Sunday, October 19, 2014

Pastor Jerry's Blog: CCM Song Alert: God of This City

Pastor Jerry's Blog: CCM Song Alert: God of This City: CCM Song Alert: “God of This City,” by Hello Love You’re the God of this city You’re the King of these people You’re the Lord of ...

Pastor Jerry's Blog: CCM Song Alert: Blessed Be Your Name

Pastor Jerry's Blog: CCM Song Alert: Blessed Be Your Name: CCM Song Alert:  - “Blessed Be Your Name”  - by Matt Redman - Genre: Christian Pop ---------- Blessed Be Your Name In t...

Pastor Jerry's Blog: CCM Song Alert: I Could Sing of Your Love Forever

Pastor Jerry's Blog: CCM Song Alert: I Could Sing of Your Love Forever: CCM Song Alert:  I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever by Hillsong --------------------------------------- [Intro:]  Over the m...

Friday, October 17, 2014

Evidence of Forgiveness

RECONCILIATION is the EVIDENCE of true FORGIVENESS between BRETHREN

2Corinthians 2:6-8 (6) Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, (7) so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. (8) Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.

2Corinthians 5:19-21 (19) namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (20) Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (21) He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

You say you forgive your brother/sister in Christ, but still have a grudge? That's NOT true forgiveness. Every sinner whose faith is in Christ for forgiveness and salvation has experienced true forgiveness:

Romans 5:7-9 (7) For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. (8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.…

Ephesians 4:31-32 (31) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (32) Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

May God grant His children the grace to truly forgive brethren who have wronged us. 


- JFS

Fellowship First

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Clearly, from this verse, the Lord makes it known that He is MORE interested in a deeper, sweet personal relationship with Him THAN our best works. 

The church at Laodicea (Christians) was proud of itself. They were wealthy, perhaps even rich in "ministries," "programs," and other "works," but one think they lacked, was a fervent personal walk with the Lord:

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

May we learn to put CHRIST first BEFORE works.
May we learn put CHRIST FIRST in our works.
May we learn to put CHRIST ABOVE our works . . . 

. . . and ENJOY that sweet fellowship with our Lord and Saviour, GOD of ALL, Jesus Christ

-JFS

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Apostasy, i.e. Leaving the Faith

In the end times, we are told that Christians will leave the faith because they listened to and received messages, teaching, music, or doctrine that sounded pleasant to the ears, made them feel good, or appealed to their flesh:

1Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 

However, we can be PREPARED to RECOGNIZE such things, as God teaches and warns us about in His Word:

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

What we must understand is that in today's Christian community, worldly philosophy has crept in. The philosphy of the world says for example that we should be like the people we are trying to witness to rather than being a peculiar people (Titus 2:14). So, Christian musicians get tattoos and sound like the world. Worldly philosophy says follow your heart but God says follow me (John 12:26, 10:27). The philosophy of the world says let your feelings guide you, but God says that we are to trust Him (Proverbs 3:5). God teaches us that we are to stand on His Word, for it is His Word which guides us, which teaches us, keeps us in the right path, and is what the Spirit of God uses to build us up in the faith:

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Far too often, this writer has encountered services that appeal to the flesh; messages that sound good, that make sense, are moral, and may even include some Bible verses, but no expounding on the Word of God; only superficial comments that sound good on the surface, but have no real power to change us:

2Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

What we fail to realize is that if a spiritual leader is NOT taking the Word of God and expounding on it: explaining it in an understandable way, to the exclusion of leaning on feelings, emotions, or worldly ideologies, then he is NOT feeding the sheep.

Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

If he is NOT feeding the sheep, then he is NOT doing what he is called to do:

1Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Why is it, that after listening to a message the majority of Christians go right back to what they were doing?

Why is it that when we finish a worship service we feel good, we talk about the interesting points from the minister's message, yet we are NOT transformed? We have catchy slogans, nice message titles, nice music, diagrams, and even hand signs, yet what has changed IN us? How do we see God in a more proper light? How do we see Christ high and lifted up?

Why is it that when we go to church the routine is the same: Greet, sing, sit down, announcements, message, stand up, sing, go home; and then think no more about God?

Why is it, a Spirit-filled believer, after spending time in a worship service leaves starving for the Word of God? Could it be that he/she was NOT fed?

1Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Is it because the Word of God is NOT being taught? Is it because Jesus Christ is not being lifted up in Bible teaching? Has it/He become only quaint window dressing in a nice message?

The way that God warns us and teaches us from His Word if it is right teaching is this:

Is it ...after the rudiments of the world or is it ...after Christ (Colossians 2:8)? If it sounds good, looks good, seems good, or even feels good, but there is NO Scriptural support, NO Christ, then BEWARE lest you be drawn away:

1Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; (4) He is proud, knowing nothing...

Why do we hear so little of God's Word expounded in messages and so much more on feelings, emotions, human strength, the power of the flesh, steps to a better..., what "I" can do, and the like? Why do we hear even less of the Lord Jesus Christ?

O dear God, please bring us back to the Bible and Jesus Christ your Son. Be glorified, magnified, exalted, and honored in and among your people!


JFS, Ptr., FMC-WOM
http://meditationsfromscripture.blogspot.com/

Monday, October 13, 2014

CCM Song Alert Here I Am to Worship

CCM Song Alert: "Here I Am To Worship" by Hillsong
-
Q: How well does this contemporary Christian song EXALT Christ, the Lord, the God of the Bible?

[First stanza]

Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Open my eyes let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

Q: WHO is YOU? 
Q: WHO is the LIGHT of the WORLD? 
Q: WHO STEPPED into DARKNESS?
Q: WHO OPENED my EYES?
Q: WHOSE BEAUTY? 
Q: WHO is YOU? 

FAST FACTS: 

"LORD" is used 6751 times in the King James Bible. That is an average of at least 100 times per book of the Bible.

"Jesus Christ" is used 258 times in the New Testament (KJV). That is an average of nearly 10 times per book of the New Testament. 

Q: Why NOT say the NAME of the LORD here? If this is CHRISTian music, shouldn't it praise CHRIST? 

The NAME of the LORD is precious: 

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Q: SO, why NOT SAY and SING the NAME of the LORD?


[Chorus]

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God

Q: Who is being glorified here? 
Q: Shouldn't our songs be glorifying the Lord? 

Revelation 5:12 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

This sounds just like Peter speaking in the power of his flesh before he denied Christ; (Matthew 26:33-35, 69-75)

[Chorus continued]

You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

[Second stanza]

King of all days
Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor

Q: WHO is YOU? 
Q: WHO is LOVELY, WORTHY, WONDERFUL to me, KING; WHO is GLORIOUS, WHO came to earth, WHO became POOR? 

[Chorus]

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

[bridge]

I'll never know how much it cost (x4)
To see my sin upon that cross

Q: What CROSS? A: "That cross" ?? (It sounds like contempt rather than gratitude. Could we say "your cross" or "the cross"?)

Q: How well does this Contemporary Christian song EXALT Christ, the Lord, the God of the Bible?
A: It doesn't! 

Follow up: There is NO mention of CHRIST, no mention of the LORD, no mention of WHO, only "YOU." "YOU" can be the GOD of people's imaginations, but NOT necessarily the GOD of the BIBLE, and songs that do not name the name of the Lord, the Christ of the Bible, leave room for everyone's imagination of who God is in their own minds. This is new age philosophy: 

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.


JFS, Ptr.
http://meditationsfromscripture.com/

Sunday, October 12, 2014

CCM Alert I Am Free

CCM Song Alert: "I Am Free" by Unhindered

Q: How well does this Contemporary Christian song EXALT Christ, the Lord, the God of the Bible?

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

First stanza:

Through You the blind will see
Through You the mute will sing
Through You the dead will rise
Through You all hearts will praise
Through You the darkness flees
Through You my heart screams, I am free!

Q: WHO is YOU?

Why not the NAME of the LORD? Why not the LORD JESUS CHRIST? 

2Thessalonians 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Through WHO will the blind see?

Luke 7:22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

Through WHO will the mute sing?

Mark 7:37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Through WHO will the dead rise?

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Through WHO will all hearts praise?

1Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Through WHO the darkness flees?

Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Through WHO my heart screams?

Luke 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

Chorus:

I am free to run
(I am free to run)
I am free to dance
(I am free to dance)
I am free to live for you
(I am free to live for you)
I am free
(I am free)

Q: WHO is being emphasized here? A: How many "I am"s are there in this chorus? 

Q: How many "I am"s are there in this chorus? A: 4

Q: How many times is Christ exalted here? A: 0

Second stanza:

Through you the kingdom comes
Through you the battles won
Through you I’m not afraid
Through you the price is paid
Through you there’s victory
Because of you my heart sings I am free

Q: WHO is YOU?

Why not the NAME of the LORD? Why not the LORD JESUS CHRIST? 

