A Vision From God

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Vision. If there ever were a year to talk about vision and to develop a better vision for life, it’s now. Every year for that matter is a good time to take an inventory of how we did and how we are doing and how we think we are going to do for the future. I’m not big on numerology, but I gathered several “20/20” verses from the Bible, to help me focus in on a few key areas of life that the Lord can help me see more clearly in. This idea came from a very dear pastor friend in Moldova named Pavel, who sent me a “20/20” verse on New Year’s Eve. I pray the Lord encourages you as it did me. Read and be encouraged in 2020 to have a better, God-sized, Spirit-filled, Word of God infused vision for your life! 

20 Moses responded to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear him and will not sin.” Exodus 20:20 

Just after God gave Moses the 10 Commandments, God’s purpose for Israel, and for all who are a part of the covenant through faith, is to experience the presence of Yahweh. Moses’ reassuring words, that God wanted to test the nation, was to see what was in their hearts, so that they may not sin against Him. The ultimate reality is that the law reveals the true nature of our hearts, that we do sin against God, and need a righteousness not our own to fix our hearts. God provided the fulfilment of the Law through Jesus Christ. We still obey the moral code of the 10 Commandments, as both Jesus and Paul emphasized in their teachings, but are not bound by the ceremonial or civil law given to the Israelites at that time. Don’t be afraid…fear him. Going from a human fear to a godly fear of the awesomeness of God and his judgement for sin. God loves us. We need to have a clear vision of what His presence brings to our lives: A holy fear to live before a holy God. FEAR GOD, DON’T SIN.

20 Yet Edom insisted, “You may not travel through.” And they came out to confront them with a large force of heavily-armed people.  Numbers 20:20 

The nation of Israel was sent to go along “The King’s Highway” which was not exactly a straight and flat highway. The path was filled with curves and hills, and was far from water and sustenance. God was showing Israel that they truly needed the Lord and he would provide all their needs, no matter what they faced along the journey. A journey, which would have taken 11 days, took 40 years because of Israel’s disobedience. Yet God was a presence to them even in the midst of their facing the music. We need to see clearly, after just coming through Christmas, that God is present with us. Immanuel means “God with us.”  I think of Psalm 46, He is our “ever present help in times of trouble.” May you see clearly that God is present with you, even in the middle of the struggle. KNOW GOD IS HERE

20 In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in the Lordyour God, and you will be established; believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” 2 Chronicles 20:20 

When problems come our way, big problems, uncertainty creates doubt and fear. We often say, I don’t know what to do!” That’s when we understand that dependence on our ability seems futile. What should we do? We should do as King Jehoshaphat did with the nation of Israel, and seek God for help. This verse is a result of doing just that. A word from the Lord motivated his people to have faith. You can read the rest of the story in chapter 20 of 2 Chronicles. How do we hear from God? By seeking truth from his Word, the Bible. It is God’s love letter to us. I encourage you to start out 2020 by doing just that, reading the Bible more than you did last year. Not only are we to read His truth, we are to believe in the truth. King Jehoshaphat exhorted Israel to believe in the Lord. The same holds true for us. We must believe. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. (Romans 10:17) The Word is ultimately revealed through faith in Jesus Christ, the Living Word. There are many reading plans out there. Here is one you can read. YouVersion also has many plans you can read. Get into God’s Word, so that it might get in to you. We need to have a clear vision of what seeking God in faith means for our lives.  HAVE FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, AS REVEALED IN GOD’S WORD.

20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. John 20:20 

The resurrection of Christ is a game-changer. Scholars and skeptics all agree on the historicity of Jesus Christ, however some differ on their belief in the resurrection. The resurrection is a fact of Christianity. Without the resurrection, nothing in Christianity could stand. How could 12 regular guys (the disciples of Jesus)  give their lives (most were martyred) for a lie? How could the church with it’s humble start now have a global reach and be represented by millions and  millions of followers? I can say simply, the resurrection has changed my life. I’m not a perfect person, but I strive to live a holy life before God through the power of the Holy Spirit in me. Examine the Scriptures without bias. Start reading the book of John. Ask God to reveal his truth to you. And respond from what you find. Seek a trusted friend or pastor to talk to. If there is anything you “see” in 2020, I pray you have a clear vision to see the risen Jesus! Don’t take my word for it. See for yourself. BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

20 You know that I did not avoid proclaiming to you anything that was profitable or from teaching you publicly and from house to house. Acts 20:20 

People need to hear the truth of the gospel. Gospel means “good news.” And Paul here was declaring that profitable message. We just finished Christmas, and the Christmas story in Luke gives an account of the Angel of the Lord proclaiming “good news to all people.” The Apostle Paul was proclaiming the good news of the Resurrected Jesus! My prayer is that 2020 will be filled with gospel conversations in my life and in the lives of those who are passionate about seeing people hear the good news. Jesus commanded us to “Go” and make disciples of all nations. I pray that we become better at following Jesus, and sharing the gospel. There are risks in sharing the gospel. But knowing the reward of a person escaping separation from God eternally through responding to, and believing the good news that their sins can be forgiven and they can enjoy a full life now makes such risk worth it at any cost. If you want to know the story of the good news of Jesus, you can see it here.  May we clearly see the need to proclaim the good news of Jesus! SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS

Celebrate and Reflect

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As 2015 loses the label of a “new year” after 365 days, we come to 2016 with much anticipation as to what is next. Will the Carolina Panthers win the Superbowl? Will Carolina beat State? (Ok I just had to take a jab at that) On a more serious note, Will there be war? Will there be peace? What about tragedy and triumph? Where will you or I be spiritually a year from now? Who will have changed for the better because of what you or I chose to do or not do?

One of the greatest things we can do at the beginning of a new year is to celebrate and reflect. We can celebrate all the good and wonderful things that were accomplished in the previous year. Reflect on the trials, struggles and hurt that could make us stronger or weaken our resolve, depending on our response.

More importantly, we can celebrate the fact that our purpose, rooted in eternity and affirmed by the fact that we are all a part of God’s creation, can move us to humbly thank God for his gift to the world, himself, in the flesh, in the person and divine nature of Jesus Christ. Despite our sinfulness, Christ paved the way for all who would repent of their sin and believe in his name to become a new creation. Jesus gives us the ultimate reboot, the ultimate restart in life.

So as we reflect, we thank God for a good year, no matter the struggle or the pain. God has seen us through it. That’s the point. He’ll continue to do so. That’s our hope, grounded in the unshakeable faith in a God who desires that we see our lives as becoming more obedient to get rid of the selfish desires that face us constantly, and die to self, take up our cross and follow Jesus. As John 3:30 states, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” Happy New Year!