Dream expert, Michael L. Mathews, shares insights into dreams

Michael L. Mathews, Christian author and dream expert

Christian author and dream expert, Michael Mathews, has observed an increase in occult related dreams over the last ten years. According to Mathews, a significant factor in this escalation is due to a rising investment in occult themed films and books. A large segment of our society is focused on what USA Today calls, “supernatural romance.” In response Mathews says,“Isn't it time that we recognize that God will not become second to the supernatural in the realm of demonic influence. Our God moves in the supernatural! As Americans focus on the occult and demonic supernatural things, that is what they will dream about.”

What are the elements that influence our dreams?

Mathews claims that dreams are our minds way of recalibrating itself as we sleep. “We can't process all the information that we intake visually during our waking hours,” he says. When we go to sleep our mind is catching up with what we processed all day. Whatever you allow to infiltrate your mind while you are awake will effect your dreams when you are asleep. If you had a frustrating day disputing with coworkers you may encounter a nightmare expressing relationship issues. Or perhaps you forgot to complete an important task during the day, that anxiety may erupt in your night visions.

Mathews' book includes every sciptures on dreams

It is important to learn how to identify the root of a dream and what your mind is processing. Pay attention to what you dream because God may interject a word of warning into the dream assimilation of worldly mindsets. A disturbing dream may be caused by:

A reaction to a negative experience during waking hours
A demonic influence
An overflow of what you read, watched, or violent video games
Being exposed or participating in inappropriate language or behavior
A prophetic voice of warning from God

Inspired instructions from God are often released into your dreams when your mind is predominately focused on things pertaining to His Kingdom:

The Word of God
Prayer
Inspired music
Acts of the Holy Spirit
Compassionate service
Releasing salvation
The love of God
Prophetic gifts

Click here to purchase download version of "And God Chose Dreams."

A modern day timeline exposing truth

There are many examples form scripture in which God spoke to men and women in dreams and visions:

Abram, Genesis 15:12-18
Joseph, Genesis 37:5-11
Solomon, 1 Kings 3:5-15
Daniel, Daniel 1:17, the gift of interpreting dreams/visions
Joseph (Jesus' stepfather), Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:1-23
Apostle Paul, Acts 16:6-10

The prophet Joel is quoted in the Book of Acts when his prophecy of dreams and visions from God began to be fulfilled through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2:17-21).

Identify the source of your dream

Michael L. Mathews suggests thoughts to consider in determining if God is speaking to you in your dream:

Evaluate how much time your thoughts and mental input is devoted to spiritual matters. According to Mathews if 80% of your thoughts and energy is devoted to healthy intake then the source of your dreams is probably about the same percentage and vice-versa. If you watched Twilight before going to sleep and then dream of vampires, it is probably safe to assume that your dream was inspired by your entertainment habits.
Does your dream align with scripture?
Do you hear from God while you are awake? An intimate relationship with God will manifest in your dreams?
Are you reading the Scriptures every day, receiving a daily portion of spiritual healthy food?

Dreams are a reflection of where we invest our mind

For good or bad we make a conscientious decision to turn our mind over to what we watch and read.

“The power of suggestion is powerful yet subtle. Our subconscious mind is enticed by the multitude of insight it receives every day. At night these things are playing back. So even if it is not your conscious choice but is in the background of your subconscious, it can still have an effect on your mind,” says Mathews. He advises his readers to make conscientious decisions about what they feed their mind. Learn how to mentally ingest only emotionally/spiritually healthy material.

Dreams impact real life

Have you ever had a dream where you woke up exhausted from doing something physical? The impact our dreams have on regular life may appear in such a subtle way that we may not realize it. Some dreams are forgotten in the morning, but science has proven that people dream every night even if they can't remember. The reality is our subconscious is speaking to us, and often it is the voice of God trying to communicate to us.

“And God chose dreams to allow the human mind to be expanded beyond the boundaries that our daily lives live within and fear during the daytime; He literally wants us to catch glimpses of His plans through us,” says Mathews.

Rewrite dreams

Scientists suggest that people can even re-write their dreams. This would indicate that a person can take dominion over their dreams. They can envision a new vocabulary and scene to replace a disturbing dream, allowing a person during their waking hours to write the outcome of their dream.

Have the individual make a visual image in their mind of their version of the dream, and revisit it several times during the new day. This can help a person overcome nightmares, bring peace and an empowering spirit of victory.

“We can control our mind. We should make an effort to control our waking thoughts and our dreams,” says Mathews.

How to increase Godly inspired dreams

“Start by preempting Godly thoughts. Closeout the day by praying in God's will. For example, 'Lord I need an answer to my marriage trials, and I want it to be in your will.' Allow a positive mind set to be with you when you go to bed. How many abuse the term, let me sleep on it? We preempt our thought pattern by going to bed with the issue, we can take any of these decisions to bed with us, and by so doing we are preempting thoughts that lead to decisions. It actually does help to sleep on a major decision,” says Mathews.

Mathews also advises to go to bed with a positive affirmation saying, “I will remember my dreams to night.” Be prepared to record that evenings dreams by keeping a paper and pen on the nightstand.

God speaks in dreams

Job 33:14-18

For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it.
He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.
He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings.
He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride.
He protects them from the grave, from crossing over the river of death.

Comments about this article are welcome.

Visit Michael L. Mathews' web site, Focus on Heaven