Jesus Is My Help – John 15 – RESOLVING TO DO LESS

This is “Namma for Christ” with the two hundred ninety-ninth inspirational message dated Monday, January 12th, 2026.  The title of this message is, “Jesus Is My Help – John 15 – RESOLVING TO DO LESS”.  The first four words of the title of this message are also the same four words in the title of the below anointed song/video, “Jesus Is My Help” by “Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Choir”. The message’s scripture is below as found in the 4^th through the 12^th verses of the 15^th chapter  of John:

John 15:4-12

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

⁹ “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

¹¹ “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. ¹² This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

 

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 December 31st, 2025) 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:

 

RESOLVING TO DO LESS 

⁵Apart from Me - you can do nothing.

John 15:5 (NIV)

 

Today's Scripture & Insight:

John 15:4-12

 

                    When we think about New Year’s resolutions, what probably comes to mind is a list of lofty ambitions we rarely achieve (80% of New year’s resolutions are already abandoned by mid-February). Author Amy Wilson suggests a better idea might be to reject entirely “the idea that we have to fix ourselves before our lives can get better.” Wilson suggests that, instead of adding commitments, we see the new year as an opportunity to do less, to finally “start saying no” to some of the “oversized and ongoing commitments that take our time and energy without giving us much in return.”

           In a world of constant pressure to do and be more, it can be easy to miss the radically different rhythm of life Jesus invited His disciples into – one of abiding in Him. In John 15, Jesus described Himself as “the true vine” (see verse 1) and His disciples as “the branches” (see verse 5).

           Vine branches don’t grow through working harder but through the nourishment received from the vine. So, too, the growth we long for can only be experienced when we let go of self-reliance in exchange for resting in and finding nourishment in Christ, for “apart from (Him) you can do nothing” (see verse 5).

           Through Jesus, we have hope for a life of less anxiety. Less striving. And more resting in God’s love and letting it flow to those around us (see John 15 verses 12 and 17).

 

                By Monica La Rose for ODB

 

Gracious God, please help me surrender my self-reliance to rest in You.

  Please enjoy the below anointed song/video, “Jesus Is My Help” by “Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Choir”.

 (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!

 

Goodness of God – Free to Enjoy God – Psalm 37:3-5

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred ninety-eighth inspirational message dated Monday, January 5th, 2026. The title of this message is “Goodness of God – Free to Enjoy God – Psalm 37:3-5”.

The first three words of this message’s title are also the words of the title of the below anointed song/video, “Goodness of God (with lyrics)” as performed by Cece Winans.

The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the third through the fifth verses of Psalm 37.

Psalm 37:3-5

New King James Version - (NKJV)

 

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.

 

 The title of this message includes the words – “Free to Enjoy God” – which is the “title” of the late Dr. Charles Stanley’s “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (December 22^nd, 2025) – 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”.

 

 Free to Enjoy God

  Psalm 37:3-5

 

Scripture mentions children coming to Jesus (Matthew 18:2-3; 19:13-14). Some probably climbed onto His lap, while others perhaps sat at His feet. We can picture them asking Him questions, begging to hear more stories, and whispering secrets in His ear. It isn’t surprising that they would gather around Jesus; children can usually sense when an adult loves them deeply.

Contrast this image of the Savior’s welcoming, loving nature with the picture some Christians have of God – they see Him as a judgmental taskmaster who motivates by intimidation. While it’s true that we are to obey the Lord, we’re also to delight in Him, just as we would enjoy the company of a close friend.

How much better to have a biblically accurate view – that God, while sovereign over the universe, balances authority with love. While He does want us to pursue spiritual growth, He also wants us to relax and enjoy spending time with Him.

Taking pleasure in the Lord requires that we understand His attitude toward us: Our Father loves us tenderly and compassionately. He sees past our faults and mistakes to the precious child He created. In fact, He loves us so much that He sent Jesus Christ to save us and enable us to be with Him in heaven eternally. We have no greater friend!

 

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, “Goodness of God (with lyrics)” as performed by Cece Winans.

(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!