Rubber balls

"And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit." 

                                                                                                     Ephesians 5:18.  NKJV

God spoke to me this morning as I was walking our dog. He quite simply said, 'You're like a rubber ball.' He went on to describe how a rubber football, gets filled with air, but with all the kicking around it receives, gradually it loses it's capacity to perform well. The air has been emitted and it needs blowing back up. God went on to say that we're all like that rubber ball - spiritually. We become filled with God's Spirit but because of the knocks and kicks we receive in life, we need to ensure that we're topped up on a regular basis with the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we become flat.

In today's verse, the footnotes in the Spirit Filled Life Bible read, 'The tense of the Greek for, 'be filled,' makes clear that such a Spirit filled condition does not stop with a single experience, but is maintained by continually being filled as commanded here.'

To be continually filled with the Holy Spirit, we have to be in the right place. What I mean by this is, we need to be open to God wherever we are and at whatever time of day or night. If we fail to do this, we risk being flat at some stage. Gradually, all that we have taken in by bible study and walking with God, gets used up and we become spiritually flat. To overcome this, we need to continually, day by day, fill our lives with God's Word and presence.

Remember, a rubber ball gets kicked. In a game of football it is kicked away by a defender or kicked in the direction of the opposing goal. As Christians, every now and again, we get kicked. We may be kicked out of a job through redundancy. We may also be kicked out of our home if we don't pay the mortgage or rent. We may also be kicked out of places where we're not welcome and where we don't fit in. The kicks hurt and do a lot of damage. We can end up spiritually crushed. But rubber balls also bounce; they bounce back. They don't remain still, they keep on bouncing until they have no bounce left.

You may have been kicked around in one way or another. You may be feeling flat and crushed with all of your air forced out of your body. Don't stay down. Pick up your bible, sing a praise song, pray and get re-filled with the Spirit, email me and I'll pray for you, then bounce back into the game. Like that rubber ball, when you're kicked, bounce back; score that goal no matter who tries to kick you out of the way.

Be filled with the Spirit, every day; in fact at all times. You've a goal to score, no matter who kicks you, bounce your way into that goal because, you're a winner. And winner's score goals.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

Lies and deceit

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. (5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." 

                                                                                             2 Corinthians 10:4-5.  NKJV

We're not dealing with flesh and blood here but against the devil and his demonic forces that try to take us out night and day. In this passage, Paul discusses warfare of the mind - arrogant rebellious ideas and attitudes, which he describes as arguments. The aim is to bring every disobedient thought into captivity and make it obedient to Christ. 

Note here in verse 5 where Paul mentions, 'every high thing.' May I put it to you that it is only classed as high because we make it so. Through schemings, the devil convinces us that a particular thing is more important or damaging than it actually is. He convinces us, if we allow him, to believe what he says, and the problem goes sky high.

Bill Johnson says: 'The enemy uses lies to make problems appear bigger than the solutions we carry.' In other words, 'Your prayers won't help in this instance. You've blown it, you will not get to Heaven now, you're a loser.' Do not believe him. He is a liar! Remember what Bob Gass says about fear - (F) False, (E) Evidence, (A) Appearing, (R) Real. If we allow him to, the devil will convince us of something and we'll end up believing the lie. Nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand. Make your every thought subject to Jesus. If you continue to think about Him, the devil won't have the opportunity to get in. But the moment you drop your guard, he'll be there.

One of the Devil's favourite schemes is to attack the mind. If we allow him, he will sow seeds of doubt into our minds, and before too long, we'll begin to believe it. We'll be convinced that it is true. What he likes to do is convince us that our partner is being unfaithful to us. He'll twist it so much that the false evidence that he provides, does in fact appear real. When this happens, we're on a downward spiral. We could ask our partner if this is true - are they being unfaithful? But their response of, 'No' can fall on dear ears because we have been programmed to believe the lie. 

You may be undergoing this or something similar at this time. Don't believe the false evidence; take it captive and make it obedient to Christ. Get some proof seeking God first. 99.5% of the time, you'll be wrong and the stress and the heartache of it all will have taken its toll.

Seek God, don't believe the lie. If there is anything untoward, God will bring it to the light and reveal it. The solution to this problem is to cast it over to Jesus and refuse to believe the lie. Don't forget, one of the roots of 'Fear', is torment, and this comes from the enemy, not God.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

Ask Him, Believe Him and He will do it!

 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it"                               John 14:14.  NKJV

Here Jesus makes a promise, 'ask me anything in My name, I will do it." Not might, but I will; not I'll think about it and let you know but, it's on the way. Many people will deny this fact; all they want to do is go around telling people what a hard time they're having. Dwight L Moody observes, 'I believe they carry their troubles in their back pocket and bring them out at every opportunity.'

