Tag Archives: favor

Wanna Get Happy?

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Hello You Highly Favored Child of God!

Thank you all so much for all your very intriguing, enlightening emails!  Interestingly, the topic of happiness generated the most response of anything I’ve ever sent out!

It is clear that as desired as happiness is by most, (some people actually prefer misery, no joke!) it can be a confusing, complicated thing.  While hard to explain, you all seem to know when you’re happy and when you aren’t!
Happiness does not have to mean a constant state of exhilaration and euphoria, but there is definitely a lifting and lightening of our loads.  And who couldn’t use that now a days!!

Here’s my proposition:

God wants us to be happy.  He is on our side!  And there are over 70 verses that give us clues.

Besides the Word, a vast number of clinical studies done over the last decade aid us as well.

One interesting, though not surprising “discovery” is:  contrary to our Constitution, the pursuit of happiness is fruitless!

Ah…. but didn’t I say it’s God’s heart and intention for us to be happy?  Absolutely!

But we do not get happy by pursuing happiness.

Happiness is actually a RESULT of many different factors all working together.  And we can be totally happy in one area of our lives, and not so happy in others.

So, let’s get real…. 24/7 happiness in every realm of our lives is pretty unrealistic!

And yet, we could all stand to be happier! I mean authentically happier, not the fakey, stuck-on-the-face-smile-happy. I mean the kind of happiness that gives us more energy, a greater sense of peace, freedom, and generosity.

So, come with me and let’s start digging for treasure.

Psalm 1.  Great place to start!  As far as I can tell, it is in this Psalm that the Hebrew word for “happy,” often termed “blessed,” is first seen.

For today, let’s just look at the first two verses … and as we do, please resist the urge to treat this verse like a platitude.

I’m pretty sure you have heard and seen this passage before, and so there will be a tendency to say, “Oh, that… ” and dismiss it.

Scripture can be mere information, or it can be power-packed, spiritual nutrients for our hungry souls … so let’s purpose in our hearts to take God’s word on the subject of happiness and ask Him to make it real and meaningful to us, carrying it around in our minds and hearts throughout the day.

Devour this food and let it energize you!

Blessed (HAPPY) is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1: 1-2

There was a time that I thought this verse meant that I had to cut certain people and places out of my life.  And maybe for a season that was alright, seeing as I had so little confidence in who I was in Christ.

Years ago, as a young attorney, I desperately wanted to leave my job, and eventually I did.  I found it very difficult to be around all those ungodly people, all those who mocked my God, all those who delivered worldly advice and wanted me to do the same.  It hurt to be misunderstood and hear negative things about the One I loved so much.

It was not a happy place.

But this verse is not talking necessarily about cutting anyone out of our lives!  It’s really about – who are we listening to?

Even after narrowing my field of friendships, I still had to deal with my own inner critic – you know, that voice within that torments you in the night, “advising” you as to what you shouldn’t or should have done, telling you what you are and what you’re not, filling your mind with fears and worries!

Sometimes the counsel of my own inner voice is pretty ungodly and does not agree with the love of God.  Listening to it has caused me a great deal of stress and unhappiness.

There’s also a bit of a scoffer in most of us, right?  Isn’t that what we do when we hear the word of God and add a “yeah, but…” after?

Whenever we place our experience or what we see in others’ lives above what God says… well, that is a bit of scoffing. And as the word says, that does not lead us to a happiness!

So, what does? (go to part 2!)

Are you happy?

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Keys to Happiness…. In the Bible???

Are you happy?  Do you want to be happy?

These may sound like dumb questions … doesn’t everyone want to be happy?

Well, yes, I believe they do.  But, there is a notion about happiness in many Christian circles that specifically devalues happiness!

Consider this common teaching:
Happiness is related to happenings.
Happenings are temporary.
Therefore don’t seek happiness, a temporary and fleeting state of mind.
Instead, seek joy because joy is a reliable gift from God.

Well, I submit this thinking, one I long ascribed to, is wrong.  Oh, not that I don’t believe in seeking the joy of the Lord… it is, after all, our strength.

But I do believe we can and should expect happiness… and not feel an ounce of trepidation, guilt, or shame about it!

In our counseling/coaching ministry, we talk with people regularly who are not happy – in their marriages, their jobs, their relationships with their children or extended families, in their finances… the list goes on.

If I may, I would like to do a series on this topic over the next week or so.  I love people to be happy, and I know they can be.

In fact, the other day I came across my old high school yearbook and in it one of my best friends noted that I had a way of making people happy wherever I go.  I didn’t know that.  This was stunning to me.  I had no idea making people happy would be part of my life’s mission!

So, I ask you again… are you happy and do you want to be? Would you be so kind and let me know?

On a scale of 1 -10, how happy are you, generally?  How about in your marriage, if you are married?  In your work?  In your relationships, especially with God? with yourself?

I want to help you become happier.  Would you let me know if this is of interest to you?

God has given us many keys I would love to pass on to you.  It is His intention and design that we be happy, otherwise there would be no biblical passages giving us clues!!

So, here’s one for you to meditate on from Psalm 89:15:

“Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are the people who know the joyful sound; they walk, O Lord, in the light and favor of Your countenance!”

Tip #1:  KNOW the joyful sound.  This joyful sound is actually a loud, shout, often with music and relates to celebrating all that God has done!  Go ahead!  Feel free to celebrate!  Shout out the goodness of the Lord!  Even if you don’t feel like it — trust me, it is elevating and will transform the energy in the atmosphere around you.

