Are you in agreement?

"Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?   Amos 3:3  NKJV 

Following Jesus' ascension, the disciples were together in strong fellowship. They shared all they could and they had a strong bond with each other. Therefore, the Lord blessed them with power and many came to know Jesus through their preaching.

Check out todays text and consider, if two people want to walk together, they have to appoint a time and place to meet. If they don't, how can they walk together? The togetherness God wants in our lives is linked very much to fellowship. This word 'fellowship' is translated from the Greek word koinonia, which means to be almost cemented to each other and Jesus. It means that there is a powerful covenant between each other which is only brought about by the Holy Spirit. If there is no anointing, then there is no joining.

The NLT version of this verse reads:'Can two people walk together without agreeing on a direction?' Think about that for a moment. If there is no agreement there is no direction and therefore, no togetherness. This is the whole point of living life as a Christian. Jesus saves our souls, we begin to follow and live for Him and, from thereon, we live in obedience to His Word; in other words, we walk together with Him. How can we walk with Him if we are at loggerheads with fellow believers? How can we walk with Jesus if we alienate unbelievers, having nothing to do with them whatsoever?

Jesus walked the walk; He spent time with prostitutes, lepers, robbers, adulterers, killers, alcoholics and more. He even visited them in their homes or wherever they were. He got involved with them without becoming taken over with their lifestyle. But He was still labelled with them. This didn't stop Him and when asked why He ate with tax collectors, Jesus replied, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick'  Matthew 9:12. Jesus showed whoever would listen, how to walk with Him and each other. There are much more sick people that don't attend church than those who do. You have the ability to reach out to these people. You were one of them once, therefore, like you they need the chance to repent and walk with Jesus and they in turn, will tell others too.

There is so much we can do by walking that walk with Jesus. Lives throughout the world are falling apart. Can you help in some way?

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

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I have nothing left to give

'Then Jesus said, 'Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest."                  Matthew 11:28   NLT

Do you have those days when you feel you have nothing left to give? Of course you do; you wouldn't be human if you didn't. But saying that, does not help. You've overspent your energy and you are exhausted and worn out, and what's more, no-one seems to notice or even care. You're almost down on your knees with tiredness and all you hear is, 'Pull yourself together, it's part of life.' It may be for some but not for the bible believing son or daughter of the King of kings. With Him, we have victory.

However, at this moment you probably don't feel victorious; why is that? Consider your life; you have commitments, you may have a stressful job, busy church life and a demanding family. Then you have shopping, household chores including gardening, walking the dog and whatever else that overfills your day. You need some help and I know where you can get it!

Jesus, was fully God but He was also fully human so He knew what it was like to feel exhausted and totally worn out. Read about Him in the Gospels. He found it difficult to get away from people. They had never seen anyone like Him and they wanted as much as they could. They wanted healing, food, marital and family counselling issues and then He had the disciples who were often seeking who would be the greatest in His kingdom. If anyone needed Help, He did - and He got it.

Most mornings, very early He would go out alone and be with His Father. We don't really know what was said but we can assume that He was emptying Himself of all His human burdens and receiving a top up of the Holy Spirit from His Father. He needed this, otherwise He would not have had the strength, in His human form, to meet the people's needs. He needed to empty out all of the problematic burden and have the Father pour out His Living water of life, in fullness. Now, if Jesus needed this, I think you know that you do as well. But it means, finding the time to be alone with Jesus, He is the one that can give you the strength you need to be able to cope. Look at His Words:'Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest.'

This is the best offer you will ever receive and you know you need this. Let's do this now:

'Lord Jesus, of late  I've been feeling that I have nothing left to give. I understand that if I come to You, I'll be able to offload my weary burdens and find rest. I ask You for this now, Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Serious food for thought

The LORD will punish the world by fire and by His sword. He will judge the earth, and many will be killed by Him."     Isaiah 66:16   NLT 

Are you aware what is happening in our world today? Not so long ago, we had volcanos erupting, great floods throughout the world and recently, great fires that are spreading all around the world with many people being killed by all of these tragedies. 

The media put it down to Climate Change and there could be truth in this. However, as Christians, we must check out the bigger picture; is this all coming about because the time of God's judgement is near? Let's look at a few examples:

(1)  Open Doors report that in some parts of China, parents and children are being asked to sign declaration forms that they renounce their Christian faith otherwise they will be expelled and not be allowed to attend schools. This is in addition to the many people who are either killed for their faith or imprisoned. North Korea have similar policies and many children in the UK are being ostracised  by their families because they have become Christians.

