Watch that you don't have a great fall!

"Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation]."                                    1 Corinthians 10:12     Amplified Study Bible

Yesterday, we fleetingly looked at this verse together with v13, dealing with temptation. Today, let us take a closer look at verse 12 and the consequences it holds for the person who believes that they are able to conquer sin - alone.

We've probably all met the person who repeatedly says, 'I have never sinned'. An unbelievable statement, but some really believe this. I remember someone who was adamant about this, even to the point of defending her belief in an angry manner. She has died now and I often wonder how she got on when she came face to face with Jesus. It is a dangerous thing to deny that sin has never dwelt within you. 1 John 1:10 clearly tells us, 'If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.' Romans 3:23 states, 'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' It is a dangerous statement to suggest that we have never sinned.

There are other people who believe that they are standing firm in their belief in Jesus and, this is ok. However, if they become too overconfident about this, they may feel that sin could never overtake them and again, this is an unwise place to be in. We are all subject to sin and temptation can take over us at any time. This is why Peter says, 'Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.' 1 Peter 5:8. Why would Peter have said this if we didn't have to worry about sin attacking us? 

Peter goes on in verse 9 to say, 'Resist him, steadfast in the faith'. Steadfast means firmly loyal, constant and immovable. Hence, 'Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord'. 1 Corinthians 15:58.

The devil is very sneaky, he has the ability to creep into any situation and cause havoc. He has characteristics rather like a snake and has a deadly tongue, lies in wait ready to attack, crawls into situations and then strikes and bites. Just be very careful. He is not your friend and he will trip you up if you give him half a chance. 

As long as we keep our eyes on the King of kings - Jesus Christ, we will have the victory and He will take us by the hand and ensure that we take the safer path. To go without Him, is very unwise.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

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There's a way out; keep digging!

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."    

                                                                                               1 Corinthians 10:13    NKJV 

From time to time in our walk with Jesus, the road becomes very difficult indeed, with temptation and spiritual attack coming from all directions. This is common to all Christians because God will test us to assess how we are doing and whether we are ready to move to the next level He has planned for us. These times come when we are least expecting them. God tests us and the devil attacks us, the difference being, God will help us to overcome the trials He puts our way, the devil won't. He will keep on with the attack until we are tempted to surrender. Never consider that.

It can seem that we are at the bottom of a mine and as soon as we try to climb out, something happens and we slide back down again. Do you know what I mean? You feel trapped with no way out. However, there is a way out, we just have to begin digging to find it. 

The Moody Bible Commentary, discussing this verse, puts it like this:

'Note that the escape is not the complete removal of the test, but is the ability to endure it.'

God wants us to have endurance so that we can remain steadfast no matter what is thrown at us. We will have 'wilderness experiences' where we feel dry and the temptation to do wrong is so strong. We will fall to this as well and then feel terribly guilty because of it. We will also suffer spiritual attack, sometimes so strong that we feel like giving up. However, Jesus will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear and when we are, will provide the way of escape.

We will have days when we feel like throwing the towel in and shout, 'I can't do this, the road is too difficult.' You may have felt this way every now and again, probably even now. When this happens, start digging. You are in a mine so pick up your spiritual spade and dig away by prayer and more prayer. In fact, if you can, sing praises. Remember Paul and Silas in the stocks? They did this and they had a major release. So will you. Praise opens doors and it stops the devil in his tracks. Never underestimate prayer and praise. It's a digging tool.

Jesus wants us to begin to stand on our own but, is always around when we need Him. But remember, 'let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall' 1 Corinthians 10:12. Don't become too over-confident that you leave Jesus out all together. Keep praying, praising and digging placing Jesus as your guide.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

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'It's their fault, not mine'

"Then the man said, 'The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate'. 13 And the Lord God said to the woman, 'What is this you have done?' The woman said, 'The serpent deceived me and I ate."               Genesis 3:12-13   NKJV

The blame game has been going since the creation and it continues today. People just do not want to admit to their faults and blame others instead. Just check the text out today. Adam had the audacity to pass the blame onto God and then Eve, 'The woman whom You gave to be with me'. Wow, that is dangerous, we should never blame God for things that we do wrong, He is no fool and knows the truth. It was Adam's responsibility, not God's and not Eve's either. He was there when Eve was tempted and should have spoken up and stopped her; but he failed to do this. Eve was just the same. She also had heard what God had told them both about eating of the garden fruit. She knew that this particular tree should not have the fruit taken from it. However, she did and also failed. But both of them failed to take responsibility for their actions and both used the blame game.

