[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during November 2026]
Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
Luke 22 v46 [NIVUK]
The change of the clocks at the end of last month gave many people in the northern hemisphere an extra hour overnight. Anecdotally, it seems that this is often used as an excuse for an additional hour’s sleep, but that may not be the best use of the time.
(more…)
[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during October 2026]
‘Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.’
2 Samuel 9 v7 [NIVUK]
It was a common practice in Old Testament times for a new monarch to kill the former ruler’s family, as a means of eliminating potential rivals. Perhaps the most prominent example is that of Jehu who became king of Israel in around 840BC. He ordered the assassination of some 114 relatives of the previous royal family.[1]
(more…)
[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during August 2026]
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12 v2 [NIVUK]
Last week we briefly considered the challenges of maintaining our walk of faith in a society which has largely discarded its Christian heritage. Can we find a balance which preserves our spiritual integrity without alienating those who currently have no interest in our faith?
(more…)
[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2026]
And when the south wind blows, you say, “It’s going to be hot,” and it is.
Luke 12 v55 [NIVUK]
In the northern hemisphere the longest daily period of daylight hours has passed and, although we may not notice it yet, the evenings are starting their slow transition to winter darkness.
(more…)
[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during September 2025]
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29 v11 [NIV]
Last week’s reflection included mention of procrastination and also our inability to foretell what the future may bring. They are perhaps two of the principal reasons why our plans are upset and things do not turn out as we expect.
(more…)
[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during August 2025]
The people that do know their God shall be strong.
Daniel 11 v32 [KJV]
When we think of the book of Daniel it is likely that we think of lions who lost their appetite, three fire-resistant fellows or a statue with fractured feet. Indeed, even people with little or no knowledge of the Bible will probably recognise those events, but what of the rest of the book? How many of us who claim to be familiar with the Old Testament know much about the content of chapters 7 to 12?
(more…)