Finishing Well

The Keller family

Jan-March

Trending up - new child in 2019, saving again, motivated for 2020.

Game plan - bible reading plan TUYB, vacation to Alaska, ministry expectations and excitement.

Top of the mountain - joyful, good outlook on life.

Opening months of 2020 was good for many of us. There was something to be thankful for in this new year. We believed we had it all!

We had it all!

Joseph's childhood (Genesis 37)

Favorite child out of Jacob’s 12 sons, recieved the colored robe. Easy life while the other brothers worked in the field.

Dreamed he was going to have more in life.

Filled with joy compared to his envious brothers.

Our 2020 we can agree we had it all. Life was grand, until we truly lost it all.

We lost it all!

March-Dec

Free falling - church service cancelled, events stopped, covid scare.

Day-by-day approach - no plan, no vision of the future.

Living in the valley - anger, fear, pour outlook on life

Joseph's enslavement and imprisonment (Genesis 37-41)

Betrayed and sold by his brothers and sent to Egypt

Potiphar’s wife lands him in jail (abused and accused)

Forgotten and alone

Yet, God wants everyone to finish well, so we do.

We end it well!

Joseph's legacy (Genesis 44-45)

Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dream, stores food for the famine.

Saved his family and forgives them.

Reconciled with his loved ones.

We too can change our outcome with the help of God and finish well.

Finishing well is to see God's goodness in everything.

(Genesis 50:19-20)

Genesis 50:19–20 ESV

19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

How to see God’s goodness?

By seeing how God competes his plans through your highs and lows. God keeps the end in mind.

Finishing well is to forgive those who wrong you.

(Romans 8:28)

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

How to forgive those who wrong you?

Gracing them with God’s mercy and compassion. Overlooking their sins and pray for there hearts to be changed.

Finishing well is to be with God.

(Psalm 23)

Psalm 23 ESV

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

How to be with God?

Dwelling in his presence wherever he leads you while experiencing his blessings and peace.