Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Where there is no vision the people perish. In this chapter, Habakkuk receives a vision from the Lord. Habakkuk understands that he is supposed to write down the vision that he is given. This vision is not going to happen right away, but that Habakkuk will have to wait on the Lord for it to come to pass. Habakkuk may have to be patient to see the vision of the Lord, but the Lord does not lie and the vision will come to pass.

One of the reasons that God wanted Habakkuk to write down the vision is because those who heard the vision would have to wait in order to see the fulfillment of the vision. People have a way of becoming busy and forgetting about the things that God had shared with them. If they are not written down, they will be quickly forgotten with the passage of time.

How many of us have had a senior moment where we walked into a room and then could not remember why we were in that room? How many of us would go crazy if we did not have our monthly calendar as there is no way that we can remember all the things that we have to do. We understand the importance of writing things down at work so we do not forget them, how come we do not take the time to write down the things that God shares with us?

Each of us should have a spiritual journal close at hand. Each day when we open up our Bible, we should expect to hear from God. We should plan on writing something down that God shares with us every day. If we are not constantly writing down things that the Lord has shared with us, our faith will not be growing. In the very next verse, we read the words that are often quoted, the just shall live by his faith.”

Faith is an important part of waiting on the Lord. If you do not have faith in God, how are you ever going to have the patience to wait for the things that HE has promised unto you? Every story in the Bible can be used by God to guide you in how you should live or not live your own life. The Bible is a tool God uses to speak to your heart and give you the hope that there is nothing too hard for HIM.

How many rash moves would we avoid if we had a closer relationship with the Lord? That closer relationship with God is possible for all those who take the time to put the things of God first in their lives. You cannot have a one-way relationship with God. You cannot expect God to just answer your beck and call. Instead, you must be willing to spend time listening to the still small voice of God. You must be willing to wait on the Lord. When God takes the time to speak to you in a special way, you should write down what HE has told you so that you have the strength to endure the disappointment when it is not fulfilled immediately.

Satan loves to discourage you by focusing your attention upon the things that God has not done. If he can cause you to doubt in God, your faith will be diminished and you will not be as powerful of a prayer warrior.

What if Eve had taken the time to write down the things that God had told them about partaking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil? How much stronger would Eve had been to combat the lies of the enemy? Satan is a clever opponent and it is our responsibility to make sure that we do not fall short of God’s perfect will for our life.

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Imagine that you had a dream of owning your own company with thousands of workers making widgets. Imagine that one day as you were sitting on the bus going to work, a man sat down beside you and started asking you about your plans for your life. At the end of the trip, just before you exited the bus, the man pulls out his checkbook and writes you a check for ten million dollars and tells you to go have fun fulfilling your dreams.

How would you respond? You have just been given ten million dollars to fulfill your dreams. The rich man just gave it to you, there are no strings attached, you can go do what you want. You probably would be pretty ecstatic. Whether you were a Christian or not, you would probably admit that this was a miracle.

In this passage, Eilhu reminds us that it is God who is our Creator and it is God who gives us life. Without God, we never would be and without God we could not continue to live. The breath that God gives to us is a free gift just as the rich man gave you ten million dollars. You have a choice what you are going to do with the breath that God has given you just as you have a choice with how you are going to use the ten million dollars. You can choose to use the breath to fulfill God’s purpose for your life, or you can choose to do your own thing. You can choose to spend the ten million on fulfilling your dreams and hiring thousands of workers or you can waste the money on yourself.

Most of us understand the value of ten million dollars. However, do you understand the value of life? Do you understand just how important the gift of air is? Can you put a dollar value on it?

Every day that God gives you breath, you need to thank HIM for what HE has given to you. Every day that the Almighty gives you life is just another day for you to fulfill the desires of your heart and to touch the lives of others around you. Every day that you live is a gift from God.

What are the desires of your heart? What is the vision that you have for your life? What are the plans that you have for touching the lives of those around you? Why should God bless you with one more day of life?

We serve a God who created us for a purpose. Do you know what that purpose is? Are you like Joseph who understood that he was to be a great ruler so he focused his energy on being all that he could be wherever the Lord put him? If you do not understand what God desires to do through your life, maybe you should spend more time drawing closer to God rather than keeping busy with busy work.

It is important to have a vision for your life. There will be many things that will arise in your life that will distract you from doing the perfect will of God. If you simply do the things that you think are right in your own eyes, you may be too busy to fulfill the things that are a part of God’s will for your life.

Stop and take the time to understand what your purpose is on this earth. You will need to be patient and remove from your life things that you desire to do but that are not fulfilling God’s plan for your life. Focus your vision and start allowing God to give you the desires of your heart. Remove distractions from your life and wait and see what God can do through you.

Acts 18:9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

Paul had just experienced a period of waiting and once he received the prompting from God, he started to preach. However, once he started to preach, the Jews rejected him and Paul determined that he was only going to preach to the Gentiles. The Lord came to Paul and spoke to him in a vision to encourage him to continue to preach. Paul had just been opposed for preaching the gospel, but God desired him to preach so God made sure that Paul had double verification that this was the will of God.

God had a direction that HE desired Paul to go and God made sure that he was both pressed in the spirit and received a vision. Paul had verification as to what God desired him to do and that he no longer was supposed to wait. God made sure that Paul understood what his direction was for Paul’s life.

When Gideon was instructed by God to go and attack the enemy, God confirmed HIS direction for Gideon multiple times. Gideon saw an angel, received signs from God, and even heard the interpretation of the enemies dream. God had a special plan for Gideon and God confirmed this message multiple times.

God has a special plan for you. When God has a big change for your life, you should not be surprise when God verifies it multiple times in multiple ways. Paul was going from a time of waiting to being a missionary to the Gentiles and God made sure that Paul received the message multiple times.

Gideon was bold to ask the Lord for multiple signs to verify what God desired him to do. Paul did not ask God for a vision to confirm but Paul received special direction from the Lord anyways. We do not know why God felt that HE needed to confirm HIS plan for the life of Paul; however, we do know that God did confirm HIS perfect will.

If God speaks multiple times about the same thing to you, it is probably a good sign that you need to obey right away. Paul’s period of waiting was ended by not one but two communications by God to move forward. We need to be patient with God because if we learn to hear HIS still small voice, when we hear God’s voice, we will probably not hear it just once but we will hear it multiple times.

It is a blessing from God to hear HIS direction for our life. When you hear the Lord speak to you, you should take the time to write down what HE says so that you can remember it later on when Satan tries to discourage you from continuing to do the perfect will of God. Satan will try to take your attention off of doing what God had directed you to do and thus when you have written down God’s direction for your life, it will give you the strength to resist the devil and cause him to flee from you.

When was the last time you heard from the Lord? Have you been taking the time to put yourself in a position where you would hear HIS still small voice? When you hear HIS voice, obey, but while you obey, continue to listen to HIM because you might receive the reassurance you need so that you can remain true to the perfect plan of God. God is not trying to lead you astray, HE just desires that you learn to wait on Him to hear HIS perfect plan for your life.

Acts 18:3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

Paul was in Corinth waiting for Silas and Timothy to come and join him. However, while he waited, Paul stayed with Aquila and Priscilla. Paul was a missionary commissioned by God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. However, just because Paul desired to be active preaching the gospel, God had him waiting working with tents.

Paul was not so proud that he could not work with his hands. Paul may have been a gifted speaker who encouraged thousands to repent of their sins and change their ways but this did not stop him from making a living. Paul understood that even though he had to work with tents for a while, that he still had to remain faithful and serve God right where he was planted. During this time of waiting, Paul still went into the synagogue every week to persuade both the Jews and the Greeks.

How often do we become proud of God’s calling for our life? Because of what God has called us to do, we become so focused on the future that we fail to serve HIM today. God does not always reveal to us what HE is going to do for us because if we know HIS plan for our life, we might become complacent in serving HIM where HE has us today. We need to be content wherever the Lord places us. If the Lord has us doing janitor, we need to praise HIM and seek how we can serve HIM while doing janitor services. If the Lord has us as a CEO of some company, we need to praise HIM and seek how we can serve HIM with the position HE has given us.

Paul was a great speaker but that did not stop him from working on tents. God had a purpose for Aquila and Priscilla but God first needed Paul to slow down and disciple this couple. Had Paul simply been so focused upon himself and the ministry that God had called him to, Paul could have very easily lost focus that there was a reason why God had him in Corinth at this time. Paul could have spent all his available time praying to God to bring Silas and Timothy so that HE could be active in the ministry again. However, this is not what Paul did.

We need to learn from the example of Paul. God has someone that we could minister to around us today. We need to stop and seek HIM and ask HIM to reveal to us what HE desires us to do for HIM today. If God has us during a time of waiting where we are patiently waiting for HIM to open the next door in our life, rather than focus on what we do not have, we should ask HIM to show us how we can serve HIM today.

Great vision and great dreams are nice, but we cannot afford to allow our visions and dreams to blind us from our purpose for today. The lessons of patience that God has for us are for a particular purpose. Just because we want to be used of God in a big way does not mean that we do not have an obligation to first demonstrate that we can be faithful today in something that we perceive is small.

We are accountable to God for every action, thought, and deed. If we fail to serve God where HE has placed us today, we will answer to God for our actions. God has placed us where HE desires us and HE has a reason for the trials that we endure. Rather than spending time complaining and feeling sorry for ourselves, we should spend the time diligently seeking a way to serve HIM today.

Acts 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Peter had reached Cornelius’ house and Cornelius bowed down in front of Peter. Peter understood that he was just a man being used of God and thus he requested that Cornelius stand up. Peter then informed Cornelius about the vision that he had received from God. Peter had just received a vision in which God showed him that he was not to call any man common or unclean.

Peter now understood that the purpose of this vision was that God had made all of mankind and that the gift of Salvation was for all to receive and not just for the Jews. Peter did not need to wait a year and have three visions from God before he allowed God to change his mind as to what was important. Peter did not need to hold a counsel and bring in all the religious leaders around the world to determine what they thought of the vision that God had given him. Peter heard the voice of God and HE allowed that change to have an immediate effect upon his life.

Peter was a Jew and he was raised in the tradition of the Jews that the God of the Jews was not for the Gentiles. Peter was use to his traditions of segregating himself from the Gentiles. Peter may have had many traditions but he was willing to lay them all aside so that God might be glorified. Peter was willing to trust God and simply obey what he was commanded to do.

How often do we fail to follow the example of Peter in this passage? We hear the Lord speaking to us but because it is something that we do not wish to do, we start to question whether God had actually spoken to us. Rather than obey first and understand why later, we take our time contemplating what is going on and attempt to find a rational as to why we do not have to obey.

There are times when we need to be patient with God. However, once we hear HIS direction for our life, that is not the time to be patient. When we hear God speak in our life, that is not the time to allow thoughts of doubt to creep into our mind.

When God speaks to us, we need to obey. God will not always explain HIMSELF or reveal to us why HE is asking us to do what HE is showing us. However, if God tells you to give some money to a missionary, you need to obey. If God tells you to stop and pray for the needs of someone, then stop and pray. It is easy to become so focused upon yourself that you lose sight of what God desires to do through you. We will miss out on God’s greater good for our life if we constantly are refusing to listen to HIS still small voice.

Peter was confronted by God about a blind spot that he had in his life. Peter listened to the voice of God and immediately changed those areas that God desired him to change. We need to be as receptive to the things of God as Peter demonstrated here. If God tells us to change, we need to obey and let God take care of anything that might happen as a result of our needing to obey HIM and change.

Do you ever wonder why you do not hear the voice of God as often as you think you should? Maybe the reason why you do not hear the voice of God as clearly as you think you should is because there have been many occasions when God has directed you to do something and you refused to obey. When God speaks, you need to listen. Be patient and continue to seek HIS face so that you might be all that HE desires you to be.

Acts 10:17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,

Peter, the apostle who was used of the Lord to preach powerful sermons where thousands were converted. Peter, the apostle who was chosen by Jesus to see the transfiguration of Jesus. Peter, the apostle who could walk by sick people and his shadow would cause men to be healed. This same Peter receives a vision from God and he is unable to understand exactly what God is telling him to do.

God does not always immediately let us know exactly what HE is trying to teach us. Sometimes God desires that we learn to be patient and that we learn to seek HIM for a full explanation. In the case of Peter, as Peter was trying to figure out what God was trying to tell him, God was already bringing the people to his door who would ask him a question that would reveal to Peter the purpose of his vision.

Sometimes the Lord will promptly reveal to you what HE is doing in your life as HE did with Peter in this passage. Other times, we may go through a much longer time of seeking the Lord for a deeper understanding of what HE is trying to do.

Peter had doubts as to exactly what this vision meant. Was this just a bad dream that was a result of something he ate for breakfast? What was the meaning of this vision?

Peter served a living God and Peter understood the importance of keeping his relationship right with the Lord. Peter knew that God had just spoken to HIM but the meaning was not exactly clear. Peter understood that God would not share something with him unless there was a purpose. Peter trusted the Lord and it was the Lord who would be glorified in the end.

Is there something going on in your life that you are unclear about? Remember that God is not going to bring any trial that you are not able to bear. Do not give up on God but instead take your time to draw closer to HIM so that you can hear HIS still small voice. Seek the Lord and HE will reveal to you that which seems so uncertain.

God has a perfect plan for your life. God is looking for those who will be willing to follow HIM. God will speak to those individuals whose hearts are right. If you are living for your own selfish purposes, do not expect to be the one whom the Lord calls on to do some great thing for HIM. If you are not actively seeking the face of God through the reading of the Bible and through your prayers, then do not expect to have a clear picture of the will of God.

However, just because you are a perfect saint and you are spending multiple hours a day in the reading of the Bible and in your prayers, do not expect that there will not be times where you are trying to figure out what God is doing. It is a part of our spiritual growth and God knows what is best for us and HE is trying to develop in us a perfect trust.

Be patient with God and while you are being patient, remember to continue to seek HIM. Do not stray from the perfect path that God has for your life. Satan is going to distract you with those things that you are unclear on and you will simply need to battle through the temptations so that through God you can be victorious.

Genesis 39:21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

The Lord was with Joseph and the Lord had enabled him to be chief of the house of Potiphar. However, Potiphar’s wife desired to sleep with Joseph and when he hurt her by refusing, she decided to hurt him by telling a lie to her husband that Joseph had attempted to rape her. Because of this false report, Joseph found himself in prison rather than a slave in Potiphar’s house.

Joseph had a great vision for his life and every time he turns around, things seem to be going backwards. First his brothers were going to kill him before they decided to sell him as a slave. However, this did not stop Joseph and he rose to a position of leadership. One could surmise that Joseph figured that maybe he would earn his freedom by diligent service to Potiphar and then he could return home to see the fulfillment of God’s direction for his life.

