Today’s song comes from one the best Christian rock albums ever made. The only problem is I could only find one of the 12 songs from Reflescent Tide’s Spring Catalog on the internet. Which means that most Christians have been deprived from ever listening to this classic sound. Reflescent Tide is the Green Day of Christian music. Spring Catalog includes hit songs like Seven Days, Butterfly Wings and Basking in the Glow.
Is anyone among you afflicted (ill-treated, suffering evil)? He should pray. Is anyone glad at heart? He should sing praise [to God], James 5:13.
I stumbled upon Reflescent Tide while serving as a youth pastor in the mid-west. If I had access to a CD, I’d download 10 of the 12 songs immediately to my computer. Yet, for now my only proof that list band exists is a cassette tape. The lyrics of today’s song Leaving talks about how Jesus had to leave the Garden of Gethsemane as a prisoner in order to carry out God’s will. The thought of laying down his life brought Jesus to his knees as his sweat became like blood. May Leaving touch your soul as you listen.
The book definition of brace is a device fitted to something, in particular a weak or injured part of the body, to give support. After a car accident, particularly a fender bender, it isn’t uncommon to see the person who was hit in a neck brace. Yet, in this age of mental health awareness, no one practices the concept of bracing your mind. Rather, drugs are often prescribed to kill your pain as if to pretend everything will be okay in the morning.
So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed. 14 [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel], 1 Peter 1:13-14.
When you listen and read the four accounts of the Gospel, Peter comes across as the most vocal disciple. While several of the disciples are shown periodically talking amongst one another, it is Peter who raises his voice to express opinions to Jesus. Unfortunately, Peter made a habit of talking before thinking through what he was about to say. Perhaps this is what caused Peter to exclaim “brace up your minds.”
If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God, Colossians 3:1-3.
The apostle Paul adds to Peter’s statement in the passage above. When an individual transitions from living for themselves to dedicating their lives to God, this takes time. Programing your minds to exchange curse words for more appropriate terms isn’t easy. This is why it’s important for all Christians to brace up their minds so that your new life in Christ will eventually shine through to others.
The Christian Group In Reach released Waterline in 1992. This initial album was a smash hit as some Christian journalists suggested that In Reach would become the Christian band of the 1990’s. Unfortunately, this never happened as In Reach fell into obscurity, following in the footsteps of many one hit wonders of the past. Like the 1996 film That Thing You Do, In Reach faded into the setting sun.
Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, the islands and coastal regions and the inhabitants of them [sing a song such as has never been heard in the heathen world]! – Isaiah 42:10
By the time their second album was released, In Reach became Brett Williams & In Reach. Based upon the title, it appears pride got in the way of this group’s success. Power and Promise may not have received the fanfare of their first project but, this album has one of my favorite songs. Prayer is what it sounds like as the lyrics share a powerful confession that you can use as your own personal prayer.
Life is full of adjustments as individuals advance from elementary education, toward higher education and begin chasing a career, dream and goal. This process of development goes through many phases and stages, often bringing unforeseen barriers and obstacles. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to complete or reach their full potential as death rudely ends the pursuit toward being content and happy.
Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 [Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:3-4.
Despite the harsh reality of being mortal, the Bible speaks of resurrection power. This supernatural force made it possible for Jesus to be beyond the reach of change and decay. From a strictly earthly sense, if the Holy Spirit was able to raise Jesus from the dead, then human beings can change for the better. However, unless belief and faith is present, the worries of this world will wear you down over time.
But if Christ lives in you, [then although] your [natural] body is dead by reason of sin and guilt, the spirit is alive because of [the] righteousness [that He imputes to you]. 11 And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you. 12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, but not to the flesh [we are not obligated to our carnal nature], to live [a life ruled by the standards set up by the dictates] of the flesh, Romans 8:10-12.
According to the apostle Paul, Christ must reside within your heart to successfully overcome a sinful nature. Whenever Christians allow their faith to become dormant, the flesh will get the best of you and cripple your ability to change for the better. If you’re serious about the afterlife, remember your obligation to live according to the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. This is the only force that will enable you to go beyond the reach of change and decay.
If you are old enough, everyone has the favorite time of their lives. For me this was 1993 as I ventured west from Delaware to Minnesota to attend a youth ministry trade school. This 7-week intensive training program transformed my life and gave me an inner confidence that I could do anything. The friendships that I made along the way were a blessing. When my initial interview at a church in Rapid City, South Dakota didn’t go well, I spent a semester teaching at a boarding school in West Virginia.
O give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His doings among the peoples! 2 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; meditate on and talk of all His marvelous deeds and devoutly praise them, Psalm 105:1-2.
Little did I know that teaching Communications and Poetry would ignite a desire to write. I created an album entitled A Simple Confession with 12 songs and wrote a book of poems. Before the year was over, I was offered a full-time youth ministry position in Indiana and met Leanne, my wife at a national convention. Before leaving Minnesota, I came across an obscure band named Shadow Wings. After listening closely, I discovered Pat Benatar is a lead vocalist on the Carry On Album. While the attached link isn’t the greatest, I wanted to introduce you to the song Carry On by Shadow Wings.
A guard can come in many shapes and forms. Bars rely on bouncers, schools recruit chaperons, athletic competitions use defenders and Roman Soldiers pick up a shield before going into battle. In the passage below, one of Jesus’ disciples uses the imagery of God guarding Christians. This invisible force is fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit who provides everything we need for life.
Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God’s power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that [c]final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time, 1 Peter 1:5.
Depending upon the country that you live in, you may be forced to serve in the military or simply register for the draft if there is one. From a spiritual point of view, Romans 10:9-11 reveals how individuals can join the army of God. Romans 10:17 gives a brief glimpse of what a spiritual boot camp encompasses. The more Christians begin to learn and apply the Bible, you increase God’s protection for your future.
For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [[d]full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature, 2 Peter 1:3-4.
From a practical point of view, the best thing that individuals can do today is pray for God to guard you daily. Job spoke of placing a hedge of protection around your home and family, Job 1:10. The Psalmist writes about dwelling in the shelter of the Most High God, Psalm 91:1. Yet, don’t forget the words of one of Jesus’ disciples in 1 Peter 5:8, as the devil is like a predator lurking in the distance, waiting to pounce upon a weak Christian. Therefore, lift your voice up to heaven in prayer to ask God for protection.
I didn’t even know that Christian music existed until I asked Jesus to come into my heart, Romans 10:9-10, in the middle of my sophomore year of high school. I met Mindy at a FCA Bible Study. She was the only person I knew in high school who was an advocate for Christian music. Mindy made different mixes for me so I could figure out which artists I liked before purchasing an album. Mindy’s parents drove me and a couple of friends from Concord to my first ever Christian concert.
Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [[e]and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, 20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father, Ephesians 5:19-20.
If you haven’t already guessed by today’s song title Secret Ambition, Michael W. Smith gave me a good first impression of Christian music. While I barely recognized any of the songs that were sung that night, I went on to buy every one of Michael’s new albums over the next 5 years. The week i2(Eye) Album was released, I attended a youth convention in Salisbury, Maryland. This was the most fun I ever had on a retreat as a seed was sown to become a youth pastor. Thanks to Secret Ambition, this became a reality.
Do you have an active prayer life? Are you seeing answers to prayers that you lifted up to the Lord? Or does God seem distant and unresponsive to your requests? Perhaps the one element that is missing is a belief that God can do the impossible? Matthew 19:26 and Luke 1:37 serve as reminders that the prayer of faith must be void of doubt. Whenever doubt creeps in, prayer becomes nothing more than wishful thinking.
Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord’s name. 15 And the prayer [that is] of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven, James 5:14-15.
From my own personal experiences, the mindset I bring to prayer will influence whether or not my requests will be answered. Sometimes I will write down a prayer, but I question if this is realistic enough. Instead of boldly entering God’s presence in prayer with confidence, I tend to exhibit a lame and timid prayer life. When belief and faith are compromised, you won’t be able to move mountains like Jesus in the passage below.
And as He saw [k]one single leafy fig tree [l]above the roadside, He went to it but He found nothing but leaves on it [[m]seeing that in the fig tree the fruit appears at the same time as the leaves]. And He said to it, Never again shall fruit grow on you! And the fig tree withered up at once. 20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled greatly and asked, How is it that the fig tree has withered away all at once? 21 And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a [n]firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done, Matthew 21:19-21.
Perhaps part of the problem of an average prayer life is that Christians haven’t experienced or seen the power of God personally. As the disciples witnessed this fig tree wither, a light likely went on in their minds. As if to say, “this is what a prayer of faith looks like.” If you’re tired of going through the motions of prayer, it’s time to spice things up with a firm reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit to transform your prayer life in 2022.
Today’s song dates back to my wedding in 1995. I was put in charge of two specific details: the disc jockey at the reception and the music played at our wedding. The week of our wedding, I got a call from my friend who had his van stolen with all of his music inside. Fortunately, our DJ was able to borrow enough music so that the reception was saved. Yet, this doesn’t excuse All the Darkness that occurs throughout the world on a daily basis.
Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts, Colossians 3:16.
As for the wedding music, I asked my best friend from Ohio to sing Steve Wiggins’ song All the Darkness. Phil was a youth pastor in Springfield while I was at a church in Columbus, Indiana. Every Monday we met at a mall in Cincinnati for lunch. Phil taught me how to have fun while serving the Lord with competitive games of Laser Tag and mini-golf. Phil nailed the song as Leanne’s and my mother lite the unity candle. May the lyrics of All the Darkness stir and touch your soul as it did for me more than 25 years ago.
Most people think of a season in terms of winter, spring, summer, and fall. During this 4 month time period, there are often fluctuations in the temperature. Each season provides a distinct and unique trait such as snow, blooming flowers, warm weather and falling leaves. Yet, the seasons mentioned in the Bible do not how a defined time table. One may last a month while others could go on for years.
To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted, 3 A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up, 4 A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away, Ecclesiastes 3:1-6.
During the exodus out of Egypt, a trip that should have taken 3-4 months ended up becoming a 40 year journey through the wilderness. Just like the Israelites who didn’t obey God’s commands and Moses’ instructions, modern day human beings rarely travel from point A to point B in a straight line. Rather, unforeseen traffic causes human beings to get impatient, changing course to try to find a shortcut.
[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, 7 So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed, 1 Peter 1:6-7.
Yet, sometimes you can follow God faithfully and end up getting lost along the way. My wife and I moved to Delaware in 1997 so that I could attend Seminary, earn my masters and become a college professor or pastor. A rare eye disease ended this quest shortly after I started, leading me on my own 25 year journey in the wilderness of Delaware. Therefore, whatever season you may have to endure in 2022, hold on to faith until the Lord clears the way for your future.
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