Suggestion -
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 6:05 pm
If this is in the wrong place, please forgive & correct me)
Perhaps it's because I'm new here, but I really would like it if people were encouraged to list WHY they thought the dream was prophetic or a warning/msg from GOD before detailing it.
I suspect many of the dreams are just dreams and learning to discern which dreams have significance and a divine message and which are just dreams would be a giant step for many if not most of us.
Yes, I'll admit that there are times when it's not clear. We may have asked God for an answer during prayer, then had a dream and we want to know if that was our answer. Perhaps it is just *me* who needs to learn more about how to discern the origin of a dream. I'd replied to a thread stating some things that led me to believe the dream was from the Lord:
1)VIVID.INTENSE - in color, in detail or in my reaction/emotion(Sometimes I find it hard to know the difference between the dream and real life when I first awaken, it's that vivid.)
2) Sometimes we'll actually hear scripture spoken during a dream or wake up singing/praising or calling out to God
3) Feeling a need to pray and ask God to reveal the meaning (before listening to other people's views)
4) Waking suddenly with a sense of "urgency" to pray about the incident or persons in the dream.
5) God will often reveal symbols/meaning in bits and pieces over weeks or even months thus the message of the dream becomes more and more tuned for my ears.
I'd love o know what others use as their criteria
Has this already been addressed somewhere & I just don't know where to look?
Last, I love the sections in the index on the OLIVE TREE and COMMUNION. Both help to ground us and bring us closer to seeing things from the Lord's perspective which is our ultimate goal.
PS. Might also be good to have some WARNINGS like the one that was recently posted about how dreams can be just dreams, from satan or from GOD. EXCELLENT thread.
Perhaps these are addressed, but a section about:
1) How to differentiate dreams
2) Encourage people to pray and ask Holy Spirit for revelation BEFORE posting, so they can be receptive to the answers that apply
3) Praying Spiritual Warrior Prayers to protect our dreams BEFORE retiring for the night.
Surely there are more...these are just a suggestion/start.
I just feel it can be dangerous & actually affect ego negatively if we assume every dream is from God. We can become prideful OR feel that others have more/better/etc dreams thus we are not as important to the Lord. (He uses us all in unique ways). Divine dreams are both gifts and responsibilities (in my opinion) and must be treated with respect.
And now a confession. (Maybe we need a section on that?)
I can often see patterns in other people's dreams, but it's more
from a psychological viewpoint. For others who are similar, I believe it important to either ask questions like, "do you think this might mean..." OR to say that "It seems to me, or in my opinion,etc). If we feel the Holy Spirit is insipiring our answer, then mention that. Or if it brings scripture to mind, mention that.
I guess I just don't wish to treat this gift of the Holy Spirit without the reverence and awe due Him-I want to be careful to not give the impression that my *thoughts* as His unless I have confirmation from Him.
Am I making *any* sense or have I lost those of you reading this?
Perhaps it's because I'm new here, but I really would like it if people were encouraged to list WHY they thought the dream was prophetic or a warning/msg from GOD before detailing it.
I suspect many of the dreams are just dreams and learning to discern which dreams have significance and a divine message and which are just dreams would be a giant step for many if not most of us.
Yes, I'll admit that there are times when it's not clear. We may have asked God for an answer during prayer, then had a dream and we want to know if that was our answer. Perhaps it is just *me* who needs to learn more about how to discern the origin of a dream. I'd replied to a thread stating some things that led me to believe the dream was from the Lord:
1)VIVID.INTENSE - in color, in detail or in my reaction/emotion(Sometimes I find it hard to know the difference between the dream and real life when I first awaken, it's that vivid.)
2) Sometimes we'll actually hear scripture spoken during a dream or wake up singing/praising or calling out to God
3) Feeling a need to pray and ask God to reveal the meaning (before listening to other people's views)
4) Waking suddenly with a sense of "urgency" to pray about the incident or persons in the dream.
5) God will often reveal symbols/meaning in bits and pieces over weeks or even months thus the message of the dream becomes more and more tuned for my ears.
I'd love o know what others use as their criteria
Has this already been addressed somewhere & I just don't know where to look?
Last, I love the sections in the index on the OLIVE TREE and COMMUNION. Both help to ground us and bring us closer to seeing things from the Lord's perspective which is our ultimate goal.
PS. Might also be good to have some WARNINGS like the one that was recently posted about how dreams can be just dreams, from satan or from GOD. EXCELLENT thread.
Perhaps these are addressed, but a section about:
1) How to differentiate dreams
2) Encourage people to pray and ask Holy Spirit for revelation BEFORE posting, so they can be receptive to the answers that apply
3) Praying Spiritual Warrior Prayers to protect our dreams BEFORE retiring for the night.
Surely there are more...these are just a suggestion/start.
I just feel it can be dangerous & actually affect ego negatively if we assume every dream is from God. We can become prideful OR feel that others have more/better/etc dreams thus we are not as important to the Lord. (He uses us all in unique ways). Divine dreams are both gifts and responsibilities (in my opinion) and must be treated with respect.
And now a confession. (Maybe we need a section on that?)
I can often see patterns in other people's dreams, but it's more
from a psychological viewpoint. For others who are similar, I believe it important to either ask questions like, "do you think this might mean..." OR to say that "It seems to me, or in my opinion,etc). If we feel the Holy Spirit is insipiring our answer, then mention that. Or if it brings scripture to mind, mention that.
I guess I just don't wish to treat this gift of the Holy Spirit without the reverence and awe due Him-I want to be careful to not give the impression that my *thoughts* as His unless I have confirmation from Him.
Am I making *any* sense or have I lost those of you reading this?