God wants your attention

"You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand - you don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings. 7 Then I said, 'Look, I have come.' As it is written about me in Scriptures; 8 'I take joy in doing Your will, my God, for Your instructions are written on my heart."    Psalm 40:6-8   New Living Translation 

God wasn't interested in David offering sacrifices and offerings; He wanted his heart - his daily presence. Every parent delights in the presence of their children and God, is no different. Yet, many times this is neglected.

We lead busy lives. There is always something to be done, whether it is work, shopping, mowing the lawn or the many meetings we become involved in. Therefore, the one who matters most - Jesus, is left out of the equation and limited to a few moments of prayer, or a glimpse of scripture while we multi-task.

Think for a moment, how does God feel about this? You become upset when you don't see enough of your grown up children, don't you think He feels the same? God gave up His beloved Son Jesus, to that cruel cross. He did it so that we, His beloved children, could have a rock solid future. He gave us everything and yet, we only give Him a few minutes before we dash off into the day. Many days, we don't even give Him this, because we are so busy.

'Well, thank you Lord that You are so faithful. We hurt You quite a lot, but You never give up on us'. This statement needs to be close to our heart because, He is so faithful, but the truth is, we need to give Him much more of our time. He wants our attention. David realised this and said, 'Lord, I have come - I take joy in doing Your will, my God, for Your instructions are written on my heart' v7-8.

Consider what David said here. He was saying, 'Lord, I give You all of me; my life is Yours.' Ponder this and then determine that he is going to have the first part of your day, even if it means getting up earlier. As you commit yourself to a regular daily, quiet time with Jesus, you will find that your days are more planned out; you will accomplish much more and, you will be less stressed out. Make this your daily exercise plan.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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Remember all He has done for you

"I waited patiently for the LORD, and He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth - Praise to our God; many will see it and fear and will trust in the LORD."            Psalm 40:1-4    NKJV 

We could almost stop here and just meditate on these words. When you think back, God has done so much for you; He has lifted you out of the horrible pit and the miry clay. What does this mean? It means, all of that time when you were in turmoil, troubled and full of heartache. It may have been grief, marital problems, rejection and much more. Whatever, they were difficult times and you may have felt at the time, that you wouldn't make it - but you did, and it was God who did it for you!

Can you remember that you called out to Him, asking for help? The answer may have been quick, but then again, you may have had to wait a while, exercising patience; but you got there and He lifted you out of the mess. In fact, He heard your voice and turned to you (inclined); He then set your feet upon a rock. Who do you think that rock was? It was Jesus Himself. God rescued you from the hurt and pain, the disappointments and the 'let downs' and set you upon the greatest friend a person could ever have - Jesus!

Jesus bathed your wounds, cleaned you up and dressed you in the Armour of God, so that you would look just like Him. He then set you upon a new road - He established your steps and turned you into a brand new person, as you accepted Him as your Lord. You are not who you used to be; you died with Christ that day and you began to live for Him Galatians 2:20. You are a new man, woman and soldier of the Living God. He has given you a new skip in your step, a new song in your mouth and a new beat in your heart.

People who remember you from the past, now look at you and wonder, 'What happened?' They remember your old life but, Jesus doesn't and neither should you because, it is under the blood, forgiven and you were given a brand new start. People often wish that they could start again - they can, tell them so!

But today, just reflect on all that God has done for you. Let the praises begin v3. Whether you realise it or not, the day you accepted Jesus, your life began. You have so much to be grateful for!

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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Are you Dead to Reaction?

"I am like a deaf person, I do not hear. I am like a speechless person who does not open his mouth. 14 I am like a man who does not hear and has no arguments in his mouth."

                                                                                    Psalm 38:13-14.  CSB

Do you react negatively to something? Test yourself and imagine you have been waiting for ages in a car park for a space. One becomes vacant but, before you can negotiate into the much hoped for space, another driver races into it. What would be your reaction?

(1)  Would you, give the driver a piece of your mind and then to your peril, find out he is an SAS veteran?

(2)  Would you use expletives and later find yourself standing next to this person in the shopping queue?

(3)  Or would you block the person in by parking behind their car?

None of these are recommended and you may find the person standing beside you in church on the following Sunday. 'Oh No!"

Look at our text today, David did not react by shouting his mouth off. He said he was like a man who is speechless - he had no argument in his mouth. He was dead to reaction. When something is dead, no matter how hard you try, it cannot be revived. Take for instance a dead battery. Once the energy has gone from the battery, it needs charging; it is relatively useless without this.

David demonstrated the art of being dead to reactions. He didn't want to hear the negative things people said about him - how he didn't measure up as a king. He refused to hear and take it on board. He also refused to allow his mouth to speak a bad word; he was in control, not his mouth. He also refused to get involved in arguments.

There is always someone around who has a gripe about you. It goes with the territory. They may slander you, pushing you to respond. They are after an argument - don't give them one! It takes sheer will-power and self control to refuse to react negatively; but look at Jesus, He is your role model. He didn't react negatively at all, in fact, at times He never opened His mouth.

Just imagine the negative energy that you are burning up by your reactions. Words are spoken that you cannot take back and friendships are lost just to name two. Don't do it! Learn to be Dead to Reaction. You'll have a happier life this way.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Dry Bones

"Dry bones, hear the Word of the God." v4.                  Ezekiei 37:1-14   CSB 

Yesterday we looked at having Fire in your Bones. Today, let us build upon this with this dry bone situation.

To do most things, you need life to make it work Ezekiel had obeyed God's direction and prophesied to the dry bones that they would come together; and they did. However, there was no life within them. God then told him to prophesy that breath would enter the bones and it happened; they came to life and stood there, a vast army v10.

The bones had been brittle, lifeless and rather like an old leather bag that was cracked and dry. When such a bag is treated, it could be made supple again and ready for a new life. Like this bag, we too need this special treatment, this special ingredient which is revival. This is what happened to the dry bones.

Note in verse 11 that the bones were dry and said, 'Our bones are dried up, our hope is perished and we are cut off.' But God said to these bones, 'I will put My Spirit in you and you will live v14'. God used a special formula; at creation, He spoke, 'Let there be light and there was light' Genesis 1:2-3, and here God tells Ezekiel to speak directly to the bones. Elsewhere, we find Jesus speaking directly to situations such as the wind and the waves. In Mark 11:22-24, Jesus tells His disciples the benefits of speaking to the mountain. 

God's remedy is Word and Spirit = Life. As we speak God's Word, the breath of the Holy Spirit changes situations. It is the precursor to Spiritual Revival. But if one of these ingredients are missing, no living experience of His reality will be in our midst. We need to speak the Word of God by speaking to whatever bad situation we encounter and let the breath of His Spirit do the rest. 

Do you feel dry-boned? Cut off with your hopes perished? Have you been baptised in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues? You need this baptism of fire to be able to flow in His power and to perform all He has for you to do. You may have Fire in your Bones, but now, Jesus offers  dynamite too. Why not say this prayer and get ready for Spiritual Revival:

Dear Lord Jesus, please send the power of Your Holy Spirit upon me. Baptise me in Your Spirit Lord, allowing me to have access to speaking in tongues and to Your Spiritual gifts. Lord, I need these to be able to perform my ministry for You, powerfully. Lord, I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

NOW GET READY FOR YOUR REVIVAL! 

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Fire in your bones

"There is no soundness in my body because of Your indignation, there is no health in my bones because of my sin."                                           Psalm 38:3   CSB 

The results of David's sin and his foolishness caused this feeling of woe. This caused him to be physically, spiritually and emotionally drained. Not all sickness is the result of sin though, and we have to be careful that we don't fall into the trap of being judgemental when dealing with someone who continues to be sick, despite much prayer. Sin will always affect the way we react; we can try to hide it for so long but, rather like white-washing an old cracked wall, it may initially look good but, the cracks will soon re-appear.

David felt drained with the overwhelming feeling of sin; it was dragging him down and, he had no soundness or peace in his mind. Consequently, he continued to dry up spiritually. This is not what God wants for you, He has better things. He knows we are weak and susceptible to sin. This is why 1John 1:9 tells us: 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' This scripture was written to Christians, He knew that we would need to remember this.

David writes that he has no health in his bones. In other words, he had no fire in his bones. Take a look at Jeremiah 20:9: 'I say, "I won't mention Him or speak any longer in His name." But His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones; I become tired of holding it in and cannot prevail.' Jeremiah complained to God that people were ridiculing him and making him a laughingstock because he was preaching out aloud in the street. However, he couldn't stop, no matter how hard he tried because, he had 'Fire in his Bones.' Just like us, Jeremiah was human and susceptible to sin, yet God, put fire in his bones. It was so intense that he couldn't stop talking about God.

