Your Annual Appraisal is due

 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; 24 and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."     

                                                                                                      Psalm 139:23-24    NKJV

An appraisal, is an annual assessment of the performance of a NHS worker, Social Care worker or other related workers. It is carried out to ascertain how the worker is doing, what should have been done, what needs to be done and to discuss weaknesses and strengths. It is a good way of checking out where the worker is at. Today's text could be described as David asking God to do an appraisal on him in order to find out the same. 

For a moment, let us imagine that God is doing an appraisal on ourselves. What is He going to find and what changes will need to be made? God searches our hearts to determine where we are at. What is He going to notice? Part of His assessment will be to determine the fruit you are bearing - good or bad. He will investigate us throughly so that He can determine what changes need to be made and what we can improve on. He will ascertain what needs to go into the refuse bin and what state our heart is in, spiritually. 

One question He may ask is, 'Why do you become anxious?' Another may be, 'Why do you worry so much?' How will you answer these two questions? Jesus tells not to worry about things (Matthew 6) and we are told by Peter to, 'Cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you.' (1 Peter 5:7). So why don't we take notice of this. These are weaknesses.

What can we do to improve this? Well, what about, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all you ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.' Proverbs 3:5-6. 

Am I willing to own up to the things that I shouldn't be doing? Ephesians 4:21-32, 'put off concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.'

If we're honest, if we ask God to carry out such an appraisal on us, He will take us up on it and, He will find things that need to change. However, be encouraged, because, He will find the good things too. He knows what you did to bring hope and comfort to someone lately. He knows what a blessing you have been to those who are in need. He looks and He is pleased.

Therefore, an appraisal is not just about bad things, it is also about the strengths that you have and the heart that is gradually - little by little, becoming more like Jesus. Take encouragement because, 'being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.'  Philippians 1:6.

If you mean business with Jesus, then He will do the same with you. He is totally for you!

Tomorrow, we begin our Study of Joseph. Be sure not to miss it.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Do you seek to please man or God?

"Am I now trying to win the favour and approval of men or of God? Or am I seeking to please someone?                                        Galatians 1:10    The Amplified Study Bible

Paul continually sought the approval of God. He didn't base his decisions on the opinions of other people. He aimed at pleasing God. And so should we.

The world around us is continually trying to put us in a box, in other words trying to compartmentalise us. They feel that we have to belong to this or that and if we are not careful, they will have their way and we'll end up being what we are not led to be. If a person is called to be a Sunday school teacher, then God will open that particular door at sometime in that person's life. To be placed into the role of a carpenter when you're a motor mechanic is a receipt for disaster. A round hole with a square peg comes to mind.

Sometimes, we have to be careful about the burden people place on us. Some people may want us to do a particular thing, but when we feel that it is not the right thing for us to do, they can put a 'trip' on us, making us feel full of guilt, rather like we have let them down, big time. Be careful to avoid this. 

If you set out to please God and to seek His approval and not man's, then at some time, you will come up against opposition. All through life, men and woman of God have to make decisions about their faith that are not pleasing to other people. Peter and John came up against this pressure in Acts 4:18-20. They were forbidden to speak about the name of Jesus. However, Peter knew what he was supposed to do and told them, 'For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.'

Winning the favour of man is not what we, as Christians are called to do. We need to be obedient to people in charge of us and various authorities, of course. But not if it contradicts our faith. We cannot water down our faith to please man, no matter what the cost.

God is calling you to be yourself, not a copy of someone else. God created you as you, not another person. We can't model ourselves on anyone but Jesus. He is our model and our mentor. He is our life and He knows you through and through and loves every part. His word to you today is, 'Seek the approval of God, not man.'

For your diary Monday 14th June, A Study of Joseph begins for a few days

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Earthquakes, open doors and broken chains. Part 2

"Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' 31 So they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."       

                                                                                                       Acts 16:29-40     NKJV 

The jailor was totally bewildered, wondering what on earth had happened. Think about it, wouldn't you be? It must have been mind-blowing for him. However, notice what he did first of all. After getting a light, because it would have been very dark in there, he ran to Paul and Silas, fell down on his knees - trembling, He then took them out of the prison and asked what he had to do to be saved.

People notice what we do and hear what we say. As Christians, we are the bible to non-believers. They rarely go to church and many don't own a bible, let alone read one. They can be affected by how we handle ourselves. Here the jailor knew who to run to. He had no doubt heard them singing and praising God; and he had noticed that they were not like the others, they didn't moan, groan or blaspheme. They were a witness for God, and he wanted this.

