My musical stand as a Christian is not something that I base on feelings, family traditions, or popularity. It is definitely not something I trust my own thoughts on. Everything that I believe about music I have studied and prayed about. I am aware that my musical standards will effect my family, my ministry, and my influence over other Christians. With God as my judge I make every attempt to state my standards in a way that will always be pleasing to Him “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” Ephesians 5:19-21 The standards of the world’s music today are worse then ever before in human history. More people worldwide will listen to any genre of music without thinking or caring about if it has an affect on them. In the early 1900s one would be hard pressed to find an individual who did not know a hymn book through, but in today’s society, most people have never heard a hymn sung in their life. Though society’s musical standards have changed immensely, music itself has not. The beats and lyrics may differ, but the underlying affect and evil of the world’s music has not changed. King Solomon wrote in the book of Ecclesiastes that there is nothing new under the sun. “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which is done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9 Music has always been the devil’s instrument. Before Satan was cast out of Heaven, it is very likely that he was in charge of the music. Since the Bible tells us that the angels constantly praise and worship God, it may also be possible that Satan led them in song worship. Whatever his specific duty, it is certain that Satan knows how to use music.
There was a man, who because of a famine in the land, had to leave his family and go to a far off country. There he found work, but he was sad and lonely. For even though he loved and served the Lord, those with whom he worked were seekers of pleasure and not seekers of God. At first they were friendly and invited the man to join with them in their gaiety but as he refused, for it would dishonor the Lord, the invitations came less and less.
One day he discovered a group of people who loved and served the same Lord he did. His heart was filled with gladness. They joined together 3 times a week for fellowship and worship of the Lord. As he attended these meetings, the hand of fellowship was offered, he was made to feel welcome, his soul was refreshed, but sadness and loneliness soon vexed his soul again. Because for as friendly as the group were at each meeting, the friendliness stopped there.
The man was never invited to partake of fellowship after the meetings. So as long as the man stayed in the far off country, he was sad and lonely.
1 John 1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Acts 2:42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Ref ……………. Type...TO………… From…………Reason Genesis 6: ? Noah God Build Ark Genesis 11: ? Abram God Leave Family Genesis 15:1 V Abram The Lord ? Genesis 20:3 D Abimelech God Not to take Sari as wife Genesis 22:1-11 ? Abraham Angel Don’t kill Isaac Genesis 24 ? Balaam Spirit of Genesis 28:12 D Jacob God Jacob’s Ladder Genesis 31:10 D Jacob Angel Dividing the herd Genesis 37:5 D Joseph ? Family in subjection to him Genesis 40:5 D Btlr/Baker ? For Joseph to interpret Genesis 41:7 D Pharoah ? For Joseph to interpret Genesis 45:2 V Israel God Go to Egypt Judges 7:13 D Gideon ? Hear enemy feared him 1 Samuel 3:1 V Samuel The Lord Speak to Eli 1 Samuel 28:6 ? Saul God ? 2 Samuel 7:4-17 V Nathan The Lord Speak to David 1 Kings 3:5 D Solomon Lord Solomon’s reign 1 Chron 17:3 V Nathan The Lord Speak to David Isaiah 1:1 V Isaiah The Lord Future Events Isaiah 21:2 V Isaiah The Lord Future Events Isaiah 28:7 V Seers in Israel False visions Ezekiel V Ezekiel The Lord Daniel 1:17 VD Daniel God Understanding Daniel 2:3 D Nebucan. God Prophetic Daniel 2:28 D Daniel God Understanding Daniel 4:5 D Nebucan. God Prophetic Daniel 7:1 D Daniel God Prophetic
Exodus 32:32-33Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Psalm 69:28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. Daniel 7:10A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. Daniel 12:1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. Malachi 3:16Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Philippians 4:3And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Revelation 3:5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the bookof life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Revelation 5:1-9And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. Revelation 10:2-10 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, Revelation 13:8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
2 Peter 2:15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; Jude 1:11Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Deuteronomy 23:3-6 Summarizes what happened because of Balaam. “An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever: Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against theeBalaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee. Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.” Other references to Balaam: Joshua 13:22Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them. Joshua 24:9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you: Joshua 24:10But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand. Nehemiah 13:2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. Micah 6:5 O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.
2 Timothy 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
When Paul penned these words, the New Testament had not yet been written. So, the Scripture he was referring were the books of the Old Testament (Genesis thru Malachi). Paul penned 14 epistles as he traveled on his missionary journeys and when he was imprisoned in Rome. What’s interesting is the order these letters were later put into the New Testament. The Gospels were placed first as they told about the earthly ministry of The Lord Jesus. And then the book of Acts which explains the transition of the gospel from the Jews to the Gentiles. The order of Paul’s epistles in the New Testament is interesting as his letters became Scripture. Look what he told Timothy scripture was for: Doctrine, Reproof, Correction and Instruction. While Paul was traveling on his missionary journeys he wrote: ROMANS – DOCTRINE written around 56-57 AD CORINTHIANS – REPROOF written around 55-56 AD (2 letters) GALATIANS – CORRECTION written around 49-50 AD THESSALONIANS – INSTRUCTION written around 51-52 AD (2 letters) Then while being imprisoned Paul penned what we call his CHURCH Epistles (all around 62 AD): EPHESIANS – DOCTRINE written around 60-6262 AD PHILIPPIANS – REPROOF written around 61-62 AD COLOSSIANS – CORRECTION written around 61-62 AD TIMOTHY(2), TITUS – INSTRUCTION written around 62-63 AD Paul also penned a personal epistle to PHILEMON (61-61 AD) on behalf of a young man, ONESINUS (verse 10), asking that he be forgiven and accepted as a brother (verse 16). Paul also penned the Epistle of HEBREWS (66-67 AD) (13:22-24) to explain to the Jews, That Christ Jesus was the Messiah, God in Flesh.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: Galatians 3:22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 2 Peter 3:15-16And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
There are many, many reasons to memorize scripture and perhaps one of the best is listed in Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”.
Another thought, since all sin will be erased from our memory before we enter into heaven, perhaps all we will have is what we know about the Word of God! Psalm 103:12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Now here are some reasons to memorize God’s Word. Scripture will help us:
Remember our Salvation: Romans 10:10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Know we are Free from Sin: Romans 6:18Being then made free from sin,…
Keep from Temptation: 1 Corinthians 10:13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Have Peace: Romans 5:1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace …
Always Rejoice: Philippians 4:4Rejoice in the Lord always: and again …
With Prayer: Philippians 4:6Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Know our Hope: Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie…
Grow: Ephesians 4:15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him …
Grow in Wisdom: Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns …
With our Thinking: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Please God: 1 Thessalonians 4:1Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
Know that we are the Temple of God: 1 Corinthians 3:17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, …
Know that we are Transformed: Romans 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, …
To be a living Sacrifice: Romans 12:1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, …
That we should be Holy: Ephesians 1:4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without …
Know the will of GOD: 1 Thessalonians 4:3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Be thankful: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Serve one another: Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; …, but by love serve one another.
To forgive others: 2 Corinthians 2:7So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps …
Know we have Eternal Life: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Live in Victory: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
And the list goes on (ambassadors, blameless, justification, faithful, perfect, sanctification, sober, success, temperate, truthful, wise, vigilant) and on…
FACTS: 168,927 miles – A little bigger than California BAGHDAD is the Capital City ARABIC is the official language, ISLAM is the official religion IRAQ is not mentioned in the Bible but Mesopotamia is: Genesis 24:10, Deuteronomy 23:4, Judges 3:8, 3:10, 1 Chronicles 19:6, Acts 2:9, 7:2 (7 times) Mesopotamia was conquered over 1200 years ago by Arabs and changed the name to IRAQ . IRAQ means “Country with deep Roots” Genesis 2:8 states “the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden”. Many believe Genesis 2:10-14 was the land of EDEN later called Mesopotamia which was later named IRAQ by the Arabs. Adam and Eve were created, Satan’s first earthly appearance, and the fall of mankind all occurred in IRAQ. Genesis 11:1-8 is the story of the tower of Babel, which was located in IRAQ. Genesis 10:8-10 gives a good description of its location. According to Acts 7:2The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, Abram was from IRAQ. Isaac’s wife came from IRAQ, (Mesopotamia) Genesis 24:4. God saved the whole city of Nineveh (Jonah) which is in IRAQ, about 225 