ARTICLES ON VISION

DATE:  29 December 2002
SPEAKER:  Pastor Tayo Adeyemi
TITLE:  Carrying your dream to fulfilment.
TEXT:  John 1:1-4,14

What do you do when you are carrying a dream? There are a few lessons we can learn from the examples of Joseph in the Old Testament and Mary in the New Testament
Humble Yourself:
The bible tells us over and over again that God resists the proud. The quickest way to abort your dream is to give room to pride in your heart. One of the best ways to keep your dream alive is to walk in humility - and there are few things that keep us humble like serving others If you want to go far with your dream, then be a servant Luke 1:39-40. Even though Mary was pregnant, she went to serve her cousin Elisabeth. Obstetricians tell us that the most difficult period of pregnancy is the first trimester - the first three months; especially for a first pregnancy. It was during this time that Mary headed for the hill country to go and serve Elisabeth.
Even though Joseph knew he was carrying a great dream, he served faithfully in Potiphar's house and in prison. God uses those experiences to prepare us for greatness, because service is greatness and greatness is service Matthew 20:25-28

Connect with the right people:
Sometimes, in order to keep yourself from getting discouraged, you need to look for other people that God is dealing with, the same way He is dealing with you You need to connect with people who have the same kind of dream as you do Proverbs 27:17 - When Mary found out what was happening to Elisabeth, she went to connect with her
When Joseph found out the kind of dream the butler was carrying, he connected with him. Look for people who are going where you are going; and connect with them.
Protect your dream:
The devil will attempt to kill your dream, people will attempt to abort your dream. You have the responsibility to protect it and keep it alive. Both Joseph and Mary went through unpleasant experiences while carrying their dreams: You may find yourself going through the same experiences.
They were misunderstood:
When you are pregnant with the promise of God, don't expect everyone to understand what is happening to you. You have heard from God, they haven't, so people may react negatively towards you. Joseph (Mary's fiancé) almost called off the wedding. Joseph's brother hated him for his dreams and his words. If people don't agree with you, if they mock and deride you, if they don't see eye to eye with you, understand that they don't understand.
They were subjected to adverse circumstances:
We always have this idea that because we have received a promise from God, everything should run smoothly. No! Sometimes you will have to go through adversity on the way to fulfilling your dream - it is part of the process. Because of Ceasar's census decree, Mary had to travel with Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem - a 200 mile journey. On donkey back, this would have probably taken them two weeks. It certainly would have been very uncomfortable for a pregnant woman.
Joseph went from slavery to prison - for doing the right thing Sometimes it seems your life is heading in the opposite direction from your dream. Don't give up. Those challenges and difficulties are what make your testimony more glorious.
They were rejected:
Just because you are carrying something great does not mean that everybody will celebrate you. Had the inn keeper realised what Mary was carrying, he probably would have emptied the entire inn for her People will reject you because they have no clue what you are carrying.
Joseph was rejected by his brothers and Potiphar. Even the butler forgot him. Not everyone will celebrate you or your dream.
Celebrate your dream: Luke 1:46-55
What was Mary doing here? She was celebrating her dream The greatest event in history came to pass, and not a lot of people realised it. A few shepherds in the field, wise men from the east, Simeon the prophet, Anna the prophetess - and that just about sums it up. The rest of the world was busy with other things. Don't let it bother you if people don't celebrate your dream - learn to celebrate your own dream. Some of the greatest celebrations in scripture and in history have been private celebrations
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