Ask and Receive

"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."

                                                                                                             John 14:13-14.  NKJV

If ever there was a contentious subject in the bible, then it is this one: 'If you ask - I will do.' All over the place, Christian people knock the subject of prosperity. Prosperity preachers are strongly criticised because they preach what they believe. Yes, it's true that some TV preachers are regularly asking that people send them money, but it is a limited few. Many other respected preachers are totally into sowing and reaping and they want others to reap too. Like them or loathe them, they preach the Word of God and really that's all that matters. The Apostle Paul addressed this in Philippians 1:12-18, when preachers were accused of preaching for gain. Paraphrased, he is saying, 'Whatever, as long as Christ is preached and souls are saved, that is all that matters.'

We can't get away from the fact that Jesus, in His statement above, used the words, 'Whatever' and 'Anything.' What is there not to understand about His statement. He was - and still is - encouraging people to live by faith, in fact, 'Walk by faith, not by sight'. 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Jesus gave us a promise to honour our faith. He was saying, 'Whatever you ask, I'll give it to you.' This was about more than money - which seems to be the first thing that comes into some people's minds when they read this. Some people need healing, so ask Him and He'll do it. Just take a look in Mark 5 where we see the woman with the issue of blood and the Nobleman's daughter, both healed because of their faith. Then there is the example of Bartimaus, who asked for his sight to be restored, and it was.

As long as we're walking in faith with Jesus, and living our lives as an example of our Christianity, then we can ask Jesus for, 'Whatever' or 'Anything', and He will do it. He's not a Father Christmas figure however, giving presents out to people everywhere. No, He is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, who wants to bless His children - abundantly. John 10:10.

But we have got to watch the doubt. There is nothing more efficient at cancelling out faith than doubt. Just a mention of, 'Hopefully, God will answer my prayer', or 'I don't suppose anything will happen but it's worth a try.' are an example. Statements such as these can close faith's doors immediately.

So walk by faith, not by sight. Believe you'll receive what you ask for and keep on praising the one who loves you - Jesus!

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

A Decision needs to be made Part 2

"Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you."

                                                                                                      Psalm 32:9    NKJV

Yesterday, we looked at the ability to be able to make good decisions for ourselves. Let us take this a little further.

Horses and mules need expert training before they can be of any particular use to someone. Initially, they can be very stubborn, especially the mule or donkey. If they don't wish to obey then this causes a problem. Therefore, they need to be rein-trained, where a bit is placed in their mouth, attached to a bridle. In this way, the trainer encourages them to move their heads and body in the right directions. They can be very stubborn and require expert handling in order to control them because they can't do this themselves. So in other words, they have to be kept in line.

In a similar manner, we need God's help to keep us in line. It's so easy for us to veer off to the left or the right, getting ourselves into all kinds of scrapes. Decisions need to be made; we either want to do things God's way or we don't. When God tells us to do a particular thing, He expects us to do it. We have a choice, yes, but God will win in the end. Take a look at Jonah. God told him to go and preach in the City of Ninevah - a mighty task. Jonah however, decided against this and set off to Tarshish. But God had His way and through a series of problems, Jonah eventually  carried out God's wishes - albeit reluctantly.

As stubborn and untrained horses need to be guided by a bit and bridle, we need to be led by The Holy Spirit, in order to carry out His wishes. Whenever we refuse to submit to the Lord's commands, He could choose to guide us to carry out His will through adversity, such as He did with Jonah; and this would be painful.

We have decisions to make. We signed up to serve in God's Army. We're on active service and Jesus is our Commanding Officer. We therefore have very little to kick against. We said, 'Yes', to Jesus and He enrolled us in His Elite. So we made the initial decision to serve Him but there will be many other decisions we will have to make to fulfil His Kingdom business.

There's a saying between regular soldiers, 'If you can't take the flak, then you shouldn't have joined up.' Although this may sound harsh, it's true. We made the decision to follow Jesus, so let's get on with the task with Jesus guiding and leading the way!

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

DAILY BIBLE COMMENTARY

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A Decision needs to be made

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will guide you with My eye."

                                                                                                               Psalm 32:8.  NKJV

Today, someone needs to make a decision and it's quite a big one - one that has the ability to change the direction of your life. If that is you, what decision will you make?

Some people want others to make the decisions for them, it's easier that way. Really though, this is a form of denial and a lack of responsibility. It may have been this way the whole of the person's life. In Transactional Analysis, the person who wants others to make decisions for them, fits into the Child Ego State. In this state, behaviours, thoughts and feelings are replayed from childhood. A parent or other responsible person, has always made the decisions and this has taken the responsibility from the person's shoulders. However, there comes a time - and that may be now - when transfer to the Adult Ego state is needed, so that the person learns to make their own decisions. This may not be easy at first, but it is essential to sound living. The majority of people struggle with making the right decision. After-all, it may change the whole course of their life. The choices we make today usually determine where we will be tomorrow. 

So what is the best decision making strategy? Well, for believers, the best way forward is consulting with God. He knows the right way. As the above verse tells us, 'I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with My eye.' This statement, straightaway conveys a message - we have to seek God and ask Him:

'Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and Lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.'   Proverbs 3:5-6

Now if this is you, it is where your faith has to come into affect. Everything we ask God for is a faith request. 'For we walk by faith, not by sight.'  2 Corinthians 5:7. This is the moment when we have to say, 'I trust You Jesus,' and then take the plunge.

For those who are not really used to making decisions, or who may procrastinate, it's time to bite the bullet, stand tall and begin to put your trust in Him. If you're not certain about what you should be doing, don't rush into things. Instead, ask God to close the door if it is not His will for you. But do make the decision one way or the other.

Charles F Stanley says:

'If you want your life to be the very best it can be, you must put your full faith in God - rejecting your own limited perspective and honouring Him in every area of your life. This is the heart of Godly living - you must submit to the Lord's direction, knowing that He has the answer to your every need and is faithful to provide it.'  Philippians 4:19.

So make it a priority to talk with God about this and allow Him to help you make a good decision.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

Trees of Righteousness

"That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."                                                                                 Isaiah 61:3. NKJV 

As we submit more and more to God, getting into His Word and attempting to walk closer to Him each day, we prosper. The main part of His prosperity can be found in Psalm 1:1-3:

'Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; (2) but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. (3) He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.'

Again in Joshua 1:8 we read:

'This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then YOU will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success.'

The results of submission to God - reading His Word and meditating on it until it flows out of your lives, are evident here. We become prosperous in it. It is down to us because it is us that produces this. God sees the seed we are sowing and He turns us into trees of righteousness - a planting of the LORD - by Yahweh Himself. The New Living Translation quotes Isaiah 61:3 as: 

'In their righteousness they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own glory.'

Note it is God who does the planting here. He sees that we mean business for Him; He notices the dedication and submission to Him and He honours us. From thereon, our prosperity in all things can multiply.

An Oak tree is a very sturdy and strong tree. It attracts all kinds of interest - people love its beauty and wildlife inhabits the mighty branches. Squirrels love the acorns it produces, Sparrowhawks, Buzzards, Owls and other type of birds love the secrecy of its perches. It is an attractive part of our natural world. It draws people to it.

Do you get the picture here? It attracts interest. This is what trees of righteousness do; and God wants you to be one, if you're not already. It takes submission and a complete change of life as we know it, but it is totally life-changing to live this way. 

Why not allow God to get His spade out and do another planting, today!

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

Trials and Tribulations

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, (7) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ."                   1 Peter 1:6-7.  NKJV

Often we are tempted to ask, 'Why?' when we are undergoing problems, trials and upsets. It is not easy for anyone. Some people tell us that God stretches our faith at these time to see how we handle the situation. From these two verses that seems the case. God wants the genuineness  of our faith to reign so that as we go through this period, we are still able to praise and rejoice in Him. Craig W Hagin says, 'No matter what, I am still happy, because God is on the Throne and He has things in control.'

Let's face it, how would we ever learn to trust God if we never experienced times where we know that He's the only one that can help us? He wants all of the impurities to bubble to the surface as He refines us, so that we have a solid confidence in Him - whatever we go through.

The key to finding the ability to rejoice in trials, can be found in James 1:2-3, 'My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.'  

The key to finding joy in adversity, is where we place our focus. If we focus on the trial, we'll be discouraged. If we focus on Jesus, we have access to joy because we know God will help us through the trial.

God wants to teach us not to react to trials emotionally but to respond with faith in His perfect provision. When we do this, we can endure anything because our character is strengthened and our focus is on Him, not the circumstances. 

Whatever situation you are in, God sees it differently. Check out theses amazing verses:

'The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor, He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. (2) To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD and the day of vengeance  of our God; to comfort all who mourn. (3) To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.'   Isaiah 61:1-3   NKJV

There's always a way through with Jesus!

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

God is your supplier. Part 3 and this includes the end of Coronavirus

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (2) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God in Him I will trust."                                                                                         Psalm 91:1-2.  NKJV

The term, 'Most High', here is Shaddai - Elyon and Almighty is Elohim - The Sublime God. In verse 9 of this Psalm, we see the term the LORD which is Jehovah or Yahweh which is the personal name of God. Again, like yesterday's study in Philippians 2:8-11, we see the Name above all names, our refuge and our King. The Living Bible actually states this: 'For Jehovah is my refuge! I choose the God above all gods to shelter me.' Psalm 91:9 Living Bible.

Did you see that? The God above all gods, Jehovah, Yahweh, Most High, Almighty is there for us to choose Him to take care of us. But we must choose Him!

When things all around us are bleak, when they're crowding us in with stressful areas, sickness, troubles and all other nasty things, God can be relied on to take us to a place of safety - under the shadow of the Most High (v1)

At this time, the world has many fears, and possibly the most prevalent one, is Covid 19. This plague, because that is what it is, has killed very many people throughout our world and people are living in fear that there may be another wave which will attack us again. Let us stop right there for a moment! Check out these verses from this Psalm:

'Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the perilous pestilence' v3

Again in v 9-10:

'Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, (10) No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.'

This could'nt be any more clearer, there's a pestilence around the world. It's a plague by the name of Coronavirus or Covid 19; but it is a name and subject to the Name above all names - Jesus Christ of Nazareth - God Himself, our refuge and place of safety.

We should be wise about this plague though, taking all the precautions that are directed by the various governments. However, we are not to be fearful. It is defeated! This plague is in the grave, defeated by the Name above all names.

Who's going to shout Amen first here? Your supplier has even supplied healing by His stripes and when you read Psalm 91, you will see He was prepared for it, many years ago.

Relax and praise God.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com