dream

The Dream

January 7, 2022 by Bill Leave a Comment

Before church began on Wednesday, Pastor Wayne was standing near the front and I went up to say hello before sitting down. He said, “Hey Bill,” then asked me a question, “Are you living the dream?” It sort of caught me off guard and I replied, “Whose dream? “Well, I don’t know.” he said. We then went on talking about tools, equipment and firewood. But, as I sat down, that question stuck with me, “Are you living the dream?” Do I have a dream? Does God have a dream for me? What’s my dream? What’s God’s dream? I think it’s something we need to look at.

The Bible speaks of dreams 21 times, two of which stood out to me. Joseph’s dreams in Genesis 37:4-9 showed the teenager what was going to be in his future. His brothers and father didn’t like the dreams, Joseph had some hard times, but he went on to live out those dreams. Then Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph, had a dream, (Matthew 1:20), in which an angel told him to go ahead and take Mary as his wife because it was part of God’s plan. Joseph said yes and lived out that dream. God has plans for us too. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). So, how do we know God’s plan for us and how do we live out the dream? The answers are all in the Bible and we can get insight into God’s dreams for us by talking to Him regularly. We have been given specific gifts and talents to use in this endeavor too. Some things that are God’s will for us are: To love, pray, give thanks, be set apart, avoid sin, follow Him, submit/trust, do good, show mercy, be humble and many more. We must be careful to not have our dream based on our plans, our parents’ or someone else’s. Let’s be seeking God’s will, His plans and dreams for us. If we are really into God’s will for us, we will truly be living the dream.

What’s Your Dream?

November 22, 2008 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 18, 2008

I’m on the Board of Deacons at my church and we had a deacon’s meeting on this evening. After the normal “business” of church administration, our pastor directed us to think about what our dreams were for our church. Our AG church, I think, is a progressive congregation focusing on Jesus and leaning toward the contemporary style of worship. Our pastor is a gifted leader and is not satisfied with, “church as usual” and, thus, our church is different than most in our area of Southwest Virginia. The early church was different too, wasn’t it?

As we talked about what we, as deacons, dreamed for our church, some things mentioned were, “500 for Saturday night prayer.”, “A place where miracles happen regularly.”, and “Hosting a youth conference with thousands in attendance.”. All these things sounded great and I know they can all come to pass. “All things are possible to him who believes. Mark 9:23.” So, what would God say about our dreams?

I got this vision, or revelation, as I frequently do, of me telling God my dreams for our church. As I told God one dream, He’d say, “OK, no problem.”. I’d tell Him another and He’d say, “I can do that.” With another, He’s say, “All these things are easy for me and I want to make your dreams realities but you’re not dreaming big enough! And, you know, your dreams depend on you too. Do you really believe I can and will do these things? Are you reading My Word and following My commands? Are you willing to sacrifice and pray to help make these dreams come to pass?”. I realized many of the things we ask God for, things we pray for, He is ready and willing to speak them into existanct but is waiting for us to do our part.

“Be ye doers of the Word and not hears only. James 1: 22“. This is so important. What’s your dream for your church, your family, your job, or your life. God is able, God is willing, and He could very well be waiting on you. Ask Him what you are to do. You probably already know.

Watch This!

August 13, 2008 by Bill 1 Comment

Given August 4, 2008

During my morning devotion, I read a quote from Don Clifton that stated, “Vision without action is hallucination.” It made me think…(that’s what these revelations do for me). I thought, “We can have all these visions or plans for great things but if we never act on them, what’s it worth? You’re just seeing things that aren’t real, a hallucination.” Visions are only beneficial when they’re acted on and brought into reality.

I wrote previously on, “Be A Doer”, right below this which comes from the verse, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22.” That post encourages believers into action as well so God must be trying to tell me something here. I am in a new job after retiring from public education and have lots of “ideas” for the future. I guess it’s time to take action on some of those ideas.

In this same revelation, I was reminded of my two 4 year-old grandsons. When they get together, they’re competing with each other on doing things and showing Pawpaw what they can do. They always preface what they do with a hardy, “Papaw, watch this!” They don’t talk about it, analyze it, plan it…they just announce it and do it! I’m getting the picture. I can see Moses standing before the Red Sea and telling his whining people, “But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. Exodus 14:13, NLT.” Basically, he was saying, “Watch this!”. On the other hand, Jesus usually didn’t announce what He was going to do, He just did it; “Peace! Be still!“ Mark 4:39, “Be quiet. Come out of him.“ Mark 1:25, “Lazarus, come out!“ John 11:43. He could have said to the crowd, “Watch this.”

The point is, we as Christians and me in particular, should stop dreaming and planning so much and start doing.

Something To Look Forward To

July 12, 2007 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given June 4, 2007
Think about a time in your life when you had something big coming up. I remember vacations as a kid. Man, the closer it’d get to the day we’d leave, the exciteder (is that a word?) I’d get. I looked forward to getting up early, getting in the car, and starting on our adventure. Even now, I find that if I have something to look forward to each week or each day, I can put up with the daily grind much better. When pressure, stress, or negative thoughts try to come on me, I just think about the good that’s coming up. ” By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2“.

There are those who might say, “Well, it’s so bad for me right now there’s nothing good in my life and no hope for the future.” Not so! God has a plan for each of us. “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11 Amplified Bible“. Wow, is that something to look forward to? Spend time with God and let Him show you how to get in to this plan. He’ll show you how to overcome the bad and see some good out there.

We must not walk backwards into the future; longing for what’s behind, but looking forward to what’s ahead, even though we can’t see it yet. Remember the Hebrew nation? “If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11: 15-16“. Now let’s see…what do I have coming up?

Dream Big

June 13, 2007 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given June 2, 2007

While traveling to an out-of-town wedding recently, I noticed a sign on a mobile home sales lot. The sign said, “Come in and find your dream home.” That set me to thinking. Now, there’s nothing wrong with living in a mobile home; I purchased and lived in one myself for several years. They are good, basic, living quarters for those on a limited budget, as we were.

But a “dream home”? I think that says something about our dreams. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20“. One of the greatest limitations to our lives is who we think we are and what we think we can accomplish. The enemy puts thought of mediocrity in our minds and if we don’t push beyond that, we will never rise to what God has planned for us. We need to dream big, imagine unthinkable accomplishments, and not limit God by our small thinking.

Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10“. While you’re living in that mobile home, working in a low-paying job, or quietly serving God, dream of a big house on a hill, a job where you can have enough for yourself and others, or have a major spiritual impact on others. And by faith, thank God for it! He loves a big dreamer; just ask Joseph, Genesis 41:41-43.