Increase Your Vision... Even with a rough start, here's how to finish strong!

Increase Your Vision...

I remember when my mom told me, "You should just get your G.E.D." I remember when a counselor told me I should go to technical school and learn a trait. I remember when a man I dated said, "Don't go back to school now, marry me." But it's what God said that made the difference...

I had a dream one night that I was back in school, saw it clear as day, the school, the hill, the campus overlooking the water. It was a dream, and yet, it wasn't just a dream. I searched online all over the United States trying to find this school and almost applied way out in Ohio when I took a bus ride one day and saw the school in my dreams was only the next town over. What's my point. Increase / Enlarge your vision.

Why increasing your vision is so important

With family in the military, one of my cousins saw people sitting on their front stoops and asked innocently, "Where's the parade?" He didn't quite grasp that people could sit outside on steps waiting... Waiting for change? Waiting for opportunities? Waiting for their blessing and assignment? Sometimes we think God is Uncle Sam and we will be drafted and deployed shortly. Not exactly, but close...

The lepers in the Old Testament were waiting. All the people were dying and the lepers sat and were dying, too, until one asked the others, "Why sit we here lest we die?" They got up. No, seriously, that's all they did. They got up and walked to the next town where they found a bounty of blessings. Because they were lepers. And I forgot to mention, because the town ran away when they approached. Seriously. That's Bible 101. They should stream it on Hulu.

Someone else got up. The woman with the issue of blood who had to leap forward to Jesus. She wasn't alone. The blind man got up the nerve in his voice to call on Jesus twice. And there are so many others who are hungry and won't sit idly by. So what's the point? 

Are you idling? Are you like a car running your engine but not moving out of "Park"? Are you getting dressed for work everyday but going nowhere and doing nothing that inspires you? When was the last time you were passionate about something?

Enlarge your tent and widen your territory

In order to increase your vision, you need to see a new perspective. Go to a conference. Volunteer at a shelter. Audit a class. Go the next town over and explore what it has to offer. To increase your vision, you need to expand to the left and the right. Jesus said, "Whatever you desire when you pray, believe you have it and it shall be yours." Some people only believe for a fish for dinner. Because that's all they see. Jesus wanted us to be Fishers of Men. That means, bigger, better and a wider net.

Increase your vision and territory

Start by praying and asking God what HE has for you. So often we only see our own two feet and our day-to-day shuffle. Try reading Gogol's The Overcoat and you might be surprised how it resembles David and his coat of many colors, all that attention. Just watch that it doesn't lead to false pride which can get you in a pit or a whale's belly. 

Vision sometimes comes through:

Other people: Get out and meet new people so you can hear about them and be inspired by them. Tell your story and hear theirs, too. 

Other problems: Sometimes when you pray for others, you may have an answer to their problems that can actually help you with your own. 

Other places: Stop in at a new church. Go on vacation and walk through the communities. Let God lead you where He needs you.

Our July Prayer

Father God, in the name of Jesus, Lord we thank you for your presence in our lives. We thank you for Jesus and the blood that covers us, heals and sustains us. We pray and ask for your help with increasing our vision. Guide and lead us in the direction you have for us. Help us to hear from you clearly and we pray for signs so we know the direction you have for us. Please let us do your work and will and help us to be a blessing to others and not just ourselves. Help us to break out of the complacency state and the lethargy that can come from too much TV, the flesh, selfies and worldly things like streaming entertainment, computers, texting and the Internet. Give us a new passion for you and help us to break from the standard routine. Let us wake up and be alert and we pray for revival so we don't have a sleeping church, in Jesus name. 

Lord, we also pray for Florida and we rebuke the demon of attacks there. We pray for Puerto Rico and rebuke the Zika virus. We also pray for the economy to get better there. We pray for those in Turkey and Orlando affected by attacks. We rebuke the devourer and pray for peace around the world. Lord we plead the blood of Jesus in our lives right now. we pray for West Virginia and Texas and all those in the south suffering from storms and severe flooding. We pray for those in California suffering from fires and those who were displaced by harsh weather. We pray calming and peace and ask you to hear our prayers. 

Lastly, Lord we pray for our friends, neighbors and loved ones. We pray for our nation and planet. We ask for your peace during the month of July in light of the upcoming election and convention. We pray for peace in our markets with the Brexit vote and we seek you first. Lord we are mindful to keep our hearts and minds staid on thee. You are our covering and we praise your Holy Name, in Jesus name and by the blood of Jesus we pray, amen. 

The Prayer of Salvation

If you haven't said the Prayer of Salvation, now's the perfect time: Father God in the name of Jesus, Lord, I ask forgiveness of my sins. Please come into my heart. I turn my back on sin and I make you my Lord and Savior. I want to follow you for the rest of my life. Please give me eternal life through you in Jesus name, amen. 

Re-dedication to Christ Prayer

If you need to rededicate your life to Christ because you feel like you've been sinning or haven't been living right, pray: Father God in the name of Jesus, I ask forgiveness of my sins and I turn my back on sin. Please help me to overcome ---- and I want to lead a better life through you. I decree and declare this day I have overcome ---- and I have the victory in Jesus name, amen. 

Stay in God's shadow, keep reading your Bible and keep seeking God first. 

Be ye doers of the Word...We pray this message blesses you today!