Embracing and Living Out God's Dreams
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound concept of "Dreaming God Dreams." Reflecting on the early church's experience in Acts 2, we see that visions, prophecies, and dreams are not reserved for a select few but are meant to be a daily reality for every Spirit-filled believer. These divine dreams and visions are God's way of showing us His plans for our lives, our communities, and the world around us. They are not unattainable supernatural experiences but should be integrated into our everyday lives, guiding us to see through God's eyes and act according to His will.
To dream God dreams, we must first be sensitive to God's voice in our daily lives. This sensitivity allows us to catch glimpses of His vision for our marriages, our churches, and our communities, even in mundane places like the grocery store. God has prepared good works for us before we were born, and living out these works is the best life we can lead.
A powerful example of a God dream is the story of Ima's Home, a ministry birthed from a vision to rescue abandoned street children in the Philippines. This dream required sensitivity to God's prompting, a willingness to act despite uncertainty, and a commitment to do whatever it takes to see the dream fulfilled. The transformation of children like Benito and Ea, who were rescued from dire circumstances and given new hope and purpose, illustrates the far-reaching impact of living out God's dreams.
God dreams often start as small concerns or observations, like noticing children on the streets, and grow into passionate missions that change lives. They require us to use what we have, take the first step in faith, and trust that God will provide the resources and open doors. These dreams are not about us but about serving others and bringing glory to God.
As we close, I encourage you to seek out and embrace the God dreams in your life. Whether it's a burden for your family, a new ministry, or a call to serve in your community, be sensitive to God's voice, take action, and trust that He will guide you every step of the way.
### Key Takeaways
1. Sensitivity to God's Voice: Being sensitive to God's voice in our daily lives allows us to catch His vision for our surroundings. This sensitivity helps us see through God's eyes and understand His plans for our marriages, churches, and communities. It transforms mundane activities into opportunities to fulfill God's purpose. [08:36]
2. Living the Best Life: The best life we can live is the one God created us for, not necessarily the one we design for ourselves. This life is filled with good works prepared for us before we were born. Walking in God's plan brings the most fulfillment and aligns us with His divine purpose. [10:30]
3. Transformative Power of God Dreams: God dreams have the power to transform lives, as seen in the story of Ima's Home. These dreams often start as small concerns and grow into passionate missions that change lives. They require sensitivity, action, and a commitment to do whatever it takes to see them fulfilled. [22:31]
4. Using What You Have: When God calls you to a dream, use what you have and take the first step in faith. God will provide the resources and open doors as you move forward. These dreams are not about personal fame but about serving others and bringing glory to God. [50:18]
5. Embracing God's Dreams: Embrace the God dreams in your life, whether it's a burden for your family, a new ministry, or a call to serve in your community. Be sensitive to God's voice, take action, and trust that He will guide you every step of the way. These dreams are the best way to live out God's purpose for your life. [59:23]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:42] - Worship and Gratitude
[02:48] - Connection with Pastors
[03:48] - Celebrating Pastor Buddy's Birthday
[04:54] - Introduction to Ima's Home
[05:55] - Dream God Dreams
[07:31] - Prophecy, Visions, and Dreams
[08:36] - Sensitivity to God's Voice
[09:30] - God's Vision for Everyday Life
[10:30] - Living the Best Life
[11:15] - Peter and John's God Dream
[12:36] - The Lame Man's Healing
[14:06] - Envisioning God's Work
[15:24] - Saturating Your Mind with God
[16:31] - God Dreams Below the Surface
[17:24] - Personal Story: Work in the Philippines
[18:15] - Noticing Children in the Philippines
[19:33] - The National Shame of the Philippines
[20:11] - The Birth of Ima's Home
[21:37] - God's Promise for the Children
[22:31] - Sensitivity to God's Call
[23:30] - God's More for Life Church
[24:02] - Turning Concern into Passion
[25:10] - Prayer for Sensitivity
[26:07] - Doing Whatever It Takes
[27:04] - Just Do It
[27:34] - The Story of Benito
[29:06] - Benito's Transformation
[30:10] - The Sad Reality of Street Children
[31:11] - The Growth of Ima's Home
[32:12] - Sacrifices for the Dream
[33:13] - Personal Sacrifices
[34:11] - Stretching Your Faith
[35:03] - Overcoming Barriers
[35:58] - God's Provision
[36:52] - The First Children at Ima's Home
[37:42] - Overcoming Trauma
[38:19] - Determination to Succeed
[39:00] - Breaking Through to Ea
[40:17] - Ea's Transformation
[42:05] - Ea's Dream to be an Architect
[43:30] - What is Your God Dream?
