Dreaming With God
Have you ever dreamed the impossible alongside God? Could it be that God wants you to aspire to heights beyond what you ever imagined?
Through Christ, we are heirs to the inheritance of God’s Kingdom. Take a moment to reflect on God’s greatness and the vastness of His Kingdom in relation to the universe we inhabit. Our sun and solar system are just one of the billions within our Milky Way Galaxy, which is made up of billions more galaxies that form our universe. God spoke all of this into existence and named every star in the heavens. To say that God is vast is an understatement!
Today, I want to talk about “Dreaming with God.” This isn’t an article about nighttime dreams; instead, I want to explore how to understand God’s vision for your life and learn to collaborate with God to see your dreams and desires fulfilled.
We serve a mighty God, and there are no limitations with Him! Consider how God brought back the children of Israel into the promised land. It seemed impossible before it occurred.
1 When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad. Psalm 126:1-3 NKJV
In this passage, the children of Israel recall their years in captivity in Babylon. “We were like those who dream…” Meaning: It seemed beyond the realm of possibility!
When was their mouth filled with laughter? After the dream manifested. However, God wants us to operate in faith and see the dream realized before it manifests.
He wants to do “exceedingly above all that we can ask for or think.” His plans for our lives and what He desires to accomplish through us are much larger than most of us have fully embraced. God wants to bless our ideas, creativity, and dreams. In fact, He encourages us to dream big with Him so that He may be glorified through ordinary people doing extraordinary things by His power. The Bible contains numerous examples of individuals who sought God, permitted Him to influence their lives, and witnessed the realization of their dreams.
Moses dreamed of delivering God’s people, Joshua envisioned inhabiting the Promised Land, David aspired to a Kingdom that symbolized an age yet to come, Zerubbabel hoped for a rebuilt temple, Nehemiah sought a restored wall, and Paul dreamed of spreading the gospel throughout the known world, to name just a few.
We are entering a New Year, but more importantly, a new season. Something began to shift this past year, accelerating in November. Seasons are periods of time that are not directly linked to calendar time periods.
The Lord recently said to me, “There is a fresh grace to draw near to Me and receive what you need.” Remember, nothing is impossible with God!
What are you believing God for in this season?
My desire and dream are for our local church to be a place of God’s love, mercy, and grace. Where everyone knows they are welcome. Where the presence of Jesus is tangible and answered prayer is the norm.
What’s your dream today?
Dream big, for you serve a great God, and truly nothing is impossible with Him. You have been given talents, time, and treasure; use what God has entrusted to you as a faithful steward and see how He will begin to breathe life into your dreams. He desires to bless your creativity, ideas, and aspirations.
Is your dream in alignment with God’s nature, will, and word?
13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. 1 John 5:13-15 NLT
And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure James 4:3 NLT
First, are you confident in your relationship with the Lord? Second, are you confident in your prayers? Alignment and motives are important!
Fulfilling your Dreams
God is inviting us to dream with Him, to bring heaven’s realities to our earthly realm. If an undertaking doesn’t involve faith, it’s most likely not God’s dream for you.
Security and opportunity are strangers!
Walt Disney, the founder of the Disney brand and renowned amusement parks such as Disneyland and Disney World, was a visionary and a dreamer. Raised in a Christian home, he integrated Christian values into his early works.
I once read a quote by Walt Disney that illustrates the power of imagination, creativity, and dreaming: “If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing started with a dream and a mouse.”
Always engage with something larger than yourself, for God resides there. At first, every significant success was deemed impossible.
First, you must birth your Dream
It doesn’t usually happen overnight; it is a process that unfolds with God.
Psalm 37:4 states, “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (NKJV) A collaborative process emerges from a close relationship with the Lord.
As we walk with Jesus, His desires become our desires. God wants to bless our godly dreams and our sanctified imagination!
It’s true that as we walk with Him and grow more like Him, many of our desires reflect His heart and values. However, He wants to bless our godly dreams and our imagination, for we have the mind of Christ. He gave us our individual imaginations and creativity, which are as varied as the stars in the heavens, to use uniquely to improve our world and reveal His glory.
I love beautiful music, especially worship music. I appreciate the creativity expressed by each worship leader and musician. Where does it begin? In the heart and in the imagination. Then it’s created; the music comes to life, and many are blessed.
Where would we be if the Wright brothers had not dreamed of flight? Where would Henry Ford and the Model T be? Bill Gates and Microsoft? Steve Jobs and Apple?
Or imagine if the early church failed to heed the Great Commission?
Secondly, does your Dream inspire and motivate you?
Consider Jesus, and what He faced for you and me:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now, he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. Heb. 12:1-4 NLT
Jesus’ obedience to the Father and His love for humanity kept the vision of a church ablaze in His heart and eternal perspective. He endured and persisted for us!
Do you come alive as you talk about it? Are you passionate about your dream? Passion should be at the core of your dream—it will fuel your dream engine.
Thirdly, do you have the courage to pursue your Dream?
Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23 NKJV
You must be willing to trust in God, rather than in the security that this world offers, to see your dreams fulfilled. If we can fully trust God and believe in His ability to empower us for success, then all things are truly within our reach.
Belief and courage are essential for bringing ideas and dreams to fruition.
Disney spoke about dreams and courage, stating: “All our dreams can come true—if we have the courage to pursue them.”
The question for most of us is: Do we have the courage to pursue our dreams? God is for us and has given us many promises in His word.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJV
Expect challenges on your journey to achieve your dream. Setbacks and conflicts may arise with family, friends, and finances. Stay strong and courageous!
Disney said this about Mickey Mouse: “He popped out of my mind onto a drawing pad 20 years ago on a train ride from Manhattan to Hollywood, at a time when the business fortunes of my brother Roy and me were at their lowest ebb, and disaster seemed right around the corner.”
Right here is where most of us stop. We are at our lowest point; everything feels over, and we give up on pursuing the dream in our hearts. We find ourselves in Egypt, like Joseph, wondering how this happened. What about the dream? What about the promises?
A few years ago, statistics revealed that 85% of small businesses fail. Interestingly, experts observed that many of these businesses shut down just before achieving profitability. Most individuals give up right on the brink of success.
Did you know that there is only one degree of difference between hot water and steam? Don’t quit too soon—you might be at the transition point!
You must be willing to be courageous in the face of adversity and take practical steps to realize your dreams. Go after the education, training, etc. as needed.
Next, understand your Dream may change or evolve over time
We want the “Golden Plan,” a set of instructions and a map to reveal everything that lies ahead, but it simply doesn’t exist.
Joseph had no idea that God was honing and refining his character, literally reshaping the dream He had given him.
Prov. 21:1 states: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.”
Life isn’t a linear path but a river that bends back and forth. Be willing to change, adapt, or even dream a new dream.
Lastly, don’t give up on your Dream
Are you at a low point? Do your dreams seem like a faded memory? Tired, ready to give up? You wonder, where is God, is there any hope left?
Perhaps you have experienced a setback in your life: an unexpected turn of events, job loss, illness, the death of a loved one, divorce, or financial debt. How did I get to this place in my life? What about my dreams? The enemy will try to convince you that God doesn’t care. What’s the use of praying? It’s over; give up!
Consider what Paul wrote:
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Gal. 6:9 NKJV
The Lord gives a conditional promise: don’t lose heart, persist!
Persistent people begin their success where most others quit. Remember, you’re an heir of God. You have an inheritance in the Kingdom!
Remember these three important P’s: Prayer, Patience, and Persistence!
We should be known as a people of persistence and endurance. One person with commitment, persistence, and endurance will accomplish more than a thousand people with interest alone.
Don’t focus on how much money, resources, or skills you possess. Instead, start with a million dollars’ worth of determination! It’s not about what you have, but how you utilize those resources that truly matters. God is with you. Follow His guidance!
God won’t quit on you! Phil. 1:6 “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Final Thoughts
Seek God foremost. Draw near to Him and other believers!
God wants you to dream big with Him!
Don’t let circumstances, time, others, or the devil dissuade you from pursuing those dreams and the promises God has given you.
Guard your thoughts
Eliminate negative thoughts! Concentrate on God, His goodness, mercy, grace, and His promises. Reject the enemy’s lies!
Be mindful of the words you speak. Avoid agreeing with the adversary!
Prophetic words as we enter a New Year:
God’s hand and favor are on you. What you thought was impossible in the past is achievable in this new season. There is greater grace to move into the new. God is empowering you to live from your true identity and potential.
Change and transition are necessary. You’re not alone as you move into this new season. The Lord is with you. He is the captain of the host and is leading you into purpose and destiny. It is essential that you rest in what Jesus has accomplished for you. Not everyone has the gifts and calling God has placed within you. As you embrace what God is revealing and offering you, your faith and resolve to move forward will be strengthened.
Part of the grace to transition is a greater ability to “see prophetically” the promised inheritance. Faith provides eyes to the heart to visualize the manifestation of the promises. There is an enlargement of prophetic vision in this season. There is an increased awareness and expectation for the miraculous to occur. There is a heightened sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit into impossible situations. During these situations, grace will be released to see and believe in God’s intended outcome.
God is releasing His peace and joy to those who remain steadfast in Jesus. Those who value Him as their closest friend and endeavor to follow and obey Him—not out of duty—but as His friends will experience His love, peace, and joy in remarkable ways. New levels of intimacy will yield greater fruitfulness in this season. Grace is being released to abide in His presence amid the changes that are coming. His presence will lead you into peace and joy that will impact many as you cross over into the fullness of His promise.
Don’t settle for the status quo. Great changes are coming and are unfolding. Those who are willing to think outside the box, as the Spirit leads, will be forerunners and innovators of change in this hour.
I’ve chosen you to represent Me in your generation. Allow my Spirit to empower you as an agent of love and reconciliation. There is a breaking down of walls that separate people from each other. There is a grace being released to reach out to others in love and compassion—love and power to overcome the challenges in society and the world. Compassion for the world will lead to a greater harvest. Love and compassion will reach the hearts of a generation that is ignorant of my love. Hearts are ready; people are longing for love and truth. Only believe you are more ready than you realize. You are not alone. God is with you, and He has placed you in His family, in His body, to draw comfort and strength from. The transitions require a reliance on others to be fully realized.
