Feature I Lent resources

increasingly isolated as respect for the Army slowly but surely spread, and the opening of the Victoria House Home of Rescue in Glasgow on 25 May 1883, which had accommodation for 30, was undoubtedly a key factor in this.

In September 1883, the by then Major Edmonds received marching orders from Bramwell Booth confirming his appointment as Chancellor of the Exchequer at the Army’s London headquarters. Under his leadership the number of corps in Scotland had increased from 5 to 35, 30 Little Soldiers corps had been established, the Midnight Rescue Brigade had been formed and a rescue home opened.

Edmonds’ successor was Major John Roberts, who was followed by Major Scottish delegates at the 1886 International Congress

Alex Nicol. Edmonds took charge again in 1885. In May of the following year, by then a colonel, he led a party of tartan-clad Salvationists to London for the first International Congress, demonstrating the advance of the Army in Scotland, which by then had more than 60 corps.

FEATURE Lent resources

LENT FOCUS

by Secretary for Spiritual Life Development LieutColonel Jayne Roberts

DURING the weeks of Lent you are invited to pray with Scripture, to meditate on God’s word and seek to apply the daily text personally.

HEALING Sunday 24 March ‘But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed’ (Isaiah 53:5). Isaiah powerfully reminds us of the source of our healing when he writes of the Suffering Servant, later identified as Christ. Thank God for his Son, who, through enduring pain and disgrace, brought us peace.

Monday 25 March ‘Christ himself carried our sins in his body to the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. It is by his wounds that you have been healed’ (1 Peter 2:24 Good News Translation). Today brings further opportunity to reflect in prayer on the amazing sacrifice of Christ our Saviour. Make this prayer personal – my sins… so that I might die to sin… by his wounds I have been healed.

Tuesday 26 March ‘Already we have some experience of the love of God flooding through our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us’ (Romans 5:5 J. B. Phillips New Testament). As these days of praying through the theme of healing conclude, consider the wonderful truth that God’s healing love can be felt. Lord, may we experience your love flooding through our hearts in these days.

THE GIFT OF LOVE Wednesday 27 March ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life’ (John 3:16 GNT). Lent is a time for thinking about God’s love. It can be expressed and experienced so simply and yet rewards a lifetime’s thought and study. Pray that you may have opportunities to share the good news of God’s love for his world.

O All Glory Tae God is available from SP&S priced £4.99 (plus postage and packing). It draws from Army Of Alba, an in-depth account of the Army in Scotland by Lieut-Colonel David Armistead, which is available free online at issuu.com/ salvationarmyuk/docs/the-army-ofalba-history

Thursday 28 March ‘The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me’ (Galatians 2:20).

It wasn’t easy for Jesus to die – but he was willing. Allow this theme of willing sacrifice to inspire your prayer.

Friday 29 March ‘Those who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s children. For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid’ (Romans 8:14 and 15 GNT). God’s love is shown not only through sacrificial giving, but also through the gift of his indwelling Spirit by whom we become his dearly loved children. Let our prayers today reflect our gratitude to God.

Saturday 30 March ‘Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves his child as well’ (1 John 5:1).

Heavenly Father, thank you that through Jesus you put your love into action, and those who follow him will do the same. Reveal to us the ways in which we can express your love to others.