Words of Encouragement

It was a wonder to watch the clouds beneath my plane. I could see the clear blue sky and the clouds looked like white snow covering the ground. It was a sight I could not have seen without help. God helps us to see the beauty of his world, when we come and seek his help.

that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said:“ Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. - Daniel 2:18-20

What can you see? The Revealer of the Vision. Daniel sought God to reveal to him the mystery of a vision that the king Nebuchadnezzar had. The king was going to destroy the wise men of Babylon because they could not tell him the mystery of his vision. Daniel sought God to reveal it to him so that he and his friends would not perish.

God was faithful and revealed to Daniel what the dream meant. Daniel rejoiced because it was the wisdom of God that revealed to him the hidden things. Daniel could not reveal the mystery without the help of the one that reveals the mysteries. God is the revealer of the visions. God is the one that will open to us the hidden things. When we come and seek him, he will open to us that which we request.

He won't always show us the full picture, because if we saw it all, then where would faith come in? Instead he reveals to us what he deems we need to see. We can then rejoice like Daniel at the wonder of those things that God shows us. He shows us to keep us from destruction. The "authority" or the king of this world wants to destroy us because we lack vision. We wants to destroy us because we cannot see clearly.

Yet, when we go and ask God he will give us what we lack. He will open our seeing so that we can be saved. So today, I pray for us that we seek God to show us his plan and his way. When we go to worship this weekend, let us go asking God to reveal himself to us in ways that we have not experienced before. Lord open our eyes so that we can see.

Words of Encouragement

As the plane continued to gain altitude, it began to break the clouds that were overhead. It was not until we broke through the clouds, that we then were able to see the sun. It is so with us. When we are able to break through the clouds (clouds of doubt, fear, etc.) we are able to see the "son".

And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper. - 2 Chronicles 26:4-5

What can you see? Obedience brings clear vision. Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king. The scripture says he did right in the sight of the Lord, according to what had been past on to him. He sought God through Zechariah who understood the visions of God. As long as he sought God, he was prosperous.

It is important to understand that we do not always see everything clearly without help. Sometimes we must seek others to help us understand the things, the mysteries of God. This king was willing to seek one that understood God's visions. It calls for a humble heart to acknowledge that one is in need of help and to go get it. An obedient spirit is willing to listen to others as long as they direct them in the things that are pleasing to God.

When this king did that, he was prosperous and was able to increase in his wisdom and understanding. It is important to know that the more we seek the things of God the more we grow, the more we are lifted "up" above the situations that would make us become "ground dwellers". Like the plane we were on, it was not until the plane broke the clouds that we began to see the beautiful sun that was hidden behind the clouds. God reveals the "Son" to us, when we obey him and allow him to rise us up to see his vision for our lives. We overcome the clouds of doubt, fear, mistrust, misunderstanding (just to name a few) so that we can soar freely.

I pray for us today that we obey God so that we can have a clear vision of

what is before us. Help us Lord to see with your eyes. When we are asked what can you see? We can answer I see the Lord, high and lifted up. I see his glory and I see his plan for my life.

Words of Encouragement

As the plane takes off, you begin to get a wider visual of the area. Those things I could not see when I was on the runway are now made available for me to see. Isn't that like God? When we allow him to move us from our place, we are able to begin to see clearer what is in front of us.

And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you.Your throne shall be established forever. According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. Then King David went in and sat before the LORD; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord GOD? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? - 2 Samuel 7:16-18


What can you see? God's promises. The prophet speaks to David the promises of God. David in wonder, ask God who am I that you would bring me so far? Who am I that you would do such wonderful things in my life? It is amazing to think about the favor that God places on our lives. We wonder like David, why are you doing it? What is my house so important to you?

We can answer those questions this way, we are important to God because he loves us. God has promises for us, he is only waiting for our obedience so that he can release them into our lives. We cannot stand on the runway any more, he is waiting for us to lift off. He is waiting for us to take off so we can begin to have the truth of his promises revealed to us.

David had to listen to the words and accept them from the prophet so that he could see the vision realized in his life. God was promising him the kingdom would be established forever. That kingdom would be far greater than he could even image. Obstacles do not keep God from fulfilling his promises.

It would seem that because of the disobedience of the children of Israel, God would not keep his promise. But God is not one to lie. He is not one to forget about those things he promise. The king that would reign forever would be Jesus. He would come through the lineage in such a way that God's promise would be true.

I pray for us today to just trust in God's promises. He is calling us to soar! He is calling us to take off, let go of the comfort of the "ground" and reach upward towards him. When we do, he promises he will reveal the vision of our destiny to us. He will not show us the full story, but he will give us glimpses along the way. Will you take off? Will you let go of the comfort of this place and let him take you to new heights!

Words of Encouragement

How many times have you seen a plane that should be flying come to the runway and not take off? Then why do we come to the "runway" and stand still?


After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. " But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir." - Genesis 15:1-3

What can you see? God, the giver of the vision. Abraham made a declaration at the end of the 14th chapter of Genesis that he would not take anything from the king of Sodom. Abraham did this to declare that his riches and his good fortune would only be attributed to God and no one else.

It was after this that God's word was given to Abraham who is still called Abram. God begins with a word of encouragement for Abram not to be afraid and a promise of being his reward.

Abram's response is what can you give me? In other words, you have withheld from me the one thing I want, an heir. How then, can you be my reward, when I don't feel like I have been rewarded. In fact, I feel cheated out of those things that I want most in my life. I believe this is the heart of Abram as he speaks with God.

He is like the plane that I was on. He had moved from being at the gate. He has moved to the runway, except he isn't taking off. Abram was at the place of wanting more, of moving out of the comfort zone of life. Yet, he finds himself stagnant. He isn't able to move because he can't see clearly the purpose for the delay. He doesn't understand why God has delayed that which he is seeking.

Let's be very honest, haven't you felt that way? Yes we want to be very spiritual and holy, but there are times when we are like the plane sitting on the runway, but not taking off. We are stuck because we cannot understand why God has not rewarded us for our obedience. We know we don't deserve it, but we still feel he has promised to us that if we are faithful he will be faithful to us. Don't you think that Abram wondered those 25 years after his promise, if maybe he misunderstood?

I'm not saying he rejected the vision, but there had to be times he just could not see it as clear. There are times in our waiting on God to move that we don't see the vision so clearly. We need God to remind us. We need God to come to us as he did with Abram and say, do not be afraid. I am your shield and your reward.

We do not have to be afraid of our vision slipping away, because the giver of the vision will shield it until he is ready to bring it to pass. So today, I pray for us that we remember that God is the giver of the vision. Those things that rest on our heart, he can take care of them. He can protect our vision and he can bring it to be. Lord this day, help us to prepare to take off and no longer be caught stagnant because of fear.

Words of Encouragement

Are we sometimes like this plane? It has all the capabilities to soar, but it is grounded and unable to see all the "visual" possibilities. (Taken at the O'Hare Airport, by Jewel D. Williams).

What can I say for you? With what can I compare you, O Daughter of Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, that I may comfort you, O Virgin Daughter of Zion? Your wound is as deep as the sea. Who can heal you? The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The oracles they gave you were false and misleading. All who pass your way clap their hands at you; they scoff and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: "Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth?" - Lamentations 2:13-15

What can you see? Is the vision clear? The word Lamentation actually means to express grief or to lament. The prophet Jeremiah laments over the condition of the people of God. They have listened to the many words that have allowed them to do things their own way, but have rejected the truth of God's word.

Because of their disobedience, they find themselves in need of comfort and care. It is the same for us today. If we continue to be disobedient to God's truth, we find ourselves in places of discomfort.

The people listened to those that spoke words that allowed them to feel comfortable in their sins. The messages they listened to allowed them to while they may have sound good to them, were not good for them. It is the truth for us today. If we are going to stay clear of being in a place of captivity, we must have clear vision and see what God is showing us.

I flew to Oklahoma this weekend and as I was sitting on the plane I began to think about our visual, how we see. When I first got on the plane, all I could see was other planes around me. I couldn't see ahead of me, below me, my visual ability was limited. It was not until we took off that I began to be able to see more of what was around me.

It is not until we "take off" that we are able to see clearer. We must take off the sins that so easily beset us. We must take off our attitudes, our wrong beliefs and our fleshly pursuits. When we to that, we then can be healed. We do not want the prophet Jeremiah's lament to upon our lives. We do not want his words to ring true in our lives. We do not want to be in need of healing, but unable to come out of our captivities because we have been running after the wrong vision.

Today I pray that we see clearly what God has for us to see. Lord help us to see your truth and to discern what would lead us into captivity. Lord today give us your vision so that we will not perish.