As the parents of five kids, “Close the door!” is a phrase we have probably uttered more than a gazillion times over the years. Whether it’s the front door, the bathroom door, or the refrigerator door, apparently the part of the brain responsible for door closing develops much later in life. But why are doors such a big deal? Obviously, doors keep the bad stuff out (bugs, burglars, South Georgia s...  Read More

“When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, ‘Why do you look at one another?’ And he said, ‘Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.’”(Genesis 42:1-2)Jacob’s words in Genesis 42:1-2 hold great significance. It wasn’t just about buying grain. It was an invaluable lesson about the danger ...  Read More

So much of our success, fulfillment, and effectiveness hinges on the health & well-being of our mind. We’ve all heard the phrase, “The battle starts in the mind.” It’s so true, and the enemy of our souls knows it all too well! One of his main tactics is to present us with a lie, coated in a thin layer of truth.Imagine a cake, filled with poison, and frosted with beautiful, white, delicious frostin...  Read More

“But those who trust in the LORD will be blessed. They know that the LORD will do what He says. They will be strong like trees planted near a stream that send out roots to the water. They have nothing to fear when the days get hot. Their leaves are always green. They never worry, even in a year that has no rain. They always produce fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 ERV)In this passage God is speaking to th...  Read More

Read Psalm 105:1-22.God gave Joseph an incredible dream of ruling over those around him, yet his life appeared far from it. As the favored son sat in a stinky prison cell, feet shackled in iron, his vision seemed to be lost, God’s plan doomed. Sound familiar? Joseph’s circumstances thundered DEFEATED and ABANDONED, yet the Lord God was working out His plan, remaining faithful to His covenant promi...  Read More

Don’t feel like you have to make it through every question. Find the few that the Lord is clearly using to speak to the group. Don’t be afraid of silence, and encourage everyone to share if they are willing. A great group leader is a great listener. • Can you think of a lie you have been telling yourself about your life, your family, or your future? If so, put to memory a verse from the Bible that...  Read More

We can not look at the life of Joseph without talking about dreams. It is my favorite part!Often in scripture we see divine dreams guiding people toward God’s ultimate will. Dreams would play a significant role in guiding Joseph’s life as they did for his father Jacob. If we look back in Genesis 28 and 31, we can see that God spoke promises to Jacob through his dreams. I have no doubt Joseph learn...  Read More

We live among Muslims in the Middle East. Typically, Eastern culture is more accepting of dreams than the West. Eastern culture, as we have experienced, feels less analytical, less critical, less in need of control. They lean more into relationship over productivity. In many ways, the Muslim view of God lets God be God. He cannot be understood by the human mind. He is in control. He speaks how He ...  Read More

“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions and also on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”(Joel 2:28-32)For as long as I can remember, I have been a dreamer. I just thought everyone had an active dream lif...  Read More

I’ve had significant dreams of all kinds since before I was a nine years old. I was saved at the age of nine, but my dreams were often scary as a child - or what you’d call night terrors or nightmares, in part because I was plagued by the spirit of fear most of my life.Fast forward into my young adult years. I noticed my dreams were beginning to change the more I pursued the Lord.  Instead of nigh...  Read More

“Here comes the dreamer!” they said.  “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”(Genesis 37:19-20)As I have read over the story of Joseph multiple times in the last few months, this portion of scripture continues to impact me in a powerful way. I believe that God fills everyon...  Read More

We ask small group leaders at Heritage to pray regularly for the participants in their group. Take time now to call each group member by name and intercede for them and their needs. • Have you been hesitant to share your dreams with others in a desire to help each other decipher the message God wants you to hear? I encourage you to take a chance - you might be surprised to hear how God is speaking...  Read More