Search This Blog

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Prayer Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Prayer

*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:

My Friend Paul Adams's Blog on Prayer

Answered Prayer & A Flying Kitten
Dwight Nelson told a story (as if it were true) in one of his sermons. Rumor is that it is true, but by all indications, it is just a preacher's story.
He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down.
The preacher coaxed, offered warm milk, etc.
The kitty would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the preacher decided that if he tied a rope to his car and drove away so that the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten. (We preachers are smart like that.)
He did all this, checking his progress in the car frequently, then figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten.
But as he moved a little further forward, the rope broke.
The tree went “boing!” and the kitten instantly sailed through the air — out of sight.
The preacher felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they’d seen a little kitten.
No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten.
So he prayed, “Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping,” and went on about his business.
A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. (Now this woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it) So he asked her, “Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?”
She replied, “You won’t believe this,” and told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing.
Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, “Well if God gives you a cat, I’ll let you keep it.”
She told the preacher, “I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Preacher, you won’t believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the clear blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her.”
How many of you wish prayer worked like that? That would give you more hope. Never underestimate the power of prayer…..



Video


Church Songs?

#Pray
#Prayer
#Praying

James 5:15-16 NIV - 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner





Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Monday, December 26, 2022

Status Illustrations

 Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Status


*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Hashtags?#Status
#Stature
#Condition
#Position

1 Corinthians 7:17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
James 1:9 (NIV) Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
Esther 4:14 "Don't imagine that because you are part of the king's household you will be the one Jew who will escape. If you keep quiet at this time, liberation and protection for the Jews will appear from another source, while you and your father's household perish. It may very well be that you have achieved royal status for such a time as this!"
Ephesians 4:1  I then, the prisoner in the Lord, make this request from my heart, that you will see that your behavior is a credit to the position which God's purpose has given you,



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Saturday, December 24, 2022

Gift Illustrations

 Illustrations About Gifts


*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Gifts
#Gifted
#Present
#Talents
#Giving

Scriptures
Ephesians 4:11 And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct],
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”
1 Peter 4:10 Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].
1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters].
Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Matthew 7:11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 23:19 (NIV) You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
Romans 6:23 (NIV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
James 1:17 ESV Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Romans 11:29 ESV For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Gifts/sort/popular

You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Friday, December 23, 2022

Consider Illustrations

 Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Consider 

Things to Consider
Source unknown

1. Cut your lofty goals in half.
2. Be specific about your goals.
3. Write down how you will do it.
4. Don’t make too many resolutions.
5. Keep your goals realistic.
6. Consider finding a partner.
7. Keep track of your progress.
8. Think of each new day as a new beginning.


*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Consider
#Considered
#Considerable
#Considerably
#Considerate
#Consideration
#Considering
#Considers

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.
Philippians 2:6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.
1 Samuel 12:24 Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Job 1:8 And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”
James 1:2 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
Proverbs 26:16 (NLT) Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Frustration Illustrations

 Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Frustration

The Game
Source unknown

A programmer and an engineer are sitting next to each other on a long flight from LA to NY. The Programmer leans over to the Engineer and asks if he would like to play a fun game. The Engineer just want to take a nap, so he politely declines and rolls over to the window to catch a few winks.
The Programmer persists and explains that the game is really easy and a lot of fun. He explains “I ask you a question, and if you don’t know the answer, you pay me $5.” Again, the Engineer politely declines and tries to get some sleep.
The Programmer, now somewhat agitated, says “OK, if you don’t know the answer you pay me $5, and if I don’t know the answer, I will pay you $50!” This catches the Engineer’s complete attention, and he sees no end to this torment unless he plays, so he agrees to the game.
The Programmer asks the first question. “What’s the distance from the earth to the moon?” The Engineer doesn’t say a word, reaches into his wallet, pulls out a five-dollar bill and hands it to the Programmer. Now, it’s the Engineer’s turn. He asks the Programmer: “What goes up a hill with three legs, and comes down with four?” The Programmer looks at him with a puzzled look, he takes out his laptop computer and searches all his references. He taps into the Airphone with his modem and searches the Net and the Library of Congress. Frustrated, he sends e-mails to all his co-workers and friends he knows. All to no avail.
After over an hour, he wakes the Engineer and hands him $50. The Engineer politely takes the $50 and turns away to get back to sleep. The Programmer, more than a little miffed, shakes the Engineer and asks, “Well, so what IS the answer?” Without a word, the Engineer reaches into his wallet, hands the Programmer $5 and goes back to sleep.

