MONDAY 16TH MAY,2016

TOPIC: JOSEPH’S STORY, AND YOURS
TEXT: Genesis 50:20 “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.”

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 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 cupbearer, who was his prison- mate, to recommend him to Pharaoh: ‘The chief cupbearer…did not remember Joseph…’ (Gen. 40:23).
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.’

MEDITATION: Phil. 2:13

STUDY THE BIBLE
ACTS 24:10-27/JDGS 21/PS 46