Daily ScriptureThen they prayed, and said ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen...’ And the lot fell on Mathias. (Acts 1.24-26)Daily ReflectionMathias? This is the first and only time his name is mentioned. We hear a good deal about high profile Peter, James, John, Philip and others. But in the continuing story of the Acts of the Apostles Mathias is nowhere to be found. We know only that he had been a follower of Jesus throughout his ministry, and had seen the risen Lord for himself. He was clearly trusted by his fellows, and was God’s choice to fill the place left by Judas.It’s good to be reminded that most of us, like Mathias, are not called to be Peters or Pauls or Billy Grahams, but to live out our faith with quiet integrity in our daily lives. This, too, is a powerful form of evangelism, of drawing people to God. Even the least known of God’s servants have their own unique ministry. Including us. Revd Rosemary
Daily ScriptureWhoever says, ‘I am in the light’, while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. (1 John 2 v 9-10)Daily Reflection How many times have we encountered people who seem so caring and kind to our faces but behind our back they are gossiping or being spiteful towards others - maybe towards us? How many times do we find ourselves behaving in such a way as to hurt someone close to us but all the while we are putting on another face to others? Sometimes we find it hard to emerge from a dark place in our lives, we may have unresolved trauma that needs addressing. Jesus is waiting for us to unburden ourselves - so why not come to him in prayer? When we put our faith in Jesus - the Light of the World - and accept the love of Christ in our hearts we are taking the first step in being able to show genuine love to our brothers and sisters. Lyn Hayes ALM
Daily Scripture‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ (Acts 2:37b-39)Daily ReflectionYesterday the Church marked the Ascension – the return of Jesus to his Father. Today marks a period of waiting – prayerful waiting – for the day of Pentecost, marking the gift of the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit that anyone can receive – if we repent. Repenting is more than you saying sorry. It is saying “sorry”, but it is also letting God forgive you; and then living like forgiven people; it is turning away from a sinful way of living. Maybe the same sort of question is in your mind as the disciples were asked: “What should I do?” The answer is simple: pray that as a prayer to God….. Lord, what should I do? Try it, every day between now and Pentecost in nine days’ time; and wait for the Holy Spirit to answer. Revd David
Daily ScriptureChrist did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. (Hebrews 9.24) Daily ReflectionHeaven is… well, somewhere beyond where we are now, a dream picture, a vision maybe of the very best of the not-perfect life we know. The natural association was with the heavens above, until the science became clear, but never seriously as anything other than a way of locating the hoped-for and unknown. In the Bible we find alternative pictures of heaven - Paradise, the perfect garden, or a golden city, the new Jerusalem. Whatever heaven we might be longing for, whatever our present earth-bound situation, we can trust that God – Father, Son, Holy Spirit – is 100% there and here, with us. "Lift up your hearts"! David Harmsworth
