verseoftheday

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25 NIV Interesting place to end 2018...at the end of the year we often look back at the good, the bad, the ugly. The things we got right, and maybe some things we wouldn't do the same way again! James says yes look back. But look back at what God has said, how He has revealed himself in his Word, and in the person of Jesus. And look forward and live out what God says. Choose. Choose to follow God's design for us to thrive and flourish. Here's a few things I look back on in 2018: Our God is good. He doesn't do things the way I want, when I want. He does use the things we go through for good if I let him His Big Story is a Love Story. His Word is a lamp and a light. If I want to see in the dark, walk the journey He has for me I need that. #theWordjustliveit #Godsgym #itsal...

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17 NIV There is one brother who was born for a time of adversity. And he stepped into it. He didn't have to. But he chose to. Why? Because he thought that we were worth it. So worth it he left eternal goodness and humbled himself, shrunk himself, entered a world of suffering and hurt, & took it all on himself. Because he loves. You. He is the friend who loves at all times...loving is not just what he does, it's who he is. He is love. He doesn't stop When we don't get him, reject him, turn, go our own way, trip, fail...he loves at all times. In our flaws, in our stuff, He Loves. And that's why we sing. #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #chosen #adopted #redeemed #loved

Friday! Seems it got lost this week... A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17 NIV Solomon says its family that should be there when you're in trouble. But it just doesn't always work that way. Even our friends don't always know how to help, what to say, what not to say. Maybe this proverb is not for me to receive, but for me to action. To live out To be the friend that loves at all times. No matter what is going on in my friends life I won't turn away, won't walk away, but will step towards. When there's adversity I won't be selfish. The word for "brother" is "ach" and it means brother, but also relative, companion, countryman... just about anyone God has brought into your life... I need to be that friend who loves at all times. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #theWordjustliveit #lovepeople #Godsgym

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. James 1:23-24 NASB For many people this is a time of year for a bit of introspection, thinking about the year that was, and what's ahead. James is encouraging us to live out God's Word. Whereever we find ourselves, whatever our circumstances. Its like looking at yourself. You don't forget who you are. The greek word here is "eimi" I am. We don't forget who we are. I am who I am in everything I do. And that's how James wants us to live out God's Word. It's not "hey just don't forget to live out what you've heard", the living out is inseparable from the hearing. #james #james1 #Godsgym #theWordjustliveit

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV As the year winds down I think back to times in2018 when I haven't done what the Word says... I've listened, but how have I deceived myself?  "Go into the world..." That doesn't mean me. "Be kind." But you don't know my life "Make disciples" We have a pastor for that "Love one another" Really? "Bear One Another's burdens" Surely that's for those gifted or "called". "Blessed are the meek" Not in my world! James is just a blunt guy. Listen. Don't kid yourself that the Word is not for you. Jist live it. I wonder how different 2018 would've been if I'd just done that? #ouch #Godsgym #james #james1 #theWordjustliveit

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV Boxing Day! You'd think this day was named after big box retailers! While it's origins are hazy it was born out of acts of kindness towards others. Paul tells us to live like that in this verse. Nice. Until you see where God's kindness took him...to the Cross. Kindness and compassion aren't things reserved for gift giving on Christmas Day or acts of kindness on Boxing Day. Kindness and compassion are to be such powerful drivers in our lives that they lead us to massivr action, to giving of ourselves. Kindness and compassion are not just something we do, but who we are. Just like Boxing Day started with small acts of kindness,  we can start small too. Take another step up. I wonder how I would live if I let kindness and compassion be The driver of my life? #boxingday #bekindandcompassionate #lovepeople #forGodsolovedtheworld

But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering... Leviticus 12:8 NIV Not the most popular Christmas Day verse. Luke 2 tells us that when Jesus parents took him to the temple, they didn't have a lamb. They had a pair of birds. They had the offering that the poor took. Christmas has become about buying and consuming, almost an exercise of power. If I can't give you the lamb, if my gift isn't goid enough, I'm not good enough. There's that word again. Shame. In His divinity he left the glories of heaven for the broken reality of what his world had become. Humbled In his humanity he joined a poor family in a colonised country and became a refugee. He came as a baby, in a small, vulnerable package. Dependent on his creation. Adopted. Most people in the world won't get to enjoy Christmas Day like I will. I can't save the world. God's plan to do that came...

After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. "The Lord has done this for me", she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." Luke 1:24-25 NIV Here at the beginning of the Christmas story we have one of the great hidden themes of the Bible. Something we all share with Elizabeth. Shame. Here's the first inkling of what God is up to. He's stepping into the story in the most unexpected way, making Himself small, powerless, so that He can take our shame. Take our disgrace. And overwhelm it with His Grace. The world would have us think that some tinsel & fairy lights will fix everything. They're nice, but they won't. Liz knew that God was at work to remove her shame. He took ours as He was nailed to the Cross. Yes the tinsel is nice. But the real Christmas story has a much bigger purpose, to open the way for a Saviour, a Rescuer, a Redeemer. #chris...

Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.  ...But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Luke 1:6-7, 13NIV Faithful. Old. Suffering. Heard Not words we usually associate with Christmas. Zach & Liz were old. They'd spent their lives serving God, doing what was right and good. And they were suffering. Children were a sign of Gods blessing and important in the culture. And they had none. They were second class. Looked down on. Them When everyone else is successful, they were not. Not. Yet they remained faith full. They served God And their prayers were heard. Heard Even when we don't think God hears us, this Christmas story tells us something different. God does hear our prayers. Zach & Liz chose to remain faith full for decades even when God didn...

Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no common sense or even a heart for it? Proverbs 17:16 AMP When I look for Jesus in this proverb, he is there. He's there quietly asking about my heart. Do you have a heart for wisdom? My wisdom. My kingdom My upside-down kingdom He gently reminds me that I have the purchase price in my hand because He provided it. At the Cross. He whispers that Christmas is not what you've let it become. Without the Cross, well, it wouldn't mean anything at all. He's quiet though Humble Doesn't push it He quietly asks in all the noise and hustle, the billboards and the sales, the shopping and the running...do you see me? Do you have a heart for me? #proverbs #somethingtochewon #jesusatthecentre #heartdirection #upsidedownkingdom

Friday! Proverbs! Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no common sense or even a heart for it? Proverbs 17:16 AMP Oh wow. Isn't that true! What happens if I put me in this proverb? Well I'm the person who has the means to get wisdom, but not always the heart for it... Where's my heart? Captured by the tinsel, the stuff, the easy, the quick fix, the quick win...the "when", the "if only"...the distractions, the lightweight. The literal translation of this is; "Why is there the purchase price in the hand of a fool..." And we always think money. God's wisdom is available to me without money. I don't have to buy it. I just have to have the heart for it. In this crazy time we call Christmas we might pray for survival, for peace...but for wisdom? I just have to have the heart for it :) #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #haveaheartforwisdom

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John." Luke 1:11-13NIV Angels! Fear! Zach was a priest & in church & this was clearly not an everyday occurrence for him to be terrified. Christmas is a time of craziness but this was something literally out of this world! What's the Angel's message? Don't be afraid. Where am I gripped by fear? Fear of what others think? Fear that I don't measure up? The angel knew of his fear and knew his situation. And knew his name. Our fears, our situations are known. Our God knows. For decades Zach had been praying about this. Was God really listening? Was He really there? In a moment of spectacular supernatural goodness Zach knew. And w...

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20ESV "The righteousness of God" If James is saying that we can't produce it, what does that look like? He gives us some help in the rest of the chapter, but for now, the message is that try as we might, we can't just do this ourselves. I like to think I can. There's times when I've thought I can save myself In her song "Sparks" Brooke Fraser sings this: "Eve ate the apple And I did the same" Rather than follow God's word I think my way is better. James says no. Your anger, your passion won't do it. When it comes to God am I quick to listen? And slow to speak? And slow to become angry at Him? In this crazy Christmas time slow down, find some space, to listen to the Creator #quickslowslow #Godsgym #james #james1

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20 NIV James seems to be saying that our anger leads us away from God, away from his goodness for us. It's counter productive. I think that's because my anger is usually selfish. This person's words, actions, driving, has annoyed me, made me angry. Angry at you Because its affecting me. But if I get angry because how something has affected you, my anger becomes fuel for action to right a wrong, to bring justice, goodness, restoration. David Powlison says this "The clearest gauge of whether anger is right or wrong in its expression is whether it acts to condemn or to offer help." Lord help me today to only have anger that offers help, that leads to justice, that leads to goodness Thanks Amen #james #james1 #Godsgym #quickslowslow #angerthatheals

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry... James 1:19-20 NIV Quick, slow, slow. These 3 things are a package deal, because they're really about one thing - my heart. My heart is slow quick quick Slow to listen Quick to speak Quick to take offence, quick to get annoyed, quick to get angry. I'm sure there's techniques and things I could learn to flip this, but it's a heart orientation that brings real change. When my heart is oriented towards God, it is inclined to love others. When I love people as image bearers, as valued by God, as someone He said was worth dying for, then, I'll put my stuff aside and listen. Then I'll hold back my judgement and slow down what I have to say. And then I won't quickly take offence, get annoyed, get angry. When my heart is oreinted towards me, then I'm slow quick quick When its oriented towards God, & others, I become quic...

He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord . Proverbs 17:15 ESV I do justify the wicked. Because I so easily justify my own thoughts and actions I do condemn the innocent. Quick to blame So that makes me an "abomination to the Lord" It's sin. And try as I might I just can't get rid of it all. And yet. God loves me Adopted into his family (have you ever considered the power of adoption? To say to someone "join our family, we love you not becuase you were born here, because we choose to love you) There's only one place that these things are reconciled. Only one place they make sense. At the Cross. It's there that my sin and God's love smash together. It's there that Jesus became an "abomination to the Lord", not for his sin, but for mine. It's at the Cross that God's love made a way. Became the way. Its at the Cross where Grace prevailed. And my hope re...

He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord . Proverbs 17:15 ESV I don't comdemn the righteous. Or do I? When I don't believe someone When I wonder what they were doing going there, at that time. When I judge without knowing someone's story.  When i haven't walked in their shoes. I wonder if that's what the writer is getting at. God hates injustice And loves justice Do stand up for, stand beside, walk with, advocate for, the hurt, the broken, the powerless...the victim...the innocent. If this is God's heart, it needs to be mine too. Sounds messy. Difficult Costly Uncomfortable Can't I just leave this to someone else? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #lovepeople #standwith #bearoneanothersburdens

Friday! Proverbs! He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord . Proverbs 17:15 ESV An abomination! That is strong language! Doesn't leave any wriggle room. God hates injustice. How do we justify the wicked? We believe their delusions. We cut them slack because they're powerful, or like us, or we know them. We minimise what they've done. So don't Don't justify the wicked, the perpetrator. God hates injustice And loves justice Do stand up for, stand beside, walk with, advocate for, the hurt, the broken, the powerless...the victim...the innocent. If this is God's heart, it needs to be mine too. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #lovepeople #standwith #bearoneanothersburdens

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak... James 1:19 NIV Part 2 of James' guide to being a great listener. Slow to speak. That might mean not speaking at all. My problem is that while you're talking I'm already forming what I want to say in my head...and sometimes i just can't wait - it seems so important! So it must be important to you too. Just finish, so I can talk. Nah I'll just jump in anhway! James counsels me to slow it down. Slow down my speaking Because that communcates something else. That I care That you are important That your thoughts are important James says this is for everyone so today I'll try... #james #james1 #listen #tolistenequalstolove #loveoneanother #Godsgym

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen... James 1:19 NIV Is this James schmoozing us with "my dear brothers & sisters" (It is Christmas after all) When he says "take note of this" he seems serious. I think he's saying i really appreciate you and this is something important for your life. Don't miss it. Be quick to listen. I'm quick to hear. But to listen? I'm quick with my point of view Quick with my story Quick to judge Quick jump in, to have my say Quick to form my thoughts James is telling me to take note. This is important, because I care about you. Be quick to listen Listen for the heart. Listen for meaning Listen to encourage Listen to build the other person up, to strengthen Listen as an act of love Listen so that you might speak life. James says this is for everyone, so today I'll try... #james #james1 #listen #tolistenequalstolove #loveoneanother

You have declared today that the Lord is your God. And you have promised to walk in his ways, and to obey his decrees, commands, and regulations, and to do everything he tells you. The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands. Deuteronomy 26:17-18 NLT Firstfruits. Part of this firstfruits thing is promises The people made promises. To walk in the light of God's word. And God declares that they are his people His special treasure. And we are the children of that promise that echoes thru the centuries... As a kind of firstfruits we are connected to God's declarations. What a place to be. Safe Known Treasured Loved Dwell in that today. The world around you may not make you feel any of those things today, but God has promised it. Believe it. Live in the light of that love today :) #dearlyloved #james #james1 #wearefirstfruits

...In this year of the special tithe you must give your tithes to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows, so that they will have enough to eat in your towns. Deuteronomy 26:12 NLT Firstfruits. This is a key use of the fiirstfruits...to ensure that the; Levites (our pastors, people we send as a church) Foreigners  (literally means those without inheritance rights - the refugees) Orphans (the vulnerable who have no one else) The widows (those who have lost their partner so are reliant on others now) The purpose of the tithe of firstfruits was to support those in need in the community. If we are a kind of firstfruits as James tells us, then these are the people we are called to help. More than that...who we're here for... Our purpose. If you're already in amongst it - great! Keep at it! Don't grow weary in doing good :) #james #james1 #wearefirstfruits #purpose #lovepeople

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:18 NIV ...take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce...Then go to the place the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name Deuteronomy 26:2 NIV Firstfruits were taken to where God dwelled. Taken to church. As part of worship. We're no longer stuck with one place where God dwells, but if we're a kind of firstfruits then we are part of that offering of worship. Paul says in Romans 12 to offer ourselves...worship is not just something we do. It's who we are. It's about who our life is oriented towards. And it is lived out in the small everyday choices that we make...we are the firstfruits, God is interested in us, our hearts...he delights in that. Delights in you and me Delights in knowing us Crazy, reckless love :) #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #wearefirstfruits

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out. Proverbs 17:14 ESV Jesus entered into the strife. He knew it was coming, like a dam breaking, and it was unstoppable and it was going to all come crashing down on him. And he came anyway. His argument, his quarrel, was not with us, but with sin and with death. He did not quit. Did not abandon. And the quarrel did break out. The dam did burst. And Jesus lost And in the losing he won a victory for us... Abandoned so we wouldn't be Forsaken so we wouldn't be Jesus entered the strife. #proverbs #thisisourGod #notabandoned #notforsaken #dearlyloved

Friday! Proverbs! The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out. Proverbs 17:14 ESV The water got let out of the fish tank this week...and you know what? You can't put it back in. Whether its a tank, a dam, a  glass or a tap that comes to mind, once its out...water is difficult to get back. Proverbs is telling us that there's often an opportunity at the beginning of an argument, a quarrel, a fight, where it can be stopped. And its not by the other person, but by me. Quit Abandon Walk away My response in a conflict situation is to spark up in the same way. The writer here is telling me to abandon the fight before it starts. Before something is said that can't be unsaid. What does that leave me with then? Listening Listening for the other persons heart, listening for the truth they have for me or about me, listening for God's voice. To quit before the quarrel takes humility. And we have a good role model for tha...

Everyone rushed to the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia. Acts of the Apostles 19:29 NLT Paul was from Tarsus. His traveling companions were from Macedonia. They were caught up in this riot together, & must've been journeying together for a while to be called traveling companions. Last night we watched a movie which is a story about unlikely traveling companions who changed as they got to know one another. Grew to love one another. Carry one another. On this journey of our life, we all need traveling companions. They may be with us for a season (like Paul's friends) or people we commit to for life. They may be unlikely companions, from different backgrounds and places, & we may have to grow to love them. There's going to be "riots", trouble, difficulty, and we need to learn to bear one another's burdens when the going gets tough. To love. To love one another. #unlikel...

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18 NIV Firstfruits. Trials, perserverance, maturity, and our good, unchanging God. Chosen. And we end up here. Some kind of firstfruits. Deuteronomy 26 talks about firstfruits. They come from cultivation. The work of someone's hands. If we are a kind of firstfruits we are shaped, cultivated, by the word of truth. God's Word The person of Jesus We don't read then God's word, look at Jesus life, death, resurrection, for information, but cultivation. Problem is I don't want to be shaped or changed by someone else. I'm selfish. And stubborn. Lord, let your word shape me, change me, make me fruit for your kingdom. Overwhelm my selfishness with your grace today. Amen #james #james1 #firstfruits #changedbygrace #Godsgym

...from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18 NIV God is good. He is for us. He doesn't change. Yet there's evil, suffering, hurt, destruction in the world. The "anti" of who God is. So He must be allowing that for a reason (maybe lots of reasons!) One clue is found in this verse, & another in these first verses of James. He wants us to grow up. To be mature in our faith. Growing up includes fails, struggles, perservering. And then there's this verse. Chosen. And Some kind of first fruits. Do you remember the kid at school who was always the last one picked on a team because everyone knew they'd be an anchor? With our God, it's like He picks everyone first. He sees you Knows you Knows our strengths and our weaknesses and chooses us anyway. There are no favourites based ...

Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:16-17 NIV Don't be deceived, misled. I need reminding because I am easily misled. Easily misled that God is not good. But James reminds us that He is. Good. He doesn't change. God reveals himself in Jesus. This is who God is. He came to seek us out, to save...because we were lost. He forgives He redeems He restores He loves. He does not change. He is good. Rest in that today - whatever is in front of you today. He is good. He is for you He loves. And He does not change. #dearlyloved #childofGod #james #james1

The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. But in my distress I cried out to the Lord ; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. Psalms 18:4-6 NLT Remember this is a song, & in songs & poems we let our emotions run, but God has included this one in the Bible for a reason... It's raw & it's real. The writer is in trouble Depressed Anxious Suicidal? God publishes this so that we know that He knows how it is for us sometimes. And he gives us a way forward. Cry out to God Talk to God And He hears. For the psalmist God feels a long way away, but he still prays to Him Confident that He hears Even in his distress, confident that He is personal. So no matter what you feel, bring your stuff, to God In community In worship Even if He feels distant Bring it. The raw and the real Confident that He is...

If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house. Proverbs 17:13 NLT There is one who's goodness was repaid with evil. One who is Good. Pure Untainted Holy Good. If the priest was not 100% purified when he entered the presence of God, he died. Our God and evil, sin, could not abide together. And yet, at the cross, evil entered the house. All our sin was somehow placed on, absorbed by Jesus, who had humbled himself to leave heaven for earth, and humbled himself to let sin into his house. Into himself His good was repaid with evil. He didn't do all that for himself. He did it for us. And one day we'll understand what that really meant, what that really took. Good was repaid with evil This is love. He stepped towards, stepped in, and in some small way asks us to do that too, to follow His example and lay down our lives for others... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #Godsgym

Friday! Proverbs! If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house. Proverbs 17:13 NLT You may know houses like this. No amount of goodness makes any difference. You may know people like that...see them on the news...this proverb speaks to them... And then I look into my own heart...and the times that I have not responded with love but with anger or rejection, when I've been cold, selfish...and this proverb speaks to me...there is evil lurking in my house, sometimes even  harboured there. While I'm free of its ultimate penalty, I'm not yet fully free of "it". Its a bit like the vacuuming... there's always a bit more dust or dirt to be found...it just keeps appearing from somewhere, and it seems to be the same with my heart. So today I pray that I won't repay good with evil, & that goodness and grace will be my currency today :) #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #Godsgym

...be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ...Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:6, 8 NLT James is encouraging us to see everything and everyone from a faith in God place. Start there. With who God is With what He says What he says about me, about others, about the world. Start with faith in Yahweh. How does that shape my answers, my questions, my relationships...my actions... When my loyalty is undivided I have 2 things: A firm foundation. And freedom Freedom to give, forgive, create, relate, thrive... Becauae that foundation gives purpose, direction...and hope. Its all about Who we place our faith in... #james #james1 #undivided #Godsgym

But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 NLT A quick recap. James is writing to Christians - scattered everywhere. He says in the trials, perservere because in that, we gain something important. And in those tough things ask for wisdom. And this verse James reminds us who our faith needs to be in. In God alone. Undivided. This question, this challenge, echoes down through the Bible to the very beginning (cue Adam & Eve) Is my faith in God alone? Do I really trust Him? Or do I trust me more? In the trial In the perservering In the maturing In the praying for wisdom My faith can only be in Yahweh. #james #james1 #faith #Godsgym

"Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep." John 10:1-2 NIV Since we seem to be going backwards in John 10...I always thought of this in context of people...but what  if its ideology, culture, & even our thoughts. Things that have come into our minds and thinking that have not come through the gate of our God. Thoughts that have climbed in over the wall, snuck in, thoughts that don't belong, thoughts who's purpose is to rob and steal. To steal what? Our thinking, our direction, our joy, to turn us away from God and lose sight of who He says we are... Jesus says He is the Way, Truth, and Life. He is the Gate. There is so much that will just rob and steal... kick it back over the wall of your mind... #heknowsyourname

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John 10:3 NIV When I think of a shepherd and sheep its a large flock, all the same, being moved or shorn, & yes the shepherd cares, but in a general sense... But this is different. This is a personal shepherd. This is not someone moving us around using a barking dog. This shepherd is personal He knows your name. He knows you. He loves you. He calls by name, and then what? Leads us out. Into the light Into a spacious place Into nourishment Can you whisper this out loud: "He knows my name He knows me Jesus loves me" We don't have to get it. Just believe. #thisisourGod #personal #dearlyloved #heknowsyourname

"...When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." John 10:3-5 NIV Ever been in a crowd or a busy restaurant and heard a familiar voice? It's familiar because we know it, heard it many times before, and we don't hear it in the noise because it's louder, shouting to be heard, but because we know it. When we hear a voice, someone or something pulling us in a direction how do we know its true? How do we know His voice as the strongest and most familiar? The only way is to spend time in God's word for ourselves. Seek Gods voice in the quiet. Alone. Personally. Seek Him in the quiet. Let Him speak to you So that you can hear him in the noise. #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly. Proverbs 17:12 NIV The Bible is in many ways a story of "fools bent on folly". People choosing their own way, running from God, thinking we know better, know it all...and in that foolishness we're destructive. We hurt ourselves, the planet, and other people. We wreak havoc. At the cross, havoc is met by Love Love that overcomes Love that makes a way Love that changes us Love that nudges us to see creation as an expression of God's grace toward us Love that nudges us to see people as His image bearers and worthy of our care Love that nudges us to replace foolishness with wisdom. #proverbs #nudged #jesusatthecentre #somethingtochewon

Friday! Proverbs! Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly. Proverbs 17:12 NIV An angry bear is a dangerous creature who can wreak havoc on your life in an instant...better to keep well away... Have you  met someone so committed to what they want to do that they stop  listening? Even if what they're doing is wrong, unhealthy, destructive? The writer here is saying get out of their path otherwise you'll get damaged too... Sometimes its a conversation that you know there's no value in trying to change someones mind or shift their thinking... A fool bent on folly is so easy to spot...in someone else...makes me wonder how often I'm that person...? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you... James 1:5 NIV This is The statement about God's grace. Our God who gives generously. Who gives without finding fault. This is who our God is. Hallelujah! If he was a fault finder...well... I'd get nothing. If he was stingy... The difficult thing is that this is how he wants me to be too. A person who gives without finding fault. What does that look like for you and me today? Am I holding something too tightly? Time, money, resources, information...love? Is it the generous part that is sticking? Or the fault finding part? #james #james1 #givegenerously #givewithoutfindingfault #lovewithoutmeasure #Godsgym

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all... James 1:5-6 NIV But I want a carpark, a job, a husband/wife, a pass , success in ________... I want this "trial" to end. Just pull me out. But James, after talking to us about trials, about perserverance, growing in maturity, connects it with wisdom. Maybe it's in the trial that we figure out that we need God's wisdom. That the wisdom of the world often contains some truth, some goodness, if it excludes the Creator, excludes the Big Story, excludes our image bearing status, then it's never going to be True and Good. James says to ask for God's wisdom. Whatever you face today, good, difficult, sad, joyful, celebratory, challenging... ask for Wisdom. #james #james1 #wisdom #ask #Godsgym

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 NIV In what area is perserverance at work in your life? The "trials of many kinds" in verse 2 literally means of many colours...this could be anything that we're facing...anywhere that requires perserverance. An Attitude An Action A Habit A skill A commitment A promise My accountability partner is chasing me about Bible memory. The truth is I'm just not persevering. And I'm missing having that scripture hidden in my heart and available to give comfort and courage. Trials come in many colours. James says that in the persevering we will gain something we lack. We get to choose whether we turn up to God's gym, or think we know a better way... #james #james1 #perserverance #faith #Godsgym

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV So that. The outcome James is pointing to, the result, the reason...is a maturing and completing of our faith. A faith that lacks nothing. I want a faith like that I've seen it in others A faith that is unshakeable despite their circumstances. A peace that is beyond understanding. James says that faith comes from perseverance. And perseverance is learned in the "trials of many kinds". So face them with joy, because that's where God is found, & where our faith grows. Easy? No. When you're in the middle of a 5 day tramp and don't feel you can take another step, the end seems impossibly far, when you don't want to carry on...but do...you learn something. It's the same with our faith. When you don't feel you can take another step. The end seems impossibly far. When you don't want to carry on...but do...you learn somet...

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5 NIV I'm going to try to memorise v5. Burn it into my mind. Why? Because it's the reason we have v4, the opportunity and the ability to come into the presence of God with praise (not fear, not worry that we're not good enough,  clean enough, worthy enough), with praise & thankfulness. It's because He is Good Even when I don't feel it. His Love Endures Forever Even when my circumstances are tough He is Faithful Even when there is evil in the world Enter His gates, come into His courts...imagine going to Buckingham Palace or the White House, places of great wealth, power, majesty...we carry that with us, and more so when we meet together...so if you can, get to church today and worship with thanks. Because. He is Good #sunday #w...

A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. Proverbs 17:10 ESV When we look for Jesus in this proverb, he can only be the "man of understanding". What rebuke cut deep into his heart? The rejection of the Father. Not for anything he had done, but for what we've done. He suffered the rebuke of God, the loss of all things, for us. And that leaves me as the fool. The person who has to hear the truth 100 times for it to sink in, who keeps making the same mistakes... Jesus forever carries the scars for me, suffered the rebuke, the rejection of God for me. And for you. Willingly Because he loves. Us Undeserving That's Grace. #grace #scars #proverbs #somethingtochewon #jesusatthecentre

Friday! Proverbs! A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. Proverbs 17:10 ESV Ok so yes I want to be a person of "understanding", i.e. not a fool. That means I need to be prepared to listen. Really listen And make changes as a result of that listening. This proverb is doing what it's saying... rebuking. The hundred blows? That's about the outside. I can get hardened to that, conditioned to that, so that it does not affect my heart. So does that mean I must take to heart what everyone tells me? Clearly not as we'd just get tossed around like a cork in the ocean...we need something else to anchor our thoughts...and anchor our hearts...and the only thing that can be is the immovable and the unchangeable. Truth has one source. And this proverb takes us back there to hear the rebuke and to weigh it against God's truth. (Often the rebuke comes from God's word so the loop is closed!) The wise take to heart ...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 NIV These verses are all good when it's not me going through "trials of many kinds", but are tough medicine when we're in the middle of "it". Anxiety, depression, work, business, money, study, relationships, health, pain...there's an almost endless list... Today's word is "because". Because tells us that the trials, the trouble, the hurt, the pain is not without some purpose. And while that may not be very comforting it does give this... Hope. That "it" will be used for good in me (as James indicates here) or through me (look at Jesus life!) Because gives us hope. Some days it may be just a glimmer, just a glimpse...but that's enough. God is at work In the world In our hearts "It" will not win There is hope. Our hope is a person #jam...

Consider it... whenever you... because you know that... James 1:2-3 NIV James is asking us to think about our situation, our circumstances, in new ways. To take a step back To consider, to think. Sometimes that's really hard because what's in front of us is so big or difficult or seemingly immovable. Sometimes we need a bit of help with that from someone we trust to help us re-frame our circumstances...(or maybe we can help someone else do that) "Because you know that..." Always re-frame in light of the Truth.  I re-frame my circumstances in light of who God is, what He says, what Jesus did, what Grace means, what Love is... #james #james1 #faith #reframe #Godsgym

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 NIV This is God's gym. When we choose to exercise our bodies, our minds, things happen. We push on and we (eventually) get fitter, stronger, more resilient Our faith is tested. And James says that's a good thing. Because the testing of our faith produces perserverance. In this trial, what do I believe? What do I hold as true about God? How can I love God and love people IN this? I want my faith to be stronger I want a faith that perserveres The testing is not about our strength, our resolve, or even our ability to do or fix anything. It's a test of our faith. #james #james1 #faith #Godsgym

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, James 1:2 NIV Isn't James annoying? Trials Joy Who puts those things together willingly? The word "trials" means "test" or "temptation" depending on the context. On the weekend I watched the All Blacks play a Test match. They willingly put all their training and resources and energy into that match. To test themselves. To willingly be put to the test. And there's a joy in that (there's a different joy in winning) Work, business, family, study, recreation...have you ever heard anyone practice their music, or learn to paint or...there's a joy in the testing, in seeing our skills improve...even in sitting an exam. So maybe James here rather than setting some holy goal for us is really just reflecting the way God has made us. That in the testing of ourselves there is real joy, this is the place of growth and goodness, and it's something to em...

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 ESV Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.  You are my friends... John 15:13-14 ESV Not only did Jesus absorb our sin, take the penalty, that love for us is a demonstration of what friends really are. He took the most radical of steps so that we wouldn't be separated from him. Friends. That's what Jesus called his team. A motley crew. Ordinary people. But they were the ones God had put in his life. Friends. Jesus ups the stakes from Proverbs to a whole new level, to give things up for our friends, the people in our lives...to live sacrificially for... because that's what He did for us... #grateful #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 ESV There is One who covers over all our offenses. And that "covering" is more than overlooking, more than not taking offense, or just not repeating. Jesus absorbed it. Absorbed it all. Somehow into His body on the cross my sin and yours was taken on, taken into...Him An act of Love. Friends. So that there need be no separation, no barriers between us and God. We're there, but not there. The price is paid, our sin absorbed...but sometimes we don't let it go... #proverbs #wisdom #jesusatthecentre

Friday! Proverbs! Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 ESV The second part of this proverb informs the first... the implication is that this is an unnecessary repitition,  perhaps an opening of old wounds, simply gossip, or perhaps betraying a confidence...these are the things that can separate friends. The lesson? Be careful with your words. They're important and they can damage friendships. And then there's the first part... where I could take offence, I could let this damage our friendship, or I could choose to cover it over. To absorb it. As an act of love. (There's times when covering an offense is not an act of love at all - but that's for another day) Sometimes my friendship, our relationship, is more important than my rights. There's something to chew on this Friday! #proverbs #wisdom #choose

Indeed, in the path of Your judgments, O Lord, We have waited expectantly for You; Your name, even Your memory, is the desire and deep longing of our souls. Isaiah 26:8 AMP Eternity is in our hearts, having glimpses of who God is are part of who we are... We are made for relationship with the Eternal, and it's found in the restless nature of our souls. Our world, people, are searching for Him When things don't feel "right" it's because they aren't. Yet. One day all will be made new, all that's been broken will be unbroken, we, and our world will be redeemed. The price has already been paid, and that restoration has begun (& we are part of it!) And one day, those deepest longings of our souls will be fully met. And we will know. #hope #hopeunswervingly #onedayallwillbemadenew

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV We put our trust in lots of things...that there'll be electricity when I flick the switch, that the land will always be here, that in a way, it's eternal, certainly within my experience. But we also know that even the land on which we live can't be fully trusted to be here forever. Isaiah reminds us it's Yahweh who is the the real Rock. The eternal Who always was And always will be It's in Him our trust must rest. The always was always will be, creator, personal, loving God, who knows you, loves you, it's in Him we trust, and in Him we find peace. #dearlyloved #childofGod

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV Isn't this what we all want? Perfect peace. This verse tells us that doesn't come from our external circumstances, what's going on, what we are facing. So, we can have peace in that. How? With a steadfast mind. The battle is in our mind, in our thinking! In the thoughts we choose to harbour and in the thoughts that we choose to jettison. To discard. To kick out. A steadfast mind does that. A mind that has determined it's orientation and direction. And there's two simple components in this verse. 1. Trust. A steadfast mind is one that trusts. 2. In what or who you trust. This verse tells us. It starts and ends with You. Yahweh. Our God. Trust in Him He is for you With you Made a way for you Loves Loves you. So today, choose to steadfastly trust in Him, and may you know His peace #dearlyloved #childofGod #steadfast

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. James 1:1 NIV What an intro! There's no missing his audience - he's writing to Christians scattered all over the place...a bit like today where family's often scatter  around the world, friends end up living, well, anywhere these days. I wonder what James would've made of our tech today? My guess on that intro, he would've loved it. He could've easily shared what was on his heart. And look at his qualifications: A servant. We might comfortably use "Christian" or even "follower of Jesus", but "servant"!? James is not afraid to put his credentials out there...and that one word tells us a lot about James. A servant does the will of the master. It's what he does, but it's also who he is. He's identified with, and his life is entwined with, his master. As is ours. #somethingtochewon

I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3 NIV Today; Consider the One who is "worthy of praise". Sometimes we water God down, reduce Him to something or someone more manageable, more malleable, someone who does what we want, when we want it done. Someone who will help me get X. Whatever X is, is where our hearts have rested, placed our faith in...but we can't stop there, because whatever X is for you cannot hold the weight of our faith... only the Living God can, so push on, push through the tangled web of loves that makes up our hearts and seek the One who is "worthy of praise". There is only One He is alive He is on the move He is worthy And He loves Seek Him today. #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #worthy #worthyofpraise

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 NIV This song continues and in the middle of this verse is; "In whom I take refuge" There's the "in whom" part - put your trust in the Living God, revealed in His Word, and in The Word - Jesus It's the action here that's important today... "...I take refuge" This is not a sitting around, sitting back thing but a choosing, an action, a step. Today I'm going to choose to take refuge in God I'm going to choose to stand on the Rock of his salvation I'm going to go to the fortress of His love for me And there I will look for my deliverer. There are lots of things I could look to today, but I'm going to choose my place of refuge in the God who saves. #psalms #psalm18 #refuge #choose

Friday! Proverbs! A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn. Proverbs 17:8 NIV Jesus was offered a bribe, a shortcut to rule the world. But He was the only sinless one, the only one who has been fully able to resist the lies that would take us down. The only one who could fully stand up to the Liar. But if we immerse ourselves in God's truth, in His word (like Jesus did) then the lies and the bribes start to unravel...and the Liar's success will diminish and one day be removed from our world altogether. For now though, he thinks he's a winner. But we know how the story will end! For now, don't take the short cut way of offering a bribe. It will always end in ruin. God doesn't seem terribly concerned with our success in the world's terms, but His concern is with our character... #somethingtochewon #proverbs #wisdom

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; Psalm 18:1-2 NIV David was a King. He had power, wealth, authority, yet...even he needed a deliverer. So often we think that we can deliver ourselves, save ourselves. We have tremendous resources of intelligence, tenacity, compassion...we can solve what seem insurmountable problems, achieve what seems to be impossible But When we are faced with a holy God Eternity Creation Sin We know that we need a deliverer. The Bible is full of stories of deliverance coming through one person... And we have that one person. A saviour Who not just made a way, but became the way. And why? Because He Loves You And me What a crazy story! God with us For us Adopting us...all we need to do is Believe! #psalms #psalm18 #perspective #safe #deliverer #believe #faith #hope #love

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; Psalm 18:1-2 NIV When do you need a fortress? Well, you don't need it in peace. You need it in trouble. Who is the enemy? So often my enemy is the thoughts that I allow to stay in my mind. Maybe today as those thoughts arrive and circulate, those things that are not true, not from God, I'll choose to say like David; The Lord is my rock The Lord is my fortress The Lord is my deliverer That I will stand secure in the battle, in the fortress that is my God.  Are you facing a battle? What, or who is your fortress? Where are you looking for protection? David chose our God. Choose Him today Choose to say like David; The Lord is my rock The Lord is my fortress That I will stand secure in the battle, in the fortress that is my God. #perspective #psalms #psalm18 #safe

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; Psalm 18:1-2 NIV A rock is a high place, a place of safety, a place of perspective. Why do we need a place of safety? Because we're in a battle. Why do we need a different perspective? Sometimes we're so buried in activity, in doing, in life, in the battle, that we lose sight of the bigger picture. We lose sight of God's Big Story Creation Redemption Restoration He says take a breather, come up to this high place, this rock that is Me, and regain perspective. Remember who I AM That I AM with you Take another look at the battle from up here - it's already won! That's where your hope rests. The battle is on. We're in it But it's already won. #perspective #psalms #psalm18 #hope

I love you, Lord, my strength. Psalm 18:1NIV David has been rescued. God has been at work in his life, and the first thing he says is not about his situation, it's not about success, it's not even thankfulness...it's simply worship I love you Lord And then very simply how God has impacted his life; My strength. If this was your Psalm today, what would that word be? What word would you write? My strength My hope My desire My destination My direction What is it you need most from Him today? Are most grateful for today? My courage My armour My deliverer My help Simply tell Him today: I love you Lord My __________ #psalms #psalm18 #simple

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:1-3 NIV This is a call to worship. We're not great shouters here in NZ, but there's a call to worship out loud. Don't hold back There's a choosing here. Choose gladness Choose joyful songs Sometimes even if we don't feel full of joy, our circumstances are not great, we can still choose joy filled songs of praise. And then there's the "why". When we believe God. When we acknowledge Him as creator When we know we are His His people We belong Accepted Nothing can snatch us from His hand Safe Known by Him Important Loved Then we can find our voice :) #praiseloud #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #dearlyloved

Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince. Proverbs 17:7 ESV Who are the "princes" of our world? The politicians, the Chief Executives, the super rich...and so often we hear "false speech", lies, obscuring, cover-ups ...Solomon could've been talking about today's world. A fool in the Bible is often someone not tracking with God, and a prince here implies someone sitting on a throne of their own self importance and pride...and that's always someone else. Never me. There's days when this proverb could've been written about me. Speaking from my pride and self importance, not tracking with God at all... Solomon is writing to me. Fortunately there's the Cross. Where another's sacrifice covers my foolishness, and  grace overwhelms my pride #overwhelmedbygrace #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Friday! Proverbs! Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince. Proverbs 17:7 ESV Words. Our words are important. I wonder what Solomon would make of our modern world? Fake news. Where everyone's opinion about anything is tweeted or blogged or posted or commented on... I think his advice would be the same: your words need to match your life Fine speech, eloquent words, have little value if the person speaking them is a fool. The root of the word for "fool" here includes stupid, but also vile, wicked. The reality being pointed out here is the disjoint of the nice or good or right things people say, and the way that they actually live. So... I need to work at getting my life, my choices, actions, day-to-day activities, to line up with what I say (& what I believe)! #ouch #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

"Come, you who are blessed by the Lord", he said. "Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels." Genesis 24:31 NIV Echoes Genesis 24 is full of echoes. A servant is sent from a far away land. He's sent on a mission To find a bride And here is an invitation. Come in. I've prepared a place for you Jesus had a clear goal God went ahead He prayed for success (He prayed a lot!) He acknowledged the problems! Had a good plan And is celebrating success. Death has been conquered, and the restoration has begun, and He has invited us to be part of it. Why are you standing out there? I've prepared the house for you Just come in and join me! Echoes of God's Big Story! And one day we will see fully what we get glimpses of today, and all that is broken will be renewed :) #genesis #genesis24 #echoes #hegoesbeforeme #pray #celebrate #hope #onedayallwillbemadenew

Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord , saying, "Praise be to the Lord...As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey..." Genesis 24:26-27 NIV The unnamed servant's mission was ultimately successful. Nice. Along the way, he celebrated success. And he celebrated with prayer and with praise. We've had: 1 Be clear about your goal 2 Know that God goes ahead of you 3 Pray for success 4 Acknowledge the problems 5  Make a good plan. And 6. Celebrate success. Celebrate the wins along the way. Even in the toughest of journey's, the darkest of nights, when the valley seems to have no end, there are things to celebrate along the way...we just need to be looking for them :) #genesis #genesis24 #hegoesbeforeme #pray #celebrate

May it be that when I say to a young woman, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too' - let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac... Genesis 24:14 NIV We've had: 1 Be clear about your goal 2 Know that God goes ahead of you 3 Pray for success 4 Acknowledge the problems And here... Make a plan. This was no small thing that was in the plan. A camel drinks 150 litres of water - he could have had 10 for his 800km journey, that's 1,500 litres of water to draw up out of a well ...by hand! The unnamed servant had a plan. This plan was part of his prayer - so not only did he make a plan, but he prayed his plan. Committed it to God. Plans are good and useful, sometimes they have difficult things in them that we want to accomplish. So pray them. Jesus had a plan. And he kept praying. And when it got really tough, he prayed more. #genesis #genesis24 #hegoesbeforeme #pra...

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me... Psalm 86:12-13 NIV "with all my heart" I don't know about you but sometimes I'm with David, and sometimes...well...all my heart is not in it. David gives some pointers tho; "I will" There's a choosing here. Despite my feelings, despite my circumstances, I will glorify Your name. And then there's the reason for us to ponder - "For great is your love toward me" Think about that for a minute. God's love towards me is great! We are the object of his love. Great love. Meditating on that leads me to praise God with all my heart... King of endless worth, no one could express how much you deserve. Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours, every single breath! I'm coming back to the heart of worship... #psalms #psalm86 #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #heartofworship #Jesusatthecentre

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me... Psalm 86:12-13 NIV David is clear here about who is at the centre of worship. Sometimes I lose sight of that. Because I'm "going to church". That's just religion. My friends are there I feel better going Sometimes it's good to go Isn't it easy to lose sight of the object of our worship? Creator Redeemer Restorer Humble Hurt Broken for my sin Lover of my soul The bread of life The hope of the world Write your own list this morning of Who God Is. Personified in the Jesus Humiliated on the cross Bore our sins Lived the life I couldn't live Died the death I couldn't die Separated Fractured And Restored. Ressurected And scarred So don't just "go to church", come to worship :) I'll bring you more than a song for a song in itself is not what you have required you search much deeper with...

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me... Psalm 86:12-13 NIV There was a pastor in the UK who was concerned that the church had lost its heart for worship, what they were really there for, so for a year he turned off the sound system and shut the band down, and the church worshipped with just their voices. David writes "I will praise...with all my heart" When that happens, when we truly are praising with all our heart, cut free from the expectations of others, released from the burdens we carry, we get a glimpse of heaven. And in those moments (which may not be in church) the Spirit can heal and bring transforming change. Choose to worship with all your heart. When the music fades And all is stripped away And I simply come Longing just to bring Something that's of worth That will bless Youur heart I'm coming back to the heart of worship... #psalms #psalm86 #heartofworshi...

Friday! Proverbs! Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Proverbs 17:6 NIV Let me rephrase - the kids think their parents are great, the kids want to be associated, to be known as part of the family...proud to have those parents... I was at a funeral this week and the children expressed great pride in their Dad. Strong, consistent, proud. This is a great proverb for parents because it's all about the long term view. A measure of success is when your children are raising Godly children. A measure of success is that the way you live before God your children (eventually) see is being good, right, admirable. And if you don't have children of your own it's those who are in your orbit, who you walk with, journey with, encourage and are encouraged by... In this world of instant, of now, of immediate or it's of no value, Proverbs encourages us to lift our view to the far horizon... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingto...

She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 2 Kings 5:3 NIV Faith full Brave Compassionate Hope filled Despite being a slave living in enemy territory, she was filled with hope. God would work. She must've seen that happen before, where God had been at work, or heard first hand of what God had done. Hope changes the way we see the world, our circumstances, and the people in our lives. What was her hope in? In God. In Him she placed her faith, her hope, and that let her live compassionately and bravely. One day we'll get to meet her - for now let's choose to live like her :) Our hope is in another servant. Who came with a message of hope Who came with a heart of compassion And faith in his heavenly father. Who not only risked it all, but lost, so that we might win #faith #hope #love #liveliketheunnamedservant

Now Naaman was...was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded...He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. ... She said to her mistress, If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy. 2 Kings 5:1, 3 NIV Trouble visits everyone and anyone. You can be the most powerful person on the planet...and still get sick. But our focus is on our faith-full, brave young woman, who despite her situation retained her compassion. Jeremiah 29 encourages the people even though they're in exile to do good for the city. This young person is showing the way by caring enough to potentially put her own safety at risk to save another. Her heart of compassion led her to speak hope into a situation. A small thing to do, but an  example of faith Bravery And compassion May her example encourage us today... #lovepeople #faith #brave #compassion

She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 2 Kings 5:3 NIV We don't know what the relationship was like between this slave girl and her mistress, but the power of life or death was certainly in her boss's hands. Brave. It's quite a thing to see someone who is brave. People who face illness, pain, hurt, addiction. People who face the lies imprinted on them in childhood, the bullying, the noise and enticements of the enemy (the great liar) This slave is an example. Despite her captivity Despite being deprived of her family, her freedom, she was brave. Yesterday it was her faith. Maybe that's the source of her bravery. One day we'll get to meet her and hear her story, but for today, may her example, her faith, make us a little more brave today whatever is ahead... #choose #faith #hope #brave

Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." 2 Kings 5:3 NIV This is another unnamed servant. She was a young girl, stolen by an army unit from her people, from her family, and trafficked to become a slave, living in enemy territory. I wonder how long she was there to learn the language to have this conversation. I wonder if there were other slaves from her people who she connected with before this conversation. If she found community in the enemy camp. Even so, how hard it must have been for a young girl to have kept her faith while living with the enemy. She did. She found goodness there, and she found purpose there. God can be at work in us and through us no matter what our circumstances. Choose to trust Him. In the dark When the journey is tough When the way ...

Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Proverbs 17:5 NIV Mocks. Poor. Gloats. Disaster. Those words jump out. Perhaps they reflect your experience. Jesus was mocked. Humiliated. Jeered at Scoffed Spat on Stripped Beaten Scourged He became poor. He no house, no car, no money...in the end not even any clothes... He was gloated over. Despised Rejected Given a crown made of thorns His life ended in disaster nailed to a Roman cross. He knows what those words mean because he lived them. So that we have a saviour who understands. So that we have a hope The cross That place where disaster became victory Where death was mocked Where shame was gloated over Where hope was born The hope of the world Worthy of our worship #onedayallwillbemadenew #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Proverbs 17:5 NIV This proverb makes me sit up and think about my attitude towards others, but it also reveals a couple of things about God... He loves people regardless of their circumstances. He knows how I live and what's coming out of my mouth...that there's consequences to what I have to say, the way I treat people made in His image. This week someone we care about shared about being bullied. I wanted to "fix" it. But we're going to try and help them walk thru this. In a way, the bully is showing contempt for this person's friends and family. God hates sin And loves us I've got to trust him that He will sort it all. I'm grateful that He made a way for me, a mocker and a gloater, and that one day, all will be made new... #proverbs #wisdom #lovepeople #lovelikeJesus #onedayallwillbemadenew

Friday! Proverbs! Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Proverbs 17:5 NIV I don't think Solomon could watch those "fail" videos on YouTube... maybe people in his court laughed over the misfortune of others, or maybe in his heart he thought about "them", those people from "there" who if only "they" made better choices, worked harder, did the things he did, "they" wouldn't have these problems come upon them... Mocking Gloating Those are strong words. I'm not like that. Am I? How do I see "them"? From "there"? Do I know their story? What choices would I have made if I lived their life? If I'd been born "there"? What would I have done to survive? What I do know is that God calls us, calls me, to see people like He does. To see them To hear, to hold, to love. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #lovepeople...

The servant asked him, "What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from?" Genesis 24:5 NIV Lesson#4 Acknowledge the problems. So often in our church or ministry or our personal life we are not great at acknowledging, naming, giving clarity to the problems, the difficulties, the barriers... There was an 800km camel ride required, finding the right person, convincing her to come 800km back...to marry a stranger! It's easy to overlook the barriers. To be naive about them. Whether it's church, ministry, work, study, flatting, family...our inner world, our thinking, emotions, our heart...life really. On this mission, our unnamed servant acknowledged the barriers, and that might help us to do that too... #genesis #genesis24 #pray #hegoesbeforeme #barriers #somethingtochewon

Then he prayed, "Lord , God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham." Genesis 24:12 NIV The unnamed servant was on a mission... and prayed. A lot. He prayed for success. Lesson #3 is that's an OK thing to pray for - success for your mission! Prayer for success shows who I'm relying on. Is my measure of how much I want to achieve my goal, my mission, how much time I spend talking with God about it? I've been at a complete loss - no idea how to move forward, and all I've had is prayer. Somehow God has worked things out, and progress has been made But looking back, my prayer could've been more integral from the beginning, that may have shaped the mission, my actions, my heart. Pray for success, but don't wait for the wheels to fall off! #genesis #genesis24 #pray #hegoesbeforeme

The Lord, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father's household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me...he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. Genesis 24:7 NIV Abe had a unique relationship with God, but note here what he says to the unnamed servant... God who I know, who I trust, who I have seen work in my life in the past, is now going ahead of you. He's with you. In this case in the form of an angel. To help you complete the mission. Lesson#2 God goes ahead of us. We don't always see that or acknowledge that, let alone understand how He works, but sometimes we look back and see God's hand, and know that He must've been going ahead of us. I don't think I thank Him enough for that... #genesis #genesis24 #Hegoesbeforeme #bethankful

I want you to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac. Genesis 24:3-4 NIV Abraham was sending this person on a mission. An interesting mission for sure, and not one that fits in with our modern world. But Abraham knew what was important to God, knew God's heart, that he didn't want his people influenced by, seduced by, the values of the world around him. We only get to know God's heart by keeping in his word. The interesting thing here is the clarity of his goal. When we set out to make a change in our life, do something for God even, our goals are often vague. "Read my Bible more" is too vague. Setting clear goals is something Abe did. If you struggle doing that then work those goals with someone else to make them clear & achievable, and line up with Go...

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Philippians 4:23 NIV The end of the letter, Paul's last words to the church at Philippi... Paul was all about Jesus, and that's where he ends his letter. Paul was all about grace. And that's here too. And he was all about connecting the grace of Jesus to people. Others It's almost like a one sentence summary, both of the letter, and of his life. Jesus Grace People Amen. So be it. What do my letters (OK so not many of those are written now, so how many of) my communications have that focus, give that message... People are important. You're important Your voice is important. Jesus is who He said He is. The Way Truth Life Grace. Our only real option, our only access, is by Grace . Undeserved Love came down And made a way, became the way. What a great way to end this book: may it be our prayer, our expression today too... Jesus Grace People Amen. #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

Greet all God's people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All God's people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household. Philippians 4:21-22 NIV Paul's closing notes to the church are just standard closings to a letter...or are they? They hint at a few things... 1. Be friendly and kind Nothing new in this but sometimes we just aren't, especially to other churches 2. Paul is clearly working with men and women equally. For all the disparaging things you read about Paul supposedly not treating women equally don't seem to true here. 3. God's people, Christians, were in Caesar's house! Amazing! How did that happen? Ordinary people living out their faith in the world that they lived and worked in. So don't give up on people, even if they're in places of power or influence...they still need to know the gospel of Jesus. And you or I might be the connection... #speaklife #...

Friday! Proverbs! An evildoer listens closely to wicked lips; And a liar pays attention to a destructive and malicious tongue. Proverbs 17:4 AMP Sounds nasty. Until I realise that I'm a liar at times, and while I try not to be an evil doer, that's me too. So what then am I listening to? Sometimes it's the voice of the culture telling me what I should or shouldn't be, and sometimes it's my self-talk. The words that rumble around inside me...that sometimes are simply not true. They can be destructive, and malicious. And so I have to go back to what our God says: Ps 18 He delights in me. Rom 8 free from condemnation John 15 chosen Eph 5 dearly loved child of God There's a long list! What am I listening to? We get to choose, maybe not what we "hear" but what we listen to, what we dwell on, and definitely what we hold to be true. In this I'm going to trust what God has to say today. #chosen #dearlyloved #childrenofGod #redeemed #p...

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.  He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.  They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support.  He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:16-19 NIV In all this talk of enemies, feeling overwhelmed, disaster and trouble, there are these five words Because He Delighted In Me This is the "why" of God. We are the object of His love. Hard to figure that out, hard to acknowledge or accept sometimes...but there it is. He, Yahweh, delights in us. Someone who you delight in is someone you connect with, brings joy and goodness into your life, someone who makes you smile :) And that, should make you and me smile today :) #dearlyloved #childofGod #psalms #psalm18 #smile

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; Psalm 18:16-19 NIV You can almost feel the relief... he brought me out - I've been stuck with this problem/ issue/ person/ thinking and it's like the doors have been opened and he steps out into fresh air From constraint, locked in, held back, where  there are no options, where the  air is stale, there is no light...to a spacious place... From bound, to free. It's not clear what God did. It's not clear that his circumstances changed. But his view of them did. His eyes were saw the far horizon of God's story, and he knew that no matter what, God was with him... #with #breathe #heismysupport #thefarhorizon #psalms #psalm18

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. Psalm 18:16-18 NIV The enemy. Not sure what or who your enemy is today, but David's was big. Powerful. Foes Too strong for me Confronting Bringing disaster No wonder he felt overwhelmed. Too strong for me. That's quite an admission, one that I don't like to make. Surely I'm awesome enough, powerful enough, can do anything if I just focus or meditate or will it to be, imagine it, and defeat anything... David here says "I can't do this on my own, my enemy is too much for me" "But the Lord was my support" He found the answer was who was with him. Yahweh. The creator. The one who reaches down David says lean into Him, walk with Him in the valley. #heismyrescuer #heismysupport #with #thewayoutisth...

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.  He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. Psalm 18:16-19 NIV This is David's song, his heart expression, his poem to God, and it tells us some things about God... "He reached down." Our God reaches down for us. He's not alloof and distant but reaches down. "He took hold of me" He's personal, holds us, hangs on when we can't "He drew me out of deep waters." David must've felt like he was in over his head, no longer able to swim, at the end of his resources, and saw God at work in his life. Maybe today this is you, or someone you know, or maybe this is a piece of poetry to tuck away for another day...you can pray your story or someone else's into this Psalm, this song Our God reaches down,  he's personal, & He rescues. #dearlyloved #childofGod #heismyrescuer

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3 NIV Can we see Jesus in this proverb? He entered the crucible for us. He entered the furnace on our behalf. In the garden, on the cross, in the grave, his heart was tested in ways we can only guess at. He was melted down. Burned up For us. Our only response is to believe, to accept his grace, and to reflect his love in this broken world. And to worship #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #thatiswhatlovelookslike #dearlyloved #lovedaylightsavingtime

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3 NIV Why not something more ordinary, like boiling water? Why use silver and gold? Why not brass or something ? Because the writer is making a comparison with your heart - and these were the most valuable things that were in front of him. Silver & gold. What is your heart? The essence of who you are... spirit, soul, mind... Our thinking, feeling, believing, the sum of our experiences, our dreams, our hopes...our loves ... who we are. Who I am Who you are When you are has immense value. You don't think so? That value took the Son of God to the cross. #thatiswhatlovelookslike #dearlyloved #valued

Friday! Proverbs! The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3 NIV A crucible is a container where metals (in this case silver) are subjected to very high temperatures. A furnace is a place of extreme heat. But what's the purpose of the heat applied to those metals? To melt them, so that they can be reshaped, reformed, made into something else. Something useful Something beautiful Crafted Invested in Sometimes it seems that God puts the heat on us. Tests our heart. (I don't think this is saying that every bad thing that happens to us is a test from God. Testing of the heart could just as easily be with good things) The Bible that the writer of proverbs read features God who is jealous for his people, and jealous for their love. That they would choose Him above the idols competing for their affection. What's competing for my affection? What's competing for yours? Often they're good things. Kind of pu...

(the gifts you sent) They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:18-20 NIV Paul is winding up his letter to the church with thanks. Is it a bit over the top? I got an email the other day and the closing line was "May God bless your work tenfold". Over the top? These are encouragers, heart warmers, connecting the person, their actions and point us back to God. Their point is to leave us warmed. Encouraged Strengthened. When people get a communication from me are they warmed? When people leave my place are they encouraged? "A blessing does something. It's the leading edge of love." Your words matter. They bring light in the darkness, replace the cold with warmth #speaklife #beanencourager #blessings #yourwordsmatter #lovepeople

Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. Philippians 4:15-17 NIV I wonder what the back story is here...Paul working hard out for the church's and these guys were the only appreciative ones. I wonder how long it took to send a gift and get feedback? Weeks? Lessons for me? When I'm prompted to give I should give. There's something that goes on in the kingdom when we give. Paul's desire is that more is credited to their account - is that a reimbursement of what they've given? Or is it something deeper? Be like the Philippians. Give generously. Time, talent, money, resources, words, actions, let your life speak of God's g...

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Philippians 4:13-14 NIV Even though Paul had this contentment thing sorted, he was not alone. Others shared in his trouble. The next few verses show the church has sent him financial support and they sent people. They helped with his practical needs. And they sent people to walk with him in his trouble. Isn't that the same for us today in our times of "trouble", what we need: 1. Eyes on Jesus I can lose sight of God in my trouble and need you to hope for me, to lead me back 2. Practical help I might need help with a task, money. Food. A visit. 3. People to walk with me We aren't designed to do this life alone. Lean into others. It's OK. It's OK to ask :) We may be on the receiving end like Paul, or the giving end like the Philippians, or maybe  both at the same time. #community #lovepeople

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. .... I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11, 13 NIV Let's not rush past this contentment thing...Paul uses food as his example...he must've known what it was like to have no food, perhaps in prison, when shipwrecked? In our modern culture going hungry is something we generally have to manufacture - a fast, or the 40hr famine. What are the circumstances then that make us not content? Failure. Not feeling we measure up to others expectations. Being left out. Ignored. When others are doing "better" Fear of the future There's something that pushes our discontent button. Paul's solution is the same. Get your eyes back on Jesus, who he is, what he did, give our stuff to him, look to him for strength, live out kingdom values, live in the hope he gives...and contentment will come. #thesecret #jesusatthecentre

...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 NIV I have often read v13 in isolation - I can do all things... - but the NIV links this to the verses above, about the secret of being content. That secret is Christ. Who strengthens me. He is the secret that is the source of contentment regardless of today's circumstances. God in flesh The Word Forgiving Restoring Healing On the cross In my place, taking what should be mine. And now advocating for me. On my team That love is what brings contentment regardless of my circumstances. That love. That person. #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. Proverbs 17:2 ESV Can we see Jesus in this proverb? He's certainly not the son who acts shamefully. He's the son who gave up his position as first born son, gave up his rights, his power, his honour, to become the servant. The wise servant. The unruly son. If left to my own choices I would've ruined everything the father had made. We are the  unruly sons (& daughters) who squander and waste the fathers inheritance. His creation. And we're saved by the servant. Saved by his choice. His wisdom His love So that we get to share in the inheritance of the Father. Too much of a stretch? It does make you think about our position now as sons and daughters of the King... #dearlyloved #nothingcanseperateusfromthatlove #childofGod

Friday! Proverbs! A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. Proverbs 17:2 ESV In a culture where sons were everything, especially the first born son, this must've been a shocking thing to read. The servant will be in charge. Elevated over the son. And why? Because of his character. This was written about 3,000 years ago yet speaks to our culture today, where those with privilege, wealth & power "act shamefully". In God's economy it's all about character. Who you are, and who you're becoming. It was like that 3,000 years ago and is the same today. What does my character say, and how is that evidenced in the way I live? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon