Show Respect - Not Selfishness

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself."   Philippians 2:3   NKJV 

To show respect to others, is to demonstrate esteem, honour and appreciation for them. We would do this is we met Jesus in the street, wouldn't we? So therefore, we should to others too. We are often on our best behaviour when we are in the presence of an important person, yet we tend to relax and let all of this go when we are with the 'norm' - and this includes your spouse.

We can be so full of ourselves that no one else gets a look in. This can be classed as selfish ambition and bordering on conceitedness. Conceit means to have a high exaggerated opinion of oneself or one's accomplishments. It can be classed as vanity. Let's be honest, there are many times when we can speak forever about ourself and the things that we are involved in, yet hardly speak at all when we are with the people who matter most. Doing this, we demonstrate selfishness.

Are you always the first to get served when the buffet or BBQ is ready? Do you pile your plate as if food is going out of fashion with the choice pieces before anyone else has the opportunity? It's called selfishness and lack of respect. Again, do you chase around a car park to get the only available space and sit there and gloat when you've succeeded, leaving the other person without? It's called selfishness. In fact, there can be heated arguments over one parking space. Ask yourself, is it worth it? Is it worth the high blood pressure and a complete demonstration of how not to live the Christian life?

Scripture tells us, '(Love) does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil' 1 Corinthians 13:5. Does this convict and challenge you? It does me and I'm writing it. We have such a long way to go to be like Jesus; to demonstrate His love and care to this world. Sometimes it feels an impossible task, but it's not because, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' Philippians 4:13. Note the 'through Christ.' This is how we gain success - through Him. We'll never do it on our own 'Without Me, you can do nothing' John 15:5. 

Show people Jesus - that is respect and never selfishness

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

        

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Bless and Appreciate People

24 

"The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."        

                                                                                      Numbers 6:24-26   NKJV

The priests used this blessing in the sanctuary, but it is also ours too and a way that we can bring blessing and peace to people. When we do bless them, we are also showing them love, gratitude and the message is, ''I appreciate you.' We all need to know that we are appreciated, it helps us to be secure and confident.

When a priest, or indeed any Jewish person made this blessing, they would usually end with 'Shalom', which is peace being reinforced. But many times they would say, 'Shalom, Shalom' which means perfect peace. Warren W Wiersbe comments on this: 'Peace or Shalom is one of the great words in Hebrew vocabulary, and it means much more than the absence of storm and trouble around us. It involves quietness of heart within us, spiritual health and spiritual prosperity, adequacy for the demands of life, and the kind of spiritual well-being that rises above circumstances. Peace describes that deep and satisfying rightness with God, which is what Paul had in mind when he wrote Philippians 4:6-20'                            The Wiersbe Study Bible

The Jewish people, even today, greet people with 'Shalom, Shalom' Isaiah 26:3.They also use this term when they leave someone to return home. It helps put a seal on the relationship and saying you want the recipient to be totally protected and blessed throughout their day. Many Christians today, use this term as well but, one has to ask are they saying this because it is a well known part of our Christian language or, do they mean 'Shalom, Shalom - Perfect Peace'. It is food for thought. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the lingo that we have to beware of saying certain things because it is expected.

All over the place, and possibly in your church, people are longing to feel appreciated for what they do and for who they are. Is there someone that comes to mind who could do with a text or telephone call saying how much you appreciate them and to give them a blessing. It can be a cold society at times, one where some are worried about the economy, their health, lack of finance and a stack of problems. Just one word of encouragement can make them feel loved and accepted and even though they may still be in the same position, make them feel that things are going to get better.

Give it some thought and pray about it. You may just bring a word of comfort and love to someone who is feeling low at this time.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

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Pray, Listen and Wait

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever"   

                                                                                               Psalm 118:1   NKJV 

 When the Psalmist penned this, he wanted to get the fact over that those who are covered in God's covenant and are loyal to Him, are blessed by God's love and protection. This is guaranteed. All the more why we should praise Him constantly for His love towards us. The Psalmist wants us to know that, those who are in a loyal covenant with God, will be totally taken care of. He writes in verse 5 and 6: 'I called on the LORD in distress; the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. The LORD is on my side, I will not fear. What can man do to me? And this is true; you may be climbing the walls in frustration, running around like a headless chicken or trying to drive through a cul-de-sac, getting nowhere when all you have to do is call on the Lord. But at times, that is the last thing some want to do. They would sooner work it out themselves getting more and more worked up and grumbly than ask for help. Are you one of those? If so change that now, there are certain things that you can't do alone, you will only make it worse.

