No matter where you are in your journey through life, what matters most is what direction you go next.
Paul Mahaffie – The Gospel Mission, Sioux City, IA
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a friend!
He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love,
And thus He bound me to Him.
And round my heart still closely twine
Those ties which naught can sever,
For I am His, and He is mine,
Forever and forever.
I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a friend!
He bled, He died to save me;
And not alone the gift of life,
But His own Self He gave me!
Naught that I have mine own I call,
I’ll hold it for the Giver,
My heart, my strength, my life, my all
Are His, and His forever.
I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a friend!
All pow’r to Him is given,
To guard me on my onward course,
And bring me safe to heaven.
Th’ eternal glories gleam afar,
To nerve my faint endeavor;
So now to watch, to work, to war,
And then to rest forever.
I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a friend!
So kind and true and tender,
So wise a Counselor and Guide,
So mighty a Defender!
From Him who loves me now so well
What pow’r my soul can sever?
Shall life or death, shall earth or hell?
No! I am His forever.
George Stebbins 1878
Public Domain
God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24
The One True God: Who spoke all things into existence (Colossians 1:16; Isaiah 44:24), existing eternally as three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Luke 3:22; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14).[1]
The one true God.
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. I John 5:20
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3
He who spoke all things into existence.
For by him (God the Son – Jesus Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones (angelic powers), or dominions (power whether angelic or human), or principalities (holy angels), or powers (angelic beings – good or bad): all things were created by him, and for him.[2] Colossians 1:16
Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; Isaiah 44:24
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; I Timothy 2:5
God exists eternally as three persons.
And the Holy Ghost (the Holy Spirit) descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven (the Father), which said, Thou art my beloved Son (Jesus Christ); in thee I am well pleased. Luke 3:22
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. II Corinthians 13:14
…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…
[1] Numerous Sources
[2] Definitions are from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words.
See Who Is God? article in this blog.
I was a seven when the nineteen sixties arrived and seventeen when they passed. The music of that period had a profound impact on my life up to that point. Not long after I became a Christian at the age of nineteen, I broke and threw away all the music records that I had collected and listened to up to that point in my life.
Most of the popular music of the sixties was depressing. It was full of questions, infidelity, despair, and without any real answers to life. It was about free love and rebellion. Those who wrote and performed it admitted that their music was about sex and drugs and they lived it to the hilt. Even the country music writers and performers lived it. If you don’t believe me, watch Ken Burn’s documentary on country music’s culture, its stars and performers. They sang about how they lived and they lived what they sang about and the end of it was tragic.
Some people, usually Christians, say that music is amoral, meaning that it does not influence behaviour one way or the other. Personally, I have never heard an unbeliever say that. Unbelievers know what the world’s music is about.
Even casual observation shows that music affects behaviour. Those who indulge in sinful practices do not listen to hymns and spiritual songs while doing so. Pagans who sacrificed children and worshipped demons did not sing hymns or psalms as they practiced these things. On the other hand shopping centers and grocery stores often play music that relaxes and slows down the customer so that they will spend more time and money in the store. There is sensual music and music that is violent. Music does influence and reinforce bad behavior.
One of the characteristics of a Spirit filled Christian in Ephesians 5:19 has to do with music. It says that a Spirit filled believer speaks to himself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in his heart to the Lord. That description sets out a certain quality of music that is manifested in the believer by the Holy Spirit.
Is that the type of song that is in your heart?
…he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3
…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…
Its my body, its my choice, is a slogan used by the abortion rights people. Can a Christian woman say this?
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? I Corinthians 6:19
Actually, can anyone honestly say, its my body, its my choice?
Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; Isaiah 44:24
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
That Christians should sing is ever so right.
Everyone sings when its cheery and bright!
It’s harder to sing when its dreary and stark.
The lost only notice when we sing in the dark.
Monty McCoy – 1980 (plus or minus)
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (confident assurance). Romans 15:4
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may (continue to) believe on the name of the Son of God. I John 5:13
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. John 20:31
….let the word of Christ dwell in you richly….
How did God reveal Himself to man?
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God (the prophets and apostles) spake as they were moved (carried along) by the Holy Ghost. II Peter 1:21
Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:
Propheteia (prophecy) – the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God. Though much of the OT prophecy was purely predictive,…prophecy is not necessarily, nor even primarily, foretelling. It (prophecy) is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means,…., it is the forth-telling of the will of God, whether with reference to the past, the present, or the future.[1]
Will – thelema – Not by the will (or desire) of man….not of human origin, not by human desire or design, not the product of human effort.[2]
….the human author’s wills did not direct or carry the Scripture….man’s will, including his will to make mistakes, did not bring the Scripture…they (the human authors) wrote under the operation of the Spirit; therefore, those things they wrote were His, directed by His will, not theirs. The human wills of the authors were not the originators…..of God’s message….the (Holy) Spirit was the source and the guiding force; the author’s wills were not. God did not permit the will of sinful man to divert, misdirect, or erroneously record His message.[3]
No part of God’s revelation was unveiled or revealed from a human source or out of the prophets unaided understanding.[4]
…but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
“Moved” – phero – to bear, to carry, being moved, signifying that they were borne along or impelled by the Holy Spirit’s power, not acting according to their own wills, or simply expressing their own thoughts, but expressing the mind of God in words provided and ministered by Him. Phero is translated “bear” in the sense of carrying and/or supporting (Luke 23:26/John 2:8, 15:2). Phero is also translated “driven”, of being borne as in a storm tossed sea (Acts 27:15&17).[5]
The Holy Spirit bore men along. Perhaps we can best understand “bearing” by referring to the use of the same word in Acts 27:15&17. Just before the ship that was taking Paul to Rome was wrecked on the island of Malta, it ran into a terrible storm. The experienced sailors could not guide the ship because the wind was so strong. They finally had to let the wind take the ship wherever it blew. The ship’s being driven, directed, carried about by the wind, is described in these verses by the same word used in 2 Peter 1:21 that describes the Spirit’s driving, directing, and/or carrying the human authors of the Bible as He wished. The word is a strong one, indicating complete superintending by the Spirit of all that the human authors wrote. Nevertheless, just as the sailors were active on the ship, so the human authors were active in writing as the Spirit directed. The Spirit carried the Word and in His perfection gave us the truth that is the Scripture. The human authors wrote under the operation of the Spirit; therefore, the things they wrote were His.[6]
The human authors were not passive and robot like as held by the mechanical dictation position. God chose to use the vocabulary, experience, background and writing style of each human author to express His will and to reveal Himself to mankind through the Old and New Testament Scriptures.
…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…
[1]W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words –pg 492, Copyright 1984, 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN.
[2]W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words – pg 162, Copyright 1984, 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN.
[3]What You Should Know About Inerrancy – Charles C. Ryrie, pgs 46&47, Copyright 1981 – Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.
[4]NKJV MacArthur Study Bible Notes on 2 Peter 1:21
[5]Definitions by W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words – Copyright 1984, 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN.
[6]What You Should Know About Inerrancy – Charles C. Ryrie, pgs 45&46, Copyright 1981 – Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.
Many are asking, what now?
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3
And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Isaiah 59:14
It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law. Psalm 119:126
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13
…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life in you) in you richly…
What gets us up and going spiritually? Does our spiritual life consist of a series of highs powered by our favorite music? Do we require a certain atmosphere or ceremony to lift us to feelings of worship? Is fellowship what we live and die for? Does the cup of coffee that we imbibe while reading our Bible produce a better sense of well being than fellowship with God Himself? Does the absence of suffering and conflict produce in us a sense of well being with God?
As we begin this new year, perhaps it would be good to evaluate whether we are motivated by faith or by feelings. If we can answer yes to any of questions above, perhaps it is time to repent and to confess it as sin. The Scripture says the just shall live by faith.
Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction that comes from hearing the Word of God*. Experiences that produce good feelings do not build faith. Only Scripture can build faith.**
What are we listening to?
**So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
Note: If you have concluded from reading this that I am against good music, worship, fellowship, a good cup of coffee, and peace, then you have missed the point. Our stability, discipline, and spiritual growth as believers is based on biblical faith, a firm persuasion or conviction from God’s Word, not emotional highs.
If you and I are persuaded that the Scripture is God’s infallible Word, how should that affect our lives?
…let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…
*W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words – Copyright 1984, 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN.