Friday 31 January 2020
Do you want to get well?
"6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to Him, 'Do you want to be made well?"
John 5:1-15. NKJV
This man had been severely disabled for 38 years - his whole life. It is hard to imagine how he felt. To him, it was normal, even though he lay there at the poolside daily, watching others walking by.
The place Bethesda is recognised in Hebrew as the Place of Outpouring, House of Grace or even the House of Mercy. Daily people would gather around it until the waters bubbled and when it did, they endeavoured to be the first one in because the popular belief was that when the water bubbled it was caused by an angel and the first one in, would be healed. Others believed the disturbance in the water was caused by a subterranean stream under the water which every now and again bubbled up. Many people throughout the world today, carry superstitions around and believe some of the most bizarre of things. Whatever it was that caused the bubbling up at this pool, a belief spread around the wider area and many people visited in hope of healing. This man could never make it into the pool quickly enough and if he did, he would have had to be careful as the water was deep in places and in his condition, he could have drowned.
Jesus looked at this man and asked him, 'Do you want to be made well? Now this question, when you think about it, was two-fold:
1 'Do you really want to be healed and released from the infirmity?
2 'You have been this way all of your life. Are you used to being this way, and
content to carry on, or do you want what I can do?
It is possible that people can become so used to having a disability and not being able to live like others do, that they own it and find it difficult to be otherwise. This can be understandable, especially when their condition has been since birth. The very thought of being healed and changed, can be abnormal to their thinking and scary in the process.
This is what Jesus wanted to establish. Jesus is always a friend to the needy and friendless and longs to help where it is needed. This man needed His help. He never mentioned any possible superstitions about the bubbling of the water, that we may have done in a similar situation. It was immaterial. He wanted to address the main problem, not the trivial, time-wasting one.
The man's response to Jesus was not negative but it had the feel of, 'I want this but....' Many people have this attitude, 'Yes, but...' There must be a desire to receive the power of Jesus. If we are content as we are, there will be little change. This was what Jesus was seeking and, even though there was a 'but,' Jesus saw a desire too.
Jesus commanded him to, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk.' If the man had deliberated, he would have missed his healing. He could have said that he could hardly walk, let alone pick up his bed too. But, he didn't. He took action and received his healing, immediately!
You see, having faith is not enough, for the faith to work, we need action because faith without works (action) is dead (James 2:17.
What about you? Are you in a place where you have a condition that needs healing but, you have become a little used to it? You may have prayed about it many times to no avail. The thing is, you have to put your faith into action. Like yesterday's reading said, you have to apply your faith after you have asked, believed and received for healing or whatever else. In other words, you have to act as if you are healed even if you don't feel you are; there should be no doubt. However, until it is confirmed by a doctor, one should keep taking medication.
The man got up, with his bed and walked. If there had been any doubt there, he would have missed out.
Don't you miss out. Put your faith into action right now!
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
John 5:1-15. NKJV
This man had been severely disabled for 38 years - his whole life. It is hard to imagine how he felt. To him, it was normal, even though he lay there at the poolside daily, watching others walking by.
The place Bethesda is recognised in Hebrew as the Place of Outpouring, House of Grace or even the House of Mercy. Daily people would gather around it until the waters bubbled and when it did, they endeavoured to be the first one in because the popular belief was that when the water bubbled it was caused by an angel and the first one in, would be healed. Others believed the disturbance in the water was caused by a subterranean stream under the water which every now and again bubbled up. Many people throughout the world today, carry superstitions around and believe some of the most bizarre of things. Whatever it was that caused the bubbling up at this pool, a belief spread around the wider area and many people visited in hope of healing. This man could never make it into the pool quickly enough and if he did, he would have had to be careful as the water was deep in places and in his condition, he could have drowned.
Jesus looked at this man and asked him, 'Do you want to be made well? Now this question, when you think about it, was two-fold:
1 'Do you really want to be healed and released from the infirmity?
2 'You have been this way all of your life. Are you used to being this way, and
content to carry on, or do you want what I can do?
It is possible that people can become so used to having a disability and not being able to live like others do, that they own it and find it difficult to be otherwise. This can be understandable, especially when their condition has been since birth. The very thought of being healed and changed, can be abnormal to their thinking and scary in the process.
This is what Jesus wanted to establish. Jesus is always a friend to the needy and friendless and longs to help where it is needed. This man needed His help. He never mentioned any possible superstitions about the bubbling of the water, that we may have done in a similar situation. It was immaterial. He wanted to address the main problem, not the trivial, time-wasting one.
The man's response to Jesus was not negative but it had the feel of, 'I want this but....' Many people have this attitude, 'Yes, but...' There must be a desire to receive the power of Jesus. If we are content as we are, there will be little change. This was what Jesus was seeking and, even though there was a 'but,' Jesus saw a desire too.
Jesus commanded him to, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk.' If the man had deliberated, he would have missed his healing. He could have said that he could hardly walk, let alone pick up his bed too. But, he didn't. He took action and received his healing, immediately!
You see, having faith is not enough, for the faith to work, we need action because faith without works (action) is dead (James 2:17.
What about you? Are you in a place where you have a condition that needs healing but, you have become a little used to it? You may have prayed about it many times to no avail. The thing is, you have to put your faith into action. Like yesterday's reading said, you have to apply your faith after you have asked, believed and received for healing or whatever else. In other words, you have to act as if you are healed even if you don't feel you are; there should be no doubt. However, until it is confirmed by a doctor, one should keep taking medication.
The man got up, with his bed and walked. If there had been any doubt there, he would have missed out.
Don't you miss out. Put your faith into action right now!
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
Thursday 30 January 2020
Out of need, not greed, He's willing to feed
"Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them." Mark 11:24. NKJV
At the risk of being repetitive, this is an area that we all to need to understand and grasp hold of. Firstly though, ask yourself, 'Do I need a faith transplant?' This is important, because without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). So before you carry on reading, put this right by asking God to increase your faith. A word of warning though; when you ask such a thing, he will test you in several areas to see how you're doing.
When we ask God for something, we need to believe that He has heard us and that He is committed to giving us what we ask for. We then need to receive it by faith before we have it. Now this doesn't mean if we ask God to allow us to win the Lottery so that we'll be rich, that he will do this for us. The same as if we ask for a bigger and better house or car so we can spite our neighbours. He probably won't do this because we are asking amiss. (James 4:1-3). God is not our Santa Claus. He knows what we need, such as healing, finances, that special job, a house move etc. When we ask God out of need, not greed, He is willing to feed.
So therefore, when we come before Him with one of these needs - ready to ask according to His will - we need to:
PRAY - ask Him for what we need
BELIEVE - He has heard and will deliver
RECEIVE - Believe you have them.
APPLY IT - Put it into action by confessing what you've received
In other words, take it; receive it and have it and then apply it by confessing by faith. If you asked for healing, confess that you are healed even if you don't feel healed and still have the symptoms. Confess that you are healed.
'Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.' Romans 10:17. Don't negate or cancel out your healing by thinking or saying that you feel awful and not healed. Keep believing and confessing and it will come about. If you doubt you'll be without. This goes for any other area that you're praying and believing for - finances, home, job, family etc.
Don't be tempted to give up. At times, people receive what they've asked for, instantly. At other times, there is a wait for the manifestation. Don't be impatient, wait for it:
'Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry'
Habakkuk 2:3. NKJV
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
Wednesday 29 January 2020
An Attitude of Gratitude
"17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, though the labour of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls - 18 Yet, I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
Habakkuk 3:17-18. NKJV
Things may get bad for you at times - very bad. However, in comparison to the above scripture, have things ever been this bad? The majority of us, have a home or at least somewhere to lay our heads. We have finance from a job or social care, medical costs paid for within the UK, clothes, shoes, food, family and often, someone to love or have love us.
When we compare this with many other countries, we are very well off. Many of these countries are starving, have nowhere to live and are riddled with some type of disease, and yet, those who belong to Jesus Christ, have faith and a devotion to Him, that would make ours look shallow in comparison. Many are poor and live in mud huts or even on the streets, have no clean water, sanitation or nice new clothes to wear and some have to sell their bodies to provide the very basic of things - things that we, in the west take for granted every day.
Governments hoard their money and get richer, while their people die by the thousands. What is the reason for this? Is it God's fault? Not at all. The reason is at the top; governmental leaders who make sure that they are ok; that they have more than enough while their people perish and are subjected to dictatorship and death.
And yet, the ones who are Christians; the ones who have put their trust in Jesus have a deep love and devotion to Him. They are grateful for all they have- which is very little. They have learnt that Jesus is their Lord; their provider and against all the odds, for some, certain death for being believers in Jesus, they rejoice in their Lord and Master.
They may have very little by way of material possession, but they have Jesus and they devour the bible; they praise and rejoice in Him all through the day, even though it may cost them their lives for doing so.
One only has to look at the devastating horror that the Jewish people had to endure under the Nazis during WW2. They were slaughtered for their Jewish faith. Hitler thought he could end the reign of the Jew but he underestimated the strength of Jesus Christ. They live on and at the end of the day, Hitler and his associates will have to give an account for the atrocities that they caused. And so will today's world leaders for the way they have not taken care of their people.
Nevertheless, the people worship Jesus, yes, they would probably love to have what we even throwaway, but they are content in their faith and grateful for the little that they have.
It should make us in the western world feel very humble. Just think what you have but yet grumble and complain about because someone has better. Think about all you take for granted and just for one moment, spare a thought for the people who are not rich, the people who are dying because there is no medication or food, the one who is sleeping rough tonight because they have nothing. When you've done this, realise how grateful to God you need to be.
Habakkuk 3:17-18. NKJV
Things may get bad for you at times - very bad. However, in comparison to the above scripture, have things ever been this bad? The majority of us, have a home or at least somewhere to lay our heads. We have finance from a job or social care, medical costs paid for within the UK, clothes, shoes, food, family and often, someone to love or have love us.
When we compare this with many other countries, we are very well off. Many of these countries are starving, have nowhere to live and are riddled with some type of disease, and yet, those who belong to Jesus Christ, have faith and a devotion to Him, that would make ours look shallow in comparison. Many are poor and live in mud huts or even on the streets, have no clean water, sanitation or nice new clothes to wear and some have to sell their bodies to provide the very basic of things - things that we, in the west take for granted every day.
Governments hoard their money and get richer, while their people die by the thousands. What is the reason for this? Is it God's fault? Not at all. The reason is at the top; governmental leaders who make sure that they are ok; that they have more than enough while their people perish and are subjected to dictatorship and death.
And yet, the ones who are Christians; the ones who have put their trust in Jesus have a deep love and devotion to Him. They are grateful for all they have- which is very little. They have learnt that Jesus is their Lord; their provider and against all the odds, for some, certain death for being believers in Jesus, they rejoice in their Lord and Master.
They may have very little by way of material possession, but they have Jesus and they devour the bible; they praise and rejoice in Him all through the day, even though it may cost them their lives for doing so.
One only has to look at the devastating horror that the Jewish people had to endure under the Nazis during WW2. They were slaughtered for their Jewish faith. Hitler thought he could end the reign of the Jew but he underestimated the strength of Jesus Christ. They live on and at the end of the day, Hitler and his associates will have to give an account for the atrocities that they caused. And so will today's world leaders for the way they have not taken care of their people.
Nevertheless, the people worship Jesus, yes, they would probably love to have what we even throwaway, but they are content in their faith and grateful for the little that they have.
It should make us in the western world feel very humble. Just think what you have but yet grumble and complain about because someone has better. Think about all you take for granted and just for one moment, spare a thought for the people who are not rich, the people who are dying because there is no medication or food, the one who is sleeping rough tonight because they have nothing. When you've done this, realise how grateful to God you need to be.
'Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count you blessings see what God hath done,
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.'
Johnson Atman Jr
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
Tuesday 28 January 2020
Three main areas of worry Part 3
"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?" Matthew 6:25-34. NKJV
Today, we come to our final part of the main areas of worry. Today we look at:
HEALTH
We all desire good health, the alternative being unthinkable. Many people struggle with the fact that God's Word says that we are healed. 1 Peter 2:24, actually tells us that we were healed by the stripes of Jesus, and that is correct. The problem is, accepting this fact.
Why do we fret and worry about illness that comes upon us or a member of our family. Jesus told us if we ask in prayer for anything and believe that we receive them, then we will have them. Mark 11:24. We either believe that or we don't. It is not a case of, 'if we pray hard enough, God will hear us and take pity on us.' It is not that type of thing at all. Jesus was serious about what He said.
Let us look at Mark 11:24:
'Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them.'
This verse is so straight forward, that it would be so easy to say, 'What part of this verse don't you understand?' It couldn't be any clearer. But some people often think that there must be a hidden meaning. The only hidden meaning here is, 'Have faith in God,' Mark 11:22. The verse could be better analysed by breaking it into three parts:
A PRAYER OF FAITH
We are called to walk by faith 2 Corinthians 5:7. Also 'God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.' Romans 4:17. Did you get that? If a person is sick, there is no healing there, ok? So faith tells us to call those thing - this sickness - as if they are healed and they will be, because we walk by faith, not by what we see, hear or what someone tells us. 'Oh that won't work, they're sick, they won't be made well.' Well you're right if you have that attitude because that is not faith, it is aggressive doubt. We have to get into the realm of faith, of believing for the impossible, because God is a God of the impossible.
A PRAYER OF EXPECTATION
When we pray, it must never be a formality or a ritual without hope. We should never pray, 'Lord, if it be thy will.' It's fruitless to pray this way because we know already that it is God's Will. 1 Peter 2:24. Don't be tempted to be one of the people who think, 'You never know, God may just answer my prayer.' This really is being a little flip with God. He is interested in you walking in divine health. He doesn't want you sick.
So why then, are so many people sick? Well God doesn't bring sickness upon people. That is fact. There is none of this, 'God allowed this sickness because I can be helpful to Him.' That is not true. He can use a person who has a major illness, yes, as they can minister to others with similar symptoms. But it is never God's will for us to be sick.
It all boils down to whether we, the individual, receive healing, stand on our faith confessing that we are healed, though the symptoms remain, until the full manifestation comes to us. Many times, people are healed instantly as they receive it. At other times, it is like nothing has happened. However, this is where we need to use our faith and not confess sickness on us any longer. Yes, you need to still take your medication, it would be irresponsible not to. But only until the doctor gives you a clean bill of health.
You may be reading this and have total doubt about it all. But really, have you anything to lose by trusting God totally and asking Him to heal you? God does not lie. What He says in His Word can be trusted. He is a God of love; a God who doesn't want you worrying about sickness and disease, especially when He has supplied healing in the first place. He loves you.
May I encourage you to read and study Mark 11:24 until you get a full revelation of what God is telling you. God wants you well, and well today. All you have to do is believe that you receive and you will have it.
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
Today, we come to our final part of the main areas of worry. Today we look at:
HEALTH
We all desire good health, the alternative being unthinkable. Many people struggle with the fact that God's Word says that we are healed. 1 Peter 2:24, actually tells us that we were healed by the stripes of Jesus, and that is correct. The problem is, accepting this fact.
Why do we fret and worry about illness that comes upon us or a member of our family. Jesus told us if we ask in prayer for anything and believe that we receive them, then we will have them. Mark 11:24. We either believe that or we don't. It is not a case of, 'if we pray hard enough, God will hear us and take pity on us.' It is not that type of thing at all. Jesus was serious about what He said.
Let us look at Mark 11:24:
'Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them.'
This verse is so straight forward, that it would be so easy to say, 'What part of this verse don't you understand?' It couldn't be any clearer. But some people often think that there must be a hidden meaning. The only hidden meaning here is, 'Have faith in God,' Mark 11:22. The verse could be better analysed by breaking it into three parts:
A PRAYER OF FAITH
We are called to walk by faith 2 Corinthians 5:7. Also 'God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.' Romans 4:17. Did you get that? If a person is sick, there is no healing there, ok? So faith tells us to call those thing - this sickness - as if they are healed and they will be, because we walk by faith, not by what we see, hear or what someone tells us. 'Oh that won't work, they're sick, they won't be made well.' Well you're right if you have that attitude because that is not faith, it is aggressive doubt. We have to get into the realm of faith, of believing for the impossible, because God is a God of the impossible.
A PRAYER OF EXPECTATION
When we pray, it must never be a formality or a ritual without hope. We should never pray, 'Lord, if it be thy will.' It's fruitless to pray this way because we know already that it is God's Will. 1 Peter 2:24. Don't be tempted to be one of the people who think, 'You never know, God may just answer my prayer.' This really is being a little flip with God. He is interested in you walking in divine health. He doesn't want you sick.
So why then, are so many people sick? Well God doesn't bring sickness upon people. That is fact. There is none of this, 'God allowed this sickness because I can be helpful to Him.' That is not true. He can use a person who has a major illness, yes, as they can minister to others with similar symptoms. But it is never God's will for us to be sick.
It all boils down to whether we, the individual, receive healing, stand on our faith confessing that we are healed, though the symptoms remain, until the full manifestation comes to us. Many times, people are healed instantly as they receive it. At other times, it is like nothing has happened. However, this is where we need to use our faith and not confess sickness on us any longer. Yes, you need to still take your medication, it would be irresponsible not to. But only until the doctor gives you a clean bill of health.
You may be reading this and have total doubt about it all. But really, have you anything to lose by trusting God totally and asking Him to heal you? God does not lie. What He says in His Word can be trusted. He is a God of love; a God who doesn't want you worrying about sickness and disease, especially when He has supplied healing in the first place. He loves you.
May I encourage you to read and study Mark 11:24 until you get a full revelation of what God is telling you. God wants you well, and well today. All you have to do is believe that you receive and you will have it.
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
Monday 27 January 2020
Three main areas of worry Part 2
"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?" Matthew 6:25-34. NKJV
Worry affects all areas of our life. Today we look at the impact it can have on our families.
FAMILIES
We worry about our families in many ways: when they go away on holiday alone or with friends; when they have sleepovers; when they attend a new school, or meet someone that we don't approve of. We also worry when they take a job that we feel is inappropriate or risky such as working in a bar late at night.
Sometimes it is hard to take and we tend to want to live their lives for them. However, there comes a time when we have to cut the cord and let them go.Young birds fledge when it's time to leave the nest. There is little difference when a son or daughter become of age to be independent. We have to let go. It happens to us all. We're not letting go of them, rather we're recognising that we've done all we can in bringing them up properly. Now it's time to let them find their own way in life. It hurts when your child leaves home to take up a new life but we can't hang on to them. There's a big world out there and they need to explore it.
For Christian parents, there is always the worry that their child will become involved with people who will drag them away from their faith. All we can do is entrust them to God and stand on scriptures that are relevant, such as:
'Train a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.'
Proverbs 22:6. NKJV
Think about it; your child has spent years being brought up by you; spent endless hours at school and then possibly, university. Now is the time for their freedom. It's an exciting world out there and so much to try out.