This was not to be. Things were getting worse for the life of Joseph. Now Joseph found himself in a prison with little to no hope of ever getting out. However, rather than allow himself to become discouraged, Joseph had faith that what God promised, God would fulfill.

Joseph did not curl up into a ball and start sulking? Joseph did not start a huge pity party for himself. Joseph did not fill his life with discouragement. Instead, Joseph spent his time diligently serving those who around him. Joseph may have had a vision of leadership but this did not stop him from serving others when he was in a season of slave and prisoner. Joseph did not allow his vision to get in the way of where God had him that day.

Do you ever find yourself discontent with where God has you today? You know that God has so much more for your life then the position you find yourself in today. Do you allow this attitude of discontentment to affect your job? Joseph did not and as a result, the Lord was with Joseph and the keeper of the prison saw this. Joseph knew that there was so much more in store for his life but he did not allow his future to dictate his present circumstances.

You must learn to be content with where God has placed you today. You must learn to faithfully serve God with where HE has you today. You must learn to find ways to allow the light of God to reflect through your life today. It does not matter what visions you have for your life. It does not matter what trials you are facing. It does not matter if you use to be a CEO but the only job you can get is that of a janitor. You must change your focus and start thanking God daily for the position that you find yourself in.

It is easy to allow discouragement to fill your mind, it is hard to exercise temperance and give thanks to God for the situation that HE placed you in. God does not make a mistake and HE always writes the last chapter. While you may not always see how your present situation will assist you in fulfilling HIS perfect will for your life, you need to be patient and learn to exercise self-control so that discouragement and discontentment are not able to take a foothold.

Joseph refused to stop serving God regardless of where God had placed him. In most people’s minds, Joseph had every right to be depressed. However, Joseph had a closer relationship with God and he understood that God’s ways are not always our ways. Because Joseph was willing to allow God be God, God was able to use Joseph in a very special way. By restraining himself from focusing on his present situation, God was able to bless Joseph every day.

Genesis 37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

Not everything God shares with you is public knowledge to the entire world. Jesus cautioned us to not cast our pearls before swine. There are simply some things that God shares with you that if others hear will not cause them to draw closer to God.

Joseph was a young man who had just received a great vision from God. God had just revealed to him part of his life purpose. Joseph was so excited that he had to share it with those around him who just happened to be his brothers. His brothers were not excited to hear that God was speaking to Joseph and their hatred for Joseph grew even more.

When God speaks to you, you must carefully listen to God to understand what the purpose of the message is. If God has spoken to you so as to encourage all those around you, then by all means do so. However, when God speaks with you, it is like a pearl, and that pearl may just be something God has given you to treasure for a while. Going out and sharing the special truth with those around you might be like taking a precious pearl and casting it in a pig sty and telling the pigs to keep the pearl safe.

The dream of Joseph was designed to encourage Joseph that God had a special purpose for his life. Neither Joseph nor his brothers had any idea about the suffering that Joseph was going to endure before the Lord brought Joseph’s dream to past. However, God had big plans for Joseph and as such, Joseph had to endure great trials to prepare him for God’s wonderful plan. God desired to keep Joseph’s attention upon the ultimate goals so HE gave Joseph a wonderful pearl to hang onto when the going got tough.

Joseph was going to face many trials between when Joseph first had the dream and when it was fulfilled. There was going to be countless times where Joseph probably wanted to give up hoping that God would bring his dream to past. However, Joseph remained faithful and God rewarded Joseph by bringing to past the fulfillment of the dream.

What pearls has God shared with you recently in your quiet time with HIM? Have you written down the promises of God so that you will remember them when times get tough? If you lose the promises of God, what good was the time you spent with God obtaining the promises, it is the same as throwing away the pearl of great price because you do not see its value.

The world will bring plenty of distractions to you causing you to lose focus upon the special promises of God. If you add temperance to your life, you will have the strength to say no to the things of this world and yes to the things of God. By focusing your attention upon the kingdom of heaven, the things of God will hold greater importance in your life and you can share them with those who will appreciate the value of the treasure.

Even though Eli was not serving God with his whole heart, Eli understood the importance of hearing the voice of God. Eli never questioned that Samuel had heard from God. Joseph’s brothers had not asked him what he had dreamed the night before, Joseph simply opened his mouth and shared. A little discretion and a little patience on his part could have helped create a little family harmony. Your life is no different, when God gives you a pearl, take the time to carefully evaluate whom you are to share this pearl with.

Acts 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

Paul has just shared with king Agrippa how he met God on the road to Damascus. Paul had thought he was diligent serving God but then he met God and caught the real vision. Paul had met God and he now had a better understanding about how God desired him to live his life.

Paul had received a vision and now, many years later, he is giving an account of his actions. Paul testifies to king Agrippa that he has been faithful to obey the vision that God has given him. Paul was not like the nation of Israel who received a great calling to go and possess the land. The nation of Israel chose to ignore the power of God and thus did what they wanted. The consequence of failing to obey the heavenly vision was that they were forced to wonder in the wilderness for 40 years.

Paul had received a great heavenly vision and he obeyed. We do not know what the consequences would have been had he not been faithful to following the perfect will of God. While we do not know what the consequences would have been had he disobeyed, we do know what the benefits were because Paul chose to obey God. Because Paul chose to obey, God blessed him by giving him a powerful ministry that is still touching lives today.

When you choose to disobey God, not only do you face the consequences for your actions, but you also miss out on the blessings that God had for you if you only obeyed. God has a perfect plan for you. You do have a choice; it is a choice of whether you want to experience the blessings of God or if you want to face the consequences of your actions.

God desires to direct you in the way that you are to go. The problem is, you do not put yourself in a position where you can hear HIS voice. For some reason, we believe that it would be better not to receive some great calling from God because then we would not be in a position where we must chose whether we have enough faith to truly trust and obey.

God does not want you to be so comfortable with the things of this world that you would rather get along with your life then to receive some great calling from God. When you place the things of this world above your relationship with God, you are going to be the one who ultimately suffers.

Paul was a man of action; whatever his hands found to do, it did it with all of his might. Paul was not a man who sat on the sidelines wondering what others were going to do. God knew that by touching the life of Paul, HE would have a leader who could do great things for HIM.

If you are spending your time seeing what the world can give you; you should not be surprise that you do not have a great calling for your life. You need to add temperance to your life and start pursuing a closer walk with God. Do not use your lack of knowledge of the ways of God as an excuse. Paul was a man who pursued the will of God and God gave him this heavenly vision and then brought others into his life to help disciple him in the way that he should go.

As you are diligent to pursue the ways of God, God will be able to expand your horizons. As you put the things of God first in your life, God will make clearer HIS perfect plan for you. Be faithful to obey the vision that God has given to you and one day you will be able to look back and see all that God was able to do with your life.

Acts 12:8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

Peter was in prison about to face his death as a result of his boldly proclaiming the name of Christ. However, while Peter was in prison, his fellow believers prayed that God would deliver him. It was during the night that an angel of the Lord said to Peter that he was to rise up and follow the angel.

Peter thought he was having a vision. The last time Peter had a vision, we see that he argued with God. Ultimately, Peter obeyed God and went and preached to the gentiles. Peter thought he was seeing another vision, but this time he instantly obeyed.
Of course Peter would obey, if he did not obey, he was doomed to face certain death. It is logical for Peter to flee a place that was about to destroy him.

How many of you are entrapped by the sins of this world, yet you do not take the way of escape that God has for you? Instead of accepting the deliverance of God from your temptation, you are so comfortable in your sins that you have come up with excuses as to why what you are doing is not a sin.

