Surrender and Live!
Hi Friends,
I hope you are well. I am thankful for what the Lord is doing on our behalf. He is good, and he is always nearby. We are so blessed. I have a few visions to share with you today regarding the surrender of our wills to the Lord and the exposure of sin and wickedness. We need to surrender to the Lord for he will empower us to do his will.
The Visions
The White Sheet
I saw a heavy white canvas fabric that was being pulled through a long open slot. The fabric was not feeding through the slot well. A fold in the canvas had formed, causing the fabric to bind. It appeared to be quite a struggle to pull the fabric through the slot, yet there was some progress being made.
The heavy canvas appeared to be able to take the strain of the pull to get it through the tight slot. It was slow work, but in a jam like this, it will eventually get too stuck to move forward, or the fold will work itself out and return to an even feed.
The Biblical meaning of the color white is purity and holiness. Canvas is a heavy, and extemely strong fabric used to make tents and luggage. It is able to take much abuse. In spite of the pulling and tugging, the twisting and binding, it continued to move forward. I believe that this ability represents the unending, unyielding, power of the Word of God. I believe it represents the very nature of God and the teachings of his word, which is Christ himself. We are to be as resilient and strong as that fabric. For the Lord is our strength.
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
The metal apparatus containing the slot is the framework of the human mind, including the world’s view, the ideologies and belief systems, the desires of the flesh, the hopes and ambitions of the individual, and the ability to trust or distrust.
The jammed up condition between the fabric and the slotted apparatus represents a struggle. This struggle is a spiritual struggle between the word of God and everything in the world that goes against the knowledge and authority of God. It is a struggle between establishing God’s rule in our hearts and establishing our own self-rule.
It is a spiritual struggle for Christ to be formed in us. Paul, having a heart that was truly aligned with God’s heart, declared how difficult it was for him to teach and encourage others to allow God’s very nature to be established within their hearts and minds.
“My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.” Galatians 4:19-20
Righteous, purity, and holiness are signs that the Spirit of God is dwelling within us. The Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control can only be produced in us as we choose to abide in Christ.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:5-8
So the struggle is shown by someone (unseen) pulling the fabric, the canvas, (the word of God) through a mind that is not yet fully transformed. There will be a struggle until the believer is willing to put down his own flesh and surrender to the will of God. There must be a renewing of the mind.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
And why is there a struggle? Because the world view, and what many people believe is in direct opposition to God. As I have quoted before:
“For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.” Galatians 5:17
Without the transformation of the mind by the word of God, there will be no change. But if we fully surrender to the Lordship of Christ and have a desire to see his will and his character formed in us, then we will gladly cooperate with the Holy Spirit and allow him to lead us.
The Lord’s goal should be our goal:
“For in him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28
A Curtain
In the next vision, I saw a short curtain with a rod and pocket heading at both its top and bottom edges. The curtain was stretched and gathered between these two rods, holding the curtain tautly. The curtain was very short, only about 7” high and 12”-14” in width. The curtain was split in the center forming an opening. I saw an arm reach forward with its hand going through the opening in the curtain. The fabric was opaque, so it was not possible to see inside. But, whatever the hand reached in to do, or to retrieve, would have to be done by feeling and not by sight.
This vision caused me to think of a few things. I remembered taking a photography course in college and needing to load and unload a camera in total darkness, to protect the film from exposure to light. There are many things that we can do in the dark, simply by feeling.
But I believe that this vision is to show us what happens when we pray. Because there has been such an increase in wickedness, we pray “Whatever is hidden in darkness be brought to the light.” When we pray such prayers, I believe the deeds of darkness are exposed, and wickedness is uncovered. Of course people who commit sinful acts, do so in secrecy or in darkness, so that they will not be seen.
The hand in the vision I believe is acting under the Lord’s direction, reaching into the darkness and pulling out, into the light whatever was hidden.
I believe that right now things are being exposed. We are seeing the motives of men’s hearts in our government. They are exposed for all to see clearly. However, we are not to point the finger and condemn them. For we are to follow in the Lord’s ways and say as he said:
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
We must pray for these people to experience godly sorrow, and repent of their wrong doing. I do not need to list the many acts of lawlessness and corruption, or mention names, for there is no lack of sin or sinners in this world.
“If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:10
So we simply pray, for we do not want to bring judgment upon ourselves for our unforgiving and condemning attitudes. The Lord showed mercy to us. We need to show mercy towards others.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2
Our job is simply to pray for their hearts to change, and for their salvation.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4
And we know that through prayer we can ask the Lord to direct the hearts of the leaders of our nation.
The king's heart is a waterway in the hand of the Lord; He directs it where He pleases. Proverbs 21:1
Hallelujah! Let us pray and see the hand of God at work in our country. Let us pray that he will direct our leaders’ hearts to benefit our nation and its people. And that whatever is crooked he will make straight.
A Bicycle
In this vision I saw a bicycle laying down on a white surface. I believe that this vision speaks of laying down our willfulness and our self sufficiency.
A bicycle can take us where we need to go, quite a bit faster than on foot. A man can walk about 20 miles in a day at a pace generally between 2.5 and 3 miles per hour, taking about 7-8 hours. By comparison, a man can ride a bicycle about 50 miles, at a pace between 10-12 miles per hour, taking only 4-5 hours. (Bike Touring 101- Adventure Cycling)
The bicycle is a wonderful invention, saving both time and energy. The bicycle moves by the power generated by your own muscles. So, the bicycle represents self direction, self empowerment and self reliance. These are attributes that the world values highly. But when it comes to fulfilling the Lord’s plan for our lives, we need not to be self-reliant, but reliant upon the Lord. We need not to be self-directed, but God-directed. We need not to be selfish wanting to do everything “our way,” but to be God focused, and willing to do things his way.
The Lord wants us to follow his example and say as he did: “Not my will but yours be done.” Mark 14:36
We must ask ourselves: “Am I willing to lay down my selfish desires, personal goals and ambitions to serve the Lord?” Can we truly say, “Not my will but yours be done?”
In the vision, the bicycle was lying on its side on a white surface. It was not in a “ready” upright position using a kick stand, but in a low position. This position is a position of humility, and a position of surrender. It was placed on a white surface which I believe represents purity, holiness and righteousness. The owner of the bicycle laid down and surrendered his right to do whatever he desired, for righteousness sake, and to fulfill the calling of God.
If we have been born again, then we understand the idea of giving up our will to serve the Lord. We understand that it was his great love for us, that he laid down his life, and gave his blood to atone for our sins. It is with gratitude for his sacrifice that we want to lay down our lives for him. After all, he died in our place. We are those who have sinned and who deserve death and eternal punishment.
Jesus was without sin, innocent of any wrong doing, yet he was crucified along with two thieves. These men both sinned and got a just punishment. But notice, one of them repented.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43
The one man mocked Jesus. And because he had no remorse over his sin, he would go to hell for all eternity: “Where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:48
But the other man recognized Jesus as the Messiah. So, even though the man suffered a dreadful death, he would be spared the “second death” which is hell. The Lord responded to this man’s humble heart and his admission of guilt. When he requested that Jesus would remember him when He came into his kingdom, the Lord answered with the mercy, grace and love that he had hoped for: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Hallelujah!
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
“‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
So, let us follow the Lord. Let us surrender our wills to his. Let us lay down our lives and live for him! Hallelujah!
If you would like to become born again and receive the gift of eternal life, and the Holy Spirit to guide you, then pray with me:
Dear Jesus,
You are Lord and Savior, creator of all things. You are from everlasting to everlasting. I acknowledge that you and the Father and the Holy Spirit are one, a Trinity. It was by your death on the cross, that you have reconciled us to the Father, and have saved us from eternal punishment. I ask that you forgive me of my sins, and make me a new creation in you. I ask that you give me the Holy Spirit to guide me and lead me into all truth. I thank you for your sacrifice and your precious blood that has given me new life. I am born again! Lord, I ask that you write my name in the Book of Life, and help me to walk with you. I am yours and you are mine! Amen!
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