Who to tell ...

I am going to split this into two different blogs (yesterday and today) from a new book I am reading - Wide Awake by Erwin Raphael McManus. Already, a chapter or so into this book, I am really enjoying it and it is challenging me. So here is the first lesson:

It comes from tapping into the dreams you have, those dreams that God implants within your mind, lays upon your heart. You know the things, those unique understandings, visions for the future, sometimes "out there" ideas that seem to right, yet very hard to see how it can actually come off.

The first reminder comes from Joseph, and you will read something of his experience in a moment. Erwin gives this advice - so think about it as you read this encounter - even if you are pondering a dream given to you by God, don't go telling everyone. Have a read:

Genesis 37 (New Living Translation)

Joseph’s Dreams

1 So Jacob settled again in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived as a foreigner 2 This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing. 3 Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. 4 But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. 5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” 8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” 10 This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” 11 But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant. 12 Soon after this, Joseph’s brothers went to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem. 13 When they had been gone for some time, Jacob said to Joseph, “Your brothers are pasturing the sheep at Shechem. Get ready, and I will send you to them.” “I’m ready to go,” Joseph replied. 14 “Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are getting along,” Jacob said. “Then come back and bring me a report.” So Jacob sent him on his way, and Joseph traveled to Shechem from their home in the valley of Hebron. 15 When he arrived there, a man from the area noticed him wandering around the countryside. “What are you looking for?” he asked. 16 “I’m looking for my brothers,” Joseph replied. “Do you know where they are pasturing their sheep?” 17 “Yes,” the man told him. “They have moved on from here, but I heard them say, ‘Let’s go on to Dothan.’” So Joseph followed his brothers to Dothan and found them there.

Joseph Sold into Slavery

18 When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 20 “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”

You see, not every person you might ant to tell, wants to hear what it is you might have to say. It may very well effect them in ways that they will not actually appreciate or even understand to begin with. Likewise, people are not always in the same space we are in to receive this "word", so use some discernment as to who you choose to tell, or to share this information with, this dream.

At times it is important to share with someone. To even clarify with another what it is God is saying to us. To check it out with them. Just be careful who it is. Look for someone who has a maturity about their spirituality. Someone who can even share the burden of the message you have until the time of fulfillment is revealed. Someone who has strong faith.

Got your testimony ...

Well here is another one of those passages that reminds me that being a Christian (a follower of Christ) is no guarantee that life will be easy. In fact, it may very well mean there will be all the more challenges. Not all are appreciative of those who claim Christ to be Lord, no matter how much good accompanies this life.

But here is the main thing, if you are asked to explain something of your Christian hope, be prepared to do so. And not only this, make sure you do this in a manner that is unoffensive. Be faithful, but ensure this is not condemning of the listener.

1 Peter 3:13-17 (New Living Translation)

Suffering for Doing Good

13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

It is a challenge to put our faith into words at times. To describe how Jesus has made a difference in our live's. It is good to keep this simple. To use plain english, without the use of church language, or jargon. It is a good exercise to contemplate your experience, maybe it will help to write it out and get used to sharing it with others. Having said this, remember the Spirit of God is our confidence and when we struggle to know what to say, if we leave it to Him, He will speak through us.

More than anything, live the journey (the experience), then you will easily know what to say - just be faithful and rely upon God.

What do you do with your joy ...

Back to my Prayer Coach ...

He (James L. Nicodem) poses the question in relation to those times when you have experienced something good, something joyful, what do you do? Are you like me and you have a tendency to be on the phone to a mate to let them know? It is great to receive good news and it is terrific to be able to share it with another, especially if they are a good friend who really is going to share in the joy with you.

Here's the challenge though:- do you remember the One to whom the joy might be attributed? Do you thank the creator for the stunning sunset, or the magical sight of the rainbow? Do you share your highs and excitement and joy with your God?

Throughout the Scripture there are examples of something special happening and the people letting loose and letting God know their delight and thankfulness, even better, they remember Him to be the source, and praise Him first and foremost.

This is the challenge for me. That God receive my acknowledgement. That God hear my joy. That I desire to share all these good and wondrous and marvelous things with Him. There is much to sing praise for (though this voice might not be the best instrument to do that) and He desires to be in on this celebrating.

"Lord, hear our praises as they rise up to You."