Our Vision – Power and Love

15 05 2013

For God did not give us a spirit of fear.

He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.     II Timothy 1:7  NLV

DSCF0789It takes courage and strength to step out on faith. The risk of the unknown can raise fear in our hearts but it is not of God. I am thankful for this passage that reminds us that the Lord has provided us with the spirit of power, love and a good mind. The pace and complexity of problems and issues in our world may tempt us to retreat from moving boldly into action but our trust is in the Lord. He is the Strong Tower that provides strength and guidance for His children. We can step boldly into new places because He is with us. We are wrapped in His power and His love to move ahead.





Our Vision – While It is Day

13 05 2013

We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over. For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world’s Light.  John 9:4-5 MSG

DSCF0778We are so thankful for the opportunity that comes with a new day, a new week. Vision, goals and plans continue to be on my heart and mind. The Lord is so faithful to provide inspiration, ideas and resources to point us in the right direction. Our Heavenly Father provides “God ideas” that compel us to move us forward. We may feel a little unsure if it is the right idea but if God has put it on your heart it is time to step out on faith. Do the research, collect the information, make the call, and register for the class. Do something that moves you closer to your goal. I heard one minister say that if we make the initial steps the idea starts moving toward you. You begin to hear about opportunities. God sends people in our path to make the needed connections. It does require action on our part. It requires us to step out on faith and to do it now. Time continues to march on and it seems that things are moving at even a faster pace. We have “to be energetically at work” doing the work of the Lord, while it is day.





Our Vision – Like an Orchard

9 05 2013

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 NLV  

DSCF0315The Holy Spirit within us manifests itself with the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.   If we have the Holy Spirit these gifts should be evident in our lives.  One translation of this passage says that these gifts come into our lives the same way fruit appears in an orchard.  I remember being in orange orchard in Florida as a child.  I could see countless oranges in every direction for as far as I could see.  This was the first image that came to my mind when I read this passage. If we live God’s Way – the abundance of gifts into our lives will be evident.   What a vision for our best life to have more than enough of the gifts of the spirit -love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  We desire these gifts to appear in abundance in our lives – like an orchard.

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.  Galatians 5:22- 24 MSG





Our Vision – Perfect Peace

7 05 2013

You will keep in perfect peace, all who trust in you, 

all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.    Isaiah 26:3-4

DSCF0785The gift of God’s peace is priceless. It is a state of mind and heart that reflects a knowing and trusting of Him. It infuses serenity and contentment in the here and now despite the circumstance. It is recognition that God is control and our full faith and trust is in Him. Experiencing His peace is a part of my vision of my best life. Consistent trust in Him, will result in experiencing His perfect peace. We don’t have to be on an emotional roller coaster of ups and downs that changes with the happenings of the day. If we put our solid trust in Him, we can experience His peace that is beyond this world’s understanding. It is His promise to His children.  In a place of peace we can move steadily in our purpose as a bright witness for Him.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7





Our Vision – Strong and Able

7 05 2013

Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. III John 1:2

DSCF0779 My vision for my health is that I will be strong and able. God created the human body as an amazing organism that supports healthy living, well into our senior years. Our health is a blessing that we can treasure.  As God’s children we can strive to be a good steward in reaching and maintaining optimal health. We know more now than at any other era in time about how to support our health through healthy eating, exercise and rest. We know how harmful habits of smoking, overeating and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to disease and sickness. We were created to be an active, strong and able people.   Each day we can take steps toward this vision of our lives. We may be in a place where we need healing or direction on how to get there but our God is faithful to answer our prayers. He desires to provide healing for our bodies. He will give us instruction on how to move our health in the right direction. Eating fruits and vegetables is a key for me. A consistent active lifestyle with exercise will keep my body and my mind strong. I am thankful for this time of re-dedication to my best life so that I can work toward being strong and able.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;  may I never forget the good things he does for me. 

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

He fills my life with good things.

My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

Psalm 103:2-5 NLT





Our Vision – Make it Plain

3 05 2013

Then the Lord answered me and said:

Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time; 
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, It will not tarry.

Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV

DSCF0560Is your vision for your life written down? We live in a world where vision and mission statements are plentiful for corporations, non-profits and programs. These statements represent succinct descriptions of why an entity exists (mission) and the desired outcomes of their existence (vision). They serve as guidance for their activities and what they hope to accomplish. I have been through many strategic planning sessions where companies draft and redraft these statements to get it just right. My task now is to consider what would my written vision statement be? Is it something that is a nebulous idea or is it a concrete image that comes to my mind when I think of my life as a Child of God? Our passage today is a reminder from Habakkuk to write the vision down. It will take time, prayer and maybe even some research in the Word of God about what it says about different aspects of our lives: our marriage, our families, our careers, our money, and our health. It will be important for me to hear God’s response to my prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I am thankful to God about this part of my journey to imagine, to dream about my life through the Word of God.

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster; plans to give you a future filled with hope.  Jeremiah 29:11





Our Vision – A Lens of His Love

2 05 2013

Loving-favor and loving-kindness and peace are ours as we live in truth and love. These come from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Son of the Father. II John 2:3  NLV   

IMG_0741When we look in the mirror what do we see? Upon our first glance, do we see a blessed child of the King or is our first response to begin to make a mental list of what needs to be fixed. I believe one of the best practices of creating a vision for ourselves and the road ahead is to look through God’s lenses as who we are as His children. I want to see myself as God sees me. Not what the world sees, not my physical imperfections but to have a consistent view of what God sees when He sees me. His view is through the lens of hope and love. Our Heavenly Father is generous with us unending mercy and forgiveness, when He looks upon His children. When we strive to see what He sees in us, it gives us perfect vantage point for our growth and our confidence in who we are and where we are going. We can look to His Word, His Holy Spirit to help us to see a clear picture of His view. Whoever and wherever we may find ourselves, He sees us in love.

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster; plans to give you a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11





God-Size My Life

30 04 2013

Then the Lord answered me,

“Write the vision.

Make it clear on tablets

so that anyone can read it quickly.      Habakkuk 2:2

Falls dreamsWe live in a world where many things are super-sized.   Everything from large homes to fast food to huge containers of detergent is available in super -size portions. Our society places value on big things. As God’s Children, our aspirations and dreams should come to us God-sized. Our vision for every aspect of our lives should be lined up with what the Word of God says. When we visualize our family, health, finances, career and even our state of mind, it should be aligned with what the Bible says. The Lord has so many promises that are detailed in His Word. We often choose to settle for less than God’s best because our vision is aligned with what we think is possible. If we select a vision and write it down concerning the important aspects of our lives based on God’s Word, it would help us to move in faith toward a God-sized vision for our lives. I was encouraged by a minister who spoke about developing a vision for your life. She encouraged us to write down our God-sized vision for our lives. A vision that is based on God’s Word and requires His presence in our lives. What a powerful tool to have our vision before us based on God’s Word.





His Greater Plan

29 04 2013

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

IMG_0090 Jesus came so that we would have life and life more abundantly. His plan for us is to experience His many blessings in relationship with Him. It is a plan and future that is filled with hope. I remember thinking as an immature teen that God’s Word was full of judgment and limitations that resulted in a boring life. Now that I have reached both age and maturity, I know that I was completely wrong. A life in the Lord provides liberty and blessings beyond measure. I remember pondering about the things that I would need to give up if I accepted Christ into my life, things that I thought I would need first to get in order but it was a childlike notion compared to what a life in Christ has to offer. Our Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us; to be in relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ, that we may be able to experience His abundant peace and love along our life journey. His Greater Plan for us includes salvation, healing and deliverance. Once we make a step toward Him and accept Jesus into our hearts as Lord and Savior, we can experience the blessing of being in relationship with Him. His love, His peace and His mercy surround us in our daily living. We can mature and grow in Him and walking into our purpose. We have the assurance that we are never alone. Our God is with us each step of the way. We can walk into His Greater Plan today by establishing a relationship with Him.

 A Prayer for Salvation – 

 “Lord Jesus Christ,

I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask your forgiveness and now turn from everything which I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever.





Come Closer

26 04 2013

Come close to God and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners. Clean up your hearts, you who want to follow the sinful ways of the world and God at the same time. James 4:8 NLV

DSCF0370The Lord desires to have a close walk with His children. Any successful relationship needs nurturing and attention. We want our relationship with the Lord to be our top priority. This relationship provides the river of fulfillment for our best life. When we walk with the Lord closely, we can hear and follow His leading. The Holy Spirit can guide us into our purpose with strong and confident steps that move us forward. We all desire the blessings of peace, joy, happiness, health and contentment. They represent the same blessings that the Lord wants to provide for us. He will illuminate the path into His peace and His joy and His prosperity if we are seeking and listening for His guidance. The Holy Spirit in us can provide the answers we are seeking. If we are willing and adhere to what the Lord is saying, we can make the internal changes in our thinking and our ways that align to His will for our lives. We should seek to be closer to Him each day.

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.  James 7-10 MSG