Sunday, May 31, 2015

HELPING OTHERS


In an illustration, D. L. Moody says, "You have heard the story, I suppose, of the child who was rescued from the fire that was raging in a house away up in the fourth story.

The child came to the window & as the flames were shooting up higher & higher, the child cried out for help. A fireman started up the ladder of the fire escape to rescue the child from its dangerous position.

The wind swept the flames near him & it was getting so hot that he wavered & it looked as if he would have to return without the child.

Thousands looked on & their hearts quaked at the thought of the child having to perish in the fire, as it must do if the fireman did not reach it.

Someone in the crowd cried, `Give him a cheer!' Cheer after cheer went up & as the man heard them he gathered fresh courage.

Up he went into the midst of the smoke & the fire & brought down the child to safety."

In the day when rewards are given, the one who did the cheering in the service of the Lord "shall in no wise lose his reward" (Matt. 10:42).

Beloved, if you cannot do much, you can at least be among the ones that "helped everyone his neighbor; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage."

- Gospel Herald. (moreillustrations.com)

Isa 41:6 (KJV): “They helped every one his neighbor; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.”

Friday, May 29, 2015

CHURCH ATTENDEES


A study once disclosed that:

If both Mom and Dad attend church regularly - 72% of their children remain faithful.

If only Dad - 55% remain faithful.

If only Mom - 15%.

If neither attended regularly - only 6% remain faithful.

The statistics speak for themselves - the example of parents and adults is more important than all the efforts of the church and Sunday school.

- Warren Mueller (aksermonillustrations.blogspot.in)

2Ch 29:2 (BBE) “He (King Hezekiah) did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done.”

1Ki 22:52 (GNB): “He (King Ahaziah) sinned against the LORD, following the wicked example of his father Ahab, his mother Jezebel, and King Jeroboam, who had led Israel into sin.”

“Fathers and mothers do not forget that children learn more by the eye than they do by the ear... Imitation is a far stronger principle with children than memory. What they see has a much stronger effect on their minds than what they are told.” - J.C. Ryle.

Tit 2:7 (CEV): “Always set a good example for others. Be sincere and serious when you teach.”

“A good example is like a bell that calls many to church.” - Author Unknown.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

HONORING HUSBAND


There is an old story that illustrates the principle of honor within marriage.

A drunkard husband, spending the evening with his jovial companions at a tavern, boasted that if he took a group of his friends home with him at midnight & asked his wife to get up & cook supper for them, she would do it without complaint.

The crowd considered it a vain boast & dared him to try it. So the drunken crowd followed him home & he made the unreasonable demands of his wife.

She obeyed, dressed, came down & prepared a very nice supper & served it as cheerfully as if she had been expecting them.

After supper one of the men asked her how she could be so kind when they had been so unreasonable & when she did not approve of their conduct.

Her reply was: “Sir, when my husband & I were married, we were both sinners. It has pleased God to call me out of that dangerous condition. My husband continues in it. I tremble for his future state. Were he to die as he is, he would be miserable forever. I think it my duty to render his present existence as comfortable as possible.”

Not long after, her husband was saved.

(ministry127.com)

Eph 5:24 (ISV): “Indeed, just as the church is submissive to Christ, so wives must be submissive to their husbands in everything.”

“Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.” - Martin Luther.

Pro 10:12 (GNB): “Hate stirs up trouble, but love forgives all offenses.”

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Say Thank You before It Is Too Late


The brilliant Scottish writer, Thomas Carlyle, lived on a farm in Dumfries shire, which he called “the loneliest nook in Britain.”

Each day he climbed a ladder to his attic, where he worked until dark. His devoted wife Jane was left alone.

One evening at dinner, Jane asked why he had never expressed appreciation for the food she lovingly prepared for him.

“Woman,” Carlyle barked, “must you be paid for everything you do?” With that, he stamped off to his attic workshop.

Years later, when his wife died, Carlyle found her diary. On tear-stained pages, he read this recurring refrain, “Oh, I wish you would say a kind word or give me a compliment now and then about the things I try to do to make you happy.”

- Together Magazine (ministry127.com)

“Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” - Blaise Pascal.

Pro 31:31 (GNB): “Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.”

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

THE SILENT TREATMENT


A married couple had a quarrel & ended up giving each other the silent treatment.

Two days into their mute argument, the man realized he needed his wife’s help. In order to catch a flight to Chicago for a business meeting, he had to get up at 5 a.m.

