Wednesday, 15 April 2020

Unsatisfied longing

"Temptations come from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 
(15) These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death."
                                                                                      James 1:14-15  NLT

 Unsatisfied longing, deep-rooted desire and lust. These all fit under the heading of desire and they drag us away to sinful actions. Consider if you will, Genesis 3:1-7. Eve was in the garden when the serpent met up with her. He knew how to trick Eve, and he knows how to trick you too. You have to be very wise and Spirit-led in order to contend with him. 

 The serpent - who of course was the devil, knew Eve had an interest in the fruit that came from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He persuaded Eve to look at the fruit: 

 'She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom that it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her and he ate it too.'   Genesis 3:6.  NLT

 Can you see what was happening? The more that Eve dwelt on the thought of the delicious fruit and feasted her eyes on it too, she became enticed. She was tempted from her own desire. It was an unsatisfied longing, a lust that had to be fulfilled. The result was, sin and death was introduced into the world. She was dragged away. The sin was allowed to grow.

 And this is how the devil tempts us. He knows what our weaknesses are, and let's be honest, so do we. When we are falling to these temptations, we are being controlled by the devil, and let's face it, he doesn't want the best for us. We allow him to rule us and have the opportunity to devastate all that God has provided for us. Just think, loss of credibility, loss of integrity, possibly the loss of our marriage and family and our ministry and God's heart breaks. 

 Is it worth it? You know it isn't! A quick and sure way to deal with this very common problem, is to commit it all to God. 'Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.' (Proverbs 16:3). In other words, roll it over to Him. This is the successful way to victory, and much needed.

 Why not speak with Jesus now:

 Lord Jesus, I confess that some things are a stumbling block to my walk with You. I roll them over to You right now, and ask You to give me the strength to be free from them. In Jesus' Name. Amen'

 Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard













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Tuesday, 14 April 2020

You will finish your assignment

"(9) The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple. His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. (10) For who has despised the day of small things."        Zechariah 4:9-10.  NKJV

 God had spoken.

 Zerubbabel was the civic leader of Jerusalem, and had the responsibility to finish the work of rebuilding the temple. The work had stalled, and Zerubbabel needed encouragement to carry on the work. It had been twenty or so years and the temple was still not completed. Much had happened and it had seemed like a mountain was preventing the work from being finished. 

 The angel of the LORD came in a dream to Zechariah and gave him a word for Zerubbabel - the work would be completed, but not by his strength but by the Spirit of God:

 'This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit", says the LORD of hosts'   Zechariah 4:6

 Many times we try to carry out a task God has given us, in our own strength, and very little happens, except sheer frustration and stress. Zerubbabel was facing a mountain of opposition but MOUNTAINS CRUMBLE when we go in the name of Jesus - in His power, not our own. God was saying to him that he will finish his assignment and his goal. It will be completed. But only when he goes in God's power.

 When we are in this position, we feel very small and insignificant. It is an intimidating feeling and one in which Satan pulls our strings and makes us feel useless. But don't let him.

 David Guzik says:

 'When Satan tempts us to despise the day of small things, he shines as an outstanding liar because Satan does not despise the day of small things. Satan fears the day of small things in our life because he sees what things God does in them and brings out of them.'                             
                                                                                   Enduring Word  David Guzik

 Did you catch that? You may be small in the devils eyes and even in your own, even like a grasshopper against a giant (Numbers 13:33). But in God's eyes, when you give Him the reins, you are powerful and a warrior and can do all things through Him. Satan runs because he can't cope or take you on when you're like this.

 At this time, you may be thinking that you'll never complete the assignment that you feel God has given. Firstly, ask Him to confirm it was from Him. When you have this peace and assurance, realise that acorns are small but oak trees grow from them. Also, Walt Disney started his career with a mouse.

 You may not be successful at this moment, but praise God - don't sulk or give up. Things are going to get better!

 Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard










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Monday, 13 April 2020

Don't be afraid to change the norm

"Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some."
                                                                                 John 21:6   NKJV

 There is no logical reason why Jesus should shout to the disciples this direction. After all, to the disciples - skilled fishermen, one side of the boat was no different to the other.

 Peter and some of the disciples had been out on a fishing trip and they had caught nothing. All night they had toiled and they were tired, frustrated and hungry. Suddenly, a chap on the shore line was shouting to them, telling them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. They were tired so they obeyed, the result being they had a mega catch of fish. Peter looked at the man again and realising that it was Jesus having what looked like a barbecue, ran through the water to Him.

 Now notice something here; Peter wasn't troubled to change things. He didn't struggle with that. We all have our own ways of doing things and sometimes we struggle to change this when someone else suggests we do it another way. At times, we know best, but that isn't always the case, and Peter realised this.

 Many times, God will use other people to show us there is a better way. We should always be open to this and listen and weigh it all up. They may just be right. Don't forget at this moment none of the disciples knew it was Jesus. To them, it was just someone walking along the shore. Peter could have thought, 'What does he know?' He would then have missed an amazing catch of fish and an amazing time with Jesus - where he was restored, blessed and commissioned.

 The next time things are not going as well as you would hope and someone offers advice that is alien to your norm, stop and consider it very closely. It may be Jesus showing you the right side of things - the right way to go.

 Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

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Sunday, 12 April 2020

He's alive again

"But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away - for it was very large."                                                              Mark 16:4.  NKJV

 Back in the 80's, there was an amazing Christian song, written and recorded by Phil Driscoll. It told the Easter story very well. The verse went:
'He's alive again, the stone's been rolled away, 
He's alive again, He's no longer where He lay,
He's alive again, you can hear the angels say,
Let all the world rejoice, He's alive!'
                               
                                                  Phil Driscoll

The song lifted everyone's spirit and made them feel alive. And that's exactly how Jesus wants you to feel today. It's been a tough year up to now and it's only mid April. We had the ongoing saga of Brexit and that became quite depressing in itself. Now, we have this awful plague - the Coronavirus, that is killing people worldwide.

Watch this, if Jesus beat death, He can beat Covid 19. If he rose from the dead, He can put the Coronavirus into the grave, never to rise up again. Jesus will not let us down; but we have to trust in Him - totally.

The stone that blocked the entrance to where Jesus lay, was extremely large and must have also been, very heavy. It would have taken some moving. It was a mountain. That large stone can be imagined as the Coronavirus itself and the only one who can roll it away, is Jesus. He's good at rolling stones away.

For the stone to be rolled away, we as believers in Jesus Christ must offer this stone to Jesus. As we pray believing, speak to this mountain that it be removed and cast into the sea. Don't doubt for a moment but believe that what we have said, will be done and we will have it.
Therefore, ask Jesus to roll that stone away; believe that He has done this and it will be done. (Mark 11:22-24)

Jesus is greater than the Coronavirus. That stone has been rolled away. Believe and receive it and you will have it. Why? Because we serve a God who is alive! He has conquered death!


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Saturday, 11 April 2020

Have you blown it?

"A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, 'Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.' And when he thought about it, he wept."                   
                                                                               Mark 14:72.  NKJV

 Like you, I've read this piece of scripture hundreds of times over the years, but I've just realised something new about it. Jesus never said to Peter, 'and I'll never forgive you.' He never said anything like that at all. 

 We often hear in the world, people say to others, 'If you do that, and it goes wrong, don't come running to me.' But Jesus never said anything like that at all. There was not the slightest hint that Peter would lose his place with Jesus, or not be forgiven. Jesus didn't have to say that, Peter was suffering as it was. He realised what he had done.

 Remember The Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32? He left his father with his inheritance and squandered it having a good time in the world. When it all went pear-shaped, he went home. Note how the father reacted. He didn't have a go at time, telling him all that he had done wrong and how he had let the family down. No; he saw him from a distance - because he had been waiting and watching for him, and then he ran and threw his arms around him, kissed him and then arranged a great party.
That is the heart of our Father. Jesus has paved the way for us to return to the Father and be forgiven. Peter thought it was all over; but he was wrong. When Jesus was resurrected, He restored Peter and forgave him.

 And He will you too. He will never point the finger at you. You may blow it a thousand times but as you ask Jesus to forgive you, He will show you His grace and throw His arms around you. 
You are His. You belong to Him and Jesus can't stop Himself from showing you His love and favour and also restoring you back to your rightful place.

 If you think you've blown it, talk to Jesus about it and you'll find that for this very purpose He hung on that cross and died for you!

 Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard






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Friday, 10 April 2020

It is Finished

"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished.' And bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit.'            John 19:30.  (Please read John 18:19-19:30)

 Jesus had to stand before the high priest and be questioned. At one stage, one of the officers, slapped Him across the face, falsely accusing Him of being rude. (18:22)

 Pilate was at a loss. As he questioned Jesus, He told the crowd, three times, that he found no fault in Him (18:38, 19:4, and 19:6). He would have set Him free but the crowd were going crazy shouting, 'Crucify Him, Crucify Him.' At one stage, he was frightened that Caesar would find out about all of this scandal of a false king in the land, and to save his position and possibly his life, he agreed and Jesus was led away to be scourged.

 To be scourged was to to be whipped or beaten with rods many, many times. The whip, which was used on Jesus, would have had several leather strands which were inlaid with pieces of bone and sharp, jagged metal, and as this was applied to the body, would wrap around the torso and then was savagely dragged back, ripping open the skin. After many of these blows, the flesh was just a mass of deep open wounds, bleeding profusely. Jesus suffered this for us.

 Next a crown of thorns was woven and forced on His head. The thorns in this region were very long and sharp and as they were forced on to Jesus' head, would have ripped into His skull, the pain being terrible. A purple gown was placed on Jesus. The significance of this was that, purple cloth used expensive dyes and was often worn by kings. The soldiers mocked Him, spat on Him and beat Him, all the time humiliating Him with their taunts.

 Jesus then had to carry His own cross on His back, to the place of His execution. Imagine the pain on His back. Just a splinter to us can be painful and stop us from doing some things. The nails that were used for the crucifixion were around eight to nine inches long and securely fastened a person to this cross, the pain of the nails going through Jesus' body is unthinkable. There was also a horn placed between His thighs, the purpose being to prevent the body slipping down with the weight and ripping the whole of the arms and legs.

 Jesus endured this agony for each one of us. Words fail how painful and humiliating the execution would have been. He was God's Son and could have called a legion of angels to set Him free; but He didn't. You and I, together with the whole human race, were too precious. His dying meant He had taken our sin on Himself - He had paid the price for us, so that we, on confession of Him and asking Him to forgive us and be our Lord and Saviour, may be forgiven and have eternal life.

 The very last words that Jesus spoke were, 'It is finished.' (19.30). He had achieved His goal. He had overcome sin. He had shown the devil who is boss. He had taken back what Adam had lost in the Garden of Eden. He had declared that through His death on the cross, we could approach the Throne of God with confidence, as our Father. As we asked Jesus to forgive us and be our Saviour we could walk with Him eternally.

 Just an extra thought. If Jesus said, 'It is finished.' If He died for our sins and by His stripes we have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24,) then surely, as we pray about the Coronavirus Pandemic, we can declare:

 'Jesus, You said "It is finished," our sins and sicknesses have been healed. Therefore, we declare in Jesus' Name that the Coronavirus is finished too. Amen!'

 Give Jesus a shout and Praise Him. Ask Jesus into your life today, if you haven't already. HE DIED FOR YOU!

 Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard






















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Thursday, 9 April 2020

The Day before the Day

"Father if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will but Yours be done.   (Verse 42)                                      Luke 22:1-53.  NKJV

 They call it Maundy Thursday, a day that commemorates The Lord's Supper - the last meal that Jesus had with His disciples. It was also the day when, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for the sake of money. It is difficult to imagine that anyone who walked around with Jesus, witnessing His love and the incredible miracles, could ever turn against Jesus in such a way. But he did, and we should always be aware that not everyone who claims to walk with God, are genuine. Over the years, such people have split churches, marriages and ruined ministries. This is why Peter said in 1 Peter 5:8, Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.' This is not said in order to make people paranoid, not at all, but in order for people to be alert and on guard.

 After the supper and after Jesus had washed the disciples feet - including Judas', which really shows us Jesus' heart, to wash the feet of someone He knew was going to betray Him, Jesus led them to Gethsemane so they could pray in the garden.

 The anguish that Jesus suffered here is so evident. His disciples couldn't stay awake to support Him even though He had asked them to. Furthermore, He urgently asked His Father if He had to do this or was there another way. The pressure on Him was so enormous that an angel appeared from heaven to strengthen Him. Take a look at  verse 44:

 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.'

 It may have been that Jesus was sweating profusely that it fell like drops of blood. However, there have been occurrences of traces of blood in people's sweat in times of great anguish.

 Whatever was happening here, Jesus was in anguish. And then to top it all up, as they were leaving the garden, a multitude approached and Judas came up to Jesus and kissed Him - a sign that this was their man. The betrayal was complete. Jesus was arrested on trumped up charges and taken to the high priest's house for questioning.

 When you think that you're having a bad day, consider what Jesus went through for each one of us. The anguish, the hurt of being betrayed, the false arrest and this was only the beginning. There was much more to come.

 Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard









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