‘The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian. His master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did prosper in his hand. Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.’ Genesis 39:2-4
Spend time in nature
Joseph was assured in his ability to serve others in the name of God; he trusted in his footsteps and his ability to interpret dreams. He didn’t miss a chance to praise God or let others know where his heart’s focus was. For your nature activity, go for a walk. As you are walking, try to see things in nature you can praise God for. If you see someone walking their dog, praise God they have a companion. If you see a bird, praise God they can lift up their voice in a song even in the dead of winter. Try to spot the good we walk past every day. If you can leave behind something that will help bless someone else’s day. Try to find a GeoCache where you swap treasures. If you know, you can plant some seeds in public, sprinkle a few around so others can stumble upon them later. Hang a birdfeeder, or make a biodegradable one and leave it out for the birds to enjoy. Whatever you do, remember even simple things can bring joy to those around us.
Tip
Positive thinking has many benefits. One that cannot be ignored is it helps you find solutions to challenges you may be facing. When we focus on the negative, our brain has a single track. If we can, for a moment, or more, step away from the challenge and focus on something positive, the brain can process the situation. The positive affirmation doesn’t even have to be linked to the issue. It is like giving yourself a reset break.
Do something creative
This Sabbath create some mirror image paintings or if you are braver than me, an acrylic pouring painting. For the mirror image painting take a nice thick sheet of white paper and fold it in half. Open the paper and on one half randomly add small amounts of paint. Once you feel your painting has plenty of speckles fold the paper in half again and press the two sides together so the paint is transferred to the clean side of the paper. When you open your sheet you’ll have a random design. As you allow the paint to dry try to see if you can see an image coming out of the chaos. Once you find an image, use your paint brushes to trace it out and color it in. God might not be helping interpret what you painted the same way He helped Joseph interpret the dreams, but it’s still fun to exercise your imagination.
What you will need:
- Thick white paper
- Pourable paint
- Paint brushes
Family worship idea
For worship, read Genesis 39 and 40. These chapters talk about how Joseph ended up in prison and what he did while he was there. If you haven’t finished your tie blanket, you can use this time to revisit it. If you have, use this time to refocus your mind and heart with praise. When we come up against temptation or hurtful individuals, it helps to remember you are loved beyond measure. As you read through the chapters, have the family create a collage of reasons to praise God. Have a stack of old magazines or print out dozens of pictures the family can use to represent reasons for praise. Glue the images to a sheet of paper and write messages of thanksgiving to God. If you would rather, the family can paint or draw their collage. Once you are done reading through the chapters, talk about how Joseph remained faithful even when things were hard. He kept his focus on doing everything to the glory of God, not because it was easy, but because the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love (Genesis 39:21).
Personal thoughts
Joseph was in prison because a single person accused him. Joseph tried to reason with the wife; he told her reasons why he would not betray Potiphar. In the end, he could not commit this sin to God. We are on earth because the opposer thought there was a better way than love. The only way he could prove his way was worth exploring was to lie. When Mrs. Potiphar saw she would not get her way, the only solution to Joseph’s rejection was to destroy the one person who knew the definitive truth. Her lie had just a touch of honesty mingled in it, so it was harder to question her statement. After all, she had the garment in hand, and there were probably witnesses that saw Joseph running and heard her lift up her voice. We live in a world where the facts can be shaded and greyed out with ease. There are witnesses who are smearing God’s character, starting with His law. Every way we measure ourselves is in the law. If the opposer can discredit one law he can bring God’s character into question. If he can convince us one law is flawed he can harm the soul (James 2:10). This is why it is so important to know the truth, not so you can beat the lie, but so you are not deceived. Potiphar didn’t fully believe his wife, had he, Joseph would have been killed. Instead of execution, Potiphar, the captain of the guard, had Joseph placed in prison. Even while he was in custody, in the house of the captain of the guard, Joseph helped the prisoners. Joseph did not want to be in prison, which becomes clear when he is asked the cupbearer to remember him. Yet for two more years, Joseph would work in the prison. Jesus’ character is on trial right now. He has sent The Comforter to move across the earth, searching for the heart that will open the door and let Him come in. God’s plan is that none would perish (John 3: 16), that all would have eternal life. God’s law is full of actions for us, not of ways to condemn others. There is not one commandment that starts with Your Neighbor Shall. Each law is how you measure your own actions. Each law is a reflection of a God that is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, and is not proud. Joseph would not waiver because he feared consequences; wavering put him in prison. Joseph stayed true to God because He loved God.
Hiding His word in you ❤
‘Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehinnom. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. ‘
Matthew 10:28, 30-31
Sabbath Catalyst 