There's no need to be scared

"It is I, do not be afraid"                                                   John 6:15-21.  NKJV

Following the miraculous feeding of the Five Thousand, the people were in awe of Jesus. They wanted Him as their king to prevent Roman oppression such as there was in Judea under Herod. They wanted to force this issue; to manipulate Jesus with kind words, but Jesus was having nothing to do with it. He knew it was a temptation from the devil to make Him king. Jesus knew that He would eventually be the King of all kings and wasn't going to manipulated into the schemings of the evil one.

Instead, He went to Hs secret, solitary place - the mountain, as we discussed the other day. He knew He could find solace and strength there. He knew that He could seek His Father's advice, direction and comfort. This is why the secret place is so important to each of us. We need it. 

Later, Jesus walked on the water to be with His disciples. He had heard their panic - their cries for help when they were in the turbulent water, and He was there to help them. 'It is I, do not be afraid' He told them and all was peaceful. Several things come to mind here:

(1) Watch the flattery; the words that can seduce you into doing what you shouldn't do - to jump the gun, dashing into something that seems so right for you, but really, is a counterfeit experience from the evil one.

(2) Remember the importance of your secret place - the place you go for your quiet time with Jesus. It is vital to do this. This is why Jesus went there and He knows far better than us.

(3) There is no need to be afraid at all. Fear is from the evil one and the opposite of faith. Fear can keep you rooted to the spot, afraid to take a step forward. It robs you of all Jesus has for you. Take His words to heart, 'It is I; do not be afraid.'

There was a mighty miracle that day. The disciples had feared drowning, they were losing control of their boat. They were possibly only halfway to their destination when this happened, fighting against the wind and making little progress. Then Jesus turned up and they invited Him into the boat and, immediately, they were at dry land. It was miraculous. Certain death and devastation was over-ruled when they invited Jesus into their situation. Did you get this? Certain death and devastation was over-ruled when they invited Jesus into their situation. 

Do this for yourself and expect a miracle!

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

 

The Hypocrite

(1) Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees - their hypocrisy. (2) The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed and all that is secret will be made known to all. (3) Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear."

                                                                                               Luke 12:1-3. New Living Translation

Very strong and attention-getting words from Jesus! Words that make us look within ourselves and check out what we have been saying and how we act.

William Barclay commenting on this passage said:

'The original Jewish meaning of the word hypocrite began by meaning someone who answers. Hypocrisy originally meant answering. First the words were used of the ordinary flow of question and answer in any talk or dialogue. Then they began to be connected with question and answer in a play. From that, they went on to be connected with acting a part. The hypocrite is never genuine but is always play-acting. The basis of hypocrisy is insincerity.'

                                                                     William Barclay - The Gospel of Luke

Food for thought isn't it? So the root of hypocrisy is insincerity - it is play-acting or living a lie. The hypocrite - which we can all be at times - seeks success and the attention of others. The hypocrite lives such a life that condemns certain sinful practices, that they may be involved with themselves - but in secret.

Over the years, several well-known preachers have had their sinfulness revealed - the very sin that they had been preaching against. The hypocrite can hide their lifestyle from other people but they cannot hide it from God. He may well reveal it at sometime.

This is strong stuff, but let us look at the 'play-acting' side of things. We've all done this from time to time - copying that special hero type figure. There was a film some time ago about a chap called Walter Mitty, which was about a daydreamer who used fantasy to give himself escape from his humdrum life. He would imagine he was a war-time pilot; an imminent surgeon or a successful spy, just to make his life more exciting. The problem was, he always had to come back to reality.

The bottom line? You may have been hypocritical on occasions, leading people to think of you, what you are not. Repent. God is very forgiving. You may also be the 'Walter Mitty' type, imagining yourself in that next blockbuster assignment. Just stop there and be yourself. God knows you as yourself, not as some fantasy hero. Just be you. He likes that.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

He always give us the best

"Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now."

                                                                                                   John 2:10.  NKJV

Wherever Jesus goes, He brings quality into a person's life - He turns water in wine. He doesn't just keep the best until last, He turns the last into best!

Many people today are classed as outcasts. They have nothing of any value. Life has kicked them into the gutter. However, like a roadsweeper brushes the debris from the road, Jesus sweeps the downtrodden up and turns them into a brand new person. People who felt that they were a nobody, become a somebody.

Life can be cruel at times. One moment someone can be a high-flyer, the next a bankrupted reject. But Jesus picks up rejects, dusts them down and puts them onto a new path.

You may have made a few mistakes. As the saying goes, you may be, 'down on your luck'. The thing is, luck has nothing to do with it. Life is usually affected by choices that we make and you may have made some bad ones. If you have, chances are they can't be changed and you have to live with the outcome. However, your success can be re-invented as you re-channel it into Jesus. He turned water into wine. Therefore, He can turn your failure or bad decision into a new success. In fact, your success can be on the horizon as He puts you into a place of quality. Things may have taken a tumble in your life and you may have been left as the last in the race of successful people. Relax and turn to Jesus and as you do, He will show you that He takes the last and turns them into the best.

You are accepted; loved and restored as you 'look unto Him - Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith.' (Hebrews 12:2). He will raise you back into your rightful place. Talk to Him now:

'Lord Jesus, I turn to You right now and ask You to help me. I've made some mistakes. Please repair the damage Lord and restore me. In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

Do you know the password?

"Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in."  v7                                                                       Psalm 24.  NKJV

In this incredible day of technology, we have passwords for everything; in fact, so many that most of us forget them. But they are vital for opening doors online and in buildings. We can do very little without them.
Really, it was no different in David's day. David wrote Psalm 24 signifying the return of the ark of the covenant from the Philistines back into the Israelites hands. (2 Samuel 6:11-18). It assumes that when a king approached the gates of a city, a voice would cry out, 'Open the gates.' From inside, a voice would reply, 'Who is there?' The answer would be, 'It is the king'. The doors would  then open.

The term, 'the King of Glory shall come in.' (v7) was fulfilled when:
(1) The ark of the Covenant returned to the Israelites.
(2) When Jesus ascended into Heaven. (Acts 1:9-10)
(3) And when an individual's heart opens to Jesus as King

When God is welcomed with open gates and doors, He is pleased to come in. When we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. (James 4:8) But this is where the password comes in - Jesus. He is the password; He has the key to Heaven. We'll never make it without the key; we'll never make it if we neglect the password. The question may be asked, 'Who is this King of Glory? Our answer must be Jesus.

But we need to clean up our act. We need to change things we know are not fit in the Kingdom of God. 'What things?' You may ask. The things that make us feel overwhelmed with guilt when we've done or said something we know is wrong. V3-5 says:

'Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? (4) He who has clean hands and a pure heart. Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol. Nor sworn deceitfully (5) He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of His salvation.'

It is clean up time. A time for refining our walk with Jesus. We have the password and we have His invitation. When we stand before a king, wouldn't we usually clean up our act? For Jesus, we need to!

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

A Solitary, Secret Place

"Now, in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed."

                                                                                                    Mark 1:35.  NKJV

Jesus knew that He couldn't live or even function properly without God. If He were to keep giving out to people - people who followed Him everywhere - then he needed to be taking in what God had for Him. He knew He couldn't function without prayer. Is this is what is happening to you - you're giving out to the demands of people, whether it's family or others, and they're draining you? Then you need to visit your solitary place.

What is a solitary place? Well it's somewhere that is deserted, somewhere you can be alone with God. It's remote and secluded. It's your secret place.

Bob Gass says, 'The secret place is where God is. It can be anywhere but must be somewhere. It can be anytime but must be a set time.'

In other words, your secret place is where you need to go each day to be alone with God. You need to pray and listen; you need guidance and strength. Someone once said, 'Don't neglect prayer and time with God - seven prayer-less days make one weak.' And it's true. If Jesus needed to pray and seek God, we most definitely do.

Jesus made a point of going to His secret place. It was His priority and the same should be true for us too. Really, we should never go a day without reading our bibles, praising and praying and seeking His guidance and help for the day. Dashing into the day without first spending time with Him is like jumping into a hot bath without first testing the water. You may get burnt. Everywhere we go, everywhere we look, there is strife and pressure; people demanding our time and attention. You cannot do it alone.

