Confession and a new start Part 1

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold by Your generous Spirit."    

                                                                                                Psalm 51:10 - 12     NKJV 

This is a Psalm of David's confession to God after his adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband murdered. He had spent a year of misery trying to hide his sin of adultery, betrayal and murder; but, he couldn't hide it from God, who saw it all and after a time, sent the prophet Nathan to expose him 2 Samuel 12:7. We cannot hide from our sin, if we do, God has a way of bringing it to the light.

Adultery shatters families and marriages and, yet, some people commit this act living two lives. It betrays the innocent partner and displays to children that they are not really important. In some cases, acts such as this, can lead to murder as we often see in the media. The awful thing about it, is the adulterer's schemes at hiding the sin, with lies and manipulation. It may be exciting for some, to live in such a way but, it is devastating to be on the end of it all.

As we've seen, David tried a cover up for about a year and never repented. God would have given him every opportunity, like He would one of us; but David ignored all of this. Therefore, God sent Nathan who exposed him.

David eventually repented and wrote this Psalm about his sin and confession. He was ready to start again and had learnt his lesson. He asked God to give him a clean heart and a renewed, totally for God, Spirit. 

It can often feel like God has left us when we are in sin. He doesn't, it just feels that way. He never leave us but, the Holy Spirit will convictt us and we may feel like we are a million miles away from God, until we repent. With adultery, we need to confess and ask God to forgive us and - wait for it - also the partner who we have betrayed. Not many people want to do this but, if we don't, we are still hiding it and it could come back and bite us one day. We need to be free.

At times such as these, we need to feel the joy of God's salvation. That wonderful, elated time when we were first saved - the honeymoon. It will come but, firstly we need to confess and put things right and leave the rest to God. 

For the betrayed partner, it may take some time for healing and forgiveness to sink in and, this is where our faith comes in, What we are dealing with here, is the terrible cost of adultery and betrayal.

However, there is good news here. When we repent God makes a way forward. We’ll look at this tomorrow.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Dealing with depression

"Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls."     Psalm 42:7     NKJV 

Many people today suffer with depression. It can disable a person's mind, robbing them of all motivation and faith. At times it strikes when a person is not expecting it, such as a personal crisis, where the wind is taken out of the person's sails and they have a feeling that they just cannot cope or take anymore.

Many bible leaders from the past suffered depression, including King David, Elijah and Jonah. There were others. This Psalm is very interesting because it shows the Psalmist suffering a fluctuating  mood - hope and despair, confidence and then collapse and fear and bouts of faith. The writer was almost undergoing seesaw faith, one minute up and the next down in despair. 

He does something interesting, he challenges his soul - his mind, will and emotions and he says:

'Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance'   Psalm 42:5.

He preached to himself, challenging his thoughts and feelings and then he paraphrased, 'I don't feel like praising Him now, but He is worthy of my hope - and I shall yet praise Him.' He is saying 'My soul is cast down within me, therefore, I will remember You' v6.

As he focuses on his feelings, he describes a waterfall. As the power of the water plunges into the body of water, it surges downward. If anyone is in the way of this, they may be taken down with the sudden power of it all. He mentions, 'Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls' v7. He realises that the more he focuses on the problem he is dragged down further and the depression becomes worse and can set up home within.

This is very important, when a person is depressed, it is very genuine and they find it difficult to make choices or think positive about anything at all. We know that God is the healer and He will and has healed people of this condition. But, everyone is different. Psalm 103:5 NIV describes God redeeming our life from the pit, that pit of despair that describes depression. Some people receive their healing instantly. Sadly for others, it takes a little longer for healing to fully kick in because the person may be further down in the 'deep calls unto deep' than the other.

You may have or be suffering depression at this time. It will pass but there are things that we can put into place to help speed the process. Like the Psalmist here, think of something that God has done in your life that gave you hope. Focus on that and each day build upon it until you can begin to thank and praise Him for this. It may take time, but it is a worthwhile exercise. Try and avoid the 'Deep things' the things that paint a darkness in your mind, and taking one day at a time with Your friend, Jesus, walk out of this captivity into freedom.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

 

Things will get better

"I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, , out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth - Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD."                   Psalm 40:1-3     NKJV

Once again, we see David waiting. But, note, he is waiting patiently. This is something that will only come with practice. I am quite impatient and find it very difficult to wait for things to happen. I can often be seen pacing around the room as I wait. I am sure that I am not the only one. Being patient while we wait for something to happen, is a sign of great integrity and one that takes a long while to perfect. Everyone becomes a little itchy after waiting for a long time for something to develop. It would appear though that David had acquired the gift of patience. 

Notice in verse 1 where God 'inclined to me.' This show us that God bent down and leaned into David to hear his requests and fears. If He did this for David, then be reassured, He does it for you as well. He has no favourites  and demonstrates His love and care for us in such ways. This also confirms to us that He hears our pleas.

In verse 2, David mentions that God brought him up, or rescued him, from a horrible pit and out of the miry clay. The 'horrible pit' that David mentions, could be described as a dungeon or a cistern. This reminds me of a place where Joseph was in Genesis. However, sooner than it being an actual place, it was more likely to have been an area of distress in his life, one where he felt completely alone and trapped. To add to this, he felt like he was in a miry clay. Now, this is similar to a swampy place with mushing, sticky mud that sucks at the feet and threatens to suck a person under or keep them there, again trapped. I am sure that you have been in a similar position where life is holding you to ransom and you can't seem to find a way out of the mess. But note this, God heard his cry and set his feet on a rock.

A rock is a firm piece of land which normally has a solid foundation. This was where God placed David when He rescued him. But this was a metaphor, the rock was Jesus Himself and is not unlike Moses experience when God told him to use his staff to draw water from the rock by hitting it with his staff. Unfortunately for Moses, the second time he had to do something like this, he didn't listen properly to God when He told him to 'speak' to the rock, not hit it with his staff. His disobedience cost him entering the promised land  Exodus 17:5 - 7, Numbers 20:7. The Apostle Paul described this in 1 Corinthians 10:1 - 4 and describes Jesus as being the rock.

God rescued David, as He will you when you are in peril and cry out to Him. He 'established his steps' v2. This means that He led David to a place of safety and set him on the right road. This put a new song in David's heart and, for us He will do similar by putting a new skip in our walk. 

You will become trapped in similar ways as you go through your Christian life, but, realise the rock, Jesus Christ, is with you wherever you go and if you begin to sink, like a heavenly lifeguard, He will rush to save you.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Rest and do not fret

"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret - it only causes harm."       Psalm 37:7-8     NKJV 

God wants His people to be at peace - in complete rest. He doesn't wish for us to be fretful about things but, to be patient. People do appear to get away with their schemes and wicked ways but, is it worth getting all steamed up about it all. If we can do something directly about this, then go ahead. However, if we can't there is no use in fretting about it.

There are a lot of plotters about; they's mostly known as con men. It's hard to spot them mostly, so be wise in all you do. They may rip you off but, they'll never be able to rip God off. Whatever has happened, if you leave it to Him, He will avenge. Because God has promised to take care of us, as we put our trust in Him, we can rest in the Lord. 

Resting in the Lord is a particular kind of rest; it s the rest of silence. We do not have to defend ourselves in retaliation. If we refuse to speak back to someone who has done us a wrong, then God will protect us. Remember how Jesus handled things. Often, He remained quiet - silent. If He did, then we need to do the same. 

We need to watch our anger level; when we surrender to this, we handle things badly. Therefore, cease from anger. When we are angry, we allow ourselves to lose a certain amount of control. We are no longer in the driving seat, the devil is and he loves to drive. In anger, words and behaviours get out of hand. When we calm down, we are left with guilt and regret, even shame. Don't allow yourself to get this way.

Check out the last part of verse 8, 'Do not fret - it only causes harm.' It causes harm to the people that we become angry with or who witness our behaviour; and it can cause us harm. Becoming so angry that we become out of control, can force our blood pressure to boil and may even cause a heart attack or a stroke. It is far better to stay out of harms way and be at rest.

Have you found that place of rest that we are discussing? It's not as difficult as it seems. It is giving our all to Jesus - our cares, concerns, troubles, fears and worries, and allowing ourselves to step into the place of security and peace. Literally, it is heaven on earth and it is achievable. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, 'Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Ask yourself, what part of that is difficult to understand? Jesus offered it and we need to accept it. Why punish your soul - your mind, will and emotions, when you have such a great offer?

Let us enter His rest!

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Living Water

"For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light."     Psalm 36:9      NKJV 

Jesus offers us the only real life available - eternal life. But, there is more. This life is meant to give us the most enjoyable form of life ever known to man. It is a fountain of Life. God is the fountain of life, the well-spring of living water - life-giving water. In this, is included salvation, continuing mercy and light John 8:12.

The root meaning of the word fountain is 'Dig' which refers to a source of flowing water. Living water is a natural spring flowing with fresh water, whereas, a man-made cistern was used to capture rainwater which was not as fresh. Metaphorically speaking, the word fountain refers to life that flows with encouraging words - words that carry life, hence, 'For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.'

This was the living water that Jesus referred to when speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well John 4:10. 'Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." The woman was referring to actual water so that she didn't have to keep coming to the well. Jesus offered her a river of living water, which she later spoke about to her villagers. 

Jesus is the provider of living water. This is why He speaks encouraging and life-filled words to us. His words pack power. He is also the light of the world; the light that shines in the darkness, the light that shows us the way. Now, there is a lot of darkness in our world, it is everywhere we go. But, as we walk through our daily lives with Jesus, we light up the way in that darkness. Jesus wants people to see the difference we make.

There is also a lot of pain and sadness wherever we look. People are used and abused and are desperate for someone who can offer them a way out of this pain. In Jesus, we can. We carry words of life. When we walk in step with the Holy Spirit, we take living water to the people we meet - living words. Everyone needs a word of encouragement from time to time, and you and I can provide this.

David said, 'In Your light we see light', and this is the light-giving, living water refreshing fountain that we have to offer whoever will accept it.

Think about it!

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

The Fear of the LORD

"Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?"    

                                                                                                       Psalm 34:11-12     NKJV 

What is the fear of the Lord? David gives us some pointers in this Psalm; it is doing right and practicing total obedience. He feels it is so important and states in v12, 'Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? We need to keep our tongue from speaking evil and our lips from deceit. In fact, we are to depart from evil and do good, seeking peace.'

This is not unlike Proverbs 4:20-27, where Solomon teaches us very much the same. Then, of course, Jesus teaches us about what comes out of our mouths and the state of our hearts. In fact, the New Testament is packed with more teaching on this subject. Therefore, David's teaching is extremely important, 'Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.' 

We need to take notice here. What we speak and think about is assessed. God is the assessor Psalm 34:15. He knows all, hears all and sees all. There is nothing that we can hide from Him. So we need to ensure that we have a good assessment. A critical spirit and/or a gossipy tongue, needs to cease. Swearing and evil speaking, even in jest, should not be a part of a child of God. It is difficult to adhere to, but imperative if we wish for a long life of blessing.

We are not only to live in peace but, we are to seek and pursue it, even when someone has taken your parking space, jumped the queue in the supermarket or borrowed something and never given it back. 

We need to fully understand the fear of the Lord, and live it, each and every day.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Spend some time with your Father

"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me and let us exalt His name together."     Psalm 34:1-3  NKJV 

Have you ever just come before the Lord and just praised Him, nothing else? What I mean is, have you ever just sat or knelt and without asking for anything, just praised Him? Have you ever just sat before the Lord without saying a word and just listened for Him to speak to You?

These are difficult things to do. Our natural urge is to speak to God, to praise Him yes, but also to pour out our prayer requests and our pleas for mercy when we have let Him down badly. To just come before Him without any agenda; without saying anything, can be alien to our thinking at times. It takes discipline. Try it and see.

David trained himself in this discipline and he determined to bless and praise the Lord at all times; in fact, praise would always be in his mouth. David trained every part of his body, soul and spirit to be disciplined and submitted to God. This didn't come easy for him. He had many struggles with life; many difficulties with people and many people wanting to harm him. But, he put God first and realised that, without Him, he was nothing.

Think about that statement for a moment, we are nothing without God. We have no future, no protection or certainty in life. It is a minefield out there and there are a few who do not like us, even though we have never done anything to cause this. It's just life. Rather like a computer program that runs continually in the background to make if effective, God works in the background of our lives. He sees what we can't see and hears what we miss. If we allow Him, He is our planner; our manager and our protector. We can not exist without Him (John 15:5).

Therefore, why not take a day off asking God for something and doing all of the talking. Why not set aside a day to just sit and praise Him, listen to Him and relax in His goodness and His peace.  It beats a day by the pool with your favourite drink, in fact, it beats anything you could ever think of. You will be sitting at the feet of your God, your friend and your daddy. Nothing could ever top that. Try it very soon.

Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE