Hi Friends,

Today I am writing about a vision that I received last week.  There are six pieces to this vision.  Throughout the visions, we see emotions expressed as: futility, desperation, and suffering, yet in all of life's troubles, God gives us what we need to see us through.  Hardship is a very real part of life, because we live in a fallen world.

When Adam and Eve sinned or rebelled against God, by choosing to disobey his commands, there were consequences.  “So the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals!  You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.’”

“To the woman he said, ‘I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children.  Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.’”

“To Adam he said, ‘Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, “You must not eat of it,”  Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.  By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”  Genesis 3:14-19

The vision

First, I saw something on the floor, so I reached down to pick it up.  I had a cloth in my hand, so as I was picking up the object, I got a chuck of dust and hair on the fabric.  Now I had to remove the dust and hair, and rewash the fabric and my hands.  The object that I intended to pick up was nowhere to be seen.  Nothing was accomplished.

Next I saw three sewing pins near the edge of a white table.  I wanted to pick them up to save them before they fell onto the floor.

Then I saw a reusable water bottle with a lid and a push-pull mouthpiece.  It was standing alone on the floor. I picked it up and placed it in a small soft-sided cylindrical cooler with a zippered lid and handle.  After placing the water bottle inside the cooler, I zipped up the lid.

Next I saw a vertical panel with buttons and gauges that resembled those found in a jet's cockpit.  The control panel was about 7-8 feet in height starting only inches from the floor. The width was impossible to determine, for there was a wall or partition concealing the remaining portion.

Just two days later, I received the last two pieces of this vision:

First I saw a piece of fabric on which were sewn two buttons.  One was a smooth white button, slightly flatter than a half-sphere.  It had two holes in the face. The other button was a soft light brown.  It also had two holes on the surface, however the button was flat with a raised rim around its perimeter.  This button had been inserted in a buttonhole on another piece of cloth, joining the two pieces of fabric together.  The white button was not inserted into a buttonhole, it was simply sewn onto the first piece of fabric.

Then I saw a black fabric mesh shoe, that had large openings in the mesh.  The shoe was placed on a barefoot. so the toes were easily seen under the black mesh.  The toes were moving and stretching.

The clump of dust and hair

This was a lesson in futility.  I am not sure what was on the floor that I needed to pick up, but nothing was retrieved.  The cloth became dirty, as well as my hands. The only thing that was accomplished was the discard of dust and hair.

Much of our lives can be spent “chasing our tails.”  We go round and round, without realizing that time has passed and we have accomplished nothing.  As we see our actions and those of others, we can become annoyed at the wastefulness of time or resources.  I believe this is what King Solomon was experiencing in his life as he declared over and over again in Ecclesiastes, “'Meaningless!  Meaningless!'  Says the teacher, 'Utterly meaningless!'"  Ecclesiastes 1:2 

“Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind, nothing was gained under the sun.”  Ecclesiastes 2:11

“The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.  Then I thought in my heart, ‘The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?’”

“I said in my heart, ‘This too is meaningless.’  For the wise man like the fool, will not be long remembered, in days to come both will be forgotten, Like the fool, the wise man too must die!”  Ecclesiastes 2:14-16

I can appreciate his conclusions to what he saw around him, but his knowledge of God’s kingdom, as we see it now, was incomplete.  Because Solomon lived in Old Testament times, before the atoning death of Jesus upon the cross, he lived his life without real peace.  There was no assurance of salvation.  There was no true understanding of death and eternity.  Even in Jesus’ day, the Sadducees believed there was no life after death.

Even when we have days or periods of time, where we feel we are spinning our wheels, we should stop and reflect on what the Lord has done.  We need not concern ourselves with the fate of our reputation after we are long gone. We need to live every moment of our lives now, as if this were our last.  If we are joined to the Lord today in love and fellowship, and if we can truly say that we have been born again, and filled with the Holy Spirit, then we can live our days in peace.  We can have the assurance that in spite of difficulties, setbacks, frustrations, and lack of accomplishments, we can look forward to an eternity with him.

No longer is life merely “a chasing after the wind,” but life becomes an adventure with the Lord.  So even on those days where nothing is accomplished in the natural, it is through our prayers and our time spent with God, that something happens in the supernatural!  God moves mountains!

 The Three Sewing Pins

I saw the pins on the table and immediately picked them up to save them, and to keep them from falling on the floor.

Sewing pins are needed for most sewing projects.  They keep the layers together.  Pins allow for the distribution of each layer to be exactly placed when two or more layers of fabric are sewn together.  If you do not have enough pins, the project can come to a screeching halt. I picked up the three pins because I knew that they may be needed on the next project.  The other important reason to pick them up now, is to keep them from dropping to the floor. A pin on a flat surface like tile or linoleum is not a problem, but a pin on the carpet, can fall and stand upright between the tufts.  When an unsuspecting person walks across the floor, the pins could easily puncture a foot. Not a lot of fun!

What do the pins in the vision represent?  I believe these are people in our lives. The pins were at the edge of the table.  They could easily fall. We have friends, acquaintances, and friends of friends who we know, or for whom we pray.  There are people under stress, living on “pins and needles,” who feel they are “on edge.” They can be on the brink of “losing it” - wanting to end it all, by jumping off a cliff.  

These people are experiencing real stress, real anxiety.  They have no hope. Unfortunately without prayer or intervention, something drastic could happen.

I knew a pastor who told me his story:   He was riding on a NY city bus, planning to end his life by jumping off a bridge.  He said, a young woman took a seat next to him.  She tried to engage him in conversation and as time passed, he opened up.  The conversation became focused on the Lord.  Fortunately, the night did not end in death.  It ended with a new birth.  He gave his life to the Lord, and became born again!  This was a divine appointment.  God sent her to sit next to him and tell him the good news!

There are other desperate people around us.  We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. When God asks us to go and sit with someone, let’s be obedient.  We may very well be the answer to someone’s prayer.

The Water Bottle and Cooler

The water bottle was sitting alone in the middle of the floor.  It was full of water. I picked it up and placed it into a cooler and zipped it closed.

Drinking water is essential for life.  In the vision, I didn’t know to whom the bottle belonged.  I would not be the one to drink it, because I drink mostly seltzer, not plain water. So  I must have intended to give this to someone else.  The cooler was designed to hold perhaps 3-4 standard water bottles. But this was a special water bottle, intended to be used over and over again.  This bottle was larger so it took up most of the room in the cooler.

This vision is to remind us about the need to share our water with another.  But the water we are to share is the water spoken of by Jesus, “living water.”

In the Biblical account of the woman at the well, Jesus was coming in the middle of the day to get a drink of water from Jacob’s well.  The woman at the well was a Samaritan, someone whom the Jewish women of the day thought of as unclean. Jesus asked for a drink. She was surprised that he would speak to her, a Samaritan woman.  He responded to her by saying, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10

He further explained, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.  Indeed the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

There was a longer exchange between them.  Then Jesus revealed to her, that he was the Messiah.  She was so excited that she went to tell her neighbors, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did.  Could this be the Messiah?” John 4:29

“Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did,’  So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two more days. And because of his words many more became believers.   They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.’”  John 4:39-42

The beautiful thing about this story, is that Jesus showed them that salvation was not intended for only the Jews, but for all who would come  to believe in him, (even Samaritans).

The water bottle in the vision is about sharing our “living  water,” the message of salvation with others.  

The Control Panel

The panel of switches, buttons and gauges reminded me of the controls in the cockpit of a jet.  In order to fly a jet, you have to be able to know the function of each of these controls, and how they are used to operate the aircraft.  You must also be authorized to fly the type of aircraft that you intend to use, much like having a driver’s license, a bus license, or a commercial driver’s license.      

I believe that the vision is about the kingdom of God.  The Lord gave instructions about the kingdom of God saying, “ The kingdom of God is like…..”  He explained how the kingdom works by many parables: a farmer who scatters seed, the mustard seed,  the lost coin, the pearl of great price, the tenant farmers, etc.

God wants us to understand how the kingdom operates because he gives us authority to use his name, and to bind and loosen.  We would not allow a child to operate a vehicle, because there has been no training, no understanding of the rules of the road and no maturity to make proper decisions. 

But we as subjects of his kingdom, first learn how the kingdom operates.  It is very much opposite of the way in which the world works.  Jesus pointed out that those who are in authority want to dictate to others what they are to do. “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.  But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.  For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves?  Is it not the one who is at the table?  But I am among you as one who serves.

You are those who have stood by me in my trials.  And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”  Luke 22:25-30

In a cockpit the controls are all within reach of the pilot and his co-pilot.  In the vision, the controls are a few inches off the floor to within inches of a standard height ceiling.  What I see is that in order to utilize all of the controls, one would have to bend low and get down upon his hands and knees, to reach the lowest controls.  And one would need help in order to reach the highest controls. I believe that the Lord is showing us that to lead, or direct in the kingdom of God, requires humility, to bow down, to be in submission to the Lord and to each other. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:21

“Honor one another above yourselves.”  Romans 12:10

In the vision, to reach the highest controls, help would be required.  We must look outside of ourselves for a lift up.  Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5

And, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”  John 15:7

When we humble ourselves before the Lord he lifts us up!  

