Life and Favor

...For He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago]...
2 Timothy 1:9 AMP

My personal mantra in life is "move forward". In every situation I am always operating from the perspective of what it takes to move forward. Life is unpredictable. On any given day we are faced with scenarios of all kinds. Some scenarios are ones that we cherish and others  challenge us at the most impossible levels, and at the most inconvenient times (1 Peter 5:8). Having the personal imperative to always "move forward" means that perhaps I don't sit with my challenges long enough to appreciate the glory, power, and majesty of God's power and favor that had to be exercised to bring me out and allowed me to move forward. I usually just remain focused on moving forward.
Today I feel the deep desire to acknowledge and give God a much higher praise as I've spent the last few days truly considering the magnitude of what God has done to deliver me from the most dire challenges over the years. Not only did He bring me out of things that should have surely killed me, but He brought me out in such a way that I do not bear the residue of those challenges, and I can truly move forward. (Daniel 3:26-27) 
My encouragement today is for us to simply stop and take time to consider all that God has truly brought you through. How many times has God had to override the decisions of your flesh in order to prevent the harm that should have been a natural consequence from taking hold of your life. Just think about it. (Psalm 34:19)
Let us be reminded that God's gifts and call on our lives is irrevocable (Romans 11:29). I believe that God will do whatever is necessary to make sure that we succeed at the purpose for which He created each of us. To do so, He surrounds us with His favor like a shield (Psalm 5:12). His favor protects us from attacks that try to destroy our destiny, and insulates us from being penetrated by the traumas that we would suffer and absorb if He allowed us to engage in battle in our own strength (2 Chronicles 20:15). We must remember that the battles that threaten our destiny are not our battles (2 Corinthians 10:4). They are threats against God's destiny for the fullness of our lives (John 10:10). He is the guarantor of destiny (Hebrews 12:2). 
So today, let us truly be mindful of the greatness of God, and the fullness of His mercy, grace, and favor on our lives by thinking back on all He has brought us through. We did nothing to deserve it. We could not have possibly earned it. Let our hearts be thankful and let us sing high praises to His name. Hallelujah!

Be Blessed!
​~Nina 
  

Declaration: I thank and praise God for His favor that surrounds me like a shield and preserves the abundant life that He has gifted and called me to live.