This Is Me - Psalm 139:14

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred twenty-fifth
inspirational message dated Friday, December 29th, 2017.  The title of this message is, “This Is Me” – Psalm 139:14.
The title of this message is also the title of the above inspirational song/video entitled “This Is Me” as sung by Keala Settle for the soundtrack for the Twentieth Century Fox musical movie, “The Greatest Showman”.  “The Greatest Showman” is a “rags-to-riches” musical movie about P.T. Barnum (who co-founded the Barnum & Bailey Circus).

The scripture for this message comes from the 139th book of Psalms - the 14^th verse: 

Psalm 139:14

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

Psalm 139:14 states that “I will praise You, for I am
fearfully and wonderfully made!” – This verse is a verse of PRAISE to the LORD for creating us! It also states how we are to view ourselves – in the most positive way for being created by the Hand of God! 

The title and lyrics of the above song/video (with lyrics),”This Is Me” IS a song of PRIDE, POSITIVE SELF-ESTEEM and SELF-ACCEPTANCE!  The below excerpt (as taken from the Internet
via “Christianity Today”) ALSO describes “WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST” (according to scripture):

Here's Who You Are

According to the Bible:

The below excerpt was taken from the Internet via “Christianity
Today” (Christianitytoday.com) :

I am God's child. 

Galatians 3:26


I am Jesus' friend.

 John 15:15

I am a whole new person with a whole new life. 

2nd Corinthians 5:17

I am a place where God's Spirit lives. 

1 Corin. 6:19

I am God's Incredible work of art.

 Eph. 2:10

I am totally and completely forgiven. 

1 John 1:9

I am created in God's likeness.  

Eph. 4:24

I am spiritually alive. 

Eph. 2:5

I am a citizen of Heaven. 

Phil. 3:20

I am God's messenger to the world.

 Acts 1:8

I am God's disciple-maker.

 Matt. 28:19

I am the salt of the earth.

 Matthew 5:13

I am the light of the world. 

Matthew 5:14

I am greatly loved.

Romans 5:8

(These verses come from the New Living Translation on BibleGateway.com.)

Please enjoy the above inspirational song/video (with lyrics) entitled “This Is Me” as sung by Keala Settle for the soundtrack for the Twentieth Century Fox musical movie, “The Greatest Showman”.


(If you can't see the above video: Please scroll down to the end - Under the rectangular box labeled "Home" - please click "View web version". You will automatically be taken to the top of the message - Please press play to enjoy the song/video). 


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

BE BLESSED!

Emmanuel - More Than A Hero - Isaiah 7:14

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred twenty-fourth  inspirational message dated Saturday, December 16th, 2017.   The title of this message is "Emmanuel – More Than A Hero - Isaiah 7:14".  The first word of the title of this message is also the title of the above inspirational gospel song/video (with lyrics) as sung by Norman Hutchings. The scripture comes from the fourteenth verse of the seventh chapter of the book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 7:14

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁴ Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

For many years, I have enjoyed reading the daily inspirational messages as provided by RBC Ministries in their
publications of "OUR DAILY BREAD".  On Friday, December 15th, I read the message for the day and found it to be so beautiful and inspiring,
I wanted to share it with you (see the below message). Our Daily Bread Ministries has the website of:  www.ODB.com so that you can read and enjoy life-changing wisdom of daily inspirational messages based on scripture from the Bible. Please read and enjoy:

 More Than A Hero

12/15/17

 We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

 As Star Wars fans around the world eagerly await the release of Episode 8, “The Last Jedi,” people continue to analyze the remarkable success of these films dating back to 1977. Frank Pallotta, media reporter for CNNMoney, said that Star Wars connects with many who long for “a new hope and a force of good at a time when the world needs heroes.”

At the time of Jesus’s birth, the people of Israel were oppressed and longing for their long-promised Messiah. Many anticipated a hero to deliver them from Roman tyranny, but Jesus did not come as a political or military hero. Instead, He came as a baby to the town of Bethlehem. As a result, many missed who He was. The apostle John wrote, “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11).

Lord Jesus, You are our Savior, and we praise You for coming to die that we might live.

More than a hero, Jesus came as our Savior. He was born to bring God’s light into the darkness and to give His life so that everyone who receives Him could be forgiven and freed from the power of sin. John called Him “the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (v. 14).

“To all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (v. 12). Indeed, Jesus is the one true hope the world needs.

Lord Jesus, You are our Savior, and we praise You for coming to die that we might live.

At Bethlehem, God demonstrated that to love is to give.

By David C. McCasland | See Other Authors

INSIGHT

Many times when we think of heroes we think of someone who “rescues.” This is especially true of Jesus, who is the greatest hero of all time. Paul wrote in Galatians 1:4 that Jesus is the One “who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” Second Timothy 4:18 declares, “The Lord will rescue [us] from every evil attack, and will bring [us] safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” The greatest hero of all provides the greatest rescue of all—eternal life.

Who might you want to tell about your story of Jesus’s rescue?


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Please enjoy the above anointed song/video entitled "Emmanuel" (with lyrics) by Norman Hutchings.

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


BE BLESSED!

The Night Before Christmas - Luke 2:4-11

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred twenty-third  inspirational message dated Friday, November 17th, 2017.  The title of this message is, “The Night Before Christmas - Luke 2:4-11".  The first four words in the title of this message are also the title of the above anointed song/video (with lyrics) entitled “The Night Before Christmas” as sung by Brandon Heath.
The scripture comes from the book of Luke - the 4^ththrough the 11th verses of the second chapter - as written by Luke.


Luke 2:4-11

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. ⁶ So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Glory in the Highest

⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

As we began to enter another holiday season, I wanted to focus on the "TRUE REASON FOR THE SEASON: JESUS!"
Recently, on my local Christian radio station, 99.1 STAR FM, they started to play "Christmas music" already! I thought it was wonderful that they already are sharing the joyous sounds of this season! This is truly a "wonderful, joyous, and blessed" time of  the year"! I decided to share with you the above song and video entitled, "The Night Before Christmas" by Brandon Heath. It shares the Christmas Story in a unique way, by looking at the world from the perspective of  - "the night BEFORE Jesus was born"!
Praise God that Jesus "was" BORN and that God loved us so much to give us His Son as John 3:16 reminds us below:

John 3:16
New King James Version (NKJV)
 
¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
 
Jesus - is the GREATEST GIFT GIVEN and the GREATEST GIFT we will ever receive!  Let's celebrate this Christmas holiday season focused on JESUS!
 
He is truly THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!
 
Please enjoy the above anointed song/video entitled, "The Night Before Christmas" by Brandon Heath.

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

 
BE BLESSED!
 

My Redeemer Lives: Jesus - Job 19:25

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred twenty-second  inspirational message dated Saturday, November 11th, 2017.  The title of this message is, “My Redeemer Lives: Jesus – Job 19:25".  The first three words in the title of this message are also the title of the above anointed song/video (with lyrics) entitled “My Redeemer Lives” as sung by Nicole C. Mullen.
The scripture comes from the book of Job - the 25^th
verse of the nineteenth chapter - as written by Job. 

Job 19:25

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁵ For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth

Recently, I was listening to and enjoying the song,  “My Redeemer Lives” as sung by Nicole C. Mullen.  I decided to research on the Internet the meaning of "Redeemer" - the below is what I discovered:

Question: "What is the meaning of a

Christian Redeemer?"

 

(Excerpt from:  “gotQuestions?org”)

Answer: Everyone is in need of redemption.

 

Our natural condition was characterized by guilt: “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Christ’s redemption has freed us from guilt, being “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).

The benefits of redemption include eternal life (Revelation 5:9-10), forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7), righteousness (Romans 5:17), freedom from the law’s curse (Galatians 3:13), adoption into God’s family (Galatians 4:5), deliverance from sin’s bondage (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:14-18), peace with God (Colossians 1:18-20), and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). To be redeemed, then, is to be forgiven, holy, justified, free, adopted, and reconciled. See also Psalm 130:7-8 (see below):

Psalm 130:7-8

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is mercy,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
⁸ And He shall redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.

The word redeem means “to buy out.” The term was used specifically in reference to the purchase of a slave’s freedom. The application of this term to Christ’s death on the cross is quite telling. If we are “redeemed,” then our prior condition was one of slavery.

 

God has purchased our freedom, and we are no longer in bondage to sin or to the Old Testament law. This metaphorical use of “redemption” is the teaching of Galatians 3:13 and 4:5 (see below):

Galatians 3:13

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),

Galatians 4:5

 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Related to the Christian concept of redemption is the word ransom. Jesus paid the price for our release from sin and its consequences (Matthew 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:6). His death was in exchange for our life. In fact, Scripture is quite clear that redemption is only possible “through His blood,” that is, by His death (Colossians 1:14) (see below):
 
Colossians 1:14

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁴ in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

The streets of heaven will be filled with former captives who, through no merit of their own, find themselves redeemed, forgiven, and free. Slaves to sin have become saints. No wonder we will sing a new song—a song of praise to the Redeemer who was slain (Revelation 5:9) (see below):

 

Revelation 5:9

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

We were slaves to sin, condemned to eternal separation from God. Jesus paid the price to redeem us, resulting in our freedom from slavery to sin and our rescue from the eternal consequences of that sin.

BECAUSE OF JESUS - WE ARE FREE! JESUS PAID OUR SIN DEBT! LET US LIVE TO PLEASE JESUS - BECAUSE..... "OUR REDEEMER LIVES: JESUS"!

Please listen to and enjoy the above anointed song/video (with lyrics) entitled “My Redeemer Lives” as sung by Nicole C. Mullen



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


BE BLESSED!

Thy Will - Matthew 6:10

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred twenty-first  inspirational message dated Tuesday, October 24th, 2017.  The title of this message is, “Thy Will"– Matthew 6:10.  The title of this message is also the title of the above anointed song/video entitled “Thy Will” as sung by Hillary Scott and the Scott Family.
The scripture comes from the Gospel of Matthew - the 10^th
verse of the sixth chapter. 

Matthew 6:10

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

 

The above verse is the 4^th line of the “Lord’s Prayer”.

See the entire “The Lord’s Prayer” below:

The Lord's Prayer
(traditional)

Our Father, which
art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

What do these words mean to you: "Thy Will Be Done"? 
As a Christian, when you pray, do you pray that the “Lord’s Will” be done in "your" life!  Are you yielding your plans and your way to the Lord’s?  "Why" do we pray for the Lord’s Will to be done in our lives? 
We pray that the “Will of God” may be done in our lives because we believe it to be “perfectly loving and righteous”.  The Lord loves us and God has already planned what is "best" for us. Our own Savior, Jesus Christ prayed this prayer in regards to "His" TEACHING His disciples how to pray.  Whether we actually say, "Thy Will be done" (in our prayer) or whether we use a less formal phrase, it is important to pray in God's Will.  It is acceptable for us to tell God what our will is for a given situation, but then we  must always defer to Him and let Him know that we desire His Will above our own.  Even Jesus did this in the Garden of Gethsemane when He was facing torture and death on the cross: "...He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me.  Yet not as I will, but as You will."  Please read Matthew 26:39 - see below:


Matthew 26:39
New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁹ He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Therefore, if we are to be like Christ – how much more should we follow, obey and say what Jesus said - “Thy will be done…”

 Please enjoy the above anointed song/video entitled “Thy Will” as sung by Hillary Scott and the Scott Family. 


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

BE BLESSED!

To God Be the Glory - I was created for God’s Glory - 2 Cor. 3:17-18

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred twentieth inspirational message dated Saturday, September 16th, 2017.
The title of this message is “To God Be the Glory - I was created for God’s Glory - 2 Cor. 3:17-18.” The first five words of the title are also the title of the below anointed song/video entitled, “To God Be the Glory” as powerfully sung by Andrae Crouch & the All-Star Choir.  The original song was written in 1972 by Andrae Crouch (1942-2015) and originally titled, “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory). The scripture for this message comes from the 17^th and 18^th verses of the 3^rd chapter of 2^nd Corinthians (as written by The Apostle Paul):

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ¹⁸ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The Old Testament supporting scripture comes from what the Prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 43:7 –

Isaiah 43:7

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ Everyone who is called by My name,
Whom I have created for My glory;
I have formed him, yes, I have made him."

  During the summer of 2017, while at work, I was given an inspirational Christian book by a kind co-worker entitled, “Jesus Calling – Enjoying Peace in His Presence” by Sarah Young. The co-worker explained that the book’s “daily words of inspiration and the associated bible verses” lifted her spirits each morning.  

I, too, have been touched by how this book was written. Each daily meditation is written from the perspective - as if “Jesus” was saying the words “DIRECTLY TO YOU”! Each meditation is followed by several “relatable bible verses”.  Judge for yourself - the below excerpts have been provided as "brief quotations in critical review" - for you "as the reader" to read, review and maybe purchase the book, for yourself (read below).  Since reading this book - I, personally have purchased 5 additional copies and have given them out to friends and family members as gifts -  

Today’s meditation was so inspiring; I wanted to share it with you:
 

I DESIGNED YOU to live in union with ME.  This union does not negate who you are; it actually makes you more fully yourself.

When you try to live independently of Me, you experience emptiness and dissatisfaction.  You may gain the whole world and yet lose everything that really counts.

Find fulfillment through living close to Me, yielding to My purposes for you. Though I may lead you along paths that feel alien to you, TRUST that I know what I am doing.

If you follow Me wholeheartedly, you will discover facets of yourself that were previously hidden. I know you intimately – far better than you know yourself.

In union with Me, you are complete.

In closeness to Me, you are transformed more and more into the one I designed you to be.
 

Mark 8:36

New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁶ For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?


Psalm 139:13-16

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ¹⁸ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

 

Remember – JESUS LOVES YOU. He wants what is BEST for you and your life! God made you to glorify HIM! He has a plan for your life. You are not meant to walk this life alone!

Jesus says in Hebrews 13:5 – “I will never leave you, nor forsake you”. TRUST HIM. Lastly, Jeremiah 29: 11 reminds us:

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.

 

Please listen and enjoy the below anointed song/video entitled, “To God Be the Glory” as sung by Andrae Crouch & the All-Star Choir..


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


BE BLESSED!

"I DON'T MIND WAITING" - Psalm 40:1

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred nineteenth inspirational message dated Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017.
The title of this message is “I Don’t Mind Waiting” – Psalm 40:1. The first four words of the title are also the title of the above anointed song/video entitled, “I Don’t Mind Waiting” as sung by the Christian artist and speaker, Juanita Bynum (also featuring Jonathan Butler).  The scripture for this message comes from the Old Testament book of what David wrote in the first verse of the 40th Psalm:

Psalm 40:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

Faith Persevering in Trial

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

40 I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.

In my co-leading a daily prayer call (with my daughter), there are "some petitions" that are prayed for "every day".  We do not know "when" God will answer, but we are to "continually" give our petitions to the Lord - to answer in His Way and in His Time.  This is what the Psalmist David did in Psalm 40:1.  He “WAITED” patiently for the Lord.  It was not a single, momentary act of expectation or hope; it was “continuous”.  It was a prayer request or "prayer requests" in which David persevered in praying - the verse states (the Lord) "heard his cry".  Perseverance in prayer means there is repeated prayer requests, it is continued “supplication” and HOPE!  IT IS LETTING GO and LETTING GOD!  It is having FAITH and TRUST in our Lord to work it out –  to answer as HE sees fit!

GOD knows what is BEST and there are times in our lives where we have to truly GIVE IT TO THE LORD- and LEAVE IT THERE!  Whenever we have an issue, a problem, a difficulty or challenge – let us GIVE IT to the ONE WHO CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT: OUR LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!

Let us remember what 1^st Peter 5:7 says to us:

1 Peter 5:7

King James Version (KJV)

 

⁷ Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

 

Let us sing with Juanita Bynum and Jonathan Butler – “I Don’t Mind Waiting”.  May you enjoy the above anointed song/video, “I Don’t Mind Waiting” and may you and yours…

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

BE BLESSED!

“Oh My Soul”: Why am I depressed? Hope in God– Psalm 43:5

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred eighteenth inspirational message dated Thursday, August 10th, 2017.
The title of this message is “Oh My Soul”: Why am I depressed? Hope in God – Psalm 43:5. The first three words of the title are also the title of the above anointed song/video (with lyrics) entitled, “Oh My Soul” as sung by the Christian group: Casting Crowns.  The scripture for this message comes from the Old Testament book of Psalms 43 - as taken from what David wrote in the 5^th verse of the 43^rd Psalm:

Psalm 43:5

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise Him,
    my Savior and my God.

 

During the first week of August (of 2017) was the first time I heard the above song, ”Oh My Soul” on my Christian radio station STAR 99.1FM by Casting Crowns.  I was so impressed by the passionate singing and the personal, tender-hearted lyrics of the song that I searched on Google to find the meaning behind the song.

I discovered that this song was written by one of the members of Casting Crowns, Mark Hall.  He wrote the lyrics of this song on the same night that he found out that he had cancer and that one of his kidneys had to be removed.  He remembered how the psalmist David had talked to himself during a difficult time and he remembered what David wrote in Psalm 43. 

Mark said, ”David was real about his praying! The psalmist David was sad, down and he may even had been depressed (for a moment)…but then he “REMEMBERED ABOUT THE GOD HE SERVED!” David started to “ENCOURAGE” himself in the Lord! He told himself, (paraphrasing): “OK…Now you know GOD got you! Don’t go by your feelings, right now…GO BACK TO WHAT YOU KNOW! Remember what you’ve been through…what you’ve written about before!  YOUR FEAR and YOUR FEELINGS have to FACE the GOD YOU KNOW! Take ONE DAY AT A TIME! You can follow GOD through a dark place and HE WILL BE WITH YOU on the other side!

These were the words that came to Mark Hall, which later became the lyrics to this great, inspirational song, “Oh My Soul”.

So, Christian believers – the next time that “you” feel sad, down or depressed over something YOU ARE GOING THROUGH…TAKE COMFORT in KNOWING THAT “GOD IS WITH YOU!”

PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD - AND PRAISE HIM FOR BEING YOUR SAVIOR AND YOUR GOD!

Remember this verse from Psalm 43:5

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise Him,
    my Savior and my God.

and remember Hebrews 13:5 says: "Jesus will never leave you, nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”

 

Remember – Jesus Loves YOU and HE WANTS WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU!  He loves you SO MUCH – HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU! (John 3:16)

John 3:16

New King James Version (NKJV)

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

 

Please listen and enjoy the above anointed song/video (with lyrics) entitled, “Oh My Soul” as sung by Casting Crowns.


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


BE BLESSED!