Three Nail Thursday
Welcome to Three Nails Thursday! It’s a weekly bit of items that have helped me through my week. Thursday is my Friday, as my work schedule is Sunday through Thursday (Normally). Considering all that is happening, I need some inspiration to keep me focused on the task at hand. So I’m sharing with you three things that keep me grounded, focused, and inspired throughout my week. Here are the three nails!
Here's Three Things that helped me this week!
A Song I am listening to...
A few days ago, I officiated the funeral of a young man taken way too soon. All I could think about the whole week-long was all the times that God has kept me. So many times throughout my life, I could have been taken as quickly and as early as him. But, instead, it served as a reminder that I want to ensure that my calling and election is sure.
While driving to Texas, these two old songs spoke that message loud and clear. If you want to ensure that you will be ready to meet Jesus, then keep oil in your lamp. Stay prepared, stay vigilant, for the Word of the Lord records that “day” shall come as a thief in the night! May this serve as a reminder to be ready. If you’re not, get ready!
Keep Oil in Your Lamp – Mississippi Mass Choir
I’ll See You in the Rapture – Mississippi Mass Choir
The second verse of “Keep Oil in Your Lamp” says this.
Mothers and Daughters
Father and Sons
Sisters and Brothers
Enemy and friend
You need to know that once he comes
There will be no oil to borrow or lend
Seek ye the Lord while He may be found
Once the wedding begins
The door to the church will be closed
Never to open again
The words are inspired by the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13.)
I’ve created a playlist that will include all the songs that I share with you. Click here to follow along and enjoy.
A Verse that has spoke to me...
A verse that has kept me rooted and grounded since the unexpected passing of my father. When I would pray about what happened in March of 2018, the Lord gave me this verse. I have used it more times than I can count, and it is requested by so many people that hear me use this in a sermon.
I was listening to Zig Ziglar, trying to get motivated, when God dropped this on me. I didn’t realize the tragedy that the Ziglar family had faced with their young daughter. Then he quoted a portion of the scripture; I immediately went to my Bible and found it. This verse is highlighted in my Bible and my mind so clearly.
The verse is in Isaiah 57:1-2 (NLT)
1 Good people pass away;
the godly often die before their time.
But no one seems to care or wonder why.
No one seems to understand
that God is protecting them from the evil to come.
2 For those who follow godly paths
will rest in peace when they die.
I realized that God was protecting him. I didn’t and still don’t fully understand it all. But, I do understand that God’s ways are much higher than mine. God sees the end from the beginning; we view it far differently.
God knew what was coming and saw to it that my dad remained protected. I viewed my dad’s end here as the finish; it wasn’t.
I struggle to get angry with God over events, circumstances, or trials that I find unfair at the moment. But, unfortunately, I’ve witnessed far too many people get mad and leave serving God long before God is done working. Regardless of how we view it, God isn’t finished working yet! What we view as an end is just a beginning. God often must ensure that the next phase happens according to His will by intervening in the previous one.
Just ponder that for a moment!
A Quote that has inspired me...
“People need to be willing to sacrifice eloquence for revelation. People don’t want pretty words; they desire to know the heart of God! Eloquence is not your friend; revelation is!” Pastor Marcus Brecheen This quote was about 5 minutes into a session about preaching. It hit me hard; I often feel the pressure to preach to make it tweetable, shareable, and marketable. However, those moments often fail to root and ground God’s people to His Word. When it’s all said and done, our effectiveness won’t be judged by the tweets, posts, or clicks. Instead, it’ll be shown by those who give an account before God on what I have given to them from the heart of God. |
You must log in to post a comment.