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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!


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#Adultery
#Adulterating
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#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




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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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#Selfish
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#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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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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Kevin Rayner




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Thursday, January 12, 2023

Emotions Illustrations

 Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Emotions 

Pitch for Teamwork
The Executive Speaker, Bits & Pieces, November 10, 1994, pp.20-21

In a speech before regional community leaders in Kingsport, Tennessee, Ernie Deavenport, chairman and CEO of Eastman Chemical Company, made a pitch for cooperation and teamwork between his company and the community leaders. To highlight his message, he told this story about a Little League coach:
At one point during a game, the coach said to one of his young players, “Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is'
The little boy nodded in the affirmative.
“Do you understand that what matters is whether we win together as a team?”
The little boy nodded yes.
“So,” the coach continued, “when a strike is called, or you’re out at first, you don’t argue or curse or attack the umpire. Do you understand all that?”
Again, the little boy nodded.
“Good,” said the coach. “Now go over there and explain it to your mother.”



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Proverbs 29:11 ESV A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:15 ESV Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Psalms 7:9 Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous. The One who examines the thoughts and emotions is a righteous God.
Lamentations 1:20 “See, O Lord, how distressed I am! My spirit is deeply disturbed; My heart is overturned within me and cannot rest, For I have been very rebellious. In the street the sword kills and bereaves; In the house, there is [famine, disease and] death!
Lamentations 2:11 My eyes are worn out from crying, my insides are churning, My emotions pour out in grief because my people are destroyed Children and infants faint in the streets of the city.
1 Corinthians 2:4 And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom [using clever rhetoric], but [they were delivered] in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit [operating through me] and of [His] power [stirring the minds of the listeners and persuading them],
Genesis 45:1 At this point, Joseph could not control his emotions any longer, so he cried out to everyone who was standing nearby, "Everybody! Leave me!" As a result, none of his staff was anywhere near him when he revealed himself to his brothers.
Job 15:12 Why have your emotions carried you away? And why do your eyes flash



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




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Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Problem Illustrations

 Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Problem 

Creative Thinking
Bits & Pieces, October 15, 1992, pp. 9-10

When St. Petersburg, one of the most splendid and harmonious cities in Europe, was being laid out early in the eighteenth century, many large boulders brought by a glacier from Finland had to be removed.
One particularly large rock was in the path of one of the principal avenues that had been planned, and bids were solicited for its removal. The bids submitted were very high. This was understandable, because at that time modern equipment did not exist and there were no high-powered explosives. As officials pondered what to do, a peasant presented himself and offered to get rid of the boulder for a much lower price than those submitted by other bidders. Since they had nothing to lose, officials gave the job to the peasant.
The next morning he showed up with a crowd of other peasants carrying shovels. They began digging a huge hole next to the rock. The rock was propped up with timbers to prevent it from rolling into the hole. When the hole was deep enough, the timber props were removed and the rock dropped into the hole below the street level. It was then covered with dirt, and the excess dirt was carted away.
It’s an early example of what creative thinking can do to solve a problem. The unsuccessful bidders only thought about moving the rock from one place to another on the city’s surface.
The peasant looked at the problem from another angle. He considered another dimension—up and down. He couldn’t lift it up, so he put it underground.


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1 Samuel 19:3 I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are. I will speak about you to my father. When I find out what the problem is, I will let you know."
Daniel 5:12 He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”
Ecclesiastes 8:1 (NET) Who is a wise person? Who knows the solution to a problem? A person’s wisdom brightens his appearance, and softens his harsh countenance.
1 Corinthians 7:28 (NET) But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face difficult circumstances, and I am trying to spare you such problems.
Philippians 4:6 ESV Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Proverbs 3:5 ESV Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Philippians 4:13 ESV I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Proverbs 3:6 ESV In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.



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Kevin Rayner




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Thursday, January 05, 2023

Excuses Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Excuses 

Too many of us make excuses and here is a thought-provoking video.

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Kevin Rayner




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Wednesday, January 04, 2023

Appearance

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Blank

    There is a story of a blind man's seeing-eye dog leading him across the street. The seeing-eye dog came to the intersection; instead of waiting for the light to change, he began to lead his owner across the street. Cars had to come to a screeching halt and some had to run up on the curb to avoid hitting the man and his dog. Luckily the man made it across the street without getting hurt. After he had gotten to the other side, the man reached into his pocket and got a dog biscuit for the dog. A bystander who had seen the whole thing came running up to the man. The bystander said "Wait, you don't understand; your dog almost got you killed. He doesn't deserve a treat." The blind man said, "You don't understand I am giving him the treat so I can find where he is so I can kick him."
   Things are not always as they appear. If we would take the time to see things from other people's perspective, a lot of arguments and disagreements would never happen, in Philippians, the 2nd chapter, we are told not to look out just for our own interests, but to also look at the interest of others. We would all benefit from taking the time to see things through other people's eyes.
Philippians 2:1-4

Beautiful People
Men in Midlife Crisis, Jim Conway, p. 84
Joyce Brothers, a well-known and popular psychologist, points out in Better than Ever that “beautiful people have beautiful personalities …We consistently judge them to be more sensitive, kind, intelligent, interesting, sociable, and exciting than less attractive people.” Dr. Brothers goes on to speak of a study made in a school among kindergartners and teachers regarding the people to whom they were most often attracted: “They (the children) picked the most attractive children as their favorites. Their teachers did likewise, and considered the less attractive children more likely to be troublemakers.” She continues, “When we grow up, for both men and women, higher salary levels and greater advancement have a high correlation with pleasant looks, at all ages and in all fields.”


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#Appearance
#Appear
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#Disappearance

#Scripture
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
Proverbs 31:30 ESV Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
John 7:24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Luke 9:29 (NLT) And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white.
Matthew 17:2 (NLT) As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.
Mark 9:2 (NLT) Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed,
Titus 2:13 as we wait for the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus the Messiah.
James 1:11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will wither away while pursuing his activities.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree produced good food, was attractive in appearance, and was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate it. Then she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate some, too.
Matthew 3:1 About this time John the Baptist made his appearance, preaching in the Desert of Judaea.

Appearance
    God is not impressed by someone’s appearance (1 Samuel 16:7)
    Physical beauty fades (Proverbs 31:30)
    Do not worry about clothes (Matthew 6:25–34)
    Appearances can be deceiving (Matthew 23:27)
    Christians should care more about their spiritual welfare than their physical appearance (1 Timothy 2:9–10)
    Do not judge others by their appearance (James 2:2–4)
    Inner beauty is more important than physical beauty (1 Peter 3:1–6)



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Kevin Rayner




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Sunday, January 01, 2023

Resolution Illustrations

 Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Resolution 


Ben Franklin’s Resolutions
Still, as failures go, we’re in good company. Take Benjamin Franklin. As a young man, Ben composed a master list of 12 resolutions, later tacking on a killer 13th (“Imitate Jesus and Socrates”). He had particular difficulty, he notes in his Autobiography, with Resolution No. 2 (“Silence—Avoid trifling conversation”), No. 3 (“Order—Let all your things have their places”) and No. 5 (“Frugality—Waste nothing”).
Ben kept track of his performance in a small book in which he entered a black mark each day for each resolution broken. He had intended to reuse the little book, eventually erasing old black marks as his performance improved. It didn’t. So many black marks appeared on top of black marks that the little book developed holes. He had to resort to keeping his records on a piece of ivory, from which the accumulated black marks could be tactfully mopped off with a wet sponge.
“Clean Slate,” from “Harrowsmith Country Life’” by Rebecca Rupp, (VT, January ‘96), quoted in Reader’s Digest, p. 27

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Daniel 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Acts 19:21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,
Philippians 2:4 (NLT) Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Colossians 3:13 (NLT) Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
James 1:19 (NLT) Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
Proverbs 16:7 (NLT) When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.
Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Proverbs 29:9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.
Acts 20:3 having made also three months' stay -- a counsel of the Jews having been against him -- being about to set forth to Syria, there came to him a resolution of returning through Macedonia.



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Kevin Rayner




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Thursday, December 29, 2022

Prayer Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Prayer

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My Friend Paul Adams's Blog on Prayer

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

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



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner





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Monday, December 26, 2022

Status Illustrations

 Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Status


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



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Kevin Rayner




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Saturday, December 24, 2022

Gift Illustrations

 Illustrations About Gifts


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

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Kevin Rayner




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Friday, December 23, 2022

Consider Illustrations

 Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Consider 

Things to Consider
Source unknown

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


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



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Kevin Rayner




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Thursday, December 22, 2022

Frustration Illustrations

 Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Frustration

The Game
Source unknown

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

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

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


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



You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




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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

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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




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