Daily Scripture:“Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it [the Church] increased in numbers.” (Acts 9:31)Daily Reflection: Many churches in the Western world are in decline numerically speaking. Here is how the early Church, at the time of the first Apostles, “increased in numbers”: the people of the Church – for “the church” is the people not the building – “lived in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.” Fear and Comfort would seem to be opposites; but this is fear as in being in awe, not as in being petrified! The early church lived in awe of God. We would all do well to learn from that and take a leaf out of their book! Recognise the incredible things God has done; be comforted by the Spirit of God being with you. Praise God…. and His Church will grow! Ignore God….and it won’t.Revd David
Daily Scripture:‘Let them know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.’ (Psalm 83, v 18)Daily Reflection:There are many books written about angels. Guardian angels, arch angels, cherubim, seraphim – good and protective “spirits”. Many people believe that angels watch over them, and if you are one of them, you’d be right. The Bible mentions angels many times. It’s easy to believe in angels, but the above verse tells us that there is no-one, absolutely no-one and nothing higher than God. So, if God made all of us, and God made the angels, it makes sense to believe that God is the supreme being of goodness, love and protection, over and above the angels. If you believe in angels, go one step further – get to know God - why stop half way up the tree, when the view from the top is so much more awe-inspiring!Vicki Young
Daily Scripture:'Let the rivers clap their hands and let the hills ring out together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.' (Psalm 98 v 9)Daily Reflection:In this verse we get a sense of the whole of creation bursting forth in praise of the Lord. In this lockdown time, nature has had a small, but significant breather. When human activity quietens down, nature gets a chance to make herself heard. It is important that we take time now to listen, as she speaks, because, as our scripture verse tells us, the Lord comes to judge the earth. What does this mean? We do not know, but we sense that his judgement will reveal how well we have cared for the earth as his stewards. So far, we have not done too well, but there is still a little time to put things right, if only we will listen. Listen, and then act on what we hear. Ylva Blid-Mackenzie (Curate)
Daily Scripture:‘Do not repay anyone evil for evil...If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Do not take revenge...Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good’. (Romans 12.17-21)Daily Reflection:Whether in a family, in a local feud or between international communities, once revenge takes hold it becomes unstoppable, as aggression leads to reprisals, and to endless tit for tat. The chain can only be broken if those who have been wronged refuse to allow the evil actions of others to determine their response. We must not respond to hatred with more hatred, or to violence with more violence. We must never condone evil, and as Paul realistically accepts, we cannot always avoid conflict; but as Christians we are called to strive always for peace and reconciliation, rather than revenge. Jesus himself, who ‘did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered, but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly’ is our model and our example.Revd Rosemary
