Make the most of everything

"So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."    

                                                                                       Colossians 3:1-2    CSB

Consider every aspect of your life and assess whether your view on life is from Heaven's perspective or from your own, which is of the earth. This way you will be able to measure your ability regarding how you handle things that come your way. When you come up against a problem, ask yourself, 'What would Jesus do here, what would He think about it all?

When I worked in a hospice, occasionally a patient close to death, would say to me, 'I wish I would have done this', or 'I wouldn't have done that - '. They had regret and guilt and it was too late to change things. Let me say, make the most of every opportunity you have. Don't waste what is given to you by God; and don't be that person close to death who says, 'I wish - '. Ephesians 5:16 tells us, 'making the most of the time because the days are evil.' Think - what opportunity is God giving you today? Do you trust Him? If you do, then take hold of it with both hands.

As we see from our text today, we have been raised with Christ. If you have been through the waters of baptism, then symbolically you have been raised with Him. Therefore, look up, you are a Kingdom person and Kingdom people have Kingdom values, not values of the earth. You have Jesus in your heart, so allow the Spirit of God to work through you so that others can see and may have the opportunity to receive Jesus too.

V2 says, 'Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.’ The mind can produce total torment if it is allowed to take root. Don't allow earthly things to take up residence in your life. Bad thoughts and suspicions can take over your mind and every thought that is produced and, they have the power to control every situation. Why is this? Because you have set your mind on earthly things. If you have bad habits that you can't control, you have a mind problem and you need to have a conversation with Jesus, who will set you free John 8:36.

Just ensure that you make the most of every good thing that comes your way.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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The peril of leaving God out of your life

"However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaven." v22    

                                                                                                Judges 16   NKJV

Samson was a man who had been consecrated - set apart to the Lord before he was even born. He was also a Nazirite, so he would never have his hair cut. In fact, his hair would be a gifting from God because it would give him great strength. This strength would be used to begin to deliver the Israelites from Philistine captivity.

Samson, unfortunately, used his strength in many ways and this began to put him under a spotlight, allowing him the glory and not God. He became full of pride. He was also headstrong and could be rebellious, this being obvious when he met a Philistine girl and fell in love with her. Despite his parent's warning and the fact that God declared that Israel should not inter-marry, he went ahead and did so. The Lord had given Samson a Godly heritage and he had been raised to honour God, but when he met this girl nothing would prevent him from getting wed to her.

The marriage was short-lived and Samson went on to be a great Judge over Israel when he had defeated the Philistines. He reigned as a Judge for 20 years and spent his life living for God and then living for himself. There didn't appear to be any stability in his life and he was easily drawn away. He visited prostitutes and broke many of God's laws and he eventually met up with Delilah, who would be his downfall. The Philistines bribed her with much silver, to find out the secret of his strength. She did and eventually got to the truth that, if his hair was cut off, he would lose his strength. 

From thereon, it was practically over for Samson, his strength was gone, his eyes had been put out and he was a subject of humiliation to the Philistines. However, they had forgotten one things, his hair would grow back and consequently, his strength would return too. It probably would have been so different for Samson if he had lived up to his calling and obeyed God to the letter. Instead, he had become puffed up with pride and selfish. Many times he left God out of his daily life. However, he had a severe lesson to learn - when we leave God out, we fall and Samson really fell hard.Through God's grace, as Samson called on God for help, God made it possible for him to be near the pillars of the building. Samson pushed and the building came down killing them all.  

You may have let God down by leaving Him out of your life. But, repent and your strength will re-appear. When it does, don't ever ignore Him again.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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Your own strength cannot save you - More on Gideon

"The LORD said to Gideon, 'You have too many troops for Me to hand the Midianites over to them, or else Israel might elevate themselves over Me and say, "My own strength saved me."                                                                       Judges 7   CSB 

God would not allow Gideon or Israel to take the glory - it belonged to Him and Him only. Winning such a battle with very few men could have triggered off a spirit of pride in Gideon and the men.

God informed Gideon that if his troops were fearful, then they could return home. This led to 22000 of them leaving. With only 10000 men left, God still said there were too many and gave Gideon an exercise to carry out (v4-8). He was to take them down to the water and whoever knelt and lapped the water with his tongue, was unsuitable and must return home. The men who lapped the water with their cupped hands, were the ones God wanted.

Gideon was left with 300 men who were expected to fight against thousands in the Midian camp. It seemed a hopeless situation. Gideon was told to divide his men into three groups, 100 in each, which ordinarily would have been good fieldcraft and strategy. He was to equip them with a trumpet each and a clay pitcher with a torch inside, which he did. If he was afraid of the prospects, he could take his servant, Purah, down to the edge of the camp to listen to what was being said. He did so v14. There he heard a man telling his friend about a dream he had had. A loaf of barley bread had rolled down the hill crashing into a tent and demolishing it. The friend told him that it was the sword of Gideon, God had handed the entire camp over to Gideon. He was greatly encouraged by this and the first thing he did was to bow down and worship the Lord. (Take note)

Gideon took his men into battle, where at the right time, they blew their trumpets, smashing the clay pitchers and shone the torches. They then shouted very loudly, 'A Sword for the LORD and for Gideon v20. The Midianites were thrown into total confusion and began fighting each other as it was dark. Finally the battle was won, God had given Gideon the victory.

Conclusion:

Even when you can't understand what is happening and the odds are against you, when God calls you out you must do what He says. When you do, just watch Him work and give you the victory. The thing that you're facing today is in God's hands, if you have given it over to Him. Do what He says, no matter how strange it may feel and receive the victory. But remember to - bow down, thank Him and worship His name.  v15 

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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Putting out a fleece - More on Gideon

"I will put a wool fleece here on the threshing floor. If dew is only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, I will know that You will deliver Israel by my strength, as You said" v37      

                                                                                         Judges 6:33-40    CSB 

God had told Gideon to go up against the Midianites, thus delivering Israel. Gideon wanted to be sure this was so. He therefore, put out a fleece. Many of us have done this during our walk with God but; is it right to do so? 

Asking God to guide us in a decision is asking Him for a visible sign - a confirmation, that we have heard Him right and it is the right thing to do for our guidance. But a fleece, is not a biblical term, it is conducive to testing God v39. God tells us to, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding, 6 in all your ways, know Him and He will make your paths straight' Proverbs 3:5-6. There is a difference here. Note the 'Trust in'. Putting out a fleece is used by people, rather like Gideon, who are struggling with a decision and lack the faith to trust God in a certain area.

Gideon actually did this twice v39) which some may believe was pushing his luck a little. However, look how God was, with him. He was aware of this testing God, but still asked Him, 'Please don't be angry with me.' Why would he have said this, unless he knew that he was putting God to the test?

You may have done this at times, in fact, I believe many of us have. It seems such a natural thing to do. However, God much prefers us to ask in faith - 'Now, without faith, it is impossible to please God' Hebrews 11:6. He may have answered you this way in the past but, it is because of His amazing grace. He wants us though, to grow in faith and trust Him much more. 

Let us be aware that Jesus said, in answer to the devil in the wilderness, 'Do not test the Lord your God' Luke 4:12. It is far better to ask God to confirm His will instead of putting out a fleece. Some would say that there is no difference but, there is. God didn't say, 'Trust in the LORD with all your heart and put out a fleece if you need one.' Not at all; He told us not to rely on our own understanding, but seek His will in all we do. He will then show us the way to go.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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If you're willing, so is He - A glimpse at Gideon

"The LORD is with you, valiant warrior." v12  of            Judges 6:12-32     CSB

The Israelites were a vacillating people; one minute walking with God, the next far away. They appeared to have very little consistency. This is a dangerous way to live because if we are not built on a firm foundation, storms come along and devastate.

God had saved Israel from Egypt, but this was a covenant relationship. Not so with these guys; time and time again they called on Him to save them, which He did. Their walk with Him however, was only temporary and they soon returned to their old ways. Now they were in the hands of the Midianites and God had Gideon in line for promotion.

Gideon felt the call of God from the Angel of the LORD (v12) but needed to challenge it. He said, 'Please my LORD, if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened? v13. He also asked the LORD, where are all the wonders we have heard about over the years. Gideon felt abandoned. He could only see his own circumstances and not the bigger picture.

