verseoftheday

Proverbs 10:13 CEB [13] Wisdom is found on the lips of those who have understanding, but there is a rod for the back of those with no sense.   Can we find Jesus in this Proverb? He is the one on who's lips are found wisdom. And as we saw in Romans it's Jesus who frees us from the rod that is being a "slave to sin" and invites us into the freedom of life in the Spirit. And he is also the one who bore the rod. He endured the rejection, the threats, the challenges, the abuse, the trials, and the crucifixion, the Cross, and this is where Jesus diverts from the Proverb,  not because he had "no sense", but because he Loves. And we get to follow Jesus, so as followers, may wisdom be found on our lips today... #proverbs  #wisdom  #somethingtochewon #itsaheartthing #takethenextstep 

Friday! Proverbs! [13] Wisdom is found on the lips of those who have understanding, but there is a rod for the back of those with no sense.   Proverbs 10:13 CEB I tend to read things literally and see someone being beaten because they don't understand- and that just doesn't fit with the story of the Bible at all. So it seems likely that this needs a metaphorical look... The person with understanding speaks wisdom, compared with the person who doesn't have understanding- and for that person wisdom is hard to find, as a result everything is difficult. Relationships. Work. Learning. It's like the world continues to beat on them, beat them down... And if Proverbs is a window to the heart, maybe there's been times when we've felt that way - the world continues to beat on us, and our own inner critic joins in. This Proverb invites us back then to Wisdom. Back to the heart of our God who is Unfailing Love. What is it today that Unfailing Love is inviting us to look at ...

Romans 8:20-23 NLT Against its will, all creation was subjected to Gods curse.  But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join Gods children in glorious freedom from death and decay.  For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering.  We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.  Romans 8:20-23 NLT Paul paints this picture for us of all creation right on the cusp of something new and glorious, something we will all be part of, something we get glimpses of, but the best is yet to come. One day all will be made new. How does this hope change how we live today? #letters #hopeishere #redemptivestrands #weareBelo...

Romans 8:18-19 NLT [18] Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. [19] For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.  Romans 8:18-19 NLT Sitting with this idea that there will be suffering in this life is not easy.  When we acknowledge the reality that there is and will be suffering helps us to not just prepare for it, but to live with it when it arrives. This passage gives us part of the story - acknowledges that there is suffering, and that there is something coming that will absorb it and turn it into glory. And secondly, that all of creation, all of us, are in this suffering world together.  All of us. All of creation knows and is waiting on the renewal of all things. (This may be of little help when we're in the midst of our own suffering, but this is the hope we hold for one another when others can't hold it for themselves). Suffering is part of this life. And so is...

Romans 8:14-16 NLT For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.  So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves.  Instead,  you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.  Now we call him,  "Abba, Father." For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children.  Romans 8:14-16 NLT God's children. His own children. Children of God. Seems that Paul wants us to "get" something here. Nestled in amongst his discussion of those parts of who we are that are not fully aligned with God, the battle within, his call to live in the Spirit, are these repeated identity reminders: We are: God's children. His own children. Children of God. In amongst all the stressors, demands, griefs of this life this reminder holds us: We are: God's children. His own children. Children of God. #truthtorestin  #letters #hopeishere #weareBeloved 

Psalms 26:8, 11-12 NLT I love your sanctuary, Lord,  the place where your glorious presence dwells. ... So redeem me and show me mercy.   Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the Lord. Psalms 26:8, 11-12 NLT David declares that he loves God, walks with integrity, and needs redeeming, and needs mercy. This psalm, this song, reflects the story we find ourselves in too...doing our best to do what is right, and at the same time knowing we need redemption. David ends his song with two ideas: Publicly acknowledging and praising God  And  Knowing that "now I stand on solid ground". No matter what we get to stand on the solid ground that we have been redeemed by Jesus. Even though we might feel that we still need it, that we're on the shakey ground of our own redemptive efforts, we get to stand on the solid ground that is Jesus. Praise Him!. #psalms #songs  #redemptivestrands #hopeishere #unfailinglove #weareBeloved 

Sunday Psalms; Declare me innocent,  O Lord,  for I have acted with integrity;  I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Put me on trial,  Lord,  and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.  For I am always aware of your unfailing love... Psalms 26:1-3 NLT Not sure I'm as brave as David is to ask God to put me on trial, to have Him examine, challenge, pick apart my motivation in Court! To test my heart for integrity! And as David does this, goes boldly before our God, there is the redemptive strand that David knows that he is held by Unfailing Love. Some days it's easy to believe that and other days not so easy, but this song invites us to live like it is, no matter what is in front of us today. Live boldly because we are held by Unfailing Love. What does that invite us to put down today? Live boldly because we are held by Unfailing Love. What does that invite us to step towards today? #psalms #songs #redemptivestrands #hopeishere #unfailingLove...

Hatred stirs up strife,  but love covers all offenses. Proverbs 10:12 ESV Can we see Jesus in this Proverb? Before he was born Herod was causing strife (to be fair to Herod that was more fear than hatred), but right thru Jesus life there were those who were against him, even his own people rejected him. The Hebrew word is "sin'ah" which means hatred, hostility, enmity. If our life is marked by the hatred, hostility or enmity (ill will) of others, then we're in good company. Jesus knew all about it, right up to and including his death. And only His Love covers all offenses.  Only His Love is enough. In our humanity, our love is limited, our ability to absorb the sins of others is limited, it's only Jesus Love that is sufficient to cover all offenses, because His Love is out-of-this-world Love, Divine Love, Holy Love, Unfailing Love.  Yes we're called to be like Jesus, but not to be Him. Let Him be God, and we get to love as best we can in this messy imperfect l...

