Daily life with Jesus by Grahame Howard

Sunday, 6 July 2025

Don't worship an idol

"You must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you." Exodus 34:14. NLT

God is a jealous God and so, He has the name Jealous. This is not for petty, jealous reasons; it is because He wishes to watch over us, protecting our righteousness and spirituality. He is jealous for His reputation. He made a covenant of protection with Moses and the Israelites. He will go before them, protecting them and guiding them but, they must never give themselves to false worship, thus bowing to an idol, they must only worship the Lord their God.

It is the same today. People without knowing it, are worshipping false Gods - football teams, we see them raising their hands to their team, nothing else matters. This is making a football team more important than God Himself. Pop stars is another area where people are in error of making them an idol. In fact, anything that takes God's place can be seen as a idol.

People may think this is splitting hairs but, if what they do becomes the most important thing in their life, it becomes an idol. He doesn't mind us enjoying seeing our favourite team win a match, not at all. And He loves us to enjoy the musicians of the day playing their hit songs but again, they must never take His place.

Some people can make their job an idol too. They are totally devoted to their work spending long hours doing what they love. It is great to see successful and dedicated people at work, that is what they Are supposed to do. However, there is a fine line, if that line is crossed, then something has to suffer. This could be anything in your life that takes God's place. When this happens, God takes second place. This is where His jealousy comes into play.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6. NLT.

We can't get away from what this says 'all your heart' and 'all you do.' That to me is everything we do. A helpful thing to do is to place your own name in these two verses and claim them for yourself. Give all to God and, He will give all to you. Don't miss out on the blessings He has for you. They are rich

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.

Saturday, 5 July 2025

Just trust God for everything

3Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Psalm 37:2 NLT

Giving God everything pays dividends! He knows all of the answers in life. and He knows how to do things you never thought was possible. Relationship is what it is all about. If you want to get ahead - Get God. He can take failures and turn them into winners. He can take a failure and make it a success. He turns losers into winners.

The more you enter into relationship with Jesus, the more you will be able to learn things about yourself that are holding you back. His delight is to bring you delight and this can give you the courage you need to forge ahead into new things. You may run a business that has been struggling for a little while. Make Jesus your business partner and watch it zoom.

You may work in sales and your boss has been on your back for more sales. Take Jesus on the road with you and watch your sales go up rapidly. In fact, whatever you do for a living - work for someone, have your own business, you're in the services or you may have retired, including Jesus in your day adds the security and prosperity that you need.

These two verses carry a promise from God. As we trust in Him for everything and obey His laws, He will protect us and prosper us. This doesn't mean He will make us all millionaires. He could but the prosperity He means is the value of a happy and blessed life. Jesus takes care of His people. He loves to walk and work with us. He also loves to talk to us so, make sure you talk back to Him.

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.

Friday, 4 July 2025

Where are you?

8When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. 9Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:8-9 NLT

Why did Adam and His wife hide from God when He called? You could say because they were afraid because they had eaten from the tree. You could also say, because that they were naked and didn't want God to see them this way. A half truth! But really when you think about it, they were feeling something they hadn't felt before - the burden of sin and guilt. Up until that moment, they didn't know what sin was; they had been living in the peace and the love of God's garden. But now, that wonderful feeling of love had departed from them and they felt fear.

God knew what had happened; He knows everything. If they had repented straightaway, it may have been a different story, but here they were caught out. The term 'Where are you?' Was God's way of calling Adam to stand up and confess and take his place. He was the leader and he had failed. Yet instead of saying he was sorry, it turned out to be a blame game. Adam blamed Eve and tried to put it all on God 'The woman you gave to be with me' v 12. Eve blamed the serpent and they were all banished from the garden.

God knows what we have been up to, we cannot deny it or blame others. You are the one responsible. He is always looking to see where you are spiritually; to remind you who you belong to. But, there is another side to 'Where are you?' God is checking where you are spiritually and giving you an opportunity to receive help, guidance or forgiveness if you have blown it, which we often do, The Holy Spirit will prod you back to realisation and give you the chance to put things right.

We are prone to sin and if we disagree with this, then 1 John 1:10 clarifies this: 'If we say, “We have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.' It is a very unwise thing to call God a liar. He is the Truth and any other definition of this is a lie and from the devil. It is far better to throw the towel in and pour it all out before Him. When you do, He forgives you.

Where are you today? Do you feel that you need to bow the knee and ask God for His forgiveness? You have the opportunity right now:

'Dear Father, I have sinned and I ask You to forgive me according to Your Word. I am truly sorry Lord, In Jesus' name I pray. Amen'

That's it. Now you know where you are, go and have a good day!

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.

Thursday, 3 July 2025

Change can come so quickly

2Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
Acts 2:2-4. NLT

Things can change so suddenly. The Bible includes various verses that speak to the theme of sudden and unexpected change, often related to divine intervention or the unpredictable nature of life. Examples include God's actions described as "suddenly" appearing, and the concept of the "twinkling of an eye" for significant transformations. Other passages emphasise the inevitability of change and the importance of finding stability in God's unchanging nature.

These changes can come with so much force that they knock you off your feet, spiritually. They can also cause devastation and pain because the change was so unexpected. Take for instance that day in Jerusalem. It was Pentecost and many Jews from far and wide were gathered there to celebrate this ceremony. Suddenly (without warning) There was a sound like a mighty rushing wind and it filled the whole house where the disciples were. They saw tongues of fire and they began settling on all of them, and they were all filled by the Holy Spirit, as Jesus had mentioned to them in Acts 1:8. They began speaking in different tongues, not the heavenly tongues that many Christians speak in but, native tongues of the various language of the visitors who had come there. This caused confusion with the crowd and most thought the disciples were drunk. They were, but with the Holy Spirit and as Peter spoke 3000 souls were saved that day. Now initially, this was frightening as the people were all confused, until Peter spoke with them.

Sadly, there can be changes that cause our lives pain, humiliation and heartache. A bereavement, especially when it came out of the blue and was definitely not expected. Then there may the loss of a job that brings with it all the anger and humiliation that is associated with this. There can be money problems and a person may lose there house. What about a sudden move? This can happen when someone gets a promotion out of their area and, it would be impossible to travel there and back daily. A family may be evicted and the move is forced upon them. They may have nowhere to go and the frustration, fear and even anger of it all can be tremendous.

We should never take things for granted and we must be open to sudden change in order to be able to negotiate it. Things never stay as they are forever. We all will die at some time. You may think it happens to other people but not you and your family. It doesn't work like that. We need to live for today; this is all we've got. Yes we still have to plan certain things like holidays and such. However, we can't plan too far ahead. So it is best to live for today, and to be grateful for all God gives us. The changes He makes to bless us or rescue us. Change is not all gloom and doom It can be exciting.

Just be thankful and grateful that you are here at this moment to praise the Lord.

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

Be courteous on your way up

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.' Matthew 7:12. NLT

The phrase "Be careful on your way up, because you never know who you will meet on your way down" is a common saying and not a direct quote from the bible. It emphasises the importance of treating others well, as those relationships may be relevant in the future. It is similar to the sentiment found in some biblical passages about treating others with kindness and consideration.

Jesus taught His disciples about The Golden Rule and it fits very aptly with our statement above. Many people who have responsibilities such as pastors, managers, directors, Military officers and whoever else, have charge over another, need to apply this verse to their life. Many in the past, through bullying tactics, harsh treatment and dictatorial methods have actually received this verse personally. There is no place in heaven for the person who treats another in such a way. Jesus would never act like this.

Jesus is our role model; if a person acts as Jesus did when He was on earth, he or she will reap success. If they are a pastor, people will flock to their church. If they run a business of any type and act accordingly, then they too will reap what they sow.

This goes for house groups as well. The leader needs to have the anointing to grow the people in God's word. He or she are there as an extension of the pastor's ministry, who in turn is walking in step with Jesus. We are all one and extremely important to the work of God.

Have you ever been on the receiving end of unrighteousness abuse towards you? Some people dread going to work and sadly, even a church because of it. It can come in the form of gossip which escalates until it is full blown. It can also come in the form of being blamed falsely for something. Where you used to be a star attraction in your work, you suddenly find yourself on the sidelines and even though you have been hardworking and faithful in yiour service, you just can't win.

