Joseph was a well known dreamer in Scripture, and a man who all of his dreams had come true (Genesis 37:1-20). We remember that because of his dreams his brother would have had him killed, were it not for Reuben who spared his life. Dreamers have had the ability to shake things up and change the world they are living in.

Caleb was another great dreamer. He, along with Joshua, saw that God had blessed them and would give them the land, if they but had the faith to go in and take it. It was forty years later that he was able to enter the land, and at the age of 85 he said “give me this mountain.” He never lost his dreams, nor the ability to do what he could to see that his dreams came true. His faith sustained him, and kept him always looking forward to greater and better things in his life – even at 85 years old and above.

We need to have faith in God to dream big dreams for ourselves and for his glory! Often, (I am convinced) we don’t do great things for God and things that challenge us because of a weak faith in him and his word.

As we begin a new year, I hope you will dream bigger things for your spiritual lives than you ever have before. We face a challenge daily to live the Christian life and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. We need to grow in love, in faith, in knowledge and in every other way. We need to dream big, and work hard, to become the people God knows we are capable of becoming!

What are some things we need to do this next year? What are some dreams you have for yourself and this church? May I make a few suggestions?

1. I will, like Paul, forget those things that are behind and press forward.
2. I will, like Abraham, trust solely in God.
3. I will, like Jehoshaphat, prepare my heart to seek God.
4. I will, like Moses, choose rather to suffer than to enjoy the pleasures of sin.
5. I will, like Daniel, commune with my God at all times.
6. I will, like Job, be patient and endure under all circumstances.
7. I will, like Gideon, stand firm for God even though my friends seem few.
8. I will, like Isaiah, consecrate myself to God’s work.
9. I will, like Andrew, strive to lead my brother to a closer walk with Jesus.
10. I will, like John, learn to lean upon the bosom of Jesus.
11. I will, like Steven, manifest a forgiving spirit toward those who hurt me.
12. I will, like the heavenly host, proclaim the message of peace and hope to the world.

What are your dreams for 2008? With faith in God and a desire to be better, we can do great things.
Tommy

(Part of this article was copied from Kyle Massengale, The Technicolor Faith, Roebuck Parkway Church of Christ Bulletin, December 19, 2007).