Overcoming Circumstances

Lessons from the life of Joseph

Genesis 39:1-23

I.                   Have a right relationship with God 39:2-3

a.     That means be saved, obedient, full of the Holy Spirit of God

b.     That means to be seeking God with your life

                                                              i.      As long as he sought God he was prospered II Chronicles 26:5

                                                             ii.      He sought God with all of his heart and was prospered                      II Chronicles 31:21

                                                           iii.      Prosperity or victory or overcoming circumstances is just one of those things that are added to you Matthew 6:33

c.      That means finding your joy in the Lord God of Heaven Psalm 37:3-6

                                                              i.      Trusting Him

                                                             ii.      Doing right

                                                           iii.      Committing your life into His hands

II.                 Being a responsible person 39:4-6

a.     Develop initiative and leadership  Proverbs 6:6-11

b.     Be strong and commit yourself to do the will of God in all your life Joshua 1:7-9

c.      He was honest

d.     He was diligent

e.     He was a hard worker

III.              Have a respectful attitude 39:7-8

a.     For your boss

                                                              i.      Never desiring to take advantage of him, the company, the situation even though you have an opportunity 39:9

                                                             ii.      He placed his hope in God                  II Kings 18:5-7

b.     He didn’t get discouraged

c.      He didn’t blame others

d.     He didn’t hold on to bitterness

e.     He forgave his enemies

IV.              Being a person of real godly character

a.     There is no success when we hide our sins Proverbs 28:13

b.     Practice what the Bible teaches you to do in real life                             Deuteronomy 29:9, 28:1-3, 15-16

c.      His faith wasn’t in himself, his boss, his job, but in the God of Heaven      Hebrews 11:6

V.                 You must recognize God’s working in every detail of your life 39:21

a.     In all thy ways acknowledge Him Proverbs 3:5-6

b.     Let people be able to see your good works no matter the circumstances Matthew 5:16

c.      God is using everything in your life to take you where you can make a difference—saving his family and Israel

d.     Wait on God to do what is right in His own time