Friday, June 30, 2017

GOING FORWARD



"A man's life," sighed Joe, "is 20 years of having his mother asking him where he is going, 40 years of having his wife ask the same question; and at the end, the mourners are wondering, too."

- Weekly Animator (moreillustrations.com)

“The Christian life is very much like climbing a hill of ice. You cannot slide up. You have to cut every step with an ice axe. Only with incessant labor in cutting and chipping can you make any progress. If you want to know how to backslide, leave off going forward. Cease going upward and you will go downward of necessity. You can never stand still.” -  Charles Spurgeon.

Heb (6:1 WE): “So, let us leave behind the first teachings about Christ. And let us go on to things that are grown up. We must not go back to the beginning again and talk about turning away from doing things that bring death to us. We must not go back again and talk about believing in God. Let us go forward.”

Thursday, June 29, 2017

RICH TOWARD GOD



These words are found in connection with the parable of the rich fool, whose folly illustrates that of every person who "layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." (Lk 12:21)

There are four classes of people when it comes to the matter of possessions.

(1) Those who are rich in this world's goods & poor toward God.

(2) Those who are poor in this world & rich toward God.

(3) Others are poor in both this world & the next.

(4) Some have considerable amount of this world's goods, but because they hold them with a loose hand they are rich in the next world, too.

But this latter class are not very numerous.

Only a few can possess much of the materials of earth without attaching their hearts here, too.

"Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Mat 6:21)

- Roy L. Hollenback, in Gospel Herald. (moreillustrations.com)

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

STORMS REVEAL WHAT IS INSIDE



“A bell buoy rings only during storms. The beating of the waves & wind bring out the music that is within it, so too do trials reveal what is inside a person.” 

- J. C. Ferdinand Pittman (ministry127.com)

Deu 8:2 (ERV): “And you must remember the entire trip that the Lord your God has led you through these 40 years in the desert. He was testing you. He wanted to make you humble. He wanted to know what is in your heart. He wanted to know if you would obey his commands.”

Pro 24:10 (GNT): “If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed.”

“We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God.” -  D.L. Moody.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

JUSTICE IN PRACTICE



A Michigan judge found himself in the news recently because of the violation of a courtroom rule - and what happened next.

Judge Raymond Voet has long had a policy forbidding the use of electronic devices in the courtroom. Anyone whose phone rings aloud has it confiscated & receives a fine.

During closing arguments at the trial, someone’s smart phone started ringing. It was the judge’s new phone! 
During the next break in the trial, Judge Voet held himself in contempt & paid the standard $25 fine that he issues anyone who disturbs a trial.

“Judges are human,” Voet said. “They’re not above the rules. I broke the rule & I have to live by it.”

To live a life that is pleasing to God, we need to deal justly both with ourselves & others. The priority God places on justice is very high indeed.

The prophet Micah wrote, “The Lord has shown you what is good. He has told you what he requires of you. You must act with justice…” (Mic 6:8 NIRV)

- (ministry127.com)

Monday, June 26, 2017

THE DANGER OF COMPARISON



“Don’t be guilty of comparing your accomplishments or performances with those of any other (person) preacher.  To do so is to lessen your own effectiveness & frustrate the grace of God.  You are you & to attempt to become more is to become less.”

- Dr. Raymond Barber in ‘Profile of a Preacher’.

Luke 18:11 (GW): The Pharisee stood up and prayed, “God, I thank you that I’m not like other people! I’m not a robber or a dishonest person. I haven’t committed adultery. I’m not even like this tax collector...”

Phi 2:3 (WE): “Do not try to prove you are better than others. Do not be proud of yourselves, but be humble. Think of other people as being better than yourselves.”

“Take heed that you faithfully perform the business you have to do in the world, from a regard to the commands of God; and not from an ambitious desire of being esteemed better than others.” - David Brainerd.


Sunday, June 25, 2017

GOD IS LOVE



“Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace.” -  Oswald Chambers

Source: Run Today’s Race, Oswald Chambers (ministry127.com)

Hab 3:17-18 (GNT): “Even though the fig trees have no fruit and no grapes grow on the vines, even though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no grain, even though the sheep all die and the cattle stalls are empty, I will still be joyful and glad, because the LORD God is my savior.”

“God has the right to be trusted; to be believed that He means what He says; and that His love is dependable.” -  A.J. Gossip.

Job 13:15 (NKJV): “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him…”

Friday, June 23, 2017

ARISE!



Napoleon's soldiers often used to sleep on the march. They were moving onward, yet asleep & indifferent to all around them.

Thousands are like them in spiritual matters. 

They are 'passing onward, quickly passing' in the journey of life, yet indifferent to their need of eternal life in Christ & to the claims of God upon their lives.

