Getting God’s Dream for My Life

In review of Romans 12:1-2 it says, “Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him …. Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God, what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.”

Bottom Line:

Because of what he has done, you should offer up your life and serve his will and his purposes. You should not just follow the world and how it thinks and acts, rather let God transform the way you think. Then you’ll know what is his will for you and what will please him.

What this means to me:

Because of his great mercy and grace toward me, I should offer up my life to Him as a living and sacrifice that is set apart for his will. In addition, I should avoid copying the behavior and customs of this world. Rather I should let God transform the way I think. Then I’ll know what is his will is for me and what pleases him. This is the most sensible way to serve him.

When it comes down to it, none of us are great people. We can only be ordinary people committed to great dreams. When I commit myself to a great dream, it draws something out of me and helps me become larger than I would become any other way.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (NIV). God’s dream for me is personal. And only I can fulfill the purpose God has planned for me. His dream for me is positive. It will give me hope!

So how do I go about getting God’s dream for my life? What I’m learning is that I’ve got to be willing to dedicate my life to God, committing in advance to do whatever he tells me to do.

Today’s verse says, “Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him …. Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God, what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect” (Romans 12:1-2 GNT).

I think most miss God’s dream because they’re not looking at God; they’re watching what everybody else does. When you imitate somebody else, you’re going to be a carbon copy instead of who God made you to be. I need to be more concerned with God’s dream for my life than the American dream.

The American dream and God’s dream are two very different issues. In the past the American dream used to be pretty affordable and pretty simple. However, today, the American dream is all-consuming. It typically takes both the husband and the wife to both work to even try to keep up. This rat race becomes the total focus.

In order to get serious about discovering God’s dream for my life, I need to decide not to settle for the American dream. Will I choose the good life or God’s life? Materialism or ministry? The rat race or God’s race?

Hebrew 12:1 encourages me, “Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back … and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us” (TLB).

I’ll need to commit myself to God’s dream and not worry about being like everybody else. Ultimately God only has good planned for me.  If I do things on my own, I’ll likely miss out on what good he had planned for me or how he would use me.

Interestingly enough, I can say that the American dream was mine many years ago. We were fortunate enough to work it out that both my wife and I did not need to work, however, we did own a home and had accumulated some debt. My wife and I have just moved and as a result have sold our home and are only renting. We had also downsized quite a bit on what we owned, knowing that we would not be able to store too much in a rented apartment.  It actually feels good to be free of extra things and expenses associated with owning a home. I guess you can say we are trying to embrace a minimalist lifestyle.  So far, so good. Now given that I don’t have these concerns or burdens of the American dream, we can try and concentrate on God’s life, ministry and God’s race instead of the worldly equivalent of those.

Today I ask God to help guide my wife and I to church community to plug now that we have moved. I ask for his help to bring your people around us that you want us to partner with. As we explore, help us to know the true hearts of people and what they value and trust in.  As we settle into a community to partner with, we can work toward fulfilling God’s dream for us.

From A Dream to Deliverance

In review of Ephesians 3:20b it says, “God … is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.”

Bottom Line:

With God working in us, he can do more than we ever dreamed would be possible.

What this means to me:

Through God’s mighty power working in me, I can do more than I ever thought was possible, in fact it is infinitely beyond my highest desires, thoughts, hopes or prayers.

In order for my faith to grow to a point where I can claim the promise in Mark 9:23, “Everything is possible for the person who has faith” (GNT) I need to understand that God will take me through six phases of faith. Rick Warren explains these six phases in his “Daily Hope Devotional” from April 25th, 2015. I have adopted them to my own life and setting.

Phase 1: Dream

In this phase, I consider what is the dream God has given me? If I don’t have a dream I’m working toward, I’m only just existing. In this case I need to start praying, “God, give me your dream.” Ultimately I’m here on Earth for a purpose. When I discover that purpose, I’ll discover the dream God wants me to go after. “God … is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes” (Ephesians 3:20b TLB).

Phase 2: Decision

Maybe I have a dream from God, but I have not yet made a decision to go after it. God’s word for me in phase 2 is, “Go for it!” I may need to make the decision to give more of my life to Christ or  to join a church or get involved in ministry. James 1:7-8 warns, “If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord” (GNT).

Phase 3: Delay

When things don’t happen on my timetable, I tend to run ahead of God and create detours to make it happen. When I run into this, it is key to not detour! I may end up making the wrong decision. I’m in God’s waiting room. I need to wait for God to work his hand. God says in Habakkuk 2:3, “But these things I plan won’t happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled” (TLB).

Phase 4: Difficulty

There may be difficulties I face as I wait for my dream to be fulfilled? I’ll go through many tests in life, but it's comforting to understand that God knows what I’m going through. He’s watching, and he hasn’t forgotten me. “Even though you are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident — it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold” (1 Peter 1:6-7 Phillips).

Phase 5: Dead Ends

There will be times when I’m at a dead end, and I’ll feel as if I’m ready to give up. But I’ll actually be right where God wants me! He is preparing me for deliverance. God’s word for me here is, “Hang on! Don’t give up!” “At that time we were completely overwhelmed, the burden was more than we could bear, in fact we told ourselves that this was the end. Yet we now believe that we had this experience of coming to the end of our tether that we might learn to trust, not in ourselves, but in God who can raise the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).

Phase 6: Deliverance

Will I expect and trust God to deliver me? The answer is He will. But it won't happen overnight. I”ll need to go through all six stages before God brings me into deliverance. “I know that I will live to see the LORD’s goodness in this present life” (Psalm 27:13 GNT).

A key thing to consider in the dream phase is determining whether the dream is from God or just from myself. What I’ve learned is that when God provides me with a dream, it will be consistent with what he has said in his word and is of benefit and service to others. If the dream is just from myself it will be selfish or more about meeting my own needs.

Also in consideration of the difficulty phase, I think God brings these difficulties about to teach me to rely upon him. If everything went smoothly and on my own strength and doing, I would tend to just trust myself and not look to him for his help.

As I think about the delay phase and my own personal experiences in the past, they have been times when God has said the timing just isn’t right. Either I need to learn something else, just practice faith or just time for him to work out the circumstances. In this, I have found that when God does move it is always the right time. He has everything planned out and uses mine and others choices to work out his plan.

Ultimately it is God working in and through me to display his mighty works. I’m reminded this morning of 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, “8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (NLT). God will bring from the dream he has implanted into my heart to full deliverance if I’m just patient and remember that he will use these six phases as he builds my faith.

God Grows Faith in Six Phases

In review of Mark 9:23b it says, “Everything is possible for the person who has faith.”

Bottom Line:

Anything is possible if you have faith

What this means to me

Anything is possible if I believe and demonstrate faith.

Matthew 9:29 states, “According to your faith let it be done to you” (NIV). What I’m learning is that this statement is the key to the great adventure of following Jesus. God tells me that, “I get to choose how much He’ll bless my life. I believe, and He’ll do it. I believe, and He’ll bless it.”

I’ve often heard and believe that faith is like much like a muscle. As such it can be strengthened or it can grow weak, depending on how much I use it. What I’m also learning is that God uses a very predictable process to build faith in my life. As long as I understand this process, I can cooperate with and obtain value from it.

First, God gives me a dream for my life. Secondly, I need to make a decision about it. The third stage is delay, where I learn to wait for God to work in his time. The next stage is difficulty, where God will test me. Then, I might reach a dead end, which will make me want to give up. But, in the end, God always brings me to deliverance, the final stage of his six phases of faith.

Often we ask “Why is this happening? or I don’t understand it.” I can see that if I don’t have a handle on understanding God’s six phases of faith he uses to build character, it's easy to get discouraged, resentful, depressed, concerned and fearful about the future. In addition, If you don’t understand God’s process it’s difficult to co-operate with him.

However in understanding the six phases of faith, I can say, “Oh, I’m in stage 4 right now” or stage six or stage two. The better I understand what God’s doing, I can hang in there when times get  tough expecting the next phase will come.

Today’s verse in Mark 9:23 it says, “Everything is possible for the person who has faith” (GNT).

In order for me to have a stronger faith as I go on this great adventure with God, I’ll really need to have a grasp on the six phases of faith that God takes me through so that I won’t get discouraged when I don’t see results or answers right away.

In retrospect I think we learn better when we experience things first hand, which is part of God faith building process. If everything came to me right away, I think I might take things for granted and expect it to always be quick and effortless. What I have come to believe is that God is more interested in building my character than he is in my comfort.

I think that today I’m in between stage three (delay) and stage four (difficulty). I just need to have faith and do what I know I need to do today while I wait for his next steps of direction. I am also having some difficulties with my health (conditions that had been in remission for a year are starting to return.)  These health issues affect how I feel, but I just need to have faith that God will work things out and I’ll be able to get in with a specialist and restart treatments soon.  Meanwhile, I need to keep pressing on, knowing that this is just likely a temporary thing and God will work through this process.

Reliability Is Key To Growth At Any Endeavor

In review of Genesis 39:6a it says, “So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing — except what kind of food to eat!”

Bottom Line:

The goal should be to handle any responsibility you're given, such that your leadership doesn’t need to be worry or be concerned.

What this means to me:

One of the things I should continually strive toward is having my leadership say “I’m not worried about you and your team,” it communicates that I am reliable, trustworthy, steady and that they can count on me.

Genesis 39:6 says, “So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing — except what kind of food to eat!” (NLT)

Potiphar trusted Joseph and gave the former slave complete decision-making power, because he knew he could rely on him.

That’s why Joseph kept getting promoted, because all of his bosses could say, “I trust this guy with my life.” When he was in prison, the Bible says Joseph had favor with the warden, who put the entire prison under Joseph’s care. That’s how much the warden trusted Joseph, because he was reliable. He didn’t have to worry about anything with Joseph in charge.

Reliability is earning the trust of others by always keeping your promises and fulfilling your responsibilities, even if it requires sacrifice.

Given the example of a last minute project. What if a project is given with instructions that it needs to be done in 10 hours, and at 10 hours you’re only halfway through? Are you going to put in the extra time at personal expense to get it done? Or are you going to say, “Sorry — it’s someone else’s job” or “You should have given it to me sooner.”

Maybe that’s exactly what should have happened, but reliability means you get it done, even if it means sacrificing your time and putting in the extra effort. That earns the trust of other people.

Joseph knew how to be reliable. He got promoted because he fulfilled his responsibilities. He kept his word even if it meant personal hurt, loss, and sacrifice.

In my opinion, a reliable person is motivated, because they want to do their best. They know they are working for the Lord and not just a human leader.  This also reminds me of Hebrews 13:17, “Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.” (NLT) It’s much better to make it easier to obey and not cause any problems for your leadership chain. This way they won’t have to worry or have any regrets about giving you this responsibility.

Today I should consider my current and past work. Can the same could be always be said of me.  One practical thing I can do this week is to go back over all of my follow-up emails and future projects to see if there is anything I can do to proactively react or plan for them. I should keep an eye on making sure that I fulfill any promises I have made, or think ahead on what deliverables I should plan for and provide them before they even ask for them. I want to be reliable in all that I have been entrusted with.

Becoming a Likeable Person

In review of Genesis 39:2-4 it says, “Joseph lived in the home of Potiphar, his Egyptian owner. Soon Potiphar realized that the LORD was helping Joseph to be successful in whatever he did. Potiphar liked Joseph and made him his personal assistant.”

Bottom Line:

The Lord was with Joseph, and gave him success in whatever he did. His master noticed this and also liked what Joseph was doing and as a result put him in charge of all he owned.

What this means to me:

When I do the very best I can in every situation, living in obedience and pursue God’s will, God will give me success. How I live my life in this manner can have an effect on how I’m viewed by others and can lead to favor and greater responsibilities.

In order to stand out, I need to be likeable, otherwise I won’t be trusted or even promoted.  One of the great fallacies of our culture is being likeable is just a matter of personality. Someone is either a likable person or their not.

What I’m learning is the likeability is not personality; it’s character. It’s behavior. It’s how I choose to relate to others. Likeability is possessing the attractive attitudes, and those are choices, and the relational skills that cause others to want to work with me.

Rick Warren explains that one of the biggest secrets to being liked by others is to just, “like them.” That’s it. If I like people, they’re likely going to like me in return. If I don’t like people, they probably won’t like me. To be likeable I just have to like others. I have to genuinely enjoy them. I have to choose to be interested in others and think less about myself.

Joseph is a good example of likeability in Genesis 39:2-4: “Joseph lived in the home of Potiphar, his Egyptian owner. Soon Potiphar realized that the LORD was helping Joseph to be successful in whatever he did. Potiphar liked Joseph and made him his personal assistant” (CEV). Potiphar took a guy who started off as a slave and promoted him to the manager of his household because he noticed he was a good person, and he liked him.

Consider humility, it’s one of the attractive attitudes that make someone likeable. Its much easier to be around someone who is humble than someone who is arrogant.

Another one is cheerfulness. It’s better to be around somebody who’s cheerful than someone who is grouchy.

One other is empathy. When you tell others that you’re not feeling well, would you rather they respond, “That’s too bad” or “I’m really sorry, what’s going on?” When you’re empathetic with someone who is hurting, it's much easier to be likeable. Leaders like people who are empathetic to their stress, who understand, who look at a situation from somebody else’s viewpoint.

In addition, when I help somebody else succeed, then I’m more likely to be likeable. When I’m likeable, I’ll end up going far.

In thinking this through this morning, I’d like for others to see me as helpful, caring and ultimately able to make a difference. Today I will consider some ways I can care for people in my workplace today. I will consider my character, behavior and how I relate. I’ll choose to be humble, cheerful and seek to help them succeed.

Greater Capacity Often Means Greater Responsibility

In review of Genesis 39:4-5 it says, “Potiphar … made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the LORD began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake.” 

Bottom Line:

Having a good attitude and handling your responsibilities well, will end up blessing not only yourself but others as well.

What this means to me:

If I do well in my responsibilities and handling what I have been given rightly, God will bless not only me but those around me.

Joseph handled his situation and what he was given well.  From what I see in scriptures, I never see Joseph grumble or complain, even though he went through some horrific events in his life. He just does the best with what he was given at the time. As he did well and prospered, he was granted with more responsibilities. He seems to have a potential to grow first in small things then in the larger things.

This morning, I’m considering what my own potential for growth is and what I am doing to grow toward the next steps. I need to consider what books next to read, what skills am I going to develop next. The goal is not be the same 10 years from today.

What I’m learning is that capacity is my potential for growth. It’s important because people who increase in competence are given greater responsibility in their work. All leaders are learners. The moment I stop learning, I stop leading. Growing businesses require growing people. The moment I stop growing, the business I’m responsible for can’t grow.

I need to develop a characteristic of continual growth and learning and not insisting on doing the same thing I’ve always done but instead trying new methods and coming up with new ideas.

This is what happened with Joseph. He grew in capacity by stretching himself and learning and growing. Genesis 39:4-5 says, “Potiphar … made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the LORD began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake” (NLT).

I need to consider if God is blessing the business I work for? Are they prospering because I’m there? Do I have that kind of capacity?

When Joseph was put in charge, the Lord began to bless Potiphar for Joseph’s sake. “All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished” (Genesis 39:5b). Joseph appeared to have the capacity to do well.

When Joseph was taken to Egypt as a slave, he wasn’t able to handle all that stuff. He had to learn how to manage livestock and a household. He had to learn and grow as he was given more responsibility.

If I stop learning new skills and say, “That’s all I need to know,” I’ll end up limiting my capacity. But if I keep learning, I’ll keep growing, and God will keep blessing.

I think one practical step I can take this week is to research some leadership books, podcasts or review prior materials I have gathered on leading large organizations. Today I pray that God show me how I can increase my capacity at work and for ways for me to grow personally and professionally.

Learning How to Face Fears and Indecision

In review of Proverbs 3:5-6 it says, “Trust the LORD with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Remember the LORD in all you do, and he will give you success.”

Bottom Line:

Trust the Lord completely and never rely only on what you think you know, remember to seek his will in all you do and he will direct you.

What this means to me:

I am to trust the Lord completely and stay away from relying on my own understanding. I am to put him first in my life, especially in light of making decisions.. for when I do so he will direct me.

At the root of my indecision is fear. Fear that I’ll make a mistake, embarrass myself or fear that I won’t be able to finish what I’ve started. Even fear that I’m not good enough.

Another big fear of mine in making decisions is the fear of disapproval. Proverbs 29:25 says, “Fear of man is a dangerous trap, but to trust in God means safety” (TLB). What this verse reminds me of is that the moment I start worrying about what other people think, it’s over, because the fear of disapproval is always worse than the actual disapproval.

There’s only one way to get rid of that fear: Face it, and move against it. I do the thing I fear the most! At some point I’ve got to stop aiming and actually pull the trigger.

It appears that the only antidote to fear is faith. I need to step out in faith. I’ve got to trust God and start moving.

What I’m learning is that courage is not the absence of fear; courage is actually moving ahead in spite of any fears. If I wasn’t afraid, I wouldn’t need courage. Courage comes because I’m scared to death, but I also believe it’s what God wants me to do, so I go ahead and do it anyway.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust the LORD with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Remember the LORD in all you do, and he will give you success” (NCV).

This verse reminds me that God will support those who move in faith. So here’s the question I need to ask myself: Where do I need to trust God? I haven’t really trusted him until I’ve attempted something I can’t do on my own power.

Today I need to consider if there are any decisions that I need to prepare to make. I should seriously take these and reference it to his word, pray for his guidance and even get counsel, then step out in faith. My choices will ultimately determine my character and my destiny. So I’ll need to commit myself to the Lord, and then he will give me the wisdom and courage to make the decision that will bring me closer to who he made me to be.

In summary, I need to trust God and not myself. I am to put him first in everything I do. When I do he will guide me.