Shouldn’t, Couldn’t, Wouldn’t

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during July 2025]

I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Acts 26 v9 [ESVUK]

Saul of Tarsus was convinced that he was working for God, that he was doing what God wanted him to do. Later in his life he came to realise that he should not be doing what he had been doing. Are there times when we too are surprised by the realisation that what we think we are doing for God is not actually what he wants us to do?
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

A Tale Of Two Specks

[This reflection by David Makanjuala was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 20/Jul/2025]

It’s that time of year, so picture a tennis ball lying in one corner of Centre court at Wimbledon. On that tennis ball – one of many scattered around the court – there are tiny specks of dust. A couple of them – we shall call them speck 1 and speck 2 – start to talk to each other (allow your imagination to take over from here).
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Contributor: David Makanjuala

Thanks – a Lot!

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during July 2025]

Thanksgiving is not simply an event; it is a lifestyle of returning, rejoicing and remembering the goodness of God.
Rev Alfred Kaire [1]

As Christians we live with an anticipation of God’s blessings but how often do we thank him in advance? With the exception of the traditional mealtime grace – “For what are about to receive …” – we are usually content to look back and give thanks for the blessings that we have received but neglect to to thank him for those blessings that we are yet to recognise.
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Holiday Conversations

[This reflection by Dennis Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 13/Jul/2025]

We have recently enjoyed a week of beautiful weather and familiar surroundings in Dorset! While sitting at an outside table overlooking the water, the three of us started talking about church stuff – as you do. On the Sunday, Chris and I visited a large church in Christchurch which friends had recommended. They called it a ‘Spirit-filled’ church.
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Contributor: Dennis Ginter

Stirred, not Shaken

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during July 2025]

Martin opened Sunday’s message in ‘Yours’[1] with the line “God Provides – Then and Now”. I wonder how many other people first read it – as I did – as “God Provides, Now and Then”? Such mis-readings can start a train of thought which can be the inspiration for a reflection. Other triggers may be a Bible verse, a line from a hymn, a portion of a sermon or even some secular event. The original thought may, or may not, make it into the final text – very often the reflection evolves along a course somewhat different from that initially anticipated.
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

God Provides – Then and Now

[This reflection by Martin Shorey was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 06/Jul/2025]

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5 v24

I love reading stories of how God has provided for people in need. The Bible is full of such moments, of course – but I find it especially encouraging to hear about more recent examples.

One that has always stayed with me is the remarkable story of George Müller, who cared for thousands of orphans in the 19th century. Time and again, he trusted God to provide food, clothing, and education – and God did.
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Contributor: Martin Shorey