Daily Scripture:Open my eyes, that I may see the wonders of your law. (Psalm 119:18)Daily Reflection:Psalm 119 – the longest of the Psalms – and yet here, in a short verse, is a simple yet profound request the psalmist is asking of God: That God would open his eyes, that he might see the wonders of God’s law. If we ever think about “God’s law”, I guess the first thing that comes to mind are the Ten Commandments; and that is not a bad place to start. But Jesus came along and simplified things for us: “Love the Lord your God; love your neighbour as yourself.” Within those ten words are the wonders of God’s law. Think about them; ponder those ten words today. Ask God to open your eyes – to open your mind – to how wonderful the world would be if everyone lived life by them. But where are we to start with that huge task? “God, start with me today.” Revd David
Daily Scripture:‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’ (Romans 12 v 2)Daily Reflection:Jesus was radical. He came to turn our thinking, beliefs, behaviour, and indeed the world, upside down. He said difficult things like - forgive those who have hurt you, don't bear grudges, don't seek revenge, and love those who are hard to like, let alone love! And yes, he knew that we wouldn't be able to do all these difficult things. Paul says that, thinking like we do, we can't possibly live the way Jesus asked us to, BUT, thinking like Jesus does, we can! For example, forgiving someone for hurting you is almost impossible unless we "renew our minds" about the situation. How about saying to God today - "Lord, I know you ask me to forgive, but I can't, I'm still too hurt. Help me to see this person as you see them". We may have no idea of the past circumstances of another person's life that causes them to react in a hurtful way. Therefore, the judgement we make about them could be "unjustified"! The Lord sees all, and will help us renew our thinking in all situations.And the outcome for our own lives when we "renew our thinking"? The perfect will of God for us, the best of what we can only imagine and hope for - life lived in abundance! Vicki Young
Daily Scripture:18As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.’ And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed. (Mark 5:18-20)Daily Reflection:This man had suffered terribly, most likely from what we would now class as a mental illness. Mark tells us that he was very violent and impossible to restrain. People were frightened of him. Now Jesus had healed him and, understandably enough, he wanted to stay with his saviour. But, unusually for Jesus, he refused. Why? Because the man had an important job to do. Having been blessed with healing, he was now to take the message to his friends, telling them his story. They were most likely the very same people who had rejected him in his mad days. Now he could show them just how powerful and how loving God is! We can also be witnesses for Jesus, telling our friends what he has done for us. Maybe it will not always be as dramatic, but it will have impact because it is our own lived experience!Revd Ylva
Daily Scripture:‘The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ (Psalm 34.18)Daily Reflection:If we were not already aware of it, the television news each evening confronts us with the anxiety, grief and sheer exhaustion of so many people caught up in the pandemic. So many heartbroken at the loss of loved ones, so many lonely and isolated, so many crushed by the burdens, physical and emotional, that they have to carry. And each of us has our own share of stress and anxiety to deal with.Now, more than ever, let us take to heart the compassionate words of Jesus, who promises: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.’Just as I am, thou wilt receive,Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;Because thy promise I believeO Lamb of God, I come. Revd Rosemary
