Posts Tagged: ‘Exodus’

And The Rest

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during July 2026]

All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest.
Ecclesiastes 2 v23 [NIVUK]

We have all, at some time or another, had the experience of lying awake when we want to be in the land of Nod. Sleep eludes us, to be replaced by persistent worries or mental gymnastics beyond our daytime capabilities; our only consolation is that we are not sharing the experiences described by the Lord Chancellor in ‘Iolanthe’.[1] Even Job started to lose his patience:

I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.
Job 3 v26 [NIVUK]

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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Have You Completed Your Assignment?

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during July 2026]

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7 v24 [NIVUK]

Last week we discussed the merits of hearing or not hearing, but there are other stages beyond hearing, including listening and responding. Listening implies more than just hearing; it requires a greater degree of attention. Our response can be prompt or delayed, and can be positive, negative or indifferent.
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Problems, or Opportunities?

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2026]

The Israelites ate manna for forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
Exodus 16 v35 [NIVUK]

Last week we looked at some ‘postcards’ that showed the progress of the Children of Israel as they journeyed from Egypt to Canaan, as recorded in Numbers chapter 33. Closer examination reveals that the list of locations is not so dry as a journey in the wilderness might suggest.
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Give Us This Day

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

Don’t take from next month what belongs to next month[1]

These words were spoken by Grace Makutsi, a character in the series of books by Alexander McCall Smith under the general title of “The No1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”. The principle contains a certain amount of wisdom but is it practical?
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Skilful Investment

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

What is the relationship between your spiritual life and your daily activities? Or, to put it another way, if your faith does not affect your lifestyle, your work-ethic and your politics, is it anything more than a hobby?
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

God Can Use Your Skills

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

2025 logoAs 2024 disappears into the dusty archives of time and last week’s resolutions are rapidly following the same fate, what can we do to usefully fill the next 11 months before Christmas comes around again? It is said that idle hands do the devil’s work so how can we work for God instead? The apostle Paul shared some ideas:

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers
Ephesians 4 v11 [NKJV]

As a young Christian, I found these words written by the apostle Paul to be somewhat unsettling. I wanted to serve God but none of these callings matched my personal ambitions or what I considered to be my skill-set. (more…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys