1-16-2012 by Boyd Bailey
Pay Down Debt
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7
A nation, business or home built on debt is owned and controlled by outside forces. There is no freedom or liberty to be found in leveraged ownership, only obligations and payment plans. Debt is unemotional and uncaring when it decides to call your loan, or make new demands you are unable to fulfill. Debt is deceptive in its ability to draw us into its pleasures in exchange for our time, energy and focus.
Short-term borrowing is subtle, because it can easily become a shortcut that only satisfies our immediate gratifications but with long-term ramifications. I have missed God’s best because I got in a hurry, and thought I had to make things happen, so I presumed on the future. Ease of credit can lead us to grow impatient with prayer and make purchases pre-maturely. However, blessings come from waiting on God’s prayerful provision.
“LORD, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.” Psalm 38:15
Thus, start immediately and implement a plan to pay down your debt. Begin by paying off the credit card with the smallest balance, and cease from spending with the convenience of credit’s plastic purchases. Eradicate your mortgage by the time your children start college and you will have added margin for their extra educational expenses. Delayed gratification is a discipline God blesses. Like a hiker with a light backpack, without the weight of debt you are able to freely follow the Lord’s call.
Turn to Christ instead of credit, and watch Him create opportunities you never conceived. Waiting to pay in cash is an exercise in faith, and a refraining of the flesh. A smaller home and older car, with peace and contentment, is much better than more, with regret and restless nights. Debt free living liberates your life and increases your generous giving. Therefore, pay down debt so you are free to love and serve others more effectively.
“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8, NASB).
Where can I begin to aggressively pay down my debt and increase my giving?
Related Readings: Isaiah 30:18; 64:4; Micah 7:7; Hebrews 11:8-12
Monday, January 16, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Start Young
1-11-2012 by Boyd Bailey
Start Young
“For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.” “Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.” Psalm 71:5, 17
Start young learning the ways of the Lord. This is your wisest and best investment. Youthful learning is leverage for the Lord. Start young so you do not have to wade through the muck and the mire of disobedient living. There is no need to stray and go your own way for you may end up back at the point where you originally drifted from God. Stay the course of Christ while you are young, and this will catapult you into an obedient adult. Youthful dependence on God results in an adult who depends on God.
Even as those older in the faith falter in fear, your heavenly Father frees youthful hearts to attempt big things for Him. Courage and conviction fertilize well a young and hungry heart for God. The Holy Spirit is calling faithful young people to further His Kingdom. Listen to the heart of your heavenly Father and do what He says. Yahweh is calling His youth to something much bigger than themselves.
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12, KJV).
Help the youthful start early in their engagement with God. Teach them, train them, model for them, and then send them out to serve on the Lord’s behalf. Youth do not need to be overly protected, but set free to think big for God. The larger the vision the larger their God, therefore present to them a God-sized challenge. Expect great things from young people who have a heart to follow hard after God.
Do not underestimate their ability to be a catalyst for Christ. Release them to exceed your accomplishments in half the time. Pray for God to scatter young people across the connected planet. Now is the time to send them out in the power of the Holy Spirit. Use today’s resources to prepare for tomorrow’s results. Youth need not be coddled with the status quo, rather challenged to break out of their boxes of unbelief to change the world.
“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
What young person has God brought into my life to invest in with time, wisdom and encouragement?
Related Readings: Numbers 11:28; Job 13:26; Psalm 25:7; 2 Timothy 2:22
Start Young
“For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.” “Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.” Psalm 71:5, 17
Start young learning the ways of the Lord. This is your wisest and best investment. Youthful learning is leverage for the Lord. Start young so you do not have to wade through the muck and the mire of disobedient living. There is no need to stray and go your own way for you may end up back at the point where you originally drifted from God. Stay the course of Christ while you are young, and this will catapult you into an obedient adult. Youthful dependence on God results in an adult who depends on God.
Even as those older in the faith falter in fear, your heavenly Father frees youthful hearts to attempt big things for Him. Courage and conviction fertilize well a young and hungry heart for God. The Holy Spirit is calling faithful young people to further His Kingdom. Listen to the heart of your heavenly Father and do what He says. Yahweh is calling His youth to something much bigger than themselves.
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12, KJV).
Help the youthful start early in their engagement with God. Teach them, train them, model for them, and then send them out to serve on the Lord’s behalf. Youth do not need to be overly protected, but set free to think big for God. The larger the vision the larger their God, therefore present to them a God-sized challenge. Expect great things from young people who have a heart to follow hard after God.