Ep 5:14 (WEB): Therefore he says, “Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

- (moreillustrations.com)

“Good conduct arises out of good doctrine.” -  John Stott.

“A Christian ought to feel that when a need arises, it is his duty to fill that need.” -  Jack Hyles.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

GENTLE & SELF-CONTROLLED



How is one to learn to be gentle & self-controlled?

The great secret, I am firmly convinced & I beg for earnest consideration of it, is to keep nearer to God than to Christians.

One can stand almost anything if one dwells in the secret place of the Most High.

Our Lord could face all the contradictions of sinners & the unbelief of His own family in Nazareth because He dwelt not there, but in the bosom of His Father.

- Dr. A. T. Schofield. (moreillustrations.com)

“The dearest friend on earth is a mere shadow compared to Jesus Christ.” -  Oswald Chambers.

Ps 91:1 (KJV): “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” -  Helen Keller.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US DOES THE WORK



I have a glove here in my hand. The glove cannot do anything by itself, but when my hand is in it, the glove can do many things. True, it is not the glove, but my hand in the glove that acts.

The Christian is a glove. It is the Holy Spirit in us, the hand, who does the work. We must make room for the hand so that every finger in the glove is filled.

- (ministry127.com)        

Lord Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything.” (John 15:5 CEB)

“Once more, never think that you can live to God by your own power or strength; but always look to and rely on Him for assistance, yea, for all strength and grace.” -  David Brainerd.

BE FAITHFUL IN LITTLE THINGS



A young preacher once approached Dr. F. B. Meyer & asked how he could one day become as influential & well-known as Dr. Meyer.

Dr. Meyer responded, “Don’t waste your time waiting & longing for large opportunities which may never come. But faithfully handle the little things that are always claiming your attention.”

Source: 1001 Unforgettable Quotes about God, Faith, and the Bible; Ron Rhodes

- (ministry127.com)

Lk 16:10 (GNT): “Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones; whoever is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones.”

“Do daily and hourly your duty; do it patiently and thoroughly. Do it as it presents itself; do it at the moment, and let it be its own reward. Never mind whether it is known and acknowledged or not, but do not fail to do it.” -  James H. Aughey.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

HANG ON AND KEEP CLIMBING



In May of 2001, Erik Weihenmayer accomplished something that only about 150 people per year do - reaching the top of Mount Everest.

The thing that made Erik’s achievement unusual is that he is the first blind person to succeed in scaling the tallest mountain in the world. Erik was born with a disease called retinoschisis & by the time he was 13 he was completely blind.

Rather than focus on what he could not do, he made the choice to focus on what he could do & went much further than almost anyone expected.

His autobiography is titled ‘Touch the Top of the World: A Blind Man’s Journey to Climb Farther Than the Eye Can See’.

Many times we face a choice - will we allow obstacles to stop us, or will we keep pressing on regardless of opposition & trouble?

It would be nice if following God meant that things would always work out well & people would always like us. The reality is that many times doing what is right requires overcoming obstacles. We should not expect constant smooth sailing, nor should we allow troubles that arise to convince us to quit.

- (ministry127.com)

Phil 4:13 (WEB): “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”

Sunday, June 18, 2017

CROSS – the Symbol of Hope



Alexander Solzhenitsyn was a prisoner in a Soviet prison in Siberia. He became so weak & discouraged that he wished he would die.

The guards would beat & usually kill anyone that stopped working. He decided to stop working so that the guards would kill him.

As soon as he did so, another Christian drew a cross where Alexander could see it.

Alexander said that he was encouraged by remembering that God gives hope & courage. He decided to continue working because of a Christian who cared too much to let him give up.

Source: McHenry’s Quips, Quotes, & Other Notes, Raymond McHenry (ministry127.com)

2 Thes 2:16-17 (GNT): “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, encourage you and strengthen you to always do and say what is good.

(Alexander was born in Russia in 1918, was brainwashed by the state education system which taught him that religion was the enemy of the people. Like most of his school friends, he enslaved himself to become an atheist. He was diagnosed with a malignant cancer in its advanced stages & was not expected to live. In the face of what appeared to be impending death, he believed in Christ & was astonished by what he considered to be a miraculous recovery. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature.)

Friday, June 16, 2017

CROSS – the Symbol of Sacrifice



The cross forces sacrifice into the heart of life. It condemns selfishness, the oldest idol in the world. It reveals God's method of dying in sacrifice, and being raised again in power - as the process through which the individual lives.

- Dr. J. Kelman (moreillustrations.com)

Jesus continued to say to all of them, “Any of you who want to be my follower must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you every day for following me.” (Luke 9:23 ERV)

“God is looking for men and women who will never be content with mere experiences and "blessings," but who will take up the cross daily and follow Jesus and thus manifest in their lives and in their service the reality of those words, "It is no longer I, but Christ that lives in me." This and this alone is the Spirit-filled life.” -  Zac Poonen.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

FAITHFUL WITNESS ALL THE TIME



Late in his career, when the Yankees were comfortably ahead in the pennant race, Joe DiMaggio was asked why he continued to play so hard.