No amount of worrying on your part is going to change things. You could fret every moment of the day but you'll only make yourself miserable and possibly ill, by doing this.
This is the time that you need to have faith in God and stand on His promises, such as:
'Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.' Matthew 6:33
This verse does not just focus on your physical needs but all of them, especially your emotional need. God is interested and has said not to worry. He is therefore committed to His promise. As you seek Him first - praising and worshipping Him, He will meet you in your time of need and give you the peace to be able to cope with it all. You still have to let go of your child's reins - they don't need them anymore! As you let go, Jesus will take hold of your heart. And I believe He will say something like, 'Don't be afraid, only believe' Luke 8:50
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
Worry affects all areas of our life. Today we look at the impact it can have on our families.
FAMILIES
We worry about our families in many ways: when they go away on holiday alone or with friends; when they have sleepovers; when they attend a new school, or meet someone that we don't approve of. We also worry when they take a job that we feel is inappropriate or risky such as working in a bar late at night.
Sometimes it is hard to take and we tend to want to live their lives for them. However, there comes a time when we have to cut the cord and let them go.Young birds fledge when it's time to leave the nest. There is little difference when a son or daughter become of age to be independent. We have to let go. It happens to us all. We're not letting go of them, rather we're recognising that we've done all we can in bringing them up properly. Now it's time to let them find their own way in life. It hurts when your child leaves home to take up a new life but we can't hang on to them. There's a big world out there and they need to explore it.
For Christian parents, there is always the worry that their child will become involved with people who will drag them away from their faith. All we can do is entrust them to God and stand on scriptures that are relevant, such as:
'Train a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.'
Proverbs 22:6. NKJV
Think about it; your child has spent years being brought up by you; spent endless hours at school and then possibly, university. Now is the time for their freedom. It's an exciting world out there and so much to try out.
No amount of worrying on your part is going to change things. You could fret every moment of the day but you'll only make yourself miserable and possibly ill, by doing this.
This is the time that you need to have faith in God and stand on His promises, such as:
'Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.' Matthew 6:33
This verse does not just focus on your physical needs but all of them, especially your emotional need. God is interested and has said not to worry. He is therefore committed to His promise. As you seek Him first - praising and worshipping Him, He will meet you in your time of need and give you the peace to be able to cope with it all. You still have to let go of your child's reins - they don't need them anymore! As you let go, Jesus will take hold of your heart. And I believe He will say something like, 'Don't be afraid, only believe' Luke 8:50
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
Sunday 26 January 2020
Three main areas of worry Part 1
"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?" Matthew 6:25-34. NKJV
Jesus told us not to worry, in fact, it was more of a command than a request because He is well aware of the devastation that worry and anxiety can cause. People all over the globe are suffering the consequences of worry. Depression and other areas of mental health are leading factors, together with cancers and heart disease. Ask yourself, is worry really worth it? You may answer me, 'It's ok for you to say, but you don't know what is happening in my life.' That's very true, I don't. But what I do know is, that worry is a choice. We can choose to worry about something, or we can choose to give things to Our Father because He says in His Word, 'Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.' 1 Peter 5:7. Again, 'Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.' Psalm 55:22.
It is difficult, I know, when you are going through the deepest of worrying times, to choose not to fear, but this is the most sensible. God tells us to cast our cares over to Him because he can carry us through the situation - sustain us through it.
There are three main areas that we all are tempted to worry about: Finance, Family and Health. Let us look at these over the next few days:
FINANCE
We need food and drink and clothes to wear. These are the most essential of our basic needs. We also need to be able to meet the ever increasing bills that mount up over the month, the rent or the mortgage payments, medical supplies and prescription costs, children's costs for school trips and uniforms and the other bills such as electricity, gas, water, car, petrol etc. It is never ending.
Verse 26 in our text is an amazing one: 'Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.'
We can learn a lot from birds. They are not capable of earning a living for their needs but there is a great analogy here, of how God supplies all of their needs. God created trees, bushes, plants and small bug life so that they could be fed. He also uses many of us to supply them with seeds, nuts, fat balls and other tasty morsels so that in winter, they're catered for. In the summer they have berries and such from the plant life. God also supplies them with a home, completely free. This is how much He cares for them. So why do we fret at the lack of finance? We are of much more value to God than the birds are. V26.
So what makes us fret when we're getting low on stuff, or when that large bill comes through the post? God knows that we need these things, do we consider that He will actually let us down? We really must trust in God more. Just think, you are a Kingdom person and God wants His Kingdom people to have faith and be blessed. There is absolutely no room for doubt. V32. But one important thing here is, don't forget to honour God with your finance - by tithing. "What, I can't tithe, I don't have enough for myself, let alone to give away.' Let me tell you something, you can't afford not to tithe:
'Honour the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.'
Proverbs 3:9-10. NLT
'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, says the LORD of hosts, if it will not open for you the windows of Heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.' Malachi 3:10. NKJV
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
Jesus told us not to worry, in fact, it was more of a command than a request because He is well aware of the devastation that worry and anxiety can cause. People all over the globe are suffering the consequences of worry. Depression and other areas of mental health are leading factors, together with cancers and heart disease. Ask yourself, is worry really worth it? You may answer me, 'It's ok for you to say, but you don't know what is happening in my life.' That's very true, I don't. But what I do know is, that worry is a choice. We can choose to worry about something, or we can choose to give things to Our Father because He says in His Word, 'Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.' 1 Peter 5:7. Again, 'Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.' Psalm 55:22.
It is difficult, I know, when you are going through the deepest of worrying times, to choose not to fear, but this is the most sensible. God tells us to cast our cares over to Him because he can carry us through the situation - sustain us through it.
There are three main areas that we all are tempted to worry about: Finance, Family and Health. Let us look at these over the next few days:
FINANCE
We need food and drink and clothes to wear. These are the most essential of our basic needs. We also need to be able to meet the ever increasing bills that mount up over the month, the rent or the mortgage payments, medical supplies and prescription costs, children's costs for school trips and uniforms and the other bills such as electricity, gas, water, car, petrol etc. It is never ending.
Verse 26 in our text is an amazing one: 'Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap, nor gather into barns, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.'
We can learn a lot from birds. They are not capable of earning a living for their needs but there is a great analogy here, of how God supplies all of their needs. God created trees, bushes, plants and small bug life so that they could be fed. He also uses many of us to supply them with seeds, nuts, fat balls and other tasty morsels so that in winter, they're catered for. In the summer they have berries and such from the plant life. God also supplies them with a home, completely free. This is how much He cares for them. So why do we fret at the lack of finance? We are of much more value to God than the birds are. V26.
So what makes us fret when we're getting low on stuff, or when that large bill comes through the post? God knows that we need these things, do we consider that He will actually let us down? We really must trust in God more. Just think, you are a Kingdom person and God wants His Kingdom people to have faith and be blessed. There is absolutely no room for doubt. V32. But one important thing here is, don't forget to honour God with your finance - by tithing. "What, I can't tithe, I don't have enough for myself, let alone to give away.' Let me tell you something, you can't afford not to tithe:
'Honour the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.'
Proverbs 3:9-10. NLT
'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, says the LORD of hosts, if it will not open for you the windows of Heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.' Malachi 3:10. NKJV
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
Saturday 25 January 2020
God's Mercy Towards Us
"23 Who remembered us in our lowly state, for His mercy endures forever, 24 And rescued us from our enemies, for His mercy endures forever; 25 Who gives food to all flesh, for His mercy endures forever.
26 Oh give thanks to the God of Heaven! For His mercy endures forever."
Psalm 136:23-26. NKJV
God not only shows us His constant, daily love, but He also gives us His Favour, His Mercy and His Grace. Someone once said that a breakdown of these three areas shows us that, Favour is God's unusual liking to us. Grace is free and unmerited blessings of God and Mercy is God not punishing us as we deserve.
In the above Psalm, we see all three of these areas being demonstrated. Note the phrase in v23, 'Who remembered us in our lowly state - ' God cannot forget us, we are imprinted on His heart. Even if we walk away from Him, He remembers us and waits for our return (Luke 15:11-32). There are many who have abandoned God for one thing and another, but He stands there waiting for their return. He will never give up on anyone and this is where His mercy kicks in. We just don't deserve His love. He's a Holy God but through Jesus Christ we receive God's mercy and we are forgiven and made His son. When that happens, He chooses to forget all of the bad things that we have ever done. Grace enters the discussion here as it is God's freely unmerited blessing upon us, in other words, His unmerited favour. We've done nothing to deserve it but we get it anyway because He loves and cherish us.
God's favour in the Hebrew is a word called Chen. It means to bend or stoop in kindness to another, as a superior to an inferior. God wraps favour around us:
'For You O LORD, will bless the righteous. With favour You will surround him as with a shield.' Psalm 5:12. The word favour offers us, pleasure, delight, desire and grace and when you consider this, mercy just has to be included here too. We need to keep living 'favour-minded', and God will deliver blessing after blessing. God loves you so much that He will even help you find a parking space in a very busy car park when you need it. You have the favour of God on you. Just think, if He'll find you a place to park, what else would He like to provide you with as well.
His Mercy, Grace and Favour last forever. We have them because Jesus made it possible for this. Stop and think for a moment, how many times has God rescued you from hazards and dangerous and risky things? How many times has He fought for you when you were in a dodgy position? How many times has He turned up to help when there has been no one else who seems to care or know about you? Jesus' love is immeasurable! and infinite. It will never end. He has provided for each one of us and will continue to do so. He gives us food to eat both spiritually and physically; clothes to wear; house to live in; family and friends, finance. What He gives us is unlimited! How can we not give thanks to the God of Heaven, for His mercy endures forever?
At the end of the day, He is there when we sleep and He is with us when we awake. He is there for us during our day; when we are busy and when we are having a rest; when we are happy and when we are sad. When we have problems and when all is well.
In Jesus, you have a rock solid friend. He is faithful and kind and great company too. Have you ever heard Him laugh? If not, then get really close to Him and you will. Really get to know him, He is great fun.
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
Difference Between Favour Grace and Mercy. Favouris God's unusual liking to us. Grace is free and unmerited blessings of the God. Mercy is God not punishing us as we deserve.
26 Oh give thanks to the God of Heaven! For His mercy endures forever."
Psalm 136:23-26. NKJV
God not only shows us His constant, daily love, but He also gives us His Favour, His Mercy and His Grace. Someone once said that a breakdown of these three areas shows us that, Favour is God's unusual liking to us. Grace is free and unmerited blessings of God and Mercy is God not punishing us as we deserve.
In the above Psalm, we see all three of these areas being demonstrated. Note the phrase in v23, 'Who remembered us in our lowly state - ' God cannot forget us, we are imprinted on His heart. Even if we walk away from Him, He remembers us and waits for our return (Luke 15:11-32). There are many who have abandoned God for one thing and another, but He stands there waiting for their return. He will never give up on anyone and this is where His mercy kicks in. We just don't deserve His love. He's a Holy God but through Jesus Christ we receive God's mercy and we are forgiven and made His son. When that happens, He chooses to forget all of the bad things that we have ever done. Grace enters the discussion here as it is God's freely unmerited blessing upon us, in other words, His unmerited favour. We've done nothing to deserve it but we get it anyway because He loves and cherish us.
God's favour in the Hebrew is a word called Chen. It means to bend or stoop in kindness to another, as a superior to an inferior. God wraps favour around us:
'For You O LORD, will bless the righteous. With favour You will surround him as with a shield.' Psalm 5:12. The word favour offers us, pleasure, delight, desire and grace and when you consider this, mercy just has to be included here too. We need to keep living 'favour-minded', and God will deliver blessing after blessing. God loves you so much that He will even help you find a parking space in a very busy car park when you need it. You have the favour of God on you. Just think, if He'll find you a place to park, what else would He like to provide you with as well.
His Mercy, Grace and Favour last forever. We have them because Jesus made it possible for this. Stop and think for a moment, how many times has God rescued you from hazards and dangerous and risky things? How many times has He fought for you when you were in a dodgy position? How many times has He turned up to help when there has been no one else who seems to care or know about you? Jesus' love is immeasurable! and infinite. It will never end. He has provided for each one of us and will continue to do so. He gives us food to eat both spiritually and physically; clothes to wear; house to live in; family and friends, finance. What He gives us is unlimited! How can we not give thanks to the God of Heaven, for His mercy endures forever?
At the end of the day, He is there when we sleep and He is with us when we awake. He is there for us during our day; when we are busy and when we are having a rest; when we are happy and when we are sad. When we have problems and when all is well.
