Baptist City Blog

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The Value of Christian Music

Deuteronomy 31:19

"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."

The power of music on one's life is amazing. Studies have shown that you can control crowds through music. Music is powerful because God created mankind with the need for the right kind of music. Music is so important to God that He created angels for the purpose of singing in Heaven. The Devil also knows the power of music. That is why he has tried to corrupt music by providing his own style of music. However, when you study the Scriptures, you will find that God wanted His people to listen to the right music. Though music is one of those topics where preference often defines what is right and wrong, the Scriptures do give us clear guidelines on the value of good music.

First, music teaches. In the verse above, God shows that it teaches when He says, "...and teach it..." All music will teach you to do something. That is why it is important that the music you listen to teaches you the ways of Christ. God used the song of Moses to teach the children of Israel what way they should walk. You need to make sure that your music teaches you the ways of Christ. This is why the world's music is wrong because it doesn't teach you the way of Christ, but rather it teaches you the way of the world. Music is valuable because it teaches you. So, be careful to listen to music that will teach you the right way.

Second, music reminds. In Deuteronomy 31:21 it says about music, "...that this song shall testify against them as a witness;..." The word "testify" is talking about reminding God's people. Your music should not only teach you the right way to live, but it should also remind you to live right. Whenever you listen to your music, does it immediately remind you of God, or does it remind you of something you did in the world? Music is a great tool to help people remember the right ways of living, so be sure that your music reminds you of God's way.

Third, music witnesses. In the verse above, you see that the music of the children of Israel was to be a witness. In other words, your music should tell others to Whom you belong. Let me ask you, when others overhear your music, can they tell you are a Christian by the songs you listen to? You may think it's nobody's business what type of music you listen to, but whether or not you like it your music should testify to others that you are a Christian.

Last, music convicts. Good music will convict the backslidden Christian about their backslidden ways. That is why most of the contemporary Christian music is wrong. It wouldn't convict people of their worldly lifestyles because it sounds like the world. If you are living wrong, your music should convict you.

Music is a valuable tool. Be sure that you listen to the type of music that teaches and reminds you of the right way, the type of music that is a witness to others that you are a Christian, and the type of music that will convict you if you are living wrong. If your music does this for you, then you can rest assured that you are listening to the right music.

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God is Not a Leftover

Deuteronomy 17:1

"Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God."

If you were to do a survey and ask people if they enjoy leftovers over the original meal, you would probably find that the original meal would be desired the most. There are some who like leftovers, but there is nothing like having a meal for the first time. It's fresh, and the taste always seems to be more flavorful.

Just like you like to have a meal for the first time, God likes to have your best as well. Too many Christians seems to give God the leftovers when what He desires is your best. Could you imagine how you would feel if God gave you His leftovers? Just think how you would like it if God gave you the crumbs of someone else's blessings. I know there are some who would say they would enjoy that, but if you're like me, I don't want someone else's crumbs, I want God's blessings to their fullest.

In the verse above, God commanded His people not to offer any bullock or sheep that had a blemish when giving their sacrifice. Though one of the reasons God said this is because the sacrifice represented the sinless Son of God, Jesus Christ, He also said this because He truly wanted the best from His people. God's desire for the best has not changed. It is only fair to God for you to give Him your best when He gave you His best in Jesus Christ. God didn't give His second best to die for your sins, but He gave His only begotten Son as the sacrifice for your sins. If God can give His best for you, then the least you can do is give Him your best.

Christian, don't give God your leftovers. When it comes to your time, give God the best. Far too many Christians only give God the time that they have left to serve Him. For instance, there are many Christians who serve God, but only when they have time to serve Him. God deserves better than that. When you schedule your week, you should always place time in your schedule to serve God first before you fill in the rest of the schedule. Don't give God your leftover time, give Him the best time.

Likewise, don't give God the leftovers of your life. It is sad that many will waste their life in sin, and after sin has wasted most of their lives they finally come to God and give Him the leftovers. Yes, God will take the leftover of that life and use it, but God deserves the best of your life. Don't wait until you have no energy and life to give God to serve Him, but give Him the best part of your life.

Moreover, be sure to give God your best effort. It would be sad that God gave His best effort to pay for your sins and He only gets the leftovers of your efforts. In everything you do, be sure to give God your best effort.

Finally, don't give God the leftovers of your day. You should start everyday off with God. Don't live your whole day and at the end of the day finally give God what is left. It is best to start your day off with God. Yes, you can get something from God's Word at the end of the day, but you will get more from His Word if you will start your day off in It.

Don't give God something that you wouldn't like to receive yourself. If you wouldn't want God to give you His leftovers, then you need to be sure that you don't give Him your leftovers. You will always find the greatest blessings in the Christian life when you give God your best.

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Opportunistic Christianity

Numbers 24:1

"And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness."

In the verse above, there is a phrase that portrays Balaam and many modern day Christians.  The phrase is, "And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel..." God previously told Balaam that he was to have nothing to do with Balak. Yet, when Balak came with his offers of money and position, Balaam questioned whether or not he should go. In fact, Balaam went back to God to ask Him again if he should go. God knowing Balaam's heart, told him to go. When you read the story, you will find that eventually Balaam realized his going was wrong. Once Balaam arrived at the place where he was to curse Israel, God gave him the blessing whereby he was to bless them. Finally, when Balaam saw that God was pleased with blessing Israel, he didn't ask God whether he should bless him, he just immediately started blessing them because he saw the opportunity.

The problem with Balaam was that he should have done what God wanted him to do in the first place whether or not he benefited from it. Balaam didn't do right because it was right, he did right because he saw the opportunity to be blessed. His opportunistic actions eventually resulted in the loss of his life. If Balaam would have done right at the first, then he wouldn't have had to face Balak's fury and God's judgment.

In Christianity today there seems to be many Christians who serve God only when the opportunity benefits them. When times start getting tough while serving God, these opportunistic Christians jump ship for the next best opportunity. Christian, you ought not to serve God and do right because of what you get out of it. You ought to do right and serve God because it is the right thing to do.

Likewise, I have found there are many preachers who are opportunistic preachers.  Recently I had a conversation with a preacher who asked me why so many preachers continue to follow false doctrine when they know its error. My response is that they do it because they are opportunity seekers. They are looking for the largest crowds to preach to and the influence they can have in society or their circles. This world doesn't need opportunistic preachers. What this world needs is preachers who will stand for right and preach truth even if they lose every bit of influence they have. Truth should be the issue in preaching and not what opportunities may come from compromise.

Are you an opportunistic Christian? Do you find yourself doing right only if you benefit from it? Let me help you answer that question. If you stop doing what you are supposed to do when times are tough, then you are an opportunistic Christian. If you won't do something for Christ because it will inconvenience you, then you are an opportunistic Christian. Christian, you need to get to the point in your life when you do right because it is the right thing to do. Don't let opportunities dictate your decisions, but let right dictate your decisions and actions. If you become an opportunity seeker, then one day you will stop serving God and compromise. 

Let truth be your motivator to do right.  Do right even when you see no benefits coming from it. Doing right always benefits at the end, but you must work through those dry times until those benefits come. The only way you will accomplish this is by focusing on doing right because it's right to do and not on the benefit.  If you will focus on the right, then the benefit will be a bonus and not a requirement to keep doing right.

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God's Glory in Your Life

Numbers 14:10

"But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel."

Throughout the Scriptures you will see the phrase, "the glory of the LORD." When talking of God's glory, the Scriptures are referring to God's presence.  You will find that God's glory appeared for several different reasons, some of those reasons are good and others are not so good. The fact is this, God's glory will appear in your life for different reasons.  If you are a child of God, then you are to show God's glory to the lost world. Let me show you the three exhibitions of God's glory on a person's life.

First, God's glory is an empowering glory.  This is what you should want.  You will find God's glory appeared when Elijah prayed fire down from Heaven.  You will see God's glory appeared to Moses when he was up on Mount Sinai. Peter, James, and John saw God's glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. In each of these instances and others, God's glory appeared to empower His people to do great works for Him.

This empowering glory is needed in every Christian's life. We will never reach a world for Christ without God's empowering glory.  You will never overcome sin without God's empowering glory.  You will never succeed in the ministry God has placed you in without His empowering glory.  It simply comes down to this, everything in the Christian life needs God's empowering glory in order succeed. You can either do God's work on your own, or you can do God's work through His empowering glory.

Second, God's glory is a punishing glory. In the verse above, you will find that God's glory appeared, not to empower His people, but to punish them. The children of Israel often experienced this punishing glory because of their disobedience. God would have much rather appeared in empowering glory to show His great works through them, but He had to show His punishing glory because they disobeyed Him.

It is not a delightful thing to experience God's punishing glory. Christian, God does not want to have to show His glory through your life by punishing you, but when you disobey His commands, He must show His punishing glory.  You may think that you can get away with your sin, but God's punishing glory will appear. You may think that you are exempt from God's punishing glory, but if you continue in sin you will experience it.

Third, God's glory is a departed glory. This is the worst of all three. Samson experienced this departed glory and didn't know it until it was too late.  The Scriptures teach us that Samson woke up and went out to do what he had done before, but "...he wist not that the LORD was departed from him." If you continue to ignore God's punishing glory, then you will sadly experience His departed glory.

In which way is God exhibiting His glory in your life? Oh, how you should desire to avoid the punishing and departed glory, and instead experience God's empowering glory. You will only experience God's empowering glory by living right, doing right and by spending time with God in the Scriptures and prayer. God's empowering glory is to do His works. Don't try to do God's works on your own, but do them with His empowering glory on your life.  Beg God daily to help you live your life so that you can have His empowering glory upon you.

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Understanding the Why

Proverbs 2:8-9

"He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path."

Often people will ask, "Why am I supposed to do...?" Teenagers are very prone to ask this question.  Asking why you do something is really not that bad. I recall several years ago when I preached a sermon that the next day the pastor informed me he had someone upset with my sermon. I asked him what his response to this person was.  He told me that he simply told them he believed what I preached because his pastor told him it was right. I responded back to this dear brother by telling him that was not a good enough answer.  That person needed to know why the Scriptures said to do what I preached, not what some other preacher said.

The verses above show us two ways to help people to understand the why. First, you help people to understand the why by making right and wrong clear. In Proverbs 2:6 it says, "For the LORD giveth wisdom:..." When God gives wisdom He does not leave gray areas. One of the biggest reasons why people don't know why we are supposed to do things is because it is not made clear in the preaching or teaching. Whenever a preacher preaches, he needs to preach in such a way that people are clear on what is right and wrong. People should never walk away from a sermon wondering what the preacher was really trying to get across.  The same can be said about teachers. If you teach, give absolutes and not gray matter. Though absolutes may make people upset, at least they will know what is right and wrong.

Second, you help people to understand the why by perpetuating the old-time ways. You will notice in the verse above it says, "...and preserveth the way of his saints." Preserving the way of the saints is simply preserving the old-time ways.  Christian, one of the greatest needs today is for people to stop looking for a new way to do things and start perpetuating the old-time ways. When we try to start new ways, it creates confusion in Christians regarding which way is right.  We don't need new ways. What we need to do is simply continue to do what the saints before us did.

Simply put, doing right and preserving right will lead people to understanding why we do what we do.  This is so because when they see the end of each path, then they will understand the result of that path. When you see how something works and its results, then you will understand why it is important to do things a certain way.

Be careful about falling trap to this present day philosophy of modernism. Make everything you do either right or wrong. As you do the right, do it the way the saints of old did it.  By doing this you will help all those who follow you to understand the whys of what we do.

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In Our Own Sight

Numbers 13:33

"And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."

The ten spies who went to spy out the land of Canaan made the same mistake that many Christians make.  You will notice in the verse above that when the ten spies talked about the giants of the land they said, "...and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." The mistake they made was they compared the giants to themselves and not to the God Who would help them to overcome those giants. The result of these men looking through their own sight was that they did not follow God's command and caused many other people to disobey God.

Whether or not you overcome your obstacles and trials in life is determined by whose eyes you look through. Too many Christians look at their problems through their own eyes only to cause their problems to get bigger.  Most of the time when we look at the problems we face through our own eyes we make the problems bigger than what they really are.  

Christian, it doesn't matter how big your problem is in your sight, the only thing that matters is how big your problem is compared to God. When you compare your financial problems to God, you will realize that your financial problems are not that big. When you compare your physical ailments to God, you will realize that they are not that big.  When you compare your personality conflicts to God, you will realize that your problems are not that big.  Whatever your problem may be, when you compare them to God, you will realize that they are not that big.

In order to look at your problems through the eyes of God you need to remember Luke 1:37 when it says, "For with God nothing shall be impossible." I promise you, God is not concerned with "how big" your problems may be. To Him your problems are very small. Don't get me wrong, God is concerned with your feelings, but He is not worked up over how hard it may be to overcome your problems.  Too many times we get worked up over the size of the problems when God is very capable of helping you to overcome your problems.

Whatever your problems are that you face today, stop looking at them through your eyes. Looking through your eyes at your problems will make them worse. Look at your problems through the eyes of God and you will see that they are simply opportunities in your life for God to work through you.  Your problems are either obstacles or opportunities depending upon whose eyes you look through.  If you look through your own eyes they are obstacles. If you'll look through God's eyes, they will be opportunities to do something greater for Him.

Ask God today to help you to look at your problems through His eyes.  By doing so you will find that your stress level will be lowered which will help you to live a more joyful life.

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The Burden of Serving

Numbers 4:49

"According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses."

In the verse above, you will find an interesting statement about serving God.  It says, "...every one according to his service, and according to his burden..." God made it clear in this chapter that He gave each person a burden to carry. God did not try to cover up the fact that serving Him would take work, but the results of serving God are great. However, you must realize that if you are going to serve God, their will be a burden in doing so.  Let me give you several thoughts about the burden of serving.

First, every way of life has a burden. Don't get this mentality that serving God is the only life that can be burdensome. Christian, you must realize that the world's way of life is burdensome as well. They may not advertise how burdensome their way is, but God tells us in the Scriptures that both the world's way of life and the Christian's way of life can be burdensome.  The difference between the two is that God's burden is light for He will help you carry your load.

Second, the burden of serving will grow you as a Christian.  You will never grow without serving.  Yes, their may be a burden you must carry to serve the LORD, but you will never grow without that burden. A person trying to build muscles doesn't lift a barbell without weights. No, he adds weight to the barbell so he can grow his muscles.  Likewise, you must carry the burden of serving if you are going to grow as a Christian.

Third, everyone's limit of what they can carry is different. One of the mistakes many Christians make is they try to do what someone else has done or is doing only to overburden themselves. Just because someone can carry a heavier load than you does not make them a better Christian, God made you with your limit, so carry the amount of weight in serving God as you are capable.

Fourth, everyone has a burden unique to them. God made you to serve Him in a unique area. That means that your burden is unique to you.  Only you can best carry your burden of serving.  If someone else tried to carry what you carry, then they would fail in carrying as well as you can for you are the only one who can carry your burden the best.  This is why it is important for you not to quit and to be in your place of service, because you are the best person to carry the burden in the place of service for which God made you.

Finally, know the limit of what you can carry. Christian, every person has a limit of what they can do in the LORD's work.  Don't continue to take on duties and overload yourself to the point that you become bitter at God and the church. Learn to say, "No" when you are at your limit. I would rather you serve God the rest of your life with the load that you carry now than to take on a bigger load and quit serving God. Don't let the idea that you don't want to let your pastor down cause you to take on more than you can carry. Know your limit and don't take on more than you can carry.

If you are going to grow, then you need to find a place of service in the LORD's work. However, be careful about taking on more than your limit will allow you. You don't want to spiritually collapse because you took on more than you could carry.  Remember, your load will increase in time, so slowly take on duties of service to the proportion of which you are capable.

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Creating Passion

Exodus 36:2

"And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:"

One of the most important ingredients for anyone to excel in any area is passion.  It seems as if one of the missing ingredients in Christianity today is passion.  When you go to the average church, you see leadership and people simply going through the motions to do what they "have to" get done.  Without passion, whatever you do with flounder.

In the verse above, you see two men who had a passion about what they were doing for God.  Not only do you see that these men had passion, but you also learn how they got their passion.  Their passion caused God to use them in a greater way than He used anyone else with their talent and knowledge.  Let me show you what it takes to create passion by learning from these two men.

First, it takes wisdom.  Notice that it says in the verse above, "...in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom..." These men weren't blindly doing their work, but God knew the importance of them having the wisdom to do His work. People will never get passion if they don't have the wisdom to know what to do.  It is important that we teach and train people what to do in the Christian life.  Without a knowledge of what to do, you will create is frustration. When teaching people what to do, make it clear so there is no misunderstanding.

Second, it takes a know how. The Scriptures say in verse 1, "...in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary,..." Notice that God gave them wisdom first, and then He gave them the know how.  In other words, God not only told them what to do, but He also told them why they were to do it.  People need to know why they are to do certain things.  Without the knowledge of why being answered, then you will create a people who will quit when difficulties come.  People need to know the why as much as they need to know the what.  Be sure to ground people in doctrine, but tell them why they must do it.

Third, in verse 1, you notice that God gave them understanding as well. This is application.  In other words, once a person knows what to do, and why to do it, then they need to know how to apply what to do in every area.  Application is important to creating passion.  When someone knows how to apply the what of Christianity to their life, then that is when excitement begins to stir in their heart. The reason being is because purpose for their life becomes reality.

Last, passion is a result of wisdom, know how and application.  Once these two men had these three elements, then their hearts were stirred.  You will not create passion in people until you accomplish all three of these areas in their life. Once passion comes, then you will see people who become unstoppable in the LORD's work.

Do you have a lack of passion, or do you see a lack of passion in those whom you lead?  Then be sure to get the wisdom and know how, then apply these to life, and you will find passion will be the result.  Oh how we need some people who are passionate about the LORD's work. Be sure in every thing you do for Christ that you do what it takes to create passion, so that not only we, but also everyone who follows us, will have a passion for Christ.

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Provide a Place of Mercy

Exodus 25:17

"And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof."

The mercy seat is a very important place for the child of God. It is the place where God sprinkled His blood for the atonement of our sins.  It is the mercy seat that allows a person to establish a relationship with God. Without the mercy seat, every person would be destined to Hell. God knew that man would need a place to have their sins atoned so that they could establish a relationship with God.

Just like God provided a mercy seat for every person, I believe that you should provide a mercy seat for people.  What I mean by this is that you must establish a place of mercy in your heart for others when they wrong you.  Let's be realistic, people are going to hurt you and wrong you.  Because people are going to wrong you, you need to have a place of mercy in your heart so that you can continue to have a good relationship with others.

Because God built a mercy seat, that means He expected mankind to wrong Him. Just like God expected mankind to wrong Him, you need to expect that every person will wrong you or hurt you at some time in your relationship.  If you are unrealistic about your relationships with others, then you will never overcome the hurts of people.  For instance, you need to expect that your spouse will hurt you at some time in your marriage.  You need to expect that your child will hurt you at some time in your life.  You need to expect that your parents will hurt you at some time.  You need to expect that your siblings will do something to hurt you.  You need to expect that your pastor or a fellow Christian will hurt you at some time. It is unrealistic to expect people to never hurt you.  The reason it is unrealistic is because people are sinners, and sinners will do wrong.

Furthermore, because you know that people will do wrong, then you need to have mercy on them so you can have a good relationship with them.  God provided the mercy seat so that He could have mercy on us when we do wrong, and you need to be merciful to people when they do wrong.  Stop blowing up and ruining every relationship because someone hurt you.  Realize you need to have a place of mercy in your heart for people when they wrong you.  If you expect people to wrong you and you give them a chance for mercy, then you can keep from destroying others and relationships.

Without a place of mercy in your heart for people, then you will become suspicious and judgmental towards everyone.  Life is too short not to practice mercy towards those who do wrong.  Always have a place of mercy in your heart so that you can keep good relationships with others.