During Encounter Night on Friday 24 September, I was stirred by Holy Spirit to prophesy over the fathers in the room. But quickly other things caught my attention, and soon I completely forgot about it.
I was reminded of it again when I attended Wave Point’s service that following Sunday. Pastor CJay shared with us that that very same week he had ministered to various fathers in Jeffrey’s Bay.
‘The fathers are going through a tough time,’ he told us.
Yesterday, I started reading The New Testament, and within the first two chapters something new popped out for me. I knew this word was meant for the fathers.
May this revelation encourage you:
We know of Joseph the Dreamer in the Old Testament. But there’s another Joseph that also had dreams… Joseph in the New Testament. He was Jesus’ earthly father. There are four recorded dreams in the Book of Matthew, dreams that drastically changed the course of Jesus’ life.
- Joseph is described as a ‘righteous man.’ You – as a father – live a morally upright lifestyle; you live in purity and justice.
- Joseph played an important part in the early life of Jesus. You – as a father – play an important part in your children’s lives, even if you don’t see the effect of it now.
- Joseph was a carpenter. He figured out ways to make things better, make things easier for others. You – as a father – are creative in the same ways, maybe even more.
Here are some things we can learn from Joseph’s dreams and choices he made regarding the challenges that came across his path:
FIRST DREAM
‘… An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit…’ ‘
Joseph was not guided by appearances. What you see right now, is not what it seems. Look, then look again. God will give you new eyes to see things in a different way.
SECOND DREAM
‘And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route…’
Joseph was not moved by what others said. Just before this dream, the wise men came to give their gifts to Jesus. They most probably told him that he needed to take his family and flee, but he waited until he had heard confirmation from the Lord. Joseph was not moved by others’ opinions.
THIRD DREAM
‘When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him…’ ‘
Again, Joseph waited to hear from the Lord. By now, he was practiced in hearing God’s voice. He obeyed immediately.
FOURTH DREAM
‘After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead…’ ‘
By now, we start to notice a pattern. Joseph didn’t make any big decisions before waiting on the Lord… Interestingly, fear came upon Joseph after he obeyed the Lord. It doesn’t make you a bad person; fear comes to everyone. What did Joseph do? He simply went back on the word the Lord had given him, and faith was restored.
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Fathers, you might feel the burden that you need to provide for your families, but the Lord is your provider first and foremost. Hold on to the promise that He will come through for you.
I release over you dreams – dreams of revelation, vision, and direction. May Father God speak to you in your sleep, where spiritual direction is downloaded to you. I release an open heaven of divine communication, angel visitations, and communion with Holy Spirit.
This is your portion as a son of the Most High.
