Why We Should Sing Hymns

A lot of people—especially those younger than me—either do not go to church or do not attend churches where hymns are sung. I think this is a shame.

There are several important reasons why Christians should sing hymns. Here are a few.

1) The Bible commands us to sing hymns (Col. 3:16).

2) Good hymns (and there are many) remind and/or teach us important doctrinal principles.

3) Good hymns encourage the soul. They can be particularly comforting in times of distress, sorrow, and fear.

4) The music of nearly all hymns is inherently good. It is the kind of music that we should be filling our minds with, and is infinitely better than much of what is called "Christian music" today.

5) Good hymns are conducive to an atmosphere of worship.

Was It Really the Judgment of God?

Was the earthquake in Haiti a few days ago really God's judgment upon a wicked people? The answer to this question requires the acknowledgment of two important scriptural truths.

First, the Bible teaches quite clearly that God is in charge of everything, and certainly of all natural phenomena. Indeed, the Bible speaks specifically of God causing earthquakes (1 Kings 19:11-12; Matthew 28:2; Acts 16:26; there are also prophecies about earthquakes God will bring). If God wishes to bring an earthquake anywhere on earth, He can do that.

Second, the Bible teaches quite clearly that finite man cannot know or understand the mind of an infinite and all-powerful God. Consider the words of Isaiah 55:8-9:

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Let us consider what we do know: God, for reasons known only to Himself, brought an earthquake to Haiti earlier this week. Could it have been an instrument of judgment? Yes, it could have been. Will we ever know that for certain? No, we will not.

We have no choice but to trust in God's wisdom about what He does...and to pray for (and, if possible, to help) the people affected.

Random Thought on an Important Bible Verse

The verse is Mark 12:17:

And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

This verse clearly teaches we must pay our lawful taxes.

But why is it that Caesar demands so much more of our earnings than God does?

Perspective in God's Universe

Theblogprof today had a great posting about Creation. He's got some great graphics over there, but I want to focus on a few thoughts it sparked in my own mind:

• God's Creation, the universe, is incredible. From the smallest subatomic particles (about which we can still only theorize) to the grandest groupings of galaxies (some of which we can hardly see), and from the tiniest structures of the cell to the astonishing complexities of living creatures, there is much for us to be awestruck. Any idea that all of this could have evolved is simply futile—it speaks to a Creator. (See Genesis 1)
• There is only one thing God created in His Own image: Mankind. Consider these verses from Genesis 1: 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. We should feel both humbled and honored.
• It was to mankind that God gave dominion over His creation. Continuing in Genesis 1: 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. [Side political note: No hint of Cap-and-trade here]
• It was to mankind that God sent a Savior, as we see in one of the most-loved passages of Scripture, John 3:14-18:

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Be encouraged at what God has done for us!

Independence Day...and Hobby Lobby

This morning I began my day in Ohio, where I had the opportunity to read the Toledo Blade. I was pleasantly surprised to read in the opening section (Section A, Page 5) a full-page advertisement by Hobby Lobby with the words "In God We Trust" at the top of the page. The page was filled with about twenty quotes by presidents, founding fathers, Supreme Court jurists, and even foreigners about how Christianity is an indispensable part of the law and society of our United States.

Times may have changed, but the truth is still the same. Our country was founded on Christian principles, and it was and is best suited for those who believe and practice the morality found in the Bible. When we reject the morals, principles, and character qualities promoted in the Scriptures—as a large percentage of America already has—our country will suffer.

You can view the advertisement here, with a few facts about their advertising here. There's also a link in the ad to WallBuilders, which is a great source of information about our country. After what I have seen today, I will be more than willing to channel business to Hobby Lobby in the future!

Another Great Blog Posting

Today I encountered the Back to the Constitution blog, with this great article. I will copy the first part of it here:

As I was reading through parts of the Old Testament, and in particular some of the laws God gave Israel, it made me think that God’s laws are a reflection of God’s morality. God’s law reflect who God is. God’s laws told Israel to treat people honestly, to be responsible for your actions and make restitution if you caused harm or injury to another person or their property. God’s law says to honor your parents and the elderly, to honor your spouse, and to honor the sanctity of life. God’s law does not go contrary to God’s person - He is holy, just and righteous and so is His law.

When we look at the laws that men have established we must understand the same concept is in place.

To read the rest, click here.

When Public Education Cannot Succeed

I had another sub assignment today in a local public high school. And I observed a lesson seen before, but brought clearly before my eyes again.

A lesson which, for the record, applies to all of education: Public, Christian, Sunday school, or otherwise.

The teacher whose geometry classroom I inhabited today left a bit too little for the students to do—I could see that right away. So I planned to spend the first 10-15 minutes review what [to me, especially] were familiar topics, in order to help them succeed on their worksheets. This went fine; but then several students absolutely refused to do the assigned work, preferring instead to talk, goof around, sleep, or generally distract all their neighbors. And then they complained that they didn't know how to do the geometry!

