One Day

One Day

Words: John Wilbur Chapman (1859-1918)

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises,

One day when sin was as black as could be,

Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,

Dwelt among men, my example is He!

Refrain:

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;

Buried, He carried my sins far away;

Rising, He justified freely forever;

One day He’s coming—oh, glorious day!

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain,

One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;

Suffering anguish, despised and rejected:

Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!

One day they left Him alone in the garden,

One day He rested, from suffering free;

Angels came down o’er His tomb to keep vigil;

Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He!

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,

One day the stone rolled away from the door;

Then He arose, over death He had conquered;

Now is ascended, my Lord evermore!

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,

One day the skies with His glories will shine;

Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;

Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!

            I believe that every Christian musician should enter the Christmas season remembering that one day Jesus came to earth as a baby.  However, that is only part of this great true story.  This great song sets the story of Jesus in the proper perspective. One day Jesus came to this sin cursed world to save sinful men, women, boys, and girls.   One day He will come a second time to receive those who are on this world who have received him as their personal savior and are serving Him with all their heart.  

Thought for the Day 

The heavens declare His praise by showing His handy work.  Christian musicians should fill the earth with His praises by musicing unto Him with all our hearts, souls and voices during this season when we celebrate his birth.

True Truth Comes by “True Light” part 4

True Truth Comes by “True Light” part 4

            I want to discuss one more wonderful truth about lost men and women becoming God’s children. St John 1:13 explains that, none of us became God’s spiritual children by natural birth.  If we are true children of God we all were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  We were all sinners by choice and aliens by birth.  In other words, we were none of us born innately good but because of the sin curse placed on Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, we were all born in need of a Savior.

             We have been given the power (exousia 1849) i.e. the privilege of becoming God’s children by the love, mercy and great grace of God!  So, I believe that a time of praise to God is very much in order this morning.  Praise God for His true truth and His true light that have been freely bestowed upon us all!  I suggest that you should spend the rest of this day praising God for his marvelous gift of salvation!

Thought for the Day

Since all musicians were born with a fallen sinful nature, every one of us who attempt to music unto God in an appropriate and proper manner, 1) need to be a born again Christian and, 2) need to minister musically with the grace of God flowing through us.  Therefore, “true truth” only comes from communication with God through a life in the Spirit and by reading and understanding what His Word teaches about music.

True Truth Comes by “True Light” part 3

True Truth Comes by “True Light” part 3

            Christ’s true light has so much power that it “lighteth” or “enlightens” every man and women in this world.  Christ came to this world to bring His “true light” but this world did not recognize Him or comprehend that He had brought them this divine light.  Why?  Because many did not believe on Him as their Lord and Savior, they were not able to comprehend Christ’s “true Light” Even though Christ brought light to everyone; those who did not accept Him were left in darkness, misunderstanding, and unbelief.              Spiritual life is made possible to everyone who believes in Christ as the “true Light”.  Because Christ’s “true Light” has shown in the darkness of this sin cursed world, no one can say that there is no salvation for them.  St. John’s Gospel 1:12 states, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”  So, those who receive Him are given the understanding necessary to comprehend His true truth because of the fact that Christ shines His “true Light” into their hearts and lives. 

Thought for the Day

To be enlightened by the Holy Spirit concerning how a Christian musician should best music unto God, that Christian must have a thorough knowledge of what the bible teaches about music.  Every musician who desires to give God an excellent musical offering needs to hone his or musical skills and become aware of how particular genres of music affect the musical message of the musical offering being presented unto God.

“True Truth Comes by “True Light” part 2

“True Truth Comes by “True Light” part 2

            The Bible also teaches that truth is made known to us by God’s divine light.  St. John 1:9 in his great discourse on the deity of Christ stated under divine inspiration that Christ “…was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” St. Paul in 2Cointhians 11:14 warns about Satan’s ability to pervert “true light” when he stated,  “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”

            The Christian does not have to live in fear of being deceived and ignorantly dong wrong because St John 14:6 records that, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Furthermore, 1John 5:20 assures and comforts Christians by saying,  “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

Thought for the Day

In this post postmodern world of “live and let live” when it comes to musicing in worship every Christian musician needs to be aware that Satan is never a friend of grace.  If he can get a “willy nilly” church music musician to misrepresent the moral nature of God by the way he or she musics unto God, Satan has made another strong inroad into the church’s ministry.  When it comes to presenting a musical offering unto a high and holy God, ignorance is not bliss.

