Every test that you’ve experienced is the kind that normally comes to
people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be
tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the
test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a
way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (GNT)
FOUR INESCAPABLE TRUTHS ABOUT SITUATIONS THAT TEST AND TRAP US:
1. THEY ARE NORMAL.
2. GOD IS RELIABLE.
He will use it to make me stronger.
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an
opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to
grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong
in character and ready for anything. James 1:2-4 (NLT)
He will provide a way out of it.
3. MY FAITH IS ESSENTIAL TO MY ESCAPE.
These are all warning markers—DANGER!—in our history books, written
down so that we don't repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are
parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable
of messing it up as they were. 1 Corinthians 10:11 (MP)
Who did God swear would never enter his place of rest? He was talking
about those who didn't obey him. 19 So we see that they couldn't enter his
place of rest because they didn't believe. Hebrews 3:18, 19 (GW)
Through him we have received Gods kindness and the privilege of being
apostles who bring people from every nation to the obedience that is
associated with faith. Romans 1:5 (GW)
JOSEPH DETAILS
ON FINDING MY WAY OUT OF DYSFUNCTION…
1. HOLD ON TO THE DREAM GOD HAS FOR YOU.
One night Joseph had
a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they
hated him more than ever. 6 Listen to this dream,& he said. 7 We were out
in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and
your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine! 8 His
brothers responded, So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you
actually think you will reign over us? And they hated him all the more
because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 9 Soon Joseph
had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. I have
had another dream, he said. The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low
before me! 10 This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his
brothers, but his father scolded him. What kind of dream is that? he
asked. Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to
the ground before you? Genesis 37:4-10 (NLT)
2. LET GO OF BITTERNESS THAT CAN CONTROL ME.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what
is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don't be afraid. I will
provide for you and your children.And he reassured them and spoke kindly
to them. Genesis 50:20, 21 (NIV)
Joseph had to deal with the memories of…
- A father who favored him.
- Brothers who enslaved him.
- A lying woman who framed him.
A boss who imprisoned him.
A cellmate who forgot him.
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others… Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (CEV)
NOTE: Overcoming bad relationships requires building good ones.
Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best
blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you…for it causes
deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives. Hebrews 12:15 (NIV)
3. LIVE TO PLEASE THE PERSON WHO GAVE ME THE DREAM.
Joseph was well-built and good-looking, 7 and his master's wife began to
desire Joseph and asked him to go to bed with her.
8 He refused and said to her, “Look, my master does not have to concern himself with anything in the house, because I am here. He has put me in charge of everything he
has. 9 I have as much authority in this house as he has, and he has not kept
back anything from me except you. How then could I do such an immoral
thing and sin against God?” Genesis 39:6-10 (GNB)
Whether we live or die we make it our life’s passion to live our lives pleasing
to him. 2 Corinthians 5:9
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