What You See Is What You Get | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, April 6
Key Scriptures:
Habakkuk 2:1-3; Proverbs 29:18; Proverbs 23:7; Genesis 13:14-17; 1 Kings 18:46
Introduction: The Power of Vision
This week, Pastor Jentezen Franklin delivered a powerful message from the book of Habakkuk, one of the lesser-known prophets whose ministry took place during the final years of Judah before the Babylonian exile. What makes Habakkuk’s book unique is that it reads as a dialogue between the prophet and God. Habakkuk asks difficult questions, and God responds, giving us a beautiful picture of how we can seek and receive direction from the Lord. Pastor Franklin used this interaction to highlight how God gives us vision, and how we can be encouraged to dream again—even in uncertain times.
Pastor Franklin emphasized that the words “vision” and “dream” are often interchangeable, both referring to the way God reveals His direction and purpose for our lives. From Habakkuk’s encounter with God, Pastor Franklin identified three key steps in understanding and following God's vision:
- Visualize it – God often gives us a glimpse of where He’s leading us. Seeing the vision brings hope and helps us understand the direction we’re meant to go.
- Wait for it – Vision requires patience. As God told Habakkuk, it “awaits an appointed time.” Trusting His timing reminds us that our dreams are part of His bigger plan.
- Write it down – Writing the vision is an act of faith and commitment. God told Habakkuk to make it clear and bold—so others could see it and be inspired. We should do the same.
- Walk it out – Vision means action. Even when we feel unprepared, God calls us to move forward. His strength works through our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), and He equips us as we go.
This message was a powerful reminder that God still speaks, still gives vision, and still invites us to partner with Him—if we’re willing to see it, wait for it, write it, and walk it.
Do you have a vision/dream of what God is calling you to do?
- Where in the 4 stages are you currently with your vision/dream?
- What is the next step that you need to take on your vision/dream? Are you ‘waiting’ or are you ‘stuck’?
What You See Is What You Get
In his message, Pastor Jentezen Franklin not only urged us to step out in faith toward the vision God has given, but also prepared us for the reality of obstacles we may face. As he said, sometimes when we take that first step, we get “body-slammed”—not because we’re on the wrong path, but because spiritual resistance is real.
People may not understand what God has shown you, and that’s okay. God gives personal vision through the Holy Spirit, and Pastor Franklin identified three common obstacles that often hinder us from walking in that vision:
Obstacle 1: Present Circumstances
We may feel stuck in hardship—lack, grief, illness, or doubt—and wonder if this is as good as it gets. But God says, “I know the plans I have for you… to prosper you and not to harm you.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Obstacle 2: Present Resources
If the vision is from God, it will likely feel bigger than what you can afford—financially, emotionally, or practically. But God’s Word says He is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)
Obstacle 3: Present Self
Often, our greatest limitation is how we see ourselves. Like Samuel looking for a king among Jesse’s sons, we might overlook ourselves because we don’t fit the world’s mold—but God sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
- In what area of your life is God prompting you to “go”—to take a step of faith even if you don’t feel fully ready?
- Which of the three obstacles—present circumstances, resources, or self—do you most relate to right now? Why?
- Have you ever stopped pursuing a vision because it felt too big or impossible? What might God be asking you to see differently?
Laying the Foundation
It is generally considered that of all of the 5 senses we have as humans, the worst one to lose is the ability to see. Blindness makes it so much more difficult to function in our world than the loss of hearing, touch, smell, or taste. Those who are born blind will always have to guess what a color looks like as there is no way to fully explain what a color is.
Spiritual blindness is equally impossible to overcome, except for the fact that God has overcome it for us by the gift of His Holy Spirit. Paul says in 1 Cor. 2:14 “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” It is only by the presence of the Spirit of God that we have the ability to see the unseeable. It is by the Holy Spirit that we see God as our Heavenly Father and Creator. It is only by the Holy Spirit that we are able to see Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
It is also only by the Holy Spirit that we are able to see that we were made to be a part of God’s purposes. We have a role to play. We were created for more than existing. We are alive because He has given us a purpose. And it is essential to know that He has given us the gift of creativity that allows us to dream dreams and have a vision for our future. But to fully grasp it, we must first be able to see it and that will only come by the power of the Holy Spirit. Today’s challenge is to open your eyes by the power of the Spirit and not be afraid to see what has been invisible before you. To see what God can do through you!
- Have you ever walked or driven past something many times and never noticed it, only to see it later (or maybe noticed its absence when it was gone)? What was it that you missed and why do you think that you missed it?
Lift Your Eyes and Dream Again
"And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: 'Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.'" Genesis 13:14-17
You’ve got to see what God says.
Don’t become so settled that you lose your vision. Don’t stop looking around with spiritual eyes, imagining and dreaming again. We were not created to simply exist or focus solely on our present circumstances—those things will always limit what God wants to do in and through us.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to live in such a close place with God that there’s no wrong move to make—where every step is ordered by Him?
His Word promises that He will bless the work of our hands. If we seek Him first, follow His Spirit, study and listen to His Word, and tune our hearts to His voice—walking by unwavering faith—He will make all things work together for our good.
Our part is to look, see it, walk it out, claim it, and keep dreaming. Yes, the process can be slow and deliberate. Yes, it takes persistence. But it will be worth it—not just for our present lives, but for the sake of His Kingdom.
- Have you become too comfortable or complacent in your current season?
- Are you trusting in God’s timing, even when the process feels slow?
- What areas of your life have you stopped dreaming or believing for more?
Conclusion
Pastor Jentezen Franklin reminded us of God’s challenge to Abram in Genesis 13:14–17—to lift his eyes and see the land in every direction, because what he could see, God would give him. This was more than natural sight—it was a call to spiritual vision.
We are made in God's image, created to dream and imagine beyond our current reality. God gives us dreams that are often bigger than us so that we learn to trust Him—to step out in faith, wait on His timing, and walk in obedience.
We cannot be limited by our circumstances, resources, or even ourselves. Our focus must stay on the God who supplies all we need. And the dreams He gives us are always tied to a greater purpose—building His Kingdom.
We also heard from Zach McLeroy, founder of Zaxby’s, who reminded us that with a simple idea, faith, and persistence, big dreams can become reality.
Psalm 139 assures us that God sees us, knows us, and will guide us. He has created us for purpose and will lead us as we walk it out.
Call To Action:
Boredom kills dreams, it stifles creativity and dulls motivation. Do not sit back and wait, calculating every negative detail, all the what-ifs. Begin by writing down your aspirations and praying specifically over each of them. Doing nothing, either by fear of failure or being overwhelmed by casting your focus to your circumstances will lead to discouragement and eventually a lack of purpose. There should be no room for a sense of meaninglessness in His Kingdom, because He has called each one of us.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, we surrender ourselves to You, our dreams – even the ones we dare not speak of. Give us the boldness to write them down and pray over them. Give us the courage to talk to trusted brothers and sisters. Show us the next steps to overcome our own insecurities in our pursuit. Remind us and reveal to us Your great plan and purpose in expanding Your Kingdom through our dreams and visions. In Your Mighty name, Jesus. Amen.
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