Guest Post by Barbara Koob
Hello there beautiful dreamers! My name is Barbara Koob and I’m a modern-day biblical dreamer who was invited by Retha to write a guest post. Here’s an excerpt from a book that I’m working on about one of my first God-dreams and a miracle.
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One Saturday afternoon my husband and I trekked out of the house to indulge ourselves in some ice cream from a local creamery. After enjoying our frozen treat we headed home, but suddenly I remembered that I forgot my purse. ”Oh Lord,” I pleaded, “have mercy!” But alas… it was stolen.
This thief had robbed me of my peace. Not only did he have my money, he had my house key, my car keys and credit cards. He even knew where we lived since I had carefully marked my wallet with my contact info. Ugh!
Although my husband rarely speaks sternly, he sure did that day. In my defense, I shouted back, “Don’t worry. my God will return it!” But how?
The next Sunday I went to church, and enlisted others to pray. For a day or two, I felt better believing that God would fix it. I even decided to walk in blind faith hiding my blunder by not notifying the authorities and my creditors. However, after three days, I realized my foolishness.
Along came shame, embarrassment and fear of the consequences. Filled with anxiety, I embraced the necessary steps to restore my identity. I bought a new purse, called the credit card companies, obtained new keys, and went to apply for a new driver’s license. It was painful.
Scroll ahead two weeks.
I hear this little voice whispering deceit. You don’t need the Lord to return your purse. You already recovered everything. For a moment I listened, but knew… those words were not from God. Becoming so angry with this enemy of my soul, I decided right then and there that I would never give up asking God to return my stolen purse.
“Lord, Your word says that I can ask for anything in Your name, and that You will do it.”
“Lord, that purse was mine, and it was wrongfully stolen.”
“Lord, I am asking you to send it back in Your Name.”
“Lord, I am going to believe you no matter how long it takes.” (John 15:7)
Those words may sound strange, and even demanding; but something changed in me. My hope crossed over to faith with the appearance of the strangest dream that night. Here’s what I saw:
My purse was returned to me.
I put a small ad in the classified section of our local newspaper thanking the person who returned my purse to me. This ad included my name and phone number.
I can’t explain it, but I woke up with this message fixed in my memory and sealed in my heart. It was only a dream, but it seemed so real. Have you ever experienced such a thing?
Within three days, I received a strange brown package in the mail without a return address.
It was my purse!
Obviously someone had sifted through my belongings, but all the contents were returned. It had been nineteen days from that fateful day, but even the cash was returned. God had proved himself to me and I knew that prayer in faith works. (Mark 9:23)
Sadly, I never put the ad in the paper, but I have often wondered what would have happened if I had. Perhaps God would have done another miracle? Who knows, but looking back I definitely learned some lessons.
One is that I should be more careful where I leave my purse. The second thing was the importance of acting with wisdom. My desire to have faith is not contrary to basic common sense. Faith doesn’t deny reality; it changes it when I do my part. (James 2:20)
The third thing is to never discount that God can speak in a dream. I can’t believe that I didn’t recognize that it was Him speaking to me in that dream.(Numbers 12:6) Now wasn’t that the coolest? Not only did God speak in my dream (Job 33:14-16), but He returned my purse too!
But conclusively, the last lesson was the best. Even if you make a mistake, God is the Master-Mister-Fix-It who promises to work everything out for good to those that love Him. (Romans 8:28) Sometimes it’s hard to believe, but learn to hope amidst the trials. It’s the starting substance of your faith. (Hebrews 11:1)
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Do you believe God speaks in your dreams? I have tons of dream stories where God has been teaching me to listen and understand using this heavenly language. In fact, it’s not a coincidence that one of my most popular dream posts is about a Stolen Purse Dream. I have received hundreds of views from people all over the world who google this looking for an answer. Do you want to know what it means? It’s about losing your identity; just click here to find out more.
So are you a dreamer too? Do you have a dream story? I will be looking for dreamers who might help me validate the materials for my new book this fall 2013. If you are interested in participating in biblical dream interpretation, please send me a note.
And finally, I hope you will come visit me on my Beautifully-Made site where I blog about learning to hope and dream with purpose in everyday life. I also have another blog called Dream Discoveries to help lost dreamers find God.
And so, I bid you sweet dreams today wherever you are in your life. Sweet dreams in Jesus!
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Barbara Koob
learn to hope and dream with purpose
Barbara Koob is a gifted writer, speaker and teacher who is learning to hope and dream with purpose. Happily married to the man of her dreams, Barbara lives with her husband, their teenage swimmer-daughter and a cuddly cockapoo doggie named Sunshine. Recognized for her expertise in dreams, healing, and prayer at the Hope Ministry Institute, she was formally mentored in healing prayer through PRMI‘s Advance Healing Program and God’s unique training program to both receive healing and pray for the sick. Today, she serves at her local church as the prayer leader for the women’s ministry and as a small group coach.
web/blog: beautifully-made.org
linked: Barbara (Braun) Koob
dream blog: therealbarbie.wordpress.com
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9 comments
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Barbara
February 19, 2013 at 2:29 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Retha, thanks so much for this opportunity to guest post on your blog!
Barbara recently posted..Proper Places Prayer
Retha Groenewald
February 19, 2013 at 10:42 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Hi Barbara, I am so glad you did. I am honored.
Jaynessa
February 20, 2013 at 7:32 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
I’m so glad your purse made it’s way back to you, I’m always amazed at how God can use even the worst of circumstances to lift us up and to teach a lesson, and turn it around for good!
Retha Groenewald
February 20, 2013 at 9:15 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Hi Jaynessa, yes it is an awesome testimony of Barbara’s. Thanks for stopping by.
Carri @ Grace Unveiled
February 21, 2013 at 1:42 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
So inspirational, I believe I am a dreamer too, but am currently in the process of figuring out what the dreams mean
I am taking a class soon and am excited about that. The Lord is good and it is exciting to figure out how He speaks to us. Blessings!
Carri @ Grace Unveiled recently posted..Come…
Barbara Koob
February 21, 2013 at 4:58 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Thanks for reading Carri. God is so cool to speak to us in so many creative ways (including dreams!). I know that He will help you to figure out He is saying too …. for Proverbs 25:2 says ” It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” Keep seeking HIM and He will reveal His understanding. Yea God!
Barbara Koob
February 21, 2013 at 5:00 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Hi again Carri, where are you going to take your dream class? And when? Blessings, Barb
Barbara Koob recently posted..Comment on Proper Places Prayer by Barbara
Retha Groenewald
February 21, 2013 at 10:42 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Hi Carri, I love it when God speaks to us in dreams.
Barbara
February 21, 2013 at 4:47 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Hi Jaynessa! It was such a faith building experience. Who ever heard of a stolen purse being mailed back to its owner after 19 days? Only God could have done such a thing! This happened when I was very young in the Lord, but He sure taught me how He answers prayer! Thanks for reading.
Barbara recently posted..Proper Places Prayer