Special note: If you are a college student, then you may scroll down to the words (Start Here).
I wrote this as a college paper, so you could print this paper and turn it in as your own work (or you may use this as a speech). You have my permission to call it your own, just don't change any words. If you are a Preacher, then you have my permission to use any of my inspirations as sermons :o)
“Let’s not wallow in the valley of despair…I say to you today, my friend, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream…” Baptist Minister – Dr. Martin Luther King (1963, on the steps of The Lincoln Memorial,
“Let my people go.” said Moses
We all have dreams deep inside of us. Many of our dreams are discouraged, squashed, stolen from us… abolishing the hope, vision, faith, courage… we once knew.
For many, we dream to have God use us before we die, to help free the depressed, addicted, lonely, abused, neglected, wounded-student, broken-hearted, hungry, belittled, chained and shackled, the hopeless, the faithless, the fatherless, the beaten, the shamed, the abandoned, the widows, the orphans, the homeless, the afflicted, the oppressed…
Oh my soul… if only I could just tell you about the healing powers of God... how God ended my years of suicidal depression, 17+ years of illegal drug addiction, loneliness, shame... setting me free of my heavy chains and shackles... I've had my share of dreams that were discouraged and thrown away by my addiction(s)... so many dreams faded away due to fear of persecution and lack of self-esteem.
For many... such as Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy (and his brother), Martin Luther King... they put actions with our passions, followed their dreams, and gave their lives for the causes they believed (helping others). Martin Luther King Jr. rocked the boat, but I feel as though he pushed the boat from the other side. The boat (that his people were sitting in) was being pushed hard (to death).
Yes, Dr. King put action with his passion, thus he stirred the pot. With each stir, he served up the nourishment of hope for his people. For you see, it was not Dr. King’s dream to separate us – NO! – his dream was to unite us, to dream of a day that
“Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley... Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.” Dr. Martin Luther King.
My friend, let me assure you that there will be a day, coming soon, when Revelations 20–22 will be fulfilled. The first 2 chapters of the Bible paints a beautiful picture of the Earth without sin, and the last 2 chapters of God’s Holy Word explains to us how God will restore, renew, justify, judge… God is just and there will be justice!
‘Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans
You may need to walk in Dr. King’s shoes to discover his motives. His dream was not to get ‘even’ or to return evil for evil, but rather to defend the undefended and to free the oppressed.
This inspiration, however, is not about Dr. Luther King, this inspiration is all about having a dream. A writer can’t write ‘I have a dream’ without giving credit to Martin Luther King (can they?) I wonder if Joseph (Jesus' step-dad) was the one (famous) for telling others "I had a dream" to stand beside Mary and to help her rear baby Jesus, to help her travel to Bethlehem so prophesy would be fulfilled...? Yes, we've all had our dreams.
Throughout the Bible, God used dreams (often) to inspire, direct, and to fulfill His Word (for His Will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven). Still today, God uses dreams for His purposes.
(Start Here)
Two nights ago, I had a dream. I stood up amongst a large group of college students to give a speech. My speech went something like this:
I had the privilege of attending college at age 30 (I am 37 now). I expressed to the students that we are now living in a different era in American history. That they may finish their difficult journey of college-education, with all of their studies, tests, and financial sacrifices... only to find themselves without a good-paying job in the end. That there are no guarantees of job placement. IF they did manage to receive a good-paying job, there would be no hope in securing that job for a life-time.
Please don't stop reading this inspiration (when you start reading this next paragraph), it is important and this inspiration gets BETTER and BETTER!!!
I told them about having secured-hope in Jesus Christ, that He fulfills all of His promises (Psalms 145:13-14). Should a day come when tragedies, famines, diseases, earthquakes, greed... be fulfilled as described in the Bible (which, I believe are now being fulfilled - 2 Timothy 3:1-4), life's tragedies are getting more severe (like birthpains)... days of hopelessness, suicide, addiction, selfishness, back-biting, greed, war… that these students could still have the blessed hope of a better life, a life of beauty, without violence, no need for employment, no back-stabbing, no prejudices or racial issues, no envy, no money, no war, no foreclosures... but rather, a life of gold streets, mansions, living water… for all of eternity.
But then, I needed to focus on today (the now), to inspire them to LIVE, to continue with their education, to put action with their passion, to keep going, to lift their heads high, PLEASE DON'T STOP, make a difference, you are unique… you truly can make a difference!!!
When seeking an education, a career, your field of expertise, more wisdom… please keep these next words close to your heart:
Don’t seek an education only for the money, because you may just find yourself short-changed, because this world will someday run out of money (as described in Revelations), and today -employers don't pay you what you are worth (2 Timothy 3:1-4).
Please take the time to look up the following verses. I believe these verses changed my life forever: Jeremiah 29:11-14; Romans 3:20-25; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16.
Don’t EVER let anyone steal your dreams, hopes, values, inspirations, morals… and the desires to LIVE. If you should find yourself ready to end it all… just tell yourself to wait until tomorrow… I have been through many storms, and I stopped following my dreams (often)... there were many days that I didn't see any hope. Today, I’m thankful that I failed at killing myself (or overdosing / drinking), and that I am finally following my dreams (with all of my heart). If you could just meet my 2 kids, then you would understand why I'm thankful to be ALIVE.
Offer your life to Jesus Christ, then ask Him to save you by His Amazing Grace – He will keep His promises and He will save you. Jesus knows that you're good when you're not bad. We all sin and we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). When you are bad, just ask God to forgive you. Jesus paid it all (click HERE).
When it seems as though you have no friends and the world is crashing down on you, or that you are too addicted or depressed to make a difference… please listen… God cares and He loves you. If you stop to think about it, God Almighty made YOU just for Him. Let Him carry you, let Him give you powers beyond your comprehension.
In the middle of the night, when you are lying in your bed worrying about saying the wrong thing, or mad because someone has failed you as a friend, or when your bills are sky-high, or when you lose your job, or when the bank takes your house (because you lost your job to no fault of your own), or when you mess up in an interview, or when you end up in jail, or when your car breaks down in the middle of the intersection, or when your baby(s) cry all night, or when you end up with cancer… just know that you have a true-friend (if you have Jesus), and there will be a day when life will be restored (Rev. 20-22).
When you find yourself depressed and without hope, please read Psalms. You may be surprised. You may look at your Christian friends and still see a life of hopeliness, sin, addiction, depression... (we are not perfect - just forgiven), most of us Christians continue to learn and learn yet never understand. We never understand how important it is to not gossip, belittle others, cuss, shame, judge…(there are so many watching us)... and we think we need to do xyz to receive God's love. (Did you read Romans 3:20-25?).
If you think Christianity is boring, think again... when I stopped following boring people and started following Jesus (found in the Red words of the Bible... click HERE)... When I discovered who Jesus really was / is, then I found many new dreams of a fulfilled life with a BIG purpose, then my life became EXCITING and full of happiness (did I tell you that I attempted suicide many times over the past 20 years - thank God I failed over and over again).
If you ever chose to follow Jesus' lead, then you may reach for the stars and just ask God for help. When you try to do what is right, your life will be blessed. If you mess up, your life will still be blessed (as a child of God) because of God's goodness and new mercies - I am living proof. Did you just hear me? I said
Please listen… you can receive the highest degree, receive the highest paying job, wear 20 titles, have the best resume, be a master of many, be as rich as society allows you to be, and own 20 businesses… but when Revelations 20-22 gets here… or when you die (which could be within the next 2 minutes) then you will wish (with all of your heart) that you had Jesus in your heart.
As you seek your degree, please keep in mind these next few words from my heart. You will never be happy without Jesus, without helping others, without giving your time and money away to the needy. You will only make a difference if you put action with your passion (period). It only takes one act of forgiveness, one act of kindness, one act of goodness, one act of giving, one act of love… to change the world.
When Jesus chose to sacrifice Himself on the cross, it was His one act of Love that SAVED US
“The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice.” Ezekiel 22:29
Don’t forget the 3 videos!
God Bless!
In His Loving Hands (Forever)
Love, Whoever Davidson (Is my first name really Whoever? Click HERE to find out)
Don’t forget the 3 videos!
Want to know more about my drug-addiction? click HERE.
Video # 2 (Click on the following link.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il5TBgD9kHI
(Susan Boyle - Age 47 - Was unemployed - Now living her dream.)
Video # 3 (Below) Please keep in mind... God made the stars...
God will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4