Saturday 22 June 2019

Are you burying your talent?

If you're reading this in an email, scroll down to the very last link and click the link to view in your browser

"And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one, went and dug in the ground and hid his lord's money."                              Matthew 25:15-18.  NKJV

talent was not an ability (though this parable has application to our abilities), but a unit of money worth at least $1,200 in modern terms, and likely much more. “The talent was not a coin, it was a weight; and therefore its value obviously depended on whether the coinage involved was copper, gold, or silver.” (Barclay)

Although this parable refers to money and the looking after and investing of it, I would like us to look at the talent that we are more familiar with - our gifting and talents. The two have quite close similarities.

God gives each one of us talents to use. Now for some, these may be the gift of making money or becoming and accomplished artist, photographer, singer, musician or actor. Just to name a few. Many people flourish in this gifting and become very popular and even wealthy. They discover that they have  a particular talent and go to full lengths to make this happen. Universities, colleges and other training complexes are full of these type of people. The ones who recognise their talents and are determined to bring it about. 
I was listening to an album the other day and the singer and composer of the song - Randy Edelmann, sang: 'While the other boys were out playing with their footballs, I was home banging on the keys; but it took me right where I am, this is me, playing the piano.' (Copyright Randy Edlemann.) Basically, what he was saying was that he knew he would be a popular singer, writer and musician and therefore, instead of going out all the time with his friends, he practised until he was good enough to be a star. That is using the talent that we are given.

Others may be like the person in our text, who was very cautious with what he had been given and instead of biting the bullet like the others, and investing it, buried it in the ground and just left it there. What are your talents? We have a natural flair for something but do we use it. Many people sing on Karaoke nights and are very good, but that's as far as it goes. they do no more. Many people have been given breaks in life but have decided against going ahead with the chance that has been offered. Others know what they want and are the ones that we see in the media or in the local news, prospering in some business or other. Many others talk about using their talent, but that is all they do, talk about it.

Again I ask, what are your talents? Are you using them or have you buried them for some reason or another? God gave you this talent and will open the door for you to be successful with it, whatever the talent may be. Don't look back on your life when you're elderly and be sorry, wishing you had done what you know you should have. It'll be too late then. Many elderly people look back on their lives with regret, thinking, 'If only I'd have done that.' We all have talents and probably we all tend to bury them at times. But you, know that there is this burning passion within you to do something. You know what this is, but how? Give it to God, He is great at opening doors.

Don't join the many people who look back with regret. Do it now!

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com










Friday 21 June 2019

Seeking approval

If you're reading this in an email, scroll down to the very last link and click the link to view in your browser

"For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ".  Galatians 1:10.  NKJV

Some people are born with super-thick skin and have the innate ability to resist seeking the approval of others. Yet there are those of us who’ve struggled with people-pleasing most of our lives. We sometimes forget the most important stamp of approval comes from God.  

Seeking people's approval about what we do can be a form of insecurity. We need to be wanted; to be recognised and be accepted. Therefore, many of us do things just for this sake. If we preach a sermon, the temptation can be to await appreciation from people afterwards. If we don't get it, it can hurt our pride. We may even be tempted to tone the sermon down so that it doesn't offend anyone. 

In certain circles, we may hide the fact that we are a Christian so that the people we meet don't think that we're weird. This can happen very much in families where the rest of household are unbelievers. We can therefore be tempted to not speak about our faith. This can also follow us to school or our place of work. People may find out that we're a believer and ridicule us for it. That can be unpleasant so we avoid letting them find out.

Some of us may spend our life trying to please a supervisor at work. We may go in earlier than we should and stay way behind time after work. To a degree doing things over our work schedule is very commendable but not, if we're trying to be a people-pleaser instead of a God-pleaser. We have it back to front. God wants the first place in our lives not people.

Many people are shy and don't put themselves forward for things. They hide behind others and stand in the corner on their own while others are in conversation. Does that sound familiar? I can be a little like that. Some of us need to be the centre of attention and will make sure that we're heard above anyone else. We need the attention. 

God understands all of this and wants to work with us to help us be more secure in all we do. He doesn't want us striving to get noticed; doing things that will make us look good to other people. He wants our attention and He wants us to be honest with Him; to be honest with ourselves. I believe that if God were to write you and I a song, the chorus would go something like this:

'You're accepted, yes you're accepted, you're accepted by the one that matters most.'

Just say these simple words for a moment. Let them settle all over you and into your heart and mind; in fact, your very soul. You are accepted by the one that matters most. Say it out loud to yourself. Write it down somewhere that you'll see it everyday. Stick it up in the kitchen. You don't need anyone else's approval, you have His. You don't need to be insecure any longer, He will build you up as you spend more time with Him. And you don't need to hide your faith away, embarrassed about what others will think about you. Who cares what they think, anyway? It's what God thinks and says about you that matters. 
And He says, you're accepted by the one that matters most.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com











Thursday 20 June 2019

God is so good

If you're reading this in an email, scroll down to the very last link and click the link to view in your browser

"Oh taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him."
                                                                                             Psalm 34:8. NKJV

He truly is so good to all who trust in Him. Have you tasted how good He really is yet? You see it is so easy to feel that God is some great figure in the sky, who is unapproachable. But that is the wrong view of Him completely. He is interested in all that we do.

Rather like parents love to hear what their child has been doing at school and see the pictures they have drawn, likewise, so is God interested in our day and what we have been doing during it. He's our Father which in Aramaic is pronounced Abba Father which literally means Daddy.  (Romans 8:15). He is our Daddy and He wants to be recognised as such. In fact, he loves us more than our own parents could ever love us, even though that may be difficult to imagine. Yet it is true.

He's interested in the large and important things in our lives; but He's also interested in the smaller things too. I have been searching for a particular vinyl album for some years now but it had always evaded me. The other day, I saw it in a store but sadly, when I went to purchase it, it had gone. I couldn't believe it. It was understandably, quite disappointing. However, the very next day, my wife mentioned a record store that I had never noticed before, so we visited there. Guess what, I found it. It was the only one in the store and was a limited edition with a picture disc. How great is that? God knew that I wanted this album but He wanted me to have the best and waited until it was available. When it was, He led me to it. This is how good God is and how much He is interested in the less important things, to others, but important to us.

We need to see Him as our Daddy, more and more but not at the risk of forgetting that He is God and should be treated as such. He is not Santa Clause, but He is our friend. It is so heart-warming to realise that the God of the Universe, the God who created us and the world we live in, wants to spend personal time with each of us.

Have you tasted and seen that the LORD is good? He wants that personal relationship with you, right now. Why not spend some quality time with Abba Father - Your Daddy.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Wednesday 19 June 2019

"I can smell Fire"

If you're reading this in an email, scroll down to the very last link and click the link to view in your browser

"When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven , as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."  
                                                                                                    Acts 2:1-4. NKJV

Let's check out the phrase, 'With one accord.' It basically means 'together', or in fellowship. The Greek is a word called Koinonia, Which means being so together in fellowship, that the believers are cemented to each other and to the Lord Jesus. That is true fellowship at its best.

They were enveloped with the Holy Spirit - a rushing mighty wind that completely swept over them with such a great power that they had never known before. Also tongues of fire fell on to each one of the them - the fire of the Holy Spirit, again so powerful that they began to speak in tongues - strange languages to what they were used to. Roger Vines, author of The Vines Expository Bible, writes: 'Where the wind of God blows on a church, the walls of resistance topple, and that church is well on its way to becoming great.'

The fire of the Holy Spirit, cleanses and purifies the church. It burns up the dross and the pride. We've heard of the fire of God, as seen here, falling on many places and God is getting ready to send an even greater fire on His people and He wants us all to be ready for this. Look at the phrase again in verse one, 'they were all of one accord in one place.' They were joined together, supporting each other in true unity. Things happen in our lives when people get their lives together in such a way. When people are in harmony with each other, and with God, the Holy Spirit can work wonders and church meeting places flourish.

David Guzik says:  

'They were gathered together sharing the same heart, the same love for God, the same trust in His promise, and the same geography. Before we can be filled, we must recognise our emptiness; by gathering together for prayer, in obedience, these disciples did just that. They recognised they did not have the resources in themselves to do what they could do or should do; they had to instead rely on the work of God.'

The people were there, ready and waiting and were devoted to each other. They had experienced the Holy Spirit, but what was about to happen to them would be a life-changing experience, a purification with power that would lead them for the rest of their lives serving Jesus - the Baptism of The Holy Spirit. This is what God wants for us all. He promised to send it to us. However, to be filled in such a way as these early Christians were - with fire, we have to be in a similar place - of one accord. God cannot fill an unclean vessel. It's time for us all to get our lives right with Him. Because the Fire of God is coming, that life-changing, rushing wind of the Holy Spirit is about to fall. May it fall on us.

Get ready, it is coming!

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com








Tuesday 18 June 2019

Pray

If you're reading this in an email, scroll down to the very last link and click the link to view in your browser

"Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."                                                     Luke 6:12.   NKJV


Prayer is so important and necessary to every Christian. If Jesus needed to pray, then I assure you, we do, much more. He even climbed a mountain to do this. Now that is determination. It was also very early and sometimes, He would pray all night too. That is total commitment. Now He's not asking you to climb a mountain, or possibly at this time, pray all night; He is asking you to get out of bed a little earlier, because He has something for you.

A quiet time with God is so needed in order to give us direction for the day and the necessary equipping so that we can meet each and every problem head on. Reading the bible helps us to make deposits into our minds so that we can make withdrawals  throughout the day. If we don't put anything in, we'll not be able to take anything out when we need it most. We need also to have this quiet time, each and every day, preferably at the same time so that we get used to this. If we go without prayer it can be a major mistake. Remember, seven prayerless days make one weak!

We're told that breakfast is the most important meal because it sets us up for the day. Likewise, a quiet time with God, which includes prayer, study and reading God's Word, is just as important to the Christian. Don't leave home without it. Make it a most important part of each and every day.

I prefer the mornings for this, but a quiet time can really be anytime, as long as it is not haphazard - one day it's early the next day later. There's a time for everything we learned last week, so try and pick the best time that suits you and be diligent about it.

The devil is not our friend. Therefore, we need to be equipped with whatever God has for us each day. Many people read their horoscopes, rigidly. Instead of that, but in the same manner, read God's Word and pray, it will be far better for you that way. 

If you haven't already, get yourself a good daily commentary to help you see what God has for you. Get close to Him, listen to Him, speak to Him, enjoys Him and let Him be the most important part of your life. Believe me, He has so much to tell us and show us. However, not spending the time with Him, hinders this.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com


Monday 17 June 2019

He's always there for us!

If you're reading this in an email, scroll down to the very last link and click the link to view in your browser

"If it had not been for the LORD who was on our side." let Israel say, "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us , then they would have swallowed us alive.:                                                      Psalm 124:1-3. NKJV

Think back over your life. Think of the obvious times God has rescued you, protected you and lifted you up from despair. I remember a few years ago when I was walking along the beach during a storm. Suddenly, I was washed out to sea. High crashing waves winded me and I was sucked way out of my depth in no time at all. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't get close enough to the beach in order to drag myself out. Crashing waves kept dragging me out again. Suddenly out of nowhere, a lady turned up and gave me her hand, pulling me to safety. An angel, who knows? I've never seen her since and I go there on a regular basis. God used this lady to save me from drowning.

What about you? Think back to that time when God rescued or helped you. If it hadn't been for Him, things would have been very different. Psalm 124:8 says, 'Our help is in the Name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.' He also created you and I and is very committed to watching over us. Stop for a moment and thank Him for all He has done. Let your thanks turn to praise and gratitude to the one who loves us more than words could ever say. He's on our side.

If it hadn't have been for Him, we would never have made it! Give Him a shout of praise.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Sunday 16 June 2019

Don't let their words bother you

If you're reading this in an email, scroll down to the very last link and click the link to view in your browser

"Do not fret because of evildoers."      Psalm 37:1. NKJV

People talk; judge; accuse and gossip. It's hurtful but what can we do about it? It's a difficult area. We need to ensure the facts are right in the first place. Dashing in without this is not recommended. We then need to decide the way forward.


A lot of people do not mean any malice towards us; they just like to talk and get carried away by the gossip. We may get to hear about this from a friend and then have to decide what course of action - if any, to take. To tell the truth, it is far better to ignore the comments. People will always talk and challenging them can be counterproductive - a recipe for a lot of problems.


The problem is how we react. We may decide to ignore what is said but then be driven wild by our thoughts. The devil loves this kind of thing and if we take this road, pretty soon we'll be having mental conversations with ourselves about it all.

'How dare they! I'll go and give them a piece of my mind.' 
We can begin to think really bad things about the people who have caused this, and before long, a bitterness begins to grow towards them. If we're not careful it can be seen in our body language when we next meet them. 

Todays scripture can be interpreted, 'don't let their words bother you.' Now this takes a bit of practice and also humility. It also means we need to give the situation to God, who is wonderful at sorting out these things. God wants us to love people - even the ones who cause these problems for us. We may feel like 'taking them out and getting a contract out on them.' However, this is by far the wrong action and attitude. We have to be like the scripture says: 'Do not fret because of evildoers - aka don't let their words bother you.'


Now you know this makes sense, as difficult as it may seem. God will have us love that person, no matter what. He will also wants us to forgive them. 'Oh my goodness, no' 'Oh yes, that's the way to go.'


Really, it's the way Jesus would handle it and you know that it's the right way. How will they see Jesus if you act the same as they do?


Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard 


dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com




Grace

" Then Paul stood up, and motioning with  his  hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:   17  The God of this people  I...