Life Development Guide Joseph Series — Show 4

How to Use this Life Development Guide:

1. Download the Podcast of the show and listen to it again. 2. Read Mark’s Blog, and write out your answers to the questions that follow. 3. Call or email a few friends, and invite them to join you in steps 1 and 2. 4. Set up a time to meet and discuss your answers.

The Palace Test

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. (Genesis 39:1-3) After being rescued from the pit Joseph finds himself facing another difficult test – sold as a slave to the captain of Pharaoh’s bodyguard. As we’ll discover, Joseph thrives in this new environment because of the power of five simple words: The Lord was with Joseph. Some see those words and think they’re only for heroes from the Bible, or for someone they think of as “super spiritual,” like Billy Graham. But have you ever considered that God wants you to prosper, too? That He wants to be with you in the same way that He was with all of those other “giants of the faith?” The etymology of the word “prosper” points to a definition of “pushing forward.” It carries a connotation of movement, of getting beyond those things that weigh us down and hold us back. It means we’re growing, maturing, learning from the lessons we encounter along the way. It’s not hard to imagine that God wants His children to push forward, to thrive and advance in every area of their life. What’s more of a stretch for many – where the rubber hits the road, if you will – is what’s required of us, in order to make that happen. If the secret to prospering is the presence of the Lord, then the question becomes: How do I pursue His presence? The answer is something we tend to chaff under. After all, we live in a culture where we like to think we’re free to do whatever we want, as long as it doesn’t infringe upon another person’s rights. We’re not big on someone else telling us what to do. But the Kingdom of God is not a democracy. We don’t get a vote. Our choices are narrowed down to two: Either we choose to obey God’s Word, or we rebel and go our own way.

The key to the presence of the Lord is contained in that one word: Obey. Our obedience opens the door to God’s active involvement in our lives, in a way that allows us to push forward, no matter what. And it’s not just an external obedience, the kind our kids sometimes give when they roll their eyes and reluctantly do what we ask them to, even though we know their heart isn’t in it. Showing up for a church service somewhere this weekend, “because that’s what you’re supposed to do” won’t do a bit of good if you’re just going through the motions. As the Scripture reminds us, “man looks on the outward appearance, but God sees the heart.” God looks at our inward motivation, not just our outward movement. But stop and think about the reward for an obedient life. No matter what confronts you, what obstacles you face, you can rest in the assurance that God is with you. It doesn’t matter where you are, or what you’re doing. You could find yourself in the most dire circumstances – a slave in Egypt, if you will – and still be successful! Today – right now – is a great time to think about the direction your life is headed. Maybe you’re someone who’s been chasing success – accolades at work, that advanced degree, what you thought would make you happy – only to find, having achieved it, that you’re still frustrated and empty inside. Perhaps it’s time to take a new look at what it takes – and what it means – to prosper and be successful.

For Personal Reflection and Discussion with Others: 1. How have you defined prosperity in the past? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. Do you honestly believe that God wants you to prosper? Why or why not? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________

3. What are some of the ways God has “pushed you forward” in the past? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 4. Where have you resisted His desire to grow and mature you? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 5. Why is it so difficult to obey? What would need to change in your life to bring about greater obedience to God? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 6. What leaves you feeling empty inside, even though others applaud you for it? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 7. What practical steps can you take, to adopt a new mindset about prosperity? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________