Sunday 22 March 2020

Spider's webs and Cobwebs

"The proud have set a trap to catch me; they have stretched out a net; they have placed traps all along the way."   Psalm 140:5.  NLT

 I want us to look at the significance of the spider's web and a cobweb. 

 SPIDER'S WEB
This is an intricate collection of silky threads, rather like a net, that is designed to catch a spider's prey. An unsuspecting creature is drawn to this fabulously designed spectacle and has soon as it sets foot on it, is helplessly trapped by its stickiness and the many threads. As the creature struggles, it becomes more and more entangled and food for the spider. Some spider's can actually feel the vibration of the threads when something touches it and will spring out to capture it, instantly.
The spider's web is a wonderfully made, work of art. It is absolutely fascinating how this creature is able to spin such a thing. Webs, draw the wildlife photographer because of the wonderful colours it creates when the sun shines on it. However, the web is a trap and once entangled within its threads, it is very difficult, if at all, to become free from it.
An analogy of the web is when someone is drawn away into temptation and becomes trapped, unable to set themselves free from its hold, such is the strength of the attraction. Believers and non-believers alike, can become trapped within a web-like being. A person is never out of the danger of being ensnared and the only way out is to be rescued by God Himself.
People with addictions are easy prey for the web-like being along the way but so is the average Christian man or woman who look at something or are tempted to do something and are trapped in this web of destruction. 

 COBWEB
The cobweb speaks of something that is deserted and neglected. A cobweb, is very often a spider's web that has been abandoned and left to collect dust. This describes a person's life when they neglect the most important parts of their lives and allow it to stagnate. Many marriages fall apart because of this stagnation. People's careers are shattered because of the lack of attention to the most important parts that are required to keep things fresh and exciting.
Bibles can become left on a shelf, collecting cobwebs, because they are never opened. Christian lives and ministries need regular attention or they become dry and lose their attraction.

 Has your walk with God become entangled in webs, whether it be the spider's type, where you have become trapped in a sin, a bad relationship or something else, or cobwebs, where you have neglected your Christian walk? It's never too late you know. If you're stuck in the spider's web, call out to God now and allow Him to rescue you. If it's the cobweb type, again, call out to Him and open your bible, put on some Christian music and get back on the road, walking with Jesus.

 Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard


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Saturday 21 March 2020

'Lord, I can't do this,' - Yes you can!'

"If you've run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?'
                                                                              Jeremiah 12:5.  NKJV

 Hey, you've come this far, so you can go further, yes? Don't give up now! It's a challenging time, that's true, but you need to be able to contend with what's happening in your life now; otherwise, when further challenges come - and they will, you won't be able to manage.

 You have to lean to manage the place that you're in at this moment before you face the challenges which will come tomorrow, because they will be greater. If you can't manage what you are going through today, you will surely struggle in the days ahead.

 But you can manage today if you don't look too far ahead. Today is enough. At the moment this is all you can do. Jesus told us:

 'Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.'   Matthew 6:34.  NKJV

 In other words deal with today, tomorrow is too problematic to think about when you've got today to get through. Take one day at a time.

 The floodplain that God mentions to Jeremiah in this text, is the area around the Jordan. It's a thicket, rather like a jungle and lions used to roam around in there. Don't forget that Peter told us that our enemy, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8). Basically God is saying today, make sure you get in control of the situation you are facing because the road ahead could be difficult, and the devil is not your friend. Be alert!

 However, be reassured that whatever lies ahead - whatever - you can do it, with Jesus by your side.  Philippians 4:13.  

 Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com


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Friday 20 March 2020

Be at Peace

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. Because he trusts in You."                                                    Isaiah 26:3.  NKJV

 Perfect Peace is translated in the Hebrew as Shalom Shalom - a greeting or farewell blessing. This shows in Hebrew that repetition communicates intensity. It isn't just Shalom but Shalom Shalom - Perfect Peace which refers to health, happiness and well-being.

