Today, we continue our series entitled “Laser Focus,” emphasizing living with a Laser Focus on the Fixed Purpose God established for us before the world began.
(Proverbs 4:25 TPT)
Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.
Scriptures for today:
(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.
(Ecc 3:1 ERV)
There is a right time for everything, and everything on earth will happen at the right time.
Read Genesis 44
Setting the stage.
In this message, I will attempt to cover an entire chapter. Chapter 44 opens with Joseph and his brothers finishing the meal. It was a spread. They ate. They had a great time. When the meal was over, Joseph sent his brothers away with plenty of food. It seemed like the brothers might be getting away without Joseph revealing himself, but he had ONE FINAL TEST for his brothers. He needed to know (for sure) if they had changed.
Joseph ordered his brother’s sacks to be filled with as much food as they could carry. He then told one of his servants to put his personal silver cup into the sack of the youngest brother, Benjamin. With the plan set, Joseph sent the brothers on their way. Shortly after that, he sent his men after them. Joseph’s men accused the brothers of stealing their master’s cup. The brothers were so sure that it was a mistake that they said, “If you find that one of us has the cup, then kill him, and the rest of us will become your slaves.” Joseph’s servant replied, “Good! I’ll do what you have said. But only the one who has the cup will become my slave. The rest of you can go free.” All the sacks were searched, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
The brothers were devastated. Joseph’s team ordered them to load up their donkeys, and they returned to the city. When they arrived at Joseph’s house, Judah said, “Sir, what can we say? How can we prove we are innocent? God has shown that we are guilty. And now all of us are your slaves, especially the one who had the cup.” Joseph told them, “I would never punish all of you. Only the one who was caught with the cup will become my slave. The rest of you are free to go home to your father.” Wow! This was the exact same situation they were in 22 years earlier.
The ten older brothers had the opportunity to leave their younger brother as a slave. The Sultan did not want them; he only wanted Benjamin. What would they do? Would they do to Benjamin what they had done to Joseph? Would they leave their brother and disregard the pain it would cause their father? Would they operate in selfishness or love? Remember, love puts others first.
Judah spoke up for the brothers and explained how much grief it would cause their father if Benjamin were not able to come home. Jacob had already said that if something happened to Benjamin, he might die of a broken heart. Judah put his father and Benjamin before himself. Judah also had his word on the line – he had promised his father that Benjamin would come home safely. Finally, he said, “Sir, I am your slave. Please let me stay here in the place of Benjamin and let him return home with his brothers. How can I face my father if Benjamin isn’t with me? I couldn’t bear to see my father in such sorrow.” With that, the brothers passed the test. I will stop here for today. But just know that we are close to the point where Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.
So, what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. Maturity should be your goal.
— One of the main themes of this series is maturing in Christ. We have been looking at James 1:2-4) for a few months now. This passage gives us a picture of what maturity looks like. James said, “… as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.” The word translated as “perfection” here is a word that means mature.
— To truly mature, you must be willing to be processed to be able to carry the weight of the anointing associated with your divine assignment.
— Growing older does not automatically equal growing more mature. It had been 22 years since Joseph last saw his brothers. He knew they were older. But what he did not know was if they were more mature. He wanted to know if they had changed. He wanted to be sure that they were no longer the angry, hateful, and jealous boys who had no regard for family. In the end, Joseph saw they were now loving, caring, and compassionate men who had developed a Godly character. Can the same be said of you?
— The fact that you have been walking with God for ten years, 20 years, 30 years, or more means nothing if you are not growing. I hope this series helps you take self-inventory.
— Are you growing in faith? Can you believe God greater than you could in the past? Is your heart open to believing what God believes about you?
— Are you growing in patience? Are you able to hold on long enough to see what God said about you?
— Are you growing in love? Is God’s heart on display in your life and living? Or are you selfish, self-centered, and prideful?
I know a lot of Christians today are focused on getting a big house, driving nice cars, and having nice things. God is not opposed to any of that. But don’t mistake those things to be a sign of maturity. God looks at your heart. Are you growing? Are you truly maturing, or are you simply getting older? Beyond the “stuff,” maturity should be your goal! You want to get to the point where you have been transformed into God’s image on this planet!
How this applies to you:
— Evaluate your spiritual growth, not just your age or time in church.
— Focus on developing Godly character rather than accumulating material things.
— Embrace the process God uses to mature you for your divine assignment.
— Aim to grow in faith, patience, and love consistently.
— Understand that true maturity reflects God’s image and heart in your life.
2. If you fail a test, God will give you a chance to pass it again (i.e., a retake).
We all face tests of our growth from time to time. Think back five, 10, or 20 years. Did you fail some tests back then regarding your character and compassion? Now, think about how you would face those same tests today. Would you pass them, or would you still make the same mistakes? I hope you can confidently say that you will not make the same mistakes again. God is a God of progression. He is looking for us to improve as we walk with Him progressively!
— If you did fail those tests back then, you can rest assured that God will give you another chance to pass them. And if you fail again, He will test you again. God will keep doing this until you pass and grow.
— Unlike the system of this world that will push you forward, just because you are getting older (this world will not allow a 20-year-old to be in 1st grade), God will not promote you to the next level until you make the most of the level you are in. If you are faithful with little, God will give you much. But you are not faithful with little; God will provide you with little again, and again, and again until you prove that you are ready to move on. So the point here is that you must be committed to lifelong learning and growing because God is committed to lifelong testing and proving!
How this applies to you:
— Accept the fact that failing a test is an opportunity for growth and learning.
— Trust that God will provide multiple chances to pass the tests of life.
— Focus on being faithful to the current responsibilities and opportunities God has given you.
— Embrace lifelong learning and growth as a vital part of your spiritual journey.
— Understand that God’s promotions are based on your readiness and growth, not just the passage of time.
3. Embrace God’s testing process as a pathway to promotion.
Joseph’s brothers faced a critical test that mirrored their past mistake. This time, they responded with maturity, compassion, and love, passing the test. Similarly, God uses tests in our lives to reveal our growth and readiness for promotion. These tests are opportunities to demonstrate our maturity and to move closer to fulfilling our divine purpose.
— Joseph needed to see if his brothers had truly changed. God often does the same with us, testing us to reveal our hearts and our readiness for the next level.
— Embracing God’s testing process means understanding that tests are not meant to break us but to build us and prepare us for greater things.
— Promotion in God’s kingdom comes through faithful endurance and passing the tests He sets before us.
— Passing God’s tests is a sign that we are ready for the next phase of our destiny, bringing us closer to the fulfillment of His promises in our lives.
How this applies to you:
— Recognize that tests from God are designed to reveal your heart and your level of preparedness for greater responsibilities.
— Celebrate the growth and maturity that comes from passing God’s tests, understanding that each test is a step closer to your divine purpose.
— View challenges as stepping stones to greater things, rather than obstacles meant to hinder your progress.
— Develop a mindset of gratitude for the growth that comes through testing and trials.
— Reflect on past tests and recognize how they have prepared you for your current stage in life.
— Remain hopeful and encouraged, knowing that God’s tests are ultimately for your good and His glory.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for Your constant presence in my life, guiding me towards maturity in Christ.
I commit to growing in faith, patience, and love, consistently reflecting Your image and heart in my life.
I accept the opportunity to retake tests I have failed before, knowing that You are committed to my lifelong learning and growth.
I embrace Your testing process, recognizing that each test is designed to prepare me for greater responsibilities and to bring me closer to fulfilling my divine purpose.
I celebrate the growth and maturity that come from passing Your tests, viewing challenges as stepping stones to greater things.
I remain hopeful and encouraged, knowing that Your tests are ultimately for my good and Your glory.
I am growing and Your tests are exposing to me, and everyone else, the level of my maturity in You!
This is why I can boldly declare: GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
