Archive for January 2012
Chords For Christian Praise Songs
The Christian praise genre utilizes many of the same chord progressions found in most pop/rock songs. Playing praise music is relatively straightforward. In fact even one set of chords can get you through quite a few worship tunes, and will get you started playing worship music.
If you are starting out with worship music, try learning this chord progression on the guitar. Start with your index finger on the A string on the seventh fret, ring finger on the D string, ninth fret and the pinky on the G string, ninth fret. This is an easy E chord position that you can slide up and down the neck for most of the chords you need. Slide the position to the second fret (leading with the index finger) for a B chord, and two frets higher for a C#minor. Remove your index finger and slide the two remaining fingers to the second fret for a nice sounding A chord. Experiment with this position and you will find quite a few useful chords for worship.
Once you learn four or five chords in the key of E, move on to some chords in G. Start with your middle finger on the low E string, third fret. Place your ring finger on the B string on the same fret and your pinky on the high E string, same fret. This is a very commonly used G chord. Move your middle finger to the A sting and you instantly have a C chord. More chords can be formed from small movements, but learning them is beyond the scope of this article.
For people who have difficulties visualizing gutiar chords and memorizing them, guitar chord charts will be very helpful for you. You can download these guitar chord charts anywhere on the internet and they are usually available for free. If you are staying near a local music store, you might want to consider getting a hardcopy of the guitar chord charrts as they help greatly for beginner guitarists to pick up strumming.
It’s a good idea to explore these chords with a guitar teacher or someone experienced with playing pop music. Start with these two keys, learn about four or five chords in each one then branch out to learning songs in other keys. The chords might seem hard at first but work at it a bit and you’ll be playing worship in no time.
The Planet Venus is the Light Bringer and the Story Behind the Fall of “Satan” in Isaiah 14
If I ever heard an Old Testament story once, I have heard this one told ten thousand times. It comes from Isaiah 14.
12 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;”
This story was THE proof that Satan used to be one of God’s good guys and then all of a sudden, one day decided to be take over everything and knock God off His throne. Local boy goes bad I guess. Well Satan, which term is never mentioned here, former Light Bringer which is what Lucifer means, is now the Prince of Darkness and the rest is history.
What’s really going on with this story. Did you know that you see this drama literally take place multiple mornings and evenings of the year. Did you know that even to this day, this Lucifer is mistaken for UFOs or landing lights! Jesus said he saw Satan fall as lightening from heaven as did millions then and billions today if you know where to look. It’s a very old story based on a very real observation by humans who made up a story about what they did not understand at the time.
First of all, let’s understand that Isaiah 14 is really not about a Satan the Devil as he has evolved into over the history of the Church. A scripture can never mean what it never meant, and this principle applies to Isaiah 14 for sure. In the original Hebrew text, the 14th chapter of Isaiah is not about a fallen angel, but about a fallen Babylonian king, who had persecuted the children of Israel. Later in the context we see he was a man, who died. Now we often hear that this was a “type” but that’s slippery ground mostly. Metaphor maybe, but not a type, where we can change a man into a Lucifer and then Lucifer into Satan, never mentioned, and then the whole thing into how Satan came to be the God of this world so send in your tithes and be safe with us. “In the Hebrew text the expression used to describe the Babylonian king before his death is “Helal, son of Shahar”, which can best be translated as “Day star, son of the Dawn.” The name evokes the golden glitter of a proud king’s dress and court (much as his personal splendor earned for King Louis XIV of France the appellation, “The Sun King”).
{Craig Lyons-Bet Emet Ministries.} The King here was a man, plain and simple, and for his cocky attitude, he got to die like everyone else.
Lucifer means “Light Bringer” and is a term used by Roman astronomers to describe the planet Venus. Venus has always been the light bringer as it always precedes the early morning sun. It is very bright and very noticeable, such that it has been confused, as noted, for the landing lights of non-existent airplanes. It is bright, but not as bright as the sun of course. In mythology, humans noted this ‘god” that preceeded the sun and seemed to be racing to the zenith, which in astrotheology is called the place of the “Most High” or plainly put for us today, NOON! Noon is God’s throne in astrotheological terms. In Isaiah, this “Lightbringer” went before God, the Most High-The SUN. The highest point in the sky where the sun or anything that shines outside the planet can rise, from our perspective. When mythology and even the Bible speaks of God as “the most High”, one can see the deeper meaning that hints at sun worship. The Bible promotes a similar yet different form of Sun/Son worship but that has been lost on most Christians today.
