PASTOR'S CORNER

Accomplishing Your Dreams

Genesis 13:14-17: 17: (KJV) Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. (MSG) So on your feet, get moving! Walk through the country, its length and breadth; I'm giving it all to you.

Over the years, I have observed honest, God-fearing and faithful people who fail to achieve their goals and therefore decline into a heart-rending state of poverty. They are the hard-working pillars of the church however they accomplish very little outside the church. Whilst mulling over this issue I realised that there are 2 main reasons why this transpires. This lack of achievement can be primarily attributed to the absence of a personal vision or dream. Such people become engrossed in other people's dreams or visions. Secondly, when God gives them a dream or a vision they might receive it but they do not plan or act on it in order to bring it to fruition.

This year God is not only calling us to dream or revive the vision or dream deep within us but to also reach out and strive for our dreams. When God gave Abraham a vision He also spoke to him and said 'arise and walk.' God is therefore saying, "Get up and do something about the dream." Isaiah 60:1 says 'ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you - rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! God wants us to arise from anything that has hindered us from fulfilling our dream.

I would like to share a few essential nugget, which would assist you in launching an uncommon dream. In the event that hell breaks loose your dream will continue to 'break out' and you will press on and fulfil your destiny.

Have a dream: Dreams cost nothing so be adventurous; exercise your imagination and start to dream. Your dreams will only be realised if you allow yourself to conceive them. In the absence of dreams, goals and aims one's boundaries are limited and one becomes a photocopy not an original. Folks our dreams determine our lives; they define our lives. We conceive a dream and then the dream shapes us. John Maxwell said, "Without dreams we will never reach beyond our current circumstances".

Your inability to have a dream condemns you to a lifetime of failure. Today's reality was once a dream - it seemed unattainable. The truth is that someone dared to imagine it. Someone dared to dream.

Believe in the potential of your dream: Focus on the potential of your dream rather than your inadequacies. I have discovered that the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. A dream first has potential then it becomes a reality. Do not belittle a dream's potential; capitalise on it. Do not be daunted by the distance between your dreams and reality. Conceive it, believe it and then achieve it. Your dream can become a reality. People will ridicule your dream, as they do not share your vision, motivation and values. Draw on divine wisdom and strength, stay focused, be independent and have a sense of purpose. Believe in your dream and do not become imprisoned by the 'hangman's noose' of public opinion. Those who achieve greatness encounter opposition. Do not wait for someone to validate your dream. Your dreams originate from God so He will support and strengthen you.

Receive power for the dream: All the great men and women in the Bible received a divine ability to fulfil their dreams. We cannot function alone; we will need the direction, impartation and ordination of the power of God to enable us to face the giants, which hinder our dreams. Psalm 127:1 says 'if the LORD does not build the house; the work of the builders is useless.' Our Lord Jesus and Moses fasted for 40 days in order to receive divine strength. You cannot defeat the giants in the land without being a giant in the Word. Learn to accumulate provision for the vision in the secret place. Your dreams are fulfilled in the closet not in the clutter of life. Prayer is the midwife who assists in the delivery of a dream.

Expect obstacles on the way to your dream: The Bible says,"We fix our attention, not on what is seen, but on things that are unseen." 2 Cor. 4:18 (GN). You do not determine a man's greatness by his talent, wealth, income or education. You determine his greatness by what it takes to discourage him. Troubles separate you from your dream and only a winner can turn trouble into triumph. Whenever you face an obstacle as you strive to fulfil your dream remember that YOU ARE BIGGER THAN THE OBSTACLE. Obstacles will look large or small depending on your point of view or mindset. The true test of a dream is its ability to prevail amidst opposition. David never avoided an obstacle. He took his giant obstacle Goliath and turned it into a stepping-stone to his throne. Running away or avoiding them will not solve the problems or make them disappear. You must confront them. Do not stand at the entrance of your Canaan weeping helplessly and hopelessly because of the giants. Acknowledge God's capability and NOT your ability.

Every great dream requires a sacrifice: Whilst trying to reach your goal, you will sometimes have to forgo personal pleasure. You must make this occasional sacrifice, however when you accomplish your goals you will reap the fruit of your labour. What kind of sacrifices are you making for your dream? A great man once said, 'your input will determine your output.' The key to faith is the sacrifice we are willing to make to attain our goal. Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice. The important thing is to be able to promptly sacrifice what we are for what we wish to become.
Folks, let's go for it this year and see all our dreams become a reality. Reach for the goal and do not settle for less. Until next month, stay on course.