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Dream interpretation

The Battle For Love: Know Your Assignment

by Genavieve Gilbert April 20, 2020

written by Genavieve Gilbert

Several years ago I had a dream that rocked me. In the dream I was with a company of people preparing for a battle. I had the sense I should be joining them, however I didn’t possess understanding of what was unfolding. Consequently I felt underprepared, and didn’t know what my assignment was for the battle. Then the others started putting on their armor and picking up weapons, so I followed suit. I couldn’t shake the feeing that I should know more about this armor, and why we were putting it on.

After that, I looked up and no one was there. Through a window I could see them jogging in formation towards a battlefield. Fear gripped my heart. Grabbing the nearest weapon off the table, I ran as fast as I could out of the house and up the hill to catch up.

When I crested the hill, an arrow suddenly wizzed past my head. There was a fierce battle being fought just on the other side of the hill, and I had been oblivious to it! I stood in shock of the moment. The fighting was intense, and adrenaline washed over my entire body. Instinctively, I ran behind a huge rock, dropped to my knees and covered my head. Suddenly, I remembered that those were my friends out there fighting, and I was hiding behind a rock! “No! I won’t leave them!” I thought.

Amidst all the intense fear, there was also a desire in me to love well and fight for what was right! After a couple of deep breaths I jumped out from behind the rock screaming, brandishing the weapon I’d blindly grabbed from the table. Suddenly, dread fill me as I realized the sword I was waiving in the air was in fact, a BUTTERKNIFE!

A Word Of Correction

Instantly, I awoke with a jolt and fell out of my bed onto my face. My body was limp from the sudden absence of adrenaline, and I could feel the weighty presence of the Lord in the room with me. I felt deep shame that caused me to weep in His presence until I could weep no more. I couldn’t shake the feeling of that battle for days. Finally, I asked the Lord about it, even though I was scared of what His answer might be. He gently and lovingly showed me places where I lacked urgency, was hiding from the spiritual battles in my life, and not proficient in the Word. The word of correction that the dream carried wasn’t comfortable, but it pushed me into a season of “eating the scroll”. I’m so thankful for that season now!

“Now all discipline seems to be more pain than pleasure at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it.” Hebrews 12:11 TPT

This new season we’re walking through globally carries with it a lot of new battles. Consequently, we have a lot of new emotions, trauma, and sensitive circumstances to manage. I want to encourage you to know your assignment and engage in the battle! If you don’t know what your assignment is, ask Him! Don’t give into the feelings of inadequacy, disqualification, or fear. And don’t let comparison lie to you and steal your inherence in this season. Go deep into the word of God and His presence! Read it like your life depends on it!

The Battle For Love

Beloved, you were made for such a time as this! Scientists have estimated there is a one in 400 trillion chance of you being born exactly as you are. How many things had to align perfectly for you to come forth as God intended? It is NOT an accident that you are living through this season in the earth! You are here for a reason, and we need you to take your place, fully clad for the battle! Your presence matters. Your voice matters. Showing up to the battle with awareness and intention, matters.

Therefore, what’s the specific battle the Kingdom of God is fighting in this new world? I believe it is the same battle that has been raging since the fall––the battle for LOVE! More than ever, we have a chance to love boldly like Jesus loves and lay our lives down for each other in radical ways. Maybe that looks like the sacrifice of homeschooling, of serving your spouse, or providing for your neighbor––maybe it’s speaking the truth in an uncomfortable moment. Whatever it is, in order to release perfect love we have to forsake fear. The same fear that filled me in that dream. Fear of not being enough, of getting it wrong; even fear of death! We have to let it go if we are going to love like our Bridegroom King in this hour!

“They will not live in fear or dread of what may come, for their hearts are firm, ever secure in their faith.” Psalm 112:7 TPT

– Genavieve Gilbert

April 20, 2020 0 comment

Faith

4 Keys To Develop Your Dream Language

by Jared Laskey August 8, 2019

written by Jared Laskey

Do you ever have spiritual dreams that stay on your mind throughout the day or week? Do you ever not know what to do about the dream or how to interpret it? Every dream you receive from God is a blessing and should draw you closer to Him. Dream interpretation is a great adventure between you and Him and should be approached with wonder, awe, and love.

On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples of Jesus were baptized with the Holy Spirit. Peter quoted the prophet Joel in Acts 2:17-18, saying, “‘In the last days it shall be,’ says God, ‘that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy.'” This means that the outpouring and gifts of the Holy Spirit are for everyone who “calls on the name of the Lord” (Acts 2:21). Spiritual dreams are included in the great outpouring of the Spirit we are living in today since Pentecost.

The Holy Spirit

God gave dreams throughout scripture. One of the most notable stories we can learn much from concerning dreams in the Old Testament is that of Joseph. His story is recorded in Genesis 37 and 39-50. In Genesis 37:5-8 he shared his first dream with his brothers. This dream was highly symbolic, but its interpretation was easily discernible. They quickly understood the meaning and “hated him even more” (Gen. 37:5b).

From this passage of Scripture in Genesis, we learn that sometimes we make dream interpretation more difficult than it is. The meaning may be understood quickly. We also learn that we must be sensitive to who, when, where and how we tell the dream. James 1:5 says we are to ask God for wisdom even when we face trials and tribulations. Wisdom is necessary to knowing and understanding spiritual dreams even if our faith is being tested.

We should realize that dream interpretation can be easy as we rely on the Spirit and scripture. You can also develop your own dream language dictionary for the dreams He gives you. This can help aid you in their interpretation.

According to Psalm 119:105 Scripture is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Being mindful of this, here are several ways for interpreting dreams:

Waking from a spiritual dream, I will write it down in my journal. If I don’t immediately know a Scripture reference related to it, then I will look in a Bible concordance for verses referencing the symbols or topic. After this I’ll look in a Bible dictionary for the topic or theme’s definition. Being prayerful I’ll ask the Holy Spirit to highlight what He is wanting to communicate.

I will also take into consideration that some symbols do not appear in Scripture. For example, a car or microwave is not in the Bible. And the car may represent ministry or your career. Or it implies you are going to a destination or that you are in motion, en route or driving in God’s will. But the Holy Spirit will give the interpretation in time as you search for the meanings from Him, celebrating His revelation.

Becoming more acquainted with the Spirit and Scripture you can develop your own dream language. You should not rely on someone else’s interpretation or revelation. The symbols, signs, and metaphors the Spirit shows you may mean something different to someone else. However, there are also multiple scriptural meanings depending on the context.

Dream interpretation

Also, the symbols, metaphors, and analogies God showed you in one dream may have a different meaning and interpretation in another. Each dream is unique and special. God wants to have friendship with you, giving you dreams and their interpretation. Below are four keys on how to develop your dream language:

1. Relying on the Holy Spirit. Out of your communion and fellowship with Him He will give you more insight on dreams and their interpretation. And talk to the Holy Spirit about it because the interpretation can be immediate or take a few days or weeks. But you are to remain faithful in dialoguing with Him.

2. Referring to Scripture. The more you know the Scriptures, the easier it is for you to receive the interpretations. You are to be faithful in the reading and study of Scripture. And your spiritual growth will increase immensely as you develop this great spiritual habit.

3. Recording each dream and interpretation. Writing down your dreams, you can also build your personal dream dictionary (along with Bible references) for future use. And be open and available to personal revelation for each dream from Him.

4. Reviewing every dream. On occasion, go back to your journals, looking over your dreams and interpretations and always thanking God for talking to you.

Keeping these four keys in mind as you continue to grow and set your affections on Him, your dream language will grow as He rewards your faithfulness (Proverbs 3:3-4).

This article was written by Jared Laskey of Fireborn Ministries. Jared resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia and lives to see Jesus awaken this generation to the power of the Holy Spirit. He is also the co-author of Veronica’s Hero.

August 8, 2019 0 comment

Faith

Modern-Day Joseph: How God Moved on the Front Lines

by Jared Laskey May 15, 2017

written by Jared Laskey

Modern-Day Joseph: How God Moved on the Front Lines

Before the Front Lines

I was with my family, whom I hadn’t seen in 13 weeks, and was soon to graduate from the Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego, California when a man walked up and thanked me for helping his son return to the Lord.

While in the service, I found myself witnessing in many non-traditional forms. I led a prayer group at boot camp and marched recruits to chapel services. It was through this that the young Marine gave his life to Jesus. Doing these things came naturally to me. I was a previously burned-out youth pastor with plans to become a chaplain.

Call Sign “Preach”

Later, while I was training for deployment to Iraq as a field radio operator, a close friend of mine gave me the call sign “Preach.” This call sign stuck with me for the next few years. It was a term of endearment as well as a fresh reminder of God’s call on my life. I was amazed to experience firsthand the fulfillment of the prophecies in Joel 2:28-29 and Acts 2:17-19.

Wherever I went, I witnessed God speaking to men and women in uniform. He even spoke in dreams to fellow infantrymen while they were on training operations in the field leading up to deployment.

Dream Interpretations

During my 2007-2008 deployment to Iraq, word spread that I interpreted dreams. Marines would then come to me and tell me their dreams. Like Joseph and Daniel in the Bible, I told them that it is God who interprets dreams and mysteries, wanting to give credit to whom credit is due (Genesis 40:8; Daniel 2:27-30). I offered Scripture to support the interpretation I sensed from the Holy Spirit. Then I encouraged them to spend time with Jesus and gave them reading materials.

I was humbled as I saw God communicate with those literally on the front lines for our nation. During one conversation with a spiritually hungry Marine, I shared personal experiences of things I had seen God accomplish. Sensing the power of God, I then asked him if he wanted more of God. He said yes, so we prayed together and he was marvelously baptized with the Holy Spirit. I cried because I felt that in my spiritually dry state I was unworthy to be part of such an experience.

Waters of Baptism in Helmand

In 2009, I had the privilege of watching a fellow sergeant in my platoon be baptized in water. He was possibly the first Christian in hundreds of years to be baptized in the Helmand River Valley of Afghanistan. Though we were surrounded by darkness and hatred in a combat environment, God’s Spirit was moving on people, bringing His light.

One time we escorted the battalion chaplain to officiate field memorial services for fallen Marines. While returning to base, one of the first remote controlled improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated in our area of operation. Thankfully it detonated prematurely, but right in front of my platoon. (Up until this time, the IEDs we encountered were pressure plate detonations.) I looked back at the chaplain and his assistant in my truck and said, “Sir, God is watching out for us.”

God is talking to our men and women in uniform in direct and wonderfully supernatural ways. And He has placed incredible chaplains and other Christians in uniform with them to be part of the harvest. They are embedded within our military to minister and to plant seeds of faith (1 Corinthians 3:5-8). Some of my fellow service members committed their lives to Christ even after deployment, during their transition to the civilian world. The seeds had taken root.

A Call to All

Please pray for our sons and daughters in uniform to overcome the challenges they face daily. Pray for the ongoing outpouring of the Spirit upon them, especially as they return from serving and need support and healing.

May 15, 2017 0 comment