EASTER SUNDAY

 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Our sins are forgiven

The Bible makes it clear that we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). And sin put a rift in our relationship with our Creator, separating us from His love. But because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have received forgiveness, and our relationship with God has been restored.

Death is not the end

Jesus conquered the grave and promises that we can follow in His footsteps (Philippians 3:21). Because of the resurrection of Christ, death no longer has power over us. We have gained eternal life. Paul shouts with an air of defiance, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:55). Of course, there is no reply.

How we live is important

Because we know we will live forever in God's presence, our priorities and devotion are focused on Him, not on the concerns of this present world. This focus does not take us out of this world, but keeps our attention where it belongs (Colossians 3:2). In fact, living with our hearts focused on eternity enables us to be more effective in God's business — living out His truth and building His kingdom — right here and now.

The resurrection of Jesus means that ...

our sins are forgiven.

He conquered the power of death.

our lives now have an eternal perspective.

QUOTES FOR AUGUST 9, 2026

 

DREAM A LITTLE DREAM

 Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them.

 

Lesson One:  God is working behind the scenes even if we do not see or know it.  The divine scene was being set.  Two of Pharaoah’s officials offended him at the same time and was put in the same prison as Joseph.  God’s hand is all over this.  Notice in whose custody they are in.  Just a note here, In the house of the captain of the guard means under the authority of the captain of the guard.  We are getting a view of the administration of Egypt.  Moses who wrote this need how the government of Egypt worked because he was a Prince of Egypt.   Now what I find fascinating is that Potiphar assigned Joseph the care of these two men to Joseph and he attended them.  Now this brings me two thoughts.  Did Potiphar figure out that Joseph was wrongly accused or did he observe Joseph’s faithfulness.  Either way, we know that this was divine providence and godly circumstances.

 

When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”  8 “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”  Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”

 

Lesson Two:  Joseph comes to them the morning after they are detained and they both look sad and confused.  He asked them why they were sad and they both tell him them had dreams but they had no one to interpret them.  The Egyptians were great believers in dreams and their powers and influence. The Dream Book is a papyrus that contains dream examples and dream interpretations and it is believed to date back to the early reign of Ramesses II. All dreams were listed as good or bad, with the bad dreams being written in red, which was the colour of a bad omen. The Dream Book is currently part of the archives at the British Museum in London.

The Egyptians believed their gods showed themselves in dreams and visions. They divided their dreams into three categories: those in which the gods demanded things, those that were warnings, and those that came to them during dream rituals. Regardless of the type of dream, they felt all dreams were oracles - that is, answers giving to them by the gods. Hoping to induce dreams, some temples held special "dream beds" on which people would lay, hoping to have a dream of advice, comfort, or healing.

 

So Joseph’s ability would be paramount to his future and God would use this to give him access to the highest levels of government.  Joseph had come to learn the world in which he lived.  The secret of both Joseph and Daniel’s success is that understood the times in which they lived.  They understood the culture, the religious climate and the way people thought of that day.  We need to do the same.  They were a group of men in David’s day from the tribe of Issachar.  They understood the times in which they lived.  That does not mean we join the culture or times.  Instead we know how to operate and influence them.  This was Joseph’s and later Daniel’s secret.  God can give us this wisdom.  Joseph knew that dreams were a way to God to speak and all true interpretations belong to God.  The dream world can be a subconscious gate to the spiritual realm.  In the last day’s old men will dream dreams.  This was God’s and Joseph’s platform to the next step in Joseph’s life.

 

So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 10 and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.”

 

12 “This is what it means,” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days. 13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. 14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 15 I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”

 

Lesson Three:  The Lord uses a dream that is familiar to the cupbearer.  The vine, the grapes and three branches were all familiar and essential to His work.  A cup-bearer was an officer of high rank in royal courts whose duty it was to serve the drinks at the royal table. On account of the constant fear of plots and intrigues, a person must be regarded as thoroughly trustworthy to hold the position.  Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the Persian King. 

