Tag: dream

When God began the series of Out of the Mouth of Babes with me, another unlikely candidate was featured: Joseph. Very much like David, he was chosen by God for greatness (to reign and rule as king in Life … to lead). For Joseph, it all started with a dream! A God-given dream! A dream no different than the one every Babe (believer of God) is given: Revelation 5:10, Revelation 20:6.

I caught a glimpse of what the HolySpirit was teaching me … the song He wanted me to sing. Like the very theme of God’s song, Joseph was surrounded by Love: a humble lily of the valleys … he lived among thorns, he grew in deep and difficult places –SOS 2:1-2A(TPT, AMPC) – YET, he was sustained by the Grace and Peace of the Love of God.

I went in search of the perfect picture and found an image online that captured the key message of this blog exactly! It was a fitting Joseph theme expressed in art – a goodly theme. However, it wasn’t until this morning that I was inspired by God, through the words out of the mouth of a Babe (aka Esther’s Mom), to get to war work and fight take flight like the pen of a ready writer –Psalm 144:1 (KJV),Psalm 45:1(KJV) … to take flight and do (be) the things –Ephesians 2:10(AMP/C, CEB).

Like David, God set Joseph apart –God took Joseph for Himself. God singled him out from his brothers and favored him. This unmerited favor of God (Grace) is What Who established Joseph as the first in Jacob’s line even though he wasn’t the first biological son – Joseph was the 11th.

Fascinating! The history of Jacob’s family began with his 11th, 17-year-old, Son.

Joseph was loved by Jacob (the one God loves). He had the favor of a father’s love … the favor of an only Son. He was the Son of Jacob’s Love – yes, Rachel but more so God (the One Who loves Jacob with an everlasting Love … with Himself). In the same way that He revealed things to Jacob(Genesis 28:11-17), God also revealed things to Joseph – God showed Joseph things in the form of dreams. God gave him insightful promises.

Being the Babe that he was (yes, he was but a lad and young in age, but he was more so a believer of God – always coming to God anew), out of his mouth came the things God showed him – he said them loudly (unashamedly i.e. not quietly), joyfully, and unreservedly.This got Joseph in trouble!

Actually, God showing him wonderful things is what got him in trouble. I say this because when God reveals things to you, especially things to go public with, you can NOT but share – it is uncontainable! Ask Jeremiah, he knows what I’m talking about (Jeremiah 20:9, 31:26) – he too got in trouble for saying the things God revealed to him out loud.

🗝Take Away:The God-given words out of your mouth will sometimes get you in trouble – this too is as designed by God.

I read this 👆 verse today – it both stood out and ministered to me. It helped me see aspects of the Ways of Faith (God’s Ways). As Babes, the words out of our mouth (the words we speak – be it in thoughts, speech, and/or deeds) are (and should be) words of Faith – words of the Knowledge of God, words of the evidence of certainty (Hope) … of the things God has given us (His promises, His blessings, His teachings) – words to live by and walk in.

Our God-given Faith will be tried, tested, and proved. Like Joseph, every Babe will walk the Ways of Faith. We will each fight the Good fight of Faith along the Way. We will encounter things that God will use to un-do as well as re-pair us with what He showed and/or told us. This repeat un-do and re-pair process is the testing or perfecting of Our Faith. We will come across nations, mountains, and situations seemingly greater and mightier than we are. Nevertheless, in the battle between the “powerful” and the weak, God is our Help. He helps us even when we are seemingly outnumbered –2 Chronicles 14:11… His Grace is sufficient.

The Familial Thorn

Already disliked for being a Father’s favorite, Joseph was even more so disliked by his brothers for out-rightly saying the things God showed him(Genesis 37:3-11).

🗝Take Away:Not everyone will like (speak peaceably to or about) you for saying the Truth (what God told you). Some will actually dislike you for sharing your dream (what God showed you, the vision God gave you – that which God caused your eyes to see). Included in the “some” might be close relatives, even the brothers whose job it is to be there with/for you in the days of adversity.Do NOT let this blind-side you. Instead,hold to the Faith(word/vision) God gave you.

Joseph’s trial (the testing and perfecting of his Faith) began with his brothers’ dislike and lack of support – they actually conspired to kill him. Judah (one of his brothers) had a “bright” idea and proposed to the other brothers (who agreed) that Joseph be sold in stead … and so he was. They sold Joseph to a group of Arabian merchants, who in turn sold him as a slave to Potiphar: a captain and chief executioner of Pharaoh’s royal guard.

The Flesh

In spite of being knocked down (dressed down) by his brothers to the lowly estate of a slave and servant, the Help and Favor of a Father (in this case, God: The Father) was always present with him –Genesis 38:2– God’s enduring PRESENCE and support overshadowed him like a cloak. Resultingly, Potiphar favored him – Joseph was put in charge of Potiphar’s house. Even here,in a place where Joseph was favored by God and thus man, there was trouble… another testing of his Faith, another trial: Mrs. Potiphar! She dressed Joseph down in more ways than one – she no doubt did a number on him.

Potiphar’s wife (representing the desires of the flesh) wanted to have her way with Joseph. Day after day, she lured him but he didn’t yield. Thereafter, she falsely (wrongly) accused Joseph – he was framed because he didn’t do her bidding. It didn’t matter that he was upright or that he did the right thing, Joseph was knocked/dressed down yet again – this time, to a prison cell/uniform(Genesis 38:7-20)… he was punished for doing the right thing.

🗝Take Away:The flesh will NOT applaud or give you credit for being upright. Furthermore, you won’t always be honored, praised, or found blameless by man for Grace-fully doing the right thing … you might actually be punished for doing the right thing – this too is the Way of (the testing of our God-given) Faith.

Joseph went FROM being a Son with (1) dreamy eyes, (2) an outlandish colorful coat, and (3) beautiful words (words backed up by God’s Name) flowing out of his mouth TO a slave-turned-prisoner … ALL because of what God caused his eyes to see … ALL because he spoke out of the fullness of Faith … ALL because he could not keep his mouth shut … ALL because he lived out loud the God-colors given to him by God (his Heavenly Father) – a reflection of which is seen by the coat of many colors that his earthly father gave him. Although his coat of many colors was long stripped from him, God was with Joseph. He had on his all-purpose garment –Colossians 3:14(AMPC, MSG) … he continued in the Father-Son Love of God –John 15:9 (AMPC) – this knowledge of God was the coat of armor protecting and sustaining him: the Shield of Faith, the Dew surrounding and assuring him of what was to come.

The Prison

As it was in Potiphar’s house, God was with Joseph and gave him favor in the sight of the warden. In no time, Joseph was put in charge of the prison (Genesis 39:21-23)… all the prisoner’s were committed to Joseph’s care – two of whom were the king’s butler and baker. On the same night, both men had a dream they each could not interpret – it was a frustrating ordeal to say the least. Proverbs 19:2A says that desire without knowledge is not good; I think the same is true of dreams without God-given interpretation or understanding. They result in a deep-seated restlessness (noise or lack of peace). Finding them in this state, Joseph asked why they were troubled … they told him why: “there’s no one to interpret our dream“.

🗝Take Away:If God gives you a dream, vision, or word that you don’t quite understand or are not clear on what it means in practice. Do not rage … don’t be frantic or unsettled. Instead, ASK Him about it. SEEK His Face … His Peace. God CAN (plus He wants to) tell you what it means … He wants to give you a favorable answer of Peace. This Peace surpasses all human understanding and enables us habitually practice Faith –Hebrews 13:20-21(AMPC).

Joseph responded by glorifying God … he responded by sharing his Faith (his knowledge of God). He knew, from personal experience, that interpretation of dreams belongs to God because this was his God-given gift. Joseph’s good and perfect gift from God wasn’t just the dreaming of dreams … it was also (and more so) the interpretation of dreams – the ability to explain the meaning of information, words, or actions … the ability to translate, transliterate, or transcribe them in understandable terms. So here he was, on his way to his God-given dream, in a place where dreams go to die or meet their end, Joseph was presented with the opportunity to glorify God with his gift – and so he did. By the Grace of God, Joseph interpreted their dreams.

🗝Take Away:Let your responsealways glorify God. The need for your God-given gift may come up in the least likely place. No matter your station, let your God-given gift speak … let it give. Let your light so shine that it may glorify your Heavenly Father (The Father of Light) – Matthew 5:16.

The Palace

Three days later, the king’s butler and baker were back in the palace – Pharaoh threw a party for all his servants because it was his birthday. As Joseph Grace-fully interpreted, the butler (according to his dream) was restored to service … the baker? well, not so much. According to the interpretation of his dream, the baker was hanged. In all this and for the next two years, the butler made no mention of Joseph – in other words, he was forgotten … BUT NOT by God.

Two years later, Pharaoh had two dreams, both of which neither he nor his magicians or wise men could interpret. Appointedly, the butler who had long-forgotten Joseph re-membered him to Pharaoh. Moments later (well, it wasn’t quite immediate – Joseph first had to shave and all … then), Proverbs 18:16 happened. Joseph’s God-given gift opened doors for him (i.e. the prison doors, the palace doors, Pharaoh’s doors). There he was, in the presence of a great man namely the king of Egypt. Here too, the words out of Joseph’s mouth were God-glorifying. When the king said to him: “I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream and interpret it“, Joseph said:

Joseph acknowledged God. Enabled by Grace, he (1) let Pharaoh know that his dreams were God’s way of showing him what was to come, (2) interpreted the king’s dreams, … and (3) advised Pharaoh on what to do. Howbeit unsolicited by Pharaoh, this third part was orchestrated by God – it was the expression of the leader that Joseph was set apart by God to be for God … for the display and expression of God’s Glory (Name).

The God-glorifying, peace-giving wisdom (or words of Faith) out of Joseph’s mouth revealed God to Pharaoh: Pharaoh saw and acknowledged God in Joseph – Matthew 5:16 happened! Isaiah 60:3B happened! Immediately, Pharaoh appointed Joseph as governor – Joseph was put in charge of the palace and ALL of the land of Egypt(Genesis 41:17-44)… Joseph was dressed up – esteemed and adorned with royalty and authority, there was a parade and everything.

Living The DREAM Alas! A Dream Come True!

It is important to note thatJoseph had been living the dream all along– every where he went, Joseph was always put in charge … to lead. Although he wasn’t the first (he wasn’t Reuben, Potiphar, the Warden, or Pharaoh … he wasn’t the figurehead) YET he was the first … he was the oneleading– first in his family (placed ahead of his brothers), on the field (shepherding … leading at 17), then at Potiphar’s house, in prison, in the palace, and ultimately over Egypt!

Following his appointment as governor came the 7 years of fruitfulness (as depicted in Pharaoh’s dream). Thereafter came the start of the next 7 years of famine (also as depicted in Pharaoh’s dream). There was an abundant supply of food in Egypt however, the grass wasn’t greener on the other side – the land of Canaan where Joseph’s father (Jacob) and brothers were.

Upon Jacob’s request, the 10 brothers (who were in cahoots with the selling of Joseph and/or the covering up of said sale) went to Egypt to buy food – accurately put, they went to Joseph to buy food (Joseph was in charge of sales). Positioned before Joseph but not recognizing him, all 10 brothers bowed themselves down before him with their faces to the ground! A dream come true!

At age37… after7years of appointment as governor, Genesis 37:7 happened!

🗝Take Away:Numbers 23:19– what God told you (His Word of Promise to you) … what God showed you or caused your eyes to see and your heart to desirously believe (the dream or vision He gave you) will surely come to pass by the self-fulfilling power of His Word 💖. This is one of the many truths that Joseph’s story reveals about God and His ways of working. The dream God gave Joseph came true in spite of the plot, twist, and turns … in spite of all he endured in between.

The In-Between

This is where every Babe’s Faith(knowledge of God)will be tested by trials.

The time between when God gave Joseph Hope (a heavenly reality) – the first dream, AND when it actually happened here on earth was a looooooooooong 20 years by my calculation. Howbeit protracted, every part of the plot, twist, and turns (including the betrayal that landed Joseph in Egypt) was orchestrated by God for GOOD.

Along the way, there were trials, hardships, battles – perhaps battles of the mind with doubt: “did I really see what I saw?” … “did I imagine seeing it because I desired it so?” … “what if I misinterpreted what I saw?”. OR the illusion of blame: “I must have done something wrong for this to be happening to me” … “IF only I had kept my mouth shut and didn’t walk around living the dream in my colorful coat or go about professing my knowledge of God, MAYBE I won’t be in this ordeal”.

I don’t know if Joseph thought these things, I know for sure that I would and I have. Nevertheless, I am encouraged to walk the Ways of Faith knowing that (1) God is with me, and (2) His expected end (Hope: things not yet seen) is sure … it is certain.

Romans 5:3-4 tells us to rejoice amidst the pressure, affliction, and trials of the in-between BECAUSE they produce Patient Endurance. This in turn develops and forges the tempered steel of the virtue of Faith (the Faith of the Son/Word of God) – the very Sword of the Spirit that the HolySpirit wields in service to God. This approved virtue (Faith) grows in Peace and results in Hope!

While he was in the in-between place, it is safe to say that Joseph lived from within NOT without … he walked the path God set before him NOT by sight (the outside appearance of his situation) NOR by his own understanding of the happenings around him. By the Grace of God, he walked his God-appointed path through Faith – through the knowledge of God … of His Love and Righteousness (what God has already done). Joseph blindly trusted God. Joseph kept his eyes wide shut and fixed on God. In other words, Joseph kept on dreaming.

To every Babe in the in-between,may we be continually strengthened with all power according to the Might of God’s Glory (the Glory-Strength that God gives) to exercise every kind of Patient Endurance with joyful Hope … to stick it out over the long haul … to endure the naturally unendurable … and to take part in everything bright and beautiful that God has for us –Colossians 1:11-12 (MSG).

Keep dreaming by living the dream out loud (in thought, word, and action) while you wait for it. Though it may tarry, your God-given dream (heaven-born realities that have their foundation in the Holy being of God) will surely come to pass. Confess it, profess it, live it out loud.Let your Faith-Life speak … out loud and in the open.TAKE FLIGHT and DO (BE) THE THINGS–Ephesians 2:10(AMP/C, CEB). Dream-talk with Faith guiding your every thought, speech, and decision. Dream-walk with Faith guiding your every step and action … follow your God-given dream. Shut out every contrary experience by keeping your eyes on Jesus Christ, the Author (Writer) and Perfecter (Finisher, Beautifier) of your God-given Faith.