Faith turns God-given dreams into reality. Nothing happens until somebody starts dreaming! The Bible is full of people who had God-given dreams. Abraham dreamed of being the father of a great nation. Moses dreamed of setting God’s people free. Joseph dreamed of saving a nation and his own family. Throughout Scripture, there are all kinds of people who were inspiring dreamers, like Daniel and Paul and David. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes” (TLB). Now, if there were ever a “blank check” verse in the Bible, that’s it. God is able to do far more than we would dare to ask. What are you afraid to ask God for? He is able to do far more than we could even dream of. Rick Warren says, I don’t know about you, but I’m a pretty big dreamer. I can think of some pretty big dreams I’ve had in my lifetime. God says, “Warren, think of the greatest thing you could ever dream of, the greatest thing you think I could do in your life. Guess what? I can top that.” If there were tears in Heaven, it would simply be because we would get there and realize all the things that we could have done if we had just believed God a little bit more. To me that would be Hell! Hell for me would be being shown everything I could have accomplished and become as a husband, a father, and a pastor if I had just believed God a little bit more. But there aren’t any tears in Heaven, and God gives you everything you need right now to accomplish what he has planned for you. I want to challenge you to dream big about your relationships, your marriage, your family, and your career. Your faith can turn those dreams into reality, because God is able to do far more than we would dare to ask or even dream of.

Dear Heavenly Father, I lift before You the person who has quietly stopped dreaming. Disappointment has worn them down, and survival has consumed the strength they once had to believe. Father, breathe fresh courage into them. Do not let fear bury what You have placed inside them. You remember the prayer they no longer say out loud. If that desire came from You, revive it. Strengthen them to pursue what You have spoken, even where resistance has made them question their calling. Your Word says You are able to do far more than they would dare to ask or even dream of. Let Your truth overthrow every lie that has lowered their expectations. Give them boldness to bring their requests before Your throne. I come against intimidation, condemnation, confusion, and every scheme intended to pull them away from obedience. Break the grip of past failures. Silence the accusations that keep them ashamed. Let no voice carry more authority in their life than Yours. Give them courage to obey You when opposition gets loud. I pray for divine discernment, provision, and strategy. Expose counterfeits before they commit. Uncover traps hidden beneath attractive opportunities. Provide what their assignment requires, and reveal the steps they need to take. Guard their time, resources, and relationships. Father, strengthen every place where temptation keeps gaining ground. Bring hidden compromise into the light. Deliver them from destructive agreements, unhealthy attachments, and habits that undermine their prayers. Give them conviction to close every door You have told them to close. I pray over their homes, their children, their work, and their calling. Let Your peace rule where strife has taken hold. Frustrate every attempt to divide their family or derail their obedience. Surround them with people who pray with authority and walk in truth. Clothe them in Your armor. Teach them to recognize the enemy’s schemes without becoming consumed by fear. When weariness comes, renew their strength. When discouragement presses in, help them stand firmly on Your Word.

Dear Heavenly Father, Before we face this day, we bring You the pain we woke up carrying. Some of us opened our eyes and immediately remembered the loss, the unanswered prayer, or the situation we cannot fix. Father, meet us right there. You said You are close to the brokenhearted. Draw near to the person holding back tears while getting dressed. Come see about the one who has been strong for everybody else but is struggling to find strength for themselves. When our hearts are overwhelmed, lead us to the Rock that is higher than us. Let Your truth rise above every thought telling us to give up. Remind us that our tears have not escaped Your attention and our prayers have not fallen on deaf ears. Father, contend with those who contend with us. Fight against those who fight against us. Guard our minds against torment, our hearts against bitterness, and our mouths against words that wound. Give us discernment to recognize the enemy’s schemes and strength to stand firm in Your truth. Let Your peace stand guard over the places anxiety has been trying to occupy. Quiet the thoughts that keep rehearsing the worst. Help us breathe, gather ourselves, and take the next step with You. Where grief has left an ache, bring comfort. Where disappointment has weakened our hope, sustain us. Where rejection has made us question our worth, remind us that we belong to You. Do not let pain make our decisions today. Do not let yesterday’s wounds speak for our future. Heal what we keep hiding, and give us courage to ask for the help we need. Strengthen our hands for what You have entrusted to us. Give us wisdom for every decision and grace for every difficult conversation. Put people around us who will pray with us, tell us the truth, and help carry what has become too heavy. We place our families, our health, our provision, and our unanswered questions in Your hands. Show us what is ours to do, and help us surrender what we cannot control. Your mercies were new before our feet touched the floor. Help us receive them today. Even with tears in our eyes, teach us to pray. Even with questions in our hearts, help us trust You.

Life is full of trials, and no one is immune to hardship. Yet, as followers of Christ, we have a source of peace that goes beyond our circumstances. Jesus told His disciples that we would face trouble in this world, but He also promised His peace to sustain us. His peace is not about avoiding struggles but experiencing His presence within them. When we encounter trials, it’s easy to feel shaken or overwhelmed, but God offers a peace that transcends our understanding. This peace isn’t based on life being easy or predictable; it’s rooted in God's unchanging nature. He is our steadfast source of strength, always available to us. In 2 Thessalonians, we’re reminded that God is the Lord of peace. His presence is with us continually, regardless of what we face. Peace in trials doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine or dismissing our pain. Instead, it’s a deep assurance that God is with us, working even amid our suffering. As we seek Him, He steadies our hearts and minds, giving us the strength to endure with hope and confidence. His peace allows us to face challenges with courage, knowing He is in control and will use every difficulty for our growth and His glory. This peace transforms the way we respond to our circumstances. When we rest in God’s peace, we find patience and endurance. Rather than being overcome by fear or despair, we can trust that God is at work, refining and drawing us closer to Him. We can also be a source of encouragement to others, showing them the power of God’s peace during trials. No matter what we face, God’s peace is a constant, steadying force. He is near, ready to comfort and strengthen us in every situation. We can rest in His presence, confident that He will carry us through. Prayer: Lord, thank You for being my peace, even in trials. Help me to rely on You when life feels overwhelming. Remind me of Your presence and promises, and fill my heart with Your peace. Strengthen me to face every challenge with faith in You. Amen! Based on the devotional, what is one thing God is speaking to you today?