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Acts 2:17 – In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. (NIV)
When I was a young rookie pastor, I thought that prophecy was the greatest gift that God could ever give me. I wanted to interpret the times faithfully and show the church folks under my care what God was doing in the world. I felt that I had all the answers that they would ever need, and so long as they followed my teaching, everything would be perfect. After all, hadn't I just spent six years of intense theological training at Glasgow University? Didn't that mean that God would use me as His anointed prophetic leader to all the people, no matter where I was sent? And since I was convinced that we were all living in the last days, hadn't God promised that young men like me would see visions and go forth to prophesy?
Now that I am an old veteran pastor, I see things much differently. I dream more dreams, and each night during my sleep, there's always something new, something symbolic, something important to contemplate. My dreams are more vivid now than at any other time in my life. I don't know why this happens, but I am thankful to God for the mystery and the message that He brings to me in my sleep. So, what are my dreams about?
- I dream of a time when peace will outlive war.
- I dream of a planet restored to its Edenic beauty.
- I dream of a people who cast out fear and embrace love.
- I dream of young people who envision a brand-new world where poverty is eradicated, faith is respected, and bullies are corrected; where disease is diminished, cancer is conquered, and all lives are valued.
- I dream of a wonderful moment when heaven on earth becomes a reality.
Revelation 21:2-4 – I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (NIV)
Points to ponder: What do you dream about? How is God speaking to you through your dreams?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of dreams and the hopes that are yet to be realized. Bless us all with Your sacred presence each day, and especially during our sleep at night. In Your sacred name, we thankfully pray. Amen.
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Thanks for sharing, John.
Thank you, John. May all your dreams come true!
Thanks again for a meaningful devotional. From a fellow Scot,
(Ontario, Canada)
Beautiful thoughts, John, wonderful dreams. Only God can make it happen, and one day He will. Blessings.
How true! And now my ear worm of the day will be “I see a new Heaven”.
That song is a favourite of mine. Thanks for writing.
Hi John, your devotional on dreams was very interesting, and had a great spiritual message. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for writing.
Thank you, John, for reminding us what’s truly important. May we always recognize and be open to the opportunities God presents to us to witness to His Word, Jesus Christ.
Remember John 21.18… now that I am 85 (well almost) and I am recovering from a stroke I really think of this verse.
(ON)
Good Morning! I still enjoy reading your devotionals. Thank you for still sharing your love of our Lord and Savior.
I am still enjoying my beautiful bird art.
God bless and keep you and your ministry!
(SC)
Hello John,
Thanks for this thoughtful devotional today. What a day it would be to experience “Heaven on earth”, especially the way things are in so many parts of our unsettled world these days. It certainly is something to dream about and definitely pray about.
Blessings for your writings and may pleasant dreams prevail.
(B.C.)
John,
This was such a lovely message. I find your dreams are beautiful and inspiring. Since getting burnout, l actually have nightmares about my previous job and all the stress l felt comes back to me, robbing me of peaceful sleep. Thank you for sharing your inspiration of Heaven on Earth that God tells you while you sleep, it is a comfort for me.
Blessings.
Hello
This was a great devotional. I like your dreams very much and it will be wonderful when they are all no longer dreams but in fact reality.
I enjoy how God will show me things and then prompts me to mention it to the person, then to see it become reality. Sometimes it does not seem to make sense, but God knows what He is doing as long as we are faithful.
God bless.
Dear John, How I love your devotions and how I feel God’s hand on them. One of my dreams is to come and hear you preach in Tennessee. I guess it is on my bucket list so if you are going to retire soon let me know.
In terms of dreams, we have the ability right now in the church to eliminate poverty around the globe. We have stores up resources that could be used to build God’s kingdom here right now. Sometimes we serve the building instead. I love your dream and your visions. Thank you for blessing me this morning as I head off to camp. Blessings.
Good morning John Stuart,
I had a dream of being with my husband, watching him interact with my son’s friends, joking with them, praying with them, talking tomatoes with these 30 something year old military officers. Then I thought, I need a hug. He opened his arms, I felt my hands around his waist, it felt the same, muscular and warm. Then it vanished.
My husband passed suddenly last fall. This was my first dream. I cherished it as I cherished our 40 years together.
Dreams. That one filled my soul.
Thanks.