Make the most of your family

"Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. 2It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones."         Psalm 127:1-2.  NLT

Blessing and protection come from God; without His presence, we will have no success. Human effort is futile unless God blesses it. Remember, if God builds the house, it will be built on Rock  the Rock being Jesus. Therefore, the word 'Unless' in verse one becomes the main point of focus for the Christian man or woman. We already know that without Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5). 

I think the key verse in this Psalm is verse two.'It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.' Some people work all hours of the day. Let me just say that, God does not want that for a Christian man or woman. There is a marriage to consider, if one partner is out working all hours under the sun, then the marriage may suffer before too long. A partner left on their own for hours will soon become bored and feel unloved. If there is children in the marriage, that's even worse. Children need Mum or Dad to be present, possibly in the evenings and definitely at weekends when they are off school and have a dozen things planned of what to do and where to go. Family life suffers.

What good will it have done if a partner out working all the time collapses with a heart condition or general burnout. God knows that we have to work to eat, pay bills and just live but, He also promises to take care of us  this way (Matt 6:33). This doesn't mean that we should stop working and just rely on Jesus to supply. Not at all. But, we need to get the balance right. Once your kids have grown up and left home, the house will be so quiet and the 'I wish I'd have done this with the kids' will begin. Now is the time to put family first, they are precious, and can't be replaced. Make the most of them from 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 on Grahame Howard books.

Running on Empty

1Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, 2and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The LORD will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. 

                                                                        2 Chronicles 15:2   NLJ

There is a song that Robin Mark wrote called:

 House of the Lord

'There's a house on a hill and it hasn't been lived in for a long, long time, And the windows are all broken and the paint has lost its shine And there's nothing ever heard there, for there is nothing ever said. For the life of the house left a long time ago, and the heart of the house is dead.'

O House of the Lord, can't you feel it, how our heart is growing cold, For when the Spirit comes He quickens, But when the Spirit leaves, life goes

There's a room at the top and the door has been locked and it will never open up. For no matter who will knock there, well it always stays tight shut. And there's no one ever answered, so now there's no one ever goes. For the room in the house shut a long time ago and the mind of the house is closed.

O House of the Lord.....

There's a room in the house where the fire used to burn and the children used to play, And the family would gather, to hear the words the Father would say, But now the room is cold and empty and the embers glow faint red, For the fire of the house failed a long time ago and the heart of the house is dead.

The words say it all, once you used to be a key player for Jesus, you would win souls for Jesus and people would be healed and changed for the better. But something happened to all of this and you no longer are a key player. In your heart is a faint memory of all that you did for Jesus and your bible lays there gathering dust. Could the person who hurt you so badly have led you to fall away from the Lord for so long? Jesus is a dim memory too and yet in times past, you would be a leading light for Him. What happened? Whatever it was can be healed within your heart if you'll allow it. Deep down within, there is an ember that glows faint red and all you need to do is to stir that fire up once again. Don't rob the world of all that you can offer them. Just close by to you right now is your salvation, Jesus Himself and although He is silent, He is still listening to you and longs for you to just call to Him and ask Him for help. Will you? 

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 on Grahame Howard books.

That wonderful feeling Jesus gives

"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 11Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spiritd from me. 12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you."     Psalm 51:10-12.  NLT

Most of us can remember when we came to know Jesus. October 1980, was the day I met with Jesus; He came into my life and although I have let Him down many times, I am still walking with Him and He with me. Those first few months or so were the joyous I have ever known. All I wanted to do was read about Jesus in my new Good News Bible that my wife bought me. She too had been saved at more or less the same time so, it was great to be able to grow spiritually together. 

My job at the time, took me out and about locally and many is the time I could be found in a lay-by reading my little Living testament which was so easy to read. Both of us couldn't get enough of Jesus. We played Christian tapes and records in the evening as well as reading through the bible at a fast pace. There was a Christian Book shop a few miles away and when we visited we would walk around loaded with tapes, books and bibles. Many is the time that we had picked up so much that we had to decide what we were going to buy or put back. 

They were lovely times, almost like we were wrapped in cotton wool with only Jesus on our minds. Sadly, it doesn't always remain that way. We have to go to work, attend to jobs in the house and many other things. We would still read our bibles (NIV now), and listen to our music but the honeymoon was a beautiful memory. We were now fledged from the early stages of our faith and we needed to grow more and more. We joined a local church for a few years and then we moved to another area and we met a pastor who was building a church. It was right that we joined Him. I was already training with a well known Christian church and eventually I was ready to become a pastor and have a church of my own. They were great days. 

Many years have gone since that day of my salvation and I often miss those wonderful one to one's with Jesus; nothing else ever mattered. We're still as close to the Lord, probably more than ever, but those first few months were glorious memories. 

Probably you have memories, especially the first days of your walk with Jesus. Nobody tells you how difficult Christian life can be from time to time. Not everyone is a believer and this can cause friction with friends and even family. But there is no going back. Our determination is ahead, that crown we will be given at the end of our life. But until then, let us all - everywhere, try to cultivate those first intimate moments. He is the same Jesus, and it is us that have moved, not 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 on Grahame Howard books.

Don't worry, God's in charge

"Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one. 3“Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” 4But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. 5Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. 6For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”                                 Psalm 2:1-6   NLT

All over the world there is unrest. People scheming to get more power; wars and threats of war; murders, stabbings, governments making things difficult for people to live their lives in peace. The verses above are so apt for today - anger, greed, bully tactics, rebellion, disrespect, lowered standards and a world society where God is ridiculed and left out of the planning. 

How does God feel about all of this? He laughs at their attempts to changes things and avoid Him by taking over His creation. He rebukes them and scoffs at them, His fury is ignited and He has a major plan set in place: 'I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain' and this is Jesus, King of kings, Lord of lords, our Mighty One. World leaders may plot and scheme threatening wars and dismissing starving people, especially young children who desperately require help. But, He will have the victory in the end.

Wherever we go, we always find a bully in place. They cause intimidation, fear and hurt by their actions. You may have met them at school or, your first work place. You may have contact with one now. Jesus knows about this, so call on Him. Remember, 'For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” Romans 10:13. Just call on Him and ask Him for help; He will! As much as an individual can be a bully, so can some world leaders. Many corrupt ones have now gone to judgement but, there are many more who are still in power. The problem is, they just refuse to accept Jesus; many have their own faith or no faith at all and depend on themselves to rule their state. 

This will all end one day soon, and it may be sooner than we think. God sees all that happens and judgement will come. God has placed His chosen King and He is on the throne at the righthand side of God. Soon, that throne will be empty as God gives the order for Jesus to come for His people. But until that time, pray for peace and governments to find their rightful leader - Jesus Christ. And also pray for the many who are suffering at this time of uncertainty. Change will come; may it not tarry. 

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 on Grahame Howard books.

How's your patience?

"I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His word."

                                                                                       Psalm 130:5.  NLT

When we have been seeking God for the way forward, we need to exercise patience. We know it's the right thing to involve God in our plans, He likes this but, that doesn't mean He will answer us straightaway. Sometimes He answers our prayers very quickly; at other times it can seem like an eternity. The latter times are when we need to exercise patience. 

If God has revealed to us His plan, then patience is essential. God waits for the right time; nothing is ever rushed with Him, it is always on time. For example, He may have told you that He wants you to go to university but, several things have to happen before this can take place. (1) you need to satisfy the board that you are capable of attending and achieving success. (2) There has to be a vacant space available on the course. (3) You may have to sit an entry exam so that your student skills are shown as satisfactory. This is just for starters. None of this will happen immediately, it all takes time and patience is important. Romans 8:25 tells us: 'But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. We can try many things to make something happen but, God doesn't need our help, He is very capable of doing things Himself, and it is a fool who tries to make things happen. We are more at peace when we realise that God is in control and will deliver when the time is right.

There are situations where things can't wait and we need God to respond very quickly. We may find ourselves in a risky or threatening situation God's help is essential. Take for example Jehoshaphat's plight in 2 Chronicles 20:20. Mighty armies were coming to attack him and his territory and he didn't know what to do, but he knew God would know. 'O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.' And God did just that, from heaven He created an emergency plan that would stop these armies in their tracks. And it did.

