REKINDLING OUR KINGDOM DREAMS

As disciples, we sometimes lose sight of the great dreams for God that were on our hearts at the beginning. As singles we sometimes stop dreaming for the kingdom and giving to the mission because we get too caught up in and worried about our future. As marrieds and parents, the same happens, and sometimes even without our realizing it, we lose our conviction and commitment with the passage of time. But men and women of God, who walk with God, because they believe, have always been sacrificial, zealous dreamers and doers, who know that God will meet their needs and raise them up even as they give him their best. It is time for us to believe again and to rekindle kingdom dreams!

- Compare Saul and Jonathan:
1 SAMUEL 14:1-14
Saul had little or no faith, Jonathan had great faith. As a result, Saul was resting under a tree while Jonathan was active, aggressive and ambitious.

Q. Which of the two men are you like? Of the two, whose faith and life best describe yours?

"Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few," so even if the people in your ministry are few, your talents are few, the opportunities around you look to be few, your years in the kingdom so far are few, your days left to live seem to you to be few, God can use you in awesome ways that you cannot imagine - and he will do so when you believe.

It is time to dream once more that God will use you, your marriage, your situation as a single, your financial giving, your talents, knowledge and abilities, etc. to advance his kingdom and to give you a hope and a future.

- Compare Saul and David.
1 SAMUEL 17: 8-11, 1 SAMUEL 17:34-37
Saul had little or no faith, David had great faith. As a result, Saul was intimidated and set a bad example of cowardice to the rest, and David was confident and zealous.

Q. Which of the two men are you like? Of the two, whose faith and life best describe yours?

David was of "low position" - he was a shepherd while his brothers were soldiers, and he was a last born. But God still used him, because of his faith. David believed that God could and would work through him. You must understand that you do not have to be an evangelist, full-time staff minister, highly talented or advanced in education for God to use you and to make your dreams come true. You need only to believe. And if you do happen to be considerably talented, educated, etc., remember that it is faith, not individual ability, which God responds to.

Q. Do you have a dream for the kingdom, or only self-centred ones for your own life?
Q. Have you set your heart on giving, sacrificing and laying down your life in order that God's name be glorified, his kingdom advanced and his people's needs met?

MATTHEW 6:33,34
You may ask, "What about my family and my future? I can't neglect them in the name of trying to help the church." Remember - and BELIEVE - that it's all about God. Don't neglect or ignore your responsibilities to your family or your personal goals, but also, don't give up walking radically and sacrificially by faith, because if you do, then you will risk eventually losing your faith.

Let God not only take care of your finances, family and future, but also use you as he used Christ - to glorify his name - and reward you as he rewarded Christ - by seating him next to His heavenly, eternal throne.

Back to the list of "When You Believe" classes.