We recently had the chance to connect with Anthony Morgan and have shared our conversation below.
Anthony, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
What I am being called to do now is totally different than what I thought I was being called to do. I realize now that God was still putting together some pieces over the last few years. At times I wanted to rush ahead of him. Leaning to our own understanding in that process is something we may not always be aware of and it got me a little off track at first. So over the last few years I’ve learned to lean solely on God.
So what am I being called to do? Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Truthfully speaking that is exactly what I know I’m being called to do. God humbled me completely in order to see the perilous state of the world we live in. (2nd Timothy 3:1) I was once afraid because subconsciously I would think about how people would perceive or judge me for wholeheartedly following Christ on a daily basis. (Luke 9:23). However, as I look around I see a reflection of what’s written in Matthew 24. I knew then that I can fully depend on the word of God.
Galatians 1:10 says that if we seek to please others we can not be a servant of Christ. Those words helped me get over what I was afraid of because I came to realize my growing love for Christ has to outweigh the opinion and perception of others. The word of God tells us He has not given us the spirit of fear (2nd Timothy 1:7). Therefore, I will not be afraid because those who endure until the end of time He said shall be saved! (Matthew 24:13).
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
In North Carolina born and raised, Fayetteville is where I’ve spent most of my days. Hmmm.. that jingle sounds a little familiar… If you know you know! Who am I? I’m an Artist and Producer whose music ministry is being established on a firm foundation. I also hold an Associate Degree in Audio Production from Full Sail University. I have an older brother, younger sister and treasure the family and friends that God has given me to share my life with.
Who am I?! “It’s ya boy 4th!” That quote has become a popular opening to the content I post on social media. It’s short for my artist/producer name “4thg3ar” (Fourth Gear). It’s the creative identity in Christ of Anthony Morgan. The name in itself derived from my love of stick driven sports cars combined with my love for utilizing audio production gear to produce music. Fun Fact: I was actually going to spell “4thg3ar” with an “e” but that username was unavailable on Instagram. In all honesty though I believe it was God’s way of re-directing me to put a unique spin on the name. In essence turning things around for my good. Yo! That actually transitions perfectly into the next paragraph.
I’ve learned to look at situations and adversities from a Romans 8:28 perspective which reads “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” In every situation, that scripture has caused me to ask myself what is God trying to show me? What am I supposed to learn in those moments? Over these last few years His word has been a lamp to my feet and light on a path that was once very dark. (Psalm 119:105). In an effort to not make this introduction any longer, I’ll dive into that dark time a bit later in the interview.
I will say what I experienced at that time brought me to what I’m in the final stages of completing now; My third upcoming album release “Inspire”. It’s based on the scripture Matthew 5:16 that calls us to let our light shine in us that others may see the goodness of God and glorify our Father who art in heaven. I’m excited to release the album Spring 2026. It will include some of my most creative beats and has been fully recorded, mixed and mastered by one of the most trusted Audio Engineers I know, “VA SAM” via E.M.P.I.R.E. Music Group in Richmond, VA. The single “4thg3ar – The Third Day” from the album is available to listen to now on all streaming platforms!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
In retrospect I would say that misunderstandings, lack of trust and in some cases outgrowing someone can break bonds. When it comes to restoring the relationship to a healthy state, that requires both parties to mutually agree and commit to such. I believe there’s a prerequisite though to restoration and that is reconciliation. Reconciling is settling or resolving differences (keeping things cordial) but not taking the next step to restoration that can allow the relationship to continue to mature and grow.
What if I told you there was also a prerequisite to reconciliation? **Drum Roll** — “Forgiveness”. The word of God tells us in Matthew 6:15 that if we don’t forgive others who have done us wrong or sinned against us, then we won’t be forgiven of our sins. Just think about how powerful that is! It’s an “If and then” or conditional statement. Jesus says in Luke 23:34 even as He’s being crucified on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” I remind myself that if Christ can forgive those who crucified Him in the midst of it all, then I can forgive too. Unforgiveness rather is holding it in and the hurt from it often causes us to hurt others who are completely innocent.
Forgiveness>Reconciliation>Restoration. Yes… in that very order. Forgiveness is not for the other person and/or individuals. It’s for you and I believe it’s something we all should strive to fulfill in that three step chain. It’s so that we can release the heaviness of it all. It’s being able to have the peace that surpasses all understanding that we can one day stand before God and be forgiven of our sins because we chose to forgive others. Sometimes we never make it to the next steps in the chain with someone, but forgiveness doesn’t mean reconciling or restoring. If we can start by asking God for forgiveness and forgiving ourselves for holding it in, that can shift everything for us! It releases it so we no longer live like a caged bird unable to truly spread their wings and fly.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve had to gather myself to write these next set of words. The truth is that there was a point in my life where I wanted to be done with life, done with music, and was losing all hope. It was the year 2022 and I was really going through. I thought for sure giving up was the best and final option. I went through financial woes, the loss of my last living grandparent, the passing away of a few friends, others who had walked out of my life and came to understand that I was going through my own tailored made Job experience from the bible. I couldn’t see at the time how anything would work out for my good. It got to a point where like Job I found it more advantageous to curse the day I was born. (Job 3:1) I felt like I was trapped in a real life identity crisis.
One night after DoorDashing I was on my way back home on a rural road and the Holy Spirit lead me to pull over in this vacant church parking lot. It was late and dark at night. I looked up to the cross on the top of the building and prayed, “God, please help me find and live out my identity in Christ.” I didn’t feel free and I know I needed His help. I was overwhelmed and it felt like my brain was literally pulsating with electric shocks. I had a CT scan done on my brain and the report showed nothing was wrong. The doctor saw how broken I was and said this to me… “Anthony, God needs you to rest in Him”. Thereafter, he prayed for me and it was so peaceful and comforting.
I also thought to myself at this time of my life, “Why is God so silent?” In Job 23:8 he states “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; And backward but I cannot perceive him:”. I certainly can relate to what Job was experiencing. It was when I got to Job 23:10 that I found hope. Job says “But he knoweth the way that I take: When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” I then understood that I was being tested. I started to get the revelation that the way to pass the test and come out refined as gold was to surrender and commit all my ways unto God. (No half-steppin’). A few things that helped to refine me was praying more, going to bible studies, and even journaling my experiences and personal revelations along the way.
With God there is no testimony without a test. Those who may have walked out of my life at the time was actually an answered prayer. I had prayed one day for God to remove anyone from my life that wasn’t part of His purpose and plan. The whole experience inspired me to write a song called “Gold” based on Job 23:10. It will be featured on the upcoming “Inspire” release.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
Before I answer this question I want to go back to March of 2023. Picture this… I’m settling back in my hometown Fayetteville, NC after some setbacks in Atlanta, Ga where I lived for seven years, I felt like I had taken several steps back but to God I took one big step forward towards a renewed mind in Christ.
One day I ran into an old friend of mine at a gas station. She was able to help me get hired at the company she worked for. One of the community partners I worked with at this job was “Balm in Gilead” lead by Dr. Vivian Rhone to distribute essential needs. The Holy Spirit led me to start attending her church services at “Relevant Worship”. Many of the psychological concepts and wisdom of God she shared has been foundational in breaking through the lies and hurts of my past. One of the these concepts was the acronym T.R.U.T.H.
1. Trigger Event – Events in life will at times trigger in our memory and we can’t always help that. We have to be careful though not to allow these triggers to lead to…
2. Reckless Reflections – Lies, hurts, emotions and feelings that we soak up like a sponge which cause…
3. Unholy Responses – Those lies we believe and false truths make us respond unholy (bitter to others, manipulative, unforgiving, mentally frustrated, etc.). We must renew our mind and filter reckless reflections instead of soaking them up like a sponge through the…
4. Truth of Gods Word – Studying the word of God (2nd Timothy 2:15) and applying the word in our lives leads to a….
5. Holy Response – A Holy response which is acceptable in the sight of God (Romans 12:1) and this wash rinse and repeat cycle helps us to not be conformed to the world, but transformed in our minds breaking through several barriers.. (Romans 12:2).
This powerful acronym has helped me to debunk the lies of the enemy and apply the TRUTH of Gods word instead. It’s encouraged me to seek the truth in His word when I can’t seem to automatically apply it. I thank God for His faithful servant and grateful the Holy Spirit led me to her ministry. Thank you Dr. Rhone.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I believe the answer to this question is that “this world is not our home…”
We can have the nice house, fancy cars and all of the money in the world but at the end of the day we can’t take any of it with us. The world we live in is a fallen place because of sin. I don’t just believe but know there’s a home being prepared for us on the other side of this life that’s full of peace. (John 14:2; Revelation 21:1)
Many years ago the tree of knowledge of good and evil that Adam and Eve partook of is the long growing root of what we see today. We see a world where good is at times seen as evil and evil is sometimes viewed as good. (Isaiah 5:20) The enemy has brought confusion to so many.
John 10:10 is the perfect divide between God’s plan and the devil’s plan. It reads “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, kill and destroy:” | “I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” Lucifer (the devil) was an angel in heaven who decided to sin against God in an attempt to exalt himself above God. As a result, Jesus says he fell from heaven like lightning. (Luke 10:18) A third of the angels he convinced to sin against God fell to their doom too.
The significance behind that is… “choice”. Just as lucifer had a choice, God gives all of us free will. The decision is up to us… Will we choose the path of doom that seeks to steal, kill and destroy God’s plan for us? Or will we choose the path that Jesus said will give us life and life more abundantly? The gift of eternal life is His free gift to us if we choose wisely. Nothing in this world can compare to that gift. The passing of a few friends and even family over the last few years keeps James 4:14 hidden in my heart which reads “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” There is eternal hope though and it is solely found in Christ. (Romans 10:9)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/4thg3ar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4thg3ar
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@4thg3ar?si=udC7nuDCJw3vlBew
- Other: “4thg3ar – The Third Day” – Available now on all streaming platforms!
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@4thg3ar
“4thg3ar.com” will be live again soon!
Pardon the dust while it’s being firmly established for the glory of God!
Image Credits
Taila Dunham
