dreams

PROPHECY, DREAMS AND VISIONS

(March 10, 2021) Brian Bell shares a meditation…

Scripture often speaks of these three topics. It is not my intention to ‘major’ on them as individual topics but to share some thoughts from those well-known words of Joel 2:28 (NLT 1999) where the prophet says – ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophecy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.’

Prophecy
It is generally accepted that prophecy falls into two general categories… ‘foretelling’ when God gives an insight to what is yet to take place. And ‘forth telling’ when God gives a word speaking into a specific situation very often to bring encouragement to his children.  Prophecy is also a gift of the Spirit which several exercise today: God’s word, however he chooses to speak it, is foundational.

Take, for example, Joel 1:16(NLT) where the prophet declares, ‘No joyful celebrations are in the house of our God.’ I believe he was speaking of an experience prevailing at that time. The people’s spiritual experience of God had waned. Could it be that we see a parallel in our recent experiences?

For many months there hasn’t really been the same joyful celebrations in the house of God – wherever that may be for you – as in the best interests and well-being of our congregations we have resorted to live streamed services conducted by a small number of people in a controlled environment. Or to a computer application such as Skype or Zoom or similar tools which enable ‘virtual’ meetings.

I know that many faithful believers have struggled with this, saying we should never have given up our liberty to meet in fellowship. Whatever view we may take, the most important aspect is that our personal relationship with the Lord must be encouraged and enriched, as we continue to live for him without the support structure, we were used to in our church fellowships (which, God willing, we may soon resume, perhaps with renewed appreciation and enthusiasm). (more…)

LOST DREAMS AND HOPES?

(April 23, 2017) Maureen McQuillan brings a great encouragement …

When you were very young did you have dreams and hopes about what life had to offer you?

I remember as a little girl sitting on the doorstep of our small home in a little country town back in Northern Ireland and dreaming of travelling faraway and – well, many other things too.

I guess we all did something similar. But I wonder… perhaps life has had its disappointments and today you’re sitting somewhere looking back – with regrets.

The too hard basket
Perhaps those little child’s dreams and hopes of yours have long gone, maybe even been shattered. Today they’re in the too hard basket. Maybe you’ve been knocked off your feet by life’s hard knocks and it’s just too difficult to start dreaming and hoping afresh.

Maybe too many doors of opportunity have been slammed in your face, or you feel locked into in an unsatisfactory lifestyle with no apparent way out. You’re thinking: What’s the use of even hoping, never mind dreaming for something better?

And perhaps as you look in the mirror each morning, you realise yet again how time has passed so quickly and you wonder what you have really achieved in life. (more…)

‘I AM – WITH YOU’ ASSURED THE MYSTERIOUS VOICE!

Maureen McQuillan(May 3, 2015) Maureen McQuillan recalls a memorable believers’ water baptism service:

Ali, a converted Muslim from Iran, had expressed his desire to follow his Saviour Jesus through the waters of baptism.

A humble and most sincere man who loves Jesus and doesn’t hesitate to share his faith in Christ, he had his wish fulfilled in a heart-touching baptism service at  last month at the Highton campus of Moolap and Barrabool Hills Baptist Church, Geelong, Victoria, last March.

The service meaningfully centred on Ali’s baptism and quite a few of his converted Muslim friends from Melbourne and Hoppers Crossing attended to celebrate the occasion. Moein, a delightful young Iranian friend I know, was among the visitors and kindly supplied photos for this article.

Barrabool Baptist’s teaching pastor Matt Jacoby conducted the baptismal segment along with Reza – who only likes to known as ‘a servant of Jesus.’ Matt Jacoby highlighted the meaning of adult believers’ water baptism and Reza interpreted for Ali as he shared his testimony in Farsi. (more…)

MUSLIM PILGRIM FINDS JESUS IN MECCA

Charles GardnerCharles Gardner, Special to ASSIST, shares an inspirational testimony…

A Muslim man from Turkey went on a pilgrimage to Mecca in a desperate bid to get his life straightened out – and met Jesus!

A wife-beater who was addicted to alcohol, Ali Pektash was on a visit to the famous shrine when he fell asleep under the burning sun. Jesus twice appeared to him in a dream, telling him to leave the area and spread the gospel, and left a permanent mark where he touched him on the chest. (more…)

DREAMS AND VISIONS LEAD MUSLIMS TO CHRIST

George Forbes 2010Missionary statesman George Forbes – often endeared as ‘the storyteller’ – shares from his compilation of amazing stories from trusted sources in the missionary world…

Missionaries regularly report about the man in white as they continue to see how God is working in the Muslim world. They are praying regularly asking God to give dreams and visions to their Muslim friends as well. (more…)

HARVESTERS NEEDED

Murray CapillMurray Capill, author and Reformed Theology College’s principal, challenges…

 

There’s nothing new under the sun, and one thing that is definitely not new is the need for gospel workers. Two thousand years ago Jesus identified that as the critical kingdom issue, and things have not really changed. The harvest is still plentiful; the workers are still few (Matt. 9:37). (more…)