Wednesday, 25 March 2020

Things will get better

" 21 But after a long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, 'Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul, you must be brought before Caesar, and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' 25 Therefore, take heart, men for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island."
                                                                          Acts 27 21-26.  NKJV

 The Apostle Paul was on board ship to see Caesar in Rome, when they run into a tempest. Paul had warned the crew that he had a bad feeling about the trip and advised them not to sail, but they had disregarded his concerns. Therefore, they became fearful as they entered the tempest and the boat began to sink. Paul spoke with them and encouraged them not to fear. Everything would be all right. However, they would run aground.

 The world is in a state of emergency today where many countries are now on lockdown and people have been confined to their homes. It's a frightening time for many. In today's terms, we have run aground and urgent action has to be taken so that we can survive. However, allow me to encourage you. Like Paul said here, please be encouraged that, even though we are going through this time of severe uncertainty, we are not lost. Jesus knows where we are and is watching over us. Even though we have run aground - in lockdown - if we do what we have been advised, all will be ok.

 God is not worried. His word still tells us not to be afraid, or to worry. He is still telling us to be at peace. (John 14). It is a time when we need to take on board His Word to us:

 "Be still, and know that I AM God; I will be exalted among the nations , I will be exalted in the earth."
                                                                        Psalm 46:10.  NKJV

 If there is anything that you can do to change the situation that we are in, then go ahead and do it. But, you have to admit, there is nothing we can do - except rely on the Word of God. There has never been a time in our generation when we need Jesus more than now. He is calling out to the nations, offering Himself to us.

 At this time, the only thing that you can do is pray and then commit yourself to Jesus:

 'Lord Jesus, this is a scary time that I am going through. I can do nothing to change it, except call on You to help me and my loved ones. I give myself to You this day. I surrender to You and ask that You will show us all mercy. Jesus forgive my sins, live in my heart and be my Lord and Saviour from this day. I give myself to You.
Today Lord, I will be still and know that You are God and that you will glory the Name of Jesus throughout this world..  In Jesus' Name, Amen

 Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard



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Tuesday, 24 March 2020

Never stop Praising Him

"The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:

Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!"
                                                                                      Revelation 4:8   NKJV

These were Cherubim - the highest ranking celestial beings. They represent all the vital forces of creation whose primary function is worship. They never rest from doing this and are forever watchful- they are fully alert.

As we've heard many times, praise stops satan in his tracks. It is such a powerful force that it is a wonder why we don't do it enough. It should be the first thing we think to do when we wake each morning and the last thing we do before we go to sleep. Praise surrounds us with power. It takes us to the very throne room of God. Remember the Apostle Paul, together with Silas? They were in the stocks at midnight, in a filthy, rat-infested dungeon. Yet, they were praising God. And what happened? Their chains fell off and all the doors of the prison were opened. Now that is powerful stuff and it was all down to praise. Praise opens doors. It wins battles. It changes lives. It will change yours.

You may feel that you haven't got the time to praise God. Well, make the time. It's more important than anything. Just look at Jesus. He was brutally tortured and abused and finally murdered, left hanging on a cross. Crowds of people were jeering at Him. But look at Him now! He is no longer on that cross. He's the King of all kings; the risen Lord of all lords. He is our King, our Saviour. Look at Him now! He was the Lord Almighty. He is the Lord Almighty, and He is the Lord Almighty - Jesus who will come to gather all of His friends, all of His people, all of His Children - us - to Himself and take us all to be with Him in Glory forever and forever. Now if that doesn't make you praise Him, you need some help.

It doesn't matter what is going on in our world today. Yes, it is a little scary. We're dealing with the unknown. It can be like sitting and looking at a large hill, waiting for impending doom to come over it and annihilate us. NEVER! We are Children of the Living God. How dare this virus come against us. It is pestilence. But Jesus will deliver us from the perilous pestilence (Psalm 91:3-6). 

Come on, Stand up. Now is not the time to sit here feeling afraid. It is time to stand and when we've done all we can, still be standing (Ephesians 6:13-18).

Stand and if you get knocked over, stand up again. But whether you're standing or have been knocked down, keep praising Jesus.

Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!"

