"In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to My God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him. even to His ears." Psalm 18:6. NKJV
Think back to that time when you were in despair; when things had all come apart in you life and you had no one to help you or anywhere to go. You were all alone. All of a sudden, you had a hope in your heart because God had turned up.
Think back to that time when you felt that your were going to die. You were so ill, so weak that people were writing you off when they visited you in hospital or at home. You felt your life was over. All of a sudden, God turned up and performed a life-saving miracle.
And what about that time when you were so alone. You had no one to love and no one to love you. You were all alone. Then, out of nowhere, God sent someone into your life and your world was set on fire with love, happiness and joy once again.
Now look around you at what you have. It may not be much in today's recognition of wealth that is true; but it is yours. God gave it to you and it is precious. Also, you may have some aches and pains, age may be creeping up on you; but stop a moment and thank God - you're alive!
Life can be so competitive at times, with people striving for bigger and better homes, cars and status. That's ok. If that is what gives them pleasure, who are we to judge. However, don't let people's wealth and status make you feel second rate. There is no class level in the Kingdom of God. People may have great assets at this time, and that is fine. But, they will not be able to take it with them when they die. It will be over and we will all be of one class level.
What we have got is Jesus and He is all we need. He saved us, rescued us and is re-building us. He is the one that went that extra mile for each of us and paid the price of our sin on the cross. Jesus is the one who gave you what you have now. Whatever other people think about wealth and status is nothing compared to the priceless love and companionship that He gives you each and every day of your life.
It is time to start praising and thanking Him for His love and care. Amen? Amen!
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
Monday 28 October 2019
Sunday 27 October 2019
The Damascus Road Part Three and onwards
"(19) Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city supposing he was dead." Acts 14:19-20
Saul, who was now using his other name, Paul, was now established in his ministry, and accepted by Peter and the others, and with Barnabas, was preaching in Lystra. While there, he noticed a man who was lame and after observing him and satisfied in his mind that the man had the faith to be healed, called to him, 'Stand up straight on your feet,' and he leaped and walked.' Acts 14:8-9.
Now this caused quite a stir with the multitudes, and they began to call Barnabas Zeus - which was known as Jupiter; and Paul as Hermes - which was known as Mercury. They began worshipping them as if they were gods. Paul tried to calm them down and tell them that, what they had witnessed was of Jesus - they were not gods. However, the crowds began sacrificing to them.
Then Jews came down from Antioch and Iconium and persuaded the crowds that Paul and Barnabus were imposters. The result was , Paul was stoned and left outside the city for dead. Now, many believe that Paul was actually dead and as the disciples gathered around him, he was raised back to life. This may explain Paul's discussion about being in Heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2-5. If not, he would have been miraculously healed, because the very next day, they set off to Derbe, on another mission.
Paul wrote in Acts 14:22 that, 'We must, through many tribulations, enter the Kingdom of God.' Paul was not saying here that suffering gives us entrance to the Kingdom of God, but rather as we serve God, persecution accompanies our walk with God. It's important to distinguish the difference.
We do struggle at times. You may be at this point at the moment. When we are going through difficult times, it is hard to realise that this is happening to us. After all, we are serving Jesus, this shouldn't happen, should it? Well if it happened to Jesus, it will certainly happen to us. Christian or not, we are all at risk of certain things happening to us. I remember hearing about Keith Green, a wonderful American musician with a ministry with homeless people and people with addictions. He did amazing things and wrote great worship songs, and yet, one day he went up in a helicopter with his young son and it crashed, killing them both. There's no answers to what happens but it happens to believers and unbelievers.
At other times, Christians can be terribly persecuted, but what we must do is 'Get up', like Paul did and get on with the work. You are loved and important to Jesus.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Saul, who was now using his other name, Paul, was now established in his ministry, and accepted by Peter and the others, and with Barnabas, was preaching in Lystra. While there, he noticed a man who was lame and after observing him and satisfied in his mind that the man had the faith to be healed, called to him, 'Stand up straight on your feet,' and he leaped and walked.' Acts 14:8-9.
Now this caused quite a stir with the multitudes, and they began to call Barnabas Zeus - which was known as Jupiter; and Paul as Hermes - which was known as Mercury. They began worshipping them as if they were gods. Paul tried to calm them down and tell them that, what they had witnessed was of Jesus - they were not gods. However, the crowds began sacrificing to them.
Then Jews came down from Antioch and Iconium and persuaded the crowds that Paul and Barnabus were imposters. The result was , Paul was stoned and left outside the city for dead. Now, many believe that Paul was actually dead and as the disciples gathered around him, he was raised back to life. This may explain Paul's discussion about being in Heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2-5. If not, he would have been miraculously healed, because the very next day, they set off to Derbe, on another mission.
Paul wrote in Acts 14:22 that, 'We must, through many tribulations, enter the Kingdom of God.' Paul was not saying here that suffering gives us entrance to the Kingdom of God, but rather as we serve God, persecution accompanies our walk with God. It's important to distinguish the difference.
We do struggle at times. You may be at this point at the moment. When we are going through difficult times, it is hard to realise that this is happening to us. After all, we are serving Jesus, this shouldn't happen, should it? Well if it happened to Jesus, it will certainly happen to us. Christian or not, we are all at risk of certain things happening to us. I remember hearing about Keith Green, a wonderful American musician with a ministry with homeless people and people with addictions. He did amazing things and wrote great worship songs, and yet, one day he went up in a helicopter with his young son and it crashed, killing them both. There's no answers to what happens but it happens to believers and unbelievers.
At other times, Christians can be terribly persecuted, but what we must do is 'Get up', like Paul did and get on with the work. You are loved and important to Jesus.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Saturday 26 October 2019
The Damascus Road Part Two
"Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him" Acts 9:23. NKJV
There's a well-known saying, 'What goes around, comes around,' basically, what you sow you will reap; and Saul was certainly reaping this. Immediately after his conversation, he had started preaching in the synagogue in Damascus. This would have been the same one that Stephen had preached in (Acts 6:9). The people, seeing Saul in the pulpit after what he had done, were amazed, confused and angry and plotted to kill him. It became so bad that some of the disciples had to let him down the wall in a large basket so that he could escape to Jerusalem, where the same thing happened after he disputed against the Hellenists - the Greek speaking Jews. Eventually he ended up in Tarsus.
You can't sow bad stuff and expect people to be welcoming towards you. People remember and it takes them sometime to forget - some never do. Through Saul's earlier beliefs and actions towards the believers, he had made enemies. When he began doing exactly opposite, he made even more. Even the disciples in Jerusalem were weary of him until Barnabas stood up for him and told them exactly what had happened at his conversion. After this, they began to accept him, but some still would have had doubts.
It's no different today. If we have a bad past and then become a Christian, there will always be someone who will remember and point the finger. It's the same when as a Christian you throw a wobbly, totally blowing your witness. This may be in the house or some public place. Afterwards, you go about asking God and other people to forgive you about a hundred times because of the guilt that you feel. It can be anything; you could have had an argument with someone and finally told them some home-truths. Or you may have drunk that extra glass of wine that you know you shouldn't have, and POW, you have blown it. It happens, even though it shouldn't. But we're human; we make mistakes - sometimes big ones. When we ask God to forgive us, He does - the first time. There's no need to keep asking Him. People are different, some take ages to forgive others forgive straightaway. We're all different.
The thing is, there will always be someone who may make you feel uncomfortable about what you've done. You may be preaching and catch their eye - staring at you. You may be in a prayer group, taking communion or just doing your shopping but that one person will be around, making you feel guilty. Actually, the guilt is more likely to be coming from yourself, not them. This person may just be a trigger to your own guiltiness.
Whatever you've done, be like Saul. He received God's forgiveness and pressed on doing things right this time. He would have made mistakes, of course he would, but he was sold out for Jesus. Whatever he'd done, nothing was going to stop him. And it shouldn't stop you either.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
There's a well-known saying, 'What goes around, comes around,' basically, what you sow you will reap; and Saul was certainly reaping this. Immediately after his conversation, he had started preaching in the synagogue in Damascus. This would have been the same one that Stephen had preached in (Acts 6:9). The people, seeing Saul in the pulpit after what he had done, were amazed, confused and angry and plotted to kill him. It became so bad that some of the disciples had to let him down the wall in a large basket so that he could escape to Jerusalem, where the same thing happened after he disputed against the Hellenists - the Greek speaking Jews. Eventually he ended up in Tarsus.
