Tabl e of Contents Contents Ti tle Page Cop Co pyrig yright ht Page How to Use This Study Guide Int ntroduction roduction 1.Vision: 1. Vision: The Key to Fulfilling Fulfillin g Your Life Life’’s Pur Purp pos osee 2.The 2. The Source of Vision 3.Ov 3. Over ercom coming ing Ob Obss ta tacl cles es to Vis ion 4.Principle 4.P rinciple #1: Be Directed by a Clear Cle ar Vision 5.Principle 5.P rinciple #2: Know Your Potential for Fulfilling Vision 6.Principle 6.P rinciple #3: Develop a Concrete Concre te Pl Plan an for Your Vi Vi s i on 7.Principl 7.P rinciplee #4: # 4: Pos Pos s es esss the Pas Pas s ion of Vis Vis io ion n 8.Principle 8.P rinciple # 5 : Devel Develop op the Fai Fai th of Vi Vi s i on 9.Principle #6: Understand the Process of Vision 10.Princip 10 .Principle le #7 #7:: Set the the Prio Pri orities of Vis Vis ion 11.Principle #8: Recognize People’s Influence on Vision 1 2 .Pri .Princi ncip ple # 9 : Em Employ the the Prov Provis is ion of Vis Vis ion 13.Princip 13 .Principle le #1 #10: 0: Us Us e Pers Per s is ten tence ce in i n Achiev Achieving ing th thee Vision 14.Princi 14 .Princip ple #11: Be B e Pa P atient in the Fulfill Fulfillm ment of of Vis Vis ion 15.Principle #12: Stay Connected to the Source of Vision Writing Wri ting You ourr Per Perss on onal al Vis Vis ion Plan Pl an Personal Planning and Goal-Setting Program Answ Ans wer Key About the Author
Unles Unlesss otherwi ot herwiss e ind indiicated, cat ed, all all Scri Scripture pt ure quot qu otations ations are taken taken Bib le,, New Ne w Intern Int ernat atio ion n al Version ersio n ® , niv ® , © from the Holy Bible 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by perm pe rmiis s ion of Zonde Zon dervan rvan.. A ll righ rights ts reserve res erved. d. Script Scripture ure Ne w Kin Ki n g James Ja mes quotations marked (nkjv) are taken from the New Version , © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by perm pe rmiis s ion. on . All righ rights ts reserve res erved. d. Scrip Scrip ture tu re quot qu otat atiions on s marked arked (kj (kjv ) are from the th e King James James Versi ers io n o f the th e Hol Ho ly Bib le.
Thee Pri Th Pr i ncip nci pl es and Power Power of Vi Vi s i on Stud S tudy y Guid Guidee
work work book edition
Dr. Dr. Myl My les Munroe Mu nroe Baham ah amas as Faith Faith Ministri Minist ries es P.O. Box N9583 Nass Nas s au, au , Baham ah amas as bfmad bfmadm min@bfm n@b fmm mm.com www.bfmmm.com; www.bfmi.tv; www.mylesmunroe.tv
ISBN-13- 978-0-88368-389-7
ebook ISBN-978-1-60374-782-0 © 200 2003 by Dr. Dr. Myl My les Munro Mu nroee
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The Library of Congress has cataloged the trade paperback Mun roe, Myles Myles.. editi ed ition on as as foll follow owss : Munr
The principles and power of vision. Study guide / Myles Munroe. p. cm. cm. ISBN ISBN 0-88 0-88368 368-95 -953-7 3-7 (pb (p b k.) 1. Vo cat ca tion—Chris ion —Christtianity. ian ity. 2. Success—Religious aspects—Christianity. 3. Self-realization—Religious aspects—Christianity. I. Title. BV4740.M84 2003 248.4—dc22 2003015620
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How to Use Th Thi s Study Study G ui de
This stud s tudy y gui g uide de com co mplem plement ent to The Principles and Power o Vision by Dr. Myles Munroe may be used by either individuals or groups and can be easily adapted to suit the needs of both. For your yo ur convenience, conv enience, an ans wer key key is pr p rovi ov ided in the t he back b ack o this this s tudy guide. guide.
Each chapter review includes the following elements: Chapter Theme: The main idea of each chapter is summarized for emphasis and clarity. Questions uestio ns for Reflecti Reflection on:: One or o r more more ques tion tionss are are given as a warm-up to lead into the study or discussion of the topic. (For group s tudy tud y, thes the s e ques qu esti tion onss may be b e ask as ked befor b eforee or after after reading the Chapter Theme, at the leader’s discretion.) xplo xp lorin ring g Princi Prin cipl ples es a nd Purpo Pu rposes: ses: Questions and review materi ate rial al are are provided p rovided to highligh highlightt and a nd s umm ummariz arize the t he truths truth s and princ princiip les with withiin each eac h chap ch apte terr and an d beg be g in to lead the th e reader/group participant to personalize what is being studied. Page numbers corresponding to the book are listed for easy reference. Conclusion: A summary or implication statement is included to put pu t the chapter cha pter theme theme into into perspec p erspecti tive. ve. Appl Ap plyi ying ng the th e Princi Prin cipl ples es of Vision isi on:: Thought-provoking questions and suggestions for personal action and prayer are provide pro vided d to h elp the th e indi nd ividual/grou vidu al/group p parti pa rticipan cipantt apply ap ply the th e study material to his or her particular life circumstances. This
section includes three parts: • Thinking It Over • Acting on It • Prayi Praying ng about abo ut It One One of the th e mos mostt impor po rtant things we can find out about ourselves is the purpose of our existence. As you progres pro gres s throu th roug g h The Principles and Power of Vision and an d review its truths and practical applications through this study gui gu ide, you will come come to und u nder erss tand tan d you y ourr personal perso nal purpose purpos e and pote po tent ntiial and an d disco dis cove verr how ho w to recogn reco gniize and an d fulfi fulfilll your yo ur life’s fe’s vision.
Introduction
No matter matter who who you yo u are or what what country cou ntry you y ou live in, you yo u have h ave a personal purpose, for every human being is born with one. God created each person with a unique vision. He has tremend tremendou ouss plans plans for you that t hat no n o one o ne els els e can accom acco mpli plis h. The tragic thing is that many people live their whole lives without ever eve r reco recogn gniizing thei th eirr vis vis ions on s . A lack lack of purpos pu rpos e and an d unful un fulfi fillled pote po tent ntiial is epi ep idem de mic in our ou r world world . I travel trav el to many an y nation na tionss speaking to various groups, and I meet people on every continent who have no sense of personal, corporate, or national purpose. I see them struggling with aimless or misdirected lives. Mos t peop p eoplle’s e’s lives do not no t refl reflect who they truly truly ar a re or what they can be. Inside them are dreams that are not yet reality, gifts and talents they have not yet developed, purposes for their lives that are not yet fulfilled, the “something” they’ve always wanted to be or do but for some reason have not been Principl es and Power of Vision able to accom acco mplis plis h. I wrot wrotee The Principles (the result of thirty years of my research into purpose and pote po tent ntiial) to s h ow you yo u how ho w to disco dis cove verr, deve de vellop, op , and an d fulfi fulfilll your personal vision. Now, this study guide companion will help help you y ou capture capt ure your you r vis vis ion and put pu t it it into into practice practice even more fully fully in y o u r lif life. e. Vis ion is a concep con ception tion that th at is ins ins pired pired by b y God God in the th e heart he art o a human. The greatest gift God ever gave humanity is not s ight, gh t, but vi v is ion. on . Sigh Sightt is is a fun functi ction on of o f the eyes ey es,, but vision is is a
functi un ction on of the hear h eart. t. You can have h ave s ight gh t but bu t no n o vi v is ion. on . Throughout history, progress has been made only by people who have hav e “seen” “s een” thi t hing ngss that were ere not no t yet ye t here. Vis ion is s eeing eeing the future before it comes into being. It is a mental picture o your destiny. God gave humanity the gift of vision so we woul ou ld not no t have hav e to live live onl o nly y by what we see. se e. What have you always wanted to do? What is your heart’s desire? What is your dream? When you can begin to see your vision clearly, you will be able to fulfill your life’s purpose. The ess es s ence of vis vis ion is the th e abil ability to s ee far farther ther than you y ourr phys ph ysiical eyes can look—to see not just what is, but also what can be and an d to make it a real rea lity. Consider this analogy: The destiny of an acorn is a tree. By faith, aith, you yo u can s ee the th e tree wi within the th e seed. s eed. You You have hav e a vi v is ion o it in your mind’s eye because you know the potential in the s eed. The s ame ame thi th ing is true for for you and me. God God has given given us birth birth for a purpo pu rposs e, and an d as far as God is conc co ncerne erned, d, that th at purpo pu rposs e is alread already y finis finishe hed d becau be causs e He has ha s placed with withiin us the potential for fulfilling it. We can see that purpose through faith. To paraphrase the Bible, faith is the substance of things you hope to accomplish, the evidence of things you can see even when other ot herss cannot. cannot . Onl Only y by b y s eeing eeing what is not no t yet here can you bring something new, creative, and exciting into exi exis tence. ten ce. You Yourr dreams dreams , talen talents ts,, and des de s ires can be refi refined in a proces pro ces s of d is cove co veri ring ng and an d fulfi fulfilling you yo u r visi vis ion s o that th at your yo ur uni un ique qu e and person pers onal al gifts gifts to this t his world world wil will s hine forth forth.. I beli believe with all all my hear h eartt that t hat when you yo u have h ave no vis vis ion, on , you will s imply reli relive the th e pas p astt with with its disapp disa ppointm ointment entss and fail failures. ures .
As long as a person has vision, however, there is always a chance for him to move out of his present circumstances and toward the fulfillment of his purpose. Therefore, vision is the key to your future. This study guide will help you to reassess your life’s strategies and make the necessary adjustments so you can plan for the future and not make the same mistakes and decision decisionss that have hav e hindered you yo u in in the t he pas p ast. t. You will come to understand the principles of vision as well as the practi pract ical tools to ols and an d s kills neces ne ces s ary to bring bring your yo ur visi vis ion into nt o reality. —Myl —My les Munro Mu nroee
Chapter hap ter One
Vi si on: The The Key Key to Fu F ul fi l l i ng Your Your Lif Li fe’s Purpose God has placed wi within each person perso n a vis vis ion that is des igned gn ed to t o gi g ive purpos p urpos e and meaning to life. Chapter Theme
One of the dilemmas of contemporary society is a lack o meaningfulness and purpose in everyday life. If you ask peop pe oplle, “W “ W h y do you yo u exi exis t?” t? ” mos t cann can n ot tel te ll you. yo u. They The y can’t can ’t explain their purpose in the world. Many people are also s truggling truggling with job and life sati s atiss faction action is s ues . Some people are fairly content with their lives, but they have a vague sense that there should be more significance to life than they are experiencing. Still others live on a surface level, pursu pu rsuiin g a s eries eries of emot emotiional on al highs high s that th at leave leav e them th em empt empty y and a nd cons con s tantly tan tly searching s earching for the th e next next thri th rilll that th at mi might gh t satisfy s atisfy them th em.. Do you have a sense of personal purpose? Do you know why you were ere born? Does Does your you r purpose purpos e give give you yo u a pass p ass ion for ca n know why you exist, fulfill your God-given living? You can purpo pu rposs e, and an d expe experi rien ence ce a remark remarkab ablle life in light gh t of that th at knowledge. Hidden within you is the key to living a more fulfi fulfilllin g life life than th an y ou ever ev er im imagi ag ined. ne d. That Th at key is vision. Questio Ques tions ns for for Reflectio Reflec tion n
1. Are you satisfied with your life/job? What do you especially like or not no t like like about abo ut it? How do you y ou wis wis h it were diff differen erent? t? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 2. Do Do you yo u feel that th at you yo u are fulfi fulfillling your yo ur pot p otent entiial in in life? Why W hy or why why not? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
3. The poorest person in the world is a person without a ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___. _. (p. 24) 24) 4. W hat ha t can happ ha ppen en when peop pe oplle have no vision beyond their current circumstances? (p. 24) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
5. Although people often have all kinds of ideas in their minds, what pattern usually occurs in relation to these ideas? (pp. 25–26) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 6. While the poorest person in the world is a person without a frustrat rated ed person in the world is someone dream, the most frust who _______________________________________ ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ (p. 26) 7. What are some reasons why a person will abandon or get sidetracked from his or her dream? (p. 26) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 8. God not only created each person on earth with a distinct ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ __,, but b ut He al a ls o placed in everyo ev eryone ne a u nique niqu e ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ __.. (p. 28) 28) 9. 9. Ful Fu lfil filling our ou r vi v is ions on s or dreams dreams bring bringss what to our ou r lives ve s ? (p. 28) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 10. How How did Dr. Dr. Munroe Mun roe defi d efine ne “the “th e very v ery sub s ubss tance tan ce of o f li life”? (p. 28) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 11. What Wh at was every eve ry hum hu man bei be ing created to accom acco mplis plis h? (p. 28 28) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 12. You were desi des igned gn ed to t o be b e ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ for som so mething ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ __.. (pp. (pp . 28 28– 29) 13. 13. One pers pe rson on with with visi vis ion
is greater than ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ (p. 31) 14. What will make a way for you in the world and enable you to fulfill your vision? (pp. 32–33) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 15. Why did Dr. Munroe say that education, in itself, is not the key to success? (p. 33) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 16. While the gift is in you, what responsibility do you have in regard to it? (p. 34) In what ways can you do this? (p. 34) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 17. What role does education have in relation to your gift? (p. 34) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 18. Although we are all born as _______________________, most os t of o f us becom beco me ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___. _. (p. 35) 35) How can you yo u p revent reven t this from happening to you? (pp. 35–36) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 19. 19. Ci Circle rcle o n e: True True o r Fals Fals e By a certain certain age a ge,, we we are too to o ol o ld to t o us u s e our ou r gifts gifts.. (p. (p. 36 36)
20. How can a person realize his dream and not let that dream beco be com me a n ightm gh tmare are of unful un fulfi fillled hope ho pess ? (p. 37) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 21. Your ou r succes su cces s in lif life dep d epend endss on— on — [cho [choos os e one] on e] (pp (pp.. 37 37–38) –38) (a) the state s tate of the econo eco nom my. (b) wha whatt career ca reerss are current currentlly in dem d eman and. d. (c) wha whatt the th e job market arket is like. (d your yo ur initi initial al resou es ources rces.. (e) what what other oth er peopl peop le thi th ink you are are capable cap able of. (f) your you r under unde rs tandi tand ing and practici practicing ng the principl principles es of vis vis ion. on . 22. In terms of fulfilling our visions, what are we the sum total of? (p. 38) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 23. God has given given you yo u the th e _________ ___ ___________ ___________ _______ _ and the ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ___ __ _ to achi ach ieve ev e your yo ur life’s fe’s vision. (p. 38) Conclusion Every person p erson has been given given a vi v is ion for li life, as well ell as one on e or more gifts that will enable him to fulfill that vision. Most peop pe oplle do thi th ings ng s becau be causs e they th ey have to. to . Vis ion enables en ables you yo u to to do things because you have decided to, based on your purpo pu rposs e. You were were created creat ed to accom acc ompli pliss h s omet omething hing that th at no one else can accomplish. Dream big. Somewhere inside you
there th ere is is always always the th e abi ab ility to dream. dream. No No matter att er how ho w challen challenging ging it gets, don’t give up, because your vision is the key to fulfi fulfilllin g your yo ur life’ life’ss purpo pu rposs e. App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• Do you know the answer to the question, “Why do you exist?” If so, what is the reason for your existence? If not, beg be g in to wri write down do wn any an y thou th ough ghts ts y ou have ha ve regardi rega rding ng your yo ur purpo pu rposs e; keep refi refining them th em as you yo u p rogres rog resss throu th rough gh thi th is book. bo ok. • How successful have you been in achieving your goals? What Wh at is is helping helping you/h yo u/hiinder nd eriing you yo u in achieving achieving them? them? • Before Before read readiing thi th is chapt ch apter er,, which which of o f the foll following owing s tatem tat ement entss bes be s t des de s cribe cribed d your yo ur ove o veral ralll goal go al in in life: “I am retired retired”” or “It “ It is finished” (I have finished the purpose for which I was created)? Has your goal changed since reading this chapter? Why Wh y or why why not? no t? Acting Acti ng on It It
• Make a list of your unique gifts, personal qualities, and interests. Then note whether or not there is a strong connection between these gifts, personal qualities, and interests and the primary work and activities you are involved in. • Write down d own ways you yo u can devel dev elop op,, ref refiine, and us e your yo ur gif gifts. ts . Praying Pr aying about about It It
• As k God to t o hel he lp you yo u see s ee the vi v is ion He has placed placed insi ins ide you y ou.. • Give thanks th anks to God for the particular particular gifts gifts and an d abili abilities He has h as
given given you. yo u. • Read and mediate on this Scripture to remind yourself that God has created created you y ou with both a distinct distinct design d esign and a distinct distinct purpo pu rposs e: For you yo u created creat ed my inmos nmos t b eing; you yo u knit knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know kno w that th at full well. well. (Psalm (Ps alm 139: 139:13 13– – 14) 14) Your purpo purposs e wi l l become your pas passs i on.
Ch apte ap terr Two Two
The Source Sourc e of o f Vi si on Vis ion is foresight with ins ight gh t bas b ased ed on hind hindss ight. gh t. Chapter Theme
The first step to fulfilling your reason for existence was reali realizing that th at you y ou have hav e been b een given a vi v is ion. on . Yet how h ow exact exactlly do do you receive, recognize, and activate your vision? When you understand the source of vision, you will learn the secrets to its origin and working in your life. This knowledge will help you to take your dream from initial idea all the way to fulfillment. Question for Reflection
1. Why or how did you become involved with your job, major hobbies, and other important activities in your life? (In other words, what was your motivation for or the circumstances surrounding your choices?) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
2. What does vision always emanate from? Why is this so? (p. 41) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 3. God has h as given given you y ou a s pecial pecial purpose purpos e to _____ __ ______ ______ ______ ____. _. (p. 42) 4. You were were born at the ____ _ ______ ______ _____ __ ____ _ ______ ______ _____ __ to to accomplish your vision during your __________________. (p. 43) 5. How How is is the th e vi v is ion in your yo ur heart he art “a piece of o f eternity”? (pp. 43–44) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 6. In In what s ens e is is your yo ur pur pu rpos po s e already already compl completed eted?? (pp. 44 44– 46) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 7. How How sho s hould uld the th e fact that th at God God alw always ay s accom acco mplis plis hes His purpo pu rposs es affect affect the th e way you yo u carr ca rry y out o ut your yo ur visi vis ion? on ? (p. 46 46) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 8. What is the dif difference erence between recogn izing your yo ur pur pu rpos po s e and having ha ving a vi v is ion? on ? (p. 47) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 9. At its its ess es s ence, what what is vi v is ion about? abo ut? Why W hy?? (p. 48) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 10. What Wh at is the th e key to recogniz recog niziing person pers onal al vision? (pp. 48 48–49) –49) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 11. Why Wh y do we have hav e thoug tho ughts hts that tha t keep keep com co ming back to us and desires that never leave us throughout our lives? (p. 49) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 12. What is one way to discern whether or not something is a vision from God? (p. 51) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 13. What Wha t is is a seco s econd nd way to t o recogniz recog nizee true vi v is ion? on ? (p. 51 51) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 14. A third way to know a genuine vision is that true vision is ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ __.. (p. 51) In light gh t of thi th is quali qu ality, ty, what
does a real vision focus on? (p. 51) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 15. Name two things that indicate a person is pursuing selfish interests rather than true vision. (pp. 52–53) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 16. Vis ion s hould ho uld al a lways ay s be accom acco mpanied pa nied by ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ __.. (p. 52 52) 17. What is a fourth way of knowing that a vision is real? (p. 53) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 18. Why don’t many people recognize the vision God has placed with withiin them th em?? (p. 54) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 19. What Wha t is is a fifth fifth key to unders un derstan tanding ding true t rue vision? (p. 55 55) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 20. How How does do es the th e proces p rocesss of thi th is fifth fifth key work? work? (p. 55 55)
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 21. We must have an ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ with with thos th os e s hare ha re corporate corpo rate visi vis ion. on . (p. (p. 57) 57) 22. God bring bringss into your life in order to— [choose one] (p. the importance of your vision. (b) give give you y ou vis vis ion. on . (c) stir up your yo ur personal perso nal vis vis ion. on .
attitude o with with whom who m we corporate corpo rate vision 58) (a) decrease
(d) frus frus trate you y ourr indi nd ividual vidua l plans. plans . 23. Why are you a leader leader in in the t he s pecifi pecific purpos p urpos e God God has given given you to accomplish through your gift(s)? (pp. 58–59) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 24. In In what way does do es vision generate gen erate vi v is ion? on ? (pp. 59 59–60) –60) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 25. What Wh at will hel he lp you y ou to keep s tirri tirring ng up your yo ur vision? (p. 60) 60) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Conclusion
Many people are waiting for God to tell them what to do in life when it has been given to them already. God has been s peaking peaking to them s ince they the y were ere born, b orn, and He is s til till s peaking peaking to them now through the thoughts, ideas, and visions they keep having in their minds. Likewise, God planned in advance all all that you yo u were were bor bo rn to t o be b e and accompl accompliis h. Not Not onl on ly does d oes He establish your end, but He also gives you a glimpse of it through throug h the t he vi v is ion He has put pu t in in you y ourr heart. heart. You are are not no t an experiment. God created you for a purpose, and He will bring that purpose purpose to pass. pass . App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• Ultimately, our visions aren’t about ourselves but about God and His pur pu rpos po s es. es . Has Has this been b een you y ourr pers pers pecti pect ive on o n fulf fulfilling your vision? Why or why not? In what ways has your pers pe rspe pect ctiive cha c hang nged ed s ince nc e readi read ing thi th is chap ch apte ter? r? • Dr. Munr Mun roe s aid aid that others oth ers can c an conf con firm your yo ur vis vis ion, on , but that gi ve you your vision. Have you been looking to they do not give others to give you a vision rather than to God and the ideas and desires He has put in your heart? If so, what will you do to s eek your true vision from from now no w on? • No great work was ever eve r done do ne by b y just jus t one o ne perso p erson. n. Yet sometimes people try to fulfill their visions by themselves instead of working with those who share the vision. Are you
cooperating with others in the vision in which you are involved nv olved?? How can you yo u work more more harm h armon oniious ou s ly with them th em?? Acting Acti ng on It It • God will reveal your vision as you follow Him, listen to Him, and pay attention to what He has placed in your heart and mind. Have you been listening to what God has been saying? If not, mak makee a point p oint to begi beg in to t o do d o s o tod t oday ay.. To To s tart, take hal an hour and allow yourself to dream about what you would like to do in life. What ideas and desires do you have? What have you y ou alw always wanted to t o do? d o? Wri Write thes e things things down. • Look again at the list you made in chapter 1 of your gifts, pers pe rson onal al quali qu alities ties,, and an d interes nt erests ts . In what ways do thes th esee fit fit together with the ideas, dreams, and desires you just wrote down? • Read over ov er your you r ideas ideas , desi des ires, es , and gifts gifts every day d ay for a week. week. Then as k yourself yo urself,, “Do “Do thes th esee ideas ideas hol ho ld true? Are they what I really want to do?” If the answer is yes, keep them where you can refer to them as you read this book, and watch them form into a specific vision and concrete goals that will move you alon along g towar t oward d the completi completion on of your yo ur purpos e. If If the ans an s wer is is no, continually think over and pray about your purpose until your yo ur vis vis ion becom beco mes clear clear to you. yo u. Praying Pr aying about about It It
• God is committed to your purpose, and He provided salvation through Christ to restore His will in your life and enable you to fulfi fulfilll your yo ur vision. What W hat is your yo ur relations relations hip with with God? od ? Are A re you connected to your Source of life and purpose? If not, tell God you want to be restored to Him through the sacrifice o
Christ on the cross on your behalf. Then, receive God’s forgivenes forgiven esss and an d com c omm mit to t o living living for Hi Him from from n ow on. on . • Once we are restored to God, we receive His Holy Spirit and can better see and understand the visions He has placed in our hearts. We also learn to discern true vision through our relationship with God and by reading His Word. Make it a practice prac tice to pray and an d read rea d the t he Bible every ev ery day d ay to hel he lp you y ou s tay ta y connected conn ected to your y our Source. Source. • Do you believe that you’re not a mistake and that your life is s igni gn ificant? cant ? Do you know no w that you y ourr li life has a pur pu rpos po s e? If you yo u are unclear about your vision, ask God to reveal to you the deepest desires He has placed within you. Then trust Him to help you y ou fulfi fulfilll your you r vis vis ion. on . • Dr. Munroe said that if we pursue visions that we were not meant to pur pu rs ue, we we wil will not no t only o nly caus e our ou rs elves elves trouble, but bu t we will also cause others to have problems. If this has been your experience, tell God today that you want to return to Him and what He has purposed for you to do. If you have caused your family members or others turmoil because of selfish pursu pu rsuiits , ask as k for their th eir forgivenes forgiven esss and an d s eek to resto res tore re thes th esee relationships.
Purpose is the source of your vision. We are a re God’s God’s workmansh work manship ip,, created create d in i n Christ Christ Jesus to do good go od works, wo rks, which God prep p repare ared d in i n a dvance dv ance for us to do. d o. (Ephesians 2:10)
Chapter hap ter Three
Over ercomi comin ng Obstacl Obstacles es to t o Vi Vi sion si on Medi Med iocrity ocrity is a region region bor bo rdered on o n the t he nor no rth by comprom compromiis e, on the t he south s outh by indecis indecis ion, on the th e east by past p ast think thinkiing, and on the west wes t by a lack lack of vis vis ion. on . —John —Joh n Mas M aso on Chapter Theme
You mus t be b e aware aware of potent po tentiial obs ob s tacles tacles in you y ourr li life that th at can derail your vision so you will be prepared to recognize and overcome them. This chapter will show you how to leave behind be hind fear, fear, dou d oubt bt,, and an d fals fals e p erception ercep tionss conc co ncerning erning visi vis ion s o you yo u can s ucces s fully ully pur pu rs ue and fulf ulfill your yo ur li life’s e’s pur pu rpos po s e. Question for Reflection
1. What do you think is your greatest hindrance to pursuing and/or and /or compl completi eting ng your yo ur vision vision?? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
2. Dr. Munroe gave three major obstacles to fulfilling vision. What Wh at is the t he firs t obs o bstacl tacle? e? (p. 63 63) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 3. The main thing about ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___. _. (p. 63) 63)
vision
is
that
it
is
4. Confus on fusiing mis s ion with with vi v is ion can often o ften prevent prev ent peop pe oplle from from defining a specific vision and fulfilling it. What is the difference between mission and vision? (pp. 64–65) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 5. When you have discovered your own vision, you do not need to be _______________ of anyone because there’s no need for ______________________. (p. 66) 6. How should we meas measure ure the s ucces s of our vis vis ions on s ? (p. 67 67) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 7. What is a second reason people aren’t specific about their visions? (pp. 67–68) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 8. We should have ________________ rather than mere ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __.. (p. (p . 68) 68) How can we do thi th is ? (p. 68) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 9. What is a third reason people’s visions never take specific shape? (pp. 68–69) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __
10. Prolonged indecisiveness about one’s life purpose— [choos [choo s e one] on e] (p. (p. 69 69) (a) is a vision-killer. (b) drai drains ns the th e joy out o ut of li life. (c) makes one’s whole life unsettled. (d) all all of the th e abov ab ovee 11. Nam Namee a four ou rth reason eas on peopl peo plee do d o not no t pursu p ursuee s pecifi pecific vi v is ions on s . (p. 70) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 12. What is a fifth reason people don’t focus on specific visions ? (p. 70) 70) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 13. What Wh at does do es it mean mean to have ha ve true bal b alan ance ce in li life? (p. (p. 71) 71) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 14. A sixth reason people aren’t specific about their visions is that they’re trying to do what? (p. 71) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 15. What important truth set Dr. Munroe free from both indecision and ineffective busyness? (p. 71) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
16. You were meant meant to meet ___ _ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ needs need s , not ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ __ need ne ed.. (p. 72 72) 17. 17. W hat ha t is a sev s even enth th reason reas on some people don’t pursue specific visions? (p. 72) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 18. If you yo u have h ave many many gifts gifts and interests nteres ts,, how can you yo u pursu p ursuee a specific vision? (p. 73) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 19. The first obstacle to fulfilling vision was not recognizing the specific nature of vision. What is the second obstacle? (p. 73) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 20. One of the cos ts of vis vis ion is ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __.. (p. 73 73) 21. One One reason reas on peopl peo plee don’t do n’t recog recogni nizze or pay the cos t of o f vis vis ion is that tha t they t hey think their lives are are out ou t of o f their their own own control con trol.. What is one way this attitude is manifested? (pp. 73–74) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 22. What is a second reason people don’t recognize or pay the
cost of vision? (p. 74) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 23. Name two kinds of outside forces that people blame for the failure of their visions. (p. 74) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 24. How How do you yo u know kno w that th at you y ourr vis vis ion can be fulfi fulfilled even eve n thoug tho ugh h you y ou have hav e made made mis takes takes or experi experienced enced s etback etba ckss in the t he pas pa s t? (pp. (pp . 74–75 74–75)) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 25. When the winds of adversity blow in your life, what will be your anchor? (p. 75) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 26. What Wha t is is the th e thi th ird obs ob s tacl tac le to accom acco mplis plis hing vi v is ion? on ? (p. 75 75) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 27. Successful visionaries don’t pursue their visions ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___. _. (p. 75) 75) How do successful visionari visiona ries es operate? op erate? (p. 75 75) Conclusion Life was designed to be inspired by purpose and fueled by vision. This means that you don’t have to live a defensive life that is made up of crisis management. Instead, you can pursue
an offensive life in which you steadily follow your vision and initiate your own goals and actions. The “Twelve Principles for Fulfi Fulfilling Persona Perso nall Vis io n” in the th e ch c h apte ap ters rs that th at foll follo w wi will help you yo u to clari clarify fy you y ourr vis vis ion, on , form formulate ulate a plan for accom acco mplis plis hing it, and bring it to a fulfilling and successful completion as you actively actively put p ut the princi principles ples into practice. practice. App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• Now that you have completed this chapter, look back at question 1. Do you still think that what you wrote as the answer is your greatest hindrance to pursuing and/or compl completi eting ng your yo ur vis vis ion? on ? Why Wh y or o r why not? no t? If not, no t, what what do you yo u now no w think is your yo ur greates greatestt hindrance? Why? Why ? • Have you yo u been b een measu measurring your you r success succes s by what other o ther people people are are doi do ing or by what God God has call called you y ou to do? do ? What W hat will you yo u do to t o keep focu focuss ed on o n your yo ur own own vision from from now no w on? on ? • What problems and challenges in life have you allowed to derail your vision? Think about what excuses you might be telling yourself or others for why you aren’t pursuing your vision (e.g., “My life is too complicated,” “I’m hindered by other people’s demands and needs,” “I’m not confident enoug eno ugh”). h”). How wi will you yo u addr add ress es s thes t hes e excus excus es bas ed on what you’ve yo u’ve learned learned in in thi th is chapter? chap ter? Acting Acti ng on It It • Once you have identified your greatest obstacle to achieving your vision, write down specific steps you can take to begin overcoming that obstacle. (For example, have you
distinguished between your life’s mission and its vision? Will you yo u trust trus t that th at God God is with you y ou and that you yo u are not a vi v ictim ctim o “bad “ba d luck”? Wil Will you yo u s top to p blami blaming othe ot hers rs for the th e way you y ourr li life has turned out ou t and an d s tart thank than king God that He wil will enabl enab le you yo u to com co mplete His His vision for your you r li life?) Take the first first s tep toda to day y. • If you are indecisive about your vision, first think about why you feel this way: Do you fear failure? Are you worried about what other people might say or think about your idea? Then decide that you will look only to God’s Word and the vision He has put pu t in in you y ourr heart to know what what you yo u can accompli accompliss h. • If there is something important in your life that you have left unfinished, or something you’ve always wanted to do “someday,” decide now to take steps to accomplish it. Write down the speci s peciffic steps s teps needed and an d begi beg in to address them. them. • As Dr. Munroe said, you cannot try to meet every need around you and still be effective in helping people. The purpo pu rposs e God God has ha s given give n you yo u is meant ean t to t o keep you yo u cente cen tered red on on what is most important for you to be involved in. Have you been be en trying to “do “d o everyt ev erything hing”? ”? If s o, evaluat ev aluatee your yo ur commitments and activities. Then decide what you are meant to be involved in based on your purpose according to God’s wil will and an d Word. Word . Praying Pr aying about about It It • Pray Pray to God about abo ut your yo ur pas t fail failures and other oth er cir circums cums tances tance s that th at have h ave s eemed eemed to hinder hinde r your you r vis vis ion. on . Rem Remem embe berr that God is a restorer and that He will put back in you what life has taken out. Ask Him to renew His vision within you, and to help you lay as ide the th e pas t and move ov e forw forwar ard d in in His His pur pu rpos po s es. es .
• As you continue continue to t o pray about abou t your yo ur vis vis ion, set s et a des tinati tination on for your life and trust that God will guide you where you need to go.
You are not de define fi ned d by your pas pastt or confi c onfine ned d by exter exte rnal factors.
Chapter Four
Pri ncip ci pl e #1: Be B e Direct Di rected ed by a Cl ear ear Vi Vi sion si on To fulfi fulfill your yo ur vision, you yo u mus mus t hav h avee a clear gui gu iding purpo p urposs e for your life. Chapter Theme
Every effective leader or group of people in history has had one thing in common: They were directed by a clear vision. Having a guiding purpose for your life is perhaps the single mos t importan po rtantt key to fulfi fulfilling you yo u r dream. dream. You perso pe rson n ally, ally, as an individual, must have your own guiding life vision. This vis vis ion must us t be abs ab s olutely olutely clear clear to you y ou becaus b ecaus e, otherwi otherwis e, you will have hav e noth no thiing to aim aim at, and an d you y ou wil will achi ach ieve noth no thiing. ng . Question for Reflection
1. What is your yo ur personal perso nal vis vis ion? on ? Tr Try to t o wri write it in in one o ne s entence. enten ce. ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
2. What Wh at di d id Dr. Munr Mun roe s ay he discovered disco vered was the key to life? (pp. 82–83) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 3. If If you are laz lazy y or o r bor bo red, what what does d oes this s how ho w about abo ut you y ou?? (p. 83) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 4. To have vision, you must ________________ where you want to go in life and then be __________________ and ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ in carrying it out. ou t. (p. 83) 83) 5. Wha W hatt is the difference between having a true work and having just a job job?? (p. 85) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 6. Once your vision becomes clear to you, how will you feel until you are able to take action on it? (pp. 85–86) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 7. What is one of the most significant questions you must answer for yourself? (p. 86) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 8. What is the first thing you should do in answering this ques qu estion? tion? (p. 87 87) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 9. In In or o rder to find your yo ur vis vis ion, on , what what must us t you y ou be in tou t ouch ch with? with? (p. 86) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 10. Your ou r vis vis ion s houl ho uld d be b e som s omething ething that th at ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ __ after you’re yo u’re gon go n e, s omet omething hing that th at h as g reater reate r lasting power than __________________________. (pp. 86–87) 11. Give a definition of vision that expresses its forward-looking quality. (p. 87) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 12. Vis ion demand demandss ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ by its very nature. nat ure. (p. 87) 13. Although Althou gh vis vis ion is often as s ociated with with s olving olving problems problems , why will vision be active in your life even when things are going well? (p. 88) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 14. In living our lives, why shouldn’t we try to go back to the “good old days”? (p. 88) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 15. Vis ion is alw always ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___-f _-focu ocuss ed. We We need n eed to ______________ ___________ the past, but we cannot ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ to it. (p. 88) 88) 16. 16. Becaus Becau s e visi vis ion involve nv olvess change and new ways of thinking, it can keep you constantly uns un s ettled. Yet how ho w does do es this continual co ntinual newness newnes s help you in the process of fulfilling your life’s purpose? (p. 88) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 17. A clear vision gives us a ______________ that keeps us continually ______________ _______________ in life. (p. 89) Conclusion Whether you are young, middle-aged, or older, if you don’t have a clear purpose, you are going to be distracted by the many demand demandss and opti op tion onss of everyday life, becaus e the th e worl world is an extremely busy place. Even when you do set your mind on what you yo u want to do, do , all all the other oth er busi bus ines s of the world world wil will try to t o get g et in the t he way of it. it. A clear clear gui gu iding vision wil will enable en able you yo u to have focus in life and to move forward toward a specific purpo pu rposs e when you yo u are tem te mp ted te d to b e distract dis tracted ed by less es s er or nones non esss ential ential things things . App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• Are you able to ans an s wer the ques q ues tion tion,, “What is it it that th at I want want?” ?” Why or why not? What would it take for you to be able to ans wer it? it? • Think about your vision until you have a strong image o your preferable future, a clear conception of something which is not no t yet y et reali reality, but bu t which can exi exis t. • Are you involved in your true work or just a job? Is something bothering you or making you depressed because you know you should be doing it but haven’t done it yet? What Wh at do you need to do to get g et ready ready for your you r true true work work? • Is your vision for your life something that will live on after you’re gone, or is it merely a desire for the accumulation o pos po s s ess es s ions on s to enj en jo y toda to day? y? W hat ha t can c an you yo u inves nv estt in that th at wil will outlast outlast you? Acting Acti ng on It It • What things in your life are distracting you from the real “business” of your life? Make a plan to refocus on your vision. • If you have a tendency to want to return to the “good old days day s ,” rem remem ember ber that you y ou can bui b uilld on o n the th e pas t but bu t are meant meant to progress in what God has planned for you. First, think about how tradition and memories of good things are affecting your progress in your vision. Then, glean the good from from the th e pas pa s t, but bu t make make plans plans to move ov e forward forward in in you y ourr vis vis ion. on . • Do you y ou have hav e a pos po s itive tive or o r negati neg ative ve atti at titud tudee toward toward chang ch angee in in your life? Instead of focusing on the unsettling part o change, remind yourself that the constant newness and fluctuation of vision prepares you to recognize and take the
next next s tep toward toward you y ourr purpose. purpos e. Learn Learn to appr app reciate eciate thi t hiss role ole o chang cha ngee in in you y ourr li life. Praying Pr aying about about It It • Ask God to confirm what He has put in your heart for you to do. do . • Being in touch with the values and priorities of the kingdom of God will help you to find your vision. Make it a point to pray and an d read the th e Bi Bible dai da ily to t o bet b ette terr unders und ersta tan n d God God’’s ways and to receive guidance and wisdom from Him.
Your vi vi s i on wi wi ll bother you until until you tak takee acti ac tion on on on it. it.
Chapter Five
Pri Pr i ncip ci pl e #2: # 2: Kn Know Your Potenti Pot entia al for Ful Ful fi l l i ng Vi Vi sion si on When Wh en you yo u di d is cover cov er your you r dream dream,, you will als als o di d is cover cov er your ability to fulfill it. Chapter Theme
In order to fulfill your vision, you must also come into an awareness of your potential. Potential is who you really are, in accordance with your vision. Potential is the person who has been be en trappe trap ped d ins ide you yo u b ecaus eca us e of fals fals e ideas de as (your (yo ur own or other oth erss ’) of who who you yo u are. Poten Potenti tial al is hidden capacity, capacity, untapp unta pped ed power po wer,, unrel un releas eas ed energy. en ergy. It It is all you yo u co c o uld be b e but b ut have ha ven’t n’t yet y et beco be com me. God God has ha s created creat ed you yo u to d o s omet omething hing wonderf wond erful, ul, and an d He has given you all of the abilities and resources you need to do it. Question for Reflection
1. How How muc much h pot p oten ential tial do you yo u thi th ink you yo u hav h avee for fulf fulfiilling your yo ur vis vis ion? Why? W hy? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
2. W hat determ det ermiines ne s your yo ur pot p otent entiial for for fulfi fulfillling your yo ur visi vis ion? on ? (p. 91)
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 3. Whatever you were born to do, you are ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ to do. do . (p. 91) 91) 4. God gives give s ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ __ to fulfi fulfilll ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ . (p. 91) 5. What has God placed within you that is more than enough potential for the needs of your purpose? (p. 92) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 6. What you are able to accomplish has to do with— [choose one] on e] (p. (p. 92 92) (a) (a) who who your yo ur parents paren ts were. were. (b) the th e po p o wer of God God’’s Spiri Spirit working working in you y ou.. (c) your phys ph ysiical attribu attributes tes.. (d) your past. pas t. 7. What Wha t wil will God do for you in terms terms of what you y ou can ask as k for for or imagine? (p. 92) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 8. Once Dr. Munroe learned the truth of what God could do for him, what did it enable him to do? (p. 93) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 9. Why Wh y did God God give you y ou the th e gi g ift of im imagi ag ination? na tion? (p. 93 93) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 10. What should you be doing on a regular basis to help you achieve your vision? (p. 93) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 11. Who shouldn’t you allow to judge your potential? Why? (p. 94) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 12. God designed and built you for the fulfillment of your vision. This means that you are _______________ for your purpo pu rposs e. (p. 94) 13 13. Why W hy did God give you yo u dream drea ms for your yo ur life? (p. 94) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 14. Why Wh y does d oes God appoi app oint, nt, anoi ano int, and distinguish peopl peo ple? e? (p. 95) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 15. When is the ability to accomplish your vision manifested? (p. 95) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 16. What might your present job contain in terms of your vision? (p. 95) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 17. What should you do with the “seed” of the vision God has placed with withiin you? yo u? (p. 96) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Conclusion
God will never call you to an assignment without giving you the provision for accomplishing it. If you understand this princ princiip le, no one on e can s top to p you yo u from from fulfi fulfilling your yo ur visi vis ion. on . You You were born with the potential for the fulfillment of your destiny, which has already been established within you. When you disco dis cove verr your you r dream, dream, you yo u wil will also disco dis cove verr your you r abili ability. You can always determine what you can do by the dream that is withi th in you y ou.. App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• Have you said yes to your dream and started to act on it? Why Wh y or why why not? no t? • Has your perspective on your potential to fulfill your vision changed as a res resul ultt of readi reading ng this this chapter? Why or o r why not? n ot? • Are there things about yourself or your life that you thought limited your potential for achieving your vision (e.g., a phys ph ys ical attri at trib b ute, ut e, your yo ur ethn et hniic backgrou ba ckground nd,, your yo ur curr cu rren entt resources)? es ources)? If If s o, what what perspecti persp ective ve shou s houlld you y ou have h ave on these thes e
percei pe rceive ved d lim limitation ta tionss ? • While people can give us valuable insight into our strengths and weaknesses, our gifts and abilities, sometimes they may not recognize our potential. Have you been allowing another pers pe rson on to judge ud ge your yo ur pote po tent ntiial? W hat ha t is the th e crite criteri riaa for your yo ur pote po ten n tial in achieving ac hieving your yo ur visi vis ion? on ? Acting Acti ng on It It
• Take a “virtual tour” of your dream. Imagine all the details o the completed vision. Then let God know that is where you want to go. Ask Him to enable you to take your idea from dream to full-fledged reality. • Plant the t he s eed of your you r vis vis ion today by beginni beginning ng to act on it; then immediately nurture it by placing your faith in God and His purposes purpos es for you. hi m • Commit the following Scripture verse to memory: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably [“exceeding abundantly” ore than all we ask a sk or imagin imagine, e, accordin according g to his h is power kjv] more that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). Praying Pr aying about about It It
• Think about your vision and what it will require. Then write down what you are now able to do or will be able to do—as needs arise—through God’s purpose and provision for you. Take each requirement or need and thank God that He will meet it at a t just jus t the t he right gh t ti t ime. • Seek to ob o b ey God in al a ll thi th ings ng s and an d ask as k Hi Him to work in yo y o ur li life through the power of His Spirit to enable you to fulfill your vision.
• Thank God for your present job and ask Him to use it to prepare prep are you yo u for your yo ur true life’ life’ss work. work.
Whatever God calls for, He provides for. Whatever He req re quires uir es , He He enab e nabll es you you to do. do.
Ch apte ap terr Six Six
Pri ncip ci pl e #3: #3 : Devel Develop op a Concrete oncrete Pl an for Your Vi si on To man man bel b elon ong g the t he pl p lans of the heart. h eart. —Proverb —Proverbss 16:1 16 :1 Chapter Theme
People often think their dreams will just happen. They find out later, after they have sadly wasted many years of their lives, that this is not the case. Jesus said that a wise person doesn’t start to build something unless he first works out the details. God Himself had a plan when He created humanity. None Non e of us can move ov e towar to ward d our ou r dreams dreams with withou outt a p lan. an . Ideas are seeds of destiny planted by God in the minds o hum hu mankind ankind.. Yet how ho w does do es that desti des tiny ny come come to pas p asss ? When Wh en ideas are cultivated, they become imagination. Imagination, if it is watered and developed, becomes a plan. Finally, if a plan is foll followed, owed , it it beco be com mes a real rea lity. Question for Reflection
1. Does planning planning currently currently pl p lay a role role in your yo ur pur pu rs uit of sho s horrtterm and long-ter on g-term m goal go alss ? Why W hy or why why not? no t? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
2. There There is is no ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ without tho ut pl p lanni ann ing. ng . (p. (p. 99 99) 3. What did Dr. Munroe realize as a teenager about receiving God’s guidance for his life? (p. 100) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 4. What Wh at tw t wo verses from Prov Prover erbs bs indi nd icate that God wants ant s you yo u to make a plan for the vision that is in your heart? (p. 100) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 5. When you yo u receive receive an idea from from God, od , what what mus t you y ou s oon oo n do do with the idea? (p. 100) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 6. What will happen if you never take action on your idea? (p. 100) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 7. When you lack a plan, what will you likely miss out on? (p. 101) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 8. A contractor conti con tinu nual allly cons con s ults ults his his bluep blueprrints to s ee if if his his bui bu ilding is bei be in g cons co ns tructe truc ted d corr co rrect ectlly. Sim Similarly arly, if you yo u don do n ’t have a plan for your life, you will have nothing to refer to
when you want to make sure you are _____ _____________ with your vision. (p. 102) 9. Developing a blueprint for your vis vis ion begi beg ins with ans an s weri ering tw t wo vi v ital ques qu esti tion onss . What Wh at is is the first question? (p. 102) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 10. You will never become really successful in your life if you don’t have a clear idea of your own _______________ in ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ __.. (p. 102 102) 11. W hat ha t is the th e s econd eco nd q ues ue s tion you yo u must us t ans a nsw wer? er? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 12. Once you learn God’s purpose, you can start planning effectively because you will be able to plan with ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ __.. (p. 102 102) 13. 13. Whe W hen n does do es a visi vis ion b ecom eco me a plan? plan ? (p. 10 102) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 14. Your ou r part is to wri write the th e pl p lan. an . What Wh at is God’ od ’s part? pa rt? (p. 103) 103) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 15. What has God given you that will enable you to develop a plan for your yo ur visi vis ion? on ? (p. 103 103) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
16. Why can’t you tell your plan to everyone when you are first developing it? (p. 104) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 17. Why Wh y is your yo ur dream d ream worth wri writing down? do wn? (p. 104 104) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 18. When Nehemiah gave credit to God for his vision and how it was coming to pass, what was the result in the lives o those who were going to work on the project? (p. 105) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 19. Your ou r plan is mat materi erial al for your you r _____ ___ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ___. _. (p. 105 105)) 20. You were were des d esiigned gn ed for des tiny. Mak Ma ke a pl p lan and an d ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ___ _ it. (p. 10 106) Conclusion The Bible says that God will give you the desires of your heart if you will delight in Him (Psalm 37:4). However, it also implies that God will direct your steps once you make a concrete plan to move toward what you desire. Have you expressed to God what is in your heart, and have you presen pres ente ted d Him Him with with your yo ur plan for accom acc ompli pliss hing it? W hat ha t are you yo u waiting waiting for? App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• Have you been trying to fulfill your vision without a clear plan? plan ? W hat ha t have ha ve you yo u learned earne d in thi th is chap ch apte terr abou ab outt the th e s igni gn ifican ficance ce of o f planni plann ing? ng ?
• Have you y ou ever had an idea fr from God that tha t you y ou didn’t act upon up on,, and then saw someone else develop? If so, how did you feel when you saw that happen? What will you do with the ideas God gi g ives you? yo u? • Take some time to think about the following statement: If God gave you yo u your yo ur vis vis ion, it it deser des erves ves to be done. d one. Acting Acti ng on It It
• Do you have answers to the questions “Who am I?” and “Where am I going?” Start the process of developing a bluepri blue print nt for you yo u r visi vis ion by wri writing down do wn ans an s wers wers to thes th esee questions. To help you do this, answer the questions on pag pa g es 218–19 18–19 of chap ch apte terr s even ev ente teen en and an d wri write out ou t a mis s ion s tatement tatement for your you r li life bas ba s ed on the gui gu idelines delines on page pag e 22 225 o The Principles and Power of Vision. Remember that it is knowing your true identity that will give you the ability and cour cou rage ag e to write rite your yo ur li life plan plan.. • Start thinking about where you want to be one, five, ten, twenty, thirty, even fifty years from now. Jot down your ideas and conti con tinu nuee to refi refine and an d pray about abo ut them t hem.. • Keep Prov Prover erbs bs 16 verses 1 and 9 in fron frontt of o f you as a s you yo u begi b egin n to develop your plan in order to remind yourself of two key truths truth s : The Lord Lord wil will work work out ou t the t he detai det aills of how ho w and when the th e plan wil will be b e accom acc omp p lis hed, he d, and an d He wil will di d irect you yo u in carrying out your you r vis vis ion. “To “To man man belong the th e plans of the th e heart, h eart, but from from the th e Lord Lord com co mes the th e reply reply of o f the ton t ongu gue.” e.” (Pr (Prov overbs erbs 16:1) “In “In hi h is heart he art a man man plans his cou c ours rse, e, but bu t the th e Lo Lo rd determ det ermiines ne s his s teps te ps .” (Pr (Prov overbs erbs 16:9) Praying Pr aying about about It It
• If you yo u are still still uns un s ure of your yo ur answ ans wers ers to the t he ques q ues tion tionss “Who “Wh o am I?” and “Where am I going?” ask God to continue to reveal them to you as you worship Him, pray, read His Word, and com co me to understand u nderstand the vi v is ion He has put in your yo ur heart. heart. • Express to God the vision that is in your heart, and present Him with your overall plan for accomplishing it, even if your plan is in the th e early early s tage ta gess . A s you yo u deve de vellop and an d refine refine your yo ur plan in the th e weeks, mon month thss , and an d years y ears ahead ah ead,, keep keep offering offering it to God and trust trus t Him Him to work work out ou t all the th e detail d etailss of how ho w the vi v is ion wil will be acco a ccom mplis plis hed. he d. • Since your plan is material for your prayers, take specific aspect as pectss of your yo ur plan plan and ask as k for God God’’s wis dom do m, guidance, and s trength in carryi carrying ng them out. ou t.
Your pl pl an wi wi l l enabl nabl e you to fulfil fulfilll your de des tiny tiny..
Chapter Seven
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #4: # 4: Possess Po ssess the Passi Passion on of Vi sion si on For the th e peo p eople ple work worked with with all all their heart. hea rt. —Neh —Nehem emiiah 4:6 4:6 Chapter Theme
You’ll never be successful in fulfilling your personal vision i you do not have a passion for it. Are you hungry for your vision? How badly do you want what you’re going after? Passion is stamina that says, “I’m going to go after this, no matter what happens. If I have to wait ten years, I’m going to get it.” If you want to go all the way to your dream, you can’t s it back b ack and expect expect everythi everyth ing to be easy eas y. You mus t have h ave a purpo pu rposs e that th at prod p roduc uces es pas pa s s io n. Question for Reflection
1. On a scale of 1–10, ten being greatest, how would you rate your yo ur curr cu rrent ent des de s ire to fulfi fulfilll your yo ur vision? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Exploring Principles and Purposes
2. What have h ave pas p asss ionate on ate peop p eoplle discovered? disco vered? (p. 109) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 3. Giving up ________________ _____________________ and ___________________ for your genuine vision is the path pa th to true life. (p. 109) 109) 4. 4. W hat ha t is one on e reason reas on Dr. Dr. Munro Mu nroee kept s tress ing the need for a clear clear guidi guiding ng pur pu rpos po s e in in lif life? (p. 110) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __
5. Why did Paul give a list of problems and tribulations as part of the proof that he was a genuine apostle? (pp. 111–13) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 6. ______ ___ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ___ to vi v is ion is one of o f the mar mark ks of its legitimacy. (p. 111) 7. If you’re going to go after your vision, what can you expect to experience? (p. 113) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 8. Persistence will keep you moving forward, yet you need ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ to to ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ you y ourr persis pe rsiste tenc nce. e. (p. (p. 11 113) 9. If If you yo u can s top to p worki orking on your yo ur vis vis ion and s til till be happ h appy y, or if if you can be b e so so discouraged by setbacks that you give up on your dream, what does this show about you? (p. 113) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 10. Why do many people fail to win at pursuing their visions? (p. 114) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 11. No matter how tough things are, what perspective does a pas pa s s io nate na te perso pe rson n have ha ve?? (p. 114) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 12. A person of passion is always _________________ to fulfill his vision. (p. 114) 13. What is passion willing to do? (p. 115) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 14. Passion helps you to stay __________________ on your
vision. (p. 115) 15. If If you yo u becom be comee pass pas s ionate on ate about abo ut you y ourr vis vis ion, on , you can ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ __ and an d pers p ersev evere ere to the t he ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ of your yo ur goals. go als. (p. 116) Conclusion Whenever Wh enever you are are tempted tempted to t o qui qu it too s oon or to stay st ay dow do wn when life knocks kno cks you yo u over ov er,, remem remembe berr the th e ex e xamples amples of Nehem Neh emiiah and Paul. Paul. Pas Passs ion is an ur u rge that th at is is deeper than any an y resis resis tance it might encounter. It is a goal to win that is bigger than the desire to quit. Capture your vision and stay with it, and you will be rewarded with seeing that vision become a reality, no matter att er who who or what mi might gh t try t ry to come come agai ag ains ns t it. App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• If your rating for question 1 was in the middle range or lower, what have h ave you yo u read in in thi th is chapter that can help help you y ou increas ncreasee your you r pass ion for your vis vis ion? • It is genuine vision that produces real passion. If you lack pas pa s s io n, might gh t you yo u s till till be trying to foll follo w a fals fals e or s elfelfs erving erving pur pu rpos po s e in in li life? • Do you generally give up the first time you fall down, and do you stop at the least resistance? In what ways might you have become discouraged or complacent about your vision? What will you do to regain your passion for your dream and remain faithful to it? Acting Acti ng on It It
• Write down specific problems and tribulations that have tested/are testing your vision. Then write down how you will respond to them based on what you’ve learned in this chapter. • Since vision is the precedent for passion, remind yourself o your vision each day. Go on continual tours of your dream. Imagine it until it is so clear and present in your mind that it produ pro duces ces a pas pa s s ion that th at makes you yo u move ov e forward forward and an d pers pe rsev evere ere to its fulfi fulfilllment. en t. • Meditate on the foll ollowing owing Scri Scriptur ptu re pas s ages to hel h elp p you y ourrs el focus ocu s on the impor po rtance of pas s ion in fulfi ulfilling your yo ur pur pu rpos po s e: Whatev Wh atever er you do, do , work work at it wi with all all your yo ur heart, hea rt, as worki orking for the th e Lord, Lord, not no t for men, men, si s ince nc e you y ou know no w that you yo u wil will receive receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. (Colossians 3:23–24) I pres s on to take ta ke hol ho ld of tha t hatt for which which Christ Jesus Jes us took to ok hold h old of me....One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Chris hris t Jesus Jes us . (Phil (Philip pians 3:12–14 12–14)) Praying Pr aying about about It It • Each morning, thank God that He has given you another day that you yo u can us e to tak t akee the th e next next step s tep to t o the th e ful fulffillment of your you r vis vis ion. on . Ask As k Him to lead and gui gu ide you y ou dur du ring the day toward toward His purpos p urpos e for for you. • Ask God to help you to remain faithful to the vision He has given given you, yo u, no matter what what the cir circums cums tances tanc es..
