SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #114 ---- 3/20/00
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #114 ---- 3/20/00
TITLE: "Vision ---- It's Demonstration (#11 in Series of 12)
My Special and Dear Friend in Ministry Partnership:
What an amazing week we've had, filled with one blessing after another.
As I finally enter into the bulk of my serious writing to you, it's
nearly 7:30 Sunday night ---- and I'm exhausted. It's a good exhaustion,
though.
Last Wednesday and Thursday we traveled some 1300 miles to bring our
three grand children adopted from Russia to stay with us while their
parents went back to Russia to adopt two more. Then Sunday we had a
full plate at the church where I am interim pastor as we conducted a
"Repentance and Covenant" day of activities which began at 9:00 in the
morning and concluded at 3:00 in the afternoon.
Then, at least by phone, we also celebrated my parents' 64th wedding
anniversary and my 62nd birthday. We'll do the "go out to dinner" thing
tomorrow when we go to visit my parents.
So, after a full plate, now I have a full heart. God is good, and
greatly to be praised. Perhaps in the future I can share with you some
of the marvelous things God has done in the wonderful church where we
have served for the past year.
It was one year ago Sunday that I preached my first sermon in that
church, and the journey since then has been awesome as we've watched God
faithfully heal and restore a hurting, discouraged, and wounded people.
In all my years of staff work, pastorates, and itinerate work, I have
never seen a church experience such a turn around.
NOW TO THE MAIN THING:
We have traversed a vast range of mountain peaks and valleys over the
past ten weeks as we have examined in some depth the subject of vision.
We have defined it, described it, developed it, been distracted from it,
damaged it, even destroyed it and then watched it die last week. After
all these weeks, I feel there is more yet to be said than what has been
said up to now.
Today, as we come ever closer to the conclusion of this series, we want
to see what it's like when a true vision, seeing what God sees, is in
unabated operation. I am obsessed with "What was it like" and "what
would it be like" questions. I love to imagine.
If you were to imagine what you might see as a true vision was being
demonstrated, what would you expect? Growing numbers? More spectacular
manifestations? Greater recognition and reputation?
While those things and more could very possibly take place, I don't
believe they would truly demonstrate the existence of real vision.
Actually, man can conjure up all those things with absolutely no vision
at all. It just takes a little manipulation, emotional hype, and a
shrewd scheme of some sort.
I think the demonstrations are much more substantive ---- and life
changing ---- and long term in nature. I'd like to consider two aspects
of vision's demonstration ---- the Course of Vision's Demonstration, and
the Force of Vision's Demonstration.
One thing I have tried fervently and with great intent to avoid is
allowing this study to "deteriorate" into some form of theological
treatise, bigoted mumbo jumbo, or academic dryness. For that reason I
have frequently referred to real life experiences, many of them my own.
>From the very depths of my being I have wanted you to feel my spiritual
heartbeat rather than discover my theological beliefs. I hope that has
been accomplished.
So . . . . let's take a look at some things that literally throb within
my soul as even this moment I contemplate just what the evidences of a
true vision might be as manifested in the life of a minister of the
Gospel ---- or any other person called of God, for that matter.
First, . . . .
THE COURSE OF VISION'S DEMONSTRATION:
It seems to me that there is a natural (or super-natural) flow to the
demonstrative expression of a real vision. I believe it is seen in the
lives of great characters of the Bible and also in the lives of many
great Christian personalities of all centuries.
My mind races even now with the names like David Livingston, Hudson
Taylor, Martin Luther, John Calvin, "Praying" John Hyde, Watchman Nee, R.
A. Torrey, G. Campbell Morgan, Dr. Bill Bright, Dr. D. James Kennedy,
Charles Colson, James Dobson, and more.
Think of it for a moment, my friend. Who would ever have believed that
you and I would be so blessed as to hear about or read about so many
great heroes of the faith who, unbeknownst to them, fleshed out in real
life the thrilling demonstrations of being driven by having seen in their
hearts what God had seen in His. What a treasury of testimony we have.
And, not only those "big name" people, but scores of others you and I
have each known and loved within the limited confines of our own circles.
I think of Mrs. Shively who literally prayed heaven down until revival
broke loose in a church where I served in the 1960's. I think of my
Uncle Russell, the "gentle giant" farmer whose vision was a simple one
---- be a godly and honest man before all people, and serve your neighbor
before you serve yourself.
You get the picture.
In the case of every one of these people, both the famous and the
unknowns, the Course of vision followed essential the same path ----
which is in itself a great blessing. It's nice to know others have
walked this same path before us. And that pilgrimage has progressed the
same as well, often sometimes overlapping, but always sequential ----
from Vision to Venture, to Victory.
1. Vision: Again, I review my definition of vision, based on the story
of Isaiah in the temple the same year his friend King Uzziah died.
Whatever happened in this man's incredible experience, one thing is
absolutely certain ---- he ended up seeing what God saw. And when he
did, it broke his heart, and motivated him to obedience.
>From that day onward, Isaiah was a marked man; he was a driven man. His
life was no longer under his own control. He was captured by what he
saw, and he was dominated by what he knew he must do. He had no "Plan
B", and he knew there was no escape. His future was sealed for eternity.
He had seen what God had seen, and he would never be the same.
That to me is the type of vision I'm talking about. I've had the other
kind, my friend, and, frankly, they're not worth losing sleep over, and
they certainly are not sufficient to keep us motivated, especially in the
day in which we live. There has to be more to what motivates us than
hopes and dreams, wishful thinking and exciting imaginations, lofty goals
and executive planning, or climbing the religious ladder driven by
artificial images of self exaltation.
Such cheap counterfeits will never give birth to genuine vision, and will
certainly not move you into worthy action, called . . . .
2. Venture: Just as Vision without Venture is nothing but a pipe dream
of wishful thinking, so Venture without Vision is an exercise in futility
that will result in nothing more than the fruit of man's effort encased
in a glittering but worthless display of fleshly efforts.
However, Venture that is launched by a vision from God, is a true
Adventure of the highest order. In fact, if you're going to obey God
when you have such a vision, you can do nothing less than launch out in
bold venture. Venture is the outward expression of that inner drive.
Real vision always thrusts you into "no-cost-is-too-high" action.
As I look over my years of ministry, it isn't difficult to detect those
so-called visions that were from someone other than from God. They
seldom resulted in any risk taking, usually had some sort of safety net
to protect me from failure, often had a side escape route in case I
didn't like where they were taking me, almost never resulted in seeing
them to a successful conclusion, and were virtually void of any lasting
fruit.
Venture that was born in the heart of God, on the other hand, always took
me on one of the greatest adventures of my life, and resulted in a
satisfying and fulfilling conclusion ---- even if it had no visible
appearances of success for others to see.
Your theme during such ventures will often be, "getting there is half the
fun!"
When you embark on such a venture, you are almost always assured of
eventual . . .
3. Victory: In fact, the Venture of Vision is Victory in itself. But
beyond that, God has put into place a fundamental principle that
guarantees victory . . . . after victory . . . . after victory . . . .
after . . . .
God has some incredible promises in His Word, and many illustrations of
such victory. The "Heroes of Faith" chapter, Hebrews 11, tells of many
before us.
History is replete with examples of great men and women of God who saw
their vision-driven ventures result in astounding results. My own small
circle of ministry is punctuated with periodic pinnacles of victory,
though certainly not as frequently as I would have liked.
Earlier I mentioned Mrs. Shively. The wife of a retired pastor, she was
a woman of prayer ---- and a woman of vision. The vision God gave her
was that that old dead First Church in town (where I served on staff)
would see life changing revival.
Her vision launched her in the late 1950's into a venture of intercession
for that church, praying night and day for revival. Her prayer life was
so intense that if she were to awaken during the night, she would
immediately begin to cry out to God. Her praying would sometimes become
so loud in those deep hours of darkness that her neighbors would be
aroused from their sleep. It became such a problem that her husband had
to sound proof one of the rooms and turn it into a prayer room in order
for her to continue her vigilance of prayer.
Finally, the Venture turned to Victory when, after seven years, God
answered ---- and revival broke through in magnificent power as He
visited not just a church, but an entire town, and presenced Himself
there for some three years in awesome demonstration.
And her venture reached out to touch Jo Ann and me as God revolutionized
our entire concept of the Christian experience.
The Course of Vision's Demonstration seems to always follow that pattern.
True vision always propels you into an abandoned and reckless venture
which, in turn, if you stay on course, will result in great victory.
