Psalms 19:1 (NIV) The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

The month of June signals the start of summer and bringing an infectious energy that makes us want to enjoy every moment of longer days and warmer weather! It’s a month of fresh starts, new adventures, and the promise of brighter days ahead.

In the busyness of life let us take some time to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation all around us. I enjoy taking a walk or riding my bike around town; stopping to chat with people along the way.

Each season has something to reveal about the handiwork of God to us.

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Psalms 5:12 (NKJV) For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.

In order to live in the Favor of the Lord we must position ourselves in right relationship with Him in several areas of our Lives. The Lord wants to favor those who diligently seek Him. Some of these important areas are:

1.Living In The Favor of The Lord Through Prayer.

A major key in maintaining a right relationship with God and to live in the Favor of the Lord is through prayer.

In Matthew 6:33 the word speaks of the importance of prayer- But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 

James 5:15 – 18 (NKJV) ¹⁵And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.  ¹⁶Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  ¹⁷Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.  ¹⁸And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

2.Living In The Favor of The Lord Through Faith.

 God’s Favor always follows Faith. Nay-saying and perpetual doubting are a choice to die in the wilderness. Jesus said in Matthew 9:29- Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”

In the midst of these trying days Faith is required to receive everything we need from the Lord.  

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

3.Living In The Favor of The Lord Through Obedience.

God’s Favor follows obedience.

Romans 6:16 (NKJV) ¹⁶Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 

Walking in obedience to God’s Word opens the door to truth, which guards and protects us from the deception of the enemy.

2 John 1:6 (NIV) ⁶And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

4.Living In The Favor of The Lord Through Patience.

God’s Favor is a traveling companion to your patience in Him.

After Joseph interpreted the cupbearer’s dream in prison, it was two years before God used Joseph’s obedience and patience to dramatically favor His beloved servant. And yet, God’s Hand had been on Joseph through both the lean and prosperous seasons of his life. Genesis 39:1 – 41:16.

Conclusion

Our Prayer Life, Our Faith in God and His Word, Our Obedience to God, and Our Patience all determine the level of God Favor in our lives and church. Are YOU willing to pay the price to take the steps to see the release of God’s Favor in Your life?

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The central theme of the Bible is God’s love for mankind and his redemption. With much being said about love during February, God sent the ultimate Valentine to mankind showing His love through His son Jesus Christ.

 John 3:16 – 17 (NKJV) ¹⁶For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  ¹⁷For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Throughout His Word God continually reminds us of His love for us, even when we are or were separated from Him by our own sin.

Romans 5:8 (NKJV) ⁸But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Jesus Christ the sinless Son of God took upon himself our sins that by placing our faith in Him we can be forgiven of our sins and be come sons and daughters of God. This is true love.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) ²¹For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

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Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…

                                           Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

As we begin our journey into the year of 2020 we must keep our focus on Jesus Christ. All that we need physically, spiritually, and emotionally, He has provided for us through His sinless life on earth, His death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave.

As we trust and lean on Him, he promises to be a friend that is closer than a brother or sister. Certainly in 2020 we will face challenges in many areas of our lives, however none of them will be greater than He. Through His love, power and strength we can make it if we keep the eyes of our faith focused on Jesus Christ.         

From A Shepherd’s Heart                                    

Pastor Laren Whaley

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Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  ¹¹For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

                                                                              Luke 2:10 – 11                                                                  

For the last four weeks we have been looking at Jesus Christ: Our Hope, Our Peace, Our Joy, & Our Love.

The birth of Jesus Christ was and is the turning point of world history. He came to earth, born of the Virgin Mary to redeem mankind from his sins.

I invite you to call upon Him today. If you have never received Jesus Christ as your Savior, trust in Him today and ask Him to come into your heart. He will give you Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.

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It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High…

                                                                      Psalms 92:1 (NKJV)

As a child of God every day should be a day of thanks giving as we see the hand of God at work in our lives. However this time of the year affords us special opportunities to stop and give thanks to God for things we often take for granted. Lets look at some that come to my mind and you can add yours to the list.

Some that come to mind are family, faith, freedom and friendship.

Wrapped up in the above list is honoring our veterans, who have put their lives on the line to preserve our nations freedoms; many at great cost to them personally, physically, and emotionally. Take the time to thank a veteran for their service to our nation.

I thank God for family. Although my parents have pass away, the values they taught and instill in my life are still guiding me. My siblings and I have memories we often share. I am also grateful for aunts and uncles who still impact my life by their love and godly examples. I am blessed beyond words with a loving wife who has worked beside me in over 40 years of ministry, for 2 daughters who have blessed us with 6 grandchildren who bring much joy into our lives.

I thank God for faith. Jesus Christ is the anchor and foundation of my life. He is the source of my hope, my strength, my peace and joy. He is my Savior & Lord.

I thank God for freedom. Living in the USA affords freedoms the many other nations only dream of; freedom of worship, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and gather with other people, all these given by God.

I thank God for friendship. Having friends helps complete our lives; friends who encourage us, challenge us, and help guide us. Many people today are down on social media, however through it I have been able reconnect with friends, family, classmates from high school who I have lost contact with of the years.

These are just a few of the many things I am thankful for.

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