March 23, 2023 Give Thanks
Music
1 Chronicles 6:32 Performing Your Duties Correctly
They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them. 1 Chronicles 6:32
In both the workplace and the home everyone has certain duties that they are expected to perform. Some of those duties are actually written out in detail as what needs to be done on a regular basis. Many other duties are unwritten and undetailed but are expected to be completed.
Various things are often put in place to encourage completing all the duties one is supposed to do, though it is still up to the individual to complete the duty.
David had put some men in charge of ministering with music before the tabernacle until the temple was built. They performed their duties according to the regulations given them.
Everyone has some specific duties that they must perform on a regular basis. Most often this is specifically found in the workplace and is filled with details on what to do or not do and consequences of both sides of performance.
It is common for many people to try and find loopholes in getting out of doing some of their duty or doing less of it. Every day people are removed from positions because they are not performing their duties according to the regulations or expectations.
Believers not only have the regulations of the duties of their jobs, social and home lives, they also have the duties to be performed that have been laid out by God. The very least of these regulations are to live a holy life, flee sin, pray, be a witness and to build His kingdom.
How these things are done may vary from person to person, but each is expected by God to do his duty to the best of his ability with the strength of the Holy Spirit.
God has placed you on this earth with a purpose. He has a job for you to do that only you can perform. He has also given you all authority and power needed by the Holy Spirit to do what needs to be done.
Do not allow yourself to shirk your responsibility in completing the task God has set before you. Perform your duty according to the plan God has set before you and see God do amazing work through you to build His kingdom.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know what God expects you to do; that you will work in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit; and that you will do the work God has given you to do and according to His regulations.
Deuteronomy 7:26 Keep The Trash Out
Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Regard it as vile and utterly detest it, for it is set apart for destruction. Deuteronomy 7:26
Everyday people all over the world accumulate trash that needs to be tossed out. Most people gather it together and put it in the trashcan to be removed and hauled to a dump. Very few people like to have trash sitting around in their house.
The few people that don’t mind trash all over their house are rejected or looked down upon by most others.
God told the Israelites that they were not to bring anything that was detestable into their house. If they did, they would be set apart for destruction. It was to be rejected and set apart to be destroyed.
While most believers are unwilling to have physical trash in their house, many are willing to bring trash into their homes and lives on a daily basis. The trash that they bring in is the sinful things they allow to enter their home.
Movies are watched by many believers that contain sexual scenes, pornography, promotion of sin as good, rejection of God, filthy words, senseless murder, witchcraft, and much more. In same way music is listened to that contains filthy words, rejection of God, promotion of sinful activities, sexual promiscuity, and much more.
Often believers say that it is just a little thing, but God sees sin as utterly detestable and needs to be destroyed at all costs.
True believers that want to honor God with their lives, will strive to not bring sin into their lives. They will flee sin and run to God. They will find contentment in the holy things of God, rather than the sinful things of this fallen world.
Take an honest inventory of what you allow in your home and life. Whether it is just a little thing or something big, all sin is extremely horrible and worthy only of death and destruction.
Satan and the world desire to cause you to step into sin. They want you to bring some of their sin into your life to cause you to slip away from God.
Rather than be set apart for destruction, reject the sin of this world and run to God and grab onto the things of God. Set your life and home to be holy unto God.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will reveal sinful things that are in your life; that God will give you strength to reject all sin in your life; and that you will live holy and righteous before God.
Exodus 23:33 Don’t Allow Them Live With You
Do not let them live in your land or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you. Exodus 23:33
Residing with a physical enemy is not something that most people would be willing to agree to do knowingly. The danger of having an enemy so close is understood and avoided.
On the surface most people attempt to stay away from danger. They want to live their lives being happy and carefree in the moment with very little concern for eternity or the undercurrents of the enemy.
God tells the Israelites that when they get into the new land, they are to not allow the people of the land or enemy to live there with them, because they will ensnare them in the worship of their gods.
While people will be quick to say that they would never allow their enemies into their homes, they are allowing the enemy into their homes on a daily basis, and many believers are doing the same thing.
Believers go to church on Sundays, worshipping God and claiming to follow Him alone, but throughout the rest of the week they allow the enemy into their homes. Satan walks into their homes through media of various sorts.
Movies, music and online sites that promote sin and things against God are watched, read and listened to on a regular basis. All these things are often idolized as ‘great’ by many believers becoming a great snare in their lives. Over time of allowing these things, many fall into more sin and worshipping false gods, rather than God.
Every believer must be willing to shut the door of their lives on the enemy and worship God alone. One must be willing to turn and flee from all sin and appearance of sin and be holy as God is holy.
Take an inventory of your life and what you allow into your life. Do the people and things you allow into your life draw you closer to God or attempt to pull you away from God?
The world has nothing to offer that is lasting and life giving. Satan is only out to kill and destroy you. Do not allow the things of this world to be a snare in your life.
Be willing to worship God alone and keep the enemy from getting a hold in your life.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will open your eyes to the enemy in your life; that you will strive to be holy as God is holy; that you will worship God alone; and that God will help you get rid of the snares of the enemy in your life.
Psalm 57:8 A Solid Heart
My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalm 57:8
Desires that people have often change on a constant basis. Changing hearts is what keeps driving sales of things. Trends rise and fall on a regular basis due to changing hearts and desires.
For a short time one item is the latest rage and everyone ‘needs’ it. Then suddenly there is a change in heart and a new item takes its place. Everyone rushes out to purchase the new item.
This can be seen in not only things people want, but also in how they look, act, and feel. The hearts of people change on a regular basis and rarely stay the same very long on any one thing.
David was being pursued by Saul to be killed. As he was being chased, he did not have fear as many would have. He cried out to God, but was also confident that God would save him. David stood solid upon the fact God would take care of him, so he was able to sing and make music. His heart was solid for God.
There are many who follow God, but do not have a steadfast and solid heart for God. It has become common among many that they accept that a person can follow God or any other religion at the same time if they so desire.
Some will go to church every Sunday, but then on Monday deny Christ in everything that they say and do. Their heart is not solid with God. It changes with their emotions or feelings on a day to day basis.
When a person is living like this, he is unable to sing and make music in times of trouble. There is no peace or joy in his life, despite the troubles.
One who has a steadfast, solid heart after God, will not change with the changing situations. He will stand on God’s word alone and worship God through everything.
You have a choice to make each and every day. It is a choice of following and trusting God with all of your heart so that you may worship Him. Or you can choose to follow the world.
Do not allow yourself to go back and forth. Either serve God or do not serve Him. God wants you hot or cold towards Him, not lukewarm.
Do you have a solid heart that follows after God? Or do you change with the situations in life?
I pray today that you will follow God with all of your heart; that you will trust God in every situation; that you will worship God in every situation; that your heart towards God will not change; and that you will have a desire to serve God all the time.
Insights From Tom 