This is a blog that centres on Jesus Christ - my Lord and Saviour. My aim is to describe how He has helped over the years, together with offering daily teaching and encouragement
Tuesday, 21 July 2020
Monday, 20 July 2020
Your Faith
"Daughter your faith has made you well - Do not be afraid, only believe' Verses 34 & 36
Mark 5:21-43. NKJV
I want us to look at two things that were happening here. The woman had been ill for twelve years or so and needed healing to survive. Jairus begged Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter. Both used faith statements. Jairus said, 'My daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay hands on her that she may be healed and she will live' v23. The woman said, 'If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.' v28. They didn't use phrases such as, 'Hopefully she will be healed and live,' or 'If I can touch His clothes, I might get well.' No, they were certain about their statements. They were in faith, so they went to Him.
There's a lesson here, we don't always have to go to a pastor or elder to receive healing, we can, and should, go straight to Jesus. Obviously, if we are at church and there is a call for people to come and be healed, then it may be appropriate to go forward. Other than that, if you're sick you don't have to ring for people to pray - although that is always helpful. But you can just speak to Jesus and tell Him what you need and receive it.
Check out what Jesus said here, 'Daughter your faith has made you well,' and 'Do not be afraid, only believe.' He didn't say, 'go to church and get the pastor to lay hands on you and you should be ok.' You may say, it says in James 5:14-15, to call for the elders of the church to pray for anyone who is sick, and that is correct, but as I've mentioned earlier, that is usually in a church setting, although some may prefer to do this and that is ok.
What Jesus said here, complimented their faith and is very similar to what the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 3:20: 'Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us'. Underline in your bible the 'According to the power that works in us'. It is kindling that power - Jesus - within us, reading His Word, praying, walking daily with Him in such a way that this power manifests a strong faith within us. This is why Paul said, According to'. It is up to us to live in such a way that the power of Jesus is manifest all the time within us, wherever we go. It is living the life, not just once a week but every moment of everyday.
When we can live in such a way as this, wherever we go, Jesus will be seen within us. Demons will tremble at our presence; people will be saved and healed, lives will be changed. The world needs a shake up, it needs Jesus. We have the power of Christ within us; don't let us ever hide that Light under a bushel. These are not pipe-dreamed words, they are the Words of God!
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
Sunday, 19 July 2020
Lessons from the Prodigal Part 4
"But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him." v30 Luke 15:11-32. NKJV
There is always someone who will burst the bubble. The older son displayed anger, resentment and bad feeling towards his father and his brother. He had a Pharisaical attitude - one of unforgiveness, judgementalism, hostility and a total lack of grace. Just by his words, 'this son of yours', it shows how he felt about the situation. There was no compassion, no respect, no joy that his younger brother was safe and now at home. Just a sulking hostility.
To a degree, one can understand how he felt. He had remained faithful to his father and the work and had witnessed his brother with a, 'want, want, want,' attitude, pressuring his father for the inheritance. However, he was totally out of line with his attitude, which must have put a dampener on the celebrations. One thing this whole example shows us, is the love of the Father. His joy and compassion know no end. . He lavishes us with good things - abundantly. (John 10:10b). Everything that He does for us we don't deserve but we get it anyway. Each new morning is a fresh start with Him. (Lamentations 3:22-23) In fact, as Jeremy Pearsons says, 'My mistakes may be great but His faithfulness is greater.'
God's mercies are never-ending. The Hebrew word for mercies is hesed and it can be translated as 'Covenant Love or Steadfast Love'. It is linked with compassion, truth, faithfulness and goodness. With God hesed will always remain and be available to us.
Don't allow a bad attitude to ever enter your existence. Refuse to harbour a grudge against anyone. The devil may try to convince you that you are right to feel this way, but who do you follow - Jesus or him? Yes that's right, it's Jesus so act like Jesus would.
We're only human and God knows this and often we are tempted to have a good old moan and criticise session. But is it worth losing the joy, peace and hesed that God offers each day? Let God deal with the difficult person, He's pretty good at doing that. You just focus on the greatest thing that has ever happened to you. His Name is Jesus!
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
Saturday, 18 July 2020
Lessons from the Prodigal Part 3
"But when He was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him." v20 Luke 15:11-32. NKJV
Just focus on this verse for a moment. While the Prodigal was deciding that he would go back home, his father was waiting and looking for him. He was not going to give up hope. He expected his son to return and was so excited about it. The Prodigal had come to his senses and had seen that the grass is not always greener on the other side. He had rehearsed what he wanted to say but, as his father ran up and kissed him, he didn't have the opportunity to say it all, because the father was busy arranging a celebratory party.
This is how it is when we return to Our Father. We may have drifted away for some reason, but He stands there watching and waiting, never for one moment doubting your return.
Think back to the days when you didn't walk with Jesus; those days when you lived for yourself. You may have been happy to a degree but there was always something missing. Whatever was happening in your life at that time, Our Father was watching. He saw the hurt and possible abuse. He saw that broken relationship and the way you were ripped off by society. He was watching when a drug dealer was trying to supply you with something. Some of you may have taken this offer - the Father saw this and His heart was breaking. 'COME BACK TO ME - COME TO ME,' He was shouting but through all your pain and problems you never heard, or if you did, ignored the voice.
But the Father still waited; He still watched in hope that you would return to Him. To you, God was very far away, but actually, He was standing right beside you. Can't you remember the times when you felt someone or something drawing you in. It was a nice, warm feeling if you remember; a feeling of hope. It was God. Some of you said, 'Yes', to Him and Jesus flooded your heart - changed your lives, and even though the road has been a bumpy one at times, it has been so worth it. When you accepted Him, He showered you with His love and compassion and even threw a party. The whole of Heaven rejoiced.
There are still many others He is hoping will come to Him. He's watching and waiting. If that's you, come home, the Father is preparing a party for you. Just say, 'Yes Jesus, I return to You, forgive me. I am yours.'
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
Friday, 17 July 2020
Lessons from the Prodigal Part 2
"I will arise and go to my father and will say, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you." v18 Luke 15:11-32 NKJV
The Prodigal had hit rock bottom. Nothing he did was right and he was penniless, broken, miserable and unloved. It's at times like this when we realise that we've done things wrong and we don't know what to do to put things right. The answer is staring us in the face - prayer - but sometimes it's the last resort because we don't want to admit that we got it wrong.
The Prodigal realised he had got it wrong and was fed up eating pig food. He was lonely and hungry and that day he made probably the wisest choice that he had ever made - he would return to his father, repent and ask him if he would allow him to be one of his servants.
Admitting we got it wrong can be difficult. We have to face all of the, 'I told you so's' and 'If you had only listened, but no, you know best.' We have to humble ourselves; get rid of the pride and be ready to take all of the ridicule on the chin. It's not easy but it can be life-changing.
Elton John wrote a song entitled, 'Sorry, seems to be the hardest word,' and it's so true. It takes grit to admit when you're in the wrong. Married couples can struggle in this area quite a lot. One partner may be quick to admit they were wrong and say they are sorry. The other partner may not be so willing to give in for hours or possibly weeks, inwardly fuming until they calm down and accept the apology. The 'sorry' word seems to stick in our mouths.
When we accept someone's apology, we set two people free - the person and yourself. We daily ask God to forgive us for the wrongs we have committed and expect Him to forgive us. But why should He if we are holding a grudge against someone and won't forgive them. (Mark 11:25-26)
Perhaps things are not going well in your life at the moment. Do you think that you need to go to someone and say you're sorry or, 'I forgive you?' Until you do, things won't change. We have to come to the Father first, He will then do the rest. Until then, there is an impasse; things are going nowhere.
As we shall see tomorrow, things certainly began to improve for the Prodigal as soon as he returned home to his father and apologised. You know they'll change for the better for you as well!
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
Thursday, 16 July 2020
Lessons from the Prodigal Part 1
"Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. So he divided to them his livelihood." v12 Luke 15:11-32. NKJV
At a father's death Jewish Law allotted one-third of the estate to the younger son and two-thirds to the elder. A Jewish father was allowed to put this into operation before his death.
This request by the younger son demonstrated his selfishness and a rebellious attitude. Unlike the elder son, he couldn't wait to leave home and be independent. This can be the hallmark of the young. Some just can't wait to leave and set up home on their own. They think they know best and refuse to listen to reason. However, many adults can fit into this category too. Some have fancy jobs and spend money like it is going out of fashion. Others don't have a job, but still live at a good level living on plastic, getting more and more into debt.
The younger son was no different. He had money which drew many false friends. However, as soon as the money had run out, they didn't want to know. He had joined himself to the wrong Covenant. (v15) He had left the Covenant he had lived with his father and their Godly environment, and had walked into the lion's den which was aimed at ruining his life.
Many people are doing this today! When we become born again, we entered into a blood Covenant with God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit. We were all joined together under the protection and love of this relationship - this Covenant. When we walk away from the Covenant, we take upon ourselves the responsibility to care for ourselves. We become selfish, possibly because we want things NOW! When we do this, we're listening to and being guided by a counterfeit - Satan. He is only too pleased to take us off the narrow path. He'll feed us with lies and false promises that all lead to heartache. Many have left the safety and love of our Covenant relationship with Our Father and have lived in sin, sickness and total regret. Some have even died early.
Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' John 14:6. Have you walked away from Jesus? If not, have you been considering doing this? STOP RIGHT NOW! Is it really worth it? What can be gained by leaving God out of your life? Isn't it time you returned to Him and started living 100% for Him?
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
Tuesday, 14 July 2020
Are you overcoming?
"For whoever is born of God, overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. (5) Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John 5:4-5. NKJV
DL Moody writes:
'Every temptation you overcome makes you stronger to overcome others. And every temptation that defeats you, makes you weaker. You can become weaker and weaker or stronger and stronger. Sin takes the strength out of your vitality, but Godly character makes you stronger. If you're not overcoming temptations, the world is overcoming you.' The Overcoming Life.
Note the phrase, 'Sin takes the strength out of your vitality.' It is true, sin drags a person down; it ages us and brings a fear that one day they may get caught out as God reveals it, whatever sin it may be. Sin is a robber, when we're tempted into this, it robs us of all of our joy, strength and our very integrity. If God was to reveal to the world what we're really like, we would hang our heads in shame. Thank goodness for Jesus who pleads for our very soul and stands in the gap.
This doesn't mean that it's ok. We have to stand up to temptation and say, 'No - never again,' and then by the faith God gave us at the new birth, live the life of an overcomer. It's not easy. We are all guilty of certain things that we do and say, and whatever that is, sin is sin. It can't be measured by thinking it was only a small sin. No, some sins are not worse that others. They are all measured the same.
Be honest, what sin are you falling to on a regular basis? What is robbing you of the blessing God wants to pour upon you? He has so much that He wants to give us but sin prevents Him. What have you been waiting on God for but it has been some time now, and it doesn't look like coming? Could sin be blocking this?
We know deep down when we have hurt God. We carry a never-ending burden of guilt and it won't go away until we have repented. But then, we do it again. God doesn't give up on us; He only sees the best in us. However, the rewards that He has for us are put on hold until we are in a position where the devil can no longer point an accusing finger at us. When we're in that position - and we can be - then the blessing will come zooming our way!
Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard
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