Write the Vision

Thank you for joining us for part 3 in our teaching series.  We had a little break for the holiday, but we are back on track.  So, let us jump right in and continue.

The Importance of A Vision Part 3: 

Write the Vision 

How many times have you as a parent or friend gone to the Lord in prayer seeking wisdom, guidance, and direction on how to help a loved one when they had lost their way?  More than you can count I would guess.   

The prophet Habakkuk had done the same thing when it came to how the Israelites lost touch with God and His plan for their lives.  Frankly, he just about had it with them and was totally frustrated in what he should do. 

In prayer he cried out to the Lord asking when He was going to do something.  Habakkuk did not get the answer he expected. 

When the Lord answered the prophet’s complaint, He told him to “Look around you because you are not going to believe what I am about to do.” 

 

Their conversation continues as they fellowship through prayer with Habakkuk responding back and forth during his inquiry.  It was then God gave him a direct order to follow so that no one would doubt the plan He was about to set in motion. 

“And the Lord answered me and said,

Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may (be able to) read (it easily and quickly) as he hastens by. 

For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end (fulfillment); it will not deceive or disappoint.

Though it tarry, wait (earnestly) for it, 

because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day. 

 Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right within him, but the (rigidly) just and the (uncompromisingly) righteous man

shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness.”

(Habakkuk 2:2-4 AMPC) 

The obedient prophet finished out his prayer in repentance, praise, and hope for what was to come. 

“O Lord, I have heard the report of You and was afraid.  O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make (Yourself) known!   In wrath (earnestly) remember love, pity, and (your) mercy  (unmerited favor).”

(Habakkuk 3:2 AMPC) 

The vision for those in that day was not a good one because they turned sideways from the truth.  This reminds us of what that "sideways" church did with the original vision that was given to the pastor. 

Straying from the God given vision will cause heartache and an outcome not expected.

What Habakkuk wrote was a reminder of what would come to those who abort God’s plan and vision of restoration.   When the blueprint for the vision is literally written and displayed, we can refer back to it so we stay on course and not wonder off into an uncharted territory that does not include God.  A written vision is a safety measure to insure we reach the hoped for destination.

Praise the Lord the plan of God was carried out around sixty-six years later, and favor was restored to those who believed.  That day came when Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead conquering unrighteousness, making it possible for the family of God to be reunited through salvation.  

Organized for Favor and Success 

You may ask, “What does vision have to do with organization, favor or success?”  Glad you asked – everything.  Without a goal to focus on, how do you know when you have arrived or achieved it?

Staying focused on an actual vision plan helps relieve stress, because you always know where you are headed.  It encourages faith, strengthens the ability to endure, and gives life a purpose.   

There are three parts to remaining organized so that you move forward in the overall vision and they rely on staying focused.

Organization Requires Focus: 

1 – Spiritually: Daily stay connected to God. 

2 – Mentally: Daily remind yourself of the vision. 

3 – Physically: Daily separate yourself from non-vision plans. 

It was well over twenty years ago when I first "caught" what vision meant concerning the favor of God.  I thrived on learning everything I could about how God operates through vision (direction for His children in spreading the gospel message) soaking in every drop of wisdom.  Immediately, I took action on how I would "stay at it" and not chuck the plan, even when I did not understand it or if it seemed to be taking too long to manifest. 

This is what I did. 

Put Me in Remembrance … Remind Me 

There is going to come a time when everyone will be judged on how they spent their time, carried out the plan of God and stayed focused on His vision for our lives.  Jesus will even say, 

“Put Me in remembrance (remind Me of your merits); let us plead and argue together.  Set forth your case, that you may be justified (proved right).”

(Isaiah 43:26 AMPC) 

“Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted.” (NKJV) 

In order to remind myself to stay focused on the ultimate vision plan I have this “mini” vision posted on my computer to see every day.  To help you better prepare for that day before the Lord, I want to share something an evangelist spoke back in the late 90’s. 

Whenever you start to do something use these four checkpoints to remind yourself by asking, "Why am I doing this?"

1 - Is this God’s plan? (Does it incorporate the overall vision?)

2 - Will it win souls? (Does it carry out the Great Commission?)

3 - Will it help the body of Christ? (Does it offer anawers, meet a need or solve a problem?)

4 - How is what I am doing getting me closer to my goal? (Can I still see the vision?)

If you cannot answer yes to them all, rethink why you are doing it.  Do not move forward until all points check "Yes" for the vision, dream, plan, or reason you have in mind for taking that action.

Vision Success Requires a Plan

Sometimes we get caught up in the thrill of doing a project or carrying through with a dream and forget the reason we did it in the first place.  There are other times when we think God wants us to do something when in fact that “vision” or dream plan is for someone else.

