Do More Than Dream About Success

. .

The Lord said to me. . .

“God wants us to dream bigger…speak boldly…think creatively…associate higher…do more…never give up … starting today.”

I thought that would make a great Facebook post and Tweet for Twitter. . .but the Lord decided it would make a great SUNDAY NITE LIVE teaching for His people.

Truthfully, my first thought was “Lord, I’ve already got something and I need a nap.”

Fortunately, I never spoke those words although I know He knows so I repented for even thinking them.

Here’s what I do know. . .this teaching is especially for some of God’s choice chosen vessels. . .like you.

# 1       Dream Bigger

In my mind. . .I was seeking to find some fresh revelation on dreams and I’m not talking about the nocturnal kind but then I realized the vast majority of us don’t perceive or fully receive the truth God wants us to get. . .with just hearing something once or twice.

You’ll never succeed in achieving your wildest dreams. . .unless you have some wild dreams.

John Barrymore, the actor, once said:

“A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.”

Here are seven things that will stand between you and your dreams coming true.

First, ANGER. Anger is the result of something that happens to you or something that didn’t happen to you.

Anger will control your life while destroying your dreams. . .if you give place to it.

My motto is. . .Never get mad get motivated . . . to change your environment.

Second, SADNESS. Sadness or sorrow over what did or didn’t happen will suck the very life out of you along with any passion for your success.

Third, FRUSTRATION. Frustration is what you perceive as the roadblock to changing your circumstances. But you gotta know. . .everything can change. . .when you change what’s happening within you.

Fourth, RESENTMENT. Resentment rises when what you’re going through doesn’t seem fair. compared to what people whom you perceive to be less spiritual are going through.

Fifth, REVENGE. Revenge is a spirit that links up with anger. Don’t let it happen or it will cause much bigger problems later.

The world has a lot of remedies for this… which is the cause of a great deal of mayhem happening today.

Sixth, GUILT. Guilt will hinder your dreams from coming true because it forces your focus to the past therefore blocking your anticipation for the future.

Seventh, QUITTING. Quitting is the devil’s way of talking you out of God’s future for you by making you perceive there’s more trouble than God can handle through you...

Write down your emotions on the most recent instance where something happened to steal your dreams and destroy your motivation.

Now take that piece of paper, tear it to shreds and throw it away. Forgive yourself instead of forgetting your dreams.

Luke 9:62 in The Living Bible says:

“But Jesus told him, Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

# 2       Speak Boldly

The person who speaks boldly. . .operates in or is developing a confidence in who they are and what the dreams they can accomplish under the unction of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 6:20 says:

“For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

When it comes to protecting your dream. . .speak boldly.

When it comes to fulfilling your assignment. . .speak boldly.

When it comes to changing a negative, unproductive environment into a positive one. . .speak boldly.

Before you can speak boldly with authority. . .there are four steps to take.

First, be comforted by the Holy Spirit.

Second, be encouraged about your possibilities.

Third, be confident because of who you are in Him.

Finally, boldly speak the truth or the thing you want to come to pass.

Hebrews 13:6 in the Amplified Bible says:

So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?”

You can now speak boldly in every situation.

2 Corinthians 7:16 in the Amplified Bible says:

“I am very happy because I now am of good courage and have perfect confidence in you in all things.”

# 3       Think Creatively

There’s nothing wrong with doing what others have done. . .as long as it’s successful.

However, you’re greater success will come when you think creatively beyond what you’ve previously thought. . .or. . .what others have done.

Your imagination fuels your creativity.

George Bernard Shaw, the famed playwright once said:

“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will.”

Edmund Burke once said:

“There is a boundary to men's passions when they act from feelings; but none when they are under the influence of imagination.”

Stephen Covey, the author of “The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People,” once said:

“Live out of your imagination, not your history.”

Albert Einstein, the genius physicist, once said:

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Sun Tzu, author of "The Art Of War," once said:

"Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?"

