Do You See What I See?

Today’s Verse:

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. ~Acts 16:9

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Eye health is very important. It is recommended that everyone have their eyes examined once a year to check their visual acuity, and to be sure that no diseases of the eye are present. When we are diagnosed with conditions such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, our ability to see far or near is adversely affected. Our devotion this morning is about our ability to see, or our vision. It is about a very clear vision that Paul received from the Lord.

We see the meaning in vision.

A vision is the ability to see into the future. It is the ability to see the shaping and formation of a dream and plan. It is seeing things that are invisible become a reality. After Disney World was built and opened in Orlando, Florida, several of the executives were together celebrating its opening success. One of the executives made the statement, “It’s too bad Walt was not alive to see this.” Another key executive replied, “But, Walt did see it: that’s why it is here!” Mr. Disney had an incredible vision of a massive state-of-the-art theme park that people from around the world would come to enjoy. To this day, millions of people have been to Disney World.

We see the manifestation in a vision.

Paul was seeking to advance the gospel by taking it north. Three different times, he was forbidden of the Holy Spirit to visit three separate regions. He and his gospel team stopped in Troas (modern-day Western Turkey). I believe Paul was earnestly seeking to know God’s will and direction. I believe Paul had humbled himself before God and was praying. That night, he received a clear vision of a man of Macedonia calling out to him. In this vision, he saw this man crying out to him, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” It is important for us to note that Paul saw in this vision a person, a place, and a plea. When a vison is from God, it is clearly an urgent calling to a people, a place, and to preach the gospel.

We see the mission in a vision.

Paul was already assured of his calling to preach the gospel. His mission was to execute Matt. 28:19-20 to preach the gospel, make disciples, plant churches, train spiritual leaders, and replicate what he was doing in the lives of others. In Acts 16:9-10, it became crystal clear to Paul and his team that they were to continue west, specifically to the Macedonian area. It was in this area that he was able to envision preaching the gospel in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and then to Athens. He saw an area void of the gospel, and in need of someone to take the gospel there.

We see the materialization from the vision.

“And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.” The vision became a reality! There was agreement among Paul and his companions that this was where they were to go. There was action in this vision. They immediately endeavored to go into Macedonia. There was an assembly that unfolded from this vision. The very first convert was a woman named Lydia, who opened her house up for the church to meet in. There were many other converts that were saved and baptized. This assembly became a leading church in its area. What began as a vision in the night became a mighty church that influenced its area with the gospel.

God is still looking for men and women to obey the heavenly vision. There are many places in the world where the gospel needs to be heard. There are people of a specific location crying out, “Come over and help us.” Be someone who will obey the visions to go.

Have a vision-enabled God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 58-65

#Acts #Missions #Obedience #Vision