verseoftheday

Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites. Philippians 3:17-19 MSG How easy to be swayed by the great communicators who tell us what we want to hear...if you just have enough X, then you'll get whatever Y it is that you want... #thecross #jesusatthecentre #citizensofheaven

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us....But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives... Philippians 3:14, 20 NLT Have you ever been somewhere and the situation was getting uncomfortable or dangerous, or maybe you just got tired or homesick... and the thing that keeps you going is that you can get to go home... The Prize. Citizens of heaven. No matter what, one day we get to go home... The hard thing is its not a home we know, but one we look forward to in faith. Some people in the UK must be wondering what citizenship means right now...but ours is secure... #citizensofheaven

And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18 NLT Peace. Whether it's countries, factions, ideologies, individuals, or within our hearts...we all want peace. How can we ever hope to solve the world's problems if we can't have peace in our own hearts...peace that comes from knowing we were created on purpose, that we have value, that we are forgiven, made right with God thru faith in Jesus, and...are dearly loved. And that while this beautiful yet disaster filled world is what it is, one day, all will be made new. Then we will know true peace. But for now, wherever we are, we can be peacemakers...in big or small ways, if we choose to plant seeds of peace... #james #keepingitreal #faithandworks

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV Like a light on my path God's word gives direction, lights the way to our ultimate destination...whether it's the Big Story of God thru history, the grace and forgiveness found in Jesus... the personal reflections found in psalms etc etc there is light for our path, no matter that mine is different to yours, the living word gives light to all of us. #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV Feet. Path. Move... This life is not about sitting still...last week Paul was talking about pressing on, here the psalm is about light, but light for the path, the journey... That doesn't mean we've always got to be doing stuff...there is rest &  restoration... the journey is to become more like Jesus...and God's word is the light for that... #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV A lamp for my feet stops me tripping over obstacles that might otherwise have made me stumble and fall. If we allow God's word to be that lamp... here's an example... I trip up because my words are harsh and I lash out with "you always..." & "you never..." Phil 4v5 Let your gentleness be evident to all 1 Cor 13v5 Love keeps no record of being wronged Lamplight to my feet to stop me stumbling in the dark of my selfishness and pride We just need to allow the Word to light our path...to be a permanent fixture in our lives...yesterday's proverb stops me holding things for myself...look at God's word as a lamp lighting our path... #psalms #psalm119 #theroad #inthistogether

Friday! Proverbs. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 NLT Being generous is not about how much...but about how. Talents, skills, time, money, resources...a listening ear, a patient heart, a gentle touch... being generous can look like a lot of things...because it's an attitude...towards others :) How often have you heard "...but I gained so much more than I gave..." this is the refreshing that comes from helping others...so...today...give, bless, encourage someone in your life. After all we follow the One who gave it all for us... #choose #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #begenerous

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13-14 NLT The race. Paul can see the end, a new world with Jesus...and that is what motivates him as he writes, and as he journeys in this world...the race needs perseverance, but always with an eye on the prize...we get glimpses of how it should be in the beauty of creation, the joy in a smile, the light in someone's eyes when hope is restored...glimpses of how it could be, how it should be... #inthistogether #presson #glimpses

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead... Philippians 3:13 NLT Paul knows his past (the people he had killed, thrown in prison, kicked out of their homes) is forgiven, and while he can't change it, the only thing he can do is use his energy, skills and time in what is ahead - his calling in God... Sometimes what holds us back is that we hang on to the past. In our heads we know it's forgiven, but we can't or won't shake it off. Paul's strategy here is to press on to the new calling in Jesus. If the past is holding you back, ask God for a calling, a task, a mission, that you can press on with...& stop looking back... #inthistogether #presson

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12 NIV Press on. Paul's faith is not passive, but active. He is always moving forward in faith - that doesn't mean it's all about being busy - pressing on to take hold of what Christ Jesus took hold of me - this journey is different for all of us, some are evangelists (as Paul was) some teachers, some...etc...so what does God have for us in this season? Friendship, outreach, parenting, mission, encouraging, learning...whatever it is at this time of your life...whatever your faith goal is, press on with it (it may even be rest, meditation, reflection...) #inthistogether #presson

