Three Nail Thursday 9/9/21
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'm listening to...
With a readiness to show appreciation and to return kindness, that’s gratitude!
Brandon Lake wrote a wonderful song called “Gratitude”! Our worship team has sung this song a couple of times. Each time the emotions that run, the depth of thought, and the appreciation this song creates inside of me are humbling.
It was cliche when I was younger when you couldn’t go to sleep, were stressed out, or fear would be coming in; people would say just “count your blessings”! They meant it as a way to calm yourself down, quiet the mind, ease the anxiety!
When I begin to “count the blessings” of the Lord, the last thing that happens is a mood of sleepiness. Instead, “counting my blessings” has the opposite effect. It causes me to be ready to show appreciation and somehow return the kindness that has graced my life by God.
Then, there is a realization that there is nothing that I can do for God that could be enough to return the kindness. That’s why this song speaks to me so much! Of course, it’s a line of a song but should be the ready position of the heart; “I throw up my hands and praise you again and again, ’cause all I have is a Hallelujah!
That’s all I have to return to God for the thankfulness for His kindness to me, are me and my heart of worship. The song says it best; “I’ve got one response, I’ve got one move, with my arms outstretched I will worship you.
Make gratitude the position of your heart. Then, be ready to make your one move as a return for the graciousness of God.
This week, I’ve included two ways for you to be able to listen to this song. First, here is the link to Brandon Lake’s recording (Gratitude”); this song is included on the Three Nails Thursday Spotify playlist.
Also, since I am biased and believe the worship team that leads me every week, led by Evan Milby, does it better. Therefore, I’ve included a video of the worship team of SIWC singing “Gratitude.”
Get ready to make your one move!
Playlist
A Verse that has spoke to me...
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NKJV
What is hope? Hope is the absolute expectation of coming good. Hope is the antidote for divisiveness and defensiveness. When we stand in hope, people want to hear how we stand in a position of expecting good. The world is expecting the worst, we the people of God, are expecting the good. Peter would tell us we should be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us (1 Peter 3:15).
People do not desire hopelessness, which is all that division will bring. Instead, they desire hope. Hope is most often referred to in conjunction with the coming of Jesus Christ.
When we focus on Jesus Christ, His work, and His soon return, hope begins to build; unity becomes the norm, and disunity and defensiveness subside. When we focus on Christ, things that divide soon disappear, and unity is a place of commanded blessings (Psalm 133:1-3). When we have hope, hope creates unity, and unity commands a blessing. Suddenly all that divided us fades away, replaced with the Joy and peace that comes from the hope we have.
“A tourist approached a farmer in Iowa and said, “Don’t you think all these fences ruin the beauty of the fields out here?”
“Yep,” said the farmer—”until the corn starts growing. When the corn starts growing you don’t even see the fences.” –Jon Courson.
A Quote that has challenged me...
“An empty vessel makes much noise.” English proverb The Bible warns us against talking too much or being overly talkative. The Bible says that a fool can be recognized by his many words (Ecclesiastes 5:3). Ecclesiastes 10:14 adds that a fool “multiplies words.” Further, the Bible speaks about using too many words when a few words will suffice. Proverbs 17:28 states: Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. Have you noticed that those screaming the loudest often have the least amount to say! Lord, put a guard before my mouth and a stop before my fingers. (Psalm 141) Mckinnies Readers Digest Version. |
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