New Year’s Declaration: I Dare You to Declare

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21

 

On the eve of a new year full of hope and possibilities often we make vows to ourselves that we are unable to keep because of our weak of arm of flesh. Think of all the promises you made to yourself but were unable to keep them alive because of the time, because of your other obligations, and a whole host of other excuses. They were all good ideas that would have changed your life dramatically had you been able to keep them, but as the bible warns us the arm of flesh will fail you—including your own, but praise be to God there is one greater who is able to keep all that we commit to him.

This year instead of making a resolution for your future make a declaration declare to live a blessed life, a full life, a prosperous life, in Jesus name. Last year I found this declaration lying around in a computer lab and it spoke to me. It spoke to where I was in my life at that time and I can truly say that through Christ everything that I declared would happen to me in 2012 did.

I dare you to use the power in your tongue to make some declarations for the year to come.

 

I declare in the name of Jesus

That I will be blessed with God's supernatural wisdom and

Clear direction for living.

I will be blessed with Creativity, Vision, Ability,

And Abundance.

I will be blessed with Self-control and Self-discipline.

I will be blessed with Great family, Good friends,

And Good health.

I will be blessed with Faith, Favor, and Fulfillment.

I will be blessed with Promotion, Supernatural Strength

And Divine Protection.

I will be blessed with a Compassionate heart and a Positive

Outlook on life.

I declare that everything Input my hand to do on the coming

New Year will prosper beyond my expectations.

 

I declare that with God all things are possible!

In Jesus name, Amen.

(author unknown)

Worship Song of the Week (Thanksgiving Edition): "Oh Give Thanks" by Judith Christie-McAllister

 O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever. 

                                                 Psalm 136:1

No matter where you find yourself today, whether it be alone or dining with family there is one thing that is sure and true despite all that you have been through this year the Lord has kept you and brought you through. So, on this day be sure to take a moment and give thanks to God for he is good and he is worthy of all our praise and adoration. Not because he has done something but because he is God and Lord over all and in his infinite wisdom and  merciful ways he has spared our lives and caused to see yet another day.









This Thanksgiving please join me at The Carpenter's House in giving thanks unto the Lord.

 O give thanks to the LORD; call on his name: make known his deeds among the people.

Psalm 105:1

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Worship Song of the Week: "Here I Am to Worship" by Chris Tomlin

Once again my conversation with the gentleman in the laundromat is the catalyst for my post. Another problem he had with the "church" is that it sometimes serves as a place where people are abused and broken down rather built up.

I countered that argument by stating that sometimes we don't go into the house of God seeking God but with our own devilish intentions and motivations and sometimes you get exactly what you are looking for. 

We should be going there to seek God instead many of us go there in search of a man/woman, money,  and various other material goods. Then act surprised whne we find ourselves just as barren, broken, and lonely as we were the moment we walked through the door. That type of search only leads to sorrow and more emptiness but when we seek to worship God in spirit and in truth he certainly meets us there. 

First, we must admit our willingness to worship by declaring, "Here I Am"

This week as you go forth even if it is just to the store sing this song to God and see if there is anything that can stop him from reaching you. And should the Lord bless that you have the opportunity to attend church whether it be through bible study, missionary meeting, or prayer sing this song to him while you are there for he is worthy despite what men say and despite the evil that that they use his name to say and do. 

"Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy." Psalm 99:5

Get Together to Get it Together

Sister Leah Dunkley singing during Bible Study at King of Kings and Lord of Lords,

So today while causally folding my laundry I met a man and the conversation I had with this man served as the inspiration for this post.

On this walk with Christ I have met various people with various reasons for not serving God. One of those famous excuses is "You don't have to attend church to be holy/righteous/have a relationship with God..." There is some truth to this statement because my righteousness does not come from my church, but from Jesus Christ. Yet, my service to him is linked to and supported by the church. 

Whatever you're into there's a group for it, whether you grow cherry tomatoes or sew sweaters for zebras there is an appointed time in which you get together with other people with like passions and discuss how to become better at what you do, proclaim your love for what you do, and encourage each other to keep doing it, so how could going to church not be a part of cultivating a relationship with Christ. 

When we gather together on Sundays that is exactly what we do: discuss how to become better Christians, proclaim our love for Christ, and encourage others to keep on pressing on. This is essential to the believers walk especially at a time like this as Hebrews 10:25 says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching". 


The church is the foundation of truth. If you have been wronged by a church or church member please don't let man's simplicity, sinful nature, and weak arm of flesh prove to be strong enough to keep you from God.  There is nothing like fellowship with your brethren for where two or three are gathered together in the name of Jesus he is in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20) . We have to get together to get it together.


Peace and Blessings from the Most High God Jesus Christ!

Testimony Tuesdays: He's a Keeper

Praise the Lord and Happy New Year, beloved!! Welcome to the first week of 2012.

"Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings," Psalm 17:8

I thought it would be fitting to ring in the New Year with a testimony. God is good and God is greatly to be praised. He brought me through 2011 covered by the shadow of his wings.

2011 was a year of historical storms--many of which hit close to home right here in NYC but because he has set his love upon me and just as he said he would He kept me.

He has caused me to triumph in my personal life and professional life. I am a year older and wiser. My children and husband are prospering in the land.

God is good. If he says he will do it believe that He can. Use 2012 to build your trust in Him instead of man. He will keep you.

-God Bless You

Keep logging on for new posts this week, including a follow-up to the 4Rs (The Carpenter's House most read post), new Worship songs, and posts about resolutions and planning.
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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!
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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!
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