“True Truth Comes by “True Light” part 1

“True Truth Comes by “True Light” part 1

            There are several things that the Bible teaches about truth and light.  Every Christian came to knowledge of truth by God revealed light.  Everyone Christian believes that he or she has knowledge of what is right.  All too often Christians who have had an ”aha” i.e. a moment of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, or comprehension believe that this impression was from God.

            The Bible teaches that there is supposed” truth” and there is false “truth”.  There are a couple of verses in the writings of St John that attest to this fact: John 14:6 records that “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  Also, John 18:37 records that, “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”   We also know from Romans 1:25 that there were those “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator…”  

Prayer for Understanding

Our dear precious heavenly Father, I want to ask You for wisdom and understanding of how to music unto you.  Lord I know that Solomon asked you for wisdom and understanding and you gave him both of those wonderful gifts.  Lord, I confess to you that I do not know how to go out and come in before You when I write and when I music unto You.  Please give Your servant an understanding hart concerning music and musicing.  This I am asking in your wonderful name.  Amen

Singing about Our Chief Corner Stone

Singing about Our Chief Corner Stone

            My Son in law sent me the quote below by pastor Jim Cymbala the other day and I have been thinking about it ever since.  It is one thing to sing about Christ but it is totally another to have a personal relationship with the Christ about whom you are singing!  We as Christian musicians need to be sure that when we sing the gospel we are worshiping Christ rather than the gospel music.  A Christian should never sing or play sacred music for his or her aggrandizement.  As you will see when you read the quotation below, pastor Cymbala got it right when he said, “Sadly, some people use gospel music as a platform to go higher in their field…”  Gospel music should never be used by a musician as a stepping stone.  The gospel message should never be a stone to step upon because it is the message of our Chief “corner stone” Christ Jesus. 

Quote for the Day

            "Gospel music has become very popular in recent years. Unfortunately, there are people involved in gospel music today who have no acquaintance with the gospel itself. The truth is that without the good news of Jesus Christ, there is no hope, no matter how much money a person may have earned in the music industry and how well they are known. Without Jesus there is no joy and no peace. The world testifies to that every day. So many celebrities have all the things this world has ...to offer, yet they have to stay drugged up to keep going. When you have Jesus, you don’t need escapism, because you can give your burdens to him and have hope not just for the here and now, but for eternal life.

            Sadly, some people use gospel music as a platform to go higher in their field; but you can’t go higher than the gospel! There are songwriters who try to write lyrics for gospel songs that are general enough to cross over into mainstream music, and so the gospel message is watered down. Whether we sing gospel music, or listen to it, we need to be a partaker in what we’re singing about. The next time you’re singing a gospel tune, whether the song sings the Lord’s praises or tells about the attributes of God and what he’s done in a person’s life, or shares the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ, think of the words you are singing – or writing – and let them come from a heart of gratitude for all that he has done!" ~ Pastor Jim Cymbala

Scriptures for the Day

Ephesians 2:20, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” 1Peter 2:6, “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”

            My Son in law sent me the quote below by pastor Jim Cymbala the other day and I have been thinking about it ever since.  It is one thing to sing about Christ but it is totally another to have a personal relationship with the Christ about whom you are singing!  We as Christian musicians need to be sure that when we sing the gospel we are worshiping Christ rather than the gospel music.  A Christian should never sing or play sacred music for his or her aggrandizement.  As you will see when you read the quotation below, pastor Cymbala got it right when he said, “Sadly, some people use gospel music as a platform to go higher in their field…”  Gospel music should never be used by a musician as a stepping stone.  The gospel message should never be a stone to step upon because it is the message of our Chief “corner stone” Christ Jesus. 

Quote for the Day

            "Gospel music has become very popular in recent years. Unfortunately, there are people involved in gospel music today who have no acquaintance with the gospel itself. The truth is that without the good news of Jesus Christ, there is no hope, no matter how much money a person may have earned in the music industry and how well they are known. Without Jesus there is no joy and no peace. The world testifies to that every day. So many celebrities have all the things this world has ...to offer, yet they have to stay drugged up to keep going. When you have Jesus, you don’t need escapism, because you can give your burdens to him and have hope not just for the here and now, but for eternal life.

            Sadly, some people use gospel music as a platform to go higher in their field; but you can’t go higher than the gospel! There are songwriters who try to write lyrics for gospel songs that are general enough to cross over into mainstream music, and so the gospel message is watered down. Whether we sing gospel music, or listen to it, we need to be a partaker in what we’re singing about. The next time you’re singing a gospel tune, whether the song sings the Lord’s praises or tells about the attributes of God and what he’s done in a person’s life, or shares the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ, think of the words you are singing – or writing – and let them come from a heart of gratitude for all that he has done!" ~ Pastor Jim Cymbala 

Scriptures for the Day

Ephesians 2:20, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”

 1Peter 2:6, “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”

Defending Philosophy Biblically—part 6

Defending Philosophy Biblically—part 6

I do not believe that Jesus was commending the unjust steward for his unjustness.  Jesus said in Luke 16:9, “And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.”  It is difficult to know all that Jesus was teaching in this statement, but it appears that He was saying that we can gather wisdom from people who are not Christians. However, Christians are warned in Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you [i.e. lead you astray] through philosophy (philosophia 5385) and vain deceit (kenos apate 2756 539 i.e. empty delusion), after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” 

Thought for the Day

Every Christian musician must be aware of the spurious arguments of the world that can “spoil” him or her philosophically.

Defending Philosophy Biblically—part 5

Defending Philosophy Biblically—part 5

There are many other sources of knowledge that also help the Christian musician develop a congruent music philosophy. I am often reminded of Jesus’ parable of the steward in Luke16:8 which states, “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”.  Although this parable had absolutely nothing to say about music, there is a principle in Jesus’ parable that applies to us all.  Stewardship requires getting the job done with the help of others.

Thought for the Day

What principle or principles does the parable of the steward recorded in Luke 16:8 can be applied to your developmental process of figuring out how to music unto God?

Defending Philosophy Biblically—part 4

Defending Philosophy Biblically—part 4

It seems logical to deduce that there is much support in the Bible for a Christian musician basing his or her systematic beliefs about the nature and value of the whole of music on wisdom found both in and out of the Bible.  Much of the wisdom concerning music and musicing may be found in the Bible.  However, I do not claim to believe in sola scriptura as the only source of wisdom concerning music philosophy.  I do however believe in sola scriptura in the sense that Scripture alone is the authoritative rule of faith and practice and that what the Bible does teach us about music is authoritative.

Thought for the Day

Ask yourself, “Do I have beliefs that are systematic about how I music unto god and are they congruent with what the Bible teaches about music and worship?”

Defending Philosophy Biblically—part 3

Defending Philosophy Biblically—part 3

If a Christian musician is going to defend music philosophy biblically one should consider philosophy’s mention in the Bible.   Philosophia is used only once in the New Testament in Colossians 2:8 and is translated philosophy in the AV; philosophos is also only used once in acts 17:18 and is translated philosophers in the AV; sophos is used 23 times and is translated wise, wiser, wise men, and wise man in the AV. The word wise (sophos), as it is used in the Bible, means having knowledge, and good judgment, and wisdom when it is referring to men and “all wise” when it refers to God.  The English word wisdom is used about 55 times in the AV New Testament.  The word wisdom is found in 266 verses in the AV Old and New Testaments combined.  The exact number of references is not important, but it is important that the Bible speaks so often of wisdom. 

Thought for the Day

Ask yourself, “Do I rely on my own wisdom when it comes to musicing to God or do I pray and ask for God’s wisdom to fill my heart and mind every time that I prepare to music unto Him”.