verseoftheday

But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, "What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!" Mark 2:6-7 NLT The room was packed Jesus was teaching Some guys pull part of the roof off and lower their paralyzed mate down in front of Jesus. Who then forgives his sins. And the priests are thinking - he can't do that! Only God can! Sometimes I think things over in my heart too about Jesus claims. Can he really deal with my sin? He doesn't know how ugly and dark my heart is. He doesn't know. I'm too bad Too dirty Too damaged Too My heart can believe the lie. That I'm too bad That Jesus can't be enough And He reminds us. I shut out the crowd in the room and in that moment only saw the one. The broken person in front of me. I am the One who leaves the 99 to seek the 1 lost person. I am enough My sacrifice is enough Even for you My love is enough Even for you I am the Wa...

...when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. ACTS 1:8 AMP On Monday, we often get asked "what did you do on the weekend?" I always like to include that I went to church Be My witness. To the people closest to you. They see you and me up close, in our home, street, place we study or work or shop. Be kind, patient, don't be rude... Be My witness When you had to walk everywhere, almost anywhere must've felt like the ends of the Earth! Now all I have to do is post on Instagram or Snapchat of Facebook. What am I saying there? Be my witness. And Samaria. Where people are unclean, enemies, less than, not like us. "Them" At one point Jesus deliberately went to Samaria. At some point he may want us to go there too. Be my witness Not in our own strength or wisdom, but with God's Spirit within. We are not on our own...

But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. ACTS 1:8 AMP I so want to get things done with my power and ability. But for things of the kingdom, there's another part of God through who, with who, somehow, things of eternal value will get done. And what's the job? The task? To be Jesus witnesses. Surely that's easy enough that I don't need any help. When I hate (myself or someone else) He calls me to love. When I'm angry, He calls me not to sin He says I'm blessed when I don't feel it, loved when I don't experience it, delighted in when I don't deserve it...so yes maybe I do need some help. To bear witness in my life to the outrageous, crazy, love story that brought Jesus into creation to give his life for us. To bear witness to his resurrection. And how that changes ...

After the sufferings of his cross, Jesus appeared alive many times to these same apostles over a forty-day period. Jesus proved to them with many convincing signs that he had been resurrected. During these encounters, he taught them the truths of God's kingdom realm Acts 1:3 TPT What was next for Jesus team? 40 days of learning. 40 days of hearing Jesus teach 40.days of being reminded about the ressurection. The word here for signs is literally "signposts". Markers that point the way. 40 days of preparation for what's next. There are times in our lives where stopping is OK. Where learning is the priority Where preparing for what God has next is where He has you. It took some time and markers, signposts, for Jesus team to fully "get" the ressurection and how that changes everything, more than just one breakfast. If you're figuring some stuff out with God, or walking with someone who is, take your time. Jesus ressurection changed everything. ...

Friday! Proverbs! A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. Proverbs 18:6 ESV How true! Foolish words get you into trouble! This week as we've remembered wars, and recent terror attacks in Chch and Colombo, we are reminded that it's words and ideas and ideology that  drive these actions that we hope will never be repeated. And beneath those words is the heart. The heart of man. The same heart that is beneath the words of this  proverb. My heart. But there is One who spoke no foolish words. Whose words spoke life! And yet He too was beaten, and this week we remembered His death too. And beneath Jesus words  is the heart of God. Jesus walked into the fight (with sin, evil & death) with wisdom, authority, power, justice, truth, & took my beating. Now his heart of grace, forgiveness, and love beats for us (& in us) #upsidedownkingdom #dearlyloved #childrenofGod #words #proverbs #somethingtochewon

Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder - twelve stones in all... We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' Then you can tell them... Joshua 4:5-7 NLT We need reminders. Concrete things that remind us. Cairns of stones. Bread and juice. Scars. Remind us of who God is, how He loves, our journey. Today we look at concrete reminders, cenotaph's, wreaths. Memorials that tell the story. Because we forget. We forget the horror of war, the evil in our hearts that allows it, sometimes even desires it. Martin Luther King Jr said; "The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy... Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." Today as we remember those who gave their lives for our freedom, don't lose sight of that o...

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon...do you love me...? He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, Feed my lambs. John 21:15 ESV Can you imagine Jesus asking that question? This is the risen Jesus, who'd just cooked you breakfast, so probably a good time to ask. How would I respond? He asks that question this morning. Do you love me? And then he says, there are people for you to care for, encourage, nurture, grow, bless, feed, support, teach, sing to, pray for, pray over, forgive, lead, share with, travel with, carry, bear with, serve...people who I get to meet because you're my representative in the world. Jesus says to Peter, your love for me finds its expression in loving others. Will you do that? #heisrisen #breakfast #breakfastchat #breakfastchatwithJesus #whodidthedishes? #loveGod #lovepeople

So when they got out on the beach, they saw a charcoal fire set up and fish on it cooking, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." John 21:9,12 AMP Jesus cooked them breakfast. Nice. Jesus had lots of meals with people, but is this the first one where he has cooked? Something has changed. Yes I'm still serving, last week I washed your feet, this week, brekkie. Jesus invitation to breakfast feels loaded. He's got things to say. Breakfast could take a while... What would Jesus have to say to me over breakfast? Would he gently remind me that my neighbours live in Sri Lanka too. Would he remind me of the Big Story of the Kingdom. Would he lay out the things he wants me to do. Would he hand me some food and just say "You're weary, just eat" Would he put his hand on my shoulder and say "I love you" Maybe somehow he would tell all of that. Jesus invites us to breakfast. Come and eat. I have what you need. #heis...

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. John 21:3 ESV Monday Jesus has risen. Yet the news is full of mayhem, death, destruction. It seems as if nothing has changed. Peter and his crew go fishing. And catch nothing. It seems as if nothing has changed. Yet it has. The very fabric of the world has changed. The very next thing that happens is that Peter meets the risen Jesus. Our world needs to meet him too, and the new way, the new thing, is to see the risen Jesus living in and through people. In and through you and me. In our work. In our disappointments, losses, hurts and the destruction and mayhem that others cause, the world needs to see those who carry the kingdom of light in their hearts living out our faith Our hope And our love #heisrisen #easter #monday #liveit

Jesus asked her "Who are you looking for?" She thought he was the gardener. "...tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him." "Mary!" Jesus said. John 20:15-16 NLT Sunday. Jesus wasn't where she thought he would be Jesus didn't look like what she expected She didn't expect to hear anything from Jesus, but he simply called her by name. After taking on death itself, Jesus knows her name. He doesn't launch into a talk about what's gone on, where he'd been, what He'd done, He just says her name. He is risen And he knows your name Nothing Jesus did, and nothing that was done to him in this last week happened by accident. It happened because he knows your name. He laid down his life because He knows your name. Jesus actions say "I love you" Friday says that there is still death, and evil Saturday says we can feel lost and hopeless But Sunday says there is hope! That all that is broken will ...

The next day...the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again'. So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first" Matthew 27:62-66 NIV Saturday. Jesus is dead. And buried. Were the church leaders really afraid someone would steal the body? Or was there a niggling fear that if they didn't seal the tomb somehow Jesus might just do what he said he would do and walk out? Jesus is dead His team will be grieving, replaying conversations and Jesus teaching in their minds. On Saturday it must've felt like all was lost. They were lost Ever felt a bit lost? Like living in Easter Saturday. Lost If there's even the slightest niggle in your h...

Then Jesus began to tell them that (he) must suffer many terrible things and be rejected... He would be killed... Mark 8:31 NLT Friday. What Jesus said was going to happen...happened. Russ Ramsey writes; "After a severe beating, Jesus is nailed to a cross where he remains for six hours until dead. Never before or since has more been lost and gained at the same time. The world gained the atoning sacrifice of Christ. But for those present, either the significance of the moment is lost on them or their hearts break as the One they thought to be the Savior of the world dies at the hands of Rome. They can't stop it, and they don't realize it's for them. They hoped in him, and though he'd told them he would suffer many things... how could they have possibly known this was what he meant?" #feelinglost Jesus was on Friday, still, the full representation of God. Not just humble, but humiliated. For us all And for me personally. No matter what No matter...

