Archives for July 2006

Given July 22, 2006
The night after arriving home from our first cruise, I had two dreams that, I think, God was using to tell me something. See what you think.

In the first, I had a meeting with a powerful man in a black casual shirt. I understood he was the “boss” of an organization and I was moving into his area and was meeting with him to appease him so we could co-exist. He was cordial but tried to get me to join with him and said I could make a lot of money.

The second dream that night showed me coming into a long narrow room where someone else, unseen to me, had a table set up. On this table were many items like this person was displaying them for sale. I was coming in to set up my own table beside theirs but was going out of my way trying not to disturb them, interfere, or take any of their space.

On awakening, I was aware that both these dreams were about the same thing and I felt God was trying to speak to me. The message I got was that, in this world, we have to live with the devil. He is the god of this world, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:4“. We shouldn’t be trying to appease him or worrying about taking his space. We should be kicking him out of our space! “Neither give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:27“

I also am reminded that we have authority to trample on the devil, (Luke 10:19), and he is supposed to be under our feet! (Romans 16:20). It’s a different way to look at it. Yes, we’re supposed to be curteous to people we have to co-exist with but not the devil and his cohorts. Whenever Christians learn who they are in Christ, and believe it, the devil will get out of our way! He’ll flee from us, (James 4:7).

Given March 10, 2005

On this day, I was looking out my kitchen window and saw this dog walking up the road. I had seen it before…walking up the road. On occasion, I had seen this old dog about a half mile up the road. It made me wonder, “Does this dog know where it’s going or is it just wandering?” Did it think to itself, “Today I’ll walk up to Fido’s place and gnaw on a bone for awhile.”

And, what about birds? When you see them flying by, are they going somewhere specific or just flying? Sometimes I think about crazy things. And sometimes these things have a meaning.

This one makes me think about us. Are we consciously going somewhere? Do we have a plan as we walk the road of life? Or are we just wandering aimlessly along, changing directions according to what we encounter along the way? If we are a follower of Jesus, shouldn’t we be going somewhere? “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21“. God is saying to us, “This is the way I want you to go, walk this way and I’ll tell you when to turn.”

It may seem silly to think we’re wandering aimlessly like that dog but…maybe we are. If we’re not in tune with the will of God for our lives through studying the Word, praying, and yielding to the Holy Spirit, then we might be wandering. We might be on the right path sometime but off it many other times. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Ephesians 4:14.“

Think about it when you see a dog walking or a bird flying.

Given July 18, 2006

My wife and I, along with our two younger sons, went on our first cruise this week. It was a wonderful experience. We were treated like royalty, the food was great, we had many choices of activities and places to visit, and had some quality time with the boys. However, I was reminded that we were still, “in the world” and many of the activities on board were of the “wordly” variety. You know; drinking, “off color” entertainment, bad language, etc.

Given July 13, 2006
(Click on the title above for the audio version.)

“Good morning, Mr. Phelps. Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” Do you remember this quote from the Mission Impossible TV show? The agent would listen to this recording, get his instructions, then go out and save the day.

Given April 17, 2006 – (Click on the title above for audio version)
We are always in a conflict between good and evil. Our enemy the devil is constantly trying to trip us up, trick us, or somehow hinder or ruin our walk with God. We’re in a battle! But, too many times, we try to fight that battle alone.