Pray/Prey On

When I was younger, I was always a dreamer, and not just a dreamer a singer too. Now, I am not going to sing at this moment, but I remember a few nights as a child that I would sing my prayers before I go to bed. Boy did it brother my brothers Hahaha, but I mean, it’s late, everyone is tired,and who wants to hear a little boy going through voice changes singing at that time of night. As my brothers were bothered and were trying to hush me to sleep, I kept telling them that I had to finish my prayer. When Mom came by to see what was happening, she hushed my brothers and said, “let him finish praying”.

As I was reading the portion this week, and began to write this message out, I began to really touch on the word’s that spoke to my life… “keep on praying”. Growing up, I was and still am a dreamer, but there has been a strange shift in my dreams. As a young boy, my dream were more about freedom, life, having fun, and being together with my family. As I got older, my dreams have been more about survival, fighting, or trying to live in this world full of chaos. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have much nightmares, but the thrill, violence, and the images of certain possible realities are very daunting. When I wake up to reality, I think… I just need to pray.

Some of us had and/or have dreams that have become a reality, and many of my dreams have very much come to pass. But I am not here to talk about my dreams in particular. Rather, I am hear to talk about the reality that G-d speaks into existence, and our trust in what He is doing. How many of you have great dreams and hopes for life… raise your hand. I know I do, I have so many dreams and aspirations, and L-rd willing, I’d like to accomplish those really good and meaningful ones. Joseph had his dream, but he was challenged to grow in order to fulfill this G-d given dream.

Let’s take a look into Joseph: 1. Joseph he was a shepherd with his brothers, and Joseph reported everything to his father.

( Genesis 37:2)

2. Joseph had two sets of dreams that garnered unwanted attention from his family.

(Genesis 37:5)

3. Joseph made himself available to his father. (Genesis 37:13–14)

4. Adonai was with Joseph

5. Joseph was made second to Potiphar

6. Joseph refused to do evil (against his master and God) and sin against G-d (Genesis 39:9)

7. Joseph was enticed daily, but did not fall.

8. Adonai made Joseph second to the commander of the prison

9. Joseph recognized that dreams/interpretations belong to G-d. (Genesis 40:8)

As we recognize these points, Joseph knew that G-d was going to fulfill this dream he had as a child. There was something unique about what G-d had given him. However, Joseph had to not fall as prey but had to PRAY ON! Joseph was put down and rose again, put down again and rose again! He saw those in need just like him, and, because of G-d, he told them their dreams. He was forgotten, but he did not forget! He did not focus on what Potiphar’s wife did to him, He focused on the dream that G-d had given to him. With His mind set on who G-d was to His family, He was able to Pray on!

In this world, trouble will keep on sneaking up, but I have a dream that this rule of oppression will come to an end. I believe this dream is the promise from G-d. Some of you looked troubled here today, but do not be sad or burdened, because the L-rd your G-d is ready to fulfill His plan for your life.

You must stand as Judah Maccabee, Caleb, Joshua, King David, and Joseph saw more than their dreams; they saw G-d’s Salvation! They saw a future with the King of all Kings. They saw a kingdom with the Messiah! Do you see that kingdom? Do you see His Salvation? Who is He? Who do you say He is? What is His Kingdom like?

As in the word’s of Mao Tzur, He is “Yeshuati” my Salvation… My Yeshua! And so I move forward in that no sin or evil is holding me back anymore, because G-d took away these sins through His atonement. Through Him, I have the confidence and courage in Messiah to Pray On! The enemy will try to haunt me or throw me in prison, but I have the ability to push through and allow G-d to speak for me! The Spirit of G-d comes in those times when the fear of my brothers come around to say, “Let him finish praying”. In this, we do not fall prey, but we are emboldened to be the ones praying. This is why the men of renown have done what others saw as impossible.

Yes, we cannot speak for G-d, rather G-d speaks for us! There was a man that thought he was not really smart, but at home family knew how he was able to succeed when he thought about his child. However, the young man could not take his child to the exam. His family thought he was done for. During the exam, the man got nervous and helpless until…. He opened his wallet with the picture of his child and family. Somehow, all the answers came to his mind, and he passed the exam! This man’s family gave the answers to the exam without giving him the answers.

It is the same with G-d, I do not have to have Him in body form in front of me. My hope in Him is so great, the answers to life come at the right time. In fact, the hope is not just for me. It is for my family, community, and people! In my faith and hope, G-d is here! Today, I share with you the greatest news! G-d loves you so much that He gives His life for you to be with you right here and right now! He knows what you have been through, what has been done to you, or maybe you feel you have done too much for Him to save you… however, that is not true. Right now, He doesn’t want you to get lost in those troubles the world presents… He wants you to know that He is there and will be there. Today, I want you to take this opportunity to hear what He has already said about you…. “You are mine!” And if you have been really struggling with this revelation, trust me when I say as it is written “do not interpretations belong to G-d”? May the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, answer you today with the revelation of who He is, and may all of Israel be saved! Press on and Pray On B’Shem Yeshua (In the name of Yeshua) Amen!