VISION FROM THE PAST

DAY 6 // VISION FROM THE PAST

GREG STANDINGER – GLEN ARBOR COMMUNITY CHURCH IN WEST CHICAGO, IL

In 1972, Hanna-Barbera produced a TV show for NBC called “Sealab 2020” which survived only one season. As you can guess, it was a cartoon show about complete families who were deep sea “Oceanauts” that lived in an underwater structure and studied the ocean and had great adventures.   

As a boy of nine years old I was fascinated by all sorts of science fiction including the pictures and stories of what the future would look like. I specifically wondered if, in the future year of 2020, I would live in such a place. Deep underwater or in outer space or some other fascinating world in that far off year. I calculated I would be in my mid-fifties by then and would likely be too old to really enjoy it or have any fun being in the future. I was right.  

As I look at the closely of 2019 it marks a milestone for me. The future is here and I am not doing any of the cool things that young boys dream about. It is something so much better. I am a soldier on a planet created by a living God who has put me on an adventure that does not serve me, but serves others by introducing them to that Creator and Savior Jesus Christ. It is an adventurous race against time and an epic battle for souls on the frontline of eternity.  

How did I get here? As I look in the past years I see specific turning points, hard choices, difficult trials, unexpected miracles, undaunted love, and gentle challenges that moved me to this place. I can see them for what they are now: The hand of the living God moving in my life. Only by looking at the former things He has done over time can I see how He really is God over all time, in all places, and with all my heart.

“Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me,”

Isaiah 46:9 (NASB)

Looking at the past year of 2019, and even the years before that, help me line up my vision and course for the future with the direction God has established for me.  I have stopped trying to set my own course and my own vision by my guess of a future that is not mine. I now make His vision, my vision by seeing what He has been doing with me in the past. That is how I can best go where He wants me.  

What did God do with me this year? 

Where has He been pointing me?

“Remember the days of old, Consider the years of all generations. Ask your father, and he will inform you, Your elders, and they will tell you.”

Deuteronomy 32:7 (NASB)

When I was young I had little past experience to draw from and see Him at work in my life. I had to rely on people who were older than me to speak into my life objectively. I have noticed one thing that older people have shown me: relax and let go. Now that I am older I see what they were talking about.

I used to worry so much about the future and what it holds. He holds it. I used to worry about the present, He owns it. I used to worry about the past and what I missed, did wrong, could have done better.  He was there too. He is a God of all my times

What am I worried about in my past? 

Who can I talk to that can help me look at it objectively?

VISION FOR TODAY

DAY 7 // VISION FOR TODAY

CHRIS BIANG – GRACE CITY CHURCH IN MADISON, WI

“Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained.”

Proverbs 29:18

The  opposite of this verse could be where there is a vision, people will be focused on their goal.

Sometimes on vacations, I would have very few goals or plans, wake up late, do what seems fun. I would succeed in resting, but didn’t really get anything done. I have since found that my most memorable trips were ones where this verse was happening.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” 

Ephesians 2:10

When I wake up now and become alert to God’s vision for me, I become ready for some exciting opportunities created by God. I look for His prepared works, I find myself sharing the Gospel more, doing marriage counseling, discussing God – while on vacation!  So even when at a conference or on a trip, I want to be able to hear from God’s prepared message for me, but I also want to lift up my head to watch and see how I can serve others.

His vision for my day is to prepare good works to walk in.

My vision for His day is to be ready to walk in those good works

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

DAY 8 // VISION FOR THE FUTURE

TOM SHORT – AWAKEN CHURCH IN COLUMBUS, OH

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. “

Hebrews 11:8-10

Are you able to “see” into the future?


The great heroes in God’s Faith Hall of Fame found in Hebrews 11 had that capacity to see the unseen. Abraham went forth, not knowing where he was going, for he was looking for a city whose architect and builder is God (vs. 10). Moses rejected the treasures of Egypt and endured hardship with the people of God because he was looking to a future reward (vs. 26). And of course, we run the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:2).

“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2

People of great faith have the capacity to see the future, visualizing in their mind’s eye what could be instead of being fixated on their current circumstances. Setting your mind, your thoughts, and your expectations on the here and now can lead you into a rut where you make no progress in who you are or what you accomplish. On the other hand, seeing the future potential can get us unstuck, moving forward, with hope of a better tomorrow.

The more precisely you can see and articulate your future vision, the more likely you are to see it realized. It becomes the target at which you aim. Imagine shooting at a target. You don’t just point in the general direction of the target. Rather, you fix your sites on the bullseye and, if you hit it, it was no accident. It was right where you were aiming.

Do you have a future aim for your life? How about for your children? For your spiritual development? Your ministry? Your career? Your family?  Have you ever articulated what your future, as a follower of Christ, might look like? Are you leaving it up to chance? Are you allowing others to determine your future? Are you living your life by intentional design headed in the direction God wants you to go, or are you just living by default as you follow the crowd?

