INSIDE THE STORM: JOSEPH:
SLAVERY, PRISON, AND VICTORY
“…Joseph, being seventeen years old, was
feeding the flock with his brethren … Now Joseph had a dream …There we
were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood
upright; and indeed
your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” And his
brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have
dominion over us?” …” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46).“Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he
was quickly brought from the dungeon. …“ You shall be in charge of my
palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”…So
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in
charge of the whole land of Egypt.” …
Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt…” (Genesis 41 NIV).
*
SCRIPTURE(S): “…Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren
… Now Joseph had a dream …There we were, binding
sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves
stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” And his brothers said
to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over
us?” …” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46). “...Joseph
was thirty years old
when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46).
PURPOSE OR GOAL OF LESSON: TO
LEARN THAT JUST BECAUSE GOD’S PROMISES ARE DELAYED IT DOESN’T MEAN THEY ARE
DENIED.
APPLICATION OF LESSON: REFRESH, RENEW, OR
REBOOT YOUR HOPE, TRUST, AND DEPENDENCY UPON GOD’S PROMISES EVEN IF CIRCUMSTANCES
HAVE CONTINUALLY CHANGED AND YEARS HAVE PASSED
TOPIC DISCUSSION: DISCUSS HOW YOU FEEL INSIDE
A STORMY SITUATION WHEN GOD SEEMS DELAYED IN KEEPING HIS PROMISES TO YOU. God gave Joseph a MESSAGE, in a DREAM about the CALL upon his life. “…Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren
… Now Joseph had a dream …” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46). Joseph BELIEVED God’s prophetic
message and he shared it with others, but it didn’t come to pass right away. “…… Now Joseph had a dream …There we
were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood
upright; and indeed
your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.”…” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46). His brothers made fun of him, but
Joseph KNEW, without a doubt, it would come to pass as God, the Holy Spirit said it would. “…… Now Joseph had a dream … And his
brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have
dominion over us?” …” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46). Joseph’s hope, in the prophetic
dream, was deferred (delayed), for many years. Hope deferred can affect the
heart, especially if you find yourself INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE. “…Hope deferred (delayed) makes the
heart sick, But
desire fulfilled is a tree of life…” (Proverbs 13:12 NASB). “…Unrelenting
disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break
can turn life around…” (Proverbs 13:12
MSG).
“...Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of
Egypt” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46). Going INSIDE the STORMS
of LIFE such as slavery and prison, like Joseph did, can turn delayed dreams
into denial and disappointment. Delay is the BIGGEST killer of DREAMS, especially when you’re
INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE. Remember Mary and Martha? “…When he (Jesus) heard, therefore that he (their brother, Lazarus) was
SICK, he abode two…[more]… days in the same place where he was…” (John 11:6 KJV). Jesus DELAYED his time
of arrival to Martha and Mary’s STORMY situation. Jesus decided to STAY where
he was instead of coming immediately to their rescue as THEY THOUGHT he should
have. “…My Lord delayeth his
coming…”
(Luke 12:45 KJV). Lazarus’ sickness was an emergency to his sisters. Martha and Mary
may have been desperate for Jesus’ presence, but he chose to delay his coming.
“…he (Lazarus) was SICK, [but Jesus]… abode two…[more]… days in the same place where he was…” (John 11:6 KJV). We consider something DELAYED
or maybe even TOO LATE when someone doesn’t arrive or something doesn’t happen
on OUR time table. INSIDE the STORM, the atmosphere is disturbed, normalcy is
disrupted, and the damage is done. “…My Lord delayeth his coming…” (Luke 12:45 KJV). INSIDE the STORM, delay
has caused disappointment, doubt, and discouragement, on the part, of the
person or people waiting for THE ONE who is DELAYED, especially if it “seemed”
to be a matter of life or death. “…My Lord delayeth his coming…” (Luke 12:45 KJV). Jesus communicates with
Mary and Martha that he was DELAYED on purpose and he was GLAD about it. He
said, “…I am glad for your sakes (Mary, Martha, & his disciples) that I was not there (when Lazarus died), to the intent, you
may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV). Whether, Mary, Martha,
or his disciples agreed or not, Jesus
had a DIVINE reason for his DELAY. DELAY often requires waiting, INSIDE the
STORM, beyond a certain amount of time. Martha and Mary, most likely, waited
for Jesus to show up INSIDE the STORM, before it could do too much damage to
their lives. Yet their lives were SERIOUSLY disrupted, Lazarus got very sick,
he died, they had his funeral, a burial, and a repast, but no Jesus. “…THOUGH IT TARRY, WAIT FOR IT….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV). “…For the vision [is] yet FOR AN APPOINTED TIME, but at
the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, WAIT FOR IT; because IT WILL SURELY COME,
it will not tarry….” (Habakkuk
2:3 KJV). “…
They that WAIT UPON the LORD shall renew [their] strength…” (Isaiah
40:31 KJV). “…WAIT ON
the LORD: be of good
courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I say, on the LORD…”
(Psalms 27:14 KJV). “…The LORD [is] good
unto them that WAIT FOR HIM…” (Lamentations 3:25 KJV).
The
HEART CRIES OUT, with disappointment, or sadness, or heartbreak, INSIDE the
STORMS of LIFE and DURING GOD”S periods of DELAY. “…Hope deferred (delayed) makes the
heart sick, …”
(Proverbs 13:12 NASB).
“…Unrelenting
disappointment leaves you heartsick…”
(Proverbs 13:12 MSG). “…How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long
will You hide Your face from me?” (Psalms 13:1 NASB.“…Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord
be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O
my God… (Psalms 40:17 NASB). “…I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried:
mine eyes fail while I wait for my God…” (Psalms 69:3 KJV).
