Utter Despair

"And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene , Mary the mother of James and Joses (Joseph), and the mother of Zebedee's sons."   

                                  Matthew 27:55-56  NKJV

The only disciple at the cross was John (John 19:35), the rest were scattered. I don't think words can describe the way people were feeling at this time. Jesus had made such an impact on whoever He met and, the one's who were for Him, had trusted Him, believed what He said and now were left wondering. Jesus had foretold what would happen to Him but, many had missed it and they were now broken - their hopes shattered.

Words fail when we are left broken and disappointed; the dreams we have made are suddenly taken away from us and we are left speechless and all we have left to say is, 'Why?' The thing is, when we ask ourselves this question there are no answers and this can make it worse. Many have pinned their hopes on a future - a plan or even a dream that they can focus on, but for one reason or another, it has not come to fruition. It can be heartbreaking. 

Maybe you have had a dream that you have been working towards and suddenly, through death, separation or other reason, it has been stolen away in the blink of an eye. There are no words that can make it better, there is just an empty space in your shattered heart, a hope that will not now come alive. It's almost like we are walking through a dark tunnel, pitch darkness is all around us but then, suddenly, a light shines in the darkness way ahead, As we walk towards it, it gets bigger until we are in this light once again. For all of Jesus' followers that day, the Light of Jesus would shine again. They couldn't see this at the time but, it would happen. 

And it is the same for you as well. Darkness, loneliness, broken heartedness are all around at the moment, but that light will come again, you will have a new dream. Don’t rush it and when you're least expecting it, life will return, just the same as it would for Jesus' followers, very soon.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

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It is Finished - Mission Accomplished

"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit."                    John 19:30    NKJV

Jesus was interrogated all through the night; He was beaten, mocked, blasphemed, humiliated and generally treated abysmally. He was asked if He was the Son of God and He replied, 'You rightly say that I am.' Again Pilate asked Him similar and He answered, 'It is as you say.' Jesus had nothing to hide, He admitted it because He had come to save mankind and He would do so until His last breath. However, most of them refused to believe or accept His claims. However, there were two criminals each sharing Jesus' fate. The difference being, they were guilty of their crime; Jesus was innocent. One of the criminals shouted out to Him in his pain, 'Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.' Jesus' replied, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.' This shows us two things, Jesus was willing to save all who would call on Him until the last moment. Secondly, the man would be with Jesus in paradise - this very day! There was no waiting room or waiting time, He went to heaven at the same time Jesus did.

Despite nails in His hands and feet, His back ripped apart from the cruel whipping and a crown of large, spiked thorns on His head, Jesus cried out in His agony, 'IT IS FINISHED.'

His mission was accomplished; God's plan, which was like a giant picture of everything that had happened, was completed and Jesus earned His right to sit at the righthand of His Father in heaven.

But what about you? Some of you reading this may not have made a commitment to Jesus. Yes, you've heard of Him and have been to church at special times on the calendar. However, you may not have actually 'got right with God.' You see, God's a Holy God, He can't tolerate sin - can't look at it, this is why Jesus died on the cross. He did it for you as well as everyone else. Please don't be tempted to think you will go to heaven when you die, no matter what. You will if you have the door key - Jesus in your heart. Sorry, but if you haven't asked Jesus into your heart and asked Him to forgive you for all your Sins, then, because of your sin, you will not be allowed in. Don't you think it is time to surrender to Him. Why gamble with your chances of heaven when you can have certainty? Do something about it right now:

Lord Jesus, I recognise that I am lost without You. Lord, I have recognised this truth right now and I ask You into my heart. Forgive my sins Lord, I'm sorry, fill me with Your Holy Spirit and come and live within me from this moment. I ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

If you have said this pray, you are born again. Get yourself an easy reading bible and study it. Tell people that you are now a Christian and enjoy the certainty that you, have a place in heaven, one day.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

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Maundy Thursday

"Abba Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will".      Mark 14:36   NKJV

Wikipedia describes Maundy Thursday as follows:

"It is the fifth day of Holy Week, preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday.^[2] "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus' words "I give you a new commandment."^[3] The day comes always between March 19 and April 22, inclusive, and will vary according to whether the Gregorian calendar or the Julian calendar is used. Eastern churches generally use the Julian system.

