By Robin McMillan
 The favor of the Lord enables us to accomplish His purposes and live supernaturally blessed lives. Over the years I have seen favor ebb and flow in my life, in lives of others, and in different ministries. How do you get it, how do you keep it, and how do you increase it? Inquiring minds want to know.
Ask
How do you get favor? Every good thing comes from God: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). To have favor, we must ask: “Yet, you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2b).
My Favor is for You
In the context of asking James also said, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:2b-3). When we don’t understand that God gives us favor primarily for others, we are in danger of losing or diminishing that favor. Motives matter. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 14:1&12, “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” And, “Even so you, since you are eager for spiritual gifts, let it be for the building up of the church that you seek to excel”. In the context of the use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit Paul wrote the love chapter, I Corinthians 13. The ‘more excellent way’ Paul spoke of in I Corinthians 12:31 is using the gifts of the Spirit in expressions of love for the benefit of others. My favor is for you, and your favor is for them.
Being Thankful
John the Baptist said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven” (John 3:27). We thank God to acknowledge that what we have, what we can do, and what we are, He has given us as a free gift. Being thankful also has the potential to increase our favor. “…God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5). Honest heart felt thanksgiving is manifest humility and attracts the grace of God.
Loving People Period
People know if we really love them. Peter wrote: “Honor all people…” (I Peter 2:17). Intentionally showing people honor is a very simple way to practically show them love. Then they are open to what we can bring them. Often we reserve our love for those we approve of or those who love us. Of that Jesus said, “…love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?…(Matthew 5:44-46). We will ultimately only influence people we truly love.
Bitterness Free Authenticity
The proliferation of social media has tainted this current generation like no other, either by hype or hypocrisy. Many long for authenticity and authentic believers. Becoming authentic is often a painful and expensive process, and many who have suffered have become bitter. God isn’t interested in promoting people whose favor is soured by bitterness. Be real, but don’t be critical. That will certainly diminish your favor level.
Imparting Hope
The level of our influence will rise to the level of our ability to impart legitimate hope, the joyful confident expectation of good. Hope is one of the primary missing ingredients in not just the world but the church as well. If we don’t have hope we must realize we have bought into an inaccurate theoligical/cultural belief system. Hopelessness is its ‘witness’ that that belief system is false.
Hope is the atmosphere where favor thrives. We are serving the ‘God of all hope’ and living inside us is Christ ‘the hope of glory’. Divine hope is part of our spiritual DNA. Let that hope arise in your heart now and may your favor increase.
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