 Notice that the text says, 'whose mind is stayed on You.' It's the mind that plays havoc with our thinking if we don't take control. We need to take control of what is happening in our mind by filling it with the Word of God. We need to focus. Stop allowing yourself to become fearful and agitated. Don't allow worry but pursue peace. We do this by giving our all to Jesus - by placing Him fully in the driving seat of our life. If we allow the devil into the back seat, pretty soon he is going to want to drive. Do you get the picture? Don't let the evil one through your hedge of protection.

 Jesus told us in John 14:27:

 'Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.'    
      
Don't permit worry - pursue peace. Just sit for one moment and allow yourself to consider just how much Jesus loves you. He died in your place; He forgave you for all the wrongs you had done; He's given you your life back; He has done so much for you. Do you really think that He's going to let you down now? Of course not. 
He loves you far too much for that! Let not your heart be troubled!


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Thursday 19 March 2020

There's no need to worry!

"Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor about your body what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?"                              Matthew 6:25.  NKJV

 George Muller said, 'The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.'

 In a crisis, such as we now have with the Coronavirus Pandemic, it is so easy to begin to panic, 'What are we going to do?' ' What are we going to eat or drink, we're running out of supplies?' When this happens, people begin to panic-buy and all thought for others goes out the window. It becomes a situation where, 'It's about me and me only.' Selfish tactics kick in rather like in a major sale where people dash across a store, after camping outside all night, and grab all the bargains, even at the risk of fighting.

 But come on; we are not like that! We belong to Jesus. Our security and our trust are in Him. David Guzik says:

 'The worry Jesus spoke of, debases man to the level of an animal who is merely concerned with physical needs. Your life is more and you have eternal matters to pursue.'                                             David Guzik - Enduring Word

 Life is more important than dashing off with the worry of food, drink and clothes to wear - things, that Jesus knows we need and will supply them for us. (Matthew 6:32-33.)

 It is time to start setting some examples. The best way to do this, is to show others that we do not worry and we do not panic. We don't do this because we have a Heavenly Father  who is taking care of this department. It's a done deal because He said so.

 We have a wonderful opportunity to show people the love of Jesus. People are worried; they have little hope and so they fight and kick to get what they can. Spread a bit of Jesus around wherever you go. If you can't get out, text someone on your mobile, post on Facebook, WhatsApp or speak on FaceTime. Tell them about the love and peace that Jesus offers.

 Be a Peacemaker. Be a History maker. Bring some calm into a scary situation. You, as a Child of God, have hope. Pass that hope onto someone who doesn't have hope. This is what we can do during these difficult and frightening times.
Be Jesus to people! 

















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Wednesday 18 March 2020

No virus can stop you - You're a winner!

"But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Our Lord Jesus Christ."
                                                                          1 Corinthians 15:57.  NKJV

 Being a winner consists of the ability to have certain elements:

 CONQUEST
This is the act or process of conquering. It is something acquired by conquering, especially territory.

 VICTORY
This is the final and complete defeat of the enemy in a military engagement. It is also any successful struggle against an opponent or obstacle. It is the state of having triumphed.

 TRIUMPH
it is the ability to be victorious or successful, to win and prevail. Triumph gives us the reason to rejoice over a success or victory, because we are trophies of Christ's victory.

 A winner has victory. The word victory in the Greek is nee-kay from which we get the word Nike. (Strongs 3529) It is no wonder that the sports giant took this brand name to promote their goods. 
LOSERS TALK ABOUT IT - WINNERS TAKE ACTION!  

 As we have seen from the media this week, there is a lot of unrest throughout the world. Each country is taking action to help protect their people from the Coronavirus. It is causing fear which is the total opposite to faith. It is time for each and every Child of God to take God at His Word.

 'Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.'
                                                                             1 Corinthians 15:58.  NKJV

 In fact, remember and declare today's verse over yourself and your family - personalise it:

 'But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.'
                                                                             1 Corinthians 15:57.  NKJV 

 It may not seem it, but you have the victory over the Coronavirus, through Jesus Christ. You are a winner! Fear only comes from the devil (John 10:10). Victory comes through Jesus.

