Prayer for the day-Singing to Remember

                                      Prayer for the day-Singing to Remember      

       I thank you Lord!  I thank you for bringing to my memory all the times you have come to my deliverance. I thank you who for saving and sanctifying power that are real in my life.  Please, Lord, accept my songs of your deliverance which I am singing unto you as a sacrifice of praise. I am asking that, as I take the journey from the natural to the supernatural to give you praises from deep within my heart, that my prayer will ascend from my little office where I am typing this little earnest prayer unto heaven where you dwell in power and splendor.  I want You to know that I love you and that I thank you for all you have done for me just because You love me.  Also, thank you in advance for all you will do for me during this day!

 

 

Singin g to Remember

 Singing To Remember 

Psalm 30:4 states “Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”

       Many times in the Book of Psalms we are admonished to “sing unto the LORD”.  As a matter of fact the Hebrew title for the book of Psalms is the Cepher Tehillim (5612, 8416) which means the Scroll of Praises.  This verse from the Scroll of Praises specifically admonishes those who are “saints of his” to sing unto Jehovah.  It is a good thing for the unregenerate person to sing about God, but this psalm is directed to the redeemed.  This lyric poem is identified in the superscription as a mizmowr shiyr (2167, 7892) which the AV renders a Psalm Song.  These two words actually mean a song set to instrumental music.  So, we justly gather that it is a praise song (poem) set to instrumental music. Furthermore it is a song of thanks and remembrance.

       The poet remembers that the LORD has lifted him up, healed him, brought his soul from the grave, made him to stand strong, as well as other wonderful things.  The thought that is amplified here is that although he now has, and has had in the past, had many needs, the self existent, eternal God who not only was but is alive, has and will deliver him from his troubles.

       Christian musicians, being often prone to melancholy, often fail to have the attitude of this psalmist.  Because they often get depressed they “sing the blues’ about their troubles.   Ministering musicians are so intensely involved in their busy little “cloudy world” that they fail to take advantage of the means of grace that will build them up in the “most holy faith”.  These depressed musicians lead others in worship but fail to partake of the divine fruit that is on god’s table.

        The psalmist admonishes these musicians to “Sing unto the LORD”.  He also emphasizes the importance of singing songs of praise that will cause the “saints” to remember of Jehovah’s holiness (quodesh 6944), which means remembering “most holy” things about God.

   Why not stop whining right now, and start singing God’s praises as you call to remembrance all the wonderful things God has done for you.  Surely you, as a musician, know an appropriate praise chorus that is fitting for your situation.  I suggest that you sing out loud so that you can drown out the whispering of Satan.  Remember that you will probably remain depressed if you continue to listen to the wrong voice.

Thought for the day-Chosen Last

Thought for the day-Chosen Last 

There is no Scripture in the Old Testament where it is recorded that the Levite musicians fought over position or place for themselves or their children.

What if Your Musician Son Was Chosen Last?

What if Your Musician Son Was Chosen Last?  

       I Chronicles 25:31 states, “The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, he his sons, and his brethren, were twelve.”

       This is a  wonderful chapter which I have read over and over and over again. Although I have studied this passage of Scripture many times, I never thought about the significance of verse until I read it this morning.  David and his captains separated the sons of Asaph, Heman (Ethan) and Jeduthun to prophesy with singing and with instruments.

       I can see in my mind’s eye this great event in the life of the Levites who were music ministers in the Temple.  The Biblical record states, “Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph…” (verse 9a).  Wow, think of it, Asaph’s son Joseph was chosen first.  Think of how fast his father Asaph’s heart must have been beating when The first lot fell to Joseph.  Asaph had to have been justifiably proud that Jehovah had chosen his son first by the casting of lots.

       So, I wish that I could have been there as the choices were being made.  Number two went to Jeduthun’s son Gadaliah; the third to Zaccur who was also Asaph’s son.  The fourth lot fell to Jeduthan’s son Izri (who was also called Zeri) and so on down the line the sons of the chief musicians were chosen one by one by the casting of lots.

      I can’t help wonder what was going on in Heman’s mind as the casting of lots drew near to the end of the Levite sons.  When lot 23 fell to Mahazioth, Heman knew that his precious and faithful son Romamttiezer was destined to be LAST.

       No matter how dedicated you are as a Christian musician, it hurts like fire when your child is chosen last.  It hurts much worse for one of your children to be chosen last than if it was yourself.  Let me remind you that the Biblical record did not put any premium on Joseph being chosen first or any stigma placed on Romamtiezer being chosen last.  Romamtiezer’s name is just as much on the list of these famous Levite musicians as any of the others.  He was listed with the faithful and was given just as much of an opportunity to serve Jehovah with his musicing as any of the other musicians.  It would be well to remember that Jesus said in Matthew 19:30, “But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.”

The Bible lesson here in First Chronicles is clear.  We have no record that Heman or his son were in any way disappointed or upset about “position”.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could say that of twenty-first century Christians in regards to their children?  It is the explicit stratagem of Satan to get parents upset over which chair is given to their child or who gets the solo in the Christmas production.  The thing that should matter to Christian parents is the fact that their children are giving their talents back to the God who gave them musical gifts and graces.

Scripture for the day-Dated

Scripture for the day-Dated 

Galatians 1:10, “For do I now persuade men, or God?  Or do I seek to please men?  For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

Post-Moderns May Consider you Dated, Dazed, and Dumb

 Post-Moderns May Consider You Dated, Dazed and Dumb 

Romans 1:16 states, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also the Greek.”

       If you are a Christian musician who still ministers with traditional hymns, gospel choruses, and gospel songs, you may be discouraged since many post-moderns consider you dated, dazed, and just plain dumb.  St Paul declared in this verse that that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.  If you desire to include more than a long string of praise choruses in your music ministry, so that you are able to music the whole gospel of Christ, you should not be intimated or tuck your head as though you were some outdated dunderhead.  (This not to say that there is anything wrong with a string of praise choruses.) However, St Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the gospel of Christ is the power of God.  Furthermore, the inspired Word of God declares very clearly that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Although praise is essential to Christian worship, it is not expository enough to fulfill all the elements necessary in complete Trinitarian worship.

       It is your responsibility to present the whole gospel of Christ who suffered, died, paid the penalty for our sin and it is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit to convict and convince seekers of their need of repentance and forgiveness of sins “unto salvation”.  It is not the power of your charisma or performance ability but rather the power of the whole gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit that is the power of God.

       In order for your musicing unto God to be completely efficacious, it must contain the whole gospel.  This is the reason that a thinking minister of music includes hymns, gospel songs, gospel hymns, and gospel choruses along with praise music in his or her balanced musical diet for the assembly of believers and seekers who attend worship services.  The saint needs to be reminded of what God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit has accomplished in the plan of redemption, and the seeker needs (must) be made aware of the same things.  How can seekers have Godly sorrow that leads them to repentance if they do not know what God has done for them?

       Let me make it very clear, that there is absolutely nothing wrong with a praise chorus sequence in worship.  (That statement must be qualified with the understanding that a praise sequence should not exceed the attention span of the modern audience.  Also, the notion that this sequence must drone on until the minister gets his or her desired overt emotional response from the audience is misguided philosophically.)   It is important that a congregation of believers sing of the love of God and also testify of their love of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  (There needs to be much more written about the need for Christian worship to be Trinitarian and “complete”.) 

      So, if your musicing presents a clear gospel message, and if your musicing includes traditional gospel music and hymns, take heart, you are on solid philosophical ground.  Do it in the right spirit, but square your shoulders and keep presenting the old, old story.  When you music, never be ashamed to confront saints and seekers with the claims of the gospel.

 

 

                           

Thought for the day-Heirs of the Kingdom

 

                                               Thought for the day-Heirs of the Kingdom

If God’s Word is inspired, and it is, Christian musicians do not have anything to whine about.  They are rich in grace now and have a rich inheritance in Heaven for eternity!

Heirs of the Kingdom

  Heirs of the Kingdom   

James 2:5 states, “Harken, my beloved brethren, Hath not god chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him.”

       This verse is a wonderful thought and a precious promise to them that love the Lord.  God has chosen the poor so that certainly includes me! Though many musicians are “on the short end of the stick” when it comes to this world’s goods, they are actually rich.  They are rich in the things that really matter.  This verse reminds all who read it that those who love the Lord are rich in faith.  They are rich because they were adopted into the family of God when he forgave them and redeemed them by his precious blood which he shed on Calvary’s cross.   Furthermore, they have been called to be saints and Jesus suffered without the gate that they might be sanctified by his own blood (Hebrews 13”12).

        The Christian musician should also remember that God has protected, rewarded, blessed, and called them into his service.  Since all those who love the Lord are his sons and daughters, they are rich because they are God’s heirs and will receive a great inheritance that is so great that it is more than we can ask or think.

       Christian musician, it is time for you to cheer up!  There is no reason for you to let the Devil depress you or to cause you to think negative thoughts.  If you truly love the Lord, you are rich in faith now, and god has promised you an inheritance among them who are sanctified.  Acts 20:32 tells us all’ “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”  Praise God!  What more could you want?  You are now rich in grace in this life and you have an inheritance among those who are sanctified.

Thought for the day-The LORD Will Rejoice

                                                  Thought for the day-The LORD Will Rejoice

It is only natural that a Christian would want people to rejoice while he or she musics unto God.  However, it is much more important for God to rejoice over us than our listening audience.

The Lord will Rejoice Over You

 The Lord Will Rejoice Over You   

Deuteronomy 30:8-9, “And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.  And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy cattle and the fruit of thy land, for good: For again the LORD will rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers.”

       Israel had disobeyed the law of God and Jehovah had been angry with them.  However, this Scripture lesson promises mercy to the penitent and blessing on those who would obey the commandments of Jehovah.

       Verse nine explains the thoroughness of how the self existent, eternal, sovereign God will bless those who keep His commandments.  Some ministers of music might say, ”I am single, I don’t have any cows, and I don’t own any land, so how is God going to rejoice over me with prosperity?”  God has promised to prosper the obedient by rejoicing over them “for good”.  Our heavenly Father has promised ,on the authority of His Holy Word that if ministers of music will obey what he tells them to do that he intends to “do you good” as we know from Deuteronomy 28: 63:a.

       Hebrews 11:16 tells us “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.”  God will prosper those who have faith in Him in every way that matters, if they will believe that “He is” and that he is actually will keep His Word and reward those who diligently “seek Him”.  When a Christian musician comes to an understanding of what God is willing and able to do, this wonderful knowledge should bring a smile out of at least one side of his or her mouth!  The Christian musician should remember that, on the eternal authority of God’s inspired infallible Word, one cannot fail while God is smiling on his or her music ministry.