Daily Scripture‘Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace.’ (Ephesians 4:2b,3)Daily ReflectionIn the list of Saints’ days, today (or yesterday) belongs to St Hilda of Whitby. She is a healthy reminder to us that this is not the first age in which women have been powerful leaders. Back in the 600s, she founded the monastery – a mixed community – on the Yorkshire coast and it became significant enough to be chosen as the place for the great Synod of Whitby (664 ad). Hilda, who was abbess at several monasteries, played a key role in bringing together Christians of different cultures (Irish and Anglo-Saxon, monks and clerics, kings and queens) bitterly divided over the date for the vital feast of Easter. Hilda deserves to be honoured for being a peacemaker. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”. David Harmsworth
Daily Scripture:‘Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his supplication…..We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of your great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, listen and act and do not delay!’ (Daniel 9:17a & 18)Daily Reflection:Daniel is crying out to the Lord from the depth of his feelings. This is personal; he is pouring out his feelings to God for himself and others. He begged for mercy rather than asking for help; because he knew they all deserved to pay the price for their wrong doing. But this is not just ancient words; this is living word for us today too. God’s response is that He sends His help – not because we deserve it, but because He wants to show mercy. If we know we do things that are wrong (sin); how can we complain if God decides not to help? Equally, if God has mercy on us when we should be paying the price for our sin, how can we not praise Him and give Him all our thanks?! God deserves our praise…… Today. Revd David
Daily Scripture:‘We have waited on your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of your temple.’ (Psalm 48 v 9)Daily Reflection:Waiting… We seem to be doing a lot of waiting right now:- waiting to see our loved ones again, waiting for a vaccine, waiting for these strange times to be over. Abraham in the Bible waited 25 years for the son God promised, Jesus waited 30 years to begin his ministry, Noah waited ages for the flood to begin. Waiting is always worthwhile, and in the middle of our waiting, God is working out His loving plan. God sees inside, underneath, around and above all of our earthly problems. He sees things that need to be ironed out in our hearts and lives, that would only remain creased and messy if it wasn’t for the refining times of waiting. The Psalmist waits for God “in the midst of his temple”. If waiting is a struggle for you right now, wait “in the midst of his temple” – open your Bible, spend time praying to Him, wait in His presence. Waiting on God is always worthwhile. Vicki Young
Daily Scripture:‘As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.’ (Luke 18:35-43)Daily Reflection:Sometimes we have to be persistent, when we want to get heard. If it is really, really important, if our life depends on it, then our voice has to cut through the noise to get to the one who can help us! But surely, we do not need to shout for Jesus to hear our prayer? No, of course not, but we need to be ‘diligent in prayer’, so pray regularly, to be able to hear what Jesus is saying to us: ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ What do you think Jesus may be saying to you? How do you think he is willing to help you, in your life? By letting Jesus into your deepest wish, like the blind man did, you give him the chance to heal and to help. Revd Ylva
