Competitive Spirits

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,  3and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  4Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me".  Matthew 18:1-5  NKJV

<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-5559608843786187"

     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>We must realise fully, that when people are filled with themselves, they cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit. The disciples had it all wrong; they thought Jesus would remove Rome's yoke and bring an earthly kingdom that would restore Israel to prominence - a kingdom in which the disciples expected to be given high profile positions. They were looking at rank and status and wrestling with who would get the best job. But the Kingdom of heaven is spiritual not political, and would be run on different standards to what an earthly one is.

Jesus was quick to change their thinking. People who expect to be great in the Kingdom of God, should be willing to be as humble as a young child. There should be no competitiveness within 

the church and most definitely in the Kingdom of God.

One can understand the disciple's thinking. They had not fully grasped the principles of Kingdom business and what Jesus' role was. Therefore, if Jesus was going to come into His Kingdom, as they were His 'top men' surely they would have some important role and, one of the them would be in charge of the others. 

This can be a delicate subject within the church today. A pastor may be appointed to a church, but in some places, there may be some people who consider they have a certain standing within the church and may try to usurp the new pastor, causing problems behind his back. I remember one pastor friend, who was sent to a 'problem church.' On the first Sunday evening, he told the church exactly what he intended to do, asked the present elders and deacons to step down and then said to the congregation, 'All of those who agree with what I intend to do, please remain in your seats; those who don't agree, please leave now.' Three quarters of the congregation left the church and the new pastor addressed those who remained. 'Right, let's start building our church.' And he did, and the church became one of the most successful of churches in the area.

There is no room for a competitive spirit within the church of God. If you struggle with this, please seek help from a trusted Christian friend or submit to God. Be humble, as Jesus was humble.

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

True Discipleship

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  26For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?27For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."  Matthew 16:24-27  NKJV

Jesus shared three different laws  of discipleship, Self denial, sacrifice and submission:

1 Self-denial  'Let him deny himself

2 Sacrifice  'Take up his cross

3 Submission  'Follow Me'

Jesus doesn't just leave us with this criteria. He points out the rewards that belong to those who become His disciple. 

A 'For whoever desires to save his life will lose it,' Giving one's life in dedication to Jesus on a permanent basis, brings total joy and fulfilment. This is granted to the one who exchanges their life for the life of Jesus. Giving their all to Him

B 'For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?' Living our lives by faith in Jesus, is priceless, because of the rewards that one receives. Yes, the going can be tough at times, but it's far worse in the world, without Him. At least, giving our all to Jesus means, our lives are always in profit, because He is with us..

C 'He will reward each according to his works.' Jesus is very generous and He will reward us for placing our lives into His hands and, at the end of the day - in heaven, the blessings will fall like we could never imagine. (Eph 3:20).

What would you sooner do, live your live in submission to Jesus or, take a chance on your own?

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

The Unpardonable Sin

“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come."   Matthew 12:31-32. NKJV

For years, Christians have pondered the meaning of this verse. In doing so, they have worried that they may have committed it themselves. Back in the time when Jesus walked the earth, the Pharisees often ridiculed and accused Him of lies. They actually accused Him of casting out demons by Beelzebub, ruler of the demons. This was unforgivable in that age and the age to come. Today, people can still commit this unpardonable sin, but it is extremely rare.

'A major work of the Holy Spirit is leading people to faith in Jesus (John 16:7–11). In a broad sense, those who "blaspheme the Holy Spirit" today are those who continue to reject the Spirit's message. They keep saying "no" to the Holy Spirit's leading, in essence calling Him a liar. Those who persist in stubbornness and disbelief will not be forgiven, because they refuse to trust in Christ as the Holy Spirit is leading them to do. Since there is no other path to forgiveness except through faith in Jesus, their choice to consistently reject the Spirit's leading causes them to remain unforgiven' (John 3:36).  bibleref.com.

