To really enjoy our Christian walk, each of us must have and develop a “Kingdom Vision.”
What is a Kingdom Vision? A Kingdom Vision is a preferred future or a desired future in the kingdom now and later in heaven. This vision is bigger than self. It's bigger than our imagination or even our faith sometimes. This vision does not come from man, but it comes from God.
Yes, a Kingdom Vision is God given, God powered, God blessed, and has a God purpose. When my will and God's spirit (the Holy Spirit) work as one in my life, then this experience is possible. We begin to see the big picture and see things not from the human view point, but as God would see them.
David had a Kingdom Vision to build God's temple in Jerusalem. He had the vision and the provision. But it was not through himself but his son to accomplish. Solomon would fulfill and complete his father's vision.
A Kingdom Vision may not be for you to fulfill but God may birth it in you to pass on to someone else. All visions are birthed in someone who will have the passion to do the Will of the Father. Some take years to fulfill and others quicker, but they are to bring glory to God.
Moses received a Kingdom Vision at the burning bush in the desert. Little did he know it was a 40 year assignment that would test him in so many ways. God said to Moses, “I have heard the cries of my people and have seen their misery.” “So now go, I am sending you.” And of course Moses began to protest and claim how he was unprepared and too weak for the job. But, God assured him that he would “be with him.”
You see the vision was bigger and beyond Moses' ability. But with God, “all things are possible.” When God calls or gives the vision, He has already worked out the details. It was Moses' obligation to obey and follow God's commands. It was God's obligation to supply and protect, and He did.
God gave Saul, later to be called Paul, a Kingdom Vision for the Gentiles. Paul was transformed from a destroyer to a builder, from the enemy to an ambassador, and from a persecutor to a preacher of Jesus Christ. The vision was for a kingdom that would that would never fade or perish. A kingdom that would out-live the Roman Empire and be greater than any kingdom ever on earth.
Does God give “Kingdom Vision” to His people today? Yes! Day in and day out God is calling people in visible darkness to become light. Calling people to come out of the evil clutches of satan to the welcome safety of Jesus Christ.
Churches and ministries are being birthed in the hearts and minds of Christians again and again. God gives “Kingdom Vision” to those like David, Moses, or Paul who will see it thru till the end. They were finders not just starters. We in the church today need more finishers, not just starters. Ideas come from men and women, but Kingdom Vision comes from God.
Has God given you a vision for your life, family, or your church? Will you answer God's call today? What is God wanting to do in your life for the Kingdom? This may be your time, this may be your opportunity. Will you answer the call?
See ya in church,
Bud
What a wonderful time of year, Christmas time. People are excited about giving and receiving, excited about food and family, excited about time off and maybe travel. Yes, it is a wonderful time of year.
So take time to enjoy the blessings that come your way. Say Merry Christmas often and mean it. This greeting is the true Christmas greeting and means so much to people everywhere. Even negative people smile when you say Merry Christmas.
But now another new year is upon us. People will celebrate and party. People will ring out the old and ring in the new. Then you have people who make new years resolutions. They promise themselves some changes but seldom carry the changes through. But some do and it's a great time to begin the new year with positive good wholesome changes. So good luck.
Let's think about the new year together. 365 days just waiting for you to use them wisely. Each day has 24 hours to work, sleep, and spend time with your family. Each week has 168 hours of opportunities for you to make decisions and enjoy life. The truth is, only you can decide how to use these hours, and how to enjoy them or waste them.
Here are some suggestions you might want to think about.
1.Make your family your number one priority in
2006.
Take time with the kids. Take your wife out for a nice meal, just the two of you. Maybe take a weekend away, just you and your wife. Take time to listen to your children tell you
about their day at school or at play.
Plan with your family some special events in the coming year. Have a family meeting and ask the children where they would like to go on vacation. Make this family meeting a monthly event where everyone is important and everyone has input.
Make your work special this year.
Be a team player and a happy cheerful person to work with. Be positive about your job and others. I am aware that police work has many negative aspects when dealing with some people, but don't allow the negative to become a part of your thinking. Take pride in your job and the very important work you do for the department and the community. Always be safe and protect those around you but also remember you are the best police department in Lycoming County.
Make your life count for something.
We only have one life to live. Make it count for your family, your job, and your God. Be a mentor to others. Be an example to others. Be an encourager to others. The greatest building is building relationships.
The years will soon pass us all by and at the end we must all ask the question: “Did it count for something?” I pray we can all say at the end, ”yes it did!”
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Chaplain Bud
Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when God called you? I mean when you finally heard the call of God on your life. God maybe was calling you a long time but now you really, clearly heard God calling you.
The Bible teaches us we were called out of darkness, and how true that is. Each of us had our own area of darkness to come out of. To some, it was easy, to others coming out of darkness was a slow process. For a while it was one step ahead and two backward. But, you kept trusting God and kept fighting the world of darkness that kept you in bondage. The darkness is the world. The world of evil and selfishness.
Only the power of God can have enough power to set us free from the power of darkness. The gripping grip of greed and fear holds us in bondage. The world is a slave master that holds us in bondage. The world is a slave master that uses the appetite of the flesh against us. But, God's power is great. Our God is stronger that the god of this world.
Your calling is a call to come to Christ and die to self. This call is a life time call regardless of times or places. We are called to Christ for Christ, and to receive an inheritance in Christ's kingdom. The call is to us but also thru us to a lost and dying world.
Your calling is to become a part of the body of Christ, the Church. We are privileged to be included in the Bride of Christ. We are called to be loyal to His body and be good steward. Christ's body is the example and demonstration of God's forgiveness. We are sinners saved by grace who have found our place in life. Our place in the kingdom. Our place in history. Our place in God's plan for redeeming man. Your call was not cheap or without purpose.
You were called to holiness. God gives us the Holy Spirit so we can partake of the divine natures. Listen to the words of 1 Peter 1:13.
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But, just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy”
The he goes on to say: 1 Peter 1:17
“Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.”
Our call is to Holiness and to be ambassadors for Christ. The born-again experience is to begin life over to live differently under God's authority and God's control. Because of God's grace, He sent His Son to die on the cross so that we could be saved. Our call was not cheap but has great value to our souls.
Praise God we were called, sanctified, and set free. We have come a long way from darkness, but remember we are not home yet.
See ya in church,
Bud
This morning I was thinking “why am I a Christian?” Not in a negative or bad way but in a positive way. There are many reasons to be a Christian or not to be a Christian. So, I decided to make a list of reasons I am a Christian.
#1. I choose to be a Christian. We all have choices and this is mine. It's a choice I made over 40 years ago and have never regretted it. At times it has been a test or a stretch, but never regretted accepting Jesus as Savior.
#2. I am a Christian because of truth. The truth of God's Word. The truth of life. The truth of who Jesus is. The truth of heaven and hell. The truth of who can be saved and how we are saved. The truth of our calling. The truth of stewardship and the Lordship of Christ. The truth has set me free and called me out of the world of darkness. Yes, I am a Christian because of truth.
#3. I am a Christian so I can serve. We must be under God's authority before we can truly serve. I want to be on the winning side and I want to be a soldier for Jesus. We are saved to serve and I want to share in the battle between good and evil. My commitment is for a life time. My orders are clear, my mission is to obey and my Lord Jesus is in charge. The highest purpose and calling on this earth is to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To serve in the army of our King is the highest privilege we can have on this earth. Yes, I am a soldier for the cause of Christ.
#4. I am a Christian so that I can be in Christ's church. Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” The church is my safe haven. By being a member of His church, I receive the benefits Jesus provides His church. He provides and protects us from the evil one. We have fellowship and sharing. We, the church, are God's family and I want to be a part of God's family.
#5. I am a Christian because as a husband and father I have an obligation to my family as a role model. An obligation to provide spiritual teaching and guidance, to be an example and provider leaving a legacy for my children and the generation to come.
#6. I am a Christian because of joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength. The world of darkness is a drainer, but the world of God is a filler. Joy builds us up, joy brings truth, joy brings freedom, and joy is the fuel of our faith.
#7. I am a Christian because I want to spend eternity in heaven, not in punishment. I can only imagine the joy of being with Jesus in paradise.
There are many more reasons I am a Christian. These are just a few. Think today, “why are you a Christian?” Take time to dwell on these things. Write out your reasons. You should have many.
Chaplain Bud