This is only the beginning

"Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay side every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  

                                                                             Hebrews 12:1-2   NKJV

I watched a film last night - 'Bonhoeffer - Agent of Grace'. This featured a German pastor during WWII, who lived away from Germany but felt the call to go back there:

'Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian and anti-Nazi dissident who was a key founding member of the Confessing Church. His writings on Christianity's role in the secular world have become widely influential; his 1937 book The Cost of Discipleship is described as a modern classic. Living in America, he felt the call to return to Germany even though it could cost him his life. Those close to him advised him not to return to Germany, but a doctor insisted that he must due to his religious beliefs. Despite the possibility of persecution by the Nazis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer did return to Germany and preached of the Jews and against Hitler and his Nazi agenda, causing a great stir.'  Sourced from Wikipedia

It is a great film and pushes home the importance of having Jesus in your life and making a stand for Him. One thing that struck me was Bonhoeffer's words towards the end of the film. An SS officer told Him, 'This is the end'. Bonhoeffer's reply was 'No it is not,' meaning this is only the beginning. 

Things come to an end in this life and it maybe life itself. However, for the Christian, it is only the beginning. We have heaven to look forward to where we will meet Jesus, face to face; and where we will live eternally - no more death or sickness. This also encourages us here on earth that, if a door closes God is sure to open another door. Never be frightened of things coming to an end because, it is only the beginning of something that may be even better to what we have left. Jesus can be trusted; He will never close a door, leaving us out in the cold. No, when He closes a door, He goes with us and takes us personally through the new one. He can be trusted.

So have the attitude that this is not the end, it is only the beginning!

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 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

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How God loves me so much!

"Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD forever."   Psalm 23:6. NKJV

Think back over the time you have known Jesus and remember all of the wonderful things He has done for you. He loves us so much and simply can't get enough of you. Did you hear that? He can't get enough of you. He wants to spend each hour with you. Impossible, you may say. No it's not, He is God and can do whatever He chooses to do.

David's words above say it all, God's goodness and unfailing love will pursue us, every day of our life.And don't forget the important finale, 'You will live in the house of the LORD forever.' God has a nice house; how do I know because, He has been getting it ready for us some 2000 years. Read your bible, especially Revelation where all is described. It will be amazing!

In Psalm 138, David also mentions three very important, life-filled verses. Listen to this:

V3 'In the day that I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength. in my soul'

V7 'Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will receive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.'

V8  'The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy O LORD, endures forever'

God has our backs and He will walk with us daily making sure that we are kept safe. He has angels that will minister to us when we need them. Obviously we don't call out to an angel, we call out to God and If He feels the we need this kind of help, He will delegate it. He has a purpose for your life and, He will ensure that it is fulfilled. No wonder we call out, 'Oh Give thanks to the LORD for His is good! For His mercy endures forever.' Psalm 138:1. He is incredible, and there is moire 'Who remembered us in our lowly state. for His mercy endures forever. 24 And rescued us from our enemies, for His mercy endures forever. 25 Who gives food to all flesh, for His mercy endures forever. 26 'Oh give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.' Psalm 136:23-26. NKJV

There is nothing moire that I can add to this, it says it all. God is glorious, wonderful and our friend. Will He ever let you down? Never!

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 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

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How do we please God?

"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God".  Micah 6:8  NLT

People may try all kinds of ways to please God but, there is only one formula that will work and, that is:

(1)  Remain honest in all you do

(2)  Cherish compassionate faithfulness

(3)  Commit yourself to live in submission to Him

There are people-pleasers, those who will stop at nothing to please a leader in one way or another. This may be to gratify their own yearnings to be noticed and favoured so that they are given a special task or position that they have been wanting. This may work for a time, that is until someone else comes along and is chosen over them. Then they are shattered.

Alternatively, God will not receive God-pleasers - those that try to wriggle there way into a position of authority within a church or a special position with God. God has no favourites, we are all equal, there are no star pupils or disciples. (Matthew 18:1-3)

Ask yourself these questions:

(1)  Are you fair in your dealings with people?

(2)  Do you show mercy to those who wrong you, or do you have a record of wrongs?

(3)  Are you learning humility?

The only sacrifice that we can make towards God is, the sacrifice of ourselves - giving every part of us to Him and, being ready to do whatever He may ask us to do. God wants changed lives not burnt offerings. He wants His people to act justly. This means having integrity, acting with compassion towards others and being faithful in all we do. The sacrifice that God wants from us is to be a Living Sacrifice (Roman 12:1-2). Not just doing Godly deeds but living rightly, putting others before us and placing God first in our life. 

