Do you display fruit or leaves?

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."                                John 15:5    NKJV 

If we cut a branch off a tree or large bush, that is the end of it. It has been separated from the main tree - life, and therefore, there is nothing left to hang on to, it is dead, it can do nothing on its own.

It's the same with our Christian lives. If we leave Jesus out of our every day life, we are not going to go very far, successfully. Trying to do things on our own - whatever it is, is a recipe for things to go wrong. The difference between us and the unbeliever is, we have given all we have to Him; we are no longer in charge, Jesus is. Therefore, to say we know best is probably not a good idea because the fact is, we don't, we just think we do.

At times, we are too proud to ask for help and keep trying to do something that we know deep down, we are not qualified for. God may put someone into our thoughts that can help. The thing is, do we ask for this help? To not do so, is pride. We then carry on and make a complete bodge of things and wonder why?

A branch on a large bush can look healthy; it has a nice display of leaves and looks fruitful. However looks can be deceiving, it may look healthy with an abundance of leaves but, that is all it has, leaves and no fruit. This is a branch that needs cutting back. Take a look at Jesus' example in Matthew 21:18-22. He came across a Fig Tree displaying an abundance of leaves but, there was no figs on it; it was a deception.

May I ask, how do you display yourself to people? Do they see an abundance of fruit that speaks to them, encourages them and draws them to you; or do they just see an abundance of leaves, with little or no fruit?

God does not look at the outward appearance but, what is actually there - the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). He knows what is fruit and what is leaves. If you want a healthy display of fruit in your spiritual walk, spend more time with Jesus.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

        

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

 

Don't wander in the darkness

"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 

This scripture is very similar to what God spoke to Joshua when he took over the helm after Moses had died:

'No man shall be able to stand before you, all the days of your life, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you'  Joshua 1:5.

When God gives us scriptures such as these, we know for a fact that He does not want His children to fear 'For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind'  2 Timothy 1:7,

Notice what He says in our text today and Joshua 1:5 - 'Fear not, for I am with you' and 'as I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not leave you nor forsake you.' He is with us, it may not seem like it at times but, He is and whatever we are going through right now, He is beside us.

Our text could almost be interpreted as, 'I'm on your side, I have your back.' And this is so true. If you have a trip to the hospital for test results, He is at your side, supporting you. If you have something to do that you have been dreading, He is also there beside you. Don't be dismayed or discouraged, He is your God. If He can create the world and everything in it, then He is able to help you.

The old song, 'When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark', contains words of encouragement. God says in Isaiah 42:16, 'I will make darkness light before them.' It may seem like darkness has surrounded you and is ready to swallow you up. But, as you talk to Jesus, He turns the darkness into light. This is how you can hold your head up high. Fear is not a part of a Child of God.

In the darkness, it is so easy to trip up and fall into deep trouble. However, be of good cheer, you are a Child of the Light and whatever you are facing today, Jesus will face it with you. So, don't wander in the darkness

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

        

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

 

Walk by the Faith God has given you

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seem"     

                                                                                 Hebrews 11:1   NKJV 

Fear is Satan's weapon to paralyse us; faith is God's weapon to mobilise us. Total opposites, in fact, the devil will always endeavour to promote what is opposite to God's Word. This is why RT Kendall says, 'Imagine what the devil would want you to do, then do the opposite.' RT goes on to say that this approach is one of the best ways to know the will of God. For instance, the devil does not want you to pray and read the bible. So, what do you do? Yep, you pray and read your bible. This way you have victory.

We need to develop our faith. It is the proof of what is not seen. To exercise faith is to have confidence about something happening without any visible evidence that it will happen. All the way through the bible you will find men and women just like us, who did extraordinary things by having faith in God. Take for example Peter and John at the Gate Beautiful (Acts 3:1-8). A lame man was begging and Peter said to him, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk' v6. And he did. The man was totally healed. Peter exercised his faith. He was no different to us, in fact, a few weeks earlier he had blatantly denied that he had anything to do with Jesus, to save his own skin. Yet, when he repented and spent time with Jesus later on, he was changed.

You may think, that was in bible times; that would never happen now. But it does, all over the world people are being healed and some, raised from the dead. Probably the difference is, we would never dream of doing this when a beggar approached us in town for some money. And, if we did, think of it, we would probably be too afraid or embarrassed to try it. This is why it doesn't happen.

If we want to see miracles happen, then we must develop and gain the confidence in Jesus that we could do this. 'It may not work', you may say. But it might, if you have the faith to try it. The time in this world is gradually coming to a close. Many believe we are living in the End Times. Therefore, we need to become mobilised with Jesus' weapon of faith. Don't forget that, 'without faith, it is impossible to please Him' (Hebrews 11:6) So, walk by the faith God has given you.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

        

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

 

There's hope, don't give up

"Because of the LORD'S faithful love, we do not perish, for His mercies never end. 23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."   Lamentations 3:22-23  CSB

As each day closes, another one begins - a new beginning. Yesterday may have been full of woe, bad feeling and disappointment. But, today, given the chance, may be a better day; and God promises to share it with you.

It is so important to store scripture into your memory bank for when you need it. Verse 21 reads, 'Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope.' Thinking back to when God lifted you out of the miry clay, can be helpful. It gives hope, and hope is what you need in desperate times - biblical hope. It will carry you through these rough times.

Spurgeon said, 'If every day brings its trouble, every day also brings its mercy. No one can say that so truly as the person who has known what it is to prove God's great faithfulness in the midst of affliction.'