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard












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Monday, 23 March 2020

Be sensible and follow the guidelines

"Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe."
                                                                                          Proverbs 4:26.  NLT

 David Guzik comments on this verse:

 'When we carefully ponder where we are headed, it helps to establish our wise direction and help us to not turn to the right or the left.'
                                                                     Copyright David Guzik Enduring Word

 There are a lot of warnings and news flashes about at the moment. They are all concentrating on what we should do to protect ourselves, our families and the NHS from the Coronavirus. Pubs and restaurants have closed; theatres and other meeting places and people are being advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people wherever possible. 

 Of course, this can lead to panic and has already in some places. People are panic buying, others refusing to stick to the guidelines. There is confusion and unrest around the world as the virus begins to spread and consume people's lives.

 God would want us to be Spirit-led but not to be flip about this. Yes, we were healed by the stripes of Jesus but that doesn't mean that we put ourselves to the test by ignoring the advice from professional healthcare officials and blatantly going into risk situations. We need to be wise and walk in the Spirit of God.

 We all have choices and at the moment a lot of these choices are limited because of the virus. Love would not wish for us to be selfish and go to places where we could infect other people. So therefore, even though it is difficult, there is a need to heed the warnings from our government and stay safe.

 This doesn't mean that we are giving into fear - not at all. It means that we are being obedient in obeying those who rule over us (Hebrews 13:7.) There's a lot we can still do. Most of us have social media. Therefore, we can contact people, checking to see if they are ok or if they need anything. We can encourage each other and pray for people. There is a way through this and Jesus is the way. He will lead us to victory!

 Jesus says, 'Let not you heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me.' John 14:1. Jesus will not let us down. Just be at peace and don't worry. Stick to the guidelines and be sensible.

 Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com


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Sunday, 22 March 2020

Spider's webs and Cobwebs

"The proud have set a trap to catch me; they have stretched out a net; they have placed traps all along the way."   Psalm 140:5.  NLT

 I want us to look at the significance of the spider's web and a cobweb. 

 SPIDER'S WEB
This is an intricate collection of silky threads, rather like a net, that is designed to catch a spider's prey. An unsuspecting creature is drawn to this fabulously designed spectacle and has soon as it sets foot on it, is helplessly trapped by its stickiness and the many threads. As the creature struggles, it becomes more and more entangled and food for the spider. Some spider's can actually feel the vibration of the threads when something touches it and will spring out to capture it, instantly.
The spider's web is a wonderfully made, work of art. It is absolutely fascinating how this creature is able to spin such a thing. Webs, draw the wildlife photographer because of the wonderful colours it creates when the sun shines on it. However, the web is a trap and once entangled within its threads, it is very difficult, if at all, to become free from it.
An analogy of the web is when someone is drawn away into temptation and becomes trapped, unable to set themselves free from its hold, such is the strength of the attraction. Believers and non-believers alike, can become trapped within a web-like being. A person is never out of the danger of being ensnared and the only way out is to be rescued by God Himself.
People with addictions are easy prey for the web-like being along the way but so is the average Christian man or woman who look at something or are tempted to do something and are trapped in this web of destruction. 

 COBWEB
The cobweb speaks of something that is deserted and neglected. A cobweb, is very often a spider's web that has been abandoned and left to collect dust. This describes a person's life when they neglect the most important parts of their lives and allow it to stagnate. Many marriages fall apart because of this stagnation. People's careers are shattered because of the lack of attention to the most important parts that are required to keep things fresh and exciting.
Bibles can become left on a shelf, collecting cobwebs, because they are never opened. Christian lives and ministries need regular attention or they become dry and lose their attraction.

 Has your walk with God become entangled in webs, whether it be the spider's type, where you have become trapped in a sin, a bad relationship or something else, or cobwebs, where you have neglected your Christian walk? It's never too late you know. If you're stuck in the spider's web, call out to God now and allow Him to rescue you. If it's the cobweb type, again, call out to Him and open your bible, put on some Christian music and get back on the road, walking with Jesus.

 Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard


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Saturday, 21 March 2020

'Lord, I can't do this,' - Yes you can!'

