Articles Meet Jamie! Jamie Slocum Music-- From the Heart of God! Faye Hanshew When the Church Worships Together! Dr. Bill Hanshew Speaking, Teaching, and Admonishing Through Songs Dr. Dan L. Corse Music Ministry is Much More than Singing or Playing an Instrument Pastor Kim Miller Understanding the Place of Music in the Church Leon Goswieski AIM: The Universal Language Kathy Weddle The Inventor of Music Evangelist/Teacher Rick McKnight Sending Waves of Worship to God Rev Melissa Shepherd The Seed Church Bishop Frank Dupree
Teen Trooper Christians and Music
Briana Bishop
Books Wholeheartedly! Genice Fulton The Fig Tree Has Sprouted, Awake! Rise & Glow, and Christianity Mis-Sold Leon Gosiewski Spread a Little Love, God’s Love Quotes of Inspiration from the Heart of God Dr. Bill Hanshew Treasures of the Messiah Amos Long Where Precious Gems Hide Katie-Anne Martin Matthew 4:4 Rick McKnight Equipped! How to Apply God’s Word Kim Miller The Crocked Legged Foal Danielle Norris The Power of Grace Dr. Larry Ollison Decisions, Decisions, and more Decisions Nick Schneider What About Job? Tom Tompkins Advertisements: Save & Serve for Christ Ministries – Pakistan Pastor Samuel Ahsan Fountain of Life Pastor Enock Asulwisye TDL Graphic Design Ted Dones Pacific Rebuilders Mike & Genice Fulton House of God Patras Ghani Friends of Joy for You Foundation Boota Masih Inderyass Jesus for All Generations (JAG) Pastor Kumar Raja Komannappali Photography by ROMA Roma Long Open Church Pastor Shahid Masih Rachel McCane Photography Rachel McCane The Flying Dragons Taekwondo & Mixed Arts Bart Nelson Ophir Ministries International Apostle Ophir, Pastor Jonathan Naik, and Pastor Jaes Jaradish Power Ministries Pastor Joseph Usala Keepsake Photography Miranda Ward
MEET JAMIE Jamie Slocum is no stranger to the Nashville landscape. Having moved to Nashville in the '90s, Jamie has steadily honed his talents and skills all the while learning that real success was found in his deeper dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ. With 11 weeks at number one on radio and nominated for song of the year at the 2009 Dove Awards, Dependence has been a top seller since arriving in stores in April 2009. The latest single and video, "Fragile", written on the heels of Dependence, also deals with the issue of trusting God in an uncertain world. How we must delight in adversity knowing that our faith is being tested. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9: "(8) We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; (9) persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." "Dependence is a special song to me. It really breaks down who I am inside. Very simply the life I have always wanted is a life where the Prince of Peace knows my name. He is where my freedom starts. Jesus is where I go every day in bad and good weather. He is where I find my rest. God has seen it all before. What can this world do to me if He is with us? Romans 8:31, 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' God brings me such energy and joy! I look forward to sharing how He helps me in my life. Every night in concert the energy and smile concert goers see is from a kid who once heard about Jesus. I could not turn away from Him. In the next couple of years, I hope to do as many concerts that highlight how God
is our Champion. He is by our side. I am looking forward to seeing how God will use this music to bring Himself glory." Jamie's newest song, and music video, from the Dependence Deluxe Edition CD 2011, "Just Another Mountain", already a hit on radio, deals with the temporary nature of human life. Psalm 39:4-5: "Show me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. (5) You have made my days a mere hand breadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure." This year, Jamie will be introducing his new song, “Safe.” This song will be released in April, 2016 along with other songs on this album, such as, “You are God.” This song speaks of his glorious, powerful, and that He is the ONE, JESUS!
Music窶認rom the Heart of God!
