Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

The New Testament statement in 1 Timothy 2:12 that is not proper to let a woman “usurp authority over the man” is not any form of New Testament prohibition of the use of women in twenty first century church music.

Ancient Hebrew Singing Recorded in the Bible—part 3

Ancient Hebrew Singing Recorded in the Bible—part 3

            The question of importance to Church Musicians today is, should we or should we not use women in church music?  Should we consider the purported disuse of women in the music of Temple worship, and the Biblical silence about women in public worship as "proof" that women should not be used in church music today?  The Bible is silent concerning the use of women in Temple worship.  However, this silence does not implicate that women should not be used in church music today.  Remember that part of the reason that women were not used in Temple music was because of the type of music they sang and played and the association of women's music with harlotry.  However, the ancient customs of Israel concerning women did not allow for them to be used as Temple musicians.  It is safe to conclude from the research that there is no Biblical evidence to cause us to exclude women from church music today.

Thought for the Day

A study of sacred musicing in the Old and New Testaments reveals that sacred musicing was not conceived by the ancient Hebrew musicians to be an art form to be consumed on the church musician’s desires.

 

Ancient Hebrew Singing Recorded in the Bible—part 2

Ancient Hebrew Singing Recorded in the Bible—part 2

            The discussion of who and to whom music should be sung reveals that there is a multiplicity of reasons for singing unto God.  The Bible teaches that that there is a universal responsibility for all to sing unto God.   Those who consider religious music to be merely a vehicle to display the church musician’s talents misuse sacred music.  Rather than using it as a vehicle of communication with God, they reduce its mission and purpose to a mere hocking of a talented (or not so talented) musician’s musical wares.

            It is no doubt true that women were excluded from participa­tion as Temple musicians in both the first and second Temples.  This does not infer that women musicians were inferior in talent or intellect.  There is evidence that it was the customs of ancient Israel and the type of music that women performed which kept their species of music separate from that of men.  I have not found any implication from the study of music in the Bible that women should be excluded from church music today.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Christian musicians who suppose that studying ancient sacred musicing mentioned in the Bible to not be relevant miss a tremendous opportunity to gain an understanding of the relevance of sacred musicing.

 

Ancient Hebrew Singing Recorded in the Bible—part 1

Ancient Hebrew Singing Recorded in the Bible—part 1

            When a musician studies learn singing in the Bible, he or she will learn that vocal music was without doubt the most important component of ancient Hebrew music.  Ancient sacred music was conceived as a handmaiden of the "word of God".  Also, singing and playing are mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments.

            The study of Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs reveals a special responsibility for church music to be theologically sound.  As I have studied sacred music in both the Old and New Testaments, it has become apparent that it was a vehicle for the word of Christ.  As one makes application to church music in this century, it becomes apparent that it may become a means of grace to the Christian.

 

Scripture for the Day

Scripture for the Day

Isaiah 29:13 “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.”

SPIRIT-FILLED MUSIC IS STIMULATING.

SPIRIT-FILLED MUSIC IS STIMULATING.

            Henry Halley, speaking of Ephesians 5:18-21, states that, "Hymn singing is by far the most natural, simplest, best loved, and by all odds the most spiritually stimulating of all the exercises of religious meetings." Halley, Henry. Halley's Bible Handbook.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub.Co., 1965 p. 551.  Why is the music ministry of a Spirit-filled musician stimulating to the congregation?  One thing is sure, Spirit-filled music doesn't start with a score or with an instrument, but rather with a Spirit-filled musician.  This music begins as a result of heart-felt religious knowledge and concurrent emotions.  Since there is the knowledge of sins forgiven and the marvelous keeping power of God, this awareness brings about spiritual emotions in the process of music making.  There is more to religious music making than knowledge and emotion, but there is no evidence in the Old or New Testament whatsoever that would prohibit or exclude emotion and meaning from religious music.  Spirit-filled music making should express strong generalized feelings caused by a series of complex spiritual reactions brought about as a result of a holy heart-life.

            The musician who performs sacred music in or out of church has an obligation to be true to the message of the music h or she is performing.  As I have often stated in my writings, it is one thing to sing about God, but it is entirely another to know the God that he or she is musicing about.  Mark 7:6 records the words of Jesus who quoted Isaiah 29:13 to the Pharisees when speaking to them about vain worship.  “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”  Sacred musicing is nothing more than human performance and is not an act of true worship unless the musicer is living in unbroken fellowship with God.

           

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

The notion that the inspired Psalms that make up the Old Testament Sepher Tehillim were sung by the ancient Jews to secular tunes or to “ditties” is without any historical foundation or credible scholarship.

Usefulness of the Sepher Tehillim—part 3

Usefulness of the Sepher Tehillim—part 3

            The argument over the Book of Psalms being one book or five books is basically "much ado about nothing" and does not in any way significantly affect the utilization of these great songs.  But it is generally accepted that the Book of Psalms is a collection of collections and that the final collection was made by Ezra around 450 B.C. well before the time of the Maccabees.

            A serious study of the nine names of God used in the Sepher Tehillim will aid the student of the Psalter in understanding the God about whom the psalms are written.  Also, the church musician should be familiar with the figures of speech and parallelisms used in the Psalms.  Finally, an understanding of the terms found in the Psalter is absolutely necessary in order to avoid misunderstanding and misinterpreting the various psalms. Although some of these terms are obscure they are not all as difficult to understand as is generally believed by some non-musicians who have written extensively about them.  Probably the worst traditional interpretation of several of these terms has been to consider them as the words or tune names of ancient secular songs.  It seems credulous to believe that the chief musicians would have sung these great psalms about the one true God to popular secular "ditties" when they had available to them the original melodies (te’amim) which were probably composed by the psalmists who wrote the poems.

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

We know with great certainty that the Psalms are inspired (breathed in of God) because 2 Timothy 3:16 attests to the fact that they are theopneustos (2315).

 

 

Usefulness of the Sepher Tehillim—part 2

Usefulness of the Sepher Tehillim—part 2

            The Book of Psalms is the only divinely inspired book of songs available for use and should be respected and used in the light of the fact it is the word of God concerning musical praise.  There are several psalmists who contributed to the Psalter, but the church musician is reminded that the real author of the collection is the blessed Holy Spirit.

            Although it is sometimes astonishingly purported that David penned the entire Book of Psalms, it is known that he did not since the inscriptions (superscriptions or headings) of the psalms, which are a part of the original compositions, name several other authors.  Also, many of the psalms were written after David's death.  It is important that the church musician realizes the seriousness of regarding the inscriptions as either spurious or as later additions of the redactors of Scripture.  There is no conclusive evidence that any of the inscriptions were added unofficially at a later date as uninspired material.  On the contrary, they contain the te'amim and would have been chanted just like any other part of the Psalm texts.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Although we do not have knowledge that the te’amim were written as a Melos (single unit) with the texts of each psalm, it is highly likely that they were.

 

Usefulness of the Sepher Tehillim—part 1

Usefulness of the Sepher Tehillim—part 1

             There is an enormous amount of literature concerning the Book of Psalms.  These sources include writings from ancient to modern times and range from technical to devotional.  The Book of Psalms is the most ancient complete collection of mono-theistic lyric and didactic poetry extant today.  It is probably the greatest ancient religious poetry ever written.  These songs written about God have had an unmeasurable influence on mankind from antiquity to present.

            We now have available to us the ancient poems and melodies that the Hebrew nation sang unto God centuries ago.  The Book of Psalms is really the Sepher Tehillim or the Scroll of Praises unto God.  The Hebrew title is most appropriate since the central theme of these ancient songs is praise unto God.  The twenty-first century church musician should therefore make sure that the tenor of church music remains praise unto God.

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Although the study of music worship in the Old and New Testament is not strictly a study of Jewish music purse, We should always remember that the worship music of the First and Temple was executed by the ancient Jews.  Therefore, they are probably the only people on this earth who really understand the significance of this music worship tradition.

 

 

 

INSTRUMENTS WERE USED WITH N. T. SINGING-part 4

INSTRUMENTS WERE USED WITH N. T. SINGING-part 4 

 

             Jesus mentioned the Book of Psalms in Luke 20:42 where he used the words biblos psalmos (976, 5568).  Jesus knew what these words meant, and he also knew of the ancient Hebrew tradition of singing the psalms with instrumental accompaniment.  The word psalmos is also mentioned in Acts 1:20, 13:33 and 35 as well as in the two famous Scriptures in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16.  This is noteworthy since Ephesians 5:19 is used by some authors as the proof text for the New Testament prohibition of instrumental music.  It seems risky to use either Scripture as a prohibition of instrumental music since they both command the New Testament Christian to sing psalms.

            In light of the long tradition of singing the Psalms with instrumental accompaniment, St. Paul would have had to specifically  say "Do not use instruments when you sing" in order for his Epistles to the Ephesian and Colossian churches to  have not been misunderstood if he was condemning the use of instruments with Psalm singing.  Since the Hebrew traditions were carefully handed down from generation to generation, every Hebrew knew how the psalms had been performed for thousands of years.  We have no Biblical or extra Biblical evidence to believe that the psalm singing tradition had been superseded by the New Covenant.  Furthermore, there is no Scripture in the New Testament that even vaguely prohibits the use of instruments in public worship.  There is also no scriptural proof whatsoever that the word psalmos had a different meaning in the New Testament.  As a matter of fact, in I Corinthians 14:26 Paul attests to the continued tradition of psalm singing by the New Testament church at Corinth.  In verse twenty-six he warns the Corinthian church that everyone cannot expect his favorite psalm to be sung in the church but rather that everything must be done in order when he said, "Let all things be done unto edifying."

 

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Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

We should remember that although the musical practice of the old Testament Jewish Temples was silenced more than once during the history of the ancient Jewish people, we should not assume that this musical worship tradition was forgotten or that it was not taken up again when Temple worship was restored.  Furthermore, we should not assume that the New Testament writings did not reflect those ancient musical traditions

INSTRUMENTS WERE USED WITH N. T. SINGING-part 3

INSTRUMENTS WERE USED WITH N. T. SINGING-part 3  

            If the words psallo and psalmos had changed meaning in the New Testament dispensation, and if they clearly represented only singing without any use of instrumental accompaniment whatsoever, then why did St. Paul mention psalms, making melody, and singing in the same passage of Scripture?  To make the meaning of the words clear, let's review their standard meanings.  Psalms (psalmos 5568) meant a Hebrew cantillation for voice and instruments.  Singing (aido 103) was a verb meaning to sing.  The words translated as “making melody” (psallo 5567) meant to twitch or twang or touch (play) on the strings of a musical instrument.  With these standard definitions of psalms, singing, and making melody, these words make logical sense in Ephesians 5:19.  If aido and psallo would have had the same meaning St. Paul, the great master of languages, would not have used both words in the same verse. If these words represent the same action (singing) then the verse should be rendered singing and singing in your heart.  Such a thesis does not seem to be tenable.

            There is also the argument that instrumental music was only a part of the old covenant and that it was not religiously "proper" under the new covenant since the sacrificial system was not continued after the death and resurrection of Christ.  It is true that the highly developed system of instrumental music of the Jews was silenced at the time of the destruction of the second Temple in A.D. 70.  Although this was a dark time for the Jewish music, it does not indicate a New Testament prohibition of the use of instruments in Christian worship.  The persecuted New Testament church was scattered and worshipped sometimes in "secret" which possibly accounts for some of the lack of instrumental music by the New Testament church.  Three things are apparent concerning instrumental music in the New Testament:  (1) it is not mentioned as much in the New Testament as in the Old Testament; (2) many groups of believers worshiped without the aid of instrumental music, and (3) the highly developed music system of the Temple did not continue in the early church.  However, instrumental music is mentioned in the New Testament and is never forbidden in the New Testament writings.

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

We have a tendency to always look at New Testament Scripture through “Western eyes” rather than through the “eyes” and “understandings” of those who first read the Pauline Epistles. From our “Western” misunderstandings we often form erroneous musical conclusions.

 

INSTRUMENTS WERE USED WITH N. T. SINGING-part 2

INSTRUMENTS WERE USED WITH N. T. SINGING-part 2 

            There are some writers who purport that the word psallo, or psalmos for that matter, does not necessarily denote singing with the use of musical instruments.  Some authors say that the words psalmos and psallo are taken from Koine or Biblical Greek (instead of classical Greek) and that in Biblical Greek the words are generic names for singing.  These authors often ask, why did the scholars who translated the K.J.V. render psallo as "singing" and "making melody"?  To this question I would reply why did the K.J.V. translators render the kinnor as a harp and the nebel as a psaltery instead of properly identifying the kinnor as a hand-held lyre and the nebel as a hollow bodied harp?

            Those who do not believe in the use of instruments in the church further complicate the argument by stating that the Greek writers new the significance of the Greek verb psallo and therefore would never have used it to implicate instrumental music.  Their reasoning is that the ancient Eastern Greek Church did not use instruments in public worship.  The reader should be reminded that these New Testament references to music do not involve the ancient Greek or the Hellenistic Greek Church but instead the ancient Hebrew tradition of singing the psalms accompanied by musical instruments.  Not only did the writers know of the "Greek" traditions they also no doubt knew that the Hebrews had always used instruments in conjunction with their psalm singing.

 

Though for the Day

Though for the Day

When we study the singing of Psalms as mentioned in the New Testament, we must remember that we are studying a Hebrew music rather than a Greek music tradition even though the N.T. is written in Greek.

 

INSTRUMENTS WERE USED WITH N. T. SINGING-part 1

INSTRUMENTS WERE USED WITH N. T. SINGING-part 1 

            The Greek name for the Book of Psalms is Biblos (976) Psalmos (5567) which indicates the scrolls of music to be sung and accompanied with musical instruments.  The word psalmos is derived from psallo (5567) which means to twitch or twang or to play on the strings of a musical instrument.  It is believed that psallo (5567) and psocho (5597), for that matter, are derived from the root word psao which is not used in the Greek text of the New Testament.

.  The word psao means to rub or touch the surface of something.  In this case it would connote the rubbing of the surface of strings with a plectrum of the fingers.  The use of the word psalmos in the Greek name for the Psalter does not indicate that only stringed instruments were used to accompany psalm singing, but it does indicate that one cannot separate the singing of psalms from the use of instrumental music.

            The use of the word psallo (5567) which is closely connected to the Greek words for the Book of Psalms also strengthens the argument for the New Testament use of instruments with singing.  In Romans 15:9b we read, ". . . For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing (psallo 5567) unto thy name."  I Corinthians 14:15b uses the word twice ". . . I will sing (5567) with the spirit, and I will sing (5567) with the understanding also."  James 5:13 states, "Is any among you afflicted?  let him pray.  Is any merry? let him (sing psalms 5567). Finally, Ephesians 5:19b states, ". . . singing (ado 103) and (making melody 5567) in your heart to the Lord."

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

There is a lack of understanding in this century of what a calling to be a minister of music really means.  If God has called you to be a minister of music He probably will not change his mind after a year or two.

ANCIENT MINISTERS OF MUSIC

ANCIENT MINISTERS OF MUSIC 

            Sometimes we think of the concept of a minister of music as being a modern invention.  However, if one aspect of Levite Music Administration could be pointed out as most important it would be the office of the "chief musician."  In the Bible the minister of music is called by several names.

            The Book of Psalms refers to the chief musician fifty-four times.  The words chief musician are translated from the Hebrew word natsach (5329) and mean to be eminent, to glitter from a distance and to be superintendent.  These musicians were chosen to supervise the business of music making in the Temple.  Other names for these musicians were:  chief singer (natsach 5329) in Habakkuk 3:19; overseer (paqiyd 6496)   in Nehemiah 12:42; principal (rosh 7218) A in Nehemiah 11:17, meaning to be first, in rank or to be captain; chief (sar 8269) A of the Levites in I Chronicles 15:22, meaning a head person or a master musician; and chief (rosh 7218) of the fathers of the Levites in I Chronicles 9:33.  All of these names carry the meaning of a person in charge that is a leader and has skill and one who is a responsible person.

            Special note should be made of the word natsach (5329).  This term used in the title of fifty-four of the Psalms connotes a person with great charisma.  This musician was to glitter from afar.  This person was to be a powerful leader and an accomplished musician.  So, we can see that the chief musician was an eminent leader of music in the Temple.

            The Levite musicians were called or separated for a particular service--that of leading music worship in the Temple.  I Chronicles 15:16 states, "And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint (amad 5975) their brethren to be singers with instruments of music, psalteries, and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy."  Verse seventeen goes on to mention the names of Heman, Asaph, and Ethan (Jeduthun) who were chief musicians.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day
Christian music educators often tend to forget that they are not the lone source of knowledge and training of the elementary music students in their classes.

 

The Christian Musicians’ Enemies-- part 3

The Christian Musicians’ Enemies-- part 3

No Christian musician, no matter how talented, who is truly an accomplished musician, was helped by others.  Most often these musicians were nurtured by a mentor who was an accomplished performer and a strong musical pedagogue.  If a Christian musician forgets that he or she was nurtured by love by one or more mentors, the pride of life and pride of performance ability will hinder that musician’s musical ministry and outlook on life. In order for a Christian musician’s ministry to remain “unto the LORD”, that musician must remain humble and submitted.  I have lived long enough to read Christian musician’s resumes that have omitted the names of the Christian musicians who gave them their first foundational lessons and the names of the Christian schools and Christian colleges who gave them their first opportunities to perform.

            Third, talented Christian musicians must be sure that God remains the object and audience of their music performance.  Colossians 1:16-18 reminds Christians that  “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible ( horatos 3707) and invisible (aoratos 517) , whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”  We are to be reminded that both the visible and invisible parts of music must come under the Lordship of the Creator of music who is our Savior Jesus Christ.   Colossians boldly states that in all things (music and musicing included) Christ must have the preeminence (proteuo 4409) i.e. superiority, supremacy, greatness, excellence, distinction, prominence, predominance, eminence, importance, prestige, stature, fame, renown, and celebrity.  The aforementioned long list does not leave much room for the talented musician to receive honor and glory for his or her musicing.

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

When a talented Christian is faced with unfairness, unkind words, and unkind attitudes, the first prayer of that musician should be for his or her own attitude toward those who have committed the offenses.

 

The Christian Musicians’ Enemies—part 2

The Christian Musicians’ Enemies—part 2

            As I mentioned earlier, facing the reality that all Christian musicians have enemies and that the more talented a musician is the more likely it is that he or she will have enemies, can become a negative experience that can hurt the talented Christian musician spiritually.  So, I want to spend some time stressing the fact that God’s inspired word has promised that “And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies…”  If I had made this promise it would not mean very much, but the LORD (YHVH 3068) the self-existent eternal God who is made this precious promise to musicians who love and serve Him with all their soul, mind, body and strength! 

            The Christian musician has some responsibilities, however.  First, (Psalm 27:6) the talented singer must keep singing.  If a talented Christian performer allows bitterness to come into his or her life, Satan will win the battle.  Hebrews 12:15 warns that the Christian be careful to avoid bitterness, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”  Second, (Psalm 27:6) the talented singer must keep performing and giving his or her talent back to the God who bestowed it upon the musician.  St. Luke 12:48 reminds us that “… For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”  Certainly this is true of a Christian musician upon whom God has bestowed great talent!

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

The “will to power” and jealousy are two great sins of some musicians who profess to know God personally.

 

The Christian Musicians’ Enemies—part 1

The Christian Musicians’ Enemies—part 1

            Psalm 27:6, “And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.”  Although concentrating on a Christian’s enemies is not a productive activity, Christian musicians do have enemies.  I have found over the years that a Christian musician’s enemies who are not professing Christians are much easier to tolerate than those who profess to know God. 

            I have also observed that the more talented a musician is the more enemies he or she is likely to have.  Most often those who do not work hard to perfect their musical talents will be the ones who display the most jealousy.  Those who work hard to improve their god given musical abilities know how difficult it is to become an accomplished musician and, therefore, are not as often prone to display un-Christ-like attitudes toward other musicians. 

            Unfortunately, I have also observed that music directors who have not perfected their own performing abilities often exhibit hidden prejudices toward unusually talented Christian performers.  They often are so blinded by their own prejudices that they do not understand that using very talented Christian musicians as soloists makes their performing groups and even themselves to look better.  It is hard to understand why any Christian music director would not use the musicians in their groups who have perfected their musical talents rather than musicians who struggle to perform correctly.

 

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer or the Day

I am so thankful Lord that You have made provision for my spiritual welfare.  Sometimes I forget that You know when I am going to need Your help—even before I need it.  Thank you for impressing me to pray for safety or your help before the trouble comes.  Thank you for caring about both the big and little needs in my life.  Thank You for loving me so much!  This I am praying this morning.  Amen.

Song for the Day “My Savior’s Love” by Charles H. Gabriel

Thought for the Day

Christian musicians must remember that that although Jesus is our advocate with the Father, Christ will not intercede for us when we willfully transgress God’s law.

 

The Promise of the “Spirit of Truth” part 3

The Promise of the “Spirit of Truth” part 3

             Another fact worth mentioning is that in St. John 16:7 Christ explained “…It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (parakletos 3875)  will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”  In order to complete the Father’s perfect plan for man’s redemption and spiritual care and guidance, Christ needed to return to His Father’s side where He could perform His office as our divine advocate (parakletos 3875) with the Father.  Notice that in 1 John 2:1 Jesus said “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate (parakletos) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”.  However, in St. John 16 Jesus promised in to send another parakletos-the blessed Holy Spirit- to be our Comforter while we are on this Christian journey in this life. 

            I have taken these three days to encourage Christian musicians that God has made more than ample provision for our spiritual welfare and guidance.  The Holy Spirit is with us and in us as our guardian and guide.   Romans 8:26-27 explains that, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession (huperentugchano 5241) for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he [God] that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

             Every Christian musician needs to remember that God the Father cares about our infirmities i.e. our moral and or physical weaknesses.  Also, God the Holy Spirit is pleading our cause in the glory world with unspeakable grief and groaning at this very moment. Hebrews 4:15 declares “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling (sumpatheo 4834) of our infirmities (astheneia 769); but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”  Although Crist never sinned, he cares about us and has compassion and symphathy for us in our morally frail condition.

 

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Precious Lord You are the Spirit of truth.  It is so comforting to know that if I will live according to Your Word and obey the checks of the Spirit, You will not allow Satan to overcome me with evil.  Thank You for Sending us the Holy Spirit to guide me through this sinful world.  I am asking You to help me to love and trust you more each day that I live.  You are truly wonderful.  Amen.

Song for the Day “Trust and Obey” by John H. Sammis 

Thought for the Day

The song Trust and Obey reminds us that “While we do His good will, He abides with us Still”.

The Promise of the “Spirit of Truth” part 2

The Promise of the “Spirit of Truth” part 2

            Yesterday we rejoiced in the fact that Christ promised to not leave His Children comfortless.  The word translate comfortless in the AV is orphanos (3737), which means one who is bereaved by being left fatherless or parentless.  So, Christ promised that He would pray the Father to send the Spirit of truth.  Praise God, Christ not only promised to send a comforter but that this comforter would be the Spirit of truth (pneuma aletheia, 4151 225).  From these two Greek words we know that the blessed Holy Spirit is the Spirit of verity.  What does this mean to Christian musicians?  It means that the true truth found in the Bible is not relative; it is attainable; it is sure because it comes from the Spirit of Varity; the leadership and guidance that the Holy Spirit gives the Spirit filled Christian musician can be trusted completely because it comes from the Spirit of Truth.   

            Regardless of the fact that post postmoderns believe that all “truth” is relative, we can come to a knowledge of “true truth” because the Holy Spirit is with those of us who Know God as our personal Savior. Before Christ ascended unto His Father in heaven after His resurrection, He promise in St. John 14:16 “… I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever”.  Praise God, our Savior did not leave us on this earth to wallow in our questions and problems alone.  On the contrary, Christ sent us another comforter to guide us through this present sin cursed world.

Prayer, Chorus, and Quote for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Precious Lord, I want to thank you for asking the father to send me a guide and comforter.  Thank You for making it possible for me to receive the Holy spirit into my life.  I also want to thank You for making it possible for me to truly have Your love shed abroad in my heat so that I am able to keep your commandments.  I want to praise you this morning for adopting me as Your son.  I am praising you because you ore worthy of all praise.  Amen. 

Chorus for the Day “I Will Serve Thee” by William Gaither

Quote for the Day “We need to bring the lowest level of our living up to the level of our light”. H.E.Schmul

 

The Promise of the “Spirit of Truth” part 1

The Promise of the “Spirit of Truth” part 1

                St. John 15:26  gives Christian musicians a wonderful promise from Jesus, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” Before Jesus was crucified, rose again and ascended into heaven, He gave Christians who were living at that time and all of us who were to come to know Him as their personal Savior trough out the ages to come the promise that He would send from the Father the blessed Holy Spirit to be with all Christians.  There are many implications from his loving act of our Savior Jesus Christ.  On is that God loves us so much that as Jesus said in St. John 14:18  “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

            Notice what our Savior explained in St. John 14:15-17 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”  This is a wonderful promise for Christian musicians who love God and keep God’s commandments.  Tomorrow we will consider more about the Spirit of Truth.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer or the Day

I am so thankful Lord that You have made provision for my spiritual welfare.  Sometimes I forget that You know when I am going to need Your help—even before I need it.  Thank you for impressing me to pray for safety or your help before the trouble comes.  Thank you for caring about both the big and little needs in my life.  Thank You for loving me so much!  This I am praying this morning.  Amen.

Song for the Day “My Savior’s Love” by Charles H. Gabriel

Thought for the Day

Christian musicians must remember that that although Jesus is our advocate with the Father, Christ will not intercede for us when we willfully transgress God’s law.

 

The Promise of the “Spirit of Truth” part 3

The Promise of the “Spirit of Truth” part 3

             Another fact worth mentioning is that in St. John 16:7 Christ explained “…It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (parakletos 3875)  will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”  In order to complete the Father’s perfect plan for man’s redemption and spiritual care and guidance, Christ needed to return to His Father’s side where He could perform His office as our divine advocate (parakletos 3875) with the Father.  Notice that in 1 John 2:1 Jesus said “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate (parakletos) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”.  However, in St. John 16 Jesus promised in to send another parakletos-the blessed Holy Spirit- to be our Comforter while we are on this Christian journey in this life.

            I have taken these three days to encourage Christian musicians that God has made more than ample provision for our spiritual welfare and guidance.  The Holy Spirit is with us and in us as our guardian and guide.   Romans 8:26-27 explains that, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession (huperentugchano 5241) for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he [God] that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

             Every Christian musician needs to remember that God the Father cares about our infirmities i.e. our moral and or physical weaknesses.  Also, God the Holy Spirit is pleading our cause in the glory world with unspeakable grief and groaning at this very moment. Hebrews 4:15 declares “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling (sumpatheo 4834) of our infirmities (astheneia 769); but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”  Although Crist never sinned, he cares about us and has compassion and symphathy for us in our morally frail condition.

 

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Precious Lord You are the Spirit of truth.  It is so comforting to know that if I will live according to Your Word and obey the checks of the Spirit, You will not allow Satan to overcome me with evil.  Thank You for Sending us the Holy Spirit to guide me through this sinful world.  I am asking You to help me to love and trust you more each day that I live.  You are truly wonderful.  Amen.

Song for the Day “Trust and Obey” by John H. Sammis 

Thought for the Day

The song Trust and Obey reminds us that “While we do His good will, He abides with us Still”.

The Promise of the “Spirit of Truth” part 2

The Promise of the “Spirit of Truth” part 2

            Yesterday we rejoiced in the fact that Christ promised to not leave His Children comfortless.  The word translate comfortless in the AV is orphanos (3737), which means one who is bereaved by being left fatherless or parentless.  So, Christ promised that He would pray the Father to send the Spirit of truth.  Praise God, Christ not only promised to send a comforter but that this comforter would be the Spirit of truth (pneuma aletheia, 4151 225).  From these two Greek words we know that the blessed Holy Spirit is the Spirit of verity.  What does this mean to Christian musicians?  It means that the true truth found in the Bible is not relative; it is attainable; it is sure because it comes from the Spirit of Varity; the leadership and guidance that the Holy Spirit gives the Spirit filled Christian musician can be trusted completely because it comes from the Spirit of Truth. 