Philippians 4:6-7 in the New Living Translation says:

“Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.”

The best way to initiate a creative flow is by putting yourself in a quiet environment with music that soothes or provokes your spiritual thinking process.

One more quote by Albert Einstein.

“In my experience, the best creative work is never done when one is unhappy.”

# 4       Associate higher

Exodus 23:2 in The Living Bible says:

“Don’t join mobs intent on evil. When on the witness stand, don’t be swayed in your testimony by the mood of the majority present.”

Wrong associations make it easier to compromise your principles.

There is a difference between compromising procedures on how something is done and compromising principles. We can compromise procedures but never the moral or ethical principles behind them.

Exodus 34:12 in The Living Bible says:

“Be very, very careful never to compromise with the people there in the land where you are going, for if you do, you will soon be following their evil ways.”

It’s important that you know who you are in Christ. . .where you want to go in life so you can avoid people who are satisfied in their comfort zone.

Remember this, in any group . . . statistics show that conversations and attitudes generally fall to the lowest common denominator.

I’ve always taught our children to be careful about associations . . .because people with negative or sinful behavior will try to bring you down to their level. . .they do not tend to seek to rise to your level.

By bringing you down. . .it’s the only way they can justify their behavior or feel good about themselves.

That’s why the Word teaches against missionary dating.

If the person who has eyes for you is not a Christian . . . close your eyes until you no longer see them. If marrying an unsaved person worked, then the scripture wouldn’t warn us not to be unequally yoked.

2 Corinthians 6:14 says:

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness?”

A few verses later 2 Corinthians 6:18 in the Message Bible says:

“Don't link up with those who will pollute you.”

Another very clear reason is found in Amos 3:3:

“Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”

Seek out. . .associate with. . . be blessed by people who know where they’re going and by people who value the Word of God and seek to follow His divine directions.

# 5       Do more than what you’ve done before.

If you aren’t making progress in achieving your dreams. . .then it’s time to do something different.

Here are seven steps you can immediately take to facilitate your dreams coming true.

First, taking action is your duty.

Ezra 10:4 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“Get up! It’s your duty to take action. We are with you, so be strong and take action.”

God didn’t create or call you to be a spiritual couch potato. . .He called you to be a doer of the Word.

James 1:22:

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

Second, you’ll know what to do once you know Him and His word.

Daniel 11:32 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“With flattery he will corrupt those who abandon the promise. But the people who know their God will be strong and take action.”

Ernest Hemingway said:

“Never mistake motion for action.”

Third, we’re to take action. . .not just talk about it.

1 John 3:18 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“Dear children, we must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words.”

Benjamin Franklin said:

“Well done is better than well said.”

Don’t talk about it. . .just do it.

Fourth, God sees the actions you take.

Proverbs 5:21 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“Each person’s ways are clearly seen by the Lord, and he surveys all his actions.”

Andrew Carnegie said:

“As I grow older I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.”

Fifth, inspect what you expect from yourself.

Galatians 6:4 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“Each of you must examine your own actions. Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others.”

People may doubt or question what you say. . .but will believe what you do.

Sugar Ray Robinson said:

"To be a champion you have to believe in yourself when no one else will."

Sixth, taking action is pleasing to God.

Philippians 2:13 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him.”

When you do what God tells you to do. . .then on Judgment Day you’ll be singing “Oh, Happy Day” instead of “Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen.”

Seventh, taking action brings rewards.

2 Chronicles 15:7 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“But you must remain strong and not become discouraged. Your actions will be rewarded.”

Jeremiah 17:10 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“I, the Lord, search minds and test hearts. I will reward each person for what he has done. I will reward him for the results of his actions.”

# 6       Never give up

While pursuing your destiny and making your dreams come true you may encounter roadblocks, detours, potholes, sinkholes, obstacles, changing terrain and even crazy drivers. . .along the way.

However, regardless of the adversity or delays. . .never give up.

Our Heavenly Father even gives us specific direction about how we’re to pray.

