O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – Isaiah 9:6-7

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred sixty-first inspirational message dated Thursday, December 21st, 2023. The title of this message is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – Isaiah 9:6-7”.

The first five words of this message’s title are also the words of the title of the below anointed song/video, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” as performed by “for KING and COUNTRY”.

The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the sixth and seventh verses of the ninth chapter of Isaiah:

Isaiah 9:6-7

New King James Version - (NKJV)

⁶ For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

 

 

 

The title of this message includes the words – “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” – which is the “title” of the late Dr. Charles Stanley’s “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (Dec. 18^th, 2023) – which I have included below (Dr. Charles Stanley passed away on 4/18/23). Dr. Charles Stanley was the founder of the “In Touch” daily devotional. Those who work on behalf of this daily devotional are continuing its publication - as it ministers to readers around the world. I recently read the below message and wanted to share this message in “Namma for Christ”.

 

 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

  Isaiah 7:14; Matt. 1:23

 

      AT CHRISTMASTIME, we sing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”, a hymn that includes ancient chants known as the “O Antiphons”. (An antiphon is a phrase or verse from Scripture, often from the Psalms, historically sung during worship.) In 6^th-century worship, each “O” was followed by a messianic title: Emmanuel, Root of Jesse, Dayspring, Key of David, Lord of Might, Desire of Nations. These names for the Savior remind us that in Jesus, God fulfilled the hopes of His people. And we can observe His faithfulness both historically and in the present, with hope for the future.

      The hymn hinges on the name Emmanuel (or Immanuel), meaning “God with us” (see Matt. 1:23 below)

Matthew 1:23

New King James Version - (NKJV)

²³ “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

As John says, “The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (see John 1:14 below).

John 1:14

New King James Version - (NKJV)

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

 

Jesus is not merely a good teacher or prophet – He is God Incarnate, the wisdom of God in human form. That truth is the foundation of our hope.

      As we try to embody Jesus’ teachings, our prayer should be to walk as His wise followers in the world (see Ephesians 5:15 below).

Ephesians 5:15

New King James Version - (NKJV)

 ¹⁵ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise

 

That means living faithfully in a kingdom that is both here now and still to come. We also pray that our Emmanuel will draw many
people – “from every tribe, language,… and nation” (see Revelation 5:9 below) – to Himself, until the whole earth is filled with the knowledge of God’s glory (see Habakkuk 2:14 and Psalm 72:19 below).

Revelation 5:9

New King James Version - (NKJV)

⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:

 

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

 

 

 

Habakkuk 2:14

New King James Version - (NKJV)

¹⁴ For the earth will be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
As the waters cover the sea.

 

Psalm 72:19

New King James Version - (NKJV)

¹⁹ And blessed be His glorious name forever!
And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen and Amen.

 

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

 

Please enjoy the below song/video, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” as performed by “for KING and COUNTRY” 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!

 

Hold On – 2nd Cor. 4:7 – His Strength in Our Weakness

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred sixtieth inspirational message dated Thursday, December 7^th, 2023. The title of this message is “Hold On – 2^nd Cor. 4:7 – His Strength in Our Weakness”. The first two words of the title of this message are also the first two words of the below song/video by Christian artist “Katy Nichole”, entitled – “Hold On”.  The scripture for this message is found in the seventh verse of the fourth chapter of 2^nd Corinthians – as found in the New Testament book as written by the Apostle Paul.

2^nd Corinthians 4:7

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

 

Recently, I read my church school lesson (on December 6th, 2023) as found in the lesson book from the “Echoes Church School Publications” and the lesson’s title was - "His Strength in Our Weakness".  Immediately, this caught my attention, because this “title” reminded me of one of my favorite verses – 2^nd Corinthians 12:9 (see below):

2^nd Corinthians 12:9

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

  When I was a child attending Church School, one of the most familiar Bible stories I remember learning was that of – “David and Goliath”.  Upon reading my upcoming church school lesson – I found that it, too, was based on the story of “David and Goliath”. The scripture text of the lesson was taken from the Old testament scripture of 1^st Samuel 17:31-37, 1^st Samuel 17:45 and 1^st Samuel 17:48-50. Below are the passages of the lesson’s scripture (New King James Version):

1^st Samuel 17

³¹ Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. ³² Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

³³ And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

³⁴ But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, ³⁵ I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. ³⁶ Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” ³⁷ Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

⁴⁵ Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

⁴⁸ So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. ⁴⁹ Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. ⁵⁰ So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David.

