This is Namma for Christ with the fifty-first inspirational message dated Saturday, May 24th, 2014. The title of this message is: "TRUST IN JESUS - Proverbs 3: 5-6". This message is based on the below scripture text from the third chapter in Proverbs (written by King Solomon) as found in the Old Testament (KJV):
Proverbs 3:5-6
King James Version (KJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. "Trust" is defined below as:
believe inthe reliability, truth, ability or strength of.
When you read the above definitions of "TRUST", does it make you reflect on 'WHO" you rely on...who do you put your TRUST in...or WHO IS YOUR CONFIDENCE IN?
Throughout the Bible, God's Word tells us to TRUST IN THE LORD...
5 Trust in theLordwith all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Our bible verses for this message instruct us on "how" we are to TRUST IN THE LORD: WITH "ALL" OUR HEARTS...
Verse 5 further informs us that we are "NOT" to "LEAN ON OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING"....finally, verse 6 of Proverbs 3 tells us "we must acknowledge our LORD in EVERYTHING (IN ALL OUR WAYS)...so that HE WILL DIRECT OUR PATHS.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
Below are additional verses in the Bible that refer to TRUSTING IN OUR LORD:
2 Samuel 22:3
King James Version (KJV)
3 The God of my rock; in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
Psalm 9:10
King James Version (KJV)
10 And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.
Psalm 13:5
King James Version (KJV)
5 But I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.
Psalm 31:14
King James Version (KJV)
14 But I trusted in Thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.
Psalm 40:4
King James Version (KJV)
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Psalm 56:4
King James Version (KJV)
4 In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Psalm 84:12
King James Version (KJV)
12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee. Never forget...the only way to GOD, Our Father, is through HIS SON, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST....see John 14:6 below....
John 14:6
King James Version (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.
PRAY TO...BELIEVE IN....YIELD TO...TRUST IN JESUS....'TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS...
(I do not own the rights to this song.)
BE BLESSED!
Please enjoy the below anointed song and video (with lyrics) by "Casting Crowns", 'TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS:
This is Namma for Christ with the fiftieth inspirational message dated Tuesday, April 29th, 2014. The title of this message is: "MY GOD IS AWESOME - Psalm 47: 2". This message is based on the below scripture text from the second verse of the 47th Psalm (written by King David) as found in the Old Testament (NIV):
Psalm 47:2
New International Version (NIV)
2 For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.
"Dictionary.com" defines the word: "AWESOME" as the following:
Our verse for today from Psalm 47: 2 states that GOD, THE LORD, MOST HIGH is "AWESOME"!
HE IS THE GREAT KING OVER ALL THE EARTH!
Let us all take some introspection - "look within" and ask ourselves what does that verse mean "personally" to us, "individually"? Let us ask:
WHAT HAS OUR "AWESOME" GOD DONE FOR US?
ONLY "WE", OURSELVES, CAN "PERSONALLY" LOOK OVER OUR LIVES AND "ANSWER" THE ABOVE QUESTION FOR OURSELVES!
WHAT HAS GOD DONE FOR "ME"?
LET'S TELL IT!....LET'S "LIVE" TO SHOW OUR LOVE AND THANKFULNESS TO GOD!
HASN'T GOD BEEN "AWESOME" IN OUR LIVES?
LOOK, AT WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN OUR LIVES!
LOOK, AT HOW "FAR" GOD HAS BROUGHT US!
CAN'T WE TESTIFY "PERSONALLY" TO WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US?
WE CAN ALL SAY: "MY GOD IS AWESOME!"
Let us live our lives "everyday" in thankful gratitude to what GOD has done in our lives! Let us have the "attitude" of GRATITUDE to our Lord JESUS every second of every hour that we live!
Because... if it had NOT been for the LORD on our side (as the below verses from Psalm 124: 1-3 reminds us) WHERE WOULD WE BE?
Psalm 124:1-3
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 124
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 If the Lord had not been on our side— let Israel say— 2 if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, 3 they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us;
We, as children of God, have SO MUCH to be GRATEFUL for....because of OUR "AWESOME GOD"! Remember, HE has promised in Hebrews 13:5 - "I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE"....
Hebrews 13:5
King James Version (KJV)
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
LET US LIVE TO PRAISE HIM AND THANK HIM, EVERYDAY! GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO US!
Please enjoy the below inspirational song, "MY GOD IS AWESOME" as sung by Rev. Charles Jenkins:
Please listen carefully to the lyrics and just dwell on HOW "AWESOME" GOD HAS BEEN IN YOUR LIFE! Please enjoy and sing along in PRAISE TO OUR LORD!
This is Namma for Christ with the forty-ninth inspirational message dated Saturday, March 29th, 2014. The title of this message is, "Lord, I Need You - The Lord Is My Shepherd - Psalm 23:1".This message is based on the below scripture text from the first verse of the beloved passage known as "The 23rd Psalm" (written by David) as found in the Old Testament (KJV):
2 He
maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still
waters. 3 He
restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's
sake. 4 Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou
preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my
head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in
the house of the Lord for ever.
When I was a little girl, my mother would take me to Sunday School where my grandmother* was not only the teacher of the Adult Class, but also the superintendent of the Church School.
(*Please NOTE- This was originally written 3/29/14. My dear grandmother peacefully passed away on 7/19/19. May she continue to rest in heavenly peace with Jesus.)
"The 23rd Psalm" was a passage of scripture that all Sunday School students were "expected" to have memorized, as well as "The Lord's Prayer". Thank God, I learned these from my mother and grandmother. To this day, I thank God for the love and guidance of these amazing, God-filled, strong and wise women, my mother and grandmother. I Thank God for the Godly influence of my grandmother who still lived and still served God in "her" way (at age 94) by "still attending church" and being a prayer warrior at home. I remember when I was 11 years old, in the 5th grade, I wrote an essay on who I would like to be like "when I grew up." I chose my grandmother. I saw in her a "deep" love of God (and a dedication to keeping Him first in her life). I also saw in her: a genuine love of children, a kindness for "all" people (and a concern for their salvation), as well as, a generosity to give to others (without "worrying" about her own personal needs). My grandmother showed me, "then", and still showed me, (throughout her life) how important it was to have your "own" personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Her personal relationship with our Lord had enabled her to have a "blessed life" by her "living" out the words: "THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT"!
My grandmother, was a single parent, who raised my mother (with the love and support of her mother and sisters). She “witnessed" to all who came in contact with her (whether at work, at home, in church, or in the neighborhood... "wherever" she went) that we must all ALWAYS KEEP GOD FIRST!
I was blessed to see a woman who served the LORD in a variety of ways: as a mother, grandmother, aunt, as a teacher, evangelist, Deaconess, missionary, church steward - but most important, as a "witness" - for what God can do in your life - if you just give Him your life!
King David, the writer of this 23rd Psalm, serves as an example to all of us as a follower of God (in the lineage of Jesus Christ) who lived his life - keeping GOD FIRST!
King David, known as a "man after God's own heart" served God, depended on God and kept GOD FIRST! Was King David "perfect"? NO....None of us are....ONLY JESUS IS PERFECT....ONLY JESUS IS SINLESS...
King David sinned...but GOD "STILL" USED HIM...GOD STILL HAD A PURPOSE FOR HIM...Just like us!
We all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God as Romans 3:23 states below:
Romans 3:23
King James Version (KJV)
23 For
all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
GOD "CAN" AND "WILL" USE US FOR "HIS GLORY"...IF WE JUST "YIELD OUR WILL" AND GIVE OUR LIVES TO HIM!
WHATEVER YOU LACK.....GOD CAN SUPPLY.....YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE IN NEED...remember Psalm 37:25 :
25 I
have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread.
JESUS IS SUFFICIENT....HE HAS WHATEVER YOU NEED....JUST BELIEVE IN HIM AND PRAY TO "YOUR" LORD....WAIT ON GOD....HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST "SPECIFICALLY" FOR YOU...BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU AND WANTS WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU! God has unlimited resources...and HE can DO ALL THINGS, BUT FAIL! Never FORGET...the earth IS the Lord's as Psalm 24:1 confirms:
24 The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness
thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
REMEMBER ...THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S ....HE'S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS ...BUT, MOST IMPORTANTLY......."YOU"...ARE IN HIS HANDS... YOU are HIS CHILD!
John 10:10b states what JESUS says to us, His believers:
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly.
ALWAYS, REMEMBER - THE LORD IS "OUR" SHEPHERD, "WE" SHALL NOT WANT"!
Please enjoy the below inspirational song and video (with lyrics) by Matt Maher, entitled, "Lord, I Need You":
(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.)
This song and meditation is dedicated to the memory of my dear grandmother - "Nana". She gained her wings and transitioned to be with the Lord peacefully at home on July 19, 2019. May she continue to rest in heavenly peace with Jesus...I will always love her...I will miss her, but I am comforted that she is with Jesus- whom she loved, lived for and gave her BEST for!
This
is Namma for Christ with the forty-eighth inspirational message dated Wednesday, March 12th, 2014. The title of this message is, "He Turned It - Isaiah 61:3".This
message is based on the below scripture text in Isaiah 61:3 as found in the Old Testament
(KJV):
3 To
appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the
oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called
trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be
glorified. Today's scripture refers to what Isaiah, the prophet, said would happen to those that believe in God and those "that mourn": he said they would receive "BEAUTY FOR ASHES". He also said they would receive "the oil of JOY" for "mourning" and "the garment of PRAISE" for the spirit of "heaviness". Finally, the "RESULTS" of GOD TURNING AROUND THE BELIEVERS' SITUATIONS would BE: THEY WOULD BE CALLED: "TREES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - THE PLANTING OF THE LORD" so that "GOD MIGHT BE GLORIFIED!" I want to encourage you! God can do all things, but fail... GOD CAN TURN YOUR NEGATIVE SITUATIONS AROUND INTO POSITIVE SITUATIONS FOR "HIS GLORY"! GOD can give you "BEAUTY" for "ASHES".... Genesis 18: 14 declares :
Genesis 18:14
King James Version (KJV)
14 Is
any thing too hard for the Lord?
NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR THE LORD! Whatever situation, problem or challenge you are experiencing GOD CAN TURN IT! GOD CAN CHANGE YOUR SITUATION AND ALLOW "YOU" TO BE AN "OVERCOMER" AND FOR "GOD" TO "GET THE GLORY!" GOD HAS "NOT" GIVEN UP ON YOU! HE HAS GREAT PLANS FOR YOU! THE VERY FACT THAT YOU ARE ALIVE IS EVIDENT THAT GOD STILL "WANTS TO USE YOU FOR 'HIS' GLORY AND HONOR!" Please remember Jeremiah 29: 11 -
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."
YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO "LIVE" FOR THE "LORD"! Don't dwell in despair. BELIEVE ME. I once was there...Six years ago, I found myself in a dark, sad place. I was suffering depression...even as a Christian. I blamed myself for so many problems in my life...I was wallowing in despair, sadness and "trying to figure out WHY my life had went a different direction than I thought it should have..." THEN...GOD WOKE ME UP....I PRAYED TO THE LORD....ONLY GOD got me out of that depressed, sad state....GOD allowed me to surrender EVERYTHING TO HIM...MY LIFE, MY PROBLEMS, MY WILL, MY SADNESS, MY FAMILY, MY BITTERNESS, MY SINS, MY FEARS, MY GUILT, MY MISTAKES, MY CONFUSION, MY "QUESTIONS" OF "WHY"....I SURRENDERED "MYSELF"....ALL OF ME...I GAVE MYSELF TO JESUS FOR "HIS WILL" TO BE DONE IN MY LIFE!....ALL TO JESUS....I SURRENDERED...ALL TO "HIM" I HAD TO FREELY GIVE....AND THEN I WAS FREE! I STARTED FEELING BETTER...I STARTED FEELING BETTER AND BETTER... EACH DAY...LIKE A BURDEN WAS LIFTED...JESUS made me FREE as John 8:36 says:
36 If
the Son therefore
shall make you free,
ye shall be free indeed.
I WAS "FREE" TO DO HIS "WILL" and NOT my own. God blessed me to be used for HIS GLORY...He turned my ashes into "BEAUTY"- He allowed me to "turn" my discouragement into ENCOURAGEMENT for others!
I experienced LOVE, MERCY, GRACE and FORGIVENESS from my Heavenly Father. I realized I didn't have to continue to "beat myself up" or have low self-esteem...I realized that I was STILL HIS CHILD....GOD "STILL LOVES US"...even if we make mistakes...HE just asks that we humbly come to HIM, confess EVERYTHING to HIM and pray daily - always thanking and praising HIM. I THANK AND PRAISE JESUS FOR MY LIFE! EVERYDAY, I ASK THAT I MAY DO "HIS WILL" WITH MY LIFE...I AM FREE AND I HAVE JOY. I had to get the focus off myself...I had experienced "wrong" thinking...I was wasting "too" much time trying to "figure things out"....whereas GOD was letting me know ALL THE TIME - THAT "HE IS" AND WILL "ALWAYS" BE IN CONTROL. God led me to HIS WORD to comfort me ... I read Isaiah 55: 8-9 to remind me THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL:
8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the
Lord. 9 For
as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways,
and My thoughts than your thoughts. I PRAY THESE WORDS MAY BE A COMFORT AND AN INSPIRATION TO YOU, AS WELL. LET GOD TURN YOUR "ASHES" TO "BEAUTY"!
(I do not own the rights to this song.)
BE BLESSED!
Please enjoy the below inspiring video and song by Tye Tribbett entitled, "He Turned It":
(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.)
This is Namma for Christ with the forty-seventh inspirational message dated Sunday, February 16th, 2014. The title of this message is, "I'll Say Yes, Lord" - Acts 22:14".This message is based on the below scripture text in Acts as found in the New Testament (NKJV):
Acts 22:14
New King James Version (NKJV)
14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you
that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.
The above verse was said by Paul as he told what happened to him when Ananias, (a certain disciple at Damascus), was used by God to restore his (Saul's) sight. (Paul - who was previously known as Saul- would later have his name changed to: "Paul" (after his Damascus road conversion). See the below text as taken from Acts 9: 1-16:
Acts 9: 1-16
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Damascus Road: Saul
Converted
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against
the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to
the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether
men or women, he might
bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As
he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from
heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to
him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And
he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus,
whom you are persecuting.It
is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So
he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to
do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must
do.” 7 And
the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no
one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were
opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into
Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor
drank.
Ananias Baptizes
Saul
10 Now there was a
certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a
vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So
the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called
Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of
Tarsus, for behold, he is. 12 And in a
vision, he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on
him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many
about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind
all who call on Your name.” 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.16 For I will show him how many things he
must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Our scripture for today from Acts 22:14 speaks about "being chosen", "knowing God's will" and "hearing from God's voice".
Please read the below verses: Acts 22:15 and Acts 1:8 (as stated by Jesus) - which applies to all believers - of being witnesses of Jesus Christ:
Acts 22:15
New King James Version (NKJV)
15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and
heard.
Acts 1:8
New King James Version (NKJV)
8 But you shall receive powerwhen the Holy Spirit has come upon you; andyou shall bewitnesses to Me in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea andSamaria, and to theend of the earth.”
As believers in Jesus Christ, WE ALL HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY GOD! WE'VE ALL BEEN WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB! WE ALL HAVE BEEN DRAWN UNTO GOD. HIS HOLY SPIRIT LIVES INSIDE OF US. WE ARE ALL CALLED TO HEAR THE LORD'S VOICE! IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY - LET GO AND LET GOD! SUBMIT "YOUR" WILL TO THE "LORD'S" WILL IN YOUR LIFE? HAVE YOU SAID "YES, LORD...TO WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO IN YOUR LIFE"? GOD WANTS TO USE "YOU"...TO BLESS "YOU"... SO THAT YOU CAN BE A "BLESSING TO OTHERS"!
GOD HAS CALLED EACH OF US TO BE "HIS" WITNESSES - AS ACTS 22 VERSE 15 STATES:
"For you will be His witness to all of what you have seen and heard."
Never forget...YOU ARE GOD's CHOSEN VESSEL!
YOU ARE AN AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST...USE YOUR LIFE TO GLORIFY GOD SO THAT HE MAY GET ALL THE GLORY AND HONOR THAT HE SO RICHLY DESERVES!
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
King James Version (KJV)
20 Now
then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's
stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in Him.
SAY "YES"...TO GOD'S DIVINE WILL AND PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE!
(I do not own the rights to this song.)
BE BLESSED!
Please enjoy the below inspirational song and video, "I'll Say Yes" by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir: (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.)
This is Namma for Christ with the forty-sixth inspirational message dated Thursday, January 23rd, 2014. The title of this message is, "God Loves "The Real Me" - Psalm 139:13-14". This message is based on the below scripture text in Psalm 139 as found in the Old Testament (NKJV):
13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will
praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
WE ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE! GOD'S WORKS ARE MARVELOUS! GOD LOVES US SO MUCH!
GOD ALLOWED US TO BE BORN...TO BE ALIVE...TO HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE...TO LIVE FOR JESUS...TO PRAISE AND THANK HIM! HOW GREAT THOU ART!
GOD MADE US ALL UNIQUE AND WONDERFUL IN HIS SIGHT!
GOD IS TOO WISE TO MAKE A MISTAKE! HE HAS A DIVINE PURPOSE FOR EVERY ONE OF HIS CHILDREN! WE MUST YIELD "OUR WAY" AND LET THE "LORD'S WILL" BE DONE IN OUR LIVES!
God created us...HE has a unique plan and purpose for everyone of HIS CREATIONS!
When we confess and believe in Jesus, accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we are saved and adopted into GOD's family: WE ARE HIS CHILDREN! See the below verses:
Romans 10:9-10
King James Version (KJV)
9 That
if thou shalt confess
with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For
with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession
is made unto salvation.
WE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN...AS BELIEVERS, HE WANTS HIS HOLY SPIRIT TO LIVE IN US AND GUIDE OUR HEARTS AND MINDS...THIS IS WHAT JESUS SAID WHEN HE SAID HE WILL SEND THE "COMFORTER (HIS HOLY SPIRIT)" (see the below verses):
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of me:
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.
GOD "KNOWS" ALL OUR WAYS.... HE IS SOVEREIGN...HE IS OMNISCIENT, OMNIPRESENT AND OMNIPOTENT! HE SEES ALL AND KNOWS ALL! HE MADE US....OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN "LOVES" US DESPITE OURSELVES...DESPITE THE MISTAKES WE'VE ALL MADE...GOD "STILL" LOVES US! GOD LOVES US "DESPITE" OURSELVES...DESPITE OUR SINS...HE GAVE US HIS SON, JESUS!
Romans 5:8
New International Version (NIV)
8 But
God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
JESUS is our SAVIOR, our REDEEMER...our FRIEND, and OUR SOON COMING KING!
Please enjoy the below inspirational Christian song and video entitled, "The Real Me", by Christian artist Natalie Grant. Below she describes how she wrote the song, "The Real Me", to express her personal feelings of her own self-image when she realized how much God loved and viewed her:
"I'm beautifully, wonderfully made. He doesn't make mistakes. The way He made me is enough. God's voice has to be bigger and have a greater influence in the culture." - Natalie Grant
(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.)
This is Namma for Christ with the forty-fifth inspirational message dated Wednesday, January 15th, 2014. The title of this message is, "What Can I DO - SEEK HIM FIRST - MATT. 6:33". This message is based on the below scripture text in Matthew as found in the New Testament (NKJV):
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and
His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. The supporting text for this scripture verse is provided below: from Matthew 6:25 - 34 (PLEASE READ):
New King James Version (NKJV)
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than
clothing?26 Look at the birds of the air, for they
neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they?27 Which of you
by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider
the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon
in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow
is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you
of little faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What
shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32 For after all these things the Gentiles
seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.33 But seek first the kingdom of God and
His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is
its own trouble.
The scripture above is part of what Jesus said in His "Sermon on the Mount" beginning in Matthew 5. Our lesson today highlights Matthew 6:33 - where Jesus instructs those who follow Him to SEEK GOD FIRST! Many times in life, we don't realize God is waiting for us to turn to HIM for ALL THAT WE NEED! God is our sufficiency! He gave us Jesus as our Savior and our Intercessor: John 14:6 states:
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the
truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
Me.
Let us also look at a few verses : Luke 15: 17 & 18 (below) found in the story of "the prodigal son" (Luke 15:11- 32) - where "the prodigal son" realized (once he came to himself) that he must "return to his Father":
17 “But when he came to himself, he said,
‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I
perish with hunger!18 I will
arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against
heaven and before you"...
The prodigal son realized - that his "father" had "more than enough" (after the son had squandered all of his father's money). The prodigal son- came to the "end of himself"! He had a moment of humbleness, clarification and reflection! Many times in life, we have to come to the "end" of our strength, our knowledge, our efforts - and turn to GOD, our Father.
When disappointments, struggles and confusion occur in our lives ...we must continue to "look to GOD"! We MUST CONTINUE TO TRUST GOD! We are not in control! GOD IS IN CONTROL! HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR LIVES! As His children, HE is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28)! GOD KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR US! GOD IS IN CONTROL!...WE MUST YIELD OUR LIVES AND EVERYTHING WE HAVE OVER TO GOD! WE MUST SEEK GOD FIRST AND TRUST HIM as stated in Proverbs 3: 5-6:
5 Trust
in the Lord with
all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In
all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Personally, in my darkest and saddest moments...I, too, had to be like "the prodigal son", and return to "MY FATHER" IN HEAVEN...and admit my weakness, my foolish thinking and actions, admit my misunderstanding, confess my mistakes and my sins. Once I returned to MY FATHER AND PUT HIM FIRST...I regained what my heavenly FATHER "HAD ALL THE TIME" AND I "FOUND" WHAT I WAS SEEKING AFTER!
GOD, OUR FATHER... IS OUR SUFFICIENCY AND OUR PROVIDER! HE PROVIDES ALL THAT WE NEED! HE BLESSES US WITH CONTENTMENT, PEACE, JOY AND ALL THE PROVISIONS WE NEED...
MOST IMPORTANTLY, GOD, OUR FATHER GAVE US HIS BEST - HIS SON, JESUS! JESUS LOVES US...HE DIED AND ROSE AGAIN FOR US! JOHN 3:16 STATES:
16 For
God so loved the
world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.
JESUS IS OUR SAVIOR, FRIEND, REDEEMER, COMFORTER, BURDEN BEARER, PROVIDER...INTERCESSOR....HE IS "WHATEVER WE NEED HIM TO BE" FOR US "PERSONALLY" AND "COLLECTIVELY"! IF WE BELIEVE IN HIM AND ACCEPT HIM AS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR - HE CAN DO FOR US WHAT "NOBODY" ELSE CAN DO!
LET US... LET "HIS WILL" BE "OUR WILL" IN OUR LIVES EVERYDAY - AND LET US LIVE THE "BLESSED" LIVES THAT GOD UNIQUELY DESIGNED AND CREATED US FOR!
PLEASE ENJOY THE BELOW INSPIRATIONAL VIDEO AND SONG (with lyrics) SUNG BY TYE TRIBBETT FEATURING KJ SCRIVENS, ENTITLED "WHAT CAN I DO".
(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.)