Ephesians 6:18 in the New Century Version says:

“Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God's people.”  

Not only are we to persevere . . . never give up . . .but we’re to pray for one another.

Once you begin praying for others who may be experiencing your same trials and tribulations . . . something supernatural begins to happen.

The Holy Spirit will stir you . . . direct you to the one you should be praying for. You may not know the specifics involved in their situation but God does. Just follow the promptings of the Spirit.

Romans 12:11 in the Contemporary English Version says:

Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord.”

As you pray . . .get out in front of your battle. . .begin praising God for victory in the areas of your life that have been under the greatest demonic assault even before you see the victory or experience its manifestation.

Praise precipitates hope which reinforces your commitment to never give up or quit.

Psalm 71:14 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“I will never give up hope or stop praising you.”

I regularly receive mail from folks who’ve grown weary of living with physical pain and agony . . . feeling there is no hope. . .they question at times, whether or not they should give up.

2 Corinthians 4:16 in the New Living Translation says:

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.”

Satchel Paige, the legendary baseball player. . .who endured racism and pain. . .never gave up. He once said:

“Never let your head hang down. NEVER GIVE UP AND SIT DOWN AND GRIEVE.
Find another way.”

When we grow weary . . . when we think about giving up our dreams . . .we can take comfort in knowing that God’s infinite love and mercy knows no limitations.

2 Corinthians 4:1 in the New Living Translation says:

“Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.”

Rejoice that His grace (unmerited favor) and mercy are fresh and new every day.

The Bible is the greatest success book ever written. It’s filled with stories of people who’ve overcome the most difficult adversities to achieve the greatest victories.

Read, embrace, devour and immerse yourself in the Word of God. . .follow its principles, percepts and promises and never give up.

2 Timothy 3:10 in the New Century Version says:

“[Obey the Teachings ] But you have followed what I teach, the way I live, my goal, faith, patience, and love. You know I never give up.”  

Babe Ruth, the legendary baseball player for the New York Yankees, once said:

You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.”

The only way your dreams fail to come true is if you quit. . .DON’T!

# 7       Start today.

Isaiah 43:19 in the Message Bible says:

“Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.”

Regardless of what you perceive to be your limitations. . .God is ready for you to experience a new beginning at this very moment.

Micah 4:7 in the New Life Version says:

“I will make a new beginning with those who cannot walk. I will make a strong nation of those who have been driven away. And the Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.”

It’s time to stop talking and start doing. It’s even time to stop praying and get moving.

Exodus 14:15 in The Living Bible says:

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Quit praying and get the people moving! Forward, march!’”

Today. Right now. . .this very moment is the best time. . .the right time for you to decide enough is enough. This is your defining moment when you decide you’re not going to live the way you’ve been living anymore.

In defining moments like this. . .you make a decision to change things for the better.

You realize your financial environment will not change until you change. . .and you will not change. . .until you change the way you think.

Romans 12:2 in the New Living Translation says:

"Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think."

It’s moments like this when you realize the power available to you through scriptures like Ephesians 3:20 in the Amplified Bible which says:

“Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams].”

You need to realize this is your time. . .this is your day. . .now is your time.

2 Corinthians 6:2 in the New International Reader’s Version says:

“He says, "When I showed you my favor, I heard you. On the day I saved you, I helped you."

Now is the time. . .don’t wait. . .don’t procrastinate. . .activate your dreams.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 in The Living Bible says:

“If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll never get anything done.

One more thing. . .you’ve got to stop looking at the past.

If you dwell on past hurts, failures, broken relationships and financial mistakes, then you’re doomed to repeat them.

Isaiah 43:18 in the Message Bible says:

“Forget about what’s happened: don’t keep going over old history.”

Here’s a fact. . .God can’t do a new thing in your life as long as your living in the past. Don’t commiserate about what happened. . .instead plan for what’s going to happen.

Get ready. Get set. GO! Right now!

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