Perfectly Loved – 1st John 4:8 – Ready and Waiting

 

This is “Namma for Christ” with the two hundred forty-fourth inspirational message dated Wednesday, February 1st, 2023.  The title of this message is, “Perfectly Loved – 1^st John 4:8 – Ready and Waiting”.  The first two words of this message’s title are also the words in the name of the below inspirational song/video, “Perfectly Loved” by “Rachael Lampa featuring TobyMac”.
“Perfectly Loved” is a song that I first heard on my favorite Christian radio station - STAR 99.1FM. The below scripture text is what is found in the eighth verse of the fourth chapter of First John.

 

1^st John 4:8

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

 

The title of this message includes the words “Ready and Waiting” – which is taken from the “title” of the Charles Stanley “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (1/29/23) – which I have included below.

 

I knew that this was a message that I wanted to share in my next “Namma for Christ” blog. I hope you find (some of the excerpts) as inspirational as I did:

 

Ready and Waiting

 

       CAN YOU THINK OF A PIVOTAL MOMENT that led to your relationship with Jesus? Most of us can name a special person or set of circumstances that helped us get to know Him. Or perhaps you’re reading this out of curiosity, and you don’t know Him at all. Regardless of what state your relationship with God is in, the fact remains: He loves you and will never give up on you.

Paul writes, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8 see below verse). And John explains that the Lord doesn’t just love us, but He Himself is love (1^st John 4:8 see below verse).

In other words, God doesn’t have to try to love or talk Himself into loving us – it’s simply who He is.

 

Romans 5:8

Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)

 

⁸But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

1st John 4:8

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

⁸He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

 

     No matter what we do, even if it involves deliberate sin against Him or drifting away in apathy, God won’t ever cease to be merciful and loving. He’ll never stop showing up, leaning in, and inviting us to the abundant life found only in Him – a life of peace, freedom, and joy. Whatever you were and are, God has great plans for what you will be, and He’s here for you.

 

By Dr. Charles Stanley

 

Hebrews 13:5b

New King James Version (NKJV)

^5b For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

Jeremiah 29:11

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “Perfectly Loved” by “Rachael Lampa featuring TobyMac” performed with power and anointing.

 

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

 

BE BLESSED!

God Specializes – Psalm 145 – God's Greatness

 

This is “Namma for Christ” with the two hundred forty-third inspirational message dated Saturday, January 14th, 2023.  The title of this message is, “God Specializes – Psalm 145 – God's Greatness”.  The first two words of this message’s title are also the words in the name of the below inspirational song/video, “God Specializes” by “The Roberta Martin Singers”.
“God Specializes” is a song that I first heard sung in my church. The below scripture text is what is found in the first through the third verses of the one hundred forty-fifth Psalm. Also included, is the fourteenth verse from Psalm 145:

 

Psalm 145:1-3

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

I will extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
² Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
³ Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable.

 

Psalm 145:14

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁴ The Lord upholds all who fall,
And raises up all who are bowed down

 

The title of this message includes the words “God’s Greatness” – which is taken from the “title” of the Charles Stanley “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (1/13/23) – which I have included below.

 

I knew that this was a message that I wanted to share in my next “Namma for Christ” blog. I hope you find (some of the excerpts) as inspirational as I did:

 

God’s Greatness:

A Source of Comfort

Psalm 145

 

       NEVER TAKE GOD’S GREATNESS FOR GRANTED, as it’s a source of comfort for all who take refuge in Him. The Lord is immeasurably beyond us in all ways, yet He says, “I dwell in a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit” (Isaiah 57:15 see verse below). If you’re a Christian, He’s your refuge, sustainer and protector.

 

Isaiah 57:15

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁵ For thus says the High and Lofty One
Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,
To revive the spirit of the humble,
And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

 

Comfort and strength for life come as you dwell on God’s amazing attributes.

 

HE IS OMNIPRESENT (Psalm 139:7-12 see verses below). Even when you feel isolated or friendless, you’re not alone. In fact, after placing trust in Jesus, you’ve never been apart from God for so much as a single moment.

 

Psalm 139:7-12

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
¹⁰ Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
¹² Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

 

GOD’S UNDERSTANDING IS INFINITE (Psalm 147:5 see verse below).  He knows everything, including your feelings and needs. You may not understand what’s going on in your life, but the Lord knows and will give the strength and guidance you need.

 

Psalm 147:5

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

⁵ Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.

 

THE LORD NEVER CHANGES (Malachi 3:6 see verse below).  Since His character is constant, you can always trust that He will be faithful, gracious, and merciful to you in every situation.

 

Malachi 3:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

⁶ “For I am the Lord, I do not change;
Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

 

When we recall the greatness of God and meditate on His attributes, our problems become smaller, the Lord becomes greater, and His comfort surrounds and sustains us.

 

By Dr. Charles Stanley

  

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “God Specializes” by “The Roberta Martin Singers” performed with power and anointing.

 

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

 

BE BLESSED!

Thank You – Isa. 26:2-4 – Resting in Jesus

 

This is “Namma for Christ” with the two hundred forty-second inspirational message dated Monday, January 2nd, 2023.  The title of this message is, “Thank You – Isa. 26:2-4 – Resting in Jesus”.  The first two words of this message’s title are also the words in the name of the below inspirational song/video, “Thank You” (with lyrics) by “Walter Hawkins & The Love Center Choir featuring soloist Yvette Flunder”.
“Thank You” is a song that I first heard sung in my church. The below scripture text is what is found in the second through the fourth verses of the twenty-sixth chapter of Isaiah:

 

Isaiah 26:2-4

New Life Version (NLV)

 

² Open the gates, that the nation that is right with God may come in, the one that keeps faithful. ³ You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You. ⁴ Trust in the Lord forever. For the Lord God is a Rock that lasts forever.

 

The title of this message includes the words “Resting in Jesus” – which is the “title” of the Charles Stanley “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (12/26/22) – which I have included below.

I knew that this was a message that I wanted to share in my next “Namma for Christ” blog. I hope you find (some of the excerpts) as inspirational as I did:

 

Resting in Jesus

Isaiah 26:2-4

 

       ALLOWING OURSELVES to dwell on stressful things like war, economic crisis and tragedy invites anxiety. But the Lord has a better way. Jesus assured us that though we would face difficulty, we could rest in Him (see John 16:33 below). However, we cannot trust someone we don’t know. For this reason, we should seek to find out who God is.

     Truths from Scripture are a good place to start. The Bible tells us God is our Lord and Master. He is omnipresent, omniscient, faithful and powerful. He loves unconditionally and offers forgiveness to all who trust His Son as Savior. The Lord adopts believers as His own children and wants the best for every Christian’s life – so much so that He chastises us when we disobey. And He desires that we love Him above everyone and everything else.

     Knowing these facts is only the beginning. As in any relationship, time together fosters closeness. We can read the Bible, pray, meditate on God’s Word, and listen to His Spirit to better understand how He thinks. We can also watch God work in other people’s lives to know His ways.

     Jesus is trustworthy, and He offers rest in the midst of a troubled world. Do you know Him well enough to experience His peace?

 

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.”

By Dr. Charles Stanley

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “Thank You” (with lyrics) by “Walter Hawkins & The Love Center Choir featuring soloist Yvette Flunder” - performed with power and anointing.

 

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

 

BE BLESSED!