Not wanting to be the first to break the silence, he wrote on a piece of paper, “Please wake me at 5 a.m.”

The next morning the man woke up only to discover his wife was already out of bed, it was 9 a.m. & his flight had long since departed.

He was about to find his wife & demand an answer for her failings when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. He read, “Its 5 a.m. Wake up.”

(ministry127.com)

“Okay, here's how to do relationships - be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God, in Christ, also has forgiven you.” - Chip Ingram.

Mat 6:15 (CEV): “But if you don't forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Monday, May 25, 2015

STEWARDSHIP


"I was born with music in my system. I knew musical scores before I knew my A B C's. It was a gift of Providence.

I never look upon the money I earn as my own. It is only a fund entrusted to my care for proper disbursement.

I reduce my needs to the minimum. I feel morally guilty in ordering a costly meal, as it deprives someone else of a slice of bread - some child, perhaps, of a bottle of milk.

My beloved wife feels exactly about these things as I do. In all these years of my so-called success we have not built a home for ourselves. Between it and us stand all the homeless in the world."

- Testimony of Fritz Kreisler, (1875 – 1962, was an Austria-born American violinist & composer and regarded as one of the greatest violinists of all time) in Gospel Herald.

(moreillustrations.com)

Pro 19:17 (GNB): “When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the LORD, and the LORD will pay you back.”

“We ought to be people of compassion. And being people of compassion means we deny ourselves, and our self centeredness.” - Mike Huckabee.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

UNAWARE OF HIS POSSESSIONS


William Randolph Hearst was a very wealthy newspaper publisher who had an incredible collection of art. The Hearst mansion in northern California is a testament to his quenchless desire for artistic treasures.

On one occasion he learned of some artwork he was determined to obtain. He sent his agent abroad to search for the treasure. After months of investigating, the agent reported that the treasure had been found.

To further sweeten the find, Hearst learned that the relic wouldn’t cost him a dime. He already owned it. The rediscovered piece was in Hearst’s warehouse with many other treasures that had likewise never been unpacked.

The desire for acquiring more can sometimes blind us from what we already possess.

- Michael Green (ministry127.com)

Luke 12:15 (GNB): And he (Jesus) went on to say to them all, "Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed; because your true life is not made up of the things you own, no matter how rich you may be."

Jesus said: “Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully! (Mat 5:6)

Friday, May 22, 2015

BAD COMPANY


One day a farmer grabbed his shot gun to shoot at a flock of pesky crows. Unfortunately, he didn’t see his sociable parrot that had joined the crows.

After firing a few shots, he walked over to the fallen birds & was surprised to find his parrot badly ruffled with a broken wing.

When the farmer’s children saw the injured bird, they asked, “Dad, what happened?”

The farmer simply replied, “Bad Company.”

Scripture often warns us to avoid harmful influences. Regardless of our age or spiritual strength, over time, unwise influences will negatively affect our walk with the Lord.

Satan is determined to pull us into sin & wreck our lives & he often uses wrong influences to accomplish his goal.

(ministry127.com)

“Show me a man's books and show me a man's companions - and I will tell you what sort of a man he is.” - William Tiptaft.

1Pe 5:8 (GNB): “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

Thursday, May 21, 2015

GREENER PASTURES


Sometime ago there appeared in a newspaper a cartoon showing two fields divided by a fence. Both fields were about the same size & each had plenty of the same kind of grass, green & lush.

In each field there was a mule & each mule had his head through the fence eating grass from the other mule’s pasture. All around each mule in his own field was plenty of grass, yet the grass in the other field seemed greener or fresher, although it was harder to get.

And in the process the mules were caught in the wires & were unable to extricate themselves.

The cartoonist put just one word at the bottom of the picture - “DISCONTENT.”

- Paul L. Tan (ministry127.com)

“All our discontents about what we want appear to me to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.” - Daniel Defoe.

1Ti 6:6 (GW): “A godly life brings huge profits to people who are content with what they have.”

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” - C.S. Lewis.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

KEEPING TESTIMONY CLEAN


A young lady who was attempting to defend her attendance at questionable places of amusement told her friend that she thought a Christian could go anywhere.

Her friend replied, “Certainly she can, but I am reminded of a little incident which happened last summer when I went with a party of friends to explore a coal mine. One of the young women appeared dressed in a lovely white gown.

When her friends disagreed with her, she appealed to the old miner who was to act as guide to the party. ‘Can’t I wear a white dress down into the mine?’ she asked irritably.

‘Yes, mum,’ returned the old man, ‘there is nothing to keep you from wearing a white frock down there, but there will be no way to keep you from wearing one back.’”

There is nothing that prevents a Christian from bringing his good testimony anywhere he goes; but there is much to keep him from bringing it back from questionable places.

- Dr. Paul Chappell (ministry127.com)

Psalms 1:1 (GW): “Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers.”

“Everywhere you look you see people searching for love... but they're looking in the wrong places. God is love, and they will never find what they're looking for until they find Him.” - Joyce Meyer.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

WANTING MORE


Two friends met each other on the street one day. One looked sad, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?”

The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you: three weeks ago, my uncle died & left me forty thousand dollars.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died & left me eighty-five thousand dollars, free & clear.”

“Sounds to me that you’ve been very blessed.”

“You don’t understand!” he interrupted. “Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million from her.”

Now the man’s friend was really confused. “Then, why do you look so glum?”

“This week – I got nothing!”

We can often come to the point where we expect to get certain blessings that God never promised us & when they do not come, it is easy to get bitter.

(ministry127.com)

You say, "If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied." You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. - Charles Spurgeon.

“I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little.” – Paul (Phil 4:12)

Monday, May 18, 2015

WHY ARE WE SAVED?


Some years ago I was lecturing in Western Pennsylvania. In one home where I was entertained was a dear little four-year-old whom I delighted to tease.

One day I asked her, "Are you worth anything?"

She said, "No."

And I asked, "What's the use of keeping you, then?"

The little face grew dark and puzzled while she felt for an answer. Then she blurted out,

"Oh, I tell you why: Mama loves me." And not an angel under the heavens could have given a better answer.

Love, divine love alone, makes us worth saving.

- Thomas Chalmers (moreillustrations.com)

“Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for; to make them worth it.” - C.S. Lewis.

1Jn 4:10 (GNB): “This is what love is: it is not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven.”

“Remember, your worth is founded in Jesus Christ.” - Warren Wiersbe.

Sunday, May 17, 2015

FALLING IN LOVE


A young man spent an entire evening telling a girl how much he loved her. He said that he couldn't live without her; that he'd go to the ends of the earth for her; yes, go through fire for her, or die for her.

But when leaving he said, "I'll see you tomorrow - if it doesn't rain."

How often we say we love God, yet deny it by our actions.

1Jn 3:18 says: “My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.”

- Ruby Barrow Oldfield (moreillustrations.com)

Jesus said: "If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” (John 14:15)

According to the Bible, falling in love with Jesus Christ  is the only best solution to really overcome any problem in our life.

Friday, May 15, 2015

LOOKING FOR GOD’S HELP?


It had been raining for days & days & a terrible flood had come over the land. The waters rose so high that one man was forced to climb onto the roof of his house.

As the waters rose higher & higher, a man in a rowboat appeared & told him to get in.

"No," replied the man on the roof. "I have faith in the Lord; the Lord will save me." So the man in the rowboat went away.

The man on the roof prayed for God to save him.

The waters rose higher & higher & suddenly a speedboat appeared. "Climb in!" shouted a man in the boat.

"No," replied the man on the roof. "I have faith in the Lord; the Lord will save me." So the man in the speedboat went away.

The man on the roof prayed for God to save him.

The waters continued to rise. A helicopter appeared & over the loudspeaker, the pilot announced he would lower a rope to the man on the roof.

"No," replied the man on the roof. "I have faith in the Lord; the Lord will save me." So the helicopter went away.

The man on the roof prayed for God to save him.

The waters rose higher & higher & eventually they rose so high that the man on the roof was washed away & alas, the poor man drowned.

Upon arriving in heaven, the man marched straight over to God. "Heavenly Father," he said, "I had faith in you, I prayed to you to save me & yet you did nothing. Why?"

God gave him a puzzled look & replied "I sent you two boats & a helicopter, what more did you expect?"

(aksermonillustrations.blogspot.in)

“God has chosen us to help one another.” - Smith Wigglesworth.

Pro 3:5-6 (ESV): “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

GOD MOSTLY HELPS THROUGH PEOPLE.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

HOW FAITH IS DESTROYED


Samuel Clemens, more commonly known by his pen name, Mark Twain, was a gifted writer. Yet, Twain held a deep contempt for Christianity.

He once referred to it as a “slaughterhouse religion” because of the doctrine of the blood atonement & he often turned his ridicule on those who believed the Bible.

He met & fell in love with Olivia Langdon, a young woman from a good Christian family. While they were courting he appeared to have downplayed his lack of faith & she agreed to marry him.

After their marriage, Twain began to openly mock Christianity once again & before too much time passed, Olivia stopped attending church.

Twain & his family suffered many great reversals, including a complete financial collapse & the death of a beloved daughter.

At one point Twain attempting to comfort his grieving wife, said, “Livy, if it comforts you to lean on your faith, do so.”

She replied sadly, “I cannot. I do not have any faith left.”

The people we spend most of our time with & cultural influences such as books, music, social media & television that we allow into our hearts & minds have a dramatic influence on us.

This is why Solomon warned of the dangers of wanting to spend time with those who are evil.

Pro 24:1-2: “Don't be envious of evil people, and don't try to make friends with them. Causing trouble is all they ever think about; every time they open their mouth someone is going to be hurt.”

- Susan K. Harris (ministry127.com)

“It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company.” - George Washington.

2Co 6:14: “Do not try to work together as equals with unbelievers, for it cannot be done. How can right and wrong be partners? How can light and darkness live together?”

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

SELF-DEFENSE


"Do you think it would be wrong for me to learn the noble art of self-defense?" a young man inquired of his pastor.

"Certainly not," answered the minister. "I learned it in youth myself & I have found it of great value during my life."

"Indeed, sir! Did you learn the old English system or the Sullivan system?"

"I learned neither," said the minister. "I learned the Solomon system."

"The Solomon system?" answered the young man.

"Yes; you will find it in Proverbs chapter fifteen & verse one: ‘A SOFT ANSWER turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.’ It is the best system of self-defense of which I know!"

- Youth's Counselor. (moreillustrations.com)

“To assure victory we need to watch even the sound of our speech. Immediately the evil spirit touches our spirit, our voice loses its softness. A harsh, hard, and shrill utterance does not spring from the Holy Spirit; it simply exhibits the fact that the one who speaks has been poisoned already by Satan.” - Watchman Nee.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

SPEED THRILLS BUT…


If you speed - sing these hymns:

At 45 mph.... "God Will Take Care of Me"

At 55 mph.... "Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah"

At 65 mph.... "Nearer My God to Thee"

At 75 mph... "Nearer Still Nearer"

At 85 mph... "This World is not my Home"

At 95 mph.... "Lord, I'm Coming Home"

At 100 mph.... "Precious Memories"

(hlpawhite.tripod.com)

Obey traffic rules as Bible says: “Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority exists except by God's permission. The existing authorities have been established by God.” (Rom 13:1)

Road safety slogans:

• Leave sooner, drive slower, live longer.

• Drive as if every child on the street were you own.

• Mountains are pleasure if you drive with leisure.

“If a man gets drunk and goes out and breaks his leg so that it must be amputated, God will forgive him if he asks it, but he will have to hop around on one leg all his life.” - D.L. Moody.

 

Monday, May 11, 2015

SIGHT AND FAITH


A college student was in a Philosophy class, where a class discussion about whether or not God exists was in progress.

The professor had the following logic: "Has anyone in this class heard God?"
Nobody spoke.

"Has anyone in this class touched God?"
Again, nobody spoke.

"Has anyone in this class seen God?"
When nobody spoke for the 3rd time, he simply stated, "Then there is no GOD."

The student did not like the sound of this at all & asked for permission to speak. The professor granted it & the student stood up & asked the following questions:

"Has anyone in this class heard our professor's brain?"
Silence.

"Has anyone in this class touched our professor's brain?"
Absolute silence.

"Has anyone in this class seen our professor's brain?"
When nobody in the class dared to speak, the student concluded,

"Then, according to our professor's logic, it must be true that our professor has no brain!"

(hlpawhite.tripod.com)

Pro 26:5 (JPS): “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”

Heb 11:1 (KJV): “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Sunday, May 10, 2015

STAND BY ME


"One night while my young son, Ryan, was sleeping, a storm began brewing outside. After a loud clap of thunder, I heard him wake up so I headed toward his room to comfort him.

He asked me to stay with him until he fell asleep. As I lay there I realized he hadn't asked me to make the storm go away, but to stay with him.

How many times, I wondered, have I asked God to take away the storms of life, when instead I need to ask him to stay with me and help me weather them more peacefully?" - Kim Sherer.

“God may not take the storm away but He promises to stand by me through the storm. As long as He is there with me, I can face all types of storm.” - Albert Kang.

As the hymn writer, Charles A. Tindley, put it so aptly:

When the storms of life are raging,
Stand by me, stand by me;
When the storms of life are raging,
Stand by me, stand by me;
When the world is tossing me
Like a ship upon the sea
Thou who rulest wind and water,
Stand by me, stand by me….

Psa 23:4: "I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe."

(aksermonillustrations.blogspot.in)

Saturday, May 9, 2015

NITTY-GRITTY REASONS


A nitty-gritty reason is the kind that any one of us can have - at any time, on any day - and it can cause our lives to change. Let me tell you what happened to me.

One day I was lounging at home when I heard a knock at the door. It was a timid, hesitant knock. When I opened the door I looked down to see a frail little girl of about 10. She told me, with all the courage her little heart could muster, that she was selling Girl Scout cookies.

It was a masterful presentation - several flavors, a special deal - only $2 per box. How could anyone refuse? Finally, with a big smile & ever so politely, she asked me to buy. And I wanted to. Oh, how I wanted to!

Except for one thing. I didn't have two dollars!

Boy, was I embarrassed! Here I was - a father, had been to college, was gainfully employed - and yet I didn't have two dollars to my name. Naturally I couldn't tell this to the little girl. So I lied to her. I said, "Thanks, but I've already bought Girl Scout cookies this year. And I've still got plenty stacked in the house."

Now that simply wasn't true. But it was the only thing I could think of to get me off the hook. And it did. The little girl said, "That's okay, sir. Thank you very much." And with that she turned around & went on her way.

I stared after her for what seemed a very long time. Finally, I closed the door behind me & leaning my back to it, cried out, "I don't want to live like this anymore. I've had it with being broke & I've had it with lying. I'll never be embarrassed again by not having any money in my pocket."

That day I promised myself to earn enough to always have some money in my pocket at all times.

This is what I mean by a nitty-gritty reason. It may not win me any prize for greatness, but it was enough to have a permanent effect on the rest of my life.

My Girl-Scout-cookie story does have a happy ending.

Several years later, as I was crossing the street to get into my car, I saw two little girls who were selling candy for some girls' organization.

One of them approached me, saying, "Mister, would you like to buy some candy?"

"I probably would," I said playfully. "What kind of candy do you have?"

"It's almond roca."

"Almond roca. That's my favorite. How much is it?"

"It's only $2."

Two dollars. I was excited. "How many boxes of candy have you got?"

"I've got five."

Looking at her friend, I said, "And how many boxes do you have left?"

"I've got four."

"That's nine. Okay, I'll take them all."

At this, both girls' mouths fell open as they exclaimed in unison, "Really?"

"Sure," I said. "I've got some friends that I'll pass some around to."

Excitedly, they scurried to stack all the boxes together. I reached into my pocket & gave them $18.

As I was about to leave, one of the girls looked up & said, "Mister, you're really something!"

How about that! Can you imagine spending only $18 & having someone look you in the face & say, "You're really something!"

Now you know why I always carry a few hundred dollars on me. I'm not about to miss chances like that ever again.

And to think it all resulted from my own embarrassment, which when properly channeled, acted as a powerful motivator to help me achieve.

How about you? What nitty-gritty reasons do you have waiting to challenge & provoke you into change for the better?

- Jim Rohn (aksermonillustrations.blogspot.in)

Pro 21:21 (CEV): "If you try to be kind and good, you will be blessed with life and goodness and honor."

Thursday, May 7, 2015

THE REFINER’S FIRE


C H Spurgeon, who experienced many physical & spiritual trials, said that there is no education like adversity, testifying:

“I have derived more real benefit & permanent strength & growth in grace & every precious thing, from the furnace of affliction, than I have ever derived from prosperity.

And in all our troubles we have found the character of God a comfort, for the Refiner is never very far from the mouth of the furnace when His gold is in the fire.”

While God never promised we would miss the storms, He has promised we will make it to the harbor!

As Wiersbe said, “When God puts His own people into the furnace; He keeps His eye on the clock & His hand on the thermostat. He knows how long & how much.” He is not an arsonist, but a Refiner!

(preceptaustin.wordpress.com)

1Pe 1:6-7 (GNB): “Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

GOD LOVES ME


Some years ago two gentlemen were riding together & as they were about to separate, one addressed the other thus: "Do you ever read your Bible?"

"Yes," was the answer, "but I get no benefit from it, because, to tell the truth, I feel I do not love God."

"Neither did I," replied the other, "until I thought of how much God loves me."

This answer produced such an effect upon his friend that, to use his own words, it was as if one had lifted him off the saddle into the skies. It opened up to his soul at once the great truth, that it is not how much I love God, but how much God loves me.

(moreillustrations.com)

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” - Augustine.

1Pe 1:18-19 (GW): “Realize that you weren't set free from the worthless life handed down to you from your ancestors by a payment of silver or gold which can be destroyed. Rather, the payment that freed you was the precious blood of Christ, the lamb with no defects or imperfections.”

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

DOING RIGHT


Lenny Skutnik had no intention of being a hero that day. The staffer at the Congressional Budget Office in Washington was having an ordinary winter day when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River shortly after takeoff. Those who survived the crash faced death as the plane sank in the icy waters.

A helicopter dropped a rescue line to one of the survivors, but she was too weak to hold on. Lenny Skutnik saw what was happening & dove into the water. He swam out to her & pulled her back to shore, saving her life.

Two weeks later, President Ronald Reagan invited Skutnik to attend the State of the Union address & in describing the accident said: “We saw the heroism of one of our young government employees, Lenny Skutnik, who, when he saw a woman lose her grip on the helicopter line, dived into the water & dragged her to safety.”

Skutnik was honored by the president of the United States, not because he tried to draw attention to himself but because he did what was right in a crisis. Satan tells us that we need to be sure everything we do is seen & praised. Yet God reminds us that attempts to promote ourselves eventually backfire.

- Presidential Voices, Allan Metcalf (ministry127.com)

Jas 4:17 (ISV): “Therefore, anyone who knows what is right but fails to do it is guilty of sin.”

“It is not your business to succeed, but to do right: when you have done so, the rest lies with God.” - C.S. Lewis.

Monday, May 4, 2015

GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM


An old man, so the story goes, once lost a currency note in his barn. He said to himself: "That note certainly is in the barn somewhere & I will search for it until I find it."

After long & patient seeking, he found the note & returned to the house & related the circumstance to his wife.

A few weeks later, having been awakened to a sense of his spiritual state, he asked his wife, "What must I do to become a real Christian?"

She replied, "You must seek Christ as you sought the currency note until you find Him." And he did so.

- Pentecostal Herald. (moreillustrations.com)

Pro 8:17 (ASV): “I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me.”

“Many who plan to seek God at the eleventh hour, die at 10:30.” - Author Unknown.

Heb 11:6 (GNB): “No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him.”

How to seek God?

“In all things seek to know God's will and when known obey at any cost.” - Jonathan Goforth.

Sunday, May 3, 2015

HE WAS DETERMINED TO READ THE BIBLE


William McPherson was the superintendent for a stone quarry when a blast severely injured him.

He lost his eyesight & both hands in the explosion. He was determined to read the Bible & learned to read raised letters with the tip of his tongue.

It is said that he read through the Bible four times in this manner.

- Annual Report of the American Bible Society, Volume 97. (ministry127.com)

“Within the covers of the Bible are all the answers for all the problems men face.” - Ronald Reagan.

Heb 4:12 (GNB): “The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart.”

“If I were doing something that the Bible condemns, I have two choices. I can straighten up my act, or I can somehow distort and twist and change the meaning of the Bible.” - Jerry Falwell.

Friday, May 1, 2015

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS (but differently sometimes)


A little boy wanted $100 very badly. He prayed for weeks, but nothing happened. So, he decided to write a letter to God requesting $100.

When the postal authorities received the letter to "God, USA", they decided to send it to the President.

The President was so amused that he instructed his secretary to send the little boy a $5 bill. The President thought this would appear to be a lot of money to a little boy.

The little boy was delighted with the $5 bill and sat down to write a thank-you note to God. The postal authorities forwarded this letter also to the President.

It read:
"Dear God, Thank you very much for sending the money. However, I noticed that for some reason you sent it through Washington, D.C., and those guys deducted $95 in taxes!"

It's a funny story but what we can learn from this is:

When God answers our prayer, sometimes it will not be exactly what we wanted it to be.
But we just have to trust Him. Trust that God's answer to our prayer is the best for us.

(aksermonillustrations.blogspot.in)

Jesus said: "Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” (Mat 7:7)

“God will either give you what you ask or something far better.” - Robert Murray McCheyne.

Jesus said: “Even though you're evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. So how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him?” (Mat 7:11)