Saturday, July 16, 2022

The Father’s House – Acts 16:31 – The Whole House


This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred twenty-ninth inspirational message dated Saturday, July 16th, 2022. The title of this message is “The Father’s House – Acts 16:31 – The Whole House”.

The first three words of this message’s title are also the words in the name of the below inspirational song/video, “The Father’s House” (with lyrics) as performed by Christian artist “Cory Asbury”.  The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the New Testament book of Acts – the thirty-first verse of the sixteenth chapter:

Acts 16:31

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 

31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

  

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 July 15th, 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 WHOLE HOUSE

 

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.  – Acts 16:31

 

Today's Scripture & Insight:

Acts 16:22-34

 

Wearing his striped jumpsuit, James walked across the steamy jail gym and climbed into the portable pool where he was baptized by the prison chaplain. James’ joy multiplied, however, when he heard that his daughter Brittany – also an inmate – had been baptized that same day…in the same water! When they realized what had happened, even the staff got emotional. “There wasn’t a dry eye,” the chaplain said. In and out of jail for years, Brittany and her dad both wanted God’s forgiveness. And together, God gave them new life.

Scripture describes another prison encounter – this time with a jailer – where Jesus’ love transformed an entire family. After a “violent earthquake” shook the prison and “the prison doors flew open,” Paul and Silas didn’t run but remained in their cell (see Acts 16:26-28 below). The jailer, overcome with gratitude that they didn’t flee, took them to his house and eventually asked that life-changing question: “What must I do to be saved?” (see Acts 16:30 below)

“Believe in the Lord Jesus,” they answered, “you and your household” (see Acts 16:31 above). The response reveals God’s desire to pour out mercy on not only individuals but also entire families. Encountering God’s love, they all came “to believe in God – [the jailer] and his whole household” (see Acts 16:34 below). Though we’re often eager for the salvation of those we love, we can trust that God loves them even more than we do. He desires to renew all of us, our whole house.

Acts 16:22-34

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 

22 The crowd joined in an attack against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. 23 When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; 24 and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 Now about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were unfastened. 27 When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” 29 And the jailer asked for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas; 30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of God to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and was overjoyed, since he had become a believer in God together with his whole household.

 

By: Winn Collier for Our Daily Bread

 

What difference does it make to consider how God reaches out to whole families? How can you trust God’s mercy for your family?

Dear God, please reveal Yourself to my whole family.

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “The Father’s House” (with lyrics) as performed by Christian artist “Cory Asbury” 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!






Wednesday, July 6, 2022

See Me Through It – 2nd Timothy 4:6-8 – Live Intentionally

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred twenty-eighth inspirational message dated Wednesday, July 6th, 2022. The title of this message is “See Me Through It – 2nd Timothy 4:6-8 – Live Intentionally”.

The first four words of this message’s title are also the words in the name of the below inspirational song/video, “See Me Through It” (with lyrics) as performed by Christian artist “Brandon Heath”.  The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the New Testament book of Second Timothy – the sixth through the eighth verses of the fourth chapter:

2nd Timothy 4:6-8

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

 

The above verses are significant and “special” to me – because they are the “same” verses that my pastor used in the eulogy at my grandmother’s funeral (approximately 3 years ago - she passed away on 7/19/19). Many of the messages that I write in this “Namma for Christ” blog reference my grandmother’s profound influence on me and my upbringing. I, truly, would not be the person I am, today - if she hadn’t played a major role in my life. I pray that in some way – I may “positively” impact people - the way that my dear grandmother “positively” impacted people - for the Lord’s Glory.  I truly believe my grandmother “lived her life intentionally” – for the cause of Christ!

May we all live our lives intentionally to bring God Glory! Please read and enjoy:

The title of this message also includes the words “Live Intentionally – which is the “title” of the Charles Stanley “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (6/30/22) – which I have included below:

 

Live Intentionally

 

  2nd Timothy 4:6-8

By Charles Stanley

 

WE ALL WANT TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST, but to do that, we must have goals to aim for. Few of us actually take the time to consider where we’re going. How tragic it would be to finish our life and find out we were on a course other than God’s, fighting the wrong fight and struggling to keep the faith.

The apostle Paul is a good role model for living life to the fullest. His goals were to know Christ, abide in His power, fellowship in His suffering, and preach the gospel (Phil. 3:10; 1st Cor. 1:17 - see these verses below).

Philippians 3:10

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

 

1st Corinthians 1:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

 

Paul aligned his aspirations with the Lord’s, diligently worked to fulfil his calling, and persevered through suffering. He could face the end of his life with confidence since he’d “fought the good fight…finished the course…[and] kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4: 7 – see this verse above).

If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’ve been getting. Don’t settle for the mediocrity of an unplanned life. Set aside some time this week to get alone with the Lord. Then ask for His help in setting goals that will take you where He wants you to go. Consider every area of your life – personal, relational, financial, and vocational – but make spiritual goals your primary emphasis.

Let God help you change direction so you can pursue things that align with His will. Then start living intentionally.

 

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “See Me Through It” (with lyrics) as performed by Christian artist “Brandon Heath” 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!