The Rich Young Ruler

"Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” v21 of Matthew 19:16-22.  NKJV

One day, a rich, young ruler came to Jesus asking Him what good deed he could do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told the young man to keep the commandments, to which he replied that he had done this since his youth. Jesus knew that this would have been an impossible task; the law was too difficult to keep, and yet, he was claiming that he had kept them all this time. Jesus could see that the man had not kept the commandments - they were impossible, but he had made a god of his wealth, not honouring the first commandment Exodus 20:3. He was wealthy but his neighbours were poor and in need.

Jesus knew this man's heart and could see his selfishness, He therefore said to him, 'If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me.'  v21. This verse does not teach salvation by works. Rather Jesus was proving the error of the man's claims to have fulfilled God's law (v20). If the young man loved his neighbour to the extent required by the law of Moses (v19) he would have had no difficulty in giving away his wealth to a needy person. No one, as rich as they may be, can buy their way into heaven because of their good deeds. There will be some shocks when some stand before God at the end of the day and He asks, 'Why should I allow you into my heaven?' It will not work to tell Him that you gave millions to the starving people of the world along with a host of good deeds. There is only one way one can be allowed into heaven, and that is to have Jesus as your Lord and Saviour 'I'm the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' John 14:6. If you never knew this, realise it today before it is too late. We get into heaven by grace, not by works Ephesians 2:8.

To add to this, no one, except Jesus, is perfect in the kingdom of God. Perfectionism is rooted in fear, so when the so-called perfectionist attempts to be perfect, he becomes to fearful when he can't reach this position. No one can spin the plates and keep them running for very long.

So, let us forget trying to be perfect for Jesus. He knows we can never do it. This is why He rescued us by dying on the cross for our sins. Be yourself, but never stop trying to fulfil God's will. He will be right there to help you.

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

Lord Jesus, I have sinned   

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 Priceless Pearl

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

                                                                     Matthew 13:44-46   NKJV

The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price both stress the amazing value of the kingdom. From one point of view, it is expected that a person should be willing to part with everything in order to buy and possess the kingdom by following Jesus. In contrast, it shows us that Jesus is the purchaser who gave His all to secure the kingdom and to give us eternal life. Notice I said 'should be willing'. It is not compulsory, Jesus wants us to have wealth. However, it must not take His place.

One thing's for sure; it is all or nothing in the kingdom of God, there are no short cuts or compromises. Take for example the account of the rich, young ruler who asked how he could obtain eternal life. Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. When discussing this further with His disciples later, Jesus said:

“Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.24And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”25When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”26But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.30But many who are first will be last, and the last first.  Matthew 19:23-30

Jesus wants us to be happy and wealthy. He has no problem with that. However, our riches must come second to Him. He must be pre-eminent in all we do, say and how we live. And when you consider that He values and classes us to be priceless pearls, as we give Him the same value in our lives, we will truly shine for Jesus.

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

Lord Jesus, I have sinned   

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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Whatever He says to you, do it!

"Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

                                                                         John 2:4-5   NKJV

Jesus and His mother, Mary, went to a wedding in Cana. This could well have been a family celebration. Halfway through the celebration, the wine ran out. This would have been a humiliating situation for the bride and groom because some wedding feasts could go on for days. Just the fact that Mary turned to Jesus to tell Him the wine had ran out, suggests that this may well have been a family concern. Jesus' response was that His time had not come yet and appears to have been a refusal to become involved. However, Mary recognised something in Jesus that told her He would respond and help. This is why she spoke to the servants with, 'Whatever He says to you, do it.'  There is nothing to suggest that Mary wanted to rush Jesus' ministry, it was just the fact that, she felt obliged to help her family and therefore she asked her son for assistance. Jesus is always willing to help, especially in times such as this. It is not only the serious things of life that we can call out to Him, but the everyday matters and Jesus' response here confirms this.

As Jesus gets to work directing the servants what to do. He tells them to fill the six large pots of stone with water. It must have seemed a strange thing to do but, there is no indication that the servants had made a comment about this. As they tasted the wine, to their amazement it was the finest of wines. This is amazing but, so is the volume of wine that was produced, The six pots would have contained 180 gallon of wine which if one equates this to pint bottles = 1440 and expected 3 glasses from each bottle this must have been to the equivalent of 4320 glasses of wine. Amazing. If you are having a wedding or party, Jesus must be your number one guest.

