You know some people are so blind as to how powerful music really is. Satan was pretty much the greatest worship leader ever at one point. He was the worship leader in Heaven for all the angels. His problem was that began to think that he was as good and eventually thought that he should be above God. Satan has continued to use music to this day to bring people down the wrong path.
Having said this, I am definitely not saying that all music is bad, infact quite the opposite. The reality is that the same thing that Satan did in Heaven is what he continues to do to this day and that is to twist something that is wonderful and designed by God. Satan's tricks are new, he just continues to disguises them. Music is something that is wonderful and powerful, but like anything that is created for God we have the choice to use it for good or bad. Words play a significant part in music. I have heard countless people tell me that "I love the music, but I have not really listened to the words" or "there just words.." Both of these are really dangerous ways to think and here is why: I found 23 verses in the Bible that talk about the significance of words. Not to mention..John 1:1 which says that in the beginning was the Word...
- Words have the ability to build up or destroy. A saying that I absolutely cannot stand is "sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt me." Really, what a lie. I have a friend that I grew up with that had to listen everyday as his parents told him he would never amount to anything and that he was a loser. I tried to tell him to not base who he is or was going to be on what they said, but eventually he began to get in trouble and slipped further and further into problems. He would simply tell people that he was living up to what was expected.
Statistically we have the potential to effect atleast 5-10 people who are close to us with the words that we chose. We can edify their lives and speak life into them by speaking about Christ or we can destroy them and tear them down by speaking negatively.
A Christian rock band that was very popular in the 80s had a song that said, "computers brains put garbage in, computers brains put garbage out." This is so true only we get it from movies, books, our peers and most definitely music and video games. If God thought that words were important enough to be called the Word of life, shouldn't we choose to life and speak it into the lives of others? The more that I listen to gospel, praise and other types of Christian music, I chose my music carefully because I want to be more Christ-like so that others will see Him in me. I pray that you will too.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Controling the Tongue
Usually if we speak without thinking it leads to trouble. The Bible is very clear regarding our tongue. It is referred to as a rudder that can guide us safely or into harms way. When I am tired or have a lot on my mind, I tend to forget and the very essence of my humanity seeps out of my pores like a river. Paul stated that his spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak. It is those very times that I am trying to train myself to be on my guard to not allow my tongue to engage before thinking. But as with many of you, I am a work in progress. I have not come close to mastering this one yet, probably won't until I get to heaven. But, I know that I can improve and so can you all. I come back to one of my favorite scriptures time and again in relation to many issues or situations: Eph 1:18-20 "I pray that your hearts will be flooded with the light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people. I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms."
Remember afterwards, that grace is in place if you are a believer.
- Prov 10:12 "love covers all offenses..."
- I Pet 4:8 "love covers a multitude of sins.."
Love is a wonderful and powerful thing. It is defined as the ultimate expression fo God's loyalty, purity and mercy extended toward his people and it is to be reflected in human relationships of brotherly concern, martial fidelity and adoration of God.
Remember afterwards, that grace is in place if you are a believer.
- Prov 10:12 "love covers all offenses..."
- I Pet 4:8 "love covers a multitude of sins.."
Love is a wonderful and powerful thing. It is defined as the ultimate expression fo God's loyalty, purity and mercy extended toward his people and it is to be reflected in human relationships of brotherly concern, martial fidelity and adoration of God.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Lesson Learned at Burger King
Okay,
So here goes. I have been out of work since April 2, 2009, but that is okay because God has been calling me to something more. A few months after that I surrendered to be in full-time ministry. Do I know if that is going to happen now or later..no, but God called and I listened which is a good thing. God desires those who will dillengently seek Him. I can honestly say that my lovely wife and I have not needed anything. God has provided for us everything that we need.
I met my wife and some friends at the hospital today as another of our dear friends got to celebrate the beginning of life as they brought little Riley Thomas into the world. I didn't really get to stay long this time but my friends (the parents) looked exhausted and it was definitely time for them to get some much needed rest. So we stopped at Burger King on the way home and talked with another good friend for some time while we waited for the downtown traffic to decrease. Near the end, I went to buy a medium shake and get my wife a free burger that we had won with a pull off of her soda. Well the manager accidently gave me the shake free instead of the burger. When I mentioned it she said do not worry about it, it is okay. So I have $1 left and I put it in my pocket from the savings. We leave go out into our vehicles (me in our SUV) and my wife and another friend in our car. A man approaches me and asks if I could help him get some dinner at BK. Now, I know that some of you at this point are saying...I don't like to give money out because I don't know where it goes. But, here is something for you...First, we don't actually have any money because it all comes from God and we are only getting a chance to hold what God gives us. This should help those of you who have any angst about that. Second, God calls us to give and not just give, but give joyfully. The widow in the Bible gave one mite, which is not much monatarily, but it is all she had and she gave it without reservation.
Okay, back on track...I told then man that I only had $1 (what had been left over). I gave it to him and he went inside. I drove off thinking God thank you that you continue to bless me and my wife inspite of me being..well me. God's grace is truly awesome. Here is where the real lesson kicked in God spoke to me and said, I have been blessing you and and you have continued to bless others because you gave all you had to someone you did not know. God said in His Word that when we give to the least of them that we are giving as if it was to Him! I may never see that man again, but I did what God wanted me to do and I hope you do the same. Your situation may arise differently because God loves to work differently in each situation, but the important thing is that we are always willing to do and go when He calls!
Until the next lesson, I hope you all have a blessed and wonderful day in the name of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords...Jesus Christ!
Todd
So here goes. I have been out of work since April 2, 2009, but that is okay because God has been calling me to something more. A few months after that I surrendered to be in full-time ministry. Do I know if that is going to happen now or later..no, but God called and I listened which is a good thing. God desires those who will dillengently seek Him. I can honestly say that my lovely wife and I have not needed anything. God has provided for us everything that we need.
I met my wife and some friends at the hospital today as another of our dear friends got to celebrate the beginning of life as they brought little Riley Thomas into the world. I didn't really get to stay long this time but my friends (the parents) looked exhausted and it was definitely time for them to get some much needed rest. So we stopped at Burger King on the way home and talked with another good friend for some time while we waited for the downtown traffic to decrease. Near the end, I went to buy a medium shake and get my wife a free burger that we had won with a pull off of her soda. Well the manager accidently gave me the shake free instead of the burger. When I mentioned it she said do not worry about it, it is okay. So I have $1 left and I put it in my pocket from the savings. We leave go out into our vehicles (me in our SUV) and my wife and another friend in our car. A man approaches me and asks if I could help him get some dinner at BK. Now, I know that some of you at this point are saying...I don't like to give money out because I don't know where it goes. But, here is something for you...First, we don't actually have any money because it all comes from God and we are only getting a chance to hold what God gives us. This should help those of you who have any angst about that. Second, God calls us to give and not just give, but give joyfully. The widow in the Bible gave one mite, which is not much monatarily, but it is all she had and she gave it without reservation.
Okay, back on track...I told then man that I only had $1 (what had been left over). I gave it to him and he went inside. I drove off thinking God thank you that you continue to bless me and my wife inspite of me being..well me. God's grace is truly awesome. Here is where the real lesson kicked in God spoke to me and said, I have been blessing you and and you have continued to bless others because you gave all you had to someone you did not know. God said in His Word that when we give to the least of them that we are giving as if it was to Him! I may never see that man again, but I did what God wanted me to do and I hope you do the same. Your situation may arise differently because God loves to work differently in each situation, but the important thing is that we are always willing to do and go when He calls!
Until the next lesson, I hope you all have a blessed and wonderful day in the name of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords...Jesus Christ!
Todd
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