Does God Still Talk Through Dreams?
75If any of you have grown up Baptist, you understand why I have had to ask this question. It seems that the common consensus among Baptists is that God does not talk any more. He has revealed Himself as much as He will until the Second Coming, so we're just going to have to spend the rest of our lives analyzing the things He's already said rather than expecting Him to say something new to us. Not necessarily that I think God is planning on adding more to the Bible or anything like that (I haven't really thought about that at all yet), but I have come to the conclusion that God still wants to talk to us, that He doesn't want to stop at the Bible and give over all revelation to this one glimmering reflection of Himself. The conclusion I came to is thus: there's no way the Bible can contain all of God, so how can Baptists say God won't reveal Himself any more? There is so much left of Him to be revealed (besides, how is it harmful to Him to reveal more of Himself? Why does He always have to keep something back? I know we "won't fully understand," but does that mean God is not willing to try explaining?).
All this to say, I wonder if God talks through dreams specifically. And the reason this was on my mind is because I had a dream that I think may have been from God. I dreamed about an acquaintance of mine, someone that I know a lot about but don't actually know very well, someone who has been dealing with a very painful life. This dream was very vivid while I was having it, and when I woke up I felt overwhelming love for that person, God-love not my-love (my-love is far too logical to love someone I don't know or someone who hasn't yet "earned" or "gained" my love). Ever since this dream that person has been in my prayers and my thoughts far more so than they were before, and I have felt especially concerned for them. Is this from God? I feel like it is, I think it is, or at least I am sure that God intended for it to have the effect that it did of raising my awareness and care for this person's situation and engaging me in prayer and love for this person. I feel strongly that love and prayer are the two most powerful things we can do for people and for ourselves.
And so I still do not know how to discern whether a dream is from God or not, other than by learning His voice so that I can tell in my own life from whence my dreams come. I don't know how I would help other people discern the difference, other than by pointing them to closer, more intimate relationship with God so that they can learn His voice and begin to distinguish for themselves. So perhaps we're not supposed to dilute such large questions into little, manageable answers. Perhaps these are things that are supposed to remain mysteries for us to figure out with God, a way of drawing us into God and God into us through the wonder and delight of mystery.
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Since I am a christian and believe God does come through dreams and things that he allows you to see or feel are gifts from GOD. I am Pentecostal yes they call us the bible thumping crazy holy rollers , however I have learned so much from the bible itself and everything that is taugh at a Pentecostal church is clearly written. So your dream it is from God just pray and continue to ask him to speak to you he will and the gift that he gives you use it to the best of your ability, as it is written in the good book .
John, you said it beautifully, I will just say a resounding "YES!" =)
Patience, inspiration comes thru many windows to our soul. You're ok!
John: yes, you're right, to answer the question one would first have to deal with "Who (or What) is God?" For me, the answer to that is probably much different than most people. I see God as a someONE not a something, but at the same time I believe God is trying to talk to us all of the time and that most of the time we are the only thing keeping ourselves from hearing God. So, yeah, logically if God is always trying to talk to us then He must try to talk to us in our dreams at least some of the time (wow...that's weird: I almost never manage to solve my problems with my own logic--usually it's too twisted. lol). Thanks again for making me think about what I think; that always helps me figure things out better!
Evans: I will definitely talk to God about this and see what He has to say about the purpose and meaning of the dream! Thanks!
Marisue: I love the way you put things into words! You make everything sound so beautiful and lovely and wonderful and it makes me want to live life fuller, better, more real! Thanks for being such a lovely inspiration and support!
Hard for me to respond right now...I am full of my own doubts..my own questions..my own why's and what for's..but your words as well as other's help me. I personally don't doubt dreams..just can't always figure them out..but I believe they serve a purpose. Thank you for your wisdom...G-Ma :o) hugs
God isn't waiting till the second coming to speak to us again, in my opinion. He wrote the next chapters of His works for us in the stones, upon the very parchment of the Earth and planets in the solar system. God is no more limited to the codex than were we - far less so. The new books are laid out in stratas, in fossils and in the rings of trees. It's even in our very DNA. His word is there for anyone willing to look at it and accept that it is His own hand that wrote the things that we, in our present time, are supposed to "read," put there waiting for us to be capable of grasping the newest lessons He would teach. He speaks to us every day, for those willing enough to read.
I've heard the "still small voice." I have seen prayers answered. God is palpable to me. I have often thought that faith itself is a gift. The gift has been presented to all; some have yet to unwrap it.
G-Ma: I know that for some people the times of questions are hard and for others they are exhilerating. I hope that regardless everything will pull itself together for you and you will see God better at the end of this leg of the journey.
