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Take the Long-Term View
Review this week's message.

Key Thought:

Even though it’s easy to think short-term, take the long-term view.



Key Quote

“A need seen is an assignment given.” - Pastor Bil Cornelius



Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.
  • What are hobbies you enjoy when you have extra time to rest?
  • What’s your favorite tv-show?
  • Outside of work, what’s a long-term goal you’ve always had?
  • Where do you serve, or would like to serve, in the church?



Start thinking. Ask a thoughtful question.
  • What are ways we can serve each other during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic?
  • Why is it important to keep a long-term mindset even during a crisis?
  • Why is it crucial for us to continue to serve others after we have our "big break"?
  • Why are times of rest so important in the life of the Christian?   


Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.
  • Are you more of a spender or a saver? What can you do to prepare and think long-term that you aren’t already doing?
  • When was the last time that you inconvenienced yourself to serve someone? What was the result?
  • Why can saving sometimes be so difficult?
  • Joseph created a 14-year plan for Pharaoh. Where do you need to take a long-term view over your life?



Start praying. Be bold, and pray with power.

Dear Jesus, thank you for always being in control even when the world seems uncontrollable. Thank you for giving us peace when we focus on serving, the way you did when you walked this earth. In your name we pray, Amen. 



Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
  • God speaks hundreds of times in the Bible about money, which means it’s of significant importance. Are you managing your money well? If not, now is the time to start. Create a budget, begin tithing, start saving, choose wise investments, and think long-term with your life and finances. 
  • In times of panic, servant-hearted people stand out. Find someone who could use a blessing and make a difference in their day. 
  • Joseph had a 14-year plan for Pharaoh. Create a 14-year plan over your life that does the following: (1) brings you closer to the vision God has placed on your heart, (2) considers how your plan serves others, (3) prepares you and your family financially for the next crisis , (4) sets boundaries for how you will represent Jesus wherever you go. Be specific with milestones. Write out your plan, and share it with someone you trust.
  • Crisis and tragedy force us to realize our relationships are more valuable than our own hurts. Take the time now to mend bridges in the relationships that matter the most to you. 


Scriptures

When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Genesis 39:1-2 NLT

Get the facts at any price, and hold on tightly to all the good sense you can get. Proverbs 23:23 TLB

Potiphar was furious ...So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held...But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden...[he] put Joseph in charge of...everything that happened in the prison. The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed. Genesis 39:19-23 NLT

So Pharaoh told Joseph his dream..."God has revealed to Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do.  The next seven years will be a period of great prosperity throughout the land of Egypt.  But afterward there will be seven years of famine so great that all the prosperity will be forgotten in Egypt. Famine will destroy the land. This famine will be so severe that even the memory of the good years will be erased. Genesis 41:17,28b-31

"Therefore, Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and let them collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven good years. Have them gather all the food produced in the good years that are just ahead and bring it to Pharaoh’s storehouses. Store it away, and guard it so there will be food in the cities. That way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come to the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land." Genesis 41:33b-36 NLT 

Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays folly. Proverbs 13:16 NCV

"'Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly...When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept.'"  Genesis 50:17 NLT

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.  No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children." So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. Genesis 50:20-21 NLT

 

 

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