March 11, 2004

[Kidan]

Quote[/b] ]I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision
—Acts 26:19

Quote[/b] ]If we lose "the heavenly vision" God has given us, we alone are responsible—not God. We lose the vision because of our own lack of spiritual growth. If we do not apply our beliefs about God to the issues of everyday life, the vision God has given us will never be fulfilled. The only way to be obedient to "the heavenly vision" is to give our utmost for His highest—our best for His glory. This can be accomplished only when we make a determination to continually remember God’s vision. But the acid test is obedience to the vision in the details of our everyday life—sixty seconds out of every minute, and sixty minutes out of every hour, not just during times of personal prayer or public meetings.

"Though it tarries, wait for it . . ." ( Habakkuk 2:3 ). We cannot bring the vision to fulfillment through our own efforts, but must live under its inspiration until it fulfills itself. We try to be so practical that we forget the vision. At the very beginning we saw the vision but did not wait for it. We rushed off to do our practical work, and once the vision was fulfilled we could no longer even see it. Waiting for a vision that "tarries" is the true test of our faithfulness to God. It is at the risk of our own soul’s welfare that we get caught up in practical busy-work, only to miss the fulfillment of the vision.

Watch for the storms of God. The only way God plants His saints is through the whirlwind of His storms. Will you be proven to be an empty pod with no seed inside? That will depend on whether or not you are actually living in the light of the vision you have seen. Let God send you out through His storm, and don’t go until He does. If you select your own spot to be planted, you will prove yourself to be an unproductive, empty pod. However, if you allow God to plant you, you will "bear much fruit" ( John 15:8 ).

It is essential that we live and "walk in the light" of God’s vision for us ( 1 John 1:7 ).

 

[Kidan]

Quote[/b] ]So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.

Acts 26:19-20

Paul's heavenly vision was to preach the gospel.  He was commanded to do so on the road to Damascus.  Which he did.

While doing so, he was imprisoned, stoned, beaten, and all sorts of nifty things like that.  

But he was not disobedient to the Heavenly vision.

While doing so, he was dejected, as those he taught turned from the teachings and accepted false doctrines.

But he was not disobedient to the Heavenly vision.

While doing so, he had to travel long and far from his home, doing his trade all across the Roman empire, preaching and teaching as he went.

But he was not disobedient to the Heavenly vision.


when Paul stands before the judgement throne, that can be his clarion call.  "Lord, I was not disobedient to your vision."  How about you?  Do you see the vision the Lord has for you?  Do you obey it?  

Do you give everything you have to answer the call of Christ?  Are you obedient to your heavenly vision?