Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe in 1719, was put in the pillory from 29^th to 31^st July 1703 because of a tract he published. His intention in producing the leaflet was to make it look as if a foaming High Anglican zealot of the most bigoted stamp wrote it. Drawing on High-Church sermons, the pamphlet argued that the best way of dealing with the dissenters was to banish them abroad and send their preachers to the hangman. “The Church of England, it argued, is like Christ crucified between two thieves, Papists on the one side and Nonconformist sectarians on the other. Very well, let us crucify the thieves. To go on tolerating them is like allowing a plague to continue without medical treatment.” [1]

The authorities were not amused and they offered a reward for information on the perpetrator, having discovered from the printer who had done it. Defoe was soon arrested in Spitalfields and imprisoned in Newgate Gaol. At his trial he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three one-hour periods in the pillory.  The pillory was used to punish minor criminals including cheats, liars, rioters and homosexuals, by shaming them in public.

Some of the candidates were killed or maimed for life as the crowd pelted them with eggs, fruit, dead cats and dogs, every variety of filth, stones, saucepans and other suitable missiles. Fortunately for Defoe he was pilloried when it rained which kept down the crowds and all that was thrown at him were flowers from his friends.

His brickworks failed, he could not pay his fine, and he was returned to Newgate Prison. However, four months later the government paid his fine from secret service funds. They realised his worth as a spin-doctor, and within a year he was employed to publish a regular newspaper, which showed the ministry in a favourable light, and to act as a government spy.

He continued for many years spreading propaganda for successive ministries, and it was not until later he turned to writing fiction. Fiction is what spin doctoring really is, it spins tales around truth to deceive. “Propaganda is that branch of the art of lying which consists in nearly deceiving your friends without quite deceiving your enemies.”2

Most governments employ them to advance their cause in a good light and influence public opinion. It was Adolf Hitler who said: “The greater the lie, the greater the chance that it will be believed.” 3 It is a sad state of affairs to see spin-doctors employed by authority figures to polish their image, but it is a situation that has woven itself into the fabric of public life.

God doesn’t need a spin-doctor, He is well able to represent Himself, but unfortunately some preachers do. The hype that precedes some of them into a new country or city, is sometimes far in excess of their calling, anointing and ability. No doubt we all want to be viewed in a good light, and can fall into the deception of exaggeration. God’s claims are real, what He says he does. Here are just a few:

“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28) – “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27). Just one more will do – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. “(Matt 6:33). The problem for many Christians is that they think this is spin doctoring. How can God bless them abundantly, if they don’t work all their lives from sun-up to sundown? A good question, one that I can’t answer, but it’s true. No one has to convince me that it’s true, I’ve proved it, time and again. The Holy Spirit (God’s propagandist – only He’s absolutely truthful) convinced me many years ago, that what God says He really means.

[1]Richard Cavendish (Article), History Today, July 2003, Page 55

2 F. M. Cornford (1886–1960) British poet. New Statesman, 15 Sept 1978

3 Adolf Hitler (1889–1945) German dictator. Mein Kampf

A few years ago at a men’s breakfast in church I sat with a man who had recently started coming to HICC with his wife. Before they came to us, they worshipped at a non conformist church in Harrow, although originally they were Roman Catholics. When he rang to tell them of his move the reply was “I thought they rolled on the floor at that church!”  This is clearly a naïve and bigoted statement. I have been attending Pentecostal Churches since 1949 and not once have I ever seen such a thing occur. How disappointing – apart from soiling their clothes, it would have added some excitement to a lot of very boring services I have been in.

In the days when that occasionally happened, so history informs us, the church had more power than it does now; the sick were healed, sinners were saved and the demon depressed were set free. They worshipped in timber and tin huts and were not only poor but ostracised from mainstream Christendom. People were warned not to attend their churches because funny things happened in their services, but it would do present day critics a great deal of good to go back in time, perhaps it would do us all good, to enter history, see the physical demonstration of God, put up with some excess, and laugh in church, although I am not convinced that would happen in many Pentecostal Churches I have been in.

As the Pentecostal movement has developed it has established its own Bible Colleges, and now most ministers have their theological degrees or diplomas – they have become respectable, but revelation is still a premium, and evades many ministers. It’s not how many degrees you hold or training you have received, but what your relationship is with God. It’s not just feeding a person’s mind but touching their heart which is the priority. Exegetical and experiential preaching is needed to lay foundational teaching for future trials. The one touches the head and the other the heart.

If some people who administrate church offices in Harrow think that of us what other things do they also imagine? I wonder what juicy bit of gossip has been magnified out of all proportion, which gullible people want to believe. We don’t have to defend ourselves, for there is nothing to defend. It matters not what people think of us, for once a person has been in a HICC service, they will soon be convinced that we are sane and spiritual, and in a way that is sad, for perhaps we are so ordered that we no longer expect the unexpected?  There are times when we sing good old Charles Wesley hymns, as a teaching tool towards worship; and the preaching is geared towards lifestyle change to reflect God’s glory; what more can a person want?

There was one prominent Baptist in the local area who always used every opportunity to remind me that silence is part of worship, as if I or HICC have no idea what silence is. Silence was so unusual in heaven that it is recorded, and it lasts for all of 30 minutes. Half an hour is all there is in heaven, and that in eternity is but a small fraction of the time, after that we must assume that there is continual praise and worship – there could even be few rolling around heaven’s roads, at least they would collect gold dust, but I’m of the opinion that most of them will fall flat, face downwards in His presence.  It may be that when we get to heaven, we will have missed that half an hour, what will we do then – go back to church for a quiet period?

If I have learnt anything in over 50 years of ministry, it is that to prejudge a church is lunacy. Not until you have worshipped there for a minimum of three months do you really know anything about the fellowship; and, you will never get the perfect church. Whether we roll, stand or dance is unimportant, whom our heart worships is. We can worship worship by worshipping the tradition of the years, the form and ceremony or worship to God. Whenever we worship God because we expect Him to do things for us it becomes idolatry. If the devil can foul and smudge our worship we will compromise our morals.

We worship at HICC in a style so we don’t frighten people away, and to ensure the family (from every kindred tongue and nation) can dwell together, sharing a common experience and blending into a mighty choir of unity. As for ‘rollers’ we do have vacuum cleaners!

My late wife was an excellent singer until Myasthenia Gravis robbed her of her voice. My daughter having grown into her teens took over where Patricia left off and became a fine soloist singing with the British Continentals. My younger son, while studying medicine at Bart’s Medical School, won the Ronnie Scott’s Band of the Year contest, with his group the Worry Dolls. My older son is a musician and led the music at Pip and Jay Anglican Church in Bristol.

My younger brother also has a good base/tenor voice and often sings solos; my older brother is no novice and also can sing and play the piano. I am the exception, being tone deaf being totally ignorant about music. I stand out like a musical sore thumb amongst my family. In fact, ask me what a quaver is and I quiver. When I start to sing, they join in that well-known song – “shut up, shut up, shut up!”

In my late teens, having received a call from God to minister the word to the kingdom, I went to Him and discussed my musical poverty. How could I lead worship, which is integral for spiritual development with such destitution of ability? I implored him to consider my ignorance, and in effect I fulfilled the first beatitude “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” (Matthew 5:3) very poor in musical ability; it was either God or nothing. Beneficially, He came to my rescue, and although I am still very much short of musical understanding, He gave me a gift of knowing when a song will lead a congregation into worship.

Soon after I left the West Midlands, for London to become the Associate at Kensington Temple, I was asked to preach and lead the worship at Impetus 86, a third world conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. There were 63 nations and over 800 delegates plus the large Colombo Assemblies of God Church. I led the worship and spoke over that weekend and ministered during the week. From there I was invited around the world to speak on worship.

“Strange?” “Yes, and almost impossible,” but God will take our poverty and cause us to inherit the kingdom. God is more concerned about our attitude to Him, not our wonderful talents and abilities. The world will emphasize self-confidence, self-reliance and self-expression. It is a matter of personal aptitude that glorifies flesh, yet they are envious of our ‘happiness’ which is what blessed means, “blessed (happy) are the poor in Spirit.”

Unfortunately, the world has slipped into the church and confused our focus, and the result of that is personality centred worship. Sessional musicians and gifted singers minister songs that congregations can’t sing; they are too difficult. It unwittingly glorifies musicians, who are no doubt skilled, but what of entering The Presence?

