Mark 7:17-23 – “When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?”  20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”  NKJV

There is much I would like to delve into but will refrain focusing only on the ‘defilement of man’.  If we take what Jesus said literally, and we should, we will realize it is not what we eat and drink that presents the problem.  It may have health consequences and shorten our stay on earth and in that it is important but when we read what the Lord is declaring we quickly realize He was focused on something far more important than what we take into our bodies.

Jesus’ focus was where ours should be, THE HEART.  He gave a list not to be all inclusive but to give us the idea of what He was talking about.  I am often troubled when people take a list from the Bible and attempt to make it a rigid rule.  We need to always understand the principle, precept and message being conveyed.  Here Jesus lists some problematic areas that defile man telling us that ‘out of the heart’ proceed:

• Evil Thoughts.

Anyone who, after even a cursory reading of the Bible, still cannot grasp that our ‘thoughts’ are critical to our spiritual health is not paying attention.

• Adulteries, Fornication.

I would contend that adultery does not ‘just happen’ like spontaneous combustion it is something that develops over time as one allows themselves to be exposed to temptation, gives place to thoughts and fantasies in the mind.  The physical act is first committed in the mind then in the body.

• Murders.

Hatred allowed to grow in the heart and thoughts can easily become an act of violence.  Therefore another reason to bring out thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  What Would Jesus Do should not be a cliché but a practical evaluation in our thoughts!

• Thefts and Covetousness.

I would suggest to you that much theft is the result of allow covetousness to produce an attitude of entitlement, jealousy and greed where the act is justified long before it is committed.

• Wickedness, Deceit, Lewdness, an Evil Eye, Blasphemy, Pride and Foolishness.

Not to lump them together but to address that Jesus is covering the many aspects of life to illustrate that it is in THE HEART that these acts are given birth before they become realities in the flesh.

No wonder we are told to ‘guard our hearts’ and ‘muzzle our mouths’ in Scripture.  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and as a man thinks in his heart so is he.  It is THE HEART not a list of rules that must be conquered if we are to walk in the fullness of the Grace of God in this present world.

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

Jeremiah 8:15-17 – “We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and there was trouble! 16 The snorting of His horses was heard from Dan. The whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of His strong ones; for they have come and devoured the land and all that is in it, the city and those who dwell in it.”  17 “For behold, I will send serpents among you, Vipers which cannot be charmed, and they shall bite you,” says the LORD.”  NKJV

I fully understand this is a prophecy to the nation of Israel in Jeremiah’s time but can the same be said of us here in the United States of America?  Our nation seems to be driven to achieve ‘equality’ and ‘tolerance’ at all costs.  That most assuredly is the message that many of various ideological perspectives seem to be advancing and I must ask, “Can we call that good?”

Israel was in a time when they desperately sought peace but found turmoil. The more they attempted to appease their enemies and the more they adopted the philosophy and wisdom of man they further they found themselves from real peace.  The absence of conflict does not equate to peace.  They wanted health physically, emotionally, socially, politically and religiously but instead found problem after problem arising because of men’s depraved hearts.

God told them that because of the condition of their hearts and their turning from Him to the arm of flesh their enemies would invade the land and no city or village would be safe.  He then made the astounding declaration in verse 17, “For behold, I will send serpents among you, Vipers which cannot be charmed, and they shall bite you, says the Lord.”  That is incredible!  I believe it is a picture of where we are in America today.  The snakes are coming or are already here and try as we might we cannot charm them and the very thing we sought to implement in our world is biting us.

There is only ONE TRUE GOD and that is Jehovah, the God of the Bible.  There is only ONE WAY TO GOD and that is through the Christ of the Cross, Jesus.  Embracing every religion under the sun and every lifestyle known to man will only bring the serpents not salvation.  I am all for allowing people to worship according to the dictates of their heart so long as it is not destructive and dangerous for others but when the Church vacates her convictions for political correctness and the modernistic philosophies of everything goes and is good we will see the decay of our society and the serpent will bite us refusing to be charmed.

Jeremiah repeatedly called upon Israel to repent from their backsliding and return to the Lord.  I call for the church and the nation to repent of leaving our first love, reject the ideology and philosophy that there are many roads to heaven and RETURN to the Lord with a whole heart.  Judgment is either upon us or pending and without repentance we will see the serpents that will not be charmed in our land and lives.

My heart is broken today and I feel compelled to cry out to God for forgiveness and seek restoration.  I ask that God guard my heart and guide my life so that I seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.  Oh Lord, create in me a clean heart and restore in me a right spirit in any area that I am deficient.  I will tread on serpents not be bitten by them.

