Accomplishing God's Will

The Truths we proclaim in the process of accomplishing God's will must line up with God's ways not the wisdom of the day or hour.
This applies in the following four strategic areas; Fulfillment of our calling, Leadership principles must guide, Covenant with many people, Moving with the opportunity:

1. Fulfillment of our calling: If we have a calling, gifts and anointing and if we seek God about something that is within the realm of our calling the idea that we have as a result will be His perfect plan, in scope, timing, place or relationship.
Truth: If we have not sought (inquired of) the Lord diligently and truly heard from Him we will march into battle with a plan that may have worked elsewhere or seem good to us but is not God's plan for the hour or the circumstance we face. Israel at AI. Joshua 7 and 8.

2. Leadership principles must guide: We say we should use leadership principles to accomplish the call He has given but without inquiring of the Lord we will be trapped into ungodly results. Look at King Hezekiah's father Ahaz who did what seemed right according to the leadership principles of the day. 2 Chronicles.
Truth: Leadership principles must be based on the foundational truth of the Word made Rhema for the hour and tested by prayer and humbling ourselves before God until we hear the sure Word of the Lord. All that Ahaz did had to be undone by his Godly son.

3. Covenant with many people: We say we should be in relationship with all who will be helpful to our mission or calling.
Truth: If we have not sought (inquired of) the Lord diligently and truly heard from Him we will make covenant with people we should not be in covenant with. Gibeon in Joshua 9.

4. Moving with the opportunity: We think we must be willing to move or stand still as the opportunity seems right.
Truth: When Israel was in the wilderness they had the pillar of cloud by day and the fire by night. They stayed still (encamped) when it was still but were always to be dressed and ready to move as the Lord commanded at the trumpets sound. We must move or wait based on the Lord's leadership not opportunity. Paul was seeking to go one way where there seemed to be opportunity and God directed Him in a vision and by His Spirit to go to Macedonia. Acts 16:6-12.

3rd Reply From Jim Richards

The third reply from Jim Richards author of Anatomy of a Miracle

Wayne,

I am thankful for your response. I understand your deep concerns and respect your desire to hold to the truth.

I led hundreds of hippies to Jesus, because I spoke their language. I have gone into many cultures and gained audience because I learned what they valued and expressed truth in language that made sense to them. I once led a Jehovah’s Witness to Jesus using his bible. I have led many Chinese to Jesus using the words of Lao Tzu to gain their respect and communicate on their level. In fact, I have had the door opened to me by some of the most respected Chinese leaders in the community to share Jesus with Buddhist priests. In our health clinic, I introduced numbers of new Agers to Jesus, because I could talk their language and showed respect for their beliefs even when they knew I disagreed strongly with those beliefs. The list could go on and the point could be lost.

As a student of the word, hopefully you are a student of history and current trends. The church is losing ground daily. You are correct when you have concerns about believes defecting to New Age and other cults, it is happening at an alarming rate. Approximately 5000 evangelical churches are closing their doors every year. Among the many issues facing the church today is our lack of relevance, the failure to live (model) what the Bible teaches, and an unwillingness to communicate in a way that connects with the very people we attempt to reach. It like fishing without bait. It seems that much of the church is more comfortable letting millions slip into eternity without Jesus than we are stepping beyond our comfort zones. We can’t keep doing what isn’t working, what hasn’t worked for a long time and abandon the world Jesus died for.

I have no intention of ever departing from Biblical truth, or Jesus as my Lord. Truth is absolute, but the application and expression of truth is dynamic. I have and will spend my life reaching beyond the walls of the church to a world without Jesus. In The Anatomy of a Miracle I have used the language, the terminology and even the scientific data that is being used to denounce the miraculous and turn people away from God. I have taken the very language that others have used to disprove and have pointed people back to God the Creator of all things. And if the statistics hold true 86% of the people who buy one of my books buys another within 30 days. They will hear a very clear and very bold message of the cross, faith righteousness, the Lordship of Jesus and the Kingdom of God. In so doing the door is opened to me to millions of people that otherwise would not listen. And for millions of believers, the miraculous, will be conceptualized in language that makes sense to them, and facilitates faith coming alive in their heart. They will turn to God and true faith in the Lord Jesus. Their intellect will no longer lead them from the miraculous, but to it.

Will I be misunderstood and vilified for this? Yes, by some! Is there a risk of people misunderstanding the goal? Yes! Did I calculate this risk? Most certainly! Will the risk I run and the price be worth it? Only time will tell. So far, it looks as if I will do what I have set out to do. Both of the previously mentioned things are happening! And reaching the lost and strengthening the body has what I have been effectively doing for a very long time.

When I am back in Denver, or should our paths cross, if you desire to visit face to face I will more than gladly do so, with no predetermined animosity or agenda, other than open communication. Sometimes words on a page, fail to communicate as effectively as the words being spoken for our own ears to hear and eyes to see.

Thank you for your time and willingness to communicate.

Sincerely,
Jim Richards

An Open Letter From James B. Richards

The following letter is Jim's response to my response to his book and teachings on Anatomy of a Miracle.

Wayne,

Thank you. It is very kind of you to do so.

Please understand, I have no problem with how you feel about this book. If, however, you want to know the scriptural basis for what I have said, or if you really desire to have healthy dialog about the results or outcome of this project, I will be more than glad to be open and forthright with you. But I’m not interested in “fighting” or having conflict. There is too much to do for the Kingdom for either of us to get derailed. I am interested in reaching the part of the world that the church is not reaching… and as I said, I do that very effectively. Otherwise, we will just agree to hold differing views and leave it at that.

I extend to you an open invitation to ask me anything you desire to ask me about my beliefs, or what I have said or why I have said it. If I find I am in the wrong, repentance will be the pathways for healing and revelation. I am never interested in holding my view to the exclusion of what God’s Word is seeking to reveal.

Please understand, I deliberately did not give scripture and verse for everything I said. I figured believers would look them up, or knowledgeable believers would recognize what was being said without the reference. I knew that non-believers would close the book and never get to the end goal, of seeing God, the Creator of all things as the only source of life. As a former street evangelist, crusade preacher and life-time personal soul winner, I have found that I have to find the common ground, and use familiar terminology, just as Paul did, before I can get them to open their hearts and minds.

Be blessed. However much we may disagree, I respect that you have passion!

Sincerely,
Jim Richards

My Response to James Richards

Dear James

I have read your response and yes I will post it. I will also post a response. Since I just got in and it is late I would like to point out a few things in this response from you.

1. My review of your book in no way is a personal attack on you or your ministry; it is an analysis of the teaching of the book and the video streaming seminar.

2. Your previous writings seem biblical and from my research about you and your ministry you have had a good reputation until the publishing of this book. You also seem to be a very intelligent person.

3. I have not claimed that you do not believe in "First of all and most importantly, contrary to what you have written, I believe on and preach Jesus as Lord and Savior. I believe in the finished work of the cross. I believe in salvation through faith in the risen Lord.

4. Although you claim now not to have special knowledge your teachings indicate you do and it is not that hard to see.

5. You have taken the writings of others from outside the Bible and used them in a way that to the uninformed seem harmless even wise. When you say you have never done this it seems absurd after reading your book.

6. No, I did not contact you as your writings and teaching should stand for them self and not need an argument or discussion to be explained. If so then as a teacher you have failed.

7. Yes biblically we have the right to speak up when someone is teaching a message that might confuse and hinder the work of God in a believer’s life. I believe I have made it clear why and how I disagree with your teaching in this area.

8 Yes we should use language that people today understand and that faithfully represents the original tongue of the Biblical writers.

9. It is not the word intention that is the problem but the teaching that surrounds it.

10. I stand by “The author parts from the whole teaching of Bible on sin, the Word of God, the role of God's power in man's life and righteousness. By so doing he lifts up humanism (man's ability or potential is exalted) and God's redemptive work pushed to the side.” You do address these issues at various places in your spoken and written material. I suggest you reread your own book and listen to your own teachings. You:
O Redefine sin, removing God from the equation as being offended by sin... “Don’t ever think about sin as ‘these are the bad things, these are the wrong things;’ think about things as ‘these are the self-destructive things.’”
O Redefine ‘logos’ as not being the written Word of God, but rather “concepts…logic…the way God works…creative ideas based on Scriptural principles” (This inserts much elasticity in the Word that affords much room for “new” interpretation.)
O Redefine righteousness… “Righteousness…is when things are as they should be…Righteousness is a state of being where things are as they should be…Being happy is righteous because that’s how it should be.” (Many unsaved people are quite happy in their sin-based lives, but their happiness certainly does not reflect any righteousness before God!)
o The overall effect of all the redefining you do moves man to the center and God to the background.

