RECAPTURE THE DREAM

1 John 5:4 Faith is the victory. One key to recapturing the dream is to recapture our faith.

1. COMBINE YOUR INFORMATION WITH TRANSFORMATION

Luke 24:13-25

The two men here have the facts but do not have faith. They give an accurate account of the latest developments concerning Jesus, but do not combine those facts with faith. They do not combine their information with transformation.

v. 19 The life-changing truth that they express here about Jesus should be a source of faith. But instead of building on that truth, they remain confused instead of convicted. They sound hopeless and disappointed.

v. 25 Jesus takes issue with their slowness to believe, i.e. their lack of faith. They have the right information, but are not allowing it to bring them transformation.

John20:9;18,18

The apostles continue to doubt despite eye-witness testimony, i.e. accurate, reliable information.

How do we get our information - i.e. personal Bible study and lessons learned in discipling or from the preaching - to result in change? Be filled with the Holy Spirit: Acts 6:3,5 Clearly, with the Holy Spirit came wisdom and faith. Wisdom is insight and understanding, and that is what allows you to get substance out of your Bible study, which then builds your faith.

As you study the Bible and receive great teaching, pray to God to fill you with the Holy Spirit.

2. RESPECT AND DON'T REJECT THE ROLE OF SUFFERING

Luke 24:26

Jesus says that he had to suffer before experiencing glory. That's just the way life is, and we would do well to accept that and not reject that.

Q. Have you allowed tough times to rob you of your faith and joy? Have you allowed them to cause you to doubt God?

Luke 24:27

Jesus understood the role of suffering in his life because he understood what Scripture said about it. Remember, quality Bible study is essential for building your faith.

Hebrews 12:11
Discipline, though painful, produces a harvest of righteousness and peace - if we allow it to!
Hebrews 12:2
Jesus respected the role of suffering. He faced it prayerfully and thus it became a source of victory and allowed him to fulfill his dream for us.

Trials are a time to persevere and learn to trust God. Decide that you will make your setbacks a stepping stone and not a stumbling block.

3. FOCUS ON FAITH, NOT ON YOUR FAILURES

John 20:20-27

The disciples remain locked up in a house because of fear. Clearly they are lacking in faith at this point. Jesus then, rather than rebuke them for abandoning him or for their lack of faith, shows great confidence in them by sending them out and empowering them with the Holy Spirit. Their response is to remain in the house!

Maybe they were still caught up in and depressed about their failure in abandoning Jesus and the faith at the time of the crucifixion.

Jesus says simply, "Stop doubting and believe." We must all take this to heart.

John 21:3-6

At last the disciples return outdoors! Despite initially catching nothing, rather than focus on that failure, they take Jesus' advice and they cast out the net one more time. And look at the result!

We have all failed very many times, but that was to teach us to pray and persevere, not to give up. But don't focus on that. Walk with God and find the faith to "cast your net" one more time. The greatest failure when you fall is to not get back up again and try one more time.

Focus on Jesus. Focus on God and God's promises. Pray to God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Focus on faith and not on your failures.

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