Vision

By looking at the vision statement of a church, business or organization, one can tell where that entity is heading. Vision sets the course by which one progresses. When one walks, he looks out ahead of himself, not down at his feet. A person or organization with vision knows where he wants to arrive. With a clear vision, one then establishes a strategy by which to accomplish that vision. Strategies may change, but the vision must remain as one’s focus.

Let me give you a few examples of organizations that have been faithful to their vision. Youth With A Mission’s vision is: To Know God and Make Him Known. Their strategy is to train youth through discipleship schools and send them out to evangelize. World Vision states: For every child, life in all its fullness. Special Olympics’ vision is: To transform communities by inspiring people throughout the world to open their minds, accept and include people with intellectual disabilities and thereby anyone who is perceived as different. The vision of, Save the Children, is: A world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. International Charismatic Mission of Bogotá, Colombia, has a vision to: Win, Consolidate, Disciple and Send.

Each organization that has a clear vision statement will be successful if they remain faithful to keep within its parameters. All they do and the strategies they employ must be according to their vision. The same is true for one’s personal life. In the Proverbs it says: “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,” (Prov. 29:18). Without a clear vision, one just lives a day at a time. He has no goals and thus no desire for personal disciple. God desires that we live our lives with purpose and that we have a strategy by which to achieve that purpose.

Paul’s vision statement was this: “…to know Him, (Christ), and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Phil. 3:10-11). Because of this, he considered everything else in his life as rubbish. He buffeted his body, he fasted, went nights without sleep, and even endured persecution, all to obtain his goal. A vision must be singular. A double-vision produces a divided heart and mind. You cannot go in two directions at the same time. Your vision will also determine your friends, because you can only walk with those who are going in the same direction as you are and that have the same vision that you have.

When one has a clear vision, he also knows when he has fulfilled it. In writing to Timothy, Paul says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” There was a sense of satisfaction in ending well. His life had purpose, and though it wasn’t easy, he was able to reach his goal.

Scriptures to meditate on:

Amos 3:3; Phil. 3:7-16; Prov. 29:18; II Tim. 4:6-8; James 1:5-8

Values

Values are the principles and directives by which we order our behavior. They are what we believe to be important and provide the foundation and substance of one’s character. Without a well-established value system, personal and corporate goals or vision become corrupted. Values define what a person desires to become, whereas vision points to what he wants to achieve.

In writing to the Ephesian Church, Paul warned against the “course of the world.” (Eph. 2:2) The Greek word he used for world here is: “kosmos”. This word refers to the moral arrangement of the inhabitants of the earth, not to the earth itself. We can say it refers to the values of any given society. The values taught in the Bible are often in conflict with the worldly values accepted by one’s generation. Worldly values of Western civilization include: Wealth, power, status, personal ambition, pleasure, revenge, etc. Many times these values result in conflicts, division, jealousies and pride, which are the desire and work of the devil. In this way worldly values become an enemy in themselves.

The values of the Kingdom of God are at war with the values of this world. Where there is a lust for power, the Lord responds with submission and respect for all. Forgiveness replaces revenge. Self-control wins over the pursuit of pleasure and self-indulgence. Humility trumps pride and status. Generosity destroys greed and the entrapments of wealth. The servant is seen to be the greatest in the Kingdom of God and one’s strength is made perfect in weakness. Each person has value in himself, not just for his utility or function.

We can establish from the Bible a number of fundamental values, by which we can order our life. Some of these are: Honesty, humility, generosity, respect, moral integrity, worship of one God, sacrifice, family, etc. All these values are taught in the Bible and exemplified by Godly men and women throughout the ages. Jesus simplified all these to just one core value. He said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:28-30)

Love is the essence of God Himself. It is who He is. Because God lives in us we have His love. We can live in the world, but not live according to its values. By living according the law of Love, we will have a positive effect on all those around us. There will always be the temptation to conform to the world’s ways, but the Love of God is greater. When caught in a temptation or compromising situation, ask yourself this question: “What would Jesus do?” Jesus is the incarnation of Love. We are transformed into His image through the Love of God.

