This is one of my favorite ways God speaks to me. Many times, God has given me direction and answers and revealed the future to me through dreams. He shows me people from the church and what will happen to each of them in the future. This is very useful for a pastor.
Here are my guidelines. If a dream was short, the events took place in one location, it contained one main symbol, occurred toward morning, and woke me up afterward, I take that dream into consideration.
Immediately after waking up, I begin to pray and ask for the interpretation. If the interpretation comes simply and quickly, I take the dream seriously. If there is no interpretation, I simply wait for an answer throughout the day.
If the answer comes, I pay attention to such a dream, but with discernment.
If there was no interpretation, I leave the dream to be tested by time. Time will put everything in its proper place. Either I will see the dream fulfilled and know what will happen next, or everything will be forgotten.
There is no point in straining to interpret every dream. It is dangerous. Either God speaks to us through a dream or He does not. Caution in interpreting dreams will either open or close this channel of communication with God for you.
