Because He Lives - You Can Live for Him - 1st John 4:13-14

This is Namma for Christ with the sixty-first inspirational message dated, Tuesday, December 30th, 2014.

The title of this message is - "Because He lives - You Can Live for Him - 1st John 4:13-14".  This message is based on the below scripture text found in 1st John of the New Testament as written by the apostle John :

1 John 4:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

13 This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.

BECAUSE JESUS LIVES- YOU CAN LIVE FOR THE LORD!

"YOU" CAN MAKE A "DIFFERENCE"! 

GOD HAS A PURPOSE "SPECIFICALLY" FOR YOU!  PRAY AND ASK GOD WHAT HIS PURPOSE IS FOR YOU! LIVE FOR JESUS! HE WANTS WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR LIFE!

LET "HIS" WILL BE "YOUR WILL" IN YOUR LIFE!

BECAUSE JESUS LIVES- LIVE TO PLEASE THE LORD!

THROW THE SHACKLES OFF! YOU ARE NOT LIMITED! LET GO OF ANY STRONGHOLDS HOLDING YOU DOWN! See the below verses:

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

New International Version (NIV)

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

YOU CAN BE ALL THAT GOD CREATED YOU TO BE!

You have Almighty GOD on YOUR SIDE! Greater is HE that lives in you, than he that lives in the world! See the below verse from 1st John:

1 John 4:4

King James Version (KJV)

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR THE LORD!

Jeremiah 32:17

New International Version (NIV)

17 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.

Be EMPOWERED by the Spirit of the Lord living inside of you. 

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

God's very name, "EMMANUEL" - means "GOD WITH US"!

Matthew 1:23

King James Version (KJV)

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

YOU ARE GOD'S MASTERPIECE - "HIS HANDIWORK" - YOU WERE UNIQUELY CREATED TO BRING GLORY TO "HIM"! ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN ARE DESIGNED TO BRING GLORY TO OUR "FATHER"! See the below verse:

Ephesians 2:10

New International Version (NIV)

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

GOD HAS "BLESSED" AND "KEPT" YOU TO BE A "BLESSING" TO OTHERS! LET GOD BE GLORIFIED IN YOU! 

BECAUSE JESUS LIVES- YOU CAN LIVE FOR THE LORD!

GOD LOVES US AND HE DEMONSTRATED HIS LOVE FOR US BY HIS "GIFT" OF JESUS IN OUR LIVES!

John 3:16

King James Version (KJV)

16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

BECAUSE JESUS LIVES- YOU CAN LIVE FOR THE LORD!

1 John 4:9

New International Version (NIV)

9 This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.

 

GOD HAS GREAT PLANS FOR YOU - LIVE TO FULFILL "HIS" GREAT PURPOSES FOR YOUR LIFE!

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

BECAUSE HE "LIVES"...YOU CAN FACE TOMORROW...AND "LIVE FOR HIM".

Please enjoy the below inspirational video and song, "Because He Lives" as sung by the "David Crowder Band". The lyrics were originally written by Bill and Gloria Gaither  (husband and wife Christian artists/lyricists).


(I do not own the rights to this song.)


BE BLESSED! 

HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING - LUKE 2: 10-11, 16-17

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This is Namma for Christ with the sixtieth inspirational message dated, Monday, December 22nd, 2014.


The below message was first written by me on 12/10/13. The Christmas message below focuses on the GREATEST GIFT we have ever been given: JESUS! During this Christmas season, I want to share the below message "again" with you. Please read...be blessed...and enjoy the inspiring song/video entitled "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" by Chris Tomlin at the end of the message.

^{This is Namma for Christ with the forty-third inspirational message dated Tuesday, December 10th, 2013.  The title of this message is, HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING - LUKE 2: 10-11, 16-17.  This message is based on the below scripture text found in the book of Luke from the New Testament  (KJV):}

Luke 2:10-11

King James Version (KJV)

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:16-17

King James Version (KJV)

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Below is the background scripture of the above four verses that describe the scenario in Luke when the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and announced Jesus' birth and the angel declared  "the good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people":

Luke 2:8-17

King James Version (KJV)

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

This is the time of year when we celebrate the greatest gift ever given to mankind: JESUS! THIS IS CHRISTMAS TIME!
JESUS WAS BORN! GOD GAVE US HIS SON! 
As Luke 2:11 states:

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

This is a time of true celebration of God's love for us...

This is a time of reflection to ask ourselves "personally" what does this season of giving mean to us and what does JESUS mean to us.

NEVER FORGET - GOD LOVES YOU! 

