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KATINAS GREEN
Mar 11th, 2009 17 Comments

The Purpose of a Dream

purpose_of_a_dream

In New York Times best seller ” Purpose Driven Life”, Rick Warren gives us one of the best insights about purpose. It is this, God created everyone with a purpose, and I believe that in addition to that He created us with a purpose to dream! Here are a few thoughts that we want to leave with you today as you think about the purpose of your dream.

First of all, you must know your dream! The best way to know your dream, is to what the dream giver(God) has purposed for you from the beginning of time. One of my favorite passages is in Jer. 29:11. He knows the plans that he has for us are plans that will prosper us and not harm us. I am so thankful that God has it all mapped out for me as I continue to submit to His plan, and know his purpose for my life.

Secondly, we’ve got to “Walk the Dream”. A dream is only a dream until you grab a hold of God’s promises for your life. We have to walk into our dreams by faith, which absolutely requires us to put forth some action i.e strategic planning, research, developing your strengths etc. When we walk by faith and not by sight, we are saying “God even though I may not see it right now, I know you are able to fulfill everything you want in me”.

Last but not least, we must pass on the legacy of a dream. When I think of words like Legacy & Dream, I am reminded of the memory of my late father in law, Roger Ely, who went home to be with Jesus two weeks ago. Even in the last couple of years of his life, Roger who was 73 yrs. old, pursued every dream and goal that he had. He was a man that believed he could do anything through perseverance, determination, and hard work. My five sons and I are are so blessed to have had a true hero who taught us what it means to be a man of God, dream big, but most importantly live life to the fullest! What a man! What a legacy!

My prayer for all of us today, is that we know the dream, walk the dream, and at the end of the day we can live the reality of our dreams so that a rich legacy will be passed on to future generations. That is the “Purpose of a Dream”.

-John

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  • Lizzerd

    How beautiful is the hand of God. Where, even in the face of sorrow, if we open ourselves to it….God can and will use us to reach out to others through words of encouragement and a challenge to find and live the purpose of a dream.

    John, thank you for the word this mornin!

  • http://baylormum.blogspot.com Shellie (baylormum)

    The topic I wrote about yesterday on my blog (positive post Tues) took me all day to come up with. It was exactly what you write about today. The verse you used describes where I am in life. Unemployed & hard on myself. You see I am a recovering addict; my profession is pharmacy. I have worked some since getting clean, but very little. It’s hard with my history & restrictions on my license. I was trying my hardest to throw my life away. I was jolted back to reality when I had a tough choice to make. I chose recovery. Talk about God’s plan. Why me? So I can share my recovery & my experience, strength, & hope with others. Not just addicts, but non-addicts as well. I never saw my self as an educator, but I have become one. My dream now? To listen better so I know where God wants me next. I know it’s not unemployed & sad all the time. But, some days just suck. I must walk that dream every day with a faith that is strong. Thanks. :)

  • http://www.myspace.com/joeycasora Joey

    Something I really needed right now. Good stuff man.

  • http://p_neddeau@yahoo.com perry

    Good word John!
    It’s as the Word says:
    He who began a good work in you is faithful and just to complete it! He is our true Dream Maker!

    see y’all soon – blessings and peace

  • Faith

    This devo reminds me of the verse Matthew 5:16. It says that we should let our light shine before man that they might see our goods deeds and praise our Father in Heaven (something like that).
    Encouraging word again this week. Thank you!

  • Sista RJ

    Brother John! HolySmokes Praise God!, and thank you for continuing to submit to His plan in sharing his heart with all of Kuzins through you! Amen Thank you Jesus! I just read our devotion and again and took notes on my lunch break. 1.you must know your dream, continue to submit to His plan & know his purpose for your life. Thank you as my life unfolds funny how the dream I had as a little girl, even tho it’s not what I had expected it’s actually honestly better. From youth I had aspirations of joining peace corps, or being a reporter because so I can travel the world. Well as I have grown older definitely reporting is not exactly what I really wanted, it’s in this field but it’s reporting the Good News, and Peace Corps well you can say that has turned into loving to help people period, and I didn’t even have to join the Peace Corps. So yes, I’m walking in it now with clarity, not so vague and it so full circle it blows my mind! Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife, Mother, Aunt, & Grandmother yes it’s beyond what I could of ever imagined, think or even dreamed! Believe my I dreamed and still dream, even thought of sports Volleyball back in the days, of course I still love the game and all sports but I’m not going to be a professional and that’s ok! (rotfl) I definitely want to pass on the rich legacy to my children, my grandchildren, my entire family and all my friends…Jesus is truly the answer he is the reason all my dreams become reality and because he is the one who not only gave it to me, but he has gifted me to achieve it! Kingdom Dreamers, is what it’s all about so whatever your dream is know that if He hasn’t already he will use all things in your life working towards making those dreams a living reality, and you know you know you know that as Brother John quoted from the Word~Jeremiah 29:11~ Amen you all be blessed beloved Kuzins! From generation to generation :-)