Mary, Martha, and his
disciples, obviously, already BELIEVED Jesus could have prevented Lazarus’
death. They also knew Jesus could have simply rebuked his sickness, or
completely restored him to health, or raised him immediately from the dead. “…The Spirit of the Lord is
upon me, … he hath anointed me (Jesus)
to PREACH the gospel to the poor; he hath sent
me to heal the brokenhearted, to PREACH deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To PREACH the acceptable year of the Lord…”
(John 4:16-21 KJV). They BELIEVED Jesus COULD do anything. Believing a CHAIR will hold
you up is not the SAME as PROVING, you believe, by sitting upon the chair. God
wanted to ELEVATE their faith to EXPERIENCE THE “WORKING POWER” of his WORD so
it would become GREATER and STRONGER. “….To the intent, you may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV). In order to develop a
greater and stronger faith in God’s Word, it was important that Lazarus died
INSIDE the STORM.”…I
am glad for your sakes that I
was not there…” (John 11:14 KJV). Martha, Mary, and his disciple’s spiritual
growth and development depended upon EVERYTHING and ALL THINGS that happened
INSIDE the STORM. “… [Lazarus] … whom thou lovest is
sick…” (John 11:3 KJV). “…Lazarus is dead…” (John 11:14 KJV). “...ALL THINGS
(sickness, divorce, death, disappointments, pain, heartbreak, etc.) work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE…”
(ROMANS 8:28 KJV).“…ye (the enemy) thought evil
against me; but God meant it unto good,…” (Genesis
50:20 KJV). “…that you (they) “may” believe…” (John 11:14 KJV). The FAITH of God’s
people is PRECIOUS to him! “….the
proof of your faith (trust in, dependency upon, and cooperation with his word),
being more precious
than gold
that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the
revelation of Jesus Christ...” 1
Peter 1:7 ASV). “...[God]
knoweth the way that I take; when
he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold…”
(Job 23:10 KJV). DEMONSTRATIONS of GOD’S GLORY (his presence, goodness, working power)
are the RESULTS of the development of GREATER and STRONGER faith. This kind of
faith is empowered and displayed “in” and “through” HIS people by the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…Ye shall know [those with the indwelling Holy Spirit]… by
their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…The
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).“... The Holy Spirit
produces this kind of fruit in our lives…”
(Galatians 5 NLT). “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). apart from Me you can
do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB). “…He who ABIDES in Me and I in him, he (she) bears much fruit … ” (John
15:1-11 NASB). “…The
fruit of the Spirit
is ... faith…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “... The Holy Spirit
produces this kind of fruit in our lives…”
(Galatians 5 NLT)."… [if
you] ...bear much fruit, [you] ... PROVE to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV). “…God (the Holy Spirit) publicly
endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. …”
(ACTS 2:22 KJV). GOD’S GLORY (his
presence, his goodness, his working
power) IS WITNESSED THROUGH FAITH. .
“... The [indwelling]...Holy Spirit
produces this kind of fruit
in our lives: …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…The [indwelling] … HOLY SPIRIT …does the work (of empowering faith)
IN and THROUGH all of us who are his… (1 Corinthians
12:4-11 NLT). "… [The]… Father is glorified (his
presence, his goodness, and his working power is WITNESSED) by this, that “YOU” bear much
fruit (such as the fruit of FAITH),
and so PROVE to
be [his]… disciples” (John 15:8). “…The
fruit of the Spirit
is .. faith…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “... The Holy Spirit
produces this kind of fruit in our lives…”
(Galatians 5 NLT). THE FAITH of God’s people will
ALWAYS result in the witness of God’s GLORY (his presence, his goodness, his
working power). “…HOW MUCH MORE DO I NEED TO SAY? It would take too long to recount THE
STORIES OF the FAITH of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and
all the prophets… [Through]…
FAITH these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received
what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped
death by the edge of the
sword. Their weakness was turned to
strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved
ones back again from death….”
(Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). Jesus’ DELAYED his coming, INSIDE the STORM, for the INTENT
purpose of raising Lazarus from the DEAD in order to develop a GREATER and STRONGER
faith within Martha, Mary and his disciples. HOW? By demonstrating the working
POWER of the Word of God when united with the
fruit of faith. “…that ye may BELIEVE (greater and stronger) on the name of the Son
of God (the WORD of God)...” (1 John 5:13 KJV). Jesus, the Son of God, had another name. “… His name is called The Word of God (which activates the
working power of the holy spirit)…” (Revelation
19:12-13 NASB). “… Joseph was thirty years old when he
stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46). TIME CAN’T STOP GOD’S WORD FROM BEING FULFILLED. “Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. …“ You shall be in charge
of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be
greater than you.”…So Pharaoh said to Joseph,
“I hereby put you
in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”
… Thus
he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt…”
(Genesis 41 NIV). “...he (God, the Holy Spirit)...hath done marvellous things…” ( Psalms 98:1 KJV). “… Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast
done …” (Psalms 40:5 KJV). “...Joseph
...was quickly brought from the dungeon. …he [was[...put ...in charge of the whole land of Egypt…”
(Genesis 41 NIV). “…you will see the glory of God ..."
(John 11:40 KJV). “...overwhelming
victory is ours ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
JOSEPH: PRISON AND SLAVERY
1. WhAT
DREAM DID JOSEPH HAVE WHEN HE WAS 17 YEARS OLD? HE
DREAMED HE WOULD REIGN AND HAVE DOMINION ONE DAY AND HIS BROTHERS WOULD BOW TO
HIM. “…Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren
… Now Joseph had a dream …There we were, binding
sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves
stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” And his brothers said
to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over
us?” …” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46). DID HIS BROTHERS SEEM TO BELIEVE HIM? NO. “…… Now Joseph had a dream … And his brothers said to
him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over
us?” …” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46). JOSEPH WAS 30 YEARS OLD WHEN HIS DREAM CAME TO PASS. WHAT DOES THE
BIBLE SAY ABOUT DELAYED HOPE? DELAYED HOPE SADDENS AND
DISAPPOINTS THE HEART. “…Hope
deferred (delayed) makes the heart sick,
But desire fulfilled is a tree of life…” (Proverbs 13:12 NASB). “…Unrelenting
disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break
can turn life around…” (Proverbs 13:12
MSG).
“...Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of
Egypt” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46).WHEN YOU ARE INSIDE A STORMY SITUATION, DELAY CAN KILL YOUR DREAMS.
WHAT DID JESUS (THE WORD) DO WHEN MARY AND MARTHA SENT FOR HIM IN REGARD TO
THEIR BROTHER? HE STAYED WHERE HE WAS FOR TWO MORE DAYS. “…When he (Jesus) heard,
therefore that he (their brother, Lazarus) was SICK, he abode two…[more]… days in the same place where he was…” (John 11:6 KJV). JESUS (THE WORD) DIDN’T MANIFEST WHEN MARY AND
MARTHA THOUGHT HE SHOULD HAVE. DID JESUS (THE WORD) PURPOSELY DELAY HIS COMING?
YES, HE DID. “…My Lord delayeth his
coming…”
(Luke 12:45 KJV). “…he
(Lazarus) was SICK, [but Jesus]… abode
two…[more]… days in the same place where he was…” (John 11:6 KJV).
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2. WHEN YOU ARE
INSIDE THE STORMS OF LIFE AND ITS SEEMS TOO LATE FOR JESUS TO MANIFEST HIMSELF,
BECAUSE YOUR LIFE IS DISRUPTED, NORMALCY IS GONE, AND THE DAMAGE IS DONE; WHAT
MAY BE THE PROBLEM? JESUS (THE WORD) HAS PURPOSELY
DELAYED HIS COMING. “…My Lord delayeth his coming…” (Luke 12:45 KJV). WHEN YOU ARE INSIDE THE STORMS OF LIFE AND IT
SEEMS TOO LATE FOR JESUS TO MANIFEST HIMSELF, WHAT MAY BE “NORMAL” HUMAN
REACTIONS TO THE DELAY? DISAPPOINTMENT,
DOUBT, DISCOURAGEMENT, LOST HOPE. “…My Lord delayeth his coming…” (Luke 12:45 KJV). “…Hope deferred (delayed) makes the
heart sick, But
desire fulfilled is a tree of life…” (Proverbs 13:12 NASB). “…Unrelenting
disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break
can turn life around…” (Proverbs 13:12
MSG).
IN MARY AND
MARTHA’S SITUATION, JESUS’ DELAY WAS NOT DENIAL. IN FACT, JESUS WAS GLAD HE WAS
DELAYED. WHAT REASON DID JESUS HAVE FOR BEING DELAYED? HE
GLAD HE WASN’T THERE, BECAUSE HIS INTENTION WAS TO GROW AND STRENGTHEN THEIR
FAITH (TRUST AND DEPENDENCY UPON GOD’S WORD). “…I am glad for your sakes (Mary,
Martha, & his disciples) that
I was not there (when Lazarus died), to the intent, you may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV).
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3.
MARY AND MARTHA’S BROTHER, LAZARUS, WAS GRAVELY SICK,
HE DIED, THEY PREPARED HIM FOR BURIAL, THEY HAD A FUNERAL, AND BURIED HIM.
WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH GOD OR NOT AND THE VISION OF HOPE TARRIES TO THE POINT
OF “IMPOSSIBLE”, SHOULD YOU CONTINUE TO HAVE FAITH? YES. “…THOUGH IT TARRY, WAIT FOR IT….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV). “…For the vision [is] yet FOR AN APPOINTED TIME, but at
the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, WAIT FOR IT; because IT WILL SURELY
COME, it will not tarry….”
(Habakkuk 2:3 KJV). EVEN WHEN THE STORMY SITUATION SEEM
HOPELESS, GOD WILL DO WHAT HE PROMISED. WHAT SHOULD “HIS” PEOPLE DO IN THOSE
SITUATIONS? THEY SHOULD CHOOSE TO WAIT UPON THE LORD. “… They that WAIT UPON the LORD shall renew [their] strength…” (Isaiah
40:31 KJV). “…WAIT ON
the LORD: be of good
courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I say, on the LORD…”
(Psalms 27:14 KJV). “…The LORD [is] good
unto them that WAIT FOR HIM…” (Lamentations 3:25 KJV).WHAT CAN BE THE
DISAPPOINTMENT, SADNESS, OR HEARTBREAK BEHIND DELAY? A
DELAY CAN BECOME A “LONG” PERIOD TO TIME. “…Hope deferred
(delayed) makes the heart sick,
…”
(Proverbs 13:12 NASB).
“…Unrelenting
disappointment leaves you heartsick…”
(Proverbs 13:12 MSG). “…How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long
will You hide Your face from me?” (Psalms 13:1 NASB). “…Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord
be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O
my God… (Psalms 40:17 NASB). “…I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried:
mine eyes fail while I wait for my God…” (Psalms 69:3 KJV).
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- DURING A STORMY SITUATION, THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERS, THE CHILD OF GOD, TO GO THROUGH PANDEMIC EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES. WHAT DID JOB SAY WHEN HE WAS GOING THROUGH HIS PANDEMIC OF TRADEGIES? HE SAID THOUGH THE LORD ALLOWED HIM TO GO THROUGH PAIN, HEARTACH, SADNESS, AND DISAPPOINTMENT, HE WOULD CONTINUE TO TRUST IN HIM. “...though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…” (Job 13:15 KJV). WHEN GOD PROMISES TO FULFILL A DREAM, VISION, OR PROPHETIC WORD TO YOU WHAT CAN YOU KNOW “FOR SURE” NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS? YOU CAN KNOW “FOR SURE” IT WILL COME TO PASS. “…He has granted to [his people]… His precious and magnificent promises…” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB). “…As many as are the promises of God, in Him (Jesus, his WORD) they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB). “…Not one of the good promises which the Lord (Jesus, the WORD) had made … failed; all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB). God, the Holy Spirit, is “…watching over [his[… Word to perform it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…So shall [GOD’s]… Word be that goeth forth out of [his]… mouth: it shall not return unto [GOD]… void, but it shall accomplish that which [God]… please[s], and it shall prosper in the thing whereto [God]… sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). “…And in the PROCESS of time IT CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV). “...Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46). HOW MANY YEARS WAS JOSEPH’S DREAM DELAYED? HIS DREAM WAS DELAYED FOR THIRTEEN (13) YEARS. “…Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren … Now Joseph had a dream …There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” … Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- JOSEPH BECAME A SLAVE IN POTIPHER’S HOUSE AND WENT TO PRISON IN A DUNGEON. Was THE PROMISE OF GOD “STILL” UPON HIS LIFE? YES. HOW DO YOU KNOW? IN THE PROCESS OF TIME Joseph became a ruler like in his dream from god. “…[But]… in the PROCESS of time … [what God promised IN his DREAM]… CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV). WHATEVER YOU EXPERIENCE INSIDE THE STORMS OF LIFE (slavery or prison) CAN IT STOP THE BLESSING GOD HAS PLACED UPON YOUR LIFE? NO. WHY OR WHY NOT? BECAUSE WHEN GOD PLACES A BLESSING ON SOMETHING OR SOMEONE, NOTHING CAN STOP IT OR REVERSE IT. “...God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!” (Numbers 23:20 NLT). “…As many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:2 NASB). “…Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe (trust in me, depend upon me, and cooperate with my word), you will see the glory of God (his presence, his goodness, his power, or all three in your life)?..." (John 11:40 KJV). INSIDE THEIR STORMY SITUATION, DID MARY AND MARTHA EXPERIENCE THEIR BROTHER’S SICKNESS AND DEATH? YES. WHAT HAD GOD’S WORD PROMISED THEM? THAT LAZARUS’ SICKNESS WOULD NOT END IN DEATH. DID HE DIE? YES. “… [Lazarus] … whom thou lovest is sick…” (John 11:3 KJV). “…Lazarus is dead…” (John 11:14 KJV). “…this sickness is NOT unto death, but for the glory of God…” (John 11:4 KJV). Yet and still, “…Lazarus is dead…” (John 11:14 KJV). WHAT DID JOSEPH EXPERIENCE INSIDE HIS STORMS OF LIFE? SLAVERY AND PRISON. WHAT MISTREATMENT DID JOSEPH EXPERIENCE THAT SENT HIM DOWN THE PATH OF SLAVERY AND PRISON? HIS OWN BROTHER’S SOLD HIM AS A SLAVE AND WHILE THERE, HE ENDED UP IN PRISON. “…And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit ... And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it … Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt…” (Genesis 37). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- MANY OF GOD’S PEOPLE, LIKE JOSEPH, HAVE SUFFERED UNFAIRLY AND UNJUSTLY IN LIFE. WHAT DOES GOD’S WORD PROMISE, HIS PEOPLE, “AFTER” THEY HAVE SUFFERED FOR A WHILE? HE WILL RESTORE THEM, STRENGTHEN THEM, AND PLACE THEM ON A FIRM FOUNDATION. “…After …[those INSIDE a STORM have] … suffered … [or have been delayed for]… a little while, [God has DIVINE plans to]… restore, support, and strengthen [them], and … place [them]... on a firm foundation..” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT). DOES THAT MEAN THAT STORMS ARE “ALWAYS” TEMPORARY? YES, THEY ARE TEMPORARY AND WILL EVENTUALLY PASS. “…the suffering …[or delays]… of this present time ARE NOT worthy to be compared with the glory (witnessed in his presence, his goodness, or his power) which shall be revealed in us…” (Romans 8:18 KJV). “…For our light affliction …[or delays], …which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…” (2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV). “…And in the PROCESS of time IT CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV). WHAT PROOF DOES THE BIBLE GIVE THAT MARY AND MARTHA’S SUFFERING WAS TEMPORARY? LAZARUS RETURNED FROM THE DEAD. “….Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth…” (John 11:42-43 KJV).WHAT PROOF DOES THE BIBLE GIVE THAT JOB’S SUFFERING WAS TEMPORARY? GOD GAVE JOB TWICE WHAT HAD BEFORE AND THE END OF HIS LIFE WAS BETTER THAN THE BEGINNING. “…The Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: … So Job died, being old, and FULL of days...” (Job 42:12-17 KJV). WHAT PROOF DOES THE BIBLE GIVE THAT THE HEBREW BOYS’ SUFFERING WAS TEMPORARY? THEY WERE DELIVERED FROM THE FIREY FURNANCE, UNTOUCHED, AND GIVEN A PROMOTION. “…Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego…. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon” (Daniel 3 KJV). WHAT PROOF DOES THE BIBLE GIVE THAT JESUS’ SUFFERING UPON THE CROSS WAS TEMPORARY? HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND WAS HIGHLY EXALTED. Jesus is “highly exalted” with a “name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). In addition,“…at ...the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father...” (Philippians 2:10-11 KJV). WHAT PROOF DOES THE BIBLE GIVE THAT JOESPH’S SUFFERING WAS TEMPORARY? BECAUSE IN SPITE OF SLAVERY AND PRISON, JOSEPH BECAME RULER OF ALL EYGPT. “Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. …“ You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”…So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” … Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt…” (Genesis 41 NIV).
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- AFTER MARY, MARTHA, JOB, THE HEBREW BOYS, JESUS, AND JOSPEP SUFFERING “FOR A WHILE” DID THEY RECEIVE GOD’S PROMISE? YES. “…After [THEY had]… suffered … [or been delayed for]… a little while…” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT). “… [God had DIVINE plans to]… restore, support, and strengthen [them], and … place [them]... on a firm foundation..” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT). DELAYS HAVE A PURPOSE, THEY ARE ABOUT GOD’S LOVE, THEY ARE NOT DENIALS, THEY ARE GOD-APPROVED, AND THEY HELP YOU GROW IN FAITH AND STRENGTH. DELAYS ARE ALSO ABOUT “WHO’S” SOVEREIGN WILL? GOD’S SOVEREIGN WILL. “…My Lord delayeth his coming…” (Luke 12:45 KJV). “…Father …not My will, but Yours be done…" (Luke 22:42-43 NIV). WHEN GOD “SEEMS” DELAYED IN YOUR STORMY SITUATIONS, IT HE “STILL” WORKING ON YOUR BEHALF? YES. WHAT MIGHT GOD BE DOING FOR YOU? MATURING AND STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH. DOING SOMETHING GOOD. SHOWING HIS LOVE BY HIS CONTINUAL PRESENCE. CARING FOR YOU. BEING CONSISTENT IN HIS DIVINE CHARACTER.“…I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent, you may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV). “…Thou (God) are GOOD and doest GOOD…” (Psalm 119:68 KJV). “…Great is his love toward us...” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). “… “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I am with you always, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). “…Behold, I am with … [you] and will keep … [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “...He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
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- What was one of the reasons jesus gave for his delay? He intended to grow and strengthen their faith. “….To the intent, [they]... may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV). Didn’t Mary and Martha already have a level of faith? YES. Many of God’s people think “I BELIEVE” and therefore have arrived at the level of faith that is necessary to give God glory in their lives. Yet, raising Lazarus from the dead was intended to propel the sisters into a HIGHER level of faith by witnessing, first-hand, a MIRACLE (a GREATER witness of God’s GLORY (presence, goodness, power, etc.). WHAT DOES WITNESSING THE WORKING POWER OF GOD’S WORD DO FOR “HIS” PEOPLE? IT GROWS AND STRENGTHENS THEIR FAITH. “..This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him…” (John 2:11 KJV). ONE OF THE MAIN REASON JESUS CAME TO EARTH, AS A WITNESS, IS SO THAT, “THROUGH” HIM, MANKIND MIGHT WHAT? BELIEVE (TRUST IN AND DEPEND UPON GOD). “…[Jesus]…came for a witness…that ALL men through HIM might BELIEVE…” (John 1:7 KJV).
