Part 5: From Here To There
CONVERSATIONS - PART 5
“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”
James 1:2-4 (MSG)
Growth and comfort are rivals.
God wants you to grow.
“Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, ‘Out, all of you!’ So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh’s palace. ‘I am Joseph!’ he said to his brothers. ‘Is my father still alive?’ But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them.”
Genesis 45:1-3 (NLT)
“‘Please, come closer,’ he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, ‘I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.’”
Genesis 45:4-5 (NLT)
“This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. So it was God who sent me here, not you! And He is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.’”
Genesis 45:6-8 (NLT)
“God whispers to us in our pleasures, but He shouts to us in our pain.” C.S. Lewis
Almost all God wants for you is on the other side of your comfort zone.
“...When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. ‘Look, we are your slaves!’ they said. But Joseph replied, ‘Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?’”
Genesis 50:17b-19 (NLT)
“‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”
Genesis 50:20-21 (NLT)
SPIRITUAL TAKEAWAYS
1. GOD WILL OFTEN WALK US THROUGH OUR PAIN, RATHER THAN AROUND IT.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
2. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO WON’T LET YOU QUIT ON GOD’S PLAN.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
On the other side of Jesus’ pain on the cross was our forgiveness and salvation.
NEXT STEPS:
Learn more about Jesus Christ and follow Him.
Send me more information about being baptized on October 18th.
I need to forgive ___________________.
God wants me to grow during this time by: __________________________________.
I am surrounding myself with people who keep me moving toward God’s plan by: __________________________________.
Reading Plan: YouVersion® Bible App - “Problems and Pain: Overcoming Difficulties” (4-day plan).