How Excellent - Psalm 8:1, 2nd Tim. 1:8-10

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred thirteenth inspirational message dated Saturday, April 22nd, 2017.  The title of this message is, “How Excellent – Psalm 8:1, 2^nd Timothy 1:8-10”.  The title of this message is also the title of the above song/video entitled “How Excellent” as sung by The Mississippi Mass Choir with power and anointing.
The scriptures comes from the first verse of Psalm 8 and the 8^th through the 10^thverses of the 1^st Chapter of the New Testament book of 2nd Timothy – as written by the Apostle Paul:


 

Psalm 8:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

8 O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

 

2 Timothy 1:8-10

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, ⁹ who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own
purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, ¹⁰ but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who
has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

Please re-read the above passage of scripture – and think and consider how this text applies to “YOU”, personally. As our faces differ, so also may be how the Holy Spirit
reveals the meaning and interpretation of this scripture to you. Personally, to me, what stands out - is that God is telling me (in verse 8) to NOT be ashamed of the Gospel (The Word of God, as well as, the testimony and life of Jesus Christ) – nor of what Paul wrote and experienced
(through his sufferings), as described in the text below.

We, as believers in Christ Jesus, will (like Paul) experience “suffering” sometime… REMEMBER: Jesus
suffered, for us…

⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,

Verse 9 - further describes what “God has done for ALL of
us as believers in Jesus Christ”:

⁹ who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

“GOD has SAVED US AND CALLED US – WITH
A HOLY CALLING”!

This is SO POWERFUL and MEANINGFUL to me!

God has SAVED US and CALLED “EACH” of
us - for “HIS PURPOSE and PLANS!

GOD has “A HOLY CALLING” on our lives – according to HIS OWN PURPOSE and HIS GRACE!

Look at Jeremiah 29:11 below for confirmation:

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

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.

Verse 9 also states how GOD has “called us” - not according to “our works”, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus
before time began.

God’s calling on our lives is NOT based on “OUR WORKS” – but BASED on GOD’s PURPOSE and “HIS AMAZING GRACE” – which was given to us in “CHRIST JESUS BEFORE TIME BEGAN”!

God wants us each to fulfill the purpose and plans for which He created us for. God wants what is BEST for us! He will be with us.

Remember 1^st John 4:4 reminds us – “Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world…”

1 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.

Verse 10 states where OUR SOURCE of everything comes
from: “FROM GOD through Jesus Christ”.
 Also, it states – what JESUS has done for us:

¹⁰ but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, Who has abolished death and
brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, HAS ABOLISHED DEATH AND BROUGHT LIFE AND IMMORTALITY TO LIGHT THROUGH THE GOSPEL!  PRAISE THE LORD!

WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT JESUS INTERCEEDING ON OUR BEHALF?

 JESUS IS OUR SAVIOR, OUR REDEEMER, OUR INTERCESSOR, AND OUR LORD OF LORDS!

 Nothing is too hard for the Lord!

Jeremiah 32:27

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁷ “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there
anything too hard for Me?

JESUS LOVES US!

Let us live our lives to serve, honor and glorify HIM!

JESUS IS GREAT AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED!

Psalm 145:3

English Standard Version (ESV)

³ Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and His greatness is unsearchable.

“Oh Lord, HOW EXCELLENT is THY NAME!” – as Psalm 8:1 declares!

Psalm 8:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

8 O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
 

Please enjoy the above inspirational song entitled, “How Excellent” as sung by The Mississippi Mass Choir.

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

BE BLESSED!

King Of The World - Psalm 47:7

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred twelfth inspirational message dated Sunday, April 9th, 2017.  The title of this message is, “King of the World" – Psalm 47:7.  The title of this message is also the title of the above anointed song/video entitled “King of the World” as sung by Natalie Grant.  The scripture comes from the Book of Psalms - the 7^th verse of the forty-seventh chapter. 

Psalm 47:7

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with understanding.

"King Of The World" lyrics by Natalie Grant

I tried to fit You in the walls inside my mind
I try to keep You safely in between the lines
I try to put You in the box that I've designed
I try to pull You down so we are eye to eye

When did I forget that You've always been the King of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the Hands of the King of the world
How could I make You so small
When You're the One who holds it all
When did I forget that You've always been the King of the world

Just a whisper of Your voice can tame the seas
So who am I to try to take the lead
Still I run ahead and think I'm strong enough
When You're the One who made me from the dust

When did I forget that You've always been the King of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the Hands of the King of the world
How could I make You so small
When you're the One who holds it all
When did I forget that You've always been the King of the world

Ohhhh, You set it all in motion
Every single moment
You brought it all to be
And You're holding on to me

When did I forget that You've always been the King of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the Hands of the King of the world
How could I make You so small
When you're the One who holds it all
When did I forget You've always been the King of the world
You will always be the King of the world

The above lyrics are so beautiful; I wanted to share them in this message.  Has this happened to you – did YOU ever forget that GOD is “THE KING OF THE WORLD”?

Did you ever, “Try to take life back - right out of the “Hands of THE KING OF THE WORLD”? I think we ALL have…WHEN DID WE DO THIS?

EVERY TIME….WE … Questioned GOD, Doubted GOD, Lost our faith in GOD, or tried to substitute “something” or “someone else” for GOD…

Even when we…”worry”…we “make HIM so small -
 When He’s the One who holds it all…”

I love the lyrics which state:

 “Just a whisper of Your voice can tame the seas,
  So who am I to try to take the lead.
  Still I run ahead and think I'm strong enough
  When You're the one who made me from the dust…”

As Psalm 47:7 state –  ^“For God is the King of all the earth…” and Genesis 1:1 reminds us – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

There are times in our lives that we mistakenly think that WE KNOW WHAT IS BEST for our lives…BUT, GOD KNOWS BEST! HE is in control. Isaiah 55:8-9 reassures us of this:

Isaiah 55:8-9

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says 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.”

Let us look to JESUS for ALL things and TRUST IN HIM – as Proverbs 3:5-6  so “wisely” advises us:

Proverbs 3:5-6

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

Please enjoy the above inspirational song (with lyrics)  entitled “King of the World” as sung by Natalie Grant.

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

BE BLESSED!

“My Victory" – Mark 5:19-20

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred-eleventh inspirational message dated Sunday, April 2nd, 2017.  The title of this message is, “My Victory" – Mark 5:19-20.  The title of this message is also the title of the above anointed song/video entitled “My Victory” as sung by David Crowder.  The scripture comes from the Gospel of Mark - the 19^th and 20^th verses of the fifth chapter. 

Mark 5:19-20

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” ²⁰ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

The background text for the above scripture is found in Mark 5:1-20.  

This is the story of how Jesus restored a demon-possessed man. In summary, there was a man who lived in the tombs who was possessed by 2,000 demons – he was an outcast and was considered “out of his mind”.

Below is Mark 5:1-8:

5 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. ² When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet Him.

³ This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. ⁴ For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵ Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

⁶ When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of Him. ⁷ He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!”
⁸ For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

As noted in the eighth verse, above, Jesus called the demonic spirits  out of the man.  In verse twelve, the demons begged Jesus to send them into the 2,000 pigs that were herding nearby- which Jesus did, as the thirteenth verse below confirms:

¹² The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” ¹³ He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Verse 15 (below) shows the man was “restored”…Made “ALIVE” again…FREED…HEALED and DELIVERED! The man was now… “In his right mind”...because of what JESUS did for him. JESUS gave him VICTORY!

¹⁵ When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind;…

As Jesus was leaving, the “healed” man wanted to go with Jesus…but Jesus told him “NO”…But, to “GO HOME to your own people and TELL YOUR TESTIMONY" – as indicated in the below verse 19:

¹⁹ Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” ²⁰ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

This man – who was healed…is an example to us ALL!

The "restored" man went away and told in the "Decapolis" (which means TEN cities) HOW MUCH JESUS HAD DONE FOR HIM!

WHAT HAS JESUS DONE FOR “YOU” IN YOUR LIFE?

WE MUST TELL “OUR” TESTIMONY! WE MUST SHARE WITH THOSE “AROUND US” – WHAT “THE LORD HAS DONE FOR US AND HOW HE HAD MERCY ON US"!

NO ONE ELSE CAN TELL “OUR STORY” – LIKE WE CAN!

GOD HAS BLESSED US, HAD MERCY ON AND DELIVERED "US" -  SO THAT YOU WE CAN BE A BLESSING TO "SOMEONE ELSE"!

GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO US – LET US BE “HIS WITNESSES” – LET US BE HIS AMBASSADORS IN CHRIST!

2 Corinthians 5:20

New International Version (NIV)

²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.


 LET US LIVE OUR LIVES WITH VICTORY IN JESUS CHRIST!



1 Corinthians 15:57
New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Please enjoy the above inspirational song (with lyrics)  entitled “My Victory” as sung by David Crowder.

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


 
BE BLESSED!

 

My World Needs You - Acts 17:24

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred tenth inspirational message dated Saturday, March 4th, 2017.  The title of this message is, “My World Needs You" – Acts 17:24.  The title of this message is also the title of the above anointed song/video entitled “My World Needs You” as sung by Kirk Franklin featuring Tamela Mann, Tasha Cobbs and Sarah Reeves.  The scripture comes from the book of Acts - the 24^th verse of the seventeenth chapter. 

Acts 17:24

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁴ “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.

Supporting scripture comes from the book of Acts - the 48^th through the 50^th verses of the seventh chapter:

Acts 7:48-50

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴⁸ “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:

⁴⁹ ‘Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
What house will you build for Me? says the Lord,
Or what is the place of My rest?
⁵⁰ Has My hand not made all these things?’ 

 

The scripture above reminds us that God does not dwell in buildings, but in the hearts of His people. God wants us to let His Holy Spirit live in our hearts and minds to rule our thoughts and actions.

1^st Corinthians 6:19-20 confirms that the Holy Spirit lives inside us:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

 God wants the glory of our lives – through Christ Jesus! Jesus is our Shepherd as Psalm 23:1 reminds us – THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD! We are His people (His sheep) – as Psalm 100:3 states below:

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.

God desires us to follow Him and let our lives glorify Him. Let us let our bodies be HIS VESSELS to dwell in:

1 Corinthians 3:16

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁶ Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Jesus says in Hebrews 13:5 – that “He will never leave us, nor forsake us.” His very name, “Immanuel” means, “God with us” – as found below in Matthew 1:23 –

Matthew 1:23

New King James Version (NKJV)

²³ “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Lastly, Jesus tells us in John 15:4-5 that if we “abide” in Him: (depend on, lean on and TRUST IN HIM) - He will abide (remain) in us.  If we let His Holy Spirit live in our lives, He will abide in us and make us fruitful:

John 15:4-5

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.

Remember – “Without Jesus, We can do nothing!”  Let us LIVE for HIM, as He lives in US!


Please enjoy the above inspirational song (with lyrics) entitled “My World Needs You” as sung by Kirk Franklin featuring Tamela Mann, Tasha Cobbs and Sarah Reeves.


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

 


BE BLESSED!

"Joy" - Wholehearted: Numbers 14:24

 

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred ninth inspirational message dated Friday, February 24^th, 2017.  The title of this message is, “Joy – Wholehearted: Numbers 14:24”.  The first word of the title of this message is also the "first" word in the above inspirational songs/video entitled “Joy Medley” as led by Bishop Leonard Scott.  The scripture comes from the book of Numbers - the 24^th verse of the fourteenth chapter:

Numbers 14:24

New King James Version

(NKJV)

²⁴ But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.

The below inspirational message is taken from the Saturday, February 25th, 2017 devotional of Our Daily Bread (found on the Internet at ourdailybread.org).  Please read and be blessed:

 

Wholehearted!

Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. Numbers 14:24

Caleb was a “wholehearted” person. He and Joshua were part of a twelve-man reconnaissance team that explored the Promised Land and gave a report to Moses and the people. Caleb said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Num. 13:30). But ten members of the team said they couldn’t possibly succeed. In spite of God’s promises, they saw only obstacles (vv. 31–33).

Ten men caused the people to lose heart and grumble against God, which led to forty years of wandering in the desert. But Caleb never quit. The Lord said, “Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it” (14:24). Forty-five years later God honored His promise when Caleb, at the age of 85, received the city of Hebron “because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly” (Josh. 14:14).

Commitment to Christ is a daily calling.

Centuries later an expert in the law asked Jesus, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matt. 22:35–38).

Today Caleb is still inspiring us with his confidence in a God who deserves our wholehearted love, reliance, and commitment.

Lord, may we love You wholeheartedly today and follow You every day of our journey on this earth.

Commitment to Christ is a daily calling.

Please listen and enjoy the above songs/video led by Bishop Leonard Scott entitled, “Joy Medley”.  Like the main character of the above meditation, “Caleb” – Bishop Leonard Scott “also” has “a different spirit”.  Bishop Leonard Scott leads the choir with “wholehearted joy”, enthusiasm and Godly inspiration!


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

BE BLESSED!

Great Are You Lord - Psalm 145:3

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred eighth inspirational message dated Friday, February 17th, 2017.  The title of this message is, "Great Are You Lord - Psalm 145:3”.  The first four words of the title of this message are also the words in the title of the above inspirational Christian song/video as sung by the Christian duo "All Sons and Daughters". The scripture comes from the third verse of Psalm 145:

Psalm 145:3

New International Version

³ Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    His greatness no one can fathom.

 

 

Can you define the GREATNESS of GOD?  Can you, as a man, woman or child even begin to comprehend the GREATNESS and AWESOMENESS of GOD? As the Bible verse above explains - GREAT IS THE LORD AND MOST WORTHY OF PRAISE!

 

Jesus loves you. He wants only the BEST for you. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us - that ONLY GOD truly KNOWS what is BEST for His children. His thoughts, His ways and His plans for us are HIGHER than ours:

 

Isaiah 55:8-9

New International Version (NIV)

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

⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are My ways higher than your ways
    and My thoughts than your thoughts.

 

We must remember that we must TRUST God! He sees tomorrow.

TRUST GOD for your present and your future! NO one can fathom or comprehend God's greatness!

Let us live to PRAISE the LORD!

GOD gives LIFE to us - to PRAISE and SERVE HIM!

Job 33:4

New International Version

⁴ The Spirit of God has made me;  the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

 LET US USE OUR "LIVES" AND "OUR BREATHS" TO - PRAISE THE LORD!

Psalm 150:6

New International Version

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.

  Please enjoy the above anointed and inspirational song/video (with lyrics) of  "Great Are You Lord" by the Christian duo "All Sons and Daughters".

 

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

 

 

BE BLESSED!
 

Because He Lives - Finding Life: John 14:19

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred seventh inspirational message dated Wednesday, January 18th, 2017.  The title of this message is, "Because HE Lives - Finding Life: John 14:19”.  The first three words of the title of this message are also the words in Matt Maher’s video/song “Because He Lives.” This video (with lyrics) is found at the end of this message. The scripture for this message comes from the nineteenth verse of the fourteenth chapter of the book of John:

John 14:19b

Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

. . .Because I live, ye shall live also.

For many years, I have enjoyed reading the
daily inspirational messages as provided by RBC Ministries in their
publications of "OUR DAILY BREAD".  Yesterday, Tuesday, January 17th, 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. Please read and enjoy:

Finding Life

The words of Ravi’s father cut deep. “You’re a complete failure.
You’re an embarrassment to the
family.” Compared to his talented siblings, Ravi was viewed as a disgrace. He tried excelling in sports, and he did, but he still felt like a loser. He wondered, What is going to become of me? Am I a complete failure? Can I get out of life some way, painlessly? These thoughts haunted him, but he talked to no one. That simply wasn’t done in his culture. He had been taught to “keep your private heartache private; keep your collapsing world
propped up.”

So Ravi struggled alone. Then while he was recovering in the
hospital after a failed suicide attempt, a visitor brought him a Bible opened to John 14. His mother read these words of Jesus to Ravi: “Because I live, you also will live” (v. 19). This
may be my only hope, he thought. A new way of living. Life as defined by the Author of life. So he prayed, “Jesus, if You are the one who gives life as it is meant to be, I want it.”

Transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to You alone.

Life can present despairing moments. But, like Ravi, we can find
hope in Jesus who is “the way and the truth and the life” (v. 6). God longs to give us a rich and satisfying life.

Dear Lord, I acknowledge
that I am a sinner, and I need Your forgiveness. Thank You, Jesus, for dying
for me and giving me eternal life. Transform my life so that I may bring glory
and honor to You alone.

Please listen and enjoy the below inspirational song/video by Matt Maher (with lyrics) entitled, “Because He Lives - Amen”:
 

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

BE BLESSED!