Posts Tagged: ‘2 Timothy’

Knowing You, Jesus

[This reflection by David Makanjuola was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 12/Jan/2025]

During the sermon on Sunday, Martin talked about looking away from ourselves and the difficult situations we might find ourselves in, but to look up to God for His help and then to look around us and recognise the plight of others and seek to help them.

A similar comment about looking up to God is found in Psalm 121. Verses 1 and 2 state, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
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Contributor: David Makanjuola

The Last Post

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge’ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during December 2024]

The Last Post – what do those words conjure up in your mind?

The Last Post: I suppose that if you were a fencing contractor then this might mean that your day’s work was complete or that you had reached the end of the line. Fences need to be firmly grounded and regularly maintained, otherwise they soon become useless.
Do you ever feel like a broken fence? You try to hold a line but people can trample all over you. The Psalmist identified with that feeling:

I feel like a shaky fence or a sagging wall. How long will all of you attack and assault me?
Psalm 62 v3 [CEV]

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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

The Consequence of Complacency

[A ‘Tuesday Challenge’ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during December 2024]

Are there aspects of the Christian faith that you do not understand? Of course there are, but I suspect that many of us think that we have a good grasp of our faith and are content with our current knowledge. However, even King David admitted that he did not understand the full extent of God’s relationship with mankind:

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139 v6 [ESVUK]

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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Trust but Verify

[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…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys

Going to Pot

[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2024]

The Israelites of Old Testament times placed a great deal of importance on family heritage. A person’s lineage established who he was and what society expected of him, and was closely tied to land holding entitlements. We can see an example of this in the account of Ruth and Boaz. When Naomi returned from Moab she was able to reclaim some land which had belonged to her late husband.[1]
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Contributor: Steve Humphreys

The Supporting Cast

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during April 2024]

When we look back at the events of Easter we can picture the central characters of the story: Pilate, Herod, the chief priests, the indifferent soldiers, the frightened disciples, the manipulated mob and, of course, Jesus himself. However, as Dazz reminded us,[1] there are many characters whose role seems secondary but yet without whom the story would be incomplete. (more…)

Contributor: Steve Humphreys