verseoftheday

Psalm 119:46-47 ESV I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame,  for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. This is echoed in 1 Peter 3v15 where Peter tells us to always be prepared to give a reason for the hope we have (but do it with gentleness & respect) God's word makes sense to David. It makes sense of his world, and he lives it out in his work and life, so when those in authority over him want to know what he is about, he's not embarrassed or ashamed to talk about God, & how God's word influences his life and decision making Can I do that? Clearly point to where the Bible influences my decision making? How God has worked in my life? #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

Friday already! Lets start a new chapter...  Proverbs 15:1 ESV A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Not sure if you've experienced the truth of this...often when someone gets angry we start ramping things up as well, matching their anger...so easy to let harsh / unthinking / nasty words come out of our mouths... Next time try a gentle answer...a quieter response...slow down...and see the truth of this proverb work itself out #proverbs #wisdom #wisdomtoliveby  #somethingtochewon

Thursday poetry You give life, You are love You bring light to the darkness You give hope, You restore Every heart that is broken Great are You, Lord It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise We pour out our praise To You only Been loving this song this week...it reflects a lot of the "Lord's prayer" we have been looking at in Matthew...Father in heaven, hallowed be your name..great are you Lord...and Abram...Step outside & look at creation...it's your breath in my lungs... Check it out http://youtu.be/uHz0w-HG4iU Jesus chose to praise his Father in heaven in the midst of everything...when the going is toughest is when we need to choose God, cling to his people who have your back no matter what... #huttcitybaptistyourock #hymns #hope

Matthew 6:9, 13 NIV This, then, is how you should pray... And lead us not into temptation,     but deliver us from the evil one. Sometimes we neglect the simplest things...we battle with temptation, but how often do we ask God to change our path? Jesus was tempted We're tempted Everyone is in some way about something Ask to be lead somewhere else Ask to be delivered Maybe I should just pray like this every day... #beattitudes #wordsofJesus #pray

Matthew 6:9-12 NIV This, then, is how you should pray... And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors... Looking up to God as the author of forgiveness, acknowledging that while we've been forgiven, we still need forgiveness, and looking out to others with the same grace that we have received...how often do I "give up" on someone because they keep hurting me, making choices I don't agree with, walking away... #loveGod #lovepeople This concept is everywhere in Scripture and especially in the words and life of Jesus Who is it that I need to extend grace to today? #beattitudes #wordsofJesus #grace

Genesis 15:5-6 ESV And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them" Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be" I wonder what it's like when God says "step outside with me..." Look at creation. Keep the faith. Now count those stars...I have something bigger in mind. You want a son and heir, but I want everyone to know Me and join with me in Life. Abram, Jonathan, _________, just have faith that I am, & that my big plans are for good, so just do your bit, don't live in fear or anxiety, love those who are in your life, 'cos I've got this... #faith #trustGod #life #eternity

Genesis 15:2, 4-5 ESV But Abram said O Lord God , what will you give me, for I continue childless... the word of the Lord came to him: "...your very own son shall be your heir" And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them..." Abram doubted God. God said, step outside. Have a good long look at creation. Have a look at the stars. Count them. For Abram the stars also  represented the offspring he was so anxious about. Step outside tonight and have a long look at the stars...creation shouts out who God is, and in that our faith is restored... #stars #creation #designer #faith #trustGod

Let's pick up on Abram's story...he's just had a massive victory, rescued Lot... Genesis 15:1-2 ESV After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great. But Abram said... ...why haven't you fixed this other stuff in my life then? Why am I still broke / hurt / sick / lonely / _________ Abram it seems us just like me. Whining Yes God I know you're on my side, so just sort this out for me! Perhaps today I just need to acknowledge that you God are good, that you're on my side, that you are my shield, and I trust you today. And tomorrow. No matter what. #choose #faith #trustGod #nomatterwhat

Friday!! Lets wrap up Proverbs 10:30-32 AMP The righteous shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth [eventually]. The mouths of the righteous (those harmonious with God) bring forth skillful and godly Wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut down [like a barren and rotten tree]. The lips of the righteous know [and therefore utter] what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked knows [and therefore speaks only] what is obstinately willful and contrary. The Righteous is the team to be on...our future is secure, & we can and should be a blessing to the communities that we live in...but if you read it again with Jesus as the Righteous, then all of us are on the other team...and suddenly it's all about grace. #grace

Psalm 119:43-45 ESV And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.  I will keep your law continually, forever and ever,  and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts. Is this our aim? To live in the way that God intended? In the everyday life of work, study, relationships, stuff that happens... Do we strive to live within the framework of God's design and intent? Walking in a "wide place" seems to be a good place to be...but it's within God's intent for us as people... 1 Cor 13 describes the way of love. V4 Love is patient & kind. Being patient and kind to others is living out God's intent but there is freedom to how that looks for you and me #randomthoughts #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

Matthew 6:9, 11 ESV Pray then like this...Give us   this day our daily bread... In Martin Luther's Catechism published in April 1529 he says "when you pray for your daily bread you are praying for everything that contributes to your having and enjoying your daily bread...you must expand your thinking..." It's through the farmer, the baker, the retailer, the website programmer, the truck driver, & all who work to contribute to bring us food... Luther wrote "God could easily give you grain or fruit without your plowing and planting, but he does not want to do so" Work is an integral part of who God is, and what we do. It's a way that we can love our neighbours by doing good work, and...to be thankful for the work of others in getting us our daily bread...

Matthew 6:9-10 ESV Pray then like this:  Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven The Kingdom. Jesus spent a lot of time talking about this...and then at the end commissioned his team to go and spread the good news everywhere...so while we are to pray for this kingdom to come about, we are also the agents by which it is to happen... #somethingtochewon #beattitudes #wordsofJesus #embassyofthekingdom

Matthew 6:9 ESV Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Hallowed. Holy. Sacred. Venerated. Is this how I pray? Sometimes we lose sight of who it is we are praying to...but Jesus reminds us that the Father is holy... #pray #goodplacetostart #wordsofJesus #beattitudes

Colossians 1:15 ESV He is the image of the invisible God... We want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus. Grace Truth Compassion Sacrifice Giving Redeeming Healing Justice Sacrificing He also worked, walked, loved hanging out with people, eating, talking, listening...loving Love He is the image of the invisible God Be though my vision O Lord of my heart... Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word... Be Thou my battle shield, sword for the fight... Riches I heed not nor man's empty praise... Thou my inheritance, now and always... #hymns #worship

Genesis 14:17, 21-23 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer...the king of Sodom...said to Abram Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself But Abram said With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord , God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even...the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, I made Abram rich Been to 2 funerals this week & one of the outstanding  things was the character of both of those people. Abram's character, to do what was right (he saved the king of Sodom even tho he knew what he was like), his reputation & standing with God was more important to him than the glory of victory or the material things he could have gained #somethingtochewon

Friday!! Proverbs 10:29 ESV The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. A stronghold, a refuge, a place of safety, respite...a place to run in times of trouble...a place of help, sustenance, peace...that's "the way of the Lord" not a place...so what is that? It's a stronghold to the blameless. The only way I am blameless (because I'm still an evildoer) is though Jesus So it's the way of faith. Personal Faith in Jesus And He calls me to live out the way of love. To be an agent of the grace I've been given in the world To my neighbour In the everyday At work At play At church At home #loveGod #lovepeople #grace #embassyofthekingdom

Psalm 119:41-42 ESV Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord , your salvation according to your promise;  then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word I trust you Lord. Things are not great but I do choose to trust you. I'm being taunted by my own mind, I can't seem to shake that internal voice which keeps repeating failure / ugly / unlovable / lost / not worthy / __________ But I'm choosing to trust you anyway. I know I'm saved, but still need saving... I know I'm loved but sometimes I don't feel it... One day all will be made new, but today I am choosing to trust you and your promises #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether #choose

Genesis chap 14 v1-16 Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled... So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way... They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother... Then one who had escaped came and told Abram... When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house...he and his servants, and defeated them Then he...brought back his kinsman Lot... Rebellion Destruction One who redeems Salvation Restoration Here in the middle of Abram's story is a reflection of the BIG story...God who hears, makes a way for us, & one day, full restoration will come #onedayallwillbemadenew #God'sstory

Matthew 6:6 ESV But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Have you ever thought about God being "in secret" ? It's like He is in the world but hidden...wants to communicate with us in a quiet, hidden place...away from the noise and clamour of the world...we need to regularly find that space. What benefit would come to my life if I increased my prayer time by 10% ? Or 20% ? What would happen I wonder if it doubled? #whenyoupray #beattitudes #wordsofJesus

Matthew 6:5-6 ESV And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you And when you pray... But when you pray... This is my biggest challenge...I want God's direction and guidance but how much time do I commit to talk to and hear from Him? Maybe some serious time with the door shut is really what's needed... #whenyoupray #beattitudes #wordsofJesus #loveGod

Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God This fragrant offering of sacrifice, this "sweet smelling" life if sacrifice and giving...that is what we are called to! Not an obligation, must do, have to...often we imitate our parents, but Paul calls us to imitate God in the same way. That takes time to get to know Him better, spend time in His word, allow His character to permeate ours, so that we start to imitate Him in our interaction with the world He created, and the people He loves. That's a journey that will take a lifetime, a step of which we can take every day... #becomethatfragrance

Ephesians 5:2 ESV And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Jesus sacrifice for me became a fragrant offering to God...that is something to ponder...as Jesus giving of himself made a way for me, God the Father sees this as a beautiful thing, something that smells good! Wow. Think Mary and the expensive perfume...a sacrifice... This just shouts how much you and I are loved by a saviour who gave it up for us...something to think on today... #dearlyloved #belong #youaredearlyloved #fromthebeginningoftime

Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV ...be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us... Give something up? Give myself up? But shouldn't I have it all? And have it now? Isn't that the message of our culture? This picture of God's grace, Jesus giving himself up for you and me...this is our example, our model...but none of it has anything to do with obligation or rules...just love. Love that is oriented towards others... #walkinlove #lovepeople

Ephesians 5:2 AMP And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another]... This book is written to the church. At church how good am I at esteeming people there? Or do I take the easy route and am critical of the pastor or Elders or worship leader or the person who sings of key (haha that's probably me) or the person who can't make coffee how I like it... Do I delight in the people at my church? ( Comparison is the thief of joy) If I can't "walk in love" at my church how can I do it anywhere else? Could 2015 simply be a year to extend grace and choose to walk in love? #choose #grace #walkinlove #lovepeople

Psalm 119:36 ESV Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Incline my heart...in the midst of those verses yesterday: teach, give, lead, turn...is this beauty...incline my heart...lean in to God, orient towards Him...and the contrast is there with our nature to be self oriented, but God's truth orients us to the needs of others. Father in heaven, Help me today to incline my heart towards you, towards your truth. Help me to see that living in the light of your Word every day is my aim. Help me to lean in to you today no matter what I face. Amen. #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

Psalm 119:33-40 ESV Teach me... Give me understanding... Lead me... Incline my heart to... Turn my eyes... Confirm to your servant your promise... Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life! Teach, give, lead, turn, confirm...the psalmist is serious with God - really wants His help & guidance. Sometimes I'm half hearted...none of that here..."I long for your precepts" Longing for a deeper understanding. Maybe I'm half hearted in my prayers because I don't really want to follow His precepts...don't want to love my enemies, or be kind... forgiving...giving... It's a new year, as good a time as any to get serious about God and His word, the Word that leads to Life. #challenge #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 ESV ...I pleaded with the Lord about this...But he said to me My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness We've been sitting by the sea for a couple of days and this song about grace as big as the ocean was in my head...it was written after the authors best friend, a pastor, was killed in a car accident Life is peaceful, beautiful, wonder filled, & messy, heart breaking and difficult. Things don't go how we want or would choose, but Jesus says today as he said to Paul, my grace is sufficient for you no matter what 2015 holds We are His portion He is our prize Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes If grace is an ocean We're all sinking Oh how he loves us #dearlyloved #nomatterwhat #grace

God wrote a "new years resolution" for his people, so as we start 2015, and as many do, make promises about things we want to change, or do differently, start or stop doing, perhaps we should consider His list... Isaiah 1:17 ESV learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the case of the widow The fatherless & the widow were marginalised thru no fault of their  own...who are these people in your world? Who do I need to stand up for? Or stand with? Where can I "do good" in 2015? May 2015 bring challenge &  opportunity. #lovepeople #somethingtochewon #faveverse #thanksRach We're going off the grid for a few days, so no verseoftheday til Monday :)