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THree Nail Thursday -10/21/21

Three Nail Thursday

A Song that I am listening to.

Build my church / Maverick City  – to listen to it click the link. 

The words of this song are the most potent declaration you can state as a believer. 

Considering the state of the world and the timing of days we find ourselves in, this must be a truth we not only declare but actively pursue the building of God’s church! 

It’s like the man said – you can pray all you want, but eventually, someone (David) had to pick up a rock and use a sling to defeat his Goliath! 

It’s not enough to declare that He build His church; we must actively allow Him to build the church. We must do our part in building His church. For we know the gates of hell cannot prevail against it! SO, let’s be the church so that God can build the church. 

How do we build the church?  -Go! Matthew 28:18-19

A Scripture that made me think.

God is the Lord,

And He has given us light:

Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

 The New King James Version. (1982). (Ps 118:27). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

In the old tabernacle, there were two altars. There was the brazen altar and the altar of incense. For simplicity’s sake, the outer court altar was for all the issues, negativity, and problems of your life. The second altar was where fellowship with God took place. The problems (sins) were dealt with, and we can enter the next phase of our relationship with God through Christ. 

The scripture from Psalms speaks of binding or tying the sacrifice with cords to the altar’s horns. On both altars, there were four horns, one on each corner. Thus the sacrifice would be secured if it were bound to the horns. So often, we want to move away from the altars of life before the work is completed in us. Therefore, we must tie ourselves to the altar until there is a completed work in us.

The number four represents creation. When we tie ourselves to the first altar, we become a new creation; old things are passed away. Then as we bind ourselves to Christ through relationship at the second one, we become transformed into the image of His likeness. New mindsets, attitudes, and lives are created when we remain in the position of being altered by an altar. 

A quote that challenged me.

Wait upon the Lord, and you will be renewed in your strength.

Willingly
Accept
Immanuel’s
Timing

Are you Waiting on the Lord? Will accept his timing for your life? 

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Operation – Gift of Faith Session #7

Introduction: 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 

  1. Three Different Kinds of Faith 
    Saving Faith – (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:17) = Gift Certificate 
    The Fruit of Faith/Faithfulness (Galatians 5:22 KJV) = Pineapple
    The Gift of Faith (1 Corinthians 12:9) = A small, boxed gift w/ mustard seed inside

Romans 12:3 – A Measure of Faith! Paul is not thinking of saving faith in this passage.
Throughout scripture, salvation comes by grace through faith. This “saving faith” is so central to the gospel that we may automatically assume that every biblical mention of faith means “saving faith.” In Romans 12:3 however, saving faith is not what Paul has in mind. We can be confident of this because he applies the concept of quantity (measure) to this particular use of “faith”. 

If there were different measures of saving faith then there would necessarily be different degrees of salvation. But scripture is clear: there is one flock (John 10:16) and “there is neither Jew nor Greek…slave nor free…male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)  You are either born again or you are not. No believer can be more or less born again than any other believer, and likewise cannot be more or less saved than any other believer. As such, saving faith cannot be what Paul has in mind in this verse.

So, if Paul is not talking about saving faith, what does he mean by talking about a “measure of faith” assigned by God? In the context of Romans 12:3-8; Paul introduces the idea of a “measure of faith” in the context of God equipping every believer with:

Unique gifts with which to build up the body of Christ!

The amount of faith required to use their gifts effectively!

God Fully Equips You for Effective Service!

  • The Gift of Faith (Little Gift Box with Mustard Seed) – (Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:5-6; 1 Corinthians 13:2)

 The faith which we are talking about is — special faith — it’s something other than general faith or saving faith. It is a supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit whereby a believer is empowered with special faith, or wonder-working faith, and it is beyond simple saving faith.

The gift of faith is the greatest of the three power gifts. And this gift is miraculous just as the rest of the gifts of the Spirit are miraculous.

The gift of faith is a gift of the Spirit to the believer in order that he might receive miracles. The working of miracles, on the other hand, is a gift of the Spirit given to the believer that he might work miracles. One gift receives, the other does something.

The working of miracles is active; it actively works a miracle. The gift of faith doesn’t work a miracle, but passively receives a miracle. In other words, the difference between the working of miracles and the gift of faith is that the gift of working of miracles actively does, and the gift of special faith passively receives.”

Daniel in the Lions Den (Daniel 6:23) He received a miracle.

Jesus exercised this gift in Mark 4:38 – sleeping the raging storm. 

Daniel wasn’t bothered by the Lions in the Den. 

Jesus wasn’t bothered by the storm. 

Three Hebrews weren’t terrified by the furnace. 

Throughout the Bible we see how the gift of faith worked primarily for people who were in danger. And through this gift of the Spirit, they possessed a calmness and quiet assurance that was supernatural.

Wigglesworth = “if you will take a step of ordinary faith, when you come to the end of that faith, very often this supernatural gift of special faith will take over.”

We often don’t receive/operate the gift of faith because we haven’t even exercised the faith we already have. 

The Purpose of the Gift of Faith. 

To Raise the Dead. 

The three power gifts, or the three gifts that do something — the gift of faith, the gifts of healings, and the working of miracles — will very often work together. In the case of raising the dead, all three of these power gifts — the gift of faith, the gifts of healings, and the working of miracles — operate together.

To raise the dead, it takes supernatural faith — the gift of special faith — to call a person’s spirit back after it has left the body. 

Then it takes the working of miracles because the body would have started to deteriorate, as in the case of Lazarus (John 11:39).

Raising the dead also takes gifts of healings because if the person who was raised from the dead wasn’t healed, whatever he died from would still affect his body and he would die again. So, the person would have to be healed too.

 Therefore, all three of the power gifts are in manifestation when someone is raised from the dead.

  • To Cast out Demons

In casting out demons, the gift of discerning of spirits and/or the gift of the word of knowledge, as well as the gift of faith, are in operation. If you don’t discern or see the spirit, very often the presence of the evil spirit is revealed through the word of knowledge. But the gift of faith still has to be exercised in casting out the spirit.

We can’t deal with the devil in our own strength. But God has given us His Word, His power, His authority, and all the spiritual equipment necessary to enforce Satan’s defeat in our own lives. And a part of that spiritual equipment God has given us is this supernatural gift of faith.

  • To Sustain You in unusual circumstances. (1 Kings 17:3-6)
  • To Protect You (Daniel 6)
  • To Confer Blessing (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) 
  • To lay hands on others to receive the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:5) 

5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he itby the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

The Gift of Faith 

Elijah – controlling fire (I kings 18:38)

Elijah – fed and sustained (1 Kings 19:4,6)

Daniel – protected (Daniel 5:22)

Peter – inward calm – (Acts 12:6-11)

Closing: Hebrews 11:1-39 & Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

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Three Nail Thursday 10/14/2021

Three Nail Thursday

Three Nail Thursday is a list of three things 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!

A Song I am listening to .

I am Gonna Wait – Maverick City 

Our staff blessed us with a weekend away with our family. In addition, we were blessed with four tickets to a Maverick City Music concert. I had heard this song before Friday Night, but hearing it live was quite the experience. 

Waiting on the Lord is an often overlooked practice. It seems that patience is out of style. Yet, we need it, and we need it right now, is the cry of the present generation. In that demand for instantaneous, there is a development of frustration. We miss the appreciation for the blessing of patience. We never appreciate the renewal, reviving, or restoration without patience. 

Isaiah 40:31 states:

“But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.”

There is renewal in waiting, and the revival will breathe life into your strength. You will be taken to new heights, have the energy to run the race you are in, and walk out your faith, all by waiting on the Lord.

So, I am going to wait on the Lord. 

A Verse that challenged me.

Job 42:5 NLT:

5 I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. 
6 I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” 

This is a place where we all need to get to, moving from just hearing about God into a real place of revelation about Him. More simply, from listening to seeing God!  

When this happened in Job’s life, Job went from declaring how righteous he was and how unfair the events that had transpired were and took back everything that he had said. Then pride turned to repentance. Finally, Job could’ve placed blame or let his anger kindled against his friends. But, instead, he directed all of that towards himself. That’s what happens when we truly encounter the Lord; it becomes about ourselves and our shortcomings, more than others. When Isaiah saw the Lord, he said:
So I said:
“Woe is me, for I am undone!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King,
The Lord of hosts.”

 The New King James Version. (1982). (Is 6:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips

A Quote that inspired me.

In the book of Exodus, we learn that God is the God of exits. Therefore, since He is the God of exits, you are never trapped. – Dr. Daniels

That’s why we call Him the waymaker! He makes exits where there weren’t. He makes ways in situations that there seems to be no way. Just ask the children of Israel as they came upon the Red Sea. That’s where God again proved that there was no obstacle other than their doubt that could keep them from their destiny. The same is true for us.

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Three Nail Thursday 10/7/2021

Three Nail Thursday

Three Nails Thursday is 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! 

A Song I am listening to.

Isn’t He – Natalie Grant (Click on the song title to visit the Three Nail Playlist or to listen to the song)
 
Something is captivating about this song. Although, I know it’s not the song that is captivating as much as it is the song’s subject. Think about all the things that God is. The beginning of worship from the heart is to allow your mind to think about the characteristics of God. Then, suddenly, the flow from your heart is worship about the greatness of God. 
Think about this across the experiences you’ve had and then ask, isn’t He? 
 
Isn’t He wonderful? 
Isn’t He the mender of million pieces? 
Isn’t He the captivator of the searching heart?
Isn’t he the giver of grace that none deserve? 
 
All of this is Jesus! 

A Verse That Challenged Me!

Ecclesiastes 7:10 

Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.

 The New King James Version. (1982). (Ec 7:10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Maybe like me, you have longed for the way things used to be. Certainly, that is more likely than ever before due to the season of life that we are in. But, trust me, you’re not alone in having the thought about wanting it to go back to the way it used to be. I had those same thoughts, and the more I desired it, the more I realized that I was incorrect. 

Often, we long for what we remember as the good and ignore all the bad of the former days. But, unfortunately, the “good ole days” cliche doesn’t consider the “bad ole days.” 

I believe a little perspective may help concerning the season we live in versus another period.

I read this about those that were born in 1900. At the age of 14, World War I would begin and end when they were 18 years of age, and roughly 22 million would be deceased in the four years.

Shortly after World War I, a global pandemic would cover the earth in 1918 called the “Spanish Flu” that would kill nearly fifty million people. You are now 20 years old.

Nine years later, the Stock Market would crash! A global economic crisis abounds; the great depression commences.

Just four years removed from the most significant economic collapse, you are 33 years old and the Nazi’s rise to power in Germany. Six years later, six million Jews were exterminated, and over sixty million would die in those six years. You are now 39 years old.

Finally, a brief respite from war, plague, and financial ruin! At least until you are 52, then the Korean war begins. Then, twelve years later, the Vietnam war begins and lasts until you’re the age of 75.

Think about the people who lived, or maybe you lived through most of this! 

Just maybe the word of the Lord is accurate when it says.

18 “Do not remember the former things,Nor consider the things of old.19 Behold, I will do a new thing,Now it shall spring forth;Shall you not know it?I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

 The New King James Version. (1982). (Is 43:18–19). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

A Quote to Ponder!

The human condition is to magnify the negative. Instead, we should downplay the negative and amplify the positive!

It’s easy to focus on all the negativity; it’s what makes the headlines. Negativity is the easier path. It takes work to focus on the positive. My dad would tell me that it’s easy to be against things; it takes work, study, and diligence to be for something.

Please make it a challenge to focus on what you are for versus what you are against. Magnify the positives and ignore and downplay the negatives.

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Operation – Session #6 “Prophecy”

Introduction: 1 Corinthians 12:7-10; 1 Corinthians 14:3 NKJV;

The Gift of Prophecy. 

The simple gift of prophecy is given for edification, exhortation, and comfort. In the office of the prophet, however, we very often find that revelation or fore-telling does come forth, even utilizing the vehicle of prophecy.

It is also interesting to note the difference between prophecy in the Old Testament and prophecy in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, prophecy was essentially foretelling, but in the New Testament, we see that the gift of prophecy shifts strongly to forth-telling.”

Fore-telling = to predict the future

Forth-telling – to make known or to make public. 

“Some people think that “to prophesy” means to preach. Of course, all inspired utterance is prophecy in some form or another, but the spiritual gift of prophecy isn’t preaching. Although, of course, there is an element of prophecy in preaching. For example, a person anointed by the Spirit becomes inspired to say things spontaneously from his Spirit rather than his head. But that is only one phase of the operation of the gift of prophecy.

Maybe you’ve been speaking to someone about the Lord and said things to them that were in line with the Word, but that was beyond your thinking. You didn’t think it, and it didn’t come out of your mind. Instead, the Holy Spirit inspired you to say it. 

That is a part of the operation of this gift of prophecy because prophecy is an inspired utterance. Therefore, the gift of prophecy goes “beyond speaking by our reasoning processes and intellect.

“To preach” means to proclaim, to announce, to cry, or to tell. The scriptural purpose of the gift of prophecy is different from the purpose of preaching.

Jesus didn’t say that the foolishness of prophesying would save men, but by the foolishness of preaching (1 Cor. 1:21). 

The supernatural gifts of the Spirit are given to get people’s attention, not to save them. On the Day of Pentecost when people were speaking in tongues, none of those standing by listening got saved until Peter got up and preached to them (Acts 2:14-41).”

The gift of prophecy should not be confused with the prophetic office. The simple gift of prophecy has no revelation in it. Instead, it speaks unto men for their edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3); it is to edify the Church (1 Cor. 14:4).

May you be lifted up. (2 Corinthians 13:10; Ephesians 4:12,16; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Edify – to build up, lift up, and construct. 

We desire to give you a word from the Lord that will build up your life, lift your Spirit, and construct you into the Christian that Christ has called you to be.

As believers, it is our responsibility to build one another up. (Romans 14:19; Romans 15:2; 2 Corinthians 12:19)

You can build yourself up – 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the Church. 

The gift is to build up the whole Church. Can you imagine a church that is built up, lifted, and constructed in power and the authority of Jesus Christ? (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:20-22; Mathew 5:14) 

May you be encouraged! (Hebrews 10:25; 2 Timothy 4:2; 

Exhortation – to embolden you in your belief and to encourage you. Romans 8:38-39

When you are in a place where you feel unworthy. (Romans 8:1; Isaiah 43:25-26; 1 John 1:9)

When I long for the way that it used to be. (Isaiah 43:18-19; Psalm 37:23-25; 2 Timothy 1:7)

When I need God to provide. (Psalm 37:25; 3rd John 2; Psalm 23:1; Malachi 3:10-12; Mark 10:28-31; Philippians 4:19)

When I need healing. (3rd John 2; Luke 6:19: James 5:14-16; Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24; Psalm 103:3; Psalm 118:17)

When I need to be lifted and encouraged. (Psalm 42:1-11; Psalm 34:18-22; Psalm 27:4-5; Psalm 27:11-14.

May you be comforted. (Isaiah 40:1;1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:27; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; Revelation 4:1-2; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9; 

Comfort = the origin means to come alongside, to summon for assistance. It’s to bring encouragement and cheer or to console. You could say it like this; it’s the dispelling of grief by the imparting of strength. 

Isaiah 40:1 Comfort Ye my people