Don't Stop Dreaming

Acts 2:17D "...your old men shall dream dreams..."

Psalm 44:1-3 "We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them."

I came across this list the other day that was addressed to older men, It didn't mention anything about the ladies getting older, just the men. Here's how the article read. It said, "You your getting older when....."

-You're asleep, but others worry that you're dead.
-You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.
-Your back goes out more than you do.
-You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.
-Your best friend is dating someone half their age and isn't breaking any laws.
-Your arms are almost too short to read the newspaper.
-You sing along with the elevator music.
-You would rather go to work than stay home sick.
-You enjoy hearing about other people's operations.
-People call at 9 pm. and ask, "Did I wake you?"
-The end of your tie doesn't come anywhere near the top of your pants.
-Your ears are hairier than your head.
-You get into a heated argument about pension plans.
-You got cable for the weather channel.
-It takes a couple of tries to get over a speed bump.                           

-It takes longer to rest than it did to get tired.                                                                                                          

-It takes twice as long to look half as good.                                                                 

- Everything hurts and what doesn't hurt, doesn't work.

When people think of growing older, they often have images of deprivation, poverty, poor health, loneliness and loss of mental capacity.

-Does the prevalence of this view mean that it's likely to be accurate?

-How true is the stereotype?

-Is this the future we all have to look forward to?

-Is it true of most older people?

-Or are some of these beliefs simply myths about aging that we've come to accept because of what we have heard others say?

There are more than 3 million Americans over the age of 85. That number is expected to quadruple by the year 2040, when there will be more than 12 million people in that age group. The population age 85 and older is the fastest growing age group in the U.S.

People at any age can learn new information and skills. Research indicates that older people can obtain new skills and improve old ones, including how to use a computer, remote control, and text message.

(1) It is the spiritual right of the aging to continue to dream big dreams!                                                      

Proverbs 16:31 CEV "Gray hair is a glorious crown worn by those who have lived right."

We laugh and joke about turning gray, but God said through the wisest man that ever lived that gray hair is a sign of those who have lived right in God's sight.

-It is a sign of knowing how to deal with the troubles of life.

-It is an acknowledgement of one's relationship with God.

-It is a pronouncement of one's dedication to God.

In other words, old men can still dream dreams of accomplishing their goals for God and set the example for those that are younger to follow after.

Caleb was 85 years old when he said to Joshua, "Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God. And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said." (Joshua 14:6b-12)

It was a dream 45 years in the making, but it came true at 85 because Caleb never stopped dreaming his dream.

-He kept believing God.

-His strength never waned.

-He knew the promise of his inheritance.

(2) Dreamers will always face challenges from the enemy regardless of their age.

-There will be times when your personal strength will fail.

Psalm 71:9 "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth."

The Psalmist acknowledged that somewhere along the way time would catch up to us.

-Negative thoughts will defeat your purpose of getting your thoughts together and can lead to failure.

-Procrastination is a negative thought that can lead to you being lazy and not accomplishing goals.

-This lack of motivation could lead to medical problems such as depression and a low quality of life.

-Physically it could lead to weak muscles and joints, cardiovascular problems and other medical conditions.

(3) There is a specific reason to keep your dream alive.

Psalm 71:18 "Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come."

a. Older dreamers, parents and grandparents, are wise.                                                      

-Seniors have experience, and experience is often the best teacher.                           

-They know first-hand what it's like to live through tragedies and triumphs, times of war and peace, both personally and as a member of a society.                -They are a living testament that people survive through the good and bad.

b. Older dreamers also exhibit a sense of calm.                                                                                   

Because they have lived through so many events, both historical and personal, older people realize that life goes on despite adversities. For many, fears about what could happen have been replaced with a sense of acceptance, and, with acceptance comes peace.

c. Older dreamers understand the difference between being territorial and evangelistic.

-Being territorial means it belongs to me and me alone. I won't share it with anyone. When people stop dreaming they become possessive and self-centered. It becomes all about me.

-Being evangelistic means I want to share my heart, my knowledge, my place with everyone possible so they can see how good it can be if they dream the dream I'm dreaming.

The legacy of your dream may be exactly what some young person is searching for today. That's why you can't stop dreaming, because the minute you do so may the minute someone younger than you needs to see and hear from you that "no quitting" process when it comes to dreaming your dream.

(4) Your dream will be fulfilled if your keep dreaming it!

Psalm 92:14, 15 "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him."

The Psalmist said those that live right will continue to bring forth fruit and will be blessed even in their old age-all for one purpose! That purpose is to show to the world and every observer that the Lord is upright, solid, and holy.

You must continue to dream in spite of your age, position in life, or your failures. The only way to find failure for sure is to stop dreaming.