What Can I Do - Isa. 55:8 - When We Don't Understand

This is Namma for Christ with the 86th inspirational message dated Saturday, August 20th, 2016.  The title of this message is, "What Can I Do - Isa. 55:8 - When We Don't Understand". The scripture comes from one of my favorite verses in the Old Testament: Isaiah 55:8, as written by the prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 55:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways My ways,” ...

For many years, I have enjoyed reading the daily inspirational messages as provided by RBC Ministries in their publications of "OUR DAILY BREAD".  On Saturday, August 13th, I read the message for the day 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. 

When We Don’t Understand

 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

Although I depend on technology every day to get my job done, I don’t understand much about how it works. I turn my computer on, bring up a Word document, and get to work on my writing. Yet my inability to comprehend how microchips, hard drives, Wi-Fi connections, and full-color displays actually function doesn’t get in the way of my benefiting from technology.

In a sense, this mirrors our relationship with God. Isaiah 55:8–9 reminds us that God is far beyond us: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Even though we don’t understand everything about God, that doesn’t prevent us from trusting Him. He has proven His love for us. The apostle Paul wrote, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Trusting that love, we can walk with Him even when life doesn’t make sense.

Heavenly Father, thank You that although I cannot comprehend You, I can know You. I’m grateful. Remind me that even though You and Your ways might be beyond me, I can always count on Your love for me and Your presence with me

God would not be worthy of our worship if He could be understood by our wisdom.

By Bill Crowder

Not only are God’s thoughts above ours, but His foresight is ahead of ours. He always sees the end from the beginning. Since His desire is to do the best thing for us, we should not fret so much. When we are in troubles, He already has the plan.

Below are scriptures supporting how God’s Sovereign Ways are Higher than our ways:

"But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause - who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number" (Job 5:8-9).

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable" (Psalm 145:3).

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable" (Isaiah 40:28).

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?" (Romans 11:33-35).

"To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him" (Ephesians 3:8-12).


There will be times in our lives that we may not understand the ways of God.  This is not the time to flee from God, but to TRUST HIM - especially when we don't understand.  As His children, GOD LOVES US. He, as Our Heavenly Father wants what is BEST for us! TRUST HIM. He will see you through...HOLD to GOD's UNCHANGING HAND! Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, "Jesus Christ is the SAME yesterday, today and forever." TRUST HIM.

Please enjoy the below song/video of the anointed song entitled, “What Can I Do” as sung by Tye Tribbett featuring, K.J. Scrivens:

(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.)

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

BE BLESSED!

Brighter Day - Jeremiah 29:11

This is Namma for Christ with the 85th inspirational message dated Sunday, July 24th, 2016.  The title of this message is, "Brighter Day - Jeremiah 29:11",  The scripture comes from one of my favorite verses in the Old Testament: Jeremiah 29:11, as written by the prophet Jeremiah.  Jeremiah, who is known as the "weeping or lamenting prophet", provides encouraging words of "hope" from the Lord - for "then", as well, as now:
(Portions below taken from "What's the Meaning of Your Life Verse? Jeremiah 29:11" - written by Coy Lindsey as posted in "Faith" - Bookmark - the "permalink" - posted on the internet 3/20/13.)

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

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."

What a beautiful promise from God.  It offers an assurance for the future.  Whatever the circumstances today, God’s people can trust God to change their tomorrow.  It declares God’s intimate relationship to God’s people.  God isn’t leaving God’s people out to dry like a sheep among wolves.  God is intricately involved in creating a new future.  It brings a perspective of hope.

Reading just a couple chapters previous, we realize these are God’s words to a people who are hopeless.  They are in exile.  They’ve been completely stripped away from their homeland, their temple, and their king.  To make matters worse, God instructs the people to serve King Nebechadnezzar of Babylon (27:6-7).  And if they don’t serve him, then God “will punish that nation with the sword, with famine, and with pestilence, says the LORD, until I have completed its destruction by his hand” (27:8).  God repeats this three times in chapter 27 alone.

It’s like God is saying, “Trust me, I have everything under control.  I know your situation stinks, but I know what I’m doing.  I have your best interest in mind.”  God says, “For surely, I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”

So, maybe Jeremiah 29:11 isn’t about God’s specific day to day plan for you.  Instead, it is a message of hope for God’s people, including you and me.  God knows what’s best for us.  God will lead us in the direction of a new future.  TRUST GOD! He loves you - and He wants what is BEST for YOU!  Have HOPE in JESUS!


TRUST JESUS WITH YOUR FUTURE!

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

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."

TRUST JESUS WITH YOUR LIFE! 

LOOK FORWARD TO A BRIGHT FUTURE AND A "BRIGHTER DAY"!

Please enjoy the below inspirational song and video (with lyrics) by "Kirk Franklin and the Family" entitled, "Brighter Day". 

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



BE BLESSED!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - Psalm 23:1-3

This is Namma for Christ with the 84th inspirational message dated Friday, June 24th, 2016.  The title of this message is, "The Lord Is My Shepherd - Psalm 23:1-3", The scripture comes from the beloved and well-known passage, "The 23rd Psalm" as written by the Psalmist David. The focus scriptures will be the first three verses of The 23rd Psalm:

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The scripture text chosen for this message is because of a recent incident that happened to me, personally.  On Monday, June 20th, 2016, I had misplaced and lost my cell phone. As we all know, in this present "technologically-advanced world", our cell phones have literally become necessary tools for communication. Losing my cell phone resulted in my feeling "unplugged" from the "world" - including: those on my contact list, my internet access, my Facebook page and my ability to use GPS (Global Positioning System) . Unfortunately, (two days later) on Wednesday, June 22nd,  I had to drive in my car (which doesn't have GPS capability) to a "required" destination (which was a 20-minute ride that I had only frequented once or twice). I didn't have my cell phone (nor the GPS - that had been on my cell phone) to guide me.

What did I do? 

I PRAYED TO THE LORD TO HELP ME.

I asked God to allow His Holy Spirit to "lead and guide me" to get to my destination...and to "help" bring back to my memory the way I had traveled to get there before.

And...Thanks be to GOD, HE DID! 

What did I do - when I didn't know which way to go? 

I TURNED TO THE LORD - I HAD TO "TRUST" IN THE LORD! 

I ASKED GOD TO BE MY "GPS"! 

I realized and summarized - isn't that what "THE 23RD PSALM" is "spiritually" reminding us to do - in our spiritual and physical lives? We should let the LORD BE OUR GUIDE - "OUR SHEPHERD" IN OUR LIFE...

THE 23RD PSALM is reminding us that GOD should be "WHO" we are asking to DIRECT US WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO!"

WE SHOULD DAILY ASK GOD TO LEAD AND GUIDE US IN OUR LIVES!

God gave us Jesus - who is our Lord and Savior, our Redeemer, our King of Kings, our Burden Bearer, our Provider, our Comforter, our Prince of Peace...HE IS ALL THAT WE NEED!

In verses 1-3 of The 23rd Psalm, the Psalmist David is stating that - "THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD".  Just like sheep, we need the Lord for our "very existence".  We need OUR LORD to provide all that we need:  food, water, rest, protection, provisions, healing, nurturing, care, guidance, restoration and love. WE NEED THE LORD TO GUIDE US - BECAUSE, "JUST LIKE SHEEP, "WE" OFTEN - GO ASTRAY"!

We need God to help us make right decisions and FOR GOD to "lead" us in the right way....

If we pray, seek Jesus and ask HIM to lead and guide our lives - HE WILL...because "our Lord" loves and cares for us!

LET JESUS BE THE "SHEPHERD" IN YOUR LIFE!

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

LET HIM LEAD AND GUIDE YOU IN THE WAY WHICH IS BEST "SPECIFICALLY" FOR YOU!

Psalm 100:3 reminds us -

Psalm 100:3

New King James Version (NKJV)

³ Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

 In John 10 - the below two verses remind us how Jesus "knows" and cares for His own: 

John 10:14

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁴ I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

 

John 10:27-30

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁷ My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ²⁸ And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and My Father are one.”

Please enjoy the below anointed song and video of "The Lord Is My Shepherd" by the late Cissy Houston* and Hezekiah Walker & the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir.

(*Cissy Houston passed away on October 7th, 2024)

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


BE BLESSED!

Where He Leads Me - Matt. 28:19-20

This is Namma for Christ with the eighty-third inspirational message dated Monday, May 30th, 2016. The title of this message is: "Where He Leads Me - Matthew 28:19-20". This message is based on the below scripture as found in the book of Matthew where the writer describes what Jesus said in "The Great Commission":

Matthew 28:19-20

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Do you know that God has a calling on your life?

The GREAT COMMISSION was not only given to the first disciples...it was given to YOU!

YOU ARE TO GO FORTH "INTO ALL THE WORLD" AND MAKE DISCIPLES - as stated below in Mark 16:15!

Mark 16:15

King James Version (KJV)

15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

BY GOING "FORTH INTO ALL THE WORLD"  - YOU CAN START WITH THE FIRST STEP: "RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE!"

Wherever - "YOUR WORLD" consists of...it could be on your job, in your school, in your home, in your neighborhood, on the streets...in church and out of church, etc..."Wherever" you are - let "OTHERS" see the "JESUS" in you! 

WHO are "the others" I am referring to?

"Others..." - consist of "everybody and anybody"...Jesus came to this earth for ALL - who would believe in HIM -  They are the "whosoever" as stated in John 3:16 - 

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.

Verse 19 of  THE GREAT COMMISSION states "in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON (JESUS) and of the HOLY GHOST"!  As a Christian believer, you have the Holy Spirit within you - empowering you to fulfil the purposes for which He created you. Whatever you are presently doing whether a mother, father, teacher, business person, student, homemaker, doctor, salesperson, cook, etc. - Let GOD use you for HIS GLORY! BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED - whatever your age or your lot in life!

BE ALL THAT GOD MADE YOU TO BE! 

GO FORTH IN GOD - and see what GOD can DO! 

Verse 20 confirms - HE WILL BE WITH YOU - even to the end of the world!

Jesus said in Hebrews 13: 5 - He will NEVER leave you, nor forsake you. 

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.

Take Him at His WORD - PRAY and SEEK JESUS IN ALL THINGS....

GO FORTH and Let GOD lead you!


Please enjoy the below song/video featuring James Cleveland and the Angelic Choir singing,"Where He Leads Me."

The Reverend Dr. James Edward Cleveland (December 5, 1931 – February 9, 1991) was a gospel singer, musician, and composer. Known as the King of Gospel music, Cleveland was a driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound by incorporating traditional black gospel, modern soul, pop, and jazz in arrangements for mass choirs. 


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


BE BLESSED!

Order My Steps - Psalm 119:133

This is Namma for Christ with the eighty-second inspirational  message dated Saturday, May 21st, 2016. The title of this message is: "Order My Steps - Psalm 119:133". This message is based on the below scripture text from the 119th Psalm where the psalmist states:

Psalm 119:133

King James Version (KJV)

133 Order my steps in Thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

GOD LOVES YOU!

You are HIS CHILD!

You are not alone. God is WITH YOU.

Hebrews 13: 5 reminds you - JESUS will never leave you, nor forsake you - 

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.

No matter what you have done - if you ask God to forgive you, HE WILL - 

1 John 1:9

Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

God is your HEAVENLY FATHER!

As a little baby who progresses from crawling to standing...to taking his or her "first steps" by the leading and guiding of his or her parent's hand - GOD IS HOLDING YOUR HAND!

GOD IS ORDERING YOUR STEPS! TRUST HIM!

Proverbs 20:24

New International Version (NIV)

24 A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
    How then can anyone understand their own way?

Ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you. Thank Jesus every day for His love, mercy and guidance. Read God's Word - the Bible - for wisdom, comfort, inspiration and guidance.

YOU ARE HIS CHILD AND GOD WANTS WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU!

Jeremiah 29:11 confirms this - 

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

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.

LET GOD ORDER YOUR STEPS!

Psalm 37:23

New International Version (NIV)

23 The Lord makes firm the steps
    of the one who delights in Him;

Please enjoy the below song and video (with lyrics) of "Order My Steps" sung with anointing and power by GMWA Women of Worship.

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

BE BLESSED!

Listen to Intouch Ministries-Dr. Charles Stanley - daily message

 

  

Daily Radio Program with Charles Stanley - In Touch Ministries « »

 

No Matter What - TRUST IN THE LORD - Prov. 3

This is Namma for Christ with the eighty-first inspirational blog dated Sunday, April 24th, 2016 entitled, "No Matter What - TRUST IN THE LORD - Prov. 3.



The below message was originally written by me on Friday, November 9th, 2012. This morning, God led me to re-issue it again...There is "someone" (only God knows)...(maybe, even... as a reminder for "myself")...who needs to read these words and apply it to their life. The overall message found below is to "TRUST IN THE LORD - NO MATTER WHAT" - as the accompanied video/song by Kerrie Roberts reiterates! May you be blessed by this inspirational message as taken from Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us:


Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

This is Namma for Christ with the thirteenth inspirational blog dated Friday, November 9th, 2012 entitled, "No Matter What... - WE MUST TRUST IN THE LORD!"

 The scripture comes from Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 which reads as follows:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

God changed my life...

 When God touches your heart....you are not the same...

I used to think that "I" had made so many wrong decisions in my life.

I was so hard on myself...

I  had been "so strong" (early in my Christian life) in how I had handled difficult situations...until...I  ran into  "stumbling blocks" and began questioning myself, doubting my life....thinking that I had made one wrong decision after another... I had started focusing too much on what I couldn't understand ... instead of the sufficiency of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ....I was trying "too" hard to be "strong"....I was trying "too" hard to "understand" what was going on...



Wasn't I suppose to be "strong" during the tough times?



My self-esteem suffered...I questioned God ..."why".... "what was going on?"  I began questioning everything in my life...this created self doubt in my belief system....this led to negative thinking and a depressed state of mind...at one point - I didn't even "think" I deserved to be in my church - I felt so unworthy...the devil thought he had me...but he didn't...



I found out...later...this was a time of my testing....



I was reminded that the devil is already a defeated foe, because of what Jesus did at Calvary.


Instead of  my "questioning" of  how strong I was "presently" handling my difficult situations or  focusing on my past.....I needed to "totally and completely" DEPEND on the Lord. I had always prayed to the Lord...but I "used to" think that "some" of my strength or "good effort" was required....I was so wrong...I had to come to the end of myself - like the "prodigal son" did  - as found in Luke 15:11-32.



During my lowest times.. is when I discovered God's great, never ending, unconditional love and mercy  for me....I also realized that I needed to trust and depend on HIM completely!  This trust included...knowing that HE knows what is best for me...and I didn't have to understand or "agree with" HIS path for my life...HE WAS IN CONTROL...




JESUS NEVER LEFT ME, NOR FORSAKED ME...(Hebrews 13:5)



It was not meant for me to "understand"...I needed to "TRUST GOD COMPLETELY"...I had to walk by "faith, not by sight" (2nd Corinthians 5:7) ...



I needed to do just what Proverbs 3: 5 - 6 stated: "I needed to trust in the Lord with ALL of  my heart, and I did "not" need to "understand" what was going on....  I needed to "acknowledge God"  in everything (HE WAS and "IS" ALWAYS IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING) . I had to yield my way (and my will) to HIM. As a believer in Jesus Christ - His Word says: "IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS".  I cried out to the Lord to forgive and help me...I yielded it all to Him....



Whenever I leaned on my own understanding, effort or strength ....it eventually led me down a wrong path. When I leaned fully on the Lord...I experienced peace, joy, spiritual enlightenment and guidance. Reading His Word (the BIBLE) and listening to Christian Radio stations reminded (and "presently" reminds) me :



Romans 8:1-2 -  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

1st John 4:19  -  We love him, because He first loved us.



Romans 3:23 -    For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;



Isaiah 55: 8 & 9 -  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.

Titus 3: 5-7 - 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;

7 That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The Lord brought me back to my church to hear the minister's inspirational messages of the Lord's love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. 

I had to get myself out of the way....I had to keep my focus on Jesus ...I had to keep praying and trusting in the Lord...FOR HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR HIS CHILDREN (Jeremiah 29:11).



I continue to be on the battlefield for my Lord - I've asked the Lord to use me for HIS KINGDOM building (in this blog and however He sees fit). He has a purpose for all of us - so that we may glorify HIM. God extends His love, mercy and grace to ALL His children. God is omniscient (all knowing), omnipresent, and omnipotent....



Below is an inspirational song (video) and lyrics by Kerrie Roberts entitled, "No Matter What".

This song's lyrics are a testimony to His believers who must TRUST IN THE LORD..."NO MATTER WHAT"!


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



BE BLESSED!