You mus mustt have have pur purp pose os e that pr produc oducees pass as s i on.
Chapt ha pter er Ei Eight gh t
Pri ncip ci pl e #5: #5 : Devel Develop op th thee Fa F ai th of Vi sion si on Sigh Sightt is is a fun function ction of o f the th e eyes ey es,, whil whilee vision is a functi un ction on of the hear h eart. t. Chapter Theme
Most people have physical sight but no vision. Physical s ight gh t is the th e abili ability to s ee thi th ings ng s as they the y are. Vis ion is the capacity to see things as they could or should be, and that takes faith faith.. You mus t dev d evel elop op the th e faith faith of vision if you yo u are to fulfill your dream. Question for Reflection
1. What do you think Helen Keller meant by her statement, “What’s worse than being blind is having sight without vision”? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
2. What Wh at is is s ight gh t a function of? What Wh at is is vis vis ion a function function of? (p. (p. 119) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 3. You mus t nev n ever er let let what your yo ur eyes eye s s ee determ d etermiine what your yo ur heart ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ___. __ _. (p. 120) 20) 4. Wha W hatt are you yo u
to walk walk accord acc ordiing to? to ? (p. 12 120) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 5. When you have vision, you are governed by the ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ __ God has ha s put pu t in your yo ur heart. he art. (p. 120) 20) 6. A ccordi cco rding ng to Hebrews 11:1, wha whatt is faith faith?? (p. 120 120) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 7. How did Dr. Munroe define faith, based on the answers to the previous two questions? (p. 120) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 8. Why Wh y is s ight gh t witho without ut vis vis ion dangerous dan gerous ? (pp. 12 120–21) –21) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 9. The vision in your heart is greater than your ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ __. __ . (p. (p . 121 121) 10. 10. How were were you yo u des igned gn ed to operate op erate in life? life? (p. 12 121) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 11. How does do es Go d funct fun ctiio n in faith faith?? (p. 122 122) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
12. While thoughts are the most ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ thing t hingss on earth, earth , word wordss are the th e most _____________________. (p. 123) 13. When you speak words expressing what you see in your vision, what happens? (p. 123) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 14. What Wh at is one on e way you y ou can unde un derm rmiine your yo ur vision? (p. 12 123) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 15. What Wh at does d oes faith faith s ee problem p roblemss as? as ? (pp. 12 124–25) –25) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 16. To do great things, you first need to— [choose one] (p. 125) 125) (a) (a) be b e lucky. lu cky. (b) think and expect expect great thi th ings ng s . (c) be great. (d) all all of the th e abov ab ovee 17. _____ ___ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ control con trol the world. orld. (p. 12 125) 18. Complete the following: A vision is an idea that is so power po werful ful ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ (p. 125) 125) 19. Why W hy is the th e faith of vi v is ion cruci cruc ial? (p. 126) 126) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
Conclusion
The greatest gift that God gave humankind is not the gift o sight, but the gift of vision. Faith is vision in the heart. Proverbs 23:7 says, “As [a person] thinks in his heart, so is he” he ” (nkjv). The success or failure of your dream will be determi determined by how h ow you s ee. Do Do you yo u have h ave si s ight gh t or vis vis ion? on ? App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• What is your answer to the question that concluded this chapter: Do you y ou have s ight or vis vis ion? Why? Why ? • Are you thinking and speaking in positive or negative terms in relation to your vision? How might what you are thinking and s peaking peaking be und u nder erm mining ning your yo ur vis vis ion? on ? • Do you see life’s difficulties as problems or opportunities? Why? What can you do to focus more on the opportunities than the pr p robl ob lems ems ? • In what way(s) can your yo ur vis vis ion outl ou tliive you y ou?? Acting Acti ng on It It • Great thinking precedes great achievement. Write down great thoughts thou ghts about abou t your yo ur dream dream and repeat them aloud aloud to yoursel y oursel daily. As Dr. Munroe wrote earlier, don’t sell yourself short in choosing your life’s vision. • You can hel h elp p pr p rotect ote ct you y ourr vis vis ion by guardi gu arding ng what you yo u s ay. ay. I you have been speaking negatively about your vision, choose one aspect of it and begin to speak words of faith regarding regarding it. • Worry and fear will make your vision short-circuit. Memorize
Scri Scriptures pt ures to hel h elp p buil b uild d you y ourr faith faith,, such su ch as the th e foll followi owing ng:: And An d we know that in all things God works orks for the good go od of thos tho s e who love ov e him, him, who who have hav e been bee n called called accordi ac cording ng to his his pur pu rpos po s e. (Romans 8:28) My God will meet all [my] needs according to his gloriou gloriouss riche richess in Chris hris t Jesus Jes us . (Phil (Philiippi pp ians 4:19) The one on e who calls calls you yo u is faith faithful ful and an d he h e wil will do it. (1 Thes The s s alonians alonian s 5:24) 24) • For your yo ur vis vis ion to outl ou tliive you y ou,, you must us t clearl clearly conceive co nceive and express express your yo ur ideas ideas . Con Conti tinu nuee to define define and refine efine your yo ur vis vis ion until un til it is very v ery clear clear to you y ou.. Ex Express pres s your yo ur vis vis ion not no t only o nly to your you rs elf elf but to other oth erss who are are clos closee to you and supp s upport ort your vision. Praying Pr aying about about It It
• Ask God to help you clarify your vision and to fill you with great thoughts about it so you can speak specific words o faith faith concerni con cerning ng it. • Read the following Scripture passages and pray that God will give you greater insight about faith through them: Mark 4:35– 41; Matthew 21:19–22; Mark 6:34–44; John 11:1–44. Then put your yo ur fai faith th into practice practice in regard regard to your yo ur vision vision..
Faith is s eeing eei ng the futu future re in the pres pres ent.
Chapt ha pter er Ni Nine
Pri ncip ci pl e #6: # 6: Und Understand erstand the the Proce P rocess ss of o f Vision In hi h is heart a man man pl p lans his course, co urse, but b ut the th e Lord Lord det d eterm ermiines ne s his s teps te ps . —Prov —Proverbs erbs 16: 16:9 Chapter Theme
There is no hurried way to get to God’s vision. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his hi s steps.” Notice the word “steps.” God didn’t say He would direct our leaps, but rather our steps. He leads us step-by-step, day-by-day, through tribulations, trials, and character-building opportunities as He moves us toward our dreams. Why does God lead us in this way? Because He doesn’t want us only to win; He wants us to win with style. God’s desire is to fashion people with character and battle s cars who can s ay, ay, “God “God didn’t jus justt hand h and me thi th is vis vis ion. on . I have hav e qualified for it.” Questio Ques tions ns for for Reflectio Reflec tion n
1. How How lon long g do d o you y ou exp exp ect it wil will take ta ke you yo u to t o fulfi fulfill your yo ur visi vis ion? on ? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 2. Do you feel anxious that your vision isn’t being fulfilled as qui qu ickl ckly as you yo u would li like? Why W hy or why why not? no t?
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
3. God has a plan for each of our lives. How does He usually bring bring thos th os e plans plan s to pas pa s s ? (p. 129 129) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 4. While God tells you where you are going with your vision, what will He rarely tell you? (p. 129) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 5. At the time you receive your vision, you are not yet ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ __ for it. (p. 130 130) 6. The Th e proces pro ces s God is tak ta king you through to arrive at your destination is designed to do what? (p. 130) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 7. What are two things that the process of vision will do for you? yo u? (p. 13 130) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 8. What Wha t mi might gh t happ h appen en if God s howed ho wed you yo u exactly exactly what is going g oing to happen in your life as you progress toward your vision? (pp. 130–33) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 9. Though Thou gh God God’’s ways of getting you yo u where where you yo u need nee d to go wil will often be different different from from wh wh at you yo u expe expect ct,, there th ere wil will always always be a ___ _ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ __ _ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ for them the m. (p (p . 132) 32) 10. 10. Your ou r hardshi hards hips ps are are part of God’ od ’s ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ __ for you. yo u. (p. 13 132) 11. When Wh en we go throu th rough gh diffi difficult cult times times,, wha whatt do d o we often thi th ink is is happ ha ppen eniing? ng ? W Wha hatt is reall really the t he cas e? (p. 132 132) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 12. What Wha t is God trying trying to do in our ou r li lives ve s when we’re e’re grum g rumbli bling ng that He is taking too long to fulfill our visions? (p. 133) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 13. Sometimes, we want the vision without being ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ for it. (p. 133 133) 14. W hen he n wil will your yo ur
visi vis ion cul cu lminate na te?? (p. 134) 134) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 15. If you’re in a job that is not your true occupation, what should you be doing while you have the job? (p. 134) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 16. What does do es pur pu rpos po s e give to you y ourr present presen t job job?? (p. (p. 13 134) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 17. As you yo u wait for for you y ourr dream, dream, how ho w mus mus t you y ou live? ve ? (p. 135 135)) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Conclusion
At the time when you receive your vision, you don’t yet have the ability to handle the big things that you’re dreaming. You don’t do n’t have h ave the th e experi experien ence ce or o r the character ch aracter for for them th em.. The vision that t hat you yo u have h ave received aw a waits aits an appo ap poiinted nt ed ti t ime. You must believe in what God has told you about your vision becau be causs e it won’t won ’t happ ha ppen en overnigh ov ernight. t. It wil will occu oc curr throu th rough gh a proces pro ces s of charact ch aracter er dev de v elopmen elopment, t, which which wil will com co me abou ab outt as you live by faith and inner vision—not by what you see right now.
App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• Is Is the th e pr p roces oc esss of fulfi fulfillling your yo ur visi vis ion diff different from from what ha t you y ou expected? Why or why not? If so, has this unexpected route caused you to become discouraged or even to abandon the vision? Are you thinking, “Where is the God of my vision?” Do you y ou think He has h as s topped top ped worki orking to fulf ulfill your yo ur pur pu rpos po s e? If so, how will you respond to these feelings based on what you have read in in thi th is chapter? • Right now, do you have enough discipline and character to fulfill your vision and still be faithful to God, your family, and other people? people? Why Wh y or why why not? n ot? • Are you submitting to the process of your vision or resisting it? What can you do to accept the process so you can move forw forward in in God God’’s pur pu rpos po s es for you? yo u? • Do you trust that your hardships are part of God’s perfect plan for you? yo u? W hat ha t have ha ve you yo u learned earn ed abou ab outt the th e val va lue o hardshi hards hips ps in the process proces s of ful fulffilling your yo ur vision vision?? • Would you want your vision without being qualified for it? Why Wh y or why why not? no t? Acting Acti ng on It It • In this chapter, we’ve looked at the processes that Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Paul, and Jesus Christ went through to fulfill their visions. Start writing the story of your journey toward your own vision, even though you don’t yet know how it will all come to pass. As you write, try to answer these questions: How has God used circumstances in my life to build character
in me? What character qualities has God shown me that I still need nee d to t o work on? on ? Wha W hatt expe experrience, enc e, kno know wledge, edg e, and s kills am I gaining through my job and other avenues in my life? How have hav e I seen see n God God hel he lp me me in in the t he mids t of o f my my s truggles trug gles?? In what ways have I overcome temptation in my life? Write down the lessons you are learning and what God is teaching you. Keep an ongoing record of the process of your vision so you can s ee the th e hand ha nd of God God in you y ourr life. • Read Habakkuk 2:1–4. Then review the seven principles o vision based on this Scripture passage that are found on pag pa g es 227–2 227–28 8 of The Principles and Power of Vision to remind yourself that your vision will come to pass in God’s timing. • When you are are tempted tempted to thi th ink that God God has abandoned abando ned you y ou and your yo ur vision, read the th e foll following owing Scri Scripture pt ure verses ve rses : Surely Surely I am with you yo u always always , to the th e very end of the age. ag e. (Matt (Matthew hew 28:20) Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) Can Can a moth mother er forget forget the t he baby b aby at her h er breas breastt and an d have h ave no compas compasss ion on o n the th e chil child s he has borne? Though s he may may forget, I wi will not no t forget you y ou!! See, See, I have hav e engraved en graved you yo u on the Pr aying about about It It pal pa lms o f my han h ands ds . (Is (Is aiah 49: 49:15–16 15–16)) Praying • As you progres progresss toward toward your yo ur vis vis ion, have you y ou been pr p raying, aying, “Lord, isn’t there any other way?” God knows what you’re going through because His Son felt the same way in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus is now interceding on your beh be h alf (see (s ee Hebrew Heb rewss 7:2 7:25), 5), and y ou can coun co untt on o n His His s trengt tren gth h and help. Therefore, just as Jesus did, change your prayer to, “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39), and trust
God to br b ring you yo u thr th rough ou gh to vi v ictory. ctory. • Instead ns tead of complai complaini ning ng about abo ut how ho w thing thingss are are goi go ing in you y our r life, exerci exerciss e you y ourr faith faith in God and an d fil fill your you r heart hea rt with with praise prais e and worship to Him.
God pre rep pares you you for for the p purp urpos osee through the proces roce s s .
Chapt ha pter er Ten Ten
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #7: Set Set the the Pri oriti ori ties es of Vi sion si on Your ou r li life is is the th e sum s um total to tal of the deci de ciss ions on s you yo u mak makee every ev ery day. d ay. Chapter Theme
If
you want to be successful, you must set priorities for
yourself in relation to your vision. Both successful and unsuccessful people alike make decisions every day that influence their chances of achieving their visions. Whether they realize it or not, it is the nature and quality of the choices they th ey make make that determ det ermiine thei th eirr succes su cces s or fai faillure. Question for Reflection
1. Think of the most significant decision you have made in the last three years. Was this decision beneficial or harmful to your yo ur li life and vis vis ion? on ? Why W hy?? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
2. Why will understanding priority help you to accomplish your dream? (p. 137) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 3. What do your you r choices choices and prefer preferences ences reveal about abou t you? y ou? (p. 137) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 4. What did Dr Dr. Munroe s ay has s igni gn ificantl cant ly contri co ntribu buted ted to who you yo u are today to day?? (p. 13 137) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 5. How How can you yo u tell t ell (for (for the th e mos mos t part) p art) wha whatt kind kind of li life you’re yo u’re goi go ing to have hav e in in the t he future? futu re? (pp (pp.. 13 137–38) –38) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 6. Because they determine your destiny, ____________ and ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ __ are the th e mo mo s t powerful p owerful words you yo u wil will ever ev er say. s ay. (p. 138) 7. When people don’t succeed in their visions, it is often becau be causs e they th ey don’t do n’t unde un ders rsta tand nd an importan po rtantt truth trut h abou ab outt priori prioritiz tiziing. ng . W hat ha t is that th at truth? trut h? (p. 138 138) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 8. Ci Circle on o n e: True True o r False Even if something is a good thing, it is not necessarily ben be n eficial eficial to you. yo u. (p. 139) 39) 9. How do you yo u dete de term rmiine what is ben be n eficial eficial to you? yo u? (pp. (pp . 138–39 38–39)) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
10. Your ou r greates greates t chal ch alllenge eng e is is not no t in in choo ch ooss ing betw bet ween goo g ood d or o r bad ba d bu b u t bet b etween ween goo g ood d and an d ___ _ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___. _. (p. 140) 11. W hy might gh t you y ou keep drifti drifting ng off in in the th e wrong wron g direct directiion in term t ermss o f your yo ur vi v is ion? on ? (p. 141 141) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 12. For what reason might you end up in a place where you don’t really want to be in life? (pp. 142–43) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 13. How can you make sure you will hit the mark? (p. 143) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 14. Why do people sometimes become involved in too many things? (p. 143) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 15. You wil will never nev er be ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ in your you r life until you have real vision. (p. 145) 16. If you are afraid to take decisive decisive action to move ov e toward toward your yo ur vis vis ion, on , what s hould ho uld your you r pers pe rspe pect ctiive be? be ? (p. 147 147)
____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 17. What do people who succeed do? What happens when peo pe o ple don’t do n’t do thi th is ? (p. 147 147) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ Conclusion
Vis ion is the th e key key to t o an effective effective li life becaus becau s e when you y ou s ee your destination, it helps you to discipline your life in ways that th at trai t rain, n, prepare, p repare, and provi prov ide for your you r vis vis ion. on . You mus t com co me to the point where you focus on what is necessary to fulfill your yo ur dream. dream. If If you don’t, do n’t, you won’ on ’t mak makee it it to t o the t he end of your you r vision. If you yo u hav h avee gott go tten en off track in life, life, it does d oes n’t matt matter er how youn yo ung g or o r old you are: are: Refocu efocuss on your yo ur vis vis ion and make ake strong s trong and s pecifi pecific deci d eciss ions on s that will lead lead you yo u ther the re. App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• What have your life choices revealed about who you are and what you y ou value? value? • Will your current habits, actions, and choices affect your life pos po s itively or nega ne gatively tively in in th t h e future? futu re? Why? Wh y? • What in your life is good but not necessarily beneficial to you? • What might you be doing for the purpose of making people think think you are bus y and an d capabl capab le rather rather than for the purpos p urposee o furthering urthering your yo ur vision?
Acting Acti ng on It It
• Write out your answers to the discipline questions found on pag pa g es 145–4 145–46 6 of The Principles and Power of Vision. A dd any other categories that apply. Then do the next exercise, bel be low. ow. • Ask As k yourself you rself,, “What “Wh at benefi be nefits ts me? What W hat will mov movee me me toward t oward my goal?” Write out priorities in each area of your life in relati elation on to your yo ur vis vis ion. on . • Determ ete rmiine what you yo u need n eed to eli eliminate nat e or o r scal sca le back b ack on in your yo ur life in in order o rder to focus focu s on your yo ur dream. dream. Praying Pr aying about about It It • To make sure you hit your mark, tell God sincerely that you want to join with His plan for your life. Then let His yoke guide you by reading His Word, staying in step with His ways, ways , and followi ollowing ng His His gui gu idance dan ce in you y ourr li life. • If you’ve gotten off track from your vision, confess to God honestly that you haven’t made the best use of your time, gif gifts, ts , and res resou ourrces in the th e past, pas t, but that t hat you y ou’’re goi go ing to t o mak makee the rest es t of o f your li life count. cou nt. As k Him to help you to s tick tick to the priori priorities ties you yo u have ha ve s et and an d to recom reco mmit to y our ou r prioriti priorities es whenever hen ever you s tart to s tray fr from your yo ur vis vis ion. on .
