verseoftheday

No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God...not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Romans 2:29 NLT As 2016 draws to a close maybe it's been a stellar year, maybe it's been a tough one...or a bit of both...but Paul reminds us here about what's really important...our hearts. The lead news story today is the awarding of NY honours - with a shot putter at the top of the list! But it's not the praise of people we're to look for even tho that might come, but God. And that comes from a heart oriented towards Him, simply living out in our own way - loving Him, & loving people, wherever we are, in whatever capacity we can... #Romans #keepingitreal

Friday! Proverbs! Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. Proverbs 13:3 NLT Looking back on 2016, it's the words I've said that have caused the most damage to others... In the NT James 1:19 reiterates this... be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry... How often have I not taken the time to listen well...been distracted by some digital device, my own thoughts & desire to speak... to give answers. In 2017 I want to listen well. Listen to words, & the heart beneath the words. And in the listening, maybe I'll speak less & that's OK :) #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #beagreatlistener #speaklife #lovepeople #2017

For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit... Romans 2:28-29 NLT A borrowed faith isn't good enough. Paul was lecturing the Jews (of which he was one) but he could just as easily be lecturing us... Going to church Being in a christian family Doing good things Being a "good person" No...it's a change of heart that God is really after...we're not far from that whole New Year resolution - what am I going to be better at next year? Its not about doing more X or less Y, but orienting our hearts toward God - let His Spirit speak to ours - let His ways become ours... #morelikeJesus #2017

They demonstrate that God's law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right... the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone's secret life. Romans 2:15-16 NLT Paul sums up how our conscience works...an internal "pat on the back" when we do the right thing, it also nudges us when we don't, when we ignore what's right and choose what's not. And then there's this thing that God reveals that He knows we have a secret life. The thoughts that spring up. The person we are when no one is watching. The desires of our heart. The secret life. Will we allow God's law, His word, to shape our secret life, our inner life? The law of love. Loving God Loving People At this time of year we often look back on achievements, progress...how have I done in this area? The secret life. #somethingtochewon #yearend #lawoflove

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under... "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more" Matthew 2:16-18 NIV Not normally a popular part of the Christmas Story... but today as we enjoy the freedom to live and worship how we want to, today pray for those around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. Was Herod so afraid of this baby because the people would then believe in a power greater than his? That baby, born 2016 years ago, not only split time, but ruptures our thinking about what really matters. This time of year we try to get together with people we care about, because that really matters. Jesus birth, God becoming man, making a way, wanting relationship with us...that really matters...for today & for all days

After the scholars were gone, Gods angel showed up again in Joseph's dream and commanded, "Get up. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt... Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother under cover of darkness. They were out of town and well on their way by daylight... Matthew 2:13-14 MSG Boxing Day drama! Dreams, angels, and on the run...but there's also obedience. Joseph followed God's call. This Boxing Day, what does God call us to? Me? He's said I'd like you to encourage someone who you wouldn't usually contact & thank them for what you've seen them do this year... If no angels visited, then will you ask God to place someone on your heart to bless and encourage today? May be a pastor, a friend, someone who gave you great advice, someone who served...send a boxing day gift of blessing to someone who wouldn't usually hear from you.. #boxingdaygift #christmas #belikeJoseph

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed... Matthew 2:1-3 NIV Herod was the King. And now he's heard about a new King being born, someone who could take away his power and authority. I like to be King. At least of my own life. My own destiny. Yesterday at times I was more in Herods camp. Selfish. Clinging to power... But the Magi, the scholars, the wise men...they've come to worship, to submit to the new King. Every day we get to choose to cling to power like Herod, or to bring our gifts and worship the new King. As we celebrate the first Christmas today, at home or at work, with friends or family, may we start by choosing to bring our gifts in worship to the new King #christmas #jesusatthecentre

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2 ESV From the humblest of places, in the humblest of circumstances... there was no glitter, tinsel, flash food...but God's plan to bring a saviour into the world was unfolding. This Christmas Eve, don't let the lights, the dramas, the tinsel on the outside, make us lose sight of the one who came from ancient of days. God's plan to save the world is entering a new phase... People were looking for a saviour then...and now... May our lives & actions, point towards the Ancient of Days. #christmas #promisesofhope #jesusatthecentre #ancientofdays

