Vision

The Epistle of James could be classified as a wisdom book of the New Testament, similar to the “wisdom books” (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon) of the Old Testament. It is also a book that has an emphasis on prayer. In the blessed promise of James 1:5 we find both themes combined.

Has God recently placed something new on your heart? Perhaps you’re feeling burdened to launch a new ministry or begin a new goal? There’s nothing that fuels my energy like dreaming for the future and planning action steps for a God-given vision! But before I begin something new, I always try to take a careful look at what foundation I am planning to build on.

Every great leader has a vision for God’s work. Noah had a vision of how to escape impending judgment by building an ark. Abraham had a vision of a land and a people that would please God. Moses had a vision for the people of God to escape from the slavery of Egypt.

What do you envision your sphere of leadership and ministry looking like twelve months from now? If you desire for it to be different in any way than it is now, you must plan for it.

President Theodore Roosevelt delivered a speech in 1906 at the dedication of the office building for the House of Representatives in which he stated: “You may recall the description of the Man with the Muck-rake, the man who could look no way but downward with the muck-rake in his hands; who was offered a celestial crown for his muck-rake, but who would neither look up nor regard the crown he was offered, but continued to rake to himself the filth of the floor.”

If there is a story in the Bible that simultaneously encourages and irritates me, it is the account of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

God has a plan for each one of His children. If His only goal was to simply take us to Heaven, He would do so the moment we trust Christ. The Bible makes it clear that God has saved us to serve.

After twenty centuries of church history, the words of Jesus in Matthew 9:37 are still applicable, “The laborers are few.” Only a few pastors, evangelists and churches are really soul conscious.

Once each year we have a special night at our church called “Vision Night.” This is usually New Year’s Eve or the first Sunday of a new year, and it is one of my favorite church services of the year.

God intends for church planting work to begin in our Jerusalem and continue systematically outward to our Judaea, our Samaria and then finally to the uttermost parts of the earth.

From the moment you realize the call of God on your life to plant a church, you begin to develop a new mindset. It seems as though every passing thought and every new discovery is centered on getting this new church started. Dreaming begins, strategies are contemplated, and goals begin to be set.

God’s future plan for your church will undoubtedly look considerably different than God’s future plan for another church. This is where broad biblical principles (such as “go reach the world”) come into specific focus for each individual church.

Once you have dreamed a dream, you must share your dream. Once God has clarified His vision in your heart, you must share that vision with those you lead.

The implementation of vision is primarily an act of obedience to the Word of God. When you truly delve into the Word of God, seeking His heart for your church, the result will be revival and faith.