verseoftheday

Exodus 31.1-5.nlt Then the lord said to Moses Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel...I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft! Ever wondered where your desire to create, design, make, write, compose, build comes from? God loves that stuff. And that ability in Bezalel came directly from him...God as creative and we're made in his image, His Spirit within us is creative, so get on with it... Bezalel worked on the tabernacle...so use your gifts ad talents to bless others, to point them to God, to encourage, build up... It's part of who we are and part of our worship... #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

Mat.25.37-40.msg ...Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you? Then the King will say, I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me -you did it to me. Who are the overlooked and ignored? This is what Jesus sees as beautiful, as worthwhile, as successful...meeting the needs of the overlooked and ignored...they could be in your house, your neighbourhood, your town or some place around the world but each act of kindness, compassion, love, somehow Jesus feels it...it's important...beautiful #fortheleast #lovepeople #beautiful

Friday!! Prov 15.20-21.niv A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.   Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. Foolishness v Wisdom One of the big themes of Proverbs...wisdom, wise choices, brings joy to our parents & gives us  straight path, a clear road (not necessarily an easy one), but folly, foolish decisions,  & living out that folly, makes us think our parents know nothing...and that foolish life...we love it when we're in the middle of it...it seems easy and fun, but folly brings joy to one who has no sense. God's ways are not always easy, forgiveness is hard, compassion takes strength... Love is not for cowards #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Mark 10v25 NIV1.25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. Somehow, the things we do in the seen world have an impact in the unseen world...every now and then Jesus makes these statements that make you really wonder...what difference does it make to God if I forgive someone or not? Somehow if I hold out, don't forgive...it constrains God in some way...because by forgiving others, God is free in some way to forgive me... While I don't quite understand all that might mean, it's clearly important that I choose to forgive others...so don't hold out or hold back when it comes to forgiveness...even tho its hard... #forgiveness #choose #wordsofJesus

Psalm 119.54 NIV Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. Wherever I lodge...it doesn't matter what town, what country, in wealth or poverty, in health or sickness...whatever my location or my circumstances says the psalmist, the theme of my song, the things in my heart that are important, that give that inner joy and peace, are the things of God. His love. His mercy His justice His compassion His seeking out the lost What's the theme of my song? what's the constant theme of yours? May today, & all days, the theme of your heart be our God #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

Eph 5v9 amp For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. This is it. Allowing the Spirit, God's light shine thru our lives...our everyday interactions...our choices about everything really...career, money, lifestyle...what's really important How well is my life characterised by kindly goodness...& uprightness of heart...& trueness of life...?? Only thru allowing more of the Light to dominate... Father in heaven, may it be your light thru your spirit which shines thru me today in all that I do. Amen. #childrenofthelight #lovepeople

Matt 7 3-5 And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?  How can you think of saying to your friend, "Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye", when you can't see past the log in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye. Ouch. #wordsofJesus #beattitudes

Luke 7:13 NLT When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion... If we think that God doesn't know or understand or care about our pain, hurts, grief, loss...he does. His heart is full of compassion and love towards us. And that heart is what he wants us to develop and live out in the world...we are his hands and feet now, we are his beating heart of love in a broken world...so don't stop loving people even when it's hard to do... #letyourheartoverflowwithcompassion #thisisourGod #sunday #worship

Matthew 7:1 AMP DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. This has to be some of the hardest teaching of Jesus...it's just so easy to judge, criticise and condemn. I like doing it. I'm good at it. It comes "naturally" What to do then? When I see someone & the labels spring into my mind I try to say these 2 things: This person is made in the image of God I don't know their story When our conversations head towards condemnation change the subject...move on... Maybe I need to reduce my time in the media, esp social media which thrives on judging, criticising, & condemning #beattitudes #wordsofJesus #grace #lovepeople

Friday already!! Time for the next Proverb... Proverbs 15:19 AMP The way of the sluggard is overgrown with thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him], but the way of the righteous is plain and raised like a highway How often have I tried the easy way and been caught out...or been that wee bit lazy and put off hard tasks in favour of fun or the easy...only to run out of time or energy to finish what needed to be done How often have I not chosen what seems to be the hard route that God has espoused... forgiveness...kindness...otherness...only to find that my "easier way" really was full of thorns... Choose the plain highway of God's word...it's not always easy, but like a raised highway, you know what the road is like #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #keepyourpathsstraight #choose

Psalm 119:53 AMP Burning indignation, terror, and sadness seize upon me because of the wicked, who forsake Your law. Maybe it's the greed that is damaging our planet, the corruption that denies fairness, the selfishness that hurts our children, the quest for profit that robs others of a living...what are the things that go on in this world that make you angry...afraid. ..or sad...?? Forsaking the way God calls us to live. So...how well am I living by God's design? (how much of God's design do I really understand?) What can I do in my circle of influence? #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether #somethingtochewon

Ephesians 5:1-2, 8-9 NLT Imitate God...in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love...now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. This light within you...the fragile gentle Spirit that can be grieved, pushed aside, ignored...but produces the good, the right & the true in our lives. We are God's children, with His Spirit, so imitate Jesus, follow His example...he brought healing, justice, forgiveness, restoration in whatever corner of the world your in, in whatever place you study, work, play, live... #lovepeople #childrenofthelight

1 Timothy 4:16 NLT Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. Tim, take some time out to check up on yourself, how are you really going? How are those things you are trying to master in your life?  How's your joy? Peace? Stay true to what's right because it's important for you and those in your life If you never take time to "sharpen the saw" you'll lose your edge, your effectiveness Sometimes Tim, you just need to look after yourself. Talk later. Your friend, Paul #letterstotimothy

1 Timothy 4:12-15 NLT ...Be an example...in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity... focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them...Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received...Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks... Give it all you have. Give your best energy, time and resources Give your best when it comes to being an example in love faith and purity Give your best in studying God's word Give your best in serving your church, serving others, loving people Give your best using your gifts and talents to bless and encourage others... #letterstotimothy #getinshape #Godsgym #giveitheaps

1 Timothy 4:14 ESV Do not neglect the gift you have... All of us have gifts, talents, skills, things we're passionate about...sometimes they're hard for us to see and others need to point them out or encourage us in them, & sometimes there are seasons in our life where things go "on hold"...but...how can we use our gifts, talents to bless others, to further God's Kingdom? It's so easy to compare and think I'm not as good as...or why don't they... Don't neglect your gift.  Volunteer, put your hand up, try things, ask God how He can use your talent, skills, gifts...ask your neighbour... #dontneeglectyourgift #letterstotimothy #blessed

1 Timothy 4:13 AMP Till I come, devote yourself to [public and private] reading, to exhortation (preaching and personal appeals), and to teaching and instilling doctrine. Timothy, read God's word at home...be part of a church that opens the Bible...not only that...share what you are learning with others.  Who in your life needs a good exhortation, a word of encouragement? Teaching sometimes happens in the pulpit, but sometimes in small groups, one on one in coffee shops, or in homes, sometimes by reading, or hearing, or by example...or by listening... But Timothy there will be people that only you can encourage, exhort, teach, so get on and do that... #letterstotimothy #exhort #whocaniexhort

Friday!! Proverbs 15:17 NIV Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. The fattened calf speaks of a lavish celebration, a party, an event, but what joy is there if there is hatred...discord...better to be content with the ordinary, the everyday, the simple...where there is love Our world tells us we'll be happy with the bigger, brighter, newer...what they've got...appearance, fame, wealth, property...but God tells us the simple things with love is what brings true contentment and joy. Don't wait for a flood to share a simple meal with others, be hospitable, be kind...give... #proverbs #wisdom #wisdomtoliveby #simplelife

Matthew 6:31-34 NLT So don't worry about these things, saying...What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs... Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously... So don't worry about tomorrow...Today's trouble is enough for today. The antidote: 1. Don't get caught up in the trivial stuff that dominates tv, fb, snapchat world 2. Remember God loves you. And knows you. Believe. 3. Live Kingdom values. Forgiveness Loving our enemies Going the extra mile Love people Love God How am I doing that today? 4. Focus on today, on your circle of influence...on what you can do, not on the if's & maybe's of tomorrow #beattitudes #wordsofJesus #somethingsmightneedtochange

Matthew 6:30 NLT And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? Jesus is preaching up a storm...about how much God cares...and God is right there with them in the flesh...yet...he still asks the question why do you have such little faith... that nagging question that seems to follow down the centuries The answer is there though in v33...tomorrow we'll have a look at that :) #faith #trustGod #choose #sometimesitshard

Psalms 82:2-4 NLT How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked? Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people. How easy it is when making decisions to side with the powerful, the successful...but the psalmists call here is clear to look out for those who are neither... Give justice Uphold the rights Rescue One of the big themes of the Bible is the preciousness of others...it's the whole reason God became a man and made the way...because to Him we are precious...and that's how he wants us to see others...as He does How can I give justice...uphold the rights...rescue...?? #somethingtochewon #lovepeople

Matthew 6:27 NIV Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Worry. What are the things that worry you? Stephen Covey wrote about two circles. Our big circle of Concern. The things we worry about, care about, want to see changed in the world... And within that large circle of concern is a smaller circle. The circle of influence. This is where we can make a difference. And it's within that smaller circle of concern that we need to focus our energy and effort, and as we do, we can make an impact on that wider area of concern. Most of the things I've worried about have not happened, or my fears have never been realised...and far from adding time to my life...they've just consumed me... #beattitudes #wordsofJesus

1 Timothy 4:12 NIV Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. speech conduct love faith purity sometimes we feel inadequate, especially when it comes to serving in our church, but whether we are young in age or experience, whether we feel we have anything to contribute or not, if all simply did those things... say something encouraging today serve in some way How can I set an example of faith? Maybe you haven't been to church for a while...or just going from habit or guilt? Maybe today, go 'cause you believe God is who He says He is, and meeting together with others will strengthen your faith... #choose #setanexample #letterstotimothy #sunday

Romans 15:13 NLT I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Hope. God is our source of hope...hope that comes from trust. Trust that the God of the Bible is who he said he is. That He is on our side even when we can't see it or feel it Why is Paul praying that his people will know this peace and joy? Maybe it's because there are times when it's hard, when the questions crowd in, when circumstances conspire against us, when the world threatens to overwhelm us...and we need to tap back into the source of hope :) And when we have that overflow of hope...who needs some of that? #shareit #confidenthope #thanksCarla

Friday may 8 Here it is It's Friday!! and the next Proverb is Proverbs 15:16 NLT Better to have little, with fear for the lord , than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. Contentment. Contentment with what we have...and the next step from that...thankfulness for what we have...better than looking at what others have because "comparison is the thief of joy" We compare our grades, our looks, our houses, jobs, clothes, cars, money, lifestyle...but contentment with where we are at is a choice that we can make... #friday #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #contentment #bethankful

1 Timothy 4:10 NIV ...we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people... If you've ever lost someone close to you, there will always be a gap in your heart...a space only that person can fill...God is like that too...but his heart is massive enough to have that gap for everyone...he is the saviour of all, wants all of us to meet with Him to choose Him... The living God with a heart that beats for and yearns for us. And if you've turned away, stepped away from him for any reason, he wants you back... #letterstotimothy #dearlyloved #unbreakablelove

1 Timothy 4:8-10 NIV ...but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God... We have put our hope in the living God...not an idol that is impotent, not a genie to do our bidding, not a god created to meet our needs...but a living responsive, massive,  loving God...that is where Paul put his hope, in who I have put mine... #letterstotimothy #getinshape #Godsgym

1 Timothy 4:8-9 NLT "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come" This is a trustworthy saying... So...what's it to be? Put some real sustained effort and energy into God's word...figuring out what it means for you...applying it in the everyday...what does "training in godliness" look like for you? I want God's blessing in both this life and the next but I spend more time ironing my shirt than I do in his word... #letterstotimothy #getinshape #Godsgym #whatsreallyimportant 

1 Timothy 4:7 NLT Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly... How much time do I waste talking about, arguing about, looking at, stuff that is just worthless...or at best mildly entertaining? Easy habits to get into...but instead...Paul is giving instruction to Timothy...someone younger in the faith...instead of so much snapchatbook, get yourself into God's gym, get some training in the Word, set some spiritual objectives... #letterstotimothy #getinshape #whatsreallyimportant

Colossians 1:13-14 NIV For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Rescued Redeemed Secure This is our God. He has done this for us, made a way for all who choose to believe...it's not dependent on our performance, how good we are, what or how much we can do...but on Jesus, his performance, how good he is, what he did, for us...and it's all about that 4 letter word. Love In that I am secure #sunday #worship #Christalone #secure #dearlyloved

Romans 5:1 AMP ...since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us grasp the fact that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ... we are secure made righteous through Jesus no matter what we might be wrestling with God about... doubt...disappointment...anger... the issue of our standing, our position is secure #itsallgood #secure

Proverbs 15:15 NLT For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. Sometimes it's hard not to be despondent, but there are times when it's just our attitude, how we choose to see things, circumstances, other people, that brings us down, makes us critical.  Often we get to choose. But for those who choose to have a happy heart, to look for the good, regardless of circumstnace, life is a filled with warmth, love, fellowship...a feast...and all of us love a good feast!! #choose #haveahappyheart