SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #105 ---- 1/16/00
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #105 ---- 1/17/00
TITLE: "Vision ---- It's Description" (Part Two of Series)
My Dear Yoke Fellow and Friend:
Greetings in the Name of our Majestic Savior and King. Today and this
week, may you find Him to be fully sufficient and surprising in
everything you face.
As I send this note to you from the Music Capitol of America, Branson,
MO, I again find myself wishing it were possible to just sit down and
visit awhile with you. I'm so very interested in knowing how you are,
and I'd love to know more about your ministry. I suspect I'm going to be
very busy in Heaven trying to fit in all the get-togethers I want to have
with folks like you.
PRAYER REQUEST:
Again, please pray for the people of Croatia as they now prepare to elect
a new president on January 24. This past Wednesday I received the
following from a Christian brother in Croatia regarding next Monday's
election.
"The coming presidential election are as well important for the whole
process because the candidate from the HDZ (the former leading party) is
very popular and this can bring a lot of power back to HDZ if he
wins........it is difficult to be wise in the political area.......I pray
and hope that this change will bring NEW initiative for Croatia........."
Although he didn't specifically say so, it is my assumption that it would
be much better to see another candidate win. Please pray that God will
prevail in His purposes. The recent parliamentary elections are already
having an effect on Serbia and Montenegro ---- hope for democracy has
risen considerably. The presidential election will also send a message
to the Balkan region.
You might like to know, in case you didn't, that the newly elected
president of Macedonia, Boris Triakovski, elected last November, is a
"born again Christian" according to George Verzea, European President of
the missions organisation 'Evangelism Explosion'. There are only some 700
known evangelical Christians in Macedonia.
PRAY WORLD2000!:
There is a major movement afoot for a world-wide prayer strategy to be
conducted during the Lenten season, March 8 through April 16. There is
clear evidence that believers around the world are more and more open and
prepared to do such praying. Space will not allow me to elaborate. I
plan to recommend to our church that we participate, and I intend to
notify every pastor I know, encouraging them to do the same.
Let me ask that you write Ben Jennings at <[email protected]>. You can
also visit the PrayWORLD 2000 Website at <http://www.PrayWorld.org>. There is
an abundance of prayer guide help. Can you imagine what could happen if
we spread the word, and multiplied millions of believers spent 40 days in
serious prayer (and fasting)? It blows my mind.
I hope you'll check this out and take serious steps toward revival,
awakening, and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
SPEAKING OF PRAYER:
I've mentioned this before, but I cannot tell you just how valuable the
National Pastors' Prayer Network (NPPN) e-mail letters have been to me.
Let me urge you to subscribe to the free service. Write Pastor Phil
Miglioratti at <[email protected]>. It is an indispensable newsletter,
connecting thousands of pastors who are burdened for their cities and for
fellow pastors. The letters are a delight to read.
VISION ---- IT'S DEFINITION (Reviewed):
Last week I began a series on the subject of Vision, making an attempt to
first Define just what it is.
My personal conclusion was that real Vision is "Seeing What God Sees".
While there may be other more literally translated or more eloquently
articulated definitions, I still feel the bottom line is being able to
simply see with the eyes of my spirit what God sees about where, when,
and how He wants to use me in serving Him.
Like Isaiah, when I can see what He sees, I will first see Him as He is.
Subsequently, I will be able to see myself as I am (which is often a
traumatic discovery), and will then See His Provision in all its
totality.
When that provision has been applied to my own need, the scales on my
eyes fall off, and I then begin to see people as they are ---- in their
great need. That in itself will drive me to action ---- with a vision
born in the heart of God, seen through the eyes of God, and driven by the
Spirit of God.
That leads me, then, to share my heart in trying to Describe what it's
like to "see what God sees".
The Definition of Vision ---- what it is and isn't.
+++ The DESCRIPTION of Vision ---- what it is like.
The Demand for Vision ---- why it is necessary.
The Discovery of Vision ---- how to "see what God sees".
The Development of Vision ----required "ground rules" for a true vision.
The Decisiveness of Vision ---- a line-in-the-sand "no turning back"
requirement.
The Danger of Vision ---- dangerous to have; dangerous to not have.
The Distractions from Vision ---- things that interfere with your focus
on your vision.
The Destruction of Vision ---- things that will kill a vision.
The Death of Vision ---- the necessity of letting it die.
The Demonstration of Vision ---- what happens when you're "right on" with
your vision.
The Determination for a Vision ---- pursuing it until it comes.
VISION ---- APPARENTLY CLOUDED:
Last week I learned of a major failure in the life of a former colleague
who had served in a staff position during one of my pastoral tenures. I
was deeply grieved and disappointed ---- he had such incredible promise
and, I believe, an outstanding future. Now, unless God does something
extraordinary, it may all be over.
While I don't know the details (and don't need to know), the damage is
far reaching. My heart goes out to his wife and children. Can they
trust him again? Can he lead them again? The church, a lively and
innovative congregation with a building strategically located on a major
interstate highway, is shaken, angry, hurt, ---- and now bogged down in
muck and mire that can suck its life, focus, and vision from it if its
not careful.
The damage doesn't stop there ---- it affects numerous "Timothy's" whom
he discipled, special friends, relatives, his peers, other churches,
former classmates, and hundreds of others, perhaps even thousands ----
including members of my own family.
Perhaps the greatest concern I have is not for the fall out, but for how
the situation may be handled. Knowing myself the agony of deep personal
pain, I can understand his attributing his actions to circumstances of
his childhood, and I can understand his shame that may have caused him
to reject the church's offer to stand by him and help him be healed and
restored.
However, it exposes again a fundamental human flaw we all carry ---- that
of casting blame (or at least cause) on someone else rather than taking
personal responsibility for our own actions. No matter what my past
held, I am the one that makes the ultimate decisions today ---- and I am
both responsible and accountable. I can't blame others for my deeds, no
matter how they may have treated me.
In trying to assess the situation, I was struck with the significance of
three elements that are absolutely indispensable in the life of any man
or woman who wants to faithfully serve the Lord and avoid the many
pitfalls placed in our paths by the enemy ---- 1) Commitment to Christ's
Lordship and my Holiness at any cost, 2)Disciplined Self Control, and 3)
Vision.
I will not second guess or speak for this fallen brother, but as I have
observed other similar tragedies throughout my nearly 48 years of
ministry, I have noted a pattern ---- it seems that most battles lost are
thus because of either a shallow or non-existent commitment, a lack of
disciplined self control over human urges to yield to temptation, or an
inadequate vision that keeps a minister's sense of direction and honor
undaunted and unwavering in the midst of such temptations.
During my own times of stumbling and weakness, when I have been gravely
tempted to cave in to the temptations of the Prince of this world, I have
usually been able to go back and see that the seed had been planted in
soil neglected by a lack of commitment, a lack of personal discipline and
self control, or a clouded or weakened vision.
Proverbs 29:18 is certainly true ---- "Where there is no vision, the
people perish." (KJV) I love the NASB translation ---- "Where there is
no vision, the people are unrestrained." The picture in either case is
that of people wandering aimlessly and feverishly about like an unruly
mob, doing their own thing, living with no sense of purpose, and having
no standard for appropriate conduct.
I'm so glad for the last statement in that same verse ---- "But happy is
he who keeps the law."
VISION ---- DESCRIBING IT:
So ---- how do you and I find a way to be sure we don't make some of the
ministry-destroying mistakes that so many others have made? I believe
one of the ways is to have a vision that is so clear, so focused, and so
defined that it is ever before us in its compelling power.
What is it like to have such a vision? Still after all these years, I am
awed at the thought of being able to see what God sees as it pertains to
His purposes for me. If we will allow God to build in us such an
intensity of vision ---- seeing clearly what God sees ---- I think it
will be characterized in some of the following ways.
1. Focus ---- First, I believe a vision that is truly from God, that
is clear, refined, unclouded, and uncluttered, is characterized by a
sense of stable focus. There is no doubt about who we are and why we're
here. We are not swayed by the temptations of the world, the attacks of
the enemy, or the works of our peers. We don't get caught up in trying
to "keep up" or "out do" anyone.
