Blessed and Highly Favored

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

Luke 1:28 NKJV

Blessed and highly favored. That's a phrase many Christians use, proudly claiming the title. I  certainly do it. When asked how I am, I often respond "blessed and highly favored". But what does that really mean from a biblical perspective?

Mary was a young virgin engaged to be married, when an angel visited her and told her she had been chosen by God to carry God's Son, the King of kings. What an honor, to be so blessed and highly favored. Royalty brings visions of luxury, splendor, and great provision. Favor suggests being able to get what you want from others. But what was the reality of Mary, the mother of Jesus the Messiah?

Her fiance broke up with her when he learned of the pregnancy. Blessed and highly favored.

Mary couldn't even get a hotel room, and she had to give birth to the Savior of the World in a barn full of animals. Blessed and highly favored.

Don't let Relationship deteriorate into Religion

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

John 4:23-24 NIV

Inspired by Daniel [Daniel 6:10], some years ago I adopted the practice of setting alarms and regularly giving thanks throughout the day. It's a great way to disrupt the negative, and get one's mind focused back on what is good, lovely, and worthy of praise.

This practice evolved into me texting loved ones at critical times, usually their birthday (September 30th = 9:30). I do this to let them know that I'm thinking of them, praying for them, and/or sending them blessings. Sometimes all I send is an emoticon such as praying hands or a smiley face. That's enough to say "I'm thinking of you".

Waiting When God is late.

11 but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?”

Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. 12 So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”

1 Samuel 13:11-12 NLT

Anointed Messages has a text ministry. Subscribers receive a prayer at 8 am and/or the daily text at 3 pm. When God gives me a message I store it in a file and schedule it for the appointed time. 

I like having a storehouse of messages. I like when the queue is full and messages are scheduled in advance. But every now and then I don't have a message as the time approaches. There's a temptation to come up with my own message for the sake of being on time. But it's God's ministry, and the messages must be God's - not mine. God eventually shows up with the perfect message.

Power in your words

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Revelation 12:11 NIV

Journal Entry Thu 4/23/15 6:40 am

A little while ago I heard my neighbors arguing. They were yelling at each other and it seemed another intense fight was starting [They fight often and the police have been called on occasion]. I said to myself, 'I won't miss this' [I'm in the process of moving out of this apartment]. I said out loud "Peace be still" — and the arguing ceased immediately! It was amazing. It was no fluke because it's been several minutes now has not started back up. Highly unusual.

What You're Looking For

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn't even aware of it!"

Genesis 28:16 New Living Translation

A Message from Anointed Messenger for You

Recently I saw the movie Annie. My Mom took me to see the musical as a child, but it had been many years since I'd seen it. Most of you are probably aware of the story of the little orphaned girl who lives a hard-knock life.

The Truth About Valentine's Day

In February 2010, I shared a post about the saint whom inspired the holiday which tends to represent romantic love. The message was well received, but was only shared with email subscribers; so I decided to share it with all of you today. Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

An Anointed Message from Anointed Messenger

Most people don't know the true story about St. Valentine. There are several legends about several St. Valentines but I read about one in a devotional not too long ago. His name was Valentinus, and he was a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century. He was a Roman priest who was arrested and imprisoned for marrying Christian couples and practicing Christianity (which was banned by Emperor Claudius II). Imagine that; couples had to go against the law in order to marry; today marriage is taken all too lightly.

Pending Blessings

 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NIV

Anointed Messages come in different forms: emails, blogs, devotionals, videos, text messages, etc. Some messages require recipients to opt-in, and there are invariably people who sign up but don't follow all the steps necessary to receive the messages.

I sincerely want the people who ask for messages to receive them, but the opt-in is at times required as part of the delivery method. Third party services need to verify that the recipient requested the services, and really want to receive them. It's for the protection of the recipient. It prevents others from signing them up without their permission, and it makes sure the email or other information is correct. The opt-in is usually something very simple such as replying to an email or text; and/or clicking on a confirmation link - yet many people don't follow all the steps. They want the messages, but sadly wait in vain for something that will not come until they take the next step.

What's Blocking the Reception?

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 10:27

AN ANOINTED MESSAGE FROM ANOINTED MESSENGER

Recently I had trouble getting my television remote to work. I pressed the buttons harder, I took out the batteries and rubbed them together (I'm not the only one who does that), but I was still having trouble. Finally I realized that there was a box blocking the pathway from the remote to the television's sensor. It didn't matter what I did to that remote; it wasn't going to work properly unless it connected with the television.

Waiting for a Response

Click here for the most beautiful version of this message.

