I don't know how many people listen to them, niether do I care.
What I mean by the exact opposite of, is that I don't listen to huge production pop style, commecial music. I listen to usually acoustic no production required singer song writter Americana style music, akin to country, bluegrass, folk.
ok, thanks-- i like that kind of music too. and you are right. The popularity of music or song does not necessarily mean it is on the Christian track, on time, and on target-- for Heaven.
But, I know for sure that Brooke Fraser Ligertwood aka "Brooke Fraser" --her music is anointed by God, the songs I am familiar with that have inspired me:
"Lead Me To The Cross"
"Hosanna"
and I'm going to assume she had a large part in writing "Who You Say I AM".
Her middle name, "Gabrielle," as well as her Messianic song, "Hosanna," leads me to believe the Ligertwood's and New Zealand represent one of the witnesses of Revelation, at least in the general Christian sense--all Christians are witnesses of the Word of God. Whoever wrote "Who You Say I Am," understands spiritual warfare, and the importance of knowing and believing in who we are as sons and daughters of God with Christ-- or our "true identity" as followers of Jesus in the family of faith, and like many Christians these days, who understand the anguish of inner weakness, that Jesus said, "magnifies His divine power." The weaker we may feel, can represent the more powerful Christ is present.
Another musician who I believe understands this inner battle is Mark Hall of the anointed band, "Casting Crowns," in his song, "Praise you in the storm," where he sings, "my strength was almost gone...how can I carry on..." and so many others--
That's the first thing that the enemies of God, the powers of evil attack-- our Christian identity.
I'm sorry that I don't have a copy with me to quote, but, in the book, "The Bondage Breaker," (Dr. Neil Anderson), he explains that was the first thing the devil tempted Jesus with: challenging Him to doubt who He is--
"
IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD, TURN THESE STONES INTO BREAD." (Luke 4:3)
Jesus refused of course, for good reasons:
1) He knew who He was/is, the SON OF GOD, even in His weakened condition in the desert, and would not be tempted to question divine revelation and reality, especially as the Son of God, the full presence of that divine reality--God present as a human being, who had "all power and authority in Heaven and earth," over the cowardly, creeping, fallen serpent before Him, He was about to overcome for humanity, and pass on stewardship of that power to those who follow Him worthily.
2) We are to never obey, or submit to obvious powers of evil, in what we say or do, even faced with life or death.
3) We are never to act independently of God's authorized stewardship of power, i.e., shamanism/paganism, New Age spiritism, paranormal, etc... or independent of legitimate Christian authority, or glorify ourselves or elevate anything (or anyone) else in the world as idols--(putting something higher than God).
Jesus used words (often scriptures) and actions, as weapons for spiritual warfare, although also honoring a few military commanders and soldiers/officers respected by the Jews. One of the reasons this is so powerful, is that just by being born into this physical world, we are born into time and space. Being born-again through the New Covenant into eternity, brings into the present, all power and authority of Heaven and earth. AS Christians we have the authority to speak life, or death; mercy or judgment, directly with our words and actions, especially through proper channels of authority, including including church and legal state authority in some cases.
God gave us the TEN COMMANDMENTS for a reason.
Peter said to obey it, if it is legitimate, and biblical.
But, i believe the Lord inspired me this morning to also emphasize that half of the Bible is also about repentance--turning from our sins, and judgment, or loss of rewards in Heaven, for those who do not.
I perceived, "where does the soul go when it dies?" I was confused by this at first. If this is a valid question, one of the answers is, a soul does not die--forever. It can not evolve. Neither can God's truth evolve.
The Lord is "TOP GUN." Without question. Jesus has earned that position, and our reverence, honor and respect.
If I were to speak on His behalf, in the spirit of very serious authority--that can command life or destruction.
And we do have that authority as Christians.
Paraphrasing that deadly serious moment in that movie:
"I'm not here to [shine] sunshine," on your guitars, or my own, or anyone's computer or media devices, or lives.
"The rules of [combat] engagement are not flexible..."
"Obey them, or you are history." (all Christians of "team Jesus" of Heaven's armies).
Sodom and Gomorrah was mainly about sexuality, and were not ended because they were obeying the rules, but because they were making up their own, both heterosexual and rogue sexuality; And my own heterosexuality may have found me there as well.
I believe this is what the LORD is saying here:
“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear." (Matthew 13:40-43; biblegateway.com; NIV).
True children of God will seek the will of God as the Lord Jesus Christ in all things, as it is revealed to them, no matter what it may be.