Like the sign of the workman/ man with an umbrella sign, we can only see that which our hearts allow us to see. If we desire to "see" the new things that God is unfolding in our day, we need to know the word of God well and have pliable, soft hearts that are open to the Holy Spirit, not hardened hearts like the disciples, who missed seeing the deeper implications of Jesus' signs. May we all desire hearts of flesh, so that we may grow in stature in Christ.

We all know the signs: a build up of traffic; a warning sign; temporary traffic lights; and a necessary deviation around the obstruction in the road. We rarely, if ever, give a thought as to what the works actually are; we are more concerned about continuing on our journeys…….

In our prayer lives, what is it that we take to the spiritual battlefield? We fight our enemy, not only with the sword of the Spirit, but with all those other elements of armour that have been entrusted to us…

Jesus may not have used soap as He went round the table to wash each disciples’ feet in turn. However, once the disciple’s feet had been cleansed, metaphorically the aroma of Christ would have attached to the feet of them all.

As a candle flame burns, not only does it provide light, but also heat, and if scented, a pleasing aroma. It is also portable, such that many different spaces can be affected by these qualities.

When we are hard-pressed, sad, and down-hearted, do we turn to that relevant, “now word” that most aptly speaks into our situation?

As we turn on our televisions or read the newspapers, I am sure most of us will be saddened with a feeling of helplessness at the ever-increasing un-Godly ways that are portrayed in society. We read of organisations like Stonewall and Mermaids having ever greater influence, particularly in the lives of the young; calls for easier abortions and introduction of euthanasia; ungodly attitudes in our political leaders’ lives; corruption in the workplace; evil portrayed in the arts and entertainment; and the list goes on and on. Effectively, all so-called pillars of society are being attacked with a godless, satanic agenda. What are these pillars?

A blazing inferno is moving quickly in your direction. You feel the intense heat, and the air is clogged with smoke. Animals and birds flee past you, and even the insects attempt to escape. You would run too if you could, but unfortunately, you are a tree, rooted to the very spot with the fire bearing directly down upon you. The fire begins to lick at your leaves, and you wait....

The Bible frequently mentions rams’ horns as a tool in service for the Lord. The ram’s horns give the sheep protection, and are representative of strength. They were also used by people as a type of trumpet (shofar) for sounding an alarm or warning. But they were also used as containers