God loves us so much that He gave us JESUS! As John 3:16 states below:

John 3:16

King James Version (KJV)

16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Because of GOD's great love for us...we have JESUS....our LORD and SAVIOR, OUR REDEEMER, OUR BURDEN BEARER, OUR HEALER, OUR PROTECTOR, OUR DEFENDER, OUR PROVIDER, OUR INTERCESSOR, "OUR EVERYTHING...JESUS IS "ALL" THAT WE NEED HIM TO BE IN OUR LIVES"! HOW BLESSED WE ARE!

WHAT AN AWESOME, GREAT , LOVING AND MERCIFUL GOD THAT WE SERVE! 

GOD LOVED US SO MUCH THAT HE GAVE US HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN JESUS...SHALL NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE!

WHAT GREAT LOVE GOD HAS FOR HIS CHILDREN!

 THE LORD'S VERY NAME - EMMANUEL - MEANS "GOD WITH US"!

HE IS WITH US...WE ARE NOT ALONE....GOD IS WITH US....

WHATEVER YOU ARE GOING THROUGH, GIVE IT TO THE LORD...HE LOVES AND CARES FOR YOU! BELIEVE IN JESUS, TRUST HIM WITH YOUR LIFE AND EVERYTHING THAT IS IN YOUR LIFE!

NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR THE LORD - AS THE BELOW VERSE CONFIRMS!

Luke 1:37

King James Version (KJV)

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

THANK THE LORD FOR HIS MANY BLESSINGS...

PLEASE REMEMBER "JESUS"...TRULY IS ..."THE REASON FOR THE SEASON"!

LIVE FOR JESUS... SHARE WITH OTHERS ALL THAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR YOU, AND ASK THE LORD HOW YOU CAN BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS! EVERYDAY ASK THE LORD, MAY "HIS WILL" BE DONE IN YOUR LIFE! LET HIS HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE AND DIRECT YOUR EVERY STEP!

CELEBRATE JESUS EVERYDAY...PRAISE HIS NAME! HE IS THE GREATEST GIFT THAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN! LET US SHARE, LIVE FOR AND CELEBRATE JESUS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Please enjoy the below (printed) lyrics, video and song, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" as sung by Christian artist Chris Tomlin:

Lyrics (originally written by Charles Wesley) of  "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

(I do not own the rights of the song.)



BE BLESSED!

Love The Lord & Listen To Him - Mark 6:31

This is Namma for Christ with the fifty-ninth inspirational message dated Saturday, December 6th, 2014. The title of this message is: "Love The Lord & Listen To Him - Mark 6:31". This message is based on the below scripture text from the sixth chapter of  Mark (written by the apostle Mark) as found in the New Testament (NIV) - where he informs the reader what Jesus "told His disciples" and what Jesus "tells us"..."today":

Mark 6:31

New International Version (NIV)

31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

During Jesus' ministry, He took time alone with His Father and told His disciples to do the same (as in the verse above). We, too, need a quiet place free from distraction to pray and talk to God. We also need to learn to "listen" to God's voice. How do we know that what we're hearing is truly from God? 

As taken from "Our Daily Bread"- below is an excerpt taken from "Come With Me" written by Elaine Martens Hamilton and Kathy Escobar - here are some questions you can ask yourself to determine if it is God speaking to you:

- Is it consistent with Scripture?

- Is it consistent with the character of God?

- Does it lead to change or growth in your life?

- Does it lead to the restoration of relationships?

- Is there a sense of healing; release from past sin or pain?

- Is there a sense of peace, a lessening of anxiety, of  contentment where once there was striving?

- Does it lead to conviction instead of guilt?

 There is a distinct difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the condemnation of the devil, because the two speak different languages. The characteristics of each should help you distinguish who is speaking. However, we sometimes mistake Satan's voice for God's, because Satan's voice fits so well with our own distortions and misunderstandings about God and how we think He feels about us. But God speaks to us in a way that is "completely different" from the condemnation of Satan.

 How can you tell the difference? Satan communicates in the following way:

- Tone: accusing, nagging, and mocking. Generates fear and causes confusion.

- Vague: generates an overall sense of guilt, as if everything is wrong. Creates feelings of hopelessness and weakness.

- Discouraging: attacks your self-confidence, tells you that you are weak and worthless.

- Brings up the past: replays your sin and shame, reminds you of your poor choices.

- Rejecting: produces the feeling that God has rejected you as unworthy and unholy. Portrays God as judge and you as a miserable sinner.

- Isolating: gives suggestions that cause you to withdraw from others.

- Negative: tells you that the horrible way you feel is the way it is.

 The conviction of the Holy Spirit is just the opposite:

- Tone: gentle, loving, imploring, and urges your return to Him.

- Specific: tells you to take a specific action in response to sin; freedom follows.

- Encouraging: says you can rely on His power, not your strength.

- Releases you from the past: tells you your sins are forgiven, never to be held against you.

- Attracts: generates an expectation of kindness, love, and a new beginning with His help.

- Draws into fellowship: sends others to minister to you in love, as well as sends you to others. Speaks of His unchanging nature and steadfast love.

- Truthful: states the facts about you and God.

Use the list above as a guideline so you will be able to clearly hear God's responses as you share your heart with Him.

"Love" the Lord and "listen" to Him.

Please enjoy the below inspiring video and song (with lyrics) as performed by the late Whitney Houston singing, "I Love The Lord"....


(I do not own the rights of the song.)


BE BLESSED!

Love Lifted Me - 1st John 4: 9

This is Namma for Christ with the fifty-seventh inspirational message dated Tuesday, October 14th, 2014. The title of this message is: "Love Lifted Me - 1st John 4: 9". This message is based on the below scripture text from the  ninth verse of the fourth chapter of  First John, (written by the Apostle John) as found in the New Testament (NIV):

1 John 4:9New International Version (NIV)

9 This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.

The title of this message was also taken from the famous Christian hymn, "Love Lifted Me". This hymn was written originally by James Rowe in 1912, the lyrics are provided below:

       

                 "Love Lifted Me" (lyrics)

 

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

1. • Refrain:
     Love lifted me!
     Love lifted me!
     When nothing else could help,
     Love lifted me!
2. All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling,
   In His blessed presence live, ever His praises sing,
   Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul’s best songs,
   Faithful, loving service, too, to Him belongs.
3. Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves,
   He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves.
   He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey,
   He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.

The words of this song are very meaningful to me...

I hope you re-read the above lyrics and let them "sink in" and allow you to think about "what these words mean TO YOU"....(look at the first four lines):

"I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I."

Have you ever been in this position...."sinking" ....and "far from the peaceful shore"...

I have been in this "position"...before...more than "once"

When I was about 10 years old...I was on a Summer playground sponsored trip for the youth in my neighborhood. We went to the beach and unfortunately (for me), I was not the best swimmer. I ventured too far out from the "peaceful shore"...and the next thing I knew...I was "literally sinking" in the ocean....Fortunately, for me...there was a tall young man who I knew from my neighborhood...swimming nearby me. I called "help" loud enough for him to hear me...(as I was starting to sink down). Thank God, he saw that I was in trouble...and came close to me so that I could grab onto him...he held me close as he brought me safely back to shore....Whenever I see or talk to this man, I thank him for "saving my life".

Now...when I think of JESUS....and what HE has done for me....

JESUS SAVED MY LIFE....

SO MANY TIMES in my life...JESUS "WAS THERE" to RESCUE ME!

God loves us so much that HE sent us HIS SON JESUS...to be OUR SAVIOR... as our scripture for today reads:

1 John 4:9New International Version (NIV)

9 This is How God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.

Because Jesus rescued me so many times...I am alive to be able to encourage others to LIVE THROUGH HIM!

Jesus is why I am alive today...ALL that I am...all that I have...It is because of our Lord's love, mercy and grace!

When I was in the depths of depair...it was JESUS' LOVE...that lifted me up!

It was God letting me know that I was "still" His dear child....and that HE loved me...despite my mistakes and failures...that allowed me not to continue to "sink"...

GOD's LOVE CAN LIFT "ALL" WHO COME TO HIM... IN THE "POWER" AND IN THE "NAME OF JESUS!"

GOD LOVES YOU AND HE WANTS WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU! Read Romans 5:8 below -

Romans 5:8New International Version (NIV)

8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

What has JESUS done in YOUR LIFE?

Only YOU can tell it! PRAISE HIM...

PRAISE JESUS...THANK JESUS....LIVE FOR JESUS!

Your testimony could save someone's life....

PLEASE DON'T KEEP WHAT JESUS HAS DONE IN YOUR LIFE TO YOURSELF...SHARE WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU....TURN YOUR "TESTS" INTO YOUR TESTIMONY!

BE BLESSED!


(I do not own the rights of the song.)

 

Please enjoy the below inspiring song and video led by Bishop Leonard Scott singing the song, "Love Lifted Me":

(I do not own the rights to this song.)