How Do You Get God’s Dream for Your Life?

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES God's Dream For Your Life

How Do You Get God’s Dream for Your Life? By Rick Warren — Apr 26, 2015 “Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him …. Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God, what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2 GNT) I’ve come to the conclusion there is no such thing as great people. There are only ordinary people committed to great dreams. When you commit yourself to a great dream, it draws something out of you and helps you become larger than you would become any other way. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (NIV). God’s dream for you is personal. Only you can fulfill the purpose God has planned for you. His dream for you is positive. It will give you hope! How do you get God’s dream for your life? You’ve got to be willing to dedicate your life to God, committing in advance to do whatever he tells you to do. “Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him …. Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God, what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect” (Romans 12:1-2 GNT). Most people miss God’s dream because they’re not looking at God; they’re watching what everybody else does. If you’re trying to imitate somebody else, you’re going to be a carbon copy instead of who God made you to be. You need to be more concerned with God’s dream for your life than the American dream. The American dream and God’s dream are two very different issues. The American dream used to be pretty affordable and pretty simple. Today, the American dream is all-consuming. It usually takes both the husband and the wife to even try to keep up. This rat race becomes your total focus. If you want to get serious about discovering God’s dream for your life, you have to decide not to settle for the American dream. Will you choose the good life or God’s life? Materialism or ministry? The rat race or God’s race? “Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back … and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 TLB). Commit yourself to God’s dream for your life, and don’t worry about being like everybody else. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick. Talk It Over Why can you trust that God’s dream is something you will want to do? How does your life reflect that you are chasing God’s dream and not the American dream, or vice versa? What do you need to say to God today in prayer about the dream he has for you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZGqKqciv8EWhat do you need to surrender? What do you need to confess? Your Appointed Time TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: "For the vision is yet for an appointed time...though it tarry, wait for it..." Habakkuk 2:3, KJV TODAY'S WORD: God has an appointed time to fulfill the visions, dreams and desires in your heart. Just because it has taken a long time or because you've tried and failed doesn't mean that it's not going to happen. Don't give up on those dreams! Don't be complacent about pursuing what God has placed in your heart. Our God is a faithful God. No matter how long it's been, no matter how impossible things looks, if you'll stay in faith, your appointed time is coming.  Remember, every dream that's in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God put it there. Not only that, but He has every intention of bringing it to pass. Hold on to that vision today and declare, "My time is coming. God is working behind the scenes on my behalf. I will fulfill my destiny!" As you hold on to your vision and speak life over your dreams, you'll see them begin to take shape. You'll see your faith grow; you'll see your hope strengthen, and you'll see yourself step into the appointed time God has for you! PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father, thank You for setting an appointed time for me. I ask that You ignite my heart with Your holy fire so that I can pursue Your perfect plan for my life. Make my thoughts and words agreeable to Your will in Jesus' name. Amen.