Daily Scripture:But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)Daily Reflection:One short verse of scripture, but what amazing words, what an incredible thought. Read those words again; let the message sink in.God sent Jesus to show us how much He loves us. But He went further than that: He shows us how much He loves us by sending His son to die for us. And He did so, not because we were good enough…. but because he loves us. Never ever think, “God cannot love me. I’ve done bad things.” God knows that, and He still loves you. Whatever you have done/are going to do: God still loves you. He has proved that to you: “While we were still sinners Christ died for us” – Christ died for you. Tell God you love Him for who He is (because He loves you for who you are); and feel His love pour into you. Revd David
Daily ScriptureNo distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. (Romans 4 v 20)Daily ReflectionPaul is referring here to the Genesis account of Abraham and Sarah. When he was 75 years old, God said to Abraham that he and his wife Sarah would have a son. When Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah 90, their son Isaac was born. He continued to trust God and have faith in His promise, even though it took 25 years to fulfil! Here is a lesson for us all - if God says He will do something, He does it. Our job is simply to trust Him. His timing is always perfect. Abraham is called the father of faith because of his response to God when God asked him to leave his homeland, and receiving a son in his old age. He trusted that God’s plan was good. Even now, some Jewish texts refer to Abraham as “friend of God’. Abraham wasn’t perfect - he had doubts and questioned God, but, regardless, his faith in God stood the test of time. Friend of God, if you are waiting for God’s promise to become reality in your life, be encouraged by Abraham. Grow strong in your faith by giving glory to God. Be fully convinced that God is able to do what He has promised. Vicki Young
Daily Scripture:39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’46 And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 48 for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (Luke 1:39-49)Daily Reflection:Today we celebrate the pregnant Mary’s visit to her equally expecting relative Elizabeth, an important event in the life of the as yet unborn Jesus. Elizabeth’s exclamation “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb”, forms the second line of the Hail Mary, and Mary’s answer is the Magnificat, Mary’s prophetic song of praise. These important prayers have been preserved down all generations, repeated by millions of Christians the world over every day.Attitudes to Mary are often misunderstood, both by some Christians and those of other faiths, or none. We do not worship Mary, as she is not God, but rather we venerate her; as Our Lord’s mother and as a perfect example of a human in right relationship to God. We want to emulate her, and as she is very close to Jesus, we might ask her to intercede on our behalf. “Hail Mary, full of grace…” Revd Ylva
Daily Scripture:Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts ;The whole earth is full of his glory (Isaiah 6.3)Daily Reflection:The prophet Isaiah has a vision in which he is caught up into heaven. His overwhelming reaction is despair at his own utter unworthiness. But in his vision a seraph touches his lips and tells him ‘Your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out’.And when God asks ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Isaiah, not actually knowing what the job involves, but trusting in God’s love and wisdom, says ‘Here am I; send me’.If God called only the sinless to do his work in the world he would have a very small workforce! But the truth is that he calls us regardless of our failures and inadequacies, and he himself equips us to be and to do what we were created for.And that may be something we have never considered in our wildest dreams... Revd Rosemary
