Wednesday, 19 March 2025

Let the word percolate

"But his delight is in the law of the LordAnd in His law he meditates day and night.
3He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper".
                                                                          Psalm 1:2-3   NKJV

If we percolate coffee, we know that it is not ready until all of the water has dripped through the filter onto the fresh coffee and entered the lower chamber. Then after a short time, the coffee is ready. Bob Gass writes that it is the same with God's Word. We may read it in our bibles, or hear it being preached in church or on TV or radio but, the next thing that we need to do is to meditate on it so that we get the fuller picture of what God is saying to us. This is the part Bob Gass described as the percolating period.

Prior to these two verses, the Psalmist mentions the term, 'Blessed is the man'. He is telling us here that to read and meditate (percolate) on the word is a happy occasion because when we open our bibles and ask God to speak to us, we are blessed - it is, or should be, a happy occasion. God loves it when we are filled with the Word of God because the happiness leads us to joy.  And when we are joyful, we are strong in the Lord. Nehemiah 8:10.

In fact, staying close to God, pushing in to deepen our relationship with Him, brings us both delight. We are then solid as a rock, firmly planted in Him and it is like we receive holy water to refresh us. From thereon. God causes us to prosper in all we do and we are fruitful. As we read God's Word, a verse may pop out at us and we know without doubt that this is for us. But at this point, don't just dash off changing your lifestyle or whatever you feel God is saying to you, Instead, meditate on this word.

Allow the Word God has given you to percolate into your very being. If you receive this in the morning, take the word with you, meditating on it as you go about your day. If it in the evening, again meditate on it and try and focus on it as you drift off to sleep. God wants you to be blessed in all you do and it is down to you to make the first move, and that is reading His Word. Following this, God is on duty to allow understanding to feed your mind and show you what His intentions for you are. But if you don't read, listen and meditate on Him, you may miss it.

Perhaps God has shown you something, if that is so let it percolate your mind, will and emotions - your very soul. Mediate on it day and night until the answer comes. The answer will come but, not in your time-scale but in God's. So be patient and enjoy. 

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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'
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. Just tap in Grahame Howard books.





Tuesday, 18 March 2025

"I'll be back"

"However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaven".
                                                                                Judges 16:22   NKJV

Samson made a grave mistake by telling Delilah the secret of his amazing strength. She had been offered a great fortune by the Philistines if she would find out where his strength came from. Surely he would have realised that Delilah was up to something. Time and   again she asked him questions about how he had such strength but he just told her a pack of lies which she believed and she was getting tired of being mocked by him. Finally he gave in and told her that if his hair was shaved off, he would lose his super strength. She arranged for men to come with their money and she lulled Samson into a deep sleep, and the men shaved his head. When he awoke he had no strength and the Philistines over-powered him, putting out his eyes.

Samson had been born and brought up by his Godly parents and the Lord had blessed him. As he grew up he was useful for using his great strength to fight off the Philistines, and as long as he used his strength this way, God blessed him. After a while, he became involved in wild living and finely met up with Delilah, who was his downfall. His strength was taken away and he became a ridicule in the Philistine camp. But one day, he managed to stand near the pillars of a great temple where 3000 Philistine men and woman were watching. He called out to God for one last bout of strength (16:28-30), possibly so he could say, 'I'll be back'.

Samson made quite a few mistakes, especially taking his eyes of God to go his own way. He also became involved with the wrong type of woman, who further led him astray and finally deceived him. There are lessons to learn from this account. Keep God in charge of your life and don't even consider that you can go your own way and succeed. If you do this, you will fail - miserably. Secondly, be careful who you befriend. Delilah was not for Samson, she was out for herself and was only too pleased to sell him down the road to the Philistines. And, don't get too big for your own boots. You cannot take God's place and glory; He will not share this with anyone. Finally, be careful who you trust and what you say to people. This was Samson's downfall, he took his eyes off God and became puffed up with pride. Let us not forget that this would be the second time that a woman had deceived him (Judges 14:15-16).

There is one good thing that came out of all of this. Take a look at verse 22 'The hair of his head began to grow again.' If there is one thing that we need to remember, it is this verse 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay' says the Lord'  Despite having much strength, when it had gone, he had one thing left - He called upon the Lord (v28-30) and God who is always eager to repay things on our behalf, heard his prayer and gave him back one last chance of strength so that vengeance would be carried out. People can NEVER take God on and be successful. It's the foolish person who tries. Samson was able to say 'I'll be back' for that short time.

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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'
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. Just tap in Grahame Howard books.






