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.
(Gen 39:1-6 CEV)
1 The Ishmaelites took Joseph to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, the king’s official in charge of the palace guard.
2 So Joseph lived in the home of Potiphar, his Egyptian owner.
3 Soon Potiphar realized that the Lord was helping Joseph to be successful in whatever he did.
4 Potiphar liked Joseph and made him his personal assistant, putting him in charge of his house and all of his property.
5 Because of Joseph, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s family and fields.
6 Potiphar left everything up to Joseph, and with Joseph there, the only decision he had to make was what he wanted to eat.
So, what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. God predestined you.
— A key aspect of learning to wait on God is knowing that God has a plan for your life.
— We spent the first three months of this year studying the point that God has a purpose for each of us.
— You are not a mistake. There is a sovereign God who made predetermined plans for your existence. Not only did God call you for a purpose, but He prewired to accomplish it. This means you are gifted with things that support God’s purpose for your life, and these things are innate (natural to you).
— You were predisposed to your destiny in the spirit, and you didn’t even know it. But as you live your life, you discover things about yourself that seem natural to you. Others struggle with these things, but you don’t because when you are doing what you were born to do, you never feel more alive. It’s like your purpose is the underlying fuel for your life’s passions and energy.
— When Joseph got to Potiphar’s house, he had never led anything in his life. He was the 11th out of 12 boys. At home, Joseph was not in charge of anything. But then, all of a sudden, once he got out there on his own, the innate giftings in his life seemed evident.
— You were born with a purpose but without an understanding of it. You were born ignorant of your divine assignment. But as you attempt to live life with God, He begins to reveal things to you and manifest things through you that you did not know were in you. The more you walk with God, the more His purpose is revealed.
Here are some quick nuggets you can glean from this point:
— You Are Not Here by Accident: God didn’t make any mistakes when He made you. Your life has a purpose that’s tailor-made just for you. I pray you find, follow, and finish it before you die!
— You Were Born with a Mission: You came into this world with a mission already in your spirit. It’s like you’ve got this internal compass pointing you toward what you were born to do. The key is to start listening to it and aligning your actions accordingly.
— Finding Your Path: Discovering what you’re meant to do isn’t a one-time event; it’s more of a journey. As you keep moving forward, trying new things, and staying connected with God, the pieces start falling into place.
— You Have Tailor-Made Talents: Ever notice how some things just come naturally to you? That’s not random. It’s a clue from God about where your strengths lie and how you can make a difference. Lean into those talents because they are designed to help you fulfill your purpose and leave a mark in this world that will not easily be erased.
2. You must keep God’s dream alive in your heart.
Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold off as a slave, all because God gave him a dream. The attack was against his assignment. Thankfully, instead of getting bitter, he got better. Instead of being the young, arrogant kid who strutted around his family property with a coat of many colors, he accepted the seeming setback; he embraced the opportunity to make the most of the situation he was in, and he kept the dream alive in his heart.
Here are some quick nuggets you can glean from this point:
— Stay True to the Vision: No matter what life throws your way, don’t lose sight of the vision (or purpose) God placed in your heart. Joseph’s story wasn’t about the pit or the slavery; it was about the promise. Focus on the promise, not the problem.
— A Dormant Dream Is Still A Dream: Your dream might seem buried under layers of disappointment and delay, but it’s still alive. Joseph held onto his dream, even in a foreign land as a slave. Hold tight to yours. It’s not dead; for many of us, it’s just getting started.
— You Get To Choose Between Bitter or Better: When you face betrayal or setbacks, you’ve got a choice: get bitter or get better. Joseph chose better. He used his challenges as stepping stones, not stop signs. You have the same choice. Choose wisely.
— Bloom Where You’re Planted: Joseph didn’t wait for perfect conditions to pursue his purpose. He bloomed where he was planted, even in Potiphar’s house and later in prison. You’re not too young, too old, or too anything. Start now, right where you are.
3. Make the most of the situation you are in.
Joseph woke up one day as a slave. It was not what he wanted. It was not what he expected. But like most of us, he had to deal with pain and disappointment on the path to his purpose. And like anyone who has ever been successful, he did not allow disappointment to derail him from his destiny. Joseph made the most of his time in Potiphar’s house, and God favored him while he did. Joseph provided the natural. God provided the super. As a result, Potiphar noticed that there was something special about the young man.
Here are some quick nuggets you can glean from this point:
— Seize Your Current Season: Don’t wait for perfect conditions to make a move because you will be waiting a long time. Solomon said, “Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.” (Ecc 11:4). Joseph’s time as a slave wasn’t ideal, but he worked it to his advantage. Your current season has opportunities, but you must be open to them and make the most of them.
— Grace Meets Effort: Joseph provided the effort, and God layered it with His grace, creating a supernatural success story. When you give your all, God amplifies it with His grace. Grace does not come BY work, but it surely comes FOR work! Effort and grace are a winning combination!
— Excellence as a Stepping Stone: Joseph’s excellence in Potiphar’s house was his stepping stone to the palace. You must be committed to doing everything with a spirit of excellence. Don’t slack because your next level depends on it.
— Visibility Through Consistency: By consistently doing his best, Joseph caught Potiphar’s eye. Consistent excellence gets noticed. Keep shining, keep grinding, and people will start seeing there’s something special about you.
— Your Now Is Not Your Forever: Joseph knew his current state wasn’t his final destination. Keep a Godly perspective. Your state is not your fate! Today’s trials are tomorrow’s testimonies.
4. You have been PICKED for your PURPOSE!
The time Joseph spent in Potiphar’s house was all part of the plan. Let’s return to something God said to Joseph’s great-grandfather, Abraham.
(Genesis? ?15:13-14? ?NLT??)
“Then the Lord said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end, they will come away with great wealth.”
??
God already knew that the Israelites would go into Egypt, that they would wind up as slaves, and that they would be delivered from slavery. Joseph was the person CHOSEN by God to lead his family, his bloodline, into Egypt.
While Joseph was in Potiphar’s house, he was learning how to function within the Egyptian system. He was learning Egyptian ways. This was all part of his purpose/assignment.
Here are some quick nuggets you can glean from this point:
— Predestined Pathways: Before you were born, your path was laid out by God. Joseph’s journey to Egypt was no accident; it was divine orchestration. Remember, no matter how unexpected, your current situation is part of a bigger plan.
— You Are Expected To Learn in Every Season: Every environment you find yourself in is a classroom. Joseph learned Egyptian customs and systems in Potiphar’s house, equipping him for future leadership. Embrace the lessons of your current season; they’re preparing you for what’s ahead.
— Your Life Is Not Haphazard: You’re not just wandering through life; you’re on a mission. Joseph was chosen to lead his family into Egypt, just as you are chosen for a specific purpose. Lean into that calling with confidence.
— You Were Chosen for Greatness: You haven’t just stumbled into your circumstances; you’ve been placed there by the divine. Like Joseph, you are picked for a greater purpose than you can imagine. Walk boldly in that truth.
— Patience in the Process: The journey to fulfilling your purpose may be long and filled with challenges, but patience and faith will see you through. Joseph’s story wasn’t just about the destination but about the journey there. Trust in the process, knowing you are being prepared for your purpose.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I declare my life is not an accident; I am here by Your divine design.
I affirm that I am prewired for the purpose You have for me. Therefore, I embrace my destiny with open arms.
I commit to keeping the dream You’ve placed in my heart alive, regardless of life’s storms.
I choose to bloom where I’m planted, finding value and lessons in every season.
Father, I trust in Your timing, knowing You orchestrate my steps with perfect wisdom.
I acknowledge that You have picked Me for a specific purpose, and I walk boldly in that calling.
I thank You for the grace that empowers me to excel, even in unexpected places and seasons.
I do everything with a spirit of excellence becuase I know I am doing it for You, Father.
GREATER IS COMING FOR ME because my life is a manifestation of Your plans!
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
