Do you need to make some changes?

"3When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them; 4but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. 5When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep."             Matthew 25:3   CSB

Let us dig down a little deeper into this verse. We've seen how foolish five of the virgins were to go out without taking spare oil for their lamps, it was a disaster waiting to happen. They also failed to prepare for their task, if they had, they would have realised that they were low on oil. 

But now we see that they went out alone. The five may well have been together initially, but as the panic kicked in, they were alone and left to fend for themselves.

If the oil symbolised the Holy Spirit, which it did, then they were alone and that is a very foolish thing to allow to happen if we are on duty for the kingdom of God. There are demons out there that are longing to attack and rip a person apart, given the chance; trying to make it in your own strength is not a sensible option. You need back up.

Prior to their journey, the five foolish virgins could have made the best of their time. If they were preparing for this journey, one of them at least would have realised that they would need oil and it would be better to buy this before the journey. But as can always happen, things get put aside, 'Yes, we'll do that in a minute, just relax for a while.' Therefore, it was forgotten and off they went with the other five, wise virgins. 

There was a waiting period and one would have thought that they would use this time to buy some oil. It didn't happen, they fell asleep instead. Their foolishness gets worse. They delayed getting getting oil prior to their journey, now, they were doing the same. This is a strong case of procrastination.  The Free Dictionary puts procrastination this way: To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness. This is a strong interpretation but fits the picture here very well. They were careless and lazy and paid the price. They could have changed the situation round but, they didn't.

Don't ever be this way. We all have to brush up on our priorities, that's for sure; but, the seriousness of this situation must speak to us about changing things in our life. If you feel that this is pointing at you, then make some changes before it's too late and the doors are closed.

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 2025 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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Have you oil in your lamp?

 3When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them; 4but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. 5When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.             Matthew 25:3   CSB

Charles Spurgeon said, 'There is a glitter and a flash, but there is no permanency unless the Spirit of God is in us.' Think about that statement for a moment. The foolish virgins didn't realise just how foolish they were being. The lack of oil is the ruin of many professing Christian's lamps. Some people may appear to be full of the Spirit on the outside but, on the inside, there is very little spiritual life within them. Their lamps are empty.

As Spurgeon comments, there is a glitter and a flash at the beginning but there is no permanency in their walk. Why is this? The Spirit of God is not within them, their oil has burnt out and they're running on empty. A person may be able to put on a fair act in the flesh for a time, but after a while, the cracks begin to surface. 

We need the heavenly oil that the wise virgins possessed. Only the Spirit of God can supply this. Therefore, if you would like a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit upon your life, you must come before the Great Anointer! He alone can give you what you need. Open your heart to God, and allow Him to lay His hand upon your life in a new way. I guarantee you, a strong anointing will follow! 

Read slowly and prayerfully through Psalm 92:10 'But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil.' Ask Jesus to refill you again, with His wonderful healing oil and fill you with His Holy Spirit. Just allow yourself to be re-soaked in the oil of gladness; the power and the peace of God. Be open to His leading. If you speak in tongues, that is fine. If you don't, that is fine too. Allow Jesus to do this for you, not yourself. 

It will be so worth 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 2025 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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Don't be foolish - be prepared! Part 2

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2but Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them; 4but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. 5When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep."                               Matthew 25:3-5.  CSB

Carrying on from yesterday, we see the importance of preparation and the need to avoid foolishness. Imagine, if you will, driving off somewhere in the middle of the night and driving through the middle of nowhere. We would do this periodically, when the kids were small. We would get up early and set off at about 3am to go and visit grandparents who lived up the country. The kids loved these times, it was always exciting for them.

However, imagine if we had driven off without first checking the oil, water, tyres and failed to check if we had enough petrol to make the journey. Now, I would class that as being foolish if I hadn't have carried out these checks. As it was, there were no mobile phones in those days and it was guess work sometimes wondering exactly where we were, until we hit the motorway. But, to a degree, we were prepared for the journey.

When is Jesus coming back is not an easy question to answer. Yes, there are things that point to His return but, many people have got this wrong over the years. My answer is, I don't know but, I know for certain that He is going to return. So therefore, we need to be prepared. This doesn't mean living out of a suitcase because, for one thing, we will take nothing with us, not even our bible. These things of the past will be left behind, Jesus is coming for us and nothing else. Should we be looking over our shoulder, paranoid that we will miss Him. No, you can be sure that He will not miss you. He has your name written on His heart. All you need to do right now is, to live your life for Jesus. There is no exam to pass; there is no need to wear a flashy t shirt with 'I'm here Jesus' written on it'. You just need to be yourself and live for Him. However, there is a need to be ready for His return, to be prepared and, if you're living for Jesus right now, you are prepared so, don't worry. Just keep that way.

It will be the most exciting time in history and you will be part of it; transported from where you are to heaven, standing before Jesus. Get ready!

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 2025 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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Don't be foolish - be prepared!

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2but Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them; 4but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. 5When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep."                         Matthew 25:3-5.  CSB

There is a warning here that we need to take heed of. Ten virgins went out to meet the groom. Five were well prepared and had their lamps filled with oil. The other five, left things until the last moment and therefore went out almost empty. The groom was delayed and they all fell asleep. All of a sudden there was a shout, 'Here's the groom, come out to meet Him.' The foolish one's found that their lamps were going out and started asking the wise for some oil. They were refused because there would not be enough to go round. The foolish one's went out to buy oil but while they were away, the groom came and the wise entered the kingdom. The doors were then locked. When the foolish finally returned, they begged to be let in but the Master said, 'I don't know you'.

This scripture is a description of Jewish believers during the great tribulation. In the description, they have no preparation and therefore they have no entrance into the kingdom of rewards. It is a warning to them but, also a warning to us as well.

This is a strong piece of scripture; one in which we should sit up and take notice of. We need to be prepared for when Jesus returns; we need to be ready. It'll be too late if we leave things until He has returned. This speaks to those alive during the tribulation to come; be warned and don't wait until the last moment to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour because, by then it may be too late.

The gospel has been preached since Jesus walked the street of His homeland. But still, stubborn hearts refuse to accept Him as Lord. Please know this, He is the one who holds the key to the doors of heaven. If you don't ask Him for this key, you will be like the foolish virgins who because of their lack of wisdom and laziness, forfeited their right to the kingdom. Don't be one of them

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 2025 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

"Lord, what about him?"

"So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them, the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray you?" 21When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him? ”
22“If I want him to remain until I come,” Jesus answered, “what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”     John 21:20-22   CSB

It was a perfectly normal thing to ask Jesus. Peter had just been told what lay ahead for him; therefore, he was curious what would happen to this disciple following them (John). Jesus' reply was not critical or  a rebuke. It was just like a rhetorical statement, 'What's that to you? You have your mission, he will have his in due course.'

Now, this could and, has been, taken that Jesus was rebuking Peter by saying , 'Mind your own business and just do what I want you to do.' There's a degree of truth about this. Peter's first response to Jesus' offer to follow Him had not been, 'Yes, I'll do that Lord' but, 'Lord, what about Him?' We could judge Peter for this response but, in this position we would more than likely have asked the same thing, 'Lord, what about him?'

However, Peter was a man who wanted to be in the 'know' and his question may well have been one of curiosity. Jesus didn't rebuke him, nor did He judge him. He just reassured him of his place within His team. 

And this is what He will do with us too. Yes, we can become jealous when we feel like we are being unfairly treated while others appear to get on fine. We must remember, the mind plays tricks on us and, Satan will do all he can to stick the boot in to wind us up further. Don't lets him.

Be reassured of who you are in Jesus - not anyone else, but you. It doesn't matter about what Jesus feels about other people, it's what He feels about you that matters. Therefore, ensure that you are confident of your position in Jesus and go ahead with 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 2025 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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Peter Restored

"When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? ”
“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”
“Feed my lambs,” he told him. A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me? ”
“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”
“Shepherd my sheep,” he told him.
17He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me? ”
Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me? ” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
“Feed my sheep,” Jesus said.        John 21:15-17   CSB

Peter had failed Jesus three times, blatantly denying Jesus to save his own skin. Jesus was not going to let him get away with it and so, arranged things round, so that Peter and He would have this opportunity. Peter was quite skeptical at first but genuinely answered Jesus' questions, which were: (1) Do you love Me more than these? Peter answered this  with Phileo love which was a kind of brotherly love and affection between good friends. Before, Peter would have answered in agapao which would have been in a sacrificial manner. However, because of his past failures Peter wasn't willing to push things. Jesus accepted this, knowing that Peter wasn't thinking too highly of himself anymore.

Jesus then asked, 'Simon son of John, do you love Me? Peter answered, 'Jesus, you know that I love you.' Then Shepherd my sheep.' Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me? ” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

“Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. 18“Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”

In conclusion to all of this, we see Jesus' desire to not let Peter slip away. He knew he had made mistakes, like we all do. And He knew Peter's heart and his desire to follow Jesus. Once we belong to Jesus, He will never push us away and will give us every opportunity to put things right with Him. Once you say you're sorry to Jesus, you are forgiven.

Peter had been a loud and foul mouthed fisherman; yes he made many mistakes and paid dearly for these mistakes. But he had one thing about him, he loved ~Jesus and, deep down, he would do all he could to work for Him.

Probably you feel that you've blown it. We all have at times. However, there is a love that knows no end and His name is Jesus. He is right there with you now.

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 2025 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

'It's the Lord'

When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. 5“Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you? ”
“No,” they answered. 6“Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. 7The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord! ”

                                                                                John 21:4-7  CSB

This must have seemed like music to their ears. They had been lost and weary, fed up and disappointed so, they go to do what they're good at - fishing, but they caught nothing all night. Cold, tired and exhausted, as they clean up on the shore, a stranger shouts out, advising them to cast the net to on the right side of the boat. They do this and the net is filled with a massive catch - 153 large fish.

Wowzer. Enough fish for breakfast and to trade with their customers for some time. Initially, Peter didn't realise it was Jesus but, when John shouted, 'It's the Lord.' He was out that boat like a rocket and heading towards the shore. Can you see the difference that Jesus makes in any given situation. He lifts the moment, brightens the day and gives life where there wasn't any life left.

They all enjoyed breakfast with the King and then it was time for fellowship. Peter and Jesus had some heart to heart conversation that needed attention and, now was the time. Jesus had paved the way for this and now it was time to address the issues. Peter wasn't troubled by this, He knew Jesus was always fair and understanding. It was a time when Jesus wants to see us face to face. If this has not happened to you yet, It will and it will be something to cherish, as we'll see tomorrow.

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 2025 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