Beware of Dreamers!
Reading: Deuteronomy 12, 13
My Verse: "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, 'Let us go after other gods, which you have not known, and let us serve them', you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul" (13:1-3).
This is an interesting warning. How You know us LORD God. You know our propensity for following after dreamers! So many religions have sprung up because some person had a dream, a vision. These dreams and visions are outside of Your written holy Word and so lead away from You. They all have some bit of truth in them but they either add to or take away from Your holy commandments and statutes. They do exactly what You say is not to be done. "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book; if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book" (Revelation 22:18). Dreamers can be so alluring and dangerous.
We had a great teacher come to our church, Justin Peters. His is a most needed ministry directed at our need for discernment. Too many swallow all that they hear and fall away from the truth. We are all susceptible. He spoke of a book that was so popular, Heaven is For Real. I read it myself and thought it good. But he pointed out that the Bible is never quoted in that book. I never noticed that and felt so gullible after hearing him speak about it. The book speaks only of this little boy's dreams - and they seem such good dreams. He mentioned several others that are out there - they just sound so good! But they take us away from You.
Oh, LORD God, help me to be discerning! Help to turn to You as my first act of the day to guard my thoughts and actions, that I filter all through You. Help me to not "listen to that prophet or that dreamer of dreams." Help me to be careful of those that speak deceiving words. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.” (Romans 16:17-18)
It is also interesting that it is You that allows me to be exposed to these dreamers. You are allowing me to have this test to check me, to check if I love You with all my heart and with all my soul! This is Your greatest commandment. It is so unfortunate that we need this kind of testing. There is a saying that speaks of the importance not so much of the test itself but how we respond to the test or difficulty in our life. I am sorry to say I do not always respond well. I too quickly fret and bemoan my state. Forgive me LORD God. I know that with Your help I can do better. I can overcome all that comes my way because You have already given me the victory!
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 15:57).
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37).
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
Thank You, LORD God for this warning. Thank You for providing Your word, the Bible to lead and guide us. Thank You for providing the Holy Spirit to help me to be discerning of dreamers that would lead me astray.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Reading: Deuteronomy 12, 13
My Verse: "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, 'Let us go after other gods, which you have not known, and let us serve them', you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul" (13:1-3).
This is an interesting warning. How You know us LORD God. You know our propensity for following after dreamers! So many religions have sprung up because some person had a dream, a vision. These dreams and visions are outside of Your written holy Word and so lead away from You. They all have some bit of truth in them but they either add to or take away from Your holy commandments and statutes. They do exactly what You say is not to be done. "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book; if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book" (Revelation 22:18). Dreamers can be so alluring and dangerous.
We had a great teacher come to our church, Justin Peters. His is a most needed ministry directed at our need for discernment. Too many swallow all that they hear and fall away from the truth. We are all susceptible. He spoke of a book that was so popular, Heaven is For Real. I read it myself and thought it good. But he pointed out that the Bible is never quoted in that book. I never noticed that and felt so gullible after hearing him speak about it. The book speaks only of this little boy's dreams - and they seem such good dreams. He mentioned several others that are out there - they just sound so good! But they take us away from You.
Oh, LORD God, help me to be discerning! Help to turn to You as my first act of the day to guard my thoughts and actions, that I filter all through You. Help me to not "listen to that prophet or that dreamer of dreams." Help me to be careful of those that speak deceiving words. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.” (Romans 16:17-18)
It is also interesting that it is You that allows me to be exposed to these dreamers. You are allowing me to have this test to check me, to check if I love You with all my heart and with all my soul! This is Your greatest commandment. It is so unfortunate that we need this kind of testing. There is a saying that speaks of the importance not so much of the test itself but how we respond to the test or difficulty in our life. I am sorry to say I do not always respond well. I too quickly fret and bemoan my state. Forgive me LORD God. I know that with Your help I can do better. I can overcome all that comes my way because You have already given me the victory!
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 15:57).
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37).
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
Thank You, LORD God for this warning. Thank You for providing Your word, the Bible to lead and guide us. Thank You for providing the Holy Spirit to help me to be discerning of dreamers that would lead me astray.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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