Here's a short list I've come up with of ways we can become filled with the Spirit of God. Feel free to add more to this list by leaving me a comment. Thanks, and God bless you!!
1. attend a worship service, small group, prayer meeting, etc
2. read Bible
3. pray
4. ask God to fill me
5. serve people; do something for someone else
6. listen to a worship CD
7. sing worship songs to God
8. fellowship, talk with other brothers and sisters in Body of Christ
9. speak in tongues
10. pray for others/lay hands on
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Does God Speak in Dreams? Part 2
So, the other night I had a dream. I wrote about it in my last blog page. Today I would like to offer what I believe the message of the dream. I believe God is speaking through this dream.
This could be a warning dream and/or an intercessory type of dreams.
The enemy seems to be trying to attack, discourage, people of God through speaking through one of the family members of the worship leader. (A kind of put down in tone). The attack is a low-level attack. The attack is through words. The attack came through a family member (sometimes in real life this happens).
Since Larry H. is our church's worship leaders, I think he represents God's presence, annointing and favor. Even Christ.
The building may represent the church, or the house of God.
My friend Dave represents a brother in Christ; the family of God, warmth; love.
My girlfriend represents a sister in Christ; family of God; closeness; friendship; sisterhood; fellowship.
It's an intercessory dream. And, a "teaching" dream. I think God is teaching me how to interpret!!
Later, or before, I'm following a young boy to the pool. Pool represents Holy Spirit, filling, empowerment, equipping, etc...
The problem is the enemy wants to attack the people of God. (Enemy roars around like a lion seeking who to devour). The solution is being filled with the Spirit of God. Staying connected to family of God. (No weapon formed against us will prosper). We need God's presence constantly...continuously...all the time.
The quesadilla probably represents nourishment. Why a quesadilla? For Hispanics. My nationality is Hispanic (Mexican). Our God is a personal God. Quesadilla is filling.
I believe the general message of my dream: Be filled with the Holy Spirit!!!
(Do not be drunk with wine but instead, be filled with the Spirit).
This could be a warning dream and/or an intercessory type of dreams.
The enemy seems to be trying to attack, discourage, people of God through speaking through one of the family members of the worship leader. (A kind of put down in tone). The attack is a low-level attack. The attack is through words. The attack came through a family member (sometimes in real life this happens).
Since Larry H. is our church's worship leaders, I think he represents God's presence, annointing and favor. Even Christ.
The building may represent the church, or the house of God.
My friend Dave represents a brother in Christ; the family of God, warmth; love.
My girlfriend represents a sister in Christ; family of God; closeness; friendship; sisterhood; fellowship.
It's an intercessory dream. And, a "teaching" dream. I think God is teaching me how to interpret!!
Later, or before, I'm following a young boy to the pool. Pool represents Holy Spirit, filling, empowerment, equipping, etc...
The problem is the enemy wants to attack the people of God. (Enemy roars around like a lion seeking who to devour). The solution is being filled with the Spirit of God. Staying connected to family of God. (No weapon formed against us will prosper). We need God's presence constantly...continuously...all the time.
The quesadilla probably represents nourishment. Why a quesadilla? For Hispanics. My nationality is Hispanic (Mexican). Our God is a personal God. Quesadilla is filling.
I believe the general message of my dream: Be filled with the Holy Spirit!!!
(Do not be drunk with wine but instead, be filled with the Spirit).
Friday, May 27, 2011
Does God Speak in Dreams?
Does God speak in dreams today? How can I know if what I dream is from God?
I think we can expect God to speak to us in dreams. He is the same God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. In the Bible times God spoke to men in dreams. If we ask God to reveal His messages to us in the night while we are sleeping, then we can expect God to answer that prayer. Sometimes, we get so busy during the day and have "no time for God", that God uses our sleep time to speak to us when He can get our attention. I've heard that before.
So, last night I had a dream. When I awoke I could barely remember most of the dream. However, I was able to remember some of it. I wrote it down in my "dream journal" and drew picutes to help me remember it. Here it is.
