Have you ever thought about how you’d like to be recognized?

Genesis 37:19 says:

“And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.”

The dreamer cometh.  I think I like that.

Years ago, my fine wife Bev and I had the pleasure of meeting George Foreman.  As a former heavyweight champion and entrepreneur . . .he is a delightful man.

Foreman once said:

“If you don’t dream you might as well be dead.”

If you don’t have a dream. . .I don’t think you should be dead. . .I just think you need to be taught how to become a dreamer.

 

What was your first dream?  Do you remember it?

Are you living your dream?  If not, why not and more importantly, what are you going to do about it?

Have you changed, ignored or abandoned your dream as you’ve gotten older?  Have you allowed adverse circumstances or negative people to steal your dreams?

Just because someone doesn’t see your dream as you do doesn’t mean it wasn’t meant to be.  Perhaps they couldn’t see your dream because it wasn’t theirs.

Way too many believers resign themselves to a life of missed callings and dreams because of what somebody else said about their dream. 

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you could “taste it?”  You would do whatever is necessary to get it. . .even, if that meant skipping lunches or doing without just so you could get the thing you had to have.

Maybe it’s time for you to make a choice. . .the kind President Teddy Roosevelt made when he said:

“I choose not to be a common man.  Me, it’s my right to be uncommon if I can.  I’ll seek opportunity, not security.  I do not wish to be a kept citizen--humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.  I want to take the calculated risk, to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.”

If you don’t dare to dream. . .you’ll still get the same old. . .same old.

If you keep doing what you’ve been doing. . .then you’ll continue getting what you’ve been getting.

When you begin to dream . . .things begin to change. . .and the first change is within you.

Remember, nothing will change until either you or someone else changes.  If you change you will follow your dreams. . .creating your own destiny.  If they change. . .you will follow their dreams helping them create their destiny.

When you have a dream. . .your “want to” turns into your “have to.”

Here are the seven characteristics of being a dreamer.  I’m going to share them as an acronym.

D. . .Develop specific goals with a daily timeline to make your dreams come true.

The difference between having a dream and not having one is like the difference between a treadmill and an escalator.  You can work up a sweat on the treadmill but it’s not taking you anywhere.

However, a dream without a plan is just a wish.  Write that down.

I want each of you. . .to get a legal pad, notebook, smart phone or some other data retrieval system and I want you to keep a daily list. . .once you establish your dreams.

Each night before you go to bed I want you to write down what you’ve done during the do to fulfill your dream and achieve your goals.

Look What The Lord Has Done Today, In and Through Me                      Date

Go to haroldherring.com or youtube.com and watch the “7 Things To Do Before You Go To Sleep” video

One more thing. . .Dr. Robert Schuller offered some great advice when he said:

“High achievers spot rich opportunities swiftly, make big decisions quickly and move into action immediately. Follow these principles and you can make your dreams come true.”

I strong recommend you read my blog “8 Steps To Goal Setting.”  You will find the principles you need to create a definitive plan.  But if you don’t make the effort. . .then you’ll continue to muddle in mediocrity.

R. . .Recognize and remove obstacles you need to overcome.

Recognize the absolute necessity of having God direct your path in overcoming all the roadblocks of life.

Accept temporary mistakes, detours and disappointments as just that, temporary.  Learn from every mistake and move forward, no looking back or blaming anyone.

How do you overcome obstacles? 

Psalm 34:19 in the New Century Version says:

“People who do what is right may have many problems, but the Lord will solve them all.”

Tell God what you’re facing. . .ask Him how to handle it.

Psalm 142:2 in the New Century Version says:

“I pour out my problems to him; I tell him my troubles.”

Exodus 18:19 in the New International Reader’s Version:

"Listen to me. I'll give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must speak to God for the people. Take their problems to him.”

If you want to be used for greater purposes in the Kingdom. . .you need to handle smaller problems.

1 Corinthians 6:2 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“Don't you know that God's people will judge the world? And if you are going to judge the world, can't you settle small problems?”

One more thing and this is very important.

You will either achieve your dreams or not based on the people you associate with.

Make a list of your seven closest friends and associates.

Now ask yourself these seven questions.

1.         Does your friend have a dream of their own?

2.         Are they actively pursuing their dreams?

3.         Was your friend excited when you shared your dream with them?

4.         Does this friend have a written plan with timelines on how to achieve their dream?

5.         Does this friend share ideas, scriptures and/or thoughts with you on a regular basis on how to make your dreams come true?

6.         What's the greatest negative influence this friend has on your life?

7.         Does this friend motivate you to achieving your dream or are you always motivating them toward theirs?

                                                  

It only makes sense to associate with people who can encourage, exhort, edify and build you up as you pursue your dreams of success.  Surround yourself with people who also have a dream, a goal and a vision of what they want their lives to be.

1 Corinthians 15:33 in the New Living Translation says:

“Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.”

E. . .Empower your efforts by feeding your mind a proper diet of inspiration,

information and motivation.

When I first wrote this sentence. . .I thought I’d give you some practical tips on feeding your mind. . .even though I’ve done that before.  But then God directed me to ask you

. . .how do you get wisdom, knowledge, understanding and skill as a dream?  The same way everybody else does. . .you ask for it. . .you seek it. . .then you shall find it.

Matthew 7:7 says:

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

You have not wisdom, knowledge, understanding and skill because you ask not.

James 4:2 in the New Living Translation says:

“You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.”

I want to read the last fourteen words of this verse one more time.

“Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.”

That begs one question. . .and I want you to listen very carefully to how I phrase this question so you don’t get all religious on me.

What in. . .hell. . .is keeping you from asking for it?

It’s obvious that if something can be yours and you’re not asking for it. . .then something from the dark side has you bound and is keeping you from getting what God has for you.

When you get wisdom, knowledge, understanding and skill. . .then the manifestation of your dreams. . .is close to becoming a reality. . .even in the midst of your own personal captivity or adversity.

Daniel 1:17 in the Amplified Bible says:

“As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all [kinds of] visions and dreams.”

A. . .Activate Ephesians 6:8 by blessing others so God will bless you.

Ephesians 6:8 says:

“Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”

The Message Bible translates Ephesians 6:8 like this:

“Good work will get you good pay from the Master. . .”

Over the years I’ve had many people ask me how I can always be so happy even in the midst of difficult circumstances.  It’s because I sow happiness.

Driving down the highway, I noticed my father waved at everyone.  It wasn’t because he knew everyone, he just loves people.  Have you ever had someone wave at you in a passing car that you didn’t know?  I’m sure it made you feel good.  In fact, you probably thought, who was that?  Didn’t know they knew me.

Bottom line. . .if you want happiness in your life. . .then sow happiness into the lives of others.

Sadly, there are people who want happiness. . .but have never sown the first seed of happiness.

If you want your dreams to come true. . .ask God to use you to help others make their dreams come true.

God will do for you what you’ve done for them.

The New International Version of Ephesians 6:8 says:

“The Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does. . .”

If you want to be rewarded. . .paid and blessed. . .then make it your business. . .your mission. . .your passion to help other people achieve their dreams.

When you become a Dream Maker for someone else. . .God will do the same for you.

M. . Move into strategic alliances with people who motivate you to move beyond

your comfort zone.

Napoleon Hill in his book “Think and Grow Rich” encouraged every reader to create

what he called a Master Mind Alliance.  He suggested surrounding yourself with people

who could and would provoke you to think outside your comfort zone and beyond your

imagination.

As I’ve stated repeatedly over the past few months. . .if you’re the smartest person in your circle of friends then you need some new friends.

Who motivates you to think in possibilities instead of problems?  Who provokes you to look for opportunities instead of reasons to fail?  Who exhorts, encourages and edifies you to be more and do more than you previously thought possible?

These are the folks who should form your strategic alliance.

I’m not telling you to abandon your friends . . . but I’m telling you some facts.  “Like” produces “like.”  Your attitude, speech and behavior are directly affected by your friends.

If you’re committed to elevating your life. . .then add some new friends.  Hang around folks who have their act together . . . personally and financially.

Make no mistake about it. . .you are blessed or cursed by your associations.  That is a biblical principle.  Read the biblical accounts of Jacob and Laban, Joseph and Potiphar and Samson and Delilah just to name a few.

While it’s very important to have the right people in your life. . .it’s just as important to

Minimize the impact of negative ones.  Sometimes they’ll even help you.

Genesis 37:8 says:

“And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed

have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his

words.”

It’s also important to realize there will be some people whose envy of your dreams will

prompt them to be contemptuous of your success and/or your dream.

You have a choice to make.  You can hang around dream slayers or dream

builders.

E. . .Energize your efforts so you never give up.

My philosophy is very simple.  If you believe in what you’re doing . . .you will never give up.

Hebrews 3:19 in the Message Bible the scripture describes many of the Children of Israel:

“They never got there because they never listened, never believed.”

If you read and understand. . .then act on the Word of God. You know you will succeed in life. . .your dreams will be fulfilled as long as you never give up.  It’s not a question of if. . .but when.

2 Corinthians 4:8 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don't know what to do, we never give up.”

Your dreams may be under attack. . .but the Lord is saying to you. . .regardless of your current adversity, whether it’s relatively new or has been around for a long time. . .you are to never give up.

In your present situation, you may not know what to do next. . .but the Word of God says that you’re to never give up. . . pray about the next step you should take.

Luke 18:1 in the New Living Translation says:

“[Parable of the Persistent Widow] One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.”

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

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.”

R. . .Rejoice in the Lord who gives you everything you need to think beyond your

imagination.

On this seventh key. . .I don’t need a lot of teaching. . .just a real close look at 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].”

1.         Now.  Not tomorrow. . .next week. . .next month or in the sweet bye and bye.

NOW!!

2.         to Him.  We’re talking about the King of Kings, the Lord of Lord’s, the Master of the Universe, the Almightly One, the beginning and and the end. . .all that is, was or ever will be.

3.         Who, by (in consequence of the [action of His] power.  He’s got the power and He’s giving it to us.  That’s the kind of transference. . .I really like.

4.         at work within us.  He is not respecter of persons. . .if He’s ever fulfilled a dream or done anything for anybody else. . .He must do it for you.

5.         is able to [carry out His purpose.    God is not a man that He should lie.  Has He not said it. . .will He not bring your dream to pass.

6.         do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think.  What kind of thinker are you?  We have not because we ask not.

7.         [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes and dreams].  .  Between prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes and dreams. . .I believe you’ve got everything needed to think beyond your imagination.

It’s important to understand. . .your dream will never become a reality unless you pursue it with a passion and a plan.

Sadly, over the years, I’ve talked with many people who, with great enthusiasm, told me about their dreams filled with ambitious plans. . .yet nothing ever happened.

It’s one thing to dream . . . and dream we must. . .but it’s totally another thing to make your dreams come true.  Just talking about something isn’t going to make it happen.  We must arise and do something about it.

There comes a point when you have to stop talking. . .and even quit praying . . . and just be about what God has planned for you.

Exodus 14:15 in The Living Bible says:

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

One more thing. . .there are three kinds of dreamers.

Dream slayers….always seeking to disillusion, discourage or dishearten the dreams of others.

Dream chasers….people who talk the talk but never walk the walk.  They spend their lives talking about what they’re going to do. . .but never do.

Dream makers…are the people who will take this teaching to heart and purpose to change their lives.

In closing, let me share with you seven of my favorite quotes on dreams.

First, Dexter Yager, a strong Christian and successful Amway entrepreneur said:

“Success is the progressive realization of a worthwhile dream”

Second, Sam Walton said:

“If you believe in your dreams there is no limit to what you can do.”

Third, Mark Twain said:

“Don’t give up your dreams.  When they are gone you may still exist, but you’ve ceased to really live.”

Fourth, Eleanor Roosevelt said:

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Fifth, George Bernard Shaw said:

“You see things; and you say, "Why?" I dream things that never were; and I say, "Why not."

Sixth, Walt Disneysaid:

“The secret to making dreams come true is: curiosity, confidence, courage and constancy.”

And seventh, everything I’ve written in this teaching.  That’s why you should read it again. . .and find which of my quotes should be number seven.

Wait. . .look. . .here comes a dreamer. . .it’s you.

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