 

King David went off sideways in wanting to build a temple for the Lord, but God made this vision clear that his plans were not exactly His plans.   David wanted to alter what God wanted so he could get the credit. 

Although it was a good thing to do and would honor God in building a temple unto the LORD, it was not the plan He had for David.  God’s plan was for David to foot the bill and make a way for his son Solomon to build it.  Why?  It was not the right timing.   

David had money and power to do anything he wanted and could have done it, but it would not have counted for eternity.  We want the work we do for Christ to matter, and part of that requires us to take action after we have spent time in prayer. 

Let us suppose you have already heard from the Lord and have a specific vision or dream placed in your heart.  The next step you need to take is a plan of action for visionary favor. 

Our Series Challenge:

Write the Vision

 

Following the direction God has given so many times in scripture we are going to do the same using Habakkuk as our guide in our plan of action. 

What did Habakkuk do?  He had an active relationship with God through daily prayer, and he waited to hear what God thought before he did anything.  When he got the answer, he obeyed through action. (Study the book of Habakkuk … it is only three chapters!) 

He Prayed 

He Waited 

He Acted 

In this challenge our active part will be to physically write the vision and plan God has placed in our hearts to carry out in our lifetime here on earth. 

Remember favor starts in prayer.  No matter where you look in the Bible when you see God’s hand of favor extended, it began with fellowship through prayer.  Keep in mind, God will not partner with your vision unless it is part of His plan.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

Grab a pen and paper, then go to a place where you can be quiet with God with no distractions.  Put everything out of your mind and focus on hearing from the Lord in your spirit. Then write down everything you hear no matter how crazy or far-fetched it may sound. Just write, do not critique or try to figure anything out at this time.  The vision will become clearer as you proceed.

1 – Physically write down the vision and plan God put in your heart backing it up with scripture.   

2 – Prayerfully use daily think tanks with God to stay focused.  

3 – Display the vision in plain sight to help you keep focused and for all to see when they enter or leave a specific area.  Make it big! 

4 – Have at least one person in your corner for support and it does not have to be family.  In fact, a friend or church leader would be better. 

5 – Dream big, start small.  Do not despise small beginnings. 

“Do not despise these small beginnings,

for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin …”

(Zechariah 4:10a NLT) 

In America on the day Mr. Trump officially become President of the United States, he fully realized he cannot take action without a plan.  The same goes for anyone who wants to accomplish great things.

It does not matter who you are, how famous a person or what great deeds you have done, if it is not God’s plan for your life, no matter how good it may seem, it is all for nothing. 

It has been a few years since we visited that church in the hills, and I hope to return one day finding that they have finally written the vision of God for all to see and are following it with joy.  Now that would be a great story!

 

As for now, I am going to focus on the vision God has for my life so I can continually walk in His favor.  What about you? 

Stay organized and focused spiritually, physically, and mentally.

Pray – Wait – Act 

“When I called, You (God) answered me; You greatly emboldened me (gave strength, courage and confidence to do this).”

(Psalm 138:3 NIV) 

Follow God’s vision and you will have the strength, courage and confidence to live your dream in His abundant favor!  

“If You are pleased with me (God), teach me Your ways so I may know You and continue to find favor with You (for the vision not to turn sideways).  (Exodus 33:13a NIV)

If this teaching has encouraged or helped you, please consider sharing it by using the social media icons provided at the end of this post.

Missed part of the series, read them here:

Read Part 1 The Importance of A Vision: The Forgotten Vision

Read Part 2 : The Importance of A Vision: What Happens without A Vision Plan 

 

You Are My Vision by Rend Collective (with Lyrics)

 

Until next time, actively write God’s vision and receive His favor! 

“I give favor to build My Kingdom.”

Jesus Christ 

*Unless noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy. 

Note: Emphasis is given in some scriptures to show clarity or understanding and is not to take away from the inspirited Word of God.

When used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no place in our lives.

Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness. 

Helpful resources on this topic:

 

Visioneering: God's Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Vision

by Andy Stanley 

Available in Paperback, eBook, Spanish, audio CD, MP3 

Follow Fay aka Favored1 on Twitter, You Tube and Pinterest.

Disclaimer: Information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.

*For those who trust in Jesus Christ, God gives the promise of life here but also the gift of eternal life as an inheritance of being His child.  If you would like to have this gift also, click here to learn more.

Maybe you do not know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also.  Click on the above tab “Tell Me About Jesus” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.

Content and Image Copyright from Favored1 unless noted. Do not copy.  

Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.

Unless noted, scripture reference in series was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway.  Image Creative Common License if not specified.  Photo by Favored1/Fay Ann Daniels

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The Forgotten Vision Part 1

It was Monday morning when I was leaving the skin doctor's office for my yearly follow-up when I felt led in my spirit to visit a friend who was working nearby.  Normally hubby is with me, but on this day, he was home caring for one of our rescue cats who is recovering from a recent stroke.

Phoning my husband, I asked if he minded and that I would be home in about an hour.  He assured me that everything was fine and do what I felt led to at the time.

After praising God for a good report, I headed to the cardio rehab building where my friend was the head of the department.  I first met her in 2015 when hubby was recovering from his triple by-pass heart surgery.  Although he has since finished his treatment there, we have stayed in contact with the wonderful staff. 

The Importance of a Vision Part 1: 
The Forgotten Vision 

For months we had talked about having lunch again but never actually scheduled anything.  Walking up the stairs I realized it was about noon and could have brought lunch for us had I noticed the time before arriving.

The room was about empty except for one woman who was finishing her session.  After our greetings I waited in the conference room for my friend and knew this was a divine intervention from the conversation that took place over the next thirty minutes.

Her co-worker was not feeling well and had gone home before I arrived.  It was just the two of us when my friend began telling me about the bad health report she had recently received.

As she dealt with a situation, I asked the Lord for wisdom in how to minister to her and He did.  Giving her instruction on what the Lord had me do many years ago concerning an incident that happened to me, I shared my story and advised her to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit that I did for my own healing.  

Our time together was emotional, but as always, a delight.  When I was about to leave, I asked if there was anything else I could do for her.  Without hesitation she shared something private she had been praying for concerning her husband. 

It did not take me two seconds before I smiled with excitement - "I can help!  I know what the problem is.  He's lost, you know - "forgotten" - his vision for life and is literally perishing!"  

What really caused me to recognize this was a God moment, was that I had the same conversation with another lady I just met a few days ago.  Her response was the same - "That's it!"

Both situations reminded me of something that happened several years ago on a much larger scale where the people also lost their vision. 

Be sure to visit Tell Me, Q & A or other sections.

What Vision Plan? 

There is a little country church tucked in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains.  The congregation is not very large, but they are loyal and believed for their flock to grow.   

One day while no one was in the building the church burned totally to the ground.  It appeared that all their dreams and the vision for the church had gone up in smoke, leaving them no way to come back from such a devastating tragedy. 

People of the community loved that tiny church and reached out to those who attended.  Shortly after the incident the surrounding families and businesses gathered to clean up the rubble, and the charcoaled skeleton of the building that was bulldozed. 

Standing in faith that God was not done with them, they decided to rebuild with a bigger structure in mind that included a basement for the youth.  Hiring a man to dig the basement, the excavation plans began for the new foundation that fit the vision placed on the heart of their pastor. 

Everyone in the church was so excited how God brought the small community nestled in the hills together.  News of the event spread throughout the nation and touched the hearts of the big cities everywhere.  People wanted to get involved and not long after the contributions came pouring in to carry out the vision God had given. 

While construction was underway Bible studies were held in the homes of the elders each Sunday, and the church had already started to outnumber their existing fellowship.  God had shown them tremendous favor financially and added to the church before they ever stepped into the new building. 

Several weeks had gone by when the committee members decided that they should meet at the land site and see how the work was progressing.  When they arrived, they found that the basement was already completed, but there was a big problem.  Someone had neglected to follow the vision plans of the church.

The design and layout were to turn the original position of the church in the opposite direction.  With the land boundaries being narrow the new design would allow them to add on as the church grew.  Plus, they could have a larger parking area that was handicapped accessible meeting all the updated building codes.  However, that did not happen.  

The excavator had positioned the basement sideways instead of front to back.  He remembered how the old church was positioned and just made the new one the same way disregarding the new plans. 

Rather than go through all the work of starting over, the committee decided to leave the new church sideways.  The plans for a larger building had failed because someone failed to follow the master plans and no one checked on the vision of the church daily.  How could they, there were no written plans! 

One Year Later 

It was a Wednesday morning at Cardio Rehab that my husband had heard about this miracle building that God had rained upon with favor.  The brother of one of the members shared the story sparking our interest to visit this wonder God had lavished with abundant blessings and favor. 

The harsh winter months went by and come summer we were able to travel to join the congregation in a service one Sunday morning.   I was so excited to hear about what God had done on this forgotten hill in the Smokies, and knew it would be a great story to share on Daily Favor.  This was God in action and I could not wait to see what He had done for this part of the Body of Christ. 

