Daily ScripturePeter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.’ (Matthew 18.22)Daily ReflectionHow long we can be expected to go on forgiving somebody who persists in wronging us? Peter’s suggestion of seven times is pretty generous, given that we are sometimes quite reluctant to give somebody even a second chance. Jesus is not, of course, suggesting we should keep a record, and at the seventy-eighth offence feel free to retaliate! He is saying rather that knowing ourselves to be forgiven by God, whose patience with us is endless, we must also forgive others. (He goes on to illustrate this in a parable). Forgiveness brings healing, not only to the one who is forgiven, but to the one who forgives. As Shakespeare says of mercy, forgiveness blesses ‘both him that gives and him who takes’. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.Revd Rosemary
Daily Scripture‘While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.So being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus.’ (Acts 13 2-4)Daily ReflectionIt must have been quite a daunting prospect for Barnabas and Saul to be sent to a far flung country to proclaim the word of God, to tell the story of Jesus to those who may never have heard of Him. I wonder how many times we are put in a situation where we feel less than prepared for or not even equipped to deal with - we may have feelings of apprehension, fear of the unknown or just plain scared!! However, both Barnabas and Saul had been equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit - they put their full trust in the Lord and through them many others came to believe. When we put our full trust in the Lord it is amazing what He will help us achieve.Lyn Hayes ALM
Daily Scripture:‘I cry aloud to the Lord; to the Lord I make my supplication.I pour out my complaint before him and tell him of my trouble.’ (Psalm 142:1-2)Daily Reflection: Once more the Psalmist is completely honest with God when life seemed to have got on top of him. Words written some three thousand years ago – by David; the man to become King David. Words and feelings that still resonate with us…..because we are all human. If you’ve ever felt that no-one cared what happened to you? That’s how David felt; and he cried out to the Lord. God cares for you – deeply. Tell Him of the things that trouble you; ask for Him to help. Then accept the help that is offered.Prayer: God of compassion, you regard the forsaken and give hope to the crushed in spirit; hear those who cry to you in distress and bring your ransomed people to sing your glorious praise, now and for ever. Amen.Revd David
Daily Scripture‘Do not boast about tomorrow,for you do not know what a day may bring.Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.’ (Proverbs 27.1-3)Daily Reflection Three more proverbs. Each is connected with thoughts about things said. “Tomorrow I shall…” is something we might not call a ‘boast’, but we do need to be conscious that tomorrow is not in our gift; we make plans in faith! As for praising ourselves, that we label as boasting; maybe the English have historically been too self-effacing, but this proverb from another culture supports the idea that we should leave it to others to speak praise of us. But if praise lifts hearts, things said to wound or annoy and unsympathetic criticism can drag us down. These sayings are all echoed in things Jesus said while teaching about the Father whose love can support us when we’re under attack, reassures us that we should be self-confident, and gives us grounds for faith for whatever tomorrow holds.(Psalm 51.15) O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. David Harmsworth