2Thessalonians 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Chorus:

We are free to run 
We free to dance
We free to live for you
We are free, we are free, we are free

Q: How can a person be truly free? 

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

A: If we continue in the word of Christ, then we are disciples indeed; And we shall know the truth, and the truth shall make us FREE! The TRUTH sets us FREE. JESUS CHRIST is the way, the TRUTH, and the life (John 14:6). The Word of God is TRUTH (John 17:17).

Q: How well does this Contemporary Christian song EXALT Christ, the Lord, the God of the Bible?
A: It doesn't!


JFS, Ptr.
http://meditationsfromscripture.blogspot.com/

CCM Alert Ikaw Lamang

CCM Song Alert: "Ikaw Lamang" by Rommel Guevarra 

Q: How well does this Contemporary Christian song EXALT the God of the Bible?


O Diyos sa kabutihan Mo (O God your righteousness)

Ako'y naririto upang magpuri Sayo (I come to praise you)

O Dios sa kabanalan Mo (O God your holiness)

Malulugod ako (I delight)

Buhay ay iniaalay ko (I offer my life to you)


Q: In this stanza, how many "Diyos," "Sayo," or "Mo"s do we encounter? A: 5

Q: How many "ako" or "ko"s do we encounter? A: 3

Q: How many lines of this stanza are focused on God? A: 2

Q: How many lines are focused on the singer? A: 3

Q: Who exactly is this stanza emphasizing? A: You must decide for yourself based on the facts.


[Koro:] (Chorus)

Ikaw lamang ang nagtiwala saakin (You trust me)

O Dios di kita bibiguin (O God I won't disappoint you)

Magtatapat Sayo (I will confess [you])

Maglilingkod ako (I will serve [you])

O Dios kay buti Mo. (O God your goodness [?])


Q: In this chorus, how many lines exalt God? A: 1 (the last line)

Q: In this chorus, how many lines exalt Christ? A: None

Q: In this chorus, how many lines are given over to the singer? A: 4 out of 5 lines

Q: In this chorus, is the singer saying that God "trusts" him? A: Yes (the first line)

Q: In this chorus, is the singer saying that he will not disappoint God? A: Yes (the second line)

Q: Is this chorus emphasizing the singer's own strength or exalting the glories of God? A: You must decide for yourself based on the facts.

Q: What does God say about these things?

1. God and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ are to be the focus of our praise: 

Ephesian 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.


2. The Lord clearly states in His Word that we are NOT to put our trust in men, yet this song contradicts that saying "God trusts" the singer:

Psalm 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. 


3. Our music and songs should focus on the Lord (NOT on OURSELVES): 

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;


4. Peter spoke the same way, emphasizing his own ability and strength, yet headed for a big fall:

Matthew 26:35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. [we know the rest of the story, how he denied Christ not very long after that]


Q: How well does this Contemporary Christian song EXALT the God of the Bible (as opposed to the God of imaginations)?

A: You must decide for yourself based on the facts. But it is a nice, sentimental song that promotes feelings and emotions yet it is unfounded on Scripture. So which will you follow? The Lord tells us to beware of such things:

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 

2Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

2Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;



-JFS, Ptr
http://meditationsfromscripture.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

No Guarantees



Remember, we do NOT operate according to OUR strength, or OUR ability, or OUR skills. We may think that we have the RIGHT to make it from one day to the next, but we tend to forget that: 

"...in him [God] we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28) 

And that:

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not" (Lamentations 3:22); 

"He has not dealt with us according to our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities" (Psalm 103:10);

"The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD" (Proverbs 21:31); 
"He [God] delights not in the strength of the horse: he takes not pleasure in the legs of a man. (11) The LORD takes pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy" (Psalm 147:10); 

"... Salvation is of the LORD" (Jonah 2:9); 

"For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8); 

SO, when we are tempted to BOAST or to be overly CONFIDENT that we are SURE to do this or that, or go here or there, or get this or that, let us be wise and HUMBLE ourselves before the Lord and glorify Him, for NOTHING is guaranteed:

"Go to now, you that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: (14) Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. (15) For that you ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. (16) But now you rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil" (James 4:13). 
Remember, it is only by GOD's GRACE, MERCY, and BLESSINGS that we can DO anything, GO anywhere, ACCOMPLISH anything, or make it through a DAY. Therefore, let us REVERE the LORD and walk HUMBLY before Him. 

JS
Meditations from Scripture
http://meditationsfromscripture.blogspot.com