Review:
Word of the Lord for 2012 : His Glory Will Make The Difference

Key verses:  Isaiah 60:1-2
Expect things to be different for you, because of God’s glory upon you.
In 2012 We must pursue and walk in the glory of God. We must pursue godly character (purity), pursue the supernatural (authority, anointing, faith), pursue unity and fellowship.

Word of the Lord for 2013
2013 : A Year of Divine Favor
Expect unusual favor. God will do the opposite of what people expect to happen to you.

Job 22:23-30
24  If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; You will remove iniquity far from your tents.
24  Then you will lay your gold in the dust, And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks.
25  Yes, the Almighty will be your gold And your precious silver;
26  For then you will have your delight in the Almighty, And lift up your face to God.
27  You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, And you will pay your vows.
28  You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways.
29  When they cast you down, and you say, 'Exaltation will come!' Then He will save the humble person.
30  He will even deliver one who is not innocent; Yes, he will be delivered by the purity of your hands."

Divine favor is an endowment of God that is released upon a person and gives the person influence, access to people, places or things, unusual opportunities, exaltation and divine intervention.

Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality”

Yet, in His dealings with mankind, we find that God releases divine favor upon some individuals or upon groups of people at certain points in time, in particular seasons or moments in their lives.

Examples of the Favor of God Coming Upon People

Nehemiah
Nehemiah 1:11,  Nehemiah 2:1–8, Nehemiah 2:18

Joseph
Genesis 39:21,22

"And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house (Acts 7:9,10).

The People of Israel in Egypt

And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people (Exodus 11:3).

Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children (Exodus 12:35–37).

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE FAVOR OF GOD IS UPON US?
1, Influence Among People
2, Access to People, Places or Things
People will readily welcome you and give to you because of the favor of God upon you.
3, Unusual Opportunities
Get ready to spread out your wings and fly in 2013 because of the favor of God.
4, Brings Exaltation
For You are the glory of their strength, and in Your favor our horn is exalted (Psalm 89:17).

5, Releases Life
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness (Psalm 30:11).

WHAT CAUSES THE FAVOR OF GOD TO COME UPON US?
1, Favor is Connected to Our Assignment
e.g. Esther    do not waste the favor of God on your life

2, Favor Is Connected to the Set Time
You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for the time to favor her, yes, the set time, has come (Psalm 102:13).

3, Favor Is Connected to Righteousness
For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield (Psalm 5:12).

Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man (Proverbs 3:3,4).

A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn (Proverbs 12:2).

4, Favor Is Connected to Wisdom and Understanding
For whoever finds me (wisdom) finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD (Proverbs 8:35).

Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard (Proverbs 13:15).

Workplace
The king's favor is toward a wise servant, but his wrath is against him who causes shame (Proverbs 14:35).

STEWARDING GOD’S FAVOR
Good stewards of divine favor: Joseph, king David, Nehemiah, Esther.
Some who wasted the favor God had bestowed. King Solomon, king Hezekiah

Here are some important things we need to do to properly steward the favor God releases upon our lives.

1, Give God All The Glory
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth. (Psalm 115:1)

2, Share The Blessing of Divine Favor
"Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

3, Do Not Abuse God’s Favor
4, Continue To Grow
5, Protect What Has Been Given
6, Pass It On To Succeeding Generations

2013 will be a Year of Divine Favor on your life
Expect unusual favor! God will do the opposite of what people expect to happen to you.

• Pray for divine favor.
Remember me, O LORD, with the favor You have toward Your people. Oh, visit me with Your salvation (Psalm 106:4).
I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; be merciful to me according to Your word (Psalm 119:58).

• Position yourself for divine favor.
• Expect to receive divine favor.

Adapted from Numbers 6:24-26
"The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, (The LORD release unusual favor on you) And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." '

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