You may say, you haven't the time to do this, there are places to go, things to do. Listen, you could never be as busy as Jesus was - never! He found a way by getting up early when it was still dark and going to His secret place. It takes discipline to do this but it is most important. In fact, it can save you much heartache and anguish; many failures and disappointments.

Find a place that is yours. I'm not on about going out and climbing a mountain. It can be a bedroom, kitchen, shed or car. You name it. But mornings are more popular because not many people like to get up early. Therefore, you're probably sure to be alone. Find your solitary, secret place and visit it every day.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

Be Obedient!

"(5) Whatever He says to you, do it!"                                        John 2:1-11.  NKJV

This really was a profound statement that Mary made to the servants. If only, we would abide by this, we would rarely have any problems. Life would be peaceful. Sadly, it's not this way; we as human beings, have minds that occasionally can be stubborn, rebellious and totally of the flesh.

Jesus, His mother Mary and the disciples, had been invited to a wedding in Cana. We don't really know where Joseph was, but he may have died by this time. This would have left Jesus as the bread winner, supporting His mother and siblings, until they in turn, were able to support the family.

Mary knew her son Jesus, but would have been perplexed at times because of who He was. Whenever, something went wrong, she would instinctively turn to Him for help and this was what was happening here. It would have been socially disastrous for the bridegroom that the feast had run out of wine, and so, she turned to Jesus for help. He appeared to refuse her request initially, but Mary believed in Him. This was why she spoke to the servants with, 'Whatever He says to you, do it!' She didn't know what Jesus would do but she was sure He would do the right thing and save the day.

And this is the same for us. We plead with Him to help and nothing appears to happen. But we can be sure that something will. He will do the right thing; He will save the day. We must though, stick to what He says, it is so important. Whatever He tells us to do, we must do it; and do it exactly the way He tells us. Moses found this out to his peril. God had told him to speak to the rock so it would yield water. However, because of his anger and frustration with the people, he struck the rock twice with his rod and this disobedience cost him from going across to the Promised Land. (Numbers 17:8-12)

It is so important to get close to God and listen carefully to what He is telling you. Don't be distracted by people saying you have got it wrong. If God has told you to do a particular thing, then do it.

So therefore, what is God saying to you today? You may not feel it is significant but if He has told you to do a certain thing, it would be wise to get on and do it.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

Watch your Reactions

"(19) So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, (20) for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

                                                                                                       James 1:19-20.  NKJV 

Think back to a recent time, when you had a 'few words' with your spouse, family member, friend or even someone in the street, or from the inside of your car. How did you react? Was it a heated conversation, one in which, words were spoken that you now regret? 

The things we say can be like a tranquil lake - peaceful waters, or they can be like a tempest - raging waters. It is controlled by the way we react to given situations. A quick glance at a very basic Cognitive Behavioural Therapy chart, may give a useful example. A Daily Record of Automatic thoughts goes like this.

SITUATION - EMOTION - AUTOMATIC THOUGHT - RATIONAL RESPONSE - OUTCOME.

We have a situation and this may causes an emotion. This may be anger, fear, suspicion etc. An automatic thought can then pop into our mind and this may not be obvious at the time. This thought however, can lead us to the response, which may be negative, the outcome can then be a major incident. For example:

SITUATION Someone pushes against you in the street that knocks you off balance

EMOTION   The emotion may be anger

AUTOMATIC THOUGHT 'Who does he/she think they are - I'll sort him/her out

RESPONSE  Altercation

OUTCOME  Fight/argument/arrest and later regret and guilt

If we identify and examine our automatic thought, we may be able to look at the alternative, 'It was only an accident, not intentional'

RATIONAL RESPONSE Apology - peace

This is only a very basic look at CBT but it can be useful in identifying where we went wrong as we play the video back in our mind. We may not be able to do this at the time, but practicing this can help for future events.

It can run in line with the higher way - our text today: 'Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.' We need to hear or assess the situation quickly i.e. 'What is happening here?' Then zip the lip - watch what comes out of your mouth. If your words are negative and threatening, this can lead to wrath - anger. Once this has happened, we can be compromised in our Christian walk. We let ourselves down big time and our negative words and actions are difficult to airbrush out of the picture we have painted.

Regret and guilt help to drag us down and the devil has a heyday. It is far better to train our minds to be in control of each and every situation.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com