(June 21, 2009)

God wants to do something great with our lives. He wants you to do something beyond you. Don't assume that because you have a good vision or passion that you can just pass it along without seeing it through. If God's given you something, be passionate about it and see it through.

The power of the vision begins with your relationship with God. Are you program-driven or power-driven? Programs are not the same as power. A power-filled church will change the world. The question is Do I have the power or does God have the power? When you recognize that God has the power, you will understand how important it is to have His power released through you to have your vision realized.

Taking care of the sin issue is the difficult part. This will cause visions to die unless this is dealt with. Where are most of the needs? Most are because of sin somewhere. God expects us to intercede on behalf of those who are sometimes still sinning. Think about David. He had to deal with the sins of Saul to try to stop the famine in his land. He had to confess Saul's sin before the Lord, thus interceding on his behalf even if Saul didn't confess himself.

When God says that "I want to work through you", there is a deep cleansing that is required. This is a painful process. God will ask you to let go and sacrifice. The motive issue can be the sin that clogs your life. God has promised to give the Holy Spirit to anyone, but if you aren't seeing the Holy Spirit working, it's because you aren't giving the Holy Spirit freedom to move in your life. It's not a God issue; it's a YOU issue! God cares most about your character compared to your conduct. The core of who you are effects everything else around you. You don't become more powerful; you have more of God's power through you.

When you are cleansed and have God's power moving through you, you can now move on to claiming. Too many of us are afraid to claim the promises of God. We focus many times on circumstances rather than claiming it.

The power you have been given by God ultimately will be used to fulfill God's vision to bring more people to Him. Your ultimate goal is to witness and use your newly-gained power to bring the powerless to the Lord. We have to have the confidence to command something be done in the name of Jesus. If you don't have that confidence, if you are unsure, it can be settled today if you are willing to walk in what God has for you!

- Jon Bruney