Posts Tagged: ‘Matthew’

Pause That Prayer!

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

In this manner, therefore, pray: “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name”.
Matthew 6 v9 [NKJV]

This is the opening phrase of the template prayer that Jesus used to demonstrate to his disciples how they should pray. It is a regular component of worship services in more traditional denominations and many of us have learnt the prayer verbatim. But does the familiarity of the words mean that their significance is diminished?
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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What A Weekend!

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

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Saviour,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

From a secular point of view, Easter is over for another year but that is not so for sincere Christians for whom the events at Easter are the primary and constant focus of our faith. The writer to the Hebrews urges us to remember Easter throughout the year:

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12 v2 [NIVUK]

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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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A Glimmer of Hope

[This reflection by Martin Shorey was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 13/Apr/2025]

The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.
Matthew 9 v37-38 [NLT]

I was encouraged to read a recent study commissioned by the Bible Society showing that church attendance in England and Wales has increased by 50% over the past five years![1] One of the standout findings is a significant rise in the number of young adults – especially young men – attending church. While it’s true that the UK Church isn’t out of the woods just yet, and some mainstream denominations remain on life support, this is a powerful glimmer of hope for the Christian faith in our nation.
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Contributor: Martin Shorey
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The Golden Rule: Love Without Loopholes

[This reflection by Dazz Jones was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 23/Mar/2025]

We must’ve heard it a thousand times: “Treat others as you would have them treat you.” It’s been on posters, coffee mugs, and social media captions. But when Jesus originally talked about loving others, He wasn’t just throwing us a cute moral slogan—He was flipping the entire religious system of the day on its head.
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Contributor: Dazz Jones
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Freedom From The Love Of Money

[This reflection by Helen Ruffhead was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 16/Mar/2025]

Many people will be surprised to learn how much the Bible talks about money. There are numerous verses in the Old and New Testament about caring for the poor. Jesus himself said: “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6 v24) and told parables about the dangers of greed. 1 Timothy 6 v10 says: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil”.
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Contributor: Helen Ruffhead
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I Have Prayed For You

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

Our title comes from the words of Jesus as recorded by the gospel-writer Luke. At the end of his last supper together with his disciples, Jesus spoke to them about the difficulties ahead. In particular, he addressed Simon Peter.

Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
Luke 22 v31-32 [NIVUK]

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Contributor: Steve Humphreys
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