What can we learn from storms?

"Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. 23But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.  24And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”
Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. 25But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”
And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

Let us look at this piece of scripture more closely. Jesus wanted to go to the other side of the lake and got into the disciples boat. Therefore, we know that Jesus was with them in the boat and wanted to make this trip. He was at peace and decided to have a rest and fell asleep. This showed His humanity. The disciples could have done the same, if they had trusted in Jesus totally. However, they didn't and were more focused on a storm that was brewing. 

The windstorm came, bringing with it raging waves that threatened to sink the boat. The disciples became terrified and this is where they made there mistake. Jesus was in the boat with them; He wanted to go across the lake and was so assured this would happen that He went to sleep. Instead of addressing the wind and the waves themselves, they rushed to wake Jesus. He addressed the storm and there was quiet. He then addressed the disciples, 'Where is your faith?' 

We need to remember that the disciples were in God's will. He had asked them to take Him across the lake. When we're in God's will, storms will still come on us. It doesn't mean that we've stepped out of His will. Sometime He wants to test us. This may be because He has something bigger for us and wants to see how we handle certain things. Instead of focusing on God's Word, they focused on their circumstances and began to panic.

There are lessons to learn here. When Jesus asks us to do something for Him, He is right there with us and provides all we need to carry out the task. He trusts us so much, that He decides to  give us a trial. He does this because He has been teaching us and preparing us for a mission.

The thing is, would we be confidant enough to do what Jesus was hoping the disciples would do? This was what He meant when he asked them 'Where is your faith?' Some people would say, 'That was back in bible times; He would never expect us to do that now.' Really? I think He would. The same Spirit that dwelt in them is in us too, and it is the same Jesus. He doesn't change His mind. 

What would you do? Would you focus on God's Word or on the circumstances?

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 you been sowing in tears?

"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.                 

When you have been waiting a long time for God to do something for you, you become overjoyed when He acts. This was how the Israelites felt when they eventually  were freed from captivity in Babylon. He not only freed them but, He restored their fortunes. They were floating on air and must have felt they were dreaming. But it was true, they were free.

Just a glance at verse 2-3 says it all, 'The LORD has done great things for them, and we are glad. The LORD has done great things for us and we are glad' This was such a witness to the non-Jewish people; they too were going home. Yet none of them had anything of great worth to take with them except probably the clothes they stood up in and few bits and pieces. This is why they called out: 'Bring back our captivity O LORD, as the streams in the South' v4. 

The South, was the desert. It was normally arid and barren. Now, after much heavy rain, the dry waterbeds had become like torrents of water that made the wilderness blossom, and the Psalmist longed for more of this so that their restoration would be good and their sorrow turned to joy. After-all, those who sow in tears, will reap in joy.

And this can be transferred over to you. You may have waited for all kinds of prosperity to come to you - spiritually and naturally. Probably this is the time when blessing and restoration will come your way. The Israelites had waited 70 years and many of them had given up hope. But God had a date on His calendar and He would fulfil this blessing. He will you too. I wish I could tell you when but I don't know. But your name is on His calendar too and it could be today that He acts or it may be further down the line. The thing is, we have a New Year approaching and I pray that this will be a prosperous one for you all.

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. 

Leading up to the unpardonable sin

"As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. 33And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!”
34But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

                                                               Matthew 9:32-34   NKJV

Whatever Jesus did, there was always someone who would speak against Him. Now, whereas, we would find this incredibly difficult to handle, Jesus took it all in His stride. 

He didn't react to this one. However, a time was soon coming when He would and the seriousness of this would be life-changing. We'll come back to this point in a moment.

If you stand on a street corner and preach about Jesus, you will probably be arrested. Some preachers have been, but, it hasn't stopped them. Yet if you stand there and speak about another topic, you will probably be left alone. There appears to be a prejudice about Christian activities in the world today. I believe it comes in the form of spiritual attack. The devil doesn't want God's Word getting out to people because they might be saved. Therefore, he will try and block every entry route. 

This was what he was doing here that day. Jesus had just healed a man who was mute. When the man opened his mouth, he was able to talk and the place erupted at such a miracle. However, the Pharisees, forever watching for things to blame Jesus with, had the audacity to say 'He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons'. As we've seen earlier, Jesus didn't respond but, on the next occasion He did: 

“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come'.  Matthew 12:31-32.

We have enemies just the same as Jesus had when He walked the streets. If they ridiculed Him and blasphemed Him they will do the same to us. And this may be our own family or perhaps our friends. Learn to cope with it and rise above the accusations. They are attacking God's Word not ours. We are just the messenger. Sometimes postman get bitten by a dog, it's a similar analogy.

The people that hit out at us are in fear. The devil has gripped them into seeking out God's truth and dampening it down. But we have a job to do, so let's do it with no fear just boldness. We are on a mission and soldiers get shot at so, watch out for the arrows!

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. 

Mary - saved from disgrace

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.  20But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit".                                     Matthew 1:18-20.  NKJV

Mary and Joseph, were engaged to be married. Now this engagement was more binding than  an engagement that we are familiar with. This was was a legal contract that could only be broken by divorce and the reason would be by adultery. As we know, adultery was punishable by death. Joseph, being a just and righteous man didn't want to bring this disgrace on Mary - he loved her deeply. He therefore decided to divorce her quietly to save her the accusations that would follow if she was divorced.

While Joseph pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, encouraging him to take Mary as his wife, as the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and he was to call Him Jesus, because He would save His people from their sins.. Joseph complied with this request and took Mary to be his wife.

Mary's life would have been ruined through no fault of her own. But God's always on time; He rescued Mary and the man called Joseph, became her husband. Now from a human point of view, the devil can place all kinds of lies and accusatory statements before us and, it is extremely difficult to ignore them. The spiritual side of us wants to cast the thoughts away because they trust God. However, the devil will do all he can to break through that defence, convincing us that what we have heard is totally true. 

If we're not careful, that lie can take up residence in our life and we will keep focusing on it until we believe it. Then the torture begins. It can be anything. The devil is a liar and gossip. The fact that Joseph totally believed the angel of the Lord is stunning. He could have gone the route that anyone in that position goes. But he didn't. Why is that? It's because his faith in God had a strong foundation and he chose to believe what he trusted in, his Heavenly Father and because of this, God was able to bring forth the Saviour of the world - Jesus Christ.

On our lead up to the wonderful joy of Christmas, just focus on how good God is. We are able to trust Him with our lives and our future. Amen!

THANK YOU JESUS

AND A

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

BACK ON SATURDAY  27TH DECEMBER

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. 

Believe what Jesus says

"Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,  14but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

                                                                     John 4:13-14.  NKJ

Basically Jesus was telling the Samaritan women if you receive a drink from Jesus, it is so satisfying that you don't have to come back for another. His living water becomes its own everlasting well. Thirst no more. This got her attention straightaway and she asked for some because she didn't have to walk the distance carrying water. Jesus explained that the pleasures of this world are for a few short years, but the pleasures which Christ provides go on into everlasting life. Jesus was speaking about spiritual water springing up inside of her and leading to everlasting life.

This is what Jesus offers. There is no need to fetch water again. He offers living water. In the same manner,  he who invites Jesus into their life, doesn't have to ask again, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the person's life and this leads to eternal life.

Some people like to ask Jesus into their lives everyday and this, although not required, helps them to keep in mind the assurance of life eternal. But once Jesus has accepted the invitation to become someone's Lord and Saviour, that is a done deal. He enters their life and fills them with His spirit. They are born again.

I can see the logic for both areas here. One thing that does spring to mind is this decision to keep on asking Jesus each day for salvation. This could be seen as not trusting that Jesus saved them the first time. It is rather like asking Him to forgive a certain sin we commit and when He has done so, to keep on asking Him again. On this latter subject, there is no need to do this and the question rises, 'Don't we believe Jesus forgives us the first time we ask Him?' 

Are we not then, doubting Jesus' power? The bottom line is firstly, if we ask Jesus to come into our life and be our Lord and Saviour and also ask Him to forgive our sins. This is salvation and, at that time, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and Jesus becomes our Lord. Secondly, if we ask Him to forgive our sins, that is what He does. We confess, He forgives. 

