What do people see in you?

"Then Paul looking earnestly at the council said, 'Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day'. 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, 'God will strike you, you whitewashed wall. For you to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?' And those who stood by said, 'Do you revile God's high priest?"                                                     Acts 23:1-4     NKJV

Paul had been arrested for his faith but, as he was a Roman citizen by birth, had caused a panic and was therefore on His way to Rome to answer this. Here he is before Ananias, who was trying to get more information from him. Ananias considered Paul's reference to having a good conscience before God, to be blasphemy and ordered that he be slapped on the mouth. This provoked Paul to call him a 'Whitewashed wall.' This was quite a strange comment to make and if used today, would make people think the person was insane. Actually though, Paul was using this term because, as a high priest, it was not the thing to do and demonstrated that he didn't live up to his calling.

The term whitewashed wall can be interpreted as, something that looks clean on the outside but, is actually dirty on the inside. In other words it was hypocrisy, False teachers could be classed with this term, as could people who profess to be a Christian to people, but when alone, are far from this. Satan uses such people to spread unrest and deceit to God's people. He is intent on breaking up churches and causing mayhem wherever he can. He uses this counterfeit to spread lies and fear whenever possible.

It is imperative that we look after our own Christian testimony. To live two lives - one for Jesus and one for ourselves is not the way forward. Jesus demands all of us, nothing short of that. What is more, He knows us through and through. Therefore, if there is any hypocrisy or false ways within us, He will bring it to our attention. We are not perfect, He knows this. However, we can come close and what is more, he will help us to do this.

Have you ever spoken to someone about what they shouldn't be doing and suddenly realised that you are guilty of the same thing? If this is so, the Holy Spirit is flagging up an area that needs some attention. Nip it in the bud, with prayer before it spreads like wildfire. And then let people see in you - Jesus, your friend and Saviour.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

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A seed has been sown

"So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God"    

                                                                                                      Romans 10:17     NKJV

Before you were saved a seed had been sown by someone, for you. Think back on your life before Jesus, there may have been Sunday school, a 'religious' relation or someone standing on the street evangelising and the words just seemed to touch you. I remember back to my childhood. I went to Sunday school for a short time, that is, until I was asked to leave for disrupting the place. Then when I was in the army, we were given a New Testament when we joined up. I also remember having to sit in a room while speakers from the Gideon Society preached to us and afterwards, gave us a little New Testament. I never read it at the time but when I was in serious need, that was the first thing I went to. Strange that, because I hadn't a clue what I was reading, or even why.

From my point of view, to admit that you had read a bible, been to church or even prayed, was such an embarrassment and provoked peer pressure. I am sure that I am not alone with this. I also remember, when I had left the army and the bottom had fallen out of my world, a vicar knocking on my cottage door offering help if I needed it. But again, because of embarrassment, I declined the offer. Strange though, after this I was drawn to go to his church in the village but embarrassment stopped me. All this time, seeds had been sown until the day that I accepted Jesus as my Saviour.

You may relate to something like this. You may also have people in your family who are not saved and refuse to even accept this. Be at peace and just pray for them. By speaking the Word of God over them, you are actually sowing a seed into their life and one day, that seed will bud and become fruitful. Don't give up. Someone may have prayed for you and even though there was a mighty struggle, Jesus still had His way and you came into His kingdom. So will they, just be patient.

Check out Habakkuk 2:3, 'For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.' As you pray for someone, picture them to be saved, picture them as such and hang on to this vision each time you pray. Your prayers will be answered. You are sowing a seed and it will come to fruition at the right time.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

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Give God a call

"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and almighty things which you do not know."                                                                                   Jeremiah 33:3    NKJV 

Many of us started our Christian walk describing this scripture as God's telephone number. Can you remember that? It was a convenient way of remembering to call to God when we needed Him. Thankfully we do not have to rely on technology to contact Him, especially with todays telephoning system: 'We are trying to connect you, please hold, your call is very important to us. Press one for finance, 2 to record your details or if you wish to speak to an advisor, press 3.' Then the awful music broken only by 'We're still trying to connect you.' 

