Hi Friends,

I hope you are well.  Today I am writing about two visions the Lord gave me recently. The first vision concerns the importance of guarding our hearts and the second vision concerns running the race to win!

The Visions

The Latches

I saw a package of gate latches.  There were perhaps 25 - 30 latch sets made of hooks and screw eyes.  The contents of the package were fairly dark in finish, the color of a dark nail.

Two Horses

Next I saw a crowd of people.  There was a woman leading a horse by its bridle.  She was walking to the left of the horse, into an open area away from the crowd.  I noticed that the horse was rather ordinary—a medium brown and somewhat stocky.  Then I saw another horse emerge from the crowd with its rider.  This horse had long slender legs and a very sleek black coat.  It was beautiful, finely groomed and elegant in appearance. The rider stood proudly next to the horse. 

What I believe the visions mean:

A gate latch is a metal hook with an attached screw eye which allows it to be mounted to a gate or door.  Another screw eye is mounted into a corresponding post or frame where the hook will insert to secure the gate or door. 

The latch is not meant to secure a door against the actions of a determined intruder.  A lock and key, combination lock, and/or dead bolt would provide greater protection from entry.  But a gate latch can keep animals within a pen, or keep a door shut against inanimate forces like the wind, or jostling while in motion. The gate latch could keep a changing room door shut for privacy, where someone might accidentally open the door.

A gate latch is used when a door should remain shut, but easy access to its opening is still desired.  In keeping children safe, a gate latch is usually placed out of their reach. 

In the vision, the package of gate latches was unopened, and therefore unused.  I believe that the Lord was using the latches in this vision to make us more aware of keeping unwanted things out of our lives and to protect other things from leaving.  Everyone needs privacy, and security.  And we, as Christians, need to protect our faith from outside worldly influences. Therefore, some things should be locked in, and some things should be locked out. 

Keep a Latch on your Heart

We are told in the Bible to “Keep your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”  Proverbs 4:23   How do we do this?  How do we guard our hearts?  

Our hearts can become damaged by lies, hurtful words, and deceptive teachings.  Our hearts can become weighed down with sin, fear, constant criticism or negativity.  

We need a latch over our hearts and our minds to keep harmful things from destroying our spirit.  This means that in order to protect our spirits, we must lock out teachings, influences and even people that are harmful. 

Right at this very moment, we have the need to protect our children’s hearts and minds, from what they are being taught in public schools. Teachings like “Critical Race Theory,” and ideologies that pervert the truth and undermine faith in God, are as poisons.   A spiritual latch is needed to keep out these negative teachings that harm our children’s sensitivity to God. We want them grounded in faith, knowing the love of God, and having pure hearts towards our nation and all people: “from every nation tribe and tongue.”  A spiritual latch is needed to keep out the world view that comes from the hearts of sinful men and the devil himself.  “Keep falsehood and lies far from me.”   Proverbs 30:8

Keep a Latch over Your Mouth

The latch in the vision can also remind us to keep a tight rein on our tongues and not allow our impulsive speech to escape. 

“Set a guard over my mouth, Oh Lord”  Psalm 141:3  

“He who guards his lips guards his life.”  Proverbs 13:3

“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”  Proverbs 21:23

What comes out of our mouths is sourced in the heart.  “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45  

These were the Lord’s words:  “The good person, out of the good treasure of his heart, produces good, and the evil person, out of his evil treasure, produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”  Luke 6:45

So what is in our hearts?  Love, peace and joy? Or is it fear, resentment, jealousy and anger?  

The scriptures tell us:  “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…”  James 1:19  

“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? Can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” James 3:10-16

Keep a Latch on Your Mind

The latch in the vision can represent the idea of keeping safe something that resides within us:  My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you.  Keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye…”  Proverbs 7:1-2

Also: “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.”  2 Timothy 1:14

The Bible encourages us to protect the word that has been placed within us. “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:21 Is there anything more important than to protect the very words that can save us? After all, this life is merely a test for our souls. Will we find our peace with God? Can we overcome the world and its temptations? Can we accept what Jesus did by dying on the cross for our sins? Can we believe and treasure the word of God and our Creator who has given us life?

Keep a Latch on Your Relationships

By the word of God, we are instructed to keep away from those who claim to be Christian, yet cause division and strife. We are to avoid or shut out those who claim to be believers who rebel against God’s authority and his commands. “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the teachings which he received from us.”  2 Thessalonians 3:6

“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”   Romans 16:17

Keep a Latch on Sin

We may need a latch to keep us hemmed in, to keep us from committing sins against the Lord.  This latch might be called self-control—a fruit of the Spirit!  David wrote this psalm as a prayer to the Lord for self-control with regards to sin:  “Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.”  Psalm 19:13

Keep a Latch on Pride

Paul received a latch in his life to restrain him from thinking of himself too highly. 

“Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.”  2 Corinthians 12:6-7

So this vision shows us our need to separate ourselves from ungodly influences and from rebellious people and their ideologies.  We lock these things out of our lives.  And we lock in the teachings of God which protect and nurture our spirits leading us to holiness and a right relationship with the Lord. 

The Two  Horses

I believe that the vision of the two horses is given so that we can compare and contrast what these horses represent.  The first horse is plain, nothing noteworthy about the horse except that it is medium brown and sturdy.  He is not elegant like the sleek black horse, nor is he slender, tall, and well groomed.  It appeared in the vision that there was to be a race, for a crowd had gathered.  If we looked solely at appearances, we would most likely choose the tall dark horse, as the probable winner.  He looked capable, as if he were trained for racing.  The brown horse looked as if it had come from the pasture, not particularly ready for anything.  

We all know the story of the Tortoise and the Hare, and who won.  It is no longer a surprise ending because the unlikely competitor, the tortoise, won.  

As Christians our race is really a lifelong walk with God.  There are road blocks, and detours, there are potholes and bumps, but it is the one who finishes the race and overcomes who wins the prize.  The Bible is our road map which gives instruction in the rules of the road.  The Holy Spirit is our coach and our guide.  And the Lord is our prize.  He is the treasure we seek!

Both horses and athletes train for their races and competitions.   We, as disciples of the Lord, are trained in the paths of righteousness by the word of God: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17  

The Apostle Paul gives his instruction on competition as it relates to the Christian walk:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.  Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.  Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”  1 Corinthians 9:24-27

We see the idea of self discipline, again—a fruit of the Spirit.  We are challenged to run the race as if to win.  The reward or crown that we seek is the Lord himself, for when we overcome, we will be able to spend all eternity with him.  He is our treasure and our great reward!  Throughout every day we should stay in touch with our coach, the Holy Spirit, for he will lead us and guide us into all truth.  He will keep us focused and on the right path.  

Our training begins with a desire to please the Lord.  It is in communion with him that our hunger increases.  It is by reading the word of God that we learn how to please him.  It is in obedience and in devotion to him that we begin to understand how important it is to not merely get a good start, but to “finish strong.”  

Those were the very words that the Lord gave me a few weeks back.  He said, “Finish strong!”   By this, I believe the Lord is saying that we are in the last laps of this race—the race is nearly over.  We must not give up so close to the finish line.  The Lord is cheering us on—telling us to run hard and finish strong!  

We cannot afford to be like the hare in the story who decided that he had such a large lead, so that he could take time out and rest.  Now is not the time to rest—we want to be prepared, well trained, and focused.   

We cannot stop—we must press onward in our walk with him. To stop, to take a break, is to lose ground.  We do not want to slip into complacency and become apathetic like so many lukewarm Christians.  Those that become apathetic can  simply fall away from the faith. They could lose their precious salvation.  This is called apostasy.  It literally means to fall away.  

Let us not leave the path; let us not allow our faith to become cold.  Complacency and apathy will lead us down the wrong path and away from God.  

These words from the Book of Revelation come from a letter written to one of the seven churches.  We should note that these words were written in red, for they come from the Lord and were given to the Apostle John to write, so that we may know his heart.

To the Church in Laodicea

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.  Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  Revelation 3:14-22

Going back to the vision, we see that the horse that was ordinary did not look built for speed.  He was sturdy and strong.  He was more fit for heavy pulling.  Had the competition been for pulling a loaded sled, we would have given him the probable win.  The slender legged sleek horse was not meant for pulling, for had he been trained with heavy loads, his legs, flanks and shoulders would have been much more pronounced.

We have to know why and for what reason we are training.  We need to spend time with the Lord so that we understand our calling and our purpose.   The Lord said, “Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know.”  Jeremiah 33:3  

We can know the heart of God.  We can know his purpose for our lives.  The word tells us:  “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”  James 4:8

The answer to all our questions can be found in the word of God.  And the answers that we seek that are specific to us as individuals, we can find by seeking the Lord in prayer. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:13

I hope that you will diligently guard your heart, and that you will run this race to win.  Please encourage others as the Lord has encouraged me with the message to “Finish strong!” 

May God bless you and keep you safe in his loving arms!