Grace and Favour

"For You O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favour You will surround him as with a shield."                                                                                Psalm 5:12   NKJV 

Warren Wiersbe writes: 'The outcome of our fellowship with the Lord should be joy in His character, His promises and His gracious answers to prayers.' David praised God for the blessings and protection He provides for those who love Him. In Psalm 5:11, He urges God's people to boast about Him and to shout for joy as a way of expressing recognition of who God is, what He has done and what he can be trusted to do. Tony Evans comments: The one who experiences God's favour will be surrounded by God like a shield. There is no safer place to be.'

We see this in the example of Joseph in Genesis 39:2-4: 'The Lord was with Joseph and he was a successful man, and he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that, the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favour in his sight and served him.'

Psalm 1:1-3 reads:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.'

This Psalm resembles Joseph's life, especially while he was in prison. He had God's favour surrounding him. Why? Because, He lived for God, accepted where he was and his whole life was built on doing what God wanted him to do and, because he did, God gave him favour. 

The immediate circumstances in our lives are not always the best indicator of God's blessing or guidance. To Jacob, Joseph was dead, killed by wild animals; however, Joseph was very much alive and he was where God wanted him to be. Just think about that for a moment. At this time, things may not be ideal; it may be hard work and full of disappointments and failures. However, you may be where God wants you to be. Perhaps, if you begin to accept this fact and, give your best to God wholeheartedly, He will surround you with His Grace and Favour and turn on the taps of blessing for you. It is just a case of acceptance and being content where you are and getting on with the job in hand. It's food for thought.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

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'Don't be afraid, I am with you'

"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    NKJV

When we face something new and important it can be quite intimidating and fearful. It may be anything - a new job, school, college or university. It may also be a feature of your job or college, where you have to do a presentation and speak to a crowd of people. It may also be where you are required to sing a song or play a musical instrument in front of a crowd for the first time. It can be petrifying.

Fear kicks in at times such as these. It can affect our sleep pattern, giving us sleepless nights, it can also stop us from eating less or even, overeating. It is a fearsome time for many people. We may say, 'If someone that I know well could go with me, I'd be ok'. It is true, it always seems easier when we have someone to support us through something new. 

But you have, as a Christian, you have Jesus. Look at the Lord's words to us above, We are to:

Fear not  This means what it says, don't allow fear to stop you doing either what you want to do or, what God is leading you into. He is the one that will go with you and support you through it. He is all you need.

Be not dismayed  Don't be discouraged, disillusioned or lose you enthusiasm. God doesn't want you getting distressed over this. It's a blessing, overcome it and enjoy it all.

He will strengthen you  Jesus is always ready to share His joy with you and He will most certainly give you the strength to achieve what He is leading you to do. He is your friend and helper; true friends don't desert people when they are in need, neither will He. He will be right there with you.

He will help you and uphold you. When you don't have the words, He will fill your mouth with wisdom; when you are nervous - and we all get this way - He will uphold you. You may not know the way forward but God will make a way where there doesn't appear to be one.

When God says He is with you, then He is with you. Believe me, I have been in some very nervy situations in my life; He has rescued me from things that seemed impossible to escape from. Since I have known Him, He has never let me down, even if I have had to wait for Him to work quite often. He always delivers.

So, don't be afraid, He is with you and He will deliver.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

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Are you running on empty?

"For My people have done two evil things: They have abandoned Me - the fountain of living water, and they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all."                                                                 Jeremiah 2:13   New Living Translation 

A car needs to have fuel to run. It either needs petrol, diesel or an electric charge. Without it, you are going nowhere, unless you push the car that is. It is the same kind of thing when you try to live the Christian life without spiritual food. It doesn't work. We need to read the Bible to be able to learn what God is teaching us. It's the most amazing book - ever. You can read the same piece over and over and it will show something different every time; because it is a living word.

These people Jeremiah is talking about here, had abandoned God - rejecting Him and had chosen their own way or own god. Therefore, when they did things, such as digging their water cisterns, they were cracked and totally useless. They were sub-standard. Let me say this, everything that we try to do in our own strength is also sub-standard, it doesn't have the hallmark of God on it and, before too long the cracks will begin to show and we will end up with nothing, except despair.

The people had a choice and so do we, they chose to go their own way instead of choosing the Fountain of Living Water - God Himself. They had to live by their choice and, so will we. If the choice we make doesn't contain God, then sooner or later it will collapse. We need a solid foundation and this is Jesus. Without Him, we can do nothing John 15:5.

Be honest, are you flowing in your life the way you would like to do? You may be a Christian but you can still thirst and hunger for things to go well. Ask yourself, 'Am I leaving God out of most things?' This could be why you feel like you are running on empty. You have nothing left to give but you still keep trying. You are actually wearing yourself out - tired, depressed and exhausted. You need to go to the Fountain. You need to tell Jesus how you feel, He knows already but, something wonderful happens when you tell Him yourself. 

When you have spoken with Him, you need to do what you know you should do, read His word, study it and pray. This is the formula that will bring you success and lead you to have a full tank and not run on empty.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

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Things are changing

"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - 17 the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive , because it neither sees Him or knows Him; but you know Him for He dwells with you and will be in you."

                                                                                                  John 15:16-17    NKJV

We all have troublesome times; times where nothing seems to go right and this can include disagreement and disunity; words spoken with attitude and thoughts that are not wholesome. Have you been this way? 

After feeling this way for a short time, wondering if things could ever change, I felt God telling me that He would give me a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit. I was eager for this to happen. Following breakfast this morning, I looked out of the window and there in the garden was a beautiful white dove just graciously washing itself in the rain water. It was stunning. I knew straightaway, that this was God showing me a symbol of the Holy Spirit and I felt at peace.

When things are difficult, God always shows up and offers His love and direction. He never fails, although sometimes because of circumstances, we miss the moment. He longs to reassure us and build us back up with His anointing oil. We just have to receive it by faith.

Perhaps this is where you are at this moment; exhausted, tired and running on empty. It is like you have been walking through a very dark tunnel, but, take note, when we walk through a tunnel, there is always a light at the end of it and for you, this is the Holy Spirit. He is telling you to, 'Let us go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile'  Mark 6:31 New Living Translation. It is imperative that we do this as often as we can, especially when we are empty and need a re-fill of the Spirit. The quiet place, may be where we do our study or prayer or, it may be that Jesus wants you to go on a walk with Him for a while. You need this because you are run down and battered.

There's no shame in feeling this way, it happens and, it is a sign that you probably should have taken some time out earlier, when it all began. Never mind, God has the remedy and He is ready and willing to administer this to you right now, if you are ready. Why not rededicate your life to Him and ask Him for a re-fill of the Holy Spirit:

Lord Jesus, I rededicate my life to You today. Please forgive my sins and come and live in my heart. Fill me to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit; even the baptism of the Spirit if I have never received this; and be my Lord and Saviour from this day forth. I ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Now go and have a blast of a day with Jesus.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

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If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Forget the hurts of the past

"Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead."     Philippians 3:13    NLT 

We all have memories; some are good and some bad. It is nice to have happy memories - the kids growing up, where you met your partner and the happy childhood you had. For some people however, their memories are not so good, they may have suffered abuse, a broken, painful marriage or the loss of someone very precious. We all have memories but not a single one of them can be changed.

Jesus told His disciples not to look back (Luke 9:62). Memories, especially bad ones can hold us back and in captivity. For many who have hurtful memories of the past, they have had to survive and overcome them to be able to exist. They may have built defence mechanisms to be able to cope and they may have made inner vows that no one else would hurt them in the future, they would trust nobody. But this is not the answer.

As Christians, we are called to forgive and not dwell on these hurts. They are in the past. We have a choice, we can either mourn these things or put them behind us and move forward. You may ask how, because this is not easy? That is true but, for your health's sake, it needs to be done. When you forgive someone, the hurt doesn't just disappear; not at all. However, the hurtful load is given to Jesus who carries you through the healing process. It may be an ongoing process for some but many people have made the effort and managed it.

Past abuse is difficult to forget, however, it needs to be left behind. There is nothing anyone else can do to take this awful period away from you. It has to start with you, it is a choice that you make - keep it and take it with you or make the decision to leave it behind and look forward to what's ahead. God declares in Isaiah 43:18-19 'But forget all that - it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 19 For I am about to do something new New Living Translation.' This means, as we give to Jesus all the hurts of the past, He will take them from us and help us, step by step, little by little to be able to cope and find a new way forward.

When you think about it, the hurt happened, it can't be changed but, the future can and Jesus is the answer, He will create a new day for you, so why not allow Him to help you forget the hurts of the past.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

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'That's none of your business'

"Peter asked Jesus, 'What about him Lord?' 22 Jesus replied, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow Me."    

                                                                             John 21:21-22   New Living Translation 

Jesus had just restored Peter following his denial of Him before the crucifixion. Following on from this, He revealed to Peter what type of death he would receive, being a follower of Jesus. Peter seeing John walking by them and, Peter being Peter, said to Jesus, 'What about Him, Lord?' From one point of view, this was quite reasonable, after all Jesus had foretold the details of Peter's death so, why not John's. The answer Peter received was not one he expected. Paraphrased, Jesus was saying to him, 'That's none of you business, you do what I tell you and I will take care of what happens to him.' Sometimes, it is not easy following Jesus. He loves us but, He doesn't hold anything back; He tells us straight. 

We do tend to be more interested in what happens to other people at times. We may see their lives and, with a tinge of judgement in our hearts, say to God, or to anyone who is with us, 'I thought they were supposed to be Christians. The leadership needs to do something about this.' We may go further and when a sermon is being preached, we can glance over to them thinking, 'I hope they're listening to this. I hope they are going forward for prayer.' How dare we do this. Don't we realise that the finger gets turned around and points at us?

This is why Jesus says, 'That's none of your business.' He knows our heart and he knows all we do and say. There is nothing that we can hide from Him. We may feel we have it all together and then suddenly, we let our guard down. Seriously, we all have the tendency to be this way. We do read or hear something and allow a picture of someone to come into our minds in a form of criticism and judgement. It's wonderful that Jesus deals with us the way he does. He could so easily cast us from His presence when we are like this. But instead, He puts us right, straightaway. Thank goodness.

Be encouraged, He may say this to you when you are in error but, in the same manner He will say it to someone who is saying things about you also, because they do. It is in our fleshy nature. This is why Jesus requires us to shed off the old self and put on the new. Yes, it may take a life time to accomplish properly but, you can do it, 'For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength'  Philippians 4:13 NLT. 

One thing you need to remember, Jesus loves you more than you could imagine. You are His friend and He knows that you are weak. The thing is, your are strong in Him (2 Cor 12:9-10). 

So get stuck into Jesus and His Word. Read it and live it.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Don't give the devil an opportunity

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."    1 Peter 5:8-9    NKJV 

The word 'vigilant' requires us to be alert and ever watchful. It reminds me of a soldier who is on guard duty. He is responsible for the safety of his unit, so therefore, he is needed to be on the ball, making sure that nothing gets past him. If it does, it could be mayhem. In the same manner, Peter is warning us to be the same because our enemy - the devil - cannot be seen and he will creep up on us when we are least expecting him to do so. Therefore, it is essential that we stand firm and established in the faith of God.

Have you ever fully realised that you are a target? It's true, you became one as soon as you came to Jesus. The devil wasn't the slightest bit interested in you before. However, when you 'joined up', you became a threat to him and he wants to stop you being dangerous. 

We need to be one step ahead of him. RT Kendal in his book, It ain't over till it's over writes: One of the best ways to know the will of God, is to figure out what you imagine the devil would want you to do, then do the opposite.' This makes so much sense and, is demonstrating that we are being vigilant, alert and one step ahead. 

One thing that we know about the devil is that, he is not our friend and he cannot be trusted. So there is a need to be alert and do the opposite of what we are being tempted to do. Kenneth Copeland says, 'If you allow the devil into the back seat of your car, pretty soon he is going to want to drive.' It is true, if we give him an inch, he will take a mile. Therefore, it is imperative that there is no break in the hedge of protection that is around us. If we sin, the hedge has an opening and he will get in. So, there is a need to ask forgiveness straightaway.

This is not a temporary thing. You will have to be on guard 24/7 for the rest of your earthly life. Why? Because you are mad, bad and dangerous to the work of the devil. You are a threat and you cause him a lot of problems. When you are on the scene and flowing in the power of the Holy Spirit, praying and singing psalms and praise to Jesus, the devil has to flee from you. He can't stand it because you are resisting him. Be careful though, because he will try again and when you least expect it. So rise up and take your shield and don't give the devil an opportunity.

Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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