I HAVE A DREAM

 

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, 2 when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.  5 He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6 After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.  8 In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.

 

Lesson one:  God’s timing is perfect it would take two more years for everything to fall into place.  Joseph had to wait.  But he was faithful.  When you are in that time of waiting here are some things you need to do.

 

5 Things to Do While You Wait on God

 

REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN THE PAST

 

As my life has unfolded, I see that God’s hand has been in every single step, and that His plans were so much better than I even expected. Now, while I wait, I’m learning to deepen my trust in Him, and to remind myself of His faithfulness.

 

DEEPEN YOUR PRAYER LIFE

Why worry when you can pray? We’ve all heard that one before. But how true is that? Why over-analyze my future, when I have the opportunity to impact my future by calling on the supernatural, most-high God?  God is so big, I want to learn to connect with Him , to communicate with Him, and to spend time with Him while I wait—

 

DEAL WITH YOUR BAGGAGE

I think the period of waiting can be a huge time of healing and growth.   He was working out my sin, refining my heart and fanning the flame of His Spirit inside of my life.

 

 

DREAM BIG

 

 I don’t always dream big or expect great things.  But I want to see this time of waiting as a time to ask God to take me where He wants me to go—“ I want to trust Him to do everything that I can’t do. I want to dream big.

 

SPEND TIME IN WORSHIP

 

it’s about realizing that over every moment in our lives, He is already victorious.  No matter where I am, I want a life that’s marked not by waiting, but by worshiping. He deserves that and so much more.  Joseph I believe did this.  He was also faithful where he was.  Be faithful like Joseph and your time will come.

 

Pharaoh had his two dreams.  He woke up and was troubled.  Remember last time we were together we learned that the Egyptians had a dream book with red being important dreams, black being bad dreams.  They had who groups who were dedicated to the interpretations of dreams.  So he calls all these wise men and magicians.  He told them his dreams but no one could interpret them.  This is God’s moment.  Remember God moves behind the scenes.  One last thought.  When something is of God only men of God can interpret it.  That is why discernment and judging prophecy, tongues and interpretation is so important.  We need the word, prayer, the Holy Spirit and those who possess the gift to interpret it.  This was of God and so the devil’s crowd would never be able to interpret it.  Joseph was the only man of God around.

 

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. 10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. 11 Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 12 Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. 13 And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.”

 

Lesson Two:  When it is God’s timing even those who may have ignored, forgotten or even cursed you can become a channel in which God works.  The cupbearer remembers Joseph, his abilities and the outcome of his gifts.  God was putting all things together.  Remember God can make a way where there is no way.  God is the mover and shaker of all things.  Everyone will submit sooner or later to His sovereignty.  You will get to where God wants you to be in His timing.  All you are required is to love God, seek His will, be a channel of blessing and stay faithful.  Micah had something great to say about this.  He said in Micah 6:8,   He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  Great advice.

 

So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.  15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”  16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

 

Lesson Three:  Joseph was sent for.  He brought out of the dungeon, shaved and changed his clothes.  Now why would joseph have to shave?  The Egyptians were clean shaven, wore wigs and believe in hygiene.  Joseph could not go before the king as he was.  A little lesson here, know now how to work in the world you live in.  What is fashion, culture, ideas, philosophy and values.  It does not mean you join them but understand them.  Paul said, I become all things to win all men.  Now when Joseph was brought before the king, the king acknowledged his gifts and talents but notice what Joseph did.  First, he said, He did not take credit for what God had given Him.  He did not take credit for the gifts, talents and abilities he had.  He knew they were from God.  This is humility.  Next, he directed the king to the one true God.  Not the gods of Egypt which had failed.  Joseph was here because of his faith, trust and love for God.  I love John’s reaction when they asked him about Jesus.  He said, Jesus must increase and I must decrease.  This attitude was his steeping stone and ours to big dreams and blessings.  He said, God will give you the answer you desire.

