verseoftheday

Friday!! Chahoo:) With so many people doing gr8 things that don't finish on the weekend...Friday! maybe isn't such a thing...but Proverbs is :) Pro 15.31.nlt If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. Sometimes we have to ask for real constructive criticism...so don't be afraid to do that...and I want to be home amongst the wise, I want the wisdom of others to rub off on me, I need that...ask the wise in your life the questions about where they see your strengths, gifts, where you can make a difference. Ask about choices you need to make, choices you have made Seek the criticism and wisdom of God's Word. His words speak life into our lives and challenge us to live out God's truth If you listen... #proverbs #wisdom

Matthew 7.12.niv So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. If only the world ran on this principle. If only everyone lived this way... But we can. You & I We can live out Jesus call on our lives if we choose to...in whatever big or small part of the world that we live...whether we impact 1, 10, 100...who knows the influence you might have in the future...but right now where I live, work, play, worship I can choose to live the "golden rule" and make a difference #choose #otherness #lovepeople #dotoothers #goldenrule #beattitudes #wordsofJesus

Matthew 7.12.niv So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. This sums up the Law & the Prophets. This is the whole of God's story to this point...creation...the fall...God making a way...rebellion...God pursuing his people...and the prophets pointing to the coming Messiah...and summed up here? Because all of that is about love...love for others...love for us God's otherness orientation is directed at us! And that's how God calls us to be...other oriented... #otherness #lovepeople #dotoothers #goldenrule #beattitudes #wordsofJesus

Matthew 7.12.niv So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Ah the "golden rule"... Treat others how you'd like to be treated... If you're doing a deal, be fair - isn't that what you'd want? We all like to be encouraged...thanked...blessed...so encourage, thank & bless :) When we're criticised we want it to be fair and legit...so be fair & legit When someone has authority or power over us we want fairness, justice...truth...so... Jesus is asking us to break the cycles of negativity or abuse or mistrust...be the change in whatever small or big place you have in the world... #otherness #lovepeople #dotoothers #goldenrule

Romans 1.2-7.msg ...Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus... How visible is my faith - in the work place...study place...play space? What is my answer going to be to the "what did you do on the weekend?" question? Will it include church, God, faith? Have I lost all sense of urgency (or importance) of passing on to others the opportunity to know the gift of life that I have? #somethingtochewon #nofear

Romans 1.2-7.msg The sacred writings contain preliminary reports by the prophets on God's Son. His descent from David roots him in history; his unique identity as Son of God was shown by the Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead, setting him apart as the Messiah, our Master. Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ! Jesus. Rooted in history Unique Raised from the dead Messiah Master You are who you are through his gift... #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #Jesus #nootherway

Psalms 119.59.nlt I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. Do you do much pondering? It's almost like the world conspires against us to take time to stop...stop & think...think about what's really important. What's the rush? Breathe... Turn your phone off for an hour...it's ok... Where is my life heading? What's really important? The writer here is clear...God's revealed truth is where he wants to align his life...that's where real life is found...in knowing God and loving people... #Iponderthedirectionofmylife

Friday!! Proverbs 15.30.niv Light in a messenger's eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. If you think the connection between our mental health & our physical health is something new...read this Proverb again...good news, good words give health...speak life into others...so choose to speak life! The light in a messenger's eyes...love that...that light that comes from knowing we are accepted as God's children, have significant work to do for his kingdom, & are secure in His love...that light is what I want others to see every day... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #light #youaredearlyloved

Psalm 27.11-14.niv Teach me your way, Lord ; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord  in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord ; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord Oppressors, foes & people spreading lies and rumors...pretty much covers the bases...despite all this, even though it's happening, I Remain Confident! I will remain strong in my faith, I will wait...within and despite of my circumstances... #choose #psalms #psalm27

Psalm 27.10.niv Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. I don't know what it's like to  be rejected by my parents, maybe you do...I'm not sure if this is the psalmists personal experience, or 8th he is looking ahead to Jesus rejection, Jesus being forsaken (such a lonely and sad word) Forsaken for us. Rejected for us. He knows what it's like, how it feels, what it is to be rejected, discarded, unloved. The Lord will receive me. No matter who we are, no matter what we've done, in Him there is rest for our souls and eventually full restoration...

Psalm 27 : 2 niv When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me even then I will be confident This is a Psalm of confident hope in the face of danger, oppression...there is the wicked, the enemy, my foes, an army, even war...against me...the whole thing ramps up & up. Maybe I could stand in my own strength against a wicked person, but an army? Gotta go back to v1 the Lord is my light & salvation, the Lord is the stronghold of my life...no matter what this world throws at me He remains my refuge and my hope...

Psalm 27:1 niv The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? While this is a fantastic Psalm to recall in times of trouble, it's a place to put down firm roots when things are OK too...in preparation for the day of trouble, hurt, loss, grief...one day He will redeem this whole planet & finish the work that has been started, that we have been commissioned to continue with...Jesus came to bring justice to the oppressed and freedom...our task is the same... #lovepeople

Matthew 7:7 NIV Ask and it will be given to you Seek and you will find Knock and the door will be open to you Ask Seek Knock Action is needed on our part...we can't just sit back, but get moving...asking...seeking...knocking on doors... Not only action but humility...to ask, seek, knock...we need help, guidance, direction, shelter, but is it demanding? This is about the kingdom...and we so often want answers in the "world", but kingdom values are different... #beattitudes #kingdomvalues #wordsofJesus #somethingtochewon

Ephesians 5:33 NIV ...each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. This verse & the first verses of Ch6 give us the simplest yet most profound instruction to families... Husbands. Love your wife. That giving, sacrificing, do anything for your good love Wives. Respect your husband. Listen to his head and his heart, honor his work and effort. God knows that this is what is needed for successful relationships... Emerson Eggerichs has written a book on this verse called...Love & Respect haha If you're married, get a copy, get a copy for someone you know...your parents maybe! Doesn't matter if you're married or single, keep looking to God's eternal truth for guidance and direction...and then follow it

Friday!! Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. Oh. How often have negative words flown out of my mouth as I've let my first response dictate what I say...if only all the time I would just weigh my answers... God help me to live out this wisdom in every interaction I have with people,  and help me to listen with my heart not just my head. #proverbs #wisdom #wisdomtoliveby

Romans 8 : 28 nlt And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them... A famous verse that is often served up when things are not going well...but what if this applies to your areas of passion? The things that you love to do? Give that thing or those things to God and ask Him to use that for good... "Everything" must include the gifts, talents that you have... "Together" we're all different so it's not about comparing but all doing our bit where God has resourced us... #pray #everything #good #inthistogether

Matthew 6v7 NIV Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Sometimes at first reading the Bible doesn't seem to make sense...Jesus has been talking about not judging and removing the speck from our own eyes first...and follows it up with this...the word "give" is didomi, to give based on the will of the giver, give using discernment...so use discernment when sharing your faith, when exploring the things of God with others...you don't have to open yourself up to attack or ridicule...be discerning... #beattitudes #wordsofJesus

Ephesians 5 : 32 NLT As the Scriptures say A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. What?  Jesus relationship with us, the church, is like getting married? The leaving what we know with our parents (Jesus did), the giving up our freedom for the other (yep) the submitting to one another...wow! No wonder Paul says its a mystery...but this I do know...that marriage is about love in action, and that is Jesus...love in action towards and for us....awesome #loveinaction

Acts 7:59-8:1 NLT As they stoned him, Stephen prayed Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. He fell to his knees, shouting Lord, don't charge them with this sin! And with that, he died... I've never really been persecuted for my faith, never been hard out bullied for what I believe, but I hope that if (or when) that time comes I will have the grace that Stephen had...that even if I have to face death for what I believe that love like Stephen had, supernatural love, will be in my heart... #lovepeople #thereismoretothislife

Acts 7:59-8:1 NLT As they stoned him, Stephen prayed Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. He fell to his knees, shouting Lord, don't charge them with this sin! And with that, he died. Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen... Saul, who after his conversion became Paul who wrote a big chunk of the New Testament, was a leading the persecution and killing of Christians...if he could change, to preach forgiveness and love, then there is hope for everyone in this broken world. Only a work of God could do this...God who wants all to turn to him, all to hear the good news, no matter who we are, no matter what we've done #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

psalm 119 57-58 You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise Sometimes we look for Gods blessing in our lives but has He really been our portion? Have we not only promised to follow His word, but done it? Have I forgiven, not kept a record of wrongs...been kind...faithful...gracious...hospitable... Have I really sought God's face with all my heart?  What does that look like? A quick prayer in the morning and grace before my meal?  #withallmyheart #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

Friday!! Proverbs 15v27 The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live. Whenever we have an overwhelming passion for something it can put everything else at risk...whether it's more work, more sport, more food, more clothes, more cars, more money, more travel, more gaming, more...just more...it can bring ruin as it dominates our relationships, our finances, our conversations... And then there's bribes...always a challenge for parents...if you behave like this, I'll give you x...that could well be a bribe...sometimes we can't see an appeal to something we like as dangerous so be aware of how we ask for things, and the tags on others requests... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

2 Peter 1.3.nlt By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him... When we become a christian we have everything we need to live a godly life...we have resources to tap into...God With Us...so easy to forget this truth and try to soldier on in our own strength Dear God, help me to listen to your Spirit today...to take the time to hear his promptings...and to choose the godly path today Amen

Ephesians 5.29-30.nlt No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body... It's no wonder that christian communities over the centuries have set up schools hospitals hospices run social services feed those who need it clothed those who need help...because they've taken Paul's instruction to heart...we are his body representing Jesus to and in the world...at the very least we need to look out for those in our community, in our church...while attending church is good, it's designed to be  more than that...a community...a body...where each part is welcomed, valued, nurtured...who can I do that for this week? #lovepeople #behospitable

Luke 17.20-21.nlt One day the Pharisees asked Jesus; When will the Kingdom of God come? Jesus replied, The Kingdom of God can't be detected by visible signs.  You won't be able to say, Here it is! or It's over there! For the Kingdom of God is already among you. The Kingdom is found in us. Jesus was the walking talking fulfilment of the Kingdom & as Christ followers it is in us...the values of the kingdom reside in and are to be found IN us... forgiveness faith generosity humility thankfulness compassion love #embassyofthekingdom #wordsofJesus

Philippians 2.5.nlt You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Jesus gave up his privileges humbled himself became a slave obedient to God died a criminal's death...not for himself, but for us...for others... Just when I think that I have the christian life sorted...there's a whole new level... But as this verse says it's all about attitude... Father in heaven, help me today to have this same attitude of Jesus towards others in my life. Amen.

Philippians 2.6-11.nlt Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #gettochurchifyoucan #Jesus #jesusatthecentre #noothername

Luke 4.22.ESV And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "is not this Joseph's son?" How'd it go with the gracious words yesterday? I need more work on this...Jesus was marveled at for the gracious words he spoke - he needs to be our model for the way we speak :) Not only did the people marvel at his grace, they pre judged him on what they knew of his dad, where he came from...& I'm the same...so quick to judge...looks, language, accent, what I know of their background, what they used to be like... Speak grace Don't judge #somethingtochewon

Friday!! Proverbs 15.26.niv The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. Gracious words...not sure that my words are always that gracious...it's so easy to be critical, condemning or complaining...& it comes so naturally & easily that I just don't notice it So today is self awareness day & l'm going to listen to my own words and listen for how much grace comes out of my mouth...(and in my txts, posts, comments, chats, snaps...) Are you up for it? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #keepyourpathsstraight#

Romans 5.6-8.niv ...though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Have you ever given up a lot to help someone? Maybe invested in a relationship, helped someone with a project or assignment...given money...out of love & for no other reward...if  you're a parent then you certainly have...& as a result you really want that person to succeed...you're on their side... But God. Demonstrates his love for us by Jesus investing everything,  giving it all up for us He's on our side. God For Us. #thisislove #nogreaterlove #youaredearlyloved #onyourteam

Mark 10.45.niv For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many God For Us The Son, reduced himself to become one of us, to serve us, to be the ransom, the payment, the way...the only way through a perfect once - and - for - all sacrifice...even if it doesn't feel that God is for us, Jesus in these few words makes it clear...and his actions for us make it concrete... God With Us God For Us #love #dearlyloved #youaredearlyloved