Don't waste the gift and talent God has given you

"Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?22For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.  23If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."                       Mark 4:21-23    NKJV

Obviously, this piece of scripture is being taught by Jesus to remind His people not to hide their spiritual gift away. The person who has a special gift needs to be using it for the good of the body. It is seed and seed is meant to grow.. Therefore, when a person uses their God-given gift, they are sowing seed to build people up, and also to reach out to the lost.

However, not everyone is given the gifts of being a pastor, teacher or evangelist but, they do possess other gifts that they may have hidden away because they feel they are inappropriate to God. A question - who says they are inappropriate? Has God said this? 

I doubt if He has. If He has given  a person a gift that can bring joy and happiness to people and also share Jesus with them, shouldn't they be using it instead, of hiding it away under the bed?

What about music for a starters? Is it wrong for a Christian man or woman who have a great talent for music to use this for God? I'm not just saying in the worship band at church but, out in the world. Many well known music artists are Christians and although they may play secular music at their gigs, they may also fit in a Christian one which may open the heart of the listeners and even though there will not be an altar call at the end of the evening, the person/s who have been touched by God can take this away with them and they may be changed.

Then there is the art world. Art can be spiritual too, God has inspired many good pieces of work from Christian artists and people who view this work, or even buy it, may be inspired by what spiritual love it has taken to create it. In our world today, there are many Christian people who may not follow the traditional Christian life by attending church, home groups etc. And yet, their faith and their love is amazingly deep and they use this in their work for God. They read their bible, pray and enjoy close worship with Jesus, the difference is, they don't have fellowship with others very often. Is this wrong; you decide? 

The thing is, we're all different and they may do things differently but, they are still serving God; they haven't hidden their talent away but, are using it to the full.

Does this mean that everyone should stop going to church and follow their own heart and gifting? Absolutely not. The majority of Christians will and should follow the traditional route of attending church. However, if a person is called to use their gifting and talent elsewhere, that should be ok for them too. 

A final word, have you a gift or talent that you have been hiding? What you do with this is obviously your choice but, ask yourself what is God's choice for you - to hide it away or find an opening to bring this out? 

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. 

Depression

"But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”               1 Kings 19:4.  NKJV

Elijah had just won a great victory but he had annoyed Jezebel, the evil Queen. Her God, Baal, had been badly humiliated and her prophets killed. She was out for revenge. Elijah reacted in a most strange way, this great man of God, despite his wonderful victory, took to his heels and fled into the wilderness in fear and praying that he may die. This can happen to Christians when they have had wonderful blessings and are full of praise for God. Even the strongest of us can be struck down with fear, anxiety and depression.

There are times when we have been so overly busy for the Lord that, we have worn ourselves out, something that is not part of God. He wants us to pace ourselves properly and when we found ourselves in a position such as this, we need sleep and rest and a good meal to revive us. This is why God sent and angel to Elijah v5ff. When he was feeling more refreshed, he set out on a long journey. He walked 40 days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of the Lord, where he entered a cave and in a short time, met with the Lord. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” v 9 & 14. In other words, he was in the wrong place. At the second statement, Elijah, realised this and sets off back to where he should be, serving God.

Overwork, tiredness and trying to be everything for everybody leads to despair and this can lead to us being found in a heap, unable to cope with much at all. Recognise the signs. God did not call you to do everything, you need to balance your workload out so that it is more suitable to your energy levels. This is why Jesus called His disciples over to take a break:

"Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."    Matthew 11: 28-30. 

If life is weighing you down and the burden you are carrying has become too heavy then, give it to Jesus. This is what He is saying to you right now! Many Christian people are in a place of depression at this moment. We can't just say that this is an attack from the devil. He may be involved somewhere down the line but, you are the one that may have placed yourself in this position. Why? Because you didn't heed to the Word of God.

Therefore, with God's help. work towards freedom from all of this; allow the chains to fall off and don't be frightened to close your eyes and have a rest when you can. You will feel better for it that's for sure and, so will others who share a part of your life.

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. 

Changes

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven"

                                                                                        Ecclesiastes 3:1   NKJV

Life as we know it can be very predictable. Each day can be a copy of yesterday - we get up in the morning, shower in the same bathroom, put on the same clothes we have been putting on for years. We eat the same breakfast, usually sitting at the same table as we did yesterday, looking at the same person. We look at the news on the same mobile or TV and watch the same as we saw the day before. We then go to the same workplace catching the same bus, train or the car we drive; arrive at the workplace and carry out the same job we did yesterday. We then go to the home we have lived in for years, greet the same partner and kids, eat our dinner, again at the same table. Watch the same old TV and then go to the same old bed and sleep, knowing that the same ritual will take place tomorrow.

