Thought for the Day

Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear. Matthew 13 : 8 – 9 The good ground corresponds to those whose hearts and minds are open to God’s calling and receive it genuinely. It is a rich […]

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Matthew 13 : 7 Have you ever managed to scroll to the bottom of your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram feed? The answer is almost certainly no, the feed is designed to be practically infinite: the more you scroll the more content the algorithm […]

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Matthew 13 : 5 – 6 Root is an important thing as it gives you strength […]

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Matthew 13 : 3 – 4 What helps you remember things?  I need to repeat words or names several […]

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Matthew 13 : 1 – 2 When there are large crowds that want to hear you teach, […]

He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12 : 48 – 50 I remember watching a TV interview […]

While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” Matthew 12 : 46 – 47 Imagine what it would have been like to have Jesus as a son or brother. […]

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other […]

The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of […]

Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights […]

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12 : 36 – 37 God sets a very high bar. Forget the law for […]

Church is back in the building today if you wish to join in – but we’ll also be on Zoom as usual! You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good […]

Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. Matthew 12 : 33 Autumn is when trees become much more obvious to us as they change colour and some bear fruit. This year has been […]

And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the […]

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Matthew 12 : 30 There are some issues on which it is perfectly ok to not pick a side. When it comes to Scotland’s great football rivalries – Rangers vs Celtic, Hearts vs Hibs – I have to plead […]

Apologies to everyone that there wasn’t a Thought in the email yesterday, that was a slip up on my part. Here is yesterday’s thought and today’s -David Tuesday Sep 15: Sarah Smith Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against […]

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your […]

Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, […]

In his name the nations will put their hope. Matthew 12 : 21 Where you place your hope is a really good question? For the Jews of Jesus day there was an exclusivity to their understanding of God’s relationship with the world. They even had a semi-derogatory word for others, ‘gentiles’, that marked them out […]

He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. Matthew 12 : 19 – 20 Sometimes people think that the best way to get […]