verseoftheday

Friday! Proverbs! As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them. Proverbs 10:26 NIV Can you feel the irritation of the smoke in your eyes, teeth on edge? And "sluggard" is not a word I'd use but gets me thinking...and who is sending this "sluggard" and where are they going in a way that is so irritating? If Proverbs is an invitation to check on my own heart and motivations, where am I a sluggard? And how does that irritate me? Can the "smoke in the eyes" motivate me to change or shift something? Am I characterised by making a lazy choice? (& does that lazy choice feel like vinegar on my teeth? Or am I now immune to that?) What does this Proverb invite us towards, to consider, to think on, in our own story? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #itsaheartthing  #invitation 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind Romans 12:2 NIV Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  ... For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.  ... Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. Romans 13:1, 3, 5 NIV Paul is writing to the Christian church in Rome, where the Romans are in charge- but this would have been a tough read for communities oppressed by the Romans, and by oppressed communities through the centuries. There seems to be a moral code embedded in governing authorities that Paul is looking to that says if you do what is right you'll be treated fai...

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. ... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:1-2, 21 NIV Where can we overcome evil with good today? Have you consdidered that overcoming evil with good is worship? That overcoming evil with good os transforming? Transforming me? Where can we overcome evil with good today? Perhaps it is meeting a scowl with a smile, being grateful for the sunrise, choosing to purchase something ethically... Perhaps it's something bigger...consdiering a shift in vocation, profession, giving... Perhaps overcoming evil with good is choosing to rest.  Choosing space. Choosing to fast from something. Per...

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.  Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. ... Dear friends, never take revenge.  Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,  "I will take revenge;  I will pay them back," says the Lord.  Instead,  If your enemies are hungry,  feed them.  If they are thirsty,  give them something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don't let evil conquer you,  but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:1-2, 19-21 NLT Transformation is not easy.  Change is not comfortable. Cho...

Hear my prayer,  O Lord!  Listen to my cries for help!  Don't ignore my tears.  For I am your guest - a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me.  Leave me alone  so I can smile again before I am gone  and exist no more. Psalms 39:12-13 NLT David's psalm is searingly honest - honest with God, honest with himself, there are no "right" words here, just real ones. Maybe you've never felt the way that David does and that's OK- remember this is a song he wrote not some set of instructions of how we are meant to be. What it does do is invite us to be honest too. Honest with ourselves. Honest with our God. If it's OK for David to tell God to leave him alone then he can handle our thoughts, fears, tears, griefs - even where we put blame... How do you imagine our God responding to David at the end of this song? I imagine Him hearing, taking a step closer, absorbing, gently and quietly holding space for David to express what he needs, knowing tha...

I said to myself,  "I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me." But as I stood there in silence - not even speaking of good things - the turmoil within me grew worse.  The more I thought about it,  the hotter I got,  igniting a fire of words: "Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.  Remind me that my days are numbered - how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.  My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;  at best,  each of us is but a breath." Interlude  We are merely moving shadows,  and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.  We heap up wealth,  not knowing who will spend it.  And so,  Lord,   do I put my hope?  My only hope is in you. Psalms 39:1-7 NLT Yikes! I don't like thinking about how short life is, that this life will end, but David gives us some insight into his inner world, his...

What the wicked dreads will come to him,  but what the righteous desire will be given to them.  When the whirlwind passes,  the wicked are no more, but the righteous are secure forever. Proverbs 10:24-25 CSB Can we see Jesus in this  Proverb? He was the one the whirlwind passed over, and by stepping through, being brought back from, death itself, he is the one who is getting what he desires - restored relationship with his people. Us. In this messed up and beautiful world, hope is here, that there is more...whether we're in the whirlwind, have been through it, or can see it coming, our hope is in the One who has already been through it all for us.  For us. #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #itsaheartthing  #redemptivestrands #hopeishere 

Friday! Proverbs! What the wicked dreads will come to him,  but what the righteous desire will be given to them.  When the whirlwind passes,  the wicked are no more, but the righteous are secure forever. Proverbs 10:24-25 CSB Such rich pictures in this Proverb for us to sit with; What we dread, what our fears are, and what we want, what we desire. The whirlwind, the storm, that passes over and what remains. What does the whirlwind  represent? What or who is lost, and what or who remains after the whirlwind passes over.  At one level this Proverb is full of warnings and promises about life in the world, but when we turn it inward, and consider it in relation to our inner world, our spirit, what changes? And we can feel the redemptive strand here...something lasts forever... What part of this Proverb jumps off at you today? What is that about? #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #itsaheartthing  #redemptivestrands #hopeishere 

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.  Dont copy the behavior and customs of this world... ... Bless those who persecute you.  Don't curse them;  pray that God will bless them.  Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.  Live in harmony with each other.  Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.  And don't think you know it all!  Never pay back evil with more evil.  Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.  Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:1-2, 14-18 NLT This part of Paul's letter seems to be an extension of this idea of what worship is, of what transforming life looks like. It's not a "to-do" list, but an invitation into a way of being, a way of livin...

Don't just pretend to love others.  Really love them.  Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.  Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.  Rejoice in our confident hope.  Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.  When God's people are in need, be ready to help them.  Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13 NLT This isn't a set of rules we have to follow, a tick list, it's an invitation into a way of being, a way of living that reflects our God's love for us and grace towards us out into the world that we live in. These are not weapons to fire at others, or at ourselves. Grace over guilt. Maybe start with this and see what opens up: "Rejoice in our confident hope." Start with hope. Confident hope. (For more on this go back a bit earlier in Paul's letter and check chapters 6 & 8) And rejoice in that.  And I ...

Don't just pretend to love others.  Really love them.  Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.  Love each other with genuine affection,  and take delight in honoring each other.  Romans 12:9-10 NLT I wonder why Paul thought he needed to write this to the church in Rome? If he wrote this to my church what would have caught his attention? If he wrote this to me, what would he have noticed in me that needs this encouragement? What does Paul's encouragement invite is towards today? #letters #invitation #reallylovenopretending #holdontothegood #delightinothers

I am on the verge of collapse,  facing constant pain. But I confess my sins;  I am deeply sorry for what I have done.  I have many aggressive enemies;  they hate me without reason.  They repay me evil for good and oppose me for pursuing good.  Do not abandon me,  O Lord.  Do not stand at a distance,  my God.  Come quickly to help me,  O Lord my savior. Psalms 38:17-22 NLT All of our emotions can be found in the Psalms - perhaps you've felt like David does here, maybe that's how it is today - this Psalm gives permission to feel what you feel  - that's OK. David's writing also gives us some clues about the way forward: He acknowledges what's going on in him by writing it down - try that if you haven't. He looks inwards to his own heart, looks outward to the choices and actions of others, and looks up - continues to look to our God in his distress. Perhaps we can follow David's pattern here. What do you think? #psalms #songs #rede...

Sunday Psalms; Psalms 38:6-11 NLT I am bent over and racked with pain.  All day long I walk around filled with grief. A raging fever burns within me,  and my health is broken.  I am exhausted and completely crushed.  My groans come from an anguished heart.  You know what I long for,  Lord;  you hear my every sigh.  My heart beats wildly, my strength fails,  and I am going blind.  My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease. Even my own family stands at a distance. Psalms 38:6-11 NLT I'm not sure if David is experiencing all of these things at the same time or if he is writing his song to express a time in his life, to get God's attention, but he does have something to say. And he says it. Writes it.  Gets it out of his head.  Pain. Grief. Fever. Exhaustion. Anxiety. Body breaking down. Rejection. It's all here. And it's not directed away from God but towards Him, letting Him know what's going on. The invitation of t...

A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,  but a person of understanding delights in wisdom. Proverbs 10:23 NIV Can we see Jesus in this Proverb? He is the opposite of the first part, the anti-fool who took no part in the schemes of others, and yet submitted himself to those schemes for us.  Jesus is the "person of understanding," and when I think of him in this light, he was often going back to the Father, spending time in prayer, spending time alone. Being that "person of wisdom" isn't a one off thing or something that someone attains and stops - it's not a destination but a living journey. #proverbs  #wisdom  #somethingtochewon #itsaheartthing  #takethenextstep 

Friday! Proverbs! A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,  but a person of understanding delights in wisdom. Proverbs 10:23 NIV Easy to see this Proverb at work in the world - any day's media headlines show us the first part out loud - a bit harder to find the second part - the "person of understanding". But if Proverbs is really offering insight into my heart, I wonder where I take pleasure in, or think something is good or fun that is hurtful or harmful to someone? And where, when, (or even if) am I taking delight in "wisdom"? Biblehub defines wisdom as used here , the word "chokmah" as  "While fundamentally moral and spiritual, it embraces practical insight, technical skill, administrative aptitude, and relational discernment. Appearing about 149 times in the Old Testament, it undergirds Israel's worship, ethics, statecraft, and artistry" This is a broad term for embracing "life", taking delight in life, art, work, as well a...

Romans 12:6-8 NLT In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.  So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.  If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.  If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.  If it is giving, give generously.  If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.  And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:6-8 NLT These lists of "gifts" have often been taught as prescriptive- "here's the list, where do you fit, you must have one of these, finding your 'gift' is important", but when reading this as a letter it comes across more as an invitation to use what you're good at, what you're skilled at, what you enjoy, to bless and encourage others. Perhaps this is what  "living sacrifices" looks like... The emphasis seems to be l...

Romans 12:1-8 NLT (Sometimes it's good to read it like a letter...) And so,  dear brothers and sisters,  I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.  Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.   Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.  In his grace, God has given us different gifts f...

Romans 12:1-2 CEB So,  brothers and sisters, because of God's mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God.  This is your appropriate priestly service. Don't be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God's will is - what is good and pleasing and mature.   Romans 12:1-2 CEB Paul invites us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind! Our thinking. Our judgement. What we need is the 5 steps to do that - where are they? Well I think they're found in the "So" that this little summary starts with. "So" takes us back over the letter so far, about new life being found in Jesus, about freedom from the old patterns, naming them and stepping towards God's patterns for us.  There are no easy formula or one-size-fits-all solutions because this is about a living relationship with a living God, and these are active things,...

Psalms 37:28, 37, 39 CEB [28] The LORD loves justice. He will never leave his faithful all alone. They are guarded forever... ... [37] Observe those who have integrity and watch those whose heart is right because the future belongs to persons of peace.  ... [39] The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;  he is their refuge in times of trouble.   Psalms 37:28, 37, 39 CEB This psalm of David's is full of the future of the "wicked". And through the psalm is the invitation to stay the course with our God. The realities of David's enemies and the wicked in the world are there, and there is continuing trust in our God and returning again to Him, to following His call to His people to walk in integrity and peace, and to stay faithful to God's Big Story... He Loves Justice. He will make things right. Not sure how, but I trust Him with that, trust Him with the Big Story, trusting that "He is my refuge even in times of trouble" and I will continue to see...

Sunday Psalms; Don't get upset over evildoers;  dont be jealous of those who do wrong, because they will fade fast,  like grass;  they will wither like green vegetables.  Trust the LORD  and do good;  live in the land,  and farm faithfulness.  Enjoy the LORD,  and he will give what your heart asks.  Commit your way to the LORD!  Trust him!  He will act and will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,  your justice like high noon.  Be still before the LORD, and wait for him. Psalms 37:1-7 CEB Welcome to the upsidedown Kingdom! David's song is pointing to something deep, a story that says the thing you farm, trusting in God, the things you grow, doing good in the land, something about these things will last.  David invites us to sit or stand or lie in our bed before our God. To wait. Before Him. To Trust Him. And as we do that, something shifts. Trusting our God, waiting before Him, might take practice, repeti...