However, we can't get away from the fact that Jesus said this. But we need to stay connected to God as our provider. He wants to bless and prosper us. He wants to multiply your finances, exceedingly, so that you have more than enough. But you need to walk closely with Him; get your life in order and then ask Him and believe you receive without any doubt at all. If you doubt, you'll go without.

Don't limit God. The Israelites did this in the wilderness and went without: 'Yes, again and again they tempted God and limited the Holy One of Israel.' (Psalm 78:41 NKJV). Doubt is small thinking; it's negative thinking and it's forgetting what God has done in the past. Jesus said to Bartimaeus, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' (Mark 10:51) Bartimaeus replied, 'that I might receive my sight.' And Bartimaeus saw! 

Jesus says the same to you, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' If you need it, you could say, 'Lord, I want my own house, will You buy it for me please?' Do you believe that He could and would, do this if you asked? Or do you believe that He may consider it? There's a major difference. Jesus said to ask Him for anything we want or need. So if you ask, you now have to believe and receive it and never doubt at all.

Don't forget that we serve a God who calls things that are not, as though they are. (Romans 4:17). Keith Moore says, 'When you want what God wants, for the same reason He wants it, you become unstoppable.' If you ask and believe, you'll receive, it's as simple as that. However, you must - and I stress must - believe that you receive without doubting. 

Let me tell you something, what you receive is directly connected to how you believe and what you expect. God doesn't respond to your need, He responds to your faith. He knows what you you need and want already, but He wants you to have the faith to receive them.

Dare to ask God for what's on your mind. He says, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' So tell Him; lay it before Him, believe that you receive and you will have it. (Mark 11:24). It may not come straightaway, so this is where your faith must kick doubt, out!

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

The Dove

"And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the Heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove."                                                      Mark 1:10.  NKJV   

If you know anything about birds, you will know that if you get too close to them, they'll fly away. Many times, I have been left frustrated when the 'Perfect shot,' I was going to take - that award winning photograph, has flown away probably never to happen again. We need to be very careful that we don't disturb them or else, all is lost.

It is similar with our walk with Jesus. Here, we see the dove - the Holy Spirit, descending upon Jesus as He comes up from the baptismal waters. Note how important this was. God parted the Heavens, in other words, He tore open the Heavens; such was the necessity of the Holy Spirit to come upon Jesus.

And it is the same for us. When the Holy Spirit descends upon us, power - the dynamite of Heaven comes with it. Without it, we can do very little. Yet the Holy Spirit is as gentle as a dove and very sensitive. When we receive Jesus as our Lord, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. He is totally for us. When we're baptised in the Holy Spirit, He rests upon us so that we can perform all that He wishes for us to do. Note the difference, as it is very important. With the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we have access to the gifts including, speaking in tongues, and we have the power to perform what Jesus wishes for us to do (Acts 1:8). Now, God has said that, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' (Hebrews 13:5), and that is certain because He dwells within us at all times. However, when we're walking in power to perform His ministry, the Holy Spirit rests upon us for the times that we are ministering to people. Rather like we can easily disturb the dove by rushing up to it, we can also disturb the Holy Spirit if our life or attitude is not right. Our sin and attitude disturbs Him and it's like He flies away leaving us unable to perform our ministry. He has not left us, but that power that brings the manifestation has. 

I remember Benny Hinn saying something similar a few years ago. He was conducting one of his conventions but nothing was really happening. He inwardly asked God what was wrong and God told him that he needed to repent over some matter. He did, right there and then. From that moment, the service was like electricity - full of power.

We need always to be careful how we walk. Galatians 5:17 says, 'Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh'. If you feel little is happening in your walk with God, check yourself over and see if there is anything blocking the power of the Spirit. If there is, repent and receive.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

                                            

Think yourself happy

"I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you, concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews."   Acts 26:1:2.  NKJV

Paul felt fortunate that he was to give an account to one of the highest officials - King Agrippa. He would be answering the trumped up charges that were brought against him by many Jews. He was happy about this and he was also happy that he would have the opportunity to preach the Gospel to him. To Paul, this was a great privilege and an awesome challenge.

In the New King James Version of the bible, verse two, as shown above, uses the term, 'I think myself happy,' whereas many other versions give a more appropriate term of, 'I consider myself fortunate,' or similar. I would like us to consider the former.

Anyone who has seen or heard Bill Winston preach, will know that one of his favourite quotes is, 'I have preached myself happy.' These are not just empty words to make people smile, not at all. The Holy Spirit has fired him up so much that he has become overwhelmed with the power of the Spirit that he can't fail to be happy.

It is possible that we can think ourselves happy. It's true. If we can concentrate on all the negativity in our lives, making ourselves depressed, then we can certainly do the opposite and think ourself happy. Basically, it is about how we see ourselves. 

After receiving a bad report from the spies in Canaan, many of the people feared and doubted about going there. They believed that they would be like grasshoppers in their own sight when they saw the giants of Anak. (Numbers 13:30-33). They saw themselves small and weak in comparison and therefore, that they were incapable. Bob Gass says, 'Our attitude will either lift us above our circumstances or bury us beneath them.'

