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
Daily Scripture:Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. (1 Corinthians 12 v 4 - 6)Daily Reflection: Wouldn’t it be a dull life if we were all given the same gifts! Just imagine being good at everything, what a terrible burden that would be. You would never have to call on anyone else to fix your roof, cook your dinner, look after your children, study for a PhD, sing in the local choir, do your own accounts - the list would go on and on!! You would be totally exhausted. We have all been given different abilities, different gifts, each of us to use for the common good so that we all benefit as part of our community. You are unique - so cherish the gifts that you have been given by God and use them to the best of your ability to serve not only yourself but those around you. Lyn Hayes ALM