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

Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.  14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  NASU

I really do not know why I have encountered so many who have shifted their theological belief to a universalism that says everybody is going to heaven, but I have.  I really do not understand how this idea became so widespread in modern society but would suspect it finds its roots in the Social Gospel we have been presented for several decades in many churches.  The political correct world demands that we adopt ‘tolerance’ to the point that we vacate our convictions and embrace anything and everything religiously as being right and good.  It is not and I will not.

I wish that everyone were going to heaven but if the Bible is true, and I believe it is, they are not.  If you remember Jesus’ words to Nicodemus in John 3 where He told the Jewish ruler, “UNLESS one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  He continued by reemphasizing that reality saying, “UNLESS one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God… You MUST be born again.”  This is not an option or an accessory on the vehicle of salvation that you can choose or not choose it is REQUIRED.

Jesus further informed His followers and all successive generations in John 14, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  In John 10 He declared, “I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture…”  Jesus is the NARROW GATE that leads to life and the worldly philosophy with its false religions is the BROAD WAY that leads to destruction.  The Bible clearly says ‘few’ find the Narrow Gate and ‘many’ enter the Broad Way or Gate of the world.  Sadly, everyone will not see heaven and there is a hell which will be comprised of the Lake of Fire with Eternal Damnation for those who are lost.

That reality should so grip our hearts that we are compelled to ‘seek first’ the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness personally but ‘seek the lost’ to bring them the Good News of the Gospel.  Being a nice person will not earn one a spot in heaven.  Being a good family person, loyal friend and honest or ethical person will not provide access to the Narrow Gate.  The ONLY WAY to Heaven is through the Cross of Jesus Christ or the Christ of the Cross.  He paid the debt that we could never pay and purchased our Salvation for us and the only access we have to that LIFE is through the Work of the Cross.

This clear truth is presented in Romans 10:9-10 – “…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  NKJV

Are you ‘born again’?  Is Jesus Lord of your life?  Are you seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?  Are you obeying His Great Commission?  We should all earnestly pray that God will enable us through the Holy Spirit to walk in the Spirit that we not fulfill the lust of the flesh and equip us to do the work of ministry.  God help us to become so broken hearted over the condition of man that we eat, sleep and live THE GOSPEL and GOOD NEWS. 

May God help you walk in the Narrow Way and lead others into that path of life!  Do not be deceived by man’s philosophy but cling to the Word of the Most High.   God bless you as you go through your day!

Proverbs 18:16 – “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.”  NKJV

The practice of bringing a gift when appearing before a dignitary is in view in this reflection of Solomon.  If a person had a gift or a bribe that was of value he could gain access to high places, preferential treatment or release from prison.  It was a matter of what he brought to the table.

Let me take this from a slightly different perspective and address a truth that is revealed in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”  NKJV Simply, any gifts, abilities or talents we have find their root in God and His depositing them in our lives.  Of course we may have developed and honed them perfecting them or elevating them to high quality but we would not have them at all were it not for the gifts of God.

So, if you find yourself frustrated because no one has recognized your abilities and you are watching others gain audience with greatness while you stand in the shadows I must ask a question.  What do you bring to the table?  If you have a passion in life or ministry and have a gift or ability that would facilitate that ministry or function does anyone know it?  Have you looked for opportunities to perform your gift or ability not pining for recognition or promotion?  Have you served in your gift?  In so doing you will present before people that which you bring to the table and if it is of value to purpose it will be recognized and that gift will bring you before those who can open the door.

I have long told people who complain that they are not being used in the best manner or to the fullest measure, find a need and fill it.  If you have a gift or ability to do anything look around for the presence of that need and fill the need.  I do not suggest that you violate God’s chain of command in the local church but look around for something that can be satisfied by your gift, talent or ability and do it.  If you do it for recognition then it will identify the flaw of your heart and the weakness of your gift and you will stay in the shadows growing bitter.  If you do it because you love God, recognize His gift and love people it will bring you before the proper authorities and decision makers and open a door for you.

I would suggest that if you are doing that and your gift still does not bring you to the place of recognition there is a problem.  The problem might be that the real value of what you think you bring to the table is less than you think.  The problem might be that the place of ministry is not where God has chosen for you.  I purposely avoided another possibility regarding the hearts of those in positions of responsibility and authority.  I have found in life that even when those hearts are not as pure as they should be the value of what I brought to the table was unavoidable and the gift God had placed before me opened doors anyway.  I have found all three scenarios to be realities in my life and have grown from each of them.

So before you allow a root of bitterness to spring up in your heart allow the Holy Spirit to help you see what the gift is and how you can use it.  The gift God has placed within you will make room for you.  I told my son years ago regarding the football team, “Create a spot for yourself.  Develop an ability that they cannot do without.”  I have told people that on many fronts and if you see an itch be the implement that will scratch it.  If you see a problem be the solution and in so doing you will find that what you bring to the table is too valuable to go unused.

            God bless you as you go through your day!

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!