Don't harden your heart

"Today when you hear His voice, don't harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested Me in the wilderness"   Hebrews 3:7-8   NLT 

Hard heartedness can be the results of a strict upbringing, a time when a person had to deal with certain abuse and there was no God to come to the rescue. It may have left a spirit of stubbornness and a feeling that there is no God. Sadly this is the way many people live.

When God was bringing the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised Land, people would not trust Him. They were ungrateful and wanted to go back to Egypt where they at least, had somewhere to lay their head. They moaned and groaned and were continually stubborn towards Moses directions: 

'The LORD says, "Don't harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. 9 For there your ancestors tested  and tried my patience, even though they saw everything I did. 10 For 40 years I was angry with them, and I said, they are a people whose hearts turn away from Me. They refuse to do what I tell them. 11 So, in My anger I took an oath; They will never enter My place of rest." Psalm 95:8-11  NLT

God is giving us all a warning - an admonishment and we need to heed this. We can all become stubborn when we are angry or hurt. Some people can wear a mask and when in the presence of others, can use this to put-on a happy and agreeable face. Yet, deep down they may be in disagreement with something but, don't want to speak the issue out in case, others think bad of them Other are just, full in the face, moaners and complainers. They do this about everything, no matter what and don't mind others witnessing this. In fact, they will try to get a few on their side. God's not impressed.

A church needs harmony, brothers and sister need to get on with each other and if they have a gripe about something within the fellowship, book an appointment with the pastor. Until then. keep quiet about it, otherwise, your hardened heart, will become even harder.

Remember, wherever there is strife and disruption within a fellowship, the devil is sitting right there in the middle stirring it up even more. Don't let him have his way, evict him right now!

I never like to end without giving someone the opportunity to ask Jesus into their life, or, re-dedicate their life. If that is you, pray this prayer and please let me know:

contact me, CLICK HERE

Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. 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

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Where are you going?

"Simon Peter said to Him, 'Lord, where are You going?' Jesus answered him, 'Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward."   John 13:36   NKJV 

Jesus had just finished talking to the disciples about the future. Peter, once again getting it wrong, blurted out his protest as outlined above. They were all finding it difficult to know what Jesus was saying but, Peter was the only one who thought he would challenge it.

It would have been strange to hear this conversation and would have tested their confidence; after spending this time with Jesus, they were reluctant to be parted from Him. But let's take it from another angle: 'Where are you going?' Yes, I know you're going to heaven at the end of your life, but what about before that? What is your plan for the way ahead? Have you even got one?

We're encouraged not to boastfully plan what we'll do (Luke 12:19-21) but to plan involving God; this way we can be assured that we are in His will. To not plan and live our lives in a haphazard kind of way with an attitude of: 'Whatever happens - happens, it doesn't bother me.' Is a reckless thing to do and may, lead you to disaster.

Your plans may be about your educational outlook; perhaps you are wanting to go to Uni to 'make something of yourself.' Listen, God has already made something of you and He thinks you're pretty wonderful. With that in mind, you can build on this by filing the rough edges down and getting your mind prepared for such a thing as Uni. Are you ready for it? If your answer is yes, then go ahead and push some doors. If you're unsure, you need to decide if this is you being fearful of such a project, so you may like to try out a little light study from home to assess how you get on.

Perhaps you are wanting to get married, emigrate or move house. All of these are highly emotional things to do and call for great wisdom on your part. Ask God what He has planned for you to do concerning all of this. Remember , yesterday's reading, 'without Me you can do nothing' John 15:5.  These decisions are all important and need solid guidance. God will give you this. Don’t let it bother you if your decisions don’t sound good. God will show you.

I never like to end without giving someone the opportunity to ask Jesus into their life, or, re-dedicate their life. If that is you, pray this prayer and please let me know:

contact me, CLICK HERE

Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. 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  

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

 

 

If you want success, take Jesus with you

"for without Me you can do nothing"    John 15:5    NKJV 

Would you ever try to drive your car to a destination many miles away, without first filling the tank with petrol. It is highly unlikely; and yet, we try to do things in our own strength without seeking Jesus' help. Our relationship with Jesus must be cultivated so that, from our point of view, we are touching base with Him. When we are, this is when we begin to bear good fruit.

Spiritual fruit can be described as a piece of work that lasts; it meets the need of the time and it’s a blessing to whoever receives it. On the other hand, bad fruit is just what it says, it's bad and stands for nothing except to smell the place out and drive people away. Do you get the point here? Jesus has given you the opportunity to bear good fruit for Him; to take blessings to people and the knowledge that, whatever you do is alive. He will never give you bad fruit and if this is what you are bearing at this time, you need to get out of there, check yourself over and seek Jesus quickly.

People may ask you to lay hands on them for healing but, if you are not in fellowship with Jesus, very little will happen. Remember, Jesus tells us that we can do nothing without Him. It all comes down to relationship - your relationship with Jesus. Be honest, look at yourself an ask, 'What is my relationship with Jesus like?' If you have a guilty feeling about this, it may be that the Holy Spirit is prompting you to put this right.