God wants us to call on Him and, note this, He answers. Perhaps not straightaway because, His timing is perfect and there are things we don't know about that He has to negotiate first. We just have to be patient. However, He doesn't use one of those fancy answering devices that speak to you, telling you how special you are and that they are trying to connect you. No, not at all. You get through to God straightaway. There are no secretaries, admin staff or whatever. You get through instantly. But, as I have said, be patient and understand, you may have to wait for His answer. But this is positive so be at peace and relax.

During this waiting period find a Psalm that is appropriate to your situation and pray it out personally, praising and worshipping God as you do. You'll be surprised how relaxing and refreshing this is and within no time at all, the answer you are asking God for, may arrive. Avoid distractions, those that will effect your focus and just concentrate on Jesus. He loves you to praise Him. Ask Him such things as, 'Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law' Psalm 119:18. Listen to Him and have quiet moments where you don't do all the talking but just listen for when He is ready to speak to you.

Above all, don't rush away, spend as much time as you can in prayer and listening. It will be a blessed time and, it's one thing that we all should be doing more of. Bless you!

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Laugh your way through the day

"A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul. But the one whose heart is crushed struggles with sickness and depression"   Proverbs 17:22.  The Passion

Laughter is a great help to our mental and physical health. A good belly laugh is like a tonic; every part of our body is alert and active and it feels like our muscles are on fire with joy. Sometimes we have to hold our stomachs to stop the trembling. It really is good to have this. 

“Laughter activates the body’s natural relaxation response. It’s like internal jogging, providing a good massage to all internal organs while also toning abdominal muscles,”  Dr Gulshan Sethi, head of cardiothoracic surgery at the Tucson Medical Center and faculty at the University of Arizona’s Center for Integrative Medicine.

I have heard testimony of people who have been healed through laughter. They've simply laughed their way back to good physical health. God says a merry heart is good medicine and He always speaks the truth so it has to be true.

It most certainly changes the outlook on life. Depression robs the soul of joy, where laughter and joy brings inner pleasure. This is why we need to laugh and smile more. A smile can brighten one's day and it's very difficult not to smile back at someone. Psalm 118:24 tells us: 'This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.' There is a choice in this verse to either rejoice or not. A person's will is very strong and at times it needs wrestling with. Ensure that you train your will to comply with scripture and rejoice and be glad. 'Why?' you may ask. Because you are alive and Jesus Christ rules in your heart; He is your friend and wants to bless you. Psalm 34:1 says: 'I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.' This promotes God's joy and in return, makes you feel good too. This joy can lead to happiness and put a smile on your face that the world can see. Happiness can bring laughter.

If you have or are suffering from depression, you may feel that it is difficult to do this. But if you can, it can bring strength to your soul. Why not read through the Psalms and put the wording as if it is yourself speaking. It's hard to be motivated to do this but, the benefits are excellent. Again, it is a choice but may be one of the best choices you have made in recent months. Jesus does not want you unhappy, sad or upset. He brings life (John 10:10). Give Him the opportunity to help you through this dark place. Watch a good, wholesome comedy film and allow yourself to laugh deeply. It may just be the sort of therapy you need at this time.

Find a way to help you to laugh your way through the day.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Things are not always what they seem

"So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live"'                                                  Acts 28:1-6   NKJV

We have to be so careful about what we see. Things are not always the way they look or how we think they look. People's names have been dragged through the media portraying them as guilty of something when, they have been innocent. Things are not always what they seem.

Here we see Paul, following his shipwreck being treated well by the people of the land. They prepare a fire and Paul helps out. As he picks up some sticks to place on the fire, a snake - possibly similar to an adder, jumps out because of the heat and bites on to his hand. As it hangs there, the people don't help him but choose to discuss this. They believe Paul may be a murderer, who has escaped the sea drama but is now suffering the consequences through the snake bite - justice. However, Paul just shakes the snake off into the fire and then they start believing that he will soon swell up and die because  of the poison. When he doesn't, they believe he is a god. They were superstitious people who believed in the myths of the world and always had to find reason why something had happened.

