verseoftheday

Friday! Not Proverbs! So don't be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand, don't be too wicked either. Don't be a fool! Why die before your time? Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes. Ecclesiastes 7:16-18 NLT Interesting verses...it's not saying don't be passionate or resolute in what you believe, or that compromise is the only way forward...but to avoid extremism. Because in being extreme we so easily lose sight of people, other people. We get frustrated that they don't see the issue or the world the way we do...and we lose them. Extremism divides, & we risk losing our influence, perspective & balance... So easy to lose sight of what Love says when we're on the extreme... #gatherwisdom #somethingtochewon #lovepeople

...I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness. Ecclesiastes 7:15 NIV I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11 NIV Much as we hate to admit it, our parents tried to teach us, we've no doubt seen this in our lives and in the lives of others...life on this earth is not always fair. Sometimes there is no answer. We may not like it, but wisdom says it's true. Its easy to put ourselves on the losing side of unfair, but if you've grown up in a UN refugee camp in the Sudan, (or 1,000 other examples from around the world) just looking in on your life in NZ says loudly that life is not fair... #gatherwisdom #somethingtochewon

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this; God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future. Ecclesiastes 7:14 NIV We like to think that we're in control of everything, masters of our destiny...if we work hard we'll win... But...wisdom says that ain't always the case...that sometimes despite our best efforts we don't make the cut, that bad stuff happens in this world, that despite our research or investment...we lose... Wisdom says there are good days and there are bad days, and they aren't necessarily connected to anything you or I have done...or not done. So enjoy the good wherever you find it... #gatherwisdom #somethingtochewon

Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? Ecclesiastes 7:13 NIV If I was God there's a few things I'd do differently -,and there's a few things I'd fix - right now! But I'm not...and in this world there are some things that you just can't fix. Doesn't mean we shouldn't fight for what is right or stand against injustice or be part of God's restoration of this world... Doesn't mean we give up walking with someone who's struggling... Or maybe it's a more personal hurt that is crippling, or a physical ailment...even Paul prayed for healing that never came... Wisdom says hand it over to God, keep talking with Him, but accept that there are some things you just can't fix #gatherwisdom #somethingtochewon

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun.  Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it. Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 NIV Had a great message on Wisdom from Ecc 7 last night...so will try and share the key things I learned... Wisdom is a good thing for all of us who walk on the earth - it provides shelter...and ultimately it preserves because it brings us into a right relationship with God - that's the best preservation possible So gather wisdom From God His Word His people People in general - made in the image & likeness of God there are glimpses of Him in all people & pieces of wisdom can be found everywhere... #wisdom #itsagoodthing #gather

Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. Matthew 12:13-14 NIV So Jesus worked on the Sabbath. Was that all it took to get him killed? Or was it that the Pharisees were afraid that their power base and livelihood was at risk? I have a touch of Pharisee too...when God works in someone's life I've been part of I'd like some credit too. What about me? Or maybe you've planned out your life but God clearly has something different for you... Jesus challenges the status quo - don't plot to kill him off #sunday #worship #lostanhour

How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.   Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand" So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. Matthew 12:12-14 NIV People That's who Jesus came for, that's what He was all about. People Us He saw value where others didn't, & brought physical healing...simply and without drama...to show again that He is who He said He is. But the Pharisees couldn't see it. They couldn't see the man with a need, they couldn't see Jesus for who he was as they were bound up in their own world view. We need to keep challenging our own behaviour and choices so that we don't lose sight of what's most important #lovepeople

Friday! Already! From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward. Proverbs 12:14 NIV What we say And What we do So often we focus on the negative, don't do...don't say...don't talk like that But this proverb is all about the blessing that flows from speaking well and of doing good. Sometimes its easy...its an overflow of a heart that is joyful... and then there are times when its hard, when we feel that life stinks, our hearts are dry... And this proverb gently encourages us to speak life anyway, to do good anyway... and while the reward may not be immediate...it will arrive :) #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand... Matthew 12:9 NLT Jesus noticed. The Greek word used here is horoa which means "to see", to perceive, to attend to...it's like this person had become invisible to everyone but Jesus. He wasn't part of the in-crowd, the popular or the important But Jesus saw him And He sees us. Even with our brokenness & hurts...whether that's on the outside like this guy, or on the inside (like the Pharisees) Jesus really sees us. And in seeing, says you're important, you're loved, you're the reason I'm here... And to be Jesus hands and feet we need to see people too...the invisible...the not so popular...those on the margins... #lovepeople

Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, "Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?" (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.) And he answered "If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldnt you work to pull it out? Of course you would.  And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath" Matthew 12:9-12 NLT For all their love of the law and doing what's "right" they'd lost sight of the person. With Jesus it's all about the people. Us He sees what is broken on the outside but also what is broken on the inside - & that we are all equally in need of grace. #wordsofJesus #grace

