Joseph_Matt_1_-_Christmas_Dreams.docx

Devotional

Day 1: God’s interruptions invite surrender over comfort

There are moments when God’s direction collides with our plans. Joseph had a vision for his life—engaged to Mary, building a business, setting up a home. Then came the news of Mary’s pregnancy and an instruction from heaven that made little sense. God did not ask Joseph if the timing was right. He redirected him. That redirection was costly to Joseph’s reputation and routine, yet it opened the door to a greater story than Joseph could have written on his own.

When God interrupts your expectations, He is not trying to harm you; He is forming you. The tension you feel—between what you wanted and what God is asking—can become holy ground. Transformation begins when you let go of image, control, and comfort, and choose obedience. You may not get all the answers up front. But you will get God’s presence, and that is enough for the next step.

Matthew 1:18–25
Joseph discovered Mary was pregnant before they came together, and he planned to end the engagement quietly. In a dream, a messenger told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, because the child was from the Holy Spirit and would be named Jesus, the One who would save His people. When Joseph woke up, he did exactly what God said and took Mary home as his wife.

Reflection: What specific expectation or comfort are you holding that God may be disrupting right now? Name it, and choose one concrete act of surrender today (a conversation to have, a plan to adjust, or a commitment to release).

Day 2: Step first; the why often comes later

Joseph did not receive a full map. He received a command: rise, go, take, flee. And he moved. Obedience came before understanding. He acted at night, in urgency, with his family’s safety and God’s word as his only assurances. This is often how God leads—He gives a step, not a spreadsheet. The clarity many of us crave is often on the other side of obedience.

You may be waiting to feel ready, or for every question to be answered. But trust grows by moving forward on what God has already made clear. The first step might be small—an apology, a phone call, a decision to stop or start a habit, a gift given in faith. As you walk, God will meet you, and the path will make sense in time.

Matthew 2:13–14
After the visitors left, a messenger from God appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you.” That same night Joseph got up, took the child and Mary, and left for Egypt.

Reflection: What is one clear step God has already shown you that you’ve delayed? Decide when you will do it today, and tell someone who can lovingly check in by tonight.

Day 3: Provision follows purpose, not personal preference

God placed valuable gifts in Joseph and Mary’s hands—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Those treasures did not pad their lifestyle. They funded a midnight escape that protected Jesus and fulfilled God’s plan. In the same way, what God places in your hands—money, time, skills, networks—is not random. It is provision with purpose. We are stewards, not owners.

This reframes how we see resources. Instead of asking, “How can this make my life more comfortable?” we learn to ask, “How does this serve God’s mission?” When our budgets, calendars, and talents are aligned with God’s purposes, they become fuel for His kingdom. Open hands invite fresh supply because God funds what He starts.

Matthew 2:11, 13–15
The visitors entered the house, bowed before the child, and offered gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh. Soon after, a messenger warned Joseph in a dream to take the child and Mary and go to Egypt. He obeyed and stayed there until the time God directed, fulfilling what had been spoken long before that His Son would be called out of Egypt.

Reflection: List three resources God has entrusted to you this season (for example: a savings amount, a skill, an open evening). Reassign one of them today toward a clear kingdom purpose.

Day 4: Generosity reveals who we believe funds our future

God invites His people to care for what He loves most—His Church, the Bride of Christ. Generosity is not about paying dues; it is about trust. When we give, we declare, “My future is not funded by my grip, but by God’s faithfulness.” We release control and join His mission to form a radiant, cared-for Bride who shines in a dark world.

This heart posture transforms giving from pressure to privilege. We give because Jesus first gave Himself for us. We give to see people reached, discipled, and strengthened. We give because we believe God can do more with surrendered resources than we can do by holding tight. As we trust Him, He supplies what we need to keep participating.

Ephesians 5:25–27
Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, to make her holy—cleansed and set apart—so that He might present her to Himself radiant, without stain or wrinkle, beautiful and whole.