Bad times come but good times tend to follow. The sun may go down but, it will return, the same way as when the tide goes out, it will rush back in again. Samson was weak when his hair was cut, but when his hair began to grow back, so did his strength. You may cut your grass very short but, in such a short time it will grow back to its original length. In the same way, things may be a little difficult at this time but, joy and peace will return.

You may be walking through a storm right now. Life may have dealt you a bad hand and it hurts. God knows all about this and longs for you to allow Him to bring comfort and restoration once again. As rough seas eventually calm down, rough times do not always remain.

This is where your hope in God comes in. Psalm 42:5 tells us:

'Put your hope in God, for I will still Praise Him'

Notice the word 'Still.' The Psalmist was saying, 'No matter what is happening in my life at this time, I will still praise Him. He is still on the throne.'  (My paraphrase)

He is still on the throne - the throne of your life, if you keep Him there. Just gently praise His name and allow Him to wipe the tears away. There's hope, don't give up.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

        

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

Take Responsibility

 "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree and I ate."  

                                                                                           Genesis 3:12   NKJV

There appears to be two generations that stick out above the rest:

The 'Me' generation  This group of people run on self-centredness. They are self-focused and only see their own goals in life. No one else seems to have a say in their life. They are out to please themselves.

The 'Blame' generation  This group of people take no responsibility for their actions but, blame others when things go wrong or when they're caught out. RT Kendall describes these in one of his books: 'they shrink responsibility and attach fault to anything and anyone but themselves.' Totally Forgiving Ourselves. 2007 RT Kendall, Hodder & Stoughton  

We only have to look at the third chapel of Genesis 3:12-14, to see blame in action. As we know, the serpent tempted Eve to pick and eat the forbidden fruit. Now at this stage, she had committed no sin. Many of us are tempted; even Jesus was, 'For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin' Hebrews 4:15. Jesus was tempted but didn't fall to the temptation. We can be tempted but if we don't accept it, it is not sin. At this stage, Eve was only tempted but, when she picked and ate the fruit, sin entered in.

But look at the problem she caused; Adam told God that the reason he ate the fruit was basically His fault for giving Eve to him in the first place. Eve in return blamed the serpent. Neither of them accepted responsibility; they had guilt because they knew they were naked and had hidden in the garden, yet that was all. It is the same in our world today; we are living in an age where many people have no guilt at all. Many appear to act in their own best interests - self-centred and self-satisfied. 

Whatever happens, let us avoid the 'Blame game' and take responsibility for our actions. The 'Me' generation and 'Blame' generation operate in our world today but, we don't have to accept it. Jesus never blames us, let us therefore, do likewise and avoid pointing the finger and passing the blame elsewhere, by taking responsibility.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

        

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

 

It's Time to Rest, Ma'am

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. 2 A time to be born and a time to die"                            Ecclesiastes 3:1-2   NKJV 

One certainty in life is, one day we will die. It's a universal happening, one which cannot be avoided at any cost. With death comes loss. Colin Murray-Parkes, a leading Bereavement Psychologist says, 'Grief is the price we pay for love.' If we love someone or something, sooner or later they or it will die; there will be a loss and this loss will produce mourning.

Most people in this world today are grieving the loss of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Today is her State Funeral and many eyes will weep when this beautiful lady is finally laid to rest. As a Christian, she never hid her faith and took every opportunity to speak about her Saviour Jesus Christ. Now, she is with Him!

As believers, we know there is a certainty of heaven. This is why Jesus died for us, that.'whoever calls on the name of the LORD, shall be saved' Romans 10:13. When someone we love dies, there is a great void, a vast emptiness and it hurts. It is time to mourn. There are several stages one must travel through until we are able to face life again. The Queen knew this and fully understood that a nation - in fact, the whole world, would need to be in grief for a season. However, she also knew where she was going - heaven, and she would not want anyone to mourn longer than necessary. And so would the person you may be mourning. As our text today says, there is 'a time to be a born and a time to die.' But, there is also a time to 'Let go and Move on', because where they are, they're ok.

Perhaps on this sad day, we can all change our view of this; the Queen has died it is true, but she is now at rest in heaven. Show your love and respect but then, move on. We have a King to honour - Charles III, and above all of this, we have the King of kings - Jesus.

It's time to rest, Ma'am - God save the King!

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

        

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

 .

Watch the Little Foxes

"Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes."                                               Song of Solomon 2:15   NKJV 

Little things can wreck a marriage or a relationship. Over time, little things can turn into big things, until there is an explosion and breakdown in the relationship. Deal with them early to avoid the things designed to break the partnership up.

In marriage, it is so easy to allow bickering to enter in. This may come from selfishness and lack of respect. Adultery is a big show-stopper, but many marriages breakdown because the little foxes have entered the relationship and are causing mayhem.

In other relationships, jealousy and competition can divide the friendship; it's the one-up-man-ship that begins to cause such things. Keeping up with Jone's and trying to compete in having the better car, bigger home and the most money.

In church, division may cause a church to split and completely ruin what God has started. Ministries falter through jealousies, favouritism, self-seeking, overwork and tiredness. Individual personalities may clash at times where a stronger personality attempts to rule the others.

At the end of the day, the little foxes can totally destroy a peaceful home and family; a church family, a ministry and an individual. One of the main problems is that we take our eye off the ball and allow little things to develop into major problems. Don't allow this to happen. Kick the ball into touch and take control.

A fox is a very sly and cunning creature. He is a spoiler of good things - destructive and determined. Our text tells us to 'Catch' us the foxes. This is the main ingredient to success. Be alert to what is happening around you; don't let things become stagnant. When you see the enemy attempting to get a foothold, nip him in the bud and send him packing. 

The little foxes (demons) may be sly and cunning but, Jesus is greater. Make sure you are surrounded by His presence at all times

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

        

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2