Do not underestimate their ability to be a catalyst for Christ. Release them to exceed your accomplishments in half the time. Pray for God to scatter young people across the connected planet. Now is the time to send them out in the power of the Holy Spirit. Use today’s resources to prepare for tomorrow’s results. Youth need not be coddled with the status quo, rather challenged to break out of their boxes of unbelief to change the world.
“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
What young person has God brought into my life to invest in with time, wisdom and encouragement?
Related Readings: Numbers 11:28; Job 13:26; Psalm 25:7; 2 Timothy 2:22
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Hard Work
1-8-2012 by Boyd Bailey
Hard Work
”We worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we did not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’” 2Thessalonians 3:8b-10
Hard work is honorable. It gives a man or woman respect for themselves and others. God is honored as well when you work hard. Be careful not to subscribe to a false theology that uses God in place of hard work. God, of course, is at work on our behalf, but not without our sincere and focused efforts.
However, it is much more than the simple “God helps those who help themselves” mentality. God has a grand design, and you are a part of His greater work. Your part is faithfulness and hard work. God’s part is leading you into wise decisions, which produce the right results as He receives the glory. As followers of Christ, the quality and quantity of our work is a reflection on God.
Do not become the Christian whom everyone avoids because you are lazy and always making excuses. Be the Christian who is attractive because your work is excellent. People can depend on you, and you go the extra mile even when it is not your responsibility. For the good of the team and the glory of God, you work hard. You may even deserve other benefits, but you refuse them during this season for the sake of the bigger picture.
Indeed, hard work keeps you out of trouble. When you are busy working hard, you do not have time to behave badly. Gossip and complaining are absent from the lips of a hard worker. You simply do not have the time or energy to go there. It may be the sweat of your brow or the perspiration of your intellect, either way, work hard. Manual labor and mental toil both require hard work. Carefully avoid condescension toward others because their work role is different than yours. Blue collars need not bad mouth white collars, nor should white collars treat blue collars as if they were inferior. We all need each other, and we all need to work hard.
Your hard work may produce wealth and abundance. Because society values your skills and services, you may even have an overabundance. Make sure you keep your success in perspective. Keep your heart tender toward God. We seem to pray more when we have little than when we have much more than we need. Allow the fruit of your hard work to drive you to your knees in thanksgiving to God. Express your gratitude through generous giving. Hard work has its benefits; make sure to steward them well.
Moreover, teach your children hard work. A child who is given everything can become soft on sin, discontent, demanding and ungrateful. Hard work teaches children the value of a dollar. It builds a discipline that will serve them throughout their lives. They learn how to work with and relate to people. Hard work is a must for a child to grow into
a healthy human being.
Lastly, keep your motive right as you work hard. Keep your focus off the money. Reward and compensation will come if the work is done with excellence. Stay the course, working hard, loving your family, and taking care of your health. Execute your hard work for the glory of God. He is your boss. You are working for Him. Work hard. Work hard so that you can eat. Then you will be a blessing and not a burden to others!
Hard Work
”We worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we did not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’” 2Thessalonians 3:8b-10
Hard work is honorable. It gives a man or woman respect for themselves and others. God is honored as well when you work hard. Be careful not to subscribe to a false theology that uses God in place of hard work. God, of course, is at work on our behalf, but not without our sincere and focused efforts.
However, it is much more than the simple “God helps those who help themselves” mentality. God has a grand design, and you are a part of His greater work. Your part is faithfulness and hard work. God’s part is leading you into wise decisions, which produce the right results as He receives the glory. As followers of Christ, the quality and quantity of our work is a reflection on God.
Do not become the Christian whom everyone avoids because you are lazy and always making excuses. Be the Christian who is attractive because your work is excellent. People can depend on you, and you go the extra mile even when it is not your responsibility. For the good of the team and the glory of God, you work hard. You may even deserve other benefits, but you refuse them during this season for the sake of the bigger picture.
Indeed, hard work keeps you out of trouble. When you are busy working hard, you do not have time to behave badly. Gossip and complaining are absent from the lips of a hard worker. You simply do not have the time or energy to go there. It may be the sweat of your brow or the perspiration of your intellect, either way, work hard. Manual labor and mental toil both require hard work. Carefully avoid condescension toward others because their work role is different than yours. Blue collars need not bad mouth white collars, nor should white collars treat blue collars as if they were inferior. We all need each other, and we all need to work hard.
