verseoftheday

Friday! Proverbs! The fear of the Lord  leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. Proverbs 19:23 NASB This can't mean that if you're a Christian that nothing bad can happen to you at night.  Wouldn't this be nice if it was an automatic formula for removing bad dreams, nightmares, those dreams that seem so real... I think the key is the word "satisfied". When I'm hungry, & then have a meal, my appetite is sated. It's satisfied. Next day, my appetite is back, unsated, unsatisfied. When the nightmares come, when I can't sleep, when my fear and anxiety is unsated, unsatisfied, I keep going back to who God is. His purposes. His love. His grace. His expression of love embodied in Jesus, my living hope. Keep going back to His Truth spoken, and let those words speak into my fears, thoughts. Ask His Spirit to commune, to speak into my fear. Just like I need to keep eating to satisfy, to sate my hunger, so I need to keep going back t...

He took a child, had him stand among them,  and taking him in his arms,  he said to them... Mark 9:36-37 CSB They're in Capernaum, most likely in Peter's house (see Mark 1:29) so this child probably knew Jesus. Still could be a bit scary being in this group of big people. Jesus wraps the child in his arms.  Ever felt vulnerable?  Small? Jesus wraps us in his arms. He's at our level.  He's not afraid to touch. I wonder how long he hugged this child for? In a room of big, of people wanting to be great, Jesus  hugged the small, the vulnerable. Jesus touch is saying that you're safe, that you're loved  Our touch should say the same. For many, touch can be scary because touch has been abusive, using, taking, so take care when you touch, make sure it's kind, giving. Touch in ways that considers the other person's safety and their future. When we feel small, vulnerable, we can come back to this story, ask Jesus to wrap us in his arms. #dearlyloved #childrenof...

Sitting down, he called the Twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first,  he must be last  and  servant of all." He took a child, had him stand among them, and taking him in his arms... Mark 9:35-37 CSB Jesus is not afraid to tackle our heart issues head on. The boys were arguing about who would be greatest and Jesus says I'll show you how. Be last. Be the servant. Of all. In our society that applauds and rewards those who come first, Jesus says be last.  It's not about what you achieve or earn, but being OK with not being recognised. Be the servant. Be the forecourt attendant, the shop assistant who always has to smile (even if you own the shop) Of all. In a culture that valued the first born son, Jesus said be last. Be the servant.  And just to make it completely impossible, be last, be the servant, of all. Of all. Jesus set the impossible before his team, but he wanted them to change, to grow in grace, and he then beautifully & simply showed how...

They arrived at Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He asked them,  "What were you discussing and arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet, because on the road they had discussed and debated with one another which one [of them] was the greatest. Mark 9:33-34 AMP Jesus had been grumpy with them, they hadn't understood talk about death and resurrection, and now they had been caught out arguing about status and power. This was a 12 hour walk to Capernaum, so maybe took 2 days. Not sure why Jesus waited til the end of their journey to ask what was going on, but that is often his way with me too. He lets my mind run if I let it, to thoughts of power, prestige, "success".  Then quietly asks "what's going on?" What are you striving for that seems so important? I've been right here with you. What's taking up your attention, when we could be communing? I've been right here with you. I so easily let my thoughts wander to success in th...

After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:  Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield;  your reward will be very great. But Abram said... Genesis 15:1-2 CSB Abram's deepest need was not about the events of the previous chapter, but that he had no heir. That's what was really weighing him down. But Abram said. Isn't that the way we are sometimes...when it seems like our biggest problem is X, and only when we feel safe in that, when we feel heard, can we speak our deepest needs, share our heart. But Abram said. And he was safe. Abram's story, his heart was safe with God. And so is ours. Safe in our God's great heart. Not only are we safe there, but as imitators of God,  as his representatives,  we can be that place of safety for someone else, and when we think we've heard where that person is at, proven to be safe, only then will they share their deeper needs, what's really going on. But Abram. Be that safe place in the life of others....

After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:  Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield;  your reward will be very great. Genesis 15:1 CSB After these events... Abram had just won a military victory, rescued Lot, and and refused any of the reward from that victory as a matter of integrity. Yet Abram was afraid. After a victory, a success, a win, we can still be afraid. Our insecurities and uncertainties bubble up. What was Abram afraid of? Maybe that the guys he rescued Lot from would regroup and come back at him.  God says don't be afraid, I am your shield.  Abram turned down the rewards of victory, maybe he was worried about that decision and the effect on him and his people. God said I've got something better for you. You just can't see it yet. Fear about our future, concern about the effect of doing what's right...when our fears and insecurities bubble up God speaks to them, says I'm with you in this, so do not be afraid.  #donotbeafra...

