Daily ScriptureWhen the day of Pentecost had come they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came the sound like the rush of a violent wind .... All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability...And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in their own native language. (Acts 2.1-21)Daily Reflection The crowds thronging Jerusalem that day had come from far and wide to celebrate the great Jewish feast of Pentecost (Shavuot), Their native languages were very diverse, yet they all heard God’s praises being poured out in words they understood - though in general Galileans were regarded as incoherent speakers in any language, even their own! So how was this possible? Whatever those supposedly ‘ignorant’ disciples said, the message was clearly heard, and many came to believe. When God speaks to us, he does so in words and actions that we understand. However inadequate we may consider our own words and witness to be, if we offer them to God he will somehow use them to communicate what he wants to people to hear. Lord, open our ears to hear your voice, and our lips to witness to your love. Revd Rosemary
Daily ScriptureFrom the Collect for today: O God the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: we beseech you, leave us not comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us.Daily ReflectionTomorrow, Pentecost Sunday, we welcome the Holy Spirit as we celebrate the birthday of the church - a day to truly rejoice. The Holy Spirit was poured out to each disciple at the first Pentecost giving them the gift to speak, each in a different language. This gift was freely given by God and gave the disciples the power to heal, the knowledge to teach and the courage to travel to the ends of the earth proclaiming the gospel. The Holy Spirit was with them as their comforter and guide - but this was not just for the disciples in 1st century Jerusalem - the Holy Spirit is being poured out now to strengthen, guide and comfort us until the great day when Jesus returns. Open your heart and let the Holy Spirit in. Lyn Hayes ALM
Daily ScriptureBlessed be the Lord, for he has heard the voice of my prayer. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart has trusted in him and I am helped; therefore my heart dances for joy and in my song will I praise him. (Psalm 38:7-9)Daily ReflectionThere are occasions when everyone goes through a time - or times - of doubt; times when God seems very distant. There can be times when we cannot hear God in our prayers; when we cannot feel God’s presence in our lives at all; times when we can feel completely cut off from God. I have been there myself; it is a sad place to be. But from my experience, I also know that feeling can and does pass. God is bigger, God is more constant than my feelings; God is always there. In those times of doubt, it is good to hear the words and conviction of other believers. So please speak to someone you know and trust; voice your doubts; listen to your friend. And also listen to the voice of the saints who have gone before us. Listen to how positive this psalmist is. Words written by another human being, living life just as we are. Draw strength from these words. Revd David
