Stay connected to Jesus through Music/Worship!

[Hallelujah]

My dear followers of Jesus Christ,

I have been reading on this forum for over 2 years and I really enjoy all of the uplifting posts, the educational content, and the encouragement that is shared. Thanks to all of you that take time out of your day to spread love and encouragement to one another. As a word of caution, I am not the best writer, or speller for that matter, so please excuse.

I would like to share something with you. I have found profound joy through worship!

A quick prelude before the good stuff...

I have a story. I will list some bullit points. Perhaps God will give me the strength to share my story in greater length in the future.

I have had quite that past couple of years, as I am sure that most of you have. Here are a few things that has happened to me over the past 2 years:

I lost several years worth of business income (I own an entertainment business - Covid ruined this)
Started a landscaping business
Spent countless holidays away from my family
Was self-admitted to a Psychiatric Hospital
Legal Issues
Drinking/smoking/Vape/CBD
Car accident that should have killed me
Almost lost my father and uncle to Covid
Family issues all around
Marital issue in which both me and my wife threatened divorce (even though we don't believe in this)
Stress/Anxiety (worrying the world was going to end - prepper)
Lost 10k in cryptocurrency
Recently admitted to the emergency room with stomach ulcers

Aside from these issues my life looks great from the outside. Im 35 - I got a full ride to a D1 college and graduated with a bachelors. I have a beautiful 2800 sqft home, wife, and 4 year old child. I live a debt free life style. I own (2) businesses with a lot of expensive equipment that is paid for. I have a fully restored classic vehicle. And, I have had people say to me "Man you got in made!"

The truth was - I was miserable.

More background...I got saved when I was 7 years old. I grew up in Christian school. Go to church regularly. Can recite chapters and tons of scripture from the Bible. I have led many people to Jesus Christ. I have always been strong in my faith.

My days start at 5:45am. I drive a route for my other job which ends early, then I go cut grass. If I have an event, its typically on the weekends. So I juggle 3 jobs and have for many years.

Since the loss of entertainment business (my primary source of income), I have been doing a lot of landscaping and manage about 10 properties. I have on the neck headphones that I listen to as I'm cutting grass and running power tools. I have found a lot of peace working outside with my hands, listening to music, and talking/praying to God.

I have been a DJ for over 15 years. I realized last year that I do not have a good Christian playlist. This concerned me. So, I set out to build the best Christian playlist that I could. I have quite the playlist now. I literally can't stop listening. I have surrendered all to God. I do not drink, smoke, or do anything else. I drink tons of water. I am fit. I read my Bible. I pray all the time. And again, I listen to worship music...sometimes 8 hours a day. You may find me walking down to the lake just to simply sit down for 30 minutes in prayer and/or listen to the music as I stare out across the water with tears of joy streaming down my face. I am constantly looking for Bibles at my local Goodwill and eagerly waiting for the chance to pass it out. I am getting increasingly active in the Church. Did I mention I went to church regularly? I went to the same church for 12 years and I will officially be joining this Sunday. There is also a chance that I may become a Gideon.

Make no mistake. I am not telling you all of these recent things that have happened to me to impress you. God is working within my life and everything is changing around me. This all started with me through worship and a pure heart. God knows your heart. Remember, seek and ye shall find. He who has ears, let him hear. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. I believe that if you are are right with God, and you practice prayer, worship, or reading the Bible, then he will speak and connect with you. If you do all 3 you will become supercharged! The key for me was to have a pure heart and removing the sin from my life, and worship.

I genuinely hope that this message helps someone. All I have ever wanted for the longest time was to have a direct connection to Jesus (cause I literally need him all the time), and for him to show me the way. I believe I have found it. My wish is that you will too. Because it truly gives you peace and joy beyond all understanding.

Hallelujah!

 

[Everlasting Life]

I have been reading on this forum for over 2 years and I really enjoy all of the uplifting posts, the educational content, and the encouragement that is shared.

 

[Betty]

Christian music often reaches me, when nothing else will.
Betty

 

[Andiamo]

What a beautiful post. I love what God has done in your life. I'm sorry for the pain and loss you have gone through. But love how God is making it into something beautiful.
I used to use music much more during my prayer time, and then for whatever reason I stopped. I have a hard time focusing and music has always helped me with that. You have inspired me to start including music again. Thank you.

