I AM JOSEPH – Part 1
Reflecting on:
*The Power of Identity*
THE POWER OF IDENTITY
One of the major problem of mankind is attributed to identity problem.
Let us pray: Lord, as we learn at your feet, may your words find a place within us as you help us to discover our true self in Jesus name.
The extent of agreement with our person will determine how far we will go in life.
Many of us in our bid to belong destroy our core and fundamentals. When our foundation is destroyed, we limp on in life and we live beggarly on the crumb of other people… Others upon whom we switch to imitate.
For they upon their own leaning are the masters of their own arts… And you become the underling and at the totem of their inheritance when you tend to copy their art.
If only you will find yourself, then would you find all that’s yours.
The power of I AM.
The power of identity discovery will lay before you a limitless world that’s yours. Until you can answer the question of your identity, you are sentenced for a life of struggle.
I’m sorry to tell you this reality:
Man is cast in prison of struggle all his days on earth. His discovery of himself sets him free.
Do you want to be free?
Romans 8:19-23 KJV
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Our identity brings liberation to mankind and our universe. The discovery of your life brings succour to YOU & OTHERS
*I am Joseph: This is the first story that touched my heart as a little kid… Joseph.
Today, we will be looking at Genesis 37:1-10
Jacob was his father representing the older generation. In our days, we have the older generation leaders and powers. Let’s remember that as we celebrate the old, we must begin to prepare the new.
For every Elijah an Elisha has to emerge.
A Jacob has to precede a Joseph. There’s strong indication that new leaders must begin to emerge for our generation.
One of the roles of our ministry is to anoint new leaders into offices. We do this not with the physical oil but with the anointed word of God.
God want to raise a Joseph.
What manner of man is Joseph?
Genesis 37:2 KJV
These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
The family of Joseph were nomads. They rear cattle for a living. Joseph went out to the field with some of his brothers. While away from the watchful eye of their father, they turn into a different things. They talked roughly and behave in disgustful sinful manners.
Joseph stood out.
Everybody went the same way… The bandwagon syndrome. Joseph choose not their ways… He knew what he stood for, he understood the Abraham’s covenant with God as a call to separation. He knew how his father was steadfast to have secured and preserved this covenant; getting the much cherished birthrights instead of Esau.
Joseph knew that greatness required separation. Blessings aren’t accidental… They are spiritually coordinated and they don’t miss their marks. The Josephs of the world know that blessings have coordinates so they maintain high level of moral and spiritual rectitude. They don’t need anyone to keep a watch on them to behave rightly.
Joseph right from his youth was prepared for a harvest of spiritual and material verities. If you’re a Joseph you’ll position yourself alike.
Joseph even as his father was on his dying bed has this to say:
Genesis 49:26 KJV
The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
Joseph has an unmistaken identity that when it was time to receive blessings from a dying father, he was given a blank cheque… Blessings unto the utmost bound.
As we live from day to day, do we do all we can to stand out? Or we easily blend like chameleon?
Another lesson from that verse is this:
From his youth, Joseph carved out a personal brand
*Power of identity… What do people know you for? Those who become dominant figures are known for certain things… Specific and unique.
As I grow I began to find myself as one sent out to INSPIRE THE WORLD TO GREATNESS. As I do this I began to observe that the prisons of limitations begin to give way.
In finding your place is your deliverance.
In what is your greatest strength revealed?
Whether I’m teaching on leadership, business, marriage, I realize that I want to inspire people to discover the power in them to make things happen for them.
When it’s time to showcase greatness, you cease to blend, you choose to stand out.
Joseph refused to collaborate with his brethren to do evil.
*Joseph bears responsibilities
Genesis 37:3 KJV
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
Joseph though was the second to the last son of twelve became very responsible for caring for his old father. If you want to be a Joseph, you will take responsibility. Caring for aged parent wasn’t easy, I’ve a little taste of it.
Joseph took it as personal and he went the extra mile to satisfy his dad. His dad reciprocated by loving him: he was the only son given coat of many colours. If you’re a Joseph, you’ll take up more responsibilities and you will not wait for anyone. Responsibility is the path to greatness.
What are you willing to be committed to?
Let me give an instance: Coming up with this program of leadership development isn’t because someone detailed me to do this. I took it upon me and I do it – by the grace of God. A Joseph will find a worthy cause to be committed to
*A Joseph must endure hatred
Genesis 37:4 KJV
And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. As Joseph grew, his brethren intensified hatred to him.
When you’re different, the world is bound to hate you.
Always remember that in spite of their hatred, God is available to hold you on. Hatred often mean you are making progress.
When no one hates you, then your life is useless. When no one is jealous of you, then it means that you’re empty. The attack may just mean because you’re on track, so remain strong.
Genesis 49:22-24 KJV
Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: [23] The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: [24] But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
The fruitful tree often has the wicked treatment of being hurled with stones and sticks. The barren tree has no scar. In spite of the pains, and in spite of the trouble Joseph remained strong; and helped by God
As the enemies attack, learn from Joseph stay strong, knowing that the unseen hands of God will assist you throughout. Tough time never lasts, tough people do
If you’re a Joseph, stay strong.
God bless you.
