight,
you can always contact me or just look through the word.

May the spirit of the Lord bless and prosper you as your
soul prosper,

Greg

Look out for the Super Saved Christians

A lady walks in the building, she receive cold stares and even receive bold comments like you are not suppose to be here or What are you doing here? Discourage by the way people received her she walked out and never returned to that place again. The lady was never heard from again by the people because she later died of a drug overdose.

Sad Story, eh? However this type a thing happen a least once a week. This place that the lady was coming to sad to say is the church. It is sad situation that one would condemn one to coming into the place where they should receive comfort. This can be understood because that can be the same church where Jesus is knocking at the door and they will not let him in.

I am writing this note because I am sick and tired of hearing stories like the one above. There are people who are hurting in the world. Who gives one the right to turn away someone from church because of the way they dress, background, or even what their lifestyle. What is funny Jesus dealt with the same type of church people. In the bible they were called the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the scribes. These were the people who made it hard for one to be believer. Instead of giving the sinner a chance and encouragement in the walk of the Lord, they would be the first to condemn, and punishment eventhough they commit the same sin. Is this really what God had sent us in the world to do?

God Forbid, we serve a merciful God. As stated in Matthew 11:30, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Why is it that the church try to make one do all these rituals and they themselves have not went through themselves. Do you not know that you are yet a sinner but saved by grace? Would you like it if when you came to Christ others treated you the same way? For as it is written, "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." (Luke 6:31). I do not think anyone would be too happy to hear "what are you doing here?" in the church. Also who are you to turn up your nose to anyone? Don't let pride set into your spirit, for pride made many men and women fall. For as it is written, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18). You are never saved to the point where the devil will not tempt you. If that was so then you are more saved than Jesus. Sad thing is that there are people who think that way not that they are greater than Jesus but cannot be tempted by the devil. Keep in mind it is the Holy Spirit within you that give you the power to resist temptation and the works of the devil not we ourselves. Therefore Jesus had to send the Holy Spirit to transform/sanctify us while through His blood we were justified.

Therefore if God can do it for you, he can do the same thing to a willing person, for God will not force anyone to serve Him. If you are one of the people that will turn away someone because they are not in the will of God and want to come back home, I beseech you that you turn away from this wickedness. For it is easier to win a brother or sister through love then by punishment or force. And if you do not operate in love and say that you are a Christian, you are a liar and the truth is not in you. For as it is written, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (I John 4:8). Therefore it is easier to win your brother and sister in love because they will be able to see the God in you. Because there are people who do not want to go back to church or to God because of the way they were treated by the believers.

I pray that these words will help you and minister to you. If this note stepped on your toes, I hope you will be able to say Amen and harden not your heart so the words can set in your heart to show love to others. For as it is written, "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." (I Corinthians 13:13). Charity also means Love in that scripture.

May the glory of the Lord dwell with you and keep you in perfect peace.

Clarification Letter

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I have been told by some on the lines that I am too spiritual or think I am better than others or perfect. I would like to clarify. I have never said that and I am not sure if I am saying that body language wise either. If it is in regards to the notes I write. I am not considering myself above anyone. I am fighting in the battle along with you. If anything I pray and look at different sources (the bible being the main one) especially where the spirit leads. Am I without sin? God forbid if I say I am without sin. For if I say that I am a liar and the truth is not in me. For the bible states there is one man who walked the earth without sin and that was Jesus. Am I trying to condemn others? Again God forbid, I do not have a heaven or hell to put you in nor am I able to save you from your sins. So what is the purpose? I am glad you asked. I am only trying to enlight and share knowledge from what I have received. I do not know everything but I hope through sharing the Word of God others will take it in and hopefully help you and others in the walk with Christ. For in Hosea 4:6 states, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge......"

Therefore I hope if you are one of the people who thinks the way the first line of this note, please look at my previous note and look at them as ways to help equip you against the works of Satan, which I hope will help you fight off the devil more effectively. For it is hard to go to war against an enemy whom you know very little.

Also I would like to take the time to encourage you in the Lord. Even if you think your situation is hopeless or you may not feel worthy of coming to God. I will like to tell you don't worry nothing is too hard for God. If you come to Him with a sincere heart and repent; He will receive you. Actually He will meet you while you are coming like the father did for the prodigal son (Luke 15:20). Also try to get to a church with a good leader/pastor. What is the point of going to church? Well look at it this way studies show that if one hang around a group of people the person pick up some characteristics of the group. Same as the reason stated in Amos 3:3 and II Corinthians 6:14 in the bible. An eagle cannot expect to learn how to fly and soar hanging around the chickens. Therefore it would be helpful to be around a group that is trying to follow the Lord.

Also as a warning, I beseech (beg) you brethren and sisters please please please please ( I hope you will see the importance of what I am about to say next) do not let the people who been in church 10, 15,....., 50 years try to discourage you away from God. People in the church that try to give rules to those coming to Christ in which they themselves are not keeping or even trying to keep. These people are in a dangerous state/mindset which is that they have arrived. I have some bad news to tell you as long as you are on the earth you will never arrive. Sanctification is a continual process and the Holy Spirit with us on inside so it can show on the outside.

In essence, I am a sinner that is saved by the grace and mercy from the Lord through the washing of my sins through the blood of Jesus. If you are in the Huntsville area and you do not have a church home, I would like to invite you to my church where our pastor is lead by God. Also those who have church homes are welcome to visit as well.

Finally if you have comments, have a prayer request, or just need someone to talk to you can leave me a note on myspace or email me at greg_stargell@yahoo.com or greg.stargell@gmail.com and I could give you my phone number where you can reach me.

May God bless you and direct thy path,
Greg Stargell