The snake was just doing what snakes do. It was laying around, camouflaged waiting for its next feed. It's difficult to see a snake at times. They can be so easily missed, as happened here. They crawl into situations and hide, then at the right moment, they attack and bite. They are crafty serpents and an enemy to their prey. They're not unlike our enemy, the devil. He has similar characteristics as Peter mentions in 1 Peter 5:8, 'Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour.' Notice that he acts like a roaring lion, not is a roaring lion. There is a difference. If we get ourselves into things we shouldn't be involved in, we are likely to meet with him. Rather like a snake, the devil mostly strikes if you get too close to him.

We need to watch what we say about people and situations because, we may be very wrong and this may cause the person a lot of pain or trouble. When we get it wrong, we are tempted to gossip and the rumour spreads like an infection. We need to take on board Paul's teaching on love in 1 Corinthians 13. Here, among other things, he tells us to always think the best of people; to love them and keep no record of their wrongs. Let us beware of crawling into situations and seeing only what we want to see. This is not the teaching of God. Don't forget, the devil will pull strings to help you get it wrong!

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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He can remove your chains

"Arise quickly! And his chains fell off his hands."    Acts 12:7   NKJV  

Whatever situation you are in at this time, God can help you. Whether it's addiction, being bullied, slandered, abused, illness or whatever, He can take the chains off and set you free. Let's take a look at just a few of the times God rescued His people:

(1) Acts 5:19-20, God rescued Peter and John, 'But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out.'

(2) Acts 12:6-7  Peter was once again rescued, 'Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands.'

(3) Acts 16:26, Paul and Silas were rescued, 'Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken and, immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.'

(4) Then of course there were the miraculous rescue of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego from the fiery furnace - Daniel 3:19-25 and Daniel from the Lion's den Daniel 6.

The account of item (2) above was amazing. Peter was sat in chains between two soldiers and more soldiers at the door and an angel came up, tapped Peter on the shoulder and, his chains fell off and the angel told him to follow him. Think of that; the soldiers either side of Peter, never woke up and, the one's guarding the door never noticed them going through. That was incredible don't you think. This is the God we serve. Nothing is ever too difficult for Him - nothing. Don't you believe that He can set you free too? Of course He can. In the presence of Jesus, chains fall off, doors open, sickness is healed, addictions no longer bother us, bad memories are healed and anyone who hurts you had better watch out because, He will avenge, if you leave it to Him.

Whatever chain is keeping you bound today, Jesus can set you loose. He can break the power of whatever has or is holding on to you. He can mend that broken heart. He can bring healing to you or a loved one at this moment. All of the things that have kept you bound, together with the bad memories are a thing of the past. 

So today, Jesus is saying, 'CHAINS FALL OFF - BE LOOSED'. Receive this in the mighty name of Jesus and walk today in freedom. Amen.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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God will have His way

"At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles."   

                                                                                              Acts 8:1-3   NKJV

Stephen had just been murdered by a rebellious crowd, one in which Saul of Tarsus was consenting. Saul was one of the main ringleaders who had been entering believer's homes and dragging them - men, women and children, to prison. At the time, Saul was not a nice person to be around and was endeavouring to stamp out Christianity from the land. Yet, he had underestimated God's power.

God used this persecution to spread the Gospel. Jesus had told His disciples prior to His ascension that, 'But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'  Acts 1:8. Now notice this, during this persecution, the apostles had remained in Jerusalem. However, the other disciples had been scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. The rebellious Jews had played right into God's hands and the disciples were now doing what Jesus had said they would do - be His witnesses. People may try and prevent Gods work but, it is like a game of chess and God is a far better player. God cannot be outsmarted. You need to remember this in hard times. He can still use you wherever you are.

Later on, Saul would be facing Jesus on the Damascus Road (Acts 9), he would then realise just who Jesus is and through this, he would receive a mighty change in his life. He would also be known as Paul because being a Jewish Roman citizen, his name would probably have been Saul Paulus, so he had a choice.

Today, many people who we would never have dreamt would be a Christian, enter our churches and, some take leading roles. How do you feel about this? How would you feel if Paul came into the church and started teaching. When we think about this, it must have been difficult for the other apostles to have Paul joining them. I mean, his reputation was not good and people must have been wary about him. On the other hand, it must also have been difficult for Paul, entering the church and people talking about him and avoiding him. It would have been a difficult time for all. Yet, God knows what He is doing. We may not like it when certain people come to the church with a reputation, especially when they rise up in the ranks. The thing is, if God has chosen them who are we to judge? Think about that the next time you see someone in ministry who you feel should not be there. If God trusts them, shouldn't you?

Copyright 2023 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 

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