We had driven for hours and knew we were near our destination, but where was it?  Getting lost in all those hills we stopped by a local business and they directed us to where we needed to go.  Nearing the street where we had to turn there was a big sign boasting the church’s location.  From what we read our anticipation grew, but was almost quashed when we arrived at the drive to turn into the parking lot of the church. 

Yes, indeed there was a new building but there was little sign of life around it.  The lawn was overgrown and unkempt.  As for the parking lot, it was non-existent and people parked willy-nilly … anywhere they wanted.  The whole thing looked in disarray like it had been practically abandoned.  Even the old sign was disheveled and not up to date. 

Stepping into the foyer no one was there to greet us, but when we entered the sanctuary the handful of people turned around to say hello.  For the next hour it felt uncomfortable, like we were in group therapy and no one wanted to participate. 

Following the service, we were given a “home” tour with the friend’s brother taking my husband in one direction and his senior son whisking me off to the prized kitchen area thinking that was what I would like to see. Oh, if he only knew that the kitchen is merely a place to collect food already prepared for me by hubby!   

Making our way to the basement that was “for” the kids, I was escorted in and out of the three small classrooms that opened into the enormous kitchen/dining room. 

There were no nursery facilities or adult classes … they would be held in the rather narrow sanctuary as usual.  In other words, they were not expecting more people on Sundays, but used the facilities for birthdays or parties.  

Having a few celebrations for members was not the issue, but why not add a few more events to the schedule including the community who helped them rebuild?  Surely, they had found favor from God and mankind; had they not recognized it?

The Forgotten Vision 

When our tour was finished, I felt compelled to ask what happened to all the people who donated to the church.  Why weren’t any of them coming and what happened to the pastor? 

An older woman chimed in, “We’re way back in the woods … no one wants to come here.”   How could that be I thought; they must have wanted it and thought it was worth rebuilding otherwise they would not have helped to have it rebuilt right?

Looking around the new construction I asked where their vision board for the church was located.  They did not have one, another member answered, stating the pastor left because the congregation was satisfied to use the building as a glorified living room and kitchen for their own families.   Well, that was blunt!

My heart was saddened to hear this, when in fact the place where we stopped to get directions was a widely known family campground.  There were all sorts of water sports like skiing, canoeing, or fishing, along with music events and cook-offs.  It is a great place to bring the entire family, and is always filled with kids of all ages year round. 

Actually, the campground was so popular that they recently began holding Sunday services for their visitors from all over the country.  When inquiring about the services we learned that,  

“Oh, we are not a religious campground, but have pastors come in to hold services free of charge.  They are packed!  People kept asking about a church in the area so we gave them what they wanted. They even do communion once in a while.” 

Wow, "We gave them what they wanted!"  Church ... they wanted to attend church!  God supplied the favor for the new church, but they forgot the vision and abandoned the plan!

Every week that church’s congregation was gathering less than two miles down the road!  The forgotten vision the former pastor had was for outreach ministry … and it was already there.  When they abandoned the vision plan the favor of God stopped.  

Scripture reminds us of how important it is to keep the vision of God that was placed in your heart alive.  Without a vision plan people will die from lack of purpose.

"... where there is no vision,  the people decay (perish), but he that keeps the law of God is (given favor and) blessed. (1599 Geneve Bible)

Other translations state that failure to follow a vision is being unfaithful and a form of rebellion against God.  That is how serious God is about obedience and how it ties to receiving His favor.

Friends, when God places a vision in the heart of His children, He expects it to be done and places favor on the project.  His plan will be carried out, if not by you, then someone else and the favor will be reassigned elsewhere.  

Perhaps you have become discouraged with the dreams, desires, and vision you had in your heart so much that you have abandoned, no, forgotten it.  Let me assure you, God has not and His favor is still available to those who will get back on track with the plan He originally placed in your heart.

Until next time, favored blessings!

If this teaching has encourage or helped you, please consider sharing it using the social media icons provided at the end of this post.

More to come in this series:

The Importance of a Vision Part 2:

What Happens without a Vision Plan 

Helpful Resources on This Topic:

 

Visioneering: God's Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Vision

by Andy Stanley

 

Available in Paperback, eBook, Spanish, audio CD, MP3 

Fay aka Favored1 on Twitter, You Tube, Pinterest.  

Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also.  Click on the above tab “Tell Me About Jesus” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.

Content and Image Copyright from Favored1/Fay Ann Daniels unless noted. Do not copy.   

Note: When used the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no place in our lives. 

Names and or places may be changed to protect privacy.

Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.

Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.

 

Unless notes, scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway.
Image credit: Google Images or Dreamstime Creative Common License if not specified.
Image:  Image  Blueprint   

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