Thrive by Mark Hall “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.” - Psalm 1:3 Life can be tough and it can seem like we are facing an uphill climb all day everyday. It can feel like we are going through the motions and we are just trying to make it to the next weekend, day off, or vacation. We are going through our lives and we are surviving life. I don’t think we were meant to live this way. God wants to live in us and work through us everyday, he wants to give us life. There is an abundance of life in Christ, one that brings “joy, peace, patience and kindness.” We weren’t made to survive, we were made to Thrive. The life of Joseph is a great example of someone who thrived even in the tough times and even in the mess. In Genesis 7 we learn about Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob. In jealousy, his brothers sell him in to slavery. He ends up in Egypt as a slave to Potiphar. Even in his situation, he trusts God and God blesses him. He moves up in the ranks in Potiphars house. Genesis 39:3 “When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.” Potiphar put him in charge of the household. And God blessed Potiphars entire household because of Joseph. Potiphars wife saw the success of Joseph – she makes a play for Joseph. After he refuses her, she accuses him to Potiphar and Joseph is sent to jail. Genesis 39:21 “But while Joseph was there, the Lord was with him.” The prison guard put Joseph in charge of all of the prisoners. Everywhere Joseph ended up, God blessed him and he ended up in charge. Joseph was confident in the God that made promises to him and even when tough times came he rested in God. He at times may have been surviving but it is clear that he thrived. Joseph could have treated his brothers with revenge, hatred and anger. He could have been bitter and resentful and could have poured out wrath on them. Joseph forgave them because he trusted that he was where he was because God had a plan. Had he not been sold in to slavery, he would not have ended up in charge and his family would not have been blessed during the famine. God orchestrated the everything. Joseph thrived because he was rooted in Christ and he trusted Gods plan for his life. Even in the tough times, even when it would have been easier to give up or throw in the towel. Joseph lived a life that sought God, he was rooted in what God promised to him and he never quit helping others. I don’t know where you are as you are reading this, I don’t know what you are going through as you are reading this. However, what I do know is that God is calling you to himself. God is constantly calling you to himself to know him and make him known. Dig into God’s word and let him show himself to you, don’t just survive life, Thrive in it! https://youtube/watch?v=qQ71RWJhS_M
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 11:20:01 +0000
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