Choose to live well.
Chapt ha pter er El Eleven ev en
Principle #8: Recognize People’s Influence on Vision When Wh en you yo u begin b egin to act on o n your yo ur vis vis ion, on , it wil will s tir tir up both bo th tho t hoss e who want to help help you yo u and thos e who who want to hinder you. you . Chapter Theme
You must recognize people’s influence on your vision. God has people who are prepared to work with you and encourage you, and they will be a blessing to you. The principle o influence has a twofold application, however, because people can have a negative impact on us as well as a positive one. Wheth Wh ether er you yo u reali realize it it or not, not , the infl influen uence ce of thos tho s e you yo u s pend pen d time with has a powerful effect on how you will end up in life and on wheth he ther er you will s ucceed ucc eed or fai faill in you y ourr vision. Question for Reflection
1. What person has been the most positive influence on your life/vision s o far? In In what wha t way? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
2. Why do you need other people if you are going to be
successful in your vision? (p. 151) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 3. There will always be a need for ___________________ peo pe o ple in your yo ur life. life. (p. 152 152) 4. If you yo u hav ha v e no dream drea m or do d o not no t beg be g in to act on your yo ur d ream, ream, what wil will happ ha ppen en to the th e peop pe oplle who are supposed to help you with your vision? (p. 152) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 5. When you begin to act on your vision, what will it stir up? (p. 152) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 6. What Wh at is the th e law of ass as s oci oc iation? (p. 15 152) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 7. There are two words that most accurately describe influence: ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ and an d ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __.. (p. 152 152) 8. What Wh at do peopl peo plee have hav e the th e potent po tentiial to cr c reate? (p. 15 153) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 9. Yo ur envir en viro o nmen nmentt det d eterm ermiines ne s your yo ur ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ___, __ _, and an d you y ourr mind-s nd -set et det d eterm ermiines ne s your yo ur ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___. _. (p. (p. 15 153) 10. In In gen g eneral eral,, what what kind of fr friends end s s houl ho uld d you y ou choos cho os e? (p. 15 153) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
11. What three questions of influence should you be asking yourself truthfully and regularly as you progress toward your vision? (pp. 153–54) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 12. Why may certain people become angry with you or even beg be g in to hate ha te y ou when you yo u s tep te p out ou t and an d do s omet omething hing that th at they have never done? (pp. 155, 157) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 13. Who can sometimes be the most detrimental to the fulfillment of your vision? Why is this the case? (p. 155) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 14. People who change the world have declared independence from ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ ____ __ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ __ ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __.. (p. 156) 56) 15. W hen he n peop pe oplle oppose you and your vision, what should you do? (pp. 156– 57) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
16. In regard to the problems that come with the law o association, what three things should you do to protect your vision? (pp. 157–162) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 17. Whom Wh om s hould ho uld you yo u di d is ass as s ociate you y ourself rself from from?? (p. 15 158) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 18. Why are there some people you should just be acquainted with (have limited association with)? (p. 160) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 19. How How can you yo u protect prot ect your yo ur ment mental al envi env ironm on ment? en t? (p. 16 161) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 20. What type of people should you expand your association with? (p. 161) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Conclusion
We all need other people to guide, help, and encourage us along the path to fulfilling our visions. Because we need the influence of others, however, we are also in danger of the
negative effects people may have on us if we—or they—are not careful. Therefore, it is crucial for us to guard our hearts, thoughts, attitudes, and ideas from being sabotaged by those around us. We must increase the positive influences in our lives and decrease the negative ones as we pursue our indi nd ividual vidua l goal go alss in tan t andem dem with others ot hers.. App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• Do you y ou tend t end to t o thi th ink that you don’ don ’t need other people to help help you in your life/vision? After reading this chapter, what have you learned earned about abou t the th e necess neces s ity of o f other people people encour encou raging aging you yo u and a nd hel he lping you yo u to t o fulfi fulfill your yo ur li life’s fe’s vision? • In what ways have you become like those with whom you s pend pen d tim time? • Are your close friends and/or potential spouse going in the same direction you are, and are they supportive of your life goals? If not, are you willing to forfeit your true purpose and vis vis ion becaus becau s e of o f their their infl influen uence? ce? • Are you sacrificing your dream because you are afraid o others’ disapproval or opposition? What have you learned in this this chapter abou aboutt how to res respon pond d to thi th is s ituation? tuation? Acting Acti ng on It It • Ans wer the three questi ques tions ons pos ed in in the th e chapter: 1. “With whom am I spending time?” Who are your closest friends end s ? Who W ho are the peop p eoplle you yo u are conf con fiding in? in? 2. “What are these people doing to me?” In other words, what do they have you listening to, reading, thinking, doing? Where do they have you going? What do they have you
saying? How do they have you feeling? What do they have you yo u s ettling ettling for? 3. “Is what these people are doing to me a good thing in light of my my vision?” vision? ” • Consider carefully whom you should disassociate from, have limited association with, and expand your association with. Above all, ask yourself: “Who can help me toward my goal? What Wh at per pe rs on can I get close clos e to and learn earn from from?” ?” • Decide ahead of time how you will respond the next time s omeone omeone is negative negative about ab out your you r vis vis ion. • Begin to act on your dream so that the people who are s uppos upp osed ed to help help you y ou in your y our vis vis ion will be able to do s o. • Read Read chap ch apte terr 16 16, “The “Th e Gen Generation erational al Nat Nature ure of o f Vis ion,” on ,” in The Princi Prin cipl ples es and an d Powe Po werr o f Visi Vision on.. Then think about what kind yo u are being on your family, friends, and others. of influence you What kind of legacy are you building for the next generation? What Wh at kind kind of nutri nu trien ents ts are you leavi eav ing in the t he s oil of li life? Praying Pr aying about about It It
• Ask God to give you discernment about the positive and negative effects people are having on you so that you can make ake wis wis e deci d eciss ions on s about abo ut the ass as s ociation ociationss in you y ourr li life. • Seek God about whom you should spend more time with to help you yo u matu mature re and prepare p repare to work in you y ourr vision. • Thank God for those who are a positive influence in your life, and ask as k Him to enabl enab le you yo u to t o be b e a bl b less es s ing to them as well ell.
Protect Pr otect your mental env e nvii ronment. ronment.
Chapter Twelve
Pri ncip ci pl e #9: Emp Empl oy th thee Prov Pr ovii sion si on of Vi sion si on God des igned gn ed every ev ery purpos e with with its own prosperi pros perity ty.. Chapter Theme
Many people stop dreaming about what they really want to do in life because they know they have few resources with which to do it. They believe they have to pay for their visions with their present incomes when sometimes they can barely make ends meet as it is. We must understand the power o provis pro visiion if we are are to ful fu lfil fill our ou r visi vis ions on s . God wil will neve ne verr give you y ou a vision without provision. The ability and resources are avai ava ilable for for what whatev ever er you yo u were were born bo rn to do. d o. Question for Reflection
1. Does your yo ur vis vis ion s ometim ometimes es s eem unreachab un reachablle becaus bec aus e of all all the resources it will take to accomplish it? What are your major concerns in achieving your vision? What is it about thes e concer conce rns that tha t seem s eemss most os t dif difficult to you? you ? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
2. Ci Circle on o n e: True True o r False Our provis provis ions on s are are never n ever equal equ al to our ou r vis vis ions on s at the t he moment oment we receive our visions. (p. 165) 3. To review, what is your job in
regard to your vision? What is God’s job? (p. 166) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 4. W hat does do es thi th is arrang arrangem emen entt free free you yo u to be? be ? (p. (p. 16 166) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 5. Why does God often give us dreams that confound us at first? (p. 166) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 6. When Wh en does do es God manif anifest es t the t he provision provision for your yo ur vis vis ion? on ? (pp. 166–67) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 7. Whatever Wh atever you were ere born to do _____ __ ______ ______ ______ ____ _ what what you yo u need to do it. (pp. 166–67) 8. What has God already blessed you yo u with with?? (p. 167 167) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 9. Dr. Munroe mentioned two misconceptions of prosperity. What are these misconceptions? (pp. 167–68) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 10. Pros Prospe peri rity ty does do esn’t n’t mean mean that th at tom t omorr orrow’ ow’ss need nee d is met met tod t oday; ay; it means means that tha t ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ need n eed is met tod t oday. ay. (p. 169 169)) 11. What Wh at does do es it mean mean to t o hav h avee true pros peri pe rity ty?? (p. (p. 17 170) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 12. God has designed every purpose with its own ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __.. Your ou r purpo pu rposs e has ha s ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ___ __ _ provis pro visiion for it. (p. 171 171) 13. What is the nature and degree of your prosperity determined by? (p. 171) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 14. Why will God sometimes not give us all the resources we need to fulfill our visions? (p. 172) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 15. Why is obedience to your vision not just a private issue? (p. 173) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 16. If If God is not no t sho s hort rt of anything anyt hing we need, need , why why are there som s omee things we might ask for that He can’t supply us with? (p. 175)
____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 17. There are five specific ways in which God provides resources to fulfill our visions. What is the first way? (pp. 176–79) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 18. What Wh at efforts efforts wil will you likely kely need ne ed to make in in order ord er to employ employ this provision? (pp. 178–79) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 19. Nam Namee the t he s econd eco nd way God God provi prov ides for our vi v is ions on s . (p. (p. 179 179) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 20. 20. How di d id Dr. Dr. Mun Mu n roe d efin efin e work wo rk?? (p. (p . 179) 179) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 21. Work Work reveals your yo ur ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___. _. (p. 18 180) 22. What Wh at is the th e thi th ird way God God provi prov ides de s for our visions ? (p. 18 182) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 23. What is a large part of the gift of cultivation? (p. 182) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 24. The fourth way God provides for our visions is by giving us wis dom do m to ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ and an d ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ __ for the future. (p. 183) 25. What is the fifth way God provides for visi vis ion? on ? (p. 184 184) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Conclusion
Proverbs 16:1 says, “To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.” Trust God to provide pro vide for your yo ur visi vis ion each eac h s tep te p of o f the th e way, way, and let Him Him reveal reve al how you will obtain the finances, people, buildings, and anything else that is required. Always remember that purpose is your yo ur res respo pons ns ibili bility; ty ; provision p rovision is God God’’s respon resp onss ibili bility. App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• Has your definition of prosperity changed as a result o reading eading this this chapter? Why or why why not? • Have you been waiting for all the provision to be in place before be fore s tarti ta rting ng to work on you yo u r visi vis ion? on ? W hat ha t have ha ve you yo u learned in this chapter about that approach? What should your you r pers pers pective pective on o n pr p rovision ovision be? • Dr. Munroe said that God provides for the birds, but He doesn’t hand-deliver food to their nests. In what ways might
you yo u have hav e been b een waiti aiting ng for God God to hand-del han d-deliiver your yo ur provis provis ion instead of taking advantage of what God has supplied for your use? • How much much of o f your yo ur heavenl heaven ly storeho s torehous usee have hav e you ask as ked for? for? • What Wh at is is your yo ur vis vis ion of o f inher nh eriitance tan ce for for your descend des cendants ants ? Acting Acti ng on It It • Make a point to get rid of any excess in your life that is detracti det racting ng from your yo ur vision. • What resources do you need to fulfill your dream? List them, and then trust God to provide for all the needs of your vision as He has promi promis ed to do. • How wi will you yo u us u s e the th e inform information ation in thi th is chapt cha pter er to purs p ursue ue provis pro visiion for your yo ur visi vis io n? • Meditate on and memorize the following Scripture passage to keep yours yo ursel elff from from worrying orrying abo a bout ut your yo ur mate materi rial al needs ne eds as you yo u pursu pu rsuee your yo ur visi vis ion: on : Therefore Th erefore I tel te ll you yo u , do not no t worry worry abou ab outt your yo ur li life, what you y ou will eat or drink; drink; or o r about abo ut your yo ur body, bo dy, what what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body bo dy more importan po rtantt than th an clothes cloth es?... ?...So So do not no t worry, worry, say s ayiing, ng , “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What s hall we wear?” wear?” For the pagan p aganss run after all all thes e thi th ings ng s , and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:25, 31–33) Praying about It • Ask God to forgive you if you have been worrying about your yo ur provi prov is ion rather than th an trusting trus ting Him Him for it. Then thank th ank Hi Him that He will provide for all your needs as you seek and obey
Him. Honor and worship Him as the God who provides for you. • Use what is in your heavenly warehouse by daily praying with confidence, “Lord, please deliver to me what I need today accordi according ng to the t he abundan abu ndantt provis provis ion You have s tored up for me.”
Whatever God purposes, He provides for.
Chapter hap ter Thi Th irteen
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #10: Use Persi P ersisten stence ce i n Ach chii evi evi ng thee Vi sion th si on Ever ve ry true vi v is ion will be tes ted for authen auth entici ticity. ty. Chapter Theme
It is inevitable that obstacles are going to come against you and your yo ur vision. You You mus t not n ot thi th ink that you yo u are a re exem exempt pt from from this reality or you won’t understand how to achieve your vision. When you begin to act on your dream, everything is goi go ing to try to get ge t in in the t he way of o f it. You mus t be b e prepared prepa red for for the challenges, for they are coming. God assures us that, even though there will be times of stress, disappointment, and press pres s ure, the th e visi vis ion wil will com co me to pas pa s s . Theref The refore, ore, it is not no t a matter of whether your vision is going to be fulfilled. Rather, it’s a matter of whether you’re going to be true to your vision in the t he mi mids t of o f tri trials als s o that t hat God can br b ring it to pas s . Question for Reflection
1. What are your thoughts on the following quotation from Eleanor ean or Roo Rooss evel ev elt: t: “A [pers [person on]] is is like a tea bag. bag . You never nev er know how strong it is until it’s in hot water”? Have you found this to be true in in your yo ur own li life? In what ways? ways ? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
2. What does it mean to have faithfulness in regard to your vision? (p. 190) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 3. What does do es it mean mean to be s teadf tead fast? as t? (p. 19 190) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 4. What s houl ho uld d oppo op poss ition tion do for you? yo u? (pp. (pp . 19 190–91) –91) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 5. Courage is is the abili ability to t o ____ _ ______ ______ ______ ___ ______ ___ ______ ___ in the th e face of ____________. (p. 190) 6. Dr. Munroe mentioned three challenges or pressures we may experience in life. What is the first one? (p. 191) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 7. What will help you overcome a difficult background and fulfill your purpose as God’s child? (p. 191) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 8. Nam Namee the t he s econd eco nd chal ch alllenge en ge or press pres s ure we may may experi experien ence ce in life. (pp. 191–92) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 9. How should you respond to this second challenge? (p. 192)
____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 10. What is the third challenge or pressure we may experience in life? (p. 192) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 11. How How can you yo u ove o verrcom co me suc s uch h opp o ppos os ition? (p. 19 192) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 12. Destiny demands _______________________. (p. 193) 13. When it comes to their visions, persistent people win becau be causs e they th ey neve ne verr do what? what ? (p. 194 194) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 14. According to Dr. Munroe, how strong is the light of God’s vision in your heart? (p. 196) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ pe rseveran rance ce 15. What does perseve mean? (p. 196) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
16. ________________________ is formed by pressure. (p. 197) 97) 17 17. How How doe d oess God us e pres p resss ure in you y ourr li life? (p. 19 197) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 18. What will happen when you understand that pressure is good for you? (p. 197) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 19. The Scriptures say that people who succeed are those who — [ch [choo ooss e one] on e] (p. (p. 19 197) (a) end en d ure to the th e end. en d. (b) outrun others. ot hers. (c) s tep on others. (d) are smarter smarter than th an oth o thers. ers. 20. Every true vision will be tested for ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ _. (p. 198) 98) 21. 21. W hat ha t bene be nefi fits ts can you yo u gai ga in from a cris cris is ? (p. 198 198) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Conclusion
Don’t be afraid when you make a declaration of what you’re going to do in life and difficulty follows—it comes to test your resolve. If your vision is authentic, life is going to try it, just to make sure. Therefore, if you are encountering opposition to
your vision, be encouraged that your faith is being strengthened and that God is not only enabling you to stand strong in the face of difficulties, but also to overcome them so you yo u can ca n fulfi fulfill His His pur pu rpos po s e for you. you . App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• What Wh at do you yo u us ually ually do when you yo u are put in in “hot “h ot water”? water”? Do Do you yo u allow allow your you rs elf elf to be bur bu rned, ned , or do you yo u mak makee tea? • Have you y ou accepted the th e cos t of your you r vis vis ion? In what areas areas o your yo ur li life/vision are you yo u in need n eed of persever persev erance? ance? • What Wh at wil will you yo u do d o the t he next next ti t ime Li Life says sa ys no to your yo ur vision? Acting Acti ng on It It • Lis t the th e maj major or chall challenges eng es and press ures you yo u are encoun enco unteri tering ng in regard to your vision. What constructive actions can you take take in in respons respo nsee to thes t hesee chall challenges and pr p ress es s ures? How How can can you yo u per p erss evere under un der them and us e them th em for your you r benefit benefit (e.g., (e.g., to make make you yo u stron s tronger ger and wis wis er)? er)? • When you are feeling overwhelmed with the obstacles that you are facing, read this Scripture passage and remind yourself that God loves you, has given you your vision, and will enable you to be victorious: Who shall separate us from the love ov e of o f Chri Chriss t? Shall trouble or hardship hards hip or persecu tion tion or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us [and cal c allled us and gave gav e us u s our ou r vis vis ions on s ]. (Rom (Romans ans 8:35, 37 37) • Write down the saying “Destiny demands diligence” on a piece o f pape pa perr and an d put pu t it where you yo u can be remi reminded nd ed of it
every day d ay.. Praying Pr aying about about It It
• Pray that God will give you a willing spirit so that you will yield to His work in you and allow Him to form your character through the pressures of life. Ask Him specifically to develop faithful aithfulnes nesss , steadfastnes s , and courage in in you. y ou. • When Wh en you y ou feel beaten beat en up u p by b y lif life, go to God in pr p rayer and ask as k Him to cool you with the water of His Word, bring healing to your wounds through the ointment of the Holy Spirit, and fill you with renewed vision. After you are strengthened, be sure to mov movee forw forward ard in in you y ourr vision with with persist p ersistenc ence. e.
The vis vis ion in your your heart mus mus t be be gre g reat ater er than any opp opposi os i tion tion to it. i t.
Chapter Fourteen
Prin Pri ncip ci pl e #11: #11: Be Pati Patien entt in i n th thee Fulfi Fulfi l l men entt of Vi sion si on Imitate thos tho s e who through throug h faith aith and pati pat ience inher nh eriit what has h as been promi promis ed. —Heb —Hebrew rewss 6:12 Ch apte ap terr Theme Theme
It may take a while for your vision to come to fruition, but i you yo u are wil willing to wait wait for it it (which (which many an y peo pe o ple are not n ot), ), it it wil will come come to pas pa s s . Peo People ple who who have ha ve long patience pa tience wil will always always win. Questio Ques tions ns for for Reflectio Reflec tion n
1. Who is the mos mostt patient pers pers on you know? Why? Why ? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 2. What quali qualities ties does a patient patient person have? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
3. According to Hebrews 10:35–36, what will be the result o your having patience or persevering? What else does it say you must do to receive this result? (p. 203) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 4. Patience _________________ the eventual success of the plan. plan . (p. 20 203) 5. What do some people do when making plans to carry out their visions that is counter-productive? (p. 203) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 6. Why Wh y do d o you y ou need to pati pat iently rely rely on o n God God’’s gui gu idance dan ce ever ev ery y step of the way? (p. 204) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 7. At what time time wil will y our ou r vis vis ion com co me to t o pas p asss ? (p. 20 204) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 8. With what attitude s houl ho uld d you y ou wait ait for your you r vis vis ion? on ? [choos e o n e] (p. 204) 204) (a) boredom (b) discou disc ouragem ragemen entt (c) anxiety (d) antici an ticipat patiion
9. You mus t be wil willing to progress prog ress at the th e vi v is ion’ on ’s ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ___. _. (p. 204 204)) 10. When Whe n you yo u are patient pa tient in the th e fulfi fulfillment of you y ourr vis vis ion, on , what what are you able to be in the midst of uncertainty? (p. 205) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 11. How can you endure the “cross” of life’s difficulties while waiting for your vision? (p. 205) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 12. Vis ion takes ___ _ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ and patience and often inv invol olves ves ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___. _. (p. 205) 205) 13. Pat Patiience en ce is the th e key to power po wer over ov er wha whatt things t hings ? (p. 20 205) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 14. In what way is patience more powerful than might in a pers pe rson on?? (p. 206 206)) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 15. In the last chapter, we learned that trials test our faith. According to James 1:3 (nkjv), what does this testing of our faith produce? (p. 206) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 16. According to James 1:4 (nkjv), what does patience then do for us? (p. 206) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Conclusion
It’s It’s crucial crucial that you yo u maint aintai ain n your yo ur dream by pati pat ientl ent ly waiting waiting for its fulfillment. Jesus came to earth in the fullness of time, and so will your vision. If someone asks you about your vision, you can say, “I’m just waiting for the next move.” Some peop pe oplle might gh t wonder wond er if it it wil will ever eve r happ ha ppen en.. You You do not no t need ne ed to wonder, however, but simply to wait with confidence and anticipation. anticipation. Rem Remem ember ber that tha t God God takes you yo u through throu gh a s tep-bys tep process proces s as He mak makes es you yo u ready to enjoy, enjoy, work work in, and be a bless bles s ing throu th rough gh your yo ur visi vis io n. App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• Have you been trying to force the timetable of the fulfillment of your you r vision vision?? If If s o, what what have h ave you y ou learned about abo ut pati p atience ence in this chapter that will enable you to trust God to fulfill the visi vis ion in His His timi timing? ng ? • With what attitude have hav e you yo u been waiti aiting ng for your yo ur vis vis ion? on ? On what basis can you wait with eagerness, peace, and anticipation? • Based on what you have learned about the power of patience in Proverbs 16:32, how can patience enable you to overcome oppo op poss ition in in you y ourr life? “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls controls his temper temper than one who wh o tak ta k es a city. city.” Acting Acti ng on It It
• Develop patience as you wait for your vision by focusing on the th e joy joy that th at is s et before b efore you—the you —the fulfi ulfillment of your yo ur dream— dream— so that you will endure to see it come to pass. (See Hebrews 12:2.) • Have you allowed the testing of your faith to produce patienc pa tiencee in you? yo u? Keep a record reco rd of how ho w your yo ur faith faith is tes te s ted, te d, and ask God to help you develop the all-important quality o patienc pa tiencee throu th rough gh thes th esee vari va riou ouss trials trials s o that th at you yo u can live in the purposes purpos es He has for you. you . • Streng Strengthe then n you y ourr spi sp irit as you yo u patiently patiently wait wait for your you r vis vis ion to come come to pas pa s s by com co mmitti tt ing thes th esee verses ve rses to memory: emory: But But let patienc pa tiencee have ha ve its p erfect erfect work, work, that th at you y ou may be b e perf pe rfect ect and an d com co mplete, plete , lacki lackin n g not n othing hing.. (Jam (James es 1:4 1:4 n kjv) We do not no t want wan t you yo u to t o becom b ecomee laz lazy y, but to imitate thos tho s e who throug t hrough h faith faith and patienc pa tiencee inh inheri eritt what has ha s been be en prom p romiis ed. ed . (Heb (Hebrew rewss 6:1 6:12) You need to per p erss evere [“hav [“havee need of patience” patience” kjv] kjv] so that when you yo u hav h avee done do ne the th e wil will of God God,, you wil will receive receive what he has h as prom pro mis ed. ed . (Hebrews (Hebrews 10: 10:36) Praying about It • Acknowledge to God that you are relying on His guidance every step of the way because He alone knows all that is needed, both within you and outside you, to bring your vis vis ion to pass p ass . • As you yo u wait wait for your you r vision, us e the th e time time to draw clos clos e to God and learn to follow the subtle leading of His Holy Spirit in your life so that you know when He is saying, “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah (Is aiah 30:2 30:21) 1)..
“ Let us run with with pat patie ience nce the race r ace that that is s et b before efore us.” us .”
—Heb —Hebrew rewss 12:1 12 :1 kjv k jv
Ch apte ap terr Fi Fifteen
Pri Pr i nci pl e #12: # 12: Stay tay Conn Connec ected ted to the Source Source of Vi sion si on I am the vine; vine; you yo u are the branches .... .... Apar Ap artt from from me you yo u can do nothing. no thing. —John 15:5 15 :5 Chapter Theme
If you are going to be successful in your vision, you must have ha ve a dail d aily y, dyna dy nam mic pers p erson onal al prayer praye r li life with with God. od . You n eed continual con tinual comm communi un ion and fell fellowship ows hip with with the th e Source Sou rce of vis vis ion. on . Question for Reflection
1. Have you noticed a difference in your life between the times when you were praying and reading the Bible regularly and the times when you were not? If so, what were those differences? ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Exploring Principles and Purposes
2. God is not only the _____________________ of your vis vis ion, on , but bu t als als o your yo ur conti con tinu nuiing ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ as you yo u progres pro gres s towar to ward d its fulfillment. (p. 209) 3. Apart from God, how much of His purpo pu rposs e are you yo u abl ab le to accom acc ompli pliss h? [See [See John Joh n 15:5 5:5.] (p. 209 209)
____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ 4. What Wh at wil will happen happ en if you yo u s tay in touc to uch h with with God? od ? (p. 20 209) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 5. Prayer sustains you in the _____________________ o vision. (p. 209) 6. Through what kind of prayer will God bring you through your difficulties and give you the victory? (p. 210) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 7. W hat wil will God do for you yo u when whe n you y ou get ge t away from from the th e noise n oise and confus con fusiion of li life and go to Him with your discouragement and stress? (p. 210) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 8. Through our prayers, God encourages us to get back out into the th e ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ of o f ffai aith. th. (p. 21 210) 9. 9. Si Since prayer is where he re you yo u receive receive the t he abi ab ility to con c ontinue tinue the t he figh fight, t, what what is it crucial for you to find during the day? (p. 211) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 10. Prayer is the essential ______________________ o vision. (p. 211)
11. When people attack your dream, what should you do? (p. 212) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ shoul sho uldn dn’’t 12. What you do? (p. 212) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ 13. Because God is the One who planted your life’s purpose within you in the beginning and has invested Himself in your dream, what can you be assured of? (p. 212) ____ __ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ __ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Conclusion
You will never nev er achieve you y ourr vis vis ion withou th outt prayer p rayer becaus becau s e prayer pray er is what keeps you yo u conn co nnect ected ed to the th e Vis ion-G on -Giiver ve r. Vis ions on s can be very demand demandiing. ng . Som Sometim etimes es,, in in the t he pursu pu rsuiit o your vision, you will grow emotionally and spiritually weary i things don’t seem to be working out for you. When you have
been be en pres s ed, ed , cri criticiz ticized, ed , and oppo op poss ed, ed , you yo u can c an beco be com me weak in faith faith and not no t want to go on. on . Yet Phili Philippi pp ians an s 1:6 s ays , “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” Therefore, continually go to God in prayer and allow Him to give you new strength and hope to persevere to the completion of your vision. There may be times when the only resou res ource rce you yo u hav h avee is praye p rayerr. Yet tha t hatt is al a ll you yo u wil will n eed. eed . God God will s ee you y ou through. throug h. App Applying the Princi Pri ncip ples le s of Vis ion Thinking It Over
• When people attack you, do you try to answer or retaliate against them, or do you take your troubles to God? What does the example of Nehemiah teach you about how you shoul sh ould d respo respond? nd? • Dr. Munroe said that every champion does not win every round, but if he perseveres, he wins the match. Have you just lost os t a “roun “round”? d”? How How s houl hou ld you yo u res res pond? pon d? • Since prayer is where you receive the ability to continue the fight, are you finding time during the day to go to God with your fears, concerns, and spiritual weariness? What will you do to make time time for praye p rayer? r? Acting Acti ng on It It
• Es Es tab ta b lis h a dail d aily y prayer pray er time time with with God. od . • Read and meditate on John 15:4–8. Write down what these verses teach you about the nature of your God-given vision and what you yo u need n eed to do to fulfi ulfill it. • Rem Remiind yours yo urself elf of th t h e impo importan rtance ce of prayer p rayer by b y memo emo riz rizing
thes e verses vers es:: By day d ay the t he Lord Lord directs directs his his love, ov e, at nigh nightt his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:8) Be oyful oy ful in in hope ho pe,, pati pat ient en t in aff a ffllicti ct ion, on , faithfu faithfull in prayer pray er.. (R (Roman omanss 12:12) Pray Pray in the th e Spiri Spirit on o n all occas oc cas ions on s with with all kinds nd s of prayers pray ers and a nd reques requ ests ts . (E (Ephes ph esiians an s 6:18) 18) Pray Pr ayii ng about about It It • In wha whatt ways are you yo u relying relying on o n God God for your yo ur li life and vision? In what ways aren’t you relying on Him? Be honest with God about how you are feeling. Then commit to Him the areas in which you aren’t currently relying on Him. Praise Him for bei be ing your yo ur Strength Streng th and an d Help, Help, and an d allow allow Him Him to enco en courag uragee and refr efresh es h you y ou through His s ustai us taini ning ng presence. • God will bring you through your difficulties and give you the victory through prayer based on His Word. When you face variou variouss problem problemss and challeng challenges es,, pray accor acco rding ding to Scri Scriptur ptu re that addre ad dress s es your you r need. Then, hold hold on o n to that Word Word in fai faith th as you go about pur p ursu suiing your visi vision. on.
Pray Pr ayer er i s what keep ke epss you you connected connec ted to the the Vi Vi s i on-G on-Gi ver.
Wri tin ti ng Your Pers Pe rsona onall Vi si on Pla Pl an This section of the study guide is designed to assist you in writing your personal vision plan. Read through chapter 17, “How to Wr Wriite Your ou r Pers Pers onal on al Vis ion Plan Plan,” ,” as well well as “The “Th e Pri Principles nciples and an d Proces s of Vi Vis ion” on ” sum s umm maries aries and an d the t he “Keys to Fulfilling Your Vision” found on pages 223–24, 226 in The rinciples rincip les and Power of Vision Vision.. Then use us e the s paces provided provided to answer the questions to the various steps, which you can use as guidelines for implementing your plan. Relevant page num nu mbers be rs in in the th e book bo ok are are li lis ted for easy eas y reference. reference.
Step One: Eliminate Distractions (See page 218.) Step Two: Fi nd Your True S el f
Write your personal purpose statement: (See pages 218–19.) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ S te tep p Thre Threee: Fi Fi nd Your Tr True Vi Vi s i on
Write your personal vision statement: (See pages 219, 225– 26.) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
Activities:
Write your own legacy: (See pages 219–20, 225–26.) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Write your yo ur personal p ersonal mission statement: (See pages 220, 225.) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Summarize your vision for your life in just one sentence: (See page 220.) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ S te tep p Four: our: Dis Di s cove over Your True Motiv otivation ation
Answe An swer r the the questions found found on o n page pag e 220:
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ S tep Fi Fi ve: Identify ntify Your Pri Pr i ncip nci pl es
Write out your life principles: (See pages 220–21.) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ S tep S Siix: Choos Choosee Your Goals Goals and Ob Objec jecti tiv ves
Write out ou t your yo ur goals: go als: (See p ages ag es 221, 221, 228 228– – 230. 230.)) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Write out o ut your you r obj ob jectives: ective s: (See page 221.) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ S tep S even: even: Identi Identify fy Your Res Re s ources ourc es
Identi Iden tiffy you yo u r human hu man need ne eds: s: (See pages 221, 227.) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Identi Iden tiffy your yo ur resour eso urce ce need ne eds: s: (See pages 222, 227.) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Write down d own your you r streng strengths: ths: (See page 222.) ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Write down dow n your you r weak wea k nesses: (See page 222.)
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ S te tep p Ei g ht: Commi Commi t to Your Vi s i on (p. 222)
Write out a commitment to your vision here. When you have completed completed it, sign sign and a nd date da te it.
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _
____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ___ _ Commit Commit your yo ur vision to God, ask ing Him to clarify His His urposes for for you, ref refine ine your yo ur plans, pla ns, and continu con tinuee to lead you throu through gh the process. process.
God will direct your steps when you make a concrete plan to move toward what you desire. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your your p plans lans will il l s ucce ucceed ed.. (Prover (Proverb bs 1 6 :3)
Perso Pe rson nal Pl anni ng and and Goa Go al -S -Setti etti ng Program Year: ar : Name:
By God’ od ’s grace, grace , I comm commit to t o acco acc o mplis plis hing the th e followi followin n g goals go als thi th is year: ye ar: Person Perso n al Spiri Spiritu tual al Goa Goalls 1. 2. 3. Perso Pers o n al Famil Family y Go als 1. 2. 3. Person Perso n al Health Health Goal oa ls 1. ______________________ 2. 3. Person Perso n al Acade Aca dem mic Goa Goalls 1.
2. 3. Personal Career Goals 1. 2. 3. Pers Pers onal on al Rel Relations ations hip Goa Goalls 2. 3. Personal Financial Goals 1. 2. 3. Pers Pers onal on al Inv Inves estm tment ent Goal oa ls 1. 2. 3.
1.
Answer Key Chapter Chapter One Vi s i on: The The Key to Fulfi Fulfill l i ng Your Life’ Life ’s Purp Pur pose os e 1. Answers will vary. 2. Answers will vary. 3. dream drea m 4. Without a vision of the future, life loses its meaning. An absence of meaning then leads to a lack of hope. Whenever peo pe o ple are hope ho pelless es s abou ab outt their th eir life s ituat tu atiions on s , they th ey can beco be com me resen res entful tful of their th eir job jobss or fami families. es . They The y can feel as as i they are wasting their lives, and they can start living with a vague vag ue but b ut cons con s tant inter nte rnal lon longi ging ng for som s omething ething more. more. They may even ev en s top to p parti p artici cipa pating ting in li life in in any a ny s igni gn ifican ficantt way. way. 5. People rarely act on their ideas so that years go by and they s till till haven ha ven’t ’t done don e anyt an ything hing to t o deve d evellop or fulf fulfiill them th em.. 6. has a dream but bu t does do esn’t n’t kno know w how ho w to br b ring it to pass pas s 7. Some reasons a person will abandon or get sidetracked from his or her dream are: a lack of money; fulfilling the dream seems too time-consuming; other people are working against the person; the person’s day job is making heavy demands; the person perso n becom b ecomes es dis dis cour cou raged becaus becau s e fami family mem members bers s ay the th e dream d ream wil will never ne ver succ s ucceed eed.. 8. desi des ign; gn ; vi v is ion 9. Fulfilling our visions brings purpose and meaning to our lives. 10. Dr. Munroe said that the very substance of life is for a pers pe rson on to fin fin d God God’’s purpo pu rposs e and an d fulfi fulfill it.
11. Every human being was created to accomplish something s pecifi pecific that th at no n o one o ne else can c an accom acco mpli plis h. 12. kno known; wn; s peci pe cial al 13. the passive force of ninety-nine people who are merely inter nte rested es ted in doi do ing or becom beco ming s ometh omethiing 14. 14. Yo u r gift gift wil will make a way for you yo u in th t h e world and an d en e n abl ab le you yo u to fulfi fulfilll your you r vis vis ion. on . 15. Answers may vary, but should include the following ideas: If education were the key to success, then everyone with higher education would be financially secure and happy. Someone who is intelligent or educated but isn’t exercising or developing his gift is probably going to be poor, depressed, frustrated, and tired. Again, our gifts are the key to our s ucces uc cesss . They are wha whatt the t he world orld makes room for and wil will pay for. 16. You are respo res pons ns ible for sti st irri rring your yo ur gift gift up. u p. You You can d o this t his by deve de vellopi op ing, ng , refi refining ning,, enhan enh ancing cing,, and an d us u s in g it. 17. Although education can’t give you your gift, it can help you yo u to t o develop d evelop it it s o that t hat it can be us u s ed to t o the t he max maxiimum. um. 18. orig orig inal na ls ; imi imitato ta tors. rs. You You can avoid av oid being b eing an a n imi imitato ta torr by not n ot trying to compete with or please everybody else, but instead deciding that you’re going to find your own niche and make room for yours yo ursel elff in in the t he world world by b y us u s ing your yo ur gift. gift. 19. False 20. A perso pe rson n can reali realize hi h is dream by having ha ving a clear vis vis ion and acting on it. As long as a person can hold on to his vision, then there is always a chance for him to move out of his pres ent en t circu circum ms tanc ta nces es and an d towar to ward d the th e fulfi fulfilllment en t of his purpo pu rposs e.
21. (f) your understanding and practicing the principles o vision. 22. We are the sum total of the choices and decisions we make every day d ay.. 23. power; responsibility Chapter Two The Source of Vision
1. Answers will vary. 2. Vis ion alw always ay s eman emanates ates from from pur pu rpos po s e. This This is s o becau b ecauss e God is the Author of vision, and it is His nature to be purpo pu rposs eful in everyt ev erything hing He doe d oess . 3. fulfill 4. ri rig ht time; time; gen ge n eration 5. God God is eternal ete rnal,, and He live livess in eternity. eternity. The vi v is ion He has put pu t into nt o you y ourr heart hea rt is is als als o in Hi His own heart. h eart. The Theref refore, ore, your you r vision is “a piece of eternity” that He gave you to deliver in time and space—that is, on the earth during your lifetime. God has specifically placed you in time so that others on earth will be able to s ee a pi p iece of o f eternity eternity that th at is in Him Him. 6. God planned and established your purpose before you were born. bo rn. In In this t his s ens en s e, it it has h as alread already y been b een com co mpleted plete d in eterni ete rnity. ty. 7. Instead of striving to fulfill what God has given you to do, you yo u can c an rely ely on o n Him Him to finish finish it as you yo u al a llow Hi Him to gui gu ide you yo u in the th e spe s peci cifi fics cs of carryi carrying ng it out. ou t. 8. Recognizing your purpose is knowing and understanding what you were born to accomplish. Having a vision is being able to see that purpose in your mind by faith and to begin to imagine it.
9. At its essence, vision is about God rather than about us. This This is s o becaus b ecaus e true vision vision is n’t a hum hu man inventi invent ion; on ; rather, rather, it’s about the desires God imparts to us. It is the view of our futur utu re ins ins pir pired by God; od ; it is is what He wants us to contri con tribu bute te in bui bu ilding His His kingdo ng dom m on earth. earth . 10. The key to recognizing personal vision is understanding that God’s will is as close to us as our most persistent thoughts and deepest desi des ires. 11. God has placed His thoughts and desires into our hearts, and the will of God God for us never nev er changes chang es.. 12. One way to discern whether or not something is a vision from God is to determine whether you have a real desire (pas s ion) on ) to do d o it or merel merely y a pas s ing interest nteres t in it. it. 13. Another way to recognize true vision is when you pers pe rsev evere ere in in you y ourr dream drea m regardl regard less es s of great obs o bs tacles ta cles.. 14. unselfish. A real vision always focuses on helping hum hu manity or o r bui bu ilding up u p oth o thers ers in som s omee way. way. 15. Two things that indicate a person is pursuing selfish interests rather than true vision are (1) when a person is pursu pu rsuiing s omet omething hing at the th e expe expens ns e of bring bringiing turm tu rmoil oil and an d destruction to his family, and (2) when a person is pursuing wealth in order to fill his life with luxuries rather than using it as a resou res ource rce to buil b uild d God God’’s kingdo ng dom m. 16. compassion 17. A fourth way of knowing that a vision is real is when it is the onl o nly y thi th ing that gi g ives you true true sati s atiss faction. action. 18. Many people don’t recognize the vision God has placed within them because they don’t have a vital connection with God.
19. A fifth key to understanding vision is to realize that it is both bo th perso pe rsona nall and an d corpo co rporate; rate; perso pe rsona nall visi vis ion wil will alway alwayss be found foun d with withiin a larger larger corporate corpo rate vision. 20. God God does do esn’t n’t give a vision vision to a group. group . He He gives vis vis ion to an individual who shares his vision with a group and transfers it to them. The members of the group then run with the vision becau be causs e they th ey find find in it a place for the t heiir own o wn p erson ers onal al vi v is ions on s to be fulfi fulfillled. ed . 21. cooperation 22. (c) (c) sti st ir up you y ourr persona perso nall vision. 23. You are a lead leader er in in the t he s peci pe cifi ficc pur pu rpos po s e God God has ha s given you yo u to accomplish through your gift(s) because no one else but you can fulfill it. 24. Vis ion generate ge neratess vision in that th at dream d reamss always always s tir up other ot her dreams. The leader of a corporate vision and all the parti pa rticipan cipants ts in the th e visi vis ion s tir up each eac h othe ot herr ’s indi nd ividual vidu al dreams by sharing their visions and working harmoniously toward achieving the larger vision. When this happens, the divine deposit of destiny starts flowing, and visions become reality. 25. What will help you to keep stirring up your vision is to have people around you who believe in dreams that are even bigger bigg er than th an your yo ur own. own . Thos Tho s e with with real visi vis ion are “peo “p eop p le o understanding” who will cause your dream to rise from the deep well within you (see Proverbs 20:5) and will help you to make ake real progress prog ress towar to ward d you y ourr vision. Chapter Three Over Overcom coming ing Ob Obss tacl tacles es to Vis ion
1. Answers will vary. 2. The first obstacle to fulfilling vision is not understanding the natur natu re of vis vis ion. on . 3. specific 4. A mis s ion is a general ge neral s tatement tatement of purpos e that th at decl d eclar ares es the overall idea of what you want to accomplish. It is phi ph ilos ophical op hical and an d abs ab s tract, tract , n ot practical prac tical and an d conc co ncrete. rete. In contrast, a vision is a very precise statement that has a s pecifi pecific emph emphas asiis and definab definablle bou b ound ndar ariies. es . 5. jealous; competition 6. We should measure the success of our visions by God’s assignment to us and whether we are doing what He told us to do, d o, rather rather than by what others o thers are doing. doing. 7. Another reason people aren’t specific about their visions is that they’re caught in a trap of wishful thinking; they never get beyond the dreaming stage of what they would like to do “someday.” 8. wi wills ; wis wis hes he s . We We do thi th is by making aking concrete co ncrete resolutions res olutions and taki taking s pecif pecific steps s teps to pursue p ursue our o ur vis vis ions and goals goals . 9. A third reason people’s visions never take specific shape is that they are perpetually perpetually indeci nd eciss ive—they can’t mak makee up u p their minds nd s what ha t they th ey want to do in life. life. 10. (d) (d) all of the th e abov ab ovee 11. A four ou rth reason eas on peopl peo plee don d on’’t pursu p ursuee specif s pecifiic vi v is ions on s is that they either make excuses for why they can’t do what they know they should be doing or they never finish what they have started. 12. A fifth reason eas on people peo ple don’ don ’t focus on s pecifi pecific vi v is ions on s is that they fear their lives might not be well-balanced—that if they
choose one thing they will miss out on what they really want to do or shou sh oulld be b e doi do ing in lif life. 13. True balance is the maintenance of equilibrium while movi ov ing toward toward a des d esti tination. nation. 14. A sixth reason people aren’t specific about their visions is that they t hey are are trying trying to do d o too to o much. much. 15. Dr. Munroe realized that no one, including himself, was born bo rn or created create d to t o do d o everyt ev erything hing.. 16. certain; every ev ery 17. A seventh reason some people don’t pursue specific visions is that they are multi-talented, and they don’t know which of their talents or interests they should develop and us e in life. life. 18. If you have many gifts and interests, you can pursue a specific vision by first guarding against the temptation to try to do everything. Next, no matter how many gifts you have, don’t do n’t let let them t hem distract you y ou.. You must us t deci d ecide de to concent con centrrate on one or two gifts and then stir them up. As you do, the other gifts will follow. God will not waste what He has given you. 19. The second obstacle to fulfilling vision is not recognizing the cost cos t of o f accompl accompliis hing it. it. 20. 20. di d ilig ence en ce 21. If a person thinks he has had a string of bad luck in life or that he is an unlucky person, he will probably not make the eff effort neces s ary to mak makee his vi v is ion s ucceed. ucceed . 22. Some people don’t recognize and pay the cost of vision becau be causs e they th ey blame blame outs ou ts ide forces for caus ing their th eir v is ions on s to fail.
23. People blame (1) the actions or needs of other people and (2) their past experiences—educational, spiritual, social—or their past failures for preventing their visions from coming to pas pa s s . 24. No matter what your mistakes may have been or what your backgrou ba ckgroun n d may be, be , God God s till till has a defi de finite nite plan and an d purpo pu rposs e for your life. God is not finished until He’s completed what He created you to be and do. Nothing you have done is so bad that it can compete compete with the t he forgiven forgivenes esss of Jes Jesus us . In In additi ad dition on,, when God gives a gift, He doesn’t change His mind regarding it. He is is a resto res torer rer and a reclaim reclaimer. er. This means ean s He wil will put pu t back b ack in you what life took out, so you can fulfill the vision He has given given you. yo u. 25. When the winds of adversity blow in your life, your Godgiven vision wil will be your yo ur ancho anc horr. 26. The third obstacle to accomplishing vision is not knowing the principles for fulfilling it. 27. haphazardly. Successful visionaries operate according to established and time-tested principles that enable their visions to becom bec omee reali reality. Chapte Chapterr Four Principle #1: Be Directed Dire cted by a Cle Clear ar Vis Vis ion 1. Answers will vary. 2. Dr. Munroe said he discovered that the key to life is not only knowing what you are, but also why you are (your reason for exi exis tence). ten ce). You s hould ho uld kno know w your you r origin origin and an d purpo p urposs e in in God God as well ell as your yo ur abil abilities and an d pl p lans for the th e future. futu re.
3. If If you yo u are laz lazy y or o r bored, bo red, it it sho s hows ws that th at you y ou lack vis vis ion. on . 4. choos choo s e; deci d eciss ive; faithful aithful 5. Having a true work means doing what you were born to do. Having a job is a preliminary occupation that you do only until un til you yo u ar a re ready to fulf fulfill your yo ur vision. vision . 6. After your vision becomes clear to you, it will bother you deep inside, and you may become depressed, until you are able to take action action on it. 7. One of the most significant questions you must answer for yourself yo urself is , “What is it that th at I want? want?”” 8. The first thing you should do in answering this question is to ask as k God God to conf con firm what He has h as put pu t in your yo ur heart for you yo u to to do. do . 9. In order to find your vision, you must be in touch with the values and priori priorities ties of the th e king kingdo dom m of God God.. 10. li lives on; pos s ess es s ions 11. Vis ion is a clear concep con ception tion of o f som so methi eth ing that th at is not no t yet y et reality, but which can exist. It is a strong image of a preferable future. 12. chang cha ngee 13. Sometimes, God will activate your vision when things are going well in order to stir up your life so that you will move forward and progress rather than become complacent. A vision will always take you from good to better and from bett be tter er to bes b est. t. 14. In In livi living ng our ou r li lives , we we sho s houl uldn dn’’t try to t o go g o back b ack to the th e “goo “g ood d old days” because, if we do, we will not progress in what God has planned planned for us. 15. fut future; ure; buil b uild d on; on ; return retu rn
16. The constant newness and change of vision keeps you fluid and mobile, ready to take the next step toward your purpo pu rposs e. 17. pas pa s s ion; on ; movi ov ing forw forward Chapter Five Principle #2: Know Your Potential Pote ntial for Ful Fulfi fill l i ng Vi s i on 1. Answers will vary. 2. Your ou r pote po tent ntiial for for fulfi fulfilling your yo ur vi v is ion is dete de term rmiined ne d by b y the t he ass as s ignment gnment God God has given given you y ou to do. d o. 3. equipped equippe d 4. ability; responsibility 5. God God has put pu t His His vision and His His Spiri Spiritt with withiin you y ou.. 6. (b) (b) th t h e power p ower of God God’’s Spiri Spirit work wo rkiing in you. yo u. 7. According to Ephesians 3:20, God will do “immeasurably” exceeding abundantly abund antly ” (kj (niv) or “exceeding (kjv) beyond beyo nd all all you yo u can ask as k o r im imagine. ag ine. 8. It It enabled en abled Dr. Dr. Munroe Mun roe to progress prog ress from from the th e knowled knowledge ge of his purpo pu rposs e to the t he faith tha t hatt acco ac com mpanies pa nies visi vis ion. on . 9. God gave you the gift of imagination to keep you from focusing only on your present conditions and to enable you to move ov e forward forward with with your yo ur vision. 10. You s hould ho uld be taki t aking ng a “tour” “to ur” of your yo ur vision in your yo ur imaginati aginat ion on a regul regu lar bas is : Vis it eve e veryth rythiing, ng , check che ck it it out o ut,, see all the details, notice its value, and then come back to the pres ent en t and an d say, s ay, “Let “Let’’s go there, th ere, Go Go d!” 11. You s houldn’t ho uldn’t allow allow any othe ot herr human human bei b eing ng to judge ud ge you y our r pote po ten n tial b ecaus eca us e othe ot hers rs may may not n ot be able a ble to s ee you y ourr purpo pu rposs e,
and your yo ur abil abilities ties are determi determined by your yo ur purpos purpo s e. 12. 12. perfect p erfect 13. God God gave gav e you yo u dream d reamss to draw out ou t what’s what’s already already ins ide you y ou and to activate His power in enabling you to achieve your vision. 14. God appoints, anoints, and distinguishes people because He doesn’t like them to get lost in mediocrity; He wants their true selves (based on His purposes) to be revealed to the world. 15. The ability to accomplish your vision is manifested when you s ay yes to your y our dream dream and obey o bey God. God. 16. Your ou r pres presen entt job mi might gh t cont co ntai ain n hi h idden dd en poten po tential tial for your you r true life’s work. It might make a way for the resources you will need nee d to fulf fulfill your yo ur vi v is ion. on . 17. You s houl ho uld d pl p lant the s eed of o f your vis vis ion by begi beg inni nn ing to act on it and then the n nur nu rture it it by faith. aith. Chapter Six Principle #3: Devel Develop op a Concrete Concrete Plan Pl an for Your Vi Vi s i on 1. Answers will vary. 2. future futu re 3. Dr. Munroe realized that if he didn’t have a plan, God wouldn’t have ha ve any a nyth thiing s peci pec ific fic to direct direct hi h im in. 4. Proverbs 16:1: “To man belong the plans of the heart, but fr from the th e Lord Lord comes co mes the th e reply ep ly of the th e tong to ngue ue.” .” Proverbs 16:9: “In “In his hi s heart a man pla ns his course, cou rse, but bu t the Lord Lord determ det ermine iness his steps. step s.” ” 5. When you receive an idea from God, you must soon
cultivat cultivatee it. 6. If If you yo u nev n ever er work work on your yo ur ide idea, a, it it may may go away, and an d God God may give give it it to s omeon omeonee els els e to develop. d evelop. 7. When you lack a plan, you will likely miss out on oppo op portun rtuniities for fulf fulfiilling your yo ur vi v is ion. on . 8. on track 9. “Who “W ho am I?” 10. identity; God 11. “W “Whe here re am I goi go in g?” g? ” 12. focus 13. A vision becomes a plan when it is captured, fleshed out, and written dow do wn. 14. God’s part is to provide the explanation as to how the visi vis ion wil will be acco a ccom mplis plis hed. he d. He wil will explai explain n how ho w it it can be pai pa id for, who is going to work with it, and where the resources and facil facilities are going g oing to com co me from. from. 15. God has given you a mind, the gift of imagination, the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and the vision of faith. He has also given you the ability to write so that you can put down on paper p aper what what you y ou s ee in in your yo ur heart. heart. 16. Certain people won’t be able to handle your plan while you’re making it. Some people will try to talk you out of your plan, plan , s ayi ay ing, ng , “Yo “Yo u can’t can ’t do that th at!” !” If you y ou lis ten te n to them th em,, you yo u wil will likely ely throw t hrow your yo ur plan away and an d gi g ive up u p on o n you y ourr vis vis ion. on . 17. Your ou r dream is worth wri writing down do wn beca b ecaus us e, if if God God gave ga ve it to to you, you , it deser des erves ves to be done. don e. 18. When Nehemiah gave credit to God for his vision and how it was com co ming to pas p asss , he bui bu ilt up u p the th e faith faith of thos e who were were goi go ing to work on the project. project.
19. prayers 20. fulfill Chapter Seven Principle #4: Pos Pos s ess es s th thee Pas Pas s ion of Vis ion 1. Answers will vary. 2. Passionate people have discovered something more importan po rtantt tha t han n life life its its elf. elf. 3. false visions; ambition 4. One reason Dr. Munroe kept stressing the need for a clear guiding purpose in life is that vision is the precedent for pas pa s s io n. 5. When Wh en Paul gave gav e a lis t of o f prob probllems ems and tribu tribullation ationss as part o the proof that he was a genuine apostle, he was saying, in effect, “If the vision and assignment I received wasn’t real, do you think I’d go through all those hardships?” He knew what his purpose in life was, and he was passionate about it. This is what kept him him goi go ing through throug h al a ll his his s truggl trugg les. es . 6. Faithfulness 7. If you’re going to go after your vision, you can expect to experi experienc encee resi res is tance. tan ce. 8. pass pas s ion; on ; feed 9. It It shows s hows that th at you yo u aren’t aren’t pas s ionate about ab out your you r vis vis ion. 10. Many people fail to win at pursuing their visions because they give up when they the y fall fall dow do wn the t he fir firs t time. time. They They s top too soon. 11. No matter how tough things are, a passionate person’s pers pe rspe pect ctiive is, is , “W “Wha hatt I bel be lieve ev e is is bigger bigg er than tha n what I s ee.”
