Then, Now and the Future

"In that day, everyone in the land of Judah will sing this song: Our city is strong! We are surrounded by the walls of God's salvation. 2 Open the gates to all who are righteous; allow the faithful to enter. 3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on You."    Isaiah 26:1-3   NLT

THEN

Isaiah's prophecy was saying that when God moves, there will be a mighty praising for the deliverance He has given God's people. He has delivered them out of darkness and the hands of their enemy and given them freedom. He has pulled down strongholds and He is creating a strong city with Him in control, not some pagan king. Return to His everlasting arms and witness what He can do for you - how He will bless you.

NOW

Now this applies to us as well. The ambitions of selfish sinners will crumble but, the LORD Himself is an everlasting rock (Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal rock) v4. He has given us a song and something to sing about. His city is strong with His wall built completely around us guarded by His angels. It is impenetrable yet, all those who call on Him will be allowed to enter and be saved (Romans 10:13). Perfect peace will reign within our hearts instead of confusion and turmoil when, our thoughts are fixed on Him - permanently.

This is a perfect description of heaven and how God wants us to be. There were times in our life when we dwelt in the (THEN) category and be brutally honest, where did it get us - nowhere except of course, heartache and embarrassment. Some of us had strayed off the narrow road and, even more didn't know what the narrow road was and perhaps we were too proud to ask or accept the offer of help. But God has a way of changing lives and situations and this was you. You may not realise it but, you have never been as blessed as you are now. Why, because the Saviour of the world, Jesus Himself, has saved you. And (NOW) you have something to look forward to. You could have died all those years ago and missed all of this, but you are alive and well and have eternity to look forward to. The ROCK is going to make you roll when you get to heaven but until then it's still time to roll and have a ball with Jesus.

FUTURE

You are part of that perfect description of heaven. You have a future. You have been to the University of Jesus Christ and have passed with full honours and wow, does He have a wonderful surprise for you when you step into His arms. You are the blessed of the LORD.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

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He's always there for me.

"In my distress, I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple and my cry came before Him, even to His ears."

                                                                                             Psalm 18:6.  NKJV

David sang this song - Psalm 18 - on the day the LORD delivered him from all of his enemies, especially King Saul, who had acted terribly towards him.
In the Psalm, David laments how good the LORD has been to him, even as the closeness of death was on him, God intervened and rescued him.
It was a testimony and years later, when David was in old age, he would sing the same song, as he reflected on His life and how God had been so good to him. (2 Samuel 22).
We often give a testimony too, of how God has rescued us. It is important to do this. Firstly, it shows other people the awesome love and power of God, and secondly, it makes us feel good to talk about God, especially if someone gets saved as they listen to our words.
Verse 6 - our text today - confirms that as we call on God, He hears us, our cry reaches His throne and He actions this request: 'He bowed the heavens also and came down.' (Psalm 18:9). 
When it is a distress call from us, an urgent need of help, He can be relied upon to help us immediately. Psalm 91:11-12, appears to inform us, that we have at least two angels assigned to us and as we call to God, we can ask Him to send these angels to protect and help us. They are our ministering angels, but note that it is God who gives them charge over our life and situation, not us. We cannot order them to do our bidding, God does that.
He may answer us and help us in other ways, but one thing is for sure, He will answer us and quickly if we're in danger. We probably all have those times that we remember when God divinely released us from certain death or sickness or injury. These are the times when we know for certain that He is there for us, watching our backs.
We all have a personal song of praise that we can sing to God, if we choose to. We don't have to be a brilliant musician or performer to get His attention this way. It's not The X factor, it is God and we all win on this show because He loves to hear the praise that we send His way.
Why not write and sing your own personal song to Him? It may not sound all that good to you, but to God, it will sound like a wonderful classic. Think back on those wonderful times that He rescued you and write Him a song or poem. You'll feel good about it and God will be overjoyed!

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Don't be afraid to change the norm

"Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some."

