As a young lad growing up in the church, I can recall singing, "Have thine own way Lord.Thou art the potter, I am the clay.Mold me and make me, after thy will, while I am waiting yielded and still.""All to thee my, blessed Savior, I surrender all.""Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord to thy precious bleeding side."And of course the Church Of God In Christ anthem, "Yes Lord…!" These songs had the inference of a heart that longed for change.

The difference between an unconverted and converted man is not that the one has sins, and the other has none: but that the one takes part with his cherished sins against a dreaded God and the other takes part with a reconciled God against his hated sins. (William Arnot)

One of the attributes of sin is to hide man from himself, conceal his deformity which will prevent him from forming a just conception of his true condition.In a world driven by success, self-examination in the light of God's word feels so unsatisfactory.No Christian has ever found this practice easy.

King David was a mighty warrior, a great strategist, a man of courage, King of Israel; but never did he display such intrepidity as when he determined to look into his own heart!

Recently, the gospel artist Tonex shared his thoughts regarding the challenges in the Christian music community.He lamented the back-biting, bureaucracy and pretence.These challenges and more propelled him to resign from the industry.During his acceptance speech at the 2006 Stellar Awards, Fred Hammond acknowledged that there are "haters" affiliated with the industry.Hezekiah Walker was the most recent victim of a character assassination attempt.

The industry that should be compelling unbelievers to acknowledge their need for Jesus as savior; edify and comfort the believers is more concerned with being politically correct and non-offensive to the unbeliever.Instead of being a beacon of light in the dark world of music that contradicts biblical principals, they are partaking of the cup of hater-aid that causes them to harm their brothers and sisters in Christ.What a contradiction of the grace of God!

It is easy to commit the songs of the penitent lyricist to memory.The challenge is employing those songs in a real life experience.The expectation to fellowship with Jesus should not be reduced to only a feel good session.It should also include the desire for a personal transformation experience.When a song emanates from a transformed heart it becomes a song of acceptable praise and not a perfunctory melody.When you sing, do you mean what you are singing or are you just singing from memory?

Have a Purpose Driven Month.

P.S. Always remember…Worship is a lifestyle, not a momentary experience.