Living Water

Hi Friends,

It is a beautiful day, the Sun is shiny and the Lord is still seated on his throne.  “This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it!”  Psalm 118:24

I have had several “bad days” recently, but God is good and he is faithful.  When he closes a door he opens a window.  The Lord said:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

I have a personal testimony and a few visions to share with you today.

I’ve had to look for a new church over the past couple of months that is closer to home, and in walking distance, if that would be possible. I found a non-denominational church that I really liked, and close to home. The church’s website indicated that they believed in the gifts of the Spirit, so I thought it might work out for me.  The pastor’s messages were sound and came directly from the scriptures.  With the pastor’s permission, I went to a women’s intercessory prayer meeting one morning and found the ladies to be very friendly and welcoming.  Because I pray in tongues, and have every day for over 30 years, it is as natural to me as breathing. 

That morning I thought it best to simply observe, so I whispered my prayers in agreement with those who were leading out loud. A woman seated across from me broke down into great sobs, and it seemed that no one was coming over to pray with her, so I couldn’t ignore her, for I was the closest to her. I knelt down to her side and put my arm around her as she continued to sob and pray for her son that was in jail waiting for trial. I just quietly prayed in the spirit until she stopped crying. I led out in English to pray for her and her son and then returned to my chair. I had no idea what was customary with this group, for no one except me, got up to lay hands on her and pray. I just hoped that it would be okay with everyone and that no one would take offense.

But as it turns out, the following week, the leader took me aside and told me that they do not want me to speak in tongues because “It causes church splits.” Oh my!

Well, after that, I knew that it was time for me to go and seek out another church. It is too bad that some churches believe that “the gifts are not for today.” Some churches believe that when the Bible says that “where there are tongues, they will be stilled,” (1 Corinthians 8:10) that it means that God took away the gifts. But no, I am living proof that God did not do that. I believe that the gifts cease in places where people become apathetic or complacent. The power of God is always available to those who trust in him. However one generation that denies the gifts, passes on the idea that the gifts have ceased, so that the next generation follows suit. We saw this happening throughout the Old Testament. The Pharisees used the temple sacrificial system as a money making enterprise, and as a source of power, and prestige. Their had a thirst for admiration and control which led them away from God in pursuit of wealth.

Today, the leaders in various churches can succumb to the same temptations and fears that the Pharisees had. They saw that Jesus moved in the power of God, and they wanted to stop him for fear that he would draw men away from them and to himself.

So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” John 12:19

Sometimes the leaders in various churches that do not speak in tongues, do not want any else to. If someone prophecies, they want to shut that down too. It is hard to have a spirit filled church when the leaders are insecure in their positions, and feel threatened by anyone that moves in the Spirit of God.

You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:2-3

After this, I called a couple that I used to minister with years ago with the homeless and those in nursing homes, shelters and hospitals.  They were going to a church that was a few towns over, but had recently opened a “satellite church,”  in my town.  They had mentioned that they were leaders in the prayer ministry and I knew that I would be “safe” there.

I had gone to this church years ago when was Covid was in full swing, because they held meetings outdoors, and we could meet in person. The worship was fine, for even though it was very loud, I could tolerate the sound because of the distance from the speakers.  But when indoor services resumed, I could not handle the volume of the music in worship.  Earplugs were not the answer, even though I tried them for several weeks.  The earplugs interfered with worship, because I can’t sing while wearing them.  I eventually had to leave for I love to worship the Lord, but I didn’t want to go deaf. 

Well, I was desperate to find a church so I went to visit them, hoping that there would be different people operating the sound board.  But it was just as loud as it could possibly be.  I was very concerned now, for I was running out of churches.  I loved my two friends and wanted to work with them again, especially for I believe my calling is in prayer.

So I sat down and prayed asking the Lord, “What am I to do?”  He gave me a vision.  I saw a woman naked from the back side, she was in a position taking a long stride as if running away.

My mind suddenly thought of Joseph who fled from Potipher’s wife, who tried to seduce him on several occasions.  When he turned away to run, she grabbed his garment, and he fled without it. Potipher’s wife used it to accuse Joseph of doing exactly what he was trying to avoid.  

I knew that the Lord gave me this vision to tell me to flee temptation, for in my desperation to find a church, he did not want me to go back to the church that was nearby, because I really liked the teaching of the pastor, and the worship was wonderful.  He did not want me to settle for a church where I would not be able to speak in tongues, thereby dampening the work of the Holy Spirit.  I was to flee this temptation.

