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Friday, December 16, 2022

Help Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Help

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

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

"Jack, Jack. Can you hear me?"

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

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

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

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

"The Lord? You mean, GOD?"

"That's Me."

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

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

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

"Okay. Let go of the branch."

"What?"

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

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

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

Source unknown

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You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Teens and Internet

MINISTRY QUESTION:  In an earlier posting we received the following question:

I am seeking some resources to help with a problem we are experiencing with our teens and the internet, specifically with things like Facebook and the like. It would seem some may have posted inappropriate images and commentary. Our elders are concerned that this may be part of a larger problem relating to the general coarseness of young people coming from the influence of school specifically and culture generally. We are looking for some resources or suggestions concerning a addressing the parents, children and the congregation generally. Gary Selby (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Here are the responses we have received so far:

Joe Chase, Missionary to Jamaica, Denton, Texas:

Beth Robertson has some really good materials out regarding safeguarding children.  Some of the stuff she has written will scare you to death.  You can download a good bit of her presentation from the Preston Road church of Christ web site.The Web links for Beth's presentation are:
http://www.prestonroad.org/images/stories/Sermons/part1.mp3
http://www.prestonroad.org/images/stories/Sermons/part2.mp3

I believe every eldership ought to give this a listen and order the materials she has put together from her research.  No child will be safe until we are all proactive in making them safe.

Vic Pruett, White House, Tennessee:

I found that Dr. David Fraze ( David.Fraze@rhchurch.org ) is a great resource on adolescents & culture.  He is our best (C of C) person when it come to answering questions and giving advice on how to navigate things such as face book, my space, youtube, texting, and all things postmodern.  Just don’t tell him I said that.

I actually have a face book account and it allows me to interact with young people in a very unique way.  Teens are all about dialogue, for some reason they can share so much of themselves (their passion, faith, sin, fear, struggles, etc) on the internet (facebook, myspace) and yet be closed mouthed in Sunday morning Bible class.  They will talk to me on facebook about very deep issues and yet be closed to the idea of talking to me at my office or at McDonald’s over a coke.  I’m not saying this is a good thing, but it is an opportunity to reach our teens.  We can take Jesus into this post modern marketplace (of face book, myspace, youtube)  and find out what they are really up to (which is scary).  Young people are open to this new form of dialogue, we should take advantage of it. 

One more thing.  I am always outing kids to their parents about improper behavior (I’m not breaking any confidentiality rules since they are talking about it publically on these internet postings).  You don’t have to spend a lot of time on face book to do all of this (I spend no more than 5 min a day on that stuff).

Also  I remind parents to check their children’s accounts, I do this from the pulpit every now and then.  I don’t know if any of this was helpful, thanks for listening.

James Guy, University church, Monroe, Louisiana:

Like most things, the internet can be used for good or bad.  Our youth group and college group both use Facebook as probably THE primary source of sharing information, inviting friends to events, communicating with one another (next to text messaging), etc.  It has helped our kids be more “connected” (in modern terms) throughout the week when they probably wouldn’t see or speak to each other otherwise.  The good thing about Facebook and Myspace is that friends can see what other friends have on there. 

My wife and I both have Facebooks and are our kids friends, and we also require our kids to provide us with their logins and passwords, and we check them ever so often to see what is on there. We also see what some of their school friends have on there, and have had them remove 1 or 2 from their friends list because of things that were on their space.  I think that is how it should be dealt with.  Encourage parents to check up on their kids (that’s still legal in most states), and if you see one of your church kids with something on there that shouldn’t be, I would suggest dealing with it with them directly and with their parents as appropriate. 

I would also add that the internet allows for more open viewing of the “general coarseness” of what your kids are probably doing and saying at school or with friends when you don’t hear and see them.  In that respect it is a plus.  The main thing I think is to be aware of what your kids (and perhaps church kids) have on their, and encourage and teach their parents to do the same.  Facebook and Myspace are not that hard to use for that purpose even if you are not so computer literate.      www.universitycc.net

Kent Jobe, College Avenue, El Dorado, Arkansas:

In regard to Mr. Selby's request, I would suggest www.syncswim.com   This is a seminar presented by the Church and Family organization through Harding. 
 
Although I have not personally participated in the seminar, it comes very highly recommended and I know they have put in a lot of time and effort in their presentation.  I also know that they are really trying to keep their presentations current and relevant. 
 
Brandon Tittle, Assistant Director,  Church & Family, Harding University:

I was forwarded an email you sent with questions from various ministers. Our office, The Institute for Church & Family, has an experience that might help Gary Selby. It is called SyncSwim, and it is designed to help parents, teachers, grandparents, etc. understand youth culture and how to help teens "swim."
Feel free to send him my contact information:  501-279-4660       www.churchandfamily.net
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Thursday, January 04, 2001

Jesus Came for a Visit

Suzan went to her mailbox and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:

Dear Suzan,
I'm going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon, and I'd like to stop by for a visit.

Love Always,
Jesus

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. "Why would the Lord want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer." With that thought, Suzan remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. "Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner." She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents. "Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk, leaving Suzan with grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

"Hey lady, can you help us, lady?" Suzan had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags. "Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us, lady, we'd really appreciate it." Suzan looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to. "Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight, and I was planning on serving that to Him." "Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway." The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley. As she watched them leave, Suzan felt a familiar twinge in her heart. "Sir, wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. "Look, why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest." She handed the man her grocery bag. "Thank you lady. Thank you very much!" "Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Suzan could see now that she was shivering. "You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one." Suzan unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street, without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest. "Thank you lady! Thank you very much!" Suzan was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit, and she didn't have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. "That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day." She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.

Dear Suzan,

It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.

Love Always,
Jesus

The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Suzan no longer noticed.

Think about it warmly,
Kevin Rayner
1/4/2001
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Monday, June 27, 2011

Conflict Among Brothers

Once upon a time two brothers, who lived on adjoining farms, fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a conflict. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's tool box. "I'm looking for a few days' work" he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?" "Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you."

"Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor; in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better."

"See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence --an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore." The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all -- and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand.

They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, but I have many more bridges to build.


Do you have any bridges that you need to build?

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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Preaching Jobs


The Central Church of Christ in Shawnee, Oklahoma is currently taking applications for a full time minister and would like your help. If you know of someone that might be a good fit, please forward this message to them.

The Central congregation has been in existence for over 100 years, with a stable eldership, a solid financial position, and opportunities for growth. We’re located in the downtown area of Shawnee about 50 minutes east of downtown Oklahoma City. We are looking for applicants that are sound in the scripture and able to work well with families. Our current preacher, Rob Prater, has accepted a position with the Crosstown Church of Christ in Tulsa and will be leaving us soon. We plan to accept resumes until March 15, 2013 or until we find a good match for our congregation. For more information about the congregation, interested parties can call the church office at 405 273 3065 or can call me at 405 615 1105.

Interested applicants can mail resumes to
The Central Church of Christ
10th and Bell Street
Shawnee, OK 74801

Or can send information to this email address bobperry34@gmail.com

Thank you for your help,

Bob Perry
Elder, Central Church of Christ
Shawnee, Oklahoma
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Monday, August 05, 2024

Loneliness Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Loneliness

Picture

Devotional Thoughts

In the lonely hours of the night, do you sometimes wrestle with God and your emotions, feeling desperately alone, rejected? Perhaps a best friend deserted you. Or the one you hoped to marry wants someone else. Or the one you did marry wants out. Maybe your child has turned against you, or your parents don’t seem to care. Ironically, you can feel equally lonely on a crowded city street, in a busy airport, or in a stadium filled with people. Have you ever sensed the loneliness of being in a crowd? There are so many people, but no one you know or truly care about is there. Everybody is there but no one is with you—truly with you—except for God, who is always with you. If you develop a relationship with him, you can disperse your loneliness. He is always there for you. You never need to feel lonely when the creator of the universe is by your side.

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#Loneliness

Psalm 25:16 NIV - 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
Psalm 68:6 NIV - 6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Mark 1:45 NIV - 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Luke 5:16 NIV - 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Psalm 23:4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley . . . you are close beside me.
Hebrews 13:5 For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

Logos Dictionary Themes

Loneliness
    God is concerned about our loneliness (Genesis 2:18)
    God encourages the lonely (1 Kings 19:14–18)
    God takes care of lonely people (Psalm 68:6)
    Friends help in times of loneliness (Ecclesiastes 4:10–11)
    God remains with us (Matthew 28:20)

You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner


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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


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#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




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Thursday, July 13, 2023

Vulnerable Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Vulnerable


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#Vulnerable
#Unguarded
#Invulnerability
#Invulnerableness
#Authentic
#Mockery
#Unvulnerable
#Vainly

Genesis 42:9 (MSG) Joseph, remembering the dreams he had dreamed of them, said, “You’re spies. You’ve come to look for our weak spots.”
2 Timothy 3:6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires.
James 5:16 ESV Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner




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Friday, January 20, 2023

Regret Illustrations

 Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Regret 

Don’t Look Back!
Our Daily Bread, August, 1995, page for August 7
On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man in history to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. Within 2 months, John Landy eclipsed the record by 1.4 seconds. On August 7, 1954, the two met together for a historic race. As they moved into the last lap, Landy held the lead. It looked as if he would win, but as he neared the finish he was haunted by the question, “Where is Bannister?” As he turned to look, Bannister took the lead. Landy later told a Time magazine reporter, “If I hadn’t looked back, I would have won!”
One of the most descriptive pictures of the Christian life in the Bible is of an athlete competing in a race. First Corinthians 9:24-27 tells us that discipline is the key to winning. In Hebrews 12:1-2, we are encouraged to lay aside anything that might hinder our spiritual advancement and to stay focused on Christ. And in Philippians 3:12-13, the apostle Paul said, “I press on,…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”
Lord, give us endurance as we run this race of life. Help us not to wallow in past failures, but to be disciplined and to shun sinful ways. May we fix our eyes on the eternal goal set before us and keep looking unto Jesus. - HGB


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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, 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)

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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




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Sunday, December 18, 2022

Mercy Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Mercy

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

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

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Church Songs?

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

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



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




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Wednesday, May 06, 2026

Unselfishness illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Unselfish
W. Oregon Sara Tucholsky first HR - ultimate sportsmanship
Western Oregon Sara Tucholsky hit her first career HR with the help from Central Washington - ultimate sportsmanship. She tore her ACL running back to 1st as she missed it initially. Ump if she didn't run the bases by herself, the HR wouldn't count. If her teammates touched her, it would be void.

The opposing team saw her pain and did the unexpected, they picked her up and helped her touch each base.
Central Washington lost the game, 4-2 
Sportsmanship at its best.


https://youtu.be/jocw-oD2pgo

Constant Consumption Produces a Creeping Dissatisfaction that Nothing Will Fix

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#Unselfish
#Unselfish
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#Generosity

Proverbs 22:9 (MSG) Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor.
Ecclesiastes 11:1 (MSG) Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns.
Psalms 100:5 (MSG) For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.
Proverbs 19:6 (MSG) Lots of people flock around a generous person; everyone’s a friend to the philanthropist.
Proverbs 11:24 (MSG) The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.
Philippians 2:4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 4:5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near.

unselfishness

Putting the concerns and interests of others before one’s own. Jesus Christ was the supreme example of this and believers should follow his example, denying themselves in order to serve others.

  • The supreme example of selflessness is that of Jesus Christ himself
  • In his life and work Jn 5:30; Ro 15:3 See also Mt 15:32; Jn 13:3-5; 2Co 8:9
  • In his dying for others Mt 20:26-28 pp Mk 10:43-45 Php 2:5-8 See also Isa 53:3-12; Jn 10:17-18; Ro 5:6-8; 1Co 15:3; 2Co 5:14; 1Th 5:10; 1Pe 2:22-24; 3:18; 1Ti 2:6
  • Unselfishness is a result of a relationship with Jesus Christ
  • Christian discipleship begins with a denial of self-interest Mt 16:24 pp Mk 8:34 pp Lk 9:23 Mk 10:45 See also Ro 6:6; 2Co 5:15; Eph 4:22; Col 3:9
  • It springs from an experience of life with Jesus Christ Php 1:21-24 See also Php 3:7-11
  • It is inspired by the example of Jesus Christ Php 2:4-5 See also Jn 13:14-15; 1Jn 3:16; 4:19-21
  • It is the result of the Spirit’s work in the believer Gal 5:22-26
  • Putting others first is fundamental in Christian behavior
  • Ro 12:10; 1Co 10:23-24 This was particularly so when it came to the exercise of personal scruples. See also Ro 14:7; 15:1-2; 1Co 8:9; Eph 4:32-5:2; Col 3:13; 1Ti 6:18
  • Unselfishness involves a proper attitude to one’s own self-importance
  • Php 2:3 See also Ro 12:16; Gal 6:2-3; Eph 4:2; 5:21; 1Pe 3:8; 5:5
  • Unselfishness is expressed in Christian service
  • Lk 22:26; Gal 5:13 See also 1Pe 4:10; 5:2
  • Examples of unselfish behavior
  • Those who put others first Ge 13:8-9 Abraham; Ex 32:31-32 Moses; Ru 1:16-17 Ruth; 1Sa 12:3-5 Samuel; Ne 5:14-18 Nehemiah; Mk 12:41-44 a poor widow; Mt 15:21-28 a mother; Mt 26:6-13 pp Mk 14:3-9 a woman with a jar of perfume; Jn 3:27-30 John the Baptist; Ac 4:32-37 the first Christians; Ro 16:3-4 Priscilla and Aquila; 1Co 16:15 the household of Stephanas; Php 2:20-21 Timothy; Php 2:29-30 Epaphroditus
  • Paul’s ministry was motivated by the interests of others 1Co 10:32-33; 11:1 See also Ac 20:33-35; 1Co 9:3-15,19-23; 2Co 11:23-29; 13:4; Php 2:17; 1Th 2:8-9,19-20
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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Wednesday, December 06, 2023

Angels Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Angels
Picture


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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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