No Stain Upon You

"My precious bride, the day is nearing, when I'll take you in My arms and hold you. I know there are so many things that you've been hearing, but you just hold on to what I have told you. Chorus For when I hear the praises start, My bride, I want to rain upon you, blessings that will fill your heart, I see no stain upon you, because you are My child and you know Me, to Me you're only holy, nothing that you've done will remain, only what you do for Me."                                   Copyright 1977 Keith Green

Keith Green, the immensely popular Christian singer/songwriter, wrote this song and many others prior to his untimely death in a helicopter crash that also claimed his son. For me, this was one of his best; written in prophetic style that speaks directly to the individual.

Just read through the words and  allow Jesus to speak directly to you, if you have the CD, it may help to play this too. You are His precious bride, created for fellowship with Him on that special day when He takes you into His heaven. But until then, don't be side-tracked by the many rumours and false statements that you may hear. Remember, Satan doesn't like you and will do all he can to hoodwink you. Don't let him. Just hold on to what God has told you because, He speaks the truth.

When Jesus hears the praises start from your lips, He places blessing upon blessing upon you and fills your heart with His love, hope and confidence. He will never let you down. No matter what you have done in the past, there is absolutely no stain on you. He has wiped you clean of your sin and it is like He has written 'Not Guilty' in gold upon your forehead. The devil sees and knows the sin you have committed in the past but that is because he refuses to believe anything that God can and has done for all who believe in Him. You know Jesus and He knows you and what He sees in you is holy, all He knows about you is what you do for Him, nothing else.

This is why it is so important to praise Jesus. When you praise Him, it is like a host of angels in heaven do the same and make heavenly music to the King of kings. Realise this and don't forget it; Jesus Christ can't get enough of you. Whenever things go wrong for you in your walk, He becomes excited because He knows that He is going to hear your voice. Our lives are so busy at times that we fail to talk to Him, praise Him and worship him. So it is possible that he allows certain things to happen so that He can hear your voice.

He looks down from heaven and sees you. He doesn't see any sin because, there is no stain upon you, He has taken it away on the cross. When you do sin, you know that He will forgive you because of the cross. 

The old Christian hymn goes like this:

'What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear; What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer'.    Joseph Scriven

Think about that, He truly is a wonderful friend; the best you will ever have!

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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.

Tell them you love them

9“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love."    John 15:9.  NKJV

If you love someone, then tell them. Some people have had some bad experiences with love and find it difficult to share it with the people that matter. It may be that they are frightened to show love just in case they are hurt again. Is this you? You are not alone; many people feel just the same. If a marriage breaks down and one party is left at home while the other partner goes away with someone else, it is heartbreaking. In a case such as this, it is so easy for the hurting person to make a vow that no one will ever hurt them again.

This vow can carry over to a new relationship where the person that made the vow, will only give so much of their heart to a new love, where the new person is giving all they have got. It can come to a head because of the lack of love or one-sided devotion. A new partner can begin to feel rejected and may leave the relationship. If this is you, then change this right now. How, you may ask? By being open with the person. If the new relationship is worth it then keep a hold of it but, you'll only do this by being open and honest.

Choose a time where you refuse to be interrupted and share your heart. The only way you will be able to do this is to let it all out letting the other person know that you hold back because of fear - fear of being hurt again. Don't leave anything out, be honest. If you truly love this person and want the relationship to go on, then hold nothing back. Yes, you will be opening your heart to them. Quietly talking things through can be so worthwhile and it can lead to a life of happiness for you both. So do this.

Jesus wasn't afraid to show His love to people, even the one's He knew hated Him and would betray Him. He didn't hold back, and many people who were unsure of Him at first, grew into a deep love with Him. To be a Christian guarantees that we receive this love from Jesus. It's different love that He offers us to what we would receive from a partner, but it's a love that gives us confidence to know that He will guide us in all we do if, we acknowledge Him first.

What's more, if Jesus has drawn two people together in love, then He is committed to them and will steer each of you through all the twists and turns of the romantic world. He hates divorce but, realises that, at times, there are no further answers to keeping the marriage going. So when a new relationship is started, He is interested that the same mistakes are not made so, He will draw the two people together and help them build the relationship upon Him - a God-Centred -Marriage.

But it will only get this far if honesty rules within. So lay your cards on the table and bare your soul to each other and allow God to do the rest! And don't forget to tell the people in your life, that you love them everyday.

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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.

Jealousy and the consequences Part 2

"For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." 

                                                        James 3:16    NKJV

Yesterday, we saw how jealousy worked in the lives of Rebekah and Jacob, and the knock on effect that it had on Esau when he realised the consequences of selling his birthright to his brother. Today, let us look further on the subject of jealousy.

