DREAM AGAIN – Part 3
(Proverbs 29:18 MSG) If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.
(Acts 2:17 NIV) “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams
(Genesis 37:5-7 NIV) Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”
(Genesis 37:19-20 NIV) “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”
- Even if it didn’t start off well.
(1 Timothy 1:12-13 NIV) I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
Don’t measure the dream by who you are; measure it by Who your God is!
- Even if the journey is full of surprises.
Joseph had some surprises in his journey.
- Sold into slavery to Potiphar
- Living in a strange country far from home
- Given favor in Potiphar’s house
- Falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife
- Thrown into prison
- Put in charge of all the prisoners
- Forgotten by the cupbearer
- Remained in prison for two more years
- Became second in command in Egypt
(Romans 8:28 NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
- Even if it takes a long time to realize it.
(Habakkuk 2:3 TLB) But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!
(Galatians 6:9 NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Along the Way…
- Recognize and value the process.
(1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT) So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold–though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
(James 1:2-3 NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
- Refuse to let offense stop me.
(Luke 17:1 NKJV) Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come…
(Genesis 50:20 NIV) You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
(Ephesians 6:12 NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
- Remember God is always with me.
(Genesis 39:2 NIV) The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered…
(Genesis 39:20-21 NIV) But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor…
(Psalms 139:8-10 NIV) If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
(Psalms 46:1 NIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
(Isaiah 43:2 NIV) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
(Isaiah 43:5a NIV) Do not be afraid, for I am with you…
(Matthew 28:20b NIV) …And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”