God - Give Me A Vision? Yes - it can and will happen!

It is interesting that every time I mention the need to consider evangelizing (whether at home or abroad – wherever God directs) people blanch and balk. Building God’s house is something that should be foremost in our minds and we should be asking ourselves how we can be of use to God in doing that. Instead, we have become contented sheep in a pasture. I am not saying that everyone is like this – but the majority of response is always the “don’t bother me” or “I evangelize by my life and example.” So, here is a question – Is this what God wants? Would want you to say? The Attitude that God wants you to have?

“Open my eyes, so that I may see the wonderful truths in your law.” 

Psalm 119:18

The Bible is filled with hundreds of examples of people being given a vision, like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, Jonah, Micah and more. Seeing God’s vision for your life is not a crazy thing, and many times not even miraculous. God often uses a mental picture to clarify the next step He wants you to take. I admit, that there are differences in people and the way that they think. Many are visual thinkers, able to read and picture the story in your mind. For others, this is harder and you tend to think in words and logic. For the visual thinker, seeing God’s vision is a Technicolor experience. But what if you’re not a visual thinker? How do you get God’s vision if you’re not a visual thinker?

The same way that you do anything else that you do respecting God – “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth (2 Tm.2:15).”  After you've read the Bible and ask God, “God, is there anything you want me to see from this? Is there anything I need to know that I’m not thinking about?” And then you wait.  James 1:5 says, “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.”  God wants you to ask him for advice, and he wants you to be specific and He’s waiting for you to ask!

Psalm 119:18 is a verse you should memorize: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”  Every answer to every problem you have or will encounter is in the Bible.  But you've got to read it, study it, memorize it, and meditate on it, and with that seek God’s vision for your life or even if it is  just for today.

What is keeping you from seeing what God wants you to do and then rising up to do something about it? What vision has God given you? What do you think you’re supposed to do about it? James 1:5 “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.”

Jim

BOOK REVIEW: The Hole In Our Gospel by: Richard Stearns

BOOK REVIEW: The Hole In Our Gospel by: Richard Stearns

I must admit, that when I received this book, I did not know what to think. I opened the pages and found it compelling and addressing an issue that has become more and more prevalent in our "mega-church" society. Many churches in our society find themselves or their members find them selves in a pursuit of wealth, comfort, and self-centeredness. Stearns holds no punches, calling people to address this and to understand that being a Christian is more than just forming "a personal and transforming relationship with God. It also entails a public and transforming relationship with the world.”

The Hole in Our Gospel explores a variety of topics. I found various sections of it interesting and thought provoking. I have always had an interest of how people have come to know God and their journey. He talks about the gospel and his own journey of faith. What I found most compelling, were the many challenges that he states that the poor of the world face and drills down with details, statistics and stories that brings these facts to life. What I found most convicting, is that he also shows how self-absorbed tendencies of people in "developed societies" turn blind eyes to these needs. Very impacting and convicting. In fact, I found pieces of the book (at least in my view) something that I felt that our politicians should read. The latter part of the Hole In Our Gospel is full of practical advice on how to begin addressing poverty and need among us.

What I found a little disappointing in the book, is that it addresses mostly the "mega-church" oriented groups. I belong to a small group in a small town. While I found its advice practical and have put to practice some of the things it mentions, I was left wondering how for instance a church of mostly elderly retired people living on fixed incomes would approach this. Perhaps it is because Mr.Stearns is President of World Vision, that I found most of the things he addresses to be involved in the world at large. What I did not see, was more written on how to address these things in our own small communities that are drying up because of unemployment.

All of this said, overall it is a good book, an interesting read, and full of practical wisdom. I commend him for relating his story of setting aside success for something far more significant. I commend him for taking the Lord's word to heart and putting it to practice and challenge others to follow his example. Read the book, you will not be disappointed. In fact, you may find yourself challenged as I did, that we can always do more than we think that we can.

REVIEW: Influencing Like Jesus by Michael Zigarelli

Lately, I have been trying to "improve my serve" so to speak, looking into ways that I can be a better teacher, mentor, person. This set me on a quest for knowledge and I didn't want to approach things the old standard way. I've seen too many books out there that treat teaching the gospel like selling the latest "Bando buy it now for only $19.95" commercial. I wanted something genuine, that helped me to think.

Enter Michael Zigarelli's book "Influencing Like Jesus" that was recommended to me. So I did the cautious thing and went to Amazon to check it out. I wanted to see what others had said about it, and if I could to get a sneak peek inside. I found that I was able to download a sample, so I did. I liked what I saw, but initially thought that this was sort of the "same ol'" that I have heard. So, I bought the book - the actual book not a digital copy.

Now, I'm a slow reader because I like to process what I read. I like to catch the snipits and dwell on them, think about them, and study them along with the Bible if they are a spiritually oriented book as this one is. And I have been processing.

• Much of what he has written, I already "know" and a lot of it I have done. What I found intriguing was the genuineness behind the book and the encouragement I felt to do and be what he was recommending.
  
• Another thing that stood out to me in the book was the parallels to biblical examples to what he was citing. This - struck home with me!
  
• The more I read, the more intrigued I became. I also now have the workbook, and find it equally stimulating.
  
• Each section offers opportunity for reflection and discussion (especially if you are in a small group) and a worksheet - which I loved and have implemented.

My overall opinion on this book if you have not gathered by now, is good. I heartily recommend it to those trying to teach others the gospel or to lead group studies within their congregations. I believe you can be bettered by reading it. Its intriguing and not some boring "sales manual" type of book. It is engaging and I recommend it for your own library and personal development. You won't be sorry.