Sin is like the prison that Peter found himself in; sin is preventing you from doing the perfect will of God. Just as God desired to free Peter from the trap that would deprive him of his life; so likewise, God desires to deliver you from bondage that your sin has ensnared you with. God provided Peter with a way of escape, but Peter first had to obey and follow the direction of the angel. So likewise, you can start the process of being free from your sins if you will simply start obeying the voice of God.

Bondage to the things of this world comes in many forms. Some people lust after power while others lust after people. Some people desire money while others desire food. Some people waste their time on entertainment while others waste their time sleeping.

Satan knows your weakness and he will be sure to bring certain temptations into your life so that you choose to remain in bondage instead of choosing to be free to do the perfect will of God. You must learn to say no to the things of this world. Every day you need to add temperance to your life so that you do not remain in bondage while God desires for you to be free.

Christ taught us in the Sermon the Mount how to pray. One of the aspects of your prayers needs to be a daily asking of the Lord to deliver you from temptation. You need to understand the spiritual death that you surround yourself with when you choose to do that which is right in your own eyes. Christ taught us to ask and we shall receive. You should daily be asking the Lord to give you the strength to overcome the temptations that you face so that you might be free to pursue the perfect will of God.

Just as it would be foolish for Peter to refuse to obey the angel that was trying to deliver him from certain death, so likewise you are foolish every time you fail to follow the direction of God when it comes to your deliverance from the things of this world. It is time for you to stop loving your own bondage so much that you refuse to escape the destructive impulses your sin. It is time to forsake the things of this world so that you can focus upon the things of God.

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

What is your purpose in life? If you have no purpose, you will live your life aimlessly, moving from opportunity to opportunity never satisfied.

Joseph had a vision for his life. Joseph understood that he was to be a ruler. However, his life took a detour and he ended up being sold as a slave. Nonetheless, Joseph worked on his leadership skills as a slave and very quickly he rose to the head of the house. Joseph did not rise to a position of leadership because he aimlessly did what he did. No, it was because of his vision that Joseph had a purpose.

When bad things happened to Joseph, he did not allow them to distract him from what he was supposed to do. While he was in prison, Joseph again worked on his leadership skills. When Joseph was released from prison, he was able to see the fulfillment of his vision. While Joseph was serving as a slave and then a prisoner, he could not always see what God was doing, but because he had a vision, he was able to trust God.

Pretend you are going to take a trip across the country to see the ocean. You have a map but because of the distance, you are not going to make the entire trip in one day. At one point in your trip, you are driving through an extremely hot desert. At that time, it seems as if you are not heading to your destination because this desert has nothing to do with the beautiful beaches that you are dreaming about. Nonetheless, until you drive through the desert, you will never reach your destination.

Life is very similar to a long trip with a map. If you have a map and you follow it, while you may go through a lot of places you did not want to see, you will eventually reach your destination. So likewise, God is going to let you face many experiences that you never imagined on your way to fulfilling the vision that HE has given to you. Until you go through the valleys and climb the mountains, you will not be ready to enjoy the fulfillment of the vision.

What is the calling of God upon your life? What path has God showed you that you are to take? When you have a vision, it gives you purpose and it allows you to make decisions as to what you are supposed to do. If you do not know the calling of God for your life, then what are you doing to figure out the vision that God has for you?

God does not desire that you live your life without a purpose and without a plan. God is ready to open your eyes so that you can know where HE wants you to go. The problem is not that God does not want to share with you HIS purpose for your life, the problem is that you are not prepared to hear God and obey. You must take the time to hear the voice of God. Until you hear the voice of God and understand the direction HE would have you to go, then you are not ready to truly live your life.

You need to take time to add knowledge of the ways of God. The more time you spend reading the Bible and praying, the better position that you will be in to have a vision for your life. It was the vision of knowing the will of God that allowed Joshua and Caleb to remain faithful when the rest of the nation rebelled against God. It will be your understanding of the vision and your desire to fulfill it that will give you the strength to persevere through troubling times.

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word,

Paul is writing this letter to Timothy. Timothy may be a young man but he has the calling of God upon his life. However, Timothy cannot afford for people to not pay attention to the message that God has given to him and as such, Paul is giving Timothy several things that he needs to do in order to ensure that his listeners do not refuse to listen to him because they think that he is not mature enough yet.

Paul gives Timothy five things that he must do so as to ensure that the message that he is preaching is heard and accepted. If Timothy is not heard, the church will suffer. The first step that Timothy must do in order to gain the trust of a more mature audience is that he must be an example. Paul gives Timothy six areas that Timothy must be an example to early New Testament Church. By being an example in these areas, the older adults would see that Timothy is not acting like a youth and thus because he was acting in a more mature manner, they would be more inclined to listen to his message.

Paul teaches Timothy that he first needs to be an example in word. This means that Timothy must be bold in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. When Timothy is speaking with others, the words of Christ should not be far from his lips. If Timothy were to simply act like a youth, then his mouth would not be full of the truth of Scripture. If Timothy’s regular conversation did not match what he was preaching at church, the congregation would say that Timothy’s actions and words do not match and thus Timothy would lose a lot of credence.

Timothy could not afford to talk like a youth. If he was going to be an example to the Church as to what it meant to be a Christian, then Timothy had to change and he had to allow Christ to first change his mouth. The more truth that came out of his mouth, the more those around him would see Christ in him.

If you are a young man or woman who desires to be used of God to do great things, then you must first show to those around you that God has changed you. You can talk all you want about all the things you desire to do, but if you do not allow Christ to change you, the world will see you as just another youth that has great visions but does not have what it takes to put them into action.

All around you, young people are using swear words in their daily conversation. If you allow your vocabulary to be just like theirs, how can you expect God to use you to lead many to HIM? You must be an example to the world and that example starts with your language. If you sound like the world, why would the world want to change and accept the gift of Salvation? If the words of your mouth are glorifying to God, then the world can see the difference and they will see the love of God reflecting through you.

Acts 27:43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

Paul was a prisoner on board a ship bound for Italy. While they were traveling, the ship ran into a huge storm that lasted over 14 days. In an attempt to escape from the storm, they ended up running aground near an island. The soldiers desired to kill all the prisoners so that none of the prisoners escaped. The soldiers understood that if even one prisoner escaped, then when they reached Italy, they would lose their life. In their minds, it was better to kill the prisoners than risk losing their own life when they report that they cannot account for all the prisoners.

Julius was the centurion who was in charge of all the prisoners. Julius had come to respect Paul and did not wish to see him die; as a result, Julius decided that none of the prisoners were to be killed. God had promised Paul that he would preach in Rome. Paul was faced with an obstacle that he could not overcome in his own strength. Nonetheless, God had already taken care of the problem by working in the heart of Julius to ensure that he had the courage to stand up to his men and let them know in no uncertain terms that no one was going to be killed.

You do not know what obstacles that God is going to have to overcome in order to fulfill HIS promise to you? However, when an obstacles is in front of you that comes between you and the purpose God has for you, you need to turn the problem over to God; this is a problem that HE needs to deal with, and you need to let HIM take care of it.

Joseph received a vision from God that he was going to be a great ruler. God did not allow Joseph to become a great ruler the very next day, instead, Joseph had to wait many years and suffer many trials before he saw the fulfillment of the vision. Joseph was thrown into a ditch to die, but God did not forsake Joseph and caused his brothers to desire to gain financially for their misdeeds and they thus sold Joseph as a slave. God did not forsake Joseph as he slaved in the house of Potiphar or later as a prisoner.

