WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH

“WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH”

(PROVERBS 29:18)

By Pastor Mark Taylor

Today, I want to bring to you a message from the Lord about your future.  What you think and plan for today will determine where you will be a year from now.  This applies to every aspect of our lives including, retirement, health, relationships with others, and most important our relationship with the Lord.  This message could apply to an individual, a church, a family, or a business.  The message is simply: “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

There are people depending on you and the church to get a vision from God.  We are not just an organization, we are a life changing arm of God.

Why do people die shortly after they retire, they do not have a vision?  Why do some churches have two or three hundred people or even a thousand in them, and others only have 30 after many years?  They have no vision.  We all need to ask God for a vision today.

VISION IS: THE ABILITY TO SEE: AWARENESS

Vision comes from God.  God allows us to see things as they can become.

Having a vision is more than just looking on the bright side. It is looking on God’s side. Finding the vision God has for us takes time and prayer. 

The way that we received a vision for a church is the same way that you and I can receive a vision for our lives and our families. We need to humble ourselves before God. We need to come before Him with no agenda other than the desire to hear from Heaven. We need to labor in prayer until we hear Him speak to our hearts, and He will speak my friend. 

We need to get back to cottage prayer meetings and times of group prayer.

Helen Keller, probably the most recognized blind person who has ever lived, once said, "What would be worse than being born blind? To have sight without vision." 

Moses: leading the people of Israel, David: slaying Goliath, Solomon: building the Temple, and Nehemiah: Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, All had a vision.

God has always given His people a vision.  “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your shield and your exceeding great reward.” (Genesis 15:1).  “His goodness is written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet” (2 Chronicles 32:32).  “And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision.” (Daniel 10:7).  You and I may not see a vision as dramatic as these, but God still shows His people what they can accomplish with His power and guidance. The Lord may not speak to you in an audible voice, and you may not see your vision, but God wants to motivate us through His Word and His Holy Spirit.  “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:28).

VISION IS: THE FAITH TO BELIEVE: ATTITUDE

Vision brings out the best in people.
God’s vision is always possible.
Vision moves forward: There is no such thing as vision that moves in reverse.

Vision makes life worth living.  “Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of things but the absence of vision.”  A vision brings life and joy.

The Lord Jesus is interested in you as an individual and wants to give you a vision to reach your full potential.  “The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).  The Lord is interested in your happiness and contentment. “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy might remain in you and your joy might be full.” (John 15:11).  

His words to you are not to restrict your joy or put you under some man-made set of rules, but they are to give you joy and true freedom.  “Therefore if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).  The Lord Jesus has a great plan for your life if you will allow Him to fulfill it in you.  You can accomplish a lot with the Lord as your partner.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

VISION IS: THE COURAGE TO DO: ACTION

God does not guide where He will not also provide.
Vision focuses on the future.

The difference in Young people who become successful in life is the result of taking action when you are young.  When I was a young person I read a lot of self-improvement books.  I read books and took courses in speed reading, short-hand, key-boarding.  I read biographies about men and women who had visions and their lives were successful.  At 13-14 I was reading books like "How to win friends and influence others, by Dale Carniage and books and sermons by Hudson Taylor, Billy Graham, Dwight L. Moody, John Wesley.  I caught a vision to take something from each of their lives and make my life better.  Just don't get caught up in the culture of drugs and "zoning out",  or think the world "owes you".  Life is full of opportunities for those who will get a vision. 

When you are older, you can still catch a vision and have a life that is meaningful and enjoyable.  One of the visions the Lord gave me was to become a missionary and reach the world with the Gospel for Him.  (Matthew 28:19-20).  At the age of 60, with the help of a Pastor in India - Pastor Francis, we are reaching over 133 countries around the world weekly with these sermons on www.sermonstotheworld.blogspot.com.

The courage of vision is to say "Lord if that is you, let me come to you walking on the water."

The courage of vision is to say "If God be for us, who can be against us."

The courage of Vision is to say "The trials of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory of the next life."

Once God gives us a vision -- then what?" Once God gives us a vision we must never turn back from what He has placed in our spirit and heart. 

Never stop pursuing the vision! Never, never, never stop pursuing that which God has placed in your heart! Never let anyone tell you, "It can't be done. You are foolish for even trying such a thing. Give up while you can still preserve your dignity." Regardless of the criticism that comes your way, regardless of the laughter that may fill your ears, regardless of the condemnation that may be hurled your way -- never turn back

The Lord Jesus is interested in you as a Church – a community of believers.
“I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18).  He can use you and I as His mouth, His feet, and His Hands to build “His” church.  I am not just talking about buildings and programs.  If we are going to bring more people to this place, you will need more of both, but you need more.  You need a vision.  God has given you a group of people who love Him and love people.  You need to take that to your community and invite them to become a part of God’s family.  Every organization will either grow or die.  “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).  This is a reality that every church has to face.

The vision we need to pray for involves these questions.  

“What can I do better in my life and for the Lord?”.  “How can I make this vision happen?”

“Will I sacrifice my time, energy, and money to make it happen?”.  

“Will I stick with it until my vision becomes reality?”.  I hope that you and I will begin to ask ourselves these questions and move forward with our lives.

There is a saying that says: “If you always do what you have always done, then you will always get what you have always gotten”.

If you will take a step of faith, the Lord will give you the strength and provide the resources you need to see your vision fulfilled.  There is a time of waiting, praying, and planning.  But there is also a time of moving forward.

“He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31).

Get a vision for your personal life, your family, and your church.  Don’t let the negative comments of others keep you from accomplishing things.  There will always be those who say “you can’t do that”, but with the Lord’s help, you can say  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Doing nothing is not an option.  “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

Today, you may have been asking yourself, "What is my purpose in life? What is it that God wants me to do?  If I don't have a vision, what should I do?  Ask Him to give you a vision to not just to be able to do more, but to do what you are doing better. Some people can do more in one hour than others in four hours because they have a 
vision and a willingness to work hard to complete their vision.