It’s been said, “Aim at nothing and you’ll hit it every time.” That’s not how men and women of faith should lead their lives. We aren’t to be passive, tossed back and forth by the ideas of others. We believe that your participation in the Fusion Conference this week will help you define the target and articulate where you should be heading. In short, we hope that each one of us, whether we are just getting started in Christian journey, or are a seasoned veteran far down the path, will discover a vision for our future that will inspire us to give all we’ve got in building God’s kingdom and bringing Him glory.

Are you with us? I hope so! We look forward to seeing you at Fusion. Come prepared – it’s going to be a great week!

VISION TO GO

DAY 5 // VISION TO GO

BRIAN MASSMAN – TRI-STATE COMMUNITY CHURCH IN DUBUQUE, IA

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”

Matthew 9:35-36 (NIV)

I think about this verse often when I think about the world we live in. Jesus went about teaching, preaching and healing. The last word, healing, humbles and quiets me. It makes me pause and pray for this needy world. While Jesus certainly healed and still heals physically, I am mindful of the overwhelming emotional pain I witness in the world around me in workplaces, families, neighborhoods, and churches. I confess at many times this overwhelms me and I wonder If I can be much help at all in light of the pervasive pain of those around me. And, of course, we can’t do anything out of our own strength and resources.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5 (NIV)

The fruit we need to bear to help this needy, sin-saturated world is not our fruit; it is Jesus’ fruit. We bear His fruit as we surrender to Him daily and moment by moment. When connected with Jesus, we will display the joy of the Spirit of God to all those with which we communicate. As we prepare for Fusion, we are relieved that it is the Spirit of Jesus living in and through us that will impact the world around us for His glory and their healing.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?”

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV)

What can you do to be working with the Spirit in peoples’ lives?

VISION TO BE LOVED

DAY 4 // VISION TO BE LOVED

RAY HARMON – EAGLE CREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”

John 15:9-14 (NIV)

Sometimes I get silly old songs stuck in my head. Do you? For instance, when considering today’s topic, the Beatles’ song, “Love is All You Need,” came to mind. And the more I listen to such lyrics the sillier they seem… However, might there be some truth to this simple chorus?

As we read the passage of the above passage, there is much to consider. There can be NO greater love than that which is between our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Love is part of God’s perfect character (1 John 4:8). Jesus loves us with that same love. Since we can’t know as God knows because we are not God, Jesus gave us a very tangible way for us to understand His love for us; He gave up His life for us. When we can take hold of God’s love for us, it is then that we can experience true and complete joy that surpasses understanding.

According to this passage, the way to take hold of God’s love, to experience His joy, is by obeying His commands. Specifically, the command given here is to love our brothers and sisters in the family of God. There are many other commands like this given in the Bible. The point is, sometimes our physical nature (flesh) gets in the way. Sometimes, we fail to live in obedience to God’s commands. Instead, we live for ourselves. We get slack in our quiet times. We start praying less and less. We begin looking for affirmation from work, hobbies, or other people.We will do anything that will make us “feel good”. Ah, but there is the deception! When our flesh gets in the way, we may “feel good” for a short time, but we have lost our joy.

As we shall be reminded at the Fusion Conference, clear vision comes as we draw near to our Heavenly Father in the Word and in prayer. It is there that we are reminded of the greatness of His love. It is there we begin to develop a vision to live for Him and not for ourselves. Instead of thinking of the Beatles’ song, let’s consider this one by Stuart Townsend, 

“How deep the Father’s love for us, 

How vast beyond all measure, 

That He should give His only Son 

To make a wretch His treasure.”

Can you see clearly now?

VISION TO LOVE PEOPLE

DAY 3 // VISION TO LOVE PEOPLE

PAUL JOHNSON – LIVING HOPE CHURCH IN ROCHESTER, MN

“The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 22:39 (CSB)

I don’t really love people very much… I am an introvert with a critical attitude that can be sarcastic… I am not the life of the party…

However, I know from numerous Bible passages that I’m supposed to care for those around me. This includes everyone from the homeless guy on the corner to the neighbor living next to me. This includes everyone from those in prison to the fatherless and widows. Then you get into all the verses for the church and see the direct commands to look out for them, guard them, sacrifice for them, be patient with them, and put their interests ahead of your own. It all piles up.

But, what if I don’t want to?

If I really don’t want to then I don’t want the things of God. It’s as simple as that.

Ok, so if I DO want the things of God. What now?

I need to cultivate a heart for people so that I really do care about those around me.

I cultivate this attitude through knowing the heart of God in His word. I read the verses. I memorize the verses. I meditate on the verses – rolling them around in my mind. I share the verses with other people. I return to the verses. I know God’s heart for people because I have made myself preoccupied with it.

“The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9 (CSB)

I also work on this attitude by praying about it. I ask God to melt my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh so I can feel. I ask God for His attitude toward His lost sheep. I pray for emotional endurance to feel for people longer than I have in the past. I stretch my heart in prayer. I pray for people individually and have an app on my phone that reminds me each morning to pray for people.

“If my head were a flowing spring, my eyes a fountain of tears, I would weep day and night over the slain of my dear people.”

Jeremiah 9:1 (CSB)

Finally, I make myself be with people and listen to them. People are messy and it takes patience in order to connect with them. However, when I know what’s going on in their life I can feel empathy and put myself in their place. Doing this loops me back into the heart of God in His word and in prayer.

I have had to do this for a long, long time and I can tell you that it works.

I love people… I may not love them as much as I should, but I discipline myself to work toward it.

This is God’s heart for me as He makes me more like Himself.

This is God’s heart towards others as I get to be His hands, feet, and heart toward those that I run into every day.

God wants you to love people. Do it little by little and you will love more and more.

VISION TO BE HOLY

DAY 2 // VISION TO BE HOLY

TOM BIANG – GRACE CHURCH IN WEST LAFAYETTE, IN

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'”

1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV)

Our culture is a doing culture. Often the ones who are the most productive and get the job done are also the most celebrated and rewarded in our jobs, government, and families. The mindset that our value comes from what we do has so influenced us as people that our churches are full of people who are great “doers” for God and His church, but often are far from His holiness in their thoughts and motives.

Holiness is the state of being set apart or separate from unclean or common things. God doesn’t tell us to “do holiness”, but His command is to BE holy. I’ve often read the above verse as “you need to work hard at pleasing God and obeying, and then you will be holy.” Recently I’ve been realizing that this is missing the point of what Peter was trying to say. Just as Jesus set an impossible standard for His disciples when He told them “You must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect,” Peter’s admonition to be holy is beyond our grasp to accomplish in ourselves. It ultimately shows us how far we fall short and instead shows how our holiness is dependent on someone else; it is dependent on Jesus Christ

Before we knew Christ we were like the rest of the world; we were common, ordinary people stained by sin and dead in our spirit. No matter how hard a dead man might try, he will never be clean. But Christ, being rich in mercy toward sinners, came and poured out His blood on the cross to cleanse us from sin, and to make us creatures with completely different natures. He transformed us from being dead to having life. He changed us from being common to being set apart to be like Him. We are made new, and we are given the Spirit of God and the very righteousness of Christ.

Peter isn’t telling the saints to “work harder” to be holy. He is reminding them that through Christ they have already been made holy. We now need to rest in the finished work of Christ and live out the new nature God has already given us. What good news! The work is finished!

I encourage you right now to take 2 minutes to simply sit with God and “be” with Him. No doing; no anxiety. Just sit and enjoy His work for you through the Gospel. Then take a little time to ask yourself if your “holy conduct,” your obedience and works, are from a place of deep transformation and thankfulness or out of a striving to be something you are not yet. Ask God to help you see where you need to surrender and be transformed into the image of Christ. Remember that there isn’t essentially anything left to do in order to to be holy; it is “done” through the cross of Christ.

You are holy, so BE holy.

VISION TO LOVE GOD

DAY 1 // VISION TO LOVE GOD

RORY WHITNEY – CANDLEWOOD CHURCH IN OMAHA, NE

“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’”

– Matthew 22:7 (NLT)

As I sit at my desk and think about this devotional, “To Love God,” I think to myself, “WOW, what is it that I could say that would encourage anyone to grow in this area of their lives.” I thought about disciplines or practices that have helped me in staying focused on this area of my life over the last thirty-five years, so here goes. I believe to love God will require us to embrace all three of these areas every day of our lives.

HEART

When I think of my heart, I think about my emotions; that which separates me from the animal world. A simple practice that I have done with my wife and with my God is to say, “Good Morning, Good Night, and I Love You”. The Bible says that out of the heart the mouth speaks. I pray daily that I would love God more today than I did yesterday. My desire is to grow in this area of my life; to feel joy, grief, contentment, excitement, courage, peace, laughter, etc.

God wants us as His; to embrace our humanity and to experience all of this as we walk day by day with the Creator of the universe that loves us completely.

SOUL

When I think of your soul, I think of who you are. You are the only one ever created, there will never be a duplicate. God has entrusted us with gifts, talents, and passions. These attributes are unique to you and only you. How is someone to love God with all their soul? Eric Liddell was a missionary that could run like the wind. Before he went to China, he ran in the Olympics. As he was training, his sister became concerned that running was interfering with his work for God. Eric responded to her with a quote that I will never forget. He said this, “But Sister, when I run I feel the very pleasure of God.”

Here’s the answer to loving God with all your soul: discover your talents, gifts, & passions. Commit them to the Lord. Roll up your sleeves in your local church and give back to God all that you have been given and you, too, will feel “the very pleasure of God.”

MIND

What you think about is who you are and will continue to be. My experience in this area of my life is very simple. I will give you an example. In today’s political climate it is very easy to slowly and steadily gather bits of information that will eventually position you in a high tower and divide you from others. What would God want us to do? He would want us to trust Him, pray for our leaders, avoid private and public attacks, and act as aliens, sojourners, and pilgrims in the land; trusting and living for the next world.

Our mind is incredible. The battle lies in our thinking. What are you doing to transform the way you think? Transformation comes from replacing lies with the truth. Is God’s Word the source of your truth? Or is it Facebook, social media, CNN, MSNBC, Fox? The list goes on and on. It all affects the way you think.

To love God with all of your heart, soul and mind is something you need to practice
today, tomorrow, and everyday for the rest of your life.