Three Impacts of Promotion

Three Impacts of Promotion

Joseph’s promotion did not bring just personal benefit. He saw it as an opportunity to serve those around him. He resisted pride that would make him forget the shoulders on which he stood and the hands that held him up when it mattered most in life. He instead remembered the mentors who helped him, the parents that cared for him and God who favored him. Joseph’s father, Jacob, did a lot to shape Joseph’s faith and character. Time and trouble tested and proved the quality of his work. Joseph therefore intentionally made sure his promotion benefitted his family, his nation and his faith community.

Impact on His Family. He facilitated provision of food and shelter to his parents and siblings (Mark 7:10-12). In many cases, children abandon their parents when they become more learned and prosperous. They wait to honor them by expensive coffins and latest burial suits. In some cultures, they even bring expensive blankets on burial day when the parents languished barely covered in cold weather, and went without food when they were alive. Joseph shared his elevation with his family members. Joseph could have just sold his siblings grain or donated some to them but he empowered them. Few significantly remember their family members when promoted. They would rather be distinguished among their own as the privileged only ones who visit family gatherings driving. They enjoy seeing everyone else eat crumbs from their table.

Joseph even forgave his brothers for wanting to kill him and for selling him into the hands of strangers for dead (Genesis 45:1-7).  That way he facilitated family reconciliation. Jacob also had to forgive his sons for the same offence and for keeping the truth from him for so long. Nucleus and extended family relationships are breaking down for lack of a peacemaker. Many members are suspicious of one another and plot to pull each other down not realizing they also pull down themselves in the process. Whenever there is a rift in relationships, you can either build bridges or flare up the hostilities. Many families lack members who are willing to forgive past offences and recognize that God’s grace and plan for a person is not limited by what people do to the person. If anything, what people do against you is material in God’s hands to suffice his grace and perfect his plan for you.

Impact on His Nation. Joseph served his adopted nation so well that his promotion saved the nation from starvation during years of famine. Not only did he ensure food security but also he excelled so much that the nation became economically stronger than other nations. In other words, he used his promotion to promote his country. This was all because of the wisdom Joseph received from God and faithfully put to work in his career. He saw his position as governor as opportunity to influence on a wider scale. It was an elevated platform from which to shine for God (Mathew 5:14-16).  Where it is darkest, light is needed the most. Darkness is unrighteousness but also needs in the society.  Where it is darkest, light shines brightest. Where there is more darkness, light makes greater impact. Righteousness and solutions abound much more. Your work station, community position, sports exploits etc is a lamp stand, platform that puts you in public view. The question is how you use the advantage.

Joseph was rich in economic wisdom that he did not give handouts. Handouts would have resulted in wastage, dependency mindset and inflation. Instead, he sold the grain potentially stimulating economic activities from which people would earn money to buy the grain. Other nations also brought lots of much needed foreign currency by buying grain from Egypt. The issue of distribution criteria was made simple by following the ability to buy rule. It was not always easy for everyone to buy, in fact some point it appeared extremely harsh, but had national economic wisdom. Some even traded some of their assets to get grain. Joseph did also leave room for social benefit in the form of donations given in some cases, as he did to his brothers.

Impact on His Faith Community. Joseph played a significant part in the life of the Jewish faith and nation. He also happened to come from this nation. As in the case of Esther who received promotion and later was reminded by Mordecai that she was in her position as Queen for such a time as to preserve and strengthen God’s people. Joseph also maintained his faith in God and elevated people of like faith (Mathew 6:33). His faith gained so much credibility and respect that when his family came over they for many years had freedom to worship Jehovah in the land of Egypt. His promotion served the purpose of God to preserve a nation unto himself through which the messiah would come. He remembered the welfare of the people and business of God. Anything done that moved patriarch Jacob is major on God’s agenda. God instructed Jacob to go to Egypt facilitated by Joseph and promised to bring him back. The nation grew so strong that 400 years later six million Jews left Egypt.  Your promotion also is for the sake of God’s work, to give to the work of your church, to missions’ workers and those who instruct and preach in the faith (Mathew 28:18-20; Galatians 6:6; 1 Corinthians 9:14).

Evaluate your promotion based on how it has benefitted the kingdom of God, your family, and nation.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa  

Setting Spiritual Goals I

Setting Spiritual Goals I

Hebrews 12:1-2

Spirituality is about the invisible innermost part of a person where core beliefs, values and conscience seat, the human part that explains and informs all of life. You therefore cannot isolate spiritual life from other areas of life. Spiritual life is not confined to a compartment, privacy, a building, a gathering or a day of the week. Perceiving it as such limits its value and makes it irrelevant to life. It becomes a baggage instead of an integral part such as a head on a human body is easy to carry. Unlike a loaded bag, that is a burden to carry. 

Further, such removal of the spiritual from the whole of life often splits life to the spiritual and the secular. As a result, many live two lives, the spiritual at church and the secular at the market place. Sometimes they include a third life for home life. To illustrate, a mother and children came to church with suitcases full of clothing and boxes of pots and other kitchenware. When asked to explain their unusual behavior, they said they now wanted to live at church because the father they meet at church is so loving and warm. The one they had at home was harsh and a terror. It ought not to be so.

