Stop trying to be God. Part 2

"Get behind Me Satan. You are a hindrance to Me because you're not thinking about God's concerns, but human concerns."    Matthew 16:23     CSB

Let's carry on with Peter's attempts to come between God and His Son. We saw yesterday how Jesus addressed this swiftly. He was not going to allow the devil to take over the situation, through Peter's lack of wisdom. Satan poisons a person's words if he can and we, as God's people, need to be on guard for this type of thing. As I have often said, 'If you let the devil into the back seat, pretty soon he is going to want to drive' (KCM) and it is true, so be aware of this.

Every time you and I disagree, judge someone, criticise them, complain or back-bite them, you are not agreeing with Jesus, the devil is pulling your strings and this, may block a blessing from God. Note that when Peter agreed with Jesus, he was blessed (Matthew 16:17). But when he tried to prevent God's will, he was speaking from the devil and he became a hindrance and stumbling block. Think about it, he had the audacity to rebuke Jesus (v22) and try to forbid Him from carrying out His Father's will, saying, 'This will never happen to You.' It's possible that Jesus' words to him earlier in v17-19, had made him puffed up or too big for his boots. Initially, this can happen when we are placed in charge of people without the experience. Peter wasn't ready for this role; he had a lot more lessons to learn, and so do we.

A lesson to learn here is, we need to be quick to recognise evil. It comes so quickly and sometimes, from the most unlikely of sources. Don't become complacent, feeling all is well in your life. Remember Peter's warning in 1 Peter 5:8, 'Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.' It had cost Peter a lot to learn this lesson; we just can't afford to take a day off. Lions creep around very quietly in order to try and catch their prey. In comparison, check out a domestic cat in a garden when he's stalking a bird. Slowly he will crawl on his belly until he is close enough to pounce. If the bird is not alert, then his life is over. Similarly, this is how the devil creeps into situations in our own lives or church. 

Don't get me wrong, not everyone we meet is our enemy - far from it. However, there will be times when your spirit feels things are not quite right and that is the time to take notice. The Holy Spirit may be alerting you to a potential hindrance or stumbling block; so pay attention. Of course, to be alert about such things, you need to be connected to the Holy Spirit. This is why Paul tells us so often that we need to walk in the Spirit. To fail to do this is, to have the spiritual connection down in your communication channel.  Be sure that this does not happen.

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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Stop trying to be God!

"Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 'Oh no, Lord. This will never happen to You" v22                       Matthew 16:21-23   CSB

Jesus spoke some harsh words to Peter after this statement. From one point of view, it was quite surprising for this to happen, especially when He had just told Peter that he would be a 'rock' in the Kingdom of God (Matt 16:16-20.) But when you look at the bigger picture, Peter was trying to take over the will of God for Jesus. He told Him this would never happen. In other words, Peter began to dictate what Jesus should do and Jesus was having none of it, 'Get behind Me Satan. You are a hindrance to Me because you're not thinking about God's concerns, but human concerns.' Ouch, that must have hurt. Jesus had told Peter that he was a hindrance to Him or, in other words, a stumbling block. He was using words from Satan.

Think about this, you can use words, such as, 'Lord' and yet be talking straight from the devil. Peter was trying to protect Jesus. Well, that's not a bad thing from a human point of view. However, Jesus doesn't need protecting because, when you try, you begin to block the work of God. Don't get in God's way, when you do, you can do more damage than you realise. There are times when you just have to let God, do His work. He doesn't need your help. When you try, you begin to come from the fleshy side of your spirit, not the spiritual side.

Proverbs 18:21 says, 'Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it, will eat its fruit.' Peter was not speaking life when he spoke to Jesus, he was speaking death - death to the situation; death to Jesus on the cross forgiving our sins and giving us eternal life. If Jesus had listened to Peter, we would have had no hope - only death. This is why Jesus spoke the way He did to Peter. He spoke life into the situation - God's will would be done and nothing, absolutely nothing, would stop Jesus from doing this.

We, as Jesus' followers, need to do the same. We must choose our words wisely, we must speak life into a situation, not death. How many times has a God-given idea or direction bit the dust and died because someone was trying to be God to us? We need to be discerning when God speaks to us and once we know it is God speaking, carry out His will no matter what.

Just let this thought dwell within your spirit, 'We have the power to speak life or death to a situation.' Choose to speak life into whatever situation you find yourself in, and then see how things change in your Daily Life with 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  

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God is watching you!

"Where now is that great Nineveh?" v11    Nahum 2   NLT

The people of Nineveh had been given a chance to repent by God because of their despicable, plundering ways. They had briefly, when Jonah preached there. However,  they had soon returned to their wicked ways. There is a point for everyone after which, there is no turning back. Assyria had pushed this further than anyone and now, for them, it was too late. God's judgement was coming. All of us must realise and warn others that there is a need to repent while there is still time.  

Nineveh's massive source of wealth, was the result of the plunder they had taken from other nations. The Assyrians had taken the food and goods from starving and innocent people, to maintain their luxurious lifestyle. Depriving other people of what they need is something that, angers God and without repentance, He will repay this type of behaviour.

Look around at what is happening today. The many thousands who are suffering in Israel at this time. It is heartbreaking to see the live news reports of the suffering. God, no doubt has received the prayers from these people and from Christians around the world and He will not fail to come to their aid. However, He wants Israel to recognise Jesus, the Living God; the Saviour of the world. He is the answer to their needs. We need to pray that their eyes will be opened to this truth.

As the Lord said, 'Where now is that great Nineveh,' God will say to Israel's enemies. When He avenges, they will be dealt with like the brutal Assyrians. Read Nahum Chapter 2 in the light of what is happening today and pray accordingly. 

Let us not forget, that God watches us too. He sees the times when we practice hypocrisy. He sees the greed that takes us over when others close by, are struggling to make ends meet. We can't solve all the problems of people around us. However, when God asks us to give to a certain person, church or Christian movement, we need to act. We can't out-give God; whatever we sow, He will bring us a grand harvest. And it makes you feel good yourself, to know that you have helped a person or organisation in need.

After all, it's God's money in the first place, we are just stewards of what He provides for us. We have needs, of course we do. But for others, their needs are probably far greater - something to eat, somewhere to live and clothes to wear, especially as the weather is very damp and cold at present.

Why not ask God to show you who is in need? Remember, He is watching 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  

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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

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

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

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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

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