Wednesday, December 26, 2018

PAST & THE FUTURE




January, the first month of the year, gets its name from the Roman god, Janus or Januarius, who was represented as having two heads & two pairs of eyes, each pair looking in the opposite direction from the other & each head facing a different direction from the other.

New Year is often stock-taking time with business men & it is good for the Christian, too, to take stock, to look back into the past & trace the good hand & kindness of the Lord amid much failure on his part & to look forward to a new year of opportunity, of privilege & responsibility.

Instead of just resolutions, he will make a full & fresh consecration of himself & all his powers to the Lord.

- (moreillustrations.com)

1 Cor 1:9 (EHV): “God is faithful, who called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

“As I look back over fifty years of ministry, I recall innumerable tests, trials and times of crushing pain. But through it all, the Lord has proven faithful, loving, and totally true to all His promises.” -  David Wilkerson.

Friday, December 21, 2018

PEACE TO THE PEOPLE WHO PLEASE HIM




What is the thought of Christmas? Giving.
What is the hope of Christmas? Living.
What is the joy of Christmas? Love.
No silver or gold is needed for giving,
If the heart is filled with Christmas love,
For the hope of the world is kindly living,
Learned from the joy of God above.

- Laura Hooker (moreillustrations.com)

“The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity - hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory - because at the Father's will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross.” -  J.I. Packer.

Luke 2:14 (ERV): “Praise God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please him.”

Thursday, December 20, 2018

GIFT OF MAN TO GOD!




“What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.”

- Christina Georgina Rossetti.

“Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts, the gift of God to man - His unspeakable gift of His Son, and the gift of man to God - when we present our bodies a living sacrifice.” -  Vance Havner.

John 1:11-12 (ICB): “He came to the world that was his own. But his own people did not accept him.  But some people did accept him. They believed in him. To them he gave the right to become children of God.”

Sunday, December 16, 2018

MARY HAD THE LITTLE LAMB



Mary had the little Lamb, who lived before His birth;
Self-existent Son of God, from Heaven He came to Earth.
(Micah 5:2)

Mary had the little Lamb; see Him in yonder stall —
Virgin-born Son of God, to save man from the Fall.
(Isa 7:14)

Mary had the little Lamb, obedient Son of God;
Everywhere the Father led, His feet were sure to trod.
(Jn 6:38)


Mary had the little Lamb, crucified on the tree
The rejected Son of God, He died to set men free.
(1 Pet 1:18)

Mary had the little Lamb—men placed Him in the grave,
Thinking they were done with Him; to death He was no slave!
(Mat 28:6)

Mary had the little Lamb, ascended now is He;
All work on Earth is ended, our Advocate to be.
(Heb 4:14-16)

Mary had the little Lamb—mystery to behold!
From the Lamb of Calvary, a Lion will unfold.
(Rev 5: 5- 6)

When the Day Star comes again, of this be very sure:
It won’t be Lamb-like silence, but with the Lion’s roar.
(Rev 19:11-16)

- (aksermonillustrations.blogspot.com)

“The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said: Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29 CEV)

Thursday, December 13, 2018

YOUTH & MORALITY



Youngsters aren't what they used to be. They never are.

Each generation has its own outlook, its own problems & its own environment. Obvious as this may sound, parents tend to forget it.

One expert who studied over 1,000 autobiographies of college students writes:

"The youth of today has faced more moral alternatives by the time he is 20 years of age than his grandparents faced in a lifetime."

- Changing Times (moreillustrations.com)

“Every young man would do well to remember that all successful business stands on the foundation of morality.” -  Henry Ward Beecher.

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.”


Wednesday, December 12, 2018

WARNINGS OF DANGER



The road signs for motorists on all main highways are instructive for travelers.

Dangerous crossings or bends are indicated before the motorist comes to them & we are warned to 'Keep Death off the road', and to pursue a `Safety first' policy in preference to speeding.

Frequently too the warning is reinforced by a large hoarding containing the words - `You have been warned'.