Scriptures to meditate on:

Mark 12:28-30; Eph. 2:1-3; I John 3:16; 4:4, 7-8; Romans 8:37-39

Like A Roaring Lion

In writing to the Early Church, Peter warned the believers of an adversary that was determined to destroy their faith. He compared the devil to a roaring lion that was on the hunt for those weak and unaware of his tactics. When a lion roars, one immediately feels fear and the natural response is to run. Even when a lion is in a cage, his roar induces fear to those around. This is just what the lion wants. Fear makes one vulnerable and clumsy. As the prey runs, the lion has the advantage and is easily able to overtake and subdue him.

One day as Samson was going down to the town of Timnah, he was attacked by a roaring lion. The lion, I am sure, thought that this man Samson was going to be his dinner that day, but instead of running from the lion, Samson turned on the lion and tore him to pieces with his bare hands. Instead of running, he resisted. Instead of being overcome, he overcame. Instead of being food for the lion, the next day he ate honey from the carcass of the lion.

When a lion attacked the sheep that David was tending, instead of running, he went on the offensive and killed the lion. Offense is the best defense. When the enemy comes as a roaring lion, we are to resist him. When he comes in like a flood, the banner of the Lord is raised against him. Because David stood his ground against the lion, he could confront and defeat a giant.

The roar of the lion is to instill fear, and if we give into fear we will be defeated. In the great financial depression that rocked the world in the early 1930’s, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President of the United States of America. In his inaugural speech he made a statement that has been quoted over and over again. He said: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” In a time of great stress and national insecurity, the enemy was identified. The Roar of the Lion, Fear, had to be confronted.

The church was never build for defensive purposes. She has been told to prevail against the gates of hell. The believers are sent out as sheep among wolves, but these sheep are fierce warriors and the enemy is under their feet. For heaven to be populated, hell must be plundered.

As with Samson, when the Spirit comes upon us, we have supernatural strength. Why should we fear, when “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world,” (I John 4:4)? The Church has been granted authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, not run from them. Rejoice, then, because the enemy has been placed under our feet.

Scriptures to meditate on:

Judges 14:5-6; Is. 59:19; Mat.16:18; James 4:7; I Peter 5:8; I John 4:4; Luke 10:17-20.

All Together Now

Romans 14 begin this way: “As for the one weak in faith, welcome him…” Paul goes on to explain that a person weak in faith is naturally-minded. They are the believers that are prone to major in the minors. They tend to argue over the details of our natural life, such as what is the best and healthiest way to eat, the most important of holidays and traditions, and what is clean or unclean. Because their perspective is limited to the visible, their view is usually the seen as the only correct one. When around the “weak” it is easy to get sucked into arguing with them about the non-essentials, so Paul encourages us to give them some space.

The fifteenth chapter begins by saying: “The strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak.” Don’t judge them for their limitations, but rather build them up. To do this one must have endurance and be encouraged through the Scriptures. It is so easy to get hung up on the differences of our varied and natural world views, rather than see with eyes of faith the bigger picture. It takes a special grace to live in harmony with one another, so that together, with one voice we can glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:5-6)

When I was in my early teens I was part of a marching band. My instrument was the trombone. We were taught to march in different patterns on the football field, while playing our instrument. At the beginning, it all seemed quite confusing, as the drums went in one direction, the horns in another and the big tubas spinning around. But with our eyes on the conductor, there came a time when he lifted his baton and said, “All together now”, and the band would come together in a very well-orchestrated and choreographed crescendo of music, color, and rhythm. The spectators would break into applause, as what seemed to be a confusion of every one doing their own thing became a well-planned symphony of movement and sound. Everyone was surprised at the end result. Those on the field could not see the design of the marching, but as the cameras took in an aerial view, the movements looked like flowers and flags and an immense variety of shapes. This could only be seen by being above and looking down.

Back to us as the Church; each member has his place: the Sabbath worshippers, the Sunday worshippers, the everyday worshippers, the in-the-home worshippers, the in-the-temple worshippers, the meat eaters, the vegetarians, the out-of-the-box thinkers, the conservatives, the casual dressers, the formal dressers…”all together now.” Jesus is the maestro and He knows how everyone is to fit in to the bigger picture. He has a pre-determined plan in mind. We are to follow His direction, rather than just do our own thing. The admonition of Paul, here in Romans 14 and 15 is to not judge one another, but rather keep your eyes on Jesus.

Scriptures to meditate on:

Romans 14 and 15; I Corinthians 12:12-27

My Redeemer Lives

The most defining time for our faith is usually in our darkest hour. In the moments of our greatest need, we reveal the foundation upon which our faith is built. A life built on presumption and wishful thinking cannot withstand the storms. Our peace and comfort are easily stolen from us, when doubts prevail. Faith, built on the Rock, Jesus alone, is what takes the sting out of the times of sorrow and what shines a light in our night.

In the time when Job had lost his children, wealth and health, he declares: “For I know that my Redeemer lives and at the last he will stand upon the earth.” (Job 19:25) While in prison in Rome and shortly before he was beheaded, Paul writes: “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.” (II Tim. 1:12) One’s life is like a cup filled with water. When it is shaken, what is on the inside comes out.

Notice that Job and Paul both said, “I know.” There was no, “I hope so” or “it would be nice,” in their confessions. Both expressed a certainty of faith and they declared it with boldness. They recognized that the things of this world were temporary and passing away, and yet they were looking beyond the visible to their Redeemer. If Job, centuries before Christ, could be so confident, we, even more, should declare: “I know.”

Faith is built on knowing a Person. Job says, “my Redeemer.” He was taking possession of the Redeemer, in faith. The circumstances were adverse, but his faith was firm. It was the possession that a thief could not steal and rust could not destroy. Paul trusted the Lord with all, that he was given. You see, what we place in the hand of our Redeemer, He will guard.

This hymn written in the 19^th century is a great declaration on our faith:

The Solid Rock (by Keith W. Ward)

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’s blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Scriptures to meditate on:

Job 19:25; II Tim. 1:12; Acts 4:23-31; 16:23-33; Mat. 7:24-27

Made For Worship

The first movie that my wife ever saw was: The Sound of Music. It is her favorite to date and most of the songs in the film, she has memorized. When we are out on a walk in the hills around our home, so often she breaks out singing: “The hills are alive, with the sound of music…” Does the beauty of nature move you to sing as well?

The Psalmist was moved to worship, just by observing the majesty and beauty in creation. In Psalms 8, David contemplates nature and man’s place in it, and all he can say is: “How majestic is your name in all the earth.” Even though the heavens and the earth are so wonderful and awe inspiring, he was not moved to worship them, but to worship the Creator.

All of creation was made for worship. Isaiah says that the mountains and hills sing and the trees clap their hands, (Is. 55:12). In Psalms 98, we read that the rivers also clap their hands and the sea roars. When Jesus was entering into Jerusalem, the crowds were praising Him. The religious leaders wanted Jesus to stop them, but Jesus responded that if they didn’t praise Him, the rocks would cry out in worship. Praising the Lord is integral to all of creation.

Have you ever noticed how quickly a newborn baby moves to music? They bob their head, move their bodies to the beat of the music and within a few months they are clapping. The reason is that life comes from God. He breathed into man His Life and man became a living soul. Every inanimate part of creation is like an instrument and every living thing is as a musician. Man is the conductor and lead singer designed to bring melody and harmony in worship before the Father.

Those who are filled with the Spirit of God naturally make melody in their hearts to the Lord. No one needs to tell them to do so, it just comes naturally. Those who do not know the Lord use music to enhance debauchery, rebellion and carnality. Their nature is expressed through their music. It is the worship of creation rather than the Creator and you can’t do both.

