verseoftheday

...Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest's slave, slashing off his ear. "Put away your sword" Jesus told him... Matthew 26:50-52 NLT New Years eve is often a time to look back and reflect on the year...the media is full of the best & worst of 2015...Peter must have looked back with regret & disappointment on this event... We all make mistakes, get it wrong, jump to conclusions, make rash decisions, get angry...Jesus says put away your sword...find a Kingdom response not the response of the world...look at my example, my way... Even tho it might be harder, counter cultural, costly... #newyearseve #reflect #putawayyoursword #wordsofJesus

Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority - the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents... Psalms 8:5-8 NLT Project handover Graduation Given the keys to a new house or car...child becomes an adult... Independent It's yours... God made it...set it in motion And handed it over. To us. Whether we nurture or consume the planet...whether we live or just exist...whether we look out for the needs of others or just ourselves...whether we seek Him or not...He has given us freedom. How will we use it? #psalms #psalm8 #howgreatisourGod #choose

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers - the moon and the stars you set in place - what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Psalms 8:3-4 NLT Hopefully you're able to enjoy some of this beautiful weather and get out into some big landscapes...just look up (not straight at the sun tho!) There is beauty and design everywhere in the world around us that points us to the Creator...so who am I that He should care about me? #butHedoes #psalms #psalm8 #howgreatisourGod #justlookup

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens... ...O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Psalms 8:1, 9 NLT This was a song written for the choir director...and it starts and ends with how great God is! Music is a big part of our lives...accompanies us in the car, is important in movies, is used to distract, sooth, inspire and relax...but here it's part of worship. Beginning and the end this song look to the greatness of our God. How easy to lose sight of God with all the distractions of the in-between... May the soundtrack of our lives reflect this song...to start and end with how great our God is... #psalms #psalms #howgreatisourGod

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. Get up...take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him. So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt... Matthew 2:13-15 NIV Just another middle eastern refugee family on the run from a power hungry despotic ruler... God's message has always been about love. God gave up his power as he shrunk himself into the vulnerable baby Jesus...on the run from the powers of this world, waiting to unfold a new way...a way of light, grace, & hope...a love that he wants us to choose to embrace... #christmas #story #jesusatthecentre #choose #ultimategift #sunday #worship

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened..." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby... When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child... Luke 2:15-18 NIV Why not have the angels blast out their music to the whole town? Why just a small group of shepherds out in the country? Kingdom values Not how we would do it or what we expect...the Message is trusted to a few very ordinary people Having just been blasted by angels they have a chat and decide to go check it out...love that straight up approach... #christmas #checkoutJesusforyourself #kingdomvalues #jesusatthecentre

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6-7 NIV There were no FB updates or txts...but as people gathered for the census the word got around that Joseph and his partner were going to have a baby...and soon! A couple of the aunty's take over "Joe, do something useful while you're waiting - you're a carpenter - fix up this feed box so the baby has somewhere to sleep..." In the most ordinary of ways, in a most ordinary place, Jesus gave up his power, & shrunk himself to become one of us...God entered His Story  to make a way - to BE The Way #christmas #jesusatthecentre #gift

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said ... do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife... Matthew 1:19-21 NIV Joseph was in a tricky place - wanted to do the right thing by the law...but wanted to do the right thing by Mary too, trying to exercise grace and truth. Maybe we love someone but their choices don't match ours...how do we stand for what's right, yet show grace? The angel said don't be afraid to go down the grace path. God's got this. Err on the side of grace...that's what Christmas is all about... #christmas #grace #story #jesusatthecentre

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world... And everyone went to their own town to register.  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child... Luke 2:1-5 NIV The world was run by the Roman superpower...go to the town of your birth and get counted... according to Google maps a 3hr 44min walk, so with a pregnant girlfriend in tow, it would have been a long day...heading to where your family line are all gathered...with a baby on the way...the baby... #christmas #story #jesusatthecentre

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. Luke 1:56 NIV Mary had a lot going on...single, pregnant, angels, and processing the whole "how did that happen & is this for real?" Sometimes we all need to find someone to lean into...they were both working thru the normal miraculous of having children & the extraordinary supernatural things that were going on... Mary went and found Elisabeth. When you need help, knock on a door and ask...send a txt...make a call. Mary needed to stay, & Zac & Liz were gracious to let that happen...are we open for that? And then she went home...strengthened and ready...sometimes we all need a hand for a season...& that's OK #christmas #story #jesusatthecentre #inthistogether

...God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth...to Mary... "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!" Mary was greatly troubled at his words... "Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month..." At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. Luke 1:2-40 NIV You're a teenage girl with an angel at your door with greetings from God!! ...& a crazy story about your cousin having a baby even tho she's ancient & never had kids...so Mary goes to see Zac & Liz to compare angel stories... #christmas #story #jesusatthecentre

Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God...an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard... Luke 1:8-13 NIV The old priest going about his normal routine in the church when an angel appears...clearly not an everyday occurrence and freaked old Zac out... I wonder what I'd think if my pastor said he met an angel in church this morning? An angel with a message from God... What's this got to do with Christmas? #christmas #story #jesusatthecentre

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah... his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. Luke 1:5-7 NIV Good people with all the right background...yet... life hadn't worked out as they'd planned. Couldn't have kids, which was a huge social stigma at that time. Yet they remained faithful in their service to God despite their circumstances. Yet just around the corner they get to be part of the greatest story of all time... Lord help me to stay faithful to You even when life isn't working out for me #faithful #christmas

Friday! Proverbs! As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19 ESV We think we know people from their public face...sports stars, actors, politicians...but it's the heart that is important to God, & that's the real person. We place value on people based on occupation, wealth, social status. But God looks on the heart. Who we are and who we're becoming is more important than what we do, where we live, how "important" we are... Jesus was single, "unemployed", homeless...but his heart was oriented to his Father...and to others...to us In all the noise of Christmas don't lose sight of what's really important... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #reflector

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 NLT Written about 735BC these words echo down the centuries...from the  small town of Bethlehem will come someone who's origins are much more ancient...who will come on God's behalf... God's got this...his view is so much longer than ours, but He sent signals that it would all change hundreds of years before Jesus...this is the real Star Wars story...of God who enters his story in the form of his creation to make a way for all... #prophecy #christmas #jesusatthecentre

Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge... I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me... Psalms 16:1, 7-8 NLT In the midst of trouble David kept the faith. Verse 1 he's seeking refuge, safety...when all seems lost...when disappointment reins, when hurt overwhelms, when we can't see purpose or reason... But he chooses to bless God anyway He listens to the storehouse of truth God has placed in his heart, & he keeps faith in the God who is there...regardless of his circumstances... #choose #faith #hope #inthistogether #onyourteam

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV Maybe your week, month, year has been a cracker...full of good, beauty, joy...or maybe it's been disappointment, loss, hurt...or some mix... Paul who knew all the highs and lows of life, says you want to know God's will? It's to give thanks in every circumstance! Sometimes it's the last thing we want to do...or think of doing...so today...give thanks to the One who sustains us in all circumstances... #pray #faith #hope #inthistogether #givethanks #theroad

So Isaiah told him, Then listen to this, government of David! It's bad enough that you make people tired with your pious, timid hypocrisies, but now you're making God tired. So the Master is going to give you a sign anyway. Watch for this. A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She'll bear a son and name him Immanuel (God-With-Us)... Isaiah 7:14 Msg In the midst of being grumpy with his people, God opens a window to the future and let's the people know about Jesus...700 years before he was born... #prophecy #christmas #jesusatthecentre

Lord , you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord... Psalm 16:5-7 NIV The psalmist here is pretty happy...secure in God's love, the "boundary lines" seems to be where someone is allotted a piece of land, and his worked out really well - so what about the blessings in your life and mine? Could you count 3? 5? 10? So easy to gloss over the good, to miss the pleasant places our boundary lines have fallen... And then on top of that we are heirs of God...inheritors of all that He is... #sunday #worship #praise #blessed

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ... Philippians 1:27 NIV Whatever happens...Paul was in prison, had some kind of physical or mental illness, shipwrecked... so he has some experience when he says "whatever happens" Stuff happens in life. Things don't go our way, we get under pressure, fail, make mistakes, get sick, injured, stuck...hurt...business, jobs, investments...relationships, people...friends...things don't always work out how we hoped or dreamed...but Paul is all about how we respond. How we choose to respond. As a child of God, chosen, redeemed, dearly loved, who's future is secure & is called to love, forgive & bless...how should I respond to "whatever happens"? #choose

Friday! Proverb! As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer's interests will be rewarded. Proverbs 27:18 NLT This is about being diligent at work...work hard, look out for your bosses interests & rewards will come...& this is generally true :) But at another level...if the employer is God - what are his interests? Yes the planet. But more importantly people. Especially lost people. Especially marginalised people Especially the hurt, lonely, poor, discarded... So when we look after His interests... So do good work for your earthly boss...but look out for your Heavenly Father's interests too :) #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #whoisyourrealboss #lovepeople

So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:7-8 NLT Thanks. Thanks for sticking with me even when it was tough. Thanks for being on my team in ministry I appreciate you, love you. Who are the people that you and I need to say that to? On the other side of this letter are the faithful people who supported Paul thru thick & thin. When the going gets tough for people in our lives...stick by them #bethankful #lovepeople #inthistogether #onyourteam

It's true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry...Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn't matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice... Philippians 1:15-18 NLT And we think celebrity preachers are something  new! Paul is in prison & it seems that others were stepping in to make a $ or a name for themselves. And Paul's attitude? He's not worried about why you preach Jesus just that you do it He was all about getting Jesus message of Love, Grace, Forgiveness & Peace out there than anything else... #goodnews #getitoutthere

Lord , you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. Psalm 16:5 NIV Pray this verse today...see how you feel about the day... You Lord are my portion, my food, my sustenance, the source of my fuel, energy & life You alone are my cup, the water of life, the one who quenches my thirst And in you is my security. I can look for it in property, money, education...I can seek it in the arts or work...I can look for security in others, in relationships...but at the end of it all, my real security is found in you Lord. It's in your book my name is written...and in that I am secure. Loved Accepted OK #psalms #psalm16 #faith #hope

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord , "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." Psalm 16:1-2 NIV Not sure what was going on in David's life when he wrote this...but he didn't  feel safe...maybe was hurting...or under pressure... He didn't run to the world for answers, didn't avoid or try to blot things out...but sought refuge with God. No matter what is going on in our lives...hurt, failure, loss, disappointment...seek refuge in God as David did. Pray his prayer. You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing. #pray #faith #hope #inthistogether

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight... Psalm 16:3 ESV We are His delight! Think on that today...If you're in church...or wherever you may be...God sees the saints in the land...sees who we are...sees the way that we try to represent Him to the world...sees the  difference we are making no matter how small it may seem...sees our hearts...and in that takes great delight! He knows our struggles, failures, mistakes, successes, joys and wins. He cares about us. #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #dearlyloved

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! Philippians 1:21-22 NIV The ultimate win-win situation...lots of good work to do but...the thought of heaven...well you can't lose either way! I'd love to say "me too" but tbh I'm just not there yet...these words remain aspirational as I journey thru life. Paul was in jail at the time, & maybe death didn't seem far away He also had time to think...about God, faith, what really matters...the noise of this life, pushes these thoughts away...our culture is about the "now"...but one day I hope to be able to say these words with the same confidence Paul did #faith #hope #ismycreedworthdyingfor

Friday! Proverbs! As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 NIV A knife that is blunt is of little value...but getting it sharp and useful requires effort, skill, & a clash...as iron hits iron. A knife cannot sharpen itself. So if we're like knives that need sharpening, then it is God who is the agent that brings us together...His effort and skill...His word, Spirit. And it's the coming together with others that sharpens us, makes us useful. As we meet, learn, study, pray, live, struggle, find joy, serve, challenge and encourage one another...we become more useful in the Kingdom... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #inthistogether #sharpenup

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry... James 1:19 NIV Great listeners keep their emotions in check...so to be a gr8 listener don't let your emotions take over, and James here is specific about anger. Not helpful. Really listen. Be genuinely interested in the other person Don't just jump in with solutions...and don't get angry...keep your emotions in check. Seems like a good recipe to be a good listener...the challenge now is to do it... #beagreatlistener #james #keepingitreal

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak... James 1:19 NIV When I'm listening I'm not slow to speak...I just can't wait to jump in with my answers...solutions...fixes...while you're talking I jump in with my story, my view...my opinion... But James says be slow to speak...really listen...hold off on my thoughts, opinions, judgements...and really listen. This is quite a discipline for some of us...but worth the effort...because I know what it's like to be really listened to... #james #inthistogether #keepingitreal #beagreatlistener

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen... James 1:19 NIV Think about the best listener that you know...what's it feel like to be really listened to? We feel heard, valued, loved...we have worth. James calls all of us to be great listeners. To do that we need to be genuinely interested in people. Choose to give them time. Are you and I prepared to be that "great listener" in the lives of others? #james #keepingitreal #beagreatlistener