He said, “Because there might be somebody out there who’s never seen me play.”

The Christian should live every day as if someone will see him who has never seen a Christian before.

Source: Summer of 49, David Halberstam  (ministry127.com)

Mat 5:16 (KJV): “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

“You are the only Bible some unbelievers will ever read, and your life is under scrutiny every day. What do others learn from you? Do they see an accurate picture of your God?”-  John MacArthur.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

BEWARE OF LIONS



Bernard Lagat is a world-class runner from Kenya. During the Sydney Olympics, an interviewer asked him how his country was able to produce so many great distance runners.

With clever wit, Lagat told of the African strategy for motivating success in running. He said, “it’s the road signs: ‘Beware of Lions.’”

The Christian should flee temptation because his adversary the devil is chasing him.

- (ministry127.com)

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

“One of the best results of temptation is that it shows us what is in our hearts.” -  A.B. Simpson.

“Every temptation is an opportunity to do good.” -  Rick Warren.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

NOT WORTHY!



Some years ago, when Japan was taking over Korea & was bitterly persecuting many of the leading Christians by carrying them off to Japanese jails, believers who were not arrested felt that by this very fact they were somehow lacking in their Christianity.

A native Methodist pastor went to a missionary with the complaint: "Maksa, there must be something wrong in our Methodist church. I fear we are lacking in faith. There are thirty-seven Presbyterians in jail & only one Methodist. I fear the Lord does not count us worthy to suffer persecution."

- Sunday School Times. (moreillustrations.com)


Acts 5:41 (CEV): “The apostles left the council and were happy, because God had considered them worthy to suffer for the sake of Jesus.”


“If you take care of yourself and walk with integrity, you may be confident that God will deal with those who sin against you. Above all, don't give birth to sin yourself; rather, pray for those who persecute you. God will one day turn your persecution into praise.” -  Warren Wiersbe.

Monday, June 12, 2017

POSSESSIONS



On the grave of a man whose life had been an ornament to his country & a benefit to his fellow men was this epitaph:

"My wealth consists not in the abundance of my possessions, but in the fewness of my wants."

This man evidently had been mindful of the words of our Lord, that "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15).

“Possessions only provide temporary happiness.” -  Rick Warren.

“The rich man is not one who is in possession of much, but one who gives much.” -  John Chrysostom.

Sunday, June 11, 2017

CHILDREN



There are about 3,000 Chinese boys & girls in a certain area of New York City. During the past 8 years there have been among them only 2 cases of Juvenile delinquency.

A court investigation has discovered that Chinese percentage of delinquency is the lowest, the ratio being almost negligible.

Chinese teachers were questioned by the investigators concerning the reason for this remarkable showing. What they learned should be broadcast.

It was a precept of Confucius: "The misconduct of the child is the fault of the parent."

- A Selection. (moreillustrations.com)

“Children are very quick observers; very quick in seeing through some kinds of hypocrisy, very quick in finding out what you really think and feel, very quick in adopting all your ways and opinions. You will often discover that, as the father is, so is the son.” -  J.C. Ryle.

Pro 29:17 (GNT): “Discipline your children and you can always be proud of them. They will never give you reason to be ashamed.”

Friday, June 9, 2017

PERSECUTION



The first two Scottish missionaries sent to the New Hebrides Islands were killed & eaten by cannibals on the day they arrived.

After that it proved difficult to find missionary volunteers. But even when John G. Paton agreed to go, well-meaning people in the church tried to dissuade him. One elderly man warned that he would be eaten by cannibals.

Paton replied, “I confess to you, that if I can but live & die serving & honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my resurrection body will arise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer.”

After fifteen years of fruitful ministry, almost everyone on the island of Aniwa where Paton ministered was saved.

- (ministry127.com)

Lord Jesus said:  “People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow me. But when they do that, know that great blessings belong to you.  Be happy about it. Be very glad because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did these same bad things to the prophets who lived before you.” (Mat 5:11-12 ERV)

Thursday, June 8, 2017

A WAY OF LIFE



“We must never forget that true Christianity is more than teaching - it is a way of life. In fact, it is life itself. 

"He who has the Son has life," remember? When we talk about life, we are talking about something that is far more than mere morality, far more than doctrinal accuracy.” -  Ray C. Stedman.

Jesus said, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life…” (Jn 14:6 NLV)

“Christianity is not a religion or a philosophy, but a relationship and a lifestyle. The core of that lifestyle is thinking of others, as Jesus did, instead of ourselves.” -  Rick Warren.

“The Christian life is a life that consists of following Jesus.” -  A.W. Pink.

SATAN’S TRICK



The devil & his cohorts were devising plans to get people to reject the Gospel.

“Let’s go to them and say there is no God,” proposed one. Silence prevailed. Every devil knew that most people believe in a supreme being.

“Let’s tell them there is no hell, no future punishment for the wicked,” offered another. That was turned down, because men obviously have consciences which tell them that sin must be punished.

The concave was going to end in failure when there came a voice from the rear: “Tell them there is a God, there is a hell & that the Bible is the Word of God. But tell them there is plenty of time to decide the question. Let them ‘neglect’ the Gospel, until it is too late.”

All hell erupted with ghoulish glee, for they knew that if a person procrastinates on Christ, they usually never accept Him.

Source: Resource, Jul/Aug, 1990 (ministry127.com)

2 Cor 6:2 (GNT): Hear what God says: “When the time came for me to show you favor, I heard you; when the day arrived for me to save you, I helped you.” Listen! This is the hour to receive God's favor; today is the day to be saved!

“Truth has no special time of its own. Its hour is now - always.” -  Albert Schweitzer.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

VICTORY THROUGH THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB



Dr. Sewall, an old Methodist, when dying, shouted aloud the praises of God.

His friends said, "Dr. Sewall, do not exert yourself; whisper, doctor, whisper."

"Let angels whisper," said he, "but the soul cleansed from sin by the Blood of Christ, a soul redeemed from death & hell, just on the threshold of eternal glory - oh, if I had a voice that would reach from pole to pole, I would proclaim it to all the world: Victory! Victory! through the Blood of the Lamb!"

Perhaps we the saints, who are still alive & well, ought to shout out the glorious Gospel more!

- Christian Victory. (moreillustrations.com)

1 Cor 15:57 (ESV): “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Monday, June 5, 2017

WORK REFLECTS YOUR CHARACTER



Your work is an expression of the image of God in you & it's worth thinking about how your work reflects His character.

Work as simple as cleaning out a closet reflects the God who makes order out of chaos.

Holding a stop sign for children to cross the road creates an environment of safety that reflects the God who protects.

The person who flips burgers is providing food, which is something that God does.

A father or mother who nurtures a child reflects the love, patience & perseverance of God.

The CEO of a large business holds things together & moves things forward. This too is a reflection of God's work.

- (ministry127.com)

Heb 13:21 (NLT): “May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”

“The will of God for your life is simply that you submit yourself to Him each day and say, "Father, Your will for today is mine. Your pleasure for today is mine. Your work for today is mine. I trust You to be God. You lead me today and I will follow." -  Kay Arthur.

Sunday, June 4, 2017

PRACTICE



'Christianity refuses to be proved first & practiced afterwards: its practice & its proof go hand in hand,' wrote I. R. Illingworth.

The sermons of a certain preacher were magnificent, but his life was so inconsistent with his profession that, when he was in the pulpit, his congregation wished he would never leave it; and, when he was out of the pulpit, they wished he would never enter it again.

“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” – Paul (1 Cor 9:27 ESV)

- (moreillustrations.com)

“A man's life is always more forcible than his speech. When men take stock of him they reckon his deeds as dollars and his words as pennies. If his life and doctrine disagree the mass of onlookers accept his practice and reject his preaching.” -  Charles Spurgeon.

Friday, June 2, 2017

GIFTS



Aspiring vocalist - "Teacher, do you think I will ever be able to do anything with my voice?"

Perspiring teacher - "Well it might come in handy in case of fire or shipwreck."

- Cornell Widow. (moreillustrations.com)

“Your greatest fulfillment in life will come when you discover your unique gifts and abilities and use them to edify others and glorify the LORD.” -  Neil T. Anderson.

1 Cor 12:11 (GNT): “But it is one and the same Spirit who does all this; as he wishes, he gives a different gift to each person.”

“I used to think that God's gifts were on shelves one above the other and that the taller we grow in Christian character the more easily we could reach them. I now find that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the other and that it is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower.” -  F.B. Meyer.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

FLY LIKE AN EAGLE



Once when I was in Switzerland I saw an eagle, a splendid bird, but it was chained to a rock. It had some twenty or thirty feet of chain attached to its legs & to an iron bolt in the rock.

There was the king of birds, meant to soar into Heaven, chained to earth.

That is the life of multitudes of believers. Are you allowing business, are you allowing the cares of the world, are you allowing the flesh to chain you down, so that you cannot rise?

- Selected. (moreillustrations.com)

Isa 40:31 (ERV): “But those who trust in the Lord will become strong again. They will be like eagles that grow new feathers. They will run and not get weak. They will walk and not get tired.”

“What you can't go through, God will help you fly over.” -  Woodrow Kroll.