When you trip and fall…literally

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So, this past weekend I attended an absolutely marvelous internet marketing retreat with 4 other people at Tom Antion’s spacious Virginia Beach home.  And had I not tripped and fallen while carrying my laptop, it would have been a perfect time.

Unfortunately, when I fell, my laptop went sailing through the air, and suffered irreparable damage.

Now, that may not be such a big deal, since computers are not very expensive anymore… however, silly me, I had not backed up my data in a while.

I can’t even begin to list the issues associated with that for someone who does EVERYTHING on her computer.

But my biggest issue was I am speaking this Saturday to a large group of women, a group I have been so excited to be with for months, and all my notes, videos, and power point, is inaccessible to me.

On top of it, because I have been speaking and traveling so much lately, I allocated only a few days to get ready for the conference.  I did not want anything to interfere with my ability to get ready and deliver an inspiring, elevating, and educational message.  Dealing with computer issues and having to reconstruct everything was not in my time or financial budget.

So…. what to do?  how to think about this?  what should be my priority of activity?

Well, before I stepped into the realm of overwhelm, a need to spend time with my Lord surfaced, and I jumped on it.

I’m so glad I did.

I recounted to Him (not that He didn’t already know…)  how I was feeling and all the lack that surrounded me… time, energy, focus, money….  and was immediately reminded… He is a God of abundance, not lack.

Somehow, someway, He would restore and redeem things.  I didn’t need to know how, just that He would.  That was immediately soothing to my soul.

In the past, I would have thought I was undeserving of His help. After all, it was my fault for not looking where I was going, for rushing around, and for carrying my laptop in such a state.  It was also my fault for not backing things up, especially knowing how valuable the data is.  I know better.

Guilt had a way of making me feel unworthy.

But the word says that when we ask for wisdom, God gives it liberally without reproach. (Jas 1:5) That means without the big ole finger wagging that we often do to ourselves.  He doesn’t look down at us and say with a big sigh, “Didn’t I tell you….???”

The word also says that He is a Rewarder of him who diligently seeks Him. (Heb 11:6)  Accusation, disappointment, and judgment are not rewards in my book!

God doesn’t withhold His blessing because we don’t do it all right.  He is pleased when we come to Him in faith, believing He is our ever present help in times of trouble.

We can come to Him, as a child, and say… “Fix it, please, Daddy?”

Well, I am typing now on my new computer, and it’s awesome.  I have been advised that the hard drive is done for, but maybe not.

Nevertheless, WITHOUT all the fear, confusion, and accusation I could be experiencing, I KNOW I have all the time, creativity, and favor I need.  And that is so reassuring.

As I was about to close my journal and get on with the rest of my day, the Lord showed me one more verse.

It just totally capped things off…  Psalm 142:7b says:  “The righteous will surround me and crown themselves because of me, for You will deal bountifully with me.”

I WILL BE surrounded by the righteous!!  And because of me, they will be able to crown themselves!  Why?  Because He will deal BOUNTIFULLY with me!  Hallelujah!

Oh, what we all have to look forward to on Saturday!!

I’ll let you know how it goes!

Contrary to Popular Belief, You Deserve It!

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Lately my husband and I have been visiting churches and enjoying meeting so many new people in our area.

One church we visited recently had the friendliest group, stirring worship, and an invigorating guest speaker.  Almost every church we go to has something favorable to recommend, and this church was no exception.

As I listened intently to the speaker, agreeing and nodding with his encouragement to us all, my heart and mind came to a screeching halt.

There it was again… every time I hear it, it’s literally like nails on the chalkboard.  I can’t even remember what was said before or after… all I heard was those blaring words we often hear in many churches… “Though we don’t deserve it … ” followed by some benefit bestowed upon us.

Ok, it’s true.  I get a little riled up about this.

Maybe it’s because through 25 years of counseling and coaching people, I have seen how this subtly deceptive belief of being undeserving lies at the heart of so many problems. It undermines confidence like few things can.  It anchors our feet to the ground when we are supposed to be soaring.

I also get riled up because God has done so much to make us worthy and deserving, but we continue to buy and spread the lie.

To feel we don’t deserve God’s blessings and abundance does not make us humble, it makes us impotent. And when we are impotent, we are not empowered or at peace.

And if we are not empowered or at peace, then we are child’s play for the enemy who wants to wipe our faces on the floor.

Now, I don’t know if this is an issue for you, but if it is, may I be a strong encouragement to you?
You are worthy and you do deserve the blessings of God.

Maybe an argument can be made that you did not deserve salvation and forgiveness and redemption before you received Him.

But if He died for you so you could have eternal life and kingdom living, then don’t you deserve it?

To deserve something is to be entitled to it, to have it coming. Jesus said He came so that we would have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance, to the full, till it overflows. (Jn 10:10 AMP)

If He came to give this to you, are you not to claim ownership of it? Are you not to expect it to come to you?  Was this a cruel joke?

Yes, I understand.  To say we are not worthy or we don’t deserve it often means, “I did not earn this great thing myself, therefore I don’t deserve it.”

Well folks, that is worldly thinking.  It is the world, not God, that says we only deserve what we earn ourselves.

Set your minds and keep them set on what is above, not the things that are on the earth.  (Col 3:2)

Think about it … Adam and Eve deserved to be in the Garden – because God put them there. They did not build it, pay for it, or work for it.  The fact that God GAVE it to them was all that was necessary for them to be entitled to it.

One final question:  for those of you who have little children, do you want them feeling like they don’t deserve a meal when you offer it to them? Or would rather they just come to the table happy and accepting and leave grateful and satisfied?

In Mt 18:2-6 we are encouraged to be as little children.  Receive in freedom and gratitude all that God has for you.

Please say with me today, and every day… “I deserve all that God has given to me.  I deserve all that He has won and all that He has done.”

Believe me it will give our Lord great pleasure and also open the door to even more of what He wants for you.

Please, please, please… purpose in your hearts to be done with this debilitating notion.  It is not of God.  Agree with Him.  He has made you worthy and you deserve His best.

Shout it from the rooftops!

In your corner,
Maryann

I know God loves me, BUT….

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Something I’ve noticed over the years is how many of my clients have “Father love” issues.  Maybe that isn’t the reason they come to me, but how wonderful it is of the Lord to reveal it!

That can only mean He has a desire and a plan to DEEPEN AND EXPAND their view of Him!  It’s pretty amazing how a restricted or inaccurate view of the Father can subtly interfere with the quality of our lives!

Have you ever said, “I know God loves me, but….”?

Check out what comes after the “but”. Often it will give you a clue as to where you may need an expanded view of the Father.

Many books have been written about the Father’s love and how we often get a distorted, or at a minimum, incomplete view of Him based on our earthly father.

If your earthly father was cruel, demanding, or rigid, you may feel an inability to ever please the Father, or maybe you often fear punishment or disappointing Him.

If your father was kind and compassionate, but didn’t do much to help you, you may have developed a “I have to do it myself” mentality, or you may feel at times like the Father isn’t going to help you.

If your father left when you were a kid, or was never really “there”, you might feel God ignores you or that you just aren’t that important to Him..

And then there are many permutations of those.

My point in bringing it up isn’t to find fault with your father.  That won’t serve you at all.

But it can help you to see where God wants to broaden your view of who He is to you.

This is part of having your mind renewed, and the word says we are TRANSFORMED by the renewing of our minds.I have found that when stressed I can get into doubt about whether God is REALLY there for me.

But rather than beat myself up, fall into a pity pot, or build up resentment, I have learned from the Lord to allow Him to show me some NEW OR DEEPER ASPECT OF HIM that I am not yet fully grounded in.

You know, the more accurate our view of the Father, the more we can actually FEEL His presence and involvement in our lives, the happier and more confident we will be.  Truly.

And because He is infinite, there is always more and more to learn.  How fun is that?!!

So, may I encourage you today to ask Him to show you more of His Father’s heart for you?

Decide to be willing to take any false notions developed or even programmed in you to the dump.No need to get into blame!  Just realize it “ain’t workin’ for ya,” and position yourself to receive what it is the Father wants to show you.

So… Here’s a little assignment for you:  Read Ephesians 1:17-2:5 and take note of how the Father’s heart is revealed here.

Write the passage, meditate on it, and ask the Father what He wants you to see.  I’d love to hear about it!!Have a richly blessed day!  Remember… it’s all in the seeing!

Maryann

Have I Ever Told You….
You’re My Favorite!
The Importance of Feeling Special
God wants you to feel special, and one of the best ways He does it is by giving you His favor!
Not convinced?
Get your copy today!

Go to : www.favoredbyGod.com
Available Now!

Draw Your Sword!

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You do not have to take it!
(This is a post from my Java, Jammies, and Jesus)

This JJJ is a little more aggressive than usual, but I believe I need to issue a call to action.

You see, there has been a recurring pattern that needs to be exposed and once you see it, you may feel the call to rise up, too.

Many people come to my site, read my writings, and some make the decision to invest in and grow my finances using tools available for you if you go to Skrumble.com.  To one degree or another the pattern is the same… initial revelation, enlightenment, the sensation of feeling “lighter than a feather,” and increased hope and courage to do whatever it is the reader or client needs to do.

This is wonderful!  God’s revelation brings elevation and a breath of fresh air.  Several people have used the same phrase to describe their experience, “I feel lighter than a feather!”

And then circumstances come along…. and then more… and now the reader or client is tempted to doubt the new thoughts God had them thinking… is it really God?

Am I really as loved, esteemed, and as favored as I’m learning?

Are my sins REALLY forgiven?

Am I really cut out for this?

Is favor just  momentary feel-good fluff?

Well, let me reinforce this old familiar perspective:  old habits
die hard.

When a mind has been set in a certain direction for a long time, it is like deeply embedded ruts in a road.  Remember the pioneers and the wagon trail?

The explosive quality of revelation can shoot us out of those ruts, making the shifts we need easier.  But our brain, and this is proven scientifically, does not like change, and will do whatever it has to to make our lives reflect what it is used to believing.


The new revelation is perceived almost like an inaccurate, incorrect thought, which the brain sets out to correct.

If anyone wants to read more about this, a good book is, “Who Switched Off My Brain?” by Dr. Caroline Leaf.

So, here is my encouragement and then call to action:


1.  Know that doubts don’t mean the truth isn’t true, and it doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you!  The transformation process takes time and diligence.  In the beginning, a down after an up is normal.

2.  When old thoughts and voices rise up and want to reclaim their place… draw your sword.  Speak OUT LOUD what you know to be true and put your stake in the ground.  If you can’t remember what’s true, it might help to go back through some of my posts, read my book, or better yet… sit in the presence of God and get loved on!

3.  Get angry at the lies, not at people, or even the circumstances.  God promises and provides abundant life.  The enemy
robs, steals, and destroys.  When it comes to lies, get good at spotting them as quickly as possible, and TAKE NO PRISONERS!

4.  If you can, join with people around you who are like-minded and going through similar changes, discovering similar things.       Accountability and encouragement is crucial to success.

There’s so much more to say, but I hope this helps.

Blessed or Stressed?

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I was touched to tears the other day.

As many of you know, I had been traveling for the past month. One of the places I stayed was in lovely Encinitas, CA, for about 3 weeks in my cousin and husband’s new, totally custom built home with sprawling ocean views.

Not only is this house exquisite, an amazing piece of architect, and beautifully, though simply, decorated… it is the most orderly, uncluttered environment I have ever been in. Quite frankly… it sort of intimidated me.

Though my cousin is family, I didn’t really know her or her husband, at least not intimately.

Would they get upset with me if I left a glass around? spilled something? God forbid… broke something?

I found myself wondering… would I leave this place and their company with them disappointed in me?

As kind, generous, and welcoming as they were, it took me a little time to RELAX and ENJOY such a lovely dwelling.

After a few days of discomfort and even resistance, I was surprised to realize that much of my discomfort was about ME and my PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS about them.

Despite my secret concerns, they just kept on giving… fixing me gourmet meals each night, sharing their best bottles of wine, inviting lively discussions, demonstrating curiosity and interest in me and my work….

And yet… I still remained slightly uncomfortable.

And then, it happened. God showed me I had a choice to make. Worry and resist or relax and receive. I became profoundly aware (again!) of how perceptions can either stress or bless!

CHOOSING to see favor, another thing happened…. I came to WANT to see, understand, and embrace THEIR hearts, THEIR ways, and THEIR whys.

By the third week, a beautiful flow of love, appreciation, and acceptance moved between us. I knew them. They knew me.

The day I left, my cousin called me on the way to her work. She expressed sadness that I was leaving, and that she left me something outside my door. Thinking it was some breakfast treat, I opened the door, and there, beautifully wrapped… a gorgeous journal inscribed with a heart felt sentiment.

So, here I am… staying in their home, eating their food, using their things for, what many would think is an excessive amount of time, and …. she leaves me a gift. I was touched to tears.

There are so many things to say about all of this, but I feel, viscerally, the passages, Psalm 23: 6. “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever,” and John 15:4, “Abide (dwell) in Me, and I in you…. “

God wants us to intimately dwell with Him, in His Kingdom, in our hearts, consciously. God knows us… and He wants us to know Him… really know Him…

But how often do our PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS about Him, maybe even our worry and doubt, keep us from relaxing with and enjoying Him, our time together, and all His provisions?

How often does this discomfort keep us at arms length, often missing His blessings? How often do we give up in trying to be in His presence because we initially don’t feel what we want to feel.

I’ll be honest. The first week I was there, I was tempted to find another place to go. But there was no other place. How fortunate for me!

What I would have missed had I not been there to share life with them!

So, here’s my encouragement to you. Choose each day to consciously dwell in the house of the Lord, asking Him about Him, relaxing and receiving all He has for you. Ask Him to enlighten the eyes of your heart so you don’t miss a thing.

I love you!

In Your Corner!
Maryann

Your Perception of God Controls Your Life

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The more people I mentor, the more I am convinced that how a person perceives God controls every aspect of their life, especially how they view themselves.

The interesting thing is – despite this critically pivotal state of mind and heart,  most people have little awareness of how they see God.

And so, one of the first things I listen for is my client’s mindset about who God is to them.  This is often revealed in subtle ways, in the words they casually speak, when they they talk of their past experiences, or what their current struggles are.

Their mindset about who God is to them is formed from a variety of sources from growing up, to what they were told in school, to  what they see in the media, or while they’re out and about in the world.   Even what they are taught in church.   (Yes, I understand, people get nervous when I say those kinds of things.)  Slowly over time conclusions about God and a person’s relationship to Him get solidified to the point that they are never questioned, let alone challenged.

Over my many years of being a Christian, I have hit plenty of walls of frustration and fear. But in each instance, God had given me the opportunity to question and challenge my perception of Him, how He related to me, what He had in store for me, what His promises to me were — yes, you probably noticed a theme… ME.

But contrary to the saying, ‘it NOT about YOU,'”  I believe there are times when it has to be about me… and my mindset about God, which gives me my perception of Him, which will control how I experience what I am going through, and what choices I will make as a result.

Often the Lord has shown me that something definitely needed to be tweaked in my mind… I need the spirit of my mind to be renewed, rejuvenated, and often changed.  And He is faithful to do it.  The more I can see Him as Good, and Good to and for ME, the more I experience His goodness toward me.  This leads to greater peace, clarity, and confidence.  I am able to soar and rise above the difficulties, armed with new spiritual and practical tools and weaponry, all in the safe context of a loving God.

If you are feeling like things are not going so well with you, maybe it’s time to challenge your existing mindset. Ask God to show you what may not be working in your thought life, even in your subconscious.  Tell Him through writing or speaking… not just thinking, that you are ready to hear and see.  He is all about your success, freedom, and fulfillment.

God bless you, my friends.

Be Encouraged as You Approach This New Year

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

What is your approach to this new year?  Gleeful anticipation?  Armed with new resolutions? Ho-hum apathy? Down and out discouragement?

Whatever it is, I would like to pass on to you a passage our pastor encouraged us with yesterday.

1 Cor 2:9 “… as it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.”

He then asked us the question, which I now ask you…

“Do you love God?”

“If so, then God has prepared things for you that you have neither seen, nor heard!”

What do you think of that?  Take a moment and breathe that reality in.

Now you may ask — but are they good things?

Years ago, there seemed to be a rash of teachings that promoted the mentality that if it’s something I don’t like or want to do, it must be God.


There was this thinking that God’s desires and our desires were at such odds with each other that surely, if it was pleasurable, fun, or easy…  it couldn’t be God.

Because of that many have turned away from Him, either within themselves, or in full out rejection.

God is a good God!  And this verse suggests good things are in store for those who love Him. (Notice it is not saying that bad things are in store for those who don’t.  We don’t want to go there!)

Here’s another verse that I’ve been meditating on recently, also mentioned in yesterday’s message.  (Don’t you love when that happens?)

Eph 3:19

Now to Him that is able to do EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL that we ask, or think, according to the power that works in us…

God has prepared good things for you… exceeding abundantly above all you could even think!


And how will those things come to pass?  Through His power that is at work within you.

Meditate on this truth as you think about the new year.  Ask God to deepen it within you.

This is partly how we build a mindset of favor.

In a world filled with negativity and for many of us, a history of shame, guilt, and disappointment, establishing a new mindset of favor is essential to moving forward positively, effectively and in power.

God bless you!!
Maryann

Before You Make That New Years Resolution

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I don’t know about you, but this is a very pensive time of year for me. Christmas makes me reflect a little differently about our Lord and New Years brings a sense of increased hope and energy for what’s to come.Before I actually think too much about next year and what it will bring, I naturally think about this year and how did it mesh with my expectations.

In years past, I have to admit, I would experience a bit of disappointment.  I looked forward to the coming year because I really needed a change, a different attitude, perspective, or circumstances.

Being a bit of a high achiever, I usually wasn’t satisfied with what I had accomplished and typically felt quite frustrated with myself.

I would lose sight of how much God had done in me, through me, and for me.But this year, it’s different.

I began to notice a shift in my mindset last year, but this year, it’s been a whole new world. As I’ve sat daily in the presence of the Lord, He has taught me the art of gratitude and becoming exquisitely aware of His goodness and favor.

Anxieties and fears have literally melted away, and having savored that, I refuse to ever be imprisoned or hindered by them again.

Psalm 37: 4-5 says:
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord (roll and repose each care of your load on Him), trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

I’m sure for many of you, this verse is an old favorite, too.  But have you ever wondered what it really means and how it really works? I have.  Sometimes I have been in so much anxiety or pain that I doubted that it meant anything at all.

Well, if that’s you, maybe I can shed some light.

The first thing we have to notice is the word “delight.”

King David, the author of this Psalm, didn’t say,:
  • “work like a dog”, or
  • “sacrifice your first born,” or
  • “go to church religiously”
  • and THEN God will give you the desires of your heart.
No, David said,  “DELIGHT.”

You know, sometimes the English translation doesn’t do the Hebrew justice.  Here, look:

Delight (‘anag)

Strong’s concordance says, “to be soft or pliable, that is, (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious.”

Another Hebrew dictionary says, ” to be soft, be delicate, be dainty”
a. (Pual) to be delicate
b. (Hithpael)
1. to be of dainty habit, be pampered
2. to be happy about, take exquisite delight
3. to make merry over, make sport of

Hmmm…. interesting word!  This isn’t just about being happy with and about the Lord, but to be like putty in His hands, to be pampered and luxurious!

This may be carrying the image a bit too far, but have you ever been treated to a luxurious massage at a spa resort? When you get on that table, you’re pretty darn vulnerable, aren’t you!

Basically, you have given the masseus permission to do whatever she wants to you, and you are there because you KNOW it’s going to feel so relaxing, and yet so rejuvenating… and you’re going to walk out of there, slowly, with a content grin on your face, with the mental attitude… yeah… whatever… it’s all good.

I love being pampered in that way, no doubt, but I have to say, delighting in the Lord, and He delighting in me… daily, has had a profound, I’ll-never-be-the same impact on my life.  It supercedes even the most luxurious spa treatment!

Through delighting in Him, I have learned of and become established in one of the most pleasurable and effective truths He has given us … we HAVE His favor, and we ARE highly favored. This favor has opened my heart and mind to receive the desires of my heart, and not block them from coming to me.  God wants to give to us excessively!

As I’ve said many times before, we can actually hinder or even, block the blessings of God by feeling disqualified, unworthy, guilty about everything, or undeserving.
The desires of my heart have been to be in constant partnership with the Lord, receiving His love and goodness freely, and being a vibrant, free flowing expression of that love and goodness to those He has put in my path (including you!!).

As I reflect on this year, I see He has honored those desires abundantly through writing, speaking, and coaching.  This fits me.

As I reflect on 2010, there isn’t a hint of disappointment or frustration.  Yay, God!  I am grateful and excited for 2011.
I love being putty in the Hands of Someone so trustworthy, so powerful, and so FOR me.

If you would like that too, here is my suggestions for a New Year’s resolve.Make it your goal to DELIGHT yourself in the Lord.  Spend time with Him and seek His favor.  Ask Him to deepen your awareness of this gift He has freely given to you.  Let Him pamper you with this truth.  He came to give it for a reason.

Then, with a heart of favor, trusting in His goodness, commit your way to Him.  He promises to give you the desires of your heart and bring it to pass.  Whatever way it comes, you will love it and it will delight Him to do so.

A Reflection on Christmas Guilt and Giving

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Ok, the presents are packed away and the bills are coming in. Well, I’m not here to tell you that you overspent or not.  I doubt you need anyone to tell you that!

But I would like to address the frustration that often puts undue stress on us.  Sometimes we blame cultural expectations for this tension and frustration.  But I believe for many of us Believers, there is a genuine God-given desire that sets our frustration into motion!

What is that God-given desire?

To give!  Excessively, extravagently, and without restriction.  Deep within each of us, this desire lives.

Why?  Because we have a God who has “lavished His love on us!” 1 Jn 3:1 (NIV)

LAVISH.  Don’t you love that word?  He has lavished His love on you!

So, why the frustration which creates the tension?  Because no sooner does the desire to give lavishly well up in us, when a competing thought squashes it down: the thought of lack!

Not enough money, not enough resources, not enough time, creativity, energy… whatever.  Faster than we even notice, lack rises up and squeezes the desire to lavishly give, making us feel inadequate, ashamed, and guilty.  Yuk.

Then we blame commercialism, non-believers, greedy kids (did we raise them to be like this???), and before you know it, we end up feeling like Scrooge.

So, what is my suggestion for you?

Rather than get swept away in a flood of lack, guilt, blame, and resentment… focus on ONE thing:
how lavishly the Lord loves you.

Take a few moments each day to dwell on that.  Let it swell up inside your chest, allow that thought to permeate your attitudes, your actions, and your daily dealings. Whenever you feel the pangs of lack, remember His lavish, extravagent love.

I know, it sounds too simple and too self-centered, but…
To be a true giver, you must first be a grateful receiver.

Remember: YOU are the joy set before Jesus. (Hebrews 2:2) And it all starts with Him!

And one more thing… even now, as you prepare for the coming year, set aside the funds you anticipate spending next year, or plan a year of giving without spending lots …. KNOWING you have the heart of God who loves to give.  Seek Him and His abundance, whether expressed through funds, creativity, or special favors.
He wants you to be blessed, not burdened as you express His goodness in and through you.


Developing a Mindset of Favor

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Recently I proposed to you that much of our frustration can be resolved, and dare I say, even eliminated once we have a mindset of FAVOR. (Click here for that post.)

Because the Lord has so thoroughly convinced me of this, it has become my mission to share the power of this transcendent gift.

Getting rooted and established in His favor has caused a huge shift in how I see myself, the world, and why I am even here.

Also, in all my years of counseling and coaching, I have never seen breakthrough in my clients’ lives like I am these days. It’s quite astounding!

Maybe it’s because one very specific reason Jesus came was to restore us all to a favorable relationship with Him!

Look at this verse.  This was not just some doctrinal statement… this is personal, to be taken personally.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (Amplified Bible)

18But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him].

19It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).

20So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ’s personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.

A mindset of favor is to trump all other competing mindsets.
Verbally thanking Him will increase your faith!

So today, thank God for His favor.  Thank Him that He favors you!
Thank Him for coming into this world FOR YOU, to cancel out ALL your sin… past, present, and future.
Thank Him that not only do you HAVE His favor, but you ARE highly favored.  Ask Him to grow this seed of truth within you, change your mind as to how you see yourself, and then, expect Him to do it!!

I love you all!

Maryann