Music

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Mike Harland is the director of Lifeway|Worship, the music division of Lifeway.  I received a music packet, and Mike had a word of encouragement on one of the CD’s.  I thought I would share with you his thoughts.

 As I was reading in Hebrews, I came across this passage that I want to share with you.  Hebrews 13:15 says this:

Therefore through Him, let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name. (HCSB)

Wow! What an amazing picture to think that those of us that confess the name of Jesus, the very fruit from our lips is His praise.  Makes me wonder sometimes when I look across the congregations that I’m a part of and get to lead from time to time, sometimes I see people that have nothing on their lips.  I have to wonder, do they really confess His name.

So the fruit of our lips is praise, but if you keep going in Hebrews 13, he begins to talk about obedience and submission and he begins to talk about prayer and other aspects of the Christian life, so if the fruit of our lips is praise, then it occurs to me that the fruit of our lives, that’s worship.

So this week as we come together, let’s bring the fruit of our lips, the word of praise before the Father. But let’s go further and challenge ourselves to bring the fruit of our lives, submission of all He is and all He’s done for us.

I want to thank Kristie Shepherd and Wendy Staples for sharing their ministry of music with us this past month. I believe that being obedient to serving God with the talents He has given us is an imperative from His Word. God has blessed so many at Freedom Baptist with many different talents. The ability to lead, teach, encourage, plan, and sing just to mention a few. I hope that we will all use the talents and abilities God has given us.

I want to give a special invitation for those that would like to use your musical talent for God. Please know that I am ready and willing to allow you to sing, play, etc. what God has placed on your heart. Make it your mission to have a ministry of your musical talents, by joining the choir to lead in worship, or by lifting up a “message through song” as a solo.

I really do hope that you are planning on being a part of our Easter programs this year. Our Good Friday Drama and Easter Sunday Celebration are going to be a lot of fun as we rehearse and are used by God to present the Gospel message. Give God a little of your time to practice and rehearse with us on Wednesday nights following prayer service.

God is in our presence every time we gather together. His Spirit is real and is moving in the lives of His people. Prepare to be a part of the worship of our Creator. Prepare yourself to meet the mighty, powerful, awesome God of the universe. Prepare to be humbled by the Sovereign Lord of our lives. Prepare to give glory to the Comforter of our souls. Prepare to be instructed by the Holy Word. Come, now is the time to worship. Come, now is the time to lift your voice. Come.

  James Jolly       

Minister of Music