Chains fall off and Doors Open Part Two

"Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken and immediately, all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.'     Acts 16:26   NKJV

Paul and Silas and been arrested, beaten with Rods and then chained into the inner prison. This was the smelliest and most horrid part of the prison. However, instead of complaining about their situation, they were praising God and the other prisoners were listening to them. What a witness is that. It would have been alien to them that anyone should be singing praises to God after such treatment and this would no doubt have a lasting affect on some of them.

There was an earthquake and the foundations of the prison were shaken. This is quite similar to Isaiah's  experience when the worship was so loud that the posts of the door were shaken. (Isaiah 6:3-4). Praise changes things; God shakes things up when we give Him this sacrifice of praise - because at times such as this, that's what it is.

Praise breaks chains - chains of bondage, addiction, depression and everything else. Praise brings release; release to times of despair, pain, hurt and total fear and frustration. Praise is what God requires from us and He will always respond to this.

Note here, it was not only the prisoners who were listening to their worship. Paul and Silas were listening too. When we praise God, it builds us up too. The chains that are holding us back, break loose. This is why, at times, we may find it difficult to praise God. Sometimes, we just don't want to. We're being held back and it's the evil one who is doing it; because, he knows that if we praise God, things will change, he will not be able to control our situation. The power for him will be too great and he will have to flee. He just cannot stand praise because he knows that he will have to try and figure out another way of stopping us because this one hasn't worked. So break free and start praising.

Praise changes our direction. It opens the way for us to see more clearly, the road ahead. God has a plan for us and as we get into this place of worship, He will reveal it to us. But don't forget His Word too. We need to balance reading our bibles and worshipping God, so that we have the right formula.

Whatever place you are in today, start to praise Him and watch things change. Watch the chains fall off and the doors open for you and whoever you're praying for. 

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Chains fall off and doors open

"(6) 'Arise quickly.' And his chains fell off his hands"                   Acts 12:5-17.   NKJV
                                                              Try and read the whole scripture to get the full story. 

Peter had been arrested for preaching Jesus and Herod was determined to keep him in prison until the Passover. He was guarded by 4 squads of soldiers. This was 16 men; quite a lot to guard one man, but Herod knew what a powerful man Peter was.

Now there was constant prayer for Peter. Intercessors were praying day and night that he may be delivered. Try and picture the scene. Peter, who was very content and secure in His love for Jesus, was sleeping between two of the soldiers. He was bound with chains. The rest of the soldiers were guarding the door. It appeared to be totally impossible that Peter could escape. However, Herod had not considered how powerful Jesus was.

All of a sudden, an angel stood beside Peter, struck him on his side and told him to get up, get dressed and follow him. A bright light shone in the cell as Peter did this and Peter's chains fell off. They walked by the soldiers who must have been in some sort of trance because they took no action at all.

Peter thought he was dreaming this as they walked out of the prison and down to the main gate - a massive iron structure. This opened for them, on its own, rather like the automatic doors at some stores we shop at, I would have thought. They walked on down the street and as Peter arrived at Mary's house, the mother of John Mark, the angel disappeared. 

As Peter knocked on the door, inside, the church people were in deep prayer for Him. When they recognised who he was and that he was free, they were astonished. This can happen to us as we pray. We are so concerned in praying that when the answer comes, it amazes us. It's rather like praying for some financial help and someone coming along and giving us a donation, it can astonish us too.

The conclusion to the whole of this event is, Chains fall off and Doors and Iron gates open at the presence of Jesus Christ. No one can stop Him. Circumstances may be imprisoning you at this moment. You may feel the chains keeping you bound, but in the Name of Jesus Christ, arise and get dressed; let those chains fall off and those doors open as you walk towards them. Be content and secure in Jesus' love; trust Him and let Him set you free right now:

'Ah Lord God! Behold. You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.'

                                                                                        Jeremiah 32:17.  NKJV

Nothing is too hard! Nothing is too difficult! Nothing that you are going through at this moment is too hard for Jesus to conquer. Chains fall off, doors open and lives are changed.

Shout to Him, praise Him and get ready for the mighty power of the Holy Spirit to come and set you free!

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

        

Love

"(44) Love your enemies, bless this who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (45) that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven - "                                                                            Matthew 5:43-48.  NKJV

There are four categories of love that we need to consider:

1  Storge or Stergein  this means family love- the love of a parent for their child and a child for a parent.
2  Eros  this is the love between the sexes, i.e. passion and sexual love. This later went on to be known as lust.
3  Philia  this is real love and real affection. This describes a person's closest, nearest and truest friend.
4  Agape  "It means that no matter what people do to us, no matter how they treat us, no matter if they insult us, or injure us or grieve us, we will never allow any bitterness against them to invade our hearts, but will regard them with that unconquerable benevolence and goodwill which will seek nothing but there highest good."  (William Barclay)

Agape describes the love that Jesus is speaking about in our text for today. It is worth noting, that Jesus never asked us to love our enemies in the same way as we love our family. This would be neither possible or right, because it is a different kind of love. In order to love our enemies in the Agape way, we have to will ourselves to do it. It doesn't come naturally. Also to pray for those who spitefully use us, would be impossible without us displaying Agape love.

We all have come across the type of people that Jesus is speaking about here. At times, it can be impossible to like them, let alone love them. However, as we operate in Agape love, it becomes more natural. The more we exercise this type of love, the more that we get used to it and, like Jesus, it can become apart of our nature.

This is not easy, as you know. Some people can be so rude and nasty and we have choices to walk away from them or remain. If we choose to remain, it would be counter-productive to fall to their level and start to give them what they are giving us. If that is the case, it would be better to walk away and try again next time, if there is an opportunity. 

It may be foolish to walk into such a position as this. But, it may be unavoidable as we may work with these people; live next door to them or they may even be a part of our family. This type of approach is not matching everything that is thrown against us, but rather attempting to operate in the way Jesus would operate. This is not easy but it must be possible, or Jesus would not have commanded us to do it.

So, if you try and fail; don't beat yourself up, try again another day. That is all Jesus asks.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Rescued and Re-built

"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

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

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

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