A group of us were sharing dinner and then we gave testimonies about a God who loves His people enough to speak His dreams into their hearts. We heard of an apartment complex for single mothers. A wedding barn and a Christian campground. A new local church being established. Common to all was the desire that God’s name would be made great through each respective leap of faith.
Uncertain about believing in a God who can’t be seen with physical eyes, listening to a voice we can’t record, and following a hand we cannot tangibly touch, we can make faith nothing more than a collection of dry terms as we hunker down in a predictable life. More than something we know or talk about, however, faith must be lived out.
Consider the hall of faith in Hebrews 11:1-40. They built, conceived, offered, promised, blessed, spoke, refused, chose, left, went, overthrew, ruled, received, shut, quenched, escaped, suffered, died. Refusing safety, those who truly believed in God moved in incredible ways—following God to points beyond whatever felt safe and comfortable.
Stepping out into the unknown isn’t easy. Some days it’s downright frightening. Scripture doesn’t give us an exact reason for Joseph’s forthrightness in sharing the dream God had given him. It only details the outcome: rejection, isolation, and injustice. But for Joseph—and for us—the cost of faith pales in comparison to the fulfillment of God’s promise (Genesis 46:5-7; Joshua 24:32; Psalm 105:19).
Believing what God has spoken doesn’t guarantee an easy journey, but it does give us a front-row seat to watch Him at work. For “God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished” (Philippians 1:6).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 10:1-13
More:
Read Proverbs 13:1-12. Everyone desires to see dreams fulfilled. What connection might there be between the instruction in verses Proverbs 13:1-11 and the truth found in verse Proverbs 13:12?
Next:
When have you felt that God didn’t come through for you in fulfilling one of your dreams? How might God have been at work even in this seeming failure?
raya00072717 on April 16, 2014 at 9:10 am
Hello Regina,
What would be your best advice to anyone struggling with allowing God to work(have faith, believing in God move in incredible ways ect)? Reason why I asked, is that I find that in the Bible God seems to have been more in direct contact with the characters from the Bible then us. I want to let him work in me. I know through prayer and reading my Bible all things are possible. I don’t want to feel like there’s no progress in my relationship with Him. It’s so hard not to compare myself (it’s bigger then me) but I look around and it’s very difficult to see none Christian getting it easy (successful careers, great relationships, marriage and great life) and I can’t help to envy some of the things they have. I know it may not be what it seems and erception could be deceiving but I’m human lol. I hope to hear from you really soon. Have a blessed day and thank you for the message!
street on April 16, 2014 at 11:07 am
my best advise, “He is watching waiting and praying for you. He is Loving you with an unquenchable Love. He has your absolute best future in mind for you. The journey will be breath taking, heart pounding and very difficult. Joy and peace are it’s hallmarks of daily living.
Spend as much time as you can with Him. Then work/live in fear and trembling. Pay attention to His Word. That is the same as listening to His voice. And most of all do or obey His voice. Pay close attention to what you dream and think about. If He is not in your dreams and thoughts, purge them. Don’t give up Him give up sin and pride. God richly Bless you in Christ Jesus!!!
Regina Franklin on April 27, 2014 at 9:48 pm
Hi Raya,
Since I wrote this article almost a year ago, it has been interesting to reflect on where we are today. Still in the beginning stages of our church plant, we continue to trust the Lord each Sunday to bring His vision for the church to pass. While some of our unknown’s have been answered, there are other prayers for which we are still waiting for the answer; until then, we continue to step forward and trust Him in the little decisions as well as the big ones.
Likewise, others at that table have seen God answer some prayers and still wait the fulfillment of others. I think sometimes, we make hearing the voice of God about the big decisions, when He wants to be a part of all of them. The more we invite someone into the conversation, the more accustomed we grow to their voice, to the point that we can recognize it even in the middle of the noise of many other voices.
hayes on April 16, 2014 at 10:17 am
raya
You have a very good question of how do you know what God wants you to do. I am very sure you have accepted Jesus as your savior but have you met Him. When you totally surrender to Him you will come to the point of not thinking of what happens to others or yourself and will come to the point of knowing what Jesus wants done. The only way of knowing that is to read the Bible and study what Jesus was all about and follow His lead. He never considered himself, he only considered what his father wanted. God bless all on your journey.
gshafer11 on April 16, 2014 at 2:37 pm
Hi Raya,
It is difficult when we don’t hear God’s voice like they did in the old testament. It is hard when we are struggling and others seem to be doing so well. We want the good life as a reward for our faithfulness to God. We want the blessings of the Lord like we see others have… and we want it right now…
God called Joseph, but before he was able to enter into God’s blessing and be the 2nd most powerful ruler in Egypt, be given a wife and children, and be reunited with his family, he was sold into slavery, tempted, and thrown into prison. God tested his character for a long time before blessing him.
Ruth lost her husband and remained faithful through adversity. After what I would imagine to be a long time of patient endurance she was blessed with a husband and a family.
David was chased by Saul for a long time, and after God had tested his faithfulness, he became the King of Israel.
Israel walked through the wilderness for a long time before entering the promised land.
Perhaps God is testing your faithfulness. Perhaps if you patiently endure tribulation, God will bless you. Don’t give up. Keep following Jesus. He has a plan for your life. You will have to be faithful for perhaps a long time in order to enter into God’s blessing. It will be worth it !!! : )
raya00072717 on April 17, 2014 at 7:57 am
Thanks everyone,
I’m going to be taking from each of what was mentionned above: spend more time with him, paying attention to His word, continue to read my Bible and know that I need to be patient has he maybe testing my faith. Great examples gshafer11. Have a blessed day everyone!
Tom Felten on April 17, 2014 at 9:49 am
Raya, the only other thing I would add is to seek out a mentor. In the New Testament, we see Paul pouring into his your protege Timothy (1 Timothy 1:18). And Aquila and Priscilla helped Apollos truly understand what faith in Jesus really means (Acts 18:24-26). Look for someone who is more mature in the faith and is truly living for Christ. It helps to have someone of the same gender. Then, simply ask that person if they would help you grow in your faith . . . if they would mentor you. I’ll be praying for you Raya!
raya00072717 on April 23, 2014 at 11:08 am
Thank you Tom,
I’ll be praying and seeking for a mentor, hopefully that someone can help me in my spiritual growth as you mentioned.
Tom Felten on April 24, 2014 at 10:53 am
May God provide the right person for you raya. I know mentors have meant a great deal to me as they’ve helped me grow in my faith and walk with God!
Winn Collier on April 24, 2014 at 2:56 pm
I often take the feeling of fear as a signal that, rather than a call to back away from something, it’s actually a call to step forward.
raya00072717 on April 28, 2014 at 9:34 am
It’s amazing on how God speaks to us on certain matters. I had the talk with a friend last night about how I need to move from my comfortableness (Job) as I could learn from a move forward more then a move back. I’ve forever grateful for this ministry. Thanks Winn!