Vision or Revelation Which is it for You

As a Christian, I receive my direction from the LORD. As a spiritual leader, I receive my vision from the LORD. That vision comes in the form of revelation. As I read this morning in my MasterWork study of spiritual leadership, I find that, “Vision is something people produce, revelation is something people receive.”

Each of us has work to perform that comes from God. We may not know exactly what the final result of the work will be, but we do know that it brings glory to God. Our role is to do that which is assigned. Notice my words above that the work “comes from God” and we are “to do that which is assigned”. We I look at the difference in vision and revelation from the Blackabys, I really start to understand those words I wrote. I am to do the work assigned, or revealed to me by God for His glory.

“¹⁸Without revelation people run wild,” — Proverbs 29:18a (CSB)

It is possible for people to create a vision that will produce results in this world, and that is what secular leaders are out to achieve, results in this world. But notice the verse above from Proverbs, that it is revelation that should be sought and not vision. The vision may produce the results in this world, but it is like boating without a rudder. There is just wild movements and not able to achieve the ending that the LORD has planned. A lot of work happening, but no lasting heavenly results to account.

As a spiritual leader, I am to “walk closely with the Father” to be “keenly aware of His revelation and are ready to respond in obedience to His initiatives”. It is in this close walk that the LORD will reveal to me His plan for me and my actions to forward His gospel to His glory.

For me it is revelation that I seek and not vision. I am looking to do the work of the Father and look to Him for that work to be revealed.

Where are you getting your direction? Are you creating a vision to carry you forward? What if instead you sought revelation to carry the LORD’s work forward?

God May Make it Difficult

“²¹And the Lord said to Moses, ‘When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.’” – Exodus 4:21 (ESV)

What is this, the LORD sends Moses to work for Him. Tells him exactly what to say and what to do. And for his trouble, the LORD hardens the heart of Pharaoh. Obeying the LORD is not where the work ends, there is more to it.

The LORD told Moses that just telling Pharaoh in His name was not going to work. Not because it would not, but because the LORD was going to make it not work. Isn’t this just a bit contrary to what we might believe to come from the LORD. Aren’t we to obey the LORD and in doing so, He will take care of us? Why then would the LORD have us do something that would not work, shouldn’t it be that the LORD wants that things carried out in His name be done and take care of that which He intends? Well, yes, but there is more to it.

This is of course one of those things that makes it difficult for me. The LORD has something for me to do, I do it, and yet the result does not come out as planned. Why would the LORD do such a thing?

He is not doing it to get the result “we” have planned. There is a greater result that He is working toward, and I am just one part of the plan to get to that result. The LORD is working on His plan, to get His result, not mine.

So, with this in mind, I go back to verse 21 as above. Moses was to do the work of the LORD and tell Pharaoh to let the people go, and on the LORD’s design, it would not happen. It could have happened, if it were of God’s design, but it was not and did not. The LORD had something greater in mind and this was only part of the design.

Notice how this all plays out. The LORD has a task for us, we take care of that task and yet the result is not there that we expected. We are to continue on with the tasks that God has for us, and know that He will get the result He is working toward, and that result may not come for some time, or be different than we expected.

It is not that the LORD is making things difficult, He is having them play out just as He designed. I have to look to the LORD and know that His wisdom will produce the result He wants and my role is to do the work He has for me. The work He has for me is the work He has for me. The result of that work is not for me, just the work itself. It may be difficult and the result may not be felt by me, but it is the work the LORD has for me and that is where I have to be focused.

I look at my bible study and writing each morning. Where is the result? How many have I reached? Is it touching people the way the LORD intended? Is there more that I should be doing? How do I get more responses, and know that I am reaching the people to make a difference in their lives? Why is it that I don’t see more results? Is there an easier way to get things done? Why, Why, Why? Well, this is the work the LORD has for me and I have to know that it is the work, not the result that is my responsibility. He will get the result that He has planned. He is not making it difficult, He is simply leading me to follow Him.

What is your thoughts on the tasks that God has for you? Are you looking at them to get a specific result and thinking why so difficult to get that result? What if you saw them as part of God’s plan and those tasks are not difficult, but just designed to get a result that is just part of that plan?

The LORD Uses All for His Work

Moses was a relatively unknown individual at the time that God chose him. Yes, he had lived in the house of Pharaoh and knew all the comforts of that lifestyle and was known in Egypt. But he had fled that life and was known only as the Egyptian that had saved the flock and delivered the daughters of the Midian priest, so, a relatively unknown.

Isn’t it that way with us. Aren’t we all relatively unknowns in the world. Sure, there are those that are doing the work of the LORD in grand fashion and are known to all. But even they were unknown at the time the LORD called them to do His work.

Other than knowing he was of Jewish lineage, there is no real mention of Moses being a man of God. He was a shepherd in Midian and was called by God through the burning bush.

“²And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. ³And Moses said, ‘I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.’ ⁴When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ ⁵Then he said, ‘Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ ⁶And he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” – Exodus 3:2-6 (ESV)

Here is the beginnings of the call of Moses. He was out keeping the flock of sheep and saw a burning bush and went to see what was going on with it. The LORD came to him and introduced himself to Moses.

What an example of God working in ways that can only be described as mysterious. The LORD came to a regular man and commissioned him to do extraordinary work. Moses was asked to take on the leading of Israel out of the bondage of slavery. And, as just a regular guy, look at his response to this commission.

“¹¹But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?’” – Exodus 3:11 (ESV)

I believe that I would say something very similar if God were to ask me to take on such a notable task for Him. But, isn’t that how it is all the time? The LORD asks us to act and we do not really know the full impact of what He is asking. All of the actions He commissions us to undertake are notable to Him. My job is simply to take them on and know that I may see myself as a simple, unknown, regular guy, but God sees me as His child and chosen for a reason. God uses us all for His work.

What is your view of your station? Do you see yourself as a simple, unknown, regular person? What if you saw yourself as God does, His child and know that He chooses you for a reason, for His work?

The LORD Will Keep Us From Sin

This morning I am in the story of Abraham and Abimelech. Briefly, although I do encourage the reading of the story, Abraham came to the land of Abimelech’s rule. He did not mention Sarah to be his wife, but only his sister. Abimelech took Sarah intending for her to be his wife. The LORD came to Abimelech and let him in on who Sarah was. Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham along and also gave servants and livestock and silver. All was made well.

“³But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, ‘Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.’ ⁶Then God said to him in the dream, ‘Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her.’” – Genesis 20:3&6 (ESV)

You see, The LORD did not stop Abimelech from taking Sarah, but He did keep him from sinning with Sarah, another man’s wife.

God will keep us from sin when we are seeking Him. I have to remember to each day focus on doing the will of God and when doing so, I will avoid doing those things that may be of the world.

I do have to remember though that I will still sin and need forgiveness. The sinning that God will keep me from will be those sins that are conscious to me. When doing the work of the LORD, I will be focused on His work and therefore will not be consciously thinking of doing those things that would be sins against Him.

Our work for the LORD gives Him our heart and He will dwell there and keep us from sin.

How are you keeping from sin? Are you working to do it on your own? What if you focused on doing the work of God and allowing Him to keep you from sin?

Buckle Up

“¹²Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” — 2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV)

So you want to be a follower of Christ and live a life as an example of Him. Get ready, as it is not an easy road to be on. Paul notes above to Timothy that when one seeks God and to be an example of Him, the days are nothing if not filled with challenges.

I can speak to this personally that when we are living for God, we are misunderstood. I gone into situations where I am not shy about my faith in Christ and at those times I am cast aside as inflexible and not like the rest in that are there. To that, I can say I am glad it was found out early to save more persecution as I went forward.

I know that being a follower of Christ was never said to be along the easy road. Yet, it did take some time to realize it as I grew in my faith and understanding of the LORD through His Word. And where I am not one to take a lot of risk, thankfully there is really not a lot of risk in the LORD. There is uncertainty in the moment as we never really know the outcome of God’s plans for us, by following Him, the reward is already known and we only have to do His will to receive.

