A few weeks ago while on a retreat with a friend, the group went before the Lord in worship and I immediately saw what looked like a bird, or was it an angel, it was a bird like creature but stood as an angelic person. Before going on the retreat as I was praying to the Lord I had seen myself surrounded by white flames. They were not flames of destruction, but they were all around me burning in fullness and intensity. While worshipping at the retreat I saw the same white flames all around me. I shared with the group. A few minutes later a young teenage girl shared with us that she has a nickname, and that a picture that she draws over and over portrayed that name. What she described was what I had been seeing. Later she showed me one of her drawings of this upright standing angelic bird that portrays her nickname. Surrounding the creature were white flames. She was going to color them in later, but I asked her if I could have the picture the way it was, because that was exactly what I had been seeing.

This would not be the end of seeing birds. The next few weeks I would continue to see birds and types of images that portrayed birdcages. The one image that keeps recurring is the one that I have seen repeatedly the last three years. It is a small bird, a dove inside of a birdcage. God always revealed to me that the birdcage was representative of religion, mans traditions, man's desire to control and present the glory of God to the world through the mirror image of religion. The bars that represented religion were partially created by people because they felt they were responsible for the safety of others. To the dove who sat inside of the cage it did not feel safe it only brought about sadness and a great longing to be free. The bird which represented those who know God in Spirit and in truth still sang but with sadness. Over the years I have come to realize that many of the bars of the cage were also created by the of spirit of pride, prejudice, rituals, man made rules, fear of losing people and gifts that religion desires. That instead of laying down their lives as Jesus asked them, religion has taken the road of the flesh and picks and chooses which passages of the Word are to be established so that religion is able to nail upon the doors of the church their justification for taking the position that reflects the image that they have created and worship.

For the first time in three years, while worshipping with a friend, I saw the bird and he was flying freely outside of the bars of the cage. The gray bars of religion had been replaced with rays of light that shone from the Son (sun) above. I saw bright sunlight breaking through dark clouds in the sky above bringing light and warmth to the dove who flew in thanksgiving. The bird was free and soaring with God in joy and in hope.

Both the visions of the young teenage girl and the bird set free from the cage represent the same idea. The young girl who shared her drawing with me explained how the bird within the flames was a bird that had once been consumed by the fire all around it but instead of death for this creature a new bird (new creation) had arisen from the ashes. This is the same thought as the dove that I saw set free from the cage. Both had been renewed, restored by the hand of the Lord. Both had gone through a season of suffering. The angel / bird, had been consumed by fire, as God allowed the refining fire to bring forth that which is Holy and able to be used by God. The bird in the cage had also gone through a period of refining as he/she kept on singing even though the spirit of religion had held them captive. A death of self comes about as you focus on God through all trials and tribulations, as you keep your hope in God, knowing that He will lead you, He will protect you, no matter who comes against you, the Spirit will live on. Even though those around you may not understand your hope and joy you will not give into man made religion, and because of this a type of death occurs and then a new person, a new relationship with God is released from the cage, released from bondage. A relationship with God where you no longer put your hope in man to lead you into the throne room of the Lord. For you have partaken of the glory and know that He stands beside you as your comforter and protector

God speaks to me: "When Jesus was resurrected He brought forth a new hope, a new way of relationship with Me. Freedom so that you are able to go directly to Me in all situations. A new creation and freedom in Christ rose out of the ashes of mandated religious rituals. This "new" relationship did not come about easily. Many suffered and have died sharing and living the truth. Throughout history men and women who have known Jesus in Spirit and in truth have suffered the same persecution and have died never losing their hope that I am with them, able to keep their souls until they meet Me face to face. Freedom does not come cheaply, it cost My Son His life, and those filled with the Spirit of God must also be willing to follow this path, be willing to lose their own lives. Freedom does not come about sitting in the comfort and conformity to man made rules. It comes about through laying down your own desires to satisfy the flesh, your needs for conformity, and to come and sit at My feet. Read My Word, pray and listen to My voice of instruction, and then be bold to walk in faith as you live what you have received. Walk the same path that My Son walked so that others may come to know the Jesus that died upon the cross, who rose from the grave 2,000 years ago. He rose in resurrection and revelation 2,000 years ago and He continues to rise up bringing forth revelation truth to any who will call out that they believe He is My Son and they desire to have a personal relationship with Him.

Will I find faith upon the earth, will I find those who are willing to lay down their lives, their busy schedules and programs and pray for My perfect will to be done upon the earth, within your lives, within the lives of those around you. Pray that many will be able to rise up from the ashes of tradition, be set free from the cage of captivity which is representative of all thoughts and actions that focus on the flesh and not the Spirit. Pray for others so that you will be able to stand and rejoice together as you hear new voices singing out that the old has fallen, that many are leaving behind the captivity, the lies and lusts of Babylon, thoughts that focus on the flesh. Pray for others to rise up in resurrection knowledge so that they are able to leave behind what they thought was safety, and stand in freedom and in truth. Stand as reflections of My glory always believing that I will never leave you, never forsake you, I am with you always. To the ends of the earth I will be with you."

"And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Rev. 18:2

"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Rev. 18:4

While praying with a new friend this week, I saw what looked like a red star up in the sky. The star and all that surrounded it reminded me of the traditional Christmas card scenario. The humble manger, nestled amongst the quietness of a village, set out in a countryside that existed thousands of years ago. Then the star up in the sky that would guide the wisemen to where the baby Jesus lay sleeping. Even the reflection of light that radiated from the star that took on the image of the cross. The traditional Christmas card scene, except the star was red, not white. The feeling I received was the same as you would normally experience at seeing the peace and tranquility at knowing that in the manger slept the King of Kings, the Lord who would come to bring truth, hope, and comfort to all those who stood in darkness. All who are thirsty, all who are weak, all who call out to Him, will be filled with the Spirit of life, of the living water that would satisfy the thirst for purpose and meaning in life.

"When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." Math. 2:9-10

(*Wise men are those who love the Lord- they have sought Him for their life and have found Him)

Today the Lord speaks to me through a psalm: "Wise Men still worship Him. Wise Men still seek Him for who He is, the Savior, the Redeemer, the truth and the way, wise men still seek the mysteries of His grace. Though the King Herod of this generation would seek to destroy, those who listen and follow the one true voice, the voice of reason, the voice of the Lord, King Herod can not touch those who are covered by the blood. The blood that was shed, protects and covers those who are His, they are covered in white, with the purity of life, they are covered by the blood of the Lamb.

The star is set high in the sky, look up and know your Redeemer stands by. He will never forsake you, He gave His life to protect you, the almighty God, the Holy and glorious One, stands ready and waiting for you to call. He stands ready to lead you by His righteous right hand, through wisdom for those who believe in the Lamb, so lay down your gifts at the foot of the cross, lay down the gifts that were purchased and bought, brought through the fire, and purified by the blood, lay down the gifts which are the evidence of His love.

There is still a quiet mountainside where all who seek peace can reside, just close your eyes, worship, rejoice, releasing the frankincense and the myrrh. Release the precious treasures that are of great worth to the Lord. Wise men still believe in Him with their lives. They follow the star that is set high in their sights, it is the truth that is within, the voice that leads to eternal life, who protects and keeps them from the thief who waits in the night, the devil, the serpent, the one who comes to steal and destroy. Wise men know they can trust God with their lives."