This really confirms that what we give to Jesus - the empty jars, He will give you back more than you will ever need. With Jesus, there is always the feeling that the best is yet to come. This is why life with Him is always exciting. We never know what He is going to do for us. He can do what we ask, we just need to be obedient and trust Him. 

When you find yourself in a problem, the first thing to do is, call on Him. This is so important. When this is done, there is mostly the waiting time, but not always, He can act in a flash if this is what is needed. But mostly, there is a wait. This is not because He wants to make us wait. We don't know that He has to do to bring the answer to our request. There may be some preparation that needs His attention before He answers. So trust Him and be patient. And remember, 'Whatever He says to you, do it!"

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

Lord Jesus, I have sinned   

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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You ain't seen nothing yet!

"Look among the nations and watch - Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you"  Habakkuk 1:5  NKJV

Just think, you may have been sitting on the subs-bench for a long time, with no hope of joining the game. And then suddenly, you are chosen to join the game. You may have been waiting for that 'Special person'  to come into your life and are tempted to give up. And then, he or she are there and happiness gives birth in your life.

The sleepless nights you have endured with the fear that things will never change for the better. All around you, all you see is pain and heartache and you long to be able to do something to help - but what? Frustration; you've tried applying for that decent job, only to be pipped at the post by someone else. 

'What can I do?' you cry out. You feel a little like Moses when God told Him to go to Pharaoh and rescue the Israelites. And you remember that Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt.'  Ex 3:11. And then you hear a still, small voice saying 'I AM, WHO I AM' Ex 3:14. And then God tells you 'I AM He who: Feeds you, Heals you, looks after you. Whatever you need I AM able.' Built around Matt 6:28-34

'That couldn't happen' you may say. Oh yes it could and may to some of you. You see, God looks for the faithful heart. He looks for the one who may moan a lot but is faithful enough to get the job done. Planet Earth has not given up on you yet, not at all. But God may be preparing you for something very special and only you are able to do it’ 'I can't do anything' Oh yes you can, God will train you and give you the confidence to do the work. Study Moses in Exodus Ch 3+4. He came up with every excuse under the sun but, God matched him on every one. 'Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, Hab 1:5. You can do all that God says you can do; because you are handpicked by Him to do some special task for Him.

'Ok then, what should I do?' God has the answer for you, right here: 'Also I heard the voice of the LORD saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I. Send me'

Isaiah 6:8

So that is your answer, are you willing to say that to the Lord?

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

Lord Jesus, I have sinned   

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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Covetousness

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5  NKJV

In a footnote in The Spirit Filled Life Bible, it reads: 

'Covetousness and financial fear are overcome by a contentment founded on the assurance of God's constant presence and the promises He extends to us to supply our daily needs.'

We should never fall to the level of covetousness, it is totally not of God. He is our supplier and, He knows what is good for us. Let us look at what it actually means. I wrote this note some years ago in my bible and it goes like this:  'Covetousness includes seeking personal recognition and wanting power over others. It can be the need to be the centre of attention and craving for what other people have - house, wealth, wife, husband, car, job and success, to describe a few things. It can include being ungrateful for what God has given us. Moaning and grumbling and never being satisfied. We need to be content; what God has given us in Jesus is far better. 

God becomes angry when we are ungrateful, for example 'He gave them their request but sent leanness upon them' (Psalm 106:15 / Numbers 11:16-21). If your goals are God-centred, He helps us to achieve them. But if you're asking Him for something just because your neighbour has it, you'll be disappointed'.

It can be natural to look at what other people have and want it yourself, especially if they're driving around in a brand new sports car and you have to make do with an old banger. The same as entering someone else's home and seeing all the mod-cons that they have and returning to your own small place that is practically falling down. The thing is, life goes in seasons and the act of gratefulness to God for what He has given you is all you need. Who knows, you may be living in a nice home and driving around in a sports car this time next year. It's possible, but you won't get this by lusting after what someone else has.