(2). UK schools are including teaching that claims that sex is ok with whoever they choose - male or female. Drag artists are being drafted into schools to help promote freedom of sexual choice and gender identification. What are your thoughts on your child being encouraged in this area by a man dressed as a woman or vice-versa? 

(3)  Check what is happening around the world at the moment. Fires are devastating countries and people are being killed. Read again our text for today. The footnotes in the New Living Translation Study bible describes it this way. 'This is a vivid picture of the great judgement that will occur at Christ's coming:

'And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with His mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgement on those who don't know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from His glorious power.'  2 Thessalonians 1:7-9.

As I mentioned earlier, this is food for thought but needs to be pondered. The end of the world will come one day and it may be sooner than we think. Remember my word from yesterday: 'Things can change in a moment'. Don't just cast this aside. The end may not be anywhere near yet but, then again, it may be on your doorstep so do what Jesus told us and be ready. There has been a moral decline in values where people have exchanged the truth of God for a lie and this all shows that we are in the last stages of decay.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Things can change in a moment

"Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off."        Acts 16:25-26   NLT

This must have been an amazing event to witness and also, wonderful for the prisoners who had been incarcerated for so long. One moment prisoners, the next free to escape. There is no doubt that this was a miracle. Note how Paul and Silas had been before this happened; they were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening. They weren't moaning, complaining or feeling sorry for themselves; they gave it all to God and He was only too pleased to take action. I wonder how many of the other prisoners were affected by this miracle and became Christians? I bet there were some conversions. 

They had just witnessed how things can change so rapidly. Some changes, like this, are for the better, sadly some are not and we should always be aware of this. You may be in an a very difficult situation wondering how this will all turn out. Let me point out Paul and Silas' behaviour - they prayed and sang hymns - prayer and praise is the answer. Sometimes though, there is no time to do this as a change can be forced upon you without notice: 

(1) This may be a doctor giving you a diagnosis that you were not prepared for. There are no words that can explain this; you may think why has God let this happen? Again, there is no answer and no matter what you do, it has happened. 

(2) Then again, the sudden change may be positive like someone ringing and offering you the chance of a lifetime - it does happen. Like the example above, this too causes stress because you were not prepared for it. However, this is positive stress and when your head has made sense of it, you will cope. 

This is life and this is how it goes and we have to find the ability to work through them. For Paul, Silas and the other prisoners, there would have been an initial shock to what had happened. Paul was was hoping for it, the prisoners were not. The prisoner's reactions  may have been like item (2) above, totally overwhelmed by it all but thrilled that it had happened. Item (1) takes more handling. The shock of it all can make you feel numb and full of panic. This is natural but in the long term, not the way to remain. If you are a Christian, you serve a mighty God who is able to handle this. Many people are healed today; we must accept that many aren't. I can't answer why; but, God is still on the throne. God healed me practically instantly back in 1980 - my testimony. However, back in 2000, I had to undergo major surgery which I survived but, it left me with a disability for life. But what I will say here, is that, Jesus Christ is Lord and I would sooner have the disability and be alive than the alternative. But if I hadn't have survived, I would have taken my place in heaven because of Jesus.

So let me encourage you, whatever major change comes your way, be grateful that Jesus will see you through it no matter what happens.

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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He delights in you!

"He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me."  

                                                                         Psalm 18:19   NLT 

This verse is one of great encouragement. Whatever we may find ourselves in now, or the future, God encourages us to delight in Him (Psalm 37:4). When we do this, we'll receive His blessing and the desires of our hearts. Remember, He rescued us from the darkness of sin when we asked Him into our lives and, He will do the same whenever we are in further trouble. In a very similar way, He delights in us too.

The term, 'Place of Safety,' is an interesting one. This is a Statement of Law used by the police and other authorities to take action when someone is at risk or in a totally dangerous position. The police and such have the authority to take someone into a care situation, for instance, a woman at risk could be taken to a Women's Refuge for her own safety, or a child, along with Social Services, into Foster care for the same reasons.

You or someone you know, may need this at some time. People may find themselves in risky situations. At the time, there may be no one around to help. However, God is there with you and you only need to call to Him and your Place of Safety will be put into place. 'But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from His sanctuary; my cry to Him reached His ears' Psalm 18:6. He heard the cry and took action. Why? Because He loves you and cares for you and delights in you.

