WE NEED TO SEE OURSELVES AS GOD SEES US

We have heard what God says to us; now, we need to see ourselves as God sees us after we have become Christians and He has become our Father. Psychologists tell us that a child’s belief in themselves is deeply influenced by their interpretation of how their parents view them, for example - Self-Worth and Confidence. Positive reinforcement, love, and encouragement from parents help build a child’s self-worth and confidence. Children who believe their parents see them as capable and valuable are likelier to develop healthy self-esteem.

I believe our lack of vision is profoundly affected by a misunderstanding of who we are in God’s eyes. Until I see myself as God sees me, I will not be able to understand the vision. In other words, I can’t envision my role in God’s kingdom until I envision myself as a fully equipped, loved, and cared-for child of God.

In Judges 6:12. The verse says:

"When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, 'The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.'" (NIV)

That is not how Gideon saw himself. In verse 11, we learn that the “mighty warrior” is threshing wheat in a wine press. Gideon aimed to keep his head down low and hide so the Midianites would not see him. Some brave warrior he was. He needed to see himself as God saw him.

God sees me as someone who can accomplish His will and vision for my life. He doesn’t look at me or you as failures – He looks at us and sees people who can reign victorious in this life.

I remember going to parent-teacher conferences as a student only to have the teacher tell my parents -- “He could be a great student if he would just apply himself.” That described me, I did enough to get by.

I wonder if God ever looks at us like that. I wonder if he is looking at us and saying, “I know that he/she can accomplish great things for My kingdom; if he/she would just apply the promises that I’ve made, there would be no limits.”

I know that most of my life, sin, doubts, fear, and feelings of inferiority have camped just outside the door to my soul. They are lies and traps of the Devil.

"If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." (Genesis 4:7, NIV)

It is clear from the Great Commission that we read earlier that God believes in us. But for some reason, we often don’t believe in ourselves. I’m not talking about self-confidence, self-esteem, or building up a false sense of bravado – I’m talking about recognizing that God has instilled within us the supernatural power to accomplish His vision for the kingdom. “Doug”, you are probably thinking, “what do you mean by supernatural power?” Well, I sure am not talking about you becoming Superman. When we are saved from the coming judgment, the Holy Spirit enters us and sets up residency.  Paul says we are the Temple God.

"Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple." (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, NIV)

When the Spirit moves in, we are, in God’s eyes, completely sanctified and set aside for God. That’s what he sees. And when I do not see myself in that light, I deny God's promises to me.

We all need to take some positive steps to correct this – and the first thing that we can do is continually remind ourselves that we can do what God has asked us to do, not because we are so intelligent or so powerful – we might be even hiding in a winepress and not because we are such wonderful people. No! I is because God is everything that He claims that He is, and if He says I can do it, then I can do it!

…REALIZE THAT INDIVIDUALLY WE ARE ONE PART OF THE WHOLE

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. – Romans 12:4-5 (ESV)

An untruth that young new ministers sometimes believe is that if they preach well enough and work hard enough, God’s vision will be fulfilled in their life and the church's life. You could say they think everything depends entirely on them. The reality is that we are just one piece of a gigantic puzzle, and everything doesn’t rise or fall with me or my abilities – it rises or falls depending on whether we are each doing our part for the greater good.

The worldwide church includes millions of Christians from hundreds of nations who have different skin colors, speak over a thousand languages, and belong to many denominations. God has put together a diverse group of people who, working together, will fulfill His vision for His church.

We all need to realize that as we work out our application of God’s vision locally and it is combined with the millions of others throughout the world, it will display itself as a part of the unstoppable force called the Church of Jesus Christ

Each of must realize what piece of the puzzle God has called us to      place ourselves in the picture of God’s overall will for His church.

Paul said Romans 12:5, “so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (there is no room for an independent or isolationist spirit)

…REALIZE THAT WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE VISION IN OTHERS

Proverbs 29:18 is often quoted in the King James Version (KJV) as: "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

This verse highlights the importance of God's vision or revelation for guidance and direction. Without such vision, people may lack purpose and direction, leading to disorder and eventually downfall. It also emphasizes the value of adhering to God's law, which brings happiness and order to life.

One of the most important duties that all of us have is to disciple other less mature Christians. We are to encourage the development of vision in the lives of the people we disciple. And once that vision is embedded in their “bones,” they must spread it to others.  If I’m encouraging you, and you’re encouraging others around you, and they’re encouraging others, we will find ourselves well on the way to renewal.