Think things through properly

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." v19

                                                                                                     Luke 2:15-20   NKJV

Don't be hasty. Don't rush in with all guns blazing; you may get it wrong and then there will be disaster.

The shepherds came in haste it states in verse 16, when they knew that the Saviour had been born in Bethlehem. They began making plans and suggesting this had happened and this spread the news around about Jesus. Herod heard about it and he felt threatened. This put Jesus, Joseph and Mary in a risky position. Mary however, didn't flap, worry or become fearful at all. She remained at peace; internalised what had happened and pondered it all. 

There are three types of people. Type A people, live life in the fast lane; they live on their stress and want to finish things before they've even started them. Everything is done in double-time opening the way for mistakes. They not only burn themselves out but others around them too.

Then there are the Type B people. They are totally laid back about everything and nothing tends to bother them at all. However, this may sound good, but many is the time when they don't get moving at all.

This brings us to Type C people. They have a happy balance between the other two types and things tend to go much better. They are achievers and get the job done efficiently. What type do you think that you are?

Stopping to think things through has got to be a winner. When we stop and analyse the possible 'fors' and 'againsts', it helps us to be prepared for unexpected obstacles. Dashing in like a bull in a china shop, is a recipe for disaster and upset. This is why, Mary pondered the situation. If she hadn't, it may have been a slightly different story.

Do you ponder things before you take action or, are you the one that takes action before it is needed - allowing words to come out of your mouth before you have even processed them properly? It is possible that you may need a re-tune by the Holy Spirit, so that you are running more effectively.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

grahamehoward@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

*If you would like to contact me, then please send me an email😄

 

When I hear the praises start

"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." 

                                                                                        Philippians 3:14   NKJV

This morning, all over the UK, people are in a kind of depression and feeling of gloom and doom. Covid 19, has once again shattered their plans and dreams. Christmas is all but cancelled. Many haven't seen their loved ones - properly, all the year and they were looking forward to meeting up with their loved ones to celebrate the Festive season. All of this has been taken away. It's pretty much the same all over the world - families separated because of restrictions that seem so harsh and yet, when we consider it, need to be in place to protect us all.

But may I offer each of you some sort of comforting words. This is only for a short time; the sun will shine again for us all, we just have to grit our teeth and do the best we can. Keith Green wrote a brilliant song not long before he was killed. It contains some very thoughtful words:

WHEN I HEAR THE PRAISES START

My precious Bride, the day is nearing, when I'll take you in My arms and hold you.

I know there are so many things that you've been hearing 

but you just hold on to what I have told you

For when I hear the praises start My Bride, I want to rain upon you

Blessings that will fill your heart, I see no stain upon you

Because you are My child and you know Me

To Me you're only holy, nothing that you've done will remain,

Only what you do for Me.

                                                     Copyright Keth Green

There are so many things that we are hearing and mostly, they are confusing and scary. In fact, it can appear that professionals are stabbing about in the dark. However, your Jesus is holding it all together. He knows all about the Coronavirus and He is well-able to crush it at the right time. 

For us, it is a case of pressing on. Christmas is just a few days away, and even though it is going to be very different for all of us this year, we can still enjoy what we have got. Many in the third world countries, don't even have that. We do and it is an ideal time to sing praises to Jesus, whether in the form of carols or worship songs. Jesus is still on the throne. He will not let you and I down. He couldn't even if He tried. He loves us so much.

I believe that God is saying to us all: 

'Praise Me and when I hear the praises start, I will rain blessings upon you that will fill your heart. You are My child and I will never forget the love that I have for each one of you.'

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

grahamehoward@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

*If you would like to contact me, then please send me an email😄

He ain't heavy, he's my brother

"They came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men" v3

                                                                                                      Mark 2:1-12

People all over the world are hurting and struggling over personal matters. These include leaders in the church. However, some leaders find it difficult to admit this fact because they feel that it displays weakness. Therefore, they tell the few that they can trust and then, soldier on as if everything is ok. But you know! You know what they are going through and how they are becoming broken inside by something that they cannot 'fix'.

Whether it's a leader in the church, a member of the church or some other believer, they all have something in common. They need help. But before you go in with open bibles, prayers and prophecies, stop and ponder about it and, decide in your heart, with God, what would be of help for them. It's unlikely that they want continuous words of wisdom and endless prayers all of the time. This is helpful and they're grateful; but how can you really help?

Quite a few years ago, the Christian country singer, Glen Campbell wrote and sang this:

Try a little kindness

If you see your brother standing by the road

with a heavy load, from the seeds he sowed.

And if you see your sister falling by the way

Just stop and say, 'You're going the wrong way.'

You've got to try a little kindness

yes show a little kindness

Just shine your light for everyone to see.

And if you try a little kindness

then you'll overcome the blindness

of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets.

                Copyright Glen Campbell

The person we're discussing is carrying a heavy load and, he or she, are your brother or your sister. They need carrying at the moment, because all of their emotional and physical energy has been absorbed in their painful predicament. How can you help? Well, a cooked meal can be handy, something they can put in the fridge or freezer and used for quick access.

A card sent can be a healer, especially when they realise how much they are loved and valued. You have no answers, so don't try to give them any. Just be there for them if they ask for this. Prayer obviously is a must. This is one way that we can carry someone's load. Don't desert them in their hour of need but, alternatively, don't swamp them with telephone calls or visits - give them some space.

This kindness and love is what it is all about. We all need carrying at times. It may be you one day. Therefore, sow the seed of love and support, anyway that you can.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

grahamehoward@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

*If you would like to contact me, then please send me an email😄

Do I have to give all of my money away?

"You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and follow Me."  v22                                  Luke 18:18-23.  NKJV

Does this mean that God doesn't want us to be rich? Does it mean that we have to go and give all we have, to the poor before I can have treasure in Heaven and follow Jesus properly? The answer to these two questions, is no. God wants us to be rich because that way, we can help many people along the way, without us worrying about whether we have enough finance to live on ourselves.

This was a test to the rich, young ruler. He had approached Jesus wanting to know how he could inherit eternal life. Now, this man would have been quite skilled in investments and how to increase his finances. It was the business world to him. This was why he approached Jesus. He wanted to invest in his future because, no doubt, he had heard about receiving eternal life and it appealed to him.

Therefore, Jesus used this test to determine where his priorities were. Jesus knew that the man's treasure and security was in his wealth and He wanted to show him that this was a hinderance to him. His hope and security should be focused on God, not on his bank balance. After all, this could be taken off him by just one, bad investment. Sadly, the man couldn't see what Jesus was pointing out - the cost was too great. For him, God would always take second place.

There's not a lot of difference today. Many, still put their trust in their riches - their bank balance; nice house and car together with a handsomely paid salary. All of this is ok if we place God in the middle of it all. He must come first. Our trust must always be in Him before any other thing or person. After-all, He engineered that we have it all to begin with.

So enjoy what God has given you but always allow God to have His rightful place. Don't be frightened to tithe. It is God's in the first place so, He will take care of you. If you can, pray about helping others who may be in need. There are many starving and unschooled children in our world today. Can you help? Don't be scared to ask God if you should help. If you do, it will bless you, bless them and bless God as well.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

grahamehoward@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

*If you would like to contact me, then please send me an email😄

Wait

"Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait I say, on the LORD.'                                                                                  Psalm 27:14   NKJV

We need to be confident in our waiting, strong and full of courage. To wait is to demonstrate confident expectation. Lamentations 3:25 says, 'The LORD is good to those who wait for Him. To the soul who seeks Him.' The Hebrew word for 'wait' is Qavah. Its meaning is to wait for; to look for; to expect and to hope. Qavah is the root of the noun Tiqvah which means hope or expectancy. (Strong's Dictionary). Therefore, we are to wait hopefully.

Waiting is an area that God is speaking about to many people. If God has promised us something, we tend to want it now; not so much because we are greedy, but because we become excited that God is at work. However, there is mostly a waiting process and we have to practice patience, which I admit, is not easy. It is though, worth it. 

As we can see from Lamentations 3:25, God is good to those who wait but, He wants us to be patient. There are things that God is doing that we don't know about. He's doing this to ensure that what he has promised us is good. If it were to be rushed, it could go very wrong. Therefore, He tells us to wait.

We are all waiting for something and at times, the more we focus on it, the longer it seems to take. It is far better, if we're confident in what God has promised us, to thank Him for it, remain in expectant hope and then, get on doing what we would normally do. This way, God often surprises us with, 'Suddenly'. I love these times. We're just getting on with our day when, 'Suddenly,' God turns up and everything changes.

You may have been waiting so long for something special. Each day, you hope, but each day, it doesn't happen. Please be encouraged, today may be the day when it does happen and your whole life changes for the better. 

Just take courage and hope.

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

grahamehoward@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

*If you would like to contact me, then please send me an email😄

Begin to see things God's way

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." 

                                                                                                    Romans 12:2   NKJV

In other words, don't allow anyone or anything to convince you that there is a better way than God's way. He is the ultimate way, there are no others that will last the course. Do not be conformed or compromised. You're on active service, don't drop your guard now.

Your mind can allow you to think defeat instead of victory. The devil will try to rob you of your joy and implant depression and fear in its place. When everything is against you, don't be tempted to think that you would be better off dead. You wouldn't and you know it.

Begin to see things God's way - think and see differently. When things begin to push you into a corner, turn them round by seeing them as a positive issue not a negative one. Look and take note of how God wants them to be. Allow God to work within you, changing you, little by little, one step at a time. It may take a while and it may be difficult at first, but allow yourself to be changed from the inside.

We've discussed lately, the lies that the devil feeds us with, and it is always advisable to reinforce this on a regular basis. The devil is a liar. He will lie about your health; he will lie about you marriage and relationships, your finances and anything else that he can trick you with. He cannot be trusted. Be careful who you trust with your lives. Scripture tells us: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength.' Jeremiah 17:5. Please note that, this verse is not saying we can't trust people - not at all. It is advising us to be wise and not put anyone in God's place. If we do, it could all go wrong as many have discovered to their peril.

Learn to see things the way God sees them. He always thinks and sees the best in us. He is kind and loving to all. He is never rude or selfish. He does not associate with evil. He never gossips and He always speaks the truth.

Begin to see things God's way!

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

grahamehoward@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

*If you would like to contact me, then please send me an email😄

He walked through our part of Samaria

"Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?"                    Luke 17:17   NKJV

Ten men who had leprosy, approached Jesus as He passed through Samaria on His way to Jerusalem. They asked Him to have mercy upon them - they needed healing. He spoke with them and then told them to go and see the priest. This was normal procedure as the priest would verify the healing. However, they were healed as they made their way there. Not all people who are prayed for receive their healing at that time. Rather like these men, they may receive healing later as they go by faith.

One of the healed men, returned to Jesus giving glory to God. But the other nine went on their way. This shows that some worship God for the good things He does for us at the time, whereas, others ask Him for help and when they receive it, they get on with their lives with no gratitude in their hearts at all. 

Be honest; haven't you ever done this? You've prayed for something and when you receive it, give very little in the way of gratitude to God. I remember a few times before I was saved, when I had various types of problems. I wasn't a Christian but I'd always believed in God, so I prayed, asking Him to help me, promising Him everything I could think of. And he did answer me and yet, I never even gave Him thanks afterwards, or the gratitude that he deserved. Shameful, but He forgave me.

This man who had returned healed to Jesus, was an outcast. He had not only had leprosy - a dreaded disease, but he was also a Samaritan - a hated race in the eyes of a Jew. And yet, Jesus not only walked through Samaria but He healed these ten diseased men.

In a way, you and I were outcasts before we knew Jesus. We were riddled with sin that would prevent any of us from entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, as outsiders we were destined to hell - total separation from God and all other believers. But Jesus walked through our part of Samaria and as we called out to Him, He took these outcasts and turned you and I into cherished and precious children of God.

Now, doesn't that make you want to go to Him and worship Him, showing Him all of our gratitude?

Copyriight 2020 Grahame Howard

grahamehoward@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com