Core Keys to Dream Interpretation

People wonder why understanding dreams has to be so difficult and strange. But Images and Visions are God's First language. 

Think of it. God sculpts Movies for us in our sleep to communicate deep often inexpressible truths. He will speak to us simply when he needs to but as you learn to understand the language of dreams you will come to understand God better. Just as you would spending time with any person. 

If you want a kid to learn a language you speak the language to the kid and expect the kid to learn. So God speaks to us in his language and it's hard work to learn it but it get's easier and faster as you practice, just like with any other language. 

Also as you honor and pay attention to your dreams you will be surprised to find you remembering more of them. 

KEYS

Always start by asking the Spirit of Wisdom to guide you. 

Always remember that 95% of the time all the symbols are personal. Ie about you and not about other people or things UNLESS you regularly intercede for or pour into the person or thing the symbol is about.

Dream symbols are almost entirely metaphorical yet it always makes sense. Like how a movie has symbols that reflect the theme or moral. Sometimes they represent what they actually are but in general really work to think of them as metaphorical representations, as analogies not literal. 

The right dream symbol will work on multiple levels when you think about it. Example. My cat in my dreams represents "creature comforts" because all she does is lie around and when I pet her I'm usually just comfortable too. So she as a symbol works on multiple levels. 

A quick way to get at the meaning of symbols is describe the object or person in 3-4 top of your head uninhibited adjectives. You'll quickly see what that represents to you.

If it's not a personal symbol ask the spirit of wisdom to help and look it up in an online dictionary or bible gateway (amplified Bible or other translations) and quickly scan through the results. The spirit of wisdom will highlight meanings to you.

The correct meaning often reflects other meanings and symbols in the dream. 

What were you trying to accomplish in the dream will help you know very quickly what the dream was about. Even if the dream is just you watching "you are trying to understand."

Describe the dream using all the meanings in place of the symbols and what your goal was in the dream and you will quickly have it's core meaning. 

And a last vital question is what has been on your heart this week, particularly when you where falling asleep. Dreams answer current questions so context is everything.

Despite the length of the dream try to come up with the most basic simple interpretation possible. One or three sentences to describe the core. What it's trying to tell you. That will guide you to the meaning in the fastest route and keep you from being overwhelmed by all the symbols.

My Dream Questionnaire helps even more.

Basic Dream Symbol Categories

All symbols can be personal or objective. If you can't quickly think of a personal meaning figure out the objective meaning. 

Locations and landmasses either represent the location itself or a situation, area, or time in your life. The Setting. What do you do in that setting? What metaphorical analogies? Kitchen - eat - nourish yourself.

People represent a sentient being. They either represent the person themselves (as they relate to you) OR a conscious or unconscious parts of yourself. Good or dark or wounded parts of yourself. OR a spiritual being, God, angels/ministering spirits(often they are just a good spirit with a specific task and are sometimes named by their purpose like speed), dark spirits, the enemy etc.

Any kind of Role, Relationship, Sex, Intimacy - could be literal or metaphorical. It's about your role and goal and relation to the other person. What is other other persons intention towards you? What's your intention towards that person? Could be towards yourself or someone else.

Animals often represent pure emotions or drives. Semi-sentient and active. Finite forces of nature. Like say the desire to find food or be comfortable. OR if they are a personal animal they can represent whatever that animal represents to you. OR sometimes they can represent dark spirits or influences or dark animalistic parts of yourself that are influencing you.

Vehicles represent what they do and how they do it. Think of how many people can be in it. How fast etc. Walking, flying and running are in this category, Its all about how you get around. If it;s just you or say a bike it could just be about you but vehicles that can move others could be pointing to a situation involving more than just yourself.

Body parts - think of what that part does and what they represents. Like teeth chew and break nutrients down so they could represent your ability to do that. Or to smile etc.

Objects - think of the technical and raw purpose of the object and how it can be metaphorical.

Plants - like objects but they are alive and non-sentient. They just exist but have purpose and grow.

Colors - what do those colors associate with you? Look up the meanings. What objects have that color. - Light illuminates so colors often modify or expand on a symbol.

Light/ color quality of the dream - It's source. Grays or real life colors often represent the Soul. Bring Vibrant colors from God, life source. Dark moody colors, from the enemy, darkness outside or from within.

Numbers - Look up number metaphor dictionaries that you relate to. Say you are a math junkie and math history means something to you. You could start there.

Motivations or Actions in the dream show you what it's all about.

Situations - think of the metaphorical representation. Does it relate to how you feel something that is going on this week?

Dream Questionnaire - Copy/Paste

Dream Questionnaire:

Basic Themes:

Full Description:

Couple sentence summary:

Source

What was the Source? (God, My Soul, Darkness or a combo):


What basic type of dream was it? (status of the soul, nightmare, cleansing etc):


What's happening in my life right now that may be connected to the dream?


What was I praying for or thinking about in the last day?


Have I been interceding for any of the people or subjects in the dream?

Dream through line

Main element or focus of the dream?


Was I a participant or observer? (Be Detailed)


What was my Goal? What was I doing or trying to do?


Have I had a dream with a similar theme? When? What are the differences this time?

Specific Symbols

What colors were in the dream? Was the dream monochromatic? Dark? Black and white? Bright? High Saturated, Colorful? Normal real life colors?


Where was the dream Located? 
What do those locations mean to me subjectively or objectively (in the bible or dictionaries)?


Who was in my dream? 
Describe each of those people in 3 or 4 adjectives. Or what does that person mean abstractly to me?


What vehicles or modes of transportation were in the dream? Walking? Riding? Flying?
What do those mean to me subjectively or objectively (in the bible or dictionaries)?


What other Major symbols were in my dream? 
What do they mean subjectively or objectively (in the bible or dictionaries)?


Do I have an intercessory burden for any of the people, places or elements in my dream? If so what is the burden?

Interpretation

What is the main basic message of the dream?


What is my response to this Dream? What should I do about it? (Focus on the theme in my next prayer time, obey a direction in the dream, let go of something, simply be grateful that I was cleansed of something etc)

Dream interpretation Example

Example: Say you had a rather emotional and long dream in which you where trying to find a guy friend of yours. You urgently kept trying to date the guy but you couldn't make it happen because you kept hanging with a specific female friend of yours. You hang with this girl in your childhood home. You are wearing heavy winter clothes for some reason.

You wake up wondering why you want to date that guy who in real life you admire but don't feel that way about. Also you hardly know that girl why is she in your dreams? And you didn't ever hang out with her in that place. Instead of just getting stuck on that you do the dream interpretation steps.

Interpretation Steps: 
First the guy represents to you hard work and doing the right thing because that's the impression he made on you in real life.

You look up words related to dating and the definition points out that at it's core it's basically just becoming intimate, getting to know, getting closer to someone.

So the dream shows that you want to get to know that part of yourself better, spend quality time working hard.

The girl is a person you knew briefly awhile ago. She only ever wanted to complain and blame others. She is overweight now.

People often represent parts of ourselves. You realize that this guy represents a part of yourself that has those hardworking qualities. And the girl represents the part of you who doesn't take responsibility. Also the girl ending up not going anywhere in life and her memory jogs an emotional response that makes you want to not end up with out purpose and bitter.

The Location is the situation and you realize that that particular childhood home was when you went through so much stress that you started checking out in life. When you lost motivation.

You remember that you have been going through stress this past week and that you have been spending too much time watching TV and saying hurtful things about other people. You have been feeling tired and weak as a result.

The winter clothes don't make sense until you remember the times in your past when you liked winter clothes because it made everyone look fat and you could cover up and not feel so self conscious about your body. So the winter clothes point out the fact that you are hiding in that old identity issue. Think of it clothes are so often and identity we put on that also physically shields us from our surroundings. It literally hide who we are. Or they can show who we are all depends.

Meaning:
So when you look at it the dream is a powerful and emotional reminder to workout and take care of yourself and not blame others for taking all your time. It shows you you are still dealing with the old body Identity issue. You recognize for the first time that this is a cycle you go through but now you are aware of it. Overall it is a very encouraging dream.

Dream Interpretation Resources

If you are very interested in understanding your dreams on a daily basis here are some powerful resources.

Read First 

Dream Language: The Prophetic Power of Dreams, Revelations, and the Spirit of Wisdom by James W. Goll 
- How to tap into the wisdom that allows you to understand dreams and visions and life in general.

Katie Souzas teachings called interpreting dreams and visions for your soul. 
- SO USEFUL and mind Blowing!!! The power of dreams and how normal people can interpret them. And how they can change your life practically.

Then Read

Dream Encounters: Seeing Your Destiny from God's Perspective by Barbie Breathitt 
- How to really understand dream language at it's core.

 Ira Milligan's Dream Books 
- Great for more complex or abstract symbols like numbers.

EveryDay Resources:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

The Bible Gateway (amplified has the most words so yields the most results)

Introduction to Idols

First off, Idols are very destructive but it’s important not to get too hyped up about them. 

Don’t Idolize Idols. 

Jesus is more powerful and the steps to becoming free from them may be difficult because they are so addicting but there is so much grace and it’s worth it. I’ll go into getting rid of the more in the end.

I’m all about simplifying matters. 

Idols cause all sort of problems. It can be overwhelming. It’s like trying to bail out the water of a leaking boat instead of patching the hole. 

SO You can try and deal with all the problems…

OR 

Just simply recognize the idol and take steps to remove it. 

I have found the problems caused by the Idols often disappear when the idol is fully laid before God. Laying an Idol before God can be very tough BUT it’s SO MUCH EASIER than trying to just deal with the symptoms so it’s worth it. 

Journal as You Go

The first powerful step to getting rid on an Idol is to recognize it and how it is hurting you. As you read, I have questions to help you identify Idols. I suggest you take time with each question and answer them to the best of your ability. You can think of multiple idols or focus on one at a time. 

Everyone has Idols.

Lots of them and it’s so easy to get them. BUT there is no shame or condemnation. We are all in this together. 

Humans are wired to worship and depend upon a god.

If the god isn’t the actual creator of the Universe then it will be something else. Every person no matter what belief they have, worships gods. Even an atheist puts their faith in the gods of time, chance, mutations and survival. 

What are Idols?

Humans have had Idols for our entire history. They aren’t just statues, they are things like entertainment, wealth, a job, a significant others, gods from organized religions etc.

Idols can be something we Love or Hate.

It’s very important to remember that you may idolize things you absolutely despise. 

Idols are anything that we turn to instead of God. 

It’s so easy to get Idols. You have a need, and you don’t know your creator well enough to know how to get that need meet by God and there are things that are just easier and Quicker.  It’s when some good thing God created becomes higher in our hearts than the creator himself. An idol is something that you worship, focus and meditate on and trust in more than God.

NOT everything we turn to is an idol. 

EXAMPLE: We go eat food when we are hungry instead of expecting some magic food to appear from God. Or we receive love from other people instead of directly from God. Those things are not idols in and of themselves. They only become idols when we make them into one. When we forget that God created this world and every good thing comes from him. That doesn’t have to be a religious constant thought. It’s just an understanding that is in our heart.

Idols actually give us something but it’s never enough.

Why do we have Idols? 

Idols do in fact give us something or we would never have idolize them in the first place. They provide a service. No one would get addicted to an Idol if it didn't actually help to some degree. 

