Without Spot or Wrinkle
Hi Friends,
I am writing today about a vision that I received recently. I have received several visions recently about being called to holiness and living a devoted life for God. The Lord is serious with his plea to us, so we need to use wisdom and make a true and lasting commitment to him.
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
The Vision
The Fabric
In this vision, I saw a large piece of white fabric on a flat surface like a table or bed. I saw a someone using his hands to smooth out the folds and wrinkles of the fabric.
In life there are things that are less than perfect. But it does not stop us from trying to make things as perfect as they possibly can be. In making a bed, one expects to see it made properly, especially in a hotel. There would be great disappointment if one were to enter a hotel room and find the bed, "not quite right." One would have suspicions that someone sat on it, or "tried it out," much like the story of Goldilocks and the three bears. When someone pays for a room, he expects it to be clean and put in order. There should be no signs of someone's belongings or someone having used the room.
I believe the vision refers to getting things in order spiritually.
I was reminded of the story of King Hezekiah who was sick, and called the prophet to ask him if he was to recover or die.
In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city.
“This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised: Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined. Isaiah 38:1-8
Hezekiah was told to “set his house in order,” for he was about to die. But God had compassion on Hezekiah, for he humbled himself and sought the Lord in tears. The Lord is loving and compassionate and Hezekiah’s prayer caused Him to change his mind. We must remember that when we seek the Lord, we should know that He hears our prayers.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:14-16
The Lord may be calling us to set things in order and get right with God. Hezekiah was not perfect but he did accomplish a cleansing of idolatry in Israel. The Lord honored Hezekiah's intentions to walk before him as a righteous (yet not perfect) king, who was devoted to him.
The word of God tells us to be perfect, even though we aren't capable of being perfect. Only the Lord is perfect.
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48
Yet the word tells us also that no one is righteous, and that Jews and Gentiles are alike in this respect.
“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Romans 3:10-12
But with God all things are possible, and the Lord has made a way, for us to be righteous in His sight. It is not by the law, by our good works, or anything that we do. We are justified by faith alone.
Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:20-24
We are saved, and made righteous, justified before the Lord, simply by believing that he is the Messiah, the one and only Son of God, who died on the cross to pay our debt of sin. There are no deeds or works to perform that can save us. There are no prayers, or gifts of money to a church, that can purchase our salvation. We either believe him or we do not.
The vision about smoothing out the folds and the wrinkles, shows us that the message is simple, and clear: we as believers are to be "spotless" and "wrinkle free," before God.
"…just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless." Ephesians 5:25-27
It is the blood of Jesus that sanctifies the church making her without blemish, spot or wrinkle. The word of God cleanses our minds and hearts of anything false. The word of God, is the word of truth. When we read and study the word for ourselves, false teachings become exposed, and we are made aware of sin and wrong motives.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13
When our hearts are laid bare, we see our sin and are cut to the quick. We immediately want to get right with God. The word and the Holy Spirit together help us see our need to repent. The Spirit of Truth moves upon our hearts and leads us to confess our sin.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Everyone of us sins, and when we do, it is important to ask God for forgiveness.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8
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
To repent means to change one’s mind. So when we sin, we are to change the habit of sin. We have to make a quality decision to change the behavior, attitude or desire that goes along with the sin. It may mean that we have to change our relationships. If a friend causes us to stumble because they entice us to sin, then it may be that we need to remove ourselves from the friend. In some situations the friend may not realize it is sin, so we might speak to him saying that we are no longer going to participate in anything that causes us to sin.
There are also secret sins, which no one knows about. These are dangerous sins, for whatever is hidden in darkness can be used against us, keeping us in bondage. If guilt, shame, and the the fear of exposure keep it hidden, then the enemy can beat us up. He may entice us to sin, using unholy desires. He may plant thoughts of helplessness in our minds so as to entrap us. He is “the accuser of the brethren,” bringing accusations, torment and self condemnation. But God does not want us to live under the shadow of shame or guilt. He wants us to be free.
A House Swept Clean
The vision of the folds and wrinkles in the fabric brought to mind the Lord’s teaching on "a house swept clean and put in order." Jesus used that expression to teach about deliverance. When the Pharisees and teachers of the law demanded to see a sign to show by what authority the Lord was doing his miracles, Jesus replied:
"A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it, except for the sign of the prophet Jonah..." He concluded his answer with the following statement:
“When an impure spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:43-45
We learn about demonic possession in the passage above, as it was described as becoming worse, when “the house is swept clean” and not occupied by the Holy Spirit. Just fifty days after the feast of Passover when Jesus died on the cross, the Holy Spirit came in power and baptized the disciples with fire. The disciples received the Holy Spirit’s power to proclaim the gospel to those who had come to the feasts. The church was born that very day as 3000 came to believe in the Lord by their preaching.
The Pharisees would not be part of that re-birth. They would not have the Holy Spirit to dwell within them. After killing Jesus, their Messiah, they would go on to persecute the church and bring a greater demonic oppression upon themselves. Jesus condemned that generation in Matthew chapter 23, pronouncing 7 woes to befall them for they were like their “father the devil.”
