Daily ScriptureThe river of God is full of water;you prepare grain for your people,for so you provide for the earth.You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges;you soften the ground with showers and bless its increase (Psalm 65 v 9-10)Daily Reflection Sunday 9th May was Rogation Sunday, a day to be thankful for the earth that God created, in which we can grow food and marvel at the diverse wildlife it contains. The verse above tells us that God provides everything necessary for the sustaining of life. As human beings we are so often concerned with the future - what we will have, how we will get it, and how happy it will make us. The truth is that God is in the here and now - the present moment you are living. If we are so concerned with tomorrow, we will miss the great blessings of today! Little wonder that the Bible reminds us that even the birds of the air flourish and thrive with no concern for their future providence! Living in the present, knowing that God has given you all you need for today brings freedom and peace. Tomorrow will take care of itself. God will be there too. Vicki Young
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 Reflection:Yesterday 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 ScriptureAbove all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:8-10)Daily Reflection‘Love each other deeply’. What a charge! This is not just a bit of love, a token friendship, but the real stuff, from the bottom of our hearts. It is not romantic fellow-feeling, but the sort of love that will go above and beyond. The love that Peter commends to us is so profound, so all-encompassing, it blots out our weaknesses and covers up our mistakes. Its chief hallmark seems to be hospitality, the extending of invitation and service to all, and the sharing of gifts, whether spiritual or material. Knowing ourselves to be utterly dependent on God, we are only too happy to share what is not ours to hold on to anyway, with others, and in that sharing, we are ourselves enriched beyond measure. Deep love! Revd Ylva
