Daily ScriptureIs not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? (Isaiah 58.6-7) Daily ReflectionIn the context of a society where fasting was something prescribed by religious leaders, as once it was in much of Christendom during Lent, the prophet cries out against superficial hypocrisy – God is not interested in public displays of humility, but in positive action to right wrongs. David Harmsworth
Daily ScriptureHear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but do not see, who have ears, but do not hear. But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. (Jeremiah 5:21 & 23)Daily ReflectionHave you ever had a conversation with someone which ends when you realise they haven’t heard a word you’ve been saying? How did you feel; frustrated? Perhaps thinking, “That was a waste of time with them; why did I bother?” Or, “I’m not doing that again. I’ll speak with someone who will listen.” All perfectly natural reactions.Fortunately, God is not like that with you and I. We have eyes, we have ears; but do we see or hear God at work: in creation, in others, in ourselves? Or have we turned away from God? If we have, it’s no wonder we’ve stopped seeing or hearing Him. But is that because God has changed, or is it something to do with us? God will not give up on you. Give Him a chance to speak to you; give Him the respect of listening. Try it this Lent. Revd David
Daily ScriptureVery truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life. (John 5 v 24)Daily ReflectionRemember the rich man in the Bible who asks Jesus what he must do to be saved? Jesus tells him to follow the ten commandments, and then to go and give all his wealth away and follow Him. He couldn't do the second part. The " believing" in Jesus in the verse above is the easy part - most of us would say that Jesus did exist, and some of us would go one step further, and say that they believe He is the Son of God. "Box ticked" on the way to eternal life! But what about the "hearing my word" part? Jesus came to turn the world upside down with his radical teachings - forgive those who have hurt you, love those you don't even like (!). Following Jesus means to do as He did when He was on the earth. Follow His example in our treatment of others. Yes, we will get it wrong - our human nature will often win out, over our God given nature, but God is interested in the motivation of our hearts, and the more we try to follow Jesus' example, the closer we come to eternal life - a life lived with God in love, peace and joy. This life is like a drop in the ocean, compared to the life still to come. That's what we need to be working towards. Vicki Young
Daily Scripture:35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” 37 Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” 40 And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:35-40)Daily ReflectionToday is the first Monday in the period that Christians call Lent. Lent is six weeks to prepare for Easter, six weeks to get ready to welcome Jesus as our saviour and celebrate his victory over death and evil. One way to prepare is to get our priorities right, to start to think more like our saviour and to take action. Let’s look at today’s reading; who are these members of the king’s family that we are encouraged here to care for? Why, they are those members of our own society that are least valued. Read that list again: There are the families who have to use the food bank, as the kitchen cupboard is bare and the Universal Credit payment is late. There are the homeless guys and girls on the street corner. There is the lonely and ill neighbour who could do with some help and the prisoner who has no visitors on a Sunday. So, how is it going?I am not just asking you who are reading this, I’m just as much asking myself. Together we could use these next six weeks to make a difference, however small, to someone’s life. He who is asking us is after all the King! How could we possibly say no?Revd Ylva