This sin, that will not be forgiven, is the stubborn refusal to heed the Holy Spirit's conviction and accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers. These Pharisees were saying that 'He is not God; He is satan's agent.' If you want to live your life for Jesus but are worried that you may have committed the unpardonable sin, then you haven't. Your heart is focused on Jesus and wanting to please Him. The person who has committed this sin, is hard-hearted and only thinks about themselves, having no thought or love for anyone. They are committed to driving people away from God, not towards Him.

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

A very strange comment

"Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe."

                                                                        John 4:48.  NKJV

At first glance, this statement that Jesus made to the Nobelman appears quite abrupt, in fact, rude. However, Jesus wasn't really addressing him but the crowd of onlookers. These were the people who followed Jesus around hoping to see miracles. Most of them had no intention of knowing Jesus, they just wanted to be where it was  happening. We find people like this, even today.

No 1 Jesus' intention was to convince the onlookers that there was more to just looking for a miracle. He was, and should be the main attraction because of who He was - God's Son. He wanted them to believe in Him, not what He could do.

No 2  He wasn't actually addressing the Nobleman but, wanted him to hear what He was saying. He was testing his faith, challenging him, 'Do you truly believe that I can heal your son?' He then told him, 'Go your way, your son lives.' v49.

Let us not forget that he had begged Jesus to come down with him to heal his son. Now, the test began as he set off home - 20 miles or so. On the way, his servants met him letting him know his son lives. When he asked what time did this happen, he realised that it was exactly the time that Jesus had told him 'Go your way, your son lives.' v49. Thus, the father and his household believed.

Jesus often made comments that seemed blunt, dismissive, or even bizarre at first (Matthew 15:26; John 4:17–18; 6:51). His remarks always had a purpose, however. Mostly, this was meant to cause the other person to reveal their true intentions. Jesus is setting up a spiritual challenge for this man: are you willing to really trust me, without seeing proof, or not (John 4:49–50)? In other words, Jesus wanted him and others to 'Walk by faith, not by sight' 

2 Corinthians 5:7.

You and I need to take this on board. This is a foundation reinforcer - our faith and we obtain this by what the Nobleman did, walking by his faith. If he had allowed himself, he could have focused on his son lying gravely ill. Instead, he believed Jesus and received his son back and well, because of his faith.

As I've said, we need to act in such a way. When we don't, the devil has a hey day with us. However, when we act in faith, he has no control over our situation and we, receive what we are believing for.

And this we receive in our Daily Life with 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

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

Check it out

From unfair treatment to blessing

"20But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive".    Genesis 50:20  NKJV

Perhaps you may be thinking that you are hard done by at the moment. Everything has gone wrong and life has no good prospects for the future. Just browse over the experience of Joseph and see how he suffered for many years. He was gifted with dreams and interpretation and this, annoyed his brothers because he was intimating that the dreams meant that one day, they would have to bow down to him. To add to this, he was his father's favourite son and he could do no wrong in his eyes He was also given a beautiful coat of colours by his father. They were jealous and very irritated by all of this and, plotted to kill him. In the end, they sold him to some traders who were passing by and Joseph ended up in Egypt. He was given a job in a high officials house but this ended when he was accused of attempted rape. He was sent to prison and spent some time there, before he was released to interpret some dreams that Pharaoh had. He was eventually made the Governor under Pharaoh of the whole of Egypt.  (Read Genesis 37-50)

After many years, as foretold by Joseph, there was 

a famine across the whole world and Joseph showed great talent and skill in handling this which made great profit for Egypt by selling previously stored seed to families. Eventually, Joseph's brothers came for food and he recognised them and eventually all of them were reunited and dwelt in Egypt.

Now when Joseph saw his brothers, he could so easily have done them some harm, after-all, he was in charge. But, he told them:

'But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.' Joseph not only saved many lives with his talent and gifting but, he also testified to the goodness and power of Almighty God. We could think that he must have wanted revenge for what they did to him. But, there was no sign of this, only love and emotion for them. He could have had them executed but, all he wanted was to forgive them and bless them.

This is very hard to comprehend. Possibly we would have handled the situation differently, or would have wanted to. But handling things this way is how God works and blesses. Instead of completely destroying his family through revenge, Joseph sealed them back together again. And this, is what we are here for. Do you need to forgive and bless someone?

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

Wear your spiritual ejector seat

 "12So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall. 13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it."    1 Corinthians 10:12-13. CSB

Paul gives a warning to the church in verse 12 above. Basically, to those who feel that they are in control here, 'Nothing will happen to me.,' Think again. Joseph didn't feel that he was in danger of committing adultery or in fact, rape; but, one morning he saw Potiphar's wife and she started flirting with him, trying to entice him too have sex with her. He refused. However, the next time, she cornered him and tried again. He ran from the place but not before she grabbed his robe and started shouting 'rape'. We never know when we may enter into a sinful situation so, be careful. When Joseph ran, it was like he had been fitted with an ejector seat. Take this on board and wear your spiritual one wherever you may go.

 bible ref.com offers a good explanation to verse 12:

'The context of that comment was avoiding sin, and not assuming that salvation brings us immunity from the earthly consequences of our own behaviors. Taken with other comments made by Paul (2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 6:3), it also serves as a warning to those who are arrogant or careless about their standing in Christ.' 

Satan will always use fear. He knows what could trip us up spiritually and, he will put things our way that we may find extremely tempting. He will wrestle with our desires and make it appear that it will be ok, 'After-all, you're only human.' Yes, that it true but, satan will ignore the fact that we are a son and daughter of the King of kings - Jesus. If we're not careful, the temptation will be that strong, that we may feel incredibly weak in overcoming this risk. Use your Spiritual Ejector Seat and call on Jesus for help and then get out of the place immediately, if you can. If you can't, stand firm, remember God's armour - if you have put it on? Rebuke satan and speak in tongues if you need to. Don't try to battle it out with satan any further, using spiritual warfare. On your own, you are no match against him. A single rebuke and quick exit is what you will need. Jesus will take care of the rest.

Be careful, don't think that this could never happen to you. It could and might. So be prepared. Wear your armour everyday; read God's word daily and pray without ceasing, especially in your heavenly language, if you have the ability to. Don't take chances - take Jesus, wherever you go.

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

You have a future

"For this is what the Lord says: “When seventy years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm my promise concerning you to restore you to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you”— this is the Lord’s declaration — “plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you 13You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you” — this is the Lord’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place from which I deported you.”       Jeremiah 29:10-15.  CSB

Jeremiah was led by God to write a letter to the Israelites who were in bondage in Babylon. He 

wrote that God had told them that He would free them in 70 years. He told them not to listen to so-called prophets who tell them lies, but hang on to what He has told them. He will deliver.

And God did just that. They were freed from 

Babylon and returned to Canaan. Now watch this, God told them that He would listen to them, 

when they pray to Him. As they seek Him, they will find Him. He will restore to them what they had lost. Best of all, He told them that He had plans for 

them - for their well-being, not disaster and, that they had a future. But the most important thing was that they needed to seek Him and pray and He would then hear them and listen to them. The condition was that they had to seek Him with all of their heart. And God lived up to His promise and made this happen.

It is the same for us. Many of us have lived through some sort of pain and heartache and it has been most difficult to do this. But - listen - we made 

it, thank God! Now let's look at all of this. No matter what you went through in the past, you have 

a future. You may have lost out on something but, God will restore it and more. He has a plan just for you - you are that important to Him and, He wants to give you hope. Therefore, seek Him wholeheartedly, pray more than you ever have before and God promises He will listen and He will act on your behalf.

You may have lost money, possibly by being ripped off. God has more money than anyone could ever have and, He is generous. Someone may have done you wrong. Don't seek revenge or curse them, pray for them and let God sort it out for you - He will.

You need to take on board just how much He loves you. He even gave up His only Son for you, so that you had a future and a hope. You have a wonderful future!

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