Jealousy and the consequences

"Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom 31But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.”32And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” 33Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.”So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob".             Genesis 25:29-33    NKJV

For almost 22 years of marriage to Issac, Rebekah was barren. Then in answer to Issac's prayer she conceived. After a while, there came a struggle within her womb and God told her that 'Two nations are in your womb and the older will serve the younger.'  Gen 25:23. At birth, Esau was the firstborn quickly followed by Jacob, who demonstrated a future hold over Esau, as he was grasping his heel.

As they grew up, Esau turned into an outdoor chap and skilful hunter, whereas, Jacob liked to say at home with Rebekah, like mama's boy. Issac loved Esau best, whereas Rebekah favoured Jacob. This bad parenting obviously led to jealousy within in the family. It didn't help when Jacob realised that because of his birth, Esau was entitled to a double portion of his father's possessions. A plan was put into action initiated by Rebekah. 

One day, Jacob was at home cooking a red stew. When Esau came in from his hunting, he could smell this lovely aroma and begged Jacob give him some, and now. Jacob agreed but only if Esau would give him his birthright. Esau foolishly agreed and the prophecy of Genesis 25:23 kicked in. From now on, they would be enemies.

Jealousy was sown into Jacob's heart from the beginning. Bad parenting where one parent favoured one over the other didn't help, it led to hate. It is always wrong when parents have a favourite with their children. Check out Jacob's favouritism over Joseph and Joseph's brothers hating him. This was a learned mistake on Jacob's part, handed down to him from both Issac and Rebekah.

The family encouraged jealousy, temptation, lack of wisdom, deceit and manipulation all because their parenting skills were messed up. Rebekah refused to take notice of God's Word to her of ''Two nations are in your womb and the older will serve the younger.' God was giving her fair warning of what would happen if they didn't act wisely.

Esau, when he realised what He’d done in giving up his birthright, became angry and upset when he missed out on his father’s blessing. He too, became jealous - jealous of Jacob for how he had tricked him. He planned to kill him at some stage.

Youth Custody Centres are full of young men and women who have been subjected to such behaviour. They have grown up with hate in their hearts and at a certain time in their life, vented their anger on some innocent bystander. Jealousy has been the root, together with emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and physical abuse. From early days they have been like a time bomb ticking away until BOOM, they have let rip with their anger.

Good parenting is essential. It is a skill that can be passed on from generation to generation. Bad parenting is the same, with worse consequences.

If you are a parent. take this to heart and do your best to treat your kids with the respect they deserve.

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

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.

God can do it for you

"When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. 2Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad. 4Bring back our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the South. 5Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,Bringing his sheaves with him."              Psalm 126.  NKJV 

Try and imagine the thrill that the Jews felt this day. They were going home. King Cyrus, with a lot of help from God, had released them; they were no longer slaves or captives, they were free.

There was loud praising, shouting and singing. In fact, it would have been bedlam in that camp at the time. After 70 years of captivity, being told what to do and the hard labour, they could return home. There really is no place like home.

They knew that God had done great things for them but now, they faced a tough road ahead. They had nothing, just the clothes they stood up in. Where would they live; how would they eat and earn a living? This is why they cried out to God: 'Bring back our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the South. ' They cast themselves on God, their Father who had brought this about and who had their welfare in His hands. They had very little, just a few bits and pieces. They needed help so that they could re-build and get restored back in their own land. 

'Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.' They knew God wouldn't let them down. If He had given them back their freedom, He wasn't about to leave them now. He was giving them a new start in life. It would be a struggle at first while they waited for their crops to come into harvest but they knew they would make it.

And it is the same for you. God knows what you need. You may have been going through a bad time just lately, but take heed. Read Ephesians 3:20 and see how God can give you more than you could ever imagine. Don't give up hope. Just sow in tears at the moment because, there is a harvest coming and for you, it is going to be a good one.

Now that is something to praise God for, isn't it?

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

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.

Just watch your desires

"Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  14But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  15Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."   James 1:13-15.  NKJV

Here James discusses something that is common to us all - temptation. We are all susceptible in this area, and therefore, need to be aware of how we live each day. Temptation is all around us; we only have to turn the TV on and look at certain programs and movies, they all have the power to draw us in if we're not careful. Then of course there are magazines, the internet and that person who begins to flirt with us. It is so easy to become sucked into this desire and then pay the price of it all.

