First Things First – Luke 8:22-25 – Experiencing Inner Peace

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred forty-ninth inspirational message dated Saturday, April 22nd, 2023. The title of this message is “First Things First – Luke 8:22-25 – Experiencing Inner Peace”.

The first three words of this message’s title are also the words of the title of the below inspirational song/video, “First Things First” (with lyrics) as performed by the Christian group “Consumed by Fire”.  The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the twenty-second through the twenty-fifth verses of the 8th chapter of Luke:

Luke 8:22-25

New King James Version - (NKJV)

²² Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. ²³ But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. ²⁴ And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”

Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. ²⁵ But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”

And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

 

The title of this message also includes the words – “Experiencing Inner Peace” – which is the “title” of the late Dr. Charles Stanley’s “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (4/12/23) – which I have included below (Dr. Charles Stanley passed away on 4/18/23 – This message is dedicated to his memory & to his rich legacy as God’s faithful servant and in honor of his ministry of “InTouch Ministries”. Dr. Charles Stanley lived by the motto: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”)

 

Experiencing Inner Peace

 Luke 8:22-25

By the late Dr. Charles Stanley

 

HAVE YOU EVER FALLEN ASLEEP ON A LONG TRIP? Jesus did. Luke tells us that one time Jesus and the disciples got on a boat to reach the other side of a lake, and Jesus fell asleep. The next thing the disciples knew, they were engulfed in a storm, and the one person powerful enough to protect them was blissfully unaware. The disciples panicked and woke Him.

Jesus has promised to give us His peace (John 14:27 see verse below) – this is the very same peace that enabled Him to sleep through a storm. Without His tranquility, we feel helpless and afraid like the disciples. But with it, we can experience inner calm in the midst of hardship.

John 14:27

New King James Version - (NKJV)

²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Believing in God’s sovereignty is the key to a peaceful heart. In their panic, the disciples believed that a sleeping Jesus wasn’t in control of their circumstances. But we must remember that He is always in control – even in times of difficulty. When we rest in the knowledge that God is in charge, we can exchange anxiety for peace.

Jesus doesn’t want us to be weighed down by fear. He wants to share His peace with us. Are you trusting in His control?

By the late Dr. Charles Stanley

 

Also - see the below additional reassuring verses:

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."}

Hebrews 12:1-2

New King James Version - (NKJV)

¹ Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Philippians 4:6-7

New King James Version - (NKJV)

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.       

 

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

May “we” as believers in Jesus Christ -  do as the below song lyrics suggest and “keep the first things first”! 

Let us seek God first (Matthew 6:33 see verse below) and fulfil His will for us:

Matthew 6:33

New King James Version - (NKJV)

³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “First Things First” (with lyrics) as performed by the Christian group “Consumed by Fire” - 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!  

Confidence - Matt. 14:27-33 - In the School of Faith

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred forty-eighth inspirational message dated Friday, April 14th, 2023. The title of this message is “Confidence - Matt. 14:27-33 - In the School of Faith”.

The first word of this message’s title is also the title of the below inspirational song/video, “Confidence” (with lyrics) as performed by the Christian group “Sanctus Real”.  The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the twenty-seventh through thirty-third verses of the 14th chapter of Matthew:

Matthew 14:27-33

New King James Version - (NKJV)

²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

²⁸ And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

²⁹ So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

³³ Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

 

The title of this message also includes the words – “In the School of Faith” – which is the “title” of the Charles Stanley “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (12/31/21) – which I have included below:

 

In the School of Faith

 Matthew 14:22-32

By Charles Stanley

 

Just like the disciples, Jesus is training us to be like Him through His Word and difficult testing that will result in us being tools for His good purpose.

 

Jesus spent time developing His disciples’ faith because He knew it would be essential for the tasks ahead of them. For over three years, the 12 men attended “classes” where Christ was their instructor in both word and action. Sometimes He used verbal instruction, but many of the lessons were taught through demonstrations - such as healing the sick, casting out demons, feeding thousands, and calming the sea. 

At times the disciples’ understanding was slow or faltering, but Christ never gave up on them. He reproved them when they exhibited a lack of trust (see Mark 4:40 below) but also commended progress (see Matthew 16:15-17 below). His objective was to establish their faith so He could accomplish His work in and through them. 

Mark 4:40

New King James Version - (NKJV)

⁴⁰ But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

Matthew 16:15-17

New King James Version - (NKJV)

¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

¹⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

 

The Lord has the same goal for us - to increase our faith so we can do the work He has planned for us (see Ephesians 2:10 below). Faith building is a necessity for every Christian, and God has two primary means of going about this: Scripture tells us what to believe about Him; and tests place us in difficult situations that stretch us to believe and rely on God instead of our own understanding (see Proverbs 3:5 below). Each time we believe Him, our faith grows.

 

Ephesians 2:10

New King James Version - (NKJV)

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

Proverbs 3:5

New King James Version - (NKJV)

     
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;

       

By Charles Stanley

 

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

The below song’s opening lyrics state:

“I’m not a warrior…

I’m too afraid to lose…

I feel unqualified – for what You’re callin’ me to do,

BUT LORD – with YOUR STRENGTH

I’VE GOT NO EXCUSE…

‘CAUSE BROKEN PEOPLE ARE EXACTLY

WHO YOU USE!”

 

The above lyrics (of the below song titled “Confidence”) are confirmed by the below verses that tell of God’s empowerment through His Holy Spirit -

Philippians 4:13

New King James Version - (NKJV)

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

 

Romans 8:31

New King James Version - (NKJV)

³¹What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

 

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.

Romans 8:37

New King James Version - (NKJV)

³⁷ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Holman Christian Standard Bible - (HCSB)

⁶ Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.

 

Let us TRUST in the LORD and be ALL WHO God wants us to be for HIS GLORY!

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “Confidence” (with lyrics) as performed by the Christian group “Sanctus Real” - 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!