Believe – Heb. 10:21-24 – Laboring for God

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred thirty-ninth inspirational message dated Monday, November 21st, 2022. The title of this message is “Believe – Heb. 10:21-24 – Laboring for God”.

The first word of this message’s title is also the name of the below inspirational song/video, “Believe” (with lyrics) as performed by Blessing Offor. The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the New Testament book of Hebrews – the twenty-first through the twenty-fourth verses of the tenth chapter:

Hebrews 10:21-24

New Living Translation (NLT)

²¹ And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, ²² let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

 

²³ Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.

²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

 

 

The title of this message includes the words “Laboring for God” – which is the “title” of the Charles Stanley “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (11/19/22) – which I have included below:

 

Laboring for God

  John 12:20-26

By Charles Stanley

 

 

John 12:26

New Life Version (NLV)

 

²⁶ If anyone wants to serve Me, he must follow Me. So where I am, the one who wants to serve Me will be there also. If anyone serves Me, My Father will honor him.

 

AS JESUS’ FOLLOWERS, we are to carry out His work. And we’re to be living extensions of His Life as we do so.

Following His example, believers must:

 

-      LIVE AS GOD’S SERVANTS. We need to release control over our time, talent, and treasure and accept our commission to work in His kingdom. Like our Savior, we’re not to act independently (John 5:19 - see verse below). Our assignment is to do whatever God asks of us.

John 5:19

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁹ Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

-      ANSWER HIS CALL TO AID OTHERS.  We tend to limit our circle to people like ourselves, but we must fight against this inclination. We should be willing to respond to the needs of strangers and friends alike. And the Lord can help us recognize those opportunities.

-      MOTIVATE ONE ANOTHER TO GOOD DEEDS (Hebrews 10:24 - see verse below). We’re to spur each other toward godliness and service rather than worldly pleasure and self-centeredness. Believers should foster in each other gratefulness for what He has done and confidence about what He will do.

Good works don’t earn salvation, but they do affect eternal rewards. Believers’ deeds will one day be evaluated: Works done without direction from God will be burned up, while those accomplished in obedience to the Spirit will be remembered and acknowledged (1^st Corinthians 3:10-15 - see verses below). Let your love for God stimulate you to labor in His kingdom.

 

Hebrews 10:24

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁴And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works

 1^st Corinthians 3:10-15

New Life Version (NLV)

¹⁰ Through God’s loving-favor to me, I laid the stones on which the building was to be built. I did it like one who knew what he was doing. Now another person is building on it. Each person who builds must be careful how he builds on it. ¹¹ Jesus Christ is the Stone on which other stones for the building must be laid. It can be only Christ. ¹² Now if a man builds on the Stone with gold or silver or beautiful stones, or if he builds with wood or grass or straw, ¹³ each man’s work will become known. There will be a day when it will be tested by fire. The fire will show what kind of work it is. ¹⁴ If a man builds on work that lasts, he will receive his reward. ¹⁵ If his work is burned up, he will lose it. Yet he himself will be saved as if he were going through a fire.

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “Believe” (with lyrics) as performed by Blessing Offor sung with power and anointing.

 

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

 

(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.)

 BE BLESSED!

I Really Love the Lord – John 1:12

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred thirty-eighth inspirational message dated Saturday, November 12th, 2022. The title of this message is “I Really Love the Lord – John 1:12”.

The first five words of this message’s title are also the words in the name of the below inspirational song/video, “I Really Love The Lord” (with lyrics) as performed by soloist Shirley Jacobs with the Fellowship Chorale (of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Maryland). The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the New Testament book of John – the twelfth verse of the first chapter:

John 1:12

New Life Version (NLV)

 

¹² He gave the right and the power to become children of God to those who received Him. He gave this to those who put their trust in His name.

 

 

The title of this message includes the subject concerning “love”. The “title” of the Charles Stanley “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (10/31/22) is “Does God Love Me?” – which I have included below:

 

Does God Love Me?

In moments of doubt, choose to believe the truth of God’s Word.

