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Wednesday March 21, 2007
TOTAL DESTINY
“How To Dream Bigger”
INTRODUCTION: Everybody needs a dream. If you’re not dreaming you’ve lived you’re greatest day!
When many people start in ministry or a business or new job they probably start with a big dream.
But as you get into it your dreams shrink to the size of the situation. Many times we get our eyes only on what can see at the moment.
WE BEGIN WITH BIG DREAMS AND THEN CIRCUMSTANCES TEND TO SHRINK OUR DREAMS.
If you’re going to move beyond your current situation in ministry, a business, a job, YOU’VE GOT TO BE A DREAMER!
YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE FAITH IN WHAT GOD CAN DO THROUGH YOU!
Hebrews 11:6- “Without faith it is impossible to please God…..” FAITH BEGINS WITH CATCHING A DREAM, A VISION!
Every person, every ministry, every church needs a dream. IF YOU’RE NOT DREAMING YOU’RE DYING!
I don’t believe there’s any such thing as a great person. I believe there are only ordinary people committed to great dreams!
When an ordinary person is committed to a great dream, it makes them a great person. If you want to be healthy you’ve got to have a dream to live for!
Maybe you’ve forgotten how to dream. Maybe you’re just stepping out in life and you haven’t really contemplated what God wants to do through your life.
TRANSITION: No matter where you’re at in life right now we’re going to talk about eight steps to help you find God’s dream for your life.
I. OPEN YOUR MIND TO GOD
Don’t be closed minded. OPEN YOUR MIND TO GOD!
If you’re going to do this you’ve got to be quiet before the Lord.
Mark 6:31(NIV)- “…..Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Psalm 23:2- “….He leads me beside quiet waters.”
Schedule times of silence and solitude.
For many of you God can’t give you a dream because you won’t sit down and shut up!
OPEN YOUR MIND TO GOD AND BE QUIET BEFORE HIM
II. DO SOME RESEARCH
Don’t make decisions out of ignorance. This is a step that many people ignore when they get a dream.
They pray about it but they don’t get any facts.
Proverbs 18:13(MSG)- “Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.”
Proverbs 25:2- “…to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”
Think before you act. Read books, go to conferences.
DO SOME RESEARCH if you want to dream bigger!
III. START ASKING FOR ADVICE
IT’S BETTER TO ADMIT YOUR IGNORANCE THAN PROVE IT BY YOUR EXPERIENCE!
You’re going to appear foolish anyway if you don’t ask!
Proverbs 12:15- “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 13:10- “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
Proverbs 19:20- “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”
Proverbs 20:18- “Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war obtain guidance.”
OPEN YOUR MIND TO GOD, DO SOME RESEARCH AND THEN START ASKING FOR ADVICE.
IV. ESTABLISH SOME PRIORITIES
You don’t have time to do everything. So you have to learn the difference between the important and the urgent. The helpful and the life-changing, and being efficient and being effective.
YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON DOING THE RIGHT THINGS! YOU’RE DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR YOUR DREAMS.
LEARN TO SAY NO!
Proverbs 20:18- “Make plans by seeking advice…”
Proverbs 21:5- “The plans of the diligent lead to profit…”
ESTABLISH SOME PRIORITIES
V. EVALUATE THE COST
This is what’s called a calculated risk.
Proverbs 20:25- “It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.”
Luke 14:28-33- Turn and Read
Answer this question: Is this worth my life? You must be able to answer, ABSOLUTELY!
VI. PLAN FOR PROBLEMS
Your plan needs to account for problems! Things are going to go wrong, are you ready when they do?
Proverbs 22:3- “A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”
Ask yourself the question, “What can go wrong with this dream?” That’s not being pessimistic. The Bible says that’s sensible.
DO YOU WANT TO DREAM BIGGER?
OPEN YOU MIND TO GOD
DO SOME RESEARCH
START ASKING FOR ADVICE
ESTABLISH SOME PRIORITIES
EVALUATE THE COST
PLAN FOR PROBLEMS
VII. BE WILLING TO RISK. FACE YOUR FEARS
Most people want take risks because they don’t want to face their fears.
Proverbs 29:25- “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”
FEAR OF MAN IS A DANGEROUS TRAP!
We hate to admit sometimes when we’re afraid. God says to go ahead and admit it. Fear is not a sign of weakness but of humanity.
THE SECRET TO STEPPING BEYOND YOUR FEARS
KNOW WHO GAVE YOU THE DREAM!
Proverbs 14:26- “He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress…”
“reverence for the Lord gives confidence and security.”
WHEN YOU KNOW YOUR DREAM IS FROM GOD IT GIVES YOU CONFIDENCE
It gives you security to keep on moving toward it. If you know where your dream comes from you won’t care what the critics say!
YOU WON’T LET PEOPLE TELL YOU WHY IT CAN’T HAPPEN! WHAT MATTERS IS THAT GOD HAS SAID TO DO IT.
VIII. DO IT NOW
THERE COMES A POINT OF DECISION WHERE YOU’VE GOT TO STOP TALKING AND START ACTING!
YOU’VE GOT TO BEGIN! ONCE YOU’VE DECIDED IT’S WORTH THE RISK YOU’VE GOT TO GO FOR IT!
*****THERE’S GOT TO COME A POINT IN YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU SAY, “GOD’S CALLED ME TO DO THIS. I’M GOING FOR IT!!!!
CONCLUSION: It doesn’t cost anything to dream. DREAM BIG DREAMS FOR YOUR LIFE!
Everything that is possible now in our society was impossible at one point: Cars, computers, planes, microwave ovens, the internet.
TODAY’S IMPOSSIBILITES ARE TOMORROWS MIRACLES!
Open your mind to God
Do some research
Start asking for advice
Establish some priorities
Evaluate the cost
Plan for problems
Be willing to risk, face the fears
Do it now!
Wednesday March 21, 2007
TOTAL DESTINY
“How To Dream Bigger”
INTRODUCTION: Everybody needs a dream. If you’re not dreaming you’ve lived you’re greatest day!
When many people start in ministry or a business or new job they probably start with a big dream.
But as you get into it your dreams shrink to the size of the situation. Many times we get our eyes only on what can see at the moment.
WE BEGIN WITH BIG DREAMS AND THEN CIRCUMSTANCES TEND TO SHRINK OUR DREAMS.
If you’re going to move beyond your current situation in ministry, a business, a job, YOU’VE GOT TO BE A DREAMER!
YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE FAITH IN WHAT GOD CAN DO THROUGH YOU!
Hebrews 11:6- “Without faith it is impossible to please God…..” FAITH BEGINS WITH CATCHING A DREAM, A VISION!
Every person, every ministry, every church needs a dream. IF YOU’RE NOT DREAMING YOU’RE DYING!
I don’t believe there’s any such thing as a great person. I believe there are only ordinary people committed to great dreams!
When an ordinary person is committed to a great dream, it makes them a great person. If you want to be healthy you’ve got to have a dream to live for!
Maybe you’ve forgotten how to dream. Maybe you’re just stepping out in life and you haven’t really contemplated what God wants to do through your life.
TRANSITION: No matter where you’re at in life right now we’re going to talk about eight steps to help you find God’s dream for your life.
I. OPEN YOUR MIND TO GOD
Don’t be closed minded. OPEN YOUR MIND TO GOD!
If you’re going to do this you’ve got to be quiet before the Lord.
Mark 6:31(NIV)- “…..Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Psalm 23:2- “….He leads me beside quiet waters.”
Schedule times of silence and solitude.
For many of you God can’t give you a dream because you won’t sit down and shut up!
OPEN YOUR MIND TO GOD AND BE QUIET BEFORE HIM
II. DO SOME RESEARCH
Don’t make decisions out of ignorance. This is a step that many people ignore when they get a dream.
