Delivered Now

  Which word would you use, deliverance or rescue? Though used in similar contexts, they are not exactly the same. One is rescued from a burning building, a shipwreck, or some other life threatening predicament. But deliverance is reserved for those situations that involve relentless oppression or possession. Deliverance describes the release from a powerful entity or ism that exercises authority over the whole being.


  In the spiritual realm, there are a number of entities and isms that tirelessly place their bids for your soul. Among them: the world, the flesh, and the devil are in hot pursuit of your eternal being. The world, or perhaps I should say, “the world’s system,” seeks to pack you into its mold, conforming you to its moral image which has been shaped by thousands of years of spiritual and moral neglect. The flesh can be aptly described as a myriad of appetites and desires, each tainted by unbridled, selfish lusts. And then there is the devil who the Bible describes as, “a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1Peter 5:8).”

  To be rescued from the enemy’s immediate attack would be welcomed, but what God offers is so much better. His provision is for complete, eternal DELIVERANCE from all that separates you from Him. To make this treasure we call “salvation” yours, simply place your trust in His Son, Jesus Christ. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12).”

  An often neglected point in proclaiming this good news is that God’s deliverance begins the moment you believe. By faith, you can break the bonds of the world, the flesh and the devil, and be immediately restored to favor with your Creator God. Perhaps you haven’t considered what it means to be in fellowship with the God who provides the very air you breathe, who commands the winds and waves, and holds the stars in their respective places. I call Him my Father, NOW!

A Biblical Philosophy Of Music

  Did you know that God cares about the kind of music you listen to?  A wrong philosophy of music generally accompanies a misunderstanding about life’s purpose.  Contrary to what our culture instills in us, it’s not about me or you; our lives belong to the Creator, the Giver of life.

  What Is Music?  In the most basic sense, it is a mode of communication.  Obviously the words of a song communicate a message, but good science reveals that musical composition communicates as well, making it possible for a song to effectively communicate two messages simultaneously.

  As letters are building blocks for printed communication, notes and chords are the building blocks for music.  With these building blocks, the composer/performer communicates his message(s).  So, music is not just a matter of preference or taste, it is a moral issue.

  In his book, Rock: Making Musical Choices, Richard Peck says, “Drugs, immorality, satanic lyrics, backward masking – you’ve heard it all before.  Meanwhile, books and lectures about rock continue to warn that rock kills plants; rock will damage your hearing;  rock’s low frequencies affect your heart rate and body metabolism; the music bypasses your brain’s conscious control centers, and the rhythm stimulates immoral desires.  You’ve heard all of this, too.

What you may not have heard is that the real issue is holiness.  The word is seldom used today, but the Bible makes it clear that Christians are to be a holy people.  They are to be separated from the world unto God.  (Psalms 1:1, 1John 2:2-6). 

By talking about house plants, hearing, and heart rates – instead of holiness – far too much discussion of rock has focused on rock’s effects upon man rather than its offensiveness to God.  The result is that many are more interested in what God might permit than in how He might be pleased.”

Your Highest Calling

  Have you spent much time in the Bible lately?  Perhaps you have noticed the emphasis on giving glory to God.  Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”  When a friend had died from a serious illness, Jesus said to his sister, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. (John 11:4).” …and then He raised him from the dead.  Paul wrote this interesting admonition to the church at Corinth, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1Corinthians 10:31).”  Imagine, eating and drinking to the glory of God!

  What does it mean to do something to the glory of God?”  A simple word study reveals that it has to do with our opinion of God.  We glorify Him when we recognize or acknowledge that He is worthy of praise, and when we hold Him in highest esteem.  What makes our God so praise worthy?  

eternal life, forgiveness, mercy, love, grace, answered prayer, a place reserved in Heaven, water, sleep, a free nation, health, strength, brothers and sisters in Christ, our homes, our jobs, our children, our churches, friends, food, shelter, clothing, the beauty of the Earth, good music, the sun, rain, snow, knowledge, wisdom, the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, peace, comfort in trouble, light in the midst of darkness, truth in the midst of error, the Bible, the gospel of Jesus Christ, protection, purpose, His plan

  There is scarcely room in these few lines to name them all, so you may want to continue to enumerate His praise worthy works and characteristics on your own.  It would be interesting to brainstorm for fifteen or twenty minutes with pencil in hand, just to see how many reasons you have, personally, to praise the Lord.  It is more than an exercise in futility; to glorify the Lord is the highest calling of man.  “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalm 150:6).”