RT Kendall in his book The Sin No one Talks About (Jealousy) talks about The Three R's of Spiritual Warfare - Recognise, Refuse and Resist. The meaning of these are obvious but help us to remember them:  

                        

Recognise  We need to recognise where we are, what we are doing and what is around us. You know in your spirit when something or someone doesn't link in with your faith. This is the moment where a decision needs to be made:

Refuse. You must refuse to take part in something that may lead you astray and into sin. Therefore, going to a place where you know you will meet with someone or something that will stimulate your desires, is a no go. It would be like walking into a lion's den.

Resist. To avoid compromising you faith, is when you need to resist this temptation. It may mean walking out of somewhere to avoid this. It may mean switching off the TV. It may also mean not drinking too much alchohol. Whatever it means, you must be in control.

There are many things that one could add to the lists above but they all need the same response.                 (My paraphrase)

Temptation is a solicitation to do evil. We have all been in similar situations where we know that, we need to be cautious here. Satan is crafty; he knows what you are tempted by and he will place it before you at times when perhaps, you are tired or depressed and need some fun. The fun he offers may be desirable initially but, they are temporary and when you realise what you have done, they may have a disastrous affect on your life. Remember: "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.15Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."   James 1:13-15. 

Note the words 'by his (or her) own desires. You know yourself better than anyone else (except God of course). So you know what could trip you up, therefore, be careful, pray and ask God to help you in this area and just watch your desires!

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

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.

Do you want to be made well?

"Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.  6When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”      John 5:6   NKJV

This man had been physically disable from birth - 38 years. This is before Jesus was even born. We're not told whether he had seen doctors for help. It is doubtful because all he was able to do was beg for a living. Each day he lay at the Pool of Bethesda which was famous for healing the first person to step in. It was said that an angel went into the pool and stirred up the water, the first to step in was healed. This man's problem was, he had to be helped down the steps into the pool. By the time he got in, it was too late.

Jesus saw him there and spoke with him: 'Do you want to made well?' To many people, this may have seemed a strange question, especially after being in this condition for 38 years. However, Jesus wanted to know where he was coming from. Therefore, He asked him this question wanting to place faith into his heart. The man straightaway answered from the negative, stating that whenever he tried, people always got into the pool before him. We must be willing to receive God's healing; if we doubt, we go without. Jesus' compassion shone through this and He told him to get up, pick up your mat and walk. And the man did. Jesus' authority over sickness overpowered it and he got up and walked. 

Unfortunately, many today become so used to being in this condition that they are willing to remain so. Sadly, there are a few people who are happy to remain in this position because they don't have to work and are eligible for benefits which in some cases are more than the average weekly wage. Other people are so used to living with sickness that they fear receiving their healing. There is a strict warning here: if someone has prayed for your healing and you believe that you have been made well, go to your GP and get this verified. Keep taking your medication until your healing is confirmed. This is not lack of faith, it is common sense. Some may argue with me on this but it makes sense. This man was healed face to face by Jesus. The man didn't know it at the time, but others would have confirmed this. But for each of us, we don't see Jesus face to face but we know when something good has happened to us but, the correct step would be to see your GP. Let us not forget, there are many false prophets about (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

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.

Jesus is always willing!

"Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”  42As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.  43And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once,  44and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction" Mark 1:40-46   NKJ

Just look at how the man with Leprosy approached Jesus, 'If you are willing you can make me clean' Now, from one point of view, it could seem that the Man was quite arrogant by the sound of his words. But if you think about it, this man was in a terrible state, riddled with sores all over his body and the weakness he suffered. He was also an outcast; no one would want to go near him for fear of being contaminated with this illness. He really had no life but he had heard about Jesus and wanted to meet Him and ask for healing. Jesus' reply to him was epic, 'I am willing; be cleansed' and then touched him. The result being, he was healed straightaway.

Later, the author of Hebrews would write about Jesus: 'Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  16Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.'  Hebrews 4:14-16. 

Even though this had not yet been written it was Holy Spirit inspired and needed for this man. He approached the Throne of Grace in his time of need and met with Jesus and was completely restored. Yes, we know that he disobeyed Jesus' request not to tell anyone but, let's face, wouldn't you after suffering this plague for so long. It meant Jesus had to make other plans of his next trip but I doubt that He would have been annoyed and would never take His healing back like some of us may have done.

Jesus is willing to heal you as well. Today, His Word says 'I am willing' Therefore take advantage of this and be healed.

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

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.

You have a story to tell

"And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen."                          John 21:25     NKJV

All over the world, Christians have something that they want to say. Usually, it would be their testimony - when, where  and how they came to know Jesus. But there is much more that can be said. Somebody once said that everyone has a book within them; and this is probably true. However, not everyone has the skill, time, patience or confidence to write one. To a degree, that may be true. However, many budding authors have written best sellers when they were still working full time. They just made the best of their time and did it. So really, everyone has the time, it is just re-organising things in your life to make way for this to take place.

Not everyone wants to write a book though but, they still have something to say and, this may be you. All writers have to start somewhere, it doesn't just happen. Ask yourself, what audience do I wish to reach? What do I wish to write, fiction, non-fiction or perhaps a blog or magazine? 

Just think what John writes here, if everyone in the Christian world at that time, had written a book, it would have been impossible to read them all or store them somewhere. And it's the same today. Jesus did far more than what has been written. Just look at your own life and go through all He has done for you, large or small - they all matter. Everyday someone is saved, healed and have their lives changed forever. Many write about this but, not all. Things may have happened to you that have never seen the light of day. Why not tell someone?

Many say that they could write a book about the many things that have happened to them. So, if you're one of these, why don't you? You could write a blog - monthly, weekly or everyday. This blog could then be placed within the media - Facebook, Instagram etc. There are many platforms for doing this - Blogger for one. Some are free, some are cheap and some cost a lot to publish and set up but you do get quality and noticed around the world.

Don't be one of the many who will say in their last years, 'I wish I would have written that book etc.' It'll be too late then and all of that treasure within you will die with you. Don't do that; if you have a story to tell then, tell it!

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

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 finger-pointing

"Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

                                                                                   John 21:20-21 NKJV

John had a deep relationship with Jesus. This was built on trust and this description highlights a special bond between Jesus and John. This suggested a level of intimacy and trust beyond that of the other disciples. Let us not forget though, that Peter, John and James were like the inner circle of Jesus' friends. However, John had that little extra because He spent more time with Jesus, and from the cross, Jesus had asked him to take care of His mother, Mary following His death. Here on earth, it is not unusual for people to have 'Best Friends,' it just happens and perhaps John filled this category. There was definitely no favouritism or hidden agenda here as some believers and unbelievers have discussed in the past. If there was, it would make a mockery of all that Jesus was building here on earth.

It's interesting to see that John doesn't mention his own name, just 'the disciple that Jesus loved.' This shows the humility of the man. He didn't want loud trumpets being played because of their friendship. People are people and, will discuss anything that can promote a scandal. 

If there isn't anything to talk about, they'll find something and the gossip begins. One can see this often in the media where rumours are escalated until they are world news. We must admit, that if people are acting wrong, it needs to be exposed, especially people in strategic positions. However, a lot of it is bad journalism where a top story must be found on this politician, film star or music legend. Facebook is getting very very much like this with certain posts about well-known people. They try to encourage a person to click on the page to find out something that you 'couldn't possibly believe.' This type of stuff can ruin a person's profile.

It must be said that Peter looked to have a jealousy problem when He met with Jesus after the crucifixion and resurrection. Following his re-commissioning by Jesus, he saw John and pointed him out saying, 'But Lord, what about this man?' Jesus replied, 'If I will that he remains till I come, what is that you? You follow Me.'  v21-22. Peter almost blew it again following his restoration. There was a little bit of rivalry at this time but, nothing that would prevent the Gospel being spread around the world. Jesus made it clear to Peter by saying 'You never mind about him or anyone else. You, just do what I say. I'll take care of the rest.'

So there we have it, don't look for what isn't there' Watch the temptation to be envious or jealous of someone and watch the finger-pointing about other people.

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

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.