Next came the shock, 'Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the grasp of Midian. I am sending you' v14. 'What, how can I do this? (my paraphrase). This was very much like we have heard before. Firstly there was Moses and his reply to God's call, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?' (Exodus 3:11). And then Isaiah was faced with his call, 'Woe is me, for I am ruined, Because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips' (Isaiah 6:5). Then of course there was Jeremiah who said it as it was, 'Oh no LORD! Look, I don't know how to speak since I am only a youth' (Jeremiah 1:6). I even felt the same when God called me to preach my first sermon. AAARGH!

God continued to speak to a shocked Gideon, 'But I will be with you. You will strike Midian down as if it were one man' v16. 

The key to accomplishing great acts for God is to stay in relationship with Him. You can't do it alone, don't even try. God told Gideon to tear down his father's altar to Baal and build one which would be honouring to Him and then sacrifice his father's two choice bulls on it v25-32. He did this, albeit in a state of fear at getting caught out. Therefore, he took ten men with him and did this all at night so that he wouldn't be seen.

The principle here is, don't expect God to help if your heart and own life is not willing to give things up, getting your life right with God. God wants to use you; what is standing in the way? What do you need to give up? The choice is very much yours, but if you do this, God will use you and bless you for making the right choice.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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Beware of the Spiritual Decay

"In those days there was no king in Israel, everyone did whatever seemed right to him."     

                                                                                                 Judges 17:6   NKJV

Having a life without God is rather like, being on a ship with no captain. Pretty soon things are going to go wrong and the ship will sink. There was no king in Israel at this time and therefore, no divine model to follow. Everyone did whatever they wanted to do, despite being right or wrong. There didn't appear to be any rules, boundaries or values. It was an 'anything goes', situation.

This always causes problems because everyone thinks they are right and know the best way to go. Arguments and fights can then break out, together with a great state of sin in the place. It is the hallmark of a people who have forgotten God.

I read some posts recently on a media platform and the subject was about Jesus Christ, 'Was He real or a fake?' The comments from people were unbelievable; some were denying Jesus ever existed, others were blaspheming Him. I couldn't resist commenting and wrote, 'Whether you believe in Jesus or not, or whether He is just a fairy tale as you say, the fact is, one day you will meet Him whether you like it or not and 'everyone will have to bow the knee and confess Him as Lord.' This kind of ended the post.

There are many things going on in our world today that, points to the fact that time is short - we are living in the End Times and, we need to prepare for this. Just think about the standards that have dropped in the world just of late. Many have forgotten God or refuse to get to know about Him. Instead, they live life the way they want to whether it is wrong in God's eyes or not. The world is in Spiritual Decay.

You may not be able to change what is happening in the world but, you can change or improve what happens in your own life, family or home. Ungodly standards need to go and there is a need to get rid of anything that will disarm you in your spiritual walk. You can help make a spiritual change around your home and immediate area - your neighbours. Refuse worldly values and uphold Godly ones. Ensure that you are not drawn into this world of decay. Jesus, I believe, is just around the corner. God is priming Him for His return. We need to be ready. 

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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I will be found by you

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you," says the LORD, "thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."    Jeremiah 29:11    NKJV 

The Israelites were in exile in Babylon; God had allowed Nebuchadnezzar to carry them into captivity because of their sin. Jeremiah, the appointed spokesperson for God, wrote a letter to them offering encouragement and advice about how they should behave. Jeremiah wrote that God was thinking about them; He had plans for their future. His desire was to bring them peace and a hope for the time to come. 

God's promise was to bless them in the midst of pagan culture and whatever else they encountered. There was though, a price to pay, they must be fully committed to Him on a 24/7 basis, not just when they felt like it . He told them:

'Then you will call upon Me and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you' says the LORD, 'and I will bring you back from your captivity.'   Jeremiah 29:12-14

We would all do well to take note of this scripture. We have just been through Easter and seen how much Jesus loves us and how much He demonstrated this by His death on the cross. He gave His all, surely we can do the same for Him. He has wonderful plans for us and longs to give us a bright and wonderful life. There is a need though, to be fully focused on Him, not just once a week at church or the odd prayer during the week. Our commitment to Him must be daily - a full time relationship.

When we are determined to live our lives fully for Jesus, as we seek Him He promises that we will find Him - 'I will be found by you,' and when this happens He will help us to be liberated from all of the things that have held us in captivity for so long - addictions, loneliness, sickness and fear, to mention a few.

We will only be free as we seek Him with all of our hearts. Seek Him wholeheartedly and have your life transformed for the better.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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