A Vision of God or Satan

A Vision of God or Satan

If we persist in our own way and our own vision, we could

even receive it, but it would not be the highest and best for our

lives. We could miss the life of an overcomer by demanding things

in the flesh. If we truly desire to do the Lord’s will, then we must

be willing to be corrected and even embarrassed, if that’s what it

takes to set right the things that are wrong. Until the renewing of

our carnal mind takes place, we need to continually check out all

things with the Lord by prayer and His Word, so that we will not

be deceived by the devil with a false dream or vision.

Even though Satan gives counterfeit visions, God gives true

ones. One type of vision God gives is a “warning vision.” The

Lord will warn people if they are sinning and refuse to quit what

will happen to them because of their disobedience. He does not

plan tragedy as it comes only as a result of their sin and rebellion.

The Lord desires for them to repent so that judgment may be

averted. (2 Chronicles 7:14 says, If my people, which are called

by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my

face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from

heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.)

He also gives us visions for the future so that we can walk

today with hope in Him. With our days filled with struggles,

troubles, and the fight of faith, we need a vision in our hearts so

we can press on in the Lord. Proverbs 29:18 states, Where there

is no vision, the people perish... We must have hope in our hearts

to continue when things are difficult. Some things we cannot do

today for the Lord, but God has those reserved for a future time

when we are ready for those responsibilities in His kingdom. However,

there are so many things we can do today. We can share the

love that Christ has brought to us with those in our homes and

communities.

Each of us has the ministry of reconciliation. And all things

are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit,

that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed

unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors

for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2

Corinthians 5:18-20). From this verse we can see that each Christian,

no matter how long he has walked with the Lord, has the

ministry of reconciling others to God. God will give us the holy

boldness to proclaim the gospel to others if we but ask Him for it.

He desires to use each of us to win souls for Him. This is one

ministry that young Christians excel in as they are eager to share

with others what they have found in Christ. If we will be content

to let God use us where we are, then He will prepare us to reach

out unto the ends of the world. We read in Acts 1:8, Jesus’ words,

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come

upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost

part of the earth. If we are faithful to serve Him in our

small worlds of home and office, He will expand our outreach to

a worldwide ministry. Matthew 25:23 states, His lord said unto

him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been

faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many

things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. We need to allow

God to use us where we are, and He will then increase our sphere

of influence.

We need to test and prove our calling. Is God calling me to

go now, or later? Many sell all and go, thinking to follow Christ,

only to find they are not yet trained to handle the responsibilities

of a ministry. One of the first things that usually happens is an

attack by Satan that overwhelms them. Because they are not yet

trained in spiritual warfare, they do not know how to get the victory.

The Lord must train us to be strong warriors in the battle of

prayer, so we can overcome the enemy every time. Even if we get

ahead of the Lord, but our hearts are right with Him, He will

correct our course so that we do not end as shipwrecked. However,

sidetracks and disasters could be prevented if we sought the

Lord diligently before we moved out in a ministry.

Usually there is a period of time between our “call” from

God and the actual ministry becoming a reality. We see this in the

disciples’ lives as they were called by Jesus, then trained by Him

before He sent them out two by two. Paul, after his conversion,

went to Arabia for about three and one-half years before he came

back to Jerusalem to begin ministering. Before we go forth, let us

submit to God’s cleansing and proving so that we will be able to

stand and be an example to others, as they seek God’s will for

their lives.

One reason some people move too quickly to do the things

they believe to be God is that they are fearful of disobeying Him,

and thereby angering Him. They do not yet understand the loving

and patient nature of our Father. The Lord never minds us testing

or trying things to see if He is in them. It is only when we put God

on trial that we do wrong. If we come to Him with a humble and

sincere heart, wanting to know the answer to an honest question,

He is more than willing to reveal to us the truth about the matter.

The only time we will not get an answer from God is when we

approach Him rebelliously, demanding an answer from Him.