BUT they also cause a lack AND dependance by never fulfilling the need completely. 
See the next post How Idols affect us and how to Recognize them

A way to recognize an idol: is you find yourself constantly turing to something. It makes you feel good, gives you a sense of accomplishment and momentary peace. THEN soon after you feel empty and unsatiated. So you get stuck in a vicious cycle where you have to come back again and again and It’s never enough.

Example: a person has the Idol of self image. The idol gives them motivation to work out and eat healthy. BUT it also causes binge eating and depression because the standard to too high to actually be met. And so we see the endless cycle of hope and despair driven by an obsession with the idol induced image. 

Check List: Do you recognize idols in your life just based on this description? List them in your journal.

Move on to How Idols affect us and How to Recognize them.

How Idols affect us and How to Recognize them

First Read the Introduction to Idols

Journal as You Go

The first powerful step to getting rid on an Idol is to recognize it and how it is hurting you. As you read, I have questions to help you identify Idols. I suggest you take time with each question and answer them to the best of your ability. You can think of multiple idols or focus on one at a time. 

Idols Control Our Emotions

Idols create an Emotional Roller Coaster

When idols don't meet our expectations we experience volatile emotions. Idols often lead to a roller coaster rides of extreme hope and extreme despair. This is because they cause us to hope and work for something. We get a taste. THEN it isn’t enough or it slips from our grasp and the void deeply effects us because we have expectations so high the only Being that can handle them is God himself. 

Example: A classic example of this is codependency in relationships. When each person places huge expectations and hopes and try and draw life from the other moral only to be inevitably disappointed. 

Check In: Do you notice some things in your life that cause that cycle. It can be people, or things or activities or Goals. But the defining factor is the high hope then crushing disappointment. What would it look like if the highs an lows weren’t connected to something and instead you had peace and joy despite the circumstances?

Feeling of failure, punishment and deep regret

When the idol is not obtained or achieved the effect is a feeling of failure. Sometimes you feel punished or you punish yourself for not getting it. You feel like you didn’t do well enough or you didn’t deserve it. God doesn’t punish us when we don’t do this or that but Idols do.

Example:  A person idolizes their car. They are driving perfectly safe but are in an accident and the car is totaled. The person has so much regret and hatred towards themselves for “letting” that happen. 

Check In: Do you notice times when you lost something or someone, or didn’t meet a certain goal etc and you found yourself beating yourself up because of it. You cannot forgive yourself or let it go? List this things. What would it look like if you didn’t have that regret, or feeling of failure or punishment and you had the feeling of acceptance, security and unceasing forgiveness instead?

Idols Cause Envy

Idols are like salt water. The more you drink the more dehydrated you get. Idols create more and more need. The result it jealousness, coveting and constant comparison and the feeling of always being in lack.

Example: Someone idolizes clothes. They have a huge wardrobe but they can’t help but always wish they had more. They wish they could have other peoples clothes too or afford where they shop. Whenever someone is around them with better or newer clothes they can’t help but compare and wish. It’s never enough. 

Check In:

Stress, And lack of Peace

Idols INTENTIONALLY take peace away from us. It’s one of the biggest way you can recognize if something is an idol or not. Idols are destructive so they cannot give peace and their intention is to destroy so the stress of not having them or meeting there demands will always be felt, however slight. 

Example: a person idolizes their Job. They are doing well and are respected but they always feel anxious and afraid they will lose the job. 

Check In: What in your life constantly causes you stress when you don’t have it or take care of it properly. You want it and value it yet it takes your peace and gives you stress. Write down those things? What would it look like if you didn’t have that stress and you had peace instead?

Idols are Controlling and take from us

The Cost of what Idols give us is high

give us something but the price is varying degrees of destruction

Example: 

Check In: 

Idols demand Money, Time and Resources 

Another way to recognize an idol is to notice what you would willingly give money time and resources to without thinking I does require times require our money and so when we idolize them we give them money without thinking 

Mimiking tieth 

Example: 

Check In: What do you give money to without thinking that may not be so healthy or may be compulsive? What will you give time and energy to without a hesitation when other things you would never go out of your way for? List those things.

Idols cause compulsive often repetitive actions

Idols demand worship. So each idol has some sort of accompanying action that is very hard to resist when one has the idol. 

Example:  A person has materialism as an idol so they find themselves constantly shopping and reading about things to buy. 

When you find yourself composed to do a repetitive action it can often be because of an ido

Example: 

Check In: 

Does the suspected idol cause compulsive action that is more or less destructive and you can't seem to stop?

Obsessive thinking

And idol is often something that you think of first in your morning. Idols are often something you start obsessing about when you wake up. 

God is something that you often think of

Idols are something that you obsess over for a lot of the daywhen you find yourself obsessing over something it could be an idol

Example: 

Check In: Do you find yourself thinking of something first thing most mornings, more than is healthy? Do you find yourself obsessing over something during the day?

Idols are often something you think of first thing in the morning

 control us by fear

You can recognize when something has become an idol because the thought of letting go of it or a good feeling you creates fear often intense and even crippling fear

But idols do that cycle so that they can control

No matter how awesome and idol is it is never worth holding onto because of the deficit it creates in the destruction yields to our soul

Example: 

Check In:

Idols Block us receiving from God

Idols block God's blessing 

in our lives

Example: 

Check In:

Idols block our ability to hear God clearly

Idols create noise in our head they talk to us they have opinions that they put in our mind

the more idols you get rid of the clearer your mind will be

Idols are particularly vicious because they can sounds like God in our minds and can miss direct us

Another way to recognize an idol is when you're praying for something and you hear you think you hear gods voice

Example: 

Check In:

are there times you couldn't tell if you heard GOd clearly? Could you have an idol in that area that may make you hear different?

Idols Dictate our Identity

You are what you worship

Idols Dictate our value

We are meant to get our self value from God. God values us without us doing anything. When we are in a healthy relationship with God we know that 

Example: 

Check In:

We become like the idol

Image of the Idol

When we worship and think and obsess over in idol the image of that idol gets burned on our soul

So we started becoming more and more like that idol and our identity gets lost in it

Another big way to recognize an idol is by what you have a strong identity in

Not everything that you identify with is bad but when it becomes a core part of your identity and you become very insecure when that part of your identity is poked at it could very likely be because of an idol

 And I don't can be anything it can be a person of thing a concept an ideal it can be something good or it could be something that you hate

You do not have to love and idle for it to be one and I don't can be something you hate

Example: 

Check In:

Why Idols are so Bad

“Have no other God before you” is the First of the ten commandments for a reason. 

Yeah they cause SO many problems. It is NEVER WORTH Tolerating Idols for a moment. 

Move on to How To get Rid of idols

I have Faith I Am encouraged!

When I get discouraged or feel like I don't have faith, It's a LIE! 

I have faith. 

I just need to see that I am powerful and it's worth praying. 

I am tired yes but I AM POWERFUL!!!

There is hope!

Don't let the enemy lie to you!

trauma Prayer Video

Release EVERYTHING!!!

God as Our Life Coach

How God directs our paths as the ultimate Life Coach

This article follows Suffering and Challenges 

Wither we are dealing with unjust suffering or challenges we can access wisdom from God and be guided. We can move from misery and hopelessness to a superabundant life. 

Graham Cooke has powerful teachings about this process. If you are serious about tapping into all God has for you I highly recommend you get his books or teachings. (The one thing I will say about his work is he emphasizes God using our suffering to impart upgrades. He isn’t as clear about it as I would like but at the root of his teachings is also the concept that God is only a bringer of good things and only uses bad situations to our advantage.)

5 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind (Leb - Inner man/SOUL) (upgrade your soul so you can have unrestrained faith is God) and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

6 In all your ways (journeys, doings) know (intimately experience God personally), recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. (Your path will be pleasing.) Proverbs 3 (AMP) (Elaboration added see the Strongs.)

This is a powerful verse. It’s saying that we need to have full faith in God in our heart and we will be able to walk out life with purpose and steadily move towards our dreams and promises. The key is to upgrade our soul so our faith and expectation align with him. 

We must Abide

7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts (the truth of christ be rooted and grow in your soul), 

Ask (petion, demand) whatever you will (Desire), and it shall be done for you (come to pass). 

John 15:7 (AMP) (Elaboration added see the Strongs.)

The word abide here is a profound word. It’s not only speaking of waiting and enduring it’s a word that also means living. It’s make a home and dwelling on a place. Like how a farmer picks a plot of land and works it and builds and makes it their home. The word abide has the sense of security and peace that comes from having a place to call your own. So it’s speaking of being come rooted in jesus through daily intimacy. 

This verse is saying that as we upgrade our soul with the truth and experience of Jesus we will have more and more power to actively ask for the desires of our hearts and have our wildest dreams come true.

Co Laboring with God

God calls us to be proactive with making our promises real.

28 We are assured and know that [[a]God being a partner in their labor] all things work together (in synergy) and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love (agape) God and are called according (walking out day by day) to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 (AMP)

This verse is saying that as we walk day by day in agreement and synergy and love with God and his purpose for us all good things will work together for our good. 

Getting our Soul Healed so we can Live our Dreams

The following verses call us to constantly upgrade our soul by encountering Jesus. And as we upgrade we have practical access to all the riches or heaven. 

We upgrade and heal our soul by accessing the power of jesus while tapping into the riches of heaven through the manifestations of God’s presence:

16 May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty, miraculous, power (dunamis) in the inner man (soul) by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].

The more intimacy we have with Christ the more faith we have to call down miracles from heaven:

17 May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,

18 That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

19 [That you may really come] to know [practically, [e]through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses[f]mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] [g]unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and [h]become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power (dunamis) that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—

21 To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). Ephesians 3 AMP (Elaboration added see the Strongs.)

We are powerful to bring about our Promises NOW

To sum this all up, God does not bring about suffering but he will allow us to be challenged. 

Instead of passively waiting for God to do something we are supposed to actively work with God to bring about our promises.  We work with God to remove Sin, curses and blocks that hinder God’s blessing in our life. 

We must get wisdom and strategy from God for what to do. We must get our soul healed through intimacy and time in the presence of God. That makes us more like Jesus and we have access to Faith and wisdom and the power of Jesus to call our promises from heaven to manifest of earth. We work with God to remove Sin, curses and blocks that hinder God’s blessing in our life. 

Yes it is work but it’s better than sitting around jaded and hopeless for the rest of our lives while things get worse and worse.

I am going to elaborate on practical simple ways to get your should healed and remove blocks and access wisdom in other posts. 

Suffering and Challenges

The difference between Suffering and Challenges

This Article follows Waiting on Gods Timing

There are so many circumstances and situations in which we suffer or are challenged however they are not the same. In some cases we may need to really press into God to know if it’s just a tough challenge or actual unjust suffering. Sometimes it’s a combo of both, but there are distinctive factors that will let you know one from the other. 

What is suffering?

Suffering is when we lack the basic needs for the existence God has called us to. Suffering in in Justice because it is cruel and wrong and no the will of God. 

All suffering is caused by Sin and the Effects of Sin NOT God. 

The effects of sin are soul wounds, All types of curses, natural repercussions and demonic torment (which only has the power to affect us when we are marked by sin.)

What are Challenges?

When we undergo circumstances that may be difficult or even painful but they are not by their nature destructive. They are circumstances that strengthen us by trying us.

Challenges can be brought about by God’s guidance (the more so when we are actively participating with God) or simply as the result of circumstances or actions we take. 

Health

Sickness

ALL sickness, disease and bodily injury is suffering. God’s desire is for us to be whole and healthy and eventually pass away peacefully in our sleep. Until Then God’s Will is for us to be healthy in every way. Free of Sickness, a healthy natural weight and with all our bodily systems in balance. Anything short of that is NOT of God’s heart and is from the Enemy. We must reject ANY Lie that contradicts that. See this article about God’s willingness to heal. 

Delayed Healing

God does NOT delay healing. His heart is for us to be healed INSTANTLY. Jesus is the ultimate representation of God and Jesus healed instantly. There were times when Jesus told be people do something to participate in the healing but he NEVER told anyone to wait or that God desired to teach them something because of the healing. 

There are cases when Jesus was not able to heal people. When we do not experience instant or fast healing it’s due to blocks NOT God’s will. I will address that in another post. 

When God uses sickness

Even though God does not give us sickness because of his goodness God Desires to bless us through sickness. God will upgrade our character. God will bring us revelations. God will do any number of wonderful things through and despite an illness. God’s heart is to take every attack of the enemy and turn it for good.

When God’s Grace Delays Sickness

Now God still does not CREATE sickness. God’s desire is still for us to be healed and healthy but sometimes sickness just inevitably comes upon us because of soul wounds or sin BUT God in his goodness gives us enough grace so it doesn’t manifest before we can handle it. 

I was in a couple accidents and I went though a time when I injured my back through overuse. Even though I should have experienced the effects of the injury earlier they didn’t manifest until many years latter in a season when I had the time and resources to deal with the issue on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. If the sickness manifested earlier I would have been utterly crushed. The effects of the injury might have manifested before I could handle it if I wasn’t in submission to God but I was in submission to God and I was able to access grace.

Even though God’s will would not have been for me to suffer the back injury at all he blessed me despite it and showed me during that time the choices that allowed me to experience the infirmity in the first place and be healed of wounds and sin that would allow more sickness into my body.

Growing in Strength

There are cases when we are challenged in our health and it is not suffering. When we are being pushed to the limit but the purpose is simply to force our body to become healthier and stronger it’s not suffering even though it may be painful. An example is when a person undergoes physical therapy or even a medical treatment to get better. (Not all medical treatments are good but each case must be considered individually.) Another example is when an athlete pushes themselves and becomes stronger, or when we fast for health or spiritual reasons. In short cases in which we experience any level of discomfort for the sake of walking into better health is not suffering but simply a challenge and yes God can be the source of it. 

Wealth and Resources

Poverty

God desires us to prosper and be blessed. See this article on Reasons God wants you to Prosper. 

19 And my God (Theos the creator and sustainer of all things) will liberally supply ([a]fill to the full) your every need according to His riches (wealth) in glory (manifestations of God) in (the power and authority of) Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (AMP) (elaboration added see the Strongs.)

Poverty is not only when one can’t afford food or shelter or safety or health or provide for our basic bodily needs. Poverty is also when we are unable to live in the sphere of influence God has called us to. 

Say you are called to the stage in New York. God’s basic provision and not being in a state of abject poverty would look like being able to pay for 700-2000+ a month for descent shared living quarters and even more to eat and get around the city. While someone called to missionary work might be just fine with the basics of clothes, food, transportation and shelter and safety. 

It’s very important to hear God clearly about your calling. Say someone wants to be famous because it would be cool but in reality they would be crushed by that kind of pressure and would not actually be happy even if they weren’t. BUT if you have a big dream it could very well be from God. There are people in high up places who are destroying the world and God’s heart is for people driven by love to be in positions of influence. So one must really get close to God and figure out what purpose he put in your heart. 

God desires to provide for whatever he calls you to. Poverty is when we are bared from our future or our calling due to a lack of resources or connections and God does not create poverty. His desire is to give us provision and wealth. 

When God withholds a Promise

There are cases when God withholds a promise because we are not ready to steward it. God’s goodness withholds something that would actually be a curse until the person is able to handle it.

Say a person has a promise of wealth from God, but the person has wounding in their soul that would make them greedy and idolize the Money if they received it before being healed. Say they idolize money or grew up in a family that was poor and taught the person money was a status symbol that you shouldn’t share with anyone. Maybe the person simply needs to be given small levels of increase so they can learn to handle the responsibility. So God in his goodness withholds that blessing until the person is healed and can steward the blessing properly. Otherwise the person might be financially ruined. This happens all the time with the lottery. 

God is good and loving and he directs our paths. We are in training and God will only give us challenges that we can handle at the moment. When we work with him He sculpts our paths perfectly.

Read the Next post about God as our Life Coach

Waiting on "God’s Timing"

The Difference between Challenges and Suffering, what God’s about when we aren’t seeing our promises yet and what we can do to participate in the manifestation of our promises.

A common belief when we are waiting on a delayed promise is that it’s simply not God’s timing yet. God will get around to fulfilling the promise but for whatever reason he is not doing it now. 

This concept is NOT biblical or the heart of God. 

That concept came from some misinterpretations of the bible and the opinions of discouraged people. 

What does the bible mean when it tells us to wait?

13 [What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living (while I am still alive)! 

14 Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 (AMP) (Elaboration added see the Strongs.)

The word Wait here isn’t talking about sitting by and seeing what God does. It’s an active expectant action that is attentive and ready. It’s an application of faith. It’s implied participation. Most of the time when the bible talks about promises it’s using words that describe actually participating instead of standing by and checking out until something happens. 

7 So be patient, brethren, [as you wait] till the coming of the Lord (until you experience the presence of the Lord). See how the farmer waits expectantly for the precious harvest from the land. [See how] he keeps up his patient [vigil] over it until it receives the early and late rains.

8 So you also must be patient. Establish your hearts [strengthen and confirm them in the final certainty], for the coming of the Lord is very near (you are close to experiencing the presence of the lord). James 5:7-8 (AMP) (Elaboration added see the Strongs.)

This verse is talking about the times when you aren’t currently experiencing the manifest presence of the lord or the promises that you have received. The word Wait is referring to an active participation and expectation of a promise. The farmer doesn’t just plant a seed and check out. They watch over the progress every day and make sure the seeds are watered and growing and not being dug up. The word wait it more like how a good waiter serves and is active and aware of when they are needed. We aren’t the source of the power or promises but we must co-labor with it. 

Waiting Passively for God to do Something

Why do people get into this mindset?

It’s easier to think there is nothing to be done.

Life is hard and it’s tempting to think that God is orchestrating all things so you don’t need to really do much. I’m going to go deeper into that but the short of it is we need to be active and willing to work and fight with God. We are so much more powerful than we know and the effort is worth it when we have the right strategy. (I will go into this in detail in another post.)

Weariness and helplessness

It’s easy to get into a state of passiveness because sometimes you just don’t know what to do and nothing makes sense. One figures; “Well God is all powerful right? So he must either not care or just be using the suffering to teach me something.”

This is a misunderstanding of God’s nature.

God DOES NOT create suffering to Teach or Upgrade us

There is plenty of suffering in the world without God’s Help. God does NOT desire to beat you down until it get’s into your skull. AND God does not NEED to use suffering to upgrade us. God created the universe. He can do that in love encounters. You could have a spiritual encounter with God and get upgrades. He is a loving father who teaches with love not anger. 

So often the prayer of the believer is “God please do this thing. Why aren’t you doing it. I beg you please do it.” God certainly desires to bless us so it’s silly to beg him. It would be better to pray, “Lord you want this to come to pass. Show me what to do to make it happen. Give me your grace and favor and power to bring it to pass. Work through me to make it happen.” 

See these verses about how God wants to bless us and the promises he has for is.

Even though God desires us to be blessed, healthy and prosperous God will however allow us to be challenged so we can become strong. 

Read the Next post about Suffering and Challenges 

Redeeming Love

I just finished Redeeming Love and I have to say it's now one of my favorite books and one of the only works of fiction that made me good cry or cry at all for that matter.

I loved how it really showed how a person overcomes their tormenting past through encounters with God and his love.

What really sunk into me is how I need to make Jesus bigger in my life and how freeing humility is. Pride is a cruel master. I want to continually lay down my heart at the feet of Jesus so I can tap into his strength and power. And So I can experience freedom to live my life to the fullest and walk out my dreams without the crushing weight of having to be god for myself.

Also the Hymn Rock of Ages which is featured in this book sings of Dunamis Sozo.
Particularly this line:

"Be of sin the double cure,

Cleanse me from its guilt and power."

We must become free of the Guilt of Sin by Repenting at the Cross THEN we must become free from the EFFECTS of the sin by stepping into healing and freedom by tapping into the power of the resurrection available while we encounter Jesus personally as a loving person. 
(See the Wiki Commentary on the Lyrics.) 

Isn't Repentance Enough?

If Jesus Died for our healing and freedom why are we sick and in bondage? 

This subject is big enough for a book and is what this blog will address over time. For now I’m going to touch on what the bible says bout it.

But First let’s start with the core of the Issue.

Isn’t Just repenting and partaking of what Jesus did on the Cross enough? If it where then why are active believers who are trying so hard to be free, still in bondage and sick?

I will first state that We MUST partake of what Jesus did for us on the cross to experience any level of Freedom. It’s VITAL.

         What Jesus did on the cross was world changing. Just the act of taking all the sin of the world upon him self is mind blowing. A miracle in itself. BUT If jesus just died and was buried and never resurrected it would not have completed what he did in the cross. JESUS HAD TO RESURRECT. Anyone can Die but to conquer death Jesus HAD TO resurrect. 

         Death is the power that brings not only final death but all destruction and decease in our lives. It is the opposite of life which is from God and brings us energy, healing, reservation  and all provision. Until we partake of ALL that Jesus did for us. Sacrifice AND Resurrection. We can’t fully experience the LIFE that jesus won for us by his work on the cross. 

         Us christian’s get how partake of the cross by internationally repenting and calling upon the love and blood of jesus to wash away our sins. I will take a moment to note that the washing in the blood is a metaphorical act. An abstract term to describe something deeper which is submitting oneself to the power and mercy and grace of Jesus to become free of the sins we lay before him. We know this is true from experience and the many times in the old testament and new when the bible talks about confession and repentance. Those terms only refer to being freed from our sins. Which is the first vital step into walking into freedom.

         The sin is the thing that inflicted the damage to begin with. Say a spike is impaled in our arm. To be healed we must first remove the spike. That is repentance. Removing the cause of the damage so it won’t cause more damage and healing to begin. The healing process. Healing the damage of the sin corresponds to the resurrection of Jesus. And Jesus used Dunamis power to resurrect.

Dunamis is simply the Power Jesus has to heal and restore It’s a part of who he is. The Holy spirit is the helper the Power of God and Jesus. So Holy Spirit is basically Pure Dunamis. 

Purpose of the Holy Spirit - Ruach Adonai

The Holy Spirit it our Helper and the way that we tap into the Power of Jesus.

OTHERWISE Jesus would have just stayed. But Jesus Intentionally Sent the Holy Spirit. Jesus works through the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is Vital for us to tap into the power of God.
http://www.openbible.info/topics/holy_spirit

John 16:7(ESV) 

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/16-7.htm

So we seek the Holy Spirit when we need help and Power. Us, God, Jesus and the holy spirit work together to complete our healing and freedom.

Digging into the Greek New Testament 

We mostly focus in the church on The blood of Jesus and repenting and confessing but the bible actually talks even more about partaking of the healing and freedom of Jesus.

         Let’s look at these words in the new testament. Make a special note of how many times the words show up in the new testament. You’ll notice the words Dunamis and Glory and healing show up MANY MANY More times than even blood or confession or repenting. Please view the links and check my resources and even Read the verses listed to see how frequent and important these words are. 

         Between the Greek, Aramaic and original hebrew the original biblical texts have a vocabulary of around 150,000 words. And that isn’t even considering the cultural context of the words. The average native language translation only has a vocabulary of 15,000 words. So you can see how much info is inevitably lost in translation.

         This is why it’s so important to really know what the bible says about this so I urge anyone who wants to experience everything Jesus did for us to really use the following resources and become familiar with what the bible is really saying in he original translation. The more you dig the more you will be amazed.

The first step is partaking of the cross and blood of jesus by confessing and repenting focusing on the sacrifice of Jesus. 

Washed in the blood:

Matthew 26:28 (AMP) 

For this is My blood of the new covenant, which [^[a]ratifies the agreement and] is ^[b]being poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/matthew/26-28.htm

These words are used:

Blood poured out

The Greek Word Ekcheo 

27 Occurrences in the New Testament

http://biblehub.com/greek/1632.htm

Blood 

The greek Word Haima

98 Occurrences in the New Testament
(not many actually connected with specifically the blood of Jesus washing our sins.) 

http://biblehub.com/greek/129.htm

Verses about the blood:

http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Blood,-of-Jesus-Christ

Repentance

Greek Word Metanoeo

34 Occurrences in the Bible

http://biblehub.com/greek/3340.htm

Luke 13:3 (ESV) -3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/luke/13-3.htm

Acts 3:19 (AMP) 

So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat (effects of the sin), of [a]reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord;

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/acts/3-19.htm

Confess 

Greek Word homologeó

26 Occurrences in the bible

http://biblehub.com/greek/3670.htm

1 John 9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_john/1-9.htm

Confessing Sins and Healing 

When We need to Confess our sins to receive healing

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/james/5-15.htm

         Though notice the use of the word Kamno’ which means sickness from weariness which is different from Infermity which is a sickness causes by demonic torment 

Cleanse 

Katharizó - cleanses

http://biblehub.com/greek/2511.htm

1 John 1

9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness (injustice) [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].

Name of jesus 

Tapping into the authority of jesus

Romans 10:13  (AMP)

13 For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord and both submitting and using his authority] will be saved. (SOZO). 

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/romans/10-13.htm

kurios - master

http://biblehub.com/greek/2962.htm

SOZO

The Word Sozo shows up as many different words in the bible as Saved, Salvation, Rescued Healed, Delivered, Cured Freed ETC. But it is the core of what it means when you are SAVED by Jesus. It’s a very important word that most people don’t know about.

108 Occurrences 

http://biblehub.com/greek/4982.htm
In the verse of the woman with this issue of blood Jesus Sozo’s her and she is healed:

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/luke/8-48.htm

         And pretty much every other healing though there are some that use other words that mean a healing that was not as deeply connected to soul healing. 

Sozo is specifically when a healing or freedom occurs when the effects of the sin are removed. So it’s often in verses with the word Dunamis which is the power of healing and miracles.

Second Step of partaking of what Jesus did.

         Whenever the bible talks about being healed and restored or Saved (freed from bondage) or Made in the image of God. In other words when we start to live what Jesus died for, it uses the words Power (Dunamis) or Glory or the presence of God, the Resurrection Power that frees us from the EFFECTS of the Sin.

         Let's Say a person commits a crime and lands in Jail. But they meet Jesus and repent and are fully forgiven of their sin. But they still have the effect of Sin which is that they have to complete their prison sentience and inevitably have difficulty getting work for the rest of their life. Resurection in that situation looks like the believer tapping into the dunamis power of Jesus and being restored. Their prison sentice is shortened or they find fullfilment while in Jail. Then they find supernatual favor to find work after they get out. That's the word dikaiosuné in the bible.

Justice, Righteousness
Greek Word dikaiosuné
92 occurrences
Deep down it means that God restores all back to his original intention.
Definition: justice, justness, righteousness (usually if not always in a Jewish atmosphere), justice, justness, righteousness, righteousness of which God is the source or author, but practically: a divine righteousness
http://biblehub.com/greek/1343.htm

Then there is the power that God uses to heal and free us:

Power, Might Strength, ability to perform miracles

Greek word Dunamis

120 occurrences (all in reference to people being healed or freed)
Definition: (a) physical power, force, might, ability, efficacy, energy, meaning (b) plur: powerful deeds, deeds showing (physical) power, marvelous works.

http://biblehub.com/greek/1411.htm

Where does Dunamis come from? And How is it connected to Healing and Jesus???

Acts 4  (AMP)

The Disciples stand accused by people wanting to know HOW they healed people.

7 And they set the men in their midst and repeatedly demanded, By what sort of power(Dunamis) or by what kind of authority(By whose name) did [such people as] you do this [healing]?

8 Then Peter, [because he was] filled with [and controlled by] the Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people and members of the council (the Sanhedrin),

9 If we are being put on trial [here] today and examined concerning a good deed done to benefit a feeble (helpless) cripple(INFERM - Ongoing sickness due to a soul wound which allows demonic oppression), by what means this man has been restored to health(SOZO),

10 Let it be known and understood by all of you, and by the whole house of Israel, that in the name and through the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, [but] Whom God raised from the dead, in Him and by means of Him this man is standing here before you well and sound in body.

11 This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone].

12 And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved (SOZO).

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/acts/4.htm

Also a note the disciples are not god or saints to special people who have something we don’t. They are examples and not mini-deities to put on a pedestal. They were mere humans. NO DIFFERENT OR SPECIAL THAN US. They were simply the first people jesus worked with. We can do ALL that they did. We are to follow their example. 

Glory

Greek Word doxa
115 occurrences 
http://biblehub.com/greek/1391.htm

167 occurrences 

Hebrew word Kabod, Kabad
147 occurrences 

http://biblehub.com/hebrew/3519b.htm

http://biblehub.com/hebrew/3513.htm

Definition: honor, renown; glory, an especially divine quality, the unspoken manifestation of God, splendor. Weightyness

http://www.openbible.info/topics/glory_of_god
You can see by all the occurrences that the bible is very concerned about us spending time in the intimate manifest presence of God.

2 Corinthians 3:18

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_corinthians/3-18.htm

         “beholding the glory of the Lord” means an intimate encounter in which we experience the manifest presence of God. So this verse is saying we become like our Lord when we spend intentional time focusing (Beholding) him while in his Glory (presence.)

The Glory is the Presence 

http://www.openbible.info/topics/gods_presence

Light is a FORM of the Presence of God

Greek Word Phós 

73 Occurrences 

Definition: light, a source of light, radiance.

5457 phṓs (a neuter noun) – properly, light (especially in terms of its results, what it manifests); in the NT, the manifestation of God's self-existent life; divine illumination to reveal and impart life, through Christ.

http://biblehub.com/greek/5457.htm

Jesus is the Light of the World. Light is an aspect of him.

John 8:12 (ESV)

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light (phos) of the world. Whoever follows (accompanies) me will not walk(peripateó - participate) in darkness, but will have(echo - posses) the light(phos) of life(zóé).

Skotia - darkness, lies/absence of truth, spiritual darkness

http://biblehub.com/greek/4653.htm

Life is A form of Jesus, Jesus is Life.

Zóé - Source of Life

135 Occurrences 

Definition: life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence.

http://biblehub.com/greek/2222.htm

(See below in 1 John 1)

1 John 1 Amplified Bible (AMP) Wraps ALL of this up:

1 [We are writing] about the Word of Life (Opposite of the lies of death) [[a]in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands. 

2 And the Life [[b]an aspect of His being] was revealed (made manifest, demonstrated), and we saw [as eyewitnesses] and are testifying to and declare to you the Life, the eternal Life [[c]in Him] Who already existed with the Father and Who [actually] was made visible (was revealed) to us [His followers]. (we have received through jesus all access to God’s full intention at creation) 

3 What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may [d]realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship (Koinonia - active participation) that we have [which is a [e]distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

4 And we are now writing these things to you so that our joy [in seeing you included] may be full [and [f]your joy may be complete].

5 And this is the message [the message of [g]promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light(Phos), and there is no darkness (Skotia) in Him at all [[h]no, not in any way].

6 [So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness(Skotia) (still experience darkness/death in our life), we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents].(we do not know and practice the FULL gospel of Jesus)

7 But if we [really] are living and walking(peripateó - actively conducting my life) in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts].

9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse) us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].

10 If we say (claim) we have not sinned, we contradict His Word and make Him out to be false and a liar, and His Word is not in us [the divine message of the Gospel is not in our hearts].

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/1_john/1.htm

We must be Active

In the above you can find these words:

Peripateó - Actively Walk on a daily basis 

http://biblehub.com/greek/4043.htm

Akoloutheó - Accompany

http://biblehub.com/greek/190.htm

Echó - have, posses

http://biblehub.com/greek/2192.htm

They are referring to how we need to be active in our participation in getting healed and becoming more like Jesus. We must Abide

Abide

Greek Word Meno 

118 Occurrences

Definition: It means to remain, stay or await but deep down it means to live to reside. It is an active conscious state of existence. It becomes so natural that it is a state of rest. Like how you are restful in your own personal space. 

http://biblehub.com/greek/3306.htm

John 8 (AMP)

31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them, Know the truth], you are truly My disciples.

32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/8-31.htm, http://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/8-32.htm

See the words in the Greek:

Know, experience

Greek word Ginóskó 

222 occurrences (that is a lot!)

http://biblehub.com/greek/1097.htm

Definition: I am taking in knowledge, come to know, learn; aor: I ascertained, realized. ginṓskō – properly, to know, especially through personal experience (first-hand acquaintance). 1097 /ginṓskō ("experientially know") is used for example in Lk 1:34, "And Mary [a virgin] said to the angel, 'How will this be since I do not know (1097 /ginṓskō = sexual intimacy) a man?'" In general to Know intimately and vulnerably. 

Truth 

Greek Word -  alétheia 

109 Occurrences

Definition: True Reality, divine truth revealed 

http://biblehub.com/greek/225.htm

Freedom

Greek Word eleutheroó, eleutheros

Definition: set free, release from bondage; (figuratively) to remove the restrictions of sin (darkness) because delivered by God into true spiritual liberty (growth).

http://biblehub.com/greek/1659.htm, http://biblehub.com/greek/1658.htm

To Sum it Up

I will go on more about all of this but basically what I am getting at is the Bible focus ALOT more on the steps of partaking of the power and presence of God. That is Partaking of the resurrection the COMPLETE work of the Cross even more than it does about repenting of sins which is just the first step.