Buckle-up is where I land this morning in my thoughts of this passage. I know that being a follower of Christ is not easy, and therefor I have to be ready for whatever is placed in the path to work through for Christ. I have to be strapped in and ready for anything that may come my way. I may not know what that is, but I have to know that it may not be pleasant in the moment. I have to study and prepare for those challenges that are sure to be there. The Word of God gives me the straps to buckle with and the learning to get me through.

“¹⁶All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

What is your view of following Christ? Are you looking for all rainbows and sunshine? What if you went in knowing the path is going to be filled with challenges and you buckle-up for what is to come?

Desire for the Better

Each morning I come to my desk and bible study with an open heart and mind for the LORD to guide me as to what He would have me learn. And, each morning I am brought to the scripture where about half the time I have been been before, only this time to learn something new from the same verse or passage. This morning is not any different.

“²¹For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²²If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. ²³I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. ²⁴But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. ²⁵Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” – Philippians 1:21-26 (ESV)

I have been to this passage many times and have learned that it is important to remain here in this world to do the work that God has for me. I have to stay for the better of those in this world to bring the gospel to them so they have the opportunity to gain from salvation as I have.

But today I am here to learn about the other side, gaining from death and how I am to desire that gain for the reward that is to come in heaven. Paul writes that he desires the better, dying to be with Christ. What a great thing to set one’s sights, being with Christ because it is better than what is here and now.

I began my devoted morning bible study back in October of 2016 and the first of “Trevor’s Thoughts” was through a study of “Jesus is Better”. One of that study’s first lesson was centered on exploring your “kingdom purpose”. Here is one sentence from that writing, “Our ‘kingdom purpose’ comes to us by simply following the plan Christ has for us.” I wrote that on October 8, 2016 and it still holds true today. We are to follow the plan Christ has for us.

That plan is for us to be here doing His work, but the desire for the better, gaining through death to be with Christ is okay and encouraged. Where being with Christ is our ultimate destination, I still have work to do here in this world and as such, being with Christ is simply my desire and something that I will certainly be looking forward to reaching.

What is the work you have here in this world? Is that in line with your desire for the better? What if you kept doing the work of Christ for those here in this world and kept the desire for the better, being with Christ, as just that, the desire and the end destination to look forward to reaching?

“To Die is Gain”

Yep, it is true, I will gain more in death that I will here in life. In death, as Paul indicates in verse 23, it is far better for me as I will now be with Christ. I will be without affliction and will be in glory for the rest of eternity. I will be celebrating the glory of God and will no longer be a slave to that which is of this world.

Now, I want to be clear, that I am not by any means advocating for death as the alternative to suffering in this world. My suffering is for the LORD and not for myself. As Paul indicates as well in verse 22 and in verse 24 (not listed), it is good for me to stay here in this world and do the work for Christ for myself and for the advancement of the gospel in this world. So, I have to stay here and continue the work that God has for me.

It is however hard not to think of what is to come. It is in anticipation of the glory of heaven that I must continue in the work here and look forward to the gain I will receive once my time here is done. I know that I will gain more in death than I will experience here in life, yet it is in this life that I am able to continue the work.

My work here as I study and write is important to Christ. I am advancing His Word each morning as I continue to study His Word and learn for myself. I am living for Christ. I am fruitful in my labor. I am taking righteous actions and when my time in this world is done, I gain in death.

What is your view of life and death? Are you gaining more in life or in death? What if you know that in death you gain far more, yet also know that your work in this life is not done and that you still have the advancement of the gospel and the work assigned by God to complete?

Lost Saltiness

Losing some things are natural and not much if anything can be done about it. Athleticism for instance, we all get older and our bodies are not as performative as they once were. But there are things that are lost because we have allowed them to be lost and the loss is grave. Knowledge seeking is one. When we lose our thirst for knowledge, we will seemingly go backward as opposed to advancing.

“¹³You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” – Matthew 5:13 (ESV)

Jesus warns us against losing our saltiness, lest we are now useless in the world for what we were created. I have to remember that I was created to bring the gospel to the world and serve the LORD. In order for me to be successful in those, I have to remember to stay vigilant in my work and learning. I have to continue doing the work and learning more about the work. As soon as I stop, I am no longer doing that which I was created. I am no longer adding value and have been reduced to being under the foot of the world as opposed to bringing flavor to it.

You see, saltiness is the flavor that we bring in the name of Christ. In our food, salt gives flavor to the bland and brings life to it for enjoyment. But salt that does nothing for the food is only good to be tossed out on the steps to be used to walk on. Now, yes, there is value to being able to walk on the icy step thanks to the salt, but that is not what it was meant for. Once on the ground, there is little thought as to it even being there. Yet in my food, salt is very evident in what it brings to the enhancement of my meal.

I have to remember to remain salty and bring life to those around me. I have to keep working and learning the Word of God to ensure that when the opportunities are presented I am ready to provide to those in need. The LORD has tasked me with work and it is my duty to remain capable of the work by staying on top of my learning. I have to remain salty to ensure that I am bringing the flavor to the world on behalf of the LORD.

What is your approach to saltiness? Have you lost your saltiness and are just fit for lining the walk? What if you remained in the Word of God to keep learning and doing the work of the LORD to bring flavor on His behalf?

Confidence for the Day of Judgment

Tears of joy is what should come when being judged. You see, when I abide in and follow the commands of the LORD, I am on the right side of judgment.

“¹⁶So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. ¹⁷By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” – 1 John 4:16-17 (ESV)

It is with confidence that I enter each day. I know that I am with the LORD and He is with me. I know that I am working for Him and all the actions I take for the LORD are in line with His Will. Knowing that I am adhering to God’s Law and that His Law is greater than man’s law, I am confident in those actions. Therefore, any judgment that come from my actions are of no consequence as my actions would be considered righteous and I should be joyous in knowing that I have done the LORD’s Work.

Now we come to the judgment day. When I have taken on the actions of the LORD daily, I know that I have been righteous in my actions and on that day will be held to account for them. Again, I should be joyous in knowing that I have done the LORD’s Work and that He will reward me. I also will not be surprised where I am held to account on that day for where I was not adhering to the LORD’s Will and again be joyous knowing that I have been open to again having them read out.

Confidence is provided by God for all that I have done. Whether those actions are for or against the LORD, I am to be held to account and should know that all will be read out. I come to the judgment day knowing that all is known and my joy of being there should be evident in my tears. Not tears of fear and anguish, but tears of joy for the heavenly reward.

What does your confidence level look like? Are you worried about what may be found out or about the punishment to come? What if you had the confidence in the LORD that you have done all that you were to do and that now it is time to be rewarded on that judgment day?

No Fear with Confidence in the LORD

I for one have a fear of failure and that fear keeps me from trying new things. I don’t want to make the mistakes and be seen as unable to do things. I am over 50 and I should have the experience to be competent at all things I do or try. The thing is that I have been this way my whole life. It took me some time to start this writing over eight years ago as I was afraid of what others might think. But, I don’t have to be afraid when I am in the LORD.

“²⁵Do not be afraid of sudden terror

or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,

²⁶for the Lord will be your confidence

and will keep your foot from being caught.”

— Proverbs 3:25-26 (ESV)

It is not about what others think nor what I think. It is about what the LORD thinks and knows about me. I have to remain in Him and when I do, I have the confidence to do most anything. I do not have to fear failing at something as the LORD only wants me to do what He has for me and He will get the results He is wanting.

I trusted that Jesus died for my sins and that I have eternal life through Him. I will receive glory in heaven when my time is done here in this world. I have been tasked with carrying forward the gospel of the LORD and that means doing as the LORD commands. I know that He will give me the strength to carry it out and all I have to do is remain in Him and doing the work He has for me, regardless of what that might be. And that may mean being comfortable and be a master of the task or maybe I am to fail forward with Him for others to see that it is okay and that when we are in the LORD, He makes it all worthwhile.

I have to not be afraid for I have the LORD to dwell in. I have confidence in Him that He will provide. Regardless of the situation, the outcome is known by the LORD and in line with what He had planned. I have confidence in Him for all.

Where is your confidence? Are you leaning on yourself and what others see or think? What if you took action based on the tasks the LORD has for you and approached them with the confidence that comes from your remaining in Him?