Shake it off

"3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, 'No doubt this man is a murderer, whom though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.' 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that  he was a god."                                         Acts 28: 3-6.  KKJV

Paul had been on his way to Rome when the ship was wrecked during a severe storm. Despite, Paul's warning about this, they had to run the ship aground on an island, and allow the raging sea to break it to pieces. The seamen didn't recognise that the island was Malta because they had come to the other side of the island, which they had never seen before.

It must have been difficult for the apostle Paul. He had been arrested for preaching the Gospel, sent on a ship to Rome, had been shipwrecked and now was on an island in the middle of the ocean. Just look at Paul's servant heart. He gathered wood for the fire. There were plenty of others who would no doubt have done this, but Paul volunteered. He had a heart after Jesus. 

As he gathered the wood and placed it on the fire, a viper - a vicious snake - latched itself onto Paul's hand. It would have been very scary if it had happened to us, don't you agree? But Paul, remained quiet, didn't scream or panic, just shook it off into the fire. The natives had watched all of this and made an assumption that he was a murderer and this was his payment. Therefore, they watched him, waiting for him to fall to the ground and die. Much to their shock, he didn't, he was perfectly ok. They therefore, called him a god.

Whenever, we are faced with the fire of God - a mighty awakening of the Holy Spirit, the snakes will come and attack. This is in the form of people who may be demonised and do all they can to stop God's work, by calling it fake, a work from satan, or whatever else. When this happens, we need to shake it off and go on. Don't let it stop you from fulfilling what God has given you to do.

People will criticise you and spread malicious lies around about you. Shake them off and move on. They're attacking God, not you and I wouldn't like to be in their shoes when God deals with them.

People may upset you, don't retaliate. It is so easy to get home and think over what someone has said to you and then text them with a mouth load of verbals. DON'T SEND THE TEXT! Wait until the morning when you're rested and have thought things through properly; then, shake it all off.

When you're on Kingdom business, you'll never please everybody, so stop trying. Please God instead and shake the others off.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard 

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

God will supply your need

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"33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."   Matthew 6:33-34.  NKJV

We really must seek the Kingdom of God first in our lives. This includes, our jobs, our business, our homes, wife, husband, children and our marriage, just to mention a few of the important ones. Surely too, our health must be in there, without good health, we are very limited.

Jesus says to, 'Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.' Can you see what sticks out and hits us on the nose? Jesus said to, 'Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.' If we want an enriched life, we must place God first. He must be number one; the all important person in our lives. Yes, even more important than our wives, husbands, or our family. Let's face it, He gave them to us in the first place. He placed us at the right place, at the right time, for us to meet the love of our lives; and He wants us to cherish each other, but He must come first. There's no other way around it.

He doesn't want us to worry about things. We may lose our jobs and not be able to pay the bills. We may be facing bankruptcy. Yes, it is a fearful place to be at. But, He says for us to put God first and He'll take care of the rest. If you've never done anything like this, it can be a scary position to be in. However, that's where God wants us - totally dependant on Him. If we are prepared to live like this, He is committed to taking care of us - that's a promise.

I like what James Hudson-Taylor said in his book of ministry. He said about Matthew 6.33:

'If we can only wait right up to the time, God cannot lie; God cannot forget. He is pledged to supply all our need.'

Mr Taylor, wrote this many years ago when he had his ministry to China running. He lived totally by faith and God never let him down. He did though, have to wait until the last minute at times, before God came up with the goods, but God supplied for him.
Then there was George Mueller, who had orphanages around the Bristol area. many is the day when the children sat around the breakfast table, with no food. Mr Mueller would thank God for the food that was on its way. He was never let down; suddenly the door would knock and someone had delivered fresh food. This is unbelievable to read, I know; but it is true. These men, and many others, put God first and God was committed to supplying their need. 

I'm not suggesting that we all start to live by faith; although me and my wife did this for quite a few years and God supplied food, clothes and even a car. However, what I am suggesting is that we put God first in our lives. Read the text today, study it and take it to your heart. God does not want you worrying about anything. He wants you to trust Him with your life and whatever you may need.

Put Him first. You'll never regret it.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Be a Mountain Climber

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"He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed."
                                                                                                  Proverbs 13:20   NKJV

When Sir Edmund Hillary succeeded in climbing Everest, him and his native guide Tenzing, were walking back down when Hillary lost his footing. At the risk to both their lives, Tenzing held the rope tight until they were both safe. Later when asked, 'Why?' He simply replied, 'Mountain climbers always help each other.'

They were not only companions, but friends too and friends help each other up when they fall. Do you get the picture? I'm sure there's been times when you've been helped up during your life. I can remember well, the people who have helped me. 

But sometimes we don't receive the help that we expect. It hurts, especially when something has floored you and certain people appear to take no notice. I've been there too. The thing is, if we focus on the times when we haven't been helped instead of the times that we have, we can begin to feel sorry for ourselves, it can hurt so much. We need to keep our hearts right.

The thing is, not everyone expresses themselves the way we want them to. We're tempted to feel that they're, 'not very Christian,' but there may be a reason they don't respond the way we feel they should. But there may not be a reason. They may just be that way. This doesn't mean they don't care, they just don't wear their heart on their sleeve like others do. We should never criticise them. Be grateful for the ones who do openly share and help.

Jesus was a mountain climber. he used to get up very early in the mornings, even before it was light, to go and pray, and this included climbing a mountain to find a solitary place that He could be in touch with His father. Can you think of the times when you've been faced with a mountain? At times it feels that you will never get around it, climb up it or go through it. The thing is, we need to learn to climb a mountain, or better still, command the mountain to be removed and cast into the sea. (Mark 11:23) 'For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.'

Therefore, if you're faced with a mountain, you have some choices, (1) Find someone who is a mountain climber, (2) Speak to the mountain and get it removed, or (3) Call on Jesus, who is the best mountain climber around. If you fall, Jesus will pick you up. Don't just rely on someone else to do this. They might, but then again, they may not. Save yourself from being disappointed and allow Jesus to lift you up and put you back together again.

If you identify there is a lack of mountain climbers in your area, set yourself up as one. If you identify that there is a lack of people who lift people up in your area, determine to be one. By doing this, you will not only bless people but you may start a trend

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

It's a con Part Two

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"And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
                                                                                                         Roman 12:2.  NKJV

Yesterday, we looked at the contentious subject of abortion and the Christian view. We also looked at how, if we take the first three letters of the word conformed, we are left with the word 'Con,' which can describe how the world may con us into believing that something is right in the world, when God says different.
Today let us look at perhaps a more contentious subject - homosexuality and same- sex relationships and marriage.

The bible tells us very clearly that:

'You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination."
                                                                                                         Leviticus 18:22.  NKJV

This includes both gay and lesbian relationships and how God feels about them. In a nutshell, He loves the person who practices this lifestyle but finds the act, an abomination. We are told in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: 'Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.'  Quite clearly the bible tells us that no one who lives such a life will not enter Heaven. This is quite serious.

There has been an upward trend in gay rites and, from a legal point of view, a gay person cannot be discriminated against. Pride rallies are taking place all over the world; even many churches are now willing to conduct same-sex marriages. Also gay priests are being accepted into the ministry. Schools can no longer teach the full subject of Christianity and yet teaching and advice on gay sex is taught that it is an acceptable alternative to what we have always accepted as normal. The thing is, God's Word is the final authority. He hasn't changed His mind on this subject. 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever,' (Hebrews 13:8). 

Many people feel that the bible is outdated. God is definitely not outdated and therefore, neither is His Word. It stands as it was written. We cannot take what is now accepted as an alternative lifestyle and fit it into what God has ordained. The bible - God's Word, cannot be updated. It is fact and actually, set in stone. What God said, He means and always will mean. This is how the world is trying to con people into believing what is not God's will.

This doesn't mean, that as Christians we can judge people who choose to live this way. We have no right. We do have a right however, to challenge what they say about God's Word. God finds it unacceptable and an abomination and that is final.

Does this mean that if we as Christians, have a family member who tells us they're gay, we should disown them? Certainly not! We should love them just the same and continue to allow them to see Jesus in our lives, leaving this with God himself. The same if we have gay friends. As long as they don't try to force their lifestyle on us, they have a right that we don't force our lifestyle on them. Jesus is in charge and he is very skilled in showing us the way forwards.

However, we need to be mindful that, because we're a Christian, we need to establish righteousness wherever we are and never allow compromise to take us over.  What God says - stands and we should uphold that Word and never bow to any other way of life.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

It's a con

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"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

                                                                                                          Romans 12:2.  NKJV

The world system is totally hostile and in competition with the things of God. If we're not careful, we can easily get sucked in. If we take the first three letters of the word, 'conformed,' we get, 'con,' and that is what the world is - a con. It is out to con each and every person believer and non-believer. 

The world is not genuine. People put their trust in the world; in riches, fancy houses and lifestyles, amazing jobs, unlimited cash, just to name a few things. However, it is false. Being the richest person in the world, with the most amazing lifestyle ever, will not get the person into Heaven. In fact, they cannot take this wealth with them when they die, it will go to someone else, who will no doubt duplicate this lifestyle. The sad thing is, many people can abuse this lifestyle. There is a starving world out there, many men, women and children are dying each minute because there is very little funding for medical supplies. And yet, some people will spend amazing amounts of money on drugs, booze and lush parties. 

This type of life will rob a person given the opportunity. We often read in the media that some film star, pop star or business person has died very suddenly. Many of these people are not happy. All the wealth in the world cannot give happiness or good health. many millionaires are not happy with their wealth and seek to get more, worrying about it all.

The world is in rebellion to God's ways. Dare I mention abortion, as an example? This is a contentious area. The world says it's ok and there is an army of people who would agree with this. However, God does not agree. This is totally against His law and it breaks His heart to see that the world is treating it as a normal way of life.

Abortion is the murder of an unborn child. It doesn't even get a choice. God gave life and yet, abortion can take it away, just like that. At times, it may be argued that through certain circumstances, there may be a suitable reason for abortion. But it must be a valid reason - if there is one, for taking a life like this. 

We have a mind and the ability to make choices. If we belong to God, we do not belong to the world, we belong to Jesus and we obey and uphold His word. It's called, 'Thinking differently,' It's saying, 'What would Jesus do here?' Or, 'What would He say?' 

As a Christian, each of us needs to think and do things differently. We are not a copy of this world but a copy of Jesus. Do you not agree?

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard 

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

You cannot do it alone

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"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts."  
                                                                                                       Zechariah 4:6.  NKJV

Whatever you are doing for God or in your daily life, you can't do it without the Holy Spirit. You want a closer walk with God? You need His Spirit. You want to be an intercessor? You need His Spirit. In fact, if you want to serve God at any level - pastor or usher, you need His Spirit in order to do the job properly, letting people see Jesus in your work.

In the above verse, we see three key elements:

Might 
There is strength in numbers. Whatever you do, it's easier to approach it with some help. It can be fulfilling to have an army around you when you go out on the streets to evangelise, preach in church or give your testimony. Warriors who are defending their territory would quake with fear when they realised the size of the attacking army. It seemed an impossible task.
Some people over the years have had super-strength, look at Samson for example. He could perform the most amazing feats, yet when his hair was cut off, he was as weak as a kitten. He told Deliliah, 'No razor has ever come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother's womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me and I shall become weak and be like any other man.'  (Judges 16:17). He had limitations, he wasn't invincible.

Power
If we cut a large hedge with some shears, it will take ages and will be quite tiring. However, bring a hedge trimmer into the equation and it is done in no time at all. A sports car can go an incredible speed, far faster than a basic family car. The power wins each time. However, take that power away or make it unavailable and the output is cut down.
We can use the best batteries that are available, however, once they run down, unless they are re-chargeable, they are only useful to re-cycle. 
A great example of power was at Pentecost. The early church had done a little evangelism and such since Jesus had ascended into Heaven, but they had been limited, because the  authorities were out to stop them. Therefore they had to keep a low profile. On that day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with such power that it turned their world upside down and back again; Peter preached a sermon and over 3000 souls were saved that day. They didn't care any more that they could be arrested and even killed. Something wonderful had happened to them - they were empowered by God's supernatural power. the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit
John 16:13 says, 'However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will tell you things to come.'
Without the Holy Spirit, there is little we can accomplish. With the Holy Spirit residing in our heart, we can achieve all that He sends us to do. God uses each one of us, if we make ourselves available to be used, and performs the most amazing stuff through us. 

He is wanting to use you - today. Are you ready for this? Do you want Him to take you to different heights; to perform miracles through you? Is there a bubbling within you, a feeling that you can't contain? God wants to give you the fulness of His Spirit. As a Christian, you have been given the Holy Spirit, but God wants to saturate you in it; to fire you up; to light that fire within you again, or for the first time.
Are you willing? If you are, tell Him and then get ready because if you're serious, He will take you up on this offer!

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Superabundance

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"20 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; 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen,"   Ephesians 3:20-21.  NKJV

God can do anything, anything that He chooses. Nothing is too hard for Him. Exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or think. That is an amazing statement and we need to focus on that for a while to get the fuller meaning of what it promises. Whatever you need or desire, He is able to do; there's nothing that He cannot do. 

Verse 20 says, 'according to power that works in us.' Yes, we need to believe and receive so there is an element of faith required to bring things about, but He is able to do this. The power that's mentioned, is for now - today. Not when we get to Heaven. We don't have to wait for God to work for us, it's here right now, we just need to believe. 

Only God can do this for us. Think about it. Anything that you have ever dreamt about, God is able to deliver. It's not difficult for Him. Any great thing that you have lived through, God is able to do better, much bigger; much greater. He can do beyond measure or description.

We need to focus on these things. No one, super-billionaire, King, Prince, Sheik, you name it, can give us what He can. He may not give us all we desire but we need to believe that He can, so that, when we face problems in our lives, and we come to God in prayer; we need to know, beyond doubt, that He is able.

He is the God of the Superabundance. Jesus said in John 10:10b, 'I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.' Basically, this means more than enough, overflowing. King David lamented in Psalm 23:5, 'You anoint my head with oil, my cups runs over.' That is overflow, superabundance, more than enough. 

Do you want a deeper walk with Jesus?  He can do this.
Do you need physical healing? He can do this.
Do you need emotional healing? He can do that too.
Do you need help with university, college or other training? He can do this.
Do you need help in your work? He can do this.
Do you need help in your marriage? He can do this.
Do you need help with financial dealings? He can do this.
And He can do much, much more!

Therefore, believe and receive and let Jesus take you to a higher level. 
He's longing to help. He is so able.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com