Thought and Song for the Day

Song of Inner Cleansing Cleans Me by J. Edwin Orr

Thought for the Day

Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”  This Scripture teaches that presentation of one’s self to God is reasonable.  God will not “take” until the Christian “presents”.

 

A Hymn of Consecration

A Hymn of Consecration

By Francis Havergal

Take my life and let it be

Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Take my moments and my days,

Let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move

At the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet and let them be

Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice and let me sing,

Always, only for my King.

Take my lips and let them be

Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold,

Not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect and use

Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it Thine,

It shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart, it is Thine own,

It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour

At Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself and I will be

Ever, only, all for Thee.

            Each line of this famous hymn begins with the word take which means among other things “to get physical possession of”.  This hymn speaks of a person’s desire to allow God to take tangible possession of the Christian’s: life, moments, days, hands, feet, voice, lips, silver, gold, intellect, will, heart, love, and self.

            What can all this mean to the Christian?  Is it possible for a mortal being to actually submit all the things mentioned above?  Is it possible for a Christian musician to become “ever, only, all for Thee?  From the lyrics of this lyric poem it is evident that Francis Havergal believed that it was possible.  One has said that if the Lord is not Lord of all He will not be Lord at all.  Malachi 3:3 teaches, “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 unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” 

            I am sobered by the fact that the Levite musicians of ancient Israel were expected to allow Adon YHVH (113 3068) to purify their hearts in order for them to be able offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. (See Malachi 1:1)  Although Bible exegetes have varying ways of explaining this Scripture, the fact remains that these musicians needed purification in order to be effective music ministers.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

As was alluded to in today’s post, God not only commanded Adam to have dominion over the soil (adamah 127) but also the entire earth (erets 776) i.e. the world at large.  Although the Bible is totally silent about Adam’s possible knowledge of music, it is possible that his great wisdom and knowledge included music.

 

The Seven Note Creation-part 2

The Seven Note Creation-part 2 

       When we study the te'amim (which is the musical notation found above and below the texts of the entire Old Testament) we find that the tonic of both the psalmodic and prosodic systems of notation have a tonic note.  (See chapter 8 of my book, Music of the Bible in Christian Perspective and Haik-Vantoura, Suzanne.  The Music of the Bible Revealed. Berkley: Bibal Press, 1991.).  This tonic note is called "silluq".  This term means "end" and has the same function as the tonic note of our "modern" diatonic scale. God created and rested in seven days and God made a seven note scale with a resting note.  After the seventh day the sequence of days re-begins and after the seventh note the musical scale re-begins--all this is more than a coincidence!  It is the work of an omniscient creator.              Outside of our knowledge of the te'amim, the Pentateuch is relatively silent as to the specifics of the beginnings of music.  However, we do know that God imparted musical knowledge to man before the flood.  Genesis 4:21 explains that Lamech’s son Jubal “was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ."  We also know that Adam was given domain over the erets (776) so he no doubt had wisdom concerning music. The more we learn about God’s seven note creation the more we are drawn to the conclusion that a God this wise is capable of guiding us in developing a unified Christocentric music philosophy in the twenty-first century.  Praise God!

The Seven Note Creation-part 1

The Seven Note Creation-part 1 

        We have often discussed God's creation of the seven note musical scale.  Before God created man, He created, “the heaven and the earth.”  It is important that we understand the significance of God creating the mathematical ratios that make the seven note scale possible. The perfectness of the number seven is a part of Gods eternal laws. The world was brought into being and set in motion at the will of God in accordance to His laws.

        A part of these laws was the eternal concept of seven days ending with a Sabbath and a re-beginning on the eighth day.  God, without doubt, created music in the beginning to conform to these laws.  Today is Sunday which is the eighth day and it is the day of re-beginning or the beginning of another week. The eighth note of the musical scale is essentially the same as Sunday of the next week.  Sunday is the eighth day or the day of re-beginning of the same sequence just like the eighth note of the musical scale.  If you sing the diatonic major scale and stop on the seventh degree which is a leading tone in the major scale this tone demands resolution.  The note of resolution is the eighth degree of the major scale which is the same as the first degree i.e. the tonic.   The concept of seven degrees in a musical scale cannot be improved upon since the number seven is always the number of perfection in Scripture, and eight is the number of regeneration and re-beginning. 

