Fight On, Fighter - Eph. 6:10

This is Namma for Christ with the 143rd inspirational message dated Friday, April 5^th, 2019. The title of this message is “Fight On, Fighter – Eph. 6:10”. The first three words of the title of this message are also the first three words of the above song/video by “for King  & Country”, entitled – “Fight On, Fighter”.  The scripture for this message is found in the tenth verse of the sixth chapter of Ephesians – as found in the New Testament book as written by Apostle Paul.

Ephesians 6:10

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

 

This afternoon, while I was starting to write a “new” message for Namma for Christ,  and searching You Tube for the video of a completely “different message” (that I had intended to share) – “something happened”.  As I sat at my computer, (with my hand-written notes of the message that I had intended to share, lying nearby) – I heard a song from “You Tube” - that I had never heard before.  It was like God’s Holy Spirit telling me, “STOP, LOOK and LISTEN”…I immediately knew that I was meant to listen carefully to this “new song” that was suddenly playing and “pay attention” to its lyrics. I felt that God was directing me to “change course” – to listen to His Holy Spirit’s guidance – and to no longer proceed with what “I” had planned to write, but to NOW – use this NEW song "Fight On, Fighter" and base my message on its powerful lyrics.  Many times in life, “we as humans” may think OUR WAY is BEST…But, GOD’s WAY IS BEST! We must listen to and heed the Holy Spirit’s leading.

“Someone” reading this message may be in need to hear just these inspiring words to lift them from a dark or sad place…

“Someone” reading this message may feel so depressed right now… that they have lost hope (or are on the verge of losing hope!)

PLEASE….DON’T GIVE UP!

GOD IS NOT THROUGH WITH YOU, YET!

PLEASE DON’T GIVE UP!

AS JEREMIAH 29:11 REMINDS YOU BELOW- GOD HAS PLANS FOR YOU –

 

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.

 

PLEASE LISTEN TO THE LYRICS OF THE ABOVE SONG WHICH SAYS – “FIGHT ON, FIGHTER!” THE CHORUS OF THE ABOVE SONG SAYS REPEATEDLY:

“FIGHT ON, FIGHTER!

DON’T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR FIRE!

FIGHT ON, FIGHTER!

THE SPIRIT IS ALIVE INSIDE YA!”

YOU HAVE GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT INSIDE YOU! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! PLEASE RE-READ THE SCRIPTURE OF THIS MESSAGE AGAIN:

Ephesians 6:10

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

 

REMIND YOURSELF THAT “AS A BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST” - GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT IS LIVING INSIDE YOU! "BE STRONG" IN THE "LORD" AND IN THE "POWER" OF "HIS" MIGHT- NOT YOUR OWN!

 (ALSO, PLEASE “READ AND BE INSPIRED” BY OTHER SPIRIT-EMPOWERING VERSES - INCLUDED BELOW):

 

Philippians 4:13

New King James Version (NKJV)

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

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.

2 Corinthians 12:9

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

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.

 

Acts 1:8

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

 

 Please enjoy the above inspirational and motivating song/video (with lyrics) by “for King  & Country”, entitled – “Fight On, Fighter”. 

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

BE BLESSED!

He’s God – John 17:3

 

This is Namma for Christ with the 142nd inspirational message dated

 Wednesday, February 20th, 2019. The title of this message is “He’s 

God – John 17:3”. The first two words of the title of this message 

are also the words of the above song/video by Edwin Hawkins, entitled – “He’s God”.  The scripture of this message is found in the third verse of the seventeenth chapter of John – as found in the New Testament book written by the Apostle John.

 

John 17:3 ESV

And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

One Sunday afternoon, in January, I was visiting another church, where my Pastor was preaching at an afternoon service. The choir sang the song, “He’s God” as originally written and performed by Edwin Hawkins. I loved the powerful lyrics of this song and how the song made “each listener” reflect on how good God has been to each of us! I knew I wanted to share this song with others, as well as, share supporting scriptures focusing on “HOW GOOD GOD IS”!  I searched the internet and found under the website “OpenBible.Info” the following scriptures referencing “the goodness of God" and "Who God is to His people”. In my search, hundreds of Bible verses appeared and for the sake of brevity - I have included 20 of the scriptures listed. May they be a blessing to you, as they have been to me:

John 17:3 ESV

And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 4:24 ESV

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”



John 14:6 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

1 John 4:8 ESV

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

 

Revelation 22:13 ESV

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

1 John 4:16 ESV

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

 

Exodus 3:14 ESV

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And He said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

Colossians 1:16 ESV

For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him.

 

Numbers 23:19 ESV

God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?

