Proverb 15:30
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat.KJV

Frankie was a dynamic woman. Her whole life has been spent in ministering to others in her quiet gentle way. As she sat in her wheel chair peering into her past, she half gasped and half sighed as though she was seeing God himself. Her golden brown hands and crooked smile were the remnants of a tragic sudden stroke. As she began to stretch her hands toward me attempting to emphasize her point, I suddenly realized how gnarled and bent they were and that they could not be straightened. Her weakened voice was filled with kindness as she shared her inconspicuous desire to instruct others. As her smooth lips began to open and she began to quietly speak, my ears were met with such a grandiose yet simplistic statement... A statement that I pray will follow me the rest of my life. Today, I share these words of wisdom and instruction with you.

She emphatically said, "Pastor, tell your people to tell others when they do something good. Tell them There are plenty of folks who will tear down but there are only a few who will build up. Help them understand the blessing in kindness." -- Mrs. F. S.

Phillipians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.KJV

Mark 10:46-52
46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Have you ever noticed how in our desperation we are driven to our knees? It seems that when situations squeeze us so severely that we lose our objectivity and sensitivity. We may notice our daily relationships with man and God as they begin to succumb to our stress until we reach the point that we seek isolation from everything that we perceive as the cause.

I often ask myself, "God! What do you want from me? I've done everything I know to do to fulfill your calling. I have sacrificed my security, my time, my money, my retirement funds are depleted, and my only son is dead, murdered indiscriminately.

God! What more can I give? What else can I do? How can I continue while my adversaries point their fingers in derision? When will all of this cease? Where do I turn from here to free myself of this loathsome existence? Why can I not hear you? Why have you left me in my time of need?

"Jesus...thou Son of David have mercy on me!" Surely I have failed you in some way. Dear Jesus! Help me to regain my sight that I may again be effective in ministering to others.

Like Elijah; I have found myself hiding in the back of a cave trying to sense what I should do next. (1 Kings 19:9-15) Like this incredible prophet, I too, am looking from inside the tunnel of depression attempting to know what I should do next. I'm sure Elijah must have felt the same anxieties and frustrations that have me lurking in this darkness. I have stepped out of the mouth of this demon of darkness numerous times before but now I find I have no strength left to step out into the light. God unless you allow something miraculous to change me and my circumstances, I am surely going to perish without hope. "Jesus! Thou Son of David have mercy on me! JESUS THOU SON OF DAVID HAVE MERCY ON ME!!”

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." - Galatians 6:9 KJV

I remember several years ago when I was a young husband and father how I would work tirelessly providing for my family's material needs. There was one Saturday morning when I left home at 5:30 and did not return home until the following Wednesday night at 11:00.

Working as a oil rig mechanic was an extremely demanding job. I had slept about three hours during this time in the cab of my pickup. Needless to say, I was bone tired by the time I arrived home and fell asleep in the bathtub. I remember thinking to myself as I was working, "Is this really worth it? I know I am making good money but which is more important...the money or my family?" I will tell you today that my family won that decision.

Yes, I was weary but not with "well doing". Yes, I had performed my duty well for my employer and our customers but I had forgotten what should have been more important than anything else...my family.

I determined right then that if I get weary and tired it will be because I am doing something that will bring glory to God and strength for my family. Shortly after I spent those long hours laboring for material things, I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ and began to prepare myself to become a true servant.

Yes, there are times when I get really tired of serving, but then I am reminded by God why I am doing what I do. One day I know I will reap the benefits of my life but only if I don't faint. How about you?
Something To Think About!

Matthew 5:16
“…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” NIV

Early one morning not long ago, I was reminded that the aura of God is revealed in the beauty of His light. The clouds were looming lethargically on the eastern horizon as the morning sun began lifting it’s sleepy head thus creating a beautiful panorama of God’s artistic wonder. Hues of blues, mauves, peach and purple as well as the vibrant fluorescent orange of the morning sun painted the distant horizon, reminding me once again of God’s often overlooked omnipotence. What an incredible display of His eternal majesty! He was reminding me once more of the importance of His Light in my life. It was at that moment that I realized with certainty that the true hues, shades and colors of everything we experience cannot be understood until the Light of God shines upon us.

Most likely, one of the first things that we did this morning after rising from a good night’s sleep was to turn on a light which chased the darkness away leaving a panoramic spectrum of color and bountiful beauty. The clothes that hung lifeless in the once dark closet now explode with life as the light reflects the incandescent colors of the rainbow. The walls subtly turn from the quiet darkness with the adornment of paintings, portraits, and a potpourri of floral arrangements. The floors stand ready to escort us into yet another day as the light embraces it. Oh, how wondrous it is to reap the blessings of God’s creative power as he gently speaks, “Let there be light,” for each new day.

Somehow, God uses us much like he does the light in our closet, the lamp on our end table or the chandelier that dominates our decorative domain. As Christians, we have been made for the purpose of illuminating all that is within our presence. Jesus describes it best as he compares our Christian walk to a “light that is set on a hill.” (Matthew 5:14) It must not (or should not) be hidden under a bowl but should be placed where it not only shines upon us; but also allows it’s rays to illuminate everything around us.

There is nothing more colorful than the individual whose life is illuminated by the presence of Jesus Christ. The beauty of those who allow the light of Christ to shine is not revealed only in the clothes they wear or their physical beauty. However, it shines the brightest when they express the all encompassing love of God through a kind word or a gesture of genuine concern. The full spectrum of God’s eternal Light comes into focus as we allow ourselves to become the servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no greater beauty than when the Spirit of God emanates from us revealing the true exquisiteness in everything around us.

We may often wonder what others see in us that will draw them into the Light of Jesus Christ. First, we must pray every day for the Light to shine through us. Secondly, it is most imperative for us to consistently look into the “perfect law of liberty” if we are to illuminate our world with the Light of Jesus Christ. (James 1:25) Like the mirrors we look into each morning to see what our outward appearance is, we must also desire to look into the “mirror of God’s Word” each morning to sense our spiritual appearance.(James 1:23) In addition, we should be committed to sharing the Light of Jesus Christ through a kind word, a smile, and sincere acts of concern. Finally, I am certain as we submit to the illumination of the Holy Spirit that we will not only see ourselves more clearly but others will see Jesus Christ in us—“Isn’t that the real reason for our being here anyway?”

TEXT:
Proverbs 29:18
18 Where there is no vision , the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. KJV

Without a vision people, churches and organizations perish. It takes more than blabbing it and grabbing it. You must Blab it, strategize it, plan it, prepare for it, invest for it, pray for it, fast for it, work for it, believe for it, step out in faith for it, sacrifice for it and Grab it. Jesus said, “Ye have not because ye ask not.” It says in another place in scripture, “Unto him that is able to do exceedingly above that ye ask or think.” You can’t ask it, if you don’t think it. What we need to start doing is doing some honest, purposeful and prayerful thinking.

SCRIPTURE LESSON:
Matthew 17:1-13
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Mmmm, Hey I’ve got an idea! Why don’t we start praying for a vision with a point, a goal, or a purpose in mind.

A God Given Vision has detail with specific measurable markers and boundries that you will know when you get there.

•Adam, Keep the Garden
•Noah, Build an Ark
•Abraham, Follow Me to a land I will show you.
•Isaac? did not seem to know what His purpose was in life.
•Jacob spent most of his life with personal issues and really accomplished little outside of having children. He was blessed, but did little with his blessings.
•Joseph Spent his time in the darkness of mystery, but a God given dream caused him to keep himself pure and honest so he could be ready when the time was right.

Often we find ourselves here, we have a vision, but we may be unable to bring anything to fruition ourselves. This will only happen because it will be a God thing.

Moses is the Bibles Greatest Leader, outside of Jesus. Like most of us, his life was full of paradoxes. He demonstrates frustration we can relate to, but also demonstrates compassion we must adopt.

Joshua subdued the land and possessed it…
Saul Never got it.
o He thought it was about him, and he lost what he had.
o This is where a lot of people live, given so much but lose it because they don’t understand nor try to figure it out.

David Had a great heart, did great things, much of his life was held hostage to the actions of others.
o But, because of the purity of his heart and wiliness to obey and repent though his leadership, He did
 Capture Jerusalem,
 brought the Ark Back from captivity,
 drove the enemy back, and
 gathered the materials for the building of the Temple

Solomon Wow, what a visionary.
o We see the error of Solomon repeated by people like him. When they have so much, they miss the mark on basic life choices and it undermines their greatness. Many are dollar wise and a penny foolish.
o He was a project, purpose oriented guy. Even in searching out wisdom and proverbs, he did it in a beautiful and methodic manner.
o He was a most excellent Visionary.
o The little foxes spoiled the vine.

Hezekiah cleaned up the temple and restored worship
Ester reactive, but obedient
Ezra Rebuilding the Temple
Nehemiah Rebuilding the City Walls
Jesus Redemption. The perfect example of visionary leadership.
o He knew his purpose, both what he had to do, and what those he trained had to do.
o If we could ever understand, that the Vision God gives us involves not just ourselves, but the preparation and empowering of those who follow us, we could see an unprecedented building of the Kingdom.

Paul What a tremendous Apostle. (Acts 9)
Peter and Cornelius’ visions brought salvation to the Gentiles. (Acts 10)

All of these men and women eventually had a vision outside of their own will and purpose. The vision with purpose is defined by the willingness of a person to recognize when God speaks to them and then determines to move in the direction of the vision. Our paths may be littered with uncertainties and obstructions but if we genuinely have a vision from God nothing will keep us from pressing on toward what the Lord has shown us.