Walking in God's Favor: A Daily Devotional

By Christina Marie Hollensbe

In her dynamic new devotional, WALKING IN GODS FAVOR, speaker and author Christina Marie Hollensbe provides you with powerful God moments for your daily walk with Christ. Christina looks for indicators of Gods presence in her own life and captures them through her prayer journals. After many years of writing, Christina Hollensbe heard the Lord calling her to share her God-inspired writings with others.

While reading WALKING IN GODS FAVOR, you will learn that God makes a certain point of letting us know Hes alive and involved in our everyday lives. God moments are all around us. We just have to learn to recognize them. Each days devotion is filled with practical biblical application along with personal stories, and life-changing promises from Gods Word. Using this devotional, you will learn to trust God, grab hold of His scripture, apply the Word to your life, and experience WALKING IN GODS FAVOR!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 9, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512760170

Christina Marie Hollensbe

Rescued from a life of abandonment, hopelessness, and brokenness, Christina Hollensbe now lives to tell of a life transformed through Jesus. Christina speaks about the unfailing love she has found in Jesus and helps struggling women fill their hearts with this same hope. She loves encouraging women with scripture in anticipation that they too will find the same Jesus that speaks to us today. Her authenticity, excitement, passion, and openness about Jesus draws many women closer to the Lord. Christina is also the author of Relentless Love and is the founder of Relentless Love Ministries. Today Christina Hollensbe is a newspaper journalist, columnist, conference speaker, Bible teacher, and published author. She is a graduate of Houston Baptist University. Christina travels extensively while serving in ministry and conducting various Christian events. Christina lives in Houston, Texas with her husband John, and their child with paws, Petals.

Book preview

WALKING

in

God’s

FAVOR

A Daily Devotional

CHRISTINA MARIE HOLLENSBE

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Copyright © 2017 Christina Marie Hollensbe.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-6018-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-6019-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-6017-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016916885

WestBow Press rev. date: 01/09/2017

Scripture quotations from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked (ERV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center, Inc. and used by permission

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMPC),

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB),

Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,

1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture is taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Introduction

He is the God that Sees You

Lay Down Like the Lion

The Homeless Man

Bondage Breaker

What Can I Expect from God?

You are Loved

The .05 Cent Bubble Gum

Life is Beautiful

The Cleft of the Rock

Keeping Up With Appearances

God’s Grace

Drowning in His Presence

Comparison, the Thief of Contentment

Fingerprints of God

Wrestling in the Spirit

Light In A Dark World

A Treacherous Heart

These Hands

Who Shall You Follow?

Praises of the Heart

Faith Like a Child

Pride and Prejudice

True Success

Dealing with Controlling People

Spiritual Bullies

The Leprous Man

The Stolen Seed

Toxic Relationships

Fool’s Gold

Prosper Even as Your Soul Prospers

Law vs Grace

Gathering with the Brethren

Bearing Good Fruit

Celebrate

God vs Idols

New Covenant

Out of the Cage of Religion

Sanctified for a Purpose

Spiritual Slumber

Fruit Inspectors

Earthly Riches

Manipulation

Wisdom Beyond Years

Setting Up a Monument

Radical Christianity

Choosing Love Over Fear

Why We Need the Holy Spirit

Walking in a Spirit of Excellence

The Gift of Forgiveness

Assumptions of the Accuser

Refraining from Lying Lips

A Heart of Deception

Not Forsaken

A Culture Enticed by Sexual Impurity

The Silent Killer

God’s Justice

Freedom From Addiction

Fighting Well

Stewarding Spiritual Gifts

Reconciliation

Flattering Titles

Healing Shame

Renewed Strength

For the Working Class

Dealing with Emotions

It’s A New Season

Principles of Marriage

The Samaritan Woman

A Life of Singleness, Not Loneliness

A Fraudulent Faith

Be Confident in Who God has Created You to Be

Scribes and Pharisees

Saved Lives, Changed Lives

Making Assumptions

Trust, Such a Complicated Ordeal

Arise and Shine

Trusting God Through Brokenheartedness

The Empty Tomb

Does God Still Heal?

A Heart of Courage

Feminist?

Fatherless Generation

Leadership Roles and Responsibilities

Hope Through Persecution

The Double-Minded Man

Do Good to Please God

Drunkenness and Gluttony Leads to Poverty

Obedience Rewarded

Undeserved Mercy and Grace

A Submitted Heart

Spiritual Parenting

Man’s Discipline vs God’s Discipline

Steady My Heart

Flesh vs Spirit

Worship the Creator, not His Creation

God Loves Those that Struggle with Their Sexuality Too

He Will Turn it All Around

Incased by Grace

The Ultimate Love Story

The Problem with the Message of Prosperity

Don’t Take the Master’s Body to a Brothel

Walk on Water

A Call to Unworldliness

Against All Odds

Resurrection Day

Letting Go of the Past

Your Joy is Coming

The Heart-Shattered Life

When Evil Prevails

Cross-Gender Boundaries

Be Set Free

Are You Running the Right Race?

The Time is Ripe for a Miracle

Kicking Over the Money Tables

Mending Broken Hearts

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost I would like to thank God. Several years ago, He gave me a vision where my hand was writing so fast, my mind couldn’t keep up. Never in my wildest dreams would I have envisioned all that God would do through my writings… putting pen to paper while being inspired by Him. I now realize what an honor, privilege, and gift it is to be able to spend my days writing.

To my mother, Rachel Koch: Thank you mom for the long conversations, for telling me you are proud of me, for encouraging me in my God-given destiny, and most importantly, for praying for me. Thank you for all the love and support you have shown me. I love you.

To my husband, John Hollensbe: Thank you for all your love and support. You do so much and expect very little in return. Thank you for believing God in me. I am so thankful that God gave me you and that I have you in my life. Thank you for making me laugh and teaching me that it’s okay to be silly. Our life has been quite an adventure and I look forward to sharing many more adventures with you. You are my Best Friend and I love doing life with you. Love you so much!

To my brothers, Luis & Noe Garcia: I love you guys very much. You both have always made me feel as if you were very proud that I was your big sister. I love seeing the godly family men you have become. Keep putting God first and watch Him do more than you could ever think, ask, or imagine!

To all of my supporters: Much love from me to you for speaking words of encouragement and supporting my calling, purpose, and God-given destiny!

INTRODUCTION

Would you like to know the secret to walking in God’s favor? There is a powerful weapon we can use to walk in the favor of God and I want to share it with you – a weapon that has given me much peace, joy, excitement, and has literally changed my life!

In 1997 God began to work on my mind and my heart and give me the powerful revelation that HIS voice and presence were tangible every waking moment of my life. Prior to 1997 I had no direction in my life. I was stuck with the mindset that life was supposed to be miserable and that was just the cards I was dealt. I battled abuse, violence, poverty, and negativity. My outlook on life was bleak to say the least. In fact, I really didn’t care if I lived or died. I consumed my life with alcohol, drugs, and partying – hoping to somehow escape the pain I was in. But all I created was a miserable life for myself and I wanted to die. Ever been there? Beloved, I’m here to tell you that God want us to live. Correction, He doesn’t just want us to live, He wants us to thrive. Just as we need daily bread to live on, we need the powerful weapon of God’s Holy Spirit, HIS WORD, the BIBLE, our SWORD! That is my secret and that is the key to walking in God’s favor!

And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. But Jesus replied, It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’

- Matthew 4:3-4, (AMP)

For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

- Hebrews 4:12, (AMP)

That’s exciting news! Did you catch that? The word of God makes us complete. Through His Word, we are able to combat old negative and wrong mindsets and replace them with a new mindset. Thus, leading us to a newness of life! If you are a believer reading this today (or even if you are a non-believer), I encourage you to start reading the Word of God daily. I promise you, it will change your life! What do you have to lose?

I wrote this book to share short stories, personal experiences, and what I have learned along the way from my biblical journey. I want to share with you how God uses His Word to change me daily. The good news is, He can change you, your world, and your atmosphere too! However, I must be frank with you, the Word of God will not only change you but it will challenge you. I say challenge because when you are used to a particular thought or mindset, it can be very difficult (and sometimes very painful) to change old habits or thought processes. BUT, when we allow God to do so, it will lead to our FREEDOM!

There is no special formula for walking in God’s favor, it is simply about reading His Word and applying it to our lives. Through the Bible we learn the character of God, what pleases Him, and what does not. It teaches us what to pursue and what to abstain from in order to have a more victorious life. It reveals to us that there is great reward for those who abide in God’s Word… that is walking in God’s favor!

If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and [obediently] do them, then I will give you rain in its season, and the land will yield her produce and the trees of the field bear their fruit. And your threshing season will last until grape gathering and the grape gathering [time] will last until planting, and you will eat your bread and be filled and live securely in your land. I will also grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down and there will be no one to make you afraid. I will also eliminate harmful animals from the land, and no sword will pass through your land. And you will chase your enemies, and they will fall before you by the sword.

- Leviticus 26:3-7, (AMP)

But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.

- Hebrews 11:6, (AMP)

Are you getting excited yet? Do you feel joy in what God is promising you? In this book, you will notice that I use scripture for every devotional. I encourage you to break out your Bible (and maybe your journal) and read the scriptures for yourself. You may even want to compare different versions (i.e. King James Version vs Amplified vs NIV) and see how it speaks to you. Don’t be afraid to underline, highlight, and jot down notes on what God is specifically speaking to you. That is the beauty of walking in God’s favor. He desires to speak to you personally and give you the blueprint of His plan and purpose for you. He wants you to have a more powerful life!

I hope through these daily devotionals, you can see how God is eager to speak to us in our everyday lives. Remember, we are not only to read God’s Word, but the way to a more favorable life is to apply it to our lives!

But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].

- James 1:22-25, (AMP)

I want to reiterate that the Bible is key for us. As we just read in the above scripture, it is the way to having a blessed and favored life. I sincerely pray that you will not just let this book sit to collect dust, but that you will be diligent in reading your daily devotions. While reading the scriptures, you will see how God’s Word is vital to living a strengthened and joyful life. Through sharing my personal testimonies in this daily devotional, you will witness many manifestations of God’s working power, protection, and goodness over our lives.

As you read these devotionals (most importantly, along with God’s powerful Word), I believe you will begin to hear God’s voice, understand His character, and understand His loving plan for your life. May God richly bless you as you move forward in reading His Word and learning the key to walking in God’s favor.

HE IS THE GOD THAT SEES YOU

Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are God Who Sees’; for she said, ‘Have I not even here [in the wilderness] remained alive after seeing Him [who sees me with understanding and compassion]?’

(Genesis 16:13, AMP)

One evening I was getting ready to be a part of a big Christian event in our community. Our committee had specifically planned that we were to wear a white t-shirt. Although I hadn’t worn it in a while, I knew I had one in the back of my closet somewhere. When it came time to get ready, I perused through my closet and found it. I pulled it over my head, tucked and pulled a little (okay, ALOT) until I finally got it over my body. But much to my dismay, there was a dilemma. I couldn’t move! My arms were stuck straight by my side. I tried to convince myself that the shirt had somehow shrunk while being in my closet. But truth be told, I knew I had acquired a few pounds (okay okay, maybe more than a few, don’t judge). The fact is, this just wasn’t going to work!

SO, I hurriedly drove to the nearest retail store to hunt down that white t-shirt. I have to admit, I was feeling a bit bummed. Thinking about how many sizes I possibly went up made me cringe. And to think, now I have to get up in front of all these people?! I was sure I would be exposed. I just knew everyone would know my t-shirt no longer fit. How embarrassing!, I thought. Oh boy, maybe I shouldn’t even go to the event at all!, I complained (silly, I know). All these negative thoughts kept bombarding my mind as I was browsing through the store.

I finally found the shirt I needed, grabbed it, and quickly stood in line. I was still combatting those negative and accusing thoughts. Well, I shouldn’t even say combatting. I was taking it all in. I was believing every single lie… hook, line, and sinker!

Finally, I got distracted by something that caught my eye. Next to the cash register was a glass case filled with beautiful jewelry (God, sure does know how to catch my attention!). I admired one particular pair of stud earrings that were in a dazzling aquamarine color. The price tag read, $50. It was a higher price than I would typically pay for a pair of earrings so I