Song, Prayer, and Thought for the Day

Song for the Day  “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” by William H. Parker

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank You Lord for giving me the privilege of hearing the good tidings of the significance of Christ’s birth.  Thank You that Your faithful servants told me the truth.  Also Lord , I want to thank you for saving my soul.  Thank You for giving your Son because You loved me when I was a bitter young man who was far from You.  Please help me to music your message as long as You give me breath.  These things I am praying in Your wonderful and faithful name.  Amen.

Thought for the Day

God is telling all those who know Him to tell others the glad tidings of the import of Christ’s birth.

"Get Thee up into the High Mountain"

“Get Thee up into the High Mountain”  

Isaiah 40:9states, “O thou that tallest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tallest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!”[KJV Cambridge Ed. Margin]

       The responsibility of Zion was to not only” go tell it on the mountain” but to tell it with all their might.  We know this because this verse states, “lift up thy voice with strength”.  We as Christian musicians are responsible to not only music the message of Christ’s coming to this earth, but to also do so at a double forte.  Furthermore, we are responsible we should not be negative about the good news.  People are lost and in need of a savior.  They are hungry to have peace in their hearts and some of them will respond to the gospel message.

       Finally, we are admonished to say unto the people to whom we minister, “Behold your God”.  Although they may know that they are lost, they need us to go to the high mountain and shout the message that Christ has come to save them from their sin.  All Christian musicians who have the privilege of  musicing the gospel during this Christmas season, and in the new year that starts tomorrow, must remember that they are telling good tidings of great joy to all those who hear the message of Christ’s coming to earth to save sinful men and women.

Song and Thought for the Day

Song for the Day “And Can it Be” by Charles Wesley

Thought for the Day

God is still seeking holy men and women to go and tell His message on the mountain.

      

The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon

The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon 

St. Luke 2:25.  “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.”

       It is a great testimony left behind by Simeon, attested to by St. Luke who wrote under the inspiration of God, that Simeon was a just (dikaios 1342) and devout (eulabes 2126) man.  Simeon was just in that he was innocent before God and therefore a holy man.  He was also called a devout man because he walked circumspectly before God and therefore was a religiously pious man.

       Simeon was another example of a person whom God trusted so much that He promised Simeon that he would see the Christ before he died.  We have further evidence that Simeon was a holy man in that the Scripture states very clearly that “the Holy Ghost was upon him”.  Even before the dispensation of the Holy Spirit was ushered in at the day of Penticost, Simeon was said to be holy because the Holy Ghost was upon him.

       This holy man was able to not only see the Christ child, but also able to take Him up in his arms and proclaim with great faith in chapter two verse 30, “For now I have seen thy salvation”.  Praise God, as Simeon proclaimed in verse 32 that Christ was “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.  Praise God, that verse takes me in because I am a Gentile.  Christ not only came for His own, but also for all the rest of us, who required, in our lost and alienated condition, to be adopted as sons and daughters of God.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

I want to take time at the end of this year to thank You Father for the gift of salvation.  Thank you for sending people like the shepherds of the Judean hills who told me the story of the significance of Christ’s birth. Also, I want to thank You for allowing me to have a praying mother who faithfully read the  Bible and Bible stories to me as a very small child.  Thank you Father that I had the privilege of growing up in a church where the pastor’s preached Christ crucified.  These things I pray in Your wonderful loving name.  Amen.

Song for the Day  “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” by Henry van Dyke

Thought for the Day

Have you ever wondered why  people who have been recently saved usually are the ones who light a fire under a sleepy church?

 

 

 

Now we know "The rest of the Story"

Now We Know “the Rest of the Story” 

St. Luke 2:17-18, “And they [the shepherds] came in haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.   And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child.” 

       Earlier, we discussed the fact that God trusted the message of the coming of the Savior first.  When I read this passage of Scripture I am reminded of why God trusted them with the good news that Christ had been born in Bethlehem that night. 

   First of all, the Scripture tells us that they did not mess around about seeking out the Christ child, but rather they “came in haste” to find Him.  They did not doubt the word of the angel that he had been born in a manger.  They were simple people with a simple faith that made them God’s choice  to hear and see first.

       Second, after they had seen and heard they went back to the mountains and “…made known abroad the saying which was told them…”  God knew that they would go and tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ was born to save sinners.  Their reaction was to go and tell which was much different than Herod’s which was to go and kill.

       Third, St Luke 2:20 tells us that, “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”  God chose the shepherds because He knew that they would not only worship Christ at the manger but that they would go home and give Christ true worship by telling everybody they met that the Messiah was indeed born to save sinners.

        So, we should learn from this three part lesson that we should we, like the shepherds, should “taste and see” that Christ is good.  We should go home and tell everyone unashamedly that Christ was born to save lost men and women.  Finally our musicing should give glory to God as we tell the good news of Christ’s birth.

 

Prayer and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank You Lord for leave g the portals of heaven and coming all the way to earth to redeem mankind. T also want to thank You that You are truly Emmanuel—God with us.   Lord, I am humbly asking You to help me to truly give You all my worship this day.  Give me a new understanding of the wonder of your birth, suffering, death, and resurrection. I want to thank you for coming all the way the the Eastern Kansas Camp meeting in fort Scott Kansas to redeem my soul and to forgive all my sins.  Thank You.  Amen.

Thought for the Day

Jesus came all the way for us.  How far are we willing to go for Him?  He gave His life for us.  How much or our lives are we willing to give for Him?

 

The Wise Men Saw Jesus

The Wise Men Saw Jesus

St Matthew 2:11, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

       The wise men did not stop until they had come all the way to the house where Jesus was.  They didn’t come part of the way but rather they came all the way to find Jesus.  When they were in the presence of Jesus they were able to worship Him.

       If we are going to truly worship Jesus, we must get past the earthly palace of Herod, past the dusty road of problems that we encounter on our journey to worship, and past all the distractions that would keep us from coming into His presence.  We must take the journey from the natural to the supernatural if we intend to come into his presence.  We can only truly worship Christ when we are in His presence.

       The magi believed in the authenticity of the Christ so much that they “fell down” before Him.  Notice that it was after they fell down before Him (I believe that they prostrated themselves before Christ) that they presented gifts to Him.  I believe that this signifies that we must give Christ our hearts and worship before we are able to give gifts to Him.  The grateful magi gave Him the emblematic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Adam Clarke stated that they “offered Him the things which were in most esteem among themselves…”

       If we are going to truly worship Christ at this Christmas season, we should present to him the things we esteem the most.  We value our time, our money, and our lives.  It is easy to offer prayers and say words of honor, bit it is a different thing to dedicate our time, money and our ambitions and talents to Him!  The greatest gift that we can give to Christ is a willing heart.  If we are going to bring this gift to Him, we must let Him remove all sin and submit our heart to Him so that He can purify us through and through.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Thank you Lord for looking down on an eighty acre farm three miles east of Fort Scott, Kansas and seeing me as a lost soul worth leaving heaven, being born in a manger, suffering and dying for over two thousand years ago. I want to thank you for honoring me with a praying mother, and thank you for convicting me of the awfulness of my sin.  Thank You Lord for giving me mercy rather than justice.  Thank you for caring for a “nobody’ like me.  Thank you for making it possible for me to receive forgiveness of my sins and for purifying my heart.  These things I am praying in Your matchless name.  Amen.

Song for the Day “O Holy Night” by John S. Dwight

Thought for the Day

God found a few magi who would follow Christ’s star and a few shepherds that would leave the Judean hills and immediately go to Bethlehem.  Can he trust you and I to seek after Christ right now?

 

 

Shepherds Heard the Message First

 Shepherds Heard the Message First   

Luke 2:8-9, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” 

       Can you imagine what it was like for the shepherds to be startled by an angel surrounded with the glory of the Lord shining all around the camp site?  We sometimes chuckle when children and willing adults present a Christmas pageant at our local church.  They all look startled when the angel, dressed in a white sheet, appears suddenly—if and when the designated deacon remembers to turn on the spotlight.

       It may be a bit amusing to us, but I assure you it wasn’t to those shepherds that night when they were visited by an angel.  Think of it—they saw the glory of the Lord.  Then the Bible account states that “suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God…”  I believe that I would have fainted dead away at the sight of the first angel let alone a whole bunch of them is bright shining light.

       Wow, those humble shepherds were blessed and honored by being the ones who received direct notification of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. God didn’t send His angel to the “big boys’ down at the synagogue, bit instead He chose men that were not important to most people.   If you, like me, are a “nobody” in this world, take time right now to praise God that He cares about “little people”!  Someone has said that common people must be special to God since He made so many of us.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank You Lord for being the living Christ.  Thank You for being the God who “is” and not merely one who “was”.   Thank you for making it possible for a Kansas farmer like me to come to a saving and sanctifying knowledge of You.  Thank you that You suffered without the gate to sanctify your people (Hebrews 13:12).  Thank You for Your great love and sacrifice in coming to dwell on earth and to dwell in my heart.  Amen.

Song of the Day “We Three Kings” by John H. Hopkins

Thought for the Day

Although many of my generation believe that seeking after Christ is a waste of time since they do not believe that He is truly God, I want to go on record as one “Baby Boomer” that is a seeker after Christ.

Wisemen Came to Worship Christ

 Wise Men Came to Worship Christ   

Matthew 2:1-2 states, “Now when Jesus was born on Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king,  saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

       We do not know when the kings came to Jerusalem, or when they appeared at Joseph and Mary’s home.  It is generally believed that it was about a year after ??Christ’s birth.  There is much conjecture about just who these Eastern Magi were.  Many believe that they were astrologers and or philosophers.  There is some possibility that they were Jews of mixed descent who lived in distant lands and were knowledgeable of the Messianic prophesies in the Jewish Scrolls.  If so, then they would have believed that the time of Christ’s coming was at hand.

       Since they followed Christ’s  star, there possible were astrologers among them –and thus the statement “We have followed his star”.  However, the thing that really mattered was that they traveled all those miles to worship Christ.  They believed that he was the “king” so they diligently sought after Him.  They believed that they would indeed find the Christ child.  Even more importantly it sees that they believed that He was the Messiah and that He was  worthy of their worship.

       Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Wise men and women still seek Him.  In their seeking it is still necessary for them to believe, like the wise men who sought after Christ; and they must believe , not only that he is, but that he will reward those who seek him with salvation.

Christmas Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Christmas Prayer

I thank you heavenly Father for sending your son to be born in a manger.  Thank You Jesus , that although you were very God,  You were willing to leave the portals of heaven and come to earth to be born, and to live, suffer, and die for my sins.  Lord, please help me to have a thankful heart for Your coming to earth and for caring for my soul.  Thank you for fulfilling the Father’s plan of salvation that included a sinner like me.  

       Lord Jesus, today we celebrate Your birth, help us to look into our hearts and be sure that there is nothing there that would displease You.  Lord, this is a blessed Christmas day because you are with us and that you dwell in our hearts.  These things I pray in your matchless and wonderful name.  Amen.

Song for the Day “It Came upon a Midnight Clear” by Edmund H. Sears

Thought for the Day

It would be a good thing if we all would spend this day being thankful for what we have rather than wishing that we had more.

No Room For Jesus

No Room for Jesus    

St. Luke2:7 states, And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

       Can you imagine that there was actually no room for the Son of God in the inn in Bethlehem?  Many times we as musicians have a hard time understanding why bad things happen to good people.  Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus were certainly good people.  Why did God the Father let Jesus, His only begotten son, be born in a cattle shelter which was perhaps a cave?  From our very finite understanding it would seem that there could have been at least a tiny room that no one was using. 

       However God the Father let His only son be born in obscurity and humility.  On this blessed day of days, we should remember that, regardless of our circumstances, most of us were not born in a place of humility like Jesus.

       Jesus didn’t let his surroundings and his humble birth ever affect His ministry.  Likewise, His earthly parents did not let the humility of the circumstances of Christ’s birth affect their vision of who Jesus was and their role in the accomplishment of the will of God.  Thank God for Mary and Joseph who did not let their situation deter them from obeying God that wonderful night long ago in Bethlehem.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Lord, I want to tell You that I love and trust You right now on December 24^th.  I know that You will never fail me or lead me astray.  Give me the courage and strength to keep on my journey of musicing for You.  I believe that You have placed me exactly where I am “for such a time as this”.  Please guide my musical ministry and help me to reach out to Your strong arms for protection.  Please guide me through the journey of life no matter where You lead me.  Lord, like Joseph I am willing to publically go on record that I trust your will and your path for me for the rest of my life.  I love You Lord.  Please help me to keep ministering musically for Your Glory. These things I bring to You because are worthy of all my feeble trust.  Amen.

Song for the Day “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Phillips Brooks  

Thought for the day

It is one thing to say that we trust God with the “Journey” but it is another thing to start walking!

The Long Journey to Bethlehem

The Long Journey to Bethlehem

Luke 2:4-5 states, “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David :) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”

       The long trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem by Joseph and Mary was a journey of faith.  Caesar Augustus had decreed that all the people should be registered or “taxed”.  Joseph’s journey with Mary was not merely an act of obedience to Caesar Augustus, but also to God.  As we discussed yesterday, the angel had assured Joseph that he should not be afraid to accept Mary as his espoused wife.  

       Now Mary and Joseph are on their journey toward Bethlehem the day before the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Joseph is not ashamed of Mary because he trusts he trusts God.  He is willing to sign the tax register and publically accept Mary as his espoused wife—going on record for all eternity that he trusts and believes God.

       On the day before Christmas are you among the Christian musicians that trust God?  Are you willing to trust God with your life, your career, your future, and your music ministry?  Trust comes with implicit faith in god that He will guide you and protect you for the rest of your life.  Joseph’s implicit faith that the angel of God had told him the truth enabled him to take the long journey of faith to Bethlehem that day.  It will be by faith alone that you will enter the New Year knowing in your heart that God is saying to you “be not afraid”.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Lord, I thank You for Your faithfulness to me during this busy, busy season.  Thank You for helping me to feed your people with my little musical lunch.  Lord, it may have been small, but I gave it all to You.  Help me to remember that it was my responsibility to give 100%, and it was Your pleasure to feed the hungry people with my meager lunch.  Help me to keep believing your Word that encourages me that I am doing the will of the Father.  These things I am praying in your name.  Amen.

Song for the Day “O Come All Ye Faithful” Latin Hymn

Thought for the Day

Can God trust you to make right decisions?      

Joseph Was Truly Blessed

Joseph Was Truly Blessed 

St Matthew 1:20 states, “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”

       Joseph was in terrible mental anguish.  If he put Mary away publically, the Jews would probably stone her to death.  So, he was contemplating putting her away privately.  He certainly needed to hear from God.  So, God sent his angel to assure Joseph that God was going to take care of Mary and himself.  

       Did you ever think of what would have happened if Joseph had failed God at this crucial time in the history of mankind?  What would have happened to Mary?   What would have happened to the baby Jesus who was not yet born of the virgin Mary?

