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"A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men." Proverbs 18:16
This can be said about Joseph. He was despised by his brothers because of his favouritism by his father, and yet within this young man, were many talents and gifting that would eventually bring him before, possibly the most powerful man on earth - Pharaoh at that time, and would result in him being made Prime Minister - second in charge. However, this didn't happen over night and Joseph had to go through much stress and heartache before it came about.
The same can be said for David. He was only a young boy and yet he took on the mighty Goliath - the intimidating Philistine giant. Against all odds, he slayed him. David had been anointed king by Samuel, under the direction of God. King Saul had shown himself not to be worthy of leading Israel and so became yesterday's man. However, he remained in his position for many years and through his jealousy of David, made many threats against him. David had to wait 20 years before he took up his role of king.
In both these examples, we see two talented and gifted men who despite this fact, had to wait before they were set in the place God wanted them to be.
Talents and gifts are vital when we are planning a career. We all have them in varying degrees. Sometimes they are obvious to us and others, then again, sometimes they need nurture, experience, hard work and encouragement to bring them out. Some people's talents and gifts are noticed very soon and they succeed practically overnight, such as pop stars and actors. Others may have the same gifting, yet never find the same success.
RT Kendall quotes an interesting phrase that his mentor, Dr Martin Lloyd Jones gave him many years ago:
'The worst thing that can happen to a man is to succeed before he is ready'
Think about that very wise statement. Imagine a doctor being taken on by a surgery even though he or she had only had six month's training. It would be disastrous to the patients, the surgery and the doctor too. They would be trying to succeed before their time and their training qualified them to practice. It would be ridiculous.
King David had to wait 20 years before his time came. Joseph waited many years in prison before he came into his destiny and probably this is where you are at too. Things are rarely formed overnight. It takes time and patience. This is where it can be difficult for some. Waiting really is boring and frustrating at times, but it is needed. Some give up because the waiting is too great.
Is this where you are at this time? It could be a job; starting a business; going into ministry or waiting for the right break in life to come along. Whatever it is, don't give up now. You've waited this long. Your reward may be just around the corner. Then again, it may be a few years in coming; but if you give up, you will regret it one day.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
This is a blog that centres on Jesus Christ - my Lord and Saviour. My aim is to describe how He has helped over the years, together with offering daily teaching and encouragement
Thursday 9 May 2019
Wednesday 8 May 2019
Chop your own tree down
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"For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner; not working at all, but are busy bodies". 2 Thessalonians 3:11. NKJV
At the end of the day, the only thing we can change about others is our attitude towards them. We need to do what we're supposed to do and stop being more concerned about what other people do or do not do. If our task for the day is to dig the garden then that is fine. But don't try to dig someone elses- they won't like it. Likewise, if our task is to chop down one of the trees in the garden, don't try chopping down your neighbours's tree. I promise you, they will throw a wobbly.
Some people don't work but they have good reasons not too. They may be ill or have a severe disability - one that you cannot see. We have no right to judge them. We're just being a busy body. Yes there are some people who have no intention to work, but again, we have no right to point the finger at them. Better still, we need to look after our own failings instead.
Some people do things differently to others. To them, it is normal, to us it may be totally abnormal. I remember when I was a social worker. A concerned person contacted social services saying that she felt her neighbour's children were at risk because the whole house was a tip, and they could not be looking after the children properly. When checks were carried out, the children were clean and well-cared for. Furthermore, the school had no concerns with their welfare. The only abnormality was that the parents were not very good with housework. Their level of tidiness was not what some other people would have. The place was untidy but to the parents, this was normality. To the neighbour, it was abnormal. Different standards and that was all it was. The children were fine and always had been.
We need to be careful about making judgements about people, because we do not know the full story. We need to stick to chopping our own trees down. This is the way forward. In other words, God would want us to refrain from pointing the finger at people. They may not measure up to our standards, but they do to God.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
"For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner; not working at all, but are busy bodies". 2 Thessalonians 3:11. NKJV
At the end of the day, the only thing we can change about others is our attitude towards them. We need to do what we're supposed to do and stop being more concerned about what other people do or do not do. If our task for the day is to dig the garden then that is fine. But don't try to dig someone elses- they won't like it. Likewise, if our task is to chop down one of the trees in the garden, don't try chopping down your neighbours's tree. I promise you, they will throw a wobbly.
Some people don't work but they have good reasons not too. They may be ill or have a severe disability - one that you cannot see. We have no right to judge them. We're just being a busy body. Yes there are some people who have no intention to work, but again, we have no right to point the finger at them. Better still, we need to look after our own failings instead.
Some people do things differently to others. To them, it is normal, to us it may be totally abnormal. I remember when I was a social worker. A concerned person contacted social services saying that she felt her neighbour's children were at risk because the whole house was a tip, and they could not be looking after the children properly. When checks were carried out, the children were clean and well-cared for. Furthermore, the school had no concerns with their welfare. The only abnormality was that the parents were not very good with housework. Their level of tidiness was not what some other people would have. The place was untidy but to the parents, this was normality. To the neighbour, it was abnormal. Different standards and that was all it was. The children were fine and always had been.
We need to be careful about making judgements about people, because we do not know the full story. We need to stick to chopping our own trees down. This is the way forward. In other words, God would want us to refrain from pointing the finger at people. They may not measure up to our standards, but they do to God.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Tuesday 7 May 2019
Don't leave God out
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"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
How often do we leave God out of our everyday lives? We go on holiday and we may be tempted to not talk or listen to Him in great depth - having a week off from God situation. We may have something pressing that we need to sort out. We may think that we know the answer to this so we refrain from consulting with Him about this in the first place.
And yet, the above scripture says, 'In all your ways acknowledge Him - .' Being a Christian means just that; we are supposed to consult Him in everything. Not because He is some imposing boss who demands to know what we are planning. No, not at all. It's because He knows the way forward - in everything and He so much wants us to make the right move and the right decision.
However, if you're anything like me, I start off with good intentions but because I live life in the fast lane, I need to be doing and getting on with things. Sometimes, I haven't the time to stop and see if what I intend to do is the right thing. I just assume that it is. And that, is the problem!
Rushing into something, rather like a bull in a china shop, is counter-productive. The only thing it serves is picking up the pieces of a wrong decision, which may be costly. I expect that I'm not the only one here. When we ignore the advice to 'Lean not on your own understanding,' we're heading down the wrong path. I have lost count of the times that I have been driving and think that I know the route. I have thought, 'I don't need to switch on the Sat-Nav and I don't need to bother God with such a trifling question of where to go. I know the way." Wrong, I have soon found out after several wrong turns, that I don't know it all, but God does.
It's the same with our lives. If you imagine God as a 'Spiritual sat-Nav,' just for the moment. When we tune into Him, by prayer, then he will give us the directions of where or how to go. If we don't tune into Him - by not praying, we end up in a diabolical problem at times.
It's far better to ask Him the way forward. It saves many a headache.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
How often do we leave God out of our everyday lives? We go on holiday and we may be tempted to not talk or listen to Him in great depth - having a week off from God situation. We may have something pressing that we need to sort out. We may think that we know the answer to this so we refrain from consulting with Him about this in the first place.
And yet, the above scripture says, 'In all your ways acknowledge Him - .' Being a Christian means just that; we are supposed to consult Him in everything. Not because He is some imposing boss who demands to know what we are planning. No, not at all. It's because He knows the way forward - in everything and He so much wants us to make the right move and the right decision.
However, if you're anything like me, I start off with good intentions but because I live life in the fast lane, I need to be doing and getting on with things. Sometimes, I haven't the time to stop and see if what I intend to do is the right thing. I just assume that it is. And that, is the problem!
Rushing into something, rather like a bull in a china shop, is counter-productive. The only thing it serves is picking up the pieces of a wrong decision, which may be costly. I expect that I'm not the only one here. When we ignore the advice to 'Lean not on your own understanding,' we're heading down the wrong path. I have lost count of the times that I have been driving and think that I know the route. I have thought, 'I don't need to switch on the Sat-Nav and I don't need to bother God with such a trifling question of where to go. I know the way." Wrong, I have soon found out after several wrong turns, that I don't know it all, but God does.
