Light of the World: Jesus - John 8:12

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


This is Namma for Christ with the seventy-fifth inspirational message dated, Sunday, December 13th, 2015.



On December 19th, 2023 - I was inspired to update this previous message to reflect and share Bible verses relating to the title of this message of "JESUS being the Light of the World". 

Please read...be blessed...and enjoy the inspiring song/video (with lyrics) entitled "Light of the World" by Lauren Daigle at the end of the message.

Jesus is the GREATEST GIFT we have ever been given! See John 3:16 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.

Luke 2:10-11 tells of when an angel of the Lord told of Jesus' birth:

 Luke 2:10-11

King James Version (KJV)

10 And the angel said unto them (the shepherds), "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.

The scripture for this message is taken from John 8:12 -

where Jesus says that "He is the Light of the World":

John 8:12

New Life Version (NLV)

12 Jesus spoke to all the people, saying, “I am the Light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will not walk in darkness. He will have the Light of Life.”

JESUS IS THE LIGHT as found in both John 1:4 and John 9:5 below:

John 1:4

New King James Version (NKJV)

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 

John 9:5

New King James Version (NKJV)

5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

Below are additional verses regarding how Jesus desires us as believers to "let our lights shine":

Matthew 5:14-16

New King James Version (NKJV)

14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

May we all "WALK IN THE LIGHT" - as "HE IS IN THE LIGHT" as the below verse states:

1st John 1:7

New King James Version (NKJV)

7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

PRAISE GOD FOR JESUS! 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! PRAY AND ASK THE LORD HOW YOU CAN BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS - AS YOU ARE BLESSED!


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 inspiring song/video (with lyrics) entitled "Light of the World" by Lauren Daigle.


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



BE BLESSED!

Come As You Are - COMFORT- 2 Corin. 1:3-4

This is Namma for Christ with the seventy-fourth inspirational message dated Saturday, November 21st, 2015. The title of this message is: "Come As You Are:  COMFORT – 2 Corin. 1:3-4". This message is based on the below scripture text from  the second book of Corinthians as found in the New Testament  - where the writer, the Apostle Paul, informs the reader about the COMFORT of GOD and how GOD comforts us to help us be comforters:

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

King James Version (KJV)

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

This message is all about "COMFORT" - the COMFORT of GOD and how through HIS helping us to be COMFORTED...we can be COMFORTERS of others. Below is a beautiful meditation from R. Tuck on the subject of  "comforting". 

Personally speaking, when my dear father passed away in January of 2003, I didn't know what I would do. But God...in His love, mercy, comfort, grace, strength, peace and guidance through His Holy Spirit - helped me through the loss of my dad. I pray that this message may comfort someone else. 

Philippians 4:6-7

King James Version (KJV)

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Remember - Jesus said, He will NEVER leave you, nor forsake you…

Hebrews 13:5King James Version (KJV)

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Comforted, And Therefore Comforters

(2nd Corinthians 1:4) by R. Tuck

It may seem strange that the Bible, and Christian ministers following its example, should deal so frequently and so largely with troubles and afflictions. You sometimes half suspect that Christian people must have a larger share of earthly sorrow than fails to the lot of others.

 Our afflictions and our comfortings can become a blessing to others:

 "so that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble." 

Our sorrows have by no means exhausted their stores of blessing when they have dispelled our doubts, delivered us from our dangers, and cultured our characters; they have stores of blessing left in them still, with which, through us, to enrich and comfort others.

But the Christian's experiences are not of griefs only; they are of griefs together with Divine comfortings, and these together bring a peculiar kind of power. 

How different are the consolations offered by stricken than by unstricken ones! The unstricken can find beautiful words, and be truly sincere as they utter them. But the stricken ones can express unutterable things in silence and look. They can also "feel" compassion similarly and express a true, sympathetic "understanding" - because...they've "BEEN THERE".

The plant of healing sympathies grows and blossoms and fruitens 

out of our very wounds and tears. 

It will be reasonable to expect that, if God has high places of work for us, and valuable influence for us to exert, He will need to bring us through great and sore troubles.

Paul recognizes this in our text. How his life was filled with anxieties.

He did not care to be always talking about himself; only once or twice does he lift the veil and show his secret history; but there - in much affliction awaiting him everywhere, and the comfortings of God abounding in all - is the explanation of his mighty and gracious influence. He was "comforted of God that he might be able to comfort them which are in any trouble." The same truth shines out even more clearly from the life and Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is able to succour (or help) because in all points tempted. Lifted up, "He draws all men unto him" gaining His influence by His own sufferings borne in patience and faith. Winning power to save and help the world by dying an agonizing death and knowing, in the uttermost needs of a dying hour, the gracious comfortings of God.

