Living for Him
Hi Everyone,
Today, I am sharing several visions that concern our walk with the Lord. Whether you just found the Lord or have been serving him for 30 years or more, we are on a road that leads to him. We each have our walk with God that is very personal to us. Our desire should always be to please him and to trust him with all our hearts. Everyday, before we make our plans and our agenda, we need to stop and consider what is the Lord’s direction for the day. It is not for us to decide, although we certainly can. We are more than capable of making our own plans, and our own decisions. But we might not consider the outcome or the cost. I for one can say that doing so brings trouble. I lost several days of work by making plans that did not work out, and working on a project which I eventually had to trash. It was such a gross waste of time, and I experienced untold problems along the way. It was definitely an educational experience for me.
“Not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) Those were Jesus’ words as he contemplated the death he was to suffer. But even in our own lives, we are to say the same thing. “Not my will but yours be done.”
After this experience, I kept reminding myself of these words in scripture:
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1
We have to seek God’s will and not make commitments on our own. Our time belongs to God, our possessions belong to God and our very bodies belong to God.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
If we do not make the Lord Jesus, Lord over our lives, then we will not understand that his ways are by far better than our ways. If we prioritize meeting with him everyday to receive his wisdom, his plans and his instructions, we will find that the Lord will give us favor with people to accomplish the tasks set before us. If we choose him over our own notions and ideas, we will have the grace, and the patience we need to do his work. He will equip us and lead us, and we will find contentment in our work.
I have five visions to share with you that came within minutes of each other:
The Visions
The Blue Fork
In this first vision, I saw a blue fork in a plastic bowl which is typically used to catch the food that passes through a grater. The fork was pressed up against the side of the bowl with its tines hidden not by grated cheese or a grated vegetable, but by some substance similar to cooked oats. Even though I did not see the tines, I knew it was a fork. And even though I did not see the lid to the bowl which would be the metal grater, I knew that the bowl was to catch the shavings. The fork is best used for solid food that can be pierced or lifted from the plate. A spoon would have been a better choice for oatmeal. And even though the bowl was used for catching grated cheese or grated vegetables, is was being used as a ceramic bowl holding oatmeal.
The fork was the color blue, which represents God, godliness, and heaven. So the fork in the vision has a divine purpose. If we were to consider ourselves as the fork, we would be an instrument or tool that the Lord would use in his hand to accomplish his will. We are designed for a purpose, and that is to bring glory to God.
But the vision shows a misplaced fork. A spoon would be the better choice for either oatmeal as in the vision, or grated cheese. We need to allow God to place us where he chooses. But, because of our willful choices, we may be where the Lord never intended for us to be. But thankfully the Lord is merciful and faithful. He will help us in our difficulties and lead us out of harm’s way. But it is up to us to stop, repent of our willfulness, listen for his voice, read his Word for understanding and confirmation, and then obey!
And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22
“If you love me, obey my commandments.” John 14:15
The Blue Glove
In this second vision, I saw a blue rubber glove that was in a disposable aluminum pan. The glove’s fingers were hidden in a similar substance as the fork had been. The glove was pressed up against the side of the pan with only the sleeve of the glove showing. This vision is very similar to the previous one. The glove is again misplaced. It serves no purpose for the glove to be in a baking pan filled with something like oatmeal. A rubber glove is usually used for protecting the hands while cleaning with strong detergents or working with chemicals. The glove and the fork were both blue, indicating that they were designed to serve God, but they were not being used in a purposeful manner. The glove being pressed up against the bowl and the fingers covered in oatmeal, almost identifies it as an unnatural place. It knows that it does not belong where it is. It would like to escape its present position, but it appears to be stuck. The glove needs a hand to remove it from the oatmeal.
If again the glove represents a person, a child of God to be used as an instrument in the Lord’s hands, then it must be the Lord who needs to lift him out of the oatmeal muck and mire.
A perfect example of a disobedient or wayward child of God was the prophet Jonah. He was told by God to deliver a message of warning to his enemies: the Ninevites. Wanting them to be destroyed, rather than saved through God’s warning, he boarded a ship bound for Tarshish to take him as far from Nineveh as he could possibly go. A storm brewed in the sea, and the sailors cast lots to decide who was responsible for the raging storm. The lot fell to Jonah, and he admitted that he was running away from God. He told them to throw him into the sea, and it would stop the pounding of the waves and end the storm. As Jonah sank to the bottom of the sea, the Lord sent a large fish (a whale?) to rescue him. He spent 3 days inside the fish and repented for his waywardness. He promised to carry out the Lord’s instructions, and the fish vomited him onto dry ground.
Jonah chose to defy God’s plan, and he paid for it with three days of suffering, not knowing what might happen to him inside the fish. In his repentant cries for mercy and forgiveness, God heard him and delivered him.
When we go our own way and choose our will over God’s, we will suffer the consequences. If we would only submit to his authority, we could save time and the heartache of reaping what we sow.
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7
A pastor once said, “We sow our own seed and then we pray for a crop failure!” How true!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
A Woman
In the third vision, I saw a woman wearing a white sweatshirt, sitting on the curb with her back towards me. On the back of her sweatshirt, were the letters: “Ala.” This is an abbreviation for the state of Alabama. It is the first state when listed alphabetically. The woman is waiting for something or someone to come. The color white in the Bible represents holiness and purity. I believe that in this vision the woman represents the church. She is sitting at the curb, perhaps waiting for her prayer to be answered.
Because her shirt says “Ala.”, she wants to go home. Her heart longs for what is familiar. She is hoping to find someone who will take her away, far from all her troubles. She is seeking a place on earth called Alabama, a place of refuge. She is hoping to find comfort and safety among people and familiar surroundings. She doesn’t realize that she should seek her comfort from the Lord. He is the one who knows her situation, her inmost thoughts and fears. He is the one who can provide what she needs. But too often people seek others first rather than God who can bring peace and provision, wisdom and favor. He can move mountains on our behalf if we only seek him first!
The Lord is more than willing to provide for all our needs, but we must believe him and place our trust in him.
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
It is our faith in him that saves us. It is our trust in him that brings deliverance, healing, provision and peace. The Lord does not want us to worry, or look to others, but to trust in him.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34
We are told to pray without ceasing, to ask and to believe. If your faith is weak, join with someone who has greater faith, and pray with them, and pray that the Lord will give you the faith that you need to believe him for miracles!
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24
Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19
An Onion
In the fourth vision, I saw one half of a white onion which had its outer layers removed. It had been cut crossgrain and inverted and placed in a small clear plastic storage container. The onion was white, representing purity and holiness. Onions are known to produce tears when they are cut and release their vapor into the air. Because white is used often in these visions to represent the church, the bride of Christ, I believe the white onion represents the tears of the church.
Half of the onion had already been used, so I believe it represents the fiery trials and persecution that have already occurred in the past, from the early days of the church until now. The visible half of the onion is prepared, and placed in a storage container for future use. This may be a warning, as I have already received other vision that speak of persecution coming to the church. Even today there is blatant persecution against believers where the Bible and Christianity are outlawed, or barely tolerated.
The truth will always be in conflict with false religions and ideologies that are conceived by man’s prideful and rebellious nature. Some people will tolerate the word “God” and use it to describe their own “god,” but the mere mention of the name “Jesus,” who is God, and suddenly the real conflict manifests.
We should expect conflict, persecution and rejection, for this is the fate of a true believer as Jesus has said:
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.
Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. But they will treat you like this because of My name, since they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
Whoever hates Me hates My Father as well. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me. And you also must testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning. John 15:18-27
There has always been pressure to conform to the ways of the world. But now the WOKE and LGBT movements are new designs to shame and to silence the mouths of Christians. But “the truth is marching on!” We cannot allow ourselves to shrink back from speaking the truth of God’s Word, for if we do, we will deny Christ and dishonor his name.
So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward. You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For,
“In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:35-39
Gold Fleece
In this last vision, I saw some fabric that was gold in color and made of polyester fleece. This fabric in the vision was the very piece that I had recently purchased to make an outfit for one of my grandsons. I had already begun cutting the fabric, when I received a telephone call which took the project in another direction. The fabric was no longer needed and what I had cut out was no longer useful. The color gold in the Bible usually represents the element gold. The color represents something that is valuable. The Lord used the gold fabric that I had purchased to show how our plans, which we consider as having value, may not have real value, or lasting value. What I had begun with good intentions, was not what was needed. God’s ways are always better!
As I began praying for understanding about the meaning of these five visions, I asked the Lord for a scripture that might give me a clearer understanding as to their meaning. This is the scripture that the Lord gave me:
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Mark 1:16-20
The Lord wants us to see the willingness of his disciples to leave everything and follow him. There was no deliberation, no hesitancy. They immediately dropped their nets and left the boat and their lives behind. In the vision above, I was reminded about having to change my mind about the project. I needed to stop what I was doing and change gears. When God calls us, we are to stop whatever we are doing, and follow him.
After I was delivered and baptized in the Holy Spirit, the Lord began to take things away. He asked me to give up my design business, and six months later, He asked me to give up my masters degree. A year later, He asked me to give up a ministry. I had always believed that I had value only because of the plaques on the wall and my accomplishments and achievements. I valued myself based on how others saw me. I came to realize that the Lord’s love for me was all that should matter. He loved me as his own, and wanted me free to serve him. There are still times, when the fear of man, (being concerned for how others see me), enters into my mind. But these thoughts, we are to take captive, and send them back to hell from which they came. We are not to worry about others and how they view us. We are to have the fear of God and not fear man! Jesus said:
So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:26-31
We are worth more than sparrows, and worth more than gold. We have been purchased by the precious blood of Jesus. That is what shows our worth in his eyes!
In Summary
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Because we belong to you, we owe you our lives. We should not be like the wayward fork and glove that chose to go their own way and found themselves stuck where they do not belong, unproductive and unuseful to God. We need him to rescue us from our poor decisions and choices and settle us in his divine trust. We can look to others for comfort, but we will only find true peace and contentment in the Lord. People can fail us, but the Lord never will. We should not expect this world to owe us anything. “Naked we came into the world and naked we will leave.” However, when we give ourselves to the Lord to do as he will in our lives, we can expect his peace through the storms. We must also expect and be prepared for the persecution that comes from the world. We are valued by God simply because we are his children. He gives us his Holy Spirit and eternal life with him. That is all we need! Hallelujah!
We thank you Lord, for giving us the ultimate gift of salvation, and the presence of God within: the Holy Spirit! You are worthy of all our praise, all our devotion and all our love! We give you our lives, our bodies, our souls, and our spirits to you, Lord. Have your way with us and use us as you see fit. We are at your service! Amen!
And in Him, having heard and believed the world of truth–the gospel of your salvation–you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Thanks for reading. Please share with others, so that we all may be encouraged to give ourselves completely to the Lord! With no reservations, no hesitation, no deliberation, we leave it all behind and follow him! Praise the Lord!