Tip #2:  WALK in the LIGHT and FAVOR of God’s countenance.  His countenance is His turning His face to you, looking upon you, with Favor in His eyes! This is a truth you can carry around with you, all through the day!  Maybe you can take some time and meditate and receive that today!

Tip #3:  Get my new book, “Have I Ever Told You, You’re My Favorite!”  It is helping so many increase in the favor of God… and that is a totally delightful key to happiness!

Favor for Weight Loss?

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Recently I asked a group of ladies, “For what do you need God’s favor?”

One by one, they poured out their hearts – some revealing the dreams and calling the Lord had given them, others the desire for a job that paid well and they enjoyed.  But for a large number of them, they needed favor to get to their ideal weight.

Tired of carrying around the extra poundage, feeling discouraged and disgusted every time they look in the mirror or a picture of themselves, and even worse, having impending health conditions affect the quality and duration of their lives, some of them struggled with the desire to even exert the energy to — one more time, try and lose the weight.

Now, I know I’m only 10-15% overweight, and so, some may disqualify me from speaking on the subject, but I am heavier than I ever have been before, and it’s not comfortable.  I don’t like feeling the formation of a tire or two, around my belly.  And while my health is still excellent, at the rate I’m going, jumping to the next size in clothing …. again … will be the least of my worries.  Losing 15- 20 pounds would make me feel oh, so much better!

And yet, every time I have tried to lose weight in the past, it becomes a focus, and the more I focus on my weight, the more weight I put on!  If I have been successful in losing it, the weight eventually finds its way back to my body bringing added reinforcement with it.

Can anyone say, “Amen?”

So, for me and others, I asked the Lord, “Does your favor work for weight loss?” I knew the answer had to be, “yes,” but I needed revelation on how.

Well, His answer is unfolding.  I have noticed that when the Lord is beginning a a new work, or providing a fresh way to an old problem, His answer rarely starts with a list of to-dos … but rather, a meditation on an overall perspective … some attitude or truth to apprehend before actually designing an action plan.

So here’s what He gave me:

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of ALL grace – Who imparts ALL blessing and FAVOR – Who has called you to His OWN eternal glory in Christ Jesus, WILL HIMSELF COMPLETE and MAKE YOU WHAT YOU OUGHT TO BE, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen and settle you.”  1 Peter 5:10 (AMP)

God has given this verse to my husband and I a lot lately!  And it seems to apply in all kinds of situations, but I never thought about it in terms of helping us with our attitudes about our bodies.  And yet, more and more we hear of reports where pounds seem to melt off  people who are basking in the glory of God at a revival meeting! Recently a friend shared how she lost 3 inches around her middle this way!   His glory and favor can do that!

As I meditate on this verse, I am encouraged.  Maybe we can approach losing weight in the same way we approach our salvation …. by grace, not works.

Maybe we need to sit with this verse before the Lord for a bit, letting His Spirit have His way within us before we jump into the next miracle diet plan.

Maybe the favor for now is “the divine influence on our hearts, and the reflection of such, in our lives.” Maybe we need His divine influence to truly believe that, “Faithful is He who calls us, who will also do it.”  (1 Thess 5:24)

Being full of that truth, maybe this process would be so much easier.

So,  rather than me giving you my take on this…. why not sit a few minutes in contemplation before the Lord, asking Him to reveal to you His take on it. Why not write down this verse today, take it with you, or post it somewhere prominent.

And if you need the favor of God to help you, let me know.  I will definitely pray for you!

Part 2 coming soon!

Love,
Maryann

Another Adventure in Favor!l

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God is showing my husband great favor these days (or maybe we are just more attuned to it!).

As a private investigator and security consultant, he often contracts with major corporations to find missing goods, expose shady operations, or discover counterfeit sources. He quite enjoys it.

This work has given him extensive travel experience (www.AmericasTravelExpert.com),  but he is always looking for new places to go and write about. He is also a man after God’s heart, and he loves meeting new people and spreading God’s love wherever he goes.

Recently he was saying he would love to go to the Middle East or China…. and then the call came… an interesting case that pays very well.

And if that wasn’t favor enough, the company might need him to go to ….. YES!  the Middle East or China. In 25 years of investigative work, this offer has never been presented!   Hmmmm…. He jumped on it!

The forces that oppose us, however, do not like us experiencing the favor of God, His promises, or any good thing actually.   They would like us to be frustrated and then, blame God.

And so, many times since Gene began this case, a wrench was thrown into the works where it looked like his desire would not be coming to fruition.

The favor of God is always at work, even if our heart’s desire is not fulfilled at the moment. God makes sure we have golden nuggets strewn along our path. We can rest in that.

However, we had a “knowing” that Gene was supposed to go, not just for him, but for the success of the case. Often corporate budget constraints can make executives short sighted and settle for inadequate results. Gene wanted win-win for everyone.

So, our spiritual training kicked in. We said “No!” to any and all obstacles. We proclaimed God’s love, delight and pleasure to have Gene go. We did not accept, “No”. This was a big lesson for us.

Three times we saw his travel threatened. Three times we declared he was going. Each time there was a temptation to roll over and just accept the company’s decision. But God trains us well.

Ps 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will guide you with my eye.”

Gene is now in Istanbul, Turkey, and next month he will go to Hong Kong!

God delights in delighting us.

Do you have a desire on your heart that He would delight in giving you? Let the Lord train you in appropriating His favor.  It’s there for you, too!

Have a blessed day!
Maryann

PS  Speaking of traveling…. this airport video will put a smile on your face!!

Airport Fun