"Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28. NKJV
When did you last go off on your own and just kick up some leaves? What I mean is, when was the last time that you gave yourself permission to have some quality time doing what you want to do instead of what others expect of you?
Psalm 23:3 says, 'He restores my soul.' He wants to restore your thoughts and those emotions that can appear so raw at times that you don't know if you're coming or going. Our world is a busy place and at times it can appear overwhelming. Time seems to be swallowed up by work and doing chores such as shopping, cleaning, gardening or mending the car. Most of us have hobbies but spend little time enjoying them because of such things. Therefore, you need to find the time before time runs out.
I used to work in a hospice and it could be heartbreaking listening to people, with very short time left to live, reminiscing of their earlier life. Many would say they wished they had done things differently. They would have spent more time with their family, instead of work and they would have given more time to their hobbies too. Now it was too late.
Make sure that you do all you can to spend quality time with people and your hobbies. Don't be that person who says, 'Yes, I'll do that tomorrow.' Today is the only day that you can be sure of; you may not have tomorrow. Make the most of it now!
We need rest. We need time to restore our energy level and to re-focus and build ourselves up. And Jesus advises us to do just that. The rest that He will give us, will restore our thought life. Let's face it, we all have thoughts that can burden us and drag us down. Our emotions can be stretched to breaking point so that we can find it difficult to make a move because we're frightened it will be the wrong decision.
Take some time out and let Jesus build you back up. Have you ever walked the fields with Him? He knows every bird, insect and wildflower. He's great to have as company.
What about that holiday; that weekend away that you've been talking about but haven't done anything about yet? What about that meal out in the restaurant? Don't keep putting it off.
Have you a hobby that you can escape too? Everyone needs this. Some read; others go walking, birdwatching or sketching. You may think, 'I can't do any of them.' Of course you can! No ones going to be marking you out of ten for your efforts. It's just doing something out of the ordinary that you can disappear into.
Why not try it? You may find it's the best investment that you've made in a long time.
We all need rest and I'm not talking of going to sleep on the sofa. I'm talking of doing something that will give you great enjoyment, relaxation and more than anything, time with the one who matters most - Jesus!
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
Sunday 15 September 2019
Saturday 14 September 2019
Don't let idle words stop you
"(36) But I say to you, that for every idle word man may speak, they will give an account of it, in the day of judgement. (37) For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:36-37. NKJV
God is very protective of us. Have you ever considered that? If anyone hurts you, they'd better watch out, because He won't stand for such behaviour against His elect.
'Am I part of the elect?' you may ask. Yes you are! Elect means, 'Chosen ones,' and God chose each one of us. And what's more, He will take us to Himself one day:
"And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of Heaven to the other.' Matthew 24:31 NKJV
The New Living Translation puts it this way:
'they will gather His chosen ones from all over the earth.'
So, you are His elect and He is crazy about you.
Max Lucardo writes:
'God would give up His only Son, before He'd give up on you.' (Six Hours on Friday)
Anyone who has spoken out against us in criticism or in judgement, need to repent. We need to forgive them and they need to ask God to forgive them. This is very serious business. God is not only protective towards us, but to others also. We need to search within ourselves and repent of any criticism or judgement that we have made against another. We also need to lift off ourselves, any idle word that we know has been spoken against us. Remember, not everyone agrees with what we do or say. Not everyone will tell us that we have done well - that we are in God's will, not that we're seeking their approval anyway. However, we do need to watch the words that are released against us.
At times, people may be jealous or even envious about what we say or do. The words they speak to us, have the power to disarm us and totally take away our confidence - if we allow them too. Therefore, if you believe that God has spoken to you and you feel He wants you to do a certain thing, then do it. Some people will never agree with what you do, but if you feel deep down in your heart that it's right, then it's probably right.
Don't let the words that have been spoken to you and caused you damage, rule over you any longer. Pray and ask Jesus to lift them off you and get on with your God-given task!
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
God is very protective of us. Have you ever considered that? If anyone hurts you, they'd better watch out, because He won't stand for such behaviour against His elect.
'Am I part of the elect?' you may ask. Yes you are! Elect means, 'Chosen ones,' and God chose each one of us. And what's more, He will take us to Himself one day:
"And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of Heaven to the other.' Matthew 24:31 NKJV
The New Living Translation puts it this way:
'they will gather His chosen ones from all over the earth.'
So, you are His elect and He is crazy about you.
Max Lucardo writes:
'God would give up His only Son, before He'd give up on you.' (Six Hours on Friday)
Anyone who has spoken out against us in criticism or in judgement, need to repent. We need to forgive them and they need to ask God to forgive them. This is very serious business. God is not only protective towards us, but to others also. We need to search within ourselves and repent of any criticism or judgement that we have made against another. We also need to lift off ourselves, any idle word that we know has been spoken against us. Remember, not everyone agrees with what we do or say. Not everyone will tell us that we have done well - that we are in God's will, not that we're seeking their approval anyway. However, we do need to watch the words that are released against us.
At times, people may be jealous or even envious about what we say or do. The words they speak to us, have the power to disarm us and totally take away our confidence - if we allow them too. Therefore, if you believe that God has spoken to you and you feel He wants you to do a certain thing, then do it. Some people will never agree with what you do, but if you feel deep down in your heart that it's right, then it's probably right.
Don't let the words that have been spoken to you and caused you damage, rule over you any longer. Pray and ask Jesus to lift them off you and get on with your God-given task!
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Friday 13 September 2019
Growing seed
"(3) Behold a sower went out to sow. (4) And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside and the birds came and devoured them. (18) When anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom and does not understand, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside."
Matthew 13:3-4 & 18-19. NKJV
Satan will try to harm us because we are seeds capable of producing a harvest. The only way God's Kingdom can come and His will be done on earth, is through us. This is why we're a target!
Note the word, 'Snatches,' in V19. This is characteristic of the devil. We firstly see him as a serpent in Genesis 3, where he tricked Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. A serpent lies in wait for its prey and then strikes. In other words, he snatches away what God is giving us, because otherwise, we'll be a threat. He steals, he grabs, he seizes hastily and grasps. It's the only way he can work. He lies in wait until we're distracted and then snatches away what God wants us to have. He has to snatch it because he knows that if he doesn't, and we are in tune with the Holy Spirit, we'll snatch it back and straightaway send him away, very quickly.
V21 has some very important words to give us. 'Yet, he has no root in himself.' This means that our faith has no particular depth to it. There is little understanding and a lack of teaching. This doesn't mean we don't read and study our bibles; we may do this everyday. But do we contain it? Does it register within us? Or are we easily distracted; multi-tasking at times, reading the word but answering the telephone too or any other such thing. We need determination and dedication to get close to God and understand what He wants of us. Hence, we need to check our rooting. A good tree is soundly rooted and grounded like a building on a sold foundation. It will withstand most things. We need to be the same, so that we can avoid the enemy snatching everything from us - our joy, our strength and health and everything else that is precious to us.
Before we close today, I want to show you something else, very important in V4. 'And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside.' Many people have done this. One minute they're going through their day, happy and joyful with no particular worries, and then, WHAM! They fall by the wayside.
There can be many reasons for this. Life can be hurtful and very difficult at times and words that are spoken behind our back, can come to our attention. This hurts, makes us angry and can devastate us. There can be many other reasons why we fall by the wayside, but the solution is the same, GET BACK UP! Soldiers of the King of kings don't lie down unless it is permanent. Whatever it is, remember, we're working for God. we have a job to do. There's a harvest to bring in. This may mean you'll be shot at. You're a target and soldiers do get shot at. However, in the words of Sir Winston Churchill:
Matthew 13:3-4 & 18-19. NKJV
Satan will try to harm us because we are seeds capable of producing a harvest. The only way God's Kingdom can come and His will be done on earth, is through us. This is why we're a target!
Note the word, 'Snatches,' in V19. This is characteristic of the devil. We firstly see him as a serpent in Genesis 3, where he tricked Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. A serpent lies in wait for its prey and then strikes. In other words, he snatches away what God is giving us, because otherwise, we'll be a threat. He steals, he grabs, he seizes hastily and grasps. It's the only way he can work. He lies in wait until we're distracted and then snatches away what God wants us to have. He has to snatch it because he knows that if he doesn't, and we are in tune with the Holy Spirit, we'll snatch it back and straightaway send him away, very quickly.
V21 has some very important words to give us. 'Yet, he has no root in himself.' This means that our faith has no particular depth to it. There is little understanding and a lack of teaching. This doesn't mean we don't read and study our bibles; we may do this everyday. But do we contain it? Does it register within us? Or are we easily distracted; multi-tasking at times, reading the word but answering the telephone too or any other such thing. We need determination and dedication to get close to God and understand what He wants of us. Hence, we need to check our rooting. A good tree is soundly rooted and grounded like a building on a sold foundation. It will withstand most things. We need to be the same, so that we can avoid the enemy snatching everything from us - our joy, our strength and health and everything else that is precious to us.
Before we close today, I want to show you something else, very important in V4. 'And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside.' Many people have done this. One minute they're going through their day, happy and joyful with no particular worries, and then, WHAM! They fall by the wayside.
There can be many reasons for this. Life can be hurtful and very difficult at times and words that are spoken behind our back, can come to our attention. This hurts, makes us angry and can devastate us. There can be many other reasons why we fall by the wayside, but the solution is the same, GET BACK UP! Soldiers of the King of kings don't lie down unless it is permanent. Whatever it is, remember, we're working for God. we have a job to do. There's a harvest to bring in. This may mean you'll be shot at. You're a target and soldiers do get shot at. However, in the words of Sir Winston Churchill:
'Never, never, never, never, give up'
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
Thursday 12 September 2019
The Inner Battle
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." Romans 8:14.
There is a battle within us and it's a never-ending one. Daily, we have to be on guard and checkout our behaviour, our reactions and our thoughts. Our aim is to be Spirit led but at times, that is easier said than done.
Let's look at a couple of examples. In Matthew 5:21-22 Jesus says:-
"(21) You have heard that was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder and whoever murders, will be in danger of the judgement. (22) But, I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgement."
Let me ask you, have you ever struck anyone? Possibly you may have or possibly not. Yet you may well have felt so angry towards someone that you've wanted to. Basically, Jesus is saying that is the same thing. The same judgement may be handed out to you.
Matthew 5:27-28 says:-
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Now, you may never have committed adultery but, ask yourself, 'have I ever looked at someone other than my partner with lust in my heart?' Whether it's murder or adultery, you may never have committed those in the flesh, but you may well have done in your thoughts. And, this is serious stuff! Thoughts can be dangerous when they lead to desires. The inner battle within us, shows us that we can be attracted to good and evil. Temptations come and if we are not careful, we can fall for them in our thought life.
It's easy to say, 'Yes, but I didn't actually do this. I was just tempted to.' That may be true, but if we allow the temptation to lead us to desire and then action, then we have stepped over the line. We need to nip it in the bud before it gets that far. This is why the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5:-
"(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."
Strong stuff isn't it? But to be led by the Spirit means to capture these thoughts before they develop into something we may regret. We'll always have this inner battle until we go home to Glory, so now is the time to wise up and take control. If you have been tempted to have such thoughts, come to God right now and confess this.
Father
I confess that I have had thoughts of deep anger towards another person and I've wanted to strike them, (or have done). Forgive me please in Jesus' name.
I have had thoughts of inappropriate lust towards another person, thus committing adultery in my mind or in my body. Please Lord, forgive me for this. In Jesus' name. Amen
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
There is a battle within us and it's a never-ending one. Daily, we have to be on guard and checkout our behaviour, our reactions and our thoughts. Our aim is to be Spirit led but at times, that is easier said than done.
Let's look at a couple of examples. In Matthew 5:21-22 Jesus says:-
"(21) You have heard that was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder and whoever murders, will be in danger of the judgement. (22) But, I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgement."
Let me ask you, have you ever struck anyone? Possibly you may have or possibly not. Yet you may well have felt so angry towards someone that you've wanted to. Basically, Jesus is saying that is the same thing. The same judgement may be handed out to you.
