How Can It Be - Isaiah 55:8-9

This is Namma for Christ with the sixty-eighth inspirational message dated Saturday, May 30th, 2015. The title of this message is: "How Can It Be - Isaiah 55: 8-9". This message is based on the below scripture text from the 55th chapter of Isaiah as found in the Old Testament (KJV) - where the writer, (the prophet Isaiah) informs the reader of what the LORD SAID - 

Isaiah 55:8-9

King James Version (KJV)

8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Yesterday, I was reading "Our Daily Bread" and the message for the day was entitled, "Mysterious Ways". The scripture came from one of my favorite verses of Isaiah 55:8-9. The message was so beautiful, I wanted to share it with you in "Namma for Christ". 

There have been times in my life that I was confused and I  questioned God...just like Job did in the below message. 

I realized I had to TRUST GOD. I HAD TO "YIELD" MY WAY or MY DESIRE TO "UNDERSTAND"- TO GOD. GOD IS SOVEREIGN. I HAD TO TRUST GOD! I HAD TO LET GO - AND "LET GOD"...

 GOD KNOWS "BEST"- NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION...HE IS SOVEREIGN...and when "all is said and done" - HE IS GOD. HE IS IN CONTROL and HE LOVES US. GOD ALWAYS WANTS WHAT IS BEST FOR US - as HIS children. 

Please enjoy the below message from "Our Daily Bread" and enjoy the video/song at the end of the message by Christian artist, Lauren Daigle, entitled "How Can It Be".

(I do not own the rights of the song.)
 

BE BLESSED!

                                             MYSTERIOUS WAYS

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways. —Isaiah 55:9

When my son began attending Chinese language classes, I marveled at the papers he brought home after his first session. As a native English speaker, it was difficult for me to understand how the written characters related to the spoken words. The language seemed incredibly complex to me—almost incomprehensible.

Sometimes I feel the same sense of bewilderment when I consider the way God operates. I know He has said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Isa. 55:8). Still, there’s a part of me that feels like I should be able to understand why God allows certain things to happen. After all, I read His Word regularly and His Holy Spirit lives inside of me.

When I feel entitled to understand God’s ways, I try to recommit myself to humility. I remember that Job did not get an explanation for all his heartache (Job 1:5,8). He struggled to understand, but God asked him: “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?” (40:2). Job contritely responded, “What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth” (v.4). Job was speechless before God’s greatness.

Although God’s ways may seem to be mysterious and unfathomable at times, we can rest confidently that they are higher than our ways.

Father, please help me to trust You even when I don’t understand why things happen as they do. Please comfort my heart and remind me of Your goodness and love.

(written for "Our Daily Bread" by Jennifer Benson Schuldt)

If you know that God’s hand is in everything, you can leave everything in God’s hand.

INSIGHT: In trying to explain why he was suffering, Job argued that he had not committed any wrong deserving of such punishment. In so justifying himself, Job was in essence questioning God’s fairness and justice (40:8; see also Job 21,24). God confronted Job, asserting that only He is qualified and has the absolute power, wisdom, and ability to rule this world
justly (40:15-24).

Savior to Me (Sing Glory) - Rev. 4:11

This is Namma for Christ with the sixty-seventh inspirational message dated Saturday, April 18th, 2015. The title of this message is: "Savior to Me (Sing Glory) - Rev. 4:11". This message is based on the below scripture text from the book of Revelation (written by the apostle John) as found in the New Testament (ASV) - where he informs the reader (what he sees in describing the PRAISE TO OUR LORD) and how - "OUR LORD AND OUR GOD IS WORTHY TO RECEIVE ALL THE GLORY, THE HONOR AND THE PRAISE": 

Revelation 4:11

American Standard Version (ASV)

11 Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they were, and were created.

GOD IS SO AWESOME!

GOD IS SO GREAT!

GOD IS SO WORTHY!

GOD IS WORTHY TO RECEIVE ALL THE HONOR, ALL THE GLORY AND ALL THE PRAISE! 

OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, HAS ALL POWER!

Remember, after the resurrection, and before Jesus ascended into heaven He said the following : "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." - as found in Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV):

Matthew 28:18-20

King James Version (KJV)

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

JESUS IS OUR INTERCESSOR!  HE IS OUR ADVOCATE! HE IS OUR SAVIOR!  HE IS OUR EVERYTHING!


WHY SHOULD WE FEAR WHAT MAN WILL DO TO US? JESUS IS WITH US!


Matthew 28:20b reminds us that Jesus said - "... I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

WE HAVE OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, ON OUR SIDE - ALWAYS!

God created ALL THINGS and He created ALL OF US!

Rev. 4:11b states: "for thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they were, and were created."

Also - the following verses remind us:

John 1:1-3

King James Version (KJV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.

Colossians 1:16

King James Version (KJV)

16 For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:

God created us for HIS WILL and HIS GLORY!


HE LOVES US! HE WANTS WHAT IS BEST FOR US!

LET US LIVE TO GIVE HIM THE PRAISE AND THE GLORY!


The included video (with lyrics) and song (as sung by Christian artist, Kerrie Roberts) beautifully proclaims that JESUS is: "Savior to Me (Sing Glory)" - as the title states. This is what we as Christians should "sing" with our "lives"...that JESUS IS "OUR SAVIOR"! Others should "see" that Jesus LIVES inside our hearts by how we live our lives and how we treat each other.
"Some" of the lyrics in the song, "Savior to Me (Sing Glory)", were so beautiful and so touching - I just had to repeat a few of them below:

"He who is, and was and always will be..." 

"Of all the things You are...You've chosen to be...Savior to me."

"I want to praise You now with every breath that YOU allow."

"I surrender to the ONE, GENTLE and MOST POWERFUL!"

"And...I sing GLORY to GOD ALMIGHTY!"

"Glory to the God above, full of TRUTH and ENDLESS LOVE..."


Please enjoy the accompanied video (with amazing landscapes that display God's majestic creations) and please enjoy the song,"Savior to Me (Sing Glory)", as sung with anointing by Kerrie Roberts.


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


BE BLESSED!

You Love Me Anyway - Exodus 3:10-12

This is Namma for Christ with the sixty-sixth inspirational message dated Sunday, April 12th, 2015. I am sharing a previous message of  "You Love Me Anyway - Exodus 3:10-12".  Please enjoy the accompanied video and inspirational song, "You Love Me Anyway" (with lyrics) - from the Christian group "Sidewalk Prophets". 

This is Namma for Christ with the twenty-fifth inspirational message dated Saturday, March 16th, 2013. The title of this message is "You Love Me Anyway - Exodus 3: 10-12" . The scripture for this message is taken from Exodus 3: 10-12. Please read below:

Exodus 3:10-12

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
¹¹ But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

¹² And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

This scripture for this message comes from Exodus when God first tells Moses that He is sending him to Pharaoh to bring the Israelites out of Egypt (from slavery). God has a great purpose and mission for Moses!

God has a great purpose and mission for each of our lives, as well.

 God can do GREAT and MIRACULOUS things in the lives of HIS CHILDREN if we DO NOT LOOK AT OURSELVES....BUT LOOK TO AND FOCUS ON GOD! 

 Many times...in our lives....we respond just, like Moses did. Notice Moses' response in Exodus 3:11 -

 ¹¹ But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

In our humaneness, we respond so quickly ......thinking of what we can do "on our own"..... we are thinking of "our" inabilities, INSTEAD OF REALIZING THAT WE HAVE ALMIGHTY GOD ON OUR SIDE!

WE MUST REALIZE IF GOD CALLS US TO DO "HIS WILL" AND SERVE "HIS PURPOSE" FOR OUR LIVES - GOD WILL HELP US!  GOD IS SUFFICIENT- for ALL OUR NEEDS!

WE MUST LOOK TO, LEAN ON AND FULLY DEPEND ON GOD TO CARRY OUT HIS MISSION FOR OUR LIVES!

LOOK AT GOD'S RESPONSE TO MOSES (when Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”) : 

GOD ANSWERED: in verse 12:  

¹² And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

 AS GOD WAS WITH MOSES, HE WILL BE WITH US....WE MUST CONTINUE TO LOOK TO, TRUST IN AND WORSHIP GOD IN OUR LIVES- REMEMBER, WE ARE NOT ALONE!

Despite our insecurities, God can use us for HIS GLORY because He LOVES US, ANYWAY! Remember Hebrews 13:5 - 

“..for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

Please enjoy the below inspirational song,"You Love Me Anyway" with lyrics - from the Christian group "Sidewalk Prophets".

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

BE BLESSED!

The Last 7 Words of Jesus (HE IS OUR BREAD OF HEAVEN)

This is Namma for Christ with the sixty-fifth inspirational message dated Friday, April 3rd, 2015.  Today is recognized as Good Friday. In recognition of Good Friday, I am sharing a previous message of  "The Last 7 Words of Jesus" (originally dated March 24th, 2013). The title of this message is "The Last 7 Words of  Jesus (HE IS OUR BREAD OF HEAVEN)" . The scriptures for this message is taken from John 6:51 and John 3:16. Please enjoy the accompanied video of Christian artist Fred Hammond and (his choir) RFC (Radical for Christ) as they sing with power and anointing their song, "Bread of Heaven" (aka "You Are The Living Word") .

The Last 7 Words of Jesus (HE IS OUR BREAD OF HEAVEN)

This is Namma for Christ with the twenty-sixth inspirational message dated Sunday, March 24th, 2013. The title of this message is "The Last 7 Words of  Jesus (HE IS OUR BREAD OF HEAVEN)" . The scriptures for this message is taken from John 6:51 and John 3:16. Please read below:

John 6:51 

King James Version (KJV)

⁵¹ I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

John 3:16

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Today is celebrated as Palm Sunday for all Christians. This day is celebrated in remembrance of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11). Followers of Jesus cried "Hosanna, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord," they waived palms, and they laid the palms (and their garments) down in the street in celebration of  Jesus as He rode a donkey into Jerusalem. As we begin this passion week, I wanted to share with all of you the below message, "The Last 7 Words of Jesus" (written by Mary Fairchild for About.com Christianity). I found this article to be inspirational and written in a manner that is easy to read and understand. I pray that it may be a blessing to you as it was to me.  

Please remember that JESUS IS OUR BREAD OF HEAVEN as John 6:51 states and never forget that John 3:16 reminds us of God's great love for us in giving us His one and only begotten Son, that "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE!"

7 Last Words of Jesus

What Were the Seven Final Phrases of Jesus on the Cross and What Did They Mean?

By Mary Fairchild, About.com Guide

Jesus Christ made seven final statements during his last hours on the cross. These phrases are held dear by followers of Christ because they offer a glimpse into the depth of his suffering to accomplish redemption. Recorded in the Gospels between the time of  His crucifixion and his death, they reveal His divinity as well as His humanity. As much as possible, given the approximate sequence of events as portrayed in the Gospels, these seven last words of Jesus are presented here in chronological order.

1) Jesus Speaks to the Father

Luke 23:34
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (NIV)In the midst of His excruciating suffering, the heart of Jesus was focused on others rather than Himself. Here we see the nature of his love—unconditional and divine.

2) Jesus Speaks to the Criminal on the Cross

Luke 23:43
"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (NIV) One of the criminals who was crucified with Christ, had recognized who Jesus was and expressed faith in him as Savior. Here we see grace poured out through faith, as Jesus assured the dying man of his forgiveness and eternal salvation.

3) Jesus Speaks to Mary and John

John 19:26-27
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." (NIV) Jesus, looking down from the cross, was still filled with the concerns of a son for the earthly needs of his mother. None of his brothers were there to care for her, so he gave this task to the Apostle John. Here we clearly see Christ's humanity.

4) Jesus Cries Out to the Father

Matthew 27:46 (also Mark 15:34)
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (NKJV) In the darkest hours of his suffering, Jesus cried out the opening words of Psalm 22. And although much has been suggested regarding the meaning of this phrase, it was quite apparent the agony Christ felt as he expressed separation from God. Here we see the Father turning way from the Son as Jesus bore the full weight of our sin.

5) Jesus is Thirsty

John 19:28
Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures he said, "I am thirsty." (NLT)  Jesus refused the initial drink of vinegar, gall and myrrh (Matthew 27:34 and Mark 15:23) offered to alleviate his suffering. But here, several hours later, we see Jesus fulfilling the messianic prophecy found in Psalm 69:21.

6) It is Finished

John 19:30
... he said, "It is finished!" (NLT) Jesus knew he was suffering the crucifixion for a purpose. Earlier he had said in John 10:18 of his life, "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." (NIV) These three words were packed with meaning, for what was finished here was not only Christ's earthly life, not only his suffering and dying, not only the payment for sin and the redemption of the world—but the very reason and purpose he came to earth was finished. His final act of obedience was complete. The Scriptures had been fulfilled.

7) Jesus' Last Words

Luke 23:46
Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (NIV) Here Jesus closes with the words of Psalm 31:5, speaking to the Father. We see his complete trust in the Father. Jesus entered death in the same way he lived each day.


Please enjoy  the accompanied video of Christian artist Fred Hammond and (his choir) RFC (Radical for Christ) as they sing with power and anointing their song, "Bread of Heaven" (aka "You Are The Living Word") .

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

BE BLESSED!

Not For A Moment - Heb. 13:5 - He Will Never Leave Thee

This is Namma for Christ with the sixty-fourth inspirational message dated Thursday, March 12th, 2015. The title of this message is: "Not For A Moment - Heb. 13:5 - He Will Never Leave Thee". This message is based on the below scripture text from the thirteenth chapter of  Hebrews  as found in the New Testament (KJV) - where the writer informs the reader that JESUS SAID - "I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE":



Hebrews 13:5b

King James Version (KJV)

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

The above verse has always been one of my favorite verses. This is a promise of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to all who believe in HIM -

"HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US, NOR FORSAKE US!"