     Joseph tells him that he will be restored to his position in three days.  It will go well with him.  Joseph then makes his request.  Remember me, show me kindness.  He was carried off as a slave from the Hebrews.  This is where we get an actual reference to whom the Hebrews were and how they were viewed by the Egyptians.  Remember they had some contact because of Abraham.   He then states that he is in prison because of false charges.  Joseph doesn’t want to just remember him but to actually investigate the charges.  Joseph is making his pitch to get out of jail.  You scratch my back and I will scratch yours.

 

When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread.[a] 17 In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.”  18 “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days. 19 Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and impale your body on a pole. And the birds will eat away your flesh.”

 

Lesson Four:  When the baker saw the dream was favorable he is excited to tell Joseph his dream but the interpretation is not good.  He was going to be killed.  Simple lesson, sometimes the truth is hard to tell but it must be told.  It must have broken Joseph’s heart to tell this man this.  I can see the compassion in Joseph’s eyes.  His heart breaking.  Yet truth must be told.  Truth must be given even if it is not popular, politically correct or culturally relevant.  Truth is truth.  That is why we must preach the word with broken hearts, eyes tearing with compassion and love.  A lost world needs to hear the truth.  We are called to be proclaimers of truth.  They must know there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.  They must know what God thinks about things even if it was not popular among the culture of the day.  We need to be more afraid of God than the culture of the day.  We must be so powerful that the culture of the day is more afraid of us than we are of them.  Talk about Patrick.

 

20 Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand— 22 but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.  23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

 

Lesson Five:  True prophecy and interpretation comes true.  Even today this truth prevails.  If a prophecy, dream, vision or tongue comes it must come to pass and line up with God’s word.  It must be able to be judged and pass the test of truth.  So three days later on the king’s birthday he decides the fate of the two officials.  The cupbearer is restored.  The baker is killed, just as Joseph said.  So Joseph was correct and true.  Then something happened.  Something unfair, wrong and unjust.  The cupbearer forgot about Joseph.  The cupbearer was not grateful or just.  He simply forgot about Joseph.  This looks bad for Joseph.  An opportunity lost it seems.  Yet even when things look bad.  God is working.  There are a couple things we will learn from Joseph’s life.  Things are not always fair.  Next ,timing is everything.  When things don’t go our way we need to trust God and his providence.  We need to remember He is working behind the scene.  Sometimes providential waiting is God’s way of preparing us for greater things.  There was obviously some more lessons that Joseph had to learn.    Learn that failures are blessings in disguise when you trust the Lord.  Live in the moment because it is all you have.  Worrying about tomorrow never amounts to anything.  Keep focused on God.  Work hard and be faithful where you are.  Promotion comes in God’s time and usually bigger than you can. Dream, ask or imagine

You reaction and actions speak louder than words.  Kindness and love are the keys to success and victory.  When the time was right for Joseph and us everything falls into place.  Now, next Sunday we will see what happens when God moves so today let us learn what we have too and then get ready for the next step and stage

WHATS IS CHRISTMAS

 

Dec 23, 2018 – What is Christmas  - Isaiah 9:6

 

Intro:  Christmas is observed by billions around the world.  For many Santa will be the central figure, giving gifts will be the main activity and good will to all will be the primary meaning.  But what does Christmas reason mean?  For some it is anticipation, preparation, recreation, frustration, prostration and recuperation.

 

1.  For Isaiah looking at it 700 years before the event it looked like this. 

 

a.  For unto us a child born, unto us a son is given.  Isaiah saw this child as a gift, for himself and all mankind.  Do you view Jesus and the salvation as a gift?  A gift you did not deserve and could never have earned.  You know what the best Christmas gift is, “it is being in the presence of a family all wrapped up with one another.”   He saw Jesus as the Son.  Matthew saw Jesus as the Son of God.  Luke and John Saw Him as the Son of Man.  The Father saw Him as a beloved Son in whom He was well pleased, which He testified at Jesus’ water baptism, transfiguration and in the temple just before Jesus died.

b.  Christmas is a testimonial.  It testifies of man’s need, that we have a sinful condition

and our need for a saviour.  We could not save ourselves so Jesus became our substitute.

c.  Christmas is a testimonial to God’s love.  John 3:16 is the succinct statement of what Christmas means. 

d.  Christmas is God’s love responding to man’s need. 

c.  It is a testimonial to the obedience of Jesus Christ. 

