You are a Work in Progress

"being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."            Philippians 1:6   NKJV 

Are you trying to be perfect? Stop right now, because you'll never make it! Perfectionists strive to do a certain thing; they'll stop at nothing because they want to do things better than anyone else.  They are so competitive that they have to win. Perfectionists have an inbuilt desire to succeed; which when you consider it, is not a bad thing. However, the perfectionist is different, he or she have to be winners, they have to succeed, there is no room for failure. 

When they do fail, they go down lower than the average person. You see, the root of perfectionism is fear. The person fears that failure will make them look weak - an under-achiever.  

Therefore, they worry and become stressed; they push themselves on, working long hours with hardly any sleep. They are on a crash course to a heart attack or at east, a breakdown - total burnout. In their lives there is no room for time off or holidays, they have to work to achieve their goal.

If this is you, then get out of the fast lane. Using the motorway analogy, the perfectionist lives life in this fast lane. If they switch over to a slower one or pull up for a break, all the people they have passed will get back in front of them, so they keep on. But so what? Is it really worth it? Is it worth losing your good health, your family and whatever else because you're too busy?

As a Christian, you are a work in progress, not a mega superstar. You come from Calvary not from Hollywood. Slow down and switch over to the slow lane or better still, pull up for a break. Slow down before your life slows you down. Start by changing your whole lifestyle. If you have lived life in the fast lane all your life, you will find this difficult but you can do it with Jesus' help.

Nowhere in the bible will you find God telling you to be a perfectionist. As I mentioned earlier, this is rooted in fear, God is rooted in faith, the exact opposite. So change your life before you regret it.

You are a work in progress; therefore you will fail and you will make mistakes but, one day, when Jesus finishes His work on you, you will be perfect.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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The Breath of God

 "And when He had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'.                                                               John 20:22  NKJV

If you go to any Christian Convention or watch them on Christian TV, you may see the preacher pray for someone and breathe on them. Many people have a problem with this but, here Jesus is doing just that. He had just finished commissioning the Apostles when, He breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Spirit. This would be essential to their calling; Jesus was about to ascend into heaven and they needed His power with them when He left. This happened on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21). Jesus was visibly and physically preparing them for the way ahead. Jesus' breath demonstrates His power and creative ability.

William Barclay comments:

'Jesus breathed on His disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). There is no doubt that when John spoke in this way, He was thinking back to the old story of the creation. There, the writer says, "Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being" (Genesis 2:7). This was the same picture as Ezekiel saw in the Valley of dead, dry bones, when he heard God say to the wind, "Come from the four winds O breath and breathe upon these slain that they may live" Ezekiel 37:9. The coming of the Holy Spirit is like the wakening of life from the dead. When He comes upon the church, it is re-created for its task.

                                                                       William Barclay. The Gospel of John Volume two

The breath of God brings life to where there was nothing but dryness. When God breathes upon us, we receive the power and ability to do whatever task He has set for us. We may feel flat and lifeless but, the breath of God empowers and ignites strength within every inch of our body.

Do you need the breath of God to give you a power boost? Why not allow Him to breathe upon you now:

"O Lord Jesus, I need Your touch today. I've felt so flat and lifeless just lately. Please breathe on me the power of the Holy Spirit, so that I can bring glory to Your name.

                                                                          In Jesus' name. Amen'

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

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Do you know how much you are loved?

"and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and loved them as You have loved Me."                                                                                        John 17:23  NKJV 

This must be one of the most amazing scriptures in the New Testament. If you have ever doubted the fact that God loves you, then keep focusing on this verse. When I first read this over 40 years ago, I felt this can't be true. However, over the years it has illuminated itself within my spirit and it sits contentedly. I was delighted not long after this when an acclaimed preacher said exactly the same. God loves you and I as He has loved Jesus.

RT Kendall in his book, The Lord's Prayer, writes this:

Let me share one of the most dazzling truths I know: God loves you as much as He loves Jesus! That's right. We are joint heirs, co-heirs with Jesus' 

                                         The Lord's Prayer, Copyright 2010 RT Kendall, Hodder & Stoughton P35

How does that sit with you? Does it make you feel uncomfortable? I felt this way at first but after studying the scriptures for over 40 years, it all comes together. We could search the world over but, we'll never find such love. It is unfailing. We may let Him down daily; we refuse to obey Him and rebel at times but, rather like the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, He stands there waiting for our return. 

I challenge you to say, 'God loves me as much as He does Jesus'. Say it out loud, over and over for a while. If you say it to someone who hasn't yet had this revelation, you may receive a Pharisaical protest, but don't allow this to put you off. I would have felt the same way all those years ago. However now, it is liberating.

You may say, 'I know this, it's nothing new'. I agree, it is nothing new at all. But the way you receive this in your spirit is. The truth of this statement underpins everything Jesus has told us; take for example, 'Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you' Matthew 6:33. Why would Jesus say this if God didn't love us in this way? What about insisting that we stop worrying and being afraid and, instead have faith in God? These statements tell us just how caring He is and how much He really loves us. In addition, let us not forget the cross where Jesus died and paid the penalty for our sin. Doesn't this show you just how much God loves each one of us.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

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Wholeheartedly

"11For 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.  12Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  13And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.  14I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive."                   Jeremiah 29:11-14. NKJV

Have you ever stopped to consider how much God thinks about you? Check out verse 11. He has many thoughts about how to lead us into a stage of peace, giving us a hope for our future. When was the last time that you really felt at peace? No matter what was happening around you, you remained peaceful. I think many would find it difficult to remember such a time.

Although this piece of scripture was written by Jeremiah to the Israelites who were captive in Babylon, it is still relevant to us today. God gave the captives a promise to hang on to and, He does the same to us too. He made a promise of rescue and hope for the future. But, there was a condition.

We are to seek the Lord wholeheartedly. The New Living Translation puts it like this, ‘In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me. 14 I will be found by you' Jer 29:12-14 NLT. You can't get it any plainer than that. Give God all you've got, seek Him, dedicate yourself to Him - wholeheartedly and you will find Him. Not that He is hiding, far from it; but He expects our full attention, at all times. If you want the best, you have to do the rest. In these present days of failing economy, there is only so much any government can do or are willing to do to help. You can place your economy into God's hands. If we allow Him to, He holds our future but only when we serve Him wholeheartedly. 

There is a crisis throughout our world but, you may also have a crisis of your own. You have a choice. Either fall apart in fear, or seek God. If you do seek Him with all you have got, He gives you His promise, 'I will be found by you.' Note the 'I will'. He doesn't say, 'I may', or 'I'll consider it'. No, He says, 'I will'. He promises 'I will deliver you from captivity'. 

What is keeping you captive? What are you a slave to? God says ‘I will'. Are you willing to allow Him to deliver you from whatever it is that is keeping you bound? If so, it will cost you all you've got. The price? Total commitment to God. Follow Him wholeheartedly and then, He will be found and will deliver you!

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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He will give you the strength you need

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. 29 He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might, He increases strength."        Isaiah 40:28-29  NKJV 

Do you want to live a life that pleases God? Then you need to walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), because without it, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).  Tony Evans comments:

'You must operate by faith, even if you must do so alone and go against the accepted norms of the day. You must believe with expectation that God responds - regarding His will for your life - when you seek to please Him.'     Tony Evans Bible Commentary, Holman Publishers.

But to do this, you need strength because the way ahead can be rocky and dangerous. God knows this and watches our every step. It is almost like He has cameras around, all over the place watching every move we make. He never faints, nor grows weary. In fact, He never sleeps. He understands us through and through knowing our thoughts and what we need. He is invincible.

Have you ever felt so weak that you feel you can't go ahead? God knows this and therefore gives power to the weak v29, and watch this, 'And to those who have no might, He increases strength' v29. His door is never closed and He's available 24/7. Therefore, when you can't sleep, speak to Him and allow Him to encourage you.

Read again the words of Paul, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness'  2 Corinthians 12:9. God has the all sufficient strength for each one of us. We should never try to go it alone, because, if we do we may fall. You need strength and you need to walk by faith. Do you know this - really know and believe this? Then why do you doubt at times?

2 Timothy 1:6 says, 'Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you' For this to happen you need to have faith and you you need to live it, eat it and sleep with it. Faith isn't something you pick up and use when you feel it will come in handy. It is for you to flow in, all the time. Jesus used the term, 'O you of little faith' Matthew 8:26. He used this quite often to His disciples.

You need to cultivate the ability to see the unseen, 'While we do not look at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal'  2 Corinthians 4:18. 

If you want strength then, live by faith.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Remember where you came from

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off, have been brought near, by the blood of Christ."                                                   Ephesians 2:13   NKJV  

Part of my pastoral ministry back in the 90's, was working with the homeless, hurting and people with some type of addiction. In fact, a lot of people called them 'Down and Outs' - a typically discriminating label. We created a Day Centre in the basement of our church and God provided all we needed, carpeting, central heating, furniture, kitchen appliances, a shower and food. We needed to provide them with regular meals. We fed them, helped them with necessary forms, court support for who needed it, clothing and helped them find somewhere to live.

It was a hard ministry to be involved with and we had much criticism from people who didn't want this 'type of people' in the church. But we continued and, with an amazing crowd of volunteers, we had a successful ministry. Many asked Jesus into their hearts and attended the church. I remember one chap saying to me, 'I looked out to sea this morning and I felt so happy and grateful for what I have', which incidentally was nothing of material value' but he did have Jesus.

Yes, there were many who ripped us off or stole from the church, but this goes with the territory in this type of work. We also had many who didn't want Jesus and, that was ok - their choice. However, those who did, I believe were genuine and Jesus made a difference in their lives. It was almost like the Apostle Paul was speaking the words of our text to them - 'But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off, have been brought near by the blood of Christ.' Whatever happened to them since then, I feel Jesus has His hands upon them.

Many of us could also apply this text to our own lives before we met Jesus. Perhaps you were homeless, had an addiction or were just totally broken. Think back to those dark, lonely days and count your blessings that you have moved on from there. Jesus has changed you and your whole life. Doesn't that make you want to praise Him and shout, 'Thank You Jesus'.

The Angel of the Lord - the pre-incarnate Christ, drew you to the Father. Once you were far away but, He loved you so much that through certain life events, He brought you to Himself. You were saved and now you are free. Because of Jesus, you have a place in heaven. Give Jesus a shout of praise as you remember where you came from!

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Be like the Bamboo

"For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity."                                                                       Psalm 24:16  NKJV 

In my daughter's garden, there is a Bamboo bush. It is actually rooted in her neighbour's garden, who brought this over from an Asian land when he was in the services. It has spread to my daughter's side. She has cut her side down many times, all to no avail, it just grows back more vigorously.

This is what Bamboo does. I'm reminded of a film I saw some time back. It was presented by a Christian organisation. I forget the title but, it concentrated on an Asian country. Many of the Christians were being persecuted because of their faith. The authorities imprisoned many in Labour camps, others were beaten and shot because they would not renounce their faith in Jesus. One particular man, just before he and his family were killed said, 'We are like the Bamboo. You can hack and cut us down but, we'll just grow back taller and stronger.'

Just let that sink in for a few moments. Our text today is very similar, 'For a righteous man, may fall seven times and rise again.' The enemy can rip a person apart but it should not stop them. As they get back up they will be doubly effective for God. A Christian in this mode is unstoppable. 

All over the world, at this moment, Christian people are being tortured, imprisoned or killed because of their faith. Yet, it doesn't stop them, they press on as much as they can. Why? Because they are like the Bamboo - they are unstoppable. Many Christians in the Western world, threaten to give up and walk away when they're hurt. We need to re-assess ourselves. 'We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us'  Romans 8:37.

So we need to stand our ground and never give up. James 4:7 says, 'Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.' Again in 1 Peter 5:8, 'Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith - '

So, be on your guard, the devil's around somewhere. When he attacks, stand your ground and defeat the moment. If you're caught out and fall, get back up again straightaway, don't lie there. Be like the Bamboo - unstoppable!

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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