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
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
