Monday, October 31, 2016

OTHERS’ SINS



During a revival a young man said frankly that he did not wish to be a Christian.

When asked for his reason, he replied, "Several years ago I was in a man's kitchen. He finding me there swore at me & kicked me out. He was a professing Christian & from that time I decided never to have anything to do with religion. And I never have to this day."

The young man was asked to write down his reason in full & sign it. Then it was handed back to him with the words, "Take this & when you are asked for your excuse on the Day of Judgment, hand this up."

The young man saw his folly & came to Christ that night.

Are you letting the sins of others keep you from giving your heart to Jesus? It will not stand the test of the judgment day.

- The Dawn. (moreillustrations.com)      

“How many prodigals are kept out of the Kingdom of God by the unlovely character of those who profess to be inside!” -  Henry Drummond.

Lord Jesus said: “How terrible for you teachers of the Law! You have kept the key that opens the door to the house of knowledge; you yourselves will not go in, and you stop those who are trying to go in!” (Luke 11:52 GNT).

Sunday, October 30, 2016

KNOWING AND DOING GOD’S WILL



Why do we want to know God's will?

Most Christians would feel that this was a strange question, for those whose lives are yielded to God have a real desire to know His plan for them in order that they may follow it in their lives.

But is there not sometimes too great a lapse of time between knowledge & obedience?

Dr. William L. Pettingill, the well-known Bible teacher made a penetrating remark on this subject:

"Most people," he said, "don't want to know the will of God in order to do it; they want to know it in order to consider it."

It often takes time to learn just what God wants us to do in any particular matter, but once we know His purpose we ought not to delay in at least beginning to carry it out by His grace.

- Sunday School Times.(moreillustrations.com)

John 4:34 (NKJV): Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish His work.”

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

Friday, October 28, 2016

A GOOD EXAMPLE



"Who is the best girl in your school?"
I asked a group of schoolgirls.

"Lucy Jones," was the quick reply.

"What makes her the best?" I asked.

"She recites the best," answered one.

"She never gets excused," said another.

"She's never late," said a third.

"She keeps all the rules," said a fourth.

"And something else," said one who had not spoken before.

"Ah, what is that?" I asked.

"Mother says she loves & willingly obeys God & parents," she answered.

Yes, that's it. Lucy was working for Jesus by setting a good example.

- Story World. (moreillustrations.com)

1 Tim 4:12 (ISV): “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity.”

“He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.” -  Francis Bacon.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

OUR WILL Vs GOD’S WILL



When I was a boy on the farm, my father once told me to do a certain thing one day that I really did not like to do. He went to town & I noticed that our barn door needed paint.

I knew where there was a can of red paint & a new brush. I tried my hand at painting that door. I did a good job, but when my father came home, well - I do not need to tell you about it! It was not a precious memory!

I performed a service, but I did not do the thing that my father left for me to do.

So with the Christian: he will be rewarded, not for doing the thing that he wants to do, but for doing the thing that Christ left him here to do - to fulfill the great commission.

- The King's Business. (moreillustrations.com)

“The greatest mistake any Christian can make is to substitute his own will for the will of God.” - Harry Ironside.

Rom 12:2 (ICB): “Do not be shaped by this world. Instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you. And you will be able to know what is good and pleasing to God and what is perfect.”

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

PRAISE THE LORD!


A friend of mine was recently summoned to the bedside of his aged mother. More than 80 yrs of age, she was stricken with what they feared would prove her fatal illness.

While her children were gathered in the room her pastor came; and as he was about to lead them in prayer, he turned to the aged saint & asked her what selection of Scripture he should read. She said: "Make your own selection, but let it be of praise."

The weakness of old age was on her & the pain of sickness, but there was no gloom. It was light at eventide. "Let it be of praise."

- James I. Vance, in Earnest Worker. (moreillustrations.com)

Ps 42:5 (CEV): “Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me.”

“We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.” -  Harry Ironside.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

GRUMBLING & COMPLAINING



Bishop William Burt when asked how he acquired the habit of good cheer is said to have stated that the remark of a child he once overheard taught him to grumble & complain as little as possible.

"While I was studying at Wilbraham Academy, I spent a few days with this child's father, a good man but a chronic growler. We were all sitting in the front room when the question of food arose.

The little girl told cleverly what each member of the family liked best. Finally it came to the father's turn to be described 'What do I like, Nancy?' he asked laughingly.

'You?' said the little one slowly. `Well, you like mostly everything we haven't got."'
Grumbling is one of the hardest things for the wife to bear & causes great unhappiness.

- (moreillustrations.com)

Num 11:1 (GNT): “The people began to complain to the Lord about their troubles. When the Lord heard them, he became angry and sent fire on the people. It burned among them and destroyed one end of the camp.”

“What then are we to do about our problems? We must learn to live with them until such time as God delivers us from them. We must pray for grace to endure them without murmuring. Problems patiently endured will work for our spiritual perfecting. They harm us only when we resist them or endure them unwillingly” - A.W. Tozer.

Monday, October 24, 2016

PREPARATION



A famous football coach, Yost, of the University of Michigan, once rebuked a confident player who said their team would win because it had "the will to win."

"Don't fool yourself," said Mr. Yost. "The will to win is not worth a nickel unless you have the will to prepare."

- Halford E. Luccock, Christian Herald (moreillustrations.com)

2 Tim 2:21(ERV): “The Lord wants to use you for special purposes, so make yourself clean from all evil. Then you will be holy, and the Master can use you. You will be ready for any good work.”

“A prepared person will always have his opportunity.” -  Jack Hyles.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

AN ULTIMATE WINNER



I once read about a man who loved to hunt & bought two topnotch bird dogs. He kept & trained them in his large back yard.

Down the street lived a vicious-looking bulldog who liked to crawl under the fence to attack the two setters. 
Day after day he would come & the two setters would tear the bulldog apart, until he could take no more & slip away with his tail between his legs.

But, each day, for weeks, he kept returning. And each day would go home whining in pain, licking his wounds.

After several weeks something interesting happened. The setters had only to hear the bulldog coming & quickly scurried into the basement of their owner's home. They had had enough, even though they had beaten the stuffing out of the pesky bulldog time & time & time again.

The bulldog's persistence made him the winner. Determination, persistence, hanging in when others check out - is what makes a winner a winner.

2 Cor 4:11 (TLB): “Yes, we live under constant danger to our lives because we serve the Lord, but this gives us constant opportunities to show forth the power of Jesus Christ within our dying bodies.”

- Dick Innes (aksermonillustrations.blogspot.in)

“You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.” -  Zig Ziglar.

Friday, October 21, 2016

ACCOMPLISHMENT



On one occasion Lincoln called at McClellan's home to consult him about a military matter. The general had gone to a reception.

Lincoln waited for a considerable time & finally the general returned. He walked down the hall & ascended the stairs to his bedroom, although word had been given him about his visitor.

After few minutes a second message was sent. Word came back that General McClellan had gone to bed.
Lincoln never spoke of that incident, but he did not call again on McClellan until the great crisis of September, 1862, when he went to McClellan's house & asked him to take charge of the defeated & disorganized army of the Potomac, which Lee had defeated in the second Battle of Bull Run.

When Lincoln's friends disagreed with him because of his toleration of the attitude of McClellan, Lincoln said, "Why, I would be willing to hold McClellan's horse, if only he will give victory to our army."

- (moreillustrations.com)              

Paul said: “But I put no value on my life, if only at the end of it I may see the work complete which was given to me by the Lord Jesus...”  (Acts 20:24, BBE)

“You can get almost everything accomplished if you don’t care who gets the credit.” - Ned Hay.


Thursday, October 20, 2016

SUCCESS



A successful man was asked the secret of his accomplishments. His reply was:

"Good judgment."

"Where do you learn good judgment," he was asked.

"From experience."

"From where do you get experience?"

"From poor judgment."

- (moreillustrations.com)

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” – Colin L. Powell.

Pro 19:8 (GNT): “Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper.”

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

HUMBLE OR BEING HUMBLED!



It is not surprising to find those who walk humbly with God, humble before their fellows.

Dr. G. Scroggie says: "I stayed with Handley Moule, Bishop of Durham, at Lochlan Castle. I never saw more wonderful unselfishness & humility.

General William Booth (the founder of The Salvation Army) stayed overnight & when he got home from the meeting the Bishop put him in the easiest chair in the drawing room & knelt down & took off General Booth's shoes, carried them away & got his slippers.

And all was done so naturally - no pride, no selfishness & no desire to maintain his dignity, though he did not lose any of it by getting on his knees."

- Evangelical Christian. (moreillustrations.com)

1 Pet 5:5 (CEV): "All of you young people should obey your elders. In fact, everyone should be humble toward everyone else. The Scriptures say, 'God opposes proud people, but he helps everyone who is humble'.”

“Every Christian has a choice between being humble or being humbled." -  Charles Spurgeon.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

GOSSIP



A decent & honest old woman, who had for more than forty years earned a livelihood by taking in washing, was asked how it was she was so well liked by those who came in contact with her.

She replied: "I make it a practice never to say in one house what I hear in another."

"Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people." (Lev19:16) 

- Christian Herald. (moreillustrations.com)

Pro 11:13 (GNT): “No one who gossips can be trusted with a secret, but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy.”

“Whoever gossips to you will gossip of you.” - Unknown Author.

Monday, October 17, 2016

FOLLOWING THE LORD



A gentleman followed by a rough-looking dog got into a car in Edinburgh. The dog followed the car in the face of many obstacles.

Soon after another dog came up, bent on a quarrel; afterward, another dog more determined; then a third & a fourth. He took no notice, but continued to follow his master - only following & looking up.

What a lesson he taught us! His one object was to follow his master & this he did faithfully.

- The Christian Endeavor World. (moreillustrations.com)

Lord Jesus said: “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23 NET)

“Many times men criticize us when we actually are following the Lord. Outside praise or criticism is inconsequential; but the testimony of our quickened conscience is momentous.” - Watchman Nee.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

PRECIOUSNESS OF WISDOM



In May of 2012, a 32-carat Burmese ruby & diamond ring - that was part of the collection of Lily Safra (a Brazilian philanthropist), one of the richest women in the world - was sold at an auction.

The pre-auction estimate for the sale was $3 - 5 million, but the final sale price ended up at $6.7 million. It is believed to be the most expensive ruby ever sold.

As valuable as rubies are, the Bible tells us that wisdom is far better & more valuable. No earthly treasure can compare to wisdom because nothing else offers the same protection, benefits & blessings that wisdom does.

Bible says: “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”  (Pro 8:11)

- (ministry127.com)

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.” - Charles Spurgeon.

Friday, October 14, 2016

PURPOSE LOST


The kindly clergyman, newly come to the parish, was at great pains to teach an illiterate old man, crippled with rheumatism, his letters so that he could read the Bible.

On the clergyman's return after a short absence from the parish, he met the old man's wife.
"And how is Thomas making out with reading his Bible?"

"Bless you, sir," the wife declared proudly, "he's out of the Bible and into the newspaper long ago."

- (moreillustrations.com)

“More men fail through lack of purpose than lack of talent.” -  Billy Sunday.


Ecc 12:13-14 (GNT): “After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence for God, and obey his commands, because this is all that we were created for. God is going to judge everything we do, whether good or bad, even things done in secret.”


Thursday, October 13, 2016

O DEATH! WHERE IS YOUR STING?



I heard lately a simple but significant story. A gardener had a rare & beautiful flower in his charge. He had bestowed great care on it & it was approaching perfection. One day it was missing; some hand had cut it from the stem.

The gardener was troubled & anxious, but was calmed & satisfied at once when the Master came round and said, "I took it."

- (moreillustrations.com)

Gal 2:20 (NKJV): “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

“Death stung himself to death when he stung Christ.” - William Romaine.

1 Cor 15:55 (PHILLIPS): “It is sin which gives death its power, and it is the Law which gives sin its strength. All thanks to God, then, who gives us the victory over these things through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
               

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

ONE DAY AT A TIME…



On a dark night a very small boy was given a lantern by his father, who asked him to go out to the woodshed & bring to the house an armful of wood.

The boy said, "Daddy, I can't see."

The father then queried, "How far can you see?"

"Only three steps."

"Take them," said his father. "How far can you see now, son?"

"Three more steps."

Finally, by going forward three steps at a time, the boy reached the woodshed & brought in the wood.

- Sunshine Magazine (moreillustrations.com)

“God won't light your second step until you have taken the first one.” - Woodrow Kroll.

Deu 7:22 (ESV): “The Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little…”

“God has a course mapped out for your life, and all the inadequacies in the world will not change His mind. He will be with you every step of the way. And though it may take time, He has a celebration planned for when you cross over the Red Seas of your life.” -  Charles Stanley.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

POWER OF THE GOSPEL



A story is told of an old Fijian chief & an infidel who visited the Fiji islands.

The man said to the chief: “You are a great chief & it is really a pity that you have been so foolish as to listen to the missionaries who only want to get rich among you. 

No one nowadays would believe any more in that old book which is called the Bible; neither do men listen to that story about Jesus Christ; people know better now & I am sorry for you that you have been foolish.”

The old chief said: “Do you see that great stone over there? On that stone we smashed the heads of our victims to death. Do you see that native oven over yonder? In that oven we roasted the human bodies for our great feasts.

If it had not been for those good missionaries, for that old Book & the great love of Jesus Christ which has changed us from savages into God's children, you would never leave this spot!

You have to thank God for the Gospel, otherwise you would be killed & roasted in yonder oven & we would feast on your body in no time!”

- Dr. Donald Barnhouse (moreillustrations.com)

Rom 1:16 (GNT): “I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God's power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles.”

Monday, October 10, 2016

DON’T GIVE UP



Professor Drummond saw at a fair a glass model of a famous mine. The owner drove a tunnel a mile long through the strata he thought contained gold, spent one hundred thousand dollars on it, and in a year & a half had failed to find the gold.

Another company drove the tunnel a yard further & struck the ore.

So the gold of life may be but a short distance off. There are countless failures in life due to not going far enough. Keep on - the reward may lie just a yard ahead.

- Exchange in the Sunday School Banner. (moreillustrations.com)

“You will never see the end, if you give up in the middle.” – Joyce Meyer.

Gal 6:9 (ISV): “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest - if we do not give up.”

Sunday, October 9, 2016

USING EXACT WORDS



On Jan 25, 1990, Avianca Flight 52 from Colombia crashed just 15 miles short of New York's Kennedy International Airport, killing 73 passengers.

Reason: The plane just ran out of gas. Under international regulations, an airliner must carry enough fuel to reach its destination as well as its assigned alternate, plus enough extra to handle at least 45 minutes of delays.

Due to low fuel condition, the Avianca pilots had requested "priority" (not "emergency") landing. Because the exact word "emergency" was not used, and due to heavy traffic & bad weather conditions, the ill-fated plane was placed on a holding pattern...until it simply ran out of gas.

- (sermonillustrations.com)

“Words differently arranged have a different meaning, and meanings differently arranged have different effects.” - Blaise Pascal.

Mat 5:37 (WE): ‘You must mean "Yes" when you say "Yes". You must mean "No" when you say "No". To say anything more than that is wrong.'

Friday, October 7, 2016

MAKING A DREAM COME TRUE



A Scotch boy by the name of Alexander Duff had a dream in which, in a chariot of great glory, God drew near to him where he was meditating on a hillside & calling to him said, "Come up, hither; I have work for you to do."

That vision never faded from his memory. He went to St. Andrews University, where a missionary society was formed among the students, Duff becoming its first librarian.

In 1829 he went out to India as the first missionary from the Scottish church. He was a real pioneer. He opened a school in Calcutta & later helped to establish a medical college there.

If you have a dream of doing great service for God, try to make it come true as Alexander Duff made his dream come true.

- (moreillustrations.com)                              

Mat 1:24 (EHP): “Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream...”

“High achievers spot rich opportunities swiftly, make big decisions quickly and move into action immediately. Follow these principles and you can make your dreams come true.” - Robert H. Schuller.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

GLIMPSE OF THE GLORY



A poor shoemaker, in his depressive  little shop in a great city, one day found by accident that there was one little place in his dark room from which he could get a view, through a window, of green fields, blue skies & faraway hills.

He wisely set his bench at that point, so that at any moment he could lift his eyes from his dull work & have a glimpse of the great beautiful world outside.

From the darkest sick-room & from the midst of the keenest sufferings there is always a point from which we can see the face of Christ & have a glimpse of the glory of Heaven. If only we can find this place & get this vision, it will make it easy to endure even the greatest suffering.

- The King's Business. (moreillustrations.com)

Heb 12: 2 (CEV): “We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God’s throne!”

‘True faith, by a mighty effort of the will, fixes its gaze on our Divine Helper, and there finds it possible and wise to lose its fears. It is madness to say, "I will not be afraid;" it is wisdom and peace to say, "I will trust in Him and not be afraid."’ - Alexander MacLaren.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

FOOLISH GAIN



"A young man once found a five-dollar bill on the street," says William Feather, a well-known writer.

"From that time on he never lifted his eyes when walking. In the course of years he accumulated 29,519 buttons, 54,172 pins, twelve cents, a bent back, and a miserly disposition.

He lost the glory of the sunlight, the sheen of the stars, the smiles of friends, tree-blossoms in the spring, the blue skies, and the entire joy of living."

- San Francisco News. (moreillustrations.com)

Paul said: “Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ.” (Phil 3:8 CEV)

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” - Jim Elliot.

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

PATIENCE



"Wait, patiently wait,
God is never late;
The budding plans are in thy Father's holding,
And only wait His Divine unfolding;
Then wait, patiently wait."

- Selected. (moreillustrations.com)

Ecc 3:11 (CEV): “God makes everything happen at the right time.”

“Jesus hears us, and in His own good time will give an answer... He may sometimes keep us long waiting...but He will never send us empty away.” - J.C. Ryle.

HELP IN PRAYING



A little heathen boy, who had just learned the alphabet, was one Sunday morning seen out on the hillside, with his hands clasped together & his eyes closed. He was repeating the letters of the alphabet over & over.

The missionary drew near & asked him what it meant. He replied, "I was praying."

"But why," replied the questioner, "did you repeat the alphabet?"

"Well," he said, "I felt that I must pray & as I knew no prayer, I just said the letters of the alphabet, knowing that the great God would put them into words for me."

- Canadian Epworth Era. (moreillustrations.com)

“In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” - John Bunyan.

Rom 8:26 (CEV): “In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.”

Saturday, October 1, 2016

HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST?



Two young soldiers were talking about the service of Christ. One of them said: 

"I cannot tell you all that the Lord Jesus is to me, or what He has done for me. I do wish you would enlist in His army!"

"I am thinking about it," answered the other young man, "but it means giving up several things - in fact, I am counting the cost."

A Christian officer, just passing, heard the last remark & laying his hand on the shoulder of the young soldier, said:

"Young man, you talk of counting the cost of following Christ, but have you ever counted the cost of not following Him?"

For days that question exercised the mind of that young man & he found no rest till he trusted the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of sinners, whose faithful soldier he has been for 27 years.

- T., in Scattered Seed (moreillustrations.com)
 
Rev 20:15 (AMP): “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire.”

“Loving God - really loving Him - means living out His commands no matter what the cost.” - Chuck Colson.