Without Vision the People Perish

Share This Post

At a Glance

“Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Proverbs 29:18). Look around at our world, it’s chaotic, increasingly lawless, and people are metaphorically and physically perishing. Why? Because we lack vision. Or at least a lasting vision that’s based in reality, in God’s moral law and order. Join us as we dig into this incredibly relevant and practical proverb for today’s world. Listen as we explore ways to find our overarching vision as Christians, our specific God-given visions, and unpack counterfeits tempting us from all sides.

What You'll Hear
  1. Introduction (1:18)
  2. Proverbs 29:18 (2:49)
  3. Lack of vision breeds chaos. (9:38)
  4. There is an objective world, and there is a right and wrong way to live in it. (17:52)
  5. Humans need a vision for their lives. (26:19)
  6. Our vision must be based in reality, in God’s moral order. (51:02)
  7. Conclusion (59:36)

Randall Hoag is the president of Vision of Community Fellowship and the president of Food for the Hungry International Federation. Before that, he served as the president of Food for Hungry International. Randy has a lifetime of experience in Christian community development. He worked for many years, not just leading organizations, but also at the grassroots level, leading work in Bolivia and launching Vision of Community Fellowship.

Using the link above, you can read the transcript, listen along, and adjust the speed of the podcast while you listen.

"Living within the boundaries of God's order, living within his laws and ordinances that he has established–there is where we find happiness. We don't find happiness in license and rebelliousness. We think we do–‘If I can do whatever I want to do without consequences, I'm going to be happy.’ No. There are consequences for this."

Darrow Miller (8:33)

Go Deeper

The Monday Church Course

The Church is not a building or a Sunday-morning activity; it is the Body of Christ on mission in every sphere of society, every day of the week.

The Monday Church course explores the greatest tool God has given you to impact the world: your work. God intends for your daily work to be for the service of man, the blessing of the nations, and the glory of God.

Monday Church provides a biblical framework for each of us to establish a meaningful, integrated understanding of our life and work. Whatever your work or vocation, God calls you to a new way of living – fully in His presence and for His glory. Also available in Spanish and Arabic!

Get started now with our completely free Monday Church course!

Recommended book by Os Guinness, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling God’s Purpose for Your Life

Why am I here? What is God’s call in my life? How do I fit God’s call with my own individuality? How should God’s calling affect my career, my plans for the future, and my concepts of success?

First published in 1997 by distinguished author and speaker Os Guiness, The Call remains a treasured source of wisdom for those who ask these questions. According to Guinness, “No idea short of God’s call can ground and fulfill the truest human desire for purpose and fulfillment.”

In this newly updated and expanded anniversary edition, Guinness explores the truth that God has a specific calling for each one of us and guides a new generation of readers through the journey of hearing and heeding that call.

With more than 100,000 copies in print, The Call is for all who desire a purposeful, intentional life of faith.

The Development Ethic: Hope for a Culture of Poverty

The Development Ethic Bible Study is an in-depth study into 13 truths that transform individuals and cultures.

As the creator of the universe and mankind, God established natural law, moral law and a framework in his word to guide us in fulfilling the creation mandate to fill and rule the earth. As image-bearers of God, we must discover and apply these laws. This is the focus of this Bible study.

These truths provided the outline for Darrow’s book Discipling Nations which, in turn, provided the content for the Kingdomizer Training Program.

This Bible study gives you the opportunity to look at the foundation of these life-changing truths and personalize them for your own life.

Discipling Nations: The Power of Truth to Transform Cultures

Have Christians underestimated the power of God’s truth to transform entire societies? In Discipling Nations, Darrow Miller builds a powerful and convincing thesis that God’s truth not only breaks the spiritual bonds of sin and death but can free whole societies from deception and poverty. Completely revised and updated for the third edition, Discipling Nations will challenge, reenergize, and equip Christians everywhere who labor to see His kingdom come, His will be done.

Quotes
  • 8:33 “Living within the boundaries of God’s order, living within his laws and ordinances that he has established–there is where we find happiness. We don’t find happiness in license and rebelliousness. We think we do–‘If I can do whatever I want to do without consequences, I’m going to be happy.’ No. There are consequences for this.” Darrow
  • 17:55 “God’s revelation–when he created–he did not create an illusion. He created reality. And that reality has a certain order to it. A metaphysical order, an order of ideas, a natural order, or physical order. There are laws of gravity. And an aesthetic order. Beauty is real. Yes, not beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Beauty is real. God is beautiful.” Darrow
  • 19:08 “I think when we talk about biblical worldview, Christians still tend to think, and I thought this way for a long time–it’s what I believe–this is what Christians believe. But that’s not what we’re talking about. We’re not talking about what I believe or what Christians believe–we’re talking about what is real, regardless of what you believe about it. So we’re not talking about a Christian worldview. We’re talking about reality, and which view that’s out there gets closest to describing that.” Scott
  • 51:58 “The law is the order. That’s God’s ordinance. It’s his order of things. And we, when we live within that order, are contributing to, with our little lives, the coming of the Kingdom of God.” Darrow
  • 53:03 “When people see something that works, that’s good, that’s beautiful, that’s orderly, maybe just your family or your relationships, maybe it’s in your church or whatever it is, but you’ve worked to align it with that order, that law–it’s so attractive, it’s going to be increasingly appealing. It’s going to shine quite brightly. So I think we have an opportunity right now, in this darkening time to really shine. And people are going to be attracted to that light because you can’t live in chaos and disorder, it’s just unlivable, you will perish.” Scott

Learned something new? Have a question? Enjoying the podcast? Let us know!

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Like what you're reading?

Subscribe to our newsletter for regular encouragement, updates, and news!

Recent

Podcast Episodes

Understanding the Battle of Worldviews with Dr. Jeff Myers

“If you don’t understand the battle of worldviews, you can’t really understand anything.” This statement from today’s guest, Dr. Jeff Myers, summarizes the episode well. Dr. Myers, president of Summit Ministries, brings us boots-on-the-ground perspectives from three of the most active theaters in the battle of worldviews: the battles over truth, the hearts and minds of Generation Z, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Dr. Myers offers a treasure trove of strategies poised to inspire anyone involved in or seeking wisdom in these crucial battles. You’ll hear a clarion call to uphold personal integrity amid societal manipulation, and be reminded to recognize your indispensable role in God’s ongoing cultural commission.

Podcast Episodes

Easter Part 1: The Continuing Work of Christ

The Hebrew people in the Old Testament anticipated a Messiah that would be a priest and a King, radically changing every area of our worldly experience, and restoring it to God’s original intentions. Welcome to a two-part Easter series as we look at the practical impact that Christ’s death and resurrection has on each of our lives. When Jesus came, He never intended for us to keep our faith relegated to attending church and being privately spiritual. The same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in us, and gives us power and purpose to continue His work in the world. Jesus says He is with us always and that He has all authority in heaven and on earth. He also calls us to make disciples, teaching them to obey everything He has commanded. This is an all-encompassing call, given by an omnipotent God. Where is He calling you to partner more fully with His ongoing work in the world?

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
small_c_popup.png

Let's have a chat

Learn how we helped 100 top brands gain success.