TEXT: ‘Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage] and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity]’ – Proverbs 4:25 Amplified Bible THOUGHT: Recent visits to the theatre disturbed me about the intrusive use of mobile phones. It was amazing how many blue screens suddenly switched on once it was the interval. No, the owners of those phones could not enjoy a night out without looking at their phone. Sat just six rows from the stage, the excellent performance of Jules Holland and his band was marred by people in front of me videoing the concert. Trying to capture the moment, yet unaware they were helping to destroy that same moment for those sat behind them. I found out later that there was no restriction on recording the event like there normally is on other occasions. The blessing or curse of mobile phones Every good invention can end up damaging instead of blessing. It is true that many lives have been saved by a mobile phone, but we will never know how much damage it has done to society. The art of conversation is dying, replaced by steely stares at a tiny screen oblivious to what’s going...
Learn More
TEXT: ‘When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, “Hosanna to David’s Son!” they were up in arms and took him to task. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” Jesus said, “Yes, I hear them. And haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children and babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?”’ – Matthew 21:15-16 The Message THOUGHT: Sometimes the problem is simply this: there are some people you just cannot please whatever you say or do. They never show their appreciation, nor say, “Thank you!” Matthew 21:12-16 records how Jesus cleared the merchants and money changers out of the temple. Then He healed the blind and lame. Even the children ended up excitedly praising God saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” They were copying what the multitudes had been shouting as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. This was the final straw for the chief priests and scribes. Unable to deny the fact that Jesus was doing wonderful miracles, they tried to silence the praise. In reply, Jesus reminded them of Psalm 8:2, that what the children were doing was a fulfilment of prophecy. There really is...
Learn More
TEXT: ‘Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me’ – Revelation 3:20 Living Bible THOUGHT: Radical changes have taken place recently concerning door to door selling. Many homes now display a sign stating “No cold callers”. Home owners, plagued by repeated calls from over-zealous sales teams using aggressive sales techniques, have resorted to this to protect their privacy. Acting on the advice of the Police and Trading Standards, they are now careful about who they want knocking on their door. In this teaching we will study two occasions in the Bible where it mentions something or someone being at the door. Both will have an influence over a person’s life if they are allowed to. Sin – ‘You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master’ – Genesis 4:7 NLT Cain’s offering had been rejected whereas his brother Abel’s was accepted. God warned Cain that there was a powerful force...
Learn More
TEXT: ‘So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.”’ – Nehemiah 2:2 NLT THOUGHT: Moving from Wadebridge to Exeter, I went from living in a small town of 5,000 to a city of over 100,000 people. I remember walking the High Street, seeing hundreds of people rushing to and fro, and thinking, “I don’t know anyone!” Previously in Wadebridge it sometimes took me an hour just to buy a newspaper, because I would stop and chat with people I knew. Another time walking along the High Street, I noticed how sad and worried the faces were of those around me. Looking at the ground as they walked, they seemed to be carrying all the cares of the world. The first time I was just thinking about me. The second occasion I started thinking about others because I noticed them. Jenny & I have just returned from a lovely holiday in Mexico. Despite forecasts of rain and stormy weather, we enjoyed brilliant sunshine and never saw a drop of rain to spoil our sunbathing or sightseeing! At breakfast on the first day I noticed a lady sat alone several tables away. She was making a phone...
Learn More
TEXT: ‘Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near’ – Hebrews 10:25 The Living Bible THOUGHT: Recently I was challenged by the results of a survey. “There are 320 million people in the USA, yet fewer than 20% attend church services regularly. The No 1 reason for not attending, “They say they are too busy!” This situation is being made worse as 150,000 walk away from church every week. It’s the same in the UK and many other countries, although the numbers and percentages are different. What can reverse this trend?” One thing can. One action can inspire someone to return. One simple gesture could lead them back to church. One question could change everything “Would you like to come to church with me?” An Alarming Statistic The survey discovered that only 2% of church members invite an unchurched person to their church in a whole year. Friendship evangelism is the most productive, yet obviously it is the most neglected. A Golden Opportunity The survey also discovered that over 80% of the unchurched said they would be more likely to attend if they were invited by a...
Learn More
Recent Comments