Daily ScriptureStrengthen the weak hands,and make firm the feeble knees.Say to those who are of a fearful heart,‘Be strong, do not fear!Here is your God.He will come with vengeance,with terrible recompense.He will come and save you.’(Isaiah 35:3-4)Daily ReflectionIn these days we need encouragement. Our hearts are often fearful, we feel worn down by what is happening to us, or to those around us. We wonder what will come next, how things will turn out, if this is the worst, or if something even more terrifying might be in store…Our hands feel weak and our knees shake.Then it is good to hear God speak to us through the prophet Isaiah’s words. Written a long time ago, they still speak powerfully today. This is the way the Bible works when we read it prayerfully. The words are as relevant, and as vibrant, as when they were first put down. God speaks his encouragement to us, promising to save us from all that threatens to overwhelm and destroy. Hallelujah! Revd Ylva
Daily Scripture‘Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not turn to the proud that follow a lie’ (Psalm 40:4)Daily ReflectionThe king of Israel plans to go into battle to reclaim land he says is his. But first he consults all his prophets to make sure God will give him victory. These ‘prophets’, who know which side their bread is buttered, all assure him that God is on his side.The king then sends for Michaiah, even though he says he hates him because he never tells him what he wants to hear! And indeed Michaiah says that God has shown him that Israel will be defeated, which is certainly what the king wants to hear, but turns out to be true. [1 Kings 22]It is tempting to listen only to those people who say what we want to hear. But there is such a thing as truth, which Jesus said will ‘set us free. Revd Rosemary
Daily Scripture:“Yes I am coming soon” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22 v 20)Daily Reflection:Almost two thousand years after this was written in Revelation, we might say that the predicted coming is showing no signs of being anytime soon, so sometimes, when we read these words for the umpteenth time, we might feel our eyes glazing over just a bit. It is all too easy to pour our energies into our own ambitions and aspirations for this life - things we would like to see and do, achieve and experience, without having to think about the second coming of Jesus Christ! But wait we must and wait expectantly - be ready for when he does! We can’t say with any certainty when it will be or what that coming might mean or even how we might recognise it - but when it does happen - we will know for sure!Lyn Hayes, ALM
Daily Scripture‘To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; O my God, in you I trust. Make me to know your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you have I hoped all the day long.’ (Psalm 25:1a, 3&4)Daily ReflectionWell….that was a surprise this morning; opening the curtains, looking out the window and seeing snow completely covering the ground! One day, some people are going to be surprised (amazed, shocked, stunned, astounded, scared) when they wake up one day and find that Christ has returned! We have been promised that it will happen one day, and nobody knows the time or place. This time of Advent that we are in should be used every year to remind us of His coming, and that we need to try and be ready…..it may happen in our lifetime; it may happen tomorrow. Thinking about – and living by - the words from today’s Psalm would be a good start. One day when you open the curtains you might be truly amazed…..at Christ’s return! Be ready. Revd David