As an intercessor, I believe that authority is everything.  If we do not submit to one another in love, then we are rebelling against God.  There will be no power in our prayers.  If we do not walk in love and forgiveness towards those who offend us, again there will be no answer to our prayers.  If we fail to be obedient to the Lord’s commands, he will not respond when we call.  Power in the kingdom of God is based on an obedient, loving and respectful relationship with the Lord.  If there is no relationship, there will be no response.

“If you love me, keep my commands….If you love me, obey my commandments.”  John 14:15

However there are two scriptures, that I love - for it shows God’s great love for all people: “I was found by those who did not seek me.”  Isaiah 65:1    And "I will have mercy upon whom I have mercy.”  Romans 9:15    We serve an awesome and loving God!

Two Buttons

In the vision, I saw a white smooth button sewn on a piece of fabric.  On the same fabric was a second button, soft brown with a raised rim.  The second button had been inserted into a buttonhole of another piece of fabric, joining the two together.

This might be confusing to you, so let me explain what I see.  The white button was available, but it was not being used.  It was merely sewn to the first fabric.  The second button was secured to the first fabric, and was attempting to hold another fabric to itself by means of the buttonhole.  When only one button is used, the fabric would be allowed to rotate within the buttonhole and around the button. It would not be truly secure.  If the white button were to be used, along with another buttonhole, the two fabrics would be joined more securely and without allowing unnecessary movement.

The brown button represents the works of man.  It is a soft brown, a color representing nature and all that is natural and common to man.  The white represents things that are pure, and holy and all that pertains to God, and godliness.  The fabrics, are the things that man wants to achieve or accomplish.  A single button on a skirt works because the garment is sewn in one continuous piece. But a single button on a piece of fabric could easily slip out of the buttonhole or rotate around the button.

“Apart from me you can do nothing.”  The white button representing God’s help and provision is available, but not being utilized.  When we fail to call upon God for his direction and support, our work in the kingdom of God is less than it could be.

But the scriptures warn us that,  "Every man’s work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.  If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved-- even though only as one escaping through the flames."  1 Corinthians 3:13-15

God wants us to work in his kingdom, sharing the gospel and encouraging others to follow the Lord.  “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

The Lord wants us to ask for his help.  “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be give to you.”  James 1:5

“But with God, all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Also:  "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13

The Open Mesh Shoe

The shoe was black, with a open mesh upper.  Someone’s toes were clearly visible under the mesh.  The toes wiggled and stretched. I knew what this vision meant immediately because it reminded me of a story about Jeremiah the prophet.  He was called the weeping prophet, because he knew for years that the Lord was sending the Babylonians to take those living in Jerusalem captive.  He made every effort to declare God’s warning to his people, especially the rulers and leaders in Jerusalem.  However, just like most of the prophets of God they were abused, and mistreated.  

The vision reminded me of the cistern, into which the authorities threw Jeremiah.  It was in the courtyard of the guards. It was a cistern with no water, only mud.  A Cushite went to the king and got permission to pull him out, otherwise he would have starved to death.  However he was still confined to the courtyard of the guards.

I believe that the Lord is asking us to pray for those who are in prison, because of their testimony about Jesus.  There is persecution everywhere against Christians.

In Pakistan, there is a woman on death row. Her name is Asia Bibi.  This is a quote from an article summarizing a BBC report: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewelinaochab/2018/05/20/asia-bibi-will-be-given-another-chance-at-justice/#1f0e6fe44e7a

“Asia Bibi shar[ed] a bowl of water with fellow workers in a field, about 30 miles (48km) from Lahore, where they were working as farm laborers.  It's alleged that an argument erupted after some of the women felt it was sacrilegious for Muslims to share the cup with a Christian.  Within weeks, the allegations had escalated to the charge of blasphemy, with some fellow workers accusing her of insulting the Prophet Muhammad.  She was arrested and imprisoned.    

We are praying that the appeal to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, who will hear her case soon, will over turn the lower courts decisions and find her innocent of the charges of blasphemy.

Andrew Bronson, an American pastor is being held in a Turkish prison on charges of terrorism and spying.  Our president Donald Trump has just announced a doubling down of tariffs on steel and aluminum in Turkey because of the Turkish government’s refusal to release Pastor Brunson.

Lindsey Graham:  “I have always believed the case against #PastorBrunson was a sham.  It’s very unfortunate that the Trump Administration had to retaliate against Turkey for their continued refusal to release Pastor Brunson and other Americans being held in Turkish custody.”  7:52 AM - 10 Aug 2018

Please pray for Asia Bibi and Andrew Bronson, and all Christians who are being persecuted for their faith.  Pray for all Muslims to find and receive Jesus.  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

Thanks for reading and sharing this with like minded people.  And of course, please continue to pray!  God bless you!