Dreaming with God
Joel 2:28
Everyone has had a dream. But how can we determine if the dream is from God or just a worthless experience that has no meaning? God desires to use your life, and it begins with a word from Him and a plan to accomplish it through your life regardless of any failures that you have previously experienced. Scripture is filled with individuals who received a dream from God that affected their life direction and ministry greatly. God’s leaders can see the power of God overshadowing the obstacles of the future. They allow God to do what only He can do and are willing to follow His Spirit even when others oppose them.
It is a rare gift, to see the sovereign power of the Lord in the midst of opposition. This is why they are God’s leaders and experience tremendous success in ministry. God’s church needs believers who will devote themselves to get alone with God to hear from Him to determine His plan. After hearing they stand in the gap to accomplish what He desires even though many oppose and cannot see the vision that God has shown.
Let me share with you some practical steps of action that you might consider.
- Ask yourself if this dream has eternal ramifications. Does this dream have a Biblical basis? God will never give you a dream that conflicts with scripture. God has a wonderful plan to use your education, experience, talents and season of life to further His kingdom through your personality. Bill Bright once said, “Whatever we vividly envision, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass, provided there is scriptural authority for it.” Write down the Biblical bases for your dream. Remember to honor God, the dream giver. He deserves all the glory.
- Face your opposition. As you begin to live out your dream there will be times that you will have to stand and defend your dream before naysayers. Articulate clearly your dream. Whether it’s an individual, fear, money or lack of resources you must face them. This will make you more confident and will help you to bring others alongside of you to accomplish what God has placed before you to do. Revelation 3:8 says “See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut”. Write down your dream. (Habakkuk 2:2) Next determine the first steps and do not allow the enemy to discourage you from beginning.
- Count your resources. What has God entrusted you to use? Your personality? Your education? Your experiences? Your giftedness? Remember, this dream is from God and His Holy Spirit will provide all that you will need. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it”.
- Set realistic measurable goals. What are the three month goals? Write them down and do the same for the six month, year and thereafter. Review your goals regularly.
- Expect delays, distractions and others to resist. Satan will always attempt to thwart the work of God and the man of God. Discouragement, fear and people are his primary tools.
Bob Coy says, “Our God is in the business of creating dreams. He’s the dream giver , the dream driver, and the dream fulfiller. And God has a dream for you. His plans are bigger, grander, and more meaningful than anything you could ever dream up on your own. When He plants a dream in your heart, He knows how to make that dream come true.”
As you begin the New Year I challenge you to seek God’s face and dare to dream with Him something that He wants to accomplish in and through you.
