Don't Give Up on Your Dreams!

Dreams are conceived long before they are achieved.

Genesis 37:5-7 (NIV)

5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

The enemy tries to put things in your life to make you think that you are disqualified for the dream God has for you.  

Genesis 37:19-20 (NIV)

19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”

1. Don't give up even if it doesn't start off well. 

1 Timothy 1:12-13 (NIV)

12 I (Paul) thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

2. Don't give up even if the journey is full of surprises.

Romans 8:28  (NIV)

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

3. Don't give up even if it takes a long time to realize it. 

Habakkuk 2:3  (TLB)

3 But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!

The Dream Test (How to know if your dream is from God).

1. Does it line up with God's Word?

2. Will it make you more like Christ?

3. Does those in your Spiritual authority confirm it?   Your parents are your Spiritual authority.

4. Is it focused on others? 

Your life is not determined by what happens to you.  It is determined by how you respond to what happens to you. 

Follow these principles, and you will be successful.

1. Recognize and value the process.  

God loves developing your character.  Ask God to show you what He wants you to learn. 

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT)

6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 

7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

James 1:2-3 (NLT)

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

2. Refuse to let an offense to stop you.  

Genesis 50:20  (NLT)

20 You intended to harm me (Joseph), but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

Luke 17:1 New King James Version (NKJV)

 Then He (Jesus) said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!

Ephesians 6:12  (NKJV)

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Love the offender, but hate the devil who is the source of the offense.

3.  Remember God is always with you. 

Genesis 39:2  (NKJV)

The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Genesis 39:21  (NKJV)

21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave[a]him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Psalm 139:8-10  (NKJV)

8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

Isaiah 43:2  (NKJV)

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Isaiah 43:5  (NKJV)

5 Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east,
And gather you from the west;

Jeremiah 1:8  (NKJV)

8 Do not be afraid of their faces,
For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.

Jeremiah 1:19  (NKJV)

19 They will fight against you,
But they shall not prevail against you.
For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.”

Hebrews 13:5 B (AMPC)

For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor [let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

Matthew 28:20  (NKJV)

20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/dont-give-up-on-your-dreams