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Wednesday, April 03, 2024

Wisdom Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Wisdom




Devotional Thoughts


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#Wisdom
#Wise
#Prudence
#Perception, Spiritual
#Shrewdness
#Insight
#Graduate
#Education

Proverbs 1:2, 7, 20 NLT - 2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. ... 7 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. ... 20 Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.
Proverbs 2:2, 6, 10, 12, 16 NLT - 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. ... 6 For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. ... 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. ... 12 Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. ... 16 Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.
Proverbs 3:7, 13-15, 18-19 NLT - 7 Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. ... 13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. 14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. 15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. ... 18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. 19 By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens.
Proverbs 4:5-8 NLT - 5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don't forget my words or turn away from them. 6 Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. 7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. 8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.
Proverbs 5:1 NLT - 1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.
Proverbs 7:4 NLT - 4 Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family.
Proverbs 8:1, 11-12 NLT - 1 Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! ... 11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it. 12 "I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
Proverbs 9:1, 10-12 NLT - 1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. ... 10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. 12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
Proverbs 11:2 NLT - 2 Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 14:6, 33 NLT - 6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding. ... 33 Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.
Proverbs 15:33 NLT - 33 Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.
Proverbs 16:10, 16 NLT - 10 The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. ... 16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!
Proverbs 17:24 NLT - 24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 18:4 NLT - 4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
Proverbs 19:8 NLT - 8 To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.
Proverbs 21:30 NLT - 30 No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.
Proverbs 23:23 NLT - 23 Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
Proverbs 24:3, 7, 14 NLT - 3 A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. ... 7 Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say. ... 14 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.
Proverbs 28:26 NLT - 26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
Proverbs 29:3, 15 NLT - 3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted. ... 15 To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.
Proverbs 30:3 NLT - 3 I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One.


Wisdom
    The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7)
    To find wisdom, first, find God (Proverbs 2:6–12)
    Wise people accept advice (Proverbs 13:10)
    Wise people boast not in their wisdom but in knowing God (Jeremiah 9:23–24)
    The wise understand God’s ways and follow his guidance (Hosea 14:9)
    Wise people build on the solid foundation of God and his Word (Matthew 7:24–27)
    God’s wisdom is different from the world’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:1–16)
    God will give us wisdom if we ask for it (James 1:5)

Logos Dictionary Themes
God, wisdom of

Scripture declares that God alone is wise and discerning, and that human wisdom is often unable or unwilling to understand his ways. God’s wisdom is expressed in both creation and redemption.

God’s wisdom described
Isa 28:29 See also 1Sa 2:3; Ro 16:27

God’s wisdom is beyond measure Ps 147:5 See also Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7; Ro 11:33

God’s wisdom is profound Isa 40:28 See also Job 9:4; 28:12-24; Ps 92:5; Ecc 8:17

God’s wisdom is superior to human wisdom Isa 55:9 See also Job 21:22

God’s wisdom exhibited
God’s wisdom in creation Jer 10:12 See also Job 28:25-27; 37:14-16; Ps 104:24; 136:5; Pr 3:19-20; Isa 40:12-14

God’s wisdom as an agent in creation Pr 8:22-31 Wisdom here is given personality, and may refer to the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ.

God’s wisdom in historical events Isa 31:2 See also Job 12:13-25; Da 2:20-22

God’s wisdom in knowing the human mind 1Ch 28:9 See also Ps 139:2,4,6

Jesus Christ the wisdom of God
1Co 1:30 See also Isa 9:6; 11:2; 1Co 1:24; Col 2:2-3

God’s wisdom in the gospel
1Co 1:25 See also 1Co 1:18-21; Eph 3:10

God gives his wisdom to human beings
Eph 1:17 See also 2Ch 1:11-12; Ezr 7:25; Pr 2:6; Ecc 12:11; Da 2:23; 1Co 2:6-16; Jas 1:5

Examples of God’s wisdom
1Sa 16:7; 1Ki 3:28; Isa 28:24-29; Lk 11:49

Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. Martin Manser.