You can't sow bad stuff and expect people to be welcoming towards you. People remember and it takes them sometime to forget - some never do. Through Saul's earlier beliefs and actions towards the believers, he had made enemies. When he began doing exactly opposite, he made even more. Even the disciples in Jerusalem were weary of him until Barnabas stood up for him and told them exactly what had happened at his conversion. After this, they began to accept him, but some still would have had doubts.
It's no different today. If we have a bad past and then become a Christian, there will always be someone who will remember and point the finger. It's the same when as a Christian you throw a wobbly, totally blowing your witness. This may be in the house or some public place. Afterwards, you go about asking God and other people to forgive you about a hundred times because of the guilt that you feel. It can be anything; you could have had an argument with someone and finally told them some home-truths. Or you may have drunk that extra glass of wine that you know you shouldn't have, and POW, you have blown it. It happens, even though it shouldn't. But we're human; we make mistakes - sometimes big ones. When we ask God to forgive us, He does - the first time. There's no need to keep asking Him. People are different, some take ages to forgive others forgive straightaway. We're all different.
The thing is, there will always be someone who may make you feel uncomfortable about what you've done. You may be preaching and catch their eye - staring at you. You may be in a prayer group, taking communion or just doing your shopping but that one person will be around, making you feel guilty. Actually, the guilt is more likely to be coming from yourself, not them. This person may just be a trigger to your own guiltiness.
Whatever you've done, be like Saul. He received God's forgiveness and pressed on doing things right this time. He would have made mistakes, of course he would, but he was sold out for Jesus. Whatever he'd done, nothing was going to stop him. And it shouldn't stop you either.
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Friday 25 October 2019
The Damascus road
"(4) Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Acts 9:1-19. NKJV
Saul, who later became the Apostle Paul, was not a nice guy to come across in his earlier days, especially if you were a Christian. He persecuted Christians terribly. Acts 8:3 tells us:
'As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.'
At this time, Stephen had been stoned to death and Saul had incited the men to do this while he had Stephen's clothes at his feet. Again in Acts 9:1-2 we read:
'Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.'
He was not a nice person to come across but there was someone much bigger than him - Jesus Christ, someone he could not take on and win. Saul had set out along the road to Damascus, to carry on his persecution. All of a sudden, there was a bright light and Jesus, Himself, spoke directly to Saul, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' (V4).
Now I don't know about you, but that would have made me jump out of my skin. Saul was no different, he was trembling and astonished and answered, 'Lord, what do You want me to do.' (V6). Now at this time, many scholars agree that this was the moment of Saul's conversion, after all he asked Jesus what He wanted him to do. Saul was blinded at this time for three days and Jesus told him to go into Damascus. The men with him, led him into the city and he stayed at the house of Judas.
Further evidence, the scholars say, is the fact that Saul was praying and saw a vision of Ananias coming to lay hands on him, which happened. Ananias, although a little reluctant because of Saul's reputation, obeyed and Saul was healed and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Whatever was the exact time of Saul's conversation, he was saved and went on to be a mighty man of God and to write a big chunk of the New Testament.
The conclusion to this is, firstly, never write off anyone who has a bad reputation. God can do wonders with anyone He chooses. There are many people we would never consider could be a great man or woman of God. We could be tempted to believe their reputations and avoid them at all costs. Jesus doesn't. He loves them.
Secondly, if Jesus leads you to someone who you feel is dodgy, trust Him. Don't go into a risky situation though, it may be helpful to take someone with you. But make sure you do it. Remember, Ananias felt just the same, but as he pressed on, a miracle happened.
Remember, people may have avoided you at some stage in your life, I know they did me. But thank God, He didn't. We have so much to be thankful and grateful for. Give Him Praise!
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Saul, who later became the Apostle Paul, was not a nice guy to come across in his earlier days, especially if you were a Christian. He persecuted Christians terribly. Acts 8:3 tells us:
'As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.'
At this time, Stephen had been stoned to death and Saul had incited the men to do this while he had Stephen's clothes at his feet. Again in Acts 9:1-2 we read:
'Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.'
