Don't judge a book by looking at the cover

"Do you look at things according to the outward appearance"   

                                                                                         2 Corinthians 10:7     NKJV 

So many times I have looked at the cover of a book and, believing it to be an exciting read, have purchased it only to find it was no good at all. The cover was just that - a cover, just an outward appearance with no reference to what was in the text. We can do this with the people we meet. Some of us may look at a man with a shaved head and covered in tattoos and make the judgement that you need to give him a wide berth. I've heard several people say that, in this day and age, it is so easy to see someone from an ethnic background carrying a backpack and think, this could be a terrorist. It seems terrible to think this way but, this is how life has taught us to react.

I wonder what it would have felt like to see John the Baptist in the street. Camel hair clothes held together by a leather belt, long, straggly hair and eating locusts and wild honey. Have you ever thought about that? It would have been quite a strange, if not scary sight to see. Especially when he started screaming out, 'Repent'. But the most wonderful thing about John was that, he pointed the way to Jesus; and that's all that matters.

In 1 Samuel 16:7 we read: 'Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for a man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.' In 1962, before his untimely death in an air crash, Bo Diddly sang 'You can't judge a book by the cover:'

'You can't judge an apple by looking at the tree, you can't judge honey by looking at the bee,

You can't judge a daughter by looking at the mother, You can't judge a book by looking at the cover'

                                                               Words and Music Willie Dixon

We get it wrong many times and we need to be mindful of Jesus' words: 'Judge not that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgement you judge, you will be judged'  Matthew 7:1-2. It is serious business when we judge people; because we will be judged the same by Jesus. We also paint a false picture of someone and this is akin to gossip. Gossip sticks and can be seen as the truth. This is why we should be careful.

The next time you are tempted to judge someone you see, stop and think of John the Baptist; if you had been there at the time, you would have got it wrong, and you will probably get it wrong here. So be careful.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

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Do you know someone who needs restoring?

"He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound "                  Isaiah 61:1-4     NKJV

Jesus went to the synagogue in His home town, stood up and preached this sermon. This caused mayhem with people saying, 'Is this not Joseph's son?' Luke 4:22. Jesus was fulfilling what needed to be said and the flak was beginning to spread around Him. However, He had the anointing; the name of Jesus and Messiah means The Anointed One and He was announcing this.

Jesus is the Anointed One but, He has anointed us as well and has commissioned us to go out into the world and make disciples and heal the sick. We have a task to fulfill on His behalf. (Mark 16:14-18). There are many people around us that are brokenhearted and captive to addictions, lonely, abused and in total turmoil. They need setting free and you have the power to carry out this task, because Jesus has sent you.

Sickness and death bring great sadness to the people who are mourning. They need consoling and this is a ministry in itself. For the last ten years as a social worker, I worked at a hospice with people who were dying and with their loved ones. It was the best job I have ever had but was also draining working with people whose lives were falling apart. I wasn't a chaplain there but whenever I had the opportunity, I would share the gospel with them. It brought much peace to each of them.

When people are hurting, they have no particular strength or hope to hang on to. Just getting alongside them and offering love and comfort can be such a great healer in itself. A breakdown in a relationship can be very painful and just sitting and listening to the hurt can bring great benefit. It's getting alongside of them, standing in their shoes that works. Counsellors often call this getting into someone's Internal Frame of Reference; it sounds technical but all it is, is showing the person empathy by letting them know you are listening and on their wavelength without saying the negative, 'I know how you feel', because mostly you don't. 

You may not be a counsellor and you don't have to be; what you do is just carry out Jesus' guidelines - be Jesus to them without fancy Christian language. You have the ability to grow trees of righteousness v3, by helping to plant in the listener, hope. There is a lot of hurting people around you and you have the anointing within you to make a difference.

Think about it!

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Do you need restoring?

"He restores my soul"                                                          Psalm 23:3    NKJV 

Part of the word restoration means, 'an act of being restored from damage' as  recorded in The Free Dictionary. Anyone who has seen the show The Repair Shop on TV, will have an idea of what people bring to the crafts people. Many things are so damaged that one wonders if they could ever be repaired and restored, but they are.