Luke 18:27 ESV

But He said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

Genesis 1:1 ESV

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

 

1 Timothy 1:17 ESV

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Colossians 2:9 ESV

For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily…

Romans 5:8 ESV

But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 1:1 ESV

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

 

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

John 3:16-17 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Psalm 27:1 ESV

Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Philippians 4:13 ESV

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Please enjoy the above inspirational song/video, “He’s God” by Edwin Hawkins.

 

 

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

 

BE BLESSED!

God Only Knows-An Alternative to Worry-Matt. 6:27

 

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred forty-first  inspirational message dated Saturday, January 12th, 2019. The title of this message is “God Only Knows-An Alternative to Worry-Matt. 6:27”.   The first three words of the title are also the title of the above inspirational song/video “God Only Knows” (with lyrics) by the Christian group “for KING & COUNTRY”. The scripture comes from the 27th verse of the sixth chapter of the book of Matthew:     Matthew 6:27 New International Version (NIV) 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?   For many years, I have enjoyed reading the daily inspirational messages as provided by RBC Ministries in their publications of "OUR DAILY BREAD".    I recently 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:

 

 

A law-abiding, honest man received a voicemail that said, “This is officer _______ from the police department. Please call me at this number.” Immediately the man began to worry—afraid that somehow he had done something wrong. He was afraid to return the call, and he even spent sleepless nights running through possible scenarios—worried that he was in some kind of trouble. The officer never called back, but it took weeks for the worry to go away. Jesus asked an interesting question about worry: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27). Perhaps this can help us rethink our tendency to worry, because it suggests that it doesn’t help the situation we’re concerned about. When problems are on the horizon for us, maybe we can try the following two-step approach: Take action and trust in God. If we can do something to avoid the problem, let’s try that route. We can pray for God to guide us to an action we should take. But if there’s nothing we can do, we can take comfort in knowing that God never finds Himself in such a predicament. He can always act on our behalf. We can always turn our situation over to Him in trust and confidence. When it feels like time to worry, may we turn to the inspired words of King David, who faced his own share of difficulties and worries, but concluded: “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22). What a great alternative to worry! By Dave Branon   REFLECT & PRAY Father, You know what faces me today. I am turning my cares over to You. Please strengthen me and help me to trust You with the struggles I face. What worries do you need to give to God today?

 

 

 

INSIGHT Matthew 6:19-34 emphasizes that true discipleship requires a lifestyle in which all we do is unified by our love for God. In verse 22, for example, Jesus suggests that, just as an eye defect distorts our whole vision, so our entire being becomes corrupted when our priorities are distorted. It’s impossible, He emphasizes, to be devoted to more than one “master” (v. 24). This, Jesus suggests, is why worry can be so dangerous. It’s only natural to feel anxiety, but when worry is what drives us, devotion to our own peace of mind may have replaced a single-minded devotion to God and the just ways of His kingdom.  Written by Monica Brands

 

Please enjoy the above inspirational song/video “God Only Knows” (with lyrics) by the Christian group “for KING & COUNTRY”.

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

BE BLESSED!
 

“Sarah Smile” – God’s call - Romans 9:20

 

 

This is Namma for Christ with the 140th inspirational message dated Wednesday, December 19^th, 2018 - entitled, “Sarah Smile – God’s call - Romans 9:20".

The scripture comes from the twentieth verse of the 9^th  chapter of Romans (as written by the Apostle Paul).  The surrounding scriptures are indicated below from the 19^th through the 26^th verses – that has as its sub-chapter title “The Calling of the Gentiles”.

Romans 9:20

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?”

 

The focus verse of Romans 9:20  states “Why is man questioning God?”  see below –

 

The remaining scriptures that follow this verse, provide God’s answer to this question:

Romans 9:19-26

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁹ You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” ²⁰ But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” ²¹ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

²² What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, ²³ and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, ²⁴ even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

²⁵ As He says also in Hosea:

“I will call them My people, who were not My people,
And her beloved, who was not beloved.”
²⁶ “And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,
‘You are not My people,’
There they shall be called sons of the living God.”

 

I am writing this message with a sad disposition and a hurting heart. For the last five years, I have served as a teacher’s assistant for 6^th through 8^th graders (for Math) for the same Middle School that I once attended over 40 years ago. Recently, one of my students who was with us (in the classroom) last year, is nearing the end of her life as she battles brain cancer. This 12 year old young lady is one of the nicest, sweetest, kindest young students that I’ve ever had the pleasure of teaching. Her name is Sarah. Sarah is also known for her sweet, kind, BEAUTIFUL SMILE and her GREAT disposition (despite what she is personally going through). All throughout her young life, she has had multiple surgeries and has had to endure ill-health while doing her best (when she is able to attend school). I was recently informed that Sarah has taken a turn for the worst. For some time now, I have been praying for God to heal this beautiful “little angel”.

This evening, God has provided me a new awareness of “Sarah’s” condition. Below are 3 realizations I have had, based on scripture:

1.  I have realized that the words in Isaiah 55:8-9 are “true” at ALL TIMES (especially, when we, as humans try to “understand” God’s Sovereign ways).  God’s thoughts are truly NOT our thoughts and God’s ways are truly NOT our ways – God’s WAYS and THOUGHTS are HIGHER than our ways and thoughts. See Isaiah 55:8-9 below:

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

 

2.  Romans 9:20 reminds us – who are “we” (as mere mortals ) to question God… Other related scriptures are listed below that corroborate with this verse - See below:

Isaiah 29:16

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁶ Surely you have things turned around!
Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay;
For shall the thing made say of him who made it,
“He did not make me”?
Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it,
“He has no understanding”?

 

Jeremiah 18:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!

 

Daniel 4:35

New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”

 

3.   Lastly, Jeremiah 29:11 confirms that God knows the plans (that He has for each of our lives.) 

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.

 

One’s life is not to be measured by “how many years” we live on this earth, but our lives should be based on fulfilling the “unique purposes God” has for each of us.

God’s hope and future – for “some”, could be the future (and hope of heaven) He has for them to spend eternally, with Him, in heaven – not on earth.  OR...God COULD in His Divine Sovereign Way "Miraculously Heal" ... just as "God healed Lazarus and raised him from the dead" - (as found in John 11:1-44).  Jesus said in John 11:4, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." If God so chooses, HE CAN bring Sarah back to "full and complete health" on "this side of heaven". He is able to restore Sarah to perfect health and heal her of cancer - IF HE WILLS IT!

Genesis 18:14 reminds us - "Is anything too hard for God?"
 
Jeremiah 32:27 states, "Behold - I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for Me?"

Luke 1:37 states - "FOR WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE."

We should “never” compare one person’s life to another…God makes each of us "uniquely" to glorify Him, as HE SEES FIT!

1 Corinthians 10:31

 New King James Version (NKJV)

³¹ Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

God LOVES Sarah – He loves her the MOST! She IS His little angel…His child – she was made to Glorify Him! Sarah was created by the Hand of God and He has never taken “His hand” or “His eye” off of HIS precious daughter, Sarah. Jesus states that “HE will never leave us, nor forsake us” – as Hebrews 13:5 confirms:

Hebrews 13:5

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

In summary, God is GOD ALL BY HIMSELF! HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING! HE IS TOO WISE TO ERR.

Romans 8:28 reminds us – God will work ALL things together for good! See the below verse:

 

Romans 8:28

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

 

 

WHEN WE CAN’T TRACE GOD’s HAND, WE MUST TRUST GOD’s HEART.

 

Please enjoy the above song/video by Hall and Oates, entitled “Sarah Smile” (with lyrics). (This song and meditation is dedicated to the memory of my dear student, Sarah. She gained her wings and passed away on February 13, 2019. May she continue to rest in heavenly peace with Jesus...I will never forget her...)

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

BE BLESSED!

Great Is Thy Faithfulness - James 1:17

 

 

 

 

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred thirty-ninth inspirational message dated Saturday, November 17^th, 2018.  The title of this message is, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness – James 1:17”.  The title of this message is also the title of the above anointed and inspirational song/video entitled, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by Donnie McClurkin.

The scripture of this message is taken from the New Testament book of James – as written by James:

James 1:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

 

Recently, I was researching under the internet for the phrase “No Shadow of Turning”. The below article was found under “BelovedLove.org” as written by Lydia Floren.

 

NO SHADOW OF TURNING

 

by Lydia Floren

as taken from the Internet’s “BelovedLove.org”

 

It is so easy to doubt God in a crisis.

Is God really going to provide?

Is He really going to take care of my current situation?  Or is it all up to me? 

In his song “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” Thomas Chisholm answers these questions with a remarkable image:

Great is your faithfulness, O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee.

There is no shadow of turning with Thee. 

What is a “shadow of turning?” When you are walking in the sunshine, you have a shadow.  Every little motion you make is reflected by your shadow.  Any time you turn a little to the right or left, your shadow also turns.  And if, as you are going along, you notice that your shadow has changed, you can be sure that your direction has also shifted.

When Thomas Chisholm says “there is no shadow of turning with Thee” he is pointing out God’s consistency.  God is steadily walking toward the light, toward Truth, and He invites us to follow.  As we do, we are, naturally, in His shadow. 

In whatever crisis we face, we can count on God.  He will lead.  He will provide.  He will see us through.  100% of the time.  There is no shift—not even a slight one– in God’s faithfulness to us.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.   James 1:17 NIV

I pray that this message was a blessing to you as it was to me...Please ENJOY the above video/song entitled, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" by Donnie McClurkin and BE BLESSED!

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