Musick-al Notes

Musick-al Note # 258
James in his epistle, chapter 1, verses 23-25 says that one who hears the Word and does not do it is like a man looking into a mirror and when he leaves forgets what kind of man he is, but if he looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues, not being a forgetful hearer, but in doing the work he shall be blessed. James also said that the New Testament is the perfect mirror of the soul. When a person directs his attention to follow its teaching without adding to it nor taking any of it away from it but following it, will be blessed. There is no excuse for man to fail to know himself. The tragedy is that so many, in seeing themselves, will throw away the mirror or refuse to continue looking within and forget what manner of person they are. Then living in self-delusion and self-satisfaction, wend their way to eternal destruction and torment.
Yet James said the person is blessed and happy is who sees himself and yet continues to follow the Word of the Lord that he might be changed to the image of the perfect one. He does not care for the blemishes, spots and sins that he finds, but instead of leaving and forgetting those things, Godly sorrow leads him to repent, to change and strive to overcome. One cannot return to a previous point in time to not commit a sin already committed, but he can be washed in the blood of the Lamb that takes away the sin. Christ will cover the sins of those who will come to God by Him (Hebrews 5:9). He will not cast away any if thy will hear His voice and obey Him.
The mirror of the soul will show a perfect picture of your soul. Look therein and do as the Christ instructs and you will be cleansed. Continue to look and obey – then heaven’s blessing will be for you. The perfect law of liberty reveals the Christ, obey Him and you will be a child of the living God. Live faithfully, following Him and heaven will be your home in the life which is to come.
Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 257
There is an ever-increasing concern on the part of many people about religion. Such an attitude is certainly to be commended and encouraged. Religion is the center, the mainstay of life and those who have deep faith are the most sable, satisfied and mature persons on the earth. Religion should be, yea, must be an integral part of our lives if we are to live well, be happy and overcome all the hardship and toil of living in the world.
At the same time, there is an increasing indifference to the Bible, God’s revelation to man. Answers to difficult questions are sought from psychologists, scientists and religionist who disregard the Scriptures as being vital to man’s needs ion the world. Some are teaching in direct opposition to the revelation of God, and many are teaching only a part of His truth. To give a lesson or answers to questions which only partially reveals God’s will for man, leaves the searcher without adequate knowledge to make his or her decisions properly, and is therefore deceitful. One cannot be taught wrong and make right decisions; therefore, both teacher and student will fall into the ditch (Matthew 15:14). Peter said that if we speak (teach, instruct) we are to speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11). Solomon spoke truth when he said that there was a way that seemed right to man but the end thereof is the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12). Religious teachers are preaching the doctrines of man and convincing the people that such is the way of God but Jesus said such worship is in vain (Matthew 15:9). True religion, to be worthwhile, must be from the Scriptures. That faith comes from hearing God’s Word, (Romans 10:17); from the Scriptures comes the way of life (John 6:63), Salvation (James 1:21, Romans 1:16) and judgment will be rendered according to the Word also (John 12:48). To teach people to obey commandments not found in the New Testament is therefore despicable, deceitful and sinful. Those who do so will receive a just recompense from the Judge of all men. Sorrowfully, as those who are deceived thereby will receive the same judgment.
Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 256
Paul referred to the Old Testament when he stated in Romans 15:4 that whatever was written in former days was written for our learning. There are so many things that we should know from that source, I am going to mention some from just the first chapters of Genesis.
God is eternal – He existed before anything was created! The eternal triune God created heaven, earth.
God is omnific – He created everything (John 1:3). .
God is omnipotent – (all powerful). He spoke and there came: light, expanse (heavens), plants, sun, moon,
