Battle Belongs – Psalm 27:1-3 – Conquering Fears

 

This is “Namma for Christ” with the one hundred eighty-second inspirational message dated Saturday, March 27th, 2021. The title of this message is, “Battle Belongs – Psalm 27:1-3 – Conquering Fears”.  “Battle Belongs” (as provided below in the accompanied video – with lyrics) is a song that I first heard on my favorite Christian radio station STAR 99.1FM. I knew that after I heard this song – I knew that I would want to share “this song” in my next message.

 

The below scripture is what King David wrote “in acknowledging the Lord’s power over his fears (and over his enemies) in the 1^st through the 3^rd verses of the twenty-seventh chapter of Psalms.

(These verses also happen to be “favorite verses” of my late grandmother and were “much quoted” by her):

 

Psalm 27:1-3

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
² When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
³ Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.

 

The title of this message also includes the words – “Conquering Fears” – which is similar to the title of the Charles Stanley Daily Devotional for (3/19/21) – which I have included below:

 

How to Conquer Your Fears

Psalm 27:1-3

By Charles Stanley

 

       I’ve walked with the Lord for more than seven decades now. I have read the Bible from cover to cover, preached thousands of sermons, and written pages and pages of study material. But let me tell you: In spite of all that, sometimes I still get scared.

       When fear begins to sink in, I pray harder, study longer, and read my Bible more closely. I decided long ago that I would not let apprehension stop me from doing what God calls me to do. However, before I can take a stand against fear, I have to admit it is there. That’s the key to conquering feelings of anxiety.

       I imagine you, on occasion, may feel frightened too – whether of failure, ridicule, loneliness, or something else entirely. There is no shame in admitting you’re afraid. In the Psalms, in fact, King David makes this confession several times! (See Psalm 34:4 & Psalm 55:4-5). His confessions are often wrapped in prayer, acknowledging the Lord’s power over his fears and his enemies. And these are examples we can follow.

       That same power is available to you today. God wants to cast out the fear and doubt in your life.

Are you willing to go before Him today and say, “Lord, I’m afraid of…”?

By Charles Stanley

 

I pray that you have enjoyed the above message and I pray that you will enjoy the accompanied song.

Always remember God’s awesome LOVE for us – His children. God loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to this earth for us – to redeem us of our sins so that we may have eternal life. See 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.

Always remember that you can cast ALL your cares on the Lord for He cares for us – see the below verse:

1^st Peter 5:7

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

⁷casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

 

In the accompanied song (see below) – Phil Wickham’s lyrics repeat:

 

“And every fear I lay at Your feet,

I’ll sing through the night -

Oh God, the battle belongs to You…”

 

Lastly, always remember - “Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you” – see the below verse:

 

Hebrews 13:5b

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

Please enjoy the below song, “Battle Belongs (with lyrics)” by Phil Wickham - performed with power and anointing.

 

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

 

 (If you can't see the below video: Please scroll down to the end - Under the rectangular box labeled "Home" - please click "View web version". You will automatically be taken to the top of the message - please scroll down to the "end" of the message to view the video. Please press play to enjoy the song/video.)

 

 

BE BLESSED!

Reflection – 2nd Corin. 3:17-18 – Serve God

 

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred eighty-first inspirational message dated Wednesday, March 17th, 2021.  The title of this message is, “Reflection – 2^nd Corin. 3:17-18 – Serve God”.

The scripture for this message comes from the New Testament book of 2^nd Corinthians - the 17^th and 18^th verses of the third chapter. 

2nd Corinthians 3:17-18

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹⁷ For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.

 

The title of this message is also the title of the below inspirational song/video entitled “Reflection” as sung by Christina Aguilera for the soundtrack for the Disney Plus 2020 movie, “Mulan”.  “Mulan” is a movie (released in September 2020) about a fearless young woman who disguises herself as a man to battle northern invaders in China - “to save her ailing father” from serving in the Imperial Army. Although this is a movie – the “lessons” drawn from this movie – can help us apply “similar” lessons in our “own” life stories:

 

For example:

A “leader and a warrior” – does not “only” have to be a “man”

We can “all” be more than what others “see” on the outside

We can each “represent our Heavenly Father” – and be who “He” created us to be

And lastly…

We can “reflect” the gifts and talents that God gave us – for HIS GLORY, our blessing and “to bless others”!