When the Church gathers together, it is to worship God. There is the singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; all to lift up and glorify the Name of Jesus, our Lord. In worship, we experience Heaven on earth. We are able to touch Eternity. So let us do what the last verse of the last Psalms, says: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”

Scriptures to meditate on:

Psalms 150; 8; 47:1; 98:8; Is. 55:12; John 4:24; Ephesians 5:18-19

Entering The Holy Of Holies

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers living in Israel before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Many of those who had believed in Jesus as their Lord and Messiah were wavering in their faith and some had even returned to the religion and traditions of their forefathers. The purpose of writing this letter was to show how everything in the Old Covenant pointed to Christ and the He is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Because the Hebrew believers were indigenous to their culture, little explanation was given to the terminology used to explain Christ’s supremacy over their religion.

The Church in the 21^st century is quite removed from the ceremonies and sacrifices of the Jewish religion prior to the diaspora, but through this wonderful book, we can see how the message of the Gospel has been woven throughout all of Israel’s history. God’s plan is to bring all of fallen mankind to Himself. He chose Israel as a vessel by which this message could reach around the world. God entered into a Covenant with Israel to reveal His faithfulness. He gave them the Law to show them His righteousness. He required blood sacrifices to indicate how sin would be forgiven and the people could be justified.  Incense was used in worship to show how their prayers would ascend up to Heaven. Bread became a means of showing how communion was internal and to be an intimate relationship with God. The holiest place of all, the Holy of Holies, was God’s Presence. Sin could not enter there and so a veil was placed to keep the profane out. The priests were to be as mediators, representing God to man and man to God. Though it was a complex system, all pointed to Christ.

The book to the Hebrews explains how Jesus, our High Priest, shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins and that through faith in Him we have access to the presence of Almighty God. Before, man was estranged, but now he is brought close; he was lost and now is found. The veil, which in Hebrews 10:20 is Jesus’ flesh, was broken, just as the bread, (His Body), was broken, opening the way for renewed fellowship with the Father. He invites us to come in with confidence. Jesus made us holy. He made us righteous. It is His work only and there is no other way.

As the writer of the book of Hebrews said to the Jewish Christians of the first century, so God is saying to us today: “Draw near to God, hold fast your confession, stir up one another to good works and don’t neglect the gathering together as His Body.” The Day of His coming is drawing near, so don’t give up. The righteous will live by faith.

Scriptures to meditate on:

Heb. 9:22; 10:19-38; 12:1-2; Eph. 2:8

In The Name Of Jesus

I love how Mark recounts the Great Commission in the 16^th chapter of his book. Certain phrases jump out at me, like: “…those who believe in my name they will…they will…they will…they will,” (Mark 16:17-18). Jesus was so confident that those who believe in Him would have the same authority that He has to do great signs and wonders. The only condition was to believe in His name and the results were guaranteed.

The Great Commission is a sending forth. It implies being under authority, for one cannot send oneself. The Great Commission is not the Great Suggestion. It is a commandment that is to be obeyed. One’s authority is determined by his obedience. By being obedient, even to the point of death, all authority was given to Jesus. He, in turn, gave us authority in His name. It is as if we were given a power of attorney so that we could do His work here on the earth. By using the name of Jesus, all is placed under our feet.

This was made clear to me some years ago when I was pastoring a church in rural Missouri, U.S.A.  A tornado had come through our area and one of our member’s farm was destroyed. I went to help them get their cows to a neighbor’s barn for protection and to be milked. Just as we had the cows safe and the milking process was under way, another tornado touched down in a field adjacent to the barn. It was heading straight toward us. In a burst of faith, I yelled: “In Jesus’ Name, go from here!” Immediately the tornado lifted and the barn was saved. It was an awesome experience to see the power of God at work through the authority in the name of Jesus.

To have authority, one must be under authority. When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he found believers that had understood repentance, but that had not been baptized in the name of Jesus. As they believed and were baptized in Jesus’ name the power of God broke loose. Demons were expelled, signs and wonders occurred and a major revival resulted. Seven sons of a Jewish priest tried their hand at expelling a demon, but with negative results. They had no personal relationship with Jesus and so had no authority to use His name. The demon understood this and jumped all over those seven foolish, young men.

Because all authority has been given to Jesus, when we approach the Father we are to do so in His name. The authority we have is positional and relational. It is positional in that we are under the authority of God by being in Christ. It is relational because we are His children and heirs with Christ. Let us go forth under His authority to do great works in His name.

Scriptures to meditate on:

Mark 16:17-18; Mat. 28:18; Acts 19:11-20; John 16:23-24

Jesus – Our Healer

In his first sermon to a Gentile audience, Peter preached that Jesus went about doing good, healing all those who were oppressed by the devil, (Acts 10:38). If there is one aspect of Jesus’ ministry, that everyone remembers, it was that of healing. Jesus not only healed physical sicknesses, but also the inner conditions of the soul. Many didn’t even realize they needed healing, but after their encounter with Jesus, their lives were changed.

Jesus is the Great Physician. His diagnosis is correct and He has the remedy for all of life’s ailments. If you would make an appointment to see Dr. Jesus, how would you describe your condition? You may recount what is bothering you, where you feel pain and your difficulty in moving, but what questions would He ask you? Let’s just imagine that Jesus takes out his note pad and begins to examine your condition to see if you are spiritual sick or not.

Do you have?

• A gnawing sense of guilt and unworthiness.
• Frequent fits of depression and self-pity.
• A tendency to expect the worst.
• Irritability over trivial matters.
• A lack of desire to fellowship with believers.
• Criticalness of others.
• Criticalness of self.
• Loss of the ability to love and feel loved.
• Difficulty in enjoying life.
• Feeling the need to have the last word.
• Excessive caution based on the fear of past experiences.
• Lack of appreciation.

Do you need healing? If you follow Jesus’ instructions and take His medicine, your sadness will turn to joy, gratefulness will overflow from your lips, the heaven burdens will become light, your night will turn to day, there will be no more pain, and no more fear. People will be drawn to you as His Love now becomes your love. You will experience frequent attacks of smiling and spontaneous laughter. You see, when you are healed you are healthy. The life of God is abundantly evident in you. Jesus’ office is open and He is available to help you.

Scriptures to mediate on:

Psalms 103:3; Acts 10:38; John 10:10; Is. 61:1-3; Mat. 4:23; 11:29

Praying For Our Leaders

In the Church, we often behave other than what is taught in the New Testament. We have our programs that are designed to edify all age groups. We busy ourselves with seminars, retreats, camps, evangelistic campaigns and so many other wonderful activities. All this is good, but have we ever stopped to ask ourselves if God has something else in mind for the Church?

The purpose of the first letter Paul wrote to Timothy was to give him specific instructions about how the Church should behave. “I am writing these things to you so that…you man know how one ought to behave in the household of God…” (I Tim. 3:14-15). And what was the most important activity of the Church? In chapter 2, verse 1 and 2, it reads: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions…” In one word, PRAYER is the primary ministry and obligation of Christians when they gather together.

The first topic of prayer was for, “all people”. Isaiah prophesied that the Lord’s house would be called a House of Prayer for all nations (Is. 56:7). God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would be saved. God loves the whole world and sent Jesus to be the Savior of all mankind. This first subject of prayer reveals the general will of God.

The second topic, in verse 2, is more specific: “for kings and all who are in high positions…” In other words we are to pray for our leaders in government. We are to pray for them so that we may live a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. Don’t you agree that the government we have affects the way we live? We pray for our leaders so we can be well governed. Paul goes on to say that this is good and pleasing in the sight of God. Good government is the Will of God!

God is interested in government. All those in authority derive their legitimacy from God. All authority is delegated authority and comes from our Sovereign Lord. God desires good government so that the Gospel can be preached in the whole world. Verse 4 gives us the reason why we should pray for our leaders. It is because God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” For this to happen, the Gospel must be preached. Let me ask you this: Is it easier to preach the Gospel in the whole world when there is good government or when there is bad government? The answer is obvious, so let’s pray for our leaders.

Scriptures to meditate on:

I Tim. 2:1-4; 3:14-15; Rom. 13:1-7; Is. 9:6-7; 56:7; II Peter 3:9