verseoftheday

Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?" Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things..." Matthew 19:27-28 NIV After the rich young man story in jumps Peter! What's in this for me? We've given up everything to follow you Jesus...what's the go? After all the time he'd spent with Jesus, Peter still didn't get Him. I see a bit of Peter in me though...aren't miracles for me, for my benefit. Shouldn't my life be blessed? Shouldn't I be healed? Shouldn't I be successful? But Jesus lets him (& me) know that it will be OK when all is made new. Just trust. All this thinking about ourselves will be blown away by the glories of heaven. So what do I need to do? Keep trusting God. Keep choosing to follow Jesus. #trust #faith #faithinthedark #upsidedownkingdom

This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers... Tamar... Rahab... David... Solomon... Matthew 1:1- NIV Jacob the deceiver, Tamar who made a terrible error of judgement, Rahab who was a prostitute, David, who should've been the start of #metoo movement... Solomon...Jesus family line was full of people who made shocking choices, people we might think were irredeemable, fallible people, people who failed... When we, or those we know, make poor choices, do dumb things, fail...it's not the end, it's not irredeemable...none of us are beyond Grace as we are (re)born into Jesus's family line... #grace

... Obed the father of Jesse,  and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,  Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah... Matthew 1:5-7NIV This is part of the genealogy if Jesus... tucked in the middle of that list is someone who is not in Jesus line at all. Uriah. It was Uriah's wife Bethseba who was Solomon's mum, but Uriah is mentioned. Uriah was discarded by his king - David - but remembered by the King of Kings :) He doesn't forget the ordinary person, who only did what was right, but in this case had his wife, and then his life, taken. Uriah is in the list so that we won't forget him, and a reminder that God will never forget us, the ordinary... Because He Loves. #dearlyloved #theordinary #notforgotten

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 NIV Jesus said he was here to do the will of the Father. He committed his plans to Yahweh, especially when it got hard - when Jesus was in Gethsemane and would've happily given the mission away...he said I'll roll what I want to do back to God the Father, and let Him establish the plan... And with that, salvation came. Hope came. In God's time. God's plans were established when Jesus committed his stuff to the Father...and so should we...sometimes the energy we need for that is found when we get together in community, in church, to connect with our Heavenly Father, to (re)commit our stuff, to Him, to give Him the freedom to work out His purposes in and thru our lives... #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #roll #rollyourplanstoGod

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 NIV So get the order right... commit, roll your stuff to God, and He will establish your plans... somehow He's going to influence our goals, our dreams, our plans, when we commit them to Him first... He's going to reshape them. That may influence our choices, or maybe the way we do things, or the outcome we work towards...or maybe just our hearts... What do you think? Do we trust God enough with our plans, our dreams? Make your plans Commit them to Yahweh Let Him in. And get cracking... #roll #rollyourplanstoGod #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Friday! Proverbs! Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 NIV Ask God what you should do, and when He answers, do that and you'll be blessed. Then it'll work out. No. That's not what it says. Whatever you do, what you choose, what floats your boat, what gets your motor running...whatever that is, commit that to God. That's different to just asking God for blessing or success. My work, my business, my family, my friend, my art, music, sport, abilities, ministry...the things and causes we're passionate about...commit them to God. Hand them over. Literally this word commit means to "roll". Roll your plans to God. What's He going to do with that? Roll it back the same...or keep it...or roll it back different...we just need to trust Yahweh with our stuff, our plans...roll them to Him... #roll #rollyourplanstoGod #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

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 19:25-26 NIV This story got a bit much for the disciples...if this morally good person, who was genuinely seeking can't be saved, then who can? What hope is there for anyone? Jesus says it's not about religious observance, it's not about how good you might be, you can't be good enough...you can't save yourselves. You can't be made right with God. It's impossible. But God makes the impossible possible. The only way was Jesus. The disciples still couldn't see it, but we know the rest of the story. Jesus became The Way. No matter who we are. No matter what we've done. Love left heaven to become one of us, to live the life we couldn't, and to give His life for us. The impossible just became possible. We get to liv...

