REST IN GOD

 

“We who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God) do enter that rest…”

                                                                                                                                           Hebrews 4:3 AMP

We must have complete rest in God as believers. Rest is a season when living by faith is not a struggle in every area of your life. Every believer must understand that God works in us to do all His good pleasures so we are working with and in God to achieve a purpose and struggles and working in our own strength are wiped out

“…because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose” 

                                                                                                                                   Phil. 2:13 GNB 

There is surely a “salvation rest,” a resting from our works in an effort to earn God’s favor, when we come to faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary and receive God’s blessings. And there is the “eternal rest” which all Christians will experience thereafter. But there must also be what we might call a “sanctification rest,” a rest from striving as Christians in the power of the flesh, in a futile effort to attain godliness.

Believers must not strive to please God in his own strength but draw from the grace available in God by faith. To trust in Jesus is to cease from one’s own labors, one’s own efforts, and receive the fruit of the work which Jesus did on the cross of Calvary.

Christian are to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave. By the working of His Spirit in us, we are able, to some degree, to live a godly life (Romans 8:1-17). This is resting in Him, or we might even say, abiding in Him (John 15:1-14). This is the key to fruitfulness.

God is always with us, giving us His grace for everything we need to do in life. We work in partnership with Him as He supplies the grace to make all things work according to His divine purpose

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them…Harden not your hearts…Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God…but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin…Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it… For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” 

                                                                                                      Heb. 2:1, 3:8, 3:12, 3:13, 4:1-2

Believers must be diligent! We must pay close attention to what we have heard; faith comes by hearing and believing the WORD of God, let it not slip away! (Heb. 2:1, Romans 10:17); we must not neglect our great salvation (2:3); and consider Jesus (3:1). We must not harden our hearts (3:8); take caution against an unbelieving heart (3:12); exhort one another every day against the deceitfulness of sin (3:13); rid ourselves of the FEAR and the unbelief that will keep us from our promised rest (4:1).

 “Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days”                          

                                                                                                                                                    1 Chron. 22:9 

A man given rest by God will be like Solomon who enjoyed peace and quietness in his days; inn the same token there are others that were tried and tested by the Word of God until their day of showing come. In all rest will be the ultimate in the lives of all believers.

“And he called for a famine upon the land; He brake the whole staff of bread. He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold for a servant: His feet they hurt with fetters: He was laid in chains of iron, Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of Jehovah tried him. The king sent and loosed him; Even the ruler of peoples, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, And ruler of all his substance; To bind his princes at his pleasure, And teach his elders wisdom”

                                                                                                                              Psalms 105:16-22

Above is the story of Joseph from grass to grace or from battles of life or passing through the turmoil of life until respite, state of peace or rest was established in his life by the Lord. It was a season when the dreams sent to him by God was finally established and Joseph became the prime minister in Egypt.

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

                                                                                                                                                     Exodus 33:14

“And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored” 

                                                                                                                                                        Gen 39:2-6 

Another look at the rest that God endowed Joseph with is the scripture above. The Presence of God was significantly with Joseph even as a slave in Potipher’s house, he prospers in whatever he did and he found grace in the sight of his master; finally the blessing of God was in that household for his sake and Joseph was a goodly person and well favored.

“Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan: and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you”                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                            Deut. 3:20

Rest is not achieved until you possess all that God has promised or spoken concerning you actually come to pass. Then you come to possess the inheritance that God has promised to give unto you. Then he gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you can dwell in safety. Rest is not in place when you have a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind. It is there that we MUST receive with meekness the engrafted WORD that is able to save our souls from being perturbed! The key to Christians having abundant life in Christ is living by God’s grace through faith. Because grace is His power working in us that enables us to do whatever we need to do in life.

“And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he swore unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                      Joshua 21:44

In New Testament era, we do not fight flesh and blood but principalities and powers, and rulers of darkness and dominions. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal though but mighty through God to the pulling down of these strongholds. It is God that subdues our enemies as we engage in spiritual warfare and He gives us rest when we have been able to prevail by faith over the powers of darkness that are risen against us. You must look for or seek after rest before you can possess it; else there will be adversary or evil occurrences.

“Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant”                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                           1King 8:56

Rest comes when no word fail of all the good promises that God said He will do.  It is actually in this place of REST that total confidence or Trust in the Lord is established forever.

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”

                                                                                                                                                  Matt. 11:28-30 

Jesus is our Peace and Rest. He alone has the antidote to remove labor and heavy laden from our lives. We undergo a spiritual surgery where we divinely exchange our labor and heavy laden for His yoke which is easy and His burden which is light.

The Present day Church is likened to the Jewish Nation who were heavily laden following the Mosaic laws led by the Pharisees and the Sadducees who thought they were doing God a service by vehemently opposing the way of peace and rest that God instituted by the way of salvation that came through the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. Only through Christ can sinners wearied and heavily laden with sin, iniquity and transgression can honor the invitation through salvation and get speedy relief from the toils and labor of life. It is only through this sacrifice that those burdened with guilt of their evil deeds can come to the Lord at the cross and find instant pardon.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us”

                                                                                                                                                    1 John 1:7-10 

Believers who were often tempted and lured by the unyielded carnal mind can come to the blood of the cross for cleansing from all unrighteous acts and purification from sin and grace to stand against every temptation so that they come to REST eternally in the works of total salvation past, present and future found only in Christ Jesus. As many as will come to Christ Jesus will be saved from sin and vile affections and obtain REST in God.

“REST in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: FRET NOT thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace”

                                                                                                                                                  Psalms 37:7-11 

In order to disorganize our heart and come against our rest in God and His promises, the devil or our own evil hearts will lead the shaky hearted to yield to murmurings, worrying, fretting, comparing self with unbelievers [and good things of life that they procured by evil means], suggestions, evil intents, wiles, strategies or plans that are contrary to God or the scriptures and such will eventually lose their spiritual composure and rest in God. The root of the mischief was in the rebellious or unbelieving [the truth] heart that yielded to the lie of the devil or opinions of the mind contrary to God’s will and dealings.

To REST is not to fret, worry, fuse or vex your spirit man which is clearly contrary to the spirit of the Gospel; and to the grace which is in Christ Jesus. It is like the foaming of the sea, raging of the storm or the bellowing of the sea which is temporary and must dissipate so that calmness can be achieved. It simply means you hold on tenaciously to the promises of God that cannot fail while you are going through the valley of the shadow of death knowing that soon you will appear at the peak of Mount Zion; and upon Mount Zion there shall be deliverance and you will possess your possession. Hold on help is on the way!

“Hast thou not known? Has thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faint not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”

                                                                                                                                                        Isa 40:29-31 

We must understand that God gives power to us to overcome temptations and demonic urging of Satan or unsanctified willingness of our hearts to do contrary to God or to find an uneasy and ungodly way out of the mess of life. God increases our strength to overcome such trials or temptations knowing that it is common to man and that grace will be made available to resist or overcome it. If we WAIT upon God who cannot fail! He will renew our strength and remove weariness and faintness. He is the mother hen that keeps us underneath His everlasting hands or wings so that we can be safe when the enemy come like a flood. The Lord God employs all His mighty attributes for the comfort or bringing out of the trials of life for the believers so that they can be delivered and refreshed when they WAIT upon Him who is mighty to save and to deliver.

“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end”

                                                                                                                                                        Heb. 3:7-14 

People actually depart from God when they err by walking in disobedience and unbelief. We are hereby admonished that because God is still speaking today by His Spirit, we must align ourselves in trusting that God will do as He has promised else we will fall from glory because we do not hold on tenaciously our confidence in God steadfastly to the end.

The only way the word preached will profit us is if we mix the word with faith so that we can see the physical actualization of the promises of God. This is the only route of entering into the promises of God though the works were finished from the foundation of the world. We will enter into REST today, if we hear God’s voice again and do not harden our hearts or be stubborn. Worry disappears when we ACKNOWLEDGE the supremacy of God!

“Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need” 

                                                                                                                                                     Heb. 4:14-16 

The antidote to turbulence of heart and failing to stand unto REST is to trust that Jesus Christ who went through such contradictions also, will make a way of escape so that we can bear it as we draw near unto the Throne Room of Grace always, so that we can receive mercy and find grace to help in the time that we need the REST that God supplies abundantly.

“Come, behold the works of Jehovah, What desolations he hath made in the earth. He make wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He break the bow, and cut the spear in sunder; He burn the chariots in the fire.  BE STILL, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah”     

                                                                                                                                                 Psalms 46:8-11

Rest is not achieved until we have learn to cast all our cares upon God for He absolutely cares for us; release to the Lord our yoke which is heavy and our burdens in exchange for His yoke which is easy and our burden which is light [Matt. 11:28-31]; surrender our will to the Lord and pick up His will and understand the Love with which God loves us is unimaginable and unsearchable. We must continually hope in the Lord in order to find and have peace in our hearts; and finally have hope even when there is no hope like Abraham knowing that God who promised us is well able to create good out of nothing [Rom. 4:18].

“He did not waver . . . through unbelief . . . being fully convinced that what [God] had promised He was also able to perform”

                                                                                                                                               Romans 4:20-21

Worrying is useless to you and will cause more stress in the mind and body. Don't wear yourself out by controlling what you can't anymore. The bottom line is that you are being counterproductive when you enter into this type of negative cycle. “It’s like sitting in a rocking chair, rocking all day, wearing yourself out and getting nowhere. Be still, be calm, and be collective. "Calm down, and learn that He is God! He will do as He said He would!

"BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"

                                                                                                                                              Philippians 4:6-7

Trusting God means we give up worrying, reasoning, and anxiety; and we enter into His rest with simple childlike faith, we live by grace through faith and start PRAYING! In quietness and confidence in God is our strength ordained [Isa. 30:15]. Peace of mind is a guarantee that you have handed over to the Lord and that His rest has been made available unto you. We must return to the Lord, rest in Him, be quite and be confident in God.

“My friends, be careful that none of you have a heart so evil and unbelieving that you will turn away from the living God”

                                                                                                                                                 Heb. 3:12 GNB

THE VISION MUST SPEAK

Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law - Proverbs 29:18

Vision is the bridge between the present and the future. Without it we perish or go “unrestrained,” [NASB], disorderly or perish. Vision gives knowledge and understanding to a calling and put plan in place to birth a purpose. Those without vision spend their lives taking the path of least resistance as they try to avoid discomfort nor do they pursue a course with utmost diligence or spiritual intelligence.

A “vision” is a clear mental image of a preferable future, imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self, and circumstance. A vision is a dream, an ambition. To “envision” means to see ahead or conceive something your heart desires. A vision is a mental view or image of something good and worthwhile which is not yet actually present. To envision means to imagine, plan beforehand, or consider the possibilities.

Vision is for you, not just leaders. Vision is all about the future, not the past and present!
The level of sacrifice that a vision requires will determine the size of people who follow. Sacrifice, ardent pursuance and willingness to birth forth a cause separates the small from the great. Visionary people always connect with God to get revelation and insight which is the godly map needed to chart the course that God ordained for them to walk in, in order to fulfill kingdom mandate. Whatever is received as vision must not contradict the scriptures. It must line up with the written word just as Jesus reiterated that He came in the volume of books to achieve the will/vision that God set for Him to fulfill [Psalms 40:7, Heb. 10:7].

“I pray that the glorious Father, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Christ better. Then you will have deeper insight. You will know the confidence that he calls you to have and the glorious wealth that God's people will inherit. You will also know the unlimited greatness of his power as it works with might and strength for us, the believers” Eph. 1:17-19

In pursuant of vision there are “crosses” that we must endure so to speak, because of the joy awaiting us when the vision is birthed according to the pattern that God showed us to follow. We must realize that the passing through the valley is to prepare us for a greater destiny. Our vision of the future may give us present or temporary physical discomfort but pursuing the purpose will get us to the place of triumph, victory and accomplishment.

So many of us go through life not understanding the purposes of such trials. We spend our days walking a crooked path, believing that every obstacle in the road is a problem and something to be avoided but riding over the storms or hurdles in our path bring us closer to fulfilling the vision. For example if a pastor have a hard knot deacon whose opinion differs from all may be God is using him to work on your temperament or patience in exploiting the vision.

Your vision comes from God, it is not something you thought overnight; your priorities and spiritual gifts will help you focus on your vision; and your vision begins where you are now; so you must face and solve your problems, and then overcome all barriers to fulfill your dream.

“Without prophetic vision people run wild, but blessed are those who follow God's teachings” Prov. 29:18 GW

The second part of this Proverb [Prov. 29:18] says, “But happy is he who keeps the Law.” The law isn’t just something God gave to Moses. It is also the teachings that restraints, set boundaries, principles and disciplines which we must develop around our life in order to direct us through obstacles instead of around them. These obstacles become baptisms of fire that forge our character so we can attain and maintain a life of greatness. Even if we fail sometimes in the quest of pursuing the vision, we must have the attitude that we are discovering the “how not to” pursue the vision

WHAT IS VISION?

Vision is an experience of seeing someone or something in a dream or trance, or as a supernatural apparition. Vision is the lens that interprets the events of our life, the way we view people and our concept of God. If we have a scratch on our glasses, it may seem like everybody around us has scratches too, but the problem actually lies with us because our vision is impaired. Jesus said that our eyes are the windows of our heart. Harvard University Business Review said “A vision statement says what the organization wishes to be like in some years’ time”. In the same token God shows us the end point of what we are to accomplish for Him in ministry so that we can slowly, steadily and surely begin to do the works , and be armed with what it takes to see it accomplished

The three elements of vision are: who you are which is your purpose, where you are going which is your picture of the future and what will guide your journey which are your core values. Values provides the trust and appropriate behaviors needed for organizational and team success. Vision provides direction and a sense of purpose. Simply put we must know the business of God that we are called hereunto pursue, we must have a proactive spiritual and mental picture of the end result of what we are pursuing to do and the “how to, map, blueprint or guide” to follow in order to accomplish what we are pursuing.

Visions are created, communicated and acted such that co laborers may understand and pursue with knowledge, we create supportive structures and the set goals are implemented and aligned with vision. It is like bring together all the instrumentation and labors necessary like paths of the JIGSAW, only when we bring all the paths together can we see the picture being created. Dictionary.com calls vision “a vivid, imaginative conception or anticipation”. Vision is important for building team work and resolving conflicts. It pays to have a God given master plan that we can resort to when things are not aligning with
expectation.

Paul prayed that the eyes of our heart would be enlightened. In other words, we perceive with our eyes but we see with our hearts. Our minds receive images from our eyes but our heart interprets these images. If our heart becomes bitter, jealous, hurt or in some way infected, the lens of our heart is distorted. What we perceive is happening and what is really going on could be two completely different things. Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32).

The word truth used here is not referring to the Bible itself, (although all truth is rooted in the Bible) but here the word truth means reality. Jesus is saying, you will understand what is real and that will free you. So many of us live in a virtual reality. The way we view life can feel and look real, or make perfect sense, but still not be real at all. Have you ever watched a good movie and gotten totally into it? You experience all the emotions of real life. You may even leave the theater still “feeling” the movie, but it was just a movie? it was never real. The truth is: we see what we believe to be true.

Another way to put it is, if you have the wrong pretext you will misunderstand the context. Having a revelation of what is real will deliver us from a life of torment that virtual reality often causes.
Vision can be compared to PAINTING. First, you get a canvass and all. Then you imagine an image of something that doesn’t yet exist. Then you start sketching , etc. In vision you paint things in mind that will help make your dream come true.

ESTABLISHING CORE VALUES

Therefore, the things we believe to be true determine the way in which we interpret life. These “things” are called “core values.” Core values are the lens or eyes of our heart. It is important for us to realize the difference between what our core values presently are and what we really want them to be. Often, the things we say we believe and the things we actually believe are not the same. We must understand that it is not the truths that we believe in our head that are our core values, but rather the ones we believe in our heart. The things we perceive to be true determine the way we respond to the world around us and to God who lives within us.

These core values also help define the part of the flock that we find ourselves called and attracted to. The children of Israel experienced this principle when they came into the Promised Land. Joshua assigned land to them according to their tribes and divisions (Joshua 18:10). In other words, they received land according to their diverse visions. For instance, if they had a vision for farming, they probably did not go with Caleb to the mountain country but instead were given land that best facilitated their vision. Therefore the land they were given and their vision was congruent. From this perspective, it is not very hard to see how some church splits happen. Sometimes pastors, in their zeal to build their churches, attract people that have a vision for things that their churches or “land” (metaphorically speaking) will not sustain. This dual vision eventually ends up in di-vision.

FORESIGHT, INSIGHT & OVERSIGHT

True Godly vision consists of foresight, insight and oversight that come from His sight. Foresight is like looking at life through a telescope. This outlook allows us to know what is ahead as it connects us to our future. Foresight is the element of vision that helps life make sense and gives us the motivation that we described earlier.

Insight is like viewing life through a microscope. This perception gives us an understanding of why things happen in life. It also helps determine the underlying motivations of the heart.
Oversight puts life into context. It is like flying over our house in a helicopter. There is a perspective that we can only receive from this vista that helps us understand where we are with respect to where everything else is. The sons of Issachar are great examples of this kind of vision. The book of I Chronicles says that these men understood the times and had knowledge of what Israel should do (12:32). People that are blessed with this type of vision often have great wisdom concerning the seasons of life.

His sight assures us that the vision we have is from God. A vision from the Lord creates a mission from heaven. This is illustrated in the life of Moses when he went up on the mountain, received a vision of the tabernacle, and was told to construct it according to the pattern that he had received. (Exodus 24:16-28:43) Visions like this are just “pipe dreams” without some sort of administrative plan to complete them. A lot of people have lofty ideas about things they would like to accomplish for God but they seem to have no sense of how to see the dream fulfilled.

PREPARING FOR EXECUTING THE VISION

The first part of accomplishing any vision is to take it from the unseen world and bring it into the natural realm. This can be accomplished by simply writing down the vision. Articulating the vision on paper pulls the dream that is in your spirit (that no one can see but you) into the visible world so that others can capture it in their own hearts. Tools that help to visualize the mission such as architectural drawings, models, testimonies of others who have accomplished similar dreams, or visits to places that have a common purpose are all helpful in capturing and defining the vision for both yourself and others who will come alongside and help.

Then the LORD answered me and said, ‘Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. 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 2:2-3

Who do you think will do the best quality work and be the hardest worker? Vision causes people to love their work because they can see the big picture. Someone once said, “If you want to build a great ship, you can go out and find some talented craftsman or you can find a person who loves the sea.” Imparting God’s vision to the team around us is the single most important factor in seeing the mission accomplished.

CREATE A PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH THE VISION

“Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed; the plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD” Proverbs 15:22; 16:1

From these two verses we see that although the vision must be from God Himself, men are to help develop the plan that brings about the fulfillment of the vision. Notice how Solomon highlights the fact that developing plans in a vacuum, (without the expertise and insight of others who have different gifts and perspectives than we do), will ultimately end in frustration.

It’s important for administrative people to understand that they are there to administrate the mission. The word administrate means, “add-to-the-mission,” not change the mission. Visionaries often do not like to work with administrators because by nature administrators are refiners and finishers. Sometimes administrators do not understand that they are being brought in to help visionaries determine how something should be accomplished, not what should be accomplished. If the vision is so large that it requires the help of Heaven (which it often does when it really is from God), it will be important that the visionary impart the vision and the faith to see it accomplished to the team. First Timothy 1:4 says that the administration of God is “by faith.”

FEAR COUNTERACTS FAITH

People often disguise their fear as wisdom when they enter into a supernatural mission that can only be accomplished with the help of God. Moses had this problem when he sent the twelve spies in to the Promised Land to determine where they should enter. Ten of the spies misunderstood their mission and somehow thought they were being asked whether or not they should take the land at all.
This type of misunderstanding of the roles people are invited to play in the mission has caused the demise of so many would-be miracles, paralyzing the church of the living God. For years, the people of God have often settled for what can be accomplished by human effort and ability, because we have allowed the opinion of faithless people to determine what we will achieve, instead of being faithful (faith-filled) to the vision we saw “on the mountain”. This is a perversion of the gospel of the kingdom. We should never settle for anything less than what God told us to do.

SETTING GOALS

After the plan is established, goals must be set. The Bible says:

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:14

Goals are simply the vision broken down into smaller pieces that are measurable in time and space. In other words, they are specified parts of the mission that we will accomplish by a predetermined date. Many people don’t like to set goals because they think that if they are not able to accomplish them on time, they have failed. The truth of the matter is that, “If you fail to plan you plan to fail.” Great leaders know that setting goals is what gives the mission a sense of urgency. Urgency is a friend to managers as it sets the pace for those who are carrying out the mission.

