Righteous anger v Human anger

"Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.  15When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables.  16And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”   John 2:13-16.  NKJV

Jesus became angry but, only when other people were mistreated or, God's reputation was dishonoured. He never became angry over His own mistreatment. His anger is known as righteous anger.

To be honest, a lot of our anger isn't righteous, it is selfish. We become angry when people wrong us or fail to live up to our expectations. In some homes, this type of anger can be observed when a parent or a spouse are expecting something to be done and it isn't. This can be the start of an argument.

In our reading today, we can see righteous anger in operation. Jesus was appalled at people using the temple as a market place, selling goods, changing money and generally using the temple in a manner that was not honourable to His Father. Jesus made a whip. It was probably a small lash made of cords. It is not recorded that He used it as a weapon, it was more likely a symbol of His authority. I don't think for moment it was intended to hurt people, more to deter them as He waved the whip before Him, driving the merchants out of the temple and overturning the moneychangers tables at the same time.

James wrote: "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." James 1:19-20. We need to be aware of such scriptures as these, taking them to heart. Think, when was the last time you became angry? If you did, was it righteous anger, like Jesus, or human anger. There is a major difference. Human anger can lead to arguments, fights and total division between the parties concerned. We can see this type of anger all around us. It is not healthy to do this because, it causes all types of problems and feelings.

We all are prone to become anger. The old saying of counting to ten may be helpful in some circumstances but, training one's-self to overcome this type of behaviour is far better.

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.

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

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

Yesterday's man

"Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”   1 Samuel 16:1-2  NKJV

The LORD had taken His hand off Saul; he was still king but he had lost the anointing. Samuel grieved over this fact but, the LORD told him bluntly to face the fact that Saul had been rejected as king. He had chosen another man - David - to replace him. However this was not to be made official for some years. David would have to wait about 20 years before he would take the throne. Saul would still be doing the things that kings do, but without the anointing of God. Saul wore the crown without the anointing; David had the anointing without the crown. In a short while, David would prove his worthiness when he tackled and killed Goliath

How would David have felt at this time? Saul knew nothing about his anointing, if he had have done, this would have made the paranoid behaviour towards David, even greater. He was jealous of David to the core and it showed. David however, was as respectful as he could be, under the circumstances, and this must have been very difficult for him to do. Don't forget, David knew the throne was his, he had been anointed but Saul didn't and neither did the Israelites. Only a handful of people knew this fact including, Jesse his father, Samuel and his brothers. The latter would not have wanted this known as they hated him and wouldn't want to be a laughing stock from other people if they found out too. It was the waiting game and, David did it very well. He had to wait while Saul abused him by throwing a spear at him and trying to kill him in other ways.

How are you at waiting? David showed total humility in doing so. He knew what God had said and that was enough for him to know. He would wait rather like the prophet Habakkuk would write years later: 'Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come; it will not tarry.'

Habakkuk 2:3.

You may have been waiting ages for something God has told you. Up to now, it has not come to fruition. But don't lose heart. If God said it, He will perform it! Don't lose hope. Don't allow the devil to steal this promise from you. It may be just around the corner, so don't give up. You are not Yesterday's man or woman. You are of today.

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.

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

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

Under the safety of His wing

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”                                                         Psalm 91:1-2   NKJV

This piece of scripture is almost as if Jesus was reading it aloud, about His Father. Whether that is true or not, they are words that he wants all of us to accept and own for our walk with Him. It is often said that, the safest place to be in a storm is in the eye of it, and this Psalm reflects that; we are safe when we dwell in the secret place of the Most High. Like a swan that hides its young under its wing to protect them from danger, so Our Father does the same with us - when we take refuge in Him (v4).

In verses 9 &10, we read: 'Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling' There is a condition here, if we make Him our refuge, He in return, will protect us from any danger. No disaster will come upon us even if it is all around us. When God protects His children, He places angels around us and our property, and protects us and they hold us up in their hands. In fact, there will be absolutely nothing to be frightened about (v11 & 12).

Let us not forget though, we have an enemy, and like any enemy, he will do all he can to prevent us winning or gaining ground. But Satan's fieldcraft is not as efficient as God's is. He knows all things and is able to counteract anything that the devil may try and put into place. A word of warning here. God will only do this if, you are in a relationship with Him and, if you're living the righteous life that He had planned for you. If these conditions are not in place, you may suffer many attacks and have to handle them alone, and that is not easy. 

Therefore, ensure Jesus is your Commander in Chief and that you are walking steadfast with Him. Get rid of anything that will try to entangle you (Hebrews 12:1-2) and in the strength of the Holy Spirit, run to Him to the Throne of Grace, spending time in His refuge until it is safe to come out again.

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.

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

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

Have a good laugh

"A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones"

                                                                         Proverbs 17:22   NKJV

A person's mental outlook has a lot to do with recovery from sickness or an accident. A cheerful disposition is a powerful aid to healing. However, a broken spirit saps a person's vitality. This latter condition can often be observed when a person is going through bereavement or a broken relationship. It's natural and important to grieve but, if it goes on too long it can rob the individual of future happiness.

Doctor's have long seen the benefits of laughter being a good cure and in itself, is viewed as good medicine. A good belly laugh has been seen as useful for helping the diaphragm to go deep in the body helping the lungs to expand, increasing the amount of oxygen being taken into them. It is also known to help the heart have a gentle rhythmic massage which helps it to beat faster and harder. Circulation speeds up, liver, stomach, pancreas, spleen and gall bladder are all stimulated giving an invigorating lift. (Info from The Berkeley Version - Up to date therapy, unsurpassed)

However, Howard Pollis, a psychology professor at the University of Tennessee, reports that when laughter and smiling are used in an aggressive way - to sneer at, to ridicule, to embarrass etc. - they are non healthy and can really do more harm to the 'laugher' than the one who is laughed at.  ©Howard Pollis

A broken spirit has more devastating symptoms. These type of emotions can make hair fall out by the handful, bring on splitting headaches to name just a few of the bad symptoms, including heart problems. Therefore, hearty laughter can produce good health as long as the heart is not full of aggression, jealousy, hate and any other negative feelings. 

