verseoftheday

...But he said to them, Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them... "Put your finger here, see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." John 20:25-28 NIV Thomas got a new beginning in an unforgettable way...and Jesus words to Tom echo down the centuries to us...will we allow them to shape our year, our choices... Stop doubting. And believe. Believe that I am who I said I am, The Way, The Truth, The Life. Believe. Start again from today... #newbeginnings #wordsofJesus #livinghope #believe

He asked her, "Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." John 20:15-16 NIV She came looking for a body, but had an encounter with the living Jesus. Isn't that the way sometimes, we go to church, open our Bible, pray, with no expectation of meeting the living Jesus... But suddenly here he was - alive! Not just alive but personal. "Mary". She'd known Jesus, had seen at least from a distance his trial, his crucifixion and death, but here was a new beginning. #newbeginnings #wordsofJesus #heknowsyourname #livinghope

Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." John 21:16 NIV Our NY resolutions, new year, new me, etc is focussed on us. Me. While these are usually good things to do anyway, in this passage Simon Peter here is given a fresh start, a new beginning, but it's all about others. Jesus commissions him to take care of others... This new year, who is God placing in our hearts to reach out to, to invest in, to support, to encourage...to take care of? #newbeginnings #wordsofJesus #somethingtochewon #lovepeople

Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir",she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." John 8:10-11 NIV New Year's Day and we are often about new beginnings. We want to do things differently. This beautiful account is Jesus at the same time fulfilling the law, and showing grace. The word translated "sin" here is "hamartanoo" which is a term used by archers when their shot had not hit the target, they'd missed the mark... We miss the mark. And at NY we sometimes resolve to change that, but in this account it starts with Jesus, and no condemnation...but acceptance, grace...love. And then an opportunity to start again, to hit the mark. So start with Jesus. #dearlyloved #newbeginnings #graceandtruth #wordsofJesus #startwithJesus

Matthew 8:2-3 NIV A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean" Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing", he said. "Be clean!" Jesus is all about fresh starts, about renewal and restoration. We have things that eat away at us...spiritual leprosy...leprosy of the heart... (interesting that leprosy affects the body's ability to feel) Often we want to fix things or change things in someone else's life, but here it's about me. Can you make me clean? Jesus says yes. I am willing. I am willing to give you a new start, a fresh beginning Am I willing to front up with my issue to God? #newbeginnings #clean #thisiswhatlovelookslike