You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner


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Sunday, March 10, 2024

Links To Illustration Sites

Links to Illustration Sites

Some of the Better Sources for Sermon Illustrations

  • Bible Character examples, especially Jesus' stories.
  • Your own life experiences
  • Books
  • Movies and TV Shows

          • Children's Books
          • Music
          • Social Media


          From the above list, which is your favorite?

          What are others you would suggest? Please just post a comment below.


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          Tuesday, March 05, 2024

          Limits Illustrations

          Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Limit


          Devotional Thoughts

          Does God have self-imposed limitations?

          While the Bible teaches us that “with God, all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26), and “with God nothing is impossible” (Luke 1:37), Scripture also teaches that God can and will do nothing that is inconsistent with His holy character or divine essence. God limits Himself for reasons of His own holiness. For instance, the Bible teaches us “in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago …” (Tit. 1:2). Why can’t God lie? Because lying is contrary to His holiness or His perfect character which includes veracity or truthfulness. Further, in Habakkuk 1:13 the prophet wrote, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong.” Here the Old Testament prophet stated his reason. Tolerating evil (i.e., failing to judge sin or accepting a sinner without a just penalty for the sinners sin) is contrary to God’s perfect righteousness or holy character. In God’s perfect righteousness, he cannot have fellowship with sinfulness; so, in His perfect justice He must judge sin. But God is also perfect love, grace, mercy, and wisdom and in His love, grace, mercy and wisdom He is bound by His own character to provide a solution to the sin problem. In His love and wisdom, He gave us His son. Thus we read in John 3:16-18:

          For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

          Related Topics: Theology Proper (God)



          LIMIT[Heb ʿaḏ taḵlîṯ (Job 11:7), gāraʿ,—‘withdraw’ (Job 15:8), qēṣ (Ps. 119:96; Nah. 3:9), ḥōq (Prov. 8:29), tôṣāʿôṯ (1 Ch. 5:16); Gk. ámetros (“beyond limit,” 2 Cor. 10:13a, 15), tó métron tón kanános (2 Cor. 10:13b)]; AV END, RESTRAIN, MEASURE, etc.; NEB also “perfection,” “usurp,” “come to an end,” etc.; LIMITATION [Gk. asthenía (Rom. 6:19)]; AV “infirmity”; NEB “weakness.”
          The RSV uses the noun “limit” in several different contexts. In 1 Ch. 5:16 it refers to a geographical boundary; in Nah. 3:9 the military-political might of Egypt is “without limit.” In a series of rhetorical questions (Job 11:7–11), Zophar (and later Eliphaz; cf. 15:8) attacks Job for questioning God. While Zophar is correct in pointing out the finitude of man, especially vis-à-vis God’s infinity, he fails to understand or sympathize with Job. This failure points up one of the dangers of dogmatism: the misapplication of a theological truth. Prov. 8:29 refers to creation, when God gave limits or orders to the sea (cf. Job 28:26; Ps. 148:6).
          Although the general sense of Ps. 119:96 is clearly a contrast between the finitude of earthly things and the boundless nature of God’s commands, the precise meaning of the hapax legomenon tiḵlâ (RSV “perfection”) is uncertain. It seems to be related to taḵlîṯ (both &62; klh, “complete, finish,” “destroy”).
          In Rom. 6:19 the RSV reading is unfortunate; the AV and NEB, though literal, also miss the meaning according to E. Käsemann (comm on Romans [Eng. tr. 1980], p. 182): “In Paul asthenía never means some kind of feebleness but the temptation … of Christians through the impulses of the flesh … not the impotence of the weak … but the defiance of the strong.” Here Paul “envisions neither ethical [contra TDNT, I, 491] nor intellectual weakness [contra Bauer, rev, p. 115] nor immaturity.”
          In 2 Cor. 10 Paul offers a strong defense of his ministry and appears quite concerned to answer charges of boasting on his part To that end he claims that he boasts within the limits God has set (vv 13, 15). The NEB “proper sphere” is a suitable rendering; Paul inveighs against opponents who have invaded his sphere of ministry.

          Lee, G. A. (1979–1988). Limit. In G. W. Bromiley (Ed.), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Vol. 3, p. 138). Wm. B. Eerdmans.

