Love Me Like I Am – John 16:5-7 – The Best Start

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred eighteenth inspirational message dated Sunday, February 27th, 2022. The title of this message is “Love Me Like I Am – John 16:5-7 – The Best Start”.

The first five words of this message’s title are also the name of the below inspirational song/video, “Love Me Like I Am” (with lyrics) as performed by “for KING & COUNTRY”.  The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the New Testament book of John – the fifth through the seventh verses of the sixteenth chapter:

John 16:5-7

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

⁵ “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ ⁶ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. ⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

  

The title of this message also includes the words – “The Best Start” – which is the “title” of the Charles Stanley “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (2/27/22) – which I have included below:

 

The Best Start

 

 John 16:7

By Charles Stanley

 

       STARTING SOMETHING NEW CAN BE DIFFICULT. Whether it’s a job, a relationship, or a big move, new beginnings come with great uncertainty and require mental, physical and spiritual preparation. Thankfully, believers have everything they need to face the unknown.

      Before the crucifixion, Jesus promised the disciples wouldn’t be left alone – the Holy Spirit would come to live within them. In fact, being indwelled by God’s Spirit would be better than having Jesus Himself in the flesh. As He told them, “It is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7).

      In addition to having the best possible guide, we’ve also been assured that God will supply our needs and equip us to do His will (Phil. 4:19; 2^nd Tim. 3:16-17 - see these verses below).

Philippians 4:19

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

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

 

2nd Timothy 3:16-17

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

So we can confidently move forward with new endeavors, knowing that the Lord will continue to lead and help us. And while most of us would prefer to see the entire path ahead, we can rest in the certainty that God will be present at every turn.

 

By Charles Stanley

 

 

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

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “Love Me Like I Am” (with lyrics) as performed by “for KING & COUNTRY” - sung 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!

You Know My Name – Isaiah 43:1

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred seventeenth inspirational message dated Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022. The title of this message is “You Know My Name – Isaiah 43:1”.

The first four words of this message’s title are also the words in the name of the below inspirational song/video, “You Know My Name” (with lyrics) as performed by Tasha Cobbs Leonard featuring Jimi Cravity. The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the Old Testament book of Isaiah – the first verse of the forty-third chapter:

Isaiah 43:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹ But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.

  

Recently, I was scrolling through YouTube Gospel song favorites and I saw the below video of “You Know My Name” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard featuring Jimi Cravity – and I knew that I just had to stop and listen to this song. I had heard this song sung before, but listening to it “this time” – caused me to stop and reflect on the thought-provoking and touching lyrics. Also, I noticed that the scripture that appeared in the beginning of the song – tied so beautifully with the lyrics of this anointed song.

I listened carefully and thoughtfully to the lyrics and they “touched me” so much…I knew that I would have to share “this” song in my next message. Please read the below first two verses of the forty-third chapter of Isaiah:

Isaiah 43:1-2

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹ But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.

 

After reading the above two verses…

How do these verses make you feel?

Do you feel loved, comforted and safe?

 

God is telling us – “we” – as God’s children are “His” own and we don’t have to fear! We have been redeemed by God as believers in His Son Jesus Christ!

The last two sentences of the first verse of Isaiah 43 state what God is telling us “personally” – that we belong to Him:

 

“I have called you by your name;

You are Mine.

 

PRAISE GOD – WE ARE THE LORD’S!

See the below supporting scriptures:

 

John 1:12

New King James Version

¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 

Psalm 100:3

New King James Version

 

³ Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

 

Psalm 139:13-14

New King James Version

 

¹³ For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

 

Ephesians 2:10

New King James Version

 

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

 

 

“YOU” ARE GOD’S CHILD…

 

YOU ARE HIS OWN!

 

YOU ARE “BELOVED” and God’s “CHOSEN” and “SPECIAL” POSSESSION… (see the below verses):

 

1st Peter 2:9

New King James Version

 

⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

 

Colossians 3:12-13

New King James Version

 

 

¹² So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also.

 

Please remember that GOD IS WITH US, HE WILL STRENGTHEN US, HE LOVES US AND HE WILL PROTECT US -

Isaiah 41:10

New King James Version

¹⁰ 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.’

Jesus promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us – see Hebrews 13:5b below:

Hebrews 13:5b

New King James Version

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

 

Father, thank You so much for Your reassuring voice telling me whose I am and how much I’m loved.

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “You Know My Name” (with lyrics) as performed by Tasha Cobbs Leonard featuring Jimi Cravity sung with power and anointing.

 

Please LISTEN to the lyrics of the below accompanied song. Listen to each word…Meditate and let the words resonate with you…and… let the lyrics remind you that – YOU ARE THE LORD’s!

 

YOU BELONG TO THE LORD!

 

 

(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!

Defender – Matt. 3:17 – The Voice of the Father

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred sixteenth inspirational message dated Thursday, February 17th, 2022. The title of this message is “Defender – Matt. 3:17 – The Voice of the Father”.

The first word of this message’s title is also the name of the below inspirational song/video, “Defender” (with lyrics) as performed by Cecily & Joe L. Barnes for Maverick City Music (Cecily is the soloist).  The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the New Testament book of Matthew – the seventeenth verse of the third chapter:

Matthew 3:17

New International Version (NIV)

 

¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is My son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased."

  

For many years, I have enjoyed reading the daily inspirational messages as provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries in their publications of "OUR DAILY BREAD".  

I recently read the message for the day (for February 11^th, 2022) and found it to be so inspiring, memorable and “thought-provoking”.  

 
 I wanted to share this message with you (see the below message). Our Daily Bread Ministries has the website of:  www.odb.org so that you can read and enjoy life-changing wisdom of daily inspirational messages based on scripture from the Bible. Please read and enjoy:

 

THE VOICE OF THE FATHER

 

"This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased."  – Matthew 3:17

 

Today's Scripture & Insight:

Matthew 3:13-17

 

My friend’s father died recently. When he got sick, his condition deteriorated quickly, and in a matter of days he was gone. My friend and his dad always had a strong relationship, but there were still so many questions to be asked, answers to be sought, and conversations to be had. So many unsaid things, and now his father is gone. My friend is a trained counselor: he knows the ups and downs of grief and how to help others navigate those troubled waters. Still, he told me, “Some days, I just need to hear Dad’s voice, that reassurance of his love. It always meant the world to me.”

A pivotal event at the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry was His baptism at the hands of John. Although John tried to resist, Jesus insisted that moment was necessary so He might identify with humankind: “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15)

Matthew 3:15 (NLT):

¹⁵ But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires”. So John agreed to baptize Him.

 

John did as Jesus asked. And then something happened that proclaimed Jesus’ identity to John the Baptist and the crowd, and it must have also deeply touched Jesus’ heart. The Father’s voice reassured His Son: “This is My Son, whom I love” (Matt 3:17 see above).

That same voice in our hearts reassures believers of His great love for us (1^st John 3:1 see below).

1^st John 3:1 (NLT):

¹ See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know Him.

 

By: John Blase for Our Daily Bread

 

When have you heard the Father’s voice speak reassuring words to you? How can you reach out to others today and encourage them with that same reassurance?

Father, thank You so much for Your reassuring voice telling me whose I am and how much I’m loved.

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “Defender” (with lyrics) as performed by Cecily & Joe L. Barnes for Maverick City Music (Cecily is the soloist) sung 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!

Grace – Ephesians 2:8-10 – Discovering Life’s Purpose

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred fifteenth inspirational message dated Tuesday, February 8th, 2022. The title of this message is “Grace – Ephesians 2:8-10 – Discovering Life’s Purpose”.

The first word of this message’s title is also the name of the below inspirational song/video, “Grace” (with lyrics) as performed by Tasha Cobbs.  The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the New Testament book of Ephesians – the eighth through the tenth verses of the second chapter:

Ephesians 2:8-10

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

  

The title of this message also includes the words – “Discovering Life’s Purpose” – which is the “title” of the Charles Stanley “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (1/13/22) – which I have included below:

 

Discovering Life’s Purpose

 

 Ephesians 2:8-10

By Charles Stanley

 

       WHAT IS MY PURPOSE IN LIFE? Many people today are asking that question, but only those who have trusted Christ as Savior and Lord can ever discover the true answer.  Today’s passage tells us that our salvation is an act of God, and now we’re His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to accomplish what He has prepared for us to do. That is our purpose in life, and it has three components.

1.   SANCTIFICATION is simply ongoing growth in holiness. As we cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work in our life, He transforms our character to be more like the Lord’s and renews our mind with scriptural truth.

2.   STEWARDSHIP is faithful management of the time, talents, spiritual gifts, and treasures God has given us. They are to be used according to His priorities and direction, not for our own self-advancement.

3.   SERVICE Includes things like stimulating spiritual growth, meeting physical needs, and encouraging one another through Scripture. We serve the Lord by ministering to others.

      All this is your purpose in life. But remember, this is not about self-effort; it’s God at work in you. Your part is to avail yourself of all the means He uses to accomplish His goals – His Word, His Spirit, and His church.

 

By Charles Stanley

 

 

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

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “Grace” (with lyrics) as performed by Tasha Cobbs - sung 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!

Heal Us – Psalm 46:1 – In Times of Trouble

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred fourteenth inspirational message dated Tuesday, February 1st, 2022. The title of this message is “Heal Us – Psalm 46:1 – In Times of Trouble”.

The first two words of this message’s title are also the two words in the name of the below inspirational song/video, “Heal Us” (with lyrics) as performed by Blessing Offor for Indelible Grace Music.  The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the Old Testament book of Psalms – the first verse of the forty-sixth chapter:

Psalm 46:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹ God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

  

The title of this message also includes the words – “In Times of Trouble” – which is the “title” of the Charles Stanley “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (1/22/22) – which I have included below:

 

In Times of Trouble

 Psalm 46:1-11

By Charles Stanley

 

       HARD TIMES ARE INEVITABLE IN THIS LIFE.  We will lose loved ones. Some of us will face difficult ailments. We may even be wrongfully accused or mistreated. The range of human suffering is broad, but God is a refuge for those who trust Him.

      Today’s passage speaks of great calamities. We often feel bewildered during such trials, but having an eternal focus lifts us from despair. God is still the sovereign Lord of the universe. The key to dealing with difficulty lies in trusting the One who is in control of all things.

      Our natural impulse is to respond in fear and panic, but the Lord says to trust in Him through the trouble. He also tells us to surrender what we think is right, submitting instead to His plan. Unless our focus remains steady on Jesus, circumstances will overwhelm us.

      What is your response when hardships arise? Consider accepting difficulty as a blessing, and let it deepen your relationship with Christ. Whether your current circumstances are good or painful, remember that a time is coming when God will bring all disasters and wars to an end. In the meantime, He is our stronghold in times of trouble.

 

By Charles Stanley

 

 

Always remember what Jesus said in John 16:33 -

John 16:33

New King James Version - (NKJV)

³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

 

Also - remember to TRUST IN THE LORD – no matter what:

 

Proverbs 3:5-6

New King James Version - (NKJV)

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

⁶In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

 

 

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

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “Heal Us” (with lyrics) as performed by Blessing Offor for Indelible Grace Music - sung 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!