"Thumbs Up" or "Thumbs Down"

This morning, like many others, I rose to worship my God in the freshness of a new day.  Nothing compares to greeting the day in the presence of the God who designed and created me to worship Him.  It simply sets me on a course that is more aligned with His will for me.  My, O my is it good!

I regularly use the medium of music as the vehicle to ascend to the heights of His presence.  This morning was no exception.  I often use a very popular internet radio service loaded with anointed music that draws me into His presence.  (Anointed simply means the touch of His Spirit is all over it.  And anything anointed with His Spirit will draw one closer to Him.)

Now this may sound a little weird but I like the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" button appearing with every song being played.  If you don't like a particular song simply click on the "thumbs down" button and it won't be played again.  If you really like another song you can click on the "thumbs up" button and it will be added to your play list.  Pretty convenient huh?  Now why would that even matter to me?  I am glad you asked!

This comes from the heart of one who was dedicated to glorifying Satan and self when God rushed in to salvage my life back a few years ago.  I had been involved in worldly music most of my life in many shapes, forms, and fashions.  I was pretty much born a musician.  Music was a form of entertainment or a way to fame and fortune.  Bottom line:  music was all about me and what I could accomplish.  It was about competition and the race to produce the latest and the most innovative (just to sign my life away one day).  When my life was initially overwhelmed with the love and Spirit of Christ I discovered the real purpose of music.  Music was designed and engineered by God, the creator, to worship not self...but Him.  Music is the most powerful medium in the created universe to make any kind of proclamation...Godly or ungodly.  Music effects the emotions and to a degree even controls the emotions.  Is it any wonder Satan (heaven's former worship leader) pulls out all the stops to distort and pervert music.  He can speak and even control through the medium of music.  Even that which is labeled "Christian" he never ceases to attempt to taint with "worldly" desires.  However when we get a clue what music is really about...the style, genre, key, tempo, instrumentation, etc won't matter.  I can worship God on a kazoo.  (Just don't ask me to.)

That's why I like the "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" button on the internet praise and worship station...because some of what they play is not anointed.  It's just Christian (labeled) music.  It does nothing to move me deeper into His glory.  That's when I hit the "thumbs down" button.  Maybe it should really be the "anointed" or the "not anointed" button.  The music I employ to ascend to the heights must be anointed by Him!  Christian music won't do at all.  I can hear plenty of that on the contemporary Christian radio stations.  However, it must be anointed music!  When we learn the difference we won't settle for anything less...or "thumbs down".