Walking through a storm

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Saviour"
                                                                                     Isaiah 43:1-3   NKJV
At times in our life, we are going to encounter major problems, a fiery storm and somehow, we are going to have to walk through it. How do we do this and still have the victory? There is only one way to achieve this, and that is to take Jesus' hand. He knows everything and is able to get you through this. However, sometimes, He wants you to do this yourself, relying on His strength.

Storms are not meant to destroy us but to test our faith and, as we set out in the power of God, this what we will be doing. This is not the time to sink in fear but to, anchor our faith deeper in His grace. Storms often serve to strengthen us and build our endurance. We need to remember that Jesus has authority over storms (Mark 4:35-41), so we have His knowledge to rely on. Three words stopped the wind and the storm, 'Peace be still'. And there was peace. 'Why are you so fearful?' How is it that you have no faith?' Now I'm not saying that you use these words when you walk through various trials and tribulations but, you do need the faith to be able to stand and address the situation.

Jesus will encourage us every step of the way as we walk on in His strength and power. He will give us a hope that the storm is only temporary and we are not fighting this alone. We will get through this. 

Rodger’s & Hammerstein gave us a song that was later made into a major hit for Gerry and the Pacemakers a few years back. Just check out these words:

YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE

'When you walk through a storm Hold your head up high And don't be afraid of the dark

At the end of a storm There's a golden sky And the sweet silver song of a lark
Walk on through the wind Walk on through the rain For your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone'     Songwriters: Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers

So if you're facing a storm at this time, you know what to do. Talk to Jesus about it and whatever He tells you to do - do it (John 2:5).

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  

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.

Copyright 2026 Grahame Howard. 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME

grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Don't gloat when someone else falls

"Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. 18For the LORD will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them".

                                                                                    Proverbs 24:17-18   NLT

One would think that a Christian would not gloat or smirk when someone, who has been their enemy, hits rock bottom. The fact is, many people do or, are tempted to do so. Over the years, you may have suffered at the hands of a bully. They may have made your life very difficult, always there taunting you or making you look a fool in front of other people.  When suddenly, things change and the bully meets someone tougher than them, and they fall, it is easy to smirk, in fact, laugh out loud, shouting for joy because they have finally met with their just desserts. But, this is the wrong thing to do, according to God's Word. 

Take a look at our text for today and then match it with: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good."  Romans 12:20-21  NLT

It is God's place to avenge, not yourself. Even though you may not take any action against these people, just a thought such as, 'I hope they get what they deserve' is enough to make God angry towards you and allow them to go free. In a way, it doesn't seem fair that this happens but, God makes the rules and we, are governed by them.

It's the same if you have been scammed and lost your life savings. Of course, the police and banks may be able to help here but, it is your heart that God looks at - how you respond to this. Everyday, someone suffers this type of thing and, it is soul-destroying and, is incredibly difficult to be able to adopt the manner where you can say, 'It's not my problem, God will avenge'. It is a problem but, not one in which you can take it into your own hands and go out in a blaze of anger ready to accuse anyone who may look guilty. God knows who has done this and, if you can only pass it over to Him, He is able to bring justice into this incident. You may get your money back and you may not but, if you can still praise Him through all of this, you will be the winner.

The offenders who do things such as this and, much, much worse, may seem to get away with things. At the end of the day, it is the person who can forgive them and stand there, not pointing the finger or feeling animosity towards them, that is the one who pleases God's heart

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  

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.

Copyright 2026 Grahame Howard. 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME

grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

I'm Accepted by the One who matters most

"I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. 46I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed. 47How I delight in your commands!
How I love them! 48I honour and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees".

                                                                              Psalm 119:45-48   NLT

Because we belong to Jesus, we live a life of freedom. The chains fell off each of us, as we confessed our sin to Him and, we are accepted by the One who matters most - Jesus Christ. Romans 8:1-2 echos this fact to us: 'So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death'. Our chains fell off the day we met with Jesus.

He chose us to delight in His ways. No matter what we were involved in before we found Jesus, He took us and nailed our sin to the cross and we are now, fully paid up followers of Jesus. Some of us, still remember the sin we were involved in and, if we let him, the devil will have a hey day reminding us of all this and trying to put us back on the road to shame. But, we have no shame, Jesus took it all and, we have no need to even listen to   the accuser, there are far better things in life than that.

Romans 1:16 says: 16'For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.' This is a declaration, anchoring faith in the transformative, active power of God for salvation, not merely intellectual belief. It is dynamite power - a divine active force.

Many times we hear that, we are just sinners saved by grace. Think about that statement. We were sinners but not now, Jesus took that sin away. Yes, we do sin, every day, but as we ask for forgiveness, we receive it. By calling ourselves sinners, we are placing a label on ourselves that is contrary to what the Word of God says. We are new creations:

'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new'  2 Corinthians 5:17. We have been made new by the blood of Jesus. We have a new life. We are new creations. We have freedom and what is important is, we are accepted by the One who matters most

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  

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.

Copyright 2026 Grahame Howard. 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME

grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

                                                                 

Teach me to understand, Lord. Part 2

"Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You".  

                                                                                       Psalm 119:38. NKJV

The Psalmist tells us to be careful what we look at. Now, this could cover a multitude of things, but I feel, we can safely say that this describes anything that will cause us to sin. Remember, King David fell to sin when he first saw Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). When he should have been at war, he was on his roof top and, began lusting after her when he viewed her bathing. That moment led to him having her brought to his quarters where he indulged himself with her. The result, she became pregnant, her husband was murdered and sin followed sin.

What are you likely to look at that you know you shouldn't? It could be TV, films, videos or someone's spouse, which may lead to adultery. It could also be gazing at something you can't afford and stealing the item. Whatever it may be, the Psalmist calls them 'Worthless things', and it is true. If anything is going to draw you away to commit sin, you are going to pay the price at some stage. If you get away with it while you are alive, if you don't ask God to forgive you, you will pay the price for it in heaven, when you meet Jesus. Is it worth it?

It takes discipline to be a follower of Jesus Christ, in fact, it takes all you have to walk that thin road to heaven. But it is worth it. The joy and blessings that you will have in heaven, have no words to describe them but, in the here and now, God wants you to walk in blessing and He's willing to help you every step of the way. He is calling you to ask Him to: "Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You". If necessary, God is willing to re-build your walk with Him. He is wanting the old man to disappear and the new man to be birthed. If you're willing, this is what He will do.

The Psalmist asks that he may be revived in the things of God. When we feel this way, God is willing to do this. He is willing to re-ignite your relationship with Him, to fill you to overflowing with His Spirit. Your part is to be willing to be purged of all the things that are holding you back - those lustful thoughts, those envious feelings towards someone, the jealousy you hold over someone and the grudges and bad feelings. They are the things that need a clear out. God is willing to help but you must be willing to do your bit. It will take discipline, hard work and pain to get yourself in shape. But it will be worth it.

Why not begin right now? There's never been a better time.

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  

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.

Copyright 2026 Grahame Howard. 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME

grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Teach me to understand, Lord. Part 1

"Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. 34Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. 36Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness".    Psalm 119:33-36   NKJV

There are so many different things happening in our world today, it's hard to understand it all. Technology and computer algorithms to name two of many changes. Let's face it, it is difficult to grasp hold of some of the things and we have many older people, scratching their heads as they wrestle with car park meters and scanning tickets to drive out of the car park. It can be a nightmare because, we lack the understanding. 

Throughout time, there have always been things that call for our constant understanding. Check out the disciples when Jesus was speaking to them in parables. They hadn't a clue what He was saying initially; He had to persevere with them and they had to listen with the third ear to gain the understanding.

Here the Psalmist is saying something similar, he needs understanding and asks God to help him - to teach him the things that he desperately wants to know, so that he will keep them in his head always. He wants to understand God's Law but, he needs to observe it with all he has so that he can grasp it all. In some versions of the bible, he is so longing to understand that he asks God to 'Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it' v35. In other versions it says 'Teach me', 'Direct me' which is more plainer. We need God to help us to be obedient to walk in His path before we can really delight in it.

One of the biggest problems we have when we are listening to God and trying to understand some particular scripture -  is distraction. If we're not careful, it will always steer us away from what we are doing. For instance, the telephone will ring. Some people say, 'leave it, whoever it is will leave a message'. The thing is, our mind goes into fast overdrive and we begin thinking, 'Yea, that's ok but what if it is urgent or an emergency. 

We have to use discipline to find the answer to this one. Many people can hear the message on the speaker and can decide what to do from that. Others have their mobiles next to them and can see who it is ringing them and make the decision from there.

We have to learn to lean into Jesus - get soaked in His love and avoid any other thing that is attempting to call you away from His love and direction. Covetousness, is characterised by a strong immoderate desire for the possessions or attention of another.

The only strong  desire that is ok for us, is Jesus, as we display this to others, they too will follow suit.

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  

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.

Copyright 2026 Grahame Howard. 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME

grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

You need to spend time with Jesus

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing".            John 15:5    NJKV

Habakkuk was a Godly man but one in which He felt He knew better than God. God had told him that He was going to use the Babylonians  to destroy Judah and then take all of the people -  men, women and children into exile. Habakkuk was beside himself with worry and the feeling of injustice towards God. Therefore He told God  this and then waited for an answer.  When the answer came, Habakkuk was not pleased again with the answer. God told him to write it all down (Habakkuk 2:2-3) so that the Jews may see this, but there was no negotiation with this, 'It will surely come' v3. 

Habakkuk wanted everything now and felt God was wrong in making him wait. But, no matter what, without God on His side, he could do nothing. This is something that we need to take on board. We don't always like God's answer, we feel that it should be a better answer. But no amount of whinging is going to change His mind. What we've got, is what we've got, period. 

One vital principle that God said was very important, especially to the Christian today. We need to write things down. Whether this is in our 'Quiet time' or 'Devotians' whatever you may call it. This is crucial for our survival because, when we don't spend quality time with Jesus, His words come to life 'for without Me you can do nothing'. I've rushed to drive to work without breakfast because my day is so busy. But, this was all to no avail, I've ended up not having the success that I had expected. Nowadays, I don't do anything without spending time with Jesus.

Why do we need to do this? Because there are things that Jesus can see that we can't. He knows the pitfalls and the things to watch out for. In my days as a social worker, I was often in court with one of my cases. This can be a tricky thing to do. especially when you have one of the top barristers opposing you. Rather like Habakkuk, I realised, that I could not do this successfully on my own. I needed Jesus.

What about you, do you spend time with Jesus at the beginning of your day? If you don't, work towards doing this - daily. There is always enough time, even if we have to rearrange our day. You may have appointments to keep, if they are important and can't be changed, then they must be fulfilled. But can't you make time for Jesus prior to these meetings. I really cannot emphasise this any more, you need to set aside a time to be with Jesus. 

You really cannot do anything without Him.

f 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.

Copyright 2026 Grahame Howard. 

We are representatives for Jesus

"But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.  9Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,  10and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him",       Colossians 3:8-10   NKJV 

Christ is the image of God. He was with God in the first place, all things that were created were created through Him and for Him (Col 1:16). He was there at creation and, He will be there when He creates a new world and, because we belong to Him, we will be there also.

A representative of a company is an important person. He or she represent this company and by their presence show the prospective buyer the companies image. If a bad image is presented, then there will be no sale because the buyer has little faith in what the company are selling. Likewise, as Christians, we are conformed to the image of Christ and when people see us, they should see Jesus. If they don't, then there is something wrong with what we are presenting, not what we are representing. Therefore, we need to get our lives right.

We carry Jesus with us everywhere we go but this doesn't mean that people can see Him, or feel His presence. It is what we present to them that they witness and that can be good or not so good. The New Living Translation puts it this way:

'But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?'    2 Corinthians 2:14-16

As I said earlier, we carry the fragrance of God to whoever we meet. Now what they see, determines how they will react. Many people totally refuse to talk or accept Jesus. This is their choice. These fall under the category of receiving the smell of death and doom. Others feel this fragrance and are attracted to it and the results may be that they are saved. It's interesting to see the people  who are pershing. Satan has blinded their eyes so much that they are almost scared to even talk about salvation. Others, are open to the gospel and receive our presence well but, they may not be ready yet. However, once they have had the Word implanted into their hearts, the seed that has been sown will begin to grow and then, they may come to know Him.

It all comes down to how we are living; are we living for Jesus or ourselves. We can't have both, we have to make a choice. If you want people to see Jesus in you, start getting your life in obedience to what Jesus wants. People will notice, that's for sure.

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.