verseoftheday

Hebrews 10:24 ESV And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works... One Another # 6 Stir up, provoke,  push, challenge, get in your face (maybe that's a bit too far...) but maybe there is someone in your life who could do with a stir to love others and do some good... How often do opportunities appear and we let them slide by because we are...shy? Or lazy? Or selfish? Just leave it to someone else... How hard is it to smile at a stranger, give a word of thanks or encouragement, go out of our way for someone else's good, give of your money, time, skills... #getstirredup #loveandgoodworks #oneanothers #stirsomeoneup

Friday already! Proverbs 29:23 NLT Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. In our culture where it's increasingly becoming all about me, Proverbs encourages us to stay humble, if you are part of a team effort, make sure they get the credit for success,  build others up when you can... Draw out the quiet  people around you, give the space for those with a small voice to be heard and appreciated and valued... #lovepeople #somethingtochewon #proverbs #wisdom #wisdomtoliveby

Romans 8:31 NLT What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? What things? What things is he referring to that give us the confidence that God is for us? It starts at the beginning of the chapter...let's have a look at v 1-2... 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. Free from condemnation now, free from the power of death in the future...yep...God is for us :) #wonderfulthings #Godisonourside #faveverse #thanksJosh

Hosea 2:14 NLT But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. Have you ever drifted away from God? This verse is full of patience. Waiting. It's full of desire. Desire to have our relationship restored. It's full of tenderness and care. This is how God loves His people.  How He loves you and me. And the desert? Maybe its the place where Israel and God's relationship developed, where the covenant was made...to me today, it speaks of a place of no distraction, no noise, a place where there is time, & we can talk to, and listen to, our God. He wants to speak tenderly to you...just listen...

Hosea 11:8 NIV How can I give you up... How can I hand you over... My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. It might be cold outside, but these words of love should warm your heart... This is God. Thinking about his people...no matter who we are, no matter what we have done, He loves. You. #dearlyloved #heartwarming #day560

Isaiah 59:1 NLT Listen! The Lord's arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. But wait! There's more! Yesterday Isaiah told us that our sins kept us from God,  and God made a way thru Jesus...and this is the first verse of the chapter....He is not deaf to our calls and He is mighty to save...that saving work has been done on the Cross, and is being done as our hearts are slowly transformed to be more like Jesus.  We may want to be saved from our circumstances but we are saved to live thru whatever this broken mixed up world throws at us, never losing hope of the world that is to come. #inthistogether #prayerchangesus #youaredearlyloved #faveverse #thanksLana

Isaiah 59:2, 16 NIV ...But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.  Today at Crossroads our topic is why did Jesus have to die? Because our sin got in the way. Seperates us from God. V16...He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation... There was no other way than for God to make it. The arm of God, Jesus, became the way. #namesofJesus #armofGod #theway #sunday #saved #worship

James 5:16 ESV ...and pray for one another... One Another # 5 How easy is it to forget to do this...maybe have a lost and actively bring people to God...and if in your spirit you are prompted to pray for someone - do it. Right then. At random times I have had a FB message from someone now living in the US that simply says Praying for you today. That is encouraging and energising and just...good :) #oneanothers #prayforoneanother #prayerchangesus #lovepeople

Friday it is...:) Proverbs 29:22 NIV An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins. We see this all around us when people get angry and it does lead to conflict and sin...but what about me? What makes me angry? Do I let my anger lead to conflict? Do I let my hot temper hurt others? I don't want to become the "angry person" described here by letting my responses become habits which becomes my character... #inyourangerdonotsin #somethingtochewon #proverbs #wisdom #wisdomtoliveby

Mark 4:18-19 NIV ...others like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;  but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. # 2 the deceitfulness of wealth. Nothing over promises and under delivers like money. Yes we need it to function in our society but as our culture in NZ has become more and more secular, money seems to have become our only measure of success. Here Jesus says its deceitful. It lies. It's not wealth itself, or the  other stuff in itself (#3)... it's the lies, the promise of happiness and joy that wealth & possessions  makes that chokes the Word and makes it unfruitful. #turnyoureyesuponJesus

Mark 4:18-19 NIV ...others like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;  but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Sometimes I feel that God's word is being choked off in my life...that there is no fruit, looking a bit like my plum tree is now...3 things Jesus talks about here that do that: 1. Worries of this life. What does this look like for you? What are your top 3? Exams,  getting a job,  getting married, finances, disappointment,  loss, health...etc...Jesus says don't let concerns for these things choke off God's word and it's ability to work in your life, or your ability to bless others. The thorns may still be there,  but our eyes are on Jesus

Hosea 2:13 NIV ...she burned incense to the Baals; she decked herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers, but me she forgot, declares the Lord . But me she forgot...God's heart is broken because Israel, His chosen people went after other gods...idols, things made by people, the success of the culture and world around them...but me she forgot. In our pursuit of education, work, pleasure, love, money, houses,  fame, beauty, cars, travel, family...have we forgotten God? When we do...God's heart breaks...but me you forgot... He is jealous for me... ...And we are His portion and He is our prize, Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes, If his grace is an ocean, we're all sinking. He loves us...

Romans 9:25 ESV As indeed he says in Hosea, Those who were not my people I will call my people, and her who was not beloved I will call beloved God hated the peoples sin, and even more than that it seems the people's rejection of him. He told Hosea to name his babies Lo-Ruhamah means not loved, & Lo-Ammi means not my child, not my people. Every time their names were   spoken it was a reminder...of how they had chosen to chase prosperity over God. Chosen their own path, created their own gods. Yet. But God. Made a way. Why? Because His love for us is so great. He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy... Oh, how He loves us #dearlyloved

Hebrews 12:2 ESV ...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith... Jesus started it all, but continues to work for us, with us, in us through the Spirit to make our faith perfect, complete...and we will be with Him face to face... Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in his wonderful face And the things of earth Will grow strangely dim In the light Of his glory And grace #namesofJesus #turnyoureyesuponJesus #sunday #worship

Ephesians 4:32 NLT ...forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. One Another #4 Forgiving. It's not easy. The easy thing is to hold on to our hurts, disappointment, when we have been wronged,  betrayed... But we are called to be like Jesus. Jesus who is the vehicle of forgiveness. The way. Do you need to forgive someone? #oneanothers #forgiveness #thisiswhatlovelookslike

Friday!! How's the relationship restoration business going? Next proverb is Proverbs 29:21 If you spoil your servant while he is young, he will bring you sorrow later on. Servants in this context are almost like family...probably born into the household and raised with the family's children, so if you spoil your child it can lead to sorrow.  What does spoil mean?  I think it's when we don't learn the self controls of life, when we are given freedoms we are not ready for, our hearts are corrupted because our fallen nature takes us towards selfishness. God's way is otherness. I won't learn the preciousness of others, the beauty of others, the joy of seeing others succeed if I have always got what I want, got my own way from young... #proverbs #wisdom

Matthew 5:23-24 MSG ...If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God... As far as we can we should be in the relationship restoration business...just as God is with us... #beattitudes #lovepeople

Psalm 27:5 ESV ...in the day of trouble...he will lift me high upon a rock. All of us are searching for that one thing to rely on when the storms of life are raging, the one thing that will remain, that gives peace, courage and safety. There is little around us that is truly stable. Land, homes, jobs,  health, education,  money, relationships...and yet this is where we look, what we bank on... It's not I will find a rock and climb on it, but He will lift me high upon a rock. This is hope for all the weary travellers in this world...look up to our God who is the rock which we all long for. Call out to Him. In Him there is rest, shelter, peace, courage and hope. On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand #psalm27 #solidrock #hope

Hosea 1:2 NIRV ...Go. Get married to a woman who will commit adultery... God knew this was going to end in tears. Hosea knew it too. That this relationship would not last. A broken relationship...a shattered marriage...our God understands those things because that is what He lives. He covenanted with his people, and they rejected him, he covenants with us, and we do the same. If you have lived through or are living with broken lost and damaged relationships, God really does know how you feel. The loss, the grief, the hurt, the rejection, the wanting to fix it, repair, restore... You and I can share how we feel with Him. He knows. God though,  in ways we may never be able to, makes a way, a saviour. Hosea means salvation.

