Tuesday, July 19, 2011

TESTIMONY TUESDAYS: The Lord Has Preserved ME!

Praise ye the Lord and bless his holy name.

I praise God today for he has preserved me. I put my trust in him as the psalmist says, "Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust." Psalm 16:1 and he did just what the word says.

For the past few weeks I had been experiencing some pains. I contemplated going to the doctor but I shook that off and cried out to my God, "Jesus, you are a healer, you are a deliverer, and I know that you can heal my off this affliction. No matter what I trust you, Lord."

This Sunday evening as I sat on my living room floor singing along with all the contestants on Sunday's Best He healed me. The bands burst and I was healed.

I thank Jesus, my Lord for preserving me and keeping. Put your trust in Him he truly is someone that you can depend on.

May God Richly Bless You!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

WISDOM WEDNESDAYS: Get Up, Get Out, and Get it Done

Praise the Lord! Forgive me if this post doesn't come out correctly I am blogging from my bb (Blackberry) for the first time ever. I'm on the go today and I realized that thanks to technology there's no reason why I can't produce a simple post. Which leads me right to this Wednesday's word of wisdom.

"The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion in the streets. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed." Proverbs 26:13-14

Take a moment today and check yourself. What excuses have you been allowing to hinder you from performing the work that God has for you to do. A lion in the street, it's raining, it's too hot, it's too far. Or you may, like I did today take an over extended nap and postponed what you needed to do, should do or wanted to do because you felt tired and like a sloth you slept.

Don't get me wrong rest is necessary but you know when you're over doing it and so does the Lord. Now, I'm not accusing you nor pointing the finger because I am guilty of these practices also but this Wednesday I'm going to be wise like the four little things that are described as wise by the Word, "There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; the conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; the locusts have no king, yet they go forth all of them by bands; the spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in the kings' palaces." Proverbs 30:24-28

This Wednesday be wise and prepare for your future (don't work yourself into a frenzy just exercise some concern), recognize your weakness and build your home on Jesus Christ, the rock of ages. This Wednesday be wise and unite with your brethren, co-workers, or classmates and work as one body. This Wednesday shake off that slothful man instead be like the spider, Get Up, Get Out, and Get it Done and you just may find yourself in the kings' palaces.

-God Bless You!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

WORSHIP SONG SERIES: "Days of Elijah"

Many say that these days are the last days and I definitely agree. The signs are evident and as the work of the enemy flourishes we can clearly see what Paul was describing to us in his letter to Timothy, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that arer good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." II Timothy 3:4

Though it seems that evil is reigning the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof--while the devil is lurking believe me, the Master is working and THERE'S NO GOD LIKE JEHOVAH! As the world is deteriorating the church is being built up, this is the year of jubilee, this is the day of jubilee.




The year of jubilee was a period freedom, renewal, and redemption. Everyone received a clean slate, slaves were freed, people who had their property taken due to debts had their property restored. It was all about Israel having the opportunity to reaffirm their beliefs, walk in faith and not rely on their material gains as evidence of prosperity.

Since Jesus shed blood ushered in the new testament every day can be the year of jubilee.There is no need to wait for the fifth year of seven cycles of seven years, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh." Romans 8:3  Now is the time to claim your freedom in Jesus name and proclaim his glory throughout the land because very soon he will come down riding on a cloud.

TESTIMONY TUESDAYS: TRAVELING MERCY

"The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." Psalm 121:8

Praise the Lord, beloved! It's another Tuesday that we have been blessed to see and I want to testify to the glory and honor of God that He is a keeper, that he is merciful, that He is a protector.

I want to thank Him for granting me traveling mercies this weekend. I went away to the Poconos with my family and just as His word says, Jesus the Lord God protected my family and I. In light of the recent surge in bus accidents I have a lot to be thankful for. The Lord kept me in my going out and my coming in.

If you don't already know it is good to trust him. There is no God like Jehovah!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

WISDOM WEDNESDAY: Excercise Your Conscience


" For bodily excercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things having promises of life that now is, and of that which is to come." I Timothy 4:8

When the weather gets warm and less clothes we put on suddenly we begin to pay attention to all the muscles we have been neglecting. I'm definitely guilty of this but as I broke out the Tae-bo DVD and worked up a sweat this morning I could hear a gentle urging of the Holy Spirit, "Bodily exercise profiteth little."

This is not to say that the body is not important but the Spirit within you must not be neglected. While you're running, crunching, sweating be sure to get your spiritual workout on like Paul, "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." Acts 24:16

On this Wednesday be wise and exercise your faith in Jesus believe on Him for all things.
On this Wednesday be wise and exercise meekness and humility at work and at home.
On this Wednesday be wise and exercise mercy towards those who have offended you.
On this Wednesday be wise and exercise patience towards your children and the elderly.
On this Wednesday be wise and exercise your arms and your lips by lifting them up to worship the Lord thy God and you're conscience will be void of offence toward God and men.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

(3 Reasons Why You Have) No Excuse

Praise the Lord! It's been awhile since I've posted anything, actually it has been nearly two months and as the title of this post suggest I have no excuse and neither do you for not accomplishing what the Lord God has asked of you.

You may have to pause and ask yourself what has Jesus asked of me. Before you get carried away with the list of great exploits that God has called you to, missionary service, preaching, teaching and saving the nation start with this basic thing: after preaching for three days and feeding at the very least 5,000 men with five barley loaves and two fish Jesus crossed the sea to Capernum and began preaching again. He urged the men not to seek after meat that perishes but everlasting life and someone posed a question, "...What shall we do that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them,This is the work of God that you believe on him whom he hath sent." John 6:28-29

Don't get it twisted God wants you to use your gifts to serve him but he doesn't need you to save one single solitary soul and until your spirit has been renewed he can't even use you. What he wants from you is simple, he wants you, all things were made by him and for him, Colossians 1:16

Yet you must be sanctified if you are going to be a tool for the Master to use. If Jesus is going to use to do anything then you must be a clean vessel. Here's where the plot thickens this is the part where damage ourselves, with little white lies, with quarrels, and idle speech but we have no excuse, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with temptation make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. " I Corinthians 10:13

Is it clear why you have no excuse for cussin' out the lady who stepped on your foot, or sneaking out to have cigarette because your boss is working on your last nerve, for talking about Brenda behind her back just because you don't like her?

1. You have no excuse because the situation, temptation, or trial that you are facing is not some original one that God manufactured just for you but is one that someone on this planet has experienced and has already overcome.

2. Though it may seem like you can't take it, like you're being squeezed by a vice grip the truth is you can take it. You may feel like if this kid doesn't jumping up and down on the bed I'm going to tear that backside up but you can make it with going berserk, wrap your head around this real good, this temptation is not more than you can bear and God is faithful.

3. There is a way out of this temptation that does not lead to sin. He has made a way of escape for you. This way, is Jesus Christ, he is the way the truth and the life. If he resides in you then the way of escape is within you. Call on his name and he will deliver you.

Don't read this and allow it pass over your head as if you don't need some fine tuning, backup one verse in I Corinthians 10 and you will see where the word warns us to be careful if we think we have attained unto righteousness and the results of our vain imaginations, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." I Corinthians 10:12

You have no excuse when you give in to temptation. When temptation falls upon you if you can't remember the reasons why you have no excuse remember our triune God. remember the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost lives in you. Stop and pray:

Father God, please lead me through this wilderness. Keep me in your way and do not allow me to stray in the mighty and precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen

 

WORSHIP SONG SERIES: "God Has Signed My Name" by Walter Hawkins and The Hawkins Family

Praise ye the Lord and bless His holy name! Blessed be the Lord God Jesus Christ who is our rock and our salvation!

It's been a while since I posted something in this category but I pray that the worship hasn't stopped. Now that I'm back let's worship the Lord together. Let's not look back at the past but rejoice in our present estate, let's celebrate that our names are written in the Lamb's book of life, let's rejoice and celebrate that we are free from the bondage of sin.

As our nation prepares to celebrate it's independence, let us also celebrate our independence. Sin no longer has dominion over us. We are able to keep are tongues, able to resist temptation, able to love our enemies, and pray for the salvation of their souls without seeking retaliation or retribution.



This freedom was brought with a price the precious blood of Jesus Christ. As you march onward remember that you are no longer a citizen of this land but an ambassador of a foreign country. Let your walk be a praise to God that honours and glorifies his name, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

God Bless You, Beloved and Our Nation!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

WORSHIP SONG SERIES: ENCOURAGE YOURSELF BY DONALD LAWRENCE & THE TRI-CITY SINGERS

Blessed be the name of our God, Jesus Christ! Because of his power we don't have to be moved by the things that we see, or led astray by the works of the enemy. Yet sometimes we are. Everything isn't always going to go our way every day but they will work to our benefit no matter what any man may say.

With a great mighty God who has made promises like that on our side should our head be cast down? Should our shoulders slump? Should our mouths be empty or filled with praise no matter what the opposition or onlookers may say?

The truth is you won't feel good everyday. This flesh likes to act up and is not interested in serving God. Your knees don't want to bow down and your eyes have no interest in being lifted up, especailly when you don't get your way. There are times when nothing has happened, you just wake up in a funk and find your shoulders and head already slumped with a feeling of defeat putting the squeeze on you.

You know what you have to do? Wrestle, flip defeat our, box your way out, encourage yourself in the Word, which is Jesus. Jesus is the word of God, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1. David encouraged himself in the Lord in the midst of his distress and the Lord defended him in a mighty way.

"And David was greatly distressed: for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." I Samuel 30:6

David's back was against the wall and everything that was dear to him in the land had been taken away except for his confidence in the LORD his God. Is Jesus your LORD? Is your confidence in Him? Then encourage yourself in Him. In the victory that His shed blood has given you. In the power that his shed blood has given you, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Luke 10:19




Shake that devil off of you this week, instead speak over yourself and be encouraged in the Lord. Knowing that he has plans of peace for you and your expected end is already written and is much greater than any feeling in your flesh or circumstance set before you. Jesus is waiting to receive you with a crown of glory, call you by a new name, and clothe with a robe of righteousness. Be encouraged in the Lord!

For Further Reading: I Samuel 30

-Nigeria




Mother's Day Prayer


"Lo, children are the heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. " Psalm 127:3

God is good; blessed be the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ! Today is Mother's Day. A day set aside to celebrate mother's, the vehicle in which the Lord has chosen to bring us into the world. As we honor man let us remember to honor the Lord.

The psalmist tells us that children are the heritage of the Lord and his reward. He has entrusted, us mothers, with these very special beings with the sincere desire that we would raise them up in the way of the cross. What a noble, honorable, and special charge the Lord has bestowed upon us women. On this day here at The Carpenter's House we would like to pray for your strength in the Lord and honor Him.

As you read this prayer accept the words for you and think of the mothers that you-say this prayer for them as well:

Father God, in the precious name of Jesus, I come before your presence with thanksgiving. Thanking you for bringing us out and bringing us through, thanking you for that special job called motherhood in which you have anointed and appointed us to do.

Lord, I thank you for my mother. I thank you for using her to bring me into this world.

Lord, I pray that you would make manifest the reason in which you placed me in her care and I pray that you would provide me with the wisdom to use it as a testimony unto your honor and glory.

Lord, I pray that you would continue to bless every mother with the strength necessary to perform the work you have entrusted them to perform. Bless them with the courage and conviction to raise their children, your children up in the word. Bless them Lord with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.

Lord, I pray that you let your peace rest upon them and cause them to dwell in safety forever trusting in you. That they and their seed may live abundantly upon this land.

