Remember what God told you

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."   Joshua 1:9   NKJV 

God told Joshua that He would be with Him wherever he would go. That must have been very comforting for Joshua, a young leader with an awesome job to carry out. But hold on, didn't Jesus tell you and I the same thing? 

'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commissioned you; an lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age' Matthew 28:18-20.

Yes, He did say that He would be with us, always, even to the very end. Therefore, we need to remember this promise because, we will need this encouragement from time to time. Think of the many struggles you have been through and forgot about this or, didn't realise that Jesus is with you always. From now on, whenever you face an enemy and are tempted to be afraid, remember that you are a man or woman with a divine commission. I read a story the other day about John Wesley. He was walking down a road when a man, of awesome size stood right in front of him blocking his way. When Wesley asked him why he wouldn't move, the man replied, 'Because I never get out of the way for a fool.' Wesley thought about this and replied, 'Well I do,'  and then proceeded to step to the side and go around him.'  

                                                             Watch your Mouth, Copyright (2016) Tony Evans

I love this story and I'm amazed that the man never chased after Wesley. This proves that God was with him and faithful to His promise.

God is an awesome God and, great to be with. He can be witty, like the story above and, He can have a serious side but, He is 100% behind you. These is no need to fear - anything. God has the answer; He knows the way, He can fix anything and He is an awesome partner to walk along with. If people in the street could view you properly, they would see you and Jesus together and very large angels escorting. Think of that, the next time you face a fearful situation. You are not alone, you have the full Team Jesus around you and , because you are 'More than a conqueror through Him who loved us' (Rom 8:37), you have the victory. So don't ever forget that.

If you don't know Jesus or have fell away, here is a prayer for you:

'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

 

 

 

Personal Evaluation. - Final Part

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."  

                                                              Colossians 3:17 NKJV

CONCLUSION

So over the past four days or so, we have looked at five areas in which we have evaluated our walk with Jesus: HEARING, SIGHT, SPEAKING, STATE OF YOUR HEART and THE PATH TO WALK. How have you got on? Bob Gass wrote, 'It's much simpler to act like a Christian than it is to react like one. Anyone can put on an act. But your reactions expose what is really in your heart. And if you love God with all your heart, you won't merely act like it. You will react like it.' Wise words. God knows our hearts and we can't hide anything from Him, He sees it all and hears it all. 

You may have been challenged about what you hear. Hearing is ok but, it is what you do about it that makes the difference. Therefore gossip, criticism and judging people have to stop. If you were meant to judge someone, you would have been given a curly white wig and a black gown. But you wasn't, so it has to stop.

It is the same with what we see. The television and videos can be a great culprit here. The images we view, if we are not careful, try to take up residence in our minds and they lead to sin. It is a difficult area, we switch the TV on and all of a sudden we view what arouses things that we thought we had forgotten. Young men and women watch violent movies in which they consider it is ok to stab someone and, some act out the image that they have seen and someone's life and family are ripped apart. So, this type of thing plants violence within the heart.

What we say can change our lives. We put curses on ourselves with everyday talk, such as, 'I wish I was dead,' when things are going wrong in our lives. We need to watch what we are confessing; telling yourself that you are useless when you fail at something is, not the way to go. 'I will never be able to do this,' is another. Think before you speak, take hold of the wrong words, search your heart for why you're saying them and ask Jesus for help. 

My guess is that you are just like everyone else. We try our best and when it goes wrong, we tend to want to give up. At this point, don't. Continue to push forward because you are in training, with Jesus, you're under new management but, you still have a long way to go. Remember, you are a work in progress. You're under construction and it takes time to reach the place you are heading - heaven. As a man and woman of God, you are qualified, you just haven't picked up the diploma yet. You'll get that when you stand before the King of kings. Until then, carry on soldier; you're doing well. 

If you don't know Jesus or have fell away, here is a prayer for you:

'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

 

 

Personal Evaluation Part 4

"Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or left; remove your foot from evil."   Proverbs 4:26-27  NKJV

MAKE SURE YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT PATH!

Warren W Wiersbe writes:

'The Lord is weighing our ways (Proverbs 5:21) and our hearts (21:2), as well as our actions (1 Sam 2;3) and we had better do the same. Life is too short and too precious to be wasted on the temporary and the trivial. If we're walking in the way of wisdom, God promises to protect our plans, direct our paths and perfect our paths.'

The Lord wants us to examine ourselves and to know ourselves more and more. It is time to lose the pretence; it is time for fact - the fact that we know Jesus Christ lives within us and we need to live accordingly. Time is short, we just don't know the hour when Jesus may return. We don't even know the hour that we will cease to live here on earth. Things can happen in the blink of an eye. Therefore, we must be ready, standing 

firm in the knowledge that Jesus is our Lord and Saviour.

The question must be asked, 'Where are you going to? If your answer is that you're heaven bound, then you have chosen the path Jesus is on and He will happily direct you. But if you're not sure, then there is a decision to be made. If you have asked Jesus into your life, then this is the way you have chosen to go. If you haven't chosen Him then, you need to do something about this and quickly. Jesus is coming soon.

Today's text tells us not to turn to the right or the left, as we walk with Jesus, on the right path. Isaiah 30:21 tells us: 'Your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, "This is the way, walk in it." Whenever you turn to the right hand or, whenever you turn to the left.' Do you get that? As we put Jesus in charge of us, He has the Sat Nav - the Holy Spirit, who will guide us along the right path.

Jesus' way is foolproof but, it can be difficult. There are many mountains that you will have to negotiate; many troubles or battles to face and there may be a few upsets as well. But, it is all worth it, you will find this out one day when He calls you before Him and greets you. Have you ever considered that you will meet Jesus Christ face to face? Because, if you take the right path - the way of Jesus, it is certain that you will.

Until then, Keep going; you are doing ok and making good progress. Don't let anyone tell you different.

If you don't know Jesus or have fell away, here is a prayer for you:

'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

 

 

Personal Evaluation. Part 3

"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."  

                                           Proverbs 4:23   NKJV

What is the spiritual condition of your heart? We've looked at this area just lately and the state of it is very important. It can't be overlooked for: 'out of it spring the issues of life.'

IS YOUR HEART BEATING IN STEP WITH GOD?

What occupies the attention of your heart? If we pollute our heart with sin it becomes like an infection and spreads to other areas. Our minds become embraced with what the heart is pouring out and without attention, this will quickly lead to an unhealthy appetite and possible shame. From thereon, the words we speak confirm that we are not flowing in God. 

In order to promote themselves, some people may use flattery towards others: 'They speak idly everyone with his neighbour; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak' Psalm 12:2. They do this to make themselves look like people of God that no church should be without. They are always eager to please and get into prominent positions within a church. Their intentions may be genuine but their hearts are promoting themselves and not Jesus. 

At the other end of the spectrum, we ourselves may be living two different lives - one life set aside for God and all that goes with this and, the other life, living hypocritically - praising God one minute and getting involved in things we shouldn't, the next. This can take the form of gossiping about people in the church, criticising them and finding nothing good to say about most things. Jesus Himself, addressed this in Matthew 12:34-37: 'For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of it in the day of judgement. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.'

These are very strong words that Jesus uses. He is telling us straight; we can't say we didn't know about this. It is written down in His blood, the blood He shed for all of us, on the cross. We need to get it right - NOW! It'll be too late when we are standing before Him.

Why not join me in prayer: 'Lord Jesus, please forgive me for all of the idle words that I have spoken about someone; all of the gossip that I have spread and all of the criticism I have been involved in too. And Lord for the times that I have been unworthy of you by my actions and deeds. I am sorry. In Jesus' Name. Amen'

And if you don't know Jesus or have fell away, here is a prayer for you:

'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