He was not a nice person to come across but there was someone much bigger than him - Jesus Christ, someone he could not take on and win. Saul had set out along the road to Damascus, to carry on his persecution. All of a sudden, there was a bright light and Jesus, Himself, spoke directly to Saul, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' (V4).
Now I don't know about you, but that would have made me jump out of my skin. Saul was no different, he was trembling and astonished and answered, 'Lord, what do You want me to do.' (V6). Now at this time, many scholars agree that this was the moment of Saul's conversion, after all he asked Jesus what He wanted him to do. Saul was blinded at this time for three days and Jesus told him to go into Damascus. The men with him, led him into the city and he stayed at the house of Judas.
Further evidence, the scholars say, is the fact that Saul was praying and saw a vision of Ananias coming to lay hands on him, which happened. Ananias, although a little reluctant because of Saul's reputation, obeyed and Saul was healed and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Whatever was the exact time of Saul's conversation, he was saved and went on to be a mighty man of God and to write a big chunk of the New Testament.
The conclusion to this is, firstly, never write off anyone who has a bad reputation. God can do wonders with anyone He chooses. There are many people we would never consider could be a great man or woman of God. We could be tempted to believe their reputations and avoid them at all costs. Jesus doesn't. He loves them.
Secondly, if Jesus leads you to someone who you feel is dodgy, trust Him. Don't go into a risky situation though, it may be helpful to take someone with you. But make sure you do it. Remember, Ananias felt just the same, but as he pressed on, a miracle happened.
Remember, people may have avoided you at some stage in your life, I know they did me. But thank God, He didn't. We have so much to be thankful and grateful for. Give Him Praise!
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Thursday 24 October 2019
Be careful about Weariness
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season, we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9. NKJV
Anyone who works in some type of caring service will recognise that at times, it is hard to keep going. Many is the time, when the worker can feel abused, used or just taken for granted, so much so, that it would be very easy to throw the towel in and walk away. However, many don't because deep down in their heart this is what they're meant to do and job satisfaction will come as they press on, regardless.
As Christians, it is quite easy to begin to feel taken for granted, or that, whatever we do, we never seem to get recognition or any particular thanks for what we do. Firstly, let's not forget, it is God who gives us recognition, not man. We're serving Him and Him only and at times, the road ahead can be a tough one to take. Secondly, the devil will try to plant lies within our minds - lies that say, 'You're not appreciated here; pack it in and move on.' When this happens, we know that we're on the road to success because the devil doesn't want us to do what we're doing, so will throw all he can at us to get us to stop. But keep going!
Bob Gass said, 'You're never defeated unless, you're defeated on the inside.' Think about that statement for a moment; it's our mind that picks up these feelings and often, they're negative ones; ones designed to get us to stop. But continue walking in faith and do the job.
The Greek for the two words in our text, Lose heart,' is Eklyo and it relates to avoiding weariness as relaxing, loosening up and releasing it. In other words, give up feeling discouraged by not doing such a thorough job; by cutting corners or not being as faithful as you have been to the situation. Let me say, there is no reward in such a thing as this. Yes, we need to watch our health and not become anxious about things, but not to become sluggish in what we do for God. There's a big difference.
If we're not careful, we can have such a passive neglect that we can slip into sin and leave prayer, worship and bible study out of our day, all because we have become weary.
Things may have begun to get on top of you but don't give up, keep going because in due season - at the appropriate time - you will receive a harvest. The work may be hard and painful and unrewarded, but the seeds that you have sown by doing this work, will come to fruition. You will be rewarded. And that's a certainty, and not just when you get to Heaven but in this life.
Keep going!
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Anyone who works in some type of caring service will recognise that at times, it is hard to keep going. Many is the time, when the worker can feel abused, used or just taken for granted, so much so, that it would be very easy to throw the towel in and walk away. However, many don't because deep down in their heart this is what they're meant to do and job satisfaction will come as they press on, regardless.
As Christians, it is quite easy to begin to feel taken for granted, or that, whatever we do, we never seem to get recognition or any particular thanks for what we do. Firstly, let's not forget, it is God who gives us recognition, not man. We're serving Him and Him only and at times, the road ahead can be a tough one to take. Secondly, the devil will try to plant lies within our minds - lies that say, 'You're not appreciated here; pack it in and move on.' When this happens, we know that we're on the road to success because the devil doesn't want us to do what we're doing, so will throw all he can at us to get us to stop. But keep going!
