God is with you - always!

"I am with you always, even to the end of the age"        Matthew 28:20    NKJV 

God will never leave you - not ever (Hebrews 13:5). Sometimes we may feel that He has; we just can't feel His presence but, I assure you that He is there. Jacob camped out one night when he was on his way to Haran. He found a suitable stone to rest his head and fell asleep. He had a wonderful, prophetic dream, watching angels go up and down a ladder that was attached to heaven. Above it, stood the Lord God who spoke to him. He gave him some encouraging words of provision and safety for the future (Read Genesis 28). When Jacob woke up, he said some striking words, 'Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it' v16. Jacob was saying what we say at times - 'God is here and I couldn't feel Him'. It happens to us all.

Jacob realised that God had been with him all the time. Therefore, in honour to God, he took the stone, his head had laid on, and poured oil on it and built a pillar. This was a memorial, not a shrine but, somewhere that Jacob could remember the moment and be encouraged. He called the place Bethel. 

We all need to remember what God has done for us at times. Those times when we didn't know He was there with us, and we hadn't spoken to Him; yet all of a sudden He rescued us from a certain disaster. I remember a time when my wife and I were driving home and as we went round a corner, a car was right in front of us, driving at speed on our side of the road. There was no time to do anything except shout, Lord!' And it was just like an angel flicked the car out of the way and it sped off down the road. That was a scary moment but, it was also a 'God moment', a time when we wasn't really thinking about Him or reaiising that He was there with us, but He was and He saved our lives. I still remember it when we drive that way. Just like Jacob, it is like we planted a memorial there in the road.

What about you? Can you think back to the times when you didn't fully realise that God was with you but He did something amazing? You may have several of these moments in your memory bank. Keep them in there as memorials and thank Him for the wonderful moment He delivered you; the time He changed something that you couldn't; that time He brought something or someone into your life that changed your life for the best. Thank Him; praise Him and be grateful that we have a God that is so kind and loving towards us. What an honour to belong to Him. Amen?

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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Stop looking back

"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind"                                 Isaiah 65:17    NKJV 

There is no point in looking back to the past; it is gone and if you have any regrets, learn by them, because the past can't be changed, move on. If you don't, you are carrying a great weight that is too much to bear. You are shackled to what was, instead of what is.

We need to break the power of the past and live for the future. Look what happened to Lot's wife. God told Lot and his wife to leave Sodom and not to look back, sadly Lot's wife did and she was turned into a pillar of salt.  (Genesis 19:26)

Paul commenting on the past and future, told his followers: 'Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead'  Philippians 3:13. Basically he was telling them that there is no point in dwelling in the past, be like me and press on to the future. And this is what he would say to you as well.

Stop looking back. You may have done this or that and you paid the penalty for it. Or this person hurt you and it ruined your life. And don't forget the, 'I could have been a somebody'. It's all in the past. We all have regrets and if we focus on them for too long, they can turn to guilt and deep depression. The thing is, the past can't be changed. If you have done a wrong to someone, you can ask for forgiveness but, that's about all. 

We all have regrets; we wish we had done things better or avoided the mistakes we made that caused so much problem. All we can do is confess these regrets to God - if you need to, asking Him to set you free. But when you have done this, forget them and move on to what God has for you in the future. Jesus wants you for today and for the future. In Revelation 4:8, it reads: 'Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come'. This scripture tells us that Jesus Christ not only was, but He is and He is to come. We serve the present and the future Jesus. He was there in the beginning and, we recognise and honour that He died for us and made a way of forgiveness for us, with eternal life. We are so grateful for this but we were born in the present with the future in mind and we serve a today God. Therefore, move on; get rid of your past and live victoriously in the now and present mode.

Keep your eyes on what is happening in our world today and be ready for any changes that God may make. We are, I believe, living in the End Times and that involves the present and the future. Amen? Amen

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

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This is only the beginning!

"Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay side every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  

                                                                             Hebrews 12:1-2   NKJV

I watched a film last night - 'Bonhoeffer - Agent of Grace'. This featured a German pastor during WWII, who lived away from Germany but felt the call to go back there:

'Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian and anti-Nazi dissident who was a key founding member of the Confessing Church. His writings on Christianity's role in the secular world have become widely influential; his 1937 book The Cost of Discipleship is described as a modern classic. Living in America, he felt the call to return to Germany even though it could cost him his life. Those close to him advised him not to return to Germany, but a doctor insisted that he must due to his religious beliefs. Despite the possibility of persecution by the Nazis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer did return to Germany and preached of the Jews and against Hitler and his Nazi agenda, causing a great stir.'  Sourced from Wikipedia

It is a great film and pushes home the importance of having Jesus in your life and making a stand for Him. One thing that struck me was Bonhoeffer's words towards the end of the film. An SS officer told Him, 'This is the end'. Bonhoeffer's reply was 'No it is not,' meaning this is only the beginning. 

Things come to an end in this life and it maybe life itself. However, for the Christian, it is only the beginning. We have heaven to look forward to where we will meet Jesus, face to face; and where we will live eternally - no more death or sickness. This also encourages us here on earth that, if a door closes God is sure to open another door. Never be frightened of things coming to an end because, it is only the beginning of something that may be even better to what we have left. Jesus can be trusted; He will never close a door, leaving us out in the cold. No, when He closes a door, He goes with us and takes us personally through the new one. He can be trusted.

So have the attitude that this is not the end, it is only the beginning!

God's Promise of Security and Protection

"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name' v14                             Psalm 91:14-16   NKJV 

God has promised to deliver and protect those who set their love on Him. They can count on God to rescue and satisfy them with the full-length of life planned for each one, and then a wonderful salvation. Added to this, are all the other benefits of giving one's life over to God. We will never be in lack, in anything.

The word used 'love' in verse 14, is not the usual Hebrew word for love. Rather, it has the idea of 'holding close to', or even, 'hugging tightly in love'. This is a wonderful picture of our commitment to Him. He is faithful and gives His all without, holding back.

Charles F Stanley comments on verse 15: In prayer, we connect our need to God's supply. We bring our emptiness to His unending love and provision and ask Him to satisfy us. Our deficits are no match for His abundance, and He assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him'  Philippians 4:19. 

I love the statement, 'Our deficits are no match for His abundance.' We may have nothing as we approach the Throne of God but, He has an abundance to give to us, and He does, as we trust Him. We may feel inadequate and of no value to God but, as we approach Him, He shows us we have. When we are insecure, He makes us feel secure; when we lack confidence, He builds our confidence up. He edifies us, accepts us and loves us.

No matter what you are going through today, He understands your emotions and the way you feel. He has seen the tears that you have shed and has gathered them up. He has recognised that you have set your love upon Him and He is hugging you tightly. He knows your fears, the pain you are going through at this time; and He cares so much. Allow me to quote verses 14-16 from The Passion, which is paraphrased but, helps us see the gems that are hiding in these verses:

'For here is what the LORD has spoken to me: Because you have loved Me, delighted in Me, and have been loyal to My name, I will greatly protect you. 15 I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will feel My presence in your time of trouble. I will deliver you and bring you honour. 16 I will satisfy you with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of My salvation.'

Now just allow those wonderful words to wash over you and fill your spirit with the security and love that God wants you to have at this time. 

With every blessing.

Copyright 2022 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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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  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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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

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

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

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