“Sarah Smile” – God’s call - Romans 9:20

 

 

This is Namma for Christ with the 140th inspirational message dated Wednesday, December 19^th, 2018 - entitled, “Sarah Smile – God’s call - Romans 9:20".

The scripture comes from the twentieth verse of the 9^th  chapter of Romans (as written by the Apostle Paul).  The surrounding scriptures are indicated below from the 19^th through the 26^th verses – that has as its sub-chapter title “The Calling of the Gentiles”.

Romans 9:20

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?”

 

The focus verse of Romans 9:20  states “Why is man questioning God?”  see below –

 

The remaining scriptures that follow this verse, provide God’s answer to this question:

Romans 9:19-26

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁹ You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” ²⁰ But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” ²¹ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

²² What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, ²³ and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, ²⁴ even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

²⁵ As He says also in Hosea:

“I will call them My people, who were not My people,
And her beloved, who was not beloved.”
²⁶ “And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,
‘You are not My people,’
There they shall be called sons of the living God.”

 

I am writing this message with a sad disposition and a hurting heart. For the last five years, I have served as a teacher’s assistant for 6^th through 8^th graders (for Math) for the same Middle School that I once attended over 40 years ago. Recently, one of my students who was with us (in the classroom) last year, is nearing the end of her life as she battles brain cancer. This 12 year old young lady is one of the nicest, sweetest, kindest young students that I’ve ever had the pleasure of teaching. Her name is Sarah. Sarah is also known for her sweet, kind, BEAUTIFUL SMILE and her GREAT disposition (despite what she is personally going through). All throughout her young life, she has had multiple surgeries and has had to endure ill-health while doing her best (when she is able to attend school). I was recently informed that Sarah has taken a turn for the worst. For some time now, I have been praying for God to heal this beautiful “little angel”.

This evening, God has provided me a new awareness of “Sarah’s” condition. Below are 3 realizations I have had, based on scripture:

1.  I have realized that the words in Isaiah 55:8-9 are “true” at ALL TIMES (especially, when we, as humans try to “understand” God’s Sovereign ways).  God’s thoughts are truly NOT our thoughts and God’s ways are truly NOT our ways – God’s WAYS and THOUGHTS are HIGHER than our ways and thoughts. See Isaiah 55:8-9 below:

Isaiah 55:8-9

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts

 

2.  Romans 9:20 reminds us – who are “we” (as mere mortals ) to question God… Other related scriptures are listed below that corroborate with this verse - See below:

Isaiah 29:16

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁶ Surely you have things turned around!
Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay;
For shall the thing made say of him who made it,
“He did not make me”?
Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it,
“He has no understanding”?

 

Jeremiah 18:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!

 

Daniel 4:35

New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”

 

3.   Lastly, Jeremiah 29:11 confirms that God knows the plans (that He has for each of our lives.) 

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.

 

One’s life is not to be measured by “how many years” we live on this earth, but our lives should be based on fulfilling the “unique purposes God” has for each of us.

God’s hope and future – for “some”, could be the future (and hope of heaven) He has for them to spend eternally, with Him, in heaven – not on earth.  OR...God COULD in His Divine Sovereign Way "Miraculously Heal" ... just as "God healed Lazarus and raised him from the dead" - (as found in John 11:1-44).  Jesus said in John 11:4, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." If God so chooses, HE CAN bring Sarah back to "full and complete health" on "this side of heaven". He is able to restore Sarah to perfect health and heal her of cancer - IF HE WILLS IT!

Genesis 18:14 reminds us - "Is anything too hard for God?"
 
Jeremiah 32:27 states, "Behold - I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for Me?"

Luke 1:37 states - "FOR WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE."

We should “never” compare one person’s life to another…God makes each of us "uniquely" to glorify Him, as HE SEES FIT!

1 Corinthians 10:31

 New King James Version (NKJV)

³¹ Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

God LOVES Sarah – He loves her the MOST! She IS His little angel…His child – she was made to Glorify Him! Sarah was created by the Hand of God and He has never taken “His hand” or “His eye” off of HIS precious daughter, Sarah. Jesus states that “HE will never leave us, nor forsake us” – as Hebrews 13:5 confirms:

Hebrews 13:5

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

In summary, God is GOD ALL BY HIMSELF! HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING! HE IS TOO WISE TO ERR.

Romans 8:28 reminds us – God will work ALL things together for good! See the below verse:

 

Romans 8:28

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

 

 

WHEN WE CAN’T TRACE GOD’s HAND, WE MUST TRUST GOD’s HEART.

 

Please enjoy the above song/video by Hall and Oates, entitled “Sarah Smile” (with lyrics). (This song and meditation is dedicated to the memory of my dear student, Sarah. She gained her wings and passed away on February 13, 2019. May she continue to rest in heavenly peace with Jesus...I will never forget her...)

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

BE BLESSED!

Great Is Thy Faithfulness - James 1:17

 

 

 

 

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred thirty-ninth inspirational message dated Saturday, November 17^th, 2018.  The title of this message is, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness – James 1:17”.  The title of this message is also the title of the above anointed and inspirational song/video entitled, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by Donnie McClurkin.

The scripture of this message is taken from the New Testament book of James – as written by James:

James 1:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

 

Recently, I was researching under the internet for the phrase “No Shadow of Turning”. The below article was found under “BelovedLove.org” as written by Lydia Floren.

 

NO SHADOW OF TURNING

 

by Lydia Floren

as taken from the Internet’s “BelovedLove.org”

 

It is so easy to doubt God in a crisis.

Is God really going to provide?

Is He really going to take care of my current situation?  Or is it all up to me? 

In his song “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” Thomas Chisholm answers these questions with a remarkable image:

Great is your faithfulness, O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee.

There is no shadow of turning with Thee. 

What is a “shadow of turning?” When you are walking in the sunshine, you have a shadow.  Every little motion you make is reflected by your shadow.  Any time you turn a little to the right or left, your shadow also turns.  And if, as you are going along, you notice that your shadow has changed, you can be sure that your direction has also shifted.

When Thomas Chisholm says “there is no shadow of turning with Thee” he is pointing out God’s consistency.  God is steadily walking toward the light, toward Truth, and He invites us to follow.  As we do, we are, naturally, in His shadow. 

In whatever crisis we face, we can count on God.  He will lead.  He will provide.  He will see us through.  100% of the time.  There is no shift—not even a slight one– in God’s faithfulness to us.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.   James 1:17 NIV

I pray that this message was a blessing to you as it was to me...Please ENJOY the above video/song entitled, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" by Donnie McClurkin and BE BLESSED!

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

Something About the Name Jesus- Isa. 53:5

 

 

 

 

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred thirty-eighth inspirational message dated Thursday, October 18th, 2018.  The title of this message is, “Something About the Name Jesus – Isaiah  53:5”.

 

The title of this message is also the title of the above uplifting song/video entitled, "Something About the Name Jesus” as performed by “The Rance Allen Group – featuring Kirk Franklin”.

The scripture of this message is taken from the Old Testament book of Isaiah – as written by the prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 53:5

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

 

This text is surrounded by the below scriptures that tell of Jesus’ suffering “for us”:

 

Isaiah 53:1-6

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

The Sin-Bearing Messiah

53 Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

² For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness;
And when we see Him.
There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

³ He is despised and rejected by men.
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him:
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

⁴ Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.

 
⁵ But He was wounded for our transgressions.
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

 

For many years, I have enjoyed reading the daily inspirational messages as provided by RBC Ministries in their publications of "OUR DAILY BREAD".  This morning, I read the message for the day (dated Thursday, October 18, 2018) and found it to be so beautiful and inspiring, I wanted to share it with you (see the below message). RBC Ministries has the website of:  www.rbc.org so that you can read and enjoy life-changing wisdom of daily inspirational messages based on scripture from the Bible. 

 

A Piercing Thorn

10/18/18

 

But He was pierced for our transgressions . . . and by His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

The thorn pricked my index finger, drawing blood. I hollered and then groaned, drawing back my hand instinctively. But I shouldn’t have been surprised: trying to prune a thorny bush without gardening gloves was a recipe for exactly what just happened.

The pain throbbing in my finger—and the blood flowing from it—demanded attention. And as I searched for a bandage, I found myself unexpectedly thinking about my Savior. After all, soldiers forced Jesus to don an entire crown of thorns (John 19:1–3). If one thorn hurt this much, I thought, how much agony would an entire crown of them inflict? And that’s just a small portion of the physical pain He suffered. A whip flogged His back. Nails penetrated His wrists and ankles.

But Jesus endured spiritual pain too. Verse 5 of Isaiah 53 tells us, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him.” The “peace” Isaiah talks about here is another way of talking about forgiveness. Jesus allowed Himself to be pierced—by nails, by a crown of thorns—to bring us spiritual peace with God. His sacrifice, His willingness to die on our behalf, paved the way to make a relationship with the Father possible. And He did it, Scripture tells us, for me, for you.

Father, I can’t imagine the pain Your Son endured to wash away my sin. Thank You for sending Him for me, to be pierced for my sins that I might have a relationship with You. 

Jesus allowed Himself to be pierced to bring us spiritual peace with God.

By Adam Holz  for ODB.org

 

PLEASE ENJOY THE ABOVE VIDEO AND SONG, “Something About the Name Jesus” as performed by “The Rance Allen Group – featuring Kirk Franklin”. (Rance Allen passed away on 10/31/20 - he was 71 years old. He was the founder and leader of "The Rance Allen Group". May he rest in heavenly peace).

 

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

 

BE BLESSED!

 

Who You Say I Am - Rom. 8:31-32

This is “Namma for Christ” with the one hundred thirty-seventh inspirational message dated Saturday, September 22^nd, 2018.  The title of this message is “Who You Say I Am – Rom. 8:31-32”.

The first 5 words of the title are also the title of the above anointed song/video, “Who You Say I Am” (with lyrics) as sung by Hillsong Worship.  The message’s scripture is found in the 31^st and 32^nd verses of the 8th book of Romans as written by the Apostle Paul.

Romans 8:31-32
New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Everlasting Love

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

I first heard this song, “Who You Say I Am” as sung by Hillsong Worship on one of my favorite Christian radio stations 99.1 Star FM. This song touched me because it expressed such a sincere, honest expression of God’s LOVE for us. The very first lyric states:

“Who am I – that the highest King would welcome me?”

 

This reminds me of the verses in Psalm 8 where it says –

Psalm 8:3-4

New King James Version (NKJV)

³ When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
⁴ What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?

Isn’t it wonderful that God – The Creator of the Universe - The King of Kings welcomes US….

God – Our Father in Heaven LOVES US!

We are “His children” and He has adopted us into the FAMILY OF GOD! The song continues,

“I was lost, but He brought me in…Oh, His love for me - Oh, His love for me”…

It then states –

“Who the Son sets free – Oh, is free indeed”….

This verse is taken from the below scripture as found in John 8:

John 8:36

New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁶ Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

 

This song expresses how God CHOSE US! See the below verse from Ephesians 1:5 that shows how we have been adopted into the “family of God” –

Ephesians 1:5

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.

 

We are ACCEPTED and LOVED for WHO WE ARE – AS WE ARE!

Because He ACCEPTS and LOVES us – HE IS FOR US – as confirmed in the below scripture from Romans:

 

Romans 8:31-32

New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Everlasting Love

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Lastly, it wasn’t because we did anything to deserve this GREAT LOVE - God LOVED us FIRST as 1^st John confirms:

1 John 4:19

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁹ We love Him because He first loved us.

 

GOD LOVES US - HIS CHILDREN! HE WANTS THE BEST FOR ALL HIS CHILDREN! HE LOVES US SO MUCH THAT HE GAVE HIS SON, JESUS, FOR US –

read John 3:16 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.


Live for Jesus – Because He lives for you…Enjoy this GREAT LOVE! BASK  IN AND TREASURE THIS GREAT LOVE THAT GOD GAVE YOU!

 

 Be the BEST that you can be…Because GOD gave HIS BEST for you – in JESUS!


GOD IS FOR YOU - NOT AGAINST YOU ... YOU ARE WHO HE SAYS YOU ARE - YOU ARE HIS CHILD!  


Please enjoy the above uplifting and inspirational song/video “Who You Say I Am” (with lyrics) as sung by Hillsong Worship.


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


BE BLESSED!

You Say – I AM LOVED – 1 John 4:9-10

 This is “Namma for Christ” with the one hundred thirty-sixth inspirational message dated Thursday, August 2^nd, 2018.  The title of this message is, “You Say” – I AM LOVED – 1 John 4:9-10.  The first two words of this message are also the title of the above anointed song/video, “You Say” (with lyrics) by Lauren Daigle. The message’s scripture is below as found in 1^st John, the 9^th & 10^th verses of the 4^th chapter:

1 John 4:9-10

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. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Recently, I was listening to my Christian radio station, 99.1 FM STAR, and I heard Lauren Daigle’s song, “You Say”.  I was touched by the tender and simple lyrics and the heartfelt expressions of the words. I knew that it was a song that I wanted to share with others in my “Namma for Christ” blog. This song is sung with passion – from the perspective of “a conversation between the singer and God”.

Put “yourself” in the singer’s position and sing the song to GOD for YOURSELF! MAKE THIS SONG AND THE MESSAGE “PERSONAL FOR YOU”! “THIS song” says what GOD WANTS for EACH OF US – to have a PERSONAL, LOVING RELATIONSHIP with JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD and SAVIOR! LET JESUS BE ALL THAT YOU NEED HIM TO BE – FOR YOU!

The first line of the chorus says:

“You Say – I am loved, when I can’t feel a thing; You Say – I am Strong, when I think I am weak…”

Thus, this song caused me to then research Bible verses that show how much God loves us:

In researching “bible verses” about GOD’s LOVE for us – I found the below Internet message under the website: drericz.com as written by Dr. Eric Zielinski:

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT GOD’S LOVE FOR US

By Dr. Eric Zielinski

(via Website: drericz.com – "Living the Abundant Life”)

Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so! Do you know that God loves you? One of my favorite bible verses about God's love for us is: We love because God first loved us. ~ 1 John 4:19

We know in our minds that God loves us. So why does it not always feel that way?

Some days we may feel alone and in despair. We need someone or something to remind us of His love. Many of us have a hard time understanding how big God's love for us really is. Grasping the concept that He loves us no matter how we feel about ourselves is hard. We may feel that we have to perform well for God to love us more, or we try to accomplish something to earn His loving hand and approval.

But God's love for us is never in doubt. Our works and deeds are done because we have a relationship with God, not because we earn more love. He loved us first and demonstrated His love when He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for us. We have all fallen short and do not deserve such a love, but God gives it freely in spite of our failures.

Adoration, trust, and relationship are what He longs for in return.  No amount of words or deeds could compare to the love He has for us, but we can praise and give thanks to Him daily. The greatest commandment is to love Him with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

You need not feel alone ever, because the Lord is your rock to stand on, the strength you require, and the comfort in times of trouble. His love covers all of your needs faithfully.

May these Bible verses about God's love help you realize you are not alone. God loves you deeply, and He is our everything. May God Bless you abundantly.

Old Testament Bible Verses About God's Love:

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations.

~ Deuteronomy 7:9

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

~ Psalm 86:15

Give thanks to the God of gods, for His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever - to Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.

~ Psalm 136:2-3

 

How precious is Your unfailing love, O God!

~ Psalm 36:7

The LORD Your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

                                    ~ Zephaniah 3:17

Help me, LORD my God; save me according to Your unfailing love.

~ Psalm 109:26

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

~ Isaiah 41:10

New Testament Bible Verses About God's Love:

 

We love because He first loved us.

~ 1 John 4:19

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved.

~ Ephesians 2:4-5

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

~ 1 John 4:16

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

~ 1 John 4:7

 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

~ 1 John 4:10

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

Romans 5:8

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

~ John 3:16

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

~ 2 Thessalonians 3:5

 

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.                       ~ 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”                                                         ~ Galatians 2:20

 

Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.                ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7

And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under His mighty hand by casting all your cares on Him because He cares for you.

~ 1 Peter 5:6-7

Please enjoy the above anointed and uplifting song/video (with lyrics) entitled, “You Say” by Lauren Daigle.

 

 

 

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

BE BLESSED!