The Holy Spirit and us

"However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth; for he will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears he will speak; and he will tell you things to come."                                                                              John 16:13.  NKJV

Andrew Murray comments in his book, Absolute Surrender: 

'The Holy Spirit is the director of the work of God upon the earth. Every day, give Him the first place in Your life'

In the hustle and bustle of life, it can be easy to neglect God, especially the Holy Spirit, when we are up against the pressures of the day. We don't forget or reject Him, it is just that, things can come against us so fast, that it can be easy to try and sort things out on our own.

Think about it for a moment, how much Christian work is being done in the spirit of flesh - in the spirit of self? Do we wait for the Holy Spirit to direct the way for us or are we tempted to go it alone, in our own strength. Be honest with yourself here because it is so important to how we live our Christian lives and what blessings we receive or miss out on. Jesus said in John 15:5, 'I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.'

This is such an important verse. Who has not tried in vain to do a certain thing only to realise when there is no fruit, that we left Jesus out of the situation. I am sure we have all done this on occasions. We have to avoid trying to do things in the flesh - in our own strength. The only way we'll accomplish this is to place Jesus in His rightful place in our lives - first.

In the early church, the believers become so close to each other and to Jesus in their fellowship. The Greek word for fellowship is, Koinonia, and it means a close association and partnership with people. It is a unity. In Koinonia the individual shares in common an intimate bond of fellowship with the rest of the Christian society, It cements, (get this,) it cements the believers to the Lord Jesus and to each other. It you know anything about cement, once it has been prepared properly and has set, it is a solid bond, practically inseparable.

This type of fellowship is formed when our relationship with the Holy Spirit is joined properly. We melt together into one heart and soul. This is the type of unity that the Holy Spirit wants to have with each one of us. He is such a gentleman though, that He will never force Himself upon us. He hovers over us, rather like He did at creation, and has soon as we ask Him, He joins Himself to us. 

Andrew Murray further comments: 'Give yourself up to love and the Holy Spirit will come; receive the Spirit and He will teach you to love more.'

Why not invite God to do a deeper work within you and renew to you, the joy of His Holy Spirit:

Father, I give myself absolutely to You to carry out Your will in my life and to do, only what You want me to do. Please re-ignite the power of Your Holy Spirit within me. I place You first in my life and intend to always do this.

                                                          In Jesus' Name. Amen

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

 

You can't have your foot in both camps - one must go!

"So because you are lukewarm (Spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth (rejecting you with disgust).                      

                                                                                       Revelation 3:16 Amplified Study Bible

These are very strong words from Jesus, not what we would usually expect from Him. Let's look at the situation a little closer.

Laodicea was an arrogant, self-sufficient church set in a very wealthy city. It was possibly the wealthiest in the whole of the area. The Laodiceans were only giving God partial obedience as they wanted also their own independence. Consequently, they were serving two masters - possibly 25% to God, 75% to themselves. Partial obedience is always disobedience. Therefore, God called them lukewarm and told them He would vomit them out of His mouth.

When something is lukewarm, I don't know about you, but I feel it is horrible. Tea or coffee tastes disgusting this way, as does lukewarm water. I prefer my water ice-cold. Lukewarm is yuk. Cold springs of water are refreshing and hot mineral springs are medicinal, lukewarm is nauseating, hence why Jesus wanted to vomit them out of His mouth.

The Amplified interpretation of 'Spiritually useless,' may sound rather strong but it is emphasising  just how God sees us when we attempt to serve two masters. Lukewarm people tend to want God's blessings while enjoying the sins of the world as well, hence, they are 'rejected with disgust.' 

There comes a time in our Spiritual walk when we have to make a choice - who will we  place in the driving seat of our lives - the world or God. Many choose the world because of all the excitement that it can offer. However, the excitement can be short-lived and then they have to face Jesus at the end of their lives. It is far better to meet Jesus face to face as His friend than to face Him any other way. The price can be very high.

You may feel that you don't serve two masters and that is great if it is that way. But, if anything takes the place of God in your life, you could be skating on thin ice. Don't get me wrong, Jesus wants you to enjoy every moment of your life, He wants to bless you and gives you lovely things and people to love. However, if the love of money, your work or business or your possessions take His place, you stand the chance of becoming lukewarm. He must have first place in your life. Whatever you have in this life cannot be taken with you when you die; it will all be left behind. The most important thing you have is your relationship with Jesus; that will last and you can take it with you when you pass away.

Don't get yourself all beaten up by this, just make sure that whatever you do, whatever you have or whatever you want, must take second place to Jesus. He will have it no other way.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

 

The Behind Closed Doors Syndrome - again

"Therefore, I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air (just like shadow boxing). 27 But (like a boxer) I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached (the Gospel) to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified (as unfit for service)."             1Corinthians 9:26-27.  Amplified  Study Bible

I mention in the title, the word, 'again', and this is because it is an area that we need to perfect time and again until we get it right.

Andrew Murray says, 'How many there are who find it easier in church, or in a prayer meeting, or in work for the Lord - diligent, earnest work - to be holy and happy than in daily life with wife (husband) and children; easier to be holy and happy outside the home than in it.'

I call this the 'Behind Closed Doors Syndrome'. Why is this? Possibly when we are at home, we relax, watch TV and feel we can take off our guard and be ourselves. It's possible that this is the real you. The one outside - at church or home group, needs to impress, to keep up with the Jones'. At home, we can hide away. We really shouldn't be this way - acting as if we're two people. Being ourselves is what we should be in the home or out of it. There should be no difference. Look at David, when he should have been out in battles, he was sunbathing on his roof. This was how he noticed Bathsheba, committed adultery with her, made her pregnant and had her husband placed in such a place in battle that he was killed. He then took her as his wife. (Read 2 Samuel 11 for the whole story).

After Nathan the prophet confronted him, he was totally depressed and under conviction. He could do nothing until he repented. Look at our text, he was 'disqualified and unfit for service.'

We need to stop and take a look at ourselves today. Do we do one thing and say another. Do we talk about Jesus being our Saviour and then negate it by being someone different at home - arguing, swearing, shouting at the kids and totally living the hypocritical life? What do neighbours hear? I am sorry to mention it, but God shared it with me and I thought that I’d be kind and share it with you too,

This is serious business! When we are at home, we should be the same as if we are at the pulpit preaching God's Word, or counselling someone about how good God is. We cannot live two lives. We need be careful that we are not classed as unfit for service. As a church; as a man or woman of God we need to do some serious soul-searching and seek God for help. Let us send the Behind Closed Doors Syndrome to the refuse bin and fly the flag for Jesus.

Let's bring this to Him now:

Lord Jesus, I recognise that you are speaking to me and come to You right now for help. Please may I never disqualify myself and be unfit for Your service. If I have, please forgive me now. I repent and ask that You will help me to be one person, not one who puts on another hat  when home.

I ask in Jesus' Name . Amen

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

Live in Expectancy

"This is the day the LORD has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." 

                                                                                                                  Psalm 118:24   NKJV

Each day we wake up to, is a new beginning - a new start. Basically, it is how we see it. We can either wake up and think, 'Oh no, here we go again,' or 'Yay, this is a new day and it's going to be a good one.' It's our choice. Forget yesterday with all the hassle; fix your eyes on today, yesterday has gone, it's in the past. We live for today not yesterday!

We have a choice whether to praise and rejoice in our new day or not. This is clearly seen in our text; 'we will rejoice.' It doesn't say, 'we will will not rejoice, we'll be miserable.' In fact, we need to go one step closer and personalise it with, 'I will rejoice. I will be happy, I will make the best of this day that I have been given.' There are many people who have passed on who would love this opportunity, do you get what I mean?

We need to be glad, happy, grateful and thankful. Jesus has saved us, healed us and rescued us. The title of this Psalm in my bible reads, 'Praise to God for His everlasting mercy.' The Greek for mercy is hesed which also means kindness, love and grace. Through God's mercy (Hesed) we are not consumed (wiped out). His compassion and Hesed are new every morning, they never fail. He is faithful. Taken from Lamentation 3:22-23. If you back up and look at v21, it reads, 'This I recall to my mind, therefore, I have hope.' In other words, remember what He has done for you in the past; turn around and change the way you think - your perspective of things. Do you realise that you control how you think today? It is down to the individual to choose, to the best of their ability, just how they will see themselves as the day pans out. Self-talk - the things you say to yourself through the day, should be positive not negative. There is enough negativity in this world today without creating some of our own. In fact, we can do ourselves a lot of psychological damage by what we say and think.

You may well have blown the day before it is hardly started with some unwholesome words or bad-temperedness, but Jeremy Pearsons says, 'My mistakes may be great, but His faithfulness is greater.' I love that. We do mess things up but as we say, Lord, I am so sorry,' hesed takes over and He forgives us totally. 

So change what comes out of your mind and mouth from negative to positive, turn from depression to hope and live in a constant state of expectancy. Create an atmosphere of expectancy wherever you are, it's catching and breeds encouragement and excitement. And excitement is where we should be; we serve an exciting God. You don't know what he is going to do from one moment to the next. So don't miss out, be happy, and healthy and blessed and anointed and filled with the power of God.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

 

                                

'What are we going to do?'

 "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.'                                                               Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.  NKJV

'What are we going to do?' is quite a common statement. It is heard all over the world whenever people are faced with trauma or some other kind of problem. It can cause panic, depression and total anxiety. However, when there is someone else around it always seems to be much easier. Have you noticed that? With couples, one may not be able to handle unscheduled things, whereas, the other partner can and seems to bring about a calmness that wasn't there before. Pretty soon, the person who panicked appears more able to handle the mini-crisis.

However, what of the people who are not in a partnership and are totally alone, what can they do to help bring peace to a situation? Well if that person is a believer, then Jesus is always there and extremely willing to offer a way through. 

Some people may feel that it is easier if two face a situation because, at least, they face it together and can talk it through and they also have Jesus to help. This is true. But people who are on their own are not so distracted by another person. They may have become used to this way of life and so, when a crisis comes along, can throw themselves on Jesus, asking for help and know they will receive it too.

Of course, this is all assuming that the people in partnership get on and agree about things in life. If they don't, then this can turn a shade nasty as agreement appears very difficult to negotiate. Similarly, the person alone, may not have a deep enough relationship with Jesus and some kind of a crisis can lead to severe anxiety.

Speaking to married couples or people on their own, please accept that you are not ever on your own. Jesus has promised that He will never leave you. Hebrews 13:5. Things that we are not expecting happen to us all. A large unexpected bill can suddenly pop through the letterbox, throwing us into, 'What are we going to do?' Panic can and does happen to most people. The thing is, it is all to do with how we handle it. There is always a way through. Panic will not help. The stress it causes blinds us to the possibilities and can make us ill. It is not worth it. 'What are we going to do?' Speak to Jesus about it, He has the answer; is easy to contact and very willing to help. He is a great problem-solver.

Just stop for a moment. Is the possibility of a heart attack or nervous breakdown worth it? This is what can and does happen to many people who don't handle life-issues well. You belong to Jesus. He does not - did you get that? HE DOES NOT WANT YOU BECOMING UPSET. He wants you to call Him in for advise whenever you need it. Right now, wherever you are, Jesus is right right beside you. If you have a problem, talk to Him about it.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

Time to re-evaluate

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only deceiving yourself." 

                                                                                                         James 1:22   NKJV

I believe God is calling His people to re-evaluate their walk with Him. He is looking for people who will not only hear the word, but do it. In fact, people who will live the word. So therefore, it is time to look at ourselves and determine where we could improve our daily lives.

It is time to take a good look at ourselves. God wants to pinpoint areas that need tweaking; those areas where we continue to fail in - those areas where we let Him and ourselves down. To be truthful, God wants to do an appraisal on us all. An appraisal is an assessment or estimation of the worth, value or quality of a person or thing. It's a performance related exercise that many work places carry out on their staff annually to look at their strengths and weaknesses. The difference between an employer carrying out an appraisal and God carrying one out, is that God is wanting to highlight certain areas that would do better with change and He is willing to do it with us. He seriously wants us to succeed and will do all He can to make this happen. An employer may penalise an employee for a bad assessment but God is different. He will bless the areas we are doing well with and will take our hand and help us through the areas we fall down on. We will never be penalised.

Take a look at your self. What is your strengths and what are your weaknesses? It's a good exercise to write these down, prayerfully, so that you can identify changes that need to be made. It's an exercise where we need to be brutally honest because this is the only way that we will make progress. Where could you make some improvements and what really needs discarding in your life?

Ask yourself two questions:

*  How would I describe myself?

*  Do I like myself?

You may discover that you have a low self-image, a low self-esteem and this is an area that will need some work on. If you feel this way, why do you feel like this? Can you do anything to improve this?

This exercise could be carried out with another person, but in my opinion, it is far better to carry this out in privacy. It's personal. God is the only one that needs to know about these issues. 

It is always helpful to take a look at ourselves and clearing out things can bring a great relief. Why not say this prayer with me:

Lord Jesus, I don't just want to hear what you're saying - I want to live it. Help me to evaluate my whole life and walk with You and discard the things that are causing me problems and build upon the areas where I am good at. Help me to bring glory to Your name O Lord and help me to make my life count for You.  In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

Life's never easy, but achievable

"Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done."                                                                                                      Luke 22:42.  NKJV

Some days life can be hard going, just one struggle after another and when it is like this, it's hard to find a way through all of the hurt, confusion or just, sheer dismay. Some days we have to do things that we would sooner avoid. However, deep in our hearts, we know that there is no other way, it has to be done.

Jesus must have felt this way when He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew that His time was almost up and He wrestled with what He had to face. This is the cup that He mentioned. It was the cup of suffering and it contained all things that were sinful and ungodly. It was the sin of the world, including ours. He had to overcome this cup of suffering so that this victory would give us all freedom and the opportunity of eternal life. Yet in His humanity, for a moment, it was a daunting task. Jesus wasn't afraid of death but He would have avoided the type of death He faced, if it had been possible.

Andrew Murray, the great Scottish author and pastor writes, "The Holy Spirit works with mighty power, while on the human side, everything appears feeble. Look at Jesus in Gethsemane. For one moment there appears no sign of the mighty power of the Spirit, but it was there."

There's a lesson to learn here. When we observe someone, they may appear weak and unable to cope with the job in hand.However, the Spirit of God may be over them, giving them the power and ability to perform the task in awesome power. Let us never underestimate someone, God may be at work within them - a hidden power that at first we cannot see until is released.

The things you are facing at this time, may appear daunting and even impossible. You may be tempted to walk away and forget about it all. However, don't do that; face the task in front of you and say to God, 'Not my will Lord, but Yours be done.' As you do this, you hand the situation over to God and He will take your hand and help you find a way through. But there may be a price. Look at Jesus after He had come to terms with what He had to do, He was in agony, so much so that He actually sweat drops of blood and angels had to come and minister to Him. When you say, 'Not my will Lord, but Yours be done,' things may not always be bright and rosey. Often there will be a price to pay and Jesus paid the price, but that price brought us life. It may be similar for you. As you make a stand for God, He will give you all His help but it may be a difficult road to take. But in the end, it will be well worth it.

When we said, 'Yes,' to Jesus, He took it literally, and therefore, He will give us certain things to do. Some may be very pleasing to do but some may not. Whatever, He choses who he feels can do what the task is. There's no one like you. You're an original and He is counting on you.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com