Watch your reactions

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."    

                                                                         Proverbs 15:1   NKJV 

Is your day ever like this? You wake up at 7am and think, 'I'll just have a few minutes more.' When you look at the clock again, what appeared to be two minutes is actually 40 minutes and you are late. You shoot out of bed and rush down the stairs, treading on a piece of Lego on the way. Even though you feel like your toes are broken, you grit your teeth and dash into the kitchen, where you are faced with two children who are demanding their breakfast. You have no cereals left; you know you should have gone to the supermarket yesterday but, you couldn't be bothered. It will have to be porridge - microwaves can be handy at times such as this, that is of course if they are working, which this one isn't. You suddenly realise the electricity is not on. Your trip switch box is in one of your cupboards, on the top shelf near the ceiling. You grab a chair but you can't see the box because there are tins and packets of this and that in front. You manage to manoeuvre your hand and flick the trip switch back on. On removing your hand, you knock the precariously placed items on the shelf which are then deposited on the floor. The kids are still shouting, 'We want our breakfast'.

Your whole peace of mind has disappeared and you have turned into a raging bull, snorting red hot steam all over the place. Play the video back of what has happened over the past hour. It was your fault that you decided to have a little extra time in bed, no one else is to blame. Take responsibility. Mayhem, happens, we all have days when things go wrong but, because you have made yourself late, you're under pressure and the devil is rubbing his hands enjoying every moment. He loves to wind us up and, if we give him any chance to enter our situation, he'll gladly take up the invitation. Just look at what has happened over the last hour. You've upset yourself; you've upset your children and you've upset your whole day. And now you feel guilty and have apologised to the children and God about twenty times but, still feel guilty.

Come on, you know the devil is not your friend; he will try to rob you of your joy whenever he can (John 10:10). Be alert and ready and in control. We make mistakes but we must accept the responsibility of these and learn by them. If the devil can get you reacting badly, he is happy. Why? Because you have taken your eyes off Jesus and on to him. You've responded the way he wanted you to. He will throw hindrances your way, things will break down and everything you touch will go wrong. Note that, God will sometimes allow things to happen this way to test how you react

Perhaps you're thinking at this time, 'Well I really blew it last night, I just wasn't in control.' It happens, we're not perfect just tell Jesus that you're sorry and ask for forgiveness. He's only too pleased to do this. And then ensure that you are not going to make this particular mistake again. There will be other testing times though, so be ready!

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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The Lord thinks about us

"For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."                      Jeremiah 29:11-13  NKJV 

God was speaking here about His people who were in exile. He was always thinking of them and He tells them that, they will find Him when they search for Him with all of their hearts. They had been in exile for many years and had often cried half-hearted prayers for Him to rescue them. However, the only way that He would hear them and liberate them was when they made Him the centre of their life. He must be number one; when He is, then He will hear and bring them to freedom.

It's interesting here that this verse is still relevant for each of us today. God demands first place in our lives; He will settle for no other way. If we totally surrender to Him - 100% - then, and only then, will He constantly hear us and bless us. He continually thinks about us. He thinks about us when we are walking in the Spirit and, He thinks about us when we are walking on the banks of lust, ready to fall in. At this crucial time, He longs for us to shout to Him to rescue us. However, this depends on the degree of commitment that we give Him. If we're walking flat out with Him, we're unlikely to fall into sin, we can but, it's unlikely. If our commitment is YoYo style - up one minute, down the other, then it is likely that we may consider temptation. I did say may consider, not will consider. Many of us can be tempted but immediately count the cost and walk away from the temptation. Others, may linger, considering for too long and, fall to it.

It all comes down to our commitment to Jesus. Many genuine Christians have fallen to the temptations of lust in various forms. They didn't go looking for it but, a seed may have been planted in their mind and, as they continued focusing on it, the seed has grown and given birth: 'But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.'  James 1:14-15.

Please pay attention to the latter part of our text today: 'And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." We have a decision to make, to have God in our life 24/7 or when you think about Him, which sometimes is often and, other times periodically.

God thinks about you all the time; why not try thinking about Him in the same manner.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

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Spiritually healthy but Physically sick

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."                                 3 John v2   NKJV 

There are many believers in our world today who, despite their belief in Jesus, still remain  physically unwell. Some of these people are well known on the preaching circuit and God uses them to bring healing to many people and yet, they remain physically unwell. It is difficult to work this out. Have they not believed for their healing? Of course they have but, at this moment in time healing evades them.

Gaius was one of these people. He was a dear friend of the apostle John and may well have been converted under his ministry. John would write him many letters, however, this one was a stern one because things were not right within the church. The pastor, Diotrephes, was full of pride and wanted all of the praise and attention. This was of great concern to John, and one that he intended to give his attention to.

However, the initial concern for John was Gauis' health. His spiritual health was good but, his physical health was not so and this is why John wrote the words in verse 2:"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." This verse gives confirmation that a spirit-filled Christian can excel in his or her faith and yet suffer ill health. 

I, for one, was healed totally from Bells Palsy (my testimony) and yet suffered 10 years with Ulcerative Colitis - a chronic bowel complaint before I had to have an ileostomy because of the risk of cancer. Why didn't God heal me again? I don't know the answer. I was in spiritual health but my physical health was poor. Thankfully, I'm well now but, the trauma of it all was devastating. God just healed me in another way that I hadn't expected.

If you are in a similar situation - your spiritual health is good but your physical health is not so good, be encouraged; you have done no wrong. Healing may still come at some time. Don't give up but also don't beat yourself up thinking that you are demonised or have done some terrible thing that is blocking your healing. Just trust Jesus. Joni Eareckson Tada is still wheelchair bound but God, uses her regularly. Has it stopped her? No it hasn't, she kept on going and, this is what Jesus expects you to do as well.

Healing could be one minute away, then again, your condition may be permanent. Don't get me wrong, I know what the scriptures say about healing but, I haven't the answer to the 'Why hasn't it happened?'

Whatever else, remember Jesus calls you beloved. Keep on going!

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

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Under Pressure?

"We don't want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia. We were completely overwhelmed - beyond our strength - so that we even despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God, who raises the dead."   

  2 Corinthians 1:8-9   Christian Standard Bible

Paul was under extreme pressure in Corinth. He had planted a church there and it had begun to thrive. However, later on, problems broke out that threatened to split the church. Timothy tried to bring about peace and then Titus and eventually, following a painful visit by Paul himself, things began to settle down. It was thought a discouraging time, full of pressure. The problem was not resolved until Paul realised that he could do nothing, only God could sort this problem out. And as Paul surrendered to that idea, things did improve.

God sometimes allows things to go pear-shaped. He is used to hopeless situations where we, if not careful, can fall apart and even consider giving up. We may try all we know to solve difficult problems, we can also bring in specialists in a particular field. However, as wise and experienced these people may be, at times it is only God Himself who can bring about peace to a situation. There are a lot of 'Mr Fix its' about the place but, God is the eternal and famous 'Mr Fix it' of all. It's always better to call in the ultimate one.

As I've said, sometimes God allows things to happen that appear impossible to solve. He does this so that we, as His children, learn to put our hope in Him and not the world. Maybe you need to hear this today. Are you trying to solve something and nothing appears to be happening? It is possible that something is going on but, because you can't see an improvement, your patience is being stretched. Alternatively, you may have called in a 'Mr Fix it' or possibly two or three of them and there has been no change. Have you considered that God could be saying, 'Call on Me, I'm the one that can fix this and quickly.'

It is food for thought and only you know the answer to this. Don't allow yourself to come under pressure to anything. God has the answer. The conclusion here is:

(1) Something is happening, you just need to be patient instead of trying to make things happen

(2) Or, you have called in the wrong 'Mr Fix it.' You need to call on the Ultimate One.

Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to understand what's right.

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

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His Kindness knows no end

"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You."   

                                     Psalm 5:11   NKJV

I read something the other day that transported me back to the mid seventies. At that time, I had just left the army and was a little wild and also unsure of my future. I trusted no one, sometimes not even myself. I was also very lonely and had no one to love me, in fact, I was a bit of a wreck. I remember looking at a church in the village where I was living and felt strangely drawn to it. However, I quickly rejected the idea of going in there, thinking they wouldn't let me in.  I remember saying to myself, 'I have no one who loves me'. This article I read the other day, reminded me of that time because, it said something very similar. The person said the same thing as I had done all those years before but the difference was Jesus said, 'I love you.' 

Now I didn't have Jesus at that time; that would happen five years later, But God began working on me from that moment. I didn't mention that I had three young children at the time, therefore, I had to work and also be mum and dad to them, but we did all right. However, I still needed someone for myself, and one day not long after, there she was, a lady who came into my life, loved me and my children also. It's been a struggle, a loving relationship is never easy when you have hang ups like I had. But we're still together. Our 44th Wedding Anniversary is next month and, I consider myself a lucky dude that she came to me. 

God did that for me with His loving kindness (Hesed) and His pleasure, delight, desire and grace (Ratson). These two words, Greek and Hebrew, put together, describe the shield of favour (Ps 5:12) that God wraps around us wherever we are. I had to learn to trust Jesus, as I said earlier, I trusted no one at the time and, still find that area difficult. However, Jesus is working on this and demonstrates to me daily, His love and friendship.

