The Bible Archive

God’s intention, His heart’s desire is:
…easy to find (John 7:17)
…for my joy to be made full by abiding in Him (John 15:4-12)
…salvation of people…salvation of me (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
…my sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4)
…for me to do right, all the time, to shut the mouths around me. (1 Peter 2)
…for me to submit (1 Peter 2)
…for me to suffer (Philippians 1:29, chapter 2)
…our churches overflowing with the Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), a holy temple

In Politics, certain subjects took on a political endangering quality. Social Security has been labeled the Third Rail of American Politics specifically because it’s so charged and touching it meant death for a person’s political career. In the same way certain subjects do the same for professional careers, conversations and churches. For churches in particular, the third rail is Music: time for me to waltz on it.

You go into any Church during their service, listen to the music and note your first reaction. I don’t mean the piety of your reaction, like the part that you say “Praise God!” I mean the part of your reaction where you decide that the specific sound you’re hearing is a Good Expression of True Worship.  That reaction will clue you in on what you’re approach to music in church is.

Is there a right approach to music or is it just a matter of taste? Does Music have a place in Christian worship or is it more a distraction that what it’s worth?

Why is it that the strong can prey on the weak and the rich can grow fat off the poverty-stricken while these can do nothing but pay alms to their better offs by sweating their last remaining strength and their enemies stand? Why is it that one can sing songs and pray prayers while remaining aloof in their thoughts and their actions are drenched in violence, with lofty words in their prayers and a loud tune on their lips?How is it possible that a man can live while constantly wrestling with the man he lives with? Why is it necessary for a man to struggle all of his days with himself. Consider it.

There is no goodness within me, my body wastes away, my mind melts within me: the man I am betrays me.

But Lord God, you are faithfully loving and you have formed me; even in my weakness, your thoughts dwell upon me: the man you wish me to be is ever before you.

The battle is fierce but you are a near help in times of trouble. This constant wrestling is dire but you live with the man who carries on. The songs are lofty and the prayers are prayed yet you will rise and take action: you will purge one of violence, of loftiness, of prideful sin.

The enemy will not stand and the poor will be made strong for you are a helper in time of need: You are good and you have plan for the man you wish him to be. We will consider it.

Inspired by Lingamish’s Cyber-Psalms

Present your bodies not someone else’s body. And the whole entire body, not just the grumbling part or the angry part, but all of it to be offered as a sacrifice.

I’m reminded of two examples from the Old Testament. One is from Leviticus 1 where the offering is brought to the Lord and consumed on the altar as a well-pleasing sacrifice: a soothing aroma to the Lord. The entire thing is consumed in the fire and is pleasing to the Lord but that’s easy for a dead animal: after all, the thing is alive till it gets to the tabernacle then someone slits its throat and has its corpse on the altar. Living Sacrifices have a problem with staying on hot altars, or so the saying goes.

But then we have the second example of Numbers chapter 8 where the Levites are chosen by God to do special work. They remember their past: they’ve been rescued from the bondage of Egypt and delivered from the power of Pharaoh. They have crossed the great divide of the Sea and passed from one side through the other and they were being led to an inheritance and here they stood: a people freed by God and now His. They were cleansed, they were reminded of their salvation and they were told to serve Him in the tent of meeting.

Death is humiliating. It doesn’t seem like that nowadays when we go to music-filled funeral halls in suits to gather around the dearly departed. There the person lays, sometimes wearing perfume for the first time ever, seemingly asleep and no odor escaping their preserved body. The perfectly ironed suit, the cushioned coffin, the gilded gold and the deep cherry wood—all of it looks rather royal, presidential even. But somebody else washed that corpse, carted it around, ensured that it wouldn’t stink then propped it up for people to see: humiliating.

Jesus Christ is the preexistent Son of God who is both the creator of all things ({{John 1:1-3}}) and by whom all things are held together in place ({{Col 1:15-17}}) yet is also the one for whom all things were created ({{1 Cor 8:6}}; {{Rev 4:11}}). By His great power the heavens and earth were put in their place and by his might they will eventually be brought to a close ({{Heb 1:8-12}}). He is the firstborn, as in, the one of highest position of all creation. To Him belongs the glory ({{Heb 1:3}}) that belongs also to the Father ({{John 17:5}}) and belonged to Him from eternity past; Christ Jesus our Lord the preeminent one.

Our Lord is known by many names throughout scripture and countless pictures and in each of those we can see a different aspect of him. Looking at these aspects we see the multifaceted glory of our Lord and the lengths by which he saves.