Monday, 17 March 2025

Tortured thinking

5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.    Romans 8:5-8  NKJV

Regarding these verses, Casey Treat says, 'When your mind agrees with your Spirit, you're spiritually minded. However, when it agrees with your flesh, you are carnally minded'
Our minds can play tricks on us quite a lot leaving us to believe what is not there. A person can believe that they are the subject of gossip and get themselves so wound up on this that it poisons their mind and either makes them believe that it is true or, that they need to get away from the situation they are in. They may see a couple of people talking in a corner and notice that one of them glances over at them. Straightaway, they may believe that this couple are gossiping about them. Where, this could be true, it is more likely to be just a fleeting glance that means nothing. It could also be complimentary.

Our minds can also play tricks on us about things that happen. What we see or hear, may not be true but, if we receive this into our hearts, it can seem that way so much that we can begin to believe it. It can be anything but if not dealt with quickly it can lead to tortured thinking and this can lead to anger, sleepless nights or even mental heath issues because there is no resolution to this torture.

Paul refers to our thoughts in Romans 12:2 'And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.' I like the way Philips New Testament quotes this verse, 'Don't let the world squeeze you into its mould'  When you consider this, if we allow it to, the world does this. Therefore we need to take action, but how?

Turn things around that, instead of seeing things as negative, you see them as positive - a challenge. Instead of chores, see them as blessings. Actually, position yourself to be blessed instead of robbed. You can think your way into victory or defeat; joy or sorrow and life or death, so begin to see things differently - God's way. 

The results of tortured thinking is the beginning of a stronghold the devil places on us. Break that stronghold now: '3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  4For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,  5casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ'
                                                                              2 Corinthians 10:3-5

The only defence mechanism you will ever need is Jesus Christ.

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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'
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. Just tap in Grahame Howard books.




















Sunday, 16 March 2025

We are all one

"And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”                            Acts 10:15. NKJV

Cornelius had a vision where an angel of the Lord spoke to him urging him to send some of his servants to invite Simon Peter to his house to fellowship with him. The Holy Spirit spoke with Peter about this and therefore he accepted the invitation and took some of his brethren with him.

Now prior to this, Peter had also had a vision where he saw all kinds of animals, beasts and birds flying around and a voice spoke to him urging him to rise up and eat v13. Peter protested initially stating that he had never eaten anything common or unclean. The Lord answered, 'What God has cleansed you must not call common' v15. Peter rose and went to see Cornelius who bowed down to him when he saw Peter: 'As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.26But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”  27And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.  28Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”

Peter realised that the vision was a sign from heaven that Jews were no longer to call Gentiles unclean. From that point these two groups would be on equal footing before the Father. God was breaking down Peter's prejudices. And so He is for all of us throughout this world.

Racial tensions and hatred have ruled all around the world - white people against black people and the other way around. It is still going on today, even in our churches. But God is calling in Anti-Racist Practice, a term where there is no difference between the races. We are called to live together whatever the colour of the skin. A person's skin may be a different colour but their heart may be full of Jesus and, we need to realise this fact.

Sociologically, some people, in the big cities may have been brought up this way, where the two races never come together. But this is wrong; we are all one; God sees no difference in us at all and rather like the Jews were called to be on equal footing with the Gentiles, so we are called to be equal - black and white together. Let me leave you with a thought: What colour was Jesus' skin? Was He white or did He have a tanned skin. If we can love and adore Jesus, who may not have been white, we can love people who are from another race, whatever colour they are.

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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'
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. Just tap in Grahame Howard books.

Saturday, 15 March 2025

Jesus' amazing grace

“Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”          
                                                                   John 8:10-11   NKJV

Jesus' amazing kindness and gentleness is demonstrated here as He speaks with this woman. Her accusers had found her committing adultery and dragged her out into the street so they could test Jesus' obedience to the law of Moses. This was extremely unfair because it takes two to commit adultery but there was no sign of the man. Jesus handled it wonderfully saying whoever is without sin, let them throw the first stone v7). The only one. there who qualified for this statement was Jesus. This cleared the place and Jesus then spoke to the woman  “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”  
Jesus actually stooped down to her level and then brought her up to His. Amazing grace.

Another example of His grace is in Zechariah 3 where we see Joshua standing before the Angel of the Lord in rags with the accusatory Satan, standing at his side. Now this is not the Joshua who succeeded Moses as many think. This was Joshua the high priest who returned to Jerusalem with the Exiles (Ezra 3:2), whose name was often used as Jeshua but also known as Joshua.
In the third chapter of Zechariah, we see Joshua standing there in filthy rags. Now picture this scene; Joshua would have smelt terrible as he stood before the Angel of the Lord. He would have felt totally degraded and ashamed. But look at how the Lord rebuked Satan and then directed that Joshua be taken away, cleaned up and given fresh clothes to wear and he was then given a new commission to act on.

