verseoftheday

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, Matthew 2:14 NIV According to Google maps it's 860km from Bethlehem to Egypt. 10 days by foot (maybe less by donkey - but just imagine 86km per day on a donkey...in the desert...) Jesus earliest experiences were not easy pleasant fun filled days at the beach... If you're on holiday, great :) Rest, restore, recharge for the challenges ahead. And today if you're facing difficulty, hurt, loss, know that we have a saviour who walks with us through that, who's life on earth started with a difficult journey, and ended with the most difficult journey of all...to the cross, who in his humanity understands this life, and in his divinity made a way to restore it once and for all. #dearlyloved #itsajourney #inthistogether

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 NIV Christmas is about the gift, the gift of Jesus to all mankind, but without finishing well...Christmas would not really matter. If  Jesus hadn't fought for us, finished the race, seen it through, kept the faith, then where would we be? Who helps us to fight the good fight (to choose the right battle), inspires us to finish the race (to preservere to the end, to keep pushing on no matter what), and to keep the faith (to believe when it's hard, to keep our eyes on the author and perfector of our faith) When you find people who can speak into your life in those ways, journey with them, tuck in behind them when you need some shelter, and follow their example... #itsajourney #inthistogether #thanksDad

Friday! Proverbs! Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him. Proverbs 14:2 ESV How we live, the every day choices that we make, reflect on how we see God... if I cheat, cut corners, lie, gossip, do unfair deals to benefit me, then I'm not being clever or just doing what everyone else does... I'm being devious and in that despising God! Thanks Proverbs for putting it like that... But when I choose to do what's right, when I give without seeking reward or return, when I listen without needing to speak... walk in uprightness... I'm saying that God, His values, Truth, is important. Walking with Him is what I want to do. To see people as he sees them. To see and live in this world how He wants me to...that's what I want to do... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #inthistogether #itsajourney

When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, " If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." John 21:21-22 NIV This journey, this life, its about you and me Peter... its about the gifts, blessings and opportunities I've given you... all you have to do is choose to follow me, to walk this road together with me... no matter where it takes us. Will you listen for my voice, take my direction, live out Kingdom values in the big and small things of life? Just follow me. #itsajourney #theroad #jesusatthecentre #with

Then he said to him, "Follow me!" Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. ... When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" John 21:19-21 NIV Gotta love Peter as he says out loud the things that we often just think. Jesus has reinstated him, given him the job of leading the church, & let him know its going to end in ignominy and death... His first words? What about John? What about the next guy? That person? That person with the great life - everything works out for them...what about them? Peter responds just like me sometimes...God has "this" for me...but what about them? Peter, just like me, doesn't get it right all the time, but he is learning (slowly like me) but he's just had a reminder of the breadth and depth of Gods love and grace towards him, that same love, that same grace, extends to us...esp when we don't get it right... #dearlyloved #itsajourney

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him. Matthew 14:1-2 NIV We think that "post-truth" is something new - political leaders saying whatever they want as truth - but here's Herod making up "facts" about Jesus - it's not clear if he believes it or not...but certainly seems to be putting it out there as "truth" I'd never do that. Or do I sometimes stretch the story to make me look better? Or hold back something because it makes me look bad? And maybe I sometimes state opinions as facts! How easy it is to be just like Herod (or Trump etc) We're all saddled with a heart that needs to be chipped away at by God...allowing Him to expose our weaknesses and make us less like Herod and more like Jesus... #itsajourney #inthistogether #somethingtochewon

Matthew 6:20-21 NIV But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Ok. So how do I store up treasures in heaven? Jesus helpfully (not) doesn't give us 7 steps to treasure, or a "how to" lecture...but points us to the heart. What is the orientation of my heart? The list Jesus gave had 2 items #loveGod #lovepeople As we orient our hearts and lives towards God and otherness we will start to see those treasures... #itsnotabouttherules #itstheheartthatcounts #itsajourney #whereyourheartis

Isaiah 43:2-3 NIV When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.   For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Boom! Got some raging waters to face? God doesn't say he's gonna  build us a bridge...but He will be with us when we go through it... Is there a fire on the horizon that is threatening? We're still going to have to walk through it... He says in all of that I AM God Holy ...then suddenly it's personal...saviour. #hope #itsajourney #with

Stephen on forgiveness... Acts 7:59-60 NIV While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he fell on his knees and cried out Lord, do not hold this sin against them... We all need heroes of the faith - people who live out what they profess, inspire & encourage I've got a few. They haven't written books, got tv shows, aren't famous, yet strengthen my faith because of their example and choices. Stephen. When facing death at the hands of others his last words were of forgiveness to those who were murdering him. Wow. That kind of love does not appear overnight, but is the result of a lifetime of walking with God, asking Him to direct our paths, shape our attitudes, & see people as He sees them... #itsajourney #forgiven

Friday morning...Proverbs 10:24 AMP The thing a wicked man fears shall come upon him, but the desire of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be granted. wicked righteous Fear Desire It seems so black and white. That person is wicked, and I'm righteous...so I'll get what I want and have a good life... I've been chewing over this today, & life isn't that black and white is it...while I am made right with God, I'm not uncompromisingly righteous, and still battle with stuff that could be called wicked...I have reactions & attitudes that are not that great, do things, think things that are not righteous...yet...I want God to keep chipping away at me, to become more like Jesus, & that's the journey we are all on... #itsajourney #somethingtochewon