by: Faye G. Hanshew
As a girl of 9, I can remember going to a little storefront church in a small town that is now part of the Modesto Metropolitan Statistical Area. Riverbank was originally founded as a ferry crossing, and was established with the coming of the Santa Fe Railroad. People would catch the train there and travel from coast to coast. The little church, which was called Revival Center next to a trailer park. Some people would come and go as they moved on to another town. But one thing for sure, God dwelled in the people who attended that church. I can remember one time that my sister fell under the power of God and there was an oil stain on the floor, from her body when she got up and it that lasted for a long time. Many of us who were young in the Lord, God used this just to let us know His power and to let us know that He really was there among us! We had several older Christians in the church who loved God and showed their love to us young children all the time. There was a very special older lady, probably about the age of 90, who had a tambourine since she was a child. She decided to give it to me. I still have that tambourine about 50+ years later! Our pastor always
loved to get the children involved in church any way he could. He would have the children come up and pray in every service and the elders would take the time to pray for us. At one time, our church did not have a piano player. Two of us junior girls, my very best friend, Sandy, and I would play for the service. We took turns. We each had our own styles of playing and the grown-ups were so patient with us. At another church, there was a piano player there, but she did not attend every service. So I was elected to play when she was not there. She decided to have me play even when she was there, since I was still very young, and needed some coaching. She would come up and sit by me and make me play. It made me nervous, but I continued, and later before I was married, played the piano for the Gospel Crusaders Singing Group in California. We traveled all over the state. We purchased a grease-filled, dirty, ugly old bus. Well, there were 17 of us! We cleaned and cleaned that bus, I made curtains to divide areas for each family to sleep. There were four husbands and wives, 2 singles, and 7 kids from the families. What a special time in my life. We met other groups, everyone (mostly) were very receptive
to us and would usually have a dinner after church for us. This was fun for me because we got to get acquainted with the other young people. After leaving the Gospel Crusaders, I traveled with an Evangelist and his wife and children. But being raised in church all my life with Pastors as parents, I knew what ministerial etiquette, integrity, and ethics should be like. Because I could see some areas that were not lining up with what “I� thought they should be, so I left the group and returned to my parent’s home. It was then, 43 years ago, that I met my husband and married him on January 6, 1973. It is not funny, but just shows how much God really hears us, but when I prayed for a husband, I ask VERY SPECIFICALLY for a preacher (although he only preached for 5 minutes at that
time, he was still a preacher), a singer, a guitar player (because I played the piano), and someone who was good looking! In my opinion, God gave me all of those. He can play the guitar like Chet Atkins and I used to “try” and play the piano like Floyd Cramer. After we were married, we played and sang all the time. People seemed to love to hear us sing those Country-Gospel songs! But that is not really what my husband liked. You see, when we met, I was totally 100% Country, but he was totally 100% Rock-N-Roll! Now, just how was God going to handle that? Well, we met in the middle and started doing Contemporary songs. Bill would introduce me and say, “We are like Donnie and Marie, She’s a little bit Country, and I’m a little bit Rock-N-Roll!” One thing about music and that is it is an open door to your soul! You can be down, discouraged, and feel like you have lost your best friend and you start listening to music, and all of a sudden you start to tap your toes, nod your head, maybe even hum or sing with it… Before you know it, you are feeling much better. Music brings a smile to your face. But the “real” reason for music is to help prepare you to listen to God. When you
listen to God, it involves hearing God’s Word AND the Holy Spirit. These two work together in the mind and the heart of the believer. Listening to God, should be doing more than just listening. You should be hearing what it is God is trying to say to you. This takes spiritual preparation on your part. In order to listen to God, we must be prepared to hear, which is a spiritual matter. When we sit down with our Bibles, either alone or corporately with the congregation, we should never just “go through the motions” of any religious upbringing. This is what I always called “playing church.” When we stand, clap, nod our head all physically, but our heart is not in it. We are listening, but not really hearing what God has for us. But have you noticed, if you have a good worship service before the Word is given, how much more it penetrates our heart? How much easier it is to tell someone what the message was about? And how much easier it is for God to even get the message to us that we still have areas in our life that He wants to work on. I came across a young man, Jamie Slocum, on Facebook. I listened to a few songs and told my husband, I believe we are supposed to ask
Pastor Jimmie if we can bring him here. We got to talking, and it turns out that some already knew who he was. I love it when a plan comes together! Then you know it really is God! As I began to research and see just “who” this singer was, I came across his bio. In that, he says, “I look forward to sharing how He helps me in my life. Every night in concert the energy and smile concert goers see is from a kid who once heard about Jesus. I could not turn away from Him. In the next couple of years, I hope to do many concerts that highlight how God is our Champion. He is by our side. I am looking forward to seeing how God will use this music to bring Himself glory." Awesome, I thought as I smiled! Another person who has loved God from childhood and still growing in Him! I look forward to meeting Jamie and hearing just all God has done for him!
Remember something.. When God calls you to do something, whether singing,
song-writing, preaching, teaching, cleaning the bathrooms, working in the nursery, or the pastor of a church, one job is no more important than the next.
Whatever God gives you to do, do it with all of your heart and you will be doing it just for God. Because you know what? That is exactly who you are doing it for! Be Blessed!
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge:
“God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (MSG)
Click on the picture below to hear Jamie sing, “Jesus, Take my Hand.”
WHEN THE CHURCH WORSHIPS TOGETHER!
by: Dr. Bill Hanshew
2 Chronicles 5:13-14 says, “13 indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good. For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.” I was raised in and around the days of great Pentecostal revivals. In the 1960’s and 70’s, we experienced powerful moves of God, with great manifestations of the Shekinah glory of God. Today it seems that many have forgotten about true worship, about entertaining His presence with our praise, or even waiting in His glory as we worship. It is absolutely scriptural and necessary that we, the church both as the individual and the corporate body of Christ give ourselves to God in our worship. We must take time for Him and give an opportunity for God’s presence to manifest in a greater dimension than what we’ve ever known.
