And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him (Luke 2:40)

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52)

Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man. (1 Sam. 2:26)
 

Luke 2:40, 52; 1 Sam. 2:26

Recurrent Thought

Wisdom and Favor Are Dimensions that mark Human Growth. But they are also Resources that are essential in all our human activities to the end that we must seek their increase in our lives

Wisdom and Favor are resources that change our way of life. This year we are going to take time to focus to study the two resources of Wisdom and Favor. Just like Jesus, we too can have increased knowledge and experience in the working of Wisdom and Favor. In 2018, we handled the Subject of Wisdom when we dealt with the Book of Proverbs under the theme Building Strong. However, we feel led again that we delve into it again and this time to see how it works in tandem with Favor. We also have dealt a little bit with the subject of Favor, but we believe God wants us to learn more of this wonderful Dimension of His Grace in an extensive manner.

Wisdom

Wisdom is a virtue that applies essential knowledge (information) in situations where one makes decisions, resolutions, judgments, discretion, choices, etc. Wisdom is application of knowledge and create actions that determines specific directions in life assignments, sustains success and reinforces relationships. It is the ability to tell which way to take in the face of many possibilities.

Wisdom is the ability to discern or notice and discern difference in people, situations, circumstances, ideas, etc., (Mike Murdock). It is ability to discern what value a person or a situation possesses.

Due to its importance and impact in all our life activities, the Lord said, “Wisdom is a principle thing (Proverbs 4:7). Principal means something that is top or that which is First. In essence Wisdom is an extremely important virtue
 

Favor

The Word Favor is a derivative of Grace and essentially it refers to God’s enablement at work in one’s life. Favor is when one has divine enablement to do something which is humanly impossible to do by themselves. Favor is also described as exceptional kindness and privilege from God or from Man. This is usually carried by the statement to “Find Favor in one’s Sight.” In this text we find that this exceptional kindness can be offered by God and human beings.

Favor is divine enablement, where God in Partnership with human beings provide help to your life and destiny. God blesses you, but he does it through others. Favor is when people invest time, resources and credibility over your life and destiny. There are a lot of ways to increase Favor including through giving Honor, recognizing Value, developing significant Relationships, and through Prayer.

Life progresses with and through significant changes. For human beings to grow, transform, reach goals, achieve aspirations or any significant work, they do this through the Prism of Change. To go through any LIFE CHANGES, you need the working of WISDOM and lots of manifestation of FAVOR. These two are personal resources that significantly Impact One’s Life on the Earth.

When you look at this scripture that talks about Jesus it shows four areas of human development

• Grew in status: Physical Development
• Grew in Wisdom: Intellectual Development
• Grew in Favor with God: Spiritual Development
• Grew in Favor with Men: Social Development

Here are four Thoughts about the Resources of Wisdom and Favor

1. Wisdom and Favor are Marks of Growing into Maturity

   • To move from being an immature child to a responsible adult is seen through the increase of Wisdom and Favor around You
   • Wisdom and Favor Reveal the Measure of Maturity
   • Every matured person is supposed to mature (fully develop) in their application of Wisdom and in maximizing the favor of God and that of men.
   • Although Wisdom more often comes to many who are older who have gone through life experiences, it does not automatically become so.
   • Wisdom is not age. Only those who learn and apply the Knowledge to Life experience
     become wise.
   • Wisdom is developed. Jesus at the age of 12 had outstanding knowledge and wisdom that astounded the teachers and leaders in the temple
      
2. Wisdom & Favor are Tools for Working out Our Assignments (Acts 7:9-10)
   • No one can work their assignment without the resources of Wisdom and its attending siblings of Understanding, Knowledge, Discretion,
   • Joseph used the Resources of Wisdom and Favor in manifesting his assignment in Egypt
   • Psa 90:17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
      
3. Wisdom and Favor Are Graces for Upliftment and Boundary Crossing
   • For us to change from one level of assignment operation to another, we do it through the Frames of Wisdom and Favor;
   • Without Wisdom we don’t make the necessary decisions or judgements that shift us
   • Without Favor we don’t experience the connections that help us to cross boundaries
   • Every Upliftment is sustained through the favor of God and Favor of men
   • Every crossing of Boundaries is done through the utilization of Wisdom
   • The two are powerful in every Upliftment and crossing Boundaries
   • New Seasons demand new Forms of Wisdom and Favor
      
4. Wisdom and Favor Are Dimensions that Increases
   • You can increase wisdom in Life, if you are intentional and focused.
   • The Bible says in Pro. 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding (KJV)
   • Favor can be sought after. The bible says 2Kings 13:4 Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them
      

Altar Time

Make a commitment to You shall hunger for increased wisdom from God
Make a commitment that you make it a habit to regularly seek Favor from God