How do you see yourself? Do you think yourself happy or hide away in fear? We know that joy is a strength, (Nehemiah 8:10). This is why the writer of Psalm 118 said, 'This is the day the LORD has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.' V22. This verse is not unlike what Paul said, 'I think myself happy,' We have to do it, no one else will do it for us, it's a choice to be sad and fearful or happy and strong.

As long as we have breath, there is life out there and God wants us to live it, be grateful for it and to enjoy it. There are many people who have had their lives cut short who would have loved the opportunity that we have.

Put a smile on your face. Think happy; live happy and breathe happiness to all you meet. It really is a tonic. 'A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.' Proverbs 17:22. Don't live in the valley of dry bones, (Ezekiel 37). Think yourself to happiness and watch your life take off.  😁

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

Be ready for when He comes

"Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you don't expect." v44

                                                                                                    Matthew 24:36-44.  NKJV

Time is running out; the clock is ticking and the seconds counting down. Soon it will be all over, and it will be too late.

Picture if you will, a football match where both teams are drawing 0 - 0. One of the teams desperately needs to score a goal and win, otherwise they will be relegated to a lower division. But time is short, there is only 30 seconds left on the clock. Suddenly, the game is over, they've run out of time and for the team who needed a win, it's too late, they're relegated.

Likewise, the world is running out of time, Jesus will one day come back for His church - 'at an hour you don't expect,' and that could be today. Just look at what is happening in our world today. There is violence, wars, murders, rapes, stabbings, racism is on the increase and religious hate pressurises Christians to conform to their thinking - get rid of Christmas, no Christianity in schools, multi-religious organisations against one faith churches. People living in fear of saying the wrong things in case there is a protest. But whatever, Jesus Christ is still on the throne!.

But what about these end times? You may be saved but what about your family members? It may be difficult to talk to them about Jesus because there may be tensions. But if Jesus came back soon, it would be very difficult to accept that you are in Heaven but they aren't, and you had the opportunity to tell them.

This is not meant as laying a trip on anyone. It is so important for all of us that it cannot fail to be said. Your family needs Jesus, when he comes, it will be too late then. Time will have run out, the whistle will have blown. Today is the day of salvation. 

Just look at what has happened since March of this year; so much. We have had Lockdown chaos, many, many Covid 19 deaths, fear, loss of jobs, businesses crumbling. homes, lack of money; and none of us expected it; it was thrown at us almost overnight. If that was unexpected, imagine what it will be like when Jesus returns - and He will. We will need to be prepared and ready. Many people will miss out and be left behind because they didn't know about Jesus, or they refused to accept Him. Don't let that happen to your family without trying to get them into the Kingdom.

Say this prayer:

'Lord Jesus, give me the strength and the confidence to tell the people I love, about You. Open doors for me and create opportunities for me to tell them. Right now, I give You my family..................................... and I claim them for You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

Practice

"But solid food belongs those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use, have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."                Hebrews 5:14.  NKJV

Sports people are not a success overnight, they have to practice for a very long time. It is the same with great musicians. The more practice, the more reward and satisfaction. Here, the writer of Hebrews, stresses the importance of practice in order to live the Christian life: 'But solid food, belongs to those who are of full age (Mature), that is, those who by reason of use (Practice).

Ask any musician or sportsperson, and they will admit to many failures as they get used to what they want to be. Also, many will say that they still make mistakes through lack of practice. In a Snooker Tournament, we often hear that the finalists are on the practice tables during the intermission. Why? Because practice makes perfect.

To be successful, a person has to give up many things. While their friends are out having a great time, they may be in the continual mode of practice. Things do not come easy; and there are many failures. But failure is an acceptable part of success. When a person fails, they learn by it and avoid this in the future. We should never receive failure but count our attempts as practice. This way, we're on the road to success.

For many, the Christian life can be a difficult road to walk along. Their intentions may be genuine but then, something crops up or brings distraction and they fail. For some, it can be the eyes - what we look at and view. Job made a comment in Job 31:1, 'I have made a covenant with my eyes, why then should I look upon a young woman?' Now for Job, being a rich man, it could have been viewed as acceptable to add a young woman as a concubine. But he refused to allow his eyes to lust. In the same way, the Christian man or woman needs to be mindful of this. It is so easy to become hooked when lusty images are flashing all over the screens from films and TV. There is a need to avoid this practice because this is a doorway to failure.

We need to practice and process what comes out of our mouths also, together with how we react to certain things that come our way. It is difficult, but then, so is anything that we want success from. Life is not a fairy tale; things are not handed down on a golden platter. To live the Christian life, it take practice and discipline and it is an ongoing process. Never become complacent. It will all be worth it when we walk into the arms of Jesus on that special day. Until then - PRACTICE!

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com