Daily Scripture:‘After Jesus had dismissed the crowd he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray’. (Matthew 14.23)Daily Reflection:For people with busy lives, and perhaps especially those whose work involves ministering to the needs of others, it’s essential to find time for yourself, to recharge the batteries, to think your own thoughts. Jesus was constantly surrounded by people coming to him for help and healing, and it was impossible to send them away. Often he would slip away to pray, and again and again the crowds would track him down and flock to him. On this particular day he had gone out into a deserted place to be alone, but found himself ministering to a crowd of 5000 needy people. It is not always easy to get the balance right between our own needs and those of other people. We can only pray for wisdom and patience, in the knowledge that Jesus himself understands the problem.Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen
Daily Scripture:‘For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.’ (Deuteronomy 30,11-14)Daily Reflection:Sometimes we make things out to be a lot harder than in fact they are. Moses assures the Israelites that God’s presence is the most natural thing in the world, a part of our existence. We don’t have to search high and low for God; he is already here with us. His will for our lives is not remote and inaccessible, but well within our reach and our understanding, And having heard and understood, we must, as Moses says, ‘do it’.Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen
Daily Scripture:‘While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’.’ (Luke 24 v 36)Daily Reflection:Jesus gave the disciples his peace, the same way he is giving us his peace. Jesus gives us his peace, first to experience it within our self. He gives us peace from all the sins we have committed. He gives us peace for all the times we doubted him, for all the times we chose not to follow his will and stick to what we want. He gives us peace from all our shortcomings and failures. He gives us peace from the circumstances around us - to calm us down amidst the storms of life.As we experience Christ’s peace, we are encouraged to give it away as well. Like in love, we are able to love because Christ loved us first, we too are capable to forgive and give peace to one another.Lyn Hayes ALM
