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- Apr 25, 2006
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Joseph’s Story, and Yours
‘…God intended it…to accomplish…the saving of many lives.’
Genesis 50:20
Here’s Joseph’s story in a nutshell: his brothers put him in a pit, his boss put him in a prison, but God put him on a throne. And here’s what we learn:
1) Your dream may work out differently from what you thought. As a boy Joseph dreamed of being in a position of power. But God had something better in mind: namely, the saving of a nation. What God has in mind for you will often exceed all your expectations, bless others, and promote His kingdom on the earth.
2) When it feels like you’re losing, you’re learning. When you experience unfair treatment and hardship, complaining doesn't do any good. Plus, you’re not growing while you are grumbling! In every experience there’s a lesson, so glean it and move forward. When life knocks you down—just make sure it knocks you to your knees.
3) Seek divine promotion instead of self-promotion. Every time Joseph tried to promote himself it worked against him. Look what happened when he asked the royal cup bearer, who was his prison-mate, to recommend him to Pharaoh: ‘The chief cup bearer…did not remember Joseph…’ (Genesis 40:23 NIV).
Joseph learned the hard way that success comes from God, and that we must give Him the credit for it. Indeed, the only advancement that counts is the kind that comes from Him.
So pray: ‘Lord, help me to see these difficulties as stepping stones to maturity. Give me patience to wait for the kind of promotion that comes from You. Help me to remember that I’m blessed for a reason—to bless others.’
written by Bob Gass
‘…God intended it…to accomplish…the saving of many lives.’
Genesis 50:20
Here’s Joseph’s story in a nutshell: his brothers put him in a pit, his boss put him in a prison, but God put him on a throne. And here’s what we learn:
1) Your dream may work out differently from what you thought. As a boy Joseph dreamed of being in a position of power. But God had something better in mind: namely, the saving of a nation. What God has in mind for you will often exceed all your expectations, bless others, and promote His kingdom on the earth.
2) When it feels like you’re losing, you’re learning. When you experience unfair treatment and hardship, complaining doesn't do any good. Plus, you’re not growing while you are grumbling! In every experience there’s a lesson, so glean it and move forward. When life knocks you down—just make sure it knocks you to your knees.
3) Seek divine promotion instead of self-promotion. Every time Joseph tried to promote himself it worked against him. Look what happened when he asked the royal cup bearer, who was his prison-mate, to recommend him to Pharaoh: ‘The chief cup bearer…did not remember Joseph…’ (Genesis 40:23 NIV).
Joseph learned the hard way that success comes from God, and that we must give Him the credit for it. Indeed, the only advancement that counts is the kind that comes from Him.
So pray: ‘Lord, help me to see these difficulties as stepping stones to maturity. Give me patience to wait for the kind of promotion that comes from You. Help me to remember that I’m blessed for a reason—to bless others.’
written by Bob Gass
