verseoftheday

Friday! Proverbs! Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32 ESV Who's the equivalent in our world to "he who takes a city"? The Richard Branson's, Steve Jobs, Kanye West's of the world... Who are the "mighty"? The CEO's, the wealthy, the landlords, those in authority... According to this proverb, in God's economy, in His view of the world there are things that are better: Being able to control your anger is better Having self control is better God seems more interested  in character. It's almost like a thought experiment. Choose A (the farm, house, business, education, good looks etc) or B (good character) B doesn't look all that attractive. Can't I have both? Maybe, but Solomon says choose your priority. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

Let your gentleness be evident to all. Philippians 4:5 NIV Confession. This was my family's "go to" verse for me for years. It was on the fridge, and took forever to find its way to change my attitude. And every now and then that ungentleness reappears...which for me found it's expression in both what I say and how I say it... Evident. Paul is clear, our attitudes need more than our intellectual agreement. They've got to be worked out in the real world. (I have quite a list to work on...kindness, generosity, patience...they need evidence!) And then there's the "to all". It's easy to be gentle with those who are gentle, with those you like, but this is "to all" Paul wants our character to be consistent...so even when I have bad news, tough medicine or criticism to give, Paul is telling me that my heart should be consistent and my gentleness evident...to all #ouch #lovepeople

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NIV Hang on a sec. Isn't Paul writing from prison? Does this mean ignore your circumstances and just be happy? The focus of this always seemed to be the "rejoice" part...but the heart of this is the source...what we find that deep joy, that deep belonging, that deep acceptance in is not a what, but a who. It's found in Jesus. When we are found in Him Secure When we know what He did for us Loved That's where rejoicing is found. #dearlyloved #childrenofGod

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel... Philippians 4:2-3 NIV Conflicts and difficulties between people happen. We don't always get on. We don't always agree. We just don't. Hear Paul's heart here...it's for reconciliation, and he asks someone to help. Who that is it's not clear (or is it all the church at Philippi who need to take some responsibility?) No matter, get on the same page, and help one another get there...and what's the basis for that? The gospel. Come back to the Big Story, and the small story of your conflict will find perspective...get our minds back on the gospel. The cross Jesus Why he came. It's not a strategy or a conflict resolution tool, it's how we live. It's who we are. #loveGod #lovepeople

May he be enthroned in God's presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day. Psalm 61:7-8 NIV This song started in a place of despair. Of crying out to God from a broken heart. But crying out to God And ends here, in worship. If there's one thing God understands about us it is suffering. Write Jesus story into this song and you hear him in the garden, in the place of despair, on the cross, crying out to God, and now... Write your own story into this song. Maybe you've been in that place of despair, maybe you're there now, crying out...this is where it ends "then I will ever sing your name" There is hope We know how the story ends :) #onedayallwillbemadenew #hopeiscomingforyou #psalms #psalm61

... appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. Psalm 61:7 NIV Let's pray for protection...and we'll start at the most obvious place... love & faithfulness David is a king, he knows about warriors, about armies, about strength & power, about city walls and ramparts...but when he writes his song to God here about protection, the two things he wants are: Love & Faithfulness What use will they be? How can they protect? It's all about who it is that loves you. He says "I have God on my side." And so do we. And in His love and faithfulness we will find protection. In His love and faithfulness we will meet the God who is for us, who wants to restore, to redeem Love and faithfulness that took Jesus to the cross, to buy my protection. In that I want to shelter today #sunday #worship #thisisourGod

Increase the days of the king's life, his years for many generations. May he be enthroned in God's presence forever; Psalm 61:6-7 NIV David's song started with crying out from a place of despair, then restating his faith in God, to this part...he goes third person on us, and he sees that there is hope, there is goodness, God is who he said he is, so I want to live, really live ...and this living to go seamlessly on from this life to the next, because it's about walking with God from here on... There's no mention of a change in circumstances here, of God fixing anything or changing anything... His cries of despair from the ends of the earth are answered by a revealing of who God is. Who is with him. What a beaut song to be singing :) #with #whoGodis #faith #faithinthedark #psalms #psalm61

Friday! Proverbs! The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 16:31 KJV Gotta love the King James (sometimes) & this phrase "the hoary head" - the grey, the dark hair turned white with age - love that! But there's more than just growing old here and that's some badge of honour. It's about a life lived oriented towards God, that's where goodness is found, it's about finishing well, about choosing God over the whole length of your life. This is about who you & I are journeying with. "if it is found in the way of righteousness" Jesus said "I am the Way..." No matter how long or short our life is, to be found in Him should be our goal... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #with #jesusatthecentre

