Dreamers are those who talk a lot but don’t do much. Those who have a dream don’t talk that much — they do a lot. Big difference!

Delight yourself in the Lord:

A dream is defined as something that you have wanted very much to do or accomplish for a long time. I believe if we truly delight in the Lord, He will give us the desire of our heart. I believe He will place the desire, dream, inside of us.

Hold fast:

If we have a dream — desire to do something, to accomplish something — we must learn to hold fast to it, continuing to pursue it regardless of the obstacles we encounter. A person who holds fast is someone who finds the object of their dreams and then holds it down, taking control over it, dominating it — even sitting on it — so it doesn’t slip away. Getting the picture?

Never let go:

We have to hold on to our dreams, especially if they line up with the word of God. So many give up on their hopes and dreams way too early. Setbacks aren’t dream killers: the killer is the willingness to let go of our dreams — to settle for less — to say it is too hard.

If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31b)? If we submit our dreams, desires, to the Lord, and believe, then anything is truly possible.

Never give up!

Just a thought,

PSS

Issues do not just disappear:

If you are the type of person who gives up, quits when things get too difficult or hard; know this: just because you quit it does not mean that the issues go away or that you will not have any more problems in that area.

Solving issues vs quitting on them:

We need to understand that avoiding something does not mean it goes away. So dealing with learning to walk through issues is the only way to really get rid of problems. Solving them, not quitting on them, makes them go away. Everyone faces challenges; most at times want to throw in the towel. But there are those who never quit or throw in the towel. They look at their circumstance and believe there is a solution or a way to settle or deal with the issue.

Stay committed:

People must stay committed to working through the issue or resolving the problem because, for the most part, issues don’t ever go away. Some things resolve themselves, but not all do. So we must commit ourselves to dealing with the problem — resolving the problem, the hardship —until it is settled. It takes courage and commitment to do it.

Be courageous; be of good cheer— for we know our heavenly Father will never leave us nor forsake us.

Just a thought,

PSS

Reactive vs proactive: which one are you? 

Reaction vs prevention:

Reactive means reacting to problems when they occur instead of doing something to prevent them. Proactive means getting things done, making things happen instead of waiting for them to happen to you, taking an active role in dealing with something before it needs to be taken care of. When we are reactive to circumstances, we are controlled by them. When we are proactive to circumstances, we are, instead, in control of ourselves.

Being reactive:

When we are reactive people, we have feelings which depend on the results of external events or processes that we have no control over — they are completely outside our sphere of influence, yet they can control our lives. Reactive people usually have little control over their emotions. Instead, their emotions are dictated by someone else or something else. It’s really not a healthy way to live. Reactive people make statements such as: “If they would treat me better, I would be happy,” “They made me so mad, that is why I acted the way I did,” “I wish I had more time.” Or they think that, because it’s cloudy and rainy, it is a miserable day. Truth is — we are all guilty of being reactive from time to time, without even knowing it.

Being proactive:

We should start being more proactive in our lives — means, setting goals, dealing with our health before it breaks down. It’s learning we are in control of our emotions, what we think about, how we deal with issues. It’s choosing not to be controlled by external circumstances. But it is always our choice. 

Which one do you choose: reactive or proactive?

Just a thought,

PSS

Our Hearts Speak

People will make these statements: “You don’t know my heart,” or, “You know my heart.” Usually people use these statements to do less than they know to do — never to do more than is required or expected, but to do less.

“God knows my heart”:

God knows my heart – so He knows why I am not going to do some part of His word. We know to forgive, to give our tithes and offerings, to treat people well, to prefer others over our desires. But, God knows my heart, so He is OK with my being rebellious and disobedient. First of all, this is an excuse, not a truth.

Our actions reveal our hearts:

God never understands, nor permits, our being disobedient to His word. The truth in our hearts is revealed by our actions, our deeds, our words. If you are doing the right things — what God’s word teaches — you will never have to say, “God knows my heart.” Our hearts are revealed by our actions.

Jesus speaks:

Luke 6:45 NLT: “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” The words of Jesus make it clear — a good heart produces good actions; an evil heart produces disobedience and rebellion against God’s word.

What is in your heart? You will know by what comes out of you.

Just a thought,

PSS

God’s Sovereignty

When people say, “God is in control,” what do they mean? I believe most of the time they mean that if something happens, good or bad, it was God’s will — because He is in charge of everything — He is sovereign. The problem with this thinking is, it’s not true. God is never the author of bad.

Our free will:

The word “sovereign” means: supreme in power or authority, not influenced by outside sources. But most people believe it means God is in control of every aspect of our lives and the lives of everyone. The truth is: if God is in complete control, then we don’t have free will. And we know God gave us all free will.

God’s will:

2 Peter 3:9b – not wishing for any to perish, but that all should turn to repentance. Matthew 7:13 — You can enter God’s kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. We can see God’s will is that no man perish.

Our choice:

So, if He is control of everything, why do more people reject Him than accept Him? The reason is that God gave us all free will. Our choices matter. God has a perfect plan for all of our lives. But we have to choose to follow Him and His word to experience that plan.

We are responsible for our choices, our decisions. It’s those choices that determine whether or not we receive God’s blessings — whether or not we receive His salvation. Our choice!

Just a thought,

PSS