Charles F Stanley comments on blame, 'Sin impels us to blame others for our disobedience and folly, but God holds us personally accountable for what we do.' Let's be honest, we know when we have done something wrong, we just know. When we lie about this - because that is what it is - God hears and prods us to admit to the truth. This is why we often feel guilty; the Holy Spirit is telling us to admit that we were in the wrong, not someone else.

Marriages fail, with one partner leaving and blaming the other for the breakdown. The partner who leaves may become involved with someone else and uses the blame game as an excuse for their adultery, 'He/she didn't do this or that and it was all her/his fault. I just had to get away'. In a Christian marriage, vows have been taken before God and we really do not have the option to just walk away. God has joined us together and we should remain so. We can't just blame each other; we are both as bad as the other and we have to find the solution to remain together. We can't just end a relationship just like that. If a partner is violent, then this is another story and the other partner needs to be safe. However, many partners just take off because they've had enough and want a more exciting time. Let me just say, if you allow God to take total control of your marriage, He will put the excitement back into your relationship.

Beware of the blame game. We should always take responsibility for our actions. One day we will stand before Jesus. We will have no chance of blaming others then, for wrongs that we have done. Everything is recorded down and the truth will be revealed. It is time to realise these things. 

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

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C.A.S.T

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."v4    

                                                                                                         Psalm 37:3-5   NKJV

Keith Moore, Pastor of Branson Church in Texas says, 'When you want what God wants, for the same reason He wants it, you become unstoppable.' And it is true; God only wants the best for His children and when you get in position, He opens the gates  of blessing to shower you with His love. Now this doesn't mean asking God if you can win the Lottery. If He allowed that, you would be trusting in your wealth instead of in Him. You don't need this. It may sound nice and it may help you be secure financially; but it is not the way of God. He is far richer than the Lottery people anyway.

As our quotation from Keith Moore says, you can expect God to work when your thoughts and desires line up with His. He actually desires to bless you more than you could ever imagine. Have a read of Ephesians 3:20: 

'Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.' Note the 'power that work in us'. It's by having a close relationship with Him and by delighting in Him, that opens the way for Him to bless you. As you delight in all He is and all He does and approach the Throne of Grace with confidence, He is able to pour His grace and love into you.

Therefore, there is a need to commit each moment to Him, even when the chips are down; even in the scariest of moments and when all seems lost. These are the times when you learn that He is faithful and can be relied on to help, assist and lead the way through each and every storm. Jesus brings security. The word security means:

(1) Freedom from doubt, anxiety or fear which gives us  CONFIDENCE

(2) Jesus is our security guard, which at times gives us  ASSURANCE

(3) Freedom from risk or danger, which gives us             SAFETY

(4) Jesus is the only one that we can rely on and            TRUST

This all gives you the acronym of C.A.S.T, which shows you that you need to CAST everything over to Him and delight in Him for every moment of every day, knowing that you have a Saviour who is 100% for you. He is sold out to you; be the same to Him and you will never regret it!

 

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

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Why do I think this way?

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."   

                                                                                                      Philippians 4:8     NLT

In other words, think about good things. Why allow your mind to be contaminated by bad thoughts? To think bad stuff is is a recipe for torment and fear. Read The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis and you will read how the devil uses his demons to wind us up and cause us heartache and aggravation by placing bad thoughts in your mind. Don't allow this. 

Your thoughts have a positive or a negative angle. A bad thought causes worry, anxiety and fear. It seems that from nowhere they appear in your mind and begin their task of causing you anxiety. The thoughts can be so convincing, that you begin to believe them, and this is where the problem begins. You believe the lie.

Are you open to the fact that your enemy, is attacking you by sending these bad thoughts? Think about them for a moment. Would God send you thoughts that pierce your heart, cause you fear and worry and lead to total suspicion and heartache? The answer is a firm no. Therefore, this is the time where you need to say, 'that's enough', I refuse to believe this thought. I am going to take it captive and make it submissive to God, 'We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ' 2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT.

You can tell the difference in a thought from God to a thought from the devil. The thing is, the enemy can blind you to this fact and uses such convincing tactics, that it is difficult to decipher the origin. Stick to the facts - God will not send you anything that causes you fear and anxiety. That's the bottom line.

A negative thought, when born within you, can create havoc in your life, marriage, home and family. If you're going through a bad time in these areas at the moment, check your thoughts and your reactions. Negative thoughts have the power to floor you. Just think for a moment when you see a doctor for test results, straightaway you can examine the doctor's face and believe that it is a bad result. What about when you're driving along and find a police car at the back of you. Straightaway, you can fear the worst, that you were speeding or there is something wrong with the car. Then of course, there is the dentist's. Just a visit there can bring anxious thoughts to your mind such as, 'This is going to be expensive and it will hurt.'

It is time to practice having positive thoughts. Look at the list above in our text, It is possible to train your mind to think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Well straightaway, that is Jesus. If you think about Him, it is difficult to think about bad thoughts as well. The New King James Version, directs us to 'meditate on these things'. When a thought comes into your head, analyse it. Is it from God or the enemy? Think it through carefully and don't be tempted to act quickly. Take your time. The real answer is, would Jesus send you a bad thought? Of course He wouldn't. Therefore, get tuned into Him and train your mind. It really is the best way.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

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What is the 'them' in my life today?

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."  

                                                                                            Deuteronomy 31:6    NKJV

It is so easy to become afraid and discouraged. When you allow yourself to get into this state, you find it difficult to cope or make sense of things. It can lead to despair. Notice the word 'them' in the verse today. 'Do not fear not be afraid of them'. Now ask yourself what is the 'them' in my life? What is it about 'them' that is disabling me and stopping me from getting on with my life?

Your thoughts carry a lot of weight at times. You can think your way into defeat so easily. Your thoughts cause you to worry about things that have not happened but, could if you allow yourself to believe so. Most of these worries never happen anyway, so there has been a lot of nervous energy used and wasted. 

Take a look at today's verse. Does this describe you? Are you strong and of good courage, or are you in fear of 'them'? Haven't you realised yet that when God says something, He means it? He has told you that He is with you and will never leave you. If you believe this, how then, can you worry, be afraid and be discouraged? Your fear contradicts your belief.

Identify the 'them' right now. What is it about them' that is so important that it is causing you unrest, fear, upset and worry? Ask yourself, what can I do about it? Well the best place to start is in God's Word. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us, 'casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.' Then there is Psalm 55:22, 'Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.' These are not empty words; they carry life and as soon as you accept them and put them into action, you will receive the help that you need.

If 'them' is preventing you from living a happy life, it is time to take action. Start thinking thoughts of victory instead of defeat. Do you realise that you can think yourself happy if you try hard enough? And this is the emotion that your friend, Jesus wants from you. He wants you happy and content; He wants you strong and courageous and He wants you victorious in all you do. It is time for you to receive this. It is time for you to deal with the 'them' in your life; it is time for you to live a victorious life. Speak to Jesus about it and cast it over to Him, then enjoy your day. Now that makes sense!

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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"I've had enough, get me out of here, Lord"

"And he prayed that he might die and said, 'It is enough! Now Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.' V4                                                1 Kings 19:1-18     NKJV 

Elijah had just had a major victory over 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. But often, after such exciting feats, we can often suffer bouts of fear, doubt and depression. The adrenaline has worn off and we are left alone with our thoughts. This is what happened to Elijah. The threats of death from Jezebel totally terrified him and he ran and ran, getting as far away from her as possible. The thing is, as far away as he could be, he couldn't leave his fear behind. It was still rampant.

Elijah was a great man but human just like us. He was subject to fear and depression but instead of facing it, he chose to run away, went into his own little shell and isolated himself. Does this remind you of someone? Fear had overtaken his faith and he went into the world of self-pity, asking God to end his life v4. He didn't mean this however, it was just the way he felt at the time. We too, can often say similar things when we are going through a bad time. Thank goodness, God doesn't act on this!

The Lord had Elijah rest, exercise and eat sensibly which is one of the best cures for times such as these. After a good old grumble to God about things, and he had rested, God told him that it was time to return to work v15. Even though he had been in such a bad shape, he was still God's man and he had work to do. 

And so do you! You may have been going through a difficult time lately. You may have fell to rock bottom; but wherever you are at this moment, God is there too. At the time of this crisis in Elijah's life, he took his eyes off the Lord and put them on to Jezebel and this is where the fear came in. Whatever you are going through at this moment, God is greater; and what's more, He wants to show you how great He is if you will only allow Him to. You have done nothing wrong, life events have just worn you out, that is all. It happens. Focus on God, do what He says and then, get back into the race for that prize. You can do this

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

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