Saturday, January 19, 2013

By: Brandon Bilbo

Dream On

Genesis 37:19

"Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other.

It's time to dream again! No, don't slide back into bed and quit reading today's devotion. Today is the day to revive some dreams that the Lord has placed in your heart. Sometimes dreaming can feel much like a rollercoaster full of twists, turns, ups and downs, jolts of joy followed by thrusts of uneasiness.

When I think of dreamers, I am reminded of Joseph, the subject of today's verse. Joseph was hated by his jealous brothers because of the big dreams and plans that he had for his life to the point that his brothers sold him into slavery.

Then, when he was appointed to oversee a rich official's affairs, he was framed for a crime that he did not commit. Just when he was finding success, he was wrongfully thrown into prison! Can anyone relate to almost achieving your dream to only return to square one?

However, God had a plan for Joseph to prosper! While in prison, he was sought out to interpret Pharaoh's dreams and because of his accuracy, he rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt.

When you dream big like Joseph, you're definitely hopping onto the "ride of your life." Not all will understand your dreams, appreciate your dreams or help you achieve those dreams. Many will, in fact, discourage them.

Regardless, I challenge you today to DREAM ON! Don't give up at the first "NO" or the first negative opinion. Did you know that Henry Ford went through bankruptcy five times before creating Ford? Soichiro Honda was turned down by Toyota for a job as an engineer (oops). When Harland Sanders got his first social security check of $105 at age 65, he was so mad that he started the infamous Kentucky Fried Chicken. Walt Disney was fired by a local newspaper for "lacking imagination" and was turned down 302 times before getting financing for Disney World. Albert Einstein's teachers and parents thought he was mentally handicapped because he did not speak until age 4. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team! The list goes on and on...

What MORE can YOU do with God by your side!

Dear Lord, I thank You that You have awesome plans for my life that break all social, physical, and economical barriers. I pray that You would open doors for my dreams that NO man can shut!

I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen