Day 108
Jeremiah 23:16
"Titus saith the Lord of Hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord."
Jeremiah proclaimed to the nation of Israel that the prophets they were listening to had not heard from God. He said they were false prophets, declaring their own visions. They had not spent time with God. From their own minds came visions that would tickle the ears of listeners.
An important observation here is that the prophets had not spent time with God. All of us have creative minds given us by our Creator. Whether men are saved or lost, their minds affect the quality of life they will enjoy, as their ideas are transformed into goods and services. Since we all have the ability to get visions from our imaginations, as Christians we must spend time with God to be certain our visions do not conflict with His. (The word "vision" refers to our goals and plans, not just dreams or apparitions.)
Our own dreams and plans may be exciting and motivating. However, spending time with God can save us time and money. It can spare us disappointment and frustration. It is good for us to see clearly from the natural perspective, but as people of God, we have an advantage we should use. We can see from God's perspective and adjust our plans accordingly. A songwriter wrote that we forfeit peace, and bear needless pains when we do not carry everything to God in prayer. If we do not take advantage of the counsel available to us, we deserve all the trouble we encounter.
Let us submit our plans for approval. Perhaps the plans were put in our hearts by God. That does not excuse us from checking with Him on our strategy. Our walk with God should be one of consistent fellowship. His complete plans for our lives are often revealed line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little.
I will stay in constant fellowship with God. He will give me visions for my life and ministry. I will receive both the vision and the strategy to flow with it step by step.