Fulfillment of Visions

[peh]

A person I communicate with on another site reported having thought on this before the Lord:

"Why do people either have their own vision or support other's visions?" ....this is where I am. I myself, have a vision from the Lord … several visions in fact. Right now, I don't see those visions moving forward. So, rather than sit here and do nothing … is it possible I could help others see their visions happen?

I believe God has visions that He desires to happen. A vision is a good thing, but in order for God's will to be done, the vision needs to happen.

How about helping (someone) that has a vision?

Would (you) help someone else with their vision? Would you contribute some time? ....Or, maybe you could contribute some money to help out. Or, maybe you could contribute some materials to help out. Or, maybe you could just do something else that would help this person with their vision.

Without vision, the people perish. Likewise, hope deferred makes the heart sick. There are many people out there that have visions from God that are not happening – a lot of heart sick folks. So … do ...only show interest in our vision [like much of the church has demonstrated], or do we band together and see how these visions can take place?

Is this an interesting thought?... There is power if many people working together with a common purpose. Together, I believe it is possible to see the visions of God happen.

If some folks will take the first step … some of God's visions could happen. You could make a difference. Think about that. Consider it a bit. Would you be willing to help others with their vision?"

I thought this whole subject a great question. It is certainly Scriptural to build the Body and that is what most Visions have in common.

Why is it that when several people have visions that are similar there never seems to be a connection between them, geographically, or ideologically, or in some other way a division exists that seems to prohibit the building together of the Body in that way? Is it the "one man, one doctrine, one following" sort of thing we see so much of in the media and in churches?

I would ask that those who are intrigued by the question pray about the matter and relate the outcomes here.

Who knows what He might want to have us to do to ? :cleverman :help: :amen: :cheer3:

[me again]

If the vision is from the Lord, then nothing can stop it. Not by might and not by strength, but by My Spirit.

[peh]

Question, what makes that so to you? Can't we hinder God when we don't obey Him?

I hope this doesn't sound abrupt, I'm truly curious.

[me again]

I am of the opinion that the Lord's will will be done, regardless of the imprefections of man.

[peh]

Got you, me again. :cleverman

Second part of question:

Are visions common? That is, do most or all Christians "see" the purpose for their lives that God intends? Does He give us specific tasks?

Third part of question:
How is it that we believe (if we do) that God has a purpose for each one of our lives? Where does that teaching and/or belief come from? On what Scripture(s) is it based?

[me again]

Are visions common? That is, do most or all Christians "see" the purpose for their lives that God intends? Does He give us specific tasks?When you say "vision," I presume two interpretations:
1) A graphic visual vision, such as what John the revelator had.
2) A concept or a plan in a man's mind that is to be implemented.

I presume that your question is geared to #2 above. In that context, yes, every Christian will ultimately understand the plan that God has for their life, albeit it might be at the last moment, such as the thief on the cross.

How is it that we believe (if we do) that God has a purpose for each one of our lives? Where does that teaching and/or belief come from? On what Scripture(s) is it based?Because the O.T. says that "without a vision, the people perish" and the N.T. says that Jesus came that we might have everlasting life (instead of perishing). In order to bring that to pass in the lives of the elect, He is implementing His plan in each and every one of our lives, even if we can't see it. Some Christians are used by the Lord in grandiose ways, while others are used in much smaller ways; but all ways are equally important in the grand scheme of things. :eek:

[peh]

When you say "vision," I presume two interpretations:
1) A graphic visual vision, such as what John the revelator had.
2) A concept or a plan in a man's mind that is to be implemented.

I presume that your question is geared to #2 above. :

Yes, that is the one I am referring to mainly. However, I would change the wording to say, "A comprehensive concept or a plan given to a person by God which God wishes to be implemented through that person or through those to whom the person imparts the vision". IE, Moses, Nehemiah, Cyrus king of Persia (Ezra 1), Samuel when told to anoint the new king, etc.

In order to bring that to pass in the lives of the elect, He is implementing His plan in each and every one of our lives, even if we can't see it.

Good explanation. Hence the "hmmmm".

And yes, He certainly is and deserves praise for His far sightedness and wondrous works among the "children of men". However, there are many who have been given mandates, or visions, they believe, and certainly even to an onlooker appear to be from the Lord and yet they are not fulfilled. How is this?

[Tom]

However, there are many who have been given mandates, or visions, they believe, and certainly even to an onlooker appear to be from the Lord and yet they are not fulfilled. How is this?

1) Sometimes God's purpose for the vision is not in the successful implimentation of the vision. It could be to refine the character of the recipient through faithful, yet "unsuccessful" struggle. However, this is a bit of an oxymoron because if God's purpose is served then it is successful.

2) Due to bad theology or a misunderstanding of the true nature and character of God people sometimes continually beat dead horses in ministry. They go to a church where the Holy Spirit has not moved in decades or has actually never moved and are convinced the God would have them turn it around. When in fact God has never considered the church his to begin with. Some folks just don't get the "shake the dust from your feet and don't cast your pearls before swine" scriptures.

Ultimately, if God has ordained a plan for you to accomplish it is impossible for you to fail. Regardless of your indifference, contempt or lack of skill. Ask Jonah. Today God generally doesn't prepare great fish, although He would certainly be capable of doing so. Today he uses incarceration, wayward children, illness and all the other uncertainties of life to guide us where He would ultimately have us be, doing what He would have us do.

Tom

[me again]

However, there are many who have been given mandates, or visions, they believe, and certainly even to an onlooker appear to be from the Lord and yet they are not fulfilled. How is this?My etherial answer is tough to put into writing. :cleverman

The unsaved obviously don't know that they are damned; and the unsaved who wear the mantle of religiousity are equally damned, even if they know the norms, nuances and customs of their local church, due to their upbringing within the church. Judas Iscariot is a prime example of someone who was raised in a religious amtosphere and who had all the outward signs of a "brother," but the Lord Jesus Christ saw right through him from the begining; so it is with us today. The Lord readily discerns who are the sheep and who are the goats, regardless of our outward appearances, nuances, customs and norms.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that there are many unsaved people who wear the mantle of religion and who sincerely believe that their vision (or plan) is from the Lord, but in actuality, their plan is of themselves or is of the devil and has nothing to do with the Lord. :noidea:

If our vision is "all about us," then that may be a sign that the vision "is exclusively from us" and not from the Lord. A vision from the Lord is probably going to be "all about others" instead of being "all about us." However, this is a very gray area and it's quite possible that I shouldn't even broach this issue. :noidea:

[heikstheo]

First of all, I think that, if a friend claims a vision from God, there should be a way to determine if it is indeed from God. And if it is of God, then one should help in any way. I think the answer, "If the vision is from God, let him help the vision complete" is very arrogant.

[peh]

I think the answer, "If the vision is from God, let him help the vision complete" is very arrogant.

Me, too, heikstheo, but if you notice, 1 of the 3 who voted voted for that response. While whoever it was probably didn't see it as an "arrogant" choice, thinking that they were giving God His due respect, it is an arrogant answer, I believe, because we are His people, His hands, feet, mouth, and voice in this realm. If not us, WHO will help a brother or sister? As someone has said, God doesn't often provide "big fish" anymore, but we have plenty of brothers and sisters. Just something more to think on.

Today he uses incarceration, wayward children, illness and all the other uncertainties of life to guide us where He would ultimately have us be, doing what He would have us do.

I had to laugh at this part of your post, Tom, not because it was funny but because it is too true. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all thought of that BEFORE making our own decisions and actions?

...in actuality, their plan is of themselves or is of the devil and has nothing to do with the Lord.

me again, I have appreciated every one of your posts and most for the thoughtfulness of your answers. This statement of yours hit me right where the next point has come to.

How do you think we can sort out if the plan is a mixture or pure?

We are such mixtures, and for the moment I'm leaving out the part of your post where you referred the statement I quoted to the "unsaved who think they are saved" question.

Let's assume for further discussion that the plan/vision/purpose/ministry was at least in part initiated by God, but that since then it has been filtered thorugh a less than perfect mind, becoming something other than what was originally intended, not purposefully on the visionary's part but through mental processes on the part of the visionary and/or input from others. Let's just say, the vision has subtly or not so subtly changed.

Is God still going to provide for its fulfillment? Is He going to change the person He will use to complete it? Is He going to let it not be completed? Will He correct the original party so that it can be completed in the way He intended by the person He first chose?

What do you all think?