Beyond the Dream: Transitioning from a Dream to Its Fulfillment in Your Life

By Ed Johnson III

Has God given you a dream? Has He not yet fulfilled it? Do you wonder what to do in the meantime? If you are one of thousands of Christians who can answer yes to those questions, Beyond the Dream was written for you. Discovering the dream that God has for you is an amazing experience, but when He doesnt bring that dream to fruition in the way you want it toor as quickly as you want it todespair, disillusionment, or desperation can set in. But Gods Word gives the encouragement you need to make it through this season in your life.

Beyond the Dream is a down-to-earth, Old Testament character study of Josepha man who had big dreams but had to endure hardships, and experienced some twists and turns in the road before God brought those dreams to fruition. Ed Johnson III draws out four simple lessons from the life of Joseph to help you see what God desires of you in the time of transition from dream to reality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490836959

Ed Johnson III

Ed Johnson III serves as the Pastor of Christian Education at Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. He holds a BA in biblical studies from Dallas Baptist University and a MDiv from Truett Seminary (Baylor). He is known for his passion for the church and faithful exposition of the Scriptures.

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Copyright © 2014 Ed Johnson III.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

Note: main Bible translation is NASB (New American Standard Bible); other ESV (English Standard Version)

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-3694-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-3695-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014908574

WestBow Press rev. date: 06/03/2014

CONTENTS

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1:   I Didn’t Expect This!

Chapter 2:   This Doesn’t Make Sense!

Chapter 3:   How Long?

Chapter 4:   Finally!

Epilogue:   It’s All about Him

FOREWORD

Many believers in this present hour are facing great challenges because their prayers appear to be unanswered and their dreams have not been fulfilled. In a real sense, they don’t understand the divine purpose of the dream deferred in this season of delay. They look at the unchanged circumstances and conclude that God must be saying no to their prayers and dreams.

Before throwing in the towel, you must take a moment to read Beyond the Dream. Ed Johnson III has done a remarkable job of showing how God often uses delay and difficulty to refine his chosen ones for the future assignment connected to the dream. The refining process is never pleasant but always productive and profitable.

On one level, the book reveals how a God-given dream may lay dormant for an extended season in a dreamland state of existence before entering the land of reality and authenticity. However, if it is from God, it will come to pass. On a deeper level, it is a book about the journey of growth that every child of God must be willing to take. After you have read this book, I believe the passion and fire will be rekindled in your spirit. Enjoy this book, and be encouraged.

Dr. Karry D. Wesley

Author and Senior Pastor, Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First, I am grateful to God for giving me loving parents in Ed and Dorothy Johnson. My father, who passed in 2009, always encouraged us, his children, to give our best at whatever we found ourselves doing. Much love to my mother, who continues to be the human cornerstone of our family. She, for us, embodies the characteristics of love, patience, commitment, and perseverance.

Second, to the best brothers and sisters (and, indeed, entire family clan) in the world: I love you. Thanks for showing me how to love Jesus and to love life. Thanks for being a fun and loving family. Simply put, thanks for being you.

Third, to all my friends and the churches (especially the Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas) that played a part in my development as a Christian and as a minister/pastor. Thank you for your support and investment in me.

Last and most important, to my lovely wife, Tiffany Johnson. Who would have thought that God would bring a native New Yorker and a native Texan together in marriage? Wow! God is amazing. Thanks, honey, for praying for me through this project. Most of all, thanks for loving Jesus and being my wife. Being married to you is a gift from God. And thanks for carrying and birthing our beautiful daughter, Desirae Monique Johnson, into the world. Daddy loves you, Sweet Pea!

INTRODUCTION

Dreams. I had one once. Not a literal dream, you know, where you are sleeping and then … bam! For me, it was more like a mental picture of what I wanted to do with my life. It was still a dream, though I was awake each time I envisioned it. What was your dream? you ask. Well, you might find it