Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- March 9, 2014
The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign LORD says about Edom—We have heard a message from the LORD: an envoy was sent to the nations to say, “Rise up and let us go against her for battle.” Obadiah 1:1
The vision God has placed in your heart cannot be ignored because it is His vision for you. Indeed, your God-given vision can be daunting, for it requires extraordinary faith that at times feels uncomfortable and overwhelming. Your leadership is challenged and stretched. You become assertive in ways that seem unnatural for your personality and temperament, but this is God’s way of growing you and implementing His vision simultaneously.
A big vision accompanied by a large Lord, led by a leader of humble faith, is fun to watch. Some days you pinch yourself, wondering why God chose you to carry out this creative assignment on His behalf. Other days you tremble with feelings of anxiety, unsure of how the next few phases of the vision can become a reality. Money and time are both short, but your provision flows from the Lord (1 Timothy 6:17).
Yes, God is at His best when you feel overwhelmed with responsibilities and worry. He has prepared you and others for this vision of Kingdom significance. Do not oversell or understate the vision He has placed in your heart. Trust that the Holy Spirit will reveal its significance over time. A vision starts with an acorn of an idea, but then grows into an oak tree of influence. This takes time and outside resources that you cannot control. The more patient you are, the more vital the vision becomes; so do not present a half-baked vision. You know you want to be a mom, build a business, or serve overseas. This is good, but let your concept for Christ mature. Like an infant in the womb, the vision needs time to grow so it can be birthed in good health.
Lastly, the vision God has lodged in your life requires all of you to be fully focused. There are two focuses: the focus of the vision and your focus on the vision. Start by crystallizing the idea Christ has placed on your heart. If you cannot clearly articulate the vision in a sentence, it is not focused. Clear communication of the vision is concise and compelling. If others see it, they can conceive it.
Secondly, focus on the vision in prayer and do not be distracted by other good opportunities. Furthermore, the vision is top of mind for you, but it takes time to register in the hearts and minds of others. Your part is to cast the vision; their part is to catch the vision. So present the vision in a relevant way to your audience, and seek to align with those of like-minded passions. Communication of vision takes repetition. What is familiar to you may be foreign to your followers. However, in the process, the vision becomes better focused, you are more focused, and it comes into focus for others. This is the vision God has given you, so be true to the Almighty, the author of the vision. Your vision of God determines the quality and quantity of your vision. So stay fixated by faith on your heavenly Father, for the vision flows from Him.
Taken from the March 7th reading in Boyd’s 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God vol. 1” … http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a
Post/Tweet today: A vision may start with an acorn of an idea, but then grow into an oak tree of influence. #thevision
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© 2014 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
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This was just for me! Thanks for listening to Him.
The vision is God. That’s all. Everything else is just hobby
Dear Mr. Bailey,
WOW! I am right here in this Devotional! I feel the Lord is speaking right to me! In two weeks I will be casting a vision for an plan the Lord has matured over the last 10 years and I feel he is ready to GO on it! I will be sharing the vision with women from my church at a retreat and then at a Warren Soup event where 4 ideas that help our area are presented and people in the community pay $5 for a soup supper and a vote! If they pick your idea you get the seed money to start! Last time was $500 and that is more than enough to get this idea rolling! Please keep me in Prayer….I feel just like your devotional! Excited because I know it is from our Lord and a bit nervous at how BIG it is for me! The other day I stumbled on Ministry Ventures while looking at your Bio and thought another dot is lined up…thank you Jesus! The idea has to do with Fondue and the Good News! What says fellowship like Fondue! I would be blessed if you wanted to hear more……Thank you for taking your time Mr. Boyd to read this comment! Makes me so happy when I see my FB friends like Wisdom Hunters….I know how much I get out of them and I know they will too! Have a Very Blessed Sunday!! Judy
These words are so encouraging, wise and full of instruction for me. Thank you for sharing and for following God’s vision for you as you bless others like me with it! Focus, focus, focus.
Dear Lucy~
Thank you so much for reaching out to us at WIsdom Hunetrs with your comments. We are so thankful that you were blessed by the devotional “The Vision”. Isn’t it amazing when God speaks to us in His Word, through other people, in devotionals, or just in the quiet moments? All we have to do is to listen! WOW!
Have a wonderful day.
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter.
Believing and trusting,
Gwynne
Dear Judy~
Thank you so much for contacting us with your enthusiastic response to the devotional, “The Vision”. Judy, honestly, I could “feel” the excitement and joy in your email as you wrote about your (and God’s) ‘vision” plans. Please keep us posted on God’s vision for you and we will pray for you as you go forward. Please feel free to let me know specific prayer requests and we will be blessed to pray for you.
Looking forward to hearing from you in the future!
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
gwynne@wisdomhunters.com
“For I know the plans I have for you, ‘declares the Lord’, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Dear Jane,
Thank you for your response! I agree with you: “The Vision is God”!!! You are so thankful you are a fellow wisdom hunter. Enjoy this wonderful day today!
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
Dear Mark~
Thank you for taking the time to respond to us regarding the devotional, “The Vision”. We are always encouraged when we hear from our fellow wisdom hunters with comments like: “This was just for me!”. Wow! It is so amazing when God speaks to us through His Word, people, devotionals, and other ways. Thank you for listening!
Blessings to you and yours.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
Dear Mr. Bailey,
I have been reading your devotions daily for over two years and this one has hit me straight in my heart .
Last year , Gods vision for my life was skewed by my own selfishness and I almost lost my marriage over it .
Today, my marriage is stronger than ever and God is the key to that success.
I cannot thank you enough for all you do to encourage my faith , as well as so many others . There are so many days where the devotion is appearing to be God speaking directly to me.
I am humbly proud to be a Wisdom Hunter with you.
Adam ….
Adam I am touched by your honest and humble heart. Thank the Lord He is healing your marriage and growing your walk with Christ. Please let me know if we can help in any way. I would love to mail you a free copy of our Wisdom for Marriage. If you would like this, please send us your mailing address. Have a blessed day! Love in Christ, Boyd