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Notes by Chris G | see Twitter hash #cat11 for more conference quotes
The Life of Joseph
most of Joseph's life isn't because of decisions he made, but because of what happened to him
he mistakes the dream God gave him to be about him
he is rejected by his family and left in a well to die, and this is the first step toward his greatness
as believers, we accept and engage conflict in our lives, because we know God will do something with it
Joseph probably thought he was there because he blew
in Potiphar's house, he has such a great work ethic in spite of being unjustly enslaved that he is put in charge
he learns how to lead, to interact with the military and with Pharaoh
then he is unjustly thrown in prison
how is this happening? God is making it happen!
he kicks butt again and they put him in charge of the prison
there he learns how to run every facet of government from the people who screwed up
he interprets the dreams, asks to be remembered, but is forgotten for two more years
he continues to kick butt
leave a gap for God; let the Holy Spirit work; don't take control
Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dream and then tells him what he would do in his shoes
how did he get that courage?? God gave it to him through being in a well, a slave, in prison...
when his brothers come before him for food, he leaves and weeps--he's a different man
God put him there to save lives; our ministries are the same
interestingly, God tasks him with feeding people, not converting them to Judaism (hmm...)
God's purpose on this journey is to make us powerful not tough (to be useful/used)
Joseph tells his brothers not to fear his power because God put him therewhen something hard happens to us, we have this choice: will we stay hurt/bitter or will we grow from it?
Closing: Gen. 49:22-26