verseoftheday

Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews... ...When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, "You are charging your own people interest!" Nehemiah 5:1, 6-7 NIV They're charging interest! So what? Isn't that the way our world works? But God had already given them clear instructions on how to deal with all that was going on here in Deut 15 & 23. When the pressure came on Nehe from within his own team he did 2 things: 1. He had a good think. 2. He went back to what God had to say about how they should live. And that's what we need to do...slow down, have a think, look at what the law of love has to say... #think #love

But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. Luke 15:32 NIV Luke 15 is all about the one person. The one who is lost from the source of life... alone... who feels separated, without hope This whole chapter is about God seeking. Looking Searching Welcoming us home. Not us as a people, not a group, but an individual. One. He's personal. And it's not reliant on us, on our goodness, our performance, but on God's goodness and His performance. He doesn't give up. He went all in for us. Jesus life, and death, were no half way things, but ultimate things. Ultimate expressions of a Father's love for us. For you For me. One This is the beauty of the gosoel And our response? #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #itspersonal #dearlyloved #childrenofGod

If they say Who cares if one more light goes out? In the sky of a million stars Who cares when someone's time runs out? If a moment is all we are Who cares if one more light goes out? Well I do These are the words of a song off the last Linkin Park album, the co-writer sadly took his own life this week. Somehow the glimmer of hope in this song was lost... there's only One who is big enough to care for each of us. Only One who sees the individual in the million stars. Only One who says we're more than a moment, that we're loved no matter what. Only One who will never give up on us...in Him there is always hope. Only One who came to find us. #dearlyloved #childrenofGod #hope

Friday! Proverbs! Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. Proverbs 14:7 ESV This is not saying to separate ourselves...or to disengage with people we may not agree with...but you know when you're in a conversation and nothing good is going to come from it...it's gossip or belittling or just pointless... Just walk away. And if we're looking for help, instruction, wisdom, direction...we're not going to find it with the foolish...so walk away and seek out the wise. The problem we have is that we carry the presence of the fool in our pocket. Shut down that website. Turn off that movie Meet someone in real life. Live in this moment, not yesterday or tomorrow... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" Matthew 17:5 NIV I'm not quite sure what this whole transfiguration thing was about - was it for the disciples benefit? For Jesus benefit? Some part of it anyway seems to be a reminder to Jesus that no matter what  is ahead, matter that it's going to be incredibly tough, I love you. You're doing the right thing. I'm on your side. And if Jesus needed to hear that, then maybe there's people in our lives that need to hear that too. I'm with you. On your team I love you It's tough, and maybe it's going to get tougher, but I'm with you. Who needs to hear that from you?

Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other... ...Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water. Nehemiah 4:17, 23 NIV Always prepared. Never letting their guard down. Who are we preparing to fight? The battle within. Our own thinking, the tape of lies that can circulate in our minds about our value The thinking of this world - that says success looks like X The culture that says you must live like Y The work of our enemy, the father of lies. Jesus said to know the truth, and that will sent you free. He is truth. Talk to him, open his word, & live it out, in community, armed with the Truth. #dearlyloved #loveGod #lovepeople

Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families...After I looked things over, I stood up and said...to the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes" Nehemiah 4:13-14 NIV Nehe wanted to show the enemies he was onto them. He'd heard of their plans and was prepared. He then put people with their families. If you're prepared to die for someone, that's probably who it is. But he also reminded them that God is great & awesome. No matter what the outcome, He is on our side. There is one who stands in the gap for us. Who stands as family, prepared to die for us. Jesus knew that God is great & awesome...but still had to face the enemy. He did it willingly. #forus #childrenofGod #dearlyloved

They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. Nehemiah 4:8-9 NIV They were half way thru the project and opposition was building. Their enemies could see that they were serious and might actually do what they'd set out to do. And the opposition ramped  up No longer just ridicule, but now serious plotting. They did 2 things: Prayed Posted a guard Maybe it's your church that is making progress, a ministry that's seeing good results, or that habit you're getting on top of, that spiritual discipline that is cementing in... Pray. Keep praying. And post a guard. What do we need to post a guard for? #nehemiah #pray #guardyourheart

And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired. And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired. And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord. Nehemiah 3:4-5 ESV Everybody got involved. Ch3 is a roll call of the whole community... Except. The nobles of the Tekoites. The work was beneath them. They didn't get their hands dirty doing ordinary work. They weren't interested in serving their community. Just in being served. The sad thing is that there's a bit of the nobles of the Tekoites in me. Sometimes I'd just like to be served. Not have to do any of the ordinary jobs... My God left heaven and became a servant. Gave. Not just a bit, not sacrificed a little...but gave it all. For me. #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

"Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us... Nehemiah 2:18-19 NIV They're a lost cause. Why are you wasting your time, money, resources on that? Sometimes we get that opposition from the outside, & at times it seems to be generated within...what about me,, my life, don't I deserve something good? Nehe had a calling. He'd committed his life to something bigger, more important than his own comfort, his career...God's restoration project. He invites each of us to be part of that too...no matter where we are...to be agents of grace wherever were found...to be part of the project. "Go into all the world..." #loveGod #lovepeople #theproject #go

Friday! Proverbs! The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Proverbs 14:6 NIV A mocker treats others with derision...this is the sarcastic and mean spirited me... Me. Much more interested in me than anyone else... no wonder it's hard to find wisdom. The opposite then is interested in others, listens, is open... builds up... no wonder that learning comes easily... They're other oriented. Jesus said he came to serve not be served. The ultimate other-oriented person. It's in serving then that we find wisdom... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #loveoeople

Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work... Nehemiah 2:17-18 NIV A masterclass in leadership and bringing people along... He'd done his research, connected to their emotions & got their attention He shared how God was at work & told his story... And the people jumped on board :) They joined the restoration project...God is calling all of us to be part of His restoration project...in some way to use our gifts and skills and resources to make this place better, to rebuild the walls & gates...inside the walls there is protection, peace, justice, flourishing... #called #inthistogether

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves... Matthew 17:1 NIV After 6 days...look back in Matthew 15 & 16 and there are miracles, crowds, teaching, confrontations with religious leaders...after a week of that Jesus needed some time to recharge. And he took his small team. Not the crowd. Not the 12 Just 3 If you're a leader, heading up a ministry, you need that small team who you can call on... And if we're called as part of that team will we stick with it even when we're asked to go to the remote places...where there is no crowd, no adulation, no kudos...will we go where Jesus calls us? Give what He asks? #called #team #inthistogether

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light... Matthew 17:1-2 NIV The wall, the barrier...whatever it is that separates heaven and earth is thin...so thin at times that heaven breaks thru...and this was a little taste...that one day heaven will break through and all will be made new! #heaven #itscloserthanwethink #hope #onedayallwillbemadenew

I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on. Nehemiah 2:11-12 NIV He'd had a report of the problem. God had called him to mission. Placed a desire in his heart to make a difference. Rather than jump in, make a lot of noise when he arrived, he went quietly to have a good look for himself. He didn't rush to judgement or action, flash his letters from the king, but quietly and humbly went to work How often have I just jumped in with a solution? I haven't taken the time to look, to listen...what was Nehe doing for 3 days in Jerusalem? My guess is he was asking questions... listening... #nehemiah #faithful #brave #thoughtful #patient

"...And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?" And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. Nehemiah 2:8 NIV Nehe was faithful, and brave. His heart was stirred for this project for his people. And here he really pushed the envelope...he went all in for the cause. Sometimes we just have to ask. Maybe it's for partners, helpers, support, (in this case building materials) for our ministry, mission, the thing God has stirred our heart about. Ask. Be brave. And when he got the result, the glory went to God. #faithful #sunday #worship

Then the king said to me, "What are you requesting?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it." Nehemiah 2:4-5 ESV Faithful and Brave. Nehe had been working for the king for ages... years... & praying about this for months - faithful. Suddenly the opportunity was in front of him - & what did he do? Prayed again. Faithful And then he jumped in. All in. Sometimes we need to be brave. Sticking our necks out. Taking a risk for what God has placed on our hearts. #nehemiah #faithful #brave

Friday! Proverbs! A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. Proverbs 14:5 ESV Who breathes out lies? See John 8:44...the father of lies, the one who's character breathes out lies He bears false witness about God to us...and about us to us... But Jesus is not just a faithful witness, he is the faithful witness, he is The Truth. May we become more like Jesus. A faithful witness to who God is, what the truth is. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #eveninproverbsweseejesus

...so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?" The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven... Nehemiah 2:2-4NIV The waiter doesn't get asked how things are in his life. The king doesn't need to be interested. Nehe is afraid as the king has complete power over his life. If he upsets the king his life could be over... So what does he do in the heat of the moment? When the pressure is on? He prays. #nehemiah #prayer #whentheheatison #pray

"This can be nothing but sadness of heart" Nehemiah 2:2 NIV I've had it. Sadness of the heart. Sometimes it's events. Things we have no control over Sometimes it's what other people do...and sometimes it's things we've done, or should have done. And then sometimes there's just sadness. Sadness that rolls over us... And that's one of the great things about the Bible...all of our "stuff" is in there. All the real stuff that goes on in our lives. And if it's in His book, then the author understands us, knows about the things we wrestle with, battle with...and walks with us... #with

....I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart..." Nehemiah 2:1-2 NIV The king is one of, if not the, most powerful man in the world at the time. Yet he noticed something was wrong with one of his staff. What's up? How are you? How are you really? We like to wear a mask, to often hide how we really are, and in this moment Nehe let the mask slip and the king not only noticed but cared enough to check in... Do I care enough? When I notice things are not right? Am I prepared to not just ask the question but to keep walking with someone who has a sadness of heart? #lovepeople

In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes... Nehemiah 2:1 NIV What's with the dates? Because it shows Nehe had been praying about this for four months! Not four minutes as we might like to do... Waiting is hard. Waiting on God is hard. If you're in God's waiting room then you're in good company... Abraham waited years... Joseph - years Nehe - 4 months before he could start to make any progress on the thing that had broken his heart. But his time was not wasted... He prayed He waited He planned He prayed When something is important to us, maybe we need to give it more than 5 minutes. Maybe God's timing is better than ours Maybe in the waiting He has something for us...something we may not have been expecting... #pray

In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid... Nehemiah 2:1-2 NIV The cup bearer was not supposed to be unhappy. Just being in the presence of the king you should be happy. As his heart condition was  showing on his face he was afraid of the king's reaction... We however can approach the King of Kings with any hurt or fear or request in any state because we are not employees of the King,  we're not judged on our performance, what we've done, whether we're good enough... we're children of the King - we come with no fear of rejection, no fear of being turned away or loss of status or anything... #childrenofGod #dearlyloved #nofear

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4 ESV Jesus spent the first part of his life in a manger...he could've stayed in the glory of heaven, could've just left us to it or destroyed the whole human project. But instead he joined it. Not just joined the mess, but became it. Because we're the object of His love. And the harvest He wants is a relationship with us - not one from compulsion or obligation, but one from choice. There was a price to pay for the harvest...and Jesus paid it. Born in a manger, He became the mess that saves us, because He Loves. #proverbs #somethingtochewon #dearlyloved #childrenofGod

Friday! Proverbs! Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4 ESV Interesting! The manger, the feed trough, the barn, it's clean, pristine, because there's no cattle, no oxen. But if you want a good crop, a good harvest you need the beast to pull the plow... So...the thing you want, the harvest, it's messy to produce it, there's a price to pay. In our lives if we want to see a spiritual harvest, life is going to get messy. If you let the massive powerful oxen of God's spirit into your life to work out His harvest, your life won't be as pristine & clean & tidy... Loving people can messy up our plans...are we up for that? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

I was cupbearer to the king. Nehemiah 1:11 NIV He's a waiter. Although privy to a lot of secrets and talks of the rich and powerful...he's not rich and powerful. Yet there is no hint of "I'm just a cupbearer" Why? His heart had been broken for his people and he was talking to God about it. His job, his position in society wasn't a barrier or the way forward...it just was what it was. It's what broke his heart that was most important. So what breaks our hearts? What do we see or hear about that could or should make us cry before God about? #nehemiah #cupbearer #heartbroken

Life is but a Weaving (the Tapestry Poem) "My life is but a weaving Between my God and me. I cannot choose the colors He weaveth steadily. Oft times He weaveth sorrow; And I in foolish pride Forget He sees the upper And I the underside. Not til the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly Will God unroll the canvas And reveal the reason why. The dark threads are as needful In the weaver's skillful hand As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern He has planned He knows, He loves, He cares; Nothing this truth can dim. He gives the very best to those Who leave the choice to Him." Corrie ten Boom Sometimes all we see is the underside of the tapestry that God is weaving... Not only is He at work on his restoration project but He wants us to be part of it too... #onedayallwillbemadenew #rebuildthewalls #agentsofgrace

"...The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire" Nehemiah 1:3 NIV The gates let in people, produce, resources...and they let the same things out. So the city became a shambles - no restrictions... no filters on what came and went... And it's the same with us. When our walls have crumbled and our gates destroyed not only can anything or anyone invade and overrun us, but there's no filter on what comes out...our words that hurt, that cut, that damage... We need the gates of God's word to hold what we say and do in check. And the produce that goes out thru the gates of our hearts is the way of love. Patient Kind Keeps no record of wrongs... #nehemiah #rebuildthewalls #gates

They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down..." Nehemiah 1:3 NIV Walls are there to protect the city, the people on the inside so that they can thrive and flourish They are there to keep the enemies out...with the walls broken down there's no stopping those who would do harm to the city. Why are our lives a bit of a shambles sometimes? Could it be that we've let the walls to our hearts crumble? We just watch any movie, go to any internet site, let in anything...our validation coming from social media... We allow any thought to take root, to rattle around in our heads... Maybe we need to rebuild the defences to our minds and hearts. Walls can be good & useful things to protect those on the inside and allow them to really thrive. #nehemiah #rebuildthewalls

Then I said: "Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments..." Nehemiah 1:5 NIV Ok so Nehe has started an epic prayer here, but he starts in the right place with who God is. His God is not a small one. Not there just for him, to meet his needs or whims. He's Big. He's also Love. His covenant, his promises are built on, made of, are, Love. When he's trying to make sense of the world, of his hurt, loss, this is his start point. Who God is. #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #big #love

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4 NIV What is it with us today? Most of the time it's not even OK to cry let alone mourn for ages... Sometimes stuff hurts and it takes a long time and that's OK. If someone is worth loving they're worth crying over...if something is of real value to us then it hurts when we lose it...and in Nehemiah's case it was the hope and future of his people that seemed to be lost... Note tho that he didn't  turn away from God but poured out his heart TO Him. God can take our hurt, anguish, grief Nehemiah mourned and prayed and fasted for days... he gives us permission to take our time #nehemiah #mourn #itsok #itsnotweakitsreal