Posts Tagged: ‘Matthew’

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
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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
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Artificial Intelligence or Authoritative Inspiration?

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

By way of a one-off experiment I asked AI the question: “What would be a suitable topic for a reflection during next week?” It suggested that I should look at the words of Jesus as recorded in the Biblical book of Matthew, chapter 11.

‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’
Matthew 11 v28-30 [NIVUK]

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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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How Does God Guide Us?

[This reflection by Helen Ruffhead was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 14/Jun/2026]

As Martin reminded us in his sermon on 24th May, we need to start by spending time with God and listening to him. Martin also mentioned 3 ways of testing what we think God is guiding us to do, laid down by Pete Grieg on the Prayer Course:
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Contributor: Helen Ruffhead
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Promises, Promises

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

After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise.
Joshua 10 v9 [NIVUK]

In 1405BC, the route from Gilgal (near Jericho in the Jordan River valley) to Gibeon (in the central Judean highlands) was a gruelling, uphill march of approximately 15 to 20 miles. So why did Joshua do it? And who are ‘them’?
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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Speak, Lord, in the Stillness

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

Sages, leave your contemplations [1]

During the current sermon series on Sunday mornings the congregation at HBC has been considering various types of prayer, including prayers of adoration, petition, intercession and, more recently, contemplation. The latter may be the remit of sages and hermits but, for us, pausing for contemplation brings its own challenges.
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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