2nd Corinthians 4:3-5, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.”
I don't mean to sound religious. I'm turned off by religious talk as much as
anyone I suppose. I don't like when religious people come to my door. I
don't like being asked who, what, where, when, how, or why at church. It's
just human nature that people are nosy. I've always been a private person
and don't feel comfortable around people in general, especially religious
people who think they've got it all figured out. In fact, I detest religion.
Albeit, I do believe that the Bible is God's holy Word. If you are not a
born-again Christian, let's take care of
that right now, if you desire.
At the risk of forfeiting popularity for my website, I choose to uplift my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my very best Friend in all the world. I do believe that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God. And as such, I believe that as a Christian I have an obligation to share the Gospel with others. I believe that the Scriptures teach for every believer to let their light shine before others, so that they may glorify God and others may find salvation too. To me, I believe this is true greatness Biblically. I care about your soul, sincerely, so please forgive me if I am offensive by sharing my faith.
Romans 10:15 says that God calls the feet of the soul-winner “beautiful.” Not the mouth or lips mind you; but rather, the feet. This is because even the most eloquent words coming from the most profound lips is totally worthless if one does not use their feet to bring the Gospel to others to hear. That makes sense to me, and I'm sure it does to you as well. This is why I speak a little on my website about spiritual matters. So remember, I hate religion and this is not about religion. I am talking about the Bible and the truth and salvation that is found only in Jesus Christ. Religion wants to fit us with glasses, but the Lord wants to open our eyes.
I say this as a born-again Christian who loves God, realizing that some people are going to be upset after they read this. I hope so! We all need to hear the truth! What are you doing with your life for Jesus Christ? I see so many accomplished musicians priding themselves over their trifle awards and worldly accomplishments, but what have they ever done for God? Nothing! Most steel guitar players, even professed Christians, are doing nothing for God at all. Music is not a ministry unless the Gospel is being preached (Romans 1:16).
Many musicians put immodestly dressed women on their album covers. They use their God-given talents in taverns and nightclubs so the owners can make lots of money selling booze. They are pulling on the same rope as the Devil. It is a sad testimony of the decadent culture that we live in today. Everyone wants to make a buck. I won't let people exploit my God-given talent to sell alcohol. That's just how I feel on the matter as a God-fearing Christian. The same Godless people who laugh at what I am saying are the same wicked people who in many cases have no problem with abortion, homosexuality, pornography, Harry Potter's witchcraft, feminism, divorce, et cetera. I am only taking sides with the God of the Bible, as John 12:43 tells us too. My friend, if you don't like my sharp opinions, just wait until you meet God in eternity on judgment day!
Note: I only use the King James Bible, because all modern versions are corrupted. For example: The NIV 2011 calls the Holy Spirit “it” instead of the masculine pronoun “He” to appease the feminist and homosexual agendas of our wicked generation.
All God is asking is for us as believers is to glorify Him by mentioning the name of His Son Jesus Christ to others, telling them how Christ died on the cross, was buried, and bodily resurrected three days later to pay for our sins with His shed blood (Romans 8:34; 1st Corinthians 15:1-4; 1st Peter 1:18-19). I want to tell you friend that by faith alone in Christ, your sins will be forgiven and you'll have eternal life. Is that too much to ask? God is not asking you to play nothing but Gospel songs. In fact, that's exactly what God doesn't want you to do. I know steel guitar players who play Gospel songs galore, but never tell anyone how to be saved. Go figure! I don't like Gospel songs as much as Hawaiian songs, and I openly admit it. But I love the Gospel and I share it. That's what matters!
You know as well as I do that you're not going to share the Gospel in a tavern or a nightclub. That's proof that you don't belong there as a Christian. I don't want to play my steel guitar anywhere where I would be ashamed to share my faith in Jesus Christ. Most churchgoers don't take their faith seriously. They go to church, but they don't really live the Christian life on a personal level. They lie, cheat, connive, and steal like the heathens do, expecting God to bless them. It makes God sick to His stomach and vomit the Bible says (Revelation 3:15-16).
I heard a world famous musician say something disturbing, so famous that you'd instantly know his name if I mentioned it, so I won't. He said that he'd been talking with a buddy who convinced him that God put him on the earth to play steel guitar. He said that he believed God put us here to do more than mess round, and that we should accomplish something. Now I agree wholeheartedly that we should accomplish something while here on earth, but what about the things which are Jesus Christ's? The Bible says most people don't care about the things of Christ (Philippians 2:21). It is a matter of priorities my friend. There are professional athletes by the droves who'll claim that God put them here upon the earth to play sports. I just don't believe that. The same goes for steel guitars players. Music has never kept any souls out of Hell. We ought to be sharing the Gospel truth with others who are lost.
I don't believe that God puts anybody here on the earth to do something that never involves sharing the Gospel with the lost. 2nd Corinthians 4:3, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” I hear a lot of people talking about what God approves of or disapproves of, but none of it is Biblical. One young woman claimed after her 9th audition that she knew it was God's will for her to become a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader. I can tell you assuredly that she is very wrong. It is never God's will to dress immodestly (which those cheerleaders do), and gyrate lasciviously for millions of viewers to lust upon. That is wickedness and of the Devil. Many of them have gone on to pose in Playboy, the same as the HEE HAW honey whores did. They'd sing a Gospel song while whores laid around during the show with their breasts hanging out. God hates that kind of heathendom. Only a wicked person would take the matter lightly.
A lot of people do a lot of sinful and shallow things in the name of God, but they are deceived. All I'm saying is that God put you here to do more than just play steel guitar with your life, and if you know anything about the Bible at all, then you know that it is every Christian's responsibility to make Jesus Christ the center of our life...
