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.
The context of this scripture may have been made in a negative way…but Joseph’s dreams are what sustained him through every trial and brought victory and preservation to his brothers when they needed it the most.
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.
I enjoying watching Shark Tank….where four or five billionaires compete to help aspiring entrepreneurs with their dreams. The interplay among the billionaires is fascinating but I’m most taken by those who have a dream of pursuing their vision.
Let me ask. . .do you have a dream? Have you written it down. . .are you willing to take a risk of stepping outside your comfort zone? Can you see yourself pitching your dream to billionaires?
Have you thought about how to turn your dreams into reality?
Here are seven keys for doing just that.
# 1 Spend time with him before you have to deal with them.
Genesis 50:21 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Now therefore, do not be afraid. I will provide for and support you and your little ones. And he comforted them [imparting cheer, hope, strength] and spoke to their hearts [kindly].”
Just as God had sent Joseph ahead to Egypt so he could be in position to comfort and give hope and strength to his starving family in Canaan, God knows the future and has our backs. We can’t always see it but if we believe it … we will see it.
If we can turn our attention away from the outside pressures and toward our trust in the One who made heaven and earth, our perspective will change and so will our peace factor.
God says. . . ‘do not be afraid. . .I will provide for and support you. . .be comforted by imparting cheer, hope and strength’ through Psalm 94:19 in the Amplified Bible:
“In the multitude of my [anxious] thoughts within me, Your comforts cheer and delight my soul!”
The Living Bible translation of Psalm 94:19 says:
“Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.”
When doubts fill your mind. . .turn to the Lord and will not only cheer you up but He will protect you from them.
John 16:33 in the Amplified Bible says:
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”
Tribulation. . .trials. . .distress and frustration. . .does it seem you’ve been meeting these four demons of despair wherever you turn? If so, you gotta know. . .Jesus is telling you to “be of good cheer.”
When He tells us to be cheerful in adversity. . .He states we’re to take courage, be confident, certain and undaunted. Jesus paid the price and robbed The Circle of Failure of its ability to harm you.
Psalm 31:24 in The Living Bible says:
“So cheer up! Take courage if you are depending on the Lord.”
When you depend on Him. . .you never have to worry about them. That should make you CHEER UP.
# 2 Determine to do something about your dreams every day.
Proverbs 16:3 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.”
When our thoughts line up with the Word of God. . .He will cause our plans to be successful.
Psalm 20:4 in the New Living Translation says:
“May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.”
A dream without a plan is just wishful thinking.
It’s important to create visual and audible reminders about the steps you need to take on a daily basis to turn your dreams into reality.
List the action steps and reminders in your electronic data retrieval system (smart phone or tablet). Write these steps in your planner . . . post them on your refrigerator. . even on the mirror you use to get ready for work each day.
If you hear a sermon. . .read a book. . .listen to a CD that motivates you toward your goal. . .keep it in front of you. We must always visualize where we want to go and what we intend to do along the way.
# 3 Increase The Possibility of Success With These Daily Questions.
Every morning ask God to open your eyes and reveal the answer to these seven questions:
What can I do today to learn something I didn’t know yesterday?
What can I do today to increase my skill set?
What can I do today to renew by determination?
What can I do today to make a divine connection?
What can I do today to keep my dream of success in front of me?
What can I do today to improve on what I’ve been doing?
And most importantly, what can I do today to draw closer to the You Lord and deeper into the revelation of Your Word?
As you read these seven questions. . .if you were wondering how you can possibly manifest the answers. . .may I suggest a careful reading of Proverbs 3:5-6 in The Living Bible which says:
“If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”
Continue to trust God to provide the answers. What ‘seems’ impossible to you … is never impossible to Him.
# 4 Become an expert in your field.
If you read one hour a day about something you know nothing about. . .within one year you will be an expert in your city. Within two years. . .you will be an expert in your state. And within five years, you will be an international expert.
Don’t treat this possibility causally . . .dig in. . .be determined to learn and do what you’ve never known or done.
After all … these statistics concern a subject you ‘know nothing about.’ If your desire is to be outstanding in your field of endeavor … you have a huge head start already.
With a little more effort, you will achieve your goal with amazing speed. The more intense your commitment to gaining new wisdom. . .the more God will honor your hard work and effort.
1 Corinthians 3:10 in the Amplified Bible says:
“According to the grace (the special endowment for my task) of God bestowed on me, like a skillful architect and master builder I laid [the] foundation, and now another [man] is building upon it. But let each [man] be careful how he builds upon it.”
As you become an expert in your field of interest and/or in the Word of God . . . remember your growth is built line upon line.
Isaiah 28:10 says:
“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”
To make your dream a reality. . .you must be a learner. . .if you ever want to be a bigger earner. Put your concentration on the learning … and the earning will come on its own.
#5 Be Creative In Overcoming Roadblocks, Obstacles And Detours.
Bishop T.D. Jakes said once that new levels bring new devils.
Once you determine to pursue your dreams with a purpose, passion and plan you will be met with roadblocks, obstacles and detours. Learn to see these impediments to your success as stages of your success.
Every time you overcome the necessary three you will become closer and closer to turning your dreams into your reality.
Psalm 84:6-7 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; the early rain also fills [the pools] with blessings. They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion.”
This is an amazing revelation.
The valley of Baca, otherwise known as, the Valley of Tears is full of difficulties and trials.
I know we would prefer not having to go through the valley but I can assure you that make this trip will leave you stronger and poised even more for success.
We must recognize the absolute necessity of having God direct our paths 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.”
When you face roadblocks, obstacles and detours turn to the One who will cause you to never lose your way as you move toward your new reality.
# 6 Leave Procrastination At Your Front Door.
Knowing and doing. . .keeping procrastination out of your life. . . is essential to turning your dreams into a new reality.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 in the Message Bible says:
“There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth.”
Someone said once:
“Never put off until tomorrow . . what you can do today.”
Procrastination is defined in Webster’s New World Dictionary as:
“To put off doing something until a future time; to postpone or defer taking action.”
Are you a procrastinator? Here are ten questions to help you determine if you’re a procrastinator:
- Do you wait to the last minute to undertake an important task, duty or assignment?
- Do you buy birthday and anniversary cards and presents on the day of the celebration?
- Do you postpone and reschedule doctor and dentist appointments?
- Do you make up excuses why certain small assignments haven’t been completed?
- Do you wait until Christmas week to buy presents for your loved ones?
- Do you always get an extension for filing your income tax return?
- Do you constantly postpone your plans to clean out the attic, garage or your desk?
- Do you delay calling creditors about disputes on your monthly statements?
- Do you forget until the deadline has expired before sending in the rebate slip from a purchase you’ve made?
- Do you avoid scheduling difficult conversations with family members, your supervisor or fellow employees?
If you answered “yes” to three or more of the above questions. . .then you are in fact a procrastinator or have procrastinator tendencies. If you are one. . . STOP IT NOW!
You will never achieve the success God intended for you to achieve if you procrastinate.
You have a choice. . .you can either follow the advice of comedian, Sam Levenson, who said:
“I’m going to stop putting things off … tomorrow.”
Or you can follow the Word of God. Proverbs 6:4 in the New Living Translation says:
“Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do.”
Whatever you need to do … do it without delay.
# 7 Be Ever Ready To Help Others.
The best way to make your dreams come true is to help someone else make their dreams come true.
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.
As I’ve mentioned numerous times before. . .as a young boy I noticed my father waving at everybody he passed while driving on the highway. It didn’t matter if Daddy knew them or not. He 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.
One final observation on turning your dreams into a reality:
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 will decide that 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.
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.
Yes, make no mistake about it. . .Now is the time. . .don’t wait. . .don’t procrastinate. . .activate your dreams. And don’t allow the devil to steal, kill or rob you of 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 on how to turn your dreams into a new reality.
Text GIVE to 817-693-1557 to sow your seed securely and easily.
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Harold Herring