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.”

       S we reflect on 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.

Wise Men 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.

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.

 

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 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.

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.

 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 to spend this day being thankful for what we have rather than wishing that we had more.

Prayer for the Day

Lord, I want to tell You that I love and trust You right now on December 24th.  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 publicly 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.

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 publicly 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”.

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!

 

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.

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 publicly, 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”.

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 tell the wonderful story of Christ’s coming once again 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.

Song for the Day “Good Christian me Rejoice”  Latin Carol, 16th 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.

 

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 latchet 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.    

Wise Men on a Journey of Faith

 

 

Wise Men 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 men 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 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?

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 mankind 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.

God’s Clock Keeps Perfect Time

 

God’s Clock Keeps Perfect Time

Galatians 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 needed 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.

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

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.

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 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

 

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 for the Day  

 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 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.

Christian Musicing is like a Light

 

                                               Christian Musicing is like a Light  

Matthew 5:16 states “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

       Why do you suppose that Jesus has commanded Christian musicians to let their light shine?  I believe it is because our world is a very dark place to live in the twenty-first century.  Sin has made this world dark place with a very dark atmosphere at times.  Jesus knew that Christian musicians are prone to let Satan come by and cover it with a bushel basket.  So, Jesus reminded us all, in the Sermon on the Mount, to make absolutely sure that we keep our light shining very brightly.

       The light of Christ placed in us is so powerful that Satan needs a bushel basket to completely hide it from those who see it, and will receive its light in their lives.  Satan knows that, without this light of Christ, people will continue to live in darkness.  Jesus instructed us to put our powerful light on a candle stick so that it will give the light of salvation to all people.

       One of the ways that a Christian can show the light of Christ is through his or her musicing.  Jesus explained, in this sermon, that “you” are the light of the world.  This means that there is much value in people seeing the Christian musician music unto God.  As I play exegetical gymnastics with this verse of Scripture, I have the notion that maybe Jesus includes our musicing unto Him as a part of what people need to “see”.  As I just said, it is just a notion, but I think it is a valuable notion.  If so, musicians need to let their musical light shine in such a way that all who are in the “house” will see it and glorify our Father who is in heaven.  Therefore, we need to be very careful of what people “see’ as well as what they hear when we music unto God.

                                                Thought for the day--Musicing is a Light

If musicing unto God is a part of our good works, and it is, then Christian musicians need to be sure that people see and hear good quality music when we sing and play in and out of church.

Musicing about God, for God with God’s Grace-part 2

 

Musicing about God, for God with God’s Grace-part 2

          There is also another companion passage found in Ephesians 5:19-21, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

          I would like to take a brief moment to remind Christian musicians of the main reasons for our musicing.  First, we must always music “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.  The Greek word used here is kurios (2962) which connotes supreme authority, or the one who is the Christian’s Savior, Lord and Master.  Christian musicians often tend to get lost in the fact that they are giving a music performance or that they work for and represent a particular church or Christian organization. All of the above may be true, but a Christian musician’s supreme authority is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  Second, the Christian musician who is performing the psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs does so as a vehicle for giving thanks to God the Father by the mediatorial agency of God the Son. Third, our performances are “submitted” (hupotasso 523), performances unto God and His people.  These performances are not event opportunities for a musician to hock his or her musical wares. Forth, (Colossians 3:16) a musician who performs or leads others in sacred music must have the grace (charis 5485) God in his or her heart.  This Scripture is not referring to man’s charisma or the joy of performance but rather God’s grace.

Thought for the Day

As I have often said that the church musician must not only know about musicing unto God but also must know God by having his or sins forgiven and having passed from death unto life by God’s saving power.

 

 

Musicing about God, for God with God’s Grace-part 1

 

Musicing about God, for God with God’s Grace-part 1

          Colossians 3:16-17 teaches, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”  Many speakers and writers miss the lessons taught in these verses because many skip these verses in their comments or at least they make little or no mention of the music lessons taught here.  I suspect they were so intent on getting to the eighteenth verse so that they could once again tell women to submit that they miss the musical import of these verses in Colossians chapter 3.

          Men are normally the ones who have trouble submitting.  Everyone who musics unto God must submit his or her musicing unto God.  I have often considered the topic of the problem of Christian musicians maintaining ownership of their music and musicing.  Without going to hat topic deeply today let me simply remind us all that we, as Christian musicians, are not owners of the great art of music but rather ministering servants.  Furthermore, “…whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God.”  It is shocking to many Christian musician that all of a Christian’s musicing, both secular and sacred, must come under the Lordship of Christ.

 

Thought for the Day

How can a Christian musician get around the Bible mandate of “whatsoever” when he or she performs secular music that by its enactment brings reproach on what the Bible teaches about changed life principles?  Risqué art that glorifies loose living is wrong even though the performer is acting.

Will God protect His Musicians?

 

Will God protect His Musicians? 

       I Samuel 24, “and it came to pass, when Saul was returned from the Philistines, that it was told him saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.”  In the 27th Psalm “…David said in his heart, I will now perish one day by the hand of Saul…”  In a time of trouble David became convinced that Saul was going to succeed in his quest to kill him.  So, what did David do?  He went down to Gath in the Land of the Philistines. David made friends with King Lachish and lived in Ziklag because he did not trust God.  The result was that Ziklag was burned to the ground and their wives and children were kidnapped while David was out fighting for king Lachish.

       If we are not careful we, as God’s ministers of music, will decide that someone is going to get us.  Like David, we will decide to give up and go live with the “Philistines”.  We will forget that God was able to protect David and He is also able to take care of us at our post of ministry.  God is able to even protect us from a wicked church boss.       Musician, look up, God is abundantly able to keep and protect you right where you are.  Hebrews 13:5b reminds us, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”  He can and will take care of you out there in “Smirgly Junction” where it seems like there is no one to help you.

       David went to Ziklag; Jonah ran from God’s call to Nineveh and got eaten by a big fish.  David thought and Jonah thought and it got them in trouble.  Quit thinking and start trusting.  If you have to think, think about God’s might, power, great love, and ability to keep and protect you.

 

Prayer for the Day

 

      I want to thank you LORD that many of my troubles do not come to “stay” but rather they merely “come to pass”.  LORD, forgive me for not trusting you.  You are big enough and wise enough to take care of my situation right now.  LORD please help me to trust you more.  You are able to keep the enemy of my soul from overcoming me.  Help me to be faithful exactly where you have placed me to minister musically to others.  This is my earnest prayer.  Amen.

 

Song for the Day God Will Take Care of You  by Civilla D. Martin

Thought for the Day

If you are a Christian musician who is always developing a conspiracy theory, you will find that your physical and spiritual energy will be drained most of the time. 

Thinking about Church Music

 

Thinking about Church Music

Church musicians continue to be in a very heated argument about styles of church music.  Normally church musicians do not argue in favor of secular rock music, however this is changing since some churches are now playing secular rock and other similar styles of music that have no relationship to sacred music.  There are an increasing number of pastors and church musicians who do not see much, if anything, wrong with religious rock music in the church.  In many places in the world today, church attendance is getting smaller, so pastors and ministers of music are trying to make church attendance attractive to people who are not Christians.  Almost everything traditional is now being reviewed to make sure that traditional acts of worship are relating to “worldly” people.  Traditional styles of church music often receive the blame for a lack of church growth.

          When a particular church is experiencing increased attendance, pastors and ministers of music naturally look at the style of worship that has been “successful.”  Often church leaders pattern public worship after “super churches” without thinking through the results of those major changes in music worship. 

                                                                                         

Thought for the Day

Christian musicians must be more concerned about being “faithful” than “successful” when it comes to which styles of music are or are not admitted to a church’s music repertoire.

Is Sacred Music the Stepchild of Secular Music?

 

Is Sacred Music the Stepchild of Secular Music?

Many church musicians believe that traditional styles of church music started like rock music. We often hear stories that church music was first bar room tunes that were later ‘sanctified’ by church musicians. It is a little known fact among church musicians that until 1750, a great preponderance of all music composed was sacred music written specifically for the glory of God. As a matter of fact much of the religious music was written specifically for public worship.

It is shocking to me that so few church musicians are aware of the well-known fact that two species of music have existed since at least the time of Ancient Israel. One is sacred music and the other is secular music. Furthermore, from the Middle Ages until 1900, a specific type of church music existed. The bulk of this music was practical music to be used in regular church worship services. The remainder of the religious music was written in the same styles but was intended as religious concert music.

 

Music in Worship Is Not All a Matter of Taste

 

Music in Worship Is Not All a Matter of Taste

Writers often refer to the terms modern, postmodern, and post-Christian and contemporary thinkers. The term modern means that which exhibits the characteristics of present or recent times. One who adheres to conforms to current tendencies at the exclusion of traditional ways of ministering through the art of music or builds a music philosophy based on modern standards of “correctness” and “knowing” is a “modern” music minister. A distinction must be made between “modern” and “up-to-date”. Modern connotes a new way of “thinking” or “knowing” about musicing. Up to date connotes thinking new things about musicing. Conservative traditional thesis thinkers must not make the mistake of confusing the two. If this mistake is made the conservative Christian will become an “antiquer” – one who reveres only old things.

There is nothing inherently wrong with a new style or a new composition or a new way of musicing. Those who are “antiquers” disdain anything past Watts and Wesley, Ira Sankey, and George Beverly Shea. Never confuse an ancient landmark of musical worship with an old-fashioned way of musicing. Music as a part of worship is not all a matter of taste but there is room for personal taste in musical worship. Not every style of music is appropriate for worship but there is room for more than one style of music in Christian worship.

 

His Way With Thee

 

His Way With Thee

1. Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good?

Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?

Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?

Let Him have His way with thee.

2. Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call?

Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?

Would you have Him save you, so that you need never fall?

Let Him have His way with thee.

3. Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?

Would you prove Him true in providential test?

Would you in His service labor always at your best?

Let Him have His way with thee.

Refrain:

His pow’r can make you what you ought to be;

His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;

His love can fill your soul, and you will see

’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.

By  Cyrus S. Nusbaum—1898

 

I have led this song many times in evangelistic services.  Many times I led it as a song of invitation.  Each verse begins with the question “Would you…” and are followed with pungent statements that end with “Let Him have His way with thee”.  Certainly, this song is an invitation to the seeker, who does not love and serve Jesus Christ.  Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call? The question,  “Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?” 

Isaiah 1:18  gives the admonition, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”  Jesus stated  in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”.  The thought of Jesus offering rest is echoed in verse three with the words “Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?” and in the chorus with “His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free”.

One of the many striking thoughts that are found in this song is the true truth that” His pow’r can make you what you ought to be”.  When one is separated from fellowship with God, he or she is not what that person “ought to be”.  Another truth taught in this gospel song of invitation is the all-important life question that should be answered by letting Christ have complete control of one’s life.  Christian musician be sure that your is submitted to “His way”  every day of your life.  It is one thing for a musician to have become a Christian, but it is another to continually walk in Christ every day.  Our Christian journey is about relationship rather than religiosity.  Read this old song over again and let the Holy Spirit apply its truths to your daily walk with Christ.