Opening Prayer: “Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.”
Daily Scripture Reading:
- Jeremiah 29:11-13
- Joel 2:28
- Hebrews 10:35-39
We are about to embark on quite an adventure together. In fact it has all the makings of a great movie; family drama, a murderous plot, devastating secrets, foreign lands, sexual temptation, wrongful accusations, a climatic finale, audacious dreams, and a larger than life hero. Joseph was a “dreamy guy.” The Bible actually describes him in Genesis 39:7 as “well-built and handsome,” but that is not what makes him the star of this tale.
Joseph’s life was set apart by God’s dreams and for God’s purposes. His story will actually point us to the life of Christ. Like Jesus, we will watch Joseph obey through suffering, ultimately saving God’s chosen people. We will witness Joseph living a life of redemption, forgiveness, and reconciliation, foreshadowing Jesus’ earthly and eternal ministry. Joseph dreamed big dreams having no idea the journey those dreams would take him on. But through it all he remained faithful.
However, unlike a mere movie about someone else’s life, Joseph’s story is for us because Joseph’s story can be ours. God has a plan, a purpose, and a dream for each of our lives. Like Joseph will walk hard roads, we will live mundane days, we will have to fight hard for that dream, but in the end, if we remain faithful, the finale will be just as victorious.
The first step in “Living the Dream” is believing that there is one.
Right here at the very beginning you have to decide if you believe that God has a dream and a purpose for your life- not just your godly friend’s life, your pastor’s life, that author you look up to’s life. YOUR life.
In today’s scripture reading, we find that God already knows the plan He has for your good and your future. We see that each of us will find God and learn about His dreams for us when we seek Him with all our heart. In Joel, we read the prophecy that God’s Spirit will be poured out on His people resulting in dreams and visions. I believe that time has come. And finally, in Hebrews we learn that God takes no pleasure in those who shrink back from His purposes for their lives, but like Joseph, the righteous will live by faith.
Are you ready to walk with Joseph down roads filled with both suffering and success? Are you ready to embark on this journey not just for information but for transformation as well? Are you ready to embrace your role in God’s story for your life?
Today’s Big Questions: Do you honestly believe that God has a plan, a purpose, and dream for YOUR life?
Prayer Response: Take a few moments and get honest with God. I promise He can handle it. Tell Him if you doubt that He has a dream for you life. Confess if you have not been seeking Him with your whole heart. Declare to Him that you desire not to shrink back from all He plans to do in you.
Optional Action Step: Write down the top three circumstances or beliefs that keep you from embracing God’s dream for your life. Confess each one to God and either put a big red X on it or rip it up to signify that it no longer holds power on your journey.
Closing Prayer: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21
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