Boris Becker
Our Daily Bread, July 9, 1994
Tennis star Boris Becker was at the very top of the tennis world—yet he was on the brink of suicide. He said, “I had won Wimbledon twice before, once as the youngest player. I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed ... It’s the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace. I was a puppet on a string.”
Becker is not the only one to feel that sense of emptiness. The echoes of a hollow life pervade our culture. One doesn’t have to read many contemporary biographies to find the same frustration and disappointment. Jack Higgens, author of such successful novels and The Eagle Has Landed, was asked what he would like to have known as a boy. His answer: “That when you get to the top, there’s nothing there.”

Final Note
George MacDonald, Restoring Your Spiritual Passion
It is said of one of the famous composers that he had a rebellious son who used to come in late at night after his father and mother had gone to bed. And before going to his own room, he would go to his father’s piano and slowly, as well as loudly, play a simple scale, all but the final note. Then leaving the scale uncompleted, he would retire to his room.
Meanwhile, the father, hearing the scale minus the final note, would writhe on his bed, his mind unable to relax because the scale was unresolved. Finally, in consternation, he would stumble down the stairs and hit the previously unstruck note. Only then would his mind surrender to sleep once again.


*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Frustration
#Frustrating
#Frustrated
#Frustrates
#Frustrate

Romans 8:28 For the creation was subjected to frustration and futility, not willingly [because of some intentional fault on its part], but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope
Ecclesiastes 1:18 For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.
Ecclesiastes 7:3 Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.
Deuteronomy 28:20 (ESV) “The Lord will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in all that you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and perish quickly on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken me.
Psalms 39:2 (NET) I was stone silent; I held back the urge to speak. My frustration grew;
John 16:33 ESV I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Joy Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Joy

Pursuit for Joy
Men have pursued joy in every avenue imaginable. Some have successfully found it while others have not. Perhaps it would be easier to describe where joy cannot be found:
  • Not in Unbelief — Voltaire was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote: “I wish I had never been born.”
  • Not in Pleasure — Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure if anyone did. He wrote: “The worm, the canker, and grief are mine alone.”
  • Not in Money — Jay Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of that. When dying, he said: “I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth.”
  • Not in Position and Fame — Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his share of both. He wrote: “Youth is a mistake; manhood a struggle; old age a regret.”
  • Not in Military Glory — Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent, before he said, “There are no more worlds to conquer.”
  • Where then is real joy found? — the answer is simple, in Christ alone.

Let Your Balloon Go
A conference at a Presbyterian church in Omaha. People were given helium-filled balloons and told to release them at some point in the service when they felt like expressing the joy in their hearts. Since they were Presbyterians, they weren’t free to say “Hallelujah, Praise the Lord.” All through the service balloons ascended, but when it was over one-third of the balloons were unreleased. Let your balloon go.
Bruce Larson, Luke, p. 43

Christians
As a third-century man was anticipating death, he penned these last words to a friend: “It’s a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people are the Christians—and I am one of them.”
Moody Bible Institute’s, Today In The Word, June, 1988, p. 18

*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Joy
#Joys
#Joyed
#Joyful
#Joyfully
#Joying
#Joyfulness
#Enjoyment
#Rejoice
#Rejoicing
#Gladness
#Glee

Romans 15:13 ESV 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.
Romans 12:12 ESV Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Philippians 4:4 ESV Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
James 1:2 ESV Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
Galatians 5:22 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Psalm 16:11 ESV You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
John 16:24 ESV Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Proverbs 17:22 ESV A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Luke 2:10 (NIV) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
John 15:11 (NIV) I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 Peter 1:8 (NIV) Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
Philippians 4:4 (NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
John 16:24 (NIV) Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Philippians 2:1 If then I can appeal to you as the followers of Christ, if there is any persuasive power in love and any common sharing of the Spirit, or if you have any tender-heartedness and compassion, make my joy complete by being of one mind,
Acts 2:46 And every day, devoting themselves [to meeting] with one purpose in the temple [courts] and breaking bread from house [to house], they were eating [their] food with joy and simplicity of heart,
Psalm 16:11 ESV You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Proverbs 17:22 ESV A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Mercy Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Mercy

Coolidge's Encounter With A Burglar
Years after the death of President Calvin Coolidge, this story came to light. In the early days of his presidency, Coolidge awoke one morning in his hotel room to find a cat burglar going through his pockets. Coolidge spoke up, asking the burglar not to take his watch chain because it contained an engraved charm he wanted to keep. Coolidge then engaged the thief in quiet conversation and discovered he was a college student who had no money to pay his hotel bill or buy a ticket back to campus. Coolidge counted $32 out of his wallet-which he had also persuaded the dazed young man to give back!' declared it to be a loan, and advised the young man to leave the way he had come so as to avoid the Secret Service! (Yes, the loan was paid back.)
Today in the Word, October 8, 1992

I Plead For Mercy
A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death.
"But I don't ask for justice,? the mother explained. "I plead for mercy.?
"But your son does not deserve mercy,? Napoleon replied.
"Sir,? the woman cried, "it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for.?
"Well, then,? the emperor said, "I will have mercy.? And he spared the woman's son.
Luis Palau, "Experiencing God's Forgiveness,? Multnomah Press, 1984

*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Mercy
#Merciful
#Mercies
#Compassion
#Kindness
#Pity

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his word, as he seems to some, but he is waiting in mercy for you, not desiring the destruction of any, but that all may be turned from their evil ways.
Luke 6:36 ESV Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
James 2:13 ESV For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Matthew 5:7 ESV “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Matthew 9:13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Proverbs 12:10 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
Psalms 123:3 (NIV) Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, for we have endured no end of contempt.
Romans 9:18 (NIV) Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
James 2:13 (NIV) because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Romans 9:15 (NIV) For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Rest Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Rest

Relaxation
Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer, since to remain constantly at work will cause you to lose power of judgment…Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller, and more of it can be taken in at a glance, and lack of harmony or proportion is more readily seen.” These are the words of Leonardo da Vinci, and no idler he; he excelled as a painter, sculptor, poet, architect, engineer, city planner, scientist, inventor, anatomist, military genius, and philosopher.

Rest in Six Aspects
  • Creation rest, broken by sin Genesis 2:2
  • Redemption rest, secured in Christ Zeph. 3:17
  • The sinner’s rest, by coming to Christ Matt. 11:28
  • The saint’s rest, in communion with Christ Mark 6:30
  • Paradise rest, present Rev. 16:13 and 2 Cor. 5:1-8
  • Eternal rest, future Heb. 4:9; Rev. 22:5
From the Book of 750 Bible and Gospel Studies, 1909, George W Noble, Chicago

Meaning of the Unstrung Bow
According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous activity.
Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the critical Athenian, “Now, answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bows implies.”
The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop explained, “If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.”
People are also like that. That’s why we all need to take time to rest. In today’s Scripture, Jesus prescribed time off for His wearied disciples after they had returned from a prolonged period of ministry. And in the Old Testament, God set a pattern for us when He “rested from all His work” (Gen. 2:3).
Shouldn’t we take His example seriously? Start by setting aside a special time to relax physically and renew yourself emotionally and spiritually. You will be at your best for the Lord if you have taken time to loosen the bow.
Our Daily Bread, June 6, 1994

*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Rest
#Work
#Relaxation
#Relief
#Sleep
#Sabbath

Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;And the government will rest on His shoulders;And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Psalms 116:7 (NIV) Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
Exodus 33:14 (NIV) The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Hebrews 4:9-10 (NIV) There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
Psalm 127:2 ESV It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalm 4:8 ESV In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Exodus 33:14 ESV And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Mark 6:31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Friday, December 16, 2022

Help Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Help

Is Anyone Up There?
A man named Jack was walking along a steep cliff one day when he accidentally got too close to the edge and fell. On the way down he grabbed a branch, which temporarily stopped his fall. He looked down and to his horror saw that the canyon fell straight down for more than a thousand feet. He couldn't hang onto the branch forever, and there was no way for him to climb up the steep wall of the cliff. So Jack began yelling for help, hoping that someone passing by would hear him and lower a rope or something. "HELP! HELP! Is anyone up there? HELP!

He yelled for hours, but no one heard him. He was about to give up when he heard a voice.

"Jack, Jack. Can you hear me?"

"Yes, yes! I can hear you. I'm down here!"

"I can see you, Jack. Are you all right?"

"Yes, but . . . Who are you, and where are you?"

"I am the Lord, Jack. I'm everywhere."

"The Lord? You mean, GOD?"

"That's Me."

"God, please help me! I promise if You'll get me down from here, I'll stop sinning. I'll be a really good person. I'll serve You for the rest of my life."

"Easy on the promises, Jack. Let's just get you down from there; then we can talk. Now, here's what I want you to do. Listen carefully."

"I'll do anything, Lord. Just tell me what to do."

"Okay. Let go of the branch."

"What?"

"I said, let go of the branch. Just trust Me. Let go."

There was a long silence. Finally Jack yelled, "HELP! HELP! IS ANYONE ELSE UP THERE?"

Have you ever felt like Jack? We say that we want to know the will of God, but when we find out what it is, we can't handle it. It sounds too scary, too difficult. We decide to look elsewhere. When He says, "Let go of the things that stand between you and Me, and trust Me with your life," it sounds pretty scary. But when we let go, we find freedom and safety in His hands."

Source unknown

*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Hashtags?

#Scripture



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Repent Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Repentance

I Surrender
In his book I Surrender, Patrick Morley writes that the church’s integrity problem is in the misconception “that we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior.” He goes on to say, “It is revival without reformation, without repentance.”