 

2.  Isaiah saw the future as a time when, the government will be on His shoulders.  When Christ is truly Saviour and Lord.  There is a new King on the throne of our hearts.  A new sheriff in Dodge, a new potentate in our world.   Who sits on your throne?  It will be shown by how you think, speak, act and live.  What is real exciting that not to far in the distance future this government will be here on earth.

 

a.  Christmas it a tribute of the saving power of Jesus Christ, 

 

1.  People of every generation have celebrated Christmas. 

2.  People of countries around the world celebrated Christmas.   

3.  People of every generation and country have been saved, because Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Heb 13:8

 

b.  It is a tribute to the keeping power of Jesus Christ.  This is my 44th Christmas. 

 

1.  We can trust Jesus to face us.  John 1:12.

2.  We can trust Jesus to keep us.  John 6:38-40 and 1 Pet 1:4-5

Christmas was the time where God shock the world with a babe and not a bomb.

 

3.  Isaiah saw this person as the Wonderful Counselor.  We can go to Jesus with anything and He can guide through the Holy Spirit.  James says if we lack wisdom we can ask of God who gives it to us liberally.  He will help us.

 

a.  Jesus is the Mighty God.   Mark presented the deity of Jesus Christ and proving by what He did.  John presented His deity and then explained it as Jesus being God with a face.  Jesus being 100% God and man.  The perfect mixture and balance of humanity and deity. 

b.  Everlasting Father. Jesus is the author of salvation.  He is integrally connected with the Father.  When you see the Father you see Jesus and vice versa.  The trinity is a mystery.  Yet there are so many illustrations for it, water as a gas, liquid and solid.  Body, soul and spirit, earth, water sky, past, present and future.  He is the Head of the Church, First Born among the Resurrected, Father of Salvation.

c.  Lastly, Isaiah saw Him as the Prince of Peace.  One who gives peace that the world can’t give and the world cannot take away.  E.C. Mckenzie wrote.  “Christmas carollers sing about Peace on Earth, but they don’t tell where to find it.”  My response to that statement is in the arms of the Prince of Peace.  He is the giver and administrator of peace.  Jesus is also known as the Prince of Life.  The irony of  Christmas can be that it is a time to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace by giving our children replicas of bombs, guns, rockets, machine guns, video games that glorify killing and tanks.

 

4.  Lastly Christmas is a time of thanksgiving. 

 

a.  We should be thankful for God’s provision.  Christ came to save sinners.  1 Tim 1:15 

 

1.  The Holy Spirit came to reprove sinners.  Jn 16:8

2.  The gospel is given to direct sinners.  Rom 1:16

3.  The church is called out to call sinners to Christ.  Matt 28:19-20

 

b.  We should also be thankful for the freedom.

 

1.  To preach the gospel.  There are dozens of countries around the world that do not allow this.  In many in fact it means deportation, imprisonment and even death. 

2.  To respond to the gospel.  In many countries and cultures to become a Christian is an offence punishable by imprisonment, seizure of property, loss of family and again death.

3.  So let us thankful today.  Remember showing good will towards all men is the spice of Christmas.  Also remember how you spend Christmas is more important than how much you spend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISASTER

 

“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you.

 

     Daniel is now in the heart of his intercession.  He then mentioned the curses and sworn judgments of God listed in the Law of Moses.  These are found in Deut 28.  The law of Moses was both the ten commandments and the ceremonial, religious and social laws.  The curses are actually consequences of sin and disobedience.  Moses was a servant of God.  His primary purpose was not just deliverer, nation builder, law giver but doing the will of God.  The will of God never just has one purpose but has many components in it.  Moses was a servant leader.  His primary purpose was to serve God and show the people how to serve God by his example. 

     The law was given as a boundary of protection and a fence of freedom.  The curses mentioned are direct consequences of sin.  The people knew what to do and they did not.    It was an out pouring or deluge of judgment.  God will judge us.  Paul says judgment is a result of reaping what we have sown.   Daniel said that they had sinned directly against God.  A true intercessor sees things through the lens of redemption.  All things have a redemptive aspect of it.  That is why the blood of Jesus is so important it cleanse us from all sin.  Daniel has made it clear why this has happened and why they are where they are.