Maundy Thursday initiates the Paschal Triduum, the period which commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This period includes Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday.^[1][4] The Mass of the Lord's Supper or service of worship is normally celebrated in the evening, when Friday begins according to Jewish tradition, as the Last Supper was held on the feast of Passover, according to the three Synoptic Gospels.^[5]'

Try and imagine the struggle that Jesus was undergoing that day in Gethsemane. Let us not forget that he was in His humanity at the time and even though, He was the Son of God, He still had all of the anxieties that we have as He prayed to His Father - Abba or Papa. He knew what lay ahead; what He had to do. He would be made sin for us and bear the curse of the law (Gal 3:13). This was not the main issue though, it was the thought of being forsaken by His Father, because of the sin, this was the cup He had to bear (John 18:11).

He had just spent the Last Supper with His disciples and also celebrated His last Passover, now He was alone with His Father in the garden of Gethsemane. His disciples were close by but, they were so tired they just couldn't keep awake and spend this last time with Him. Very soon, a great multitude would come and arrest Him, as Judas, His friend, disciple and now - betrayer, pointed Him out. He would be led away to a night of terror, being beaten and interrogated, falsely accused and treated far worse than a second class citizen.

Yes, this Jesus - our friend and Saviour, did all of this for you and I in order that you and I would not have to die but have eternal life. Yes, He did it for us. He knew His fate for the next day; He knew the pain and the humiliation, the nails, the cross and the sword in His side. He knew all about this but He said to the Father, 'Not My will be done Father, but Yours' 

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

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Easter is coming!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."       John 3:16    NKJV 

Who is more popular at Easter - Jesus, or the Easter bunny? It's a strange question to ask in a bible study setting, but valid. Many people set out early in the year to buy their Easter eggs by the dozen, and Easter becomes a chocolate-eating marathon (we'll worry about the weight gain later). But where did this popular Bunny originate?

'According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called 'Osterhase' or 'Oschter Haws.' Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its coloured eggs.'  http://www.history.com > holidays

It's a fascinating myth but, concerning as it appears to have more commercial interest than Jesus, who died for our sins at this time of year 2000+ years ago. People go around the many shops that are filled up with chocolate Easter eggs as early as February but, for many, Jesus is thought about momentarily for a few moments - an after thought in a church service or on the TV. And yet, when we consider what Jesus actually did for us at this time, His love is astounding. He so loved each one of us that He chose to die in our place so that we could be forgiven of our sins and have a place in heaven. We'll look in more detail about his on Good Friday but this, is just a teaser.

For many, this time of year is a holiday; the kids have time off school and families go off on holiday - a well-earned one too. This is great. Many of them, will take their Easter eggs with them to celebrate on Easter Sunday but, why not take Jesus along too? Someone reading this may say, 'Why on earth should I do that? I'm going on holiday.' That is great as I've said but, one day we all will meet Him face to face. Imagine what that will be like if you don't know Him as your Saviour. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we confess our sins and he forgives us, the above verse is then appropriated - we have everlasting life. But, if we have not asked Him into our hearts, we will still meet Him face to face but, as our Judge. It will be too late then to make this decision, there will be no second chance.

Therefore, can you see how important this verse is to our lives? Can you not see that Easter, the eggs and the bunny must take second place to Jesus? Give this some thought over the next few days. Think, when you meet with Jesus face to face, will he know you, will you be allowed to stay in His house?

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

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Love doesn't Gloat

"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; 18 lest the LORD see it, and it displeases Him, and He turn away His wrath from Him."                                                   Proverbs 24:17-18  NKJV 

People hurt us, wind us up, rip us off and appear to get away with what they've done. If they are caught and punished, it is hard not to gloat over this. If they have broken the law for some reason, yes, it is good that justice has been done but really, that doesn't give us the right to shout and scream about it. We just need to be grateful that the system works and the right judgement has been appropriated. 

On the other hand, someone within the church may have done you an injustice. You see them in the congregation raising their hands in worship and it annoys you. 'How dare they,' you mutter to your partner, 'look at them; butter wouldn't melt in their mouth, I hope God gets them.' Later, after the pastor has preached, he gives an altar call for people to raise their hand, come to the front and be prayed for. You say, jabbing your partner in the side, 'They need to raise their hands and confess what they've done to us. Go on, go to the front, you know what you've done.' Frustration rules within you when they don't ask for prayer and seemingly, get away with what they have done. Look at this:

(1)  Have you never read, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay', says the Lord'. Rom 12:19. God expects us to bless our enemies, not curse them. We should also live peaceably with them and not avenge ourselves. Leave it to God. He's good in these areas, believe me. 

(2)  Jesus told us to love  our neighbour. Well whether we like it or not, these people are our neighbour and God, expects us to show them love. If He had dealt with them that day at the altar, how would you have handled that. Be honest, you would probably have done handstands and been so pleased that you gloated about it. I heard a couple not so long back who had been mistreated by a vicar. They told me, 'Any day now, he is going to get his comeuppance and I want to be there to see it, I can't wait.' I don't believe God acts to our wishes like this, and I feel they would not have seen their longing fulfilled. In fact, it may well have been turned around on them, for having no love in their heart.

We are not here to judge, if we were, we would have been given a curly, white wig. We're not here to criticise either. Whether we like it or not, we are here to love people with the love of God. Period. Therefore, if you have any hangups about what someone has done to you, go and confront them - peacefully. If they won't accept it, give it to God and leave it there.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

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God continues to forgive

"For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again"   

                                                                        Proverbs 24:16   NKJV

Have you ever stopped and considered just how good God is to us each day? Let's be honest, we let Him down on a regular basis and, there is a need for us to ask forgiveness for our sins each day. We believe that we have it right and then, we trip and fall hard. However, Jesus comes to us and lifts us back up as we repent. It is amazing, we set off into our new day but oftentimes, we don't make it to our lunch break before we find ourselves committing some type of sin. Yet, Jesus is there for us.

There are some who disagree with us having to confess our sins. This is Hyper-Grace Teaching.  RT Kendall discusses this in one of his books:

'At the heart of hyper-grace teaching is the belief that there is no need to confess your sins - no place of repentance is in order in the Christian life; all sins are already forgiven and washed away by Jesus' blood at the cross. Such a teaching will almost certainly encourage sexual promiscuity. There have indeed been reports of affairs in some of those churches where this is preached. Mind you, there are similar situations in churches that would abominate hyper-grace, and they too see their share of licentious living. But my point is, such sins should be confessed.'

                                 Whatever happened to the Gospel Copyright (2018). RT Kendall p39-40

RT  carries on in depth about this area and it is well worth a read. The thing is, the people that believe in this area of of false teaching only have to read what John writes in 1 John 1:8-10: 'If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.' We need to remember that this piece of scripture was written to Christians and still applies today. The devil can be very subtle in changing scripture or re-arranging it to read the way he wants it to. Please be wary of false teaching. Jesus never changes!

Derek Prince encourages us to pray each morning: 'Thank you Jesus. You took my infirmities. You bore my sicknesses and with Your stripes I am healed.' There is no hyper-grace teaching here; Derek Prince knew the value of God's word and his teaching, always leads us to remembering all that our Saviour has done for us. Try incorporating something like this in your own daily prayers. When you confess this type of statement, you're building up your soul and encouraging yourself to meet the new day.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

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You can't hide your hurt from God!

"Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains."                 

                                                                     Proverbs 14:13   NLT 

We are very skilled at covering things up and putting on a happy face, when really, we feel like falling apart. We smile at people in the street, at work or even within our own home but, deep down there is something that they don't know. I remember going to see my doctor. As I walked into his room, he asked me how I was, I answered, 'I'm fine thanks.' He looked  at me and then said, 'Then why are you here?' This made me realise that, I wasn't all right or I wouldn't have come to see him.

When I was pastoring and even when I was a social worker, I would often speak with people who only told me half-truths, they would hide the other bits away, which really was the reason they had wanted to see me in the first place. It took a long time for them to open up about the real reason. Perhaps you're like that, many people are.

Do you keeps things close to your chest, hoping people won't see that you have a problem? Wouldn't it be more helpful to share these issues with someone? Obviously, it is very important to speak to the right person - someone you trust, because some like to gossip about others. When we internalise hurts, we are susceptible to being quick tempered because we are very sensitive. Consider a tin of coke. You can shake it up and nothing will happen until the tab is ripped off and then POW - all of the contents that had been bubbling away inside suddenly have an opening and they gush out all over the place. It is rather like when we, internalise hurts and frustration. Sooner or later something happens and we let rip and vent this frustration on whoever is in listening range. This can be devastating and even, embarrassing.

It is far better to find a way to be able to vent our feelings in a more acceptable manner. Speaking about them is one way. If the person you choose to speak to has the skills to be of help, this is good. Having professional counselling is another option. Also, if the person is a believer, this opens the way to be able to pray things through as well. The choice is yours. You don't have to speak with anyone if you don't want to. You may be able to get alone with God and allow Him to help with the problems. However, if you are going to continue to go around with a heavy heart, it is sensible to seek some help from someone. Don't carry hurt around; it is a burden and, Jesus wants to take these burdens away. He knows about them anyway.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

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If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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