God's cover letter, applying for Lord of your life (Isaiah 40)

Enjoyed helping my dad this past weekend in the yard. Thinking about building an application that gets quality pictures done fast, cheap and professional quality. While working I was listening to How God Is Fulfilling His Promises In Your Life - Best of Bill Johnson Sermons | Bethel Church

At SALT Praise and Encouragement we talked about Isaiah 40 and A.J. said, "This is God's cover letter or resume" answering the question why should you be Lord of my life. Awesome!

Behold Our God

Faithfulness and Promise
God keeps His promises. Yet He often invites human partnership. Faith responds to what God says.
• Some promises are unconditional (Genesis 12:1–3).
• Many depend on obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1–2).
• God invites us to “fight the good fight” with His promises (1 Timothy 1:18).

Overcoming Fear and Unbelief
Fear and unbelief can block promised blessings. Israel’s refusal at Kadesh-Barnea is the pattern.
• The spies’ fear kept a generation from entering the land (Numbers 13:31–33).
• Unbelief limits what God intends (Hebrews 3:19).
• The “promised land” symbolizes life under God’s reign now (Romans 14:17).

The Battleground of the Mind
Transformation begins in the mind. God shapes character before giving greater assignments.
• Renewing the mind leads to a transformed life (Romans 12:2).
• We take every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4–5).
• Unchecked desires can ruin us before blessing matures (James 1:14–15).
• God refines character before releasing inheritance (1 Peter 1:6–7).

God Works Through Us
Sometimes God intervenes. Other times He waits for our obedience.
• God fights for His people (Exodus 14:13–14).
• Yet He also commands us to act in His strength (Joshua 1:9).
• Our obedience exposes the darkness and magnifies Christ’s victory (Ephesians 3:10).

Prophetic Words as Warfare
Prophetic promises require active stewardship. They confront lies that resist God’s call.
• Timothy was told to wage war with prophetic words (1 Timothy 1:18).
• God’s word is a weapon that destroys strongholds (Ephesians 6:17).
• False humility—self-doubt, self-condemnation—is still pride (James 4:6).

Fervent Prayer
Breakthrough often comes through persistent, passionate prayer aligned with God’s will.
• “The fervent prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).
• Hannah’s desperate pleading brought God’s answer and Samuel’s birth (1 Samuel 1:10–20).
• Jesus teaches persistence in prayer (Luke 18:1–8).
• God rewards those who “cry out day and night” (Luke 18:7).

Bottom Line
God fulfills His promises. Some come without human effort. Many require faith, courage, renewed thinking, and fervent prayer. Scripture consistently shows this: God works for His people and also through His people to bring His purposes to completion (Philippians 2:12–13).

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Faith includes ownership, what you ask for, you agree to carry.

Enjoying The Mystery of Restored Strength - Bill Johnson as I approach starting our 3rd Prayer Course at MNTC Portland House, I'm encouraged to carry what I've asked for in prayer.

Bill says God restores strength not only through waiting, but through sanctified desire. Desire is not a flaw to suppress. It is a God-designed capacity meant to be shaped by intimacy with Him. When we abide in Christ, our desires are refined to reflect His nature, and answered prayer becomes a means by which God reveals Himself in the world. Fulfilled desire is not indulgence. It is partnership. Prayer, then, is not passive asking but responsible co-laboring with God to see His will made visible, producing joy, renewal, and life.

Three Applications

1. Desire What God Desires

• Practice: Abide before you ask. Let Scripture and presence shape your longings.
• Posture: Desire flows from relationship, not impulse.
• Outcome: Your desires become trustworthy because they mirror God’s heart.
• But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! John 15:7
• Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
• Application: Regularly ask, “Is this desire drawing me deeper into Christ and revealing His nature?”

2. Pray With Responsibility, Not Passivity

• Practice: Pray believing you are a steward, not a spectator.
• Posture: Faith includes ownership. What you ask for, you agree to carry.
• Outcome: Prayer becomes alignment with God’s will, not outsourcing it.
•  I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. Mark 11:24 
• You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. John 16:24.
• Application: Write down what emerges in prayer and ask, “What obedience does this require of me?”

3. Expect Renewal Through God’s Goodness

• Practice: Refuse to forget God’s benefits, including personal kindness.
• Posture: Gratitude sharpens spiritual vision.
• Outcome: Strength is renewed as joy is restored, like youth renewed as the eagle’s.
• Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! Psalm 103:2–5
• Application: Track answered prayers and moments of God’s attention to your desires. Let testimony fuel expectation.

Bottom Line

Desire is not the enemy of holiness. Disconnected desire is.

When desire is anchored in Christ and prayer is carried with responsibility, God’s will moves from heaven into lived reality, and joy becomes full.

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Selfish dream matures into a dream for others freedom and God's glory

Every summer I take a break from sharing devotional time with the Lord, reflecting on my walk and patterns of life. Summer is the season of growth, longer days, stormy weather and family gatherings. For my mom's 80th B-day, we digitized the memories captured in photographs via Frameo app. Each sibling got to upload their perspective from past events. I got to see my life from baby to 50 and we celebrated with aunt Lois who is 94, thriving and living independently. 

This morning I'm reminded of Joseph, who had a dream "about himself" - the way he talked about them was offensive to his half brothers (Gen 37:8). But after a life of hardship and adventure Joseph tells his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Gen 50:20). He's dream went from being about himself (Genesis 37:5-7) to being about his people who would live in freedom in the promised land (Hebrews 11:22). "It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left."

For me this brought me to these directional passages:

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Col 3:1-2

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Phil 2:3-5

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.

You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”

No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.

Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.

    I will never abandon you.”

So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper,

    so I will have no fear.

    What can mere people do to me?”

Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. And especially pray that I will be able to come back to you soon.

Now may the God of peace—

    who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,

the great Shepherd of the sheep,

    and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—

may he equip you with all you need

    for doing his will.

May he produce in you,

    through the power of Jesus Christ,

every good thing that is pleasing to him.

    All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to pay attention to what I have written in this brief exhortation.

I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released from jail. If he comes here soon, I will bring him with me to see you.

Greet all your leaders and all the believers there. The believers from Italy send you their greetings.

May God’s grace be with you all. (Hebrews 12-13)

I'm looking forward to having Lane, Chloe and Baby Roman live with us this fall, finishing house repairs and starting a new season in BSF and work. May the Lord increase my vision and let my yes be yes and no be no. 

With my whole heart, Lord let me love You

With my whole heart, none above You

Praise and love You, with my whole heart

With my whole heart, Lord let me hear You

With my whole heart, ever near You

Help me hear You, with my whole heart

With my whole mind, Lord let me love You

With my whole mind, none above You

Praise and love You, with my whole mind

With my whole mind, Lord let me hear You

With my whole mind, ever near You

Help me hear You, with my whole mind

With my whole lift, Lord let me love You

With my whole life, none above You

Praise and love You, with my whole life

With my whole life, Lord let me hear You

With my whole life, ever near You

Help me hear You, with my whole life

God heals our unfaithfulness when we listen and obey him (Book of Hosea)

Lord answers the sky's plea for clouds, the sky answers the earth with rain (Hosea 2:21)

Who are the people of God

John's revelation, received during worship, is explained by Jesus himself

My brother asked me last night if people see Jesus, we talked about the history of art, poetry and testimony. A "cloud of witness" to the faith (Heb 11-13). He just doesn't see it but if Helen Keller could see and hear, than so can he. 

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God appeared to Jacob in a dream at Bethel (Gen 28:10-22)

Jacob dreams and God gives the promise/blessing Gen 28:12, (previously appeared to Abimelek Gen 20:3, will appear to Joseph Gen 37:19)

AIM: God draws near and shows grace to undeserving sinners (Gen 28)

 - Genesis 28:10-12 - Certain place is where Abraham first heard from God and built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD (Gen 12:1-7,8) leading up to his encounter before Sodom burned.

What does pain in the process of spiritual growth reveal about the redemptive power of God?

• Consider trials as pure joy; testing faith perseverance and maturity; ask God for wisdom, complete faith (James 1:2-8) 
• Submit to human authority, do good, free - yet slave to God; holy, righteous, reverent, conscious of God. Suffer for doing good, commendable before God (1 Peter 2:13-22;  Romans 6:18,19,22; Ro 7:25; 1Co 7:22; Eph 6:6; 1Pe 2:16; Matthew 25:46)
• Spiritual Eagerness to do good brings blessing, life, resurrection, Christ as Lord, hope with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:13-22)

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Lamps with Joyful oil (Matthew 25:4, Psalm 45:7)

Reading Matt 22:44-25:46, explaining the Messiah is the Son of Man, yet Lord. Was struck by the phrase "Lord, Lord..."  and "I never knew you" (Matt 7:21-24, 22:44,25:11)

 Matthew 25:4, Psalm 45:7

The Lamp of faith is to hold oil and be used. 

Joyful oil in the work: Matthew 7:24 - Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Joyful oil in the Spirit, a song in my heart: Psalm 45:7-8 - You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy. All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad

 - Joyful oil in the lamp for righteousness: Matthew 7:23 - And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

What does it mean to "regard iniquity in my heart"? It means to keep a sin in one's heart, being unwilling to part with it. Such a person knows something is a sin, yet he continues to cherish it. It is not only a weakness in conduct or appearance but also a craving in the heart. (Sin must be confessed and forsaken, Proverbs 28:13) You must tell the Lord, "I have regarded a sin in my heart. I cannot give it up. I ask You to forgive me. I want to forsake this sin. Please deliver me from this sin. Do not let this sin remain in me. I do not want it. I want to reject it." If you confess to the Lord this way, the Lord will forgive; you will receive forgiveness (and faith, grace and mercy to follow through).

Pulpit Commentary:

...The contrast between the two classes seems to lie in the foresight of the one and the negligent carelessness of the other. It has been common from early times to find in the lamps the symbol of faith, in the oil the good works that proceed therefrom. The wise virgins exercise their faith in charity and good works; the foolish profess, indeed, the faith of Christ but carry it not out to the production of the good works in which God ordained that they should walk (Ephesians 2:10) ...the right solution is to be found in regarding the oil as symbolical of the Holy Spirit, or the graces of God. This is a truly scriptural notion, as declared by the use of this substance in holy rites. Accepting this view, we should say that the ten virgins had so far alike taken and used the grace of God, but that they differed in this - that, while the wise maintained the supply of grace by constant recourse to the means thereof, the foolish were satisfied with their spiritual state once for all, and took no pains to keep their spiritual life healthful and active by the renewal of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. They retained the outward show and form of faith, but neglected the true inward life of faith; they had the appearance without the reality.

In reading this I see two paths, marked by words. One path branches out into "life in the fullest" and the other leads only to hell. Words leading to hell are ignorance, foolishness, neglect... the other knowing Jesus, wisdom, care. The Life in the fullest branches creates a strong mesh, fabric - new clothes. Clothes that fit perfectly, the right clothes for the job, joy with humility. The path that leads to hell leaves us is inappropriately dressed, embarrassed, and shameful.  

Proverbs 11:12 : When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. 

1 Peter 5:5 : Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Thank you lord for my time on the Alpha board. For Brittany, Pete, Joe and Peggy, Matt and Lindsey, Adam, and Brandi. For those who came before us and those who will come after us. May God's grace continue to reach more and more as we distribute his grace in various forms. Amen. 

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Lord, wash my feet

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you?...  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them...  I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. - John 13:12‭, ‬17‭-‬17‭, ‬19 ESV

Seeing a person in slow motion, about to get hit by a truck. I hear the call "Go, it's you who can save their life", yet my feet are frozen.

Why can't I move?
My feet hurt, specifically, my toes hurt. I look at my feet and see what I've known for most of life. My feet are disgusting. So bad that I would leave my socks on for a pedicure. I'm ashamed of my feet.

This year I'm studying Romans. Romans starts with, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, it (the gospel) is the power of God unto salvation." How? God's grace, through faith. How? Faith comes by hearing the word about Christ, carried by feet that bring the good news (gospel) Isaiah 52:7.

Lord wash my feet is a journey I'm taking with the Lord, to heal me, removing what offends him and enable his grace to work in me, for his glory.

My heel has been bruised, but God will crush Satan under my feet

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."

