Daily life with Jesus by Grahame Howard

Wednesday, 26 February 2020

True faith, is taking God at His Word

"So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and he went on his way." V50
John 4:46-54. NKJV

Let us briefly check out what we know here:
A certain nobleman came to Jesus and begged Him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. At the time, many in Cana, gathered around to see what was happening and Jesus made the statement, 'Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.' V48.

But Jesus, seeing the man was genuine, told Him to go back home to Capernaum where he would find that his son was well. He did this and, to his delight, it was as Jesus had said, his son had been made well.

In the Greek, the meaning of nobleman was basilikos which meant that he was royal. He may have been a king but was more likely a royal official - a man of high standing in the court of Herod. He was a somebody, who chose to swallow his pride and ask a humble carpenter for help. He had even travelled 20 miles or so from Capernaum, which was some distance to travel in those days. The Courtier didn't care what people thought, and let's face it, he was putting his life at stake trusting in Jesus. If Herod found out, he could be executed. But he loved his son and trusted Jesus.

Jesus' response may have seemed harsh to him, but Jesus was referring to the people of His home town, who knew Him but never honoured Him but if there was a miracle about to happen, they wanted to see it. Jesus was also testing the nobleman's faith in order to see if he was genuine.

This didn't bother the nobleman, he just wanted his son healed and when Jesus said, 'Go your way, your son lives,' he believed it and set off home. Now this is interesting and shows the level of the nobleman's faith in Jesus. He took Him at His word - he asked, he received and he believed and his son was made well. This is faith. If he had taken offence and walked off in anger, his son would have died. It would have been hard for the Courtier to just go back home. He had wanted Jesus to go with him. But he accepted it and reaped the reward. It took him a while owing to the distance, but when he realised that his son was healed at the exact time that Jesus had told him to go home, he rejoiced.

The people where Jesus lived just wouldn't believe in Jesus, despite Jesus' many attempts to tell them. They gave Him no honour. But stop right there; weren't we like this before we accepted Jesus. We had heard about Him but never gave Him much thought until that day we needed Him the most.

True faith is taking God at His word. The nobleman did just that and his son was healed and he and his household became believers in Jesus Christ V53.
When we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He exalts us 1 Peter 5:6 and James 4:6, 'God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.'

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

http://dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com/

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

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Tuesday, 25 February 2020

He knows your heart

"Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man" John 2:23-25. NKJV

Many people in Jerusalem believed in Jesus. He drew crowds wherever He went. However, many only wanted Him for the signs and wonders that He performed - the spectacular. Unlike His disciples, they had not been taught that to follow Jesus sometimes meant giving all of themselves; giving everything up and following Him. If they had, they would have been gone like a shot, and Jesus knew this.

Many had been waiting for the Messiah and in Jesus, it was felt by some that - quite rightly - He was the one. But they would want to promote Him as such straightaway, together with having status for themselves. This Jesus definitely did not want. He had work to do and this type of person would cause hindrances to His work. Jesus knew what was in man. He looks at the heart. He looks for commitment, for dedication and loyalty. Many of these people wanted the prestige and the power that Jesus displayed.

Jesus knows our hearts and He knows our motives. He is looking for people who will stay the course, not be here today and somewhere else tomorrow. Many people are like this today. They join a church and quickly become involved. However, when they can't attain what they are seeking - recognition, they leave and try another church.

Jesus knew their hearts and He knows yours too. If you have a gift that He wants to use, don't worry, in His time He will open the way for you to use it. There's no need to shove yourself forward. He has noticed you. He has seen your desire to serve Him. He has seen your heart and that's all you need.

Jesus doesn't need man's approval and neither should you. As long as Jesus approves you, that's all you need. Just hang in there until the right moment. Don't be tempted to be drawn to spectacular things. be drawn to Jesus. Because when the spectacular fades, He wants to know that you're still there with Him. Many deserted Him at the lead up to the cross. He's looking for people who will stick with Him through thick or thin - no matter what.