11. Your exaltation of the ideas and principles which are cornerstones to new agers puts you in a place of supporting the elevation of man without the clear word that our elevation is in Him (Christ) and through Him alone, not because of these so called laws.

12. You say "I probable preach a much stronger message about the issues of man’s fall, the effects of sin and man’s need for righteousness, through the finished work of Jesus than you have ever heard. It is the corner stone of everything I preach concerning man, his capacity for knowing God and experiencing eternal life."

You have no idea what I have or have not heard or believe. You may want to read my blogs and web sites before you make any assertions as to these matters, as I have done concerning you.
If these are cornerstone issues for you may want to redig those wells again.

You say Jesus paraphrased scriptural truth into parables and concepts, usually about nature, that the people could conceptualize, thereby turning them to God! It actuality he clearly interpreted the meaning of these truths so that people understood them accurately.

13. Your statement
Ø “You know what? When I’m preaching…so many times I hear what people are thinking. For real! I’m hearing all these voices…..”
This is not a word of knowledge or wisdom nor does it fit with any Biblical gift.

14. According to your statement, "You say these laws that operate in this world, the laws of physics, and the natural laws are of the devil.
I never said that. So you may want to reread what I said. What I said is and I will expand it for you, 'these so called laws are the foundational teachings of the new age cosmic consciousness crowd and not Biblical teaching.'

15. You said, "I don’t know if you mean well, or if you are just a mean-hearted legalist that attacks everything he doesn’t understand. But, if you actually care to know, let’s get this down to the bottom line: I wrote a book about the laws of nature that have operated from the beginning. I explained how people could operate in these laws whether they were or were not saved and I gently pointed people to the proactive love of our Creator. "

If you asked 1000 people who know me from around the world in my 35 years of Ministry they would laugh out loud at the thought of me being a legalist or attacking things I disagree with. In fact many would say that I am so in love with the move of God that I am encouraged by any sign God is on the move.

Ask any new age teacher about being in harmony with these laws, they are part and parcel of their teachings, and O you don't need Jesus to be in Harmony with the laws according to the New Agers. Read Echart Tolle for a start.

16. You say, you (me) will also repent publically of the places you took liberty with your judgments and assumptions. Feel free to clearly state that you disagree with this book. But if you are a man of integrity you will retract your attacks on my beliefs. You will admit that you addressed issues that were totally outside of the scope of this one book and that you actually have no knowledge of what I believe.

I clearly stated that the comments were both about the book and the streaming video teaching.
I stand by my evaluation of these issues and challenge you to have a non biased well informed Spirit filled leader from outside of your own group read your writing and listen to your streaming video to assist you in communicating the message you claim to want to communicate.

17. You say, "
I’m sorry if my book offends you. But I promise you this. While you are busy arguing over your doctrinal struggles (which I can respect if you have the integrity to follow scriptural rules for communication and honesty), I will be reaching people that you will never reach and they will come to Jesus, and fall in love with God!"

I am grieved that a gifted teacher like yourself has been so misled as to what they have said and how it is could be impacting the move of God among people in our day.

I will rejoice if you reach more people with the power and grace of God. It would be helpful if the teachings in this book are not a part of that outreach as the mixing of the pure Word of God and the pure power and gifts of God with such blatantly New age non Biblical teaching will corrupt the good seed you sow

Personal Accountability: Do You Have It?

Acts 17:11
11 Now these [Jews] were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message [concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] with inclination of mind and eagerness, searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. AMP

To Whom or What are you accountable to? Ask your self these questions:

1. Do you read and study the Bible daily?

2. Do you apply the truth revealed to your life immediately?

3. Do you submit your life to both Jesus the Living Word and the Bible which is the

Written Word?

4. When the Word is preached, sung or portrayed in the Arts, such as skits or dramas is your heart softened and is it responsive with action and not just emotion?

5. When you see a need do you seek God about how it might be met or do you ignore it?

6. Are you careful to eagerly receive and then check out the message of a speaker by the Word?

Are you Accountable and if so to whom or what?

A Call to Spiritual Formation

Throughout the centuries from the day of the resurrection of Jesus our Messiah to His father's side those who have followed Jesus and sought a life of total dedication to Him have been seen as mystics, saints and have even been martyred as they sought to live a life totally in God.

The material below is from the Renovare' site. If you want to live the 'In God Life' this ministry will provide you with awesome insight and materials.

Renovaré, is a nonprofit organization that advocates, encourages, and resources intentional living and spiritual formation. Drawing from the example of Jesus Christ and the historical Church, Renovaré encourages people to develop renewed, sustainable, and enriched spiritual lives. Find out more about this excellent ministry and learn how you can live the "in God Life."

Then go to the link and sign up to answer the call to transformed into His image and live your life in Him! http://acalltospiritualformation.info/ A Call to Spiritual Formation San Antonio, 2009

"Christian spiritual formation is the process of being shaped by the Spirit into the likeness of Christ, filled with love for God and the world."

God calls us all to become like Jesus. Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”* We experience this abundance of life – here and now – as our passions, character, understanding, and relationships are increasingly aligned with those of Christ. This lifelong transformation within and among us is the continual gift of God’s Spirit. We are called to be renewed into the likeness of Jesus – but we do not always fully embrace this calling. Sometimes we seem content to be known as “Christians” without intentionally engaging with this work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Other times we desperately long for a new way of life, wanting to grow in our walk with Jesus, but needing help and encouragement. We, therefore, commit to pursue passionately and to receive joyfully God’s grace to be more fully transformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

John 7:37–39 *John 10:10 Romans 8:29 1 Corinthians 11:1 1 Corinthians 15:49 2 Corinthians 3:17–18 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 2 Corinthians 5:16–21 Galatians 4:19 Ephesians 1:3 Ephesians 3:16–19 1 John 3:2 1 John 4:17

As we are rooted in Jesus and in the kingdom he proclaims, we are progressively transformed. Jesus is the center of all life and history, both the source and goal of all creation. God shaped this universe as a place where the love and life of Jesus Christ might flourish. Because we are formed in the divine image, we have the capacity to receive and express this life and love. Although human disobedience corrupts the divine image in us, God still forms a people able to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love their neighbors as themselves. Jesus makes this possible through his life, death, and resurrection. In him we experience a restored relationship of love with God and one another, and continual transformation into his likeness. We are becoming a reconciled and renewed community – which is both the goal and the substance of life in God’s kingdom. This is the good news we proclaim with joy to the whole world. Genesis 1:26–28 Genesis 3:1–7 Proverbs 8:22–31 Isaiah 42:5–9 Jeremiah 31:33–34 Mark12:28–34 John 1:1–18 John 13:34–35 Romans 5:9–11 Romans 8:1–11 Romans 8:19–23 Ephesians 2:11–22 Colossians 1:9–23 1 Thessalonians 5:23 1 John 2:7–11

Our engagement with God’s transforming grace is vital. Renewal into the image of Christ is not a human attainment; it is a gift of grace. God mercifully uses all our experiences, including our suffering and trials, to teach and transform us. Even so, transformation requires our involvement and effort. We need to make ourselves available to the Holy Spirit’s work in all our life experiences, particularly through intentional engagement with historical Christian disciplines, including Word and sacrament. These practices open us to the presence and grace of God. As a result, we become, through time and experience, the kind of persons who naturally express love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self‐control. Matthew 5:43–48 Matthew 11:29–30 Luke 6:40 John 7:38 John 15:5–17 Romans 12:1–2 Galatians 5:16–25 Philippians 2:12–13 Philippians 3:12–16 Titus 2:11–14 Hebrews 5:13–6:1 Hebrews 12:7–13 James 4:7–8 1 Peter 2:2 1 Peter 4:1–2

Spiritual formation happens in community. As we long to know and follow Jesus and be formed into his likeness, we journey with those who share this longing. God is calling the church to be a place of transformation. Here we struggle to fulfill our calling to love. Here we learn to attend to the invitations of God’s Spirit. Here we follow the presence of God in our midst. Spiritual community is the catalyst for our transformation and a sending base for our mission of love to the world. Matthew 18:20 Luke 6:12–19 John 17:20–26 Acts 2:42–47 Romans 12:4–8 1 Corinthians 12:1–7 Galatians 6:1–2 Ephesians 4:1–16 Hebrews 10:23–25 1 Peter 2:4–10

Spiritual formation is, by its very nature, missional. As we are formed into the likeness of Christ, we increasingly share God’s infinitely tender love for others. We deepen in our compassion for the poor, the broken, and the lost. We ache and pray and labor for others in a new way, a selfless way, a joy‐filled way. Our hearts are enlarged toward all people and toward all of creation. Isaiah 60:1–4 Matthew 5:14–16 Matthew 28:18–20 John 3:16–21 John 20:21–23 2 Corinthians 5:20 Galatians 6:10 1 John 4:7–21

We invite all people, everywhere, to embrace with us this calling to become like Jesus. By God’s grace, we will seek to become lovers: lovers of God, lovers of people, and lovers of all creation. We will immerse ourselves in a lifestyle that is attentive and responsive to the gracious presence of God. We commit ourselves to the community of Christ’s beloved, the church, so that we can learn this way of love together.

We entreat you to join us. To Sign and/or download A Call to Spiritual Formation, go to http://ACallToSpiritualFormation.info Matthew 5:1–10 Matthew 13:44–46 Mark 1:15 Luke 9:23–24 Romans 12:1–2 2 Corinthians 6:1 1 Timothy 6:11–12 Revelation 21:2 Revelation 22:17

Empowering You for a Life of Passionate Participation in God

Abba's Glory, Inc

Empowering You for a Life of Passionate Participation in God

1.Enjoying the Journey of a Life of Passionate Participation in God!

We seek to connect with (encourage and strengthen) those who desire to live a life of Passionate Participation in God and to enjoy the oneness Jesus has with the father as spoken of in John's gospel chapter 17 where Jesus asked His father to give those who believed in Him the glory and honor that He was given and to make them one in Him and in the father.

2. Empowering those who love Jesus but are unhappy with what church has become:

A. To Empower, and Raise Up a new generation of believers who will fully embrace the cry of

God's heart that we 'Live a Life of Passionate Participation in Him.'
B. To provide a connecting place for those who follow Jesus and are tired of church as a dead

institution and want to connect with those who are discovering a Passionate Life of

Participation in God.
C. To make available resources for those believers who are passionate about Jesus and all that

He began to do and teach.
D. To welcome those who have chosen to take up the mantle and towel of the King and fully

embrace His Kingdom.
E. To offer a social network for those want all that Jesus has for us in a Life of Passionate

Participation in Him

We are in the process of developing:
A 'School of the Spirit and the Word' for those who want a life of Passionate Participation in God:
1.( Becoming all that Jesus desires)

2.( Doing all that Jesus began to do and teach)
Look for our group on Faithbook, Facebook and Faith-Space.com

Company history
Abba's Glory was birthed out of a vision to see Jesus' words in John 17:22 come alive in everyone who believes in and wants the full measure of what Jesus has for them."I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one" AMP

"Struck by the growing number people who love Jesus and are urgently seeking more of his life in their own, who are desperate for a life of passionate participation in God and not the mere shadow of His promised life, Abba's Glory seeks to empower believers to take hold of both the promise and act upon the permission God has given us to discover all that Jesus began to do and teach!"

By The Mercy of God

2 Cor 4:1-6

4:1 THEREFORE, SINCE we do hold and engage in this ministry by the mercy of God [granting us favor, benefits, opportunities, and especially salvation], we do not get discouraged (spiritless and despondent with fear) or become faint with weariness and exhaustion.
2 We have renounced disgraceful ways (secret thoughts, feelings, desires and underhandedness, the methods and arts that men hide through shame); we refuse to deal craftily (to practice trickery and cunning) or to adulterate or handle dishonestly the Word of God, but we state the truth openly (clearly and candidly). And so we commend ourselves in the sight and presence of God to every man's conscience.
3 But even if our Gospel (the glad tidings) also be hidden (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God), it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing and obscured [only] to those who are spiritually dying and veiled [only] to those who are lost.
4 For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.
5 For what we preach is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your servants (slaves) for Jesus' sake.
6 For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [Gen 1:3.] AMP

2 Cor 4:7-9

7 However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.
8 We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;
9 We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed; AMP

Church: Epicenter of God's Life Revealed

I believe the body of Christ longs for more than stale bread and tales of yesterday's great adventures. People are desperate for true God life, desperate for a leader who is not attempting to do church by program or modeled after someone else's victory story.

When Jesus said 'He came to bring life and that more abundantly', He was not speaking about mere self gratification, material abundance or earthly popularity or power! He was speaking about Sodzo, a word for salvation in the NT that carries with it the idea of mending and making whole, which is a part of "What Jesus began to do and teach," Acts 1:1.

But it is much more, it carries within it the idea of being made whole = into what we were created to be, made in the image, or likeness of God. This has to do with our construction and design. We are Spirit beings, with a free will living in a body which is temporary. We were created with God's DNA so to speak. We have been given the ability to create as well as procreate. We have the ability to be in relationship with God the most high, and to align our lives in every way with Him and thus be unique vessels of Him and all that He is.

When we realize that He embraces us out of love and by His grace His power can work through and in us, then everything that is of Him in us brings honor to Him and that which is not of Him must die if He is to have His way in us. I am reminded of the parable of the vessels in 2 Timothy 2:14-26, some clay and some gold. The true value of our vessel is based on our willingness to submit to and align ourselves with Him, His ways, His Word and His Spirit. Our Character must become like that of Jesus. In Philippians 2:5-11 Jesus humbled Himself. Elsewhere in the NT we see that he became a man and He did the Fathers will by the Spirit's power.

Our walk with and life in God is both very practical and very spiritual. Each of us must align our lives with the Word and seek Him in a relationship that must become the most important thing in our lives. While we are living our life we must do so in a way that those around can both relate to God's work in us and know us as normal people with the supernatural God above all God's working in and through us.


The gifts we have been blessed with are just that, gifts. I long to see all of God's people walk in the wholeness, freedom and fulfillment that God has both designed and created them for!

I believe the local church (people of God) is meant to be the spiritual, relational and practical epicenter of God's Life for those who call upon His name. It is His Grace, Mercy, and Power working in us which produces His image or likeness.

When we look at what 'Jesus began to do and teach', we see that He sent the Holy Spirit that we might be living witnesses (those who see, experience and tell about) of His life working in and through us.

Christian will you be the Church: Epicenter of God's Life Revealed?

Vision Birthed From the Heart of God

We talk a lot about Vision in the Church, in business, in day to day following Jesus and in politics today.

When you are around people with a clear vision they have certain qualities that are appealing to other people.

People with a clear Vision from God are focused on the Goals of God's heart, they are full of faith that the Vision will come to pass, they have hope even when things do not look the way they had hoped, they have a positive influence on those around them that the Vision is within reach and as a result others buy into the vision.

This comes not just from vision casting or sharing the vision but from the fruit or impact the Vision has on the vision bearer. When the Vision is fresh and alive it brings freshness and life. When the Vision is dim, contrived or is lacking in vitality it is hard for someone to follow it or the person bearing it. I have noticed that hope springs from vision and vision from faith or belief that what is not yet is what can be.

Faith is the key to vision. There are a lot of people who live in fear and doubt and who are always looking for or are wandering around seeking someone or something to give them hope. They are in need of a healthy relationship with God. He is the giver of life, a life that flows continually to those who are in an ongoing relationship with Him.

Today, we are tempted to have a fast food version of our relationship with God, when what we really need is a time of restful feeding on the green grass of His Word and of drinking from the still water of His Spirit, of letting Him minister to us by talking with us and calling us by name, and of letting him rub His healing ointment into the hurts and bruises we receive from everyday life. When we do this and do it again and again we find the life, hope and vision that inspire others to see in us a glimpse of Him. This glimpse of Him, what He is and wants to do, generates loyalty and passion for the Vision He has given us. People follow a vision when they can see hope and faith alive, not when it is a part of the latest promotion or idea, which gets pounded endlessly into their information pathways.

When they see vision which has come from faith and hope alive in someone it gives them a reason to seek God for themselves and in the building of their relationship with God they gain faith, hope and His vision for them.

The Bible uses the imagery of trees bearing fruit as an outward demonstration of His life flowing through us to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which is the true mark of His life within. Jesus in John 15 speaks about the need for the branches to stay connected to the vine if they are to have His life which produces vision. When we have a healthy ongoing relationship with Him we make it possible for people to get a glimpse of Him.

We have a choice; we can allow others to get a glimpse of Him which brings faith and leads to vision or a glimpse of us without Him, which will lead the people to not have hope or a purpose and then they will wander aimlessly.

Faith birthed in the revelation of God's desire and design is the key to vision. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of the things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,” NASB revised version.