The 
Phases of Faith
Faith is the only way to grow in our relationship with God.
Monday, April 19, 2004
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Read your Bible more in 2004!
My Prayer Today
Dear God, I thank you that you are not silent. You still speak to your people just as you did in the Bible days. I ask that you would supernaturally speak to me today so that I may hear your voice and obey your world. Help me to abide in Scripture and in your holy presence. I long to hear your voice and receive fresh revelation from you! I am not going to dictate how or when you speak to me, I just want to say that I am listening. Impart your life into me this day. I pray this in the name of Jesus. . . Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Ephesians 3:20
"Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope for."
Reflecting on God's Word
According to verse 20, is God's ability greater than our minds? How do we know this?
According to this verse, are our dreams and desires usually too small? Why?
Is it wrong to hope for things? What does this verse do to encourage hope?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
Read 1 Corinthians 2:9 and explain how this parallels Ephesians 3:20.
If God is "infinite" and we as humans are "finite," who must give us a supernatural dream that has an "infinite" magnitude?
Can you list 3 persons in the Bible that had a "supernatural" dream or vision from God?
Understanding God's Purpose
What are some different ways in which God can speak to us?
Why does God speak to people through supernatural dreams and visions?
Does God speak to us today in the same way he spoke to people in the Bible?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
Have you ever had a "supernatural" dream or vision from God? If so, what was it?
Have you ever asked God for a "supernatural" dream or vision? Why, or why not?
Take 15 minutes today in silence (or with worship music) to listen for the voice of God. Write down on a piece of paper what you believe He is saying to you.
Thoughts...
When I was a young Christian, I always heard people at church telling me that they heard the "still, small voice of Jesus." I thought -- "I never hear that still, small voice inside me?" Is there something wrong with me? One day after this frustration seemed to overwhelm me, I decided to do something about it. I walked down to the bottom of the valley behind my house and stood on a large rock in the middle of the creek. I told God, "I am going to stand here until you speak to me." I stood there in complete silence for 10 minutes, 20, 25, and 35 minutes -- and nothing! It seemed like an eternity standing there waiting for God's voice. I remember walking back up the hill completely discouraged. I had sought the Lord, and He failed me. As I came to the top of the hill I asked God -- "Why didn't you speak to me?" Just then the voice of the Holy Spirit said: "I long to speak to you, but I do so on my own terms and not yours!" At that moment I realized that God does want to speak to me supernaturally, but I must not push Him in a corner and tell Him how He's going to do it. I simply must be listening at all times. A long time has passed since that day, but my desire to hear the voice of God remains just the same.
This week we have been talking about the "dream" phase of faith. God desires to instill within us a dream of something big. As Ephesians 3:20 says, "He is able to do infinitely more than we even dare to ask or hope for." There is a big difference between what we would call a "natural" and a "supernatural" dream. A natural dream is something that we thought of on our own. It is a natural dream because it came from a finite person. A supernatural dream is something that is God-given. God is infinite, and when he places a dream within us it will be much larger than we could even imagine ourselves. We should not dictate just how or when God speaks us, except that we should always be ready when He does speak. As you go throughout this day, pray that you would be sensitive to the Master's voice and receive a supernatural word from Him.