miles north of Babylon. The Jews spent 70 years in captivity in IRAQ, Ezra 2:1. Which means Zerubbabel and Nehemiah came from IRAQ to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and the Wall. The fiery Furnace, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego occurred in IRAQ. Daniel was thrown in the Lion’s Den in IRAQ. The story of Esther happened in IRAQ. The Medes and Persians were ruling in IRAQ with Babylon as their capital. The book in Nahum is a prophecy against Nineveh, a city in northern IRAQ. AS we can see Mesopotamia is much in the scripture, but today we know it as IRAQ. So, is IRAQ mentioned in future Bible events? Remember, BABYLON is in IRAQ. Saddam Hussein is best known for serving as Iraq’s fifth President, in power when the U.S. invaded Iraq. He was later hanged, December 30, 2006, for war crimes. He hated Israel and all who helped her, this included America. He promised to destroy the USA and fill many coffins with our dead. For years he fired deadly missiles at Israel. Some of the following has happened and more is still to come: Jeremiah 50:9For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain. Jeremiah 50:14Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the Lord. Jeremiah 50:29Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the Lord, against the Holy One of Israel. Jeremiah 51:11 Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the Lord hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple. In his day, Jeremiah meant arrows to be darts shot from a bow. Today, one of the missile systems Israel defends herself with is a missile system known as the ARROW. One day soon will be the final destruction of BABYLON (IRAQ). Consider the following: Jeremiah 50:15 Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the Lord: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her. Revelation 16:12And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
Note the River Euphrates is
in IRAQ and has protected BABYLON from land invasion from the east for
centuries.
Jeremiah 50:34Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. Jeremiah 50:39Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation. Jeremiah 51:49As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth. Jeremiah 51:64And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Jeremiah 51:37And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling place for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant. Revelation 18:21-23And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
Thus Israel will find peace with their redeemer, the LORD of hosts, and BABYLON will be no more.
Good Reference Book – Unveiling Islam by Caner & Caner Authors: Brothers Ergun and Emir Caner have lived the Muslim life
Officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Cairo is the Capital City. ARABIC is the official language, ISLAM is the official religion.
Egypt covers an area of 386,659 square miles.
Egypt land size is bigger than TEXAS with a population of over 97 million people.
Egypt is mentioned in the Bible 558 times. 536 times in Old Testament and 22 times in New Testament.
Egyptian history is generally considered to have begun in 3200 B.C. when King Menes (also called Narmer) united the Upper and Lower Kingdoms.
Egypt’s history has traditionally been divided into 30 (sometimes 31) dynasties. Dynasties one and two date back around 5,000 years and are often called the “early dynastic” or “archaic” period.
Egypt is one of the oldest countries mentioned in the Bible and it has retained land and its name.
Israel (the Jew) grew into a nation of people in the land of Egypt. Then Moses led the people out of Egypt and took them to the Land that God had promised Abraham. Joshua led the people into the land and Israel became a true nation with land and people.
Israel goes into Egypt Genesis 46 thru 50.
Israel lead out of Egypt Exodus 1 thru 12.
Israel gets her LAND Deuteronomy 34 thru Joshua 5.
According to the Holy Scripture, Egypt is (and has) to come under much judgement from God for the way they have treated His people, the Jew. The book of Isaiah has much to say on this subject. But Egypt will turn to God and be Blessed in the Later days. They will again be a great nation along with Israel. The book of Jeremiah has much to say about Egypt and its punishments and blessings.
Matthew Chapter 2 records the birth of Christ in Bethlehem and then how he was taken to Egypt for safety. Matthew 2:15 gives the reason and fulfilled Hosea 11:1.
Most references to Egypt in the New Testament refer to how Egypt treated the Jews as the people of Israel grew into a Nation.
Our leaders keep trying to accomplish PEACE ON EARTH. At Christmas time we display “PEACE ON EARTH” on cards, signs and every place we can think of. But what does God’s word say about PEACE ON EARTH? Paul writes: 1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. Romans 3:17And the way of peace have they not known: Jesus said:Matthew 10:34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.Luke 12:51Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: But wait, at the birth of Christ didn’t the angels announce PEACE ON EARTH?
Luke 2:14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. ON EARTH PEACE —- (Because the Prince of Peace had come that night)
