Follow Your Dream - Joshua 3:5

Follow Your Dream

February 20, 2011

Joshua 3:5

Introduction

• God spoke to Abraham and promised that his descendents would become a nation and live in The Promised Land
• The promise was repeated to Abraham's son Isaac
• It was repeated again to his son Jacob
• One of Jacob's sons was Joseph
• God gave Joseph dreams of his future
• His brothers were jealous of him
• Joseph was sold as a slave into Egypt
• The dreams became real, and he was followed by the rest of his family
• They settled in Egypt, in the best of the land
• But they were still not in the Promised Land
• As times went on, the locals became jealous and fearful of their growing power
• They were enslaved and built pyramids and treasure cities for their captors
• They continued to dream, of a Promised Land
• We all have dreams
• Take your two slips of paper, and on each of them write your dream
• It may only be one or two words, meaningless to anyone else, but for you it is the key to your heart
• On the back of each slip, write your dream for this church
• We dream of being a doctor, or a missionary
• We dream of starting a rehab center, or a buying a log cabin
• We dream of being all God wants us to be
• Write it down
• Today we will look at some key aspects in following our dream

There is a right time

• God's timing may be different than ours
• God knows when we are ready
• Heb 6:10-12 - God's timing may be longer term than we expect
• So continue waiting and working expectantly
• James 1:4 - Not receiving immediately, creates something of value
• Wealth quickly gotten is quickly gone
• Keep your eyes on God
• He is creating something of value in you
• Rom 1:18-22 Abraham - the father of the faithful

Persevere

• Former New York Giant George Martin
• Walked 3000 miles across USA to raise money for 9/11 workers
• Took 10 months, 4 months longer than planned
• Lost 40 lbs - 24 pairs of shoes - 80 pairs socks
• Weather, changed course but stayed on track
• Raised $2 million
• 1 Sam 17:45 - David and Goliath
• Do we see a giant to big to overcome, or too big to miss?
• Rom 8:35-39 - We are more thank conquerors

Stay close to God

• Joshua 3
• Follow the ark
• Leaders to take step of faith
• Takes connection with God
• We may like other options than prayer and Bible study
• But these are God's options for us
• v.5 consecrate yourself
• This removes barriers to God's power, and fellowship
• Our faith is built up so we put our feet in the water
• and we start across to follow our dreams

Pray over dreams