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Listen while you read: "At The Foot Of The Cross"1 (Lyrics) |
Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (NKJV)
I have been a musician for many years — all of my life. I have played with many musicians in a variety of places and situations. As a Christian, it would be nice to be able to play with like-minded Christian musicians who have the same musical interests. Unfortunately, we live in a very barren area with regard to Christian musicians.
With this in mind, I had to make a decision. Would I stop using the talents that the Lord has entrusted to me, or would I let my light shine among the lost? God's Word tells us that we are to be "blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15 NKJV). In 1 Corinthians 5:10, Paul says that if we were to escape the company of immoral people, we would have to leave the world altogether.
Considering this, I decided to play.
My wife and I are both involved regarding my music, and this is our witness to fellow musicians and the audiences that we entertain.
As Christian lights, there are several things that the world is quick to observe in us: our conversation, our manner of life, and the love in our hearts. A double-minded person is unstable, so our conversation and our life should match up. We should have hearts of love for our fellow man.
1 Corinthians 13:13 – And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (NKJV)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we believe that You have entrusted us with the responsibility of being light-bearers for You in a lost world. Help us never to shirk the opportunities that You give us. Help us always to be mindful of the love that You showed us when You gave Your only begotten Son for our sins, and to be faithful to demonstrate this love to others. We love You because You first loved us. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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Thanks Bob for writing and for your service. God bless.
Thank you Bob. Music is the international “communicator”. May you keep spreading His word through your music.
Hi Bob:
WOW! Wonderful words of praise. Pump up the volume!!
God be with you always.
Thank you Bob for your devotional. Wish we could hear you and your wife. In rural central Texas where we live I have searched for a banjo teacher for my husband as he has always wanted to play the banjo. He has a four-string banjo as he thought it would be easier to learn. So far, no teacher, but that doesn’t keep us from loving the music and living the best lives we can in witness to our faith.
(Texas)
Dear Bob Jones,
I was “just picking” my raspberries and came in to turn on today’s devotional.
As I love to share my raspberries and the gospel, you and your wife, love to share your music and the gospel.
It would be great for you to find , share your musical talent with a young child — maybe give lessons, and the gospel, to youngsters too poor to pay for lessons.
You sound like you have the spirit to do such things.
Keep “picking” and keep writing devotions.
Hello Bob from the hot high desert of Southern California.
Thank you for your devotional today. I agree so much with the decision you made. We are to be in the world, no of the world. How can we be a witness if we’re not out there in the community and wherever we go. We don’t have to “preach” but let our light shine. During the years my husband was a Navy Chaplain, sometimes I felt like we were missionaries. We were singers and had many opportunities to use that talent the Lord gave us.
May the Lord bless you in all that you do.
(Ca.)
Bob,
It will not be an easy road. You need to put on the whole armor of God and continually be uplifted in prayer. God has a plan.
I was a professional musician all my life until the Lord rescued me 25 years ago when He called me into the ministry. My life has completely changed and I have touched more lives as a result.
In the interim, I performed my church and other various churches. Recently I purchased a Casio Keyboard workstation and I am enjoying and using my talents with family and friends.
God will always use your talent to His glory.
May God bless, protect and give you peace.
Lovely devotional Bob. Remember, YOU and GOD make the majority!
It seems almost every day in some small way we are called upon to stand up for what we believe in, namely our Lord Jesus and His gift of salvation he offers to everyone free of charge.
This for you is obviously through your musical talent.
Seems God has also gifted you with the talent of writing.
Keep up the good work.
Bless you.
Good Evening Bob:
What a wise decision you made. How will the unsaved hear the precious word of God if no one is willing to rub shoulders with them and allow our lives to shine for Christ in every situation while working with them and for them.
My father always taught us “actions speak much louder than words.” We do not have to preach at the unsaved, our witness in letting the Son shine through every decision we make while being with them tells folks what we are and who we love.
A great message.