Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
So what are these things, exploits and adventures the Lord has prepared for you and me ?
Dreams & visions of His heart for all creation to do.
These particular dreams and visions He has chosen not to do Himself alone, but only in relationship with you !
At the beginning of time He foresaw it, and in the womb He careful moulded it (Jer 1:5 ). In those dreams and visions He creates a curiosity, a heart and a passion(Job 33:16 ). Now He waits patiently to partner with you to see His plans and purposes fulfilled through you (Isaiah 30:18)
His desire is for you to live out those dreams and visions so that they become a reality; transforming the culture around you. In this way providing a glimpse of His kindness, and His glory through a living witness of His promises, for others to see impossibilities and adversities overcome through you as His instrument !
You are ‘hope’ for the current and future generation.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but hope fulfilled allows us to eat of the tree of life ( Proverbs 13:12). You are called to be a ‘tree of life’ for others to come and eat from. The fruit being the testimonies of His goodness and the spirit in which it is freely given, activated by the Holy Spirit.
You were created for this purpose, empowered for the plan, equipped for it’s completion. This is your invitation to be who you were made to be !
Romans 8:29-30 (NASB)
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
I believe Matt 7:7 is where we take the first step in this journey of unlocking the dreams of our heart.
Matt 7:7 (NASB)
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
1. Begin by putting momentum into your life’s calling. This will lead to the provision of revelation that will bring clarity of vision, but only wisdom will see it fulfilled (the Lords wisdom). We see this in prayer’s prayed and answered by the Lord for Solomon and the extraordinary favour from man and God Solomon received ! (2 Chr 2:11,12)
2. Preparation is vital in the outworking of vision.
Ill-informed and ill-prepared leaders loose momentum. This is why preparation is never a waste of time with God’s work. (2 Chr 2:1-10)
3. Understanding (Neh 2:17,18)
Momentum is built when people understand the problem and feel they can be part of the solution.
4. Power of shared momentum (Neh 2:17,18)
Shared momentum, creates a synergy of greater momentum.
(Rev 19:10 the testimonies of Jesus are a spirit for prophecy to others)
5. Community (Neh 3:1-32)
Vision may come to an individual, but it takes a community to fulfill it.
6: Opposition (things to overcome) (Neh 4:17)
He did not allow the opposition to steal their momentum. They held a sword in one hand and worked with a tool in the other. Don’t give up !
7: Work (co-labouring with God) (Neh 4:6)
The fulfillment of vision takes hard work.
Laziness or lack of self discipline will steal momentum.
8: Long term thinking (Neh 7:1-3)
Nehemiah thought past the completion of the project.
Short term thinking wastes momentum and squanders results.
The momentum of your last outcome should fuel your next success !
9: Learning (Neh 8:8)
Explain the word of God & how to live it out.
Momentum is lost when we cease to learn. Life long learners continue to expect and receive fresh revelation from God and His word.
10: They gave thanks (Neh 8:6)
Thanksgiving keeps momentum centred in God and His work.
Momentum comes from you and is stewarded through you.
What can we do to be good steward’s of what God gives us ? Valuing the tools in our hands will open a door and gateway from heaven. For we are co-labourers of Christ !
So here is your challenge today
1. Ask the Lord to review and reveal the plans and purposes He created you for (write them down) ?
2. With each plan and purpose the Lord gives you, take time to dream about what it would be like in that place !
3. Look for current doorways, invitations and leadings that apply to these plans and purposes .
4. Take each plan and purpose separately and lay it at His feet and ask Him what the next step is ? Maybe each with a prayer like ; ‘Father you revealed . . . . . . . to me what is my next step’ ?
5. Write down all He says.
6. Now start walking according to His leading .
7. Ask Him who will be joining you on this journey ? (Warning : Don’t rush out and tell them ; start by praying for them).
8. Give thanks to the Lord for all He has planted in you, and revealed to you.
Father, I thank You for all that You have revealed to Your children. I ask Lord that You now raise them up to their destiny. Amen
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastors/ Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries