Today's Readings: New Testament -
Luke 5:17-26 / Acts 10:1-23
Old Testament -
Psalms 17 / Genesis 37-38
Click on Text Links to Read Online
Focus Verses: Genesis 37:9-11
9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me." 10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?" 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.
Insight:
When Joseph told his family about his dreams, his brothers took it as an offense. They all knew Joseph was his daddy's favorite and they were jealous of him. They just assumed his dreams were the crazy ideas of a spoiled kid with an inflated sense of importance.
Even Jacob rebuked Joseph, but he must have wondered what the dreams were about. He remembered that he too had some important dreams as a young man, so he "kept the matter in mind." Was there something to these dreams? What could they be about? Was God up to something new? Did God have some special plan in mind for Joseph?
Response & Action:
Life is full of mysteries and God's work and purpose for our lives isn't always clear to us. I need to be careful to not dismiss the possibilities of big things and important opportunities in my life or the lives of others close to me. God is at work in my life and the lives of my family and friends in ways I cannot begin to know or imagine. I will be open to possibilities, have an open mind, and keep my eyes open to the ways God is leading and moving.
O God, open my eyes to the ways you are leading me. Help me to recognize the ways you are at work in my life. Guide me by your written word, by your Holy Spirit, and by the godly counsel of others who are listening and responding to you. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Resources:
Following After God
by Daniel Hill
