Joshua 24:15 "...But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

God wants to get down deep in that darkest part of YOUR life. He wants to get in your heart, your soul. What better way is their to be a light to your family or someone else?

" God is the ONLY source of joy, hope, and life." Were you brought or will you bring?

Go Fish Ministries

Isaiah 55:12, 13. Expanded Bible Translation

“So you will go out with joy [returning from the Babylonian exile] and be led out in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees in the fields will clap their hands [the earth rejoices at God’s restoration of creation].

13 Large cypress [or Juniper; Evergreen] trees will grow where thornbushes were. Myrtle trees will grow where weeds [briers] were. These things will be a reminder of the Lord’s promise [or for the Lord’s honor/renown; to the Lord for a name], and this reminder will never be destroyed [for an eternal sign that will not be cut off].” EXB

WHAT is going to happen?

v.13a NASB77

“Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up;

And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up;

WHY will it happen?

v. 13b NASB77

And it will be a memorial to the LORD,

For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.”

This will bring fame to Adonai as an eternal, imperishable sign. CJB

And then those trees will stand as a lasting witness to the glory of the Lord. CEV

All this will happen to make the Lord known, to be a permanent reminder of his goodness and power. ERV

WHO benefits?

Isaiah 55:12

“For you will go out with joy, And be led forth with peace;

The YOU At The End Of Isaiah 55 Is The Same As The YOU At The End Of Isaiah 55.

GOD IS MOST GLORIFIED THROUGH YOU WHEN YOU ARE MOST SATISFIED THROUGH HIM.

Week 3 - Today: THE BENEFITS OF FAVOR. Exodus 33:12-18 TLB12One day Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ 13If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.”14The LORD replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”15Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.”17The LORD replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”YOU GET A COMPANION. v.14 “I will personally go with you…”YOU GET REST. v.14 “...and I will give you rest.”Rest Is A Testimony Of Trust “It's not in trying, but in trustingIt’s not in running, but in restingIt's not in wondering, but in praying...That we find the strength of the Lord.”YOU ARE SET APART. v.16 “For your presence among us sets your people and me apart…"YOU BECOME KNOWN. v.17 “I know you by name.”v. 18 Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.”

Activating God's Favor - 05.22.16

Favor is “preferential treatment” shown to someone.

Favor denotes someone’s acceptance, approval and pleasure.

In order to activate favor, you must first have favor.

The way to activate God’s favor in your life is to recognize where you already have it.

1 Peter 2:9, 10 NASB

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Greek word for favor: CHARIS

In the New Testament, this word is translated “grace.”

Grace (and favor) is essentially a gift.

FAVOR IS A+ THINKING.

Your belief about your favored status is one of the most important beliefs you have. Satan HATES it.

HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR FAVOR?

The Story Of Joseph’s Favor - Genesis 39

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. 2And the LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. 3Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4So Joseph found favor in his sight.

(Turtle On Fencepost Picture)

What have I done with the favor (preferential treatment) I already have?

What Fencepost Have You Already Been Placed On?

Proverbs 18:16 NASB77

A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.

“Go where you are Celebrated - Not Tolerated!”

Who Tolerates You?

Who Celebrates You?

Psalm 85:11 GOD'S WORD Translation

The LORD God is a sun and shield. The LORD grants favor and honor. He does not hold back any blessing from those who live innocently.

Psalm 5:11-12 GOD'S WORD Translation

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them sing with joy forever. Protect them, and let those who love your name triumph in you. 12You bless righteous people, O LORD. Like a large shield, you surround them with your favor.

Jesus Is Baptized - Luke 3:21, 22

Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

A good name is to be more desired than great riches, Favor is better than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1

FIRST, WHAT FAVOR ISN’T:

Favor Isn't Fairness.

Favor Isn't Happiness.

Favor Isn't Just For You.

The FAVOR OF GOD is the GUARANTEE of His PRESENCE and the PROVISION of His POWER to accomplish His DIVINE PURPOSE.

Elijah and Elisha - 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NASB)

So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. 20He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.

GOD’S FAVOR MEANS THAT YOU DON’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT - YOU GET MORE!

Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us… Ephesians 3:20.

WHEN GOD DOESN’T GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT, IT’S BECAUSE HE PLANS TO GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WANT!

Finding God’s FAVOR: Not WHAT I Want, MORE than I want.

When It’s Not Right – God Says NO!

When You’re Not Right – God Says GROW!

When The Time Is Not Right – God Says SLOW!

When IT’S Right, YOU’RE Right, And The TIME Is Right - God Says GO!

2 Kings 2:9-13

When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 10He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. 12Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 13He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him.

GOD’S FAVOR IS ALWAYS MORE THAN YOU ASKED FOR.

GOD’S FAVOR IS ALWAYS MORE THAN YOU WANTED.

Proverbs 31:28-31

28Her children stand and bless her; so does her husband. He praises her with these words:

29“There are many fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all!”

30Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn’t last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised.

31Praise her for the many fine things she does. These good deeds of hers shall bring her honor and recognition from people of importance.

Let's Praise Her With These Words!

ALIGNMENT. 05.01.16

What Has To Be Done By Everyone Consistently For The Church To Thrive?

What Is Alignment?

The Trinity.

Adam And Eve.

120 In The Upper Room.

The Latin Word Diabolical Means "To Fragment"

The Power Of Alignment:

Joshua Chapter 6

We Can Do Together What We Could Never Do Alone.

Alignment Is The Power Of The Church TOGETHER!

John 6:61-69

61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”

66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

67“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

A John 6 Moment Raises The Stakes.

Why Is It Worth It?

The Church Saved My Life.

Ezekiel 37:1-14

The Valley of Dry Bones

37 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley;[a] it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath[b] to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling,[c] and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”

Our Mission Is To Transform Lives Into The Likeness Of Jesus Christ.

ISAIAH 55

1“Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters;

And you who have no money come, buy and eat.

Come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without cost.

2“Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And delight yourself in abundance.

3“Incline your ear and come to Me.

Listen, that you may live;

And I will make an everlasting covenant with you,

6Seek the LORD while He may be found;

Call upon Him while He is near.

7Let the wicked forsake his way,

And the unrighteous man his thoughts;

And let him return to the LORD,

And He will have compassion on him;

And to our God,

For He will abundantly pardon.

8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.

9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

10“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

And do not return there without watering the earth,

And making it bear and sprout,

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

11So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me empty,

Without accomplishing what I desire,

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

13“Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up; And it will be a memorial to the LORD, For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.”