Vision

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Genesis 15:1 Your Shield And Reward

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1

People are constantly looking for protection and rewards. Out of fear many will purchase guns and security systems to protect themselves and their homes. Then, in order to pay for everything and be able to have their own desires, they will purchase lottery tickets to attempt to get a great reward.

Despite all the protection, very few feel very safe and no matter how much money they have, it is never enough.

Right after saving Lot from some enemies, God comes to Abram and tells him not to be afraid. God would be his shield and reward.

Fear is one thing that is very rampant among people all over the world. Many fear a lot of the same things, while at the same time fearing very different things. Most of the fear is from the unknown that is ahead of them.

Since people fear so much, they want to have more reward to be able to combat or coverup their fears. If enough money is made, they can party, causing them to forget the fears. They can also purchase what is believed to be good protection against the enemy or what can go wrong.

While a lot of this works in the short term, it is only temporary and will eventually fail.

The believer is to not be afraid, because He is trusting in God, who is in control and is eternal. God will never allow anything to harm a person in a way that will damage him eternally, unless the person stops trusting God and turns to the world. As the believer trusts in God, he will inherit eternal life, a greater reward than ever be earned or given on this earth.

Let go of your fears of the unknown that may be in front of you. Put all of your focus upon trusting God with your whole life.

God is there for you, loves you and will protect you from any eternal harm. You may physically hurt in this life, but in the end, you will have a perfect body and live for eternity with no pain or harm as you trust Jesus for your salvation, protection and reward.

What greater reward and protection can you get than this?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will choose to not be afraid, but to trust God; that you will know the reward you have in Jesus; and that you will know God will protect you from any eternal harm.

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Acts 18:9 Don’t Be Silent

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.” Acts 18:9

There are times when someone has something to say that is contrary to the common popular belief. Often the person does not say anything because it goes against what others are saying. They fear the rejection and whiplash of speaking out something different.

Some people are willing to speak no matter what others think or feel. In their minds there is no fear of what others are saying or doing.

Paul gets a vision from God one night, telling him to not be afraid and to keep on speaking. He is not to be silent in spreading the gospel message to the Gentiles.

Every believer has the greatest message that has ever been told. It is a message that every person on the earth needs to hear about. It is one of joy, peace, love, eternal life, healing, and much more.

Yet, most believers do not share that great message. They cower in fear and silence, not wanting to offend anyone or make anyone mad at them.

As they keep silent, millions of people are dying daily around the world never having known the saving message of Jesus Christ, who can change their lives and give them eternal life.

At the same time, as they are silent about the gospel message, they will talk all day about sports or politics or something else.

People need to hear about Jesus. They need to hear that there is forgiveness and eternal life available. They need to hear that there is One who will be with them through everything, giving them strength and hope to make it.

Instead of being silent and not offending, believers need to spread the gospel message to anyone that they can, every chance they can.

You have been given a message that every person in the world needs to hear. Even though you cannot reach every person, you can reach some.

Do not be afraid to talk about Jesus every where you go, to every one you meet. Do not be silent, when you have a chance to speak.

God will use you to reach people for Jesus. He will change hearts and lives and bring salvation into their lives and homes.

This can only happen if you do not stop talking and spreading the gospel message.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that God will remove all fear in your heart to speak; that you will tell everyone you can about Jesus; that God will change hearts and lives through the message you bring; and that you will not stop talking about Jesus.

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Acts 16:10 Are You Willing To Go Immediately?

After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:10

The pizza delivery person must be ready and willing to leave the work place to deliver the pizza immediately upon getting the request and the pizza is made. He does not get to choose when he should leave. If he does not leave immediately, the restaurant will most likely quickly lose all business.

Many different services work with the same principle, that one must be ready to leave or do the work quickly.

Paul had received a vision of a man calling for help in Macedonia. He immediately got ready to leave, with the mindset that God was now calling them to Macedonia to preach the gospel.

Being willing to get up and go to a new place immediately can often be very inconvenient. Sometimes it may not even make any sense.

People are often very comfortable were they are and do not want to make any major changes. Often they are unable to see the real value in the move or action.

The believer who has his heart and mind set upon the things of God, will be able to see value in going to a new place. It is an open door to spread the gospel message to a new group of people.

God, in His all-knowing ways, can see the bigger pictures. He knows when it is best to move someone to reach someone else.

Instead of fighting to do his own thing, the believer must trust God and be willing to pick up and move forward to the new place for service to God. It may be a major move, or just going to a new store, but a life may be at stake.

As a believer, there will come a day when God asks you to change direction so that you can reach someone with the gospel message. He may give you a vision, or it may be just a small quiet voice in your spirit that guides you to a new location.

Do not ignore God’s call, but be willing to get up and immediately go where He is leading you. Trust that He knows what He is doing and will provide for all of your needs on the way. Then be willing to be used by Him to spread the gospel message there. A life is at stake.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will hear and know God’s leading; that you will trust God’s leading; that you will go where God says to go; and that lives will be brought to Jesus because of your obedience.

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Acts 18:9 Do Not Be Silent

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.” Acts 18:9

Talking is one thing that some people like to do, others do not like to talk very much. In order to get most people to talk, one must get them to talk about themselves or what interests them.

People are often quickly shut down or ignored by others, when they speak, because they do not want to hear what is being said. This is often done because they are either not interested or they do not like what is being said.

While speaking daily in Corinth, Paul was being persecuted for what he was saying. God came to him in a vision and told him to not be afraid or silent and to keep speaking the truth.

At times when a person receives opposition to what he is saying, most people will stop talking. They do not want to take on or cause trouble with what they have to say. Fear arises, preventing them from speaking boldly what they know to be truth.

In America it is common for people to be shut down if they do not speak things that are politically correct. It does not matter if what being said is truth or not if it is not politically correct.

Jesus told all believers to preach the gospel message to all the world. This is a message that many in the world will take offense to and will rise up in opposition to it.

The believer must not fear the opposition, but continue to speak in love and confidence. If believers are silent, people will go to hell without the opportunity for salvation. Among believers, there should not be silence but a bold proclamation of God’s word.

You may be a person who likes to talk, or you may be one who does not like to talk. Regardless of which you are, as a believer you need to be willing to talk to people about Jesus. It is simple as just telling others what God has done for you.

Do not allow the intimidation and pressure to keep you from telling about Jesus. The world can only destroy your body, not your soul.

By speaking you are giving them an opportunity to know the salvation God offers. Do not deprive them of that opportunity by being silent.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that God will fill you with boldness to speak His word; that you will speak God’s truth each day; and that you will not fear the opposition against God’s word.

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Daniel 2:27-28a Not Taking Credit

Standing by a window

Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Daniel 2:27-28a 

The desire to have the right answer or have the ability to meet the need for others is great in most people. They want to be able to say that they can give what is needed out of their own abilities and strength.

Very few people like to admit that they do not have the right answer or lack the ability to do something. It makes them look weak and incompetent, so they will often make up something to try to meet the need, whether it is right or wrong.

The king had had a dream and wanted someone to tell him what the dream was and what it was about. If no one could do that, he would kill everyone. He was told about Daniel being able to do that. Daniel tells him that only God can give that answer.

In themselves, no believer really has the ability to do anything. Their power, strength and wisdom come from God.

The world will have questions to problems that they do not know how to answer or deal with. They are seeking answers, that only God can give. Some believers will give the answers in their own abilities or give the answer God has, and will take the credit for it, rather than give God the credit.

God has given His Holy Spirit to guide believers and give them wisdom. When a believer speaks, it should be with the wisdom and words of God, and then he needs to let the world know it is God’s word, not his own.

There will be times when someone needs help or guidance.  At these times seek God’s direction for that situation. God will guide you in what to say or do to help that person out. As you do this, do not take the credit for yourself. Give the credit to God for what He has allowed you to do.

Doing this points people towards God and takes the focus off of you. God is the only one who can give the perfect answer each and ever time. Allow God to work through you, but also give Him the credit. Without Him, you can do nothing.

I pray today that you will be filled with God’s Holy Spirit; that you will be guided by God’s Spirit; that you will give God credit for what He does trough you; and that you will allow God to use you to help others.