Colossians 3:1-5, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Many musicians are selfish, financially dependent on playing music in bars and nightclubs, wanting to be paid for every note they play. It is sad. If your biggest achievement in life is being inducted into some musician's Hall of Fame, then you're a loser in God's eyes. I ask you again... What have you ever done for God? It is nauseating to see steel guitar musicians all kissing up to each other, saying that each other is doing God's will (which they're not), and everyone's afraid to take a stand against anything. Not me buddy, I'll stand alone with God. I am God's friend, not the worlds (James 4:4).
I watched a drummer go bizzerk once because two guys with a high-end video camera pointed it toward him. He told his band mates to stop playing instantly and they did. He walked over and told the guys with the camera to scram. I had just undergone neck surgery in Los Angeles in July of 2009 and had walked down the following Saturday to a little flea market where these guys were playing. I got a drink and some food and was listening to them. They were really good. There were 3 of them. One guy played an upright string bass. Another played keyboard. And then the oldest gentleman played the drums, very well I might add. They were a good band. But I was saddened that the drummer didn't want their music filmed and recorded. I encourage people to record me, although I usually get nervous and start missing more notes then usual.
Music is a gift from God that I want to share. I know most people are ungrateful and take advantage of my work on this website, but that's ok. Luke 6:35 says that God is kind to the unthankful and to the evil, and we are supposed to do likewise as believers. I made this website to encourage others to learn to play the steel guitar, particularly the C6th lap steel. Hawaiian music is happy music, and it reminds me of Heaven. Music is something bigger than life. There's hardly anything available online to teach the lap steel. I don't judge others for selling anything, but I am tired of everything being for sale. Not on this website. All of my teaching is for free. I want to share my rhythm tracks, tabs, videos, and teachings with others so that you may be blessed and learn.
And of course, nothing is more important than one's soul and the Bible. I want you to go to Heaven one day when this life is over. Eternal life is a free gift, paid for by Jesus Christ. Jesus is my motivation for giving away everything, for He has given everything freely for me.
I was at a steel guitar convention and heard a “legend” of the steel guitar curse in God's name in casual conversation. He then made a lewd comment publicly. I've never heard share the Gospel. He's a member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. People praise him everywhere he goes. I wouldn't give you a dime for any man who curses in my Lord's name. What bothers me is that the man's name is praised and uplifted as being so great, but no one cares that he curses in God's name or tells filthy jokes in public.
Just because someone can play a musical instrument doesn't not make them great in any way in God's eyes. True greatness begins with the fear of God. I see a bunch of fools honoring fools, but not a one of them has enough courage to stand for God. They don't know what true greatness is. Most greatness is either self-proclaimed or worldly in nature. True greatness is in humbling one's self before the God of the universe and obeying the Bible.
I wonder what that famous musician will feel in his heart in Heaven, realizing that he never lifted a finger to get anybody saved. He spent his life making beautiful music, impressing the crowds, cheering up weary people with his music; but then they all went to Hell fire because no one ever warning them of the judgment to come. Only a fool thinks that it's just the preacher's job to warn lost sinners of the reality of Hell for all Christ-rejecters.
I realize that most people haven't been blessed to have grown-up in a Christian home, or had the opportunity to attend a Bible-believing church; but nevertheless Judgment Day is still coming for all of us, and all that will matter 100 years from now if whether we died in the Lord (Revelation 14:13) or in our sins (John 8:24); and secondly, what did we do with our time and resources to win th lost to Jesus Christ (Luke 8:15; 2nd Corinthians 5:9-11)? That's all that really matters. I realize that most people are turned off to this kind of preaching, and simply don't want to hear it. But I'm going to tell you the truth anyway even if it offends you and makes you feel bad.
Everywhere I play my steel guitar I pass out Gospels of John, and I tell people that I am a born-again Christian and thank God for my talent. I season my words with grace and let people know that God is greater than music. I made this website to teach people how to play the lap steel guitar, to encourage people to learn the instrument; but moreover, to get you saved and serving Jesus Christ while we still can. John 9:4, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” Jesus knew that He only had a certain amount of time.
"But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. But I would have you without carefulness." —1st Corinthians 7:29-32
These are some truly remarkable Scriptures with profound meaning. We are living in the Last Days. The Lord's return has never been more imminent than it is today. The world has become a large insane asylum. People are confused everywhere concerning the truth. The Bible gives us some practical spiritual advice in 1st Corinthians 7:29-32 concerning the attitude we should have in these “perilous times” as foretold in 2nd Timothy 3:1-7. In essence, God is saying that we shouldn't place too much weight upon this temporal life.
The Scripture reminds us in 1st Corinthians 7:31 that THIS WORLD PASSETH AWAY. As such, the Bible admonishes us against placing too much emphasis upon the temporal sadness, problems, happiness, possessions and things of this life. The unsaved world places the greatest of importance upon this earthly life. Their hearts are saturated with the cares and riches of this life. They have little or no concern for eternity.
The only true happiness in life is winning souls to Jesus Christ. Dwight L. Moody said that, and I agree wholeheartedly. Psalm 126:5 tells us, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Amen and amen. Proverb 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” The Seed is God's Word (1st Peter 1:23). We are saved by obeying the gospel, by simply believing on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, Who came into the world to SAVE SINNERS (Matthew 18:11; John 3:17-18; 1st Timothy 1:15). We are saved by HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS (Matthew 6:33).
Thank you for being patient with my concern over spiritual matters. I do care about your soul, whoever you may be.
~by your webservant, David J. Stewart
Take someone to the islands today with your music!