Reflection: Choose one specific act of generosity today—set a percentage to give, meet a practical need in the church family, or support a missionary—and pray, “Lord, I trust You to fund my future as I care for Your Bride.”

Day 5: Trust today writes tomorrow’s family story

Joseph’s legacy was not wealth or fame. It was trust expressed in daily obedience—so consistent that Jesus grew up in a home shaped by it, learning a trade and a way of life. Years later, people knew Jesus as “the carpenter,” a hint that Joseph’s steady faith and work framed the family story. Our choices today teach those who follow us what it looks like to trust God with everything.

Legacy is built one step at a time—habits, words, prayers, sacrifices, and priorities that echo after us. Whether you are leading a household, a small group, a team, or a circle of friends, your trust creates a path others can walk. Live the kind of faith you want multiplied.

Mark 6:3
The people in Jesus’ hometown said, “Isn’t this the carpenter, Mary’s son?” They struggled to see beyond what they thought they knew, yet their words reveal that Jesus had learned the carpenter’s trade—evidence of the home and example He grew up with.

Reflection: What is one practice of trust you want those around you to copy (for example: praying aloud daily, Sabbath rest, weekly generosity, quick obedience)? Schedule it on your calendar this week and invite someone to join you.

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon**

In this sermon, we explored the nature of our dreams versus God’s dreams for our lives, using the story of Joseph from the Christmas narrative as our guide. We often have countless dreams and expectations that shift with our circumstances, but God’s dreams for us are often unexpected, challenging, and require our obedience. Joseph’s life was interrupted by God’s plans, and though they were uncomfortable and even seemed absurd, Joseph responded with trust and immediate obedience. The sermon also highlighted how God provides the resources needed to fulfill His dreams, but it’s up to us to use them as He directs—especially when it comes to generosity and caring for His church, the Bride of Christ. Ultimately, the message called us to examine our trust in God and to take the next step of obedience, whatever that may be.

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Key Takeaways

1. God’s Dreams Disrupt Our Comfort The dreams God gives rarely fit neatly into our plans or comfort zones. Like Joseph, we may find God’s direction interrupts our expectations and requires us to let go of what we thought our lives would look like. True faith is often forged in the tension between our desires and God’s calling. The willingness to embrace God’s dream, even when it costs us, is where transformation begins.
2. Obedience Precedes Understanding Joseph’s story shows us that God often calls us to obey before we fully understand the “why” or see the outcome. The angel didn’t offer Joseph comfort or detailed explanations—just a command. Our healing, breakthrough, and freedom often begin with a simple act of obedience, even when it feels risky or doesn’t make sense. Trusting God means moving forward on His word, not our understanding.
3. God Provides for His Purposes, Not Our Preferences The resources God gives us are meant to fulfill His purposes, not just our personal dreams. Joseph and Mary received extravagant gifts, not for their own comfort, but to fund their escape to Egypt and protect Jesus. We are stewards, not owners, of what God entrusts to us. The challenge is to use what we have for God’s kingdom, even when it means letting go of our own plans.
4. Generosity is a Test of Trust The illustration of caring for the pastor’s family with entrusted money reframes tithing and generosity as a matter of trust, not just obligation. God asks us to care for His Bride, the church, with what He’s given us. Our willingness to give back is a reflection of our trust in God’s provision and our understanding of our role in His story. Generosity is not about earning God’s love, but about participating in His mission.
5. Our Legacy is Shaped by Our Trust in God Joseph’s legacy was not in his wealth or status, but in his obedience and trust—so much so that Jesus was known as “the carpenter.” The way we respond to God’s dreams and use His resources will shape what we teach those who follow us. Our lives become a testimony of trust, inviting others to see what it looks like to follow God wholeheartedly. The next step of obedience you take today could echo in the lives of those around you for generations.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: “God’s Dreams vs. Our Dreams”**

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### Bible Reading

- **Matthew 1:18-25 (NLT)** – Joseph’s dream and obedience to God’s plan for Mary and Jesus.
- **Matthew 2:11-15 (NLT)** – The wise men’s gifts and Joseph’s obedience to flee to Egypt.
- **Psalm 24:1 (NLT)** – “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
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### Observation Questions

In Matthew 1:18-25, what was Joseph’s initial plan when he found out Mary was pregnant? How did his plan change after the angel’s message?
What instructions did the angel give Joseph in his dreams, and how did Joseph respond each time?
According to Matthew 2:11-15, what resources did God provide for Joseph and Mary, and how were those resources used?
In Psalm 24:1, what does it say about who owns everything in the world?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to interrupt Joseph’s life and dreams in such a dramatic way? What does this say about how God works in our lives?
The angel didn’t give Joseph a lot of details or comfort—just a command. What does this teach us about the relationship between obedience and understanding?
The gifts from the wise men were valuable, but Joseph and Mary had to use them for God’s purpose, not their own comfort. What does this reveal about how God provides for His plans in our lives?
The sermon used the illustration of caring for the pastor’s family with entrusted money. How does this help us understand God’s perspective on generosity and tithing?

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### Application Questions

Can you think of a time when God’s plan for your life interrupted your own dreams or expectations? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?
Is there an area in your life right now where God might be asking you to obey before you fully understand the “why”? What would it look like to take that next step of obedience?
When you think about the resources (money, time, talents) God has given you, do you see yourself more as an owner or a steward? How might your perspective need to shift?
The sermon said, “Generosity is a test of trust.” What does your current level of generosity say about your trust in God? Is there a specific way you feel challenged to be more generous?
Joseph’s legacy was shaped by his trust and obedience, not his status or wealth. What kind of legacy do you want to leave for those who follow you? What step could you take this week to move in that direction?
The story of Joseph shows that God’s dreams often cost us something. Is there something you need to let go of in order to embrace what God is calling you to do?
The pastor mentioned practical steps like reading your Bible, forgiving someone, setting boundaries, or being baptized. Is there a specific step of obedience you feel God is prompting you to take right now? How can the group support you in that?

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**Closing Prayer Suggestion:**
Ask God for the courage to trust Him with your dreams, the willingness to obey even when it’s uncomfortable, and the generosity to use what He’s given you for His purposes.

Sermon Quotes

But what if… the dream we want… is not the dream we need? What if God’s dream for you is different—and it requires something of you?

I want God to explain, to reassure, to fix, to remove, to comfort… but how often is the first step of obedience my first step to healing?

God gives us what we need to accomplish the dreams he gives. He gives your gifts, talents, time, energy but also… your resources.

So he gave us everything… and then he tells us to give some back to him… for his kingdom. The Bible calls it the tithe which means the tenth and it goes to the temple or church…

There is nothing you can do to make God stop loving you… its not a question of his love… its a question of your trust… do you trust the coach?

Joseph has 2 other dreams in the next chapter where God asks for something big with no comfort or consolement and Joe responds the same way every time… he wakes up and then obeys God… he does the thing.

It made no sense, it was absurd but Chastain trusted her coach. So with the whole world watching and the game resting on Chastain’s shoulders… she kicked the ball with her left foot… and Team USA won the World Cup.

God gives commands and wisdom and teachings that sometimes feel challenging, uncomfortable and sometimes even absurd… do I trust my coach?

Because Joe trusted God with everything he had… he got to be a part of the God dream… and leave his mark on the story…

I want what my life teaches is how to trust my God with everything I have… so maybe today is a day that you show your trust in him… so what step do you need to take?

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Joseph_Matt_1_-_Christmas_Dreams.docx

Devotional

Day 1: God’s interruptions invite surrender over comfort

Day 2: Step first; the why often comes later

Day 3: Provision follows purpose, not personal preference

Day 4: Generosity reveals who we believe funds our future

Day 5: Trust today writes tomorrow’s family story

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Quotes

Chatbot

Joseph_Matt_1_-_Christmas_Dreams.docx

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