Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Evangelism, Life Inspiration, salvation

Dreams of a Soul Winner

Daniel 12:3 ~ And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

I am a dreamer! I have goals and ambitions that likely far exceed possibility, but still I dream. Daniel was no ordinary dreamer and his dreams were not ordinary dreams, they were visions far into the distant future; likely a vision into our “now.” Much like the book of Revelation, the book of Daniel reads like a newspaper.

And while I must confess, without the assistance of theological commentaries I wouldn’t know beans about the majority of it, a verse like Daniel 12:3 stirred my soul this morning and so did the notes on the side of my bible page. It may have been a sermon outline, or it may have been my thoughts, I’m not sure of where it came from, but there it was… an outline in the waiting for me this morning as I finished out the last chapter of the book.

Know the Word of God!

The wise men did then, and so do the wise men and women of the day. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” it says in 2 Timothy 2:15.  

I’m always stressing the importance of bible reading to my students. Sometimes I feel like I’m beating a dead horse. Sometimes I’m the dead horse. It’s so easy to get caught up in the world and not read the word of God. Believe me when I say, I get it.

It’s also easy to read it and not divide it. Trusting that what a preacher or commentary said is correct, which may or may not be the case. Also, when reading the word of God it is a living, breathing document designed to speak to you personally. The message never changes, but how you’re to apply it does and you need to be able to read and divide (understand) what God wants you to know.

Look for Evidence

When Daniel interpreted dreams, the interpretation was truth. If there had never been any evidence of what his interpretation was, nobody would have ever believed him.

When winning souls to Christ, and witnessing to our family and friends, they need to know that you know what you’re talking about. Not that you’re a bible scholar, but that you have a relationship with the Lord that means you can hear from Him and understand what He wants you to know. Just as I know people  need proof in the pudding of my relationship with Christ, I want proof in the lives of the people I touch. I want to know that I’ve encouraged them and made a difference. It’s the things my dreams are made of.

Act on It!

When the wise men of Jesus’ day heard that the Messiah had come, they didn’t stand around waiting for a news brief. They went to discover the truth themselves.

And when it comes to Messiah’s return for His church we don’t need to be standing around for a news brief either, that news hit the stands 2000 years ago. We need to be acting on.

The Apostle Paul shared that news in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The archangel… the same one that spoke with Daniel will blow the trumpet for the Lord Jesus Christ! His word does not change. The end result is still the same. Jesus is coming back and we need to ready and sharing that word with our family and friends.

It is the dream of this soul winner that no one I love is missing in Heaven. Please… be faithful child of God! Tell the world of Jesus.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Forgiveness, Grace, Life Inspiration

Not Everyone Likes a Dreamer

the dreamerNot everyone likes a dreamer. At least that’s what I’ve come to discover. Dreamers make some folks real uncomfortable because they think outside the nice tidy boxes of life. Well… I’ve always been a dreamer. Sometimes, I must confess, those dreams have been the far-out plans of the flesh, but many, many times they’ve been the secrets that God has whispered to my soul and then when I spoke them aloud the world didn’t understand. Sometimes I don’t think the secrets of the soul are meant to be spoken… I think God says, let’s keep that between Me and you. And then other times I think God says “tell’em, let them think you’re crazy until I prove otherwise.” That’s kind of where I’ve been for a few years now.

So you say… how do you know that God said it? Because in the well of soul lies this vision that when I drink of it, it quenches my thirst, and I know that only God can do that. So this morning I read the story of the dreamer Joseph and my soul drank of that water and whether or not you think I’m crazy I want to try to encourage you with God’s word.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

Genesis 37:3-5

That coat of many of colors heaped a whole lot of trouble on Joseph. I don’t think that was Israel’s intent. It was a gift. And when God gives us a gift, it’s for our good; but often times the world doesn’t see it as such, especially if you’re an outgoing personality who likes wearing bright colored britches and things that bling. Well… that’s me. And while I’ll not label myself the caliber of person that Joseph was, for I am far beneath his caliber of character, I will put myself in the category of dreamer and visionary. And if Joseph the dreamer can spend 13 years undiscouraged in the house of Potiphar, sold into slavery but elevated to position, I’m pretty sure I can survive this time of being a dreamer in waiting.

Don’t give up on the dream. That was the words of God that I read this morning as I sat here ready to give up, because waiting is never easy. Don’t you give up either! Read the story of Joseph, his wins, losses, adversity and victories, and cap it off with the story of his forgiveness. Don’t begrudge those who don’t believe in your dream, just remind yourself that God will use it for His glory and you’ll be a part of the plan!

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