What is desired in a man  is steadfast love, and a poor man  is better  than a liar. Proverbs 19:22 ESV Can we see Jesus in this proverb? He is steadfast love. Steadfast in his mission on earth. Unwavering in his love for us. He is truth. The embodiment of God's law, his character. Truth. And He became a poor man. Gave up. Gave away. Bent down. Made himself small. Was stripped. Beaten Crucified. And for what? What did He gain? Us. He thought we are worth it. You're worth it.  You're of immeasurable worth.  The steadfast love of Jesus says so. Grace says so.  And forsaken. He was forsaken so that we never will be. Steadfast Love changed everything, let it change us today :) Be that steadfast love in your world today. #notforsaken #steadfast #steadfastlove #besteadfast #goodword #somethingtochewon

Friday! Proverbs! What is desired in a man  is steadfast love, and a poor man  is better  than a liar. Proverbs 19:22 ESV Steadfast! What a great word :) What is desired, desireable, the concept here is worn like an ornament, a marker of who you are, is steadfast love, the ongoing kindness towards others expressed in words and actions. It's not a list of do"s and don'ts, it's who you are. Who I am (called to be). And the second part, better to speak the truth than live a lie, even if there seems to be an easier or better life in it for you.  But why are these 2 things connected in the same proverb? Maybe this marker of steadfast love, ongoing kindness and care, comes from a life of integrity.  For example, giving a donation is an act of kindness, but was the money generated from a life of kindness? Our God is most interested in our hearts and the transforming of our hearts to be more like His. #steadfast #steadfastlove #somethingtochewon

Suddenly,  looking around,  they no longer saw anyone with them  except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept this word to themselves, questioning what "rising from the dead" meant. Mark 9:8-10 CSB One day this will be our experience: suddenly we'll look around and all we will see is Jesus! #heaven As quickly as these events began, it was over. The spectacular, terrifying glimpse of the eternal went. And to add to the mystery was talk of "rising from the dead". They had no category for that. No experience of it. And no further explanation from Jesus at that time. There's things about God we don't get, that don't make sense in our world, and we'd just love some more explanation of... but Jesus is OK with not filling in all the gaps, giving all the answers, but to keep following him, to keep the faith, even when we're swimming in th...

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,  but  it is the power of God to us who are being saved. 1 Corinthians 1:18 CSB The word of the cross, the logos, the meaning of it embodied in Jesus, don't expect it to make any sense to people who are living in, believing in the logos, the word of our culture. But for us, the word of the cross, embodied in Jesus, is life. It captures our hope not just for us, but for all people. It is our comfort in suffering, as we know some of what Jesus suffered to make a way, and it is our power to stand, to persevere, to not be afraid. So how do we cross the culture gap? By following Jesus example, loving people and entering in, stepping towards. A smile A touch A word An encouragement An invitation A gift A sacrificial act, expecting nothing back. A giving up of my rights for someone else. A leaving "glory" to step into another's world... That escalated quickly! The logos, the word of the cross dwells in, is e...

A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud:  "This is  my beloved Son;  listen to him!" Mark 9:7 CSB As if being up the mountain with Jesus wasn't enough, the light of Jesus glory was bursting thru his clothing, it then gets dark. And there's the voice. The voice of God. Speaking words of belonging, and acceptance, and love. Unmistakable. Unmissable. Unwavering. Beloved. How much of this was for Jesus and how much was for the boys? The same word, beloved, dearly loved, is in Eph 5:1, where we are His dearly loved children. 1 John 1:3. We are children of God. One day, we will hear as clearly as those boys on the mountain did that day, the unmistakable, unwavering words of belonging, acceptance and love as our heavenly Father says this is my dearly loved child. To you. And that glimpse of the transformed Jesus will be full on. #heaven #dearlyloved #beloved #childrenofGod

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved. 1 Corinthians 1:18 CSB Paul & Sosthenes have just unpacked their reason for writing to the church. People were elevating the preachers, the pastors, the church leaders to an unhealthy place. They were placing more value, more weight on a person, and were losing sight of Jesus, the gospel, the cross.  When we see ourselves, our churches, imitating the structures of the world, the values of the world, when we follow a person, when we lose sight of the cross, then we're tracking the same way as the church in Corinth. The word of the cross. The "logos". The meaning of it.  Why Jesus lived, died, was resurrected. Why God, the eternal, the Creator, humbled himself for us, expressed His love for us in our physical world, the mystery, the amazing grace that is the cross, the crazy, foolish love story. Today, this week, this life, don't lose sight of t...

