Vision Archives -

“Remember the ‘Good Ol’ Days’?”

Do you think that as we enter a new year, it will be filled with uncertainty and anxiety? If so, do you think we may be tempted to yearn for the “Good Ol’ Days? When life was simple, and Love was easy?

Intriguingly, Ecclesiastes warns us: “Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions’” (Ecc. 7:10 NIV84). Why not ask such questions?

Perhaps one answer is: Just as it is hard to drive a car staring in the rear-view mirror, it is hard to live life always looking back at the past. Ahead are only crashes ….

But perhaps another reason is: The Lord has planned better “things” ahead for us. Beyond what often becomes a trite cliché, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19 ESV), He truly has something wonderful in the future for us. But you may ask: How can I say this with all the dreadful things happening from deaths to lockdowns?

One reason I can say this is, of late I have been stretching out with my mustard-seed-faith to really grab the truth: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28 NIV84 emphasis added). All things, even my foolish and silly “mistakes”! All things.

So, in this new year perhaps you can join me in following the Apostle Paul’s declaration of determination:

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – (Philippians 3:10–14 NIV2011)

Peace,

Pastor Mike

“You Have A Role”

Date: 02-04-15

Text: — 1 Corinthians 12:27 — ²⁷Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Join me in eliminating the “Shout Down” method.

My Thoughts:

Being a former loner, I understand what some are feeling. The irony was, I myself am a team player, and yet I often felt that no wanted to play with me. Many of these feelings were self imposed downers, but the truth was I was the kid that was ditched quite frequently. But I continued to play—anyway….

In truth, deep down I always believed that each of us has a role to play, especially in the Body of Christ. This is the greatest team to ever be on. The Coach doesn’t play favorites, and doesn’t pull you out after making a mistake. You can play your best, and He is pleased with it. When you do flub up, depending on the severity of the ‘foul’, He takes you aside and explains the ‘Game’ a little better. And when He ‘benches’ you, it is for a good reason. One dear mentor told me and another friend that maybe the Coach has ‘benched’ us in order to keep us fresh for the fourth quarter….

Lifestyle worshipers, when you feel like you are not part of a team or are playing in a game that requires no teammates, remember that the Body of Christ has many positions, and He definitely has one with your name on it. So: play your best! Your thoughts.

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

— Corinthians 12:14-26 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me for feeling like I am not part of Your Team. Open my eyes to the position You have placed me in and empower me to faithful play my best! In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Catching the Wave”

Date: 01-30-15

Text: — Nehemiah 2:13-15 — ¹⁷Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” ¹⁸ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Sometimes casting a vision is as simple as catching a wave.

My Thoughts:

Sometimes casting a vision is as simple as catching a wave of opportunity. I’m not much of an expert on body surfing, but I have done it a few times, and even fewer successfully. What I quickly learned, however, is timing is pretty important. Timing my approach to get to the right place on the crest of the wave was the key. I’m sure the principle is the same as board surfing. Never mastered it, but I understand it.

Nehemiah caught a wave of opportunity after his inspection of the wall. Apparently, he said a lot more than he recorded here, but one thing is for certain about what he did say: He clearly identified the problem and offered a compelling solution. He shared the burden of his heart at a time when the Lord had opened the door of opportunity. He did not hesitate; he did not stutter. He ‘cast a vision’ of hope and promise—all based in a confidence that came from a life of prayer.

Lifestyle worshipers, for some of us, it is hard to know when the time is right, but I am convinced when we are in ‘constant’ prayer, an opportunity will open for us and the Lord will make a way for us to cast the vision of our burden! Being vigilant in prayer and alert to the circumstances takes a clear mind—a mind that is not worried or concerned of the ‘what ifs’, inadequacies and weaknesses of our ‘selves’, but a mind that is focused on the Holy One’s strengths. For in our weakness His strength is made perfect and complete.

Join me in catching a wave of opportunity being alert to its timing through prayer. Your thoughts.

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.

— 1 Peter 4:7 (NIV84)

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

— Colossians 4:2 (NASB95)

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

— Ephesians 6:18 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father, keep me ever vigilant and alert to the opportunities You afford me to act on the vision You have burned in my soul. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike