Dreams are definitely not child’s play. Even now, I have intense dreams—in detail, in color. How about you? Some of my dreams are lovely and make me want to linger in the storyland of sleep. Others are disturbing and jolt me awake. For a moment the fear swirls, but then sweet relief washes over me as I open my eyes and realize the nightmare is not my reality.
In his letter to the church he started in Thessalonica, Paul reminded the new believers of the ultimate dream come true: the Day of the Lord, the return of Jesus Christ and His gathering of all believers together, with Him, forever. I love how Paul is sensitive to his friends who would be hearing his letter read aloud. He didn’t shy away from the burning question that was surely on their minds: “When, Paul? When will Jesus come back?”
Paul did not beat around the bush: “For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night” (1Thessalonians 5:2). It will be sudden and unexpected. He wrote of robbery, destruction, and the onset of excruciating pain like that of a pregnant woman in labor. The dream of Christ’s return suddenly sounded more like a nightmare leaving listeners feeling vulnerable and defenseless.
We can’t shy away from the fact that the Day of the Lord is also a Day of Judgment. Every person will be found either in the dark (enslaved to sin and separated from God forever) or in the light (freed from sin and united with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus). Paul is quick to remind and reassure these believers that they “are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness” (v.5). They are brothers and sisters in the family of God. They have encountered the truth about Jesus and have responded with repentance and faith.
Here is sweet relief for every believer from all times and all places. We open our eyes to daylight. The nightmare of judgment is not our reality because Jesus willingly received it as His reality on the cross. Yes, we will be surprised at the timing of Jesus’s return, but we will not be unprepared, groping in the dark. God provides for us.
In this letter, Paul also mentions the “armor of faith and love” and the “helmet of the hope of salvation” (v.8). Later, he wrote to the church in Ephesus in more detail about the full armor that God gives to believers for protection and deliverance. God Himself is our defense and provision as He gifts us with truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation (Ephesians 6:10–18).
Surprised, yet safe and fully equipped. By the grace of God, He gives us what we need now and forever. Now that is the ultimate dream come true. Come, Lord Jesus!
Dear beloved sisters, I would like to extend my sincere thank you to all of you. Dear Mari V, Tricia, Adrienne, Natasha, Churchmouse, Nads, Tina, Traci, Shaena, Angie, Searching, AJ Walker and other sisters that have prayed for our situation, THANK YOU SO MUCH (sorry if I missed anyone’s names). Today I woke up and I said to the Lord, blessed are you Lord, great is thy faithfulness, new are your mercies for me every morning. And as I read your comments and prayers, I realized that YOU are the mercies of God for me each day. I thank God for each of you. It just felt incredibly good to be prayed for and be part of a wonderful, strong, faith-filled, loving, humble community that are all of you. Thank you for shifting me back to the Lord, as briefly yesterday, my focus was off and I felt the battle was too hard. BUT GOD! BUT GOD! He brought you!! Thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart for the strength you have imparted onto me, for being here every day, for your wisdom, thoughts and interactions. It means so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Today’s reading gives me such hope of the day the Lord is returning. For God did not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation (rescue) through Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:9). When I was newer in faith, I was introduced to the movie “Left behind” which caused some fear like some of us might have. And not knowing the verse in Thessalonians above, I prayed to the Lord with anxiety, asking Him if I was worthy enough. And God showed me a very vivid dream (in color and all) that I wrote down. I wrote down all my dreams in past few years on a notebook, just in case I needed to refer back.
In the dream, I saw myself in a room where many brides were getting ready. I saw around 10 to 15 young ladies, dressed in different wedding outfits from their own tribes/ nations, one was dressed in like a Hawaiian dress, with nice hairdos and floral wreaths, another with a white traditional gown, and others in different colorful dresses, short and long, very different from one another and with beautiful adornments. I was like a third person watching in this dream, I did not understand my role there or why I was in the room. It was full of day light, bright and cheerful, for the big day was finally here. And then, what I saw next in the dream was heart gripping and I would never forget. I saw a large mirror in the corner of the room, I glanced at it and saw the reflection of me, of myself. And guess what I saw? A 5 year old girl in a white wedding dress, I saw myself as a little child. What a mighty God we served. He is very personal with us. I prayed for understanding of the dream later, and He pointed to this verse, the Kingdom of God is for those who are like little children (Luke 18:17).
Praise God for His wisdom and the comfort He gives. Seek Him daily, ask Him questions, He will answer you. To GOD I give all the glory.
May we rest assured in our walk with the Lord, that we won’t be left behind, that we know and we know 100% that we are in Him, and He in us, and He went to prepare a place for us, and He will come back to take us with Him, so that where He is, there we may be also (John 14:3).
Be blessed sisters. Thank you again very much. God bless you.
Passages such as today’s reading always give me pause. The Day of the Lord will be devastating for many. Knowing this, how then can I rationalize keeping the Way of escape from them? Neglecting to share the gospel because I’m afraid of an awkward moment is just not excusable. I have living water in abundance. How dare I keep it for myself in the presence of someone dying from thirst.
I am in a women’s Bible study at my church – Priscilla Shirer’s The Armor of God. From last night week one: Ephesians 6:12 what does it mean to put on the armor of God? 1. The battle is unavoidable. 2. The enemy is invisible. Satan is not God’s peer or counterpart. Only God is omnipresent, omniscient, works miracles and is eternal. Because we have a relationship with Jesus we are seated with him in heavenly places. 3. The location is accessible. 4. The weapons are not physical. 5. The victory is irrevocable. Priscilla says that PRAYERS activate the armor!!!! And also Satan CANNOT read our mind! I love ❤️ this and wanted to share. Praying for Alexa and Mercy’s family and sweet Rachel.
So as I was reading today’s devotional some of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs comes to mind. The lyrics, “Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name to remember, oh, Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name to remember” from the song “Only Jesus” by Casting Crowns. I believe Jesus in the only name I need to remember.
Sisters I hope you have a blessed day.
Prayers for you mea.
Praying for your sister Valentina, that she will see the light and embrace God’s love for her. I am standing with you in prayer for her salvation.
@Mercy, I went back to yesterday’s comments. I too am joining our sisters praying for Alexa.
So good @Heidi!!