Come on, are you saying that it could never happen to you? God wants to put fire in your bones too. He wants to make them alive so that, you make a difference wherever you are. It may not be to preach on a street corner, that can come later; but so that you live for Him 100% - sold out for God so much, that whatever God wants, you will reply, I'll do it Lord'. Will you?

Be honest, do you want fire in your bones? If so, the get up, repent and ask Him for this. However, when you do, be prepared, because He will take you up on the offer!

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Taking the right path

"A person's steps are established by the LORD, and he takes pleasure in His way."  

                                                                                                        Psalm 37:23  CSB 

If you've asked Jesus to be your Lord, then He has the right to be your guide in all you do. He won't force you however, but He does have a way of putting things in your way that you simply can't miss.

In guiding us, God uses de-tours to takes us from here to there - wherever He wants us to be. The de-tours are not because He changes His mind, but because, we can be so unpredictable - one day we're going here and doing that and then, the next we've changed our minds or are being stubborn. Isn't this a little like the Israelites in the desert? They only had a short journey to go and yet, it took them 40 years - incredible!

I believe that God is like a Chess Master and plans the way forward. He knows the wrong ways and the right ways, making allowance for our weaknesses. He knows what we will do and if it is not the right decision, He puts into action the de-tour. I remember nearly forty years ago that we were wondering where God wanted us to worship and we were getting nowhere. We went on a short break to North Devon and on the Sunday, as we were walking by the Pavilion bar, we could hear Christian worship. We decided to investigate and discovered a church meeting taking place there. After the service, a chap informed us that a similar church was planned for South Dorset. We returned home and decided that we would look round for this church. At first, no one knew anything about it and then, we met a Christian friend who told us that the church was meeting on a Thursday night in West Dorset. We attended and eventually, the church moved to the planned place in South Dorset. It was rather a long-winded journey but we finally found what we were looking for, and we became founding members of this church.

God will make de-tours and lead us wherever He chooses. It is exciting when this happens. Don't ever lose this excitement, it is the joy of the Lord - His strength, and it keeps us forging a way forward. When you are in step with Jesus, He gives you a 'buzz' that can be found nowhere else. Keep in step with Him and if you trip up, He will pick you back up.

Is God taking you a step nearer to where He wants you to be? Is He showing you what He wants you to do? If you've asked Him to guide you, you can hardly say 'no' can you?

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Don't be like the Fig Tree

"The next day when they went out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves. He went to find out if there was anything on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, 'May no one ever eat from you again."

                                                              Mark 11:12-14   Christian Standard Bible

At first, it can seem quite harsh for Jesus to curse this fig tree, after all, it wasn't the season for figs. However, the tree was giving the appearance that it had fruit because of the leaves. Fruit and leaves on a fig tree, grow together. This was a false display and Jesus was making a point.

This false outward appearance could also be found in the religious leaders of the day. Outwardly they were godly but, inwardly they were corrupt. Their lack of faith made them also barren, producing no fruit for God. Sadly, it can be the same today; many people attend church each week, sing, praise and listen to the sermon, giving the occasional Amen, but sadly there is no fruit for the rest of the week; they get on with their worldly lives.

This is very similar to what King David wrote in Psalm 37:35-36 'I have seen a wicked, violent person, well-rooted like a flourishing native tree. 36 Then I passed by and noticed he was gone. I searched for him but, he could not be found.' 

When Jesus dwells within someone, it shows. There still may be some rough edges but basically, the heart has been changed because Jesus has taken up residence there. Having the biggest bible one can find and reading it from cover to cover, will not make someone a Christian. Only Jesus can do this via salvation. Don't fall into the category of the fig tree, giving off a false Christian front. It doesn't matter what denomination you belong to or, how many times you have taken communion, only Jesus, within you, can produce living fruit. Once on a Street Evangelism exercise, I asked a person if they were a Christian. The answer I received was, he had been a Methodist for 30 years, surely this made him a Christian. He didn't like my answer.

One day, and it could be sooner rather than later because of the state of the world, we will all have to appear before Jesus and give Him an account of our lives. It will be too late to change your mind then and, no amount of pleading with Jesus will influence His decision. We will either enter the Kingdom of God or spend eternity in the clutches of the devil and his angels in hell. It's all in the bible, we will have no excuse. Do you need to make a decision?

'Lord Jesus, I ask you to forgive my sins and be my Lord and Saviour. I give you all I have - my whole life; please come and live in my heart and bless me with Your Holy Spirit. Amen'

Copyright 2022 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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