Old Ways, New Fire

Sometimes old school is the best way to go.

About a month ago, I was abruptly awakened in the middle of the night. Mostly because my child biffed me in the face, but also because of a vision I had just been given.

I found myself looking at a classroom. I wasn't in the classroom, I was in a room connected to the classroom. I was able to see the classroom through a 2-way chalkboard. Kind of like in the crime shows when the victim is picking someone out of a lineup - except it was a space to observe the classroom in action. The classroom was unoccupied. It had rows of desks, some posters or pictures on the walls and a clock. The windows must have been really dirty because it wasn't well lit. Everything was dusty and had a stale feeling. Next to where I was standing there was a board that appeared to be keeping score. On the left side of the board were 6 tallies and on the right side of the board there were 3. The tallies were a brownish color. At that point, my son biffed me in the face and I woke up. In my vision though, when I was hit, I touched my face and when I pulled my hand away I saw my blood on my hand.

There was no context before or after. This vision has stuck with me and I've given it to God to guide my thoughts to be able to share the message He has.

It's important to note that not all dreams hold divine meaning. I'm going to suggest that you seek God first and foremost. He will give you the wisdom you need as it relates to you and your dream. Through prayer and council from those God has placed in my life, as mentors, insight has been given. 

The classroom was an old classroom. Much like an old school house or "the old ways." I didn't feel any sort of fear with the vision. I felt curious. The questions I had were: why is it empty, where is everyone, how long has it been this way. I didn't feel like I was in a space I shouldn't be. I would say I almost felt a longing for the class to be occupied. 

When I saw my blood in the vision, I knew the tallies were written in blood. It sounds super creepy and maybe morbid, but again, I felt zero fear, so I wasn't concerned. There were 6 on the left and 3 on the right with a total of 9 tallies. I knew it wasn't fresh and I knew it wasn't mine. The fact that they were a brownish color tells me the blood was old. 

During the time of this vision, I was preparing a message to speak at a women's event at my church. The message I was speaking on dealt with the body of Christ, the gifts of the spirit, and how each one works together. In 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 it lists different manifestations of the Holy Spirit. While spending time discerning my vision, this passage came to mind and I decided to count the number of manifestations listed in those verses. And wouldn't you know it, there are 9 total. I received another little nugget from God during the sermon at church this last Sunday. The pastor was talking about numbers in the bible and what they represent in the text. The number 3 represents the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and 6 represents man. 

I'm telling you all of this to tell you the message behind it all.

The old ways of the church have been abandoned. Things that used to be taught, aren't taught how they used to be, if at all. The Bible is "old" and there are many people in the world today who view it as outdated and irrelevant. The classroom is still there; it hasn't gone anywhere and it's still very much alive. God still wants to teach us and wants us to teach others His way. He just needs obedient followers and students to come in a shake the dust off.

Jesus died on the cross and paid the ultimate price for our sins with His blood. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:38 it says, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." When Jesus died on the cross, He removed the separation between God and man. The manifestations of the Holy Spirit through us are only possible because Jesus died for our sins.

We need to repent for our sins and go back to "the old ways" of following Jesus. He calls us to be set apart. (Romans 12:2) You can't be a follower of Christ and also participate in the things of this world like you used to. (Rev. 3:16) He is a merciful God and He doesn't expect you to do anything on your own. Whether it's forgiving someone you don't feel you can forgive, or giving up a habit, or even quitting a job that is a drain on your life. If He leads you to it, He will lead you through it.

Wherever you are, He will meet you there. However, He won't leave you there. He has bigger plans for you. He will pull you out of the muck and bring you higher, if you allow Him to.

This has been a powerful message and I'm blessed to be able to share it with you. I'm excited to be on this journey of learning and growth, and allowing God to mold me along the way.

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Dear Lord,

Thank you for your goodness and grace. Thank you for giving Your Son as a living sacrifice so that we may dwell in Your presence. I pray that you bless those reading this. That they might be inspired to seek you first and follow Your way. I pray that their hearts and minds be open to Your Word and Your guidance. Please be with them as they go about their day. Help them to be a light in the darkness for those around them.

In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

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Please share with a friend, and let me know how this message spoke to you.