(11/14/2019) Why Do They Sing?

Today, reply is on the use of music and song during worship. The church founded by Jesus Christ provides multiple sacred gifts that can not be found in any other place on earth. There, divinity allows the use of simple devices to acknowledge, access, and approach the high throne of GOD, even, the use of songs by those who are not singers. Rather than the blood of bulls, goats and sheep that were offered within the sacred tabernacle of Moses and the Temple at Jerusalem as depictions and demonstrations of unseen things in heaven, Christians now gather to offer and sacrifice the elements of life essence (breath; spirit; word) that reside within the Son of GOD, Jesus Christ. It is written: Hebrews 10: 4-10, King James Version (KJV): 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Tasm” (Level 6 with 17,816 points) posted the following:

As a religious person?

Do you believe all that you are told in church or do you pick certain things and disgaurd some of it?

I went to church two or three times and liked that they try to guide to live healthier, but I did not believe much of what they said about the after life. Also they sang a lot and I found it to be a really big waste of my time, why do they sing all the time. It was like they tried to hold me and waste my time on purpose instead of just stating their business and releasing me.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalms 150: 1-6, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Patriotic Songs To Worship? (11/10/2019); By Death and Resurrection (10/29/2019); One Body, Many Members (10/17/2019); The Purpose Of Worship (10//10/2019); Justified By Church Attendance? (06/21/2019); GOD Speaking Through Song? (11/01/2013); Why Not One Bible? (11/02/2013)

“Tasm”, those who regularly attend church participate in a sacred operation that is put forward from divinity, rather than a man-made event provided from the World. Mature Christian believers are in an ongoing relationship with divinity through offerings and sacrifices made by Jesus Christ as their High Priest in heaven. Those who turn to GOD through Jesus must willingly accept that divinity (we also say, divine fullness; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit) is guiding them in a lifetime journey whereby their inner spirit is to be permanently changed and transformed. Sinners are to receive a fresh endowment of the same life essence (we also say, breath; spirit; word) imparted to mankind from divine fullness at Creation. Included are inseparable aspects of the full substance of GOD such as balance, faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, personhood, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Just as babies must develop before their birth, those coming to Christ must undergo a process of death and burial of their inborn nature with rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak, and life from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Those born again are to “grow up again” and become mature/ripe for harvest by the Lord at his appearing (the Advent; the Rapture; the Second Coming). Developing believers will endure multiple life challenges and “growing pains” while on the earth. Before the coming of the Lord, all are to be made ready by experiences of discovery; fellowship within the household of faith; gradual growth; sacred practice (e.g., discernment, praise, prayer, thanksgiving); study of the holy writings; unselfish service; and suffering. Consider the following that uses language from the Bible, and a presentation from the music ministry of Steve Amerson and Ralph Carmichael:

(1.) Hosea 14: 2, King James Version (KJV): 2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.

(2.) 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.

(3.) Hebrews 9: 13-15, KJV: 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yd8nVLtnAA.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 11:10 AM, November 14, 2019 @ https://shareaverse.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/2-samuel-6-5-make-a-joyful-noise.png?w=547

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(11/27/2017) Worship and the Cross

Today, idols, the cross, and worship among Christian believers are considered.  For Christian believers, glory, praise and worship are directed to divinity, only.  In the same way praising, uplifting, and bowing before material objects as though they contain, or themselves are sacred persons would be acts of idol worship, giving exclusive emotional, psychological and spiritual attention to, or continually expressing anger, bitterness, disbelief, and hostility by quarreling and reacting to emblems, tokens, and symbols (we say, making something out of nothing) all are expressions of idolatry and spiritual confusion.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile data shown) posted the following:


Are Jehovah's witnesses right for not using the CROSS IN WORSHIP? Pls, support answers with the Bible, is the CROSS truly biblical?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.  For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.  The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.  They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;  They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.  They that make them are like unto them:  so is every one that trusteth in them.  (Psalms 135:  13-18, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Relying on Sacred “Evidence” (11/20/2017); All Divinity in ONE? (11/17/2017); Divinity Appears Using Form (07/26/2017); Redemption Through Ordinary Flesh? (04/20/2017); Resurrected With The Lord (04/16/2017); A Matter of Conscience (04/07/2017); The Title of “Savior” (01/27/2017); Believing In The Cross? (03/04/2016); Signs of Messianic Belief? (12/16/2012); Vows and Covenants? (12/17/2012)


“Anonymous”, trusting you and others will receive a spiritual benefit, many of us who are not versed in the doctrines, teachings and policies among believers who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, seek no debate or quarrel, and, as mature followers of Christ, are not willing to pursue a path of criticism or condemnation against any (Buddhist, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, etc.).  Even so, “born again” believers are willing to proclaim the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, his dying as an embodiment of sin, and the Savior’s resurrection, declaring our own faith in response to your question on worship and the cross.  That GOD imparts divine Spirit to indwell created beings and living creatures is no violation of sacred law and process; and no cross, man-made idol, image, or other device is to be honored as a vessel containing divine person and spirit content.  The operations of carnal reason, secular knowledge, and the domination of awareness and self-will by the operations of sin are to be opposed using multiple memorials and “reminders” that will continue uninterrupted consciousness of the active presence who is GOD.  Included are church buildings, hymns, other believers, parables, prayers, preaching, prophecies, and songs.  Consider the following that uses the language of the Bible, and therefore, may appear as familiar:

(1.)  Deuteronomy 31:  16-22, King James Version (KJV):  16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.  17 Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?  18 And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.  19 Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel:  put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.  20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.  21 And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed:  for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.  22 Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.

(2.)  John 4:  23-24, KJV:  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.

(3.)  2nd Peter 1:  13-21, KJV:  13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;  14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.  15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.  16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.  19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:  but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

(4.)  2nd Corinthians 4:  3-7, KJV:  3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.  6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (5.)  1st Corinthians 1:  18-31, KJV:  18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.  20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?  21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.  22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;  24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.  25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.  26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:  27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:  29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.  30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:  31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/02/2013) Why Not One Bible?

The existence of multiple versions of the Bible are topic, today, along with more on GOD speaking through music and song.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “orchidmg” (Level 7 with 92,112 points, a member since January 19, 2006) posted the following:


Why don't all Christians use the same Bible as Muslims use the same Koran over all these years?

I'm Catholic and have a Douey Rheims, that uses 'thy', 'thou' and the NAB (New American Bible). But Protestants and Lutherans and others use the KJV and NIV that had 6 books removed. Shouldn't all Christians be reading from the same Bible, the original English text from over 1000 yrs ago? Muslims don't have a dozen different versions of the Koran. Same with the Jews, they have one Torah.



THE BATTLE AXE:  GOD Speaking Through Song? (11/01/2013)—  (5.)  In addition to meetings that are devoted entirely to prayer, or study of the Bible, many congregations hold “song service” meetings where church members all join in singing selected hymns. Full participation in singing is required during group worship, for it represents humility, offering, sacrifice, sanctification (i.e., cleansing, being set apart for service to GOD) as well as rejoicing and thanksgiving. While dance and movement pertain to prophetic demonstrations, songs allow use of devices such as lyrics and rhymes that are easily committed to memory, repetition, rhythm, simple melodies, and story-telling. Thereby, songs become major tools for teaching even difficult theological principles and doctrine, establishing a shared vocabulary of experience, and promoting genuine unity within the community of believers.  (6.)  All music does not embody or convey the Holy Spirit.  Where GOD speaks using human agents, sacred song, and anointed music it is called “prophecy,” and the changes that appear among those who are listeners are not simply the result of sensations such as hearing, seeing and touching.  The changes that occur appear through operations of the living divine spirit.  In addition to celebration and up tempo music that dispels depression, fear and sorrow, the music ministry from GOD gives expression to a broad range of celestial purposes, and sacred utterance.  Included are prophesies that serve as admonitions and warnings, adoration, calling the Holy Spirit into presence, comfort, commandments and divine law, confession, endorsement of sacred hopes, giving thanks, igniting zeal, intercession, lamentations and bereavement, meditations, memorial, petitions, praise, prayer, proclamation, promise, repentance, submission, and urging immediate action (exhortation).  (See 1st Corinthians 14:  3, Ephesians 5:  17-21 and Colossians 3:  16-17, KJV.)


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  (Ephesians 4:  4-7, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Why Bother to Read? (10/31/2013); GOD Speaks Through Songs? (11/01/2013); By Inspiration of GOD (10/27/2013); Never Taught It? (10/13/2013); Without Pointing A Finger? (10/14/2013)


“orchidmg”, to the praise of GOD and Christ, here are a few points many Christian believers have been encouraged by:

(1.)  The holy writings are not the “font of all knowledge” for the believer.  While the Scriptures provide many necessary assurances, examples and explanations important for spiritual growth, the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD (we say, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Prophecy) must have place within the person of each believer.  Through the Holy Spirit, all who seek GOD have experience of divinity revealed within, to, and through their own inner person.

(2.)   In the same way the diversity of the rose, the many trees, the numberless ripples of water, or the many stars and cloud formations are pleasing to the Almighty, the body of believers continues to display multiple levels of knowledge, maturity, strength, and zeal.  Diversity, distinct being, and imbalance generate spiritual exchange, growth, and movement that otherwise would not occur.

(3.)  The importance and value of the holy writings are not by a strict sameness of their letter (we say, precise statement, literal wording) so much as by a sameness of intent, purpose, and spirit.  Thus, where the 14 apocryphal books written after the Book of Malachi are missing from a peculiar collection, it should be understood there is a change in ministry and priesthood to mankind.  John the Baptist is the next prophet to appear after the earlier tradition; and the ministry of Jesus is more clearly understood as establishing a covenant of divine indwelling through intimate interaction with the divine person.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  While various communities of believers (we say, denominations) may endorse a peculiar presentation of the Scriptures, there is only one salvation from GOD through Jesus Christ.  Men are to acknowledge, cooperate with, and yield to operations of GOD on behalf of created beings and living creatures.  For, in the same way, they had no say in Creation, and may not boast and brag concerning the establishment of their own existence, they have no say in the necessary atonement and salvation that comes forth as the grace of GOD.)  I trust this fragment will be useful.  Even so, be it unto you according to your faith.  Jesus is coming soon.  Grow in grace.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(11/01/2013) GOD Speaking Through Songs?

Music ministry and prophecy are topics, today.  Also, there is more on why we should read the Bible.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “MY” (Level 1 with 5 points, a member since August 26, 2013) posted the following:


Does God speak through songs? 

When I was in the car, I decided to listen to music through my ipod since the radio is crap these days, then suddenly the music channel to listen to my iPod changed to a christian channel, and there was a song telling me not to give up, I will get to where I want to be, God loves me, etc. I feel God was talking to me because when I went back to the channel for my iPod, it was working. The song really spoke to my heart. Whenever I feel doubtful, I listen to that song. Does God speak through songs?

Additional Details

because now I feel like I will achieve my dreams in the future [with God's help] as it is God's desire for me as well.


THE BATTLE AXE:  Why Bother to Read? (10/31/2013)—  (4.)  In the same way the character and personality of a man named John Jones is not changed when we call him JJ, Jones, Jonesie, or Jay, the spirit essence of the Bible is not changed by translation, or its presentation through the use of different languages.  By means of multiple operations of the Holy Spirit, what would otherwise be defilement, or making the holy writings profane, is absolutely impossible.  Those who foolishly burn or shred the physical pages that contain the holy writings are filled with the confusion, errors, ignorance and malice that come by idolatry.  They can not understand there is nothing they can do to destroy the Bible, for the collection does not exist as an idol or thing to be worshiped.  Mature Christian believers acknowledge that the Scriptures are more than products of human imagination, intellect, logic, and reason.  The Scriptures are a divine tool recording truths in human experience and sacred events that make divinity known.  As an appearance or incarnation of GOD, the Scriptures continue to reveal aspects of the GODhead by imparting and nourishing spirit content from Divine Person.  Believers receive inseparable substance that includes faith, forbearance, forgiveness, gratitude, holiness, joy, longsuffering, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  (See Acts 2:  4-18, Acts 8:  26-35, Revelation 7:  9-10, KJV.)


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  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.  (Zephaniah 3:  17, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Moses Killed? (09/23/2013); A Divine Trickster? (09/02/2013); Recognizing True Prophets (05/02/2013); Jesus, A Party Animal? (05/03/2013); My Sheep Hear My Voice (03/08/2013); A Slaughter of Innocents (12/15/2012); Unexceptional Beginnings (11/22/2012); Believing Everything? (11/23/2012); The Priesthood of Kings? (10/17/2012); Childlike Faith (10/18/2012)


“MY”, here are a few points shared among many Christian believers that convince us GOD does use music and songs to speak to mankind:

(1.)  In general, music and song appeal to our flesh through melody and rhythm as a form of sensation.  Because we direct our hearing (we say, listen), and shift the focus in our thinking, music and song also may encourage shifts in our attitude and immediate disposition.

(2.)  In the Bible, one of the earliest and most important records of music and song being used as prophecy (where GOD appears and speaks to mankind through human representatives) is the celebration by Miriam, the sister of Moses, and the women who had left Egypt.  They encouraged all to acknowledge divine deliverance from Pharaoh and his chariots.  Not only did they praise GOD with music and singing, they praised GOD through dance and movement.  (See Exodus 15, KJV.)

(3.)  Most congregations and assemblies of believers now include choirs and other forms of music ministry.  In addition to traditional anthems, gospel music, hymns, and spirituals that have been handed down across generations, there are now expressions of faith and praise that include Christian rock, hip hop, jazz, Reggae, and other forms that are popular today.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  When the ark of testimony was separated from the Tabernacle under King Saul, David, who followed as King of Israel, and who was also anointed by Samuel to prophesy, instituted reforms that included courses (we say, schedules) for service by the priests and Levites, and a continuing music ministry (we say, liturgy) that would prophesy as an aspect of worship.)  I trust this fragment will be useful.  Even so, be it unto you according to your faith.  Jesus is coming soon.  Grow in grace.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC