This is “Namma for Christ” with the one
hundred fifty-ninth inspirational message dated Wednesday, February 12th, 2020.The title of this message is, "More Than
Anything – Phil. 2:9-13 – Fully Submitted”.I first heard this song in my church and I loved it – so I decided to
share this song with this uplifting and inspirational “In Touch - Daily Devotional” message as written by Dr. Charles
Stanley.
The first three words of the title are also
the title of the above anointed song/video “More Than Anything” (with lyrics)
by Anita Wilson. The message’s scripture is below as found in the New
Testament’s book of Philippians:
Philippians 2:9-13
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted
Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have
always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work
out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for
it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
“Fully Submitted”
by Dr. Charles Stanley
2/10/2020
The Bible tells
us that though Jesus was “in very nature God” (Phil. 2:6 NIV), He left heaven
to come to earth, where He lived in submission to His Father’s plans. Giving
the Father complete control over everything He did, the Son held nothing
back—not even His life, which He sacrificed on the cross for our sake.
Why did Jesus do
this? Because He had perfect trust in His Father—He knew that God has sovereign
control over everything and that all His decisions are good, as they are based
on divine love, mercy, and justice. He was also certain that God always takes into
account what is best for us, and His will is to lead His children towards
repentance and growth. Jesus obeyed to bring glory to the Father’s name (John 17:4).
John 17:4
New King James Version (NKJV)
4 I have glorified You on the earth.I have finished the workwhich You have given Me to do.
We are to live
the same way—surrendered to God’s will. This means acknowledging that He has
the right to order our life, and we are to give Him control over every aspect,
including finances, family, friends, and fun.
By submitting to
God, we declare our trust in Him and our willingness to accept whatever He
sends us—riches or poverty, health or sickness, marriage or singleness. Full
submission is how we glorify the Father, grow in Him, and receive His favor.
Please
enjoy the above song, “More Than Anything” (with lyrics) by Anita Wilson
performed with power and anointing.
This is “Namma for Christ” with the one
hundred fifty-eighth inspirational message dated Friday, February 7th, 2020.The title of this message is, "Reckless
Love 2 – Luke 15:7”.This message was
originally written on March 21st, 2018. Recently, a newer version of
the song, “Reckless Love” was released by Cory Asbury featuring Tori Kelly.
I heard this newer, updated version of the
song and I loved it – so I decided to share the same message with this newer, updated
“2020 version of the song”.
The first two words of the title are also
the title of the above anointed song/video (with lyrics) by Cory Asbury
featuring Tori Kelly. The message’s scripture is below as found in the New
Testament’s book of Luke:
Luke 15:7
New Living Translation (NLT)
7 In the same way, there is
more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than
over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
Recently, I was listening to one of my favorite Christian
radio stations, 99.1 STAR FM, and I heard the above song, “Reckless Love”. I
wanted to further research the song’s meaning, therefore I searched the
internet – and below is what I found.
The below excerpt was taken from “Churchfront.com” as
written by Jake Gosselin on 11/8/17 – based
on a review of the song and its meaning:
Song Meaning
Cory Asbury (the writer and performer of the
above song) used the word “reckless” to describe God’s love:
Verse 1 highlights that God created us and
gives us life. Verse 2 focus on how God redeems us--despite the fact we were
His enemies and rebellious in our sinfulness. God is good. God is kind. These
verses are simple, but I love how Cory crafted these lyrics. “When I was Your
foe, still Your love fought for me.” “When I felt no worth, You paid it all for
me.”
See Romans 5:8 below -
Romans 5:8
New King James Version (NKJV)
8 But
God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
The song's bridge continues to emphasize the
theme of God’s love using the word “reckless”. It paints the picture of God
pursuing His children like Liam Neeson in (the 2008 movie) Taken who
goes to the most extreme measures to rescue his daughter and kill the bad guys.
Is God’s Love Reckless?
The chorus focuses on how incredible it is
that God loves us and pursues us. The term “Reckless” has gotten a lot of
attention. In all seriousness, there are a few reasons why I have no issue with
the term “Reckless” in describing God’s love.
·The definition - (of a person or their actions) without
thinking or caring about the consequences of an action. While in most contexts
this song has negative connotations (reckless driving) the word reckless itself
does not necessarily carry negative connotations on its own.
·Biblical support - Cory wrote this song with the parables
in Luke 15 in mind. Do you know how “reckless” it was for the Father to receive
the Prodigal Son back into His house! He did not care about the consequences of
what other people thought of this act of love. Same thing with the parable of
the lost sheep. Why would a shepherd not care about the safety of the 99 to go
find the one?
Luke 15:4-7
New Living Translation (NLT)
4 “If a man has a hundred
sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the
ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost
until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully
carry it home on his shoulders.6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and
neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In
the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and
returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t
strayed away!
·Oh, and another example of biblical support is 1
Corinthians 1:18, where Paul writes the message of the cross is “foolishness”
to the world. You know what word is similar to “foolishness”? Reckless.
1 Corinthians 1:18
New King James Version (NKJV)
18 For the message of the
cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved
it is the power of God
Read
what Cory Asbury wrote about this on his Facebook page. Here is an excerpt from
what he said:
"When I use the
phrase, “the reckless love of God”, I’m not saying that God Himself is
reckless. I am, however, saying that the way He loves, is in many regards,
quite so. What I mean is this: He is utterly unconcerned with the consequences
of His actions with regards to His own safety, comfort, and well-being. His
love isn’t crafty or slick. His love bankrupted heaven for you. His love
doesn’t consider Himself first. His love isn’t selfish or self-serving. He
doesn’t wonder what He’ll gain or lose by putting Himself out there. He simply
gives Himself away on the off-chance that one of us might look back at Him and
offer ourselves in return."
Below is a verse that describes
God’s unselfish, all-encompassing, all-inclusive and GREAT LOVE for ALL who
believe in His Son - Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
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.
Our Lord wants ALL to come to HIM – He
wishes that no one perish - see the below verse:
2 Peter 3:9
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 The
Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but
is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all
should come to repentance.
The song, “Reckless Love” is a song that was
based on God’s deep love for us - as based on the scripture found in Luke
15:4-7 (The Parable of the Lost Sheep).
The “Parable of the Lost Sheep” is a story
told by Jesus to illustrate the audacious and overwhelming LOVE and COMPASSION
that God has for those who are HIS. We serve a Good Shepherd whose heart is for
us – His children to be found, rescued and renewed! Read below of God’s LOVE
for us:
1 John 4:9-11
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 In
this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only
begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that
we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the
propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we
also ought to love one another.
God LOVES you!
He wants what is BEST for you!
NOTHING is TOO HARD for GOD!
GOD IS IN CONTROL – PRAY and TRUST HIM with your life and
EVERYTHING that you are going through!
LET GO and LET GOD!
Philippians 4:6-7 states –
Philippians 4:6-7
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known to God; 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Please enjoy the above song, “Reckless Love”
(with lyrics) as performed by Cory Asbury featuring Tori Kelly. Please meditate
and treasure the great LOVE that God, your Creator and Father in Heaven - has
for you! God loved you so much – that He gave His Son for you!