  Psalm 145:7-9

By Charles Stanley

 

 

Psalm 145:7-9

(New International Version)

⁷ They celebrate Your abundant goodness
    and joyfully sing of Your righteousness.

⁸ The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

⁹ The Lord is good to all;
    He has compassion on all He has made.

 

 

Life can hit us with the most unexpected and undesirable circumstances. When that happens, we might wonder, Does God really care about me? Here are three truths to remember:

1. Scripture tells us, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). This means His very nature is characterized by compassion and concern. Love originated with God, and He is the greatest example of how to express it. Together with the reality that God is holy, this means our Father is perfect in His love — He’ll never make a mistake in the way He cares for us. 

2. God loves us because He calls us His children. “To those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God,” writes John in his gospel (John 1:12 NIV). Sadly, for some who’ve had a difficult upbringing, this may not be encouraging news. But God is the perfect parent, and He loves us perfectly.

3. God gave the supreme demonstration of His love at the cross. God’s Son came to earth as an expression of His Father’s infinite love and sacrificially did for us what no one else could do. 

After considering these three facts about God’s love, how could we not expect Him to take care of even the smallest details of our life? Look for ways He is expressing His love to you and remember Jesus’s own words on the subject: “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). 

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “I Really Love The Lord” (with lyrics) as performed by soloist Shirley Jacobs with the Fellowship Chorale (of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Maryland) sung with power and anointing.

 

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

 

(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.)

 

 BE BLESSED!

God Is In This Story – 2nd Cor. 4:6-9 – No Quitting

 This is “Namma for Christ” with the two hundred thirty-seventh inspirational message dated Sunday, November 6th, 2022.  The title of this message is, “God Is In This Story – 2^nd Cor. 4:6-9 – No Quitting”.  “God Is In This Story” (with lyrics) by “Katy Nichole (featuring Big Daddy Weave)” is a song that I first heard on my Christian radio station, Star 99.1FM. The below scripture text is what the Apostle Paul wrote in the sixth through the ninth verses of the fourth chapter of Romans:

 

2^nd Corinthians 4:6-9

Living Bible (TLB)

⁶ For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made us understand that it is the brightness of His glory that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷ But this precious treasure — this light and power that now shine within us — is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own.

⁸ We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit. ⁹ We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.

 

 One of the scriptures (verse 8) from above was taken from the “same” scripture text in the message that I read on (November 3rd, 2022) in my daily devotional book entitled: “The Word for You Today – Strength and Guidance for Daily Living”.

 

The inspirational message I read on November 3^rd, 2022 was titled – “DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT QUITTING!” I knew that it was a message that I wanted to share in my next “Namma for Christ” blog. I hope you find (some of the excerpts) as inspirational as I did:

 

DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT QUITTING!

 

⁸ “We don’t give up and quit.”

2^nd Corinthians 4:8

Living Bible (TLB)

 

Here are some reasons why we quit:

1-          We fear failure. Past hurts and mistakes haunt us, and we think it’s better not to try again than risk failing. Don’t spend your life digging up bones! We all have things in our past we would rather forget. Put them behind you. Paul writes, “Forgetting those things which are behind…[reach] forward to those things which are ahead” (Phil. 3:13 NKJV)

2-          We worry what people will say. “Fear of human opinion disables” (Prov. 29:25 MSG). How you respond to criticism is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. There will always be people who won’t like or understand you. Get over it!

3-          We listen to the wrong voices. Satan is the father of lies, and he will do everything he can to discourage you. Paul says, “Demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2nd Cor. 10:5 NIV).  When a thought comes, examine it. If it’s from God, receive it; if it’s from Satan, “demolish it”.

4-          We lose focus. As believers, we’re to walk by faith, not by sight (See 2^nd Cor. 5:7). That means making every decision based on what God says and not what you see with your natural eyes.

5-          We lose touch with other believers. When the apostles got out of jail, they went back to “their own company” (Acts 4:23). To stay strong, you need fellowship with other Christians. Too many people quit on the verge of success; don’t be one of them. There is only one degree of difference between hot water and steam – so keep going and don’t even think of quitting!

