Live a worthy life

"lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." v1     

                                                                                         Ephesians 4:1-3 NLT

To live in such a way, one must accept their value for, the definition of 'Worthy', is value and merit. In Revelation we read, 'You are worthy, O Lord our God to receive glory and honour and power'  Revelation 4:11. Then in Revelation 5:9, 'You are worthy to take the scroll', finally in Revelation 5:12, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered - to receive power and riches, and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing.' Jesus is priceless and of the greatest of value and merit and as you and I lead a life worthy of our calling, we too are of great value and merit, because we are co-heirs with Jesus; we are joined to Him by His Blood.

You may feel that you are worth-less at times but, no you are not! You are of great value to Jesus. Start using language that will build you up when you're on your own. In this way, you will be encouraging yourself so, believe it enough to live it. God called you - yes you - so He thinks you are of worth, so live it.

Endeavour to live your life humbly because, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble' James 4:6. In this way, it may seem that you are low in rank but, as God sees your actions, He will raise you up. This is because you are not being pretentious and puffed up.

Being gentle with people is always the right route to take. Not everyone is like you though, so bear that in mind and be patient with each other, making allowances for people's faults. Remember, you're not perfect and other people have to put up with your faults.

One of the most important things is to keep the unity. The old saying 'United we stand, divided we fall', is so true. The early church knew all about unity and because of this, thousands joined them as God's Word was preached. Also because of the acts of compassion that was shown to everyone. Their fellowship was practically solid. The Greek interpretation of this word, 'Fellowship', is Koinonia. To quote the notes of The Spirit Filled Bible, we read  'This means the individual shares in common an intimate bond of fellowship with the rest of the Christian Society. Koinonia cements the believers to the Lord Jesus and to each other'. 

                               Sourced from The Spirit Filled Bible (1991) Thomas Nelson, Word Wealth Acts 2:42.

Put all of the above into practice and live a life worthy of your calling. Then watch how this attracts non-believers.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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God wants your crown

"You are worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." v11   Revelation 4:9-11   NKJV 

Endlessly, the living creatures in heaven worship God giving Him glory, honour and thanks. He is worthy of our praise and requires it from each one of us.

In verse 10, the 24 elders fall down before Him to worship and it says that, they cast their crowns before the throne. What this is saying is, they offer up everything to God - all they have and have done and, live for Him only. He has the Majesty, not them.

Let's consider this and look at Charles Spurgeon's notes on this matter:

'We must ask ourselves if we have learned to cast our crowns at the Saviour's feet. Have we anything that we call our own, or good things that we have done to boast of? Have we been industrious and feel we deserve esteem and honour as an acknowledgement of our distinguished services? No one in glory will ever say, 'I have done well, I deserve credit and honour.' Quite the reverse. It is the mark of God's children that, the more beautiful they are, the more uncomely they think themselves. The one who gives all glory to God and takes no glory himself, is the one who is on the road to heaven.'        

There it is in a nutshell. This is what is known as casting your crowns at His feet. It is so easy when we have worked hard for God and everything has gone well, when someone comes up and says, 'Well done, that was great'. We all want and need, encouragement but not at the cost of taking the glory off Jesus and glowing in pride ourselves. It can be difficult for a preacher who has just delivered a first class sermon where lots of people have responded. It makes the preacher feel good and, that's ok but, when people offer compliments, it is far better to just give the credit to God. This avoids any swelling with pride. It's the same for worship leaders, worship bands and of course anyone else involved in ministry. 

So therefore, cast your crown at Jesus' feet and give Him the glory in everything you do. Remember how puffed up Lucifer became, wanting to be equal with God. Don't steal God's glory. Give Him your praise and your crown.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

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Satisfaction Part 2

"Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's"                                                                  Psalm 103:5. NKJV

Let us look a little further at verse 5 and focus on 'Renewed'. God is our healer but, He may not heal us the way we had expected. You may have been wheelchair-bound and been prayed for yet, still remain in your chair. However, be open to the fact that God may have healed your mind so that you can accept and live with this disability. Who else is qualified than you to speak to other wheelchair users? Prior to prayer, you may have been depressed and frustrated because of your condition. Now, God may have renewed your thinking so that, you are open to a new ministry.

