IVAN PATTISON, AUSTRALIA
A
VISION FOR 2008
Pro 29:18
Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he
that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.
Pro 29:18
Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint;
but happy is he that keepeth the law.
"Darby"
We see
in today's world, where the people, especially the young, have no vision of
God, and why is that, because some of us, as parents, have brought up our
children in a religious way and not on the Word of God, which is necessary for
the way God would want us to bring up our children.
Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old,
he will not depart from it.
We have
produced, at least many have produced a rebellious generation, and our children
reject God, because we have not known what God says in His Word, in how we
should bring up our children. We can look back and see our mistakes, and it is
so very sad to see our young that have no heavenly future.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one
to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Our
vision for the future should be; preparing ourselves for the coming of our
Christ. We so often want to prepare someone else, when it is us, that is you
and me, that need this preparing, as much as the other person.
Some of
us have so many flaws in our life, due to the way we have lived.
Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths.
Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding.
The
Apostle Paul said we are to
"work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians
2:12) Our salvation is not based on works or on what I do. Salvation is given
to us freely from God and there is nothing you or I can do to earn it, and
certainly we do not deserve it, far from it. What that verse means that we,
that is you and I, are responsible for our own spiritual growth.
Have I made mistakes, sure I have, and some very disappointing mistakes, but I am still here, and stronger in Christ Jesus, more than I have ever been.
I
stand on a Rock, who is my Salvation, and that is Jesus, the Word, Jesus the
Son of Man, the one who is my strength, and my fortress.
I
have a Pastor as my
In fact
many Pastors have let me down, but Jesus has never let me down, He is always
there for me, where ever I am, and what ever I am doing.
Many
Christians, if you are outside their teaching, and you do not fit into their
little box they put God into, then we, that is you and I are on the outer with
that Christian, or Christians.
My
vision is; being a better Christian, standing firm for Jesus, and knowing and
understanding my God so much better, and knowing Him better is by knowing what
He has given His servants to write on my behalf, in His Word the Holy Bible.
My
vision is also having prosperity, encouraging others to be stronger, and better
Christians, and I believe in that we should be building each other up in the
Lord.
Why
would I want prosperity? I want prosperity so I can do more for the
"Running
the race and obtaining the prize"
How
should I run this race, to obtain the prize? It will be by having a vision for
my future, and that is getting to know more of what God has laid out for me for
my future, and the way I will know that, is getting to know my Lord and Saviour so much better.
Where
will this year lead me? Who knows, but my Heavenly Father, but my hand is in
His hand, and where He leads me I will follow.
Yes God
has a Blueprint for me, but it will be my faith in Him, that will give me
directions.
So many
Christians perish, because they have not taken the time to have a vision, and
to seek God for one.
Setting
my eyes on The Goal, is so important to me, the Goal being, that I do my
uttermost to serve Jesus in my very best possible way that I can.
Obedience,
at any cost, is so important, very important, if we are not obedient, then what
hope have we to fulfill our vision of being with Him in Eternity.
God’s
Will – or my will? It is so easy to walk in my will, but it is so rewarding to
walk in His Will. Walking in His Will, produces good
fruit. Walking in my will, I don’t want to think about that, as that brings
disaster.
Mat
I
myself do not know what tomorrow holds, but God does, and I am
trusting Him daily, where He wants me, and what He wants me to do.
Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future. NIV
Shalom
Ivan
