verseoftheday

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it. Philippians 1:28-30 NLT Suffering is not anyone's favourite topic, but in the context of lockdown and bubbles Paul speaks here to the reality of suffering, and two keys to living in or with suffering: If that suffering is because of Jesus then it is a privilege. That's quite a thing to get our heads around.  Paul has quite a few examples of his own suffering because he was following Jesus - shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment. To see those things as a privilege is to see way beyond them to what Jesus did, who he is, and the hope we have. The other key is this: "we are in this struggle together". We need one another when we're suffering. None of us are made to go it alone, and that's especially true when we're suffering. Paul ...

A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said,  "Peace be with you." John 20:26 CSB The disciples were in lockdown. Not one imposed on them, but one that they were in because of fear. And Jesus appears. Some days that would be really helpful. We have these restrictions that we are living with, but sometimes it's fear that really locks us down. Fear of "what if". Fear of not knowing. Fear of what seemed certain or clear no longer being certain or clear  Fear of not being in control. What is it for you? If only Jesus would just appear and fix it.  He did appear here. In the middle of their lockdown and spoke. "Peace be with you". Wrapped up in that is think back on all that I've taught you over the last 3 years, everything I said, I did, where it pointed, my death and resurrection. Right now you're afraid. Peace be with you. Right now the future...

A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said,  "Peace be with you." John 20:26 CSB Have you been thinking about restrictions? Hard not to I guess, especially if you've been at a "location of interest" or waiting in your room on the outcome of a Covid test. Restrictions. I watched the Wheel Blacks playing wheelchair rugby at the Olympics yesterday and it gave "restrictions" a whole new meaning. The physical restrictions of their disability, the further restrictions of being strapped in, the restrictions of the court, the rules, there was layers upon layers, some they had no choice over, and some they willingly submitted to, in order to play a game and have a great time, and represent their country as a bonus.  Restrictions are everywhere. And we have them.  I have to walk (because I can't fly). I need to sleep a third of my life, my body and brain...

Just one thing:  As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then,  whether I come and see you or am absent,  I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. Philippians 1:27-28 CSB Philippians thru L4 eyes: "Whether I come to see you or not..." Paul is not sure if he is ever going to be released, but even if he isn't his focus is clear, that he doesn't want his people living in fear.  Fear robs us of today, and here Paul tells his people that fear robs them of their unity, their purpose. Here's a quote attributed to holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom: "Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength - carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength." Paul's antidote for liv...

Friday! Proverbs! Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend. Proverbs 22:11 NLT This proverb gives us an insight into the heart of the king. What the king values. The king values a pure heart.  That brings genuineness &  honesty to mind. This word translated pure also means clean.  A heart that has been made clean. We no longer have to go through the cleansing ceremonies to be clean, no longer sacrifice an animal to be purified, because of Jesus.  The King sees my still unclean heart as clean because of Jesus. The vertical relationship with God (the King) is, and is being, restored. And gracious speech, this is about my relationship with you. How I speak to you and about you.  The king in this proverb values and honours those who love their neighbour. This proverb is about a human king, but points us to our heavenly King and gives a glimpse of what He values. Our relationship with Him, and how that's lived out in relations...

Just one thing:  As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27 CSB Live your life. Paul is literally in chains. In jail. Live your life. Don't just let it drift by, today is to be lived. Life doesn't get lived at L3, or L2, but now.  Paul asks us to hold two things: The gospel of Christ.  To hold this, we've got to keep searching out who Jesus is, what he did, and why he did it. Know this love story, the love God has towards us, towards you, and live your life worthy of that love.  And second, know your citizenship is already secure, already in heaven.  Nineteen years ago we were living in PNG and our passports were stolen. The country was in turmoil and our paperwork was gone. But I knew my citizenship was in NZ. It's in my whakapapa. Passport or not, that was unshakeable. Our citizenship is Heaven. It's unshakeable. It's in our whakapapa, it's who we are.  So live your life.  Citizens of heaven. Saved by Grace...

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don't know which one I should choose. I am torn between the two.  I long to depart and be with Christ - which is far better - but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound. Philippians 1:21-26 CSB For the first time in his letter we get a glimpse of how tough it is for Paul. He's had a face-to-face encounter with Jesus, so has a real glimpse of heaven.  And here he is locked down in a Roman jail. No spring weather to enjoy. No supermarket run. No neighborhood walks. No Netflix. He'd rather be with Jesus face-to-face again.  And some days we know exactly how that feels right? Paul also wrote that his life is not his own, and while de...

My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything,  but that now as always, with all courage,  Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20 CSB Paul is all about Jesus.  And while his movement is restricted, he wants everything he does to honour Christ.  Everything.  Actions. Words. And by inference, thoughts. What we dwell on in our minds is important! We can't stop things popping in, but we can work on what we allow to stay there, how we use the Truth of God's word and His character to help us discern what is good and right and true and helpful for us.  I don't want to be ashamed of my response to authority, to the people around me, to those who hold different views, to the politicians, to my neighbour. And in what I do, how I communicate, what I watch, listen to, and dwell on, whether I'm able to work or not, study or not, do the things I love to do or not, may whatever I can do, bring h...

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly. Philippians 1:12-14 CSB (It's Monday just in case you've lost track) Lessons from Paul's lockdown: Paul found goodness from having his freedom restricted.  Not only goodness, but something good that probably couldn't have happened unless he'd been in prison. Maybe it's a connection or reconnection with someone, spending quality time, getting some rest, finishing that book, that project, thinking time about what's really important, reaching out in love, praying, sharing your faith, finding an interesting podcast, breaking a habit, starting something new...what can I be grateful for today? Paul in...

6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6-8 CSB Lessons from Paul's lockdown: V6 Paul is firmly holding on to what he knows is true.  Truth is not determined by our circumstances, our freedoms, our health or anything else. Hold on to what you know is true. V7 Paul's holding his people in his heart. They're apart, but still important. And he's writing to them to tell them that.  Keep in touch with the important people in your life. Hold them in your heart. (what does it mean to do that? Bring them to mind? Be grateful for them? Make a list. It might have 3 names on it, or 12, i...

I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,  always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6 CSB My tendency in this time of restricted movement is to look inward, how this affects me. Paul's heart is so outward, so others oriented that while his movement is restricted he's praying for his people.  Giving thanks for his people, people he has journeyed with, those who've been part of his journey with God. He had to write or dictate a letter, wait for someone trustworthy to collect it and deliver it. If Paul had access to all the communication technology we have he'd be firing of messages of love and encouragement in every way he could.  And see what he is sure of? That God is at work in you, good work, and there's more goodness to come.  Th...

Friday! Proverbs! Drive out a mocker,  and conflict goes too; then quarreling and dishonor will cease. Proverbs 22:10 CSB Quarrelling  Conflict Arguing Dishonor, shame. Is there someone in your community, in your life, that is constantly creating conflict? Someone who never allows peace? This proverb is about boundaries. Sometimes they need to be there to remove and keep out someone who is using their power to bring conflict and shame. Sometimes putting up firm boundaries is the best thing for them, to cut off the fuel supply to their destructiveness. But I also know that I can be a mocker.  Sarcastic. Hurtful. I can take an opposite view just for fun. Just to annoy. I can cause conflict. Use my words and power in ways that cause strife and bring shame.  So I need to drive that mocker out, that part of me that tears you down to make me feel better, stronger, more "right", that makes me feel bigger when you look smaller.  That part of me is the anti-gospel. ...

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:1-2 CSB Paul is in lockdown.  His stance is to state who he is in Jesus, and then he's looking out to the needs of others. Grace and peace to you.  OK so Paul is an apostle, but he is often at pains to tell us that he's just like us, and while for many of us our movement and ability to congregate and physically be with one another, Paul sets the tone.  He's reaching out, because others, his people, are on his heart.  Even in lockdown. We can keep reaching out, including, encouraging, blessing, bearing one another's hurts and burdens.  And Paul is writing (maybe he's dictating) and we know that expressing how things are, what's important to us, is a good thing to help us process thoughts and feelings when things are going well, and when they'r...