It is impossible to follow God in any other way. This is why it is never easy to be a Christian. For many, the cost is too high. But ask yourself this, wasn't the sacrifice God made for us in placing His one and only Son, the Lord Jesus, on the cross to die in our place to give all who believe in Him, eternal life? Wasn't that the greatest of all sacrifices? God stopped at nothing and Jesus was totally obedient to His Father by carrying out His request. Now, to all those who believe in Him and live for Him they have the assurance that when they die, they will have a share in the Kingdom Of God.

So, to conclude, Remain honest in all you do, living with compassion and faithfulness in your heart and commit yourself to live in total submission to Jesus Christ, your King and you Saviour.

This is what Daily Life with Jesus is all about!

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 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

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The road is never easy

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.  

                                                                  Matthew 7:13-14. NKJV

Some people feel that the road to heaven and Jesus, is easy; we just ask Jesus into our lives and then, we are saved, our sin forgiven and rubber stamped marked, 'Special delivery to Heaven'. If only it was, that easy. Jesus here is telling His disciples that the gateway to heaven is narrow and difficult for anyone who finds this route. Many don't make it. 

Broad and wide is the road that leads to destruction and many find this. It can be described the 'Highway to hell', because it is the easy route. Many people go this route and many others follow them expecting to have a relationship with God. However, it is the road to destruction and it is called Religion. It is an easy road to take but it comes with a cost, it leads to devastation - a place where people live eternity in total torment. They never see their born again loved ones again and have no access to Jesus. They just live in regret that they gave up everything and now it is too late. They may be able to see believers with Jesus throughly enjoying themselves and living the life that they can never have.

We can't get away from the fact though, that living a Christian life is never easy. We still have flesh on our bodies that is corrupted by sin and what we want to do, we end up doing the opposite. We know that committing sin is wrong and yet, we still do it. No matter how hard we try we still find ourselves lusting after sex, reading or watching books or videos that are sexually explicit. As we watch, our minds become more corrupted. 

We still lose our temper with some people and use words that are so offensive and yet it doesn't stop us. We listen and crack inappropriate jokes and may drink too much alcohol, making a total fool of ourselves and hiding away the next morning because people may be talking and it's better to stay out of the way.

What is happening? Why do we do this when we know we shouldn't? It is because there is sin still within us. The conflict is that we agree with God's commands but, we cannot do them. This causes a great tension in our daily Christian life and we are painfully aware of our sin. We may stop it for a time but, it is short-lived and we find ourselves committing the same things again and again. The Apostle Paul knew all about this and his remedy was to go back to the beginning of his spiritual life and remembering how Jesus freed him. He recognised the freedom that Jesus offers all of us and he also knew that we were a work in progress (Philippians 1:6.)

Therefore, don't give up, we are all the same and we can make some progress by remembering all Jesus has done for each one of us and, even though we let Him down many times, know that He is loving and forgiving. Thank you Lord.

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 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

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The Fragrance of Jesus

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place."  2 Corinthians 2:14  NKJV

Have you ever been in a place and you look at someone and somehow, you know that they are a believer? This is the fragrance of God. Paul, above, says that the fragrance of His knowledge is diffused (Manifested) in every place. Therefore, wherever you are, when you are walking with Jesus, His fragrance will be picked up by others. This is why there are bad reactions from some people who just do not like you. You have done nothing to them, they just know that you are different and they do not want this. When Jesus is around, the devil doesn't like it one bit.

From the other side of the coin, when we meet with a fellow believer, you both may be able to pick up this wonderful fragrance that can only come from the Holy Spirit. And when this happens to you, it can be such a blessing. This shows that you are walking in the Spirit of God. So there are two avenues that are created by your presence when you walk into a room:

(1)  Fellow believers can feel the presence of God coming from you. They are drawn to you and, whether or not they mention this, they feel secure in your presence. Non-believers can also tell that there is something about you that makes them feel drawn to you. This is not sexual at all, the attraction is the Holy Spirit drawing them to you. They may speak; they may not but you have the opportunity to open a conversation with them and as the conversation goes on, speak about Jesus. You will be surprised how many people want to learn about Jesus and how He can make a difference in a person's life. The Holy Spirit has prepared the way and given you this opportunity.

(2). Of course, there will be obstacles in the way. Satan will do all he can to prevent anyone coming to know Jesus. He doesn't like you and, he doesn't particularly like the person you may speak with. He is on guard to prevent anyone even coming near to the kingdom of God and, if you are the instrument God is using, he will try to stop you any way that he can. So be careful.

You need to realise that, since you became a Christian, God anointed you, you carry the anointing of Jesus wherever you go and, this is why people are drawn to you. John Wimber once said that he was in a small store getting a few groceries when he noticed a little old lady following him around, staring and smiling. It made him a little uneasy at first and then God showed him that it was the fragrance of Jesus attracting her. He stopped and spoke to her and said, 'You like that don't you?' She replied, 'Yes I do, what is it?' John said, 'It's the Holy Spirit; draw near to God and receive.' And he laid hands on her and brought her to know Jesus right in the middle of the store.

This is what I am talking about - The fragrance of the Holy Spirit. As you walk in the Spirit, you too will have the similar things happen to you. Are  you prepared and ready for this?

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 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

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Be a Difference-Maker

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."  1 Timothy 4:12  NKJV

Just what is a Difference-Maker? It is what it is - wherever you go, whatever you do and whatever you say, it makes a difference. There is too much copying today. People become inspired by someone who is making a difference, who stands out in the crowd and they mimic them. We can't do this. Yes, we can model ourselves on someone but we can't be an exact copy of that person who impresses you. We can have role models but, we must be ourselves not a carbon copy of someone else. If God had wanted this, He would have cloned you.

Making a difference is being determined not to follow the crowd. If God has given you a mission then, carry out that mission. Don't take someone else with you for support or back up. If God had wanted that He would have said so. No, it is your mission so, go and get it.

When we are a Difference-Maker, some people don't like it. They will begrudge you coming in and changing things. I know a pastor who went to lead a church with a troubled history. On his first Sunday, he stood before the packed congregation and told them what he was going to do with the church and what he expected from them. He then ended his talk with the words: 'All those who are with me, remain seated, the rest, please leave the church right now.' Out of the packed church, nine people remained and he told them, 'Right, we can now concentrate on building this church.' And he did. He built a thriving church that is still going today.

You see, there are changes that have to be made in certain areas and to do this, one has to be ruthless in carrying this work out. This church had been fighting against each other for years as many burnt out pastors could testify. It needed a Difference-Maker to change things. 

Are you a Difference-Maker? Has God given you a mandate of what He wants you to do? It may not be anything to do with a church but it may be just as important. Make sure that this is what God wants you to do and give it a go. You may have to approach your pastor and speak with him about changes you feel God is wanting within the church. Pastors are not perfect and they need some support and advice at times. If that's you, go for it. 

The thing is, the time has come for all of us to stop and ask ourselves, ''Do I make a difference wherever I am?'  God needs Difference-Makers even if the differences are concerning yourself. None of us have it perfectly right. Many things need tweaking or changing. Difference-Makers can help do this!

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 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

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

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"I've got this covered'

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."                                        Psalm 46:10  NKJV 

When times are rough or perhaps, in chaos, God wants us to involve Him in the situation. There are times, when we can make things worse by trying to take on what we shouldn't. A footnote in, The Spirit Filled Life Bible grabbed my attention. It reads:

'Be still: This is not a call for silent worship. v10 is the voice of God addressing the wicked, warring nations with a warning. In other words, 'Cease and desist; it is I, God who will be exalted in victory; you do not have a chance at winning.' 

Often this verse is read that we should remain still and leave things to Him. However, this description pads it out much more. God is actually warning the nations that are attacking God's people to step back, stop it right now. They have no chance in taking God on and coming out victorious.

Let's consider this. We often think that it is us that should 'be still' but here, God is quite clearly telling the attackers to be still - to stop what they're doing. Yes, it does refer to us as well; we do need to 'be still' and get out of the way so God can do His work. He has this covered when we do this. But the main message is, the attacker is ordered by God to stop the attack.

This shines a light on what we need to do when people come up against us intending to do battle. All we have to do is turn our heart towards God in confidence and, He'll do what needs to be done. It's that simple. The bottom line though is doing this. We need to check our reactions and get them in line with God's word. I remember some years ago, I was at a Gospel meal and a chap got up and gave his testimony. Apparently, at this man's place of work, a certain chap had been bullying him and making his life a misery because of his faith. After a while, this had begun to get him down and he called on God to stop this man from persecuting and hurting him so much. That very day, this bully died of a heart attack. He had been attacking one of God's people and so the recipient had called on God to help and then became 'still.' You may think this is quite extreme but, God is true to His word and when we get out of the way, He will act on our behalf. Never doubt that.

Whatever you are undergoing at this time, God has got it covered. Don't try to handle it yourself, let God do the work, He's bigger than you and much more experienced. 'Be still' and God will warn the attacker to also 'Be still and cease this action.' If they don't, they must receive what God has for them. He is loving but also, He's a formidable figure to come up against.

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 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

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

Check it out