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C
Gods messages through dreams are never ambiguous in purpose.
When Joseph dreamed of 12 planets bowing down to his planet and 12 sheafs of grain bowing down to his sheaf - We all know its cryptic right, but none of us need to be "psychics" to figure out what those dreams meant.
I think our dreams also are way just for our brains to finally take a rest and process stuff so of course you get the random dreams, they may not be from God but since God created our brains with billions of atoms in them they are of God.
Heres a question,
Without, any weirdo nutjobs who claim their a prophet of a whole new denomination answering,
Has anyone had a genuine vision, or know of someone who has had a genuine one or two?
When Joseph dreamed of 12 planets bowing down to his planet and 12 sheafs of grain bowing down to his sheaf - We all know its cryptic right, but none of us need to be "psychics" to figure out what those dreams meant.
I think our dreams also are way just for our brains to finally take a rest and process stuff so of course you get the random dreams, they may not be from God but since God created our brains with billions of atoms in them they are of God.
Heres a question,
Without, any weirdo nutjobs who claim their a prophet of a whole new denomination answering,
Has anyone had a genuine vision, or know of someone who has had a genuine one or two?
V
I've actually on had one dream that I personally believe was from God. It's the reason I am saved. I also have had another dream that I'm not sure if it was from God or if it was Satan trying to attack me. The dream in and of itself was probably not scary. But at the time, when I woke up, I was really freaked out. If it was from God, then it was a warning to me that things in the church were not going right. Either way, it caused me to pray more and read my Bible even more at that time.
J
Mostly by the Spirit and the Word, all day long. Many times through other people, even children.
I have heard Him audibly three times in my life:
1. I was planning to attempt suicide in my teens (I mentioned in another thread that I was away from God for a time because I was stupid then) and He told me that if I did it I would go to hell. I laid the razor down and went to bed.
2. When my stepfather died I was sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag. I had prayed that God would let me be the one to find him if he passed away because my mom had never been around dead people before. Early in the morning, He spoke to me and told me to wake up. When I did, my stepfather had passed. God is faithful in answering prayers.
3. I had a kidney stone at 24 and was in the hospital connected to an IV. Early in the morning He spoke to me and told me to wake up. When I did, I saw that the IV bag was running dry and the machine to alert the nurses wasn't working properly.
Dreams are another story...I think I'll post that on Gabe's thread about such things
I have heard Him audibly three times in my life:
1. I was planning to attempt suicide in my teens (I mentioned in another thread that I was away from God for a time because I was stupid then) and He told me that if I did it I would go to hell. I laid the razor down and went to bed.
2. When my stepfather died I was sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag. I had prayed that God would let me be the one to find him if he passed away because my mom had never been around dead people before. Early in the morning, He spoke to me and told me to wake up. When I did, my stepfather had passed. God is faithful in answering prayers.
3. I had a kidney stone at 24 and was in the hospital connected to an IV. Early in the morning He spoke to me and told me to wake up. When I did, I saw that the IV bag was running dry and the machine to alert the nurses wasn't working properly.
Dreams are another story...I think I'll post that on Gabe's thread about such things
AsIf, thanks for reminding me that God is always near us. That can be sobering. He's always speaking and all we need to do is speak to Him and listen to Him, etc. That's encouraging, because it's not easy to remember this from day to day. I'll probably need to be reminded tomorrow.
Jordache, you said, "God will speak in anyway that we will listen. God will not say just anything, but He will speak THROUGH anything." I think that's just well put. He's spoken to me in the past while I was smoking cigarettes. He's spoken while I was watching movies that had nothing to do with God. He really can speak through anything but won't say just anything. I haven't been reading my Bible daily for a long time. Man, getting back into it is not simple.
I used to have lots of dreams and visions, but most of them weren't from God; probably at least 90% weren't from God. The people at my church told me they were, but the visions were always intruding on my prayer times, and the dreams didn't make much sense. I think what AsIf and Jordache said is what makes putting God in a box as far as hearing Him impossible today: He is always speaking, and He can speak through anyone or in any situation.
Jordache, you said, "God will speak in anyway that we will listen. God will not say just anything, but He will speak THROUGH anything." I think that's just well put. He's spoken to me in the past while I was smoking cigarettes. He's spoken while I was watching movies that had nothing to do with God. He really can speak through anything but won't say just anything. I haven't been reading my Bible daily for a long time. Man, getting back into it is not simple.
I used to have lots of dreams and visions, but most of them weren't from God; probably at least 90% weren't from God. The people at my church told me they were, but the visions were always intruding on my prayer times, and the dreams didn't make much sense. I think what AsIf and Jordache said is what makes putting God in a box as far as hearing Him impossible today: He is always speaking, and He can speak through anyone or in any situation.
Yes... is not by sight nor by power but by GOD'S SPIRIT.
Jesus told Peter that he was blessed because he heard the voice of the Lord and said that He would establish His church on that foundation which starts with hearing that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, from the Father.
One cannot even understand the parables or other mysteries written within the scriptures without the Holy Spirit. Jesus even said this to the disciples.
So one could read the entire bible and memorize it and know it better than anyone else in the world, but without the Holy Spirit, it would not profit them at all.
I agree with you. The holy scriptures are a tool and within them, they specify what this tool is for. God is able to use all things to His glory. I once even had a drunk used by God. A few years later, that drunk was delivered and now preaches to gospel from behind a pulpit.
We must be conscious that if we exalt that which we can read and see with our eyes above the spirit of truth that we cannot see, we enter into idolatry. I tell you the truth, some have even made the bible their idol. From such things we should turn away from. We need to put our full trust in God in order to be made able to use the holy scriptures in a way that is holy and acceptable to God. Otherwise, we become no better than the Pharisees and scribes that Jesus rebuked.
Jesus told Peter that he was blessed because he heard the voice of the Lord and said that He would establish His church on that foundation which starts with hearing that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, from the Father.
One cannot even understand the parables or other mysteries written within the scriptures without the Holy Spirit. Jesus even said this to the disciples.
So one could read the entire bible and memorize it and know it better than anyone else in the world, but without the Holy Spirit, it would not profit them at all.
I agree with you. The holy scriptures are a tool and within them, they specify what this tool is for. God is able to use all things to His glory. I once even had a drunk used by God. A few years later, that drunk was delivered and now preaches to gospel from behind a pulpit.
We must be conscious that if we exalt that which we can read and see with our eyes above the spirit of truth that we cannot see, we enter into idolatry. I tell you the truth, some have even made the bible their idol. From such things we should turn away from. We need to put our full trust in God in order to be made able to use the holy scriptures in a way that is holy and acceptable to God. Otherwise, we become no better than the Pharisees and scribes that Jesus rebuked.
A
Ever since I can remember, I've known that the Spirit of The Lord is with me. Guiding me, teaching me, warning me and disciplining me. Lookin back now, though at times I may not have known that, I know now that His Spirit will never stop abiding in me, and me in Him. With this kind of understanding, God speaks to me in many ways.
V
If the Bible is God's Holy and Perfect Word, why would God not use it to speak to people. Understand, I'm not saying that it's the only way, but that God DOES use it to Speak to us. It's one of many different ways God draws us to Him. There is so much we learn from the Bible, about God and how He wants us to live. And the Holy Spirit guides us to passages that reflect on areas that God is directly dealing with us on.
But then, maybe Paul was wrong when he said in 2 Tim, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
And maybe the Psalmist has it wrong when he declares it a delight to meditate on God's Word: "1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bring forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper."
But then, maybe Paul was wrong when he said in 2 Tim, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
And maybe the Psalmist has it wrong when he declares it a delight to meditate on God's Word: "1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bring forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper."
I
My old pastor put it perfectly for me to understand the word of God...is it head knowledge or heart knowledge? Only a heart knowledge of God's word can sustain you in times of crisis. I think personally that if his Holy spirit doesn't open the eyes of your heart to understand the truth of what's written in the bible,you just become a white washed tomb. My goal in life is to be less & less a tomb...I wanna be bathed in the bloodstream of Jesus so his spirit can show me the truth of his word for my life!
The bible calls itself the holy scriptures; NOT the word. Within it, it is written that the word was made FLESH. It is also written that the word is written upon your heart (FLESH) and is near to you, even in your mouth (FLESH).
No where is it written that the scriptures ARE the word. It is written that they are inspired BY God; not that they ARE God.
Hear and understand. This is IMPORTANT! Seek God fervently on this so you may know the difference in the scriptures and the word of God as it is even written within the scriptures and upon your heart. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
And yes, God uses the scriptures, but not if we exalt them above His Spirit.
No where is it written that the scriptures ARE the word. It is written that they are inspired BY God; not that they ARE God.
Hear and understand. This is IMPORTANT! Seek God fervently on this so you may know the difference in the scriptures and the word of God as it is even written within the scriptures and upon your heart. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
And yes, God uses the scriptures, but not if we exalt them above His Spirit.
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V
When I say that the Bible is the Word of God, I'm referring to the Written Word, not our Messiah. There are things in the Bible that only God could reveal to man. Such as the Creation, His Law, and Revelations. In that, this is perfect, because it comes from God. Translations are a different matter. Anytime man recopies the Bible, or attempts to translate it, there is a chance for mistakes. In fact, there were specific requirements that the priests had to do when they made mistakes in their copies. God considered mistakes to be serious, because He does not want the People of God to be led astray. So the content of the Bible itself is perfect.
As for putting it above the Holy Spirit, no where in my post did I say we are to take the Bible over the Holy Spirit. What I did say was: "The Holy Spirit guides us to passages that reflect on areas that God is directly dealing with us on." I agree that the Holy Spirit is our Guide, our teacher.
Mark, I'm not sure if you assumed that this poll was a one choice, or if realized that it was multiple options. Many of the people who said they hear from God through the Bible, also said they hear from God through the Holy Spirit, as in, the Holy Spirit speaks directly to their heart, when they are not reading the Bible, talking to others, in a dream, etc.
As for putting it above the Holy Spirit, no where in my post did I say we are to take the Bible over the Holy Spirit. What I did say was: "The Holy Spirit guides us to passages that reflect on areas that God is directly dealing with us on." I agree that the Holy Spirit is our Guide, our teacher.
Mark, I'm not sure if you assumed that this poll was a one choice, or if realized that it was multiple options. Many of the people who said they hear from God through the Bible, also said they hear from God through the Holy Spirit, as in, the Holy Spirit speaks directly to their heart, when they are not reading the Bible, talking to others, in a dream, etc.
J
It is strange to me that this thread would be one of the first things I find in this forum today. I had a dream/vision today. I can't really call it a dream, because I was awake. In my mind's eye, I saw myself taking a large step out into nothing when I expected something to be there. I was surprised, yet not surprised...I had wanted something to be there and it wasn't. I looked up and saw the hand of God reaching down for me. I took it.
I
Mostly by the Spirit and the Word, all day long. Many times through other people, even children.
I have heard Him audibly three times in my life:
1. I was planning to attempt suicide in my teens (I mentioned in another thread that I was away from God for a time because I was stupid then) and He told me that if I did it I would go to hell. I laid the razor down and went to bed.
2. When my stepfather died I was sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag. I had prayed that God would let me be the one to find him if he passed away because my mom had never been around dead people before. Early in the morning, He spoke to me and told me to wake up. When I did, my stepfather had passed. God is faithful in answering prayers.
3. I had a kidney stone at 24 and was in the hospital connected to an IV. Early in the morning He spoke to me and told me to wake up. When I did, I saw that the IV bag was running dry and the machine to alert the nurses wasn't working properly.
Dreams are another story...I think I'll post that on Gabe's thread about such things
I have heard Him audibly three times in my life:
1. I was planning to attempt suicide in my teens (I mentioned in another thread that I was away from God for a time because I was stupid then) and He told me that if I did it I would go to hell. I laid the razor down and went to bed.
2. When my stepfather died I was sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag. I had prayed that God would let me be the one to find him if he passed away because my mom had never been around dead people before. Early in the morning, He spoke to me and told me to wake up. When I did, my stepfather had passed. God is faithful in answering prayers.
3. I had a kidney stone at 24 and was in the hospital connected to an IV. Early in the morning He spoke to me and told me to wake up. When I did, I saw that the IV bag was running dry and the machine to alert the nurses wasn't working properly.
Dreams are another story...I think I'll post that on Gabe's thread about such things