verseoftheday

Friday! Proverbs! The fear of the Lord  leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. Proverbs 19:23 NASB This can't mean that if you're a Christian that nothing bad can happen to you at night.  Wouldn't this be nice if it was an automatic formula for removing bad dreams, nightmares, those dreams that seem so real... I think the key is the word "satisfied". When I'm hungry, & then have a meal, my appetite is sated. It's satisfied. Next day, my appetite is back, unsated, unsatisfied. When the nightmares come, when I can't sleep, when my fear and anxiety is unsated, unsatisfied, I keep going back to who God is. His purposes. His love. His grace. His expression of love embodied in Jesus, my living hope. Keep going back to His Truth spoken, and let those words speak into my fears, thoughts. Ask His Spirit to commune, to speak into my fear. Just like I need to keep eating to satisfy, to sate my hunger, so I need to keep going back t...

He took a child, had him stand among them,  and taking him in his arms,  he said to them... Mark 9:36-37 CSB They're in Capernaum, most likely in Peter's house (see Mark 1:29) so this child probably knew Jesus. Still could be a bit scary being in this group of big people. Jesus wraps the child in his arms.  Ever felt vulnerable?  Small? Jesus wraps us in his arms. He's at our level.  He's not afraid to touch. I wonder how long he hugged this child for? In a room of big, of people wanting to be great, Jesus  hugged the small, the vulnerable. Jesus touch is saying that you're safe, that you're loved  Our touch should say the same. For many, touch can be scary because touch has been abusive, using, taking, so take care when you touch, make sure it's kind, giving. Touch in ways that considers the other person's safety and their future. When we feel small, vulnerable, we can come back to this story, ask Jesus to wrap us in his arms. #dearlyloved #childrenof...

Sitting down, he called the Twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first,  he must be last  and  servant of all." He took a child, had him stand among them, and taking him in his arms... Mark 9:35-37 CSB Jesus is not afraid to tackle our heart issues head on. The boys were arguing about who would be greatest and Jesus says I'll show you how. Be last. Be the servant. Of all. In our society that applauds and rewards those who come first, Jesus says be last.  It's not about what you achieve or earn, but being OK with not being recognised. Be the servant. Be the forecourt attendant, the shop assistant who always has to smile (even if you own the shop) Of all. In a culture that valued the first born son, Jesus said be last. Be the servant.  And just to make it completely impossible, be last, be the servant, of all. Of all. Jesus set the impossible before his team, but he wanted them to change, to grow in grace, and he then beautifully & simply showed how...

They arrived at Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He asked them,  "What were you discussing and arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet, because on the road they had discussed and debated with one another which one [of them] was the greatest. Mark 9:33-34 AMP Jesus had been grumpy with them, they hadn't understood talk about death and resurrection, and now they had been caught out arguing about status and power. This was a 12 hour walk to Capernaum, so maybe took 2 days. Not sure why Jesus waited til the end of their journey to ask what was going on, but that is often his way with me too. He lets my mind run if I let it, to thoughts of power, prestige, "success".  Then quietly asks "what's going on?" What are you striving for that seems so important? I've been right here with you. What's taking up your attention, when we could be communing? I've been right here with you. I so easily let my thoughts wander to success in th...

After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:  Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield;  your reward will be very great. But Abram said... Genesis 15:1-2 CSB Abram's deepest need was not about the events of the previous chapter, but that he had no heir. That's what was really weighing him down. But Abram said. Isn't that the way we are sometimes...when it seems like our biggest problem is X, and only when we feel safe in that, when we feel heard, can we speak our deepest needs, share our heart. But Abram said. And he was safe. Abram's story, his heart was safe with God. And so is ours. Safe in our God's great heart. Not only are we safe there, but as imitators of God,  as his representatives,  we can be that place of safety for someone else, and when we think we've heard where that person is at, proven to be safe, only then will they share their deeper needs, what's really going on. But Abram. Be that safe place in the life of others....

After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:  Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield;  your reward will be very great. Genesis 15:1 CSB After these events... Abram had just won a military victory, rescued Lot, and and refused any of the reward from that victory as a matter of integrity. Yet Abram was afraid. After a victory, a success, a win, we can still be afraid. Our insecurities and uncertainties bubble up. What was Abram afraid of? Maybe that the guys he rescued Lot from would regroup and come back at him.  God says don't be afraid, I am your shield.  Abram turned down the rewards of victory, maybe he was worried about that decision and the effect on him and his people. God said I've got something better for you. You just can't see it yet. Fear about our future, concern about the effect of doing what's right...when our fears and insecurities bubble up God speaks to them, says I'm with you in this, so do not be afraid.  #donotbeafra...

What is desired in a man  is steadfast love, and a poor man  is better  than a liar. Proverbs 19:22 ESV Can we see Jesus in this proverb? He is steadfast love. Steadfast in his mission on earth. Unwavering in his love for us. He is truth. The embodiment of God's law, his character. Truth. And He became a poor man. Gave up. Gave away. Bent down. Made himself small. Was stripped. Beaten Crucified. And for what? What did He gain? Us. He thought we are worth it. You're worth it.  You're of immeasurable worth.  The steadfast love of Jesus says so. Grace says so.  And forsaken. He was forsaken so that we never will be. Steadfast Love changed everything, let it change us today :) Be that steadfast love in your world today. #notforsaken #steadfast #steadfastlove #besteadfast #goodword #somethingtochewon