Patience is not easy but it is achievable. Jehoshaphat's patience was stretched and his plea to God is interesting 'but we are looking to you for help.' Really he was saying 'Lord, we're counting on you.' And that is ok with God, He wants us counting on Him for help.

So whatever is happening in your life today, exercise patience and talk to God about it. He understands and will help you. That's a promise.

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 on Grahame Howard books.

How do you respond?

"1A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."  Proverbs 15:1. NLT

Our actions depict what side of the road we are walking on. They are important factors to how we will benefit in our relationships at work, at home or even in church. Our response to people or situations are closely connected to how we are feeling on a particular day. For instance, you may have a stack of things to do on this day and just thinking about it all can create stress, so you are already at your limit of tolerance. Then someone may come up and say the wrong thing at the wrong time and BOOSH!! you lose it and fly off the handle. You know you shouldn't but you do. The person who was trying to speak to you becomes offended and says equally upsetting words and war has begun.

What happened? You weren't in control of your mouth. If you had given a gentle answer to the person explaining that, 'I'm rather busy at the moment but I'll ring you later, I promise' that would have probably saved the day but, sadly you didn't. If this is you, you may regret it straightaway and apologise but, then again, it may go on for days without repentance. Solomon said, 'A hot- tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them' Proverbs 15:18. What are you?

So we're looking at harsh words v gentle words and hot tempers v cool tempers Assessing the above example, the problem started with you and at that particular moment when you thought and then looked at the work load and the stress of it all was created in your mind. From thereon, you had the choice to either look at it in a positive manner such as, 'Wow, I have a lot to do today, but I'll get through it all, please help me Lord,. we can do this.' There was also the negative route, which you took, 'I'm never going to get through all of this,

 I've got so many other things to do as well. I'll never cope.' Just look at the negative words you said; and realise that you confessed that you'll NEVER get through this, and, I'll NEVER cope. You confessed negativity.

James 1:19 says: 'You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.'

How you talk to someone, including yourself, can dampen the situation or cause it to flare up. No one can change this for you except God and yourself. The bible is your training manual so adhere to its teaching. Mark off the verses that point to anger or peace and start to put it into practice. You'll be more popular when you do.

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 on Grahame Howard books.

Watch the trip ups

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith

                                                                          Hebrews 12:1-2.  NLT

Paul teaches here to  follow Jesus with endurance and imitate His supreme example of faithfulness. Let us remind ourselves of the suffering He endured and the way He disciplined Himself in reaching this standard. It was the only way to give us freedom.

As we walk with Jesus, we are, not only surrounded by witnesses, who know that we are Christians and view us accordingly, but we also walk in the footsteps of many mighty women and men of God who travelled the same road many years before us. Therefore, we need to 'strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.' v1 If we are in a race or just doing a heavy job, we need to avoid carrying extra weight because it hinders our progress. It's the same with sin, if we say we are Christians and yet fail to live the life then we  trip up and become entangled in its grip. It takes discipline to live this way but it pays dividends and of course, essential to our walk with Jesus.

Jesus is our supreme example of faithful endurance. This is why in moments when we are in a tight corner, we can say with confidence, 'Would Jesus do that/say that?' It gives us a good guideline to how Jesus would handle things. It all comes down to being focused on Jesus. We keep our eyes on Him. He is our champion - our role model and so, we copy or imitate Him, wanting to be more and more like Him. We can do this because scripture tells us we can, 'For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength' Philippians 4:13. So be encouraged, we are like Jesus but occasionally we have the grotty moments that let us down. However, thankfully, Jesus forgives us and points us in the right direction.

Be honest, what is the sin that so easily trips you up? We all have these moments and it is being prepared for them that helps us to avoid these times. Pray about it; talk in depth to Jesus who knows all about these times and also how to avoid them. But, it is not easy, it takes discipline, dedication and endurance to overcome these things. However, with Jesus' help we are able to do this.

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 on Grahame Howard books.