Don't Limit God

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" 

                                                                                                     Philippians 4:19  NKJV

You may be down on your luck at this present time. The Coronavirus has destroyed much of what we have taken for granted all of our lives. Now jobs are shaky, some people are being made redundant; losing their houses and just can't seem to make ends meet anymore. People are living on credit but how long will that last? Nothing in life is certain anymore, it is assumed. Well, let me tell you, Jesus Christ is certain, He never changes and He'll never leave us (Hebrews 13:5+8). 

Don't be distracted by world events no matter how awful they are. Jesus is still in charge. As bad as the situation may be at this moment, He has the answer, in fact, He is the answer. Don't limit Him by thinking small - think big! God is not into negative thinking; let's face it you've done enough of that in the past. It's time to remember the victories you've had in the past; those times when everything appeared lost, and then Jesus turned up. He's still the same. He still wants to help, so stop limiting Him. 

A woman went to Elisha desperate for his help. Her husband had died and she was broke and even the creditors were on their way. (2 Kings 4:1-7). Elisha asked her what she had in the house and all she had was a jar of oil. He told her to borrow as many pots and vessels she could get and pour the oil into them until it ran out. It was only a small jar of oil and seemed unbelievable to fill all of the pots, but it did. Elisha then told her to sell the oil and live on the money. Her need was met in a supernatural way.

Moses was struggling with God's command to go to Pharaoh. God said to him, 'What is that in your hand?' (Exodus 4:2). It was his rod. God told him that by this Pharaoh would know that God had sent him.

Jesus fed the Five Thousand with only five loaves and two fish. As they were placed in Jesus' hands and He offered them to God, they had more than enough.

What do you have that you can dedicate to God? It may not seem like much to you, but if you allow God to use it and work through you, mighty things will be accomplished - supernatural supply. Don't limit God and don't be afraid; believe that He wants to bless you. Get the supernatural faith working. Read, pray and own Mark 11:22-24.

It is time to realise just how much Jesus loves you and how much He wants to bless you too. Give Him what you have, no matter how small and watch how He multiplies your seed. It's Harvest Time!

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

Chunking? Yes, bite size learning approaches

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”               Luke 10:38-42.  ESV 

Check out the words, 'But Martha was distracted with much serving.' Martha was a servant and everything had to be in place and done according to how she liked it. She had a time-table. In fact, she lived life in the fast lane. When we do this, we open the door to stress and possible sickness as we attempt to compete with the time-table that we have put upon ourselves. When we look at all we have to do, it is so easy to flap and become frustrated because no one else understands the pressure that we are under - actually, the pressure that we have put ourselves under.

Martha was very much like this. She was faithful and loved her sister but she couldn't understand why Mary couldn't see the importance of doing things - NOW! Therefore, she asked Jesus to speak with Mary and encourage her to help. She was not expecting the answer she received from Him, however, He identified her anxiety and the trouble this was causing her and others. Mary would have been very willing to help her sister, but, she had prioritised and put Jesus first, which we all should do.

In the pressure moments of this life, do you become stressed when you have a lot of things to do? The problem is, we often view all of our jobs and tasks in one, as if they all have to be done at the same time. Obviously, without help, this is impossible. It is far better to do some chunking.

Wikipedia says this about chunking:

'Bite-sized learning approaches use what cognitive psychologists call chunking to aid retention. This is a strategy of breaking down information into chunks (bite-sized) pieces so that the brain can easily digest it. ... Chunking uses what we know about our brains memory and exploits it.'

It is a psychological process that helps the brain to be able to cope with certain things that come against us. When we have a lot of chores to do, it can be advantageous to break the jobs down into bite size chunks - manageable doses. This helps the brain to process the work in hand and allot time for the tasks i.e. 'this is the task for today, I'll do the other tomorrow'. Chunking can also allow us break down further, the bite size chunk we have allotted, which helps us have more time for the task in hand. 

When we look at it all, are the tasks that are stressing you out, of so much importance that they all need to be done now? It's very doubtful. It is you that have set the priority, not the tasks. It is looking at your tasks in hand and deciding what is the most important. From thereon, a schedule can be created, but one that is flexible if possible. The difference between setting priorities and chunking is that, with the latter, it helps your cognitive skills to kick in and think it through sensibly. If you're the type of person that is prone to getting stressed out by all you have to do, try chunking out. Break the jobs down into bite size chunks and have a stress-free life as Jesus wants you too.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

Two Worlds

"Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."

