Tucson Mountain Baptist Church

“God, by His mighty power at work within us 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.” Eph. 3:20 LB
We want to please God don’t we?
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exist and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Heb. 11:6
Our Faith in God began with visualizing the invisible.
“Faith is perceiving as real what is not revealed to the senses.” Heb. 11:1 Amp.
“Attempt great things for God. Expect great things from God.” William Cary
Five types of people in Ministry…

A. Those with No dreams.
Jesus asked a very profound questions; “What do you want Me to do for you?” Have you thought about; What do I want God to do in my life?
Three things result when you don’t have a dream:
1) Frustration. If you don’t set goals, or have a dream, you’re going to be a reactor, not an actor.
2) Boredom. If you don’t have a dream there is no goal or purpose or reward!
3) Regrets. People who fail to dream tend to say, If only I had done this, that or the other.

B. Those with Low dreams.

I think there are Three reasons:
1) Dreams make us Accountable. 2) The fear of Criticism. 3) The fear of Failure.
C. Those with the Wrong dream.
They give their first-class allegiance to a second class cause.
D. Some People have a Vague dream.
Jesus said, “I must be about My Father’s business.” Luke 2:49 “It is finished.” John 19:30 “I came and I’ve accomplished all You’ve told Me to do. Luke 17:4
E. Those with God’s dream They know where they’re headed and what God’s plan and purpose is for their life
EIGHT STEPS ON HOW TO GRASP GOD’S DREAM
1. Open your mind to God. The Principle of Inspiration. “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.” Prov. 28:26 “For the LORD gives [skillful and godly] wisdom” Prov. 2:6 “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Be careful Your intuition can often be wrong – “There’s a way that seems right unto man but the ends are not the ways of God.” . Prov. 14:12 “God, what’s Your goal? “What is God’s will?”
2. Do your Research. The Principle of Information. Do not make decisions out of ignorance. “Every man acts out of knowledge.” Prov. 13:16 “What a shame. How stupid to decide before knowing the facts.” Prov.18:13 “Get the facts at any price.” Prov. 23:23 LB
3. Start asking for Advice. The Principle of Consultation. Talk to someone who’s already taken the risk. “The more advice you get, the more likely you are to win.” Prov. 24:6 “Get good advice and you’ll succeed.” Prov. 20:18 “The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them.” Prov. 18:15
Ask: “Who else could help me?” We often don’t like to appear ignorant. But It’s better to admit your ignorance now than to prove it by your experience later.
4. Establish some Priorities. The Principle of Rationalization. Think through your dream in a logical order. Develop a clear-cut plan.
“An intelligent person aims at wise actions, but a fool starts off in many directions.” Prov. 17:24
We must learn the difference between the important from the urgent.
5. Evaluate the Cost. The Principle of Calculation.
“It’s a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later consider his vows.” Prov. 20:25

Is it necessary? Is it worth it? Everything valuable in life has a price.

6. Plan for Problems. The Principle of Preparation. “No wise builder starts building without a budget.” Luke 14:28 “No king goes off to war without counting the cost.” Luke 14:31 “Don’t go charging into battle without a plan.” Prov. 20:18 “The sensible man watches for problems ahead and he prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks and suffers the consequences.” Proverbs 22:3

“What can go wrong with this dream? “What will actually happen if it does?”

7. Be willing to Face your Fears. The Principle of Confrontation.
“The fear of man is a dangerous trap but to trust God means safety” Prov. 29:25 “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God.” Heb. 10:31 “Reverence for the Lord gives confidence and security.” Prov. 14:26

8. Just Do it! This is the Principle of Initiation.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.” Prov.16:3
There are five potential dream busters.
1) Family.
2) Friends. “While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus the synagogue ruler. `Your daughter is dead,’ they said. `Why bother the teacher anymore?’ Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, `Don’t be afraid. Just believe.’” Mark 5:35-36,
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. Instead his delight is the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree, planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season. Its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3
We need sanctified, positive attitudes. That are realistic.
Choose your friends wisely. “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Prov. 13:20 “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.” Exodus 23:2
3) Fatigue. Never ever decide to quit when tired. This is the only time, when procrastination is good!
4) Failure. Obviously when you fail, that’s a dream buster.
I’m more interested in dreaming of the future than reviewing the past.” Don’t try to build on your failures. Build on your hopes for the future not your hurts of the past.

5) Fear.
What kind of land do they live in, good or bad? What kind of towns they live in? Are they walled or fortified? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land?”Num. 13:18-20

“They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the desert of Haran. They reported to them and the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. They gave Moses this account. `We went into the land to which you sent us and it does flow with milk and honey. Here is its fruit. But that has to be the worst word in the Bible] the people who live here are more powerful and the cities are fortified and very strong. ... The men who had gone up against them said, `We can’t attack those people. They’re stronger than we are.’ And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they’d explored. They said, `The land devours all those living in it. All the people we saw in it are great size. We saw the Anakim [giants] and we seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes. We looked the same to them.’” Verses 26..33

The mistake is confusing the dreaming stage with the problem-solving phase. Never try to grasp God’s dream and evaluate it at the same time.

Today’s impossibilities are tomorrow’s miracles. We need to simply Believe God!