Scars - Who We Are - Acts 9:15

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred forty-eighth inspirational message dated Thursday, August 1st, 2019. The title of this message is "Scars – Who We Are - Acts 9:15".

The first word of the title is also the title of the above inspirational song/video “Scars” (with lyrics) by the Christian group “I Am They”. The scripture comes from the fifteenth verse of the ninth chapter of the book of Acts:

 

 

Acts 9:15

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

 

For many years, I have enjoyed reading the daily inspirational messages as provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries in their publications of "OUR DAILY BREAD".  

 I recently read the message for the day (for July 31^st, 2019) and found it to be so inspiring, memorable and “thought-provoking”.  This message made me reflect on what is really important: in how GOD sees us as “new creations in Christ”! God views us - in not who we “were” but who we are becoming through the power of the Holy Spirit

I wanted to share this message with you (see the below message). Our Daily Bread Ministries has the website of:  www.odb.org so that you can read and enjoy life-changing wisdom of daily inspirational messages based on scripture from the Bible. Please read and enjoy:

Who We Are

This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name.

Acts 9:15

Today's Scripture & Insight:

Acts 9:13-16

I’ll never forget the time I took my future wife to meet my family. With a twinkle in their eyes, my two elder siblings asked her, “What exactly do you see in this guy?” She smiled and assured them that by God’s grace I had grown to be the man she loved.
I loved that clever reply because it also reflects how, in Christ, the Lord sees more than our past. In Acts 9, He directed Ananias to heal Saul, a known persecutor of the church whom God had blinded. Ananias was incredulous at receiving this mission, stating that Saul had been rounding up believers in Jesus for persecution and even execution. God told Ananias not to focus on who Saul had been but on who he had become: an evangelist who would bring the good news to all the known world, including to the Gentiles (those who weren’t Jews) and to kings (v. 15). Ananias saw Saul the Pharisee and persecutor, but God saw Paul the apostle and evangelist.
We can sometimes view ourselves only as we have been—with all of our failures and shortcomings. But God sees us as new creations, not who we were but who we are in Jesus and who we’re becoming through the power of the Holy Spirit. O God, teach us to view ourselves and others in this way!

By: Peter Chin

How can you begin to better view yourself and others in light of who you are in Christ today? How does it encourage you to know God isn’t through growing and refining you?

Heavenly Father, help me to find my full identity in You. Allow me to humbly see others through Your eyes of grace!

 

Please enjoy the above inspirational song/video “Scars” (with lyrics) by the Christian group “I Am They”

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

BE BLESSED!

Till I Found You - Eccl. 7:2 - Your Eulogy

 

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred forty-seventh inspirational message dated Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019. The title of this message is “Till I Found You – Eccl. 7:2 – Your Eulogy”.

 

The first four words of the title are also the title of the above inspirational song/video “Till I Found You” (with lyrics) by the Christian artist “Phil Wickham”. The scripture comes from the 2^nd verse of the seventh chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes:

 

Ecclesiastes 7:2

New International Version (NIV)

² It is better to go to a house of mourning
    than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of everyone;
    the living should take this to heart.

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 (for June 26^th, 2019) and found it to be so inspiring, memorable and “thought-provoking”.  The main character of the "OUR DAILY BREAD” message (for June 26^th, 2019) lived a life - “like my 99 year old, bed-ridden grandmother”. (My grandmother transitioned peacefully from this life to be with the Lord on July 19, 2019). This message made me reflect on what is really important in life…

I wanted to share this message 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:

 

Your Eulogy

Bible in a Year :

Job 5–7; Acts 8:1–25

Death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:2

 

Today's Scripture & Insight:

Ecclesiastes 7:1–6

My heart is full from attending the funeral of a faithful woman. Her life wasn’t spectacular. She wasn’t known widely outside her church, neighbors, and friends. But she loved Jesus, her seven children, and her twenty-five grandchildren. She laughed easily, served generously, and could hit a softball a long way.
Ecclesiastes says, “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting” (7:2). “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning” because there we learn what matters most (7:4). New York Times columnist David Brooks says there are two kinds of virtues: those that look good on a résumé and those you want said at your funeral. Sometimes these overlap, though often they seem to compete. When in doubt, always choose the eulogy virtues.
The woman in the casket didn’t have a résumé, but her children testified that “she rocked Proverbs 31” and its description of a godly woman. She inspired them to love Jesus and care for others. As Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1), so they challenged us to imitate their mother’s life as she imitated Jesus.
What will be said at your funeral? What do you want said? It’s not too late to develop eulogy virtues. Rest in Jesus. His salvation frees us to live for what matters most.

By Mike Wittmer

 

Reflect & Pray

Are you living out things that will affect your résumé or your eulogy? How would your life change if you lived each day with your eulogy in mind?

Father, give me the courage to live for what matters most.

 

Please enjoy the above inspirational song/video “Till I Found You” (with lyrics) by the Christian artist Phil Wickham.

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

BE BLESSED!

Reason The Lord Rejoices - Zeph. 3:17

 

 

 

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred forty-sixth inspirational message dated Sunday, June 23rd, 2019. The title of this message is “Reason - The Lord Rejoices - Zeph. 3:17”.

 

The first word of the title is also the title of the above inspirational song/video “Reason” (with lyrics) by the Christian group “Unspoken”. The scripture comes from the 17^th verse of the third chapter of the book of Zephaniah:

 

Zephaniah 3:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

 

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:

 

The Lord Rejoices

6/23/2019

Bible in a Year :

Esther 9–10; Acts 7:1–21

[God] will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

 

Today's Scripture & Insight:

Zephaniah 3:14–20

My grandmother recently sent me a folder full of old photographs, and as I thumbed through them, one caught my eye. In it, I’m two years old, and I’m sitting on one end of a hearth (floor) in front of a fireplace. On the other end, my dad has his arm around my mom’s shoulders. Both are gazing at me with expressions of love and delight.

I pinned this photo to my dresser, where I see it every morning. It’s a wonderful reminder of their love for me. The truth is, though, that even the love of good parents is imperfect. I saved this photo because it reminds me that although human love may fail sometimes, God’s love never fails—and according to Scripture, God looks at me the way my parents are looking at me in this picture.

The prophet Zephaniah described this love in a way that astounds me. He describes God as rejoicing over His people with singing. God’s people had not earned this love. They had failed to obey Him or to treat each other with compassion. But Zephaniah promised that in the end, God’s love would prevail over their failures. God would take away their punishment (Zephaniah 3:15), and He would rejoice over them (v. 17). He would gather His people into His arms, bring them home, and restore them (v. 20).

That’s a love worth reflecting on every morning.

By Amy Peterson 

Reflect & Pray

How does it make you feel that God rejoices over you with singing? How have you experienced His love?

God, thank You for Your forgiveness and faithful love for us.

 

Please enjoy the above inspirational song/video “Reason” (with lyrics) by the Christian group “Unspoken”.

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

BE BLESSED!

 

 

“God Never Fails” - 1 Corinthians 1:9

 

 

 

This is Namma for Christ with the 145th inspirational message dated Friday, June 14^th, 2019. The title of this message is “God Never Fails” - 1 Corinthians 1:9. The first three words of the title of this message are also the first three words of the above song/video by “Mt. Zion Fellowship of Highland Hills, Ohio with Dr. C. Ronald S. Williams II, Senior Pastor, entitled – “God Never Fails”.  The scripture for this message is found in the ninth verse of the first chapter of 1^st Corinthians – as found in the New Testament book as written by Apostle Paul.

1 Corinthians 1:9

Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

⁹ God never fails anyone. It is He who called you to belong to His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

This message is a personal testimony of a recent experience of mine where God “showed up and showed out!” I truly believe in the power of prayer and how God will answer in His time and in His Way! This mediation’s song lyrics (of the chorus) are provided below because I truly believe that “GOD NEVER FAILS”:

God Never Fails

God never fails, God never fails
He abides with me, He Gives me victory
For God never fails
Oh, just keep the faith and never cease to pray
Just walk upright, call Him morning, noon, day, or night
He'll be there, He'll be there
There's no need to worry for God never fails.

 

My testimony is of a recent incident where the bills were high, but the money was low. I had just got paid and I had budgeted my money out to all that was due that month: my tithes, my car insurance, my rent, my food and gas money for the week.

Unfortunately and unexpectedly, the very same day that I got paid - my car started making a strange noise (that I had never heard of before). I drove my car to the mechanic – praying that the amount to “fix” the car would be within my budget of “what I could afford” – from what was “left-over” (from what I had previously budgeted out). I prayed that God would help me in this financial situation. I left my car with the mechanic overnight and called him the next day to see how much he would charge me to fix my car. I “honestly” did not have any extra money to fix my car! God performed a miracle for me! My mechanic informed me that he had driven my car, inspected it and found no problem! He told me that he didn’t even hear the noise (that I had heard the day before)! He simply told me to come pick up my car – he said there was nothing mechanically wrong with my car!  I didn’t have to pay him ANYTHING! I IMMEDIATELY just PRAISED and THANKED GOD! GOD KNEW MY SITUATION – and HE WORKED IT OUT – TOGETHER FOR MY GOOD! I picked up my car and drove it home with no noise and no problems! This is a personal testimony of how I gave GOD my problem and HE SHOWED ME – HOW “GOD NEVER FAILS”! TRY GOD for yourself – if you haven’t yet…GOD NEVER FAILS!

Psalm 34:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

 

Please enjoy the above inspirational song/video by “Mt. Zion Fellowship of Highland Hills with Dr. C. Ronald S. Williams II, Senior  Pastor, entitled – “God Never Fails”. 

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

BE BLESSED!



Build My Life - Rom. 8:1 - Living the Free Life

This is Namma for Christ with the 144th inspirational message dated Monday, May 20^th, 2019. The title of this message is “Build My Life – Rom. 8:1 – Living the Free Life”. The first three words of the title of this message are also the first three words of the above song/video by Christian artist “Pat Barrett” (featuring Chris Tomlin) entitled – “Build My Life”.  The scripture for this message is found in the first verse of the eighth chapter of Romans – as found in the New Testament book as written by Apostle Paul.

Romans 8:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Recently, I read my church school lesson (for May 12th, 2019)  as found in the lesson book from the “Echoes Church School Publications” and the lesson was about "Romans 8:1 - Living the Free Life".  Immediately, this caught my attention, because this verse has always been one of my favorite verses.  When I was about 22 years old, I was going through a really difficult time - during my last year of college.  Not only was I trying to finish my last remaining courses to graduate “on-time”, I had also recently broke up with my “then” boyfriend (at that time) and my college internship had suddenly ended.  It seemed like “everything” that I touched was “failing” – and during that period of my life, I felt like a “complete failure”. “Nothing” – I attempted was “working” as "I thought" it should have been "working" – and I “lost all confidence in myself”. I really had thought that this world would be better  off without me. I felt as if I had let “everybody down” – my family, my friends and my church family. I spoke to the counselors at my school, but they couldn't help me. I was having trouble sleeping, I was exhausted and I stressed myself out “worrying”! Little did I know “then” – that the “worrying” led to the “lack of sleep” – and the “lack of sleep” led to the exhaustion.  Looking back - no wonder.... I had no confidence, suffered with low self-esteem, couldn’t concentrate, or do anything right – I was physically and mentally "drained"!  I had put all this pressure on myself – forgetting what I had learned in church school and from reading my Bible.  I had forgotten to “Cast ALL my care on HIM (JESUS), for HE cared for me” as 1^st Peter 5: 7 said.

 

During this stressful time, I also needed to STOP BLAMING MYSELF! God's Holy Spirit led me to read Romans 8:1 (below) and it "WOKE ME UP"!

Romans 8:1

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

 
This verse reminded me that I didn’t have to CONDEMN myself for my failures! God was “THEN” and “ALWAYS IS” IN CONTROL! I realized... I was FREE to LIVE!  If Jesus, my Lord and Savior, didn’t condemn me, “WHY” was I CONDEMNING MYSELF!

 

After I read Romans 8:1 – I REMEMBERED THAT “JESUS STILL LOVED ME”…I had been so hard on "myself" – but, that NEVER changed how JESUS felt about me…He LOVED ME and He “NEVER” left me as Hebrews 13:5b (below)  reminded me  of what
Jesus said:

“I will never leave you, nor forsake you…” 

I remembered God’s promises and my WHOLE PERSPECTIVE CHANGED…I looked to JESUS! I stopped blaming myself…

All Praises to the Lord – I finished my credits, graduated from college, and I got a job (within a month after graduating)! "This "same" job, with GOD's help, I was able to keep for the next 22 years - To God be the GLORY! ONLY GOD!

 

 God knew the plans He had for me – all along – I had to STOP BLAMING myself and I had to KEEP remembering the promises in His Word.

 

I pray that this “personal testimony” may encourage someone else reading this. We ALL may go through difficult times (during our lives), but don’t get discouraged – GOD is not done with us yet!

Always, REMEMBER Romans 8:1 - 

Romans 8:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

Free from Indwelling Sin

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

 

and REMEMBER Jeremiah 29:11 (concerning God’s 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 enjoy the above inspirational song/video (with lyrics) by Pat Barrett (featuring Chris Tomlin) entitled, “Build My Life”.

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

(If you can’t see the above 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 press play to enjoy the song/video).

 

BE BLESSED!

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!