Praying to Be a Person of Belief and Vision

In John 3:3 I read, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (NIV)

When Moses and the Israelites were on the border of Canaan, God wanted them to enter the Promised Land in faith. But most of the spies Moses sent came back spreading fear about giants in the land.

Although two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, told them they could defeat the giants, the Israelites sadly chose to believe the majority report of fear, not the minority report of faith. They didn’t believe the promise of God. As a result, they wandered and died in the desert over the next 40 years, until a new generation grew up and was allowed to go into the Promised Land.

“So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief” (Hebrews 3:19 NIV). That’s one of the saddest verses in the Bible. And it makes me wonder, “What blessing of God am I missing out on because of my unbelief?” To me, hell would be if God were to show me what he could have done in my life if I had believed him just a little bit more.

What blessing of God am I missing right now, simply because I don’t believe? What will I miss if I’m looking at the future with eyes of fear, and not faith?

The starting point for getting God’s vision for my life is to first put my trust in Jesus Christ. I need to ask him to put his Spirit into my life. It’s the only way I’ll ever be able to see with eyes of faith and get God’s vision.

Jesus says, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3 NIV).

When I was born physically, I got the sense of sight. When I’m spiritually born again, I get a new set of spiritual eyes. I can see spiritual things I didn’t see before. Unless I’m born again, I can never see all that God has in store for my life.

Jesus had some friends that were siblings: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Lazarus died, and Jesus raised him back to life. And when he did, he reminded Mary and Martha: “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40 NIV)

How badly do I want to see God’s glory in my life? I’ve got to stop nursing my worries and make some commitments in faith. I’ve got to step out and move against my fears.

Remember that God has brought me through so much, and he has a great future for me.

God’s plans for me are good! Lay aside my eyes of fear and begin to see with eyes of faith so that I can get God’s vision.

In summary, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. When Moses and the Israelites were on the border of Canaan, God wanted them to enter the Promised Land in faith. Most of the spies Moses sent came back spreading fear about giants in the land. The Israelites sadly chose to believe the majority report of fear, not the minority report of faith. They didn’t believe the promise of God. They wandered and died in the desert over the next 40 years, until a new generation grew up and was allowed to go. “So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief” (Hebrews 3:19 NIV). That’s one of the saddest verses in the Bible. And it makes me wonder, “What blessing of God am I missing out on because of my unbelief?” Hell would be if God were to show me what he could have done in my life if I had believed him just a little bit more. So what blessing of God am I missing, simply because I don’t believe? The starting point for getting God’s vision for my life is to first put my trust in Jesus Christ. I need to ask him to put his Spirit into my life. It’s the only way I’ll ever be able to see with eyes of faith and get God’s vision. How badly do I want to see God’s glory in my life? I’ve got to stop nursing my worries and make some commitments in faith. I’ve got to step out and move against my fears. God has brought me through so much, and he has a great future for me. God’s plans for me are good! Lay aside my eyes of fear and begin to see with eyes of faith so that I can get God’s vision.

In this chapter, what did Nicodemus know about the Kingdom? From the Bible he knew it would be ruled by God, it would be restored on earth, and it would incorporate God's people. Jesus revealed to this devout Pharisee that the Kingdom would come to the whole world, (John 3:16), not just the Jews, and that Nicodemus wouldn't be part of it unless he was personally born again. This was a revolutionary concept: The Kingdom is personal, not national or ethnic, and it's entrance requirements are repentance and spiritual rebirth. Jesus later taught that God's Kingdom has already begun in the hearts of believers. It will be fully realized when Jesus returns again to judge the world and abolish evil forever.