God-given Dreams
Are you waiting on God for something? Let us pray for you.
“Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.” (Genesis 37:5)
God spoke to Joseph in a dream and revealed the plan He had for Joseph’s future. When Joseph shared the dream with his brothers, they despised him. Out of jealousy, they sold him into slavery. Despite Joseph’s captivity and hardships, God made a way for the God-given dream to come true. Eventually Joseph was reunited with his family and said to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)
A similar story unfolds between Jesus and His family. In Mark 3:21 we read, “When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’” In John 7:5 we read a similar account of unbelief, “For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” It was not until after Jesus’ resurrection did his brothers believe in His mission, His God-given assignment.
Has God deposited a dream within your heart? Every time you think about it, a profound sensation stirs within. Maybe God desires you to become a missionary, an inspirational songwriter or speaker, a Bible study leader, or an author of a book that may influence many. You have no idea how or when it will come to be, but you know within your heart it is part of your purpose for living.
Maybe your God-given dream is buried within because of fear, procrastination, or rejection. Perhaps you shared your vision with others, but they did not believe in you or your abilities. Regardless of their unbelief, do not allow your God-given dream to remain dormant. God has a purpose for it and only you can fulfill it. What are you waiting for?
Great ambitions come true when you seek God, step out in faith, and take action. Go ahead and start writing that manuscript, compose those lyrics, dare to sign up for that mission trip. The equipping, time, and cost are worth the effort when you continuously recognize God is in the midst of birthing something good through you to benefit His kingdom.
When you partake in your God-given dream, life becomes more fulfilling and your destiny begins to unfold. Believe that as you do your part God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. He will line you up with the right people, resources, and opportunities at each intersection of your journey.
If your God-given dream begins to look like a nightmare, do not abort the vision. Realize the enemy is against you. Opposition rises because you are getting closer to birthing what God desires to release through you. Take courage and keep pressing onwards as you rely on God each step of the way.
Dare to become more than just a daydreamer! Step out in faith and give birth to the God-given dream within you.
Father, Instill within my heart a deep desire for the things You want to do through me. I acknowledge that nothing else will suffice unless I carry out the good works You are calling me to. Help me to prune away futile things so I may diligently work towards fulfilling the longings stirring within my heart. Guide me every step of the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Questions: Do you have a God-given dream trapped inside of you? If so, what is keeping you from fulfilling your destiny? How might we spur you onwards?
15 Responses to “God-given Dreams”
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Thnku Barbara, no I am not involved in praise and worship ministry at my local church…
Inu, that is wonderful that you are seeking an education that will equip you in going forward with the God-given dream tucked within your heart. That is a first step…trust that God will lead you to the next step as you do your best seeking the education needed. It is exciting to hear that you are inspired to write songs. Perhaps you can keep a journal and as God’s Spirit leads, you can write the lyrics down. Trust that in time God will open up a window of opportunity to bring those songs to the next level. Are you involved in praise and worship ministry at your local church?
Thank you for that Barbara :) …. Not exactly. There are 2 dreams actually. One is regarding my studies. So right now i know as per GOD’S leading I am doing the right educational programme. But I do not know anything about the next step. The second is regarding writing songs, and i have no idea about the next step.
Dear Inu, May you realize all things are possible with God. The bigger our God-given dreams are the more we realize He is the One that birthed it through our willingness to do our part. Do not listen to what others have told you. God loves to give His children a glimpse of the dreams He has for us to fulfill but before such takes place He needs to do a work in and through us to prepare us for the greater responsibility that lies ahead.
You might be facing many challenges at this time, perhaps even a spiritual attack, because you know in your heart God is going to birth something wonderful through you in helping others. Satan does not want you to move forward in believing and fulfilling your God-given dream because the working of your hands unto the Lord most likely will touch many lives for God’s kingdom purposes.
When my first God given dream came to mind…I had a vision of a book signing taking place within a local bookstore. After that, I was inspired to write and then etch the illustrations for the book. As I did what the Spirit of the Lord was asking of me…God stepped in at the right time to bring it to the next level…publication and two months later a sold out “Christmas in July” book signing.
When I first showed my manuscript and silly hand sketched illustrations to certain people…they laughed BUT I had eyes of faith to see it in its completion and touching the hearts of many children and families reading it!
No one else can have the eyes of faith that God has given to you regarding your God-given dream. As you develop, grow in the Lord, and stay close to God…He will fulfill the desires of your heart. Continue in your faith, keep claiming the promises of God over that God-given dream, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you take the first step in fulfilling it. Has God laid upon your heart what that first step might be?