Shadesbreath: absolutely! God has left His signature on everything and everyone He has made and loved! That is not the only way to know God better, but it is an oft-overlooked one.
Diamond: wonderful, isn't it, to know God in a real "palpable" way? It is a gift I wish that everyone could share with us! I would that everyone would unwrap that gift and find the amazing relationship that is there to be had!
Hi PV,
From the point of view of Hinduism, God takes birth in Human (Avatar) from to time to time, essentitally for three things:
- To protect the honest and meek ones
- To punish the wicked ones
- To reestablish righteouness (Dharma)
In a Hindu point of view, Jesus christ is an Avatar (as opined by great hindu masters like Rama maharshi, Swami Sivananda, Mata Amritanandamayi). He took birth and he did the things needed at his time. In Hinduism in India, we feel the arrival of Avatars from time to time.
So again, from a Hindu prespective, (which need not be appealing to Christians), the arrival and teaching of Jesus chrirst is not a a one-time and a sealed affair.
Coming to dreams, Hinduism says dreams are nothing but some expressive form of impressions (vasanas) hidden in our heart. The good, bad and ugly impressions deeply embedded in our mind find expression through dreams, sometimes meaningfully and sometimes meaningltssly.
We can say that as our mind becomes purer and purer, the dreams we see have more purity and that way we can say in a glorified way that God's voice is getting expressed through the dreams.
In the more exalted level of philosophy, Hinduism says the world as we see in waking too is a dream of sorts, one of longer duration!
CVR
I love Diamond RN's short and sweet response and in particular,the fact that he is in the medical field and has undoubtedly witnessed miracles in patients.
I'm continually surprised by the things you share regarding church and Christianity in your region of the world. I became saved in a S. Baptist Church in Hawaii where our Pastor did not demonstrate legalism or religosity...here in Wa., I was part of an Ana Baptist church and they put a HUGE value on the prophetic...(I'm now at an AG) If Jesus is the Word (I'm not questioning this point) and He is the same yesterday today and forever and we all know Joseph was a dreamer and he wasn't the only one...
I guess this church you mention doesn't believe in miracles signs and wonders, a gift of healing and speaking in tongues either. I get it! Light bulb just went on Patience! I'm going to be frank and hope you won't be offended - you test this yourself - but I think you're oppressed being in that atmosphere! God did most certainly speak to you through that dream, the Spirit is prompting you to pray for this person and I would encourage you contact them and let them know that! Bet you will learn this was no coincidence!
I can recount an incident back in Hawaii where I had a dream which made me think one day I might get into deliverance ministry.... there was this road around the corner from my home which was round trip, almost 2 miles. I used to walk it alot when pregnant and beyond (strollers, bikes w/and without training wheels). Anyway, there was a home on that street belonging to a family who owned a steakhouse restaurant in town but I did not know these people personally (yet I did often pray when I walked this street). So one night I dreamed I was evicting demons from that house in the name of Jesus. A month or so later, I found out they were divorcing because he had been having an affair with one of the waitresses. Well, based on that, I know there was an adulterious spirit at work! Coincidence? That word as well as luck really are not part of my vocabularly anymore.
Patience Virtue, I feel you know the answer to your question. To have such an overwhelming feeling of love and concern for another could have only come through our Lord and savior GOD. You may think you don't know when he's speaking to you, but you clearly do. Just listen and follow.
Patience ... from your post, it seems like you are starting on a journey of questioning some things you have been taught to accept. I find this very healthy. I know for the longest time I accepted certain teachings without taking the time and energy to question the validity.
Take your time and figure out things for yourself. However the best way to discover the truth is to examine many different opinions. I would suggest you learn more about different religions, philosophies, cultures, etc.
I would highly recommend a few books - I have posted reviews of all these books on Amazon.com. But read the reviews of others also - get a few opinions and see if it makes sense to read them.
A Manual for Living: Epictetus
As A Man Thinketh - James Allen
The Joy of Living - Rinpoche Mingyur
The Magic of Your Mind - U.S. Andersen
Three Magic Words - U.S. Andersen
The first two are easy to read ... but the others are more complex and more difficult ... but the more you expand your world, the better you will be able to determine truth for yourself.
Patience ... I just became aware of another book, When Man Listens: Everyone Can Listen to God by Cecil Rose - it was written some 70 years ago but has just been reprinted by someone I know through their other works.
I have not read this one, but the title speaks to what you were asking about. And the fact that it is still of interest after 70 years seems to be an indication of value.
CVR: wow, that's pretty interesting. I must confess that I know very little about Hinduism; what little I've heard came from Christians and I'm not sure I trust their perspective on that to be very unbiased or objective.
Christine: I have contacted this person, and I have gotten out of the church atmosphere that I was in, but I am still dealing with the "spiritual aftermath" in my soul and trying to find more community to be part of.
Jean: thanks! So sweet and encouraging of you to say!
John: I am trying to not allow myself to get stuck in religious, political, national, ethnic, or any other kind of boxes. It's not always easy, but I'm sure that I will get to wherever God wants me to be eventually. I have been reading a lot, but I tend to be a "cautious" reader and sometimes it is hard for me to approach books without a skeptical attitude (because I've read so many yucky books). But thanks for the recommendations and the comments, I'll continue to try to overcome my knee-jerk reaction of heavy skepticism.
Patience...I grew up under the same teachings. Here's my take:
I'm not a superstitious person at all. I'm actually very scientific...there are reasons you dream, reasons things happen, and it's hard to categorize it all under a banner that makes sense while still holding onto your religious viewpoint.
Religion should not make sense. If it does, then it's not a faith. Therefore if you're not sure whether your dreams are divine...then good :)
I've seent he future happen in dreams and when it comes to pass I think "I've seen this before...I know I did..." and trust me, it's nothing earth-saving or anything. Just those deja vu moments that flitter on by on a whim. I think the more important thing to ponder is whether God has really conveyed everything to us.
The reality, according to the Bible itself, is that he hasn't. His nature, His being, His timetable, and His ultimate will are totally not in the Bible whatsoever. His nature has aspects in the Word, but can you truly know something that is so vast simply by reading 66 books? I don't think you can, and if you can then is it really God who is eternal, or you?
Dreams can be something to channel truth I suppose. But the bigger thing is that maybe all truth is not simply channeled at all. Maybe there's a lot of mytsery left in the world for a prupose...to keep man in his place and keep us busy. :)
Here's the one thing that holds true about God. He is the SAME yesterday, today and tomorrow, so yes, if He is the SAME He still talks to us in our dreams today as well as yesterday, and will continue to tomorrow, when He needs to because it is not Him whio changes, but US. Because we are not perfect here we change with the so called times, but He does not. Good thing too. I wouldn't want to worship someone who kept changing their mind or their policy!
I had a dream that I had gotten away with murder and I kept on waking up to remind myself that it was only a dream. In the end I believe I went to jail because I couldn't live with the guilt. However, all I could think about was the fact that I had let everyone down...my family, friends, etc and lost everything. I actually had to wake myself up because I was getting too upset. Any thoughts?
I completely agree w/ Sciantel. Although I have a prophetic gifting, I personally have not pursued going through a course of teaching on the subject but know others who have and they have enjoyed some discoveries and the growth they experienced....I do consult one of my friends on occassion who has been through a course study on the topic.. Anyway, I found a link so Patience and Epictruth (and whomever else), perhaps this resource may be of interest to you. Blessings!
Ya that's a good question Patience. The same thing has happened to me before and I to did not know what to make of it. I use to have a dream interpretation card for most common dreams from God and what they mean. I trusted it because it came from John Paul Jackson's ministry. Anything that was not on the list of dreams and interpretations I did not have any idea to what they meant. The dream that I had about three years ago so far it has not come true; but I still talk to that person sometimes. I would also like to add though that dreams can come from Satan too... and dreams can be not from God or Satan. But for your dream I really don't know... I must say though that love and Prayer is always Good, and that's from God even if this is not the person God has for you. That's all I got on this one.
I believe that God does speak to us in dreams but not all dreams are of God. Some dreams are just dreams. Some dreams are our minds playing out a day's event or even a recent movie we saw or book we've read. Some dreams are our minds trying to tackle and solve dilemmsa in our lives. And some dreams are God speaking to us becuase it's when we're quiet enough to actually listen to him.
I was actually raised Baptist and I believe that God speaks to us...just maybe not in the same way he spoke to those in the Bible. I don't necessarily expect to happen upon a burning bush and hear a booming voice talking to me. Nonetheless, on many occasions I have had similar experiences: seeing strangers in the car next to me and have the overwhelming urge to pray for them, or feeling that I need to connect with a certain friend and it happens that they really needed someone right then. These things are the unmistakable voice of God speaking to my heart. I think speaks to us in one way or another, why not in a dream?
Brilliant, keeley! There definitely is a "scientific" aspect to why things happen the way they do, but at the same time faith is not faith if we have all of the answers. And I definitely agree that there's no way all of God could be contained in the Bible.
Thanks for your thoughts Sciantel and Christine!
Epic: I'm really no expert on dreams. Is there something going on in your life that is causing you to feel fear or guilt or anything like that? Do you have someone in your life you can share any personal details with, pray with, and try to work through this with? The other thing is, I believe in spiritual warfare, so I suppose there is the possibility that there is something attacking you and that you need to fight back with prayer.
Ty: this person is just a friend (I'm already in a relationship), so I'm not sure what you meant by "not the person God has for me." Did you just mean not the person the dream was meant to inspire? Because the dream was all about this person. I am a little skeptical about blanket interpretations of dreams, but I don't really know much about them, so...I'm not sure what to think.
Dabblingmum: very true!
Erin: I believe everything you've said, but I also believe that God sometimes talks to us much more clearly than just perceptions, intuitions, or feelings. But perhaps the things you've mentioned are just the most common way people hear from God because we are not all ready to hear from God in a more "weird" way.
Anything Spiritual must be tested! That's good to be skeptical in your case. If the person in your dream was your boyfriend then that sounds normal to me... I had a dream about someone that I have not even seen or talked to in awhile, not even that good of friends with; and wonder no where did that dream come from? I don't dream very often but when I do many times they are very out of the ordinary. Since you are from a Baptist church I think that's so amazing that you have an open mind when it comes to spiritual issues like this though. Even more so that you can have a date with God! I know many people who also attend that denomination who would think you’re going crazy, but I have experienced both sides just like Christine has and you’re very open to what God has for you!
The kind of love I felt after the dream was absolutely nothing like romantic love (besides, the dream was about the female friend of a friend). I try to be open, but I find it so easy to close myself up through doubt, skepticism, cynicism, and many other things. Being open to God is constant work, and I know I fail sometimes, but it's worth it to keep trying and trying and trying.
AEvansGreat hub and responses too, I think you have answered your own question with the very first words in your own profile,My passion is helping others and enjoying the beauty of life. Helping others in my opinion is a God send, Especially in this world today.You don't need a church to talk with or to know God, he lives in your heart and he will lead you where ever he wants you to go and as long as it is HIM leading you , you will be fine.Before you go to sleep ask God to answer this question for you and in his time we will.I can tell by your own words that you know the answer. As children of God it is our job to win souls for him so keep the faith and never give up on God, you know he will never give up on you. God is love.I'm Baptist also,and God leads me with his love not the words of a church.Yes this is a test for you and I think you will pass it just fine.Here is a question that would make for a great hub,,,Do you think the signs of the times are here, are we living in the end times??
The love you feel for this person Patience has a name...it's called AGAPE.
Thanks, herblady! So sweet and encouraging of you to say all that: and how true and beautiful it is!
My opinion on end times theology probably does not comprise enough to write a whole hub; basically, my opinion is "does it matter?" I suppose I could make a hub out of that, but really my opinion is that there are far more important things for me to be worrying about than when the end times will be and whether or not they are here now.
Christine: brilliant how you are able to condense my paragraph into one word that contains more truth than all my complex sentences! Thank you!!
I was taught that God lives within us. All we have to do is listen, because he is always there. Sometimes we can listen, sometimes we can't. Sometimes the biggest reason we can't listen is that someone else told us we can't.
Dreams break down the barriers of what others tell us. When we dream, we are not listening to others, we are listening to ourselves, and in ourselves is God.
Absolutely, totally, 100% yes! I couldn't agree more, God does live within us and often the biggest thing keeping us from hearing God is our own doubt about our ability to hear God speaking to us! Beautiful, simple, and brilliant!
I hope so, my dreams have been so wonderful and hopeful lately
Oh, if all my wonderful dreams came true...*shivers excitedly* wouldn't that be cool!
yes patience I believe God doesn't still talk to us...read some of my posts on His Voice...he talks in many different ways...and dreams can be one of them
I believe God speaks to us in many different ways. - through books, t.v.(yes, t.v.) of course his Holy Spirit, The Holy Bible and through other people in order to give you a message you need to hear. And of course dreams, but this may be something you'll want to continue to pray about. If the outcome of a dream makes you feel compassion for a stranger or help them, then it's right, no matter if God actually gave you the dream or not.
Thanks flutterbug! You are absolutely right, love and compassion can hardly be bad things to have added to a person's heart.
Thank you for writing such an open and honest hub. I'm glad you're realizing there's a relational aspect to God that might not be grasped as well looking at a page. Continue searching, but more importantly continue seeking Him. Matthew 6:33
The relational aspect of God is probably the most central and most important aspect of God, but it is also the hardest to communicate. I'm so glad that I'm finding it!
Hi Patience! :) I personally have very little patience for people who teach that God did somethings one way in the past and decided to change his ways ever since he published a book. It is only a very small step from there to arguing that the moral teachings of the bible are no longer applicable today, it's based on the same reasoning.
When the Bible teaches us how God spoke before it's for us to learn how he can speak to us now. When the Word showed us how the people of the New Testament times tested the prophets to see if they were from God, it's for us to do the same thing today with people who claim that God has spoken to them. And test ourselves, of course.
Welcome to the exciting journey! It's never comfortable, but I'll never trade it for anything! :)
You are right; it is an exciting journey and it's not about being comfortable, but about being in relationship with God! I would note, however, that while God only spoke to prophets and "specially selected" people in the Old Testament, He says in the New Testament that now He wants to talk to all of us! That, to me, is so awesome and incredible!
If you have a personal relationship with God through Christ, and are seeking His will, He will lead you in whatever way He chooses. It may not even be a matter of leading, but your need may be for encouragement, comfort, strength, etc. Whatever your need, He will provide.
As for dreams, I know of a beautiful incident. This is a true story of a lady who I knew well. It may have started as a dream, or God chose to wake her in the depth of night to invite her home. Here is what happened:
Knowing that she may be close to dying, and concerned for her comfort, my wife was sleeping in the same room with her. About 3:00 in the morning this lady awakened and was trying to get out of bed. My wife woke and asked what she needed. Her first response was, "I need to go." At first my wife thought that she meant she needed to use the bathroom, but then she said, "I need to put on my white dress." She was very calm and seemed to know that it was, "time to go." She died a few hours later. We have no doubt that she had a dream or vision that led her to understand that she was about to enter God's presence and she wanted to be dressed appropriately. It was a blessed passing.
Patience, don't waiver in your faith. God told us all the essentials in His word. Rely on it and He will lead, comfort, encourage, and inspire you as needed.
Thanks
This guy and I recently met online. To make a long story short, things were going great and we knew that the Lord's hand was completely in our relationship. He was the center of what we were about. We spent nearly every day together. Then, one time during his quiet time with the Lord, he asked the Lord to show him whether or not I was here to hurt him or help him. That very night he dreamed that I reached out to touch his brother and also bent over in front of him.
Know, things are completely different and he feels this was a confirmation from God. But he states that he still loves me and feels that I am his wife, but just wants to be friends.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will pray. I hope you are praying as well. There is not much else I can say. I'm sorry. I don't think I could possibly understand everything you're going through and feeling, but I am sorry.
God be with you.
Yes, God still speaks to us, but discernment is necessary, there are 7 different kinds of dreams! I wrote some articles that I know would help.
One is called "Are You Hearing God or Yourself?"
and the other is "What Does God Say? What Are Dreams?" Enjoy!
http://tiffanysnow.com/page3.php#Are_You_Hearing_G
Yes I believe that God still speaks in dreams. God is a living God who loves us so much. His love is so personal that of course He still speaks to us. He speaks to us through others, including non-Christians. He speaks to us through His living word! He speaks to us through other Christians. And yes he speaks to us through dreams. I think the hard part is discerning which dreams come from God and what God is saying to us, and which dreams are just dreams. As for being inspired to pray for someone, that can only be good!
God bless
Brendan
www.godfact.com
gods is everything you and me you everyone is been long to gods if we like or not no choise after life you can messing round as much as you like bout the is one day wen your no longer living what you thing your going and that questions .answers is in your mind.been always honest with in yourself and to other peoples that gods is messegers
John Chancellor says:
17 months ago
There are two things I generally refuse to discuss - religion and politics. Both are in large part based on emotional beliefs and therefore not subject to logical discussion.
To even begin to answer the question, "Does God talk through dreams?" you would need to define God. If you accept the premises that God is a living God and a part of all things - some people are more comfortable using the term Universal Intelligence - then a better question might be "Why wouldn't God talk through dreams and numerous other means?"
That is to say, that we can become aware of the "right thing to do" in many different ways. Why should it be limited to dreams?
Man has long had "gut feelings" - intuition - that feeling that you should take some action, go some place, or not do some other thing. Where do these feelings come from? How do we get these sixth sense feelings?
My conclusion is there is a lot we do not understand about dreams, intuition and the like. But whatever you call this inter-connection between people - living God, Universal Intelligence - there is no doubt that it is generally all around us and if we would listen closer, we would all be better off.