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12 NIV Paul, a bible scholar, who met Jesus, who was in full time ministry says hey team, I don't have it all together yet, haven't "made it", so lets not be so hard on ourselves, after all this gospel is a gospel of love, but I'm going to push on when it's tough, gonna start over when I've got it wrong, because this life in Jesus is The Life #inthistogether #presson

In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song; This cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My comforter, my all in all Here in the love of Christ I stand. In Christ alone, Who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe! This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save. Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied; For ev'ry sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live. #hymns #sunday #worship #thisisourGod https://youtu.be/RzseOqwn8oo

Oh, how I love all you've revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long. Your commands give me an edge on my enemies; they never become obsolete. I've even become smarter than my teachers since I've pondered and absorbed your counsel. I've become wiser than the wise old sages simply by doing what you tell me. I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil so I can spend all my time keeping your Word. I never make detours from the route you laid out; you gave me such good directions. Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking. With your instruction, I understand life... Psalm 119:97-104 MSG What jumps out at you from this? For me it's absorbing God's counsel...taking in his word and living it out in my everyday life...what about you? #psalms #psalms119

Friday! Proverbs! One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. Proverbs 11:24 NIV This proverb describes countless people's experience when they have done something generous, but been blessed even more...given time, money, resources skills... given without thought of reward or return, yet blessed and encouraged... Every time you invest in the lives of others you gain something... not something you can put your finger on... And even when we have nothing to give, we can give a smile, a warm greeting, a listening heart, a gentle touch. In God's economy wealth and poverty are not measured by money... #lovepeople #livegenerously #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere. James 3:17 NLT If ever there was a passage to judge my behaviour against, this is it...an others oriented life that is genuine and the application of God's wisdom in everyday life. Lord, help me to be that person, today and everyday, to grow in your wisdom and to live and love like Jesus did. Amen #james #keepingitreal

But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. James 3:14 NIV James knows we're all giving safe harbour to something...but we like to deny it (or talk about it!) Search your heart for that envy, that wanting what someone else has, that ambition that is focussed only on me...and let it go with the tide. We can't always stop these thoughts but we don't have to give them a safe harbour to flourish in When those thoughts we given safe harbour to appear - send them out on the tide... #nosafeharbour #james #keepingitreal

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts... James 3:13-14 NIV When you give a ship harbour your giving it an opportunity to replenish itself, to strengthen itself, even nurture it...what is it that you're giving harbour to in your heart? Maybe it's selfish ambition or envy as James describes...maybe it's self doubt, fear, or hanging on to the hurts of the past...what is it that you & I are giving safe harbour to that really needs kicking out beyond the horizon? #nosafehrbourforbitternessenvyandselfishambition #james #keepingitreal

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13 NIV James is all about living out our faith...in the big decisions if life...and in the everyday choices... when we choose to show kindness, forgiveness, compassion, respect... when we choose not to keep a record of wrongs... In this iworld where humility appears to be  in such short supply, James emplores us to keep it real, to tread the path of wisdom that Jesus marks out for us... #james #keepingitreal #wisdom #humility

Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast." Matthew 9:15 NIV The disciples didn't get who Jesus was, & that he was all about life! Don't get stuck in the rules and rituals when I'm here! Right in front of you! With you. Keep that fasting to times of mourning...keep connected to the source of life! #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #wordsofJesus #with

Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered, "How..." Matthew 9:14-15 NIV It must've been a bit annoying that Jesus answered questions with questions...but it was all about getting people to think. Was it about fasting? Or had they forgotten the reason why they were fasting... Why do we take communion? Why not every Sunday? Why do you say grace before a meal? And others don't? If we've lost sight of the reason why we do things then they can just become religious activities that may be nice to do, but end up just rules to follow, something we think we have to do to be right with God... Jesus answers with a question because he wants us to think... #think