So I prayed, for days, wanting to understand God’s will and where I was to “hang my hat.”  Just two days ago, the Lord gave me another vision in answer to my prayer.

The Zipper

I saw a zipper on a pair of pants like those belonging to my husband. A separating zipper was installed around each of the knees on the pants to convert them into shorts.  In the vision the flap around the hemline of the shorts was lifted to reveal the zipper.  The lower legs had been removed. Suddenly I knew that the Lord was telling me to “reattach myself to a church that I had formerly attended.”

So I took the next step and listed all the churches that I had ever attended, even if only one or twice.  I wrote them on  tiny pieces of paper, folded them up and put their names into a bucket.  Then I asked God to select the one he wanted me to attend.  This was so scary for me, because there were several in the list that I really did not want to ever see again.  I shook the bucket and out came three names.  Now I was really concerned for I had had very bad experiences with two of the churches.  The third was the loud church that my two wonderful friends attended.   

So I went back to prayer, asking God for his perfect will in the situation, yet knowing that I really did not want to return to a place that did not accept me.  I always prefer peace over conflict.  But I was willing to do whatever the Lord wanted, always keeping in mind these words:

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

After praying again, I wanted to ask the Lord to speak to me through his word.  I chose several words for each of the churches that distinguished them from each other.  Then I asked the Lord to show me one of these words to indicate the one he would choose for me.  Again, I knew that I was committed to go wherever he would lead, whether I would be happy about it or not.  So God heard my prayer and answered in such a remarkable way. 

I open up the Bible to see a word that would tell me where I was to go.  My eyes fell upon Ezekiel Chapter 47 Entitled: “Water Flowing from the Temple.”  The words that I chose to described one of the churches were: water, rain, river, spring, lake, and sea, for the church’s name was “Liquid Church,” named for Jesus, for he was the giver of living water.  So within the first 12 verses of chapter 47 of Ezekiel, I saw this as God’s answer.

WATER Flowing from the Temple

Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, WATER was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The WATER was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar.  Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the WATER was trickling out on the south side.

Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the WATER, and it was ankle-deep.  Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the WATER, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the WATER, and it was waist-deep.  Again he measured a thousand, and it was a RIVER that I could not pass through, for the WATER had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a RIVER that could not be passed through.  And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?”

Then he led me back to the bank of the RIVER.  As I went back, I saw on the bank of the RIVER very many trees on the one side and on the other.  And he said to me, “This WATER flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the SEA; when the RIVER flows into the SEA, the WATER will become fresh.  And wherever the RIVER goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this WATER goes there, that the WATER of the SEA may become fresh; so everything will live where the RIVER goes.  Fishermen will stand beside the SEA. From Engedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great SEA.  But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt.  And on the banks, on both sides of the RIVER, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the WATER for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”  Ezekiel 47:1-12

Wow!  The words I chose to represent Liquid Church were all throughout this single passage of 12 verses!  The word water occurred 14 times, the word river occurred 7 times, and the word sea occurred 5 times.  That is 26 words in 12 verses! This is far more than I had hoped for as a confirmation of the Lord’s will. The Lord is good!  I feel so blessed!  Now I know that the Lord will protect my ears too, for he is sending me to the loud church where I will be able to pray in peace with my two wonderful friends! Hallelujah!

I still have another two visions to share with you.

The Kids

In this vision, I saw three kids walking and talking with each other.  The one on the left was very tall, well over 6 feet in height. He wore a baseball cap, shorts and a T-shirt and was looking at the other two as they walked along.  The one in the middle was a girl about 16 years old, brown hair, carrying books in her arms and speaking in an animated way. The one on the right was the youngest, probably about 10 or 11 years old, with dark brown hair and looking up at the girl as she spoke.  

I believe that these kids are the next generation of believers.  The girl in the center represents the church for the church is the bride of Christ and often depicted in my visions as a young girl or woman with brown hair, and usually dressed in white.  In the vision, she is speaking, perhaps sharing the gospel with the other two.  The fact that one boy appeared so much taller and the other appeared much shorter, represents the idea of all people, all sizes, all nations, all colors.  

