Laugh your way to victory

"Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (11) So the Levites quieted all the people saying, 'Be still, for the day is holy, do not be grieved."    

                                                                                                         Nehemiah 8:10-11    NKJV

Ezra the priest had just read the Book of the Law to the people. He had started in the morning and now, at midday, he concluded. The people were so touched by the Word of God that they began to weep. Nehemiah, the governor at that time, told the people not to mourn or indeed, weep because the day was holy. Instead, he told them, to be filled with the joy of the Lord which is their strength.

Realise that each new day is holy to us because Jesus is in our lives. We should live holy lives because He is holy. (1Peter 1:15). And what is more, each day Jesus tells us not to mourn or be sorrowful but, to be joyful. 'This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.' (Psalm 118:24). He has created a new day for us - a day that is holy and he expects us to enjoy it - be glad in it and joyful. 

There are many opposites that we come up against each day. Take for instance faith; the opposite of this is fear. Joy is no different; it has an opposite and this is despair, which is the misery of the world. It includes depression, anger, moaning, criticism, judging and aggression. These are all wrapped up in weakness, failure and spiritual decay. So therefore, joy is our strength; but to live the opposite is weakness.

God did not say, 'This is the day the Lord has made, we will despair and moan about it'. Absolutely not. We can choose to do this, that is our right. However, it is not a very good choice. It's far better to carry out God's directive, 'we will rejoice and be glad in it'. 

Laughing is a great way to be free. It releases tension. We can laugh our way to victory. We can also laugh ourselves into good health. 'A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.' (Proverbs 17:22).

Joy and merriment are a recipe for victory and we should choose to live this way every day of our lives. We need it - the world needs it. Each day is a holy day with Jesus and He is never in despair. Take a leaf or two out of His book - these verses.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Are you holding a grudge?

"But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him."                                          V30 of Luke 15:11-32     NKJV

We all know the Parable of the Prodigal Son and the way he went off with his father's inheritance, wasted it on wild living and then returned to his father asking for help and forgiveness. It is well documented and we can all see a part of ourselves within the text. However, what about the brother? It would appear - from his perspective at least - that there was a kind of favouritism between his father and younger brother. Younger children sometimes do take the 'favourite' roll for a time.

The father must have been devastated to hear that his younger son was leaving home but, he acted very fairly to him, sharing out equally, his livelihood between the two sons. But when this all went wrong and he returned to the homestead, the older brother, being a faithful and reliable son, felt that his brother had treated the family abysmally.

He was hurt and angry towards his brother and his father for welcoming him back as if he was a king returning from a mighty battle. He had a big, 'This is not fair, Pharisaical attitude and he couldn't even bring himself to call his brother by name. He called him, 'this son of yours'. Have you ever been like this? I have, especially when our dog has been up to no good. I say to my wife, 'This dog of yours has done - whatever.' We may joke but we do this.

The older brother couldn't see that grace was ruling the moment - the unmerited favour which God shows to us all when we need it. We don't deserve it but we get it anyway, and this was what happened to the younger brother. The older brother had a major grudge about all of this and we don't read that he ever repented.

We have to be careful of this powerful weapon. Grudges hold you back, they separate you from God; it is unforgiveness with a giant blame and accusation attached to it. Be careful, there is only one accuser and that is Satan himself. 

Think back, are you holding a grudge about some person who has wronged and hurt you or treated you unfairly? Listen to me, you are going nowhere with God until you let go of this and forgive the person. When you do, you will receive God's grace to help you deal with it all.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

He has anointed us and sent us to carry on the work

"18 The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."                            Luke 4:18-19    NKJV

Jesus stood in the synagogue and read this out, loud and clear. He was reinforcing Isaiah's statement in Isaiah 61:1-2 and declaring that this was being fulfilled in their presence; He was the promised Messiah.

Later, in Chapter 9:1-2, we read that He passed this ministry to His disciples, 'Then He called His disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.' And then the entire church Acts 1&2.

As disciples of Jesus ourselves, we have this same mission. Jesus has commissioned us (Matthew 28:16-20 and Mark 16:14-18), to carry on this work wherever we are and whenever we can. We have been anointed by Jesus Himself to preach the gospel to the people who haven't heard it or don't fully understand the meaning of it. Without this, they are hell-bound, it is serious business. There are many people who are brokenhearted in our world today, who desperately need Jesus. He is the answer to their problems and their longing and they need us to explain this to them. Then there are those who are chained and held captive to drugs, porn, abuse of all kinds and poverty. They are in need of Jesus, they need to be set free and we, have the power within us, to do that. Depression, oppression, sickness, loneliness, just to name a few, are being suffered by people all over the world. I heard the other day about a person who was executed in a distant country for owning a bible. People need Jesus and now!

And we have the capability, we have the anointing of Jesus and there are many ways that we can help. We can send money to Christian charities; we can help children be schooled, fed and clothed by a small amount of cash each month. But also, there are the people in our neighbourhood, the people we live near to, who we work with, our family or friends. Everyone needs Jesus. This is why Jesus anointed you and I. We can make a difference.

Their is vast pain in this world. People have lost loved ones through Covid 19. People have lost someone through a car crash or a stabbing. People have been raped. Pain, pain and more pain. We can't take the pain away but we can help a little.

Do you realise that there is someone living near to you who has awful, pain-filled problems? They don't know Jesus either. They really have no one to help them. Can you help?

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Your Valentine

"6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. 7 Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. 8 My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me."     Psalm 63:6-8    NKJV

It's Valentine's Day and many people, all over the world are receiving cards, flowers and the promise of a nice meal later on. Some celebrate it, some don't. But when you think about it, what a fabulous way of showing somebody that you love them; care for them and enjoy them in your life. It's designed that we send a card to someone that is special in our lives. Does that include Jesus; after all, He's special isn't He?

Just imagine what you could write on a card to Jesus:

'Jesus, I just want to say that I love You. You are truly wonderful and words cannot express what You mean to me. You were there for me when it seemed that everyone else had deserted me and You built me up into the person that I am today. Thank you Jesus for saving me and giving me my life back. Jesus, You really are my lifeline, my rock and my redeemer and I am eternally grateful for all You have given me; my family, my home, my ability to work and be blessed. Today Jesus, I salute You and declare that You are my number one Valentine.'

JESUS

YOU ARE MY VALENTINE!  💕

It may seem a little zany to do this, but why not and who cares. You are demonstrating just how much the King of kings means to you. Why not give it a try today!

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Watch the devil doesn't trip you up!

"Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."                                                            1 Peter 5:8    NKJV

Without trying to promote paranoia, we need to realise that our enemy may be around every corner hoping to trip us up. But, when we are walking with the King of kings, we always have the victory. This is why praise is so vital to our survival.

Gloria Copeland writes: 

'Your mind is where the battle will take place. Whatever you allow to captivate your mind will rule your life. Will it be the Word of God or the lies of Satan'   Gloria Copeland, From Faith to Faith.

The main area that the enemy hits us, is in our thought life. He will plant things in our minds that are so convincing and as we focus on this lie, he brings us False Evidence that Appears Real - F.E.A.R. If we're not careful, we begin to believe the lie and we are captivated and nothing anybody says to the contrary convinces us differently. This happens every day to people and it drives a wedge between relationships, home-life, church-life and even our places of work. We become convinced that someone has gossiped about us; convinced that our partner is being unfaithful; we become paranoid that we are being forced out of a particular job and whatever else. It all originates from believing the lie - which we allow, to take over our minds.

When thoughts such as these come, we need to cast them down at once and take authority over them. (2 Corinthians 10:5). We need to take authority before we're taken over by it all. Just refuse to consider the lies. How do we refuse to consider the lies? By praising and worshipping God.  

'(3) Your unfailing love is better than life itself. How I praise You. (4) I will praise You as long as I live lifting up my hands to You in prayer. (5) You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise You with songs of joy.'        Psalm 63:3-5    NLT

By doing this, we are allowing the Word of God to rule our life and the devil will shoot away:

'Therefore, submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.' James 4:7 The devil will then lose that particular battle. 'The Lord is known for His justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds'. Psalm 9:16 NLT. Instead of the devil snatching and devouring us, we have taken control over him in this particular incident. We have caught him in God's trap. But be careful, he will try again at a later stage. 