Genesis 3:15 ESV

https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.3.15.ESV

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them... For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Romans 16:17‭,19‭-‬20 ESV

https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.16.17-20.ESV

Applications:
Jesus wants us to be light so that He can be seen to the lost
Trample scorpions, don't collect them (Luke 10:19)

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The Eagle, the Parrot, the Ostrich and the Dove

Last night I had a dream, a dream I've had before. This dream, I've thought to write as a child's book, illustrated, clear and simple. It's a dream of four birds, an eagle, a parrot, an ostrich and a pigeon (dove). While just the sequence of birds seems in and of its self to tell a story. I've felt it good to write it down and maybe someday that child's book will be written if I meet that illustrator who wants to do it.

Thinking about the life, relationships and the kingdom of heaven Jesus said,  "Look at the birds" - Luke 12:22-34

The Eagle
He soars so high, sees so far, effortlessly glides on righteous air. His beauty is that he knows and does, his gifts he gives, he gives from love. In early morning, spots his prey, what he doesn't need he gives away. Is his beauty in mind or strength, or fashioned talons, beak or shape? His cry can be heard from near and far, reaching canyons, heavens, and hearts.

The Parrot
His beauty attracts a pirates heart and when the thief sees him, says "BRAAAK!...there you are." When change is needed, says, "SQUAAK...you can't change" This pretty bird, with clipped wings and a cage, seems content not working for wage. He repeats what he's told, but doesn't do much, might move side to side if he sees lunch. Give him a cracker, he's good for a joke, ask why he does it he'll say, "WHAAAK...look at these folks"

The Ostrich
From mighty descendence, a fierce family tree, he's strong and fast running and taller than me. He brags of the heritage, of dragons he came, like the mighty T-rex, his family name. Flock in a herd, safety in numbers, his nest egg is bigger than any others. When truth looks him up and mirrors show fear, his head dives for sand, his darkness is clear.

The Dove
The most abundant and crowded and not well liked, lonely and sad, picks dirt morning and night. He can't see tomorrow from the mess of today. When a shelter is found, that place will he stay. Not welcomed, despised and no hope in sight, until he is captured and given new light. Taught of a purpose of talent not seen, the pigeon sends messages, is part of a team.

Explanation:
 - Eagle, doing what we know is right from an attitude of thanksgiving and love. Be humble with the gifts given to you, use your voice to praise God and guide people.
 - Parrot, doing wrong or nothing at all just because everyone else is doing it harms you into apathy. But once captured can the Parrot ever survive in the wild? Don't repeat what you're told, but reflect on it.
 - Ostrich, resting on your family's wealth is a sure way to waste the unique talent God has given to you. Make an effort to find out why God has placed you here.
 - Dove, we can all be captured and trained. Be sure what captures you is good. Jesus said from the heart, the mouth speaks. Consider allowing God to capture your heart, rather than sin, the devil or this world. Carry the word of God, delivered and received.

Martin Luther said, "I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."

Update: 2018-01-21
I'm studying God's Sovereignty, Romans 9:18 and was thinking of who God has mercy on and in my own life, who do I have mercy on which brought me to Seven blessings in Revelation explain faith, eternal life and sanctification)... Then I thought about who God hardens, which brought me to my second most popular post: Lamb's seventh seal brings prayer and six trumpets for repentance
Rev 8:13 Then I looked, and I heard a single eagle crying loudly as it flew through the air, “Terror, terror, terror to all who belong to this world because of what will happen when the last three angels blow their trumpets.”
And yesterday my nephew was sharing his experience in Africa with homing pigeons.

Praying God's word for wisdom:
Psalm 25:4-5 - "Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
Psalm 16:7-8 - "I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Psalm 32:8-9 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you."
John 16:13 - "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."

What about wealth?
Luke 12:22-34;Mark 12:41-44;Phil 4:10-19; 1 Cor 9:7-14

update 9-17-2020 Job 39:13-18

13 “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully,

    though they cannot compare

    with the wings and feathers of the stork.

14 She lays her eggs on the ground

    and lets them warm in the sand,

15 unmindful that a foot may crush them,

    that some wild animal may trample them.

16 She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers;

    she cares not that her labor was in vain,

17 for God did not endow her with wisdom

    or give her a share of good sense.