He was transfigured in front of them,  and his clothes became dazzling, extremely white, as no launderer on earth could whiten them. Mark 9:2-3 CSB Transfigured. The word here is "metamorphoo" from which we get metamorphosis. To change form in keeping with inner reality. The boys were getting a glimpse of the inner reality of who Jesus is. And they didn't have the words for it. Did Jesus clothes change? No  Jesus changed and the effect of that powered right through his clothing... This same word is used in 2 Cor 3. We sing  "where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom" and v18 says we are being transformed, metamorohed, our form reflecting the inner reality, being changed to be more like Jesus. It should power thru our clothing, be seen in our eyes, be heard in our words, be felt in our touch, be seen in our actions. The inner reality Transfigures Our outer person. God is Love. What the boys saw that day was pure Love seen as Light. #sunday #worship #thisis...

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves to be alone. He was transfigured in front of them,  and his clothes became dazzling, extremely white, as no launderer on earth could whiten them. Mark 9:2-3 CSB Something big is going on here. Something that cannot easily be captured in words, something we  might categorise as a spiritual experience of some kind. Let's just consider the relational bit tho. There was the crowds. There were lots of disciples (see Luke 10 where Jesus sent out 72), then there's the 12. And now it's these 3. This transformation could've happened on the big stage, in front of thousands, but chose his 3 closest people. Jesus also trusted them to hold this part of his story (see v 9-10). We all need a small team we can share the most important and pivotal parts of our lives with.  Find that person, those people. Interesting that only one of the three here was family. It's a privilege to be let in ...

Friday! Proverbs! There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel - that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 NKJV What a great recognition of who we are! We're thinkers, planners, we use our minds to imagine and create things, and futures. The heart is the "leb" in Hebrew, our mind, our heart, who we are.  One aspect of our 'leb' is that we are an ideas factory. A dreams factory. So good :) Yahweh also has a future plan, and in the Big Story, it's what is in His heart that will come to fruition. So good :) Because His heart is Love.  Love for His people. And He wants all of us to be His people. And the proof of that is Jesus, the washer of feet, the giver of life (thru the giving of his own life) As we know more of God, more of His heart for the missing, the hurting, the small, may the ideas factory of our hearts, of my heart, my 'leb', be more aligned with His. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

After six days  Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves to be alone. Mark 9:2 CSB After 6 days of what?  The last passage had Jesus talking to the disciples and the crowd. Maybe there's been a 6 day intensive of lectures by Jesus. And now he has drafted these 3 aside. I wonder if that is how the Spirit operates today, and drafts people aside. They don't know what's ahead exactly, only that Jesus has called them away. To something else. And I want to be in that special group! Reality is that most of us are in that group left behind. Mark, the author is.  A word that has been placed on my heart over the last few months is "small". It's OK to stay here with the crowd.  The ordinary. I don't have to be (seen to be) heading up the mountain with Jesus. Our journey with God is our journey, keep walking with him, whether at some point He calls you, or someone you know, aside, or it's in what seems ordinary.  #loveGod #lo...

He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful; you were called by him into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 CSB Strengthened. Blameless Fellowship God is faithful. Incredibly encouraging words. In the next passage Paul and Sosthenes start talking about the problems in the church, divisions and rivalries. So while these words are encouraging and true for me, maybe their bigger application is to us. The church. On any given day there's some of us who don't feel we have the strength to make it to the end, who are filled with guilt, shame, and Jesus seems a long way away. As a community we lean into Jesus, fellowship with him, when I feel on the edge of that or drifting away, you can hold me, pull me back in, we get to bear one another's burdens, as we, together represent Jesus to the world, and to one another as we journey together. #upsidedownkingdom #loveoneanothe...

For what does it benefit  someone  to gain the whole world and yet lose  his life? Mark 8:36 CSB This is not about how much "the whole world" because that is not attainable by anyone, but about our orientation, what am I striving for that I think will save me? As Tim Keller says what is my self salvation project? You are enough. Jesus has done the saving part (OK so he hadn't done it when he said this, but that's where he was heading) He says just follow me. As you are. You're enough. Follow me with your stuff, your story, with the good, the broken, the under repair parts. The rebuild parts  The gospel of Grace says you're enough. Rest in, live in, move forward in, His saving grace.  #life #youareenough #grace #graceisabeautifulthing

Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them,  "If anyone wants to follow after me,  let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life  because of me and the gospel will save it. Mark 8:34-35 CSB These feel like harsh words from Jesus.  But look back at what's been happening. Miraculous feeding of thousands. Healings. The crowd wanting to make Jesus king. Both Jesus disciples and the people were missing something important. Something bigger. Jesus wasn't (& isn't) just about sorting out the world as it is, my world, my problems. Those were signs. If you're following Jesus to fix this life, to "save your life", the life you want or think you deserve, then you're missing something. I'm missing something. Something important. For me, the noise of our world can drown out the larger reality of God's story. That success in the here and now is the thin...

In this way,  the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:6-7 CSB The "revelation" of Jesus. This word is an unveiling like a statue that is covered and will be revealed.  The statue is here, yet not. As we wait for that final revealing of Jesus, we, the church, together, have the spiritual gifts.  Not me. We. Together we lack nothing. This passage starts "in this way"...in what way? Go back 2 verses and it's there.  That way is grace. Grace. We can't earn it, and we're not supposed to try.  It's free, but we couldn't pay for it anyway. We look back to the Grace given to us in Jesus, we look forward to his revealing, and we can live now in the fullness of Gods spiritual gifts.  We  The church. Together, imperfect, messy, messed up people,  somehow together looking forward in hope, resting in Grace. #sunday #worship #...

Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them,  "If anyone  wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." Mark 8:34 CSB Here we go, "How to build a popular movement 101" Jesus has miraculously fed thousands, there's been healings, he can't travel anywhere without being recognised and asked for help, he's well on the way to being made king. And then this. Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow me. Jesus is addressing the crowd and his team here... Yes "follow me" works. Jesus is a rabbi, a teacher, we love what he says, and he's a healer, a miracle worker, we want to be part of that. Click follow. Deny myself? Sure there's going to have to be some self sacrifice to overthrow the Romans and restore Jewish autonomy. I'm up for some giving. But take up my cross? What is that all about? I know people who've been murdered by the Romans on a cross.  I've seen it. Smelled it. Hea...

Friday! Proverbs! Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life. Proverbs 19:20 CSB If what we eat, how we exercise, impacts on our health later in life, this proverb is saying that wisdom is the same. It accumulates. You just can't google wisdom when you need it. Yes you might be able to find someone else's thoughts or responses to situations, grab some questions or ideas or options...but is that wisdom? Listen to counsel. That might mean asking.  Being vulnerable. Telling my story. Asking...and listening. Receive instruction. That's being a student, following through with action in my life.  So that: we might be wise later in life...what's the option? To be unwise. Foolish.  This year we get to choose to build into those stores of wisdom, or not. Choose to listen & learn so that we might become wise. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #pathwaytowisdom

I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in him in every way, in all speech and all knowledge. 1 Corinthians 1:4-5 CSB Who is the "you"? The church. Not an individual who is enriched in every way, not one person who has the right words, or has all the wisdom and insight. It"s the church and the Christian community that Paul and Sosthenes are writing to. It's us. Together. It's us in all our strengths and frailties, our struggles and victories. It's us. Old, young, in between. Rich, poor, in between. Born here or somewhere else, history here or somewhere else. It's us. "Us" that lives out the grace, "us" that has the words and the wisdom, "us" that needs one another. "Us" who reflect Jesus. #church #it'sus

I always thank  my God  for you  because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:4 NIV Thankfulness.  Often this time of year is reflection on the past year and resetting for the year ahead. Paul & Sosthenes start with being thankful.  I wonder what would change, what would reset, if my day always starts with thankfulness. Or my day ended with 3 things to be thankful for today  What if daily I just started with writing just one line of daily thanks. I wonder what would shift. Paul & Sosthenes are thankful for the people in Corinth. Who needs to hear that thankfulness from me today? The last 3 times I've been in church there were 3 different speakers and I meant to message them and thank them.  And I haven't. Easiest thing ever to send a message of thanks.  This letter starts with thanks. #startwiththanks #thankpeople #habits

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus,  called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:2-3 ESV This sets the background of Paul & Sosthenes letter.  It's intended audience is the church at Corinth, but also to Christians everywhere, good things to bear in mind as we read any book. And they start with a blessing: Grace to you. And peace. But the source of that grace, the peace they want the readers or more likely hearers of this letter to get does not come from their status or power or influence but from God the Father and from Jesus. I sometimes fall into the trap of seeing God the Father as the grumpy one, and Jesus being all grace and peace, but no, Paul says grace and peace emanate from, find their source in, both. And this grace is evidenced in a small, subtle ...

Paul,  called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus,  and our brother Sosthenes, 1 Corinthians 1:1 ESV Quite a cool description that Paul has given himself here. He's writing to a church so is giving some credentials.  Almost like a CV. A résumé of his résumé in 12 words.  Ever tried that? "Believer in Jesus, saved by Grace"  "Wrestling with life but hopeful in Jesus" None of us have the CV that Paul had, we're a bit more annonymous like Sosthenes,  "Beaten up for believing in Jesus, writer, faithful, journeying with Paul" (see Acts 18)   Try it. Max of say 12 words that introduce you, your faith, your journey... "Safely adopted into God's family, walking in the light of Jesus grace" #letters #corinthians #12words

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said,  "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." Mark 8:32-33 ESV Peter will have some explaining to do to the rest of the disciples!  "Peter! What on earth did you say to Jesus to annoy him like that?" Jesus was annoyed.  Really annoyed. What's he annoyed about? Where Peter's mind is set. His mind, (& the word hear includes the actions that come from our thinking) was in the wrong place.  The things of man v the things of God. What did Peter (& what do I) hear when Jesus talked of suffering Rejection Death And Resurrection And what did he miss? My guess is that Peter got caught up in how Jesus death was going to affect him, and missed the Big Story. That this is a Love Story. God's love for us brought Jesus to earth, to live, and die in our stead. Love that took him to the cr...

He was stating the matter plainly [not holding anything back].  Then Peter took Him aside and began to reprimand Him. Mark 8:32 AMP Jesus was talking about suffering. Rejection. Death. And resurrection. How many of those are on my New Years resolution list, where I want to spend more time this year? Yet Jesus was being very clear to his team. (I wonder how long this teaching took? And why didn't Mark record it?) And what's Peter doing? Did he wait till the end of Jesus lecture? My guess is that it was before Jesus got to the resurrection bit Peter says something loke "Jesus can I talk to you over here. You've just got to dial down all this suffering and death talk. We're your disciples, followers, these are hard places to follow you into. New year, new me does not include suffering thanks" How many times do I want to straighten Jesus up? Blessed are the who?  Love my neighbour? Have you met them? Wash feet? Seriously? Give? You mean give my stuff? Be hospitabl...

Friday! Proverbs! A man of great anger will bear the penalty, For if you rescue him,  you will only have to  do it again. Proverbs 19:19 NASB This proverb seems to imply that when anger has a deep hold, has deep roots in our hearts, change is very difficult. We cut the angry person some slack because we don't want to be on the receiving end. We believe their excuses. We accept apologies, when behaviour does not change. We effectively rescue again, and again. What is it with anger that takes such a deep root in  our hearts?  Is it my selfishness that's at the root of this kind of anger? My will be done. My kingdom come. What about if I have a righteous reason to be angry?  Righteous anger is an ultimate expression of love, and it can fuel us to bring justice, especially for others. But even this anger if left unchecked by love, if I let that anger dwell in my heart, to take residence there, the result can be bitterness. This proverb is hard to sit with. It confro...

...in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ... Philippians 3:8-9 ESV Beth Moore encouraged us yesterday to simply follow Jesus and hold nothing back this year. Paul is saying today it's not about rules. Have too's. Shoulds. But from knowing we are righteous (seen, known, accepted, approved) by God not by what we've done or going to do, but by what Jesus has done. The weight of everything is not on us (because it fell on Jesus) When Jesus called his team to "follow me" they didn't start a church or run a program, they spent a lot of time walking around, talking and listening.  Our OKness is not based on our performance, but Jesus. What he did. Yes hold nothing back, but rest in the knowledge that your OK, accepted, loved, and that it's OK to walk around with Jesus, listening & talking with Him. #faith #hope #love #followJesus #holdnothi...

...in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him... Philippians 3:8-9 ESV Beth Moore, a Bible teacher from the US tweeted this NY challenge: "I believe in New Years. In new beginnings that can take place any old time of year. I believe a time can come when we're finally ready to ditch the old methods that reaffirm our failures & decide to do something revolutionary:  trust our Maker day in/day out with the making of us. I say this without a hint of condemnation as the worst of sinners at points in my life and the least of leaders.  Would you consider following Jesus for 1 year, 2020,  & really pursuing Him in holiness,  saying yes to opportunities,  yes to love for God & neighbour & no to the cynics? Would you simply see what would happen if you held nothing back?  It's not that it gets easy.  It doesn't.  And it colossally fails as a formula for getting what you want as if man can manipulate God.  It's just that you dis...