The Anointing

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"The Spirit of Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."  Isaiah 61:1 NKJV

To anoint  is to smear and rub with holy oil in order to consecrate holy people or holy things, such as the anointing of priests and buildings. Anointed in Hebrew is meshach.

A derivative of this word is mashlyach which means Messiah -  Anointed one, as Jesus was and still is the promised Anointed One. His title came to be Jesus the Messiah. This was later translated into Greek as Christos, hence the name Jesus Christ.

As Christians, we're all given the anointing but not all flow in this. 1 John 2:20 says:

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things"

This scripture is saying that we know all things. This is referring to discernment. Christians should flow in this anointing from the Holy Spirit; then they have the ability to discern the truth through the experience of knowledge.

Sadly, not all Christians allow this anointing to come upon them. It's there but many tend to ignore this putting it down as suspicious and 'not of God', type of thing. Others, want this anointing but don't know how to go about it. There is no exam to sit, in order to receive the anointing. You received this when you were born again. The more time you spend with Jesus, the more you'll be like Him and he anointing will flow. The thing is, if you don't 'put in' then you won't 'receive'. What I mean is, we need to spend time with God in prayer, bible study, listening to Him and enjoying every moment with Him. The anointing cannot fail to come upon you then.

The scripture says, 'you have an anointing from the Holy One and you know all things,' but you must allow the Holy Spirit access in order for Him to flow through you and allow this to happen. God wants us preaching to the unconverted, laying hands on the sick and setting captives free from the indwelt prison that they dwell in. But you need the anointing to do this.

A few years ago, I was in hospital recovering from major surgery. I was tired, very weak and   totally out of things. I heard God speak to me, giving me a scripture. Psalm 92:10:

'But My horn (strength), You have exalted like a wild ox, I have been anointed with fresh oil.'

I was going nowhere, in fact slipping away. Suddenly, I accepted this Word from God and within days, I was strengthened, discharged and sent home. Basically, God was showing me that He had given me His strength and a fresh anointing. I have stood on this verse ever since.

It's a good place to start. God wants to give you a fresh anointing; to build you up and strengthen you. Why not renew that anointing today

'Lord, I receive the Word from Psalm 92:10 and ask You to give me a fresh anointing this day, so that I can know all things and carry out Your work each and every day. Amen

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Monday morning blues

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"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearer."  Ephesians 4:29  NKJV

The famous 'Back to Work Syndrome'. Whether this is after a weekend off, a holiday or a period of sick leave, it can be difficult, for some, to negotiate.
The feelings manifest around Sunday tea time and can ruin the whole evening. It's a feeling that is common to all, Christian or non Christian- employed or self-employed. For some people it causes depression, irritation and bad moods. It could be the job that we're not happy with, but its more likely to be there whatever we do.

We can start whinging on about it; saying things that do nothing to make ourselves, or whoever is listening to us, feel better or edified. There are some solutions to this problem. Let's take a look at the list:

(1). Give your job up
      This is not a good idea as you have bills to pay
(2). Get a new job
      This is not as easy as it sounds, and chances are you'll feel the same way about all of 
      this in a few weeks
(3). Retire
      This is difficult if you're only in your 30's or 40's
(4). Win the Lottery
      You've got about as much chance as singing a duet with Frank Sinatra and he's been 
      dead for years
(5). Rob a bank
      Again, not a good idea as you'll probably spend the rest of your life in prison
(6). Accept the situation
      and be grateful you have a job to go to - many don't.

Look at the benefits of going to work. You have money; clothes, a home; children taken care of; laptops; TV; food etc. etc. There is much more when you search your mind. But most of all, you have the feeling of satisfaction that you're well enough to work and thought highly of to be able to hold a job down. A job well done!

Then there is gratitude and thankfulness that you have the ability to do the job well, no matter what it is. You may be a bank manager or a toilet cleaner but in God's eyes you are so important.
Change your thinking and your language and thank God For Monday's.

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Root of Bitterness

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"Pursue peace with all people and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord, looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled."  Hebrews 12:14-15 NKJV 

David Guzik comments:
A bitter root is a root that bears bitter fruit… So it is possible for the seed of bitterness to be sown in a community and, though nothing is immediately apparent, in due time the inevitable fruit appears.” (Morris)
 Bitterness corrupts many, rooted in a sense of personal hurt, and many hold on to the bitterness with amazing stubbornness. What they must do is remember the grace of God extended to them, and start extending that grace towards others – loving the undeserving.

 William Barclay wrote:
that the phrase fall short of the grace of God might also be translated failing to keep up with the grace of God. The idea is that the grace of God is moving on, past the pain and hurt of the past. We should move on also.

A root of bitterness is like a cancer and if we're not careful, will spread and contaminate our heart and mind that before long, we will be totally taken over by it. Not only that, we may spread it towards other people as they try to help us. We grow bad fruit. Instead of spreading God's grace wherever we go, we moan and groan about who has done this to us in the church and how left out of things you feel. 'I may leave the church,' you may say to others, 'there's nothing for me in this place; do you know what someone said to me etc. etc.' Before too long, vulnerable people may begin to believe what you say and they become contaminated as well. There may some truth in the hurt you speak about. But instead of moaning about it, go and do something about it. Probably you need to gently confront a leader. But caution here. Is it necessary? Or can't you forgive the person like Jesus has forgiven you?

One things for sure, you're not building anyone up, are you? People go to church to worship God, not listen to stuff that is going to bring them down. It is gossip! Do something about it before it consumes you and everybody begins to avoid you. 

We're called to bear fruit - good fruit (John 15:16). A root of bitterness bears bad fruit; it is bitter. Which fruit do you wish to bear good or bad? Don't you think it is time that you dod something about this; about the way you feel. You're carrying around a large weight of bitterness and anger. Jesus can help you with this, but you must be prepared to forgive and let the past go.
Think about it!

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard 

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Risen to Life

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"Then as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.' "  Luke 24:5-6 of Luke 24

You can't take God on and win!. It's impossible to do this. Jesus is a winner and so are all who belong to Him. He has triumphed over death. He's alive, just as He said He would be. The devil had a mighty shock. He thought he had defeated Jesus and got Him out of the way and felt he was now the leader of the world. But boy, he was so wrong. Jesus blasted out of the realm of death. It could no longer hold Him. He has taken death and defeated it - totally. He is alive!

And because of this, all Christians, even though they will die at some stage, will rise to life too - to be with Jesus in His Kingdom. Jesus has the keys to Heaven. He reigns there victoriously and He wants you to be there one day, too. But if you don't know Jesus, how will you get there? He has the key; the password, which is 'Jesus is my Lord.' People will only go to Heaven when they die if they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

He suffered terribly to give you and me the certainty of Heaven - eternal life. We will die to this life one day but we will be with Him, living eternally. This is the thing that keeps people going when they have lost someone close to them. The pain and hurt is unavoidable but if the deceased was a Christian, there is a certainty that they will see them again. This s why King David was able to write in Psalm 23:4:

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

He had a certainty of being in Heaven when He died; and so can you. Jesus didn't go through this terrible ordeal on the cross for nothing. He died for you. He took your sin - all the stuff you know you have done wrong in life, and are ashamed of - He took your place on the cross, paid the penalty of your sin and as you ask Him to forgive you, He declares you not guilty. 

Now if that isn't something to shout about, I don't know what is. Imagine that you're taking a train journey and there are two stations you can get off. Station one, will be a bright, sunny, beautiful day with all expenses paid; Station two is on fire and people will abuse you all the time you're there. Which station would you prefer to get off? Of course, you would choose Station one. Well this is the choice you will have to make in your life.

Jesus has done all He can to pave the way for you to be forgiven and enjoy eternal life with Him in Heaven. If you don't do this, you will have no choice and will receive a ticket to hell. Please don't shoot the messenger, I didn't write the book, God did; just read your bible:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. (Read the whole of Chapter 3)

Jesus longs for you to make the right choice. If you want to accept Jesus and be certain of eternal life, please say this prayer with me:

'Father, I realise that You sent Jesus to die in my place on the cross. I recognise that I am a sinner and ask You to forgive every sin that I have ever committed. I accept Jesus as My Lord and Saviour, and My friend. I ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me live for You from this day forward. I ask in Jesus' name. Amen

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Spiritually minded or Carnally minded

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"For those who live according to the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit."     Romans8:5. NKJV

Who is the CEO in your life? Who is in charge? RT Kendall wrote, 'Will my flesh rule this moment or my spirit?' It is quite an important question because it determines the state of our heart. (Matthew 12:34). 
Casey Treat says, 'When your mind agrees with your spirit, you're spiritually minded. But when it agrees with your flesh, you're carnally minded.' You can't get away from that. You're either allowing your mind to agree with your spirit or with your flesh. This would explain the explosions of anger that we have. Or the lustful thoughts that take control of our thinking. It would explain judging, accusing and gossiping that we become involved in. It shows where we are in the Lord. Possibly, not many of us do well in these areas.

But take heart, we have a friend in Jesus, who knows what it is like to be tempted (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus knew the temptations that come upon us. He was tempted just the same. The difference was, He didn't fall for it like we do. He was sin free. However, because He knows the temptations that come upon us, we only have to shout to Him and He will be there to rescue us. The thing is, some of us, may have got so used to what we're tempted with that we're reluctant to give it up. It feels good - it's not doing any harm, surely? Yes it is. The Spirit of God cannot reign in an unclean vessel - which is us. He gives us grace to allow us to shed these things off us, but for how long? The clock is ticking.

Do you want to be blessed beyond your dreams? He wants to bless you. Take a look at this scripture:

'Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.'   Ephesians 3:20

Note the last part, 'according to the power that works in us.' This is important. That power is The Holy Spirit. Even though God has promised not to leave us, He will not be able to reign in power within us unless we make a choice to live according to the Spirit.

It's a choice that we need to make - an important one, one that will change our lives, for the better or for the worse. The choice is ours.

Remember when sin comes against us, 'Will my flesh rule this moment, or my spirit?' 

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Crucified for you and me

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"Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called the Praetorium and they called together the whole garrison. And they clothed  Him with  purple and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head and began to salute Him, 'Hail King of the Jews.' Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on him; and bowing the knee, they worshipped Him. And when they had mocked Him they took the purple off Him , put His own clothes on Him and led Him out to crucify Him."  Mark 15:16-20. NKJV

How does this make you feel? This is Jesus that they abused, used and murdered for no reason at all. Prior to this terrible ordeal, Pilate had Him scourged. (John 1:19). This was the Roman practice of being whipped 39 times. The whip was probably made of leather and would have had broken pieces of pottery and sharps stones woven into the leather itself. The idea was when the person was flogged, the whip would wrap itself around the body and the person doing this awful act, would then pull it. The result being, it would tear the flesh causing the most diabolical pain and suffering. Jesus had this done 39 to 40 times. His skin would have been torn and on fire. 

He was then abused by the soldiers, as mentioned above. They slapped Him and tormented Him, rammed the crown of thorns onto His scalp. These thorns were possibly 2 to 3 inches long. Again, the pain would have been awful.
Not stopping at that, they made Him carry His own cross to the place of execution - the place of the skull or in Hebrew, Golgotha. All the way, the majority of people would have been jeering Him, laughing and trying to throw things at Him. Every movement would have caused Jesus terrible discomfort because of the flogging He had received

Arriving at the designated place, the soldiers laid Jesus down on the cross and nailed His hands and feet to it. The nails were probably 9 inches long and rusty too. They then hoisted the cross and dropped it into a hole with so much force that it may have pulled His bones out of their sockets. There they left Him to die.

As He hung there, people laughed at Him and suggested that He give Himself a miracle by coming down from the cross. They would then believe in Him. All Jesus said was, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.' (Luke 23:34)
Two other men were crucified alongside Jesus. One shouted abuse at Him but the other one defended Jesus after rebuking the other man, he said to Jesus, 'Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.' Jesus replied, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. ' (Luke 23:40-43)

In all the emotional turmoil and the severe pain that He was suffering, He was still prepared to do God's will. That should show you the heart of Jesus. That criminal is now in heaven. 

The pain and humiliation that Jesus suffered that day, He did for you and me. Why? To give us all the opportunity of sharing heaven with Him when we die. You see, we were born sinners and no matter what we do, we cannot get away from this fact. God's a Holy God and cannot and won't look upon sin, therefore, God came down to earth, as a man, in the form of Jesus Christ, and took our sins and our sicknesses, upon Himself so that as we accept Him into our hearts as our Lord and Saviour, He forgives our sin and declares us 'Not Guilty'.

The people who had been involved in His crucifixion, thought that it was over. But it was only Friday - Sunday was coming!

If you have been affected by this and know that you are not saved, Born again or whatever we Christians may call it, why not ask Jesus into your life, right now

'Lord Jesus, thank you for dying in my place. I ask You to forgive my sins, and fill me with You Holy Spirit. Please be My Lord and Saviour from this day. Amen'

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Innocent of any crime

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"Pilate therefore said to Him, 'Are you a king then?' Jesus answered, 'You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth, hears My voice.' Pilate said to Him, 'What is truth?' And when he had said this he went out to the Jews and said to them. 'I find no fault in Him at all.' "  John 18:37-38  NKJV

Jesus knew His fate. He knew that He had been born to be crucified for the sin of the world. His disciples could not comprehend this. I suppose if we had been there at the time, we would have felt the same.

To celebrate the Passover, Jesus held the Last Supper in the upper room of a house in the city. During this time, they ate and prayed and Jesus washed their feet. This is the significance of Maundy Thursday - the ritual that some Christians hold, which involves the washing of people's feet. Others call Maundy Thursday - Holy Thursday. Whatever, it was a time where Jesus spent quality time with them and revealed that one of them, would betray Him. This obviously bothered them and they questioned each other about this.

After the meal, Jesus took them to The Garden of Gethsemane, where He left them for a short while while He poured out His heart to the Father. He became so full of anguish as He prayed, 'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from me; nevertheless, not My will but Yours be done.' (Luke 22:42)

Jesus knew there was no other way. He would face what was expected of Him. The wrestle between His spiritual side and His human side must have been so stressful for Him.

Once he had settled this, He left the garden with His disciples but was approached by Judas Escariot, who kissed Him, which was a sign to the chief priests, the captains of the temple and the elders, that this was the man. He betrayed Jesus for a few pieces of silver.

Jesus was arrested and taken to the chief priests house where He had to undergo a trial where false accusations, lies and judgement were placed upon Him. After this ordeal He was handed over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea for sentencing. The Jews could not put a man to death, but Pilate had the authority to have Jesus crucified. 

It was a complete shambles of a trial. Totally false and unfair. But Jesus hardly said a word in His defence. Pilate had found no fault in Him when He had spoken with Him. However, he recognised the pressure that was upon himself, so therefore, he washed his hands of it all, and gave the Jews their wishes. There really was nothing else to say; the chief priests and elders had decided they wanted Jesus executed and this was their opportunity to get Him out of the way.

Imagine how Jesus was feeling at the time - His humanity must have been tested so much. And what about the Father. It had to be done, Jesus had to pay the price of everyone's sin in order to give us freedom. However, this was the Father's only son. He must have been emotionally affected.

The disciples, apart from being bewildered by His arrest must have been desperate, wondering how this would all turn out. Peter, who had denied Jesus, as Jesus had predicted He would, must have felt awful, as the events of the evening and early morning unfolded. 
How would you have felt if you had been there. Can you picture yourself there at the time. Just for a few moments, try and meditate on what you would be seeing and how you would be feeling. It would have been a frightening time. Jesus had suffered a terrible ordeal at this false trial, but there was far more to come, as we will see tomorrow.

  Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard  

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com