7 Things To Help You Accomplish Your Dreams

In the last blog, we began to dream. I know God has given you a dream.  Have you taken the time to really think about all that God has for you to do?  I’m in awe when I really begin to think about the privilege that God has given you and I to partner with Him in building His kingdom.

Today I’m going to begin to share “7 Things (that I have learned in my own life) to Help you Accomplish Your Dreams.” We won’t get through all seven today, but I believe that if you begin to put these guides into practice, you’ll see God begin to make your dreams a reality.  You affect your own life. I wish that I could regulate other people’s spiritual appetite…but I can’t.  They have to decide what they will do with their life each and every day.  It’s the same with you.  But I believe that you want more…or you wouldn’t be taking the time to read this blog.  So I know you’re a dreamer.  What are the dreams you have for your life this year? Do you have dreams to be a better husband? A better wife? A better student? A better son? A better child of God?

#1. Define Your Dream (Write it Down)

The first thing we have to do is write it down. You must have something to write down and that is why I took the time to write the last blog.  You have a dream.  We all do. Without that, it’d be hard to start the process of seeing it come to pass. Let me ask you a question, how important is your life? I would dare to say that it’s pretty important or you wouldn’t be taking the time to make it better.  You control the outcome of your life, no one else.  You control the attitude that you have when certain things happen…no one else can do it for you.  Don’t let other people affect the quality of your life…they’re just flies on the wall anyway.

People with goals succeed, people with plans move forward.

Take the time today to write down the vision that God has given to you.  Don’t stay in the same place too long.  In football, each team has 25 seconds to come up with a plan and then attack.  It’s sad however that some people have been stuck in a huddle for years.  Don’t be that person. Write down the things that God has been telling you today.

#2. Divine Dreams Require Patience (Trust God’s Clock)

Patience. Now that’s a hard one right there.  Would you describe yourself as patient? In my natural nature…I am not even close to being patient.  What about you? You know when I’m patient? When I pray.  It’s only in those times when I get alone with God that I am able to put my trust fully in Him and all that He desires to do in my life. I shared in the last blog that it took 17 years for the promise that God gave me to unfold. 17 years!!! Talk about patience. The great thing about our God…is that he knows WHEN.  He knows when we’re ready for promotion.  He knows when we’re ready for His blessings.  He knows when we’re ready to step into the next level of what He has planned for us.  He knows WHEN…

There were many people in the Bible that had to learn patience.  Noah had to wait 120 years for the ark to be completed (talk about a project). Abraham had to wait years for a son.  Sometimes, we’re going to have to wait.  And it won’t matter how much we want it to happen, how much we plead or how frustrated we might get…it still will only happen in God’s timing.  Don’t be like Sarah who took it upon herself to come up with a plan to try to help God.  She decided that since she was beyond the age of child bearing that she would have Hagar (her servant) bear a child with Abraham. Let me just throw this in for free…God doesn’t need our help.  He knows exactly what He is doing.  And when we decide to step out because of impatience, like Sarah…we’ll give birth to things in the flesh.  Learn to trust God’s timing. When you don’t trust God’s timing…you’ll start asking the WHY & WHEN question. Take a real honest look at your life today…have you been trusting God’s Clock? Or maybe…have you been a little on the impatient side and trying to do things in your own strength?

About My Father’s Business (Total Commitment)

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. – Philippians 3:15-16

Commitment: an agreement or pledge to do something in the future; something pledged; the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled

As we continue in our discussion of “About My Father’s Business,” I want to take a look at the word ‘commitment.’ Paul was definitely a man that exemplified commitment during his ministry here on earth.  Even while he was writing these very words, he was also modeling this to the people he was speaking to.  One thing Paul realized during his ministry…was that there was a price to pay.  And that price was total commitment.  In the previous scripture, Paul talks about wanting everything that God had for him.

Now let me shift to you…I know that if you’re taking the time to read this, you want everything that God has for your life.  So let me ask you another question…and this might hurt a little bit. Are you totally committed to God?  Let me ask you that one more time…and please take some time to think about this…”are you totally committed to God?”  Are there areas that have caused your vision to be a little blurred? Are there sideshow attractions that have been taking away your time, energy and focus from that plan that God has for you?  Maybe you felt this was the year for you to focus on your marriage…have you been doing that?  Or maybe you felt you really wanted to work on being a better parent, student or employee…have you been doing that?  When you’re totally committed to God and the plan that he has for you…He’ll help you stay on the right track.

It’s never too late to get on the right track.  That’s one thing I love about God, He’s always ready when you’re ready for change.  You’re not alone.  If you’re on the right track, I want to encourage you to not grow weary in well doing.  And if you’re not, start today.  One step in the right direction can make a big difference.  I’m routing for you, you can do it!

In the next blog, we’ll talk about how Nehemiah put action to the vision that God gave him.  And that despite the opposition that came his way, God was right there to help him overcome every obstacle that tried to stop the work that was being done.

It’s Time For Miracles

God is doing amazing things in the city of Whittier. We have been experiencing miracles after miracles since our “Miracle Sunday” Service on November 21st. Everyday we keep hearing about all the great things that are taking place from healings, financial blessings, new jobs, etc. But one thing that we’re really excited about is that we have a BRAND NEW BUILDING

You Can’t Out Give God

“A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy.  I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” – John 10:10 (The Message)

From the moment that we accepted Christ into our hearts, we stepped into that better life than we ever dreamed of.  Salvation was just the beginning, it doesn’t stop there. Gods desire is that we have a full life for the rest of our lives.  Have you been living that life that God has specifically for you in every area of your life?  Could be with the relationships in your life? Your career? Schooling? Or even your finances? Take a second to think about your life and where you’re at right now.  In what areas could you use an improvement?

If you really desire change, then you’re off to a good start.  As christians, we should always desire to better our lives.  Why? Because that’s Gods desire for us as well.  God doesn’t want us to be in the same situation that we were in last year and I can guarantee that God wants next year to be the best year you’ve ever lived.  We serve a God that is always progressing…going from glory to glory.

In Christianity, there are two types of people: Followers of Christ and Disciples of Christ.  Which one are you?  The difference between the two is that a disciple is someone that is committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Does that change your answer to that question?  When we are fully committed to what Jesus said…we will begin to experience the well-being (which really means “prosperity”) that God has planned for our lives.

“32% of Christians in America claim that they tithe.” – George Barna

The sad fact about the above statement is that the higher the income bracket, the lower the amount that people gave.  We have to start here because our finances say a lot about what we are committed to. The Bible says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21).  So let me ask you a question, where is your treasure?  We start with the tithe because that belongs to God.  What some people don’t realize is that the “rich, wealthy, etc.” is in the tithe.  Many wealthy people have learned this principle in their own lives and have lived wealthy lives.  One example is Henry Cromwell who gave 70% of his income to the Church.  See it starts at 10% but it doesn’t have to end there.  Remember, you can never out give God!

When we learn to let God take control, we are allowing him to be our shield.  If we take that a little bit farther, we are allowing him to become “El Shaddai” in our lives. That means, “The God who will reward you and provide for you…our source for everything we need in life.” Are you allowing God to be your source? I want to challenge you to really think about that question…don’t be quick to answer it and go about your day.  But take some time right now to think about whether you are allowing God to be your true provider or if you might be relying on another source for all your needs.