Thank you Lord, I am so grateful

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."                                          1 Thessalonians 5:18   NLT

We should never refrain from being thankful to God; He has and will give us so much. This includes those times that are not so good but bearable; like when you are out walking and the weather changes to a heavy thunder storm. You started off dry but suddenly, you are saturated. This is something that fits the category of 'Not so good.' The rain continues and your shoes start leaking but after a moment, it doesn't matter because, the shoes are now water-logged anyway. Those who wear glasses think, 'Why hasn't God called someone to invent windscreen wipers for your lens.' He probably has but at the moment, you're too wet to care. Can I urge you to look at the first part of our text today, 'Be thankful in all circumstances.' The text doesn't say 'in some circumstances but in ALL.'

Then, you may be on your way to a busy appointment, shopping trip or holiday and the inevitable happens - you're stuck in a traffic jam which is moving at 1 mile per hour, or so it seems. This is not the time to jump out of your car and throw a tantrum or three, but you do. Other motorists join you and they are feeling the same, yet encouraging you to do something about it because of the angry face that you're pulling. Suddenly, one of your newly found friends receive a call on their mobile. Apparently, the road is closed ahead due to flooding from the previous rainfall.' A lorry is trying to reverse back your way but needs all the other cars behind him to reverse too; and this includes you. Suddenly your friends are looking at you again muttering, 'What lorry driver takes a massive lorry along a thin road like this one. Are you going to have a chat with him? Because of your quick temper, you have made yourself the spokesperson for this predicament. There are about a hundred cars behind you and so you pass the message on that every one has got to reverse. At this time, you wish you had a blood pressure machine with you as it would probably blow it up. But hey,"Be thankful in all circumstances,'

You eventually arrive home six hours later than scheduled. In your haste to get indoors, you accidentally drop your keys on the side of the road. It's dark and you can't see if they went down the grate or not. They did - and now you can't get into your house. You can see the dog barking at you through the window and you feel like uttering one of those stupid prayers like, 'Lord, teach this dog to open the door for me.' And then, there is rescue in sight, you realise you forgot to close the kitchen window and within a moment, you are inside.

After all of this, do you show your gratitude to God for helping you? Think back on your day. Was all the events worth you losing your temper and letting people see this. Especially, when you have a 'God loves you and, so do I.' sticker on your rear window. Does it really matter that you got wet through earlier? Have you learned to say "Be thankful in all circumstances?'

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

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You will not always be popular

"Don't assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."                                                           Matthew 10:34   CSB

At times, Jesus spoke words that were very difficult to comprehend. This was one of them and has caused much debate for a lot of people over the years. What actually does He mean. Well as always, with scripture, it is beneficial to read around statements so that one can try to get a more clearer picture.

Jesus wasn't against peace; not at all, in Isaiah 9:6, He was called 'Prince of Peace.' This makes it even harder to wonder why He spoke the way He did. Fellowship with Jesus can cause many problems with those who just can't understand why, or refuse to accept this. It can happen within your own family, friends, work places, you name it. For some, accepting Jesus can bring division. In many countries throughout our world, it is dangerous to admit that you follow Jesus. It can bring death, beatings and imprisonment just for starters. The only way to escape this persecution is to deny Jesus, and for anyone who is born again, this is unacceptable.

Association with Jesus declares war in some quarters. Some parents have refused to have their child living with them because of their faith. Just think, Jesus was speaking this 2000  or so years ago and it is still going on today. As Christians, we will be misunderstood and persecuted even by those who are close to us and at times such as this, we will have to suffer the consequences for righteousness' sake. 

Jesus was not encouraging us to deliberately be disobedient to parents, family, friends or anyone else in our lives, What He was showing us, and still is, that His presence demands a decision. Because some will follow Jesus and some won't, so therefore, this will cause conflict. As we follow Jesus, our different values and morals will set some people against us. We should never want to neglect our family and be apart from them but, there comes a time when Jesus must be our priority. 

Believe me, as time goes on, it can only get worse. In the name of religion; people are at war now, countries falling apart. Government laws will come into place in the future where we will find it difficult to have money - a new system will begin. Then of course, there will be the Tribulation - a seven year space of time where it will be abysmal to exist. Read your bibles, especially Daniel and Revelation. Make sure you belong to Team Jesus, and you need Him now because He is coming back soon! Ask Him into your life.

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

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Give up your faith or else

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if He doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."                       Daniel 3:17-19   NLT 

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, were in a dangerous position. Nebuchadnezzar had set up a golden statue and his orders were that everyone must bow down to it. However, these three young men would have nothing to do with this. They would not deny their faith and totally refused to do it, The result being, they were thrown into a fiery furnace which would be the end of them. However, Nebuchadnezzar was in for a shock for an angel or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ went into the furnace with them and they were delivered from the flames. Not a sign of burning was on their body.

Note, they didn't say that God would deliver and save them, but that He was able, but if He didn't they would never renounce their faith in such a way. They were men of faith but not, presumptuous, they didn't know what God would do but that He would do something; either rescue them or give them the strength to go through the ordeal.

This still happens today. Many Christians beg Jesus to heal them and He honours their faith. However, He doesn't always perform special miracles. Not every one is healed but, He does give us the power to bear the pain and the grace to approach death without fear. If God did heal everyone, there would be thousands of selfish people who would receive His healing but not turn to Him as Lord and Saviour.

There are Christians throughout our world who are suffering terribly. God is with them but, it is difficult to answer someone's question, 'Why does God allow this?' That's a question that to answer it, would be foolish because, we just don't know. One thing I am sure of, God will give them His grace during their suffering and if they die, they will be with Him instantly. Basically, the answer can be answered with the fact that, we signed up with Jesus, giving Him our life to use it as He saw fit. We died to self and were made new in Jesus. We can't really argue with that.

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

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Sunday : A Lion's Den Experience

"May the king live forever. 22 My God sent His angel and shut the Lion's mouths; and they haven't harmed me, for I was found innocent before Him." 

                                                                                     v21-22  of Daniel 6:1-24   CSB

Daniel was a faithful official in the king's palace, and had been for 40 years or so. The king was now Darius, who loved and respected Daniel. This brought jealousy and hate from Daniel's fellow officials. David was also a very faithful and dedicated worker and never hid the fact that He belonged to God the Father. God was first in Daniel's life and he prayed at his bedroom window three times a day.

These officials persuaded Darius that an edict should be posted for thirty days disallowing anyone from seeking God or a god other than Darius himself. Anyone found guilty would be executed by being thrown into the Lion's Den. This was agreed.

As Daniel refused to honour this and carried on with his prayers, they informed Darius of this and shoved him into a corner by getting him to honour the agreement.

David was put into the Lion's Den, much against Darius' wishes. The other officials had tricked him and so he had to honour the edict. However, after a sleepless night, Darius hurried down to the Lion's Den and to his delight, found Daniel still alive. Because of this, Darius had the accusing officials thrown to the lions and they made a hasty feast.

It is often the case that when you are faithful to God or even your boss. other people will not like it. They expect you to be like them and rebel against whatever there is to rebel against. They want you to follow them and, when you don't they turn against you, making false accusations and talking behind your back. As Christians, we must get used to this type of thing. I pray daily with Open Doors for suffering people across the world. Some of them have nothing, not even a home to call their own. Those that have a Christian faith are treated terribly; they suffer imprisonment, torture and even death because of their faith and their refusal to stop being a Christian, You have to read these about their suffering to realise that this persecution is happening in our lifetime. These guys make our commitment puny in comparison. 

The disciples suffered, Jesus suffered and many Christians across the globe are suffering for their faith. But still, they won't renounce their faith. Consider joining Open Doors and you will see for yourself what is happening and how you can help.

Does it cost to be a Christian? Yes it does. Would you give up your faith in similar circumstances? That is a question only you know the answer to.

 

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  

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That sinking feeling

"He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure."   Psalm 40:2   CSB 

If you've ever been in quicksand you will know how terrifying this is. Quicksand can be found around sandy coastlines and is very difficult to spot until it's too late. It may also be found in woods near rivers and streams that have been subjected to prolonged water conditions making the ground very soft. It's a well known fact that the more you struggle, the more you will sink and this can be very dangerous if it is near a beach and the tide is due in. Experts tells us that it is best to remain calm and not to struggle too much because this can make a person sink further. If it is possible, the best thing to do is to lay back and wriggle until the legs become free. Others say, it may be possible to lay down on your front and attempt to swim, again trying to force the legs from their incredibly tight situation. Whatever you may do, it must be a very scary and terrifying thing to go through.

King David had this sinking feeling when he penned Psalm 40. He talks about being rescued from a desolate pit and mired clay. It was possibly some time before God rescued him but David, waited patiently V1. Obviously, this was just a picture that David was expressing but there are some similarities to being trapped in mud. Notice what David wrote in verse 2 'and set my feet on a rock.' Other versions may state 'Solid ground,' but the picture can still be seen that God was the rock or the solid ground. At this particular time, David was in a bit of a state and when He called out to God, He lifted him from this sinking feeling and made him feel that He was on solid ground. The rock - Jesus, saved him.

We see other evidences of this throughout the bible, such as, Daniel in the Lion's den Ch 6. Also Paul and Silas in the dungeons shackled in stocks and chains. On both occasions God protected and saved them (Acts 16).

You may be walking through a storm at this time, wondering just how you are going to be delivered from this quicksand feeling. Be encouraged, God is interested in helping you. You are His child and He will never leave you. Remember the disciples on their little boat in the storm? They were frightened that they would be drowned but, Jesus who was asleep in another part of the boat, calmed the storm and brought peace to their situation Mark 4:35-41.

Be encouraged, you may have that trapped or sinking feeling, but Jesus is a great rescuer. Call to Him.

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