verseoftheday

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus... ...And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5, 8 NIV How do you do this? Have this mindset to give up your rights, your rewards ... everything ... And for who? For one another! That's like anyone we know! Jesus had this mindset, and it took him to the cross. I wonder where it would take me? #mindset #morph #servant #love #loveoneanother #cannotdothiswithouttheSpirit

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus... ...he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant... Philippians 2:5, 7 NIV Paul is telling us not to just take on the role of a servant, just do the things a servant does. Don't just act like a servant,  play the part for a while...it wasn't like taking on a new job for a while that isn't  that great... the word here is "morphe" "The form (outward expression) that embodies essential (inner) substance so that the form is in complete harmony with the inner essence." He calls us to morph. To became a servant. For others. Because we love God, love people. #serve #humility #servant #morph #love

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:5-7 NIV #thisisourGod #humilty #servant #love

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5 NIV When I read Phil 2 I usually just skip past this verse, because the next bit is this massive concept of Jesus giving up being God to become one of us...but Paul is telling us here before you get to that, before you get to what Jesus did, I want you all to have the same mindset, the same thinking, the same heart...as one another? No the same mindset, the same thinking, the same heart as Jesus. Think like Him. Bring his heart to your world. See the people in your life as Jesus saw them. And it's from our heart that our words, and our actions flow... Bring Jesus heart to your world. Bring Jesus words to your world. Bring Jesus actions to your world. #speaklife

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 ESV I've heard it said that to see what you really care about look at your bank transactions and see where the money is going...but I wonder if a log of my time might give some better  clues...and whether I'm even close to this instruction of Paul's to look out for the interests of others. I do like that it's not specific about percentages or amounts, so that it can't be used to accuse or make anyone feel guilty that they're not doing enough...but challenging enough to make me assess  how I'm doing, how things are between me and the Audience of One. #somethingtochewon #others #lovepeople

Friday! Proverbs! How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. Proverbs 16:16 ESV Yes that's what I want - wisdom! Understanding! But...I want the gold. Is it just me that wrestles with this? Is it the perceived security of the gold? The house? The business? The education...the lifestyle, the travel... Solomon says to get wisdom...but didn't he get the gold as well? The battle for me is that wisdom and understanding become the priority and that I'm prepared to give away the gold (or what the gold represents) as a result. What am I afraid of? That putting wisdom and understanding above the gold might take me somewhere uncomfortable? Jesus said to seek first God's kingdom. That's the wisdom and understanding that leads to Life, and the gold and silver start to fade... #choose #wisdom #chooselife #upsidedownkingdom #proverbs #somethingtochewon

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, Philippians 2:3 NIV One heart, one love...that seems do-able...but "do nothing"! out of selfish motives! Nothing? That just seems too hard. If we choose to live the second part of the verse, the way we see people, the way we think about others, the valuing of other people, then the first part starts to happen. The verses before and after give some more context, but for today, let's simply value others higher. The people in your house, in your orbit...in your prayers...and see what happens :) #lovepeople

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2 NIV Our Pastor is in prison. And he asks for everyone to  pray to get him out, come and visit, bring a food parcel... No. He asks if we have gotten any goodness at all from being a Christian, then his joy will be complete if we are of one mind. One love. One spirit. United in thought and spirit. There's only one thing that can unite people like that...the Gospel. The Gospel that brings us all to the foot of the cross. The cross where we're all in need of grace. Where we're all the same, where we can have one mind, one heart. One love. United. #inthistogether

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion... Philippians 2:1 NIV Tenderness and compassion. Two things our world seems to need more of, but seems to be in short supply of... The good thing is that they're not like usual commodities that work on supply and demand, that are scarce, that cost... Tenderness and compassion are free. And the more you give, well the supply just doesn't run out...it may even grow... How do we tap into that supply? By being united with Christ. Jesus is our source. In Him we choose to live with tenderness and compassion...to extend that to the people in our lives, the people on the bus, at work...a deep well... #life2.0 #lovepeople #walkingeachotherhome

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20 NIV When we consider the intricacies of the human body, the beauty of creation, the huge wonder that is the universe that is finely tuned for our existence...these things are the visible representation of God's character and power...these things that have been made, been made... the word here is "poiema", and this is the only other place in the Bible that word is found. His workmanship. His poetry. It's found in his creative genius. And it's found in you! The visible representation of God's character and power... made in His image! #somethingtochewon #childrenofGod #dearlyloved #God'spoetry

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Song of Songs 8:6 NIV "We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that we will be able to make of this old world a new world. We will be able to make men better. Love is the only way." Martin Luther King, Jr. What a pleasant surprise to hear such a powerful sermon at last night's royal wedding...a reminder of the strength of God's love for us, and the power of His love to change...to change us, and to change the world... #love #sacrificial #fierce #royalwedding #surprised #loveGod #lovepeople

For we are his workmanship... Ephesians 2:10 ESV Think about the work of a master craftsman... maybe a musician, artist, builder, carver, engineer... and then go up a level, or ten! You are the work of God's hands. The Master Craftsman. The word here is "poiema". God has put on a master class of creative endeavour delivering an epic, individual, unrepeatable, beautiful, poem. You. His workmanship. A treasure. #dearlyloved #childrenofGod #accepted #belong #beautiful

Friday! Proverbs! A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it. Proverbs 16:14 NIV Those with authority and power get to use that however they choose...Presidents, CEO's, Kings, dictators...when we have authority and power over someone else how do we use it? Does my anger seem like a messenger of death? Yes were called to speak the truth, but in love. Love needs to be our highest value. We get to choose our words, choose whether they hurt, discriminate, belittle, gossip, slander, damage... destroy... Or build up, encourage, bless, include, restore...show care, compassion & love. We're called to speak life... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #lovepeople #speaklife

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love... Philippians 2:1 NIV Have you ever had a crazy, irrational love for something? A pet, a toy, a car...that favourite T shirt... something that in the eyes of others it made no sense that you cared so much...yet...that thing was the object of your love. Important to you. That's how you are to Jesus... important. The object of his love. His crazy, outrageous, grace driven love that left heaven to join in the story, that stopped at nothing to make a way for us, that wants nothing more, and nothing less, than all people to know and experience that love. That reckless love. That should give us comfort whatever is going on... the good, the bad, or the ordinary... #faith #hope #love #thegreatestoftheseislove #day2000

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ... Philippians 2:1 NIV I often just read past this first part of this verse and keep going to the one love bit...this first part is enough to stop me though. The Holy Spirit dwells within, and somehow I am found in Jesus (Col 1v3). He is somehow in me, and I am in Him. The One who was there at the beginning, who humbled himself to become one of us, who went to the cross for me...somehow He dwells within, and I in him. How good is that? I have no reason to be afraid of what other people think of me, no reason to fear the future, in Him there is freedom :) #freeindeed

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Philippians 1:29-30 NIV Believe. Suffer Struggle Those last two words are not the most popular...Paul was the only one in prison, so their shared struggle must've meant something other than going to jail...putting our faith in Jesus will not make us popular. There will be those who passively oppose us, and there will be some who actively oppose us, so don't be surprised... But there's also the battle within. The battle against what I want, my selfishness, as I am shaped a little more to live like, to love like Jesus, the opposition is within my own heart... That's why we need one another as we walk each other home... #faith #hope #love #walkingeachotherhome

They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem. Psalms 84:7 NLT The psalmist destination in this song is Jerusalem. Jerusalem = the place, the city of peace. As he takes us on this journey through the valley of tears, digging in, waiting on God to turn the valley of tears into a place of flourishing, of life, his eye, his mind is set on pilgrimage...to the place of peace. Our minds too can be set on that place, the new Jerusalem, the place that Jesus blood gained us entry to. When we're in the valley, set our minds on the place of peace #valleyoftears #ourmindissetontheplaceofpeace #with #through #strength #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #psalms #psalm84

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.  As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.  They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:5-7 NIV There is strength to be found in the valley. And not just strength, but growing strength. In this song, the songwriter is telling us about the valley of tears, the digging in, the refreshing rain that gives life, and now strength...all while we're in the valley... Our culture yells at us that our comfort is our priority, that getting out of, escaping the valley, is a priority by any means... This song gently tells us that resilience & strength are discovered and grown in the valley... #psalms #psalm84 #valleyoftears #with #through #strength https://youtu.be/1ozGKlOzEVc

Friday! Proverbs! Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right. Proverbs 16:13 NIV Honesty and integrity. Soemtimes we think those with authority and power don't want honesty, but Solomon says they do. They value the truth. If you're the boss, the parent, the celeb, the one in the spotlight, up front...value the honesty of your friends, those in your life... And not just Kings. We're masters at the mask, the veil, the less than honest response... if we're not good and need someone to lean on its OK to say, OK to ask... we're just walking each other home :) And there's One who can always handle our honesty, because He Loves, loves without measure. #truth #honesty #speakthetruthinlove #walkingeachotherhome

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ... stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you... Philippians 1:27-8 NIV Hang on a second Paul. You're the pastor. That's what we pay you for, to take the flack for being a Christian... I hear you Philippians. It can come as a shock, but not everyone thinks following Jesus is such a good thing. Yes I'm in jail for the faith, and I might never get out,  but I keep the gospel, at the centre of my thinking. Jesus was opposed so much that's where it took him. Hopefully it won't be anything like that for you, but when you get a  hard time for being a Christian, always go back to the cross, to the gospel, He is preparing a place for you, and one day, all will be made new, and you're dearly loved. Hang on to that, no matter what. Paul.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ... stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel... Philippians 1:27-28 NIV "Whatever happens..." Pressure, stress, illness, death, hurt, disappointment. It's going to happen. And there's going to be joy, abundance, health, victory, rest, beauty, restoration, creativity...goodness. That's going to happen too. And in between, there could well be a bit of drudgery, everyday, ordinary, unspectacular, not instagram worthy moments, days, weeks... Whatever happens, live in a manner worthy of the Gospel. The Good News. That Jesus died, and was raised to life, to deal once for all for my sin, and make a way, to be the way, back to God. To adoption To acceptance To forgiveness To love Nothing I could do, nothing I can do, but believe and accept the Grace that flows towards me...that Good News! So whatever happens, live in a way that is worthy of...

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel... Philippians 1:27-28 NIV Striving together as one: how come the Christian community can't seem to do that? Sometimes we complain & bicker about the trivial & leave no energy for striving together. Rather than encourage, we tend to pick holes... You & me though, we don't have to be like that. We can choose to stand together, to strive together, "whatever happens". Paul's in jail for his faith. Can't see my pastor going to jail anytime soon...but... Tragedy Financial setbacks Loss, hurt, grief, depression, illness, injury...these things & more all affect my community & I want to strive together. Let's follow Paul's call here :) #oneheart #onelove #inthistogether

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ...Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ... Philippians 1:20, 27 NIV Paul was concerned that the way he lived was worthy of the gospel (v20), and here in v27 he's concerned about us. How we live on Monday. What we watch, where we go, what we choose to be part of, on what we spend our money...is it worthy of the gospel? There is no list, no yes this is OK, this is not, just a call, a personal call, to consider my everyday choices in the light of the gospel. How I respond What I say Paul wants the reality of the gospel to permeate everything, not just Sunday, but Monday too. This is not a "big stick" or rules thing, but a gentle, loving request from Paul's heart, from an old pastor in jail for the gospel, lovingly reminding us that what we bel...

As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. Psalms 84:6 ESV The valley of tears. To make it a place of springs we dig in. And the early rains come and fills...we dig in, and after the summer dry, the early rains fill in, and the Valley of Baca, the valley of tears becomes that place of life. Those rains are God at work. The psalmist is still in the valley, still going through, but the dry is ending, and goodness is coming from it. He dug. God filled. And the rain is changing the valley. When God is at work, change happens. Our circumstances may not change, but we do. Check this with Philippians. Paul is in prison. He leaned on his community for support, shared the gospel with his jailers, and people were saved. Blessing. Flourishing. Yet still in jail. Stick with our God who turns the valley of tears into a place of life... #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #faith #psalms #psalm84 #valleyoftears #wi...

Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. Proverbs 16:12 NIV God detests wrongdoing. He is the only holy one, who cannot live with sin. It's his throne that is established in righteousness. He is the only one who truly is truth, justice, integrity, honour... He is that King. Righteous. Holy. There's one thing that trumps this. One thing that overshadowed all of this. Love. Love gave up the throne. Love humbled himself. Love gave up everything. For us. We're the objects of that Love. Amazing. Amazing Grace. #dearlyloved #childrenofGod #lovelikeJesus

Friday! Proverbs! Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. Proverbs 16:12 NIV Kings, those in power, in authority, they like everyone to follow their rules. And on the other hand their throne, their authority, their moral authority, comes from righteousness. Righteousness = justice, truth, integrity, honour etc Sounds good so far! Except that when we look at those with great power and authority around the world, they like the first part, but either skip, discard or perhaps never had the righteousness, justice, truth, integrity part... whether it's Kings, Presidents, or CEO's...or my boss... It's what we long for, a world that actually operates on truth, justice, integrity... If only. And then there's me. All of us have authority over someone at times in our lives. How do we use that? How do I? Am I known for truth, justice, integrity...is that the basis for my "throne"? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #r...

As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. Psalm 84:6 NIV The valley of Baka, the valley of tears, of weeping. The only way is through, but in the process of moving through they make it a place of springs. Springs are about water, about life, about flourishing.  A place where those travelling through, & others coming behind can find goodness. Look for the most likely areas for water...and dig. Dig. In the valley of tears we need to dig. And in that the psalmist is encouraging us that we'll find some goodness for us, and for other travelers. What are the likely places to dig? His Spirit. Pray His Word. Read His people. Share When we're in the valley of hurt, of loss, of grief, it can become a place of life. #psalms #psalm84 #valleyoftears #with #through #inthistogether #life

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; Philippians 1:21-23 NIV OK so he's not called Saint Paul for nothing :) He got to meet Jesus on the road to Emaeus, blinded, healed, shipwrecked, jailed...had his name and his destiny changed...and clearly he had a better view of eternity, a better grasp of heaven than me... But what if I genuinely could get to the place Paul was? I think I'd hold onto the things of this world more lightly, my focus would be much more on what's really important...knowing God, making Him known, loving the people He's put in front of me... #whatreallymatters #faith #eternity

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20 NIV Even Paul, strengthened by the prayers of others & the provision of the Holy Spirit, was still concerned that he would have the courage to finish well, that he won't slip up under pressure. His outlook was that no matter what, it's knowing Jesus and making Him known are THE most important things. His personal circumstances are secondary. He was less concerned about his comfort, his health, his very life, than making Jesus known. That's focus. Purpose. Mission. And it's dangerous. If I put "make Jesus known" at the top of my to-do list every day, things would have to change! That is Paul's example to us... I find that a bit scary... #jesusatthecentre #whatreallymatters #somethingtochewon