Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4, NASU)
"Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master." (Ephesians 6:4, THE MESSAGE)
"I'm not writing all this as a neighborhood scold just to make you feel rotten. I'm writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can't wait to tell you what you've done wrong, but there aren't many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God's Message to you that I became your father. I'm not, you know, asking you to do anything I'm not already doing myself. (I Corinthians 4:14-16, THE MESSAGE)
Sons want validation from their fathers more than anything. (Flickr )
Many men spend their whole life searching for something they can only get from their fathers. It's the missing link from many men's lives.
The one thing a son needs from his father is validation.
The dictionary describes validation this way, "to recognize, establish, or illustrate the worthiness or legitimacy of." Put another way, sons need to know they're good enough and accepted by their fathers.
Many cultures have encouraged validation through various rites of passage for young men. Young Jewish boys are confirmed to manhood through the celebration of a bar mitzvah. One African tribe requires their young men to go into the jungle to kill a lion with only a spear. The ancient Spartans would send young warriors out to see how many slaves they could kill with only a knife. All of these rites of passage were designed to validate a young man from childhood to manhood and to prove himself among his tribe.
Young men still have the need to be validated today. This is one reason gangs are so popular. When a young man doesn't have a man in his life to help him navigate this process, he'll look to his peers for it. If they don't get it from you, they'll look somewhere else for it.
I don't have all this figured out yet, but I've spent the greatest part of my ministry preparing young men and women for life and ministry. I also have a son at home who has taught me a few lessons along the way.
Here are five practical ways to validate your son:
1. Call him "Son." Your son needs to hear you call his name, but he also needs to hear you call him, "Son." Even Jesus needed to hear this from His Heavenly Father. In Matthew 3:17 at His baptism, His Father said, "And a voice came from heaven, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'" If Jesus needed to hear this, how much more does your son need to hear this?
A son needs to hear his father speak identity and purpose over his life. When you call him "Son" it speaks of your approval and acceptance. Your son will know he belongs to you.
2. Involve him in your day-to-day routines. He needs to feel wanted. He needs to know he was made for a purpose and to produce something. My son helped me in the yard the other day and to be honest, he got in the way more than he helped. I hate to admit it, but he slowed me down. While I felt a little frustrated I looked down at his face and it said it all. He had the biggest smile on his face as he was doing what he could to help me.
I had to take a step back and look at the situation a little further down the road. He was learning that entrepreneurial men work hard. I was teaching him a work ethic.
3. Wrestle with him. He needs to test his strength. He needs to be tested. In essence, he needs to feel resistance. Physical strength is only built through added resistance. When you engage him in sports he is put in an environment where he can face challenges and learn to grow through them. Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." It allows him to face resistance and difficulty without the negative consequences. He can learn these lessons early, rather than later in life when the potential consequences cost more.
4. Avoid babying him. There are times when he's going to fall and hurt himself. It's natural to want to make sure he's OK, but it doesn't mean you have to be the hovering helicopter parent. He needs to know there are times he'll need to get up and dust himself off.
Mothers are naturally more nurturing than fathers, but fathers need not be afraid to challenge their sons. He needs to learn to play through the pain. There are times when a man needs to rest, but there are times when he has to do what only he can do.
You're teaching him to have courage and not give up when life gets hard. I'm convinced this is one reason so many men give up and walk out on their families. They were never taught to overcome difficulty with perseverance and resilience.
5. Schedule "man-time" with him. He needs one-on-one time with you. It might mean taking him to lunch or to get ice cream. He needs your undivided attention where you spend time with him engaging in a life-sharing activity.
Every boy's personality is different, so you'll have to take some time to figure out what he enjoys doing. It's a time for you to talk about life. Why not parent on purpose and lead the conversations?
I would rather my son learn about life from me than have him learn it from a TV show or from someone who doesn't care about him as much as I do.
While no one is a perfect father, we can do our best to help our sons to grow into the man God desires them to be. I'm trying to help my son navigate this process well because I would rather be his guide on the journey of manhood than for him to wander aimlessly down the path of life. He only gets one shot at being a man, so I want it to count. {eoa]
Eric Speiris a staff pastor at First Assembly of God in Griffin, Georgia. He has a Master's of Divinity in Practical Theology from Regent University. He's been married to his wife, Roshelle, for 16 years and they have four wonderful children. He's a writer and author of a new book entitled, Stubborn Faith. He regularly writes on the subject of faith and families at ericspeir.com.
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"The Eagle Has Landed!"by Bill Yount, Hagerstown, MD
From the Desk of Steve Shultz: God is a God of multi-generations...meaning ALL age groups are included. We've posted a couple words lately about this and here is another awesome word by Bill Yount reminding you that: AGE IS NOT A FACTOR in God using you for His purposes.
Just read this word by Bill Yount: I sensed the Father saying, "I am stirring up a creative, childlike faith and anointing that was similar to Walt Disney's anointing as a child. I am going to impart this anointing into the lives of older people to dream again, to invent, and to create things that have not yet been seen or heard of...'witty inventions.'"
Be blessed and greatly encouraged to DREAM AGAIN and DREAM BIG with the Lord!
Please forward this word to your friends! Encourage them to subscribe to the Elijah List right here: http://elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Enjoy!
Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News http://www.elijahlist.com
*************************************
"The Eagle Has Landed!"by Bill Yount, Hagerstown, MD
I received this word in 2004 and the Lord just reminded me of it recently as I awoke with the words resounding in my ears : "The Eagle Has Landed!" This word has returned with great momentum and urgency as though its fullness of time has come. Let this word empower you in this season. God has so much more for us at any age. Psalm 68:28 says, "Thy God hath commanded thy strength." God is commanding His strength into you. One translation says, "Your God has decided you will be strong!" Remember, "Too Old" is not in the Bible.
Warning: The content of the following message contains very strong language that may not be suitable to those 62 years or older. As a result, this word must be rated "R." Those nearing the age of "retirement" must proceed reading at own risk. Godly discretion is strongly advised.
I see a Divine Interruption coming to the state of Florida and regions of the world that have become famous for retirement. I saw God, like an Eagle, coming to this state. I saw this Eagle circling around Orlando, Florida. I heard the Father saying to the angels, "We are going to Disney World!" I saw the Eagle landing first upon Disney World.
I sensed the Father saying, "I am stirring up a creative, childlike faith and anointing that was similar to Walt Disney's anointing as a child. I am going to impart this anointing into the lives of older people to dream again, to invent, and to create things that have not yet been seen or heard of...'witty inventions.'"
Creative Anointing is Going to Push Back the Age Barrier
When Walt Disney was a child in grade school, his teacher asked the class to draw a picture of a flower garden. After handing in their assignments, the teacher walked back to Walt Disney's desk and said to him, "Walt, flowers don't have faces." Walt Disney responded, "Mine do!"
I sense that kind of creative anointing is beginning to come upon older men and women that is going to cause them to live longer with a childlike excitement that they have never known. This creative anointing is going to push back the age barrier of sickness, disease, and infirmities, extending life to a hundred and twenty years for many in the near future.
"'Re-Firing' for the 'Retiring'"
I saw God, like an Eagle, landing upon retirement centers and upon older people who have come to these places thinking they are retiring. But God says, "There's a 're-firing' coming upon the 're-tiring.' This Divine Interruption and nest stirring is coming upon these chosen ones, for they have great wisdom in their ages, and with their years comes understanding. I have need of them!" The fire of God is beginning to fall upon retirement centers, and their strength shall be renewed "as an eagle."
"Rocking" chairs were turning into "rocket" chairs! Even as John Glenn in his seventies was launched again into outer space, older people in this state will be launched into the Harvest. Expect God to stir and shake as many are lifted off of their launching pads, beginning in Florida, and then beyond. I sense the Father saying, "There are some rides in the Spirit coming that you haven't been on yet."
"Fathers Live!"
I saw the initials for the state of Florida, "FL," lighting up and standing for 'Fathers Live!' – a heavenly proclamation calling forth the older men, the fathers, who have come to this state to settle down. God says, "This is not your place of rest! I am calling you to live and not die. With long life I will satisfy you and show you My salvation! I am extending to you a strong call to mentor the younger men and children in this fatherless generation. These young children and men will keep you young as you impart My wisdom and understanding into them."
I believe the Lord has chosen Florida to activate this word and to launch this proclamation internationally.
Bill Yount has been a member of Bridge of Life in Hagerstown, Maryland, for the past 36 years where he is now an elder and a home missionary. He is currently an advisor at large for Aglow International. Bill faithfully served in prison ministry at Mount Hope for 23 years and now travels full-time, both in the U.S. and internationally, ministering in churches and Aglow circles. "Humility and humor" characterize his ministry as he brings forth a fresh word that is "in season," proclaiming the Word of the Lord!
The shofar (or ram's horn) is often used in his meetings, breaking the powers of darkness over regions, churches, and households. The shofar represents God's breath blowing into the nostrils of His people, reviving them and awakening the lost. Many of God's messages, which Bill ministers prophetically, come out of his everyday life with his family and friends.
“And He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the
children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and
strike the earth with a curse." (Malachi 4:6, NKJV)
In prayer this morning the Lord reminded me of my dad,
Louis James Martin, who graduated to his heavenly reward over 15 years ago at
the age of 67, as a result of lymphoma cancer. I was giving thanks to my Father
that my Dad had taught me practical things while growing up – like putting away
the wrench tool after I used it, so it wouldn’t rust in the rain. You know –
just practical, common sense things like that.
As I continued praying, I realized that many of the current
generation we gave birth to don’t have a “real” Dad, or Mom, who were/are around
to teach them even the basic, practical things in life. Sure, each of us had at
least one parent in the beginning at the hospital, but not many then had a
father or mother, who loved them enough to train them, encourage them, or show
them how to live, after they left the place of their birth.
Few had a real mentor to teach them that they weren’t
given life to just exist for themselves. But their life is to have life, a life
with purpose, and understanding of the Creator’s plan, as they were created to
be. Not only in the natural realm, but especially even more so in the spiritual
one.
I mean – how many of this generation now in their
teens, including even those hitting their 40’s, know what life is all about, other
than playing video games for hours, standing in line for the latest hot movie a
day before it opens, or getting drunk, taking drugs of all kinds, or having sex
(with whomever), beginning in their middle school years?
Where are the fathers? Where are the mothers?
How far we have fallen.
The verse written just before Malachi 4:6, before
the restoration of the fathers to their children, says it even more which is
worth noting.
"Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the
prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will
restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the
children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a
curse." (Malachi 4:5-6, NASU)
Our Father in heaven clearly states that He is going
to do something about the mess our kids, and their kids, are in. God the Father
says He is going to send Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and
terrible day of the Lord. To do what? To restore the hearts of the fathers to
their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.
As for me, I think that day is now. Certainly we are
approaching the great and terrible day of the Lord, in these last days. Thus
so, I am looking, I am expecting, I am believing the Lord is going to keep this
promise, His promise to His people.
Will each child have a father and mother to train
them, to teach them, to instruct them in the ways of the Lord? I don’t think
so, but I do believe that those who are longing for such a one in their life
will certainly be given one – a “parent” who will care for them. Teach them
right from wrong. Black and white. No gray stuff here.
And for those of us who know what to do, how to do
it, and when to do it – live as we were created to live– we will be given these
ones to do just that. Show them the way they are to go.
I am glad my Dad taught me the basics of life. That
wrench that I would have left out in the grass, after adjusting the motor on my
lawnmower, would have rusted after the first rain. And then I would have had to
buy another one, using money I would have spent on a nice hamburger and French fries.
I am very grateful for that, but even more so, how
he taught me, by example, how to live right.
Lesson taught. Lesson learned. We have to do the
same for those who need it now.
My eyes are open. My heart is ready, as a father, to
teach those who want to be taught.
My heart has been turned to my children, and those
who need a dad.
So think on this, in the love of
Jesus,
Steve Martin
Love For His People, Inc.
P.S.I would be
most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends.
They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks!
Steve
We are blessed when the ministry receives gifts to bless
the families that we do in Israel, India, Pakistan and the hurting ones here in
the USA. You also can share out of the abundance you have been given.
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian
organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.
If these messages minister to you, please consider sending
a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless
families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian
ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each
donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.
Now Think On This - In the New Year of our Lord 01.18.16 -
#235 –“Need A Dad? Lesson Taught. Lesson Learned.” – Monday at 6:30 am
All previous editions of Now Think On This can
be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This
Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this
encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social
media icons below. Thanks! Steve
Throughout our lives, God keeps His hand on our shoulders and nudges us on to more than what we could ever realize. I am excited to share how He did it this with me, and am confident mine will be a story you’ll be able to relate to.
As I unveil my story, think back to those times when you knew there was some¬thing more but you just couldn’t put your finger on it. You knew deep down that life wasn’t what the TV sitcoms portrayed it to be. In our souls there is the hope, the cry for more, that someday questions will be answered and promises fulfilled if we just kept plugging away at what we know to do.
In The Promise I share my 40 year journey with you, and show you that dreams do come true. Though Peter Pan isn’t real, the Lord, the One Who created us, certainly is, and He has a plan in place for each one of us. When you are done reading this story, my prayer is that you too will know more of that good plan and His purpose for you.
John Eldredge, a popular author from Colorado,
came out with a book entitled, Wild At
Heart (Thomas Nelson, 2001). I loved the book! While it spoke tremendously
to the inner soul of men, I think some women also read it just to see what
happened to “their man” after he put it down. I recommend it to anyone.
Since then, John has authored and published at
least 14 more. I think I have read at least nine of them. There is just
something about his writings that so encourage men to be men. He even has a
book or two especially for women!
For my oldest son Josh’s wedding anniversary in
2015, I gave him one of Eldredge’s most recent books, Fathered By God (Thomas Nelson, 2009). At that time I hadn’t read
it myself, but knowing the quality and insight that John shares, I had no
hesitation in doing so. Up until a few years ago, I knew Josh had never read a
book completely through, so I carefully chose what I suggested or gave him (other
than my own books of course!) Josh is now 37 at the time of this writing.
I share that bit of factual news because Joshua
told me once he had never even read a book through high school. Oy! He had
since then worked to pay his way through school, married his beautiful bride
Chelse, has diligently been employed at his current job for 14 years, fathered
and is still raising four of our grandchildren, and is a very responsible man
of the Lord Jesus. Way to go Josh!
After he read the book, Josh sent me a text
saying he loved the book, and thought of me as a “sage.” My response, not
knowing the contents of the book, back to him was, “OK. What is a sage?” I’ll
leave the rest at that. I guess both you and I will have to read the book!
Sons are knowingly or unknowingly looking for
examples in which to model their lives. In this American culture of thinking
that the young have all the answers, and old men are just “old men”, they have not
rightly been given, nor received on their part, the training, experience, and
understanding of what it means to follow after the Lord, and knowing His ways.
Without fathers (over 33%, or 24 million
children in America had only a caring mother in the home, according to the U.S.
Census Bureau), young kids have not had that needed grown man in their personal
life, to train them to live for the Lord, be a responsible young man, work a
respectable job, find a good woman as their wife, raise a family, or give back
to society from which they owe much. They do know how to play a video game
hours on end. Wow, where is that going to get them? They have missed it. We are
the ones responsible too for that
God the Father intended from the very beginning
that one generation would procreate and raise the next generation. One man
married to one woman has always been His plan. This “we know best” current
theology will never improve, or eternally replace, His perfect plan. His heart
has always been to have men be men and women be women. That is the path we must
stand strong for and walk on, as believers in the Lord Yeshua (Jesus).
Our sons and daughters, whom we have brought
into this world, need our wisdom, guidance, input and firm hand to point them
in the right direction. We are not to let them find it on their own. That
belief has not gotten them anywhere of lasting value. We must be the ones as
their lighthouse, raising them and then letting them go in the grace and
purpose of their eternal Father.
I give thanks for responsible fathers and
mothers who have trained up their children in the way they are to go. These young
ones will be those the Lord will anoint even more so to take the Gospel to
their own generation.
And He will also save many others, those currently
on their way to hell, who are living in an earthly one here, by demonstrating
His miraculous salvation and freeing them also to stand before the gates of
hell, taking back others on their way there.
Proverbs 22:6 truthfully reads, “Train up a
child in the way he should go. Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
(NASU)
For all this, we as believers give you thanks,
Father God, for showing us the way we have gone, and need to continue to go.
Something to think about.
Love you,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People,
Inc.
P.S.I would
be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and
friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below.
Thanks! Steve
We sure could use your
help to bless the families we do in Israel, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the
hurting ones here in the USA. Please give out of the abundance you have been
given.
In May, 2016, my wife
Laurie and I will be traveling to Israel to spend time with our friends. We
support them in word and deed. We have our plane tickets in hand. We love
Israel.
Love For His People,
Inc. is a charitable,
not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love
of the Father in the nations.
If these messages
minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and
maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we
consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible
contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.
Now Think On This #209 “The
Way To Go” by Steve
Martin
Date: In the year of our
Lord 2015 (11.21.15) Saturday at 8:15 am in Charlotte, NC
All previous editions
of Now Think On This can be found on this
Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This
Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word
with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below.
Thanks! Steve
You would think that of all the people depicted in the Bible, the moms would be the ones who could best understand our frustrations as mothers. That's probably why there are so many books titled something like, "Moms of the Bible." We're supposed to read about moms and learn from them. Be inspired by them, even.
All of that is well and good. But lately, I've come to think that the biblical personage who could best understand a mom's frustration is Moses.
Moses was a father, but not a mother. He wasn't even a woman. How could he be the one who best understands moms?
Consider his words to God for yourself, and see whether you agree that he understands:
"Why have You hurt Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your eyes, that You lay the burden of all this people on me? Have I conceived all this people? Have I given them birth, that You should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse bears the nursing child,' to the land which You swore to their fathers? Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep to me, saying, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.' I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You do this to me, please kill me at once, if I have found favor in Your eyes, and do not let me see my misery" (Num. 11:11-15).
I kid you not! That's what Moses said. (You can look up the full passage in Numbers 11.)
Yet we also know that Moses is the only human being ever to have seen God's face (see Ex. 33:11 below).
That means there is hope for you and me, moms. We don't have to be some kind of superspiritual Christian in order to have a close relationship with God. Intimacy with Him is possible for anyone who desires it—even for us!
I'm not saying that our emotions are always righteous (far from it!). What I'm saying is that if we do what Moses did, we can still have precious intimacy with God, even though we're not perfect.
What did Moses do? He talked to God about what he thought and how he felt. He didn't just stuff his feelings down, or try to deal with them in his own strength. He admitted he needed God, and he begged God for help.
But Moses didn't just come to God when he needed something. He came to God often. He loved God with his whole heart. He maintained that relationship all the time, not just when he wanted to ask God to do the genie thing and pop out of a bottle and rescue him.
Moms, did you realize you can bring your thoughts, emotions and frustrations to God? Moses did, and God didn't zap him to death. Instead, He helped him. God's not going to zap you either when you come before Him honestly and pour out your heart. He will help you—not condemn you.
So take a cue from Moses. Seek a relationship with Him always, even when things are going well. And when something comes up, admit what you think and how you feel and pour your heart out to God.
Doing so won't prevent you from experiencing intimacy with Him. In fact, it's necessary in order for intimacy to happen. You have to share your heart.
Exodus 33:11 says, "The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When he returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tent."
