We are in an unprecedented time of shaking that some sociologists say only happens in the times of great wars like world wars. The level of tension in culture, politics, economy and Christianity, amongst other religions, can be felt daily as news stories come out that feel like history is changing in our everyday lives.
If we look at biblical stories, the way that God has always worked is that in times of tension when the world cannot resolve its own issues without more conflict and when man can’t self-correct, God puts His favor on people He has been quietly raising up behind the scenes.
Whether it’s the Josephs who are at work in the jails that the enemy has tried to regulate or subdue their authority, or the Esther’s whose beauty is hidden amongst all the beauty of the world but inside there is something that can save a nation. God is about to put the fiery light of His love on the highest places it can shine from.
We are going to watch a great displacing of authorities and it won’t be a dramatic showdown, it will be God raising His lights, His people into authority and they will be there because they have answers for the dilemmas in the areas of the authority they carry. They have love and purpose that the world can not get outside of having them there.
What God has been preparing you for in the secret place is about to be at play not only for your life but for the place of influence He has called you to.
The Strategy of the Enemy When God Brings Season of Favor
Right before breakthrough comes, or before someone emerges into their promised land, the enemy comes with a strategy to exhaust and distract them. Some of you are facing the most exhausting, confusing, opposite circumstances of what God has shown you will be your promised land. Your life is filled with the opposite of promise or circumstances that are taking all of your energy so when it comes to actualizing the promises of God, the enemy’s strategy is to keep you from believing and acting.
This means that the faith realm takes energy that we don’t want to deplete on everything else, but we need to do what Paul said over and over: stand firm in our faith (Eph. 6:13).
One big key in keeping a place of faith is in sharing your faith journey. Whether it’s your testimony of salvation, your stories of how God has brought breakthroughs or sharing the gospel with others, you need to share. There is a blessing in sharing that fills a tank in you that is like a hidden reserve battery.
God Is About to Release Those Who Have Been Growing in Favor
This is a season of growing in favor with God and man and lending your favor for others (Luke 2:52).
Many of you have been in a time where the work that God is doing is on the inside so that He can trust you to manifest His greater works through you. We have watched many well known Christians who didn’t have the character to sustain the blessing because at some point they allowed the ministry or purpose to define their identity. True favor comes to those and is sustained by those who know Him.
The anointing of favor that is coming is defined in the Strong’s with the Hebrew word for favor which is Charis: * charis * khar’-ece * From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): – acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).
OT: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favor, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well ([-favored]
This favor is going to set people apart to receive what they haven’t sown, to inherit what they didn’t build, and to create acceleration in purposes that would normally take generations to bring forth. We live in a time when things are happening faster, so it’s easy to see how God could bless those who are walking with Him and part of that blessing looks like something. It causes a reaction in the world around you.
When you are walking in this favor, reaction causes:
- People to give you resources.
We see this over and over in the Bible. Solomon, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Esther.
- People to lend you their relational capital.
It’s like Joseph, when he interpreted the dreams he got to meet the pharaoh or Barnabas with Paul the apostle.
- People to give you their time and services.
It’s like Lydia and the business women with Paul the apostle or the disciples with Jesus.
- People to give you their heart and covenant relationship with you.
People who are walking in their God given identity as sons and daughters don’t come to the world to take, but to release the kingdom and to give. They come to release the empowerment and grace of the kingdom over every aspect of life.
Favor is not fair and gives you an unfair advantage, opportunities you could never get yourself and positions of authority that you couldn’t educate yourself for. At the same time, your favor is for other people. God puts His favor on you to show the world how much He loves them.
Jesus shared the influence He was creating us to have in His first sermon in Matthew 5:
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep an open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
We are supposed to be the light to the world, sharing his God colors and bringing out his flavor in everything. Later in John, Jesus says of himself in John 8:12:
“Jesus once again addressed them: ‘I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.’”
God is bestowing His favor on people all over the world right now, and it’s positional, financial, relational and going to give people solutions to ongoing problems that the world will feel “blessed” because you exist. The world will feel like God loves them because of your relationship with God. His grace, favor, blessing on you will prove to the world that God is real.
I prophesy to you: Arise and shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord is upon you.
To find out more, listen to my full podcast on The Shawn Bolz Show with Shawn Bolz: https://sites.libsyn.com/412208.
Shawn Bolz is a TV and podcast host, an author, producer and a Christian minister. He has been leading conversations in the church, entertainment industry and in social justice that have helped believers connect their faith to culture in a transformative way. Shawn’s deeply connected yet humorous style of speaking, media hosting & coaching through his unique expert perspective has brought him around the world to meet with churches, CEO’s, entertainers and world leaders.
James Lasher 
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