Today, reply is on an unresolved conflict between an adult believer and several young musicians in his congregation. As with other forms of prophetic demonstration, music ministry is a high privilege from GOD whereby divine things are provided that are simple yet profound, far-reaching in their sacred consequences, and rich in their spirit content. Many in the church do not want to obey, or are unfamiliar with the “rules” that should be followed by those who prophesy (e.g., a man ought not prophesy with his head covered; a woman ought not prophecy with her head uncovered; wearing the whole armor of GOD, a man may prophesy wearing the helmet of salvation; for those joined in holy matrimony, a woman is “covered” by her husband, and her spouse by the Lord; saints will prophesy wearing the crown of life). In the same way many miss that a piano, an electric guitar, or a zither is also a “stringed instrument” that may be used along with the harp or violin in praising GOD as urged by the Prophet and King, David, many miss that young people, may be prophets and spokespersons in service to GOD. Even so, it is not incorrect to admonish all who enter the sanctuary of the church to be alert to those things associated with the lifestyles of artists and creative people (such as “bumper stickers” and labels on their drums or other personal property) that present proverbs and “wisdom” of the world that are contrary to the sacred guidance and instruction that come to us from GOD. Rather than condemn anyone, or despair of their ever “growing up” and understanding, they are to be accepted, nourished, respected, and shared with as “developing believers” and those who are still “a divine work in progress” (like ourselves). One of the fighters using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data appears) posted the following:
This guy at church offends me and refuses to remove his stickers that offend me?
I am a singer in a church. My son(8) broke the drummers brother guitar at our church and now the guitarist refuses to play but he still comes as his brother is our drummer. I am 40. I find the stickers the drummer has on his drum set(in front of his bass drum) very offensive, he has some stickers from bands he enjoys on them they are not religious bands they are rock bands. He also has 3 stickers that say "think for yourself, don't think like me or anyone else." And one that says "wassup" and another that says "be who you wanna be not what they tell you." I find all of those very offensive and don't like my young son(8) seeing those the drummer refuses to remove them saying it is his drum set and he does what he wants with them. What would you do?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalms 149: 1-9, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Leadings of the Spirit (11/05/2017); Foolish People and Unwise (10/26/2017); Undergoing A Sacred Transformation (10/24/2017); ...And They Will Know (10/23/2017); Accepting Christ, Accepting Change (10/20/2017); Caution! Work In Progress (10/19/2017); GOD Speaking Through Song? (11/01/2013); Why Not One Bible? (11/02/2013)
“Anonymous”, it sounds as if your pastor and others are not aware of some of these issues. Even so, here are some points that may not be familiar, and usually are shared through the Holy Spirit as discovery:
Because music is so widely available in our society for amusement, entertainment, and relaxation, many within the church encounter spiritual confusion concerning the godliness, proper place, and eternal purpose of choirs and musicians for the family of GOD, and his household of faith. On the one hand, most accept that music and singing may add to celebration, praise, and thanksgiving. On the other hand, many fail to correctly understand that dance, “praise”, “prophecy” (i.e., comfort; nourishing and building up the spirit power and presence of the church (edification); exhortation (urging action be taken now) ), and spoken word (we say, poetry) also are important as tools used to give glory and honor to GOD.
Correctly understood, choirs and musicians demonstrate the level of alertness, discipline, obedience, responsiveness, and restraint expressing love that is to be achieved by the entire worship body. They appear within the sanctuary of a church (the most holy place within the building, because it is purified by the divine presence and set apart by the prayers of the congregation) as those who further cleanse, lift, and make fragrant (like incense) the offerings and sacrifices to GOD that are the “calves of our lips.” The active presence who is Eternal GOD appears in the midst of the believers through the device of praise. In addition to praise and worship, the use of music and song appears on the earth in keeping with the patterns revealed to the Patriarchs and Moses showing assembly, exaltation, and service performed in heaven by the holy angels, the four and twenty elders, and the sacred beasts of heaven. Thus, the Psalms of David and those he appointed as music ministers served as liturgy and provided formal structure for worship along with confession, doctrine, guidance, and testimony.
Many are drawn to the church on the basis of their desire to gain, not to give. Deceived by the world, and continuing the ignorance of our “old man,” we seek “freedom(?)”, popularity, prosperity, and success at one another’s expense, and in ways that are contrary to our makeup as vessels of divine spirit through baptism (i.e., death, burial of ones inborn spirit, resurrection as divine seed). All who are “born again” must “grow up again” and become “mature again” by meeting life challenges and “growing pains” on the earth as well as enduring suffering and preparing to be fully transformed when Christ will appear in glory (we say, Advent, harvest, the Rapture, the Second Coming).
Establishing and maintaining the necessary fellowship with GOD and one another is not simple, for the process of divine salvation is one of discovery, gradual growth, and undergoing permanent changes as the children of the Most High. We make many mistakes, and so we always seem to be in a process of correction. Yet, herein is a clear indication as to “what’s love got to do with it?” For it is by love we enter into giving, forgiveness, hope, and oneness without sameness. Consider the following that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) Psalms 22: 3, King James Version (KJV): 3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
(2.) Zephaniah 3: 17, KJV: 17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
(3.) John 4: 22-24, KJV: 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Psalms 100: 1-5, KJV: 1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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