This is “Namma for Christ” with the one
hundred sixty-first inspirational message dated Saturday, April 11th, 2020. The title of this message is, “Way Maker – 1st
Peter 5:10”. “Way Maker” by the Nigerian
gospel singer/songwriter “Sinach” is a song that I first heard while searching
on my phone for a song to include with this “Namma for Christ” message. This song (as provided above) has powerful
lyrics (included in the video) and has a beautiful harmony - which is why I
included this song with this message. The below scripture is what Peter wrote in the
1st book of Peter, the tenth verse of the fifth chapter:
1st Peter 5:10
New International Version (NIV)
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
As a Christian believer – I have suffered depression, before. Many people will tell you that it is wrong for a Christian to suffer this illness …but I believe that God sometimes allows “suffering” in a believer’s life to humble them and thereby allowing them to submit to God for healing. Also, when we – as believers “come to the end” of ourselves – we increase in our dependence on the Lord. It was when I was at “my worst”, that many times I experienced the tender closeness of God’s comfort, His "unconditional love and His acceptance of me" - by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In experiencing various trials and challenges, many times - I had to get “myself” out of “the way”! I had to FOCUS on “WHO” was the WAY, THE TRUTH and the LIFE - (as the below verse states):
John 14:6
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Through my darkest and lowest moments, I realized I had to stop focusing “inward” at my feelings and my “understanding”…I needed to do what Proverbs 3:5-6 stated – (see below)
Proverbs 3:5-6
New King James Version (NKJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
In retrospect, I realized that my biggest problem
was that I was looking “inward” and not “outward”. I needed to stop trying to figure things out “for
myself” and I had to stop “leaning on my own understanding” – I had to TRUST IN
GOD and cast all my care on Him!
I had blamed myself for poor choices and
wrong decisions that “I made”! As a result, my anger turned inward at myself – thus,
creating my depression and low self-esteem. God never intended for me to “carry
my own burdens – 1st Peter 5:7 reminds me that Jesus is my burden
bearer:
1st Peter 5:7
New King James Version (NKJV)
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
So, TAKE HEART Beloved – We may suffer…sometimes…we
may get sad or disappointed. We may get “down” or even “depressed” – once in a
while- but, just don’t STAY there! Look
to Jesus – Jesus is the Answer – Jesus is THE WAY! Pray to our Lord and seek
Him:
Matthew 11:28
New King James Version (NKJV)
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Also remember – God is not done with you, yet…after your suffering…God will make you strong, firm and steadfast:
1st Peter 5:10
New International Version (NIV)
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Jesus is OUR WAY MAKER!
Please
enjoy the above song, “Way Maker” by Sinach (with lyrics) - performed with power and
anointing.
(I do not own the rights to this song).
BE
BLESSED!