Your hard work may produce wealth and abundance. Because society values your skills and services, you may even have an overabundance. Make sure you keep your success in perspective. Keep your heart tender toward God. We seem to pray more when we have little than when we have much more than we need. Allow the fruit of your hard work to drive you to your knees in thanksgiving to God. Express your gratitude through generous giving. Hard work has its benefits; make sure to steward them well.
Moreover, teach your children hard work. A child who is given everything can become soft on sin, discontent, demanding and ungrateful. Hard work teaches children the value of a dollar. It builds a discipline that will serve them throughout their lives. They learn how to work with and relate to people. Hard work is a must for a child to grow into
a healthy human being.
Lastly, keep your motive right as you work hard. Keep your focus off the money. Reward and compensation will come if the work is done with excellence. Stay the course, working hard, loving your family, and taking care of your health. Execute your hard work for the glory of God. He is your boss. You are working for Him. Work hard. Work hard so that you can eat. Then you will be a blessing and not a burden to others!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Real Net Worth
1-6-2012 by Boyd Bailey
Real Net Worth
“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”. Colossians 2:2-3
Our financial net worth need not define who we are. If it does, we become fickled, fearful, faithless and enslaved to economic security. Our worth is not wrapped around Wall Street or Main Street, but the Streets of Gold. For followers of Jesus, what He believes about us defines us. I can become fixated on my personal balance sheet and murmur in disbelief, or I can believe what Jesus says about me—precious, highly valued, a king and a priest.
My worth is defined by the wonder of His grace, His unconditional love and His gift of eternal life. Money does not make the man, man makes the money, but most importantly our Master Jesus Christ marks us. The fingerprints of God are forever embedded on our body, soul and spirit. He bought us, so He owns us through the blood of His son Jesus. Our born again birth certificate reads, “Christian”. We are highly valued in heaven.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13
Christians have a much greater cause than cash and earthly kingdoms. There is a Kingdom, not of this world, whose goal is to glorify God. You are valuable, not by how much money you have, but by how much your Master has you. Your Savior Jesus defines you as a forgiven child of God who, by faith, is filled with the Holy Spirit for good works.
Guilt is replaced by grace, fear flees in the face of faith, pride melts under the influence of humility, and hope has its way in the heart of surrendered Christians. Therefore, define your net worth by the things Jesus deems valuable, and you are rich indeed. Count your many blessings, not your coins, and you will become content. You are of high net worth if ‘Christ in you’ is your hope in glory. Your real net worth is His eternal riches.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9
What is my net worth as defined by what Jesus says are the most valuable assets I have?
Related Readings: Ephesians 1:11-14; Hebrews 10:19; 11:26; 1 Timothy 4:8
Real Net Worth
“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”. Colossians 2:2-3
Our financial net worth need not define who we are. If it does, we become fickled, fearful, faithless and enslaved to economic security. Our worth is not wrapped around Wall Street or Main Street, but the Streets of Gold. For followers of Jesus, what He believes about us defines us. I can become fixated on my personal balance sheet and murmur in disbelief, or I can believe what Jesus says about me—precious, highly valued, a king and a priest.
My worth is defined by the wonder of His grace, His unconditional love and His gift of eternal life. Money does not make the man, man makes the money, but most importantly our Master Jesus Christ marks us. The fingerprints of God are forever embedded on our body, soul and spirit. He bought us, so He owns us through the blood of His son Jesus. Our born again birth certificate reads, “Christian”. We are highly valued in heaven.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13
Christians have a much greater cause than cash and earthly kingdoms. There is a Kingdom, not of this world, whose goal is to glorify God. You are valuable, not by how much money you have, but by how much your Master has you. Your Savior Jesus defines you as a forgiven child of God who, by faith, is filled with the Holy Spirit for good works.
Guilt is replaced by grace, fear flees in the face of faith, pride melts under the influence of humility, and hope has its way in the heart of surrendered Christians. Therefore, define your net worth by the things Jesus deems valuable, and you are rich indeed. Count your many blessings, not your coins, and you will become content. You are of high net worth if ‘Christ in you’ is your hope in glory. Your real net worth is His eternal riches.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9
What is my net worth as defined by what Jesus says are the most valuable assets I have?
