DREAMS AND THEIR PURPOSES

MEMORY VERSE: For God may speak in one way, or in another; yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleeps falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, Job 33:14-15

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Num 3, Ps 37, Sng 1, Heb 1

God speaks in various ways. He speaks through dreams, visions and at times in audible voices. There are several ways through which dream comes. It comes as a result of hunger. Isaiah 29:8 says it shall be even be as when a hungry man dreams, and look – he eats; but he awakes, and his soul is still empty. When people eat in their dreams, the chances are they slept on hungry stomach or slept with the thought of food in their mind. Not all eating in the dreams are from the kingdom of darkness. Dreams also come when we think about something too much during the day. Ecclesiastes 5:3 says for a dream comes through much activity. Not all dreams are from God. If someone has a dream about you and they ask you to go and do something that is not biblical, that dream is not from God. God will not go against the bible.

There are two purposes of dreams. There is a basic purpose and secondary purpose – basic to refer to the dreams you had and secondary to refer to other people’s dream.  The basic purpose of a dream is to inform you of what is going to happen. An example of this is Joseph’s dream where he saw his senior brothers bowing down to him, Genesis 37:5-10. Another purpose of a dream could be to warn you of dangers. The angel of the Lord instructed Joseph in a dream to take the baby and its mother to Egypt as Herod wanted to kill them, Matthew 2:11-15. Also the purpose of a dream could be to warn you of what is going to happen if you don’t change your ways. In Daniel 4:4-27, we see God warning Nebuchadnezzar through a dream about what He intends to do if he does not change his ways. Lastly God uses dreams to communicate with people who cannot hear His audible voice. Because Aaron and Miriam could not hear the audible voice of God, He spoke to them through visions and dreams, Numbers 12:5-8

The secondary purpose of a dream is to encourage you, so that you can have strength to fight the battle of life. After God cut down Gideon’s army from three thousand to only three hundred, his faith shook because he was fighting an army as numerous as the sands of the sea shore. The Lord saw that Gideon was terrified so he told him to go near the camp of the enemy so he could hear the conversation taking place in the camp of the Midianites. When Gideon got there, he had a soldier telling his fellows soldiers about the dream he had where he saw a loaf of bread tumbled into the camp of the Midianites and the whole camp fell. The loaf represented Gideon, when Gideon heard the dream his faith grew, Judges 7:7-14. Another purpose of a dream could be to promote you. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream but he forgot, Daniel and his friends told him his dream and its interpretation and they were promoted, Daniel 2:1-45. Note it is a bad thing to forget one’s dream. God can also help you to reach your goals through someone’s dream. It was Pharaoh’s dream that revealed the need for a prime minister in Egypt that would oversee the economy. Since there was no other suitable candidate, Joseph was made the prime minister. Genesis 40:1-19 and Genesis 41:1-41. 

NOTE: A dream is necessary to keep you going in a time of hardship. Joseph almost lost hope in the king’s prison, but after the interpretation of the butler's dream things changed, Genesis 40:14-15. The hope that the butler would remember him when he gets out of the prison kept him going.

WHO IS A BELIEVER?

MEMORY VERSE: Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Num 2, Ps 36, Eccl 12, Phm 1

Sometimes back I was witnessing to a brother and I asked him if he had given his life to Christ. He answered and said “I am a believer”. Out of curiosity I asked him why he thought he was a believer. He said “I am believer because i believe there is a God.” I then told him that the devil must be a believer then. He said why? I said because the devil believes that there is a God. The fact that you believe in one God don't make you a believer. He then said " i believe in heaven and hell too" ; I told him that witches and wizards believe in heaven and hell too but we all know they are not believers. He said no. Many see themselves as believers because they believe in one God. If the definition of a believer is the fellow who believes in one God then most assassins, armed robbers, adulterers and fornicators are strong believers then because most of them believe in one God anyway.

Someone may define a believer as a fellow who believes in Jesus and has accepted Him as his personal Lord and savior. Wonderful, that would mean a fellow who has accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and savior; and still robs God in tithes and offering is a believer. Would you really call a fellow who is stealing from God a believer? I don’t think God sees such a fellow as a believer. OK, what if the fellow pays his tithes but don't witness, is he a believer? Well Jesus said in Luke 11:23, he that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. Would you consider a fellow who is not witnessing as a fellow gathering with Christ? It is either you are bringing souls to Christ or you are driving them away, there is no middle point. An individual scattering what Jesus is gathering, is he fit to be called a believer?

Who then is a believer? I would use the doctor- patient analogy. You will never see a patient arguing with the doctor's diagnosis, prognosis or prescription. The patient believes in the doctor so much that he never argues with him; he carries out the doctor’s instruction to the letter. Even if the patient is exhibiting some symptoms and the doctors say don't worry, He never worries. The patient does this because he believes in the doctor. He trusts the doctor's knowledge and experience. A believer is a fellow who never argues with the instruction of God but carries it out to the letter. A patient trusts the timing of the doctor, if he is advised to take a particular pill at 2pm he does so without asking questions. So also a believer trusts in the timing of God, He believes God is never late. The patient trusts the doctor with his life because he believes that the doctor can never get it wrong. So also a believer trusts God with his destiny because he believes that God can never get it wrong.

QUESTION: Are you a believer?

OVERCOMING THE ENEMY

MEMORY VERSE: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death,Revelations 12:11

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Num 1, Ps 35, Eccl 11, Titus 3

Who is the enemy? The enemy is not that brother or sister at work who does not give you overtime or who is against you. And definitely your enemy is not that fellow you are not in talking terms with. Ephesians 6:12 says we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. That fellow that is against you is actually a well wisher. He is only mean to you because he is starved of two things: 1) – your attention and 2) your love. This is why the bible advises that we love them and pray for them, Matthew 5:44. The enemy is the devil. John 10:10 calls him a thief, murderer and a destroyer. Revelations 12:10 calls him the accuser of brethren. John 8:44 calls him the father of lies. He is the tempter and author of all the wars and hunger in the world. He is a very terrible devil. The devil is everything we call him except a fool. He is extremely smart and full of all sorts’ trickery. He is very cunning. He does not like you and he is the only one the Lord permits you to hate with a passion.

I want to also add that the enemy is not a respecter of achievements, political posts, contacts or possession.How can one overcome the enemy? James 4:7 says submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. The first thing you need to do is submit yourselves to God. When you submit yourself to God, you become God’s property. The devil knows his boundaries; he never comes near what belongs to God. This is why you must really give your life to Christ and stop pretending. If you refuse to give your life to Christ, you are at the mercy of the devil and he can do all he pleases with you. After you have giving your life to Christ, you can then tell the devil to get lost and he will run with his tail between his legs.

Another way to overcome the devil is through testimony. The devil rob many believers of their breakthrough because they fail to testify. Revelations 12:11 says they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. Immediately God does something in my life, I share with it at least five people because I don’t want him to rob me of what the Lord has done in my life. When you share your testimony, the Lord perfects your miracles and makes it permanent. Any breakthrough or miracle that has not been testified about can be lost at anytime. After the healing of the mad man of Gadara in Matthew 5:1-20, Jesus told him to go and testify to his family of what the Lord has done for him? Why? So that he would not lose his deliverance.

Action: The Lord has laid on my mind, to create a Facebook page called testimony board. This page is dedicated to testimonies alone. The page is up and running and the link to is below:
https://www.facebook.com/TestimonyBoard

You can share your testimonies freely on there. Please add your first name and the first letter of your second name to your testimony. We would also like to know where you are from. Remember your testimony can build the faith of others. If you are also feeling down, please visit the page and I can assure you that your faith would be fired up.

NO CHARACTER, NO FUTURE

MEMORY VERSE: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Num 1, Ps 35, Eccl 11, Titus 3

God has good plans for your future. According to Psalm 37:37, He wants you to have a future of peace. Not only that, He plans to give you an expected end, Jeremiah 29:11. Do you know that you will not die young? Psalm 118:17 says I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord. Do you know that it will be well with you? Isaiah 3:10 says say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Your present circumstances may not bear resemblance of your proposed future but don’t worry, all is well. Job 8:7 says though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

Good character is required to fulfill God’s plan and purpose for your life. There are many who work tirelessly to get to the ‘top’, only to come crashing back after a while due to lack of character. There are many women who have lost their places has a result of lack of character. Queen Vashti was replaced; the remains of Jezebel were not found because dogs ate her up; Michal lost her place in the palace. There are many mighty prophets to be who became a leper as a result of lack of character. This was the case of Gehazi, he was on his way to become one of the greatest prophets in Israel. The heavens had planned to give him double portion of the spirit of Elisha but because of a little lie and greed, instead of been anointed he became sick; instead of a blessing he received a curse. The man who the whole nation was meant to look up to began to live in the jungle alone.

Lack of integrity, lie telling, inconsistency in character, lack of patience, non- payment of tithes e.t.c reveals lack of character. You may be wondering how non- payment of tithes reveals lack of character. According to Malachi 3:8, those who do not pay their tithes are robbing God. Now tell me a fellow who robs God, who can he not rob? Lack of character could also be not knowing how to talk. A lot of people have lost great opportunities because they do not know how to talk. Many of them talk rudely to everyone one even their parents. Let me tell you a fact, a child who talks rudely to his or her parents is playing with fire! I know you will not be cursed because you will not talk rudely to your parents. The problem with not knowing how to talk is that once you say it , it is the end. You cannot take it back again. People can forgive but they will never forget what you have said.

PRAYER POINT: Father, pleased do not let lack of character rob me of my glorious future.

WORKERS IN GOD'S VINEYARD

MEMORY VERSE : I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive,Acts 20:35.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : Num 2, Ps 36, Eccl 12, Phm 1

Just as organizations and companies recruit staffs from time to time, heaven also recruit staffs. Who are the staffs of God? They are workers in the vineyard of God . The moment you become a worker, heaven opens an employee file under your name. Earthly employment offer many benefits some which are good pay packages, pension schemes, insurance to mention a few. There are a lots benefits in working for God. According to Isaiah 40:31, those who wait on the Lord i.e serve, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with Eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. 

As we all know, different jobs carry different pay package. The same happens in the Kingdom of God. One of the highest paid jobs in the Kingdom are sanctuary keepers (church cleaners) and prison evangelist. When an individual is obsessed with making sure that the house of God is clean and tidy, God will ensure that such life is free from mess. When a fellow takes it upon himself to ensure that the house of God is always in order ( talking of ushers) , God will ensure that the life of such fellow is always in order. When a fellow engages in spiritual battle for the church (prayer warriors), God will engage in Spiritual battles for such fellow. When a bro or sister begins to tell the world about Jesus ( evangelism team), just as they go about telling the world about the name Jesus, the Lord will ensure that there names will be heard all over the world for good . Whatever you do for God, is what He will do for you. Malachi 3:7 says if you return to God, He will return to you. Proverbs 8:17 says those who loves Him, He loves them in return. 

There is a lot to touch on this matter but for a reason or two I will quickly go to one of the most important section. Just as organizations have codes of conducts, the heaven has a code of conduct. There is an expectation on every staff to perform. Every non performer is on his way out of the job sooner or later. There is also an expectation on every staff to conduct themselves well both at work and outside work. That's why once you go to jail, your employer will automatically terminate your employment.I pray you will not go to jail. A staff who fails to abide by the code of conduct is either guilty of a misconduct or a gross misconduct. A gross misconduct attracts a heavy penalty, nine out of ten the end is dismissal. An offence classed as a gross misconduct is stealing from your employer. The same applies in the employment of God. Stealing from God is classed as a gross misconduct. How does one steal from God? By not paying your tithes, Malachi 3:8. A worker who does not pay his tithe his stealing from his employer - God. The pastor may keep quiet but heavens have taken note. I pray you will not work for God in vain. 

ACTION POINT : If you are owing God tithes, as a worker you better pay up so that you don't loose your reward. This is also an opportunity for those who are not yet workers to join the workers in their church.

WHAT IF?

MEMORY VERSE: Yea, before the day was I am He; and there is none that deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? Isaiah 43:13

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Lev 27, Ps 34, Eccl 10, Titus 2

What if Moses had not heeded to the call of God on His life (Exodus 3:2-22)? The Lord would not have killed the firstborn of the Egyptians and drowned Pharaoh in red sea. If Moses had refused to be used by God, the red sea would not have been parted; the children of Israel would not have eaten manna for forty years; the wall of Jericho would still be standing; Rahab – the prostitute would not have received salvation and become the great grandmother of David (Matthew 1:5-6) and David would not have killed Goliath. If Moses had said no to God, the children of Israel (the Lord's firstborn) would still be slaves till today in Egypt. By refusing to be used by God or witness about Jesus to your friends, do you know the pain you are causing Jesus? Do you know what is at stake by deciding not to witness about Jesus to that colleague or family member of yours? 

What if Mary had abortion, our Lord Jesus Christ would not have been born. What if Joseph disobeyed the angel of the Lord when he was told to take Jesus to Egypt because Herod sought to kill him (Matthew 2:13). Herod would probably have gotten hold of the baby and killed him. Had it been Joseph remained in Israel when he was instructed to take Jesus to Egypt, the woman with the issue of blood would not have received her healing (Mark 5:21-34); the man with the withered would have not received his healing(Luke 6:6-11); the woman who had a bent back for eighteen years would have died in that pain (Luke 13:10-17); the widow of Nain who lost her only son would not have known joy again( Luke 7:11-17). Let’s just imagine for a second that Mary had an abortion because she became pregnant out of wedlock, the man who had been sick for thirty eight years at the pool of Bethesda would have died waiting for the pool to be stirred (John 5:1-16); Peter would have remained a failure all his life (Luke 5:1-7); the woman caught in adultery would have been murdered (John 8:1-11).

The fact that you got pregnant out wedlock is not a reason to commit an abortion.You have made a mistake but don’t make a bigger one by becoming a murderer. Before you go for that abortion think twice and ask yourself, what if my parents had an abortion would I be alive today? Before you abort those lovely ideas you are pregnant with, think twice . If Moses had not heeded to the voice of the Lord, the Lord would have called somebody else. If Mary had had an abortion, the Lord would have used another virgin to bring the savior into the world. No one can hold God to ransom. Isaiah 43:13 says Yea, before the day was I am He; and there is none that deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? What He would do , He would do .

KEY WORD:No one can hold God to ransom.

WATCH YOUR ASSOCIATION

MEMORY VERSE: He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Lev 26, Ps 33, Eccl 9, Titus 1

There are several reasons why you - a heaven bound believer needs to watch your association or the circle of friends you keep. The type of friends you keep speaks a lot about your personality. Amos 3:3 says can two walk together except they agree? The elders have a saying ,' show me your friend and I will tell you who you are. Lazy people make friends with fellow lazy people whilst hardworking people make friends with hardworking people like them. People who smoke or use drugs always get along with fellow smokers or drug users because they speak the same language and if care is not taken they might have the same end.

One of the reasons why you need to watch your association is because bad company spoils good morals. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. It is easier for a fellow who is on the ground to pull down the fellow who is standing than the fellow who is standing to pull up a fellow who is on the ground. It is easier for an unbeliever to make a believer backslide than for a believer to make an unbeliever receive salvation. Bad company always spoils good morals. If your friends are the type that abuse their husbands very soon you will begin to do that. If your friends are the type that beat up their wives, God help your wife. If the type of friends you keep are the ones that make dirty jokes, unconsciously you will join them and before you know it you too will start making dirty jokes.

Another reason why you need to watch your association is because your association determines your future. A wise man once said, ‘show me your friends and I will show you your future’. Proverbs 13:20 says he who walks with the wise shall be wise. When you see a fellow whose circle of friends fears the Lord, you are looking at a fellow who will inherit glory. 

ACTION POINT: I saw this somewhere and I think it is very valuable . Write down the names of 7 people who influences your life or people whose counsel you listen to. Look at the 7 people carefully because you are looking at your future.

NB: The single greatest influence on your life is the people you allow to influence you – your life will never be better than the average of the people you associate with.