Daily Bible Reading - March 11, 2017

Today's Reading:

Matthew 13:24-58

Leviticus 19

Proverbs 29

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Thoughts and Commentary on Today's Reading:

The Scripture I am going to focus on today is again from Proverbs. This time it is Proverbs 29:18, which says:

"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the Law, happy is he."

It's a small phrase, yet so powerful, life-changing and true: "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." But the converse is also true, by beholding we become changed.

How powerful is it to get a vision? Peter could walk upon water, while his eyes were fixed in Jesus (Yahshua). As Dele Oke pointed out in the online article "Catch a Vision":

Naturally speaking, vision means sight. A person with no vision is blind. A blind person walking unassisted down the road is prone to all kinds of mishaps. He cannot prepare,anticipate or focus on any of the obstacles that might be on the way.

The same is true of us Christians. In our walk with Christ we need to have a vision; an understanding that we have a part to play in the overall purpose and plan of God (Philippians 3:12).

A lack of vision (or purpose) on our behalf will result in an unprepared and non-focused walk. A vision-less person will drift along in the Christian journey.

Vision produces discipline

"where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint......" Proverbs 29:18

An athletic with a vision of winning a gold medal in the Olympics will restrain himself or herself from the indulgences of life and devote time to exercise or practice. A vision always produces discipline. Discipline is necessary if we are to be a disciple of Jesus (Yahshua).

Have you ever thought about how important it is for you to have the right vision? Whatever has your focus is the target you're shooting for, both literally and proverbially. Consider the story of shooting competitor Matt Emmons, from the 2004 Olympics.

With one bullet left to shoot, all Matt Emmons needed was a score of 7.2 to win his second gold medal of the Olympic Games. On his first nine shots in the finals, Emmons' lowest score was a 9.3. Everyone expected that the gold medal was "in the bag" for Emmons. He took careful aim, fired ... bull's eye! 

Only Emmons' shot pierced the wrong target — known as a crossfire. He'd hit the bull's eye of a target in a neighboring shooting lane resulting in a score of 0.  Emmons was bitterly disappointed as he went home in defeat. His failure wasn't due to poor shooting, rather, he had failed because his vision was centered on the wrong target.  Matt Emmons painfully discovered how important having the right vision really is.

Similarly, if we set our sights on the wrong target, we'll miss. Much more tragic than missing an Olympic gold medal is missing out on Eternity with God. To prevent this, it is vitally important that we daily check and re-check our life's focal point. Christ needs to be the center of our focus. He is the right vision!

Today, I'd like to encourage you to refresh your vision of Christ. As we set our vision upon Him, we find our motivation, our target, our Calling. Vision is a powerful thing. And having the right Vision makes all the difference both now and eternally.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPIOkdNL-QQ