The 
Phases of Faith
Faith is the only way to grow in our relationship with God.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
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My Prayer Today
Dear God, I thank you that you have a purpose for everything. There is nothing that has happened, or is happening in my life, in which you do not have an ultimate purpose for. I ask that you would continue to reveal to me your desires, dreams and vision for my life. I ask this not to gain a "name" for myself and be respected. I ask this so that your Son Jesus Christ may be lifted high. I want many people to come to know you because of my testimony. I ask that you would use me in the way you see best. I humbly yield myself to you. May my dreams be consumed and overtaken by your dreams for me. I ask this in Jesus’ name. . .Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Acts 2:17-21
"In the last days, God said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit upon all my servants, men and women alike, and they will prophesy. And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below -- blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon will turn blood red, before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. And anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Reflecting on God's Word
What does Acts 2:17-21 mean when it says, "The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon will turn blood red, before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives?"
According to verse 21, who can call upon the Lord and be saved?
What is the purpose of the "signs and wonders" in the last days? (see verse 21)
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
Does Genesis 37:9 give any insight into what is the meaning of the "sun" or "moon" in Acts 2:17-21? How so?
In Genesis 37:9, how did God reveal what was to happen to Joseph?
In the Christmas story, how did dreams play a role? Explain?
Understanding God's Purpose
Does God give "signs" and "wonders" such as dreams and visions for a purpose? If so, what is it?
Does God ever not keep his promises?
Does God ever do anything without having a purpose for it? Why?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
If you have received a vision or dream from the Lord, why did the Lord give it to you instead of someone else?
What is God's purpose in giving the dream to you?
Why does God wait in bringing about the fulfillment of the promise?
Thoughts...
Everything that God creates has a purpose. There is nothing that God has planned that does not have a particular reason for being in existence. God does not waste His time doing things without a perfectly good reason. When God gives us dreams and visions they have a very distinct purpose. We do not receive dreams and visions from God so that we can have "spiritual picnics" and be proud. We receive dreams and visions so that the purposes of God may be fulfilled in our lives and in the lives of those around us. At the end of every dream is the complete glory of God. Often times God will "dash" our dreams so that when they become resurrected, he alone will receive the glory and honor for its fulfillment. When God performs the impossible we do not get confused as to who did the miracle!
In Acts 2:17-21 it says that God will pour out His Spirit upon all people and they will dream dreams and see visions. The purpose for God pouring out His Spirit upon His people is not an end in itself. Acts 2:20-21 states, "The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will turn blood red, before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. And anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." The purpose for all dreams and miracles is so that people from all around the world may call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. The "sun," and "moon" in the passage are used figuratively (like Joseph saw in his dream in Genesis 37:9) to refer to the "nations of the earth." In other words, the signs and wonders will produce such turmoil in the world that it will cause the nations to bow down and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. The purpose for all God-given dreams meet the same end: to help others call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. By doing this, God alone will receive all glory and honor. If any dream you have does not meet that end, it is not from God. There is a purpose in every God-given dream and vision that we have. God does everything with purpose.