They pray about it but they don’t get any facts.
Proverbs 18:13(MSG)- “Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.”
Proverbs 25:2- “…to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”
Think before you act. Read books, go to conferences.
DO SOME RESEARCH if you want to dream bigger!
III. START ASKING FOR ADVICE
IT’S BETTER TO ADMIT YOUR IGNORANCE THAN PROVE IT BY YOUR EXPERIENCE!
You’re going to appear foolish anyway if you don’t ask!
Proverbs 12:15- “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 13:10- “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
Proverbs 19:20- “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”
Proverbs 20:18- “Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war obtain guidance.”
OPEN YOUR MIND TO GOD, DO SOME RESEARCH AND THEN START ASKING FOR ADVICE.
IV. ESTABLISH SOME PRIORITIES
You don’t have time to do everything. So you have to learn the difference between the important and the urgent. The helpful and the life-changing, and being efficient and being effective.
YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON DOING THE RIGHT THINGS! YOU’RE DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR YOUR DREAMS.
LEARN TO SAY NO!
Proverbs 20:18- “Make plans by seeking advice…”
Proverbs 21:5- “The plans of the diligent lead to profit…”
ESTABLISH SOME PRIORITIES
V. EVALUATE THE COST
This is what’s called a calculated risk.
Proverbs 20:25- “It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.”
Luke 14:28-33- Turn and Read
Answer this question: Is this worth my life? You must be able to answer, ABSOLUTELY!
VI. PLAN FOR PROBLEMS
Your plan needs to account for problems! Things are going to go wrong, are you ready when they do?
Proverbs 22:3- “A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”
Ask yourself the question, “What can go wrong with this dream?” That’s not being pessimistic. The Bible says that’s sensible.
DO YOU WANT TO DREAM BIGGER?
OPEN YOU MIND TO GOD
DO SOME RESEARCH
START ASKING FOR ADVICE
ESTABLISH SOME PRIORITIES
EVALUATE THE COST
PLAN FOR PROBLEMS
VII. BE WILLING TO RISK. FACE YOUR FEARS
Most people want take risks because they don’t want to face their fears.
Proverbs 29:25- “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”
FEAR OF MAN IS A DANGEROUS TRAP!
We hate to admit sometimes when we’re afraid. God says to go ahead and admit it. Fear is not a sign of weakness but of humanity.
THE SECRET TO STEPPING BEYOND YOUR FEARS
KNOW WHO GAVE YOU THE DREAM!
Proverbs 14:26- “He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress…”
“reverence for the Lord gives confidence and security.”
WHEN YOU KNOW YOUR DREAM IS FROM GOD IT GIVES YOU CONFIDENCE
It gives you security to keep on moving toward it. If you know where your dream comes from you won’t care what the critics say!
YOU WON’T LET PEOPLE TELL YOU WHY IT CAN’T HAPPEN! WHAT MATTERS IS THAT GOD HAS SAID TO DO IT.
VIII. DO IT NOW
THERE COMES A POINT OF DECISION WHERE YOU’VE GOT TO STOP TALKING AND START ACTING!
YOU’VE GOT TO BEGIN! ONCE YOU’VE DECIDED IT’S WORTH THE RISK YOU’VE GOT TO GO FOR IT!
*****THERE’S GOT TO COME A POINT IN YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU SAY, “GOD’S CALLED ME TO DO THIS. I’M GOING FOR IT!!!!
CONCLUSION: It doesn’t cost anything to dream. DREAM BIG DREAMS FOR YOUR LIFE!
Everything that is possible now in our society was impossible at one point: Cars, computers, planes, microwave ovens, the internet.
TODAY’S IMPOSSIBILITES ARE TOMORROWS MIRACLES!
Open your mind to God
Do some research
Start asking for advice
Establish some priorities
Evaluate the cost
Plan for problems
Be willing to risk, face the fears
Do it now!
