Let's Get it Started

Philippians 1:6 “Being Confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” KJV

God is in the business of beginning Good works. Don’t be afraid to allow God to begin a good work in you- to save, deliver, take you higher, revive, or do something special, unique, and awesome in your life.  And regardless of what you are going through, or the problems you are dealing with, God is able to begin a good work in you. But you first have to initiate the start. Without question, finishing is better than starting. And the end of a thing is better than its beginning (Ecclesiastes 7:8). But in order to finish, you first have to start. And to complete a work, one must first begin. So let’s get it started.

God is the energy source behind gifts that begin good works. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”  I have been blessed to start a few things in my life: From my educational goals, my family, my business, my ministry along with several other projects. And I have come to realize that starting something is never easy. Allow me to make three brief observations about starting:

1. Don't start none won't be none. Excuse my slang, but if you don't start the project or business, it will never happen. The world needs your contribution. Otherwise, you will be left saying "woulda, shoulda, coulda" as time passes and the world will never have the pleasure of experiencing the thing you were supposed to start.

2. Despise not the day of small beginning (Zechariah 4:10): Don't look down on the situation just because you are small, and have little resources. Don’t be embarrassed because of where you are right now. Keep working at it. Everybody had to start somewhere.  Be glad for what you have and the ability and resources God has given you.  And move forward to initialize your start.  Little becomes much when placed in the Master's hand.  .

3. Remember, It’s not how you start but how you finish: It might be a small start or a slow start but at least it’s a start. Everybody had to start somewhere. Many are afraid to start small so they fail to start at all. And the finished product is never reached. The quickest way to the finish line is the start.

So let’s get it started. Where would the world be if ordinary individuals cease to start their great things. What if Alexander Bell never started his invention of the telephone or Thomas Edison never started his improvements on the light bulb. God begins good works by showing individuals a better way something can be done, or by revealing a new idea, a fresh approach, or an innovative technique. So don’t allow the barrier of the "Three Ds" (distractions, delays and discouragement) to hinder you from beginning the good work God has placed in your heart.

So let's get it started. Step out on faith and go forth in your destiny.  The key is to trust God and lean on his word knowing that he is able to perform the good works he has placed in you to accomplish. The time is now to write your book, produce your music CD, launch your business, start your ministry, pursue your educational goals, begin your new career. And as you start and seek God, He will perform it. God has a performance measurement that is unmatched and a record that is undefeated. For with God nothing shall be impossible. So in the words of the famous Boxing Announcer Micheal Buffer, "Let's Get Ready to Rumble."  Put simply, Let's get it started.

Don't Stop Dreaming

Genesis 37: 5 “And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.” On the surface, Joseph’s dreams seem to suggest a mere symbol of leadership over his brothers and his parents. However, the reality of his dreams would prove to be far greater than the limitation of his father’s house. Such is the case with all who dream. For when we dream, we go beyond the boundaries of familiar surroundings into the possibilities of unknown greatness.

Perhaps Henry David Thoreau said it best: “Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake.” Allow me to make five observations regarding this scripture text that relate to pursuing your dreams.

1. Don’t Let your haters distract you from dreaming: Joseph’s brothers hated him not simply because of the favor of his father; they hated him because of his dreams. But despite their hatred, he yet dreamed another dream. Even when others are critical of your aspirations and your vision, dream on. But be careful with whom you share your dreams. Joseph was cast into a pit, sold into slavery, accused of rape, and served time in prison, but the dream still lived.  People who are envious, and jealous of your talent, and ambition will often attempt to block your dream. However, with God on your side, it really does not matter.

2. Dream big: Joseph’s dream was huge. Your dreams should be bigger than what you can presently accomplish, bigger than what you qualify for right now. Your dream ought to make people laugh and shake their head as if they are not taking you serious. So in the midst of setting goals and facing obstacles, hang your hat on the loftiness of your dreams.

3. Be excellent and righteous in pursuit of your dream: Despite his barriers, Joseph was promoted to the head of Potiphar’s house and even while in prison he managed the entire facility. Also, be sure to maintain integrity and truth in pursuit of your dream. Joseph was placed in an uncompromising situation when his boss’s wife pursued him daily for sexual intercourse. But he maintained his integrity despite the consequences and refused her advances. Don’t lie, cheat, steal and kill to realize your dream. It will always come back to you.

4. Live to build toward your Dream: From Potiphar’s house, to the prison, God placed Joseph in a position to learn the skills needed to manage the kingdom of Egypt. Place yourself in a position to obtain the necessary resources and skills to make your dream a reality.

5. God is Faithful to bring your dream to pass: As we bring the story of Joseph to a close, it just so happened that when the Butler remembered Joseph, they lifted him out of prison to offer an interpretation for Pharaoh’s dream. And Pharaoh just so happened to make Joseph second in command in the land of Egypt. And it just so happened that Joseph was overseeing the distribution process when his brothers arrived in Egypt to buy corn. And it just so happened that they bowed down themselves before him with their face to the earth. Joseph’s dream became a reality. It may not happen overnight, but determination, hard work and faith in God can bring your dreams to pass. 

Finally, the Bible says in Proverbs 18:16 "A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men."  To the extent that we are more than conquerers through Christ and we can do all things through his strength, God is more than able to help you accomplish your dream.  In fact one of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit as stated in Joel 2:28 "....your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."  And as we put God first in our lives, He is able to make our dreams come true.  So don’t stop dreaming.