What is the condition of your temple?

"do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you - "  

                                                                                     1 Corinthians 6:19   NKJV 

In John 2:13-20, prior to the Passover, Jesus went up to the temple in Jerusalem. What He found displeased Him immensely. Oxen, sheep and doves were being sold and money was being exchanged in the House of God. The condition of this temple was a vivid picture of the spiritual condition of this nation; and there is little difference today in many areas of our society.

The temple needs purifying and the thing is, we are this temple - the Holy Spirit dwells within us and things will not change, until God's people make a stand against the things that are being forced upon the individual with threats of possible court action if a person does not agree with certain lifestyles.

The bible is very clear about what is right and wrong from a Christian perspective. If a person makes a stand against abortion, homosexuality, same-sex marriages, gay vicars and transsexuals, then they take the risk of being accused of discriminatory behaviour and could end up having to face action against them. The bottom line however, is that Christians have rights too.

A Christian either believes God's Word or they don't. There is no chance of allowing it to be watered down to fit the occasion, not if we belong to Jesus. We see above, Jesus making a stand against the defiling of the temple. He drove these people out of God's house, He didn't ignore it. They were making a mockery of all that God stands for, so, is this how we should act against what we see in society today?

As a Christian yourself, what does the Holy Spirit say to you about all of this? If you accept it, then surely you are taking the risk that your temple will become decayed. On the other hand, if you make a stand against it all, you take the risk that you will be ridiculed and targeted. 

Also, what about if a family member goes the way of the world and becomes involved in all of this. Would you have nothing more to do with them? To do so, would be heartbreaking to one and all, so one should never disown them. The answer would be to love and accept them through it all but you don't have to agree with their lifestyle. I feel this is what Jesus would want. 

One thing we should never do however, is compromise our faith. God's Word is the truth so, how would He handle what is happening in the world today? Should we leave it to Him to sort out or, would He expect us to do something about it?

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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You are a 'Somebody!'

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession                                                                                                      

                                                                                           1 Peter 2:9-10.  CSB

If you have suffered rejection in your past, you may be insecure and have feelings that you are unloved and a 'Nobody'. Stop just there! God says that you are a 'Somebody', in fact, a chosen and special person - God's special possession. Now, I don't know about you but, to me, this sounds like you are a 'Somebody', not a 'Nobody'.

Things may have been difficult for you in the past. In childhood, you may have suffered various types of abuse, you may also have been classed as second best whereas, others may have been classed as special. This may have left you feeling totally rejected and unloved. You may have carried these insecurities into your adult life and consequently lived through broken relationships, because you couldn't trust anyone. You may have believed that everyone was the same and out to do you harm.

If this is you, let me remind you that Jesus has taken your role of being a 'Nobody' and has turned you into being a 'Somebody'. You may not be a Christian at this time, but God still looks upon you as a 'Somebody'. Being a Christian means that you are part of a holy nation or race, and a royal priesthood. But being a special person such as this, does not mean that you are perfect, far from it. But, you have been set apart to live for God.

On the other hand, you may have been a Christian for many years but, you recognise the symptoms of insecurity and rejection still. If this is so, allow Jesus to free you of it. When you became a Christian, you were rescued from darkness and brought into the light. In other words you eyes were opened. However, as I mentioned earlier, you are not perfect and probably carry scars of the past. Therefore, why not dedicate or re-dedicate your life to Jesus right now:

Lord Jesus, Please come into my life and help me; I really need You. Please forgive my sins and fill me with Your Holy Spirit and, be my Lord and Saviour. In Jesus' name I ask. Amen.

Now accept that you are a 'Somebody'. The devil lied to you calling you a 'Nobody'; ignore the lies and live each day for Jesus. 'Somebody's' go places, so get ready.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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Desire the Pure Milk

"Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the Word, so that you may grow up into your salvation."                                                                   1 Peter 2:2   CSB 

My daughter's cat has recently given birth to four kittens and I was watching them the other day as they scrambled over each other to get to the milk that they so needed to grow healthy. It was sheer panic as they began to strive to have this need met. It reminded me of how much, young and occasionally, older Christians need the milk of the Word of the Lord.

One thing these kittens wouldn't do, is to make sure that they had a good feed up on a Sunday so that, it would last them the whole week. They need to feed regularly - everyday to be able to grow. Think about that for a moment, some Christians do this. They attend church on a Sunday, take notes and then return home hoping that what they have learned, will last them the whole week. They do nothing in-between by way of reading a bible - if they have one, and expect to get through a busy working week without any Spiritual food. This does not work, we need to grow and the only way we will, is by partaking of the right food - the Word of God.

Be brutally honest with yourself, throughout your week, what percentage of time is given to spending time with God, reading your bible, praying or just enjoying God's presence? There is no set limit of time, but if you are wise, why not allot a fair amount of time to Him. Yes, you need to work, take care of the family, shop, look after the home and garden and a host of other things, this is true. However, without Him, you may not have the things that you have such as, your family, nice home and job. He is your overall provider; He gives you health, wealth and your life in general. In return, He wants some time with you.

He is a great manager of time, therefore ask Him to give you a workable, daily timetable and stick to it wherever possible. You may have to be flexible, but try and avoid altering the time spent with God, after all, this is a priority - your most important part of the day. This is where and when, you receive the Spiritual food to live on each day.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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It's never too late to ask God to forgive you

"Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up your everlasting doors! And the King of Glory shall come in. 10 Who is the King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory."      

                                                                                   Psalm 24:9-10   NKJV

Have you ever had that feeling that when you speak to God, He is not listening? No matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to get through. It's almost like when you ring a company and all you hear is, 'We're trying to connect you. Please stay on the line, your call is important to us.' You wouldn't think so after being on the line for ages and still haven't been able to speak to that special person.

God does listen to us, but when there is hidden or unconfessed sin in our lives, it causes a block and He cannot work on our behalf. 'If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear.' Psalm 66:18. We can't get it more plainer than that!

Having unconfessed sin in our lives is like having a heavy weight on our shoulders. Guilt may be present as the Holy Spirit convicts us of our actions or thoughts. Joy is taken out of our day and we may try and cover it up by putting on an act but, pretty soon that doesn't work either. There is only one thing that we can do and that is, ask God for His forgiveness. He will hear this and He will forgive us as well 1 John 1:9. The thing is, often we can't forgive ourselves and we continue to wallow in this feeling of woe. Listen, if God has forgiven you, then that is the end of it!

David tells us to 'Lift up our heads'. When we can't forgive ourselves, we often have a feeling of shame upon us; but receive your forgiveness, God doesn't want you walking around with your head down; lift it up; you are forgiven if you've confessed this.

As we ask forgiveness, it's like the Spirit of God floods us once again. He hasn't left us but, our sin caused a block, but now, the King of glory has come in - the LORD of hosts, who is the glorious King of Israel.

When you've been forgiven there is no condemnation Romans 8:1; He has cleansed us from all unrighteousness. You made a mistake, we all do but now it is under the Blood, Jesus never remembers it and that, is amazing!

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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Go to that High, Safe Place

"The LORD is a refuge for the persecuted, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 Those who know Your name, trust in You because You have not abandoned those who seek You."      

                                                                                           Psalm 9:9-10    CSB

Most castles we see today, are built high on a hill or rock and are very difficult to approach at the best of times. Imagine what it would have been like if you were under attack. David mentions here about God being a refuge. A look at this word describes a stronghold or a high, safe place. This adequately describes a place such as a castle, which is a refuge, stronghold or a fortified place. In a refuge, one would expect to receive protection and a source of help and comfort in times of trouble. A refuge could be described as a safe place and an area of survival. 

David described God as his refuge - his safe place. Persecution was rife with trouble all around for David and his followers. He was quick to mention that he needed the safety and help and also the strength and the reassurance that could only come from God.

In Old Testament times, those who knew the name of the LORD, were those who looked forward to God's promised redemption, just as we witnessed God's redemption through Jesus Christ in our own lives and the promised eternity. God was and is, our place of refuge - our high, safe place.

Rather like David, you will have times of persecution and be weighed down with troubles. Like David, was so secure in God that he could sing:

'I will praise You O LORD, with my whole heart, I will tell of all your marvellous works 2 I will be glad and rejoice in You, I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High'   Psalm 9:1-2

you can do the same; He is the same God who helped David over and over again.

David was a warrior, but he was also human like you are. He bled when he was wounded; hurt when he was abused and let God down as you do. But he had the ability through it all, to praise God. He knew the trigger for freedom and it was to worship and praise God whenever he could, especially in his troubled times.

Learn from him; go to that high, safe place.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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Jesus - My Shepherd Final Part

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."                                           Psalm 23:6   NKJV 

In the past, goodness and mercy has been described as two sheep dogs, who follow us all the time, nipping at our ankles as we take a wrong turn. I can remember seeing this, as I sat waiting for sheep to be driven along a country lane. Some of the sheep, would try it on and stop or turn around and the sheep dog would nip their ankles to send them forward again. There has been several books written about this by Christian sheep farmers. It is a wonderful analogy and and an interesting read.

God's goodness and mercy (or unfailing love), does follow us all of our lives. Despite David's sin, goodness and mercy had continued to follow him and it is the same for us too. The New Testament equivalent of this verse is Romans 8:28, 'And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.' God is faithful and if we belong to Him, He will cause goodness and mercy to follow us all the days of our lives, until we enter God's House in Heaven; where we will then dwell forever (Eternally).

Therefore, we have a future enjoyment of the King in His House. What will it be like, we don't know but, we can be certain that it is wonderful. Verse six commences with the word, 'Surely', which means truly or with certainty. This is how true this statement is; He will follow us, He will bless us and He is so willing to heal and sustain us. However, when we ask this of Him, we must receive the answer in faith, without any doubt whatsoever. It will then be answered in His time, not ours.

As we come to the end of this study, let me leave you with a thought, David knew the Shepherd, He knew His God. Do you know the Psalm of the Shepherd or, the Shepherd of the Psalm? There is a major difference. As I have said, David knew the Shepherd that he wrote about, this is why he could say, without doubt, 'I will dwell in the House of the LORD, forever'. Can you say the same?

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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Jesus - My Shepherd Part 4

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over."                                                   Psalm 23:5    NKJV 

Continuing in our study of Psalm 23, we arrive at verse 5. This can be split into two parts:

IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES - Yahweh - Nissi  The LORD is my banner. Ezk 17:15

The table referred to here is not the furniture type of table. It refers to a 'Feast - Something spread out'. Flat places in hilly country were often called 'tables' by shepherds. They would often allow the sheep to roam freely about as they fed there and were rested prior to going into their fold. The wide open spaces could be difficult for the sheep and shepherd, because of their many enemies. The shepherd would therefore keep a close eye on them.

We too, have many enemies and often have to go into wide, open spaces throughout our day. However, when our Shepherd is with us, the enemy can't get to us easily. Therefore, we can get on with our lives as we feast at the 'table' in the presence of our enemies.

ANOINT MY HEAD - Yahweh - M'Qadash - The LORD who sanctifies us  Leviticus 20:8

When the sheep are feeding at the 'table', it is possible that they may eat a poisonous plant or become injured in some way. They may even become dehydrated. The shepherd would have a large jug of water to meet their thirst and oil to heal their wounds. As they returned to their folds, he would inspect each one of them, placing oil on their wounds and generally rubbing oil over their head and horns to prevent infection from flies and other insects. 

God's provision never runs dry; it didn't for David and it won't for you either. You will have enemies and you will tread on difficult ground but, your Shepherd will be with you every inch of the way. He will anoint you with oil and His cup will run over because, He will give you more than enough to live with - a superabundance - John 10:10. At times, you may not realise it but, His banner is over you and He has sanctified you as well. Feast at His 'table' with joy - the strength to get you through each and every situation. You are anointed and loved.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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