What did you dream of as a little girl?
I’ve asked myself that over the years as I’ve assessed my life. I want to learn from my past and see God at work in my life. It is undeniable that as a little girl I wanted to be loved & married, and have a house full of children. With 5 decades behind me, there are a few things worth passing on. Here’s one for today…
It’s the things that have our attention & affection that
determine/make our dreams & heart.
As you grow up the things you give our heart to become the fruit your life produces. These are the things still get your affection and attention….
Shhhhh, you may not even realize it because it’s become such a part of your thought process, core working, and intellectual property, but it’s true nonetheless.
Most of us can see the affections of “others” heart fairly easily. Looking at their lives one can see the things they fight for and pour into. It’s obvious, to those watching, what the undeniable loves of your life are. They can see what you value and consider worth your time and investment. As we grow older and life gives way to produce the fruit of our younger life choices it is clear that what you give your attention & affection to will produce the dreams & desires of your heart.
I’d like to invite you to join me on my “dream” discovery. Over 50+ years ago I dreamed of …….
a family, husband who would love me forever, not leave & fight for me, and a home filled with kids.
Go ahead and smile with me…
for only God, in all of His love & favor, could possibly deliver such abundance. As you read a bit of my testimony here please keep in mind that I was a broken and dysfunctional little girl and this is not about me, but…
IT IS ALL ABOUT A GOD WHO DELIVERS BEYOND YOUR BEST DREAMS!!
Meet Jake & Nae, our daughter & husband, who was incredibly blessed by a marriage enrichment training, in their church, in the early years of their marriage, now spearhead an annual Marriage Conference. The books on their nightstand speak to what they are doing to have a Gospel Marriage every day and inspire others to invest in and experience the same. Go to matrimonyeveryday.com & see for yourself. The affections of their hearts to grow a Gospel marriage first in their home so that their children are raised up knowing God’s desire for them and their marriage has reached waaaay beyond their home and into many others bringing new hope & restoration to those who have struggled and wanted to end their marriage. How could I have even begun to imagine what rich love & marriage favor & blessing God had planned for me and my children… not to mention to hundreds of others we would influence in their marriage. Wow!
What God did was take my life dream of a husband who loved me & give me more than I could possibly imagine!
Meet Josh & Erin, our son & wife had an awakening to real life, eXtreme life, sanctifying, revival bearing encounter with Jesus when they told God “Yes, I Will” and YiPoA was activated with an Awakening Revival. Check out YiPoA.com & watch the videos!! Their burden for the sleeping church and those who don’t know full life in Jesus mirrors the heart of God. Drive by their house and see evidence that is undeniable. Neighbors will tell you they would probably prefer them not to park the ministry trailers on the street, but kids and adults alike are drawn to what God is doing as they fan the affections of God’s heart in theirs. How could I have even begun to imagine the number of children who we would love & lead & be a part of raising up for God’s glory? Regularly our home is filled with may we love like they are our children & live life as we do the Awakening Revival ministries. I couldn’t have imagined, in my wildest dreams, that I’d be a spiritual momma to so many. What God has planned for me and “all my children” is beyond my capacity to comprehend… Wow!
What God did was take my life dreams and give me what my heart desires even when I had no idea what that was!
I hope you are following me here…..
As a little child, I dreamed of something I knew nothing about…
I wanted a husband who loved me & a house full of children…
I HAD NO IDEA HOW TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN,
AND I DEFINITELY DIDN’T HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE
MY DREAMS COME TRUE.
I just dreamed of a day where I always got what I wanted.
When we stop chasing our dreams and chase after God’s heart
we live a life that works where our hearts desires come true.
You need to know:
-
- THIS IS ALL ABOUT GOD
& HIS DESIRE FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.
The one who has delighted in God will have a life that reflects God’s heart! - THIS IS ALL ABOUT GOD
& HIS DESIGN FOR THE LIFE OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.
God created me & you prepackaged with everything we need to live an Abundant Life, a life full of peace, and purpose and passion.
The one whose hearts affection and attention belong to God
will see God give life beyond their imagination and best dreams - You don’t have to know what to dream, how to give God instructions on what, how or when to deliver what “YOU want.” You focus on Him & He will give you what you don’t even know you long for!
- THIS IS ALL ABOUT GOD
The life of one whose hearts delights in God
WILL love what God loves and
align their mind to Him.
My life is a living testimony to this Truth!
2 “P” Process
Your Part & God’s Promise
Outlined in Psalms 37:4-5
DELIGHT yourself in the Lord – YOUR PART
and HE WILL give you the desires of your heart – HIS PROMISE
COMMIT your way to the Lord; TRUST in Him – YOUR PART
and HE WILL act – HIS PROMISE
I hope & pray you can see God at work in my dream journey…
I never dreamed life could be soooo sweet. If I would have chased after my dreams instead of His heart, lived for my pleasure instead of His, thought that it was all “on me” to make my life work not on His Word, trusting in my power to work all things together instead of His, I would never have experienced such an abundant and miraculous life.
And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness towards us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus! Ephesians 2:7 NLT
- If you find yourself struggling to believe God wants to display His favor and abundance in your life
- If you find yourself unable to feel or see anything good
- If your heart has been hurt & feels like you’ll never be happy again
- If you’ve never really been happy
- If your circumstances are overwhelming
- If you just don’t have it in you to take one more step
- If you struggle to think God would show up for you
- If you are sick & tired of being sick & tired
- If you want to dream again, believe again, know love again……
You’re in the right place…
Lean in & Listen…..
Start with your heart…
Give it a try & know that HE WILL show up for YOU!!
How?
Get quiet and away from distractions…
Close your eyes and look with your heart to God…
Invite Him to come close and reveal Himself to you…
Put your ear to His heart and lock-in…
Here’s a playlist that I’ve used to help me get quiet and silence the other voices in my head……
My prayer is that as you start this Heart Works Series you will find yourself cultivating an intimate passionate love relationship with Jesus and your hearts desires fulfilled!
