I have a close friend who desperately wants to leave her job. She 'd like to have more time and energy to hang out with people in need of healing, encouragement, and love. She would love to find a part time - job or go into business for herself. It would give her more time to be involved in ministering to others. But she's very 'responsible'. She has a terrible fear that if she takes that step of faith, her family will be financially ruined. Last night she had a dream from God.

In the dream, she and I were hanging out in downtown Olympia, ministering to homeless people. We were in a restaurant as she talked to one woman. The woman noticed that my friend was carrying a lantern. The homeless woman said, "That's a nice lantern your mom gave you." My friend replied, "I have this lantern because I was once in the same place you are, but now I'm not - because God is faithful." My friend gave the woman a hug. (End of scene) A second scene followed. We were walking downtown and there was money lying everywhere on the streets and sidewalks. It looked as if God had rained down money from heaven. End of dream.

Interpretation?

The key to an outpouring of the Holy Spirit may lie in our ministry to the poor. Jesus focused much of His attention on them and commanded us to do the same. If we try to reach them because we want them in our church; we want them to prosper; we want them healed, saved or delivered - we have a motive and a plan that we believe is best for them. What if God has something else planned? Sometimes our desires for others are selfish, presumptive or misguided. When we minister to the poor, we must do it out of love. When we love them, we want to see them blessed, in whatever way possible, even though they may not get saved or have nothing to give in return. Love presumes nothing.

Holding a lantern - "You are the light of the world". We are to let the light and love of God shine in our lives as a our testimony. When we do, by showing a genuine concern for others, they will see the light in us.

Money lying in the street:

Jesus said to the fisherman, "Leave your nets and come follow me. I'll make you fishers of men." He asked them to give up the career they knew and depended on. They must have been afraid. They had no other way to support their families. Little did they know, they were following a man who could make just about anything happen. They saw miraculous multiplication of food and money come from the mouth of a fish.

Many of us are struggling right now financially. Some have lost jobs. Others would like to quit. God has a plan to provide for the needs of all of us. It might require some changes. Your faith might be stretched a little. But know this- God is our provider and if you follow Jesus during this outpouring, you're likely to see some miracles of provision. I'm ready for that, how about you?

Dream of Ministry and Provision