Daily Scripture36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Come, let us return and visit the believers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’ 37 Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. 39 The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and set out, the believers] commending him to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.Daily ReflectionA couple of blokes had an argument and disagreed. Neither wanted to give in, so they went their separate ways. So far, so familiar. So, why are we still hearing about their argy-bargy after nearly two thousand years?First of all, it’s a reminder that the first followers of Jesus were just ordinary people, caught up in an exciting new movement, but really not very different from us. They were not perfect, or particularly flawless individuals. That’s not why God was sending them out. But they were passionate about Jesus and his message!It also opens possibilities for us. As they set out to tell others about their new found faith, so can we set out with confidence, telling others about Jesus, each of us in our own unique style! Revd Ylva
Daily ScriptureIf anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love only with words, but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3.17,18Daily Reflection‘Actions speak louder than words’, ‘Talk the talk ... Walk the walk’Or as Eliza Doolittle retorts to the infatuated Freddy in My Fair Lady, ‘Don’t talk of love! - Show me!’Love is at the very core of our faith. Jesus said that people would recognise his disciples through seeing God’s self-giving love reflected in their lives. Not only in their words, however well phrased, but in the witness of their actions.Some of us can, and should, give financial and practical help where we are able to those whose need is known to us. Again and again we are shamed by the generosity of people who themselves have very little. But there are other ways of giving: giving of our time, our patient listening, our sincere concern; and our prayers.‘Freely you have received’ says Jesus, ‘freely give’ Revd Rosemary
Daily ScriptureNow to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3 20-21)Daily Reflection God is so amazing, and by that I mean he is able to achieve in abundance so much more than we can ever comprehend or imagine. We cannot begin to understand the enormity of God’s love in Jesus Christ - and neither should we even try to do so. Paul’s prayer here reminds us that the Spirit gives us an inner strength, that Christ is present in our hearts, and that the relationship of the love of God gives us a firm foundation. All of these elements are present in the lives of those who believe, and we would do well to be reminded of them. When we are tossed and turned by life’s events, God’s love holds us steady. Lyn Hayes, ALM
