Didn't See It Coming: "I Didn't See It Coming"

Slide 1: Title Slide: I didn’t See That Coming

Slide 2: Life’s Unexpected Circumstances

            Some good, some not so much

            Can’t prevent them from happening

            Where is God in these events?

            Joseph’s story, my story, your story

Slide 3: Joseph’s Story

            Unique promise from God

            Unforeseen reactions

            Unexpected results

            Unbelievable response

Slide 4: I Didn’t See That Coming

            God maturing and preparing Joseph

            An unplanned encounter

            A gracious repayment:  After Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers were full of fear that he        would get even, and they came and bowed down at his feet. "We are your slaves,"       they said.”  But Joseph told them,  "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You          intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your         children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” (Genesis 50:18-21)           

Slide 5:  Lessons from Joseph

            Many “I didn’t see that coming events”

            Joseph trusted God when he couldn’t see or control the outcome

            God brought good out of hard circumstances

            All benefitted – Joseph, his family, even Egypt,

Slide 6:  My Own “I didn’t see that coming events”

            Two experiences that changed my life

            The first was very difficult – getting ears to hear

            The second was a great adventure – launched into pastoral ministry

            Both were needed and both from His hand

Slide 7: My Takeaways from “I didn’t see that coming” events

            In my worst days God was there and had a plan for my life

            In my best days I discovered God’s plan for my life was far better than I expected

            I’ve experienced God as a God of purpose and plan, I know I can trust Him to direct me, to bring about what is best for me and His best through me for others

Slide 8: God’s Plan for your life

            First, like Joseph, God uses all of the experiences of my life to bring about the good plan He has for me

            Second, His plan for each of us is to become more and more like Jesus

            Third, He plans that our lives would impact others around us for Jesus and His Kingdom.

            Fourth, many of these circumstances that we didn’t see coming and were powerless to prevent He uses to mature us and prepare us to love and serve others.  He works all things together for our good and His glory!

Slide 9: Trusting God in the Process

            Where are you today?  Have you just come through one of those life changing experiences?  Can you see God’s hand in the process?  Are you in one of those life changing experiences right now? 

Slide 10: Will you trust God to take you through and do the good work within you that He had planned?  Are you open to the move of God in your life even though you don’t know what the ooutcome will look like and you won’t be in control?  It is really the best place to be, because He is about to do something life changing in you, and it will be for your good and His glory!