[45:00] - Stories of Francesca and Thomas
[46:40] - The Story of James
[47:59] - A Mother's God Dream
[48:52] - Using What You Have
[49:38] - Serving Others with Your Gifts
[50:53] - Steps to Fulfill a God Dream
[52:28] - The Mystery of God
[53:42] - Dreaming God Dreams
[54:21] - The Arrival of New Children
[55:04] - The Story of Leah and James
[57:00] - Renaming James
[58:37] - Our New Identity in Christ
[59:23] - Embracing Your God Dream
[01:00:16] - Call to Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Acts 2:17 (NIV): "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Acts 2:17, what are the signs that God will pour out His Spirit on all people?
2. How did Peter and John’s daily routine lead to a significant miracle in Acts 3? ([12:36])
3. What was the initial reaction of the social worker to the children at Ima's Home, and how did Pastor Jim respond? ([38:19])
4. What were the three promises God made to Pastor Jim regarding the children at Ima's Home? ([22:03])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be sensitive to God's voice in our daily lives, and how can this sensitivity transform mundane activities into opportunities to fulfill God's purpose? ([08:36])
2. How does the story of Ima's Home illustrate the transformative power of God dreams? ([22:31])
3. In what ways can using what you have and taking the first step in faith lead to the fulfillment of a God dream? ([50:18])
4. How can embracing God's dreams for our lives bring about the best life we can live, as opposed to the life we design for ourselves? ([10:30])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a nudge or prompting from God in your daily life. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([08:36])
2. Pastor Jim mentioned that the best life we can live is the one God created us for. What steps can you take to align your life more closely with God's plan? ([10:30])
3. Think about a small concern or observation in your life that could be a seed for a God dream. How can you nurture this into a passionate mission? ([22:31])
4. What resources or gifts do you currently have that you can use to take the first step towards fulfilling a God dream? ([50:18])
5. Pastor Jim shared the story of Benito and how his life was transformed through Ima's Home. Is there someone in your community who needs help or support? How can you take action to make a difference in their life? ([27:34])
6. How can you cultivate a habit of being sensitive to God's voice in your everyday activities, such as at work, home, or even the grocery store? ([09:30])
7. What is one specific action you can take this week to embrace and pursue a God dream in your life, whether it’s a burden for your family, a new ministry, or a call to serve in your community? ([59:23])
Devotional
Day 1: Sensitivity to God's Voice
To dream God dreams, we must first be sensitive to God's voice in our daily lives. This sensitivity allows us to catch glimpses of His vision for our marriages, our churches, and our communities, even in mundane places like the grocery store. God has prepared good works for us before we were born, and living out these works is the best life we can lead. Being sensitive to God's voice transforms mundane activities into opportunities to fulfill God's purpose. It helps us see through God's eyes and understand His plans for our surroundings. This sensitivity is not just about hearing God's voice but also about acting on it, allowing His guidance to shape our actions and decisions. [08:36]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: Think about your daily routine. Where can you intentionally pause and listen for God's voice today? How can you be more attentive to His guidance in those moments?
Day 2: Living the Best Life
The best life we can live is the one God created us for, not necessarily the one we design for ourselves. This life is filled with good works prepared for us before we were born. Walking in God's plan brings the most fulfillment and aligns us with His divine purpose. When we align our lives with God's vision, we find true fulfillment and purpose. This alignment requires us to trust in God's plan and be willing to let go of our own designs and desires. It is about surrendering our lives to God's will and allowing Him to lead us on the path He has prepared for us. [10:30]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: Reflect on your current life plans and goals. Are they aligned with what you believe God has prepared for you? What steps can you take to align your life more closely with His plan?
Day 3: Transformative Power of God Dreams
God dreams have the power to transform lives, as seen in the story of Ima's Home. These dreams often start as small concerns and grow into passionate missions that change lives. They require sensitivity, action, and a commitment to do whatever it takes to see them fulfilled. The transformation of children like Benito and Ea, who were rescued from dire circumstances and given new hope and purpose, illustrates the far-reaching impact of living out God's dreams. These dreams are not about us but about serving others and bringing glory to God. [22:31]
Joel 2:28 (ESV): "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions."
Reflection: Think about a small concern or observation you have had recently. How might God be calling you to act on it? What steps can you take to turn this concern into a mission that serves others?
Day 4: Using What You Have
When God calls you to a dream, use what you have and take the first step in faith. God will provide the resources and open doors as you move forward. These dreams are not about personal fame but about serving others and bringing glory to God. The story of Ima's Home shows that starting with what you have, even if it seems small, can lead to significant impact. It requires faith and trust in God's provision and timing. [50:18]
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: Identify a resource or talent you currently have. How can you use it to take the first step towards a God-given dream? What is one small action you can take today to move forward in faith?
Day 5: Embracing God's Dreams
Embrace the God dreams in your life, whether it's a burden for your family, a new ministry, or a call to serve in your community. Be sensitive to God's voice, take action, and trust that He will guide you every step of the way. These dreams are the best way to live out God's purpose for your life. Embracing God's dreams means being open to His leading and willing to step out in faith, even when the path is uncertain. It is about trusting that God will provide and guide you as you pursue His vision for your life. [59:23]
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV): "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
Reflection: What is a burden or calling you feel God has placed on your heart? How can you take a step today to embrace this dream and commit it to the Lord? What actions can you take to trust in His guidance and provision?
Quotes
1. "I believe that what Peter is describing here is the normal day for a follower of Jesus Christ who is full of the spirit. We are going to prophesy visions and dream dreams. Now I think a lot of times we think about dreaming dreams and visions and prophesying as something that is very supernatural but really it should just be a part of our life that we are seeing through the eyes of Jesus Christ." [07:31] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "This is what God is doing. He is trying to bring forth the best life that you could ever live and that's the life that he created you for. That's the life that you were designed for. The scripture tells us that he prepared good works for us before we were even born. He wants us to walk into those good works and there's no person that is in this building that is a mistake. You are a part of the plan of God and God has something for you to do." [09:30] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "One of the things that we say at my life church is that we say the best life that you could ever live is the life that God created you to live not necessarily the life that you create on your own not necessary the life that comes out of your education your career. Thank God for all of those things, but the very best life you can ever live is the life that God created you to live and the most fulfillment that you'll ever have is when you start walking in the plan that God has for your life and the dream that God has for your life." [10:30] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you want to see a move of God in the life of your children or in your marriage or in your spouse or whoever you have in your life that is going through trouble. This is what I would encourage you to do. Start envisioning what God wants to accomplish in their life. We are flesh and blood and a lot of times that leads us to think about negative thoughts. And I rebuke those and cast them down and I raise up God thoughts that God is able." [15:24] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "This is what I believe. I believe that when a person envisions something or when a person dreams something. That his mind becomes saturated with that thought. If you want to see a move of God in the life of your children or in your marriage or in your spouse or whoever you have in your life that is going through trouble. This is what I would encourage you to do. Start envisioning what God wants to accomplish in their life." [15:24] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "A lot of times we don't recognize them. But our personality, our gifting is kind of tied into what God wants to do. And then when they explode to the surface it is like yes this is what you called for me to do God. And you are taking a step into that best life that God has for you." [16:31] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Sometimes God is moving in the corner of your eye. And he is just asking for you. To take a moment to look at what he is doing. So that it can redirect your life. Hallelujah. I got goosebumps when I said that." [18:15] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Let God take that concern that you have. And turn it into a passion for him. And for the dream that he has planted in your heart. And the dream that he has planted in your heart. Let God turn concern into passion. Let God turn concern into passion. Be sensitive." [24:37] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "When God puts something in your heart. Like that. You have to do whatever you have to do. To make it come true. You can't sit on it. You can't say. I've got this dream. And then just sit back and say. Well I'm not really worthy of the dream. I'm not really. I'm not really able to do the dream. I don't really have the resources. For the dream. Don't put that guilt on yourself." [26:07] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "When God calls you to do something, just use what you have. This is a message that I think so many people need to hear because so many people are waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect opportunity or the... Listen, sometimes faith kicks down a door. It doesn't wait on the perfect moment. It says, now is the time that I will accomplish what God has called me to accomplish. Now is the time I will see God work. Use what you have." [48:52] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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