The Three R's

"4 Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.' 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, 'Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing, nevertheless, at Your word, I will let down the net.' 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their net was breaking.'                                        Luke 5:4-6     NKJV

God knows best; one word from Him can change everything. Note that Peter didn't argue with Jesus. He made his point but he obeyed Him anyway; it may have appeared to be a reluctant kind of obedience but Peter wasn't rude. Remember, these guys were seasoned fishermen; they knew their trade and when people are like this, they don't like being told otherwise. However, the only dispute that came out of Peter's mouth was, 'nevertheless, at Your word, I will let down the net.

When we are in situations such as this, we can either deny self or deny Christ. There is no other way. To deny Christ is to claim that you know it all, you don't need God or anyone, you can go it alone. When you think about this, it's a rather foolish thing to say. It is far better to deny self, God knows best. We allow too much of self to rule our lives. We can become puffed up and unteachable and when we are such, we will pay the price at some time in our lives. Jesus must come first.

Take a look at this situation. Jesus told Peter and the other experienced fishermen, to go deeper where they would find the catch that they were seeking. Peter started to consider this and then he decided to:

RE-CONSIDER  Peter had a little experience of how Jesus worked and in the short time that he had been with Him, he had seen some awesome miracles performed. In the split second of his thinking, he remembered these and decided to re-consider what Jesus was asking.

RESPOND  Peter had to decide what he was going to do here. He chose the better way and responded to Jesus' request although he had no idea how it would all turn out.

RECEIVE  It would have been beyond Peter's comprehension to believe what would happen next, but it did and they would have been astounded at it all. They received it with gladness.

All it takes is to obey Jesus, to take Him at His word. He will do the rest. All we need to do is to carry out the 3 R's formula - Re-consider, Respond and Receive. We can either deny self or deny Christ, the choice is ours. But if you believe that Jesus knows best; that He has your interests at heart and He will always deliver the best for you, trust Him, nevertheless what your mind is saying. He wants to fill your nets. I interpret, 'Nevertheless, at You word,' to stand for 'You know best Lord, You know best, I’ll go deeper.’

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

How long have you been waiting?

"At the right time, I, the LORD, will make it happen".                       Isaiah 60:22.  NKJV

Did you get that? At the right time, God will make it happen. Add this also to your memory bank, 'Even though it delays, wait (patiently) for it. Because it will certainly come; it will not delay.' Habakkuk 2:3. Let this settle your spirit as we look a little further at this.

Some believers, have been waiting for years for a husband or wife, or possibly other family members, to become Christians. Up to now, it hasn't happened and you're tempted to believe that it never will either. Don't go there, that is not faith. God does not lie. So if you've been praying for your loved one to get saved, believe and receive it because it WILL happen. Sadly, we don't know when but we do know that God is on to it; it is all part of His plan. If you've asked, you will receive if you don't give up. Be patient, God knows what He is doing. 'Yes but if we were both believers, we could do so much,' you may say, and that is true. But have you ever thought that God may not want your own plans, He has His own and as soon as you give up on yours, He may just bring His own into fruition. Give God, and your loved one, some space.

I know for a fact that some people have been waiting for about fifty or so years and in the blink of an eye, it has happened and their loved one is saved. Just be patient.

As I've said many times, waiting sucks. I believe that I am the world's most impatient man and I have had to learn that I can't have the things I want, just like that. There's often a waiting period.  It can be frustrating, I know, but some seeds take a long time to germinate but when they do, POW, they take your breath away. God doesn't make us wait because He enjoys it. There will always be a reason and sometimes, we can't see this. He may allow us to wait to teach us patience, that's a possibility, but usually there are things that God has to put into place before He can deliver what we have asked Him for. The person you are praying for, may be so far away from God that God needs to do some work on him or her before it will be possible for this to happen. This can take time, hence the waiting period.

In the meantime, do not bludgeon the person with God talk or keep reminding them that they need to make a commitment. It has the opposite effect. Instead of drawing them into the Kingdom, it takes them further away. To a non-believer, trying to force them into the Kingdom of God can be annoying to say the least. Just play it cool. The Holy Spirit is far better at evangelism than you will ever be. Just leave it to Him. Just be yourself, get on with your life, let them see Jesus in you without carrying around the biggest bible in the world or walking round with a wooden cross over your shoulder. Just show them Jesus in your every day behaviour.

And before you know it, they will be saved!

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

 

The cost of following Jesus

"Blessed (morally courageous and spiritually alive with joy in God's goodness) are you when people hate you and exclude you (from their fellowship) and insult you and scorn your name as evil because of your association with) the Son of man. 

                                                                                          Luke 6:22    Amplified Study Bible

When you choose Jesus, in some circles, you will be hated and excluded from people's company. Some may even lose jobs or be penalised because of their faith in their work place. When we identify with Jesus, we will be rejected and may suffer hardships. Take a look at Christians in parts of China, Russia and North Korea to gain an example what some believers are going through. However, this is the cost of following Jesus.

Some people may even suffer rejection from their families. You may have undergone this type of behaviour. When my family knew that I may be going to bible college, there was an uproar and a couple of them said, 'We don't want a vicar in our family.) I had no intention of being one at the time but I had to suffer the pain and cost of it all.

During WW1 and WW2, soldiers on guard duty had a phrase which they uttered if someone came into their presence, 'Stand and deliver, friend or foe,' and when you think about it, being a believer can be similar to this type of behaviour with some people. When soldiers were 'dug in' the trenches or on the rifle range, there was a parapet and if one were to raise their head above this, they were in danger of being shot. A parapet is an earthen bank or stone embankment protecting the soldiers from enemy fire. In a way, there is little difference today in certain quarters. We can feel that they are thinking, 'Friend or Foe,' and we may get shot at.

You may never have come up against this type of thing. But keep putting Jesus first and you soon will. You see, the devil doesn't like you, so he will turn people against you, causing them to hate and reject you, call you rude names and as I've mentioned, in certain non-believing countries, suffer imprisonment or death because of your faith. Fellowship with God leads to hostility from the world. When I was working as a social worker, I was threatened with losing my job if I spoke about Jesus. Yes, I was forbidden to speak about Him. I still did but I went undercover from thereon - covert operations. 😉

You see, when we say Yes to Jesus; when we allow Him to 'set us apart', the flak can begin at anytime. But we need to let the Holy Spirit have dominion over us in our home, our family, our work place, in the words that we speak, our emotions and in every thought that enters our mind. He needs to have entire possession of us.

When you do, it will cost but it is well worth it in the end. After all, who else will show the unbelievers Jesus?

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

The Holy Spirit and us. Part 2

"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

What is truth? This was a question Pilate asked Jesus when he was speaking with Him prior to His crucifixion. John 18.38. There have been several interpretations of this verse over the years. Some say: (1) This was Pilate's cynical denial of the possibility of knowing what is the truth; (2) 'What does truth matter?' (3) Or Pilate may have meant that it is not easy to find truth, what does it mean? Whatever, Pilate knew that there was no grounds for a criminal charge, not for teaching the truth.

The Holy Spirit only speaks the truth and that truth is from God - the ultimate truth. This is something that Pilate could not understand; but we know if the Hoiy Spirit dwells within us. The words that the Holy Spirit speaks to us are not empty words, they are the truth from the truth. Jesus said to His disciples, '31 If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.' John 8:31-32. It's impossible to walk in a truth that you do not know.

The Holy Spirit will guide us in all we do, if we allow Him to. We all know the well known Proverbs 3 about this, '5 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.' What the Holy Spirit hears, He will tell us and guide us along the way. He will advise us, warn us and enlighten us. He will direct us also because, He is the director of God's work. He is reliable. He will give us revelation as we take each step guided by Him and we will be on the road to success because we are guided by the truth.

This is why we need to spend time with Him and get to know Him. How much time should we spend with Him? All of it. He's not a pressure to us and He will never condemn us or hurt us. He always loves us and wants to give us the best, always willing to help. Where else in this world could you receive this - nowhere!

How can we possibly ignore the love that He offers? Don't forget that He is fully God. There are three persons in one - the Trinity. God the Father. God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. 3 separate persons but all one in God. And each one of them loves each of us enormously. Why? Because they are all awesome and they want each one of us to be the same.

Are you willing to be awesome and sold out for God?. Then make sure that you spend time with your friend - the Holy Spirit. He will always point you to Jesus, who points you to the Father. Complicating? Never. Ask the Holy Spirit, He will explain it all to you if you ask Him.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

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