This is the message and picture I use as a screensaver on my desktop at home. This message is in my face always as a glaring reminder.
I added the pictures above to the message I shared below.
written by Reverend W. C. Slyde Moran
[source: Biblecities.com]
"Where there is no vision, the people perish" [Proverbs 29:18]
Notice that God Himself has told us that without a vision, people perish. We might say it like this: If the people have no vision of WHO they are in Christ, and WHAT they have in Him they will never obtain the fullness of all that Christ purchased for us on the cross.
Scripture Reference:
"Where there is no vision, the people perish" [Proverbs 29:18]
The Importance of Seeing:
"When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. For now we SEE through a glass, dimly; but then (we will SEE) face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. [1Cor. 13:10,12]
I want you to notice the phrase: "When that which is perfect is come".
In the original text the word translated "perfect" comes from the Greek word "telios' - and it means "Completeness, of full age or MATURE, perfect".
The intent of this passage is to make us understand that when as we grow in our knowledge of God, our ability to SEE what Christ accomplished for US on the cross, what we HAVE in Him, and WHO we ARE becomes clearer and clearer. The promise is that even though we may see these things dimly, or as the KJV says "darkly", as we become more MATURE in our relationship with God our SEEING will become clearer also.
Our "VISION" of who Christ IS, WHAT He has accomplished, who WE are, and what we HAVE in Him is essential to a victorious walk on this earth. Vision is vital to our success as Christians as we fight to overcome the trials of this world and the attacks of the enemy.
Vision Enables us to SEE the Invisible:
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but (we look at) at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." [2Cor 4:18]
Notice that we are instructed in the Word of God to look at those things which CANNOT be seen! How does one do that? Answer: Vision.
Naturally, we understand that when the God speaks to us of vision, He is not talking about 'natural" things, such as the trees, the grass, the clouds, etc - but rather He speaks of SPIRITUAL things: By spiritual things I mean: Things that occur, or have occurred in the spirit realm such as:
1] We are 'new creations' in Christ [2 Cor. 5:17]
2] Christ took our sickness and carried our pain on the cross [Isaiah 53:4-5]
3] God Has supplied ALL our Needs thru His riches in Glory [Phil 4:19]
4] Etc.
Vision is the Means Whereby:
1] We can see that which is not visible
2] We can see what we desire for ourselves in our walk with God
3] We can see what God desires for us
4] We can see who we are in Christ & what we HAVE in Him.
How Do We See These Things?
What is the means that God has provided where we as Christians can actually look into the spirit and SEE the things that He has told us to look at? Most Christians do not realize that God has provided TWO ways in which this can be done.
1] The Word of God:
"...the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." [John 6:63]
"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who SEES his face in a MIRROR [24] and, after SEEING himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. [25] But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom (the Word of God), and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." [James 1:23-25]
John 6:63 says that the Word of God is Spirit.
By looking in the word of God we can literally SEE into the Spirit, and see ourselves as God sees us. We can see WHO we are, what we have, and what Christ accomplished for us. And, providing we don't FORGET what we SEE in the Word when we put it down, but rather continue in it, we will be blessed in whatever we do!
2] Direct Revelation of the Holy Spirit:
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will show you what is yet to come."
[John 16:13]
The Holy Spirit will at times give us detailed information and instruction as to what God has ordained for us, and His future plans for us individually and as members of the Body of Christ. According to John 16:13, He will literally SHOW us things to come. In other words, the Spirit of God enables us to SEE into the future! This promise is not limited to those who stand in the office of the prophet, but every Christian!
Both of these methods are vital to the Christian if we are to SEE in greater detail those things which the Lord has provided us and ordained for us - and until we do, it is certain that we will never OBTAIN these things. We must SEE them FIRST if we are to HAVE them: "Where there is no vision, the people perish." [Proverbs 29:18]
We Must See It For Ourselves:
Most Christians do not understand the importance of SEEING ourselves as God see us! The reason for this is because the way we SEE ourselves is the way we THINK about ourselves - and the Lord has said in His Word: "...For as a man thinks in his heart - so he is!" [Proverbs 23:7]
If we THINK about ourselves in a way other than what God has SAID about us - then we will not see the blessing manifested. We will instead see what we think! This is one reason why so many of God's children are sick, defeated, beaten down, failing, broke, in debt, unsuccessful, confused, oppressed and depressed.
We are told NOT to look at what is "seen" - but rather to keep our eyes on what is NOT seen (to Have Vision). Yet, everyday Christians are looking at the circumstances and allowing what they see to determine who they are and what they have, instead of believing what God has SAID in His Word about it.
We MUST take our eyes off the present situation, and using our VISION - look at the circumstances with an eye towards what is NOT seen. We must see ourselves: Healed and healthy, strong and free, blessed, delivered and redeemed!
USE YOUR VISION:
We MUST use our spiritual eyes to look into the spirit realm and see ourselves as God sees us - and then accept His Word as truth - believe it - receive it by faith - and then begin to SPEAK it as instructed:
How Does God See us:
• God sees us Righteous: In right-standing with God : [2 Cor. 5:21]
• God sees us Healed and Healthy: [1 Peter 2:24 • Matt 8:17 • Ps 91:7-10 • Isaiah 53:1-5]
• God sees us Delivered from every situation, affliction, oppression, depression and attack of the enemy: [Col. 1: 12-14]
• God sees us Successful: well supplied, prosperous, a lender not a borrower, well able to contribute to every good work: [Deut 28 • Prov. 10:22 • 2 Cor. 9:8]
• God sees us in a Position of Authority: Head and not the tail / Above only and not beneath / More than a conqueror / Triumphant and Victorious [Deut 28 1-14 • Rom 8:37 • 2Cor 2:14 • 1Cor 15:57 • 1Jn 5:4]
Remember: As a Man Thinks In His Heart: So He Is: [Proverbs 23:7]
How Do You SEE Yourself?
Keep in mind that we will always SEE ourselves the way we THINK about ourselves?
• Do you SEE yourself healed and healthy?
• Do you see yourself righteous: In right-standing with God?
• Do you see yourself strong?
• Do you see yourself delivered from whatever has been afflicting you?
• Do you see yourself Successful, well provided for with more than enough?
• Do you see yourself in a position of authority?
If not, it is only because you have chosen to look at the natural circumstances instead using your vision to SEE into the Spirit realm and look at what Christ has already accomplished FOR you!
Get a Vision:
If we are ever to obtain that Which Christ died for, and paid for with His own blood - then we MUST have VISION to SEE it first!
Vision is the means whereby God empowers us to bring into manifestation that which HE has ordained for us by:
1] By Placing it in our heart thru His WORD or by His Spirit
2] Empowering us to bring it forth into the natural realm thru OUR words spoken in faith.
Unless that vision is established in us as a reality and confirmed by faith (Heb 11:1) - we will never see it - It will never come to pass in our life. "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." [Philemon 1:6]
Notice that it is only when we ACKNOWLEDGE what is already in us (in our SPIRITS) that our faith becomes EFFECTIVE and brings forth the manifestation of the promise.
I encourage you to download the entire audio message and take the time to listen to it. Discover how you can SEE yourself as God sees you and thereby begin to ACCESS the blessings by faith. Visit the audio broadcast section of this website to listen to the entire message.
• Have Faith In God
• Faith Has A Voice
• Faith Has Authority
• Faith has A Vision
• As Thy Soul Prospers
• Faith That Perseveres
• The Power of Mustard Seed Faith
