Friends' Favorites - Dream Come True

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 

 James 2:17-22 NLT [underline emphasis is mine]

This passage is about living out your Christian walk. You can't just say you're a Christian. The testimony - the witness - is what people observe in your walk. Just saying it and not living out the tenets of true Christianity is wasting the air it takes for you to say it.

I also believe this same principle applies to the God-placed dreams and desires in your heart. What is your dream? What is it you want to do or accomplish while on this earth? Are you just wishing it would happen? Are you praying? In addition to praying, what are you doing about it? Yes, I said 'doing'!

Okay, first you have to be sure it lines up with the Word of God. You can't expect God to honor anything that opposes or compromises His Word. Make sure your dream coming true will honor God. Stay true to its holy intent.

Second, follow Scripture. To start, read Psalm 37, and NOT just verse 4, (Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart). You'll notice the word 'also' in that verse, then when you read the chapter, you'll find it means 'in addition to' delighting yourself, there is also trusting God, committing to Him, not fretting, not envying, etc.

I've said it before, but it bears repeating: There is a huge difference between asking for something and actively seeking it. What are YOU doing toward making it happen? You have to do something - you have to be an active part in it. If you want to be a motivational speaker, an executive, a parent, a teacher, a musician, a writer, a singer - are you doing something about it EVERY day? Are you learning? Are you actively seeking to build your skill set for whatever it is? If and when the opportunity arises, will you be ready? Are you making preparation - all the while trusting God?

You may think too much time has passed and you're too old now. Just as a reminder: Abraham was 100 years old; Sarah was 90 and well past the age of child-bearing. That didn't stop Isaac from being born. Why? Because Abraham believed God and kept planting seed.

What is YOUR dream? What are YOU doing about it?

Prayer:

Father,
           Ignite us again! Blow on the dying embers of our dreams and desires. Fan into flames those with holy purpose. Burn off the ones born only of human desire. Fit us for the purpose that You have placed deep within hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen