verseoftheday

Matthew 6:3-4 ESV But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. It's not if you give, but when...about now we have all kinds of introspection about what 2014 was like and what we want to change or do differently in 2015...I don't think I've made or heard a new year resolution to give more. Time, skills, money, resources, "gifts", care, experience, compassion, forgiveness...Love... Could I be more generous in 2015? #givealittle #lovepeople #beattitudes #wordsofJesus

Matthew 6:1 ESV Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father... Oh. But I want to be seen to be doing good, church, giving...the key words here "in order to be seen..." this is about our heart attitude and motivation rather than is what we do public and obvious It's when we structure things or do things or give things SO THAT others can see and be impressed How easy it is to slip into that, esp as we are asked about what we've been doing, what our plans are for 2015 and it's so easy to look for accolades As I look to 2015 may I do what's right because it's right, whether others know about it or not, thank me, or not #heartchallenge #beattitudes #wordsofJesus

Matthew 2:19-22 ESV But when Herod died...an angel appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead...But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there... Living in fear, displaced refugees, despotic rulers using terror tactics, passing on their cruel kingdom to their sons...could be parts of the world today This is the Christmas season that Jesus was born into. He was then rejected by his family, abandoned by his friends, slandered by the church, was single, broke, had no home, & was humiliated and murdered by foreign troops. He understands our pain, loss, grief, hurt... #christmas

Matthew 2:16 ESV Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men This is not part of the nativity scene or the guys on camels bringing gifts...this is a family running for their lives in the middle of the night with a cruel ruler prepared to kill chasing them down...in the face of the greatest gift man's inhumanity is a stark contrast...to retain his power Herod brought terror to a village...how often has this been repeated where innocents suffer and die at the whim of others...is our world today in any less need of a saviour? #christmas

Matthew 2:13-14 ESV ...an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him. And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt Why didn't God just send more angels to protect this baby? Surely there were other ways of keeping Jesus safe than getting up in the middle of the night & gapping it to Egypt? Did they walk? Get the donkey going again? It all seems really hard...but God set things in motion and then his intervention was a dream...something small & easily missed... We love the big unmissable signs...but mostly God doesn't seem to work like that... #smallthings

Boxing Day! What's that about? It's origins may be in alms boxes in church's collecting money for the poor, or maybe where the wealthy gave their staff the day off after Christmas and gave them a box of presents...but whatever it was its origins seem to be in giving... Christmas is a great time for giving, although we often get distracted by the receiving...as it's Boxing Day, maybe today is a good day to be generous and give...give to a charity, church, someone you know, a random person you meet, someone who you know has a need...give a little money, love, forgiveness, grace... Proverbs 19:17 ESV Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord , and he will repay him for his deed. #christmas #boxingday #givealittle

Luke 1:22, 26-31 NIV They realized he had seen a vision in the temple...God sent the angel Gabriel... Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be... Visions...angels...messages from God...I get the impression that meeting the angel Gabriel is not something you'd forget... The creator was getting ready to enter creation, to make a way for us in the only way possible, a saver, redeemer... May we this Christmas not just be thankful for what God did, but why...because He loves. Loves you. #christmas #youaredearlyloved #dearlyloved

Luke 1:19 ESV And the angel answered him, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. I don't know much about angels, but just reading this passage suggests that angels are not soft fluffy creatures who are only good for singing carols in a choir...but they are strong. Gabriel is strong enough to stand in the presence of God. For a moment the wall between heaven and earth is removed and we get a glimpse of more...heaven...mystery... angels...strength...and they're on our side...somehow this just makes me feel good... #christmas #didntexpectthat

Luke 1:13, 18 ESV But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard... And Zechariah said to the angel, How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years... Zech & Liz were old. They'd been faithful and praying for decades...and finally God answered... Tim Keller says "God will only give you what you've asked for if you knew everything he knew" God's perspective is different. Sometimes we just have to remain faithful... #keepthefaith #christmas

Luke 1:5-7 ESV ...there was a priest named Zechariah... And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron...Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. He was a pastor, she was from an important church family & they were both faithfully traveling with God...yet...no children (in the culture this would have been a big thing) Being faithful to God doesn't mean everything will be easy, that success will always come, that everything will work out as we want or plan or hope. When others succeed Sometimes it's hard to be faithful When God is silent #befaithfulanyway #inthistogether #christmas

Genesis 13:14, 17-18 ESV The Lord said to Abram... Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are... Arise, walk... So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord . Lift up your eyes Arise...get moving...Make the change Worship. Abram built an alter to God. Worship might include getting to church...I don't know what it was like at the oaks of Mamre at Hebron, just that it wasn't the best area, as Lot had the best land. Let's thank God anyway, let's praise Him regardless of our location, position, situation... #liftupyoureyes #takeastep #worship

Proverbs 10:27-28 NIV The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.   The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. In Proverbs things are often black and white. There are 2 teams The righteous. Those who have put their faith and trust in God, & the wicked - those who have chosen to be their own god. I have placed my faith in the redeeming love of Jesus. That is where these Proverbs are pointing...my hope, my eternal future...this is not a promise that bad things won't happen to those whose faith is in God, but that in the end, all will be made new...the prospect will become reality #whichteamareyouon #faith #hope #future #home

Genesis 13:14-17 ESV The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are... Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land... Lift up your eyes...and get up and get moving! Getting a better view of the things in front of us is a good start, but then we need to get moving. Take some action Make a change Move Abram was called to walk the length and breadth of the land, & while its all a bit of a cliché every journey starts with the first step... #liftupyoureyes #takeastep #iknowitsfridayproverbstomorrow

Genesis 13:14, 17-18 ESV The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are..." You get the feeling that Abram was a bit down after events with Lot. Conflict Family arguments Resolution Separation God said to Abram "Lift up your eyes" There is more to this life than the big things in front of you, the barriers, hurts, disappointments, issues...if you're in a tough place right now...lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are...there is a future, an opportunity, a solution...maybe that's God's call for you today... #liftupyoureyes

Psalm 119:36-37 ESV Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!   Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. With so much marketing material arriving in my mailbox everyday...piles of worthless things...or maybe the worthless things are the distractions, FBook, gaming...the psalmist here is asking God to change his heart and orientation from self, stuff I want, to God, his ways...asking nd what are they? #loveGod #lovepeople I like presents, but they aren't as important as people...are we willing to pray these verses today? Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!   Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

Psalm 119:29-30 MSG Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation. I choose the true road to Somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner The Message captures something here...asking God to barricade that road we know is destructive or hurtful, to remove that temptation, that habit... & through His word, help me to choose the true road, with a better destination. Road signs tell us about dangers ahead, about how far we have to travel, & features of where we are. Markers of God's grace in our lives, his blessing now, & the hope we have in him down the road Put those markers on your wall, on your fridge, in your phone, reminders of God's goodness and love for you #choose #markers #remember

Genesis 13:10-13  ESV And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord , like the land of Egypt...So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley...Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom Now the men of Sodom were wicked... Lot had the choice of the best land, he had it all, yet, it wasn't enough. He was enticed by the bright lights of the city. Cities are often the places where ideas, art, trades, professions, people develop and thrive...but in this case Sodom was not a good place, but rather than avoid it, Lot chose to move there. What creates discontent in you? #dontbeenticed #makegoodchoices #becontent

Matthew 5:46-48 NLT If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.  If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.  But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. What is this perfection? Loving people who are against us...being kind to people who are not our friends...simple...but...Jesus knows that perfection is not able to be attained by us...but just calls us to keep lifting the bar in our own lives...who can i show kindness to today? Let's start with the person who cut me off in traffic... #wordsofJesus #beattitudes #choose #lovepeople #worship

Genesis 13:8-9 NLT Finally Abram said to Lot, Let's not allow this conflict to come between us...The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I'll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right then I'll go to the left Conflict. It happens, in this case in the family. Abram wants to find a solution & the one he finds is based on generosity...be generous in the way you accommodate people, don't be afraid to give up what might seem the best, or even your right, to find peace with others #livegenerously #findawaytomakepeace

Friday!! Proverbs 10:26 AMP As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who employ and send him. Oh. Don't be that person. Not that I've tried vinegar as a mouthwash...doesn't sound good...so if you are an employee, don't be the lazy one - work hard In the middle of verses about the fear of the Lord, the storms of life, we get this little gem about not being lazy at work...maybe we represent God at work in the same way we do at church or anywhere else... #somethingtochewon #proverbs #wisdom

Psalm 119:26 AMP I have declared my ways and opened my griefs to You, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes. Be honest with God. He can handle it. Tell him how it actually is, not how you think it should be or some sanitised, christianised version...the reality. I have declared my ways This is how it is for me I've opened my griefs...this is what hurts, what I've lost, how I'm feeling... And when David did that, when he peeled back the veneer of culture, the way he was supposed to be, & laid it out, expressed it to God...He listened. Not condemned, rejected, told off...just listened. And David's response to being really honest & being listened to? Teach me...God please teach me what's right in your sight #behonest #inthistogether

Matthew 5:44-45 ESV But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. This is really tough. 2 weeks ago we looked at the "so that", that we represent God to those around us God showed his love and grace for us while we were still against him, his giving and sacrifice He says love people even when it's hard, even when they're against you - because I do - my love is there in the everyday, sun, rain, on all, that's how I work. I love people. All people. & give everyone the freedom to choose how to respond but - no matter what - I love God is Love Jesus calls us to be the same

Ephesians 5:1-2 AMP THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And walk in love... His example is the one to follow...we can do no better than to copy Him. Creative Giving Sustaining Sacrificing Redeeming Loving #walkinlove #choose

Hebrews 12:2 NASB ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith... Last night at Church we said goodbye to our Pastor...change can be hard, whether we choose it, or it happens to us, but this verse came up a couple of times as he always pointed us to Jesus. The Author & Perfector He was there in the beginning, the agent of creation He was there in the middle of time, when he took on the sin of the world & made the way He'll be there at the end when all will be made new If you're facing change, contemplating it, worried about it...first...fix your eyes on Jesus It's in Him, in His story, that gives us perspective...and peace #turnyoureyesuponJesus

Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Instead. Replace. ...don't just try & remove the negative, but actively replace it, focus on being; kind tenderhearted forgiving Sometimes these are easy words, but they require action...as we forgive, there is less room for bitterness, anger...as we are kind, there is less room for harsh words, gossip... Jesus is at the centre of it. He forgave. He is our model. His kindness. His forgiveness. Maybe today you just need to be a little kind on yourself... #sunday #worship #forgiveness

Psalms 119:25, 28 NLT I lie in the dust; revive me by your word...I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word... I lie in the dust, I weep with sorrow...what's it all about...whats the point...there are days when we all feel like the psalmist...but what is his response? That God's word is still true. The word is "true north" for us. It is with God that our heart and spirit will come back to life,  be revived,  to have courage put back in it...even if it doesn't feel like it...so hide God's word in your heart so that in days of sorrow, when days are dark, you & I will have a way, a road, a path back to life... #hidethewordinyourheart  #theroad #word

Friday! Proverbs 10:25 NIVUK When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm for ever. The wicked The righteous Proverbs is pretty clear that there are only 2 teams...I'm not sure what this storm is here, my guess is its connected to Jesus words in Matthew 7, the end of the sermon on the mount, where he talks about building your house on shifting sand, or the solid rock that is Him. Where do we build? Jesus is that rock, and it's on his righteousness that we stand, on the work He has done on our behalf that allows us to stand firm forever... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #firmfoundation #everythingelseistoast

Genesis 12:13 ESV Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake. Abram thought he could save himself In a spiritual sense we can fall into that thinking as well...I have to be busy for God, I've gotta do...if I'm good enough I'll be good enough for God. To be accepted. But unlike Abram who threw Sarah under the bus to save himself, Jesus sacrificed himself for us. He made the way. Out of love. For us. For me. Loved Accepted Belong When the pressure comes in this life we, just like Abram, can lose sight of that... #dearlyloved #belong #turnyoureyesuponJesus

Genesis 12:12-13 ESV and when the Egyptians see you, they will say... ...then they will... Abram was busy making assumptions about another culture, and was focused on himself, how this impacted on him, & seemed quite prepared to use those closest to him to save himself. Failure isn't final. Abram's story doesn't end here. We all make missteps, have poor judgement, get it wrong. But that's not the end. Abram made assumptions. Often our biggest mistakes come when we assume things about others. We can't get it right all the time...give yourself some grace, because God does...when the prodigal son returns in disgrace the father runs to him...that's a picture of our heavenly Father who runs to us when we need His grace... #dearlyloved

Psalm 119:19 AMP I am a stranger and a temporary resident on the earth; hide not Your commandments from me. At home...but not quite...There is more to this life than just the here and now; it's a bit like being in a new town, or a different country...interesting, exciting, scary...but not quite home...one day we'll go home... The second part of this verse...hide not; sometimes God's word is not clear - perhaps we should pray this more often - hide not Your truth, wisdom, direction... #onedayallwillbemadenew #home #hope #future #hidenot

Ephesians 4:30 NLT ...Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing... Identified Marked Sealed As God's own. No matter what happens in our life, where we live, what we do...if we have taken that step of faith we are part of God's family. We belong. Our future is secure, our hope is in His guarantee. #sunday #worship #belong #dearlyloved #sealed #hope

Ephesians 4:30 NLT And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. The way that I live, the choices I make, can bring sadness to God...quite a thought...the context of this chapter is about unity in the church, and about living as children of the light...how we live everyday...if I can bring sorrow to  God, then I guess I can also bring joy... Father in heaven, I need your Spirit within to help me in the choices and attitudes that I have, that I will bring you joy, not sorrow, pleasure not sadness, from the way that I live. Amen #choose #loveGod

Friday morning...Proverbs 10:24 AMP The thing a wicked man fears shall come upon him, but the desire of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be granted. wicked righteous Fear Desire It seems so black and white. That person is wicked, and I'm righteous...so I'll get what I want and have a good life... I've been chewing over this today, & life isn't that black and white is it...while I am made right with God, I'm not uncompromisingly righteous, and still battle with stuff that could be called wicked...I have reactions & attitudes that are not that great, do things, think things that are not righteous...yet...I want God to keep chipping away at me, to become more like Jesus, & that's the journey we are all on... #itsajourney #somethingtochewon

Genesis 12:10 ESV Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. Hello? God you've called me to go, & I've done what you asked, lived right...and now the situation is so bad that I can't stay here! What's going on? Ever had a "famine in the land"? Where there is no good way out...you just can't stay in that situation? A couldn't fix it God didn't seem interested The situation became unbearable Abram had to move. Change something. There's no indication God directed him, so he made the best call he could and got moving...to sojourn (love that word) somewhere else, for his own survival and for his family Abram had to change location What about you? #famineintheland #justgottamove

Acts 1:8 ESV ...and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Jesus called his team in Acts to represent Him. To be his witness. To his truth, grace and...resurrection. That's what mission is and what being a missionary is. Representing Jesus in this world. Loving, giving, healing, teaching, sharing...walking around in sandals...and where? Jerusalem = my town, my place Judea = my country Samaria = my enemies country the end of the earth = everywhere else So be a missionary by representing Jesus wherever you are, wherever you have been called...whatever you face today... #represent #mission #beamissionary #wordsofJesus #lovepeople

Acts 1:8 ESV But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you... Jesus. Risen. Alive. Promises that his Spirit, will somehow become part of us, working in our lives as an agent of change, of transformation, making us more like Jesus...from the inside...and this is all part of his kingdom work...as we are changed, we reflect his love and grace to those around us, we make choices in our lives to bless others rather than chase the riches of this world, we choose to give, to love, to represent God, to be his hands and feet in the everyday, the mundane, & in the extraordinary... #wordsofJesus #represent #embassyofthekingdom

Acts 1:3 ESV He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. Jesus. Died. Suffered. And in that suffering took on himself all of the darkness of this world Jesus. Risen. Without the resurrection there is no christian faith...in Jesus resurrection, death is defeated, the hope that we have of renewal, of restoration, depends on the resurrection...during that 40 days Jesus talked about the Kingdom, not some future far off time and place, but here and now, where renewal and restoration in Him can be found. #alive

Matthew 5:43-45 ESV You have heard that it was said,   You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven Love your enemies Pray for those who give you a hard time...how hard is that!? ...so that...so that we might reflect God's character, so that we represent Him, so that He might be made known...it's not about us, but who we represent! #beattitudes #wordsofJesus #lovepeople #lovepeopleevenwhenitshard

Ephesians 4:29 ESV Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. We get to choose the words we say...this part of Ephesians has been about unity in the church, and living a new life...not everything we think needs to be expressed in words, but especially when those words can hurt. Choose words that build up, that give life, hope, spoken with grace... Sometimes that's really hard if we are in a difficult situation, but we always have a choice. Choose to pray rather than gossip Choose to look for solutions rather than criticise Choose to empower others not put our own case... #maymywordsgivegracetothosewhohear #choose

It's Friday so time for Proverbs 10:23 ESV Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding. Often in Proverbs the fool is compared to the wise, the person of understanding. Who would want to be a fool in Gods eyes? We get to choose to be a fool...or not...One night someone kicked our mailbox over...just a joke to them...I don't literally kick people's mailboxes over, but do my jokes at someone else's expense, my sarcasm hurt people? What are the mailboxes you kick over? #aimtobewise #dontbeafool #choose #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Psalms 119:18 NLT Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. I don't like being told what to do...how to live...the law...rules...why can't I just do what I want? I want to drive on the right hand side of the road. OK some instructions are good for me, for us... Father in heaven, may we all have our eyes opened to see the wonderful truth and blessing that comes from following your instructions. May the fruit of your spirit be evident in my life today, may I seek to put others needs ahead of mine, love not only those I care about, but those who are against me. I don't want to fear the Negev, the desert, the hard places or things you may call me to do. Today I want your word to be a lamp to my path. Amen. #pray #Godgetsourtxts

Genesis 12:9 NIVUK ...Then Abram set out and continued towards the Negev. #1 when God calls, go. #2 age is no barrier #3 choose to worship #4 God's timing can be different to ours #5 trust God no matter what #6 choose to worship even when the future is unknown Abram headed into the desert. He wasn't going somewhere pleasant or welcoming, but somewhere hard. We will do the hard and difficult when it's for us...study, exams, work, exercise...'cos we get the benefit...but are we prepared to do the hard, the difficult for God? For his kingdom? I'll happily acknowledge what God has done for me but won't vacuum the church, or share my faith, or open my bible or ...go...into the desert... #7gointothedesert #eventhoitshard

Genesis 12:8-9 NIVUK ...There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord . Then Abram set out and continued towards the Negev. #1 when God calls, go. #2 age is no barrier #3 choose to worship #4 God's timing can be different to ours #5 trust God no matter what #6 choose to worship even when the future is unknown Abram didn't know what the next step was, but chose to build an alter to worship God. Sought Him. Prayed. We don't know what happened, if anything, when he prayed, but Abram then pressed on. Choose to worship even when our current situation is difficult and the future unclear #choose #worship #evenonaTuesday

Genesis 12:4, 8-9 NIV ...Abram was 75 years old when he set out... From there he went on towards the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent...There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord . Then Abram set out and continued towards the Negev. Principle#4 Abram's call/commission/task from God didn't happen UNTIL he was 75. We expect everything to happen now. On my time line. Be prepared to wait on God's timing Principle#5 In the midst of this journey Abram didn't know the end point, where he was going...sometimes we think we have to have it all planned out, the steps to success, the end game. Abram got to a place then asked God for the next step We just need to keep trusting God no matter what #trustGod #nomatterwhat

Genesis 12:4, 7 NIVUK So Abram went, as the Lord had told him...Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran ...So he built an altar there to the Lord... Principle#1 when God calls us we should go Principle#2 age is no barrier in God's economy. Principle#3 whatever we're doing, whether we're in the midst of change or not, whether we know the destination or not, whether things are going well or not, worship. If you can get to church today somewhere, take whatever is going on in your life, and choose to worship God anyway good or bad Joy or hurt Victory or defeat Easy or hard Choose to worship #sunday #worship #choose

Psalm 119:12-16 MSG ...train me in your ways of wise living I'll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you... Pondering God's wisdom takes time, and deliberate intent. How often do we carve out some time to ponder on God's truth? How could you do that today? David says that's more important than getting ahead in this world...how hard is that with the pressures on us in every area of life? Transfer God's truth into your own words is key. When we write it, paint it, photograph it, compose it, speak it, live it...transferring His truth to our lips, our expression, then it comes alive! #ponderthat

Friday! Already! And the next Proverb is 10:22 NLT The blessing of the lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. What does rich mean? Truly rich? Who do you know who is truly rich? One of the people we know is Sister Rose Bernard; a nun from the US, living in PNG for 40 yrs, & had taken a vow of poverty... She simply loved God, and loved  the people that God brought into her life, where ever that was, & was God's agent of blessing in their lives She owned (almost) nothing. Yet is rich. "...and he adds no sorrow with it" There is no downside to the blessing & richness that comes from God. No negatives, no winners & losers, just blessing. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #embassyofthekingdom

Let's call this part 3 of 3 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. God acknowledges some special and specific things & people in Abram's life, God knew it would be hard for him to leave...when God calls us he knows us, he knows that there are important things that we might have to give up, special people we have to leave...when God calls someone close to us to go, He knows it will be hard...change is hard. Go...to the place I will show you...that speaks of God's care, direction, engagement, & His bigger purpose - stay  connected with God - that's where we really belong. #faith #trustGod #seasons #belong #myfaithwillstand #Heknowsus #Helovesus

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. Abram was called to go...he had to leave a lot of important and good things behind. I wonder how he might have felt about that...? I wonder if his father, his people put pressure on him to stay? Abram was successful in his endeavours yet God had something else for him Change is hard. Hard for those leaving & for those staying Change challenges us all about what's really important and the need for us to stay connected with God - that's where we really belong. #somethingtochewon #faith #trustGod #seasons #belong #myfaithwillstand

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. Abram was an important person in his community. Yet God called him to leave...sometimes our security, our faith is wrapped up in, or is connected with the people around us...and sometimes God has other things for them to do...Abram leaving would have left a gap...when that happens in our lives it is challenging about what's really important and the need for us to stay connected with God #somethingtochewon #faith #trustGod #seasons #myfaithwillstand