            Regardless of the fact that post postmoderns believe that all “truth” is relative, we can come to a knowledge of “true truth” because the Holy Spirit is with those of us who Know God as our personal Savior. Before Christ ascended unto His Father in heaven after His resurrection, He promise in St. John 14:16 “… I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever”.  Praise God, our Savior did not leave us on this earth to wallow in our questions and problems alone.  On the contrary, Christ sent us another comforter to guide us through this present sin cursed world.

 

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank You Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for all being so involved in my spiritual welfare.  Thank You Lord that You have not me alone on this earth to face life’s problems by myself.  I am amazes at the thoroughness of Your care for me.  Although you have made provision for my salvation, help me to attend to the means of grace.  Help me to not be humanly stubborn and fail to let the Holy Spirit lead and guide me each day.  This I am praying in Your wise and wonderful name.  Amen. 

Song for the Day “We Believe in God the Father” by Timothy D. Smith

Thought for the Day

One of the important aspects of our access to the comforter is through him we have access to “true truth”.

 

The Promise of the “Spirit of Truth” part 1

The Promise of the “Spirit of Truth” part 1

                St. John 15:26  gives Christian musicians a wonderful promise from Jesus, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” Before Jesus was crucified, rose again and ascended into heaven, He gave Christians who were living at that time and all of us who were to come to know Him as their personal Savior throughout the ages to come the promise that He would send from the Father the blessed Holy Spirit to be with all Christians.  There are many implications from his loving act of our Savior Jesus Christ.  On is that God loves us so much that as Jesus said in St. John 14:18  “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

            Notice what our Savior explained in St. John 14:15-17 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”  This is a wonderful promise for Christian musicians who love God and keep God’s commandments.  Tomorrow we will consider more about the Spirit of Truth.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Religious and secular music would not have the negative influence that much of it has if composers, arrangers and performers had had been trained by musicians who brought all their music philosophy, music, and musicing under the Lordship of Christ.

 

 

Music in Social and Religious Life part 3

Music in Social and Religious Life part 3

            As I have said so often, no one can perform or listens to music in a bubble or in a vacuum.  Every musician and every listener brings something to the experience of musician or music listening.  What each person brings to the music experience will trigger thoughts during the musical experience. Also, although it may seem possible for a musician or a listener to have an almost mindless musical performance or listening experience, such a phenomenon has never been proven to actually be possible.   Even though a listener may place his or her hands over both ears or wear ear plugs. some of the music will be experience by seeing it performed and feeling its reverberations.  Therefore, music will communicate something to everyone who hears and performs it unless that person has serious impairments that prevent seeing, hearing or feeling.  

            Since all musical actions do matter, it is every Christian musician’s responsibility to consider what the purpose of the music is before it is ever performed.  Proverbs 22:6 instructs us to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  It is much too late to try to convince adults that the music they have been listening to and performing since childhood is destructive to their spiritual lives.  The scripture above explains that the right time to begin correct training is during childhood and that the promise of an adult who does not depart from “the way he should go” is given to those who begin and by implication continue this instruction throughout childhood.  The word translated train up (chanak, 2596) means literally to narrow and figuratively too initiate or discipline.  So, the promise is not given to the liberal minded parent or teacher, but rather to those who discipline the minds of the children under their tutelage.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Every serious, sensitive, quality musician that I have had the privilege of knowing well, who was discerning musician, has been deeply passionate about what his or her music communicated. 

Music in Social and Religious Life part 2

Music in Social and Religious Life part 2

            If a musician accepts the fact that all music has moral implications, then that musician is cognizant of the reality that the music he or she performs, or lead others in performing, will communicate something to both performers and listeners.  A musician who is a leader cannot escape the fact that all music and musicing matters because it has power to have either a positive or negative effect on all who experience it in any way. 

            Every musician should seriously consider what he or she is attempting to communicate through the music he or she selects for other musicians to perform and also to be listened to by an audience.  All music either performed live or recorded for future listening will communicate something to its audience.  So, a musician cannot escape the responsibility that musicing places upon the musicer.  This responsibility extends to all of a musician’s secular and sacred musicing.  Music used in Christian worship, music education, and in recreation all have purpose and therefore carry with their usage a deep responsibility which is of necessity placed upon the leader who selected it for others to experience.