Spiritual goals help in strengthening and clarifying beliefs and values. For Christians, that happens through strengthening personal relationship with God. The relationship begins with the decision to trust what Jesus Christ accomplished to restore a favorable relationship between God and humanity. Spiritual goals are the key to spiritual growth. Spiritual growth does not happen by accident. It is intentional by setting goals and implementing their action plan. Goals direct resources of faith, energy, ideas, time and finances to make the right things happen.

Spiritual goals like any other, demand faith, time, action, money and commitment.  Review progress to the goals frequently to take steps to overcome obstacles and stay on course. Lack of acting on spiritual growth goals and evaluating progress leads to frustration because there will be no spiritual value addition perceived. Three important categories of spiritual goals are below.

1) Development Goals.

These goals produce formation of character and shape values. They are basic goals to better understand and  strengthen your relationship with God and faith in God's word. They include goals to have quality personal devotional time for reading the Bible and praying, and being an active member of a community of believers (Hebrews 10:25) so as: 

-          To know him better

-          To know your identity in him better and become like him

-          To make him known through showing and sharing his love and power

-          To invest in his purpose to disciple communities

-          To identify with him as part of a community of believers

-          To identify your calling and ministry gifts

A strong godly social supportive environment is vital for spiritual growth and encouragement to overcome obstacles to growth. Other continuous learning avenues that require goals include acquiring good media resources, literature and attending conferences that teach the word of God and Christian life skills. 

Development goals help you grow in your relationship with God. The purpose however is to better practice God’s word in every area of life, which is the next point.  

2) Delivery Goals.

These are goals for applying God's word so that you live out your identity in Christ. The overall goal of salvation is observing everything that Jesus taught (Mathew 28:18-20). We live in times when there is an avalanche of bible information but very little transformation. Transformation happens better when you are intentional to apply the word. Application of Gods word or obedience is the ultimate proof of faith. If you have not trusted enough to act on it, you have not found faith. It is not just praying more. Attending a record number of meetings and going through the motions and commotions of religion is not enough. True spirituality is about accurately representing Gods kingdom on earth as light, salt, yeast, voice, and ambassador of Christ.

Therefore, set goals that allow for God's role in your everyday life. Goals to express your faith in Gods word in everything you do, whether it be at church or the market place and in private or public spheres.  The Bible says that Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, favor with God and people (Lukev2:52). In other words, he grew holistically. Jesus also came to address the full set of human needs spiritual, physical and emotional needs (Luke 4:18). Salvation means being brought to wellness in every way. The work of God on earth touches every aspect of society (Genesis 1:58).

3) Definitive goals for excelling. Definitive goals distinguish themselves by their quality. These goals stand out in being a delight to God and a motivation to you to accomplish them. They bless the heart of God because they:

>>Put God in first place. When you seek God first he promised to add everything you need to your life (Mathew 6:33). Seeking first means considering him first as well as seeing him as the foundation to all else. Putting God in first place attracts his favor, peace, wisdom, strength, and wellness in all respects. When you mind his business, he minds your business. Many fail to allocate time to their spiritual goals because spiritual development is not a priority. Being too busy to find time for God is being busier than God ever intended. Not finding time for something is a value statement saying what you have no time for is of less value than the other things that took away the available time.

Realize that your strength lies in acknowledging your weakness and dependence on God. Because people have no strengths to boast about before an all-able God, he responds to acknowledgement of weakness not strengths. That is why the Jehova names such as Jehovah Jireh relate God to human needs.

>>Are from the heart.  As you delight in God, he has promised to grant your heart's desire (Psalm 37:4). The desires of a person who delights in God are God inspired and he grants them. In addition, because they are a heart's desires the person is passionate about achieving the goals. Alignment of goals and heart's desire is the source of passion.   Without desire even if goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound, they will remain unaccomplished.

>>Give in return. Carry the attitude of giving all to God because he has with held nothing from you. He cannot give anything more than what he has given already in Christ. This attitude is the heart of worship. Set goals to give more to God and bless him. Such goals find grace for their fulfillment. You can give more of yours - you can give yourself, time and resources beginning with participation in the work of your local church. Such spiritual investment has returns in all areas of life (Malachi 3:10).

>> Achieve positive change. Changed character and behavior, or transformation, are the indicators of spiritual growth. Set goals to change. Such goals demand a willingness to learn. For example, identify everyday life areas you want to pursue change and see growth. One could target, for example the need to be more forgiveness. Identify the things you need to do to see change and take the remedial choices and actions. For example meditate on forgiveness scriptures, pray for the people who hurt you daily, announce the release of the people daily for a week, etc 

Jesus promised to transform those who come to him (Mathew 4:19). Without transformation, the church's message loses credibility. How can anyone wish the church success in the goal to win the whole world unless by looking at the lives of believers they can see love, discipline, order, relevance, productivity excellence and integrity that reflect a better world?

>>Stretch your faith. Faith only pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). Set God sized goals that stretch you beyond your comfort zone according to the measure of faith you have. Faith grows by the word of God and works by goals since it is the hope of what is expected. Goals set expectations (Hebrew 11:1).

