The Last 7 Words of Jesus (HE IS OUR BREAD OF HEAVEN)

This is Namma for Christ with the twenty-sixth inspirational message dated Sunday, March 24th, 2013. The title of this message is "The Last 7 Words of  Jesus (HE IS OUR BREAD OF HEAVEN)" . The scriptures for this message is taken from John 6:51 and John 3:16. Please read below:

John 6:51 

King James Version (KJV)

⁵¹ I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

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.

The Sunday before Easter is celebrated as Palm Sunday for all Christians. This day is celebrated in remembrance of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11). Followers of Jesus cried "Hosanna, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord," they waived palms, and they laid the palms (and their garments) down in the street in celebration of  Jesus as He rode a donkey into Jerusalem. As we celebrate Passion Week, I wanted to share with all of you the below message, "The Last 7 Words of Jesus" (written by Mary Fairchild for About.com Christianity). I found this article to be inspirational and written in a manner that is easy to read and understand. I pray that it may be a blessing to you as it was to me.  

Please remember that JESUS IS OUR BREAD OF HEAVEN as John 6:51 states and never forget that John 3:16 reminds us of God's great love for us in giving us His one and only begotten Son, that "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE!"

7 Last Words of Jesus

What Were the Seven Final Phrases of Jesus on the Cross and What Did They Mean?

By Mary Fairchild, About.com Guide

Jesus Christ made seven final statements during His last hours on the cross. These phrases are held dear by followers of Christ because they offer a glimpse into the depth of His suffering to accomplish redemption. Recorded in the Gospels between the time of  His crucifixion and His death, they reveal His divinity as well as His humanity. As much as possible, given the approximate sequence of events as portrayed in the Gospels, these seven last words of Jesus are presented here in chronological order.

1) Jesus Speaks to the Father

Luke 23:34

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (NIV) In the midst of His excruciating suffering, the heart of Jesus was focused on others rather than Himself. Here we see the nature of His love—unconditional and divine.

2) Jesus Speaks to the Criminal on the Cross

Luke 23:43

"I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise." (NIV) One of the criminals who was crucified with Christ, had recognized who Jesus was and expressed faith in Him as Savior. Here we see grace poured out through faith, as Jesus assured the dying man of his forgiveness and eternal salvation.

3) Jesus Speaks to Mary and John

John 19:26-27

When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." (NIV) Jesus, looking down from the cross, was still filled with the concerns of a son for the earthly needs of His mother. None of His brothers were there to care for her, so He gave this task to the Apostle John. Here we clearly see Christ's humanity.

4) Jesus Cries Out to the Father

Matthew 27:46 (also Mark 15:34)

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (NKJV) In the darkest hours of His suffering, Jesus cried out the opening words of Psalm 22. And although much has been suggested regarding the meaning of this phrase, it was quite apparent the agony Christ felt as He expressed separation from God. Here we see the Father turning way from the Son as Jesus bore the full weight of our sin.

5) Jesus is Thirsty

John 19:28

Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures He said, "I am thirsty." (NLT)  Jesus refused the initial drink of vinegar, gall and myrrh (Matthew 27:34 and Mark 15:23) offered to alleviate His suffering. But here, several hours later, we see Jesus fulfilling the messianic prophecy found in Psalm 69:21.

6) It is Finished

John 19:30

... He said, "It is finished!" (NLT) Jesus knew He was suffering the crucifixion for a purpose. Earlier He had said in John 10:18 of His life, "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from My Father." (NIV) These three words were packed with meaning, for what was finished here was not only Christ's earthly life, not only His suffering and dying, not only the payment for sin and the redemption of the world—but the very reason and purpose He came to earth was finished. His final act of obedience was complete. The Scriptures had been fulfilled.

7) Jesus' Last Words

Luke 23:46

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." When He had said this, He breathed His last. (NIV) Here Jesus closes with the words of Psalm 31:5, speaking to the Father. We see His complete trust in the Father. Jesus entered death in the same way He lived each day.

Please enjoy  the accompanied video of Christian artist Fred Hammond and (his choir) RFC (Radical for Christ) as they sing with power and anointing their song, "Bread of Heaven".

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

BE BLESSED!

You Love Me Anyway - Exodus 3:10-12

This is Namma for Christ with the twenty-fifth inspirational message dated Saturday, March 16th, 2013. The title of this message is "You Love Me Anyway - Exodus 3: 10-12" . The scripture for this message is taken from Exodus 3: 10-12. Please read below:

Exodus 3:10-12

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
¹¹ But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

¹² And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have  brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

This scripture for this message comes from Exodus when God first tells Moses that He is sending him to Pharaoh to bring the Israelites out of Egypt (from slavery). God has a great purpose and mission for Moses!

God has a great purpose and mission for each of our lives, as well.

 God can do GREAT and MIRACULOUS things in the lives of HIS CHILDREN if we DO NOT LOOK AT OURSELVES....BUT LOOK TO AND FOCUS ON GOD! 

 Many times...in our lives....we respond just, like Moses did. Notice Moses' response in Exodus 3:11 -

 ¹¹ But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

In our humaneness, we respond so quickly ......thinking of what we can do "on our own"..... we are thinking of "our" inabilities, INSTEAD OF REALIZING THAT WE HAVE ALMIGHTY GOD ON OUR SIDE!

WE MUST REALIZE IF GOD CALLS US TO DO "HIS WILL" AND SERVE "HIS PURPOSE" FOR OUR LIVES - GOD WILL HELP US!  GOD IS SUFFICIENT- for ALL OUR NEEDS!

WE MUST LOOK TO, LEAN ON AND FULLY DEPEND ON GOD TO CARRY OUT HIS MISSION FOR OUR LIVES!

LOOK AT GOD'S RESPONSE TO MOSES (when Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”) : 

GOD ANSWERED: in verse 12:  

¹² And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

 AS GOD WAS WITH MOSES, HE WILL BE WITH US....WE MUST CONTINUE TO LOOK TO, TRUST IN AND WORSHIP GOD IN OUR LIVES- REMEMBER, WE ARE NOT ALONE!

Despite our insecurities, God can use us for HIS GLORY because He LOVES US, ANYWAY! Remember Hebrews 13:5 - 

“..for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

Please enjoy the below inspirational song, "You Love Me Anyway" with lyrics - from the Christian group "Sidewalk Prophets".
(I do not own the rights to this song.)

BE BLESSED!

 

Here I am to Worship - Luke 1:38 - I'm His Servant

This is Namma for Christ with the twenty-fourth inspirational message dated Friday, March 1st, 2013. The title of this message is "Here I am to Worship - Luke 1:38 - I'm His Servant". The scripture text for this message is found in  Luke 1: 28-38. The main scripture verse is found in Luke 1:38 - please read below:

Luke 1: 28-38

New International Version (NIV)

²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you are to call Him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, ³³ and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His kingdom will never end.”
³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.”
³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

The main scripture verse in found in  Luke 1:38 :

³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.


This scripture for this message tells about when "Mary", the mother of  our Lord and Savior, Jesus, was informed by the angel Gabriel that she was highly favored,  the Lord was with her, and that she would conceive in her womb and bring forth God's Son, Jesus, the Savior of the world. She was an "ordinary" young woman who was about to be used by God for  HIS "EXTRAORDINARY" PURPOSE.

Mary's response is a model for "all of us" - (may we "all" respond as Mary did, to "whatever" God calls us to do for HIM):

 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” 

Her attitude is a great example for all of us - SHE WAS WILLING - SHE WAS HUMBLE and OBEDIENT TO THE LORD'S WILL FOR HER LIFE....EVEN THOUGH SHE MAY NOT HAVE UNDERSTOOD ALL THAT SHE WOULD GO THROUGH OR ENDURE...SHE WAS WILLING! SHE KNEW GOD WAS WITH HER. 

AS WITH US, WE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WE MAY HAVE TO ENDURE...BUT FOR GOD'S GREAT GLORY AND HONOR AND FOR "ALL THAT HE'S DONE FOR US"...LET US BE WILLING. MAY THE LORD'S "WILL" BE DONE IN OUR LIVES FOR HIS GLORY AND WE WILL BE BLESSED FOR OBEYING GOD!

Please enjoy Christian artist Jeremy Camp's inspirational song and video, "Here I Am to Worship":

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

BE BLESSED!