Musical Actions Matter

 Musical Actions Matter

A Christian’s actions and associations matter because alignment with the actions of the unrighteous places the Christian musician in agreement with them.  For this reason Christians are warned to “come out from among them”.  What this means is that any music or musicing that identifies the musicer with the world and what it stands for is a poor choice for sacred musicing.  A Christian is considered to be bigoted when he or she follows the admonition “come out from among them”. Although it is not a popular thing to do, God has promised to those who follow this admonition that, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Since the last half of the 20^th century there has been intense pressure placed on church musicians to conform their musicing to the way the world musics.  They are often told that for a church to acquire its rightful “market share” or have a relevant music ministry, it must admit all genres and music fusions that the world uses in its secular musicing.  The concept of separation from the world has been replaced with the notion that in order to win the world to Christ it is necessary to use music that is as much like the music of those who do not know Jesus Christ as is possible.  A concomitant of this faulty praxis is the philosophical belief that the end justifies the means. This philosophy has permeated much of current religious music philosophy and praxis. The basis for sacred musicing should be faith in God rather than likes and dislikes, musical taste, and musical style conformity.

Thought for the Day

Have you ever considered why you music the way you do?  Every Christian musician must know why he or she has chosen to follow a course of musical action

A Christian’s actions and associations matter because alignment with the actions of the unrighteous places the Christian musician in agreement with them.  For this reason Christians are warned to “come out from among them”.  What this means is that any music or musicing that identifies the musicer with the world and what it stands for is a poor choice for sacred musicing.  A Christian is considered to be bigoted when he or she follows the admonition “come out from among them”. Although it is not a popular thing to do, God has promised to those who follow this admonition that, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Since the last half of the 20^th century there has been intense pressure placed on church musicians to conform their musicing to the way the world musics.  They are often told that for a church to acquire its rightful “market share” or have a relevant music ministry, it must admit all genres and music fusions that the world uses in its secular musicing.  The concept of separation from the world has been replaced with the notion that in order to win the world to Christ it is necessary to use music that is as much like the music of those who do not know Jesus Christ as is possible.  A concomitant of this faulty praxis is the philosophical belief that the end justifies the means. This philosophy has permeated much of current religious music philosophy and praxis. The basis for sacred musicing should be faith in God rather than likes and dislikes, musical taste, and musical style conformity.

Thought for the Day

Have you ever considered why you music the way you do?  Every Christian musician must know why he or she has chosen to follow a course of musical action.  Start the new year knowing where you are going musically.

Philosophical Justifications for “Doing”

 

Philosophical Justifications for “Doing”

          A Christian musician often musics in a certain manner simply

 because of personal musical and spiritual instincts or because of musical

 or strictly from the standpoint of tradition can be a risky policy. A worship

 leader and a music educator must be  able to articulate reasons for

 performance and teaching choices. It is better for one not to teach others

 than to teach them in a willy-nilly manner because the *onus probandi falls

on the one who attempts to teach (Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2).

          Although the Bible gives us principles of musicing unto God, it

does not cover every aspect of music that concerns the twenty-first

century Christian musician. So, every performer, music director, and

music educator must, in the fear of God, interpret and apply principles

taught in Scripture. Furthermore, performers, directors, worship leaders,

and music educators must also come to philosophical conclusions

about aspects of music that do not appear to be covered by Scripture.

With this in mind, I have covered several aspects of music which are

vital to a Christian’s musicing in the twenty-first century. The NIV

translates Isaiah 28:10 as, “For it is: Do and do, do and do, rule on rule,

a little here, a little there.” The translation above makes sense in the

context of understanding how we music. We “do” over and over

again until we are conditioned to do what we do musically. As a result,

we develop musical tastes—likes and dislikes— from what we

listen to and perform.

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.

Thought for the Day 

Have you let him have His way with this day?  Have you  purposely placed the events of this day into his Mighty Hands?

Prayer for the Day

Lord and Savior, I am placing this day and every day into your hands.  Lord, look down on the events of this day and protect me.  Help me to guard my thoughts and actions as I try to purposely let you lead.  Pleas walk point  for me as I walk through this jungle of life.  Lord, I am no match for the enemy of my soul.  I am asking you to make me what I ought to be today.  Help me to be an example of a believer and follower of Christ.  Lord, as your musical servant help me to labor humbly at my best.  Lord, surround me with your power as you guide and guard my steps.  This I am praying in your wise and wonderful name.  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.    

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

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.

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.

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 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”.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

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.

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!

 

 

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 can give and that we offered it as an offering “in righteousness”.

Prayer, Song, and Thought for the Day

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.

Song for the Day “O Come All Ye Faithful” Latin Hymn

Thought for the Day--Can God trust you like he did with Joseph to make right decisions? 

 

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.

Prayer, Song and Thought for the Day

Prayer for the Day

Lord, I want to thank You for sending John the Baptist to help prepare the way for the coming of Christ.  I want to thank you that you always seek out faithful men and women who are filled with the Holy spirit to proclaim your messenger.  Please help me as a Christian musician to minister with a passion that is only possible by the filling and power of the Holy Spirit.  Lord please fill with the dunamis of the Spirit today and throughout this Christmas season.  Please endue me with power so that I may seek out my “high mountain’ and proclaim the good news of your coming to earth to save sinful men and women in the twenty-first century.  These things I pray in confidence this morning.  Amen.

Astrologers on a Journey of Faith

 

Astrologers 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 astrologers 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, Song and Thought for the Day

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?