There are several problems here. But the fact which was made frightfully obvious today was this:

Learning cannot take place when the student is in rebellion to the teacher.

Public education is inherently handicapped in various ways, including its inability to effectively discipline and the general lack of support our society gives in holding up authority. The fact that students refuse to obey their teachers is the fruit reaped from seeds earlier sown.

These children did not appear to be stupid, unintellectual, or whatever politically correct (or incorrect) term you care to use. The reason they had not been learning was because they did not want to submit themselves to the authority and teaching of the teacher.

And is this not also true spiritually? Can we learn the lessons of God when we put ourselves outside His authority—when we are, quite bluntly, in rebellion against His leadership in our lives? Will we not then become "fools" (to invoke the Proverbs term) also??

What Does God Love? What Does God Hate?

Last Wednesday evening these two questions were explored at our church. What follows is a partial list of what God declares that He loves:

• Cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7)
• The world (1 John 4:9)
• Obedience (1 Sam. 15:22)
• Broken and contrite heart (Ps. 51:17)
• The nation of Israel (Deut. 7:6-8)
• His people/children (Hosea 3:1)
• Righteousness (Ps. 11:7, 33:5)
• Judgment (Ps. 33:5, 37:28)

Here is a partial list of some things God declares He hates:

• Workers of iniquity (Ps. 5:5)
• Divorce (Mal. 2:16)
• Sin/Evil (Prov. 8:13)
• And of course, we read the list of things in Proverbs 6:16-19:
• Proud look
• Lying tongue
• Hands that shed innocent blood
• Heart that devises wicked imaginations
• Feet that are swift in running to mischief
• False witness that speaketh lies
• He who sows discord among the brethren

If God loves it, should we? If God hates it, should we? Of course. More on this topic later.

What Does The Lord Require of You?

Two times in the Bible God's people are asked, perhaps rhetorically but certainly in all seriousness, what the Lord requires of them. And then God answers His question:

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)

Certainly these are very general and pervasive statements. We Christians tend to forget that the Christian walk is a serious, day-in and day-out affair, affecting every dimension of our lives. As the soldier is to remain ever-vigilant, the Christian is to remain ever-serving, always striving to meet the high and righteous standards God righteously expects of His children. And which, it must be remembered, are commanded for our good.

The first verse uses the word all three times. Certainly nothing in these verses suggests a temporary, ephemeral, or inconsistent state. Every day we are to be meeting God's requirements.

Each of us, today, must examine ourselves to see if we are living up to what is required of us.

A Thought For The Lord's Day—And Every Day

Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in earth and heaven.

—Charles Wesley, 1739

Good Advice from a Rabbi to an Errant Catholic

Recently my dad sent me an article written by Rabbi Marc Gellman, author of "The God Squad" column that appears in many newspapers. The lengthy question, written by a Catholic, could be paraphrased like this:

"I was alienated from the Catholic church, so I joined a tradition that taught some universal truths, but then became disillusioned with that, so I came back to the Catholic church, in hopes to promote some new ideas. I encouraged them not to blindly and completely accept all church doctrines, and that the religious education of the children—being too stuffy with religious study—should be improved. Are my suggestions 'really so ill-conceived'?" (The last few words are a direct quote.)

The questioner was disappointed that his thoughts received "a cold reception."

The rabbi graciously but firmly and convincingly wrote why "Cafeteria Catholicism" is a bad idea by any religious standard (and certainly by Catholic standards). With a few edits to replace Catholic doctrines with Baptist ones, it would be required reading for some of us!

At one point, the questioner stated that the study of the Bible was "boring." And this is where the rabbi shows exceptional wisdom, when he replied:

"If your experience with Bible study has been unfulfilling, find a new teacher, not a new book."

Brilliant advice! So many people complain about the Bible being "difficult" or "boring" or "dry," and yet they make no serious effort to locate someone who can help them to understand it!
In our day, with a multitude of Bible study "helps" out there, it might be tougher to merely sort through to find a good help, than to find one in the first place!

There is really no excuse for being unable to meditate, learn, and gain wisdom from the study of the Word. Every Christian, with the Holy Spirit indwelling him and aiding him, can do it.

God's Glory: A Great Quotation

I picked up this great quote from my friend Todd Wood (see blog in right column) regarding the glory we ought to attribute to God. The picture to which he refers (click here to view) is of a very old-looking barn with a sunset in the background. The barn appears to be in danger of collapsing in the next strong wind.

This picture of an Idaho shack is a good illustration of our present earth (Isaiah 24:20). Morally polluted, the earth is on its last leg, swaying like a drunk before the judgment of God. Al Gore is leading a crusade to save it. But we definitely have bigger problems like mankind’s lack of acknowledging and exalting the majesty of God.

There is a scene by far more grand and beautiful than the sun filling the skies, it is when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion and in Jerusalem (Isaiah 24:23). One thing stands out before his ancients. It is glory.

His GLORY.

Stop dwelling on man’s glory.