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.