verseoftheday

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:1-6 NIV Familiar words that we often put ourselves in centre of...what happens if we read this song as Jesus would...try it, read it as if you were Jesus. Where would you be? What does it say about relationship, trust, faith & hope? As 2017 comes to a close, may our relationship with our Heavenly Father be strengthened, may we trust Him as Jesus did, choose to put our faith in Him regardless of our circumstances, and...

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Psalm 23:1 NIV I attended a funeral this week, and if nothing else, funerals force us to think of our own mortality. To think about what's really important. To think about what we really believe. In David's reflection he knows that he is complete, secure, free, whole, fulfilled, known...loved. There's nothing more needed. Yet this is a poem, a song, and for me reflects a partial reality in which I live...sometimes I know this in my head, but don't feel it, choose to believe even when my circumstances scream something else, wrestle with what the Shepherd is doing (or not doing). It's a song, and that partial reality will one day give way to the fullness of heaven...where we will be complete, secure, free, whole, fulfilled, known...loved. #psalms #psalm23 #hope

Friday! Proverbs! A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 NIV Eleanor Roosevelt is credited with this quote: "Comparison is the thief of joy" The 10th commandment is "do not covet". And here, the writer says envy will eat us up from the inside...it mangles up our thoughts, drives us to make poor decisions, and eventually ruins our health. So what's the antidote? The heart at peace. Where does that come from? Love. Love that says "you're so valuable, so precious to me that I died for you" Love that says it's you I love, not some version of you that society or other people might say is better...the transforming love of the Gospel. And that brings peace. The peace that allows, more than allows, strengthens us to be genuinely happy for the success of others (however that looks) and not want to grasp it for ourselves... Knowing we are dearly loved. #antidote #peace

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Psalm 23:1 NIV A shepherd operates in almost a different world to the sheep, sees things the sheep can't see, thinks about things in a way the sheep can't, looks at circumstances in a different way to the sheep... We like to think we can fathom it all, figure it all out...but if the Lord is our shepherd, then maybe there's more mystery than we know, He sees our circumstances in a different way...sees our world, us, in ways we can't fathom, loves us in ways we can't quite grasp...but shouldn't stop trying too... #somethingtochewon #mystery #psalms #psalm23

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, Matthew 2:14 NIV According to Google maps it's 860km from Bethlehem to Egypt. 10 days by foot (maybe less by donkey - but just imagine 86km per day on a donkey...in the desert...) Jesus earliest experiences were not easy pleasant fun filled days at the beach... If you're on holiday, great :) Rest, restore, recharge for the challenges ahead. And today if you're facing difficulty, hurt, loss, know that we have a saviour who walks with us through that, who's life on earth started with a difficult journey, and ended with the most difficult journey of all...to the cross, who in his humanity understands this life, and in his divinity made a way to restore it once and for all. #dearlyloved #itsajourney #inthistogether

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up", he said, "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 2:13-14 NIV The first Boxing Day was not filled with leftovers and rest, but Joe & Mary getting up in the middle of the night and running for their lives! Sadly today there's still people around the world running for their lives. Closer to home there will be people we know who are lonely, hurting, in hospital...perhaps there's some time we can carve out to visit, or connect in some way with others. After all Christmas is about giving... #boxingday #lovepeople

... and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11 NIV Angels, dreams, a miraculous conception, a visit with the king, some clever GPS navigation using  the stars...what happens next? Worship. They bowed down in worhsip. We seem to get caught up in the gifts, but it's worship first. Then gifts. Mother Theresa said this: "It's Christmas every time you let God love others through you. It's Christmas every time you smile at your brother & offer him your hand" May that be our gift not just today, but for all our days... #christmas #upsidedownkingdom #loveGod #lovepeople

"...We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the peoples chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied... Matthew 2:2-5 NIV King Herod was disturbed. The whole city was disturbed. The news must've spread like a fire thru the city...and people were agitated, stirred up...on Christmas Eve something was brewing. The priests knew from their OT study this was the real deal Herod feared this was the real deal Everyone in the city was getting agitated because things were going to change... When Jesus comes, he doesn't allow us to remain the same Herod was afraid of losing power The city wanted a change in their circumstances Yet Jesus was coming not in power to bring change, but in humility, in the most humble of circumstances, to bring a heart change......

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 NIV Christmas is about the gift, the gift of Jesus to all mankind, but without finishing well...Christmas would not really matter. If  Jesus hadn't fought for us, finished the race, seen it through, kept the faith, then where would we be? Who helps us to fight the good fight (to choose the right battle), inspires us to finish the race (to preservere to the end, to keep pushing on no matter what), and to keep the faith (to believe when it's hard, to keep our eyes on the author and perfector of our faith) When you find people who can speak into your life in those ways, journey with them, tuck in behind them when you need some shelter, and follow their example... #itsajourney #inthistogether #thanksDad

Friday! Proverbs! A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 NIV 3,000 odd years ago God's wisdom stated there's a link between our emotional and spiritual health, and our physical health. A heart at peace - how do we get that? When we know that there is an answer to the big questions of life... does my life have purpose and meaning... where did we come from... and where are we going, what's next. When we have confidence that God is who he said he is, that he entered creation because we are worth it to Him, that we are dearly loved children of God, and that relationship is the thing...and it started with Jesus miraculous birth... the first Christmas. This is the gift that gives the heart peace. Rest in it this Christmas #proverbs #wisdom #dearlyloved #childrenofGod

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV Yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end...at this time of year we look to the birth of Jesus, the miracle and mystery of new life...yet at the same time others are coming to an end...and then there's wrestling with what God's about in the in-between...sometimes we need to just embrace the mystery...the gaps...but at the same time to hang on to the truth that has been revealed... embodied in the person of Jesus - where our hope rests #christmas

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV Eternity in the human heart... we so want something to live on... It's never our business, or where we live, but it's people, relationships...love. Love matters. It cannot be just some primordial reaction in our brain that helped our ancestors survive, we know that there's something deeper and more eternal in our hearts. Love matters. So Christmas matters, as Hope was born in a stable 2000 years ago. Messiah Saviour The One who would save his people, not just to make a way, but to be the way. We give gifts in some small way to reflect the gift we've been given, the gift that today in part, and one day fully, make clear the eternity that has been placed in our hearts #lovematters #loveGod #lovepeople #itsagift #christmas

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:1-2 NIV Everyone is searching for "the one", the one with the answers to the big questions of life...what is it's purpose, where did we come from, where are we going when it's all over...why are we here... These guys knew. Knew that there was something more going on here than just an earthly King of a people who were ruled by the Romans anyway...they came to literally kiss the ground at his feet... They knew he was the One with the answers, the One worthy of their worship. No matter what your story or today's circumstances, it's who we choose to seek out, who we choose to worhsip is the most important thing. As these wise men did, choose Jesus. #christmas

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave himself the name Jesus. Matthew 1:24-25 NIV Joseph's dream, the visit from the angel was enough. Enough for Joseph to change the trajectory of his life... Joe could've taken the safe way, deicded that the dream was, well, just a dream & follow his own path, but the dream was enough. Enough to take the high risk route, to take responsibility for a baby that wasn't his, enough to believe that the  baby is God's son, and is going to save the world... That belief changed Joseph's life, his choices and actions. Who we believe that baby is, does the same for us. Who we believe that baby is shapes everything... #christmas

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"). Matthew 1:22-23NIV Not only is Jesus the God who saves, but he is God with us! No longer a God no one can see without being consumed, no longer a God who meets in the temple that must be purified, with priests as intermediaries, no longer with the power to create the universe...but born the same way we all were, a vulnerable baby, just like us, completely dependent on his parents...why on earth would God do that? Why would Jesus take that humbling, reduction? To be born in a barn. Because He loves. Us. Jesus the saviour is God with us. #christmas #itsalovestory #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:20-21 NIV The name of Jesus... Iesous, Jesus, the transliteration of the Hebrew term (Yehoshua/Jehoshua, contracted to Joshua) which means "Yahweh saves" (or Yahweh is salvation) Right from the beginning his mission was not only relayed to his dad, but it was in his name. Yahweh Saves Every time we pray in that name, cry out in that name, sing that name, we can have, just like Joseph had, the confidence that God saves. He has He does He will It's his mission. It's his name. #YahwehSaves

Friday! Proverbs! A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined. Proverbs 14:28 NIV For a king to rule successfully, the people need to be willing to be his subjects. We kind of have that with our Queen, but the Prince, who wants to be King, fewer people seem keen on him. We choose Presidents or Prime Ministers, and they need popular support to stay in power. And there's always princes wanting to take their place... But God's kingdom does not rely on popularity. Jesus was born in poverty, his family were refugees, he  died alone apparently power less. He didn't enter the story to get power, but to give it up! He humbled himself. And why? Because he loves. He loves the one. You. #upsidedownkingdom

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream... Matthew 1:20 NIV Joseph. All round good guy, pragmatic, thinking about others, a carpenter, practical... He'd thought about the situation, decided a course of action...and then he had a dream. An angel visited him in a dream. This word for "dream" used here is found 6 times in the NT. Joseph, the Wise Men, and Pilates wife, and they all related directly to Jesus, 5 dreams at the beginning of his life, and one at the end. God seemed to use an extraordinary means of communication for this extraordinary time... Joseph wasn't the key person in the story, yet God chose to communicate with him in an extraordinary way. Our God is interested in us, even if we feel like our contribution to his kingdom is small, that we're ordinary, sometimes he just chooses to do extraordinary things in or through us... #christmas

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about : His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 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. Matthew 1:18-19 NIV If you want all the drama around this, read Like, but Matthew just gives us the succinct version... Mary. Engaged. Pregnant. God was involved. Joseph. Good bloke. Joseph here is our model for finding elegant solutions to tricky problems. He was concerned for Mary. For the person, yet wanted to follow the law...how to find a way to love the person and satisfy the law? Ironically it's the child who he eventually becomes Dad to, who with his own life loves us, and satisfies the law by dying in our place. #christmas #love #dearlyloved

Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba. Genesis 21:14 NIV We're at the end of Hagar's story, but the encouraging thing is that she endured some difficult circumstances, yet God was at work honouring His covenants and bringing about His purposes. We can be sure that God is at work. We may not see it, agree with Him, think He's right, but in the end we have to trust Him. The challenging thing is that Hagar still went through all of this. In the middle of it Hagar (& neither do we) know how the story ends. Do we still hold firm in our faith regardless of our circumstances? That's a challenge. Do I really want a God who'll give me what I want? Do I still trust Him? When I look at the cross, I have to say "yes". #faith #hope #love

God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there..." Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. Genesis 21:17, 19 NIV Was the well there the whole time but she couldn't see it? God had made a way, a way to save Hagar and it was right there. Water. Jesus said he is the living water. The water that answers our deepest questions, that addresses the thirst in our soul... And He's right there. He's made a way. He asks the question that he already knows the answer to... Hagar got water for that day that rescued her from a desperate situation...we get living water to rescue us from the desperate situation of our soul... #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #rescued #heknowsyourname

When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, "Let me not look on the death of the child." And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. Genesis 21:15-16 ESV The food was long gone, and the water had run out, alone in the desert...all hope  was gone. And she cried. It's OK to cry. Hagar's circumstances were as extreme as they get (yet sadly in our world of so much wealth and plenty, not unusual. Just like Hagar & Ishamel people are forced from their homes, to see their children die because of fear, power, greed...) And she cried. Sometimes we get the impression it's not OK to cry, especially as Christians, but it is. Hagar's choicies were non existent and hope was gone. And the greater loss was of her son. Many years later another son was abandoned to die, not because of anything he had done, no...

Friday! Proverbs! The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27 NIV The snares of death...what snares us? Wealth? Fame? Power? Or is it the more subtle...comfort... Or that I talk myself up or put you down to feel better for a moment... Gossip... juicy morsels... Comparing. Jealousy. Self. -ish -orientation -salvation - if I'm good enough, obedient enough, do enough then God will bless me... The snares that eat us up, don't lead to life, but to death... But the Fountain of Life is Jesus. A fountain that freely pumps Life, available to all #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba. Genesis 21:14 NIV Was Abraham paying the price for giving Sarah into the King's harem to save his own skin? Was it just Sarah being vindictive? Regretting the scheme to get a son in the first place? It certainly wasn't anything that Hagar had done, but she was paying the price. Despised. Rejected Sent outside the safety and security of her home. We too have One who paid the price for our sin. Despised. Rejected. Sent outside the gate to die a criminal's death... I've made selfish decisions just like Abraham, shown no grace or forgiveness just like Sarah, and am in need of a saviour. What a wonderful thing that  we have one :) #grace

Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said...But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac. Genesis 21:1, 9-10 NIV Isaac has just been born, and Ishmael is 14 yrs old. What did he do? Probably said the baby was ugly as teenage boys are likely to do... After all God had done for them, Sarah couldn't extend a sliver of the grace that she'd been given. She reduced Hagar to a label. And as a label, it was easy to kick Hagar & Ishmael out. I've grown to love Hagar over the last couple of weeks, and was ready to rip into Sarah over this, but then I realised that I do this too...label people. And then it's so easy not to extend a sliver of the grace I've received to anyone else. I'm just like Sarah. But God does not label us. He knows your name. #dearlyloved #grace

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." Genesis 16:13-14 NIV Our neighbours had children of their own, plus an adopted daughter. This young woman didn't get the same educational opportunities as the other children, so worked in the house and the garden. Priscilla was her name. And she came and worked for us too. And one day we discovered that not only had she not had the same opportunities, but she'd never had a birthday :( Not even the simplest of celebrations. Ever. Almost invisible. There'll be people in our world who're almost invisible...people who serve in shops, the person no one greets when they come into the room, the old person...the person everyone assumes is OK - but no one asks... It's up to us to be God's hands and feet of love and if needed, even give them a birthday... #lovepeople

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi ; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered. Genesis 16:13-14 NIV Why would Hagar say that to God? Because for her whole life, she'd been invisible. The servant girl. Who had no life, no aspirations, no dreams... except to do just what Sarai wants... And now for the first time, someone has seen her as an individual. As a person. She was seen. Who are the invisible in your world? The unseen. And if you feel like that, invisible, there's a place called the "well of the living One who sees me" where Hagar found out that God sees her, knows her, and loves her. #dearlyloved

The angel of the Lord found Hagar... And he said, "Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?" "I'm running away from my mistress, Sarai" she answered. Then the angel of the Lord told her "Go back to your mistress and submit to her...I will increase your descendents...you're pregnant..." Genesis 16:7-11NIV Hagar knew where she'd come from but had no idea where she was going. But God had a plan for her. He had a future for her. Life must've seemed hopeless to Hagar. But God had a plan to make a way, to redeem what had been done. Yes I'm asking you to go back. Yes it might be hard. Oh and by the way if you didn't realise you're going to have a baby... But I'm with you in this. I'm making the same promise to you I made to Abram. You (the outcast, used, abused, & alone) are important to me. You may not know your future, but I am with you. #with #sunday #worship #thisisourGod...

The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, "Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?" Genesis 16:7-9 NIV Hagar is probably just a teenager, fleeing from everyone she knows, the victim of abuse, and the angel of the Lord finds her... It's never quite clear who that is, but I like to think in this case it was Jesus who found her. He looked her in the eye and gently asks "what's your story?" What's your past? And what does your future look like? Perhaps for the first time in her life, someone is interested in Hagar, someone really wants to know about her. This is what God calls us to do - to be genuinely interested in other people, to show that with open questions...to hear their story... #lovepeople

Friday! Proverbs! Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. Proverbs 14:26 NIV A fortress doesn't mean there's no enemy. That there'll be no battles, no storms, no seiges or trouble. It does mean when those things hit we have somewhere to go... We know that nothing can separate us from God's love. Once we're in his family, we won't be kicked out. And that faith should be visible to others - in this proverb it's children, but it could as easily be our friends, flatmates etc, when they need shelter, when  they need refuge, they see in us a place to run to... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #refuge #shelterinthestorm

"Your slave is in your hands," Abram said. "Do with her whatever you think best." Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.  The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; Genesis 16:6-7 NIV Abram, Sarai, & Hagar. Hagar, powerless, used, abused... hurt and on the run. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. When we have power and authority we can't lose sight of the person who might be affected by our decisions. Who went after Hagar? God did. The father to the fatherless, the binder of broken hearts, went searching for Hagar, the powerless, marginalised, damaged...this is who God's heart is for...and who ours needs to be too... And. If you're feeling like that, God is for you :) #lovepeople #dearlyloved

Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, "The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her." Abram agreed to what Sarai said... Genesis 16:1-3 NIV What was Sarai thinking? Seems that the importance of having an heir, the importance of the cultural norm of bearing a son, overwhelmed her judgement and her faith. Before we judge her too quickly, don't we do some of the same things? Why can't I be 30 and single? Why does working long hours/ being "busy" give credibility? Only paid work is valuable... There are pressures that are subtle and some that are really in your face, but they can lead us to make poor decisions, just like Sarai... Jesus said to love God, and love people. If we keep that as our guide, then the cultural pressures lose their power... #inthistogether

Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, "The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her." Abram agreed to what Sarai said... Genesis 16:1-3 NIV Abram not only made dumb decisions on his own, but also when they were the ideas of others. No mention of seeking God now. Keep seeking God. If we're struggling with what next, where to, why doesn't God answer...keep seeking Him, keep coming back to church, worshipping together. Abram & Sarai had been there for 10 years, he was 86 years old...they just decided to make their own way... I'm the same. God sort this out for me. Now is good. And if you don't, well I'll just forget what I know about you, your call on my life, living in a way that honours you...I can't wait for you God, get with my programme... When God isn't answering, keep seeking Him anywa...

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 NIV From the earliest of times it's always been about faith. About what we believe. Abram had uprooted his clan, followed God's call, for years moved all over the Middle East...but what did God really value? His faith. That he believed God No matter what his circumstances. No matter that God's promise may have seemed impossible. He believed God. What we believe is important. That God is who he says he is, that we can know him by knowing Jesus, that the Bible is him revealed to us, that it's faith that makes us right with him...now part of his family...and nothing, nothing can snatch us from him... And one day, all will be made new. No matter our circumstances No matter if it seems impossible. #believe #faith

A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. Proverbs 14:25 NIV In 1 John 2, John speaks of Jesus as our witness, advocating on our behalf, speaking the truth of our position. This witness speaks not only the truth about us, but is absolutely compelling. His testimony cannot be reduted, rebutted, or undone. It's on the back of not just what he says, but what he did. That's what makes this witness credible. Jesus is our truthful witness, and its our life that he saves, so we're free. Free of the penalty of sin, free from the mistakes we've made, free from the past. Free to live. Free to be thankful, free to worship. Jesus stepped in when we couldn't, did what we couldn't, so that we are free. How good is that! #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #childofGod #accepted #dearlyloved

A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. Proverbs 14:25 NIV Sometimes we are our own false witness...we have that tape running deep inside which says... I'm not good enough, a failure, too tall/short/ugly, unlovable, damaged...and we allow it to keep us down, stop us from taking risks, stop us from living... But Jesus says "I died for you. And you know what? You were worth it" When a child makes a mistake, it doesn't change their position in the family. They're no less loved, no less belonging (ok so not great English but you get it right?) Maybe that internal message pops up only rarely, or maybe it's everyday, but when it does, we need to actively replace that false witness with the truth #childofGod #accepted #dearlyloved

Friday! Proverbs! A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. Proverbs 14:25 NIV This is a verse that encourages those in medicine, science, law, teaching...pastors... parents... and friends... Eg when we see the truth of someones medical condition it can save their life. When we see the truth of someone's heart attitude, it can save their life And ultimately if we see the truth of our own spiritual condition, we realise that everyone is in the same spot, and it's only Grace that saves. The Truth saves, and in the same way, diluting, skirting, or being a false witness to the truth does not. Paul says to speak the truth in love. Love doesn't change the truth, but love finds a way to make truth save... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars... Genesis 15:5-6 ESV Where was Abram? Inside. Where it's warm. Comfortable. God took him outside...where it's chilly, and dark. And said look up at the night sky...yes it's dark but look towards the light...look and wonder... Sometimes God calls us (& sometimes we just find ourselves) out of the comfort and warm and in the cold and dark...but He says look up, look toward the light and wonder... #wonder

And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." And he believed the Lord , and he counted it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:5-6 ESV What was God doing? Come outside Abe. Have a look. Look. And wonder. Wonder about the promise. Wonder about the beauty. Wonder about what you can see...and what you can't Wonder at the hands behind it all Wonder that I've called you. Wonder that I love you. The night sky was there the previous night, and the next night, but Abram really saw what was in front of him that night...what's in front of us that we've lost our sense of wonder? That points us to God but we've lost sight of it? Maybe it's the stars, creation, people, new life, music, art, design, colour... What's in front of us? #wonder #life #promise

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." But Abram said, "O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" Genesis 15:1-2 ESV Abe had just had a successful hostage recovery mission, & knew God was with him. And God says Fear Not I'm your shield. I'm beyond military might & I'm on your team. And Abe says But what about an heir? How are you going to work this out? I can't see how. I'm getting really old...and it's all going to Eliezer. But. What's our But with God? I know you're good but... I know you can heal but... I seem to be stuck with a second rate outcome. An Eliezer. But. Abe doesn't know how this ends, doesn't know if this is the end. Just like us. What is it that we "But God" about? Do we still trust him to be our shield regard...

So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord . Genesis 13:18 NIV God asked Abram to move...then he was forced to move because of famine, then expelled by Pharaoh... We move for all kinds of reasons...education, work, relationships, travel, ministry, family...usually for us its our choice... One of the repeating things in Abram's journeys is his focus on worship. He built a reminder of who God is, a place to meet with Him. When we move, what are our priorities? Whether we move by choice or not, is finding a place to meet with God our priority? Would things be different if finding a place of worhsip, a community of worshippers was our priority? #lifesajourney #worship

So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left. Genesis 13:8-9 NIV Abram had all the rights here. He was the senior guy. And what does he choose to do? To maximise the value of his business by taking the best land? Exercise his authority and power by choosing first? No, he says there's plenty here for everyone having it all, having the best is less important to me, showing grace, being generous is more important... How come? The day before he'd been to church to worship God. When we do that it should change us. Change our priorities, our attitudes towards money, business, people, relationships. Will we let Him do that today? #sunday #worhsip #worshipchangesus

From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord . Genesis 13:3-4 NIV Ever felt like life's going in circle? Abram did. He landed back in a place he'd left quite some time earlier. Was this where his journey was supposed to end? Was this where God wanted him? Did he think "I'm getting to old for this..." "Why doesn't God make this clearer?" Who knows what was going on in Abram's heart and mind... except this: He called out to God. He went to church. And prayed. When our life is going in circles, not making any progress, when God seems silent...go to church, pray, call out to Him #journey

Friday! Proverbs! The wise accumulate wisdom; fools get stupider by the day. Proverbs 14:24 MSG Sometimes you've just gotta love The Message :) Wisdom grows, compounds, builds on itself...accumulates...leads to good choices & good outcomes. Foolishness. Just goes nowhere. It's the source of wisdom then that should interest is most - where can we get it? If the God of the Bible is who he says he is, and maiden himself known, then that should be our start point. Our foundation. Our source. His word revealed in the Bible. The word revealed in Jesus. Wisdom just doesn't arrive in a lump one day, but it increases as we choose to walk with God, in the good and the tough times, in joy and sorrow... Wisdom accumulates. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

"Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you." Genesis 12:13 NIV Ok so we may have been a bit hard on Abram yesterday...he's in his late 70's on the move and responsible for his whole clan, displaced because of famine, and now faced with a life-or-death situation... that's real pressure...I don't know how I'd respond with all that going on... Have you ever read an author so much, or watched a movie so often that you just respond to situations with a quote, or just know how a character would respond because we've absorbed them so much. We need Jesus' character and values to be so absorbed into us, that when we're under pressure Jesus response comes out. We know how he'd respond and we choose to do the same... #somethingtochewon #goeasyonAbe

As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, This is his wife. Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you. Genesis 12:11-13 NIV It started well with Abram telling his wife how beautiful she is, but went down hill from there. Ever made a mistake? Well we're in good company... Abe was trusting God in the journey, but when he was confronted with the Egyptians he was afraid and cooked up his own scheme. His integrity and trust went out the window, because he couldn't see how God could make a way... and I can be just like that, trusting at home but not work for example... Lord, help me to walk in integrity, to follow you in every area of my life, to always trust you no matter what. Amen. #trust

Now there was a famine in the land; and Abram went down into Egypt to live temporarily, for the famine in the land was oppressive and severe. Genesis 12:10 AMP Abram and his family became economic refugees. Not too different to many of the people trying to escape famine and poverty around the world. As the water supply dwindled, and the land could no longer support their animals, and finally the people, they were forced to move. Uproot his family and move them all to another country. But wasn't Abe following God's direct & clear call? Why should he suffer? God's people it seems, are not given a free pass on suffering and hardship. I want a free pass. Get out of jail free card. God let me skip the tough bit. I've been good... Jesus dealt to the ultimate consequence of my sin, but no where does he say this world won't hurt. Actually, the opposite. We can, in the famine, the dislocation, whatever we go through, choose to remain faithful...that is not the ti...

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God... Philippians 4:6-7 amp This was the first verseoftheday on Nov 12, so this is an annual re-visit  I need an annual reminder of the antidote to worry & anxiety. Prayer. God wants to hear from us...& he wants to hear from us no matter what is going on. The suggestion though is to start with thanksgiving. Despite my circumstances what can I be thankful for? And He wants to know what's going on in our hearts, our deepest hurts...so talk to Him. And He whispers to us... "I love you" #dearlyloved #childrenofGod

Friday! Proverbs! All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23 It was Jesus toil, but more than that, it was his hurt and his pain that brought a profit, but not for him, but for us...his pain was all for us... Every where we look there are glimpses of the gospel, the good news. The gospel was not a proclamation of what was coming, but what had been done. Done for us. And when we're in a world of pain, it's to the gospel, the cross, God with us, dying for us...that's our place of hope. Not a place of just talk, but a place of toil, pain & hurt that gives us life... #thisisourGod #hope

Friday! Proverbs! All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23 This word for 'hard work' here has 3 words attached to it; pain hurt toil Clearly the translators have picked toil as their meaning 'cos it makes sense - work hard and you'll get something good, might be a profit, a good grade, or just the good feeling from working hard. But what if the author meant 'pain' or 'hurt'. All pain, all hurt, brings a profit. From our vantage point we have Paul who said "in all things God works for the good of those who love him", & Jesus who said "in this world you'll have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world" Pain & hurt as well as toil can bring us profit... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem... So he built an altar there to the Lord... From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent...There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord .  Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev. Genesis 12:6-9 NIV We often hear life referred to as a journey. Abram was on a journey. Doesn't seem that he knew the destination, or that he was doing any great work for God along the way... But he did do two things as he journeyed: 1. He worshipped God 2. He prayed Maybe wherever we are on this journey we call life, if we regularly stop and worship (might be in church, and/or with other people, or on our own) and 6th pray. Maybe our journey would be a bit different if we did that a bit more along the way... #dontwaittilsunday #lifeisajourney #stoptoworship #pray

"...I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. Genesis 12:3-4 NIV Well OK if the Creator of the Universe stopped by and told me he was going to deal to anyone in my way, and that I was going to bless all the people on earth somehow, well I'd pack up and go too...fully confident... The thing is...he says "I love you, I love you enough to enter the story, enought to  die for you, enough to be making a place for you, enough to send my Spirit to you, enough to give hope, enough to give you confidence to know that God is on your side..." Abram's circumstances weren't great... 75yrs old & wandering around in the desert with his family with no idea where he was going or what the future held. Our hope is not found in our circumstances, but in who ...

"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:2-3 NIV Who gets to say this to someone? Who has the right? Not me, and no one I know. But God can...and he did. Maybe though we could all bless someone else, pray for them, pray with them,  encourage someone. Be on someone's side, fight with them, fight for them...use what we've been blessed with to bless others... Who could do with hearing a word of blessing, or courage, or strength from you today? Who needs to know you're on their team? #onyourteam

The Lord had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you." Genesis 12:1 NIV Sounds OK. Google maps, YouTube, learn a bit of the language, book some flights & hey Mum & Dad, we'll facetime every day, you can talk to the grandkids whenever you want... Mmm Abram lived in a clan based, patriarchal culture, where land was wealth. He was asked to walk away from everything important, his future, put everything at risk. And they may have literally been walking... And where? God says I'll show you later. Do you trust me enough to just go? Go without a plan? Without a backup option? Just go. Where is He asking you and me to Go? To forgive someone To support someone To be His hands and feet in the place you live, or across town, across the country or the world? To serve in your family, church, community? If He is calling will we just Go? #faith

"My kingdom," said Jesus, "doesn't consist of what you see around you. If it did, my followers would fight so that I wouldn't be handed over to the Jews. But I'm not that kind of king, not the world's kind of king." John 18:36 MSG Today we "celebrate" the actions of a man who wanted to violently overthrow the government for religious reasons, Guido Fawkes. Actually its his failure to carry out his plan we celebrate. But we worship today, one who did succeed in his plan, and it was the opposite...to submit to violence, to receive the worst that people could throw at him, because his kingdom is not like the world's, and neither is he like the powerful. He came to usher in a new kingdom, but a new kingdom based in love. Love God Love others And we celebrate this kingdom not with fireworks, but with bread, with wine, with a cross. #thisisourGod #upsidedownkingdom

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. Proverbs 14:22 NIV God's plan was good. The only way that his holiness wouldn't destroy us, that his justice wouldn't overwhelm us, was for someone else to make us holy, make us righteous... A good plan. Unless you were Jesus. One day we'll find out in some way what it cost him. Like a child who, when grown, realises just what sacrifices their parents made for them...or when you see the night sky without any city lights and just gaze at the beauty...weak analogies sorry... And what is Jesus reward? Its us. He did it for us. Relationship. Love & Faithfulness. #somethingtochewon

Friday! Proverbs! Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. Proverbs 14:22 NIV The word translated evil here is "rá" which is used in a whole range of contexts in the Bible and seems to carry a range of meanings, but the first time is in Gen 6v5 where people were drifting further from God and doing their own thing. So when our own stuff, what we want is our priority rather than what God wants, we drift away from Him. And the word "good" here is repeated right through Genesis 1 when God looked on each step of creation and saw it was good. Good to look at, taste, touch...good for us to thrive and flourish...so when we do good for others, that's where we really find out about Love & Faithfulness. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost..." Isaiah 55:1 NIV God's invitation is wide open. All that He has to offer is freely available. Our currency has no purchasing power here. Success, wealth, power, fame, money, property, education, appearance... living a "good" life, being a "good" person... these things cannot buy the living water...the goodness that God has on offer. As Isaiah has shown in the last few chapters, the price has been paid by the only one who could pay it, with a currency we could never earn - Jesus perfect life. How good is that! #theinvitation #itsfree

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 NIV Always a bit tricky to take a verse from the middle of a chaoter...but this statement of God's reinforces, restates, reframes, his heart for us. Nothing can shake his love for his people. And the covenant of peace? No longer and never again will we be enemies of God, because Jesus made the way for us, his sacrifice, he is the covenant that makes us right. So we can rest in that. No matter what the pressure or challenges you're facing, no matter how uncertain the future looks, you're secure in His love. His heart is for us. For you. #rest #secure #dearlyloved

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:6 NLT In the days before multi media, video clips & projector screens an old preacher had a hand made wooden box, like a miniature shipping container, with a single door at each end. And in that wooden box were hand carved sheep. When he opened one door, he'd take the sheep out and they'd wander off The word ALL was painted on the inside of the door. We're all the same. We've all wandered off. I can't recall all the other things in the box, but there was a hand made wooden cross. And when he opened the other door on the box the word ALL was painted. Because Jesus died for us ALL. It's a simple story really. God entered his creation to make a way, to be the way for ALL. Not the "good" or the great, the popular, the successful, but for ALL. No matter who you are. No matter what you've done. ...

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 NIV He lived the life we should live, and died the death we should die...so that we don't have to... What happens when we personalise this? He was pierced for My transgressions, he was crushed for My iniquities; the punishment that brought Me peace was on him, and by his wounds I am healed. By His wounds I am healed. He took what should've come my way. Jesus paid. We get the opportunity to live in the light of what Jesus purchased for us... #freedom #dearlyloved

...He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Isaiah 53:2-3 NIV In our art, Jesus is often depicted as a beautiful, serene person of flawless complexion...but here's he's described as not looking kingly at all, but just the opposite. He knew what suffering was. Rejection. Loss. Pain. So we can be confident that Jesus understands whatever we might go through. When people looked at Jesus hanging on the cross, did anyone think that this was God's greatest moment, that any good could come from it... but it did! Jesus is with us when life hurts. We just need to look at the cross to know that... #thisisourGod #inthistogether #upsidedownkingdom

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land...The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you...  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:7-8 NIV Joshua is the one who is famous for telling the people to have courage, he's the one who is putting courage into the people...but that started with Moses. Moses encouraged Joshua. We can all be Moses to someone... who in your life could use some encouragement today? Sometimes we're good at encouraging people in their strengths & the task ahead & Moses does that. But he also reminds Joshua that God is in this, that God is with him, and that is his ultimate antidote to fear & source of courage. #with #beMoses #speaklife #encourageoneanother

Friday! Proverbs! The poor are shunned even by their neighbours, but the rich have many friends. Proverbs 14:20 NIV Oh wow. While this is often true, it's hard to see anything good in it...so what's the next one? It is a sin to despise one's neighbour, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. Proverbs 14:21 NIV Ok so now we see where the author is going...and God's heart for those who don't have the resources, power, skills, talents, education, money and opportunities that we do. And none of us have to look very far to find someone who has less of these things than you or I have...so be kind to someone who needs it today, this weekend, give something without concern or question...are your up for that? #bekind #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

"I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear? Yet you have forgotten the Lord, your Creator, the one who stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. Will you remain in constant dread of human oppressors? Will you continue to fear the anger of your enemies? Where is their fury and anger now? It is gone! ...And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand..." Isaiah 51:12-16 NLT God is at work even if I can't see it or understand it... No matter what, we are safe in His hand. He doesn't say there'll be no oppression, that people won't be against us for whatever reason. Maybe the enemy is temptation or some other thing within, but whatever is against us, it's temporary. It won't last. He's rescued us. We're safe in His hand. When it all seems overwhelming, go back to who God is. #creator #rescuer #comforter ...

"Listen to me, you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people's scorn, nor fear their insults. For the moth will devour them as it devours clothing. The worm will eat at them as it eats wool. But my righteousness will last forever. My salvation will continue from generation to generation." Isaiah 51:7-8 NLT People's scorn or insults...they get to us, pull us down, some are bullied to the point of suicide...what is God's antidote? To rather colourfully point out that their words do not last, that they have no real power, and to remember what will last, what is important... God's truth God's law God's righteousness. God is on our side and nothing can snatch us from his hand. Jesus suffered the ultimate insult and rejection so that we don't have to...in the face of insults, scorn, bullying, that's what we need to remind ourselves of... #dearlyloved

The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah 51:3 NIV Comfort. Compassion. Deserts restored like Eden! Wastelands become gardens. Like Eden! And then joy, gladness, thanksgiving & singing... If there was ever a picture of restoration, of things being made new this is it. This is God expressing his heart for us, his heart for restoration - & a picture of heaven... Eden restored, joy & gladness that spring up from within... #hope #future #onedayallwillbemadenew

"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord : Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn;  look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth..." Isaiah 51:1-2 NIV What a great picture pointing the people back to their spiritual beginning in the quarry of God's workmanship...and it's Abraham and Sarah who entered into a covenant relationship with God. For us, we look back to the New Covenant, to Jesus. The rock from which we are being cut is Jesus. We're being formed into his likeness, chipped away at, shaped...the artist can see the beautiful thing being created from the raw material from the quarry, taking shape...God is at work in us and through us in his labour of love... #beautyfromrock #youarebeautiful

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:20-26 NIV What astonished them? Just how hard it is to be saved by what we do... then Jesus confirms it... actually it's impossible. We can't do it. We can't save ourselves. No matter how hard I try I trip up, fail, fall short...& just like the person Jesus's talking to hear, I'd go away sad too...realising I can't meet the holiness standard either. But Jesus gives us the clue,  that there is a way, and God himself is going to make that way We're all in the same boat. All in need of grace. No matter who we are, no matter what we've done, Grace makes the impossible, possible. #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #grace #itsagift #possible

Jesus answered, If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:21-22 NIV The good thing had become THE thing in this person's life...he looked Jesus in the eye - literally - and walked away. The thing he treasured most he could not give to Jesus. "Yes you can be lord of my life in every area - but not this. In this I need to keep it. This is what makes me feel safe. This is what gives me worth. Identity. So...no. I'm keeping hold..." And when he'd looked into the core of who he was and found that thing, his treasure, why didn't he go away rejoicing? Because he knew if could never really satisfy, it could never really save him... Jesus says "look me in the eye...in me you'll find treasure that will last, things you might not expect...a life you might not have chosen, make...

