Heed Good Advice

"Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the Helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul."

As much as you may think it, you do not know everything and at times, a little advice from someone can be so rewarding and helpful. Here we see Paul on board ship bound for Rome. They had made slow progress because the wind was so strong and eventually came to shelter in a place called Fair Haven. Paul being full of the Holy Spirit, attempted  to warn the centurion and the crew, that he felt the journey would end in disaster if they carried on. However, the centurion was persuaded by the crew that they would be okay and decided not to take on board Paul's advise. This later resulted in the ship being wrecked off Malta.

At times, we can become so determined that what we are doing is the right thing that we become blinkered to advice from anyone. We feel that we know it all and no matter what anyone else says or thinks, that is immaterial. If things go wrong, and it appears that the advice that we ignored was right, we then reap the results of our bad choices.

A lot of times, we can become so busy; so wrapped up in doing this, that and everything else, that it can becomes like walking on egg shells around us. Taking on too much can lead us to frustrations when things are not going the way that we had hoped they would. We become tired and stressed out. Some people may be quite tolerant for a time in such circumstances. However, if they have a short fuse, then this is a recipe for throwing a wobbly. At such times, it would be wrong to approach such a person and say, 'Well, I did tell you so.'

If you have a short fuse, then this is part of your make up. Knowing and accepting that you have, can be a way that you can work towards avoiding such areas that could cause you a blip, but it take some practise. One remedy, is to pace yourself. Avoid taking on too much. Avoid trying to do two or three jobs at once. You can't do it. Before too long, the plates will begin to fall and you'll be shipwrecked. If someone offends you and you are angry about it, have a cooling down period before you do anything - if at all - about it. Do not send that text to the person who has wronged you, while you're angry. It will not be a blessing to either of you.

More than anything, remember the words:

'Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledged Him

and He shall direct your paths.

                              Proverbs 3:5-6

Seek God's direction. Be willing to take advice from people and run it by God for clarification. Stop and think before you take things on and be happy in all you do. Life's too short.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

  

Be a Giant Killer

"(33) There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight."      Number 13:30-33.  NKJV

Moses had sent Joshua and Caleb and several others, out on a covert operation, to spy out the land that he hoped to advance towards. When they returned, Caleb reported that they were well able to take the land (v30). But other men said that they would not be able to overcome these people. they were giants and they were like grasshoppers in comparison.

So here, we have a good report versus a bad one. There are always two different choices that have to be made - do we? or don't we? Bad reports should never be ignored but they do need to be scrutinised in order to see if there is a way through the situation faced. To rush in, may be a bad choice. 

Here though, we see how the majority of the people were thinking, 'we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.' Note the, 'in our own sight.' The way they viewed themselves was how the giants were viewing them. They had a Grasshopper Mentality and the giants could see this. They were saying, 'we can't do this,' and the giants were convinced that they couldn't. How you view yourself can be transmitted to how you are seen by other people. This is why so many people fail to get that special job that they go for - they show the interviewers that wrong mentality and the result is that the job goes to someone else. The thing is, and don't forget it, grasshoppers can jump and when they do it's hard to see where they've gone. Giants can become confused and that way defeated. 

God sees us as winners. God says, 'You can do this - with My help.' You are tempted to say, 'I can't do this.' So faith has a struggle with fear and doubt and the low self-image continues.
Who do you trust? Ok, you trust God. Therefore, if God says that you can do this, then you can do this - but only with His help. That is the secret. With God you can become a Giant Killer; nothing can stop you. But you must believe and own this thought - this belief. The creator of the world, lives within you. Jesus, the King of kings is your guide and the Holy Spirit gives you the power to overcome all things.

So change your thinking. Instead of people seeing a Grasshopper Mentality, let them see a Giant Killer Mentality. So go out today and slay those giants that have been trying to conquer you.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Chains fall off and Doors Open Part Two

"Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken and immediately, all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.'     Acts 16:26   NKJV

Paul and Silas and been arrested, beaten with Rods and then chained into the inner prison. This was the smelliest and most horrid part of the prison. However, instead of complaining about their situation, they were praising God and the other prisoners were listening to them. What a witness is that. It would have been alien to them that anyone should be singing praises to God after such treatment and this would no doubt have a lasting affect on some of them.

There was an earthquake and the foundations of the prison were shaken. This is quite similar to Isaiah's  experience when the worship was so loud that the posts of the door were shaken. (Isaiah 6:3-4). Praise changes things; God shakes things up when we give Him this sacrifice of praise - because at times such as this, that's what it is.

