Protecting Your Dreams: The Fire Within
Summary
As a child, I was filled with dreams and a sense of destiny, not knowing exactly what God had in store for me, but feeling a fire in my belly that something great was to come. Years later, God revealed to me that each of us carries a unique gift and calling—a fire placed within us by the Holy Spirit. This fire is not to be ignored, for it is the nudge of God toward our purpose. Yet, just as God gives dreams, the enemy seeks to steal them, often by sending people into our lives who speak words of doubt or discouragement. The story of Hannah in the Bible illustrates this truth. Despite years of ridicule and pain from Penina, Hannah held onto her God-given dream, prayed fervently, and saw her promise fulfilled in the birth of Samuel, who would play a pivotal role in God’s redemptive plan.
Our dreams are precious and must be protected. Not everyone in our lives is meant to have access to the deepest desires God has placed within us. Some friends are like leaves—here for a season and gone with the wind. Others are like branches—supportive but vulnerable under pressure. But the rarest and most valuable are the root friends, those who anchor us, pray for us, and believe in our dreams as fiercely as we do. We must be discerning about who we allow into our inner circle, seeking God’s guidance before sharing our dreams.
Hannah’s story also teaches us the power of “dangerous prayers”—prayers that require faith, surrender, and a willingness to give back to God what He has given us. When Hannah prayed for a son and promised to dedicate him to the Lord, she was making a costly vow. Yet, God honored her faith and obedience, blessing her with even more than she asked for. Sometimes, God answers in unexpected ways, and we must be attentive to His voice, even when it comes differently than we expect.
Ultimately, God is faithful to fulfill His promises. The enemy may try to extinguish the fire within us, but through prayer, faith, and wise relationships, our God-given dreams can become reality. As we close, I invite you to recognize the fire God has placed in you, to protect it, to pray boldly, and to trust that God is able to do exceedingly more than you can imagine.
Key Takeaways
- The fire in your belly is a sign of God’s calling. When you sense a deep desire to do something significant, recognize it as the Holy Spirit’s nudge toward your destiny. Don’t dismiss or ignore these promptings, for they are often the seeds of God’s purpose in your life. The enemy will try to distract or discourage you, but your calling is worth protecting. [16:00]
- The people you allow close to you can either nurture or sabotage your dreams. Like Hannah, you may have “Peninas” in your life who speak words of doubt, but you must be intentional about who has access to your heart. Seek out “root” friends—those who are steadfast, prayerful, and supportive, and be cautious about sharing your dreams with those who may not understand or value them. [21:47]
- Not all prayers are created equal; some require a dangerous level of faith and surrender. Hannah’s willingness to give her son back to God was a costly act of trust, but it opened the door for God to do more than she could have imagined. Don’t be afraid to pray bold, sacrificial prayers that stretch your faith and invite God’s miraculous intervention. [27:15]
- God often speaks in unexpected ways, and we must be attentive and flexible in how we listen. Sometimes, answers come not through a voice or feeling, but through circumstances, people, or even a book on a shelf. Stay open to the many ways God may choose to guide you, and don’t limit Him to your expectations. [25:59]
- God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our circumstances or the opinions of others. Even when dreams are delayed or attacked, God is able to restore, redeem, and multiply beyond what we have lost. Like Hannah, remain faithful in prayer and trust that God’s timing and provision are always perfect, even when the journey is difficult. [28:28]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Childhood Dreams and God’s Fire
[03:12] - The Dream and the Death Panel
[06:30] - Recognizing the Fire Within
[08:00] - The Enemy’s Tactics Against Your Gift
[09:30] - Hannah’s Story: Faith Amidst Ridicule
[12:00] - God Said It, I Believe It
[14:00] - Nico’s Dream and the Power of Words
[16:48] - Protecting Your Dreams from Dream Killers
[18:30] - Evaluating Your Circle: Leaves, Branches, Roots
[21:47] - The Importance of Rooted Friendships
[25:11] - Dream Big and Pray Dangerous Prayers
[27:15] - Hannah’s Dangerous Prayer
[28:28] - God’s Abundant Blessing
[29:48] - Recognizing and Guarding Your Fire
[30:32] - The Power of Intercessory Prayer
[32:19] - Invitation to Salvation
[34:06] - Closing and Welcome to the Family
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Protecting Your God-Given Dreams
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### Bible Reading
1 Samuel 1:10-11 (ESV)
> She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
1 Samuel 2:20-21 (ESV)
> Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, “May the Lord give you children by this woman for the petition she asked of the Lord.” So then they would return to their home. Indeed the Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord.
Romans 5:8 (ESV)
> But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
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### Observation Questions
1. What was Hannah’s emotional state when she prayed to God, and what did she promise in her prayer? (1 Samuel 1:10-11)
2. According to the sermon, what role did Penina play in Hannah’s life, and how did Hannah respond to her? [16:48]
3. What was the result of Hannah’s “dangerous prayer” and her willingness to give her son back to God? (1 Samuel 2:20-21)
4. In the sermon, what are the three types of friends described, and how do they relate to the tree analogy? [23:42]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might God allow people like Penina—those who discourage or ridicule—to be present in our lives? What can be learned from Hannah’s response to Penina? [16:48]
2. The sermon describes Hannah’s prayer as “dangerous.” What makes a prayer “dangerous,” and why do you think God honors these kinds of prayers? [27:15]
3. The analogy of leaves, branches, and roots is used to describe friendships. Why is it important to discern who is a “root” friend in your life, especially when it comes to sharing your dreams? [24:30]
4. The sermon mentions that God sometimes answers prayers in unexpected ways. How does this challenge our expectations of how God communicates or fulfills His promises? [25:59]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talks about having a “fire in your belly”—a sense of calling or a dream from God. Can you identify a dream or calling that you feel God has placed in your heart? How have you responded to it so far? [16:00]
2. Have you ever experienced someone (like Penina or the counselor in the sermon) speaking words of doubt or discouragement over your dreams? How did it affect you, and what did you do in response? [19:13]
3. Think about your current circle of friends. Who are the “leaves,” “branches,” and “roots” in your life? Is there someone you need to draw closer to or set boundaries with to better protect your God-given dreams? [24:30]
4. The sermon encourages us to pray “dangerous prayers”—prayers that require faith and surrender. What is one bold or sacrificial prayer you feel led to pray right now? What might it cost you to pray it? [27:15]
5. Sometimes God answers prayers in ways we don’t expect, like through a book or a person instead of a direct voice. Can you share a time when God spoke to you in an unexpected way? How did you recognize it was Him? [25:59]
6. Hannah’s story shows that God can restore and multiply what we have lost. Is there a dream or hope in your life that feels delayed or even dead? What would it look like to trust God with it again? [28:28]
7. The sermon ends with an invitation to recognize and guard the fire God has placed in you. What practical step can you take this week to protect, nurture, or act on your God-given dream? [29:48]
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