Hosea 1:2 NLT ...Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the lord and worshiping other gods. Your family Hosea, will be a living example of how the people have lived, how their allegiance has shifted, how they have given in and given way to other gods. Hosea, you are going to know what it's like to have your bride, who you have covenanted with, who you love, go off with others... This is how God feels when our hearts are swayed by the values of the world, the idols of our culture And yet he always provides a way. Hosea means salvation God loves, pursues, covenants with us, and provides the way. Jesus. #dearlyloved

Revelation 1:8 ESV I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come... The first and the last, the beginning and the end of all things, creator and sustainer, eternal... #namesofJesus #sunday #worship #comingagain #onedayallwillbemadenew

Galatians 5:13 NLT. For you have been called to live in freedom...use your freedom to serve one another in love. One Another # 3 Freedom and serving. Who put those things together?  Doesn't freedom mean I get to do what I want? I am free from the tyranny and ties of sin, free from religious rules telling me all the stuff i have to do to get right with God, because Jesus has done it for me, He has made me right with God so I am free. So what to do with that freedom? Choose to serve one another. Not because you have to, because you want to... #lovepeople #oneanothers #serveoneanother #thisiswhatlovelookslike

Friday! Proverbs 19. What wisdom do you have for us today? Proverbs 29:20 NLT There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. Oh. That's me sometimes. Speak first. Think later. Apologise later. Speaking without thinking in our world includes twitter Facebook snapchat txting or any other form of communication...be careful with your words because you can't call them back...have a think before you forward post tweet like or send...and when you talk about someone who is not there with you...think first... #worsethanafool #thinkfirst #lovepeople

John 14 v 1-2 Don't let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home... Jesus says come home with me, come back to my Dad's place. What you need is there. There is peace there. And there is plenty of room there.  A place for you.  ...and bring a friend!  There's always room for one more :) #hope #future #home

John 14:1 NLT Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. Are we prepared to take Jesus at his word today? Trust Him. That is the way to peace in your heart and mine. Share with Him today our cares concerns worries joys accomplishments wins dreams and goals. Trust Faith Faithful #wordsofJesus

Hosea 1:1-2 NLT The lord gave this message to Hosea...during the years when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah, and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel. When the lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, Go and marry a prostitute... At Church last night we started a series on Hosea. The country was doing well economically, everything on the outside looked great, but on the inside, there was corruption, oppression of the poor, and gods who were anyone but God. How are we on the inside? What or who am I relying on? Anyone but God? How are you really? God who loves us unconditionally, pursues us, even when we push Him off, reject or hurt. Hosea = salvation #sermoninatxt #love #lovedtotheend

1 John 2:1 NLT My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins... We all get it wrong sometimes. And when we do, it's Jesus who is on our team. Our advocate. Jesus has not only atoned for our sins, He is still, today, on our side, making things right with the Father. We have been forgiven, and are being forgiven, so let go of the mistakes of the past, and move forward in the freedom that Jesus gives. #namesofJesus #advocate #sunday #worship #forgiveness

Romans 15:7 NLT Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. One Another # 2 We all come from different backgrounds,  have different personalities,  different ethnic influences; we might be relatively young, old, rich, poor, healthy, sick, educated, skilled, employed...or not... and sometimes we simply don't accept each other let alone embrace each others differences, diversity and uniqueness. Jesus accepts us as we are. Loves us. If it's good enough for him, then maybe I can be more accepting... #lovepeople #oneanothers #acceptoneanother

It's Friday! Which means our journey in Proverbs continues. .. Proverbs 29:19 NIV Servants cannot be corrected by mere words; though they understand, they will not respond. I was talking with someone about quitting smoking this week,  but mere words will not bring about change...this proverb makes me wonder what will. Maybe sickness, or a greater need for the money being spent, but words alone are not enough The ultimate example is love. God didn't just talk about it, but sent Jesus. To live among us, and to die for us. So how does this apply? Don't just talk about love, live it out in tangible and real ways...how can we do that today? Change needs more than words. It needs actions,  examples. Love and faith need action. #loveinaction #proverbs

Psalms 142:4-5 NLT I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. David is feeling lost, alone,  in despair. Feels like no one knows or cares. Ever felt that way? It was OK for David to express his feelings, and it's OK for us to do that to. No matter what it is.  Anger Resentment Disappointment Then I pray to you, O  lord . I say, You are my place of refuge. But despite his feelings he still chooses God. Seeks Him. Looks to Him for refuge. God wants us to keep it real. He is not interested in the fake, the surface, the mask.  He wants the real you, the raw...because He loves you. #keepingitreal #psalms