Because He Lives - Finding Life: John 14:19

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

John 14:19b

Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

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

For many years, I have enjoyed reading the
daily inspirational messages as provided by RBC Ministries in their
publications of "OUR DAILY BREAD".  Yesterday, Tuesday, January 17th, I read the message for the day and found it to be so beautiful and inspiring,
I wanted to share it with you (see the below message). RBC Ministries has the website of:  www.rbc.org so that you can read and enjoy life-changing wisdom of daily inspirational messages based on scripture from the Bible. Please read and enjoy:

Finding Life

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BE BLESSED!

First (Look to Him) - Psalm 121:1-2

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred sixth inspirational message dated Saturday, January 14th, 2017.  The title of this message is, "First: Look to Him – Psalm 121:1-2". The “first word” of the title of this message is taken from the uplifting song, “First” as sung by Christian artist Lauren Daigle. The scripture comes from the first two verses of the 121^st Psalm, as written by David:

Psalm 121:1-2

King James Version (KJV)

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

² My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Recently, I was reading the above passage of scripture and decided to research the verses further. The following is what I found on the internet: “The Treasury of David” as written by Charles H. Spurgeon. Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England’s best known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century.

(May the below meditation, bless you – as it blessed me…)

The Treasury of David

By Charles H. Spurgeon

Psalm 121:1-2

EXPOSITION

Verse 1. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. It is wise to look to the strong for strength. Dwellers in valleys are subject to many disorders for which there is no cure but a sojourn in the uplands, and it is well when they shake off their lethargy and resolve upon a climb. Down below they are the prey of marauders, and to escape from them the surest method is to fly to the strongholds upon the mountains. Often before the actual ascent the sick and plundered people looked towards the hills and longed to be upon their summits. The holy man who here sings a choice sonnet looked away from the slanderers by whom he was tormented to the Lord who saw all from His high places, and was ready to pour down succour for His injured servant. Help comes to saints only from above, they look elsewhere in vain: let us lift up our eyes with hope, expectance, desire, and confidence. Satan will endeavour to keep our eyes upon our sorrows that we may be disquieted and discouraged; be it ours firmly to resolve that we will look out and look up, for there is good cheer for the eyes, and they that lift up their eyes to the eternal hills shall soon have their hearts lifted up also. The purposes of God; the divine attributes; the immutable promises; the covenant, ordered in all things and sure; the providence, predestination, and proved faithfulness of the Lord—these are the hills to which we must lift up our eyes, for from these our help must come. It is our resolve that we will not be bandaged and blindfolded, but will lift up our eyes. Or is the text in the interrogative? Does he ask, "Shall I lift up mine eyes to the hills?" Does he feel that the highest places of the earth can afford him no shelter? Or does he renounce the idea of recruits hastening to his standard from the hardy mountaineers? And hence does he again enquire, "Whence cometh my help?" If so, the next verse answers the question, and shows whence all help must come.

Verse 2. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. What we need is help,—help powerful, efficient, constant: we need a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

King James Version (KJV)

 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

What a mercy that we have it in our God. Our hope is in Jehovah, for our help comes from Him. Help is on the road, and will not fail to reach us in due time, for He who sends it to us was never known to be too late. Jehovah who created all things is equal to every emergency; heaven and earth are at the disposal of Him who made them, therefore let us be very joyful in our Infinite Helper. He will sooner destroy heaven and earth than permit His people to be destroyed and the perpetual hills themselves shall bow rather than He shall fail whose ways are everlasting. We are bound to look beyond heaven and earth to Him who made them both: it is vain to trust the creatures: it is wise to trust the Creator.

Please listen and be blessed by the below inspirational and anointed song/video (with lyrics) entitled, “First” by Christian artist Lauren Daigle.

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

BE BLESSED!

Jesus: Focus on Him in 2017 - Hebrews 13:8

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred fifth inspirational message dated Friday, December 30th, 2016. The title of this message is, "Jesus: Focus on Him in 2017 - Hebrews 13:8”.  The first word of the title of this message is "Jesus".  JESUS is our Lord and Savior, our Redeemer, our King of Kings, our Lord of Lords - Jesus is the "Author and Finisher of our faith"!

 "Jesus" is also the "title" of the inspirational song/video (as beautifully sung by Chris Tomlin - that is at the end of this message.)  The scripture for this message comes from the eighth verse of the thirteenth chapter of Hebrews: 

Hebrews 13:8

New King James Version (NKJV)

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


YOU can look to, focus on and TRUST in Jesus - because, HE doesn't change: He is the same, yesterday, today and forever!

In preparing this message, I prayed to God of what I should say as we look forward to starting a new year in 2017.

Focus on JESUS in 2017!

I plan to apply these words "first" to myself in 2017. Why?  Because I want God's BEST for my life! I also want the same for you - GOD's BEST for YOUR LIFE! 

God LOVES US! He loves us SO much that He gave us JESUS - His only begotten Son: to be our Savior, our Intercessor to God, to be our Lord of All.

John 3:16

New King James Version (NKJV)

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

We have access to God, because of Jesus. PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! "Pray every day" and ask GOD to be with you today, tomorrow, and to ALWAYS be with you! Ask the LORD to direct your every thought, your every decision, and each of your steps! Let HIM lead and guide your life! 

His very name: "Emmanuel" means:" GOD WITH US!"

Hebrews 13:5 reminds us - "He will NEVER leave us, nor forsake us."

No matter what you (or your family/friends are going through) - NOTHING is too hard for OUR GOD!

Jeremiah 32:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

17 ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.

With GOD - ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

Matthew 19:26

New King James Version (NKJV)

26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Focus on JESUS in 2017!


Our Lord already told us - we can turn "all our cares" over to HIM!


Whatever problem, challenge, difficulty, trial or tribulation you may find yourself in... JESUS CAN HELP YOU! HE CARES FOR YOU! GIVE IT TO JESUS! 

1st Peter 5:6-7 reassures us:

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

FOCUS on JESUS!


Jesus already told us in the Bible - that "we will have trouble" - but, remember JESUS said, "In Him, we can have peace" and that we should "be of good cheer" - because ...He overcame the world!

John 16:33

 

New King James Version (NKJV)

³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

TRUST THE LORD:

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 GOD - Pray to Him for His Will to be done in your life:

As you are blessed - don't forget to tell others about what God has done for you! Many times, God blesses us, to be a blessing to others!

Ask the LORD how He wants to "use you", today and in your future! He knows what is BEST for your life! He made you and He loves you! He has a unique plan specifically 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.

Focus on JESUS in 2017!

May the LORD bless, lead and guide you today and always!

Please enjoy the below uplifting song/video entitled, "Jesus" (with lyrics) by Chris Tomlin.
 

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

 

BE BLESSED!

Gloria! - Luke 2:10-11,16-17

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred fourth inspirational message dated : Saturday, December 24th, 2016.



The below message was first written by me on 12/10/13. The Christmas message below focuses on the GREATEST GIFT we have ever been given: JESUS! During this Christmas season, I want to share the below message "again" with you. Please read...be blessed...and enjoy the inspiring song/video entitled "Gloria" (with lyrics)  by Michael W. Smith at the end of the message.

^{This is Namma for Christ with the forty-third inspirational message dated Tuesday, December 10th, 2013.  The title of this message is, HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING - LUKE 2: 10-11, 16-17.  This message is based on the below scripture text found in the book of Luke from the New Testament  (KJV):}


HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING - LUKE 2: 10-11, 16-17

Luke 2:10-11

King James Version (KJV)

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:16-17

King James Version (KJV)

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Below is the background scripture of the above four verses that describe the scenario in Luke when the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and announced Jesus' birth and the angel declared  "the good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people":



Luke 2:8-17

King James Version (KJV)

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

This is the time of year when we celebrate the greatest gift ever given to mankind: JESUS! THIS IS CHRISTMAS TIME!

JESUS WAS BORN! GOD GAVE US HIS SON! 

As Luke 2:11 states:


¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.


This is a time of true celebration of God's love for us...


This is a time of reflection to ask ourselves "personally" what does this season of giving mean to us and what does JESUS mean to us.


NEVER FORGET - GOD LOVES YOU! 


God loves us so much that He gave us JESUS! As John 3:16 states below:

John 3:16

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Because of GOD's great love for us...we have JESUS....our LORD and SAVIOR, OUR REDEEMER, OUR BURDEN BEARER, OUR HEALER, OUR PROTECTOR, OUR DEFENDER, OUR PROVIDER, OUR INTERCESSOR, "OUR EVERYTHING...JESUS IS  ALL THAT WE NEED HIM TO BE IN OUR LIVES"! HOW BLESSED WE ARE!

WHAT AN AWESOME, GREAT, LOVING AND MERCIFUL GOD THAT WE SERVE! 


GOD LOVED US SO MUCH THAT HE GAVE US HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN JESUS...SHALL NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE!


WHAT GREAT LOVE GOD HAS FOR HIS CHILDREN!


 THE LORD'S VERY NAME - EMMANUEL - MEANS "GOD WITH US"!


HE IS WITH US...WE ARE NOT ALONE....GOD IS WITH US....


WHATEVER YOU ARE GOING THROUGH, GIVE IT TO THE LORD...HE LOVES AND CARES FOR YOU! BELIEVE IN JESUS, TRUST HIM WITH YOUR LIFE AND EVERYTHING THAT IS IN YOUR LIFE!


NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR THE LORD - AS THE BELOW VERSE CONFIRMS!

Luke 1:37

King James Version (KJV)

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

THANK THE LORD FOR HIS MANY BLESSINGS...


PLEASE REMEMBER "JESUS"...TRULY IS ..."THE REASON FOR THE SEASON"!


LIVE FOR JESUS... SHARE WITH OTHERS ALL THAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR YOU, AND ASK THE LORD HOW YOU CAN BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS! EVERYDAY ASK THE LORD, MAY "HIS WILL" BE DONE IN YOUR LIFE! LET HIS HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE AND DIRECT YOUR EVERY STEP!


CELEBRATE JESUS EVERYDAY...PRAISE HIS NAME! HE IS THE GREATEST GIFT THAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN! LET US SHARE, LIVE FOR AND CELEBRATE JESUS!


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Please enjoy the below uplifting song/video entitled "Gloria" (with lyrics)  by Michael W. Smith.


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




BE BLESSED!

The Blood - Our Covering - Psalm 32:1

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred third inspirational message dated Sunday, December 18th, 2016.  The title of this message is, "The Blood - Our Covering - Psalm 32:1”.  The first word of the title of this message is from the "first word in the title" of the inspirational song (as written by the late Gospel singer Andrae Crouch) entitled, “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power”.  The scripture comes from the first verse of the thirty-second Psalm of David. 

Psalm 32:1

New International Version (NIV)

¹ Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.

For many years, I have enjoyed reading the daily inspirational messages as provided by RBC Ministries in their publications of "OUR DAILY BREAD".  Yesterday, Saturday, December 17th, I read the message for the day and found it to be so beautiful and inspiring, I wanted to share it with you (see the below message). RBC Ministries has the website of:  www.rbc.org so that you can read and enjoy life-changing wisdom of daily inspirational messages based on scripture from the Bible. Please read and enjoy:

Our Covering

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.—Psalm 32:1

When talking about faith in Jesus, we sometimes use words without understanding or explaining them. One of those words is righteous. We say that God has righteousness and that He makes people righteous, but this can be a tough concept to grasp.

The way the word righteousness is pictured in the Chinese language is helpful. It is a combination of two characters. The top word is lamb. The bottom word is me. The lamb covers or is above the person.

When Jesus came to this world, John the Baptist called Him “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). We need our sin taken care of because it separates us from God whose character and ways are always perfect and right. Because His love for us is great, God made His Son Jesus “who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus, the Lamb, sacrificed Himself and shed His blood. He became our “cover.” He makes us righteous, which places us in right relationship with God.

Being right with God is a gift from Him. Jesus, the Lamb, is God’s way to cover us. —Anne Cetas

Dear Lord, thank You for dying on the cross for me and covering my sins so that I can have a relationship with You.

The only permanent covering for sin is the blood of Christ.

Please listen and be blessed by the below uplifting and anointed song/video (with lyrics) entitled, “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power” as written by the late Gospel singer Andrae Crouch.

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

BE BLESSED!

Fear Not - Isaiah 41:10

This is Namma for Christ with the one hundred second inspirational message dated Sunday, December 11th, 2016.  The title of this message is, "Fear Not – Isaiah 41:10". The title of this message is taken from the uplifting song,  “Fear Not” as sung by Christian artist Chris Tomlin. The scripture comes from the tenth verse of the forty-first chapter of Isaiah, as written by the Prophet Isaiah:

 

 

Isaiah 41:10

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁰ Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Please read the below scriptures:

Isaiah 41:10-20

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁰ Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

¹¹ “Behold, all those who were incensed against you
Shall be ashamed and disgraced;
They shall be as nothing,
And those who strive with you shall perish.
¹² You shall seek them and not find them—
Those who contended with you.
Those who war against you
Shall be as nothing,
As a nonexistent thing.
¹³ For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

¹⁴ “Fear not, you worm Jacob,
You men of Israel!
I will help you,” says the Lord
And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
¹⁵ “Behold, I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth;
You shall thresh the mountains and beat them small,
And make the hills like chaff.
¹⁶ You shall winnow them, the wind shall carry them away,
And the whirlwind shall scatter them;
You shall rejoice in the Lord,
And glory in the Holy One of Israel.

¹⁷ “The poor and needy seek water, but there is none,
Their tongues fail for thirst.
I, the Lord, will hear them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
¹⁸ I will open rivers in desolate heights,
And fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
And the dry land springs of water.
¹⁹ I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree,
The myrtle and the oil tree;
I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine
And the box tree together,
²⁰ That they may see and know,
And consider and understand together,
That the hand of the Lord has done this,
And the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Recently, I was reading the above passage of scripture: (the 10^th thru 20^th verses of the forty-first chapter of Isaiah) and decided to research it further. Below is what I found on the Internet under “Matthew Henry’s Commentary”:

(May the below meditation, bless you – as it blessed me…)

Matthew Henry Commentary

41:10-20  God speaks with tenderness; Fear thou not, for I am with thee: not only within call, but present with thee. Art thou weak? I will strengthen thee. Art thou in want of friends? I will help thee in the time of need. Art thou ready to fall? I will uphold thee with My right hand which is full of righteousness, dealing forth rewards and punishments. There are those that strive with God's people, that seek their ruin. Let not God's people render evil for evil, but wait God's time. It is the worm Jacob; so little, so weak, so despised and trampled on by everybody. God's people are as worms, in humble thoughts of themselves, and in their enemies' haughty thoughts of them; worms, but not vipers, not of the serpent's seed. Every part of God's Word is calculated to humble man's pride, and to make him appear little in his own eyes. The Lord will help them, for He is their Redeemer. The Lord will make Jacob to become a threshing instrument. God will make him fit for use, new, and having sharp spikes. This has fulfillment in the triumphs of the gospel of Christ, and of all faithful followers of Christ, over the power of darkness. God has provided comforts to supply all their wants, and to answer all their prayers. Our way to heaven lies through the wilderness of this world. The soul of man is in want, and seeks for satisfaction; but becomes weary of seeking that in the world, which is not to be had in it. Yet they shall have a constant supply, where one would least expect it. I will open rivers of grace, rivers of living water, which Christ spoke of the Spirit in John 7:38 & 39:

John 7:38-39

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

³⁸ He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” ³⁹ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

When God sets up His church in the Gentile wilderness, there shall be a great change, as if thorns and briers were turned into cedars, and fir-trees, and myrtles. These blessings are kept for the poor in spirit, who long for Divine enlightening, pardon, and holiness. And God will render their barren souls fruitful in the grace of His Spirit that all who behold may consider it.

Please listen and be blessed by the below uplifting and anointed song/video (with lyrics) entitled, “Fear Not” by Christian artist Chris Tomlin.

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

BE BLESSED!