Worship Song of the Week: "Nothing Without You" by Jason Nelson

"For in him we live, and move, and have our being..." Acts 17:28

About two weeks ago the message contained in Acts 17:28 was preached by one of the evangelists at my church. I nodded my head and I amened in agreement, I mean what are we without Christ, but it is only now that I can say, in Him do I live, and move, and have my being.

Generally, I save this space only for spiritual musings, however it is necessary for me to share what's going on in my life. The Lord has blessed me to receive a two book deal from Urban Christian a division of Urban Books. Now as I prepare for the launch of my own book I have to build a brand. A brand! Ha! Who am I and what am I beyond who Christ has made me to be? 




It's been said that writing is a ministry and selling books is a business, so I don't really know how I'm going to maneuver through this process, but one thing that I know and I want to be synonymous with my brand is I am nothing without Him.

Temperament of Thankfulness

"For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?" 2 Samuel 19:28

 
When David reclaimed the throne from his son Absalom, Mephibsobeth the son [actually grandson but the Hebrew have no word for grandson] of Saul met him and after he explained why he did not follow David when he fled the kingdom he expressed his gratitude to David for all that he had done for him prior to that moment and was willing to accept whatever David decided to with him from here on out. Mephibsobeth recognized the lowly estate that he was in, "all of my father's house were but dead men" and yet David had compassion towards him and showed him mercy and allowed him to fellowship with him even though he had no right to be there. Rather than ask for more upon seeing David reinstated as king he recognized the favor that had already been granted him.

Through this exchange we can see how our attitude ought to be towards the supreme Lord and King, Jesus Christ who has performed this same service towards us. Jesus looked at us who were his enemies and not only did he die for us, but he has risen and included us in his inheritance and has allowed us to be partakers in his kingdom.

"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:5-6

Seeing how great and merciful God has been towards us who were dead we need to develop a temperament of thankfulness that acknowledges the many benefits that Christ the king of kings and lord of lords has bestowed upon us dead men instead of the attitude of entitlement that causes us to approach the throne of God with our hands out instead of up in worship.

 
Peace and Blessings From the Most High God Jesus Christ!

Worship Song of the Week: "I'm Gonna Be Ready" by Yolanda Adams

A relationship with the Lord is dependent upon a live, healthy dose of faith. While the Lord has given every man a measure of faith, in order to truly see his power in our life we must take what He has given us and give it back to Him by trusting Him to do what he said he will do and believing in Him even when we can't see what's ahead of us. We've got to be ready to move.

There are many who advocate that we must take a leap of faith but all you really have to do is take a step of faith, like our brother Noah, who after spending forty days and forty nights floating around in the ark stepped out when the Lord commanded him to.

"And God spake unto Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee." Genesis 8:15-16

Noah had not seen what was waiting for Him outside the ark nor did he question the divine instruction of the Lord. He was ready to move when God said so. Noah just stepped out in faith knowing that the Lord knew what's best for him.

If you find yourself struggling with future plans, whether it is simply what you will eat tomorrow, or how you're going to pay your rent activate your faith, listen for the Lord's voice and be ready to follow it wherever it may lead without question or any reservations because he knows what's best for you.

You need faith in order to obedient to Lord and faith works by love. Your love for God compels you to trust him and even when you feel like you're on shaky ground, tired of being tossed around, or feel like you're going to drown follow the voice and direction of the Lord for He will lead you safely to dry land. 

He knows what's best for you and for me regardless of what we can or cannot see. So, I'm "gonna be ready" to move when he says so.

Are "you gonna be ready"? 

Be ready and be blessed, beloved, in Jesus name. Amen.

A Thought for Thursday: Play Your Position

"And he went a little further, fell on his face and prayed, saying O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matthew 26:39

The other day as I mulled over certain situations in my life and the outcome I desired from the situation the Lord dropped a nugget of his infinite wisdom in my spirit, "you are in a place of expectancy but not in a position to receive." Of course, I looked around for a few moments shocked that Lord would say a thing like that to me (until he called me out I thought I was doing just fine). But, the truth of the matter is I was not in a position to receive anything from God because I was not playing my position.

The only job I have is to rest in Him. The only job I have is to do what He requires of me and sometimes that may be a bit more painful and more tedious than my original plan but his plan and rewards are eternal. If we expect to receive from the Lord then we must be willing to do what He requires of us.

The road to the goal line might be tough, we may be tackled some times but we must be like our Lord Jesus Christ who endured the cross who recognized in his humanity that it was not going to a pleasing experience yet he went through anyway. He accepted his position as a sacrificial lamb for my sins and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. It is through total submission Jesus was able to walk with the Father and victorious. When we play our position we will experience the same results. 

This Thursday think on this: am I playing my position? 

You ought to be on this team because this is the team that guarantees a victory every time!

Testimony Tuesdays: It's a New Day

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22, 23 KJV)

Today I want to testify to God's goodness, to his bountiful grace, and mercy that he extends toward me. This morning I opened my eyes to a new day, a new year, and new mercies.

Not because of any goodness of my own or that I have been faithful but because of His faithfulness and his desire to see me saved. Thank you, Lord!

And God bless the folks at youversion.com the verse of the day was completely in sync with my testimony today. If you don't have a Bible app on your phone I recommend theirs.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Happy New Year from The Carpenter's House!

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