BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

To be a good receiver in the kingdom of God, spiritually you must be a lot like Isaac Bruce was in the natural that day on the football field. He knew exactly what he was out there to do. He understood the game plan, and it had his full attention. He had a vision of being a Super Bowl champion and that vision came to pass. As believers, if you and I want to be good receivers, we must have that kind of clarity too. We can't just wander around aimlessly with no idea of what God has planned for us. We can't just pray, "Lord, do for me whatever You want to do," and leave it at that. We must know what His will for us is. We must know His purpose for our lives, what He has called us to do, and what He has provided for us. We must have a divine vision so we can release our faith for it and God can bring it to pass. Having a God-given vision for your life is vital! Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish…." The word vision in Hebrew refers to something coming into view. It means "to gaze at mentally, to perceive, to behold, to look, to see a sight as in a dream or prophecy, or to have a redemptive revelation." The word perish comes from a Hebrew root that means to "loosen, to dismiss, or to set at naught." One Hebrew scholar, I read, said that in Proverbs 29:18 the word perish refers to letting something slip through the fingers by ignoring an opportunity. Think again about Isaac Bruce's winning catch in the Super Bowl. If he hadn't kept that pass in his field of vision, if he hadn't been looking at it, it would have come to naught. He would have missed his opportunity, and his Super Bowl victory would have slipped through his fingers. Even though we've been born again into the kingdom of God, the same can happen to us in life. If we don't have a redemptive revelation of the blessings God has given to us in Christ Jesus, we can let those blessings slip through our fingers. If we don't keep His vision for our lives before our eyes, although we'll still go to heaven when we die, the many wonderful plans He has for us here on earth will come to naught. Don't Let It Remain a Mystery "But I don't know what my vision for my life should be," somebody might say. "I'm not sure what God has in mind for me." Then seek Him about it. How? First, by going to His Word. You can find out a lot about what God has in mind for you just by reading your Bible. It will give you vision for every area of your life. It says, for instance, that God's plan and desire for you as His child is: For you to "prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as…your soul keeps well and prospers" (3 John 2, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition). For you to imitate Him "[copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And walk in love…" (Ephesians 5:1-2, AMPC). For you to receive from Him the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). For you to do the good works He created you to do, walk in paths He has already prepared for you, and live "the good life" He has made ready for you to live (Ephesians 2:10, AMPC). "But Gloria, how do I find out exactly what good works I should envision myself doing and what paths God has prepared especially for me? How do I know, for example, if I'm called to be a pastor or if I'm called to go into business? The Bible doesn't tell me that." True. But it does tell you how to get that information. It says in John 14:26 that "the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost," whom the Father has sent to live inside you, "he shall teach you all things." Through the written Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit, you can find out everything you need to know about God's plan for you! You can not only develop a God-given vision; you 2 8 : B V O V "The word vision in Hebrew refers to something coming into view. It means "to gaze at mentally, to perceive, to behold, to look, to see a sight as in a dream or prophecy, or to have a redemptive revelation."

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