How many of life’s lessons have You learned through the “school of hard knocksâ€? I’ve certainly learned a few that Way . They make Great testimonies—if You survive them , but I don’t recommend it . 
<p>
There’s a better Way ! God’s Word is full of the Good and Bad experiences of men and women of old , placed there as examples for You and me . I decided a long Time ago that a study of those examples is a much better Way and a lot less painful Way to learn .
<p>
Through the study of their Lives , I Know I have gained the Wisdom and Understanding to make decisions that have allowed me to avoid many of the hard knocks that come through trial and error . 
<p>
First Corinthians 10:11 Says ,
 <br>
“Now All these things happened unto them for ensamples [examples]: and they are written for our admonition , upon whom the ends of the world are come .â€
<p>
One of my favorite Characters is Joseph . Next to Jesus , Joseph may be the greatest example of godly Character and Integrity in the Bible . 
<p>
Joseph’s story began with a Dream at the age of seventeen . He knew the Dreams he was having were from the Lord and that they revealed God’s Purpose and plans for his Life . Genesis 37:6-7 and 9 Say ,
<p>
“And he [Joseph] said unto them [his Family ] , Hear , I Pray You , this Dream which I have dreamed: For , Behold , we were binding sheaves in the field , and , lo , my sheaf arose , and also stood upright ; and , Behold , your sheaves stood round about , and made obeisance [bowed] to my sheaf .â€
<p>
“And he dreamed yet another Dream , and told it his brethren , and said , Behold , I have dreamed a Dream more ; and , Behold , the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me .â€
<p>
Joseph Believed what the Lord had spoken , and he immediately announced it to his Family : “God told me that All of You Will bow down to me someday!â€ Some Believe that Joseph made a mistake when he shared this Vision , but I Believe he was simply excited about Hearing from the Lord and shared it in simple Faith and humility , Not Arrogance . 
<p>
However , this Bold Announcement Only served to draw his father’s Rebuke and feed his brothers’ growing hatred . ( Gen . 37:8 , 10-11 ) .
<p>
Joseph had heard from God . He Now had a Purpose , or a Vision , for his Life , even if it wasn’t Received by others . You were Created for a Divine Purpose as well! God may Not Speak to You through a Dream , but if You Will become determined to Know His plan for your Life , He Will reveal it to You . 
<p>
As long as You can Live without knowing His Will for your Life , You Will . If you’re Not fulfilled in what your doing , even if things seem to be going well , don’t wait any longer ; don’t Settle for anything less than knowing God’s Purpose for your Life . The Bible makes it very clear in Ephesians 5:17 where it Says ,
<p>
“Wherefore be ye Not unwise , but Understanding what the Will of the Lord is .â€
<p>
Not Only Will the pursuit of your Vision bring fulfillment , it Will keep You on track . Joseph’s Vision kept him on track during very difficult Times and when faced with Great Temptation . Proverbs 29:18 Says it this Way ,
<p>
“Where there is no Vision , the people cast off restraintâ€ ( American Standard Version ) .
<p>
Your God-given Dream , or Purpose , Will inspire You , motivate You , and Help restrain your Flesh in the absence of any evidence that it’s coming to pass . And don’t be surprised if some of your fiercest opposition comes from those close to You . It did for Joseph .
<p>
Joseph understood that what God had spoken to him and declared about him was True no matter what the Circumstances indicated . Genesis 39:2 is one of my favorite verses in All of Scripture because it defies the Logic of Joseph’s Circumstances . It Says ,
<p>
“And the LORD was with Joseph , and he was a prosperous man ; and he was in the house of his Master the Egyptian .â€
<p>
God’s Word declares that Joseph was “a prosperous man .â€ This was at a Time in his Life when He was serving as a slave! His own brothers had sold him into Slavery and told his Father he was Dead . No longer the wealthy , well-dressed , favorite Son , Joseph Found Himself on an auction block in a foreign land , stripped of everything—including his clothes . 
<p>
His Rich Egyptian Master stood beside him with All of the extravagance that came with Abundant Wealth , but the Bible Forever records Joseph as being the truly prosperous one . That’s Awesome!
<p>
God views Prosperity much differently than we do! Material things are Not indicative of Prosperity . True Prosperity is knowing that God is with You . True Prosperity is keeping His Vision Alive in your Heart . True Prosperity is Not Wealth itself but God’s Favor , anointing , and Power that Work in your Life to obtain it . Deuteronomy 8:18 Says ,
<p>
“Thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee Power to get Wealth , that he may establish his Covenant .â€
<p>
Joseph Believed he was prosperous because he knew Prosperity came from God , Not man . He had an Image on the inside that was Not affected by Circumstance , and it Enabled Joseph to operate in Faith . Instead of licking his wounds and complaining , Joseph served others and ministered wholeheartedly to their Needs . As he diligently labored , God Blessed the Work of his hands .
<p>
If Joseph could do it , so can You . You have the same Power dwelling on the inside of You that raised Jesus from the Dead . Joseph didn’t have that . Begin to See yourself as God Sees You , a prosperous person , regardless of your Physical Circumstances . 
<p>
Recognize and acknowledge the Fact that God is with You , that You are anointed and highly favored . Serve others with All your Heart as unto the Lord . Eliminate murmuring and complaining , and replace them with Praise and thankfulness , knowing God Will complete what He has begun in your Life .
<p>
Joseph maintained his Integrity . Recognizing the Favor and Presence of God in his Life , Joseph’s Master soon appointed him manager over his entire house . Genesis 39:6 Says ,
<p>
“And he Left All that he had in Joseph’s hand ; and he knew Not ought he had , Save the bread which he did eat . And Joseph was a goodly person , and well favoured .â€
<p>
Potiphar trusted Joseph completely! However , the master’s wife began to solicit this handsome young man to Lie with her . This had to be very tempting for a slave in his position , but Joseph refused to Give in—no matter what the cost! 
<p>
He maintained his Integrity , but it was Not rewarded . In Fact , he got Just the opposite . In her anger at Joseph’s rejection , Potiphar’s wife lied to the Master .
<p>
“And it came to pass , when his Master heard the Words of his wife [false accusations against Joseph] ,… [he] took him , and put him into the prison , a Place where the king’s prisoners were boundâ€ ( Gen . 39:19-20 ) .
<p>
Joseph was able to maintain his Integrity because he was Not concerned with what man thought . He did Not Consider the Benefits or consequences of his actions based on what Potiphar , his Master , might do . Notice his reasoning in Genesis 39:9 . It Says ,
<p>
“How then can I do this Great Wickedness , and Sin against God?â€
<p>
His main concern was what God would Think . He understood that he was Accountable to God and that the fulfillment of his Dream was completely dependent upon God .
<p>
Joseph lived a God-dependent Life , and he lived it in the midst of Great adversity . He knew his future rested in the hands of the Lord . Psalm 75:6-7 Says ,
<p>
“For promotion cometh neither from the east , nor from the west , nor from the south . But God is the Judge : he putteth down one , and setteth up another .â€
<p>
Joseph’s Life was about to take another turn . His dependence on God would open a door that would literally Change History and become an even greater display of his Character . 
<p>
The chief butler and the chief baker of the King of Egypt offended their Lord , the King of Egypt , who then had them thrown in prison with Joseph . There they both had a Dream but no one to interpret them ( Gen . 40:1-7 ) . Joseph demonstrated his Trust and dependence in the Lord by stating ,
<p>
“Do Not interpretations belong to God? tell me them , I Pray youâ€ ( Gen . 40:8 ) .
<p>
The Lord gave Joseph the interpretation , and both came to pass . The butler kept his job , and the baker Lost his head . In spite of the Miracle of these interpretations , the butler said nothing of Joseph for two years . Most people would have given up , but Not Joseph ; he knew God’s plan would be fulfilled . 
<p>
Then the Pharaoh Himself had a Dream that All the magicians of Egypt could Not interpret . God was about to take Joseph from rags to riches in one inspired moment . When the King learned of Joseph’s ability to interpret Dreams , he sent for him and asked if he could interpret his Dreams . Joseph was ready . He confidently answered in Genesis 41:16 saying ,
<p>
“It is Not in Me : God shall Give Pharaoh an answer of Peace .â€
<p>
Joseph , by the Spirit , interpreted the king’s Dream . Equally as important , the King realized the Spirit of God was in Joseph . His response is recorded in Gen . 41:39-40 , which Says ,
<p>
“And Pharaoh said unto Joseph , Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee All this , there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house , and according unto thy Word shall All my people be ruled: Only in the Throne Will I be greater than thou .â€
<p>
Promotion had truly come from God . Immediately , Joseph Found Himself promoted to a position of Power , second Only to Pharaoh . It’s important to Understand that Joseph had either been serving as a slave or was imprisoned for seventeen years after the Time that his Purpose was revealed and before it was fulfilled . 
<p>
It’s so tempting to become weary or impatient and abandon the Vision for an easier Way . But don’t do it and you’ll Reap . Galatians 6:9 Says ,
<p>
“And let us Not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall Reap , if we faint Not .â€
<p>
If You continue to Read in Genesis , You Will find that Joseph remained dependent on God , and he Never Lost his Way in the midst of such Power and Wealth . He kept his God-given Vision Alive , served others wholeheartedly , and remained totally dependent on God . Why , because he had a Vision that had Not yet been fulfilled . God was going to use this slave to Save his Family and a nation .
<p>
It was nine years from the Time Joseph was placed in Power before his brothers came to Egypt seeking Help . Think of the options that were available to Joseph . If he wanted revenge , he could have taken it . He could have acted in Pride and demanded an audience with his Father and brothers , humiliating them and forcing them to bow before him . 
<p>
But Joseph did nothing ; he refused to act in the Flesh and remained dependent on God . How many of us would have exercised that kind of restraint? Not many .
<p>
Through Joseph’s example , I’ve recognized the importance of seeking God even more when things are going well . Prosperity and Success Will Test your Character infinitely more than hardship! When you’re in trouble and your back is against the wall , You Know You Need Help . 
<p>
But did You Know that Success has corrupted more Individuals than hardship ever has? It’s Prosperity that often causes people to Lose sight of their God-given Vision or to attempt to bring it to pass through their own natural ability . Even with extreme Wealth and Power at his disposal , Joseph waited on the Lord and watched in Faith as He brought the Dream to fulfillment!
<p>
“And when Joseph came Home , they [his brethren] brought him the present which was in their hand into the house , and bowed themselves to him to the earth .â€ ( Gen . 43:26 )
<p>
The story of Joseph is Power packed , full of Wisdom and Truth . I Believe every Christian Needs to study his story again and again . To Help You , I produced a series called Lessons from Joseph . These Revelations have changed me , inspired me , and helped develop Character within me . I Believe they Will do the same for You .
<p>
-- Andrew Wommack <br>
Capitalization of keywords by Randy Lucas