Monday, April 30, 2012

Opening Doors For God

I know what you're thinking. Isn't God the One who opens and shuts doors for us? Of course He is. However, in many cases we actually open doors for God to move through. This aspect of our walk is not discussed or taught very much. Perhaps that's why in prayer God got my attention about this. It's about time we hear this!

Now I know you have no problem believing God is very big; and that He is capable of doing much more than we can even conceive of in our finite minds. (See Ephesians 3:20) But we must realize  God works through people; ordinary folks like you and me. Here's a fact: If God wants to use me, I have to be willing to be used by Him. If I am unwilling to be used by Him, then as far as I am concerned, I have shut the door to Him using me. However, if I avail myself to Him, to be His instrument, I have opened the door to my being used by Him. Why would God want to use you or me? To touch the lives of others around us. Hence, being a door-opener for God ultimately effects others!

Opening doors for Jesus requires more than obedience. Obedience is crucial, but faith is the key. To truly believe is to act. Action is an expression of genuine faith. We must hear God's voice as He lays the needs of others on our hearts. Many of those needs are too big for us to meet. Enter God! (But first He needs a door to enter through.) We open the door as we attempt things for God that are much too big for us to accomplish. When God comes through...stuff begins to happen and things change! Stuff and things that needed a door to open for God to move through.

Would you like to be a door-opener for Jesus? Step out in faith...especially in those areas He has already laid on your heart. But you haven't had the boldness to step out because you've seen it as too big for you. Remember...it IS too big for you. But as you step out anyway...you open the door to the ONE who is more than enough, and big enough to move and provide!

Finally, I truly believe that when we open doors for God, the result is that He opens doors for you and me!


Saturday, April 14, 2012

Time for A Vision Evaluation?

What on earth is a vision evaluation? It's just that...a vision evaluation! God has given you as a  follower of Christ, spiritual vision to help you fulfill your purpose and destiny. Vision is the God-given ability to see at least parts of your destiny fulfilled. Without vision, you cannot reach your destiny. Without vision your purpose is unclear (to you). A loss of vision results in a loss of focus...further resulting in an unfulfilled destiny.

What is destiny? Destiny is purpose applied and fulfilled. Your destiny is God's purpose for your life, applied to your life in every stage, resulting in your destiny fulfilled. God has a purpose for you! This also means He has a destiny (purpose applied and fulfilled) for you! You are not here by accident. Your life has Godly significance! No one is an accident.

Now, back to vision. God-given vision is the ability to dream toward your purpose and destiny. Listen to what the Bible says about vision. "Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law." (Proverbs 29:18) The word "unrestrained" means to "wander about aimlessly". Without vision, folks wander about with no aim or focus. They seem to drift through life with no focus on anything particularly spiritual.  Again, God has purpose and significance for you that will cause you to fulfill your destiny. Destiny-minded folks make an impact on the lives of those they live and work around. God has a destiny for you! He has purpose for you. Your life and destiny are very, very significant to Him!

So we could say that vision includes purpose and destiny. Why? Because vision is necessary to bring about God's purposes and destiny for your life. We must have vision working in our walk with Jesus. We must be able to preplay in our imagination the things we feel He has called us to do.

Habakkuk 2:2 says, "Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run." Why record the vision? Two reasons. One - so that the one who reads it may run with it! The only way to apply vision is to run with it. And Two - "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3) The vision will come! It is on the way! Even though it seems to delay - it will come! Let me say it one more time - the vision will come!

So that's why it may be time for a vision evaluation. Re-examine the vision. Perhaps you've lost sight of the vision. Regain the vision. Clarify the vision. Rewrite it. Run again with it! Spend some time alone with God. Think through once again your purpose and destiny. Are you able to see it? Make sure life, circumstances, and the enemy are not obscuring the vision. God never lost sight of your vision, purpose, and destiny! It's still the same. "...for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29). Remember...vision is necessary for you to reach God's purposes and destiny for you!