RUNNING WITH THE GIANTS Part 4 – Joseph
(Hebrews 12:1 NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
When life isn’t turning out the way you had planned…
“Don’t give up on your dreams.”
(Genesis 37:5-7, 19-20 NIV) Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”
DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS…
- Even if you didn’t start off well.
(1 Timothy 1:12-13 NIV) I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
- Even if those closest don’t support you.
(Mark 6:3-4 NIV) Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”
- Even if your journey is full of surprises.
(Romans 8:28 NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
- Even if it takes a long time to realize it.
(Habakkuk 2: 3 LB) “These things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!”
FINAL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
- God is always with you.
(Hebrews 13:5-6 AMP) “…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?
- Trust God to develop you during the down times.
(James 1:2-4 NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that 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 perfect and complete, needing nothing.
- Realize that self-promotion can never replace divine promotion.
What you gain by self-promotion, you must maintain. What you gain by divine promotion, God will maintain.
- When the dream is realized, it is sweeter than you can ever imagine.
(Genesis 50:20 NIV) You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.