Visions

PASSAGE OF THE DAY:
Acts 18 (click the link)


KEY VERSE:
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. (Acts 18:9-11, NIV)


THE BACK STORY:
Paul is doing his best at every opportunity to convince the Jews that Jesus is, in fact, THE Messiah they have been waiting for.  He’s catching flack, resistance and even abuse at every turn.  He becomes so frustrated that verse 6 says:  “But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads!  I am clear of my responsibility.  From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’”


REFLECTIONS:
Wow!  Have you ever served in a ministry that was THAT laborious and painful? Probably not.  I probably would have given up sooner rather than later and convinced myself that the Lord just was not in it and that I should move on.  I believe that’s exactly the spot Paul was in.  Thank GOD we have a real, live, all-knowing God that is right here with us.  He knew the frustration Paul was having and that he wanted to give up on ministering to those hard-headed Jews.  I love that it was at this time that the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.  For I am with you and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city” (vv. 9-10). How cool is that?!?

• God gave Paul His assurance:  “I am with you…”
• He gave Paul His protection:  “no one is going to attack and harm you…”
• He gave Paul a glimpse into the unseen:  “I have many people in this city.”

It was just what Paul needed to keep on going, preaching, serving.

You know, I’ve never had a job I didn’t like.  Fortunately, I always worked around PEOPLE.  I-LOVE-PEOPLE!!!  Toward the end of 2011, it seemed like my “work” world was shaken.  Two jobs I really enjoyed seemed to be coming to a close (or slowed way down) at about the same time.  My daughter and her family took jobs and college about 3-1/2 hours away from here.  The fact that it all seemed to happen at about the same time had me saying: “Okay, Lord… I’m listening!”  Maybe that’s what it took for me to listen closer to Him.  I’ve spent months seeking Him, asking for His guidance and plans for my future.  I get little bits from time to time, but the only CLEAR statement like Paul had, was “Don’t worry… I’ve got your back!”  Fortunately that came early on in my journey.  I could totally rely on Him and not worry.

This past week was very interesting for me.  I had lunch with my sister and a friend of hers.  At lunch the friend casually asked if we still had our travel agency.  When I told him we had sold it several years ago, he immediately (and with assured firmness) told me I should use this time to REST… that a promotion was coming and that I would need my energy for that time.  As my sister and I left the lunch, I told my sister that I believed that may have been a word from God.  It was distinctly different from the rest of the conversation.

We were so blessed to have Alan and Gail Hawkins lead a teaching conference at our church.  As Alan prayed for me one night, God gave him a vision for me.  On the surface it seemed rather “odd.”  But actually I had had a dream/vision just 2 or 3 nights previous to that.  It was similar to what Alan saw and I felt it was significant, but didn’t know what it meant.  After Alan shared what HE saw with me, it started to make sense.  In fact, other PRF members shared other little pieces with me.  It totally took me back to lunch the week before when my sister’s friend spoke those words and I felt immediately that it might be from God.  I believe those “confirmations” (from Alan and others) were exactly what I needed to keep moving forward.  It bolstered my strength and energy to continue down the path I believe He wants me on.

POINT OF ACTION:

• Ask God to show you His plans for you.
• Then Listen for confirmations.
• Consider that the things we enjoy and are holding on to, MAY actually be the thing(s) that’s holding us back from where God wants us.

PRAYER:

Father, I lift up my PRF Companions and Family.  I’m asking that you continue to grow us through your Word, our interactions, and the dreams and visions you put in us.  Hold us close and continue to encourage us until we fulfill YOUR plans here on earth.  In Jesus’ POWERFUL name, Amen!

WHO AM I?

I’m not sure I fully know.  Today, I am Georgia Arms… and I like BROWNIES! J I know the Bible says God has no favorites, but my husband believes that I just might be His favorite! Maybe because I tell him that a lot… especially if he’s picking on me. I feel incredibly blessed. I love spending time with my family. They’re FUN! I love that my husband is a good provider and that he loves me so sweetly.  He let me design my new kitchen and bathroom. Gotta love that!  By the time you read this, I’ll be spending time on the beach with my hubby, my daughter, son-in-law, granddaughters and their college friends.  YIKES!  But I’ll love every moment of it.