                                                                                                                  Matthew 6:10.  NKJV

Bill Johnson, a very popular American preacher/teacher, prophet and author, says, 'We need to pray God's world into this world.'

You see, there are two worlds - Heaven being one and then Earth. Therefore, as believers of the Lord Jesus, we need to ensure that we're on Christian business, and we do that by living for Jesus in such a way that we bring Heavenly things into play over Earthly things. This is what our text for today is saying.

This is why many people who met Jesus and spoke with Him, didn't fully comprehend what He was saying. Instead of trying to understand, they accused Him of being a false teacher. Jesus had brought the Kingdom of Heaven to the Earth and therefore, God had become flesh as the Son of God: 'The Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us.' (John 1:14). Again in John 1:11, we read, 'He came to His own and His own did not receive Him.' Jesus the Light, shone in the darkness of the earth and the earth didn't comprehend Him.

So if they found it difficult to accept Jesus, you can bet the same thing will happen to you. If they thought Jesus was weird they'll feel the same way about you. But who cares, they've felt that way about me for years. Let's just get on with it.

With the awareness that we're living in two worlds, we get a deeper understanding. We live on the earth but our citizenship is in Heaven. (Philippians 3:20). We're aliens to this world, so no wonder we don't belong here; no wonder people are embarrassed by our faith and become uppity if we mention Jesus. But as long as we know what world we belong to, we need to use the tools that will help us to do the job.

2 Corinthians 5:7 say, 'We walk by faith, not by sight.' We're not moved by what we see or hear that is contrary to God's Word. We see things through God's eyes. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, 'While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary'. In other words, the things we see are subject to change as we see them through the eyes of faith.

We need to accept that we're different. We may have been born on this earth but when we accepted Jesus, we emigrated to the Heavenly world. We are Kingdom people and as such, we need to pray God's world into this temporary world. We need to pray Heavenly things not earthly; bringing Heavenly things into play in this hostile, earthly world. 

This is the only way things will change.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com       

 

He is our Super-Lifeguard

"The Righteous cry out and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles" 

                                                                                                           Psalm 34:17.  NKJV

A Lifeguard watches on the sea shores and swimming pools to check if anyone is in trouble. If they are, they are rescued and brought to safety. But their guarding is limited. If we are in any other life-threatening position, the Lifeguard is unlikely to come to our rescue. This is where our Super Lifeguard comes into play - Jesus.

Scripture tells us that the LORD - Yahweh Himself, will deliver us out of all of our troubles. What's more, He hears our cries for help as we call out to Him. I remember when I was in hospital 20 years ago. I had had major surgery and was not doing good. I was fading fast and very tired. In my weakness, I whispered to Him, 'Please help me.' He did and there was a massive improvement almost straightaway.I was discharged home days later. God cares and hears our cries.

It's not just the major things He wants to help with, but the smaller, everyday issues too. He's the best weather presenter for one thing. Many is the time when I've wondered if I need to take a coat with me in case of a change in the weather. When I've called on Him for this purpose, He's told me what I needed to know. People may think that this is ridiculous to speak to God about such things, but they're wrong; God is extremely interested in all we do. Check out Proverbs 3:5-6. Basically it is saying, 'Before you do anything - check things out with God.' It's called a Covenant relationship. God can be relied on to help us to remember where we've left our car keys or other important element. He delivers us out of all our troubles.

Do you want God to deliver you out of something. It could be a large bill or some job or school problem. Stop trying to sort it out yourself. You're settling for second best and at this moment you need the best. Don't listen to others - the well-meaning people that give you worldly advice. Instead, take it to your Commanding Officer Himself. His door is always open and there's no secretary trying to block your way to Him.

When you do call on Him, be full of faith. You're asking Him for help and He's already said that He hears you and He's willing to deliver you out of all - not some, of your troubles. Like a Lifeguard looks out to sea to check for any problems, Jesus watches over you and He says, 'Call on Me - cry out to Me.'

Give it a try right now! 

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com                                                                                                                     

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

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