Hi Friends,

I wanted to share a vision the Lord gave me over a week ago.  Sometimes it takes a lot of prayer to discern his message to us. This is one such vision, of which there are six parts.

The Vision:

First I saw a man incarcerated.  Each of his hands are clenched in a fist, lifted up in front of him. There are no chains visible; there are no bars visible; all  I see are the two arms and their clenched fists. Yet I know the man is held captive.  I believe it is bondage, but not by man.  He is in spiritual bondage.

Next I saw water as it was poured into a clear rectangular container.  The water leaks immediately onto the floor.

Then I saw a bird of prey. I thought at first it was an owl, but now I believe it to be a falcon.

Next, I found myself behind a man, helping him to pull up his sagging pants.

Then I saw a person, who appeared dead, having a lifeless color to his skin.  The blanket on his body was lifted and pulled up over his face and head.

Lastly, I saw a white Styrofoam food container about 8” square standing on its edge.  Then it was suddenly snapped shut.

This is what I believe the message means:

The Clenched Fists

The man in a jail without bars, and without handcuffs, represents spiritual bondage.  The bondage can be an addiction, as in alcohol, drugs, pornography, gambling, or even worse having a desire to kill, steal, and destroy.  The things that bind, begin with a curious thought, or an invitation to participate in the forbidden.  As the person, experiences excitement, or a rush, it creates in him a desire to do it again.  Overtime, the person becomes addicted to the activity, and the sensations that it offers.  Finally, the person becomes hooked on the substance or activity and becomes bound in a way, he can’t seem to escape.  He is forever trapped.

James describes the bondage of sin:  “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’  For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;  but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”  James 1:13-15

Jesus came to set people free. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”  Luke 4:18

“Freedom for the prisoners…. and to set the oppressed free,”  these words are music to ears of those in bondage. The desire for full spiritual freedom is still very important to the Lord.  It is his very heart: “For God so loved the world, that he sent his one and only Son that whosoever believes in him, will not perish by have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

Freedom from  the bondage of sin and all the things that ensnare us, is available for those who truly want to be set free.  It begins with surrender, surrendering our will, our life plans, and our very selves to the Lord.  Because we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, we as people of faith today, carry authority over the powers of darkness.  And there are some, within the body of Christ, who carry an anointing for deliverance.  I could speak much on this topic, but instead, I will leave this for now.  

I would ask that if you, or a friend or a loved one has an addiction to anything, that you would seek out those who are anointed with gifts of healing and deliverance.  The Lord does not want anyone to continue living in bondage.

I must point out that the first step in receiving a healing or deliverance is having a willingness and a desire to be set free.  Some people have only a halfhearted desire for true freedom. They may say that it is their desire to be free, but very truthfully, they may not want freedom enough to make a commitment, or give up the thing to which they are bound.  It would be better for these individuals to seek counseling and discipleship until they are ready to make a real commitment to the Lord and a real commitment to hold onto their healing.

Jesus discusses this very thing.  “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.  Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it find the house swept clean and put in order.  Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”  Luke 11:24-26

This is not to discourage anyone.  Because through prayer and fasting on behalf of the person in bondage, he will move from his place of comfort, to a place of preparedness to receive and maintain his freedom in Christ.  

The Leaky Container

The clear, rigid plastic container probably had a crack somewhere, causing the container to leak.  This leak represents our work or efforts that seem to go awry. When I saw the water coming from the bottom of the container, seeping all over the floor, I thought of a small child saying “Aw--oh!“  Something has gone terribly wrong! We see a mess that needs to be cleaned up, and a container that is no longer useful. This vision depicts discouragement and disappointment.

Often we make plans to do something, and they simply fall through.  And sometimes no matter how much effort we put forth, the circumstance cannot or will not change.  

I was reminded of seeing a horse at the “Pony Penning,” at Chincoteage, VA.  I saw one horse being run off, kicked and abused by another larger horse.  I was so concerned for its welfare, that I spoke to those in charge, and asked them to separate the two horses.  They didn’t seem to be bothered by the horse's behavior.

But this incident left me reflecting on it from time to time.  It finally dawned on me, what was going on. The smaller horse wanted to be part of the group, but every time he tried to join with them, the larger horse would run him off.  I realized that the younger horse was a male, who didn’t know that he was a threat to the dominate male stallion. The stallion was ready to fight off any potential competitors to his claim to the mares.  As a young horse, he was loved and accepted by his mother and the herd.  But once he became identified as a threat, he was rejected and cast out.

Similar circumstances may happen to us.  It can be devastating. We want to be loved and accepted, but instead we are despised and rejected.  This can happen in any arena of our lives, even in the church. We speak of the church as being a “family of God.”  Yet when you are rejected, or despised because of any number of reasons, you can feel like the smaller horse. You want to be with the group, but there is an adversary, who would rather that you simply disappear.

This is not a Christian behavior but a very normal human response to fear.  A person who is not confident in themselves, can become threatened by someone within their ministry.  Obviously, Christian maturity or the lack thereof, affects how each of us encounters and interacts with another. A few scriptures address this human response. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4

“The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already.  Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” 1 Corinthians 6:7

Remember the Golden Rule:  “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.  For this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12

The Falcon

A falcon, a capable predator, has a sharp bill and claws or talons.  He has keen, telescopic eyesight and can view a small animal on the ground, from a great height.  There are several scriptures that use “birds of the air,” to describe the horrible fate of those killed and left on the open field.  Goliath taunts David, saying “Am I a dog that you come at me with a stick? Come here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”  1 Samuel 17:43-44

David replied, “This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.  Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.”  1 Samuel 17:46

The birds of the air can also represent the devil’s legions, for Paul refers to the devil as “the ruler of the kingdom of the air.”

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.”  Ephesians 2:1-2

Our real enemies are not human, but are spiritual entities.  Jesus wants to show mercy to those who sin and mistreat others.  He has great compassion for everyone, and knows that people are deceived by sin and enticed  by their own flesh and evil desires.  That is why Jesus tells us to “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”  Matthew 5:44

The Lord gave us an example when he prayed for those who crucified him: “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  Luke 23:34

The Lord wants none to be lost, so it is our job to forgive, and to pray that wayward and wicked  hearts change.  Our real enemy, the devil, is the one we are to stand against. "Put on the armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  Ephesians 6:10-12

Helping Sagging Pants

Everyone knows what it is to feel embarrassed or ashamed.  These are strong emotions, sometimes with devastating results. Suicide can be a means of escaping shame.  For example, the Samurai, believed that to bravely kill oneself, was to restore lost honor.  This ritual suicide was called “hara-kiri” or “seppuku,”

Some people feel they need the approval of others.  If they should lose that approval, or if they were to lose the love of a lover, they may want to “end it all.”  The shame or loss is to great for them to bear.

“See I lay in Zion a stone that causes amen to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  Romans 9:33

This is an awesome scripture.  It reminds me of the face off in the Old Testament with Elijah and the prophets of Baal.  Elijah, placed his hope in the Lord, and God gave him victory. The Lord was there to back up what Elijah declared and demonstrated to the prophets of Baal.  In the former example of David and Goliath, David made a prophetic statement about what was to happen to Goliath, and God backed him up. David did not fall into shame by declaring to all, something he could not deliver.  He trusted in the Lord and was not put to shame.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1

Jesus did not let the shameful death, affect him. He did not focus on the pain, the suffering, the shame of nakedness, the shame of being mocked, cursed, and beaten. He focused on what was ahead, the victory over the kingdom of darkness, over sin and over death.  Truly amazing.

When Jesus tells us to take up our cross, and follow him, he is telling us that we will be despised, rejected, and shamed by others.  This is the life of a believer. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15:18-19

If love or respect is lost we feel shame.  As disciples of Jesus, we will be rejected, excluded, and  mocked, not merely by the world, but by “religious” people, like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.  We will feel shame, but rather than believing it is “the end of our world.” We instead, should feel like Peter and the other apostles.  “They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace (shame) for the Name."  Acts 5:41

In the vision, I was helping someone with his sagging pants.  This is something God wants us to do as the body of Christ. We are to lift one another up, we are to encourage one another, we are to pray for one another.  A person who has felt shame, needs to remember who they are in Christ:

I am greatly loved by God. Romans 1:7, Ephesians 2:4, Colossians 3:12 and 1 Thessalonians 1:4

I am an overcomer, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony.  Revelations 12:11

I can do all things through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:13

I am a new creature in Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:17

I am more than a conqueror through him who loves me.  Romans 8:37

I am God's workmanship, created in Christ unto good works.  Ephesians 2:10

For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7

I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.  Philippians 3:14

The Dead Person

The person, in the vision  appears to be physically dead.  The finality is expressed by the covering of the face and head.  Many people die a physical death every day. If they do not know the Lord they will spend eternity in hell.  But if we die in this life to our sinful nature, and commit our ways to the Lord, then we will only die a natural death.  We will never see that second death which is hell. “The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.  Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.” Revelations 20:13-14

We need not fear the second death if we instead live by the Spirit of God.  Thank you Jesus! “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”  Colossians 3:2-5

Then we may say as Paul did, “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:20-21

The White Styrofoam Container

The white container in the vision was not flat in its normal position, but instead, standing on its hinged edge.  Then suddenly it snaps shut. When the container closes there is also a sense of finality, as reading a long book, and you snap it shut to say, “I finished it!”  The container is meant for storing food to take from the diner or restaurant, home or to work. But in the vision there is no food. I believe that the Lord is showing me a fast.  The snapping shut of the container, represents a fasting of all food. When hard times come, or when difficult decisions are to be made, or when we are praying for breakthroughs in others lives, we need to fast.  Jesus expects us to fast. Our spiritual hunger and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit are heightened when we fast. When we fast we gain insight and the power to overcome the wicked one in our lives. Of course not our own power, but by the power that resides in our faith and trust in God, and in the wonderful Name of Jesus.

When questioned about fasting, “Jesus answered, ‘Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?  But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” Luke 5:34-35

“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”  Matthew 6:17-18

So let’s enter into fellowship with God, into prayer and communion with him, and into a time of fasting to know him intimately.   We want to hear his voice speak to us. We want to feel his presence surrounding us. We want to know him and please him, and put a smile on his face.  We want to hear him say, “Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Summary

Bondage to sin - “The anointing breaks the yoke of bondage.”

Difficult relationships - “Rather be wronged.”

Predators - “Put on the full armor of God.”

Shame - “Rejoice to be counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

Death - “Put to death what belongs to your sinful nature.”

Fast - “Your Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you.”

I hope this message encourages you in all areas of your Christian walk.  There was an expression years ago, “Keep on Keeping on!” That is good advice to all of us:  “Keep on Keeping on!”

God bless you!