Adapted from Megan Breedlove'sblog, Manna for Moms. Megan is the author of Well Done, Good and Faithful Mommy and Manna for Moms: God's Provision for Your Hair-Raising, Miracle-Filled Mothering Adventure (Regal Books.) She is also a stay-at-home mom with five children.
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God will use our dreams to warn us. (Flickr/Creative Commons)
I had four warning dreams over two days that we would do well to respond to.
I've been talking to God recently about my desire to hear more clearly from him. It seems that I've been in one of those seasons where I'm left to respond to the revelation that has been communicated to me over the previous months and years instead of fresh, hot off the press news.
I've learned over the years that some seasons are ripe for prophetic revelation while others are meant to steward what has already been given. I've also learned that I'll develop a yearning for the voice of God in a fairly intense way just prior to being given the pictures, words, mandates, dreams and visions that will propel me into the coming months.
That yearning resulted in a set of dreams I had over the past two nights.
At first glance, the dreams I had weren't something I was going to share, but after careful, prayerful review I felt it was important to get the message out there.
Jeremiah 23:28: "Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully" (ESV).
As you read, keep in mind that God will often use family members and friends in my prophetic dreams to represent a certain type of person. Their roles in these particular dreams seem to be more significant than usual.
Dream #1—The Tour
My dad, who went on to be with Jesus several years ago, was the key player in my first dream. I believe my dad represented someone we all desire to trust deeply. My dad certainly was that type of person, and in real life, he was the one to lead many right into the presence of Jesus. He lived a remarkable life and there are countless people in relationship with Jesus today because of him.
In the dream, my dad represented a trusted fatherly figure who was leading a tour, or a journey, into a very dangerous Islamic region. I was terribly unsettled and concerned for all of our lives, but there was absolutely no concern whatsoever from my dad or any of the others who were on the tour with us. Nobody realized we were being led as curious, careless tourists to the slaughter.
The atmosphere was dark and foreboding, yet I was the only one who was alerted and discerning. I was struggling significantly to understand why nobody else saw the clear and present danger. Could someone I trusted so completely like my dad actually be deceived? Yes.
Fathers, leaders of our nation are doing this very thing right now. They don't understand the death that will result from an alliance with terrorists. The current Iran debacle is an excellent example.
Also, don't be surprised when people very close to us follow our nations leaders right into trouble. How many Christians are supporting politicians who are pro-homosexual, pro-abortion? They are being led by fathers into deception.
This truth applies to local situations as well. People we admire and consider to be fathers in the faith can fall. Will that devastate us? Will we follow them into destruction? When pastors fall into sin, many people become disillusioned and fall away. This is a very real risk and something we must consider. Love and honor people, but understand they are fallible. God alone is truly our Father and we must learn to follow his leadership. He can always be trusted.
Matthew 23:9 "And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven" (ESV).
Dream #2—The Accusation
My wonderful, amazing wife was the key figure in my second dream. It's a bit difficult to include my family members (especially my wife!) in a negative scenario because I know in reality they are nothing like the person they represent in the dream. I do have to trust God's wisdom, and it does make sense to me why He chose to communicate this way.
In my second dream, I was contending for revival and was investing passionately in the prayer movement and a resulting massive outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
My wife had a very casual, natural disposition as she was going about her daily duties at home. She looked at me and said, "You're just a Gnostic. You'er into Gnosticism."
I was heartbroken. I wept as I was dismayed at my wife's dismissal of legitimate encounters with Jesus as illegitimate whims. I cried out to her and said, "I know I can feel God! I know God. What about the peace that passes understanding? What about joy unspeakable and full of glory?"
The accusation was clear: I was being led astray by intuition and feelings and that I needed to come back to the real, natural world. I was wrecked. My heart longed for my wife to understand the wonder and awe of encountering God in a very real way. I earnestly desired her affirmation. Her rejection of my most passionate pursuit was heart wrenching.
However, I knew that I couldn't force my views on her. I could only pray. No amount of discussion or teaching would suffice. She needed an encounter and a revelation of God's tangible working.
Prepare your heart. Don't be surprised when your passion for Jesus is rebuked or dismissed by even your most valued family and friends.
1 Samuel 1:14-15 (ESV) "And Eli said to her, 'How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.' But Hannah answered, 'No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD'" (ESV).
Dream #3—The Betrayal
A very good, lifelong friend was the key player in this dream. My friend is a legitimate servant of Christ and has given his entire life to powerful, impactful ministry. In fact, he was a key, early mentor for me in my walk with the Lord.
In the dream, he and I and a few of his friends were hanging out. Everything seemed to be quite normal until there was an incident (that I wasn't a witness of). My friend immediately rose up and started violently beating someone nearby. The remaining friends joined in and aggressively attacked.
I was suddenly confused and disoriented. Why was such a good friend and such a godly man doing this?
The threat of assault and even death was all around. I crouched low and made my way to safety.
My friend started tracking me as I fled. After some time, we ultimately met and he was a different person. He turned on me and rejected me as a friend because I didn't join in his battle. He hurled insults and accusations my direction. His betrayal was fierce, hurtful and shocking.
Will the betrayals and failures of those we admire and consider to be mentors and close friends be enough to derail us?
Psalm 55:12-14 "For it is not an enemy who taunts me—then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng" (ESV).
Dream #4—The Capture
Family and friends were in this dream as well, but they were minor participants. I was the primary focus this time.
We were in a large house when terrorists invaded and were capturing people as they went from room to room.
I had a high powered gun and I felt strong and empowered to move from room to room myself and take out the terrorists one by one. I felt as if I had ventured into a divine assignment and the grace to complete it was very powerful.
I somehow knew that the terrorists would be easy targets. My weapon was so precise and powerful that it had no match.
As I began moving through the house I entered the kitchen. Nobody was in there and I was very hungry. I saw the most delicious yellow cake with yellow frosting on the table. My cravings were intense!
I knew that I absolutely should not stop to eat. I also knew somehow that eating the cake would enrage the terrorist. I didn't know why, but I knew.
I was so confident in my gun however that I decided to grab a piece of cake and continue moving through the house.
Then, all of a sudden, with a messy piece of cake in my right hand a terrorist came around the corner. I struggled to get the gun back into my right hand and my cake into my left hand. It was too late. I was captured. All hope was lost.
Isaiah 47:8-9 "Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children': These two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day; the loss of children and widowhood shall come upon you in full measure ... " (ESV).
The Interpretations
The theme throughout the four dreams is improper trust.
The pressure to follow those we consider to be faithful fathers into unrighteous, dangerous spiritual situations will be intense.
Those we consider to be very close to us very well may choose not to affirm the callings on our lives. Some may betray us. Many will accuse us.
Even an overreaching trust in the power and grace of God can lead us into a casual, carefree state that gives the enemy a foothold. God will give us the assignment, the gun and the firepower but we must be alert and ready to pull the trigger. In the fourth dream I wasn't ready. God did all he needed to do and I was casual, focused on worldly desires.
There will be a great falling away and it's very hard to consider that many who fall away may be fathers, spouses, friends or even ourselves.
The pressure to follow those who are close to us, to follow comforts, to be casual will be extreme. What will you do when those you hold dear bow at the feet of the idol? Will you value your relationship with them more than your relationship and devotion to God?
Micah 7:5-7 "Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms; for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house. But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me" (ESV).
John Burton has been developing and leading ministries for over 20 years and is a sought-after teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. He has authored nine books, has appeared on Christian television and radio and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. Additionally, he planted two churches, has initiated two city prayer movements and is currently directing a prayer- and revival-focused ministry school in Detroit called theLab University. John also has a web- and graphic-design business and is continually developing new and exciting ventures. He and his beautiful wife, Amy, have five children and live in the Detroit area. He can be reached via his website at johnburton.net.
God is a God of multi-generations...meaning ALL age groups are included. We've posted a couple words lately about this and here is another awesome word by Bill Yount reminding you that: AGE IS NOT A FACTOR in God using you for His purposes.