Matthew 5:27-28 says:-
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Now, you may never have committed adultery but, ask yourself, 'have I ever looked at someone other than my partner with lust in my heart?' Whether it's murder or adultery, you may never have committed those in the flesh, but you may well have done in your thoughts. And, this is serious stuff! Thoughts can be dangerous when they lead to desires. The inner battle within us, shows us that we can be attracted to good and evil. Temptations come and if we are not careful, we can fall for them in our thought life.
It's easy to say, 'Yes, but I didn't actually do this. I was just tempted to.' That may be true, but if we allow the temptation to lead us to desire and then action, then we have stepped over the line. We need to nip it in the bud before it gets that far. This is why the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5:-
"(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."
Strong stuff isn't it? But to be led by the Spirit means to capture these thoughts before they develop into something we may regret. We'll always have this inner battle until we go home to Glory, so now is the time to wise up and take control. If you have been tempted to have such thoughts, come to God right now and confess this.
Father
I confess that I have had thoughts of deep anger towards another person and I've wanted to strike them, (or have done). Forgive me please in Jesus' name.
I have had thoughts of inappropriate lust towards another person, thus committing adultery in my mind or in my body. Please Lord, forgive me for this. In Jesus' name. Amen
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Wednesday 11 September 2019
You are chosen
"You did not choose Me, but I chose you." John 15:16. NKJV
How are you feeling today? You may have woken up still tired and filled with the knowledge that you have so much to do today, it's unbelievable. (a) You may have to go to work (b) get the kids ready for school and then go to work (c) Clean the house and then do the gardening (d) Take the dog for a walk. The list of chores can be never ending and many times you may struggle to do them because of the way you feel.
The mainstay of your problem, can be your thoughts. You can wake up with an agenda that seems impossible to meet and your thoughts can feed you with exaggerated lies and negativity. You need to take hold of your thought life and make them submissive (Read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5) because they lead you to worry and depression. You can become overwhelmed by your thoughts and this can ruin your day.
One thing I do know, is that we have a friend who wants to be involved in our lives every moment of every day. Just think, the nights when you just can't sleep - Jesus is there, right there with you. Those mornings when you wake up burdened by what your day includes - Jesus is there, saying, 'We'll do it together, there's not much to do anyway.' Those places that you have to go but you're dreading the thought of it - Jesus is there, saying, 'Don't fret, we'll have a good time together, no matter what.'
Our friend Jesus, is right beside us in every situation but we have to seek Him. What I mean is, if we don't recognise that he's with us; if we don't talk to Him and leave Him out of everything, He can't really be involved. We have to make a choice to involve Him in everything or leave Him out.
Don't forget that He made a choice about you. 'You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.' (John 15:16). What an amazing verse! The King of kings, Jesus Christ, who was there at the beginning of time, chose you. You didn't choose Him. he considered you worthy to die for and be His friend. therefore He chose you.
It doesn't really matter what type of day you have before you. If you allow Him, He'll accompany you and help you through each and every step.
What is bothering you at this time? What is robbing you of your peace and making you feel miserable or stressed out? Jesus knows, you don't really need to tell Him, He knows already and all you need to do is say, 'Lord, help me please.'
Now that's not too difficult is it? He's 100% interested. You're selected by God; hand-picked and part of His elect. I have no proof of this, but God probably talks about you all day. He loves you so much. You like to talk to others about your kids and family, don't you? So does God, He just can't help it.
Right now, give your day, filled with busy-ness or boredom and ask Him to share this day with you. He wants you to have a good day, whatever has happened. You are very special to Him, and He wants to build you back up again; take the pain and loneliness away and give you life in abundance. (John 10:10)
Feel good about yourself; you're one of the chosen one's.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
How are you feeling today? You may have woken up still tired and filled with the knowledge that you have so much to do today, it's unbelievable. (a) You may have to go to work (b) get the kids ready for school and then go to work (c) Clean the house and then do the gardening (d) Take the dog for a walk. The list of chores can be never ending and many times you may struggle to do them because of the way you feel.
The mainstay of your problem, can be your thoughts. You can wake up with an agenda that seems impossible to meet and your thoughts can feed you with exaggerated lies and negativity. You need to take hold of your thought life and make them submissive (Read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5) because they lead you to worry and depression. You can become overwhelmed by your thoughts and this can ruin your day.
One thing I do know, is that we have a friend who wants to be involved in our lives every moment of every day. Just think, the nights when you just can't sleep - Jesus is there, right there with you. Those mornings when you wake up burdened by what your day includes - Jesus is there, saying, 'We'll do it together, there's not much to do anyway.' Those places that you have to go but you're dreading the thought of it - Jesus is there, saying, 'Don't fret, we'll have a good time together, no matter what.'
Our friend Jesus, is right beside us in every situation but we have to seek Him. What I mean is, if we don't recognise that he's with us; if we don't talk to Him and leave Him out of everything, He can't really be involved. We have to make a choice to involve Him in everything or leave Him out.
Don't forget that He made a choice about you. 'You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.' (John 15:16). What an amazing verse! The King of kings, Jesus Christ, who was there at the beginning of time, chose you. You didn't choose Him. he considered you worthy to die for and be His friend. therefore He chose you.
It doesn't really matter what type of day you have before you. If you allow Him, He'll accompany you and help you through each and every step.
What is bothering you at this time? What is robbing you of your peace and making you feel miserable or stressed out? Jesus knows, you don't really need to tell Him, He knows already and all you need to do is say, 'Lord, help me please.'
Now that's not too difficult is it? He's 100% interested. You're selected by God; hand-picked and part of His elect. I have no proof of this, but God probably talks about you all day. He loves you so much. You like to talk to others about your kids and family, don't you? So does God, He just can't help it.
Right now, give your day, filled with busy-ness or boredom and ask Him to share this day with you. He wants you to have a good day, whatever has happened. You are very special to Him, and He wants to build you back up again; take the pain and loneliness away and give you life in abundance. (John 10:10)
Feel good about yourself; you're one of the chosen one's.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Tuesday 10 September 2019
Shalom Shalom
"(3) You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. Because he trusts in You. (4) Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength."
Isaiah 26:3-4. NKJV
In the Hebrew, repetition communicates intensity, therefore the term isn't just Shalom, but Shalom Shalom, which means perfect peace.
There is an important clause here in verse 3. It says, that the Lord shall keeps us in perfect peace - WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON YOU! In the New Living Translation, it reads, 'whose thoughts are fixed on You.' It is God's intention that we remain not only in peace, but in perfect peace - nothing missing, nothing broken. He wants us to live and try to make our world a better place to live in. How? By blessing people, not by cursing them with criticisms and judging all that people do.
However, for us to live in perfect peace, we must keep our focus by keeping our minds stayed upon God. We must have our thoughts fixed on Him. If we say that we do this, or intend to do in the future and then begin to worry when something goes wrong, or when a large bill drops on the mat, then we are not keeping our thoughts fixed on Him; we're not living in perfect peace. In fact, we're fooling ourselves.
Jesus told us not to worry (Matthew 6:31) but to trust in God, who will supply our needs and take care of us. If we believe this and live this way, we're living in perfect peace. If not, then really we are disobeying Jesus because He told us not to worry.
Are you the type of person who tries to help God? You know, you pray to Him about something and instead of leaving it with Him, you try to manufacture things, to make it happen. God doesn't need your help. He's pretty good at sorting things out; far better than we could ever be.
All He wants you to do, is live in perfect peace - shalom shalom. Many Jewish people greet each other with this phrase. They bless who they greet by giving them health, happiness, well-being and peace. Why not try it yourself, the next time you have contact with a Christian brother or sister. Say to them shalom shalom and bless them with:
Isaiah 26:3-4. NKJV
In the Hebrew, repetition communicates intensity, therefore the term isn't just Shalom, but Shalom Shalom, which means perfect peace.
There is an important clause here in verse 3. It says, that the Lord shall keeps us in perfect peace - WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON YOU! In the New Living Translation, it reads, 'whose thoughts are fixed on You.' It is God's intention that we remain not only in peace, but in perfect peace - nothing missing, nothing broken. He wants us to live and try to make our world a better place to live in. How? By blessing people, not by cursing them with criticisms and judging all that people do.
However, for us to live in perfect peace, we must keep our focus by keeping our minds stayed upon God. We must have our thoughts fixed on Him. If we say that we do this, or intend to do in the future and then begin to worry when something goes wrong, or when a large bill drops on the mat, then we are not keeping our thoughts fixed on Him; we're not living in perfect peace. In fact, we're fooling ourselves.
Jesus told us not to worry (Matthew 6:31) but to trust in God, who will supply our needs and take care of us. If we believe this and live this way, we're living in perfect peace. If not, then really we are disobeying Jesus because He told us not to worry.
Are you the type of person who tries to help God? You know, you pray to Him about something and instead of leaving it with Him, you try to manufacture things, to make it happen. God doesn't need your help. He's pretty good at sorting things out; far better than we could ever be.
All He wants you to do, is live in perfect peace - shalom shalom. Many Jewish people greet each other with this phrase. They bless who they greet by giving them health, happiness, well-being and peace. Why not try it yourself, the next time you have contact with a Christian brother or sister. Say to them shalom shalom and bless them with:
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you,
The Lord lift up His countenance
upon you, and give you peace. shalom shalom
Number 7:24-26
So keep your thoughts fixed on Him - all of them. Cast any problems or burden upon Him and trust Him. Then be filled with shalom shalom - perfect peace.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
Monday 9 September 2019
Re-focus before you're consumed
"(1) If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. (2) Set you mind on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:1-2. NKJV
'If you don't redirect your focus, the problem will consume your life. ' Kenneth Copeland 2005
This means either focus on the problem or be grateful that other things are going well in your life, for instance, having gratitude. Sometimes though, it is so easy to focus on the wrong things. It may be something like a disability and this may lead to a 'Woe is me,' type attitude. You can begin feeling sorry for yourself by allowing thoughts such as, 'It's just not fair'. As long as we focus on this, it will consume us and our faith will begin to dwindle.
Think what is going well for you. "Not a lot,' you may say. Well you're alive for one thing. Many who have died would give anything to be in the place that you are at this time. You have life, they don't.
We can remain where we are or re-focus - on Jesus and what He has done for us. The old chorus goes:
P Doddridge
'If you don't redirect your focus, the problem will consume your life. ' Kenneth Copeland 2005
This means either focus on the problem or be grateful that other things are going well in your life, for instance, having gratitude. Sometimes though, it is so easy to focus on the wrong things. It may be something like a disability and this may lead to a 'Woe is me,' type attitude. You can begin feeling sorry for yourself by allowing thoughts such as, 'It's just not fair'. As long as we focus on this, it will consume us and our faith will begin to dwindle.
Think what is going well for you. "Not a lot,' you may say. Well you're alive for one thing. Many who have died would give anything to be in the place that you are at this time. You have life, they don't.
We can remain where we are or re-focus - on Jesus and what He has done for us. The old chorus goes:
Happy day, happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away,
He taught me how to watch and pray,
And live rejoicing every day,
Happy day, happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away.
P Doddridge
We also sing, 'Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all.' You know something, soldiers get shot at and blown up and many have horrific injuries and disabilities. Yes, they may have bad feelings about it all at first, but then, they fight back and get on with their life, no matter what their disability is, they fight on.
Do you know something? You're a soldier as well. Your Commanding Officer is Jesus Christ, you know, the one who died on the cross just for you. The one who had nails pierced into His hands and feet, was laughed at; spat on and whipped so badly that His back was ripped open. Did He moan about it. NO. He was heard to say, 'Father, forgive them because they do not know what they do.' Luke 23:34. ‘Yes, but He was the Son of God.’ True, but He was also human at that time. He hurt, He bled, He had feelings. Don’t let us forget that.
Millions of people have disabilities and it can be difficult to live with at times, believe me, I know. The thing is, if you keep focusing on this, you will miss out on the many blessings that God has in store for you.
As the old chorus above says, you need to live your life in such a way that you live, 'rejoicing every day.' Hard to do? You bet it is. Beneficial, you bet it is.
Start living your life with with these words on your breathe,
'Happy day, happy day
When Jesus washed my sins away.'
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
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