Fw: WHAT GOOD CAN COME OUT OF THIS?

Team:

Do you ever wonder what could possibly be good about the situation that I am in?

How can God turn this situation into a good thing?

Today we see Joseph sold by his brothers into slavery.

Just like Jacob stole the blessing from Esau now Jacob's blessing "Joseph" was stolen and sold away from him.

WHAT GOOD CAN COME OUT OF THIS?

"So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels[b] of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt." Genesis 37:28

Wow! The favorite son or "The Blessing" was sold away.

WHAT GOOD CAN COME OUT OF THIS?

Then the sons lied to their dad and said he was killed by a wild animal.

Jacob is now feeling totally whipped and wiped out. Lucifer was probably whispering in his ear negative thoughts of how he deserved this and brought this on himself. "You haven't been a good leader as a father and husband. Your daughter was involved in an illicit relationship with the Prince of Schecum. Your sons are murderers. Your wife stole her fathers gods and was dabbling in witchcraft, oiji boards and sorcery ect... Jacob you are a looser!"

Jacob had lost all hope. Everything seems to be going wrong. Satan is reminding him of all his shortcomings.

Have you ever felt that way?

Pretty soon everything we do and say has this in mind: "Its not if - it's when I lose everything."

Are you paranoid about the future? Are you saying "my family is being torn apart ect.... ? "

GOOD NEWS - THERE IS HOPE!
Please read on - it will be worth it.

The last time we saw Jacob he was wrestling with God. Jacob was frustrated. This time Jacob is in Grief and Sorrow.

LUCIFER AND HIS HELPERS USE EMOTIONS TO TRY TO CONTROL US

God is working behind the scenes orchestrating events to take place on Jacob and Joseph's behalf.

The events might seem unconventional at first.

Sometimes God does things in mysterious ways.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

WHAT GOOD CAN COME OUT OF THIS?

Remember when Abraham was older and didn't think he could have kids? Sarah his wife thought it was her fault. So she said, "here take my handmaiden and have relations with her. Maybe she will have a son for you."

Abraham had a son though Hagar named Ishmael. After Ismael got a little older Sarah regretted her encouragement for Abraham to have relations with Hagar.

After Isaac was born Sarah demanded that Hagar and Ishmael leave. They left and went to Egypt. Sarah and Abraham raised Isaac and Isaac had Jacob and Jacob had 12 sons and a daughter.

It appears that having Ishmael was a big mistake. This is not so. God loved Ishmael and used his offspring to help save Joseph and the family of Jacob or Israel.

There is a reason God allowed Joseph to be thrown into a Pit, Sold as a Slave and later thrown into Prison.

God uses tragedy, and unfortunate circumstances in our life to do something Great.

That Pit was the beginning of Hope. The Prison was the place that gave him access to the King. God uses these type of situations so when He bails us out we give Him all the credit.

You see, Joseph was stuck in a Pit and Joseph's Dad was stuck in his Thoughts.

Sometimes we are also STUCK!

HOW DO WE ESCAPE?

This next part is amazing and shows God Orchestrating events way into the future.
God had a plan for Ishmael before time began.

Who bought Joseph and brought him to Egypt? That's right it was Ishmael.

Ishmael was kicked out by Joseph's Great Grandfather Abraham. Now Ishmael's Grand Children are rescuing Joseph.

If Ishmael was never born Joseph would have been sold to someone else.

WHAT GOOD CAN COME OUT OF THIS?

Friends, we don't know what the future holds but God does. Joseph probably had his doubts but he always saw God's Hand in everything.

Joseph lived a life of HOPE and EXPECTATION his Dad Jacob lived a life of despair and paranoia.

Obviously Jacob and Rachel taught Joseph from an early age how to see God in every situation.

When Joseph lost his mom I'm sure he was the one that lifted his dad up.

Remember the coat of many colors?

Maybe Jacob was responding to the HOPE his son Joseph brought to the family?

Maybe the many colors like a rainbow was a reminder of God's promise to never flood the earth again.

Maybe the coat represented a FUTURE and HOPE for his family? Jeremiah 29:11

God used the situation with Hagar and Ishmael to save the family of Jacob and the future of Israel. God knew the famine was coming and God did the impossible. The Lord orchestrated events that would promote Joseph to Vice President of Egypt.

You see if we are available and willing to be God's instrument and See God's Hand in everything the Lord will orchestrate events to take place that will put us in a position of influence just like Joseph.

In John, Nathaniel said, "what good thing can come from Nazareth?"

Jesus said, "Nate, you are going to see angels ascending and descending on me. I'm the ladder that Jacob had a dream about in Genesis. I'm the ladder to Heaven. I'm the one that will fill the void in your life!" Nate was amazed!

YOU TOO WILL BE AMAZED!

The Word tells us our eyes are the windows to our soul.

"LEARN TO SEE GOD'S HAND IN EVERYTHING!"

We don't have all the info. The Playbook tells us to walk by Faith and not by Sight.
LEADERS KNOW THINGS HAPPEN FOR REASON AND KNOW THAT GOD HAS A PLAN. Romans 8:28

Just Go! Don't Hesitate!

Rick

Jan 18 Readings - GENESIS 37:1-38:30 | MATTHEW 12:22-45 | PSALM 16:1-11 | PROVERBS 3:27-32

I remember growing up my momma would always say God will make something good come out of this situation.

In my mind I would say, "no way! It's the end!" You know what? God always came through just like she said. When the situation was over I would always look back and see God's hand in it.

"Oh.....that's what God was doing!"