One thing I know Part 2

"25 Whether He is a sinner or not, I do not know. One thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see."                    John 9: 1-34.  NKJV

What a way to wind up the Pharisees. I like this guy. He had his sight back and quite rightly, he was exhilarated and beside himself with joy. He was seeing things he had never seen before and trying to put what he had thought before, into the present situation - he could see. The last thing he was interested in was an interrogation.

The man's frustration is seen in the way he talks back to the Pharisees:

''I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?'  Verse 27

But then they said that he was Jesus' disciple, which at that time wasn't true. They would have had further problems, no doubt, if they had known that he wasn't and yet Jesus had healed him anyway.

In fact, their behaviour and conversation showed that they were blinkered. They could not see what was staring them in the face. That sounds like such a typical thing today, don't you think?
They were more concerned where He had come from and that He had healed the blind man on a Sabbath. This sounds amazing. Here was a man born blind but now he could see and yet there concern is more about religious issues.

The man. all fired up, now gave them both barrels. It was almost as if he had been filled with the Holy Spirit already. But this is what it is like when we meet with Jesus. He sets people ablaze. The man gave the Pharisees a mini-bible study V30-33. In fact, he spoke to them as if he was a very, well educated man - a true teacher in the making.

The Pharisees though, true to style, refused to be affected by it all. their hearts were hard and they were unteachable, when they couldn't get their own way. They threw him out of the synagogue.

Now note one thing here, Jesus was very busy. He had people demanding the whole of His time, wherever He went. Yet, when He heard that he had been cast out of the synagogue, He went looking for him. Doesn't that remind you of something? Read The Parable of the Lost Sheep:

Luke 15:1-7: 'What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?' v4

Jesus brought the man into the fold and I believe his gift of teaching, which Jesus had no doubt heard of too, would be put to good use, when he had been born again and firmly become a disciple.

He has done the same for you too. You were once lost and in a place where there was no certainty or hope. Life had probably kicked and ridiculed you. Life had treated you badly and you had probably made an inner vow that no one would ever hurt you again, 'I don't need anyone,' you may have said.

And then, Jesus turned up with a smile on His face and His love captivated you and you knew that you would never be the same again.
'What has happened to you?' people may have said. Your reply too, may have been, 'I don't really know, but one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see.' 
Jesus had opened your eyes and you could see the way ahead.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

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One thing I know

"25 Whether He is a sinner or not, I do not know. One thing I know, That though I was blind, now I see."                    John 9: 1-34.  NKJV

One of the greatest answers we can ever have for people who ask us tricky questions about Jesus, is this text. I say tricky questions because many times this is what we face from some unbelievers who just want to make a laughing stock of us. They come at us with both barrels blazing and say the most convincing things - things that stitch us up and leave us unable to answer adequately.

This was the case here with the man born blind. Jesus, seeing him, went up to him, made clay with His saliva, anointed his eyes and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. He did this and his eyes were opened.

When the Pharisees  heard about this, they grilled the man wanting to know what had happened. They didn't believe what the man said to them, so sent for his parents, who confirmed this. 

They caused chaos trying to investigate this and began calling Jesus a sinner for healing a man on the sabbath. The man replied, 'Whether He is a sinner or not, I do not know. One thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see.'

At times, this really is all we can say 'I don't know the answers to what you're saying, but what I do know is He's changed my life.' Like the Pharisees, they probably won't want to hear this or believe you. But that doesn't matter.

You know the truth - Jesus. You know what Jesus has done for you and really, that's all that matters.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

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Daylight Robbery

"The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy"
                                                                                                John 10:10.  NKJV

You're having fun and a great day and all seems well in your life, then suddenly - WHAM, your enemy satan attacks. Out of nowhere he comes, you didn't even know that he was around. THAT IS MISTAKE No 1. He's always prowling around somewhere and when you least expect it, he strikes and knocks the wind out of your sails.

The mistake you've made is you've taken your eyes off the ball and when you do that, he scores a goal. 1 Peter 5:8 says:

'Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.'  

We do need to relax in this age of stress and pressures. However, we should never take time off from God. If you go on holiday, take Jesus with you, don't leave Him at home. The enemy attacks when we least expect it. He doesn't ring you up and ask if you're up for an attack tonight. No, rather like a snake, he lies in wait ready to strike.

You can have a load of things on your mind - home issues, work issues, bills to pay and places to go. Then stress and pressure kick in and you become distracted and choked of your faith. (Luke 8:14). THIS IS MISTAKE No 2. Your mind should be filled with Jesus and the things of God, not the things that cause you worry and pressure. 

Jesus told us not to worry (Matthew 6:25). Chasing around like a headless chicken is not conducive to a healthy walk with God.
Just look how the devil works, he:

STEALS                he steals your joy which is part of your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
KILLS.                   he kills your faith and brings you the opposite - Fear
DESTROYS          he destroys the moment and brings guilt, unhappiness and distress

Make sure Jesus is uppermost in your thinking and your life and avoid robberies.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

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Riches and Persecutions

"Then Peter began to say to Him, 'See, we have left all and followed You."  V28
                                                                                             Mark 10:23-31.  NKJV

Peter was the type of person that we can all relate to, outspoken and a bit of a rough diamond, but Jesus loved him, as He does us, and was gradually getting him ready for service, as He is us too.

