BATTLE & BLESSING APRIL 21, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. And they hated him all the more because of his dreams…

Then Jacob tore his clothes and dressed himself in burlap. He mourned deeply for his son for a long time. His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted.

The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served…Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph…so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned.

“How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

“He came into my room to rape me, but I screamed. When he heard me scream, he ran outside and got away, but he left his cloak behind with me.”

But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

Pharaoh’s chief cup bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”

During this time, before the first of the famine years, two sons were born to Joseph and his wife…Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.” Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.”

And people from all around came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine was severe throughout the world.

Then Joseph hurried from the room because he was overcome with emotion…He went into his private room, where he broke down and wept.

Joseph could stand it no longer. So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. Then he broke down and wept. “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. So it was God who sent me here, not you!”

Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him. But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said. When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 37-50


THERE WILL BE BLESSINGS
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

“I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:24

“The Lord will again take delight in prospering you.” Deuteronomy 30:9

“Surely goodness and mercy shall pursue me all the days of my life.” Psalm 23:6

1/ Every blessing is designed to strengthen my faith.


2/ Every blessing is designed to reveal God’s care and concern for me.


3/ Every blessing is designed to keep Heaven before me.



WHAT TO DO IN TIMES OF BLESSING
1/ In blessing, I will welcome it.


2/ In blessing, I will bless other people.


3/ In blessing, I will express thanks.



THERE WILL BE BATTLES
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.” John 16:33

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:3-4

1/ Every battle is designed to test my faith.


2/ Every battle is designed to make me stronger.

3/ Every battle is designed to teach me more about God.
“I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.” Job


4/ Every battle is designed to mature me.



WHAT TO DO IN TIMES OF BATTLE
1/ In battle, I will welcome it.


2/ In battle, I will lean into God.


3/ In battle, I will remember that God allowed it.


4/ In battle, I will not complain.


5/ In battle, I will surround myself with spiritual community.
Keep in mind… A battle for me may be seen as a blessing to you. A blessing to me may be considered a battle to you.


6/ In battle, I will let it finish its work.


7/ In battle, I will look for His purpose.



THERE WILL BE BLENDS
There is very little neutrality between these two lands.



WEARING BI-FOCALS
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33