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 What's it gonna be? Treasure on earth? Or treasure in heaven? Seems pretty easy. Jesus asks. Sure. No probs. But would I? I want both. Treasure now AND later... I don't think Jesus is being mean here but wants to get to our hearts - for us to see what we hold dear...what our treasure is... Would I give away my pride to talk about Jesus to my neighbour? Give away my money? Give away my time? Skills? Resources? And get nothing back? Just follow Jesus? I have decided To follow Jesus No turning back I don't know about you, but there's some of that guy in me...that wants to hang on to this treasure, that wants to save myself. But Jesus quietly, gently, simply, says "Come, follow me..." ...

Jesus answered, "...Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:20-22 NIV Faith. Or more accurately...lack of faith is the issue. If he really believed Jesus is who he says he is, how would he have responded? I trust you. I will follow you. Even if it means giving up something, giving away something important too me... But this guy, he had more faith in his money than in Jesus...even though in his heart he knew it couldn't save him... We all have something that we put our faith in from time to time; money, business, work, education, acceptance of others, appearance, relationship... Jesus says have enough faith in me just to follow me first. Trust me. #faith #whatsreallyimportant #wordsofJesus

"All these I have kept", the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 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 The thing that seems to be going on here is this... Jesus gets to the heart issue. This is not primarily about being wealthy, but this person's heart. Is he really willing to call Jesus "Lord"? Is he really willing to do whatever Jesus asks? Or does he have an idol, a god, that he's not willing to give up? There may be a time where Jesus asks that of us too...are you going to cling on to that thing (whatever that is) or follow me? #heart #whatsreallyimportant #wordsofJesus

All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Proverbs 16:2 NIV In the 2001 movie "A Knights Tale" twice these words are a key part of the story... "You've been weighed You've been measured And you've been found wanting" That's the way the world works. It judges us on performance, our last exam, piece of work, how we look, what we do, where we live...if we're too loud, too quiet, not enougb... too much... We've been weighed, measured, but we're not found wanting, because Jesus lived the life we couldn't, died the death we should have, to make a way, to be the way for us. To the One who really matters, we are not, and never will, be found wanting. So we don't have to be bound up or weighed down by the expectations of this world... we're free :) #sunday #worship #redeemed #adopted #dearlyloved #childrenofGod

All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Proverbs 16:2 NIV Yes on my own, my motives (the fallible choices of my heart) will fall short, won't have enough weight on the scales of Yahweh... But. Jesus. Jesus evens up the scale. His motives (the infallible choices of his heart) close the gap, add the weight to balance Yahweh's scale. So we strive to address the weaknesses of our hearts, NOT to gain favour, right standing, salvation, but BECAUSE of salvation, because were God's adopted children we have right standing, because were redeemed we have God's favour. It's done. Yahweh's scales show us all just how short we fall. Yet in Jesus, they show us just how much we're loved :) #redeemed #adopted #dearlyloved #childrenofGod

Friday! Proverbs! All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Proverbs 16:2 NIV I usually think that I do things from a good heart, with good motives...but then something snags in my heart... maybe I'm grumpy, snappy, angry, hurtful...curl into a ball...disappear...hide... And why? My motive at the heart level is selfish. Something isn't working for me how I think it should. My grades My salary My life I can't be happy for someone else getting, going, having...'cos I'm not getting, going, having... Am I really prepared to let the Lord, Yahweh, weigh my motives, put them on his scale, have a good look...a prod... When my motives are on Yahweh's scale, well, I just come up light... That was a bit sobering & I wasn't quite expecting that out of this proverb, but here we are, just being real. Maybe tho there's more to this story tomorrow... #ouch #proverbs #somethingtochewon

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV Planted. Just looked up this word and it means "transplanted"! We've been transplanted from the place that we've been getting our nurture, to the place where God's living water nourishes, stengthens, provides stability...a new place! Father in heaven, nourish us with your living water today, thru your Spirit who dwells within, may we know the stability and strength that comes from being transplanted to a place where we can draw our nourishment from you. Amen. #wateroflife #upsidedownkingdom #transplanted

"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other." John 13:34-35 MSG Valentine's Day is this kind of strange celebration of love that seems to have its origins in pagan fertility rituals...now taken over by florists & chocolate makers...flowers fade and the pleasure of chocolate soon subsides, but the love Jesus calls us to is not flowery or sugary, but is strong, gritty, sacrificial...it does not fade, it does not subside, it does not give up when things get tough, but preserveres, forgives, gets up and loves again. This is the love we get, & this is the love Jesus calls us to live out, not just on one day, but every day... #loveoneanother #stronglove #grittylove

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV ...never fails to bear fruit... We've got a couple of plum trees. Some years there is a great crop...and other years... but we can still bear fruit even in the drought, even in the battle, when by all life's normal measures we have failed, missed the mark, been unsuccessful, even in that time, kingdom fruit can appear... Because the source is Yahweh. In the unrelenting pressure of drought the deeper our roots need to be, and from there the fruit will come #wateroflife #upsidedownkingdom

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV When the heat comes. In a year of drought. Not if, but when. There will be times of real heat, life sapping, debilitating heat. There will be a year of drought. A time when we won't flourish and thrive. But these verses tell us there's no need to fear in that season, no need to worry... if...our trust is in Yahweh, if our roots are in him, if our nourishment comes from the stream of the river if Life... It's all about who we place our faith in... #wateroflife

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV Where are you and I planted? By the water? Jesus talked about streams of living water, about being the water that ends our thirsting, ends our striving, our need for acceptance... but we just can't stand still, but actively get our roots heading towards, seeking out, the water of Life... Don't wait for the drought, the heat, the storm...we need to get, and keep on getting, our roots deep into the stream... the Water of Life. Jesus. #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #wateroflife #inthistogether

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7 NIV I've been sent these verses this week...maybe you or someone you know needs these too...here we go... This verse starts with a "But", so yes you're blessed when you put your confidence, your trust in God, but what's on the other side of the "but"? Ch17v5 "...the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord." When we're under pressure, maybe it's health, work, study, relationships, money, grief...loss...feeling overwhelmed, empty, lost, alone, discouraged, dismayed...do we just look to our own strength, our own mind or abilities, do we turn from God? That's on the other side of the "but". When it's tough, trust in the Lord (Yahweh) & choose to, continue to, put your confidence in Him. Live on the right side of the "but" #loveGod #trust #faith #faith...

Friday! Proverbs! We did Prov 15 back in 2015, so we'll skip on to Ch 16... To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. Proverbs 16:1 NIV Have you ever said something that's blessed or encouraged or helped someone...and you have no idea where those words came from? Maybe prayed, or sung, or wrote something...or ended up serving in a way or place you never planned or intended...but God was clearly in it? That's what I think this proverb is all about...make your plans, but don't be surprised, be prepared, for God to say "yes" when your plan was "no", for His Spirit to jump in between your mind and your mouth, or your hands or your feet... So make your plans, but let the Lord (Yahweh) speak... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #letYahwehspeakthroughyou

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" ..."All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect..." Matthew 19:16, 20-21 NIV As this story unfolds we get to learn a bit more about this guy who is asking one of the big questions...we can see he's earnest, he really wants to know. And we can see he is religious, and he's morally good. He's kept all the commandments. Kept all the rules. And while they're good, he knows that they're not enough. There's something more needed. And in a typically human way he thinks he can do it. Just tell me the one thing I need to do and I'll do it. The answer was standing in front of him, and he couldn't see it. Couldn't see Him. Couldn't see Jesus. In striving to save himself, he missed Jesus. Let's not make the same mistake :) #jesusatthe...

"...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43-44 NIV Martin Luther King Jr preached these words 50yrs ago this week on this passage...his last sermon. "Oh, I see, you want to be first. You want to be great. You want to be important. You want to be significant. Well, you ought to be. If you're going to be my disciple, you must be." But he reordered priorities. And he said, "Yes, don't give up this instinct. It's a good instinct if you use it right. It's a good instinct if you don't distort it and pervert it. Don't give it up. Keep feeling the need for being important. Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be first in love. I want you to be first in moral excellence. I want you to be first in generosity. That is what I want you to do." #firstinlove

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you..." Luke 22:20 NIV Today we reflect on the covenant that started our nation, an agreement, words that while good and worthy, weren't lived up to...the actions that followed did not always reflect the intent... But God's covenant, His words, we're lived up to, His actions reflect his promises completely, as Jesus was poured out for us...God's covenant was not just about peace, or mutual benefit, but about love. Love Sacrifice Humility For us. So that we might know Him, be restored to Him... God's words, His promises, got real in the person of Jesus... #forus #dearlyloved #covenant

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. Matthew 19:16-17 NIV Funny how we ask questions of God expecting an answer...when so often when Jesus was asked a question, he'd fire back another question... Just like this guy, I want an answer. As a parent, your kids ask questions all the time, and sometimes the best answer is "what do you think?" Or "do you have the freedom to do that?" Just giving an answer isn't always the best thing for the person doing the asking. Being answered with a question forces us to think, to research, to take ownership of decisions, to consider our motives...as a parent I was confident that a good decision would be made (maybe not the same one I'd make but that's OK) When God doesn't answer, maybe He wants us to think, research, consider our motives...and choose :)

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 NIV This can't mean that the Kingdom is just for children, and doesn't seem to mean it's about coming to Jesus like a small child... but about those who do not yet know, or have not yet met Jesus. For some reason (culture, poor conversion rate, hard to work with?} the disciples decided that this group were not worthy to meet Jesus. But Jesus said these people are what the Kingdom is for. They're who I came for Who I love Who I died for Don't hold them back or put a barrier between them and me...I don't need protecting. And when I'm gone, they need to meet me thru you! #wordsofJesus #lovepeople #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.  Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them..." Matthew 19:13-14 NIV The disciples got in the way. Their intentions were probably good, but may have been something like "have you seen Jesus schedule today - he hasn't got time for little kids - there's more important people he needs to see" But Jesus says don't filter people from me, don't decide who's more important, don't get in the way... Lord help me not to get in the way of others seeing you, help me not to decide who's more important, but let you do that. Amen. #wordsofJesus #upsidedownkingdom #lovepeople

Friday! Proverbs! A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury. Proverbs 14:35 NIV Another chapter of Proverbs done! And an interesting one to end on...a Proverb that describes a relationship based on performance. How good it is that our relationship with the King is not dependent on how wise or how shameful we are. Our relationship is one where the King always delights in us, because we're not his servants, but his children! Adopted Dearly loved Nothing can snatch us from His hand. We're the ones who can wander into the King's meetings, wake him in the middle of the night with our bad dreams or concerns... because we're His kids :) #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #childrenofGod #dearlyloved

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray... Matthew 19:13 ESV When you read something a few times and mull it over...it makes you wonder about the way you always pictured things to be...Jesus...is hanging out with the little kids and exchanging wishes with them...is that how we picture Jesus? We like to have fun, enjoy being with other people (even little people) so why wouldn't Jesus? He's all about people and relationships...hanging out, exchanging wishes... Don't get so caught up in the doing and that you miss that... Those little kids had that opportunity because someone bigger was looking out for them...don't forget, we have someone bigger looking out for us too... #thewishexchange #pray #lovepeople #enjoy