Part 3: Growing In The Dark
CONVERSATIONS - PART 3
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
“But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.”
Genesis 39:21 (NLT)
“Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.”
Genesis 39:22-23 (NLT)
“Some time later, Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer and chief baker offended their royal master. Pharaoh became angry with these two officials, and he put them in the prison where Joseph was, in the palace of the captain of the guard.”
Genesis 40:1-3 (NLT)
“‘Why do you look so worried today?’ he asked them. And they replied, ‘We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.’ ‘Interpreting dreams is God’s business,’ Joseph replied. ‘Go ahead and tell me your dreams.’”
Genesis 40:7-8 (NLT)
“And please remember me and do me a favor when things go well for you. Mention me to Pharaoh, so he might let me out of this place. For I was kidnapped from my homeland, the land of the Hebrews, and now I’m here in prison, but I did nothing to deserve it.”
Genesis 40:14-15 (NLT)
1. PRIDE MAKES ME...
“You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains...”
Obadiah 3a (NLT)
Arrogant
Defensive
Stubborn
Self-absorbed
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)
2. GOD WANTS TO SHAPE OUR HEARTS NOW.
“Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.”
Genesis 40:23 (NLT)
“Two full years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River.”
Genesis 41:1 (NLT)
“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.’ ‘It is beyond my power to do this,’ Joseph replied. ‘But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.’” Genesis 41:15-16 (NLT)
You can go through the valley or you can grow through the valley.
Growth always = change
Change usually = pain/loss
“Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on His own fingers, He touched the man’s tongue. Looking up to heaven, He sighed and said, ‘Ephphatha,’ which means, ‘Be opened!’”
Mark 7:33-34 (NLT)
NEXT STEPS:
Learn more about Jesus Christ and follow Him.
To have the courage to let go of the things in my life that have held me back from being who God created me to be.
Learn more about being in a group.
Renew my hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
Reading Plan: YouVersion® Bible App - “Overcoming Our Pride” (5-day plan).