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Devotions
Rev William A Tyler Sr: Posted on Sunday, November 01, 2015 12:54 AM
Music in the Church
What is the biblical approach to music in the church
and in the life of the Christian? And why does it matter to the
Holy Spirit? Unfortunately, many churches are in a state of ignorance
when it comes to music. Music is one of the primary areas of church
ministry that has done more to grieve the Holy Spirit than any other.
Primarily because, much of church music is anchored in worldly methodology that
is ambitiously predatory in nature for emotionalism.
Throughout the New Testament as
well as the Old, biblical music and singing is vocal, joyful and respectful to
God and finds its origin with God (Exodus 15:1,21; Acts 16:26; Rev. 5:9). The use of a concordance to find verses that
contain the words: "song," "singers" and
"singing," will confirm that God has purpose in music.
Notice particularly the special
assignments given to singers and the special provision for singers in 2
Chronicles and Nehemiah. God also uses trumpets, harps, and other musical
instruments for His pose.
Satan also instigates the use of
music amongst God's people to enhance his deceitful influence. Obviously,
he has accomplished his agenda amongst many well intended Christians.
Particularly, we see a weak endeavor to know what kind of music comes from the
heart of God and what derives from the mind of Satan and little desire to
discern the difference.
The music pattern and methodology of
your church is very revealing about the intent and motive that drives that
ministry. The fact is: what motivates us, conforms us, thus, methodology is
conceived. For many
Churches, the devil has a manipulating strong hold in the area of music that is
emotionally driven. Thus you have what is known as "Euphoric
Repentance". Churches across all denominational lines have been seduced to
a false and vain obligation to provide a non-convicting environment
through the use of musical enhancement and entertainment. This is most
noticeable amongst churches that favor contemporary methodology where more
often than not, a musicians sincerity is mistaken for spirituality worthy of
praise. Discerning believers know and
understand that the Bible teaches and requires a very obvious contrast to
worldly methodology of music. Godly music is most noticeably holy,
doctrinal, and reverent in mannerism... and totally unlike the appeal, apparel,
and appearance of worldly music. This is a matter of fact.
Charles
Spurgeon, the great English Baptist preacher, declared with conviction:
"The
devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the Church that part of
their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to
winning them... providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the
Scriptures as a function of the Church...The need is biblical doctrine, so
understood and felt that it sets men of fire."
The character of Biblically based music is distinctly different in its
origin and purpose. Biblical
music and its methodology is sacred, not seductive. It is not intended to
draw the world... it is separate from the world. Unlike biblical
music, worldly methodology in music with religion sprinkled on it, is at its
core a predator for the emotion of the vulnerable and Carnal Believer, while biblical based methodology in music compels devotion to the one
and only true God... The Lord Jesus Christ (Col. 3;16).
Rev William A
Tyler Sr
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Rev William A Tyler Sr: Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2015 4:50 AM
Self Deception
One of the
most prevalent and poisonous rationalizations of sin is when we suggest to
ourselves the lie... "I can
handle this. If I sense that I'm losing control, I'll just
quit. I won't let it get out of control." Unrealistic expectations
is often at the root of self-deception. The problem with such thinking
is that in sin's erosive grip, the heart(mind) of a person is dulled ever more
by repeated sin. A
calloused heart(Thought) cannot sense the deception and increasing danger of
the sin barraging it. The only advantage a Christian can
employ under pressure and overcome is an unveiled openness before God. The
opposite of this is a self-willed, miss-guided heart that ultimately results in
a sense of futility in all that we do and become. We impoverish and weaken
ourselves all because we will not trust and obey God with all our heart. It is for this
reason that God applies pressure in our lives. Unless we experience the pressure of facing every deception about
ourselves, we may cling to the depths of our hearts before we give Jesus
our consideration. The tragedy will be a stunted
growth that leaves one at a disadvantage to the grossness
of one's own personal ambitions.
If you are a believer attempting to
walk in the likeness of Christ, you can be sure that the Holy Spirit will be
assertive within your spirit when confronted with a situation or decision that
would take you outside the will of God.
If you are faced with the question of
whether or not to open and surrender your heart; then make a
determination to go through whatever pressure God has permitted;
surrendering all that you have and all that you are to Him. You will take
great pleasure in knowing that you are not your own nor alone. Amen
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Rev William A Tyler Sr
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Rev William A Tyler Sr: Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 9:21 AM
Limitations
are a matter of reality. It has always been God's will to place limits on
individuals. Many are limited in their physical abilities. Others
may face financial, mental and emotional limitations. Discerning believers understand the
importance of respecting the limits that God applies to each of us. Yet,
there are many believers in a state of complaining about limitations that
seem to restrict their desires and "Their dreams".
The harsh reality to our complaining about
the limits God has placed on us is that we have not confessed and truly
repented, or turned away from bad management within our limitations. The limitations we experience is God's
way of working on our behalf in ways that are beyond our control. This
was certainly the case for Gideon in the face of intense opposition (Judges 6).
Gideon learned that his limitations do not limit God.
It wasn't
until king David reached the limit of his emotional despair;
as he was facing the loss of his family and death by mutiny, that he
returned to the Lord. Just when time was running out, David repented,
recalled how God had blessed him in the past, refocused his attention to God's
power, remembered God's promises, and resolved to trust God. He simply made up
his mind that he would follow and obey the Lord whatever the cost in the
present. The limits that God placed on king David literally saved
his life.
It is when Christians respect the limitations
God places before them, that they will resolve to answer God's
will as did Gideon, David, Hannah and many others. To surrender their
will and fears; and then make a determination to go through whatever pressure
God has permitted. Surrendering all that you have and all that you are to
Him... you will take great pleasure in knowing that God's Grace is
sufficient.
Rev
William A Tyler Sr
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Rev William A Tyler Sr: Posted on Sunday, August 02, 2015 6:12 PM
The Reason For
Communion
The Lord's Supper was instituted by Jesus
Christ on the eve leading up to His death on the cross. The Lord's Supper is
presented in scripture as the distinctive observerance by a local organized
assembly of Christians with a purposeful focus on the Lord's death with joyful
anticipation of the Lord's return. The two symbolic elements
committed in this observerance are the bread, representing the broken body of
the crucified
Christ, and the cup, representing the Lord's shed blood.
Should the observance of the Lord's Supper be open
to all Christians or exclusive to certain Believers from a particular church or
denomination? When we rightly
divide the Word of truth, it seems clear that the Lord's Supper is open to ALL
Born-Again Believers. This was certainly the case when Jesus observed His
final supper, even permitting Judas (who would betray Christ). There is
no admonition by the apostles to exclude other Believers. The rule to partaking of the Lord's Supper is not to exclude others, but
examination of one's self( 1 Corinthians 11:28).
There are three biblical conditions to
partaking of the Lord's Supper...
I. You must be a Born-Again Believer. ( 1 Corinthians 11:23,33). This is strongly implied in context with verse 31
where Paul uses the personal pro-noun "we" and then again refers to
the believers as "brethren" in verse 33.
II. A Believer must be
associated with Born-Again Believers beginning with identification
through baptism. Water
Baptism is biblically represented as the very first
act of obedience to the will of God. Believers who willfully neglect the opportunity of water baptism
by immersion should NOT partake of the Lord's supper. Water baptism is a wonderful and
powerful testimony of one's dedication and determination to follow the Lord
Jesus Christ. And as such it must not be mistaken as the actual act of being
Born Again.
III. A Believer who will partake of the Lord's Supper should be in the
will of God with their life and living. ( 1 Corinthians 11:28). This is where the
pastor should encourage all in attendance to examine and judge
themselves. If the examinee concludes that they are not in willful
disobedience to God... then they should gladly partake of the Lord's supper.
Observing the Lord's Supper is a wonderful
occasion for Believers to examine their spiritual growth or lack thereof.
It is also a very serious matter that demands an awareness of God's purpose
with our life.
Rev William A Tyler Sr
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Rev William A Tyler Sr: Posted on Sunday, July 05, 2015 12:39 PM
A Legalist and a
Modernist
Every church has it
difficulties. However, there are two types of very difficult
Christians that hurt churches more than anything else... the legalist and
the modernist. Most
churches will be confronted by legalism and/or modernism and if left
unchallenged... will lead that church into a pattern of grieving the Holy
Spirit. How do we discern the difference between a legalist and a modernist
verses a scriptural believer?
A scriptural Believer is one who is
fervent for sound biblical teaching and exemplifies holy living that is
motivated and cultivated by the Grace of God (Titus 2:11, 12).
The modernist reject a biblical
mandate for Holy Standards. They don't want rules and barriers. They prefer
their good intentions over the obvious commands of God's Word for holiness. A
modernist prefers ideology over theology. They are motivated by toleration, not
separation.
A legalist is rooted in a insecure
approach to life. Their primary concern is with external matters and manners of modern society.
They put a greater emphasis on spiritual activities verses being spiritually
active. Their cause is reformation... not transformation. They believe in salvation
by works.. not salvation that does work. They find it very difficult to
exercise forgiveness. This was obvious amongst the Pharisees in whom Jesus
confronted. A
Pharisee/legalist lacks understanding in the Person and Purpose Of Jesus
Christ.
Both legalist and modernist are in
concert together as they demonstrate their lack of sensitivity to the
indwelling Holy Spirit who enables holiness that is neither legalistic nor
unreasonable. Obviously, neither legalism nor modernism has any favor from
God.
While legalism focuses on outward
appearance, God's Grace emphasizes Godliness both internally and externally.
God's Grace could never produce a legalist nor a modernist. It can only produce
Righteousness and Holiness.
Contrary to the legalist; a
scriptural Believer emphasizes transformation over reformation.
In contrast to the modernist/ecumenicalism; the scriptural Believer emphasizes
separation over toleration (2 Cor. 6:17). It is quite
possible for a Christian to be a legalist or a modernist due to a lack of
understanding and growth. However, it is impossible for a Christian to remain a
legalist or modernist and not be under the stern admonishment of the Holy
Spirit to grow in the Grace and Knowledge( the "Gospel", the True
teachings of Jesus Christ (John 16:13). I hope you will take a moment and ask yourself
if you fit into one or both of these categories of so called believers Ask the Lord to give you insight and
understanding in judging yourself. The Judging is up to us before we stand in
front of Christ , the ultimate Advocator
Rev
William A Tyler Sr
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Rev William A Tyler Sr: Posted on Sunday, June 07, 2015 6:47 PM
THANKING GOD AND
WHY
Never underestimate the power of thanks-giving. The Bible emphasizes
caution against the neglect of giving thanks to God. The lack of gratitude is a
sure tell sign that one is walking in darkness. The result is a pattern of defensiveness,
defiance and the subtle nurturing of hatred.
Living
in a spirit of thankfulness is beneficial to our spiritual and physical well
being. One of the most important facets of the Christian's life is the
discipline of appreciation regardless of one's circumstances. Whenever we
purposefully exercise gratefulness for who God is, we are in essence exercising
Faith in God and His Will. Gratefulness and Faithfulness to God are
inseparable. Gratitude and Faithfulness to God accepts the fact that there are
no other reserves to draw upon or to seek after.
Christians have inherited an
immeasurable treasure called the Grace of God. The sufficiency of God's Grace
is the core reason why Christians are compelled to be forever Grateful to God. Yet,
so many are willfully trapped by their efforts to obtain God's favor by their
works. They believe works will bring Grace upon them from God. But this is
returning unto the age of works in the Old Testament. This explains why so many
Christian remain woe-fully un-thankful. The Bible exacts thanks-giving as an
expression of one's sense of completeness in Christ, not in the Law.