Yes it hurts and it can appear that you are on your own. You are not. Jesus is right beside you and if you allow Him, He will act on your behalf. And this is a warning to for leaders and managers etc. Be wise and courteous in how you treat your staff or congregation. God will not be pleased if you persist.

Remember, be courteous on your way up because, you never know who you will meet on your way down. .

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Out of your comfort zone?

"Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26 NLT

Doing things you're not used to can be challenging, but it's a great way to grow, learn, and overcome limitations. Stepping outside your comfort zone, even in small ways, can boost your confidence, expand your horizons, and help you discover new passions or skills. It can also be a great way to combat boredom and routine. Christ understands that, so He prods us out of our comfort zones. But he never leaves us without comfort, support and companionship.

Getting out of your comfort zone involves setting realistic goals, gradually increasing exposure to social situations, and challenging negative thoughts. There's a need to start small, celebrate successes, and seek support when needed. The thing is, many people do not want to break out of their comfort zones and will do all they can to prevent this from happening. However, change is important if we want to make our way in life.

Look into the bird world. The chicks look lovely wrapped up in their nests as they wait anxiously for their parents to bring them morsels of food. The nest though, is a dangerous place to remain; there are predators around, such as hawks, crows, ravens, rats and many other animals, who will attack the nest hoping for tasty morsels themselves. So, once they are ready to fledge, mum will do all she can send them on their way. This is change because they are moving out from their comfort zones. However, once away from the nest they quickly adapt to their new life.

If we're honest, not everyone likes change, it is so unpredictable. But there is life out there for living and change can bring new horizons. For a teenager, this may be college, university or backpacking around the world. It may also bring training for jobs or even joining the forces. For adult men and women, it may mean moving to another area because of promotion, it may be marriage or sadly divorce. There are so many changes that we have to face after we leave our comfort zone.

Probably you are facing change which is bringing you out of you place of comfort. It may feel scary and the tension of it all may be fluctuating at this time. The thing is, God won't ask you to do something that He is not willing to accompany you on. He will be right beside you, spurring you on because, wait for it, He knows you can do it; He believes in you!

Therefore, change the negative, scary feeling of it all and look with positive thought to your new adventure. It can be an exciting time if you allow yourself to enjoy the change.

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.

Monday, 30 June 2025

You just don't fit in

"The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognised them as men who had been with Jesus."

Acts 4:13 NLT

They may not always fit in at certain fellowships that they join. They may have left their previous church with a very good reputation and, because of jealousy, they may not be well received. Let's face it, we are human and can be threatened by someone else's success so much that they become a threat instead of a blessing. They may not meet our standards but they well meet Jesus'. For example, someone may have a criminal background but since then they have been born again, been to bible college or undergone deep training. People make mistakes but Jesus gives people a second chance and will use them powerfully if He chooses.

Take for instance Peter and John (Act 4). They were arrested for preaching Jesus and placed in jail. When they appeared before the Council, the leaders there could see that they were just ordinary, no qualifications or any particular skill but they were quick to notice that they had been with Jesus. Wow, what a testimony in itself. They were just ordinary fishermen but it could plainly be seen that they had been with Jesus, It's good to have qualifications but there is nothing better than people recognising you as a follower of Jesus. That is an honour.

Then there was Rahab, a prostitute and despite this label, she was responsible for hiding the spies in Jericho and thus, was helpful in bringing down the walls of Jericho. And even though this lady had been living a sinful life as a prostitute, God used her and gave her another chance.

Then of course, there was Jesus. People saw Him as a carpenter living in Nazareth, with no particular prospects. Yet, this young man was the King of kings, the Lord of all lords and He was the Messiah. People ridiculed Him as He began to tell them about God and Himself. They laughed at Him, beat Him and then crucified him. But, He arose to power, no one could stop him. God gave Him the name that is above all names (Philippians 2:9) and He is our Saviour.

We should never write anyone off thinking they don't fit in. We're not called to judge just because they haven't been to university or have an elite job. They may be off the streets and don't speak the King's English and their clothes may be secondhand but, Jesus loves them and sees their potential. What about you?

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.

Sunday, 6 July 2025

Saturday, 5 July 2025

Friday, 4 July 2025

Thursday, 3 July 2025

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Monday, 30 June 2025

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