And the LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Speak, your servant is listening."
1 Samuel 3:10 New Living Translation

A Message from Anointed Messenger

I have a good friend that I wanted to share some important news and thoughts with. I sent her a couple of texts but received no response. I wasn't angry; I assumed she was busy or something. However more events unfurled and I wanted to share with her, but I did not since I hadn't heard from her. It wouldn't make sense to keep contacting someone who wasn't responding. It's not my goal to harass people but to communicate with those whom are willing and able to listen.

Key Lime Cupcakes

Click here for the most beautiful version of this message.

A Message from Anointed Messenger

I have a friend that is always talking about the key lime cupcakes from Whole Foods. She never said, "You should try them", nor in any way tried to force them on me. She just kept talking about how good they were, and about how much she loved them.

Gossiping With God

Click here for the most beautiful version of this message.

A Message from Anointed Messenger

gossip
•    n.noun
1.    Rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature.
2.    A person who habitually spreads intimate or private rumors or facts.
3.    Trivial, chatty talk or writing.
4.    A close friend or companion.
5.    A godparent.
•    intr.v.
1.    To engage in or spread gossip.

YES is Required

Click here for the most beautiful version of this message.

A Message from Anointed Messenger

I recently started a text message ministry. I started by sending a few texts to people I know, with a request to

reply YES if they wanted to receive daily text messages. Many of them replied YES but some did not. Some replied with other things and a few not at all.

Unsent

A Message from Anointed Messenger

Sometimes I'll ask a friend about an email and they'll insist they've already responded to me. Oh? I didn't get it. Often it turns out the email in question is in their Drafts folder. They've done all the work, and said what needed to be said, but forgot to push send.

Conquering the enemy with Good Choices

I call on heaven and earth as witnesses today that I have offered you life or death, blessings or curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants will live. 

Deuteronomy 30:19 GOD'S WORD® Translation 

A Message from Anointed Messenger

I’ve already confessed to my love for Star Trek, especially The Next Generation. (There are lots of Star Trek quotes for fellow fans at the bottom of this post.) In one of my favorite episodes The Enemy, straight-laced security officer Lt. Worf is the only person on board the starship Enterprise that can save an injured Romulan’s life by donating some of his genetic material. If the Romulan dies it could trigger a war between Starfleet and the Romulans. The problem is the Romulans are enemies of Worf’s people – the Klingons. Romulans killed Worf’s parents, causing him to be orphaned as a child.

Suffering

A Message from Anointed Messenger

In the Bible we can recognize that many who were used mightily by God suffered greatly. [Hebrews 11:36, 2 Cor 11:24] If you want to be used mightily by God prepare to suffer mightily. Don't look at others who seem to have it easier and envy them. Neither assume that suffering comes because of wrong doing.

Suffering builds character. Those who suffer the most are not God's least favorite children, but those whom He intends to do great things with.

Obey God & Leave the Consequences to Him

Click here for the most beautiful version of this message.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

A Message from Anointed Messenger

Journal excerpt

I do have some good news to share. On Pinterest I looked for photos by Charles Stanley (he’s a great photographer) and I saw “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.” I remembered when that was my motto, when I tried to obey and trust God for the consequences. But I felt like God led me into so many

GOD DOESN'T WANT TO HURT YOU

Click here for the most beautiful version of this message.

A Message from Anointed Messenger 

I had been having a really rough week when I came across the scriptures from Lamentations 3:31-33. Wow did they minister to my heart! Even though we may know in our minds that God loves us unconditionally (although many don't truly know that fact), there are times when circumstances get to us such that we need reminders and reassurance that God still loves us, and He doesn't enjoy causing us sorrow. God if You love me why are You allowing me to walk down this painful road? I AM because I love you, He replies.

God wants us to fight

A Message from Anointed Messenger

I'm not talking about being violent or fighting with people; I'm talking about fighting for the things God wants us to have. In my last blog post I talked about having the courage to try again. After lots of disappointment and setbacks I had become rather complacent in certain areas. My get up and go had gotten up and went. Learned helplessness is when creatures learn through experience that what they do doesn't make a difference. Initially they try and fail, but after many failed attempts eventually they stop trying.

A Matter of Timing

“Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.
“There is nothing there,” he said.
Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”
The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”

1 Kings 18:43-44a NIV

A Message from Anointed Messenger

After the Storm

A Message from Anointed Messenger

I exchange texts with my oldest brother everyday, and lately the weather in Chicago where he is, hasn't been much different from the weather in Houston where I am. If it was 91 here it was about 88 there. But recently there was a terrible storm in Chicago. Lots of lightning and thunder and many people lost electric power. I was concerned for all the people affected by the storm.