verseoftheday

Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. Psalm 119:69 NIV Ever been under attack? People spreading lies or stories about you? The psalmist knew something about this long before the curse/blessing of social media. And what is his response? Stick with how God says to live. Forgive Love your enemies Walk the extra mile Turn the other cheek But I'd rather argue my case, put my side of the story...set things straight... Forgive Love your enemies Walk the extra mile... But it's not fair, not right! Forgive Love your enemies But I don't want to! Forgive #psalms #psalm119 #choose #theroad #inthistogether

Friday! Proverbs! Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt. Proverbs 27:11 NIV At one level this is straight forward...if u have kids you want them to make good choices in life as it reflects on the choices u make as parents. And then we're all someone's child, so there's an element where we want our parents to be proud of us... But what if this is God talking to us. Make wise choices because that gives God joy! Am I representing God's family well? Does my life bring joy to God's heart, so that God isn't brought into contempt by the way I live? The everyday choices to love people, to care, to be kind, patient, forgiving...this brings joy to God #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #represent

So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai... Esther 7:10 NIV Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 NIV Haman's pride proved fatal, but mine can be just as destructive even if it's not quite so dramatic, but as Proverbs is clear about it will happen one day. So leave room in your life to really consider others...and make sure there is room for God too...room for Him to minister to your spirit... #pride #lessonsfromEsther #humblenessistheantidote

When Haman entered, the king asked him, What should be done for the man the king delights to honour? Now Haman thought to himself, Who is there that the king would rather honour than me? Esther 6:6 NIV Haman's pride completely blinded him to what was really going on. Pride affects our eyesight, blunts our perception of reality & blinds us to the truth. And just like Hanan this is soooo hard to see in ourselves...have we got the courage to ask a trusted friend, pastor, mentor...what am I missing here? Are there some flaws in me that I should be working on? Where do you see pride affecting what I do or more importantly my relationships with others. Am I brave enough? #pride #humblenessistheantidote #lessonsfromEsther

Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, "Have a gallows fifty cubits high made and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it..." And the advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made. Esther 5:14 NASB Haman's pride was tickled by others, & he ordered the gallows built - about 25 metres high. Overnight. Pride has no concern for others, for his workmen, for their families... Lesson #2 pride is hard on others We hear the suggestions of others and it does influence our decisions, so take care that your pride doesn't influence the choices you make...and think about the consequences on others. Pride is the ruthless, sleepless, unsmiling concentration on self (CS Lewis) #lessonsfromEsther #loveothersistheantidote

When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. He had learned of Mordecai's nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes. Esther 3:5-6 NLT Pride and anger formed a toxic mix in Haman If he had quietly taken out Mordecai all would have been well in his world, but pride always causes more damage than it needs to. How is that in my life? Do I stubbornly hold my ground out of pride? Does my pride cause damage to others...or me? #pride #humblenessistheantidote #lessonsfromEsther

Your own friend and your father's friend, forsake them not; neither go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbour who is near [in spirit] than a brother who is far off [in heart]. Proverbs 27:10 AMP Let's inject our heavenly Father into this...don't forsake the friend who is closer than a brother...He doesn't want us to forget Him...how often do we hear that in our culture - I don't need God - my life is OK And better the One who is near in spirit - this is our God who gives us His Spirit within - the quiet small voice...he is our neighbour near in spirit... #proverbs  #thisisourGod #sunday #worship #earlystart #rwc

...neither go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near [in spirit] than a brother who is far off [in heart]. Proverbs 27:10 AMP Families...we all have them. Some are great, some not, some a whole mix of things...but the question here is when the heat really comes on you, when trouble comes in whatever form who is on your team? It's not about proximity as we can communicate easily almost anywhere, but it's about shared values, belief, shared experiences...these are the people who will stick by you no matter what. The people who believe in us most may be our family, but may not. Am I that person to those I care about most? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #moreonthistomorrow

