Search This Blog
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Galatians 1. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Galatians 1. Sort by date Show all posts

Wednesday, September 06, 2023

Love Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Love


Agape Love = The Greek word agape (love) seems to have been virtually a Christian invention—a new word for a new thing (apart from about twenty occurrences in the Greek version of the Old Testament, it is almost non-existent before the New Testament). Agape draws its meaning directly from the revelation of God in Christ. It is not a form of natural affection, however, intense, but a supernatural fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). It is a matter of will rather than feeling (for Christians must love even those they dislike—Matt. 5:44-48). It is the basic element in Christlikeness.
Read 1 Corinthians 13 and note what these verses have to say about the primacy (vv. 1-3) and permanence (vv. 8-13) of love; note too the profile of love (vv. 4-7) which they give.
Your Father Loves You by James Packer, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986, page for March 10


Loving Furiously

*Clickable Quick Links Are Below:

#Love
#Agape
#Loveable
#Lovely
#Loved
#Lover
#Lovers
#Lovesick
#Loveliness
#Unconditional Love

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:17 (MSG) “But remember the root command: Love one another.
2 John 1:3 (MSG) Let grace, mercy, and peace be with us in truth and love from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, Son of the Father!
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Titus 3:5 "Twas not for deeds that we had done, but by his steadfast love alone, he saved us through a second birth, renewed us by the Spirit's work,
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Galatians 2:20 with Christ I have been crucified, and live no more do I, and Christ doth live in me; and that which I now live in the flesh -- in the faith I live of the Son of God, who did love me and did give himself for me;
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
1 John 4:8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 Corinthians 13

A caring commitment, in which affection and delight are shown to others, which is grounded in the nature of God himself. In his words and actions, and supremely in the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, God demonstrates the nature of love and defines the direction in which human love in all its forms should develop.

love, nature of
Scripture offers an understanding of the source, character and value of love, based on the nature and actions of God.
God is the source of love
His very character is love 1Jn 4:7-8 See also 1Th 3:12; 2Ti 1:7; 1Jn 4:16,19
The love of God is revealed in the cross of Jesus Christ 1Jn 3:16; 4:10 See also Jn 15:13; Eph 5:2,25
Love is part of the Holy Spirit’s fruit Gal 5:22 See also Ro 5:5; 15:30; Col 1:8
The loving-kindness of God referred to in the OT
Jer 31:3 See also Ex 15:13; 34:6; 2Ch 6:42; Ps 6:4; 32:10; 51:1; 107:43; Isa 54:10; 63:7; La 3:22; Hos 2:19
The love of God in the NT
To describe God’s love for humanity Jn 3:16 See also Jn 5:42; 15:10; Ro 8:39; 2Co 13:14; Eph 2:4; Heb 12:6; 1Jn 3:1
To describe love for God Lk 10:27; Jn 14:21; 21:15; Ro 8:28; 1Th 1:3; Jas 1:12; 1Pe 1:8; 1Jn 5:3
To describe brotherly love Jn 13:35; Ro 13:8; 1Co 16:24; 2Co 8:8; Gal 5:13; Eph 4:2; Php 1:9; Col 2:2; Phm 5
To describe love expressed by eating together 2Pe 2:13 fn; Jude 12
To describe love in a negative sense Lk 11:43; Jn 3:19; 12:43; 2Ti 4:10; 2Pe 2:15; 1Jn 2:15
Characteristics of love
1Co 13:4-8 See also Ro 12:9; 1Ti 1:5; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jn 4:18
Love is shown by deeds
1Jn 3:17-18 See also Jn 14:15,23; Ro 5:8; 14:15; Gal 2:20; 1Jn 4:9; 5:2-3; 2Jn 6; 3Jn 5-6
The pre-eminence of love
1Co 13:13 See also Mt 22:37-39 pp Mk 12:29-31; Ro 13:9-10; 1Co 12:31-13:3; Gal 5:6; Eph 3:17-19; Col 3:14; 2Pe 1:7; 1Jn 2:10

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

You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner


Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Saturday, December 03, 2022

Promise Illustrations

Teaching Illustrations About Promise

Promises From God
Our Daily Bread, January 1, 1985

A promise from God is a statement we can depend on with absolute confidence. Here are 12 promises for the Christian to claim.
  • God’s presence— “I will never leave thee” (Heb. 13:5)
  • God’s protection—”I am thy shield” (Gen. 15:1)
  • God’s power—”I will strengthen thee” (Isa. 41:10)
  • God’s provision—”I will help thee” (Isa. 41:10)
  • God’s leading—”And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them” (John 10:4)
  • God’s purposes— “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil” (Jer. 29:11)
  • God’s rest—”Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28)
  • God’s cleansing— “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)
  • God’s goodness— “No good thing will He withhold from them that work uprightly” (Psalm 84:11)
  • God’s faithfulness—”The Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake” (1 Sam. 12:22)
  • God’s guidance—”The meek will He guide” (Psalm 25:9)
  • God’s wise plan—”All things work together for good to them that love God” (Rom. 8:28)

*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:




Church Songs?

#Promise
#Promises
#Promised
#Promising

#Scripture
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and [secretly] keep back for yourself some of the proceeds [from the sale] of the land?
Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
James 1:12 Happy the man who doth endure temptation, because, becoming approved, he shall receive the crown of the life, which the Lord did promise to those loving Him.
Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Promise/sort/popular
2 Peter 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Galatians 3:18 (NIV) For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
Psalms 106:12 (NIV) Then they believed his promises and sang his praise.
Joshua 21:45 (NIV) Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

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


Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

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:

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Self Illustrations

 Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Self

Somebody Has to Die
When the will of God crosses the will of man, somebody has to die.
Addison Leitch, quoted in Passion and Purity, Elizabeth Elliot, Revell, 1984, p. 72


*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Self
#Selfish
#Selfishly
#Selfishness
#Unselfishness
#Ego

#Scripture
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Psalm 119:36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
Proverbs 18:1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
Galatians 5:23 (ESV) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
2 Peter 1:6 (ESV) and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
2 Timothy 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
James 1:27 The religious service which is pure and stainless in the sight of our God and Father is to visit fatherless children and widowed women in their time of trouble, and to keep one's own self unspotted from the world.
Romans 12:3 ESV For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.




You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Tuesday, July 09, 2024

Gospel Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About the Gospel

Picture

Devotional Thoughts


*Clickable Quick Links Are Below:

#Gospel

2 Corinthians 11:4 NLT - 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.
Galatians 1:11 NLT - 11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning.
Galatians 2:5, 7, 14 NLT - 5 But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you. ... 7 Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. ... 14 When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, "Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?

Logos Dictionary Themes

You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner


Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

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:

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)

*Clickable Quick Links Are Below:

#Faith
#Faithful
#Faithfulness
#Faithfully
#Faithless
#Faithlessly
#Faithlessness
#Once-faithful
#Belief
#Believe
#Trust

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

Logos Dictionary Themes

You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner


Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Peace Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Peace

Perfect Picture of Peace
Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew. Only two pictures remained veiled. As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Surely this was the winner.
The man with the vision uncovered the second painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace? A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power. A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil.

*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


The Gift of Peace
by Mark Abshier
Sunday Worship 06/08/2025 10:30 am @ MacArthur Park Church of Christ






Church Songs?

#Peace
#Peacemaker
#Peaceful
#Peacefully
#Peaceably

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Philippians 4:6 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:7 (NLT) Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
John 16:33 (NLT) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT) Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Monday, January 23, 2023

Adultery illustrations

 Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Adultery

Extra-Marital Affairs
From Bad Beginnings to Happy Endings, by Ed Young (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers., 1994), pp. 122-123.
Dr. Tom McGuiness, a counseling psychologist in New Jersey, gives this explanation of why many affairs take place:
“Married people seek out or succumb to affairs when they feel devalued or less than fully alive. They are bored. Overburdened. People who have affairs have a child’s deep longing to be touched, caressed, held, hugged and kissed, whether they admit it or not. They want happy surprises. That might mean a sentimental unexpected gift every once in a while. More important, it is the dependable gift of time and caring. The present of shared ideas, experiences, stories, nonsense and games, including sexual games. They want the world to butt out. They want a loving friend, a pal who isn’t judgmental. They want someone to convince them they’re still loved, lovable and very special. For a little while, now and then, they want out from under the grown-up responsibilities that have become predictable, dreary and difficult.”
If these are the reasons extra-marital affairs occur, couldn’t we guard against them by seeking to meet our mates’ deepest needs for affection, security, friendship, and sexual fulfillment? Maybe the best prevention for an affair outside marriage is to plan one with the man or woman we’re married to!


*Clickable Links Are Blue with Underlines:


Video


Church Songs?

#Adultery
#Adulterating
#Adulterer
#Adulteress
#Adulteries
#Adulterous
#Fornication
#Prostitution
#Infidelity

#Scripture
Proverbs 5:1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,
Proverbs 6:32 But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.
Exodus 20:14 (ESV) “You shall not commit adultery.
Deuteronomy 5:18 (ESV) “‘And you shall not commit adultery.
Luke 16:18 (ESV) “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.
Romans 2:22 (ESV) You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
Proverbs 6:32 (ESV) He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Hebrews 13:4 Let marriage be kept honorable in every way, and the marriage bed undefiled. For God will judge those who commit sexual sins, especially those who commit adultery.

Adultery
    God forbids adultery (Exodus 20:14)
    Adultery has consequences (Proverbs 6:26)
    Adultery is foolish (Proverbs 6:32)
    Adultery is disgusting to God (Jeremiah 7:9–10)
    God considers lust as sinful as adultery (Matthew 5:27–28)
    Divorce often leads to adultery (Mark 10:11–12)
    God can forgive the adulterer (John 8:1–11)



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




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