[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during Jaanuary 2026]
Once upon a time the ruler of a large country became obsessed with taking possession of some land belonging to his neighbour. By a devious scheme he was able to dispose of the opposition to his plan and he then acquired that additional land. This success gave him great pleasure – but someone greater was watching.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during August 2025]
About two months ago[1] we considered the impact that the news of Israel’s defeat by the Philistines in 1070BC had had on Eli, the high priest at that time. Israel’s most important religious artefact had been captured and two of Eli’s sons had perished in the battle. Their deaths were a punishment for the disreputable way in which they had discharged their responsibilities as priests.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during July 2025]
Thanksgiving is not simply an event; it is a lifestyle of returning, rejoicing and remembering the goodness of God.
Rev Alfred Kaire [1]
As Christians we live with an anticipation of God’s blessings but how often do we thank him in advance? With the exception of the traditional mealtime grace – “For what are about to receive …” – we are usually content to look back and give thanks for the blessings that we have received but neglect to to thank him for those blessings that we are yet to recognise.
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[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2025]
He did not have much but little is much if God is in it.[1]
In John’s report of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus challenged his disciple Philip with the need to feed the people that came to see Jesus. The disciples knew that, although they no doubt had some assets[2], their resources would not be adequate for the task. So they said that the problem could not be solved.
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[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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[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during May 2024]
Our imaginations and the thought processes that follow are influenced by a wide range of stimuli, some benign, some not so. What we see or hear, even what we feel or smell, contributes to the impressions that we form and our subsequent response. This week’s reflection was inspired by two radically different videos that I saw during last week. (more…)