I'm in a building, a 3 story building. I'm with 2 of my friends, one girlfriend and one male friend, Dave W. On the 2nd floor is a family from our church that lives there. It is one of our church's worship leaders, Larry H. On the 3rd level is a kind of room and there is a way to touch a computer and see images.
I am very excited to show my friends the neighbor/worship leader in our building; I am eager to introduce my friends to him (Larry). My guy friend, Dave goes out, and meets one of the family members who asks him a question. They seemingly are getting along great until he asks my friend a question. He wants to know what they have in common? And, my friend, Dave, responds that they have Jesus Christ in common!! That seemed to upset my friend's family, and he mutters something in an unpleasant tone.
Then I am eating a quesadilla. In another dream I am following/babysitting a young boy who is walking around in the neighborhood. He stops at one house and there is a pool so he goes in the water.
Could God be speaking to me through these dreams? If so, what is He saying? If we ask God to speak to us in dreams and visions, then I believe that He will. Also, if we ask God for an interpretation of the dream and/or visions He's giving us, then I beleive He will also give that to us. I believe God is more than happy that we understand the messages He's giving us in our sleeping hours!! One way we can help remember our dreams is to write them down!! Best time to write them down is right away upon waking up while still fresh in the mind. Happy writing~!!
I think we can expect God to speak to us in dreams. He is the same God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. In the Bible times God spoke to men in dreams. If we ask God to reveal His messages to us in the night while we are sleeping, then we can expect God to answer that prayer. Sometimes, we get so busy during the day and have "no time for God", that God uses our sleep time to speak to us when He can get our attention. I've heard that before.
So, last night I had a dream. When I awoke I could barely remember most of the dream. However, I was able to remember some of it. I wrote it down in my "dream journal" and drew picutes to help me remember it. Here it is.
I'm in a building, a 3 story building. I'm with 2 of my friends, one girlfriend and one male friend, Dave W. On the 2nd floor is a family from our church that lives there. It is one of our church's worship leaders, Larry H. On the 3rd level is a kind of room and there is a way to touch a computer and see images.
I am very excited to show my friends the neighbor/worship leader in our building; I am eager to introduce my friends to him (Larry). My guy friend, Dave goes out, and meets one of the family members who asks him a question. They seemingly are getting along great until he asks my friend a question. He wants to know what they have in common? And, my friend, Dave, responds that they have Jesus Christ in common!! That seemed to upset my friend's family, and he mutters something in an unpleasant tone.
Then I am eating a quesadilla. In another dream I am following/babysitting a young boy who is walking around in the neighborhood. He stops at one house and there is a pool so he goes in the water.
Could God be speaking to me through these dreams? If so, what is He saying? If we ask God to speak to us in dreams and visions, then I believe that He will. Also, if we ask God for an interpretation of the dream and/or visions He's giving us, then I beleive He will also give that to us. I believe God is more than happy that we understand the messages He's giving us in our sleeping hours!! One way we can help remember our dreams is to write them down!! Best time to write them down is right away upon waking up while still fresh in the mind. Happy writing~!!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
One of My Favorite All-Time Verses
He brought us out of darkness into His marvelous light~1 Peter 2:9
I love love love love LOVE this verse; it is one of my all-time favorite words from Scripture. We have been brought out of darkness into God's glorious light to sing and proclaim the praises of God!! Oh yeah. Thank you dear Lord!!
I love love love love LOVE this verse; it is one of my all-time favorite words from Scripture. We have been brought out of darkness into God's glorious light to sing and proclaim the praises of God!! Oh yeah. Thank you dear Lord!!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Lessons Learned
Do we ever do this? Feeling sorry for ourselves? Do we tell ourselves things like, "poor me, my past is too sinful, shameful or ugly"? Or, "poor me, my present is pretty terrible. I have no/little money and/or I have no life." Or, poor me, my future without a husband, or this or that, how can I live and who will provide for me?"
Sometimes we can easily get our focus off of our King and onto our problems and life circumstances. The enemy loves to do this! And how often do we cooperate, letting him?
