CAST THE VISION

Day: Day 6
Date: January 13, 2024

We must be willing to look at the damage the enemy has done. We must look at what is broken down and what has been burned with fire.

Nehemiah 2:15-16 NIV

15 So I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate.
16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.

We must realize that there are things that have been lying in ruin. There are things that God’s people haven’t examined in our own lives and hearts.

What has occurred in your life that has:

• Caused you to back away from reading the Word or praying with or for others?
• Caused you to disengage with the things that God had placed in your heart to do?
• Been burned out by discouragement or disappointment?

This is the season to look realistically at our own hearts, as the Church, and give God permission to locate any ruins.

When those who are a part of the Body of Christ allow God to heal their hearts and lives, they will be able to move forward and cause an effect for others to do the same.

Then, as we survey the bigger picture of the Church we can also look at the ruins. We must be willing to survey the damage that satan has done to spiritual leaders.

I have seen many Pastors who have turned to wrong doctrines where there is no accountability before God for lifestyles that are contrary to what the Word of God says. These teachings are causing people to have a false sense of security.

Galatians 5:13 NIV

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

We must recognize that many say they are in a close relationship with God, but they are not willing to acknowledge the authority that God has put in place for the Body to become mature and effective. God’s structure is His plan and will for your life.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ,
13 Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
16 From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

It is the time for us to be effective people of God for the sake of many who are being led astray and have been deceived by the enemy.

It is time that while we are willing to see what is happening, we have to also be willing to adjust our own hearts. We give God permission to show us what could be in ruins in our lives so we can rise and become the people that God has assigned to be the difference.

Like Nehemiah, it is time to cry out!

Nehemiah 2:17 NIV

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.”

We can bring the Church back into being the influence for those who are in society with no hope, with no understanding of what and WHO they are actually missing from their lives.

The Church will rise to bring dignity BACK TO God’s dwelling places.

Relationship with Jesus and with others will disciple them into who all that God intends them to be. He wants every individual to be His place of habitation.

Then we will recognize we are not alone, and we will have the strength to stand tall and influence others to join what God is doing. Nehemiah had to cast the real vision.

Nehemiah 2:18a NIV

I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.

The hand of the Lord was on Nehemiah giving him insight into the real problems and how to be one who would lead others to put their hands together to be a part of the solution.

As we experience the hand of God upon us, we will hear from Him and then we must also cast the vision. The vision of what only pure relationship with Him will reveal.

As He did for Nehemiah, the Lord will provide. He will help us and cause us to operate in God-given courage and faith.

Nehemiah 2:18b NKJV

So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.

This is the year God is RE-ESTABLISHING His people and His Church.

Hallelujah!

We can rise up and build together. God desires for us to be the ones laying out pathways of righteousness for others to walk on.

There are those who are waiting and longing for something that will satisfy the cries of their heart. Though they may not realize it, they want a relationship with their Heavenly Father.

Those who have been hurt by people in the Church are being readied to be joined again to the Lord. He will heal and restore them to have joy in their journey as the hand of the Lord is upon them.

It is not a time for us to be sad because of this situation even though the ruin has become so evident.

It is a time to rise together and see the end results of partnering with our God!

PRAYER

Father,

We have been seeing the destructive ways of the enemy and how he has come to kill, steal, and destroy those who are in the Church, and those who are outside of the Body of Christ.

We feel the Holy Spirit calling to us now to be RE-ESTABLISHED.

Please forgive us for allowing the enemy to fog our understanding of what is really occurring.

Lord, as I come before you, I am opening my heart right now to Your scrutiny.

Please show me where I need healing, where I need to let go of disappointment, hurt, anger, or ungodly thinking.

Change my heart and align my actions to fulfill what Your desires are.

I want to be a part of the army You are building to impact the world with life and Your light.

I will sit before You today, Lord, and lean in to hear Your voice.

I am determined to allow change to occur so that I can be a builder for Your Kingdom.

I am Your servant; please speak to me and guide me into a closer relationship with You. Allow my heart to re-engage with those whom You have joined me to, so that many will be changed by the power You release to me, to us, as Your Church.

I love You more than anything.

I am Yours and You are mine.

I want to build with You. Cast Your vision in my heart, Lord. Show me how, and I will obey.

You are my Lord, my God, and I want Your hand upon my life.

Now and forever,

Amen.

WORSHIP/VIDEOS

Spotlight – Rita Springer

Fear of God – UPPERROOM