Jesus...got up from supper, took off His [outer] robe, and taking a [servant's] towel, He tied it around His waist. Then He poured water into the basin and began washing the disciples' feet and wiping them with the towel which was tied around His waist. John 13:4-5AMP Thursday How does Jesus spend his last Thursday? Part of it he spends washing his disciples feet. He knows what is coming on Friday. And how does he choose to spend his time? Serving. And in that serving, teaching. And in that teaching preparing. Preparing his team for the next phase of the upside down kingdom. The phase that we are now living in. The phase where following Jesus is captured in that simple act. Giving up authority, power, position, rights, to serve. Others. Costly, life giving, humiliating, counter cultural, quiet, away from the crowd, personal, serving. This is our God Life giving Humble Counter cultural Quiet Personal #thursday #easter #thisisourGod #dearlyloved

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head...  "She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial." Mark 14:3, 8 NIV After all the talking of the last few days, all the drama, it's Wednesday & Jesus is in the quiet. In the house of someone known for what was wrong with him. And Mary, Lazarus's sister, seems to be the only one who really sees what's going on. She knew about death. And burial And ressurection Her act of care, of giving of all she had, the pouring out of her most valuable possession on Jesus, was because she knew he was going to pour his life out for her. And for me #loveinaction #wednesday #easter #mostvaluedpossession #pouredout

"Well said, Teacher!" remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there. And then no one dared to ask him any more questions. Luke 20:39-40 NLT It's Tuesday of the last week of Jesus life and he is in the temple preaching and teaching all day. Different groups of people are trying to trap him into saying something blasphemous or so outrageous they can get him arrested. One stray tweet and they were going to come down on him like a ton of bricks! While denying their authority, Jesus gives them nothing that they can use. But in a few short days he will give up his life for those same people. In this world that is increasingly antagonistic and offended about what people say, maybe we need to take a similar approach and love in action. Die a little to self. Serve without reward. Say less. Easter is about our saviour who went humbly and quietly to the cross... #loveinaction #easter

Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be a house of prayer', but you have turned it into a den of thieves." Luke 19:45-46 NLT It's Monday, and Jesus is back in Jerusalem after Palm Sunday's triumphal entry. The city will be full of people and more coming in. And Jesus turns up the heat. Yes the people have welcomed me as a political hero, but I have authority everywhere. And especially here at the very heart of your culture. At the centre of authority within the community. The temple is at the core. And I have authority here. This Easter week he much more gently asks about my core, and what tables need overturning, what needs to be turfed out? What have I allowed to take residence in my heart that Jesus would kick out? #easter #thecore #whoisincharge

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the king of Israel!" John 12:12-13 NIV The crowd welcomed Jesus as king! Think ticket tape parade down Queen St in Auckland with bands playing and thousands cheering. Wall to wall TV coverage. Jesus was the hero who was going to bring freedom from the Romans. He was their hope. Honoured. The one that they would follow. The one that they believed in to get them out of their circumstances. They cut palm trees and made a path. A path of honour, fit for a king. They honoured Jesus as king when they thought he  would get them what they wanted. One week later, they were calling for his death. But God's story is bigger. Deeper. More. Often I'm just like the crowd and want my circumstances fixed. And...

...God is love. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:8-10 NIV There are days I just need reminding of who God is. Love. Love that reaches out Love that humbles himself Love that made a way I lose sight of who God is, so I look to the exact representation of who He is. Jesus Love Love that didn't keep it's distance, but stepped towards us. Joined us in our humanity. Love that humbled himself. Came as a servant. Love that made a way. He became the way. This is the Father's Love for us. For me. For you. When I don't get it, can't grasp it, it is embodied in Jesus. Personal, stepping towards, waymaking, sacrificial, Love #faveverse #gotoverse #dearlyloved #madeworthy

Friday ! Proverbs! Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. Proverbs 18:5 TLV This word translated "partiality" here literally means faces. Do we show different faces to different people? Because they have power or fame or beauty or wealth or something? Something I want or desire? Do I put on a "face"? Treat them differently? And the flip side of that is someone innocent is missing out, getting hurt. How does this work? I'll buy those shoes. Even though the manufacturer is exploiting it's workers. Behavior I would condemn is OK when it's a celebrity. It's a heart thing. It's my money. It's who I choose to support. Me. I. But God's heart is for the innocent, the poor, the marginalised, it is for justice, and He calls us to follow Him, to bring justice, life & hope. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #others #lovepeople #micah6v8

But some of the scribes were sitting there debating in their hearts [the implication of what He had said], "Why does this man talk that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins [remove guilt, nullify sins penalty, and assign righteousness] except God alone?" Mark 2:6-7AMP Who does this guy think he is? God? These guys were the keepers of the law. The New Testament had not been written, and here's this Jesus character preaching and crowds are filling venues to hear him...and he is claiming to be, well, God. As CS Lewis put it, Jesus doesn't give us an option of seeing him as a good  teacher. Here in the early days he is clear, and we have to choose; Is he a liar A lunatic or Lord. For these guys it was clear he was claiming to be Lord. He is the One with authority to nullify the penalty of my sin, and to assign righteousness to my name. The only One who could. #amazinggrace #redeemed #dearlyloved #gospelofmark

...Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child, your sins are forgiven" Mark 2:4-5 NLT Imagine the chatter in the room as the roof is pulled off, the stretcher is lowered in front of Jesus, and it all goes quiet. And the whole scene slows down. And Jesus looks at this man with the broken body, socially and ecomically on the outside... And Forgives his sin. Jesus says My Child, I see you, I see your circumstances, but your biggest and most important need, is to have your broken relationship with God restored. I can do that. In fact I haven't even waited for you to ask, I've just done it... something only God can do... You are forgiven. He says the same to us today... I see you, I know you, I love you. Your biggest need is not your broken circumstances, but your broken relationship with God. I've made a way. I am the Way. I didn't wait. The cross. I went t...

...so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child..." Mark 2:4-5 NLT The room is absolutely packed. Jesus has been preaching. The drama ramps up as the roof is pulled apart and a stretcher is lowered. Everyone will be straining to get a glimpse of who it is, and what Jesus will do with this crazy interruption. This is a moment. And does Jesus choose to use the drama to heal and astound and cement his place with the crowd? Does he look at this man and deal with his great need? No. Jesus says "my child". In all the drama and the crowd, in his broken condition, Jesus sees him. The person. My child I love you. I see you Right now you are the most important person to me. No matter what drama is going on in our lives, what the crowd might want, what's broken or damaged or hurt in you, Jesus sees you. My child. ...

But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? James 2:6-7 ESV Monday! Back to the gym! At the centre of their world is the temple, the church. And in the centre of their world some people were given more space, their views more value, and treated better. Because they were rich. What do I do? Who do I allow more freedom, who's views more oxygen, give more space to? Even if they look down on, disagree with my faith. The rich The powerful The successful The famous The clever The beautiful ? I think it's those who have what the broken part of my heart secretly wants. And James says what are these people you give a free pass to, what do they do? They take. And they undermine your faith. They don't love Jesus, but will use his name to get more of what they want. Who would James be warning us about today? W...

They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:4-5 NLT It's only Jesus who can say those words. It's only Jesus work that forgives and brings real healing Our part? Come and listen. And do whatever it takes to bring those who need to meet Jesus, to meet Him. These guys had to (literally) break down some barriers to get their friend to meet Jesus Will I do that? Will people get a glimpse of Jesus in my church today? Will anyone see a glimpse of Him in me today? He's called us to represent Him to the world, so let's do that...and let them meet Jesus - the only One who can forgive... #sunday #worship #thisisourGod #forgiven #accepted #acceptable #dearlyloved

...four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus... Mark 2:3-4 NLT Great account of inventiveness and determination to get their friend to see Jesus. Love this. Do you wonder about the back story? Are these the same 4 people who bring this man food? Take him to the toilet every day. Clean him up. Does he live with one of them? Are they family? Are there whole families or groups of people in the background who have supported and cared for this man? A group of children who grew up seeing their parents love in action? Probably. Healing Help Hope These things are found in community. These 4 guys are the heroes here. The upfront people. One day it will be interesting to see who the background heroes are. #loveinaction #community #inthistogether #walkingeachotherhome #gospelofmark

Friday! Proverbs! The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. Proverbs 18:4 ESV Deep waters vs bubbling brook? The word for deep here carries the meaning mysterious. Seems the writer is looking to the heart beneath the words. Is it a warning that the heart and the words we say are not always aligned? Or that in all of us there are motives and thoughts that are not always that good and life giving? This word "bubbling" is like bubbling up, like a spring. There's a freshwater spring near Takaka where thousand of litres an hour of the purest water bubble up out of the ground...a wellspring that does not stop, that gives life. This Proverb points us to where we need to look for Life. The wellspring of wisdom that is God's Word, that was lived out in our world in the person of Jesus...this is where Life is found, bubbling up in a never ending torrent of grace and love, we just have to choose to drink deeply... #pr...

While he was preaching God's word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. Mark 2:3 NLT Today, I am that person lying on the mat, and someone I can't see is holding one corner and carrying me. The sun is behind them, and all I can't make out who it is, and without saying a word, they are carrying me... This week an envelope arrived with tickets to a church conference. Generously & anonymously paid for. In the context of this story I saw this as someone walking alongside me, carrying, sharing the load, but God has prompted me to see this differently. He has said that I am the one in need, and this is someone carrying me. Taking me towards Jesus. Healing, help and hope are found in community, as we walk towards, and at times are carried, towards, Jesus. #loveinaction #community #towards #inthistogether #walkingeachotherhome #gospelofmark

Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God's word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. Mark 2:1-3 NLT Mark is all about the action. People are on the move. Packing the house, spilling out into the street. Jesus is in action. And 4 people. 4 people who stuck with their friend in his 'trouble'. 4 people who loved in action 4 people who could've been doing anything else that morning, (they could've got there early and heard Jesus for themselves, worked, studied, played, slept in...) but chose to help the one who couldn't help himself. Who do I relate to in this story? Sometimes I feel like the one being carried - I really need some help. Sometimes I guess I'm doing the carrying. But more often I'm just in the crowd, doing what I want, walking past the person who needs a hand. I just don't see. Or the carrying got a b...

For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in... James 2:2 ESV James hooks into us next for judging on the externals. The clothing. Labels (or maybe it's no labels now...) The body. Appropriately sculpted. The speech. Confident. Outgoing. The list goes on... Age (too old, past it) The list goes on... We have a lifetime of judging the externals, and James is saying just hang on a sec, why are we doing that in church? Is this the stuff that's important? Take a step back and remember that God's Kingdom doesn't run on the rules of the world, of our culture, and neither should our church...and neither should we. Love people for who they are. Image bearers of the Creator. #james #james2 #Godsgym #nolabels #lovepeople

My fellow believers, do not practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of partiality [toward people - show no favoritism, no prejudice, no snobbery]. James 2:1 AMP Monday morning and it's back to the gym! James is clear that this is about how we are living out our faith in Jesus. Jesus crossed over all the social and ethnic barriers of his day. He met with the (hated) tax collector. He met with the (unclean) Samaritans He met the (untouchable) leper He talked with the kids, had someone look out for his Mum. In Jesus kingdom, the social, ethnic, age, gender, social status, occupation, boundaries and labels that I so easily fall into the habit of using - they simply don't belong. People have names. I'm trying hard to remember names but the labels seem to stick so much easier. "Jesus, help me to see people as you do. Thanks. Amen" #james #james2 #Godsgym #nolabels #lovepeople