Godly Priorities
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
This lesson is based on the story of Joseph which starts at Genesis 37 and continues through the end of the book. The main portion of the lesson is from chapters 37-41.
Burn #1: Joseph was burned by his brothers
-His brothers were going to kill him, but instead sold him into slavery... Brotherly love, I think not!
-He did not want to sin against GOD. Because for Joseph, God was #1!
Burn #2: Joseph was burned by his master (Potiphar)
-Joseph was doing the right thing, turning down Potiphar's wife, and was sent to prison.
-Even though Joseph was putting God first he still got burned.
Burn #3: Joseph was burned by the cupbearer
-Genesis 40:23 The cupbearer could have helped to get Joseph out of prison but he forgot about him.
13 years after the cupbearer burns him...
The cupbearer hears about Pharaoh's dream and remembers how Joseph interpreted his dream so Pharaoh calls for Joseph (who is still in prison) to interpret his dream. Joseph says (Gen 41:16) "I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." He puts God first. Joseph interprets the dream which comes true, Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of Egypt.
**Joseph had to go through getting burned for God to prepare him for the place he would hold.
This is a list of things God laid on Dave's heart about putting God first...
1) Self-entitlement will destroy your priorities.
--It's not "We are blessed because God loves us." or "I deserve the A because I love the Lord." It's "We get stuff & because we love the Lord we give it back to Him."
2) Your priorities will fuel your goals & your goals will fuel your destiny.
--Are your priorities today fueling your goals?
--If you want to be a woman of the Word or a woman of Prayer... It means digging in TODAY! Because you won't just get there. You have to work each day to put God first.
3)Your constant focus on the urgent will divert you from what is important.
--If we are always focused on what has to be done right now (homework, errands, watching Glee) we will be distracted from what is most important for us and our future, spending time with the Lord.
4)As you prioritize your relationship with Jesus Christ, other priorities will fall into place.
--Don't waste your time because Jesus Christ is not your #1 priority.
--As we've mentioned all year in small group, if you put God first by reading the word, praying, going to church, etc. He will always provide enough time, money, energy, or whatever you are seeking. If you are not putting God first your other activities are going to be less productive and then results in wasting your time as Dave has mentioned.
God has a priority for your life!
Acts 17: 26-28 "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
This Summer is for Striving!
*Our generation has been compared to a flood, shallow, widespread but with no direction or motivation. Instead let's be a river, deep and focused with motivation to head down the path God has called us on.
