Do you have a Vision

Lately our pastor has been doing a series on having vision. He's been talking about setting and having goals in our life, but first needing a vision. He has challenged us to think ahead at where we want to be in 5 or even 10 years. And then ask ourselves if what we are doing currently is getting us closer or farther away from that goal. If we want better friendships, or a better marriage, or for some to even get married, do we act in a way that will edify those around us?

^{Proverbs 29:18}Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]--blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.

Creflo Dollar once said you can never go anywhere you can't first image yourself going to, and you can never have anything you can't first image yourself having.
See God Himself had an image. When he created the earth and us, He imagined then spoke us into existence.
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;...
(Do you see the "Let Us" who's God talking to? ... But I'll save that for another post)

One of our other Pastors did a sermon that was along these same lines and my husband and I got a word from it that we quote often. He said "If you believe you can do something or have something - You're Right" and then said "And if you believe you can't do something or have it - You're Right". Of course we had to stop and think about that, so go ahead I'll wait.

Now do you see what he said? What ever we believe is true for us, is true. We forge ahead or stall depending on what we believe to be true for us. Mix in a couple of strongholds, a little bit of complacency and you are stuck in the rut of life.
John 8:³¹ Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. ³² And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Or perhaps you could mix it with the truth of Gods word, some faith, some determination, some diligence and I bet we'll see some deliverance. (The good kind not the movie)

When I was younger and learning to drive my Dad told me not to follow the beam of the headlights when going around a corner, but to keep my focus on the road. He said watch where you are looking because you'll eventually steer towards your focus. What a nugget of truth that was that can be applied to every area of my life. Our eyes are such a porthole to our spirit and where we focus, where we let our eyes go is where we will go eventually. (Thanks Dad!)

So now we know we need a vision, and we need to imagine that we can do or have what is in that vision. But how do we decide what that vision is for each of us individually? Well my first answer to every spiritual question is "Did you pray about it?" (smile) However in this really, I would say pray and renew your mind with the word of God. You will know what God has for you and what He wants from you by reading His word.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

God has a plan for each of us, and has given us desires and talents to accomplish what He would have us do. Pray for wisdom in what God wants for your life.
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

So start imagining what it is that you want for yourself, and set your focus on it. Then get God's word in there to back it up. Don't limit yourself, God has way more to give you and way more for you to do.

Blessings everyone!
Lynn

Loving Myself - Loving Life

I had a wonderful Easter. Not that I did anything spectacular, but because of what Easter represents to me. Jesus saved me from the pits of Hell not only for eternity, but here on earth as well.
As I look back to my old self, it amazes me how much the devil controlled my life with his lies. John 8:44 paraphrased "The devil is a liar". But not to be discounted that easily, he knows each of our weakness even better that we know them ourselves.
For the last 4 years I've taken a much more serious approach with my walk with God. I'm seeking that intimate relationship with Him instead of fufilling my Sunday obligation. :) For me to begin to believe how much God loved me, it was not enough to hear "He gave me his only Son John" 3:16. That didn't feel real. It wasn't until I continued in His word daily, that his truth was revealed to me. As I continue at each level, God reveals himself to me more and more. As with any relationship I had to invest into it for it to become strong and lasting.
Self doubt, and insecurity is a horrible thing that too many of us deal with, in different ways and at different degrees. It can be the root or foundation for many other problems, obesity, bulimia, anorexia, substance abuse, phsyical or mental abuse, illness and disease. It can cause us to put up with forms of abuse that if we really knew our worth we would not allow. I pray that I continue to grow, so that someday maybe God can use me to help others that struggle in this area. I will always be able to grow more, but I can look at who I am and who I'm becoming and am happy with it. With out Gods love and the Blood of Jesus, I would not be able to do that.
So I'm Loving Myself and Loving Life.... Thanks to Jesus!
Lynn