Daily Picture

Whilst we may have a routine to our lives which gives us some predictability, none of us absolutely knows what the future holds for us. God asks us to trust Him as we have markers, like the beautiful stars represent in an inky black sky. King David declared these words on behalf of God, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with my eye upon you" (Psalm 32:...

Many years ago I remember that Puffed Wheat was one of my then four year old sister's favourite breakfast cereals. Somehow that imagery has made me think on how much time has elapsed since then and now we are here together in Cascais where I work and she is visiting. Over all these years God has been with us and He knew in advance what paths we would take and are still to take in our lives. There...

Jemima Puddleduck is a fictitious character, amongst many other farm characters such as Peter Rabbit, imagined by Beatrix Potter. Imagination is not only a gift but an integral part of God's creative power and His creations. We are His creations, bestowed with power to imagine and focus on what is good and positive for us now and into the future. Scientists need imagination to propel them towards...

The winners on the podiums at the Olympics not only have individual glory but each one represents their country. Similarly, we are called to be ambassadors for God so that others can be encouraged to see the wonders of being in His Kingdom. Everyone has the choice to be part of God's Kingdom with all its amazing benefits. The good news is that it is not about us qualifying through being good enoug...

Many times recently God has instructed me not to talk ill of anyone behind their back. I have been finding this difficult to achieve and to be honest, it is because I am not applying myself to it diligently enough. This image of an incomplete jumper reminds me of one I started knitting many years ago. I have not been devoted to completing the jumper. However, shouldn't I be committed to the new at...

Different religions, cultures, cuisines and health experts etc have a vast range of views on, and uses for, garlic. For instance devotees of Jainism don't eat garlic as they are lacto vegetarians who don't eat root vegetables so as not to injure small insects and micro organisms whilst one Asian nation I know puts out bowls of raw garlic cloves as a snack. As with garlic there are so many subjects...

A musical chord usually comprises of 3 musical notes, and sometimes more, to be played simultaneously, so are as one. Each note in a chord is of equal importance. Similarly, we are to "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited". (Romans 12:16)

At the beginning of my Christian walk I had a picture of me as a single yellow flower (my favourite colours forward to flowers) in a field, with God tending to me individually and lovingly. Then, as I matured, I pictured myself amongst a mass of other yellow flowers near God's throne, with all off us aware of God's awesome love towards us but not necessarily needing individual attention. God knows...

In a shop which sells suits, we can look at the mannequins in the window and buy off the peg suits or be personally measured for a suit that perfectly fits us. By entering into God's Kingdom and accrediting Him with Kingship we will indeed receive what we personally need, which is variable from day to day. We will have times of want and times of overflowing but either way, we are receiving what Go...

Our blood is our life force and we know that blood tests can give an indication of our health. That is why it is so significant that Jesus died through shedding his blood and not through another means of death. He said in advance, at what is now referred to as The Last Supper, that His blood "seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many". (Matthew 26:...

As with little saplings who will perish if not nurtured, we should ensure we keep company with those who encourage us. "Whoever walks with the wise, becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm".(Proverbs 13:20). "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). Let's gravitate to those who support and encoura...

We know the path we are going along in God's Kingdom and it is straight and direct like a train track. However, as apostle Paul warns, we mustn't discourage or criticise others in their walk with God. That can be done overtly or in a subtle way such as showing how hard we are trying to be good in a certain area of our life whilst someone next to us is struggling in that same area. Let us remember...

Young shepherd boy David, before he became King, faced the giant Goliath with his sling and pebbles which he was practised in using when facing the enemies of the sheep he cared for. Goliath had challenged the army of Israel to have one individual face him in battle. Everyone was fearful until David arrived simply to bring provisions from his father to his brothers who were in the army. He had no...

Often we try to control situations that we perceive as potentially stressful but actually we can have more stress in trying to be in control. Really, a point of natural stress is when we have to decide between more than one choice. Once we make the decision we can move forward calmly. This is where being in God's Kingdom gives us peace. We have His guidelines in the first place but when we have to...

We may have a good overview of a person or situation but we don't know absolutely everything. As with a tree in the distance, we might be able to see the age and type of tree, but we invariably cannot see all the detail. In the Old Testament 2 Kings 6 the prophet Elisha is told by God the secret invasion plans of King Aram into Israel. That way Israel were prepared and able to ward off attacks. Wh...

The picture today of a tapestry needle has reminded me of the calming effect sewing can often have, and what I have witnessed on even the most hyperactive child. I would suggest that meditating on God's Word has a similar therapeutic effect on a crowded, busy and maybe stressed mind. A verse that comes to my mind to focus on today is "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discourag...

It might seem unlikely that a tree stump can regrow but, actually, sometimes sprouts can appear out of the roots and develop into a new tree, under the right conditions. Similarly, it is not impossible for a seemingly lost life existing on this earth to be saved by God through Jesus Christ's shed blood. His life was swapped for our life on the Cross. At the Cross God made a new promise with mankin...

Boules is a collective term for ball games whereby the objective is to roll or throw heavier balls as close asaÀA possible to a small target ball, with opponents trying to move your balls or the target ball to ensure they win. I believe that this imagery is to reassure us that this game is not representative

If we are likened to wheat being threshed and winnowed to eradicate the dry outer casing to then have the seeds crushed into flour, we may not relish the comparison. However, if God is putting us through "threshing" and "winnowing", let us rest assured that we are being prepared for greater works, with God as our equipper and partner. "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowi...

There are choices to be made in life whether they are insignificant or significant. Unless we are in total bondage, we can choose to "Go with the flow", that is be carried along by events and others' choices, without trying to alter things or be in control, or we can make our own choices. It is a significant choice to go with the flow in God's Kingdom and to trust that He is looking after us. Prov...

Jesus said it was easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than a rich man. (Matthew 19:24). Various explanations have been given for this statement, one being that there was a gate in the wall of Jerusalem which required the camels to bend their knees to go through it; this they refused to do. Another view is that it was commonly taught in those days that ones wealth was an indication...

The words lonely and alone are not necessarily synonymous as one can feel lonely when in a crowd of people. Once we have a connection with God through Jesus and His Holy Spirit, we realise we have a tangible relationship. God created us and knows we need physicality and He will provide that for us, such us with that timely call from a friend and a lovely chance encounter with a stranger. Life with...

I had recently mentioned to a friend that I think I have increased wrinkles on my face and she very sweetly said she only noticed my ready smiles. It has made me think that we truly can decide to focus on positives. Let us "set our minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:2)

The snarling slobbering dog I saw in my mind's eye was chained up so, however threatening, could not attack me. We can have that safety if we call upon Jesus to help us when we are feeling under attack. The apostle Paul reminds us that we "can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Jesus promises to support us in our times of need, however small or big, but accepting this offer is sometimes perceived as weakness and displaying a need for a crutch. We need humility to accept that sometimes in life we do need support, especially for those unexpected circumstances and those out of our control. The popular Psalm 23 written by King David, reminds us that the Lord is our shepherd...