                                                                                 John 21:6   NKJV

There is no logical reason why Jesus should shout to the disciples this direction. After all, to the disciples - skilled fishermen, one side of the boat was no different to the other.

Peter and some of the disciples had been out on a fishing trip and they had caught nothing. All night they had toiled and they were tired, frustrated and hungry. Suddenly, a chap on the shore line was shouting to them, telling them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. They were tired so they obeyed, the result being they had a mega catch of fish. Peter looked at the man again and realising that it was Jesus having what looked like a barbecue, ran through the water to Him.

Now notice something here; Peter wasn't troubled to change things. He didn't struggle with that. We all have our own ways of doing things and sometimes we struggle to change this when someone else suggests we do it another way. At times, we know best, but that isn't always the case, and Peter realised this.

Many times, God will use other people to show us there is a better way. We should always be open to this and listen and weigh it all up. They may just be right. Don't forget at this moment none of the disciples knew it was Jesus. To them, it was just someone walking along the shore. Peter could have thought, 'What does he know?' He would then have missed an amazing catch of fish and an amazing time with Jesus - where he was restored, blessed and commissioned.

The next time things are not going as well as you would hope and someone offers advice that is alien to your norm, stop and consider it very closely. It may be Jesus showing you the right side of things - the right way to go

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

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Bubble Burster

"So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immoveable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."                                       1 Corinthians 15:58.  NLT

People with a limited experience of God, may speak to us as if they have a vast knowledge of Him. As they listen to what we say, they may shake their heads and try to extinguish our faith, rather like pouring water on hot coals. 'Be careful,' they may say, 'you could make a fool of yourself -God doesn't speak to us like that.' You've heard them and if you're not careful, they have the ability to rob you of your enthusiasm. I call them, Bubble Bursters, because that is what they do, they burst our bubble of enthusiasm and make us feel inadequate, as if we have not heard God properly. It's ok to receive good, solid advice - we need this. But you will notice the difference in your spirit as you walk with God. The Holy Spirit will let you know.

Enthusiasm spreads like a wild fire if done properly - when it comes from the Lord. We burn with zeal, having a warmth and deep conviction and an eager devotion to do something. In other words, to spread our enthusiasm. 

This is where you may be at this time. God may be stirring something up within you, something new. It may appear exciting and scary at the same time. But, deep down within your spirit, you know it's God. If that's where you are, take notice of it and do it. Avoid the Bubble Bursters, they'll only shout you down. 

Notice the word, 'Immovable,' in our text. This means, unyielding in principle, purpose or adherence, in fact, steadfast. Don't be moved. Your work has value when you do it for God. He will be right behind you, empowering and encouraging you. 

There are talkers and doers, which one are you? Don't get down the road later in life with, 'I wish I would have done that. I know it was God's will. 2 Timothy 1:6 tells us to 'Stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.' Use the gifts that you have been given for the benefit of God's people. 

If this is you, go and do it and watch out for the Bubble Bursters.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

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It's over and time to rejoice

"But finally the earth is at rest and quiet, now it can sing again."   Isaiah 14:7   NLT 

The time of captivity in Babylon was over and, the Israelites could enjoy their freedom. It was a time of thankfulness to God; they had been lost, now they had been found and it was time to do what they had only dreamed about. 

We all have times when we felt imprisoned and unable to do what we feel called to do. For you, it may have been an abusive, unhappy marriage. It may also have been a job that  you hated so much, but one, that you not could not leave as there were no jobs available in the area. In fact, there are many things that may have held you in bondage. But now you are free and the relief is amazing, you are no longer subjected to slavery and it feels good. Take a look at our text, the Israelites were overjoyed that: 'finally the earth is at rest, now it can sing again.' They were no longer living in condemnation, God had set them free and they had something to sing about. 

Whatever you have been through just lately is in your past. It is 'today' - -  a brand new start and now it is down to you, how much you make of it.

