The Church is Asleep
Hi Friends,
I hope you are enjoying summer, with warm air, and occasional showers. However I know that in other parts of the world they are experiencing snow, for it is winter time. The Lord has created such diversity on his earth. I am writing today to share three visions. One of which has snow as the backdrop. As always, the Lord shares what he wants us to know. And I try my best to convey what I believe he is showing me.
The Visions
The Tooth
In this first vision, I saw a tooth in the center of the palate, the roof of the mouth. The tooth did not belong there. It is a supernumerary tooth, or extra tooth. There are no open spaces where the tooth should have been. This was a rogue tooth, erupting through the skin and not in alignment with the rest of the teeth. It was not even close to conforming. It was distant to every other tooth.
What the vision means.
As Christians, we are part of the body of Christ with Jesus as the head. We are designed to fit and function in the body where the Lord will place us. He equips us with gifts, talents and skills that help us fulfull his purpose. But as believers, we may feel that we are a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. There is no doubt that we are no longer aligned with the world and the world’s values. So it is natural that there is a disconnect with people in the world, some may even be family members or friends that are not yet saved. But the disconnect sometimes happens within the body of believers. They may feel that they don’t have a place or are not welcomed by all.
Some believers may like a church overall, but seem to find it difficult to make friends. Others like the church but are not accepted by the ministry in which they would like to participate. There may be established cliques that see new people as intruders. This goes against the Lord’s teachings of “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
For whatever the reason, some people lose heart and decide to leave and try another church. Others stay home and watch online. But it is not God’s design:
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:21-26
We, as the body of Christ, need to accept others. Some are as we are, and some are very different from us. Nonetheless, we need to make room for others at the table. I am reminded of how birds sit on the roof’s ridge to rest. If another bird comes along and also wants to rest, the birds automatically re-adjust their positions so as to evenly space themselves and accommodate the additional bird. There are no ruffled feathers, this is done regularly and in order. We should do the same. If someone comes and wants to join a ministry or a group within the Church, we should move over to make room. We are all brothers and sisters in the Lord, and there should be no strife or division, no envy or jealousy. There should be no rejection or conflict. Why does this happen?
In a word, it is the flesh. There is fear that someone may usurp another’s authority, or that someone may outshine another. This is nonsense, but it continues to happen. We may understand the word, but unless we submit to the Lord’s teaching and conform to his ways, this will continue.
“I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?” 1 Corinthians 3:2-3
But, thank the Lord, for he has patience, for we certainly have the ability to try his.
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-2
So when we have differences of opinion, or we feel unwelcomed in our ministry or wherever God places us, we have to stop and seek God for his wisdom. He is more than willing to show us where we are going wrong or what we can do to lessen the friction. He says to us:
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3
The tooth in the vision either needs to get in alignment with the other teeth so it can function as it was designed, or it needs to be removed. Only the Lord knows what is best. It is our job to seek his counsel, and live at peace with everyone.
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18
Pastors of their churches who know their flocks, may be able to help to connect new people with others who have a right spirit that will include them in a ministry or small group where they can be with like minded people and find love and acceptance.
The Boots
In the next vision, I saw someone’s legs and feet walking in the snow. I was watching his steps, following him with my eyes. I could see that with each step his boots kicked up the snow just a bit to show that the snow was powdery and only about 6-7” deep. The man stepped from the street up onto the curb and continued walking.
This vision reminded me of another vision where I was following the Lord, walking in the tall grass in the moonlight. The message that I believed it was to mean was found in this scripture:
“We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” John 9:4
We know that we are in the end times, for one of the major signs is the increase in wickedness. Wickedness is depicted as darkness because most evil deeds are done under cover of night or hidden from view. The increase in wickedness in the world is so great and so common that some feel empowered to carry on their wicked deeds in full view. There is no shame.
“For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” Philippians 3:18-19
But we are to resist the devil and his work. So while there is still time and we have the light of day, we need to do the Lord’s work, for we know there will be a time, “when no one can work.”
In this current vision, with the boots and the snow, we understand it to be winter. Winter is also synonymous with sleep and death. The grass is covered in snow and the leaves have long since fallen off. The whole world has gone into a deep sleep. I believe that the Lord is showing us that even though we are in summer in the natural world, the world around us is spiritually asleep and unaware that the Lord is returning soon.
We need to wake up the sleeping church. We need to wake up everyone around us to be prepared for the Lord’s return. We need to follow him. Whether it is in the tall grass and in moonlight, or in the snow and the wintery cold, for darkness is coming and we know that he is the light.
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:5-7
As the days grow darker, we need to let our light shine. For as the Lord is light, we are to reflect his light and to turn others from darkness to the light of Christ.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
A Dog
In this vision, I saw a dog with his head lifted high. Someone was petting him under the chin and causing him to raise his head. Immediately, a scripture came to mind:
“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3
The dog in the vision represents the faithful, those who are faithful to the Lord. The hand that pets the dog and lifts his head is the Lord’s. He loves us and comforts us when we are down. He lifts up our heads and helps us to see things from his eternal perspective. He places us on higher ground, the rock which is himself. He stands with us in our troubles, and he delivers us from all our fears. He is God; he is our shield. He is the glory and the lifter of our heads!
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26
When we are in difficult circumstances, we may be worried or full of fear. But immediately, our first response should be to call to the Lord.
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God?” Psalm 43:5
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” Psalm 34:4-5
If we know the Lord we will know peace. If we know his word, we can take comfort in his promises. If we seek him we will find that he has been with us all along.
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
When you go through the fiery trials he will stand with you. So, I continue to remind everyone that times are going to be hard. Whatever can be shaken will be shaken. We can not trust in our ingenuity or our money or our clout. We cannot trust in anything but God alone.
There is another aspect to the vision of the dog that I would like to share. The hand scratching under the dog’s chin causes the head to be raised and the eyes to look upward. The Lord’s desire is for us to look to him for help in difficult times and also to look up and see the end time signs that point to his second coming.
“There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:25-28
We need to be aware of the times because the Lord’s return could be at any moment:
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:36-44
So let’s seek the Lord in earnest.
“Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7
Let us be prepared to meet him. Repent now, of any wrong: wrong attitudes, waywardness, willfulness and anything that we have done that has harmed another. Now is the time to get to know him and understand his ways. Reading and studying his word, and spending time in his presence will cause us to draw closer to him. We want to be faithful to the Lord to do his will, to be filled with his Holy Spirit and to be led by him. We place our hope in him so that someday, he will say to us:
“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” Matthew 25:21
But if we live for ourselves and do not submit to the Lord, going our own way and doing our own thing, we may hear something quite different, for the Lord said that not everyone will enter the kingdom of heaven.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” Matthew 7:21-23
The Lord asks us to love him and to be obedient to his word. He is patient with us, for his mercies are new every morning. But he is also a just God, and it is only those who repent and turn to him for salvation, that will be saved. We need to acknowledge that his death on the cross paid for our sins, and that only those who endure to the end will be saved.
I want to encourage you to read the Bible because it is truth, and it is food for your soul. It is the truth that sets us free. Jesus is truth.
“I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
We must be aware of the times and the seasons, and that it is imperative that we see the importance of living for him. These are Jesus’ own words:
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:9-14
The Lord sees the church as asleep. We must wake up everyone. Please share this message with everyone. The Lord wants none to be lost. God bless you!