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- TRUSTING IN AND DEPENDING UPON GOD ELEVATES YOU FROM SIMPLY BELIEVING or professing HIS WORD TO _______________ HIS WORD (fill in blank)? Experiencing his word. “... the devils also believe...” (James 2:19 KJV). “...You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror...” (James 2:19 NLT). “...For I say unto you, That except your righteousness (demonstration of trust in and dependency upon God) shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven...” (Matthew 5:10 KJV). “...Trivialize even the smallest item in God’s Law (Holy Word) and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won’t know the first thing about entering the kingdom...” (Matthew 5:19-20 MSG).“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward (religious), but are within (the heart) full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ” (Matthew 23:27 KJV). “…He (Jesus) knew what was in each person’s heart…” (John 2:24-25 NLT). IF YOU ARE NOT AN AUTHENTIC CHILD OF GOD WHAT MIGHT YOU BE? A HYPOCRITE. “...hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup (religious behavior) and of the platter, but within (in the heart) they are full of extortion and excess...” (Matthew 23:13-33 KJV). “...hypocrites!... Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. ..” (Matthew 23:13-33 KJV). “…This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me…” (Mark 7:6 KJV). “… Many deceivers have gone out into the world…” (2 John 1:7 NLT). WHEN HYPOCRITES CLAIM TO KNOW GOD, BUT DON’T KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY THEY ARE? LIARS. “…If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person IS A LIAR and is not living in the truth…” (1 John 2:4 NLT). “…If we “SAY” that we have fellowship with him, and WALK IN DARKNESS (like demon), WE LIE, and DO NOT THE TRUTH…” (1 John 1:6 KJV). “... the devils also believe...” (James 2:19 KJV). “... except your righteousness (your demonstration of trust in and dependency upon God) shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven...” (Matthew 5:10 KJV). CAN YOU NAME A TIME WHEN A DELAY HELPED YOU GROW MORE TRUSTING IN GOD? YES. WHAT WAS JESUS’ INTENTIONS FOR MARY AND MARTHA? TO GROW AND STRENGTHEN THEIR FAITH. “….To the intent, you may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV).
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- EVEN THOUGH MARY AND MARTHA DIDN’T KNOW JESUS’ PLANS FOR THEM, WAS JESUS TRYING TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING BETTER THAN THEY HAD? YES. WHAT WAS IT? A GREATER TRUST IN AND DEPENDENCY UPON THE WORKING POWER OF GOD’S WORD. “….and many more BELIEVED “because” of his own words…we BELIEVE, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and KNOW that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world…” (John 4:41-42). “…I knew that thou hearest me (Jesus, the WORD) always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me…” (John 11:41-42 KJV).“…The plans [God has]…for you … [are]… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). “…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which …[GOD, the Holy Spirit] … hath prepared for … [those] … that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV).
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- MARTHA AND MARY BELIEVED LAZARUS WOULD RISE AGAIN IN THE RESURRECTION ON THE LAST DAY, BUT JESUS INTENDED FOR THEM TO HAVE GREATER AND STRONGER FAITH IN THE WORKING POWER OF GOD’S WORD: TRUE OR FALSE? TRUE. “….To the intent, you may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV). “…These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God (JESUS, his WORD)...” (1 John 5:13 KJV).“…I knew that thou hearest me (Jesus, the WORD) always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me (YOUR POWERFUL WORD)…” (John 11:41-42 KJV). NOW THAT YOU STUDIED JOSEPH’S STORY, WITNESSED THE STORMS OF HIS LIFE (SLAVERY AND PRISON), WOULD YOU SAY HIS DREAM WAS SIMPLY DELAYED, BUT NO DENIED? YES, IT WAS DELAYED, BUT IT WAS NOT DENIED. WHY OR WHY NOT? BECAUSE WHEN HE WAS THIRTY YEARS OLD HE BECAME RULER OF ALL OF EYGPT AS HIS DREAM, FROM GOD, PROMISED. “…Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren … Now Joseph had a dream …There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” …” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46).” …. Joseph was thirty years old (delayed) when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt (not denied)...” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46). “Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. …“ You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”…So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” … Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt…” (Genesis 41 NIV). DELAYED; NOT DENIED!
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JOSEPH’S
OVERWHELMING VICTORY
12. WHAT
DID JESUS DO THAT MADE HIS DISCIPLES BELIEVE IN HIM? HE
WENT AROUND DOING GOOD AND HEALING “ALL” WHO WERE OPPRESSED BY THE DEVIL. “… [Jesus
was EMPOWERED by the Holy Spirit and he] went about
doing good, and healing all that were oppressed
of the devil; [BECAUSE] ...GOD
[THE HUSBANDMAN] ...WAS WITH HIM…” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV). “…The Spirit of the Lord is
upon me, … he hath anointed me (Jesus)
to PREACH the gospel to the poor; he hath sent
me to heal the brokenhearted, to PREACH deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To PREACH the acceptable year of the Lord…” (John
4:16-21 KJV).“….To the intent, you may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV). BASED ON MARY AND MARTHA’S STORY WAS IT IMPORTANT FOR LAZARUS TO
DIE IN ORDER TO INCREASE AND STRENGTHEN THEIR FAITH? YES.”…I
am glad for your sakes that I
was not there…” (John 11:14 KJV). MARY AND MARTHA LITERALLY EXPERIENCED THEIR BROTHER’S SICKNESS AND
DEATH. SICKNESS AND DEATH ARE NOT GOOD EXPERIENCES, BUT DID “EVERYTHING” OR
“ALL THINGS” WORK TOGETHER FOR THEIR GOOD? YES. WHAT WAS
JESUS’ MAIN GOAL? TO
INCREASE AND STRENGTHEN THEIR FAITH. “… [Lazarus] … whom thou lovest is
sick…” (John 11:3 KJV). “…Lazarus is dead…” (John 11:14 KJV). “...ALL THINGS
(sickness, divorce, death, disappointments, pain, heartbreak, etc.) work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE…”
(ROMANS 8:28 KJV).“…ye (the enemy) thought evil
against me; but God meant it unto good,…” (Genesis
50:20 KJV). “…that you (they) “may” believe…” (John 11:14 KJV). MANY OF GOD’S PEOPLE MAY PREFER TO KEEP PEOPLE
OR THINGS AND FORFEIT THE INCREASED FAITH. WHAT DOES “YOUR” FAITH MEAN TO GOD? IT IS MORE PRECIOUS TO HIM THAN GOLD AND IT
RESULTS IN GIVING gOD GLORY, HONOR, AND PRAISE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. “….the proof of your faith (trust in, dependency
upon, and cooperation with his word), being
more precious than gold that perisheth though it is
proved by fire, may
be found unto praise and
glory and honor at the
revelation of Jesus Christ...” 1
Peter 1:7 ASV). “...[God]
knoweth the way that I take; when
he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold…”
(Job 23:10 KJV).
