verseoftheday

John 1:12-13 NIV Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God... we're all born into a family (some of which are loving, nurturing places - some far from it) but all of us, by faith in Jesus, get adopted in to his family. A place of security...this is now our position - when you're adopted you're chosen, secure, loved...it's not by accident... Even when we we don't feel it (or even believe it sometimes) this is our position... #dearlyloved

Romans 8:38-39 NIV ...I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Zip Nada Nothing Not even my doubts #unbreakablelove

Ephesians 5:4, 6-8 NLT Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes - these are not for you...greed...Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins...Don't participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! Just don't buy into it...don't join in...walk away...turn it off...get an accountability partner...don't watch it...don't sign up...what would Paul have had to say about the Internet?  The world on your phone? I think he would say the same thing...don't let the snapchatting face booking IM world dominate you and your thinking...maybe turn it off for an hour, a day, a week...live as children of the light! What does that look like? #getsomemorelight

Isaiah 53:3 ESV He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief... This weekend we have thought a lot about loss, sorrow...about sacrifice & being prepared to give your life so that others might be free... Well acquainted with grief. A man of sorrows. Gave his life, that I might be free Man of Sorrows what a name For the Son of God who came Ruined sinners to reclaim... Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In my place condemned He stood; Sealed my pardon with His blood Hallelujah what a Saviour #thisislove

Matthew 5:9 NIV Blessed are the peacemakers... Maybe we can't bring about world peace...but we can all be agents of peace in our circle of influence. Where, or with who, do I need to make peace? #beapeacemaker #beattitudes #wordsofJesus #anzac

Romans 12:14-21 NIV Bless those who persecute you...Do not repay anyone evil for evil...If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge...If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink...Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. This is an impossible call on our own...it can only happen when we are soaked in God's grace... #anzac #grace #love #loveyourenemies

Friday!! time for some wisdom... Proverbs 15:14 NIV The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. The fool feeds on folly...it's like there is no effort involved in this, just tuck in to all the gossip, the silliness, time wasting stuff that floats around our world...junk food for the soul...it's easy to access and tasty...but as the writer here says...leads to us becoming fools. Am I getting too much of this? The discerning heart on the other hand seeks knowledge. Seeking requires effort, we need to be deliberate, it can take time...maybe I could do some more of this... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #discerningheart

John 15:16 NIV You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last... I chose you. Chosen yes words spoken by Jesus to his team, but words that echo to us today... Chosen to bear fruit that will last. Only two things will last. God's word People You and I, we are significant, we are loved, & the people we impact in life will be the fruit we bear... #wordsofJesus #dearlyloved #significant

Luke 15:14 ESV And when he had spent everything... When the pleasure is at an end, the money has run out...something has caught up with us and our choices... Luke 15:17-19 ESV But when he came to himself, he said... Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son... We wake up and realise what we've done, who's been hurt, that the boundaries we overstepped were there for a good reason... Luke 15:20 ESV But while he was still a long way off, his father... ...came running. Ignored the social norms and expectations and showed outrageous grace. This is our God & how He is towards me. How can I be like this? Who in my life needs this grace? #grace #outrageous #forgiven #dearlyloved

Luke 15:11-13 ESV There was a man who had two sons.  And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me. And he divided his property between them.  Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. Never made a bad decision? Never wasted an opportunity? Never made a selfish choice? Never gone against our family values? Never hurt those closest to us? I can check yes on all those things...at heart we are all the same, prone to the same weaknesses...and in  need of the same grace... #wordsofJesus #somethingtochewon #grace

Psalm 130:5-6 AMP I wait for the Lord, I expectantly wait, and in His word do I hope. I am looking and waiting for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, I say, more than watchmen for the morning. The watchmen are on the night shift waiting for the dawn...waiting...expectantly...looking forward to the dawn, looking forward with hope. And there is more than one of them. We look forward with hope for the day when all will be made new, and in the meantime do the things God has for us to do, and share this life with others...we're not alone on the battlements alone #hope #future #inthistogether

Psalm 130:1-8 NIV Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord ; Lord, hear my voice... ...with you there is forgiveness... I wait for the Lord , my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope... (your name), put your hope in the Lord , for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem (your name)... Redeem gain or regain possession of (something) in exchange for payment What was the exchange? Jesus was the exchange that redeemed me Freely You gave it all for us Surrendered Your life upon that cross Great is Your love Poured out for all This is our God Lifted on high from death to life Forever our God is glorified Sovereign King Rescued the world This is our God #hymns #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

Psalm 130:3-4 NIV If you, Lord , kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness... Who could stand? None of us. We're all in the same boat...all in need of grace. If God chooses to forgive me, then I need to forgive me as well...so often we hang on to our mistakes, missteps, failures, "if only's"... Maybe it's time to give those things away, hand them over to our big hearted God. He doesn't keep a record so why should we. #grace #forgiven #love #freedom

Friday! Time we get back to Proverbs... Proverbs 15:13 NIV A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. A happy heart is both an orientation & a choice. That joy and contentment we have from knowing we belong, we're loved, & the choosing to be content with the circumstances we are in today. That puts a smile on our face. And then the second part is the reality that heartache (hurt, loss, grief, deep struggles we sometimes have) feels like it crushes us... destroys...that in those moments we can feel beaten... Ever been there? It's OK. I love how the Bible reflects how it is for us. And everywhere is Jesus. Heartbroken Crushed For me. He understands Loves #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Psalm 130:1-2, 5 NIV Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord ; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy... I wait for the Lord , my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope This has been written by someone who knows what it is to suffer...hurt, loss, grief, rejection...but feeling unheard... waiting... wanting an answer... my whole being waits - life is on hold - & it seems God is not hearing me... and then "in his word I put my hope" His word tells me God is for me He made the way I have been redeemed I am loved I belong One day all will be made new In this I put my hope. #dearlyloved #belong #hope #faith #trustGod #choose

Ephesians 5:1-4 NIV Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love...But among you there must not be even a hint of________...Nor should there be_______...but rather thanksgiving. Thanksgiving. Paul says this is the antidote for all kinds of negative stuff mentioned in these verses. What are the things that distract and pull you down? Rather than focus on those, choose to be thankful. Start now. At the very least you are a dearly loved child of God Pray your thankfulness Write it down speak it out loud to someone #choose #thankfulness

Psalm 119:50-52 NIV My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law. I remember, Lord , your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them. Suffering...mocking... loss... rejection... where is comfort found? In God's word. His truth.  His story. That no matter what our circumstances are today, God is for us, his love for us is unchanging even if we can't feel it... Let the Word settle in your heart and mind...let the truth be your rock & your guide... #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

Matthew 6:25 NIV Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Therefore...Jesus has been talking about giving, prayer, fasting, & where our treasures are...if we've got all that going on...well...we won't be worrying about the everyday things of life...is this food good enough for my guests...is my clothing good enough to impress...do I look right, sound right...just relax, the things our culture pushes as important just are not... #beattitudes #wordsofJesus #grace #itsnotabouttherules #itstheheartthatcounts

Ephesians 5:25-27 ESV ...Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her...without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish... This is us now... Sanctified Cleansed No spots or blemishes or wrinkles Holy This is our position as the result of Jesus work for us...we all still have blemishes...wrinkles... get it wrong...make bad calls...fail...but Jesus says I've got all this covered, it's going to be OK, what I gave up for you is enough. And in that we can rest. #sunday #worship #Christalone #rest

Ephesians 5:25 ESV Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her... We're going to a friend's wedding today & this is just such a challenging statement for guys...am I prepared to give everything up for her? Where I live? My hobbies? Career? Money? What about my life? That's love. To be prepared to give everything...your life...and that's what Jesus did for us...for me...for you... This is love. No compromises, no meeting halfway, giving it all for us...the church...but it's personal too He knows my name #easter #Jesus #love

John 20:17 NIV Jesus said, Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father... Mary you don't have to hang on to me because I'm sending my Spirit thru who you can experience my presence and love...with who you can experience and be shaped by this gracious love that took me to the cross...and back... God Father Jesus Spirit With us #easter #Jesus #with

John 20:18 NIV Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: I have seen the Lord!... Mary Magdalene. Why did Jesus choose her as the first messenger of the good news? A person from the support team not the leadership team, not a pillar of the community, a woman (men had the social and legal standing in the culture), someone accused of mental health issues...Jesus says it doesn't matter who you are, or what you've done, my salvation is not based on your background, social standing, position, wealth, attainments, record, or performance. It's my work that saves you. My death My resurrection Grace this is the good news :) #easter #Jesus #grace #nomatterwhat 

John 20:17-18 NIV Jesus said...Go instead to my brothers and tell them...Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: I have seen the Lord! And she told them that he had said these things to her. What's a christian? Someone who believes Jesus died & was raised from the dead. Someone who has had an encounter with the risen Christ At this moment, Mary is the only person in the world for who those things are true...she is the first christian...he found her, called her by name, nothing she had done or could do...grace...love Jesus finds us, seeks us like lost sheep, calls us by name #easter #Jesus #unexpected #personal #grace #encounterswithJesus

John 20:16 NIV Jesus said to her, “Mary.” He knew her name, and he knows your name, and he knows my name. Mary didn't recognise Jesus and he simply says her name. It's personal. You can believe that Jesus died for everyone, but he died for you. It's personal He calls you by name #easter #Jesus #unexpected #personal #grace #encounterswithJesus

John 20:14-15 NIV At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.   He asked her... why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?  Thinking he was the gardener... Mary was looking for the wrong Jesus. A dead Jesus. A Jesus she would never have found except he was looking for her. Jesus is alive and bigger than she could imagine...but personal. He sought Mary out with those personal questions...and he seeks each of us...with gentle grace... #easter #Jesus #unexpected #personal #grace #encounterswithJesus

John 20:1 NIV Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance... Got up early...on her own...sometimes in our consumer driven world we expect everything to come to us...including Jesus. On that first Easter Sunday morning, Mary was up early...carving out some time to ? think? pray? remember? She clearly expected to see an undisturbed grave and got something else altogether...to meet Jesus... What about us this Easter Sunday? Make some space to seek Him out (even I'd you're in the middle of a crowd)...go looking... #easter #Jesus #unexpected

Isaiah 53:2-6 MSG ...He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum But the fact is, it was our pains he carried - our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him - our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed #easter #Jesus #rockstar #despisedandrejected #redeemer #saviour

Matthew 27:20-26 NIV But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.   Which of the two do you want me to release to you? asked the governor. Barabbas What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?... They all answered, Crucify him! ...When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting ...he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. From rockstar to outcast. Hero to zero The political & religious leaders somehow convinced the people that Jesus wasn't who he said he was Don't let someone else tell you who Jesus is know him for yourself #easter #Jesus #rockstar #despisedandrejected #redeemer #saviour

Matthew 21:12-15 NIV Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves...The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, "Hosanna to the Son of David", they were indignant. Turmoil Healings Children following him around chanting his name Leaders all concerned...the whole city was buzzing with talk of Jesus...from Nazareth (where nothing good comes from) #easter #Jesus #king

Matthew 21:8-11 NIV A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road...The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted; Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, Who is this? The crowds answered, This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth. .. This is rock star Jesus. Huge crowds of people laying down their cloaks, cutting branches off trees ..crowds in front...crowds behind...the whole city stirred up...Jesus...the prophet...I heard he did...I was there when he...he's going to sort the Romans once and for all...he's related to King David...he's the One... #easter #Jesus #rockstar