Daily Picture

David ensured his sheep were in safe hands before he obeyed his father's instructions to take provisions to his older brother who were on the battle ground where the giant Goliath was taunting them to come and fight

Hummingbirds are beautiful birds, with amazing and unique attributes. They have been on this earth for millions of years. This imagery is a reminder to praise the Lord continually. In Psalm 96:1-2 King David exhorts us to: "Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.". Also, Paul reminds us to "Rejoice in the...

During the Israelites' 40 year exodus from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land of Canaan, God provided them with quail every evening and bread (manna) Monday through to Saturday. There was always the perfect amount for each day and if anyone didn't trust God, and collected too much, it became rancid. However, double provision of manna was given on the 6th day, to be used towards the 7th day as w...

The bible has a continuing thread regarding the Tree of Life. In the first book Genesis, Adam and and Eve, representing mankind, were banished from the Garden of Eden with its access to the Tree of Life (Eternal). In the last book Revelation, the second Adam, Jesus, also representing mankind, has restored our access to the Tree of Life. Revelation 2:7 "Let anyone who has ears to hear, listen to wh...

We have a limited perception of people and places even when more light is shed, but God knows absolutely everything about us. He created us and assuredly knows what is best for us. Let us trust Him in whatever and wherever He leads us. Psalm 139 is a wonderful declaration of this.

We might think that a guaranteed eternal life could lead to us following any sort of life. However, we are so grateful to have the free gift of eternal life from Jesus that actually we want to lead a life pleasing to Him. When we realise He is committed to us it feels right to be committed to Him. A life with the smallest of imperfections does eventually perish. A sinless life goes on into eternit...

The Earth's surface comprises 71% water, with 96 % of that water in the oceans. We know comparatively little of the teeming life in the very depths of our oceans and even less of our Creator God. He is awesome and beyond our full knowledge and understanding. Job 26:15 "Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can u...

God is a God of excellence and precision. The more you focus on Him and the more you expect from Him, you will see an increasing amount of coincidences, Godincidences, serendipity etc, however you might refer to these experiences. It truly is an exciting life when we acknowledge God. We won't even end on this earth. We will go on into eternity. Isn't that the best gift ever? (Philippians 4:8)

We cannot avoid external pressures in this life. They come in a multitude of forms, assailing ours mind, emotions, body etc. We do not need to be broken and destroyed by any of these pressures if we recognise and allow the power of God to be exercised in us and through us, once we have received Him. 2 Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power...

As with a sperm and an ovule uniting, when our dreams align with God's Will for us, there will be the birthing of the dream if we wait patiently and are prepared to possibly suffer some labour pains beforehand. (John 16:21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her tine has come, but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world ").

There are so many wonders in nature, in Creation. For instance, look at the sunrise and look at the DNA and the repairing power in our bodies. However, this earth also has a lot of destruction such as earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis, destruction of our bodies through catastrophic accidents and disease etc but God wants to restore all this. Witness goodness around you and believe Him for full r...

Each day we can look at our blessings and our abundant provision for that day. God's perspective is to provide for us daily in a perfect way though we may not always recognise its perfection at the time. Hindsight sometimes helps! God surely does give us His Daily Bread (Matthew 6:11). It is no coincidence that Jesus was born in Bethlehem which means House of Bread and was lain in a manger - a fee...

Today's picture is based on a story written by the prolific children's author, Julia Donaldson. This tiny snail travelled around the world on this mighty whale. One day the snail is able to repay the whale's immense kindness. Similarly, even in our puniness, compared to our mighty God, He can use us and do mighty exploits through us, if we are willing. He even equips us fully to do these tasks for...

God is creator of all our nature so he is super-natural. Many verses in the bible declare this. One mentioned, amongst others, in today's DAILY PICTURE podcast, is Job 12:7-10 "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the L...

I believe that God wants us to have delight in believing ahead for the blessings He has in store for us. Children have such joy in their pretend tea parties which will one day materialise into the real thing. As we stick close to God, He will show us what He wants to give us and they will start off as seeds of desire in our hearts. Psalm 37:4 tells us"Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you...

As a continuation to yesterday's podcast, we can see that Jesus, as the Light, provides illumination and guidance for our life ahead. Jesus is also known as The Word. The Gospel of John tells us that "In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God and The Word was God ... The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us". (John 1:1; 14). God spoke the world into existence with His Wo...

Most people love to see the beautiful coloured lights in rainbows. When coloured lights merge, they create a white light. In the creation account in Genesis, God said on the first Day, "Let there be light". He created the sun and moon for light on the fourth day. While on earth, Jesus proclaimed that He is the Light (John 8:12). He is Creator of the sun and moon for light and beautiful rainbows.

If we eat too much we feel sick but, in contrast, God's Kingdom is always full of delights and abundance, of which we will never tire or be sick. Our appreciation of God's blessings is dependent on having His perspective. God does indeed teach us His perspective. For instance I am suddenly and literally being uprooted from what has been my home for just over two years. That may not necessarily fee...

There are various characters in the movie The Wizard of Oz who all thought they were lacking. However, they were completely unaware that they already had what they were seeking. We are like that when we are unaware of the love God has lavished upon us through his son's death on the cross for us. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should n...

We need God's wisdom and discernment to guage the genuine need in others around us. God wants to direct us to those we are to help and serve, equipping us with His different giftings. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

A groundnut plant is not very tall and, unusually, has its fruit underground with little yellow flowers around the base. It takes about 40 days to develop and two layers have to be taken off the nuts before getting to the raw pure peanuts. It has made me think of the process involved in us developing into the person God wants us to be. I also love the imagery of the little yellow flowers, denoting...

Unlike a spider who has a devious sticky invisible web to catch its prey whilst it lies in wait, God wants to join us on a journey to Him which is straight and lit. (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 3:5-6)

We are surrounded by noise in this world but God wants us to fine tune our ears to His voice which is constantly encouraging, sustaining and whispering love messages. We can be creative in developing this time such as the busy mother who used to sit at the dining table with her apron pulled up over her face and head, signalling to her many children that this was her quiet time with God. The major...

We do not need to make fanciful wishes when we can hold on to hopes that have substance and assurances for the future. Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope".

God's Kingdom principles always involve thinking of others. He, meanwhile, will assuredly look after us amazingly and abundantly in His Kingdom. His sometimes difficult Kingdom principle of forgiveness is easier to do when we know He has our best interest at heart - His unconditional, abundant, giving heart. (Matthew 6:14-15)