THE NECESSITY OF A REAL VISION

The Necessity of a Real Vision
 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18)

 I. VISION IS: THE ABILITY TO SEE: AWARENESS.

 Webster's definition:   1. The faculty of sight, 2. Unusual foresight, 3. A mental image produced by the imagination, The experience of the supernatural as if with the eyes.

 Joshua and Caleb had a real vision:  “But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: "The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.' "Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them." (Numbers 14:6-9).  Having a vision is more than just looking on the bright side. It is looking on God’s side. 

II. VISION IS: THE FAITH TO BELIEVE: ATTITUDE

 Satan’s greatest attack on the vision that God gives each of us is our attitude. 

A wrong attitude says "Nobody else cares so why should I." or "Nobody appreciates anything I do so let’s see what they do when I don’t."

The right attitude is demonstrated by Joshua when it came time to make a decision about following God’s vision for him.  "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."      (Joshua 24:15).  

Ask God to give you a positive and believing attitude.

III. VISION IS: THE COURAGE TO DO: ACTION

Faith is the food that visions live on. Without faith, our vision will wither on the vine.  “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

The courage of vision is to say "Lord if that is you, let me come to you walking on the water."  Our vision may require us to come out of our comfort zone.

“Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.”         (Matthew 14:25-29).

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

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39 NKJV)

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."

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”   (Romans 8:16-18)