Take away the stone

"38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.' Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, 'Lord, by this time, there is a stench, for he has been dead four day."
                                                                            John 11:38-39.  NKJV

Jesus knew that He was in the supernatural and the only thing preventing Lazarus being brought out of the tomb, was a large stone. However, others, including Martha, were coming from a natural position, and felt that it was wrong. Lazarus would be resurrected, yes, but at the last day, not this day. When Lazarus came out of the tomb at Jesus' command of, Lazarus come forth,' (John 11:43) people were amazed, some bewildered, but Lazarus was overjoyed that he had his life back.

Our walk with Jesus can be a difficult road to travel along at times. Things come our way that trip us up, and there are temptations everywhere. We have opportunities, if we're not careful, to do things that we know are wrong and it's almost like a voice is saying, 'It's ok, no one will know.' Oh yes they will! You'll know and God will know too and if the devil can have his way, pretty soon all the local area will know as well. We have to be careful.

At times, we can feel that we are in a cold, dark cave or tomb ourselves, and a stone is keeping us prisoner. We may be tired and therefore very low in spirit. It may be that we've overdone things by taking on too much. Sound familiar? When this happens, we can end up irritable; snapping at our loved ones, saying things we'd never, normally say.

The stone of tiredness captures us and tries to keep us in a place where we, 'Must do this and I must do that.' Guilt can kick in like, 'I should have done this,' and 'I feel awful for letting such and such down.'
The shopping may need doing; clothes need washing and ironing and the grass is so long that at one time you had a dog, but now you can't find him.

Stress - tiredness - Stress - anxiety - Stress - illness

Hey, stop just there! God didn't create you to be on the go all the time. You've allowed a stone to be rolled into place and you're behind it - trapped! You need to do some Behavioural Therapy in order to put things back into perspective, so follow this:

MAKE A LIST

Write down all that you need to do. There may be pages of things that need your immediate attention, so

PRIORITISE

Put things into priority order - not everything needs doing today. Once you have your list.

BREAK THEM DOWN INTO MANAGEABLE BITS

Bite-size chunks is the common term for this. The idea is to look at your list of priorities and then make a decision what you can do today. Do not look at everything as a whole and attempt to do it all. If you do, it will be disastrous.

Get your chores into bite-size chunks and then, if possible, break them down further into manageable bits.

This works, believe me, but you have to work at it. You'll be tempted to think that you can't do this, things need doing NOW! You'll also be tempted into believing it's a load of cod's wallop, but don't listen because it's not.

Be strict with yourself. Manage your time more effectively and take the pressure off. You'll then have more time to yourself and more time with God, and - that stone of tiredness will be taken away.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

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Understanding people better

"Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy".  Matthew 5:7.  NKJV

The Greek word for merciful is eleemon, which literally means to show sympathy to people and to feel sorry for them. It is coming to people from the outside.
The Hebrew word for mercy is chesedh, and means not only being sympathetic with a person and feeling sorry for them and for what they are going through, but it means the ability to get right inside other people until we really know how they feel. It means seeing things through their eyes, thinking just like them and being in touch with their feelings. This is being on the inside and counsellors know this as being in a person's internal frame of reference. In other words, it means, being able to sit in their shoes and view life as they are doing at this time. When a person being counselled realises that the counsellor is in this place, they are more likely to open up and trust the worker with what is bothering them.

The difference between eleemon merciful and chesedh mercy, can be seen between Martha and Mary when Jesus visited them. Luke 10:38-42. Even though Martha loved Jesus dearly, she was coming to Him from the outside. Jesus was days away from His crucifixion; He had this on His mind and needed to rest and strengthen Himself. He didn't need stressful conversation. Martha couldn't see this. On the other hand, Mary could and she came to Jesus on the inside and just sat at His feet, listening to Him.

Jesus Himself, comes to people from the inside. He operates with chesedh mercy. Other people may not. Often we are worried or have great hurt within us and people come along, and say they'll pray for us and then depart. This is eleemon merciful, which is sympathy. They may try their best, no doubt, but they fail to get to the inside of a person, the chesedh mercy - the internal frame of reference, where they sit in our shoes knowing, to a degree, just what is happening to us.

