[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during July 2025]
I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Acts 26 v9 [ESVUK]
Saul of Tarsus was convinced that he was working for God, that he was doing what God wanted him to do. Later in his life he came to realise that he should not be doing what he had been doing. Are there times when we too are surprised by the realisation that what we think we are doing for God is not actually what he wants us to do?
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[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]
[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during January 2025]
The prize-winning 1930s musical ‘Of Thee I Sing’ is a political satire focussing on the election and inauguration of a somewhat unconventional president of the United States. The storyline includes promises made and broken, threats of impeachment, international tension and thwarted ambitions. Of course, being fiction, it concludes with them all living happily ever-after.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge’ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during November 2024]
‘Trust but verify’ is an expression that came to prominence in the mid 1980s, particularly in relation to the discussions between the leaders of the USA and the USSR about limiting the proliferation of nuclear armaments. The expression itself is alleged to be based on an old Russian proverb but that cannot be verified! Does the concept of trust but verify have a spiritual application? (more…)