So there is a need to empty yourself of any bad feelings that you may have towards anybody - it is really not helping. How can God forgive your sins if you hold resentment towards anyone. Once you have a clear conscience you can begin to see the funny side of things, lighten up and open yourself to some good, hearty belly-laughs. You know that feeling when you have laughed so much that your ribs are aching. This is doing you good, living with a broken spirit is not.

Therefore, talk to God about 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
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.

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

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

Don't be held back by your mistakes!

"58But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end."    Matthew 26:58   NKJV

Even though, Peter denied Jesus three times, let us not forget that, during the chaos of Jesus being arrested and taken to see Caiaphas, the high priest, Peter followed. He didn't run away as one would have thought he would. After all, he had denied Jesus; and certain people had recognised him and stated that he had been with Jesus, proving he was a liar. But he didn't run away; he went into the thick of things and sat with the guards until he knew what would happen to Jesus. 

Yes, one can say that he denied Jesus; it's a fact but, following Jesus and sitting in Caiaphas' house together with the guards still showed that he was a faithful man. If he had not have denied Jesus and admitted that he was with Him, it may have been a different story and he may have been arrested and crucified too. If this had happened, there would not have been the Pentecost preaching session, where Peter evangelised publicly and 3000 souls were saved that day and more and more daily.

Could this have been part of Jesus plan? Probably not. However, it does show that Jesus can take our 'mess ups' and bring good out of them. Romans 8:28 reassures us of this 'And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.' We do make mistakes; we do let God down big time and somedays we are far away from Him but, He is always with us and, as we talk with Him, He will bring about positive changes to our negative ones. Peter must have spoken to God as he pushed his way forward into the high priest's house. If not, how is it he was allowed in there, and why wasn't he recognised? He was under divine protection and God had a plan.

When you have let Jesus down badly (and you will), don't beat yourself up and run away and hide in a corner. Quickly accept that you blew it, put it right and press on without condemnation. The devil is only too be pleased to condemn you (Romans 8:1-2). Don't play his game; refuse to feel bad about what you have done, if you have asked Him, Jesus has forgiven you so, press on and get the job done. You're an overcomer!

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.

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

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

Too tired to remain awake

"He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 40Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?  41Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”  43And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.  45Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.  46Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”      Matthew 26:39-46   NKJV

It happens to us all. Sometimes we are so tired that we cannot keep our eyes open. We know that we should pray, after all, this is why we get up early for. However, tiredness rules. The disciples couldn't help sleeping and Jesus knew this. But, He was teaching them that there are important times that require our attention. And this was one of them. Jesus came into His humanity in Gethsemane and He needed some encouragement, rather like we do when we need a hug. 

Apart from going to the cross, this was probably one of the most difficult times for Jesus. He was in a spiritual battle and it became so intense that He actually sweat drops of blood (Luke 22:42-43) If there was ever a time when He needed some back up, it was then. The others were sleeping but God sent an angel to assist Him (Luke 22:43). Notice, that when we fail to act, God is always there with a plan B.

We need to pray as much as we can. Many people use the early mornings to do this and read their bible too. This is usually known as a quiet time. It is enriching for us to do this as it sets us up for the day, and it is less likely to come across interruptions or distractions. The devil though, knows how important this prayer time is. So he will do all he can to stop this from being successful. It takes time to avoid the tiredness and not everyone can do it. Therefore, they may have a quiet time later in the day or before going to bed. Everyone is different and allowances have to be made for this. One thing is for sure, whatever time you choose, Jesus will be waiting and looking forward to sharing this special time with you. 

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.

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

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

No acceptance at home

"Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. 54When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  55Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  56And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?”  57So they were offended at Him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own country and in his own house.” 58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief."                                       Matthew 13:53-58    NKJV

Jesus visited His home town and went into the synagogue to do some teaching. However, He was not welcome there, Obviously, they recognised Him as the carpenter's son, not as a prophet or teacher. They were stunned. They spoke between themselves asking, 'How can this be, He is just a carpenter and yet He is standing before us, teaching?' They were offended. Yet, note that they recognised His wisdom and mighty acts (v54+57) But their eyes were blind and their hearts hard. It is possible that they didn't want to recognise Him at all. They knew Him as a villager and had never seen Him like this before. There was no room for God to work on an ordinary person here. No faith just stony ground.

When a person becomes a Christian, their whole outlook changes and they have different values. This can stir up bad feeling with families, neighbours and work colleagues. They are used to you the way they know you. Now when they look and listen, it is like looking at a stranger, rather like the people were with Jesus in His home town, and they become offended. Terms like, 'Who do they think they are, Lording it over us.' And rather like Jesus, who found it hard to touch base with them because there was no faith, it is the same for us too. It is like talking to a brick wall and they think that we are crazy.

Christianity can split families apart; it is so costly for you to make the choice of following Jesus. But, it is all very costly not to. We are looking at life or death and choices have to be made. We have to count the cost. Rather like Jesus, you may not be able to make any changes in your home surroundings and it may be very tense at first. However, just hang on to the fact that, like the people in Nazareth recognised; your family and friends are noticing your wisdom and mighty acts too, even though they can't make sense of it; they know it is not ordinary. They're witnessing the Holy Spirit at work and they don't even know it. Just pray that their eyes will be opened and avoid being rude or falling into a negative conversation with them. Let the Holy Spirit do the work.

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.

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

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard.