The Promotable Life: Take a Shot
In our current series ‘Joseph – The Promotable Life’ we have been looking at Joseph’s character and why God always promoted him, no matter how bleak his situation looked. This week, Gabe encouraged us to join Joseph in taking a shot at greatness, towards our breakthrough and a promoted future.
We looked at Genesis 40:1-32 where the story of the cupbearer and the baker in prison unfolds and how Joseph relied on God to give him the interpretation for their dreams. Isn’t it amazing that even in a foreign prison, Joseph encountered Jesus, through the symbols of communion with the wine cupbearer and the baker of bread!
Here are four helpful points from this text as we continue to look at the theme of promotion:
1. Serving
Whilst Joseph had been falsely accused and unfairly treated, he chose not to sulk or shout out in protest, but instead, he continued to serve others. We learn that when we can put aside the promise of our own dreams, and still fight for the dreams of others, we are partnering with God to be used as His vessel. When we choose to serve others who don’t deserve it, or with nothing to get out of it, we become the bridge to God’s Kingdom. Following the example of Jesus and Joseph, serving others is when we pour ourselves out and empty ourselves for others so God can fill us.
2. Humility
Humility isn’t thinking less of ourselves, but putting God and others above our own needs. We need to learn to drop our opinions and stop worrying about what man thinks and start trembling about what God thinks. (Isaiah 66:2)
Stop reading the Bible and asking what it means to you personally, and start asking God what it means universally! James 4:6 says that God will oppose the proud and give grace to the humble. God doesn’t need our social media platforms or for us to make a name for ourselves first before He can use us! When you won’t humble yourself, then God will!
GOD LOVES USING NO-NAME BRANDS!
3. Obedience
Obedience is the realm of the supernatural. When we say yes to God, our flesh says no. God is looking for our radical obedience. We need to be all in and obey God’s commands, no matter the consequences or what others may think of us. In Hebrews 5:8 we learn that obedience is taught through suffering.
4. Total Truth
God demands our complete honesty and integrity. We aren’t fooling anyone when we are not 100% honest with others, ourselves, or with God. He knows who we are, He knows the depths of our hearts and even our hidden motives.
GOD CAN’T BLESS WHO WE PRETEND TO BE!
So if you feel like you have no more bullets left, exhausted all your power, that the years have taken their toll, then now is the time to continue serving, with humility, obedience, and with truth, so you can take another shot at what God has in store to you!
Take a:
- Serving
- Humility
- Obedience
- Total Truth
Let us go forth with obedience according to the words of Colossians 3:22, which commands us to serve others sincerely, out of our reverent fear of the Lord.