The Pharisees were hung up on their rules to the point that they had no compassion for either hungry disciples or a man with a deformed hand. Jesus is counter cultural and shows compassion for both. Where do you need Jesus to show compassion to you?

What we spend our time, talents, and energy on determines what kind of person we are and who we will become. When we turn our focus on the cross and God's Word, it will change our heart and transform us. It can change us into a person who desires to serve God.

Dreams continue to influence Joseph's life. Until this point, his life has seemed to go from bad to worse and Joseph doesn't have any idea how God has been working in the background. Now the tide turns in a surprising way. How is God working in surprising ways in your life?

Joseph has not only become a slave, now, because of false accusations, he is in prison. What does this do to his relationship with God? Who will God bring into his life that will make a difference? God had given Joseph dreams, now what dreams will God give the other prisoners?

Many of us have gardened; perhaps you just think that is a hobby. But the next time you garden think about how God is a gardener with us. God cares and nurtures us. When we understand how much God loves us and cares for us, it will change our relationship with Him. It will transform our hearts.

After healing the Jewish leper and the Gentile servant, Jesus continues to demonstrate His authority over disease. He heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others. He warns the crowds that there will be a cost to follow Him. After a long day of teaching, Jesus and His disciples sail across the Sea of Galilee. A storm comes up suddenly and the disciples are afraid they will die. Jesus simply tells the wind and waves to stop, and they do. He has shown He has authority over the natural elements.

Jesus has just finished the sermon on the mount. He has begun to reveal Himself as Messiah through His teaching. He has spoken of restoration for the marginalized and shown Himself to be something different than the political Messiah they were expecting. The people had been amazed at how Jesus taught with authority and now Jesus begins to demonstrate this authority and brings the Kingdom of God to the people.

We all need something that encourages us on our walk of faith. In the same way, we need to also encourage others. Ruth was an encourager to Naomi in her struggles. We all experience discouragement at times. That's why encouragers are so important. The Lord extends His hand to us to encourage and strengthen us. God is not distant but with us and for us.

As Jesus concludes His sermon on the mount, He gives the disciples, the crowd and the religious leaders four basic warnings: they must choose between two kinds of

gates/roads. prophets, Lordship, and foundations. Jesus' listeners had a choice to make and so do we. Which will you choose?

Joseph has gone from favored son to slave. Now false accusations send him to prison. Where is God? How does Joseph's relationship with God help him? How can our relationship with God help us?