>>Focus on causes. Many are preoccupied with chasing after the fruit, benefits and products of their relationship with God and neglect nurturing the relationship. As a result, they overlook the processes that cause the results they are after. Some miss out acquiring principles, skills and disciplines for lasting solutions by chasing a momentary experiences from one event to another. God wants to turn people from being spiritual spectators and recipients to producers and givers. Set goals to master causes of fruitfulness such as being prayerful, Spirit led, word, cooperation and patience.  

>>Outlive you. God wants his people to bear fruit that remain (John 15:16). He wants you to set goals that out span your lifetime. He wants you to leave a lasting legacy.  You can achieve this by setting goals to train others in what you know (2 Timothy 2:2). Goals to write literature and record messages, goals to set up something or invest in something like a mission agency or business that out spans you,  and goals to invest in your children and young people.

I hope this provides a good orientation before you take the practical steps of spiritual goal setting.

Three Accompaniments of Promotion

Three Accompaniments of Promotion

Genesis 41: 41 – 55

Through his unpleasant experiences, Joseph learnt survival attitudes and skills that would be handy in his role as governor of Egypt. For him, promotion did not come alone. It came with privileges, pressures and imperfections that he had practiced to manage on his life journey.  Joseph most likely had to overcome some resistance, obstacles, betrayal and discouragements to his promotion. It is possible some laughed at his predictions and mocked him. Somebody must have questioned who Joseph was and where he had been to just come to the top.  A few were possibly eying the governorship position for some time. In these circumstances, the lessons from the rejection by brothers and being misunderstood in his experience as a leader in prison became useful. Faced with daunting circumstances on that journey, he did not always feel he was in God’s perfect will but had learnt to keep integrity, trust and obey God, shine with good works and to give thanks in everything.  

Inability to handle the accompaniments of promotion results in demotion or  fall. The following with Joseph’s promotion.

1) Privileges

•         Position and recognition – Joseph’s position as governor attracted honor and respect. Pharaoh gave him a new name Zaphnath-paaneah meaning "treasury of the glorious rest". He attracted attention and people bowed when his chariot went by.

•         Power and authority – Joseph received the king’s ring. He had ability to translate intention to reality, or ability to influence decisions and make things happen.

•         Possessions – Joseph gained materially. He now had a mansion, a chariot, and most luxuries he could imagine.

•         Prestige – Joseph gained in social status. He was associated with the highest social group and was well known. Many functionally or opportunistically wanted to associate with him.

Privileges have Pitfalls to avoid.  Privileges come with assets to employ and enjoy for effectiveness, but also come with pitfalls that include:

•         Pride. Humility lifts people up and pride pulls them down. Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth, honor, and life (Proverbs 22:4). Abandoning humility is embracing futility. Pride makes the privileged look down on those less privileged.  With pride an attention seeking celebrity syndrome that chases after the stages, lights, cameras, autograph signing, and microphones at the expense of core role takes over. Instead of serving, the proud desires to be served. They stop listening and learning.  Pride makes a person unteachable and untouchable. The proud even forget the shoulders they climbed on to their promotion - the mentors who helped them, the parents that cared for them and God who favored them.

•         Pleasures on demand. Promotion comes with increased capacity and a strong temptation to pursue all the pleasures one can imagine (1 John 2:15). Often one can now afford them, is under pressure to fit into a peer culture and is presented with many who are willing to trade anything to one who can grant or influence favors for them. As a result often the more one is promoted to being wealthy and influential the greater the temptations of vices such as illicit sex and drink (Proverbs 2:16-19; Ephesians 5:3).

•         Power abuse. The privilege of power is the most abused.  One has to overcome the following tendencies.

-          Settling Scores. Joseph could have sought to deal with his brothers and the Ishmaelites in return for what they did against him. He could have seen his promotion as a chance to hit back at Mrs. Potiphar whose husband was perhaps still working for Pharaoh at the palace where he was now second in command. Joseph however  channeled his power to the food security  responsibility on his hands. He was forgiving enough to shelter and feed his brothers (Genesis 45:1-7)   

-          Settling down. Joseph settled in, not down. Settling down has connotations of arriving, complacence and loosing touch with changes around you. It is allowing the corrosive effect of power to do its work on you. As the saying, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Settling down effect leads to carelessness and poor judgment in decision-making. One is no longer as careful in thinking about consequences of actions. Procrastination becomes a habit. Hard work and delayed gratification cease to be values. The tendency to abuse power and financial resources, and manipulate people for personal gain grows (1 Timothy 6:10). One is no longer envisioning for the next level and hence loses motivation. Joseph did not stop dreaming. He even cared what legacy he left behind and where they would bury his bones (Genesis 50:25).

-          Settling Deep. This tendency is to entrench oneself in the new level or position and building bunkers around your turf to defend it at all costs. Indicators of this tendency include failure to train potential successors, feeling indispensable and so insecure to condone incompetence in exchange for allegiance.  

2) Pressure to Perform.