And haven't you read...that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! But you would not have condemned...if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices" Matthew 12:5-7 NLT Not only was Jesus clearly stating that he was the long waited for Messiah, but the importance of knowing God's word for yourself...and... not missing the heart of it. Even in the midst of the old sacrificial system it wasn't the ritual in itself God was interested in, it wasn't obedience to a rule - it was and is and always will be about the heart. Mercy trumps sacrifice It's the law of love that drives God and what He wants to drive us too... Where do I need to let mercy triumph? #itstheheart #wordsofJesus

For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ... Ephesians 1:5 AMPC Someone once told this story: A young couple had planned for and longed for a child. The baby was born, but lived only a few days &  she died. Some "kind" person said "you're young, you can have another" While that may have been true, in their hearts, no matter how many children they went on to have, there would always be a gap in their heart for the one who was lost. God is like that parent. Just much bigger, but with a place in His heart that only you can fill - and somehow he knew that from before time - so in case you forgot, you're dearly loved... #dearlyloved #childrenofGod

Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4 AMPC In school did you ever have games where 2 captains picked their teams...who they wanted first? God says to each of us "I pick you first" I want you on my team. You Chosen Known Loved And when we respond to that call to join His team, to step out of the line, blameless Blameless Our sin is dealt with, our past is irrelevant, our future is secure, and our present...is to be lived! Lived in the freedom that we are chosen... #dearlyloved #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #free

The grace (spiritual favor and blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) be with your spirit. Amen (so be it). Philippians 4:23 AMPC Oct 14, 2015 we started Philippians 1:1 with a reflection on Paul & Timothy, teams, being in this together...& today we finish this book with a blessing from Paul - may the grace of the Lord be with your spirit - so be it May that grace be known to you today. Sometimes it's there and we don't see it...it's there in a word or a touch, it's there in creation, design, beauty, or its there deep in our soul (but we let the noise of this world crowd it out) The ultimate team is God within us... May your heart be encouraged today, and may you choose to touch the life of someone else, to speak life and blessing today... #philippians #inthistogether #grace #sobeit

Friday! Proverbs! The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble. Proverbs 12:13 NLT Have you ever been trapped by your own words? Happens to me too often & I need to apologise, back off, change tack... Happened this week when a conversation drifted into criticism and I went happily with it... And why? Because the values that I believe and want to live by are at war with my inclination - where I go way too easily The godly escape all this - it's called sanctification - the ongoing, lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus Jesus loved people. Delighted in them He knows that in all of us is someone made in the image of God...and as my heart gets more aligned with his, my thoughts and words will no longer trap me... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #itstheheart

Give our regards to every follower of Jesus you meet. Our friends here say hello. All the Christians here, especially the believers who work in the palace of Caesar, want to be remembered to you... Philippians 4:21-22 MSG As Paul wraps up his letter with some final encouragement he includes  the astounding claim of Christians within Caesars house - Caesar who was "god" - and these people were sending their love and encouragement out...maybe there's people you know who live or work in Caesars house - places that are anti christian - who could do with our ongoing support and encouragement. Often those who live in adversity have the most outward looking faith... Who do I know who lives or works in the house of Caesar that I can encourage? #encourageoneanother

But I have [your full payment] and more; I have everything I need and am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. [They are the] fragrant odor of an offering and sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights. Philippians 4:18 AMPC Every gift, every act of grace, every time we do something sacrificially, when we do something for others no matter how small or how big...that's something God welcomes and delights in! He knows. And He loves it! Because He loves you and delights in you :) What opportunity is there today to delight God? Lord, give me the opportunity today to bless or encourage someone in a new way for me, and Lord, give me the courage to do it. Amen #grace #lovepeople #loveinaction 

Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. Philippians 4:17 NIV Giving somehow blesses us, and develops our character...it's not about the gift or the size if it, but what giving does to us... I don't think God is keeping a tab of the good things we do in the context of who's doing more...but in the cumulative effect of grace in the world around us as we help a neighbour, or someone with their assignment, a task, bear someones burden, share their load, or feed someone, visit, encourage...and give...this is God's grace at work in the world through us...and somehow...in us as well. Grace changes us when we receive it...and also when we give it... #somethingtochewon #grace #lovepeople

Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don't say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. Philippians 4:16-17 NLT Your giving (as the Msg translation says) was a beautiful thing. The Philippians gave and even when Paul was at another church gave some more. One of the challenging things in our culture is to give, support, love, encourage people when their situation is chronic, when their condition won't improve... We're often good at helping - once. Here Paul is commending his supporters for keeping in the game. So don't give up on doing good...give again, invite again, cook a meal for someone again, visit again, send an encouragement again... #keepinthegame #lovepeople

You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. Psalms 119:114 NLT To need a refuge and a shield their must be something to fear, something we need protection from...what is it in your life? For me it's often the battle within...about choices, attitudes, actions...fears... What about you? And where do we turn? The Psalmist looks to our God first & foremost. And it is in Him that hope is placed. In His word. The word became flesh and dwelled amongst us, personified God, represents God to us, and represents us to God. In him is my hope. That Jesus is who he said he is...and that one day all will be made new #jesusatthecentre #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #hope

