Is Humble Musician an Oxymoron?   All to often I hear musicians complaining about playing in there respective congregations. I have even found myself frustrated in playing along with other musicians, when their style or approach was contrary to my own. I am of the opinion that many of the issues could be resolved by healthy forms of communication. However, the fact of the matter is many believing musicians, atleast the ones I have dialogued and spoken with, are not at a place in their walk were the lines of communication can be opened. With boots dug deep into their respective positions a mexican stand-off ensues and no one wants to budge. Your’s truly has found himself at this very place, and even when I released my will in order to accomodate a worship service, I held a grudge in my heart.

As musicians we need to recognize that foremost we are followers of Christ, and find our identity in that very fact. As followers of Christ we must take upon ourselves the daily task following Him. It sound all good at first glance, but the deeper we look into this concept the more we begin to understand that, there are steps involved in this daily process that may not be so appealing.

“And he said to them all, ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23

First, we must deny ourselves. Wait one minute, Rev! What exactly does this entail? It literally means we must lose sight of ourselves and our own ambitions. Trust me without self-denial, the rest of Jesus’ statement is not even in reach. Many have quoted this scripture to me, and conveniently left the self denial out, probably because in fact they haven’t been taking up a cross either.

Second, take up his cross daily. Many would interpret this to mean, they should bare burdens daily, as Christ bore ours on the cross.  The truth is Christ came to free us from our former life, into a new life, that only can be accomplished by way of the cross.  He tells us in Matthew 11:28-30:

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Our second objective is to in fact, recon ourselves dead to sin, and resurrected to new life.  Without such a concience effort, we will never properly follow Christ.  You see as a selfless musician you must truly lose site of yourself, and let Christ take center stage in your heart.

Prayer:  Father, not to sound cliche, but I want to decrease that you may increase in my life.  Help me daily recon myself dead, and alive with you.  You are a awesome Father, Lord, and Friend.  There is truly no one like you.  Give your musicians a heart to lead by example, and show forth your goodness, in your congregations across the globe.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

I was writing an entry into my personal blog this morning, when I thought to myself, this scripture applies perfectly to my maturation as a musician as well.  So I began to type out a variation of my thought geared towards my fellow musicians.

I tackled this subject some years back in a devotional entitled, Frustrated?  My purpose was to give bass players who are frustrated with their musical progress, hope that in time things will get better.  Judging from the feedback I have received on the site, I feel as if the words hit the mark.  Now, I am writing to encourage those who feel as though the progress has stopped, and they simply are not improving as musicians.  Don’t lose faith.  Don’t give up.  It’s all a part of the process.

In my personal blog I wrote:

Have you ever waited patiently on something to take place in your life, only to receive notice, that it would be delayed?  How did it make you feel?  Often in our walk as believers we trust in a trustworthy God to deliver a promise in our life only to experience delay in the things we hope for.  Almost certainly every believer has had to endure some sort of delay when it comes to our spiritual growth in God.   If we are not careful we will find ourselves, moving away from the grace in which is so prevelant in our salvation, and we begin to find ourselves working for those things in which we desire.  The sense of accomplishing works for Christ only momentarily, provide a source of fulfilment when we find our heart condition, is quite possibly more saddened than our previous encounter.

What are we to do?  How are we to get out of this cycle? According to the proverb, it is only when that desire is fulfilled, that I will experience something greater than my present situation.  Right?

I am persuaded that too often I have misunderstood the process, in which God uses to mature, and strengthen me.  God knows exactly what I need, and he uses deferrals, in my life, that I might see  “Life” through the eyes of Christ.  When we are sick we seek medical assistance for those things that ail us.   When Our hearts are sick we attempt to self medicate bye things that often make the matter worse, instead of trusting in God who hears and heals.

Some of you guys may be thinking that’s great brother, but what does that have to do with my musical maturation.  My response is nothing and everything.  We all know that musical talent can be found in believer and non-believer alike.  Talents can also be found in part-time believers, but that is a “Whole-nother” post unto itself.  The only thing that separates christians, is that we are sanctified as a gracious act of God towards us.  Sanctification, simply means “set apart for a purpose”.  In the context of this post, that purpose is to play our musical instrument unto God.  The same measure we are yielded in our daily life, is the measure God see’s when we come together as a local congregation to worship him.  Let us turn our affections to Him as we worship, and not on the set of skills we are able to bring to worship.  Am I saying, don’t practice your craft? Heavens, No. I am saying, don’t let it be a point of frustration, because you think you should be further along.  Instead, focus on experiencing God, past the other frustrations in life.  Even if your playing doesn’t sound any different in your ears, you will feel a deeper connection in your heart, and the talent will eventually catch up.

Prayer:
Father, help me to understand that you are not bound by time, nor are you driven by progress reports.  Your ways are truly above my ways, and beyond tracing out.  I can’t understand how you operate, unless you give me revelation.  Lord, I thank you for sending your son Jesus, to fulfill the Law.  I thank you for extending your grace towards us, because it is truly amazing.  Lord, continue to give insight and revelation so that your child will be edified.  Teach me to trust in your my king, and not the scales or runs, I bring to the sanctuary, where your people assemble to meet you.  Increase my capacity to listen to your heart, rest in your grace, and seek you in the things of life that often go overlooked.  Take your rightful place in the thrown room of my heart, teaching me to love your ways above all else. In Jesus Name.  Amen.

 We get our english word worship from the combination or two words.  The first being worth, which is defined having value.  The second is the suffix -ship, defined as something which shows, or possesses.  Therefore there can be no worship without a value being placed on something.  

As musicians we must understand that worship begins well before we pick up our instrument to play.  It’s not associated with a particular time in service, nor is it something we do solely on Sunday morning.   If we are not careful as musicians we can find ourselves infatuated with the idea of worship, although missing the origin of where worship begins. 

Worship begins in our hearts and is carried out with our lifestyles.  We should not settle for anything less than pure worship, that touches the heart of God. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for the opportunity to worship you with my life.  I count it an added bonus to be able to serve in your house as a musician, when you church comes together.  Lord I want my playing to be an extension of a life dedicated to serving you.  That when others hear your child play they will be able to experience our love in every note.

Put your mind to ease, this frustration could be a way for our character to be developed as Christian musicians. Remember the center of our focus should be Christ. Music has its place, but Christ is the key. After we’ve identified that the frustration is present we want to transform the frustration, into something positive, that God can use for His glory. Lets transform this frustration into a drive (the definition of drive is “the trait of being highly motivated;”) to worship God with an instrument.

What’s my motivation? If my motivation is not to worship God, then I must immediately recognize that, my priorities are not in the right place. If the previous statement seemingly hit you in the pit of your stomache, and tugged your heart strings, Repent. Tell God, that you didn’t realize the error in your motives, and make up in your mind, that you will make God the center of your focus for playing, the bass. If think the author of this article is way of base, then maybe you’re not understanding the reason we play Gospel/Worship music. Placing God in His proper place, in the Throne Room of our hearts, not only inspires our playing, but gives us purpose, and an advocate. The Holy Spirit, will come along side you.

Help has arrived.  I can do certain things…. ooops, I meant, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13. Talk about an empowering word, it’s even more, insightful from the amplified bible, “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].” Wow! The calvary has arrived, and Calvary made it possible. Surely, if God will take care of your needs, if you seek him first (Matthew 6:33), how much more will he be there when it comes to edifying his Church. God doesn’t want his children to worry, be frustrated, or anxious for any reason. (Philippians 4:6) Don’t sweat it, God has it under control, continue to learn, continue to practice, as long as you keep God first, and remain, in his will, its gonna all come together.

Patience.  If you are anything like me, you are now saying, “Okay, Now What?” To that, I reply, “Patience, young grass-hopper.” The difference between, those outstanding bass players, you listen to on you favorite CD’s, and you at this point in your playing is Experience. Let me let you all in on a secret, the Bible teaches, that patience develops experience. (Romans 5:3-4) It is with patience, that we possess our souls. (Luke 21:19) The principles of God are so true. God is looking for patience from his children, patience is a key ingredient to faith. Do you believe help has arrived, do you believe that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you? Do you believe that Holy Spirit will be your comforter, and teacher? If so, then we wait patiently, for God to increase the gift. However we do not wait, with the remote control in hand, we wait in anticipation, we practice, we read our Bible, we pray, we worship God with our lifestyle, and I know God will bring about the increase in your life.

God is looking for whole musicians. A whole musician is more than just someone who can play beautiful music. A whole musician is one who is spiritually whole. Who has a healthy, relationship with Christ. If you spend more time practicing riffs, than Practicing being in the presence, of God. Then perhaps, we need to readjust our priorities.

Many have not ceased to fellowship in the kingdom of darkness because,
1.) They don’t know who they are.
2.) They don’t know whose they are.

As believers God has provided exceedingly great promises, and given us access to a divine nature.   He has made a way for us to escape the corruption of this world, that so many “CHRISTIANS” refuse to relent.  Its a sad thing, and I often feel like a profit of old, screaming “REPENT” and turn back to God.  Many in the church (the Bride of Christ) go a whoring, and because of itching ears will find someone to justify their actions.

You say you have faith?  2 Peter 1:5-8
Well build upon the foundation of faith, with diligence, adding:

1.) Virtue
2.) Knowledge
3.) Temperance
4.) Patience
5.) Godliness
6.) Brotherly Kindness
7.) Charity

Because if these things are apart of your life you will see Christ, as he is and know him intimately verse 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
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Don’t be spiritually blind, make sure you are doing all you can to exhibit these characteristics in your life.  Don’t be spiritually short-sighted forgetting what God brought you from, because if you do, you can very easily slip back into old habits.

verse 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
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Saints of God don’t often talk civilly when it comes to matters of verse 10.  Many take offense to such talk.  But I dare say “MAKE SURE YOUR SAVED” and not just deceiving yourselves.  Eternity is too long to be wrong about this.  Make sure you are seeing the true answer JESUS and not some figment of your imagination.

God Bless.

The apostle Paul, gives us a glimpse into this life, through the inspiration of the HOLY Spirit when he wrote, “…not I, but Christ…”(Galatians 2:20). Yes, the same Christ who, at this very moment is seated at the right hand of the Father. See my dear reader, this Christian life we claim, is not our former lives at all. Nor, should there be any reflection of our old way of thinking, and being. “Behold all things have become new” This life which we now live is nothing less, than SUPERNATURAL. Have you ever pondered that you have GOD, dwelling on the inside? That makes you the temple of God!

“In all His dealings with us He works by taking us out of the way and substituting Christ in our place. The Son of God died instead of us for our forgiveness: He lives instead of us for our deliverance. So we can speak of two substitutions a Substitute on the Cross who secures our forgiveness and a Substitute within who secures our victory.” – Watchman Nee

The truth is we are so busy being caught up in, living our lives. That we neglect the Christian Life. We fail to realize how awesome it is to have God in us. Wanting to lead a guide us into all truth. We say we know these elementary truth’s to our faith, yet we can’t seem to control our emotions, our mouths continue to keep us in bondage, sin runs rampant, holiness is a foreign concept, and so many continue to live defeated lives.

Pray to God that he reveal these truths to you, and your life will not be the same.

God Bless.