       It is easy for us to postulate that God would not have let anything happen to the Baby Jesus, but it took the obedience of both Mary and Joseph for God to complete His perfect will.  If Joseph had not had a choice, I do not believe that his choice would have been recorded in the Holy Writ.

       Compared to Joseph’s choice, many of our choices in life seem somewhat insignificant.  At this time of Christmas, it behooves all Christian musicians to remember that our choices, no matter how small they seem, do matter.  If God could trust Joseph to make the right choice, surely He will help us to make right choices during this Christmas season.  Joseph was truly blessed because God could trust him to make the right decision.

       I know from experience that it is about this time in December that musicians go into depression.  We wish that our Christmas presentations would have been performed more accurately.  We can think of a thousand and one things that we could have done more efficiently.  However the Presentations are over and we are left with the “Christmas program blues”.  Look up! I believe God’s angel is saying to you “do not be afraid.  God has accepted your musical offering.”  It isn’t the grandness of our musical offerings that matter but it is the fact that we have given Him the best offering that we were capable of giving and that we offered it as an offering “in righteousness”.

Song, Thought, and Prayer for the Day

Song for the Day “Good Christian me Rejoice”  Latin Carol, 16^th Century, translated by John Neale

Thought for the Day

Mary was truly blessed above all women to be chosen to bear the Christ Child.  She was blessed because God knew that she would be obedient to the will of God.  She was also blessed because she was obedient to God’s will.         

Prayer for the Day  

I want to thank you Lord for placing all those music ministers out there in your kingdom to minister musically to those who experience the musicing of my choir and orchestra this Christmas.  May the words, melodies, and harmonies, that they produce bring honor to your matchless name.  Lord, help all those who are out there musicing for You this Christmas season to not become weary in well doing.  Help us all to be faithful to the task of telling the good news of Christ’s coming to those who attend worship services and sacred music productions this Christmas.  These things I am praying in your name.  Amen.

Mary Was Truly Blessed

Mary was Truly Blessed    

St Luke 1:28 states, “And the angel came unto her, and said, hail, thou art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”

       Yesterday we talked about God preparing the way for Jesus’ coming by a man who was not afraid to proclaim the message of Christ.  Today we are going to consider the virgin Mary who was not afraid to obey the angel of God who came to give her the assurance that the Lord was going to be with her and had chosen her to help prepare the way of Christ to bring salvation to sinful men and women in this sin cursed world.

What would have happened if she had been afraid to obey god?  God had planned that she should be blessed above all women.  However, she had to be obedient to the will of God in order to help fulfill the promise of god to all people.  The fulfillment of the gift of God through Christ Jesus was contingent on her obedience to God’s mysterious and wonderful plan.

       Chief musician you have been chosen to once again tell the wonderful story of Christ’s coming to earth to save sinful men and women.  Only eternity will reveal how important your obedience is to God’s strategic plan for bringing hope and salvation to post-modern and post post-modern men  and women who hear you and those who music with you during  this season.

 

Prayer, Song and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Lord, I want to thank You for sending John the Baptist to help prepare the way for the coming of Christ.  I want to thank you that you always seek out faithful men and women who are filled with the Holy spirit to proclaim your messenger.  Please help me as a Christian musician to minister with a passion that is only possible by the filling and power of the Holy Spirit.  Lord please fill with the dunamis of the Spirit today and throughout this Christmas season.  Please endue me with power so that I may seek out my “high mountain’ and proclaim the good news of your coming to earth to save sinful men and women in the twenty-first century.  These things I pray in confidence this morning.  Amen.

Song for the Day “Go tell it on the Mountain” by John W. work Jr.

Thought for the Day

When a Christian musician comes to the philosophical understanding that God, in his great wisdom, has chosen to use holy men and women to music his message to a lost world, life and one’s musical ministry takes on much more significance and meaning.

God Uses Holy Men and Women at Christmas

God Uses Holy Men and Women at Christmas   

Malachi 3:1 states, “Behold I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.”

       Have you ever thought about the fact that God used a man to help prepare the way for His Son’s coming to dwell with us?  Why would god need john the Baptist to help prepare the people for Christ’s coming?

       John was “the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Luke 3:4).  His message was, “there cometh one mightier than I after me, the lachet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.  I indeed baptize you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost” (St Mark 1:7-8).  The prophet Malachi stated, “He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer an offering in righteousness (Malachi #:2-4).

       If we as Christian musicians have any hope of offering the lord musical offerings in “righteousness”, we must have our hearts purified by the cleansing baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is coming again and we as Christian musicians are called to help prepare this world to be ready spiritually for His coming.  God has, in his great wisdom, chosen us to go to a high mountain and tell the good news of Christ’s coming to save sinful men and women.

       It is the Christmas season any we will have the opportunity of give God a musical offering in righteousness and at the time minister to some folks that we may not see again until Easter Sunday morning.  We need to make sure that we are filled with god’s Spirit as we minister musically during this Christmas season.

Prayer, Song and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day  

I thank you Lord for sending the wise men to seek and worship You long ago.  Help me to be a wise man and seek you today and throughout this Christmas season.  Help me to truly worship you during this Christmas season.  May I never lose the wonder of your journey to earth to save my soul from the fires of hell.  Thank you that you came all the way from heaven to find me and give me life everlasting.  These things I pray.  Amen.   

Song for the Day “Wonderful Story of Love” by J.M. Driver      

Thought for the Day

It is no joke that wise men still seek Christ.  Are you a seeker after God?

 

Astrologers on a Journey of Faith

Astrologers on a Journey of Faith

Matthew 2:1-2 states, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?  for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

       These astrologers who were kings came from the east to worship Christ.  Before Christ was born in Bethlehem, these Gentile kings started their very long journey from the east.  They weren’t Jews, but somehow they knew about the ancient scrolls that contained prophesies of the birth of a Jewish king.  Somehow they must have read the Isaiah scroll that stated, “Arise shine for thy light has come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.  For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.  And the Gentiles shall come to the light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (Isaiah 60:1-3). 

       These Eastern kings understood the meaning of this passage from the Isaiah scroll in with a different understanding based upon their knowledge of the study of the stars.  Somehow when Christ’s star appeared in the heavens at night it sparked faith in them to seek out the Christ child and worship Him.

       If God can who spoke worlds into existence can call Gentile kings from the east to come to worship Christ, He can cause those in the community around your church to come to your Christmas presentation.  He can make it possible for them to hear the clear message that Christ came to earth to save sinful men and women from their sins.  Chief musician do not get discouraged.  It is your job to preach Christ crucified with your Christmas presentation and it is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict men and women of their sin.  So, go tell it on the mountain top.  Tell them that Christ was born to forgive them of their sins.   You must take courage because you have a great job to do this Christmas season.

Prayer, Chorus, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day
       I want to thank you Lord for coming to be with us.  Thank you for leaving the splendors of heaven to be born of a virgin so that you could dwell with us.  I Thank you heavenly Father that we can trust you to always keep your promises to us.  Thank you for coming all the way to the eastern Kansas camp meeting in Fort Scott Kansas to forgive me of all my sins.  Thank You for finding me on an eighty acre farm and convicting me of all my dark and awful sins.  Thank you for giving me a praying mother who wept and prayed over her wayward son until God for Christ’s sake brought me to a place of repentance on July 23, 1967.  Thank you Lord that I am experiencing Your presence right now as I write this little devotional prayer to You.  Thank you for giving me the witness that You dwell in my heart right at this moment.  Thank you!  Thank You!  Thank you!  Amen.

Chorus for the Day “Emmanuel” by Bob McGee  

Thought for the Day

It doesn’t make any difference  to me whether my generation believes in Christ as a personal Savior or not, I know that he is because He has forgiven me of all my sins and sanctified me holy and that is enough evidence for me!

God really Is with Us

God Really Is With Us
Isaiah 7:14 states, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and thou shall call his name Immanuel.”
       St. Matthew 1:23 quotes Isaiah’s prophesy and further explains that Emmanuel means “God with us”.  To a people long ago who were in great darkness, God promised to send His son to be with us!  It was a long time after Isaiah’s prophesy before Christ was born, but god always keeps His promises
       Christian musician be sure to remind everyone who takes part in your Christmas musical ministry that Christ’s coming to earth in space and time was a fulfillment of God’s promise to mandkind that God really would come to earth to dwell with us.  Although you, as a music minister, may believe that all those who minister musically with you know all about the story of Christ’s coming to earth—tell them again!  
       I get blessed just thinking about the fact that God was and is with us.  We are not alone on this earth.  We may not be able to see Him, but we can experience His presence very, very near us at this time of Christmas.  Christ came to abide with us—not just visit us.  He came to tabernacle with his children.  Be sure to invite all who minister with you to experience Christ in a special way as they music unto Hi.   That will make their musicing real and very special this Christmas season.

Thought and Scripture for the Day

Thought and Scripture for the Day 
We should take advantage of this Christmas season to thank our heavenly Father for the plan of salvation.  We should not forget to be thankful that, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).”

God's Clock Keeps Perfect Time

God’s Clock Keeps Perfect Time 

Galations 4:4-5, “But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

       For centuries the world had been in need of a savior.  Surely the people were in darkness and sin.  In these dark times God the father sent His only son to come to earth that were under the law.  God knew that the wages of sin is eternal death, but God also knew that only the giving of His son Jesus could bring eternal life to this sin cursed world.  All those who loved and served Jehovah that lived during Old Testament times looked forward to the coming of the Messiah.  They must have wondered why they were left without the promised Emanuel. 

       I cannot imagine what it would have been like to have been born during those dark times.  It is amazing to me that many of the Jewish church leaders, who knew the prophesies about the coming of Christ, were not looking for a Savior who would be born in obscurity, humility, and poverty in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem. 

       But when God’s clock said that it was the right time, He sent His son to this earth so that we would be able to receive remission of sins and be adopted into the family of God.  Although we do not understand why the time was right for our Savior to be born, we know that he did come and that He came to save us from sin.  Praise God that His clock does keep perfect time.  Because it does, we are the benefactors of this great salvation. 

