(CS4U) Favour

RISE AND SHINE CHRISTIAN SERVICES May 3, 2011 Discover yourself to reclaim your destiny Meditations for your quiet moments Pray for God's Favour To see God's favour at work, examine the life of Joseph. 'Now Israel [Jacob] loved Joseph more than all his children... he made him a [coat] of many colours. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him... they hated him... Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more' Genesis 37:3-5. Notice two things in this story. First, God's favour is a gift, not a reward because you're better than others. Never apologise for God's blessing on your life, but never wear it as a badge of superiority. Paul asks, 'What do you have that you did not receive?' 1 Cor 4:7. Answer, nothing! So keep that in mind and live with an attitude of gratitude. Second, walking in God's favour requires great wisdom. Joseph's brothers said, '...Look, this dreamer is coming... let us now kill him and... see what will become of his dreams!' Genesis 37:18-20. It's a mistake to share your dream with those who are incapable of appreciating it. Openly, they may rejoice with you, but secretly they'll resent you. The Prodigal's older brother wasn't upset that his younger brother was starving in a foreign pig pen. What he couldn't handle was his homecoming celebration. King Saul rejoiced when David killed Goliath. What he couldn't handle were people saying, 'Saul has killed his thousands, [but] David his ten thousands!' 1 Samuel 18:7  Jesus had strong words on this subject: 'Do not cast your pearls before swine' Matthew 7:6. So use wisdom, speak only when the time is right, seek to please God, and you'll walk in His favour. A mother wishing to encourage her young son's progress at the piano brought him to a concert given by the famous Polish pianist, Paderewski.  They found their seats near the front of the concert hall and eyed the majestic Steinway waiting on stage. The mother found a friend to talk to, and the boy slipped away. At eight o'clock, the lights in the auditorium began to dim, the spotlights came on, and then they noticed the boy upon the bench, picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". His mother gasped, but before she could retrieve her son, the master appeared on the stage and quickly moved to the keyboard.  He whispered to the boy, "Don't quit.  Keep playing." Leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass.  Soon his right arm reached around the other side and improvised a delightful obbligato.  Together, the old master and the young novice held the crowd mesmerized. In our lives, unpolished though we may be, it is the Master who surrounds us and whispers in our ear time and time again, "Don't quit.  Keep playing."  And as we do, He augments and supplements, until a work of amazing beauty is created.   "Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thess 1:11-12                              Share this with a friend      Send us your Prayer Requests Feel free to unsubscribe risetoshine@hotmail.co.uk