stars, seasons, nights, birds, fish, animals, livestock, beasts, creeping things, each able to reproduce, God is omniscient (all knowing). Prepared for each succeeding thing created, all that they would need.
Putting into every atom, secret powers which can benefit man, even now scientists continue to unveil
secrets that He has built into the atoms that make up the world. His knowledge included all future events
from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) and knowing all men both their good and evil deeds.
God formed man in His likeness, breathed into the form life and man became a living being (soul) able to
reproduce – each new birth also has a soul (Ezekiel 18:4).
God is love – giving for the benefit of all people all they need: life, home, companionship, wife, work, food,
drink, dominion and even freedom of choice in obeying Him or failure to do so and a savior to redeem
them because he knew they would all sin.
God is omnipresent (being present everywhere during all times at the same time).
Thus we know the beginning of man, his disobedience, his separation from God and from the tree of
life, that God hates sin and predicts the victory by His son (Genesis 3:15).
Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 254
How often we deceive ourselves into thinking that our conduct is pleasing to God because we are able to exonerate ourselves as we observe others in the faith. This comparing self with ourselves is not wise. We must “look into the perfect law of liberty” as a mirror to know self as we are. A close introspection is needed by us all at times, that we know ourselves as God knows us. God is not mocked, we cannot deceive Him, let us not deceive ourselves either.
One may be approved by his fellow man as to his life, his words, his travels, his recreation or any other phase of his life, but this is not the most important thing for man. Approval of God is the most important thing for man for we will all meet God in righteous judgment. Nothing will be hidden from Him for “all things are naked and opened into the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” Hebrews 4:13. We then cannot give an excuse to man concerning our spiritual obligations and be right with God for He truly knows. If we cover our laxity, lethargy and indifference toward the Lord’s work by a multitude of activity in other matters, we may find ourselves pleasing to man yet be very displeasing to the Lord.
What you do with your time is really none of my business, but what you do with your time will determine your true relationship to the Lord God. Be sure to remember that whatever you do, or wherever you go, the Lord know everything about you. Be fair to yourself by being righteous in life, thus, to be prepared to meet God whom you love.
Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 253
Let this mind be in you, which was also in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was with God, on equality with God, yea, He was God. He had greatness, honor, position, enjoyed fellowship with the Father, received worship of the angels and was glorified of all in that home. Love cause Him to come to earth, walk among men, humble Himself to obey God by even submitting to the death on the cross. Love so amazing, so divine to give himself for the sinner, the enemy of God, even for those who opposed Him and who crucified Him. Our minds can hardly conceive such love and such devotion, yet the apostle exhorts “Let this mind be in you” (Philippians 2:5).
We, with our positions and titles of seeming greatness find it hard to condescend to men of low estate, much less to have the mind of Christ. “Look up to me”, we cry from a heart of pride. “My way must be followed”, we shout presumptuously. “If you don’t like what I do, then submit any way or leave as far as I’m concerned”, our haughty spirit declares. We fear the loss of honor and esteem if we admit wrongs and mistakes. We have a position to uphold and therefore we must be right at all times and if we aren’t, then wait until the people forget. It just doesn’t matter about them, what they think, what they do, what they say, we’ll do what we want to do anyway.
The mind of Christ is in the lowly, the loving, the humble. In those who know they have sinned and yet do sin but now seek forgiveness. They must of necessity submit to God and fellow man for they consider self as nothing. These indeed are blessed of God and will be raised up in honor in the last day. They have the mind of Christ.
Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 253