Lord, I pray for those mothers that know not the joy of your salvation. I pray that you would not turn your face away from them, instead, please let your mercy and grace abound unto the salvation of their souls.

Lord, I thank you for every mother whether good or bad, for you see the end of thing and hath the power to use any situation unto your honor and glory.
 Lord, I pray that it begins with me and with my family. Raise up a standard in which the enemy cannot penetrate. Use every mother in this family as servants and ministers of the mighty gospel of Jesus Christ, in the precious name of Jesus.

Let the church say, AMEN!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
FROM THE CARPENTER'S HOUSE

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

TESTIMONY TUESDAYS: His Grace is Sufficient For Me

Praise ye the Lord and bless His holy name! God is good and He is good all the time. It's been awhile since I posted something for Testimony Tuesdays. What I envisioned happening in this series hasn't been happening and I slacked off from posting in this section.

I had planned on this section being a meeting place for Chrsitians to celebrate the goodness of God and inspire each other through the sharing of their testimonies. That hasn't quite happened, but I shouldn't be seeking my own glory; I shouldn't be reveling in my works alone, but the work that God has done. Maybe my plan hasn't come to fruition, so that I wouldn't get a big head or glory in what I have done but what the Lord has done. Pride is a dangerous thing and the Lord resisteth the proud but gives grace to the humble, James 4:6. And I don't want him to resist me. I want to be pleasing in his sight, Not glorying in my own strength is a lesson I had to learn, just as Paul had to learn, and we all have to learn how to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that we may be exalted in due season, I Peter 5:6.

[2Cor12v9.JPG]In II Corinthains 12:1-10 Paul gives his testimony of how he received a divine  revelation but to keep him in check he also received a thorn in his side. He sought the Lord in prayer three times for this thing to be removed and the Lord responded, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul learned not to glory in himself but to glory in God even in his infirmities. You might say this isn't an infirmity but let me ask you this: when things don't go your way doesn't it make you sick? (To thine ownself be true) The truth is it makes me sick.

But the glory is not mine, my success is not mine, the success of this series or this blog is not mine, but God's. When I don't get the results I want out of life, or the success that I seek, his grace is enough to brag about. 

This Tuesday, my testimony is this: To the only wise God, Jesus Christ, be the glory, honor, power, and dominion, for the things which he has done, is doing, and will do for His grace is sufficient for me.

Let the church say, AMEN! 

Friday, April 29, 2011

PRAYER FOR THE LIVING

"The dead praise not the Lord neither any that go down in silence." Psalm 115:17

During this week tornadoes have wreaked havoc throughout the south. The death toll has been estimated at nearly 300, thus far. Devastation of this nature usually causes people to question to God. Why did this happen here? Why now?



Often a spirit of hopelessness and desperation will overcome the survivors and a somber mood full of lamentations is taken up for the things and people lost. But what really should come out of this is an open conversation with the Lord. For it was out of the whirlwind that the Lord spoke to Job, Job 38: and 40:6. If we listen carefully we can hear what he is saying:

Pray, pray, and when you're done praying pray.
Pray for living, pray that they would be saved. Pray that they will be comforted. If 300 people are dead then there are 300 families that have suffered a loss. Pray that they will lift up their eyes unto the hills from whence cometh all of our help. No matter how it gets there, no matter who is used to perform the good work it all comes from him that is good, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Pray for the living. Pray that we will all recognize the frailty of our lives. Pray that we all recognize the power and majesty of God; that we recognize that he has the final say in our lives whether we serve Him or not (although it is much better to be in the service of the King).

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." James 4:14

Pray for the living. Pray that we recognize now is the only time we have and now is the acceptable time for salvation. Pray that help comes soon, pray that restoration and healing begins now in the hearts of all men, in Jesus name. AMEN.

If you would like to help the survivors of this disaster by volunteering or making a finanical donation to the Red Cross please CLICK HERE




   

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

NOMINATE THE CARPENTER'S HOUSE FOR THE BLACK WEBLOG AWARDS


Praise ye the Lord and bless His holy name!

Do you love what you see here, would you like to help spread the good news that Jesus died for us on Calvary? Well here's your chance and it only takes two clicks and a few keystrokes.

Nominate The Carpenter's House for a Black Weblog Award, please.

Take a minute or two to nominate The Carpenter's House for the following categories:

  • Best Faith Based Blog
  • Blog to Watch
Simply CLICK HERE to show your support to The Carpenter's House. Copy and paste the url, http://www.goingtothecarpentershouse.blogspot.com/ into the categories.



"...That thou doest, do quickly" John 13:27, the Nomination Period Ends Saturday May 7, 2011



For more information about the Black Weblog Awards CLICK HERE

Monday, April 25, 2011

4 Rs Repent, Renew, Restore, and Rplenish: On the Road to Repentance

You know it’s very important to always have your spiritual ears open so that you can hear God speaking to you. I was casually watching the Travel Channel’s Top 21 Caribbean Vacation Destination when He spoke to me. The voiceover was saying something enticing about the pink sands beach in the Bahamas, “This is the place to go if you are looking to renew, restore, replenish.” I murmured within myself “Ahhh…I wish I could go there,” and Lord spoke to my heart saying, “This is what I do; you don’t have to go anywhere.”
That is what he does and what he would like to do for each and every one of us. Of course, the Spirit compelled me to create a 3 Rs series sharing the work the Lord wishes to do in our lives and has done for some of us. Then He spoke to me again, “You must first repent, then I will renew, restore, and replenish.”

Thus the series has become the 4 Rs Repent, Renew, Restore, and Replenish. All of these words are verbs requiring someone to take action. The first R, Repent, requires you (and me) to act.

What does it mean to repent?

Repentance is more than offering an up a mere low and muffled “I’m sorry.” In order to repent you must first feel bad or regret the sins that you have committed against the Lord. Next you must turn from sin and finally you must dedicate yourself and your life to Jesus. Many people don’t think they need to do this because all is well in their life. I’m working, my kids are healthy. Why do I need to repent? Do you think God is showing you mercy for you to live your life any kind of way you want to? In the words of my brother Paul, “God forbid.” The goodness of God is to lead you to repentance, “…despises thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4

Is Repentance Important?

Yes, repentance is important. The first sermon that Jesus preached after the death of John the Baptist was a simple yet enduring one, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 don’t shirk this article off because you’re a believer and you believe you don’t need to repent. We all need to repent on a daily basis. Even if you’re not living in sin, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Serving God isn’t just about outward gestures, it’s a heart condition and he sees and knows your thoughts and the intents of your heart, Hebrews 4:12. You might say to yourself, it’s not that serious but it is that serious, “who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully in his heart.” Psalm 24:3-4 In Genesis everyone in the world was destroyed except for eight people because the thoughts of man were continually wicked. Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? Proverbs 20:9 Only the Lord can cleanse us and redirect our path.

If you believe that you have no sin and need not repent then you are essentially confused about who Jesus died for and why. You are basically saying that you don’t need him. Because he didn’t come for or die for one single righteous person, he died for sinners everywhere like me, “…They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:12-13

Don’t as John the beloved says, deceive yourself by saying you have no sin, just confess it for the Lord is faithful and just to forgive sins, I John 1:8-9

The Blessedness of Forgiveness

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

When I kept silence my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said I will confess my transgression unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of the great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

I will instruct and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with a bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Psalm 32:1-11



Praying For Forgiveness

If you don’t know what to say or how to say it, look to the Word of God for examples, like Psalm 51. If you don’t have access to the word right now simply say from the heart, Father God in the precious name of Jesus please have mercy on me and forgive me for I have sinned and come short of your glory. Lord, instruct me on how to live righteously because I cannot do it without you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Worship Song of the Week: Victory Chant (Hail Jesus)

Praise ye the Lord! It's Monday, time to get back to the grind, all the postulating and celebrating is over or is it? Of course not, Jesus' death and resurrection took place more than 2000 years ago and it shouldn't be celebrated once a year, it should be celebrated everyday. If you allow the Holy Spirit to reign in you and through you Easter will become more than a day, it will become more than yesterday, you will realize that His actions on that day paved the way for you to overcome yourself, the devil, and all of his works.

Now what? What do we do next now that we have heard and believe the good news? What are your expectations? What do you want Jesus to do in your life and through your life? Check these things out and see if your desires measure up with the word. In the book of Acts the disciples had their own expectations, they wanted to see the kingdom (the natural kingdom) of Israel restored but Jesus gave them clear and concise directions to guide their next steps according to the word and will of God:

"It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power [End of days and true restoration of the kingdom, though we know by faith that it is already done]. But ye shall receive power, later that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." Acts 1:7-8


The King lives and he wants to reign in you and through you. Why don't you let him? It is through the Holy Spirit that we are able to praise him, to worship him, and preach the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. If you have not received the Holy Ghost yet pray for the manifestation of it in you and if you have recieved it put it work today. Go forth with all power according to the will of the  Lord singing, "Hail Jesus you're my king," and preaching the that the mighty Lion of the tribe of Judah is able to break every chain.




Have a blessed day in the name of Jesus Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Worship Song of the Week Resurrection Edition: Celebrate (He Lives) by Fred Hammond

GLORY, GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH! This weekend Christians worldwide celebrate the resurrection of their, of my saviour. There is much talk about sacrifice and atonement, many people take the time to reenact what happened on the cross but there is one act that cannot be replicated that is the day that the stone was rolled away.

"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered amd said unto the women, Fear ye not: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Matthew 28:1-6


God is so good, mericful, and thinketh so much on us that he envisioned such a marvelous plan for salvation. One day in the garden of Eden by one man we lost it all and one morning in a garden where a man was crucified all was restored.






Jesus got up with all power, he conquerored hell, death, and the grave so that we might reign together with Him.

It's time to celebrate. Christ is risen, our saviour reigns, and he is coming  again to recieve us. This is not a time to mourn; it's a time to celebrate our saviour liveth, bless his holy name. Get a jump on your Easter sunday praise and worship, rejoice and celebrate for the Lord liveth!!



HAPPY EASTER FROM THE CARPENTER'S HOUSE



Sunday, March 27, 2011

Worship Song of the Week: “Well Done” by Deitrick Haddon


As the days grow shorter we are ought to realize that time is winding down and the Master will soon return. As the heart of men waxes cold and evil abounds across the land we should realize that these are the last and evil days. As the spirit of sexual perverseness and homosexuality run rampant in our nation we should realize that the trumpet will sound soon. As people die all around us we should realize that today may our last day.

When it is all said and done what will He say to you, "Depart from me I never knew you," or "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."?

I want to hear him say well done. It is not easy, admission cannot be earned and submission is necessary. We must turn from sin, second we must focus on serving Him, and drawing more men to the fold using all that He has blessed us with.

In your worship this week ask the Lord to reveal to you what you must do to hear him say "Well Done," ask him to keep you until that day, and ask him to give you the strength to endure until that day because it is well worth it. Jesus was obedient until the death for the joy that was set before him (Hebrews 12:2).




For Further Reading This Week: Matthew 25:14-30

Pay Your Vows


Praise ye the Lord, saints, brethren, and beloved of God. I have been absent for about two weeks now and I pray that the Lord has kept you as he has kept me. To kick-off my return I am starting the week off with a previously published post. This post first appeared in my church's program this morning but it holds true for all of us, including those of you have not yet been converted: Pay Your Vows.
"I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people."
Psalm 116:17-18


Definition of VOW

: A solemn promise or assertion; specifically: one by which a person is bound to an act, service, or condition (Merriam Webster Dictionary)


How many times have you found yourself with your back against the wall, in a jam, had a plight that was so tough it didn't matter how hard you fought you were not getting out and then you cried out "Lord, deliver me and I will serve you!" or "If you get me out of this Lord I will serve you."?