Conflicts will always come upon us. There is one that will come that will affect all of us who are living at the time. This is the End Times - the  Tribulation. The time when Jesus will come and gather all who are His (The Rapture) and take them to heaven. The other people, which may be you, will be left behind and will have to face the atrocities that will be the worst ever. 

Therefore, are you sure that you belong to Jesus? Have you asked Him into your life and confessed your sins? If not, you need to, that is if you want to be with Jesus and your loved ones and spend eternity with them and Jesus. Why not say this prayer below and really rejoice in your freedom

Lord Jesus, I want to know you, please come into my life and be My Lord and Saviour. I ask You to forgive my sins and ask that Your Holy Spirit will dwell within me for evermore.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

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The Golden Rule

"Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and prophets."           Matthew 7:12   NLT 

This verse often gets misquoted in a negative way: 'Don't do to others what you don't want done to you.' Jesus spoke it in a positive manner and this is the way it is intended to be used. A 'don't do this' and a 'don't do that' is quite often received as an order and not received too well. Whereas, the way Jesus put it - in a positive way, can be more welcoming. It's a matter of words and something that we need to practice in order not to offend.

Therefore, Jesus' way would be treating people well, the way you would like to be treated.  There is no room for criticism or to be accusatory when we treat people the right way. When we show people that they can trust us, we will receive that trust back. People need to know that we won't gossip about what they have told us. Sadly, this can happen at prayer meetings when people share something important to them. When they hear about this in the community, they may be devastated and make the decision never to do this again. 

If we do something for someone grudgingly, then we can't really complain if this is done back to us later on. Of course, there are many occasions when we help someone out or do something to bless them and, even though they show their gratitude, when we are in need, they never reciprocate; they never help us out. But stop right there, we don't give to receive. We don't go to someone and after helping them say, 'Right, you owe me one Buddy, don't forget.'  If you are considering doing this, then don't. This is not Jesus' way, He would never act in this manner. 

Just a small thing like helping someone when they've dropped their groceries on the floor can speak volumes. You've helped someone asking nothing in return. This is how Jesus operates. And this is how people can tell that there is something different about you. They feel safe and at peace and yet can't recognise why. This is a great opportunity to tell them about Jesus, if the moment is right. It may not be and the Holy Spirit will guide you in this. Just be ready, on all occasions, to 'do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.'

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

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What, or who are you seeking?

"What do you want?" v35-37        John 1:35-39  NLT 

John the Baptist, pointed Jesus out to two of his disciples - Andrew (Simon Peter's brother), and possibly John, the writer of this Gospel. Therefore, they followed Jesus and after a short while, Jesus stopped and asked them what they wanted. They answered, 'Rabbi, where are you staying?' Jesus answered, 'Come and see' v39. And from there, more was added.

See what Jesus asked: 'What do you want?' Initially, this comment could have been offensive, rather like we may say to someone who begins to follow us. It can make the hairs on the back of your neck stick up when this happens. However, Jesus intentions went deeper than this. He wanted to know if:

(1) they recognised Him as the Saviour 

(2) if they had chosen to follow Him and be one of His disciples.

It's no different today. Jesus still asks this question to all who approach Him and searches our hearts to know our motives. Why is this? Because many follow Him for their own self-righteousness, they are out to promote their own Glory, not His. So, the question is what are your motives for belonging to Jesus. Are you after a leading role within your church so that you can be a somebody and be recognised for your great ministry. Or, are you seeking, not your own, but to promote the Name of Jesus, pointing people towards Him.

Self-seeking can take place without us even knowing about it. The moment we expect a pat on the back for preaching, leading worship or running a house group, we are in danger of puffing ourselves up and need to stop, and  give the Glory to Jesus. When Jesus says, 'Come and see,' this is the moment when He is asking you to be open to Him, refuse any self-seeking ideas and allow Jesus to fill you with the power of the Holy Spirit; the reason for this is that, the Holy Spirit will always point the way to Jesus.

So are you ready to see what He has in store for you? If so, tell Him and expect Him to respond in whatever way He chooses.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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