Our Lord Jesus taught that we must do more than talk about religion to be pleasing in the sight of God. The profession of your live should be to display Christ to everyone at all times. This takes much more than the profession of words for our lives must conform to the example that Jesus left for us to follow. Of Him it was said, “He went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). His life was so filled with good works and with teaching the people that John said, “there are many other things which Jesus did, which if they should be written everyone, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” (John 21:25).
We should be doers of the Word. Not hearers only nor speakers only but doing His work. Would Christ be pleased with the amount of work you are doing? Most of us want recognition for doing the work of the Lord but far too few are willing to put out the time involved to actually accomplish it. We seek such recognition within a group or congregation that is doing something. We help the poor, the needy and spread the gospel by supporting ‘mission work’. We give some money the children’s homes and by such works obtain a certain recognition for ourselves. But are we involved personally? Often the most we become involved is to give a little on Sunday morning. Not so with Jesus. His work was not by proxy — for HE was the friend of the needy, the friendless and the down-trodden. His life was mixed with those that the society of the day would not touch. The Pharisees, priests and lawyers could not afford to lower themselves to the point of even touching those who were the scum of humanity. Yet Jesus did, and He was loved because of it. Our actions often fall into the same category as the Pharisees – who loved to talk about religion but did not love to practice it. We should be different – we should be like our Savior, Jesus Christ. As one has said, “When all has been said and done, we will wish we had done more and said less.” Therefore, let us brethren, encourage one another to love and good works that we may do them.
Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 252
Time is the most precious commodity that the human race is given. Whether squandered, lost, killed or well used, enjoyed and lived, when time is gone, it is never recovered. The hour, day, week, month, or year that has passed can only contain that which was put into it when it was a present fleeting reality. To grieve over past time that was lost or misused is only adding insult to injury. To pine for a future time to come can only increase one’s loss for the present that is spent in such pursuits is adding to time already lost. We really have only the present moment in which to live. The minutes of the last hour are gone forever and the minutes of the next may never come. While we may, and I think should, plan for a future, we should never be overly anxious about tomorrow. As Jesus said, “Do not be anxious about tomorrow; tomorrow will look after itself. Each day has troubles enough of its own.” Then we ought to live today, work today, love today and use today in God’s service.
Potentially, young people have more time than anyone else. Yet, when they are twenty (just ready to be on their own and make their own decisions in life), time for them is already one-fourth gone. This is potential time only, for we know not the hour of our passing from this life. While they may have three-fourths of their time left, they may be already far spent or have an hour left or half their time, we do not know. Potential time is figured on the three score and ten or perhaps four score years mentioned in the Bible. Therefore if you are over forty, your time is half gone, if you are sixty then three-fourths is gone, if nearing eighty or over, then time is nearly gone.
What we will do with the amount of potential time remaining in our lives depends upon what we do today. We are now that which we will become. If great things are expected in life, we must be doing those things that lead to greatness. If we expect to be great workers in the kingdom, we must be doing the great work of the kingdom today. If we are going to be soul-winners in the future (if such we have), we must be winning souls today. Young people may not be aware of this but none can sow to the lust of the flesh today and reap the harvest of spiritual living tomorrow. Whether in youth, middle age or old age, one who will become spiritual in the future potential time, must be spiritual in the fleeting moments of today. To excuse self by saying that we have plenty of time is tempting God and playing with eternal disaster in Hell. Time is a gift from God to man, given that man may prepare for an eternity with Him. Therefore we must not squander, misuse, lose or kill that which God graciously gives day by day — TIME.
Gordon Musick