You must have been on the receiving end of  eleemon merciful sympathy. People may say all of the wrong things or not say much at all. This is because they are on the outside of you, not the inside. When they leave, you feel no better.

Our text says, 'Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.' As a person gets closer to Jesus and learns, thoroughly, what He is teaching, the Holy Spirit will enlighten them, and as above, the merciful will receive mercy; and what they give to others from thereon, they will receive also.

The next time that you are faced with someone who is going through a bad time; spend time with them, just listening. You have no answers until you fully understand that person and where they are coming from. Get into their shoes - the inside, so that you can be a blessing and a help to them.

Then, you'll be pleased; they will be pleased and more than that, God will be pleased!

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Has there been a power cut?

"When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own, but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future ."
                                                                                 John 16:13.  NKJV

The Spirit of God is our guide. He will speak with us and lead us in the way we should go, act and speak. When we visit a castle or Stately Home, it is always helpful if we know something about the place; its history and who lived there. This is where a guide, whether in human form or a written brochure, comes in handy. Jesus has provided us with the Holy Spirit who will fulfil  this role and much more.

Have you fully realised that you have the power of God within you? The Spirit that hovered over the waters prior to creation, is the same Spirit that dwells within you. That fire that is in you; the stirring up of your spirit and that power that you feel.

It is essential to have power; without it we dwell in darkness. Anyone who has undergone a power cut just lately will know how miserable it can be, especially if it is winter and there is no other way of heating your home. It can be dark, cold and lifeless.

In the supernatural, it is essential that we have the power of God - the Holy Spirit, working within us. But at times, it can feel like we've had a power cut. You know what I mean, those days when we seem to be walking around in thick treacle, getting nowhere and totally stuck to all kinds of things that are unhelpful.

What has happened? One moment we were flying high and praising and worshipping God. Now we are completely flat with no motivation to do much at all. At times such as this, we need to check our hearts. What have we been saying, doing or thinking about that we know, we shouldn't have? 1 Thessalonians 5:19 says: 'Do not quench the Spirit.' What does this mean? Well it gives the idea of dampening down the flame and fire of the Holy Spirit. We may have offended the Holy Spirit by gossipping, judging someone, using bad language or any other thing that you know is wrong and sinful.  God will never leave us, (Hebrews 13:5) but we can quench His Spirit, losing that fire that we had.

Is that where you are today? If so, repent. Ask God to forgive you and forgive yourself and then move on. Don't beat yourself up when you've fallen into sin. The devil will do that. Be mindful of:

'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'   1 John 1:9.

And that means the feeling of guilt and having a bad conscience about what you've done. If God has forgiven you, you're forgiven so forget about it, because He chooses to.
Just get on and have a great day!

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Are you teachable?

"But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you,"                                                     I John 2:27.  NKJV

Be careful here. This verse is not saying that you do not need any further teaching, because you do, we all do. If you read an earlier verse in 1 John 2, we hear:

'But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.'    1 John 2:20

As a Spirit-filled Christian, we have the Holy Spirit and He gives us revelation in all things and will guide us through situations. We still need to receive teaching in the Word from when we attend church; join a home group; watch Christian TV or study a Christian teaching manual. In fact, it is essential. However, what the teaching can't give us, is what the Holy Spirit can, and that is revelation; a deep insight into a God-given plan or situation. In fact, God-breathed.

Good bible teaching gives us wisdom and understanding and is an essential part of our daily requirements. Proverbs 9:9 says, 'Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser. Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.' We need to be teachable, in fact, we need to have a hunger and a thirst for good, solid bible teaching.

The Holy Spirit will give us revelation in things. Suddenly  our eyes are opened and the answer is there staring us in the face. Now this can come directly from the Holy Spirit during your personal quiet time or a session of prayer, or you may receive anointed teaching from someone. You know when you're in the presence of an anointed teacher; they keep you hooked and on the edge of your seat. You just can't get enough and all that they say, you saturate yourself in it because it is reaching the place within you - your spirit. That is the hallmark of a gifted teacher. Other people may teach, but it doesn't have the same impact and you may feel yourself drifting off into your own thoughts. There's nothing suspect about the teacher, it is just not their gifting. It's rather like a song writer. Some writers create their work and it just hits you and pretty soon it may be in the charts. Other writers create something and it just doesn't seem to have the get up and buy to it.

We need to be teachable. No one is above this, even if at times, we may feel that we are. In William Barclay's Commentary to Matthew, he quotes a statement by a great Roman teacher called Quintilian, who was a teacher of oratory. He said of certain scholars:

'They would no doubt be excellent students if they were not already convinced of their own knowledge. No one can teach people who know it all, already.'

We don't know it all, and if you think that you do, then you are so misguided. In fact, it is pride that makes a person feel this way. If a person becomes too puffed up, pretty soon they're going to pop, and that will be disastrous.

We are know all's, God's Word here tells us we are. But we only know what the Holy Spirit shows and tells us. As we walk daily with Him, He will open our minds to what He wishes to teach us. This may not happen all of the time, so we need to supplement this with good, solid teaching from a gifted teacher. There are Lot's around and we all have our preferences. Find one who works for you and get right into God's Word until you are bubbling over with wisdom, knowledge and the anointing of God.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Our thoughts

"(3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God , bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."
                                                                               2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV

Our thought life needs to be under control. If not, it can run away from us and cause havoc. Paul here, is not referring to warfare against a human enemy but against the mind. The arguments he mentions, are the pride that can overtake us in our thinking. We have to deal with this and quickly.

If we're not careful, the mind can really run riot. We have all had these type the thoughts, you know, the ones where we think bad things about someone or something that has caused us problems throughout our day. This may be a boss, who has been arrogant, rude and disrespectful. Our mind can lead us to want to use warfare upon him or her. Then of course, there is our marriages, where one partner has been totally out of order and wound us up tightly. We moan and groan inwardly and look at them with daggers. Then what about the person, who parks in your parking space, you know, the one that you always park in, or sits in the seat that you always sit in at church. This is unforgivable, you may think.

If we could run a tape back on all the thoughts you've had throughout the day, you would be shocked at how you have reacted in your thoughts. Of course, it becomes worse if the thoughts are allowed to break out from your mind and enter into our speech. This can be disastererous, when we speak out what we have been thinking. You've never done that? Oh yes you have, and you know it. We have all let loose with our tongues at times, some of us with both barrels. The thoughts have built up so much then - POW! - it has been impossible to prevent the fallout and a type of Victor Meldrew or green monster has been born within you.

This is why the Apostle Paul instructed that we take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. In other words, we need to 'nip it in the bud,' before it gets out of hand. People can tell when we hold bad feeling and thoughts about them, you know. We just can't hide it. It shows in our face and how we handle ourselves before them. Sometimes we may be abrupt with them. It is far better to take them on one side and confront them - in a soft and gentle manner, not a bull in a china shop way. That is, if you have been wronged and you just can't live with it any longer. But a word of warning, think before you act. Do you need to confront the person? Will it be to your advantage to do so? Will it serve any purpose in doing so?

It may not be a person that you are having the bad thoughts about. It may just be life in general. If it is, give it to God. Go for a walk in the fields or woods and shout your frustration out. Make sure that there is no one about here, or people may think that you need hospital treatment.

The most important thing, is to get on top of the thought life. We all have them, but many of us have learnt to take them captive and give them to Jesus. Come on, you can do the same, can't you?

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard 

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

People seeing Jesus in you

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marvelled. And they realised that they had been with Jesus."                                           Acts 4:13.  New King James Version

The word uneducated here means that the disciples had not received formal instruction in the rabbinical schools. The word untrained, describes them as common laymen, not professional experts.

And yet, these 'common laymen,' were the chosen vessels to promote the Kingdom of God when Jesus ascended into Heaven. They were called to preach the Word and nothing was going to stop them doing this. They had a determination to carry out what Jesus had called them to do. And it would turn out to be very costly for them, as they carried out this ministry.

Many people today are Spirit-filled and, like the disciples, know the Word through and through. They have an anointing directly from Jesus and carry His authority. However, if they were to apply to certain Christian denominational institutes to become a vicar/pastor, they would be asked to undergo several years of training before they were set free to do this; and perhaps that may be the right thing to do. However, many serve as pastors today who have not been to theological colleges or had professional training. Yet they are being used greatly by God.

