“Don’t sacrifice the favor of God for the promotion of man. Just as the first will be last and the last will be first, sometimes what seems like a step backward proves to be a giant leap forward. . . . Integrity is staying in the lane of blessing, even when you feel like changing lanes. Trust me — integrity is the fast pass to blessing.”- Mark Batterson
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”- Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV)
Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 3 of Double Blessing as he defines temptation as the compromise of integrity for opportunity. On the other hand, Pastor Batterson asserts, at some point integrity catapults you far beyond maneuvering or manipulating. Therefore, Mark adds, “blessings that are the by-product of integrity have a way of boomeranging months and years and decades later.”
In addition, the author contends, God’s anointing turns our skills into mad skillz. Hence, Mark notes, it’s the X factor that adds the z to the nth degree. For no matter what your skill set, God wants to anoint you to do it. Furthermore, Mark states, the Cambridge Dictionary defines X factor as “a quality that you cannot describe that makes someone very special.”
However, this X factor remains in the hands of God. Mark explains:
“I know we don’t get to pick and choose the blessings of God like answers on a multiple-choice test or options at a potluck dinner. The truth? All the blessings of God belong to us! If you belong to Christ, you are Abraham’s seed and heir to his covenant blessings.”
Finally, Pastor Batterson counsels, great blessing won’t make your life easier. But, great blessing helps you do hard things as you give the credit to God.
Today’s question: Do you seek the promotion of man or the favor of God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “A drop of water – complex, not simple”
