home > Pastor’s Desk

THAT WAS A WEIRD DREAM!

Have you ever had a weird dream? Have you ever had a dream that seemed so real, that you didn’t realise you were actually dreaming? Have you ever had a dream that in your awake hours actually happened? Even a casual reading of the Bible reveals that many people had weird dreams where God was able to speak to even to the most godless person! This should give every believer, burdened with the eternal destiny of those who have not yet experienced the goodness and love of God, the inspiration to pray that God might just speak to those they are praying for by their dreams. 

But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him,
“Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken,
for she is a man’s wife.”
Genesis 20:4

​But it wasn’t just the godless that God spoke to in dreams. We have examples such as Jacob who heard from God in a dream (Gen. 28:11-17). His son, Joseph had several strategic dreams (and an ability to “interpret” dreams, Ge. 40:8-12; 41:12) (Gen. 37:5-11). The young king Solomon had a dramatic encounter with God in a dream (1Kings 3:5-15). Joseph, the guardian of the Christ child, was guided by God on several occasions through dreams.

But as he considered these things,
behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,
“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife,
for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:20

And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed to their own country by another way.
¶ Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord
appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child
and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you,
for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
Matthew 2:12-13

¶ But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a
dream to Joseph in Egypt…But when he heard that Archelaus was
reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there,
and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.
Matthew 2:19, 22

The apostle Paul heard from God in various ways, including dreams.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia
was standing there, urging him and saying,
“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
Acts 16:9

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “
Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent
Acts 18:9

God seems to delight in speaking to people in a dream in a way that would change their lives. This is why I think we should consider the divine use of ‘weird dreams’! I’ve already mentioned Abimelech (Gen. 20:4), but I have overlooked mentioning Pharaoh (Gen 41), Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2), and Governor Pilate’s wife (Matt. 27:19). In each of these instances those who had these divine dreams had no doubt that God had communicated to them. In some of these examples, God orchestrated for angels to enter into people’s dreams and converse with them. Perhaps in another Pastor’s Desk one I will explain why angels (or demons for that matters) cannot “read our minds” (only God can do this which is why we can silently pray with our spirit/mind 1Cor. 14:15) but for now, I want to point out that the bible does reveal that spirit beings have an ability to sow ideas into our minds – but only God’s angels can speak to a person in their dreams. Therefore, I propose that we join together and ask God to speak in dreams to those pre-Christians we are praying for in a way that will lead them to encounter the goodness and love of God.

Questions for discussion:

  1. Why do you think God has so frequently spoken to people in dreams rather than by other methods?
  2. Why is someone more likely to accept what they dream as being a genuine message from God?
  3. Can we pray for God to speak to people in dreams?

Your Pastor,

Andrew

Let me know what you think below in the comment section and feel free to share this someone who might benefit from this Pastor’s Desk.

1 Comment

  1. LYDIA
    LYDIA on 2022-02-26 at 7:34 AM

    1) Having been created in His image and as His image bearer, where His beloved Son our Saviour repaired and restored this image after the Fall, tells me that we are spiritual beings, which can be read in the beginning of the book of Genesis. Therefore having the ‘Rauch’ the breath of God in us from the beginning, leaves all mankind without excuse. Martin Luther who wrote in his Hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God… a free translation… that the body might be killed as in war eg yet the Spirit is ours thru Christ. This NO man can steal. EVER. Therefore by our God speaking to people via dreams to me is His assurance and direct purpose and calling in letting people know that He knows all, will command His angels if He chooses, He WILL make kings bow down, He will call all those from the four corners of this earth to acknowledge Him and Him alone. As I read on the WWW that throughout the Muslim world men and women without having contact with Christians or the knowledge of the Gospel, have come to faith, having experienced dreams and visions of Jesus Christ. Its an assurance of knowing that Jesus cares for us deeply and does comfort us, because He is all-knowing. This world is not just flesh and blood as there is a spirit-world too. Therefore by God using dreams as a means of communication outside of the human expectancy as well as His Word, tells me that just as the Old Testament Joseph was given dreams and the New Testament Joseph was also given dreams that these dreams are prophetic.
    2) An interesting question. If those Muslims, to use them as an example believe in the dreams they were given and come to faith, and others also, given dreams … not having fallen and hit their head on a rock first … it is a direct revelation of God. The Bible is full of it and God surely hasn’t changed because God cannot change. So a person is much more likely to accept a direct revelation or vision from God because the Spirit bears witness to my spirit. Romans 8:16.
    3) Why ever not? All people go to bed, all people dwell on the day therefore all of mankind can indeed wonder and know that all those stars up in the sky eg are not just hanging around but set in place. And who could possibly do that but God Who created it all. This question then opens up a new dimension that indeed I can ask the Lord to please work His salvation in the heart of another via a dream. Something I should have paid attention to a long time ago.
    Thanks Andrew

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

HOW DID THEY UPSET MALACHI SO MUCH?

by | 2024-07-25 | Pastor's Desk | 0 Comments

Over the past twenty-nine years of pastoring Legana, I have generally preached through biblical books verse-by-verse. These biblical books series have been interspersed with various shorter topical series (which is why it took me eight years to preach all the way through the Book of Jeremiah). As I now commence my last biblical book teaching series, through Malachi, I hope to leave a deposit in your souls about the value and authority of God’s Word and how we need to worshipfully approach it. While we all want to “cut to the chase” and “get to the point” when we approach God’s Word we must do so carefully. This takes time. “Time” is what most people complain they do not have. This is why I am doing so much background work on this often-neglected book so that you can take advantage of my time investment on your behalf. In this series so far, I have introduced the context of this book, discussed who Malachi was, explored where Malachi was, and examined who was Malachi’s immediate audience. I am now considering why Malachi was so profoundly upset and what we can learn from his passionate love for God and His Table.

Read

FINDING JOY IN YOUR CHURCH THROUGH HUMILITY

by | 2024-07-18 | Pastor's Desk | 0 Comments

home > Pastor's Desk > 2024 > July 19th > FINDING JOYIN YOUR CHURCH THROUGH HUMILITY¶ For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body,though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.First Corinthians 12:12 What is a...
Read

YOU CAN DO IT!

by | 2024-07-12 | Pastor's Desk | 0 Comments

Both ‘adulting’ and letting kids really grow up can be too challenging for some! We generally don’t like change and tend to love comfort. Change is difficult. It is uncomfortable. On the other hand ‘comfort’ seems easy and familiar. But think about your life journey thus far. You began life literally being held by your mother. Then nine months or so – everything changed. And it changed because you had grown! In fact, ‘growth’ and ‘change’ are partners! One day you were in a basinet, then in a cradle, then in a cot, then in a bed – and were still not yet four years old! We are not meant to stay the same (although, as we get older staying the same in appearance would have been quite nice!!). You may have heard the saying that “God loves you just as you are, but loves you too much to leave you the way you are.” God knows that change will be rewarding and lead to you having a more fulfilling life. You may not like change, or even want to change – but you’re already an expert at it – and may not even realise it!

Read

THE 10 BIBLICAL PRIORITIES AND PURPOSES FOR A LOCAL CHURCH

by | 2024-07-05 | Pastor's Desk | 3 Comments

Christianity is both a vertical and a horizontal relationship. It is a vertical relationship of the believer with God; and, it is a horizontal relationship of a believer with other believers who are also a part of the body of Christ. This horizontal relationship is transacted within a local context in which God places the believer. Below are the ten priorities and purposes for a local church in which the believer is a vital participant…

Read

KNOWING GOD THROUGH THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

by | 2024-06-28 | Pastor's Desk | 2 Comments

When someone takes up residency in a new home they set about adding their own touch to their home. It might be as simple as a coat of paint or new curtains, but it could also be as major as renovation work like a new kitchen or bathroom. So they leave their imprint on the home. The same should be apparent when the Holy Spirit takes up residency in our lives. There should be a visible imprint of the renovations that have taken place.

Read

PENTECOSTALISM, THE TWO SIDES OF REVIVAL

by | 2024-06-19 | Pastor's Desk | 1 Comment

home > Pastor's Desk > 2024 >June 21st > PENTECOSTALISM, THE SIDES OF REVIVAL Pentecostalism began with a move of God - a revival. This happened on a Jewish Festival called the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1). This was when the Holy Spirit was given and poured...
Read

MY BIGGEST BURDENS

by | 2024-06-14 | Pastor's Desk | 3 Comments

A burden is something that weighs on you. You could be burdened emotionally because a relationship that is weighing on you. You could be burdened psychologically because of the weight of a looming deadline. You could be burdened spiritually because of the weight of guilt you are carrying. You could be burdened physically because of your weight and depleted strength. We all carry burdens. There are seasons in our lives where some burdens a big and you do not feel that you will be able to bear up under the enormous pressure you are under. Those seasons will pass. For those in leadership there is the constant burden of the weight of responsibility that must be carried. (Have you ever noticed what this kind burden bearing does physically to a President or Prime Minister over their term in office?) In the Bible we read that GOD actually gives people burdens so that they become stronger, wealthier, happier, and more productive. These types of burdens always involve caring for others. (Have you ever considered why Jesus was sweating great drops of blood as He was praying just before He went to the Cross via His hours of humiliating pummelling, beating, scourging, hair-pulling, and mockery?) I want to share you with you why I am now carrying an enormous burden that I would consider that biggest burden I have ever had to carry. I do so in the hope that this might help you to bear your burdens with greatest expertise and joy. Yes, joy.

Read

HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

by | 2024-06-06 | Pastor's Desk | 1 Comment

This year we have been laying a foundation for knowing God and then each Sunday building upon it. Throughout June we are focusing on how knowing God enables us to find our joy in Him and consequently to discover that He enables us to find joy in our relationships with others. But sadly, for many people who have vowed to love, serve, and follow Jesus, this has not always been easy to do. This is why the current sub-theme of humility is critically important if someone desires to truly experience joy in each of their various relationships with others. 

Read

KNOWING GOD

by | 2024-05-30 | Pastor's Desk | 1 Comment

In the past few months, we have been hearing in Church and also by reading the Pastor’s Desks that through the Psalms and by the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, we can know God more. The Psalms show God as our Shepherd, God’s character is unchanging, we can be still and know Him, and that He is poetic. The Fruit of the Spirit reminds us that God is faithful, gentle and kind, and that we need to stay close to Him in the same way a baby gets nutrients from its mother through the umbilical cord. Knowing these things, we can become more like God as He helps us outwork His character in our lives. Philippians 3:10 challenged me in this regard some time ago.

Read

RULES RULES AND MORE RULES

by | 2024-05-24 | Pastor's Desk | 3 Comments

What comes to mind when you hear the word Rules? For some, it is a welcome relief to all the chaos surrounding us. Rules can provide comfort, safety, stability, predictability and protection. But for many others, as soon as you hear the word rules, it causes you to sigh loudly, followed by the instant urge to do the opposite. It can cause an immense sense of frustration along with that feeling of being boxed or caged in. Then some rules are plain silly as they make no sense, or there appears to be no apparent reason for why the rule/s exists in the first place. 

Read