THE VALUE OF GOOD MUSIC

Several years ago I heard Dr. Jack Trieber say every Christian ought to have their own Hymnal and read through it. Write in it, I some times use mine with my devotions in the morning. The BIBLE has a lot to say about MUSIC.

Psalms 30:4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalms 33:2-3 Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song;

Psalms 57:9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.

The bible has so much to say about music. And music plays such a HUGE part in our lives and in our ministries. Choosing the proper music is ABSOLUTELY crucial. It can MAKE or BREAK our services.

It also can HELP HINDER us if we choose the wrong music. I love music we have it playing in our vehicles and in our home. We have tried to pass on to our children the love for GOOD MUSIC.

MUSIC has been in my family for generations, my grandfather played over 12 instruments. My wife’s grandfather and family is also very musical. I am not an expert on music but I know what GOOD MUSIC can do for a CHRISTIAN.

Here is a list of 8 things GOOD CHRISTIAN MUSIC can do for a Christian.

1.) IT WILL ENCOURAGE YOUR HEART.

2.) IT WILL STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH.

3.) IT WILL KEEP YOU FOCUSED ON SPIRITUAL THINGS.

4.) IT WILL LIFT YOUR SPIRITS.

5.) IT WILL HELP KEEP YOU FROM GETTING DISCOURAGED.

6.) IT WILL GIVE YOU A SPRING IN YOUR STEP.

7.) IT WILL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE.

8.) IT WILL BE WELL PLEASING TO GOD.

Good Christian music is vital in the Christians life. SURROUND yourself with GOOD CHRISTIAN CHRIST HONORING MUSIC. there is GREAT VALUE.

JUST A THOUGHT

HOW TO AVOID RUNNING OUT OF GAS IN THE MINISTRY.

I love the MINISTRY God has allowed me to be 25 years in the MINISTRY. I am forever grateful to God for allowing me to serve Him. Recently I read an article on PASTOR BURNOUT, not doubt the MINISTRY has its up’s and down’s but I can testify that GOD has helped me and been good to me these many years.

As I read the article about PASTOR BURNOUT, a verses came to mind.

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion,

I can honestly say that I have gotten weary in the MINISTRY but I have never gotten weary of the MINISTRY.

Here is a list of 15 things to help you PREACHER so you don’t run out of GAS IN THE MINISTRY or BURN OUT.

1.) READ YOUR BIBLE TO FEED YOUR SOUL, NOT JUST TO GET A SERMON READY.

2.) FIND A QUIT PLACE TO PRAY ALONE JUST YOU AND GOD.

3.) LISTEN TO GOOD SOLID BIBLE PREACHING. (load your smart phone with new preaching messages every week.)

4.) GET SOME GOOD MUSIC TO LISTEN TO, or a good Christian radio station (KNVBC is a great station 24hr Christian music you can trust.)

5.) TRY TO TAKE ONE DAY OFF AWAY FROM THE MINISTRY. (find something to get your mind off things. I golf as often as I can I have found this to be great exercise, refreshing, and clears my mind.)

6.) MAKE YOUR FAMILY A PRIORITY. (have a date night with your wife, have lunch dates with your kids. They need you NOT THE PASTOR.)

7.) SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GOOD GODLY FRIENDS. (I have seen to many pastors isolate themselves and it is NEVER good. We all need encouragement and the friendship of others.)

8.) DON’T OVER LOAD YOUR PLATE, KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS.

9.) FIND A GOOD CONFERENCE OR PREACHING MEETING TO GO TO AND GET RECHARGED. (as a young preacher I did not do this and looking back it hurt me and the ministry.)

10.) TAKE ONE DAY OR A AFTERNOON AND WALK AROUND YOUR COMMUNITY, (this will get you out of the office, and keep your burden fresh for the lost and hurting of your community.)

11.) TAKE A FAMILY VACATION. (some of my greatest memories are with my family away from the business of the every day.)

12.) HAVE OTHER PREACHERS AND EVANGELISTS IN TO PREACH FOR YOU. (your church will be blessed. And it will give you some much needed HELP.))

13.) READ GOOD SOUND BOOKS.

14.) DON’T GET WEARY OF INVESTING IN YOUR PEOPLE.

15.) DON’T LOSE THE WONDER OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE AND IS DOING.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BURN OUT AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO RUN OUT OF GAS.

JUST A THOUGHT

Be a CHAMPION for GOD

We live in a day and age where one cannot open the paper, turn on the evening news, without hearing about some professional athlete a “CHAMPION” being stripped of his title, or having his records erased because they cheated, or had an unfair advantage against the rest of the competitors.

The world places get emphasis on being the BEST but if you have to cheat or bend he rules to become a “CHAMPION.” your not.

As Christians we ought to strive to be our BEST. Being your BEST is different than being the BEST. Being the BEST means your racing or competing against someone else. Being your BEST means striving to please just one and that’s GOD.

The Christian life is not a race against other Christians, it is a race that God has placed us on and we are to bring Him GLORY and HONOUR and PRAISE for the way we love our lives. Being a CHAMPIONfor God means:

1.) THAT YOUR MORE INTERESTED IN PLEASING GOD THAN MAN OR A GROUP. 1Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

2.) THAT YOUR MORE INTERESTED IN LAYING UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN THAN TEMPORAL TREASURES ON EARTH. Matt 6:29 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

3.) THAT YOUR MORE INTERESTED IN OBEYING GOD, THAN BEING THOUHT WELL OF BY MAN. Eccl 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:Fear God, and keep his commandments:for this is the whole duty of man.

To be a CHAMPION for GOD you need to:

1.) BE A STUDENT OF THE BIBLE.

2.) BE A PERSON OF PRAYER.

3.) BE CONSUMED WITH THE THINGS OF CHRIST.

4. BE ACTIVE IN THE WORK OF GOD.

5. BE FAITHFUL FOR A LIFE TIME FOR GOD.

6. BE A SERVANT.

7.) BE LOVING.

I ASK YOU ARE YOU ON YOUR WAY TO BEING A CHAMPION for GOD?

JUST A THOUGHT