Reading for today
Old Testament: Genesis 37, 38, 39
New Testament: Matthew 13
Thoughts from today’s reading
Genesis 37:5-11. Josephs dreams provoked his brothers and they had it in their heart to kill his dreams. However, even though his father rebuked him for the dream, he kept it in his heart. A compelling dream will receive a reaction, it will stir up dream killers, but it will also activate dream keepers.
Genesis 37:18-22. Josephs brothers spoke words that discussed how they would kill him, but Reuben spoke words also to deliver him from their plans. If Reuben did not speak up, his brother would have killed him rather than put him in the pit.
This is an example of how death and life are in the power of the tongue.
I have a colleague who keeps saying, “I am so stupid”, I always counter, “No you are not”. When we hear words that can harm another, let us be quick to deliver them with words of life.
Matthew 13:10-17. Jesus said, “Whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
The question what exactly do they have? When you read the context He talks about eyes that see and ears that hear. The Jews had eyes which they closed from seeing and ears which they hardened from hearing, this led to them not receiving the salvation of God in Christ.
Whoever has heard Christ will have more, whoever has seen Christ will have more.
Prayers
1. Lord may the dreams you have placed in my life lead me to those who would facilitate their realisation. May your hand guide and protect me against those who seek to destroy your plan for my life.
2. Wherever words of death have been spoken against me, I speak the word of deliverance and life such that any tongue that has risen against me falls to the ground in Jesus name.
3. Heavenly Father, let my ears be open and my heart be alert to speak words of life and deliverance for those who have been condemned and they are unaware of it.
4. Lord Jesus, grant me eyes that are open to see the truth in your word, grant me ears that hear what the Spirit says that I may follow and obey.
“And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.”
Matthew 13:58 NLT
May we never limit the power of God in our lives due to unbelief. Any areas where we are struggling with unbelief, let us ask the Holy Spirit for help to grow in the knowledge of the word of God in that area in order to combat the unbelief