Job 33:15-18
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds

"Imagine God giving you a dream as you're sleeping…A kind of dream that could change your entire life."

Hi, Pastor Bob here. Welcome back to the Men of Valor and daily living podcast. The verses for today are from the book of Job, chapter 33, verses 15 through 18. And they state, “‘In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, [God] may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, to turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from pride, to preserve them from the pit, their lives from perishing by the sword.’”

Imagine God giving you a dream as you're sleeping - ‘A Christmas Carol’ Ebeneezer Scrooge kind of dream. A kind of dream that could change your entire life. He starts the dream as you’re asleep, but as the dream starts, you see yourself not asleep in your bed, but asleep in the sins of your life. He shows you spending your life in sins. And then He shows you looking down, almost like a ‘out of body’ kind of experience, and you see your buddies just tearing this person up with comments and hateful words. And for a second you wonder, ‘Who are they talking about?’ And then the Holy Spirit reveals: They are talking about you! And you get shook up with that idea. But somehow you fall back to sleep and you just chalk it up to an awful dream.

Then later that night in another dream, you see the first time someone shared the Gospel with you that you believed and understood what Jesus Christ did on the cross for you and what His resurrection meant for you. You were shocked at how much He loves you - even as you reflect back on the first dream of the night showing your entire sinful life. He shows you sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with many people, especially your family and your closest friends. You see some of ‘em laugh, but you also see some of them become followers of Jesus Christ and nothing is more exciting than that. You also see the buddies asking you to go to sin with them, and you say, ‘No, I don't do that.’ Not because you’ve become super religious, but because Christ has transformed your nature that you not only don't wanna do those things anymore, but you're actually embarrassed that you ever did those things. Then somehow you fall asleep again, but this time with such peace.

"I've heard you'll be shocked at some of the people that are in heaven…and I've heard you'll be shocked at some of those who aren't there."

And in a short time, the Holy Spirit whispers to you, ‘Awake. Awake and see your future.’ He shows you rising to heaven, and you’re face to face with the Almighty God. Then He says, ‘Welcome, good and faithful servant!’ And you're at a banquet table with other saints from the beginning of time. You can't think of anything but the glory, the holiness the magnificence and the love of God you are now with for eternity. You are so thankful for what Christ did, and that God opened your eyes, and thankful for the person who shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with you. Amazing, simply amazing that you're here!

"Now, can you see you in the spiritual walk in this version of ‘The Christmas Carol?’"

I've heard you'll be shocked at some of the people that are in heaven…and I've heard you'll be shocked at some of those who aren't there. Hopefully it's not because they never heard of the greatest gift of all - the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Give that gift of love - the only eternal gift - over and over this year.

Now, can you see you in the spiritual walk in this version of ‘The Christmas Carol?’ What an amazing God we serve. God bless you all.