Related Readings: Ephesians 1:11-14; Hebrews 10:19; 11:26; 1 Timothy 4:8
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
One Thing
1-4-2012 by Boyd Bailey
One Thing
"I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet." Psalm 27:4, The Message
There are rival voices in the mind of a Christian that compete for the ear of God. It may be a voice of concern over a wayward son or daughter. Another voice cries out for healing of a diseased body. A sincere voice asks to know God’s will and direction for living. All of these voices vie for the Lord’s attention and are close to His heart. But there is one request that collates all of these needs—to enter into the presence of Jesus in prayer.
We need the personalized presence of Christ like a hiker reaching a mountain summit needs oxygen. It is in this place of praise that we see the beauty of His holiness and we study at His feet. The doors to His house of worship are always open to our hungry heart and inquisitive mind. We enter into His courts because He is the One Thing we need. As we live with our Lord we emulate His ways. His warm hospitality is like heaven on earth.
“He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9:25
What is the one thing that drives your life? If nothing else gets accomplished in a day, what captures your affection and attention? These answers define your priorities. What you focus on is what you become. For example, if it’s money, then status and stuff become your goal. However, if heaven’s agenda is your daily “to do” list, then you will say no to those things unnecessary to God’s goals, and yes to furthering His plan.
Consider a monthly audit of your calendar and checkbook with a trusted friend or two. Ask them to hold you accountable in how you spend your time and money. Look for alignment around Almighty God’s agenda for your life. Does your giving support your church and ministries that serve people in Jesus name? Is your time a trusted resource for relationships that need your counsel? Ask the Lord for one thing: to live close with Him.
“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 3:13-14
How do I need to rearrange my schedule, so that I can slow down and enjoy Christ’s company?
Related Readings: Psalm 62:11; Mark 10:21; Galatians 3:2; 1 Peter 3:8
One Thing
"I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet." Psalm 27:4, The Message
There are rival voices in the mind of a Christian that compete for the ear of God. It may be a voice of concern over a wayward son or daughter. Another voice cries out for healing of a diseased body. A sincere voice asks to know God’s will and direction for living. All of these voices vie for the Lord’s attention and are close to His heart. But there is one request that collates all of these needs—to enter into the presence of Jesus in prayer.
We need the personalized presence of Christ like a hiker reaching a mountain summit needs oxygen. It is in this place of praise that we see the beauty of His holiness and we study at His feet. The doors to His house of worship are always open to our hungry heart and inquisitive mind. We enter into His courts because He is the One Thing we need. As we live with our Lord we emulate His ways. His warm hospitality is like heaven on earth.
“He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9:25
What is the one thing that drives your life? If nothing else gets accomplished in a day, what captures your affection and attention? These answers define your priorities. What you focus on is what you become. For example, if it’s money, then status and stuff become your goal. However, if heaven’s agenda is your daily “to do” list, then you will say no to those things unnecessary to God’s goals, and yes to furthering His plan.
Consider a monthly audit of your calendar and checkbook with a trusted friend or two. Ask them to hold you accountable in how you spend your time and money. Look for alignment around Almighty God’s agenda for your life. Does your giving support your church and ministries that serve people in Jesus name? Is your time a trusted resource for relationships that need your counsel? Ask the Lord for one thing: to live close with Him.
“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 3:13-14
How do I need to rearrange my schedule, so that I can slow down and enjoy Christ’s company?
Related Readings: Psalm 62:11; Mark 10:21; Galatians 3:2; 1 Peter 3:8
Monday, January 2, 2012
God's Game Plan
1-3-2012 by Boyd Bailey
God’s Game Plan
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
The new-year invites emotions of excitement in expectation of what God has in store for the next twelve months. There may be relief after experiencing a very difficult year-full of frustrations, failures, fear and loss. Or a sense of gratitude may be flooding a satisfied soul by seeing God work in incredible ways. Perhaps ringing in the new-year is a combination of celebrating Christ, while trusting Him for a hopeful future.
Wise followers of Jesus want what God wants for their family, faith and friends. We want His plan for which relationships to invest in over the next year. We ask Him who needs our attention, our prayers and our encouragement. It may be a struggling college student, a single parent on the brink of giving up or a friend emotionally and physically crippled by illness. God’s plan prioritizes people: their joys, their hurts, their faith, and their finances.
“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.” Ephesians 6:7
What else does the Lord have in store for you this year? Perhaps He is leading you to step into a new job opportunity. It may be a completely new career arena that requires new relationships and a new application of your current skills and past experiences. Are you willing to fully trust Christ with your job? Jesus was a carpenter by trade and a respected Bible teacher by training. Is He calling you to be better equipped in the Word of God?
The Lord’s prosperity may or may not include money. His plan of prosperity for you is hope filled and faith focused. Your gratitude to God brings emotional prosperity that expresses itself in generosity. Your fear of God’s glory brings spiritual prosperity that expresses itself in praise and worship. Your acceptance of God’s love and forgiveness brings relational prosperity that expresses itself in patience and grace toward others.
“The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.” Psalm 102:15
The Lord Jesus brings you healing, not harm. His plans for you include fulfilling work, real rest, and significant friendships, forgiving family members, laughter, weeping and trusting Him. You gain perspective on His plan through humble prayer, understanding and applying biblical truths, and collaborating with other Christ followers. Ask God to guide you in His game plan for the upcoming year. He will. He will but He wants you first.
“And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.” 2 Corinthians 8:5
What does the Lord’s game plan of prosperity look like for my family and me?
Related Readings: Deuteronomy 28:11: Job 36:11; Psalm 4:6; 37:11; Luke 16:1-15
God’s Game Plan
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
The new-year invites emotions of excitement in expectation of what God has in store for the next twelve months. There may be relief after experiencing a very difficult year-full of frustrations, failures, fear and loss. Or a sense of gratitude may be flooding a satisfied soul by seeing God work in incredible ways. Perhaps ringing in the new-year is a combination of celebrating Christ, while trusting Him for a hopeful future.
Wise followers of Jesus want what God wants for their family, faith and friends. We want His plan for which relationships to invest in over the next year. We ask Him who needs our attention, our prayers and our encouragement. It may be a struggling college student, a single parent on the brink of giving up or a friend emotionally and physically crippled by illness. God’s plan prioritizes people: their joys, their hurts, their faith, and their finances.
“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.” Ephesians 6:7
What else does the Lord have in store for you this year? Perhaps He is leading you to step into a new job opportunity. It may be a completely new career arena that requires new relationships and a new application of your current skills and past experiences. Are you willing to fully trust Christ with your job? Jesus was a carpenter by trade and a respected Bible teacher by training. Is He calling you to be better equipped in the Word of God?
The Lord’s prosperity may or may not include money. His plan of prosperity for you is hope filled and faith focused. Your gratitude to God brings emotional prosperity that expresses itself in generosity. Your fear of God’s glory brings spiritual prosperity that expresses itself in praise and worship. Your acceptance of God’s love and forgiveness brings relational prosperity that expresses itself in patience and grace toward others.
“The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.” Psalm 102:15
The Lord Jesus brings you healing, not harm. His plans for you include fulfilling work, real rest, and significant friendships, forgiving family members, laughter, weeping and trusting Him. You gain perspective on His plan through humble prayer, understanding and applying biblical truths, and collaborating with other Christ followers. Ask God to guide you in His game plan for the upcoming year. He will. He will but He wants you first.
“And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.” 2 Corinthians 8:5
What does the Lord’s game plan of prosperity look like for my family and me?
Related Readings: Deuteronomy 28:11: Job 36:11; Psalm 4:6; 37:11; Luke 16:1-15
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Big Vision
1-1-2012 by Boyd Bailey
Big Vision
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
God has a big vision. It’s enormous. He wrote the book on vision. He is the original visionary. God’s vision is so large that we are unable to wrap our minds around its implications. Even if we had infinite lifetimes to live, we couldn’t completely comprehend God’s vision. He launched His initial vision with creation. Creation was His baby. This was God’s opportunity to express Himself through the creation of the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, plants, animals, sky, water, and most importantly, man.
Man was the crown jewel of God’s creation, because he was created in the likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). Man was the image of God, a mirror of his Maker. Our Lord is an extraordinary visionary. He takes nothing and makes something. He lifts up what seems to be insignificant dirty dirt, and breathes life into it so it becomes a beautiful human being.
God is the expert at taking colorless capability and crafting it into a technicolor transformation. His vision is macro. He illustrates His creativity and complexity through the creation of earth and all it contains. His vision is also micro, because He has created no two people the same. Each plant and animal is unique in its own special way. Above all else, His vision is personal for every single individual. God has a vision for your life that is larger than you think. We tend to limit the Lord’s vision with our unbelief and fears. We get so caught up in our day-to-day responsibilities that we forget to focus on the father of vision, Jesus Christ.
Therefore, lift your heart and mind to the Lord, and ask Him what His vision is for your life. By faith, do not be afraid to stretch yourself into seeing things as He does. What we see as obstacles, He sees as steppingstones. What we see as limitations, He sees as His provision. What we see as fear, He replaces with faith.
Do not grow tired of doing well. Tackle life with the energy and excitement of someone consumed with a fresh vision from heaven. Ask the Lord to baptize your vision under the water of His wonder. Ask Him to take your old, stale vision and bring it alive with faith and hope. Raise the bar of your belief so you are bold to ask things of God you have never asked, to believe things from the Lord you have never believed, and to do things by faith that you have never done. Go to the one who is Lord over all visions, and ask Him to infuse yours with life and largeness. Do not let your education, income, relationships, or past failures limit you in your pursuit of His vision for your life. Indeed, your failures are His opportunities to flourish a fresh vision for your family and you.
Lift up your eyes from the obvious, and look for the opportunity that stands next to you. Give yourself permission to “think outside the box” of the ordinary, and trust God with the extraordinary. Vision is most effective when updated and stretched. Do more than dust off an old vision. Pray for the Holy Spirit to birth a God-sized vision in your soul. It may mean moving. It may mean changing careers. It may mean more education. It may mean admitting failure, and starting over. Whatever it means for you focus on God and His vision for your life. He knows how to create a life-changing vision. By faith, ratchet-up a more robust vision. Look to the Lord of vision and craft your vision around His. He has big vision.
Big Vision
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
God has a big vision. It’s enormous. He wrote the book on vision. He is the original visionary. God’s vision is so large that we are unable to wrap our minds around its implications. Even if we had infinite lifetimes to live, we couldn’t completely comprehend God’s vision. He launched His initial vision with creation. Creation was His baby. This was God’s opportunity to express Himself through the creation of the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, plants, animals, sky, water, and most importantly, man.
Man was the crown jewel of God’s creation, because he was created in the likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). Man was the image of God, a mirror of his Maker. Our Lord is an extraordinary visionary. He takes nothing and makes something. He lifts up what seems to be insignificant dirty dirt, and breathes life into it so it becomes a beautiful human being.
God is the expert at taking colorless capability and crafting it into a technicolor transformation. His vision is macro. He illustrates His creativity and complexity through the creation of earth and all it contains. His vision is also micro, because He has created no two people the same. Each plant and animal is unique in its own special way. Above all else, His vision is personal for every single individual. God has a vision for your life that is larger than you think. We tend to limit the Lord’s vision with our unbelief and fears. We get so caught up in our day-to-day responsibilities that we forget to focus on the father of vision, Jesus Christ.
Therefore, lift your heart and mind to the Lord, and ask Him what His vision is for your life. By faith, do not be afraid to stretch yourself into seeing things as He does. What we see as obstacles, He sees as steppingstones. What we see as limitations, He sees as His provision. What we see as fear, He replaces with faith.
Do not grow tired of doing well. Tackle life with the energy and excitement of someone consumed with a fresh vision from heaven. Ask the Lord to baptize your vision under the water of His wonder. Ask Him to take your old, stale vision and bring it alive with faith and hope. Raise the bar of your belief so you are bold to ask things of God you have never asked, to believe things from the Lord you have never believed, and to do things by faith that you have never done. Go to the one who is Lord over all visions, and ask Him to infuse yours with life and largeness. Do not let your education, income, relationships, or past failures limit you in your pursuit of His vision for your life. Indeed, your failures are His opportunities to flourish a fresh vision for your family and you.
Lift up your eyes from the obvious, and look for the opportunity that stands next to you. Give yourself permission to “think outside the box” of the ordinary, and trust God with the extraordinary. Vision is most effective when updated and stretched. Do more than dust off an old vision. Pray for the Holy Spirit to birth a God-sized vision in your soul. It may mean moving. It may mean changing careers. It may mean more education. It may mean admitting failure, and starting over. Whatever it means for you focus on God and His vision for your life. He knows how to create a life-changing vision. By faith, ratchet-up a more robust vision. Look to the Lord of vision and craft your vision around His. He has big vision.
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