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:1-2 CSB Paul is in lockdown.  He's in his bubble with Timothy and most likely literally chained to a Roman guard. He's been in prison several times, Clement, an writer from this period says he was locked up seven times. As you consider that and our current circumstances, let's see what Paul is up to and how that might help us this week: Paul's view towards Jesus remains unchanged. He wrote in Romans 8 that nothing can separate us from God's love, and here his opening words are about who he is in Jesus.  He does not allow his circumstances to determine who he is in Jesus. No matter what I think of Covid, vaccines, or our government response, Paul reminds me to start with my relationship with Jesus.  Paul did not allow his circumstances to dictate who ...

6 Jesus gave them this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Jesus said again,  "Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep." John 10:6-7 CSB Jesus loved creating pictures with people, and pictures with words  In Ch9 he used a man born blind to teach that he is the light of the world, and that those who think they can save themselves are the blind ones. And here in Ch10 he uses something familiar to his people.  Sheep, shepherd, shelter for the sheep, and a gate.  "I am the gate". The way.  With me is safety, belonging, care, nurture. Love. Jesus also makes an exclusive claim. He's the only gate.  And that allows us to breathe...because we don't have to do this ourselves. In Ch9 Jesus was trying to show the Pharisees that their self-salvation project, being good enough, working hard enough at being righteous, good enough for God was actually blinding them. And here Jesus carries on with a new picture, where he has us i...

21 In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you are also being built together for God's dwelling in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:21-22 CSB There's us together, in v21 becoming the temple, the dwelling place of God. And at the same time, in v22, there's something else going on. There's us individually, or is it together (?), being built as the dwelling place of God's Spirit.  The temple you can trace through the Bible as moving from a physical place that people came to to meet God, to us being that temple. But there's also something spiritual in us to do with God's Spirit that seems a bit less tangible.  His Spirit at work in us.  Building. We know that God is Light, Bread, Water, Truth, Justice, and over all, through all, above all, is Love.  God's Spirit is doing a work of Love, building, shaping, changing us...if we let Him. If I let Him. #loveatwork #lovewins

In him the whole building, being put together,  grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2:21CSB In him, in Jesus, the whole building, that's all of us.  Barriers between us removed. Those things that we use as labels to keep people away, keep them in their place. The ideas and thoughts we have about people, about groups, Paul is painting this picture of oneness, using a building that has components and parts that joined together build into, are created into, something with function, purpose, form.  That is about becoming, together, the place where God dwells. It can't be just people like me.  Ethnicity, culture, skin colour, age, ability, physical health, spiritual health, mind health, education, wealth, gender, language, history...we need all of us to become this place where God dwells.  He doesn't say come when you have your life sorted and when you're "mature" or something. He says we're in process, "being put together", growing. There...

A generous person will be blessed,  for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9 CSB Can we get a glimpse of Jesus here? Has there ever been a more generous person? Jesus shared more than his food, but his Life.  He shared his Life with us, the poor, with us who could not pay. Jesus who was moved with compassion by what he saw. But what is his blessing? Imagine an important person in your life, and the relationship with them is broken, and you've gone to great lengths to restore it, and as a result, that person is now closer than ever.  What's the blessing? Restoration. Closeness. Love really.  Love that reached out across the divide between you and made a way to make it right.  Love that said the other person is important and worth fighting for, giving up something for. Worth loving. And as that relationship is renewed, restored, as love shapes and reshapes, that is the blessing.  Might feel a bit strange but we are the blessing. We are the object o...

Friday! Proverbs! A generous person will be blessed,  for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9 CSB I'm a generous person, I send money to World Vision. When this was written, there was no WV.  This translation of generous person is the person with a generous eye.  Someone who sees the need. Seeing the needs of our world and helping to meet that through WV & other agencies is a good thing, don't stop! But this proverb feels more personal than sending money.  It uses the picture of having people around our table.  When someone is at our table we can hear their story, and in that sharing, giving, and listening, we will be blessed. It's much more personal as our lives intersect. Our God is personal, and this proverb gently encourages us to be personal, to have an eye that is generous and to invite people in. #proverbs #wisdom #somerhingtochewon #lovepeople

He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death. He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. Ephesians 2:16-17 CSB Reconcile. This is what Jesus does. Reconciles. Removes the barriers between us and God and makes a way for things to be right. Reconciles. Removes the barriers between people groups. His message of peace with God was and is for everyone.  Paul uses this phrase "to you who were far away and peace to those who were near" and in the context it's about the Jews and gentiles, those "close" to God, and those who knew little or nothing of Him. This phrase has sat with me and it can feel personal.  I do things, say things, think or dwell on things that can be far away from God, and sometimes close to Him. But He reconciles me to Him whether I'm far away or close. The cross is where that happened, and somehow where it stil...

For he is our peace,  who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh,  he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two,  resulting in peace. Ephesians 2:14-15 CSB If you ever feel like you're in a group that is somehow excluded from God, not good enough for Him, not enough, then this is the passage for you. It's Jesus who makes peace. It's Jesus who tears down walls, barriers, laws and rules. It's Jesus who melds together.  There's a work going on here in the hearts, minds and spirits of people to remove barriers and bring peace. Not just a once-and-done work, but an on-going work.  "Lord Jesus, show me where this work of peace is needed in my life, in my church, in my community. Amen". Walls have been broken down for you and me. #inthistogether #dangerousprayers #peace.

So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints,  and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. Ephesians 2:19-20 CSB Paul brings in the analogy of a building here. The materials of a building are all good things, but they are not a building on their own, stacked on the building site. They're only a building when they're put together.  This is not about me being built up with Jesus as the cornerstone, but about us. We, together, are this building.  We, together have Jesus as the cornerstone of the building.  Do you ever feel that the weight of being a Christian weighs you down? Maybe that's when we're doing it wrong, & it seems to be about performance, and rules, and appearances.  Yet this passage is nothing like that. It's about inclusion and growing together, into some kind of living whare, starting where we are.   #inth...

So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God's household... Ephesians 2:19 CSB How inclusive and welcoming is this! This is written to those who were not Jews, who were without hope, without God. And now included. Fellow citizens; our status is the same. Members of God's household; wrapped in, welcome, belonging.  If this is the Kingdom, what it looks like, how it works, then my life, my household should work in a similar way... At the heart of so many of the problems our society faces seem to be these issues of belonging, inclusion, being wanted. This letter was written to the church telling them they were now included.  They belonged. They're wanted. This is the love and grace of the kingdom that removes barriers and embraces all of us.  May it be so in our lives this week. #monday #Godsgym #upsidedownkingdom

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,  and the rod of his fury will fail. Proverbs 22:8 ESV Rather than the expression of what's going on in this Proverb, consider for a moment the way this proverb sees us in the world. Sowing.  Reaping. Living. We don't get to choose the time we were born in, the place, the family, our upbringing or many of our early experiences.  Things have been sown into us. Some good.  Some terrible. Values, beliefs, ways of responding, ideas about who we are, about others, how the world works. Sown in. Inherent in this Proverb is God. Outside of time, outside of us. And when we meet Him, our values, beliefs, ways of responding, ideas about ourselves, others and how the world works can be challenged, or reinforced, or maybe some of each. And then we get to choose what we sow with our lives. What is reaped. How we live in the world. As we allow God's values, His priorities, His ways of responding, His way of seeing ourselves and others, His...

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,  and the rod of his fury will fail. Proverbs 22:8 ESV Can we see Jesus in this proverb? He was the opposite. He sows justice. He sows justice into our hearts and minds, into this world. And yet calamity fell on him. It appeared that everything he'd done and worked for had failed. The Cross. Shame, degradation, humiliation, pain, separation, and death. His family left him, his team rejected him, and yet Jesus chose to stay.  Chose to endure. Because Love. And when all seemed lost, there was resurrection.  When we're following Jesus, doing our bit to sow justice, it can seem like calamity falls.  But it's not the end. Because Love. When it's dark and it seems like there are no options, there is a Redeemer. Because Love. When it feels like there is no hope, there is One who has been before us, and walks with us. Because Love. So keep sowing justice, keep showing up, keep hope alive. Because Love. #sowjustice #loveGod #lovepeopl...