And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their parents, "What do these stones mean?" tell them..." Joshua 4:20-22 NIV Stories Memorials Not just any stories, but the stories of God's miracles, His intervention, His activity in your life and in your heart, your experience of Him... Why? Because we forget. We forget who God is, we forget what He's done, we forget what He's done in our lives & the lives of others & let our circumstances or our feelings dictate how we see God Unless we have some memorial stones of when God did... of answers to prayer, of lives changed, of who God is, what He is about in the world...& our part in it... #memorials #stories #somethingtochewon

Friday! Proverbs! Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. Proverbs 12:11 NIV Work your land - use your skills, talents & resources & you'll probably be OK...but when we "bet the farm" on that one deal, the deal that all the advice says won't work, or we take our paycheck to the casino, or believe that the lotto numbers are ours - this week! - that's chasing fantasies. It may even be subtler than that...i want to be the mayor, CEO, PM, All Blk captan or ? when I'm not prepared to put in the effort, study, practice, sacrifice or what it takes to get there... Yes shoot for the stars, aim high, but Solomon here says use some wisdom as well... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #keepingitreal

He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?...  Or havent you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty... Matthew 12:3-5 NIV How much of our faith are we consuming second hand? We read books about the Bible, listen to sermons by others but just don't take the time to dig into it for ourselves... In this case the teachers of the law had read it, but misused it to suit their own purposes... No better investment than having a dig around in God's word for yourself... meditate on it... muse on it... get beyond what others say and engage with The Word... #wordsofJesus #haventyouread #muse

At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, "Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath" Matthew 12:1-2 NLT When I drive my car, I keep left...rules are good. They keep us safe. But they can also bind us up when we lose sight of the reason behind them, & sometimes the rules  become The Thing, & we lose sight of the person...and we become like the Pharisees. Jesus came as the fulfillment of the law. The embodiment of it but also freedom from it. The new era, the new Kingdom, is found in Him and through Him. It's law is love. #jesusatthecentre

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only... Philippians 4:14-16 NIV Commended for their generosity. While this is a church Paul is writing to, church's are just collections of people and reflect us...am I generous? Paul was supported by only one church in the early days - would I support someone financially if I was the only one? If it wasn't cool yet? It's never about how much with God, but about the heart...it's not about whether the cause is high profile...but do we share, give, contribute from a heart of love. #begenerous

Come to me, all you are weary and burdened...take my yoke upon you and learn from me... for my yoke is easy and my burden is light Matthew 11:28-30 NIV A yoke is a wooden crosspiece fastened over the necks of 2 animals and attached to the plough or cart that they are to pull. Jesus shares our burden, but doesn't add to but lightens our load. A picture to mull over of burdens shared and walking together... A yoke is also the part of a garment that fits over the shoulders to which the rest of the garment is attached - without it the garment falls apart... Jesus yoked together with us... Jesus holds us together... Jesus with his arms  around our shoulders... Mull these verses over wherever you are today... #wordsofJesus #journey #gentle #humble

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me... For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 NIV Come to me For rest It's not about following rules or about our performance It's not about what you have to do...but what you choose... Jesus simply says choose me And I'll walk with you...we'll share...you'll learn what it's like to be me, my heart of love for you...and for the lost...you'll learn what breaks my heart and how you can help with that And I'll learn about your heart, your deepest needs and I'll help you with what burdens you as we journey together... #wordsofJesus #journey #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29 NIV There is no promise that our burdens will magically disappear...no health wealth and happiness...but... the opportunity to get to the heart of what's going on in the very core of who we are, & Jesus says I'll walk with you in that, if you let me journey with you we'll manage that burden between us, & as we journey together, if you ask, & listen, 'cos I'm not going to push anything on you...you'll find the real rest you're looking for...the inner rest, rest for your soul #wordsofJesus #restforyoursoul #journey #inthistogether #gentle #humble

Friday! Proverbs! Better to be ordinary and work for a living than act important and starve in the process. Proverbs 12:9 MSG The problem is its nice to feel important. The author calls us out when we make poor financial decisions just so that others are impressed...but whether it's owing something we can't afford, or trying to impress with our looks, speech, performance, status...none of it lasts! The truth is this: The creator of the universe has a space in his heart that only you can fill. You're the object of his love. You don't need the accolades of this world, the praise of others, nice tho that is, to give you worth. It's ok to be "ordinary" when your already chosen... #childrenofGod #dearlyloved #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles... Philippians 4:13-14 NIV While Paul knew how to be content despite his circumstances, & he was reliant on God, he's also grateful for the support of others in his life (& he just like us, he had troubles) There are times we need to lean on others, & there's times that we need to be God's hands and feet & be a supporter, an encourager... None of us can do this on our own...we're made for community, designed for relationships, & need others to complement our weaknesses, find the way when we're lost, hold us when we're hurt...walk with us on this journey... #inthistogether #lovepeople #grace