I have always been someone who needs proof. Tangible evidence is important to me. If something is easily explainable, I have an easier time accepting it. I am an accountant, things have to balance and make sense. If there are expenses and revenue, I need the back-up to prove that it is legitimate. So, for me, I need to see the evidence tangibly in my hands right in front of me.
This has run me at times into issues with my faith. I accept the teachings of scripture (because I read them in the bible). But, because I haven't seen some of the things mentioned, I tend to have the heart of Thomas at times. Some of these things include visions, healings, speaking in tongues, or prophecy. I believe they happened cause I read of them. But, I didn't experience those things growing up. They were never taught as being part of the experience of being Christian. I admit I was pretty skeptical. The stories in the bible made sense as they happened to Jesus and his disciples. That kind of stuff didn't happen in this day and age. I, however, have found that to not be the case.
Over the years, I have had visions during time of prayer or when I sleep. While I apparently have this gift, sometimes the gift of interpretation has evaded me. Other times, I am able to pick up what they mean. Usually, they tend to have a double-meaning. One specifically for me, and another which applies to a group. Here are a few of them that I have had over the years.
The first major vision I remember having was at the Vineyard Church in Columbus in late 1993 or early 1994. I had recently graduated college and was at a crossroads as to where my future lay. My friends were in the same situation - some had also recently graduated and others were staying behind in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (which had seen a large exodus of leadership through graduation the prior year).
We were praying and I distinctly saw visions relating to different people in my life at the time. There was a scene of my friend Mooch riding a horse slowly (indicating he should move slow & steady), another found Rob pitching left-handed (he was right-handed and I felt it meant he should try something a little differently). Another friend, Helen, looked unhappy looking behind her but smiling as she looked ahead. I took this to mean she should let go of her past. Finally, I saw my hand reaching out of a raging river and being pulled out by another hand. I felt it was a sign that things were going to be OK in the future and not to worry. I related what I had seen to my friends who seemed to get reassurance from what I had seen. Now, I didn't know what was going through their lives I just related what I saw. Having never experienced this before, I remained unsure.
Over the years, I have had visions pop in my head from time to time. Or, I will get a word, phrase, or verse pertaining to someone. Sometimes, I choose to act upon it and other times I don't. The reason I don't is I am unsure of the reaction I might get.
Another time more recently, I was going to a church conference. I remembered Nathanael as he met Jesus after hearing about Jesus from his friend Philip. Jesus told him that he saw Nathanael under the fig tree talking to Philip. Nathanael declared Jesus right there to be the king of Israel.
John 1:50 says, "Jesus said 'You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that."
I then asked God if I could see the greater things. I didn't know what that meant or even what that would look like. But, I asked anyways. There was a time of prayer later at this conference and a friend of mine was having problems with his neck and needed healing. A few of us laid hands on him and began praying. Once we were done, he told us that the pain was truly gone. I am a logical person who needs explanations - like medications or therapies. This was unknown. I was seeing one of the greater things (healings) that Jesus promised. It wasn't my prayer or that we laid hands. God showed us his power by healing my friend that day and we got to witness it.
That was a few years ago, and I have had other visions and experiences which cant be explained other than having come from God. One night I was praying regarding the short sale on my house. I have referred to this earlier about what a long, grueling process this had been. While sleeping I saw an image of the world covered in palm leaves even the areas covered in water. It reassured me that things would be taken care of and my family would be protected. It helped me immensely.
Each of us can see things or hear these words. I am nobody special, I have no unique line of communication with God. God promises these things to all of us who follow, not just a select few. He speaks to each of us uniquely. It made be an audible word, it may be an image, it may be a verse. We are called to be involved in the kingdom. He calls us in distinct ways. If it happens - you see healings or have visions, press further into God. Pray and ask for clarification and guidance The Lord will give you interpretation and understanding. We all can see and hear amazing things.
This has run me at times into issues with my faith. I accept the teachings of scripture (because I read them in the bible). But, because I haven't seen some of the things mentioned, I tend to have the heart of Thomas at times. Some of these things include visions, healings, speaking in tongues, or prophecy. I believe they happened cause I read of them. But, I didn't experience those things growing up. They were never taught as being part of the experience of being Christian. I admit I was pretty skeptical. The stories in the bible made sense as they happened to Jesus and his disciples. That kind of stuff didn't happen in this day and age. I, however, have found that to not be the case.
Over the years, I have had visions during time of prayer or when I sleep. While I apparently have this gift, sometimes the gift of interpretation has evaded me. Other times, I am able to pick up what they mean. Usually, they tend to have a double-meaning. One specifically for me, and another which applies to a group. Here are a few of them that I have had over the years.
The first major vision I remember having was at the Vineyard Church in Columbus in late 1993 or early 1994. I had recently graduated college and was at a crossroads as to where my future lay. My friends were in the same situation - some had also recently graduated and others were staying behind in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (which had seen a large exodus of leadership through graduation the prior year).
We were praying and I distinctly saw visions relating to different people in my life at the time. There was a scene of my friend Mooch riding a horse slowly (indicating he should move slow & steady), another found Rob pitching left-handed (he was right-handed and I felt it meant he should try something a little differently). Another friend, Helen, looked unhappy looking behind her but smiling as she looked ahead. I took this to mean she should let go of her past. Finally, I saw my hand reaching out of a raging river and being pulled out by another hand. I felt it was a sign that things were going to be OK in the future and not to worry. I related what I had seen to my friends who seemed to get reassurance from what I had seen. Now, I didn't know what was going through their lives I just related what I saw. Having never experienced this before, I remained unsure.
Over the years, I have had visions pop in my head from time to time. Or, I will get a word, phrase, or verse pertaining to someone. Sometimes, I choose to act upon it and other times I don't. The reason I don't is I am unsure of the reaction I might get.
Another time more recently, I was going to a church conference. I remembered Nathanael as he met Jesus after hearing about Jesus from his friend Philip. Jesus told him that he saw Nathanael under the fig tree talking to Philip. Nathanael declared Jesus right there to be the king of Israel.
John 1:50 says, "Jesus said 'You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that."
I then asked God if I could see the greater things. I didn't know what that meant or even what that would look like. But, I asked anyways. There was a time of prayer later at this conference and a friend of mine was having problems with his neck and needed healing. A few of us laid hands on him and began praying. Once we were done, he told us that the pain was truly gone. I am a logical person who needs explanations - like medications or therapies. This was unknown. I was seeing one of the greater things (healings) that Jesus promised. It wasn't my prayer or that we laid hands. God showed us his power by healing my friend that day and we got to witness it.
That was a few years ago, and I have had other visions and experiences which cant be explained other than having come from God. One night I was praying regarding the short sale on my house. I have referred to this earlier about what a long, grueling process this had been. While sleeping I saw an image of the world covered in palm leaves even the areas covered in water. It reassured me that things would be taken care of and my family would be protected. It helped me immensely.
Each of us can see things or hear these words. I am nobody special, I have no unique line of communication with God. God promises these things to all of us who follow, not just a select few. He speaks to each of us uniquely. It made be an audible word, it may be an image, it may be a verse. We are called to be involved in the kingdom. He calls us in distinct ways. If it happens - you see healings or have visions, press further into God. Pray and ask for clarification and guidance The Lord will give you interpretation and understanding. We all can see and hear amazing things.
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