When Things Do Not Go As Planned Pt 5 THE PROCESS

Genesis 41:1 NLT - YouVersion.com: "Two full years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River"

The cup-bearer's dream was fulfilled as Joseph spoke it. In his restored position in Pharoah's court he forgot about Joseph. Two full years had passed and Joseph was stuck and forgotten  . . . are you sure?

HAVE YOU EVER FELT STUCK AND FORGOTTEN?

Here we are back at this same principle: FAITHFULNESS PRODUCES FAVOR.

Joseph for those two years was stuck in prison wondering if he would ever be remembered. What if he decided to blow it? quit, fight, stumble, steal, and some how was caught and the warden demoted or even worse had him killed. HE STAYED FAITHFUL so that when the call came from Pharaoh he was ready.

The cup-bearer gave testimony of how God was with Joseph in the interpreting of dreams (Gen. 41:1-13).

v.14 Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once . . . When we stay faithful to God's revealed plans for us PROMOTION CAN COME IN AN INSTANT.

Here is a new thought for us all to remember, "IF WE ABORT THE PROCESS WE ABORT THE MISSION." At so many points across this journey Joseph could have aborted the PROCESS of who he was becoming and he would have aborted the MISSION. God's plans and purposes are so much bigger than ours! We see in tunnel vision. His vision is panoramic.

Some thoughts on when we finally get there:

1. v.15 Pharaoh had exhausted the worlds methods and they had failed (this will always happen). For some reason God is last on the list for a lot of people, so be ready with your answer when called on and wait till God's time.

2. v.16 Stay DEPENDENT. . . . Joseph knew his limits and confessed them.

3. vs. 33-37 Once He speaks declare it with confidence and boldness.

4. vs. 39-45 "so Joseph took charge of the entire land of Egypt." Staying faithful produced the FAVOR OF GOD.

Pharaoh may have thought that he put Joseph in this position of power and authority or you may have thought your money, education, or skill has placed you where you are. COME ON NOW . . . IT WAS ALL PART OF THE PROCESS BUT IT IS GOD WHO PLACES US WHERE WE ARE.

Psalms 75:6,7
For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.

IF WE ABORT THE PROCESS WE ABORT THE MISSION.

Ed

WHEN THINGS DO NOT GO AS PLANNED Pt 4 - Keep Dreaming

Genesis 40 is the chapter in Joseph's story where he interprets the cup-bearer's dream and the baker's dream. The cup-bearer's dream has a happy ending and the baker's dream ends in his death. Joseph's interpretation of these dreams comes true just like he said because God is with him (see previous blog presence vs. power).


NOTE: GOD'S PURPOSES INCLUDE POSITIONING THE RIGHT PEOPLE AROUND US.

Take special note of Joseph's confidence in the following verses. Note his powerful confidence in his statement to the cup-bearer. In my estimation this confidence must come from the fact that his dreams and visions are still alive in him despite what the circumstances are that surround him.

Genesis 40
14 And please remember me and do me a favor when things go well for you. Mention me to Pharaoh, so he might let me out of this place.15 For I was kidnapped from my homeland, the land of the Hebrews, and now I'm here in prison, but I did nothing to deserve it."

Why was Joseph not bitter or angry? He had every human right to have this reaction because he was thrown away by his brothers and falsely accused by Potiphar's wife. Basically he was in prison on false charges. 

He expected God's purposes and promises to prevail. 

This is where his boldness came from to ask the cup-bearer to remember him when he was restored. Remember nothing had happened yet. I would imagine that the cup-bearer looked at Joseph like, "DUDE WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN SMOKING?" Without a doubt Joseph was full of faith and confidence in the God of the dream and not just his dream. There is a difference!!

The cup-bearer gets restored but forgets Joseph. How many times do we feel lost and forgotten?

 Genesis 40
23 Pharaoh's chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.


Man may not remember but God never forgets!!! 