In biblical terms, everyone needs daily restoration of the anxious, weary soul. Pressures can be quite strong at times. The soul is made up of the Mind, Will and Emotions; and to use a psychological term, it is the animating and vital principle  in humankind credited with the faculties of thought, action and emotion The Reader's Digest Universal Dictionary. The mind can produce thoughts that trigger our will and shatter our emotions if allowed. When like this, restoration is called for.

The Psalmist cries out in Psalm 42:5, 'Why are you cast down my soul and why are you disquieted  within me?' The writer was carrying out some self-analysis because of His distress and this is not a bad thing to do from time to time. We need to know what makes us tick; what troubles us and why things have all of a sudden gone pear-shaped.

If we're not careful, anxiety, worry and fear can play a big part in our downfall. If we allow it, we can fall to rock bottom and find it very difficult to move on; the distress and the depression have become so severe. We can end up a wreck needing professional help. In other words, we become damaged and broken up.

However, there is hope in God's word, Isaiah 61:4 says, 'They shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities.' If you have been undergoing distress, anxiety, fear and pain just lately, then perhaps you need to be restored - the damage needs to be repaired. I know a good restorer and He doesn't appear on The Repair Shop. His name is Jesus, a former carpenter that is true, but fully God. He is the greatest restorer of all time and He wants to help you. As I mentioned, it is not a bad thing to consider that each of us needs restoring on a daily basis. This way we have a chance of remaining sharp.

Why not go to Him right now and tell Him what you need.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Changing the world

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."                                                                    Matthew 5:16    NKJV 

The pop group 10cc, in the 70's, had a track on one of their albums called 'I wanna rule the world'. The main verse went:

'I wanna be a boss, I want to be a big boss,

I want to boss the world around, I wanna be 

the biggest boss that ever bossed the world around'

                       Lol Creme, Kevin Godly and Graham Gouldman

Not the most ideal of words to be singing but, over the years, some people have taken on this mentality in their attempts to rule the world. Hitler was one of them. Even Satan, as Lucifer, tried to be equal with God and no doubt, would have attempted a takeover bid, giving half the chance. This type of behaviour will never win on a permanent basis. To be a light in this world, following the Light of the world - Jesus, is the only way. People do not need dictators, they need love and Jesus offers this through each one of us.

Jesus, being the Light of the world, expects His followers to be lights too (John 8:12). There should never be such a thing as a private Christian; you are a light to every one you meet in this world of ours. Would you consider yourself to be a light to your family, acquaintances or workmates? Then, what about your community, do you stand out shining your light, or is the light hidden? To hide the light is contradictory to its purpose - 'let your light so shine' v16.

There is 'good works' and there are 'good things' that people do. So what does Jesus mean by 'good works'? Good works are connected to kingdom work, 'For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them'  Ephesians 2:10. Understand this, 'good things' are what non-believers do in this world. If God is in something, then they are called 'good works,' - He gets the credit. If not, it is just a 'good thing'. There is a big difference.

You may feel that the world needs changing. There is a lot going on in the media at present with climate change and such. We obviously can all help in this area, but perhaps the most important of agendas are people. This world will end one day when Jesus returns to take His church. There are many who do not understand about Jesus and they need to before it is too late. Be a light to them by letting them see Jesus in you!

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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What to do when you feel angry

"If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you."           

                                                                                                  Proverbs 25:21-22    NKJV 

Paul reinforces this when he gives his speech in Romans 12:14-21, and it is well worth studying this in line with today's commentary. It can be so difficult to act this way towards someone when they are being blatantly rude and arrogant to you. Your natural reaction wants to rip their head off, but as Christians, you wouldn't be so unwise, would you? Solomon mentions heaping coals of fire onto their heads. At the first sound of this, it feels justified to do so. However, he was giving an example of making a person burn with shame at what they are doing or saying to you. Note they may only feel this way if you, keep your cool and act as Jesus would towards them.

Pouring hot coals of shame upon them, instead of having a free for all, is a way of overcoming evil with good. This, as you know, is not an easy thing to do. Once your anger has begun to surface, it can be difficult to hide or control it but, it is possible with practice and, let's face it, as a Christian you get plenty of opportunities for that.

What you are considering here is contrary to your thinking. If you take a look at what Jesus says about it in Matthew 5:43-48, it can seem impossible; but it is not. As believers, we are different, we are not natural, we are supernatural and this is where the difference takes place. You are called to do good to people who hate you and leave their judgement with God; He will repay them, not you. You have to love them.

In fact, you have to unselfishly seek the best of your enemies and pray for them as they persecute you. Why is this? It shows them that you are a child of God, that you are not natural but supernatural, something they are not used to. Think about this for a moment; acting in this way, declares that you are different, you stand out in the crowd. You give a good indication of who you belong to.

Did you get that? Analyse yourself and ask, do I give a good indication of who I belong to? Search your soul with this question and if you feel that you fall short in this area, speak to God about it. He is so willing to help you change this. You will get immediate help.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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You are not Superman, or Superwoman; you are Super you!

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me."   

                                                                                                           Psalm 138:7    NKJV 

Some days, life can be so demanding and difficult to live through. The demands that are put on you can be so overwhelming, that you wonder if they will ever end. You can end up feeling unappreciated and walked all over and, feel like you would like to throw the towel in and disappear to a desert island. Sadly, life is not like that; you don't live in a movie where fairy tales can happen. You have to face reality.

The great thing about being a Christian is, the fact that Jesus Christ understands you totally. He has been there and knows the pressures of life and how they can affect you. He offers you advice:

'Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in Me.'    John 14:1

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.'    John 14:27

'We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.'   2 Corinthians 4:8-9

'And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.'  Gal 6:9

'Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.'  Ps 31:24

Just the fact that these verses are in the bible, confirm to you that others have felt the way you do as well. You are not unique, bad things happen to every type of person at some time in their life. The thing is, how you handle them. As we saw a couple of days ago, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit dwell within you, three persons in your person which equates to one super person - you. You are not superman or superwoman, you are super you, that's how God feels about you; you might not, but He does. You need to see yourself the way that He does. Grab hold of that confidence that He has placed within you. You are a super person. You may not have a red cloak or red pants over a blue suit but, to God you are super.

Be encouraged; some days can be like walking through cement so, don't get stuck in it as it sets or you will remain there. Force your way through it all and live the way Jesus sees you.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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How?

"With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."   

                                                                                                     Matthew 19:26    NKJV

Time after time, we are faced with the question: 'How can I do this, it is impossible, I'm only one person?' Well, that is not strictly true, you are one person but have three person's living within you - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. So really, you are one person with three other person's to help you. We tend to forget this very important piece of information. So therefore, you can confidently declare, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' Philippians 4:13. In addition to this, Jesus told Paul (and us too) 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness' 2 Corinthians 12:9. Paul was so enthusiastic about this information, that he went on to say, 'For when I am weak, then I am strong' v10. And so are you. You may be feeling weak at this time; you may be worrying about how a certain thing can be approached or accomplished. It is normal to feel concern at times like this. However, you need to  claim the promises that God has given you. The whole force of God dwells within you and He is ready and willing to help you, if you'll ask Him.

All of us need to tap into the knowledge that God is for us, not against us. He is not some great, unapproachable ogre that wants to dominate and bully us into submission; not at all. He is our friend and as we walk in relationship with Him, He shows us His love and companionship. Read and digest this next verse: 'Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand'  Isaiah 41:10.  

Now personalise it as I have done:

 'I will not fear anything because You are with me Lord, I need not be dismayed at all, because You are my God. I know that You will strengthen me and I am confident that You help me. I know that You will take hold of me with Your righteous right hand, which signifies justice, power, victory and salvation'

Make this a personal prayer whenever you can, especially on the days when you lack confidence or face a difficult time and are thinking, 'how?' You are special to God, this is why He chooses to dwell with you

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

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