With 114 million active YouTube channels, do we need another one? Probably not. But I started one anyway.
I have been thinking a lot lately about starting a YouTube channel and what I would want this channel to be about. With so many active channels, why would I even consider starting one? It is a daunting challenge, but one I am willing to attempt and commit myself to.
You can read below what I talk about in the video or watch it on YouTube.
So, what do I want this channel to be about or accomplish?
To bring glory to God in the ministry of music.
To encourage the worshipper and worship leader.
To offer wise counsel as it relates to life and ministry.
How do I plan to accomplish this?
To share from my four decades of experience.
To demonstrate the how-to’s in ministry.
To answer questions some may have about music in worship and ministry.
What topics do I plan to discuss?
Some topics may include things related to the worshipper and the worship leader. For instance, for the worship leader:
How do I know I am called to music ministry?
How do I find a church to serve?
How do I build a healthy relationship with my pastor, team, and congregation?
Where can I find music for my congregation to sing?
How do I find, recruit, and train new musicians and vocalists?
How do I teach the congregation new songs?
What should the personal walk of the church musician be like?
The list is endless. I would love to hear from you concerning some of the topics you want me to address. So, please leave comments. I will try to address those topics in future episodes.
LET’S TAKE THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER
You know, I have seen a lot of changes in music ministry. Some of it good, some not so good. But in the end, the goal for all of us is to glorify the Lord in word and deed. I pray that is your heart and goal. Let’s take this journey together.
Please subscribe to this blog and watch it develop and grow. You can also follow me at these sites:
Does the thought of memorizing Scripture overwhelm you? It shouldn’t. Many Christians have a mental block when it comes to memorizing verses from the Bible, yet we can quote the latest statistics from sports, memes, and lyrics to songs. None of those things bring eternal value to our soul. Read what the Apostle Paul has to say about internalizing the Word of God in our hearts as he writes to Timothy.
“and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 3.15 (ESV)
What is the Value of Scripture Memory?
The first value that comes to mind is that memorizing Scripture makes us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, just as Paul wrote above. Again, Paul writes in Romans 10…
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
Romans 10.8-10 (ESV)
Do you see the action Paul writes out? – The Word is near you. Many of us have Bibles, if not, a Bible can easily be found on the internet. – When you practice memorizing Scripture, especially reciting it, it is in your mouth. – When you recite it, it begins to permeate the heart, especially the gospel of Christ Jesus. – When the Holy Spirit awakens your soul, then you are able with hope and confidence to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, that from your heart you believe that God raised Him from the dead. – When you do this you are saved. Then, Paul summarizes by writing…“for it is with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
The writer of the book of Hebrews affirms what Paul says about the Word of God when he writes…
“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4.12 (ESV)
The second value when memorizing Scripture is that it helps us not to sin against God.
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119,9-11(ESV)
This will be another discussion for another blog post, but the question is…how does a person keep their way pure? The Psalm writer here says the Word of God guards him from sinning. When a person internalizes the Word of God in their heart or lives, it is like storing grain for food in a bin for times of trouble. When you and I memorize Scripture, it is stored away in our heart and when life’s temptations come calling, the Holy Spirit brings to mind the Word of God for guidance. To keep us pure. To keep us from sinning.
The third value in memorizing the Word of God is that it imparts wisdom. When a person memorizes God’s Word, the Lord in return will give them wisdom that will not only guard their paths, but will also shield their integrity and give them discretion.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.”
Proverbs 2.6-8 (ESV)
The fourth value of memorizing the Word of God is that it is greater than the provision of bread. As much as we value the sustenance of food, like bread and water, which our mortal bodies need to stay alive, the Word of God is greater because it is not only nourishment for your soul, but it leads to eternal life as I have stated above.
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4.4 (ESV)
Food is temporary, but the Word of God is eternal. The Word of God teaches us about our total dependency on God, not only for this life, but the after-life. Many speculate about what happens after a person dies. But, the Word of God does not speculate. It tells us exactly what will happen when a person dies.
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgement,”
Hebrews 9.27 (ESV)
“Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Revelation 20.13b-15 (ESV)
That’s pretty intense for an article about memorizing the Word of God. But, if you know what the Word of God is about, and what it says, you would also know that those who confess Jesus as Lord, and believe in their heart that he died and rose again, will be saved from the horror mentioned above. They would escape from what is known as the second death. Notice again what the last part of the passage above stated…
“And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life…”
Meaning this, there is a book of life that is being kept as a record for those who have trusted in Jesus as Lord and Savior. If your name is not found written in this book of life, your destiny will be the second death and the lake of fire. But, if you have confessed with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus died and rose again, you will be saved and your name written in the book of life.
This is why the Word of God is greater than bread, because material sustenance will not save you from the eternal judgement that awaits for many because their names are not written in the Lamb’ book of life.
My final testament to the value of memorizing the Word of God, it blesses the one who takes delight in it.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Psalm 1.1-2 (ESV)
You are truly blessed when you delight yourself and meditate on God’s Word daily. The Hebrew word for “blessed” describes one who is “happy.” They are not bogged down by those who give wicked counsel to sin or to be angry scoffers. I bet you know people like this. Charles Dickens wrote about one. His name was Scrooge. He was a mean old wretched human being. Their counsel is prideful, harmful, full of sin and shame and always tearing down others with their mouths.
Not so for the one who takes delight in God’s Word. As you read further in Psalm 1, you will find that this individual becomes like a tree planted by streams of water. It yields its fruit in its season. When it is suppose to. He does not faint and whatever he does it produces good fruit.
These are just a few thoughts about the value of memorizing Scripture. But, how does one go about memorizing Scripture? It is actually not as difficult and overwhelming as you might think. It is actually a delightful and rewarding experience. Here are a few suggestions below.
How to Memorize Scripture
Context: Read the whole entire passage around the verse. What was said before and after the verse? What is going on? Who is speaking? and Why?
Recite: Recite the verse five times when you first read the verse.
Write it out: I find it helpful to write the verse on a card, in a journal, or type it on your phone or computer.
Repeat: Take one section or verse of the Scripture, especially if there are multiple verses. Recite it a few times. Then the next day, begin adding more to it.
Share it: Once you think you have mastered the verse(s), recite it to a friend or family member to gain confidence.
These are just a few suggestions on how to memorize the Word of God. I am sure there are plenty of other resources you can find to help you with this. There are also smart phone apps. The apps below are just a few of helpful resources to help you memorize God’s Word as you go. The great things about these apps is that they are always with you.
Smart Phone Apps for Scripture Memory:
You Verse Bible
Fighter Verses
the Bible Memory App
Versify App
Scripture Memory Bible
Or, you could go old school and use note cards and sticky notes. I use to keep these in my Bible, post them on the fridge, or even stick them to the bathroom mirror. At the end of the day, do what works for you. Just do it and you will be blessed.
Using Song to Memorize Scripture:
Another useful tool to memorize Scripture is the use of Scripture memory songs. I have been using this resource for decades. For the past 20 years I have been writing my own songs. Each year I come up with a theme or focus on a chapter in the Bible. Then, I put them to music to help me internalize God’s Word. Below is an example for this year. My theme for the year is “Trusting God.” below are the months and verses. As time goes on I will be adding songs to the list. You can click on the blue hyper-link on the Scripture reference to listen and/or download for free.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43.18-19 (ESV)
Everyone at some time in life needs to take a break, refresh, and restart. I decided to do this after 35 years of full-time vocational ministry, most of it through music. It’s been five years now since I retired from full-time ministry, except that for the past year I have been serving part-time in a local church as their minister of music.
This site, blog, or social media venture is the result of off and on again experimentation. During the past five years I have attempted to write devotional blogs, begin a podcast, and try out other media ventures, only failed to sustain the commitment, energy, and creative upkeep to keep them going.
What makes this attempt different? Purpose. Without purpose there is no impetus for your passion. So then, what is my purpose and passion? My purpose is to glorify God through music. My passion is to glorify God through music by writing Psalm, hymns, and spiritual songs. This is simply what this site is about. To provide the church with music that brings glory to God while at the same time edifying the body of Christ.
It is my prayer then, that this blog will serve as a source of encouragement to those who worship the Lord. Just as Isaiah wrote above…
“…now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43.19 (ESV)
Therefore, may this blog site become a place for you where the springs burst forth and flow like rivers in the desert wilderness. – Selah!
Glenn Tatum Music 