18 Yet when she spreads her feathers to run,

    she laughs at horse and rider.

update 4/18/2021, Hosea 7:11-12 amp

11 Ephraim also is like a silly dove (easily deceived and senseless NIV, witless NLT, gullible NASB, without understanding ASV, decoyed), without heart or good sense;

They call to Egypt [for help], they go to Assyria.

12 When they go, I will spread My net over them;

I will bring them down like birds of the heavens [into Assyrian captivity].

I will chastise them in accordance with the proclamation (prophecy) to their congregation.

 - Jesus said, "I am sending you out... be wise... innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16

 - "...be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil." Romans 16:19

 - Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Matthew 25:2

update 5/27/2021

Isaiah 40:31 ESV 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

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Money, the power of God's word and dreams

NewTribesMission Bible in pictures these pictures in my office remind me of the money, God's word in the lives of people and dreams we have for the children we love.

Money invested in God's plan
The magi traveled a long distance to give expensive gifts in worship to the King of the Jews at his birth (Matthew 2:1-11). God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod (Matthew 2:12). An angel of the Lord also warned Joseph to flee to Egypt and when it was safe to return (Matthew 2:14-23).

Money as golden handcuffs making it impossible for rich men to enter heaven
The rich young ruler bowed to Jesus asking "what must I do to be saved?" Jesus gave this proud man the law of Moses. When Jesus answered give your money to the poor and follow me, he left deeply sad because of his great wealth. Jesus then taught it's impossible for a rich man to enter heaven. The disciples recognized that everyone views himself as wealthy and asked: "who then can be saved?" Jesus said with man it's impossible but with God all things are possible (Mark 10:17-27). The parable of sower Jesus said the deceitfulness of wealth causes God's word to be unproductive in a person life (Matthew 13:22).

Money completely wasted in order to save one person
A demon possessed man is freed from demonic oppression when Jesus sends a legion of demons into 2,000 pigs. The townspeople were afraid and having lost a fortune in pigs asked Jesus to go away (Mark 1:1-20,17).

God's word makes the prisoner savior to his capture
Paul and Silas are in jail because they healed a demon-possessed girl who made money for her owner. They freed her even though she was "helping" them. Even after beatings they praised God, and earthquake freed them and they used their freedom to save the suicidal guard and his household (Acts 16:16-40).

God's word is like a seed scattered by a farmer.
It only takes root and produces fruit when it takes root in the good ground (Luke 8:4-15). Never underestimate the power of God’s Word to change a person’s heart

God's word comes to people who least expect it, saving sinners
The woman at the well John 4:4-42, Jesus ministers to the Samaritan woman at the well

Dreams that guide relationships and give warnings 
Joseph dreamed to keep Mary as wife and that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20). Some dreams matter and we know when they occur (dreams).

Dreams given in children
Jesus said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Children are "good soil" when they receive the gospel and trust God. (Mark 10:13-16)

Dreams given to people who wait their whole life to see it
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
  a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:25-38)

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Jacob favors Joseph and brothers hate him because of dreams

AIM: Plan of God is revealed to Joseph in dreams

AIM: Sometimes God’s plan is not revealed to all family members

Genesis 37:1-11

A) Joseph and his father’s behavior cause brothers to hate Joseph

(37:1) Jacob, Cannon where father stayed

(2) Bringing news of sons, settled with family

(2) Jacob’s family: Joseph 17 bad report of tending flocks w/brothers from wives Bilhah, Zilpah

(3) Love of Jacob on Joseph

(4) Joseph brothers hate him, father loves him more than them

Application: How do I treat my siblings? What actions of mine are adding to negative family relationships? What actions of mine are causing hurt feelings with people in this class? What am I going to do about it today to make things right?

Illustration: Billy pushed over sally yesterday and walked off. Now Sally’s feeling are hurt - how do you think Billy should make things right?

B) (Ten) Brothers feel jealous about Joseph’s dreams

(5) Joseph dream about brothers and he told his brothers

(6-7) Josephs dream: Sheaves of grains, brothers bowed to Joseph

(8) Josephs dream makes them more hate

(9) Joseph dreams again: sun, moon, stars bow

(10) Joseph tells father, brothers - rebuked “what us bow to you?”

(11) Brother jealous, father remembered.

Application: When I receive good things, how will I share these good things?

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