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Vision (Part One)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

A dream is a vital aspect of the broader subject of vision. Vision relates to the faculty of sight, encompassing the ability to anticipate and make provisions for future events. It involves insight and imagination, the capacity to picture and conceptualize. Vision is crucial to creative power and serves as a key motivator for accomplishment. It plays a major role in creating anticipation, and in times of despair, it can even lead to hopelessness. Vision is an absolute necessity in a Christian's life, as evidenced by the faith of figures like Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barack, Jephthah, and Samson, who each relied on vision to sustain their faith and actions. However, having a vision does not stand alone; it must be supported by other sub-factors to successfully achieve it. The vision of beauty, such as living eternally in the Kingdom of God with Christ as our Leader, free from disease, and filled with constant challenge and accomplishment, may provide motivation. Yet, it requires an ever-increasing understanding of the goal and a detailed plan to attain it, with internal controls to prevent deviation. Life's realities in this world can destroy vision if we allow it, posing a daily danger we must face. Without a coordinated plan connecting daily ethics to long-term dreams, vision can unravel. Each day of our life must be linked to the dream, ensuring that short-term achievements build toward the long-term vision through focus, diligence, and the sacrifice of time and energy.

Vision (Part Two)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The Christian must be radically different from those like Fantine, who lived only for the day without a concrete plan to achieve her vision. While she was driven by fleeting dreams unsupported by ethics or morals, the Christian is guided by a vision of the future. This vision serves as the overall guide for life, much like Abraham, who lived in the present but always acted with the future in mind, looking for a city whose builder and maker was God. We cannot change the rapid pace of life's events and cultural activities that seem to move at light speed, but we must understand that we are not helpless before them. We must have a sensible plan and the discipline to stick to it, willingly accepting what God permits or arranges to come our way. This prophetic vision compels us to take our present responsibilities seriously while being driven by the ultimate goal of preparation for the kingdom of God.

The Elements of Motivation (Part Two): Vision

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The world constantly distracts, blurring vision and clouding moral and spiritual issues, making them indistinct and imprecise. God's ways, though true and righteous, often require sharp reasoning and deep understanding to discern correctly. Vision, both literal and mental, plays a crucial role in motivating actions, as seen in various examples where individuals were driven by what they perceived or foresaw. Faith, intertwined with vision, provides a spiritual platform that anchors motivation. It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, enabling understanding of past events and providing perspective. By faith, Noah, warned of unseen events, moved with godly fear to prepare an ark, motivated by a strong mental picture of the coming crisis. Abraham envisioned the Kingdom of God, a vivid contrast to his unsettled life, which motivated him to follow God's requirements. Similarly, others died in faith, seeing promises from afar, embracing them as strangers and pilgrims, driven by their vision of the journey's end. Abraham, when commanded to sacrifice Isaac, foresaw in his mind's eye that God would provide a substitute or resurrect Isaac, trusting God's promises. Moses, by faith, forsook Egypt, enduring as seeing Him who is invisible, moved to act in response to God. Vision, as shown in God's Word, consistently motivates action. Paul experienced a literal vision, which compelled him to become a minister and witness, not disobeying the heavenly call. Though such vivid visions are rare, the ability to form mental visions is given to many and can be equally motivating. This vision often comes through the Spirit by God's calling, gradually accumulating through study, comparison, analysis, and application of what is learned. God's Holy Spirit grants discernment and foresight to make right choices in spiritual matters, a quality that must be developed and grown over time. Wisdom, from God's perspective, emphasizes the right application of His Word, producing valuable fruit within His purpose. Vision, as a gift from God, enables His children to see the best way to produce the best results, guiding them in the path they should go.

God's Holy Days - Our Shared Vision Of Hope

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark Schindler

From Passover to Pentecost to Trumpets to Atonement to the Feast of Tabernacles, these days should solidify our vision of he Father, Jesus, and one another.

Two Contrary Visions

Sermon by John O. Reid

God has a vision for us, a vision He has been planning from the foundation of creation, an awesome plan to bring us into His very family, giving us His mind.

The Right Goal

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Success depends upon having a transcendent vision (defined as a mission statement), visible goals, and measurable concrete objectives.

The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Healing the Blind Man from Bethsaida

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Only Mark contains the healing of the blind man from Bethsaida, highlighting several important spiritual truths. The miracle's location is part of its unique teaching.

Rivet Your Eyes on the Destination

Article by John O. Reid

Overconcern with the around-and-about tends to distracts us, and before we know it we are off course. Preparation for God's Kingdom depends on our focus

Christian Myopia

Article by Staff

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is not just an eye condition. It also describes a worldview that is quite limited and limiting.

Motivation to Endure

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

We must develop patience, perseverance, and endurance for the times ahead, safe-guarding the precious calling God has given us and enduring to the end

Not-So-Great Expectations

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

At every turn, Jesus Christ was doubted, challenged, and scorned by people blinded and enslaved by their expectations of what God should be like.

Priorities

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

We must screen out the allure of Babylon and make sure that God is always number one on our list of priorities.

Light Affliction?

'Ready Answer' by Pat Higgins

Affliction seems to be an integral part of Christianity. However, when it is viewed in the context of eternity, it is relatively light.

The Resurrection From the Dead

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our lives revolve around the hope of a resurrection from the dead. Hope, deriving from Christ's resurrection, gives faith and love impetus and energy.

Importance of the True Gospel

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The way back to unity is to embrace the vision that once kept us focused on the same goal, giving us active, kinetic, dynamic and explosive power.

Sight to the Blind

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus' mission was to recover both physical and spiritual sight to the blind, liberating them from those false beliefs that had previously imprisoned them.

The Christian and the World (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Clear vision lights the way spiritually. If the eye of the heart is aimed at spiritual treasure and the glory of God, it will remain singly focused.

Persistence

Sermon by John O. Reid

Persistence is impossible without a transcendent and ardent vision, which prevents us from casting off restraint and gives us the will to keep on.

Unleavened Bread and Hope

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

After we purge the corruption from our lives, we must replace it with the anti-leaven of truth and sincerity, or our last state will be worse than the first.

Motivation to Endure

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

Without daily contact with God in prayer and Bible study, and without continual contact with the brethren, we may lose the determination to persevere.

The Corps Of Discovery

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark Schindler

The real vision of uncharted exploration far surpasses the fantasy world of Star Trek, calling for more challenging work, akin to Lewis and Clark's expedition.

Sanctification and the Teens

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Young people in the church must realize that they are not invincible. Not only is God's law no respecter of persons, but also sanctification can be lost.

Elements of Motivation (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Vision is a picture in the mind's eye that is undergirded by faith and scriptural revelation, enabling one to anticipate events that have not yet occurred.