ÿþ<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> <META NAME="description" content="Private bible studies for use by certain members of St Marks Church> <TITLE>Fuggles Bible Studies</TITLE> <LINK REL=STYLESHEET TYPE="text/css" HREF="style.css"> </HEAD> <Body> <LINK REL=STYLESHEET TYPE="text/css" HREF="style.css"> </NOLAYER> </HEAD> <BODY TOPMARGIN=0 LEFTMARGIN=0 MARGINWIDTH=0 MARGINHEIGHT=0> <TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 NOF=LY> <TR Valign=Top> <TD Width=20> </TD> <TD Width=140> <TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=100 NOF=LY> <TR><Img src="logo.jpg"></TR> <TR><Img Src=YCurrent.png Alt="View current Bible study"></TR> <TR><A Href=Previous.htm><Img Src=Previous.png Alt="View current Bible study"></A></TR> <TR><A Href=MsgBoard.htm><Img Src=MsgBoard.png Alt="Enter Message Board (password required)"></A></TR> <TR><A Href=Help.htm><Img Src=Help.png Alt="Help on symbols and colours"></A></TR> <TR><A Href=Subscribe.htm><Img Src=Subscribe.png Alt="Subscribe or unsubscribe from the email"></A></TR> </Table> </TD> <TD> <Center> <Font Size=24 Color=&H008F008F><B>Dreams and Visions</B></Font><BR> </Center> <BR><BR> We ve recently been studying Daniel at St. Marks, but Daniel wasn t the only person in the Bible recognised as having an ability to interpret dreams, Joseph (the one with the amazing technicolour dreamcoat) was also recognised as being able to interpret dreams, with God s help.<BR><BR> <BR> <IMG Src=bible.jpg>&nbsp;Read Genesis 41:16,39. The ability to interpret a dream was seen as a resource for spiritual wisdom and was held in high regard. Bookmark this page as this weeks suggested reading is the story of Joseph in Genesis (more details at the end)<BR><BR> <IMG Src=Forum.png>&nbsp;Did you know there are over 130 references to dreams and 100 references to visions in the Bible, mainly in the Old Testament? Is there a difference between a dream and a vision?<BR><BR> <Img Src=info.png>&nbsp;In the Bible, a dream is generally the work of the dreamer exploring his or her own recent experiences, whereas a vision is given directly from God and its contents come with authority and demands a response. This isn t saying that God doesn t use dreams to communicate with us, God will affect a dream we are having for a number of purposes.<BR><BR> <IMG Src=bible.jpg>&nbsp;Now read the full creation story, Genesis 1 then ponder these questions:<BR><BR> <IMG Src=Forum.png>&nbsp;There are 4 reasons in this passage detailing how God uses dreams, what are they?<BR><BR> <IMG Src=bible.jpg>&nbsp;Read Numbers 12:1-8. Here we see that God spoke to Moses face to face (not in dreams), but this in no way invalidates the dream as a manner of revelation.<BR><BR> <IMG Src=bible.jpg>&nbsp;Let s have a look at Solomon who gained extraordinary wisdom in a dream (1Kings 3:5-15)<BR><BR> <IMG Src=Forum.png>&nbsp;What about the nativity story where it is mentioned an Angel of The Lord appeared to people (Matthew 1:20, 2:12-13, 19, 22), could this mean a dream? What do you think?<BR><BR> <Img Src=info.png>&nbsp;When God shares something with us it can be for our own benefit or for somebody else s, but he won t just give us a picture or share something in a dream then leave us hanging. There will either be an interpretation through the spirit or it will be a revelation which will become clear further on down the line. Let me share a couple of examples in my own life.<BR><BR> <TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0><TD width=20></TD><TD> A couple of weeks ago at Church I had a picture of a CV which was smouldering, I was also given the interpretation that the CV was right, but the image was telling me that the focus was on what the CV says, and I should broaden my horizons and look  outside the box for alternatives, and my CV would still work. I was then asked to go forward and assist with prayer ministry and the first person I prayed for shared with me that he was having problems finding a job. This vision wasn t for me, it was for the person I was praying for (visions are often for someone else, not always for yourself). I shared the image with him, hopefully it will mean something to him. </TD></TABLE> <BR>A word of warning though  that evening when I had the picture of a CV I could have ended up praying for 2 or more people who were having career problems  who would be the correct recipient of that vision? In that situation I would have shared it with both. I ve also shared pictures with people before and it s made absolutely no sense to them, but it s best to share and let the recipient make the decision than not to share.<BR><BR> <IMG Src=Forum.png>&nbsp;Have you had any picture or vision stories you'd like to share?<BR><BR> <B>Here are my suggested 8 points for interpreting a dream or vision when the meaning is not obvious:</B><BR><BR> 1. Write it down so you don t forget it, a journal would be a great place to write it down.<BR> 2. Share it with a friend, be careful to share it in the present tense, keep it alive, not historical<BR> 3. Make an additional note of any further details which occur as part of your sharing or personal post revelation<BR> 4. Write down any particular feelings or specific words which strike you<BR> 5. See if there are any related events or memories correspond to these feelings or words<BR> 6. Make a note of any insights or thoughts you have gained from this<BR> 7. Determine which action you should probably take in light of what you have learned<BR> 8. Commit this action to prayer<BR><BR> <IMG Src=bible.jpg>&nbsp;Further reading for this week<BR><BR> Bad prophets (Deuteronomy 13:1-5)<BR> False prophets (Jeremiah 23:15-30)<BR> Joseph's Story (Genesis 37-50)<BR><BR> <HR> <Center> <BR><Font Size=24 Color=&H008F008F><B>Prayer</B></Font><BR><BR> </Center> <BR> <B>Father God,<BR> Thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ for us so that he could show us a new way.<BR> Thank you Jesus for paying the ultimate sacrifice with your death on the cross.<BR> Thank you that this allows us to have a direct relationship with you and The Father.<BR> Thank you for the many ways you communicate to us, dreams and visions being only one way.<BR> If there's an area in my life where I need assistance, I ask that you show me a sign to guide me.<BR> Fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit to enable me to recognise when you talk to me and to determine the meaning of this message.<BR> Protect me from unhealthy messages which the devil may use to distract or misdirect me and help me to understand the different messages.<BR> Give me at least 1 opportunity to help someone else in your name this week.<BR> Guide me now, today, this week, and forever,<BR> In the precious name of Jesus<BR> Amen <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR> </TD> </TR> </Table> </BODY> </HTML> <! 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