I used to receive a cassette each month from a leading Christian musical publishing company and out of the 100 to 120 songs I listened to per annum, I doubt there were more than five that any congregation could sing. If one watches the average modern church at worship, the people more often than not stand watching the platform – it is a kind of vicarious worship. Very much like a football crowd cheering on their idol. Perhaps the purpose of the CDs and tapes is to make money not worshippers?

Blessed is the man who is utterly and totally destitute, at the end of his tether, for then God has a chance. It means the complete absence of pride, self-reliance and self-confidence. It is a God-centred life that is thrown wholly on His ability. As the hymn puts it “Now let the weak say I am strong, let the poor say I am rich.”  Those are the blessed or happy people for you know that, like Jesus, you only do what the Father does (John 8:28) and the life of Jesus was to worship His Father at all times and in all things (John 4:23). Finally, it is not what I might have been – not even what I may be – but what I am, that constitutes the measure of my blessedness.

In January 1999 Sarah Flannery won the Esat Scientist of the year for Ireland with her project on cryptography. “Single-handedly a 16-year-old appeared to have found a way of securely encrypting – that is, the science of secrecy – hiding sensitive information on the Internet, which worked 22 times faster than the one developed at MIT in 1997.”[1]

She  was  brought  up  in a  household  where her  parents  are lecturers,  but  they  did  not  force  their  daughter  to perform mental  gymnastics or pressurise her to be anything other than a  normal  girl.  The  one thing her father did was to set her and her  brothers  puzzles,  which he wrote on a blackboard in their kitchen.

He often finishes his lecture at the Cork Institute of Technology with a 10-minute puzzle because he finds that they are the best way to teach self-confidence and creativity. The reporter, Cassandra Jardine, was presented with one to solve when she went to interview the family.

“A farmer has 12 barrels of apples. Eleven are filled with 5-oz apples; one contains the heaviest, 6-oz apples. The farmer wants to find out which one holds the heaviest apples. How can he, in one weighting, find out which barrel holds the weightier apples?”

In Proverbs 25:2 it says “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”  God is the master at encryption and puzzles, and what he seals no one can decipher. He hid the church in the Old Testament teaching and then suddenly sprang it on Paul. He has given us 3 books Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelation – they are all in a sense encrypted, but the Holy Spirit can resolve the mysteries.

I’m not sure about you but I’m pretty hopeless at solving puzzles and intelligence tests – I do not want to think of what my IQ is – I doubt if I would reach 100 — “as high as that” you say, “it’s time for you to stop boasting.”  However, bearing that in mind, perhaps it could be a little higher in the things of God!

Here’s one puzzle I’ve never been able to solve and I think there are many others in the same situation – “Why did Jesus die for me?” A puzzle indeed, known only to God.  I have laboured for 65 years trying to unravel that conundrum.  I accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour when I was 15 and since that time I have experienced his overwhelming love and forgiveness, but how to answer you as to why He did it and continually does it, is a mystery.

But, don’t let the lack of an answer deter you from accepting that divine love, He came that we might live, and live abundantly. Life is found in Jesus Christ who rose from the dead, to die no more. Those who put their complete trust in Him find God unlocks the scriptures to those who pursue Him, and solves all manner of mysteries revealing His heart.  It’s not intelligence that does it but humility – just like Sarah who is “an ordinary girl” so are those who find God and know Him in reality.  Some people with a low IQ by the world’s standard could have an IQ of 145 in spiritual things, which is professorial level!

[1] Daily Telegraph March 18 2000 article by Cassandra Jardine.

In 1850 William Hepburn Russell and James Brown formed a company to deliver 600,000 pounds of government supplies to Santa Fe. Soon afterwards, Russell began delivering supplies to Fort Hall. The freighting business was a great success and in 1854 he joined forces with two other businessmen, Alexander Majors and W. B. Waddell, to start the company of Russell, Majors and Waddell.

In 1860 Russell, Majors and Waddell established the Pony Express to deliver the mail. This involved setting up a string of over 100 relay stations from St. Joseph in Missouri to Sacramento in California, a distance of 1,966 miles. A notice appeared in a San Francisco newspaper: “Wanted. Young skinny wiry fellows, not over eighteen. Must be expert riders willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred. Wages $25 per week.” One of those who applied for a job as a pony express rider was William F. Cody.

