Lawrence Abitogun

Re-echoing: Where is haven on Earth?

Here are excerpts from those articles,

“Where can one get security on Earth?“

“The Fort Hood cantonment attack in 2009 in Texas USA has not been forgotten. Now, another one, the recent massacre which happened at the Navy base in Washington USA, a seemingly supposed secure yard, where high ranking human defense agents and guards walk up and down every day has betrayed the confidence of her people in her“.

“The memory of the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary school, Newtown, Connecticut, USA is not forgotten, where teachers and children of first grade were gunned down by a lunatic with some guns taken from his mother’s museum of gun collections”.

It has happened again.

I am asking the question again, where is haven on the earth planet?

Violencce on the incease in the USA

Within the last 9 months, violence is rampaging all over the country. Groups of violent people cannot be appeased neither can the government do anything about it. Genocide and homicide are on the increase in every corner of the country, on the street, in the groceries, in the place of work, on the highway and within an apartment. Tell me, where is the place of safety on earth?

Recently, from January to the middle of April 2021, more than 177 people were killed, generally from gun violence: more than 67 of those people were killed by mass shooters. Most of the victims were innocent people going about their daily business thinking they are living in a free country where life can be meaningfully enjoyed. Their lives were cut short because of so many factors that were recognized but unattended to.

The people in government have betrayed the confidence of the people who’ve elected them. Like every other government all over the world today, the people in power care about power and money for themselves forgetting about those they govern. Politics and money have become their idol. Older politicians do not want to leave, younger politicians do not want to gain the experience of the older people.

Politics has become idol for Christrians

What is Republican party and what is Democratic party? These two words are nothing but idol. How I wish my Christian brothers and sisters would understand this. Where is your conscience? What kind of spirit is ruling your life? Where is the place of the love that you received from Jesus? Unfortunately, Christians are part of the manufacturer of the evil that is going on in the society, how? They are not saying the truth.

Christians embrace evil, they hate their neighbor, they are hypocrites, they love money more than the word of God. Do they really mean it when they pray for peace? Do they not know that when there is no peace for all, there will be no peace for anyone? Why can’t we live in love, united and enjoy this life that God gave us?

Vocabulary defination has gone the opposite way

We call the United States of America the land of freedom. People from different parts of the world run into her for safety and for greener pasture, but what do they get, fear of what is next. Where is haven on earth? Freedom in America should stand for safety for all, and to live a peaceful life. In view of what is happening these days, freedom stands for the right to do what could cause commotion and disorder in the community.

Freedom is meant to free people from arbitrary restrain by powerful people or group. The USA, the advocate for freedom and democracy is now the number one country in the world where violence is more prevalent than any other. Where then is the safe place on earth.

The heart of man is despirately wicked

What is the goal of these violent people? What is the goal of people having museum of gun displayed in the basement of their house? What is the goal of a person having 1000 rounds of bullets when he /she is not in the war front? To kill animal or what? Ask yourself, what does it profit you to store all those weapons in your house. Let me tell you, you are being ruled by the evil spirit behind guns, that spirit is always thirsty for blood. If you accept this, good and if you do not, good as well. You have made the spirit your protection. You’ve trusted in that weapon more than trusting in your God. That spirit will always urge you to kill even in a peaceful situation.

How would God feel about this nation today? Does the situation not resemble that of the days of Noah in the bible? The scripture stated,

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart… The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So, God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. (Gen. 6:5-6, 11-12)

Is this not true of what the world is experiencing today? Wickedness and violence.

When God reconsidered our helpless and hopeless situation and for Him not to destroy the world because of sin, He sent Jesus, His beloved One, that through Him He might reconcile the world to Himself. Jesus left us with the phrase “love one another”. Unfortunately, since the day of Jesus, human beings have hated love and truth.

Christians need to reconsider their ways

Over 2000 years later, Christians are supposed to be carriers of that love have failed to spread it. Without due respect, Christians all over the world encourage violence to spread, especially in the USA. The world is waiting for us to condemn evil in the society. But what do we do? We are supporting tyrants as leaders, we encourage violence against the innocents, and we encourage hatred.

There is no love, no mercy, no justice, no equity. Christians are supposed to be light of the world, the haven on earth, are now joining forces of darkness to encourage more violence. We need to separate from the violent group. Even though we live among them, it is by telling the truth and showing love that can deliver this world from the power of the devil that roars, killing people.

This violence is not peculiar to the USA alone. Satan is rampaging the world with different strategies. He operates demographically all over by making their belief to be their power of safety, turning it around to destroy them. Where people defy the truth, lies take over and become the root for violence.

What should we Christians do now?

Professing Christianity starts from faith in Christ and ends with your love for others. In between these two ends are the spiritual virtues you need to help demonstrate unfeigned love to others. These Virtues are derived from your knowledge of the word of God which most of you already know. It will be evident in your self-control, perseverance, godliness, and kindness toward others. Without these virtues, it is impossible to see yourself in the shoes of others.

Empathy helps you to relate better with others. This was exactly what Jesus did, showing His love towards us by dying on the cross for us that we may become a heir of God and joint heirs with Christ; partaker of His heavenly riches and eternity with God in His kingdom. Today, if you will not harden your heart, start to reciprocate Christ’s love to others.

Violence is not from God but from the devil. Have a rethinking and allow love to rule your life. As Christians, let’s speak the truth and love others; let’s put the devil to shame, that peace may reign. No kingdom last forever, but a kingdom can last for a long time.

Haven on Earth?

The only haven on Earth is you staying under the shadow of the Almighty, believing in Jesus, obeying, and acting His words. Put on the whole armor of God,

• that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (gun does not save; no evil spirit or power can save)
• that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (staying under His shadow)
• taking the shield of faith (faith in Christ) with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Prayers

Pray with Ps. 91

By Lawrence Abitogun

Lawrenceabitogun.com

One thing I know is that many people are inpatient, and they outrun the ‘right time’. Many missed it at this juncture. In the outcome of their haste, people call it fate, especially, if the outcome is negative. Whereas, if they had waited and have faith in God, the outcome would have been positive.

Is this always true?