The thing is, what you have is what God has given you. Don't covet what someone else has, speak with God about what you would like. Then leave it with Him. If this is in His plan for your life, you will get it, if not just be grateful for what you do have. 

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

Lord Jesus, I have sinned   

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

Life is so good

"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future".
                                                                           Ecclesiastes 7:14. NIV

Some may not think so but, we have everything to be grateful for and life is so good. Some things we just can't fathom out why they have happened but, as believers in Jesus, we know, without doubt that He will work things out for us and, He is in control. If you back up to verse 13, we read: 'Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked.' It is true, we can try in our own strength to change things but we'll only get a headache trying to do this. When our life goes out of control, we need to thank God that everything is in His control. Sometimes, from our earthly viewpoint life sometimes seems unfair (v15). But it isn't as we view life through our spiritual perspective.

If, when things are not going well, we can believe that God is in control, it will all be okay, we can begin to relax and enjoy the life that God has given us. If we don't enjoy life this way, the things are still going to happen so, we might as well relax in God and accept what He is doing. Joseph, when all things were going wrong, realised that he could not change anything - he could not make straight what God had made crooked. So he accepted his life and gradually, things began to change for him and later on, after one sleep, he was ordained Prime Minister of Egypt. God is good.

The late popular American singer John Denver, wrote this lovely song:

'Life is so good, Life is so good these days, Life is so good these days, Life is so good''

'Life is so good, Life is so good these days, Life is so good these days, Life is so good'

                                                      Copyright 1979 John Denver RCA

For the time that he lived on this earth, he was happy and made everyone happy through his wonderful music. For him, life was so good at that time, and for those who loved his music, their life was so good too, as they listened.

As famous, talented and rich as he was, he could not discover anything about his future. Like ourselves, he was here for a season and he used his talent accordingly. And it is the same for each of us. We are only here for a season; we don't know what the future may hold for us. So therefore, doesn't it make sense to adopt believing that our lives are so good and make the most of what we have?

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

Lord Jesus, I have sinned   

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

False accusations

" 13And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside,  14that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, “See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice.  15And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.”  Genesis 39:13-15. NKJV

Poet William Congreve, said, "Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor hell a fury like a woman scorned." Potiphar's wife repeatedly offered herself to her husband's young, successful, attractive servant (Genesis 39:1–10). He steadfastly refused for the sake of honour and morality. Finally, when she had Joseph alone and cornered (Genesis 39:11), she aggressively threw herself at him, grabbing his cloak.

Potiphar's wife was sexually attracted to Joseph and began urging him to have sex with her. However, Joseph was a faithful man and was grateful that his master had been so kind to him. He just couldn't betray him by sleeping with his wife, so he repeatedly refused. Because of the very hot climate in Egypt, Joseph would have worn very little and, because he was handsome in form and appearance (v6), this may well have led to her adulterous behaviour.

One day, when all of the other servants were working outside - possibly arranged by her, she lunged against Joseph, grabbing his garment and told him to lie with her. Joseph, broke free from her and ran outside (we should always run from sin). The problem was, the wife still had his garment in her hands. She went and found the other servants and told them her side of the story: “See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice.  15And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside.” v14. Notice that she insulted her husband in front of the slaves, too. When Potiphar returned home, he believed his wife and with rage, had Joseph thrown into prison. I feel that he doubted his wife's accusations though and was lenient with Joseph as he could have had him executed for such a charge. Joseph was placed in prison but, it was all part of God's bigger picture. Joseph didn't know it at the time but in a few years, his life would change for the better.

Many of us have had false accusations made against us, and they hurt, especially when they come from people we know very well and have trusted. Our initial reaction is mostly, 'Why?' But as the accusation settles in we can begin to feel anger, bewilderment and this can turn to bitterness. We don't know what Joseph said to Potiphar - if anything, but from what we know of him, he would have allowed God to handle the situation. Jesus said 'Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.'  Matt 5:11-12. And, we have the protection that God offers us "Vengeance is mine, I will repay' says the Lord. Romans 12:19.

So be sure to call on God and allow Him to help in times of trouble. He will avenge if you don't try to take the matter into your own hands.

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

Lord Jesus, I have sinned   

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