You may be similar; life has been difficult but we have to learn to trust Him, we then receive. The Israelites had to put their feet into the River Jordan (Joshua 3) before it parted. Therefore, we too need to do the same, we have to be proactive. We make a move and God goes into action, that is how it works.

Perhaps you have felt that no one loves you. Well, let me tell you right now, Jesus does, very much. Trust Him to change and repair your life - He's good at that. He'll love you, give you favour, shower you with His grace and protect your every step. Now, how about that?

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

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Mornings with Jesus are important

"Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to You and wait expectantly."   Psalm 5:3   New Living Translation 

Many people tell us, that the most important meal of the day is breakfast; it builds us up for the day! I don't disagree with that, we need that kick-start in the morning, it gives us the necessary energy to get through each and every morning. Likewise, the most important thing a believer needs to do is have a quiet time with Jesus. Again, it builds us up for the day and puts us in touch with the plans that the Lord has for us. It is not only important, it is imperative! 

However, many of us begin dashing around every morning, looking for this and that, the mobile, the lunch box - if you bother with one and by the time we get to the car, bus or train, we are running very late and the stress begins to kick in because we know, we have a busy day. I remember, as a social worker, I was in court one particular morning, I was late, I had not prepared well enough and was dreading one of the barristers ripping my case apart (they like to eat social workers as a past time). Suddenly, I slammed the car door, with the lock pressed down only to realise that my paperwork was on the back seat and I had locked myself out. It was 9am and I had to see my barrister at 9.30 and the care proceedings were due to start at 10am. To say I was panicking is an understatement, I was frantic. Suddenly I felt the Lord tell me to 'phone a garage for help'. That was a great idea; the problem was, my mobile was on the back seat waving at me. AAARGH!

The car park was deserted but suddenly, out of nowhere, a man walked by, stopped to ask if I needed help and, bless him, he let me borrow his phone and even gave me a garage telephone number. I'd just handed the mobile back to this chap when the garage van came screeching round the corner, did something and my door opened. I made my deadline of 9.30am and also won the case. Praise Jesus.

The lesson I leaned that day, was to prepare well and the most important place to start is with my bible open and my focus on God. He rescued me that day; that chap came from nowhere and the speed of the garage was amazing. Have you been in similar situations? Do you have a quiet time in the morning? It is better to have this time before your day begins. I have lost count of the pressures that I have handed to Jesus - feeling that I just can't do this particular thing. He has astounded me with His wisdom and His rescue skills. Do you know that Jesus can take your whole work load - the one you have been fretting about and can totally change it around so that it is an easier day. He can, trust me, I've been there.

I encourage you, make it a priority to fit in a quiet time in your busy schedule. Make it as early as you can, so that there are few distractions. I promise, if you keep doing this, you will notice a great difference!

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

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Your fragrance leads to triumph or death

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place."   2 Corinthians 2:14-16   NKJV 

RVG Tasker writes: 'The triumph was Christ's - the gospel of Christ's redeeming love proclaimed by Paul emits a fragrance which penetrates hither and thither like the smoke of incense carried by the wind.'  RVG Tasker 1969 Commentary on 2 Corinthians, Tyndale

The Roman triumph was a victory parade for a conquering army and its leader. Both victor and captive were part of the procession and both groups could smell the fragrance of burning spices. It signified victory or death. In a similar way, the triumph of Christ emitted an aroma of death leading to death and an aroma of life leading to life.

As we preach Christ, we become a sweet fragrance of Christ to our listeners, some of whom are on their way either to destruction or life - death leading to death or life leading to life. Tasker says, ''It is better not to have the gospel, than having heard it and rejected it.' Strong words but it is the truth. Really what he is saying is that there is a deadly fume that has a killing effect or a vital fragrance that leads to life. This is serious stuff.

Dr David Jeremiah comments: 'Every person's life emits a scent that either repels or attracts. For Christians their fragrance should be that of Christ - the sweet, lingering aroma of His love and Salvation.'

When we are walking in the aroma of Jesus Christ, we will emit either death or life to whoever we meet as we talk about Him. We've all had those people who flatly refuse to discuss anything to do with 'Religion.' If these people continue to act this way, they will finally reach the road of destruction. Those who accept Jesus, will obviously have life eternal. Have you ever been somewhere and someone knows there is something different about you? Possibly the way you handle things or speak. They know you are different, they are noticing the aroma of Jesus. Some may ask, 'What is different about you?' You then have an open door to tell them. Others, may be brutally rude to you, they too are picking up the aroma but sadly they don't want it and turn to the aroma of death to death.

Some famous preachers, carry such a tremendous anointing that it is difficult to stand in their presence. This is the aroma of life to life and it makes sense to grab hold of it.

This sweet fragrance of life to life, is available to us all. We just need to get our lives right and be sold out for Jesus; the rest will follow. What a wonderful thought!

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle 

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