For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Psalm 61:5 NIV We don't know from this Psalm what committments David made to God, but God gave him something back. Community. People. People to journey with. Healing comes in community Strength is restored in community Our weaknesses are exposed (& used) in community Our hearts are humbled and encouraged in community. We are challenged and confronted about our sin in community. Hope is kindled, & faith is strengthened when we journey together. It's a taster of what is to come. A glimpse of how it will be. A glimpse of the place where love is free. #inthistogether #jumpin #psalms #psalm61 #walkingeachotherhome

I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Psalm 61:4 NIV There's that future hope again. One day, it's going to be OK. One day I'm going to be where God is permanently. One day the things He's promised, the things we see in part, will be fully realised. Because of who we're with. A place to dwell. Where Shalom is restored A place of refuge. No more running, hiding, protecting yourself, because our God will do that A place of shelter. Shade from the heat, out of the rain, warm, insulated from the cold, no buffeting wind. Shelter. At last. Hope Hope in the One. #hopeiscomingforyou #onedayallwillbemadenew #psalm61

From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. Psalm 61:2-3 NIV In the present, David is calling out from a place of despair & heartache. He calls to God, asking Him to lead him onward...on to a place of refuge in the future. And then he looks back. Back to when God has been his refuge before Back to when God has been his place of safety before. The lesson? When we're in a tough place now, look forward with hope, because we know God is for us because if what He's done in the past. Even if we have to go back as far as the Cross... #dearlyloved #hopeiscomingforyou #faith #faithinthedark #psalms #psalm61

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1-2 NIV David knows that there is a place of refuge, a place of safety, but it's not somewhere he has the power to get to...it's a place beyond him - & he's the king so has all the resources of the world available to him. Counsellors, advisors, mentors, friends, family...all good and helpful, but none will get him to the "rock that is higher than I" that place of safety that is unassailable. No one is doing it for  him, he's crying out to God to lead him there. And so do I. I need to cry out to God to lead me to that place of ultimate safety and refuge. Place of salvation. Place of hope. It's personal. #psalms #psalm61

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.  From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint... Psalm 61:1-2 NIV David unloads on God. He wants to be heard. Not some prayer about some minor inconvenience in his life, David is calling to God from the core of his being... Our God can take our strongest emotions, our deepest hurts, our innermost needs. He's the designer after all...the designer who joined his creation, became one of us, so he knows how we tick. And David gives us permission here to let Him know where we're at. The good The ugly The joy The sorrow The wins, victories & when we trip... Most of all He wants to hear our heart. David got to the end of his resources here before he cried out...we don't need to do that because God is with us. He is near. He wants to hear from us And He whispers his words of love and acceptance #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #hopeiscomingforyou #yourenotalone #psalms #psalm61

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you... Psalm 61:1-2 NIV This is a cry of desperation...of someone who is at the end of their resources...when hope seems to have expired. And "from the ends of the earth" a place of aloneness, a place where God (apparently) is not... Maybe you've been there, or someone you know has. There's two things we can learn from this: You're not alone. David (a man after God's heart) felt like this, Jesus  when he was abandoned, betrayed and ultimately disregarded by the Father, felt like this, then we can too. You're not alone David found a way through this. So there is Hope. Even when it feels that there is none...there is Hope #hopeiscomingforyou #yourenotalone #psalms #psalm61

Friday! Proverbs! We're in Prov 16, and the next 3 proverbs, 29-30, are all about the sin that lurks in our hearts, and in our world. It's all there, gossip, leading others astray, the violent and the deceptive. Read them as they're instructive, but I'd rather focus on one word from Proverbs 31 today...it's a word translated noble, or excellent in v 10 & 29 to describe the Prov 31 woman's character and actions. However that word, "ha-yil" is a word that means "army", strength, power, it describes a valiant woman. Courage, strength & valour in the Bible are not the domain of men only, but are also found in the heart and deeds of valiant women. Maybe you know someone who shows courage and strength in adversity, who is doing good work, who could do with hearing a blessing or thanks from you today. Or maybe there's someone who needs encouragement to see the valiant person within that you see. Maybe it's your wife, mum, sist...

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Philippians 4:2 NIV Who are these two people and what's going on? Don't know. But there's some kind of dispute that Paul who's in prison has heard about and what is his suggested way forward? It's not "tell me the story and I'll decide who's right and wrong" or "I'll fix it", he says to take it up a level. A few years ago there were t-shirts and bracelets with WWJD? on them; What Would Jesus Do? Maybe that movement started here...what is Jesus heart on whatever it is that's between you? Wrestle with that. But Paul, I don't want to do that. That's work. And not only that, it might mean I have to change. And I don't want to. Can't you just fix this? No my friend. Discover Jesus heart on this for yourself first. I Love you. Paul. #itsaheartthing

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! Philippians 4:1 NIV This is Paul writing to his church community, but in a way, it's Jesus writing to us; Dear friends My crown My joy You who I long for My brothers & sisters You who I love. Unmistakable, & unmissable. Yes it's to us, his church, but it's also personal. To you To me You who I long for You who I love Unmistakable. #dearlyloved

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! Philippians 4:1 NIV Therefore...because of Ch3, because our citizenship is in heaven, because we are found in Christ, because of that stand firm in your faith! But just in case you missed it, let me see how many ways I can tell you that I love you... Dear friends My crown My joy You who I long for My brothers & sisters You who I love. What a greeting. Unmistakable, & unmissable. Perhaps today there's someone in your life who needs to hear from you in an unmissable & unmistakable way that you love them. Who is that person? Let them know now, today. #justdoit #lovepeople

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV We are in Christ. Found in him. Standing firm in him. Today. Accepted. When our days are done. When Jesus returns. No matter what, we are in Christ. Safe. He has anointed us. I've never been anointed before, but now I know I have. He has sealed us as his. I have no fear of falling out of Jesus orbit, out of his care. Loved. And I have a deposit guaranteeing my future. God somehow dwelling within, gently moving me to be more like Jesus and living that out. Purpose. Our deepest needs are met In Christ. He is our destination, our prize, & our fellow traveler... #jesusatthecentre

But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body. Philippians 3:20-21 AMP I have no idea what this transformation means, but I'm guessing things are going to be restored to how they were meant to be... before the Fall...that the effect of sin will be unwound.. I'm going to take it as a good thing! And I have that hope because of my citizenship. A citizenship not earned by what I bring, but what Jesus did on my behalf at the cross, and granted to me when I believed in Him, & stepped by faith into a new relationship with him. And for that, I can sing. We can sing. #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #onedayallwillbemadenew #grace

A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. Proverbs 16:27 ESV Maybe your life has been impacted by the "worthless man" or woman, who does things for literally "without profit",  or maybe you've been on the receiving end and felt the scorching fire that has scarred and disfigured. I'm not sure about you. but my inclination is to bite back. But I don't want to be that worthless person I don't want to return worthlessness for worthlessness I don't want to return scorching fire for scorching fire Again, the answer is Grace "Jesus, you're the only one who can turn those burns, those scars, that scorching fire, into soothing balm, healing waters, into kindness, into goodness, into love. Help me to become the person who loves. Thank you for the forgiveness and grace that flows towards me, help me to reflect that in some way in my life today. Amen" #grace

Friday! Proverbs! A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. Proverbs 16:27 ESV Who is the "worthless man"? According to Strongs concordance the word worthless comes from the words "bliy" & "ya'al", literally, "without profit", worthlessness. The person who does only what is good for him, taking no heed of God, or others. This man, this person plots evil, and this person uses words like a scorching fire... What does a scorching fire do? Burns the skin, the surface, causes pain, disfigurement, scarring. Its indiscriminate and hurtful. Who wants to be that guy? And yet. At times. I am that person. I do things that profit no one. And my words are a  scorching fire. It's me. And my only place of refuge is Grace. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #grace

They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Isaiah 61:4 NIV A city destroyed. Deserted Broken. We're great renovators! Get the bulldozers in, yes let's recycle some materials, but let's rip in and fix this, it'll be better than new, more functional, more efficient. But God is not a renovator. He's a renwer A rebuilder A restorer To restore takes time. Painstakingly slowly at times, where there seems to be no progress, that the cause is lost. He won't give up, get tired or disheartened...but He won't force His way either... Out of that work, comes the Restored. Full of His original intent, beauty and goodness. He wants to restore the "places long devastated" #heartrestorer #dearlyloved

