DREAMS

"AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS AFTERWARD, THAT I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL FLESH; YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS." (Joel 2:28)

It's strange how for years we can read the scriptures, but never think to desire or believe for God to allow us to personally experience the things that were prophesied or promised to people. Why is that? Probably because many have been taught that, "God doesn't work like that anymore." We have been taught that and so we believe it. Sometimes we tend to believe the words of men over the words of God. I can almost be sure that each one of us have heard at least once from someone that very phrase which I just quoted. If you can't (which you can't) show me in the Bible where it says that God changes how He desires to personally interact with disciples of Jesus, well, I don't want to hear it. I choose to hear and believe the word of God to happen for me, in a personal way and in a real way.

So what about dreams and visions? They sound pretty sweet to me. Have you asked God to allow you to dream dreams or to have visions? Then again, maybe you don't want them, but for those who do, God desires to pour out His spirit on ALL flesh; young and old. I also know, however, that some people are afraid to experience the things of the Spirit. I will refuse the temptation to get on a soap box about how many teach that certain gifts of the spirit are not for today. We tend to fear what we really don't know or understand. The truth is though, when God is in the middle of what we don't know, then there is nothing to fear, so let Him teach.

Over the past couple of years, I have opened myself up more to the idea that God wants to allow me to experience His revelations to me in dreams and visions and prophetic words/prophecies. While there are times when I wake up after a dream stunned, knowing that I just had a dream from the Lord, it hasn't happened a lot, but it's happened enough that I know that God is willing and even wanting to do that for me and for us. He loves us so much that He doesn't want to withhold anything from those who love Him. My wife, Kay and I, have dear friends who often operate in the prophetic, have had God reveal something to them in dreams, or have seen visions. It builds them up in the faith and it helps them build up and encourage others to grow in faith.

Oh and by the way, I expect to be hearing from God a whole lot more by the way of dreams. (And not because I believe I've become an old man yet, even though it seems I'm working on it!!!!) It's because while in Wilmington, NC., after learning of my desire to have this happen more often, our dear friends Larry and Ginger got out the anointing oil, laid hands on me and called out to God to have those things imparted more in my life. If that wasn't enough, they then asked God to do the same thing for my wife! Imagine that! Doing the stuff that the apostles would have done right in their own homes, too. I love doing the stuff!

Last night when I went to sleep,(Sunday night) I wasn't even thinking about dreaming, but GUESS WHAT HAPPENED?? Ha ha ha, you better believe it.......and I loved it. Perhaps in the coming days I will tell you how God took me to an unknown place and the Holy Spirit gave me a really sweet teaching about the richness of God's grace. It was amazing! Perhaps I will do that soon. But for now, I will ask God to now allow me to go back to sleep. What was He thinking by waking me up at 2:15 in the morning, getting me to open the word and then encouraging me to share these thoughts? Could it be that He loves you so much that He didn't mind interrupting me from a couple of hours of sleep so that He could let you know that He desires to share some really amazing things with you and for you? Would He do that at the expense of my sleep? Ha ha, you bet He would and you know what? I really don't mind, because I think you are well worth it, too.

................Ok, Lord, I did it, but it will soon be dawn. Can I shut down this computer now and get some more sleep? Please? Yes, let me shut my eyes; let sleep come.............and by the way, Lord, weren't we just talking about...........dreams....................????? (Wow, I really did just "Laugh Out Loud!" Kind of softly though.

Experience His presence, my friend.

Heaven Invading Earth

As I get ready to go to sleep tonight in Wilmington, North Carolina, I have been reminded over and over today that our country is in good hands. Yes I did say it and no I don't care if you think I'm crazy. Our country is in good hands. Talk about the bad stuff all you want, but as for me and my house we will speak blessings over our nation, because God is pressing in and the Holy Spirit is coming and bringing power from Heaven. There is nobody anywhere that can convince me that the Father has removed His hands from our land. I see and hear of uprisings of righteousness happening in city after city. An awakening is beginning to take place and nobody can stop it. No president, no power, no principality and no government. Friend, if you are a follower of Jesus, get on and hold on tight.

Tonight I am watching a conference taking place in Colorado Springs where hundreds, if not thousands, of a younger generation are crying out in passion to God. I've seen the workings and miraculous things of God taking place in Madison, Ohio and in Lake and Ashtabula Counties and Cleveland, Ohio. I have heard people talking about how the power and anointing of God is falling in Erie, Pa. and parts of western New York. And I am seeing God this week in Wilmington, NC and am aware of and have heard of prophecies about this city and how people will come here to experience the Lord for healing and restoration. These are places and cities that I am aware of, but there are hundreds of cities all across America where the spirit of the Lord is pouring out in the exact same way, in which I have not heard of................yet! As there are shakings going on in the natural from earthquakes to tornadoes and oil spills, there is an even greater shaking that has begun in the spiritual, in the Kingdom of God. Soon even the enemies of God will not be able to deny it.

There is a new boldness that the Holy Spirit is bringing to His people and as long as someone wants it, they will be able to have it. People are being prayed for in malls, in stadiums, restaurants, stores, bus stations, airports. Even today God had me in a position to be able to go to a woman that passed out and fell in Walmart; to let her know that she was being prayed for as the paramedics were on their way and to pray with her after the paramedics were gone. To speak life and health over her, for a new strength to come over her and for the health and safety of her unborn child living in his mother's womb. God is placing lovers of Jesus in the right place at the right time all over America where more and more people are beginning to cry out in repentance and asking for restoration.

The Bible is being taught again in several states and that number will continue to grow. Believe it or not prayer is even gaining ground and is taking place in some state capitals. It's time to stop bashing our government and instead to start praying for it, and blessing it. Then watch as God begins to raise up political leaders who will seek His face and call upon His name.

Heaven is invading earth and it is invading this nation. The Lord said through the prophet, "The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from it's evil, I WILL RELENT of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it."

As the rumblings in the earth have been felt and come upon us quickly, so the glories of God are coming with speed and with power. The glories of God are here! If you haven't seen them yet, you WILL see them soon!

Father's Day Ponderings

For some reason I find myself in a very serious, somber place tonight. It's been a good day (Father's Day), but I think because of Father's Day I now find myself in this place. I have thought a lot today about how I desire for my children to love me as much as I do them . As a father, especially for those of us who have tried to allow God to help us grow into becoming a really good father, you just know you will always have this unconditional love for your children, even though there might be times when they bring hurt or pain into your life. Your love for them will never die. You will love them to the end, no matter what. And what dad or parent is there that does not desire for those affections to be returned? To know that your children will love you at any cost; would have the resolve to say, "That is my dad (or mom) and I will have his back and stand with him no matter what!" Even if there would be times of uncertainty or stress. It is certainly not selfish to desire that your children would think about you during the day and at night, as you do them. To know that they would pray for you and desire to bless you, as you do them. To know that your children's heart, would desire the affections of his or her father, as you desire their affections. A relationship like that is one that most dad's would die for and to not have a relationship like that causes brokenness and heartache. Should you be a dad or mom reading this, I pray that you have not experienced that brokenness, but in reality many of us truly have. Even if only for a period.

Many of you have guessed by now as to where my thoughts and heart suddenly have turned. If I feel this strongly about the affections of my children; what about God? This is His 'Dad's Day," too. This most perfect Father (more and more I think of Him as Papa) who loves me with so much resolve that the shadow of a cross will always remain. That unbelievable pain that He allowed for Himself, just so He could keep on loving me; saving me by grace. I desire the affections of my children. It brings tears to my eyes in knowing that over my 48 years how many times I must have broken my PAPA's heart by not being faithful or loyal to Him; giving things in this world priority over Him. Turning my affections elsewhere.

But you know what? My PAPA knows that I am sorry for those times and my heart became broken for Him, because of those times. I have chosen in my heart to resolve that those times will be no more. Tonight I love how the Lord challenges me through the reading of His word to stand firm for Him and with Him. To have a flint like steadfastness, that as the world vies for my time, that my affections will remain faithful and loyal to my God......my Papa. The passion to spend more time in His presence; in His word and in prayer now burns in my heart and I pray it does yours, too.

As I close, let me share a great mystery that I have learned. Even though I desire to be in the Father's presence for no other reason other than that He is worthy; my Papa is not selfish. The more I seek Him, the more I find Him. The more I desire Him, the more He guides me through difficult days. The more I press into Him, the more he allows me to witness His awesome power and even the miraculous. The more I love Him, the more He blesses and gives me strength and is transforming me more and more into the image of His son, Jesus. Why is He like that? Why does He treat me with such kindness? Because, He is THE ultimate Father. He is a father who desires to give good things and perfect gifts to me and to you; and He always has my back and your back for keeps! After all..........that's what good fathers do!

Rest in His peace and in His love, my friend.

Hillsong (Saviour King Live) - Saviour King (Final)