I believe that the Lord gave me this vision, because Liquid church is full of young people, and young families. It is a healthy church that is growing and vibrant.  This vision, I believe is given so that I may appreciate the reason that the Lord selected this church, for we are to pass the baton onto the next generation by preparing them to be leaders, to be strong in faith, strong in word and strong in deed. I do not know what tomorrow may bring, but I see that there is hope for this next generation that their faith will be strong and that they will carry the gospel to their friends, their neighborhoods and to “the ends of the earth.”  Let God’s will be done on this earth as it is in heaven!

The Black Bird

In this vision I saw a large black bird picking up crumbs off the ground.  The bird was in front of  several lounge chairs and an ottoman which had navy blue seat cushions.  The black bird might have been a raven for it seemed much bigger than a crow.  

When I saw this black bird picking up crumbs where people had been eating, it reminded me of the birds in the Lord’s parable of The Sower.  

 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.   Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  Whoever has ears, let him hear.”  Matthew 13:3-9

In the Lord’s parable the seed that fell along the path, was plucked up by the birds and was eaten.  The seed never had a chance to take root, for it was consumed right away.  Jesus was asked by his disciples about the parable and its meaning.  This is what he told them:

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:  When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”  Matthew 13:18-23

This happens to many people and one of which was my own mother.  Here’s her story:

My mother was invited by a friend to go to an outdoor tent meeting.  She went and after hearing the gospel message, she went forward to receive the Lord and his salvation.  That evening she returned home and excitedly told her mother the good news, about the Lord’s forgiveness and salvation.  Her mother very sternly said to her, “We’ll have none of that!”  So the next Sunday her mother sent her on a bus to the Episcopal church in town.  Her mother never went with her, but wanted to make sure that my mother attended a “respectable church.” She did not to draw any unnecessary attention to the family. The devil sent his birds to steal the seed that was planted in my mother’s heart, so that it would be consumed and never take root or produce a harvest for the kingdom of God. 

But the Lord had other plans.  My mother raised us up in the Episcopal church, and four of us are now true believers.  Unfortunately, she was not saved, and departed from the faith altogether when I was young.  We continued to go to church, but all the while she spent her time studying the occult.  She became engrossed in astrology, Eastern religions, The New Age movement, the B’ha’i faith, philosophers and the occult.  She brought home the Ouija board, the fuchu sticks, the 8 ball, and other “toys,” for us to play with. We knew what seances were, and at pajama parties with our friends we would play with the Ouija board and practiced levitation. 

But the Lord had his hand on me. I loved Him and I would talk with Him on the way home everyday from school.  I sang songs to Him and I trusted Him. He was my best friend and confidant.  But the doors to sin and idolatry stayed wide open to the enemy, the devil and his demons. Every night I experienced nightmares so that I was afraid to go to sleep.  I would bring home a stack of books from school and I would study until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.  The dreams were violent and frightening.  

But my mother unknowingly kept “on the path that leads to destruction.”  She would read to me books about Edgar Caycee, “the sleeping prophet.”  She did her best to try to convince me that Jesus was only a man, not God.  But fortunately, I knew differently.  I had already an established relationship with the Lord and she was not going to change that.

So that is enough for my story today.  I love and serve the Lord and my mother and two siblings are in the other camp, serving the devil in a practice of divination and idolatry. The Lord is strong in my other two sisters and brother. I am so thankful for that!

We have to know who we are in Christ .  We have to cling to the word of God and share it with our friends, neighbors and loved ones.  There is power of life and death in the tongue, so let us declare those things that are not as though they were. For our words will not fall to the ground. They will accomplish the task for which they are sent. So we declare over our families that they will serve the Lord, that true worship of the Lord will be on their lips and in their hearts. We declare that they will renounce Satan and all his works, they will repent and turn to God and so be saved. So let us pray and keep on praying!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”   John 14:6

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.  John 6:44 

Let us trust the Father to draw our loved ones to Jesus.  It is He who opens the eyes, softens the heart, and brings to life those that are spiritually dead. For when our spirits are made alive, only then can we hear the voice of God.  It is He who calls them out of darkness and into His marvelous light.  So keep praying!

“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day.”  John 6:39

The Lord has the power to save, but we must pray and share the gospel: 

 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without someone preaching?  And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.  Romans 10:14-17

I have been praying for my mother and my siblings for over 30 years, but if we keep the faith and not lose heart we will see the glory of the Lord reflected in their faces!

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.  2 Peter 3:9

God bless you in your walk with him.  If we live to please him, we will live with no regrets!

Please share this testimony and the visions that the Lord has given to encourage us. God bless you and may He keep you under the shadow of his wing!