verseoftheday

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