Praise breaks chains - chains of bondage, addiction, depression and everything else. Praise brings release; release to times of despair, pain, hurt and total fear and frustration. Praise is what God requires from us and He will always respond to this.

Note here, it was not only the prisoners who were listening to their worship. Paul and Silas were listening too. When we praise God, it builds us up too. The chains that are holding us back, break loose. This is why, at times, we may find it difficult to praise God. Sometimes, we just don't want to. We're being held back and it's the evil one who is doing it; because, he knows that if we praise God, things will change, he will not be able to control our situation. The power for him will be too great and he will have to flee. He just cannot stand praise because he knows that he will have to try and figure out another way of stopping us because this one hasn't worked. So break free and start praising.

Praise changes our direction. It opens the way for us to see more clearly, the road ahead. God has a plan for us and as we get into this place of worship, He will reveal it to us. But don't forget His Word too. We need to balance reading our bibles and worshipping God, so that we have the right formula.

Whatever place you are in today, start to praise Him and watch things change. Watch the chains fall off and the doors open for you and whoever you're praying for. 

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Chains fall off and doors open

"(6) 'Arise quickly.' And his chains fell off his hands"                   Acts 12:5-17.   NKJV
                                                              Try and read the whole scripture to get the full story. 

Peter had been arrested for preaching Jesus and Herod was determined to keep him in prison until the Passover. He was guarded by 4 squads of soldiers. This was 16 men; quite a lot to guard one man, but Herod knew what a powerful man Peter was.

Now there was constant prayer for Peter. Intercessors were praying day and night that he may be delivered. Try and picture the scene. Peter, who was very content and secure in His love for Jesus, was sleeping between two of the soldiers. He was bound with chains. The rest of the soldiers were guarding the door. It appeared to be totally impossible that Peter could escape. However, Herod had not considered how powerful Jesus was.

All of a sudden, an angel stood beside Peter, struck him on his side and told him to get up, get dressed and follow him. A bright light shone in the cell as Peter did this and Peter's chains fell off. They walked by the soldiers who must have been in some sort of trance because they took no action at all.

Peter thought he was dreaming this as they walked out of the prison and down to the main gate - a massive iron structure. This opened for them, on its own, rather like the automatic doors at some stores we shop at, I would have thought. They walked on down the street and as Peter arrived at Mary's house, the mother of John Mark, the angel disappeared. 

As Peter knocked on the door, inside, the church people were in deep prayer for Him. When they recognised who he was and that he was free, they were astonished. This can happen to us as we pray. We are so concerned in praying that when the answer comes, it amazes us. It's rather like praying for some financial help and someone coming along and giving us a donation, it can astonish us too.

The conclusion to the whole of this event is, Chains fall off and Doors and Iron gates open at the presence of Jesus Christ. No one can stop Him. Circumstances may be imprisoning you at this moment. You may feel the chains keeping you bound, but in the Name of Jesus Christ, arise and get dressed; let those chains fall off and those doors open as you walk towards them. Be content and secure in Jesus' love; trust Him and let Him set you free right now:

'Ah Lord God! Behold. You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.'

                                                                                        Jeremiah 32:17.  NKJV

Nothing is too hard! Nothing is too difficult! Nothing that you are going through at this moment is too hard for Jesus to conquer. Chains fall off, doors open and lives are changed.

Shout to Him, praise Him and get ready for the mighty power of the Holy Spirit to come and set you free!

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

        

Love

"(44) Love your enemies, bless this who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (45) that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven - "                                                                            Matthew 5:43-48.  NKJV

There are four categories of love that we need to consider:

1  Storge or Stergein  this means family love- the love of a parent for their child and a child for a parent.
2  Eros  this is the love between the sexes, i.e. passion and sexual love. This later went on to be known as lust.
3  Philia  this is real love and real affection. This describes a person's closest, nearest and truest friend.
4  Agape  "It means that no matter what people do to us, no matter how they treat us, no matter if they insult us, or injure us or grieve us, we will never allow any bitterness against them to invade our hearts, but will regard them with that unconquerable benevolence and goodwill which will seek nothing but there highest good."  (William Barclay)

Agape describes the love that Jesus is speaking about in our text for today. It is worth noting, that Jesus never asked us to love our enemies in the same way as we love our family. This would be neither possible or right, because it is a different kind of love. In order to love our enemies in the Agape way, we have to will ourselves to do it. It doesn't come naturally. Also to pray for those who spitefully use us, would be impossible without us displaying Agape love.

We all have come across the type of people that Jesus is speaking about here. At times, it can be impossible to like them, let alone love them. However, as we operate in Agape love, it becomes more natural. The more we exercise this type of love, the more that we get used to it and, like Jesus, it can become apart of our nature.

This is not easy, as you know. Some people can be so rude and nasty and we have choices to walk away from them or remain. If we choose to remain, it would be counter-productive to fall to their level and start to give them what they are giving us. If that is the case, it would be better to walk away and try again next time, if there is an opportunity. 

It may be foolish to walk into such a position as this. But, it may be unavoidable as we may work with these people; live next door to them or they may even be a part of our family. This type of approach is not matching everything that is thrown against us, but rather attempting to operate in the way Jesus would operate. This is not easy but it must be possible, or Jesus would not have commanded us to do it.

So, if you try and fail; don't beat yourself up, try again another day. That is all Jesus asks.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

Rescued and Re-built

"In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to My God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him. even to His ears."               Psalm 18:6.  NKJV

Think back to that time when you were in despair; when things had all come apart in you life and you had no one to help you or anywhere to go. You were all alone. All of a sudden, you had a hope in your heart because God had turned up.

Think back to that time when you felt that your were going to die. You were so ill, so weak that people were writing you off when they visited you in hospital or at home. You felt your life was over. All of a sudden, God turned up and performed a life-saving miracle.

And what about that time when you were so alone. You had no one to love and no one to love you. You were all alone. Then, out of nowhere, God sent someone into your life and your world was set on fire with love, happiness and joy once again.

Now look around you at what you have. It may not be much in today's recognition of wealth that is true; but it is yours. God gave it to you and it is precious. Also, you may have some aches and pains, age may be creeping up on you; but stop a moment and thank God - you're alive!

Life can be so competitive at times, with people striving for bigger and better homes, cars and status. That's ok. If that is what gives them pleasure, who are we to judge. However, don't let people's wealth and status make you feel second rate. There is no class level in the Kingdom of God. People may have great assets at this time, and that is fine. But, they will not be able to take it with them when they die. It will be over and we will all be of one class level.

What we have got is Jesus and He is all we need. He saved us, rescued us and is re-building us. He is the one that went that extra mile for each of us and paid the price of our sin on the cross. Jesus is the one who gave you what you have now. Whatever other people think about wealth and status is nothing compared to the priceless love and companionship that He gives you each and every day of your life. 

It is time to start praising and thanking Him for His love and care. Amen? Amen!

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com

The Damascus Road Part Three and onwards

"(19) Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city supposing he was dead."   Acts 14:19-20

Saul, who was now using his other name, Paul, was now established in his ministry, and accepted by Peter and the others, and with Barnabas, was preaching in Lystra. While there, he noticed a man who was lame and after observing him and satisfied in his mind that the man had the faith to be healed, called to him, 'Stand up straight on your feet,' and he leaped and walked.' Acts 14:8-9. 

Now this caused quite a stir with the multitudes, and they began to call Barnabas Zeus - which was known as Jupiter; and Paul as Hermes - which was known as Mercury. They began worshipping them as if they were gods. Paul tried to calm them down and tell them that, what they had witnessed was of Jesus - they were not gods. However, the crowds began sacrificing to them.

Then Jews came down from Antioch and Iconium and persuaded the crowds that Paul and Barnabus were imposters. The result was , Paul was stoned and left outside the city for dead. Now, many believe that Paul was actually dead and as the disciples gathered around him, he was raised back to life. This may explain Paul's discussion about being in Heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2-5. If not, he would have been miraculously healed, because the very next day, they set off to Derbe, on another mission.

Paul wrote in Acts 14:22 that, 'We must, through many tribulations, enter the Kingdom of God.' Paul was not saying here that suffering gives us entrance to the Kingdom of God, but rather as we serve God, persecution accompanies our walk with God. It's important to distinguish the difference.

We do struggle at times. You may be at this point at the moment. When we are going through difficult times, it is hard to realise that this is happening to us. After all, we are serving Jesus, this shouldn't happen, should it? Well if it happened to Jesus, it will certainly happen to us. Christian or not, we are all at risk of certain things happening to us. I remember hearing about Keith Green, a wonderful American musician with a ministry with homeless people and people with addictions. He did amazing things and wrote great worship songs, and yet, one day he went up in a helicopter with his young son and it crashed, killing them both. There's no answers to what happens but it happens to believers and unbelievers. 
At other times, Christians can be terribly persecuted, but what we must do is 'Get up', like Paul did and get on with the work. You are loved and important to Jesus.

Copyright 2019 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@protonmail.com