God can take the most ashamed people of life; the most beaten, abused, downtrodden and misfits and turn them into a work of art - a new person. Probably before you knew Jesus, life had been brutal but Jesus took you and made you His own. He took you in His hands and hugged you better until you felt you belonged  and was loved. It may be that you have very bad memories of the past but, that is what it is -the past. Let it go and allow Jesus to turn you into something great. At the moment, you are a work in progress but gradually, things will get better as the amazing grace of God comes upon you with greater power than you have ever known.
Things are going to get better!
       
Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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'
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. Just tap in Grahame Howard books.


Friday, 14 March 2025

Fault-Finding

"Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault."      Mark 7:2  NKJV

Fault-finding, we all do it, let's be honest. Some people find faults in everything, including people. However, they never seem to look within themselves and find the many faults that may well be there. When a person has done a good job, one in which they are pleased with, it destroys their ego if someone comes up and finds a fault in their work. It can be soul-destroying.

Whatever Jesus said or did, the hierarchy of the day would point a finger at Him and say that it was wrong, because He did it on the Sabbath. They would also say He was wrong because He blasphemed God by saying that He was His Father, 'I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  28And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  29My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.  30I and My Father are one.'   John 10:25-30

We may look at someone that we don't even know, perhaps on the TV, and dislike them, finding fault in what they say or how they act, sing or present a programme. Possibly we need to remember that, as we find fault in others, they may be finding fault in us too. When we're in a company of people our body language can give our feelings away, People that we don't particular like can pick up on this so may distance themselves from us. Do you find this?

How are you with people? Are you a people-pleaser; comfortable with people or avoid them as much as possible? The latter may be your lack of confidence, which prevents you opening up to others and possibly hiding away in a corner. You may feel certain people don't like you so, you do the same, preferring your own company. You may also have been put down so much in your life that you feel what's the point.

Fault-finding can cover a multitude of things and if you belong in this category perhaps you should do something about it. Possibly there may be people that you need to forgive. Think about that, some people may have hurt you in the past and there are scars within. If that is the case, forgive them right now. Ask God to reveal to you why you feel prone to fault-finding people and act on His reply. You are a better person than this and God knows this, so do something about this negativity today.

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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'
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. Just tap in Grahame Howard books.



Thursday, 13 March 2025

The Violence of the cross

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force".       Matthew 11:12.  NKJV

This is a verse that has caused much conversation over the years. It is hard to understand the correct meaning of what Jesus meant. The most obvious meaning is that since Jesus established His rule here on earth and people have believed and followed Him spreading His word, non-believers have tried every which way they can to bring it down. But His word is still standing today and no-one can prevent Jesus from getting to the last page of the bible - victory.

Look at all the struggles that Jesus had with the hierarchy of religion of His day. The Pharisees hated Him; the Sadducees hated Him and even some of His own hated Him too. But He had a mission to fulfil and nothing was going to stop Him doing this, not even the cross. He suffered the most awful of deaths to bring us freedom, until HIs mission was over and He cried out, 'It is finished'. Jesus had completed His task.

However, it was not finished for His followers. The apostles and the disciples continued to press on spreading the word against threats of imprisonment, beating or death. But this violence did not stop them. Saul, a respected Pharisee, violently entered believer's home's and had men and women dragged into prison. Some died, many were tortured. But this violent man, Saul was converted on the Damascus Road (Acts 9) and having his name changed to Paul, became a mighty missionary and writer for Jesus. Paul suffered violence in most places he went; he was even stoned and left for dead on one occasion and eventually he ended up in Rome until his execution. 

And this violence and persecution still happens today. There are many countries where Christianity is banned. People are beaten, placed in prisons never to return to their families, and some are executed because of their faith. Speak to anyone who is familiar with the organisation Open Doors and they will tell you what is happening (Note I wrote 'happening' not what has happened. It is still happening even now).

And you and I, have or will suffer persecution because of our faith. Some may be passed over for promotion because of their strong faith. Others may lose their jobs because of it. People speak about people's human rights but it appears to be ignored when it comes down to a person's choice of faith, especially if it is Christian. Surely it is against a person's human rights to allow people to be persecuted for their choices.

None of this will end soon, in fact, persecution will become worse as time goes on but, as CT Studd said, 'If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice is too great for me to make for Him.'

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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'
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. Just tap in Grahame Howard books.










Get the Truth

" 31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him,  “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.   32 And you wi...