Friday! Proverbs! Hatred stirs up strife,  but love covers all offenses. Proverbs 10:12 ESV My tendency is to look at someone else and point this Proverb at them: "Don't be so upset - love covers everything" "You have to let this go - the Bible says so". But that doesn't line up with the story of the Bible at all. God held people to account, Jesus did too, just read his warning in Matthew 18 toward those who harm children. So if Proverbs is not a weapon to weild against others but a mirror to look at our own heart, I'm wondering where I am stirring up strife? For me it can be envy. That stirs up an internal strife. Regret. Grief. And how does Love speak to those things? How does Love speak to me? Even where the offense is against me, what does Eternal Unfailing Love say to me even in that? Perhaps this Proverb while starting small invites us back into the Big Story that we are held safely in.  The Story where my offence towards God is absorbed by Eternal...

Romans 8:1 NLT [1] So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  Do you have a handful of verses that you go back to when you need a reminder, reassurance, redirection, rehope (is rehope a word?)? This is one of those verses when the doubts about me come up, the inner critic is noisy, the self talk is unhelpful, this is one place that is helpful - if God doesn't condemn me, then why should I? It also reminds me that my life is held safely in Jesus - whatever happens. And when my life comes to an end, there is no condemnation, but a life with Jesus. What does Romans 8:1 invite you towards today? "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." #letters #Grace ##hopeishere #weareBeloved 

Psalms 25:16-18 NLT Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress.  My problems go from bad to worse.  Oh, save me from them all!  Feel my pain and see my trouble... Maybe this feels familiar - David's problems mounting up, feeling alone in it all. Unseen. Unheard. And yet he is not alone, not unheard [15] My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies. ... [21] May integrity and honesty protect me,  for I put my hope in you. Psalms 25:15, 21 NLT Just like us David's emotions are telling him something, but his conclusion from them ("for I am alone") isn't the last word, isn't the whole story. Even in his distress, David keeps turning towards God.  His song invites us to do the same, whatever we're facing today, to continue to put our hope in Him... #psalms #songs  #redemptivestrands #hopeishere #weareBeloved  Here's an occasional reminder that if you no longer want to receive verseoftheday that's all...

[6] Remember,  O Lord,  your compassion and unfailing love,  which you have shown from long ages past.  [7] Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.  Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.  [8] The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. [9] He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.  [10] The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. Psalms 25:6-10 NLT This is the heart of this song, the part to play on repeat...can you feel the redemptive pull? David knows God, knows His character, His love, and at the same time knows his own humanness... What is the repeated phrase? "unfailing love" This is the redemptive tide that is always in play. "unfailing love" When we miss the mark "unfailing love" When we need help "unfailing love" When we need a Saviour "unfailing love" #psalms #s...

Psalms 25:3-5 NLT No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,  but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Show me the right path, O Lord;  point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me,  for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you. Psalms 25:3-5 NLT There's days I want God's guidance but I'm not sure I often follow David's lead here when he asks God: - Show me... - Lead me... - Teach me... - All day long I put my hope in you... Even in times when Shame wants to intrude, when fear of disgrace would hold us down, hold us back...all day long I put my hope in you, for no one who trusts in You will ever be disgraced. While we might experience shame, disgrace, in the Big Story, that has already been absorbed by Jesus. So... - Show me... - Lead me... - Teach me... - All day long I put my hope in you... #psalms #redemptivestrands #hopeishere #weareBeloved 

Sunday Psalms; O Lord,  I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. ... [21] May integrity and honesty protect me,  for I put my hope in you. Psalms 25:1-2, 21 NLT This song starts with "O Lord,  I give my life to you" Maybe we said this to God once, a month, a year, a decade ago, maybe we said it at a baptism, a crisis, a moment of spiritual experience. Yet here it is in David's opening of his song, his poem. I'm wondering if this is an invitation to me to start my day, my week, stating out loud where my hope is, in who my trust is. Faith, hope, trust are not once-and-done actions, or even quiet things, but maybe like David need to be regularly spoken or sung out loud? What is this song inviting us towards? "O Lord,  I give my life to you... I put my hope in you." #psalms  #redemptivestrands #hopeishere 

The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. Proverbs 10:11 NLT Can we see Jesus in this Proverb? His words are The life-giving fountain. When we look at Jesus life story all along the the way were people who's words and hearts held a violent intent - towards Jesus, towards anyone who stood in their version of success. King Herod. The Pharisees  His own people who rejected him. Judas Iscariot. Pilate. The crowds who called for Barrabas to be released. But Jesus continued and continues to speak Life. Whether things are great, a bit "meh", or we're really under pressure, anytime is good to lean into the life-giving fountain that is Jesus. "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!  Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'" John 7:37-38 NLT #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #itsaheartthing  #speaklife

Friday! Proverbs! [11] The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain;  the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. Proverbs 10:11 NLT Easy to look at others and see both of these things...but when I turn this Proverb inwards, I find both of these things in me too - sometimes my words are life-giving, and sometimes they're not. Some days my words conceal (or barely conceal) something unhealthy and life-draining going on in my heart. This Proverb invites me to take a moment when my thoughts, my words are not life-giving, to reflect what's going on in my heart. Yesterday we were in Romans 8:11 "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you" Perhaps this is the time to ask Him to minister to what is going on in me. Invite Him in. Listen for Him. Listen for the redemptive story of where He might want me to step from, and towards. Towards speaking life-giving words, words of life. My hope is that my trajectory is towards more life-giving words,...

The Spirit of God,  who raised Jesus from the dead,  lives in you. Romans 8:11 NLT [10] And Christ lives within you,  so even though your body will die because of sin,  the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. [11] The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead,  lives in you. Romans 8:10-11 NLT The Spirit of God,  who raised Jesus from the dead,  lives in you. There's Life within our life. The Spirit of God. Jesus lives in you. The Spirit gives you life. These are amazing statements that are a bit mind blowing at times.  They fly in the face of our culture, what the world would have us believe, what the lies of the Enemy say, and our own hearts at times. But Paul is clear -  "The Spirit of God,  who raised Jesus from the dead,  lives in you." This gift is only available, only exists, because of Jesus. Because God made the Way. Because we are Beloved. Amazing Grace. #letters #Romans #redemptivestrands ...

Romans 8:9-10 NLT [9] But you are not controlled by your sinful nature.  So in us who are followers of Jesus, something is different. That part of us that takes us away from God, away from the fully aliveness that he has for us is still there, but it's not in charge. [9] You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. This is quite a thing for Paul to say! The Spirit of God lives in you! Lives in me! Not sure about you but the challenges come up in me to this - even though I think and do and say things that don't align to the Spirit of God living in me?  [10] And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.  Romans 8:9-10 NLT So even though we're not perfect, Life in the Spirit happens because we've been made right with God.  Because God stepped towards us. Because God made a way. Because Jesus. We live in the now and the not yet, made righ...

Romans 8:5-8 NLT [5] Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. [6] So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. [7] For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. [8] That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. While this passage is a little depressing, feel free to jump to v9 where hope is held... Even in this passage though there is a redemptive strand: V6 talks of letting our mind be controlled by some part of us that is not aligned, not attuned to God, or we can let our mind be controlled by the Spirit, the pathway to life and peace. Be great if there was a fool proof 3 step process that we could all follow and that would just happen. We can consider what we're allowing...

Psalms 24:7-10 NLT Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory?  The Lord, strong and mighty;  the Lord, invincible in battle. Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.  Who is the King of glory?  The Lord of Heaven's Armies - he is the King of glory.  Interlude Psalms 24:7-10 NLT This second half of Psalm 24 almost feels like the chorus and there should be another part to this song! David asks himself the question "who is the King of glory?" I wonder if we ask ourselves that question today what is our answer? Do we see God the same way David did (on the day he wrote this anyway?) "Who is the King of glory?" And then what are these ancient gates & doors that need to be opened to let the King of Glory, the Lord of Heaven's Armies in? Surely if God has all that power He goes where He wants? I wonder if David is looking inward and seeing places in his own he...

Sunday Psalms; The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.  The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth's foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.  They will receive the Lord's blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior.  Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.  Interlude Psalms 24:1-6 NLT After the beauty and invitations of Psalms 23 we get this "excluding" view that David paints - we're back to never-good-enough for God. Or does it? Because if God's glory, His holiness was all there is to the story then maybe that narrative holds. But it's not. It's true, but it's also not the whole story. Sunday in particular we get together if we can to worship our Risen Saviour who made the way, who is the W...

Romans 8:3 NLT The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.  So God did what the law could not do.  He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have.  And in that body declared an end to sin's control over us... Romans 8:3 NLT "So God did what the law could not do." Another side of Love that steps towards us, that makes a way where there is no way. The law, or complete obedience to the law, can't be done, so it's impossible for us in our humanity to be made right with God that way. "So God did what the law could not do." He sent His Son, and He declared that through His Son we are set free. Love sets the Beloved free.  #letters #Goddid #set free #weareBeloved

Friday! Proverbs! He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin. Proverbs 10:10 BSB "He who winks the eye", what could this mean? The person who says something hurtful and then says "I was just joking". The person who sees injustice, and does nothing. Elie Wiesel who was a holocaust survivor wrote this: "We must always take sides.  Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.  Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." Elie Wiesel And then there's "foolish lips" - I couldn't count the number of times I've said things I wish I could retrieve, call back, say differently or not at all... If we see Proverbs not as a weapon, but an invitation to consider our own hearts, what does this Proverb invite you and me towards today? #proverbs  #wisdom #somethingtochewon #itsaheartthing #takethenextstep 

Romans 7:25 - 8:2 NLT Thank God!  The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.  So you see how it is:  In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.  Romans 7:25 - 8:2 NLT After this long discussion about the power of sin, about the value and the shortcomings of the law, about his own humanity, Paul points us to Jesus and to this place where because of Jesus, because we belong to Him, we can put down this voice of condemnation. I got asked yesterday "how's your inner voice? What's it saying about you today?" "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." Maybe it's just me that has this inner voice that takes a different view to that which Paul invites us towards...maybe if God doesn't...

Romans 7:14-15, 21-25 NLT [14] So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. [15] I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate.  Romans 7:14-15 NLT Paul reminds us of his own humanity here.  Even though he has had this "road to Damascus" spiritual experience and met Jesus, he's not "perfect", there's still an internal battle at times, and he still does things he knows are wrong. [21] I have discovered this principle of life - that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. [22] I love God's law with all my heart. [23] But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. [24] Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?  [25] Thank God!  The answer...

[1] The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. ... [5] You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You honor me by anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,  and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalms 23:1, 5-6 NLT The redemptive strand has an end point - reconnection with God. David's song takes us on it's own journey; Starts with Yahweh as Shpeherd - The Eternal Light & Love is like a shepherd towards his sheep. There is rest, renewal, guidance, even in the darkest of places, He is with us. And then this picture of a feast, of a God who pursues us, of overflowing goodness that does not end. The redemptive strands flow through this song, through the realities of life, to a place of reconnection. A place where the disconnections of the Genesis story, from God, creation, each other, and ourselves, are reversed. A place where we will be ...

Psalms 23:1, 4 NLT [1] The Lord is my shepherd; ... [4] Even when I walk through the darkest valley,  I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalms 23:1, 4 NLT The Lord, Yahweh, The Shepherd, His rod and staff protect and comfort. It's not just our own strength we have to rely on, but His. It's not our just own capacity, but His. Because there is the "darkest valley" that we have to navigate.  We are not immune from the evils of this world, the actions of others, the frailties and limitations of our own humanity, the lies of the Enemy. David knows that. And his song invites us to join in the way through that he has found...leaning into Yahweh, remembering that even in the darkest valley, where there seems to be no light, The Lord, Yahweh, is still his Shepherd. #psalms  #songs #psalm23 #redemptivestrands #hopeishere #weareBeloved  #thewayisthrough

Sunday Psalms; The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows;  he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalms 23:1-3 NLT What jumped off the page today was "he". We want the rest of "green meadows", somewhere flourishing. We want the peace found near the water.  We want the strength and guidance, but each of these for David comes from The Shepherd, the Lord, Yahweh, YHWH, He is the one who is the agent, the means, the way; He lets me rest He leads me He renews  He guides I'm wondering how often that I've replaced the "He" with an "I". "Father in heaven, help me put down my idea of rest and let me find yours. Renew in me what needs renewing. Help me put down my ideas for a moment and seek your guidance, let me hear your voice today. Amen." #psalms #songs #dangerousprayers  #psalm23 #weareBeloved 

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9 NIV When we look for Jesus in this Proverb, he is the one who walks in integrity. Even though he was misunderstood. Even though he was rejected. Even though he was abandoned. He was always held securely by the Love of the Father. Who did Jesus call out? The hyper religious who wanted the rules to save them. They couldn't do it with integrity because it ended up being about power, power over others. As followers of Jesus we are held in the same way that Jesus was (& is).  We are held securely by the Love of the Father, even if we're abandoned, rejected, misunderstood. We are in fact, beloved. #proverbs #wisdom  #somethingtochewon  #itsaheartthing #beloved

Friday! Proverbs! Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9 NIV Mmm interesting comparison this Proverb draws...walking securely vs being found out... The security that comes from walking with integrity is that there is no fear of being found out...it's a security of the mind, which would seem to equal peace. Peace of mind, peace of heart when we walk with integrity. Proverbs is not a weapon to beat ourselves or anyone else up with, so what is this Proverb inviting us towards? To keep moving towards living in integrity. If that's our trajectory, then we are stepping towards more peace of mind, more peace of heart. It allows me to put down the comparison to others, and to live more and more in line with my values, with what's important, with God's call. As we sit with this Proverb today, what's the invitation to step away from, and to step towards? "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but w...

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him.  "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do us a favor." "What is your request?" he asked. They replied, "When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left." Mark 10:35-37 NLT What?! Jesus has just finished telling them about the upsidedown kingdom, how the greatest will be less important, and the very next question is "hey, we want to be the greatest"! So easy to condemn James and John here but they open us up to the human condition - I don't need to be at the front in heaven, but I'm sure I don't deserve to be down the back either... James and John's question gets me thinking about what I expect, what I want, what my rights are when it comes to God's Kingdom, and there may be some ideas there that betray the pride in my accomplishments and expectations that I carry...wh...

Mark 10:32-34 NLT [32] They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus once more began to describe everything that was about to happen to him.  [33] "Listen," he said, "we're going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. [34] They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again." Mark 10:32-34 NLT We're on the other side of the resurrection, someone being flogged with Roman whips, public crucifixions are so far from our reality, but for these people walking with Jesus, wanting a Messiah to rescue them from Roman oppression is now just going to walk towards the Empire!!?? And is this talk of death and retu...

Then Peter began to speak up.  'We've given up everything to follow you," he said.  "Yes," Jesus replied, "and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property -along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. Mark 10:28-31 NLT The Kingdom runs on values that are upsidedown to those of our world- Peter's world- Jesus was making it clear that his and others (& our) sacrifices for Jesus, for the Good News are seen, are recognised. And there is going to be an abundance of goodness, an abundance of the things we love in life. And.  Some of the people who we looked at as important w...

Mark 10:26-28 NLT The disciples were astounded.  "Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked.  Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God." Then Peter began to speak up.  "We've given up everything to follow you," he said. Mark 10:26-28 NLT Peter is so helpful as he says what's really going on - he still thinks his getting right with God is up to him. He's given up everything. More than the person who came to Jesus with his questions and left unhappy because he wouldn't, couldn't give up everything and follow Jesus. And Peter had.  Left his family, left his business, and was literally following Jesus, and now gets told that's not enough.  That will never be enough.  Only Grace is enough. Somedays I'm with Peter - what about all I've given up to follow you Jesus - more than that guy you were just talking to! Peter and his colleagues were ...

Sunday Psalms; Psalms 22:14, 17-18, 24, 26 NLT [14] My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. ... [17] I can count all my bones.  My enemies stare at me and gloat. [18] They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing. ... [24] For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help. ... [26] The poor will eat and be satisfied.  All who seek the Lord will praise him.  Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy. Psalms 22:14, 17-18, 24, 26 NLT If we're looking for intense psalms 22 must be near the top of the list. It contains a number of descriptions of suffering... bones out of joint... heart melted like wax, descriptions of enemies, emotions, abandonment. There's a picture of a person having his last piece of clothing gambled for, which happened to Jesus hundreds of years after this was writte...

Mark 10:26-27 NLT The disciples were astounded.  "Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked.  Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible.  But not with God. Everything is possible with God." Mark 10:26-27 NLT This story in Mark's account seems to be about a person who wanted to confirm his "self salvation" project, that if he kept all the rules, did everything right, he'd be OK. But what he didn't reckon on was Jesus knowing his heart, and what had captured this person. And he couldn't give it up. The disciples seem to have realised that they too had things that captured their hearts, and wondered out loud how anyone can be saved, how anyone can be made right with God... So Jesus tells them that it's God making the way that makes the impossible possible.  We are saved because Jesus stepped towards us.  Grace. Impossible Grace. Because we are Beloved. Crazy, but true. #gospelofMark #GoodNews  #invit...

Friday! Proverbs! [8] The wise in heart accept commands,  but a chattering fool comes to ruin. Proverbs 10:8 NIV "The wise in heart" - what a beautiful description of a person - perhaps this is something to aspire to, and the way at least in part to be "wise in heart" is to be willing to listen to and accept instruction. Direction. To change. And what does this Proverb compare a person "wise in heart" with? Someone who won't listen. Someone who blathers on. My problem is that somedays that's me! Just blah blah, not listening, and not heeding the wisdom of God's Word and what He  invites me towards. Somedays I struggle with the simplest instructions; Love is patient. Love is kind. I'd rather be anything but those things, but this invitation towards being wise on heart draws me back to following God's instruction and loving. Love is patient. Love is kind. Patient and kind toward others.  Patient and kind towards all that is unhealed or un...

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked,  "Good Teacher,  what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Mark 10:17 NLT Jesus had just started on his journey to Jerusalem when his trip was interrupted- how do we go with interruptions? When people have questions? If Love is patient, love is kind, how do I love others in the interruption? This man interrupts Jesus journey with his Big Question.  And in this, he is our model - bring your Big Questions to Jesus. Our Big Question can lead us to look at what Jesus did and said to seek answers, clarity, help. Our Big Question can lead us to prayer, to seek out the Holy Spirit's quiet voice. Our Big Question can lead us to question those in our world who may be able to point us towards Jesus. What's your Big Question today? Follow the redemptive strands of scripture and seek Jesus in the Question...(remembering that we are already Beloved). #gospelofMark #GoodNews  #in...

Romans 7:4, 6 NLT [4] So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point:  You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ.  And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead.  As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God.  ... [6]...Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit. Romans 7:4, 6 NLT These ways of doing things that the religious leaders had been imposing on people as being the way to be right with God, to be holy, Paul is telling the church in Rome, they're gone.  The last 2 chapters Paul has repeated again and again that we're made right with God through faith in Jesus, through His work, not ours. So don't go back to this rules based life. There's new life now that is Spirit led. We get to live out the law in the place we find ourselves not to get right with God, but in gratitude and to honour Him. What opens up in this Spirit led life...

Romans 6:22-23 NLT [22] But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God.  Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.  [23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22-23 NLT But now. Now free. Free from the slavery to sin, from it's mastery, it's hold, free to line up under God, free to choose the way of the kingdom, free to accept and live in this gift of Life. This gift is big enough to hold us in our doubts, our lapses, our not-so-great choices at times.  It's about trajectory, direction, stepping towards the freedom we have in Jesus, and when we can't quite believe it, living like we do...and we get to do that because it's not us who made the way, not our perfect choices and actions, but Jesus. We rely on The Gift that came from His choice, His actions. The weight is lifted. And we get to step out in the freedom that Jesus gives... #lett...

Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. Mark 10:16 NLT Jesus said to his team to receive the Kingdom like a child, and then he took the children in his arms, gathered them in, held them close, placed his hands on their heads in blessing and protection, and blessed them. His team were doing something different with the Kingdom, in relation to the Kingdom, wanting to exercise some kind of adult control, manage it, and Jesus rebuked them, come like a child, be wrapped in, and blessed. Loved. Accepted. Welcomed. Today, be welcomed in. Be Accepted  Be Loved. Sink into Jesus embrace and let the Kingdom wash over you (even if it's just for a moment) Accept His Love like a child... #gospelofMark #GoodNews  #invitation  #weareBeloved 

Sunday Psalms; [7] For the king relies on the Lord;  through the faithful love of the Most High he is not shaken. Psalms 21:7 CSB This is an intriguing song, it seems to be written by David about his victories as King, full of imagery that isn't easy to grasp from this distance. When we look for the redemptive strand though, it is there... "For the king relies on the Lord;  through the faithful love of the Most High he is not shaken." Unlikely that we will head a nation, but we can follow David here as he "relies on the Lord". And we can stand as David did in the "faithful love of the most high". In that love, David says "he is not shaken". What is it that shakes us today? What tries to knock us down, push us over, push us aside? It can be the noise, the voices of the world, of others, sometimes our own inner critic, our circumstances, the result of our own choices or the actions of others... Whatever we face, perhaps David's song here wi...

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them.  But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them,  "Let the children come to me.  Don't stop them!  For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16 NLT There's a warning embedded in here that I can be like the disciples sometimes and decide what is and what isn't important to Jesus, or who is, and who isn't important to him.  Children, vulnerable, without voice, without power, welcomed in, held, blessed by Jesus (even tho by excluding them the disciples likely thought they were doing the right thing, culturally, practically, Jesus has big people and big ...

Friday! Proverbs! [6] The godly are showered with blessings;  the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.  [7] We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. Proverbs 10:6-7 NLT The "godly" (righteous, just) compared to those who are not...yet the first comparison seems a bit off, one getting blessings, the other concealing a heart intention different to their words. And in the second it's the memories of someone compared to their "name". This disjoint seems intentional, so while I'm tempted to apply these Proverbs to others, Proverbs invites us to look in...to my motivations behind my words, to consider where I might not be speaking with integrity. To think about my "name", and am I trying to protect something about me that will just rot? Where can I be investing in what will last? Proverbs is a bit more nuanced than first glance- what are these Proverbs inviting you towards today? #Proverbs #wisdom  #somet...

Romans 6:19 NLT [19] Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. Romans 6:19 NLT Paul is using something he hopes the people in the church in Rome will understand as they wrestle with what he is teaching. There's a slavery here, a coming under the authority of, but there's this element of choice involved too. What we let be in charge in our hearts and minds. Is it the righteousness that reflects God's character that I'm choosing to come under more and more? If the main thing is Love, am I choosing to love? Love. (Patience, kindness, etc) Justice. Those on the margins. Maybe that all seems too big and too much, so start with where I am this morning, and how can I express love for God this morning? How can I ...

Well then,  since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning?  Of course not! Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?  You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.  Thank God!  Once you were slaves of sin,  but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you.  Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. Romans 6:15-18 NLT Does that mean I'll never sin again? Of course not! There's been a status change - I'm no longer sins slave, and I'm free to follow Jesus, to keep stepping towards being the person He envisions for me (see Eph1:4). I'm no longer bound to sins ideas, but free to embrace God's ideas. He is Love and Light so I get to embrace those ideas and ways of being in the world. I now have a way forward, a way out when the pressures of this world, the de...

Romans 6:12-14 NLT [12] Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. [13] Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. [14] Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. Romans 6:12-14 NLT Paul is not weaponising this so that there's a list of things that start with "Do not..." This is part of Ch5 and 6 where he has reminded us how our relationship with God has changed because of Jesus, that it's faith, it's grace, and we have been set free from being slaves to sin, and this is the invitation to live in that. We have New Life, that is a Life of Freedom under God's Grace. So live like it! Take the next step. Choose. Move. "Today I ...

Romans 6:5, 7-11 NLT [5] Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.  (This takes us back to Paul talking about baptism and how that signifies connection with Jesus death) [7] For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.  (A reminder again that we are free from sin's power) [8] And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.  (And we have now entered into Life!  Don't rush past this truth today! "We know we also live with him" - how good is that?) [9] We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. (This is our sign, our security - death no longer has any power over Jesus, and we're alive with him, so we're all good)  [10] When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God.  (No rerun needed - it's done.) [11] So you also should con...

Sunday Psalms; In times of trouble,  may the Lord answer your cry.  May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.  May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem. May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings.  Interlude. Psalms 20:1-3 NLT The first part of this song of David's is looking out at the people he cared about.  Looking out, and looking up. Looking out, looking up, and trusting God in "times of trouble". Looking for our God in times of trouble. David invites us to keep it real, and this song of his takes me to Jesus words, the last recorded words we have to his team before he heads towards death... John 16:33 NLT "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world." The redemptive strands can be seen from David, to Jesus, to us. There will be, is, times of trou...

Romans 6:5-6 NLT [5] Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. [6] We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.  Romans 6:5-6 NLT We can feel the redemptive strand pulling us from death towards Life. And the things that drove us no longer have to. The things that are not reflective of our God's character, His heart, become less and less...our desires and thoughts and what's most important shift...to align with God's... Love. Justice. Truth. The least. The world, sometimes in league with our own heart desires and the lies of the enemy tries to tell us that this is not freedom, but Paul is reminding us that this is where freedom really is, when we live in the truth that he has been going on about that we are made right with God by Grace that comes through Jesus. And in that is freedom. Breathe that in today... #letters  ##GodsGraceR...

Friday! Proverbs! [3] The Lord will not let the godly go hungry,  but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.  [4] Lazy people are soon poor;  hard workers get rich.  [5] A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace. Proverbs 10:3-5 NLT So easy to use these Proverbs as weapons against others. If we start with the first one, well, God's people do go hungry, so it would seem that we're being invited into something deeper... So if I turn this lens that Proverbs gives me inwards what questions does it invite? The injustice that there are poor people? Where is God when people who love Him are hungry? Is there a harvest going on that I am sleeping through? What are the "riches" that come to mind? Is this what God intends for me? What are my cravings that God wouldn't want to satisfy? As you read these Proverbs what jumps off the page for you? Why? What action is our God inviting you towards? What deeper story does it invi...

....now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Well then,  should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?  Of course not!  Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father,  now we also may live new lives. Romans 5:21 - 6:4 NLT We are invited into new life now! To keep stepping away from the things that separate us from God, not because His Grace isn't enough, but because His Grace IS enough. This is not once-and-done but a journey that continues as we live out this new life in the reality of our hurt and damaged and beautiful and wonderful world. Maybe there's an encouragement to keep step...

Romans 5:21 NLT [21] So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:21 NLT Some days it doesn't feel like God's Grace rules does it...but what we can be assured of is that God's Grace does rule in our relationship with Him. And because it is God's Grace that rules there, our relationship with, our standing with Him doesn't depend on us. The weight is off. So put it down. God's Grace rules. Whatever we had in place of God's Grace is not in charge, does not make the rules, it's a fake, fraud, or just a poor substitute. God's Grace rules through Jesus, and the result is Life! May not feel like it, but it's true. Whatever is in front of us today we get to live in the truth that God's Grace rules our relationship with Him, and we already have Life. #letters #GodsGraceRules #hopeishere...

Romans 5:12, 18-19 NLT [12] When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.  ... [18] Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. [19] Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. Romans 5:12, 18-19 NLT Paul is reinforcing again and again this redemptive truth that through Jesus we are made right with God.  And this is Good News. Because it is all about Jesus and what he did, and it doesn't rely on me and what I do or don't do. One of the toughest things to put down can be the idea that I have to be good enough, be enough, reach a standard, to be acceptable to God. Paul reminds us again and again that it's what Jesus did. Author and Pastor Tim Keller used the term "our self salvation project". I ...

Psalms 19:14 NLT [14] May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 NLT This is how David ends his song, his psalm, his thoughts that he has written out about and towards our God. Have you tried writing to God? Writing to Him about what is happening in your world, what is going on with people you love, what is going on in your mind, your heart, writing it all to God, and ending with David's phrase; "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Give it a go :) #psalms #redemptivestrands #weareBeloved  #Monday #Godsgym

Sunday Psalms; Psalms 19:1-4 NLT The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.  Day after day they continue to speak;  night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word;  their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world... Psalms 19:1-4 NLT The story of who God is painted in the sky, seen in the stars, found in the created world. It's right here. How easy is it not to look up? Take a moment to look up today...look for God's proclamation in the sky... As the stars and the skies proclaim God's glory without speaking, I'm wondering what that invites us into...how our lives might be proclaiming God's glory without speaking? #sunday #psalms #redemptivestrands #hopeishere #weareBeloved 

Romans 5:15-17 NLT ... But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God's gracious gift is very different from the result of that one mans sin. For Adam's sin led to condemnation, but God's free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:15-17 NLT Seems quite easy to get into some kind of blame game with Adam here, but the reality is that sin and death have been, and often seem to be, in charge. In history, in the world, and in me... And there is this second reality that Paul reminds us of here: "But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness" God's Gr...

Friday! Proverbs! Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. Proverbs 10:2 NLT Surely money is just money, and wealth is just wealth? This proverb is inviting us to consider the idea that everything is connected to our heart, that nothing is neutral, where things come from, how they're created or gained matters. In our context this might get us thinking about where we buy things from, the impact on others, the environment, sustainability, conservation. It might get us thinking about the work we do, how our world works, and where we can make change or make a difference. It might get us thinking about this idea of "right living" and how that can "save your life" - what does that mean for you? "Right living".  Mmm. Proverbs is a heart thing,  so as we sit with this one today, let it percolate in our hearts... "Tainted wealth has no lasting value,  but right living can save your life." #proverbs  #wisdom #itsaheartt...

[38] John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn't in our group." Mark 9:38 NLT What had the disciples just been caught out doing? Arguing about who would be the greatest. Next minute, they're trying to contain the gospel, keep Jesus for themselves. They didn't get it.  The gospel, the good news of Jesus isn't for them, isn't about the way they are with Jesus, isn't to be contained, it's for everyone, and the flavour might change, and you might not like it, but the Good News of Jesus is bigger than one group, one culture, one way of being... John gives me a little insight into me...I like church, my faith, to be expressed how I like it, what I'm used to. But the  Gospel is too big, too important to be contained by what I like and what I'm used to... Let the redemptive strands go where they need to, to meet people where they are... #gospelofMark #GoodNews  #invitati...

Romans 5:7-11 NLT [7] Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. [8] But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. [9] And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation. [10] For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. [11] So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:7-11 NLT But God. But God showed his great love for us. Now we are Friends of God. But God showed his great love for us. But God. #letters #redemptivestrands #hopeishere #weareBeloved 

But they didn't answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, "Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else." Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them,  "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me." Mark 9:34-37 NLT This child must've belonged to the household that they were staying in (see v33). Why does Jesus use a child to make his point with his team? Perhaps it's because they were talking about power, prestige, being "great", and this child gave none of that.  A small child has nothing but needs to be met.  He or she has no power, no prestige, can do nothing for them, and yet welcoming this small child, picking her up, giving protection, security, connection, is...

Mark 9:33-34 NLT After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, "What were you discussing out on the road?" But they didn't answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.  Mark 9:33-34 NLT There's something wonderfully honest about this dialogue - would've been so easy for Mark to leave this out as it seems that all of them were part of this discussion, "arguing about which of them was the greatest" (including Mark). Wonderfully honest? Deeply honest? Honestly honest? Perhaps this dialogue is here to invite us to be honest today...honest about my actions, choices, motivations. The disciples had some kind of heart desire to be seen as or known as the most important one, or more important ones in the Group. What are some of my motivations? How do I want to be seen in the group? Amongst my peers, workmates, the people I live with? Are there things I wouldn't want to tell Jesus if he asked ...

Sunday Psalms; Psalms 18:4-6, 19 NLT [4] The ropes of death entangled me;  floods of destruction swept over me.  [5] The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path.  [6] But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help.  He heard me from his sanctuary;  my cry to him reached his ears. ... [19] He led me to a place of safety;  he rescued me because he delights in me. Psalms 18:4-6, 19 NLT This is a long song that David wrote after God had rescued him (particularly from Saul). In this song he describes feeling overwhelmed. And in that place where it all seemed too much, he cried to our God. We have a model here, yes of crying out to God, but also of acknowledging that things can overwhelm us, we don't seem to have the resources to stand. That's what happens sometimes. And we can cry out to God. Verse 19 is a truth we get to remind ourselves of anytime, when things may seem overwhelming, going fine, or anywhere ...

Mark 9:30-32 NLT Leaving that region, they travelled through Galilee. Jesus didn't want anyone to know he was there, for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them.  He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead." They didn't understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant. Mark 9:30-32 NLT One interesting thing about Jesus here - he prioritised teaching his team rather than spending time with the crowds of people who clamoured after him  for healing and teaching. If it's OK for Jesus to have boundaries and set priorities, then that's OK for us too. And one interesting thing about the disciples  - even though they knew Jesus well, had been living with him every day, heard his teaching, they were still afraid to ask him what he meant.  What was it they were afraid of? Embarrassment that they didn...

Friday! Proverbs! [1] The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child makes a father glad, but a foolish child brings sorrow to his mother. Proverbs 10:1 CEB This word "wise" is "chakam" which is an adjective, a doing word, it includes skill, good judgement, and it's about the working out of wisdom. And it's couched in the idea of a parent and child. I'm wondering if that is because it can be easier to see wisdom and foolishness in others than it is in ourselves.  Proverbs is not a weapon, but a mirror, an invitation into something deeper, so how does it look in that other parent/child relationship, with our Heavenly Father and me? And now it's the joy and sorrow that God experiences from my actions and my choices... What does this Proverb encourage us, invite us towards and away from? Wisdom is applied in our actions...how can I live that out today? #proverbs  #wisdom #somethingtochewon #itsaheartthing #takethenextstep

[6] When we were utterly helpless,  Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Romans 5:6 NLT This is the redemptive strand. When we, people, humanity, had no ability to get ourselves right with God, Jesus stepped towards us.  He moved. This is what Love does, steps towards the Beloved. While we sit with this today, we're also called to be followers of Jesus, which could mean stepping towards those we love. That may be an invitation to some self-care today. What fills you up? And it might mean stepping towards someone you love.  Perhaps someone who is on their own, not included. Perhaps someone who has put up barriers for some reason who you can try again with. Is there someone who the Spirit is prompting to 'be like Jesus' with and step towards? #letters #redemptivestrands #hopeishere #weareBeloved  #takethenextstep 

Romans 5:4-5 NLT [4] And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. [5] And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:4-5 NLT "For we know how dearly God loves us" Hope is here, wrapped in, contained in, enshrined in, packaged in, Love. "For we know how dearly God loves us" Whether our day ahead holds joy, despair, goodness, discouragement, fun, difficult things, work, study, rest, community, time alone, decisions, choices, pressures, planning...we get to hold on to this Truth and take it with us today: "For we know how dearly God loves us" Start here: "For we know how dearly God loves us" #letters #redemptivestrands #hopeishere #weareBeloved 

Romans 5:3 NLTRomans 5:3 NLT [3] We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. Romans 5:3 NLT Let's just take a look at v3, and this word that is translated "problems and trials" or in some versions "afflictions", "sufferings", "tribulations" - according to Biblehub it is "thlipsis" which is "pressure" - (what constricts or rubs together), used of a narrow place that "hems someone in"; that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, "without options"). There's a different word "stenoxoria" which is about external pressure from outside circumstances. So what does this mean for us as we read this passage? It doesn't seem to mean that we rejoice when something or someone has hurt or harmed us.  That's external. It's when we feel hemmed in, under pressure internally, that these verses pull us back to the Bigger Story. ...

Romans 5:1-5 NLT [1] Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. [2] Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing Gods glory.  [3] We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. [4] And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. [5] And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:1-5 NLT Easy to pull vs 3&4 out and kind of glorify struggle and because it builds all the things in v4. But it's all built on the foundation of the Big Story, that we are made right with God by faith in Jesus, and the hope we have of fully aliveness wit...

Sunday Psalms; Psalms 17:1, 8, 15 CSB [1]  Lord, hear a just cause; pay attention to my cry... [8] Protect me as the pupil of your eye;  hide me in the shadow of your wings [15] But I will see your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied with your presence. Psalms 17:1, 8, 15 CSB Something from the beginning, the middle, and the end of this song, this prayer of David's. He starts by asking, crying to God, having already considered his reason. It is a just cause he is bringing to God. In the middle he recognises his own vulnerability, his need. And at the end, it's like he has woken from a dream, or maybe he is looking forward to life fully in God's presence, when all will be made new, a future hope. This prayer invites us to bring what's important to us to Him too.  To acknowledge our vulnerabilities and needs. And reminds us to hold hope in our God who will make all things new... #sunday  #worship #thisisourGod  #redemptivestrands #hopeishere #...

Matthew 5:9 CSB Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9 CSB In NZ we take time today to remember - remember those who lost their lives because there was no peace, because there was war. For there to be a need for peacemakers there must be a lack of peace - we see that every day in the news - countries, leaders, people groups at war with one another, disconnection, greed, envy, hatred. It's "out there", and it's inside us too. Jesus reminds us that being a peacemaker reflects the heart of God. Peace with Him. Peace with creation. Peace with ourselves. And peace with one another. As we remember the losses and the horrors of war, may we find ways to step towards peace, to being a peacemaker in the spaces where we do have power, where we do have influence.  #beapeacemaker #anzac

Friday! Proverbs! The woman named Folly is brash.  She is ignorant and doesn't know it. Proverbs 9:13 NLT So easy to weaponise Proverbs as we see these attributes in others.  But if Proverbs is more of a mirror, then it makes me wonder when I am ignorant and don't know it, where my opinions equal truth for everyone, when I have no idea about how someone else has had to manage things in their life and yet I judge them by my experience...so many places where I am ignorant and can't see it...easily anyway... When we hold up Proverbs as a mirror, the Bible as a way into our hearts to see where we may be ignorant, perhaps that's the beginning of wisdom that Proverbs bangs on about. Perhaps starting with Loving God, and loving others.  And it's not using Proverbs to beat ourselves up with either, but a gentle inquiry into the workings of my heart... "Jesus, may the Holy Spirit prompt me today where I might be the one who is brash, where I am ignorant and not know it,...

Romans 5:1-2 NLT Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. Romans 5:1-2 NLT Not only have we through faith been made right with God, are at peace with Him, we stand in a place of privilege, and in that place that we stand we get to look forward to something else! Something glorious! I don't know what Paul means by "sharing God's glory" but it certainly seems like a step up! This place we stand in is not from our achievements or actions, but by faith.  Nothing can shift us from this place. And so standing here, right with God, at peace with Him, looking forward to "sharing God's glory", what does that let us put down today, or step into today? #letters #truth #redemptivestrands...

Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.  Romans 5:1 NLT Peace with God. Whenever we don't experience or believe we have peace with God, it's not coming from Him. Any lack of peace that may have existed has been absorbed by Jesus, and by faith, we are now OK, made right, righteous. Lack of peace with God must be coming from somewhere else then: The lies of the Enemy. The pressures of the World. The things, the desires of my own heart.  The battle isn't with God, but perhaps at least in part it's to restore or rebuild, to strengthen connection with Him. Whatever is going on in us, come back to the Truth: "Therefore,  since we have been made right in God's sight by faith,  we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." #letters #truth  #redemptivestrands  #waverfreefaith

Romans 4:19-25 NLT And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead - and so was Sarah's womb.  Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise.  In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham's faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn't just for Abrahams benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.  He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. Romans 4:19-25 NLT The redemptive strands that flow from Abraham to Jesus, to us! Abraham had received a promise from God but he can't have imagined the story that would flow from his believing in God. Abraham's faith ...

Romans 4:18 NIV Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed... Romans 4:18 CEB When it was beyond hope, he had faith in the hope that he would become the father of many nations... Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Iron 4:18 FNVNT When all hope seemed to be gone, he trusted in the promise... Romans 4:18 NLT Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping... When our circumstances are trying to tell us there is no hope, that our God isn't who He says He is, that's the hope that Abraham models for us.  When our hope in the Big Story of our God's redemptive promise, the making new of all things, is hard to see, seems lost to us, we're encouraged to hold hope anyway.  #letters #hope  #weareinaBigStory #redemptivestrands #hopeishere #weareBeloved