See the below verses:

 

1^st Corinthians 6:19-20

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

 

“Reflection” is defined as:

noun

1.     the act of reflecting, as in casting back a light or heat, mirroring, or giving back or showing an image; the state of being reflected in this way.

2.     an image; representation; counterpart.

3.     a fixing of the thoughts on something; careful consideration.

The “first word” of the title of this message also is used as the “second word” for the below definition – “self-reflection”:

Self-reflection is defined as “meditation or serious thought about one’s character, actions, and motives.” It’s about taking a step back and reflecting on your life, behavior and beliefs.

 

As I watched the Disney Plus movie, “Mulan” -  I was impressed with the “live action movie version” of the 1998 animated version of “Mulan”.

The main character of this movie – “Mulan” – allowed “herself” to be fully used – in all her gifts and talents for the benefit of: her father, her family, her people and “herself”!

Spiritually speaking - I truly believe in Philippians 4:13 –

Philippians 4:13

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

This verse is a verse of - FAITH, PRAISE and CONFIDENCE in the LORD for what HE CAN DO THROUGH HIS HOLY SPIRIT IN US! It also states how we are to view ourselves – in the most positive way for being created by the Hand of God. We are to TRUST in His strengthening us through Jesus Christ who lives inside us – through the Holy Spirit!

The title and lyrics of the below song/video (with lyrics), “Reflection” IS a song of INTROSPECTION and SELF-ACCEPTANCE!  The below BIBLE VERSES all relate to how we should view ourselves and our gifts (according to scripture):

Ephesians 2:10

English Standard Version (ESV)

 

¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Colossians 3:23-24

English Standard Version (ESV)

 

²³ Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

 

Romans 12:6-7

English Standard Version (ESV)

 

⁶ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ⁷ if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;

 

1^st John 4:4

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

⁴ You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video (with lyrics) entitled “Reflection” as sung by Christina Aguilera for the soundtrack for the Disney Plus 2020 movie, “Mulan”.

 

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

 

 (If you can't see the below video: Please scroll down to the end - Under the rectangular box labeled "Home" - please click "View web version". You will automatically be taken to the top of the message - please scroll down to the "end" of the message to view the video. Please press play to enjoy the song/video.)

 

BE BLESSED!

Jericho - Joshua 6:1-2 - Obey God

This is “Namma for Christ” with the one hundred eightieth inspirational message dated Saturday, March 6th, 2021.  The title of this message is, "Jericho - Joshua 6:1-2 - Obey God”.  

The first word of the title, “Jericho” is also the title of the below anointed song/video (with lyrics) by Andrew Ripp. The message’s scripture is below - as found in the Old Testament’s book of Joshua:

 

Joshua 6:1-2

 

New King James Version (NKJV)

Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. ² And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.

 

 

 

Below is the additional scripture text that describes what God told Joshua and what followed in the story of how God instructed -  Joshua to fight “The Battle of Jericho”.  God assured Joshua of a total victory over Jericho before revealing His unusual instructions for the upcoming battle:

 

Joshua 6:1-5

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

6 Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. ² And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. ³ You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. ⁴ And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. ⁵ It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.”

Recently, I was listening to one of my favorite Christian radio stations, 99.1 STAR FM, and I heard the below song, “Jericho”. 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 “klove.com” as written by Lindsay Williams on 11/2/20 – based on a review of the song and its meaning:

 

Song Meaning

 

 

In the below article - Andrew Ripp (the writer and performer of the below song, “Jericho”) describes the meaning and inspiration behind his song:

 

 

Singer/songwriter Andrew Ripp often writes about fear, because it's a feeling that consistently keeps him up at night. His newest song is no exception. "Jericho" inspires hope in the face of uncertainty.