 Musick-al Note # 251

          In his charge to Solomon, when David declared that Solomon would rule Israel after his death, David made a statement that everyone should remember today, “The Lord searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek Him, He will be found of you: but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9.  God knows man, even better than man knows himself and is able to supply man with all that he needs. There seems to be an attitude in the world today that one can deceive the Lord God.  How foolish in the light of such passages as this one.

          More pertinent to man’s need is the fact that man can find God if he searches for Him.  God is no tyrant who plays “hide and seek” with men whom He has made.  He loves man and is ever available to him.  He desires that man know Him and obey Him and come to live with Him in eternity.  He can be found and has even given instructions for man to know how to come to Him.  If one will give heed to the words of the revelation of God, that person can find God and serve Him.  He will be blessed throughout his days here and inherit the joys of heaven when life here is gone.

          However, David’s statement includes a warning.  A warning against apostasy!  “If you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”  A terrible tragedy, to be cast away – lost throughout eternity – because you left God.  How did it happen?  The services were neglected; service for His work was forgotten in the rush for the riches and pleasures of this world.  Hope no longer burns brightly in the heart, faith in God and His promises is dead, love for the Lord lessened as love for worldly honor and praise increased.  Hymns are no longer sung; no prayers are breathed in the stillness of night; no thought given to the Lord or His kingdom.  But you are LOST — lost from an eternity of bliss, joy and happiness.  Lost – cast away – into an eternity of anguish, misery, suffering and regret.  Lost – without hope – in Hell that was prepared for the Devil and his angels for all eternity.

                 Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 250            

           A strange question, yet one which the Apostle Paul alluded to in Romans, chapter two.  His conclusion was that God’s goodness should have led to repentance.  Let us examine ourselves in the light of this question and not relegate it into some far-off,     distant land.

          Take for instance, God’s goodness to us in this land of freedom, in which we are not forbidden to meet and worship the true and living God.  Does this freedom of choice cause many to seek the Lord?  Does it cause Christians to spend much time in worship?  On the contrary, man seeks his own way and many Christians must be begged, pleaded with, cajoled and constantly visited before they make much effort to worship God, and then they attend only when nothing else comes up.  Does God’s goodness cause them to sin?  By no means, it should cause them to be able to worship and have more fellowship with the brethren.  The choice is still theirs and they do as they please in this matter.

          Another area of God’s goodness in this era of prosperity and plenty with money easy to come by for those who will apply themselves.  Does this prosperity cause men to give much to the cause of the Lord, to the preaching of the Gospel, to help the poor     and needy, to be ready to every good work?  Not necessarily, (although some undoubtedly do), for we see many men and even Christians who are selfish, greedy, stingy, hardened to the needs of the less fortunate and are unconcerned for the lost souls around them.  Does the goodness of God cause them to sin?  It should have     caused them to be able to do more in the Kingdom.  The choice is with man, to do or fail to do as he decides for himself.

          Again, does God’s goodness, shown in the love and charity of the brethren cause Christians to prefer one another and treat one another fairly?  Then why do we find Christians taking advantage of other Christians?  Why do some take advantage of the church when there is opportunity to do so?  Perhaps there is a bit of Judas in each of us – to obtain something for ourselves at the expense of the brethren when the occasion is right.  Judas probably reasoned that his taking from the treasury was just – that he deserved it. Perhaps much was to provide for the whole group and he only got a little extra for himself.  However Judas excused himself, John reveals that he was a thief from the beginning.  Because an opportunity arises doesn’t mean that we ought to serve ourselves. Does God’s goodness cause us to sin?  God forbid! It should cause us to prove our faithfulness, our love and lead us to do better things in the future.

              Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 249   

        Many issues are facing the church today.  Years ago, those who taught doctrines contrary to the truth would leave the body of Christ, taking with them such supporters as would listen and build groups after their persuasion.  Today, however, such teachers are willing to hide their true identity while staying within the framework of the church in order to persuade more and more to follow their leading.  It is an awesome task to distinguish the true from the false because of the smoothness with which these teachers work and the naïve-ness of the brethren.  We tend to think the best of people.  We give the benefit of the doubt whenever possible.  One might say it is an excellent field in which to promote error.

         The question is: “How can I distinguish or how can I be sure that what is taught is truth?  Every Christian should listen with awareness whether those things are actually in the Scriptures or not. The Bereans searched the Scriptures in checking Paul’s preaching (Acts 17:11).  John exhorted us to “try the spirits, whether they are of god, for many false prophets are among the people” (1 John 4:1).  Peter also admonished the teachers to be true, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11).  But, someone says, they do quote scripture and how shall I know they are handling them as they should?  One thing that is of help to men in this matter is to question whether the doctrine is reasonable.  God is a reasonable God and has given man a reasonable book to guide so the resulting doctrines will also be reasonable.  If it takes too much explaining, too much construction, too much interpretation, too much exposition and too much rationalization – beware!  God is able to reveal His will to man in simple, reasonable statements which need no interpretation, just believe and obey them to the saving of your soul.

               Gordon Musick