In the Pits

Love and War – 10/8/23 – Week 5 In the Pits Genesis 37, 39

Genesis 37:5-6 “Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

Genesis 37:8  8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

• Don’t lower your standards to someone else’s expectation in exchange for being accepted by them.

Genesis 37:23-24 “So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.”

• There are moments when betrayal wasn’t designed to break you, but deliver you.

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Genesis 39:2 “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.”

• Look for God’s Favor to free you

Genesis 39:11-12 “One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.”

• We need to be committed to where God is taking us that we are willing to leave what we have.

Psalms 23:4 “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.”

Genesis 39:21 “the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.”

• You may feel at rock bottom but start being intentional with where God has you

5 Anchors in a Relationship: 1. Telling the truth 1 Corinthians 13:6 “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 2. Being transparent James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” 3. Keeping your word Matthew 5:37 “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” 4. Offering acceptance Romans 15:7 “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” 5. Demonstrating sorrow, repentance, and accountability 1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”