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day

I am asking you heavenly Father to protect my daughter Deanna and her husband Mark today as they prepare for the Christmas season.  Lord, please bless their ministry there in northern Ireland and make their ministry fruitful.  Please make them prophets to the nations.  Also, please comfort the hearts of all those who minister musically around the world and are separated from their families at this Christmas season.  These things I am praying in your wonderful name.  Amen.

In the Will of God at Christmas

In the will of God at Christmas

Jeremiah 1:5 states, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

       Today is my firstborn daughter Deanna’s birthday.  At the time I am writing this devotional, she is thousands of miles away from us today.  She is a pastor’s wife in northern Ireland.  Before she was born God knew who she was and what He wanted her to be doing right now.  He sanctified or “set her apart’ and ordained her to be a minister’s wife who would minister to the nations.

       You may have loved ones who are ministering far, far from home today.  You and I need to constantly be reminded that God is awake.  Nothing slips up on Him.  There is no luck, happenstance and nothing startles God, because, in His awesome wisdom, He always knows what is best.

       I would rather have my children thousands of miles away from me serving God than to have them all around my table but out of the will of God for their lives.  With that in mind, we will celebrate the birth of God’s son Jesus Christ with joy and full confidence that He is working out his purpose in our lives.  My heavenly Father sent His only Son to Die.  I only sent my daughter to serve Jesus Christ. 

 

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day
Lord, here I am again.  It seems that I am your “doubting Thomas” musical servant.  Forgive me for doubting that you will take care of all my stress and perplexity during this Christmas season.  I am asking you to please help me to take my eyes off of “Ahab” and “Jezebel” and place them upon you who are the source of my strength and salvation.  Lord please take care of me and all the situations that currently tend to depress me.  Strengthen me with strength and lift me up above my troubles so that You will be able to help me to trust your mighty power.  I am asking you to lead me out of the wilderness of depression and back into the place where I will be able to music unto you with joy and thanksgiving.  Thank you for coming to this earth as a baby in a manger and for dying for my sin.  Amen.

Song for the Day “One Day” by J.Wilbur Chapman

Thought for the day

Musicians who are never criticized are those who never do anything for others or never music unto God.

Under the Juniper Tree at Christmas Time

Under the Juniper Tree at Christmas Time

I Kings 19:4 states, “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.”  

       Elijah was depressed after Jezebel had slain the prophets.  Chief musician are you depressed now that it time for all the activities of Christmas.  Are you depressed?  How did you get in this mess this close to the blessed time of Christ’s birth?  Is jezebel after you because you didn’t give her a solo in the Christmas program?  Are some of the tight wad board members complaining that you have spent too much money?  Did God hear you say this morning,”It is enough, I quit”?  Are you, at this moment, looking for a juniper tree?  Have you gone about a day’s journey into the wilderness of depression? 

       Elijah had forgotten that Jehovah had just answered his prayer by fire from heaven and that God had sent a great rain upon the land. When Elijah had prayed a simple prayer and God had answered and now Elijah was soaked in self-pity and was deeply depressed.  How could he have been so depressed as to wish to die?

       Are you catching on?  How can we, as chief musicians, wonder how Elijah could have been so depressed, but we get depressed over much smaller issues than Jezebel killing God’s prophets.  So, learn from the story of Elijah that we must never forget what god has done for us time and time again throughout our Christian walk with Christ.  Do not let a current situation keep you from enjoying this Christmas season.

Prayer, Chorus, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day 
I am asking you Lord to enlarge my passion to help those to whom I minister too musically to lift up their voices with great strength.  Please help me to burst forth into joy as we sing and play the good news during this Christmas season.  Christ is born.  Christ is risen.  Christ is alive and well.  Lord fill me the strength and joy to music unto you during this Christmas season.   Let me so live that my choir and orchestra will experience my passion and glorify my father which is in heaven.  May those who music with me make a tremendous ruwa (7321) of praise to You the Christ of Christmas.  These things I pray in your name.  Amen.

Chorus for the Day “Jesus, Name Above All Names” by Naida Hearn  

Thought for the Day   

If most people were just half as enthused about the good news of Christ’s coming as they are about their favorite football team, everyone around them would hear about Christ’s birth during this Christmas season.

The good News This Christmas Season

The Good News This Christmas 

Isaiah 40:9 states, O Zion that bringest good tidings, get the up into a high mountain; O Jerusalem that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God.”

       What were those good tidings/  the good news was that Jesus the Christ was coming to dwell among men and women on this earth.  What is the good news of this Christmas season?  It is that Christ came two thousand years ago to save sinners and he is still saving the lost in the twenty-first century.  Christ is still freeing people from the awful bondage and slavery of sin.

       What should we do during this Christmas season?  The people of God should turn up the sound system so that people may hear the good news of the Gospel.  That is what the prophet Isaiah proclaimed.  Get thee up into a high mountain so that people will be able to hear the good news.       Tell the congregation of people and the choir and the orchestra and the pianist and the organist to “lift up thy voice with strength” that Jesus Christ still saves sinners. Do not be afraid to lift up your voice to saints and sinners alike that there is good news this Christmas season.  Tell them,”BEHOLD YOUR GOD”.

