verseoftheday

Psalms 119:49-50 NLT Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. Troubles. The writer of Psalms had them.  We have them. Jesus said "in this world you will have trouble..." God's promises revive...when we're feeling tired, low, falling... God's promises comfort...IN our troubles... We're all in need of comfort and reviving sometimes - Jesus words are "but take heart, for I have overcome the world" One day all will be made new. The broken and damaged will be fixed. Renewed. Revived. In the meantime, we meditate on God's word, take comfort in His promises, & allow him to revive us...in our troubles... #myonlyhope #revived #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

Friday! Proverbs... Proverbs 15:5 NLT Only a fool despises a parent's  discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. Great verse to roll out if you're a parent...especially in those "don't do as I do...do as I say moments" But how often do we disregard the wisdom of elders in our life? Whether it's parents, pastors, the wise people we know...sometimes we seek out advice and then disregard it...do we treat the Bible that way? Who's instruction do we listen to? Social media? Has that become our source of wisdom? Jesus prayed to his father in heaven, & told us to do the same...He is the source of truth and wisdom...it's His word that we need to heed #rhyme #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Isaiah 55:2-3 NLT Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life... What is the stuff we waste our time & life on? People everywhere searching for meaning, purpose...trying to fill that "God shaped" space we all have with __________ (things / work / travel / education / sex / money / food / exercise / ?) Choose life. #choose #choose life #grace #itsfree

Isaiah 55:1-2 NLT Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink - even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk - it's all free! God's invitation...you don't have to pay for it (actually we can't pay for it - that's grace!) Take your fill of God's bounty...even within God's grace there is choice for us...one size doesn't fit all...but it's free...freely given We were given a gift last week (& it was food related!) & I was not only grateful for the gift, but also the person who gave it. Father in heaven, help me to realise the enormity of the gift you've given, & to live a thankful & generous life in response. Amen. #itsfree #grace #Godgetsourtxts

Isaiah 55:1 NLT Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink... This world is thirsty for spiritual refreshment. People are looking for answers to the big questions...the heart questions...purpose...meaning...eternity...what's it all about...and when we're searching we'll try anything to get the water we need. This is God's invitation. Are you thirsty? Is there more to this life? Is your soul looking for something? Someone? Have you tried to find that peace somewhere and it's come up empty? Come and drink... It's God's open invitation, no matter who you are...what you've done... #jesusatthecentre #itsnotabouttherules #itstheheartthatcounts #itsfree #grace Does someone in your life need to hear this?

1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT Love never gives up, never loses faith... God's love is directed at us. You and me He never gives up. Never gives up on us, no matter what we've done, no matter who we are. He never loses faith. In us. In me. Never. Have a think about that today...God never gives up on me...never loses faith...in me. #youaredearlyloved #lovewithoutmeasure #love #grace

1 Corinthians 13:4, 7 NIV Love...always hopes... I was at a wedding yesterday and the famous passage on love was read...often we only think of these words in human terms, how we want things to be between us (which is great), but sometimes we miss God in it...when God says love always hopes who is he talking about? You and me. The creator of the universe is hopeful about me. And you. His love for us makes him vulnerable to us...his love is way bigger and more personal... #youaredearlyloved #sunday #worship

Paul on forgiveness part 3 Romans 12:21 NIV Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. This is our hope for the future, and the way we are called to live today. A way more challenging and difficult road to walk...but one that reflects God's heart...and it starts in the little things at home, in our relationships, at church, at work or wherever we spend our time...by living this life of forgiveness we see the hope of good overcoming... #loveinaction #forgiveness #grace #forgiven

Friday! Time for some wisdom from Proverbs...we're in Ch 15 and up to v 4 Proverbs 15:4 NLT Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Do our words speak life? Am I gentle? Or do I crush the spirit of others with the things I say? Maybe this week you've been on the receiving end of life giving or spirit crushing words...we all know what it's like and what blesses and encourages us, & what crushes...so...today...I'm going to listen to my own words and do what I can to speak life. Will you? #friday #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Matthew 6:16-18 NIV When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting... Have you ever fasted? ie chosen to go without food for a meal, a day? This is not a direction to fast, but guidelines when you do...Jesus is not interested in outward compliance with the rules, but the attitude and orientation of our hearts...our motivations... So when you fast don't make a big deal of it...if you've never done it, maybe you could give it a go...skip a days food...makes you think about a lot of things differently...and for many this is an important spiritual discipline which maybe we could all employ... #beattitudes #wordsofJesus #grace #itsnotabouttherules

John 11:35 NIV Jesus wept. Because sometimes that's all you can do. Jesus wept because there is brokenness and hurt in this world Jesus wept because his friends were hurting And in their hurt, pain, loss, Jesus stood with them...and cried... #lovepeople #MorethanjustaBibletriviaanswer

Psalm 119:49 NIV Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. In the midst of these verses in Ps119 about the wonder of God and his statutes is this little plea...remember me...you've given me hope...hope in a world that sometimes seems hopeless...where people and stuff just seems to conspire against me...when my best intentions and efforts seem to come to nothing...but you God have given me hope and I'm clinging to that, I'm choosing to believe in you even when I can't feel you & I don't understand... without you, hope is redundant, so I'm hanging on to your promises and the hope I have in you... #hope #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

Paul on forgiveness #2 Romans 12:17-21 NIV Do not repay anyone evil for evil...If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge..."If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink..." Maybe you have an "enemy", someone who is set against you...Paul's teaching here is difficult to swallow. Live in peace (if at all possible) Don't take revenge But more than that go out of your way to bless those who stand against you. Wow. That's hard...and needs 2 things 1. Really believe that God has the big picture in hand and whatever happens in this life my eternity is secure 2. An attitude of forgiveness. #loveinaction #forgiveness #grace #forgiven   

Jesus on forgiveness #4 Luke 23:33-34 NIV When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals - one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing"... Forgiveness is love in action. Right to the end of his earthly life, it was all about "others" The preciousness of and concern for other people...that love in action that brought Jesus from heaven to earth to make a way...to be the way... #thisisourGod #love #loveinaction #forgiveness #grace #forgiven #sunday #worship

Jesus on forgiveness #3 John 8:2-11 NIV ...The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery...Jesus...said to them Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her...Then neither do I condemn you, Jesus declared... There is so much in this story...but if I put me in the position of this woman...could I be accused of not keeping God's law? Yes. So no matter who we are, no matter what we've done, we're all in the same boat when it comes to sin. Yet Jesus looks on me without condemnation but with forgiveness and grace. He made the way...he is the way...we just need to accept him...sometimes I just need reminding... #forgiven

Friday! Proverbs 15:3 NIV The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. Not sure if this makes me feel comforted or uncomfortable...God sees the good and the not so good that all of us do...yet...He still forgives...still loves... Even with all the slip ups, mistakes, & downright rejection of Him, love, redemption, forgiveness flow from God to me... #grace #forgiven #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Stephen on forgiveness... Acts 7:59-60 NIV While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he fell on his knees and cried out Lord, do not hold this sin against them... We all need heroes of the faith - people who live out what they profess, inspire & encourage I've got a few. They haven't written books, got tv shows, aren't famous, yet strengthen my faith because of their example and choices. Stephen. When facing death at the hands of others his last words were of forgiveness to those who were murdering him. Wow. That kind of love does not appear overnight, but is the result of a lifetime of walking with God, asking Him to direct our paths, shape our attitudes, & see people as He sees them... #itsajourney #forgiven

Paul on forgiveness Colossians 3:13 NLT Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 1. We all have faults. Let's be real...none of us are perfect...we all get it wrong sometimes 2. Forgive anyone. Some people are easier to forgive than others, but this seems quite non selective. Ouch 3. The "why". Because I've been forgiven. Our massive, holy, just God made a way for you & me, and has forgiven us...so this is our mandate...to be forgivers. This is not easy. I wonder if it's easy for God? It's certainly a choice... #choose #forgiveness #forgiven

Jesus in Forgiveness #2 Matthew 18:21-22 NIV Then Peter came to Jesus and asked Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times We crave rules. The 6 steps to blah blah. Go to church every sunday...give me the rule and I'll follow it...and that will make me righteous... But Jesus says its not about the rules...it's about our hearts. His heart for forgiveness is massive and he wants us to be the same I can forgive once, twice...maybe even 7 times (but probs not) so I can't do this...I need God to work in my heart to bring this about...this massive forgiveness... #wordsofJesus #forgiven

Matthew 6:9, 12, 14-15 NIV This, then, is how you should pray...And forgive us our debts,    as we also have forgiven our debtors... The context is the "Lord's Prayer" - Jesus giving an outline of how to pray...which includes praying for & giving  forgiveness to others. He then adds more For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Forgiveness is an important part of God's character and needs to be a key part of our lives. Being unforgiving towards others damages our relationship with God (not lose my salvation damage tho) Who do I need to forgive? How can I be characterised by being forgiving? #forgiven

Colossians 1:16 ESV For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. Yesterday in Psalm 119 he lifted his hands towards God's word...who or what do you & I lift our hands towards? Work, business, partners, spouse, children, house, sport, education, music...or to the One who all were created through and for? How easy to put the created ahead of the creator... #thisisourGod #Jesus #sunday #worship

Psalm 119:48 ESV I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. There are a number of different contexts that raising hands is mentioned in the Bible, but here it seems it's about respect and honour...how do you and I really respect and honour God's word? It's historical, poetic, tells stories, gives instruction...some seems easy to grasp...other parts are hard...some seem boring and irrelevant...but this is God's revelation to us, it's his story...and it not only speaks life, but gives life. Keep it close, take it to church with you...look to it for direction in all areas of life because it's principles cover everything we do... #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether #liftupmyhands

Friday...feels like Saturday Proverbs 15:2 MSG Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense. Gotta love the Message sometimes...when you connect with the wise, hang in there and get all the good stuff you can... But what happens if we put Jesus in this...He is the one who knowledge flows from like spring water...fresh...clear...pure...refeshing...never ending... The Source. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #fridayfeelslikesaturday

Step outside your tent and see who God is... Isaiah 40:25-26, 28-29 ESV ...Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable... Somehow it's easy to miss the God who creates and sustains...but wait...there's more.. V 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength ...he's personal... #faith #hope #love

Step outside your tent & take a look at who God is... Isaiah 40:12, 18-19, 21 ESV Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?   An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. How easily we reduce the creator to something small and manageable...a creation... "Our world is in the hands of a massively competent, loving, just, sovereign, holy, rescuing, restoring, accessible God - whether we believe it or not" #believe

Isaiah 40:9-11 ESV "Behold your God!" Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. Step outside your tent and take a look at who God is. He is massive. Complete. Yet...the next verse says... He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. He is gentle Personal Looking out for us. For you. He'll gather you up in his arms... Rescuing Restoring This is our God. #believe #belong

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" And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Abram believed. Faith Abram was about 100 years old. Sarah had been unable to have children. In the normal ways of the world, there was no way that children were in Abram's future. But God. And Abram believed And that is what he calls us to do today. Believe that He is who he says he is. Step outside your tent, step outside your normal, day-to-day life and contemplate who God is. And choose to believe To redeem To transform And one day...to make all things new... #choose #faith #hope #grace

Colossians 1:15-16 ESV He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created... We see in Jesus the God who cannot be seen...beyond creation...because He was there as the agent of creation...yet...born as a baby...completely dependent on his single mum for sustenance...for life... Fully God...yet...fully human...vulnerable...God made vulnerable to his creation When you love someone you make yourself vulnerable to them...and you want them, need them, to love you back.. #thisisourGod #love #Jesus #sunday #worship