The body of Christ (the church) is identified both as the individual and the corporate body of Christ. And although God’s presence dwells within us, there are times as we worship when the Holy Spirit manifests Himself in a greater way or a greater dimension than we are used to. God’s house of worship (individually and corporately) should be filled with continuous manifestations of His glory. Yet in this day and time, we attend a house of worship and yet at the same time, we are a house of worship. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Therefore, our body and spirit were created to worship God. And we express our worship by singing, with dancing and in lifting holy hands to exalt His name. In the Old Testament, when the worshippers came together, the glory of God was ushered in because of their purity of heart and their worship. Believers today
desires the glory of God to come down or to manifest, but many are not interested in any artificial glory. When there is no glory manifesting in the church, leaders will often attempt to improvise and try to create programs or gadgets that keep folks entertained with something to replace God’s glory. Even at creation, the first thing God did was clothe man in His glory. Genesis 2:25 says, “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” Adam and his wife were naked physically, yet they were clothed supernaturally with “the glory of God.” But when they sinned, Genesis 3:7 says, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” The covering of God’s glory was
lifted, so they made for themselves, imitation or artificial coverings because their supernatural covering or glory was removed. In 2 Chronicles 5:11 it says, “And it came to pass when the priests came out of the Most Holy Place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without keeping to their divisions).” There is something to be said about faithful church attendance, especially when the minister shows up…right? Yet the minister cannot do corporate worship alone. Verses 12-13 says, “12and the Levites who were the singers {the praise & worship team}, all those of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, stood at the east end of the altar, clothed in white linen, having cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets—13indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one {which speaks of unity}, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that
the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud,” It is ok for the music or the worship to be heard. It is absolutely necessary for the singers to be in their place as well as the musicians to be tuned up, prayed up, in unity and ready to worship as they make some noise up in His house. Again, we are the house or temple of the Lord. But the place we meet at each week is also the corporate meeting place or house of the Lord. Then the church should sing and declare, “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.” In the New Covenant, the glory of God lives inside each individual believer. And Jesus has washed us clean by His own blood so that we can offer up praise and worship with a pure heart. Hebrews 13:15 says, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” God’s people should worship Him with everything that is within them, and they should bless the Lord through praise & worship, using every available resource God has given them. The church today (individually and corporately) cannot survive without God’s Shekinah glory manifesting among us
on a regular basis. We need greater visitations from the presence of the Lord. Adam & Eve had regular visitations from God. Genesis 3:8 says, “And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” They knew the sound of God approaching for a daily visit with His creation. Yet they purposely “hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God.” It is time to once again, entertain the glory of God with our worship and not just rush to get it done. This is one reason why the church (individually) must worship together (corporately) in God’s presence. It is because of His Shekinah glory manifesting in our worship, in our preaching and in our fellowship with Him that causes the church to be the church today. 2 Chronicles 5:14 says that as they worshipped, “…the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.” …Think about it!
by: Dr. Dan L. Corse
Ephesians 5:18-19 (NKJ) – 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Colossians 3:16 (NKJ) – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Generally, when we speak of Christian songs our focus is on the role that they play in praise and worship. Yet, there are other functions that they can play, some of which are seldom if ever considered. Paul, in his letters to the Ephesians and Colossians, identifies some of those functions. The expanded perspective that he identified includes our using psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to speak, to teach and admonish fellow believers. The successful use of music in this expanded manner involving more than just song selection. Though song selection is certainly part of the process, effectiveness related to this expanded role of music also requires other
aspects of preparation. Paul included a couple of prerequisites necessary to that preparation. Writing to the Ephesians, he first warned against drunkenness, which he noted as dissipation, representative of incorrigibleness and a dissolute life. He then offered the correct alternative or prerequisite, that of being filled with the Spirit. Writing to those in Colosse, he identified the second prerequisite, “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” Ultimately, our effectiveness related to this expanded use of music is dependent upon maintaining the influence of the Holy Spirit and God’s word in our lives. Having identified the two prerequisites, we shall now expand our consideration of them. The first prerequisite, that of being filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks of our continually experiencing the Holy Spirit’s presence in a manner that assures we are consistently stimulated, empowered and controlled by Him. The second prerequisite, letting the word of Christ dwell in us richly, denotes our maintaining the presence of God’s word in our lives so that it consistently influences us, providing us with godly
insight, wisdom.
direction
and
Understanding that our preparation must include the two prerequisites and what they entail, let us now focus on song selection. For the nature of the songs that we choose is integral to our success. Appropriate song selection also requires our understanding what Paul specifically referred to when he spoke of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Psalms, whether those found in the Bible or written by more recent psalmists, are sacred songs. Hymns, regardless of when they were penned, are songs of praise to God. Spiritual songs are those that were inspired by and reflect the character of the Holy Spirit. Thus, our successfully speaking to, teaching and admonishing believers via songs requires that those we choose are sacred in nature, bring praise to God and are inspired by and reflect the character of the Holy Spirit. Yet there is still more to consider associated with the nature of the songs we choose. The lyrics of the songs we select are also of the utmost importance. Unscriptural or unedifying lyrics, though they may captivate us emotionally, will not produce healthy spiritual
growth. Related to speaking via songs, we must remember that there is death and life in the power of our tongues (Prov.18:21). Our speaking via songs should instill spiritual life in other believers, never death. Teaching via songs requires that the songs we choose accurately unveil the truth about God, truth personified in Christ and His word, the Bible. Admonishing via songs speaks of encouraging believers to participate in a healthy walk with Christ and of warning them about dangers and distractions to such a walk. Clearly, the songs we choose to speak,
teach and admonish with must contain scripturally accurate and edifying lyrics, lyrics that provide words of life, truth (related to God’s word and His nature), encouragement and appropriate warnings to believers. Choosing to expand the manner in which we use songs may seem a formidable challenge, as we so often speak of music only in terms of praise and worship. However, the truth is that many local bodies and individuals to some degree already embrace this expanded perspective, even if
they are unaware of their doing so. Meanwhile, broadening our understanding of speaking, teaching and admonishing through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs should increase the probability and success of our transitioning to an expanded view. Hopefully too it will expand the focus of those of us who tend to view music mainly as entertainment to a broader perspective, one of more fully understanding its signi .ficance in terms of bringing edification and producing healthy growth in the body of Christ.
