In the NT reading Jesus teaches in the form of parables. In Matt. 13:1-23 the parable of the soils He explains that everyone will not become a believer (the seeds that fell on the road side, the rocky places, and among the thorns) but those who do believe ( the seed that was sown on good soil) will bear fruit. Some may bear more fruit than others but they will bear fruit nonetheless.

I don’t want to explain the next parable here because it will be discussed tomorrow.

The OT reading today starts with Pharaoh dreaming not once but twice. The problem is he can’t get the dreams out of his mind for the scriptures say: Gen. 41:8 in the  morning when Pharaoh awakened from sleep his spirit is troubled. To add the his torment of not being able to shake the dreams, he has no idea of what the dreams mean. He calls everyone he thinks should know and none of them do him any good. The cupbearer remembers Joseph and brings it to Pharaoh. What I love most is the reverence, respect, and humility Joseph has towards God. When Pharaoh tells Joseph what he has heard about Joseph’s interpreting abilities, Joseph could have easily taken credit, even if it wasn’t in a way that seemed haughty or proud. What I mean is this: Pharaoh says to Joseph Gen.41:15 ” I have a dream, but no one can interpret it; and I have heard it said about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” Joseph, at this point could have answered like this: He could have said: “I do”, ” It is true what you have heard” or  anything similar, but he doesn’t. He does not take an opportunity to gratify the flesh even a little. His response to Pharaoh is the response we should have to all that we meet. Joseph says: Gen. 41:16  ” It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” Just as Joseph did not cease an opportunity to pat himself on the back because of the good deeds he had done, neither should we. Joseph understood that with out the power of God he would not be possible to do anything. We should remember that nothing we’ve done that seems good or righteous,( whether we are good husbands, or wives, good preachers, teachers, give to the poor, take care of orphans and widows)   is done in our own power, None of it could be done outside of the power of God working in us. Therefore we should give honor to whom honor is do.(Rom. 13:7) In this case it would be God, for Phil.2:13 tells us that it is God who is at work in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

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