  • Melissa M

    I love that you said to not only know the dream but to walk the dream. We need to step out in our purpose and allow God to guide us as we move out into that dream and destiny for our lives. We can’t just sit there “wishing” our dreams come to pass. It’s faith in action.

  • James

    This is a good word. Thanks again, John. It is so refreshing to read the different perspectives that everyone has to share. May we all continue to dream and realize the purpose of our dreams. Blessings

  • http://www.new.facebook.com/people/Dawn-Martinez/541394712 Dawn–from little NJ

    Praise Jesus my brothers and sisters in Jesus! John…what a message~thank you! Wow…isn’t God good!!!!! Yesterday, I was talking to the Heavenly Dad and said ” Father, I have this overwhelming feeling inside that I need to get out..I need to do something with it (my dream) before it dies….” but then ….I had a thought that I should suppress this feeling until the Lord tells me different (you know..until he says “move”). I had this feeling that I needed to hurry and didn’t know what to do about it…until now! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You just inspired me to start moving and doing something about it. After all if the Lord would not have given it to me unless He wanted me to use it!

    Thank you for letting the Lord use you!!!!!! May u be blessed and highly favored in Jesus name!!!!!

    Your sister in Christ,
    Dawn

  • Liz

    Thank you John for the good word. I really like what you said in that we must “Walk the Dream.” I also like what you wrote in ” A dream is only a dream until you grab a hold of God’s promises for your life.” That is so true but we should also keep in mind not to settle for less then what God has for us.

    Here is some of what I heard in my church tonight.
    * Don’t settle for less then what God has for you.

    * Just when you think it’s over wait one more second for God because he is there for you.

    * What is pride costing you? Is pride holding you back from really making a step into the Kingdom?

    There was a song that I heard tonight that was so great. Some of it went like this….”I don’t Have To See It To Believe It.” That is so true because we shouldn’t have to see our God to believe in Him. We should know that He is there by the love and passion that He gives to us in our hearts. We should have our hearts for God because He has a heart for you. His heart is filled of all your love and passion for Him. When you dream of something that God has laid in your heart don’t be afraid to go after the dream. If you are scared about the dream pray to Him about it and let Him guide you on the right path. With God all things are possible.. without God life is like a dead end road. Know that true dreams do come true when you put your whole heart into God and love Him for everything that He is!

    God Bless,
    Elizabeth

  • =MFlolo=

    Last but certainly not least, is right. John your insight is spot on. The Legacy of a dream. Wow! It really hit me. Some dreams we personally will be able to complete and some dreams will be completed by others. Legacy is a deep word. I have to think, what am I leaving behind? What kind of deposit am I making into this world, into the atmosphere? Did I leave a Godly reflection today or has my prideful arrogant self left a nasty, tasteless seed? A legacy starts with a dream. And it gets built throughout your life. You can’t build a legacy when you are dead. But by GOD’s grace your legacy can continue to grow after you are gone.
    I am so thankful for the positive impact Mr. Ely has had on your life. Because you have shared this, it has touched many more. Roger is certainly a Godly example for all of us to follow: perseverence, determination & hard work.
    It is a demonic tactic to allow ourselves to feel unable, unworthy & useless. One of the best advantages we have is to discern what is going on around us and within us. Pray about it and take authority over it! Put on the full armour of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, HE is the Messiah! He is always going to make a way for you when you are in the will of GOD.
    So, I am acountable then for my attitude, my words and my actions. When I have left the room what legacy of myself have I left behind? Is it Godly? Was I loving and patient? Was I thankful, honest and encouraging to others. Did I leave the place better than I found it? Was I a good steward today? All of this is Legacy. And GOD promises if you are faithful in the little HE can trust you with much. I am certainly convicted to be aware of my Legacy because my legacy should actually be the living legacy of Jesus Christ and what HE started. Oh boy, let’s all continue to pray for one another, we can do it! The dream is alive and so are we- Amen! GOD Bless you and your families, much love, peace & joy be with you.

  • Melissa M

    Mark… that really hit me just now. Amen kuzin!

  • Joy

    Wow…I realize that I’m such an ‘on the surface’ (lazy…lol.) kind of thinker.

    Every week, I’m blessed by others insight into and comment on the subject at hand.

    Legacy
    Noun
    1. a gift of personal property by will.

    Dream
    Noun
    1. A series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep.
    2. A cherished desire.

    Focus on building your legacy on a daily basis…
    Passing your gift of the desires of your heart to those who
    are left…
    Which makes me think…
    What do you cherish? What are the desires of your heart?
    Godly things?

    Thanks for the thought provoker, John!
    Hope to see you all in Springfield on Sunday.
    BUT – you are bringing that bad weather with you all again!
    I’ll be prayin for your safety as you travel.
    J

  • Sista RJ

    Greetins & Blessings Kuzins, his mercies are new every morning great is his faithfulness! Amen :-)
    Thank you all for your insight your heartfelt words, experiences and sharing with all of us to be blessed by! Jesus you alone are high & lifted up. For it is you that has done, and is doing and will continue to be our all in all! Legacy your the example that our elders, parents, brothers & sisters have been modeling after.Thank you for all of them! So we press on to do the same in your name Jesus. Thank you Jesus, that yes we all know we aren’t perfect and that’s ok, because You are and You chose us, we didn’t choose You! So we are handpicked by you, we are your legacy and we so thank you for the wisdom, the revelation and understanding of your GRACE! So truly we can say that because you live, we live and our legacy will live on because it is YOU! Help us to always be passionately in love with you because You are with us always…even in our imperfections, You LOVE US! So we will with confidence in You say~Lord Jesus we are complete and the abundant life you have given us is truly just as you say. Where you are at, do you know, feel and sense His Love for you? We all can “while we were sinners Christ died for us” (can it get any better than this?) Brethren be who God made you to be with freedom that he paid the price for that we are free now not bound up, not limited, and surely not perfect and yet God has chosen you, he loves you endlessly and he has the plan for your life not for evil, but for good, to give you a future and a hope! Stay the course, run your race, and know we are OVERCOMERS, we can Shout Hallelujah Praise Jesus for our God reigns at all times in every circumstance we can be in. He will always remain the same today, tomorrow, & forever! Now GO and not only share the GOOD NEWS but Be the Good News in Jesus name! Love God Passionately this will light up your day, life and world contagiously!”not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord”

  • joe

    Good Friday Kuzins,

    John, thanks for the challenge. Walkin’ out the dream takes more work than just dreamin’! However, it’s the walkin’ that does the talkin’! Keep movin’ forward family. Don’t stop unless your stoppin’ to help some else along the way.

    Upward and Onward!

  • Joy

    That reminds me, Joe…
    I just wanted to share something…
    I just got back from going down to the local Food Lion before driving up to northern VA…
    It’s cold and raining cats and dogs. Today is trash day.
    On my way, I noticed a frail little old lady in just a sweater trying to pick up her trash can. It had fallen and was twisting. She was really having a hard time with it.
    So…I stopped the Stang and got out, asked her if she needed some help – (didn’t wait for her to answer), picked up the trash can and rolled it up her driveway toward her garage…
    She said that she was afraid that I had stopped to do her harm and when I started to take the can up her driveway toward her house, she was afraid…
    I told her to take care and went on my way…
    At first, I kinda giggled. And if I looked like something other than another little old lady, I might be able to see her point a little – but I don’t…lol. Im not scary lookin at all.

    Isn’t that sad? That she felt that she couldn’t trust a stranger – ANY stranger enough to help her out when she needed it…
    and I’m a neighbor!

    Got me thinking…hmmmm….she was put in my path for a reason…
    And I’m going to be sure to stop when I’m riding my bike to say hello…so she’s not scared of me anymore…
    See you all on Sunday…
    J

  • LTSM

    I can relate totally relate to that…so many living in fear find little hope to trust a helping hand. However, that doesn’t stop me…it actually inspires a challenge to make a difference in their lives, even if just for that moment…realizing we are blessed to extend a positive perception to mankind in that brief encounter.
    Where there is faith, there is His voice calling to keep walking for we are not alone in this world. Just to know that He will bear every burden and heal every hurt in our hearts. I believe in faithfulness and giving of myself for someone else. It is a wonderful place…where there is faith!! Love this song and enjoy walking my faith journey daily with HIM directing my steps in lifes journey, for He is my song of praise!!! Keep on your marks and continue your walk of faith in Him and for HIm….Love & blessings to all.

    LTSM