Without Vision the People Perish!
Where there is no revelation, the people cast of restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18 (NIV)
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
The word “revelation” (in the NIV) or “vision” (in the KJV) is the Hebrew word “chaazown”meaning: a sight (mentally), a dream, revelation, or oracle. It is derived from the root word “chazah”meaning: to gaze at, to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure), specifically- to have a vision of- prophecy or to behold prophecy (implied). So we learn then that without proclamation and/or preaching of the word of God with faith and obedience- the people die…perish…literally, the Hebrew word is “yipaara” or “para”- STOP. We come to an end without vision! Wow! So this begs the question: do you have vision? Is the word of God being unapologetically preached and obeyed in your congregation, in your leadership group, in your Bible Talk and in your life personally? Are you one who is blessed, i.e. happy?
An “unhappy disciple”- does that even make sense? Of course not! Yet often disciples cruise through life without vision and are dying inside literally wasting away without a dream. What is the dream, the passion that each disciple is to have? God’s dream, of course! This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3. Is God’s will your will? If not, why not? If so, let’s inspire others to have God’s dream too! Dr. John Maxwell, a very inspiring writer, describes a dream as: “an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will, and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it”. Pipe dreams are not really dreams at all but simply fantasies that fade away with laziness, lack of character and a faulty will to see it through to the completion of the dream. He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.Proverbs 12:11. Yet, when our will becomes unified with the will of God we are then empowered with the passion of the Spirit to get the job done!
Do you have kingdom dreams? Are your aspirations and desires set on seeking first the kingdom of God or has the world snatched up your best efforts and your God given talents? Many disciples give so much to worldly pursuits that they are too tired and too busy and distracted to give their best to the LORD! If you are too busy to seek first the kingdom- YOU ARE TOO BUSY! If you are too tired to dream for the Lord’s kingdom- YOU ARE DISTRACTED! In Luke 10:38-42 we find Martha had invited Jesus into her home and got so focused on “entertaining” with all the “preparations that had to be made” that she was distracted- missing one of the most special times in her life- a time to sit at Jesus feet and learn! Of course we must work, clean the house, pay the bills and take care of our families…and we can do all that while fulfilling God’s destiny for our lives!
The Orlando church is DREAMING big for the fall of 2014! God willing, with our new Bible Talks, new leaders, new location at the Double Tree and a renewed spirit after the GLC- we will see the hand of God cranking in Orlando August through December! Traditionally churches seem to “slow down” in the fall, but with faith, leadership and planning we will accomplish the impossible! Some of our crazy faith goals are:
1. REALITY campus ministry grows by 20. Currently we number 31 disciples.
2. Marrieds and singles ministries work together and also grow by 20. Currently- 38 disciples.
3. Blow out our Special Missions contribution goal of $40,000 and smash the faith goal of $50,000 on October 12!
4. Hire 2-4 interns before the end of the year.
5. Host the first annual “LIFE on Campus” campus retreat for the US South Quadrant with a record attendance.
6. Have the highest attendance ever at a devotional- striving for 100 by year end.
7. Begin Singles Devotionals every Monday night hosted by the Sullivan’s.
8. Through our pledge drive achieve a new weekly contribution of $2800.
9. Have an amazing Labor Day Picnic with tons of food and fun.
10. Exceed all expectations of our 2nd annual 5k/Walk-A-Thon on Saturday October 2.
11. Our Women’s Day is Saturday November 1, and we plan to reach out to 4,000 women in Orlando and have the greatest impact to date.
12. Enjoy a fantastic Thanksgiving and then get back in town for our annual Financial Presentation/Award Banquet/Video Memories on Sunday, November 30 at 4:00 PM.
13. Begin a mentoring program through MERCYworldwide for teens in Orlando.
14. Within one year begin the ICCM Orlando branch after the 2015 GLC.
Brothers and sisters, we have so many other amazing dreams and goals. Let’s be dangerous dreamers and see what our God can do! Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.Ephesians 3:20-21.
He stoops down to make us great,
Matt Sullivan
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