We can read our bibles, go to church 3 or 4 times every week and even attend prayer groups. But, are you doing this for Jesus or, to make yourself look good. Sometimes, we can attend all these meetings just to please other people. Try pleasing Jesus instead. It is He who is your Saviour.

'How can I have a deep relationship with Jesus' you may ask. Well, the answer is easy but, the actual act is far harder. It requires you to DIE TO SELF - 'I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.'  Galatians 2:20. This is the way to live for Jesus. As I said, it is not easy to do, but you can do it, when you do it in Jesus.

I never like to end without giving someone the opportunity to ask Jesus into their life, or, re-dedicate their life. If that is you, pray this prayer and please let me know:

contact me, CLICK HERE

Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. 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  

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

 

 

Jesus, and the glories of His church

"My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer."    Psalm 45 :1ff   

This Psalm is Messianic, pointing to when Jesus will walk the earth and be our King. It is not referring to Solomon, as many have thought. It is written by an excited hand; someone who cannot contain the joy and the anticipation of when Jesus will come and reign. The Psalmist confirms this by writing: 'I recite my composition concerning the King.' The Psalmist cannot hide the excitement that erupts from his fingers. One can imagine the rustling of the paper as he writes. 

The is the way God wants us to be about Jesus. He is exciting; He is almighty, yet the best friend you will ever have. He is faithful and eternal. Can you feel the excitement within yourself as you think about the day you will enter heaven and feel His arms around you? Words fail to describe this. However, this Psalmist was specially anointed to write about this thrilling event.

I wonder if it makes you feel like writing a poem, or a song; book or perhaps a sermon? You may have a book inside of you that needs to come out. You can't keep it to yourself if it has an anointing from Jesus. But also, you may write some poetry about Jesus and use it in your quiet time speaking to Jesus. He will be thrilled to hear it. Oh yes He will. He is not some Professor of Literature who will edit it and write critical comments all over it. Not at all, Jesus will say words such as, 'That has thrilled my heart, please write some more.' He takes so much delight in you.

Take a read, prayerfully through this Psalm and check out the key parts. Jesus is fighting on behalf of truth, humility and righteousness. It's hard to realise that some will oppose this but, this is all part of the evil that causes war, and we know who is at the bottom of this, Satan. But Jesus will reign forever. 'Therefore, God, Your God, has anointed You. v7' He is the King of kings and people need to realise this. I like what the Psalmist writes in v17: 'I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore, the people shall praise you forever and ever.' Try and make this a prayer for your quiet time. Saying this, you are declaring that, whatever happens, you will tell people about Jesus and promote His name forever, wherever you are. Now that is a commitment!

I never like to end without giving someone the opportunity to ask Jesus into their life, or, re-dedicate their life. If that is you, pray this prayer and please let me know:

contact me, CLICK HERE

Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. 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  

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

 

 

Watch the conceit and envy

 "Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another."                                   Galatians 5:25-26  CSB

Soldiers when they first join the army, learn, among lots of other things, to march together properly. They learn to keep in step with one another. This can be difficult at first but after many times on the drill square (the reason it's called this, is because it us drilled into you until it is second nature). And this is what is needed as we learn to follow the Holy Spirit - we keep in step with Him as He leads us on. Notice what v25 says above 'let us follow the Spirit's leading.' The Holy Spirit is the source of your new life, so you must keep in step with Him, step by step as He leads us on in our new life.

Now this 'keeping in step' is the way that the Spirit teaches us how to live for God, and eventually, we get the feel of this kind of living and it is just natural to live this way. Yes, we have problems along the way. Do you realise that when you are living for Jesus, the devil is jealous and very angry. You are no longer in his camp and so, you become a threat because he doesn't know what you are going to do against him. Therefore, he goes into defence mode and after a while of assessing you, makes certain attacks to try to prevent you going any further. This could be anything, so keep alert.

When we begin to be successful for God,  we have to watch the risk of trying to please people and seeking the praise that they may give us. Everyone of us needs a certain amount of approval from others, but, if we go out of our way to increase this approval, we can become conceited and puffed up. This shows that we are not in step with the Spirit but our own conceited self. The Holy Spirit always points to Jesus, no one else. 

This also goes for having a spirit of envy. If we are not in step with the Spirit, we can become envious of other people who are receiving great accolades for their preaching and teaching, We can begin to resent them and be envious of all the praise they receive for the work they do. One person may preach a sermon and receive very little by way of encouragement and thanks. Whereas, another may receive screams of excitement and great waves of the Holy Spirit. It doesn't matter; we serve God not a congregation. We serve God, not the eldership. It is God we seek to please in all we do, no one else. Yes, we want to do a good job so that people are pleased but, that is all. As long as God is pleased - end of story.

So, watch the conceit and envy and keep in step with the Holy Spirit in your Daily Life with Jesus.

Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. 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  

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2