verseoftheday

Friday! Proverbs! "You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.  So I will laugh when you are in trouble!  I will mock you when disaster overtakes you - when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you. When they cry for help, I will not answer.  Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. For simpletons turn away from me - to death.  Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm." Proverbs 1:25-33 NLT Yikes! Pays to remember that "wisdom" is not God, not a force or a person, but in this piece of writing "wisdom" is given the characteristics of a person. To make ...

When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised.  But afterward,  when some friends of James came,  Peter wouldn't eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter's hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. Galatians 2:12-13 NLT Controversy  Conflict Arguments  Hypocrisy People being led astray There's lots going on here inc choosing to talk direclty to people about their behaviour that is impacting others in their faith. However I'm interested in the "why" Why did Peter change the way he was? Because he was afraid.  Fear of what others would say to him, think about him, fear that others would judge him in some way, see him as "less than", associated with a different social & ethnic group. Fear.  Fear of people who he knew held strong views.  Ever done just what P...

In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.  Galatians 2:9-10 NLT Paul gives some more of his CV, adds some more credibility to his position in this letter to the churches. And then there's this little add on from James, Peter & John to Paul to keep on helping the poor. From the very beginning this has been at the heart of the activity that Christians were doing, calling each other to, encouraging one another in. The word Paul uses here is "mnemoneuo" which means to remember, to call to mind, to be mindful. In all the preaching and teaching and good things that might be going on, James, Peter & John are reminding Paul it's easy to forget the he...

Galatians 2:7-8 NLT Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles. Galatians 2:7-8 NLT Paul has been giving his readers a lot of background about his life and journey, preaching the good news of Jesus to non-Jewish communities, and this little summary is how church leaders in Jerusalem saw him. What's the lesson for us here? Perhaps it's this; Paul stayed in his lane - preaching to the Gentiles - he was good with that, knew that was God's call on him, and stuck with it.  It's so easy to be pulled into ministry or activity or away from what God might have for us by our ego, by some desire of our own - stay in the lane God has put you in. (That doesn't mean we shouldn't serve in areas that don't come easily for us o...

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.  Galatians 1:15-16 NLT Chosen. Not because of what he had done, acheived or what he could do as an adult. Chosen when in his Mum's womb, chosen before he took a step, chosen before he took a breath, chosen before he had breath. It was later, much later in his life that God revealed his particular calling. Chosen before he was born. God's grace is big enough for all of us, for each of us, for you. There's days when we feel unchosen, unknown, unloved, unloveable, unworthy, unenough.  We can rest, just as Paul did, knowing that we are known, are chosen, are loved, and that makes us enough, worthy (even if we don't believe it). God's Marvelous Grace is Enough. Rest in that. #Galatians  #letters #chosen #rest

Sunday Psalms: Yodh You made me;  you created me.  Now give me the sense to follow your commands. May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,  for I have put my hope in your word. Psalms 119:73-74 NLT This is just the first part of this stanza of Ps119, but it's this idea that the Psalmists plea to God is that others would find in him a cause for joy that stopped me. What do you think of that idea that we can be a cause or source of joy for others? This is not something I've ever asked of God. I wonder if I'm prepared to do that? Is there someone in your world who is a cause for joy in you? Why is that? Would it be helpful to them if they knew that? "May someone else find in me a cause for joy today. Amen." #dangerousprayers #psalms #psalm119

Galatians 1:10 CSB For am I now trying to persuade people, or God?  Or am I striving to please people?  If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.  Galatians 1:10 CSB Paul has just stated his reason for writing this letter, that people are teaching a different gospel, false teachers, that people are turning to this, and makes clear how strongly he feels about those who teach these false doctrines. It's  in that context that he writes about not being a people pleaser. The gospel of Grace, the gospel of Freedom in Jesus that Paul stands for is way more important to him than trying to keep people happy with him. Maybe a reminder that this Gospel of Grace and Freedom is ours too, when we feel obligated to prioritise the happiness or feelings of others we get to stand on the Good News that we are held firm by Grace.  Nothing gets to separate us from God's love.  Nothing. #letters #Galatians  #Grace #Freedom 

Friday! Proverbs! Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: "How long,  you simpletons,  will you insist on being simpleminded?  How long will you mockers relish your mocking?  How long will you fools hate knowledge? Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise. I called you so often, but you wouldn't come.  I reached out to you, but you paid no attention." Proverbs 1:20-24 NLT The writer creates this picture of Wisdom being a person who has tried everything to get our attention. Everything. And now we have this caricature of a desperate person crying out in public, able to be ignored as fringe or talking nonsense. Yet Wisdom has tried everything to get our attention, to pull us away from staying in our simple-minded pursuits.  Our distractions. What would Wisdom be crying out to you and me today? What would wi...

Galatians 1:6-7 CSB I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.  Galatians 1:6-7 CSB It didn't take long for some false teaching to find its way into the church. And it didn't take long for those early Christians to start following that teaching either. And this without YouTube or Instagram or any of the other ways that we get information today. What this letter reminds us of is our tendency to listen to what we want to hear, what seems easier or more attractive, that we are so easily swayed... Paul's clue here is that Jesus is at the centre. Whenever we move Jesus from the centre of the Good News, the Gospel, then we are right in Paul's firing line. Paul reminds us here that it is a gospel of grace.  Maybe that's the reminder we need today that it's by Gra...

Galatians 1:3-5 CSB Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. To him be the glory forever and ever.  Amen.  Galatians 1:3-5 CSB Paul's blessing of Grace and Peace is more than a nice thing to say, it's firmly rooted in what Jesus did. Jesus rescue mission for us is at the heart of Paul's letter, and is the foundation on which Grace and Peace sit. In this world that is at times so full of anti-peace, that seems to want anything but peace for us, that seems to hold so much anti-grace, we need a foundation that is bigger than us, big enough to hold all that this world throws at us. Jesus rescue mission is that Big Enough Story. Jesus rescue mission for the world is how we can get to experience Grace and Peace, and how we get to share it.  Because of Jesus Rescue Mission I have experienced Grace and do have Peace (somedays it really i...

May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.  Galatians 1:3 NLT This might read as some kind of standard greeting in a letter, but imagine how different our conversations might be if we greeted one another with this: "May God the Father  and our Lord Jesus Christ  give you grace  and peace." It slows things down, anchors us in who our God is, centres us on Jesus, and creates a space of safety, acceptance, belonging, and love. Maybe we should try it. I wonder what would shift if we didn't say it out loud, but "spoke" it inside, in our spirit, our wairua...maybe we should try that with the people we meet today: "May God the Father  and our Lord Jesus Christ  give you grace  and peace." Maybe it's what you need to hear today, let Paul's greeting from him and his people to the churches in Galatia sink in today... "May God the Father  and our Lord Jesus Christ  give you grace  and peace." May we know the Grace and...

This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia. Galatians 1:1-2 NLT Paul sets the scene for this letter by giving his readers some of the story of his authority in writing to them (& a little theology for them too). But Paul also shows us that he is no "Lone Ranger", he's got community, and his people are with him in this letter. For many of us our culture is quite individualistic, an important cultural feature. For others, the collective, whaanau, are more important. Wherever we sit with that Paul shares his individual authority, but also it's source in the Bigger Story of who God is and His action in the world, and how embedded he is in community with others. The Big Story. My story. Community. They're all important components of...

Sunday Psalms: Teth You have done many good things for me, Lord, just as you promised. I believe in your commands;  now teach me good judgment and knowledge. I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word. ... Psalms 119:65-72 NLT This part of Psalms 119 seems to follow the pattern of acknowledging God first, then stating the problem: The writer "wanders off", drifts, makes poor choices, gets distracted from God's heart and intent. Knowing God's word is good, but we need something else, some deeper understanding that will call us back when we have wandered off, that will hold us close when we're inclined to wander off. 'Father in heaven,  Give us your heart for this world, for others, for ourselves, so that when we're inclined to wander off, we will know that we are held by Unfailing Love. Amen' #Psalms  #psalms119 #weareBeloved 

Jesus came and told his disciples,  "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:  I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 NLT This is the last words of Matthew's gospel, the last words he gives us of what Jesus said, a final reminder that Jesus is who he said he is, that he is sending his people, his team, to represent him to the world, and the final promise that he is With them (Matthew nor Jesus tell us how that works but it's written here). Perhaps one of those reminders is what you and I need today: Jesus is who he said he is.  Confidence.  He has something for us to do.  Purpose.  He is with us. Comfort. He chooses to be with us because we are the object of His Love. Beloved. #wordsofJesus #red...

Friday! Proverbs! My child,  if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! They may say,  "Come and join us. Let's hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let's ambush the innocent! Let's swallow them alive, like the grave; let's swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death. Think of the great things we'll get!  We'll fill our houses with all the stuff we take. Come, throw in your lot with us; well all share the loot." My child, don't go along with them!  Stay far away from their paths. They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder. If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed. Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life.  Proverbs 1:10-19 NLT Seem familiar? Sometimes it is others who are calling us, and sometimes it's our own desires, and sometimes it's the promises that "the world...

Then Jesus said to them,  "Don't be afraid!  Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee,  and they will see me there."  Matthew 28:10 NLT After Jesus cry of abandonment and despair from the cross, these are the next words of Jesus that Matthew records for us: "Don't be afraid" Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid. The women Jesus was talking to had experienced their world tipped over. They too had experienced abandonment, loss, despair. And here is Jesus with strength, comfort, hope and love; Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid, there actually is more. Don't be afraid death has been defeated. Don't be afraid, out of despair and hopelessness new life can be found, not when, or what you expected it to be. Don't be afraid, and I have something for you to do... #wordsofJesus #redletterBible #weareBeloved  #dontbeafraid #hopeishere  #thereismore 

Matthew 27:46 NLT At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice,  "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means  "My God, my God,  why have you abandoned me?" Matthew 27:46 NLT While the circumstances around Jesus saying this are unique and extraordinary, and the significance of Jesus expressing this has layers of mystery to them, there's a humanness here that here that we can relate to: We feel that God has abandoned us. It feels like what we have lost sight of God, that what seemed like solid ground is dissolving, and we feel lost. Abandoned. In this moment Jesus couldn't seem any further away from being the Messiah, Saviour, Lord. He is dying, being crucified, immobile, and expresses his heart in this way: "My God, my God,  why have you abandoned me?" Jesus question doesn't give an answer, but it does give us permission to ask the same question if we need to.  When we feel powerless, that the world is against us, that God is sil...

Matthew 27:11 NLT Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. "Are you the king of the Jews?" the governor asked him.  Jesus replied,  "You have said it." Matthew 27:11 NLT If there is one thing that remains firm when the world seems shaky, one thing we can hold onto when it feels like we cannot stand, when the things we face require courage that we do not have, it is that Jesus is who he said he is. And he faced what was unfaceable, stood when no one else could, for one reason: Love. Our God so loved the world. So loved. Love. And we are the objects of God's love. Some days it may not feel like it, we may not even want to be. We might be full of sorrow, despair, loss. We might be full of joy, hope, wonder, or we might be holding some mixed up combination of all the things at the same time, and in that, the truest of true things remains: Jesus is who he said he is. He entered the story because Love compelled him. We are Beloved. Hold on. #wordsofJe...

1 Timothy 5:1-2 NLT Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father.  Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters. 1 Timothy 5:1-2 NLT Why would Paul think he needed to write this to Timothy? Isn't this just common courtesy, manners, how people should see one another and care for one another? Since this letter is to help Timothy stand against false teachers in the church then that false teaching must've been infiltrating every part of people's lives...a bit like the influence of social media and the ideas that seem to so easily gain traction, or the insidious way that viewing pornography changes the way we see people. Whatever was going on in Timothy's world, Paul needed to set or reset this baseline. I'm wondering where my baseline needs to be reset? Is there language, thoughts, ideas, that ...

Sunday Psalms; Heth. Lord, you are mine!  I promise to obey your words! With all my heart I want your blessings.  Be merciful as you promised.  I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. ...  Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions. ... O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth;  teach me your decrees.  Psalms 119: 59-64 NLT  This part of Ps119 starts with a thing I've said to God plenty of times too "I promise to obey your words, I want your blessings". And then there's some self reflection: "I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws". I want God's blessing,  yet when I sit back and think about my choices, I can see I need to change some of the things I'm choosing. Then there's the choices of others, those who would try to "drag me into sin". That might be friends, colleagues, family members, social media influencers, the music, shows I...

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters.  Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching.  Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:14-16 NLT Remember this letter is from Paul to Timothy as he helps the churches in Ephesus to deal with false teachers. So what can we take from this bundle if ideas that Paul is giving Tim? - Use your gifting. - Keep focussed. - Don't hesitate to crack into the work. - Keep self reflecting. - Stick close to what is True, for your own sake and for others. What resonates with you today? If Paul was writing to us, to me, I wonder what he would write? And perhaps that's another way of looking at this letter, is there someone in your life who needs a "P...

Friday! Proverbs! My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don't neglect your mother's instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 NLT I've heard the first part of this proverb used as a weapon to get children to do what the parent wants.  But nothing in the first 7 verses, the introduction, does it indicate this is a parenting manual. This is about gaining wisdom, discernment, insight, so that we might live a life of justice & fairness, a life in line with God's heart. The presumption here is that there were gems of goodness and truth found in the people who raised us. That might be our biological family, adopted, fostered, or those adults who showed the care and love for us that we needed. Dig out the gems of goodness from them and hold on to those. For some that will be easy, for some it might take some determined excavation, but in all of us is the echo of God's voice, the im...

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.  1 Timothy 4:14 NLT Elsewhere in his letters Paul talks about everyone getting some kind of spiritual gift, not so much for themselves, or ourselves, but for others, for building up and encouraging others.  The "how" of this seems a bit unique for Timothy, but the intriguing part today is the "do not neglect" part.  I'm sure Timothy won't have forgotten the day this happened, but juat like all of us, Timothy may have  been distracted from sharing this gift, or diverted into other things, or discouraged by someone's comments or opinions. Finding that place where our heart sings in communion with God, where we are blessed and being a blessing, where we are exercising what God has given us, sharing what He has blessed us with, working out our vocation, stepping out in faith in some way, maybe even just trusting Him enoug...

Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind:  "Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me. And he went away, weeping bitterly." Matthew 26:75 NLT  I appreciate that Peter's story is recorded here for us. It speaks to the genuineness of the gospels (if I was Peter I would've made Matthew delete this part of the story). But I really appreciate it because Peter realised he had done exactly what he said he wouldn't, that he'd become the person he didn't want to become, and Jesus' words came up for him, something in Peter's spirit reminded him of Jesus words. Why do I appreciate it? Because there's been times when I have realised I've done what I said I wouldn't, that I've become the person I didn't want to be. This story of Peter's is a very human story, whether it's in something big or small one we can, have, or will, relate to.  We can let Jesus be our conscience, our reminder...

Matthew 26:62-64 NLT Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus,  "Well, aren't you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?" But Jesus remained silent.  Then the high priest said to him,  "I demand in the name of the living God - tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God." Jesus replied,  "You have said it.  And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at Gods right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven." Matthew 26:62-64 NLT Sometimes its OK to say nothing. Jesus then entered the conversation, but from his own angle, bringing his own emphasis. When faced by the powerful Jesus didn't take their bait and try and battle them. He was confident in himself and the path that he was on. Does any of that resonate with you today? And then there's the story itself, Jesus declaring again that there's more, there's something bigger going on here. The powerful who were demandi...

1 Timothy 4:11-13 NLT Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young.  Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there,  focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. 1 Timothy 4:11-13 NLT Sometimes we make the way of faith seem so complicated, and here Paul is laying out for Timothy how to go about being a pastor, leading a church, walking with people... 1. Stay close to the Bible. Teach from it. 2. Your teaching should be encouraging. 3. Live it out. Your life, your day-to-day is an example of what you teach.  Faith Love Purity.  As Paul invites Timothy into this way of being in his community, so this letter is inviting us into a way of being in 2025. Perhaps it's investing time in God's word. Perhaps it's being encouraging. Perhaps it's living out our day-to-day ordinary ...

Sunday Psalms; Psalms 119:49-50, 59, 61, 64 NLT Zayin Remember your promise to me;  it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. ... I pondered the direction of my life,  and I turned to follow your laws. ... Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions. ... O Lord,  your unfailing love fills the earth;  teach me your decrees.  Psalms 119:49-50, 59, 61, 64 NLT There's a decent chunk of self reflection going on here, how God's word speaks to the psalmist, the writer considers the direction their life is on and knows that there are choices, that the choices of others have an impact on your life, that there are anchors that we can hold to in the storms, and that he is loved, and the way forward is the way of love. The new year is often a time of self reflection and maybe there's some useful ways of doing that here... the psalmists self reflection pulls us up into the Bigger Story, the story th...

Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT Imitate God,  therefore,  in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.  He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT As a new year kicks in some people like to hold a word for the year, some commit to making changes (resolutions), some go to a favourite verse or Bible passage that has been meaningful, some to writers and thinkers to inspire or encourage us e.g. this one from Rainer Maria Rilke; "And now we welcome the new year.  Full of things that have never been." If nothing has leapt out at you in the first few days of 2025, then perhaps these words from Paul will be helpful: Imitate God in everything you do. And why? Because we are His dear children. We are Beloved. We Belong. We are Accepted. We are Enough. What does imitating God look like in 2025? Love. Loving others.  Loving others because we are Loved, Acc...

Friday! Proverbs! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;  fools despise wisdom and discipline.  Proverbs 1:7 CSB  "Fear" is the word "yir'ah" which covers the whole range of meaning from terror to reverential awe depending on the context. It's a foundational relational idea that holds the sovereignty and authority of God and is seen as guiding and protective. So a big word.  A word that invites us to see who God is first. When we start to consider Him, who is outside time, space, our reality, who made our place, designed us in all our intricacy, and who declares that He Is Love, and that we are Beloved, so loved that Jesus entered the story to make a way of restoration of relationship with Him, as we sit with these things we start to get an idea of what "yir'ah" is...the beginning, the start point, the only place we can really begin to "get" our God and get to know Him, Yahweh. #proverbs  #wisdom  #somethingtochewon #begi...

Ephesians 4:24-25, 28-29, 31-32 NLT Put on your new nature, created to be like God - truly righteous and holy. So stop... If you are a _____, quit ____.  Instead.... Don't____   Let everything... Get rid of all ____ Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted... Ephesians 4:24-25, 28-29, 31-32 NLT If Paul cared about New Year's Resolutions he may well have referred us to this part of his letter to the people in the church in Ephesus. Here he invites them into new life with Jesus. Invites them to put off the Old Life, and like a new jacket, put on New Life. He then gives some examples of doing that by choosing to stop some activity or way of being, an Old Life practice, and replace it with a New Life practice.  These New Life practices are not an end in themselves, but are initmitely connected to following Jesus. In our culture at this time of year there's an invitation to change something. Paul's wisdom is not to stop or start something new, but to replace. To put ...

Matthew 26:55-56 NLT Then Jesus said to the crowd,  "Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me?  Why didn't you arrest me in the Temple?  I was there teaching every day. But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures." At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.  Matthew 26:55-56 NLT Jesus is very clear, he's not a danger to anyone. There'll be no overthrowing of the Romans, no "new year, new you", no new resolutions, but a continuing to step into his calling, his vocation, his reason for being. And his team, his friends, his closest people, left. Fear, realisation that Jesus had really meant all he had said, the power of the culture, of the Empire might have seemed too big, too frightening. But Jesus continued in his path.  As 2025 starts maybe it holds something new. Perhaps it holds a continuation of your calling, vocation, commitment. Commitment to a p...