verseoftheday

John 1.1 & 14.niv In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us...who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. God With Us When Jesus speaks acts responds...we see God speaking, acting,  responding... When Jesus healed the sick, loved the marginalised...we see God's heart When he upset the religious authorities because they'd missed what God was about, we see God's intent for us We see Jesus miracles, his calls for justice, fairness, mercy over sacrifice we see Gods priorities. Jesus came not to obey the law but fulfil it. When we see Him, we see God...God With Us #lovepeople #thegospels

Romans 8.1.niv Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus... No condemnation. When we're in Christ there is no condemnation from God...so if God doesn't hang on to that stuff and hold it over us, use it to hold us back, then neither should we. ! When we feel like we're not good enough, unable to be, or unworthy of being loved, when we're continually struggling to keep some things under control, or slip back into old habits, or our fears take over...this is the truth - there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus Because Jesus has done it all for us. #thisisourGod #love #gaveitall #nocondemnation 

Philippians 2.8.niv ...And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Humbled himself. The creator joining creation, writing himself into the story...not just humbling himself but being humiliated...he didn't need to do any of this, didn't need to face death, be vulnerable to anything, to be hurt, humiliated, beaten...killed...but he chose it, chose it all...this is love. #love #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

Ephesians 5.28.niv In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives... Sometimes the Bible has just a few things to say about particular topics. For guys, this is pretty much all you need to know about love & marriage. Love like Jesus loves the church. Humbled himself Gave himself Gave everything to make a way And if our homes work like this, this will permeate to our work places our worship places our communities...as a model, the model, of how we should live...and in that love point others to the love that God has for us, show it, live it And while this verse targets guys, this is how we should all try and live in whatever place we are found... #somethingtochewon #lovepeople

Friday! Proverbs15.25.niv The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow's boundary stones in place. Not sure if this is describing God's actions or his heart...the house of the proud...I guess there are things in my life that fit into that category...things I won't give to God, don't acknowledge they are gifts if grace...in our "me" centred "i" focused world... The widow's boundary stones. In NZ we have property rights but in many parts of the world if you're widowed others will take advantage of that and try to take your land and livelihood...so this is about the vulnerable, marginalised, disadvantaged...these are the people God wants (us) to look out for, protect, heal...Love #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon 

Psalm 42.1-11.nlt As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God... I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? O God my rock l cry, Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies? Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, Where is this God of yours? Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God! That song "as the deer pants for the water..." seems almost nice, but it's not...it's part of a cry of anguish, of hurt, of despair...of God not giving an answer...yet...through all that...again and again he says I'll put my hope in God! #choose #hope #hopeunshaken

Psalms 42.6-8.nlt ...Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you...I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. Even though now I am deeply discouraged, not sleeping, even though now my feelings are dominating my thinking, yet, I know God loves me Because I know that & choose to keep believing it, I'll keep singing to Him, keep praying, keep talking... I know He is the One who has given me life. Real Life My feelings are real...but they may not be the truth. No matter what I am feeling, I still choose to believe what I know is true. #dearlyloved #onedayallwillbemadenew

Psalms 42.4-6.nlt My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration! Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God! Here he was, the pastor, church leader...now with a heart full of sadness - this can hit any of us - the key thing is his response - simply that he chooses to believe in what he knows is true, that God is good, that his hope is in him, and no matter what he's feeling, he still chooses to worship God #sad #choose #knowhatistrue #worship

Psalm 42.3.nlt Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, Where is this God of yours? Not sure if the writer is being over dramatic here...or he really is at what seems like the end of his ability to deal with his life...God is silent & he wants Him to intervene...to make things right...and He seems nowhere to be found...he can't eat...or sleep it seems...and God has gone missing... If the psalmist can feel this way...so can we...

Ephesians 5.25-27.nlt ...just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her...He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. Holy and without fault. That's the place we find ourselves...not from anything we have done, but because of what Jesus has done for us... Think about the people you love the most...they are the object of our love, just as we, the church, are the object of God's love...but He made the ultimate sacrifice to make us holy and without fault...without a spot or a wrinkle...that's how He now sees us... #thisisourGod #love #sunday #worship

Ephesians 5.25-26.nlt ...For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word. Guys...if you're thinking about marriage or are married...this is for you. Live Jesus example & be prepared to give everything...even your life for the one you love. For all of us is the picture of Jesus, giving his life for us. His Church. Gave his life. For us To make a way So we are now holy... clean... #thisisourGod #gaveitall #dearlyloved

Friday already!! Proverbs 15.24.nlt The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. Who are the wise? Proverbs connects wisdom with living the way God calls us to...this is the path with an upward trajectory...the path of life... God's big story is about love, creation, giving, restoration...and that's what He wants us to be about. That life can look quite different to those around us...we make choices to give, to bless, to encourage others in ways that make no sense to the prevalent thinking of our times... We can choose every day the upward path of  life... #choose #loveGod #lovepeople #embassyofthekingdom #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Hebrews 13.2.ESV Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Long story but...halfway on our lifegroup roadtrip last night we met two hitch hikers in McDonald's & offered them a ride...they decided to hang out with us at the event we were going to and either pitch their tent somewhere or hitch on...at 9pm and the temperature heading towards zero...so we called a few people we knew and the first ones who answered agreed to take in these strangers for the night who were dropped at their door... Am I that willing to give my space, time, resources...when someone from the christian community calls? Am I that hospitable to strangers? #weretheyangels? #lovepeople #behospitable #thanksJono&Kate

Ephesians 2.4-5.ESV But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us...by grace you have been saved... But God. 1. God always knows there is a problem 2. God always has/develops a plan for the problem 3. God always works thru someone 4. God is very compassionate & patient But God. His love for us is beyond our ability to measure... "I have learned that God is more real than I could imagine, that he truly is the God who sees and knows and that his grace is felt every day in the warm embrace of his people" Shelly This is how people get to know and see the God who loves....thru the warm embrace of his people...who in your life needs that warm embrace? #lovepeople #embassyofthekingdom

Exodus19.3-6.niv Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, This is what you are to... tell the people of Israel: ...if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation... You'll be my representatives on the earth...I've placed you at the crossroads of the world where trade and people pass through so they will see my people, see who I AM in you...if you just follow my directions... And now that's us...the christian community...representing God in the world...just gotta follow his word, live it out... #loveGod #lovepeople #embassyofthekingdom

Genesis 6.5-8.niv The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become... The Lord regretted that he had made human beings... So the Lord said I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created...for I regret that I have made them But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord God could see he had a problem & developed a plan to deal with it - total destruction. But immediately his compassion kicked in... 1. God always knows there is a problem 2. God always has/develops a plan for the problem 3. God always works thru someone 4. God is very compassionate & patient Are you and I today, prepared to be the someone God works thru? Being his hands and feet in the world? #sundaysermon

Philippians 2.7.niv ...rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant... My tendency is to make myself look more important, more popular, more...but Jesus gave it all away...made himself less...smaller...a servant. I thunk I'll be successful when I have a servant...Jesus says I'll be successful when I am a servant. #thisisourGod #gaveitall #dearlyloved #sunday #worship

Genesis 12.1.niv The Lord had said to Abram Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you... Went to the movies last night...a story of someone who God called to go...a story of the big problems in our world...a story of obedience to God's call...a story of someone making a difference in the lives of those in her path... Sometimes we get so caught up with our stuff, we miss what God has for us, his adventure, his call, whether that's next door, across town or across the world...whether it's a big thing or something that seems small and insignificant, are we open, listening, even daring to ask for, God's call... The movie's title is Noble - get to it if you can #Godiscalling #lovepeople

It's Friday! Time for the next Proverb... Proverbs 15.23.niv A person finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word! Haha how good is it when you have just the right words for someone...maybe a "Lord I have no idea what to say...give me some wisdom please" before replying is good too And how good is a timely word...when someone says "I've been praying for you, you've been on my heart today, just want to encourage you in...thank you for..." And the timing of that has been just what we needed. So if it's good to get that word...don't hesitate to give it...when your prompted to call, txt, write, message, visit...do it... Who's on your heart right now? Someone in your family? Church? Where you live? #youknowwhattodo #proverbs #wisdom

Ephesians 5.18-21.ESV ...but be filled with the Spirit...making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks... submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. This was all going so well. Filled with the Spirit, making music, being thankful...then this little clanger...submit to one another. I don't want to do that. This is written to the church so Paul is telling me to submit to others in my church...and why?  Reverence for Jesus. Can't argue with that. Submit to one another. This is a mutual thing where we are all looking to meet the needs of others...man this can be hard sometimes... It's an attitude thing...what can I give, where can I contribute...who can I encourage... #church #lovepeople #oneanothers #inthistogether

Genesis16.1-2.ESV Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said to Abram, Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. After the dream, the signs, the covenant from God...the next thing in Abram's story is that he ignored God's promise and listened to someone else...and I'm just the same...sometimes God's word is hard...not what I want to hear There are lots of powerful voices in our world...who do we choose to listen to? What is our source of truth? Put your roots deep into the soil of God's word even when it's hard... #choose #faith #trustGod

Genesis 15.8-18.ESV But he said O Lord God , how am I to know that I shall possess it? ...When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram... March 15 was the last day we looked at Abram's story...he was questioning God and this is God's response...sacrifices and smoke and fire and a covenant...a promise... Isn't that what we crave for sometimes? God, if only you'd just show me smoke & fire, a burning bush a sign, miracle, healing...then all my questions would disappear...all my doubts would be gone... 2moro we'll see Abram's response but I think God values our faith in spite of our questions and doubts. That we choose Him anyway #faith

Psalm119.55-56.ESV I remember your name in the night, O Lord , and keep your law.  This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts. What are the things we dwell on when we go to bed? Those thoughts that run around in our heads? Pressures of today...worries about tomorrow...concerns for ourselves & others...the psalmist says think about God, who He is, as you head to sleep...that's what keeps our paths straight and we see the blessing that comes from living His way #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

Ephesians 5.18-20.nlt ...be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Spirit, Father, Jesus...got the triune God right there...Paul ends this part of his letter about living in the light with a call to allow God's Spirit to fill us, to get together to worship, to take time alone to worship...and to be thankful. I forget this so easily...yet so many blessings & good things come to mind... will you take 5 minutes just to think about the blessings in your life and be thankful for them. Thank our Father in heaven...thank Him in the name of Jesus #doitnow #sunday #worship

Luke 19.5.nlt When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name..I must be a guest in your home today... Zac. Let's have lunch! It will be great to talk and get to know each other... I was at a funeral yesterday and learned so much about that persons story, some of the experiences that shaped her...yet...missed the opportunity when they were around How often have I missed getting to know someone because I'm more interested in cats on the Internet or inane FB posts...or just more interested in me...the more interested in others we are the more interesting we become... Zac...let's have lunch... #somethingtochewon #lovepeople

Friday!! Time for some wisdom... Proverbs 15.22.nlt Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. We think we have all the answers, but this Proverb says ask. Get some advice, & don't just listen to the first person. Why are we so afraid to ask for help? (could it be pride?) We all need help sometime... When we have major things going on, big decisions to make, just ask. It can be easy to ask people who we know will agree with us...but will you ask someone who will challenge? be provocative? Wisdom says get some advice.  #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #keepyourpathsstraight

Ephesians 5.17-19.nlt Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. There's that be careful again...don't act thoughtlessly... Clearly there was a drinking/partying problem in the church... The antidote? Be careful with your life, think about what you're doing and the consequences, get together with your christian community and worship God together...and worship Him on your own...how long since you took some real quiet time to talk to and listen to God? Will you take a half hour this week? An hour? Two? #childrenofthelight

Ephesians 5.1-15.nlt Imitate God...Live a life filled with love... Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes-these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness... Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins...Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds... So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. More than 1 verse here...but you can't read v 15 without the context of living in love, being thankful, living as children of the light...& there's that word again: careful. Be careful how you live. That's not a be safe do nothing careful, but what you watch, where you go, who influences you careful. Be wise careful Avoid darkness careful #childrenofthelight

Ephesians 5.1-11.nlt Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children...So live as people of light... Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them... I don't know what was going on in Ephesus when Paul wrote these words but today's big issues come to mind...war, corporate greed, people trafficking, child abuse, drug & alcohol abuse...and with the internet today any darkness can be delivered to our phones... So carefully determine what pleases God. Don't just listen because someone speaks eloquently or forcefully, but carefully look into God's word and seek Him...keep away from the darkness & shed light #childrenofthelight

Exodus 31 6-11.nlt ...Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make...the Tabernacle; the Ark of the Covenant; the Ark's cover... all the furnishings...the table and its utensils; the pure gold lampstand... the beautifully stitched garments... the anointing oil; the fragrant incense... Some things seemed to be functional, practical, and some things were just beautiful. Create stuff that is functional, and create stuff that is beautiful...sometimes the beauty of something is its function...to just bring joy...light...& maybe point us to an awesome creator who loves beauty too... #creator #happybirthdayqueenie