Promotion is assuming responsibility. It is one thing, telling people a plane can land without wheels. It is another, being asked to be the pilot. Joseph proved his trust in God by accepting the offer to be governor. A lot was at stake. What if his dream interpretation had proved wrong and seven years of plenty never came. What if the plan he proposed had failed and what if people refused to cooperate. The pressure to perform was enormous. There was no room for excuses not to deliver results when he even had the very king’s ring of authority. Promotion comes with pressure to perform. Even in the Promised Land, there was work to be done. It is recognition of potential. No sooner than the glamour of appointment ceremony settles does work begin, and you have to prove your merit. You feel the unspoken demand to confirm your interview promise. Promotion is not merely gaining a title but a function. That is why it does not help you to accept promotion beyond your level of competency. Unmerited favor of God does not mean lack of merit on your part because true God’s favor endues with merit to prepare and do the work.  Work is a blessing and need not be a pressure.

It must have been challenging for Joseph rising from prison. He had to learn fast. As Joseph realize that you arrive at a new level as a baby and need to learn and grow. Learn as much as possible by asking the right questions, observing and listening more than talking. At times, he would have felt lonely seeing a future that others did not see and relied on his description of it. If promoted to a leading role you need the wisdom to set up a good team. Joseph also had learnt to depend on wisdom from above. He knew God was able to make him ten times wiser than his Egyptian colleagues. He was productive and a success (Genesis 41:55).

Pressure to perform has Dangers to overcome. Pressure can be so much that that no time is left for other important things of life. Working hard but not smart has personal tolls of fatigue, ill health, stunted personal development, strained vital relationships and spiritual decline. Many are looking for money but those with it are looking for time.[1] Willy Adei taught five sacrifices to avoid: sacrificing your marriage, sacrificing your family, sacrificing your friendships/fellowships, sacrificing integrity, and sacrificing eternity

3) Potipheras

Joseph’s promotion brought Asenath the wife Pharoah gave him. Asenath’s name meant ‘belonging to the goddess Neith’. Her father was Poti-pherah some Egyptian priest of On. We can therefore refer to Asenath as Miss Potipherah. Earlier in his Joseph had run away from Mrs Potiphar.  As governor he ruled over Mrs Potiphar but had to live with a Ms Potipherah dedicated by her name to goddess Neith. Promotion brought this relationship and it seems he could not get rid of her. That is the nature of promotion in an imperfect world. It comes tainted with blemishes or Miss Potipherahs that qualify your joy. You find yourself saying ‘Wow its such a great opportunity but …’ The qualifiers can be certain lazy or difficult individuals you have to work with, things you can not wisely mention and  a work structure, a work schedule, some kind of work,  travel demands or certain aspects of your responsibility you would eliminate given room.

An example is excitement students have for getting a place to study at a prestigious University but they struggle with the values of one of the lecturers but the course is a requirement. Promotions come with Potipherah’s daughters. However the closer to your ideal situations you can find the better. For example, a culture that gives you freedom to express your values is a precondition to accepting any promotion. However, perfect situations do not exist under the sun, even in your church group. Daniel, Modecai, and many others in the bible and to date had to content with their imperfect situations. A parallel one can think about is that as a believer you can run away from external sin ensnares but have to manage and subdue the sinful nature in you by yielding to the Holy Spirit. Every human situation has an internal sinful nature.

So unlike from Mrs Potiphar, you may not run away from Ms Potiphera. You monitor Potipheras closely and govern them. Joseph did not allow the Potipherahs to determine his values and defile his heart. That is not an easy feat as Samson and Solomon could testify (I Kings 11:4-6).  In any case unlike Samson and Solomon who chose the wives for themselves Joseph’s wife was given Joseph named his children after His God (Genesis 41:51-52).  He maintained his fear of God (Genesis 42:18; Psalm 139:23-24). He consistently tried to do the right thing by staying on the straight and narrow. That protected his reputation and promotion. He did not lose his intimate relationship with God. He did not stop praying or going to church, as some do the moment promotion comes.

At whatever level of promotion, watch out for the pitfalls of privilege, the dangers of performance pressure and the imperfections of Potipheras. How well are you coping by avoiding them, overcoming and subduing them in order to excel like Joseph?

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

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[1] Allan Weiss, Million Dollar Consulting, McGraw Hill, New York, 2009.

Three Guarantees to Promotion

Three Guarantees to Promotion

God’s design is for you to grow and progress in what you do. He is revealing his dream for you as he did to Joseph. God showed him the wonderful vision of a high authority and leadership role but did not forewarn him about the rough road ahead. There were no detailed maps and plans with signs to show distance covered and remaining to destination. God however guaranteed three things.

>> His Presence. When you read his awful experiences and the set backs he suffered you cannot help feeling for him. When you read about his victories, you likewise are prone to want to applaud him as your hero. You however have a constant reminder that the Lord was with him[1]. It is encouraging to know he did not triumphantly go through the pit, slavery and prison alone. His presence had everything he needed.

>> His Peace. Peace comes from confidence that you can contain the situation. You can handle the relationships, you can pay the bills, you can handle the future and you will not be overwhelmed. God gave Joseph the power to prevail. The grace of God with Joseph was his source of confident expectation that gave him peace[2].

>> His Promotion. The road may be long and rough but God’s love and promises guarantee that your story will end well. In a replay match video, the losing team can be leading at half time. Joy will come in the end[3].

Joseph experienced sudden unanticipated developments on his promotion journey.  People and factors other than you often influence time and course for your promotion. Unanswered questions did not stop Joseph from reaching his promotion. He must have wondered why his brothers hated him, why he should end up as a slave, why he was being punished for doing the right thing and why it was so long in prison.  You may not understand all that is happening, but we can be sure that our Lord is in control of the situation. Your part is to trust God from whom promotion comes. He controls people, circumstances and consequences in your obedience. With the three guarantees, as Joseph did you are able to set God inspired goals and keep focus and faith for comebacks when the unexpected happen.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

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[1] Genesis 39:21; Hebrews 13:5

[2] Genesis 39:20; 2 Corinthians 12:9

[3] Genesis 41:14; Numbers 23:19

Three Transits to Promotion

Three Transits to Promotion

Once a trip from London to Johannesburg required an eighteen hours wait in transit for a connecting flight. On arrival at the connecting airport, despite advice to the contrary, I could not find transit accommodation. Suddenly, I faced the stuck reality of eighteen long waiting hours in the transit area. What a relief when I discovered I could pay a small additional amount and wait for only two hours. Joseph also went through transit places on his journey to promotion (Genesis 37, 39-41). The lesson from him is that the journey of promotion can be much longer than eighteen hours. You also are not always able to find alternatives. In fact, you often lack full understanding of how long the wait and how far from the destination. The comfort in transit is expectation that eventually the wait ends.

Joseph rose from his family home to the palace where he became governor of Egypt. His rise was hardly obvious yet so real. He went through three transit places, the pit, Potiphar’s house and the prison.  The transit places Joseph went through as well as the starting place and the destination offer lessons. Joseph moved from each place through automatic propulsions or sudden unanticipated developments.  People and factors other than you often determine time for your promotion. Your part is to trust God from whom promotion comes.  The summary below highlights some lessons from Joseph’s experience. 

Beginnings - The Family place (Genesis 37:1-22). Joseph’s early life family experience despite the resentment he suffered from siblings, teaches about God’s wonderful plan (Jeremiah 29:11). It is a reminder that God has a wonderful plan for every person and is making it clearer each day. God revealed his plan for Joseph when he was in a safe family environment. Joseph nurtured the dream in his heart. He also had such positive self-perception to share his dreams so convincingly that the brothers took them so seriously as to want to kill him. Family is a foundational preparatory place for laying foundations for life. It is a laboratory for love, responsibility, serving and discipline. You also need a safe and supporting environment where your character is developed and you have room to explore your interests and discover your promotion’s direction. God promotes in the direction of his wonderful plan.

Transit 1) The Pit (Genesis 37:23-28).  Joseph’s pit experience was extended to the hands of Ishmaelites. It teaches God’s sovereign rule on matters concerning you. Such favor is most apparent when you are not in a position to influence decisions being made about your life and other people control what happens. No one would listen to Joseph as he pleaded for his life (Genesis 42:21). For example, you are in a pit when a hostile executive team meets to decide your future. You are out of the pit when a favorable decision is made otherwise you are finished. The pit is the school of hard knocks where you learn through the hardships of life experience. All you can do in the pit is to trust God and call on him. Only faith and praise can pull you out of a pit, where a dark shadow of death hovers over you (Psalm 23:4). Joseph’s dreams together with his life were under threat. He could not help himself. Thank God for coming to his rescue.

Transit 2) Potiphar’s place (Genesis 39:1-20). Joseph’s experience in Potiphar’s house teaches the grace of God. God was gracious by showing undeserved favor to Joseph.  Anything could have happened to him at the hands of the Ishmaelites who bought him for twenty pieces of silver. Possibilities range from being relegated to some fieldwork back in their homeland or made to work in some brothel.  When he was sold to an official of the king of Egypt it was like coming from the dead (Genesis 37:36). In any case, at home he had been declared dead (Genesis 37:34).   God was with Joseph and gave him favor with Potiphar. Interestingly, he was close to the palace yet still far. God’s wonderful plan was for him not to be in the palace but over the palace.

Potiphar’s house was a school of obedience. He learnt to take orders, work hard and achieve excellence. Later he would give orders to others. One who has not followed does not qualify to lead others.  Like at a University he learnt how to work under pressure and achieve excellent results. He learnt to forgive and not let the past hold him back from moving on with his life. Potiphar’s house was a school on how to serve under authority in a non-family environment. He learnt about palace life culture and people. It is amazing how much house cleaners in the plush areas of society know about their bosses and their friends.

He also had God’s grace, which teaches to deny ungodliness (Titus 2:11-12). God’s grace gave him the ability to flee when his dream was threatened. In the pit he could not flee but now he could make the choice. He refused to sin against God who held a wonderful plan for him.

Transit 3) The Prison (Genesis 40). Joseph’s prison experience teaches God’s ability to set people free. Jesus taught that who ever he set free would be free indeed (John 8:36).  God wants to remove all that limits your growth and potential. Sometimes its constraints that are evil and in other cases it is good things that keep you complacent stopping you from moving to greatness. In prison Joseph was a leader to other prisoners. However as a large tree panted in a small pot, he could only be as big as the prison confinement allowed. His original dream was virtually dead. He must have been  stretched to the limit, with all hope lost. By now, his list of questions had grown. He must have been bewildered in the wilderness between his pit and his dream promotion. He could easily have settled in the substitute of being the chief of prisoners that he was (Genesis 39:21-23).

The prison was a school on how to serve in a constraining environment to create leads to freedom. He learnt to maintain desire for freedom. He asked the butler to get him out of that place (Genesis 40:14).  He learnt how to serve under strict prison guidelines. It was like he was in an advanced school of obedience and discipline. It takes humility to make do with what is available when you have desire for more space, when you cannot have your way right away. Joseph also learnt about social ills in Egypt by the nature of crimes and prisoners from many backgrounds, from the street pavements to the palace.  He learnt about the justice system. Do not lose hope in your prison. Hold on to what is remaining.  It shall be as it was told you (Acts 27:25).

Promotion - The Palace (Genesis 41). The palace experience of Joseph completed his promotion. It teaches the faithfulness of God. The dream come true was itself like dreaming. It was a sudden resurrection of something dead for a person pronounced dead. When he was told Pharaoh wanted to speak to him, he could never have guessed the finest moment of his life had arrived. The fulfillment was no doubt way beyond what Joseph could have anticipated. God fulfills his promise and exceeds expectations. God watches over his wonderful plan. He works wonders. He breaks the chains that hold you back and releases you to become all that he intended for you.  He does exceeding beyond what you may think or imagine.

Do not limit yourself even by the sky. You have already been elevated in Christ. Everything else will align to conform what you already have, as you love and trust the author of your hope. Even if the system is unfair and corrupt because the leaders are mean, do not appreciate, and don’t notice. They could be manipulative, abusive and apportion your credit elsewhere or use some irregular criteria such as race or nepotism for promotion. In due time without fail God will by pass them and sadly, they will lose you. He looks at your heart and ability to response. Examples in the Bible include story of Laban and Jacob, Modecai and Haman, Daniel and the big Officials of king Darius. Remember God is your employer.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

Three Dreams to Promotion

Three Dreams to Promotion

In the heart of every healthy person is a desire for promotion. It is normal to desire advancement, progress, upgrade, or elevation to a higher level.  That desire provides the motive force that produces learning, growth and creativity for betterment of life. The Bible teaches that promotion neither comes from the east nor the west but from the Lord (Psalm 75:6-7). The story of Joseph is an excellent example of how amazingly God can promote a person. Joseph rose from the pit to being a governor of Egypt (Genesis 41:15-41). As in his case, your promotion will involve handling three kinds of dreams. It happens through three dreams, your personal dreams, the dreams of people around you, and the dreams of leaders in your life.

1) Your personal dreams. Joseph's promotional journey began with a personal dream (Genesis 37, 39-40). Promotion is meaningful where there is a dream or vision. The dream is a picture of better days beyond the status quo. A long term preferred picture of oneself.  What a promotional step contributes to progress towards the overall dream a person has tells the significance of the step.  Factors that include passion, talents, societal needs of concern and revelation influence the form and nature of the dream.  Joseph walked intimately with God through the influence from his up bringing. He was a highly favored child of Jacob one of the patriarchs in the faith of Israel.  God revealed to Joseph in a literal dream major promotion that was coming. It would be so great that his parents and siblings would bow to him. He received a backlash instead of applause from his brothers when he talked about the dream. The brothers resented the thought of bowing to Joseph and had already developed an attitude against Joseph because he was their father’s favorite child.  They saw Joseph as someone bragging about his favored position in the family and now he dreams of ruling over them. The backlash was so strong that when Joseph brought them food supplies while they were herding their father’s flock, they discussed killing him. He survived but landed in a pit despite his pleas for mercy. In a chain of events, from the pit they sold him to some Ishmaelites who in turn sold him to a top official of Pharaoh of Egypt. All went well for him at this house until Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of molestation. As a result, he was sent to prison. Joseph’s preoccupation with his dream therefore took him to a dungeon via a pit.  Mere preoccupation with your personal dream does not result in its fulfillment. In fact announcing a dream can land the dreamer into serious trouble. The Civil Rights ‘I have a dream’ icon, Martin Luther King and many others can testify.

The dream however can live on. Joseph was able to protect his dream by protecting his relationship with the dream’s source, Jehovah. The Lord was with him and granted him favor wherever he found himself (Genesis 39:21).

>>He nurtured a strong heart by patiently waiting on God (Psalm 27:14). Man looks at the outward but God promotes based on what he sees in the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Courage and patient are essential ingredients to God’s promotion process (Hebrews 6:12). Waiting is not easy but he waited patiently.

>> He kept his faith. His trust in God was unyielding despite the trying circumstances he went through. As his situation spiraled downward, his faith was soaring upward. Whenever this converse relationship is at play, inevitably at some point faith lifts the situation from any dungeon or pit to its level (2 Corinthians 4:23).

>>He maintained his integrity. Joseph showed fear of God by remaining faithful to his word. At college to progress to the next level, you have to pass tests. Joseph passed the moral tests he faced.  One such test was at Potiphar’s house. He refused to let Mrs. Potiphar seduce him. Instead, he ran away from her like someone fleeing from mortal danger (Genesis 39:12).  He also passed the test of becoming bitter despite having been rejected, mistreated, misunderstood, and falsely accused. He maintained a godly attitude. He did not accumulate wounds, self-pity and anger inside.

>> He humbled himself and was lifted up in due course (James 4:10). Humility is a precondition for promotion. He humbled himself to serve diligently, competently and faithfully in Potiphar’s house and in the prison even though he had a very big dream of what he should become. He humbled himself before God even though he did not fully understand what was going on and how the preferred end would happen.

2) Your neighbors’ dreams. Joseph’s difficult experiences shifted him from self-promotion to concern about what was troubling those around him. When that shift was complete, something good was bound to happen.  He realized people around him also had dreams but could not interpret them. He moved from talking about his personal dream to interpreting the dreams of fellow prisoners. Helping fellow people understand their dreams opened doors for him. It gained him a contact in the place of his divine appointment. He interpreted the dreams of the baker and butler when they were in prison. His personal dream took him to the dungeon. Interpreting dreams of others set him up for leaving the dungeon.

Joseph refused to settle in his status quo. Joseph asked the Butler to remember him so he could leave the dungeon (Genesis 40:14). He still had hope of promotion. The best of dreams can be destroyed by diversion to some other dreams from people, good as they may be. He refused the prison best of being in charge of all the prisoners (Genesis 39:22-23). Joseph’s dream conceived when he was in Canaan was constrained. It was not enough to be chief among prisoners. When you reach the ceiling of what is possible at a level, its time for promotion or boredom and frustration will soon set in. God had to bring him out. A giant tree in a pot will only grow to as much as governed by the pot size. Determine satisfaction with a promotion by the standard of your God given dream. Something can be right but not enough, and necessary but insufficient.

3) Your leaders’ dreams.  Joseph through the Butler he helped had an opportunity to interpret the King’s dream. He grabbed the opportunity to interpret the dream of the leader linked to his dream role. Some unstoppable dynamic sets in when you get concerned about what is troubling the leaders. When you make yourself available to serve and make them successful. When you get out of your way to help leaders solve their problems, achieve their goals and dreams.  Being able to help solve the problems leaders face is the key to promotion. The level to which you can be promoted depends on that of the leader whose dreams you interpret. For Joseph, preoccupation with his personal dream and rights took him to the dungeon. Interpreting dreams of leaders brought him out of the dungeon. Joseph gave God the credit for his ability to interpret the dreams of others (Genesis 41:16).

More specifically, Joseph was not promoted to governor of Egypt because he interpreted the King’s dream. Interpretation alone could have left the King more perplexed and quick to send Joseph to prison.   Instead of leaving the leader, depressed with the meaning of his dream Joseph inspired hope with his words, ‘Now therefore let Pharaoh take [the following action]’ Genesis 41:33). Joseph turned a dream problem to a dream solution. As for you, refuse to specialize in reporting problems. Suggest solutions for problems everyone else is only complaining talking. Behind every problem, there is an opportunity to provide a solution. The world has enough questions and analysts but few answers.  Start interpreting dreams and more so, start recommending solutions. The king appointed Joseph as the governor not for his gift to dream and interpret dreams but for offering wise advice. ‘But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally... (James 1:5)’

Because of attending to the dreams of others, Joseph’s dream was fulfilled. God not only interprets dreams but also fulfills dreams. Pharaoh ordered that Joseph be brought from prison and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon (Genesis 41:14). As a pregnancy that is due, when God’s time is ripe and right your promotion will be unstoppable. It will come speedily and often irrationally in eyes of people. Even though Joseph fulfilled leadership roles as a slave and prisoner and credit should go to his parents who did a sterling work to shape his character and godliness, he hardly qualified for the job. He was almost forgotten in the dungeon but ascended to lead the nation. He moved from a position of obscurity into prominence, from a nobody to a somebody, from a have-not to abundance, from disadvantage to privilege, from the pit to the palace. He showed that it is not so much about knowing the right people and holding the right papers as it is about serving the right God right. You are rising up. God is breaking the rules that constrain you, shattering the boundaries that limit you, blistering the ceilings that have been set over you to keep you under. It is time. Jesus has positioned you in the heavenly places.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

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The Farmers’ Joy

The Farmers’ Joy

John 7:37-39; Joel 2:19  

Where I grew up the prayer of every farmer was ‘let it rain’. The coming of rain brought joy. When rain came, not only farmers became alive. Trees and plants turned green, frogs croaked, birds sang and insects chirped and buzzed. Children rejoiced as they played outdoors at the start of rain season and encouragingly sang ‘Go ahead fall so we can have food’.  Rain also came with fears of flooded rivers that threatened a small local bridge, lightening dangers and snakes that were forced out of their hiding crevices and holes by rainwater.  Rainfall also meant hard work. Mornings would start much earlier on the fields.

Once I visited a friend and his family. I found them hosting their mother who lived in a rural area far from them.  It was lovely to spend some time talking with the mother. She told me how much she desired to stay a little longer but she had to go back. She had just received news that the early rains for the farming season had finally fallen. She therefore was so happy and planning to head back home to sow her crop.  Farmers are delighted when rain falls at the right time and in right amounts. Rainfall waters their crops, fills their dams and raises the water table. Crops are able to grow root and find nourishment from nutrients in the soil. The dams provide irrigation water during the dry spells when there is no rain.

Similarly, the most evident effect of the rain and reign of the Holy Spirit is joy. Joy ought to be the dominant disposition of a believer in Christ.  Jesus came that you may have joy to the full. When it rains,  farmers  takes advantage of rainfall in several ways.

1. Farmers know the opportunity rain brings. Farmers has knowledge of the potential in the  land and are confident of their farming capability. Without such knowledge and ability  the rain can come and will just go to waste. As a believer, you like wise need to take advantage of the opportunity of knowing God and who you are in God.  The Holy Spirit rains to enable you to harness the potential in being a child of God  with God’s nature.  You can take advantage of  this rain only to the extend you know God and your identity, rights and privileges in Him.   Reading and meditating on God’s word reveals the potential and enables you to be fruitful.  Through listening and obeying the word of God you can understand the soil, inputs, and methods you need.  What you can do is no longer limited to your  natural DNA but replaced by your new  DNA in Christ. Also, the ministry of the church like the  agricultural support services to a farmer provides the support you need.

2. Farmers step out in face of uncertainty.  If you look at the skies, you will not sow. Farmers are courageous enough to step out.  Their courage is inspired by what they know about previous behavior of nature and the potential return from trust in what they believe should happen if they cultivate the land. Farmers see what things can be not just what they are presently. They create the change they want rather than  waiting to react to change that occurs. As a believer the rain of the Holy Spirit will be wasted if you  lack faith.  Asking by itself is not enough. Some things you are asking for require that you take courage to walk into them instead. See it by revelation from God’s word before you see it in the natural. Be optimistic because the reality is that risk with God is not risk for he is able and faithful.  Its not the size of your faith but the size and dependability of your God that matters. Faith pleases God despite the outcome (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is evidenced by the actions one takes not the ‘faith feelings’ they have. Feelings and declarations often precede faith actions (1Samuel 17:45-47) but cannot substitute them.  Action has to be taken . The land has to be ready, the planting and nurturing needs to be done. God is dependable we have his promises and a record of his faithfulness in our lives and in the Bible.

3. Farmers build  teams.  Good farmers work well with people. To scale up in any venture one must have the wisdom to builds a team and network of supporting relationships. Every big project that has broad based impact and significance requires the organisation of many people. Big dreams require input of many people. You have to move from  subsistence  to corporate thinking. God’s blessings are net breaking and there is  always enough to share .  The rain can come but unless you can nurture supporting relationships and partnerships you will only accomplish a little.  Ask God for grace to build support networks.  You need a network providing diverse inputs.  People who think and act as you can limit you to what you already know. Difference is the beginning of synergy. When the rain comes you cannot do it alone.

4. Farmers think long term. Farmers constantly think of the end.  They think of the next seasons when  handling the soil, equipment, water, crops, and stakeholders.  It matters what the farmer leaves behind for the future.  Farming is not for people wanting a hit and run quick buck.  As the rain of the Holy Spirit falls, you need set in motion daily disciplines that bring about spiritual  growth to maturity and multiplication. Think beyond your location to  nations and  generations.  Have a clear vision of your preferred future.  My first television experience was  a black and white, monochrome set. The TV had a tall areal on the roof of the house. Often signal would be poor and someone would go up the roof to adjust the aerial for a clear picture.  You also need to do everything possible to find a clear picture of the future. That picture cannot be clearer than your picture of God hence the importance of knowing God. The clarity of the picture also indicates the strength of the faith you have for what you are trusting God for, since faith  the substance of things hoped(Hebrews 11:1).

 5. Farmers give something.   Farmers  are willing to part with something. Farming requires inputs and material to work with. The measure of sacrifice indicates the potential for yield. The rain of the Holy Spirit will be wasted if you are unwilling to give. Big thinkers and big dreamers distinguish themselves by being big givers.  You can talk and pray big thinks but what will happen is linked to the measure of your giving.  See giving as an investment not a loss.

6. Farmers focus on causes.  Farmers  focus on doing the right things that lead to the harvest they want.  Focus on creating the causes of fruit. Maintain a hunger and a thirst to enjoy sustained benefit. The rain of the Holy Spirit comes to the thirsty and is sustained by thirst. The first sign of life is appetite and the first serious sign of death is loss of appetite. Avoid just being desperate for effects/ manifestations but hunger and thirst first and foremost for  the person of the Holy Spirit. Build an intimate relationship with God.  Jesus said come and drink. Drinking is taking actions corresponding to your thirst. If you are already full, you will need to let go of something of the flesh to make room for the rain to sock in and stir rivers to erupt out of you. 

7. Farmers  are patient.  Farmers are motivated enough to patiently apply the necessary discipline of consistent hard and smart work.  What you still need when everything else is in place is motivation to start and keep at it.  What you expect may not all happen instantly or shortly. The season is certainly right. Its not too early its not too late.  It is the right time as promised in God’s word.  What you need when there is delay is patience.  “…that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he swore by himself,  saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.  And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise (Hebrews 6:12)”.