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13. AN
INCREASED AND STRONGER FAITH RESULTS IN DEMONSTRATIONS OF GOD’S GLORY (HIS
PRESENCE, HIS GOODNESS, AND HIS WORKING POWER) UPON EARTH. WHAT EMPOWERS, DISPLAYS,
AND PRODUCES FAITH “IN” AND “THROUGH” GOD’S PEOPLE? THE
INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT, EMPOWERS DISPLAYS, AND PRODUCES THE SPIRITUAL FRUIT OF
FAITH. “…Ye shall know [those with the
indwelling Holy Spirit]… by their fruits…”
(Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).“... The Holy Spirit
produces this kind of fruit in our lives…”
(Galatians 5 NLT). “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). apart from Me you can
do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB). “…He who ABIDES in Me and I in him, he (she) bears much fruit … ” (John
15:1-11 NASB). “…The
fruit of the Spirit
is .. faith…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). WHO PRODUCES THIS KIND OF FRUIT IN
YOUR LIFE? THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT DOES.
“... The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives…”
(Galatians 5 NLT). WHAT DOES SPIRITUAL FRUIT PROVE AND
WITNESS TO OTHERS? THAT YOU ARE ONE OF GOD’S DISCIPLES.
"… [if you] ...bear much fruit, [you] ... PROVE to be My disciples”
(John 15:8 NIV). “…God
(the Holy Spirit) publicly endorsed Jesus the
Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs
through
him, as you well know. …”
(ACTS 2:22 KJV). IS FAITH ALSO A SPIRITUAL FRUIT? YES.
IS GOD’S GLORY WITNESSED WHEN THE FRUIT OF FAITH IS DISPLAYED “IN” AND
“THROUGH” THE LIVES OF GOD’S PEOPLE? YES. GOD’S GLORY (his presence, his goodness, his
working power) IS WITNESSED THROUGH
FAITH. “... The
[indwelling]...Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: …FAITH...”
(Galatians 5 NLT). “…The [indwelling] …
HOLY SPIRIT …does the work (of faith) IN and THROUGH all of us who are his…
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). "… [The]…
Father is glorified (his presence, his goodness, and his power
is WITNESSED) by this, that “YOU” bear much fruit (such as the fruit of FAITH),
and so PROVE to
be [his]… disciples” (John 15:8). “…The
fruit of the Spirit
is ... faith…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “... The Holy Spirit
produces this kind of fruit in our lives…”
(Galatians 5 NLT).
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14.
IN HEBREWS CHAPTER 11 NAME THE
THINGS YOU “SEE” GOD’S INDWELLING HOLY
SPIRIT EMPOWERED HIS PEOPLE TO DO THROUGH THE SPIRITUAL FRUIT OF FAITH.? THEY RULED WITH JUSTICE. THEY RECEIVED WHAT GOD PROMISED.
THEY SHUT THE MOUTHS OF LIONS, ETC. “…HOW
MUCH MORE DO I NEED TO SAY? It would take too long to recount THE STORIES OF the FAITH of Gideon,
Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets… [Through]… FAITH these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received
what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped
death by the edge of the
sword. Their weakness was turned to
strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved
ones back again from death….”
(Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT). ACCORDING TO HEBREWS 11 WHAT DID
MARY AND MARTHA DO BY THEIR “NEW” EMPOWERED SPIRITUAL FRUIT OF FAITH? THEY RECEIVED WHAT GOD HAD PROMISED AND THEY RECEIVED THEIR
BROTHER BACK AGAIN FROM THE DEAD. “…..Said I not unto thee (Mary and Martha),
that, if thou wouldest believe (trust and depend upon God’s word), thou shouldest SEE the GLORY (presence, goodness, and
working power) of God?...” (John 11:40 KJV). “...And HE
THAT WAS DEAD CAME FORTH, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his
face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go...” (John 11:43-44 KJV). JESUS DELAYS HIS
COMING INTO OUR STORMY SITUATIONS FOR A PURPOSE. WHAT DID HE WANT MARY AND
MARTHA TO BELIEVE UPON? HIS NAME, WHICH IS THE WORD OF
GOD. “…that ye may BELIEVE (greater and stronger) on the name of the Son
of God (the WORD of God)...” (1 John 5:13 KJV). Jesus, the
Son of God, had another name. “… His name is called The
Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB)
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15.
WHEN THINGS ARE DELAYED GOD’S
PEOPLE HAVE A TENDENCY TO SIMPLY LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING. WHAT IS GOD LOOKING
AT? AT YOUR HEART. “…The LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). WHEN GOD TOOK
ISRAEL THROUGH THE WILDERNESS OR A STORMY SITUATION, WHAT DID HE WANT “THEM” TO
KNOW? HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS “IN” THEIR OWN HEART. One
reason he did it was so “they” would “….know
what was in [their]…heart…” (Deuteronomy
8:2 KJV). MANY OF GOD’S PEOPLE PROFESS BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT ARE NOT CHALLENGED
UNTIL THEY FIND THEMSELVES INSIDE A STORM. WHAT CAN A HEART OF UNBELIEF DO TO A
PERSON? IT COULD CAUSE THEM TO DEPART FROM GOD.“Take heed, brethren, lest
there be in any one of you an evil heart of
unbelief, in departing from the living God”
(Hebrews 3:12 KJV). “... Let us labour therefore to enter into that
rest, lest any
man fall after the same example of unbelief (as Israel)…”
(Hebrews 4:10-11 KJV). “…I do believe; help
me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark
9:24 NIV). “... the devils also believe...” (James 2:19
KJV). “...
except your righteousness (your demonstration of trust in and dependency upon God)
shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven...” (Matthew 5:10 KJV). HOW DOES GOD’S WORD TELL HIS
PEOPLE TO WALK THROUGH THIS LIFE UPON EARTH? THEY ARE TOLD TO WALK BY
FAITH (TRUSTING AND DEPENDING UPON GOD).“…WALK
BY FAITH...(trust in God, dependency upon God, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and cooperation with his instructions
(WORD))...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). “…live by faith, not
by sight….” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV).
MANKIND MAY BE LOOKING AT WHAT YOU DO OR YOUR APPEARANCE,
BUT GOD IS ALWAYS LOOKING AT WHAT? YOUR HEART.
“...God sees
not as
man sees, for man looks at the outward
appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). God is looking at the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). “… From
within, out of the heart of
man,
proceed evil thoughts…these … come from within, and defile a person.”
(Mark 7:21-23 KJV). God KNOWS the heart “…is deceitful above
all things and desperately
wicked…who can know it [except God?]…”
(Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).
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16.
GOD’S TIMING MAY INCLUDE A DELAY
(LONG OR SHORT), BUT WILL THAT DELAY NEGATE HIS PROMISES? NO. WHY OR WHY NOT? BECAUSE HE
ALWAYS HEARS AND KEEPS EVERY SINGLE PROMISE HE MAKES, WITHOUT FAIL. “…[God, the Holy Spirit]... always hear [his word]....”
(John 11:41-42 NLT). “… [His word] shall not return unto [him]… void, but it shall accomplish that
which [God, the Holy Spirit]… please[s],
and it shall prosper in the thing
whereto [God, the Holy Spirit]… sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). HOW WILL A DELAY
HELP YOU, IF YOU CHOOSE TO HUMBLE YOURSELF TO GOD’S WILL? IT WILL HELP GROW AND STRENGTHEN FAITH. “…If
My people which are called by My name SHALL HUMBLE THEMSELVES …AND TURN FROM their wicked ways…”
(2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV). “…[That]…ye MAY BELIEVE…” (John 11:14 KJV). BEING INSIDE A
STORMY SITUATION IS NOT MEANT TO WEAKENED FAITH, BUT STRENGTHEN IT. JESUS TOOK
MARY AND MARTHA BACK TO THE PLACE THEY BURIED THEIR FAITH, ALONG WITH THEIR
BROTHER TO DEMONSTRATE “WHAT” TO THEM? TO DEMONSTRATE THAT
THE WORKING POWER OF GOD’S WORD, IS THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE FOR DEAD,
IMPOSSIBLE, AND HARD SITUATIONS. “…the PLACE
“WHERE” the DEAD was laid…”
(John 11:39-41 KJV). “…Jesus
said…I am the resurrection and I am the LIFE…..” (John 11:25
KJV). “…I am the Lord,
the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah
32:27 KJV). “…[God] is able TO DO exceeding abundantly ABOVE all that we ask
or think…”
(Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…The things which are impossible with men … [are]… POSSIBLE
[with God] …” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “… I am God, and there is none like me…"
(Isaiah 46:9-10 KJV). ).
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17. WHEN
HOPE DIES, PRAYERS ARE LAID TO REST, AND DREAMS ARE BURIED, CAN THEY BE
RESURRECTED AGAIN? YES. HOW? BY FAITH. FAITH CAN BE EMPOWERED AND STRENGTHENED, AGAIN, BY
THE WORD OF GOD AND THE WORKING POWER OF THE
INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT.
“…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God...” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…Jesus looked up to heaven and
said, “Father, thank you
for hearing me (the WORD, YOUR WORD). You always hear
me (the WORD, YOUR WORD), but I said it (spoke the Word) out loud for the
sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me
(the WORD, YOUR WORD).” (John 11:41-42 NLT). “…And the prayer of [strengthened] ...faith
SHALL save the sick (situation), and the Lord SHALL raise [the situation]... up (FROM THE DEAD)…”
(James 5:15 KJV).“…Jesus said…I am the resurrection and I am the
LIFE…..” (John 11:25 KJV). . “…THE WORDS
THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). ). “…NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS “ABLE” to
do exceeding abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according to
the POWER that worketh in us…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…I am come that THEY MIGHT have (SPIRITUAL) life,
and that THEY
MIGHT have it more abundantly…” (John 10:10 KJV). THE WORD OF GOD ACTIVATES THE WORKING
POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. CAN THE WORD OF GOD BRING BACK OR RESTORE “DEAD”
SITUATIONS? YES. EXPLAIN, USING MARY AND
MARTHA’S SITUATION. LAZARUS GOT SICK, DIED, WAS
FUNERALIZED, AND BURIED, BUT GOD BOUGHT HIM BACK FROM THE DEAD. THE WORD SPOKE
AND THE WORKING POWER OF GOD BOUGHT LAZARUS FORTH FROM THE DEAD. “…He that was DEAD came
forth, bound,
head and foot with graveclothes: and
his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them,
‘Loose him, and let him go.’” (John 11:44 KJV). WHAT MIGHT THE
GRAVECLOTHES REPRESENT? WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE GO THROUGH
THE STORMS OF LIFE, DOUBT, DISAPPOINTMENT, WHAT THEY SAW, WHAT THEY HEARD, WHAT
THEY LIVED THROUGH, WHAT HAPPENED OR DIDN’T HAPPEN, ETC., CAN BECOME LIKE A
PREPARATION FOR DEATH (GRAVECLOTHES). THE
DEVIL COMES INSIDE THE STORMS OF LIFE TO KILL, STEAL AND DESTROY, THE FAITH,
PRAYERS, AND DREAMS OF GOD’S PEOPLE. “…The
thief cometh not, but for to steal,
and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10:10 KJV).“...I ...[would have]...fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness
of the Lord
in the land of the living...’’ (Psalms 27:13
KJV). “...I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord. In the land of the living...” (Psalms 27:13 NASB). “…Come to Me,
all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest…”
(Matthew 11:28 NASB). “…I will
restore… and I will heal thee of the wounds, saith
the Lord…” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV).
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18.
GOD SPOKE TO JOSEPH IN A DREAM
WHEN HE WAS 17 YEARS OLD. HOW MANY YEARS WAS THAT DREAM DELAYED? 13 YEARS. “…Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren
… Now Joseph had a dream …There we were, binding
sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves
stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” And his brothers said
to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over
us?” …Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt”
(Genesis 37: 2,
5-14, 41:37-46). “…[But]…
in the PROCESS of time … [what
God promised]… CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV). DID TIME STOP THE
DREAM FROM COMING TO PASS? NO. “...God has blessed, and
I cannot reverse
it!” (Numbers 23:20 NLT). “…As many as are the
promises of God, in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:2 NASB). “…Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe
(trust in me, depend upon me, and cooperate with my word), you
will see the glory of God (his presence and goodness in
your life)?..." (John 11:40 KJV). A PROPHETIC DREAM, GIVEN BY GOD MAY BE
DEFFERED (DELAYED), BUT NO MATTER WHAT OR HOW IT APPEARS, IS IT NOT DEAD OR DENIED? NO. WHY OR WHY NOT? GOD’S WORD “ALWAYS” DOES WHAT HE SAYS IT
WILL DO. “…you
will see the glory of God (his presence, his goodness,
his power, or all three in your life)..." (John 11:40 KJV). “… my word ...that goeth forth out of my
mouth: IT SHALL
NOT RETURN UNTO ME VOID, but it shall
accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing
whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). “…Not one
of the good promises which the Lord
had made to the house of Israel failed; ALL CAME TO PASS…” (Joshua 21:45
NASB). WILL YOUR HOPES, PRAYERS, AND
DREAMS THAT, you know, GOD, HAS PERSONALLY, PROMISED TO YOU, come to PASS? YES, YOU WILL SEE THE GLORY OF GOD (HIS PRESENCE, GOODNESS,
AND WORKING POWER). “…you will see the glory of God ..."
(John 11:40 KJV).
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19.
WHEN YOU ARE INSIDE THE STORMS OF
LIFE, WHAT SHOULD YOU PUT ON IN ORDER TO FIGHT THE ENEMY? THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD.“...Therefore
[INSIDE the STORMS]... put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of
evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done
everything, to stand. Stand
firm...” (Ephesians 6:13-14 NIV). “... Put on all of God’s armor so that you
will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil...” (Ephesians 6:11 NLT). WHO
WILL KEEP YOU STRONG DURING THE STORMS OF LIFE? GOD WILL.“…HE (the indwelling
Holy Spirit) “WILL” KEEP YOU STRONG to the end…” (1 Corinthians
1:8 NLT). WHO WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN, NEVER LEAVE YOU AND WILL BE THERE TO HELP
EVERY STEP OF THE WAY? GOD WILL. “…God
assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly
quote, God is there, ready to help...” (Hebrews 13:5 MSG). EVEN
THOUGH THE STORMS OF LIFE MAYBE BE SCARY, WHY SHOULDN’T YOU BE AFRAID? BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU.
“…He said, … Do not be afraid or discouraged ...the Lord is with you!” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). DURING A STORM, MANY WEAPONS MAY
BE FORMED AGAINST YOU, BUT WILL THEY PROSPER OVER YOU? NO,
THEY WON’T.“…No
weapon that is formed against [YOU]… shall prosper…”
(Isaiah 54:17 KJV). WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE BATTLE YOU FACING IN THE
STORM? IT SAYS THE BATTLE BELONGS TO GOD. YOU WON’T
EVEN NEED TO FIGHT. YOU ONLY NEED TO TRUST IN AND DEPEND UPON GOD AND WATCH HIS
VICTORY. “…the battle is not yours, but God’s. …...”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). “…you will not even need to fight...” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).“…Take your positions; then stand still..”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).“…watch the Lord’s victory...” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
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20. WHAT
HAPPENED INSIDE JOSEPH’S STORMS OF LIFE? HIS JEALOUS
BROTHERS THREW HIM INTO A PIT. THEY SOLD HIM AS A SLAVE TO POTIPHER. POTIPHER’S
WIFE LIED ON HIM AND HAD HIM SENT TO PRISON.
“…And when they (how own brothers) saw him afar off, even before he came
near unto them, they
conspired against him to slay him. And
they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him,
and cast him into
some pit ... And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto
his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours
that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into
a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it … Then
there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out
of the pit, and sold Joseph (AS A SLAVE) to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into
Egypt…”
(Genesis 37). “...Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded. But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my
master trusts me with everything in his entire household. No one here
has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you,
because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a
great sin against God.” She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but
he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.
One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do
his work. She came and grabbed him by his cloak,
demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his
cloak in her hand as he ran from the house. When she
saw that she was holding his cloak and he had fled, she
called out to her servants. Soon all the men came running. “Look!” she said.
“My husband has brought this Hebrew slave here to make fools of us! 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.” She
kept the cloak with her until her husband came home. Then
she told him her story. “That Hebrew slave you’ve brought into our house tried
to come in and fool around with me,” she said. “But
when I screamed, he ran outside, leaving his cloak with me!” Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph
had treated her. So he took Joseph
and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained (A PRISONER)...” (Genesis 39:7-20 NIV). JOSEPH WAS INSIDE HIS STORM
FOR 13 YEARS. HOW OLD WAS HE WHEN THE PROPHETIC DREAM WAS FULFILLED? HE
WAS THIRTY(30) YEARS OLD.“… Joseph was thirty years old when he
stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46). “Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. …“ You shall be in charge
of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be
greater than you.”…So Pharaoh said to Joseph,
“I hereby put you
in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”
… Thus
he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt…”
(Genesis 41 NIV). WHY IS JOSEPH’S STORY SO AWESOME? IN SPITE OF ALL HE WENT THROUGH, GOD VINDICATED HIS LIFE BY
DOING MARVELLOUS THINGS WITH AND FOR HIM. “...he (God,
the Holy Spirit)...hath done marvellous
things…” ( Psalms 98:1 KJV). “… Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast
done …” (Psalms 40:5 KJV). “...Joseph
...was quickly brought from the dungeon. …he [was[...put ...in charge of the whole land of Egypt…”
(Genesis 41 NIV). “…you will see the glory of God ..."
(John 11:40 KJV). “...overwhelming
victory is ours ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
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