 You may have thought that your afflictions have set you aside from your work. No, they have just lifted you up to the trust of some of God's highest and best work. Tribulation worketh patience, experience, and hope. It matures the finer elements of character. But it does more - it fits us for work, for higher influence on others, enabling us to set before men all the power of a noble example. Our afflictions and comfortings are really our clothing with the soldier's dress, our putting on the soldier's armor, our grasping the soldier's weapons, our drilling for the soldier's service, that we may be good soldiers of the cross. Each one of us can become a comforter, a person of consolation. Comforted of God, let us learn to comfort others. 

Please enjoy the accompanied song and video (including beautiful lyrics), "Come As You Are" as sung with anointing by the Christian artist, "David Crowder".



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


BE BLESSED!

Touch the Sky: PRAY - Phil. 4:6-7

This is Namma for Christ with the seventy-third inspirational message dated Saturday, November 14th, 2015. The title of this message is: "Touch the Sky: PRAY - Phil. 4:6-7". This message is based on the below scripture text from the fourth chapter of  Philippians as found in the New Testament  -

Philippians 4:6-7

King James Version (KJV)

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We must PRAY and surrender ALL to JESUS.  ALL TO HIM – WE MUST FULLY GIVE!

We must yield our lives and all that we have to Him – because JESUS IS SUFFICIENT!

Give God your cares, your concerns, your worries, your doubts, your fears, your needs, your problems, your trials and your challenges, etc. ...be careful for nothing. BUT, IN EVERYTHING BY "PRAYER & SUPPLICATION" - WITH "THANKSGIVING"...LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD...

AND THE "PEACE" OF GOD, WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING, SHALL KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS!

JESUS IS SUFFICIENT! HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT!

2 Corinthians 12:9

King James Version (KJV)

 

⁹ And He said unto me, My Grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

WE ARE SAVED BY GOD'S GRACE:

Ephesians 2:8-9

King James Version (KJV)

 

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

How often, we think that we have to be our own supplier of what we need. We MUST come to JESUS “FIRST”! 

PRAY AND “SEEK JESUS FIRST”!

Matthew 6:33

King James Version (KJV)

 

³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We read in scripture of the mighty miracles of the Lord Jesus. We must continue to place our faith and trust in HIM! Can't we ALL remember times in our past that GOD brought us through - by no effort of our own? GOD CAN DO ALL THINGS BUT FAIL! WE MUST CONTINUE TO SEEK OUR LORD AND OUR LORD'S WILL THROUGH PRAYER:

The below scripture refers to how we should pray:

Matthew 6:6-15

King James Version (KJV)

 

⁶ But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

⁷ But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

⁸ Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

⁹ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

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

¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.

¹² And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

¹⁴ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

¹⁵ But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

WE MUST SURRENDER OUR WILL TO THE "LORD'S WILL":

Matthew 16:24-26

King James Version (KJV)

 

²⁴ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

²⁵ For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

²⁶ For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

JESUS TELLS US WE ARE TO ALWAYS PRAY:

Luke 18:1-8

King James Version (KJV)

 

18 And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

² Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

³ And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

⁴ And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

⁵ Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

⁶ And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

⁷ And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them?

⁸ I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?

JESUS IS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR… WE MUST PRAY – and thereby we “Touch the Sky – when our knees hit the ground” and SEEK OUR LORD to live the purposeful lives that HE has planned for us as in Jeremiah 29:11 –

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 and video (with lyrics) of “Touch the Sky” by Hillsong UNITED.

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

BE BLESSED!

The Words I Would Say- Matt. 5:14-16

This is Namma for Christ with the seventy-second inspirational message dated Friday, October 16th, 2015. The title of this message is: "The Words I Would Say- Matt. 5:14-16". This message is based on the below scripture text from the fifth chapter of  Matthew as found in the New Testament  - where Jesus informs us to "LET OUR LIGHTS SHINE!" -

Matthew 5:14-16

King James Version (KJV)

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The above passage is part of our Lord's "Sermon On the Mount" as found in the fifth chapter of Matthew. Jesus is telling us to "LET OUR LIGHTS SHINE!" He is telling us to be "THE VERY BEST" that we can be! 

Jesus wants us to : " Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

Our purpose is to GLORIFY GOD!

Are we glorifying God by our actions? Are we glorifying God in our daily lives? Only "we" ourselves, can answer these questions.

Jesus is telling us to "LET OUR LIGHTS SHINE - BEFORE OTHERS"!
BLOOM - WHERE WE ARE PLANTED! Let us live for JESUS and use whatever gifts, talents, abilities and resources HE gave us to GLORIFY HIM! 

LET US LIVE TO PLEASE - THE ONE WHO "DIED AND LIVES IN US" through HIS HOLY SPIRIT!

Let us be the VERY BEST that we can be... for JESUS! 

LET US - LET OUR LIGHTS SHINE!


Please listen and ENJOY the inspiring (as well as ENCOURAGING) lyrics of the accompanied song and video (with lyrics), "The Words I Would Say" as sung with anointing by the Christian artists, "Sidewalk Prophets".




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



BE BLESSED!

SHOULDERS - Jehovah-jireh: He Provides - Gen. 22:14

This is Namma for Christ with the seventy-first inspirational message dated Saturday, September 5th, 2015. The title of this message is: "SHOULDERS - Jehovah-jireh: He Provides - Gen. 22:14". This message is based on the below scripture text from the 22nd chapter of  Genesis as found in the Old Testament  - where the writer informs the reader that "JEHOVAH-jireh" means, "THE LORD WILL PROVIDE" -

Genesis 22:14

American Standard Version (ASV)

14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh. As it is said to this day, In the mount of Jehovah it shall be provided. 

According to the Book of Genesis in the Bible, Jehovah-jireh (or Yahweh-yireh, YHWH will provide), refers to the place in the land of Moriah. It was the location of the binding of Isaac, where God told Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering. "Jehovah-jireh" is the name memorialized by Abraham when God provided the ram to be sacrificed in place of Isaac.

"JEHOVAH-jireh" or  "THE LORD WILL PROVIDE " is a name to describe one of the many-faceted characteristics of God.

To truly appreciate the meaning of this scripture verse (Gen. 22:14) - I provided the following verses - please read Genesis 22: 1-14 below:

Genesis 22

American Standard Version (ASV)

22  And it came to pass after these things, that God did prove Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham. And he said, Here am I.

2 And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and get thee into the land of Moriah. And offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

3 And Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son. And he clave the wood for the burnt-offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass, and I and the lad will go yonder; and we will worship, and come again to you.

6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt-offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. And they went both of them together.

7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father. And he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold, the fire and the wood. But where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?

8 And Abraham said, God will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son. So they went both of them together.

9 And they came to the place which God had told him of. And Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.

10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

11 And the angel of Jehovah called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham. And he said, Here I am.

12 And he said, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him. For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from Me.

13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt-offering in the stead of his son.

14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh. As it is said to this day, In the mount of Jehovah it shall be provided.

THIS MESSAGE IS TO REMIND ALL CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS...BE ASSURED - "THE LORD WILL PROVIDE"!

God is fully aware of ALL OUR NEEDS and the Bible tells us how God WANTS US to come to HIM with "EVERY" need, care, concern and worry that we have:  (see the below verses)

Matthew 11:28

King James Version (KJV)

28 Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

1 Peter 5:7

King James Version (KJV)

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

Philippians 4:6-7

King James Version (KJV)

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The Bible is full of inspiring assurances of how GOD "WILL PROVIDE" for His followers: (see the below verses)

Luke 12:24

King James Version (KJV)

24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

Matthew 6:31-33

New International Version (NIV)

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

Philippians 4:19

King James Version (KJV)

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

John 15:16New International Version (NIV)

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you.

Romans 8:32New International Version (NIV)

32 He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?

We, as children of God must remember that JESUS is our BURDEN BEARER! He wants us to depend on HIM for "EVERYTHING". He wants us to thank Him for our many blessings and bring to Him ALL our desires, wants, problems, concerns, cares, worries and challenges!

WE CAN LEAN and DEPEND on HIM! 

HE'S LIFTING US ON HIS  SHOULDERS! 

Please enjoy and listen for the below inspiring lyrics (in the chorus) - of the accompanied song and video (with lyrics), "Shoulders" as sung with anointing by the Christian artists, "For King and Country".

[Chorus]

My help comes from You

You're right here, pulling me through
You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on Your shoulders
Your shoulders
My help comes from You
You are my rest, my rescue
I don't have to see to believe that You're lifting me up on Your shoulders
Your shoulders

[Chorus]

My help is from You
Don't have to see it to believe it
My help is from You
Don't have to see it, ‘cause I know, ‘cause I know it's true


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

 

BE BLESSED!