 

[Andy C]

Great post and welcome to the forum.

 

[Hallelujah]

My dear followers of Jesus Christ,

I have been reading on this forum for over 2 years and I really enjoy all of the uplifting posts, the educational content, and the encouragement that is shared. Thanks to all of you that take time out of your day to spread love and encouragement to one another. As a word of caution, I am not the best writer, or speller for that matter, so please excuse.

I would like to share something with you. I have found profound joy through worship!

A quick prelude before the good stuff...

I have a story. I will list some bullit points. Perhaps God will give me the strength to share my story in greater length in the future.

I have had quite that past couple of years, as I am sure that most of you have. Here are a few things that has happened to me over the past 2 years:

I lost several years worth of business income (I own an entertainment business - Covid ruined this)
Started a landscaping business
Spent countless holidays away from my family
Was self-admitted to a Psychiatric Hospital
Legal Issues
Drinking/smoking/Vape/CBD
Car accident that should have killed me
Almost lost my father and uncle to Covid
Family issues all around
Marital issue in which both me and my wife threatened divorce (even though we don't believe in this)
Stress/Anxiety (worrying the world was going to end - prepper)
Lost 10k in cryptocurrency
Recently admitted to the emergency room with stomach ulcers

Aside from these issues my life looks great from the outside. Im 35 - I got a full ride to a D1 college and graduated with a bachelors. I have a beautiful 2800 sqft home, wife, and 4 year old child. I live a debt free life style. I own (2) businesses with a lot of expensive equipment that is paid for. I have a fully restored classic vehicle. And, I have had people say to me "Man you got in made!"

The truth was - I was miserable.

More background...I got saved when I was 7 years old. I grew up in Christian school. Go to church regularly. Can recite chapters and tons of scripture from the Bible. I have led many people to Jesus Christ. I have always been strong in my faith.

My days start at 5:45am. I drive a route for my other job which ends early, then I go cut grass. If I have an event, its typically on the weekends. So I juggle 3 jobs and have for many years.

Since the loss of entertainment business (my primary source of income), I have been doing a lot of landscaping and manage about 10 properties. I have on the neck headphones that I listen to as I'm cutting grass and running power tools. I have found a lot of peace working outside with my hands, listening to music, and talking/praying to God.

I have been a DJ for over 15 years. I realized last year that I do not have a good Christian playlist. This concerned me. So, I set out to build the best Christian playlist that I could. I have quite the playlist now. I literally can't stop listening. I have surrendered all to God. I do not drink, smoke, or do anything else. I drink tons of water. I am fit. I read my Bible. I pray all the time. And again, I listen to worship music...sometimes 8 hours a day. You may find me walking down to the lake just to simply sit down for 30 minutes in prayer and/or listen to the music as I stare out across the water with tears of joy streaming down my face. I am constantly looking for Bibles at my local Goodwill and eagerly waiting for the chance to pass it out. I am getting increasingly active in the Church. Did I mention I went to church regularly? I went to the same church for 12 years and I will officially be joining this Sunday. There is also a chance that I may become a Gideon.

Make no mistake. I am not telling you all of these recent things that have happened to me to impress you. God is working within my life and everything is changing around me. This all started with me through worship and a pure heart. God knows your heart. Remember, seek and ye shall find. He who has ears, let him hear. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. I believe that if you are are right with God, and you practice prayer, worship, or reading the Bible, then he will speak and connect with you. If you do all 3 you will become supercharged! The key for me was to have a pure heart and removing the sin from my life, and worship.

I genuinely hope that this message helps someone. All I have ever wanted for the longest time was to have a direct connection to Jesus (cause I literally need him all the time), and for him to show me the way. I believe I have found it. My wish is that you will too. Because it truly gives you peace and joy beyond all understanding.

Hallelujah!

Here is my playlist (so far)! Enjoy! To God be the Glory! Hallelujah!

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/christian-jams/pl.u-pMylDjLSYA6aY1

 

[Hallelujah]

I used to use music much more during my prayer time, and then for whatever reason I stopped. I have a hard time focusing and music has always helped me with that. You have inspired me to start including music again. Thank you.

Were we not created for worship? Seems like such a simple concept, yet we think/I used to think that worshiping God for all my days was what we were meant to experience in the afterlife. This is what you and I will forever be doing in heaven. And, I can't wait! You nailed everything right in the tip of the nail in the perfect spot! It keeps us focused! There are so many distractions in this world. Staying focused on what is true, right, and Jesus is everything. Amen!

In the living word...

KJV - Mathew 11:15 - "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

Also, remember...

KJV - John 15:5 - "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringers forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

Hopefully this encourages you on your walk with Christ.

Hallelujah! - To God be all the glory and praise!

 

[Hallelujah]

Here is my playlist (so far)! Enjoy! To God be the Glory! Hallelujah!

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/christian-jams/pl.u-pMylDjLSYA6aY1

So this playlist has been named Christian Jams 1. I have a more that I will paste below.

 

[Hallelujah]

Here is Christian Jams 2 - https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/christian-jams-2/pl.u-r2yBJpxF9DNE9v

Still a work in progress, but I will continue to update.

 

[seated with Christ]

Your not a nominal Christian that I plainly see, even successful in soul-wining, maybe you can teach us in that area. Welcome to the board.

 

[Hallelujah]

Wow. I don't even know I to respond to your statement. I think that this is a wonderful compliment. As far as soul winning goes, I literally want nothing more than to help bring people to know the infallible love of Jesus and God. Aside from unbelievers, and I can't even imagine how they go on day to day. What I have found recently is that many Christians are struggling with their faith during these hard times. I have spent these past 2 years in the dark, and if it where not for Jesus and all of his promises, I would not be where I am today. Physically and spiritually. So, that car accident mentioned above in the main post. I literally had a "Jesus take the wheel" moment. I put my life in his hands in the literal sense. I do believe that no-one should test God. But, he gave me a second chance. If you saw my suburban, you would ask yourself how it was possible that I lived. I wasn't wearing a seatbelt. I had landscaping equipment in my car along with chainsaws and machetes. I landed in the back seat with a bruise on my leg and less than a inch scar above my left eye. I walked away.


I was always a Christian. But I have witnessed 1st hand the true healing physically/spiritually/mentally from God and I have literally "fell in love" if you will. To clarify, I have always "loved" God. But, this is much deeper. I believe there is a difference between a "Christian" and a Christian who is abiding in the body of Christ. To live for him, to serve him, and to worship him. He is all things good and magnificent and worthy of all our praise. Thank you for your kind words.

Hallelujah!

 

[Hallelujah]

Wow. I don't even know I to respond to your statement. I think that this is a wonderful compliment. As far as soul winning goes, I literally want nothing more than to help bring people to know the infallible love of Jesus and God. Aside from unbelievers, and I can't even imagine how they go on day to day. What I have found recently is that many Christians are struggling with their faith during these hard times. I have spent these past 2 years in the dark, and if it where not for Jesus and all of his promises, I would not be where I am today. Physically and spiritually. So, that car accident mentioned above in the main post. I literally had a "Jesus take the wheel" moment. I put my life in his hands in the literal sense. I do believe that no-one should test God. But, he gave me a second chance. If you saw my suburban, you would ask yourself how it was possible that I lived. I wasn't wearing a seatbelt. I had landscaping equipment in my car along with chainsaws and machetes. I landed in the back seat with a bruise on my leg and less than a inch scar above my left eye. I walked away.


I was always a Christian. But I have witnessed 1st hand the true healing physically/spiritually/mentally from God and I have literally "fell in love" if you will. To clarify, I have always "loved" God. But, this is much deeper. I believe there is a difference between a "Christian" and a Christian who is abiding in the body of Christ. To live for him, to serve him, and to worship him. He is all things good and magnificent and worthy of all our praise. Thank you for your kind words.

Hallelujah!

 

[Andy C]

I believe there is a difference between a "Christian" and a Christian who is abiding in the body of Christ.

Can you elaborate on what your saying here?

 

[Hallelujah]

Hey Andy,

I would be glad to. So, I wrote the following:

"I believe there is a difference between a "Christian" and a Christian who is abiding in the body of Christ."


I do believe that there is a difference between someone who is abiding in the body of Christ and someone who is not.

To abide = to live, to continue, to remain.

To clarify, this does not mean that one person is better than the other. It is simply 2 different people at 2 different points, or walks in their faith. Or, should I say the continued walk in the faith and the word on a moment by moment, day by day basis. Part of this I believe will constitute removing willful sin from our lives.

We are all born again baby Christians once we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. This explains me and my life for almost 33 years. I had/have plenty of scripture memorized, went to Christian school, and had a good foundation of my faith. But, I lived a life as a Christian who struggled with the desires of the flesh not understanding that all the fulfillment that I needed was in Jesus. I am by no means perfect at this point. Far from it actually. I still have plenty of struggles. I repent and pray daily. This has helped me immensely.

I used to pray to God when I needed him...911 prayers. Went to church here and there. Drank too much due to issues at home/life. Had pride. Surely didn't consider God in all things that I did. However, I still witnessed and had unfaltering beliefs in my faith. But, I was not abiding in Christ.

To abide is on another level, if you will. It is considering God in all things. Trying to be Christ-like. Putting on the breastplate of righteousness everyday and living to serve the Lord in all things.

To not abide in Jesus would be not abiding in his word, his commandments, and in our walk of life. We can do this and be a Christian. For example, Perhaps we bear very little fruit and still believe, but we decide to live our lives for worldly desires.

We simply cannot commit an act of righteousness on our own and bear fruit. If we are living our lives for the world and the flesh, then we will not be living for the Lord. This would be the difference between abiding and not abiding.

I believe in imputed righteousness. Righteousness through Christ. Not imparted - Go and be righteous. Topic for another discussion.

I was for many years a baby christian who did not study to show myself approved. If, we accept Christ and believe, but we never read the word, obey his commandments, and have communion/prayer with God, then we simply do not grow in our spiritual life.

Food feeds the body, scripture feeds the soul.

John 15:1-5

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringers forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

 

[Andy C]

To not abide in Jesus would be not abiding in his word, his commandments, and in our walk of life. We can do this and be a Christian. For example, Perhaps we bear very little fruit and still believe, but we decide to live our lives for worldly desires.

A Christian, even a baby Christian, will always and forever abide in Him. They may not bear much or any fruit for a time, but a Christian can never not abide in Him. Salvation is a one time event, so we will always abide in Him.

 

[mack_]

A Christian, even a baby Christian, will always and forever abide in Him. They may not bear much or any fruit for a time, but a Christian can never not abide in Him. Salvation is a one time event, so we will always abide in Him.

Well said

John 10:27-30
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and my Father are one.

 

[Wally]

There's within my heart a melody.....

It's source is The Word, Prayer, and Practice...

Certainly this life affords plenty of each. And just when you think you have graduated from the Schaum note speller, you get a NEW lesson book
Back to Practice, Practice, Practice.....

 

[Hallelujah]

A Christian, even a baby Christian, will always and forever abide in Him.

I believe that your statement should have been written this way...

Christ will always abide in a Christian. Christ will forever abide in a Christian. This goes for everyone that has been saved. I never mentioned in this post that we can be separated from salvation.

Lets take this example, a christian is driving down the road and someone cuts them off. The Christian proceed to flip the person that cut them off a bird. Their is no-one on this earth that would look at that Christian in that instance and say, he is abiding in Christ. No, that person was acting on the flesh. In that moment he wasn't abiding. He gave in to his fleshly sinful nature and acted on it.

This is what this following verse means.

John 15:5
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringers forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Jesus states: He that abideth in me, and I in him,

We can do nothing without Christ. But, with Christ all things are possible.

This also explains why some people bear more fruit than others.

 

[Andy C]

I believe that your statement should have been written this way...

Christ will always abide in a Christian. Christ will forever abide in a Christian. This goes for everyone that has been saved. I never mentioned in this post that we can be separated from salvation.

Lets take this example, a christian is driving down the road and someone cuts them off. The Christian proceed to flip the person that cut them off a bird. Their is no-one on this earth that would look at that Christian in that instance and say, he is abiding in Christ. No, that person was acting on the flesh. In that moment he wasn't abiding. He gave in to his fleshly sinful nature and acted on it.

This is what this following verse means.

John 15:5
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringers forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Jesus states: He that abideth in me, and I in him,

We can do nothing without Christ. But, with Christ all things are possible.

This also explains why some people bear more fruit than others.

Thanks, but I stand by my post.

 

[ItIsFinished!]

I believe that your statement should have been written this way...

Friend , the above quote of yours is not the way to start off a post towards another brother or sister .
It is rather belittling .