According to the Power Within

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us"   Ephesians 3:20   NKJV

This is one powerful verse, one in which we need to live by each day. Whatever we ask or think, God is able to do and even more. This is our God, the One who created the world and everything in it. The one who parted the Red Sea and the River Jordan to allow the Israelites to cross safely. The God who shut the lion's mouth's when Daniel was imprisoned there and, the one who joined the three young men in the fiery furnace. The one who opens blind eyes, raises the dead and walks on water. And the God who offers us eternal life through Jesus Christ. He can do more than your wildest dreams, in fact, you could never outdream Him.

David Guzik adds to this:

You can ask for every good thing you have ever experienced – God can do above that.

You can think of or imagine things beyond your experience – God can do above that. You can imagine good things that are beyond your ability to name – God can do above that.
According to the power that works in us: God is able to do this in our life now, not beginning with heaven. This power… works in us now.

The things Paul prayed for in the previous verses (spiritual strength, the indwelling Jesus, experiential knowledge of God’s love, and the fullness of God) belong to us as children of God. However, they must be received by believing prayer and can be furthered in the lives of others by our prayers for them.'    Enduring Word. -  David Guzik

According to the power that works within us. Tony Evans comments further: 

'God's power works in accordance with a believer's Spiritual strength, intimacy and capacity.' 

There must be a connection between us and the Holy Spirit. When we or the church are in sync with Jesus, there is a connection that is always overflowing - gushing out the power of God. But we must make that connection by being in connection with Him. This gives us that Spiritual strength, intimacy and capacity. We need the connection to watch the TV, start a car engine or charge your 'phone, in the same way, you need a connection to the Holy Spirit to receive His power.

When we live in such a way, we can walk in confidence that God's power is in us and that lives will be changed as we meet them; people will be healed and demons will flee. 

So get connected to the Holy Spirit and do God's business.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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Thank you Your Majesty

Words fail us at this very sad time. It is hard to come to terms with this loss because, we have all known her, all of our lives. We grew up and she was there, she was always there for us. Now, we have the memories; but what lovely memories they are of a Queen who loved us and was always there, through thick and thin and always had that beautiful smile that we will all remember. 

Now, as Christians, we know that she is with Jesus in Heaven, Her Saviour who she loved dearly and always spoke of Him whenever she could. We know that He will take care of her and she is at peace. It is now her time to relax; she has earned it.

So thank you, Your Royal Highness for being our Queen. Now we need to allow her son, King Charles III to take over and lead us and she did.

God save the King

Carnally minded v Spiritually minded

"For those who live according to the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." v5   

                                                                                    Romans 8:5-8   NKJv

Casey Treat, the American evangelist says,' When your mind agrees with your spirit, you're Spiritually minded. But when it agrees with your flesh, you're Carnally minded.' This is how we can carry out a self assessment each day. Whenever we allow ourselves to view or become involved with things that we know we shouldn't, we are being carnally minded - we are walking in the flesh. Romans 8:11 says, 'But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.'

We are called to be Spirit-led but, it is incredibly difficult a lot of the time. We meet obstacles and some of them are very tempting. If we're not careful, we can easily be led astray. This is why we need to be on the ball - alert and ready to meet what lies ahead. Bob Gass, discussing Paul's claims about Romans 7:24, says, 'Isn't it time you stopped carrying the past around on your back - and on your mind? Refuse to let old memories negotiate a deal with you. Bury them and do it today. Don't let them take up residence inside your head'      Copyright 2007 Bob Gass

It's time to move on but, you will never do it until you get the upper hand in your walk with Jesus. You'll never be perfect until you are safely with Jesus in heaven, but you can make a healthy start. Therefore, whenever you begin to step off the track, repent immediately, not afterwards. You know the things that Jesus wants you to give up; He will not stop until you do. As hard as it may be, decide to give them to Jesus. It will be difficult that is true, but remember you are either Spiritually minded or Carnally minded; the choice is yours.

If you want a wholesome, healthy walk with Jesus, the things of the flesh need to go. Every time you operate in them, the conviction will become heavier. Don't live like this any longer; you may think. 'Well, others do.' That may be so but, God is dealing with you here, not other people. So bury the past together with all the fleshy things involving you and move forward. From thereon, be sure to be aware that they will keep trying to return, so be watchful.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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 .

Anger and Jealousy

"Then Saul was very angry and the saying displeased him; and he said, 'They have ascribed to David ten thousands and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom.' 9 So Saul eyed David from that day forward."   

                                                                                     1 Samuel 18:8-9  NKJV 

Saul was fuming and insanely jealous of David since his victory over Goliath. David was well respected by the people and as he returned from the victory, the women were singing and dancing as they saw Saul but, they obviously favoured David as the words of their song described. The anointing was on David and was quickly disappearing from Saul, and it showed.

If we are not careful, we can all fall to jealousy. We like to be respected and thrive on being recognised for the things that we do. This is natural, until we make it more important than what it should be. Jesus is our Saviour and Lord; He is the ultimate and will have no others over Him. We can't afford to become puffed up.

Saul was angry and jealous. He resented David outshining him; his insecurity showed through - big time. Wherever we go, we will find competition - people trying to outshine each other to prove they are better. But, we don't have to take part in the competition. David was in no way trying to compete with Saul. He loved and respected him and, if Saul had realised this instead of becoming all wound up about things, it may have been a different story.

As mentioned, we will always have someone who wants to outshine us. They receive all the 'Well done's' where we receive nothing, but that's ok. Some people do this intentionally, others don't realise they're doing it. But whatever, don't rise to the bait. The devil may whisper, 'They are better than you - your job is at risk.' Or, 'Your marriage is at risk, in fact it's over.' Don't listen, just take the thought captive as described in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. Don't allow yourself to become angry or jealous. Rise above it. It's all lies from the evil one. If he can take your mind off what is important, he will do. This is why when Jairus was told his daughter had died, Jesus said to him, 'Do not be afraid, only believe' Mark 5:36; while the people were saying,  'Why trouble the teacher?'

Anger, Jealousy and Insecurity are not healthy to a man or woman of God

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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A Fresh Anointing Everyday

"But my horn, You have exalted like a wild ox. I have been anointed with fresh oil."    

                                                                                     Psalm 92:10   NKJV 

We need a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit each day. The things of the world challenge us so, we need a top-up of the Holy Spirit to be able to make it through each day. This is why we have 'Quiet times; with God. We spend time in His presence, in His Word and in prayer and He refreshes us so that we can go out to a new day.

The word 'horn' in our text, means strength and joy. Therefore, as we spend time with God, He gives the strength we need to face the day. In fact, as we can see, He exalts us like a wild ox. Now that is some strength that He elevates us to, and we need it.

Some versions of the bible use the term, 'the finest of oils.' When you consider who the Holy Spirit is and what He signifies and offers us, it is the finest. However, it is fresh as well. When you consider that in the mornings we shower and put on clean clothes, we are refreshed, so this can be read as the 'the freshest of fine oils.'

The individual anointing that He gives us each day, is for us, not for anyone else; they have their own. We have to be careful that we don't take on too much in any given day. We should only do what the Holy Spirit leads us to do, nothing more. If we notice that we are fatigued, then we may have it wrong. We can bring burnout upon ourselves by doing things that God never told us to do. We must be careful that we stick to our own level of anointing, not someone else's. If we try to copy someone else's anointing, we have gone out of our own personal anointing and it just won't work. Be yourself, not someone else.

One thing that stops the Holy Spirit's anointing upon us is when we grieve Him. Ephesians 4:30 tells us: 'And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.' If we allow bitterness, wrath, anger or evil speaking, He is grieved. Also if we operate from a role of unforgiveness, He is offended. All of this can cause the Holy Spirit to lift His anointing from us. We know when we have done this, because there is a strong feeling of conviction and emptiness. He hasn't left us but, He has lifted His anointing away. Be quick to repent and put things right. 

Remember, we need a fresh anointing everyday.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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You need the Holy Spirit

"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever."                                                                    John 14:16   CSB 

Bob Gass said, 'If you look at the world you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. But if you look at God, you'll be at rest.' 

You can go through great times of challenge and even despair. The more you try to sort things out on your own, the worse things are. As Bob Gass says, if you go to the world for answers you will be lost and confused and in a state of distress. People may look to their stars for an answer to the problem, they may even go to a fortune teller for guidance, others as we read in magazines, write to Agony Aunts for answers. However, there is only one person you can receive an ideal answer from and, this is the Holy Spirit who, if you are a Christian, lives within your heart.

The Holy Spirit is our Counsellor, our Helper and our Comforter. He will always lead you into the truth, 'when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth' John 16:13. The Greek word for Comforter is Parakletos, which means one who comes alongside to strengthen, encourage and advise you. If you try to find the answer yourself, unless you receive counsel from the Comforter, you will end up frustrated and depressed because, Jesus said, 'Without Me, you can do nothing' John 15:5. There is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit - 3 separate persons in one, this is the Holy Trinity. If you have Jesus in your life, you also have the Holy Spirit and, if you look to Him for help in times of need, you will receive rest.

Many people are uncertain about the Holy Spirit mainly because they don't understand Him and have been led astray by overly Charismatic teaching. Simply put, He is your power-line to God; He is your constant friend and companion and, He is like your heavenly compass guiding you here, there and wherever God wants you. He will baptise you in His Holy Spirit if you ask Him, enabling you to go deeper within the things of God.

He is your power-house, your ever ready, ever present, ever loving and constant companion. You and I need Him.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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Jesus makes the darkness tremble

"But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them."  v25                         Act 16:25-30   NKJV

Picture the scene, Paul and Silas had been severely beaten, possibly with rods, and placed into the inner prison - rather like a dungeon where other prisoners could view them. The charge against them? They had been found guilty of preaching Jesus and casting out a spirit from a girl who practiced fortune telling, making her master very rich. They were cut and bleeding, cold and wet and placed in stocks with their legs chained as they sat in a rat-infested filthy place. Were they angry? No, they were praising God! Amazing; Paul and Silas in obvious pain and discomfort, praised God, singing out loud in the eerie darkness while the other prisoners listened to them. 

Jesus is not bound by darkness, not at all because He is the Light. He created an earthquake to shake the prison. This was not a natural earthquake but, a supernatural one and in that darkness when Light struck, chains fell off and doors were opened and they were all free. The prison-keeper, fearing for his life, threatened to kill himself rather than suffer the Roman discipline for losing prisoners. But Paul shouted to him, not to do this and the man and his whole family were saved that day, and not one of the prisoners escaped v27-31.

The answer to despair, hardships and troubles is praise because, it brings release. It shatters the darkness and allows Light (Jesus) to enter your situation and bring about change. In fact, whatever problem you may be going through at this time can be changed by praising God. It opens doors, makes chains fall off and brings freedom.

Just think, you have a trouble-filled situation, so: 

(1) You pray and praise God

(2) People may witness this and be changed themselves

(3) You are seeking Good first

(4) And the result is, freedom. That is the formula.

In bad situations, the last thing you feel like doing is praising God but, break through that because when you do, the darkness-busting, power-filled Light of Jesus Christ will bring so much energy into your situation that it will feel like you are having your own, spiritual earthquake.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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