Is this a ritual or are we just programmed to do this each day. For many people, this is life and they like the comfort and security of it, and that is fine. For others, life may have taken on boredom, they want more. This is where affairs can take place. Someone offers something different to what they are used to and, the excitement of change grips them. It is a new adventure, risky but adds to the excitement. The thing is, this excitement wears off after a time and the other person goes away to possibly someone else. You're left with a choice, start a new life or go back to what you feel is humdrum and boring.

The partner and the kids at home, probably no nothing about this and are content with the happiness of their lives together. If they found out, they would be devastated and wounded. Do they deserve this? You decide. One thing's for sure, there needs to be some changes made to prevent another crisis from happening in the future. So, why not not get together with your partner and have a chat from the heart. You can suggest that you join a sports club once a week. This could be a family outing. You can have date nights; get a sitter and go out for a meal, the cinema, a country walk or whatever feels good. You could also start a new hobby together. All of this brings changes to the ritual and is far better than having a broken marriage and hurting children, isn't it?

Being a Christian, may not be enough at times. Change has to be implemented, in accordance with God and when it is, God will help you both to change things around so that you blend together. You may still love each other, but you and your partner need to recognise this instead of just taking things for granted.

The bottom line is; is your marriage worth protecting? If so, why not touch base with each other and agree to some changes being made. They may be difficult at first - change normally is. However, after a while, with God's help, you will feel much more fulfilled than you have for some time.

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. 

Are you on the verge of losing everything?

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."      Jeremiah 29:11.  NKJV

Today, across the world, many people may be sitting there with their head in their hands wondering how they are going to survive. They may have been laid off at work - redundant or even fired for something they have done wrong. Their house may be waiting to be repossessed through defaulting on the mortgage repayments. They may have lost all of their money in a painful scam where their bank account has been cleared out or, something equally as hurtful. Whatever, they are in a desperate position. Many today are in a position where they are climbing the walls wondering what will happen to them.

They have no plan, but God does have. Just take a deeper look at our text today. Let me remind you that, God's thoughts are not like your thoughts. He is totally in control and His thoughts remind us of this. Where we may flap and worry, God is at peace because He knows the answer and He is willing to share this with you. But, this is conditional, as you will see.

His aim is to give you His peace, along with a future and a hope. You may have lost your hope, that is ok because God can give you a biblical hope. Where we may say in answer to someone, 'Yes I will do, hopefully,' God wants you to stretch that word to 'hope-fully. The difference would then be, 'Yes, I will hope-fully.; There is a difference, can you see it?

Now we come to the best bit. In Jeremiah 29:12-14 we read 'Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.  14I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity.' When you seek God with all your heart He will listen and lead you out of your captivity. You may say, 'I'm not in captivity.' Yes you are, you cannot get out of your present situation so, you're a captive and God is willing to help and restore you.

Now, if you're not a Christian, I suggest you become one. There's a prayer below for you to do this. If you already know Jesus, then stand on your faith and believe with all of your heart that Jesus can help you in your situation. He may set you free instantly, He's capable of this. Then again, He may do this in stages. We have to wait and see here. One thing though, He will set you free if you are faithful to Him in what you say. He will then be faithful back.

Look at people God has helped, Job for one. Then there is Daniel, David, Peter, Paul and a host of others, too many to mention here. And He is willing to help you too. What are you waiting for?

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 worry about the future times

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4And where I go you know, and the way you know.”                                  John 14:1-4    NKJV

Yesterday, we had a glimpse of what heaven was like. Today, let's have a look at where we will live and how we will get there. Firstly, we know that when we die, all people who have Jesus as their Lord, will dwell in that wonderful place known as heaven. Secondly, Jesus here reassures us of where we will live.

When He died, He went to heaven and began a preparation period for where we will dwell. He is preparing mansions for us to live in. Now, we all know how large a mansion is, but these mansion will be vast - a vast amount of dwelling places that we will be hard pressed to view them all. There will be ample space for us all.

He tells the disciples in this scripture, and us too, that when He leaves for heaven, we won't be able to see Him but, we will know He is there. What He does say is when He has finished the preparation period, He will return for us all. This is called the Rapture. He will then take us to our forever home with Him. Those who die before this rapture period, will join Him in heaven immediately.

He wants to reassure us that there is nothing to worry about - no fear. He tells us to believe in God and therefore, believe in Him also. In other words, He wants us to place our full trust in Jesus just as He does in His Father. 

Just think about it for a moment. It took God 6 days to create a place in heaven, and it was sheer bliss initially. Jesus has been preparing our dwelling place for over 2000 years, so this just has to be amazing. And what's more, you will see this and dwell there eternally. 

So don't allow anyone to make you feel uneasy about dwelling with Jesus. The devil will twist the words of unbelievers to try and make you feel scared about it. Believe Jesus instead of false words. Believe in the truth!

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. 

What will Heaven be like?

"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  3And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.  4And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”            Revelation 21:1-4.  NKJV

What will heaven be like? We can read all about in Revelation but, some people find it hard to understand all of the facts. One things for sure, Heaven for the Christian will be a place of glorious life that will never end. Joy inexpressible, limitless peace, pure love, beauty beyond description—that's what heaven is. Greatest of all will be the presence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, with whom we will enjoy fellowship forever. I wonder what that will be like?

Billy Graham wrote: “Heaven will be a place in which its inhabitants will be freed from the fears and insecurities that plague and haunt us in the present life. No energy crisis there … Free from the economic and financial pressures that burden us down here. Free from the fear of personal and physical harm … No fear of personal failure … Our relationship with Him will be intimate and direct. I’m looking forward to that glorious day of going to heaven. “Heaven will be what we have always longed for. It will be the new social order that men dream of. All the things that have made earth unlovely and tragic will be absent in heaven. There will be no night, no death, no disease, no sorrow, no tears, no ignorance, no disappointment, no war. It will be filled with happiness, worship, love, and perfection.A renewed creation."

At this moment, Christ dwells in the heavenly city with the believers who have died (John 14:2-3). In Revelation 21:2, John sees the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down to earth out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. This city will become the capitol of the new creation known as the new Jerusalem, and God will dwell with His people (21:3). 


All sadness, hurt and disappointment will be no more as we will live with Jesus. 
The city the New Jerusalem: 
The city of New Jerusalem is described as coming down to this new Earth, a city of pure gold with gates of pearl and foundations of precious stones. 
There will be no sun or moon: 
The city will not need a sun or moon because the glory of God will provide the light. 
The Tree of Life: 
A river of the water of life will flow through the city, and the Tree of Life will grow on either side, bearing fruit and healing leaves for the inhabitants. 


Now this sounds 
absolutely wonderful and all of us who believe in Jesus as our Lord will 
be part of it. 
Hallelujah


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. 

IF....

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say— 2“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, When men rose up against us, 3Then they would have swallowed us alive".                       Psalm 124:1-3     NKJV

David encourages us here, to think back on the times that God has suddenly turned up and rescued us or changed a nasty situation that we were in. If it had not been for divine intervention at the Red Sea that day, Israel would have been slaughtered by Pharaoh's army or drowned in the raging waters of the sea. David reflects on the help he received from God on that occasion and, the many others times that God had worked on His behalf. This gave him the confidence that yet again, he would triumph over his enemies.

Note the very important word 'IF.' “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” This little word meant the difference between deliverance and failure. There was no 'IF' about it, God was on there side and this was all they needed. The pending disaster was over and they were able to shout, 'Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth."  v8.

And this was not only for David's time, it is ever-present right now. Just think back, things have changed in your life. 'IF' He had not turned up for you in time, you would have been swallowed up and either died or been devastated by it all. Think back to that time when you were in pain through the breakdown of a relationship. The pain and humiliation was horrific and you felt that you would never be happy again. But He did and there was no IF about it.

There may have been other times when you thought, 'IF only I hadn't done that/said that, things would have been better now.' But they were, how? because God turned up and saved the situation. This may be happening to you now and you are thinking the 'IF only's.' Think back, recall God's mighty power that you witnessed before,because, He will do it again and again. As long as you remain close to Him, He will not let you down.

Just sit and consider your past. Begin to praise Him and remember. As you do, say out loud, if you can, '“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side." And then "My/Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." And then sit back and watch God move. He will!

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.