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.
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.
- Refrain:
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me!
- Refrain:
- 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. - 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."
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.)
(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.)
