Daily Scripture: For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. (1 John 3:11 & 17-18) Daily ReflectionThe apostle John, in one verse, succinctly sums up the message (and actions) of his friend Jesus: love one another. What a simple summation; but what challenging words! In another verse, John then poses a challenging question: if anyone has material possessions and money and sees someone in need but has no pity on them (does not help them), how can the love of God be in that “rich” person? All there is in that person is a love of their material possessions. They are not rich in the eyes of God; in fact, the very opposite, they are poor. They have forgotten – or perhaps never knew – these three simple words: love one another. John then speaks to us little children – so that we understand: let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. Put the love you have for God into action today.Revd David
Daily Scripture:See what love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. (1 John 3 v 1)Daily Reflection:Discussions around the word 'identity' are frequent, and identities can change. As an adult your identity is not the same as when you were a child. If you have changed jobs, perhaps your identity has changed too with the specification of your work. I have been a gardener, a cleaner, a cook, a manager, a carer and many more 'identities' in my adult life! I still am, and always will be, a mum. But does what we 'do' become who we 'are'? I think not. The Bible tells us that in God's eyes we have one identity only - we are all 'children of God' - created by Him, cared for by Him, extraordinarily loved by Him. Any other identity we may assume pales into comparison with our identity as 'child of God'. Vicki Young
Daily Scripture:Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:29-33)Daily Reflection:Finally, the penny drops. Jesus’ friends understand who he really is and where he comes from. All should be well – but is it? Jesus doesn’t seem to think so. He predicts that they will soon all leave him alone, run away scared and confused, as the events of Good Friday unfolds; his arrest, sentencing to death and crucifixion. But he doesn’t want them to be overcome in their despair, he wants them to have peace and take heart, and to know that he is not alone, as his Father is with him.He wants the same for us, for you and I, that we should take heart, even if in the world we have trouble. He has overcome the world, won the victory for us - take heart! Revd Ylva