 

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank You Jesus for leaving the splendors of heaven and coming to this earth for me.  Help me to understand that You are an “everlasting Father” that will never leave me or forsake me.  Thank You for being the Prince of Peace in my life.  Help me to music with tears, shouts of joy, and with great passion during this Christmas season.  Lord, help me to be able to pour out my heart to the musicians that I minister to and with during the advent and Christmas season.  Help me to somehow help them to get a glimpse of who the Christ of Christmas really is and what He has done, and what He will do for His children.  Also, please help me to explain to a lost world that Christ was born in a manger in an unimportant town to live, suffer, die and rise again in order to conquer sin, death and hell.  Praise your wonderful name.  These things I am praying in Your strong and wonderful name.  Amen.  

Song for the Day    “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” by Fanny Crosby

Thought for the day

Never forget that the Story of Jesus told through music is the greatest musicing you will ever be involved in your entire musical career.

 

The Reason Christ Came to Earth

The Reason Christ Came to Earth

Isaiah 9:6 states, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
         All these wonderful names of God give us a glimpse of who the Christ of Christmas is and what He does for us.  He did not come to earth for Himself.  He came for you and for me.  That was His sole purpose for leaving the splendors of heaven and being born in a lowly manger.
       Be sure to remind all the musicians who are “under your hands for Christmas song” and all the people to whom you minister musically the reason Christ came to earth.  Tell them that God the Father gave the greatest gift possible to us on Christmas day.  He gave his only son to be our wonderful counselor and mighty savior.  The government is upon His shoulder!  No matter how mixed up things seem to be in this present world, God is in control.  He is a wonderful mighty God who can and will take care of everything that perplexes his children.
       Some of the musicians that you work with did not have a father during their growing up years.  Remind them during this Christmas season that Jesus is an everlasting Savior and friend and an “everlasting Father”.  He will bring peace out of the troubles of life because Jesus is “The Prince of Peace”.

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the day-The Baby in the Manger  

 I Thank You Lord for making me one of your music ministers.  It is a comfort to know that You know where I am and what I am doing.  I know that Your eyes are over righteous musicians and your ears are open to their prayers.  Help me to keep my attention on what You have called me to do.  I am asking
You to not let me become sad or bitter over the fact that my music ministry is largely unnoticed by most people.   I thank you Lord that you care and that you notice everything that I do.  I also want to thank You that You will make this Christmas season blessed as I music unto Your matchless name.  These things I pray in Your wonderful name.  Amen.

The Baby in the Manger Was the Creator of Music

The Baby in the Manger was the Creator of Music 

St. John 1:10 “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.”

       At this time of Christmas, we should be reminded that the baby in the manger was the creator of the world and all that is in it.  The author, owner and creator of music came to this earth and dwelt among men and women.

       Think about it, the creator of music lived on this earth.  We do not know how often He musiced, but we do know that He sang a hymn with His disciples  (Matthew 26:30) before he we went into the Mount of Olives to pray. 

       The creator of music lived on this earth almost unnoticed by the world.  Yesterday we talked about the birth of Christ in an insignificant little town in Judah.  Today we are considering the almost unnoticed Christ.  If the creator of music went almost unnoticed by the world, what makes we who are Chief musicians think that the world will notice us?  Most of us will never be the slightest bit famous or of any concern to the world.  We will work hard in an insignificant place of ministry unnoticed by the world.

       We need to understand that our reward is “out of this world”.  Most of us will never be rich and famous in this life.  However, as His ministers, Christian musicians are laying up treasures in heaven. 

 

Song and thought for the Day

Song for the day, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Phillips Brooks 

Thought for the day-The unimportant Town 

We sing the song “Little is much if God is in it” but sometimes I cannot help but wonder if we believe a word of what we are singing.  Also, they may build a bypass around your town, but they can never cause God to bypass you or your ministry.

 

The Little Unimportant Town

The Little Unimportant Town

St. Matthew 2:6 states, “And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art thou not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”  

       St. Matthew quoted this Scripture taken from Micah 5:2.  The occasion was when the wise men from the east came to Jerusalem to enquire of Herod where they might find the Christ child.  Herod immediately sent for the chief priests and scribes who made reference to the well known prophesy in the book of Micah.

       Think of it, little insignificant Bethlehem Ephratah was the chosen place for the birth of God’s son Jesus Christ.  It certainly was not a large significant impressive important city to most people’s thinking at the time of the birth of Christ.  As a matter of fact it was identified as the least of the cities of the princes of Israel.  However, God used it and it is remembered among the great cities of ancient Israel.

       Where are you Christian musician?  Has God placed you in the middle of nowhere, way out there in Smirgley Junction?  Do people who happen to blink when they pass through the place where you are called to minister miss the whole town?  Has the Department of Transportation built a bypass that completely misses your complete town?  Ate you catching on?  You may not be ministering in Chicago, San Francisco or New York City, but the place where God has called you to minister is still important to God’s kingdom.

       Little Bethlehem became the birth place of our precious Savior.  Shepherds on a nearby hillside were visited by the heavenly hosts and held the first Christian worship service for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Think of it, they experienced Christ’s presence first as they worshiped Him with music.

       Take heart, you may not have a huge choir or orchestra.  The stage setting for your Christmas production may not cost 200,000 dollars but you are still vital to the kingdom of God as you honor Him during this Christmas season.  God has made it possible for you to touch lives with your Christmas musicing.  Make sure that your worship is genuine in order that God may anoint your production in order that it may honor and glorify Him.  Make sure that your musicing is vital and real as you tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love for all mankind

Prayer for the Day--Filling Your "Gas Tank"

Prayer for the day-Filling your “Gas Tank”  

Forgive me Lord for trying to be Superman or Superwoman.  I confess that I am not able to bear all the pressures that are surrounding me at this Christmas season.  Please Lord, would you pick me up and hold me in the hollow of Your mighty hand.  Lord the “snow drifts” of life are too deep for me to walk through.  I am asking you to walk before me so that I can walk in your big footsteps!  Thank you Lord.  Now I know that I can make it through the busy Christmas season.  These petitions I pray in the name of God.  Amen. 

Filling Your Spiritual "Gas Tank" at Christmas

Filling Your Spiritual “Gas Tank” at Christmas 

Isaiah 40:31 states, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  

       Yesterday we talked about God preparing the salvation road so that we could experience His saving grace.  Today we are going to talk about musicians taking time to be holy.  Each Christian musician should take a moment and take a spiritual inventory.  Every busy Christian should think about refilling his or her “Spiritual gas tank”.  We are eleven days into the month of December.  Many musicians are in the midst of Christian music program preparations.  When one is so very busy, it is easy to become empty spiritually.

       Many times Christian musicians run almost “empty” during the Christmas season.  We rationalize that there is just too much to do to read, meditate on God’s Word, and pray.  So, as a result, we run out of gas right in the middle of a rehearsal.  Our spiritual engine spits and sputters because our eight cylinder spiritual engine is only hitting on two cylinders.  At this point we cut off some poor tenor’s head for chewing gum or we growl at the two giggling sopranos that refuse to settle down and rehearse. 

       What causes us to make such mistakes?  I’m sure that you are way ahead of me.  You have already figured out that these outbursts are the result of nerves and a lack of taking time to be holy.    These mistakes take place because you failed to wait upon the Lord and let Him renew your strength.  The only way that you will be able to soar like an eagle when you are under pressure is to let God take off some of the load that is on your back.  Right now ask Him to remove the part of your load that you are not able to carry any longer. 

Prayer for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Lord, thank You that You have made a way for me to come to you for forgiveness of all my sins.  Think You for building a bridge across the great chasm that separated me from Your saving power.  Thank You for helping me to take that one small feeble step toward you so that I could make it to the foot of Your cross where I found grace and mercy and forgiveness.  Lord please help all Your musicians who are now preparing Christmas productions that will bring honor and glory to Your matchless name.  These things I pray in Your name.  Amen. 

 

The Whir of the Christmas Season

The Whir of the Christmas Season

Isaiah 40:4, “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough places plain:”

       Chief musician you are now in the heart of the Christmas season.  Candle-light services, advent services, Christmas anthems, hymns and choruses.  People are dressing up in bright colors.  You and your staff are decorating the sanctuary for musical events.

       All this activity is wonderful!  There is such an awesome beauty and grandeur that surrounds the Christmas season.  I know, because I was responsible for 33 major musical productions with drama, chorus, full orchestras, narrators and stage sets and special lighting. 

       I can imagine that the adrenalin is pumping through your body as the pressure gets greater and greater as your mind goes many directions at the same time.  Fear and anxiety are, at some moments, all too common and familiar concomitants of producing these musical productions.   Everyone is telling you to slow down and relax.  There are two reasons they make such statements.  One reason is that they love you and the second is that they have, most likely, never been under the unbelievable pressure that you are experiencing at this time!

       However, could you take a moment or two to remember that Christ’s coming to earth was to prepare a way that we might be able to come to Him and know him as our personal savior?  He filled up all the deep ditches and he smoothed out every impassible mountain.  He also made the road to the cross very straight so that we could all come to Him.  He leveled out all the deep ruts in the road so that sinful, confused, miserable, bitter, lost people like you and me could come and kneel at His feet and find forgiveness for all our sins.

       In all your busyness and hurry do not ever forget the real reason we sing and play Christmas music.  Make sure that your Christmas productions tell the old, old story of Jesus and His coming to this earth to forgive all our sins and to justify us freely by His own blood.  Be sure that you’re Christmas productions are worship services that preach Christ’s birth, life, suffering, death and resurrection.  If your productions are really Christmas productions that preach Christ, then I believe that they are worth every minute that it takes to make them the best musical offering that you can give to God.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Lord, I bring a thankful heart to You today.  Right now I am aware of my low estate.  I am well aware that it is You who has lifted me out of my pit of noise and established my music ministry.  Help me to never forget that music belongs to You and that it is you who has given me these musical gifts and graces.  Help me to share these gifts and graces with a lost world and with your children.  Help me to music to You and for you as long as you give me breath.  These things I pray in Your name.  Amen.  

Song for the Day “Give Thanks” by Henry Smith  

Thought for the Day  

The happiest people that I have ever met are those who had spent a life time of service to God.