Do you have a vision?

God often works through a vision - I am not referring to visions of future happenings although God could choose to work in that way. I am referring to a plan, a purpose, a dream, a goal.

In just a few short days this country will inaugurate the first multi-racial person as President. Regardless of your political persuasion this is a historic day in the life of this nation. It wasn't all that long ago that Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous "I have a dream speech." He could have said, "I have a vision." The terms are some what synonymous. Dr. King saw a day when this nation would judge a person by the "content of his character not the color of his skin." Unfortunately, that was a radical idea at the time and under the circumstances of that era. Has his dream been fully realized? The answer to that question is debatable but on January 20, 2009 this nation will take a significant leap forward in that regard. Dr. King set a vision in motion that continues today.

In the same way God works through vision. God gave a grand and radical vision to Noah ('build an ark'), Abraham ('go to a land that I will show You'), Nehemiah ('rebuild the walls'), David ('shepherd My people'), Daniel ('stand firm'), Ezekiel ('write of tomorrow'), Peter ('feed my sheep'), Paul ('preach where no man has preached'), so forth and so on.

Every follower of Christ has been given certain gifts and abilities that God expects and commands us to use for His glory and for His honor. God will give us a vision, a plan, a purpose, a goal that matches and flows out of those gifts He has given us. How has God burdened your heart? What vision has He given you that He wants you to work toward that will bring Him honor, build His Kingdom, and further His cause?

Maybe He wants you to start a new ministry within the local church, maybe He wants you to surrender to full-time missions, maybe He is calling you to vocational ministry, maybe He wants you to volunteer for a leadership position. Only you can know what God wants you to do but I know this to be true, God has a vision for each of us. Will you seek the will of God and find what He wants you to do for Him?

Cast your vision, dream your dream, set your goal and trust God to work in you and through you. As you seek God's vision for your life keep in mind that the vision He wants you to work toward is for His honor and His glory, not our own.

It's a New Year, What will we do with it?

We are closing in on the official end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009. At its most basic level a new year is nothing more than a date change. In reality, very few, if any, changes take place the night of December 31st heading into the morning of January 1st. And yet for many of us we will look at 2009 as a new opportunity. A new opportunity in our business and personal affairs, a new opportunity to lose weight or get into better physical shape. A new opportunity to change direction and 'turn over a new leaf.' Whatever the case undoubtedly many of us will embark on some sort of new journey this new year. Where that journey takes us we won't know until this time next year but we do know that there is a journey ahead.

Here are some thoughts regarding my journey that I am praying for. It is my prayer that I will strive to know God more intimately and to make Him known to those in my sphere of influence. It is my prayer that I will allow God to use me to bring Him glory and honor however He wants and wherever He wants. It is my prayer that I will love my wife and children like never before and model for them a life lived in pursuit of knowing Christ. It is my prayer that God will do things in and through the people of Riverbend Baptist Church that only He can do.

In closing I want to share with you a quote by Woodrow Kroll that brings everything into perspective. This quote is from his book, 'Facing Your Final Job Review'...

"Living a life of service for the Master is more than just a demanding responsibility; it's an exciting privilege. The sovereign God could have written the gospel message in the stars or commissioned legions of angels to share it with people. Instead, he chose inept, unworthy individuals like you and me. Unto us have been committed the words of eternal life. The gospel story, which can change the destiny of our friends and family, has been entrusted to us. It is quite an awesome thought."

Have a great new year and next year. I want to encourage you to live life with the end in mind.

The first of many...

It is my prayer that this blog will be used to engage in thoughtful and spirited discussion regarding matters of eternity. I am looking forward to getting to know you as we encounter a loving God who has an awesome and wonderful plan for each of our lives through His Son Jesus Christ.