MEMORISE: “And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it” – Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV)

READ: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (KJV)

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

MESSAGE

Proverbs 29:18 says that people perish without a vision. If a fellow has no vision of the future, he or she will live recklessly and will likely end up in ruins. In today’s Bible reading, Paul said that he had an end goal, and that was why he always kept his body under control. When I see a fellow’s lifestyle, I can tell if he or she has a vision or not.

I recall a time in the 1980s when I was about to conclude a 40-day fasting exercise and a pastor visited my office. He met me lying on a mat because I was very weak from not eating for over a month. At this time, RCCG had an auditorium that was 100 x 50 metres. When he saw me in that state, he said, “Why are you fasting so much when you already have the biggest auditorium in Africa? What else are you looking for?” I ignored him because he could not see what I was seeing. To him, I had reached the height of success. However, I was seeing an auditorium that was as big as a city, and I needed to subdue my body to achieve my vision.

Joseph saw the future, and that was why in Genesis 39:1-12, when his master’s wife asked him to lie with her, he said, “I cannot offend the One who gave me dreams about my future. I know where God is taking me, so I must practise restraint.” Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus endured the cross because of the joy that was set before Him; the joy of seeing many souls being reconnected to God.

Many of my relatives and friends thought that I was crazy when I moved my family to the place that is now Redemption City many years ago. They said, “How can you, a senior lecturer in a university that was living in a mansion, relocate to this jungle without electricity?” They were seeing a jungle, but I saw a city. Hebrews 11:8-10 says that Abraham was living in tents because he saw a city whose maker and builder is God.

What have you seen about your future? How are you living your life today so you can achieve your dreams? If you really have a vision for your life, that vision should drive you to be awake while others are sleeping and keep going while others are giving up. Don’t lose sight of your vision of the future; keep your focus on God, the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2).

REFLECTION

Does your lifestyle reflect that you have seen a great vision for your life?

HYMN 28 – Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah!

1 Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah!
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven! Bread of heaven!
Feed me now and evermore (2ce)

2 Open Thou the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow:
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong deliverer! strong deliverer!
Be Thou still my strength and shield (2ce)

3 If I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside:
Bear me through the swelling torrent,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side:
Songs of praises! songs of praises!
I will ever give to Thee (2ce)

4 Saviour, come! We long to see Thee,
Long to dwell with Thee above;
And to know in full communion,
All the sweetness of Thy love.
Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus!
Take Thy waiting people home (2ce)

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 20-21