“God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night and said to him, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad.” ~ Genesis 31:24

Two nights in a row I have been given warning dreams where I needed to dial 9-1-1. Considering these, I was reminded that I had a 9-1-1 dream, in which I was attacked intensely, last April following the night of the women’s conference I co-organized.  It is apparent that there are times where the warfare is more amped up, and you may find this when you are involved in work that is particularly threatening to the enemy.  It is the nature of our journey on earth, while we walk through as ‘citizens of Heaven’, battling will be a part of our endurance here. We are in the battle either aware or unaware.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”  ~ Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)

I thank God that He is the our refuge and strong tower, protecting us constantly, in every way, and helping us even while we sleep!  He is faithful to watch over His children and lead us through it all.  I sometimes wake up realizing I’ve been praying even all night in my sleep.  These God-dreams have a way of making the lasting impression that carries me through the next strategic move of the battle plan.  That’s what it is, even when we don’t fully see.

In the first night’s dream, I was overseeing conferences and there was a woman walking quickly toward me who appeared to be trying to get away from a man I understood to be her former husband.  He was following after her and making comments that I could not hear, but it was apparent that he was making her afraid.  In the dream, I felt that I needed to dial 9-1-1, but couldn’t figure out how to use my phone or quickly find the dial pad because I felt panicked.

She looked at me in real fear and mouthed a silent plea for help, so I stepped into his path to intercept him and extended my hand to initiate an introduction.  He was a tall, handsome, strong looking man with dark hair who had an intense expression and visible scars on his face.  He acted as if he would receive the handshake I was offering, but he grabbed my hand hard and squeezed it, locking onto the knuckle of my index finger.  His eyes were full of hatred.  I yelled at him, “You are hurting me!”  He growled back, ” I know I am and I mean to hurt you!”

At this point, I gathered my strength and looked straight into his eyes and said, “You have NO authority here!”  I grew braver and finished it, “I am the one in authority and you will let go of me in the name of Jesus!”  He dropped my hand instantly and kept on by muttering things, and then walked toward the door.  I continued to try to call the police as he left.

Even on the surface, the meaning of this dream was pretty clear, but I received additional insight that really struck a deeper chord of understanding within me.

I prayed for clarity and received the message from the Lord,

“This man is the enemy of your soul, trying to put the squeeze on you to shut you down and disable your mission in Jesus Christ.”  “He is against you and can only grab ahold where you extend an outlet to him.  But when you speak your authority directly to him with confidence, he must drop the agenda he has against you.  He may keep talking, chattering on to try another way in, but you have the ‘call for help’ ready and in your hand.  Your LIFELINE!  KNOW how to use the weapons and tools you have been given to release yourself into strength and a position of REST from the attacks of the enemy.”

We know that our weapons are the name and the blood of Jesus, and the WORD of God (who is also Jesus) and remembering to consciously wear the full armor of God.

“…Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one…”  ~ Ephesians 6:13-18

Also, see the beauty of it is that we do ALL of this from a position of REST!  He is the God of all our battles.

“You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” ~ 2 Chronicles 20:17

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not let your feet go out from under you. He Who watches over you will not sleep. Listen, He Who watches over Israel will not close his eyes or sleep. The Lord watches over you. The Lord is your safe cover at your right hand.” ~Psalm 121:1-5 (NLV)

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV

My friends, He is faithful to reach us in a thousand wonderful ways!  Sweet dreams.

With love & belief, Jill