How Some Try To Squelch A Dream (Gen. 37:18-28)

Read Genesis 37:18-28.

Joseph's brothers tried three approaches to eliminate his dream:  kill him (assassination), confine him (pit), sell him.  These tactics are used against "dreamers" today.

1.  Kill -- not physically, but internally.  The main weapons of assassination are gossip, lies, criticism and character generalization.  A dreamer is torn down verbally (to his face and behind his back) until he becomes a walking dead man.  He is still "there" but now he is tamed and in his "proper" place.  Respect, honor and credibility have been stripped.

2.  Confine.  This is done via the "pits" of control and threats.  A leader becomes tolerated but useless.  Everything he says or attempts is sabotaged by votes at the board meeting or influential conversations in the parking lot.  To the leader it seems someone is always watching, ready to trip him up.

3.  Sell. How is a pastor or leader "sold"?  He gets fired because hostile board members were able to convince enough members (who barely attend services or participate in the welfare of the ministry) to vote for the leader's removal.  The root of such wickedness is control.  Some people would rather remain selfish than have to change.

If you are a pastor, department head or ministry leader, you must understand that the above is what can happen to you once you announce and pursue vision.  Those who do not have a vision persecute those who do.

Christmas Dreams (Mt. 1:18-2:23)

Read Matthew 1:18-2:23.

Five dreams are mentioned.  We're not given every detail of each dream, but we are given the gist.

Since God never changes, He is still a Communicator.  He wants to administrate the affairs of your life, and He wants to communicate direction.  In His own time He will speak to you about the what, how, who, when, where, and why.  He might or might not use a dream, but He will communicate.

When He speaks, obey quickly.  Obedience leaves the communication channel open and clear.

Learning From Joseph (Psa. 105:17-19)

Read Psalm 105:17-19.

Joseph was misunderstood, misrepresented and mistreated until the day of fulfillment came.

1. Having a dream or call does not mean exemption from suffering and perseverance.
2. The way you learn to lead is by enduring hardship and remaining true to God.  Disadvantage doesn't mean disqualification.
3. Don't squander your adversity.  God deems it necessary.  To fight against His preferred method of training is to prolong both your deliverance and other people's sustenance.
4. You're not suffering for nothing.  Joseph had a dream, but did he realize the full significance of it?  You suffer for the dream so that others don't suffer during it.

Matthew 1:18-2:23

Read Matthew 1:18-2:23.

What holds the unit together is the motif of dreams.  The five dreams are proof God was watching out for His investment (His Son, Jesus).  Threats were avoided because they were not in God's plan.

1.  What a comfort it is that God knows and controls every danger and detail of your life!

2.  Wait for revelation and guidance.  God knows how to get through to you.  Don't try to figure things out on your own.  Ask, then wait.

3.  It all starts with righteousness (Mt. 1:19).  Joseph wanted to do what was right, not what was convenient or expedient.  When God sees this intent, it pleases Him.  He always responds to the one who responds properly to Him.

4.  God's directing your affairs doesn't exempt you from a lot of movement, inconvenience, effort and self-denial.  It is always profitable to be obedient, but not always fun.

5.  Can God count on you to do the thing you don't want to do?  You don't have to be enthused in order to be obedient.