Throughout Israel’s history, the Lord sent prophets to them, to turn their hearts back to God. Sometimes they would repent, but more often they would kill those sent to them. The condition of this “last generation,” those with whom he was speaking directly at the time, would be filled with many demons. Their sin was about to climax when they shouted " Let his blood be upon ourselves and upon our children!" "Crucify him!"
Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me! John 8:43-45
On another occasion, Jesus taught about the demonic power referring to demons as a strong man taking up residence in a person.
No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Mark 3:27
In deliverance, inner healing and physical healing, we need authority to bind the demonic powers that cause sickness, oppression and possession. The Lord gives us as believers the power and authority to bind and to loosen.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:9
But before we undertake such an endeavor, we must seek God for his direction. Prayer and fasting is necessary:
When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
“O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me.” Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
Afterward the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
“Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:14-20
Mark's gospel tell the same story, adding Jesus' final comment:
He told them, "This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting." Mark 9:29
As we seek God's direction in "sweeping a house clean," we need to learn from other's mistakes. The Bible teaches that we should not undertake such a "cleaning of a house," without proper authority and clearance from God.
And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. Acts 19:11-20
Years ago, I wanted to tell may sister that she was using divination to diagnose her clients ailments. But the Lord stopped me by giving me a vision. Then I heard him speak to me saying: “Do not go where I have not sent you. Give her the same chance I gave you.”
So, I did not call her or send the letter that I had written, showing her that her diagnostic equipment was not based on science or physiology. It used divination to speak to demons, to gain access to information regarding the client. The Lord told me to not engage her. It has now been 31 years.
The vision of the folds of fabric, are about setting everything right in the sight of God, so that there would be nothing that stands between us and God. He knows all things, and it is best to do things His way.
Walking Away
It so happens that the Lord showed me today that I needed to walk away from a friend that I have had for over 20 years. She is an unbeliever, and committed to her own faith. I had prayed for her and her husband for all these years, but she refused to listen to me or consider that Jesus is her Messiah. On one occasion, she told me that we could not be friends, if I were to continue speaking about Jesus. Oh why did I not walk away then?!!! What a mistake!!!
Her husband died without Jesus a year ago. I began to spend more time with her because of her loss. I was hoping that she would become more open to the gospel. But I found that I was not able to make any headway. The Lord gave me a vision several years ago, which I shared on this blog, entitled "Two Donkeys." The Lord asked me at that time to separate from close friends that were unbelievers.
In that post, I spoke of separating from a friend who came to church, not to be with God, but to be with me. I was constantly trying to encourage her to know the Lord, but she wanted my prayers but not my God. She could not bring herself to trust him, in spite of her many physical ailments. After the Lord asked me to step away saying, “I must increase and you must decrease,” she was alone for two and a half years. When I saw her after that, she had changed. She finally came to church to meet with God! She was filled with the Spirit and born again! It was wonderful to see how God works all things together for our good!
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?c Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
The Lord had asked me to separate from two couples, one was of a mixed marriage. She was Catholic and her husband was Muslim. He was a very wicked man, so it was easy to separate from them. But the couple I had known for 20 years, I treated differently. Somehow, I justified staying friends with them, hoping that they would be saved.
But last night, the Lord gave me a dream showing me that I needed to separate from her. This morning I prayed to confirm, and the Lord confirmed twice, telling me it was time to “walk away.” So today, I have decided to walking away. I will continue to pray for her.
We have to be willing to separate from those we love, or have had longstanding friendships, if they are not believers. God is first, and if we put anyone ahead of him it is idolatry. I have no desire to put anything between the Lord and myself. I cannot justify my sin. God's ways are not our ways, they are by far greater. So it is wise to heed his word, and align ourselves with His will.
Consider Jesus’ words. This is a hard teaching.
Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:34-39
I know that the world will not agree with me, especially my husband. He will not understand, but we cannot ignore the Lord’s commands.
If you love me you will keep my commands. John 14:15
Last night I spent a portion of the evening praying with another friend, who was not receiving healing in spite of four plus years of prayer with our prayer group. We were looking for what could possibly be hindering our prayers. Sin is usually the cause of prayers going unanswered. I realize now by the dream, that I was blocking my own prayers by being disobedient to God’s word, and the direct command he had given me regarding unbelievers as close friends. My desire to see my friends saved, caused me to put their salvation ahead of the word of God. This is a sin of disobedience, which may be the hindrance to our prayers. I hope that by separating from my unbelieving friend, that she will find the Lord, and we will see His miracles, salvation and healing. We must do things God’s way. Our “good intentions,” can undermine the plans of God.
If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commands. John 14:14-15
Obedience is a prerequisite to answered prayers! So perhaps we need to look at our relationships and the sin that trips us up. We need to stop doing what is wrong or sinful in the eyes of God, and make a lasting change.
Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16
Let’s take everything to God in prayer. We need his direction. Thanks for reading. Please share this message with those who will receive it. God bless you all!
