Daily Scripture:‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever. May all the earth be filled with his glory. Amen. Amen.’ (Psalm 72:18-19)Daily Reflection:The prayer set in the Lectionary (the scripture readings set for each day of the year) alongside this Psalm says:May your kingdom come, O God, with deliverance for the needy, with peace for the righteous, with overflowing blessing for all nations, with glory, honour and praise for Christ, the only Saviour. Amen.Today, what can you do to help the needy, to bring peace to someone’s life, to be a blessing to your community? These things that we can do bring glory, honour and praise to God. Those things start to bring about God’s kingdom on earth. You can be the answer to the prayer. If we all did this then the earth would indeed be filled with His glory. Amen and amen.Revd David
If you would like a chat or some prayer time in church, Revd Ylva or Revd David will be in church as follows:St George's, Benenden: from 10 to 11am Monday 18th & Monday 25 January. Monday 2nd February. The Mission Church, Sandhurst: from 2 to 3pm on Tuesday 19th and Tuesday 26th January. Tuesday 2nd February.
Daily Scripture:‘Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord, or who can rise up in his holy place?’ - ‘Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, who have not lifted up their soul to an idol, nor sworn an oath to a lie.’ (Psalm 14.3-4)Daily Reflection:We’re living with graphic illustrations of the destructive force of lies and crazed conspiracy theories. There must be myriad reasons why untruths can be more attractive than the truth, and none of us is likely to feel able to put a clean hand on heart and claim never to have chosen a lie, never to have been tempted down the wrong path. The Psalmist sets it out starkly – to approach the Lord, we need clean hands and a pure heart. Jesus did not compromise on this, just as he did not compromise himself, and yet at the same time in his life and in his martyrdom opened his arms to welcome anyone who wanted to restore integrity, follow the truth and find healing. If we confess, he will forgive us… David Harmsworth
Daily Scripture:‘But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” - these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.’ (1 Corinthians 2:9&10)Daily Reflection:Paul (who was ‘The road to Damascus’ Saul) writes these encouraging words to the early church in Corinth, Greece. He is quoting from a prophet Isaiah about 700 years earlier. We cannot even begin to imagine what God has in store for us. But for those who believe, we get - in this life - a tiny glimpse of this promise through the Holy Spirit….. if only we would be open to hearing and seeing; if only we would trust. But even if you have not caught that glimpse yet, know that a wonderful future awaits for those who love God. Let that give you hope to carry on and endure the present hardships. This world is not all there is…..the best is yet to come. “Don’t believe that?” Then ask God to show you…..pray....today. Revd David
