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Monday, June 24, 2024

Hope Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Hope


Devotional Thoughts

W.I.P. (Work in Progress)

I talk to many people who are looking for hope. Hopelessness about financial, educational, career, or relational factors. Those especially relating to children, marriage and those they love. And hope deals with the future.

Read Philippians 1:6 ... confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Remember God is working on you and them. We are all "Works In Progress."

Divine love finds a way of being optimistic. God isn't finished with you either.

Death isn't the end of life, but a glorious beginning for the Christian. 
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

God is directing history toward a climatic day. A purging moment. This earth will be changed, refined, and cleansed of all moral imperfections. 

What kind of people should we be...
2 Peter 3:11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives

====
Fall 2001 - National poll in Michigan. Only 1 in 5 Americans feel hopeful about the future. (80%)


Links to other resources:
Quotes
Audio Message of Hope
Hope For Life


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1 Corinthians 13:13 (MSG) But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.
1 John 3:3 - And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
1 Peter 1:9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 3:15 - but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
2 John 12 - Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
3 John 14 - I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
Ephesians 1:18 NLT - 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called--his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Ephesians 2:12 NLT - 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.
Ephesians 4:4 NLT - 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about and the certainty that what we cannot see exists.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Job 13:15 God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.
Proverbs 13:12 (MSG) Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.
Proverbs 3:5 Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support.
Psalms 25:21 (MSG) Use all your skill to put me together; I wait to see your finished product.
Psalms 31:24 (MSG) Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect God to get here soon.
Psalms 42:5 (MSG) Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.
Romans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,


Logos Dictionary Themes

You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner


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Wednesday, June 05, 2024

Wisdom Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Wisdom


Devotional Thoughts


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#Wisdom
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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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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.

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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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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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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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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;
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Pressure
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/search?q=Pressure
https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Pressure/sort/popular

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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Monday, February 19, 2024

Faith Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Faith


Fearless and Faithful




Do You Struggle With This?


Are You Strong Enough For This?




Devotional Thought
Faith

This is the great and momentous word in Scripture, which hath given rise to endless disputes, and employed the minds of men in all ages to explain; and yet to thousands still remains as obscure as ever. But notwithstanding: all that the bewildered and erroneous mind of man may say on faith, the scriptural account of faith is the simplest and plainest thing in the world. Faith is no more than the sincere and hearty assent and consent of the mind to the belief of the being and promises of God, as especially revealed to the church in the person and redemption, work of the Lord Jesus Christ. JEHOVAH, in his threefold character of person, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, hath mercifully been pleased to reveal himself as "forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin," and giving eternal life to the church in Christ Jesus. And these blessings are all declared to be in the person, and procured to the church by the sole undertaking of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the glorious Head of his body the church, the fulness of him "that filleth all in all."

The hearty, cordial, and sincere belief in these blessed truths of God is called faith, because it is giving credit to the testimony of God, and relying upon his faithfulness for the fulfilment of them. The apostle John, in his first Epistle, fifth chapter, and ninth and following verses, puts this doctrine in so clear a point of view, that, under divine teaching, if attended to, it would be impossible to mistake it. "If we receive (saith John) the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself. He that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record that God hath given to us, eternal life; and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life."

No form of words could have been more happily chosen to state what is the act of faith, and to put it in a clear and full light. Immense and unspeakable blessings are promised by God. It is not the greatness of the blessings which demands our faith, but the greatness of the Being promising. Indeed, the greater the blessings are, the greater would be the difficulty of believing, unless some other warrant and authority become the foundation for belief. The bottom, therefore, of all faith is, that what we are called upon to is that cannot lie; JEHOVAH that will not lie. An Almighty Promiser that never can out-promise himself. Hence, when Moses at the bush desired a confirmation of the truth, the Lord gave him to deliver to Israel, by knowing his name, and having such assurances to make to them as might silence every doubt. "Behold," (said he,) "when I come to the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you, and they shall say unto me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM." That is, I AM a being self-existing, and eternal; and which, therefore, gives a being to all my promises. So that this is the sure ground of faith. Not the greatness and blessedness of the promise; but the greatness, blessedness, and faithfulness of the Promiser. And to believe in the almighty Promiser in his assurances in Christ, is faith. I only add, however, under this article, that though faith is the simplest and plainest act of the mind, yet both the possession and the exercise of it is the gift of God. "Unto you," (saith an apostle,) "it is given to believe." (Php_1:29) And hence every truly awakened and regenerated believer finds daily reason, to cry out, as the apostle did to Christ, "Lord, increase our faith!" (Luk_17:5)

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James 2:14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
Galatians 3:9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.
Hebrews 11:3 (MSG) By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.
Matthew 17:20 (MSG) “Because you’re not yet taking God seriously,” said Jesus. “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”
James 2:18 (MSG) I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.” Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.
Luke 17:6 (MSG) But the Master said, “You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it would do it.
2 Corinthians 1:24 (MSG) We’re not in charge of how you live out the faith, looking over your shoulders, suspiciously critical. We’re partners, working alongside you, joyfully expectant. I know that you stand by your own faith, not by ours.
Luke 17:5 (MSG) The apostles came up and said to the Master, “Give us more faith.”
Galatians 3:12 This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.”
Hebrews 11:1-2 NLT Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
Hebrews 11:6 ESV And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11 Faith in Action Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. ...
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Logos Dictionary Themes

You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner


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Wednesday, December 06, 2023

Angels Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Angels
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Matthew 4:11 ESV - 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
Matthew 13:41, 49 ESV - 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, ... 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous
Matthew 16:27 ESV - 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
Matthew 22:30 ESV - 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
Matthew 24:31 ESV - 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Acts 7:53 ESV - 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it."
Romans 8:38 ESV - 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,


Logos Dictionary Themes

Notes:

Angels
    Angels carry out God’s judgment (2 Samuel 24:16–17)
    Angels serve God (Psalm 103:21)
    Angels praise God (Psalm 148:2)
    Angels are messengers (Daniel 4:17)
    Angels protect God’s people (Daniel 6:22)
    Angels do not marry (Matthew 22:30)
    Angels do not die (Luke 20:36)
    Angels will be judged by people (1 Corinthians 6:3)
    Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14)
    Angels encourage Christians (Hebrews 1:14)
    Angels who sinned were thrown into hell (2 Peter 2:4)
    Angels are holy (Jude 1:14)
    Angels are in the presence of God (Revelation 4:8)
    Angels should not be worshiped (Revelation 22:8–9)

Angels

THE NATURE OF ANGELS

1.    Angels are spirit beings (Heb. 1:14; 1 Kgs. 22:19-21)

§  Angels are sexless and do not marry (Matt. 22:30)

§  Angels are never represented as females

§  They are created beings (Ps. 148:2,5; 1 Kgs. 8:27; Deut. 10:14; Ex. 20:11). 

§  They are not equal with God. (Note Job 38:4-7 where angels are pictured as shouting for joy when the foundation of the earth was laid).

§  They have distinct personalities and possess names such as Michael and Gabriel (Dan. 8:16, 9:21, 10:13-21, 12:1; Lk. 1:11-38; Matt. 1 & 2; Acts 8:26; 10:3ff, 27:23; Jude 9; Rev. 12:7ff).

2.    Angels are "heavenly hosts” (2 Kgs. 21:3; Jer. 33:22; Dan. 7:10; Zeph. 1:5; Lk. 2:13-15) 

§  Called "sons of God" (Job 1:6, 2:1; Ps. 29:1, 89:6)

§  They are 'elohim or godlike beings (Ps. 8:6, 97:7, 138:1; cf. Heb. 2:7). 'elohim is translated aggelos in these passages.

3.    Angels are regarded as "holy ones" (Job 5:1; 15:15; Psa. 89:5 7; Dan. 8:2,13; Matt. 25:31; Gal. 4:14; Jude 14)

§  These holy ones assemble in a council (Ps. 89:5-7)

§  They may be regarded as of unquestioned integrity, goodwill and obedience (cf. 1 Sam. 29:9; 2 Sam. 14:17-20, 19:27).

4.    They are subject to Christ (Heb. 1:4, 13)

Not to be worshipped, they are fellow servants (Rev. 19:10).

5.    They almost always take human form when in contact with men

§  At the tomb: Matt. 28:2-6 “angels” compare to Luke 24:4-8 “men"

§  With Abraham and Lot (Gen. 18:2, 33, 19:1-2)

§  With Joshua (Jsh. 5:13, 6:2)

§  With Gideon (Judges 6:11-13)

§  With Manoah and his wife (Jdg. 13:3-6)

§  The "man" Gabriel speaks to Daniel (Dan. 9:21)

 

Angels were capable of making themselves both visible and invisible (Num. 22:31) and to appear under circumstances obviously miraculous in nature (Ex. 3:2).

 

1.    Angels are capable of sin (2 Pt. 2:4; Jude 6; Rev. 12:7).

(See also Job 4:18; Ez. 28:12-19; 2 Cor. 11:14; Gal. 1:8-9).  Eternal fire was prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41).

2.    While angels are never pictured as having wings, cherubim and seraphim do have wings (Is. 6:2; Ex. 25:20). 

The living creatures around the throne of God have wings (Ez. 1:6; Rev. 4:8).

§  Cherubim function as throne bearers and custodians of the sacred places (see Gen. 3:24; Ex. 25:18-22; 26:1, 31; Num. 7:89; 1 Sam. 4:4; 2 Sam. 6:2; Is. 37:16; Ps. 80:1, 99:1).  Compare the four living creatures of Ezek. 1:5ff.; 10:20.

§  Seraphim appear only in Isaiah 6.  Their reverence is graphically depicted and they praise God.  They are described as winged creatures.  The root word seems to signify "to burn," and is found in Numbers 21 as "fiery serpents."  Note the burning coal in Isaiah 6.  Seraphim have six wings.

§  Angels do have the ability to cover vast distances immediately (Ex. 12:29-30).  Gabriel came from the presence of God into the presence of Daniel.  Angels are pictured as flying (Rev. 14:6).  Artists have assumed that they have wings.

3.    Number of angels: innumerable company (Dan. 7:10); camps or army (Gen. 32:2-3); myriads (Heb. 12:22; Rev. 5:11).

THE FUNCTION OF ANGELS

·         God's Messengers (malak, aggelos)

§  At the conception of John the Baptist (Lk. 1:11-20)

§  Gabriel appeared to Mary (Lk. 1:26-38) to announce the news to her that she would conceive. After the conception of Christ, angels appeared to Joseph (Matt. 1:20-24).

§  At the birth of Jesus to the shepherds (Lk. 2:8-15)

§  Joseph warned to go to Egypt (Matt. 2:19-20)

§  At the resurrection of Jesus and the tomb (Matt. 28:2-6)

§  At the ascension (Acts 1:10-11) 

§  At the birth of Samson (Jdg. 13:3-23)

§  "you have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it." (Acts 7:53)

§  "The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator" (Gal. 3:19)

§  "For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment . . ." (Heb. 2:2)

·         Agents of Divine Judgment (destroying angels)

§  Genesis 19:1,13 – two angels sent to destroy Sodom

§  Exodus 12:21-23; Psalm 78:49-51 – band of destroying angels killed firstborn in Egypt

§  2 Samuel 24:1-17 – the pestilence sent for David's sin killed 70,000 (cf. 1 Chr. 21:9-16).

§  2 Kings 19:35 – the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrians (cf. 2 Chr. 32:21; Is. 37:36)

§  Acts 12:23 – Herod struck by an angel because he did not give God the glory.

§  Exodus 33:2 – God sent an angel to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites

§  Present at the Judgment: Matthew 13:39-41 – angels will weed out of the kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil, throw them into fiery furnace; Matthew 13:49 – angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace

§  Genesis 3:24 – angel guarded way to the tree of life

§  Revelation 20:1-3 – angel binds Satan and throws him into the abyss for a thousand years

·         Unseen protectors of those who fear God

§  Psalm 34:7 - "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." Isa. 63:9 "In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them." 

§  Genesis 48:16 - Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons:  "the Angel who has delivered me from all harm; may he bless these boys."

§  2 Kings 6:15-17 - chariots of fire surrounding Elisha at Dothan

§  Matthew 26:53 – Jesus could call more than twelve legions of angels (cf. Ps. 91:11)

§  Revelation 12:7 – Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (devil) and his angels

§  Daniel 6:22 - “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions." (cf. 3:25, 28) angel rescued three Hebrew children from the fiery furnace.

§  Matthew 18:10 – Little ones' "angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."

§  Jude 8-9 – archangel Michael disputed with devil over body of Moses

§  Angels assist nations (Is. 37:36-37, 63:9; 2 Kgs. 18:13-19:37; Dan. 10:21, 12:1).

·         Ministering spirits

§  Hebrews 1:14 – “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Cf. Psalm 103:21 where the heavenly hosts are regarded as servants or ministers.)

§  Serving Jesus (1) at Jesus' temptation (Matt. 4:11; Mk. 1:13) and (2) at Gethsemane (Lk. 22:43)

§  Serving Peter by opening the doors of the jail (Acts 5:19) and waking Peter up in prison and removing his chains (Acts 12:7)

§  Serving Paul by encouraging him during the storm (Acts 27:23)

§  Serving Lot and his daughters (Gen. 19:15-22)

§  An angel secured Isaac a wife (Gen. 24:7)

§  Angels met Jacob on his way to Esau (Gen. 32:1-2)

§  Angel fed Elijah (1 Kgs. 19:3-7).

§  Angel directed Philip to Eunuch (Acts 8:26)

§  Angels rejoice when sinner repents (Lk. 15:7-10; cf. Heb. 12:22)

§  Confession and denial of Jesus will be done before the angels of God (Lk. 12:8-9)

·         Angels take away our souls to God at death (Luke 16:22 23)

·         Duties before God

§  They praise God (Ps. 91:11, 103:20, 148:1-2).

§  Members of the heavenly court (1 Kgs. 22:19-20; cf. Job 1:6ff, 2:1ff; Ps. 89:6-8).

CONCLUSION:

In his book, These Things Speak, Hugo McCord has written concerning angelic help: 

"From what we know by sight and feelings and experience, we cannot affirm that angels are real.  But from what we know by faith, the faith that comes by God's word, we are positive that 'for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation' angels are 'ministering spirits sent forth to do service' (Heb. 1:14).  Christians rejoice because the angel of the unchanging Jehovah 'encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them' (Mal. 3:6; Ps. 34:7).  Specifically what the angels do is an untaught matter, but the reality of their help for Christians is a positive and encouraging doctrine of revealed religion."

 


You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner


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