Sharing the Gospel

[Just Under Grace]

Last night I had an interesting dream...

I met this guy...I can't remember under what circumstances...he was from a tough background; possibly a gang culture/background of violence. He got in the car with me and we went on a long car journey together. I think I was explaining the gospel to him as we went. We arrived at my house (more specifically, the house where I grew up, my parent's house) and were sitting in the car together. At that point I was trying to explain God's love for him and wanted so badly for him to understand. I was almost in tears (this is not like me! lol, I'm quite a reserved person in general...) and got quite emotional because I felt such a burden for sharing God's love with him. He didn't say very much; I don't think he understood what true love (as in 1corinthians 13) was - I don't think anybody had ever shown him that before. So in this situation he was quite shy. He eventually consented that I pray for him. There was someone else standing behind the car, watching - I was conscious that he had followed us, and I glanced behind me. But anyway, I started to pray quietly/in a whisper (I'm still quite shy about praying out loud, I used not to be able to at all but have overcome that a lot now). It was a very simple prayer, I think in essence just asking God to reveal Himself and His love to him. I finished and said 'Amen', and I think I was worried that he had not heard my prayer, but then I heard him say 'Amen' too...

I think there was more to the dream but I can't remember the details. I never discovered whether he eventually became a Christian or not...

I've been sharing the gospel with some of my male friends recently, but he wasn't any of those friends...

Incidentally, on an unrelated note, I dreamt the other night that my flatmate (I stay in halls, have lived with her since 1st year) became a Christian... it was weird because she came into the kitchen in the morning and my dream suddenly came back to me! Wow, I hope and pray it comes true...

 

[parsley]

Wow! It seems like one of those dreams that is more literal than the rest. Do you think this one might represent your flatmate too, symbolically? That you have stood by her and she has watched how you react to things... and even though you were cautious she took it all in.

Or at least show you a broad perspective on having confidence with sharing the gospel... that people really do want to learn and grow in Him, if they are not pressured.

It reminds me of a dream I had a year ago of a bird. It made little sense to me, then within a day a woman wandered into a meeting on a fluke, and told us her life story; her personality was just like that bird. She had been yearning to meet people, as she had just moved back to town.

There were even aspects of her life that fit the bird description.

The similarity that I see -- the symbol was not quite the same, or literal, but showed a sense about who the person was.

The other thing that comes to mind, is that prophecy is given for a reason. Many times we would be confused or discouraged if we didn't have these clues about whom to trust or how it might work out.

It sounds to me like God is encouraging you to use your warmth and sensible caution to step out and help people. You understood where he came from, and he listened back. You prayed a little, and he prayed a little back.

It's okay.

 

[Just Under Grace]

Thanks Parsley

This dream definitely wasn't referring to my flatmate, though.

But I hear you...

 

[MastersPiece]

It does seem like a literal dream although the individual in the dream is most likely symbolic. That is great news JustUnderGrace and a very positive message. Bless you.

 

[Glorify]

Just under grace, I think the man behind the car was the presents of Jesus....very near...helping and guiding you.

 

[Eyesee]

Neat dream grace!! On occassion, I have dreams of preaching and prophesying in public places. One dream I remember very well (as it is hard to forget) was being in a restaurant when the Spirit of God just ambushed me and I saw and FELT everything the Lord saw and felt for these people. All of the sudden I knew everyone by name and I knew their most intimate struggles. The love God had for these lost people was beyond incredible. It was like God was doing everything and I was just along for the ride. I would call people out by their name and tell them how much God loved them, and that he knew they were dealing with (whatever struggle it was) but he was there to set them free. People were weeping and overwhelmed with joy and ironically, some people got up and left.

God would set someone free and a bystander would get this scowl on their face and get up and walk out, with me pleading with them to stay the entire time.

I remember it being like the Lord and I were one -- I just *knew* things, there was nothing in between He and I. It was the most incredible dream (aside from seeing Him) that I have ever had.

God bless you Grace!! Hope you have more of those dreams!!

 

[Just Under Grace]

Hm, I definitely didn't get the impression the person behind the car was the presence of Jesus... I think the person was some kind of negative influence of some kind, I didn't get a good vibe from him, but I'm not really sure about that part, as I can't remember the details. It seemed more like the person behind the car represented people around me, and the self-conscious side of me was worried about what they might think, hence why I glanced behind me before I prayed... but in the end I just got on with it and ignored the person behind the car.

Anyway the dream sort of fits in with where I am at the moment, God seems to have been putting a lot of people in my path recently to share the gospel with... I think so that I can grow in confidence in doing this. Recently I have felt though that my words aren't getting anywhere/I can't explain things adequately/I don't have enough knowledge of their point of view (I've been having discussions with a muslim friend who is interested in the Bible but has the usual problems with Jesus as the Son of God etc). At the end of the day I suppose I just have to rely on the Holy Spirit to use my meagre efforts, and pray!

"Or at least show you a broad perspective on having confidence with sharing the gospel... that people really do want to learn and grow in Him, if they are not pressured."

I think that's it, really. And perhaps I should take a step of faith and pray for non-Christian friends too when I'm with them...

 

[Just Under Grace]

Neat dream grace!! On occassion, I have dreams of preaching and prophesying in public places. One dream I remember very well (as it is hard to forget) was being in a restaurant when the Spirit of God just ambushed me and I saw and FELT everything the Lord saw and felt for these people. All of the sudden I knew everyone by name and I knew their most intimate struggles. The love God had for these lost people was beyond incredible. It was like God was doing everything and I was just along for the ride. I would call people out by their name and tell them how much God loved them, and that he knew they were dealing with (whatever struggle it was) but he was there to set them free. People were weeping and overwhelmed with joy and ironically, some people got up and left.

God would set someone free and a bystander would get this scowl on their face and get up and walk out, with me pleading with them to stay the entire time.

I remember it being like the Lord and I were one -- I just *knew* things, there was nothing in between He and I. It was the most incredible dream (aside from seeing Him) that I have ever had.

God bless you Grace!! Hope you have more of those dreams!!

Haha thanks Eyesee... I have felt some degree of God's love for people before, but not quite to the degree you describe...must be amazing to actually feel that much 'at one' with God...
Would love to have a dream where I actually see Jesus. That would be beyond amazing

Anyway God bless you all and thanks for replying... I should go to bed now... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[Glorify]

Eyes see....this is very strange!!!! I have a question on another thread about fallen angels. But what I didn't post was that I believe I had lunch with an angel (possibly fallen). The weird thing is.....it was just like your dream!!!!!!! This is crazy?!?! I was in the city on business. I went to a huge mall that had a food court for lunch. I wasn't hungry because of the problems I was dealing with. I stood in line for food and found a very tiny table with 2 chairs. The place was packed with business people. Then...this man headed toward me. I thought, "oh great?! I don't want this guy sitting with me right now. Flirting with me! I want to be alone!!!" The man said, "can I sit with you?" Yes I said. I said, "aren't you eating?" He said he didn't come here to eat. So I gave him my other hamburger from McDonald's. he thanked me and ate as he talked. He just started to tell me everything I was dealing with. He knew everything! And what he knew was impossible!!!!! No one could have known! He talked and talked. I stared into his eyes with my jaw hanging open in awe?!? He told me what to do and to stand strong against the evil I was up against....god cares and loves us...he said. He then told me that Jesus had come to him even though he had disobeyed God. He now understood and was trying to do right by God! The whole time....I couldn't speak! I just listened. Then....I noticed the time....so I gathered the trash....took it to the garbage that was a few steps from my table. As I was throwing it away....I realized....what's going on?!?! Who is this person?!?! How does he know everything I'm dealing with?!?!? Where did he come from?!?!? Quick idiot!!! Go ask him who he is!!!!! I turned around and he had vanished!!!!! I looked every where! There was only one large opening he could have gone....and he didn't have time to leave without me seeing.....but I ran out into an open area with a large fountain! He wasn't there either!

I didn't get to thank him. Everything worked out with my problem. I stayed strong and looked toward Jesus like he said. It was amazing!!! I know he was an angel...but at the time I didn't know angels could eat?!?! Plus I didn't understand why he had disobeyed God. But...no human could have known what he knew.....

This is confirmation from God because this angel has been on my heart for a few days now....so I posted the question.....can fallen angels repent and be forgiven? Then you post your dream that was very similar to what did happen to me over 10 years ago!!!! Thank you Jesus!!!

 

[Glorify]

Here is the link to the fallen angel question

http://www.christianforums.com/t7734068/

I didn't share with them why I wanted their opinion.....I just wondered what people would say on the topic. I don't know that they would believe I had lunch with a fallen angel....I do believe I did...especially seeing your dream. How long ago did you dream that eyesee?!

 

[Eyesee]

Here is the link to the fallen angel question

http://www.christianforums.com/t7734068/

I didn't share with them why I wanted their opinion.....I just wondered what people would say on the topic. I don't know that they would believe I had lunch with a fallen angel....I do believe I did...especially seeing your dream. How long ago did you dream that eyesee?!

About 10 years ago. But it wasn't the same thing as you. It was a picture I think of what it would be like to walk in the fullness of the Spirit. All of my dreams about Jesus do one thing: make me long for Him and for Home.

It was an amazing dream in that I got to see what it would be like to see people as God sees them. There's no way I could describe the love he has for those who are struggling and who are lost. He longs for them with everything he has, longs to heal and set them free. It is devastating to Him when people turn away. I got to experience those feelings to what I am sure is a very small degree. But to know people so intimately and to love them so fully (I'm not talking about me, I'm talking about Jesus) .... all I can say is wow. I would give anything to walk in that fullness here on this earth just to reach the lost. Nothing else matters.

 

[Glorify]

You are right eyesee. The angel brought that message of love from God that day. That God sees all of our struggles (the angel new every detail from God telling him). He wants to help us all if we would just listen and stay strong with him! You had that dream around the time I talked to the angel. God works in mysterious ways!!!!

 

[Glorify]

As I was getting ready for work, the Holy Spirit showed me more about your dream. He explained that the angel didn't disappear that day. He stayed...but changed his appearance. He knew I realized what he was. He didn't want me following him and making a scene! He went to others in the food court after talking to me. And just like in your dream, he probably went to others and asked to sit with them and they might have said, "sorry, this seat is taken." Or gotten up from the table when he sat down and started talking to them.

I almost told him not to sit with me. I was wallowing in self pity and misery. Thank God I didn't turn him away! Because I receive a blessing from God! Now I see that others (like in your dream) were blessed with the same message of love and concern from God that day!!!

So....my advice to everyone reading this is.....be kind to people and strangers (that's how God wants us to be). You never know when that stranger is an angel.

 

[Just Under Grace]

Wow. The above is an amazing story, Glorify. Praise God

I wonder if I could ask if you could pray for a Muslim friend of mine (his name's Islam) who is coming to the Easter service at my church tomorrow... he seems genuinely interested in Christianity and wants to learn more about what we believe. I'm praying that he will come to understand who Jesus is and at least that seeds will be sown for further discussion.

I've had more dreams of late (pretty much every night, recently) and maybe will share some in this thread at some point...it's only recently I've started trying to recall dreams and writing them down because I've realised that God uses them a lot more than I thought to speak to us. Incidentally I came across some notes I'd written in my notebook from a sermon on 1Samuel 3... and about how God speaks to people irrespective of age or spiritual maturity. Wow...

Last night when I was sort of half-awake, half asleep and praying, and I think for some reason I was asking Jesus about His second coming, then in my dream/imagination I was walking alongside Him over the earth, and we passed many beautiful and intricately designed buildings, mosques and temples. And I asked Him, 'Lord what are you going to do with all these beautiful buildings?' Yet before He answered, I already knew what the answer was - they would be destroyed...the buildings I think were symbolic of false religions...that they cannot stand when the True King comes to reign...

Pretty varied mixture of thoughts above, but oh well...

 

[Glorify]

Just under grace... I have been praying for your Muslim friend. Lets know if he comes to your church. I too have a Muslim friend. I've been praying for the Holy Spirit to go to her and open her eyes. I will continue to pray for her and your friend.

There is a video that I will link here for you to see of a Muslim who saw and spoke to Jesus!!! It is very moving!!!

I loved your vision with Jesus!!! God is going to many people in these times!! It's awesome!!! Bless you. I am at dinner with family. I'll talk later.

 

[Glorify]

Just under grace.... Lets pray for our Muslim friends together and ask everyone who reads this to pray with us. Lets ask God to send Jesus to is Islam and my friend Nazia in a dream.

Also, here is the Muslim mans testimony I was telling you about
YouTube

 

[Just Under Grace]

Amen. I have heard lots of testimonies of Muslims having a direct encounter of some sort with Jesus; I think because it is so hard for them to accept Him as the Son of God. Islam came to our Easter service today - I'd only casually invited him but he seemed keen to come. Anyway he came and said that he enjoyed it, so I hope that it will at least provide material for further discussion!

Wow that testimony was really moving...
Yes let's pray. There are at least a couple of people in my church that I know who came from a muslim background, including one of the pastors... so I know they are praying too.

 

[Glorify]

That's wonderful!!! Prayer is powerful. I will pray and wait for God to move!!! I know I will soon get a call from my friend that Jesus came to her!!! Strange.. I am now reading a book from a woman that God told me to go talk to recently. She has been studying Gods word and she has taught me a lot. The book is called intercessory prayer!! Maybe you've read it? I recommend it if you haven't!!! Lets keep in touch!!! Happy Easter.

 

[Just Under Grace]

Haven't read it! Who's the author?

Happy Easter!

 

[Glorify]

By Dutch sheets. Go to amazon it lets you read the first couple of chapters. You will love it!