The planet Venus proved to be an enigma for mankind. It’s job seemed to be to go before the morning sun and announce, if you would, it’s coming forth. But then, bright as it was and still is, it falls from the sky and descends into the ground, or in mythology, seems to be thrown down. Strange! Not knowing that Venus was an inner planet and all inner planets that rotate with the earth around the sun can never pass over us, east to west as do the outer planets and stars, they had to explain it. Thus we have the the “fact” that this lightbringer, this Lucifer soon be called Satan, MUST have become discontend with just announcing the Sun God, so MUST have said in his heart, “I will become the MOST HIGH.” Well that was it for him! The Most High, not willing to give up his throne to this usurper, simply threw him back down to the earth, or apparently so at least as we look on the horizon. After that rather unsuccessful endeavor the dethrone God Most High, we get stuck with him as Satan compliments of the Church, who embellished the story and ta ta!…The mess the world in is explained and it isn’t the fault of mankind for the most part. Forever more, we can say, “Satan made me do it.” You know, the bright and morning star that tried to become God but lost.
It was mostly the Catholic St. Jerome in the fourth century who mistranslated the Hebraic metaphor, “Day star, son of the Dawn,” as “Lucifer,” and over the centuries an evolution of ideas took place. Lucifer the morning star became a disobedient angel, cast out of heaven to rule eternally in hell mostly waiting for all Non-Catholics, but later all Non-Protestants too. Now the Church had it’s Prince of the Power of the Air, the Prince of Darkness, the God of this world, The Roaring Lion, the Fallen Angel, the former Day star (because if you know where to look, Venus can even be seen in the daytime)…gone bad.
Interesting enough, even Jesus, well the Jesus of Revelation who bears no likeness to the Jesus of the Gospels, identifies himself as the morning star, a term used as a central theme in many Christian sermons. Jesus refers to himself as the morning star in Revelation 22:16: “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
So here we have it. Humans could never quite explain why this bright “star” we know as the planet Venus, preceeded the morning Sun as if to announce it’s arrival, but then crashed back to earth. Very strange! Let’s make up a story! This bright light, an Angel, the Lightbringer and minor deity compared to the SUN, really went bad and decided to knock the SUN GOD, and later the SON of GOD, off the throne, which is where the SUN rises to when it becomes the MOST HIGH at NOON. God, not putting up with that, simply threw Lucifer, now Satan or the Destroyer, back down to earth where he belongs and humans can get stuck with him until the SON of the SUN God comes back to destroy the works of the Light Bringer now gone dark. Great story! In Isaiah 14, this haughty king was acting just like that in thinking he could knock Israel out of the picture, he lost, was thrown down and died, just like that planet Venus every morning. So don’t mess with God’s chosen ones!19 But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.
In the real story of the real human king of Isaiah 14, we see he dies like all mortal men and is not well thought of for thinking he could challenge Israel. In verse 19 we read, “But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcass trodden under feet. 20 Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.” Graves, carcasses, pits, burials and oblivion are all features of what happens to humans, not Angels or mini-gods.
It’s interesting, Venus also rises evenings wonderfully bright after the sun sets, and then falls back to earth too. Perhaps Satan just coming out from the underworld of darkness for a peak and to let us know he still rules it before going back an hour or so later after “Sun Set” where even the Most High Sun goes every night, in Eqyptian history to challenge “SET” God of the Underworld. Makes you wonder about stories about Sons of the Sun preaching to spirits in “prison.” But that’s another story.
So when you see Venus early in the morning when you drive to work and think either a train if low enough or a plane looking for place to land is coming right at YOU, know that’s only the Light Bringer, Lucifer, later your arch nemesis Satan, announcing “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” Malachi 4:2. Notice it doesn’t say “Son”. Think of wings more like rays and you’ll get the picture. That planet Vensus, so beautiful is explaining a phenomenon that we take for granted to human beings long ago who feared such things and simply had to come up with a theology to explain it. Now you can say you saw Satan fall as lightening from heaven too…how cool is that!
Dwelling In God’s Secret Place
Psalms 91:1-2: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
When we dwell in the secret place of the Lord, we are actually to abide or live in the Lord, in His secret place.
Psalms 91:1, ( NAS): “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
This verse is actually talking about your relationship with God the Father and His son the Lord Jesus Christ. You may know Jesus as your Savior, but do you know Him as your Refuge, your Fortress, your Strength, your friend, and your Advocate? When you dwell in the secret place of the Most High, you are in the relationship God the Father desires and planned to have with His children when He created us. It is not an “on again, off again” relationship, spending time with God when you need something, or things are going badly. It is a minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day walk with God. It is a lifestyle of seeking and abiding with God always. Following His commandment, doing things God’s way, not the world’s way. Seeking God’s perfect will for you in your life. It is a lifestyle that glorifies God!
The Apostle Paul tells us that we are brought with a price.
1 Cor. 6:20: “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Everything we do should bring glory to God! The wonderful thing is, when we do this, live a life of “dwelling in the shelter of the Almighty”, God gives us certain promises that are there for us to appropriate.
Psalms 91:3-6: “Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.”
He promises us He will deliver us from the “snare of the fowler and the perilous pestilence.” We will have a refuge in Him and not be afraid of the terror by night, nor the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
These verses are describing the different ways the enemy, Satan, will attack you, both physically and spiritually. But God promises you safety and freedom. When you abide in Him, lean the things of God learn who God is, and what God does, you will have His strength, His peace, His joy, His confidence, to face all these things, knowing all the time that “we are more than conquerors.” ( Romans 8:37.)
God promises you safety and freedom from fear.
2 Tim. 1:7:”For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
When we are born again, we are recreated in the image of God – a new creature.
2 Cor. 5:17:”Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
When God’s Spirit dwells in us, He regenerates us, if we will let Him. He will help us to grow in His image, to create in us a clean heart and renewed mind; if we will let Him! But we have to “dwell in Him”, talk with Him, spend time getting to know Him, by spending time reading His Word, to become more like Him.
If you want to see real changes in your life, then spend more time with God and the things of God. Make time to pray, not just 5 or 10 minutes a day, but make real time to pray. To really go after God and the things of God, you may have to give up and rearrange you life. Stop watching junk on TV or substituting religious programs for real personal time with God. When you pray, don’t just tell God what you need, but take the time to praise Him, worship Him, talk to Him. Take the time to thank Him for all He has done in your life and the lives of others.
Spend time reading your Bible, not just a quick 10 minute devotional out of a book, but get out your Bible and really read it, verse by verse, chapter by chapter. Ask the Holy Spirit to open you spiritual understanding, so that you can understand what you are reading and how it relates to you.
James 1:5;4:3: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him…You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
If you ask God, He will give you understanding of His Word. Do it everyday. Make a commitment to change your life and then you will see great things eventually come to pass in your life!
Psalms 91:9-11: “Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your habitation, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.” Because you choose to abide in God, and make Him your refuge, then and only then will no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near you dwelling.
God promises to keep you in all you ways. When you trust in, rely on, dwell in Him and not your on strength, He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:6.) The enemy can take His best shot at you and it will not succeed, because God is on your side. This does not mean that we will not have trials, or tests, that the devil will automatically leave you alone, because you dwell in God. It really means the opposite, the enemy’s sole purpose is to keep you defeated, downtrodden and depressed. He wants to keep you financially frantic, heartbroken and sick and He will do anything in his power to keep you from trusting in, relying on and depending on God. He wants you to give up; the first time things get rough. But God promise to be with you always, to keep you in all your ways, and to give you the mind of Christ, not the spirit of fear. What you have to do, is not give up or give in! Stand you ground! Put on the armor of God and fight the good fight of faith!
(Ephesians 6:13.)
Psalms 91:14-16: ” Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
When you call on Him, He will answer you! He will show you His salvation. He will deliver you and satisfy you with long life! It is yours as a child of God.
But it is a choice you make. You choose to dwell in Christ, to abide in the Shelter of the Almighty and reap His promises! You have to make hard lifestyle changes to reach this goal, real permanent changes. You have to be committed to attending church, reading God’s Word, praying daily. You will have to stop doing some things.
You will have to choose spending time with God over “vegging out” in front of the television, sleeping late, watching a video you rented or drinking, or napping. Spend time reading God’s Word, read it to your children, pray while you are driving down the road. It will make a difference!
Remember, Satan does not want you to succeed or for anything you do to Glorify God. It may look like things are going well for you now! Why change? We never know what tomorrow will bring and we all will have something come up in our lives that will test us and tempt us. I just want you to know that no matter what the devil throws at you, God loves you, cares for you. He loved you enough to send His son, to die for you! He want you to be successful, to be happy, to be healthy and content. This does not mean filthy rich with no worries. It means that He will meet your needs, guide your daily paths and “keep you under His wings of refuge.” Take the time to choose life rather than death, peace rather than frustration, joy rather than sadness. If you do not know Jesus as you personal Savior I urge you to pray the following prayer and make the choice to make Jesus Lord of your life and “dwell in the secret place of the most High.”
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come to you in the name of Jesus.
Your word says, “…and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (Jn.6:37),
So I know You won’t cast me out, but You take me in,
And I thank you for it.
You said in your Word, “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Ro. 10:13).
I am calling on Your name, So I know You have saved me now,
You also said, “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. ” (Ro.10:9,10).
I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification.
And I confess Him now as my Lord,
Because Your Word says, “… with the heart one believes to righteousness…” and I do believe with my heart,
I have now become the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:21),
And I am saved! Thank You, Lord!
I can now truthfully say, I see myself as a born again child of God!
Glory to God!!!! Amen.
Psalms 91:
1. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
3. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.
4. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6. Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
8. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
9. Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your habitation,
10. No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11. For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
12. They shall bear you up in their hands, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample under foot.
14. Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
16. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.