Joseph remained faithful to God regardless of the circumstances he faced. Joseph tried to earn his way out of prison, but his efforts failed.  At the end of the life of Jacob, he called all his sons together and blessed them. When it was time for Jacob to bless Joseph, he said that Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: (Genesis 49:22). Joseph faced many obstacles but he allowed God to help him clear those obstacles so that God through him received the glory. Joseph overcame the walls in his life.

Stop looking at the high wall is in your own life. Instead, it is time for you to pray to God and request that HE give you the strength to go up and over that wall. There is no magic solution to immediately get you on the other side of a trial that you face. Instead, it is God who is faithful to enable you to see the fulfillment of HIS direction for your life.

You may not be like Joseph with a powerful vision that God is going to make you a great ruler or like Paul who was told on multiple occasions that he was going to preach in Rome. Nonetheless, God still speaks with you to show you the way that you are to go. Satan is going to try to distract you from that purpose, but it is your duty to remain faithful and trust in God and allow HIM to bring it to pass. Do not lose heart, instead, draw closer to God and obtain more knowledge of the ways that HE desires you to go.

Acts 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

Paul was about to be sent to Rome to present his case there. When Agrippa came and visited Festus, Festus spoke with Agrippa about the problem he had with Paul. Festus had heard the case against Paul and was not sure what the charges were that had been brought against Paul. When Festus sent Paul to Rome, he also needed to send with Paul the accusations so that Caesar could properly render judgment. However, because the religious leaders had no charge that they could bring against Paul, Festus was in a quandary.

King Agrippa agreed to hear the case of Paul. Paul brought up the heavenly vision that occurred to him on the road to Damascus. Paul recited the words that he heard spoken to him that day, and then he testifies that he had not disobeyed the instruction of God.

Paul knew the direction God had for him and he remained faithful to that calling. You may not have received a heavenly calling like Paul received, but God is faithful and HE will make known to you the direction HE desires you to go. It is your duty to obey HIS direction for your life.

One might argue that Paul had a special advantage because he so clearly heard the voice of God and thus there is no way that he could ever disobey. However, one must remember the nation of Israel. They clearly were told to go into the Promise Land. Nonetheless, despite such clear instruction from God, they rebelled and were required to wonder in the wilderness for 40 years.

It still takes faith to obey the direction of God. Noah was instructed to build an ark because it was going to rain. Put yourself in the shoes of Noah, no one had heard of rain, yet Noah built the ark. Noah was faithful in that he preached to the people requesting that they repent and get right with God and obey God by boarding the ark. Noah and his family were the only ones who believed and they were saved alone from the destruction of the flood.

God does not always ask small things of us; God often requires great sacrifice. However, God is faithful to ensure that you hear HIS voice and the direction that HE has for you. Once you hear the voice of God, you must follow the example of Paul and obey the direction that God has laid out for you. If you refuse to obey the direction of God, your disobedience is a sign to all that you fear man more than you fear God. If you truly feared God, how could you disobey God?

If you desire to obey God, then you must first take the time to hear the direction of God. This means that you need to take time to set aside the cares of this world so that you can concentrate upon what God desires you to do. Once you understand the direction of God, then you must follow through and not allow Satan to distract you from the perfect will of God. Satan will attempt to persuade you to stop doing the perfect will of God. Paul had many opportunities to stop following God, but he chose to remain faithful to the very end.

If you are taking the time to diligently add knowledge of the ways of God to your life, then you will know the direction God desires you to go. However, do not waste that knowledge by not obeying. Instead, learn to focus your attention upon God and allow HIM to direct your path. Understand that the storms of life will test your obedience to God, but if you will simply persevere, you can have the joys of testifying to others that you remained faithful to God. Do not quit on God. God has done so much for you. Instead, understand what God has shown you and pursue HIS perfect will until your final breath.

Acts 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Peter saw a vision. In this vision the heavens were opened up and a great sheet was let down and in the sheet was all sorts of unclean animals. A voice then spoke to Peter telling him to kill and eat. Peter replied that he could not because the animals were unclean. At this time, the voice spoke a second time and Peter was told not to call common that which God had cleansed.

Peter was about to be told to follow the men sent by Cornelius. Cornelius was a gentile and the Jews had been trained from birth that they were a chosen people and that they were to keep themselves separated from the Jews. God needed to change the mindset of Peter and thus HE gave Peter a great vision by which Peter was able to use to share with the Christian Jews that the gospel was for the gentiles also.

God added to the knowledge of Peter by showing him that the gospel was for the gentiles also. This was a growing up time for Peter as he more fully matured in the ways of God. Peter was biased towards the Jews and God had to break that bias.

Just before Jesus had ascended up into heaven, Jesus had told the disciples that they were to preach the gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth. At this time, most of the Jews lived in Jerusalem and Judea; they did not live in the uttermost parts of the earth. Jesus was enlightening HIS disciples that the message was not just for the Jews but that it would start with them. Peter had heard that the gospel was to be spread around the world, but he had not yet accepted that truth and he needed God to appear to him and show him HIS perfect path. Peter needed a change of heart.

Too often, we are just like Peter. We use our selective hearing to only believe that what we desire to believe. We become stuck in our traditions and as such we miss many opportunities that God might have had for us. Peter needed God to come and show him a great vision in order to get him to willingly do that which he had already been commanded to do. While it is a powerful testimony that Peter received as a result of this vision, how much better would it have been had he simply been willing to listen to the still small voice of God.

Quite often, God tries to initially lead you by HIS still small voice. If you do not respond, HE will either stop the communication, or HE will magnify the message. The bigger the message, the easier it will be for you to share with others the things that God is having you to do. However, the bigger the message, the bigger the indication that your faith might be weak.

A couple who is in love and who have a close relationship with each other do not need to use loud voices in order to communicate. In fact, because of the closeness of their relationship, they often do not have to say anything at all because a look says it all for them. You see loud communications arise when the couple is not close and their relationship has drifted.

You must remain close to God if you desire to hear HIS still small voice. Peter had already heard the voice of God and as such, God needed to use a louder message in order to get the attention of Peter and the Jerusalem church. The ways of God are available for you to learn. You must actively seek the things of God if you desire to do HIS perfect will. Stop looking into the future to see what God will tell you tomorrow, instead, look to see what HE has already showed you.

Acts 10:3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

Cornelius was a devout man; he feared the Lord and he led his household in the fear of the Lord. Cornelius was a generous man who gave to the needs of others, and he prayed to God. God came and spoke to Cornelius and showed him the direction that HE desired him to go. God instructed Cornelius to send men to go find Peter. God not only told Cornelius to find Peter, but HE also told Cornelius where his men might find him.

Cornelius was a man of prayer. Scripture does not indicate what Cornelius was praying about the time that he saw this vision. Cornelius was not seeking direction from God about whether he should send men to go find Peter. Whatever, Cornelius was praying about; God opened his eyes to a new direction. Cornelius was simply honoring God and God saw fit to open his eyes to HIS perfect will.

There are definitely times in our lives where we need to stop and seek the Lord for HIS direction. However, just because you feel like you are at a place in your life where you do not need direction, it does not mean that you are free from an obligation of praying to God. Instead, you need to learn to develop a heart after the heart of God. This means daily you should set aside time to simply have fellowship with God. As you seek the face of God, your relationship with HIM will grow, and as it grows, God will be able to open doors that you never thought possible.