He couldn't do enough for them, he bathed their wounds, fed them and allowed them to rest in his house. Whilst they did this, they taught him about Jesus and he gave his life to Him, together with his family. He was a new man and was forever changed.

Notice how he took them back to the prison before daybreak and notice how Paul and Silas went with him, willingly. They honoured the jailor because not long after arriving there, the magistrates sent word to release them. If they hadn't have been there, He would have probably been executed. But, he still had his job, he was saved and so were his family.

Paul wanted to make a point here. They were trumped up charges and undeserved beatings on Roman Citizens. He wanted this to sink in and make them sweat. Which they did V38. They begged Paul and Silas to go quietly and, even though it is not mentioned, they probably apologised in a kind of way.

Paul and Silas were not doormats and neither are we. We are to stand up to injustice that we come up against. Certain religions do and noting is said. When Christians do, we are classed as 'do-gooders and troublemakers.' Enough, we serve the King of kings. Stand up for what you believe. We are not called to be walked all over. We serve a God who can cause earthquakes, open doors and break chains. You have an open door, walk through it in the name of Jesus and break someone's chains off them.

For your diary Monday 14th June, A Study of Joseph begins for a few days

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Earthquakes, open doors and broken chains

"But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them."                                                  Acts 16:25    NKJV 

Paul and Silas were in prison; their crime being Paul had cast an unclean spirit out of a slave girl. She had been a financial asset to some in the city because the spirit had enabled her to tell fortunes for which she charged a fee. This was now gone and the men reported them to the authorities, who in turn put them in jail, after beating them severely with rods. This was quite strange because their act too, was unlawful because Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

They were placed in stocks, something that would have been most unpleasant because the stocks were made out of logs, which were spilt and then drilled making a hole just big enough to accommodate their feet. This would have been tight on their ankles and in such a position, that sleep, would have been very difficult.

But complain they did not, instead they sang hymns and prayed loudly. It's hard to envision this and we need to imagine how we would have reacted if we were placed in this position. Would we pray and sing hymns or would we throw pity parties? Not so for Paul and Silas, they worshipped God and the other prisoners watched and listened to them. They probably would have wondered how and why these men were singing and obviously happy even though their backs were bleeding badly. They would have felt this unnatural.

All of a sudden God turned up in the form of an earthquake. He didn't send an angel this time as He had when Peter had been imprisoned earlier. The earthquake shook the very foundations of the prison and doors were opened and chains fell off the prisoners. It was so severe that the jailor woke up and fearing that the prisoners had escaped, went to commit suicide. As he was responsible for the prisoners, he would have received a nasty execution. Therefore, he preferred to take care of this himself. However, Paul shouted that they were there and eventually the jailer and his family were saved.

The things that we need to notice are the way Paul and Silas handled their situation. They didn't flap or moan; they praised God. Because of this, the prisoners listened to them and this must have had an effect on some of them. And then of course, the way God can turn up in any situation when we give Him the first place, such as praise and prayer. So:

Don't flap or moan, praise and pray instead

Be aware of the impact you can make on others who listen and see your behaviour

Remember, God will turn up if you give Him the first place.

For your diary Monday 14th June, A Study of Joseph begins for a few days

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

You're on the way back!

"However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaven."   

                                                                                                          Judges 16:22    NKJV 

God has not forgotten you. Your time is coming. People may have passed you over but God, never will. You are too important to Him for that.

Take a look at Samson. Yes, he made some mistakes; no one is perfect. He entered into a relationship with Delilah, who after finding out the secret of his strength, had his hair shaved and revealed this to the Philistines who came and took him, gouging out his eyes. After this, he was a has-been, a yesterday's man. Yet, God can do a lot with a yesterday's man who repents. God knew Samson's heart and would have heard his inward groaning. Thus, his hair began to grow back, giving him back his strength.

Sometimes, we have to reach rock bottom before we realise that we can't do this alone. God doesn't intervene until we call on Him for help. When we do, He is there. 'For whoever calls on the name of the Lord, shall be saved.'  (Romans 10:13). 

You may be going through a difficult time at the moment. It can seem that you are on your own and that no one wants to help. But take courage, Jesus is right there with you and waiting for you to ask Him for His help. Don't be proud by thinking you don't really need anyone's help, you've come this far and you've managed. You haven't, the way you feel now proves that. Be willing to receive His help. It may come directly from God or from someone He has sent to meet your need. Whatever, accept it, you can go no further until you do.

