PRAYER - "Silent Prayer"
Throughout the Bible, God's word and God's spirit are interchangeable terms. The spirit and the word of God are the same. His word speaks, but His word also listens. If you think DNA defines human life, you would be shocked to know how MORE definitive God's word is than DNA! His spirit communicates His word silently to our hearts, but OUR hearts also communicate our words silently to Him. Watch your thoughts!
Hebrews 4:12 - "...the word of God is quick, and powerful, ...and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
PRINCIPALS - "Joseph"
Jacob's favorite son was Rachel's firstborn - Joseph. His brothers were jealous and hostile toward him because of his father's favor. At seventeen years old, Joseph dreamed two dreams that would eventually catapult him into world recognition for all time. Think of it! A divinely-ordered, profoundly significant destiny was inaugurated in a seventeen year-old boy. It all began with his father's love. We should take extreme care to pronounce blessings on those we love!
Genesis 37:5 - "And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more."
PRINCIPLES - "Coat of Many Colors"
Men often resent those who receive special favor. Joseph's brothers hated his father's favor. Korah hated Moses' favor. Saul hated David's favor. Along with God's favor comes a heavy burden of the reproach of men. People commit grievous acts against those who have favor. Lucifer killed Jesus on that premise. That is why true saints have to suffer: "Hated for my name's sake."
Genesis 37:3 - "Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours."
PROPHECIES - "Sweet Adversity"
When a man is fulfilling his prophetic destiny, even the bad times are good. Although Joseph's brethren hated him and sold him to slave-traders, God's purpose could not be averted. "For we know that ALL things work together for the good..." Like Daniel in Babylon, God never loses track of a faithful man, even in the most evil places. The blessing follows.
Genesis 39:4 - "And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand."
Expect a Harvest
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
– Luke 6:38
I have heard Randy Crowley say this a lot, “Give and it shall be given unto you.” That statement came straight from the mouth of Jesus. Yet there are a great many believers who flatly refuse to believe it. In fact, they actually have the mistaken idea that it’s wrong to expect to receive when they give.
The truth is—it’s wrong not to!
What would you think about a farmer who planted seeds, then let his crop rot in the field? You’d think he was a fool, wouldn’t you? And if he did it when others were starving, you’d think he was criminally irresponsible.
Well, it’s just as irresponsible to give financial seeds and ignore the harvest God promised. Especially when that harvest could help send the gospel to people who are starving to hear it. It’s just as wrong to ignore the key to prosperity that Jesus Himself gave us as it is to let a wheat crop rot in the field.
God wants us to receive from the financial seeds that we plant. He wants us to be prepared to require no aid ourselves and to be “furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation” (2 Corinthians 9:8, The Amplified Bible). He wants us to have plenty—not so we can hoard it selfishly—but so we can give generously.
Next time you give, don’t be afraid to expect a harvest! Release your faith for the financial rewards Jesus promised. Then, when they come, turn right around and plant them again. Keep the flow of giving and receiving going so that the Lord can bless the world through you!
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