Daily Picture

Stephanie Hawkins
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On Monday through to Saturday, I link an image to a theme in the Bible, with a podcast lasting about 10 minutes, which I hope brings hope and strength to anyone listening.

  1. 14H AGO

    A bright yellow hose

    Today I saw a bright yellow hose in my mind's eye, bringing to mind the little farm at the Montessori school where I work as a teacher, in Cascais, Portugal. A few weeks ago a new gardener started assisting the kids and two existing part time managers of the farm. One of the heads of the school had got to know a homeless man who used to be a horticulturalist so invited him to work on our school farm for a small fee. Well, yesterday I noticed a complete transformation on one fairly large plot of land. It now has beautiful flowerbeds, vegetable patches, smooth clear pathways and a pretty archway. In short it is spectacular and all has been done by this new addition to our farm staff. The hearts of two men are the seeds to this fruitful transformation. What a lovely example of giftings being used for God's glory in a community. Let's celebrate others' giftings and use ours for the greater good. Let's encourage others as the Head of our school did for a homeless man. 1 Peter 4:8-11 reads: "Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each if you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace, in its various forms. If any one speaks they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God; if anyone serves they should do so with the strength God provides so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen".

    6 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Full and empty

    Today I see a stack of full marmalade jars depicting 'plenty' which also makes me think of the opposite - 'lack'. Sometimes we only associate God with plenty and, even then, we could forget to communicate with Him and thank Him. However, in times of lack, these are times when God particularly wants us to ask Him to be close to us, as we need Him all the more. In 1 Kings 17 we hear of prophet Elijah, during a time of severe drought, obeying God by walking to a widow in another region also in drought. Elijah instructs her to use the last of her meagre rations of flour and oil to provide him with bread and also for herself and her son. She duly obeys with the last of her supplies. Both Elijah and the widow have obeyed God. "...So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah" (1 Kings 17:15-16). Let us trust and obey God in our times of need and thank Him for His daily provision whether from a base of plenty or not.

    9 min

  3. 2D AGO

    God is our rearguard as well as our vanguard

    Today I sense a continuation to yesterday's message of God preparing the way ahead for us. Not only is He ahead of us, He is our rearguard. He is behind us, ensuring we don't fall back or by the wayside. "For you will not leave in a hurry and you will not run away, for the Lord will go before you and the God of Israel will be your rear guard" (Isaiah 52:12). It is also wonderful to be reminded that we don't need to make hasty uncertain decisions. God is preparing the way ahead at a perfect pace.

    7 min

  4. 3D AGO

    A pile of smooth white pebbles

    Today I saw a pile of large smooth white pebbles, bringing to mind physical memorials established by God's people, whenever He had provided miraculously for them. Sometimes the memorials to God's goodness come in the form of celebrations. One is the Passover Festival which God instructed His people to celebrate in honour and thanksgiving of Him passing over their families peaceably whilst, meanwhile, destruction was to befall the first born of both people and animals in Egypt (see Exodus 12) Interestingly, this instruction was delivered before the event. A memorial before the event sounds premature but what a wonderful acknowledgement that we can praise and thank God in advance of His provision and blessings because we trust Him. In Psalm 127:2 King David describes how our human endeavours cannot guarantee our future security but whilst we sleep, God lovingly watches over us and prepares for us: "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves". God loves us all; it is a question of truly believing in that and being able to thank Him in advance for His provision.

    7 min

  5. 5D AGO

    Brilliant light

    Today I have been further reflecting on Apostle Paul's comment, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). In other words, whatever his circumstances Paul was declaring that Jesus Christ is with him, supporting him. The light where I live is particularly bright and, despite any wet and windy weather, we are aware of the constant brilliant light. This seems to be an analogy of Jesus Christ's constant presence in our lives. John tells us of the divinity of Jesus throughout his gospel and at the start he describes Jesus as being right there at the beginning and "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:4-5). As an explanation of John's words, we read in Genesis 1:1-3: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light', and there was light." It is only in verse 14 of that chapter we hear that God created the lights of the sun, moon and stars. So, what/who was that first light mentioned at the start? Jesus Himself said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). At the end of the bible, in the book of Revelation which reveals Jesus Christ's ultimate triumph over evil, sin and death, we read, "And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light and they will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 22.5). Who are "they" being referred to? "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). I want His light.

    10 min

  6. 6D AGO

    TOO

    Today I am thinking on the word "too" in the sense of: to be in excess/to be extreme, such as 'the ceiling is too high to reach'. God provides perfectly in that He knows the right quantity and timing, according to His good purpose. We need the Holy Spirit to convict us of God's goodness towards us as otherwise we cannot understand, and could be offended and even angry at excessive poverty and excessive opulence. Do we really understand Apostle Paul's declaration, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13) and why previously he had said, " Rejoice in the Lord always and, again, I say rejoice" (Philippians 4:4)?

    7 min

  7. MAY 15

    COAL

    Today I saw some black coal which reminds me of a wise proverb in the Old Testament which says, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you" (Proverbs 25:21-22). The meaning of this metaphor is that in being kind, instead of retaliating, we are giving opportunity to the person who has behaved badly towards to us, to feel burning shame and conviction of wrong doing. In saying that the LORD will reward us, it does not imply that we do it for the reward but that God is pleased with our attitude and response. Apostle Paul repeats this proverb and tells us that God says that He is the one who avenges on our behalf (see Romans 12:19) and, also, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good".(Romans 12:21). We cannot force someone to change but also, don't let another person's bad behaviour towards you cause you to behave badly towards them too. In so doing, you will undoubtedly harm yourself and not necessarily even harm them.

    6 min

  8. MAY 13

    Feasting or Fasting?

    FEASTING OR FASTING Today I am reminded that part of yesterday's account was of Jesus feasting at Matthew's house, a tax collector who had responded to Jesus's call to follow Him. The pharisees were aghast that he was eating with 'tax collectors and sinners'. Feasting was the opposite of the sacrificial fasting they did, to atone for their sins and to get closer to God. They were not aware that Jesus was to be the sacrifice for all mankind's sins and that He was to bring mankind closer to God through giving us His Holy Spirit to live in us. No wonder Jesus responded to the pharisees, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." We also need to go and learn what this means. The Holy Spirit will help us if we ask.

    8 min
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About

On Monday through to Saturday, I link an image to a theme in the Bible, with a podcast lasting about 10 minutes, which I hope brings hope and strength to anyone listening.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephanie Hawkins
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    982
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stephanie Hawkins
  • Show Website
    Daily Picture