Things may change , suddenly

"So then, we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary , but what is unseen is eternal"    2 Corinthians 4:18   CSB

Life is just fine and, suddenly, things can change. Now this may be for the better but, it can also be much worse. Sadly, this is life and, to a degree we have to live with it. However, we can change the way we look at things. Rather like yesterday's reading where it said, 'Always look on the bright side of life.' we can look at things through the eyes of faith, which incidentally, we should be doing all the time.

A sudden illness, followed by a bad diagnosis, can bring one into panic, the sudden change has caused our brain to be  totally confused, unable to process what is happening. However, we don't have to take what the doctor says as the final word - this is a bad report. We can decide to believe for a good report, believing Jesus heals today and, by His stripes, I am healed. 

It is similar to other bad reports such as, you have been made redundant and there are no jobs to be found in the area. You can believe Jesus for a good report, I have done this personally and was blessed. You see, the apostle Paul told us to, 'Walk by faith, not by sight' 2 Cor 5:7. We either live by God's word or we don't. We're not called to 'I'll stand on my faith, but it may not work'. That kind of philosophy will get you nowhere, you are negating what you have said straight away.

Tony Evans comments on this verse:

'So if your tribulations seem long and heavy, you're looking at the wrong thing. To put it another way, if all you see is what you see, then you do not see all there is to be seen! Paul is not saying we must close our eyes to the reality of our suffering; he's saying we need to open our eyes by faith to unseen realities that will last forever. An eternal perspective gives the believer the ability to handle the struggles of this life.'

                                            The Tony Evans Bible Commentary: Advancing God's Kingdom

Remember, the  Mustard Seed? Jesus said, 'If you have faith the size of a Mustard Seed, you will tell this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matt 17:21-22. So, get ready to handle the changes that are coming you way. Handle them in faith.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

'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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Always look on the bright side of life

"A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones."  

                                            Proverbs 17:22   NKJV

Eric Idle, part of the Monty Python team, wrote this song in 1976. Although, the film it was written for was controversial, the song has survived the track of time. It has the ability to make you feel happy as you sing it. (You're probably humming it now).

Many things in life, rob us of the joy that God has placed in our hearts but, if we can look at them differently, things look just that little bit better, hence the title of the song. Just a few examples can be:

(1)  You wake up late for work. First thought PANIC! Alternate thought, 'Well, I needed the sleep'

(2)  You run out of petrol. First thought Again PANIC! Alternate thought, at least there's a petrol station just up the road.

(3)  You get drenched walking to the garage. Alternate thought, at least I am alive and wet through.

(4)  You're snowed in and can't get to the shops. Alternate thought, thank goodness, I have food in the freezer.

There are many examples you could add to this list I am sure, The thing is, looking at things from the other side - the alternate view, you can turn something from a negative to a positive and this is important for survival of your nervous system. Viewing things in this way, also bring a kind of joy, it's almost like you are saying, 'Oh well, I'm sure we'll manage, it may not be ideal but at least it is helpful.'

God wants us looking on the bright side of life (Phil 4:8) and we can see Jesus in this verse.. Now look at Nehemiah 8:10 and you'll see why, 'Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.' For our survival in the Christian world, we need strength and the joy of the Lord, gives us this. Also walking in the armour of God (Ephesians 6) is essential. 

Therefore, we need to be dressed properly, we need to be strong and joyful, using this to look at alternate ways to survive, so that we can shout out, 'Always look on the bright side of life.' So why not put it into action, today!

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

Just Praise Jesus

 "Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul. 2 While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."   Psalm 146:1-2   NKJV

The Psalmist here, is encouraging us to praise the Lord while we are still alive. This is the time to start praising Him on a daily basis, not just when we are in heaven. Today, Jesus deserves your praise so give it to Him from your soul - your mind, will and emotions. All the things that are negative and on your mind, cast them onto Jesus; make your will, His will and refuse to think of all the hurts that you have been through. This is a new day that Jesus woke you up to. A new day - a new start. Make it count.

The song writer Roy Jr Hicks wrote this praise song that we all know:

'Praise the name of Jesus, Praise the name of Jesus. He's my Rock, He's my Fortress, He's my Deliverer. in Him shall I trust. Praise the name of Jesus'   

                                                                                                           Copyright Roy Jr Hicks

Just open your hearts to Jesus and praise and worship Him. Let the words of this song and the text above, be your template for pouring out your praise to Him. He is a good God - the only true God. Why not follow my prayer below:

'O Lord Jesus, we give You praise today. Thank you for this day; thank you that I am alive to share in this day, walking with You in harmony. Lord, where would I be without You. I remember the times when I came so close to death but, you were there beside me and lifted me up almost as if You were saying, "Not yet, it is not your time". Thank you Lord that even when I have been so rebellious and unworthy, You have declared me righteous and worthy of Your love. You have given me so much, thank you for those who love me and share my life, I am so grateful to You. But, more than anything, I thank you that You came into my life at just the right time. I will never forget that wonderful time. All the money in the world could not have made that time any better. You were there when I was broken, rejected and heading nowhere. Therefore, I take this moment to praise and worship You for being there for me when others have passed me by. You are the one that I praise and honour this morning. You are the one that I offer my life, love and all I have.

Thank you Lord. Amen.'

Place this prayer in your bible if you wish or, write something from your heart and use it to thank Jesus with. Jesus will never stop loving you, no matter what. He is the Wonderful Counsellor, the Prince of Peace and the Risen King of kings. Amen?

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