God's Word is full of warnings to travelers to eternity, so that none can say they have not been warned.

- (moreillustrations.com)

“The saddest road to hell is the one that runs under the pulpit, past the Bible, and through the middle of warnings and invitations.” -  J.C. Ryle.

Pro 9:12 (TPT): “So it is to your advantage to be wise. But to ignore the counsel of wisdom is to invite trouble into your life.”
  

Monday, December 10, 2018

THE RICH


Christian leaders often discuss "how to save the masses," but it is harder to save the rich.
 

A thoughtful young lady of Fifth Avenue recently, exclaimed: "Who will save us who have abundance from selfish wealth & wasteful luxury?"
 

"How shall we evangelize the slums?" is discussed; but the harder proposition is "how to save the selfish suburbs."
 

- Selected (moreillustrations.com)
 

Jesus then said to his disciples, “I assure you: it will be very hard for rich people to enter the Kingdom of heaven. I repeat: it is much harder for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” – (Mat 19: 23-24 KJV)
 

“Nothing is more dangerous than to be blinded by prosperity.” -  John Calvin.


Sunday, December 9, 2018

REWARDS



Have you become discouraged? Have you allowed something to keep you from being what you know you should be? Have you allowed depression or disaster to make you lose heart & to slacken your effort?

If so, remember the Word of the Lord: “Continue strong in your faith so no one will take away your crown." (Rev 3:11).

Be diligent; in season and out of season. Be faithful in the face of storm, as well as in times of sunshine, for if there is no battle, there will be no victory; no cross, no crown.

- Henry J. Westermeyer (moreillustrations.com)

Js 1:12 (CEV): “God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.”

“Greatness in the kingdom of God is measured in terms of our obedience here.” -  John Stott.

Friday, December 7, 2018

TIME TO RECOVER



Back in the old country, there was a Pastor who invested his life savings in timber. When a forest fire broke out & his finances literally went up in smoke, the Pastor’s friends worried about how to break the devastating news to him.

They hemmed & hawed until the Pastor said, “You’re afraid to tell me about the fire, aren’t you?”

“You know?” they asked surprised.

“I found out about an hour ago.”

“And you’re not upset?” they asked.

“I was,” he answered, “I’m over it now.”

“It was only an hour ago!”

“Tell me,” said the Pastor, “Didn’t you once suffer a loss by fire? Why aren’t you upset about it?”

“My fire was 10 years ago.”

“OK, so for you, it took 10 years. For me, it took an hour. The point is we both got over it.”

The truth here is that it is not the passage of time itself that heals but it is the right perspective that brings healing faster.

- (aksermonillustrations.blogspot.com)

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

“Each of us may be sure that if God sends us on stony paths He will provide us with strong shoes, and He will not send us on any journey for which He does not equip us well.” -  Alexander MacLaren.

Thursday, December 6, 2018

1 CORINTHIANS 13 – CHRISTMAS VERSION



If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights & shiny balls; but do not have love, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals & arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime; but do not have love, I’m just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home & give all that I have to charity; but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse. Love is kind, though harried & tired.

Love does not envy other’s home that has coordinated Christmas china & table linens. 


Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who cannot. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things & endures all things. Love never fails.

Toys will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust; but giving the gift of love will endure.

- (ministry127.com)

“If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” – Lord Jesus (John 14:15 GW).

Sunday, December 2, 2018

CAST YOUR VOTES



Carl Geary died a month ago from a heart attack as he campaigned for the small country town. Despite his sudden death he still polled over three times as many votes as his rival in the election in Tracy City, Tennessee.

His widow, Susan Geary, was not surprised by the election results.

“The day he passed away, people were calling with condolences & saying, ‘We’re still voting for him,’” she said.

Geary was known for telling the truth & served on the city council. He received 285 votes to his rival’s 85.

“I knew he was deceased. I know that sounds stupid, but we wanted someone other than her [the current mayor],” said Chris Rogers, owner of the town’s Lunch Box restaurant. “If he were to run again next week I’d vote for him again.”

- (ministry127.com)

“Every Christian ought to vote in every election on every issue! Don't leave it to the worldly crowd. Vote without fail!” -  Shelton Smith.

“Always vote for a principle, though you vote alone, and you may cherish the sweet reflection that your vote is never lost.” -  John Quincy Adams.

Pro 16:33 (MSG): “Make your motions and cast your votes, but God has the final say.”

Friday, November 30, 2018

DON’T LEAVE JESUS OUT



Adolph Menzel created a painting titled 'Frederick the Great’s Address to His Generals Before the Battle of Leuthen'. This historical piece depicts Frederick’s speech to his generals in December 1757 during the Seven Years’ War before their famous battle in Silesia against the Austrians.

Menzel worked on it from 1859-1861, but never finished it. The monumental painting contains the background & the generals standing in a semi-circle, but the main figure of Frederick the Great was left blank.

Menzel’s famous painting is a picture of many lives. The background of career, interests, pursuits & achievement is complete. The faces of significant people like family, friends & colleagues surround. But the central & most important figure is left incomplete - Jesus.

Jesus Christ has been given a name that is above all others & rightly deserves to be the focal point of our lives. The centrality of Christ in life is the greatest need of every person. May we never foolishly allow Him to be a blank figure in our crowded lives.

- Pulpit Helps (ministry127.com)

1 John 5:11-12 (ERV): “This is what God told us: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life, but whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

“We do not know the value of Christ, if we will not cleave to Him unto death!” -  Robert Murray McCheyne.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

TOO BUSY TO PRAY



I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day!
I had so much to accomplish that I didn’t take time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task.
“Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered, He answered, “You didn’t ask!”

I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, gray and bleak.
I wondered why God didn’t show me. He answered me, “But you didn’t seek.”

I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided, “Why, child, you didn’t knock!”

I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish, that I had to take time to pray.

-Author Unknown (ministry127.com)

“Tomorrow I plan to work, work, from early until late. In fact I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” -  Martin Luther.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” – Lord Jesus (Mat 7:7 KJV)

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

FOLLOWING BLINDLY



There is a sort of caterpillar called the "Processional Caterpillar," which walks in long lines, each one following closely the next in front.

Now a certain man, Le Fabre by name, once saw a number of these marching round the stone vase in his garden. He got some more of them & filled up the gap between the tail & the head of the procession & watched to see what the caterpillars would do.

They went on following each his neighbor in front; they walked round that vase for a week & covered nearly a mile of distance.

Don't be processional caterpillars, with your nose glued to your neighbor's back & no thought as to where he is leading you, or whether he is worthy to be followed at all.

Follow the Christ, the King.

- Sunday at Home. (moreillustrations.com)

Luke 6:39 (CEV): Jesus also used some sayings as he spoke to the people. He said: Can one blind person lead another blind person? Won’t they both fall into a ditch?

“Take heed, therefore, blind leaders of the blind; hard-hearted and stubborn hypocrites, take heed.” -  William Tyndale.

Friday, November 23, 2018

EATING & DRINKING



“Numerous Christians do not know how to glorify God in their eating and drinking. They do not eat and drink simply to keep their body fit for the Lord's use but indulge to satisfy their personal desires. We should understand that the body is for the Lord and not for ourselves; hence we should refrain from using it for our pleasure. Food ought not to hinder our fellowship with God since it is to be taken purely to preserve the body in health.” -  Watchman Nee.

1 Cor 3:16-17 (ESV): “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?  If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.”

Pro 23:2 (CEV): “Don’t go and stuff yourself! That would be just the same as cutting your throat.”

“I believe that gluttony is as much a sin in the sight of God as drunkenness.” -  Charles Spurgeon.

Thursday, November 22, 2018

TRUST



A visitor was once walking along a high part of the shore of the Dead Sea when he lost his balance & fell into the water. He could not swim & in desperation lest he should sink & be drowned, he began to fling his arms about.

At last he was exhausted & felt he could do no more. Then he found something happen: the water bore him up. The water of the Dead Sea is so heavy with salt & other minerals that when he lay still in it he found he floated on the surface.

He could not drown so long as he resigned himself to the power of the deep. So too it is with us. There is a power beneath us & around us waiting to bear us up. We should cease from all our struggling & fruitless efforts & let the power of God uphold us.

- R. H. W. Shepherd. (moreillustrations.com)

Pro 3:5-6 (MEV): “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

“If you're missing joy and peace, you're not trusting God.” -  Joyce Meyer.


Wednesday, November 21, 2018

LIKE A CHILD



A pastor in California was giving an invitation at the end of his Sunday morning message when a 5 yr old boy, sensing the invitation of the Holy Spirit came down the aisle.

Not knowing if the boy was old enough to understand salvation, the pastor took him to his office & began to ask some theological questions.

The more he questioned, the more confused the boy became. Finally, in exasperation, the little fellow stopped & innocently pleaded:

“Pastor Patterson, in your message this morning you said that if I would come & ask Jesus to save me - He would! Now, did you really mean that or not?”

The pastor said, “I didn’t ask him any more questions after that.” He helped the boy to respond to God’s invitation by inviting Jesus Christ to be his Savior.

- Dr. Paul Chappell (ministry127.com)

“I assure you that whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” – Lord Jesus.  (Mk 10:15 GNT)

“A child of five, if properly instructed, can as truly believe and be regenerated as an adult.” -  Charles Spurgeon.
 

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

THE ONE HE WANTED



A businessman once wanted somebody to fill a most important position, one of great responsibility, so he advertised & got a large number of applications. From these he picked 20 men & asked them to be at a certain place on a certain day.

On that day he went & found the 20 men there. "Well, men," he said, "before we get on with the business, I think we may as well have a little drink. Come on," and he set off toward a licensed hotel nearby.

The men quickly followed, all except one who lagged behind. "Hurry up! Aren't you coming for a drink?" the employer shouted.

"No thanks," said the man, "I'm a total abstainer."

"Good for you," said the employer, "you're the man I want for this job!" and he turned & left the other men all tremendously surprised & disappointed.

- Gospel Herald. (moreillustrations.com)

Ep 5:18 (NLT): “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

“He that is a drunkard is qualified for all vice.” -  Francis Quarles.

Monday, November 19, 2018

CAN YOU NAME ME?



I never was guilty of wrong action but on my account lives have been lost, trains have been wrecked, ships have gone down at sea, cities have burned, battles have been lost & governments have failed.

I never struck a blow nor spoke an unkind word, but because of me homes have been broken up, friends have grown cold, the laughter of children has ceased, wives have shed bitter tears, brothers & sisters have forgotten, and fathers & mothers have gone broken-hearted to their graves.

I have intended no evil, but because of me talent & genius have come to naught, courtesy & kindness has failed, and the promise of success & happiness has yielded sorrow & disaster.

You may not on the instant call me by name, but surely you are personally acquainted with me. I am Neglect.

- T. M. Olson. (moreillustrations.com)

Pro 8:33 (NET): “Listen to my instruction so that you may be wise, and do not neglect it.”

“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” -  Henry Drummond.

Pro 19:27 (GNT): “My child, when you stop learning, you will soon neglect what you already know.”

Sunday, November 18, 2018

DO YOU KNOW ME?



I am the greatest criminal in history.

I have killed more men than have fallen in all the wars of the world.

I have turned men into brutes.

I have made millions of homes unhappy.

I have transformed many ambitious youths into hopeless parasites.

I make smooth the downward path for countless millions.

I destroy the weak & weaken the strong.

I make the wise man a fool & trample the fool in his folly.

I ensnare the innocent.

The abandoned wife knows me; the hungry children know me.

I have ruined millions & shall try to ruin more.

I am Alcohol.

- H. W. Gibson. moreillustrations.com)

Pro 20:1 (NLT): “Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.”

“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.