          *Clickable Quick Links Are Below:

          #Limit
          #Limits
          #Limited
          #Limitation
          #Limitations
          #Restrictions
          #Limitless
          #Unlimited
          #NoLimits

          1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG) No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.
          1 Thessalonians 2:16 (NIV) in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
          John 3:34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit.
          Jude 1:6 And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment.

          Logos Dictionary Themes

          You Think About It!
          Kevin Rayner


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          Tuesday, February 27, 2024

          Composure Illustrations

          Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Composure & Poise

          Illustrations:
          Carol Burnett
          Actress Carol Burnett got out of a cab one day and caught her coat in the door. The driver was unaware of her plight and slowly began to edge out into traffic. To keep from being pulled off her feet, the comedienne had to run alongside down the block.
          A passerby noted her predicament and quickly alerted the driver. He stopped, jumped out, and released Miss Burnett’s coat. “Are you all right?” he asked anxiously.
          “Yes,” she gasped, “but how much more do I owe you?”
          Bits and Pieces, November, 1989, p. 6

          Devotional Thoughts


          *Clickable Quick Links Are Below:

          #Composure
          #Poise
          #Calm
          #Calmness
          #Tranquility
          #Serenity

          Genesis 42:24 (NLT) Now he turned away from them and began to weep. When he regained his composure, he spoke to them again. Then he chose Simeon from among them and had him tied up right before their eyes.
          Genesis 43:31 (NLT) After washing his face, he came back out, keeping himself under control. Then he ordered, “Bring out the food!”
          Ecclesiastes 10:4 (NLT) If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.
          2 Thessalonians 2:2 (NLT) Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.
          2 Thessalonians 2:2 (LEB) that you not be easily shaken from your composure, nor be troubled either by a spirit or by a message or by a letter ⌞alleged to be from us⌟ , to the effect that the day of the Lord has arrived.
          Ecclesiastes 10:5 (NLT) There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake
          Romans 8:25 (NLT) But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
          John 18:36 ESV Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

          Logos Dictionary Themes


          COMPOSURE (Calmness, Self-Control, Serenity)
              How can we develop composure?

                           BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 16:5–14
                     KEY BIBLE VERSE: Perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses. (2 Samuel 16:12)

                     Composure develops under pressure. Shimei kept up a steady tirade against David. Although his curses were unjustified because David had no part in Saul’s death, David and his followers quietly tolerated the abuse. Maintaining your composure in the face of unjustified criticism can be a trying experience and an emotional drain, but if you can’t stop criticism, it is best just to ignore it. Remember that God knows what you are enduring, and he will vindicate you if you are in the right.

                           BIBLE READING: John 19:1–16
                     KEY BIBLE VERSE: “You won’t talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or to crucify you?” (John 19:10)

                     Composure develops when we trust God. Throughout the trial we see that Jesus was in control, not Pilate or the religious leaders. Pilate vacillated, the Jewish leaders reacted out of hatred and anger, but Jesus remained composed. He knew the truth, he knew God’s plan, and he knew the reason for his trial. Despite the pressure and persecution, Jesus remained unmoved. It was really Pilate and the religious leaders who were on trial, not Jesus. When you are questioned or ridiculed because of your faith, remember that while you may be on trial before your accusers, they are on trial before God.
          --Wilson, N. S. (2000). In The Handbook of Bible application (p. 102). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

          You Think About It!
          Kevin Rayner


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          Monday, February 26, 2024

          Dream Illustrations

          Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Imagination/Dream


          Devotional Thoughts
          Tom was only four years old when his father died. His mother couldn't support Tom and his brother Jim, so she put them in a foster home. Tom grew up believing that everybody needs to find a dream that they can be excited about and that you may have to try lots of different things to find that dream. He worked, trying to sell newspapers and magazines. He set up pins in a bowling alley. He joined the Marines. He went to seminary and he would study to become an architect. But finally, he would decide that he wanted to own a restaurant. It was in 1960 that Tom and his brother Jim borrowed $900.00 and bought a pizzeria named Dominick's. It was a year later that Tom bought out his brothers, half of his business, by trading him, his Volkswagen Beetle. Tom worked hard, really hard. In 1965, he renamed his store Domino's Pizza when Tom Monaghan retired at the age of 61, he had 6100 stores around the world. And when you talk to Tom, he will clearly tell you that he's had three priorities. God, his family and Domino's Pizza. And what makes him happy is working in a restaurant and helping others. Everybody needs to have a dream in life. And when you find it, don't be afraid to give yourself to it. You think about that..  

          Fear
          When you fear that the worst will happen, your own thoughts may help to bring it about. “Fear,” a writer once said, “Is the wrong use of imagination. It is anticipating the worst, not the best that can happen.”
          A salesman, driving on a lonely country road one dark and rainy night had a flat. He opened the trunk—no lug wrench. The light from a farmhouse could be seen dimly up the road. He set out on foot through the driving rain. Surely the farmer would have a lug wrench he could borrow, he thought. Of course, it was late at night—the farmer would be asleep in his warm, dry bed. Maybe he wouldn’t answer the door. and even if he did, he’d be angry at being awakened in the middle of the night. The salesman, picking his way blindly in the dark, stumbled on. By now his shoes and clothing were soaked. Even if the farmer did answer his knock, he would probably shout something like, “What’s the big idea waking me up at this hour!” This thought make the salesman angry. What right did that farmer have to refuse him the loan of a lug wrench? After all, here he was stranded in the middle of nowhere, soaked to the skin. The farmer was a selfish clod—no doubt about that!
          The salesman finally reached the house, and banged loudly on the door. A light went on inside, and a window opened above. “Who is it?” a voice called out. “You know darn well who it is,” yelled the salesman, his face white with anger. “It’s me! You can keep your blasted lug wrench. I wouldn’t borrow it now if you had the last one on earth!”
          --Bits and Pieces, May, 1991, p. 23

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          You Think About It!
          Kevin Rayner


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          Saturday, February 24, 2024

          Trust Illustrations

          Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Trust


          A Person’s Favorite Song is Purely a Matter of Taste

          Stephey Belynskyj, starts each confirmation class with a jar full of beans. He asks his students to guess how many beans are in the jar, and on a big pad of paper writes down their estimates. Then, next to those estimates, he helps them make another list: their favorite songs. When the lists are complete, he reveals the actual number of beans in the jar. The whole class looks over their guesses, to see which estimate was closest to being right. Belynskyj then turns to the list of favorite songs. “And which one of these is closest to being right?” he asks. The students protest that there is no “right answer”; a person’s favorite song is purely a matter of taste. Belynskyj, who holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Notre Dame asks, “When you decide what to believe in terms of your faith, is that more like guessing the number of beans, or more like choosing your favorite song?” Always, Belynskyj says, from old as well as young, he gets the same answer: Choosing one’s faith is more like choosing a favorite song. When Belynskyj told me this, it took my breath away. “After they say that, do you confirm them?” I asked him. “Well,” smiled Belynskyj, “First I try to argue them out of it.”

          Tim Stafford, Christianity Today, September 14, 1992, p. 36

          Survey on Absolute Truth

          In the survey taken in early 1991, interviewees were asked, 'do you agree strongly, agree somewhat, disagree somewhat, or disagree strongly with the following statement: There is no such thing as absolute truth; different people can define truth in conflicting ways and still be correct.? Only 28% of the respondents expressed strong belief in "absolute truth,? and more surprisingly, only 23 percent of born-again or evangelical Christians accepted this idea! What a telling revelation! If more than 75 percent of the followers of Christ say nothing can be known for certain, does this indicate, as it seems, that they are not convinced that Jesus existed, that He is who He claimed to be, that His Word in authentic, that God created the heavens and earth, or that eternal life awaits the believer? That's what the findings appear to mean. If there is no absolute truth, then by definition nothing can be said to be absolutely true. To the majority, apparently, it's all relative. Nothing is certain. Might be. Might not be. Who knows for sure? Take your guess and hope for the best!

          James Dobson, December 1991 letter, quoting George Barna, What Americans Believe

          Devotional Thoughts


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          #Trust
          #Trustworthy
          #Trusted
          #Trusting
          #Trusts
          #Trustful
          #Trustingly
          #Trustfully
          #Trustees
          #Trustworthiness
          #Believe
          #Entrust
          #Reliance
          #Rely


          Proverbs 26:28 Liars hate their victims; flatterers sabotage trust.
          Proverbs 19:1 Better to be poor and honest than a rich person no one can trust.
          Proverbs 21:31 Do your best, prepare for the worst— then trust God to bring victory.
          Proverbs 16:20 It pays to take life seriously; things work out when you trust in God .
          Proverbs 14:22 Isn’t it obvious that conspirators lose out, while the thoughtful win love and trust?
          Proverbs 28:25 A grasping person stirs up trouble, but trust in God brings a sense of well-being.
          Proverbs 29:3 If you love wisdom, you’ll delight your parents, but you’ll destroy their trust if you run with prostitutes.
          1 Corinthians 2:5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.
          John 1:12           But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—
          1 Peter 1:9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
          1 Timothy 6:17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
          Hebrews 2:13 - And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”
          Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.
          John 14:1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
          Luke 18:9 - He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:
          Philippians 2:24 - and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
          Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
          Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
          Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

          Logos Dictionary Themes
          Reliance on and confidence in a person. Scripture affirms the total trustworthiness of God, especially in relation to his promises to his people. Christian faith is, essentially, trust in the person and character of God. While Scripture insists that believers should be able to trust one another, it also provides examples of false or misplaced trust.



          You Think About It!
          Kevin Rayner


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          Friday, February 23, 2024

          Men Illustrations

          Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Men


          Devotional Thoughts


          *Clickable Quick Links Are Below:

          #Men
          #Man
          #Male

          Galatians 1:10 Do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No, God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to please people? If I still wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
          1 Peter 3:7 (MSG) The same goes for you husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them. As women they lack some of your advantages. But in the new life of God’s grace, you’re equals. Treat your wives, then, as equals so your prayers don’t run aground.
          Titus 3:5           as righteous men, had done, but as the result of His own mercy He saved us by means of the bath of regeneration and the renewal of our natures by the Holy Spirit,
          1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
          Proverbs 27:17 ESV Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
          Titus 2:2 ESV Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.
          1 Timothy 6:11 ESV But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

          Logos Dictionary Themes

          You Think About It!
          Kevin Rayner


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          Thursday, February 22, 2024

          Legacy Illustrations

           Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Legacy



          Devotional Thoughts


          *Clickable Quick Links Are Below:

          #Legacy

          Psalm 78:4 ESV We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
          Proverbs 13:22 (MSG) A good life gets passed on to the grandchildren; ill-gotten wealth ends up with good people.
          Proverbs 20:7 (MSG) God-loyal people, living honest lives, make it much easier for their children.
          Proverbs 13:22 Good people leave their wealth to their grandchildren, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for good people.
          Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.
          Ecclesiastes 2:21           When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his legacy to one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil.
          Deuteronomy 6:5-7 ESV You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
          Psalm 145:4 ESV One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
          2 Timothy 2:2 ESV And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

          Logos Dictionary Themes

          You Think About It!
          Kevin Rayner


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          Wednesday, February 21, 2024

          Engage Illustrations

          Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Engage


          Devotional Thoughts


          *Clickable Quick Links Are Below:

          #Engage
          #Engaged
          #Engagement
          #Engages
          #Engaging
          #Connect

          Philippians 1:30 - engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
          Luke 19:13 - Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’
          Titus 1:10 For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation.
          Titus 3:14 (MSG) Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don’t end up with nothing to show for their lives.
          1 Corinthians 10:8 And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day.
          Acts 1:14 All these were busily engaged with one mind in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.

          Logos Dictionary Themes
          Pr 22:26-27 See also Pr 6:1-5; 11:15; 17:18 The binding nature of the commitment cautions against a hasty and unwise engagement.


          You Think About It!
          Kevin Rayner


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          Tuesday, February 20, 2024

          Pressure Illustrations

          Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Pressure



          Edmond Church Family,

          Hope you're having a great week!

          We got an Instant Pot for Christmas. It’s great, you can cook frozen chicken in a matter of minutes, and it’s edible! I even eat something called Quinoa cooked in this modern multi-cooker, and it actually tastes good.

          The Instant Pot looks like a reinforced crockpot with a bomb timer slapped on the front of it. Evidently, it cooks using extremely high pressure. When the timer goes off, and the food is done, we release the pressure valve and watch as a steady flow of steam spews into the air. Without removing the pressure, opening the pot would be disastrous.

          It appears that some of us are like Instant Pots right now. After a long year of uncertainty and unforeseen challenges, there seems to be a lot of pressure building up.

          Many of us are just holding it all in and may not even know it. Unless we have a healthy and safe way to release the pressure, sooner or later we will explode. Maybe you’ve been there recently.

          You lose your patience with a store clerk.

          You rant and rave about something unimportant. 

          You explode at your spouse or child.

          You feel a wave of road rage wash over you.

          You burst into tears.

          You scream and yell. Or just the opposite, you shut down emotionally.

          You say things you later regret.

          You react impulsively. 

          While you may feel better in that instant (see what I did there?), your actions and words cause damage. Relationships suffer. People get hurt. Unity and progress are impeded. Damage is done.

          Maybe right now is a good time for an honest self-assessment. How are you doing…how are you really doing? 

          Do you feel overly stressed? Are you allowing challenges and adversity to gnaw at you? Are people getting under your skin? Is there a chance you are stuffing all the anxiety and uncertainty of a challenging year or a difficult situation deep inside as you try to keep moving forward?  

          Sooner or later—unless you deal with the sources and symptoms of your stress and find a safe way to release the building pressure—you’re going to explode. 

          Before you say or do something harmful, please do something helpful. 

          Talk to a trusted friend or counselor. Pray, fast, and participate in other spiritual disciplines. Get moving and get some sleep. Build in Sabbath rest. But most of all, lean on God.

          A short verse in the passage I plan to preach on this Sunday as we conclude our “Exiles” series tells us, very simply, what to do with all that pressure, all that stress and all that frustration: 

          “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

          In one short inspired verse of scripture we are told what to do and why to do it. Recognize the pressure building up inside you and the burden of stress you are carrying, and let go of it. All of it.

          More specifically, give it to God. Let him take it off your shoulders and out of your heart, and let Him replace it with healing and hope.

          Cast your anxiety on him. That’s the what, but even more notably, here’s the why: “…because he cares for you.” 

          God cares deeply for you. He cares that you are carrying what feels like the weight of the world. He cares that you are going through a tough time. God cares that you are hurting, or grieving or struggling. He cares that you have experienced great loss or that you can’t seem to catch a break.

          He hurts with you and cares for you. 

          God wants to carry what is weighing you down. Jesus already bore your greatest burden when he willingly went to the cross. He removed the sins that separate you from God.

          Not only is God’s care for you unmatched, his strength is unequaled. No burden you are trying to carry is too heavy for him. So give it to him, and leave it with him. Don’t take it back. You can trust God.

          Letting pressure continue to build will only result in a destructive explosion. God wants to help you, so just let him. 

          Hope you’ll join us for worship Sunday.
          Grace & Peace,
          Randy 


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          2 Corinthians 9:7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
          2 Corinthians 11:28 - And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
          Proverbs 24:10 If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.
          Psalms 32:4 (MSG) The pressure never let up; all the juices of my life dried up.
          Psalms 32:5 (MSG) Then I let it all out; I said, “I’ll come clean about my failures to God .” Suddenly the pressure was gone— my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared.
          Judges 20:45 (MSG) Five divisions turned to escape to the wilderness, to Rimmon Rock, but the Israelites caught and slaughtered them on roads. Keeping the pressure on, the Israelites brought down two more divisions.
          Revelation 2:13 (MSG) “I see where you live, right under the shadow of Satan’s throne. But you continue boldly in my Name; you never once denied my Name, even when the pressure was worst, when they martyred Antipas, my witness who stayed faithful to me on Satan’s turf.
          James 1:2 Trials and Temptations Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
          Romans 5:3 And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance;
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          Logos Dictionary Themes
          A state of personal anxiety, strain or tension resulting from the pressures of human life. 
          But God cannot ignore sin and will not. He brings pressure upon us, often very acute pressure, until we acknowledge the sin, confess it, and return to him. --James Montgomery Boice

          You Think About It!
          Kevin Rayner


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