Friday! Proverbs! Your own friend and your father's friend, forsake them not; neither go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near [in spirit] than a brother who is far off [in heart]. Proverbs 27:10 AMP Your friends are important - stick with them thru thick & thin - some even survive the generations :) But this is also about where we look for advice. Solomon valued his father's friend Hiram, but Solomons son looked for advice from others and lost the kingdom. The new young voices & ideas sometimes sound good to us but the long term, wise, these friends & their wisdom should be valued #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #earlystart #moreonthistomorrow

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial...that person will receive the crown of life... James 1:12 NIV The crown here is like winning the gold medal in a sporting event...and life - the Greek word is zoe - life - all life comes from and is sustained by Gods self existent life. God shares with us His gift of both physical and spiritual life So hang in there...preservere... don't give up because this is the path that leads to life #thatstherealtest

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV I've always related this verse to the big things. The Martin Luther King type trials, the missionary isolated from family and friends, the big spiritual battle...but...the more I've thought about this it's just as appropriate for the person who struggles quietly and daily with loneliness, or pain, or the small daily choices that we make to choose joy, to ignore the negative, the daily choice to look out for someone, to encourage someone even when there's nothing in return. This is every bit as much of a trial...and a test...a test that leads to life #thatstherealtest

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV I just don't want that. Trials. Difficult times Pressure Maybe it's exams, assignments, business issues, health, relationships, decisions...but... the last part of this about the reward for those who love God, I think that the standing firm, the surviving the test is really about what's going on in our heart rather than the external situation. No matter what we are facing or going through are we still choosing to honour God & love others? Choosing to do what's right regardless of the situation, not worried about the world's success #thatstherealtest

Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands... You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:66, 68 NIV What we believe about God is important. God, I trust you and I know you're good is the psalmists start point. Start there and things make sense, and I want to know more of who God would have me be, & how He would want me to live Even when there is evil that people are responsible for, even when there is tragedy, do I still choose to believe that God is good and what He does is good #psalms #psalm119 #choose

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3 NIV What a wonderful encouraging thing to say...maybe there are people in your life who have been an encouragement or blessing - when they come to mind - thank God for them :) Having an attitude of gratefulness and thanks is a key to a contented life...so thank God for the people in yours :) #bethankful #sunday #worship

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2 NIV Ok so this is a greeting in a letter...but...it's also a scene setter or an overarching orientation of the authors. Paul & Timothy are saying this is our baseline, our start point for this and every conversation, our flavour, what we're about. Being agents of God's grace, bringing and sharing His peace, through our words and actions. We've been blessed by God, changed by Jesus, received His grace and from here on everything is shaped by that. Grace and Peace. From God, through Jesus, & encouraged in us by the Spirit May we all echo Paul & Tim's greeting as our motto too #grace #graceandpeace #mymotto

Friday!! Proverbs!! Oil and perfume make the  heart glad, so a man's counsel is sweet to his friend. Proverbs 27:9 NASB Don't know what makes your heart glad but oil, perfume, incense...these were important when this was written. Maybe it's the birdsong in the early morning, the stars, a melody, a touch...a memory...and the sweetness of that is compared to the counsel of a friend Friends care, their advice, their counsel is for our good, because it comes from a heart of love. Nice And friends sometimes need to be asked for advice, so ask. So if we put God in the middle of this, His advice comes from a heart of love, & should be sweet to us, make our hearts glad. And sometimes we need to seek that counsel from Him too... #ask #proverbs #wisdom 

... I will show you the most excellent way... Love is patient, love is kind... 1 Corinthians 12:31, 13:4 We all get it wrong sometimes...mess up...make mistakes...so be patient with yourself. Be kind to yourself as well as others Get some rest, exercise,  eat well, re-create... It's ok to cut yourself a bit slack sometimes. Jesus model seemed to be spending time with the crowds, the disciples, 1 or 2, & then time alone with God. Time to pray...to recharge...to reconnect If Jesus needed it, then I probably need it to... #loveis #bekindtoyourself #inthistogether

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi... Philippians 1:1 NIV So Philippians is a letter written to a church in what is now Greece. Google says it's 17 degrees there & 73% humidity at 9:23pm. The city was established in 356BC by (guess who) Philip II. How does it start? Paul & Timothy together writing this. A team. We need teams, need others to do life with, do ministry with, even if it's just one who is on the same page as us. How do they describe themselves? As servants of Jesus. Would I ever be brave enough to say that? To introduce myself as that? What does a servant do? The work of the one they serve #brave #servantsofJesus #hands&feetofJesus #teamsaregood #inthistogether

... I will show you the most excellent way... Love...it does not dishonour others... 1 Corinthians 12:31, 13:5 This is such a sneaky thing dishonouring others, it's the remarks we make when they're not around to make them seem less and us seem more... And it's the way we treat people no matter their social standing, belief system, physical or financial situation. It's how we treat those who need support or help on a temp or permanent basis...and Jesus is our model for this. He crossed the boundaries to meet and love others Love doesn't dishonour but honours Love gives credit to others. Love looks out for those in need Love gets alongside #loveis #inthistogether

The earth is filled with your love, Lord ; teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:64 NIV Sometimes this is the way it feels...that all is good, sun is warm, people are kind, and there's nothing better than learning more about God And then the events of this world intrude, sickness, issues, pressure...and this little moment of goodness gets swamped...I can't change the world, but I can be kind to those around me, where I live, where I work, where I worship. I can choose to contribute to causes and organizations that do work on a bigger scale...and I can make myself available to God to make a difference here...or somewhere... We, His people, are the ones to show the earth is filled with His love... #lovepeople #choose

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34 NIV Uni exam season is upon us, but whether we're a student or not, when the pressures of life come on its so easy to lose sight of 2 things: 1. The big picture. God's kingdom. The way He wants us to live. Seek that first, not the success of the world. 2. Deal with today's issues, the things you can influence without getting too caught up in what's next. We can't change yesterday, and can only influence tomorrow by what we do today #seekfirst #sunday #worship #inthistogether

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation-since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. James 1:9-11 NIV I have this view of people that is hard to shake. That those who have achieved a lot in this world are worth more. Yes make the most of your gifts talents & opportunities Do gr8 work, invent create  prosper & thrive But one day it all goes back in the box and we're all equal before God He is interested in our character & heart So I ask Him to help me see people as He sees them

Friday! Like a bird that wanders from her nest, So is a man who wanders from his home. Proverbs 27:8 NASB The word "wander" here is "nadad": to retreat, flee, depart, stray, wander, flutter Apart from flutter, these are not positive words when it comes to leaving. We retreat, flee, depart, stray & just wander away from relationships, church's, friends, jobs, marriages...just like a bird needs a nest so we need to belong. Yet rather than commit we often wander off for negative reasons. We need community, and when the going gets tough maybe retreating or fleeing is not the answer... If you travel, find a new church, get a new job, study, move town or country, choose to for positive reasons... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #dontjustwanderoff

... I will show you the most excellent way... Love, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 12:31, 13:4 Boasting is the outward expression of pride. A difficult thing to manage in this age of achievement, of celebrity...sometimes it's hard to celebrate good things that are done without it at least seeming prideful and boasting.  Can we take pride in work well done? In qualifications achieved? In successful deals? For ourselves and others? The way of Love is not at the expense of others. Maybe we don't have enough English words...the meaning here is about not bragging, and not being "puffed up" with our own success. So yes celebrate your own and others success...but take care where it impacts on others and the state of our hearts... #loveis

Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was. The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things, he said. He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead. Luke 9:21-22 nlt So the disciples have figured out who Jesus really is. Why would he then say "don't tell anyone"? Maybe they don't really get what Jesus was all about. They were still expecting rescue from Roman rule, making things right in the external, in the now...because the next thing Jesus talks to them about is his death...how can he be a messiah, a saviour, yet die...so much more to learn... Yes a saviour. But yes a sacrifice. An atonement. #thisisourGod

Then he asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Messiah sent from God!" Luke 9:20 NLT Peter nailed it. The Messiah. The one that God's people had been waiting for, and not just a man, but sent from God...wrapped up in that is the fully human yet fully God concept, sent from God to make a way...to be the way. Who do you say Jesus is? No matter where we are in our faith journey we need to keep answering that question for ourselves With Jesus it's personal, & so is our response to him... #whoisJesus #thewaythetruththelife

One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them; Who do people say I am?Well, they replied, some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead Then he asked them; But who do you say I am? Peter replied... Luke 9:18-20 NLT This is the pivotal question in the Bible...who is Jesus? Is he a prophet, a wise teacher, or is he who he said he is... With Jesus it's always personal...its not your family, friends or church, but what you think and believe that's important Who do I say Jesus is? If you're not sure, then now's a good time to find out, because in this question there's a lot at stake... #whoisJesus

And yet I will show you the most excellent way. Love...does not demand it's own way... 1 Corinthians 12:31, 13:5 NIV We've skipped a couple of important phrases but we'll come back to them...but this struck me today as God is Love, yet Love does not demand its own way...this is our God who loves us, yet does not demand. The creator of all loves so much that He puts aside demand, requirement, law ...for relationship. And that's how he asks us to reflect his character, by not demanding our way either... #thisisourGod #sunday #worship #loveis

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God...But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6 NLT Ok simple example. We looked at the most excellent way of Love that is Patient. Proverbs talks about the ant who stores up for winter. Waiting. Saving. Wisdom. What does our "world" say? Have it now. You deserve it, spend it before you earn it... It gets harder when it's forgiveness not revenge...love your enemies not just your friends...the challenge from James is are you & I really putting your trust in God's wisdom...in His way #somethingtochewon #watchoutforGeorgia

A person who is full refuses honey, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry. Proverbs 27:7 NLT So...is this just about food? On one level, yes it is. But maybe there's more...maybe if we are so well fed in our churches that we don't feel we need God...maybe if we just absorb without expending, without giving, we just get full...and sit. Yet the person without a Bible, without a great church, is hungry. Hungry for God. So if food is fuel for the body and we need to expend it, use it up by doing stuff, maybe our spiritual lives are the same... Expend yourself on the needs of others - is that Isaiah 58? The more we give out, the more input we realise we need, the more we need to learn to share with others... Or is this just about food? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us... And he will be called...Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NLT Peace Peace here is "Shalom" Shalom means completeness, soundness, welfare, peace. And Jesus is the prince of this. Have a think on those words... Complete Sound Welfare Peace This is one of the attributes of Jesus and what he's about in relation to us... When we greet someone with shalom, we're interested in them, how they really are, how we might be able to help And when we say goodbye with shalom we bless them with the knowledge that we care...that we love. And this is Jesus. #namesofJesus #peace #restore

...Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep...Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it?...So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son... Luke 15:6, 8-8, 20 NLT That theme from Genesis of God seeking out those who are lost from him...searching in the dark, cold and difficult places in search of the lost, lonely, broken and hurt...and running with arms wide open to those who turn back to Him This is the massive love God has for us...and wants us to show to the world...to be His agents... #love #forgiveness #inthistogether #restore

At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" Genesis 3:7-9 NLT Covering up Hiding Running away... This is what we have done since the beginning of humanity...yet God was seeking out Adam and Eve, & He still seeks us, not just in our success and wins, He wants us warts and all, even in our failure, trips, mistakes. He wants us to be real. Uncovered Open Running towards Him #choose #inthistogether #youaredearlyloved