Ripp penned the song, taken from the book of Joshua, with award-winning songwriter Ethan Hulse. The duo also co-wrote the title-cut of Zach Williams' latest album, Rescue Story.

A different perspective on an iconic Bible story provided a nugget of truth that Ripp and Hulse then set to melody.

 

Andrew Ripp explains:

"The story of Jericho has always been super inspiring to me, which is why I wanted to turn it into a song. The part that really draws me in is when God says to Joshua, 'See, I have given you the city.' It wasn't the marching around the walls of Jericho that made them fall, it was the moment Joshua believed God over his circumstance that the city became his. Marching was just an exercise in faith and obedience," Ripp explains of the story behind the fresh track:

 "I have found this to be true over the fears that try to steal my freedom. All I need to do is believe what God says over my circumstance and then obey."

 

"Jericho" serves as a deeply powerful reminder to believe God's Word above all else for the Nashville-based songwriter, who has fought and overcome personal battles over the past decade, including alcoholism and infertility. Ripp celebrated his 12-year sobriety anniversary at the beginning of the year, and he and his wife, Carly, welcomed adopted daughter Frances in 2018.

 

WHAT DOES THIS SAY “TO US” AS BELIEVERS – IN FACING “OUR OWN CHALLENGES AND CIRCUMSTANCES?

 

 “WHEN GOD SAYS IT…BELIEVE IT & OBEY IT!”

 

We must “Walk BY FAITH not by sight” as the below verse reminds us:

 

2^nd Corinthians 5:7

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight.

 

Please read the below passage of scripture that tells you what happened when Joshua and the people obeyed God:

 

Joshua 6: 15-16 & 20

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁵ But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched around the city seven times. ¹⁶ And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!

 

²⁰ So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

 

The SAME GOD that loved, protected, defended and helped Joshua is the SAME GOD that loves, protects, defends and helps US!

 

Please meditate and treasure the great LOVE that God, your Creator and Father in Heaven - has for us!

 

 

God loved us so much – that He gave His Son, Jesus, for us!

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.

 

May we all believe in Jesus, read God’s Word, listen and obey God’s will for us!

 

Please remember:

 

“WHEN GOD SAYS IT…BELIEVE IT & OBEY IT!”

 

Please enjoy the below song, “Jericho” (with lyrics) as performed by Andrew Ripp.

 

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

 

 (If you can't see the below video: Please scroll down to the end - Under the rectangular box labeled "Home" - please click "View web version". You will automatically be taken to the top of the message - please scroll down to the "end" of the message to view the video. Please press play to enjoy the song/video.)

BE BLESSED! 

We’ve Come This Far By Faith – COVID-19 – Joshua 1:9

 

This is “Namma for Christ” with the one hundred seventy-ninth inspirational message dated Monday, March 1st, 2021. The title of this message is, “We’ve Come This Far By Faith – COVID-19 – Joshua 1:9”.  

“We’ve Come This Far By Faith” by Donnie McClurkin (as provided below in the accompanied video) is a song that I first heard performed in my church.  On February 28th, during my church’s “virtual service” (due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic) – I heard the song performed, again, as part of our “Praise and Worship”. I knew that after I heard this song – I knew that I would want to share “this song” in my next message.

The below scripture is what God told Joshua to encourage him after the death of Moses and after Joshua was chosen to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land.

This “same verse” is what God tells us – as believers in Jesus Christ today - to encourage us – no matter what the situation.  This verse - can be found in the book of Joshua - the ninth verse of the first chapter:

 

 

 

Joshua 1:9

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

 

The title of this message also includes the words – “COVID-19 - JOSHUA 1:9” – which is the title of the “Pastors Corner” message as written by “Rev. Edroy ‘Curt’ Curtis” – President of the Greater Havre Area Ministerial Association, Chaplain of the Northern Montana Care Center and Lead Pastor of the Havre Assembly of God Church for (3/20/20) – which I have included below:

 

COVID-19

Joshua 1:9

By Rev. Edroy ‘Curt’ Curtis

   

For this week’s religious article, I was going to share a “Serve” verse of Scripture. But when I arrived in my office one of the mornings this week and checked my email and notifications of Facebook posts, I came across one that I wanted to share with you. Here it is:

 

COVID-19

 

Christ Over Viruses and Infectious Diseases

 

 

Joshua 1:9

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

 

 

 

Now, let me expound on what you see above:

Joshua was the new leader of the Israelites. Moses, his mentor, was now dead, and Joshua was appointed to lead in Moses’ place. Well, no one could replace Moses or “fill his shoes” — so to speak. Joshua was a bit unsure how things were going to go from this point forward for the Israelites. In the midst of this uncertainty, God spoke to Joshua. As God spoke to Joshua then, I believe God also wants to speak to us now.

 

“Have I not commanded you?” — God had put Joshua in his leadership position and God was leading him and would lead him.

 

 Before the coronavirus outbreak, wasn’t God leading us and directing us? Well, guess what? God still is leading us and guiding us — that has not changed one bit!

 

“Be strong and courageous.” — In his uncertainty of his leadership and the overall future of the Israelite people, God encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous. We, at this time, are facing what could be an uncertain future. Our present times certainly are uncertain: doing whatever we can to help contain a virus that has spread across the world — school closures for a time; discouraged meetings with a people count of over 10, etc. Yet, in the midst of this uncertain future, God encourages us to be strong and courageous and with His help, we can do just that!

“Do not be frightened” — God knew that this was a normal response to Joshua’s situation, but God encouraged an opposite response. Instead of being frightened, God instructed Joshua to be strong and courageous. As the leader of the Israelites, they needed to see a different response from him than the norm — being frightened. It is normal, in the midst of this coronavirus, to be frightened, but God encourages us to respond differently — to be strong and courageous.

 

The people of the world need to see Christ’s followers not shuddering in fright, but resting in God with His strength and courage.

 

“and do not be dismayed” — This is another normal response, but being dismayed over a long period of time can lead to deep depression, which leads to a whole host of other physical and emotional concerns. So, again God encourages the opposite response—instead of being dismayed and losing hope, be strong and courageous. We can battle dismay with God’s strength and courage!

 

“for the Lord your God” — Here is the reason why God encourages these opposite-to-normal responses—He is our Lord — master, boss, the one calling the shots — and He is our God — we are trusting in Him, not ourselves. I want to encourage you, during these uncertain times, if you are not yet trusting in God as your Lord, now is the time to make that change in your life. God will help you and bring the strength and courage that you need during this time.

 

“for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Here is further reasoning for our strength and courage: God is with us wherever we go. Where are we going right now? We don’t necessarily know, with all of what is going on with the spread of the coronavirus. What we do know is that, no matter what happens, our God is with us — and guess what? That can be and should be enough for us to face this uncertain future with the strength and the courage that God commands.

So, how about it? Shall we face COVID-19 with JOSHUA 1:9? Shall we deal with fright and dismay with the strength and courage that God prescribes? Shall we face an uncertain future, knowing that God is with us no matter what? Yes, yes, and yes — we indeed shall! Amen!

 

By Rev. Edroy ‘Curt’ Curtis

(Please note - Until this pandemic is totally eradicated - Please remember to: still wear your masks and keep 6 feet socially distanced from others - not in your household). Thank you.

I pray that you have enjoyed the above message and I pray that you will enjoy the accompanied song.

“Both” reflect God’s LOVE for us – His children.

WE CAN TRUST IN THE LORD because “WE’VE COME THIS FAR BY FAITH!”

 

Please enjoy the below song, “We’ve Come This Far By Faith – I Will Trust in the Lord - Medley” by Donnie McClurkin - performed with power and anointing.

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

 

 (If you can't see the below video: Please scroll down to the end - Under the rectangular box labeled "Home" - please click "View web version". You will automatically be taken to the top of the message - please scroll down to the "end" of the message to view the video. Please press play to enjoy the song/video.)

 

 

BE BLESSED!