In Jesus, you have a rock solid friend. He is faithful and kind and great company too. Have you ever heard Him laugh? If not, then get really close to Him and you will. Really get to know him, He is great fun.
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
Difference Between Favour Grace and Mercy. Favouris God's unusual liking to us. Grace is free and unmerited blessings of the God. Mercy is God not punishing us as we deserve.
Friday 24 January 2020
Peace
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nether let it be afraid." John 14:27. NKJV
The two kinds of peace that we look at today are, Worldly Peace and the Peace of Jesus:
WORLDLY PEACE
The world give us peace and then takes it back again. It involves unrest and demands, the kind that leads to anxiety and fear. People may come along and show us two fingers as they declare, 'Peace Brother or Sister', to us. They may be genuine but the whole practise has a feeling of uncertainty about it. People may say to each other, 'I'm going to get some fresh air and a little peace and quiet'. They may do, but it is still uncertain, worldly peace. William Barclay comments on worldly peace by stating, 'The world's peace is a peace of escape, the avoidance of trouble and a refusal to face up to things.' In other words, it can be a kind of denial.
We may say at the end of some worldly conflict that we now have a time of peace. That may be so, but there is still a feeling of uncertainty about it all. Worldly peace is very shallow. This can be seen on annual events such as New Years celebrations. People are happy as the clock strikes twelve, indicating another New Year. However, shortly afterwards, they may be seen fighting, possibly because they have consumed too much alcohol to be in control of themselves. It is just world peace - temporary.
In the Amplified version, part of our text reads:
"Stop allowing yourself to be agitated and disturbed and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.'
In the NLT, the text reads:
'I AM leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give'
Note the words, 'the world cannot give.' The world cannot give the peace that we all yearn for. Only Jesus can offer us the free gift of this peace.
THE PEACE OF JESUS
The peace that Jesus speaks about here is, Shalom peace - everything that is for our highest good.
It was a common thing and still is in many places, for Jews to say to each other Shalom when they met with people and when they left. What they were saying was, 'Peace be with you - Peace (Shalom) be with you.' It became a regular thing for Jews to greet and say goodbye with these words, rather like we may say, 'God Bless,' to some people. At times, it can feel like a casual and empty phrase to say. Jesus, however, was saying, 'My Peace.' He was letting them know that His Peace is untroubled and never fearful, in fact genuine. Jesus could say this although the road ahead for Him led to a lot of suffering.
We can have a life that is untroubled and free from worry and fear if we allow Jesus to sow this peace within our hearts. It is free and we just need to receive it without cost. Jesus is saying to each one of us, 'Stop being afraid; stop being fearful and anxious, worried and agitated by the things of life. It serves no purpose except to upset you and others as they hear you. Acting in such a way can also injure your health. Worry is a killer and also a sin, Because Jesus told us not to do it. (Matthew 6:25)
Don't you think that it is time that you received the Peace of God and stopped worrying and being anxious about everything? You know it is, and so does God. That's why He is telling you now.
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
The two kinds of peace that we look at today are, Worldly Peace and the Peace of Jesus:
WORLDLY PEACE
The world give us peace and then takes it back again. It involves unrest and demands, the kind that leads to anxiety and fear. People may come along and show us two fingers as they declare, 'Peace Brother or Sister', to us. They may be genuine but the whole practise has a feeling of uncertainty about it. People may say to each other, 'I'm going to get some fresh air and a little peace and quiet'. They may do, but it is still uncertain, worldly peace. William Barclay comments on worldly peace by stating, 'The world's peace is a peace of escape, the avoidance of trouble and a refusal to face up to things.' In other words, it can be a kind of denial.
We may say at the end of some worldly conflict that we now have a time of peace. That may be so, but there is still a feeling of uncertainty about it all. Worldly peace is very shallow. This can be seen on annual events such as New Years celebrations. People are happy as the clock strikes twelve, indicating another New Year. However, shortly afterwards, they may be seen fighting, possibly because they have consumed too much alcohol to be in control of themselves. It is just world peace - temporary.
In the Amplified version, part of our text reads:
"Stop allowing yourself to be agitated and disturbed and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.'
In the NLT, the text reads:
'I AM leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give'
Note the words, 'the world cannot give.' The world cannot give the peace that we all yearn for. Only Jesus can offer us the free gift of this peace.
THE PEACE OF JESUS
The peace that Jesus speaks about here is, Shalom peace - everything that is for our highest good.
It was a common thing and still is in many places, for Jews to say to each other Shalom when they met with people and when they left. What they were saying was, 'Peace be with you - Peace (Shalom) be with you.' It became a regular thing for Jews to greet and say goodbye with these words, rather like we may say, 'God Bless,' to some people. At times, it can feel like a casual and empty phrase to say. Jesus, however, was saying, 'My Peace.' He was letting them know that His Peace is untroubled and never fearful, in fact genuine. Jesus could say this although the road ahead for Him led to a lot of suffering.
We can have a life that is untroubled and free from worry and fear if we allow Jesus to sow this peace within our hearts. It is free and we just need to receive it without cost. Jesus is saying to each one of us, 'Stop being afraid; stop being fearful and anxious, worried and agitated by the things of life. It serves no purpose except to upset you and others as they hear you. Acting in such a way can also injure your health. Worry is a killer and also a sin, Because Jesus told us not to do it. (Matthew 6:25)
Don't you think that it is time that you received the Peace of God and stopped worrying and being anxious about everything? You know it is, and so does God. That's why He is telling you now.
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
Thursday 23 January 2020
Be careful with the seed
"Listen! Behold a sower went out to sow." Mark 4:3 & 13-20
The farmer has to sow his seed carefully; otherwise it may be snatched by the birds, it can be sown into ground where there is no root or choked because it is thrown into ground that is choked with thorns and all sorts of debris. Here, in verses 13-20, we see different variations of seed sowing:
HARD GROUND
In Galilee at the time, there were many strips of land with hard paths through them where people walked.This was so regular that the paths would become very compact and hard. As seed was sown, birds would swoop down before it even had time to root. Farmers, at times used donkeys that carried large bags of seed with a hole cut out at the bottom corner. As the donkey was led on, the seed would flow out on the paths and land. However, birds would still swoop down and snatch the seed. You've probably seen examples of this with tractors in a field. As the tractor goes along, hundreds of birds can be seen trying to take the seed away. The difference being, here the soil has been well dug and fertilised.
