“For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.” (Eccles. 5:7 ESV)

Visions and dreams by the young and old 

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17 ESV, Joel 2:28)

The Lord  appeared in a vision, in a dream

“For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man; he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.” (Job 33:14-18 ESV)

“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” (Gen. 15:1 ESV)

“And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here am I.” (Gen. 46:2 ESV)

“And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.” (Num.12:6 ESV)

“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” (1 Kings 3:5 ESV) 

“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent…” (Acts 18:9 ESV)

“And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” (Matt. 2:12 ESV)

“I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.” (Dan. 4:5 ESV)

Interpretations belong to God 

“They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” (Gen. 40:8 ESV)

Test dreams and spirits carefully

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 ESV) 

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God.” (Deut. 13:1-3 ESV)

“Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.” (Jer. 23:32 ESV)

In these last days God has spoken to us by His Son 

“God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son." (Heb. 1:1-2). Jesus Christ is the living Word of God (John 1:1, 14), and the Bible is the Word of God in written form. 

Therefore…

If you believe you have had a dream or vision and feel that perhaps God gave it to you, prayerfully examine the Word of God and make sure your vision is in agreement with Scripture. Always keep in mind that the Bible is finished, and it tells us everything we need to know. If God gives a vision, it will agree completely with what He has already revealed in His Word. God’s Word is our ultimate authority for Christian faith and practice. Visions should never be given equal or greater authority than the Word of God.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5 ESV)

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (Phil. 2:4-5 (NLT)

Attitude: A manner of thinking, feeling, or behaving that reflects a state of mind or disposition.

Your attitude is a matter of choice

Bad things happen to everyone from time to time. When they do, you can choose how you respond, either negatively or positively. Understand that no matter how things may look at the moment, God will work it out for your Good.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28 NASB)

No matter what happens…

• Do not be anxious 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6 ESV)

• Seek God first with expectation 

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ( Matt. 6:33 ESV)

• Don’t grumble

“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Phil. 2:14-15 ESV)

• Maintain a joyful heart

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Prov. 17:22 ESV)

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV)

• Offer up praise to God 

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” (Heb. 13:15 ESV)

• Let the peace of Christ rule

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15 ESV)

Therefore…

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18 ESV)

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8)

Quote:

“The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up."  - John C. Maxwell

“The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.” (Psalm 37:30)

Speak up with gentleness and respect 

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” (1 Peter 3:15-16 ESV)

Speak up for truth with love

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Eph. 4:15 ESV) 

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” (Prov. 15:4 ESV)

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Col. 4:6 ESV)

Speak up to expose unfruitful works of darkness

“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them (Eph. 5:11 ESV)

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5 ESV)

“If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.” (Eze. 3:18-19 ESV)

Speak up to gently restore others 

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Gal. 6:1 ESV) 

“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” (Eph. 4:25 ESV)

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Prov. 15:1 ESV)

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” (Matt. 18:15 ESV)

A warning about careless speaking 

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak…” (Matt 12:36 ESV)

Therefore…

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29 ESV)

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Prov. 31:8-9 ESV)

“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.” (Isa. 1:17 ESV)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Col. 3:16 ESV)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16 ESV)

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm. 18:14 ESV)

Quotes:

“When a man is filled with the Word of God you cannot keep him still, If a man has got the Word, he must speak or die.” - Dwight L. Moody

“God forbid that I should travel with anybody a quarter of an hour without speaking of Christ to them.” -  George Whitefield

“Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” - Blaise Pascal

“But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” (2 Tim. 2:19 ESV)

Jesus Christ the firm foundation 

“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.” (1 Cor. 3:11-13 ESV)

Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone 

“Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” (Matt. 21:42 ESV)

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (Eph. 2:19-22 ESV)

“Therefore thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’” (Isa. 28:16 ESV)

“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (1 Peter. 2:4-6 ESV)

Hearing Gods Words and doing them builds a firm foundation 

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matt. 7:24 ESV)

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.” (Luke 6:46-48 ESV)

Therefore…

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” (1 Cor. 16:13)

“Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephe. 6:22)

Quote:

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand

My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;

all other ground is sinking sand,

all other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils his lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

in every high and stormy gale,

my anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;

all other ground is sinking sand,

all other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, his covenant, his blood

support me in the whelming flood;

when all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;

all other ground is sinking sand,

all other ground is sinking sand.

When he shall come with trumpet sound,

O may I then in Him be found,

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;

all other ground is sinking sand,

all other ground is sinking sand.

By Edward Mote, 1834 – Public Domain

“‘For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’” (Luke 14:28-30 ESV)

Don’t quit, be a good finisher

Someone once said, “If you don’t quit, you win!” I can’t remember who said it but I believe it is true, because most of the time you can win out of pure grit and determination. That has been proven over and over throughout history in many famous battles fought and won in spite of incredible odds against them. One of the shortest, yet greatest speeches ever given by a national leader was by Sir Winston Churchill, who said, “Never give up! Never, never, never, never!”

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

Jesus is a good example of finishing well

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 18:30 BIV

“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:4 NIV)

Paul is a good example of finishing well

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts. 20:24 ESV)

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14 ESV)

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7 ESV) 

Therefore…

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” (Phil. 3:12-16 ESV) 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Heb. 12:1 ESV)

“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” (Eccles. 7:8 ESV)

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6 ESV)

Quotes: 

“Stopping at third adds no more to the score than striking out. It doesn’t matter how well you start if you fail to finish.” – Billy Sunday

“Whenever God calls us to a task, He will equip us and enable us to complete that task.” - Michael Youssef

“In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” (Psalm 18:6 NIV)

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17 NIV)

At their wits’ end…they cried out to the Lord

“…at their wits’ end…they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.” (Psalm 107:27-28 NIV)

 Therefore…

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”  (Jer. 33:3 NKJV)

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom. 10:13 ESV)

“I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” (Psalm 57:2 ESV)

“In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” (Psalm 18:6 NIV)

“For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’” (Rom. 10:13 NLT)

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16 KJV)

Quotes:

“When we become too glib in prayer we are most surely talking to ourselves.” - A.W. Tozer

“I know of no better thermometer to your spiritual temperature than this, the measure of the intensity of your prayer.” - Charles H. Spurgeon

“The Lord intends us to be powerful people-mighty in optimism and hopeful of spirit, powerful in evangelistic zeal, potent in influence, sturdy in moral fiber and purity. We can be powerhouses in prayer and preaching.” - David Jeremiah

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.” (Rev. 22:12 ESV)

Christ will appear a second time 

“So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” (Heb. 9:28 ESV)

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3 ESV)

Jesus will come in the same way He left 

“And said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11 ESV)

“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” (Rev. 1:7 ESV)

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:16-17 ESV)

“For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matt. 24:27 ESV)

“And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matt. 24:31 ESV)

No one knows the day or hour, accept the Father only

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark. 13:32 ESV)

“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thess. 5:2 ESV)

Therefore…

“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13 ESV)

“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt. 24:44 ESV)

“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Col. 3:4 ESV)

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” (1 Cor. 15:52 ESV)

Quote:

“The second coming of Christ will be so revolutionary that it will change every aspect of life on this planet. Christ will reign in righteousness. Disease will be arrested. Death will be modified. War will be abolished. Nature will be changed. Man will live as it was originally intended he should live.” - Billy Graham

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 115:16 ESV)

When believers die, they don’t perish, but have eternal life

“And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43 NIV)

”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23 NIV)

When believers die, they are away from the body and at home with the Lord

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Cor, 5:8 ESV)

“For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.” (Rom. 14:8 NIV)

Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26 ESV)

“For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep (1 Thess. 4:14 NIV) 

Therefore…

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1-4 ESV)

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 NIV)

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4 NIV)

Quotes:

“You're born. You suffer. You die. Fortunately, there's a loophole.” - Billy Graham

“Take care of your life and the Lord will take care of your death.” - George Whitefield

“Never fear dying, beloved. Dying is the last, but the least matter that a Christian has to be anxious about. Fear living - that is a hard battle to fight, a stern discipline to endure, a rough voyage to undergo.” - Charles Spurgeon

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1 ESV) 

No one is good accept God alone

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.’” (Mark 10:18 ESV)

The Lord is good, a stronghold

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” (Nahum 1:7 ESV)

He did good by satisfying your hearts with food and gladness

“Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17 ESV)

“So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matt. 5:45 ESV) 

“The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” (Gen. 1:12 ESV)

Therefore…

“Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!” (Psalm 135:3 ESV)

“You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.” (Psalm 119:68 ESV)

“The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” (Psalm 145:9 ESV)

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8 ESV)

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11 ESV)

Quotes: 

“The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.” - Aiden Wilson Tozer

“This is true faith, a living confidence in the goodness of God.” - Martin Luther

“Joy is a quiet gladness of heart as one contemplates the goodness of God's saving grace in Christ Jesus.” - John Calvin