When we come to the place of self-pity, or feelings of sorrow and discouragement come our way, it is then at that time that we need to remember to go to the Lord; let us run to the Lord. The Bible says we are to be "casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
As we share with the Lord our sadness and discouragement, He takes it upon Himself and gives us joy and encouragement instead. We have to go to Him, and share our hearts with Him. Let Him in on what's happening in us. As we go to Him, He strengthens and encourages us. Our circumstances may not even change, but, as we go to Him, we are changed.
What is the antidote when we see our past as too sinful, shameful or ugly? When those thoughts come into our mind, we can confess them to the Lord. He will remind us that as far as the east is from the west, that's how far He has removed our transgressions from us. Oh, friend, that we would remember this in our time of need! He will remind us that though our sins were red as scarlet His blood has made us whiter than snow! These are truths of the gospel that we must hold onto and cling!
What is the answer when we see our present as hopeless or dull or not what we expected? We can ask the Lord to search our hearts to see if there is any wicked way in us and to cleanse us. We can also remember that His name is Jehovah Jirah; the Lord who Provides. It is His nature to provide for His children. We can thank Him for the provision that is coming. He may give us an idea or thought of how to make, earn or find some money.
What is the antidote to seeing our future as hopeless or less than what we desire? We need to remember God's truth that He knows the plans that He has for us; plans to give us a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11).
May the God of all hope comfort our hearts today.
Sometimes we can easily get our focus off of our King and onto our problems and life circumstances. The enemy loves to do this! And how often do we cooperate, letting him?
When we come to the place of self-pity, or feelings of sorrow and discouragement come our way, it is then at that time that we need to remember to go to the Lord; let us run to the Lord. The Bible says we are to be "casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
As we share with the Lord our sadness and discouragement, He takes it upon Himself and gives us joy and encouragement instead. We have to go to Him, and share our hearts with Him. Let Him in on what's happening in us. As we go to Him, He strengthens and encourages us. Our circumstances may not even change, but, as we go to Him, we are changed.
What is the antidote when we see our past as too sinful, shameful or ugly? When those thoughts come into our mind, we can confess them to the Lord. He will remind us that as far as the east is from the west, that's how far He has removed our transgressions from us. Oh, friend, that we would remember this in our time of need! He will remind us that though our sins were red as scarlet His blood has made us whiter than snow! These are truths of the gospel that we must hold onto and cling!
What is the answer when we see our present as hopeless or dull or not what we expected? We can ask the Lord to search our hearts to see if there is any wicked way in us and to cleanse us. We can also remember that His name is Jehovah Jirah; the Lord who Provides. It is His nature to provide for His children. We can thank Him for the provision that is coming. He may give us an idea or thought of how to make, earn or find some money.
What is the antidote to seeing our future as hopeless or less than what we desire? We need to remember God's truth that He knows the plans that He has for us; plans to give us a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11).
May the God of all hope comfort our hearts today.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The 10 Commandments
Yesterday I was watching a show on television, and the preacher was teaching on the 10 commandments. Okay, that's fine; good stuff. Then, today in my morning quiet time with the Lord, I was reading about how God desires us to obey Him fully. It dawned on me, that here was God speaking to me again! Two different sources, one the tv, and the other an unrelated devotional, both speaking about the same thing!! I am dedicating myself to learning (or relearning) the 10 commandments, as well as to obeying God's word!! This is what God wants? So this is what God gets!! Cool stuff!!
Of course, no one can obey perfectly. However, at this time, God is speaking to me to have these at the forefront of my brain; at the forefront of my heart and mind. I am simply humbly striving to hear God's voice in my life and obey Him! Happy reading!!
Exodus 20 (New King James Version)
Exodus 20
The Ten Commandments
1 And God spoke all these words, saying:
2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
8 “ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
12 “ Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Source: www.biblegateway.com
Of course, no one can obey perfectly. However, at this time, God is speaking to me to have these at the forefront of my brain; at the forefront of my heart and mind. I am simply humbly striving to hear God's voice in my life and obey Him! Happy reading!!
Exodus 20 (New King James Version)
Exodus 20
The Ten Commandments
1 And God spoke all these words, saying:
2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
8 “ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
12 “ Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Source: www.biblegateway.com
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