We read that He heard your cry from His sanctuary or temple. Now that is a busy place no doubt. But, He can still hear you and His door is never closed. 

Look what happened the: The earth quaked and trembled including the mountains and every high structure because of his anger which was caused by the mistreatment of you. Smoke poured from His nostrils and fierce flames from His mouth. 'He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath His feet' paraphrase v7-8 except v9.

This Psalm relates to the abuse David suffered from King Saul. He created an earthquake and similar to a volcano erupting. He did this for David, but, He will also do this for you when you are mistreated.

Finally, note how God  opened the heavens and came with darkness beneath His feet. This is the way He will treat Satan when he attacks you. Be encouraged, your God is there for you and delights in you. Amen? 

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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Watch your desire!

"I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman"  

                                                                              Job 31:1   NLT 

In this day of equality, this verse relates to both male and female; both are capable of looking at the opposite sex in a flirtatious manner. From one point of view, it could be considered natural as we were born into sin and therefore, are only doing what is in our heart. This is what we have to be wary of; we have a spiritual nature and a sinful one - spirit v flesh and they are in constant battle with each other.

Job realised the importance of this and, this is why he made a covenant - a contract - with his eyes not to allow them to look at a woman in a lustful manner. The sinful nature is at work in us constantly. We can be sitting in a store or pub and catch the eye of someone and allow the eyes to linger just that little bit more than we should. If the other person reciprocates then a form of chemistry is being formed and that is all it takes to walk the first steps into an adulterous relationship, or fantasise about it. Of course, we can't prevent our eyes looking at someone else but, it is the signal that they convey to the other person that can start the fire going.

It is the desire within us: 'Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death'  James 1:14-15 NLT. We constantly have to be on the lookout in order to fulfil our contract. Remember that Peter warned us about the devil prowling around us all the time (1 Peter 5:8-9).

The desire that we feel from our sinful nature, is the same desire that leads us to look longly at things in a shop window or online. Some things are way out of our price range but, the more we look at them, the more we want them, the sinful desire is beginning to work. Then, before we know it, we are in debt because we couldn't control our urge. This is how Eve was caught out in the garden that day (Gen 3). The more she looked, the more she wanted the fruit and that is how disaster struck.

It is so important to take this on board; your mind may say, 'It'll be ok, it won't do any harm.' But don't believe that statement. It is a lie from the pit and we know who reigns there. Just walk in the Spirit and enjoy your life with Jesus.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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

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Stop looking back

"When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, 'Don't look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away."   

                                                                            Genesis 19:17   NLT

Before you came to know Jesus, you may have had a varied past, possibly living an average lifestyle and not really having any bad issues, or living on the wild side of life. 

The past can figure quite strongly in our lives. For some, it's remembering past hurts, disappointments, broken marriages, prison or other things. For other people, it may be sin, which could include sexual immorality, fast life style, drugs, fast cars and alcohol addiction. There may be other things that I've not listed here. We may have regrets over things done in the past. This may have led to suffering guilt for what you were involved in.

Whatever your past, if you have Jesus Christ in your life, then you are a new person. He made you brand new and wiped the slate of all the past, forgiving you totally (Romans 8:1-4). The problem is, we are tempted many times to look back to our past, thinking of some of the so-called good times. We cling on to the past as if we are frightened to let it go. Some of us have made vows that they will never allow anyone to treat them like they were treated. It is pointless to go there, there is no mileage in your past, it is over, or is it? Remember Lots wife. The angel had warned them not to look back or they would be destroyed; and she was, being turned into a pillar of salt. She had been warned and now she was paying the price.

Do you look back on your past life? Do you look back on the sin you may have been involved in? You cannot make progress with God while you're still hanging on to the past, and anyway, God has given you a new life, aren't you living in disobedience when you visit the past. Jesus summed this up quite clearly in Matthew 6:24: 'No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.' What is unclear about that?

Paul touched on this subject in Philippians 3:13-14: ' I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us.' Notice that Paul didn't look back, he looked forward v13, He was a forward thinking person and God wants each of us to be the same. 

Looking back over your shoulder is like you have something to hide or are running away from something or someone. Do yourself a favour, isn't it about time you spoke to Jesus about this. He understands and accepted you in the first place so, He can be trusted to help you stop looking back.

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 

Check it out

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