Have you considered how you would serve God? I mean what is it that you have that Jesus needs? What do you have that you could possibly add to him?


ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! There isn't a single thing you have that God needs but you do have something that God wants— your love. There is something that God deserves— thanksgiving.
Though it may seem as though you have nothing to be thankful for, though you may not feel like doing it make a sacrifice, and call on his name. Remember, all that you owe him, and that is everything. Remember what you have promised him; pay your vow, begin here and now. Call on the name of the Lord; shout out Jesus, now in the presence of his people. Let those shouts carry you through the week.


May God Bless You, Keep You, and Establish You In The Power Of His Might
-Nigeria














 

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

TESTIMONY TUESDAYS: Restoration Has Finally Come

I know how the prodigal son felt when he went back home with his head hung down. He felt foolish, he felt ashamed, he felt sorry. He knew that what he had done to his father was wrong and had been an utter waste of time. He had discovered that the world he was so in a hurry to conquer really wasn't worth everything that he had given up.

I too once lived that life. Every thing was quick fast and in a hurry. I wanted to grow up quickly, I wanted to get out of my mama's house and "L-I-V-E." I thought I was going to do big things. Instead I got done. The world chewed me up and broke me down. Every good thing which good placed inside of me I gave away, every measure of prosperity he gave to me I spent frivolously on booze and bad boyfriends.

But restoration has finally come. The Lord has welcomed me back into fold. I returned to church bent and broken, lingering in the shadows of the back rows but God through the mercies of his Christ Jesus has moved me from the back to the front-switched me from the head to the tail. He has washed me in his blood covered me with his love and I am not ashamed of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ which is active in my life.

This Tuesday I am thankful for God's salvation, thankful for his grace and I want to testify to the fact that he his not a man that he should lie- our sins really do go into the sea of forgetfulness, he really does love us, he really will restore every thing that the devil has taken (or you gave him) if we repent. He is quick and just to forgive us. I love the Lord today.

For further reading: Luke 15:11-32 and I John 1:9

Would you like to testify to the goodness of God, through his son, Jesus Christ? Submit your testimony to divinetutors@yahoo.com and it may be selected to appear on The Carpenter's House. Please, submit it as an attachment in a Word document. Please keep submissions between 100-300 words max., be sure to include your name and a little bit of information about you. Remember how we overcome, first by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony, "And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony: and they loved not their lives unto death." Revelation 12:11 

Thursday, March 10, 2011

A Thought For Thursday: Who Ya With?

We’ve all heard the little saying “birds of a feather flock together”. Well, that saying is not just a golden nugget of knowledge that you share with your kids or younger siblings when you catch them hanging with the wrong crowd it is applicable to the life of the believer. The company that you keep determines whether or not you are blessed, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” Psalm 1:1


When you have a problem and you seek counsel will you receive wise and righteous counsel from those still doing foolish things? If you’re wondering why it seems as though God is holding back from you consider this who ya with? Are you with those who eat the word, heed the word, live the word and encourage you to do the same? Or, are you still among them from whom he called you out of?


“And what accord has Christ has Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:“I will dwell among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you.” II Corinthians 6:15-17


Though it may seem like you’re giving up a lot what you’re giving up a lot your friendship with the world cannot be compared with what the Lord is offering you- membership to a family, a holy family, a royal family, an exalted family, a prosperous family whose name shall endure throughout all the land. “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” II Corinthians 6:18 When Jesus was with sinners he was compelling them to repent and be saved. Are you doing the same or are they encouraging you to turn away from Christ? They may not say it boldly with words, but their actions, the activities they ask you to participate in, and the conversations that they have may be contradictory to the life the Lord has commanded you to live.


This Thursday check yourself and then check them? Do you want to live the blessed life of a wise man or the cursed life of a fool?


Blessed is the man who walks in not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf shall also not wither: and whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1:1


Here’s a thought for this Thursday it’s time to let go of the way that shall perish and cling to Jesus whose way is full of life everlasting.






Be Blessed Beloved, in the might, power, and strength of the Lord!


-Nigeria

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Worship Song of the Week: Lord Your Mighty by JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise

Who is the Lord? He is a great and mighty GOD, the omniscent, omnipotent, omnipresent God. He is the one who was, who is, and who is to come (very soon). Don't just read these words, say them aloud, repeat them to yourself as you go through the day. Nothing will overcome you knowing that this great and powerful God, the Lord Jesus Christ, creator of the heaven and the earth is your God.

"In the begining was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thingmade that was made." John 1:1-3

One of the most important things for a believer to do is to acknowledge God, in our daily life in everyday conversation, and in praise both private and public. Praise is not just the simple act of singing a song, it's a PDA (public display of affection) to God. In our praise he is glorifieth, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me.." Psalm 50:23 and God returns that PDA by showing us his salvation "...and to him that ordereth his conversation aright I will shew the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23 Beloved, as you go forth this week recognize and acknowledge, "The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof." Psalm 50:1




Read Psalm 50 this week and stop by The Carpenter's House later this week for a close reading of that Psalm.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

TESTIMONY TUESDAYS: He Has Given Me, Love, Power, and a Sound Mind


This post is coming in late today due to the demands of an educator's schedule but it's never too late to remind someone of the goodness of the Lord; it's never too late to talk about the ways he proves himself in your life.

This Tuesday I want to praise the Lord for giving me love, power, and a sound mind. I can remember a time that I was nearly out of mind. If it had not been for the Lord who was on my side I wouldn't even be writing this post. I almost walked out on my family.

It was the middle of the night, my eldest daughter wouldn't go to sleep and my husband wasn't too happy about that. The devil just seized that moment to fill my head with nonsense. "Just walk out, see if he can handle it. What's he going to do without you?" I didn't realize then that it was a strange voice, I was already given over to the madness that a sin filled life creates.


I jumped up and stormed out in my pjs and even then God was working things out for me. I'm not sure where I thought I was going but I went to the train station, and praise be to God I had put on the wrong jacket - I had no metrocard. I walked a block away and sat on the corner of my Pastor's block and just cried. I didn't want to go there [to his house] and have to admit that I was wrong and Jesus was right but I'm glad, so glad that Jesus looked past my faults and saw my need.


He saw how broken my spirit was and he rushed in with his love, he gave me power over my feelings and emotions through the Holy Ghost, and put my mind at ease. Now I am content with motherhood and have the natural affections towards my family that I ought to have. This Tuesday I am thankful for what the Lord has done in my life.


-Nigeria






ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS: Would you like to testify to the goodness of God, through his son, Jesus Christ? Submit your testimony to divinetutors@yahoo.com and it may be selected to appear on The Carpenter's House. Please, submit it as an attachment in a Word document. Please keep submissions between 100-300 words max., be sure to include your name and a little bit of information about you. Remember how we overcome, first by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony, "And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony: and they loved not their lives unto death." Revelation 12:11 

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Worship Song of the Week: Lord Prepare Me by Bishop Charles E. Blake and The West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir

Praise ye the Lord, beloved. I took the week off from blogging since I was on vacation. But I did not take the week off from serving my Lord. Actually, I used this week to get in touch with my Lord and refocus myself so that I can actively pursue my calling. Which leads me to this week's Worship Song selection "Lord Prepare Me".

No matter what it is that we believe the Lord has called us to do, there is one true calling for us all, and that is to serve the Lord. It is not by works that we serve him, it is not with our tithes and offering; these things a mere demonstrations they don't always prove our love to God. Any man can buy a woman a rose and anyone can serve food to the homeless, that doesn't prove your love to God. But by presenting yourself to Lord shows how much you love him and it is the only reasonable thing to do considering Jesus gave up his life for you.

"I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living scarifices, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1

We were created for this specific reason, we were created in love to abide in love. In other words we wwere created by God, to live a life devoted to God. But we can't do it without Jesus preparing for the process.



This week as you go about worshipping the Lord pray for preparation. Pray for the power of submission, the power to submit yourself to God, pray that the Lord prepares you put down your will and pick up his way, in Jesus name. And after that pray is uttered, say "Yes, I'll obey" and wait patiently to see the glory of God unveiled in his tabernacle, which is you. But don't kid yourself either, my Jesus is holy and he will not use an unclean vessel. If you know that you have been out of the way and living in disobedience, Repent! And do it quckly!

Read Romans 12

May the Lord God Bless You Real Good! I look forward to hearing your testimonies of how the Lord blessed you and caused you to increase in your worship.

-Nigeria

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Worship Song of the Week: Nobody Greater by Vashawn Mitchell

Worship Song of the Week is a new post at The Carpenter's House. Worship is an important component to building a healthy, strong, and loving relationship with Christ. Sometimes we aren't always in the frame of mind we ought to be to worship Christ as we should. One way to worship the Lord is through singing. Some of us don't tap into the power that comes from worshipping God through praise with a song. Every week, maybe everyday, if the Lord moves us in that direction, The Carpenter's House will select a song to lead you and guide you in your worship.

The first song in The Carpenter's House worship series is "Nobody Greater" by Vashawn Mitchell. Your worship should coincide with the word; read Psalm 95 this week also.





Jesus is Lord there is nobody greater than him. Please join The Carpenter's House as we worship, the only God, the omnipotent God, king of kings and lord of lords, Jesus Christ.

"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods." Psalms 95

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wisdom Wednesdays: Honour The Lord With Your Firstfruits

"Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." Proverbs 3:9-10

The Lord requires obedience not sacrifice. If you are looking for your blessing on this earth, check yourself and see if you are being obedient to the word of God. That sounds like a given but that is one of the main reasons that we are unable to receive the blessings that God has in store for us. We block our own blessings. Many of us are feeling squeezed by the current state of the economy and are looking up to the heavens hoping that Jesus opens one of the windows and pours out a blessing just for us but the truth is it's high time you display the wisdom given to you by God by fulfilling your half of the word.

Stop being stingy and stop placing God last. You wouldn't be standing there looking at the collection plate contemplating giving God your last dollar had you done what the word says, give him your firstfruits. He will make sure you have what you need(to obey these words definitely requires you to activate the measure of faith he's given you, so you better check yourself).

Stop thinking about how precious your dollars are- think about the precious work that the Lord is urging you to invest in. Invest in the kingdom where a return is guaranteed, "So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." and the only thing you lose are the things that you don't need, you don't have to worry about Bernie Maddoff. The Lord wants to give you back everything that the devil stole from you.

When you enter the church don't you want to see bibles? Don't you want oil for the preacher to anoint you, bread for communion? Don't you want the lights on and toilet paper in the bathroom? Well, none of that stuff is free and God was so kind of enough to ask you to participate in the building and maintenance of his church (he doesn't need you and when you refuse he will certainly raise up another to do the word and receive the blessing) you are too wise to join in and too worried about what the preacher is doing with your money.

Be wise and obey the Lord. Let God deal with the man of  God if he is misappropriating funds, but you be wise and obey the word. You, be wise and be blessed so that when God is dealing with you can be blessed both in this earth and in eternity.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

TESTIMONY TUESDAY: Practicing What I Preach

Yesterday, I suggested that you use Valentine's Day as an opportunity to get Jesus involved in your personal life by using I Corinthians 13 as a way to gauge whether or not your relationship is functioning the way it ought to.

Of course I couldn't recommend this course of action without trying it myself.

Here are the results:

Last night after watching a little bit of television, I asked my husband if we could sit down and read a chapter from the Bible. His eyes bulged and his neck stiffened a bit. "Which chapter?" and "Why?" he asked. I gently whispered, "I Corinthians 13, you know it is Valentine's Day, isn't?"