From today, learn to recognise what comes into your mind. The devil will bring aggression and disruption and will try to cause pain and heartache. God fills your mind with joy and wholesome thoughts that thrill your heart. In other words, you will either feel fear or faith. Learn to recognise this and clear your mind.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

God - Our shelter and our refuge.

"The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble".     Psalm 9:9   NLT

We all need a safe place to go every now and then. It's a shelter and a refuge, somewhere away from the worries and cares of the day and a place that we can unwind and know, that no one will bother us for a while. Most schools these days have such facilities - a special place where a pupil can go if they're not coping well and may be subject to being bullied or pressured. It is their safe place. If King David needed this, you can be sure that we will at some time or another. Everyday life can be stressful. Problems mount up and if they're not resolved quickly, they can become a great burden. 

Praise is one way that can bring freedom because it stops Satan in his tracks. He cannot stand to hear such things as prayer and praise and will quickly vanish from our presence. However, when we're stressed and troubled, one of the last things we want to do is praise God. It can be such a sacrifice to do this (Hebrews 13:15) and it takes all we have got to put it into action; but, once we do, the chains that the enemy has been trying to bind us with, fall off. 

Focus on Jesus, not the problem. The problem will eventually go away when we fix our eyes and full attention on to Him. James 4:8, tells us to, 'Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.' But be aware, praise should never be governed by our emotions. God is worthy of our praise all the time, whether we feel like praising Him, or not. Psalm 34:1 tells us 'I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praise.' We should develop a life of praise.

Focusing on Jesus is a must for our daily walk and survival. When we are up against problems, the ones that are so difficult to deal with, we need to re-focus. If we don't re-direct our focus, the problem will consume our life. God is our shelter and our refuge in times of trouble but, we need to be full-on with Him. When we praise Him, which should be a regular occurrence, our praise should be our all - everything we have, and it should be at all times, not just when we think about it, but in the good and the not so good times.

Many people do a daily Keep Fit schedule which may include, jogging, swimming and general exercise. It is a great way to keep in shape both mentally and physically. In the same way, we also need to develop a Keep Fit Plan for our daily walk with Jesus. This should include, praise, prayer, listening to God, reading our bibles and generally keeping focused on Him. When we do this, we are guaranteed to be in constant connection with Jesus - our shelter and refuge.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

'If You are willing - I am willing.'

"If You are willing, You can make me clean. (41) Then Jesus moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, 'I am willing, be cleansed."    V40-41                                                                             Mark 1:40-45    NKJV

There was faith and determination in this man's words to Jesus. He had obviously heard about Him and how people were being healed. Having leprosy, he was an outcast; people would not go near someone who had this disease. They believed that it was caused by sin in their life and one would be defiled if they touched such a person.

We get a glimpse of Jesus' heart here; when He spoke with the man, He was filled with compassion. This man was an outcast and had nothing, no life that you could speak of. He had no one to love or to love him. Then he met Jesus and his whole life changed for the better. 'I am willing; be cleansed.'

It would be easy to berate the man. Jesus had healed him on the spot and told him to go to the priest for confirmation that he was ceremoniously clean. He was told to tell no one what had happened, but he did. Think about it for a moment though, he was not blatantly disobedient, not at all. He had been an outcast with no life at all, now he was a somebody with his life back and a future; of course he wanted to tell someone, wouldn't you? He had a story to tell. Sadly though, this prevented Jesus from preaching in the area because of the publicity, so it was an hindrance. People all over the world love to testify of God's goodness to them. He was just doing the same. He just had to tell someone.

Looking deeply into this account, we see someone with a very great need. An outcast with no one to turn to, no one to share love with. We may also see a deep poverty, that is filled with brokenness, loneliness, depression and desperation. You may be married, separated or single and life at the moment may be pretty grim. In fact, for many reasons, your life may be falling apart. No one seems to care; the telephone never rings and no one ever calls in. Money is also tight and that special job is always too difficult to secure. 

In a way, this is similar to what the man with leprosy was feeling. But notice one important thing; he didn't just sit around waiting for things to change. He became proactive and approached Jesus - 'If you are willing'. And that is all it took. He knelt down before Jesus and poured out his heart. Jesus' heart melted, and His heart will melt for you as well. Go to Him now!

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE