Category Archives: 5 Min Minstrel Study

Philippians 4:14-19, Response: Paul, I Appreciate the Appreciation

BiblePhilippians 4:14-19 (NKJV)

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.
15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, pauses after speaking about learning to be content in all things (one of my favorite passages), to thank the church at Philippi for supporting him in his missionary journeys, not only when he was present but also when he was traveling.  As we approach Thanksgiving (US), reading this and comparing it with present day communication regarding “giving AND receiving” reminds me that how something is received can be AS important as how it is given.

Continue reading Philippians 4:14-19, Response: Paul, I Appreciate the Appreciation

1 Corinthians 9:18-22,25 – The Art of Balance

Bible1 Corinthians 9:18-22, 25 (KJV)

18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Regardless of what particular area of “ministerial arts” you flow in, as minstrels you are simultaneously faced with (at least) two, sometimes opposing, goals: ministering to God, and ministering to people. Ministering so that God is pleased is more about your heart and ministering to people is often more about everything else.  It is easy to focus on ministering skillfully -or- ministering “in spirit and in truth;” however, as a minstrel you MUST learn to do both.
Continue reading 1 Corinthians 9:18-22,25 – The Art of Balance

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 – Many Members, One Body of Christ

Bible1 Corinthians 12:12-27 King James Version (KJV)

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

I absolutely love this passage, as well as the next chapter (chp 13, the love chapter), because it reminds me of the importance of the fellowship of believers. We are all brothers in sisters in Christ and remember that none of us have to be Jesus Christ by ourselves. Rather, we ALL make up Christ’s body having different roles that allow his will to be done.

Philippians 3:12-17 – Press Toward the Mark

BiblePhilippians 3:12-17 King James Version (KJV)

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

 Paul, who is attributed to writing the book of Philippians, has a long resume. Even in his days as Saul, he was very zealous in following God to the best of his understanding. Of course, once being a killer of Christians, he was far from perfect. Even still, after repenting he was a great example as shown here. Paul showed a great example of humility as he admited… I am not perfect… YET.

Continue reading Philippians 3:12-17 – Press Toward the Mark

Matthew 2:1-3,7-8 – Come, Seeking To Worship The King

BibleMatthew 2:1-3,7-8 King James Version (KJV)

2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

In this passage we see that wise men and Herod, the king of Jerusalem, were interested in finding baby Jesus.  However, there are two totally different motives driving that interest. When we come to worship services, are we like Herod or are we like the wise men?

Continue reading Matthew 2:1-3,7-8 – Come, Seeking To Worship The King

O Come, Let Us Adore Him

O Come, All Ye Faithful

(hymn – attributed to John F. Wade)

Verse 1:
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
Come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him, born the king of angels:
Chorus:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, The Lord.

According to western Christian tradition, Advent begins the 4th Sunday before Christmas. This year that is Sunday, December 2, 2012.  It is important, as lights and decorations go up around the nation, that we, as Christians, begin reminding ourselves of the true meaning of the season: adoring Christ, the Lord.

Continue reading O Come, Let Us Adore Him

Deuteronomy 8:10-11,18 – Thanksgiving: Don’t Forget to Remember God

Deuteronomy 8:10-11, 18 Amplified Bible (AMP)

10 When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for all the good land which He has given you. 11 Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His precepts, and His statutes which I command you today,
18 But you shall [earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

My mother would always reference this verse around Thanksgiving, a time where many of us in America come together and, among other things, eat a large meal. I have come to love this passage myself, and I believe that, like the holiday of Thanksgiving, giving thanks to God is something that we ought to remember never to forget.

Continue reading Deuteronomy 8:10-11,18 – Thanksgiving: Don’t Forget to Remember God

2 Chronicles 5:13-14; Acts 2:1-2 – Present And In One Accord

2 Chronicles 5:13-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)

13 And when the trumpeters and singers were joined in unison, making one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and other instruments for song and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever, then the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud,14 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.

Acts 2:1-2 Amplified Bible (AMP)

2 1 And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all assembled together in one place, When suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting.

No, not the Honda Accord! These two scriptures, one from the old testament and the other from the new testament, can provide some insight to us regarding the purpose of praise and worship, being in one accord, and, perhaps more importantly, WHO should show up.

Continue reading 2 Chronicles 5:13-14; Acts 2:1-2 – Present And In One Accord

1 Chronicles 6:31-32; 9:33;15:16 – Free to Work

1 Chronicles, Amplified Bible (AMP)

6:31 These David put over the service of song in the house of the Lord after the ark of the covenant rested there [after being taken by the Philistines and later placed in the house of Abinadab, where it remained for nearly 100 years during the rest of Samuel’s judgeship and Saul’s entire reign and into David’s reign].32 They ministered before the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting with singing until Solomon had built the Lord’s house in Jerusalem, performing their service in due order.

9:33 These are the singers, heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites, dwelling in the temple chambers, free from other service because they were on duty day and night.

15:16 
David told the chief Levites to appoint their brethren the singers with instruments of music—harps, lyres, and cymbals—to play loudly and lift up their voices with joy.

These old testament verses reveal something interesting. Although there are several differences between ‘the children of Israel’ back then and Christianity as we now know it, we can learn a lot from the Levites when it comes to serving as minstrels today. Continue reading 1 Chronicles 6:31-32; 9:33;15:16 – Free to Work

1 Thess 5:11-13, Know Each Other

1 Thessalonians 5:11-13, Amplified Bible (AMP)

11 Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.
12 
Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]—your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.
13 
And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Huh?! There’s not one mention of “praise” or “worship” in this scripture. However, I believe that it touches on a very important yet often under-emphasized concept of Christian living and, specifically, a having a successful praise team.

Continue reading 1 Thess 5:11-13, Know Each Other

Psalms 34:1-3, Leaders, LEAD in Praise Worship

Psalm 34:1-3, Amplified Bible (AMP)

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.

This is another excellent scripture not only for congregations but for praise and worship leaders who are passionate about setting an atmosphere of unified praise to God in church services. Continue reading Psalms 34:1-3, Leaders, LEAD in Praise Worship

Psalm 100, How to Lead Praise & Worship

Psalm 100, Amplified Bible (AMP)

A Psalm of thanksgiving and for the thank offering.

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!

2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing!

3 Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!

5 For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.

Continue reading Psalm 100, How to Lead Praise & Worship