Prior to today's commentary in Mark 10-17-22, there we see a rich young ruler who wanted to follow Jesus but was reluctant to give up his extravagant lifestyle. This is quite a common thing today. Many people want to be Christians but struggle with tithing. When it comes to giving up all they have to go to bible college, be a missionary or pastor a church with very little remuneration, it is a major problem.

This was one of the problems here. This man was rich and no doubt wanted for nothing. That was ok; but Jesus was asking him to go all the way and be prepared to give it all up and follow Him. It was probably a test to see how dedicated the man would be; how committed to being a disciple instead of the gentry. He chose not to follow Jesus.

Jesus commented on this and Peter interrupted Him with, 'We've given everything up to follow you, what about our needs? (paraphrase). Jesus reassured him that all those who choose to follow Jesus and give up their livelihood, will be taken care of. They will want for nothing. However, not everyone is called to give up all they have to work for Jesus. Millions are doing that in their everyday jobs all over the world. But those who feel the calling of God and choose to follow Him, wholeheartedly, will be blessed and have their needs met.

However, this is never easy, as verse 30 shows us. There will be persecutions. Whether you work for Jesus full time or serve Him in your everyday life in your job, once people know that you're a Christian, the flak will start coming your way. Why is that? Well, all of a sudden you become a threat to the devil - yes you! He didn't like you very much before you were born again. Now he literally hates you because you have the ability to cause mayhem in his domain. Therefore, he guides people to give you a bad time.

Bosses, neighbours and even family see you as strange and an oddball. You become an embarrassment to your family and friends and some neighbours may avoid you. Bosses may discriminate against you and some forbid you to speak about Jesus. That happened to me at one time. Also, you may see fellow Christians having a blessed time, with all of their needs met while you are scrimping and short of cash, even though you have prayed non-stop. A word here that you need to remember, Jesus said, 'But many are who are first will be last and the last first.' V31:

This was the qualifying remark regarding the apostle’s reward. All who sacrifice for the Lord will be rewarded, but God’s way and timing of rewarding may not match up with man’s way and timing of being rewarded. When God rewards, expect the unexpected.

If you have honoured God with your time, your finances. your livelihood and all you have, He will honour you. That's a promise. But He doesn't say when. This is where our faith and trust need to apply. You may be feeling let down at the moment - people persecuting you, short of finance and struggling with bills, children and such like. You may have spoken to Jesus all the time about this, but with nothing in return. Well, you're in for a blessing! Stand firm, praise and trust God, thank Him and receive from Him by faith what you've asked Him for, and you will have it.

This is not the time to give up, it is the time to look up - to Jesus.


Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

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Who is the Greatest?

"33 'What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?' 34 But they kept silent for on the road  they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, 'If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."        Mark 9:33-37.  NKJV 

Jesus had disclosed to the disciples that He would be betrayed and killed but that He would rise again on the third day. This had led to a discourse between them as they walked along the road, about who would be the greatest among them. The dispute must have reached an anger pitch Because Jesus noticed this and asked them about it when they sat down. However, none of them would admit what they had been arguing about. But Jesus knew.. He misses nothing, and we need to remember that.

As they sat there in silence, they were no doubt feeling very ashamed of themselves - Jesus had told them that He would die, the people would kill Him. Rather than asking Him about this and showing concern about what He was telling them, they wrestled about who would be the leader when Jesus had gone.

If the disciples competed against themselves for the top position, then it goes to show that we are no different. All through the years since, man has been in competition with each other within the church. When we look at situations today people are jealous about others having more attention than themselves, they squabble and every now and then, it gets so bad that a church splits and people go different ways. Bad feeling, disputes and mind games, where someone has thoughts in their head about what someone is doing or not doing. Gossip, judging and accusations. I have two questions. Where is the love? Is that a clanging cymbal that I hear?

'Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.'     1 Corinthians 13:1

Churches split when people compete against each other. When someone puts themselves on a pedestal and another tries to knock them off. Back-stabbing and quarrelling. The Apostle Paul had a few things to say about this:

'But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother?   
For we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ. For it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God.'
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore, let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in ours brother's way.    Romans 14:10-13

Jesus goes on to add a few more things while speaking with His disciples; things that we need to take on board as well. If anyone feels the call to be first then he must be the last. (Mark 9:35-37) In other words they must be prepared to be a servant. To serve people, not judge them. To love and uphold the Word of God so that there is unity not separation. The character of a leader is to serve first of all. As this is done confidence is built up and people will follow - as with a shepherd.

But one of the main things within the church, we must all learn, is to be childlike, not childish! God's business is too important to argue and act like children would in the school playground. We are called to be the elite. We need to remember this.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com