12. eager eag er 13. Passion is willing to pay the price to fulfill the vision. 14. focus ed 15. defy the th e odd o ddss ; fulfi fulfillment en t Chapter Chapter Ei g ht Principle #5: Develop the Faith of Vision 1. Answers will vary. 2. Sight is a function of the eyes, while vision is a function o the heart. heart. 3. believes 4. You are to walk walk accor acco rding to what is in you y ourr heart; you y ou are to let what is in you y ourr heart heart di d ictate how ho w you s ee li life. 5. fait faith h 6. Hebrews 11:1 says that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen [that you cannot see]” (nkjv). 7. Dr. Munroe defined faith as vision in the heart. He said that faith aith is s eeing eeing the t he future in in the th e present. presen t. 8. Sight without vision is dangerous because it has no hope. It sees only present problems and challenges and not things as they coul cou ld be. 9. envir en viron onm ment en t 10. You were were des de s igned gn ed to t o operate o perate as a s God operates op erates.. 11. God functions in faith by having an idea, visualizing it, and then creati creating ng it by b y s peaki peaking His though tho ughts ts into being. being. 12. im imp ortant orta nt;; power po werful ful 13. When you speak words expressing what you see in your
vision, your words become creative power to help bring that vision to t o fruiti fruition on.. 14. You can unde un derm rmiine your yo ur vision by cont co ntiinual nu allly thi th inking nking and declari declaring negat n egatiive thi th ings ng s about abo ut you y ourrs elf elf. 15. Faith sees problems as opportunities for ministry, service, or busi bus iness . 16. (b) (b) thi th ink and expec expectt great g reat thi th ings ng s . 17. 17. Ideas Ide as 18. it it can live bey b eyon ond d the t he grave g rave 19. The faith of vision is crucial because the way you see things determines how you think and act and, therefore, whether or not your vision will become reality. Chapter Nine Principle #6: Und nder erss tand tand the Proces Pr oces s of Vis Vis ion 1. Answers will vary. 2. Answers will vary. 3. God usually brings to pass His plans for our lives in a gradual way. 4. God will rarely tell you exactly how He will take you to the completi completion on of your yo ur vis vis ion. on . 5. ready read y 6. The process God is taking you through to arrive at your destination is designed to prepare you to receive and work in your yo ur vis vis ion. on . 7. The process of vision will develop your character and produ pro duce ce respo res pons ns ibili bility in you y ou.. 8. If If God God were to tell you yo u exactly exactly what is goi go ing to happe hap pen n as as
you yo u progress progres s toward toward you y ourr vis vis ion, on , you mi might gh t refus refus e the vi v is ion becau be causs e of the th e vari va riou ouss learni earn ing expe experi rien ences ces , chall ch allen enge gess , and an d hardships hards hips you y ou wil will need to go g o thr th rough ou gh before before you yo u are ready ready for your yo ur vis vis ion. on . 9. good go od reason reas on 10. perf p erfect ect plan 11. When Wh en we go throug th rough h diff difficult ti t imes, es , we we often o ften thi th ink that th at God has stopped working to fulfill our purposes. However, our purpo pu rposs es are stil s tilll com co ming; ng ; again, ag ain, Go Go d is preparing p reparing us u s for them th em.. 12. God is trying to work out of us attitudes of complaint and lack of fai faith th s o that th at they th ey won’t hind hinder er us in our o ur vis vis ions on s . 13. 13. qu q u alified alified 14. Your vision will culminate in God’s timing. 15. While you have the job, you should submit yourself to it, learn what you’re supposed to learn, and get all the knowledge that you can from it, because God is using it to prepare prep are you yo u for your yo ur li life’s fe’s work. work. 16. Purpose gives meaning to your present job; it enables you to keep moving forward during this training period because you yo u know kno w you’r you ’ree prepari p reparing ng for your yo ur true work. work. 17. As you wait for your dream, you must live by faith and inner vis vis ion, not by what you y ou s ee. Chapter Ten Principle #7: Set the Priorities of Vision 1. Answers will vary. 2. Understanding priority will help you to accomplish your
dream becau bec auss e pri p riori ority ty is the th e key to t o eff e ffect ectiive deci dec is ionon -making aking.. 3. Your ou r choices ch oices and an d pref p references erences reveal who who you yo u are and what you yo u val va lue in life. 4. Dr. Munroe says that what you have decided for the last fifteen, twenty, or thirty years of your life has significantly contributed contributed to who you are are today to day.. 5. You can tel te ll (for (for the th e mos mos t part) p art) the th e kind kind of li life you’re yo u’re goi go ing to have h ave in the futur futu re by the decision decisionss you yo u are mak makiing today tod ay.. 6. yes ; no 7. When people don’t succeed in their visions, it is often becau be causs e the t hey y don’t do n’t unde un derst rstan and d that th at p riori rioritiz tiziing creates creat es us eful limits on thei th eirr choi cho ices . 8. True 9. You determ de termiine what is benefi ben efici cial al to you yo u bas b ased ed on o n the t he need n eedss of your yo ur vision. vision . Som Someth ethiing is benefi be nefici cial al if if it it relates relates to what ha t you y ou want to accompl accompliis h and takes you yo u to you y ourr goal go al.. 10. bes t 11. Yo u mi mig h t keep kee p dri d rifting fting o ff in th t h e wrong wron g dir d irec ectio tion n if y o u have your own ideas about what you want to do for God instead of consulting Him about what He wants and then doi do ing what He has s pecifi pecificall cally tol to ld you y ou to do. d o. 12. If If you keep taking taking your yo ur eyes ey es off the mark (your (you r vis vis ion), on ), and if you allow yourself to be pulled in many different directions by all kinds nd s of d is tracti tract ions on s , then th en you yo u wil will end en d up in a place where you don’t do n’t real reallly want to t o be. b e. 13. You can make sure you will hit the mark by joining with God’ od ’s plan for your yo ur li life and letti ett ing His yok yo ke guide g uide you y ou.. 14. People sometimes become involved in too many things becau be causs e they th ey’r ’ree trying to imp ress res s God and an d othe ot herr peop pe oplle by
s how ho wing them how ho w much much they the y are capabl capab le of doi do ing. ng . 15. disciplined 16. If you are afraid to take decisive action to move toward your vision, this should be your perspective: It is better to make a decision that will prove to be wrong, but which you can learn from, than not to make any decision at all and never learn anything. any thing. 17. People who succeed try. People who don’t try have no chance of success. su ccess. Chapte Chapterr El even Principle #8: Recognize Recogni ze People People’’s Influence on Vis ion 1. Answers will vary. 2. You need other oth er peopl peop le if if you are are goi go ing to be s ucces s ful in in life because you were not created to fulfill your vision alone. Again, individual purpose is always fulfilled within a larger or corporate corporate purpose. purpos e. 3. pos po s itive 4. If If you have h ave no n o dr d ream, eam, or if you do d o not n ot begi beg in to t o act on it, the peo pe o ple who are s uppo up poss ed to hel he lp you yo u won’t won ’t know where to find you yo u (and therefore therefore won won’’t be b e able to hel h elp p you y ou)). 5. When you begin to act on your vision, it will stir up both those who want to help you and those who want to hinder you. 6. The law of association states that you become like those with with whom you yo u s pend pe nd time. time. 7. pow po werful; erful; sub s ubtle tle 8. Peop Peoplle have h ave the potent po tentiial to create your yo ur envi env ironm on ment.
9. mind-set; future 10. You s hould ho uld general gen erallly choo ch ooss e fri friends end s who are goi go ing in the t he s ame ame directi direction on you yo u are and who want to t o obtain o btain the s ame ame thi th ings ng s you do, so s o you y ou can reinfor reinforce ce one on e another ano ther.. 11. As you progress toward your vision, you should be asking yourself these three questions: (1) “With whom am I spending time?” (2) “What are these people doing to me?” (3) “Is what other people are doing to me a good thing in relation to my vision?” 12. Certain people may become angry with you or even begin to hate you when you step out and do something they have never done because they don’t want to feel left behind or becau be causs e you yo u are expo exposs in g the t heiir own lack of visi vis ion. on . 13. Sometimes, the people who can be the most detrimental to the fulfillment of your vision are the members of your own family. This is because they have lived with you for such a long time that they think they know who you are (your abilities and limitations), so they try to talk you out of all your dreams. 14. other ot her peo p eople’ ple’ss expe expecta ctations tions 15. When people oppose you and your vision, you need to keep your eyes on the mark, continue working, and keep on bui bu ilding; ding ; keep mov moviing forward forward with with your yo ur visi vis ion. on . 16. Three things you can do to protect your vision are dis dis ass as s ociati ociation on,, li limited ass as s ociation ociation,, and expan expanded ded ass as s ociation ociation.. 17. You s hould ho uld disas disa s s ociate you y ourself rself from from peop pe oplle who aren’t goi go ing anyw any where and don’t do n’t want want to go anyw any where in in lif life. 18. There are some people you should just be acquainted with
so that you can back off from them if being with them causes your yo ur vision to falter falter.. 19. You can protect prot ect your yo ur ment mental al envi env ironmen ronmentt by b y s pend pe ndiing major time with positive influence and minor time with negative influence. 20. You s hould ho uld expa expand nd your yo ur ass as s ociation ociation with with peo p eople ple who who have ha ve the same philosophy and discipline that you do, who exhibit the kind of character that you want to have, and who are peo pe o ple of vis vis io n. Chapter Twelve Principle #9: Employ the Provision of Vision 1. Answers will vary. 2. True 3. It is your job to understand, believe, and write down your vision while it is God’s responsibility to explain how He’s goi go ing to accom acco mplis plis h it in His own time. time. 4. This This arr arrangem ang ement ent frees you yo u to be creative creative and producti produ ctive ve in pursu pu rsuiing your yo ur visi vis io n. 5. God often gives us dreams that confound us at first because He wants to make sure we don’t attempt to fulfill them apart from Him. If we try to do so, we won’t succeed, because the resou es ourrces won’ on ’t be b e avai av aillable. able. 6. God God manifes anifests ts the provis provis ion when you yo u act ac t on o n you y ourr vis vis ion. on . 7. attr att racts act s 8. God has already blessed you with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, with everything you need to fulfill your vision.
9. The first misconception of prosperity is prosperity as excess or hoarding. The second is prosperity as future needs met today. 10. today’s 11. True prosperity means to be free of worry and fear and refl eflects a state s tate of contentednes contentedn esss that ever ev erything ything necess neces s ary ary is is bei be ing taken ta ken care of. 12. pros peri pe rity ty;; buil b uilt-i t-in n 13. The nature and degree of your prosperity is determined by what you y ourr ass as s ignm gn ment is. 14. Sometimes, God doesn’t give us all the resources we need to fulfill our visions because He has called other people to provide pro vide the t hem m for us . 15. Obed Obediience to your yo ur vis vis ion is not n ot just jus t a private private iss ue becaus be caus e your vision affects not only your life, but also the lives o everyone who is supposed to work with you and be impacted by your yo ur li life. 16. If we are pursuing the wrong assignments (visions), there are some things God can’t supply us with because the provis pro visiion is n’t there th ere unl un less es s the th e v is ions on s are ours ou rs.. God can’t can ’t give give us what does do esn’t n’t belong to us. us . Again, kno know wing God’ od ’s will for our ou r lives is the th e key key to t o our o ur prospe pros peri rity. ty. 17. The first way God provides for our visions is through our ability to obtain and use land and the resources (wealth) inherent nh erent in it. 18. 18. Yo u wil will likely ikely nee n eed d to exercis exercisee disc d iscipli iplin n e an a n d s elf-co elf-con n trol tro l in your life by controlling your spending, avoiding waste, cutting cutting back on your you r expens expens es, es , and savi s aving ng money money s o that th at you can save s ave up a down payment payment to buy property property..
19. The second way God provides for our visions is through our ou r abili ability to work. work. 20. Dr. Munroe defined work as the passion that is generated by a purpo pu rposs e. 21. poten po tential tial 22. The third way God provides for our visions is through the abili ability He has given us to cul cu ltivat tivatee things. things . 23. A large part of the gift of cultivation is the ability to see pote po ten n tial in what othe ot hers rs vi v iew as was tel te land. an d. 24. preserve; pres erve; reserve res erve 25. The fifth fifth way God provi prov ides for vis vis ion is throug th rough h our ou r abili ability to pass along wealth—through enabling us to help future generati gen eration onss with with thei th eirr dreams dreams . Chap Chapter Th Thii rte rteen en Principle Principle #10: #1 0: Use Persistence in Achieving the Vision 1. Answers will vary. 2. Having faithfulness in regard to your vision means being true to what you have decided to accomplish and letting nothing nothing stop sto p you. 3. To be steadfast means to stand fast or stand steady in the face of res resiis tance. tance . 4. Opposition should strengthen your resolve, revive your s tam ta min a, and an d make make you yo u wis wis er. er. 5. s tand up; up ; fear fear 6. The first challenge or pressure we may experience in life is a diffi difficu cullt fami family backgrou ba ckground nd.. 7. Your ou r relations relations hip with with your yo ur Father Fath er in in heav h eaven en wil will hel he lp you y ou
overcome a difficult background and fulfill your purpose as Go d ’s chi ch ild. 8. The second challenge or pressure we may experience in life is fami family expe expect ctat atiions on s . 9. As difficult as it might be to experience the disapproval o your family members, you must follow the vision God has given you. At the same time, you should show love and respect to your family. 10. The third challenge or pressure we may experience in life is the jealou jealouss y and s chemi cheming of o f other oth erss . 11. You can ove o vercom rcomee such s uch oppo op poss ition when the t he vi v is ion in you y our r heart is larger than what is coming against you, so that you pers pe rsiis t in your yo ur li life’s fe’s purpo pu rposs e. 12. 12. di d ilig ence en ce 13. When it comes to their visions, persistent people win becau be causs e they th ey nev n ever er take no for an ans an s wer. wer. 14. According to Dr. Munroe, the light of God’s vision in your heart is so strong and bright that all the darkness of the planet plan et,, all the th e dark da rkn n ess es s of peo pe o ple’s ple’s opi op inions nion s , and an d all the th e darknes darknes s of past pas t fail failures can never nev er put pu t it it out. ou t. Persev eranc ncee means “to bear up under 15. Persevera u nder pres pres s ure.” ure.” 16. Character 17. In order to draw the fragrance of His glory from your life, God will all allow you to be put p ut under un der stress s tress . The pur pu rpos po s e of o f this this pres s ure is to get ge t rid rid of what is not no t of God and an d to leave eav e what is pur pu re gol go ld. 18. When you understand that pressure is good for you, there will be no stopping you because pressure is one of the keys to per p erss everance. everance.
19. (a) (a) endu en dure re to the th e end. end . 20. authenticity 21. A crisis can be a turning point at which our understanding of and commitment to the vision is tested and matured. A cri cris is can lead you yo u to t o greater chall challenge eng e and an d vi v ictor cto ry. Chapter Fourteen Principle Principle #11: Be Patie Patient nt in the the Fulfi Fulfill llm ment of of Vis Vis ion 1. Answers will vary. 2. Answers will vary. 3. The The resul resu lt of your you r havi hav ing pati pat ience or o r persever persev eriing is that you yo u wil will receive what God has ha s prom pro mis ed. ed . You mu s t also als o hav h avee conf con fidence den ce (fai (faith th)) and do d o the t he wil will of God God to receive receive this t his result. res ult. 4. ensures ens ures 5. When some people make plans to carry out their visions, they try to force those plans into their own timetable or their own way of bringing them to pass. This is counterproductive becau be causs e you y ou canno can nott rush rus h a vi v is ion. on . It is given give n by God, od , and an d He wil will carr ca rry y it ou o u t in His o wn tim t ime. e. 6. You need ne ed to t o patiently p atiently rely rely on o n God God’’s gui gu idance dan ce every ev ery step s tep o the th e way becau bec auss e you yo u are not no t allall-knowi no wing ng,, as He is is . You don’t do n’t know no w what is bes t for your vis vis ion. on . 7. Your ou r visi vis ion wil will com co me to pas pa s s at jus t the t he righ rightt ti t ime/i e/ in the t he full fullnes ne s s of time. time. 8. (d) (d) antici an ticipa pation tion 9. pace pac e 10. When you are patient in the fulfillment of your vision, you are able to be calm and at peace p eace in the th e mi mids t of o f uncertai un certaint nty y.
11. You can endu en dure re the th e “cros “ cros s ” of o f li life’s fe’s diffi difficu cullties whil while waiting for your vision by seeing the joy of the end (fu (fu lfil fillmen lment) t) of o f you yo u r visi vis io n . (See (See Hebrews Heb rews 12: 12:2.) 2.) 12. time; time; chan ch ange ge 13. Patience Patience is the t he key to pow po wer over ove r adversity adve rsity and an d turm t urmoil oil.. 14. Patience is more powerful than might in a person because someone who is patient does not react to provocation. His waiti aiting ng eventu ev entual allly unnerves un nerves and overcom o vercomes es the opp o ppos os ition tion.. 15. According to James 1:3 (nkjv), the testing of our faith produ pro duces ces patienc pa tience. e. 16. According to James 1:4 (nkjv), patience perfects and completes us so that we lack nothing for the fulfillment of our purpo pu rposs es in God God.. Chapter Fifteen Principle Principle #12: #1 2: Stay Connected to the Source of Vision 1. Answers will vary. 2. Author; Auth or; Sup Suppo porrt 3. Apart Apa rt from from God, od , you can accom acco mplis plis h not n othing hing of o f His purpos pu rpos e. 4. If you stay in touch with God, you will always be nourished in bot b oth h li life and vi v is ion. on . 5. dem de mands an ds 6. God God wil will bring bring you yo u throu t hrough gh your yo ur diffi difficulti culties es and give you y ou the th e victo victorry thr th rough ou gh pr p rayer based bas ed on o n His His Word. 7. God God will encourage enco urage and refr efresh es h you y ou s o that t hat you yo u can conti con tinu nuee to pur pu rs ue your yo ur vis vis ion. 8. fi fig h t 9. It is crucial for you to find times during the day when you
can go before God with your fears and receive the reass eas s urance that He is is with with you y ou.. 10. resource 11. When peopl peo plee attack att ack your dream, dream, you s houl ho uld d go g o to t o God and trust in His deliverance, as Nehemiah did. Stay connected to your Source for the renewal of your purpose, faith, and s trength, trength , and you y ou will be abl ab le to persever persev eree to victory victory. 12. You s houldn’t ho uldn’t try t ry to explai explain n and a nd give an ans an s wer for everything because you can’t explain anything to critics. Their motives are already contaminated, and they’ll use your words agains againstt you. you . 13. You can be as a s s ured that t hat He wi will bring bring your yo ur vis vis ion to pas pa s s .
About the Author
Dr. Myles Munroe is an international motivational speaker, bes be s t-sell t-s elliing auth au thor or,, educ ed ucat ato o r, leaders ead ership hip men mento torr, and an d cons co ns ultant ultan t for government and business. Traveling extensively throughout the world, Dr. Munroe addresses critical issues affecting the full range of human, social, and spiritual development. The central theme of his message is the maximization of individual potential, including the transformation of followers into leaders and leaders into agents of change. Dr. Munroe is founder and president of Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI), a multidimensional organization headquartered in Nassau, Bahamas. He is chie executive officer and chairman of the board of the International Third World Leaders Association and president of the Internati Internat ional on al Lead Leadersh ershiip Training raining Institute Ins titute.. Dr. Munroe is also the founder and executive producer of a number of radio and television programs aired worldwide. In addition, he is a frequent guest on other television and radio program pro gramss and an d interna nt ernation tional al networks ne tworks and an d is a cont co ntri ribu buting ting writer for various Bible editions, journals, magazines, and newsletters . He is a popular author of more than forty books, including The Purpose and Power of Authority, The Principles and Benefits of Change, Becoming a Leader, The Most mportant Person on Earth , The Spirit of Leadership , The rinciples and Power of Vision , Understanding the Purpose
and Power of Prayer , Understanding the Purpose and Power of Woman , and Understanding nderstandin g the th e Purpose and Power of Men.
For more than thirty years, Dr. Munroe has trained tens o thousands of leaders in business, industry, education, government, and religion. He personally addresses over 500,000 people each year on personal and professional development. His appeal and message transcend age, race, culture, creed, and economic background. He has earned B.A. and M.A. degrees from Oral Roberts University and the University of Tulsa, and he has been awarded a number of honorary doctoral degrees. He has also served as an adjunct professor of the Graduate School o Theol Theo logy og y at Oral Oral Rob Roberts erts Unive University rsity.. Dr. Munroe and his wife, Ruth, travel as a team and are the proud pro ud parent pa rentss of two adult ad ult chi ch ildren, dren , Cha Chari riss a and an d Chairo Chairo (Myl (My les Jr.).