...an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. Joseph, son of David, the angel said, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit... ...When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. Matthew 1:20, 24 NLT Not only was Joe sensitive to and putting the needs of others first, he also chose to obey God's call. Joseph had his life sorted and his plan in place, but God had something else for him...an adventure that he couldn't have dreamed of (on his own) In the midst of the noise of Christmas don't miss God's call...maybe it's something small and easy or like Joseph a major shift in our life plan... #christmas #belikeJoseph #kingdomvalues

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us'". Matthew 1:23 NLT For 42 generations God had been working from the outside...His presence was so powerful people couldn't survive it, heaven met earth only in the Holy of Holies...but now...at the first Christmas, it all changed. God shrunk himself, humbled himself, made himself "nothing"...a baby in a teenage single mother in a tiny backwater town where nothing good ever came...and in that moment God is with us. Jesus says I'm going to enter the story in a new way, I'm going to know what it's like to be you and I'm going to be with you on this journey... I'm not just going to make a way but I'll be that way...this is a love story and this is the best way I can show you that I love you. #with #christmas #everythingchanges #promisesofhope #love #itsalovestory

Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel...appeared to him... Matthew 1:19-20 NLT In our world there's an industry in embarrassing people. When someone makes a mistake the first thing we want to do is let them have it! That driver who wasn't quite onto it...that exam grade that wasn't what was expected...that mistake, that poor choice... Joseph was well within his rights to make a big deal of this and make it clear to the world it wasn't his mistake. But he didn't. His concern was first for Mary. Is she OK? How can I sort this without embarrassing her, without making it worse...for her. And this was before the angel had a chat with him. Lord, help me be like Jo, to see the person first, & to show grace #belikeJoseph #characterlesson #otherness #grace #christmas

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about : His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18 NIV Apart from Genesis 1:1 has there been a more understated description in the Bible of world defining events? God entered His story, wrote himself in to this little family in a tiny backwater town no one had heard of, where nothing good came from. In our world it seems to be about the big, noisy, the great... & if its not big its not important... But in God's economy it's often about the  understated, the quiet, the small...the humble... Every act of kindness, of grace, of forgiveness no matter how small or insignificant it may seem is part of God's restoration plan for this world... #christmas #jesusatthecentre #hopehascome

This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:  Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers... Matthew 1:1-2:NIV 42 generations from the promises God made with Abraham to Jesus. 42 generations of looking, waiting...hoping for fulfillment... 42 generations of trying to fulfill the law, of rejecting God...and 42 generations of God's pursuit of us...his forgiveness...until...Jesus When it all changed. The covenant is fulfilled.  The law is fulfilled. God's grace has come, heaven had joined earth in the person of Jesus... #christmas #jesusatthecentre #hope #hopehascome

Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you..." Joshua 8:1 NIV We like to think we can do it all ourselves...one of our cultural values in NZ is individual resilience and strength. But there's gonna be times when you need the whole army with you...when things that are in front of (or inside) you that going it alone just won't cut it... Share your need, your heart, fears, hurts...challenges... it may not be with a big army but we all need people on our team, people we can trust, who will stand with us... If Jesus needed a team then we do too. So reach out and recruit if you're in need of an army today... you might be surprised who will join you :) And if you're committed to walking with someone thru whatever they're going thru...stay the course. Don't give up just because it's getting tough or messy... #inthistogether #inthebattle #onyourteam

Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land..." Joshua 8:1 NIV In a business meeting this week the recent earthquakes were discussed and the comment was; "well you're not worried because you have the hope of heaven..." The battle has already been won. Just like Josh was told. I've already done it. Delivered. Yet you still need to go and fight the battle... We still need to do what God has called us to...to represent Him to the world...to be agents of grace, of restoration, of hope, of justice...to be His hands & feet in a broken & damaged world God's won it for us. Delivered Yet still wants us to do our part... #lovepeople #grace #inthebattle #somethingtochewon

Friday! Proverbs. From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence. Proverbs 13:2 NIV Words. Many people can share in the fruit of a tree...it's goodness can be spread and distributed...and words are just like that - good things that bring blessing, encouragement & life! Strength for the journey. But like most things they can also be used to be hurtful, crushing & destructive. In an instant we can remember hurtful words that have been spoken to us or about us. The words of the unfaithful. Today I'm going to listen to my words and check that they are not the words of violence...of hurt, of negativity...but are words of life, fruit to sustain, bless & encourage... If I did that every day perhaps this world would be a better place :) #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #choose #speaklife #strengthforthejourney

...Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ... Philippians 3:19-20 NIV The return. While Paul is a citizen of a different Kingdom, he was looking for the King to return...to complete the restoration programme that he started on the cross...when heaven meets earth...when the King returns. And when He does, our place in the Kingdom is already secure, so today, like Paul 2000 years ago, we don't need to have our minds stuck in the values of this world, but in the Kingdom to which we belong. Our allegiance has shifted. We've taken the oath. We are citizens of a kingdom that has love as its cornerstone - and love is a person... #jesusatthecentre #kingdomvalues #childrenofGod

But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven... PHILIPPIANS 3:20 AMP It's easy to take our citizenship for granted...but if I'd just been granted citizenship to this country how would that feel? Maybe like this is now Home. I belong here. I'm accepted here I'm wanted here As a citizen I'm protected and secure... And maybe that changes the way I see people around me and how I treat them and the place I live... We are citizens of heaven. We belong Accepted Wanted Secure Loved That citizenship can't be lost or taken away from us, and the borders to the Kingdom are open for all who chose to come in... That changes the way we see the people around us and the place that we live... #kingdomvalues #dearlyloved #childrenofGod

Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged..." Joshua 8:1 NIV Why did Josh need to hear this? In Ch 7 Achan had let him down - one of his team  disobeyed God - and paid the consequences... The very next thing God says to Joshua is not to be afraid or discouraged. People will let us down. They make poor choices and sometimes the consequences are massive...impacting families and generations... but if this is your experience then perhaps what God says to Josh applies. Don't be afraid. I'm still here. I'm still constant and rock solid even when people aren't. Don't be discouraged. Yes it hurts, but don't chuck in your faith in Me over this. I'm gonna walk with you today and for all days... #nofear #faith #faithinthedark

When outsiders who have never heard of God's  law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God's law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God's yes and no, right and wrong... Romans 2:15 MSG Love the way the Message puts this...that our sense that there is a right and wrong, truth and error, good and evil, is woven into the fabric of creation... all people have something within, that echo of God And it's woven in... not added later as some kind of crutch or explanation - but who God is is part of who we are... Because we know there is right & wrong, it points us to the Creator... & encourages us to find out what He intended. A lifetimes journey of discovery. #Romans #keepingitreal #somethingtochewon

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,  and upon finding a single pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46 AMP The Kingdom is searching... A merchant knows what he's looking for, an expert in finding the items of highest value to him...the thing of beauty... And when He finds it - he gives everything up to pay for it. You. You are that pearl - that item the Merchant places His highest value on...He sees beauty in you No matter how you see yourself today, how you might feel, our God places great value on you. He's prepared to pay everything for...you. And He did. #wordsofJesus #kingdomvalues #youarepriceless #dearlyloved #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing [as their Creator], God gave them over... Romans 1:28 AMP "Morality, it could be argued, represents the way that people would like the world to work, whereas economics represents how it actually does work" Freakonomics. When governments and those in authority lose their moral stand, the only thing left is economics. And we're so much more than economic units of production. Just as in Paul's day big chunks of our world no longer bother to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing...and yet at a micro level...in my heart...how often do I do the same thing? What does God know about my situation? How is His truth ? If we ignore God He'll let us run our own way...but if we keep choosing to acknowledge Him & consider Him worth knowing, He'll walk with us... #Romans #keepingitreal #Godisworthknowing #truth

Friday! Proverbs! A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes. Proverbs 13:1 NIV Generally wise children will listen to and act on their parents instruction...and children who are characterised by not listening - shows there is a heart issue. I've chosen my own counsel. My own way. And as parents when we see that we know we have to work really hard to get to the heart of our children... But. The Bible esp the Old Testament is full of accounts of God's people ignoring or not completing God's instruction. Cycle after cycle of rebellion But. I'm the same... recurring themes of not listening to God's word... we all have the seeds of rebellion in our hearts...we want to listen to our own counsel rather than the wisdom of God - so keep allowing God to chip away, to work on our hearts...to make us more like Jesus... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough." Matthew 13:33 NLT It's great having some yeast in the packet in the cupboard...but it's not fulfilling it's purpose sitting in the packet with the rest of the yeast...that only happens when it's out getting worked into the flour...the Kingdom is at work IN us and it's at work THROUGH us as we live our lives...out where the baking happens, where the heat comes on, where you can be kneaded and pushed around... where life can be messy...out making a difference not sitting in a nice package in the cupboard... #yeast #kingdomvalues #redeemedforapurpose

Jesus also used this illustration: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough." Matthew 13:33 NLT Yeast converts sugar into carbon dioxide which is what makes our bread what it is. It's yeast that transforms bread from being flat and hard into the the tasty bread that we love... And that's what the Kingdom does...transforms us from the inside...takes what we have, our gifts, talents, character...our responses... our choices... even our dreams and desires... and transforms them to be more gospel flavoured, more kingdom shaped...still us, but a lighter, tastier version! #yeast #kingdomvalues

Jesus also used this illustration: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough." Matthew 13:33 NLT One of the properties of yeast is that it multiplies exponentially...1 becomes two...becomes 4... 16... And this is the way of the Kingdom - our job is just to bless, encourage, teach, share with, walk with, support, love, show grace towards, be Jesus to, point to God, pray for, pray with, live out our faith in front of...the 1 who is in front of us. And the Kingdom will multiply what we do...however small or insignificant we think what we do is...yeast is the tiniest of things...yet multiplies... So keep writing, singing, making art, giving food, preaching, messaging, giving, parenting, forgiving...1 person at a time... #yeast #kingdomvalues

Even when the way Goes thru the sunless valley I'm not afraid 'Cos you are with me Ps 23 When we're facing hard things, stepping into the unknown, the new...when the road ahead suddenly seems uncertain...the future at best looks challenging...not only have others like the psalmist been there ahead of us, there is one who has faced it all...and says he'll be with us. We might seem alone. But we're not. Alone but not alone. So reach out your hand, call out to Jesus in whatever circumstances confront...for He is with. #with #alonebutnotalone

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches. Matthew 13:31-32 NIV ...the smallest things we do, the seemingly most insignificant acts of kindness, of love, of support, that timely word, that warm smile, that listening ear...that hug when someone needs it....that sponsored child, that Sunday school class, that message shared...that welcome you gave, the song you sung, the meal you shared...the word of encouragement...the art you created, the song you wrote, the service you provided...the life you live...can become in God's economy shelter from the storm, a place of nourishment and support for many... Be faithful in the small things & let God grow something good from it... #wordsofJesus #kingdomvalues

The owner's servants came to him and said, "Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?" Matthew 13:27 NIV The owners team could see what was going on...could see the weeds... Do we let people in to our lives far enough to see the weeds? Am I prepared to say "tell me about the weeds you see in my heart - what I'm missing, where my weaknesses are. Where am I not showing grace, love, kindness, patience...self control...am I letting anger, resentment, bitterness rule... where are the hurts of the past or fears of the future stopping me from being who God wants me to be today...?" Maybe we know the weeds in our own heart but just don't want to confront them... Is there someone you trust enough with your story? You can cetainly trust your heavenly Father with it...no matter what :) #weeds #weedsinthegarden #inthistogether

Friday! Already! In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. Proverbs 12:28 ESV In the path of righteousness... morals, values, truth...right & wrong. When we think about where these things come from it eventually only takes us to one of two conclusions; They are a construct. Something we've made up. Or they lead us to the God of the Universe! In Him there is only life, as He has promised when this life is over there is more life. Along this path is Jesus. He claimed to be The Way, The Truth & The Life. It's what we choose to do with Him & His claims that leads to Life. He is the path... And in Him there is no death. Hard tho that is to grasp sometimes...but in Him I place my hope and my faith...let's tread this path of righteousness together :) #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #life #chooselife #childrenofGod #inthistogether

Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.  When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared." Matthew 13:24-26 NIV Words that have the sound of truth...but aren't... maybe it's those words that have been repeated to us or about us so often that we believe they're true... Maybe its our thinking about success and what's important. Appearance. Wealth Fame The weeds the enemy plants look the same as the truth to start with, but over time will give nothing, will prove to be empty God and his word, embodied in the person of Jesus needs to be our source of truth & what He says about us is what needs to daily rest in our hearts... #dearlyloved #childrenofGod #redeemed #wordsofJesus #kingdomvalues