verseoftheday

Sunday Psalms; The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.  The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth's foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.  They will receive the Lord's blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior.  Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.  Interlude Psalms 24:1-6 NLT After the beauty and invitations of Psalms 23 we get this "excluding" view that David paints - we're back to never-good-enough for God. Or does it? Because if God's glory, His holiness was all there is to the story then maybe that narrative holds. But it's not. It's true, but it's also not the whole story. Sunday in particular we get together if we can to worship our Risen Saviour who made the way, who is the W...

Romans 8:3 NLT The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.  So God did what the law could not do.  He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have.  And in that body declared an end to sin's control over us... Romans 8:3 NLT "So God did what the law could not do." Another side of Love that steps towards us, that makes a way where there is no way. The law, or complete obedience to the law, can't be done, so it's impossible for us in our humanity to be made right with God that way. "So God did what the law could not do." He sent His Son, and He declared that through His Son we are set free. Love sets the Beloved free.  #letters #Goddid #set free #weareBeloved

Friday! Proverbs! He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin. Proverbs 10:10 BSB "He who winks the eye", what could this mean? The person who says something hurtful and then says "I was just joking". The person who sees injustice, and does nothing. Elie Wiesel who was a holocaust survivor wrote this: "We must always take sides.  Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.  Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." Elie Wiesel And then there's "foolish lips" - I couldn't count the number of times I've said things I wish I could retrieve, call back, say differently or not at all... If we see Proverbs not as a weapon, but an invitation to consider our own hearts, what does this Proverb invite you and me towards today? #proverbs  #wisdom #somethingtochewon #itsaheartthing #takethenextstep 

Romans 7:25 - 8:2 NLT Thank God!  The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.  So you see how it is:  In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.  Romans 7:25 - 8:2 NLT After this long discussion about the power of sin, about the value and the shortcomings of the law, about his own humanity, Paul points us to Jesus and to this place where because of Jesus, because we belong to Him, we can put down this voice of condemnation. I got asked yesterday "how's your inner voice? What's it saying about you today?" "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." Maybe it's just me that has this inner voice that takes a different view to that which Paul invites us towards...maybe if God doesn't...

Romans 7:14-15, 21-25 NLT [14] So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. [15] I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate.  Romans 7:14-15 NLT Paul reminds us of his own humanity here.  Even though he has had this "road to Damascus" spiritual experience and met Jesus, he's not "perfect", there's still an internal battle at times, and he still does things he knows are wrong. [21] I have discovered this principle of life - that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. [22] I love God's law with all my heart. [23] But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. [24] Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?  [25] Thank God!  The answer...

[1] The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. ... [5] You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You honor me by anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,  and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalms 23:1, 5-6 NLT The redemptive strand has an end point - reconnection with God. David's song takes us on it's own journey; Starts with Yahweh as Shpeherd - The Eternal Light & Love is like a shepherd towards his sheep. There is rest, renewal, guidance, even in the darkest of places, He is with us. And then this picture of a feast, of a God who pursues us, of overflowing goodness that does not end. The redemptive strands flow through this song, through the realities of life, to a place of reconnection. A place where the disconnections of the Genesis story, from God, creation, each other, and ourselves, are reversed. A place where we will be ...

Psalms 23:1, 4 NLT [1] The Lord is my shepherd; ... [4] Even when I walk through the darkest valley,  I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalms 23:1, 4 NLT The Lord, Yahweh, The Shepherd, His rod and staff protect and comfort. It's not just our own strength we have to rely on, but His. It's not our just own capacity, but His. Because there is the "darkest valley" that we have to navigate.  We are not immune from the evils of this world, the actions of others, the frailties and limitations of our own humanity, the lies of the Enemy. David knows that. And his song invites us to join in the way through that he has found...leaning into Yahweh, remembering that even in the darkest valley, where there seems to be no light, The Lord, Yahweh, is still his Shepherd. #psalms  #songs #psalm23 #redemptivestrands #hopeishere #weareBeloved  #thewayisthrough