Purposefully acknowledge your oneness with Jesus Christ. Know that
Christ is your sufficiency. Thanks-giving is not something that we can
manufacture. It is simply the out flow of knowing and responding to God's Favor
and Faithfulness ( Philippians. 4:6,7). Amen! Rev William A Tyler Sr
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Rev William A Tyler Sr: Posted on Sunday, May 03, 2015 9:29 AM
Who Grieves God the Most ?
One of the most difficult Christian's for God and the Holy Spirit to empower
is the one who will not forgive themselves. They are the ones who
grieve God the most. They remain intimidated by a past-experience and
enslaved to the post-experience of guilt. The Gospel of Jesus Christ
demands that we beware of any enslaving thought that would provoke a continued
indulgence of self-condemnation after one has repented of their sin (Romans 8:1). For one To forgive themselves, they must bring every condemning and
condescending thought into captivity to Christ Jesus and begin to think
scripturally about the death of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5). The only reason why God is justified to
forgive sin is the death of His Son, Jesus Christ.
The death of
Jesus Christ for our sins was necessary. For we cannot secure the Blessing
of salvation by virtue of our own Righteousness. Either we receive the
GIFT of salvation FREELY, or do without it. God's forgiveness is not
hindered in the least for all who are in Christ Jesus (1 John 2:1,2). No matter how you feel, no
matter what accusations you may wrestle with from within or from without, Jesus Christ will never condemn those He
purchased with His blood.
Knowing the fact that Jesus Christ is
our Savior and friend, along with being our advocate, will keep us from
over-reacting to over-whelming thoughts of guilt. The world's answer to guilt,
pressure and suffering is to look for someone to blame, develop a deep desire
to escape, deny the problem, or fall into depression. These are not habits we
can afford to live with. Outlandish odds will press against you.
No matter what is happening in your
life, Christ is eager to forgive and restore. Know that there
is certain entrance to a renewed fellowship with your heavenly Father. Your
relationship to Christ makes forgiveness desirable and beneficial. Salvation is Christ Crucified; God Satisfied; The Believer
Justified.
Rev
William A Tyler Sr
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Rev William A Tyler Sr: Posted on Sunday, April 05, 2015 8:51 PM
Warfare within the Spirit
Satan's
fiery arrows against Christians are intended to stimulate a distrust
of God and tolerance for self-sufficiency. More often than not... this is
accomplished through stimulating the mind with a preoccupation for survival
and/or an endless search for self-significance (Genisis 3:1,6). When believers yield to the tempation for either, they are always on the losing end of the battle.
It is interesting to note that Satan will
never argue with your desire to invest yourself in spiritual-activities, works
without Faith His hellishness is against God's desire for the
believer to be spiritually active... that is... to worship the Lord Jesus
Christ by giving thanks and trusting Him to meet every need.
Satan's will for you is to be sanctimonious...
not sanctified; to be good... not Godly;
to be used for God... not used by God; to be available for God... not
accessible for God; to work for God... not worship Him. Christians will always lose in battle when
they fight or argue for spiritual freedom. Fighting for a
possession one already possess is a perpetual state of distrust of God.
The only free person in the world is a Christian. The clue that a believer is losing the battle
of spiritual warfare is revealed in a pattern of inconsistency with God's will.
The challenge to worship God is both
perpetual and very personal with God. When we neglect the worship of God, we
leave ourselves vulnerable to the wiles of the devil and the vanity of our
imagination, thus the sinful nature (disobedient nature) takes control.
Never be sympathetic with any challenge that would hinder your need to yield to
the indwelling Holy
Spirit. The
Word Of God is both our training ground and the ground on which we gain a pure
perspective of the worthiness of Christ. Satan cannot oppress a Christian who
knows their free to worship Christ in spirit and truth. Also by reading the
Bible and gaining understanding by the leading of the Holy Spirit
Rev William A Tyler Sr
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Rev William A Tyler Sr: Posted on Sunday, March 01, 2015 12:01 PM
GOOD and Evil
Since God created all things,
does not in any way suggest that evil must have originated with God. God is
light and in Him is no darkness at all ( 1 John 1:5) it is true that all God
created was good.
One of the many good things God
made was creatures who had the freedom to choose good. God allowed both Angels
and Humans to choose good or reject good.
As darkness is the absence of
light... evil is the absence of good, or a better description would be , evil
is the absence or rejection of God and His influence. God did not have to
create evil, but rather only allow for the absence of good.
While God did not create evil, He
does allow evil as the result of choices made by man. If God had not allowed
for the possibility of man and Angels choosing evil or rejecting Him, both
mankind and Angels would be serving God out of mere obligation, not
choice. Thus, there is no
legitimate justification to accuse God for the evil and its consequences in
this world.
As finite human beings, we can never
fully understand why an infinite God would allow for the prospect of evil and its
consequences. ( Romans 11:33-34). God operates from a Holy,
eternal purpose. We perceive things from a foolish and temporal perspective.
Evil is a reality that originated with Satan when He deemed himself more
significant and potentially more powerful than God. Satan has no raw material.
He can only take that which God created and pervert it for his own glory and benefit. The
enemy that Satan is... is not our chief problem... it is the enmity of our
hearts. Ultimately, evil becomes a
matter of fact in the life of sinners and Christians when we choose to yield to
our fleshly inclinations for self preservation and/or glorification ( Genesis 3).
Fortunately, there is a remedy for evil.
It is exclusively the gospel of Jesus Christ. God's grace will always be
greater than evil.
Rev William A Tyler Sr
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Rev William A Tyler Sr: Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2015 2:36 AM
Asking for Help
It happens, Christians fall, and falter. When
inconsistency becomes a pattern in our lives, it's time to start over. The
wonderful thing about God's Grace is the assurance that we can start afresh. God is ready to help. The danger in not recognizing one's need to start over
often results in greater complicity with vain pursuits and the diminishing of
discernment.
The Christian life is possessed with a
perpetual state of needing help. Asking God to help will always be desirable
when the heart has an understanding of the Grace of God. Christians who are
growing fervently and faithfully in and by the Grace of God are aware of God's
dependability. There is nothing more obvious about God than His faithfulness. A
Christian will never be an imposition to God. Yet, many Believers feel very unsure and uncomfortable in asking
Christ for help. It is this thinking that is the number one reason why
believers inflict themselves with unnecessary problems... it is rooted in
unbelief. Which is very dangerous!
It is an absolute fact that each of us will
experience the bitter sting of desperation! Desperation literally means to: suffer
unbearable anxiety and despair. Sometimes,
our lives will experience, even require a major disruption in order to fix our
attention firmly on the Lord. Never disregard your moments of desperation as
obstacles. They are tools in the hand of our Master, Jesus Christ. Though
sometimes painful, these times can become our most life-altering moments,
depending on how we respond. Read the story of Job. In which we can respond in
a positive or negative way, which is either pleasing or displeasing unto the Father.
Take a moment to be still before God .Allow
God to be God, meditate on the person of Jesus and His friendship. Thank God,
that He is forever with you.. Although we may not realize it, moments of
desperation reveals what we truly think about Christ. God wants you to be
comfortable with asking Him for help (Hebrews 4:16). The longer you wait to
ask, the heavier your burdens will become. Asking God for help is not
impossible. If you will not ask God for help, you will find yourself
becoming impossible. Yes, it will likely cost you much to ask God for help; if
you don't, it will cost you the most. Remember,
the day you stop asking God for help is the day you start asking for trouble.
Starting over must begin with a
determination to identify with Jesus Christ as His disciple. There is no other way to be stripped of the blinding
effect of self-interest. We are not here for self-realization, but to know
Jesus Christ as God's only means for life that makes living so meaningful.
Amen!
Rev William A Tyler Sr
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