Daily Scripture:‘Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer and listen to the voice of my supplication. In the day of my distress I will call upon you, for you will answer me.But you, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and full of kindness and truth. Turn to me and have mercy upon me.’ (Psalm 86:6&7, 15&16)Daily Reflection: Sometimes we can seem to go through a period of life when we are in trouble, or pain, or nothing seems to be going right. The Psalms are full of people, real people, crying out to God at these times of their lives…..Hear my prayer, O Lord! Of people being open and honest with God; “Help me!” Here the Psalmist does not blame God, but simply calls out to Him and acknowledges His grace, compassion, kindness and mercy. Prayer is our relationship with God; however you are feeling, try praying.God of mercy, who in your great love drew your Son from the depths of the Pit, bring your people from death to life, that we may rejoice in your compassion and praise you now and for ever. Amen.Revd David If you find these daily reflections useful and would like them to continue, please drop Revd David an email or call him to let him know: 01580 240658; revdavidcommander@gmail.com
Daily Scripture:‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.’ (Romans 12.1-2)Daily Reflection:As Christians we must not let the world around us dictate how we live. We must be prepared to think for ourselves, to challenge the accepted norms where they are not compatible with the teaching and example of Jesus. The key, says St Paul, lies in the radical transformation of the way we think, how we make our decisions, what sort of people we want to be. Through this gradual renewal of our whole way of thinking, Paul continues, we will come to understand what God’s will is for each one of us, ‘his good, pleasing and perfect will’ for our lives.O God, mercifully grant that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure. (From today’s Collect)Revd Rosemary
Weekly news and services for the Benefice of Benenden & Sandhurst, Kent.Sunday Services: Sunday 23rd August8 am Holy Communion at St George's, Benenden10am Holy Communion at St Nicholas, Sandhurst
Daily Scripture‘But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”’ (Acts 5 29-32)Daily ReflectionThe disciples had been witnesses to the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, they had also been the recipients of the Holy Spirit and told to go out and preach and perform miracles in Jesus name. God had entrusted them to carry on His work and as they did so more and more people became followers - a growing community of people, caring and sharing everything with each other. This was something new, something the authorities at the time were scared of and they tried to damp it down and eliminate it - but this was God’s work, working through the Holy Spirit - not a man made construct. The disciples were not the last witnesses. The Holy Spirit continues to move through us when we accept and trust in God.Lyn Hayes