If wisdom is used in goal setting, very little management is needed to motivate the workers since urgency manages them. However, be careful not to give your workers more to do than they have the faith to accomplish in a given time period. If it is too much, they will not even try, just like trying to catch a bus when it is already a block ahead. You probably won’t even run after it, as there is so little possibility of you catching up to it. On the other hand, if the bus just starts to pull away from the curb when you get there, you will probably move out of your comfort zone to try to catch it. Yet, setting goals too low will not create a sense of urgency at all. People will not be very motivated and it will
result in a lot more work for the managers.

The final stage of seeing the mission accomplished is establishing your steps.

“The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” Proverbs 16:9

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the one who holds his hand” Psalms 37:23-24.

Steps are your day-in, day-out walk with God: the step-by-step, moment-by-moment, hour-by-hour decisions you make and the things you do that take up your time and use up your life. When your vision is honestly birthed by God Himself, He will be delighted to direct your steps. The most important thing to remember about your steps is that they should be found somewhere in your mission. Go back through your planner from the previous month and retrace your steps. Does it look like they are directly attached to your mission? If not, either redefine your mission or redirect your steps. Remember, history is at stake.

WHAT CAN YOUR VISION DO?

A. Your vision gives purpose and adds meaning to your life (Phil. 1:21). While it is true that you won’t accomplish all your personal dreams, having a vision will at least help you realize some of the things you want to do for the glory of God. Note that a true vision cannot be self-serving or self-centered!

B. Your vision will help you have a sense of direction and fulfillment as you work your way to your dreams. When you put yourself in advance to the future, you’ll be energized by your dreams (Rom. 4:18). In spite of hardships, you’ll possess joy, peace and hope as you press towards your goal (Rom. 8:24).

C. Your vision will help you endure and sacrifice to make your dream come true. Great achievements are born out of great sacrifice. No Pain, No Gain! No Guts. No Glory! (Phil. 3:13-14).

EXAMPLES OF MEN OF VISION IN THE BIBLE

1. NEHEMIAH. Nehemiah 1:11; 2:1-18; 4:1-8; 6:15-16! Notice how Nehemiah's vision begins, develops, includes, and then how it involves others for clarification and confirmation! How does Nehemiah's Vision compare with yours? What do you need to work on?

2. MOSES. He worked with the word “see that you build the tabernacle according to the pattern that was shown to you on the Mount”

3. JEREMIAH Jer. 1:8-12. God promised him “I will hasten my word to perform it” [Word is vision].
PRESENTING THE VISION TO YOUR CO LABORERS OR CONGREGATION

Vision filled leaders must empower their co laborers or congregation to accept it, live it, and serve in it! It means they must preach on the passage of the vision with power and conviction; have people understand the vision fully and ask questions where they do not understand. We must not over-flog vision but keep the focus on the care and love for the people.

For a vision to work, it has to be "owned or thoroughly accepted" by the congregation. This is accomplished by educating them on God's call through scripture, your process, prayer, patience, and encouragement. Sell the vision to your pastors, groups, departmental leaders as much as possible so they can do the field work by influencing the congregation and modelling the vision before them. They must positively present it in person, in Sunday school, departmental levels and in the services.

Having as many people as possible contribute to the Vision process will enable the congregation in accepting, conceiving and shaping the vision. Even though it may come solely from the pastor, people need to feel it is theirs too! The input of others will help you focus, and consider the various options, adjustments and needs!

Make sure you write it out short, clear, and in vivid language so someone who has never seen it will understand it. Have people outside your church look it over for clarity. If a stranger who does not know you or your church can understand and run with it, you may have a winner! Make sure people feel they are a part of the process! A vision cannot just pop out of a pastor's office on Monday and be active on Sunday! We must give the people time to ingest, understand and walk with it.

Are you and the leaders perceived as modelling the Vision for others? You have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk! The people must see you take steps to model what you said the Lord instructs the Church to do. Settle any ongoing conflicts quickly and completely. New changes will only temporarily halt the strife, and if not taken care of, it will rise up again! Listen to the people if they question part of the vision and be able to answer feedback positively.

Importunate and continuous prayers, and the atmosphere spiced with humility, love and giving ear to hear wisdom from others are some of the keys to balancing problems and mindsets. Did you take time to encourage, recognize, reward, and celebrate your leaders, co-laborers and congregation?

Be encouraged in the Lord, every godly vision shall come to pass; though it tarries, it shall surely come to pass at God’s appointed time. You have need of patience after you believe the vision and done the will of God. It takes patient continuance in the work at hand and faith in God to birth forth the vision.

DIVINE SENTENCE

“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were BIDDEN, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to MAKE EXCUSE. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me EXCUSED. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me EXCUSED. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I CANNOT COME. So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and BRING IN hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is ROOM. And the lord said unto the servant, GO OUT into the highways and hedges, and COMPEL them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That NONE OF THOSE MEN which were bidden shall taste of my supper. Luke 14:16-24

Jesus our Lord used the parable above to describe the end time behavioral pattern of those who are called and invited to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb whose name is Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. They were full of excuses not to partake of the supper better still the placement in the paradise of God.

Key word here is that many that were invited EXCUSED themselves from coming to the marriage supper hereby losing out from the benefit of those invited that is eternal bliss on earth and being part of the Church that transited from the earth realm into the kingdom of our God called PARADISE having paid the price and qualified themselves to be part of that heavenly kingdom.

“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he become unfruitful” Mat 13:22 

The WORD of God is the seed and those that received it into their heart and hearken in obedience to the ordinances of God are those that made eternity. In the parable of the sower, Jesus Christ spoke about the third group of people who received the word of God but thorns choked off the plant that germinated and it was unfruitful. These are those who the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke and killed their spirituality to the point that though they have the testimony among men as serious Christians alas their gunning for deceitful pleasures that money can supply and cumbered with worries of life like what to eat or wear, which kind of house to live and those who live about their standard copycatting those who really can afford such status until Satan take advantage of their weaknesses and ensnare them to do evil contrary to the lifestyle of the kingdom of God. Eternal damnation awaits them!

“…pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit” Matt. 13:22 AMP

Yielding to too much earthly pleasures are not always expedient, profitable or beneficial for eternity and may work eternal harm, injury or mischief (Luke 8:14). The days of Noah and Lot were days of pleasure and self-indulgence, when God’s WRATH fell suddenly on the devotees of eating and drinking and marrying (Luke 17:27-28). Such sensual pleasures turn men from following the principle of the kingdom of God and they turn away from what is pleasing in the sight of God.

The sons of unrighteousness love this world and live uncontrolled lives doing what pleases their flesh and contrary to what the Spirit of God bid them to do (Luke 20:34), but Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world, those in it follow the leading of the Spirit, obey and serve God with all their heart (John 18:36).

The citizens of Christ the King must beware of careless indulgence in pleasure, Satan who has come to steal, kill and destroy will come against them like a flood but they must forcefully disobey the advances of the devil to make them walk contrary to the scriptures knowing that the uncontrolled pursuit of pleasures is disloyalty to God.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hides, and for joy thereof goes and sell all that he hath, and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” Mat 13:44-46 

We must let go or get rid of all the worldly or carnal behavior for the excellence of knowing and doing the will of God from our heart. For the Christian it is subversion, disobedience or rebellion to pursue carnal pleasures instead of leaving all and following God (Luke 5:11).

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” Mat 6:33 

In return, the Lord has unfailing promises of blessedness here and hereafter (Luke 18:29-30, Mar 10:29-30); but the true disciple must renounce everything this world offers, to be counted worthy of the eternal joy (Mat 16:24, Mar 8:34, Deut. 28:1-14). The carnal life of the soul must not be found in true Christians (Mat 16:25; Matt. 10:39, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24; Luke 17:33, John 12:25). All the pleasure the world can offer to you will never compensate for what is lost in such a pursuit especially hell fire that is awaiting those who refuse to do what is right in the sight of God.

“And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also]” Luke 9:23 AMP

The habit of daily self-denial is to be adopted and strictly pursued (Luke 9:23). Self-denial is just when we begin to yearn for the likeness of Christ, and long to be conformed to His image. Self-denial have to do with letting go of all earthly craving and passions that is opposed to spiritual lifestyle like self-will, self-satisfaction, self-love and focus on doing those things that are contrary to nature but are replica of Christ like character and pleasing in the sight of God. Taking up our cross daily has to do with nailing those carnal passions to the cross, mortifying them or punishing all disobedience until our obedience is complete.

TWO TYPES OF DEATH

PHYSICAL DEATH

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” Heb. 9:27 

SPIRITUAL DEATH

“…but you are not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because you will certainly die during the day that you eat from it." Gen 2:17 

When men sinned and come short of the glory of God both physical death and spiritual death come upon man. Those who habitually continue to live in sin come into spiritual death while at an appointed time all men come into physical death or cessation or termination of physical life while their soul return to the Almighty awaiting the White Throne Room judgment where all will be rendered eternal blossoming or condemnation according to their works while on earth. Those who do evil perpetually and refused to walk in the spirit or obey the commandment of God incur wrath and curses while yet on earth and when they eventually die physically they head for hell fire. Those who diligently hearken and obey God enjoys blessings while on earth and spend eternity in Paradise when they eventually die physically.

ONLY TRUE DISCIPLES GUARANTEED ETERNITY

“He that love father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that love son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that take not his cross, and follow after me, is not worthy of me. He that find his life shall lose it: and he that lose his life for my sake shall find it. Mat 10:37-39 

There are four types of  love 1. Phileo – friendship, tender or platonic, fondness love. 2. Agape – Christ like love, unconditional or sacrificial love. 3. Eros – Romance, passionate, intense, erotic, emotional or sexual love. 4. Storge which is family love , like what parent have for their children

We are not being stopped from having Phileo, Eros or storge love BUT that our first love must be Agape love with God. That is why Jesus said MORE THAN ME. We will surely derail from seeking God and His righteousness first if we love anybody or anything more than we love God. That is why the bible said that “the love of money is the root of all evil. [1 Tim. 6:10]. It leads astray from the faith and divine judgment or sentence may be hell fire.

We must be on fire for God and do what is right in His sight. There is no room to be lukewarm or cold, we must be hot else, we will draw closer to hell fire as we progress in our carnal walk and Christ will spit us out.

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit thee out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou may be rich; and white raiment, that thou may be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye-salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” Rev 3:15-19 

Being rich and increasing in earthly goods like fine house and posh car is not the yardstick for measuring godliness. You must be like Christ in thoughts, character and nature. You must do those things that are pleasing to God

EXECUTION OF JUDGMENT

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” John 5:25-29 

We must be transformed and be in conformity with Christ else we will head towards the lake of fire after the White Throne Judgment. Those who live and do good in the sight of God are guaranteed eternity.

“Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that work good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God” Romans 2:6-11 

It is appointed unto man to die and after that judgment [Hebrews 9:27]. Sinners and the unrepentant will be sent to everlasting damnation, and partake of shame, and reproach; they shall be condemned by the Judge of the whole earth, and shall be pronounced cursed; and shall be ordered to go into everlasting fire, and shall go into everlasting punishment.

SOWING AND REAPING

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sow, that shall he also reap. For he that sow to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sow to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” Galatians 6:7-10 

It is our CHOICE! If we sow corruption we will reap hell fire. Let us not be tired of doing what is right in the sight of God so that eternal bliss can be guaranteed.

“Whosoever reward evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house” Prov. 17:26

KEY TO INHERITING ETERNAL BLESSING

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye SHOULD INHERIT A BLESSING. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him REFRAIN his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew [avoid or shun] evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” 1 Peter 3:8-12 

So we must refrain from speaking and doing evil, speak no guile, do no craftiness nor live a treacherous life, do what is good in the sight of God, seeking peace and living at peace with all men

WAY OUT OF ENDING IN HELL

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” Act 3:19 

When convicted of our sins, we need to ask God for forgiveness and repent, let our minds be changed and transformed by renewal through the Scriptures, and our hearts become remorseful for the sins we have committed and we must now live a different lifestyle patterned after Christ.

We must turn to God through this Christ, deeply deploring our sins, and believing on his name; that our sins may be blotted out, which are not only recorded against us, but for which we were condemned by the justice of God; and the punishment due to us can only be done away with by our repentance, and turning to obey and serve the Living God. It is penitent that we must receive or accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior to partake of the Kingdom of God and its benefits.

The end point being that we will be part of the Kingdom of God, being refreshed from spiritual heat and partake of all the blessings that God gives all genuine believers [Deut. 28], including peace, joy, love and fellowship with God. Of course, we will have the guarantee of being with Christ in Paradise after this life is over.

“So put to death your worldly impulses: sexual sin, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. You used to behave like them as you lived among them. But now you must also get rid of anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene speech, and all such sins. Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old nature with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new nature, which is being renewed in full knowledge, consistent with the image of the one who created it. Col 3:10 ISV