How Should We Then Worship? Part 3 (part 4 on Jan 2)

How Should We Then Worship? Part 3 (part 4 on Jan 2)

            Yesterday we introduced the Bible principle of musicing unto God as a part of worship.  Why is this response to God as a part of worship so valuable and efficacious?  It is most valuable because, rather than it being an artistic event, it is a heart-felt response of all those o truly love and serve the self-existent, independent, eternal God who is—i.e. the LORD (YAHV).  God has made it possible for all Christians, not just trained performers) to offer unto the Trinity a heart-felt response that is more expressive than mere words. 

            All those who love and serve our precious LORD should note that the Bible principles of musicing taught in Psalm 92:1-3 include singing praises (zamar, 2167) and upon an instrument of ten strings (asor, 6218), upon the psaltery (nebel, 5035), as well as upon the harp (kinore, 3658).  The use of singing with musical instruments, and musicing with musical instruments alone i.e. without singing is taught clearly throughout the divinely God breathed Holy Writ.

How Should We Then Worship? Part 2

How Should We Then Worship? Part 2

            Yesterday we introduced Psalm 92:1-3.  It instructs us in part of what we should do on the Sabbath day.  It very clearly states that,” It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High,,,’’ The Hebrew word towb (2896) translated good thing here in the AV has many shades of meaning including: -“beautiful, best, better, bountiful, fine, glad, joyful according to Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary.  If praise, which definitely includes musical praise, is all or part of the long list of modifier listed above, every sincere Christian should be anxious to become a part of such a worthwhile response to God.

            It is a Bible principle of musicing that it is a good thing to music unto the LORD.  Musicing unto God as a response to His wonderful name is a Bible principle of musicing that is taught so many times in the inspired Holy Writ that one could write volumes about this valuable response to God.

How Should We Then Worship? Part 1 (a 4 part series)

How Should We Then Worship? Part 1 (a 4 part series)

Psalm 92:1-3, “A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.”

            First of all, it is a Bible mandate that those who love the LORD must give praise to God.  Praise as a part of public and private worship is a Bible teaching that appears over and over again in the inspired Holy Writ.  Praise to God is not frosting on the top of the worship cake.  It is a part of the cake!  It is not all of the cake but it is an essential ingredient of public and private worship.

The LORD Knows His Righteous Musical Servants

The LORD Knows His Righteous Musical Servants

Psalm 1:6, “For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

            Musicians who are truly righteous are not nervous about the fact that the LORD is omniscient.  If our heavenly knows everything (and He does) then He knows the thoughts and intents of His faithful righteous musician’s hearts.  If a musician is hiding stuff then he or she wishes that the LORD is only partially knowledgeable. 

            Others consider a musician by his or her reputation but God considers musicians by the musician’s actual character.  A musical servant’s reputation does matter but his or her character is really what matters. So, guard your reputation by not doing and saying stupid stuff!  Plan right now to guard your heart and guard your tongue next year.  Rather than make a new year’s resolution, begin to pray during these last days of this year that the LORD will help you to guard your heart and tongue next year.

Prayer for the Day

LORD, You are marvelous and wonderful.  You are abundantly able to help me guard my heart and my mouth.  LORD, please protect me.  Look deep down into my heart and see the thoughts and intents of my heart.  I am thanking You in advance for Your watch and care of everything that I face in the coming year.  This I am asking in Your strong name.  Amen.

Amen, and Amen

                                                 

Re 1:5-6, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood; And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”  Take some time to think about what “Amen” means.  The word amen used in this verse in the NT is a Hebrew loan word that means ‘of verity’ or ‘so be it’.   When I think about Jesus Christ is a faithful witness that loved me so much that He loved me in spite of my sin, I say halleluiah amen!  Think of it, the prince of the kings of the earth loved me enough to die for my sin.  When I ponder on the wonder of His love I am amazed that He suffered and died for a small sinful boy who grew up on an eighty-acre farm in eastern Kansas.  

Wow! I’m about to get blessed and make some noise.  I’m not sure that I am capable of sitting here much longer without praising my Lord and Savior loudly.  I’m about ready to make a joyful noise to express my happiness.  Those around me will not understand what is going on in my inner most soul right now.  They may take me away and restrain me with a straight jacket, but that’s ok because my wonderful Lord will understand.  If I tell them that I am thinking about my Savior who is the first begotten of the dead and my soon coming king, they will consider me to be just another religious fanatic but that’s ok because my Lord and Savior will know that I am perfectly sane.

My Savior knows how many sins His precious blood washed away in an instant.  He knows how he transformed me into a king and priest unto His glory.  Christian musician look up with joy.  Take heart because he has done the same for you.  Let your mouth be filled with many Amens and Hallejuiahs unto the victorious Lamb of God.  Remember that you are on the winning side because you serve a God who will have dominion and glory forever, Amen.

Thought for the Day

Thank God that His Son has washed us of our sins.  He has made us clean so that we can serve him as Kings and Priests unto God.

Song for the Day  “O Make Me Clean” by George W. Bennard

Prayer for the Day

I want to thank You Lord for loving me so much that You washed me of my sins in Your efficacious blood.  Thank you for suffering, dying, and rising again victorious over sin.  Please help me to give you praise, honor and glory for your sacrifice for the sins of the world, which included my awful load of sin.  Please help me by Your grace to be a king and priest unto your name.  This I am praying. Amen. 

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." 

      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.

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.     .

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 publically accept Mary as his espoused wife—going on record for all eternity that he trusts and believes God.

       On this 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”.

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