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?

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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




   

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
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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

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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!!