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Why is it that many Christians both young and old believe that II Timothy 3:16, but have never considered that its truth extends to the whole of music?

 

Teaching the Next Generation to Music--Part 3

Teaching the Next Generation to Music--Part 3 

            All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  II Timothy 3:16

            If the Bible is accurate and inspired, and it most certainly is, all of the six hundred plus Scriptures referring to music are profitable to us today. This truth is attested to in II Timothy 3:16.  The problem is gaining a knowledge how they are profitable.  They teach us generally about musicing and especially the doctrine of how to make music unto God.  It will help us to avoid unwise choices in both sacred and secular music by providing us with reproof, correction and instruction.  It is not only negative with definite reproofs and corrections, but also positive with its instructions in righteousness.  No pastor, parent, Christian music minister or music educator is properly equipped to pass on our Christian music values to the next generation without a thorough knowledge of Bible music.

            An often much overlooked necessity is studying music seriously.  It is no joke that “knowing is doing”.  A Christian cannot teach what he or she does not know.  In our highly educated world today it is ludicrous for one to try to instruct others in how to music and how to develop a music philosophy without as much as knowing the names of the lines and spaces.  Being a music consumer does not qualify one to instruct others in music.

            Christians must consider the whole of music.  This includes a long broad study or music which includes both sacred and secular music.  Everyone should have knowledge of classical, folk, pop, jazz, rock, country and a host of other types of music in order to converse intelligently with the generations to follow us as pastors, parents, and church musicians.  Anything less than music literacy and a general understanding of the performance practice of these styles will dwarf our possibilities of reaching our young people with a logical, reasonable, explainable, discussible, and practical philosophy of music.

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

A cultural blind spot in music is not being aware of the import one’s own musical behavior and practices.

 

Teaching the Next Generation to Music--Part 2

Teaching the Next Generation to Music--Part 

Unwise choices in music and cultural blind spots in the fine arts should not be equated with a person’s relationship to Christ.  Parents should not make statements like, “If you ever really come to know the Lord, you would not even like that music”.  Knowledge of biblical principles concerning music choices and likes and dislikes of styles of music are acquired skills not instantaneous gifts of the Spirit to the born-again Christian.  Christian purity and maturity are not one in the same.  A Christian musician may make unwise choices concerning music ministry as well as secular music selections and still be honestly trying to bring his or her life under the Lordship of Christ.  It seems that we are much more able to accept the fact that a Christian has made some very unwise credit card decisions than we are able to accept unwise music decisions.

How should Christians catechize young people concerning music?  First of all pastors, parents, music ministers, and Christian music educators should study music in the Bible thoroughly.  Since there are over 600 references to music in the Bible, there is much to be gained from a study of Bible music.  Remember that II Timothy 3:16-18 reminds us that:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

What is the cause of a lack of communication about music between one generation and another?  Why do young people and their parents often experience a musical generation gap which is often brought about by differences in musical tastes, values, and outlook?

 

Teaching the Next Generation to Music--Part 1

Teaching the Next Generation to Music--Part 1 

 I have often mentioned in my writing that pastors, parents, and music educators have a responsibility to pass our music values on to the next generation.  This process of attempting to instill the conservative music values in the lives of our children is many times a painful and unsuccessful endeavor.  Although we have a responsibility to share our values with the next generation, we must be sure that we do the right thing in the right way.

It is one thing for pastors, parents, music ministers, and Christian music educators to have strong beliefs concerning music but the passing of the baton to the next generation must be a “civil” process.  Long heated discussions ending in anger and tears seldom get the job done successfully.  Name calling and equating a young person’s musical tastes with their relationship to Jesus Christ is most regrettable. 

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

            I want to thank you Jesus for conferring with the Father on my behalf.  Please give me the needed mercy and grace in order that I may have sufficient help during this Christmas Season.  I know and You know that I must have your help if I am going to be an over-comer spiritually during this busy season.  Thank you again that you are right now sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for me.  These things I bring to You because although you have the power and right to condemn me, You are instead, praying for me.  I love you Lord.  Amen. 

Song for the Day “I Must Tell Jesus” by Elisha Hoffman  

Thought for the Day

I was always much more brave when my older brother Nathan was with me.  Never forget that Jesus, your older brother, is with you if you are a Christian.

Boldness at the Throne of Grace

Boldness at the Throne of Grace 

            Hebrews 4:16 states, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”   Why are we admonished to come boldly unto Christ in our time of need?  We can come boldly unto Jesus because He is our high priest (vs. 15).  Romans 8:34 assures the Christian musician that Christ who died for us is “at the right hand of God, who maketh intercession for us”.  Our loving Savior Jesus Christ, who has the power and authority to condemn us, is sitting at the right hand of God making intercession for us with the Father.    Hebrews 9:24 explains further, “for Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”  Rather than sitting at the right hand of God to condemn us, Jesus is there as our advocate (1^st John 2:1).

       What does it mean that Christ makes intercession for us?  The Greek word enthugchano (1793), which has been translated intercession in Romans 8:34, signifies one who entreats or confers with another.  So, Christ is at this very moment in the presence of our heavenly Father conferring or entreating God the Father on our behalf.  Christian musician you can and should come boldly before the throne of grace in order that Christ may obtain mercy and grace for you.  In the middle of your busy December, with all the activities of the advent season, you can obtain God’s mercy just when you need it most.  It is a wonderful thing to know that you may also obtain abundant grace from your heavenly Father because Jesus is praying for you right now. 

       What will God’s grace do for you?  It will give you the precise help that you need to be an over-comer during this Christmas season.  Christian musician, our heavenly Father has made provision for you to make it through this exceedingly busy time of year—and for all the year through for that matter.  He has more than enough grace and mercy to take care of all of his children.  He is as close as the mention of His name.  However, you must remember to go to Him with your needs.

 

 

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day 

Although Christians are warned to not be deceived by the thinking of the world, Ephesians 5:15-16 reminds Christians to “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

 

Core Music Standards in the US part 2

 Core Music Standards in the US part 2 

                The New National Core Music Standards are not something to be feared or mistrusted by Christian music educators.  Sometimes Christian music educators have inordinate fears about anything that is suggest to them by any type of national organization.  What they should fear and resist is destructive change rather than resisting all suggestions for change.  Christian music educators who teach in Christian schools all over the world need to be aware of new developments in public education.  This is not an indication that Christian music educators should make any changes that would violate their Christian principles.  However, I have observed over the past forty years that Christian music educators have often resisted new methods even though it has been evident that these positive changes in educational method would have improved the quality of music education in the Christian school.

            As I have often told music education students in my music education classes at the Bible College where I taught for many years, it is egotistical and an evidence of false pride to believe that Christian music educators cannot and should not learn from music educators who are responsible for music educational praxis and philosophy in public schools In Luke 16:8 Jesus, in one of his parables, reminded Christians that even unjust stewards make wise decisions. “And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.”  Jesus was in no way referring to music education practices in ancient Israel, but I believe that His point was that Christians are not the only people who make wise decisions.

Thought for the day

Thought for the day 

Christian music educators must be continually aware of educational developments that have the potential to improve the quality of music education in Christian schools.

 


 

Core Music Standards in the US part 1

 Core Music Standards in the US part 1 

            In June of 2014 the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards completed the new US National Standards.   These standards that are now available to music educators include music standards prepared by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) are now available to music educators  “Unlike national Common Core standards that have been widely criticized for narrowing student learning opportunities, the New National Core Music Standards aim to broaden and deepen learning opportunities for students.”  (http://www.nafme.org/my-classroom/standards/)  These new standards appear to have moved significantly away from the emphasis of the standards of 1994. 

            If a Christian music educator utilizes these new music standards, what will they mean to the process and philosophy of Christian music education?  In my opinion they are too new for one to give an effective philosophical evaluation of exactly how they will affect music education in the Christian school. There are three philosophical changes that the coalition professes them to make: “1) The new standards seek to instill music literacy.  2) The new standards reflect the actual processes in which musicians engage.   3) The new standards provide teachers with frameworks that closely match the unique goals of their specialized classes.”  (http://www.nafme.org/my-classroom/standards/)

 






 

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

            1 Corinthians 13:4-6, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”   Charity i.e. agape (26) love when expressed through one’s musicing is never sensual or suggestive because such musical enactment is an artistic form of “rejoicing in evil”.

Does the end justify the means when we music? part 2

Does the end justify the means when we music? part 2 

            Does the end really justify the means?  First of all is it intellectually honest to present the Savior with the sensual?  Is it feasible to excite people with sensuality and then try to switch to the spiritual realm?  Is it possible to draw attention to a woman’s body with a low cut dress or a slit up the side of her skirt or by dressing her in tight leather pants and then hit these needy sinners with the good news of the gospel?  Can a man dressed in tight jeans and a muscle shirt or a shiny silk shirt unbuttoned to reveal his chest hair moving back and forth with sexual like movements suddenly hook the crowd with the excellent message of “Jesus Saves”?

            I contend that most definitely the end does not justify the means.  It is deceitful to try to sell the sacred with sexual innuendos.  It is an ancient Bible landmark that, in our musicing, we should always lift up God and never self.  Jeremiah 48:10a warns, “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully…”  Ramayah (7427) connotes doing any part of God’s work with falseness or guile. Getting an audience’s attention by the use of any technique that has sexual connotations is, of course, false because the performer is behaving “unseemly” (aschemoneo 807) i.e. in an unbecoming or uncomely manner.

 

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

If we as Christian musicians lose sight of the concept of lifting up Christ with our musical performance, it will not be very long until we will be selling self with our musicing. 

 

Does the end justify the means when we music? part 1

Does the end justify the means when we music? part 1
            There is a common twenty-first century praxis of religious music performance in which attention is placed paramountly on the performer’s “self”.  This may include the use of one’s body to draw attention to the performer.  Many male and female Christian performers use bodily movements, and even sensual innuendos to first draw the audience’s attention to the PERFORMER. 
            This Jesuit music philosophy of "the end justifies the means" allows suggestive dress, suggestive bodily movements and the use of microphone techniques is such a way as to place the performer in the intimate zone of the audience.  Remember this pseudo Christian humanism not only allows the performer to draw audiences to “self” but also promotes the “lifting up” of self as first and foremost in Christian music making.  This philosophy promotes self first in order to present the Savior second.  Remember this philosophy of “the end justifies the means” allows almost anything if the end result is the presentation of the gospel.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Christian musicians should be careful to avoid styles of music that communicate meaning that is not congruent with the gospel message or with the moral nature of God

Music Styles Communicate Meaning-part 2

Music Styles Communicate Meaning-part 2

       One of the objectives of these posts on music styles is to apply music philosophy to music praxis.  Music philosophy is actually only so much rhetoric until it is put into practice.  One’s music philosophy may look excellent on paper, but unless it is applied to music “doing” it only serves to ease a musician’s conscience.   It is one thing to say you believe something, but it is entirely another to back it up by what we actually "do" when you music.  

             If the words of the songs we sing unto God are completely biblical, then they embody truth.  They represent absolute truth because their message is absolute truth. They represent what Francis Schaeffer would call “true truth”.  If the words are congruent with biblical principles then it stands to reason that the style of singing should also be congruent with the words sung.  The words and the music must send the same message.

        I Corinthians14:7-8 states, “And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, [melodies] how shall it be known what is piped or harped?  For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?”  There is much deeper musical truth in this Bible music reference than is commonly understood. When a soloist’s vocal performance style allows scooping up to pitches, breathy indiscriminate non-vocal sounds, delayed vibrato (or no vibrato), the result is without doubt an “uncertain sound” vocally speaking. The vocal performance style actually belies the constant truth of the message of Christ crucified.  So, when a vocalist juxtaposes biblical “true truth” with a vocal performance style that is not accurately in pitch, constant or aesthetically presented, then the musical message, which affects the spiritual message, is greatly hindered, diluted and therefore obscured.

Thought for the day

Thought for the day

How do Christians deduce that if they read the Bible, attend church, and pray they will become so spiritually fortified that they can listen to any type of music they wish and it will have no negative effect on them?

Music Styles Communicate Meaning-part 1

Music Styles Communicate Meaning-part 1

       Dr. Robert Berglund once said, "Why is it that almost every music appreciation textbook written deals with style in music?  The obvious answer is that it is through style that music assumes much of its meaning to the listener." A Philosophy of Church Music p. 22.    Roger Scruton explained that, "The first step towards understanding music, therefore, is to understand sounds as objects of perception." Understanding Music, p.5.  So, it is universally understood by music philosophers that style matters.  Furthermore, music understanding is achieved through many means, but paramountcy through  the understanding of sounds delivered through music style.

        Why should the Christian care about music styles?  It is believed by many Christians that style is only a matter of musical taste and therefore of little or no concern to the spiritual outcomes of sacred music.  The only problem with this "all styles are ok" notion is that this notion is just not ok!  In our posts for the next few days we will be considering music styles and their effect on both sacred and secular music in the life of a Christian.

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Rather than hiding behind the fence of false humility that pleads ignorance concerning not having a congruent biblically based music philosophy, Christian musicians need to accept the responsibility of knowing very clearly why they do what they do.

 

The Purpose of Music Philosophy

The Purpose of Music Philosophy

A biblical, solidly Christian, and clearly articulated philosophy of music education will do more to solve the many problems of music education than long lists of musical behaviors or problems concerning popular music, rock music or contemporary Christian music.  A clear congruent Christian music education philosophy (CMEP) will reveal the deepest levels of music’s nature and value and its place in the whole-life of a Christian. 

 A well written Christian music education philosophy will consider the why, how, when, and to whom of music education.  It will illuminate the deepest purposes for teaching music. It will consider musics importance in the overall educational system of a Christian school, college or university.  It will also consider the philosophical issues essential to the process of insuring that an educational program is truly biblical, practical and thorough.  It will also deal with the educator’s truth basis concerning music’s value to the institution, the students, and most of all how music is valuable to God’s kingdom.  A thorough CMEP will illuminate, for the music educator and the students, how and why the music education curriculum will equip those being educated to serve this present age musically.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Christian composers, arrangers, performers and directors would do well to follow J.S. Bach’s example by getting rid of the sense of self and self-actualization and concentrate on God and His glory in their musical efforts.

The Aim of Musicing

The Aim of Musicing

            Johann Sabastian Bach once said, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”  There is much said in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament and also in the New Testament, about our responsibility to music unto God for His Glory and honor and praise.  It is less understood as to whether or not we should music in order to refresh the soul.

            First of all, we should give some explanation as to what J. S. Bach could have meant by making the statement that one of the final ends of our musicing should be for “the refreshment of the soul”.  A general definition of soul is “the spiritual part of a human being” or the “the seat of affections of mankind”.  The Greek word psuche (5590) is translated life, lives, soul, souls, minds, appears in 95 verses in the AV New Testament.  We are not sure what Bach meant but it is safe to conjecture that he meant that one of music’s purposes was the refreshment of the “inner man”.

            Bach was correct in believing that music was created by God for His Glory and for the refreshment and edification of man.  Christian musician have the awesome responsibility and privilege to use this wonderful art form to honor God and to edify and refresh the psyche of mankind.  We also know that Bach put God first in much of his compositional efforts because he often SDG (sole Deo gloria) at the end of his compositions. 

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Every minister of music is a worship leader but he or she is also a teacher.  With this in mind, a worship leader should construct the sequences of music used in worship with catechism in mind.  Ask yourself, “What will the congregation learn about God from the music we sing today?

 

Sacred Song Lyrics Must Catechize the Listener

Sacred Song Lyrics Must Catechize the Listener

           Deuteronomy 31:19, “Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.”  The children of Israel had time after time forgotten the goodness of Jehovah and had turned to false gods of their neighbors.  In verse 16, God told Moses that it would not be long until Israel would again go after false Gods. Jehovah was always faithful to His people so once again he sent his man with a message which was in the form of a song (see Deuteronomy 32).  The purpose of this song was to witness against an apostatizing nation. 

           The musician was instructed first to compose a song, second to teach it to them, and third to have them sing it.  It is never sufficient to “talk” the songs of Jehovah.  They must be sung.  Now song leader you know a little more why we sing the Logos Christos in church.  God has given musicians the solemn opportunity and responsibility to compose, teach, and sing the songs of Jehovah.

            Not all songs that should be sung in church will be “hippity hop over the top”.  Some of them will be “Are you living where God answers prayer?”  “A Charge to Keep I Have”, “Nothing Between My Soul and the Savior” and “Guard Your Heart”.  Whether our music is a simple praise chorus or a serious song about God’s judgment of the wicked, we should count it a privilege to catechize those who attend our church services with the songs of Jehovah.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

There is always a right way and a wrong way to do the right thing.  On the one hand the worst things that a conservative Christian musician can do is fall into complete silence, on the other hand conservatives must not exhibit an un-Christ-like attitude in the process of resisting destructive musical changes.

 

 

Satan Has the Power to Pervert Music—part 5

Satan Has the Power to Pervert Music—part 5

            There is nothing wrong with a Christian musician’s desire to get along and not being the one who makes waves concerning how a particular Christian community desires to music unto God.  However, there are times when a musician cannot have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather he or she must reprove them.

            It is never enjoyable to have conflict but it is sometimes necessary if Bible principles of musicing are being violated or if the music styles and the way they are being enacted are in conflict with principles of the changed life of a Christian.  Association does matter because when a Christian community aligns itself too closely with the way the world musics it belies the very thing that a changed life of a Christian represents.

            In the last half or the 20^th century moderns became very vocal with the false notion that those who would not lay down and play dead when a new trendy way of musicing was forced on a body of believers were trouble makers who were out of step with reality.  “Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.”  (1 Peter 4:4-5) So, those who have desired to continue worshiping is traditional ways are now considered to be “strange” because they resist destructive musical change.  All that Satan needs to accomplish is the silencing of the quiet majority and His stratagems will soon be permeating public musical worship.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day
Romans 14:11-12, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”  The issue with a Christian musician’s musicing is not whether it passes another musician’s judgment, but whether or not it will pass the ultimate test when “every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Satan Has the Power to Pervert Music—part 4

Satan Has the Power to Pervert Music—part 4

            One of the main reasons that I post every day is that I have lived long enough to observe Christian musicians being lulled asleep by the “wiles of the devil”.  Ephesians 6:11 teaches that Christians must, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”  We have been considering what Christians can do to not let their music be influenced by Satan.  One of the major defenses of Christian musicians is “the whole armour of God”.  Why is the complete armor necessary?  Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

            What the Bible teaches is in no way negative but rather it is very positive.  God has made provision for the Christian musician who takes advantage of His full armor of God, stays awake, and walks circumspectly enough to discern when He or she is about to come under the influence of Satan.  Ephesians 5:10 teaches that there is always safety in “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Have you ever thought about how the seven note scale came into being?  It certainly does not seem possible that it came into being as a part of some “big bang”.  It makes much more sense that it was a part of God’s orderly and perfect creation.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Every Christian musician is either leading or is being led by someone else.  Who are you following musically?  What influence is your musicing leaving for this generation and the generations of the future?

 

Satan Has the Power to Pervert Music—part 3

Satan Has the Power to Pervert Music—part 3

            1 Peter 5:8-9 is the only place in Scripture where Christians are warned about abstinence, discretion, and discernment.   Eph 5:10b teaches (before the musical discourse in 5:19) that Christian musicians can resist the influence of Satan by “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.”  Ephesians 5:11 warns, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Furthermore, Ephesians 5:14 admonishes musicians, “… Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise (sophos 4680), Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise (aphron 878), but understanding (suniemi 4920) what the will of the Lord is.”

            The words not unwise ( me aphron) connote being sure to not exhibit mindlessness but rather to have understanding (suniemi)  to put things together in order to be able to comprehend what God’s will is concerning musicing unto Him.  Scripture often warns Christians to be circumspect, wise, and discerning enough to not be deceived by Satin into falling into fellowship with what the world is doing.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

When modern music philosophy removed the need for discerning the difference between sacred and profane music, Satan effectively won the battle concerning the need for write choices of worship music.

 

Satan Has the Power to Pervert Music—part 2

Satan Has the Power to Pervert Music—part 2

            1Peter 5:8-9, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”  Yesterday we considered Satan’s ability to influence composers in the way they arrange the building blocks of music.  Today we will discuss what Christians can do to not let their music be influenced by Satan.  Part of the answer is found in the verses above from 1 Peter.

            Christian musicians must be sober (nepho 3525) and vigilant (gregoreuo 1127).  Nepho means to abstain or be discreet and gregoreuo means to keep awake or be watchful.  The reason that the admonishment above is necessary is that Satan is moving about trying to destroy all Christians.  I believe he “devours” Christian musician’s by destroying their spiritual musical discernment.  Once He has “swallowed up” their ability to differentiate between sacred and profane music, appropriate and inappropriate worship music he has won most of the battle for Christian music.

 

Thought for the Day

Thought for the Day

Have you ever thought about what 1Peter 5:8-9 means, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

 

Satan Has the Power to Pervert Music—part 1

 Satan Has the Power to Pervert Music—part 1

            Does Satan have the power to take God’s creation of music which Genesis 1:31 tells us was “very good” and rearrange it until it is no longer very good?  I believe the answer is yes!  Satan perverts many things that God created for His glory and our good.  For instance, when Satan twists sex into his perverted form it is no longer the wholesome wonderful thing that God created for us.  Since we know this, why do we struggle with the concept that Satan can pervert music?  It is the work of Satan to twist, pervert, and destroy the original work of God’s creation.  That is what Satan does!  So, any praxial view purporting that all music is good, no matter how it is arranged, is a faulty view.

            Can we trust Satan?  The answer is "yes we most definitely can".  We can trust him to always be Satan!  He never takes the day off.  I believe he is very busy working on music.  Can we trust the music that he works on or influences musicians who arrange the building blocks of music (which belong to God)?  Yes, we can.  We can trust that his perverse influence will permeate it.

            You may ask, "Is it easy to always tell whether Satan has influenced the building blocks?"  No.  "Why?" II Corinthians 11:2-3 warns us, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel: for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  So what can Christians do to not let their music be influenced by Satan?  Tomorrow we will discuss this important topic further.

 

Thought, Song, and rayer for the Day

Thought for the Day

All Christians were once dead in “trespasses and sins; now they are alive in Christ Jesus.  That fact alone is reason enough to give God all of our worship.

Song for the Day I Give all to You by Larnelle Harris

Prayer for the Day

 I Thank You Lord for being a jealous God.  I know that You love me because You are jealous about my worship.  I am thankful every time I think about the fact that You care about a Kansas farmer like me.  You did not have to love me because I was and am not worthy of Your coming to suffer and die for my awful sins—but you did simply because you love me.  Thank You for all that I know (and all that I do not know) that you have done for me.  Amen.

We Worship a Jealous God—part 2

We Worship a Jealous God—part 2

              Ephesians 2:1-7 reminds Christians,  “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

            It is no wonder that Jesus Christ our Savior is jealous of our worship.  He is our God and continually shows Himself strong in our behalf.  Furthermore, it is no wonder that He warned that His justice will visit “the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me”.  Seekers in this century must be warned that hating God is not without cause and effect. The act of worshiping anything or any “god” is an action of hate toward God and will be punished in this life and in the life to come.  The most seeker sensitive Christian is one who will tell the unchurched that God demands, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

 

Thought, Song, and Prayer for the Day

Thought for the Day

God has the right to be jealous of what and whom we worship because He alone is worthy of a Christian’s worship.

Song for the Day Give Thanks by Henry Smith

Prayer for the Day

My precious Lord I am asking you to help me to not let anything come between my soul and Your presence.  I do not want to put any of the things of this world cause me to fail to worship You with all that is un me. I know that the things of this life that charm me the most are capable of robbing You of my attention and affection.  I honestly do not want anything to cause my love toward you to grow cold.  Please accept my worship and help me to keep it sincere and whole-hearted.  These petitions I bring to You out of a heart of love.  Amen.