Developing A Biblical Dream/Vision

The New Year is a time to make resolutions. Sometimes these promises grow out of aims or objectives. Let’s develop more than a yearly resolution, let’s develop a biblical dream or vision for our entire life.

1. Everyone should have a dream or vision for their life. Robert Browning the poet said, “A man’s reach should extend his grasp, or what is Heaven for?”

a. To dream is to think or conceive of something desired” –Oxford.

b. To consider a possibility” –Webster

c. “Vision is a mental view or image, whether by supernatural origin or merely human view, of what is not actually present.”

d. Synonym: to plan, consider the possibilities, imagine.

2. Applies to people, churches, and organizations. “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Prov. 29:18). When people do not have

plans for the future, they flounder, but those who live by God’s Word are happy” (Prov. 29:18, ELT).

a. Vision is absolutely essential for living. “No vision . . . perish.”

b. Vision is for you, not just preachers. “People perish.”

c. Vision is about the future, not today or the past.

d. Tie your vision to the Word of God. “Keepeth the law.”

3. “Your young men shall see visions (future), your old men shall dream dreams (past)” (Acts 2:17).

4. Why you need a dream/vision for your life.

a. A dream/vision gives purpose to your life. “For me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21). You won’t accomplish all your dreams, but living a purposed life will help you realize some of them.

b. You will have hope, i.e., you put yourself in the future. “Who against hope, believed in hope” (Rom. 4:18).

c. You will be energized by your dreams. “Now we are energized by our hope . . . because if we already have something, we don’t need hope” (Rom. 8:24, ELT).

d. You will be happy when you move toward your dreams.

“Blessed are the unsatisfied when they have a dream.”

“When you wish upon a star, makes no difference

who you are, when you wish upon a star, your

dreams come true.” -Walt Disney

“I bet Walt wishes he could be here tonight

to see this.” –Cronkite

“If Walt hadn’t seen it first, you wouldn’t see it tonight.” –Mrs. Disney

e. Your vision will motivate you to sacrifice to accomplish your desire in life.

a. Great sacrifice always accompanies great achievement.

b. Paul said, “I die daily” (I Cor. 15:31).

c. “I have given up everything else . . . I do not mean to say I am perfect, I haven’t learned all that I should even yet, but I keep working” (Phil. 3:13-14, ELT).

(a)You haven’t made it on this earth.

(b) You need to keep on learning.

5. Jerry Falwell’s three definitions of a dream/vision.

a. Vision is a bridge to walk from the past to the future.

b. Vision is the eye of faith to see the invisible, a decision to get it started, and burden to make it happen.

c. Vision is painting a portrait of what doesn’t yet exist, so you can make things happen, to make your vision come true.

6. Those who are close to God see something others don’t see. “Let’s go to the seer, for he that is now called a prophet was before called a seer” (I Sam. 9:9).

a. Sees first.

b. Sees most.

c. Sees farthest into the future.

7. What your dream/vision must include.

a. Character. What kind of person do I want to become? Who is my role model for personal integrity?

b. Family. What do I want my family to become? What am I willing to do to accomplish it?

c. Accomplishment. What do I personally Christmas want to accomplish with my life?

d. Influence. What shall I do to influence others, and how shall my life impact them?

e. Possessions. How much money do I need? What shall I possess? “Where your treasures are, there is your heart” –Jesus

f. Satisfaction. When I retire what will I have accomplished with my life that will make me happy?

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.