It can be the same with other disabilities whatever they may be. Some people have a severe hearing loss, or are blind, lost a limb or have a stoma. Who can help get alongside these people to support them? Yes, that's right, you can because you are ably qualified. By using your own disability it can bring you satisfaction in helping or supporting others and can, also offer satisfaction to them.

Yes, of course God heals, many can claim this blessing, including myself. But, as I have said, He doesn't always answer the way we expected and this can be confusing and hurtful. In 2 Corinthians 12:7, we read about the thorn in Paul's side. In verses 8-9 Paul writes, 'Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."'

We don't know what this 'Thorn' was. People have speculated over the years that it may have been an illness, or an annoying person or even an addictive habit. The thing is, Paul accepted God's Word and got on with His work, and so can you. Whatever ailment you have, God can use you. You may have a stammer or be dyslexic but, God can use you to bring satisfaction to other people. He can renew your energy and energise the people you speak with. Talk to God about it. Someone, somewhere needs you to speak with them.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

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Satisfaction

"Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" V5 of  Psalm 103:1-5  NKJV 

The Rolling Stones sang, 'I can't get no satisfaction' back in the swinging 60's. They were obviously unaware of this Psalm which is packed with promise. Yet, many people today (and many of them are Christians) feel they are not satisfied; they always seem to be striving to find something better. From a Christian perspective, let us look a little closer at verse 5:

Satisfies your mouth  There are many people today who are desperate for food, some are literally starving. I'm not just talking of Third World countries or war-torn areas. Many are going without a good, solid meal here in our own country. Firstly, there are the homeless and socially deprived people on our streets. Often they go without regular meals. 'Oh yes', some may say, 'but they have money for cigarettes, drugs, booze and their mobiles'. This may be true, but who called us to be their judge. We don't know where they have been; what life they have had and they need support.

Many elderly people are finding things a struggle in our present energy crisis. Some are unsure whether they should pay their energy bills, turn the heating off or up, or buy food. For many, it can be a Catch 22 situation, and this is happening to all age groups. As Christians, we have so much to be grateful to God for. As we give Him the first place in our lives, He keeps His promises and ensures we have enough.

Satisfies us with good things   Just look around your home. There is probably, flat screen TV's, Hi Fi units, laptops, mobiles, iPads, cookers, washers, dishwashers, tumble dryers and nice clothes and shoes to wear. Then there is a new car or two, a lovely home, healthy bank-balance, good job and holidays abroad. It's amazing when you think, you probably started with nothing. There is so much God has done for us and we need to remember to thank and praise Him for this.

Satisfies you with renewed energy  People are living longer and many appear to be fitter than our ancestors. For instance, let us say you have just retired at 65. Think back to when you were a child and saw someone of this age. They seemed ancient to your young mind. People are taking more care of themselves. This is what God wants of us all. Things may be thrown at us occasionally - stress, upheaval and hurt but, He renews our energy so that, we can cope with it all.

The world is desperate for satisfaction but, they will only find it in Jesus. He is full of goodness and mercy towards His children. You and I have a lot to be thankful for.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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It's not too late

"You have kept the good wine until now"               v10 of John 2:1-11  NKJV 

The Wedding at Cana was in full swing when disaster struck - they ran out of wine. This would have been of great embarrassment to the family and hosts and, would probably have been talked about throughout Galilee. Mary encouraged Jesus to take charge and offer help. He changed the water into the finest of wines. The Master of the Feast was astonished that the best wine was left until the end, usually this is the time when the cheaper wine is brought out without the people realising it. However, the best was yet to come.

It is the same in your life too. God has not forgotten you; you are still high on His list of things to do, and at the right time, He will deliver. Note in this account that the servants had to fill six huge water pots which would have been a bit of a task to do. The result was the finest wine money could buy, enough for around 2880 glasses. But, if the servants had neglected to be obedient to Jesus' directions, they would have had nothing. The name of the game was obedience. If you have been waiting sometime for God to move in your life, is there something that you need to do first? Ask God; He'll show you because He has your best interests at heart.

It's never too late for you. You may be a senior member of God's army, with the greyist of hair and wobbly legs around; but if God wants to use you, He will. Look at the older people God used in the bible - Moses, Jacob, Joshua, Caleb and many others. Age is of no concern to God, in fact, with age comes experience which needs passing down to the younger members. He has a place for you to minister.

Don't write yourself off, God hasn't. Take a look at Psalm 92:12-14:

"The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of of our God. 14 They shall still bear fruit in old age, they shall be fresh and flourishing"

Hey, come on - there's no retirement in the Kingdom of God. The best is yet to come; it's not too late. God will still use you, if you are willing and you will have a fresh anointing as well.

Get ready for action!

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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You can't do it alone

"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 

We saw yesterday how Mary and Joseph headed home thinking Jesus was with them. However, the 12 year old was in meetings with religious leaders in the temple. We should never try to go it alone; there is no mileage in leaving God out of the equation. Jesus is a must!

But be honest, how many times do you believe you're doing the right thing and go at it without asking God first? It's a recipe for failure. Would an army go into battle without first getting the intel? It's doubtful. They need to know what they're up against; where are the enemy, do their own forces know they're going in so they can back them up and avoid friendly fire which often kills their own. They would get the intel first and may even send out a recce party to confirm certain things, rather like Moses did by sending out a party to spy the land of Canaan. In the same manner, it is foolish to head off alone thinking you have the answer. There are no one-man- bands in the army of God.

RT Kendal says, 'God is in heaven, we are on earth; He is in control, you are not in control of Him'. But at times, we try to take the control thinking we know best. We don't like waiting when we can get on with the work. We have plans to fulfil. Rob Parsons says, 'If you want to make God smile, tell Him your plans.' You may smile yourself but, God's plans and thoughts are much higher than our own (Jeremiah 29:11-12). Stop trying to figure God out, you'll never do it. He will only tell you what you need to know at any given time. He is in no rush, time is in His hands, He has no target to meet at a particular time and, He will not be harassed.

Chill out, no amount of nagging God will make Him change His mind. He has a plan and He will not change the dynamics of it. Remember, haste makes waste. When you act in haste, you end up doing things you regret and have to pay the price for, or at least, apologise.. Don't act in haste instead, wait on God. (Psalm 27:14). 

So the message today is, don't rush in alone. Make sure God has sent you, directed you and is with you. You can't do it alone!

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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My Father's Business

"Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?    

                                                                                              Luke 2:49  NKJV

Jesus was 12 years old  when He debated with the religious intellectuals in the Jerusalem temple. They were astonished at His wisdom. Jesus should have been with Mary and Joseph on their caravan as they headed home; but because of the crowds and busy-ness, He got left behind. When they discovered this a day later, they of course were frantic with worry and returned to Jerusalem and on the third day, they found Him in the temple.

Jesus knew His calling even at this young age and He was so enthralled by the group discussions that took place that He didn't realise how the time had gone by. Joseph was silent on this issue but Mary asked Him, 'Son, why have You done this to us? Look Your father and I have sought You anxiously'. Jesus' reply said it all, 'Why diid you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?' There is a two-way argument here. Firstly, it could be said that Mary and Joseph should have ensured Jesus was with them when they left. Secondly, Jesus should have kept with them instead of lingering around the temple area and also tried to find them. The fact is, He felt He should be about His Father's business but, He would have also realised that He needed to be honourable to His earthly parents. It was a learning curve for them all v51.

One thing we see here is that Jesus was secure in His calling. He knew what His Heavenly Father wanted of Him but, He had to learn to balance His obedience with honour for His parents because of His age.

Are you secure in your calling? Do you even know what it is? Have you asked God? Three important questions to ask and ponder. Some people don't want to know their calling in case God turns their lives upside down by sending them to a strange place where they have to give up their nice lifestyle. So they just plod on. Others don't believe that they have a calling, it is only for vicars and pastors. Wrong! Everyone has a calling.

The main calling for everyone is to live for Jesus, bringing glory to His name in all we do. This is the most important. In addition, He may call anyone to the ministry or, He may call someone to be an usher or a cleaner in the church. Every calling is important to God; vicar, pastor, usher or cleaner. He may even call someone to be a car park attendant at the church. It is all invaluable to Jesus. A service is being provided and whoever does it will be blessed.

Everyone is of equal importance to God. He has no favourites; we're all one in unity with Him and each other. So the next time someone tries to take you away from your calling, tell them - with grace, that you must be about Your Father's business.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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