For several weeks the phrase, “A Season of Favor” has been ringing in my mind, and I have been keenly aware of the bursting forth of new LIFE in nature as winter gives way to spring (even though the Northeast is getting another dose of winter this week!) In perfect orchestration, blossoms and flowers explode on cue, inviting us to come out of the confines of a long winter, shed our dowdy grays, and join the celebration!
Look around you: Winter is over; the winter rains are over, gone! Spring flowers are in blossom all over. The whole world's a choir—and singing! Spring warblers are filling the forest with sweet arpeggios. Lilacs are exuberantly purple and perfumed, and cherry trees fragrant with blossoms.
(Song of Solomon 2:11-12 The Message)
The earth is giving us a visual of God’s Favor in our lives, but the dead needs to be shed!
What do you need to shed from the past winters of your life? What are your winter patterns?
Lately, and thankfully, I have been taking my old thought patterns captive. Just this morning I was reminded of how things have turned out in the past, and there was a temptation to return to the familiar, cozy, winter blah pattern. The voices of winter telling me to believe that things will turn out as they always have - so just give in now.
The truth of today, and our futures will only be found by BREAKING OUT of the patterns of the past, and choosing to leave the false comforts of winter behind. It is a NEW season! REJOICE!
One of my favorite verses about Favor is Psalm 5:12 (NKJV)
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
I often pray that God will surround me with a shield of favor! But there is more! Just recently I focused on the preceding verse, Psalm 5:11:
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend [cover] them;
Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.
I have a choice every day and in every situation. If I.......
- REJOICE
- TRUST GOD
- BE JOYFUL
THEN I am surrounded by a shield of God’s Favor! And I am a magnet for good things - and a good man!
Take a few minutes, ask God to show you what the winter patterns are in your mind, and shed them. Open your hearts and minds - give Jesus your doubts, discouragements, rejections, and unbelief. BREAK OUT your new Springtime garments of celebration! When the winter-blahs try to return, say, “NO! I am not going there again. Today is a NEW day! I rejoice and put my trust in God! I am surrounded by FAVOR as a shield!”
"You have turned my mourning into JOYFUL DANCING! You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with JOY, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent!!"
AMEN! [so be it!]”
Expecting to be amazed ~
Barbara
© Barbara Nelson – 2012
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