What god and which city?

Consider the following:
Chris Tomlin " God of this city"

[Verse 1]
You're the God of this City
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are


[Verse 2]
You're the Light in this darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

[Chorus]
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City

[Verse 1]

[Verse 2]

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

[Chorus]
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here

There is no one like our god
There is no one like our God

[Chorus]
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here*
* http://www.lyricstime.com/chris-tomlin-god-of-this-city-lyrics.html

Above is a song by Chris Tomlin.
We have sung it in our church, maybe you have in yours.
I do have a question though, since "God" is not defined here it will fit many of the "gods" of this world, what "god" is he talking about?
Which city, people, or nation also?
As I look around this world I can not find a single city, people or nation that Jehovah is claimed  GOD of.  You can be sure that if He were GOD of them, you would surely know it.
Don't you think it would look like heaven? No corruption, no greed, no unrighteousness ?

What are the "greater things yet to be done"?  For that matter, what things have already been done?
This seems to me to be just words.  It makes a catchy tune, but what is the truth in it?
You see, this song could relate to many other gods and still fit the lyrics. All want guidance and hope and peace from their god and their religion.  There is no differentiation here.

We need to be careful with the lyrics we use.  What is the Gospel here?
If it does not rest in Scripture we better be careful that we do not create a new gospel.
Even if there is a back story here, does it fit "your" City, people, nation?
Allen

"VISION" vs "VENTURE"

There is a great deal of talk these days about having a vision in the church.  Those that talk are using proverbs 29:18
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18 KJV)
I do understand that if God's word is not revealed then the people will perish.
The problem is that this is not the definition they are using for "vision".
When they use the word, they use it:
VISION
noun
2.
the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be: prophetic vision; the vision of an entrepreneur.
3.
an experience in which a personage, thing, or event appears vividly or credibly to the mind, although not actually present, often under the influence of a divine or other agency: a heavenly messenger appearing in a vision.  Compare hallucination (  def 1 ) .
4.
something seen or otherwise perceived during such an experience: The vision revealed its message.
5.
a vivid, imaginative conception or anticipation: visions of wealth and glory.

This is quite different from revealing GOD's word.  This is more forward looking.
What you have here is NOT vision at all.
When they use the word they are incorporating part of the dictionary definition along    With spirituality mixed in to make it sound good and acceptable.
Many start out with a proper definition of vision and move to a more progressive definition and from there to something all together different.  I'll call that "Venture"
VENTURE
noun
1.
an undertaking involving uncertainty as to the outcome, especially a risky or dangerous one: a mountain-climbing venture.
2.
a business enterprise or speculation in which something is risked in the hope of profit; a commercial or other speculation.
3.
the money, ship, cargo, merchandise, or the like, on which risk is taken in a business enterprise or speculation.

 You see, for them it is an end game.  They want to move the church to marketing.
Marketing is for profit.
For them vision is more speculation with an end result of profit.
Church has become a business, enterprise.
They do not really care about revealed truth; they need to run this business, and business takes monies.

When your leader starts quoting "vision", make sure of the definition he uses.  It could mean something totally different to him than to you.

Parallel to USA

Romans 1

18 For there is revealed wrath of God from heaven upon all impiety, and unrighteousness of men holding the truth in unrighteousness.

19 Because what is known of God is manifest among them, for God has manifested it to them,

20 -- for from the world's creation the invisible things of him are perceived, being apprehended by the mind through the things that are made, both his eternal power and divinity, -- so as to render them inexcusable.

21 Because, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but fell into folly in their thoughts, and their heart without understanding was darkened:

22 professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of corruptible man and of birds and quadrupeds and reptiles.

24 Wherefore God gave them up also in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, to dishonour their bodies between themselves:

25 who changed the truth of God into falsehood, and honoured and served the creature more than him who had created it, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile lusts; for both their females changed the natural use into that contrary to nature;

27 and in like manner the males also, leaving the natural use of the female, were inflamed in their lust towards one another; males with males working shame, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error which was fit.

28 And according as they did not think good to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind to practise unseemly things;

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil dispositions; whisperers,

30 back-biters, hateful to God, insolent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 void of understanding, faithless, without natural affection, unmerciful;

32 who knowing the righteous judgment of God, that they who do such things are worthy of death, not only practise them, but have fellow delight in those who do them. Doesn't this sound like the leadership of this country?  We have elevated ourselves above Jehovah   Where is the humility.  I see only arrogance  and selfishness and greed played out on the common people. Understand that verse 18 explains beforehand about Jehovah's  wrath.  We would do well to heed this warning Allen

Nationalism over Holiness

I am as great a patriot for this country as anyone.  I am even still a patriot for the great Confederate States of America.  When we began over 200 years ago, what were the ideals and morality of this country?  Where are we now?

Psalms 119

9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed [art] thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as [much as] in all riches.

15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

These are the words we should be celebrating but only if this is our desire.
We as a nation started great, but now look where we are.
This time of year we will celebrate our country, but what are we now celebrating.
We have become very immoral yet in our churches we will talk of  all our virtues.
In a few weeks we will talk about how we need to pray for leaders and of revival needed in this land.
Somehow we will raise the national flag over and higher than the banner of Christ.
We will accept immorality and ignore Holiness.

As a Christian, should not the banner of Christ be flown higher than any national banner?
Allen

WORLD | If Platt's Radical was radical | Anthony Bradley | May 12, 2010

WORLD | If Platt's Radical was radical | Anthony Bradley | May 12, 2010

I agree.  Purpose Driven has the same ideology.
Allen

WORLD | John Piper on homosexuality | John Piper | April 13, 2013

WORLD | John Piper on homosexuality | John Piper | April 13, 2013

EUTOPIA and UTOPIA

Eu·to·pi·a           " Dictionary.com"

1.a place in which human society, natural conditions, etc., are so ideally perfect that there is complete contentment.

2. Utopia.The state of Eutpoia

Is it not interesting that in order to acheive Utopia those seeking that state will lie, cheat, steal, murder, covet, harm, revel, etc...
So it is you have to violate the definition to gain it.
This is the ultimate "the end is justified by the means to aquire it".
Heaven will be Utopia but we do not have to violate GOD's commandments to obtain it. We only need to receive the atoinment for sin.