 'Do not be afraid - only believe,'  Mark 5:36. You are a winner! You have the victory! Everything's going to be all right! Throw off the blanket of fear and stand with Jesus. Tell non-believers about Him. They need to know. They need hope - the hope that you have!






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Tuesday 17 March 2020

God's answer to the Coronavirus - 'I will be with him in trouble'

"(14) Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he has known My name. (15) He shall call upon Me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him."
                                                                                Psalm 91:14-15.  NKJV

 What a promise this is! Take a closer look at it. God will deliver us; He will set us on high. This means He will exalt us as we humble ourselves before Him (1 Peter 5:6). As we call upon Him, He will answer us. He will be with us in trouble and He will deliver us.

 Many people think that, God will not allow anything to happen to us. We will be free from all problems and trouble. This is not true. As believers, the same kind of stuff that comes on non-believers, will also come upon us. 'for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.'  (Matthew 5:45).

 We go through the same kind of things that others go through and sometimes, we wonder why. But there is no answer to this. What there is an answer to, is the fact that, for believers of Almighty God, He goes through the troubles with us. He is right beside us: 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.'  (Psalm 23:4). This is the difference. He is right beside us wherever we go, whatever we go through and whatever happens to us. He will never leave us.

 With this knowledge and in light of what is happening in our world today with the Coronavirus, please be reassured that He is with you. Yes, it may be scary and the thought of it all is so uncertain, in fact, so uncertain that it is causing panic wherever we go. People are panic-buying so that they have enough food and medical supplies. There is a great fear across the world at this moment. But, stop for one moment; if you have set your love upon Jesus, He will deliver you. He will lift you up through whatever may happen in the coming weeks. As you call upon Him, He will answer you and He will be right there beside you, never to leave. It may be uncertain for you, but not to Him. He knows the answer; He knows what He is doing and what He will do. Just trust Him; there really is nothing else that you can do.

 There are certain restrictions and instructions that we will all have to follow over the next few months. But it is a time to be optimistic not pessimistic. God has given you a promise, a promise that He will not break. He can be relied on to fulfil His promise to us - His children. He will answer us and be with us; He will be with us throughout this troubled time and HE WILL DELIVER US! Amen? Amen!















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Monday 16 March 2020

It's time to get serious with God

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 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

 In Hebrew, we see the LORD as Yahweh - Elyon which means the Most High. Then we have El Shaddai - Almighty God. Then of course Elohim - the Sublime God but in this Psalm we see Shadday - Almighty power which refers to the all sufficiant God, eternally capable of being all that His people need.

 Shadday gives us protection, comfort and care, so that we are able to abide under the shadow of the Almighty. But in order to do this, we need to be close to Him - to have intimacy with Him. 

 This Psalm tells us that we need to 'dwell,' with Him - in the secret place. Dwell means to live, remain, abide and reside with. As we do this with God, we get to know Him better, we have a deeper relationship and this leads us to intimacy as we make Him the most important part of our life. When we reach this stage, we are dwelling in the secret place and this is where He will take care of us. 

 Psalm 27:5 says: 'For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion, in the secret place of His tabernacle. He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.' Again in Psalm 31:20: 'You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence.' God is our refuge and fortress.

 In the light of what is happening in the world today with the Coronavirus, this knowledge is most encouraging:

 "Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High your dwelling place. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling."                                          Psalm 91:9-10.  NKJV

 As believers who are dwelling in the secret place with Shadday, we will be protected. God will take care of us. There is no need to panic. The Coronavirus is a plague but God's Word tells us that no plague shall come near our dwelling. But for the unbelievers, they need to be told and there has never been a more ideal time than now. Tell your friends, neighbours and of course your family. They need Jesus right now for their safety and protection. There's no panic if you put God in charge!

 Seek that intimacy with Your Father. Jeremiah 29:13 says, 'And you will seek me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." This is when you get serious. To abide under the shadow of someone, we must walk very close to them. Do you get the picture? As we walk and live intimately with God, we will know the greatness of His protection. God will become a mighty refuge and fortress to each believer.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com

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