Dear Barbara,
There is this dream that is there in my heart for the past 7 years. Many a times I have been reminded of this dream in many prayer meetings. One day after a prayer I just started crying because i felt the Holy Spirit reminding me of this dream, and I felt humbled to be chosen for a dream so big as this. I have got promises about this dream. But right now I can see no way in front of me. In fact right now things are pretty messed up in my life. When people hear my dream they literally laugh, and say “Its impossible”. It seems impossible to me too and sometimes I am confused if this is really a “GOD-given dream”.
Dear Sonya, so glad that the “God-given Dreams” devotional ministered to your heart! Please do not feel ashamed from the mistakes that you have made. Ask God to forgive you and learn from the error of your wrong choices. God is so good in giving us multiple chances to get back on track with Him and His ways. Thank goodness, we have His Holy Spirit living within to help us live out our walk with the Lord!
You should not feel like a burden to those that are picking you up and giving you a ride to church. God’s Word says that we are to help those in need EXSPECAILY our sisters and brothers in Christ. You never know, God might be testing them to see if they will go the extra mile in helping out someone that needs a ride to the House of the Lord!
It thrills me that God has been revealing His vision for your life. May you realize that no matter what others think, say or does nothing can thwart God’s will being accomplished in your life. So long as your heart and motives are proper, He will make certain what He started within you will come to completion. Sometimes we have to stand alone with our God given dreams because no one else can vision or imagine God using us in such a wonderful way for His kingdom work. The Bible says that God loves to use the foolish things of this world to dumbfound the wiser.
Keep following the leading of His Spirit and in His perfect timing you will be giving birth to the baby, the dream that He has planted within you! If you need someone to cheer you on…please know that I am here for you to encourage and cheer you onwards into your calling! I have another devotional called “The Least Expected Ones” that is scheduled to be released on January 13, 2013 that will also minister and bless your heart as you go forward into the New Year carry out the things He desires of you.
May God’s abundant blessings, provisions, and protection be with you!
Hi Barbra this was such an inspiring message that really touched me. In my situation I haven’t been in church for about 3 or 4 weeks now because I recently lost my car because of a foolish decision. I feel to ashamed to return and sometimes when I do want to go I feel like I’m a burden on those who I ask to pick me up because they live so far to come and get me. I say all of that to say this I begin to talk with God about situations in my life and he begin to open doors for me and also in that process he begin to show me my baby(his vision for my life) but I’m afraid that some of my church memebers will say things like ” you haven’t even been in church enough for God to even consider using you for something so great?” I’ll admit their we’re even somedays that I just didn’t go to church because I either just didn’t want to or I was deeply depressed. I just don’t want people to think I’m a hypocrite:-/
Jerie,
As I read your post it just broke my heart. I know I don’t know you and you don’t know me, but I am praying for you. I stand in agreement with Barbara and Hedy and am faithfully believing that your testimony will be an amazing one. Please don’t give up. There are people praying and loving you that you may never meet, but our love is no less sincere. God Bless you honey! Jesus loves you and has a purpose for your life. you WILL NOT remain feeling alone.
I just wanted to say “thank you,Barbara” for not only taking the time to write these amazing devotions so God can speak to each one of us.But then you also take time to comment back to each of us who have left our own thoughts *doubts & fears etc. It is such an encouragement to me…& I`m sure to others as well.Thank you for praying for me & I want Jerie & Lynette to know I also prayed for each of you…& repeated Barbara`s prayer….God bless each of you!
Dear Jerie,
Thank you for sharing and expressing your thoughts and feelings with us. It sounds like you have been through a lot of heartache and you might benefit by reaching out to one of our online mentors. Also, I suggest that you submit a prayer request so others can pray on your behalf. Do you have a Pastor at your local church that you could possibly make an appointment with? Opening up to others is one of the best ways to heal and be set free from the things that are causing you great grief and sorrow.
The Bible warns us that we do have an enemy who seeks to kill, steal and destroy and we as followers of Christ we must on guard at all times. Thus, that is why it is important to read our Bibles, pray to God each day, connect with a local church and fellowship with other Believers. There are things that we can blame on the devil but there are things that do happen in our lives because of our own making, sinful ways and rebellion towards God. However, when we confess such to God…He is kind, mericiful and loving to fogive and restore us to wholeness.
Father God, I pray for Jerie and her children as well. May your love, joy and peace enter into Jerie’s heart and home this day. May you bring the proper people into her life that will help her grow in your word and love for her. Let not the wrongs that have been done against her by others keep her from reaching out to You the One who loves her more than she could ever imagine. May you increase her faith in You as she turns towards You for help, provisions, healing and restoration. I ask the Your Spirit of Truth guide her into all truth that will set her free. In Jesus name I pray, Amen
Dear Lynette, May you realize that God calls the foolish things of this world to do mighty things for HIM to dumbfound the ‘so called’ wise people of this world. If God has called you into ministry..trust your heart and His Holy Spirit within you! Even though you might have made mistakes God can use such on your behalf as you learn from them. Know that not one of us is ‘perfect’ and in our human ‘fallen’ nature we all make mistakes. Even Jesus’ disciples and others that God called to do mighty things for Him made mistakes BUT God ultimately used each one of them regardless of such mistakes.
Most likely others will doubt your calling BUT you must not! Hopefully, in time they will see the greatness of God working in and through you. I’m not aware of what the ‘mistake/thing’ is that happened BUT that blunder could become a huge stepping stone for God to use in bringing you to the higher level of ministry He is calling you to. May seek to go forward on the path God is leading you!
Father God, I pray that you will continue to prepare and equip Lynette for the ministry that You are calling her to. I ask that you will bring the right people into her life that will help and encourage her in the ministry that You are leading her into. Let not the enemy nor other people keep Lynette from going forward in the plans You have for her. There are many lives and hearts that You will have Lynette touch and the enemy and others will try to keep her from such…let not this be the case since Lynette’s heart and desires are to fullfill the role you are calling her to. I ask for a hedge of protection be placed around Lynette as you continue to equip her for the awesome works you wish to do through her. In Jesus name, Amen
Dear Hedy, God calls all of His beloved children into some sort of ministry and it is up to us to go forward in such calling. It is great that you see that He has been preparing and equipping you. In the process He has been refining and removing things that would hinder you and His plans such as jealousy and judementalism. I pray that you will continue to go forward in your calling with God and do not allow the enemy nor others hold you back. There are many lives God will have you touch and the closer you get the enemy will do anything to divert you from accomplishing such. God chose you because of the fact that you realize you are not quilified to carry out such task without HIM equipping and empowering you to do it. Your a willing vessel and He gets all the glory!
Father God, I pray that You will continue to prepare and equip Your beloved daughter Hedy for the ministry You are calling her into. Let not worry, doubt or satan keep her from moving forward in the good works you seek to do through her. May the annointing of Your Holy Spirit be poured out in Hedy’s life so she will be empowered to carry out such wonderful works in Your might and not her own. In Jesus name, Amen
I am do tired of everyone defending God and blaming the deviel . Promise on the bible to love and Care 4 us . I pray believe and it’s all my faut don pray right, don’t read the bible , don’t. Pray 4 others don’t accept Jesus did it trusted . Divorced, left, the new wife was married moved in with my ex before we were divorced he bought her rings fix her teeth took her on our. Cruise They have 4 homes, new truck, good health travel all over. Now live in same town as me and. My sons and their family go to dinner and visit them. Hay they never came to visit me or have dinner! I live in a low in come apt. Because that is all I can afford. So where is this God! I pray believe try to bring my ex and sons to believe ! Forgive don’t be jealous bitter teach my. Sons to respect their father. Well the don’t are glorifying life. I have nothing and no one
Thank you for this devotional. I was begining to think that I had heard wrongly, the call on my life. God has equipped me for ministry but something happened and I am beginning to wonder if I might have made a mistake, by assuming that the Lord God would call me into ministry. I made a lot of mistakes and in my mind I have disqualified myself already, and many people seemed to doubt that God would call someone like me anyway.
Thank you,Barbara,for this devotion.For awhile I`ve thought it was my imagination or my desire to feel worthy,even in God`s eyes,but now I see that God has been preparing/equipping me for a God-given assignment.These stirrings in my heart were diffidently buried within because of the fear of rejection. I mean who was I…when I looked around & saw so many other women…wiser,could spout off scripture like most people breathe.I hate to admit it but my jealousy took me to the path of judgementalism*it`s my new word* Anyway,over time I realized,through God,that the enemy was holding me back & some of it happen with the help of those same women that I was jealous about. I don`t know why He chose me but I do believe that if I`m willing & with His guidance all things are possible.I`m starting to believe God only chooses the wrong people & makes us right.