Daily life with Jesus by Grahame Howard

Thursday 28 December 2023

Be in charge of your ears

"You must all be: quick to listen." James 1:19 NLT

I can make no apology for addressing this subject again. I must do what the Holy Spirit tells me, and this is it. So for the next three days, we will look at the areas:

QUICK TO LISTEN - SLOW TO SPEAK - SLOW TO GET ANGRY

QUICK TO LISTEN

Many is the time that we just go about our business and don't really listen to what we are being told. We do it with the people around us, people at work and people in our families. We are even doing it with God and, that is serious. Now whether we do it on purpose, are too busy to stop and consider what is being said or, believe that we know it all, we are showing people no dignity.

These three examples above, display what could be considered, as a rude attitude. We may come up against people who are always critical about what we do, so we can tend to cut them out of our hearing, after all, what do they know about it all. We can be so busy that we say, 'Sorry, I just can't stop and speak right now. I'm up to my eyeballs with this job.' This leads to us thinking: These people know nothing about my business. I know what I am doing.' Do you recognise any of these? These all lead to a demonstration of being rude and wind people up so much that, they may feel, 'Well get on with it then. You know where I am when it goes wrong.'

You may not even recognise that you're doing this and that in itself, shows you that you may need some fine tuning. People around you want to help but, you can drive them away.

There is nothing more annoying than speaking with someone who is not really listening. You can see it; they look at their watch, look out of the window at something, answer their mobile when they're supposed to be listening to you. Are you like this? You're not giving anyone dignity if you are. If you do it with people, then you'll do it with God. 'No I won't.' No? What about those times when you're praying or reading your bible when suddenly, a thought comes into your mind and you start focusing on that instead of God? He is talking to you, it may be important but, you're not listening. It is rude.

There are a lot of hurting and confused people around you right now. Have you noticed them? God may be telling you to speak with them, help them or whatever. However, if you don't listen, you'll miss it altogether.

If this applies to you, then stop being self-centered. You may need someone to listen to you, one day and it may be sooner than you think. How will you feel if the person who can help is too busy to see you, or if you manage to see them, is writing something, answering a mobile, looking at their watch and showing you all the signs that they're too busy to listen to what you have to say? If you want to receive dignity, you must offer it as well, and one way is to listen to people and to God. Sorry, I'm only the messenger 😐

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'

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

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Wednesday 27 December 2023

It will all be ok!

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

John 16:33 NKJV

Many have asked why did Jesus speak this to His disciples that day. He wanted to reinforce the fact that in Him, they would have peace in a world of tribulation. Note the contrast between 'In Me' and 'in the world.' Being aware of this fact is essential. When Jesus is uppermost in our emotions, minds and will - our souls, He will send His peace that will guard us and strengthen us for whatever tribulation we may face. Don't forget that He has called us to be, 'more than conquerors' Romans 8:37. So therefore, in Jesus we will be able to confront all of the mountains that are going to come our way. Trying to go alone, we will meet this tribulation head on in our own strength and could be swallowed up.

He wants us to be happy and at peace. Things may have been difficult just lately but, in Him things will get better. This is what it is all about. Jesus gives us victory. Nothing can stop the King of kings. Satan thought he could when he tempted Him in the wilderness. But Jesus just spoke God's word to Him and by this, took authority and Satan had to flee. And it is the same for us. Jesus has given us authority too. Check out the final words of the gospels of Matthew and Mark. He has commissioned us to lay hands on the sick and they will recover. To cast out demonic activity; to make disciples for Jesus, to baptise them and teach them how to live for Jesus. That is a great commission Jesus has given us. And this is why we need to have God's peace on us and to operate in Jesus, not in the world.

So for your part, are you concerned about anything? Are you living in fear about sickness, financial loss, family, job concerns. Whatever it may be, if Jesus can commission you to do great things for Him, I am sure He can help you. Just receive His peace right now. He hasn't called you to go through tribulations on your own. He is right there with you, just a word away. Unload your concerns and problems on Him and then receive His peace. You know it makes sense.

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'

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

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Tuesday 26 December 2023

Goodness and Mercy

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6 NKJV

At night time, a shepherd would lay at the doorway to the sheepfold for two reasons, (a) to prevent the sheep escaping and (b) to prevent anything or anyone entering who could cause danger to them. King David would do this, and as he lay there, he remembered all of the things that God had blessed him with - goodness, mercy and unfailing love, and music would come to his mind.

We are blessed with the same goodness and mercy that David longed for and, this is because we serve the same God as he did. The difference is that, we can go that much further because, we know Jesus as our personal Saviour here on earth. David had to wait until he reached heaven.

This term 'goodness and mercy,' so blessed a shepherd somewhere in North England, that he called his two sheep dogs, 'Goodness' and 'Mercy,' so that he would remember just how good Jesus is. He actually wrote a book about this. Sadly I cannot remember the author's name or title of the book. This was written back in the 80's. But the term was written in the idea that it is almost like God had two sheep dogs who watched over us. It was pleasant reading and made one think.

The thing is here is, goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our life. Everywhere we go, they are there, loving us and protecting us. Whatever problem we have; whenever things go wrong and if things get dangerous, God is there with His goodness and mercy and the bonus is, when the time is right, we'll continue to enjoy His goodness and mercy in heaven.

This Boxing Day, try and find a time where you can reflect on the fact that Jesus loves you, adores you and can't get enough of you and God's goodness and mercy are always around you. Amen? Amen.

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'

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