verseoftheday

Friday! Proverbs! The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble. Proverbs 12:13 NLT Have you ever been trapped by your own words? Happens to me too often & I need to apologise, back off, change tack... Happened this week when a conversation drifted into criticism and I went happily with it... And why? Because the values that I believe and want to live by are at war with my inclination - where I go way too easily The godly escape all this - it's called sanctification - the ongoing, lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus Jesus loved people. Delighted in them He knows that in all of us is someone made in the image of God...and as my heart gets more aligned with his, my thoughts and words will no longer trap me... #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon #itstheheart

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice...' " Matthew 9:12-13 NIV Ouch. I go to church on Sunday, give money, help out at... but Jesus is always interested in our heart - the why - his quote is from Hosea 6 where God compares his people's love to the morning dew that just disappears... He wants our hearts as much on Monday as on Sunday Go and learn...this is not a lesson that is instant, just change this, fix that... It's a heart orientation towards God that finds its expression in the love for others... #itsallabouttheheart #loveGod #lovepeople #wordsofJesus #mercywins

Matthew 6:25 NIV Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Therefore...Jesus has been talking about giving, prayer, fasting, & where our treasures are...if we've got all that going on...well...we won't be worrying about the everyday things of life...is this food good enough for my guests...is my clothing good enough to impress...do I look right, sound right...just relax, the things our culture pushes as important just are not... #beattitudes #wordsofJesus #grace #itsnotabouttherules #itstheheartthatcounts

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 55:1 NLT Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink... This world is thirsty for spiritual refreshment. People are looking for answers to the big questions...the heart questions...purpose...meaning...eternity...what's it all about...and when we're searching we'll try anything to get the water we need. This is God's invitation. Are you thirsty? Is there more to this life? Is your soul looking for something? Someone? Have you tried to find that peace somewhere and it's come up empty? Come and drink... It's God's open invitation, no matter who you are...what you've done... #jesusatthecentre #itsnotabouttherules #itstheheartthatcounts #itsfree #grace Does someone in your life need to hear this?

Matthew 6:16-18 NIV When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting... Have you ever fasted? ie chosen to go without food for a meal, a day? This is not a direction to fast, but guidelines when you do...Jesus is not interested in outward compliance with the rules, but the attitude and orientation of our hearts...our motivations... So when you fast don't make a big deal of it...if you've never done it, maybe you could give it a go...skip a days food...makes you think about a lot of things differently...and for many this is an important spiritual discipline which maybe we could all employ... #beattitudes #wordsofJesus #grace #itsnotabouttherules

Psalms 27:3 NLT Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Sometimes our circumstances are difficult. Work, study, relationships, finances, actions of others that hurt or impact on us...but David says regardless of our external circumstances and pressures and worries, inside,  where it really counts, there is no reason to be afraid. #Godisonourside #nofear #itstheheartthatcounts #inthistogether