That’s a hard question to answer, but if I had to choose one, it’s probably the chapter that talks about music. Music during a global crisis, a pandemic even? YES! I have done a fair share of writing since we’ve all been sheltering in place but when I heard music in the air, I took particular interest in my writing. In this chapter, I not only encourage people to make music, but to use music to cope with these times! In making his case for music as a spiritual gift, the late Reverend Dr. Bobby J. Baylor said, “In a letter to the church in Colossae, Paul instructed the people to use music to teach and admonish each other toward the virtues of Christian living; mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearance, forgiveness, and charity. The implication here is that music has the power to accomplish all these things, or at least to promote the effort to develop them as character traits. Considering the infinite scope of topics that music may address, we may safely conclude that it can inspire the growth and development of these virtues.”
We’re no different than others in times of crisis before. Music has always had a way of getting us through hard times. It’s biblical, too! In Psalm 137, the nation recounted being asked to sing Zion songs in a strange land when demanded to do so while in Babylonian captivity. While imprisoned, Paul and Silas prayed and sang and the jail shook! Can you imagine our songs shaking this situation?
Let Heaven and Nature Sing
More importantly, I believe that God is giving His people songs for this season! I believe that a new sound will emerge from this season and we MUST welcome it. We must yield to the new and deal with the old as He leads. It’s interesting watching segments of the church fight to hang on to what this season is demanding be done away with. It’s like complaining while watching leaves then snow fall without realizing the good a change in seasons does for humanity and nature.
“…new advances in public ministry (especially in music) follow periods of revival: the Spirit motivates artist and ministers, not the other way around… Secondly, revival is invariably accompanied by tension between the established church structure and the individuals sparked by new challenges and inspiration…There is no question that God uses music and the creative drive of His servants at times of spiritual renewal.”
I’d like for you to read my new book “This Crisis Is Not Cause for Alarm” and if you’re a musician or singer, I would really LOVE for you to create something during this time! Don’t worry, I’m not exempt from this cool moment! I’m headed back to the studio to perfect some earlier recordings, myself! Creators, let’s create!!!
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One of the most profound scriptures in the bible is Romans 15:4. In it, the Apostle Paul says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” When I read this verse, I immediately understood what people have said for years about reading the bible. What has been canonized serves a very real purpose for our sake. Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” This should help us as we navigate the troublesome waters of this Coronavirus pandemic. Jobs, health and finances have all been affected and for some, their livelihood has been wiped out for the foreseeable future. As a believer, I recognize how trite it may seem to some to suggest reading the bible and praying, but it is a proven solution. When worry could easily consume you, the Lord offers rest. This rest is not because everything is right, but because it will be alright. Just as you will find an answer in the word, I believe that you will find great encouragement in this devotional. My prayer for you is that you are encouraged and your faith strengthened with each day’s time in the Word. The psalmist declared that the Lord led him besides still waters, but the tumult of this pandemic and ensuing fallout has many of us feeling like the disciples on the sea of Galilee. They asked Jesus, “carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38) feeling as if He didn’t care enough to save them from the storm. Remember, after Jesus spoke, “there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39). As you read this devotional and encounter the word, I pray that you also encounter the peace Jesus spoke on the sea of Galilee. This sea was known for this type of storm, but the disciples seemed helpless and at the mercy of nature. it is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life…then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. A few of the disciples had been fishermen in their professional lives but in that moment, they were fishers of men, without the tools they would normally have at their disposal to survive such a storm of that magnitude. Though they didn’t have tools, they had the text…the living, breathing word of God (John 1:14). In this devotional, you will find more of the the living word to help you find direction in the time of need and guide you through feelings of fear, dread, doubt, insecurity and others brought on by the pandemic. With each day, my prayer for you is that the storm in your life ceases and you discover yourself not only walking by, but sailing on still waters! |
Mighty Pen PublishingIn our book blog, we're continuing the conversation with readers. We know that writing a thought provoking book will make you think, but what do you do then? Well, we hope to continue the conversation began by reading the book with posts here. Archives
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