Truth is a person. It is not an abstract thought that is always changing. Truth is Jesus (see John 14:6 for the details and the man’s own words on the subject).
As I sit and evaluate, what we talked about yesterday, and seek some answers, I naturally run back to revisit the vision God has given me for ministry, family and myself. WOW. Once again God makes it clear what He has and what He wants. All I have to do is OBEY HIM.
“…It’s important to look at things from God's point of view…” 1 Corinthians 4:6 (MSG)
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19 (NASB)
I love the fact that it is not about me. It is all about God. It is His plan that has to be dealt with. Yes, God uses people to get His plan done and to touch the world, yet the creation cannot get in the way of the creator. The weak cannot take the place of the strong. When that happens, we are in trouble.
By revisiting the vision we will notice that GRACE is fundamental to TRUTH. They go to together like a hand and a glove. To separate truth from grace is to remove Jesus from the church and to say that philosophy is the highest place for humanity to travel. God says, and I challenge us with this, time in His presence and hearing His voice is the highest place for us to seek.
“Grace means I'll love you no matter what. Truth means I'll be honest with you no matter…and…Grace without truth is Christianity without a backbone. Truth without grace is Christianity without a heart.” --- Mark Batterson
I ran across the blog of church planter Eric Wright who said some awesome things that we need to hear. We are not alone in this adventure. When we think we are alone OR when we act like we are alone, we get in BIG trouble. This is a warning. In a blog article Wright wrote about ten essential things we must do in church planting, though they apply to all of ministry. My prayer as today’s e-devotion concludes with then 10 things is that God would use them to encourage and challenge us to revisit, renew, refresh and even relight our God-given vision.
1. Have a consistent time with God.
2. Spend concentrated periods of time in prayer, fasting, silence, and solitude.
3. Do your research. Know the who, what, when, where, and why of the area you are going to and the people you going to lead
4. Have an eraser. God-given vision often does not have all the details.
5. Write stuff down. Take the time to write things down in a way that helps it become more understandable.
6. Know what is NOT PART of the vision.
7. Create Various Versions…30 second, 2 minute, 10 minute, and a 30-40 minute version of your vision.
8. Have a mantra rather than a mission statement…a mantra-a memorable statement that encompasses the essential message of the vision.
9. Ask others to help.
10. Have it burn. If your vision doesn't burn inside you like a fire, you may not have found the vision.
As I sit and evaluate, what we talked about yesterday, and seek some answers, I naturally run back to revisit the vision God has given me for ministry, family and myself. WOW. Once again God makes it clear what He has and what He wants. All I have to do is OBEY HIM.
“…It’s important to look at things from God's point of view…” 1 Corinthians 4:6 (MSG)
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19 (NASB)
I love the fact that it is not about me. It is all about God. It is His plan that has to be dealt with. Yes, God uses people to get His plan done and to touch the world, yet the creation cannot get in the way of the creator. The weak cannot take the place of the strong. When that happens, we are in trouble.
By revisiting the vision we will notice that GRACE is fundamental to TRUTH. They go to together like a hand and a glove. To separate truth from grace is to remove Jesus from the church and to say that philosophy is the highest place for humanity to travel. God says, and I challenge us with this, time in His presence and hearing His voice is the highest place for us to seek.
“Grace means I'll love you no matter what. Truth means I'll be honest with you no matter…and…Grace without truth is Christianity without a backbone. Truth without grace is Christianity without a heart.” --- Mark Batterson
I ran across the blog of church planter Eric Wright who said some awesome things that we need to hear. We are not alone in this adventure. When we think we are alone OR when we act like we are alone, we get in BIG trouble. This is a warning. In a blog article Wright wrote about ten essential things we must do in church planting, though they apply to all of ministry. My prayer as today’s e-devotion concludes with then 10 things is that God would use them to encourage and challenge us to revisit, renew, refresh and even relight our God-given vision.
1. Have a consistent time with God.
2. Spend concentrated periods of time in prayer, fasting, silence, and solitude.
3. Do your research. Know the who, what, when, where, and why of the area you are going to and the people you going to lead
4. Have an eraser. God-given vision often does not have all the details.
5. Write stuff down. Take the time to write things down in a way that helps it become more understandable.
6. Know what is NOT PART of the vision.
7. Create Various Versions…30 second, 2 minute, 10 minute, and a 30-40 minute version of your vision.
8. Have a mantra rather than a mission statement…a mantra-a memorable statement that encompasses the essential message of the vision.
9. Ask others to help.
10. Have it burn. If your vision doesn't burn inside you like a fire, you may not have found the vision.
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