"If you've run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?'
                                                                              Jeremiah 12:5.  NKJV

 Hey, you've come this far, so you can go further, yes? Don't give up now! It's a challenging time, that's true, but you need to be able to contend with what's happening in your life now; otherwise, when further challenges come - and they will, you won't be able to manage.

 You have to lean to manage the place that you're in at this moment before you face the challenges which will come tomorrow, because they will be greater. If you can't manage what you are going through today, you will surely struggle in the days ahead.

 But you can manage today if you don't look too far ahead. Today is enough. At the moment this is all you can do. Jesus told us:

 'Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.'   Matthew 6:34.  NKJV

 In other words deal with today, tomorrow is too problematic to think about when you've got today to get through. Take one day at a time.

 The floodplain that God mentions to Jeremiah in this text, is the area around the Jordan. It's a thicket, rather like a jungle and lions used to roam around in there. Don't forget that Peter told us that our enemy, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8). Basically God is saying today, make sure you get in control of the situation you are facing because the road ahead could be difficult, and the devil is not your friend. Be alert!

 However, be reassured that whatever lies ahead - whatever - you can do it, with Jesus by your side.  Philippians 4:13.  

 Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com


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Friday, 20 March 2020

Be at Peace

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. Because he trusts in You."                                                    Isaiah 26:3.  NKJV

 Perfect Peace is translated in the Hebrew as Shalom Shalom - a greeting or farewell blessing. This shows in Hebrew that repetition communicates intensity. It isn't just Shalom but Shalom Shalom - Perfect Peace which refers to health, happiness and well-being.

 Notice that the text says, 'whose mind is stayed on You.' It's the mind that plays havoc with our thinking if we don't take control. We need to take control of what is happening in our mind by filling it with the Word of God. We need to focus. Stop allowing yourself to become fearful and agitated. Don't allow worry but pursue peace. We do this by giving our all to Jesus - by placing Him fully in the driving seat of our life. If we allow the devil into the back seat, pretty soon he is going to want to drive. Do you get the picture? Don't let the evil one through your hedge of protection.

 Jesus told us in John 14:27:

 'Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.'    
      
Don't permit worry - pursue peace. Just sit for one moment and allow yourself to consider just how much Jesus loves you. He died in your place; He forgave you for all the wrongs you had done; He's given you your life back; He has done so much for you. Do you really think that He's going to let you down now? Of course not. 
He loves you far too much for that! Let not your heart be troubled!


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Thursday, 19 March 2020

There's no need to worry!

"Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor about your body what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?"                              Matthew 6:25.  NKJV

 George Muller said, 'The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.'

 In a crisis, such as we now have with the Coronavirus Pandemic, it is so easy to begin to panic, 'What are we going to do?' ' What are we going to eat or drink, we're running out of supplies?' When this happens, people begin to panic-buy and all thought for others goes out the window. It becomes a situation where, 'It's about me and me only.' Selfish tactics kick in rather like in a major sale where people dash across a store, after camping outside all night, and grab all the bargains, even at the risk of fighting.

 But come on; we are not like that! We belong to Jesus. Our security and our trust are in Him. David Guzik says:

 'The worry Jesus spoke of, debases man to the level of an animal who is merely concerned with physical needs. Your life is more and you have eternal matters to pursue.'                                             David Guzik - Enduring Word

 Life is more important than dashing off with the worry of food, drink and clothes to wear - things, that Jesus knows we need and will supply them for us. (Matthew 6:32-33.)

 It is time to start setting some examples. The best way to do this, is to show others that we do not worry and we do not panic. We don't do this because we have a Heavenly Father  who is taking care of this department. It's a done deal because He said so.

 We have a wonderful opportunity to show people the love of Jesus. People are worried; they have little hope and so they fight and kick to get what they can. Spread a bit of Jesus around wherever you go. If you can't get out, text someone on your mobile, post on Facebook, WhatsApp or speak on FaceTime. Tell them about the love and peace that Jesus offers.

 Be a Peacemaker. Be a History maker. Bring some calm into a scary situation. You, as a Child of God, have hope. Pass that hope onto someone who doesn't have hope. This is what we can do during these difficult and frightening times.
Be Jesus to people! 

















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