When our children were born, I held each of them in my arms and pictured them growing up straight and strong. I pictured them being successful in school, in athletics, in their professions, in marriage and family, and in every other area of life. I’m sure most parents are like that. Our thoughts are only of good, of success and prosperity. Often parents develop a plan, a path which they believe will help their child achieve that vision, that image of prospering and enjoying life. We do our best to communicate this vision to our children, to give them the best opportunities to grow and develop. We arrange situations where they can exercise their long-suit abilities and have success.
As born-again believers, we are children of God. He is our heavenly Father. God has a picture, a vision, for our lives individually and collectively. As the Author of life, our heavenly Father has a clear vision of how life is best lived. He unfolds that vision in His Word, and He shows us the steps to succeed. Just as parents picture their children accomplishing great things, so God has a plan for His children to perform mighty exploits, to bring deliverance and light to mankind.
When we know God’s vision for our lives, we can make the most of both our spiritual abilities and our natural abilities. As we look into the Word of God to see some of our heavenly Father’s vision, it will raise our vision of ourselves. It will inspire us to action. And as we get busy on God’s plan, we will enjoy this life more richly and build our rewards for the future.
As a parent, I think about my children daily. Did you know that God thinks about His children? We are continually before Him (Isaiah 49:16), and He desires the best for us. He wants only good for our lives. No earthly parents ever wanted more for their children, or were willing to do more to ensure their children had every need met, than God for His children.
Jeremiah 29:11:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
God’s thoughts, His intentions and purposes, are to bring us peace and abundance. God has a plan. The New International Version of Jeremiah 29:11 reads: “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God’s plans for us are all good. God’s vision for us is set forth in His Word. Let’s look at six powerful truths that demonstrate God’s vision for our lives.
1. God desires that we prosper and be in health.
III John 2:
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Doesn’t that exemplify the heart of any parent? Our heart’s desire for our children is that they always have their need met, that they enjoy physical health and mental peace. We want them to be sound in their emotions and attitudes, to be confident and blessed. God not only has that same desire for us, but His willingness is equal to His ability. He has given us all we need to make that desire a reality in manifestation.
God wants us to be free from any fears, frustrations, or anxieties. He will supply all our need and be our sufficiency in any situation. This is true for our health, our finances, our relationships, or any other category of life. As we put God’s Word at the center of our lives and continue in it, we can move forward with confidence, claiming His promise of prosperity and health. Nothing is too good for His children. What a loving Father we have.
2. God wants us to see His promises fulfilled and show forth His divine nature.
II Peter 1:3 and 4:
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Because of what God gave us, we have everything we need to live a godly life, one that is full, rich, and satisfying. The promises that we have received are not just great, they are exceeding great—greater than great! Not only are they exceeding great, but they are precious, of great value. God has fulfilled His promise to us of the new birth, the gift of holy spirit, eternal life. How much is that worth! What a comfort it is to know that not one of God’s promises has ever failed. His Word is truth, and He always performs that which He has stated. We have the promise of daily blessings now and the promise of rewards in the future as we stand faithful today….
This is an excerpt from the September/October 2010 issue of The Way Magazine.
Copyright© 2010 by The Way International. All rights reserved.
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