Write It Down!

I will stand my watch
And set myself on the rampart,
And watch to see what He will say to me,
And what I will answer when I am corrected.

Then the LORD answered me and said:

“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

“Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:1-5 NKJV

The Lord is yet revealing Himself to others–just like He did with the prophets of old. If we learn to receive, hear and listen, we might be surprised at what we are told.

People are still creating bucket lists–those desires they wish to achieve before they die or at least by a specific time in their lives. A goal is always a good thing, especially when the goal is for the good of others more than just self. And while having a goal is good, few goals are ever achieved without a plan to get there.

The plan–the step-by-step approach or strategy to get to the finish line, must be doable and must lead in the direction in which a person wants to go. Not having a plan, often leads to people doing random acts–that lead nowhere and then they wonder why they have not moved closer to their goal.

Perhaps the easiest way to reach goals is to have several short-term goals that lead to the larger goal–to complete the big picture.

For instance–if a student desires to improve grades and obtain a specific grade-point-average, they might want to start with a targeted study plan. For some that goal may include specific hours dedicated to study and preparing for daily class work and testing. This goal would include working on smaller portions of information for a longer time period (one segment 15 minutes a night), rather than trying to cram a great deal of information into an overnight, stress-filled approach.

If a person has a desire to be used in ministry, by God–the first step would be to develop a right relationship with Him and then to get into His Word and study–researching all that is unknown or not clearly understood. Reaching this particular goal takes time and there are no short cuts although some have attempted to circumvent the obvious. We must study to show ourselves approved unto God–willing to work to understand His Word so we might rightly–present it to others. Some have claimed a calling upon their lives by God and presented themselves to a local church leader and that leader has set them up to fail by simply allowing them to present a “trial sermon”and then giving them leeway (without sufficient evidence of study or relationship) to run and misrepresent the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

If there is anything we want to achieve and God has given us the vision, we need to write it down, along with the plan to get there–step-by-step. When the vision is truly from God, it will be attained and nothing any man or woman attempts to do to hinder it, will matter. God’s plans will always prevail over anything we may plan to do–that is not of or from Him.

So if God has given you a vision–write it down and seek His wisdom to map out the plans to achieve and no matter–stick with the plan–inching your way, if necessary, to cross that finish line–according to His timetable. Remember–“the race is given to the strong or the swift, but the one who endures to the end.”

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When The Vision Is Revealed!

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the LORD replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:1-3 NIV

Be encouraged! When God gives us a vision–even when we don’t understand how it will all play out in our lives, we simply need to write it down–keeping it before us–until it comes to pass.

What is the vision given to you?

Some have been given visions of traveling to faraway places to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Write it down and plan the journey even when the resources are not known–keep it in front of you and remain stedfast in faith that God will bring it to pass. He is faithful to complete everything He starts in us.

Some have been given visions to start non-profit organizations to help those who have been unfortunate in life–to keep them from giving up hope and to promote their well-being–providing them the means to be self-sufficient in life.

Some have been given visions to start for-profit businesses that will be valuable in the kingdom as the Gospel is promoted within and without these businesses.

Some have been given visions to serve in government positions to keep those in leadership mindful of their purposes–according to God’s plans.

Some have been given visions to teach--educate others both in secular environments and within The Body of Christ–so growth, character, and integrity remain a vital part of our society.

Some have been given visions to write–all that Holy Spirit inspires them to write and publish so all will access to what God is speaking to the hearts of all who are willing to listen.

Whatever God has shown us–through visions–we should write it down and prepare to receive all that He has planned for us–and when the plans are complete–we wait for Him to implement each step of the way so we’ll get His results and not our own.

As a result of seeing the vision He has for me–I’m in the process of developing another site designed to discuss my books and those I review for others. I’m excited and receptive to hearing what others think as I begin this new phase and would appreciate whatever insight and feedback others are willing to give. Here’s the link http://www.mhrlifewriter.com/

May God continue to give you vision and desire to see it through until the end. Write the vision, prepare to see it, and then wait for it!

The Praising Dead!

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Revelation 3:1 NIV).

Without belaboring any discussion about John’s vision, I would like to move forward to the last part of this verse–“God knows our deeds, we have a reputation of being “alive,” but are dead.”

There is absolutely nothing we can hide from God. He looks upon our hearts and knows our thoughts from afar, so our deeds–cannot escape Him. Whatever consumes our thoughts will dictate what we do–and God already knows what that will be.

In spite of the fact that God knows all, we attempt to fool people with acts of holiness and piety, when in reality, we are living what we want others to think we are living. Other people think we are such spiritual Christians–when we: constantly quote scripture (but no idea what they mean), always have a word of prophecy for others (but never hear God’s voice), sing louder, pray louder, and dance longer than others (moved by our emotions rather than guidance by Holy Spirit), and always quick to tell others what they need to do to be saved (but living saved has not been accomplished)–Oh yes, we have a reputation of being alive, but are dead. People think we are “all that,” because of what “they see” not what they know. God knows!

When given an opportunity to show compassion, the response is anything but compassionate and often more judgmental. When given an opportunity to show mercy, we instead condemn others for the same things from which we have yet to be delivered. When given an opportunity to show the love of Jesus Christ, we attempt to show our superiority over others in knowledge and in holiness. God knows, which is why He showed these things to John in the vision. Not everyone is guilty, but so many are.

We are not righteous of our own accord or by what we do. We have been declared righteous because of His righteousness when we are living in right relationship with God. That right-relationship involves hearing God’s voice, following His directions, and living before all men as God would have us to live–even when they cannot see us–God can. Having a right relationship with God brings humility–total submission and awe about His love and leaves no room for superiority, judgment, or condemnation of others. Being religious and not having a relationship with God brings us no closer to Him and will actually widen the gap of understanding.

Our God is an awesome God! He gives us chance after chance to get it right before Him and others. He loved us enough to come down from glory in the person and likeness of Jesus Christ, showed us how to live, then showed us what real love will do–sacrifice self–so others can be saved. That’s the God I serve! I pray every day that my life (how I live) is a praise unto Him and I will not need to expect to hear anything other than, “well done” on that day. I do not want to be, the praising (loud but saying nothing) dead!

Lord Jesus, help us to be all that You would have us to be and to do all things well in Your sight.