I woke up laughing this morning. I love waking up like that. The joy of the Lord was bubbling over. My cheeks are still sore from laughing.

The last time I woke up laughing was when my husband made a "noise" so loud the clapper turned the lights on in our bedroom. But that wasn't the Lord; that was just funny.

God gave me a really cool message in my sleep last night. I have been seeking a deeper understanding of how God speaks to me. He told me: "I want you to set apart (sanctify) your imagination as this is what I use for your faith to engage with the invisible realm of the spirit."

He reminded me that I allow things to come before my eyes that fill my imagination with skewed pictures and perceptions. TV, magazines, and movies fill my mind up with things that are not of Him. I admit I do watch TV. And I like to watch movies and read magazines. There is so much "stuff" in those things today ... sex, violence and fantasy. I didn't realize how much it affects my ability to hear from the Lord or enter into His presence to Worship.

I have had dreams and visions for a couple of years. The Lord speaks to me in my sleep and in times of corporate worship. Only recently has the Lord put it on my heart to share what He is telling me and showing me. I have to tell you I have been reluctant to share because I am definitely a cracked and chipped vessel. My biggest concern is to harm someone with "my perception" of what God is speaking to me. I pray that God will intervene and protect if I do speak in error. I share what He tells me out of obedience. I am so thankful for His guidance.

People want to "know how" to hear from the Lord. Some want a deeper relationship with Him while others want healing and wholeness in their lives. I think the things the Lord spoke to me this morning are words to help all of us.

We know that when we read the Word that the Holy Spirit is the one who reveals what God is speaking to us. He is the maker of the ah-ha moments.

• "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law." (NIV)
• "When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is happy." (NL)
• "If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals they are most blessed." (The Message)

The other part of the message I woke up with is about how God speaks to us:

"As you ask the Lord to forgive you for your impure thoughts ask the same for your imagination."
"Submit your sanctified imagination to the words of the Prophets in Scripture. Let the Word unlock pictures in your soul. See yourself in the picture. How would you respond, what would you do?"
"Let me, the Holy Spirit, lead you and inspire you."
"This is the environment in which I will be able to speak to you".

And this morning (7/29/07) we got to do just that with "Phat Joe". As we entered into the Word shared by Mac we were able to put ourselves in the story (2 Chronicles 20:1-17). The Lord painted such and awesome picture that it was no problem putting myself into it. It was interesting to respond as I would and imagine what I would do. God met me in that time. It was an awesome time of worship.

I would encourage you to let the Lord speak to you and inspire you. This is for you as much as it is for me. We are in this together. I would encourage you to share what God is speaking to you as well. For me I "get it" when I share it, either by writing or by speaking.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to share this with you in the FYI.

Debbie

To respond to this message, email Debbie at djh_is@truthrelationshippurpose.com.