visions

Dreams & Visions

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Acts 2:17

“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

We are definitely more closer today to the last days of this age then when Peter quoted this Scripture at the start of the Church that Pentecost day. Then over three thousand men were saved in the city of Jerusalem. In a sense, us old men are now prophesied to enjoy more dreams influenced by HIS Spirit (Acts 2:17).

But does God still communicate with his people through dreams/visions today?

When you do a quick study of the Bible into the lives of specific people having a direct relationship with God, the list is quite impressive. From the Old and New Testaments, you have:

Joseph – Gen. 37:5

Abraham – Gen 15:1

Jacob (Israel) – Gen 46.2

Isaiah – 2 Chronicles 32:32

Job – Job 7:14

David – Psalm 89:19

Solomon – 1 Kings 3:5

Jeremiah – Jeremiah 24:1

Ezekiel – Ezekiel 1:1

Daniel – Daniel 2:19

Joseph – Matt. 1:20

Magi – Matt 2:12

Peter/James/John – Matt. 17:9

Ananias – Acts 9:10

Peter – Acts 10:17

Paul – Acts 18:9

John – Rev. 9:17

Each of these people either received a dream or seen a vision from God. HE communicated something of importance which eventually assured them HE was with them in their life’s journey.

But how do you know if a dream is from God or not? The Book of Ecclesiastes also states that dreams come with much business (5:3). And, when dreams are many, there is vanity (5:7). Yet Solomon reminded us that the best solution is to focus on God throughout the entire ordeal (5:7).

In the Book of Jeremiah, we have a direct quote from the Lord. HE warn to be aware that certain people prophesy lies speaking their own agenda and not from His mouth (Jeremiah 23:16). How did these people know the dream they received was from HIM and not the result from being super active or eating too much?

Could we be safe to say these men had a strong belief in God or possibly even a personal relationship with HIM?

For example, we see God appearing in a dream to Solomon and informs him HE wants to grant him something, but Solomon needs to ask HIM (1 Kings 3:5). So, Solomon asks God for wisdom to govern the people and HE grants Solomon his request and in addition, blesses him with wealth and riches.

Each of the men listed likewise had some type of knowledge or relationship with God that the experience confirmed they knew the dream was from God.

But what about us who are unsure, how do we proceed?

We rely on Scriptures to reassure us. For example, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

And “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me (Jesus) will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14).  

Also, “Now to HIM (God) who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to HIM be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Again, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16)

Do not these Scriptures encourage us to pursue our dreams knowing HE is rooting for us? As we lean on HIM and walk with HIM in pursuit of HIS Kingdom in our everyday work, doesn’t HE want us to be successful for HIS Father’s glory?

One Scripture that has help me navigate throughout my walk with HIM, is Romans 12:2. The words remind us to renew our mind with the things of God. And then test our efforts against HIS will. The more our mind is transformed, we start to view life through God’s eyes. When we allow HIS Spirit to bloom in our hearts and minds, the more we will emulate HIS character. The end result, God is glorified for the work HE is conducting in our lives.

Yes, as we experience the with-God life, a byproduct of the entire process is the fulfillment of our dreams. Whether in this age, or the new age to come, if the dream is God sent, we can be assured only time will separate us from its fulfillment.

So, what dream is waiting to bloom through you now?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

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Tamed or Adventurous Visions?

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , ,

 

“Play it safe.” “Don’t take any risks.” “Why rock the boat?” “It’s better to keep it dull and routine than expressive and unpredictable.” Or does it?

The older we become, don’t we deep inside generally seek a more predictable, dull, and routine way of life? Whatever changes we are typically confronted with only creates more work and effort on our part. So basically, our nature tilts towards laziness where we don’t want to make the effort. We would rather live life with contentment, peacefulness, and stability. But is that reality?

The scriptures teach us that a people without vision will perish. We need a mission to focus our life towards. Now our life’s mission could simply be to avoid all confrontation, to avoid being involved in other people’s lives, to live for ourselves without a care of the world around us. We simple live our life so that when we are gone no one will have missed us. We live as a world unto ourselves.

But is that the life of a Christ-Follower? Is that what the Kingdom of God is all about?  Didn’t Jesus forewarn his disciples that He came to bring division among families and people? Didn’t He predict that we would stand before courts and rulers as a witness to Him? Didn’t He compare our struggles with that of a pregnant woman in labor? Didn’t He threaten the status quo with His mission of preaching, teaching. and healing?  Didn’t the apostle Paul ·write that Christ-followers are turning the world upside down? Didn’t he cause riots in the streets with his message of One God? Didn’t his former religious partners seek to destroy him? Didn’t small armies pursue him with the purpose of killing him? How controversial was he in his time? Yet didn’t he preach a message of peace, contentment, and stability?

The Kingdom of God is not a tamed vision. It requires total surrender. It requires the death of selfish desires. It is not the path of least resistance. Instead, it’s a journey through battlefields. With the armor of God, we are proactive in our daily walk with Him. We do not know what to expect on any given day. All we know is that He is with us. Today may be a roller coaster of emotions, struggles with the self, darts from the evil one, or attacks from love ones. Through it all though we have an Advocate who is with us and we rely on. In prayer and with others we call for assistance. We move forward towards our heavenly call. Our mission is sure. Yes, we may desire the easy way out. But, as a disciple of His we have agreed to take whatever comes our way and handle it with His love. We may have initially desired tame visions, but in the pursuit of the Kingdom of God we take on more than we are capable of handling apart from Him. Yes, we like it dull, routine, and boring. But we gladly take whatever comes our way because it will make us stronger for the Kingdom, stronger for Him, and stronger for our love ones.

OUR PRAYER:

Dear Dad, glorify your name in all that we do. Let not our path be one of ease and comfort, but one of challenge and dependency on you. You are always with us. Help us always be with you. Make you the center of our life. Let nothing come between us. Help us capture your vision, to see your work, to accomplish your will in everything we do.

Help us be a living example of kingdom life in today’s world. Let your kingdom surround us and surround all the people we meet today. Let your glory shine through us and in us so that every person we meet today knows they have met you.  Amen.