I’m astonished by what God has enabled me to do. I was a shy kid growing up. I wasn’t sure how I’d ever live out my dreams. Thank God my timidity didn’t stop me from speaking about them. I can do that!” Yes.. “I can write down words in a journal. I can speak them out, too!” I had to remind myself that was the First Step I needed to take in living out my dreams. Now, let me ask you a question, Do you feel a bit overwhelmed, unorganized, and unmotivated about your dreams? Then, you probably skipped over that step. Many of us feel tempted to do just that. But if you want to live out your dreams, get your prayers answered, do anything big, or difficult you MUST plant with words——–write and speak them out! The things you would like to have and accomplish.
Planting with words establishes an agreement for a future outcome. I know because what I have and all that I’m doing now are the fruits from the words I’d planted years ago. While others only months ago. Words planted in prayer, in my journal, and in my heart. People with no faith will flip out if you tell them that! Yet in reality what I’m doing today is nothing new? It may be new to some, but they were birthed years ago through my words. I don’t know why anyone would belittle affirmations, writing down a dream, or goal. If only they knew how powerful words are. The Word of God proves it. My own life testifies to this truth! Sadly, I think some people feel this way about planting with words, because they don’t value their dreams enough. Anything a person values they will cherish, keep close, and would want to remember. If you value your goals and dreams I strongly recommend you to write them down. I encourage you to plant with words, because you will reap what you say. That is why it is important for us to Speak Life. Don’t say anything that you wouldn’t want to come true or happen in your life. I want to make a quick note. For your convenience, I will go ahead and write a list of scriptures you can read in your quiet time that I believe will help you to plant with words, grow with faith, and reap with action! In the meantime, I want to share a key portion from the book of James with you on how important it is to plant with words and growing with faith.
James 1:25:
“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
When you plant with words you are keeping a record. A person who keeps a record does so to remember an important matter. You can also say they do this to accomplish a required task. How can one identify those who are serious about their dreams? By observing those who continue in them! The person you knew from way back then who always talked about becoming a professional basketball player. So much so they played the sport through middle school, high school, and in college. Before they were even able to play they would watch the game, and tell everyone they knew, “I want to be a basketball player when I grow up!” Back then I bet some people didn’t take that kid seriously. But after awhile, those same people started to believe him or her because they continued on with it! Even when life got hard. When things were taking longer than expected to pick up. They refused to forget easily about that dream. James says in the end of the verse, “they will be blessed in what they do.” Which tells us that if you continue to remember and grow your faith concerning what you want for your life you will be blessed! What you continue in will bring about the blessing your “intently” looking forward to. In this case that blessing is your dreams, goals, and desires coming true! In verse 22 of the same passage I love what James said there. Let’s take a look at it together. We have been discussing thus far about planting with words and why it’s important. Now, I want to discuss more with you about growing with faith and reaping with action. In the same passage James said a key statement about growing with faith and reaping with action. Reading it will give us a better understanding of how we can apply this to our lives.
James 1:22:
” Don’t merely listen to the word and deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” From planting with words you need to grow your faith by doing what you’re speaking about. This may look scary. However, it is attainable! You can begin to reap with action the words you have planted. You may not reap it in full… but you can take elementary steps that demonstrates you are on your way there! Only when your faith is working with an action will you see the fruit of the words you planted. Yes! Remember, “faith without action is dead.” ” You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone” ( James 2: 22). To fulfill your dreams you will need to take an action! Don’t feel overwhelmed by that. You don’t need to do something major? Big things are done in small measures. Over time what you thought was little will create this domino effect. Don’t get discouraged due to the size of your dream. The size of your dream does not matter. What matter is your faith! Let your faith move you to reap an action that will bring you one step closer in living the life you want to live!
In Hebrews 11 we are reminded that it was by faith that all of God’s servant were able to live. It was by faith they did mighty acts and reap blessings of all kinds. We also notice again the three principles at work ( plant with words, grow with faith, reap with action). What does this all mean to us? A longing fulfilled doesn’t just happen on its own. It will require all three principles at work! To manifest. To be honest with you, I believe this is the MAIN reason many people are not living their dreams today! Why they’re not living the life they desire. We by default don’t like to work hard. Believing… having faith… believe it or not? Requires discipline. And discipline requires you putting in great effort. Great Effort=Hard Work.
Hard work doesn’t have to be unenjoyable. I believe as a society we assume it has to be. No, it doesn’t! Working hard on your dreams is an amazing experience! It also shows that you have faith enough to live them out! For anyone who does I don’t think your dreams will come true, I know they will! That’s the message I want you to get out of this blog post, which was also a recent episode on the Mastering Singlehood Podcast. That this year you would be more determined than ever before to plant with words, grow with faith, and reap with action! Your dreams and future matter. Give yourself the chance and apply these faith boosting, and dream making practical and biblically proven principles in your life today! I guarantee, once you do that “it only gets better from here.” You will be living your biggest dreams and have the most thrilling life! Who/What will be able to stop you?
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Recommended verses to read to help you on your journey to plant with words, grow with faith, reap with action.
James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:25
But who ever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
James 2:17
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied with action, is dead.
James 2:18
Show me your faith without deeds, and I’ll show you my faith by my deeds.
James 2:20
Do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
James 2:22
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
James 2:24
You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
James 5:11
You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.
James 5:16
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:17
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain for three and a half years.
Acts 4:24-25
When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God, “Sovereign Lord, they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David.
Acts 4:31
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Acts 5:12
The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.
Read Genesis 15, Genesis 18: 1-19 & Genesis 21.
Read Hebrews chapter 11.
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