HOW COMFORTING! WHAT A BLESSED ASSURANCE!

JESUS LOVES US! HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US! HE WILL NEVER FORSAKE US!

 DO "YOU" BELIEVE THIS?

ONLY "YOU" CAN ANSWER FOR YOURSELF....DO "YOU" TRUST HIM WITH "YOUR" LIFE! HE SACRIFICED HIS LIFE FOR OURS...HE DIED ON THE CROSS FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD!

JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN TO "REDEEM" US BACK TO HIM.....BECAUSE HE LOVES US!

JESUS IS OUR INTERCESSOR, OUR LORD, OUR SAVIOR, OUR KING OF KINGS, OUR BURDEN-BEARER, OUR COMFORTER, OUR HEALER, OUR PROTECTOR, OUR DEFENDER, OUR PROVIDER, OUR PRINCE OF PEACE - HE IS OUR EVERYTHING! 

WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT THE LORD ON OUR SIDE?

ALWAYS REMEMBER...WE LOVE HIM.....BECAUSE HE "FIRST" LOVED US:

1 John 4:19

King James Version (KJV)

19 We love Him, because He first loved us.

LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR JESUS...AND LET HIS HOLY SPIRIT LIVE INSIDE OF YOU!


ALWAYS REMEMBER....HEBREWS 13: 5 -

Hebrews 13:5

King James Version (KJV)

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
 

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


BE BLESSED!


Below is an inspirational song & video (with lyrics) by the anointed Christian artist and songwriter Meredith Andrews entitled, "Not For A Moment (After All)".

I Give Myself Away to JESUS - the Only Living Water - John 4:10

This is Namma for Christ with the sixty-third inspirational message dated Friday, February 27th, 2015. The title of this message is: "I Give Myself Away to JESUS - the Only Living Water - John 4:10". This message is based on the below scripture text from the fourth chapter of  the Gospel of  John (written by the apostle John) as found in the New Testament (KJV) - where he informs the reader what Jesus "told the Samaritan woman" and what Jesus "tells us"..."today":

John 4:10

King James Version (KJV)

10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and Who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.

As taken from the book "Sister to Sister - Devotions: for and from African American Women"- (written by editor, Suzan D. Johnson Cook) below is a devotion written by Rev. Sabrina A. Mangrum. Rev. Mangrum's devotion is entitled: "Only Living Water Satisfies".  Her scripture reference is taken from John 4:1-29 (please read when you can). I read this devotion and found it to be both informative and inspirational, which is why I am sharing it with you:  
                            "Only Living Water Satisfies"

   John 4 records a conversation Jesus had with a woman at Jacob's well. This woman had come to the well for water, but it is clear that a deeper need brought her to the well alone in the middle of the day. Jesus identifies her problem as having a spiritual thirst that she has sought to satisfy with physical or fleshly things and offers her living water that will permanently satisfy her thirst. As a matter of fact, He tells her that this living water will be a well springing up into everlasting life. Not fully understanding what Jesus is offering but sure it is something wonderful, she asks for this water. Jesus responds by asking her where her husband is. She says, "I have no husband" (John 4:17), Jesus compliments her for her honesty and says she has had five husbands, not including the man she is currently living with.
   Jesus begins to address her problem by pointing out that sin is blocking her from spiritual satisfaction. Before Jesus can offer her living water, she must repent of her sinful lifestyle. Her response is to hide behind her religion and get into a discussion of proper doctrine and creed. But Jesus brings her back to the point that her separation from God is the basis for her inability to relate to God. Worship is in spirit and truth. God is Spirit, and you cannot approach God apart from a reborn spirit. This is why Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again. This deadened spirit must be brought alive by the Holy Spirit in order to worship or commune with God. Sin is merely the response of someone seeking satisfaction through some other means apart from God. When our spirit communes with and worships God, we will find satisfaction for our thirst and no longer need a sinful lifestyle.
   This woman had done like many woman do today. She had sought satisfaction through men. This woman had a man problem. This woman had thought the best way to find satisfaction was to find the right man. As little girls, women are taught to fantasize about their wedding day. They dream of "Mr. Right," and much of their self-esteem is all tied up in how men treat them or think about them. I dare say that if I asked many women the basis of most of the mental and physical scars they carry in their lives, they would point to some treatment by or experience with a man or men.
   This woman had not only one failed marriage but five failed marriages. It is amazing how many women have been hurt so many times already by men, but they keep going back, hoping to find satisfaction through relationships.
   No one takes a failed marriage to heart more than a woman. Why is it that, more often than not, women take responsibility for why the marriage didn't work? Some men seem to be able to project guilt even when they were the ones who clearly chose to violate the covenant. They can walk away from many years of intimacy and pick up another woman like they are changing a pair of clothes. Women, on the other hand, are left with their souls bleeding and wide open. Some women are sexually molested as children and yet for years bear the guilt as if it were their fault.
   This woman had been rejected by five men. She had tried five times to find satisfaction with men. Can you imagine the hurt and guilt she must have been carrying to that well? Jesus may have been the first man she had ever dealt with who cared about her as a person and wasn't trying to use her or take advantage of her.
   It is really sad that much of the division, fighting, and competing among women is over men. This woman came to the well alone because she had no friends to go with her. The other women despised her because of her reputation with men. When women stop seeking satisfaction through men first and seek it through Jesus Christ first, there will be more peace among women. Jesus helped this woman to realize that knowing God and worshiping God is far more fulfilling than having any man.
   So don't postpone God's purposes and God's ministry for you. God wants you to be complete in Him right now! When the woman at the well understood true worship, she was filled with such satisfaction and fulfillment that she no longer needed her sinful lifestyle. She discovered that the quenching of her deep spiritual thirst came through a relationship with Jesus Christ, the LIVING WATER.

Thought for the day: My thirst is quenched; my soul has been revived; and now I live in Him!

  

Below is an inspirational song & video (with lyrics) by pastor, songwriter and Christian & Gospel artist William McDowell entitled, "I Give Myself Away". 



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


BE BLESSED!

MLK: "I Have A Dream" - You Had To Act - John 7:46

This is Namma for Christ with the sixty-second inspirational message dated, Monday, January 19, 2015.

The title of this message is - MLK: "I Have A Dream"

 - You Had To Act - John 7:46.  This message is 

based on the below scripture text found in the

book of John of the New Testament as written by 

the apostle John :

John 7:46

New International Version (NIV)

46 “No one ever spoke the way this Man does,” the guards replied.

For many years, I have enjoyed reading the daily inspirational messages as provided by RBC Ministries in their publications of "OUR DAILY BREAD".  This morning (on this national holiday to recognize the birthday of the slain, non-violent, civil-rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) I read the message for the day (dated Monday, January 19th) and found it to be so beautiful and inspiring, I wanted to share it with you (see the below message). RBC Ministries has the website of:  www.rbc.org so that you can read and enjoy life-changing wisdom of daily inspirational messages based on scripture from the Bible.  At the end of this message, please enjoy an excerpt of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have A Dream" speech.

You Had To Act

 No man ever spoke like this Man! - John 7:46

 (read  John 7:37- 46)

As a US congressman, the late John Lewis*, was 23 years old when he participated in the historic 1963 civil rights “March on Washington” led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Half a century later, journalist Bill Moyers asked Lewis how he was affected by Dr. King’s I Have A Dream speech that day. Mr. Lewis replied, “You couldn't leave after hearing him speak and go back to business as usual. You had to do something, you had to act. You had to move. You had to go out and spread the good news.”

Many who encountered Jesus found it impossible to remain neutral about Him. John 7:25-46 records two different reactions to Jesus. While “many of the people believed in Him” (v.31), the religious leaders tried to silence Him by sending temple guards to arrest Him (v.32). The guards were likely present when Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (vv.37-38). The guards returned without Jesus and were asked, “Why have you not brought Him?” (v.45). They answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (v.46).

The words of Jesus compel us to act, and to move, beyond business as usual.

By David C. McCasland

Did  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  want to be remembered by the "I Have A Dream" speech he delivered at the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963, at the time the largest civil rights demonstration ever in the United States and the largest gathering in Washington?

The answer is no. He simply wanted to be remembered for having tried to help people who were in need.

"I'd like for somebody to say that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody," he said. "I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked . . . I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity."

King was also quite clear on the kind of legacy he wanted to leave:

"I just want to leave a committed life behind. And that's all I want to say. If I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cure somebody with a love song, if I can show somebody he's traveling wrong, then my living will not be in vain."

"What has God called you to DO...to make a difference in this world?"

What do you want to be "remembered for"?  Pray to our Lord that He shows you...what He would have you to do...Live for the Lord and let HIM live in you!

Please enjoy an excerpt of Dr. Martin Luther King's famous, "I Have A Dream" speech:

(Note* - John Lewis died 7/17/2020 from pancreatic cancer - may he and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. continue to rest in heavenly peace.)

 

BE BLESSED!

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