Posts Tagged: ‘Hebrews’

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]

(more…)

: 9
Contributor: Steve Humphreys
Read full article ~ Leave a comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Tuesday Challenge ~ Tags: ,

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.
(more…)

: 73
Contributor: Steve Humphreys
Read full article ~ Leave a comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Tuesday Challenge ~ Tags: , ,

Life After Easter

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

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11 v25-26 [ESVUK]

Jesus was speaking to Martha whose brother, Lazarus, had died. His death provided the context for Jesus to make that declaration of the way of salvation. The statement is, at the same time time, both simple and extremely profound. The simplicity can be recognised in the words that Jesus had spoken to Nicodemus on an earlier occasion:
(more…)

: 83
Contributor: Steve Humphreys
Read full article ~ Leave a comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Easter Reflections, Tuesday Challenge ~ Tags: , , , ,

The Stuff of Dreams

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

your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Joel 2 v28

What images do these words evoke?
(more…)

: 249
Contributor: Steve Humphreys
Read full article ~ 1 Comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Tuesday Challenge ~ Tags: , , ,

Angels – From the Realms of Glory?

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

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91 v11 [NIVUK]

It was a wintry evening in Bucharest, the temperatures were dropping, the winds were blustery, the snow was piling up in drifts. Inside the airport it was warmer but crowded with people anxious to complete their journeys. Then came the dreaded announcement – all flights were cancelled. As we tried to get more information from the airline desk there came a second announcement – the airport was closing. What was I to do?
(more…)

: 124
Contributor: Steve Humphreys
Read full article ~ Leave a comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Christmas Contemplations, Tuesday Challenge ~ Tags: , ,

Membership Matters 2: Grow Together

[Transcript of a midweek message published by Horley Baptist Church on YouTube[1], 03/Sep/2025]

Message 2: Grow Together, following Jesus in community.

Welcome back. In this message, we’re exploring the first responsibility of church membership: grow together. You’ve probably noticed that following Jesus isn’t something we’re meant to do on our own. The Christian life is personal, but it’s never private.

One of the most beautiful things about the early church was their commitment to one another. In Acts chapter 2, we see them gathering in the temple courts and in homes, learning, worshipping, eating, and praying together. Why? Because faith grows best in community. Hebrews 10 tells us not to give up meeting together, but to encourage one another. And all the more as we see the day approaching.
(more…)

: 195
Contributor: Martin Shorey
Read full article ~ Leave a comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Midweek Message ~ Tags: ,
« Older Reflections