Have you got the taste?

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good."                            Psalm 34:8     NKJV 

The media bring us awesome advertising of just how good certain food items are. We see delicious looking recipes that set our taste buds on fire. When this happens, the advertising team have done their job properly. However, until we actually taste the food it is just that, a good piece of advertising. We need to get the taste into our mouths to be able to decide if it really is as good as they say.

I have observed my grandson when he is faced with food that is alien to him. He is unsure and may sniff it, poke it and may have a lick before he decides if it is the type of food that he wants to put into his mouth. We are a little like this, we have a lick but when we do this, we don't get the full satisfaction that would be received if we actually tasted and savoured the food. 

Some people are like this with God. They will have a lick of the spiritual food that He is offering but that is all. They don't really go any further. To taste and see that the Lord is good, we have to go deeper and get the full benefit of who He is and what He has to offer us. He asks us to go deeper with Him. He wants us to taste fully all that He is offering us. He wants all of us, not just a slice. And, when He gets all, He gives all.

Picture a parent who is devoted to their child. As the child grows older, the world becomes a fascinating place with lots to explore. The parent may then tend to be neglected because the child is trying out new trends and finding their own way in life. Yet the parent still remains devoted and longs for the child's attention. This is how God feels towards each of us. He is our Father, He created us and gave us all we have and wants to give us much more, but many of us are too busy with the things of the world - business, college, entertaining etc. Many of us  only give Him a slice, when He wants all of us - to share in all that we do. 

If we align ourselves with God, we will be positioned to receive the goodness that He knows we need, regardless of the trials that come our way. God is calling us to dig deeper into Him - to taste and see just how good He is. He doesn't want a slice of us but all that we have. In return, He will bless everything that we have.

Have you got the taste for doing this?

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

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Why has this happened Lord?

"But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, 'You are my God.' 15 My times are in Your hands."                                                                                  Psalm 31:14-15    NKJV 

As Christians, we fully trust God yes? We trust Him with everything - our life, money, family and our job. So why do we ask "Why?' when things begin to go wrong? In fact, why do these  things go wrong? Why do tragic things happen to us and why do we lose our job when we have always been faithful in our work? Why do bad things happen to us when all around, unbelievers appear to be living so well? Why?

Well, in answer to these questions, we first of all need to ask, why did God allow Jesus to suffer so much? Why did He allow Him to be mentally and physically tortured and hung on a cross in agony? Why? God is majestic, He can do anything; why then, didn't He choose to handle things differently. Surely He could have worked it that Jesus didn't have to suffer so much. People say, it was for our sin. Then why? Why couldn't God have come up with another plan? Why?

The answer to all of this is, we just don't know why God  chose Jesus' fate and why people have to suffer so much. Personally, I was healthy until I became a Christian. I was miraculously healed overnight of illness, and this is my testimony. So why then, did I have more sickness, one major, and wasn’t healed. Why, I don’t know. However, what I do know, is that although there are questions that none of us can answer, easily, one thing I do know is that He is a most loving God and cares for each one of us more than we could ever imagine.

David had lots of similar questions to ask God, read Psalm 31 and you'll see. Yet, He was still able to praise God; He was still able to say that he trusted in Him and stated that his life was in God's hands, and he was grateful for this fact. He had no answers to his pleas of 'Why?' Yet, he was still able to praise God, 'Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His marvellous kindness in a strong city' Psalm 31:21. There is a lesson for us here. Things may become grim and we may feel that everything is against us and that God doesn't appear to be around. But He is and He has a plan. Stop trying to find out why things have happened to you and start to have David's attitude; praise and more praise and be grateful that what God had in mind when Jesus died on the cross for us, gave us life to live - eternally. One day, we will fully grasp this benefit.

Thank you Jesus!

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

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Confess your sin

"When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long 4 for day and night Your hand was heavy upon me, my vitality was turned into the drought of summer"                                                                         Psalm 18:3-4   NKJV 

When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, made her pregnant and then had her husband, Uriah killed, he genuinely felt that it was ok and that he had got away with it. However, we can never hide our sin from God. He knows, even though no one else does and, He expects us to do something about it - confess and put it right.

This unaddressed sin drained David both physically and emotionally. His bones ached, his groaning filled the air and his strength was sapped. His problem was not medical but theological; God's hand was heavily upon him. There was a loss of fellowship with God and his wellbeing was very low. When we refuse to confess our sin we can end up feeling miserable, guilty, weak and discouraged; and we become isolated from God. He hasn't moved from us but the sin we carry, blocks our path to Him.

The Lord commands us to repent before it completely damages our relationship with Him - our intimacy. We have to be honest and tell Him what we have done, He knows already but it needs to be confessed. He will then forgive us and restore us back to Himself.

None of us are sin free, we all carry it around with us daily. However, the majority ask for God's forgiveness whenever they sin and let Him and themselves down. Sadly, there are those who don't do this and they are believers. Some people have become involved in something that they know that they shouldn't be involved in - adultery, homosexuality, theft, fraud etc etc. When they keep this to themselves they may feel that they have got away with it. However, one day when they stand before Jesus, it will all be revealed.

Don't leave it that long. If you are or have been involved in these types of sin, be honest and confess this to Jesus. He may also expect you to put it right with your spouse if it's adultery or ask someone else to forgive you for whatever it was. This may be daunting and risky too. However, it may be very daunting and risky if you leave it until you are standing before the Throne of God, don't you think?

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

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Our Eternal Rescuer

"In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God."    Psalm 18:6    NKJV

God is not only our bodyguard but He is our rescuer too. David had been suffering threats from his enemies, including King Saul and, even though he was a mighty warrior and well able to handle all of this, he did what we all should do, he called upon the Lord. He said, 'I will call upon the LORD who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved from my enemies.' v3. He then recalls what happened from thereon:

'In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God.' This is always the way to go when we face adversity in our lives. We may feel we can handle it on our own, but God prefers us to allow Him to fight our battles for us. He is the avenger Romans 12:19. He hears us when we call out to Him. We may feel that He doesn't at times and continue to call out to Him time and again. David says in v6 'He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.' David then outlines what happened. The earth shook and trembled because God was angry that one of His sons was being treated badly and in v9, David writes, 'He bowed the heavens also, and came down with darkness under His feet,' Don't miss the latter part of this verse, God came down with darkness under His feet. This is how God deals with the devil and his demons; He puts them under His feet where they belong. And God wants us to do the same.

We have all the heavenly weapons that we need contained in the Armour of God. We have the power that exists in the Name of Jesus and when we pray in spiritual warfare, the devil runs. This is why James writes, 'Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you' James 4:7. Did you get that? It doesn't say resist the devil and he might think about leaving you alone. No, it says that as we resist him, he will flee. There is power in the Name of Jesus and we need to use this power more and more. As we call on Jesus and then, use His Name, resisting all the devil is throwing at us, we will have victory.

Remember yesterday, when we discussed the word salvation (Soteria), we saw how the meaning of this is more than just eternal life, and rescue is a part of it. Part of being saved is that Jesus will always be there to rescue us, as we call on Him. 

He is our Eternal Rescuer!

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

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He is our bodyguard - Part 2

"My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."    Psalm 18:2     NKJV 

Let us carry on from yesterday, looking at Jesus, our Heavenly Bodyguard. David talks of His Father being his shield. The Lord is described as our shield; no matter what rises against us, He covers us. We are guarded from everything that would threaten us. This is why it is so important to be clothed in the Armour of God. Each piece as a task and is needed Ephesians 6:10-17.

The horn, is an emblem of strength, prominence, security, social standing, stately grace and favour. This also includes power, dominion, glory and fierceness. Just look at a bull for instance. The horns are its chief means of attack and defence. It would be extremely dangerous to be confronted in such a way. The expression, horn of salvation when applied to Christ, means a salvation of strength or a strong Saviour. To have the horn exalted denotes prosperity and triumph. Horns are also the symbol of royal dignity and power.

Salvation is an interesting word. In the Greek it is known as Soteria, and includes deliverance, preservation, soundness, prosperity, happiness, rescue and general well-being. Salvation is a present possession with a fuller realisation in the future. In other words, the word salvation doesn't only refer to our eternal life, but carries with it a much fuller blessing.

Because of our relationship with Jesus, we have access to all of this blessing and protection. It may not feel like it when things are going wrong, breaking down or the bottom falls out of our world. However, this blessing and protection is aways here for each and every one of us. He is our stronghold; our defensive structure and refuge when we are stressed or in trouble. He is the one that we can always go to, run to or call on any hour of the day or night. He is the one that endured torment and agony as He hung on a cross for each one of us and took away the sin that separated us from God. He is the one who did it for us; the only one who truly cares; the one who is eternally with us, through thick and thin. 

He is Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

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He is our bodyguard

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust."                                                                                Psalm 18:2     NKJV 

Just savour those words for a few moments and you will begin to discover the love that David had for God. As king, he had a legal obligation, one of formal reverence. However, David's devotion was characterised by his overwhelming love for his God. His Father had never let him down and he was totally sold out to Him. We can see this in David's opening words to the Psalm, 'I will love You, O LORD, my strength.' The Moody Bible Commentary states that the term 'I love you' erhameka in the Hebrew text, is derived from the same root as the Hebrew word for womb Rehem and denotes a deep and emotionally charged sense of personal attachment and commitment. Therefore, David had total confidence in God.

He referred to Him as 'My rock' meaning that God was his unfailing strength and a refuge and defence in times of trouble. He went on to describe God as his fortress, a place that he could run to and be kept safe - heavenly refuge; and without doubt, David recognised his God as his deliverer, his strength and the one that he could have total trust in.

Let's just stop there for a moment. This verse refers to you as well. As He was for King David, He is for you too. When you begin to become committed to Him with that emotionally charged personal attachment, nothing can hurt you. You are His, whether here on earth or up in heaven. He has given each one of us an eternal relationship that can never be broken. David had problems but God was with him and never let him down. You and I have problems and He will do the same for us as well. You may be going through a rough spell at present but, just for a moment, stop and realise that He is with you. You can go in His strength or your own; this is your choice. However, you know that it is far better to call on Him in times of trouble and receive His help.

When you walk with the Rock, your way is unshakeable; things may try to trip you up but He will keep your feet firmly on solid ground - Holy ground. He may take you into His fortress when things become too bad but at the right time, He will deliver you. Of that you can be certain.

Why not personalise this verse and use it as a prayer each day.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

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The power of words

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge wisely, but the mouths of fools pours forth foolishness."  

                                                                                                           Proverbs 15:1-2    NKJV

Recently a study group in the USA found that negative words release stress and anxiety-induced hormones in subjects. Additionally, a study found increased levels of anxiety in children associated with higher rates of negative self-talk. Words are so powerful and basically, once spoken out have the ability to achieve what they are sent out to do. This is why God's words says in Isaiah 55:11: 'So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.'

Alternatively, once a negative word is spoken out, it is too late to retract it. It can be forgiven but never forgotten.

It is not so much what we say but, how we say it. Words spoken out in anger or in a rude outburst, can be destructive to the hearer. A person of wisdom can speak the message out in a restrained and edifying way by exercising self-control and still get the message over. Responding gently turns away wrath. The wise speak sensitively but speak the truth also.

One of the things that we need to overcome, is our self-talk. We all do this and often it can be quite damaging to our self esteem. Someone may hurt us by speaking damaging words and we take them on board and begin to own them in such a way that they become a part of us. We can begin to believe them, speaking to ourselves accordingly and before we know it, all of our self confidence has diminished. The best way to deal with this - and it is difficult - is to refuse to take it on board and refuse to allow it to rule in our hearts. This takes practice as the comments keep flagging up in our minds. The apostle Paul provides a formula in 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 'For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.'

This is God's formula for dealing with words and thoughts that torment and maim us and gain control over our lives. It is something that we need to take on board so that the words we speak or receive are wholesome and edifying Ephesians 4:29.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com 

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