Below is the text of the church school lesson book’s message entitled:

 

“His Strength in Our Weakness”

 

In the story of David (the shepherd boy), his reliance on God stands out. He relied fully on God’s strength and power. David didn’t let his youth or lack of armor and weapons stop him. Our weakness is never God’s weakness. His strength can carry us through even the most impossible-looking situations. David used what he had at hand and trusted that God would use it for His glory. That is, we, like David, are weak that we might be a vessel, a “treasure in jars of clay” (2^nd Cor. 4:7 see above verse), to display God’s strength and power to deliver those who call on Him.

We see David’s dependence on God in his thoughts, words and actions. More than once in this scene he refers to the living Lord, the God of Israel. His trust and confidence in God’s strength began during his shepherding experience, as he delivered sheep from the mouths of their enemies.

David had many days and nights to practice with his slingshot and also to grow in relationship with God. Based on his experiences, he made a connection that God would help him defeat this enemy of the Israelites. He told anyone who would listen (and even those who wouldn’t!) that God would win the battle. He had complete confidence in the Lord’s strength and ability to defeat Goliath. David’s goal was not only victory, but that God would be glorified.

In God’s Strength

David placed his faith in God’s strength, not his own. He was not matched physically for Goliath – but God was. When we face the Goliaths in our lives, we need to remember that God is bigger than any problem we have. He will give us the strength, through the Holy Spirit, to forge ahead in faith to whatever He wants us to do, whatever Goliath that He wants us to overcome.

 

I pray that this message may encourage someone else reading this. We ALL may go through difficult times (during our lives), but don’t get discouraged – GOD is with us! The battle is not ours, but the Lord’s. See the below verse from 1^st Samuel 17:47a –

“The Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s…”

 

Also, REMEMBER 1^st John 4:4 says - 

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) by Christian artist “Katy Nichole”, entitled “Hold On” – 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!

I See Grace – Psalm 66:16 – Tell of God’s Goodness

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred fifty-ninth inspirational message dated Thursday, November 16th, 2023. The title of this message is “I See Grace – Psalm 66:16 – Tell of God’s Goodness”.

The first three words of the title are also the words of the name of the below inspirational song/video, "I See Grace" (with lyrics) as sung by the Christian artist, “Micah Tyler”.  The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the Old Testament book of Psalms - the sixteenth verse of the sixty-sixth chapter:

Psalm 66:16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ Come and hear, all you who fear God; Let me tell you what He has done for me.

 

 

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 November 16th, 2023) 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:

 

Tell of God’s Goodness

 

²⁸ Let me tell you what He has done for me.  Psalm 66:16

 

Today's Scripture & Insight:

Psalm 66:5-12,16-20

Testimony time was the segment in our church service when people shared how God had been at work in their lives. Auntie—or Sister Langford as she was known by others in our church family—was known for packing lots of praise into her testimonies. On the occasions when she shared her personal conversion story, one could expect her to take up a good bit of the service. Her heart gushed with praise to God who’d graciously changed her life! Similarly, the testimony of the writer of Psalm 66 is packed with praise as he testifies about what God had done for His people. “Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!” (verse 5). His deeds included miraculous rescue (verse 6), preservation (verse 9), and testing and discipline that resulted in His people being brought to a better place (verses 10–12). While there are God-experiences that we have in common with other believers in Jesus, there are also things unique to our individual journeys. Have there been times in your life when God has particularly made Himself known to you? Those are worth sharing with others who need to hear how He’s worked in your life. “Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me” (verse 16 – see above).

 

By: Arthur Jackson

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “I See Grace” (with lyrics) as sung by the Christian artist, “Micah Tyler” – 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!

Jesus Does – Matthew 6:33 – Keep God First

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred fifty-eighth inspirational message dated Monday, November 6th, 2023. The title of this message is “Jesus Does – Matthew 6:33 – Keep God First”.

The first two words of this message’s title are also the words of the title of the below anointed song/video, “Jesus Does” (with lyrics) as performed by the Christian group “We the Kingdom”.

The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the thirty-third verse of the sixth chapter of Matthew:

Matthew 6:33

Amplified Bible - (AMP)

³³ But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

 

For many years, I have enjoyed reading the inspirational messages as provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries in their publications of "OUR DAILY BREAD" and I’ve also enjoyed reading Charles Stanley’s Intouch daily devotionals. On the early morning of November 3^rd, 2023 – I had an inspirational message of my own that I feel God led me to share.

 
 I wanted to share this message with you (see the below message) – because of the Godly influence of my late grandmother – whom all the grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren in our family affectionately called “Nana”. 

 KEEP GOD FIRST

 

³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matt. 6:33

 

When I was 11-years old and in the fifth grade – I wrote an essay about who I wanted to be like when I grew up – I chose my grandmother – my “Nana”.  All throughout my childhood, my grandmother was the matriarch of our family – and the person “who could quote many scriptures - by heart”!  My “Nana” – had served God faithfully (for over 60 years) in many roles in our AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church: she was a teacher, an evangelist, a stewardess, the Superintendent of our Church School, a steward, a missionary and an ordained Deaconess. She could pray – and get a “prayer through” – as some of the older members of our church would fondly say about her. She was so humble in her relationship with Jesus and was never ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! She LOVED reading, hearing and teaching the Word of God! She would testify (about the goodness of God) during the devotional time during our church services, at family gatherings or even if she met someone during her many walks downtown (when she was able to – before her age/illness prevented her to). She lived to be 99 years old. She passed away peacefully at home, in her sleep, on July 19^th, 2019 – after being bedridden (for about a year and a half.)

Today – I am “still” inspired by my grandmother and how she lived her life “unashamedly” for the Glory of God!

She would tell me and all who would listen – to “KEEP GOD FIRST”! This “phrase” was one of her favorite sayings! The above verse from Matthew 6:33 is a verse that she would always “reiterate to us” to REMIND us of what the LORD would have us ALL to do – TO KEEP GOD FIRST: in our lives, in our decision-making, and in Whom we should put our trust in!

God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to redeem us of our sins – (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.

 

My grandmother “lived” out her faith – and she encouraged so many others to do so, as well! She exemplified what is found in 2^nd Corinthians 5:20 as being an "ambassador for Christ" (see verse below)! May we all allow God’s Holy Spirit to dwell in us to glorify Jesus with our lives!

2^nd Corinthians 5:20

New King James Version - (NKJV)

²⁰ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 is another passage of scripture (which was one of my Nana’s favorites) that reminds us to TRUST in the Lord –

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.

 

May my dear, loving grandmother continue to rest in Heavenly peace with Jesus…

 

MAY WE ALL SEEK GOD FIRST!

 

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

 

Please enjoy the below anointed song/video, “Jesus Does” (with lyrics) as performed by the Christian group “We the Kingdom” 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! 

Listen to this Intouch message - Nov. 5, 2023 - by Charles Stanley (I don't own rights to this msg)

Click to listen to message:

Somebody To You – Psalm 37:1-6 – Surrendering to God

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred fifty-seventh inspirational message dated Wednesday, November 1st, 2023. The title of this message is “Somebody To You – Psalm 37:1-6 – Surrendering to God”.

The first three words of this message’s title are also the words of the title of the below anointed song/video, “Somebody To You” (with lyrics) as performed by Rachel Lampa featuring Andrew Ripp.

The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the first through the sixth verses of the thirty-seventh chapter of Psalms:

Psalm 37:1-6

New King James Version - (NKJV)

¹ Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
² For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.

³ Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
⁴ Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
⁶ He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.

 

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 October 23rd, 2023) 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:

 

 SURRENDERING TO GOD

 

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.  Psalm 37:5

 

Today's Scripture & Insight:

Psalm 37:1-6 

God doesn’t help those who help themselves; He helps those who trust in and rely on Him. Jonathan Roumie – the actor who plays Jesus in the successful TV series The Chosen, which is based on the Gospels – realized this in May 2018. Roumie had been living in Los Angeles for eight years, was nearly broke, had enough food just for the day, and had no work in sight. Not knowing how he would make it, the actor poured out his heart and surrendered his career to God. “I literally [prayed] the words, ‘I surrender, I surrender’.” Later that day, he found four checks in the mail and three months later, he was cast for the role of Jesus in The Chosen. Roumie found that God will help those who trust in Him.

Rather than being envious of and fretting over those “who are evil” (Psalm 37:1 - see verse above), the psalmist invites us to surrender everything to God. When we center our daily activities on Him, “trust in [Him] and do good,” “take delight in [Him]” (Psalm 37:3-4 - see verses above), and surrender to Him all our desires, problems, anxieties, and the daily events of our lives, God will direct us and give us peace (Psalm 37:5-6 - see verses above). As believers in Jesus, it’s vital for us to let Him determine what our lives should be.

Let’s surrender and trust God. As we do, He’ll take action and do what’s necessary and best.

By Marvin Williams for “Our Daily Bread”

 

Reflect & Pray

 

What parts of your life are off limits to God these days?

What will it mean for you to surrender your life to Him today?

Dear God, please help me to surrender to You freely today and experience Your life and peace.

 

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

 

Please enjoy the below anointed song/video, “Somebody To You” (with lyrics) as performed by Rachel Lampa featuring Andrew Ripp 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!