*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Repent
#Repentance
#Repenting
#Repentant
#Repented
#Repents

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some people understand slowness, but is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to repent.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent:
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Matthew 3:2 (NLT) “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Uniqueness

 Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Uniqueness


*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Unique
#Uniqueness

#Scripture



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Perspective Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Perspective

Dear Abby
Dear Abby: Our son was married in January. Five months later his wife had a ten-pound baby girl. They said the baby was premature. Tell me, can a baby this big be that early? - Wondering
Dear Wondering: The baby was on time, but the wedding was late. Forget it.
Abigail VanBuren

*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Perspective
#Position
#View

Colossians 3:2 ESV Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
1 John 4:5 These people belong to the world. That is why they speak from the world's perspective, and the world listens to them.
1 Corinthians 1:26 Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth.
2 Corinthians 11:18 Since many boast in an unspiritual way, I will also boast.
1 Corinthians 9:8 Am I saying this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the law also say the same thing?
Galatians 3:15 Brothers, I am speaking according to a human perspective. Nevertheless, [when] the covenant of a man has been ratified, no one declares [it] invalid or adds additional provisions [to it].
1 Corinthians 15:32 If according to a human perspective I fought wild beasts at Ephesus, what benefit [is it] to me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.
Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? God, who inflicts wrath, [is] not unjust, [is he]? (I am speaking according to a human perspective.)
Psalm 39:5 Look, you make my days short-lived, and my life span is nothing from your perspective. Surely all people, even those who seem secure, are nothing but vapor.



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Monday, December 12, 2022

Sacrifice Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Sacrifice

All Vanderbilt Women Have Pearls
At lunch one day in a hotel with her son Reggie and his new wife, Gloria, Alice Vanderbilt asked whether Gloria had received her pearls. Reggie replied that he had not yet bought any because the only pearls worthy of his bride were beyond his price. His mother then calmly ordered that a pair of scissors be brought to her. When the scissors arrived, Mrs. Vanderbilt promptly cut off about one-third of her own $70,000 pearl necklace and handed them to her new daughter-in-law. “There you are, Gloria,” she said. “All Vanderbilt women have pearls.”


*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:



Video


Church Songs?

#Sacrifice
#Sacrifices
#Sacrificed
#Sacrificial
#Sacrificing

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
1 John 2:2 It is he who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world's.
Acts 20:24 But even the sacrifice of my life I count as nothing, if only I may perfect my earthly course, and be faithful to the duty which the Lord Jesus has entrusted to me of proclaiming, as of supreme importance, the Good News of God's grace.
Romans 3:25 whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion].
Hebrews 13:16 ESV Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Treasure Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Treasure

From trash to treasures
BY JAY HART

True story. I moved recently, and if you’ve moved recently you know this: it ain’t cheap. So when the mover offered a discount if I paid in cash, I made a beeline to the ATM. Took three days because of withdrawal limits. Rather than keep a bunch of cash in my wallet, I stashed it in a box where I thought it would be safe. That is, until someone threw the box out.
Panicked, because I’d just put the trash bins by the curb, I ran outside only to see the garbage truck a few doors down. I opened the bin, found the box and … phew … got the cash about two minutes before it ended up in the dump.
So what does this story have to do with this newsletter? Well, it wasn’t so long ago the Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars were all thrown into the trash. Now, in the middle of December, all three teams have picked themselves out of their respective Dumpsters, washed off the grease and grime, and planted themselves smack dab in the thick of the playoff hunt.
It wasn’t two months ago the Panthers, having already fired their head coach, were sellers, jettisoning Christian McCaffrey in a white-flag-waving move the likes of which is rarely seen in the NFL. They’re still not great, but they have won two straight, which, in the NFC South, puts you just a game back of the division lead.
In Detroit, the Lions have won five of six, the lone loss coming on a last-second field goal against the mighty Bills. Their offense is humming as loud as anyone’s right now, with Jared Goff looking like the fantasy comeback player of the year. They’ve scored more points than every team in the NFL this season save the Eagles, Cowboys, Chiefs and Bills. In short, no one wants to play the Lions right now — first time those words have been written in a while — and the four games remaining on their schedule — Jets, Panthers, Bears, Packers — are all winnable.
Meanwhile in Jacksonville, the question is … can the Jags catch the Titans? Well, if Trevor Lawrence plays like he did Sunday, most definitely. That the question is even being asked is a minor victory, but right now Jacksonville has its sights set on the bigger picture, which could come down to a Week 18 matchup against Tennessee at home.
And therein lies the key: Week 18. The additional one game for sure serves as a revenue driver for the league, but it also allows for some rallying. It gives a team trending in the right direction a little more time to catch up, while at the same time pushes the finish line a little further out for a team limping toward the end (see: Tom Brady and the Bucs).
Put another way, it’s the extra two minutes teams might need to save themselves after ending up in the trash bin prematurely.

*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Treasure

#Scripture



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)