Who Am I? I Am Favored Series

Who Am I? I am Favored

April 18, 2010

INTRODUCTION

When we understand truth in changes how we live.

In Time magazine’s regular column "10 Questions," readers are given the opportunity to interview celebrities and world leaders through questions submitted via e-mail. In the March 22, 2010, issue of Time, South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu , author of Made for Goodness (HarperOne, 2010), was featured. Here are two questions readers submitted (in bold), each followed by Tutu’s answer:

After all you’ve seen and endured, are you really as optimistic as your book, Made for Goodness, says you are? (Zelalem Dawit, Addis Ababa)

Tutu: I’m not optimistic, no. I’m quite different. I’m hopeful. I am a prisoner of hope. In the world, you have very bad people--Hitler, Idi Amin--and they look like they are going to win. All of them--all of them--have bitten the dust.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why? (Satu Rahikainen)

Tutu: Romans 5:8. "[While] we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." It sums up the Gospel wonderfully. We think we have to impress God so that God could love us. But he says, "No, you are loved already, even at your worst."

"10 Questions," Time magazine (3-22-10), p. 4

At the heart of Desmond Tutu’s worldview is an understanding that we stand in a very unique position before God--We are favored.

1:3 How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him.

WHEN WE TRULY UNDERSTAND WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST IT CHANGES EVERYTHING ABOUT HOW WE LIVE.

I am Blessed -- I AM FAVORED -- I in the place of benefit.

Favored:

Date: 15th century

1 : having an appearance or features of a particular kind

2 : endowed with special advantages or gifts

3 : providing preferential treatment

T.S. This "favored" Life in Christ is based upon four new realities. The first to explore is this reality.

I -- Who Am I? I am favored as the focus of His love.

3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

A -- As the Focus of his love I am adopted into new standing before him.

Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

January 18th, 2010

Brangelina skip Golden Globe Awards to spend weekend with kids

WASHINGTON - Hollywood power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie skipped Golden Globe Awards to spend the weekend with their kids.

Brad Pitt and Maddox, 8, went to the Louisana Superdome on Saturday in New Orleans. The father son duo cheered on the sidelines as the New Orleans Saints emerged victorious over the Arizona Cardinals, beating them 45-14.

Meanwhile, mum Angelina Jolie went out with daughters, Zahara, 5, and Shiloh, 3.

They were seen grocery shopping at Whole Foods Saturday morning in Sherman Oaks, California.

Why is it news, because we want to watch the favor lives of three children adopted by such wealthy famous people. We expect their lives to be special.

Appl: Do you expect your life to be different because you are now an adopted daughter and adopted son of God? What do you expect to get as a favored son or daughter?

Ill: In early twenties, I was pulled over for speeding. I was guilty, but I had my military id on my and when the officer saw it he gave me a warning and I avoided a ticket. Unfortunately that led to my false assumption that my military ID was a license to be and idiot. So I began to drive with less regard for the posted speed limits. That continued until the day I was pulled over doing 85 in a 55. Flashing my military ID died nothing to avoid the ticket. I had a false understanding of what a military ID would do for me.

T.S. Paul clarifies some of what our benefits are as God’s adopted sons and daughters.

B -- As the Focus of his love I am being made whole.

Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole . . .