Reflection: Sunday 26th June and for the week ahead:Scripture:When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. (Luke 9 - 51)Reflection:Jesus knew it was likely that he would be arrested. He also suspected that he might even die. Can you imagine the storm of emotions that must have been whirling around in Jesus’s mind and heart? Yet he decided to make the journey to Jerusalem! Throughout the Gospels we see evidence of Jesus’s faith and trust in God. Today’s verse is an example of the depth of trust Jesus had in God. Do we have such faith? I hope so. We have to nurture our faith and trust in God each and every day! This creates a foundation and a relationship with God that will support and sustain us whenever we are in need. Today and every day let’s ask Jesus to deepen our trust and faith in him!Lyn Hayes, ALM
Reflection: Sunday 19th June and for the week ahead:Scripture:If you will only heed his every commandment that I am commanding you today - loving the Lord your God and serving Him with all your heart and soul - then He will give you rain for your land in its season, early rain and late rain, and you will gather in your grain, your wine and your oil; and he will give grass in your fields for your livestock and you will eat your fill. (Deut 11. 13-15)Reflection:Here in the Old Testament the Israelites, having been rescued from slavery in Egypt, are standing at the edge of the promised land. Moses reminds them of their 40 year journey through the wilderness, of God’s miracles of provision; bread from heaven, water gushing forth from rocks, and pillars of fire to guide their way, despite their lawlessness and rejection of God’s love. His request is simple - If they will love God and love other people, they will want for nothing. This promise is the same for us today. The language of farming and agriculture as seen in these verses is prominent throughout scripture, because that was the language the people at that time understood. It was all around them. What if we could translate these promises into today’s language? ‘Love God, and serve Him with all your heart’ - then you will be warm and well fed with a roof over your head; the sun will shine in your life and you will never be without. He will take care of all that you love. God who parted the Red Sea, rescued His children from oppression, and gave them a land flowing with milk and honey for their own is the same God today - there is nothing He cannot do.Vicki Young