 

17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river. 18 Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. 19 Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. 20 And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. 21 When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke. 22 Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven [a]heads came up on one stalk, full and good. 23 Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. 24 And the thin heads devoured the seven good heads. So I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

 

Lesson Four:  The King then tells Joseph the dreams.  He then explains that the wisemen and magicians could not explain the dreams.  I can see these Egyptian occult leaders hanging on every word.  They have been excluded from seeing the truth because these were dreams given by God.  The world will never grasp what God is doing.  If the devil would have grasp what God was doing he would never have put Christ to death.  Remember that which is flesh is flesh, that which is spirit is spirit.  When something is of God the world, the flesh and the devil will never get it.  The Bible is closed to people until they are born again.  It is myths, legends and words.  The Bible condemns sins; therefore, sinners do not enjoy reading it. Deeds of darkness do not enjoy exposure to light. “Everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:20).  Some Minds Are Cluttered with Other Things.  Some Are Prejudiced against It. If we wear sunglasses, the world looks dark. When we put shades over our mind’s eye, the Gospel light becomes dim. Many come to the Bible with their minds already made up as to what it says.  But once you become a Christian the Bible is life, food, water and sustenance for the soul. 

 

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good [b]heads are seven years; the dreams are one. 27 And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. 28 This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. 29 Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; 30 but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. 31 So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. 32 And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

 

Lesson Five:  Joseph tells Pharaoh that God gave him the dream.  Both dreams are the same.  A time of plenty is coming and then a time of famine.  The famine will be so severe that all the good times will be forgotten.  The dreams were repeated because these things were established by God and it will come to pass.  Joseph points the King to the sovereignty of the one true God.  All the gods of Egypt are false, demonic and idols.  One sovereign God.  The true God.  The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has spoken.  God spoke to the king because he was the one man who could prevent it.  He spoke to Him in a manner he could receive it.  God will speak to us and our loved one in a manner we can receive.  There were steps to you salvation. God confronted you numerous times.  He used people, circumstances, situations, methods and means to speak to you.  Paul stated the day you hear about Christ, that is a day of salvation.  In my case God all my life spoke to me but it took 17 years to finally accept Him.  He is patient and will speak to your loved ones.  He will speak to you as well about His will.  Four times Joseph directs Pharaoh to God here.  This is God’s doing.  He and He alone will make this come to pass.  The Lord has ordered everything in this world.  The seasons, the time, the whole universe is His and His alone.  God’s will is going to be done.  We are complete when we do His will.  No greater things we can do is the will of God for our lives.  We will never be fulfilled, complete or have true life until we do His will.  So today ask God, what is your will for me today?  Then do it.   I am going to close this message and next week we will look at Joseph’s advice and what happens to Him next. 

QUOTES FOR MARCH 14, 2026

 

IF MY PEOPLE

 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 

 

Summary of recent events have brought to the forefront the need for this series.  This series is not just for this setting but will be broadcast virtually to an audience of almost 70,000 people via social media.  Covid 19 was the first, then the economic shutdown, suspension of church services, the rising debt of 350 billion this year, the recent political scandals, the suspension of personal freedoms by medical orders and governments, the mandatory wearing of PPE’s, the rise in domestic violence, overdoses, suicides and Covid numbers.  It is time for a real revival and this is in our hands.

His

 

The background for this verse is Solomon had dedicated the temple.  He had spent time leading the people in a prayer of dedication, repentance and revival.  This verse was God’s response.  This verse had become a cornerstone verse for nationwide revival for generations

 

If my people: which are called by my name, this means the believers.  The responsibility for healing our nation is not in the hands of government, business or any other form of social fabric.  It is in the hands of God’s people.  Our nations health and wellbeing is in our hands.  We are the reason this nation is in trouble.  We have not answered the call of the spirit.  The message is not a sermon to condemn but the challenge.  Solomon wrote in Prov 14:34, righteousness exalts a nation but sin to a reproach to any people.  We are called by God to do four things in this passage. 

 

We are called to humble ourselves.  This means to repent for our sins, lack of love, forgiveness,   it means coming before Jesus in awe and reverence, despite of what people may think of you. It's being willing to say, “I was wrong”.  Confess your sins to the Lord, give up whatever is burdening you, and be willing to leave it at the cross.  Jesus gave the example of the Pharisee and the sinner.  The sinner got it right.  He mourned over his sin, he humbled himself, wanted his heart pure.  Daniel did the same thing. 

 

Pray.  This is so important.  It means closing yourself off in prayer, praying with spouse or prayer partner, prayer in small groups, corporate prayer and prayer rallies.  Calling out to God and doing intercessory prayer.  God does expect the ungodly to pray before He does expect His people to pray.  What do we pray for?  We pray for our spouses, family, churches, leaders, communities, province and country. 

 

Spouses:  For communication, love and unity a passion for life, passion for love and intimacy, passion to grow in wisdom, and passion to serve you together.