When life gets tough, strengthen yourself in the Lord – learn a lesson from Joseph’s journey of destiny – part 11. Joseph’s dream became a reality through endurance, patience and perseverance

Joseph dreamt a dream of greatness, but his own people planned to kill the dream; every unseen force (frustration, suffering, implication, covetousness, fornication etc.) tried to stop the actualization of his dream; but Joseph did not allow all those odds to stop him from fulfilling his dream. He did not allow any unpleasant circumstance to distract him from having the right attitude. He did not fall for any enticement or being seduced by the devil to stop him from fulfilling his dream.

What did he do?

He endured and persevered throughout the 13 years of an unpredictable journey of destiny. Always putting behind him and pressing forward to the mark – fulfilling his dream. The scripture encourages us,

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
 it speaks of the end and will not prove false.
Though it lingers, wait for it;
it will certainly come and will not delay. (Hab. 2:3 NIV)

Do you have a dream, goal, mission that seems slowed down? Or the end seems blink? Are you going through a dark period or a tunnel? There is a light on the other end of the tunnel that will reveal the glory for your life. Believe and trust God, rely on him, follow His directive, fear Him, obey his commandment, avoid sin, run away from every appearance of sin; keep pressing forward and never give up.

Your dream, vision, mission, goal, or whatever undertaking you may engage in, the reality and success of it is for an appointed time. “Though it lingers, wait for it”. You cannot outrun God, or else, you will fall into diverse temptations. Hence, the reward of Joseph’s endurance and perseverance of 13 years came to fulfillment; unimaginable uplifting from the prison to the palace, from minimum to the maximum, from obscurity to prominence (Gen. 41:38-44). The scripture states,

“For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.” (Ps. 30:5 NKJV)

Your situation may be like night, moment of darkness, when all things are still; moments of struggle, hardship, lack, oppression, sickness, and affliction; moments that things do not work in your favor etc. A moment like this calls for endurance and patience. No one knows how long the moment will be, but as you are putting your trust in the Lord, He will keep and uphold you until He has taken you to what and where He had prepared you for.

A moment of night will come in the journey of destiny, count that moment as God preparing and building you up for something great. Only God knows how long the length of evening to morning will be. What comes after night is the good work of God. Therefore, as your moment of night cannot be determined by anyone, including you, be patient and endure; time belongs to God.

There is always an end to a night, morning will come to reveal God’s glory, the morning of your glory. How God does His work is His own prerogative. Between your evening and morning, God is preparing you for what will be revealed in the morning, the morning of your deliverance from all negativisms.

Whatever the situation you may be passing through that seem to be called a night moment, do not ever think negative of that moment. Believe that God is doing something in your favor, your morning of joy will be revealed.

God continued to give Joseph wisdom to rule Egypt on behalf of Pharaoh. Whatever Joseph says was what Pharaoh approved. The scripture states,

“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.You shall be ^[g]over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt… “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” (Gen. 41:39-44 NKJV)

If you walk the journey of your destiny according to the plan of God for your life, God will continue to uphold you. Everything will continue to work in your favor. Despite Joseph’s mistakes of youthful unwise openness to his brothers; difficulties, suffering through implication; his imprisonment: he persevered, he kept on doing the will of God and enduring every moment. Hence, God was with him and He favored him roundabout.

The scripture states,

“… all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans. (Rom.8:28 TLV)

Are you walking according to the plan of God in the journey of your destiny? Do the following. Trust God. Do good. Commit your ways to God. Delight in the Lord. Wait on God. Pray for grace and Holy Spirit empowerment to endure and persevere unto the morning of your joy when the glory of God will manifest in your life.

Prayers

• Thank God for the gift of life, for sustaining you all these years and have not allow any shadow of darkness to prevail over you.
• Pray that God will deliver you from any shadow of death, and provide a way of escape
• Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Pray that God in His infinite mercy will crown your endurance with joy.
• Pray to God that you will not die in the shadow of darkness.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you to trust, rely, believe and to follow God’s directive when you are passing through moment of night of life.
• Pray for grace to wait, endure, and persevere until the appointment time for your breakthrough.
• Pray for grace to hold on to your faith and not to allow consequences (frustration, suffering) of circumstances to stop you from fulfilling the purpose of God for your life.
• Joseph kept on interpreting dream and doing what he must do. Pray that nothing will prevent you or prevail over you from persevering until you have overcome any opposing force.
• Pray against fear, threat or anything that wants to stop you from fulfilling God’s purpose for your life.
• Pray for boldness to overcome fear of known and unknown (Heb. 10:35; Jos. 1:9)
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will grant you grace to prepare every moment in life to face and overcome challenges, even unto the day of the Lord.

By Lawrence Abitogun

Lawrenceabitogun.com

Joseph’s dungeon suffering is a righteous path to Honor

A dungeon is a room or cell in which prisoners are held, especially underground. Prisoners supposed to be convicted offenders or those accused of some grievous offenses, which are yet to be decided. However, not all held in dungeons are guilty of their accusations, some are innocent. That was the case with Joseph and Jeremiah.

Joseph was put in the dungeon for the offense of fornication, which he did not commit (Gen. 40:15): While Jeremiah was put in the dungeon because he warned Israel against rebellion (Jer. 38, 39).

Many people in prison today are not guilty of their conviction but were there for a righteous cause. The world’s judicial system is corrupt, and they have been bought by corrupt governments. Many innocent people have served decades in prison and released later only to be found not guilty of the offense for which they were charged.

Righteous or Christian suffering should not be a surprise to any Christian. That is part of our cross, our mark of partaking in the suffering of Christ. However, Apostle Peter states that

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters (as a sinner).

“Yet if any man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf…” (1Pet.4:15-16).

Christians should strive hard to avoid the dungeon of sin. It is like a great depression; only the grace of God dishes a person out of it. Display attitudes that will earn you your release and promotion.

On the other hand, many have been acquitted even when they were guilty of an offence. They were let lose to perpetrate more evil in the society. Unfortunately, these corrupt and evildoers are in our churches today and the church leaders don’t rebuke them. A true Christian, who would not tolerate corruption and indiscipline in the church bears the brunt and is tagged as being wicked.

Our Lord Jesus was persecuted, opposed, attacked, despised, disgraced, and killed for the truth. A man of good course: alleviating the suffering of the less privileged and giving hope to the hopeless. He was accused of treason; a criminal was released in His stead, while He was crucified. The situation was far worse than being in the dungeon.

Why should an innocent person be put into this situation? Sometimes for divine reason. David said, “Is there not a cause?” Your imprisonment may be in the form of financial, physical, spiritual, material, health, or an emotional predicament. Whatever reason one finds him/herself in any form of imprisonment, the attitude you display determines your fate.

Whatever or whoever is responsible for your imprisonment (self-caused, temptation or, affliction) wants to silence you, kill your dream, frustrate you, or take away your life. You must not give room for satan to worsen your situation by keeping you in the prison for life.

Joseph was optimistic that one day he would get out of that dungeon and get his freedom; hence, he told the butler to remember him.

“But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house.For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also, I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.” (Gen. 40:14-15).

Later in verse 23 of that chapter, the Bible stated that the chief butler did not remember Joseph but forgot him.

How long is too long? The Bible stated that the chief butler did not remember Joseph until two full years. The chief butler would not remember him because it was not yet time. No time is too long or short before our God. He controls time, He has appointed time for all things.

Our faith father Abraham at age 100 had Isaac after 25 years he received the promise of a child. His faith never wavers. That 25 years before Isaac was born became a story, a thing of the past. Abraham did not say because the time was long and then give the child back to God. It is time when it is time, and it cannot be time when it is not time. Time belongs to God.

The right appointed time for the fulfillment of Joseph’s dream was two full years after the interpretation of the chief butler’s dream. Joseph passed through dungeon route; so must you to arrive at the place of your destiny.

Throughout the imprisonment of Joseph and Jeremiah, there was never a time they were found deficient of any Godly attributes. Whatever type of imprisonment you find yourself now, hope and believe that God will deliver you in a due course. It may tarry but wait for His right timing (Hab. 2:3; 1Cor. 10:13).

In the end, Joseph rose from dungeon to be the Prime Minister in the strange land of Egypt: while Jeremiah got out of dungeon to be singled out for freedom in the whole land of Israel.  Concerning our Lord Jesus, the Bible says,

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. (Phil. 2:9-11)

This name Jesus has been given to you. He is the only one that can deliver you from the dungeon of life. Rejoice, since you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

As you have just celebrated Easter, a celebration remembering the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, you have a hope of reigning with him one day in heaven. What next? Start living your life for Christ. Be dead to sin, crucify all you members that are in sin, and start living a life that is worthy of His praise.

Prayers

• Thank God for His love towards us by given us His only begotten Son who died and delivered us from sin and its power.
• Pray that every moment that you pass through in the journey of your destiny to be a divine path to the place of your honor.
• Pray for grace not to suffer as a sinner
• Pray for grace to live a life that is righteous so that you will not find yourself in the dungeon of sin
• Pray that when you are being persecuted, opposed, attacked, despised, disgraced for a righteous cause that God will empower you and give you the strength to endure, no matter how long until He delivers you.
• Pray that God will uphold you when you are in any form of the dungeon, empowering you with the right attitude you will need to come out of it vindicated
• Pray that God will remember you for good
• Pray that your helper God has divinely provided, he’ll not forget you but will remember you and locate you to deliver that divine help to you.
• Pray, as our Lord Jesus, Joseph and Jeremiah were exalted and promoted to the place of honor, let God promote you to the place of your honor.
• Pray that the power of resurrection will awaken and revive every dead issue, allowing that which are to be alive in your life.

By Lawrence Abitogun

Lawrenceabitogun.com

Joseph used his gift to glorify and honor God.

God created every person equally but with different gift. No one is more important than the other. One person’s need is not another person’s need. We all need one another to make life meaningful and enjoyed by all. No matter how highly placed you are, there is always a time you will need what you can only get from a person of low standard. Hence, Pharaoh needed Joseph to interpret his dream. Nebuchadnezzar needed the Hebrew slave boy Daniel to interpret his dream; the Centurion needed Jesus to heal his servant; Cornelius needed Apostle Peter for his conversion; king Saul needed David to play harp to suppress his madness.

When God delivered you from any shadow of darkness, nothing should stop you from moving up the next level of elevation. Imagine if you find yourself in series of problems, like temptations that seem unabating and suddenly God delivered you and provided a way of escape out of those temptations; there should not be a person, spirit, or agent of the devil to stop you from moving up to the next level of success.

As previously written, Joseph developed his gift, and it profited him later in his life. It takes diligence for a person to be able to develop and master his/her gift. The scripture states, “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful shall be under tribute” (Pro. 12:24).

For Potiphar to handover his household in the hand of Joseph, for the jailor to handover the prisoners in the hand of Joseph; he must have been a hardworking and an intelligent person. Someone who is careful and persistence in delivering work at the right time. A worker who will give all it takes to get things done on deadline. He does things thoroughly and well, not shoddily like a lazy person. In addition to the above, the fear of God is a plus for his success in the journey of his destiny.

Joseph’s invitation to the palace to interpret Pharaoh’s dream was a divine orchestrated move to serve God’s purpose and to bring about the actualization of Joseph’s dream. In this journey of 13 years, every point of success or achievement, either, as a dream interpreter or God’s favor upon him, Joseph never credited himself for his gift or favor as the result of his diligence. According to the scripture,

• To the butler and baker, Joseph said “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.” (Gen. 40:8 NKJV)
• To Pharaoh, Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

Those were the answers Joseph gave in response to the king’s wards, also Pharaoh when they requested from Joseph to interpret their dreams. Joseph did not say “yes I can do it”, even though he knew he had the gift to interpret their dream, he handed over the situation to God for him to receive the interpretation of their dreams.

But before Joseph’s response to the above, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.”. what are people saying about you?

Boaz said to Ruth,

“I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before” (Ruth 2:11 NIV)

The good report of Thessalonians got to Paul,

“But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you (1Thess. 3:6 NIV).

What are people saying about you? Are people saying, “you are proud”? you are good? “you know too much”? “you are a thief? “a liar, or a cheater”? or “here comes the dreamer”? Do you have some good things that people say or recommend you for? Whatever you say or do will go ahead of you wherever you go on earth and to eternity. The scripture states,

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Phi 4:8 NKJV).

People would always want to give credit to a human being for their achievement, is it wrong? No. But as a Christian you must return the glory back to God. In fact, you must put God first before you think, say or do anything. This will justify your claim of dependence on God.

For any gift you are known for, in whatever you do best, or after a successful completion of anything you have done, give glory to God.  He gave you the power for enablement; hence, when Pharaoh asked Joseph concerning his gift, Joseph attributed the power of dream interpretation to God, not to himself, (Gen. 41:16). Before Jesus fed the multitude of 5000, before He raised up Lazarus, He gave thanks to God; knowing fully that all power belongs to God.

When you give God glory before and after your undertaking, all things become possible for you to do. Not only did Joseph interpreted pharaoh’s dream, but God gave him revelation and strategy on what to do to avoid devastation of the predicted future famine on the land.

You might be wondering where and how Joseph got the wisdom and strategy he proffered to Pharaoh. When a person feared God and received favor from Him, an open door of divine wisdom and revelation of good things start pouring in his/her brain.

When the Lord is with you, He favors you in all your ways. Not only did Joseph interpret Pharaoh’s dream, but God also favored Joseph to make Pharaoh think of no other person among all the wise men in the land to handle the predicted famine that was ahead. This can only be made possible for the man whom God favors.

The gift of Joseph brought glory to the living God when Pharaoh admired the God of Joseph,

“And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God? Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. ^… And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” (Gen 41:38-41 NKJV)

Do you use your gift to glorify and bring honor to God?

Prayers

• Thank God for His favor and how far He has travelled with you on your journey of destiny.
• Pray that God will help you to display a Godly character that will speak for you in the place of breakthrough (concerning your work, business, academics, or any undertaking)
• Pray for God’s favor to go ahead and speak favor on your behalf whatever and wherever God has prepared for you.
• Pray that everywhere you go seeking the favor of God, the Holy Spirit will fill your mouth and speak in your favor.
• Pray for divine revelation, strategy, and wisdom that you will need to lead you to your place of greatness.
• Pray for a distinguished and excellent Spirit that will make you to stand above your contemporaries in all your endeavors (Pharaoh could not find anyone better than Joseph).
• Pray that your achievement and your excellent performance will bring glory to God.
• Pray for grace not to glorify yourself for God’s favor in your life.

Lawrence Abitogun

Lawrenceabitogun.com

You need to develop your gift – Joseph used his gift continuously to develop it

Positive thinking and Godly character helped Joseph to develop his gift. It is the will of God that human beings should prosper on earth and subdue the land to benefit humanity. Every human being is to make use of their gift to effect this. It is the will of God that man by his gift should be productive to enhance their development. However, the gift is not to be used or exhibited without depending on God for effectiveness.

In case you do not know your gift, think of what you like to do or that which you do well, work on it continually to develop it until you are perfect in it. Or pray for God’s revelation for His purpose for your life and work on it until you become an expert in it.

Godly character will help you to think positively, positive thinking in turn will help you to focus on doing what is right; especially, on how to develop the gift that God has deposited into your life. No matter the situation you may find yourself, nothing should pose a barrier to developing your gift. God can use every situation to accomplish His purposes. In fact, it was the imprisonment of Paul in Rome that enhanced the spreading of the gospel in Rome (2Tim. 2:9; Eph. 6:19). Likewise, being in prison did not stop Joseph from interpreting the dreams of the king’s wards.

Both scenarios could have made Joseph and Paul to be depressed, fearful, sorrowful, discouraged, or hopeless to continue engaging in what would help them develop the God-given gift in their lives. Rather, they kept engaging in using their talent for the advantage of others not considering their own imprisonment.

The scripture stated,

“A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men” (Pro. 18:16).

No matter what situation you may be passing through in the journey of your destiny, keep displaying a Godly character and a positive attitude every moment. Every moment is passing bye, you cannot afford to let a day pass bye without gaining anything from it. When you do this, you will be interested in finding something to do, which cannot be less than that which God has deposited in you, your gift. You will be happy and encouraged at doing what you do best. You will be encouraged to do better day by day until the purpose of God is fulfilled in your life.

Joseph because of the fear of God in his life would not allow the negative circumstance he was passing through to stop him from being honest and faithful in all his doings. When you are honest and faithful, there is a supernatural stream of joy that flows from the sanctuary of your heart. That joy by default will help you to focus and think of better things to do, developing what will lead you and bring you before great men.

How often do you practice and develop your gift or the weapon that God has given you? Many have lost their gifts due to some circumstances that ruled and overpower them. Many have lost their gifts because they failed to develop their God-given gift, they envied and pursued another person’s gift. Many have lost it because they failed to make use of whatever gift God has given them no matter how it is viewed, small or big. No gift is small, God expect you to be faithful in using your gift to the best of your ability.

Imagine the circumstances that affected Joseph in the journey of his destiny beginning from his openness, narrating his dreams to his brothers. He was sold as a slave. His good works ‘the fear of God’ enabled him not to commit adultery. Still, he was sent to jail, a prisoner in the dungeon. While in prison he might as well thought of not using his gift to interpret the dreams of the king’s wards to avoid putting himself in trouble again. But he did not allow circumstance to stop him from doing so. He interpreted the king’s wards dreams. The event eventually introduced him and brought him before Pharaoh in his palace.

Nothing should disturb you from using your gift; not fear, not discouragement, not lack, not imprisonment, should stop you from using your gift; because, through constant practicing, you are developing that gift. In the face of all odds, you need to exercise boldness to forge through the odds to what God has prepared for you (Heb. 10:35; Jos. 1:9).

If Joseph were afraid to interpret dreams again, he would not have been brought before a great man (Pharaoh). In the journey of your destiny, do not allow your soul to be cast down because of frustration, disappointment, betrayal, wrong accusation, loss of precious or any negative circumstance; but keep improving on your God-given gift in the fear of God and for the good of humanity. Hence, as at the right time, God caused the butler to remembered Joseph and brought him to pharaoh (Gen. 41:9-13)

Prayers

• Thank God for the gift of genuine salvation through faith upon your life
• Pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit be resident and manifest His power in you.
• Pray for divine revelation to discover your God-given gift in case you do not know it
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you not to fall prey among dream and goal killers (bad siblings, associates, or any organization) that would kill your dream, goal, or vision.
• Pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit, nothing (frustration, disappointment, betrayal, wrong accusation, loss of precious or any negative circumstance) will disturb or stop you from developing and exercising your God-given gift.
• Pray for the Spirit of excellence to help you develop your gift and distinguish you to stand above your contemporaries or any negative circumstance that may pose an encumbrance in the journey of your destiny.
• Pray that God will help you to use your gift wisely for God’s glory, for the purpose of God for your life, and for the good of humanity.
• Pray that your gift will promote you and put you in the place of honor.

Lawrence Abitogun

lawrencebabitogun.com

Joseph’s godly characters attract God’s mercy and favor in his life

There are some godly characteristics that are noticed in the life of Joseph that might be the reason why God favored him. Many times, the bible states that God was with Joseph or God granted him favor. One could be wondering why a slave boy could be favored this way? The principal character one noticed in Joseph was the fear of God. The Bible states the followings, just a few of many advantages one derives when you fear God,

• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Pro 1:17 NKJV)
• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Pro. 9:10 NKJV)
• Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. (Pro. 16:6 NKJV)
• The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (Pro.19:23 NKJV)
• Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. (Ps. 128:1 NKJV)

What the fear of God does is to humble you before God and empowers you to obey and do His will. When you obey and do the will of God, favor and mercy will follow you, you do not have to pursue it. Hence, God was with Joseph and He granted him favor from Himself and men. Another way to put this, the Bible States in the New Testament,

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt. 6:33-34).

When you seek the kingdom of God, you are doing the will of God. You are not going to be affected by any circumstance; rather, you will be focusing on doing what is right. That is what the fear of God will do. The reward of obeying this instruction is that God will add other things that God has purposed for your life, you do not have to pursue it.

Characteristics noticed in the life of Joseph

• Fear of God – Joseph refused to lay with Potiphar’s wife. He said, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9 NKJV).
• Dutiful – Potiphar left everything in his house under the care of Joseph (Gen. 39:2-6 NKJV).
• Diligent – When Joseph rose to power, he was in control of the affairs of Egypt. (Gen. 41:55-57).
• Self-control -He resisted sin by not laying with his master’s wife.
• Obedient – carrying the errand of his father to his brothers
• Open-minded – he shows hand of love to all, not minding if anyone hates him. He told his dream to his brothers.
• Shuns evil – he brought an evil report of his brothers to his father
• Positive thinker – He was not ruled by any circumstance, but he ruled over circumstance – he put up a positive character even when the future looks blank to him
• Empathy – Joseph was very much concerned about the situation of the butler and the baker when they were troubled with the dream they had in the prison.
• Glorify God – Joseph does not take God’s glory for himself; he told the butler, baker, and Pharaoh that interpretation of dream belongs to God even though that was his gift.
• Prudent – Joseph was a God-endowed economist – he was and administrator, a strategist who was tactful, a financial specialist who handled the economy of Egypt effectively.
• Forgiving – Joseph forgave his brothers despite the evil they did to him.
• Not vengeful – Joseph did not pay back evil for evil that his brothers did to him
• Disciplined – Joseph’s life mostly was an example of a disciplined person
• Principled – Joseph stood on the promise he gave his father and brothers to take care of Israel’s posterity.

With these few of the many characteristics that one can deduced from the story of Joseph, why would God not favor him in all that he did? Though, whatever anyone becomes today, it is by grace and not of work; however, we cannot rule out that character matters. As I said earlier, the fear of God comes first to empower you to have knowledge and understanding of the word of God, thereby, you receive wisdom. Now, when you humble yourself, the easier you will obey and do the will of God. Then, the favor and blessings of God will attract you.

If you want to be successful in the journey of your destiny, you must fear God. All other characters you need to attract the favor and blessings of God will be falling in places as at when needed. By default, favor and blessings of God will become part of you. Hence, God was with Joseph and He favored him because of those good characteristics seen in his life.

When you fear God, the Holy Spirit will manifest Himself in your life by teaching you all things, reminding you of everything you need to know; He will guide you into all truth, He will speak to you what He hears from above; and lightens your hope for a brighter future (John 16:13-15)

If you desire to have a good character today, walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  the Holy Spirit will empower you to build up a good character that reflects the fruit of the spirit.

Prayers

• Pray for grace to embrace godly characteristics that will attract God’s mercy and favor to your life
• Pray for Holy Spirit empowerment to help you display a right godly character that fits and answers to every situation that you may be passing through.

Lawrence Abitogun

Lawrenceabitogun.com

The role of faithfulness in the journey of destiny

As the General Manager of the company that I used to work for, one of my responsibilities was to source for customers who would be faithful in handling money to purchase cocoa produce for the company. The company has the money to loan out to customers who would judiciously utilize the money for its intention.

The process is this – the company would loan money to qualify customers based on their ability and capability. Some customers may have the capability to deliver (supply) 25MT of cocoa, while some may not be able to deliver more than 1MT. Increment on the loan was based on the rate of turnover.

If a customer were given loan to deliver 1MT of cocoa in one week and failed to deliver, such customer would be denied another loan. Increment on the loan or further advance would be denied to customers who defaulted or unfaithful to all conditions. An unfaithful customer would be denied further loan while a faithful customer would get a new loan and possibly an increase would be added to the new loan.

Before I recommend any customer for a loan at that time, I would advise the potential customer as follows,

• “Whenever you receive your advance, make sure you use it to buy the produce for which it is intended for.
• “Do not use the money to buy personal effects before you start to buy the produce
• “Do not divert our money to buy produce for our competitors
• “Make sure you deliver to time so that you can be trustworthy
• “You may use your profit for whatever you want after you have delivered, and your account is balanced
• Again, do not divert our money to buy produce for our competitors”

Customer’s response to this advice before they receive their loan was always, “I will not divert your money”. However, after they have received their advances, 5-10% were faithful they delivered as promised; about 20% spent their loan to buy personal effects like car; about 20% started to build houses; and more than50% diverted their money to buy produce for our competitors. At reckoning, only the few faithful ones finished the season without owing to the company.

This story is an example of the stewards in the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-29). The two stewards that utilized their talent faithfully were commended and given a greater responsibility or to say were given double honor (1Tim. 5:17).

Faithfulness is one of the Christian virtues that God is looking for in us. To be faithful you need to be diligent, self-controlled, consistent, and long-suffering. These qualities were evident in Joseph’s life from the time he was disrobed by his brothers to the time he was re-robed and put in charge of the economy of Egypt.

Joseph was faithful in all his ways and doings, especially in the house of Potiphar and in the prison; no wonder God committed into his hand much greater responsibility in the palace of Pharaoh. The scripture states,

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’(Matt. 25:21 NKJV)

Joseph is an example of a faithful steward who exhibits the highest standard of personal moral behavior even in the mist of all the odds that confronted him. He was faithful in the house of Potiphar; he was faithful in the prison and he was faithful in the handling of the economy of Egypt. The scripture states,

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food ^[i]in due season?Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing” (Matt. 24:45-46 NKJV)

It was because Joseph was faithful that Potiphar left all he had in the house in the hand of Joseph. Joseph could have used that opportunity for his own selfish advantage, but he did not do that. He feared God, that empowered him to be diligent, self-controlled, consistent, and long-suffering. Joseph was content and did not go out of his bound.

No matter how small your responsibility may be, it is required of you to discharge it with all faithfulness. As a worker in the church, are you not coveting the pulpit as against being faithful to that, which has been committed to you? Your faithfulness is being tested while you think God is not supervising you. God cannot be fooled like the way you fooled your earthly master with eye service. Your achievement while the master was not around will testify to your faithfulness.

Be you the president of the most powerful nation in the world, the Pope, the Archbishop, General overseer of the congregation of the children of God: CEOs of big or small companies, manager, teachers, or a worker of low income; the reward or praise of your task will not be based on the largeness of your responsibility, but the result will justify how faithful you have performed even in the size of your present responsibility, small or large.

Ananias with Sapphira his wife were unfaithful to the declaration of how much they sold their piece of land. The reward of their unfaithfulness was death penalty. (Acts 5:1-11).

Whatever God has given you, whatever ability you have physically, spiritually, or material possession, use it judiciously, or else you will lose it. How faithful are you into paying your tithe? Are you not one of those who says tithe is under the law and you do not have to pay? Now that you are under grace, how faithful are you in giving to the house of God. I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact that grace should do above the law. You are not faithful because you did not fear God; you are complacent, lazy, idle, proud, covetous, greedy, envy, self-willed and worldly. In fact, your zeal is a vain type. Unfaithful Christian is an unprofitable Christian.

A judicious utilization of talent or gift edifies God and others; it should not be for selfish lust. The will of God should be priority before self-pleasing. It is rewarding (1Tim. 5:18; Lk. 10:7c).

Whatever you do, do it well to the glory of God. Joseph was obedient and humble; this helped him to respect and fear God. That been said, Joseph exhibited godly characters throughout his ordeal. He was not tired, not weary nor did he quit; but getting the best out of every moment he passed through.

Faithfulness is required of the children of God – Ministers of God, Christians in all walks of life. The Bible says, “It is required in stewards that one be found faithful (1Cor. 4:2). As a Christian, your first responsibility is to preach the gospel, how many have you converted to reciprocate for your own conversion. Are you faithful in this respect?

Joseph was faithful in a small thing, as a slave and as a prisoner, God rewarded him by committing a greater responsibility to him as second in command to Pharaoh in a strange land of Egypt. How faithful are you in what is committed into your charge?

“And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? (Luke 16:12 NKJV)

Prayers

• Pray that God will grant you the Spirit of humility and obedience to obey God’s word and instruction
• Pray for Holy Spirit empowerment to fear God and make His will your priority
• Pray for Holy Spirit cleansing of your heart to help you desist from any act of unfaithfulness that can cost you your destiny
• Pray for grace to be content in every situation you may be passing through in the journey of your destiny.
• Pray for grace to be diligent in carrying out your responsibilities without any lapses
• Pray for grace to be consistent in performing your duty rightly all the time
• Pray for the Spirit of self-control to help you not to fall into the devil’s trap
• Pray for grace to bear and endure during temptation while waiting for God to provide a way out of that temptation.
• Pray for grace not to slack in what has been committed to your charge
• Pray for grace to perform your best and be found faithful in all your doings
• Pray that God will help you to fulfill your purpose on according to His good purpose.

By Lawrence Abitogun

lawrenceabitogun.com

Should pressure cause you to sin in the journey of destiny?

No amount of pressure or circumstance should cause a child of God to succumb to anything that can cause them to commit any sin or engage in any ungodly behavior. Yes, pressure to commit sin will arise especially when temptation arises – unpleasantry, hardship, suffering or an urgent need situation that you may find yourself. Pressure may also come because of Temptation when you crave to satisfy your evil desire (Jas. 1:14). Any form of pressure to do against the will of God must be avoided. Therefore, beware of the devil’s enticement and incentives that can lure you to sin or loose self-control (Jas 1:14-15).

Pressure is the use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation to make someone do something; or the feeling of stressful urgency caused by the necessity of doing or achieving something, especially with limited time. In the case of Joseph, judging from the quotation below, he must have been under pressure from his master’s wife to commit the damnable sin of adultery with her.

“And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife ^[e]cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.”

^“But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. ⁹ There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.

But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, ¹² that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and ran outside” (Gen. 39:7-12 NKJV). 

Joseph resisted sin by not yielding to Potiphar’s wife’s pressure to lay with her. He did not allow his predicament to pressure him to lose self-control. Rather, he put the fear of God first above any unrighteous pleasure. Suffering should not cause a child of God to engage in a seemingly evil way of getting out of that situation.

No one knows how long Potiphar’s wife pressured Joseph had commit adultery with her because “it came to pass” could be a short time or a long time. Moreover, the word “spoke to Joseph day by day” indicates that Potiphar’s wife pressured Joseph on daily bases. The pressure did not bite Joseph because he was less concern about his master but more concerned not to sin against God.

Whereas Samson succumbed to pressure from Delilah and revealed the secret of his power to her. She persuaded Samson and lured him to the point that he succumbed to her pressure. Here is an excerpt of the story,

“Then she (Delilah) said to him (Samson), “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and have not told me where your great strength lies.” ¹⁶ And it came to pass, when she pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was ^[b]vexed to death, ¹⁷ that he told her all his heart, and said to her, “No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.” (Jud. 16:15-17 NKJV)

You have to read from the Bible, Judges 16 to get the whole story. Delilah pressured Samson to the extent of luring him to get drunk and thus he revealed the secret of his power to her. Delilah told the secret to the Philistines. The result for succumbing to such pressure caused Samson to be overpowered and captured by the philistines. He ended up in the camp of his enemy where he died prematurely.

When your situation seems to be getting deeper into despair and unbearable, remember you are getting closer to the solution for your breakthrough. Do not allow anxiety, desperation, or unrighteous liberation cause you to do any contrary thing against the will of God. Do not succumb to pressure to leak your secret or the secret to your success; keep your secret and let people see your blessing. Beware, do not be enticed with smooth and persuasive word; sanctify your ears to keep it from listening to untrue statements or unholy pressure.

Social media (Facebook and Instagram) has put pressure on the young people of this day from living in the fear of God. Few are living like Joseph who put God first before enjoyment while many are living like Samson who are living a reckless life. The young are not patient for the right time to have all things to themselves to enjoy.

Boys will steal to acquire flashy things seen on social media. At the end, many may end up in jail. Likewise, many girls are obsessed to the point of altering their physical body through plastic surgery, breast implant and provocative revealing outfits etc. they do this to make them look like what they saw on social media. At the end many may end up in despair and disillusion.

Try to restrain from anything (sin, waywardness, unrighteous acts etc.) that can jeopardize the actualization of your expectation. You may be tempted but do not fall for it. Hence, Joseph resisted pressure from Potiphar’s wife. When you fall for temptation, it may elongate the time of your circumstance. or cut off your expected end. Joseph’s destiny was fulfilled because he did not succumb to pressure from Potiphar’s wife to commit adultery with her.

Joseph was jailed for a sin he did not commit but that did not end his story, it is part of the process of the journey of destiny. He remained consistent and did what he had to do. Next.

Prayers

• Pray that God will not allow you to experience any pressure that will cause you to sin against God
• Pray that God will grant you the grace to recognize negative persuasive and influencing word or any intimidation that may cause you to sin against God
• Pray for grace to be sensitive and desist from any appearance of enticement that will mount unnecessary pressure on you.
• Pray for strength from above to help you to resist sin when you are under pressure or influence of any type.
• Pray that the Lord will help you to refrain and not lay your hand on anything that will mount pressure on you, which may jeopardize the actualization of your expectation from Him
• Pray that God will help you to take the right action when temptation mounts pressure on you to engage in an unrighteous act
• Pray that God will deliver you from the hand of people who use persuasive words and smooth talk to seduce and lead people astray.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will empower you to refrain from doing anything that will make your enemy to overpower you
• Pray that you will not end your life dying in the camp of your enemy
• Pray that the Spirit of God will sever the Christian children and youths of this age from any negative influence on social media
• Pray that God will deliver Christian children and youths of this age from the pressure that entices them on social media to go wayward and behave abnormally.
• Pray that every step that is taken by children and youth Christians will channel them to fulfill their destiny.

by Lawrence Abitogun

lawrenceabitogun.com or christianedification.org

Learn a lesson from Joseph’s journey of destiny

Does attitude matter in the journey of destiny?

Yes, the attitude you display in the journey of your destiny matters most. Your attitude defines your personality – good or bad. Your attitude will make or mar you; define or destroy you. Your attitude can speed, delay, stagnate the process to fulfill your destiny or rob you of your destiny.

Your attitude must be right every moment, and I mean every moment.  This can be possible as a child of God filled with the Holy Spirit every moment, or else, the flesh will overpower you to put in the wrong attitude.

Imagine what it means for God to favor Joseph and make him a source of prosperity for his master, Joseph must have been in a good relationship with God or live in the fear of God. Joseph must have displayed a godly character that attracted the grace and favor of God (Gen. 39:2-6).

Wherever you find yourself in the journey of destiny, fear God and be faithful in all things. Maybe you are serving or being served? Hopeful or frustrated? Make sure you are doing the right thing in the fear of God. Hence, Joseph ran away from fornication, the three Hebrews did not deny God (Daniel 3), even, Jesus Christ did not curse his accusers but prayed for them (Luke 23:34).

In every situation that seems unfavorable or limited what you can do, put your trust in God; if you are behaving in the right way, God will promote you. The fear of God begins from the good treasure in your heart and when you display that which you carry on the inside, it will make people be at peace with you. The scripture states that when a man’s ways please the Lord, He (Lord) makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (Pro. 16:7)

Note this, temptation beget temptation, if you fail to put up a godly attitude throughout the period of any temptation (or test); those temptations may drown you into despair, frustration or lead you to be looking for an unrighteous way to get out of it. As previously said, there is no short cut to the journey of destiny. Therefore, you need to choose between a short time of enjoyment that cuts your life short or hope that will grant you everlasting freedom and enjoyment.

What kind of attitude are we talking about? Attitude exhibiting the fruit of the spirit (Gal.5:22-25)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control”. 

If you are not always led and walk in the spirit, it will be difficult to obey. That passage continues by saying

^“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit”. 

When life’s journey becomes tough, your attitude must be positive. A positive attitude means, no matter whatever the circumstance may be, you must keep a positive mindset, thinking about the greater good that is yet unseen. Always believe it is going to get better.

I know, some people’s reactions will be probably to look for self-solution without minding the consequence that follow their attitude, good or bad. A positive attitude comes from a joyful heart which is guarded by the spirit of God. The scripture states,

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life^…Remove your foot from evil” (Pro. 4:23- 27).

Joseph could have started fornicating with his master’s wife and enjoyed like never before, but what would that profit him? That enjoyment will end one day or robbing him of his destiny

You need to display a right attitude in your thinking, feeling, action, utterance, emotion, disposition, and belief. If you have these right attitudes, you will have a right mindset, a right viewpoint, and a hope; you will be able to anticipate for a better future.

Why do you need to put on a positive attitude?

A positive attitude will strengthen, energize, motivate you and helping you to project rightly into the future. A right attitude will give you confidence to overcome any incoming challenges against fear of the future which is a product of a negative attitude.

Do not allow a negative attitude, it only generates fear, failure, anger, doubt, frustration and among many other things that can cause you to sin, kill your dream or destroy your destiny. You will become irritating and unfavorable to your potential helper. Moreover, a negative attitude generates evil thought, bitterness and you will not be able to bear in the tough time.

Imagine the attitude Joseph showed during these times of trial when his brothers stripped him of his glorious robe, sold him to the Ishmaelites, implicated by Potiphar’s wife and when he was even put in the prison for doing a righteous thing. It cannot be but positive attitude; or else, he would not have received favor from God and man. In whatever you are going through in life’s journey, press forward with a positive attitude.

How do you know a person who put on a positive attitude?

He/she is loving, joyful, peaceful, cheerful, lively, satisfied, pleased, thrilled, comfortable, contented, delighted, courageous, friendly, kind, helpful, caring, true and pleasant. Do you possess these characteristics? If not, this is the right time for you to change.

The journey of our destiny may be long or short, let us spend every moment with the right positive attitude so that our expectation would be met at the end. In whatever you are going through now, be happy, be a source of joy to all who comes across your path. No circumstance should force you to do that which is against God’s will to satisfy or ease your circumstance.

Apostle Paul said,

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me (Phil. 3:12)

I advise you to continue pressing toward your goal, dream, and destiny with the right attitude. Do not allow pressure or negative attitude to cost you your destiny. Next.

Prayers

• Pray that God will grant you the grace to embrace a positive attitude
• Pray that God will help you to exhibit a positive attitude that put you in right place of your breakthrough
• Pray for grace to be able to have a God-fearing attitude when passing through a tough time in your life. You will not be weary, tired, discouraged, dismayed or afraid.
• Pray for grace to persevere in tough times until you have overcome the challenges that is facing you.
• Pray against fear, threat or anything that wants to stop you from fulfilling the purpose of God for your life.
• Pray that no circumstance will cause you to disobey the word of God to satisfy yourself.
• Pray for grace to walk in the Spirit so that you will bear the fruit of the Spirit.

By Lawrence Abitogun

Learn a lesson from Joseph’s journey of destiny

Joseph’s journey of destiny problems seems unabated – he was implicated.

The journey of Joseph’s destiny seems not to have an end-in-sight, more problems and challenges kept emanating. If you are in the position of Joseph, you might be wandering and saying, what is wrong with me? Where did I missed it? Who is behind the problem I am facing? Or Who did I offend? and more diverse thoughts will spring out of your mind.  A situation that one passes through in the journey of destiny can be connected to many reasons, even outside the reality. When it gets to that situation when you do not know what is happening to you, settle down and focus on God to direct you on what to do.

As previously noted, Joseph has been sold as a slave to the house of Potiphar. He was successful and favored by God there.

^“The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So, Joseph found favor in his (Potiphar’s) sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority…” (Gen. 39:2-6 NKJV). 

The scripture states that Joseph was a godly and well-favored person, and for this reason his master’s wife tried to seduce him. Joseph did not yield to the devil’s delicacy of fornication because he feared God. Joseph knew that he was not sinning against his master (man) but against God. Every secret sin against another person is clearly known and seen by the all-knowing God. Sin is against the will of God. Hence, Joseph said,

“… How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9bNKJV)

The wife of Potiphar implicated and lied against Joseph to her husband that Joseph wanted to rape her. She lied against Joseph for a righteous act for not falling for unrighteous enjoyment of fornicating with his master’s wife. He fled from the scene of fornication (1.Cor. 10:14 NKJV).

Despite God’s favor upon Joseph, which was responsible for the prosperity in the house of Potiphar, Joseph’s freedom there was limited. He was a slave. A slave remains a slave with his master if his ransom has not been paid. That was the reason Potiphar’s wife called him a slave boy after her failed coup attempt to seduce Joseph.

As children of God, let your freedom in Christ free you indeed from sin. The fact that Joseph had control over Potiphar’s household is not a liberty for him to do what he likes or to commit fornication with his master’s wife; that is the work of the devil in action to entice Joseph to fall for that temptation. A believer must prioritize the will of God first before attempting to do anything. Hence, Joseph did not yield to the devil’s enticement which beckoned him to commit and enjoy fornication.   The Scripture stated,

“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Gal.5:13).

The Bible made us to know that Potiphar did not reckon with the good things that Joseph did for him, he sent him to prison for a sin he did not committed (Gen. 41:15 NKJV)

As Christians, if you are implicated or lied against for righteousness, glorify God, because God will always defend you or use the situation to promote you. The scripture stated

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1Pet. 4:15-16; 1Cor. 10:13 NKJV).

In the journey of destiny, it is not all going to be rosy, but you will come across hiccups, difficulties, and many challenges. Despite all odds, the attitude you projected at every moment will either lead you to fulfilling your destiny, give-up or causing it to lack fulfillment. Every moment must be fully and significantly utilized for God’s glory.

In the passage of one’s destiny, temptation will come along the way; the temptation will come for two reasons and there are two types: temptation orchestrated by the devil to derail, crush and destroy your destiny, or temptation of trial of faith to put you right with God. You must go through the just path to fulfilling your destiny. There is no short cut to get things done in the right way.

In all, whatever situation you find yourself in the journey of your destiny even when it seems your problems keep on multiplying unabated, make sure every moment is spent righteously in the fear of God.

Consider the following few examples and see what you should not do

What you need to do is to keep trusting God, put on the right attitude, keep moving forward and enjoy every moment. In due course, God will make a way for you where you think there is no way. The scripture states,

^“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (NIV).

Where is the place of attitude in the journey of destiny? Very important. Next.

Prayers

• Pray for grace to fear God in all your ways
• Pray for grace to make God’s will as priority in all decisions that you will make on the journey of your destiny
• Pray for grace to make the right choice in every decision you make.
• Pray for grace to recognize sin and stay away from it
• Pray for help that God will destroy the power of sin that rules the heart of a sinner.
• Pray for protection and prevention from any temptation that you cannot bear.
• Pray for grace to overcome any temptation that comes your way
• Pray that you will not fall into any temptation
• Pray for protection and prevention from any form of implication
• Pray for grace not to defile yourself with any devil’s delicacy (enjoyment)
• Pray for grace not to use your liberty in Christ as an opportunity to sin.
• Pray that wherever you find yourself in the journey of your destiny, God will favor you and make you a source of blessing to others and humanity.