A VISION | Frank Becker

THINK

On These

Things

A Vision

There once was a man who was inspired by God’s command to “Write the vision, make it plain” (Habakkuk 2:2). He decided to prayerfully seek from God the vision for his own life, so he could write it and be sure to follow it and not drift away from it. The vision he received was this:

To so saturate my soul with the presence of Christ that the power of God can flow freely through my life,

At any time,

In any manner,

For any purpose He desires,

Without limit.

(Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 4:20; 2 Corinthians 7:1)

Having received this vision for his life, he then pondered over what he must do to accomplish it. After prayer and some contemplation, he wrote three goals that he felt would help him to accomplish that vision:

1. Progressively reduce worldly influences.

2. Progressively strengthen spiritual influences.

3. See with God’s eyes, respond with God’s love.

The goals seemed good and he felt assured that if he could accomplish them, he would fulfill the vision God had given him. As he pondered these three goals, he conceived a set of plans for each goal. These plans were in several steps and would take time to work out in his life, perhaps much time. If they were followed to their conclusion they would accomplish the goal to which they belonged.

PLANS TO ACCOMPLISH GOAL 1

Progressively reduce worldly influences.

Guard my eye gate and avoid all unwholesomeness, whether in the various forms of media (TV, internet, magazines) or in the common thoroughfare.

Cast out all unspiritual thoughts and scenarios lest they take up residence and lead to spiritual decay.

In the public and political realms, know what is going on but refrain from immersion in daily scenes. Pray for people and their needs rather than fearfully anticipating outcomes.

Generally, abstain from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The knowledge of good leads toward God. The knowledge of evil leads away. (2 Cor. 11:3) There can be no benefit from the study of evil and its ways.

Be continually aware that the world is the possession and domain of the enemy of faith, and his lies are to be recognized, revealed and rebuked at every opportunity.

PLANS TO ACCOMPLISH GOAL 2

Progressively strengthen spiritual influences.

Eat from the tree of life, the Word of God, daily.

Participate in what God has already provided by making God my source for all things, through prayer.

Discover and walk in “paths of righteousness.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Seek wisdom. Think, and speak, “Whatsoever things are true, . . .” (Philippians 4:8)

Govern my mouth: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29

Purify myself regularly (Psalm 51)

Go to sleep with a song of praise. (Eph. 5:18-19)

“. . . be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

Practice immersion in the presence of God.

Put on the character of God. Wear the mind of Christ.

PLANS TO ACCOMPLISH GOAL 3

See with God’s eyes, respond with God’s love.

Daily bring Him thanksgiving, not only to honor Him, but to stir up my awareness of how His love works among men.

Daily bring Him praise for all His goodness to me, for by savoring His goodness I can learn to emulate it.

Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit that I might effectively meditate on and pray for the physical or spiritual needs of fellow believers.

Pray for those the Lord brings to my awareness: non-believers, those who seem to threaten us, friend or foe, near or far, that the eternal Light might penetrate their darkness. (Mat. 5:44)

Seek to see people’s needs with God’s eyes, and flow God’s love to them by speaking encouragement and hope.

Be sensitive to the desire of the Holy Spirit in every ministry circumstance. Abstain from human standards and seek the anointed perspective of the Holy Spirit.