Like a running back in American football, we are seldom conscious of the
cheers or jeers of the spectators. We know the plays, we know the
assignments, we are confident in our team mates, we understand the
strengths and weaknesses of the opposing team, and ---- most important of
all ---- we know where the goal line is.
We are focused.
I have no doubt that, had it not been for a higher vision which saw the
greater purpose and the greater tasks, I could have fallen into many
traps such as the one to which this brother succumbed.
Often the one thing that kept me on track and gave me strength and
motivation to resist compromise or short cuts was seeing in my spirit the
high calling of God in Christ for my life ---- and the horrible tragedy
that would befall me if I allowed my eyes to be drawn even remotely away
from that vision.
Every single one of us is vulnerable to such failures, and we must never
forget that. On the other hand, if our focus is on the call, and we see
the consequences of neglecting it, we will not yield to the numerous
temptations that come our way.
2. Intensity ---- Frankly, there are so many needs, and I have so many
desires and interests, that the endurance I need to carry on would not be
there if it were not for the vision God has given for our ministry. And,
there are so many distractions, many of them good things which need
attention, that the very thought of trying to do it all is absolutely
exhausting.
I have watched with both intrigue and great joy as God has consistently
narrowed the field of play and increased the intensity of our vision.
Rather than walking in a flood light, we are walking in a spot light.
So, what is it that can give me the intensity I need to pray when I don't
feel like praying, plan when I am too pre-occupied to plan, pursue the
goal when I am too weary to take another step, or plod on when I can't
see the road ahead for the dust others kicked up when they sped by?
I believe it is intensity. True vision gives you intensity.
Right now the operating philosophy of our ministry commits us to Revival
in the Church, Awakening in Society, Restoration of Relationships,
Redemption of the Lost, and Fulfillment of the Great Commission in our
generation. Our official focus is on Individuals, the Family, Churches,
Pastors, Cities, and Nations.
Frankly, just the thought of all that wears me out. It is so immense
---- so beyond us ---- so out of our reach ---- that if we did not have a
vision that focuses us and generates some intensity toward specifics,
we'd quickly become just another "also ran" ministry in the race, spread
so thin, trying to be so big, and going in so many ways that our
effectiveness would be minimal at best, and nil at worst.
However, because there is an intensity toward certain things ---- namely
Encouraging people in ministry, bring Healing to a specific local church,
Raising up the churches in a given "city", and ministering in the Balkan
countries, ---- we are able to accomplish some strategic things in each
area.
At the same time, we are also able to let some things go because we know
that isn't where God has us operating at the moment. Contrary to popular
opinion, a need does not necessarily constitute a call. It may be
someone else is being called instead of you. If you take it on, you not
only put yourself outside God's will, but you cheat another from being In
His will, and you complicate and clutter the process.
Intensity and intense come from the same root word as "Intent" and
"Intend". There is not only the vision, and the desire, ---- there is
also a steel-jawed "Intention" that drives you, no matter what. It may
well be the highest expression of genuine commitment.
You see, friend ---- I can have all the dreams my mind can imagine and
all the goals my port folio can contain, and still see none of it become
reality. All those "things" we know how to do and do well would quickly
drain us to the point of discouragement and probably settling for just
going through the motions.
Intensity that endures because of a focused vision, on the other hand,
keeps us going with the same excitement and enthusiasm we had at the
beginning. Only now it is even more intense, and is not nearly so
vulnerable to discouragement as it once was.
3. Steadfastness ---- Stephen Olford points out the two "flesh hooks"
used on the alter of sacrifice in the temple, designed to reach through
the fire to the outer perimeters and drag into the white hot center the
pieces of flesh, skin, and bone that have not yet been totally consumed.
He says they are "Determination" and "Discipline". One without the other
is inadequate.
So it is with Steadfastness. No matter how focused and intense the
vision, once you enter the fire, it requires both determination and
discipline to stay there day in and day out. Determination makes the
decision, Discipline pays the price.
Friend, I don't care how lofty your vision is, and how divinely initiated
it may be ---- if you are not prepared to commit to it for the duration,
you will never see it realized. Steadfastness characterizes a true
"seeing what God sees" vision. No matter how dry and fruitless it may
seem, no matter how hopeless it may appear, and no matter how helpless
you may feel, the vision will make you stick with it until it is either
realized or God releases you from it.
4. Perseverance ---- You may think this is redundant to Intensity,
but I do not believe it is. Intensity keeps you going through the
dailiness of your work. Perseverance keeps you going to the end.
Intensity is the energy that keeps you moving. Perseverance is the
direction and movement that keeps you energized.
Perseverance is the "pressing on" about which Paul wrote in Philippians.
It is the set of the jaw that says, "no matter how high the mountain,
I'll climb over it. No matter how wide, I'll go around it. No matter
how thick, I'll tunnel through it. And, in the meantime, if I get
stopped, I'll stick around and mine for gold!"
Perseverance is the endurance that keeps us moving with the hope which
vision has given.
5. Joy ---- I've always been intrigued by the phrase about Jesus where
"With Joy He suffered on the cross, enduring the shame". And then James'
admonishing to "count it all Joy" when we face various trials. How could
there be joy in either situation?
I believe it has to do with vision. I will be 62 years old in March,
and, frankly, I'm not only "en-Joy-ing" life in general more than ever in
my life, but I also have a greater sense of Joy in our ministry. I've
tried to evaluate the reason for that, and the only thing I can think of
is that the vision God has given us is more clear, more complete, and
more certain than ever in nearly 48 years of vocational ministry.
Then it dawned on me when I decided to write these letters. One of the
characteristics of a God-given vision is a sense of joy. Joy in knowing
the vision is from God. Joy in knowing God never calls you to something
but that He also provides the means of its accomplishment. Joy in
knowing you're part of a great and eternal plan.
Joy in knowing you've found out what God is doing, and you've had the
thrill of joining Him in what he's doing. Joy in the assurance that God
has blessed, is blessing, and will continue to bless your obedience. Joy
in knowing there is nothing else more fun than enthusiastically
responding to what God has burned in your heart.
I believe that was the Joy Jesus knew, Paul knew, James wrote about, and
you and I can experience ---- if we will but settle for nothing less and
nothing else than "seeing what God sees".
6. Single mindedness ---- It's amazing what a real vision does to all
your options. It narrows things down real fast. Suddenly you realize
that everything else in secondary at least, and totally unimportant at
best. Paul understood that when he declared in Philippians, "Forgetting
the things which are behind and pressing toward that which is ahead".
Nothing is more important to real vision, and nothing is more clearly an
indicator that you've locked in on true vision than a sense of single
mindedness. Nothing else matters. Nothing else is important. All other
offers are inferior. No man-made denominational program, no offer of
honor and status, no thrill of promised results can tear you away from
"that one thing you do".
You live it, breathe it, dream it, sleep it. If you're playing golf or
fishing for trout, it all reminds you of the vision, and you see example
upon example in those experiences that remind you or teach you something
about the vision.
Every sign of evil in your world reminds you of the vision. Every
passage of scripture you read points to the vision. Every great sermon
you hear is not as good as the one you could preach if you had the chance
to tell people about the vision in your heart.
And ---- that's the way it should be. Otherwise you'd be chasing every
rabbit and jumping on every band wagon that comes along, thinking that
the key to your success and effectiveness as a minister is to be found in
something that man had concocted.
7. Confidence ---- When you know beyond a doubt that you have heard
God and you see what He sees, there is an uncanny and yet undeniable
confidence that wells up in your spirit. You no longer try to gain
confidence by seeking the approval of others or fitting in to the
accepted plans and means of doing things.
Your confidence is not based on circumstances or conditions, nor on human
manipulations or perceptions. It is based, as Paul, on the Lord. "My
hope is in the Lord, and my Confidence is in Him alone" is your motto.
My friend, when your vision is built on what God has seen and has
revealed to you, there is nothing that will be able to defeat that
confidence ---- unless, like Peter, you take your eyes off of the Master
and begin looking at the storm and at the instability of the waves upon
which you are walking.
You may not be able to explain why you are so certain. You may have to
say, "I don't know how I know; I just know that I know that I know!" It
doesn't matter if others don't understand that.
8. Boldness ---- When you really know in your spirit that you have
seen what God sees, and you have heard His call, there is a bold spring
in your step and a clarion sound in your voice that reveal a boldness
that comes from another world. It is a boldness not stemming from human
training, but from revelational truth that your vision is of God.
There is no room for waffling, justifying, explaining, or defending.
Boldness does not participate in such exercises of the flesh.
You are not intimidated by the "big boys" who have taller trophies. You
are not frightened by the ominous threats of opposition. You never look
back at the failures of the past, nor the fears of the future. They
don't matter, because you know your God is a God of eternity who holds
all things together by the word of His mouth, and speaks things into
existence that were not there beforehand.
So, it's no big thing for Him to do what He promised when He gave you the
vision in the first place. You know your armor is in place, and it is
covered with heavenly asbestos. The roar of the lion sounds like a purr
in your ear because the voice of the Master drowns out the threats of the
enemy.
9. Fruitfulness ---- One of the surest ways to know your vision is of
God is to examine the results of your obedience. While it may not come
in numerically calculated indicators, the fruit will be there. The fruit
of satisfaction will feed your spirit. The fruit of the Spirit will be
expressed in your demeanor. The fruit of effectiveness and productivity
will be seen by many.
Now, it may be that, as in John 15, pruning may accompany fruitfulness,
but that is to be expected. Just remember that in times of hardship and
seeming lack of productivity, God is actually moving you up to the next
level of fruitfulness. Look at that passage; there are four levels of
fruit bearing ---- "no fruit", "fruit", "more fruit", and "much fruit".
In order for fruitfulness to increase, the dry rot must be pruned away.
The "sucker shoots" of unnecessary effort requiring unhealthy diversion
of energy and life must be cut away. The "rose hips" of previous blooms
must be clipped off, lest they continue draining energy from the vine but
producing no new fruit.
Don't fear the pruning. It's God simply refining your ministry by
pruning away unnecessary and unwanted things that look like fruit but are
not.
10. Peace ---- Perhaps one of the most crucial indicators that you have
truly seen what God sees, is a sense of peace. Peace that you have heard
Him. Peace that you have responded. Peace that you have done what you
knew to do. Peace to wait for further direction. Peace to be contented
with the outcome, no matter what it is. Peace to be able to let it go
and let someone else receive credit.
It has been said that Peace is the flag the Holy Spirit hoists when
things are right.
When you have truly seen what God sees, there will be peace ---- perhaps
in the midst of a storm, maybe even in the middle of a project still not
completed ---- but the peace will be there.
TESTING THE VISION:
Well! ---- what do you think?
Is your vision for your ministry something God has given, or something
you or someone else has concocted?
Let's check it out.
Do you feel you are focused rather than distracted? Is there an
intensity that drives you like no human program or goal could drive you?
Is there a steadfastness that keeps you glued to the vision, even when
everything seems to be falling apart? Do you sense a persevering spirit
that drives you to the very end of the matter?
Do you have "joy unspeakable and full of glory" whenever you think of the
vision God has given? Do you have a singleness of mind that is not
distracted by other lesser projects and goals? Does confidence well up
within you when you initiate the next step of the vision?
Do you approach situations and people with authoritative boldness? Is
there noticeable results and fruit as you pursue the work pertaining to
the vision you have been given? Do you have a sense of peace when the
work is concluded or the day is done?
If you lack some of these descriptive elements of a vision that is
"seeing what God sees", perhaps you should spend some time with Him in
order to let Him put the vision back in synch.
FINALLY:
I don't pretend to speak with any level of authority in this subject. I
do, however, feel I have shared my heart by indicating some of the things
I have experienced ---- or lacked at times ---- when it comes to
discovering, knowing, and responding to a vision of ministry which God
had given. It is my desire that you will benefit from these
observations.
Have a wonderful week, my friend. Drop me a note if any of this has
spoken to your heart. My prayer for you is that you will clearly and
undeniably see what God sees ---- and know it is for you.
In His Bond,
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright January, 2000. All rights reserved.
We would love to hear from you ---- prayer requests, insights, etc. Feel
free to drop us a note at <[email protected]>.
If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.
If you would like a list of past issues which you could receive upon
request, just let us know. Write <[email protected]>.
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Hang in there! I'm with you!
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