It's the same with our lives. If you imagine God as a 'Spiritual sat-Nav,' just for the moment. When we tune into Him, by prayer, then he will give us the directions of where or how to go. If we don't tune into Him - by not praying, we end up in a diabolical problem at times.
It's far better to ask Him the way forward. It saves many a headache.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Monday 6 May 2019
Don't get puffed up
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"Then the seventy returned with joy saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your Name.' And He said to them, 'I saw satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven.'
Luke 10:17-20. NKJV
When we do something for God and it works out well, we are pleased - in fact blessed and ecstatic that things were great, and it was us that did it. However, we must remember who we're serving - God, not us. He deserves the Glory not ourselves. We just need to be grateful that He uses us and that is all.
It's so easy to want praise ourselves. When we've preached or led worship or done some other work for God, we almost stand there expecting people to come up and say, "Well done - that was excellent etc etc" Or perhaps, "you led us to the throne of God today, with your worship." If we don't get it, we can become a little upset or demoralised. In other words, we begin to feel puffed up and expect the credit.
It wasn't wrong for the seventy disciples to be joyful for what they had accomplished. However, we need to remember that satan became puffed up in Heaven and wanted to take over from God, until he was evicted. Jesus was just gently reminding them that the main thing is that their names were written in Heaven and that was their reward.
It's natural, when we're serving God to feel good about it. We wouldn't be human if we didn't feel that way. However, taking the Glory that God so deserves is not. Be joyful and grateful that God use us, yes, but let us remember that He trusts us to do the work He has chosen us to do, and that is all. Let's give Him the Glory and be grateful that our names too, are written in Heaven.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
"Then the seventy returned with joy saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your Name.' And He said to them, 'I saw satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven.'
Luke 10:17-20. NKJV
When we do something for God and it works out well, we are pleased - in fact blessed and ecstatic that things were great, and it was us that did it. However, we must remember who we're serving - God, not us. He deserves the Glory not ourselves. We just need to be grateful that He uses us and that is all.
It's so easy to want praise ourselves. When we've preached or led worship or done some other work for God, we almost stand there expecting people to come up and say, "Well done - that was excellent etc etc" Or perhaps, "you led us to the throne of God today, with your worship." If we don't get it, we can become a little upset or demoralised. In other words, we begin to feel puffed up and expect the credit.
It wasn't wrong for the seventy disciples to be joyful for what they had accomplished. However, we need to remember that satan became puffed up in Heaven and wanted to take over from God, until he was evicted. Jesus was just gently reminding them that the main thing is that their names were written in Heaven and that was their reward.
It's natural, when we're serving God to feel good about it. We wouldn't be human if we didn't feel that way. However, taking the Glory that God so deserves is not. Be joyful and grateful that God use us, yes, but let us remember that He trusts us to do the work He has chosen us to do, and that is all. Let's give Him the Glory and be grateful that our names too, are written in Heaven.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Sunday 5 May 2019
Relationships
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"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does no know, what his master is doing; but I have called you friends for all things I heard from My Father I have made known to you." John 15:14-15 NKJV
We have a relationship with Jesus. He is our friend; our brother; He is also God. Notice how He no longer calls us servants. He recognises us as His friend. Further to this, He trusts us with all the Father tells Him. We have a special place with Him and it's about time we recognised this. He is our friend and we have a relationship with Him. He even sent His Son, Jesus to die for us. What a friend!
A relationship is the condition of being related and associated. This is certainly true of us. We have been adopted into God's family:
'For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry, ABBA FATHER. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.' Romans 8:15-16
We are connected by blood - the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross. We have a connection with Him. In fact, it is a particular type of connection and involvement that we have. He has made it possible that we will share eternity with Him. So therefore, we have a close relationship with Him. What a privilege that is!
You've just read Jesus' words, we are friends of God, we have a deep friendship with Him, one in which He will never leave us; never cast us aside. He will never talk behind our back, gossip about us or be anything but a true friend.
We have a partnership with God. He is our Father and through Jesus, we have a membership with Him. We are members of the Kingdom of God.
You may be reading this and thinking that you never had a father. You never had the close father-figure in your life. However, you now have. You have been adopted into the Family of God and you have a Father to beat all fathers. He will never let you down. It may be that you have lost your father, the best thing in your life. God knows how you feel, He really does, and wants to build you up and heal the hurt. If you'll allow Him too.
As a Christian, you have a relationship with Your Heavenly Father- a relationship of child to a parent. He recognises you as His friend, no matter what you have done in the past. Through Jesus, you are classed as 'Not Guilty,' and you now belong in the Family of God, and Your Friend - Jesus, will walk beside you wherever you go. That's a promise!
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does no know, what his master is doing; but I have called you friends for all things I heard from My Father I have made known to you." John 15:14-15 NKJV
We have a relationship with Jesus. He is our friend; our brother; He is also God. Notice how He no longer calls us servants. He recognises us as His friend. Further to this, He trusts us with all the Father tells Him. We have a special place with Him and it's about time we recognised this. He is our friend and we have a relationship with Him. He even sent His Son, Jesus to die for us. What a friend!
A relationship is the condition of being related and associated. This is certainly true of us. We have been adopted into God's family:
'For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry, ABBA FATHER. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.' Romans 8:15-16
We are connected by blood - the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross. We have a connection with Him. In fact, it is a particular type of connection and involvement that we have. He has made it possible that we will share eternity with Him. So therefore, we have a close relationship with Him. What a privilege that is!
You've just read Jesus' words, we are friends of God, we have a deep friendship with Him, one in which He will never leave us; never cast us aside. He will never talk behind our back, gossip about us or be anything but a true friend.
We have a partnership with God. He is our Father and through Jesus, we have a membership with Him. We are members of the Kingdom of God.
You may be reading this and thinking that you never had a father. You never had the close father-figure in your life. However, you now have. You have been adopted into the Family of God and you have a Father to beat all fathers. He will never let you down. It may be that you have lost your father, the best thing in your life. God knows how you feel, He really does, and wants to build you up and heal the hurt. If you'll allow Him too.
As a Christian, you have a relationship with Your Heavenly Father- a relationship of child to a parent. He recognises you as His friend, no matter what you have done in the past. Through Jesus, you are classed as 'Not Guilty,' and you now belong in the Family of God, and Your Friend - Jesus, will walk beside you wherever you go. That's a promise!
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Saturday 4 May 2019
Persecution
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"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12 NKJV
Whenever one becomes a Christian there will be a day when persecution comes your way. It is all around us. The devil doesn't like us - at all. Therefore, he will drag up false accusations against us so that our names will be tainted and we will lose our integrity.
One only has to look in Genesis 39 where we see Joseph being enticed by Potiphar's wife for sexual pleasures. Joseph refused and finally ran out of the house to escape from her seductions. However, she grabbed his garment as he fled and then used this as false evidence to accuse Joseph of attempted rape. For this false accusation, he was imprisoned.
Christians all over the world are suffering persecution and brutal crime just because of their faith. In some countries, some Christian men are executed because they will not deny Jesus. Some of the women and children suffer rapes and also death. The world is evil, especially towards the Christian.
We have to be so careful what we do and say, especially about areas such as, homosexuality. I personally have been accused of homophobia because the bible says that God finds this act an abomination. (Leviticus 18:22/20:13). Note that it says it is the act, God finds an abomination, not the person. God loves the person with all of His heart. And so should we. We are not called to judge anyone, especially because of their choice of sexual partners. They have free will the same as we do. We as Christians, do not have to agree with their life style though. And that is our choice. It is not homophobia, it is down to our faith and our choice. As I say, I was called a homophobic because of my faith. The devil loves to twist things and leads us into problems.
We will suffer persecution as we make a stand for Jesus. If they murdered Jesus, on the cross, they will not stop with us. We represent Jesus. We are His ambassadors here on earth and therefore, it comes with a price.
However, look at the end of the book - we win! And with a great reward too. If you're suffering for your faith at this time, do what the scripture say -Rejoice because great is your reward.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12 NKJV
Whenever one becomes a Christian there will be a day when persecution comes your way. It is all around us. The devil doesn't like us - at all. Therefore, he will drag up false accusations against us so that our names will be tainted and we will lose our integrity.
One only has to look in Genesis 39 where we see Joseph being enticed by Potiphar's wife for sexual pleasures. Joseph refused and finally ran out of the house to escape from her seductions. However, she grabbed his garment as he fled and then used this as false evidence to accuse Joseph of attempted rape. For this false accusation, he was imprisoned.
Christians all over the world are suffering persecution and brutal crime just because of their faith. In some countries, some Christian men are executed because they will not deny Jesus. Some of the women and children suffer rapes and also death. The world is evil, especially towards the Christian.
We have to be so careful what we do and say, especially about areas such as, homosexuality. I personally have been accused of homophobia because the bible says that God finds this act an abomination. (Leviticus 18:22/20:13). Note that it says it is the act, God finds an abomination, not the person. God loves the person with all of His heart. And so should we. We are not called to judge anyone, especially because of their choice of sexual partners. They have free will the same as we do. We as Christians, do not have to agree with their life style though. And that is our choice. It is not homophobia, it is down to our faith and our choice. As I say, I was called a homophobic because of my faith. The devil loves to twist things and leads us into problems.
We will suffer persecution as we make a stand for Jesus. If they murdered Jesus, on the cross, they will not stop with us. We represent Jesus. We are His ambassadors here on earth and therefore, it comes with a price.
However, look at the end of the book - we win! And with a great reward too. If you're suffering for your faith at this time, do what the scripture say -Rejoice because great is your reward.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Friday 3 May 2019
Keep on Praising
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"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1
This verse means Praising God on a continual basis; not just when things are going well but at ALL times. That's the hard one. It's easy to Praise God when things are going our way. However, when we walk through the storms of life, it's not so easy.
But we shouldn't let life steal our song - that joy and praise. Things do come along that knock our faith but we need to keep on keeping on. Praise is the answer.
Let us do a little self-analysis here. Ask yourself, 'how do I react to life events that knock me sideways? Do they affect my walk with God.' A lot of us can become floored when storms hit us; and let's be honest, often the last thing we want to do is Praise God. However, this is exactly what we should do. Not Praising God for the storm itself, obviously; but for the fact that God is still on the Throne and he will carry us through whatever we face.
Now this is the total opposite to what the devil wants to do. He's a thief (John 10:10.) He's a joy stealer and he will do all he can to rob us of our faith and hope. When we react positively - Praising God, the devil is defeated and has to flee because he can't bear to hear us praising God. He has to flee and fathom out what he can do next to attack and rob us next time.
Whatever, you are going through at this time, offer that Sacrifice of Praise to God (Hebrews 13:15. As you do this, Jesus will meet with you and hold you up and help you through the situation, until all is well.
Make sure you are daily wearing the Armour of God (Ephesians 6:14-18) and continue to stand. He is worth it!
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1
This verse means Praising God on a continual basis; not just when things are going well but at ALL times. That's the hard one. It's easy to Praise God when things are going our way. However, when we walk through the storms of life, it's not so easy.
But we shouldn't let life steal our song - that joy and praise. Things do come along that knock our faith but we need to keep on keeping on. Praise is the answer.
Let us do a little self-analysis here. Ask yourself, 'how do I react to life events that knock me sideways? Do they affect my walk with God.' A lot of us can become floored when storms hit us; and let's be honest, often the last thing we want to do is Praise God. However, this is exactly what we should do. Not Praising God for the storm itself, obviously; but for the fact that God is still on the Throne and he will carry us through whatever we face.
Now this is the total opposite to what the devil wants to do. He's a thief (John 10:10.) He's a joy stealer and he will do all he can to rob us of our faith and hope. When we react positively - Praising God, the devil is defeated and has to flee because he can't bear to hear us praising God. He has to flee and fathom out what he can do next to attack and rob us next time.
Whatever, you are going through at this time, offer that Sacrifice of Praise to God (Hebrews 13:15. As you do this, Jesus will meet with you and hold you up and help you through the situation, until all is well.
Make sure you are daily wearing the Armour of God (Ephesians 6:14-18) and continue to stand. He is worth it!
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
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