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...to comfort all who mourn,  and provide for those who grieve...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair... Isaiah 61:1-4 NIV For those who've been hurt, who've lost something or someone, this chapter is a picture of hope and restoration... Broken hearts bound up again. He's a heart restorer. Feelings you never believed you could have again...well...you can. Comfort for those mourning Beauty instead of disgrace Praise in place of despair None of this is found in a place, a thing or even another ordinary person...it's only found in Jesus. What does it say? This is what he was sent for! For now we get glimpses of how it could be... glimpses of how it should be... glimpses of how it will be! #restoration #onedayallwillbemadenew #heartrestorer

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners  and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free... Luke 4:18-19 NIV We can see...and yet be blind. We don't have to be in jail to be a prisoner. We can live in a free country...and still be oppressed. Jesus pulls this quote from Isaiah 61...an epic chapter that points to a person who will do all kinds of things...and then says, that person is me. In me there is freedom. Freedom from what binds you, oppresses you, what stops you seeing, what stops you living! Trust in me. Those things that bind you & me are just shadows without substance or power any more. When we look to Jesus, really look, place our faith and trust in Him, we start to see anew...the things we were blind to we start to see... I can proclaim all kinds of things & that won't mean much, but Jesus is proclaiming this. That makes it t...

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:18-20 NIV Who is Paul crying over here? He's crying over people who's appetites and desires  have taken them over. They've allowed themselves to do whatever they want. I think there's 3 reasons for Paul's tears: The destruction and hurt that people do to others That their eternal destiny is one without God And that there, but for the grace of God, was Paul. And there, but for the grace of God, is me. We want to make a difference, be the difference, see change...it starts as Paul starts, with tears...and with hope in a saviour who has shed those same tears... #citizenofheaven #hope

...But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:18-20 NIV I recall a time we were waiting for a helicopter to medi-vac someone out from where we were living and another person was going to go with them. He had his bag packed and his passport handy, and was eagerly awaiting his saviour (the chopper) to take him home. Paul lived in the now. But his passport was from somewhere else. A different kingdom. In that was his hope. But he wasn't looking for a saviour to take him away somewhere better, to whisk him off, but for a saviour to arrive from there who would transform him! To make things new. To restore. To redeem. He wasn't looking to be taken away to the kingdom, but for the kingdom to arrive... #transforming #redemptive #thisisourGod #sunday #worship

The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on. Proverbs 16:26 NIV What was the hunger that drove Jesus? What was it that pushed him on...when he wanted to bail out in the garden of Gethsemane.. what was it that compelled him to tolerate the beatings, the humiliation, and the cross? What was the hunger that drove him to absorb our sin? All of it. It was Love. Love that had (& has) an object, a direction and a goal. A desire. And that is us. People. You and I We are. Wow. He didn't have to, but chose to, because He Loves You. #dearlyloved #childrenofGod #redeemed #somethingtochewon #proverbs #wisdom

Friday! Proverbs! The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on. Proverbs 16:26 NIV Well isn't this interesting...is this Proverb suggesting you keep your staff hungry so they'll work harder? Or just a reflection of the social conditions of the time? Or is there a challenge here for us? What am I hungering for? What drives me on? When I consider those questions, the answers aren't generally bad things...but...am I prepared to surrender them to God? Am I prepared to give Him the opportunity to change what I'm striving for? Change what drives me on? Change what's really important? What about you? #somethingtochewon #proverbs #wisdom

...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 NIV Paul, just like us, is driven by hope. Hope of something better. But he's not living there, he's not in the "if only", "when I get there..." living in the future. He's living in today's reality and going as hard as he can. Straining Pressing on. Today. In the now. And that's how we should live, with our heads up and our eyes on that living hope,  and at the same time, going hard out for the kingdom, however that looks for you and me... #pushon #hope

...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 NIV Paul's already described that prize...that fully being "in Christ" that one day we'll really understand. On that day he'll know fully, his questions, doubts & struggles will be understood in a whole new Light. For now though, there is no passive waiting. Letting the past become the shadow that it is, he's pushing hard, straining forward, towards Jesus. But he's in jail. This seems to be a heart yearning, a spiritual direction, an emotional drive, that is best explained by physical action... towards Jesus, towards his light (that makes the darkness flee) towards his grace (that is freely given, no matter who we are), towards his Life that gives life, that renews, restores. There's more to this story for you and for me. Paul here is all about direction...a...