Bob Gass said, 'You're never defeated unless, you're defeated on the inside.' Think about that statement for a moment; it's our mind that picks up these feelings and often, they're negative ones; ones designed to get us to stop. But continue walking in faith and do the job.
The Greek for the two words in our text, Lose heart,' is Eklyo and it relates to avoiding weariness as relaxing, loosening up and releasing it. In other words, give up feeling discouraged by not doing such a thorough job; by cutting corners or not being as faithful as you have been to the situation. Let me say, there is no reward in such a thing as this. Yes, we need to watch our health and not become anxious about things, but not to become sluggish in what we do for God. There's a big difference.
If we're not careful, we can have such a passive neglect that we can slip into sin and leave prayer, worship and bible study out of our day, all because we have become weary.
Things may have begun to get on top of you but don't give up, keep going because in due season - at the appropriate time - you will receive a harvest. The work may be hard and painful and unrewarded, but the seeds that you have sown by doing this work, will come to fruition. You will be rewarded. And that's a certainty, and not just when you get to Heaven but in this life.
Keep going!
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Wednesday 23 October 2019
From Depression to Hope
"(11) Our bones are dry, our hope is lost and we ourselves are cut off.' Ezekiel 37:1-14. NKJV
God had led Ezekiel to walk through the valley of dry bones. There was nothing there except very dry bones. God asked Ezekiel if these bones could live and then asked him to prophesy to the bones, that they would indeed live. It must have seemed a hopeless situation to Ezekiel but he was willing to trust God. He obeyed God and all of a sudden, there was a rattling of bones as they began to form together and sinews and everything else was put on them. Eventually, they were complete but they had no breath in them. Again Ezekiel was told to prophesy to them - to breathe new life into them. He did this and a miracle was complete, this vast army, that was once a heap of old, dry bones, stood, mighty in valour. A study of this passage will give you the whole idea of what was happening.
Basically, God spoke to Ezekiel, Ezekiel obeyed and that is it in a nutshell. These bones were going nowhere. It was ridiculous to believe that they could mount up as a mighty army, but they did. And it comes down to obedience.
Take a glance at our text again:
God had led Ezekiel to walk through the valley of dry bones. There was nothing there except very dry bones. God asked Ezekiel if these bones could live and then asked him to prophesy to the bones, that they would indeed live. It must have seemed a hopeless situation to Ezekiel but he was willing to trust God. He obeyed God and all of a sudden, there was a rattling of bones as they began to form together and sinews and everything else was put on them. Eventually, they were complete but they had no breath in them. Again Ezekiel was told to prophesy to them - to breathe new life into them. He did this and a miracle was complete, this vast army, that was once a heap of old, dry bones, stood, mighty in valour. A study of this passage will give you the whole idea of what was happening.
Basically, God spoke to Ezekiel, Ezekiel obeyed and that is it in a nutshell. These bones were going nowhere. It was ridiculous to believe that they could mount up as a mighty army, but they did. And it comes down to obedience.
Take a glance at our text again:
'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost and we ourselves are cut off' v11
This is basically how a person who is suffering from depression, feels. I know, I've been there along with many others. It's a place of darkness and no particular hope, it can appear that there is no way out and no future, things will not change. However, with God, broken things are mended - dead things are brought back to life. Hope is not lost. There is a future.
Many men of God in the bible suffered depression. King David and Elijah spring to mind. However, obedience was the main thing that got them back on their feet. Deep down within them, was a will to survive and obeying God, brought that survival to the surface.
You may be feeling this way at the moment. There may be marital problems, family breakdown, financial and work issues. There may be more that I've not mentioned. However, let me encourage you, God is bigger than dry bones; He's bigger that hopelessness; marital and any other problems. He is the King of kings who can help you sort this out right now, if you're willing.
Obey God and speak to the problem - whatever it is and walk in hope once again.
Pray this prayer:
Lord Jesus
I believe that you are calling me to stand up again, to breathe new life into myself. I speak to this problem that is holding me back............................... In Jesus' Name, I break the power that this has over me and command it to leave my body, mind and spirit right now.
I stand a new person, full of hope, before You now. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
Tuesday 22 October 2019
If you've got it, use it
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
Colossians 3:16. NKJV
Are you burying a gift that God has given you, just because you don't know what to do with it or where to go? You'll know without doubt if it is a gift from God from the simple fact that it just won't go away. It may be singing, playing an instrument, preaching the word, evangelism. I'm not talking of things such as serving within the church, although, that is much needed and an honour to work with. No, I'm talking of the more scarier bits, getting up before a crowd and speaking about Jesus, knocking on people's doors and spreading the word or playing in a worship band.
God has given each of us gifting, and for some, it may be being at the helm of things, forging the way ahead. It may be that you are called to run a bible study group, or a home group. You may have a gifting of prayer and you may be being led to run a prayer group or be an intercessor. If it is any of these things, at this moment, you will know and you may now be feeling inadequate. But let me encourage you. Moses felt just the same, 'O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue' (Exodus 4:10).
Mose wriggled like a fish on a hook and came up with every excuse in the book, but note one thing, God still had His way and He will with you too. If God has a job for you to do, He will accomplish it. You may say, 'Yes, but where can I preach?' Well if you're willing, God will find the venue, He will make a way. Anyway, there's always the street corner or the centre of town. 'What? AAARGH, you're joking.' No I'm not, many have done it and are still doing it. It's scary, yes, but exciting too.
What about evangelism? You don't need a stage or a church for this. You can tell your work mate about Jesus or your neighbour. People have problems and many times they want to talk and share their problems. I once spoke to a lady who was going through a broken marriage. She was breaking her heart and asked me what could I do; could I change it? I replied that I couldn't change it, but I knew a man that could. With that I gave her a Gideon's New Testament. That was back in 1994. She is now back in her marriage and going on strong for Jesus. It's just being open to the Holy Spirit.
Some of you may be feeling awkward right now because you know that God is calling you to do a particular thing. If that is the case, just say, 'Ok Lord, I'll do it,' and leave Him to figure out just how this will happen. But be ready, because He will take you up on it.
If you're feeling excited but a little scary at this moment, I think God may be speaking directly to you. Get alone with Him; speak to Him and seek the way forward. Then be prepared to be excited even more!
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
Colossians 3:16. NKJV
Are you burying a gift that God has given you, just because you don't know what to do with it or where to go? You'll know without doubt if it is a gift from God from the simple fact that it just won't go away. It may be singing, playing an instrument, preaching the word, evangelism. I'm not talking of things such as serving within the church, although, that is much needed and an honour to work with. No, I'm talking of the more scarier bits, getting up before a crowd and speaking about Jesus, knocking on people's doors and spreading the word or playing in a worship band.
God has given each of us gifting, and for some, it may be being at the helm of things, forging the way ahead. It may be that you are called to run a bible study group, or a home group. You may have a gifting of prayer and you may be being led to run a prayer group or be an intercessor. If it is any of these things, at this moment, you will know and you may now be feeling inadequate. But let me encourage you. Moses felt just the same, 'O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue' (Exodus 4:10).
Mose wriggled like a fish on a hook and came up with every excuse in the book, but note one thing, God still had His way and He will with you too. If God has a job for you to do, He will accomplish it. You may say, 'Yes, but where can I preach?' Well if you're willing, God will find the venue, He will make a way. Anyway, there's always the street corner or the centre of town. 'What? AAARGH, you're joking.' No I'm not, many have done it and are still doing it. It's scary, yes, but exciting too.
What about evangelism? You don't need a stage or a church for this. You can tell your work mate about Jesus or your neighbour. People have problems and many times they want to talk and share their problems. I once spoke to a lady who was going through a broken marriage. She was breaking her heart and asked me what could I do; could I change it? I replied that I couldn't change it, but I knew a man that could. With that I gave her a Gideon's New Testament. That was back in 1994. She is now back in her marriage and going on strong for Jesus. It's just being open to the Holy Spirit.
Some of you may be feeling awkward right now because you know that God is calling you to do a particular thing. If that is the case, just say, 'Ok Lord, I'll do it,' and leave Him to figure out just how this will happen. But be ready, because He will take you up on it.
If you're feeling excited but a little scary at this moment, I think God may be speaking directly to you. Get alone with Him; speak to Him and seek the way forward. Then be prepared to be excited even more!
Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com
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