The analogy here is, many people hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ but the words don't take root. Many people are indifferent to the Word of God and feel that they don't need 'Religion,' in their lives. They're ok as they are. Sadly, one day, they may wish that they had done something about it.
STONY GROUND
Much of Galilee at the time, was covered with a shelf of limestone rock with just a shallow level of soil covering this. It wasn't deep enough for seeds to make root and when the hot sun rose, they would shrivel up with the heat.
Many people are drawn to Christianity but they don't give it their all. Living for Jesus, is an all or nothing exercise. We have to give Jesus our all. If there is no depth to our walk with Him, the world will shrivel us up with the heat of its temptations.
CHOKED SEED
Farmers would hack large thorn bushes down but leave the roots still in the ground. Consequently, the thorns would quickly grow back, fresh and strong, and choke the freshly sowed seedlings.
It's great to have hobbies and belong tp various clubs, such as a gym, sports club, art classes ad also church activities. But in our busy lives, we must leave room for Jesus. You may be an avid reader and plough through thrillers at a fast pace, but where is the value if you spend hours reading these books and minutes in your bible - if at all. Doing too much, chokes your Christian walk.
WE MUST HEAR THE WORD OF GOD
This happens by listening. Sometimes, we can be so busy talking that we fail to hear what God is saying.
WE MUST RECEIVE THE WORD OF GOD
We must take it into our minds. At times, we may hear what we don't wish to hear. This is not the time to discard it, but learn from it. We all need guidance and teaching. The truth can hurt at the time but it can mend, the same way as a prescribed injection of medicine can hurt but we know that it will benefit us.
WE MUST PUT THE WORD OF GOD INTO ACTION
Faith doesn't call us to speculate but to act. If you don't act on your faith, very little will happen.
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
The farmer has to sow his seed carefully; otherwise it may be snatched by the birds, it can be sown into ground where there is no root or choked because it is thrown into ground that is choked with thorns and all sorts of debris. Here, in verses 13-20, we see different variations of seed sowing:
HARD GROUND
In Galilee at the time, there were many strips of land with hard paths through them where people walked.This was so regular that the paths would become very compact and hard. As seed was sown, birds would swoop down before it even had time to root. Farmers, at times used donkeys that carried large bags of seed with a hole cut out at the bottom corner. As the donkey was led on, the seed would flow out on the paths and land. However, birds would still swoop down and snatch the seed. You've probably seen examples of this with tractors in a field. As the tractor goes along, hundreds of birds can be seen trying to take the seed away. The difference being, here the soil has been well dug and fertilised.
The analogy here is, many people hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ but the words don't take root. Many people are indifferent to the Word of God and feel that they don't need 'Religion,' in their lives. They're ok as they are. Sadly, one day, they may wish that they had done something about it.
STONY GROUND
Much of Galilee at the time, was covered with a shelf of limestone rock with just a shallow level of soil covering this. It wasn't deep enough for seeds to make root and when the hot sun rose, they would shrivel up with the heat.
Many people are drawn to Christianity but they don't give it their all. Living for Jesus, is an all or nothing exercise. We have to give Jesus our all. If there is no depth to our walk with Him, the world will shrivel us up with the heat of its temptations.
CHOKED SEED
Farmers would hack large thorn bushes down but leave the roots still in the ground. Consequently, the thorns would quickly grow back, fresh and strong, and choke the freshly sowed seedlings.
It's great to have hobbies and belong tp various clubs, such as a gym, sports club, art classes ad also church activities. But in our busy lives, we must leave room for Jesus. You may be an avid reader and plough through thrillers at a fast pace, but where is the value if you spend hours reading these books and minutes in your bible - if at all. Doing too much, chokes your Christian walk.
WE MUST HEAR THE WORD OF GOD
This happens by listening. Sometimes, we can be so busy talking that we fail to hear what God is saying.
WE MUST RECEIVE THE WORD OF GOD
We must take it into our minds. At times, we may hear what we don't wish to hear. This is not the time to discard it, but learn from it. We all need guidance and teaching. The truth can hurt at the time but it can mend, the same way as a prescribed injection of medicine can hurt but we know that it will benefit us.
WE MUST PUT THE WORD OF GOD INTO ACTION
Faith doesn't call us to speculate but to act. If you don't act on your faith, very little will happen.
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
Wednesday 22 January 2020
Strong and Courageous
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9. NKJV
We can meditate on fear and accept it, as we saw yesterday. When we do, we're listening to the wrong source - we are listening to a lie from the devil. Moses had died and Joshua took over from him. God told him to take the Israelites with him and cross over the River Jordan, into Canaan - the Promised Land.
Joshua had been there forty years earlier, with Caleb and the other spies that Moses had sent out. They had encountered giants and even though Joshua and Caleb gave a good report, that it was safe to go over there, the others gave a bad report, so the journey had been cancelled.
Now forty years later, Joshua was to head back with a new generation of Israelites.
This brought up several concerns for Joshua. What would it be like? Would it have changed much? Would the giants be even bigger than they were before - even more threatening? Would he and Caleb see good in the land once again? Questions needing answers.
Joshua was apprehensive about all of this and the thought of leading such a massive load of people. He was the leader; could he do it? Would it just be a repeat of last time, where the people refused to go?
God sensed Joshua's apprehension and began to encourage him, telling him that he was well able to carry out this task and that, He Himself, would be right beside him. He would be able to achieve this.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9. NKJV
He then told him the most important bit:
"This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it, for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success." Joshua 1:8
Regarding this verse, Hazel Howard says, 'By sticking to the criteria, 'You will make your way prosperous and you will have good success. ' It doesn't say God will do it for us. It is down to us; we determine our future'. Hazel Howard 2002
We are the ones that must put our feet down and tread the water. When we do, God will be right there to accompany us and help in all we do. However, the important part is that we MUST, read the Word of God - the bible. We must devour it, expound it and meditate on it. How can we know what to do unless we look at the book of rules - the blue print of Heaven. It is our atlas, our road map and without it we will fall by the wayside pretty quickly. With it, we will make our way prosperous and be successful. Now this doesn't mean walking round with a nice, new leather bible that cost a fortune and occasionally having a glance at it. No, it means reading it every day, sometimes all of the day; seeking God's wisdom on what He has just shown you in His Word and acting on it.
You need to speak God's words, not your own, otherwise you can negate what God has said to you by speaking out or listening to negative words. Be careful what you tell people. If they're not full of God's Spirit, chances are, they won't understand what you're doing. Stick with the ones who will pray for you and support you.
What is going on in your life today? Whatever it is, you can do this. I'll say it again, you can do this. But you need the prosperity and success; the strength and courage that comes only from God. Meditate on God's Word today and then go out and take what God is giving you. Just be strong and courageous!
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
We can meditate on fear and accept it, as we saw yesterday. When we do, we're listening to the wrong source - we are listening to a lie from the devil. Moses had died and Joshua took over from him. God told him to take the Israelites with him and cross over the River Jordan, into Canaan - the Promised Land.
Joshua had been there forty years earlier, with Caleb and the other spies that Moses had sent out. They had encountered giants and even though Joshua and Caleb gave a good report, that it was safe to go over there, the others gave a bad report, so the journey had been cancelled.
Now forty years later, Joshua was to head back with a new generation of Israelites.
This brought up several concerns for Joshua. What would it be like? Would it have changed much? Would the giants be even bigger than they were before - even more threatening? Would he and Caleb see good in the land once again? Questions needing answers.
Joshua was apprehensive about all of this and the thought of leading such a massive load of people. He was the leader; could he do it? Would it just be a repeat of last time, where the people refused to go?
God sensed Joshua's apprehension and began to encourage him, telling him that he was well able to carry out this task and that, He Himself, would be right beside him. He would be able to achieve this.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9. NKJV
He then told him the most important bit:
"This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it, for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success." Joshua 1:8
Regarding this verse, Hazel Howard says, 'By sticking to the criteria, 'You will make your way prosperous and you will have good success. ' It doesn't say God will do it for us. It is down to us; we determine our future'. Hazel Howard 2002
We are the ones that must put our feet down and tread the water. When we do, God will be right there to accompany us and help in all we do. However, the important part is that we MUST, read the Word of God - the bible. We must devour it, expound it and meditate on it. How can we know what to do unless we look at the book of rules - the blue print of Heaven. It is our atlas, our road map and without it we will fall by the wayside pretty quickly. With it, we will make our way prosperous and be successful. Now this doesn't mean walking round with a nice, new leather bible that cost a fortune and occasionally having a glance at it. No, it means reading it every day, sometimes all of the day; seeking God's wisdom on what He has just shown you in His Word and acting on it.
You need to speak God's words, not your own, otherwise you can negate what God has said to you by speaking out or listening to negative words. Be careful what you tell people. If they're not full of God's Spirit, chances are, they won't understand what you're doing. Stick with the ones who will pray for you and support you.
What is going on in your life today? Whatever it is, you can do this. I'll say it again, you can do this. But you need the prosperity and success; the strength and courage that comes only from God. Meditate on God's Word today and then go out and take what God is giving you. Just be strong and courageous!
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
Tuesday 21 January 2020
Don't be a slave to fear
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love and of a sound mind" 2 Timothy 1:7. NKJV
The enemy uses a powerful weapon against us, and this is fear. Fear can stop us in our tracks. John talks about this in 1 John 4:18: 'There is no fear in love but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.' Torment is the root of fear, it's a kind of torture that attaches itself to our minds and feeds it with all kinds of lies and negativity. Once it sets in, it is very hard to get rid of it. It disarms us. It is then difficult for us to go forward because we feel immobilised in our walk.
The fear can come from anywhere in our day and at varying levels. A seed of fear is planted in our minds by the devil and as we begin to focus on it, it becomes bigger and bigger. The sad thing is that, we are allowing this. At the first sign of fear, we need to recognise it for what it is and deal with it in the Name of Jesus. Otherwise, as it catches us unawares and fully takes up residence, it can be hard to take action. We begin to believe the lie that the spirit of fear is telling us, it seduces us and we are fully convinced by it all.
When an attack like this comes - a fiery dart from the wicked one( Ephesians 6:16), we need to call on God, in fact shout to Him and order our angels to take care of the situation. As soon as we call to Him, He will discharge the angels to fight on our behalf. They can do nothing unless we call on God.
When no action is taken; when you put up with the situation and live with the fear, it robs you of all the joy that you once had. You become bitter and irritable; suspicious and bad-tempered, in fact, you become totally disabled by it all and a slave to the fear that has attached itself to you.
The Greek word for Fear is Phobos. It translates to fear, terror and dread. In the New Testament, it relates to a fear of terror and also a fear of reverence to God. The English word translated from the Greek is Phobia and this means, fearless confidence towards God and love for the brethren. The one who knows this love - which is God (1 John 4:16) has no fear of facing God at the judgement. The other side of the fear coin is, terror, dread, lies, torment and total horror. Fear is also known as timidity in spiritual or secular settings and makes a person reluctant to take on responsibilities.
You may be struggling with fear. It may be tormenting you and ruining your spiritual walk and it may be preventing you from taking a step forward in your ministry or your spiritual walk. It needs to be evicted and evicted now!
Say this prayer with me now:
'I speak to you spirit of fear and I tell you that you have no place in my life. I belong to Jesus; I AM a child of God, not a slave to fear. Therefore I AM evicting you now in the powerful Name of Jesus. Get out of my life now.
Amen.
Reflect on these words from the worship song below by Jonathan & Melissa Helser
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I am surrounded
By the arms of the father
I am surrounded
By songs of deliverance
We've been liberated
From our bondage
Were the sons and the daughters
Let us sing our freedom
By the arms of the father
I am surrounded
By songs of deliverance
We've been liberated
From our bondage
Were the sons and the daughters
Let us sing our freedom
You split the sea
So I could walk right through it
My fears were drowned in perfect love
You rescued me
And I will stand and sing
I am the child of God
You split the sea
So I could walk right through it
You drowned my fears in perfect love
You rescued me
And I will stand and sing
I am the child of God (yes I am)
So I could walk right through it
My fears were drowned in perfect love
You rescued me
And I will stand and sing
I am the child of God
You split the sea
So I could walk right through it
You drowned my fears in perfect love
You rescued me
And I will stand and sing
I am the child of God (yes I am)
I am a Child of God
I am a Child of God (yes I am)
I am a Child of God (full of faith yes)
I am a Child of God
I am a Child of God
I am a Child of God (yes I am)
I am a Child of God (full of faith yes)
I am a Child of God
I am a Child of God
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God Copyright 2019 Jonathan & Melissa Helser. Bethel Music
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
I am a child of God
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God Copyright 2019 Jonathan & Melissa Helser. Bethel Music
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com
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