Message Action Plan“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT)
Your personal trajectory is the path your life travels which consists of defining moments in various stages.
The Stages of Joseph's Trajectory (Genesis 37:1-50:26)
- THE PLUSH
“. . .So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph – a beautiful robe.” Genesis 37:3 (NLT)
Crucial factor in this stage – Perception.
Self-awareness protects me from deception and pride.
“. . . I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” Romans 12:3 (NLT)
Action Plan: Ask your closest friends if you tend to boast when everything is going right for you. If the answer is yes, look around you and see if your friends are struggling; you may need to change your perception and focus on others.
- THE PIT
“So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe . . . and they took him and threw him into a pit.” Genesis 37:23-24 (NRSV)
How do we end up in a pit? Slip - Jump - Thrown
Crucial factor in this stage - Perspective
My attitude is the catalyst to either remaining a victim or becoming a victor.
“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT)
Action Plan: Are you in your own pit of despair for one reason or another? Take a moment and tell God how grateful you are for His unconditional love for you. Read back through the story of Joseph this week (Genesis 37-50).
- THE PRISON
“Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained.” Genesis 39:19-20 (NLT)
Crucial factor in this stage - Perseverance
God is in control and He will intervene at the right moment.
“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” Romans 5:6 (NLT)
Failing does not make me a failure.
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” Psalm 119:50 (NIV)
Action Plan: List a few areas or events that are holding you ‘prisoner’. Such as addictions, debt, the loss of a loved one, etc. Write down a prayer for each area/event.
- THE PALACE
Crucial factor in this stage - Purpose
The trajectory of your life does not exist in isolation. Your purpose was designed to benefit others as well as yourself.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20 (NLT)
Your pain may be someone else's hope.
“. . . My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
Action Plan: Click here to check out the NEW Saddleback Books webpage and select a new book to start reading. If you are interested in learning how your pain may be someone else’s hope, consider reading S.H.A.P.E. by Erik Rees.
Retreats: There are still some slots left for the Behold Retreat on Saturday, February 24. Click here to register for this experience focusing on seeing the world the way God wants us to.
Doable Discipleship: This week’s episode of Doable Discipleship features an interview with the Online Campus Pastor, Jay Kranda about his favorite person in the Bible. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen, click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week’s Talk It Over, click here.
