Hope and (Progressive) Vision (Part 2)

(Part 2)

Now hope is tied to vision. With a vision, you have been given hope for a Godly purpose. He has called you out for His good purposes. Without a vision from the Lord, you wander around aimlessly. When you seek God for a vision, a purpose in Him, don't set your mind on a having to receive that vision in picture format. It may not come that way, but it will be clear direction, one of which you are certain of being from God. It is bigger in you and it will take God to have it come to pass.

A Godly, progressive vision is one of God's way of wiring our brain. Research has shown that when you have a goal, a purpose, that is difficult—that is beyond man's limitation—that they are in fact easier to reach than simple ones. Why? Because there are certain chemical changes that occur in the brain that take place when pursuing that purpose. It leads to a brighter mood, increased performance, and other positive health changes. It changes your perspective for the good.

God's vision for your life must be activated, engaged, spoken forth, acted upon. Jeremiah 29:18-19 says, "Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. 19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond." 

You gotta' respond. Habakkuk 2:2-3 says, "And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. 3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."

Seek God for that vision. It comes in response to prayer. Acts 10:1-6 says, "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter."

Through that first step, God moved mightily. Miracles occurred, things beyond expectation.

Move down to verse 9 (in Acts 10). *****Peter saw one that lead to the tearing down of ethnic barriers -- GOD'S children coming together -- LEAD TO PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL, SALVATION FOR CORNELIUS AND HIS FAMILY and the miraculous speaking in tongues - Acts 10:9-20 thru Acts 10:44-48 (esp v. 46)

A vision is dependent upon God's timing. (Acts 16:6-10.) (When to go to Macedonia; first no, then yes.)

A vision encourages you to keep pressing on through difficult circumstances: "And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them" (Acts 18:9-11).

You are called to go forth. God will enable you. You must place your hope in the Vision He has given you. It is tied together.

What is your vision; what have you been called to do? Do you believe it; do you hope for it? Because if you believe, down in the depths of your soul, you can know amd say... "I am anointed to (do this "given thing" b/c I have this vision from the Lord to do this) all for the glory of God. B/c if He doesn't get the glory, it is dust.

Hope and (Progressive) Vision

(Part 1)

A Christian needs both hope and a progressive vision in this life to be able to serve God (to the fullest) and obtain the breakthrough God has called each of us to. Without hope, miracles cease, God's hands become tied, and one doesn't expect change nor for God to move at all. Without vision — a progressive, ongoing vision — there is no hope nor expectation that the Godly desires God has given you will be fulfilled. A progressive vision means that God gives you a piece at a time, and adds to it. It is also fluid, meaning it can adapt to changing situations.

Without hope placed in Christ, you lie in darkness, depression and despondency. You plain give up. Then you become apathetic and lukewarm.

A Godly vision gives a person purpose in life, a goal, something to accomplish, a reason for going on, pressing on. Recalling that vision motivates you within your Christian walk.

(Let's look at what the scriptures have to say about it.)

Jeremiah 29:11-13 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

We must seek Him. Let's turn to Psalm 42:4 — No, let's go up to verse 1.

"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."

And again in verse 11, "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." Hope in God. Put your trust and hope in Him.

In Psalm 71:5-6, "For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you." Praise keeps hope strong.

Studying the Word keeps you strong. Psalm 119:49-50 says, "Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life."

Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Psalm 130:5,6, "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning."

Psalm 63:6-8, "When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." You can endure if you hold onto Him, and put your hope in God.

It delights God when you put your hope in God, and not the circumstances around you. Psalm 147:11 says, "the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love."

So, speak to yourself. Speak back the promises of God that He's given you.

Ezekiel 37:11-14 says, "Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.” "

To be continued...