Daily ScriptureFor you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I thank you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are your works, my soul knows well. (Psalm 139:13-14)Daily ReflectionThe psalmist recognises that God was involved in his creation…..his very being. He praises God for the gift of his creation; for the incredible complexity of his creation; for how wonderful creation - and God – is! If it is true for the psalmist, it is true for you. If you begin to feel worthless, or even begin to hate yourself, remember that God’s Spirit is ready and willing to work within you. He created you; He loves you; He respects you; He cares for your well-being. We too should care about God’s creation; we should care about ourselves. Moreover, if you begin to think there is someone else who is worthless: remember they too are a creation of God. If the words, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” apply to the psalmist, they apply to you, and they apply to every person. Revd David
Daily Scripture:May you be blest by the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth he has entrusted to his children. (Psalm 115.15-16)Daily Reflection: This Psalm begins ‘Not unto us, O Lord’ – non nobis, domine – and was famously ordered by Henry V to be sung after the victory at Agincourt. Jewish and Christian scriptures stress both the majesty of God and the responsibility we bear because of what we have been given. Our successes and victories, whether private and personal or as members of a family, team or nation, are a cause for pride and celebration. At the same time, we must remember that all we have we hold in trust. David Harmsworth
Daily ScriptureHe said to me, O mortal, eat what is offered to you; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. He said to me, Mortal, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it. Then I ate it; and in my mouth it was as sweet as honey. (Ezekiel 3:3)Daily Reflection The prophet Ezekiel is having a vision; in it, he is told to eat God’s message. He found this spiritual food good for him and as sweet as honey. If we digest God’s word it makes us stronger in faith, and its wisdom sweetens our lives. We know we need to feed ourselves physically, but we also need to feed ourselves spiritually. This means more than occasionally dipping into it – like snacking from a bowl of peanuts! His word is the main course; something to be eaten and enjoyed; something to do daily. We should make digesting God’s word a regular part of our lives. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Deut. 8:3) Try God’s word for breakfast!Revd David
Daily Scripture: As for those that troubled them, the waters overwhelmed them; there was not one of them left. Then they believed his words and sang aloud his praise (Psalm 106 v 11-12) Daily Reflection:The verse above refers to the famous story of the 'parting of the red sea' in the Bible. Pharaoh and the Egyptian armies had pursued the Israelites to the water's edge. Through Moses' trust in God, and God's supreme power, the sea parted and the Israelites walked along the bottom of the sea bed to dry land. Pharaoh's armies who tried to follow were completely washed away as the sea closed back over them. Does God still act as mightily today? He does. If we saw such a profound miracle today, would we attribute it to God? Probably not. So how does God show us he is here? Perhaps he is to be found in the smallest things that we would otherwise not notice.A man whispered "God speak to me" - a meadow lark sang, but the man did not hear. The man yelled "God speak to me" - a thunderclap...but the man did not listen"God let me see you!" the man said. A star shone brightly but he didn't noticeIn despair the man cried out "Touch me God - let me know you are here!"God reached down and touched the man… but the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on. Vicki Young