“Where there is no vision, the people perish” - Proverbs 29:18 (NIV)
Somewhere in the winter of 1989 while attending Oral Roberts University for an MBA degree, the whole campus of thousand students was called for assembly in the university chapel. The founder, Oral Roberts, had a message he wished to deliver.
After bursting through America and beyond as a tent evangelist winning souls for Christ, Oral Roberts, who had come to Christ after being miraculously restored to health while a terminal patient of tuberculosis, had decided to start this university. “Long ago this land used to be farmland,” he shared. “But I used to come here and stretch my hand and pray that God would give it to me and I build a university.”
This vision came to fruition in 1963 when the university was opened. Today it stands on a 300 acre beautiful campus filled with the most grandiose architecture as one of the most influential Christian universities in the world. It has over 5000 students attending from all over the world.
Later in 1996 I moved to Wheaton, Illinois where I met a Christian leader called Dr Glenn Heck. Once Dr. Gleck, as Chair of the Elders Board of Wheaton Bible Church, he told me a story how he noticed that his church was situated in a rather inconvenient downtown area which would hinder its growth. He decided to scout for land. “I came across this bushy forest far from Wheaton which I desired the church to relocate,” he shared. “I would come here regularly and pray that the Lord gives us this land!”
In 2008, after buying and setting up a new building, the church eventually moved to West Chicago providing her ample land for expansion.
Acts 2:17 says, "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams” There are visions that God gives his people to hold on to certain things long before anyone knows.
These two people had visions from God about certain pieces of land that were bushy which they constantly cried out to God to give to them. While all situations may not be exactly the same, even today, God is giving His people visions. All you need is to have faith and constantly plea to God to make it pass. The Lord never fails.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I thank you for the visions you have given me and I stretch out my hand claiming that promise that in your time you make it pass, too, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
Related upcoming events
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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