You may have been a someone - a great leader, boss, rich and successful. Something may have happened and you lost it all. Your health may have suffered and you are very ill. Or you may be down on your luck where nothing you do, seems right. But Jesus can help you with all of this; all you have to do is ask Him.

Why not call out to Him now - He is waiting:

'Lord, I come to You. Things are pretty bad in my life at this time but, I'm placing my eyes on You. Please help me Jesus.' I ask in Jesus' name. Amen

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

 

What would Jesus do?

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him"                             Colossians 3:17     NKJV

'What would Jesus do?' This phrase still make us think. For one thing, it is reassuring to feel that we are handling a situation the way that Jesus would. It makes us feel good. Alternatively, it helps us to check our attitudes and guides us in the right way, when we don't want to do what Jesus would do. People may become shocked at this statement but, let's be real here, sometimes we just don't want to be nice to someone we don't particularly like. They may have hurt us in some way and all we want to do is press the 'destroy button. We are only human.

But when we signed up to follow Jesus, we made a commitment. We may have agreed to do anything He wants us to do and, go anywhere he asks. However, when it comes down to it, we wriggle and try to do anything, but that!

There's a saying in the army, 'If you can't stand a joke, you shouldn't have joined up,' and it's true. You were willing at the beginning but when it comes down to it, you would probably sooner climb Mount Everest than be nice to someone who has wronged you. 

But we can't ignore God's Word. Paul writes, 'whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.' What part of that can't we understand? Whatever we do and whatever we say. Whatever means whatever. It means everything and anything, no matter what. Therefore, if we belong to Jesus, He would expect us to put this into action.

It's all about rising above the problemThe most important part of any day for us, is to be a living example of Jesus. Let us not forget that, we hurt Him and let Him down and yet, He still shows us His everlasting love. This is the example we need to follow and we'll achieve it by 'Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.'

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Peter on: Making sure your reactions are sharpened

"For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."   

                                                                                                     1 Peter 3:14-17    NKJV 

Many times in our Christian lives, we will come up against people who are not believers and want to demonstrate this by attacking us with words or occasionally in a physical way. Now the reason may be some deep-rooted feeling that happened in their earlier life, something that caused great pain. It may also be because they don't like you or God and resent your presence. The real reason may well be that they have a great fear that they too, may give their lives to Jesus, challenging their street credibility. Whatever it is, they give you some real grief. So how do we handle that kind of behaviour or when we are falsely accused. Well, there is a written formula here, containing six ways to act:

Receive the Blessing.  Consider yourself blessed that you have been recognised as a follower of Jesus Christ and that, the devil is not pleased so he has reverted to sending this attack upon you. This shows you that he is worried just by your presence. He knows that you have the ability to change this situation and bring the person into the kingdom. Rejoice.

Do not be afraid.  There is no need to fear because Jesus is right there with you. Just act the way He would and rise above their threats and accusations. You're the Child of the King, so act like it.

Worship the Lord.  It may not be appropriate to start worshipping God in front of your accusers but, inwardly, you can be praising God for what He is going to do to help you through the situation. It is vital that you listen to and be guided by the Holy Spirit. He has the answers and the ability to change your situation. Trust me, I have been in so many scrapes over the years and I have never been let down when I have inwardly called upon the Lord for help.

Be ready.  Always be ready to give an account of what you believe. There will always be a chance to do this and when it comes, you need to take it. As you do this, you are making a stand; you are holding up the banner of Jesus Christ and declaring that nothing is going to stop you, whatever comes your way.

Maintain a good conscience.  Be careful of what you say and do. Just one mistake and the person can point the finger and then we can be riddled with guilt, which is never helpful because the enemy will always use it against you. Maintaining a good conscience, can help direct the person who is offending you, to Jesus. They are often amazed at how a Christian can still maintain their faith under such difficult times and this can be frustrating for them, because it diffuses their accusations.

Be of good conduct. This follows on from point five; our conduct should be above reproach. Now when we are in the thick of things and people are accusing you falsely, others are threatening you or generally bad-mouthing you, it can be very difficult to avoid doing the same. Do not retaliate in such a away. Maintain your testimony of Jesus; uphold His ways and keep your cool for Jesus.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE