Daily Scripture:So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord your God and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being. (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)Daily Reflection:“What does God expect of me?” Here in these two verses from the Old Testament is a summary that is simple in form and easy to remember: 1) Fear God (have reverence for Him), 2) Walk His way, 3) Love Him, 4) Serve Him with your whole life, 5) Observe His commands.We so often complicate our relationship with God. We complicate our faith with man-made rules and requirements of how we must approach God; how we must relate to God. This is the God who loves you so much he gave the life of His Son for you. So, for your own well-being, get back to the basics of a good relationship with God: Respect, follow, love, serve, obey. In the words of Aleksandr Orlov (the meerkat!), “Simples!”Revd David
Daily ScriptureFor you yourself created my inmost parts;you knit me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139 v 12)Daily ReflectionDoes God love me? Does He notice me? Does He even know me?If these are questions you have ever asked yourself, you will find the answer in this Psalm. It is Yes, Yes and Yes!God made it His business to know you, even before you were born. He took great care over creating you, and He did it with the utmost love for you. He waited eagerly for your birth, and longed to gaze at your face, as any human father would. As you have travelled through life, God has never taken his loving gaze from you. When you have suffered, He has suffered with you; when you have succeeded, He has rejoiced with you. He is always waiting... for you to turn towards Him, and look for His face. This is the very human, and yet fully divine God of the Bible. Vicki Young
Here is the link to the recording of Sunday's service: https://youtu.be/U-a4zrRK8v4
Daily Scripture36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Come, let us return and visit the believers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’ 37 Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. 39 The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and set out, the believers] commending him to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.Daily ReflectionA couple of blokes had an argument and disagreed. Neither wanted to give in, so they went their separate ways. So far, so familiar. So, why are we still hearing about their argy-bargy after nearly two thousand years?First of all, it’s a reminder that the first followers of Jesus were just ordinary people, caught up in an exciting new movement, but really not very different from us. They were not perfect, or particularly flawless individuals. That’s not why God was sending them out. But they were passionate about Jesus and his message!It also opens possibilities for us. As they set out to tell others about their new found faith, so can we set out with confidence, telling others about Jesus, each of us in our own unique style! Revd Ylva
