Possessing the Vision:

Sunday, we spoke about being clear and confident in your vision.  God wants us to be specific in our personal lives. The King of Kings asks us today, “What is it that you want?”  So, we need to be clear and detailed in our requests.  You must be confident and committed to your vision. You learned that an unhealthy opinion of yourself will hinder your ability to receive what God has for you.  Playing small will always keep you from the big things God has for you.  You are not a worm and unworthy of God’s best and gracious promises. Also, you must shed your desire to be around the familiar and the comfortable to receive what God has for you.  People, who rise to dream, and strive for the vision, will receive God’s best and will often be the subject of criticism from friends and foes. 

We asked the question, “what is it that you want” but we must also ask, “Do you want what you already have?”  There is a thin and treacherous line between contentment and complacency.  I do not have time to confront everything but here are some thoughts.  

It really troubles me that many of God’s people feel like God does not wants them to have anything in this life. Their vision is limited in finances and giving. Material goods are even evil to them.  But if that is true, why not live outside in the cold with nature?  No, the problem is what is evil to many people is abundance.  They complain about what they do not have and complain about those that do. They have no vision.  I know our life does not consist of what we possess but it does add value to it. When you ask these people “what they want” they feel it is evil to have material goods and every request has to be spiritual. What they do not realize certain religious attitudes of lack, complacency and living the average life, instead of abundant life, is not God’s will.  God is good and God is a giver.  I believe it is a lack of faith not to ask God for what we want and need.  It shows that he is not our source. The “just get by” attitude seems spiritual but it may be telling of some deeper unscriptural and religious attitudes.  However, when you live in lack it can quickly become a spiritual issue.   Are you admitting that God cannot trust you with blessing? Perhaps we are really saying, I am so sinful God cannot trust me with things.  Money is not the only resource God gives us but it is a notable one.  Remember money is amoral, but it is an amplifier for what is in your heart.  Money is not evil but the love if it is. If you give it is God’s way to keep you from greed. 

 People that are wealthy are evil to many today in society. Many believe that in order to be spiritual we must be like Mother Theresa living in poverty.  That is why socialism is on the rise in our country. Many people in the church and in the community see Jesus as a homeless man, on welfare, living off of people and panhandling.  They think as Christians we ought to reflect that image. But, that is a false image of our savior, just as much the portraits we see of as Jesus with a chiffon robe and blue eyes.  

You see, without resources what can we do for the Kingdom?  Israel went from Egypt, a place of not enough, to the wilderness, a place of just enough, to Canaan’s land a place of more than enough. Yet Israel wanted to go back to Egypt, back to the land of not enough. Why? It is a lack of faith and vision. It takes no faith to stay where you are.  How about you? 

God want to give us good things! The bible says in Romans  8:32-33 that, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” There is not enough space to list the scriptures how God wants to give us good things.  What you don’t see with vision, you won’t believe and what you believe you won’t receive.

Lastly, if you do not want what you already have, why should God give you more?  We need to appreciate and take care of what we already have. God has given you a great family, appreciate them want them and be thankful for them.   God has also given you a great church.  Want it.  Give to the church and ministry.  Make sure you tithe and give your offering! Stop having a poverty mindset.  Have you seen the reality TV show Hoarders?   It is absolutely pitiful and disgusting to see what happens to people that feel like they have to save everything. They refuse to give anything away.   It is a sickness that finally put them in a place where they are isolated, diseased and depressed. There are “poor” and” “rich” alike that have a hoarding- poverty mindset.  When you feel like you’re blessed you give. When you feel like you “have not” you become a hoarder. We need more than enough so we can give more. What you do not have you cannot give. What you give shows what you believe about what you have.  Next time you fill an offering envelope, look up to heaven, lift up the envelope in your right hand and say, “God, this is what I think of you!”  Generous people and people who want what they have freely give to maintain and keep it.  

 God has given you a great pastor and first family.  Do you want them, do you love them?  When the last time you asked them what they needed?  Help them, give to them and don’t take no for an answer.   If you do not and take care of the pastor and his family are you showing them you want them?  Your pastor should be able to be an example to the people in your community of God’s blessing and goodness.  You are a channel of that blessing.  Show you want what you have by taking care of whatever it is.

Why ask God for more if you won’t take care of what you already have?   Be a person of vision! Possess what God has for you and care for it.  If your father and mother gave you something and you acted like you did not like it would they give you more?  If you always give your food to the dog after they provided and cooked it how would they feel? Tell the Lord “thank you for what I have” and watch if you loving Father will not give you more.  God wants you to be blessed! He wants your house to continue forever. Listen to 2 Samuel 7:28-29,” O Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.  Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever."