I have always had a love for music. I play the trumpet and guitar, have sung in choirs and chorales, and have written many songs. There are songs that bring to mind memories of events from long ago, as clear as if it happened only a few days ago. Other songs have brought on feelings of joy or sadness. Music has an important place in the church service, it is an opportunity to sing praises or songs of worship honoring God. I have observed people during song services, to see how they respond to the different types of music; praise, gospel, worship, and classical. Lately I have asked myself; are these songs praising God for something He has not done, or for something He would never think to do? If so, wouldn’t that be mocking Him. Songs of praise honor God only when the words express the truth in their praise. It is important for us to know the truth about God before we give Him praise with our voice for something that may not be true.
It has come to my attention that much of what Christians believe to be true about God is based on teachings that are at variance with the testimony of the Son of Man. Therefore some of their worship is based on a teaching that the Son of God never spoke, and their praise is in response to this same unsupported belief. These songs of praise are all based upon the lies they have been taught to believe and worship. Most Christians think that God will accept well-intended praise, even if it isn’t truth; its the thought that counts, right? My understanding of what God accepts and expects is that praise springs forth from the root of truth, therefore you must know the truth before you are able to offer true praise. Praise that is not built upon truth is not praise to God at all, it is praise to the father of fables and lies. These kind of songs praise the evil one and extol his gospel message. I am sure the evil one revels in this praise, and taunts God with this fact, the fact that his gospel has replaced the true gospel of the kingdom, because it is the desire of every Christian heart.

Isaiah 29:13 Yahweh has said; Because this people approaches me only in words, honors me only with lip-service while its heart is far from me, and my religion, as far as it is concerned, is nothing but human commandment, a lesson memorized very well, I shall have to go on being prodigal of prodigious prodigies with this people.

Matthew records that the Son of God applied this prophecy to the religious leaders at the time of His ministry, as well as those in the days of Isaiah (see Matthew 15:7-9). The evil one cares not who you believe you are worshiping or praising, he knows that if you are a believer of his lies, you are praising him, alleluia amen! God has not purposed that you remain under a deception. He will not leave you in darkness to practice the deeds of darkness; but you must wake-up to the fact that you are practicing a lie, this is extremely difficult for most to do, the fact is, it borders on the impossible.

I am puzzled by the description of the attitude of some of the disciples toward their Master. They spent a whole year with Him, rarely if ever leaving His company, and yet they never really came to believe in Him, let alone accept what He was teaching.
John 7:59-65 He taught this doctrine at Capernaum in the synagogue. After hearing it, many of his followers said, ‘This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it? Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, ‘Does this upset you? What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before? ‘It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. ‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew form the outset those who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him.

And:

Matthew 28:26-27 Meanwhile the eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated.

These are just a couple of texts that describe a reluctance on the part of some of the disciples to “believe in their Master”.

It is of utmost importance to learn the truth from God, and God alone; the testimony of the word of truth that God the Father gave to His Son. The words are the seeds He planted and those words are found only in the writings of His disciples, Matthew and John (Mark was not a disciple but associated with the disciples. I believe that Mark’s writing is trustworthy, except for the last part of the last chapter[verses 9-20] they were added later). We must eat the testimony of the Son of Man before we will be able to worship and praise God in spirit and in truth. True worship is the fountain of true praise, the heart springs forth with words and songs of praise that originate from the well of truth and a full knowledge of the true God. We must humble ourselves and acknowledge that we are living in darkness, a darkness that has kept us from knowing and understanding the truth. We must learn from the Spirit of Truth through the words of testimony given by Her Son. We must humble ourselves and learn the testimony of the Son of Man, from the Master teacher, the Spirit of Truth, and She will lead us into all truth.

Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentile and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls! Yes my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

Jeremiah 9:22-24 Thus says Yahweh, ‘Let the sage boast no more of his wisdom, nor the valiant of his valour, not the rich man of his riches! But if anyone wants to boast let him boast of this; of understanding and knowing me. For I am Yahweh, I rule with kindness, justice and integrity on earth; yes these are what please me -it is Yahweh who speaks.

Find truth and you will find peace, a peace that passes understanding, and you will find rest for your soul. It is only then that you will be able to declare with truth, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow”! Amen.

Rick Sterling