Jesus Christ is the only mediator, the one who lays a hand on each side ({{Job 9:33}}), between God and Man ({{1 Tim 2:5}}), mediating a better covenant than that found in the Law ({{Heb 8:6}}; {{Heb 12:24}}) which was mediated by Moses ({{Gal 3:19}}; {{Heb. 3:2?5}}). He has attained this exalted position by means of His full status as man ({{Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:15, 16}}), His authority by the Father ({{Matt. 28:18}}; {{John 5:22-27}}) and His atonement ({{Eph 2:13-18}}; {{Heb 9:15}}).

Of course, more can be inferred by His role as mediator throughout Scripture (as in his priestly work, his propitiatory work, his work in eternity past and the future glory)but I sought to look only at the direct references to his role as Mediator.

The King was foretold ({{Num 24:17}}; {{Ps 2:6; 45:1-17}}; {{Isa 9:7}}; {{Jer 23:5}}; {{Mic 5:2}}) and is demarcated as glorious ({{Ps 24:7-10}}; {{1 Cor 2:8}}), supreme ({{Ps 89:27}}; {{Rev 1:5; 19:16}}), sits on the throne of God ({{Rev 3:21}}) and to sit on the throne of David (Isa 9:7; {{Eze 37:24,25}}; {{Luke 1:32}}; {{Acts 2:20}}) as King of Zion ({{Isa 52:7}}; {{Zech 9:9}}; {{Mt 21:5}}; {{John 12:12-15}}).

Jesus Christ is the promised, beloved son ({{John 3:16}}; {{1 Jn 4:9}}) who will have the authority on His shoulders and He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace ({{Is 9:6}}). As the Son of God, He has spoken ({{Heb 1:1}}) and has given understanding so that we may know Him who is true?this is the true God and eternal life ({{1 John 5:20}}) as spoken of in the Old Testament ({{Jer 10:10}}). As such He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords ({{Rev 1:5, 17:14}}) something only designated for God ({{Is 6:1-3}}).

reynaldo reynoso (admin)

It’s so very easy to get lost in the problems of everyday, external and internal. I mean, you can turn on your tv set or radio or open up a newspaper and you’re inundated by the worst things happening all around. Sometimes I look at the sin in my own life and dive head long into one of my infamous ?Black Funks? where I mope with furrowed brows and become, specifically, a bore.

reynaldo reynoso (admin)

I hear the song all the time, and in all honesty, the tune often bores me. Its structure, like many hymns, is repetitive but seemingly more so in its lilting phraseology. It?s the lyrics in light of its history that makes this hymn ? Trust and Obey? so striking.

The year is 1886 and we?re in one of a series of meetings in Brockton, Massachusetts. We?re enjoying ourselves, after all, D.L. Moody is the speaker and right now we finished marinating ourselves in the lovely music directed by Daniel B. Towner, director of the music department at Moody Bible Institute. In the midst of all this, maybe he was called to do so (we don?t know, we?re only attending the meeting) A young man rises and gives his testimony.

reynaldo reynoso (admin)

The reading is from Genesis 15 and Romans 5

Can you imagine being in Abraham’s sandals right after the rescue of Lot and his subsequent encounter with the King of Sodom? In a relatively short period of time, Abraham went from having a pretty good reputation to making enemies left and right. A hectic few days with the rescue of Lot and being blessed by God via the King Priest of Salem, Abraham likely had a restless sleep. It was at that time of night that the Lord spoke to Abraham in a vision.

reynaldo reynoso (admin)

The reading is from Revelations 21

J.B. Nicholson Jr. (fondly referred to as Jabe) was speaking the other day and he was telling of a day that him and his family went to a museum to see some precious jewels exhibit. He said that they went in and they stood before this case where some of these precious objects were on display and they examined a jewel the size of a golf-ball. When he told the story I was immediately reminded of going to D.C. and seeing the Hope Diamond, huge and gaudy and really bigger than anyone needed and probably more expensive than anyone could handle.

reynaldo reynoso (admin)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was fully God. (John 1:1 NET)

This is what we proclaim to you: what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and our hands have touched (concerning the word of life?and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us). (1 John 1:1-2 NET)

He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death?even death on a cross. (Phil 2:8 NET)

In the beginning, before time, as a primary and first cause, was the Word and there was God. Not a separate other entity as if there were multiple Gods, but one God but a different personality.