Matthew 8:2-3 NIV A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean" Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing", he said. "Be clean!" Jesus is all about fresh starts, about renewal and restoration. We have things that eat away at us...spiritual leprosy...leprosy of the heart... (interesting that leprosy affects the body's ability to feel) Often we want to fix things or change things in someone else's life, but here it's about me. Can you make me clean? Jesus says yes. I am willing. I am willing to give you a new start, a fresh beginning Am I willing to front up with my issue to God? #newbeginnings #clean #thisiswhatlovelookslike

Psalm 119:9-11 MSG How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I'm single minded in pursuit of you. Don't let me miss the road signs you've posted. I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt. If you can get to church today somewhere, will you ask God on the way in to have a road sign for you today? Will you go expecting to hear from him? Are we really using his word as a moral road map? Then we need to be reading it! And remembering it! You don't put any old stuff in a vault...but things of real value. Carefully put God's word in the vault of your heart...that's how to live... #psalm119 #theroad #roadsigns #bankGod'spromises #sunday #worship

Genesis 1:26-28 MSG God spoke: Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature so they can... From the beginning God's plan was that we would reflect Him, that we are all part of something bigger...that we all belong! All of us. You. Me. Belong. This was God's creative intent for us from the beginning. Yes it was messed up, and Gods story, his love story, is his pursuit of us, making a way for restoration  and redemption #belong #youaredearlyloved #fromthebeginningoftime

Friday! Proverbs 10:20-21 AMP The tongues of those who are upright and in right standing with God are as choice silver; the minds of those who are wicked and out of harmony with God are of little value. The lips of the (uncompromisingly) righteous feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart. Words. Our words can be of great value, like silver,  they can feed and guide...nourish...but those words come from a heart oriented to God. Get our hearts and thinking lined up with Him, & our words will nourish others... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #beuncompromisinglyrighteous #nourish #words

Ephesians 4:28 NLT If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Maybe it's not stealing but something else that's going on in your life that needs to change...if you are ________, then quit. But there's more...don't just stop at stopping, use the energy and skill for something good, and most importantly, something that blesses others. Being able to see how to turn that around is not easy, and takes courage, and may well require the courage to ask for help...find someone you trust and ask. :) Finally those words "give generously"; how well do I reflect that? Do I live generously? Is there something I could do today? #somethingtochewon #dontstopatstopping #livegenerously

Psalm 119:1-8 MSG You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right - you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. The pleasures of this world have an allure that so easily drags us off the course, the road that God has for us...blessing comes when we live how God intended...it's hard sometimes and we need each other to keep us on track - sometimes we need someone to lean on, to pull us back on the road, and sometimes we need to be strong enough to stay the course & put courage into others... #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

Ephesians 4:26-27 NLT ...don't sin by letting anger control you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. sorting out what makes us angry by the end of the day is the mechanism for stopping anger controlling us (& maybe that can apply to our other emotions as well??) If we have a limiter, a switch, make a choice not to continue with being angry...and in Jesus time it makes sense for it to be when the sun goes down...it forces us to face what has made us angry or upset, think about the "why", and take some action to resolve it...we get to choose. Is my response right? Is it in love? What do I need to do to sort this? Maybe I need some help on this one...? #choose #love #lovepeople

Ephesians 4:25-26 NLT So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body Been a month since we were last in Ephesians...maybe it's time for some honesty in your life. Burying or avoiding the truth does not help the "body" Sometimes we lie to ourselves, justify what we do, sometimes we believe the lies of the world, of things that have happened to us, events of the past. A healthy body needs the truth. And sometimes I need to hear the truth about me... God's story is a love story. Love, forgiveness, grace, sacrifice,  restoration, second chances, restored relationships...that's His truth...all found in Jesus. #truth #stoptellinglies #truthwillsetyoufree #youaredearlyloved

Psalms 25:18-21 NLT Feel my pain and see my trouble...See how many enemies I have...Protect me! Rescue(me)...for I put my hope in you I have this assumption that if I confess, pray, have others pray, have enough faith, do enough, that everything will work out and I'll look from the mountaintop at the testing time in the valley... But. It doesn't always work out that way. Just like David we can cry out for rescue from our enemies, our circumstances, but there is no guarantee it will end well. Friends get sick and die. Businesses fail. Exams... Stuff happens. Life hurts. David cries out for God to fix things, but whatever the outcome his faith & hope remains in the one who will save, he chooses to put his hope in God #choose #onedayallwillbemadenew

Psalms 25:16-17 NLT Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse... Sometimes Christians put on a mask, that everything is always rosy, good, cheery & lovely The reality is that some of us at some time (maybe now) feel just like David did... Like God has turned away Alone. In deep distress...heartbroken, hurt, concerned, in pain... When bad stuff piles up on more bad stuff... David lets it out, expresses how it really is to God, is honest & real, & this gives us the freedom to do the same. Sure not with everyone, but with God and people we can trust...and as David did, try writing how it is down the writing can be very helpful And be that trustworthy person who can listen #lovepeopleevenwhenitshard

Welcome to Friday - hope the weather is better where you are than it is here! Proverbs 10:19 NLT Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. Boom! #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #nothingmoretosay

Ephesians 2:19-22 MSG ...This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You're no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here...God is building a home. He's using us all -irrespective of how we got here-in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together... The church The christian community This is how it is supposed to be, the master builder carefully choosing and fitting us in together...because it's together that we represent God to the world, not by looking the same, not by thinking the same, but by being united in and by Jesus So choose be part of it, wherever you are :)

Luke 10:39-40 NIV She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made... Martha was distracted. She was captured by what had to be done...and missed Jesus. We are all different and have different gifts & abilities but, our priority needs to Jesus. The good that Martha was doing had become the enemy of the best - time with Jesus Our reality is that there are demands on our time; work, business, study, exams, ministry...& sometimes it's social events, social media, hobbies, sports, music, things we enjoy...all good things...but like Martha, are they distracting us from Jesus? Keep him a priority How can you and I ensure that happens? #jesusatthecentre

Luke 10:38 NIV As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. In chapter 9 Jesus is described as homeless. Martha welcomes the homeless Jesus in. Are we hospitable? Do we only invite in those we know well? Are we waiting until we...have a bigger place? Our own place? The right stuff? Better food? To be able to cook better? Hospitality is our calling. Yes for some it is their gifting, but all of us can be inviting people in in some way. Not sure what happened to the disciples but I think Martha got the 12 xtra guys as well. Sometimes hospitality gets messy. What could we do this week to be hospitable? Invite in? What little step could we take? #behospitable #lovepeople

John 14:27 NIV Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Don't be afraid. Fear stops us from stepping out, taking a risk, being courageous Sometimes it paralyses us -what are we afraid of? Over the last 2 weeks from John 13v34 we know Jesus loves us, is prepping our next place, has given us his Spirit as our advocate, left us with mission and purpose, won't leave us as orphans, is coming again...then we don't have to fear whether people will accept us or not because we are dearly loved, we don't have to fear death, or what follows, because Jesus has made a way...is the way...so we can live in freedom choosing to follow Him #nofear #choose #stepstopeace

John 14:27 NIV Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Don't let your heart be troubled...sometimes we let our hearts rule everything...we believe that our emotions are truth, that how we feel reflects reality...i feel left out so i am worthless...our feelings are our feelings, but is there truth in our conclusion?  You and I are loved by the creator of the universe. He has made the way for me to be made right with God. Those are truths. Don't let your heart be troubled takes an act of the will to place truth at the centre of who we are...allow God's truth, his love mercy and peace permeate...don't let your heart be troubled! #youaredearlyloved

John 14:27 NIV Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Jesus says my peace. It's different. It's not like peace you get from this world. It's not security found in the things we own, or our current circumstances. His peace transcends our circumstances, where we live, what we have. He gives forgiveness from the past, restoration for today, and hope for the future...not just the future we have on this earth, but for heaven...for what follows...because you & me, we are the objects of his love. The creator of the universe made the way & wants a renewed relationship with us, and for us to represent Him to the world. #love #hope #purpose #youaredearlyloved

Friday! Time for the next Proverb..10:18NLT Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. Seems that these words were written for us today...how easy it is to talk about others when they aren't around...gossip about them. If we do that, we are a fool. When we find ourselves in a situation like that we need some strategies to end it. Rather than gossip about someone change the subject Or challenge the situation - I don't feel comfortable talking about someone like this when they aren't here Or offer to pray for them/the situation And when I hear the words of gossip and slander tumbling out of my mouth I need to stop myself...I don't want to be as Proverbs describes it...a fool. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #dontbeafool

John 14:27 ESV Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Over the last couple of weeks we've looked at the build up to this verse...steps to peace... Look out to the needs of others Look up to where our future lies Ask questions Live out the law...of love Look inward to God's Spirit who dwells in our hearts Remember we won't be left as orphans Peace is connected to mission Jesus peace is not like the world's...what does that mean? What springs to mind? Will you write your thoughts down somewhere? Journal? Scrap of paper? Electronic? There is something powerful about organising our words in writing. #tryittoday #wordsofJesus #stepstopeace

John 14:22-24 MSG Judas (not Iscariot) said, Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world? Because a loveless world, said Jesus, is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word... Jesus must have been frustrating at times Judas asks a question but the answer just seems obscure What is it that Jesus calls us to do? Love Love One Another Love our Enemies Shine your light,share your story with others Know His truth...& live it Judas asks how will the world know about you Jesus? And his reply is...it's up to you & somehow this is part of getting real peace in our lives...seeing our part in God's story and doing our bit...you could almost call it our mission... #stepstopeace #wordsofJesus

John 14:18 NIV I will not leave you as orphans; Maybe you have felt, or maybe feel today, that you're abandoned, unloved, lost, alone...Jesus says in these simple words that He won't leave us like this...He's coming back...and...He is working on our behalf in the heavenly realms...so even if we feel orphaned sometimes, the truth is we dearly loved by a saviour who is coming back for us! John 14:18 NIV I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. #stepstopeace #wordsofJesus #youaredearlyloved

Back from the boonies (yes that is a real word)...funny how reliant on technology we believe we are... John 14:16-18 NIV ...I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth...you know him, for he lives with you and will be  in you... God's Spirit lives with us and in us...and is our advocate...someone who is always on our side...so look in to the Spirit of Truth who God has placed in our hearts...we are not alone on this journey Steps to peace Look out to the needs of others Look up to where our future lies Ask questions Live out the law...of love Look in to God's Spirit who dwells in our hearts #stepstopeace #wordsofJesus #advocate

Friday! Time for Proverbs... Proverbs 10:17 ESV Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. How often have I ignored good advice? Sometimes even after I have asked for it...but there is more to this...the path to life is more than just making good decisions about education or things we buy or places to stay or whatever...it is about the things that will have eternal significance...the source of truth is God's Word...how seriously do I look at it and then actually follow it? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon verseoftheday may not arrive for the next couple of days as we may be off the grid...

John 14:15 NIV If you love me, keep my commands. Jesus knows how to keep it simple and direct when he wants to...no stories about the Kingdom and stuff being lost or found...just keep my commands...and they are? Love God Love people (Matthew 22:37-40) His new commandment is to love one another (John 13 34-35 - where we started on Sunday) All the other things Jesus taught built on this foundation...the new law...the law of love...it's about giving not getting, others not me...if we want peace, live Jesus commands... How could we show that today? #stepstopeace #wordsofJesus #loveGod #lovepeople #embassyofthekingdom

John 14:5-6 NIV Thomas...Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way? Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life... One of the most powerful and pivotal statements in the Bible...how do we get to your Dad's place? I am. The way. We aren't following him, because he is it. He isn't pointing us in a direction because he is the direction Look out to the needs of others Look up to where our future lies Look to Jesus. The Way. The centre of everything.  The question for Thomas, for us...do you believe what Jesus says... #choose #believe #stepstopeace #wordsofJesus #turnyoureyesuponJesus

John 14:5 NIV Thomas said to him, Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way? Gotta love Thomas. He wasn't afraid to ask questions. Thomas wanted directions, the roadmap to get to the place Jesus was going...so don't be afraid or hesitate to ask...ask questions of God, your pastor...dig a bit deeper into what you read... Look out to the needs of others Look up to where our future lies Ask questions along the way #stepstopeace # ask #thanksThomas

John 14:1-4 NIV Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God;  believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms... I'm going to prepare a place for you... I'll come back for you... Steps to peace 1. Look out to the  needs of others 2. Look up to where our future lies Jesus is prepping the next world,  and is coming back for us. I love the picture here. My Dad's got a great place,  I'm going there to get a room ready for you...it's gonna be awesome... This gives us peace. The confident hope that Jesus is on our team and has the long game all sorted. No matter what we might be going through or feeling now... #stepstopeace #wordsofJesus

Jesus talked about peace. His Peace But it's part of a longer conversation and questions from his disciples, his team, that seems to start here.. in John 13:34-35 NIV A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. The command to love. Love people When we really invest in the lives of others, choose to serve & give  without looking for thanks or reward, when we look out for ways we can help (not look away), choose to love with all those actions in 1 Corinthians 13...really love people...not just our friends, but maybe even those who are against us... that is the first step to having peace... #stepstopeace #wordsofJesus

Romans 10:10 NLT For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved How can it be so simple?  Well it just is. Step 5 on the Romans Road 3v23 For everyone has... 6v23 For the wages of... 5v28 But God... 10v9 If you... 10v10 For it is believing... #biblememory #fantasticfour #romansroad #hidethewordinyourheart

Friday...Proverbs 10 v 15 A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin What is this all about?  Yes wealth can protect us from lots of things but maybe this is really about spiritual wealth and spiritual poverty. If our faith is strong and secure, that is our fortress against the things we live thru,  the things the world throws at us. But if we have no faith...what then? Where do we look for security?  Strength? Peace? What is your strong city? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Matthew 22:11-13 ESV But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there   a man who had no wedding garment.  And he said to him Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment? And he was speechless.  Then the king said to the attendants, Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. What's with this? Thrown out for not having the right clothes?!!? When the King has a wedding feast he provides fine clothes for the guests...but this person couldn't be bothered, or chose not to change...the Kingdom is one of transformation, & we can get close to it, but if we don't change then the Kingdom isn't real for us... #choose #putofftheold #putonthenew #Kingdom

Matthew 22:9-10 ESV Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find. And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. The Kingdom is open for everyone...bad and good...no matter who we are, no matter what we've done, we are welcome to feast with the King. However...this group of people needed inviting by the servants of the King...They just weren't getting a reminder of their invitation,  but something more. How prepared are we to put the  invitation of the King out there? The people we invite are going to fill the wedding hall of the King... #Kingdom #Kingdomvalues #lovepeople

Matthew 22:2-6 ESV The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son,  and sent his servants to call those who were invited...but they would not come Again he sent other servants, saying, Tell those who are invited, See...everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.  But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business,  while the rest seized his servants...and killed them. The good news of the Kings invitation will not be met with universal acceptance...work, business, lifestyle are more important There may be such opposition that as servants of the King we are rejected, even to the point of martyrdom...bit of a scary thought...but what do we believe is true? The King and His Kingdom?

Matthew 22:1-3 ESV And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son,  and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. This is a looong parable about the Kingdom, so might take a few days but a few things about it struck me... So if we are the servants of the King, some people have already been invited by Him, our job is just to remind them, remind them of their invite, to make sure they know it's on, how to get there...and be prepared to be rejected. Some people acknowledge God, but still choose not to join the party, take the step of faith...but they would not come... #Kingdom #choose #everyonegetstochoose

Romans 10:9 ESV ...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Confess and believe. Jesus is Lord. God raised Him from the dead. Jesus is at the centre of everything...He is the way, & it's simply faith that opens the way to all of us. How good is that? No matter who we are or what we have done, we can take that step and move from death to life... Step 4 on the Romans Road 3v23 For everyone has... 6v23 For the wages of... 5v28 But God... 10v9 If you... #biblememory #fantasticfour #romansroad #hidethewordinyourheart #youaredearlyloved #sunday #worship #Jesus

Ephesians 4:25-26 NLT So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And don't sin by letting anger control you... Part of life, living with other people, being part of a community,  is that sometimes other people make us angry...but Paul is clear here...it's about not letting anger control our actions or our emotions or our responses... When we get angry, dig a little deeper into our response...why...why do I respond that way?  Why does that push my buttons? And when we dig do we find truth? (see yesterday's proverb) #truthwillsetyoufree

Friday! What's the next Proverb then? Proverbs 10:14 NIV The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. Simple. We are wise, or a fool. Not a lot of middle ground here...the wise choose to learn, to store up seems to be like storing food or equipment or something for when I need it. Store up knowledge not for its own sake, but, so I can use it to make wise choices, to encourage or bless others...but the fool...talks from an empty head, & that is what leads to ruin...ruined relationships, business, lives... The place to start is God's word. His truth needs to be the foundation of our knowledge base. When we have a need we dig into that storehouse... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #hidethewordinyourheart

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is...peace...against such things there is no law Peace.  Not against the law. Yet...in politics, in the middle east, where war seems to be a requirement, in history, the crusades where it was convert or die, the colonisation of parts of the world...all the way back to Cain & Abel...peace in our hearts is the problem It's a fruit of the Spirit, so it comes from God Knowing who God is Knowing His love for us That he made a way for us to be right with Him That He has good things for us to do to bring restoration...to be His hands & feet no matter how big or small that might be Choosing to live Kingdom values... #loveGod #lovepeople #stepstopeace #fruitoftheSpirit #peace

Ephesians 4:25 NLT So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. Context: written to the church. Paul has been talking about putting off the old life, putting on the new...living Kingdom values...we're part of the same body - the church - so stop telling lies...stop saying everything is great if it's not, stop putting on a mask...be real with one another...we're all in this together and sometimes we need someone to lean on, and sometimes we have strength to give So stop telling lies about ourselves... #lovepeople #inthistogether #keepingitreal

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is...joy...against such things there is no law Joy. Funny thing joy. Funny little word too... Since it's the fruit from having God's Spirit dwell in us, it's not something that is dependent on our circumstances, or events around us. I've looked up some definitions but the dictionary is not that helpful...so here's mine... Joy is the feeling we have from knowing (that deep understanding) that we are loved, that we have value, purpose, and, an inheritance/destination. It can't be turned on or manufactured.  Does it come from using our gifts to bless others? What do you think? #writeyourowndefinition #fruitoftheSpirit #joy #youaredearlyloved

Matthew 18:21-23, 35 ESV ...Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times? Jesus said to him...seventy-seven times...Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts...forgive your brother from your heart. This story Jesus told about the King & forgiveness of debt - how much should we forgive? How much have I been forgiven? That's the thing that is easy to lose sight of...how my sin is to God, & what it took to make it right. And as an emissary of the Kingdom my life should be characterised by forgiveness too. Forgiveness frees us from the hurt, the past, & it's hard...but what is the alternative? Bitterness, anger...we get to choose #Kingdomvalues #choose #forgiveness

Mark 8:27-29 ESV And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, Who do people say that I am?  And they told him...And he asked them, But who do you say that I am? Today in Chch is the first meeting of the Sunday Assembly. A Church, but without God The same questions Jesus put to his team on the road that day resonate today. The Sunday Assembly and much of our country believe what about Jesus? But who do you say he is? This is the heart of our faith. Jesus God. Man. Sacrifice Saviour Creator Judge Friend #sunday #worship #Jesus #theoneandonly #jesusatthecentre

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love... Fruit. The blessing and outpouring that comes from our essence. Who we are. Is that me? Sometimes maybe...but all the time?  Am I characterised by love? I just need to work harder at it. Or perhaps...I need to give more of me to God and ask Him to work it out...cos this is the fruit of Him living within... # fruit of the Spirit #love #loveGod #lovepeople #embassyofthekingdom

Friday! Time for the next Proverb... Proverbs 10 v13 You'll find wisdom on the lips of a person with insight, but the shortsighted needs a slap in the face. Sometimes you've just gotta love The Message...The shortsighted seems to be only seeing my world, how things affect me...if I throw my rubbish out the window of my car it gets it away from me, but messes up the world for you and everyone else. Slap. God's story is all about the preciousness of others. He loved us We should love others Are we people of insight?  Is wisdom something we are known for? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #keepyourpathsstraight

Romans 5:8 NLT But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. But God. He didn't have to, but He chose to. It's all about God & His love for us. Love.  For us. No matter who you are No matter what you've done God loves you. Step 3 on the Romans Road 3v23 For everyone has... 6v23 For the wages of... 5v28 But God... #biblememory #fantasticfour #romansroad #hidethewordinyourheart #youaredearlyloved

Matthew 13:33 NIVUK ...The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about thirty kilograms of flour until it worked all through the dough. Why 30kg of flour? Why was a large quantity important enough to mention? Because the little things that we do, the small, insignificant, unseen acts of love towards others can have a massive impact...we just don't know which ones! That smile, hug, txt, call, visit, gift, prayer, encouragement...that step of faith, the being prepared to go, the reaching out across barriers and divides, the standing up for the oppressed...stepping forward in the way of the kingdom...little steps...and when we trip up & get it wrong (I know that I do) get back on the path... #lovepeople #embassyofthekingdom

Matthew 13:33 NIVUK ...The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about thirty kilograms of flour until it worked all through the dough. We (the christian community) are that yeast. The small (maybe insignificant seeming) ingredient that makes all the difference...we are the emissaries of the Kingdom of Heaven, changing the world from the inside, like yeast works to make bread... (have a think about how important bread is in the Bible...) It's not done with power or authority...but with love... #keepitsimple #loveGod #lovepeople #embassyofthekingdom

Matthew 13:31-32 ESV ...The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.  It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants... The Kingdom had a tiny beginning...a ragtag bunch wandering around in an insignificant part of the Roman Empire...and yet...they went on to found the most significant religion, that has had the most dramatic impact on our world...we are part of the Kingdom, emissaries of the Kingdom, called to live out Kingdom values... Check this video out if you have 5 mins... http://vimeo.com/m/42155907 #Ludmilla #embassyofthekingdom #lovepeople #wecandothis

Philippians 3:20 ESV ...But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ... Election. Done & dusted. A new government of our country is being formed...regardless of our political views...whether you saw the outcome of the election as a win or loss, a good thing or not, or if you weren't that interested...our real citizenship is heaven. A place where countries, ethnicity, borders, politics,  haves and have nots, rich, poor, educated or not, all the barriers and boundaries and differentiators we have in this world will be gone. The only thing will be, do you know Jesus as your Lord and your Saviour. #citizenofheaven #thisworldisnotmyhome #itsallaboutJesus #sunday #worship

Romans 6:23 NLT For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. do u remember the fantastic four? Gen 1v1 John 1v1 John 1v14 John 3v16 Romans 3v23 (Sept 1) is the first step on the Romans Road & the next Bible Memory challenge.  Romans 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard Followed by today's verse. 6v23 Chap 6 is about breaking the power of sin in our lives and this verse 6v23 sums up the choice we have. Choose death Choose life The choose Life road is free.  We just need to take it... Are you up for the challenge? It's Saturday...you've got time... Fantastic Four Romans Road steps 1 & 2 #choose #biblememory #hidethewordinyourheart #romansroad

Friday...and the next Proverb is...Proverbs 10:12 NIV Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Love. Does that mean ignoring wrongs? It seems the comparison with stirring up conflict is the thing here. When we are wronged do we choose the path of hatred which creates conflict, or love? Love chooses to keep no record of wrongs. Love chooses to forgive Love goes the extra mile #love #Kingdomvalues #choose #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Matthew 13:44 ESV The kingdom of heaven   is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy   he goes and sells all that he has and   buys that field. The Kingdom is described in Parables. When he found the treasure he sold everything with joy to gain the Kingdom. Matthew 19:16, 21-22 ESV ...a man came up to him, saying, Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life? Jesus said to him, If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.  When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. His eyes were not on the Kingdom but on the treasures of this world. Where is my focus? #Kingdom

Matthew 5:41 AMP And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two [miles]. The Kingdom is a set of Principles. Not commandments, but principles to live by...why go the extra mile? Because the Kingdom is about love. And sometimes that's what it takes to show love... Place Person Principles #principlestoliveby #Kingdom

Hebrews 12:2 AMP Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [Ps. 110:1.] The Kingdom is a person. Jesus. What was the prize that he with joy endured it all for? Our redemption Our reconciliation Our restored relationship #Kingdom #love

1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV ...In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you... The Kingdom. Had some gr8 teaching on this last night and this is the first component. The Kingdom is a Place. An inheritance. Imagine if we had a $10mill inheritance waiting...would we be worried about today? We have more than that! An inheritance that can never devalue, treasure that can never be lost... Where are our eyes? Always stuck on the things of this earth? "...My past is redeemed, my present makes, my future is secure..." #Kingdom

1 Chronicles 28:9-10 NLT ...learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve...For the lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. So take this seriously. The lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work... Take God Seriously. While his heart for us is full of love & compassion, He is also justice & truth. (If we have accepted Jesus then we have no fear of rejection) Just as he had work for Solomon, he has things for us to do too... Know Worship Serve Seek Work #loveGod #sunday #worship

1 Chronicles 28:9-10 NLT ...learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him... Learn to know God Worship Him Serve Him Yet...we still need to seek Him. Go looking...seek is not a passive easy word but implies using our intellect and effort to search...it's like God is known to us yet unknown, there, yet needs to be sought out, obvious...yet still full of mystery...yet...able to be found... We can't put God in a box and have Him all figured out...there is mystery and there is wonder... #wonder

Friday already! Why do some weeks zip by & others drag? Proverbs 10:11 MSG The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse. These two people are at either end of a continuum...words that speak life at one end...& death at the other...the question is not only where we are on that continuum, but where are heading...are we heading towards the speak life end? Or away from it? Are we choosing our words to be life giving, life changing, life saving words, like a deep, life-giving well...? #choose #choosetobeablessing #lovepeople #proverbs #somethingtochewon

1 Chronicles 28:9 NLT ...learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought... Somehow God is in tune with us, knows our heart,  plans, thoughts...wow... There's a concept called "coram Deo" - everything takes place in the presence of, or before the face of, God. To live coram Deo is to live your entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God. Will we choose that every day? #somethingtochewon #coramDeo #loveGod

1 Chronicles 28:9 NLT And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind... If it's a good enough instruction to Solomon, it's probably good enough for us too... Learn. We don't learn about something or someone by doing nothing. We read, research, talk to others... Know God intimately. This takes time, commitment... Worship with your whole heart. What does that look like for you? Worship with a willing mind. Isn't that interesting...use your intellect, analytical ability, your strengths, to worship Him... #choose

Ephesians 4:24 NLT Put on your new nature, created to be like God; truly righteous and holy. Put off the old... Put on the new. This is action. Choosing. We are both made righteous and becoming righteous, made holy, yet becoming... As we put of the old beliefs, thoughts, attitudes & actions, don't just stop there...put on the new.  Created to be like God! This is our new nature, what we believe, the way we think, that leads us to live as He would... This doesn't change our circumstances, but changes how we look at them... #choose #putofftheold #putonthenew #lovelikeJesus

Ephesians 4:21-23 NLT Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 1. Learn the truth. This might take some effort and discipline to get into your Bible, get into a small group, take notes in Church, listen to podcasts... 2. Throw off the old. Discard it. Walk away. Drop it in the bin. 3. Renew your thoughts. Those messages we have running in our heads need Spirit lead replacement. 4. Renew your attitudes. We all need an attitude adjustment somewhere... 5. Jesus. It's all about Him. Creator Saviour Restorer God Friend Perfect Sacrifice Grace Truth Love.

Luke 15:20 NLT ...And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son... Father's Day. Sunday. Not sure what this means to you, I've got a great Dad, but I know that everyone doesn't, maybe your Dad has died, is absent, is distant, is negative,   abusive...maybe you can celebrate fathers day but there are people in your life who can't (so love them and fill the gap)...but...this verse is a reminder of our heavenly Father, who is full of love and compassion for us, when we are oriented towards Him, He runs to us with arms open wide... #fathersday #sunday #worship #youaredearlyloved

Matthew 6:1-4 NLT ...don't do your good deeds publicly to be admired by others...when you give to someone in need don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 1. The expectation is that we will give. That we will do good to others. Do you? 2. When we give, or do good, do we make sure someone else knows?  I know I do sometimes... The left hand/right hand has always intrigued me...how can this work? Maybe it's give and then forget it? When Jesus talks he is usually trying to get to our hearts, our inner attitudes and motivations and challenge those. Give In secret Do good from a heart of love #Godsees #beattitudes #wordsofJesus #lovepeople

Friday!! The next proverb is... Proverbs 10:10 AMP He who winks with the eye [craftily and with malice] causes sorrow; the foolish of lips will fall headlong but  he who boldly reproves makes peace . Election season and this is the stock in trade of politicians it seems...but sometimes that's me too, happy to wind someone up perhaps without knowing them that well, or being flippant, and causing hurt, not knowing someone's story... but my aim should be to be a peacemaker...what about you? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #beapeacemaker

Romans 3v24 NLT Yet God freely and graciously... Yet God Freely Graciously Just let those words roll around in your mind today... If we do something freely and graciously, we're doing it because we want to, it gives us pleasure or enjoyment, satisfaction, there is no compulsion, just...joy! These words have a smile on them :) And these words describe the way God wants us to live. In freedom With grace #yetGod #freely #graciously #inthistogether #love #dearlyloved #youaredearlyloved

Romans 3v23-24 NLT For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God... Yet God! He didn't have to do anything. He chose to do something He chose to make a way. For all of us. Because we are all in the same boat. All fall short, no matter who we are, or what we have done... And why? Because He loves. Loves you. Loves me. Undeserved, unmerited, I can't earn it or gain it in some way for myself... Yet God. #romansroad #inthistogether #love #dearlyloved #youaredearlyloved #yetGod

Romans 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard Everyone All In this life comparing goes on everywhere...we are bombarded with images of how we should look, dress, appear...what is cool/hip/swag/whatever. God says compare yourself to me. We are all the same. All. #romansroad #inthistogether

Psalm 25:20-21 NIV Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord , is in you. Boom. David started Ps25 with trust: Psalm 25:1 NIV In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. And ends it with Hope. Trust God for who he is today. Place your hope in Him for tomorrow. And right now, I'm gonna choose to live right. To walk with integrity in this world, placing my hope in God. David, for all his failings, was described as a man after God's own heart. It's our heart that God is most interested in...is it oriented towards Him, willingly choosing to submit to Him, to follow Jesus as our living example... #sunday #worship #Jesus #theoneandonly #choose #hope

Psalm 25:16-18 NIV Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. Maybe some of those words resonate with you...David is completely up front and honest with God here...Sometimes we're expected to be full of joy all the time, and we just aren't. Circumstances, the impact of our own choices, the actions of others, these things can pile up If it's OK for David to feel this way, and cry out this way to God, then it's OK for us too. Turn to me and be gracious to me...if I'm Jesus hands & feet in the world am I being gracious & turning towards those who are hurting? #itsok #grace

Friday!!! Before we have a look at today's Proverb... Gen 1v1 John 1v1 John 1v14 John 3v16 :) Proverbs10:9 ESV Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. We get to choose whether we do what's right, or what is expedient, so easy to justify our actions when we know in our hearts that we are not walking in integrity...I want to walk securely, all the time, in every part of my life...on Sunday, Monday, Saturday night...when I'm with people, or on my own... Walking is all about looking forward, putting the past behind...from here on...press on... #walksecurely #walkwithintegrity #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #keepyourpathsstraight

John 3:16 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. See how you go...out loud is good! Genesis 1v1 John 1v1 John 1 v 14 & now John 3 16 These are the fantastic four verses that we want to encourage you to commit to memory They give us the whole framework of the Bible Eternity God Creation Jesus (God, creator, man, gtace, truth) Love Sacrifice Redemption Eternity Anytime you have at your disposal the basis for our faith and hope, that you can share with others...or when times are difficult, remind yourself of the big story that we are part of, God's story, the heartbeat of that story is love, personified in Jesus. #fantasticfour #hidethewordinyourheart

Psalm 25:7 NIV Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord , are good. David's actions were so bad that they are almost incomprehensible. Yet, he knows God, knows that he is good, that compassion, redemption, restoration are all part of that goodness, and comes up with this beautiful line "according to your love remember me" God sees us through the lens of Jesus sacrifice that has dealt with all our sin, mistakes, misdeeds, and sees us now, according to his love. Whole, yet becoming whole New, yet becoming renewed Loved. #accordingtoyourlove #psalms #keepingitreal

Psalm 25:15-16 ESV My eyes are ever toward the Lord , for he will pluck my feet out of the net. David was in deep trouble. He had sinned against God, & his people. Yet his orientation was still towards God. Don't take your eyes off Him, no matter what you're going thru. V16   Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Even tho he was looking to God, the answers weren't there immediately. He felt alone, discouraged,  and out of God's sight and grace. It's in those moments that we need to keep the eyes of our heart towards Jesus. Reminding ourselves of his truth, grace, compassion, love, even tho we may not feel it... #turnyoureyesuponJesus #psalms #keepingitreal

Psalm 25:1-2 ESV To you, O Lord , I lift up my soul.  O my God, in you I trust; David was in deep trouble when he wrote this Psalm. But what is the first thing he does? He acknowledges God, and chooses to trust Him, regardless of where this might take Him. He was the King. He could have changed the rules to suit himself, but instead chose to submit to God's authority and his law If we are in a position of authority at home or work or wherever, choose to submit to God's rules before we make our own (Matt 22:36-40) When you are in trouble, sinking, struggling, choose these words of David...to you Lord I lift my soul, in you I trust. #choose #psalms #trustGod #thanksDonna

John 1:14 NIV The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Memory challenge #3 Gen 1v1: John 1v1: This verse is the trickiest of the 4 to remember...so try picturing the elements of it... Jesus, the Word, God, yet fully human, came to earth, lived here, lived an ordinary life not too different from us, yet the truth of who he was shone thru... He is the one to worship today no matter where you are,  if you can get to church somewhere... #sunday #worship #Jesus #theoneandonly #biblememory #fantasticfour #hidethewordinyourheart

Memory challenge #2 of 4 is  John 1:1 NIV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus was there at the beginning. He was completely immersed in the creative process that created the universe, life, & us. Let the richness and implications of Gen 1v1 and John 1v1 sink in as you commit them to memory.  Jesus. Completely God. Jesus is God, but there's more, because he is also with God... There's no room for Jesus to be just a good man, a teacher, a guru...no...He is God. Eternal. In the beginning Creative Creator The Word. Words can be seen, heard, they communicate, they have power to speak ideas, speak life, to sustain... Gen 1 v 1 + John 1 v 1 #fantasticfour #biblememory #bringiton #hidethewordinyourheart

Gen 1v1: Nailed it! Friday - Proverbs 10:8 ESV The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Are you and I people who listen to God's word, who take on board the teaching of our pastors, who listen to the wisdom of the wise around us? Or are we just babbling fools? Talking rubbish, avoiding truth, & heading to ruin? We do get to choose every day the path of wisdom or not...to be discerning, to dig into God's word (to memorise some of it!). At the end of the day do you & I want to be one of the wise of heart? #choose #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Genesis 1:1 NIV In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. In lifegroup we are studying Scripture memorisation, with the Fantastic Four verses as our start point. Are you up for this? Memorise just 4 bible verses...Gen 1 v 1 is the first... Gen 1. If we have a past we have a future If we are created in God's image we have eternal potential If we have an intelligent Creator who knows and loves us, He must have a purpose and plan for time and eternity Knowing these verses and hiding them in our hearts is important Are you up for this little challenge?  #biblememory #bringiton #fantasticfour #hidethewordinyourheart

Ephesians 4:15-16 NLT Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Do you get this? It's not about me, it's about the community, the church. When we all contribute,  use our skills gifts talents resources together...that's where our growth & health develop and mature...and the whole thing is full of love... #thechurch #yourchurch #wherecanicontribute #lovepeople

Ephesians 4:15 NLT Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Growing in every way to be more and more like Christ. This is the target that Paul asks us to aim at...as we live out God's truth, we will be transformed (transformation for the  is not an option) not to be better, to be improved,  but to be more like Jesus.  Different. Changed. Not something we can do, but only by allowing God to work in us and through us where ever we are and whatever we are doing... #instead #speak #truth #love #lovepeople #betransformed #wow

Ephesians 4:15 NLT Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Instead of what? Instead of being tossed about. That's good. Then? We will speak the truth in love. How many times have I used those words as a reason to tell someone else what they are doing wrong...just maybe this is about sharing the truth of God, His story, who He is...but doing it in a way that reflects His love, grace, compassion... And to speak God's truth I need to know it...so...study the Word, meditate on it, dig into it, live it... Speaking is not just words...but choices we make everyday, the way we live, who we are & who we are becoming... #instead #speak #truth #lovepeople

Where would I be If not for your grace Carrying me Through every season Where would I be If not for Your grace You came to my rescue And I want to thank You For Your grace Grace that restores Grace that redeems Grace that releases Me to worship Grace that repairs Visions and dreams Grace that releases Miracles (Israel Houghton) God, who stepped down into history, who made a way, who answered the questions; Do I matter? Am I loved? He answered those questions on the cross. Whether today you need restoration,  redemption, release or repair, His Grace will carry you. #sunday #worship #hymns #turnyoureyesuponJesus