 

Please enjoy the below song, “God Is In This Story” (with lyrics) by “Katy Nichole (featuring Big Daddy Weave)” - performed with power and anointing.

 

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

 

BE BLESSED

Same God – Isaiah 26:7

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred thirty-sixth inspirational message dated Wednesday, October 26th, 2022. The title of this message is “Same God – Isaiah 26:7”.

The first two words of this message’s title are also the name of the below inspirational song/video, “Same God” (with lyrics) as performed by Elevation Worship. The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the Old Testament book of Isaiah – the seventh verse of the twenty-sixth chapter:

Isaiah 26:7

New Life Version (NLV)

 

⁷ The way of the man who is right with God is smooth. O Upright One, make the path straight of those who are right with You.

  

Recently, I was listening to my favorite Christian radio station STAR 99.1FM and I heard the below song, “Same God” for the first time. I loved the lyrics and the message behind the song. I knew after I heard this song, that I would want to share it in my next message. I also had read the meditation (for October 18^th) in my daily devotional book: “Jesus Calling – Enjoying Peace in His Presence” - I knew that I would want to share this particular message, as well.

Please note – “this” inspirational book (as written by Sarah Young) is written from the “perspective” as if Jesus was saying these words “directly” to “you” – (I’d highly recommend to all readers this “daily devotional” book - to read or add to your inspirational meditations and/or spiritual library. Each daily meditation is followed by supporting applicable scriptures.)

The meditation (for October 18^th) says:

 

      “GO GENTLY THROUGH THIS DAY, keeping your eyes on Me. I will open up the way before you, as you take steps of trust along your path. Sometimes the way before you appears to be blocked. If you focus on the obstacle or search for a way around it, you will probably go off course. Instead, focus on Me, the Shepherd who is leading you along your life-journey. Before you know it, the “obstacle” will be behind you and you will hardly know how you passed through it.

     That is the secret of success in My kingdom. Although you remain aware of the visible world around you, your primary awareness is of Me. When the road before you looks rocky, you can trust Me to get you through that rough patch. My Presence enables you to face each day with confidence.

 

 

John 10:14-15

 

New King James Version

 

¹⁴ I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. ¹⁵ As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

 

Isaiah 26:7

New Life Version (NLV)

 

 

⁷ The way of the man who is right with God is smooth. O Upright One, make the path straight of those who are right with You.

 

In the accompanied song/video, the chorus has the following words:

 

“O Rock, O Rock of ages –

I’m standing on Your faithfulness, On Your faithfulness!”

 

 

The “SAME GOD” Who helped the believers of old, is the “SAME GOD” HELPING US TODAY!

Hebrews 13:8 reminds us of this truth:

 

Hebrews 13:8

 

New King James Version

 

 

⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Also, Hebrews 1:1-3 remind us – THE “SAME GOD” then – IS THE “SAME GOD” – NOW:

 

 

Hebrews 1:1-3

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; ³ who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “Same God” (with lyrics) as sung by Elevation Worship performed with power and anointing.

 

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

 

(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.)

 BE BLESSED!

The Goodness – The Good Things in Life - Psalm 34:17-22

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred thirty-fifth inspirational message dated Saturday, October 22nd, 2022. The title of this message is “The Goodness – The Good Things in Life - Psalm 34:17-22”.

The first two words of this message’s title are also the name of the below inspirational song/video, “The Goodness” (with lyrics) as performed by TobyMac and Blessing Offor. The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the Old Testament book of Psalms – the seventeenth through the twenty-second verses of the thirty-fourth chapter:

Psalm 34:17-22

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
²⁰ He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
²¹ Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
²² The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

 

The title of this message includes the words “The Good Things in Life” – which is the “title” of the Charles Stanley “In Touch” Daily Devotional for (10/18/22) – which I have included below:

 

The Good Things in Life

Knowing and pursuing God gives us our best life.

  Psalm 34:1-22

By Charles Stanley

 

How do we achieve the good life? Well, it depends on what you pursue and what you consider “good.” The world defines good things as items and experiences that make us happy. But from the Lord’s perspective, the good things in life are those that fit into His purpose and plan for us. 

God’s will could include material prosperity, health, and opportunities, but He also considers periods of trouble, need, and suffering as valuable. The Lord prioritizes our spiritual well-being over physical or material comfort and ease. 

Our Father wants us to seek Him rather than the treasures and pleasures of this life. If we do this, He promises we’ll “not lack any good thing” (Psalm 34:10 – see verse below).  We’re told to ask the Lord to meet our needs, but we should also come to Him with an open heart that seeks to know and love Him more. 

Psalm 34:10

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁰ The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

God Himself is the highest good we could possibly seek. Everything that He gives, whether much or little, is a good and perfect gift from Him (James 1:17 – see verse below). When our pursuit is the Lord rather than the things of this world, we’ll be content with whatever we have (Psalm 37:4 - see verse below).

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.

Psalm 37:4

New King James Version (NKJV)

 
⁴ Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “The Goodness” (with lyrics) as performed by TobyMac and Blessing Offor sung with power and anointing.

 

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

 

(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.)

 BE BLESSED!

Withholding Nothing – Psalm 9:10-11

 

This is Namma for Christ with the two hundred thirty-fourth inspirational message dated Tuesday, October 11th, 2022. The title of this message is “Withholding Nothing – Psalm 9:10-11”.

The first two words of this message’s title are also the name of the below inspirational song/video, “Withholding Nothing” (with lyrics) as performed by gospel artist and pastor William McDowell. The below passage of scripture (that accompanies this message) is from the Old Testament book of Psalms – the tenth and eleventh verses of the ninth chapter:

Psalm 9:10-11

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

 

¹⁰ And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

¹¹ Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!
Declare His deeds among the people.

  

Recently, I was scrolling through my YouTube Gospel song favorites and I saw the below video of “Withholding Nothing” (with lyrics) by William McDowell – and I knew that I just had to stop and listen to this song. I had heard this song sung before, but listening to it “this time” – caused me to stop and reflect on the thought-provoking and touching lyrics. I knew that I would want to share “this” song in my next message. I also had read the meditation (for October 10^th) of my daily devotional book: “Jesus Calling – Enjoying Peace in His Presence” and I knew I had to share it with this song. Please note – “this” inspirational book (as written by Sarah Young) is written from the “perspective” as if Jesus was saying these words “directly” to “you” – (I’d highly recommend to all readers this “daily devotional” book - to read or add to your inspirational meditations and/or spiritual library. Each daily meditation is followed by supporting applicable scriptures.)

The meditation (for October 10^th) says:

      “TRUST ME ENOUGH to let things happen without striving to predict or control them. Relax, and refresh yourself in the Light of my everlasting Love. My Love-Light never dims, yet you are often unaware of My radiant Presence. When you project yourself into the future, rehearsing what you will do or say, you are seeking to be self-sufficient: to be adequate without My help. This is a subtle sin – so common that it usually slips by unnoticed.

     The alternate is to live fully in the present, depending on Me each moment. Rather than fearing your inadequacy, rejoice in My abundant supply. Train your mind to seek My help continually, even when you feel competent to handle something by yourself. Don’t divide your life into things you can do by yourself and things that require My help. Instead, learn to rely on Me in every situation. This discipline will enable you to enjoy life more and to face each day confidently.”

 

Psalm 37:3-6

New King James Version

 

³ Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
⁴ Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
⁶ He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.

 

 

Philippians 4:19

New King James Version

 

¹⁹ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

 

Psalm 9:10-11

New King James Version

 

¹⁰ And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

¹¹ Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!
Declare His deeds among the people.

 

Also, remember – without God, we could do nothing:

 

John 15:5

New King James Version

 

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.

 

Please enjoy the below inspirational song/video, “Withholding Nothing” (with lyrics) by William McDowell sung with power and anointing.

 

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

 

(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.)

 BE BLESSED!