Keep looking up for your answers. Man does not have them but He does. 

I hope that these posts are blessing you. Let me know if they are. Part 5 (again faithfulness produces the favor of God) coming soon . . .


Ed

When Things Do Not Go As Planned Pt. 3 Prescence vs. Power

Genesis 39
3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did.


23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.


Faithfulness most certainly produces the favor of God as I stated in my previous post. Take a look with me at what got Joseph noticed. 

PRESENCE VS POWER

 As we attempt to make a difference in the world around us we must determine our best tact. I personally am convinced that it will not happen through power in the natural but through spiritual power (force). Let me explain.

POWER IS RESENTED

PRESENCE IS NOTICED

POWER REPELS

PRESENCE ATTRACTS

POWER CREATES COMPETITION

PRESENCE CREATES FAVOR

I know that these are generalizations but you get the point. 

Joseph was noticed because of presence.

Joseph attracted people to him because of presence.

Joseph received favor because of presence.

Presence of what? An excellent spirit, the Holy Spirit, wisdom, loyalty, integrity, convictions, work ethic, etc. You know I could go on and on.

In Him we live move and have our being.

Christ in us the hope of glory.

It is not I that live but Christ lives in me.

We can and should carry a presence with us that when we walk in the room people notice. When we speak people notice.

One conversation, one phone call, one relationship could make a major difference in the next season of our lives. It might even propel us into that next season. 

Do you have the presence to pull it off. Joseph kept His eye on the prize and kept his heart right even though things were not going well.

The power of HIS PRESENCE is probably proportionate to the degree we keep our hearts true when things are not going that well.

Jesus told us power was not the way up. Matt 20:20-28 As a matter of a fact Jesus taught us that the way up is down. It is interesting to me the presence we create around ourselves when we serve. PEOPLE NOTICE A SERVANTS HEART TODAY BECAUSE IT IS SO RARE IN THIS ME FIRST CULTURE. 

When we get noticed we get promoted or we get the chance to influence lives and circumstances for the glory of God. 


Which is exactly what happened in Joseph's life.

Meditating on this!

Ed 

When Life Does Not Go As Planned . . . Pt 2

Genesis 39 . . . Teaches that when life gives you lemons - make lemon juice. I am sorry! Over used and out dated but it fits here.

When life throw us a bunch of curve balls we must learn to STAY FAITHFUL TO WHAT WE KNOW IS RIGHT. We know the story of Joseph being falsely accused and subsequently thrown in prison. BEFORE that he had found great FAVOR in Potiphar's house. AFTER that he found great FAVOR with the warden of the prison. Both men in positions of power and influence gave Joseph complete control over their affairs. WHY?

FAITHFULNESS WILL PRODUCE THE FAVOR OF GOD IN OUR LIVES!! Check out the words of Jesus in Luke 16:10-12.


Genesis 39:3,4 NLT - YouVersion.com: "Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned"

Also read Genesis 39:21-23.

May His Favor be upon you.
Ed

WHEN LIFE DOES NOT GO AS PLANNED . . .??

Joseph being 17 years old (Gen37:2) was dreamer and God gave him two amazing dreams. Joseph shared his dreams with his family but his family did not his enthusiasm for his dreams. "So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words"(Gen 37:8). Except his father Jacob "kept the matter in mind" (Gen.37:11) kind like Mary the mother of Jesus did when she found Jesus in the temple holding court with the priests (Luke 2:51).

This all created some real problems in his family life. It was so bad that it completely altered the course of his life.

Gen 37:28
28 Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. NKJV

We must believe that God has us in his hands and He is working out every detail that concerns us.

Gen 50:19,20
19 Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
NKJV

If you are struggling with where you at today and life has not gone as planned TAKE COURAGE MY FRIEND THERE ARE GREATER FORCES AT WORK THAT ARE FOR YOU AND NOT AGAINST YOU.

He has a plan!
Ed