 

12 You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.

 

     Daniel speaking to God  and says that God did what he said he will do.  God is not a liar or soft on sin.  Talk about Jesus and the woman caught in the act of adultery.  He did not condemn but he did not condone.  True love will not allow us to stay in a destructive behavior.  I have heard it said many times that God loves us to much to leave us as we are.  Daniel then brings the consequences of what has happened not just to the rulers but to all of the people.  It is easy to blame others especially leadership but eventually we have to take ownership of what we have done.  As we talk about last week the sooner we take responsibility for our own actions the sooner a solution can be found.  That is why Daniel said us and then the leaders. 

     The definition disaster is, a sudden event, such as an accident or a natural catastrophe, or act of God that causes great damage or loss of life.  In this case it was an act of God.  The tragedy is God gave them, 400 years and multiple warnings for generations to avoid it.  This is lunacy, insanity and stupidity in action.  The terrible thing today is so many people right now are doing it.  Our friends, family neighbors are doing it.  People we love.  That is why I am preaching this message and stirring us to pray and action.  We do not have time.  We have such a small window of opportunity to turn this around. 

     Daniel then states that under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like this before what has been done to Jerusalem.  Other nations had been judged but this is the first time God had judged a nation and people under his direct care and supervision.  They were a covenant people.  They were God’s people.  Called by Him and set apart for holy purposes.  They were a showcase nation.   A simple lesson no person is immuned.  Another truth is that those who know better will be judged more harshly and face more consequences.  This is a powerful warning to us today.  Once you have light and truth you become more responsible to it.  You can also do more damage to yourself and others.  That is why the devil works so hard to made leaders fall.  Talk about Jerry Falwell Junior. 

 

 13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.

 

     Daniel again points out the reason for the disaster they are in.  It was written in the law of Moses.  It was in plain sight and written in black and white.  They had a law, code and set of rules.  They had been taught this law since they were young.  They knew better.  Worst it all could have been avoided.  They could have sought the favor, the forgiveness, grace and mercy of God.  Remember 2 Chron 7:14, they could have turned from their sins and gave attention to the truth.  Remember you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.  That is why we must pray against spiritual blindness and deafness.  They is why we must pray that God will open up minds and hearts to the truth of the gospel.  Basically the people did not seek the favor of God.  They did not turn from their sin and give attention to truth.  Did you know that faith has its intellectual and volitional sides to it.  Explain.  We learn we must seek, turn and give attention to truth.  If we do not Daniel says disaster will come.  The biggest one is eternal damnation and hell.  That is why we must pray, go and love.  Talk about Johnny said about me.  I give God all the glory.  Live your life so well that the town gossip will vouch for you.

 

14 The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

 

     Daniel closes off this portion of the prayer by destroying a myth about God.  Many people say because is love He will not bring judgment.  This is a myth, lie and falsehood.  God will not hesitate to judge.  He does not want to judge.  He will give multiplied opportunities but He knows when and how to judge.  He knows all and sees all.  Nothing is hid so when he judges it will be fair, right and complete.  God is a balanced personality.  Daniel states that He is right in everything he does.  People always say God is unfair but by whose estimation.  Ours heaven forbid.  We are flawed, imperfect and sinful.  We see things from our own imperfect bias and vision.  We do not have the whole picture.  Our testimony is more to come.  Never, never, make a judgment without knowing all the facts but we do all the time.  God knows everything.  He knows the thoughts and intents f the heart.  He knows our motives and reasons.  He knows our secrets and it is his grace that they are not revealed.  The reason the Jews were in this place and position was simple disobedience.  Let me give you a brief list of things we will be judged on as believers.  Love, motivation, obedience, faithfulness, consistency, integrity, transparency, honesty, accountability, attitude, grace and mercy.   Remember obedience is greater than any sacrifice we can make.   

     So what do we pray for today?  That we would not sin against God.  That we would fulfill the words of Christ.  That we would seek the favor of God and turn from our wicked ways.  That we would remember the Lord is righteous and that we would obey Him.  Simple obedience.

QUOTES FOR AUG 5, 2026

 

DESTINY OR DESPAIR

 

12 Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s flocks near Shechem, 13 and Israel said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.”  “Very well,” he replied.  14 So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron.  When Joseph arrived at Shechem, 15 a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?”  16 He replied, “I’m looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?”  17 “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’”  So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. 18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. 19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns.

 

Lessons one:  Jealousy can move people to murder, in Joseph’s case he did not even know about his brothers hatred.  This was a momentary opportunity.  Remember it is the moments of instant decision, immediate temptation and spontaneous problems that can cause the biggest consequences.  James gives a piece of advice, be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.  Basically engage brain before you act.

 

19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”  21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. 22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.  23 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.

 

Lesson Two;  The pattern or evil is revealed.  They called him a dreamer.  Evil will always mock, scorn, accuse and slander you.  It will attack you reputation, status and self esteem.  Next, they would lie and blame an animal for killing Joseph.  Evil will lie, deflect and blame others for what they do.  Thirdly, evil will always try to strip you our your dreams, kill your hope and destroy your destiny.  Fourthly, evil will never agree on methods, design or outcome.  There is no unity, just division, strife and destruction.  Fifthly they stripped of his robe which was the object of their hatred and jealousy.  Evil will always try to strip you of everything you have.  Physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually.  Lastly, they threw into a pit.  Evil will isolate you, take away your hope, throw you into darkness and despair. 

 

25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.  26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.  28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels[b] of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

 

Lesson Three:  Just when it seems the darkest for Joseph.  Divine help was on the way.  Those Ishmaelites coming along was no accident.  It was God’s method to get Joseph to His destiny.  When you are in your darkest hour, deepest pit of despair.  God is there.  When you are at the end of your rope.  God gives you more line.  When evil is out for blood, you have the blood of Jesus Christ.  When evil tries to isolate, destroy and kill you, divine help is on the way.  Your pit is actually your means of a miracle.  It is the passage to your destiny.  It is the path to your dream.  This was a divine moment.  This pit was Joseph’s means to save his world.  Your darkest hour is God’s moment of light and life.  Remember 1 Cor 10:13 and Roman 8:28.  When evil closes a door God opens a window.  What his brothers meant for evil God used for good.  Remember when you are in the greatest moment of despair a miracle is on the way.  Just a side note.  It was Judah that made the suggestion for Joseph to be sold.  Even then God was using a descendent of Jesus to bring about divine destiny.  They sold him for 20 pieces of silver.  This is a prophetic moment.  The patriarch Judah and his brothers sold Joseph who is a type of Christ for money.  Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver and like Jesus Joseph would save His world as Jesus did ours.

 

 29 When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. 30 He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”  31 Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. 32 They took the ornate robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.”  33 He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.”  34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave.” So his father wept for him.

 

Lesson Four:  What we do affects others.  They agreed together even Reuben to concoct a lie.  They agreed on the lie and then told the lie.  They devastated their family.  Their family would never be the same.  Jacob was heart broken and mourned for many days.  None of his children could comfort him.  This sorrow he felt was right to the grave.  What is amazing there must have been great pressure on the boys but they never broke ranks.  They never told their father the truth.  That is the amazing part of this lie.  The boys never gave in, they stay true to their lie. 

 

Meanwhile, the Midianites[c] sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard. 

 

Lesson  Five:  Meanwhile, I love that world.  Meanwhile God was setting things up.  Joseph was sold to Potiphar  it says he was the Captain of the guard.  God was strategically placing Joseph.  God will always place you where you will be most effective.  So don’t try and fight God.  You are where you are for a reason.  You are suppose to be where you are to touch those in your world.  It may not look good but God has a plan.  Our part to trust him, walk by faith, and don’t try to circumvent God’s plan.  You are where you are because it is part of your destiny.  My darkest hours when I look back became my greatest lessons.  They were stepping stones to the next phase.  Prov 3:5-6.  God uses our tests to give us a testimony, He uses our victim moments to make us a victor.  When we feel conquered God make us more than a conqueror.  When we about to be over came God turns it around and makes us an over comer.  So remember meanwhile God.