Many very influential people who have been used by God over the years, had no particular training; Charles Spurgeon, DL Moody, William Carey, Martin Lloyd-Jones and Hudson Taylor, spring to mind. And what about Smith Wigglesworth? None of these great men of God had undergone professional training and yet God, used them mightily. 

Jesus Himself chose, trained and ordained His disciples. One only has to look at scripture to see the training He gave them:

'(1) And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him. (2) Then He opened His mouth and taught them.'  Matthew 5:1-2

Matthew describes The Sermon on the Mount in detail. It would have been impossible to cover all of this in one sitting. There are 107 verses recorded. No one could sit through a sermon of such length, and if they did, they would never be able to absorb it all. No, it must have been over a time that Jesus taught them.

Whatever the time-scale was, Jesus taught them and this is why the Sanhedrin noticed that they had been with Jesus. They had had no formal training but were spiritually eloquent in all they said.

Therefore, a person can apply for formal training at a theological college and that is all right. Likewise, a person who has done much personal training in the Word, but not had formal training, can still be eligible to pastor a church, and this too, is all right.

The main thing is knowing God and living His Word. The more time we spend with someone the more like them we become. This is why many married couples are so alike in what they do and think. It is also why, people who spend time together, possibly at work, pick up certain characteristics. So, spending lots of quality time with Jesus has got to benefit a person; they become more like Him and it shows itself to other people.

If you spend more and more time with Jesus, pretty soon, if not already, people will see that you're different. And what an honour that will be, for someone to realise that you have been with Jesus.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

'Why am I going through this?'

"So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, then you will rejoice and no one can rob you of that joy!"                                   John 16:22.  New Living Translation

Why do things happen that totally devastate us? We can be sailing along nicely, one moment and then, 'Pow,' we're sunk by a torpedo that smashes our lives apart.

Jesus told us, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome this world.'  (John 16:33.) Okay, some may say, 'Jesus told us that we would have trials and sorrows, but is that fair? After all, we belong to Him; surely we should be exempt this pain?'

What we have to realise is, the same sorrows and trials happen to everyone, no one is exempt. Everyone has to suffer painful experiences. The main thing is, as Christians, we have Jesus, we know the truth and He is the one that will help us through. For the unbeliever, there isn't that type of hope and support. They have to find a way to make it through the difficult period.

Jesus told us:

"The thief's purpose is to steal and to kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."   John 10:10.  New Living Translation

However, the thief - the devil - will send powerful distractions that are intended to rob us of all the joy we possess. As joy is a strength, (Nehemiah 8:10) such an attack can knock us to the floor. Bob Gass said, 'Satan continually uses distractions,' the acronym of this is SCUD. The enemy fires a scud missile at us (Ephesians 6:16) This is why we need to ensure that we are carrying our shield of faith.

We all suffer things at various times in our life. This may be where you are right now. It's common to have pain and sorrow, especially where there is a loss of a loved one. With this, there has to be a time of grieving for this purpose until some kind of healing can take place. It cannot be rushed.

For other things, Satan will fire these scuds at us and if we are not careful, we will be so distracted by them that we will lose our focus, giving the devil the feeling that he has scored a victory.

NEVER! We belong to the King of kings. We have Jesus in our hearts and He leads us to victory. But when we have been distracted and beaten up, we can't just lie there. We need to get up and stand. The victory is ours, as long as we keep standing.

It may be a rough and difficult time for you at the moment. You may be angry, disappointed or frustrated because things are coming at you from all directions. STOP AND PRAY! You may not feel much like praying but it is a powerful weapon that releases the angels to come and minister to you. Don't call on the angels; this is not the right thing to do. Call on God and He will release them to help you:

"(11) For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. (12) They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your feet on a stone."  
                                                                                     Psalm 91:11-12   New Living Translation

Change you words from: 'Why Am I going through this?' to 'I am not having this; I have the victory in Jesus; come Lord and help me.'

As you do this, your victory, hope and joy will return, because in Jesus, YOU'RE A WINNER!

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com