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Many people are quick to dismiss vibrant messages that come during what the Bible calls night visions: what we call dreams. A friend of mine describes treating dreams like junk mail, quickly deleting them from the database of our hearts (it was only a dream!) rather than prayerfully considering the possibility it may be an inspired message.

Throughout scripture the Lord repeatedly visited both His people and unbelievers in their dreams. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon required his Chaldean soothsayers to both describe his dream content and provide the interpretation. Aghast at such a request not one of them could satisfy the King’s demand. Thankfully a young Israelite named Daniel sought the Lord and received both the content and interpretation. Through this the Lord spared his and many other lives from the Kings declaration of death.

So what is the value of a dream you ask? Well sometimes it’s the spicy food you ate the night before or your subconscious mind searching out this or that, but I am persuaded more than we would suspect, the Spirit of the Lord chooses to communicate with us during a time He has our full attention; when we’re asleep!

Some messages are vibrantly clear and immediately understood such as the dreams Joseph had when first he was told to marry the virgin, yet pregnant Mary carrying the promised Savior. Then again when He was instructed to flee to Egypt as Herod sought to murder the young Messiah.  All male children under the age of two were slaughtered in a frantic attempt to destroy Him. The Lord warned Joseph through a dream and gave him specific instruction as to where to go.

The patriarch Jacob’s son Joseph also received a notable dream in his youth, prophetically foretelling his destiny. Although displaying a lack of wisdom by sharing the dream with jealous siblings, its message was vindicated years later. Joseph was catapulted to a position of great authority and as the dream indicated, his father and brothers came bowing before him seeking sustenance to keep the family alive. For in fact, Joseph’s divine destiny was to lead Egypt through the nations most severe crisis. Ironically this young Joseph’s dream also came to fulfillment through the wisdom and gifting God gave him to interpret other’s dreams. As Daniel was, Joseph too was led to a place of great authority at the Pharaohs right hand by way of dream.

The prophet Joel prophesied in the last days we would again see God visit his people through dreams and visions as He pours out His Spirit upon ALL flesh.  And I believe when God says ALL He mans ALL! Believers and unbelievers alike.
I recently heard testimony of conversions to Christianity from the Muslim community where Christ has visited many in their dreams proclaiming He is the way of salvation. When they ultimately encountered Christians they said, YES I have seen your Jesus in my dreams!

The Holy Spirit promises to lead us into all truth and as Jesus said those who hunger and thirst will be filled. I think it is time to re-look at the messages in our dreams. I have found the Lord speaks “Teresa” as no one else can and that is true for all of us. The nuances of our individual life experiences influences how He speaks to us as individuals, intermingled with Biblical truth, imagery and symbolism. Writing out the prominent aspects of your dreams and prayerfully bringing them before Him for wisdom and clarity as you study scripture will assuredly open a world of insight.

The Holy Spirit of God encourages, convicts, guides, warns and comforts us in a way no one else in our life can and I believe we are missing valuable wisdom if we cannot discern when the Lord is speaking to us. As Elijah taught us, the Lord was not in the wind, the earth quake, the lightening but in the whisper! What is God whispering to you? He never contradicts His written word and the Holy Spirit never does anything that does not glorify Jesus! I have found He is a very personal God and intimately engages in relationship with us if we will let Him! He has given so much and continues to do so if we are willing to draw near to Him!

I have been visited in both dreams and visions and have been highly impacted by these God ordained divine interruptions through out my life and have finally come to a place of utter surrender! In my next writing I will share a DREAM TRILOGY I have recently had concerning two cities very dear to my heart: Santa Fe and New York. Both places I consider home. I believe these dreams to be prophetic and purposeful for those who have hearts to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is speaking.

Until then, I pray you will consider prayerfully engaging with the Lord regarding what He is speaking to you through every aspect of your life; including the quiet whispers, or not so quiet whispers of your dreams!

Bringing branches of Palm they shouted, “Hosanna Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!” What excitement filled Jerusalem that day. Could it be the long awaited Messiah fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy?
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your King is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt the foal of a donkey.”

The religious leaders angrily watched the climatic fervor of the crowd and despised Joseph’s son. How dare he? A common carpenter! Enraged by the adulation they demanded He silence His followers. “If they remain silent, the rocks will cry out” Jesus softly replied. Yes! As Habakkuk proclaimed the rocks would cry out! Just as Abel’s blood cried from the ground. Just as the trees of the field clap their hands and the river of life joyously clamors in praise to the Holy One! Just as the angels hush and fall in worship at the mere mention of His name.

Messiah comes slowly, gently riding his foal. He passes the Holy Temple, rebuilt to a shadow of Solomon’s glory, knowing shortly not one stone will be left in place! Messiah watches the pomp and ceremony of the Priests as they cross over the sheep gate to carefully select that one special lamb. The paschal lamb. For according to the law it must be spotless. Perfect to bear the sin from the High Priests’ hand as he impart it to the blameless, precious one that will make atonement for all.

Son of God! What must you have felt? Watching the enactment of your Father’s commands, knowing each and every one pointed to you! Blindly they rushed about, so self important! Self righteously they followed the jot and tittle of the law and missed the very face of God that watched before them!

But for a brief moment there were those who rejoiced and welcomed you as their King! Hosanna, Hosanna! Their voices rang in joy and exultation! Laying their garments before you they transformed dirt, stone and rock into a regal path for royalty! Their long awaited Messiah King! Yet you knew…you knew their hearts more than they! Their praises would soon turn to hateful words demanding you endure the cruelest of deaths. Holy Son of God what must you have thought?

Yet your perfect, unbridled love radiated upon them. Gazing into their eyes, reading their hearts, your mercy, tenderness and forgiveness bathed them. Miracles broke forth as the lame lept with joy. The blind shed tears of awe struck wonder as they beheld your beautiful face. The tormented and hopeless sang your praises as they over and over again sang out the most beautiful name….. Yeshusa Ha-Mashiach! Wonderful Counselor! Prince of Peace! Precious, Holy Jesus!

HOSANNA! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!

A Great Mystery!

The book of First Kings says, “The heavens and the highest heavens can not contain Him” yet the Apostle Paul writes “All of the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in Him.”

Divinity poured into the flesh of humanity. Kissed by Heaven’s glory, the King of all Kings nursed at his young mother’s breast. A great mystery! The Holy One of Israel, the blessed Messiah grew in favor with God and man. Tested by every temptation yet no sin in Him was found. The infinite became finite. Bound by the limits of mortal man the one who knew no limitation succumbed to weariness, fatigue and hunger. He sweat great drops of blood in agony for the cruel suffering that awaited Him.

Perfect. A spotless, unblemished lamb, would satisfy the righteous law of a Holy God. But his own son? Evil taunted, men jeered and for a moment, His heavenly Father looked away. Meetings sins’ cruel demand, death swallowed Him as His blood poured. Transforming the darkest soul’s stain to snow’s pristine purity. At least for those who believed.

The Apostle John saw Him. He knew who He was for he writes; “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”

WOW! The darkness can’t quench the light, it can only make it brighter! “The true light, which gives light to everyone, came into the world. He was in the world and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own and his own people did not receive Him.” But the prophet Isaiah said they wouldn’t! Not until the time was fulfilled. The time of Jacob’s trouble when they would cry out to the Lord for their Messiah and call His name BLESSED.

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus, Jesus, Yeshua, My Savior, My Redeemer.

Amos called Him the Burden Bearer. Isaiah called Him the Prince of Peace. Luke called Him the Son of Man. John called Him the Son of God.

Me? I call Him my Lord.

Jerusalem was buzzing with excitement. After a reported twenty years their new King would bring the cherished Arc Of The Covenant back into the holy city. Rich and poor, young and old, everyone would be a part of the celebration of this joyous day.
A most conspicuous absence was that of the Queen. The daughter of Saul remained inside the palace walls and watched the jubilant display from the height of her arrogance. Annoyance turned to disdain as she witnessed the ardent dance of her husband King. Little did she know, the loathing of her own heart wold curse her womb and erase her life’s legacy that very day.

Rehearsing choice words she welcome home her King. “How the king of Israel has dignified himself today, exposing himself this day in the sight of his servant’s slave girls, like one of the rabble might shamelessly expose himself.” (2Samuel 6:20)

We have all experienced the bleeding cut of the tongue’s sword from those who say they love us. This darkly inspired accusation was noteworthy but then again, the enemy of our soul is not particular. He will use anyone. “It was before the Lord” David answered…“I was celebrating before the Lord. I will humble myself even more than this and be abased in my own eyes…”

We have much to learn from David’s response. No flexing of his Kingly muscle, no retaliatory remark, but rather a statement of glory to God and self-abasement from this humble King. I like David have found love’s reproach  to be well worth its cost. I too pant for the Lord as the deer pants for water (Psalm 42:1) and in those moments exchange heartfelt praise for His holy presence. For losing myself in praise, worship and adoration my broken heart has found repair, my spirit renewal and my body? Miraculously healed.

PRAISE: It is the kiss of our spirits to the feet of Jesus. It is the opening of the alabaster box of our hearts to pour forth its sweetest fragrance. The fragrance our humble and holy King most cherishes.