It s Time To Dream Again - Part 2 I want to encourage you to make sure that your plans, your vision, your dreams for 2018 include God. You will be surprised at how many people make plans that do not include an ounce of God. Now, I am not saying that you shouldn t plan because if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. You must plan and you must know in which direction you want to go but make sure that God is in your plans. What is the use in running if you are running in the wrong direction? People will first do everything in the flesh and when it doesn t work, then begin to consult God as a last option. Like one man said to his friend, after they exhausted all options, I think we need to pray now and the other guy said, Has it come to that. Proverbs 19:21 NKJV There are many plans in a man s heart, Nevertheless the Lord s counsel that will stand. It is not for you to decide what you will do because that has already been decided for you. It is for you to discover it. Don t ask God to bless your plans. Find out what God s plan is because it s already blessed.
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Ephesians 2:10 AMPC For we are God s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Proverbs 4:18 AMPC But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared]. We know that God has plans to prosper us and if we know He has a good life prepared for us then how do we find it? Through seeking Him. Ezra 8:21-23; 31 NKJV Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him. 23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer. Ezra 8:31 NKJV Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. And the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambush along the road. Seek guidance, assistance and substance. 2
Matthew 6:33 AMPC But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. Don t waste your time going around the mountain over and over again. It should have taken the Israelites 11 days to enter their promised land but it took them 40 years. Why? Because they were stubborn and rebellious. Wanted to do it their way. Colossians 3:1-2 AMPC If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. Isaiah 55:8-11 NKJV 8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. 3
What I planned for myself was so small and so limited but when I followed His plan, it was always bigger and better. Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. One man came close to death because of the work of the ministry and when he enquired of the Lord, the Lord said to him, It is not the things that I asked you to do that almost got you killed, it is the things you added to it that almost got you killed. God s yoke is easy and His burden is light. Some of you are always doing things to try and please family. Stop doing things in order to try and please people and family. You are going to wear yourself out. Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you ll recover your life. I ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won t lay anything heavy or illfitting on you. Keep company with me and you ll learn to live freely and lightly. Whatever God asks you to do there is always a rhythm, a flow, a grace. No need to force and no need to push. If it s God today it will be God tomorrow. God will never lead you where His grace cannot keep you. It is when we jump ahead of God that we jump out of our rhythm and now it s no more easy and light. It s now hard and difficult. And if I was you, I will be quick to repent and go back to the place where it was easy and light. Because where God guides, He provides. Where He leads, He feeds. What He ordains, He sustains. What He initiates, He orchestrates. If it s God s will, it s God s bill. 4
Abraham and Sarah did not wait for the promise of Isaac. Ishmael s are easy to obtain but very difficult to get rid of. Wait for the promise and flow with God. Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG) Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He s the One who will keep you on track. As you seek God, listen for His instructions. Give God an opening. Psalm 32:8 NKJV I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8 NLT The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Let God guide you along the best pathway for your life this year. You don t need to fear. No need to worry and be anxious. God knows your future better than you know your past. Just walk with Him and work with Him one step at a time. Trust Him to alert your spirit to the next step you must take. Pastor Lester Holland Sunday Message 14 th January 2018 5