Friday! Proverbs! The evil will bow down before the good, And the wicked [will bow down] at the gates of the righteous. Proverbs14:19 AMP We like to think that we're the good, the righteous, & that one day, those who would inflict evil on this world will say "you were right, I was wrong & now I'm getting what I deserve..." Justice will prevail. Kind of makes us feel good And maybe this is what it means... But If we put Jesus in this proverb, where is he? He must be the good, the righteous. And that only leaves room for me in the position of the evil and wicked bowing down at the gates of the righteous one...knowing that the only reason I can stand at all is through the grace of him who is good. We're all outside the gate. And all we have to do is accept the invitation to come in :) #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #grace #gracealone

"From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done." Isaiah 43:13 NLT When I'm worried about...well...anything, when things are not working out how I hoped, when I'm anxious, a bit lost, lonely...when I wonder if I'm good enough, have done enough, done the right things...when I fail...trip up again, mess up... when I look at the world and fear for the future... "From eternity to eternity I am God No one can snatch anyone from my hand." When I pray and don't seem to get an answer, when God is silent, when I go to church and don't "feel" it, when I don't feel worthy, worth it, or loved... "From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone from my hand" #dearlyloved #childrenofGod

"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven..." Matthew 19:20-22 NIV God gave up his most precious possession...gave His son, the treasure of heaven, gave him for the poor...the absolutely destitute, those who have nothing, no ability to repay... Us. The least. Jesus became destitute so that we no longer needed to be He became poor so that we could become treasure. Rejected. Despised. Forsaken. So that we could be redeemed. Atoned for. Restored. Brought from outside the gate...into the city Moved from the orphanage to the palace...into the family of the King! Has there ever been a love like this? #childrenofGod #adopted #chosen #belong #redeemed #dearlyloved #thisisLove

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Matthew 19:20-22 NIV Jesus didn't say give it to me. He didn't say give it to the church But to give to the poor... This word for poor is the absolutely destitute. Those with nothing. I often find it's easier to give when I'm going to get something back...at church I get a pastor, a warm building, a great band...I give my time to help someone - I've probably got someone I can call for a hand if I need one...even my sponsored child, I get a letter thanking me... Jesus heart here is for those who have nothing. Can give nothing back Have no hope This young man was told to give his treasure for those who could never repay, had nothing to give back... Do I give like that? To the least? #lovepeople #followJesus

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:20-22 NIV Jesus knew what this young man was treasuring more than anything, what he was placing his trust in, hope in... The good thing in his life had become the ultimate thing. And he couldn't let it go. When we make God our ultimate treasure, when we choose to follow Jesus, then the treasure we held so tightly to seems to fade. The ultimate question here is "who is in control?" Am I really making Jesus Lord of my life? He simply says "Come, follow me..." #loveGod #choose #whoisincontrol #comefollowme

"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered..."then come, follow me" Matthew 19:20, 22NIV Here's a good guy. He's come to Jesus with genuine questions. He's done all kinds of good things...goes to church every Sunday, looks after his elderly parents, gives his tithe...but still knows there's something missing...he asks Jesus a dangerous question, a question that could change the direction of his life... Jesus, what's missing? I'm doing everything right but it seems that I'm not sure I've done enough to please God,  what do you say? What do I lack? Jesus told him to give up his treasure. Give away the thing he treasured most. And follow Him. Will I ask that question? #livedangerously #whatdoilack #followJesus

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Proverbs 14:18 NIV Sometimes these proverbs just make so much sense...be prudent, look ahead, don't just make decisions for the now, but for the future & your knowledge will increase...a win :) But what if we look at it from a spiritual perspective...what does being prudent look like? Would I make different choices? Spend more time praying? Think more about God's kingdom than my kingdom? Invest more in the lives of others than in the things of this world? Hold on to stuff... even my own life, more lightly? And I wonder what this "crown of knowledge" might look like...maybe not something so flash and shiny...but maybe something that's more like an old bloodstained wooden cross... #proverbs #somethingtochewon

Friday! Proverbs! The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. Proverbs 14:18 NIV To inherit something we get it without earning it, without choosing it, it just drops into our lap...and so it is with folly, foolishness...and it comes to us from being simple...that can't mean from living simply, but from seeing the world too simply, thinking that this life is all there is... that there is no God, or that he can't be known...our worldview can lead to foolishness or wisdom... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

"See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind...  I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more." Isaiah 65:17, 19 NIV What's broken in this world will be unbroken, the things that hurt, the losses, disappointments, grief... somehow washed away... We will be fully known by God - we will be His delight! The barriers between us and God will be removed, the distance between Heaven & Earth will be closed, and God will put everything right. How does that work? What will it look like? I don't know...its so easy to think selfishly about heaven...how's it going to be for me, what am I going to get...but God's going to rejoice over us and take delight in us says it's more about the fully restored relationship with our Creator... #youarehisdelight #hope #onedayallwillbemadenew #mysteries

Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame." Isaiah 65:13 NIV There was One who went hungry so we could eat. One who went thirsty so we wouldn't have to. Who poured Himself out so that we could drink from the living water. One who was put to shame, took our shame on himself, took it all...so that we wouldn't have to... Because he had to? No. He chose to. Why? Obligation? There is only one reason. Love. It's Love that took him to the cross, and love that held him there. #thisisourGod #dearlyloved #childrenofGod

All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations - a people who continually provoke me to my very face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick; who sit among the graves... Isaiah 65:2-3 NIV But wait...there's more...not only are Gods arms open to us who might just be "not good" but those who actively work against God, those who worship idols, those who dabble in the occult...His arms are open to all...to his enemies, to those who are actively against him How am I when people are actively against me, run down what I believe, what I hold is true, when they worship other gods... It's really hard, in the face of those who are against me for my arms to be open, my heart open...to love my enemy... But our God does. And if I want to follow Him, so will I #grace #gracetilithurts #sowilli

All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations... Isaiah 65:2 NIV This ancient book gives us glimpses of God's heart...His arms are open, inviting, waiting, encouraging us to come home...even though we're stubborn, want to do our own thing, and make stuff up...we make our own gods out of our imagination, but we also try to fit the Living God into our box...make Him into something we can understand, manage, and even use for what we want... But even so...His arms are open wide... How am I when I'm misunderstood, when people make stuff up about me, misrepresent me, or just walk away? It's hard to keep my arms open...my heart open... But our God does. And if I want to follow Him, so will I. #thisisourGod #grace #love #armsopenwide

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good..." Matthew 19:16-17 NIV When Jesus asks a question he doesn't need more information...he knows this man, knows his heart...and knows that the real question is who or what is most important in his life... what do you really value the most? Your work, wealth, family, relationships, education, appearance...is it being in control, being in charge, being able to save yourself... or Jesus. Putting our faith in him to save, our allegiance is to him, that he is Good, and it's him we worship... #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #jesusatthecentre #heisgood

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Matthew 19:16 NIV Isn't this, or some version of this question, asked of Jesus 2,000 years ago, the question of our times? Yes there's some kind of spiritual reality, there's something more to this life than just the material world, what good things do I need to do to ensure the next life is as good as this one...I'm a good person generally, at least as good as other people around me... But just like this guy there's always a question am I good enough? None of us are good enough. But we are in Jesus. It's his goodness that makes a way for us, the good thing he did by giving his life gets us eternal life... #upsidedownkingdom #itsagift #grace #free

Friday! Proverbs! A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. Proverbs 14:17 NIV Interesting that he doesn't say "don't be angry". We should be angry at injustice, that should motivate us. It's the quick tempered variety that gets me into trouble... But devised evil schemes? Every day in the news there are accounts of people's schemes and actions that have hurt others...but I'm not like that. Or have I in my heart wished ill of someone, plotted revenge... This proverb just reflects the reality of my heart...but it reminds me that I have a choice too. Those thoughts don't need to be actioned and don't need to be allowed to stay, to be dwelled on. I can choose. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #choose

But now, this is what the Lord says - he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour; Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV Not sure what all of this means for us, but 3 things are clear: 1. God is on our side. Maybe it doesn't feel like it, doesn't seem like it at times, but He is. 2. There's going to be tough times in our lives, maybe even our whole life, but He is with us. 3. The price has been paid. It doesn't matter if we don't think we're good enough, have done enough, He's already made a way, so we don't have to be bound or afraid... #savoiur

'I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,  to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." Isaiah 42:6-7 NIV Here is the mission mapped out in Isaiah for the Servant of the Lord. Centuries later Jesus became that covenant, is the light...is freedom... But he also passed this on...on to his team of disciples...and on to us...to be his light in this broken mixed up world, to be part of his sight giving, bondage breaking,  freedom project... #inthistogether #upsidedownkingdom #Jesusatthecentre

This is what God the Lord says - the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:  "I, the Lord..." Isaiah 42:5-7 NIV. When we rock up to church to sing a couple of songs... when we say a prayer before a meal, when we ask God for a car park or for anything...He says just remember, this is who I am... He reminds us of the immensity, complexity of the universe he created, brings the focus to the earth, and the way it works...and to us. People. We're not the same as the rest of creation, but the focal point of it...it's His breath that we breathe... We are the centre of the universe, but not because of anything we've done or can do...not because we're great, but because He's great and made it that way... And yet... He's personal! #howgreatisourGod

He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth... Isaiah 42:2-4 ESV He has a WAY of working that is not what's expected - he won't be making a big noise... He is here FOR the damaged, the hurt... And he has a PLAN. He has a plan to bring about justice on the earth and he isn't going to stop til he is done. So do I trust him enough? When there's failure, loss, disappointment...even if I can't see him working, or he's not working in the way I want or expect... wilI still believe, still love, still have faith, still hope...that he has a plan, and he won't stop until justice is done & one day all things will be made new... #choose #faith #hope #onedayallwillbemadenew

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. Proverbs 14:16 ESV There is one who was reckless. Reckless with his own life, putting aside regard for his own life, he did not turn away from evil, but went towards it, not to embrace it, but to absorb it, to deal with it, on our  behalf...once for all time... to take the hit, to pay the price...so that we wouldn't have to. This is love. Real love. Not that we loved God, but that He loved us. Reckless love. This love has a name. And that name is Jesus. #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #love #recklesslove

Friday! Proverbs! One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. Proverbs 14:16 ESV I'm not wreckless and careless. I've got my favourite proof verse that says God's got to bless me. I've been good and I deserve it. I'm not reckless and careless with other people's stories, with their heart concerns. I don't rush to judgement, or talk about them to others... I'm not reckless and careless about the subtle idols of this world...what success looks like... I don't let the messages of popular music or movies influence me... what's acceptable...or "News" stories that frame the discussion in a particular way...from a worldview that does not include a personal, creator, who is the source of Wisdom... No, I'm not reckless or careless at all... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #bewise

Friday! Proverbs! One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. Proverbs 14:16 ESV Ever been in a place where you've ignored the signs? Carried on regardless? Every year someone dies in the mountains skiing off trail, ignoring the signs... Or the ones in our body...sometimes pain is that sign... We see the consequences of drug use, alcohol misuse, but whatever it is, we think we can handle it... manage it, it won't manage us, this won't master me... But the wise see the signs. The wise keep their heads up, have a realistic view of themselves, think, take the counsel of others, and sometimes choose to turn away, turn around, to miss out, say no, find an alternative... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #bewise

He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.  A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. Isaiah 42:2 NIV God's servant...he's going to bring justice but not by making a ruckus...this was written before the internet, before YouTube etc - how would you get your message out to people? Through the only mass media available...yelling in the street, making your voice heard in the marketplace. It seems this person is not going to have the loudest voice in the marketplace of ideas... he'll have another way... A bruised reed? A reed is not big, strong like a tree.  And it's already bruised, damaged... A smouldering wick...a candle at the end, not really giving any light... The bruised, the damaged, the use less... that's who this servant is about... #upsidedownkingdom

"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations Isaiah 42:1 NIV God has always been about making a way...and it seems that it's through people...here it's Jesus. Through him comes the remarkable justice where he paid the price we should've paid...but it came through a person. I wonder then if when we look out at the problems around us and wonder what God is doing and why He doesn't fix it...if we are his way... we are his means of bringing justice even in a small way... #somethingtochewon #agentsofgrace #lovepeople

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV This is a promise to God's people...and it seems like a long run promise. What did the people need to have going on? Fear. Dismay. Weakness. There are days when I have one of these and there are days when I have all three... When we fear, remember God is with us. When we're dismayed, remember who our God is. When we're weak, he offers His hand. His righteous hand. Righteous - morally upright, not just strong but right... #whenwefear #whenwedismay #someonetoleaninto

I am the Lord , and there is no other; apart from me there is no God... Isaiah 45:5 NIV Through this chapter God gives his credentials...and these words are repeated several times... I am the Lord There is no other Apart from me there is no God This is something the people needed to keep hearing...and so do we... We forget We try to reason Him away We try to replace Him with god's of our own making... Sometimes we might wonder what He's up to, or why He doesn't fix something we want fixed... If this is true - do I completely trust Him then? No matter what my circumstances. No matter what's going on in the world...do I still choose to say: You are the Lord There is no other #loveGod #faith #choose

..."Here is your God!" ...Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord , or instruct the Lord as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding? Isaiah 40:9,13-14NIV A counsellor, a teacher, an advisor, consultant, tutor...these people have studied or learned some knowledge that we don't have, & sometimes they seem to think in ways beyond us...but we study & learn & catch on & sometimes go further than our tutor... But who was God's counselor or tutor? No one. He is just...bigger... just...beyond! Yet He chose to share His heart, His mind with us... #hereisyourGod #worthyofworship

..."Here is your God!" ...Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Isaiah 40:9,12 NIV Powerful Personal And now Designer... measured, marked off...weighed... the earth and the universe are not tuned to make human existence and flourishing an accident but the deliberate work of the great designer. The materials of the earth that we use to make things are not there by accident (& because God made it we have a responsibility to look after this planet) When He made this place, He made it for us... #isaiah #hereisyourGod #worthyofworship

..."Here is your God!" ...He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart... Isaiah 40:9, 11 NIV The shepherd is not a kiwi farmer with thousands of sheep, rounding them up with dogs & a motor bike...this is an eastern shepherd who knows every sheep in his flock, every one is important. His wealth, status, future is contained in his sheep...he'll do anything to protect them, & when they're at their most vulnerable, he uses his own body to keep them warm... Jesus said "I am the good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep..." #isaiah #hereisyourGod

..."Here is your God!" See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. Isaiah 40:9-10 NIV There was a story written about a businessman who was so powerful that when he walked in the room he  seemed to bring his own weather system...but no matter how much power or authority a person might have, it pales into insignificance in the face of this description of God. He is completely self contained, in need of nothing...real and complete power and authority...over everything! #isaiah #hereisyourGod #worthyofworship

The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways Proverbs 14:14 ESV We're all on a journey, all walking...and this proverb speaks not about the destination but the result of how we journey. How we journey bears fruit...if my focus is on me and my comfort, then yes the journey might be easier, but maybe less fulfilling... If my focus is on others, then how I journey, how I spend my time, skills, gifts, money, will be different... How did Jesus journey? On purpose, to do God's will, to Love people...and to ultimately die a criminals death, rejected, broke, naked...but the fruit of that! Thats us! And no better way to be reminded, recharged, refocused about what really matters than when we choose to come together and worship the servant King... #proverbs #somethingtochewon #itshowwejourney #noretreat #dearlyloved #sunday #worship

The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. Proverbs 14:14 ESV Someone once said that consuming the Proverbs was like consuming a barley sugar, a hard sweet that you roll around in your mouth and slowly extract its goodness...the words 'flinch' and 'retreat' have been rolling around in my mind since yesterday... Jesus, in the garden, considering what was coming, flinched. But he did not retreat. In the greatest act of love he stayed the course, he stayed on the cross, when he so easily could've walked away. Jesus chose to stay. To pay the price only he could pay so that we don't have to. This is love. A one way thing. An outpouring. There was no retreat for Jesus...becuase he loves us. You. Me. #proverbs #somethingtochewon #grace #noretreat #dearlyloved

Friday! Proverbs! The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. Proverbs 14:14 ESV At first look we're either one or the other...a "backslider in heart" or a good person, but on reflection I'm both... The Hebrew word for backslider seems to have the meaning of to flinch, to retreat. And I do that. When prompted to do what's right I flinch. It might be costly. I retreat. I drift into ways of thinking that are not healthy or helpful...and that can bear fruit in my heart and in my actions and attitudes. And yet there is good to be found in all of us...after all we're all made in God's image and likeness and all carry some echo of Gods goodness. The hope in this proverb is that the more we submit to Jesus lordship in our lives, we get the fruit of that in our hearts...fruit is a good thing...it speaks of energy, of nutrition...of life! And as we all still have some "...

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:13-15 NIV Jesus was willing to meet with children...just as they are...there's no "come back when you're grown up, when you understand the adult world, when you're "mature"...when..." So if you have little ones in your life don't hold them back from meeting Jesus or expressing their faith. Jesus was willing to meet everyone right where theyu are...all of us...its not about our performance or being good enough, come to Him as you are :) #upsidedownkingdom #youareenough #comeasyouare

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:13-15 NIV The disciples wanted to be in control. Manage. Jesus should deal with the important stuff. The church leaders, the big ticket things...the big questions of the time. But Jesus. The small, the voiceless, they're just as important. It's so easy to put the world's priorities on our faith... But Jesus. These little people were ready to meet him...so he made room for them. He gave them time, touch, & in that told them they were valued...loved. Do I try to manage God's schedule...keep him in a Sunday only box? And miss the people he loves? #upsidedownkingdom #lovepeople

Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning." Matthew 19:8 NIV We so easily get stuck on the rules around the exceptions, when things are broken... (just listen to the way our politicians are being interviewed. We lose sight of what they're about overall as we try to trip them up on detail) But Jesus goes back to purpose. What are these relationships for, what do they reflect...and why the exception? Your hard heart. The word here for hard heart is dry...like an engine without oil...its stuck...not running how its designed... Jesus is the restorer, the oil of the Spirit can release that which is stuck, restore that which is broken...a taste of what God is about in the world and in our lives. That's what He is about, and what He wants us to be about... #agentsofgrace #restorers #oil

One day the Pharisees were badgering him: "Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?" He answered, "Havent you read in your Bible that the Creator originally made..." Matthew 19:3-6 MSG When i have a question about faith or someone asks about a situation i tend to go to a "proof" text...see this teaching or this rule...just do that, follow that... But Jesus takes a different route. He starts with what his questioners know and understand. In this case the Old Testament. And he starts with the big picture. What was God's design for human flourishing? Its so easy to lose sight of Gods Big Story Creation Fall Redemption Restoration And where we are in that story...and just what underpins it...a personal Creator who loves us so deeply that He made a way, became the way, to bring about ultimate justice and restoration. To restore ultimate shalom. #wordsofJesus #onedayallwillbemadenew #hope

I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me with favor, my God. Nehemiah 13:31 NIV The end. Where is Nehemiah? In typical Nehe style he's tidying up some last detail at the temple. Where to stack the firewood. He's at the temple at the heart of the city and this reflects his love for God, and his love for people. We don't know if he's old, dying, ill, or just knows he's finished here, but he simply prays to God, casts his past work and achievements and his future hope on the grace of his loving God. And those words? Repeated by a criminal dying slowly on a cross whose past work and achievements were absorbed by Jesus, as he put his future hope in the hands of his loving God. Its not our past that counts, but where we've put our faith & hope for the future... #thisisourGod #sunday #worship

When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day. Nehemiah 13:19 NIV Nehe had to take some radical steps to bring about change in the life of the city. Sometimes we need to take radical steps to protect our hearts, to bring about change in our lives. What do I need to lock the gates to? Where do I constantly trip up? Where do i need a Nehe in my life to shut the gates for me? Give some accountability? It may be really obvious...that big thing. Maybe that person who drags ne down... Or the subtle things...the putting myself first, the judging, putting others down, the gossip, greed...wanting... Or the internal...where i let my mind go... Things that hinder our relationship with God, stop us getting to church... There's going to be something we need to shut the gates of our heart...

Friday! Proverbs! Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. Proverbs 14:13 NIV Sometimes we can be genuinely enjoying the moment but there's a deep ache in our hearts...a loss or grief, an anxiety or hurt, maybe an addiction or sin we're struggling with...somehow in a few short words this ancient proverbs sums up us modern people... And the second part speaks to the reality of this life...rejoicing...things are looking great, a win, a promotion, a milestone, something we've been longing for, working for, goes well...and then it goes wrong. People get ill, tradgedies happen, businesses fail...there's a long list. This proverb speaks to the reality of today, but we know that the laughter and the rejoicing are glimpses of what is to come, that one day all will be made new, that the losses, hurts, grief, disappointments, will all be undone... #hope #onedayallwillbemadenew

So I confronted the nobles of Judah. "Why are you profaning the Sabbath in this evil way?" I asked. "Wasn't it just this sort of thing that your ancestors did that caused our God to bring all this trouble upon us and our city? Now you are bringing even more wrath upon Israel by permitting the Sabbath to be desecrated in this way!" Nehemiah 13:17-18 NLT They'd forgotten that God had put these rules in place so that they would flourish. The sabbath was about rest, regaining shalom, peace in the life of the individual and the community, living out their belief in God. And it had become just like any other day to do business. They'd allowed the culture and practices of the world around them to weaken their devotion to God. I wonder how I do that? Allowed the measures of success of the world become more important than God's? Who really has first place? #shalom #peace #loveGod

I also discovered that the Levites had not been given their prescribed portions of food, so they and the singers who were to conduct the worship services had all returned to work their fields. Nehemiah 13:10 NLT The pastors and the worship leaders weren't getting paid...so they had to go back to work...and the community drifted away from God. Sometimes we think our church leaders and worhsip leaders are there to make us feel good, but they have a job to keep us on track, to keep us in tune with God, to recognise when we're drifting, making poor choices...and we need to keep supporting them. The singers who led worship were important then too...good things happen when we worship together as a community and these people are an important part of community life :) We need them to be brave, bold, free to share God's heart... #encourageoneanother

I became very upset and threw all of Tobiah's belongings out of the room. Then I demanded that the rooms be purified, and I brought back the articles for God's Temple, the grain offerings, and the frankincense. Nehemiah 13:8-9 NLT Just turfing things out, stopping the negative, dealing with the sin is not enough...it's what we replace it with... Nehe demanded that the things of God were returned to the spiritual centre of the community. In the same way we need to keep God at our spiritual centre. We can't just leave a vacuum at the centre...or fill it with our own stuff -  choose to fill it with the goodness, grace and beauty of God, His creation, His truth, His wisdom...in every room at the centre of who we are... #jesusatthecentre