Proverbs 14:4 – “Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox.”  NKJV

Proverbs 14:4 – “Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.”  NIV

I remember the first time I came in contact with this passage it was used by an elder minister regarding allowing young preachers to stand in his pulpit.  He had received some complaints by a few members of the congregation not appreciating the mistakes and messes that some of the young fledgling preachers were making and wanted it stopped.  He addressed his congregation using this passage.

His explanation was Life leaves a residue that has to be cleaned up from time to time and the church was not a museum for viewing but a workshop where real labor was exerted and as in a workshop someone had to clean up the residue from time to time.  He reminded the congregation that they too were once young in the faith and made mistakes.  They learned from their mistakes and as they grew and matured they were able to help others following them avoid some of those mistakes or see the error in their thinking or actions.  This was the case with young ministers and, in his view, one of the duties of the church was to help them become capable ministers able to rightly divide the Word of Truth and lead congregations into righteousness.  Thus, he saw one of his responsibilities to clean up the stall after the oxen had left its deposit on the floor.

I was one of those young preachers who had undoubtedly created more messes to be cleaned up that I care to remember.  It was humbling to be identified as an ox leaving a mess in the stall to be cleaned up by the stable hand.  It was even more humbling to hear this man of God identify his function as that of being a stable hand getting his hands dirty cleaning up our messes.  However, it so resonated with me that through the years I have had a passion for seeing young ministers afforded the opportunity to spread their gospel wings and attempt to fly.

I have on more than one occasion apologized to churches that I had the privilege of preaching for some of the things I preached.  I meant well but, was I ever wrong in both my words and attitude and as I grew, saw the error of my ways I wanted to let them know that their patience, love, understanding and guidance was not without result.

If you do not want any messes in life to clean up then I guess you had better stop living.  Just living life guarantees there will be residue left behind that has to be cleaned up by someone and most of the time that someone is us.  We cleaned up after our children and were cleaned up after by our parents.  We and they learned by living what living was all about!  If you never have any messes to clean up I would suggest there is no ox (life being lived).  If your stall is clean and neat as a pin all the time then there is no ox for where there is LIFE there is RESIDUE and instead of complaining about it we should rejoice for it signifies there is life.

I am reminded of the prayer a friend prayed when he realized what a mess he was in.  He prayed, “Lord, bless this mess.”  He was not being cute but sincere for he knew it was a mess, a mess of his own doing and would be disaster unless God blessed it.  He was not avoiding responsibility or accountability but acknowledging his situation and his prayer was answered as God truly took the mess and worked all things together for good.

            May the Lord be with you as you go through your day!

Hebrews 11:8-10 – “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”  NKJV

We have been viewing a picture of Natural Israel and in our study of Scripture we find a description of the Believer’s Armor in Ephesians and the Believer’s Authority in the words of Jesus in the Gospels.  Could I ask WHY we need those things for Heaven?  They are not for heaven but here and now.  They are not items to be utilized in heaven but in our living the Victorious Life God has afforded here and now.

God has equipped us with weapons that are Mighty for what purpose?  They are to enable us to ‘take’ or ‘possess’ the land and ‘establish’ the Kingdom.  We must remember:

• The Weapons are Mighty – Not natural but supernatural.
• We have Authority over all the Power of the Devil – – Restoration.
• We have a Divine Commission – – with the full authorization of the Divine.
• We have God’s Promise – – He will never leave or forsake us

             I have to ask, do you not find it intriguing that God has given His church all these pictures, provided these weapons, armament and power and our focus is just getting to heaven and our particular vision?  I find that fascinating!

What threat is a bunch of people just going to heaven to the devil?  1 Corinthians 10 tells us that we have ‘mighty weapons’ to pull down Satanic Strongholds.  WHERE?  In Heaven?  (Luke 10:19; John 14:12; Isaiah 61)

The devil has advanced a lie that has caused the focus of the church to be on the wrong thing but what would we expect from him.  It’s like I heard an Evangelist say once in praying for a person who appeared to be demonized, “You lying devil, tell me the truth…”  WHAT?   Well the devil would like nothing better than to have the Body of Christ focused on just getting to heaven someday in the sweet by and by.  He wants us to sit, soak and sour while he steals, perverts and pollutes.  But God said, “We have authority as we are under authority…”

Genesis 11 is a picture of the devil’s plan to ‘pre-vert’ God’s plan in Genesis 12.  The devil has never been an originator but a counterfeiter.  What were they building in Genesis 11? 

• Verse 4 – – It is a City.
• Verse 6 – – Notice what God says about the effort and unity they were expressing.
• Verse 7 – – We see God’s action and as a result they could no longer walk as one.

            Do you see that?  If you cannot COMMUNICATE you cannot COOPERATE.  They had a single language and likewise we must have a COMMON LANGUAGE in the Spiritual City of God if we are to fulfill the purpose of God in this generation.  It is the language of the Spirit of God.  There is incredible power in unity as described in Matthew 18:19 

WHAT IS ABRAHAM AFTER? 

In Genesis 13:14-18 we find three things: 

• The LAND – – Romans 4:13 – heir of what? (The World)
• A NATION – – 1 Peter 2:9  (Holy Nation)
• A CITY – – It is the city that brings God’s government and releases God’s power.

When the Body of Christ moves beyond the focus of just getting to heaven and becoming that which God has designed and desired on earth we will become God’s Spiritual City.  The result will be multitudes brought in to the Kingdom, rescued from the clutches of the devil and granted access to the ABUNDANT LIFE God has promised.

God bless you as you become THE CITY OF GOD here on planet earth.  May the Lord be with you as you go through your day!

Hebrews 11:8-10 – “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”  NKJV

In Genesis 12 we find a detailing of the Abrahamic Covenant in which God promised some specific things to Abraham:

• Make you a Great Nation
• Bless you.
• Make your Name great.
• You will be a Blessing.
• Bless those who bless you.
• Curse those who Curse you.
• In you all the families of the earth will be blessed.

We find our connection to that Covenant in Galatians 3:29 because we belong to Christ we are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise, therefore Abraham’s blessings are mine!  Abraham was looking for a city with foundations whose builder or architect was God.  You and I as believers are heirs to that inheritance so WHAT does our inheritance include?  A city!

Before you protest and give me the traditional argument that his is specifically and singularly speaking of Heaven I ask you to hear the conclusion of the whole matter before deciding.  Before you argue that Abraham was not focused on here and now but only on eternity in this let me ask you consider:

• EGYPT – – Biblically understood as speaking of sin, death and spiritual bondage.
• RED SEA – – At least one symbolism is baptism and the cutting away of the flesh and removing its authority and power in our lives.
• WILDERNESS – – The process of preparing and developing us in our relationships and trust as well as freeing us from our dependency on the world and flesh. In a real sense it is our spiritual boot camp.
• JORDAN – – A second baptism which is the Holy Spirit and through this we are:

1. Armed for War.
2. Our Identity solidified.
3. Our Confidence developed.
4. Readied for battle, walk and warfare free of the control of the flesh. 

• CANAAN – – Represents the Land of Promise.

The old songs identify it as Heaven but I would contend that it is not heaven but a picture of the Victorious Life in the here and now.  I argue that for the following reasons:

1. The land had enemies occupying it.
2. The enemies had to be defeated. 

Forgive me but I do not find the reference in Scripture to where we have to dispossess any enemies to occupy heaven.  It identifies the Land of Promise or Place of Promise for us in the here and now and it is time we begin to take the land and occupy the place of promise

So before we continue in looking at THE VISION and THE CITY we will pause and rejoice in the day the Lord has given us.  Blessings as you go through this day!

Hebrews 11:8-10 – “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”  NKJV

It is an understatement to say “God has a plan!”  He has an ‘eternal plan’ that involves and includes the church.  His plan is the focal point of THE VISION that the Bible reveals as the Plan of God.  I find it sad when local congregations focus on their plan rather than God’s plan.  It is wonderful when that local body focuses on God’s Plan and incorporates their plan or develops their plan with that in view.

As a communicator I sometimes feel I have completely failed to communicate and in those times I more fully understand why Jesus continually repeated His message to His followers.  I more deeply appreciate why He would convey multiple unveilings of THE VISION and MESSAGE of the Kingdom.  If you notice they did not grasp the revelation until Pentecost.  One could explain their lack of understanding based on the lack of the Spirit’s indwelling but I cannot explain the modern church’s lack in the say way for Pentecost has come!  The Holy Spirit’s ministry is fully available for today’s church.

THE VISION of God for the Church will not die in a heart that has seen it.  However for it to become reality in our hearts individually and our churches collectively there must be communication.  The vision must be communicated in a way that is understood and believed.  We must find some way to communicate that vision because…

• It will take MANPOWER to accomplish.
• It is MORE IMPORTANT than self.
• It is of ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE.

In Matthew 6 Jesus that it is not only to be sought but sought ‘first’ and ‘above’ all else.  It is in placing the Kingdom of God first that everything else is taken care of by the Father.  The prophet of old said, “People perish for lack of vision or knowledge…”  I believe if we ever really understand The Vision we will adopt it and commit to it.  We will find that the focus of our world will shift from self to God and His purpose will be the center or foundational core of our being.  Therefore, I launch into an attempt to whet your appetite for THE VISION of THE CITY, the Church.

THE CITY is SPIRITUAL…

In the economy of God the City is always important.  I am not talking about natural cities but spiritual.  Unfortunately too often we miss what God is saying by applying our natural understanding to spiritual truths.  The City is not some ‘geographic municipality’ identified in the natural.  The need to apply 1 Corinthians 15:46, “First the natural then the spiritual…” is visible for in using that guide we can understand:

• WHAT the City is.
• WHY the City is important.
• The FUNCTION of the City
• HOW we can take the land for God through the development of Spiritual Cities.

I want you to consider the context used above.  Abraham was ‘in’ the land naturally but he “did not see” the manifestation of spiritual reality.  He was a type or shadow (picture) of what was to come.

Remember what Abraham was looking for!  Whatever he was looking for was part of his inheritance and that makes it invaluable.  We too are strangers and pilgrims in the world and looking for ultimate city but what about Spiritual cities here on earth.

More about this later but we will hit the pause button for now and allow you to evaluate your view of THE CITY and THE VISION of God for your life.   Blessings as you go through this day!

Psalm 42:2 – “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When shall I come and appear before God?”  NKJV

Matthew 16:16 – “Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  NKJV

One distinction that the Hebrews made regarding Jehovah was that He was THE LIVING GOD as opposed to the man-made gods of those around them.  That distinction is vital in our walk in the present world.  What does it mean to have THE LIVING GOD as our God?  If God is LIVING there are some aspects of a Living God that should come to the forefront in our thinking and discussion.

THE LIVING GOD…

• He is a SPEAKING God.

The number of references in Scripture to that fact are too numerous to list.  The Bible is replete with the phrases, “And God said” and “Thus saith the Lord”.  He spoke before the creation of man ‘speaking’ the world into existence.  He spoke after the creation of man as He walked in the Garden and conversed with Adam.  He has spoken throughout history through His creation, His word, His prophets, people and situations.  If, as the Bible declares, He is the same yesterday, today and forever, does He not continue to speak?  If He is THE LIVING GOD then He continues to speak the problem is man does not always listen.

• He is a HEALING God.

He heals broken hearts, broken bodies, broken lives, broken homes, broken churches, broken nations and our broken world.  If he healed in times past and is THE LIVING GOD the same yesterday, today and forever does He not Heal today?  The issue is not His ability or willingness to heal that which we bring to Him but our willingness to allow Him access to those areas where healing is needed.

• He is a RIGHTEOUS God.

He has declared that we are to be “Holy” because He is holy and the Bible is filled with references regarding the desire, design and directive that we are to seek Righteousness in our daily walk.  The New Testament brings us an incredible introduction to Grace but does not negate the requirement that we are to be Holy in our conduct.  If God is LIVING and the same then dare we disregard His directive of RIGHTEOUSNESS?  Sadly, man in his desire to be accepted with the human depravity in mind concocts doctrines that allow a lesser degree of RIGHTEOUSNESS than the Bible describes.

The beauty of having a God who is LIVING is that no matter what enemy we encounter, problem we face, or situation that comes before us HE IS.  Unlike the creations of man’s hand or mind HE CAN.  He offers a shelter in the time of storm and can control the storm.  He offers life in the midst of darkness.  In contrast to the false gods of man’s creation HE LIVES!   In His being alive He offers hope because He is I AM THAT I AM.   He lives!

            May God be with you as you go through your day!

1 Corinthians 3:18-23 – “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;   20 and again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”   21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come — all are yours. 23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”  NKJV

I never cease to be amused when I hear comments about someone’s intelligence and that person, leader, politician or preacher is elevated to SUPER INTELLIGENT status.  When I do I am immediately drawn to this passage and chuckle inside and can only imagine what God does when he hears our comments regarding man’s intelligence.

I have become convinced that God delights in exposing the ‘craftiness’ of man in his self-elevation to greatness and wisdom.  I have sat in brainstorming sessions and been involved in gatherings described as ‘think tanks’ and virtually always came away with a sense of our inadequacy.  I’ve been around some of the brightest minds on earth today and listened to them rationalize and evaluate certain situations or conditions and after a time realized that, at best, we were only scratching the surface of the issue.  We are FINITE beings and see IN PART and sometimes that part is incredibly limited no matter how many letters we have after our names.

Placing confidence in man or man’s ability to solve the world’s problems is not just ridiculous it is dangerous.  God knows the thoughts of our hearts BEFORE we think them.  We view the beginning from the end but God views the end from the beginning.  We grasp realities as we experience them but God is reality.  We try to use the finiteness of the human mind to comprehend the infiniteness of God and that is IMPOSSIBLE.  We tend to trust the ‘Arm of Flesh’ rather than fully and completely turn to the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent creator of everything.  Wise?  No we demonstrate time and again just how foolish we are as human beings.  Our foolishness includes our attempts to think it through in our own understanding and we fail repeatedly.  He has offered to GUIDE us into all truth and too often we resist.

We belong to God through Christ and in that relationship we have access to the Wisdom and Knowledge of God which is INFINITE.  We have access to the Power needed to overcome all obstacles. We have the promise of the Holy Spirit who will TEACH us, GUIDE us and GUARD us in all things and at all times.  So, if you have been guilty of depending on your own understanding STOP IT! 

The more I know the more I realize how little I actually know but the more I know Him the more confident I become that I have tapped into the source and solution to whatever I face.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!  I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me.  I will never be orphaned or left without comfort.  I reside under the shelter of His protection covering and rejoice in that.  Going outside that covering would be anything but smart and if there is a time when I begin to feel important or even intelligent I find the Spirit of God tapping my shoulder and reminding me of this passage.  My confidence is in God and God alone!

            God bless you as you go through this day!

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 – “But as it is written: 

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”  10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.”  NKJV

The recent home going of my mother has brought heaven more into view on a daily basis.  It is not that I did not think about heaven and eternity before but with her recent promotion and missing her has prompted me to think about heaven, her and other loved ones gone before a lot.  I think about how they are SEEING what we BELIEVE but cannot see.  I think about how they are EXPERIENCING in reality what we experience in HOPE.  They see what we believe but cannot see with the natural eye but taste in our hearts through the Spirit of God.

Paul referring to Isaiah’s words in making this incredible statement tells us that the natural eye may not see it, the mind may not be able to fully comprehend it and no matter how encompassing we try to think IT IS BIGGER THAN THAT!  God has made preparation for us and our connection to that reality is through the eyes of the Spirit of God and what better eyes to view eternity through?

When I take the many passages from Scripture of God’s promise to ‘prepare’ a place for us, ‘return’ for us and ‘receive’ us I am comforted.  When I take into account the many passages where we are instructed to wage warfare with the prophecies and to comfort one another with words and thoughts of eternity I am comforted.  When I understand that the plans God has for each of us is far beyond anything we can think or ask I stand in awe, tears course down my cheeks and my heart soars with incredible joy.  I may not can see it with the natural eye but I see it in my spirit through the Holy Spirit and BELIEVE what I cannot see naturally.  It is more real than this present world to me.

What will heaven be like?  Oh I’ve heard testimonies from those who have had visions and near death experiences describing it but inside my heart I suspect IT IS BETTER THAN THAT!  The descriptions used by the various writers of scripture convey not only beauty but breathtaking awesomeness of the presence of God.  Our God is an awesome God and He reigns!  My dear mother could no longer walk in her last years on earth.  Her knees and strength had diminished to the point she was relegated to using a wheelchair, but she walks freely now in that land that is fairer than day.  She had difficulty with short-term memory but now she has the benefit of God’s memory banks to bring her joy.  She was homesick for her eternal home and now she is rejoicing at the homecoming she is beginning and one day will we join.  We miss her but would not bring her back if we could for we know that what she now has is far beyond anything we could provide for her on earth.  She has run her race, finished her course and obtained the prize.  She has entered into the Joy of Her Lord!

What she believed but could not see she now sees.  What we believe but cannot see we hold in our hearts by faith and as we view them dimly as through a darkened glass we do so with confidence and joy knowing that one day soon we will also enter into that Eternal Reality.  So if the devil comes to discourage you and suggest that heaven is not real just look up at the vastness of the sky and know that the God who put the stars in place is holding everything in the hollow of His hand and that God will return for us and we too will walk those glorious streets of the City of God.

            God bless you as you go through this day!