The horses going flat out, it was necessary to provide fresh ones every 15 miles, although the riders were changed less often. One of the youngest was a boy called Bronco Charlie Miller, who was only 12 years old, and when a horse came in riderless, his father hoisted him on a fresh animal and sent him off with the mail.

People were charged $5 per half ounce to send their letters. Each rider rode a certain distance before handing the letters over to the next relay rider. The first batch of letters left St. Joseph on 3rd April, 1860 and arrived in Sacramento ten days later.

In winter, teams of mules were driven back and forth over the trail to pack the deep snow, so $5 for delivery of a letter would buy the services of at least 140 horses, probably 25 to 30 riders, upwards of 175 station owners and several dozen mules. It only took eight days to traverse the distance of nearly 2,000 miles, through storms, hostile territory and punishing terrain. A bit like the post office today!

The Pony Express was initially a popular service. However, on 24th October 1861 a transcontinental telegraph was completed. Russell, Majors and Waddell could not compete with the electric telegraph and the Pony Express was closed down on 26th October.

The Pony Express was superseded by the telegraph, which was overtaken by the telephone and the telephone by the e-mail, and now we are in today’s speedy communications era. What would we do without e-mail, mobile phones and laptop wireless connectivity? It’s unthinkable, but God can send answers even quicker than men can invent the means of transference.

24 years ago I was struggling to change a thermostat on my ailing car, parked in my driveway. I shouted into the bungalow through the open front door, “I think Patricia you had better pray for a new car, I’m going next door to borrow an adjustable spanner.” The old man opposite led me into his garage to find the spanner, and as he bent to open the drawer he asked, “’would you like this car?” pointing to his sparkling 2.3 FE range Vauxhall, nine years old but with only 22,000 miles on the clock. Whenever it rained he cleaned and garaged it. It was a wonderful example of loving care and maintenance. It lasted me for many years.

By the time I had walked a few yards to his bungalow and entered the garage the answer was there, – God had responded, certainly faster than Pony Express, telegraph, telephone and e-mail. In fact, he does say “before you call I will answer,” and that’s mega technology. Can mankind beat that? A sinner falling to their knees cries out “Save me” and as our Australian friends would say, “There we are – done and dusted.” God acts swiftly to that kind of cry, faster than blinking. When He returns, it will be swifter than in a twinkling of an eye [1 Cor 15:52]. Men cannot move faster than their communications, but God can!

When I was 39 years old I entered Birmingham Polytechnic as a lecturer. During that time in that department we developed several diplomas and when we were upgraded to a university these were turned into first degrees. This necessitated meeting the representatives of the CNAA,¹ and because I was senior lecturer and subject tutor for Building Studies I had to represent my department in establishing the philosophy for my subject specialty.

Our degrees were subsequently awarded and this meant we began to see some high level students attending because we were designated a centre of excellence for Estate Management and Surveying. These students with their ‘A’s’ at ‘A’ level waltzed into the university bristling with academic ability. They saw the subject ‘Building Studies’ and thought here’s a soft option. Their first lesson was to draw a brick with another draped over it, both having frogs (bed-lining indentations) positioned next to a gas tap on the front bench. It had to be freehand with no ruler; they had to estimate the dimension according to the scale they chose. The gas tap gave them a hint.

It also had to be in an isometric elevation, which necessitated spatial perception, which many of them didn’t possess, no matter how intelligent they were. Many students from several nationalities struggled with this exercise and they suddenly realised that Building Studies may, after all, be more demanding than they at first thought, and that they needed a different viewpoint.

The officers of Israel gathered nightly in Saul’s tent to discuss the tactics for defeating the Philistines who were arrayed against them in Oak Valley. Each morning they arose went out to battle, gave their war cry and watched as Goliath arose from amongst the ranks of the Philistine army to challenge them to battle. They in turn slunk away to talk again that evening!²

Then David, the grocery boy, appeared with best mature Cheddar cheese and bread. He was the one with spatial (spiritual) perception, he was used to looking from God’s viewpoint, and saw that the hidden world was more real than the material world. He also had God’s anointing. We tend to look at our giants from ground level but in doing that it heightens our difficulties; it enlarges our giants, and magnifies their potential danger. It distorts actuality in God, for God is above all. We need to shift the vantage point of faith, for it to be faith.

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”³ David had already killed a bear and a lion, and both are stronger than a giant! Therefore his risk was calculated, not brashness or rashness. “Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash.”⁴ That deliberate approach plus God is a wonderful way to obtain victory.

Michelangelo said “The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it but that it is too low and we reach it.” We are made for victory and positive living, yet we all have giants walking our valleys. None of us are exempt. There are those who, having learnt much, refuse to learn more and become too content with their lot. They live with their giants and just shout. “The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis’. One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger but recognize the opportunity.”⁵  Each day we can live above the taunts of the Goliath of Gath.

 “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities, brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”⁶  But “. . .  we do not look at the things which are seen (foreground), but at the things which are not seen (background). For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”⁷ The tension of two worlds is answered in Christ, who is our victory. Christians not only touch the foreground, but they remind of the background, for the invisible world is the reality. Finally – “the greatest risk is the risk of riskless living.”⁸ Take a risk in God and slay a giant!

¹ Council for National Academic Awards.

² 1 Samuel 16/17                                            ⁶ James O. Rose

³ Hebrews 11:1-3                                            ⁷ 2 Cor. 4:18

⁴ General Patton                                             ⁸ Steven Covey

⁵ John F. Kennedy

[Psalm 46:10] “Be still,  and know that I am God!” [Ruth 3:18] Naomi’s advice was this: “Then she said, ‘Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.’ “

FIRST – HALF BAKED IS UNFINISHED, overbaked is spoilt – Timing is everything.

God’s work is never half done! – The job is not finished until he says it is. The art of the comedian is their timing, the same with God but he is not out for humour but holiness. God does not just forgive but makes provision for we cannot recapture what we never had but God will make a new future.

We run against the racetrack of time, thinking we are losing. God MUST do something. As people age they seem to find time quickens. Through all of life there is an impatience for God to work. God’s delays disrupt our peace but not our destiny. Sitting still is the least thing we want to do; surely our legs will atrophy if we do!

God gave Israel a Jubilee every 50^th year, but in Christ every year and every day. He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” [Exodus 33:14]. People think there is a need for God to complete things to prove he is God, but His presence is sufficient.

When God’s creation rest was broken because his works (creation of man) was marred by sin, we find him resting in Noah’s sacrifice (his name means rest). He finishes what he first started. Calvary answers Eden. Ephraim is a cake not turned – half done. God did not rest until he had secured salvation, and still he works to bring in our destiny.

SECOND – SCRATCH MARKS UP THE DOOR.

His apparent inaction is the place of our inner chamber – it proves our trust in God. I visited my daughter’s new home and there were scratch marks on the back door from the neighbour’s dog. Our own back door has marks where the dogs wanted to come in. They were fretting to be with us. God wants to be with us also.

God said, “He makes me lie down” [Psalm 22:2] so that we “fret not” – [Psalm 37:1]. How do we do that for being a spectator of God’s omnipotence tries our patience? First don’t mix with negative people. We eliminate those factors that would throw doubt upon God’s word. Reject human reasoning from well-meaning people who haven’t heard God speak. Second, do not get your peace from the world system of things – money, promotion, honour. Third, don’t envy others in their walk and way of life.

Consider that “His mercy endures for ever” His love will outlast our pain.

Learn to trust God – keep a journal of his answers. “Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” [Psalm 37:3]

Many of our lacks are imaginary – it’s what he gives others that disturbs us and shakes our peace. Therefore, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” [Psalm 37:4]. From our first text when Ruth looked for marriage with the man, Boaz, she was advised to sit still until God has worked things out – God always works thing out – in time. “And it came to pass,” – it always will.

I once spoke on the subject of happiness, or cheerfulness – not necessarily synonymous, but the Bible uses a conjunctive word which is ‘contented’ “. . . For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:” (Phil 4:11) – therefore, happy by implication and many wish that was their lot.

During that sermon I illustrated one of the aspects that contributed to the subject that had been researched by several scientists who had scoured relevant literature in an attempt to define it. One of the keys they gave was on intelligence. Their assumption was that intelligent people are happy people, because they get better jobs thus earning more money. Thus, they thought that richer people were generally happier than poorer people. However, their investigation disproved this, for whether rich or poor, people can be happy, and intelligence has nothing to do with it. However, they did find that ‘social intelligence’ was important; how people reacted to others within society.

To illustrate this I mentioned that several years ago I was a visiting lecturer in our denominational Bible College. Moving amongst that august band of men in that hothouse of theology, I was conscious of my lack. They knew Greek and Hebrew and at lunch when we shared tables, they spoke in theological terms that seemed to be a third unknown language. I had entered the full-time ministry from a background of lecturing students in building technology, in the disciplines of architecture, surveying, civil engineering and building. However, my new lifestyle and associated subject had been the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and because I moved in several of them, was counted suitable to teach the subject.

Several years after I had stopped servicing that college, I was invited to the church of one of the ex-students who I had inflicted with my lectures and over lunch he mentioned that I had been voted the best lecturer on the course by the students. Instinctively I diverted his praise with that modest nonchalance for which I’m noted, but inside I was purring with delight and pride. Forgive me Jesus!

As I was explaining this I noticed something in the congregation which side-tracked my attention, and I finished the point without clarifying what I had intended to say. It therefore seemed that I was simply boasting, and I may have been, but that was not the point or impression I was trying to make. I was about to develop the point that parents place too much emphasis on intelligence. They are delighted if their children have a high IQ, and even more elated if they get their “GCSE’s” or “A” levels. They think it’ll make their offspring happy, because they are happy, but it may not lead to contentment.

IQ testing was my worst stress point at school and I’d rather hide under the desk than take such a test – my future calling was clearly vocational! However, once baptised in the Holy Spirit at 18, things changed. It seemed not only was I born again in the spirit, I was mentally re-energized. I slowly climbed upwards taking on new intellectual challenges, and clearing several degree hurdles.

Now, many years after that lecturing experience, here was a mature student putting icing on the cake for me, but it was clear it wasn’t intelligence that carried the day, it was ‘social intelligence,’ the secret was knowing how to react to people. Most of the other lecturers, had been through college straight into the ministry, and found that their better calling was academia; ‘social intelligence’ need not have been their strong point.

No matter how high your IQ, Jesus makes the difference, He helps you relate because you have something dynamic to share. I believe that ‘social intelligence’ is the factor that could bring contentedness, rather than a bagful of degrees. Remember that it is with the heart that we believe, and it is usually the heart that disturbs our happiness!”

One of HICC’s strong points is their ability to interact with each other. An amazed visiting preacher once said to me – “you do have a happy church don’t you?” I nodded, again in modest deference to some mighty power beyond my comprehension, but thinking to myself – “it must be the jokes!” But it could be divine ‘social intelligence’ given as a gift – could it not?

Paul was a man who had two visions, the latter one superseding and overruling the first one.  His first was destructive and evil:  “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest “[1]   His whole intent was to destroy the Christian church, but God met him, and changed his viewpoint, until he could say: “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,”[2]  and as a result of that his aim or mission statement was: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”[3]  What a change, what a contrast, what a glorious vision to hold.  Here is a quotation:[4] “Paul said his goal was to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ has in mind for him.  This goal (objective) absorbed all his energy…”

Passionate vision puts the 100 octane into life.  It never dies, but rises to the surface whenever submerged. It climbs the highest mountain, crosses the raging torrents, and breaks through walls of opposition. It cannot and will not be daunted.  It inspires others by its force and vigour.  It gives passion to life that results in an undying grip on the future to reshape and mould it for God.  It does not throw up its hand and say, ‘Ah well, so that’s it,’ but refuses to accept the impossible, pushing ever onward devising new strategies to reach the goal.

In so many lives there is a scarcity of ardour that is characterised by a lack of zeal.  Paul when persecuting the Christians was zealous, because he was a zealot.  In Acts 9:1 we see that Paul was “breathing out threatening and slaughter” and the whole sense is one of intense fervour for maximum injury – that same passion was harnessed for God with equal eagerness.

It prevents drift in life, which is why the Hebrew writer says:  “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”[5] Vision counteracts the currents in life, perceives the trends and takes action against the pull of the tide.  It keeps its eyes on distant horizons, watches movements lest they find themselves drawn away from sight of the goal, and above all maintains an enthusiasm in the whole process of living.

In Daniel we read that he prayed three times a day towards Israel specifically against the king’s edict.  “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”[6]  That prophet was either foolish or passionate, perhaps both, but nothing would daunt his fervour for God and His kingdom. Mary, saved from sin, pushed past all opposition in the form of race, religion and riches to wipe the feet of Jesus and faced ostracism and male persecution because of her action, yet nothing could stop her, she had a passion for His worth, and poured out her soul in adoration.

Jesus’ command to his disciples was thus: “And he said unto them, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’”[Mark 16:15].  A mandate that has not dated or been rescinded; that all his people everywhere: in all lands, and in all circumstances, declare the kingdom message to all creatures.  Even though they were commanded by the authorities of their day in the following language: “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus”[7]  They still declared Him to all, with the obvious consequences.  Let us take that command and bowing to the Lord’s express wish, take as our object not only to glorify Christ, which is the first one, but to grasp that challenge to preach the gospel to every creature in the days that lie ahead – let us not be deterred.

Radicalisation throughout the world has produced terror bombers and mindless killings, how much the love of Jesus produces lovers of life and compassion for the sinner, the sick and the suffering of his world. It builds not destroys, their vision is positive not negative, constructive not destructive.

1) Acts 9:12 NKJV

2) Philippians 3:10

3) Philippians 3:14

4) Life Application Bible 18:27

5) Hebrews 2:1

6) Daniel 6:10

7) Acts 4:18

Vision Is The Light That Clarifies Life’s Direction.

Joseph had a dream or vision that he would be the ruler and his brethren the servants. “Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.” [Genesis 37:5]. Contrary to expectations things seemed to go wrong, although God knew otherwise. There came persecution and trial and yet in the end he triumphed, because he knew his vision was from God and it was real enough to enlighten him in adversity. Wherever Joseph went he rose to a position of authority, even in prison.  His vision was materialising in every aspect of his life. Without vision we go nowhere and accomplish little. All great achievements have come as a result of vision.

Dynasties have been founded, cities built, nations conquered, fortunes made, and lives changed. It is said that “Jabez was more honourable than his brothers: And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me. . .” [1 Chronicles 4:8, 9]. He is called more honourable than his brethren because he called on God for a vision. His vision was for God’s hand to be with him and that his borders would stretch and expand. He was not content with the status quo.

Joshua, standing where Moses stood and taking command of Israel, was given a vision by God.  Here it is: “be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” [Joshua 1:6].  Moses had brought them out that he might bring them in, that was his vision. But it was only half fulfilled, which means that vision will outlast the visionary. If there was any uncertainty in Joshua’s mind, it was cleared by that vision which was set before him. He was to possess the land and compartment it for God.

Vision is the Sustainer in the hard times of Life

It keeps the enemy at bay, when they threaten to overrun. Nehemiah was such a man “And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it”  [Nehemiah 2:5]. The capital was in decay and the Prophet was heart-broken and longed to see the glory of Israel resurrected and that once great city rebuilt; that was his supreme objective. Nothing would dissuade him, and through the pages of the book as the story unfolds, the Lord’s enemies try all they know to stop the work, but he will not be daunted or hindered. Every excuse, threat and ploy is used against Nehemiah, but he rebuts them all. “And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I AM DOING A GREAT WORK, so that I CANNOT come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” [Nehemiah 6:3]

He was wise to the devil’s tactics and anything used in an attempt to discourage him was rejected and reassurance given to the workforce to continue without fear.  This one grand idea filled his mind and heart – nothing, but nothing could stop him. “Now it came to pass, when the wall was built,” [Nehemiah 7:1]: he finished it.

Ruth a Moabitish damsel having been married and now widowed, is left to return to her home, but Naomi, her mother-in-law returns to Bethlehem.  Sensing destiny she pledges herself in a vision statement that has been preached on through the generations: “But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your god, my god.’ “ [Ruth 1:16]. Hardly a greater act of commitment in the scriptures can be found, she is destined for utter obedience and subservience, and in prospect, loneliness.  God turned that pledge into the very oath that gave her all she ever wanted. She was sustained in the commitment and rewarded in her diligence. Her dream was faithfulness and submission to someone else’s foresight, and by that commitment reaped her own destiny by the overshadowing of God.