Daily Scripture“Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:24)Daily Reflection This sounds threatening – and Jeremiah has a reputation for gloomy messages! This is part of an angry denunciation of those who claim to speak for God but are actually perverting the moral truth: but, the message is, truth is everywhere and will catch out the lies.Jesus also speaks of God as all-seeing, caring even about a couple of sparrows, counting the hairs of your head; and he talks about secret places – “when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you”.There are secrets we can keep from other people, even from ourselves, but none that we can hide from God, and none that we cannot discuss with Him. David Harmsworth
Daily Scripture“But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” (2 Thess. 3:3)Daily ReflectionMost people today probably dismiss the idea of spiritual warfare. Probably because we’ve grown up with an image of “the devil” as a cartoon creature with a pitch-fork, horns, and a tail; dressed in red, lording it over some sinister place. No threat there at all! But if you think the latter, the devil has already won the battle. On the other hand, whenever we say the Lord’s Prayer we use the words: “Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” So there is an acknowledgement that there is evil or an evil one in the world. The good news is that God can strengthen us and guard us. We can play our part though by: taking such threats seriously; praying for strength and protection; reading the Bible to recognise the devil’s subtle tactics. Start today.Revd David
Daily Scripture:“But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40 v 31Daily Reflection:Some of us say that we have enjoyed this slower pace of life since lockdown started. But what will happen in the next weeks and months? Will we take up our “busier” lives once more…. or is there a different way, a better way to live? The verse above is one I think of often in my own life, especially when I feel overwhelmed, worn out, or simply discouraged. God knows me better than I know myself, His plans for me are more beautiful than my own desires…how many times have I missed His best for me, as I rush ahead with my own decisions? Wait….says Isaiah….wait for the Lord. He will use that time to ready you for the best, that only He is able to bring you. He came to bring us LIFE, and life to the full. Wait for the Lord. Vicki Young
Daily Scripture“7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and for evermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8) Daily Reflection:Psalms 120-134 are called “Pilgrim Psalms” or “Songs of Ascent”; sung by those who journeyed (“ascended”) to the temple on an annual pilgrimage. These are the final verses of one of my favourite Psalms. It is a Psalm expressing the protection that can come only from God. God not only made the hills but heaven and earth; we should trust in His power not other powerless, man-made talisman as we travel on our pilgrimage or through life. He watches over us, all the time, keeping us safe. It begins with the beautiful words, which I think of often when I’m out walking: “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth”. May he keep your life safe.Revd David