Friday! Proverbs! The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. Proverbs 11:23 NIV The more our hearts are oriented towards God, the things we yearn for, work towards, hope for, are more and more others oriented. We get less selfish, involved in causes that are bigger than us, work in jobs, projects, activities that bless and encourage others...the stuff we do, does good for someone... Where our desires and God's heart intersect, overlap...that's where we should be found... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #Godsheart

I want to know Christ - yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead Philippians 3:10-11 NIV Somehow. Not even Paul had unwrapped all the mysteries of God...and while we think that in this day and age there shouldn't be mysteries, that we should be able to know for sure every thing we want to know, with God, there are things we need to wrestle with, things that take time,  things that aren't always clear...and that is what faith is about...even when I don't have all the answers I still chose to believe... #somehow #faith

I want to know Christ - yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead Philippians 3:10-11 NIV Participation in his suffering. Like him in his death. This doesn't sound like the joyful life I'm expecting...maybe becoming like Jesus in his death is being willing to completely submit to the Father's will, to follow Jesus wherever that leads... Am I willing to say what Paul did? #somethingtochewon

I want to know Christ - yes, to know the power of his resurrection... Philippians 3:10 NIV Sometimes we just want to know the version of Jesus that we're most comfortable with - maybe that's the Jesus that calls the children, or heals the sick...but Paul encourages us to want to know all of who Jesus is, including the less comfortable Jesus who hung out with the worst of society, who got angry with the money changers, who starved in the desert...the Jesus who is God, who died sacrificial ly and in humility, and who rose again with power and authority...I want to know the whole Jesus... #jesusatthecentre

When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions...she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her... 2 Chronicles 9:1-4 NIV Even tho she was queen, had all the power and wealth that goes with it, she had questions. Hard questions. Questions she'd been wrestling with that kept her up at night And she went to find answers at the source of wisdom - wisdom that came directly from God. Where do we look for answers? Jesus said that a greater than Solomon had arrived - and that was him. The source Where answers are found... #happybirthdayqueenelizabeth #jesusatthecentre

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him... Philippians 3:8-9 NIV So what did Paul give up? What did he lose? His job His reputation His authority and power As a consequence he probably lost his wealth, friends and maybe property... But none of it mattered compared to knowing Jesus. Paul according to an ancient historian was beheaded by Nero, so likely he gave even his life for his faith, for what he believed...because k knowing Jesus was so much more valuable than anything... #rightwall #jesusatthecentre #sunday #worship

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him... Philippians 3:8-9 NIV There's a quote about spending all our time climbing the ladder of success only to find when you reach the top, that ladder is leaning against the wrong wall...here Paul says all the stuff I've done, success I had, was worthless. Jesus is the right wall. Keep leaning in to him, the things of true worth are found in him. Keep your ladder on his wall. Then, no matter if you have success in the eyes of this world or not, your life and mine will have eternal significance #rightwall #jesusatthecentre

Friday! Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful face on an empty head. Proverbs 11:22 MSG Sometimes the Message captures the essence so well... Our culture seems to place more value on celebrity, on appearance, and has lost touch with substance... It's getting harder to debate ideas - even in universities - we are losing the real relationships in a torrent of social media...so keep in God's word... Not just when you need an answer, but every day, look to Him as the source of truth and wisdom, a lamp and a light to your path #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews in regard to the law, a Pharisee as for zeal, persecuting the church as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.  But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. Philippians 3:4-7 NIV Paul was at the top of the religious hierarchy, if anyone could be saved by their effort and religious activity it was him. Years of training, study & effort...even the right bloodline...yet...it meant nothing now he knows Jesus. How easy is it to let our religious observance or activity replace Jesus... #jesusatthecentre

This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue - its never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can't go on. A spring doesnt gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? ...You're not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you? James 3:7-12 MSG It's a battle to keep our words in check whether it's cursing, judging, criticising, putting others down, gossip...a battle we must fight every day...so that our words are that clear cool water #james #keepingitreal #watchyourwords #speaklife