Dreams, vision and prophecy

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy"
Acts 2:17-18

 My dear friends,

 

The bible is clear that in the last days God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. The move of God for the end-times is global. That means you and I we qualify to hear God's voice. There will be visitation and communication from heaven through the means of prophesy, dreams and visions. These are vehicles whereby God communicate messages, instructions, preparations, confirmations and warnings to His children.

"We can be a recipient or a carrier of the move of God."

The same Holy Spirit that gives us the prophesy, dreams and visions is the same that can also give us the ability to discern, to rightly interpret and to fully understand! Jesus specifically said that the Holy Spirit will speak and will show us things to come (John 16:13). He will also give us strength to carry out and perform the Word that He gives to us!

I sincerely believe that as God's children we need to learn to know and discern our Father's voice. To do this we always need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. You cannot interpret God from your flesh nor from human understanding.To be Spirit-filled, we need to spend time in worship, prayer and in the Word of God. The voice of God will never contradict the Word of God.  A true prophesy, dream or vision will always be in agreement with the written Word of God and will complement the will of God in a person's life.
 
When Adam and Eve fell, God release the first word of prophesy against the serpent declaring that the seed of the woman will destroy the head and it will bruise his heel. A word of prophesy may take time to fulfill, however we should learn to do warfare with the word given to us. Paul instructed Timothy to remember the prophecies and not allow the enemy to steal his God-given assignment. He told his protégé to wage spiritual warfare with the prophetic words (1 Tim.1: 18).

Israel begun with a dream and a vision. God prophetically spoke to Abraham and caused Jacob to dream of the future and changed his name to Israel. Oftentimes when God speaks, He thinks and plans generationally. A dream from God can lead to a beginning of something that can last forever.
 

"Spiritual callings attracts spiritual attacks."
 

Whenever God reveals the future, the enemy will move swiftly and shrewdly to eclipse the light of the revelation. The opposition will try to distract, disrupt and destroy God's prophetic plan and your God-given destiny. However in order for the plan to come to pass, we need to believe and confess in faith, so that God's light exposes and expels the enemy. Remember If God is for you, who can be against you?
 

"And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass." Gen. 41:32
 

Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dream from God. Joseph also gave us a key to know and discern when a dream is from God. If the dream is repeated, then it is from God. It serves as a confirmation. This specific dream was a warning that served as an instruction to counter-attack the seven years of famine.

Pay attention to your dreams. I pray that your spiritual eyes and understanding be open. I pray that you walk by faith and not live by sight. God is about to manifest your breakthrough. Stay vigilant in your prayer and depend on the Holy Spirit.

Pray, pray, pray

"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

Luke 11: 1

The disciples asked to be teach them to pray. They did not ask "Lord, teach us how to do miracles, or how to walk on water or raise the dead"

The supernatural manifests as a result of prayer. 

Prayer in communion and intimacy with God. Prayer is a dialogue. We speak to God and God speaks to us. Through prayer, we connect our spirit, soul and body to God.

Prayer should be first and foremost personal - my time alone with God - then congregational - our time with God.

Matt. 26: 36-44

Jesus encouraged His disciples to join in prayer with Him.

Jesus dealt with depression and discouragement by prayer.

Jesus dealt with sorrow through prayer

Jesus expected His disciples to join Him in prayer

Jesus saw THEM asleep and spoke to PETER (verse 40): " What could you not WATCH and PRAY "with me" one hour?"

Jesus never forced His disciples to pray (verse 43-44)

Jesus repeated the same words in His prayer

Jesus revealed that the way to deal with temptation is through prayer

Matt. 21: 13 

Jesus said: " My house shall be called a house of prayer"

In the book of Acts of the Apostles, 

they continued as Jesus instructed and taught:

Acts 1: 14

They ALL continued with one accord in prayer including the women and the mother of Jesus.

Acts 2: 41-42

After the preaching of Peter, there were 3000 new converts, that:

1. Gladly received the Word

2. Were baptized

3. Continued steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine

4. Fellowship

5. Breaking of bread - Holy Communion

6. And in prayers

Acts 3:1

Although the church was growing, Peter and John went up together at the HOUR OF PRAYER

MIRACLES, SINGS AND WONDERS FOLLOW PRAYER

Acts 4: 24

After a testimony, they lifted up their voice with one accord in prayer...

Acts 4:31 

...and when they had prayed, the place was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and with spoke the Word with boldness

Acts 9: 10-12

Once Paul was converted (saw the light), one of the first thing that he did was to PRAY

Acts 10: 2-3

Cornelius was a man of prayer...because of prayer, he had a Godly vision and favor from God

Acts 10: 9-11, 13

Peter spent time praying and saw the same vision and heard a voice from heaven

Acts 12: 1,5, 12

Peter persecuted in prison...But the church prayer! 

Prayer brought deliverance!

Acts 13: 1-3

The church prayed and God spoke and sent people out on missions and church plants

We should continue in prayer...Prayer brings results and a supernatural manifestation.

God open doors

 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." 

Rev. 3:6-8

When God opens door, no man or devil can shut. This demonstrate the sovereignty of God!

It's a spiritual door granting us access to a new level, new dimension, promotion, increase...

Three things that church believed in and held on to:

1. The Word of Jesus Christ

They held onto the Revelation about The Word. 

As a disciple of Jesus, they kept the Word (John 8:36)

2. Not denied the name of Jesus

The Lordship of Jesus. Evidently Jesus was their Lord and the one they worshipped.

Today there is not a spirit of anti-god but anti-Christ 

There is only ONE way to God - Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (Jn. 14:6)

3. The patience of Jesus

Perseverance & patience (as Jesus) in times of adversity

God allows us to go through certain things. 

At times He provides a "Escape" (deliverance) route and at times He allows us to "Endure" (discipline)

Doors:

Doors can be PULLED (spiritual attraction) towards you or can be PUSHED (spiritual effort).

Communion with God through prayer and the Word help us to know and discern the doors which God opens. Prayer is the PULLING and the PUSHING in the spiritual realm. 

Faith in the Word of God - Faith in the name of Jesus and the power twins of Faith and Patience (perseverance) takes us through every circumstances in life.

Faith opens the door and patience (perseverance) keeps the door open!

Different types of doors:

A) Door of revelation and instruction - Rev. 4:1

B) Doors of faith - 1 Cor. 16:9

C) Doors of utterance - Col. 4:3

D) Doors of ministry - 2 Cor. 2:12

E) Doors of opportunity - Rev. 3:6-8

3 ways to know an OPEN DOOR is from God:

The Door that God Opens Will Never Contradict His Word

The Door that God Opens Will be Accompanied by Confirmation 

The Door God Opens Will Require You to Depend on Him

Dealing with temptation...

Many times our reasoning have been:

"No one will ever know."
"One time won't hurt."
"Everyone else does it."

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Prov. 28:13 

I want to encourage you with the points below and assist you with scriptures to believe, meditate and apply in our lives.

Who or what is the source of temptation?

A God does not tempt man. - James 1:13
B. Satan is called "the tempter." - Mat 4:1, 3; Mk 1:13; 1 Corin 7:5; 1 Chron 21:1; 1 Thes 3:5
C. Temptation comes from our own lusts. - James 2:14, 15; 1 John 2:16

How can temptation be overcome?

A. By faith. - 1 Pet 5:9; 1 Jn 5:4
B. By the Word of God. - Mat 4; Luke 4 ("...it is written...")
C. By prayer. - Mat 6:13; Lu 22:40, 46

Scriptures for you.

"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." - 1 Corinthians 10:12; 13

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:14-16

"For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." - Hebrews 2:18

"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations..." - 2 Peter 2:9

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." - Romans 6:14

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." - Psalms 119:11

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." - James 1:13; 14

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." - Proverbs 28:13

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - I John 1:9

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." - 1 Peter 5:8; 9

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." - Ephesians 6:10; 11; 16

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." - 1 John 4:4

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." - James 1:2; 3; 12

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty..." - Jude 1:24; 25

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 1:6; 7

Ruth - faithfulness and loyalty

The book of Ruth has suddenly become one of my favorite books of the Old Testament. As I read and study this marvelous book, I received many revelations that I believe can help us build Godly character and progress in life. One of the vital characteristics that I personally learned is loyalty or faithfulness. God rewards loyalty. Jesus is coming back for those who are faithful . Faithfulness is part of the fruit of the Spirit. We should all want to hear Jesus say: "Well done my good and faithful servant..."

So, let's study this book of Ruth.
It begins with a depressing opening informing us of a famine in the land. Famine was a type of judgment of God in the Old Testament. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all had to deal with famines in their life. All three had to also break another curse as their wives - Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel were all barren!
Elimelech and his wife Naomi of Bethlehem-Judah decides to leave for the country of Moab due to the famine.
Elimelech's name means God is king, Naomi's means pleasant and Bethlehem-Judah means the house of bread. Ironic that there was no bread in the house of bread! Because of this, Elimelech decides to take his family to a land full of idolatry.
It is worth to note that the book prior to Ruth is Judges and the last verse states that: "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." In fact four times in the Book of Judges we are told that "there was no king in Israel in those days". Because of no leadership, there was no direction. No leadership means no security.
Elimelech makes a decision to take his family out of Bethlehem-Judah. This is not inspired by God. They did what they thought was right without consulting God. Although his name means God is king, he doesn't respond and act as though God is his king. He is not ruled by God. As Christians, we declare Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, however many times we take our own decisions and do things that are contrary to His will and leadership.
Elimelech and Naomi had two sons, named Mahlon and Chilion. The funny thing is Mahlon means sickness and Chilion means devastation and destruction. Not a very nice name for God is king and pleasant. Something must be happening in their life. At times the challenges of life makes us take bad decisions that will lead to sickness and destruction. Decisions come with a price. Decisions determine direction. Bad decisions leads to bad directions and Godly decisions (based upon the Word of God) leads to fulfillment of the promises of God in your life. Every choice you make has a consequence. God advises and recommends us to choose life (Deut. 30:19).
Elimelech died! Naomi was left with the challenge to raise the two boys by herself - not an easy task and they are still in a foreign country. In this stage of life for a single mother, negative emotions such as hurt, loneliness, depression, insecurity and can make one go in circles. I read a survey report about single-mothers that states two-thirds of mothers said their children wreaked havoc on their personal and social lives, while more than half said they were left feeling "lonely and isolated."
Naomi had to deal with sickness and destruction and they were growing. You may ask why am I stressing this point - well she will eventually change her name to Mara. Mara means bitter. Obviously all these challenges, changes and crisis made her bitter in life. In my own survey, I see many believers bitter because of the cards life dealt us. It wasn't a pleasant hand. We've shuffled and re-shuffled but still we haven't found a winning way. We've taken some bad decisions, looked in the wrong direction and ended up disappointed and in despair.
Naomi's boys grew up to be men and got married. The names of their wives: Orpah meaning deer or back of the neck and Ruth meaning companion, friend and vision of beauty. Sadly, the boys also died prematurely.
She is now left with two Moabites widow. They are her daughter in laws. At times things don't go well between in-laws, although we are not told if that was the case in Naomi's life.
It came to a point where she wanted to go back to her homeland and she heard that the famine had ended. She decided to go alone and told her daughter in laws to leave her as she heads back home. You can imagine the amount of reproach and gossip that may be waiting for her as she enters town. She left with a husband looking for 'green grass' and comes back a widow accompanied with two daughter in laws but no sons!

Let's read what happened next: Ruth 1:11-18

But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? ¹² Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— ¹³ would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!”
¹⁴ At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
¹⁵ “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”
¹⁶ But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. ¹⁷ Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” ¹⁸ When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
 
Verse 16-17 is the key verse. In saying what she said, Ruth made a quality decision to follow the God of Israel and leave idolatry. She demonstrated faith in God when she said: "Your god will be my God."
 
She will be rewarded for her faithfulness and loyalty. Many times we say things but there are no corresponding actions. Ruth meant what she said. She was rewarded as she met a generous, kindhearted man by the name of Boaz who redeemed her, married her and she became the great-grandmother of David the king and she is in the lineage of Jesus the King of kings.
 
God is looking for loyal and faithful people today. Will you be one of them.

Increase our faith! Lesson 3

In our 3rd lesson on this subject "Increase our faith", we will discover why Jesus likens offense and unforgiveness to the Sycamine tree. Remember that offense is a trap to make you trip and to cause wounds!
Offense comes because of what people do or do not do!

³ Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

⁴ And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

⁵ And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

⁶ And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Luke 17:3-6

Jesus said: "Take heed to yourselves."
You can't always change the other person but you can change yourself. Watch over yourself! Get your eyes off your offender and get your eyes on yourself.

Why the Sycamine tree and not other trees:

There is a reason why Jesus compared offense and unforgiveness to the Sycamine tree. 
The Sycamine tree grew in the Middle East and had the deepest root structure. It was known as the tree of poor people. It looked like a fig tree and the fruit looked like figs. The poor people couldn't afford figs so they ate the fruit of the Sycamine but it had a very bitter taste. Sycamine was so durable that it was the preferred wood for building casket.

Unforgiveness and offense have deep roots. Offense can also have deep roots and become generational. For example, your father is offended with his brother - your uncle. They don't speak anymore and because of his offense, YOU also don't talk to him and even to your cousins! Nothing happened between the cousins, yet there is no relationship because of an old offense that has kept families apart!

Offense and unforgiveness will make you spiritually poor. It will hinder your spiritual growth. It will stop you from walking in love. Love never fails (1 Cor. 13:8). The Holy Spirit who is our teacher and comforter (Jn. 14:26) pours the love of God in our hearts (Rom. 5:5)

Offense and unforgiveness will take away your joy and slowly kill you spiritually.
It will make you bitter. 

Anybody can forgive! All you need is a small amount of faith - the mustard seed size!

Characteristics of sons and daughters of God:

1. They are led by the Spirit of God.
2. They have manifestations of the Word in their lives.
3. They operate like Jesus.
4. They overcome temptation.
5. They are God-conscious not self-conscious.
6. They seek revelation and understanding.
7. They do not get offended.
8. They are not envious, jealous, unforgiving, or in strife.
9. They walk in the God-kind of love, especially toward those who have wronged them.
10. They have signs and wonders to follow them (Ex: answered prayers and results)
11. They have put away childish things.
12. They cultivate understanding.
13. They love change, and are always progressing to a higher level.

Take a heart decision to forgive those that have offended and hurt you today...

Visit: www.jamesarekion.org

Increase our Faith! Lesson 1

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

² It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

³ Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

⁴ And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

⁵ And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

⁶ And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Luke 17: 1-6 

The Apostle said to Jesus; "Lord, increase our faith." 

This request doesn't come after a miracle performed by Jesus. They were present when Jesus fed 5000 man! They saw him raise the dead like Lazarus! They saw Him walk on water and witnessed many other great miracles! Yet, this desperate request to increase faith was not asked after such great miracles, signs and wonders! This request comes because the subject of the day that Jesus taught was on offense and unforgiveness!

  "It is impossible but that offences will come..."

"If he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."

 

Jesus is teaching how to deal with a trap called offense and unforgiveness.

Jesus states that offenses are sure to come and He is teaching us how to deal with offenses.

Offense in Greek means 'Scandalon'. Scandalon is a trap, a bait set to trip, to capture and hurt you! 

Offense and unforgiveness is a trap set by the enemy to hurt and wound you and stop your progress.

Wound is one of the greatest weapon Satan has! 

Wounds can bring division, separation, exclusion, loneliness, danger...

These wounds are words and deeds spoken that put a hole in the soul of an individual. It has caused divorce in marriages.  Separation between parents and children. The end of friendships AND it is the primary reason why many people leave a church!

And it was a trap call OFFENSE and UNFORGIVENESS that Satan set in order to hurt you and wound you. AND the enemy uses those closest to you to offend and hurt you. Even David went through it:

¹² For it is not an enemy who reproaches and taunts me—then I might bear it; nor is it one who has hated me who insolently vaunts himself against me—then I might hide from him.

¹³ But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend.

¹⁴ We had sweet fellowship together and used to walk to the house of God in company.

Psalms 55: 12-14

• People get offended by what someone say or said
• People get offended by what someone did not say.
• People get offended by what someone does or did.
• People get offended by what someone doesn't do or did not do. 

Lesson 2 to follow soon...