Today, we continue our series entitled “Laser Focus,” with the point being that we should live with a Laser Focus on the Fixed Purpose God established for us before the world began.
This is the main scripture we will be looking at this year:
(Proverbs 4:25 TPT)
Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.
Today, we will also look at:
(Gen 39:3-5 NIV)
3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did,
4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lordwas on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.
(Gen 39:21-23 NIV)
21 The Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.
23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Navigating Every Phase of Your Life Relying on the Presence & Favor of God.
— A Lifetime of Favor: Joseph started in the Parental Phase of his life, where his favor showed him tremendous favor (above his brothers). This favor causes his brothers to despise him and throw him into a pit. But God favors him to wind up as a slave in the right house (Potiphar’s). In the Potiphar Phase of his life, God favored all Joseph did and even blessed Potiphar in the process. Later, in the Prison Phase, God favored Joseph to lead the prison. Later, in the Palace Phase, God favored Joseph to become the Prime Minister and lead a nation and the entire region through seven years of famine. Every phase of Joseph’s life was marked by the presence and favor of God.
— Divine Recognition Leads to Divine Promotion: Joseph’s elevation in every phase of his life underscores God’s favor. He did not earn favor in his father’s sight; it was given to him by God’s grace. The same happened with Potiphar, the prison warden and the King of Egypt. Divine favor is the engine behind our ascension to places of influence, irrespective of our starting point.
— The Ripple Effect of God’s Favor: Like a stone cast into a pond, the favor on Joseph’s life created waves of blessing that touched all around him. This teaches us that The Blessing on our lives can profoundly impact our surroundings, making environments of scarcity flourish.
— Adversity as the Anvil of Faith: Joseph’s unwavering trust in God amidst trials illustrates the necessity of faith through dark seasons (or any season). His example encourages us to view challenges as platforms for God’s favor to manifest, knowing our current trials are shaping us for future triumphs. (Side note: If you ever get so comfortable enjoying God’s blessing that you fail to pray and activate your faith, God will allow circumstances to bring you to your knees. So, it’s better to condition yourself to pray and live by faith daily, during good times and not-so-good times).
— Visible Evidence of Invisible Grace: The clear recognition of God’s favor on Joseph by others serves as a reminder that our lives ought to reflect God’s grace so unmistakably that even outsiders can’t help but notice.
— God is Looking for You to Be Faithful: Joseph’s commitment to integrity and faithfulness, especially in trying circumstances, unlocked higher realms of God’s favor. This should be a strong reminder to maintain our character in the face of every temptation to deviate from God’s best. SET YOUR GAZE on the path before you!
— Success Secured by Surrender: Joseph’s journey from the pit to the palace wasn’t just about his strategic acumen; it was the favor of God that steered his success. This demolishes the myth of self-made success, attributing our victories to divine grace.
Say this: “I am saturated with God’s favor, and it navigates me through every phase of my life!“
2. Favor that Elevates Through Adversity.
— Preparation in Challenging Times: Joseph’s hardships were not mere misfortunes but divine preparations for his destiny. Every pit stop was a workshop where God refined him for the palace.
— Integrity is a Key to Elevation: Joseph’s unyielding integrity, especially during his most vulnerable moments, attracted God’s favor, propelling him towards divine elevation. Never violate your integrity to get ahead. Whatever you compromise to get, you will have to compromise to keep!
— God Will Favor You to Lead: The leadership roles Joseph assumed were not coincidental; they were orchestrated by favor. This demonstrates that God’s favor can position us as leaders. Why? Because God wants US to set a godly standard for leadership and governance. He wants US to show the world how to lead His way!
— Favor Amplifies Your Stewardship: Joseph’s entrusted responsibilities in Potiphar’s house, the prison, and later in Egypt reveal that favor equips us for stewardship. At every level, God favored Joseph to manage resources well so he could be entrusted with greater levels of responsibility. God will do the same with you if you are faithful to what He places in your hands.
— You Are Building for Eternity: Joseph’s story emphasizes that the structures we build under God’s favor are not for temporal glory but for eternal impact, laying a foundation that outlives our earthly journey.
— Dreams Deferred but not Denied: Joseph’s unwavering focus on God’s promise (His fixed purpose), despite delays, teaches us the importance of patience and perseverance. God’s timing is perfect. His dreams will come to pass at just the right time if we don’t give up before they do.
3. The Ever-Present Favor of God.
— Acknowledge God in All Seasons: Constant recognition of God’s presence is pivotal for experiencing ongoing favor. Joseph’s life teaches us to remain cognizant of God’s hand at work, regardless of our circumstances.
— Transforming Our World with Favor: The favor of God on Joseph’s life didn’t just elevate him; it transformed his environment. Similarly, our lives, touched by favor, can turn desolate places into fields of abundance. But we must make a demand on the favor of God. Pray for it! Ask for it! You have not because you ask not!
— The Distinction of Divine Favor: Favor not only secured Joseph’s success but also made him distinctly valuable. This affirms that divine favor distinguishes us, making our contributions invaluable.
— Claiming Our Victory: Joseph’s life encourages us to boldly claim the success ordained for us, rooted in the conviction that with God’s favor, victory is not just possible; it’s assured. You can claim this victory without reservation when you know you are only doing it for the GLORY OF GOD!
— Affirmation for Today: “Under the canopy of God’s favor, I stand resilient, transforming every space I enter and claiming the success He has prepared for me.”
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I declare Your presence and favor as the guiding forces of my life, leading me through every phase with grace and success.
I acknowledge Your favor as the cornerstone of my elevation, transforming adversities into divine opportunities for growth.
I am committed to upholding integrity and faithfulness, knowing they attract Your favor and prepare me for the leadership You’ve destined for me.
I embrace Your favor as my foundation, building not for temporal recognition but for eternal impact and glory.
I patiently and persistently hold onto Your promises, setting my gaze on the path before me, knowing every dream You have for me will come to pass at just the right time!
In every situation, I actively recognize Your hand at work, inviting Your favor to manifest success and transformation around me.
I stand distinct and invaluable under the canopy of Your favor, claiming the victory and success You have ordained for me.
GREATER IS COMING FOR ME because I live each day saturated with Your favor! I declare this by faith, in Jesus’ name, AMEN!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
