Daily life with Jesus by Grahame Howard

Tuesday, 3 February 2026

What fruit do you bear?

“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks". Luke 6:43-45 NKJV

Trees bear good or bad fruit, depending what is in itself. We can find morally pure fruit and basically impure as well. One wouldn't find bananas on an apple tree that's for sure. If you did, there would be something radically wrong with the tree's formation. In the same way, believers in Jesus should be bearing good fruit. When they don't there is something quite wrong.

Bob Gass once wrote: 'An iceberg represents life. The 10% above the water is your reputation. The 90% below is your character. And it's what's below the surface that sinks the ship.' Just think about that comment for a moment or two. What's below the surface represents what you say or do when you are alone, for instance at home. I often call this the 'Behind Closed Doors Syndrome,' People don't usually see what we do in the privacy of our home; also, they don't hear what we say about things, such as people. But God does. How do you think He rates your time at home?

The results of an individuals life and work are better indications of personal motives than are our appearances and claims. We can identify people who follow God, based on what they say or do. Righteousness is produced in the heart as a result of righteousness in a person's life. This comes from the overflow of the heart 6:45.

Many people arrive at church on a Sunday morning and they are bright and cheery. Someone will hug them and they respond with typical Christian language such as 'Praise the Lord'. However, only a short while ago they may have been having a bad argument with their spouse or whoever at home. Alternatively, they have been ranting or raving at another motorist because they cut them up at a roundabout. There may have been toots of their horn and hand gestures before they turned off to drive to the church.

Many of us have done something similar and yet when we arrive at the door of the church, suddenly it is like a cloak of holiness has been thrown over us and we change into a nice person. As I've said, we can all run foul of this but really, we are coming from that 90% of iceberg that is under the ocean; we can mask things so well. But God doesn't want this of you. If you're like this, seek God's help; ask someone to pray for you. Nine times out of ten, you'll no doubt be asking someone who suffers from the same problem. This puts you on an equal footing and can help to bring change.

Just ensure that you are producing fruits of righteousness and not the opposite.

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
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
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.
If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk
Copyright 2026 Grahame Howard.

Monday, 2 February 2026

Small is Good

“The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. 10For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the Lord, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.” Zechariah 4:9-10 NKJV

In spite of much opposition Zerubbabel would complete the temple and would bring forth exclamations of grace and praise because of its beauty. Those people who mocked the possibility of God doing some great work through Zerubbabel would be amazed that something that was great, is now great and mighty.

Let me say that, you may not be successful at the moment, but praise God, don't sulk or want to give up and walk away. Remember, God can do amazing things and make them a great piece of work. Take for instance, Walt Disney, he turned his small enterprise into a massive one and it all began with a mouse called Mickey.

Don't allow yourself to become discouraged by small things, God doesn't worry about size and, what's more, nether did David, remember? He silenced Goliath, that giant of a man, and all he had was a stone and a sling. You may have a dream to accomplish something but you don't know how this could be. You may not have the resources - don't worry about that, God has more than the world could ever have and, He's not tight with it either. If what you have in mind is of God, give it to Him and allow Him to show you how it is done.

You're living in the day of small things or small beginnings but, they're going to get better day by day. God values the initiation of the work and the faithfulness of the worker - that's you and if He has called you for something, you are precious to Him and He won't let you down. He won't do it all for you but, He will provide what you need and openings to do this in the right place.

God is a big God, but occasionally we feel so weak. Remember 'Let the weak say "I am strong" Joel 3:10. Don't ever recognise yourself as being weak, you're 'weak that has had a tweak and now you are strong'.

Therefore, what is God saying to you at this time? Do you need to get on with such things? Or are you waiting for further confirmation? Don't rush things but equally, don't wait too long. Get God's direction and do what He says.

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.

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

Sunday, 1 February 2026

Luke was a doctor, why didn't he heal?

"Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. 39So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them". Luke 4:38-39 NKJV

Many scholars have debated this piece of scripture. 'If Luke was a doctor, why didn't he treat Simon's mother in law, after-all, it seemed common sense that he did?' Well, it's true that Luke was a doctor but that didn't mean he would minister to her at this time. There may be a doctor who is part of a church, but it is unlikely that he would be called on to apply healing. What this lady needed was divine healing, the type of healing that is instant and, Jesus provided this. It is the same when Luke used to go on missions with Jesus and the disciples and later with Paul,, his presence was to apply his medical skills to the disciples not to to provide a healing ministry, although there may have been times when he did.

In the early church, it was common for believers to continue their secular work while also serving the church, and Luke’s medical training was often used to support the missionary efforts of the Apostle Paul.
Here is why Luke was a doctor and a disciple:

Profession as a Calling: Luke is identified in Colossians 4:14 as "the beloved physician". He was a well-educated Gentile from Antioch, Syria, trained in the Greek school of medicine. He brought this background to his ministry, often focusing on healing and caring for the suffering.

Medical Missionary and Traveller: Luke joined the Apostle Paul on his missionary journeys, likely acting as a traveling doctor to Paul, who suffered from a "thorn in the flesh" (2 Cor 12:7) and frequent illnesses. He provided medical care for missionaries and likely helped open doors for the gospel by healing people they encountered.
Documenting the Gospel: Luke’s training as a physician made him a "careful researcher". He used his skills in observation and detailed recording to compile an "orderly account" of the life of Jesus and the acts of the apostles. His writing style, often featuring precise medical terminology, reflected his scientific background.
The "Physician of the Soul": Early church tradition often viewed Luke’s role as transitioning from a doctor of the body to a "physician of the soul," combining his medical expertise with his evangelistic work.
Loyalty to the End: While other companions left Paul, Luke remained with him during his imprisonment in Rome (2 Timothy 4:11), acting as both a companion and a medical caregiver in his final days.

In summary, Luke's profession as a doctor was not a hindrance to his discipleship, but rather a tool he used to support the early church, care for his colleagues, and meticulously document the Christian faith.

Luke's professional qualifications were a great asset to the early church, just has today's professional people are to the body. Within our churches we have doctors, nurses, surgeons, solicitors, electricians, chefs, carpenters, social workers and a host of other qualified or well-trained people. Yet the majority are not used for their skills, they may offer advice and do the odd job but normally, that's all. However, at the click of a finger God can use these people for whatever He chooses. Some may go on missions abroad, others may not be used this way.

Let us not forget that Jesus was a carpenter but, we don't read of Him applying this skill throughout the gospels. He may have done at some point and we'll find this out when we can ask Him face to face. The point I'm making is that, throughout the church worldwide, there is wealth of skill that is ready to be used if Jesus needs this. I can't see our skills being wasted, they will be used if not here on this earth, they will be used in heaven when we get there. There are many musicians in the church. There'll be music in heaven so, who knows some of you may be leading the worship in the Lord's and the angels presence.

We don't really know about this, but it is food for thought. Nothing, I repeat nothing, is ever wasted by Jesus. So if you're training for something right now, keep on doing it because one day, you may well be putting this skill into action.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now

Saturday, 31 January 2026

Child-like Faith

"Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.14But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”16And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them." Mark 10:13-16 NKJV

Jesus became incredibly displeased when He saw the disciples turning children away from seeing Him. Obviously, they must have thought that Jesus was busy and had enough to do without seeing a bunch of children. But Jesus rebuked them and explained why. Children are a model of what it takes for someone to come to God. Children know the importance of having someone to trust in because of their own dependent status and so, they may do this wholeheartedly and with humility.

We should never allow anyone, especially children, to be shooed away from Jesus. We are all children of God and, we should come to Him as such. Mostly children have a deep desire to learn and so should we have, displaying child-like faith and humility. In other words, adults should also be like small children in order to enter the Kingdom of God.

I have witnessed over the years, men and women who are homeless and live on our streets, being turned away from churches. Many times they are hungry, cold and stand in old smelly clothes. Some have an addiction and this is the only - temporary comfort that they possess. This is why, with my wife and an elder from the church I was pastoring, we set up a day centre under the main part of the building. The people could go there, have a hot meal, receive counsel if they wanted it, have a shower and be kitted out with better clothing. We also tried to find them future housing. We received flack from some people, especially my HQ, but God had told me to do it and that was enough. Jesus was showing that no one is too insignificant for the loving attention of Jesus.

The Kingdom of God is for those who come to Jesus in the humble dependence and trust of little children. The Kingdom of God belongs to them, not because of merit but because God wills to give it to the humble, insignificant and unimportant members of our society.

Before retirement and during my career as a pastor and then a social worker, I saw many cases of children and young people who were in care because they had suffered abuse of some kind. Daily on our TV screens we hear that some other child has been bullied and/or stabbed to death, or committed suicide. We hear about adults who have been raped and murdered.

These people need Jesus the same as you do, or did. As I said earlier, we are all children, some who have gone astray and some who may have found Jesus. Because we know about what is going on in our society, just let it be a consideration on your part that, you may be able to help here even if it is adding people you know to your prayer list. You never know, one day, someone in heaven may come to you and say, 'Thank you'

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now

Friday, 30 January 2026

Be careful what you say!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13 NKJV

The secret of Paul's contentment is the strength he receives when he can't go any further.
Sometimes God makes us wait for answers to our prayers before He acts. When Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"He meant that he could do 'all things' which were God's will for him to do - a big difference.
Let me ask, how many times does something look impossible simply because we think it is? What do we see when we look at a problem - fear, negativity, 'it's not going to happen' type of thing? When we think or say such things, we are declaring this. Look at this piece below:
'I cannot," we are often agreeing with circumstances rather than with God's word. The ten spies who reported, "We cannot" were declaring their own fear, which the bible later categorised as a failure of faith. Declaring defeat: Proverbs 6:2 implies that one can be 'snared by the words of your mouth' suggesting that negative declarations can seal a person's defeat. A 'Negative' confession of need: A valid 'negative confession' in the bible is acknowledging one's sinfulness and limitations in light of God's holiness, which opens the door for grace and salvation (e.g. admitting 'I have sinned'). Distinction from 'Positive Confession' :While 'positive confession' (faith-filled words) is encouraged it should not be confused with denying reality. It is about aligning one's words with God's truth, not pretending, but declaring God's capacity over human inability' Anon

2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us: 'For we walk by faith not by sight.' Therefore, if we are to walk in this manner, we are to be positive in our statements that God presents us with. Peter at the Gate Beautiful (Acts 3) didn't speak negatively to the beggar sitting outside the temple. As he begged from them, Peter eyed him up and spoke, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have, I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk' v6. And the man did just that. Now if Peter had looked at the man with negative eyes, he would have seen impossibility. However, he took what he had and spoke faith to him and the man was healed. This is the difference.

It was God's will for this to happen and Peter grasped that fact by acting the way he did. And the same can happen to us. We must refrain from considering most things an impossibility. If God as said it, we can do it and that is the bottom line.

Jesus is looking for faith-filled people to speak the Word of God. He directs us to. If we go it alone and just do it without God's direction, chances are nothing will happen. But, when God has said it, we need to get on and speak it out.

Are you ready for this?

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now

Thursday, 29 January 2026

Don't take on too much!

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ".

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV

We must be aware of the risk of taking on too much, whether work or play. We need to be in control of it and, not the other way around. If we don't, we open ourselves up to stress and the many things that this displays. Take a look below:

TRIGGER REACTIONS

STRESS----------------anger explosive anger because of being overwhelmed

'' '' ----------------retaliation desire to get even/revenge

'' '' ----------------bad mouthing destructive, threatening words see Eph 4:29

'' '' ----------------threatening harsh words in interactions with others

'' '' ----------------bitterness allowing things to linger/record of wrongs

All of the above can lead to a bad example of Christianity, bad attitudes can stir up conflict, damage testimony and the ability to serve Jesus. Tony Evans says 'Satan's strategy is to block the knowledge and/or application of God's Word in the thinking believers, so that they can be held hostage by his lies.'

Again Joyce Meyer comments: 'We can continue to fuel our angry emotions with our wrong thoughts, or we can take a stand and, with God's help, refuse to allow the situation to get out of control'.

So let's take a look at this. Stress can attack at any time but, it usually kicks in big time when we have taken on too much work. Each of us need to keep a firm hold on what is expected of us. If it's work, the extra money can be tempting but, not if it is going to have a detrimental effect on our health. There is only so much that any human being can do in one day. To take on any extra can lead to tiredness and eventually to stress. Picture this scene, you take on extra things to do and then, someone else - maybe your spouse/family member/friend, reminds you that you promised to do something for them this weekend. This can cause disappointment for letting someone down. As time goes on, demands on your time can get the better of you and you begin to crack and if you don't do something about this, you can so easily fly off the handle. This sudden surge of anger may help to relieve you of pent up energy but, it does nothing positive for the people who are listening and you are letting down.

Look at the chart above and you can begin to see where you may be going wrong. The answer is, don't take on too much! Learn to prioritise and to say 'No' to people who may want you to do something for them but, it is not on your schedule. Your priorities are God first, and then yourself and your family if you have one. Jesus told us to take one day at a time (Matt 6:34). David told us told us to cast our burdens on Him (Psalm 55:22) and Paul is telling us to take control of our anger (2 Corinthians 10:5).

You know that this makes sense but for some of you, it is going to be difficult to say no and make some changes. However, it will be so much easier with God helping you.

Ask Him for help.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now

Wednesday, 28 January 2026

"There is none like You"

"Therefore You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears". 2 Samuel 7:22 NKJV

Lenny LeBlanc wrote this song in the 90's:

And it is true, we could search for ever and find no one like God - Almighty God. This is what King David was saying when he remembered his conquests, especially the greatest which was between him and a 9' 6" giant called Goliath. He was an intimidating warrior who was daring the Israelites to come out and fight him. But no one was brave enough. And then, along came David, small and skinny and nothing like anyone would think could take on a mouse, let alone this giant. But David had killed bear and lion in his young life and he knew, with God on his side, he could accomplish this:

'Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you' 1 Samuel 17:45-46. And he did just that with one smooth stone fired from his sling.

This is why David could declare that there was none like God. Now let's get this right. Many religions have a god and they worship and pray to him and yet, this god is dead or a figment of their imagination. Here, we are referring to Jehovah, Almighty God and He is alive. The Trinity Is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit - three persons but all fully God in their own right. And they are all alive.

So as David knew his God, so do we if we have asked Jesus into our Life as Lord and Saviour. Therefore, you and I can adopt the saying with confidence that 'There is none like you'. He is with us every step of our life (don't forget the He is). He is Lord, He is our Saviour and He is our friend. David could confidently declare this.

When you grasp this properly, there is no need to ever be afraid at all. We can declare this to Jesus every day 'There is none like You'. People the world over search for that special something. They think they can find it in drugs, booze, sex and wild living but, that is all a lie and we know who feeds lies to people.

Throughout this day, try and reflect on all of this. 'There is none like you' and He is your friend for eternity. If you involve Him, He is with you whatever you do and wherever you go.

If you don’t know Jesus, you can know that there is none like Him by praying the prayer below.

IIf you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now

Saviour

Daily life with Jesus by Grahame Howard

Tuesday, 3 February 2026

What fruit do you bear?

Monday, 2 February 2026

Small is Good

Sunday, 1 February 2026

Luke was a doctor, why didn't he heal?

Saturday, 31 January 2026

Child-like Faith

Friday, 30 January 2026

Be careful what you say!

Thursday, 29 January 2026

Don't take on too much!

Wednesday, 28 January 2026

"There is none like You"

What fruit do you bear?

Daily life with Jesus by Grahame Howard

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