Jealousy and envy are two closely related subjects: Jealousy is the fear of losing what you have, and Envy is coveting what others have. We saw yesterday how these two subjects figured painfully within Issac's family. Prior to this, there had been the account of Cain and Able. Able had brought to God a much more favourable offering than Cain had, and received God's blessing. Cain became jealous of him and killed him. Throughout scripture we can find various examples of jealousy between people. It started when Satan became jealous of God and tried to put himself in the place of God so that he could be worshipped (Isaiah 14:12-18). Because of this, Satan and a third of the angels, who had taken Satan's side, were cast out of heaven.

King David's brothers were jealous of his success (1 Sam 17:28). From thereon after David's success of killing the giant, Goliath, Saul became insanely jealous of David and tried to kill him many times. People were jealous of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego because of their position and reported them to the king for praying to God instead of the golden statue. They were cast in the fiery furnace, but survived, unharmed. Later, others reported Daniel for praying  to God instead of the newly formed edict they had manipulated Darius to sign. He was cast into the Lion's Den, but again survived. And there is much more throughout the New Testament. Some were even Jealous of Jesus and His disciples.

Jealousy was a big thing in scripture and, it still is today. People are jealous of others who are placed in authority in the church. Pastor's are targeted for things that may go wrong or could have been done better. Take a look at our text today "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there." It is akin to judging, and when we judge someone, we will be judged by God too. 

You may have jealous thoughts about someone. Let's be honest, we all have those moments that we become jealous. It is a part of humanity but, it is something that we need to work on and put right. If you, like myself, feel this way about someone, talk to God about it. It will come as no surprise to Him; He knows everything. However, we are being honest by confessing it to Him. 

And He will help us.

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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.

Jealousy and the consequences

"Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom 31But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.”32And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” 33Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.”So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob".             Genesis 25:29-33    NKJV

For almost 22 years of marriage to Issac, Rebekah was barren. Then in answer to Issac's prayer she conceived. After a while, there came a struggle within her womb and God told her that 'Two nations are in your womb and the older will serve the younger.'  Gen 25:23. At birth, Esau was the firstborn quickly followed by Jacob, who demonstrated a future hold over Esau, as he was grasping his heel.

As they grew up, Esau turned into an outdoor chap and skilful hunter, whereas, Jacob liked to say at home with Rebekah, like mama's boy. Issac loved Esau best, whereas Rebekah favoured Jacob. This bad parenting obviously led to jealousy within in the family. It didn't help when Jacob realised that because of his birth, Esau was entitled to a double portion of his father's possessions. A plan was put into action initiated by Rebekah. 

One day, Jacob was at home cooking a red stew. When Esau came in from his hunting, he could smell this lovely aroma and begged Jacob give him some, and now. Jacob agreed but only if Esau would give him his birthright. Esau foolishly agreed and the prophecy of Genesis 25:23 kicked in. From now on, they would be enemies.

Jealousy was sown into Jacob's heart from the beginning. Bad parenting where one parent favoured one over the other didn't help, it led to hate. It is always wrong when parents have a favourite with their children. Check out Jacob's favouritism over Joseph and Joseph's brothers hating him. This was a learned mistake on Jacob's part, handed down to him from both Issac and Rebekah.

The family encouraged jealousy, temptation, lack of wisdom, deceit and manipulation all because their parenting skills were messed up. Rebekah refused to take notice of God's Word to her of ''Two nations are in your womb and the older will serve the younger.' God was giving her fair warning of what would happen if they didn't act wisely.

Esau, when he realised what He’d done in giving up his birthright, became angry and upset when he missed out on his father’s blessing. He too, became jealous - jealous of Jacob for how he had tricked him. He planned to kill him at some stage.

Youth Custody Centres are full of young men and women who have been subjected to such behaviour. They have grown up with hate in their hearts and at a certain time in their life, vented their anger on some innocent bystander. Jealousy has been the root, together with emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and physical abuse. From early days they have been like a time bomb ticking away until BOOM, they have let rip with their anger.

Good parenting is essential. It is a skill that can be passed on from generation to generation. Bad parenting is the same, with worse consequences.

If you are a parent. take this to heart and do your best to treat your kids with the respect they deserve.

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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.

God can do it for you

"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 

Try and imagine the thrill that the Jews felt this day. They were going home. King Cyrus, with a lot of help from God, had released them; they were no longer slaves or captives, they were free.

There was loud praising, shouting and singing. In fact, it would have been bedlam in that camp at the time. After 70 years of captivity, being told what to do and the hard labour, they could return home. There really is no place like home.

They knew that God had done great things for them but now, they faced a tough road ahead. They had nothing, just the clothes they stood up in. Where would they live; how would they eat and earn a living? This is why they cried out to God: 'Bring back our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the South. ' They cast themselves on God, their Father who had brought this about and who had their welfare in His hands. They had very little, just a few bits and pieces. They needed help so that they could re-build and get restored back in their own land. 

'Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.' They knew God wouldn't let them down. If He had given them back their freedom, He wasn't about to leave them now. He was giving them a new start in life. It would be a struggle at first while they waited for their crops to come into harvest but they knew they would make it.

And it is the same for you. God knows what you need. You may have been going through a bad time just lately, but take heed. Read Ephesians 3:20 and see how God can give you more than you could ever imagine. Don't give up hope. Just sow in tears at the moment because, there is a harvest coming and for you, it is going to be a good one.

Now that is something to praise God for, isn't it?

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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.

Just watch your desires

"Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  14But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  15Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."   James 1:13-15.  NKJV

Here James discusses something that is common to us all - temptation. We are all susceptible in this area, and therefore, need to be aware of how we live each day. Temptation is all around us; we only have to turn the TV on and look at certain programs and movies, they all have the power to draw us in if we're not careful. Then of course there are magazines, the internet and that person who begins to flirt with us. It is so easy to become sucked into this desire and then pay the price of it all.

RT Kendall in his book The Sin No one Talks About (Jealousy) talks about The Three R's of Spiritual Warfare - Recognise, Refuse and Resist. The meaning of these are obvious but help us to remember them:  

                        

Recognise  We need to recognise where we are, what we are doing and what is around us. You know in your spirit when something or someone doesn't link in with your faith. This is the moment where a decision needs to be made:

Refuse. You must refuse to take part in something that may lead you astray and into sin. Therefore, going to a place where you know you will meet with someone or something that will stimulate your desires, is a no go. It would be like walking into a lion's den.

Resist. To avoid compromising you faith, is when you need to resist this temptation. It may mean walking out of somewhere to avoid this. It may mean switching off the TV. It may also mean not drinking too much alchohol. Whatever it means, you must be in control.

There are many things that one could add to the lists above but they all need the same response.                 (My paraphrase)

Temptation is a solicitation to do evil. We have all been in similar situations where we know that, we need to be cautious here. Satan is crafty; he knows what you are tempted by and he will place it before you at times when perhaps, you are tired or depressed and need some fun. The fun he offers may be desirable initially but, they are temporary and when you realise what you have done, they may have a disastrous affect on your life. Remember: "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.15Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."   James 1:13-15. 

Note the words 'by his (or her) own desires. You know yourself better than anyone else (except God of course). So you know what could trip you up, therefore, be careful, pray and ask God to help you in this area and just watch your desires!

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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.

Do you want to be made well?

"Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.  6When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”      John 5:6   NKJV

This man had been physically disable from birth - 38 years. This is before Jesus was even born. We're not told whether he had seen doctors for help. It is doubtful because all he was able to do was beg for a living. Each day he lay at the Pool of Bethesda which was famous for healing the first person to step in. It was said that an angel went into the pool and stirred up the water, the first to step in was healed. This man's problem was, he had to be helped down the steps into the pool. By the time he got in, it was too late.

Jesus saw him there and spoke with him: 'Do you want to made well?' To many people, this may have seemed a strange question, especially after being in this condition for 38 years. However, Jesus wanted to know where he was coming from. Therefore, He asked him this question wanting to place faith into his heart. The man straightaway answered from the negative, stating that whenever he tried, people always got into the pool before him. We must be willing to receive God's healing; if we doubt, we go without. Jesus' compassion shone through this and He told him to get up, pick up your mat and walk. And the man did. Jesus' authority over sickness overpowered it and he got up and walked. 

Unfortunately, many today become so used to being in this condition that they are willing to remain so. Sadly, there are a few people who are happy to remain in this position because they don't have to work and are eligible for benefits which in some cases are more than the average weekly wage. Other people are so used to living with sickness that they fear receiving their healing. There is a strict warning here: if someone has prayed for your healing and you believe that you have been made well, go to your GP and get this verified. Keep taking your medication until your healing is confirmed. This is not lack of faith, it is common sense. Some may argue with me on this but it makes sense. This man was healed face to face by Jesus. The man didn't know it at the time, but others would have confirmed this. But for each of us, we don't see Jesus face to face but we know when something good has happened to us but, the correct step would be to see your GP. Let us not forget, there are many false prophets about (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

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.