PLEASE HELP FAITH UNLIMITED JAMIE SLOCUM
http://www.billhanshewmini stries.org/MAKE-ADONATION.html THANK YOU VERY MUCH! FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL AND LEAVE A MESSAGE IF I AM NOT AVAILABLE:
By: Pastor Kim Miller
I'm not a singer or songwriter, but I have been blessed to have been friends with Janny Grein. Many of you have heard of her, and may have even met her. She is now in Heaven, but throughout the years I've learned some things from her. Those things have been very helpful to me, now that I'm a new pastor. She wrote a book years ago, titled "Called, Appointed, Anointed." I highly recommend it for all pastors to read, those who are in music ministry in churches, and those of you who feel like you are called to the ministry of a psalmist. A lot of pastors these days, choose their worship teams based only upon talent and what is popular. Anybody who can sing or play an instrument can perform a concert. Many church worship services now contain smoke and special effects. They look and sound very cool, but they are not providing a welcoming atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to change lives. They are just appealing to people's emotions and flesh. Talent is not enough. Our worship teams should consist of people who live holy lives, who know how to be led by the Holy Spirit, and how to flow in the anointing. Pastors, I urge you; don't just choose people because they can play an instrument or sing! How the worship team lives their lives will affect what happens in your worship time during church. Choose people that are spiritually mature, who are skilled in applying the word of God and flowing in the anointing. It is easy for people to get filled with pride because they are talented. It is important to know that those in your worship team are doers of God's word, and that they spend time in worship, prayer, and God's word daily. 2 Chronicles 5:11-14 talks about when the trumpeters and singers were in one accord and the glory of the Lord filled the place where they were. I encourage you to read these verses. It also says how they separated themselves from everything that defiled. Our churches should have a worship team who walks in love. There should not be any strife or division among them. They should be people who choose daily to not be conformed to this world. This is what is needed in our worship teams, if we truly want to allow the Holy Spirit free rein in our church services. Some pastors are satisfied with just having large crowds and appealing to people's flesh and emotions. I want to touch as many people as I can through our ministry, New Creation Family Church/ Gary & Kim Miller Ministries. To us, large crowds aren't enough! We desire to continue to see people’s lives changed in every church service. We aren't satisfied with just a gathering of people leaving the same way that they came. We see from God's word, the standards set for music ministers. As pastors, when we base our standards on God's Word, we can expect powerful results, with many lives changed!
Kim Miller, with Bill and Janny Grein
by: Leon Gosiewski
David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets.’ (1 Chronicles 13: 8) Scientists have discovered something that the Bible has long-since known, God created us to respond to music. Put another way and using a modern idiom, He has ‘hard-wired’ our brain to react in different ways to different rhythms and tones of music and to sing, praise and worship. Research has shown that both the left (language and logic) and right (spatial and creative) hemispheres of our brain are actively stimulated by music. In other words, music has an all-inclusive quality. Mothers with crying babies naturally settle them with soft singing and those with brain damage, the unconscious, those with mental disorders, our moods, and our well-being are all affected positively or negatively by music. Psychologists have even discovered that music has a conscious and unconscious effect on our emotional responses and so music in restaurants and shops can
affect what we buy and how much we spend. In the United Kingdom police in the NorthEast even use classical music in the underground (metro system) to calm the ambience and pan-pipes induce calm and stillness. In my experience as a physical educationalist and sports psychology music is specifically used to keep time and pace in fitness exercise, rhythmic accompaniment helps to enhances dance and gymnastic skills and in exercise recovery soft music helps to calm breathing and reduce tension and stress. At, what I believe is its highest level music plays a significant part in how we connect in praise and worship to God. The Chronicler aptly describes what I am trying to convey in the Scripture verse that heads this article, ‘David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might’ (1 Chronicles 13: 8). I love the scene painted for us here, all these Hebrew worshippers celebrating before God with all their might and they were doing it through music and song. God is their central focus and reason to celebrate with all their might. It is to God that they are giving their one-hundred percent
devotion. It is to Him that these Israelites direct their worship and it is to God whom we should worship in our homes and Churches ‘with all’ our might. There are certain hymns and spiritual songs that I cannot sing; they leave me in tears, often without me being able to explain exactly how or why. I am simply left in awe before the throne. For example, the hymn ‘How great thou art’. Even as I began to write, ‘Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee, how great thou art!’ my eyes filled with tears as I move from the words of my mouth to the words of my soul singing. There is a level of worshiping God that brings us so close to Him that we cannot continue to sing, we are humbly bowed before God, tears of joyful awe come to our eyes as we realize the place of holiness in which we stand. This is the point where worship causes us to lose all thoughts and feelings of self-esteem and in a spirit of truth express our love and adoration for and toward God. This is the point, as Jesus said all true worshippers reach: ‘a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in
the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth’ (John 4: 23, 24). Worship is about concentrated focus that is purely on God. It is about humbly losing ourselves and celebrating God with all our spiritual might. It is about our surrendered attitude of heart and reaching a point in spirit and truth. Worship is at its highest point when we are walking in holiness and in harmony with the Holy Spirit that is why we read, ‘worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!’ (Psalm 96: 9). Worship is a step beyond praise. Praise is more to do with expressing our feelings, giving thanks, raising hands and joyfully communicating what God has done. Many years ago whilst involved in the praise and worship section of our church service we had moved from praise into a precious time of
worship. It was at this point when we experienced something I have never seen since; the gentleness, holiness and peace of the Holy Spirit descending upon us. It is this experience that made me realize how easy it is to lose His presence through failing to allow Him to freely move or through insensitivity toward Him. Worshipping in spirit and truth is honoring to God and powerful. For these reasons it saddens me that so many leading these times in our churches do not appreciate what an awesome responsibility is actually placed upon their shoulders. It saddens me that the Church has lost its responsibility to appoint spirit-filled leaders. And it saddens me that the church has moved into attracting and pleasing worldly demands. In today’s church I have often found myself in tears or spiritually angered by the worldly performance of church groups in what we call praise and worship. The music and songs have more to do with entertainment and
focus on the group than leading into the holy presence of God. The gathered congregation can hardly follow and involve themselves in these contemporary songs with questionable lyrics. Perhaps the highest level of disrespect toward God are those involved in leading the singing in churches who do not weekly meet, spend time in prayer and practice. We desperately need transformation in our Churches and Christian walk. Part of the way to do this is succinctly outlined by Paul who said, ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.’ (Colossians 3: 16 see also Ephesians 5: 15 – 20). Let’s reverently put music, praise and worship back into our churches as it should be and ‘Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things’ (Psalm. 98:1).
THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
by: Kathy Weddle
Music is the universal language. It soothes a troubled soul, builds excitement, sings a baby to sleep. It doesn’t need words, and if there are words, they don’t have to be in our language, because the music itself is healing. I was born with a musical talent. I could have been born able to draw, or make intricate quilts. I could have had the gift to weave amazing adventures on the written page, but I was born with an ability to play. Piano. Flute. Organ. Other things here and there. I watched 3 and 4 hour operas at the age of 3. Seriously. (I hate opera now!) I was blessed to be raised by a mother and father who were willing to make the financial and time sacrifices to develop that talent. They also understood I needed to be a kid, so when my teachers wanted several hours of practice from me a day, Mom and Dad, restricted that time so I had time for other important stuff, like softball. Roller skating. Life. But that’s a story for another day. You could put any piece of music in front of me and I’d play it right off. I was raised classically. Love classical music. I ended up at the Conservatory of Music at UMKC at the age of 14. That meant recitals. I was terrified of recitals. Why? Because this girl, who could “sight-read” anything at first glance, couldn’t memorize a thing, and to both memorize it AND play it perfectly was simply unthinkable, and to do any less was unimaginable. I began to hate what I’d loved my whole life. By now I was interested in a boy. That’s another story, too. Life got complicated and music fell by the wayside. Did you notice everything I’ve said about music was centered around me? After I finally begin to settle into adulthood, I got involved playing for the church choir. Our worship leader/choir director was also our worship pianist. Leading worship from the piano was one thing; leading a choir when you can’t wave your hands….well…it can be done, but he decided I could accompany. That’s when things began to shift. You see, when you
are an accompanist, you are carrying other musicians, singing musicians, as they take the audience on a journey. I discovered that was much nicer than sweating out recitals and soloing. Things went along pretty well for a time, then one Sunday our beloved Worship Leader/Choir Director/Pianist announced he was returning to his “home” church to prepare for the mission field and this was his last Sunday. Just like that. I panicked; that was a typical Charismatic church, and typical Charismatic churches back in the day didn’t use printed music. Everything was by ear and very free flowing because of the freedom of the Holy Spirit. You might have a list you planned to sing, only to have the Pastor or Worship Leader change in midstream. I asked him “How are we going to worship without a piano player?” To me, at age 20, this was catastrophic. Without missing a beat, he said “It’s all right, God will teach you how”. Remember, this was his last Sunday. I could not memorize; could not play by ear. Furthermore, because of the kind of training I’d had, if you placed printed music in front of me, that’s exactly what I’d play. No playing in the Spirit, no sir. All week I struggled with this. The man who actually took the leading over gave me a list, and I got some chords written down on the songs. I tried to practice, but there were NO NOTES. By Sunday morning, I was frantic. You notice it’s still
about me? Sunday morning, I entered the church building and went straight into a bathroom stall; my prayer closet, so to speak. God will even meet you there, as I would soon find out. “God, Lord, FATHER”, I prayed, I can’t do this! I want to, but I can’t (the “I” is still there). Please help! There it came. That wonderful peace that passes understanding. Right there in the bathroom, 5 minutes before time for church to start. I’ve been reading about The Manifest Presence, and that day, in my little makeshift prayer closet, I felt totally overshadowed by the One Who created music, and for what? To worship and communicate with Him! That’s what music is for! Loving our Savior with our voices, even joyful noises! Oh the joy and adoration that filled that little cubicle was thick and rich beyond my comprehension. I’d received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and tongues at the age of 13, but this…..this was incredible! “I” no longer existed. He had taken me over. The worship service began, and just liked it had been happening that way for years, the piano flowed beneath my fingers as the Holy Spirit “gave
utterance”. He taught me to play rght then and there, note for note; chord for chord. To this day, every time I sit down, the Holy Spirit teaches me. Guides me. I’ve been privileged to be part of some amazing moves of the Spirit in church. When the Body sings in the Spirit, it always feels like we’ve been transported to the Throne room in Heaven. Angels gather when God’s saints praise Him; I’ve seen them. They join with us in worship. It is the most exquisite experience. No wonder satan, former worship leader in Heaven, has done everything he can to destroy music. Our special expression to the Father and each other, our universal language. He’s done everything he can to squelch what God created as a way to express ourselves to Him. Music is not the whole of worship. Worship to the Father is so much more than music. But worship is the whole of music; at least, it’s original intent. On Sundays in church, sing! Sing unto the Lord a new song! Make a joyful noise! And on every other day of the week, repeat that process! Enjoy this wonderful “language” God has given to the fullest! Selah!
THE INVENTOR OF MUSIC
by: Evangelist/Teacher Rick McKnight
God is the great "inventor" of a thing called MUSIC! Heaven will be filled with it! David said to praise Him on the psaltry and the Harp. Also to praise Him on the LOUD Cymbals and the Drums! Satan himself before the fall had musical instruments built into himself. He was the leader of the choir in heaven! He definitely knows the power of music, and he still uses that knowledge today in many "songs" or rap music for the destruction of unsuspecting people. That is one reason you should be careful about what kind of music you and you children are listening to! We find music playing a great part in the Bible of peoples lives! Great battles were won while music was being played, and sung! One of the greatest examples is found in 2 Chronicles 20! 1 It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. Then there were 3 armies coming against Israel 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek
the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. Jehosaphat prayed reminding God of His promises of deliverance 12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. They got a prophecy from a prophet in their midst! 15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. The Prophet gives them the battle plan! 20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye
inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed (Music) singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. 24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped. How about Paul and Silas in the deepest prison with backs bleeding and hands and feet
in stocks at the midnight hour! The bible says in Acts 16 They prayed.......and SANG PRAISES UNTO GOD! And somebody said "Daddy sang Bass!" LOL The jail was shaken, and every ones bands were loosed! Music of any kind has a profound effect on the human being! It can comfort, make you feel loved, excite, even make you angry, remind you of good times and bad. Music has played a great part in my own life. When I was 8 a friend asked "What are you going to be
Rick when you grow up?" I said "I am going to be a SINGER! And I am! I have sang in almost every State in the Union, Australia, Canada, Trinidad, Tobago. Singing first in Night Clubs in California, then singing for the Lord after I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior! I still love music of most kinds! A Pastor friend of mine once said "Rick.....people will remember your songs about Jesus....long after they have forgotten my sermons"! I believe the songs are short sermons to people!
Christians and Music
by: Briana Bishop
Music is very popular in today’s society. It comes in many different forms, like pop, country, rap, R&B, etc. Some songs may give off a dark vibe, while other songs may give off a positive vibe. Music that is most popular today sounds very catchy, but have some questionable content. Music was once a beautiful thing that was created by God for worship, but it’s been perverted by satan to be evil and to glorify him. For example, these lyrics include profanity, drugs, promiscuity, experimenting with sexuality, etc. To some, they see these lyrics as nothing harmful. They feel that it’s just a song, but is that all it really is? Is it okay for Christians to be listening to such music? The NLV of Romans 12:2 says,” Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” What does it say about a Christian when your friends see you listening to such music? When you are listening to music with bad content, you are not setting a good example. You are acting just like those who do not know Jesus. If these people can’t see any difference or any change in you, why would they want to become a Christian? They won’t be able to see the new creature that you have become in Jesus. They will not be able to see how God turned your life around for the good because you are acting like those whose lives have not been touched by Jesus. They have no reason to accept Jesus because they do not see how He can change lives. This is because it looks like your life has not been touched. By acting like the world, you are not giving those around you a fair chance to accept Jesus. This is because you are not showing them a positive change in your life, so why would anyone want to accept Jesus as
their Savior if they believe there will be no change in their life? The NLV of Philippians 4:8 says,” And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Right in this Scripture, you can see what the Bible tells us to be thinking about. If you are listening to music that has lyrics such as those that I was talking about earlier, you are not thinking on those things. Anytime you are listening to a song, you should be asking yourself, are these lyrics pure, right, honorable, true, admirable, and lovely? Are these lyrics going to edify me and build me up? If Jesus was with me physically, would I feel comfortable and unashamed to play this music for Him to hear? Even though
you can’t see God physically, He’s there with you all the time. He knows everything you do. This is including what kind of music you are listening to. If you answered no to any of the above questions, you probably shouldn’t be listening to such music. If you do, you are disobeying God because you are not thinking on those things that God has told you to think on. You are thinking on the exact opposite, which are evil things. Disobeying God is a sin. Sin opens the door for the devil to work in your life. Keep that in mind. The NIV of Luke 6:45 says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” When you are listening to music with such suggestive content, you are storing up bad things in your heart (spirit). You are also giving this music the opportunity to influence you and your behavior. You are thinking about, singing (saying), and meditating on these evil things.
This means that this is what will come out of your mouth. This is a very harmful thing. The NLV of Proverbs 18:21 says,” The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Whatever you say will come to pass, you may not see it yet, but it’s manifesting in the spirit realm. When you are listening to music with such content, you are meditating on it. When this happens, you start saying what those lyrics say. If those lyrics do not have good content, you are speaking words of death. When a person keeps saying something over and over again, they start to believe what they are saying (singing in this case). When this happens, this is a form of faith, and you are giving the devil the opportunity to use those words that you have been saying to come into pass in your life. This can be very harmful. Don’t give the devil opportunity. Put that type of music away. As catchy as those songs may sound, you are opening the door for the devil to steal, kill, and destroy in your life. You are giving satan the opportunity to take away from you. My question to you is, will it be worth it?
Bill Shepherd Ministries Bill and Melissa Shepherd PO Box 35686 Tulsa, OK 74153 www.billshepherdministries.org http://facebook.com/billshepherdministries http://facebook.com/revivalonourdoorstep email: faith@billshepherdministries.org 918-355-0059
You no sooner killed the Author of Life than God
raised him from the dead - and we're the witnesses. Acts 3:15 Msg
Sending Waves of Worship to God
by: Rev. Melissa Smith-Shepherd
Music is a form of communication. Like words, music and songs have sound frequencies on the electromagnetic spectrum of energy. God spoke the world and all that we see into existence using words, or sound frequencies. Everything is still reverberating with these sound waves and frequencies: people, plants, animals, the Earth, the Moon, and the universe. NASA has released sound recordings of the songs that Earth sings and the songs from other planets that were recorded by their space probes. Physicists study these unique particles of sound that are so small they travel inside of the molecules of every piece of matter that exists, and are even small enough to travel through the center of the Earth. In fact, all particles of all matter respond to sound waves and frequencies when they are spoken to or even when they are focused on by attention. Research shows that plants, animals, people, water, molecules of many types all respond and react to sounds, music, words and frequencies. Good, loving thoughts are very high frequencies, while evil hateful thoughts are very low frequencies. Tests have been done on plants, animals and humans to see what effect
these sounds have on health. For example, all lifeforms go into a lower state of functioning on the molecular level when spoken to or focused on with thoughts that are angry or hateful. The very molecules inside are affected and slow down, begin to deteriorate and get confused. In contrast, when people sing, speak or play music in a loving way, with a loving frequency, plants grow faster and larger, the blood cells in animals and humans change under the microscope and their immune system is activated! Our words and thoughts are more powerful than many realize. It is now possible to analyze a person’s thought waves to determine if they are good or evil through a new computer science modeling software. This science model is being coupled with neuroscience in the study of plasticity, or changeability, of the brain due to the effects of thought frequencies which are sound waves, and the effect of word frequencies which are amplified thought frequencies. These studies are confirming the Word of God for scripture tell us that “out of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 The word heart here in Greek “kardia” means mind, thoughts or feelings. Jesus spoke of the
power of thoughts also when He said, “If you even look upon a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart (mind).” Matthew 5:28 As a man thinks in his heart (mind) so is he. Proverbs 23:7 Our thoughts are the music of our heart or mind and are tangible substances, sound waves with energy frequencies that affect us, those around us, our environment and the heart of God! Jesus commanded us in Luke 10:27 to “love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all of your soul, all of your mind, and all of your strength.” We show God our love with our thoughts, our words, our songs, and our actions. Our music to God begins in our hearts, our minds, in frequencies and sound waves, when we begin to sing out these beautiful waves of adoration. Music and songs help us express our true selves, our real nature inside of our being revealing our core essence. Music and songs in the right frequencies have the ability to bring healing. There are clinics all over the world that use these frequencies or sounds that God created to bring healing to people with a variety of diseases, physical and mental. Certain rhythms of music and frequencies create
unity and cooperation in groups as well as activating neurotransmitters that induce peace and tranquility as seen in groups of indigenous people around the world. Music that was made with positive energy, thoughts, and frequencies activate cellular healing processes and stimulates DNA to revive while music full of discordant sounds and low frequencies initiate cellular degradation and death resulting in confusion and chaos to DNA and halts the natural healing processes of the body. The songs and music full of the love in our heart can bring healing and blessing to everything and everyone in our presence, to ourselves, and to God! When we worship God, He is there in our midst. He inhabits the praises of His people! Psalm 22:3 The Lord Almighty (Jehovah Elohim) is with us. We are ministering to Him with the music of our hearts, our souls, our mind and our words. Psalm 46:7 says that God has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in us and with us. We are connected to God, He can hear our thoughts, our heart, and our words and our songs of praise. 2 Chron 29:11 We can let the music of our mind
and mouth glorify God. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 God is not far off. He responds to our music of adoration to Him. 2 Chron 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him. The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 Throughout the Bible we see that music is a great part of God’s life. In heaven, angels sing to Him continually. Rev. 7:11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God… The disciples bowed and ministered to the Lord as they sought His direction and counsel. Acts 13:2 They ministered (worshipped) to the Lord, and fasted…. When you worship and praise God you are activating your connection to Him, your love for Him! He has given us our
very life and breathe and all good things to enjoy! He has created us in His own image and clothed us with His glory! He has given His Precious Son Jesus so that we may have eternal life! Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all of His benefits: He forgives us of our sin, heals all our diseases, delivers us from destruction, crowns us with His lovingkindness and tender mercies and satisfies our mouth with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalm 103:1-5 Give your adoration and thanks to God today. Make it your priority to lavish your worship upon Him in songs of praise. He is magnificent, full of glory and goodness. He is worthy to receive all honor, praise, and adoration! Pour out your Holy worship frequencies to the Lord. God is always sending us His loving songs and frequencies by His Holy Spirit. When we sing and worship God we are sending back His frequency of love, mercy and grace, the music of Heaven! Psalm 95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. ... Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us.
THE SEED CHURCH Bishop Frank Dupree continues THE MYSTERY OF THE 42nd GENERATION. In these teachings, he will show you that these two mysteries are being revealed today and how they are actually synthesized into one End Time Revelation of a “Corporate Overcomer.”
by: Bishop Frank Dupree
The purpose of a “seed” is to ensure that there will be another generation Jesus said in John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. For the past 1700 plus years the Church has not been fulfilling God’s will concerning the “seed”.
3 apostles. Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. 4They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again. 8
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9
We are living in the time period the Bible refers to prophetically as “The Third Day” 2 Peter 3:1 – 4 and 8 - 9 (NLT) 1 This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory. 2I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. In a Prophetic sense, we are living at the end of the 2nd Day and the beginning of the 3rd Day. Hosea 6:2 "After two days he will revive us: in the third day he will raise us up..." I believe that this is the day when a “seed” will
come forth that will glorify God and fulfill the Genesis Mandate and the Great Commission by touching the 7 Mountains of Influence. Contrast the “Seed Church” with most of the Church today: 1.
They want a lot of people saved so they will a. Go to heaven when they die b. Give lots of money to build a bigger barn to store the seed in 2. They want to be comfortable in this world 3. They don’t want to shake up the world because that could affect them negatively 4. They are not usually “next generation
minded” because they are part of the “Me generation” and don’t have a mind for the next generation 5. They are not thinking of ways to get into Society through the 7 Pillars they just want to keep society out of the Church 6. They are salt that has “lost its savor” 7. They are no longer the “light of the world” 8. They are no longer building a “City on a Hill” but instead are looking for a vacation place down in the valley 9. They want to be comfortable and don’t want to leave their comfort zone 10. They have lost the vision of “Going into the whole world and making disciples” so the world would be “turned upside down” again.
These “7 Mountains” are the pillars of Society and the Church needs to become a source of influence in each of these in order to be able to “shape society”. Family: Where Generational Blessings or Curses are passed on to our children Religion: Where people worship in “Spirit and Truth” or settle for religious rituals Education: Where either Truth or lies about God and His Creation are taught Government: Where Evil is either Restrained or Endorsed in Politics & Law Business: Where people build for the Glory of God or the glory of man Media: Where events, news and information are interpreted and passed on people through the lens of good or evil Arts & Entertainment: Where Values and Virtues are either celebrated or distorted
The 7 Mountains of Influence
So, what is the “Seed” all about?
Psalm 22:30-31 “A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.” So, according to the Word of God a “Seed” will be seen in a “Generation” and through this Seed these things will be accomplished! Since we know that The Lord works “through the Church” this Seed Generation could be called “The Seed Church”… Jesus wants us to see the Genesis Mandate of “Increase & Multiply and have Dominion” and the Great Commission of “Go Ye” in the light of these 7 Mountains of Influence and to begin to scale them until the Banner of Jesus is firmly planted on the summit of each mountain. Then, the Gospel shall have been preached in all
the world and we can look for “the end of the age”.
Everything dies in the barn.
Think about this: Seed must be scattered so it can penetrate the earth and reproduce.
The Church has been a barn for more than 1700 years... the time has come! We must gather the seed and scatter it into the world so we can reap a great harvest. Do you want to see Society shaped by the
If the seed stays in “the barn” there is no planting, growing, harvesting, and the promise of another generation is lost.
Word of God? Are you willing to scale the mountain God has in front of you? Can you see yourself as part of the “Seed Church”? It’s time for this generation to walk in faith, “increase and multiply and refill the earth” and see The Kingdom of God established in the earth!
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Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I thank you for dying on the cross for me. I confess with my mouth. I believe in my heart that you are the Son of God. I believe you are the Lord and that God raised you from the dead. Please, forgive me of my sins. Wash my heart clean. Come live in my life. Be the Lord of my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Teach me to walk with you and live for you the rest of my life. Thank you for saving me and for giving me the gift of eternal life in Heaven with you. Amen.
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