I would like to say that old wounds were healed, I would like to say that we are now moving forward and upward but our discussion wasn't as fruitful as I had hoped for. I apologized for sometimes behaving "unseemly" and not always being kind in my longsuffering. But he skirted the issues by repeating that lovely yet awful statement, "You know, that I love you." Which, in translation means "I don't always do what I should and I may never but that doesn't take away from the fact that I love you."

Of course this is not to say that I all good and he's all bad. We both have our shortcomings. While I'm now willing to admit that  I'm not perfect, that I am not the best wife I could be he is not ready to do this yet.

I repeatedly reminded him that I Corinthians says our love should look like this but it look like a mess. He continued to avoid the fact that we don't demonstrate our love the way that we ought to. I think the disparity between our perception of our relationship is because I am actively striving to serve the Lord and he is not.

I was a little disheartened by the fact that he wasn't moved by the word and his lack of interest in investing more into our relationship. Should that move me away from the gospel, should that deter me from striving to loving him the way that the Lord says I should.

No, it should not and I will not let it. Instead, it has inspired me to love him more, to love him harder, until he sees the glory of God in me striving to love him though he fights against the glorious love of God.

Be blessed and please testify about what the outcome was of your discussions.

Monday, February 14, 2011

But The Greatest of These is Charity



As you celebrate love today do not leave the Lord out of this celebration. Instead sit down and evaluate your relationship. Do you love the way the Lord says you should? Does your partner love you the way that the Lord says you should? How can you love the way that God requires?

I can only answer one of those questions for you: How can you love the way that God requires? By first loving God. God is love and he has loved you long before you ever thought about him. So, as you use this day to celebrate your love for man be sure to see where man's love falls short and how God's love is able to fill the gap.

I have not yet met all the requirements, I still seek my own things, I am still puffed up and have yet to master that longsuffering and kindness go together. But I am striving. This post is a refresher for me, reminding me of what I need to be striving for.

On this Valentine's Day I pray you take a moment to recognize who love is and what love is supposed  to look like.


I Corinthians 13

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Wisdom Wednesdays: Is The Joy Of The Lord Your Strength?

Beloved, I know that I said our Wisdom Wednesdays postings would come from the book of Proverbs but today it's coming from Nehemiah. Having wisdom and using it to live your life wisely are two very different things and many of us are not doing it. The word of God is wisdom and cannot be contested in any arena but often we don't take that wisdom and use it as a springboard to jump into the day with.

For some your day is winding down and for many you, who like me may have kids, or a second job- your day is really just beginning ask yourself: are you going through it with a bounce in your step or trudging through your to-do list. Be wise today and let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Let the fact that there is nobody greater than your Jesus, your Lord, your Saviour, your Redeemer, your soon coming king, whom you will one day marry, carry you through the day.

Stop letting life's little hiccups serve as a hinderance. Instead draw on your strength, the joy of the Lord. A christian should not be living their life in misery, depression, anger, or anxiety. A christian should be joyous.

"Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink, the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

When Nehemiah said this to the children of Israel they had just spent the whole day reading the law and when they saw their trangressions they began to weep about it the but the Lord used Nehemiah to tell them to rejoice, you have passed from the darkness into the light; now that you know the word, rejoice that this great God is your God, live the word, and share this joy with your neighbor. So, whatever is hampering you today be like the children of Israel, be wise this Wednesday- put it down quickly and pick up your joy.

Further Reading: Nehemiah chapter 8

God Bless You!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

TESTIMONY TUESDAYS: THANK YOU LORD, FOR THE SIMPLE THINGS

Praise ye the Lord for he is good! Today I want to thank and praise God for the simple things, the things we take for granted like the daily activity of our limbs. My youngest daughter began walking two weeks ago and I want to thank God for the milestone that didn't have to be (though we act like it must happen).

Before I began teaching I spent two years working as a paraprofessional in District 75. Over the course of those two years I had the opportunity to work with students with a variety of special needs from the learning disabled to the physically handicapped, so I know that this does not have to be. I have pushed students around in wheelchairs from kindergartners to high school students. But God's mercy has allowed for my both of my children to develop normally.

If you are reading this and your child is not developing normally I don't want you to walk away from this with your head hanging down brooding over the problem that you have with your child or comparing my testimony to yours. There is no respect of person with God, he didn't bless me this way and curse you. He has blessed you in a different way and equipped you with strengths that he has not equipped me with to go through this trying of your faith. Praise him and thank him for your child regardless of their condition because a child is a blessing to the Lord and from the Lord.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord : and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalm 127:3

Instead of complaining about your situation or using your questions about your situation as a criticism of what the Lord has orchestrated in your life, ask him to reveal to you what you are to learn from this situation, ask him to guide you through this situation, ask him to help use this situation to build your faith, ask him to use this situation to reveal his glory to you, the same way he did for the man who was born blind and was healed by Jesus.

"And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was born blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." John 9:3

And as you wait for as all this and more to be revealed to you give thanks and testify of his goodness all day anyway, with this one thought in the forefront of your mind "And we know that all [all] things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

May God Bless You Richly

Friday, February 4, 2011

HEART CONDITION: DO YOU HAVE A STONY HEART OR A HEART OF FLESH


The heart is the center of all activity in the body-mental, physical, and most importantly spiritual. The heart is the place where beliefs take shape and thoughts become a reality, "for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." Proverbs 23:7 While the heart seems like a wonderful place to most of us, the word says that the heart is a terrible place, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give to every man according  to the fruit of his doings" Jeremiah 17:9-10

The heart is the place that sin originates from,


"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart: and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." Matthew 15:18

Many of us suffer from a heart condition and unaware that we have any issues, it's called a stony heart. I didn't know I had one until I came to Christ and even now I am still susceptible to it. The more you ignore the statutes of the Lord, and resist his voice your heart begins to harden but as you submit yourself to him your condition will improve. He will give you a heart transplant and remove that old, no good stinking heart and replace it with a heart that is soft and tender towards God,

"And they shall come thither and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the LORD" Ezekiel 11:18-21

Idol worship (detestable things and abominations) and a blatant disregard for the word of God are the leading cause of a stony heart. Give yourself a heart examination today, what do you hold before God, what has he called you to do that you are not doing, what sin are you still practicing openly, privately, or holding onto in your heart?

If you're looking for a surgeon turn to Jesus ask him to do the work for you by simply praying the word back to him:

          Psalm 19:12-14, Who can understand his errors (my errors)? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sis; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer

God Bless You


Thursday, February 3, 2011

A THOUGHT FOR THURSDAY

When People Look At You, Whose Wisdom Do They See?

Beloved, I have been busy throughout this week-- I am so sorry that I didn't post anything for Wisdom Wednesday and in lieu that post I have A Thought for Thursday.

Where does wisdom come from? From God. How are we able to attain wisdom? Through our faith in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten son. Now, how do we shew forth that wisdom. People should see us and recognize that we are wise by the way that we live our lives.
"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." James 3:13 

Not only will the wisdom of God cause you to do good works but you will also do it meekly and humbly, not boasting, as did Jesus. After he healed someone he didn't walk around proclaiming and glorifying himself; he glorified the Father who used him to do the work. The wisdom of God flowing through you should bring peace to those around you,

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peacable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James 3:18

How do you make people feel when they're in your presence, what kind of fruits are you bearing, are you riled up easy, are you quick to forgive? If your answer to any of these is no,then the wisdom and the works that you have shewing forth is from the devil,

"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth [stop patting yourself on the back and stop lying. if you're not living right you're not serving right] This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." James 3:14-16

This Thursday, think on this: When people look at you, whose wisdom do they see?

FURTHER READING: James 3:13-18

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

TESTIMONY TUESDAYS: MY LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN

Praise the Lord, all ye people for He is good!

God is sooo good! We are only three days into the week and God has already shown me his glory in action that I must to tell of his goodness.

On Sunday one of my co-workers came to my church and during the devotional hour he testified that this was the first time that he had been to church in years. I praise God that I had an opportunity to witness the power of the word and how Jesus was able to just draw him back into the fold.

That moment really proved to me that it is so worthwhile to do the work of the Lord. You never know who is listening and who isn't and now is just not the time to grow weary in well doing. Instead, now is the time to be, "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." I Corinthians 15:58.

Then today during our advisory period the Lord just revealed me to how he is working in the hearts of my students. My school is preparing to introduce a student-centered advisory period in which the students select the topic of the advisory they would like to be placed in and two of my students suggested that we create a Bible Study advisory. Now, you try and tell me that the word isn't powerful, that my God isn't able, that my labour is in vain. If you try to you'd just be wasting your time because I know that my labour in the Lord in not in vain.


GOD BLESS YOU!

THE CARPENTER'S HOUSE IS ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR TESTIMONY TUESDAYS. SUBMISSIOS MUST BE BETWEEN 100-300 WORDS MAX. PLEASE SEND IT AS AN ATTACHMENT IN MICROSOFT WORD DOCUMENT TO divinetutors@yahoo.com

Thursday, January 27, 2011

SNOW DAY = WORSHIP DAY


A  snow storm has swept the city and other parts of the tri-state area and many of us are rejoicing in the fact that we are getting some much needed time off from work. Many of us are delighted to have the chance to kick back, play with the kids, catch up on all the episodes of Law & Order you recorded on DVR or complete the crossword puzzle without having the person who sits next to you on the subway looking over your shoulder.

Instead of being busy doing nothing turn this snow day into a worship day. Blast your favorite praise and worship songs. Or tune into 1190am on the radio or log on to their website for the best in praise and worship songs http://wlib.com/ . Curl up with the bible and let the word refurbish you. Spend some time in your secret closet (mine is the bathroom) catching up with Jesus.

To the moms and dads who are rolling your eyes at the screen, muttering to yourself that you have a house full of kids how am I supposed to worship God. Here are some suggestions:

  • Read the word aloud as a family. It's never to early to for kids to begin learning scripture. Today is the perfect day to teach them that worship isn't only for Sunday or for inside the church.
         Try reading Ephesians 6:1-4 and Deuteronomy 5:16 (Obedience to Parents)
         For teenagers interested in going their own way try Proverbs 1:1-19
  • If you need quiet time with the most high park those kids right in front of the television, pop in their favorite DVD or hookup the Wii while you hideout with the bible in your bedroom or bathroom.
          Read Psalm 143 to get you started and let the Holy Spirit Guide you through the scriptures
          If it's been awhile since you've had this quiet time with Jesus Read Psalm 139
  • Maybe it's been awhile since you had a talk with the Lord. When I say talk I mean a conversation. Maybe it's been awhile since you sat at his feet without presenting him with a To Do list. Then do the same thing in the previous bullet get right on your knees, put a throw pillow under your knees or one of those teddy bears that the baby isn't using and pray.
          Father God, I come before your presence in the precious name of Jesus, thanking you for
         all that you have bestowed upon me______________________.  Continue until the DVD stops
         or the baby gets up from his nap

  • For you single folk hit Romans 12 and Romans 15
Maybe you're still turning your nose up at this post, maybe you're murmuring that you spend your day talking to God but obviously you don't spend enough time with him or you would know that you should not be murmuring or complaining, "Do all things without murmurings and disputings..." Philippians 2:14 It is essential to the believers' relationship with Christ that there is some time set aside to nurture the relationship. We set time aside for our fleshly  relationships, we must set aside time for God. It is in prayer that we are strengthened. In all things that we strive to do  Jesus is our example; though he was full of the spirit of God, "For it please the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;" Colossians 1:19; though he always communed with God, "I and my Father are one." John 10:30,  he still set aside private time for worship/prayer, God, "And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed." Luke 5:16

Now go quickly and worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. God Bless You!