Daily Picture

I saw a white birthday cake with one bright candle. The cake gradually faded away. I believe this message is that whilst our life on this earth is measured by a finite number of years, there is another birth available to us over infinite time and is indicated by this bright candle. This second birth, also referred to as being born again, is into God's Kingdom. This birth is one of personal choice...

Today I saw a picture of a bed of nails. We may have been impressed by seeing someone lying on a bed of nails, without getting hurt, but remember, there is a scientific explanation as there is with many magic tricks. Yes, we can be impressed with others' scientific knowledge and use of it but let our amazement be in our mighty God by whom the laws of science were created. Furthermore, let us not b...

Today I saw a picture of a tranquil bay, separated from its main body of water, reminding me of our regular need to literally separate ourselves from the Body of Christ, of which we belong, in order to spend quiet time with the Lord. The Gospels record many times when Jesus went away to recharge, to develop a stillness which could then positively impact others around Him and to hear God's will for...

I saw a picture of a white tower of learning, reaching towards the sky. I am reminded of a group of students who were asked what made them feel smart. Those with a fixed mindset, so not willing or expecting to change, said it was when they don't make mistakes; when they finish something fast and it's perfect or when something is easy for them. However, the students with a growth mindset said they...

Today I saw a golden steeple in the distance with a sense of a church being unattainable or imaginary. An important question is who is Jesus attracted to and who does he want attracted to him on earth? The Church is the Body of Christ. As recounted in Mark 2, Jesus asked tax collector Levi (Matthew) to follow him which he duly did and later invited Jesus to dinner with some more of the tax collect...

Today I saw a picture of a bamboo hut with a rattan mat in a beautiful, clean setting, with the words: "Strip back to simplicity of living". This is about concentrating on what is truly important in life. Philippians 4:8 reminds us to to think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. This is a good guideline, rather like the graph paper of Saturday's pictu...

I had a picture of a page of graph paper and the sense of someone learning to draw using the lines to give guidance in proportions. This reminds me that we have specific Godly guidelines in life but that our individuality and personal circumstances influence how we operate within those guidelines. We are learning to navigate life within the guidelines. I further think on the encouragement of Prove...

Today I had a picture of a colourful paper cocktail umbrella, one of which is often placed in a fun cocktail drink. This has brought to mind a wealth of bible verses that encourage us to rejoice in the Lord together over a meal and drink. Loving and giving. For instance, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks and send some to those who have nothing prepared." (Esther 9:22) "And day by day, att...

I saw a skittish white puppy being calmly watched by a brown older dog. This makes me think of us entering into God's Kingdom like young innocent little children, bereft of malicious thoughts towards others, yet having a maturity borne of spending time with the Lord and building up our faith through all the experiences He has lovingly carried us through. Corinthians 14:20 tells us, "Brethren, do n...

Today we have a sequel to yesterday's message which was that the Holy Spirit always helps us to remember God's Words in order to help, guide, encourage and comfort us, as needed. Similarly, a compass magnetic needle always points to the North. What a great reminder for us to always face upwards towards God. In Ephesians 6, we are advised to wear the armour of God, taking up "the shield of faith wi...

Today I had a repeat picture of an image I had had over a year ago, being a ball of wool/yarn. The irony is that the message is about repeats and bringing to remembrance. Jesus knew He was going to die for mankind as that was the purpose of His coming to earth in the first place. Shortly before He died He reassured His disciples: "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my...

Today I saw what the British would call a piggy bank, a money box. Though Jesus instructs us not to worry about the future, that does not mean not investing in the future. For example, paying attention to good nutrition now may help towards our future health. There have been aspects of our life which have stolen our peace and could, even now, be negatively impacting our lives and our mindset. Jesu...

Today I saw a picture of a stylus on an old gramophone player, reminding me of the time I heard, many years ago, two words sung to me from God - "🎵No Stephanie🎵". It wasn't an aggressive order but, rather, a loving instruction to have less of me operating in my life. This is along the lines of John the Baptist saying of Jesus - "He must increase but I must decrease" (John 3:30). This means that...

I saw loose circular links for a chain, with a choice to connect them or not, representing us choosing and being disciplined in our walk to be disciples of Jesus. Jesus talks about us taking up our cross to follow Him in the sense that there might be some negative repercussions in this world but it is so worth it as, by so doing, we do not lose or forfeit our very self which is so much more than t...

Today I saw bubbles being blown and floating in the air. This brings thoughts of childlike delight and enjoyment. There is a Children's Museum in California which has an annual Bubbly Birthday celebration which also involves scientific explanations as to how bubbles are formed, why they are round, rainbow-coloured, why they float and pop, what is surface tension etc. This provides further reflecti...

For the purposes of today's Devotional I saw a rabbit immobilised by the headlights of a car at night. This has made me ponder on the two opposing stances on how we lead our life. One is completely material-related in that when we draw our final breath it is believed that that is the end of us. The other is related to both material and spiritual. However, some people stand rooted in indecision. In...

Some of Jesus's words of wisdom regarding worry, as recounted in Mathew 6:34 are "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own". In the original Greek, the "trouble" mentioned here is "evil". Sure, there is evil around us. We are not in Paradise. Each day Jesus wants us to concentrate on residing in His Kingdom. His goodness is...

Today's picture is of two signs, one indicating the bib number of a runner in a race and the other indicating at what point in the race they are. When we are in a race, despite any support we may have, we are still personally accountable for the race we run and the end result. We will have needed discipline in training, perseverance, purpose and a faith in the reward. Along these lines, Apostle Pa...

I saw a picture of a toothbrush today which made me think of the different brands of toothbrushes there are, of different colours, with different bristle types and then, of course, there are a multitude of toothpastes to choose from. Choosing a toothbrush and toothpaste are relatively insignificant choices in life. Let's not get bogged down on these sort of choices but, instead, focus on choices t...

Today's message is really a sequel to yesterday's which reminded us to enjoy the moment, with the analogy of also enjoying a rosebud before it has even opened up into full bloom. I have been sent some inspiring words which provide today's sequel. The words go along these lines, and are worth reflecting on: Life would be a lot simpler but our unending wants and desires make it complex. Life would b...

Today I saw a red flower splayed out on paper, in preparation for pressing, preserving its beauty but, then, I also saw a beautiful red shiny rose bud, accompanied by the words "Enjoy the moment". I believe that the crux of today's message is the importance of not forgetting to enjoy the process to get to the end result. We have recently heard that "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the...

Having heard an aeroplane's engine thundering overhead this morning and then fading into the distance, it made me think that despite me no longer hearing the engine, the aeroplane was still in existence. This is reminiscent of a life with God. We may not always be aware of God's presence in our life but that doesn't mean He no longer exists for us. The Bible is full of verses that assure us that G...

My picture this morning was of a huge precious stone, without an obvious colour, which enables each and everyone of us to imagine the gem of our choice. I am linking this picture to a parable Jesus shared in 2 sentences which are recounted in one bible verse in Matthew 13:44. "The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went a...

I saw a narrow straight road of non-judgement stretching out into the distance, with one person running along it. There were 2 thick lines of people thronging both sides of the road, not touching the lone running person. That person represents us as we are the only one who is responsible for how we run our individual race in life. Yes, there can be another picture of us being supported by God or o...

This morning I have been thinking of the awesome power and privilege of prayer having been sent a beautiful contemplation on prayer which I shall read out loud for the purposes of today's Devotional. Prayer focuses us upwards and away from bitterness, unforgiveness, worry etc. - all that distracts us from God and negatively affects our mental and physical health.