Friday! Proverbs! Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,  and the rod of his fury will fail. Proverbs 22:8 ESV This is one of those "just make-it-happen-now-God" proverbs. We hate injustice. Both for ourselves, and others. But those who sow injustice so often seem to flourish.  But this proverb tells us that the things that they have used to wield injustice will fail, come to an end.  This word "rod" carries a wide range of meaning including tribe. Even the people someone uses to bring injustice will come to an end. This proverb also prompts me to ask "where am I in this?" Are there times, moments when it's been me that has been unjust, used power to take or hurt or use someone? What about my use of the world's resources? Maybe my dangerous prayer is that God would reveal in me where I am sowing injustice. And to help me not to be immune to injustice, to turn a "blind eye" in the areas where I have influence.  What about you? #proverb...

He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:17-18 CSB More barriers removed. I don't think this is about people who live a long distance away, but those who seem to be a long way from God. No matter what your faith background or religious tradition might be, the gospel is a gift for all. The gospel, the good news, is for those who have not heard it at least as much as it is for those of us who have heard it.  The religious barriers to God are removed. And in this we can have peace with God. Whatever your battle is with God, Jesus work, is enough.  Peace is made through Jesus, by Jesus.  And we get to rest in that.  #peacewithGod #freeforall

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations.  His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, Ephesians 2:14-15 NIV Any thought that one group of people are better than others: Gone. Any thought of racial superiority: Gone. Any thought that one group of people are closer to or more acceptable to God: Gone. Any barriers between people groups: Gone. The Olympics can give us a glimpse of that...when you see someone's name and the country that they represent and wonder what their story is, how they got there.  While we may not have any influence on the borders of our country, we do on the borders of our lives, who we let in. And there's wisdom required there for sure, but if we're excluding people because they're different, they're from "there", we're not just missin...

In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:12-13 NLT While Paul seems to be writing not just to the church at Ephesus here but also to all people who weren't Jews. As a group they didn't know God, they were excluded. Kept out. Not good enough. Not enough. Without God, and without hope. As these words echo down the centuries we can rest in the work that Jesus did.  We are no longer excluded. You are not excluded. Hope is restored, as Jesus life given in love fills all the gaps, breathes life into what was dead, and we become enough.  Because of Jesus. Rest in that today. #dearlyloved #childrenoftheKing #included #enough #youareenoug...

Then Jesus told him,  "I entered this world to render judgment - to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind." Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked,  "Are you saying we're blind?" John 9:39-40 NLT Yesterday we watched a documentary on the "Dawn Raids".  (https://youtu.be/D6x6mTGsZlk) An example of where we as a culture were blind.  Jesus wasn't even talking to the Pharisees here but they nosed in anyway. They were very sensitive to being told that they might just be wrong.  That's why God's word is so important, to give us an external guide about how to live.  Knowing Jesus is important so that we don't lose sight of what's important to Him. Living in, being part of a community is important to work off the sharp edges, to deal with my selfishness, to submit to one another, to journey with one another, and as we do, to see where we are blind. It's OK to ask the questi...

When Jesus heard what had happened,  he found the man  and asked,  "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" The man answered,  "Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him." John 9:35-36 NLT Jesus had given this man who had been on the outer of society all his life, the opportunity to  enter in, to belong, by removing the barrier. The barrier was not just his lack of sight but the stigma attached to it by his culture.  Remember the opening question from Jesus' disciples in verse 1? Who sinned.  Who is to blame.  And they only saw two options, the person in front of them or his parents.  Jesus healing the man, effectively giving him entrance back into society challenged the systems and thoughts that had kept him on the outer. Kept him excluded. Made him "less than".  Systems and thoughts that allowed the church to flourish, society to function all the while stepping past a blind man begging for survival.  And Jesus fixed that without asking ...