Even though, we don't need to ask Jesus to come into our lives again - ever. He did do the first time you asked. We do though, need to ask for forgiveness for any new sin, each day. But once we've asked and confessed, we are forgiven, and we don't need to ask forgiveness for this new sin again.

In the same way Jesus said to the Samaritan women, if you receive My living water, you will not need to come to fetch water from here again for your thirst. He told her the water here would still make her thirst but the living water will last. eternally  In the same way, when we are born again, we have no need to ask Jesus into our life again. He came in the first time. With sin, you ask Him to forgive, He does so, and you move on, your confessed sin is forgiven on a daily basis.

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. 

There is hope in Jesus

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  5who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,  7that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,  8whom having not seen, you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,  9receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls."  1 Peter 1:3-6   NKJV

No matter how we feel today, we have had a new birth into a living hope. This is all because of Jesus, who shed His blood on our behalf because there was no other way that we could enter heaven and enjoy eternal life. Notice, He is not only our hope but, our living hope. When we were first born, there was no hope for us, all we had at the end of our life, was death, no eternal life. But through His life, death and resurrection, we have a future. We will see heaven and abide there, because we accepted Jesus as our Lord.

You may not feel it at this moment but, you are free and have an inheritance in heaven which is locked away. Jesus has the key and, at the right time, He will unlock the treasures within just for us. For everything you have done for Him on this earth, you will be rewarded. You may not think that you have done much for Him, but he has noticed everything and even though, you may have let yourself down a little, that will not be mentioned because, it is under the blood that Jesus shed for you. 

It has been a time of struggle for you of late and, you have suffered quite a lot. However, this was because God was testing you to see how you cope and what you're made of: 'that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,  8whom having not seen you love'.  1 Peter 1:7.

Hey, did you notice that?. You have been tested; God has been checking to see how you are doing; and where you thought that you would never make it into heaven, that 'God will never forgive me now,' you were wrong. He has tested you and you passed!

Now, that is something to shout about. Your future is sealed and your reservation in heaven is booked. YOU ARE AN ETERNAL HOPE! Therefore, as Christmas approaches, look at the time of year as a total blessing of God's grace. Sing, dance, praise the Lord and make this time, a time of happiness and joy.

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. 

! am so frustrated

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

How many times have you been frustrated by daily happenings, such as things you expected don't turn up on time, or even at all. People let you down when you were least expecting it and things just go wrong for no obvious reason. These things, if we are not careful, have the ability to wear us down. This is why Jesus said, 'Come to Me.'

What causes us to become frustrated? Well there are many things but here are a few:

Human Limitations  Living in a broken world means that our plans often clash with God's.

At such times, Jesus calls us to rest in Him casting all our care on Him and then, to join His ultimate plan, even when other things are futile.

Spiritual Opposition. This can hinder believers, causing frustration: 'For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.'   Ephesians 6:12.

Unmet Desires. Feeling helpless when circumstances or people don't align with our desires. This may be physically, mentally or emotionally.

Jesus mentions picking up His yoke. A yoke is a leather or wooden beam with two holes in it for two animals heads. The idea being, the animals walk and work in unison carrying large loads or burdens. Metaphorically speaking this can be used for a symbol of oppression, bondage, servitude or a close bond, such as the Yoke of marriage.

Life can weigh us down, therefore, when you accept the yoke of discipleship, you find rest and experience it in your daily life. You may still have problems, Jesus didn't say you wouldn't have. However, what you will have is someone who will share this burden. Instead of just your head in this yoke doing all the work and carrying the burden, there will be two - yours and Jesus'.

Quite plainly, rest is salvation and when you look at the make up of this word, which in the Greek is a word called Soteria you find: deliverance, preservation, soundness prosperity, happiness, rescue and general well-being. The word is used in the material temporal sense and in a spiritually eternal sense. So, salvation is a present possession with a full realisation for the future.

So don't you think you need to pass this frustration on to Jesus?

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.