There are many people are enduring life without really feeling alive. Joseph was a man who practiced the presence of God. Joseph came from a dysfunctional family and his mother dies when he was in his teens. He gets into all kinds of difficulties. Joseph keeps rising to the top despite of these difficulties because he practiced the presence of God. He is able to forgive his brothers despite the evil they have done to him. See Genesis 39:1-2, 21, 23. “The Lord was with him”. Would you like to prosper? Not necessarily materially but prosper in God’s eyes.

1 – Express your God-given difference (vs. 1-4)

The multi-colour coat he wore was an evidence of his difference. It showed the nobility of Joseph. We are nobility in the eyes of Jesus Christ. The children of God are a kingdom of priests! We are under pressure to conform to this world. It is seen as a sin to be different. A child of God is different – twice born in a world that is once born.

2 – Explore your God-given dreams (vs. 5)

Joseph had a God-given dream. Let God put a dream into your heart. God has a plan for your life. Would you like to know what it is? See Romans 12:1-2. Presentation – Transformation – Realisation. We will go from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Get your heart right with God and God will find you. He will show you the way you must go. It may not fulfil your fantasies. God has his dream for you. Mary pondered things in her heart. The devil will be out to stop you if he can. People say it can’t be done. All things are possible with God.

3 – Endure your God-given difficulties (vs. 8-27)

Was God out of control for even a micro-second? No way! They meant it for evil but God meant it for good. God does not cause these evil things to happen. God is in control of whatever Satan plans to do.

4 – A personal salvation (vs. 36-40)

Is there a place where God cannot be found? He is everywhere and that includes hell! God was engineering things for Joseph in the hard times and when he died. I don’t want God to take his hand off my life. God was with Joseph in prison, the pit and in business. Let God be with you throughout all things in your life – just like Joseph.

Categories: Genesis