Dare To Dream

This morning I have the distinct pleasure of bringing you this blog post by Mitzi Neely, motivational speaker, blogger and woman of God. In this message, Mitzi reminds us of the importance of trusting God with our dreams and aspirations and waiting on His timing. Read and be blessed.

Dare to Dream

'Oh how precious life is when the desires of our heart come true and we take a bold step in faith to make a dream become reality.'

One of my dearest friends messaged me a few days ago with her ‘over the top’ news. You see she had prayed for many months about the possibility of expanding her home-based business into a storefront location.

She had done her homework. She knew the potential pitfalls, the what-ifs, and the resources needed. But she also knew that the possibilities could be endless.

So she continued to commit her work to Christ and she faithfully prayed that He would honor her requests; all the while waiting on His perfect timing and go-ahead as to the direction He wanted her to pursue.

She was almost to the point that her dream wasn't to be when an innocent comment on social media landed just the right response for an available property.

God’s word tells us in Psalm 37:4 to, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

She could hardly contain her excitement about this new venture. Oh there is uncertainty too, but she knew from her conversations with God that He had orchestrated every step of this so perfectly.

Timing and circumstances vary for all of us, but if we continue to lay our prayers and praises before Him, we always get His perfect response. We may have to make adjustments along the way, but He makes clear the direction we are to head.

What we do with His response shows our trust and faithfulness in Him. We know we serve a mighty God who can accomplish the impossible.

When we seek His will for our life we are best served when we have an attitude of humility, perseverance, faith, and above all to make sure that our goals and dreams align with His ways.

His word tells us in Mark 6:36, "Don't be afraid; just believe." Jesus is the source of all hope and promise, so give all of your cares to Him. He will make a way.

How sweet the soul that faithfully prays, diligently commits the desires of the heart to her Heavenly Father, and quietly, but boldly trusts Him to provide just the right path for her to travel.

Do you have dreams and aspirations for your life? Take it before God and let Him do his mighty work. The outcome will be His, but it will be perfect for YOU!

Blessings & Hugs to you in the week ahead. I'll be praying for you.

Mitzi

Mitzi Neely is an inspiring motivational speaker who encourages women of all ages through her experiences and shortcomings. She has been blessed with a passion and love for people that stretches across the generations. Her heart is to lighten your load, while conveying her message that nobody’s perfect. So often God places certain people in your life at just the right moment; whether the reason is to help teach you, help you grow in your walk with Him, or to simply love and lift up others. Whatever your struggle or need, you will find encouragement through her words as she refreshes your heart and renews your joy.

Follow Mitzi at www.peacefullyimperfect.net because the joy of the journey is learning in His word together.

Sarah - A Woman For All Seasons

This month marks the fifth year since the publication of my book Women For All Seasons, featuring twelve women of the Bible.Their stories are written creatively so you can easily relate to them. At the end of each chapter, there is a section called "Insight" where I give my views on the story, and where you can write answers to questions. To give you a better introduction to the book, I will write a short post on one of the characters each week for this month.

This week's character is Sarah. I included Sarah in the book because she depicts the season of winter. A time when the landscape looks dry and infertile. The weather is cold and nothing grows. There is very little activity as people hurry to get before a warm fire or turn on the heat to make themselves comfortable. Such is the situation of Sarah, a ninety-year-old woman in the winter of her life, long past child-bearing age, and been barren all her life.

When the angel told her she would have a child, she didn't believe it. She said,  "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?" (Genesis 18: 12).

But the Lord said,  "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" (v 14)

If you have ever read the story, you will know that Sarah did have a child and she called him Isaac. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead thousands of years later quickened Sarah's infertile womb, and she was able to give birth.

Are you in the winter of your years? Do you feel useless, infertile, unproductive? God doesn't say that. Psalm 92: 14 says, "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing."

God had made a promise to Sarah and Abraham and, even though it was long in coming, He kept His promise. He has also made promises to you. Stand on His promises, and don't be discouraged. It is never too late.

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the publication of Women For All Seasons, I'm giving away five copies randomly from now until the end of the month when you subscribe to this blog. You'll also receive my monthly newsletter with articles and Christian news from around the world. So don't miss out on your chance. Sign up today.   

God's Perfect Timing

I have been reading the story of Moses and how he tried to get Pharaoh to let the Israelites go by working all the miracles God commanded him to do. It's a story I have loved ever since I was a child, as it conjures up for me memories of The Ten Commandments, one of the greatest movies of all times.

If you read the story, you may recall that God sent ten plagues on the Egyptians before Pharaoh gave in and released the people. Actually, God had hardened Pharaoh's heart so he would not let the people go. And God knew exactly what had to happen and at what time Pharaoh would cave in. But something struck me as I read the chapter this morning. Exodus 12 : 40 - 41 says, "Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD's divisions left Egypt." NIV

God could have made Pharaoh release the people long before then, but He had a perfect timing arranged for the Israelites to leave. 430 years to the very day. Not a day sooner, nor a day later. Is God a God of order? Is He a God of precision? Over and over God uses expressions like "appointed time", "set time", "at that time", "in the fullness of time." God does nothing by chance. Although it may not appear that way to us, He has "an appointed time" for everything. Ecclesiastes 3 : 1 says: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" And verse 11 says, "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."

Have you been praying and waiting for God to do something in your life and it seems like nothing is happening? Don't despair. If it is His will, He will do it. He may have hardened Satan's heart against you in order to fulfill His purpose. But at "the set time" Satan will have to release you, your son, your daughter, your finances, your marriage. Whatever he is keeping in bondage, he will have to let it go in God's perfect timing. So, don't cease to pray or to praise. Just wait on the Lord.