Daily Scripture:‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.’ (Romans 12.1-2)Daily Reflection:As Christians we must not let the world around us dictate how we live. We must be prepared to think for ourselves, to challenge the accepted norms where they are not compatible with the teaching and example of Jesus. The key, says St Paul, lies in the radical transformation of the way we think, how we make our decisions, what sort of people we want to be. Through this gradual renewal of our whole way of thinking, Paul continues, we will come to understand what God’s will is for each one of us, ‘his good, pleasing and perfect will’ for our lives.O God, mercifully grant that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure. (From today’s Collect)Revd Rosemary
Weekly news and services for the Benefice of Benenden & Sandhurst, Kent.Sunday Services: Sunday 23rd August8 am Holy Communion at St George's, Benenden10am Holy Communion at St Nicholas, Sandhurst
Daily Scripture‘But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”’ (Acts 5 29-32)Daily ReflectionThe disciples had been witnesses to the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, they had also been the recipients of the Holy Spirit and told to go out and preach and perform miracles in Jesus name. God had entrusted them to carry on His work and as they did so more and more people became followers - a growing community of people, caring and sharing everything with each other. This was something new, something the authorities at the time were scared of and they tried to damp it down and eliminate it - but this was God’s work, working through the Holy Spirit - not a man made construct. The disciples were not the last witnesses. The Holy Spirit continues to move through us when we accept and trust in God.Lyn Hayes
Daily Scripture:‘And I said: ‘O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest.In the evening and morning and at noonday I will pray and make my supplication, and he shall hear my voice’. (Psalm 55:7&19)Daily Reflection:David, King David, is thought to have written many of the Psalms. We know that King David was close to God, but even he had times when the problems and pressures of life meant he wanted to escape from them from time to time. “O that I had wings like a dove, then I would fly away and be at rest.” David’s solution though is not to forget about God when things feel tough for him; in fact, it is the exact opposite. David’s answer is to pray to God first thing in the morning, in the middle of the day, and at the end of the day. Bringing to God his problems and asking for God’s help; for he knows God will hear. We could learn from King David.Lyn Hayes, ALM