Thank goodness that we do not have to go through all of that to speak to God. He tells us to call on Him and He will answer and that is a promise. With the world's system of connection it can be hours but, with God we have an instant connection.His door is always open. We don't even have to have an appointment, He's always ready for us. Try that with your bank manager, general manager or even the prime minister and you'll be turned down. But not with God.

So why don't we call on Him more often? We get ourselves into problem after problem, attempting to sort things out that there is no easy answer to. We fret, become flustered, frightened and throw a wobbly when really, all we have to do is call on Jesus. How many times have you worried about something for days on end when all you had to do was call on Him. And really, why worry anyway. Jesus told us not to, so really it's a command. Most of the things that we worry about never happen anyway. Just think, all that nervous energy you have burnt up for no reason at all. Worry is a killer, it can seriously affect us medically. Don't do it. Jesus knows best.

Many of us have conversations with ourselves throughout the day. You can see people's lips moving as you pass them in the street. Now they could be on a mobile talking to a friend but, there is every chance they are having a conversation with themselves. If that is you, why not talk to Jesus instead. You will get more out of it than having a moan about something to yourself and it is a great way of keeping the connection open to God. Try it, it makes sense. 

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

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Be a faith-filled believer

"What is that in your hand?"                                            Exodus 4:2     NKJV

Do you trust God - wholeheartedly? Are you man or woman of faith, or do you just get by each day? Moses was struggling. In his opinion, God had called him to do the most horrendous thing - go to Egypt and confront Pharaoh about letting the Israelites go. It was one awesome task and he would have sooner done anything else that carry out this task. What if this and what if that? Suppose they don't believe me etc? It really was a nightmare time for him. How would you have felt about it? 

But God said something amazing to him, 'What is that in your hand?' He was referring to Moses' rod and told him to cast it down on the floor where it became a snake. When he picked it up by its tail, it became his rod once again. God was showing Moses that He was in charge and with Him in charge, nothing was impossible. And it is the same for you as well.

Without faith we are lost. We can't see fresh air but we know it is there and we naturally breathe it in all through our day. We can't see the wind but we witness the devastation that it can bring. We are the people who walk by faith, not by sight 2 Corinthians 5:7. We can't see certain things, but by faith we believe they are there. God is calling us to believe more; to walk in faith not by what we see.

Just look through the bible and you will see people who had incredible faith. 'Yes, but that was back in bible times, it's different now'. No it isn't, in fact there has never been a time when we need to exercise faith. All around us, evil is displayed, murders and rapes on the increase, and terrorism. Some folk believe that we are living in the end times and that may be true. If that is so, we need to stop believing in fear and believe in the opposite - faith and begin living it 24/7.

For some, food and clothing may be a shortage and aid is really helpful to them. However, nothing is more helpful than prayer - asking and believing and receiving. 'Lord we need this'. When He answers with, 'What is that in your hand?' believe and receive it. This is the way God wishes for us to live. 

We either believe God or we don't. We either believe that He can put something in our hand or it is just make believe. You know deep down that faith is the answer, however it takes practice to keep on believing as things will not happen always at once. But they will happen. Just believe.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

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Make the most of your time

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven."   

                                                                                                   Ecclesiastes 3:1   NKJV 

You are called to make the most of your time. When you do, you are walking in wisdom. Don't waste your time or your life. Mostly, we are only given one opportunity for that special thing in life. Don't miss the chance of success. 

Paul says: 'See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil' Ephesians 5:16. In other words, keep your eyes open to what is around you and, if you are certain God is directing you, seize the moment when it is available, you may not get another chance.

What opportunity is God giving you today? What are you going to do about it? When God speaks about something He wants you to do, it is not unusual to feel nervous, after all, it may be something big and you are not sure if you could manage it. You may try every trick in the book to convince yourself that it would be wrong for you to take this on. Check out Moses when God called him to go to Egypt. Be at peace, if God is showing you something today, you can do it. He has ordained you for the task. 

Get alone with God and ask Him to show you a little bit more of what He is asking or showing you. He will. You will not be totally convinced until you push the door and take a step forward but, as you take that step He will give you the assurance that you are needing.

Just think about it, this could be your day to succeed, make the most of it and don't miss the opportunity.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

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'I have a plan'

"Commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will succeed".    Proverbs 16:3    NLT 

Many people throughout the world come up with excellent plans and put them into action very quickly. Many succeed from their actions and make lots of money. Many don't and fail. Thomas Edison was a great pioneer of inventions and tried and failed many times with his quest to produce the electric light. When questioned about his exploits, he told the people, that he had not failed but just found 1000 ways that didn't work. A great answer and attitude. There are the doers and the thinkers. The doers get down to business and put their plans into action. The thinkers, just think about it and never try. 

God has given us a brain and the ability to create great things. There are colleges and universities where we can go to pursue study and learn the process of developing our God given talent. That doesn't mean that the person who hasn't been to these establishments cannot dream big and be successful, not at all. Many who haven't had academic training have become successful with their plans.

For us as Christians, the best place to start is with Jesus. He is the greatest inventor and creator of all time. Just look at the world and all that is in it for testimony to that fact. Therefore, if you have a plan, it makes sense to go to Him and give Him this and allow Him to help you develop it. The difference between you and the person who is of the world, is that you have given Him your life and that, includes your thoughts and your dreams. He has charge of them but, still allows you to go ahead on your own if you choose this route. However, if you want to be successful, God's way is the best route to take. 

Perhaps you have a plan at this moment. It may include a new job, a move to another area, even emigration. You may also have thoughts about starting your own business. Don't rush ahead and try to put it into action. Discuss it with God first. Get His opinion on this new venture. You see, He knows the way ahead - the pitfalls, and He will guide you expertly if you let Him. Your intentions may be the greatest thing that could happen to you. However, they may be your worst nightmare. Check it out with your Life Manager - Jesus right now.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

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Don't do it!

"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate."    

                                                                                                        Genesis 3:6    NKJV

Temptation comes in many forms and affects us all. No one is exempt temptation, it goes with the territory. It is though, down to each individual how they handle this - walk away or fall into the trap. The trap may be adultery, theft and a desire to be rich and famous or many other areas.

The problem is, falling into the trap can be very costly. It can cause a marriage to fail no matter how sorry the offending individual is. It can result in a lengthy prison sentence when a person has fallen to the temptation of embezzlement and worse of all, it can completely ruin a person's integrity and testimony. Once a person has become involved in these areas, they carry the label of untrustworthy.

The eye is a great offender, through these lenses, a person looks at something they shouldn't be viewing, such as pornography, and a desire can be ignited. Familiarity with someone if left to fester, can lead to an unsavoury relationship. No matter how pleasant this may be at the time, it will only lead to disaster and heartache and, rather like Eve found, it will be too late to rectify.

An urgent need for finance can tempt a person to put their hand in the till. However, when they get away with it they may be tempted to try it again and again until they are found out and arrested. Shoplifting can fall into this category. Theft and adultery and perhaps, child abuse can all be viewed as desirable to the person who is being tempted but, it will lead to a light being cast down on the whole sorry affair and a person being sent to prison or a divorce are all   that's left to look forward too. Children's lives will be wrecked, families torn apart and all because there was a desire that needed to be satisfied. At the end of the day, one is left with the phrase, 'Was it all worth it? And the answer has got to be, no.

Please don't feel that this would never happen to you, many people would be able to testify that they used to feel this. If you could ask Adam and Eve,they would tell you the same. A ten letter word can carry a devastating sting with it and it is called 'temptation'

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

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If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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