By now, He knows what is in you. He has seen that flame that is flickering and as you wait patiently, praying and reading His Word. He is going to fan that flame until it is a mighty fire within you. When that happens, there will be no stopping you and things will ignite wherever you go.

Are you ready for that? Well it is coming!

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

Monday, 24 February 2020

No attack - No defence

"Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse." V14
Romans 12:14-21. NKJV

This is such a very difficult area to comply with. When someone is wronging us, we naturally want to take action. When something has been done against our family, we want to repay and get our own back. As much as this may be the way of the world, God has different ideas. He wants us to bless them: 'Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse." V14 and 'Repay no one evil for evil.' V17.

This goes against everything that the world does. The world reacts in many different ways. But the world is a violent place to live in and many of us were brought up in this environment. But a look at how Jesus handled things gives us an insight into what this scripture means. He took all the abuse, the beatings and the cross and all He was heard to say in return for this was, 'Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.' Luke 23:34. He stood before Pilate and when questioned, He said very little.

There is power in acting in such a way. It shows that you are in control. It shows the world that you're different. They may consider it weak but, 'When I am weak then I am strong.' 2 Corinthians 12:10. The weaker we are, the stronger we become.

We do have a get out clause in v18, where it says, 'If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.' This is not permission to put up with someone until you can't take anymore and then punch their lights out. No. What it means is, we put up with it for as long as we can, as stated above but if we find it is all becoming too much, then we give it to God. He says, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.' V19. And He will.

It is amazing what God can do in a situation in which we can't take anymore. We give it to Him and it is taken care of. If we try to sort things on our own, then that's it; we're on our own, and have to take the consequences. Much better to give it to God.

Really, it's all about character building. Many places we go, we'll meet situations where someone, who knows that we are a Christian, will try to humiliate us. But we need to rise above it. They're not worth the effort of losing our peace. Be like Jesus in all you do, bless them. Remember, in our lives, there is no need for attack or for defence. We are made in God's image!

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

Sunday, 23 February 2020

Running the race

"Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us - " Hebrews 12:1. NKJV

To endure means to persevere, so you get a good understanding about what this scripture is directing us to do. A thought though, if the Christian life isn't hard, then why do we have to run with endurance the race set before us. Some people think that Christianity is all sweet and light but it is not, not by a long chalk. A look at how Jesus had to suffer on our behalf, let's us know this.

We are surrounded by a 'great cloud of witnesses.' Does this mean that the hero's of faith are watching us; looking to see everything we do? No, it means that their lives; their testimonies may encourage us because, after all of their struggles, running the race, they were successful and overcame.
Now, if you've ever run in a race, perhaps a marathon or some cross country, long distance event, you will know what a struggle it can be. Every muscle and nerve hurts and it would be so easy to give up. It takes all we have got to keep going - to endure and stick to the course. We should never look at the other contestants because it can be distracting and also intimidating to do so. We can lose focus and we need this to complete the task. Likewise, as a Christian in our daily race, we should look only at Jesus. He is the one who will get us through to the finishing line.

Verse 1 tells us that we should:

'lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us '

The word 'weight,' here does not necessarily relate to sin, although sin can be assumed as a weight in our lives. The weight here points to hindrances in our lives; things that get in the way of us doing our ministry, living for Jesus, hence, running the race that is set before us.
Many things can get in the way of us doing what Jesus wants us to do and sometimes we have to be tough and disallow them from preventing us doing the work. There are times when family commitments may get in the way of our ministry. Now, we need to give time for our family but not at the risk of letting God down. At times, there are strong decisions that have to be made.

The, 'sin which so easily ensnares us,' is that one sin that repeatedly defeats us, the one which we continually fall for, the one that is so difficult to avoid. It ensnares us and even though we say that we'll never do it again, we do, because we're in its trap.

Jesus was at the start of the race with us and He'll be at the end too. However, during this race, we will need refreshment, encouragement and some physiotherapy. Jesus is a great physiotherapist.
He knows what you need and He knows that you need to speak to Him about the 'trapped sin'. Therefore, why not let Him relieve your tensions and do some work on you. No one needs to know, except Him and he's a great listener too.

Once you're free from the 'sin which so easily ensnares you,' you'll be able to run the race like you've never done before.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

Saturday, 22 February 2020

Change your thinking

"be transformed by the renewing of your mind." V2
Romans 12:1-2 NKJV

If we have a situation, an emotion and a conclusion, then the conclusion will always be determined by the emotion that was displayed during the situation. For example, if you go outside one morning and find that your refuse bin has been overturned and the contents are all over the street, your emotion could be anger which in turn will create an atmosphere within the home. If during the same situation, the emotion is a calm one - 'Oh well, we'll soon have this cleaned up,' type of thing, then the conclusion will be peaceful and the home will be the same.

The mind needs to be renewed in order to prevent explosions of bad stuff that can bring unrest. This is not easy if you're a fiery sort of person but it is attainable with practice.

The world tries to conform us into it's system, which is an ungodly pattern. Being transformed by the renewing of the mind, is just the opposite. So we have a battle going on - the conforming to the world's system or dealing with your mind. In other words, changing how we think and act. But how?

We need to keep watch on our feelings. Things like, 'They hurt my feelings,' are negative and a recipe for a bad reaction. Also, things such as, 'I didn't like that preacher today, they went on too long,' could be re-phrased more positively with, 'The sermon was a lengthy one today, I'm not too sure if I agree with what was said, but I'll mull it over.' this last reaction is less accusatory and shows a willingness to learn. Also, 'My wife or husband had a go at me today about leaving my stuff around the place. This gets on my nerves.' This can be re-phrased into, 'My partner wasn't happy with the mess I leave around the place. I think they may have a point; I'll tidy up when I get home.'
It all comes down to re-training the mind and thus, helps what comes out of our mouths.

Feelings are something we have to live with; but we can train ourselves to react to them in a more positive way. Our minds can feed us with things that are just not true, or have a half-truth about them. We need to grasp hold of those bad thoughts and take them captive. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) This way, we give ourselves time to consider them and make a more sensible reaction to them - if at all. Our thoughts can lead us into depression, anger, to be critical and have bad moods just to mention a few. Even though we are Christians, we are still susceptible to bad thoughts and uncontrolled feeling and emotions, but we can take them under our wing. Often we have a 'My glass is half-empty,' mentality instead of the opposite. We need to refuse to think such negativity because the 'My glass is half-empty,' mentality instead of the opposite can lead us astray. What we believe is happening, may not be happening. Our minds can play tricks on us because it does not have the whole facts so it comes up with an alternative. And we can begin to believe it.

What you begin to believe, will come about. Look what Job said:

'For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me and what I dreaded has happened to me. Job 3:25

We know that the devil was given free rein to hurt Job and attack his family but perhaps his thinking could have helped him out a little, initially. It was a self-fulfilled prophecy. What you confess, you get.

We can all suffer peer pressure, when at school and later into adulthood. There can always be the, 'Keeping up with the Jones',' or being told that some substance or type of behaviour is good for you, you need to join in. 'Be like us, or else.'
The Philips New Testament puts Romans 12:2 like this, 'Don't let the world squeeze you into its mould.'

Don't give up, you may blow it over and over again, but if you determine to renew you mind, you'll be successful; probably not overnight but you'll get there. Ask Jesus to help you.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

Friday, 21 February 2020

The Thomas Faith

"Do not be unbelieving, but believing!" V27 of John 20:24-27 NKJV

Be honest, who hasn't felt this way at times? Who hasn't been tempted to say, 'I don't believe that.' We can all be tempted to feel this way periodically, especially when we hear about miraculous testimonies of what Jesus has done in someone's life. We've been tempted to think, 'Are they exaggerating here?'

Skepticism can be rampant at times like this. Thomas never lacked courage; he was willing to go with Jesus and die with Him if needed. However, he was a pessimist. His glass was half-empty, until someone filled it. He needed to balance things; count the cost and mull it over before leaping into action. He wanted proof first. If he had been one on the priests who had to step into the Jordan river before it acted, he would probably be still standing on the bank. But He loved Jesus. There was no doubt about that, and we can be just like him at times.

When Jesus visited the upper room and revealed Himself to the disciples, Thomas was not there. People have debated where he might have been over the ages. Remember, it was a dangerous place to be after Jesus had been crucified. This is why the others were tucked away in the upper room, so that they were hidden.

One of the most believable reasons Thomas wasn't with them was because of his emotions. People grieve in many different ways. Many want their loved ones around them for comfort. However, others want to be left alone to work through the pain themselves. Perhaps Thomas was like this. He was missing Jesus and needed to work things out alone and when he had, about a week later, he went to be with the others and Jesus re-appeared to them all.

Jesus said to Thomas,
'Reach your finger here and look at My hands and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.' V27

William Barclay says,
'There is something very lovable and very admirable about Thomas. Faith was never an easy thing for him; obedience never came readily to him.He was the man who had to be sure; he was the man who had to count the cost. But once he was sure, and once he had counted the cost, he was the man who went to the ultimate limit of faith and obedience. A faith like Thomas' is better than any glib declaration and an obedience like his, is better than any acquiescence which agrees to do a thing without counting the cost and then goes back upon its word.
Copyright 1955 William Barclay, The Gospel of John Commentary

Some people have faith to move mountains, instantly or stand on God's Word until their request is manifested. Others, like Thomas, are more skeptical about things and like to think things through first. But both of these interpretations of faith compliment each other, very well. Thomas had faith, but it was the Thomas faith. What is yours?

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

Thursday, 20 February 2020

Jesus knows how you feel!

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are , yet without sin." V15
Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV

Let's break this down into three parts:

JESUS HAS BEEN THERE
There is nothing worse than someone who hasn't been there but tries to tell you that they have. The frustrating thing that many say is, 'I know how you feel,' when they don't have any idea how you feel. To hear this is a recipe for anguish and in some cases, anger.
The great thing is that, Jesus would answer you, 'I know how you feel,' because He does; He knows; He's been there.

HOLD FAST YOUR CONFESSION
There is no place for people who have a YoYo type of faith; one minute flying high and the next, down in the doldrums. There needs to be a balance where things may knock us but, we remain constant. There Is also no room for the Thomas kind of faith, 'Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.' (John 20:25). This type of faith and confession will never work.
No matter what, we need to keep confessing Jesus. Hebrews 12:3 says, 'Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.'
Consider what He has done for you. Consider how He changed your life. Consider how He kept your marriage together. Consider how He saved your life. When you were ill and He healed you. You were lost and He found you. Lonely and He gave you someone to love and love you. Consider all these things, together with the home He gave you; your children and your livelihood. Consider Him.

JESUS KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE TEMPTED
He sympathises with your weaknesses because He was in all points tempted and yet He never fell to it. Have you ever considered just how much Jesus was tempted? Todays's text tells us that He was in all points tempted as we are. This means, in every way you could imagine. He had to be in order to conquer sin on the cross. He needed to know what temptation felt like so that He could deal with it. Just think, everything that you have been tempted to do, Jesus was tempted the same way. He knows what the feeling is like - how difficult it can be. Yet, He never gave in to it - He never sinned and that is the difference.
Therefore, He sympathises with us; He has the empathy for what we suffer.. So, we have His permission to come boldly to Him - the Throne of Grace and receive help and mercy.
Whenever you feel the temptation to become involved in something that you know is wrong, that is the time to shout to Him, and He will be there. He tells us that we may boldly approach His Throne to receive His help. That's a promise and we need to take it on board.
Whatever you may have done, He understands and will help and forgive you in your time of need. (Taken from Hebrews 4:16).

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com