Families:  Household salvation, protection, passion, purpose guidance, wisdom, grace and favor.

Churches:  Church leadership, unity, love, power, anointing, wisdom clarity, boldness listen to what Paul stated  in Colossians 4:12, Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Leaders:   National, Provincial and municipal.  Pray for wisdom, integrity, transparency, honesty and accountability. 

Cities, province and nation, for transformation, revival, healing and God’s dominion. 

 

Seek His face:  It means we are seeking to know Him, understand His character, and hear His voice.  Ps 104:5, Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!"  Matt 6:33, His kingdom and righteousness.  The primary ways we can seek the face of God—His Word, prayer, and worship. When we read His Word, we learn His character and His ways. As we pray to God and spend time with Him, we learn to hear His voice. When we worship Him, He shows up as we welcome His presence.

 

Turn from our wicked ways.  Simply means to turn from anything that hinders our relationship with God.  Confess, renounce and completely abandon our sins, wicked ways in whatever form they come.  Our thoughts, word, deeds, attitudes and motives, that are sinful and displeasing to God.  You ask God and He will show you.   This is the difficult part.  This takes time and true honesty.  Like the old song says, it is me Oh Lord standing in the need of prayer.

 

God’s promise is this.  He will hear from heaven.  God will answer.  He will forgive our sins.  He will heal our land.  Simply put.  We do our part and God will do His.  He is not a man that He will lie.  Remember the promises of God are yes and Amen. 

 

 

 

 

 

I AM THE TRUE VINE

 

HONORED BY CHRIST

 

QUOTES FOR MARCH 13, 2026

 

THE LORD OUR HEALER

 

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.

 

Open with a seed.  Talk about how it just stays a seed until you plant it.

 

1.      Mark brings to our attention first the time when the women came to the tomb.  It was right after the Sabbath and early in the morning.  The reason they came was because it was forbidden to bury someone, to do this type of work and it just finished Passover the most important feast in the Jewish calendar. 

2.      Next, Mark tells us who the women were.  Mary Magdalene who Jesus cast out demons from.  Mary the mother of James one of Jesus disciples and Joseph.  James is often called the younger and is not the John’s brother.  Salome was wife of Cleopas who was actually the steward of Herod and sister of the mother of James and John.  She actually provided for Jesus and his disciples during their ministry. 

3.      They went their early to anoint Jesus body with spices a tradition done by loved ones.  It was an act of love, honor and devotion.  They were also being practical they knew that Jesus died so close to the Sabbath he had not been buried properly.  They did not know that Joseph and Nicodemus had already done this.  In John gospel Jesus was anointed with 70 pound of spices.   

4.      It was the first day of the week which we know is Sunday.  The sun had risen and they went to the tomb.  As they were walking they had a conversation talking about whom would roll the stone away from the tomb.  It was very heavy scholars say several hundred pounds.  These ladies they knew they could not do it. 

5.      From this account we know that Jesus rose from the dead before dawn on Sunday and from the Gospel of John.   We know that from Matt 28, that there was an earthquake, an angel rolled back the stone and the guards watching over the tomb came like dead men.   When they got there they saw had been rolled away.  The stone was very large and it had already been rolled back. Now from this narrative we know that the stone was round.  Now when they arrived the chaotic scene earlier was over and all was quiet.  The guards had left and went to report what had happened.

6.       From all the gospels let me reconstruct the resurrection moment.  The angel comes down, rolls the stone away.  The guards become like dead men.  Jesus rises removes his grave clothes, leaves them and the napkin that was covering his head but from the gospels it never says that Jesus actually walked out of the tomb.  The guards run away back to the officials to tell them what happens.  Then the women arrive.

7.      I want to leave you with a thought here.  In Jesus’ resurrected body time and space, matter and motion no longer apply.  He can be anyplace or time he wishes.  Also He has a body of flesh and bones.  You say how does this matter to us?  We will have the same body when we are raptured or when the rapture happens.  Our bodies at that time put off corruption and put on incorruption.  We will put off mortality and put on immortality.  Also in that moment our bodies of flesh and blood will become bodies of flesh and bones with resurrection power coursing through us.  No more getting old, sickness, pain or sorrow

 

 

 

 

 

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

 

1.      So they enter the tomb.  The tomb was big enough for house all the woman.  They saw a young man dressed in a white robe.  To them he was a young man.  Angels can appear in many forms.  He appeared in such a manner to not completely overwhelm, them.  His attire was white which is of course purity, holiness and righteousness.  Was he the same angel that moved the stone We do not know? 

2.      Now he was sitting on the right side which in biblical terms means he was sitting in a place of power, authority, might and dominion.  Now why were they alarmed.  First, the tomb was empty what did this mean.  Secondly, where is the body of Jesus.  Dead people just don’t get up and walk away.  So in their mind who stole His body.  That question was actually asked in another gospel.  Thirdly who is this guy and why is he sitting in the tomb.  They were alarmed, afraid confused and I would even say angry. 

3.      He then speaks and tells them not to be alarmed.  God always calms our fears, brings clarity to our confusion, answers to our questions and wisdom to our worry.  In the Bible as I have said before there are 365 do not fear or similar sayings.  One for each day of the year. 

4.      He then says five things for them and us to consider.

 

a.      You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth.  That is why they were there.  In Hebrew greetings.  You would either be identified by your name and family or by your name and where you were from.  Now also Mark is written to a Roman audience and to them this was important.  A roman audience would want to know this.  Remember Jesus had told them He would rise but up to this moment He was Jesus from Nazareth.  Their whole understanding of Jesus was about to change.  Their world was about to be rocked to its core.

b.      Jesus was crucified.  This reminds them of what had happened, why they were there and how his body was broken and His blood shed.  A vivid picture probably popped into their minds.  His crucifixion was essential because by his stripes we are healed and by His blood of salvation is claimed.  Good Friday reminds us about this.  Good Friday was the blackest day in human history.  Our sin put Jesus on the cross. 

c.      He has been raised.  Rom 8:11, that same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead dwells in us.  He was raised by the Holy Spirit and the power of God.  So briefly I am going to give ten reasons why the resurrection is important. 

 

1.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that we are justified before God.

2.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ shows that Jesus defeated death.

3.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that believers are united with Christ.

4.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ confirms the truth of Scripture.

5.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves the gospel to be true.

6.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that Jesus is the Son of God.

7.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that the Holy Spirit will be poured out into the hearts of those who believe.

8.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ gives Christians a living hope.

9.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that we will be raised like him.

10.   The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that Christ will judge the world in righteousness.

 

d.      He is not here.  Folks the tomb is empty.  All the other founders of religions have tombs and places where they are buried.  Like them their religions are dead.  The tomb is empty and our faith is alive,  That is shouting ground.  Wave your bulletin and say Amen,  Gordon’s tomb and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are empty.  Jesus is alive.  He’s alive and I forgiven, beavens gates are open wide.

e.      See the place where they laid Him.  They were to be witnesses of what had happened.  They saw with their own eyes.  Jesus was not there.  They were told why and how it had happened.  This is tangible and indisputable proof.  This was Jewish law which stated that by two or three witnesses truth and proof was established.  This was incontestable proof.  No court of law would be able to dispute this.

 

5.      They were told to do four things.  First go and tell the disciples and Peter.  Why Peter because Mark was a disciple of Peter and Peter was his mentor, role model and spiritual leader.  Secondly, Jesus would be Galilee.  So they had a little trip ahead of them.  Thirdly, you will see Him.  Jesus would later show Himself for 40 days that he was alive. Lastly, all just as He said he would.  This young man was reminding them of what they had already been told.  They were given instruction to relay to the others.

6.      They have a threefold reaction.  They went out of the tomb and fled.  They ran.  It was not a slow exit.  They booked it.  Next, they were afraid and amazed.  I think this phrase was an understatement.  They had seen something no one had even seen before.  This was a supernatural encounter.  They may have been screaming.  Frightened to their very core and being.  Yet amazed at what had just happened.  Put yourself in their place what would you have done.  Lastly, they said nothing because they were afraid.  How do you explain something like this.  Well we know from other gospels they did tell the disciples.  Peter and John went to the tomb and there were other events that day but we know that what happened that day.

7.      I want to leave you with three reflective thoughts.  First, Jesus is alive, this means because he lives so do we with eternal and abundant life.  Secondly, take time today and sometime this day just say thank you.  Lastly, tell someone, do the great commission and love someone show the great commandment. 

 

Close with how a seed in most cases especially in the middle east with climate and irrigation grow in most cases in 40-50 days.  That was the time Jesus was on earth and when Pentecost fell.