Daniel was a righteous man. Those around Daniel knew that every day he took the time to pray to his God. Daniel made it a priority to speak with the Lord each day. One day, Daniel heard that there was a new law that said he could not pray to God for 30 days. Daniel had such a close fellowship with God that he was not going to avoid praying to God for 30 days. We do not know what Daniel prayed that day that he heard he was not to pray to God. We can safely assume that he was not asking God whether or not God desired him to pray or not. Most likely, Daniel knew he was going to be persecuted for doing that which is right, and as such, he was probably praying that God would give him the strength to overcome the trial and that God would be glorified through his suffering.

Prayer is not a time were you give God your Christmas list. Instead, prayer should be a time where you draw closer to God and allow HIM to lead you in the way you are to go. The closer you are to God, the easier it will be for you to hear the voice of God. Do you think that Cornelius would have received the vision to send for Peter if he had not first been a man of prayer?

How is your relationship with God right now? Are you hearing the still small voice of God on a daily basis or are you living on direction of God from yesterday? Too often, Christians will hear the voice of God and as soon as they know what God desires them to do they are less concerned with hearing the voice of God for today. They live off of the vision from yesterday rather than looking for a fresh word from God today.

God has something for you today. Start focusing your attention upon God and your relationship with HIM. As you seek to put HIM first in your life, God will open doors to a wonderful new relationship with HIM. Every day you should spend time trying to hear HIS still small voice. It is your responsibility to daily add to your life the knowledge of the ways of God.

Psalms 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

In this Psalm David is honoring God by singing forth HIS praises. In this verse, you see reference to the young receiving strength to vanquish the enemies. When David defeated Goliath, he was but a youth. David had seen God give him the words to say and the strength that was necessary to demonstrate to all Israel that God would avenge them of their enemies. David may have been a youth, but God used him and David made sure that HIS own mouth gave God the glory for the great thing that HE had done.

David may have been a youth but he understood who God was and HIS place in this world. David understood that it was not by his might or his power but by God’s spirit that Goliath would be defeated. David went into this battle with great confidence in the power of God. David had seen God work in his life in the past and David was willing to trust God to continue to work through him.

If David was but a youth when he killed Goliath, how old was he when God gave him the strength to kill a lion and a bear? David had complete trust in God. Because of David’s trust, God was able to work through him in ways that we still speak about today. Later in David’s life, he was faced with other giants but because David did not have the strength, others had to come and destroy his enemies. Later in his life, David relied upon his own strength whereas when he defeated Goliath, he relied upon the strength of God.

The prophet Joel states how “your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:28). Jesus taught how you need to have the faith of a little child. You must understand that the longer you live, the more Satan attacks you with reality and how it cannot be done. God desires that you remain like young David who had a vision of God working through him and was able to do great things for God. God has many enemies on this earth that need to be defeated, but he needs those who will put aside the cares of this world in order to see the vision of God and proceed.

Do you trust God? Are you willing to face the enemy not relying upon your own strength but wholly relying upon God’s strength? God is looking for those individuals who are willing to live their lives so that God receives the glory. If your life is full of God, what have you to fear? You must allow God to work through you and give you the strength that you need to defeat HIS enemies.

David’s trust was in God. He had the valor to take on Goliath because he did not allow his mind to think about how big Goliath was but instead focused his attention upon how big his God was. All of Saul’s army was looking at the size of the enemy and it took a boy who set his mind upon the things of God to defeat the giant.

If you desire to do great things for God, then you must change your focus. You must change your focus from the things of this world to the things of God. Do not believe those who say your visions cannot be done. Instead, you must look to God knowing how HE has worked through you to demonstrate to the world how it can be done. Adding virtue to your life will give you the strength to do great things for God.

Proverbs 31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

The sixth manifestation of virtue that Solomon was to look for in a woman he desired to marry is that she be a visionary. Solomon was to look for a woman who did not sit around and do nothing with her time and resources but instead he was to look for a woman who was proactive with her life to better herself as she waited for her future husband to find her. Solomon was instructed to look for a woman who was neither lazy nor idle but to seek a woman who actively fulfilling a vision.

The virtuous woman really was doing three things by purchasing a field and buying it. First, she enabled herself to be more valuable to a future husband because she had property that she would be bringing into the relationship. Second, she was learning skills that would enable her to assist her future husband which would allow them to both be successful. Third, she was demonstrating to herself and those around her that if anything ever happened to her husband, she would not have to resort to prostitution in order to provide for herself and her children because she had learned a skill to survive.

When you add virtue to your life, you begin to think about the things of God. You begin to develop a vision in your life for how God can use you. The virtuous person is seeing how they can do more for God. Too often you find individuals who do not have visions but instead they dream about what might happen. Dreamers are either waiting for their proverbial ship to come in or contemplating the good things that have already occurred.

The virtuous woman that Solomon was looking for was a woman who was willing to step out of her comfort zone and do something that very few women even considered doing. She would have to be a bold individual to purchase a field and plant a vineyard because those were tasks normally reserved for the men.

God is looking for individuals who are willing to do great things for HIM. Individuals who are willing to be used of God just as the apostles were used of God. If you are going to be used by HIM, you must be willing to put aside your fear of the world and live your life knowing that what you do is in accordance with HIS will for your life. You must be willing to act in such a way that when God is looking around the world to see who HE might use to demonstrate to the world HIS power, HE will choose you because you have already demonstrated to HIM that you do not cow-tow to the pressures of the world.

What vision do you have for your life to change the world for God? Are you just sitting around waiting for God to choose you, or are you actively preparing yourself so that God has no choice but to choose you? Are you demonstrating to God and others that you are a visionary who is willing to be used of God?

When you add virtue to your life, the way you approach life should change. Status quo should not be sufficient for you. Instead, you should be looking for how you can be all that you can be for God. Virtue will change your perspective on life. No longer should you be willing to just get by, but instead the focus of your life should be for how you can make a difference in this world today. Does your life demonstrate virtue?

Acts 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

Paul is presenting his innocence to king Agrippa. While he is presenting his case, Paul shares his testimony of how he was called by God on the road to Damascus. Paul shares how God spoke to him that he was to preach to the Gentiles. Paul is quick to share how he had not departed from God’s vision for his life.

Paul understood what God was instructing him to do and he did it. Paul’s testimony was that he heard God’s instruction for his life and that while the road Paul was instructed to travel was not easy, Paul obeyed God and remained faithful to God’s calling. Paul had a clear vision from God and he was not going to allow himself to be distracted from doing the perfect will of God.

How many times during Paul’s life could he have given up and forsaken his God given calling? Some would have given up when the people did not listen to the message from God. If God did not immediately bless their way, then why should they continue on the path? Some people would have quit when they were stoned and left for dead. If God cannot protect then from being persecuted for righteousness sake, then why should they continue on the path. Some would have given up when they went for long periods of time of simply waiting for God to open the next door. If God does not direct, then why should they continue on the path? However, this was not Paul. Paul understood what God told him to do and regardless of the trial that God allowed him to face, Paul was able to say to Agrippa that he was obedient to God’s calling.

You must learn to follow Paul’s example. There will be times in your life where God very clearly speaks to you and shows you HIS desire for your life. However, understand HIS perfect way is similar to being a captain on a ship. The captain understands where he is and where he is going. However, during the trip there are going to arise many storms that he will face before he reaches his destination. Just because a storm arises, it does not mean that God’s plan for your life has automatically become void. Instead, you must take courage to finish the voyage that God has set before you.

Your greatest testimony is not that you did what God instructed you to do. Your greatest testimony arises when others see the trials that you overcame as a result of obeying God. When others see how you finished the race that God had called you to and that you did so even though there was great turmoil in your life, then the observer understands that God’s power and grace was sufficient for you and that HE can be with them through their trial.

You cannot afford to give up. You have heard what God has told you to do. While you cannot bring about God’s will in your life any quicker, you cannot quit and ensure that God’s will never occurs. Instead, when you know God’s desires, then you must persevere and allow God’s grace to be abundant in your life

You will never make it through the trials in your life if you do not first add virtue to your faith and begin to put the things of God first in your life. Until you are able to see the hand of God in your life regardless of your circumstances, all you will see is your problems and you will be more likely to abandon your calling early.

I Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

Why was Elijah requesting that God kill him? He had just seen God answer his prayers by bringing fire from heaven and restoring the rain throughout the land. Elijah had seen God’s hand upon him for the last several years as God had supplied all his needs. Nonetheless, even though Elijah had seen God’s hand upon his life, Elijah was on the run because Jezebel desired to kill him because of what he had done to the prophets of Baal.

In response to Elijah’s prayer, God supplied Elijah with two meals and then had Elijah take a journey of 40 days in which Elijah did not eat. Elijah’s destination was Horeb, the mount of God. Once Elijah reached Horeb, he told God that he was alone. Elijah felt that there was no one else out there who was serving God and he was discouraged because even though he had shown the nation that God was with him, his life was in jeopardy.

Solomon told us where there is no vision the people perish. Elijah had no vision for his life. He had just fulfilled God’s purpose that had consumed his life for many years and now he was discouraged because he not only had any purpose but he was not receiving the praises of man for fulfilling his prior purpose.

Elijah may have been a great prophet for God but he still was human. You enjoy hearing the praises of those around you when you do things right. So too did Elijah expect and need to hear the praises of his fellow man after he had great faith and prayed fire from heaven, the return of rain, and had out ran the chariots. All Elijah received was a death threat and he was on the run.

God came to Elijah through a still small voice. Elijah felt he was alone and God informed Elijah that there were seven thousand who had not bowed down to Baal. Elijah felt he was without a purpose and God told him to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria, Jehu to be king over Israel and Elisha to be a prophet of God.

You must be aware that Satan loves to attack you immediately after you have a great victory for the Lord. Like he did with Elijah, he will try to discourage you from your faith immediately after you have seen a victory from the Lord. After a victory is not the time to sit back and not be prepared for the attacks of your spiritual enemy. There are going to be days in your life where you are discouraged. Nonetheless, it does not mean that God has forsaken you. You can learn from Elijah how not to respond when you face discouraging times. Remember, God will never forsake you nor leave you.

God provided and sustained Elijah so that he was in a position that he could once again hear God. God has not forsaken you, God desires to bring you to the point where you are seeking HIM and desire to do HIS will. It is not the end of the world when you reach a spot where you are spiritually discouraged because you feel you have a lack of direction. Instead, just remember the life of Elijah and remember that God loves you and HE desires to show HIMSELF strong through your life. Trust in HIM. You are never alone no matter how lonely you fell. God is with you and desires for you to hear HIS voice.

Acts 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

Paul had been in Jerusalem less then two weeks and he had already started three riots and been rescued by the captain of the guard three times. Paul had just gone before the counsel and all he was able to say was that he had “lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” As a result, Paul was slapped by the order of the high priest. Shortly thereafter, Paul cried out that he was a Pharisee and that he believed in the hope of the resurrection. A riot resulted and Paul was back in prison.

Paul really desired to share his testimony in Jerusalem, but every time he opened his mouth, trouble resulted. Paul was willing to die in Jerusalem and probably would have continued trying to share his testimony every chance he could find. However, God had a different plan for Paul. God came and let Paul know that he had completed his ministry in Jerusalem and that the next place God needed Paul was in Rome. Paul was faithful and God revealed to him that he had more work that he must do.

You do not tell a real small child that they are going to pick all their toys throughout the entire house. Instead, you ask them to first pick up all their toys in one room. Once they have completed that, then you can give them the next room to work on. If the child balks at cleaning up the toys in an entire room, you must break it down for them into even smaller parts by telling them to clean up one toy at a time.

Just as cleaning an entire bedroom sounds like an impossible task to a three-year-old, so too, God’s complete task for you would sound impossible if HE were to reveal it to you all at the same time. God understands how much of HIS will HE can reveal to you at a time. Sometimes HE will reveal to you a large portion of HIS will and other times HE will only reveal what you need to do next. God is a wise God and HE understands how much of HIS will you are prepared to hear.

Paul demonstrated his faith by going to Jerusalem and sharing his testimony. So to must you obey God by doing the next thing that HE commands you to do. As you pursue doing the next thing, the Lord will be faithful to show you the next thing that HE has for you to do. You do not need a complete road map of your life in order to be content. Instead, living by faith one day at a time will enable you to be focused on the task at hand.

God may from time to time give you an overview of how HE plans to use you. Scripture says that young men see visions. Paul was given a vision to reach the Gentiles. Without a vision, the people perish. However, just because you have an overall vision for where the Lord is going to take you, it does not mean that you have the specific daily instruction that you need to live perfectly in the will of God.

Live today for the Lord. Do not let tomorrow concern you. God has given you a vision so that you have guidance as to how you are to prepare. By faith you will fulfill the general vision while seeking daily direction. Obey the daily direction until HE reveals to you the next step. You do not need to have your entire life planned out, just one day at a time.

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Just before Cornelius’ servants arrived at the place Peter was staying, God came and showed Peter a vision. As Peter thought about the vision, God spoke to Peter a new doctrine that was contrary to the traditions he was raised with. Peter heard God and he obeyed God. Peter went to the house of Cornelius along with some believers and he preached the gospel and led them in baptism.

Peter was willing to follow God by doing something that was contrary to his upbringing. Peter had received a vision from God and upon meditating upon the purpose of the vision; Peter heard God’s direction and he simply obeyed and demonstrated his faith.

God’s will that the gentiles be partaker of the gospel was revealed to two different men over the course of a couple of days. Both Peter and Cornelius had ears that were willing to hear God and they both promptly obeyed. God desired to demonstrate to the world that HE was no respecter of persons and that anyone who calls upon HIS name should be saved. However, in order to convey this message God needed both Peter and Cornelius to hear and obey. God’s will was established through a multitude of witnesses.

Peter had seen Christ’s ministry focus mainly on the Jews. Yes, Jesus had healed a couple of Gentiles, but Jesus had said that he was here on this earth for the Jews. Peter was a Jew and he followed in Christ’s footsteps of ministering to the Jews. However, when Jesus had left this earth, HE had told his followers that they were to preach not only to the Jews but also to the uttermost parts of the world. The disciples were not actively going outside of their comfort zone. God needed to shake things up. He did this by taking Peter and helping him see that the gospel is not only for the Jews.

Peter had been caught up by the traditions of man. His ministry in life was limited by his own thinking. God needed to come in and rip out the fences in Peter’s mind so as to help him see the true potential for ministry that God had for Peter and the church. Peter demonstrated his faith by not only allowing God to rip out his fences, but by immediately stepping out in faith and going and planting new fields.

A little boy sits at the dinner table and he tells his mother he is not going to eat lima beans because he does not like them. His mother asks him if he has ever eaten lima beans before and the boy honestly has to reply that he has not. The boy’s mother makes him at least try the beans. The boy obeys and discovers that they are not nearly as bad as what he imagined them to be.

Are you willing to be used of God? Are you willing for God to expand your ministry? Will you obey God if HE asks you to do something that is beyond your comfort zone? God is looking for individuals who are willing to be stretched by HIM so that HE can expand their ministry. Will you be the individual that God chooses? Do not become entrenched in your way of thinking. Be willing to be flexible. Demonstrate your faith by listening to God and obeying HIM by doing a new thing. Allow God to change the way you were thinking. Remember you are not God; you are His servant.

Acts 10:7-8 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; and when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

Cornelius was a devout man that feared God. Cornelius gave alms to the people and he always prayed to God. However, Cornelius lacked something and God desired to give it to Cornelius. In order to obtain that which Cornelius lacked, God sent an angel to Cornelius and told him to go fetch Peter. Cornelius listened to the angel and he obeyed.

Cornelius was not a believer yet he demonstrated his faith by his willingness to listen to an angel through a vision. Cornelius did not waste any time in sending his servants to find Peter. Cornelius did not allow doubt to question the validity of his vision. If Cornelius had waited, he may have started second guessing what was said to him.

Cornelius received strange instructions in an unusual way and he demonstrated his faith by instant obedience. If you were in Cornelius’ shoes, would you have done the same? Your initial reply might be that you would have instantly obeyed. However, think about it, you just received instruction from God to do something unusual, would you really instantly obey or do you often take the time to contemplate exactly what God is doing.

Instant obedience to a new thing is not necessarily something that the church is practicing today. God desires that we establish a close relationship with HIM so that when the time comes, HE is able to speak to us. God often waits until the last minute before HE gives you instruction as to what HIS will is for you. However, if you wait too long in obeying the voice of God, the wonderful opportunity that God has for you can vanish. If Cornelius had waited a month before sending the men, Peter may have been gone and Cornelius would not have had the privilege of hearing the gospel and being baptized.

God is a lamp unto your feet. A lamp only shows the next few steps of the path. If you were walking in the woods and you saw that the path took a sharp 90-degree turn, it would be crazy of you to continue walking straight. It is natural for someone being guided by the light to follow the path. The hiker will be injured or killed if he going straight. It would not make much sense for the hiker to stop and simply stare at the ground for two hours wondering if it is his purpose to turn.

How many blessings have you missed because you were intransigent and unwilling for God to guide you in a new thing? It is your duty to instantly obey what God is telling you. However, in order to instantly obey, you must have a close relationship with God. You must daily seek to hear HIS voice. You must learn to desire to commune with God.

Your life is a living testimony for a God who desires to use you in wonderful ways. You must be willing to be flexible. You must be willing to obtain your instruction from God. Having heard the voice of God in your life, no matter how strange the instructions seem, you need to follow the example of Cornelius and immediately exercise your faith by prompt obedience. Cornelius was not the only one who was saved because of his obedience. Cornelius’ entire household was saved as a result of his obedience. Your obedience to God will affect others. Listen to God and be quick to obey.

Acts 9:34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

Peter was on a mission of visiting the saints. When he reached Lydda he came across Aeneas who was sick with the palsy for eight years. Peter laid his hands upon Aeneas and he was healed. Because Peter healed Aeneas, all the inhabitance of Lydda came to see Peter and they turned to God.

The name Aeneas means laudable. Laudable means something that is praiseworthy or something that is healthy. God took a man who was not living up to the meaning of his name and through Peter enabled him to fulfill the meaning of his name. Because Aeneas was healed, not only was he healthy but also his healing caused many to see the praiseworthiness of God and follow HIM.

By faith Peter laid his hands upon a man and healed him. There probably were many people sick in the town of Lydda, but Peter healed the man that was supposed to be healthy. He healed the man who name meant praiseworthy. Peter was able to come along side one man and help that man fulfill the purpose of his name and God was glorified. Because Peter exercised his faith in healing Aeneas, he was then able to watch how God took his action of faith to expand the message of the gospel.

Aeneas was just a piece of the puzzle that God desired to use to spread HIS name. From birth, Aeneas was given a name that symbolized what God desired to do through him. Peter simply exercised his faith by healing the man whose name meant health. Peter took a man who was not living up to the purpose of his life and gave HIM a new vision.

We are the body of Christ. Each one of us has a different purpose for our life. There are too many Christians who are not living their life to their full potential. They have lost their vision and are wondering aimlessly wondering why they are even here on this earth. By faith, you can help these individuals to see their purpose in life and encourage them to reach maximum usefulness. As these individuals see and live their purpose for life, God�s kingdom will be expanded.

When was the last time that you gave vision to a fellow believer? When was the last time you saw someone’s potential and you encouraged them to use their talents for God? When was the last time that you listen to someone’s difficult circumstances and then counseled them in ways that God could use their circumstances to bring glory to HIM?

It is your purpose in life to bring glory to God. One of the many ways that you can do this is by simply following the example of Peter by encouraging people to live up to their full potential. You need to demonstrate your faith by encouraging others to do more for God. You need to demonstrate your faith by looking for individuals whom God can use to expand HIS kingdom. When you find an individual who you know God desires to use; take the time and invest the love of God into their life so that God can use them. Invest in their life not so you receive any glory but so that God may be glorified through your demonstration of love and faith. Give vision to those who God has brought into your life. Encourage your brothers and sisters in the Lord to be all that they can be for the Lord.

Hebrews 11:34b escaped the edge of the sword,

Faith is understanding that God has a higher purpose for your life and living your life for that purpose regardless of the fact that it appears you are about to die. David escaped the sword of Saul on several occasions. The Jews escaped the edge of the sword because of Esther’s faith. Elijah escaped the sword of Jezebel. Joseph’s brothers were going to kill him and he escaped death to be sold as a slave.

The Bible is full of examples of individuals who escaped death because they needed to do more for God. Even the New Testament is full of examples of individuals who escaped death. Peter was led by an angel out of prison. Herod had just killed James and was planning on doing the same with Peter. While Peter did end of being killed later, it was not God’s timing and he escaped the sword on this occasion.

All these individuals escaped death based upon their faith that God was not ready for their life to end. Joseph had a dream from God that he was going to be a great leader. David was anointed to be the next king of Israel. Elijah understood he was God’s prophet. Esther knew that if the Jews were killed, it would wipe out God’s chosen people.

When you have a long-term vision of what God desires to do through you, you can live your life by faith on a daily basis not worrying about what is about to come. You can live your life like Daniel’s three friends who understood that it did not matter what happen to them because God was still in control. While you may not face a life and death situation like Joseph, David or Esther, you must live your life understanding God’s long-term plan. If you do not have a vision for how God is going to lead you, then you will lack the faith to make your stand for God today.

A young child was told that they were going to be taking a family trip to Disneyland. Later the next day that same child was told that there was going to be an overnight party at a friend’s house. That young child will reject the offer to go to the friend’s house because it might hinder her parents from taking her to Disneyland.

You need a vision from God what HIS long-term goals are for your life. When you have a vision, you are able to live daily by faith. You do not fear what man can do to you today, but instead live for God and escape the harm that other meant for you. Bad things can occur to you as a result of the life you are living. However, you do not have to fear death as long as you are serving God and understand HIS vision for you.

When you do not have a long-term vision, you live your life in fear what could happen to you. While you may not fear dieing every day, you may fear the loss of your reputation, your possessions, or your loved ones. Without a vision, you parish because of fear in your life. Without a vision, you become near-sighted to the perfect plan of God and how HE intends to use everything that happens to you for HIS glory. Jesus told us that the only thing we are to fear is God. By faith you can live your life for God understanding that the fears of life do not have to hold you down. By faith you can look to the future and understand while things are rough, God is working it for good. By faith you do not live for today but you live for God looking forward to how HE might deliver you.