[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during March 2026]
He answered, ‘Must I not take care to say what the Lord puts into my mouth?’
Numbers 23 v12 [ESVUK]
Our opening verse comes from the early part of the story of Balaam around 1400BC. Balaam is remembered primarily for his conversation with a talking donkey but the story has lessons beyond animal husbandry.
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[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during February 2026]
I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound;
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.
Habakkuk 3 v16 [NIVUK]
This week sees the fourth anniversary of the start of the Russian ‘special military operation’ in eastern Ukraine. Like so many events that initially capture the world’s attention, this conflict has slipped from the headlines as other events claim the focus. Nevertheless, the daily cycle of death and destruction continues and, on this fourth anniversary, it is appropriate to revisit some thoughts originally shared in March 2022.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during February 2026]
So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
Ezra 8 v23 [ESVUK]
In her reflection on Sunday, Helen wrote about the period of Lent. She drew a comparison between Lent and Ramadan and concluded with a prayer that all who are earnestly seeking God will indeed find him.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during February 2026]
your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Joel 2 v28
What images do these words evoke?
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during February 2026]
And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.
Joshua 2 v1 [ESVUK]
Is it not a little curious that these two men should choose such a place for their overnight stay? Surely, it is not what we would expect from men who were undertaking a mission from God.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during January 2026]
For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Luke 12 v30 [ESVUK]
Are there situations when we think matters are too small or mundane to pray about? Are we hesitant about bothering God with minor problems such as the regular occurrences of everyday life? Even Jesus advised his disciples against being worried about their daily needs.
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