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.
We are also looking at these scriptures as we consider the life of Joseph.
(James 1:2-4 TPT)
2 My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!
3 For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things.
4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.
(Galatians 6:9 NIV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. As you grow into the person you are called to be, you must learn to handle God’s favor correctly.
It’s one thing to receive a promise from God and enjoy the benefits of His favor. But if you don’t learn to handle God’s favor correctly, instead of drawing people to God, it can instigate rejection and resentment in the hearts of others toward you and your God. Joseph was highly favored by God. God’s favor can be seen in every season of his life and every stage of his development.
When the favor of God is on you, people will go out of their way to use their POWER, ABILITY, INFLUENCE, and MONEY to HELP YOU in ways you could never help yourself… and it has nothing to do with what you did. It has everything to do with FAVOR! FAVOR is not earned. It is given. It is an act of God’s grace. Therefore, favor should never be flaunted.
Jacob gave Joseph a coat of many colors as a symbol of his favor towards him. Joseph flaunted his coat and his favor before his older brothers and they hated him for it. Hate is a strong word, but it applies in this case. Joseph’s 10 older brothers literally hated him because of the favor of God on his life.
When God’s favor goes before you, you want to let people know it is the Lord’s doing. In other words, when the spotlight is on you, you want to deflect the glory back to God. If you do, God will be glorified, and people will know that it is not really about you but rather the God you serve. In the case of Joseph, he should have deflected the glory of the coat back towards his father. But since he did not, his brothers hated him. Likewise, suppose you do not deflect the glory and foolishly take credit for things you never earned. In that case, it may cause bitterness, resentment, and, ultimately, a spirit of rejection in the hearts of others because they are working hard to earn things that are freely given to you.
If you really want to walk in God’s best, you are going to have to learn to embrace God’s favor and handle it correctly. Make sure to always give God the glory and never take His credit!
2. Quick thoughts on how to handle God’s favor with humility.
— Carry God’s favor in such a way that leads you and others closer to Him. This way, you are making it clear that what is happening in your life is about God and not you.
— Consistently point back to God, ensuring that in all things, He gets the glory.
— Share testimonies of favor as evidence of God’s grace, making it clear that God is the one who is working and pointing others to rely on Him and His grace.
— In times of favor, seek wisdom in stewardship, discerning how God wants to use what He is doing in your life for His purpose.
— When favored by God, seek deeper communion with God to understand His heart and intentions.
— Avoid the pitfall of pride, as Joseph initially did, which can lead to strife.
— Understand that God’s favor is not just for elevation but for edification—building up others as well as ourselves.
— Foster an attitude of gratitude, continually thanking God for His unmerited favor and blessings.
— Ensure that the favor leads to service, using the advantages given to you to serve others generously.
— As you carry favor, be like Joseph in the palace, using your position to BE a blessing to others.
— Remain vigilant in favor, guarding against the dangers of entitlement and complacency.
3. You cannot share your dream with everyone.
(Prov 12:23 TPT)
Those who possess wisdom don’t feel the need to impress others with what they know, but foolish ones make sure their ignorance is on display.
(Prov 13:3 ERV)
People who are careful about what they say will save their lives, but those who speak without thinking will be destroyed.
(Gen 37:5 & 10 TPT)
5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he shared it with his brothers, they hated him even more!
10 ‘When his father and brothers heard it, his father scolded him, “What kind of dream is that? Do you really think that I, and your mother, and your brothers are going to come and bow to the ground before you?”
— While you are believing God, while you are waiting on the manifestation of God’s promises, you cannot share everything with everyone!
— Only share precious things with precious people! And even then, do it with wisdom.
— Some things you have to meditate on ALL BY YOURSELF! Because not everyone who is WITH YOU is FOR YOU!
— If you share it, it must be with DREAM MAKERS, not DREAM KILLERS!
— This is why you must surround yourself with people of like-precious-faith. You want people who are going to celebrate you and appreciate what God has called you to do, instead of becoming jealous and tearing you down.
4. Things to consider before you start sharing your heart with people.
— Make sure that what you think you heard or saw is actually something that came from God before you start revealing what you believe to be visions laid on your heart.
— Seek the Holy Spirit’s discernment to identify the right confidants. You need people with discernment to provide confirmation and faith to support you as you believe in God for manifestation.
— Understand the timing; sometimes, a dream needs to mature before being shared.
— Be prepared for opposition, and use it as a measure to grow stronger in your conviction.
— Celebrate others’ dreams as you hope they will celebrate yours, fostering a culture of mutual support.
— Build a community of faith that aligns with your vision and values for mutual edification and support.
— Validate your confidants by their fruit and track record of confidentiality.
— Understand some dreams are only for your prayer closet until God releases you to share them.
— Discern the seasons of silence and speaking—there’s a time for both.
That’s enough for today.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I acknowledge the favor You have placed upon my life, not as a badge of honor for my glory, but as a tool for Your purpose.
I commit to handling Your favor with humility, always redirecting the glory back to You.
I understand the wisdom of sharing my dreams, and I seek Your guidance on when and with whom to share them. I know there are seasons of speaking and seasons of silence, and You lead me in both.
Father, You also give me the wisdom to know when to act and when to wait on Your timing.
Living this way, I walk under a canopy of kindness, and I vow to use the favor You’ve bestowed upon me to serve others, reflecting Your love and generosity.
Thank You for the blueprint of Joseph’s life, teaching me to dream big, persevere through trials, and emerge triumphant by Your grace.
I stand in faith, believing GREATER IS COMING FOR ME as I align with Your divine will and purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
