Daily ScriptureNow as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ (Acts 9:3-6)Daily ReflectionThis short piece of Scripture is at the very heart of Paul’s (Saul’s) conversion, the original “Road to Damascus” experience! We often use this as a metaphor, when someone has had a 180 degree change of heart, or a sudden insight. Here the resurrected and ascended Jesus speaks directly to his greatest antagonist, in an instant changing the whole course of his life. Few people can claim to have heard God speak to them in this way, but if we tune our hearts to listen, God speaks to us through his Holy Spirit every day, guiding us and telling us what to do, just as Saul was told. As we pray and read the Bible, we become more and more aware of God’s plans for our life, ‘plans to give you hope and a future’, as the prophet Jeremiah says. Revd Ylva
Daily Scripture:My share has fallen in a fair land; indeed, I have a goodly heritage. (Psalm 16.5)Daily Reflection:The psalmist is speaking about the actual portion of land allocated to him by lot. This desirable piece of land has come to him literally by the luck of the draw.Much as we may chafe against the present restrictions and frustrations, we have so much to be thankful for. We think of those living in constant terror in war torn countries, Christians and others persecuted for their faith, places where free speech is smothered and dissidents imprisoned or murdered. We tend to take for granted our ‘goodly heritage’ of peace and freedom. But surely our response must be first thankful awareness of the undeserved blessings we enjoy, and then a determination to use them to further the purposes of God in the place where He has called us to be.‘God, thou hast given so much to me, give one thing more: a grateful heart’ (George Herbert, 1593-1633) Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen
Daily Scripture'Peace be within your walls and tranquillity within your palaces.' (Psalm 122 v 7)Daily Reflection As I write this, the sky is azure blue and there is a sharp frost on the ground - quite a contrast to the recent bleak, damp & dark weather. The Danish have a particular way of surviving winter which they call “hugge.” They draw the curtains, light a fire, light candles around the house, put on some jumpers, make hot drinks, snuggle under blankets, and talk to each other. We may live in a privileged area of the South of England and many of you may adopt some of the above practices to make your home a warm and welcoming place. But not everyone is that fortunate - my prayer is that we all give a thought and help those who need peace and warmth within their walls. Lyn Hayes ALM
Daily Scripture:One thing have I asked of the Lord and that alone I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. My heart tells of your word, ‘Seek my face.’ Your face, Lord, will I seek. (Psalm 27:4&8)Daily Reflection:When the psalmist – probably David – says, “the house of the Lord”, he may be referring to a temple; but - putting ourselves into these words - it would be a bit strange to want to live in the church every day of our life, wouldn’t it? Much more likely he is using the phrase to mean, “the presence of the Lord”…..that I may dwell in the presence of the Lord all the days of my life. What a wonderful gift; what a great desire: dwelling (living) in the presence of God every day of your life; not having to wait “for heaven”! And this is the only thing that David asks for; it is the only thing he seeks….. “My heart tells of your word, ‘Seek my face’.” Can we put ourselves into these words today: and seek – really look – for the presence of God in the world, in your life? There is great joy in finding God. Revd David