Vision ---- Venture ---- Victory. A great theme, don't you think?
THE FORCE OF VISION'S DEMONSTRATION:
Then ---- as we follow that course of vision's demonstration, just what
can we expect to see in the visible world?
Well, many things, I suppose. But, as noted earlier, I really don't have
much interest in the tangible evidences that you can see with the human
eye or touch with a hand ---- because most of those tangible things can
be created simply by using some man made strategies.
That's one reason why it is so often difficult to discern between truly
spiritual fruit and efforts of the flesh ---- and is probably the primary
reason we're told to not waste our time judging the works or motives of
others. We're not that good at inspecting fruit.
If, on the other hand, you were to look deep into the eyes of a man or
woman totally captured by a vision fully from God, you would see some
things. What you might see would arrest your attention. You would look
at that person and marvel at his energy, at his commitment, at his never
tiring determination.
You see, it's true, my friend ---- the eyes are indeed the windows to the
soul. If you look deep enough, you'll see that person's soul. And, when
you do, you'll discover some treasures of immeasurable value.
For example . . . .
1. A Purpose that cannot be deterred.
Perhaps the first demonstration of having seen what God sees is that of
purpose. A person with purpose knows three very important things. He
knows without doubt the three things that every heart longs to know:
1) He knows Who he is because he knows Whose he is. He knows he is
accepted, complete, and loved. He never has to question his worth,
therefore is not swayed by whether or not he is worthy of the vision he
has been given. He knows he is "complete in Him" (Col 2:10), and
therefore, never need feel inadequate or unworthy.
That is a servant of the Lord who is driven by a purpose that cannot be
swayed.
2) He knows Why he is here because he knows Why he was brought to
this place. He knows, as Paul, that God has appeared to him for this
purpose (Acts 26:16), therefore, the questioning and criticism of others
does not phase him. He knows that "it is God who is at work in you both
to will and do His good pleasure." (Phil 2:13).
That is a servant of the Lord who is driven by a purpose that cannot be
swayed.
3) He knows What he is to do with his life because he knows How he
can do it ---- "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit saith the
Lord" (Zech 4:6). He never questions his competence, because he knows
that "faithful is He who called you, who will also do it". He knows that
"He who has begun the good work in you will continue it until the day of
Christ." (Phil 1:6). He recognizes that he can "do all things through
Christ who is my strength" (Phil 4:13).
That is a servant of the Lord who is driven by a purpose that cannot be
swayed.
When you know why you are, why you're here, and what you can do through
Christ, it isn't very hard to embrace wholeheartedly the purpose God has
for you that was the reason for the vision in the first place.
Some forty five years ago I knew God had a purpose for me and that it
included vocational ministry. I knew there was a purpose, and though it
was specific, it was yet vague and abstract, void of detail. Ten years
later, in the grip of revival, God began adding some detail and
definition that created an excited anticipation as to what He was really
up to in my life and ministry.
Then, somewhat like a jolt from being hit from behind, God dramatically
shifted my ministry just three years later, and gave clear direction that
I was to shepherd a congregation of believers, leading them into truths
of the fullness of Christ. Then after another two years, God began to
more clearly detail my life in terms of what He wanted a Twentieth
Century church to look like, and I spent the next six or seven years
trying to flesh that out in real life.
Then, in the midst of struggle, chaos, and personal struggle about twenty
five years ago, the vision began to take more form and clarity ---- and,
though even further refined, it drives me still today.
There is no doubt in my mind that God has called me to help facilitate 1)
genuine revival in the church, 2) awakening in society, 3) restoration
of relationships, 4) redemption of the lost, and 5) the fulfillment
of the Great Commission by being a "Barnabas" to pastors and their
families, a teaching physician to hurting churches, and a missionary to
the nations.
Nobody can sway me from that conviction. Only God can change that
direction. Every moment that I sit and write these letters to you, that
is what drives me. I am passionate about trying to "lift up hands that
hang down", and I pray every day that my letters to you do just that.
If I were not convinced that at least one person is blessed and
encouraged through what I write each week, I would quit in an instant.
Jo Ann has endured many companionless nights and days as I have written
for hours each week, trying to put my heart onto a screen and then send
it on its way through the click of a button ---- straight to your heart
from mine.
I know who I am because I know Whose I am. I know why I'm here, because
I know why God brought me to this place. I know what I can do because I
know how it can be done.
And I make no apology for that fact, though it may sound like the epitome
of arrogance. God knows my heart ---- I am not arrogant ---- but I am
clearly confident.
Then, I believe true vision is demonstrated by . . . .
2. A Power than cannot be diminished.
Have you ever noticed ---- a person with real vision seems to be
inexhaustible? He seems to be able to go and keep going, like the
proverbial Delco Rabbit, with no stopping point ---- often to his harm, I
might add.
A person with real vision will be a driven man or woman. He eats,
breathes, and sleeps to see the enjoyment and fulfillment of the vision.
Even when his body relaxes in a fishing boat or sleeps through the night
in the comforts of his bed, his spirit never tires, and it never quits
viewing and reviewing the vision.
He seems to keep going with inexhaustible reserve.
That's what I feel regarding our current ministry to the Balkans. This
very day we are in the latter stages of preparation for our next trip to
Croatia and Bosnia the end of May, and we are in the developmental stages
of a later trip this Fall to the same region and then another trip to the
Ukraine next January.
People often ask how we can do all that, and at the same time conduct
church conferences and revivals, serve as an interim pastor, and write a
weekly letter over the Internet along with other writing projects.
Frankly, I don't have the faintest idea. Jo Ann and I are probably the
most amazed people of all, and especially at our ages ---- at least mine.
And even more so, especially with our limited resources. It may surprise
you to know that our personal income is actually below the poverty level
in our state, and yet we lack nothing, and we are preparing to lead a
three week $62,000 trip to Sarajevo with 20 university students.
How is that possible?
It is the power of God through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit
that drives us. Even when we become physically and emotionally tired, as
I am tonight as I write, there is something stirring inside me that will
probably keep me awake well into the night (it's already 10:30 p.m. and I
have more to write).
A chief demonstration of a real vision from God is a power that cannot be
diminished.
And then, such a vision as I propose also manifests . . . .
3. A Pleasure that cannot be quenched.
You cannot possibly know the joy Jo Ann and I have for what we do in
serving our Lord Christ. It is almost a secret thing just between us and
between us and the Lord. You can see it, though, when it breaks out in
excitement as we talk about what we do. You can detect it sometimes in a
look we give each other. You can hear it underscoring a song we might
sing or a sermon I might preach.
You might even hear it, like right now, in the click of the keys on my
computer's keyboard. To me, it sounds like happiness laughing out loud,
and about to shout. To my grand daughter trying to sleep in the next
room, it's just noisy keys keeping her awake.
Take a look at the ministers around you. Especially look at them on
Monday morning.
What do you see?
While you may see weariness at times, if you see no pleasure or joy in
their eyes when they talk about their ministry, it is likely that they
have at least lost their view of the vision, and perhaps have even lost
hope in the vision.
A vision born in the heart of God and then released to your consciousness
so you see what He sees, will give pure exhilarating pleasure ---- and it
will put a new spring into your step.
We have some very special friends ---- Greg and Jamie. They have a
vision from God. It has been a major struggle to see that vision come
into reality. However, when Jo Ann and sit down to talk with them we
catch a glimpse of the vision.
But ---- when we hear them sing like the angels must sing, the pleasure
just gushes out in melodic fulfillment.
Even when the vision is sometimes restricted, the pleasure cannot be
squelched. It shows.
Then, a real vision from God demonstrates . . . .
4. A Persistence that cannot be discouraged.
There is staying power when you have a vision that let's you see what God
sees. For, you see, my friend, when you see what He sees, you know you
are seeing things in the spiritual realm. Therefore, what you see in the
physical or temporal realm are easily recognized as not being necessarily
true.
So, even though the physical realm shows you adversity, setbacks, or even
failure, you've seen what God sees. And that keeps you going, because
you know you've seen the real thing. Like Abraham in Romans 4, though
you see it afar off, you know it's more real than what is right before
your face and within reach of your hands.
In all my forty four years of vocational ministry, I have never seen a
person who had really seen what God sees who was also a sluggard or an
undisciplined bum that would give up easily.
Persistence and staying power are typical of a person who has a real
vision of how God wants to use him. He has a stubborn mind set that says
of the mountain, "When I get to it, I'll climb over it. If I can't do
that, I'll go around it. If that doesn't work, I'll tunnel through it.
If that's impossible, I'll stay here and mine for gold until I figure a
way to conquer it."
As I look back at my own life, I must confess that every time I have been
discouraged and tempted to give up, it has always been at a moment when I
ceased looking on the vision.
Finally, a true vision is demonstrated by . . . .
5. Results that cannot be explained or described.
For years Jo Ann and I have traveled across our nation and into other
countries asking pastors and churches what they would want their
ministries or churches to be known for. The reason we can ask that
question is because we were asked ourselves.
I have had the same two answers through out my ministry since 1976. One
was to have my ministry or my congregation be known for its prayer life.
The second one was ---- to be unexplainable apart from God.
My friend, if our ministries are explainable, we're no different from the
world because we're using the same methods and techniques the world is
using.
And the world will never listen to us until we are unexplainable.
Why should they?
There is no reason for them to think otherwise. As long as we're
explainable, they have to reason to question their own lifestyles. Good
grief, my friend ---- just take a look at the Book of Acts. Do you think
the church's influence came out of their "explainability"?
Of course not.
It came because they were unexplainable.
The world couldn't understand, first, how they loved one another. They
couldn't understand how God took care of them and met their needs. They
couldn't understand how an uneducated fisherman could turn a town upside
down and could heal the sick, give sight to the blind, and raise the
dead.
I think one reason God has kept our ministry numerically small is so that
He can demonstrate just how much He can do with so little.
My friend, I'm telling you the truth ---- our ministry, from birth to
today, is an amazement. How else can you explain how we are doing all we
do on a budget smaller than a typical family of three in America? How
can you explain to me how we have been able to minister in so many
countries, when we had neither desire nor resources with which to
accomplish it?
How can you explain how years ago, God provided a means whereby I bought
brand new dress shoes for fifty cents a pair? (Israel in the wilderness
had nothing up on us, I'll tell you!) How can you explain why a
Christian brother years ago gave me six nearly new suits that would
challenge any major evangelist's wardrobe in terms of class? How can you
explain how we bought a car we couldn't afford on paper and saw it paid
off more than a year ahead of schedule, and then had a brand new car
given to us?
How can you explain how a Christian business man whom we hardly knew
would give our ministry two brand new log homes on nearly six acres of
wooded land to use as a center for ministry, and then give us an
additional $30,000 to finish the buildings up for use?
How can you explain how, when we sold that property in 1994 and 1995, we
would have netted $50,000 off the sale of one building which we used for
overseas missions and future improvements on new facilities where we now
live, and how we came within $200 of a total cash purchase on our
existing facility ---- including the cost of moving all our furniture
from two different locations?
How can you explain how God, after some five years of ministry in the
Balkans, is enabling us to set in place a mechanism that will allow us to
eventually see our dream fulfilled of pouring $75,000 to $100,000 per
year into some Christian ministries in Croatia and Bosnia? I've never
accumulated that kind of money personally in four or five years.
Frankly, dear friend, I spend most of my time just sitting around with my
mouth hanging open, whispering, "Wow!"
Now, tell me ---- do you believe things like that would happen to us if
we didn't know what God had for us in terms of ministry?
I don't think so.
Please hear my heart ---- it's not because we're such great people. It's
simply because we have a great God who has given us a clear vision that
drives and compels us every breathing moment. And, it's all Him! It's
not us, and it will never be us. It will always be Him.
I can hardly wait for tomorrow (which is less than an hour away)!
What a day to be alive! What a time to be serving our King!
What a great God we serve!
He is the Vision Maker.
He is YOUR Vision Maker.
And ---- He trusts you with it, my friend.
Let Him capture your heart with a fresh vision ---- and then go for it!
Then watch what happens ---- that vision will begin to demonstrate its
presence by . . . .
1. A Purpose that cannot be Deterred,
2. A Power that cannot be Dimished,
3. A Pleasure that cannot be Quenched,
4. A Persistence that cannot be Discouraged, and
5. Results that cannot be Explained or Denied.
FINALLY:
I hope you know, my friend, just how much God loves you and wants you to
enjoy serving Him. I know what it's like when the joy is gone, but the
service continues.
I also know He is the One who restores our vision and returns our joy.
Be blessed, dear friend, with more than you can contain.
And, have a wonderful week.
In His Eternal Bond of Grace,
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright March, 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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