LAZINESS

A traveler, after a day or two in the hustling, bustling town of Denver, shook the Denver dust from his boots angrily saying:

"They must be very lazy people in this town. Everywhere you turn they offer you work to do."

- (moreillustrations.com)

Heb 6:12 (GNT): “We do not want you to become lazy, but to be like those who believe and are patient, and so receive what God has promised.”

“People who are lazy, careless, doubtful-minded or arrogant need not expect God to reveal His secret or covenant to them.” -  Watchman Nee.

                                                                                   

SEVEN WONDERS OF THE BIBLE

1. The wonder of its formation—the way in which it grew is one of the mysteries of time.

2. The wonder of its unification—it is a library of 66 books, yet one book.

3. The wonder of its age—it is the most ancient of all books.

4. The wonder of its sale—it is the best-seller of all time.

5. The wonder of its interest—it is the only book in the world read by all classes of people.

6. The wonder of its language—it was written largely by uneducated men, yet it is the best book from a literary standpoint.

7. The wonder of its preservation—it is the most hated of all books, yet it continues to exist.

(Source: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations, Paul L. Tan.)

“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.

Jesus said to his disciples: “If you love me, you will do as I command.” (John 14:15 CEV)

RICHES AND POVERTY OF CHRIST

My Master was so very poor,

A manger was His cradling place;

So very rich my Master was—

Kings came from far to gain His grace.

My Master was so very poor,

And with the poor He brake the bread;

So very rich my Master was

That multitudes by Him were fed.

My Master was so very poor,

They nailed Him naked to a Cross;

So very rich my Master was

He gave His all and knew no loss.

2 Cor 8:9 (ERV): “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know that he gave up his heavenly riches for you. He gave up everything so that you could be richly blessed.”

- (moreillustrations.com)

“Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were an offering far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.” – Isaac Watts.

CONTENTMENT

On November 4, 2010, Eunice Sandborn became the world’s oldest living person. She celebrated her 114th birthday in July, 20, 2010, at her church in Texas.

Eunice says that she not only loves everything about her life, but she also has “no complaints.”

If she had wanted to complain, she would have had many things accumulate throughout her 114 years to complain of. Yet, this lady has demonstrated that complaining is a choice.

Source: Houston Chronicle, November 5, 2010 (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.

1 Tim 6:6 (NIRV): “You gain a lot when you live a godly life. But you must be happy with what you have.”

HONORING OTHERS

Bishop Thoburn was one of the world's greatest missionaries who served over 50 years in India & the Far East.

But the world does not know so well that his brother stayed at home & worked & saved to send him through school & to get him ready for his life work.

That brother, like Peter's brother Andrew, did not become famous. He stayed back on the farm & made his brother famous, as Andrew helped Peter, who became the great leader.

- Pilgrim Sunday School Quarterly. (moreillustrations.com)           

Phil 2:3 (ERV): “In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves.”

Pro 18:1 (GNT): “People who do not get along with others are interested only in themselves; they will disagree with what everyone else knows is right.”

 

GOOD HEALTH

"Where've you been, John?"

"To a health resort. Finest place I ever saw. It was simply great."

"Then why did you come away?"

"Oh, I got sick & had to come home."

"Are you going back?"

"Yes, just as soon as I get well."

- (moreillustrations.com)

“Many people ruin their health & their lives by taking the poison of bitterness, resentment & unforgiveness. Matthew 18:23-35 tells us that if we do not forgive people, we get turned over to the torturers.” -  Joyce Meyer.

“Begin to rejoice in the Lord & your bones will flourish like an herb & your cheeks will glow with the bloom of health & freshness. Worry, fear, distrust, care-all are poisonous! Joy is balm & healing, and if you will but rejoice, God will give power.” -  A.B. Simpson.

Pro 3:7-8 (GNT):  “Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the LORD and refuse to do wrong.  If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains.”

THE GRACE OF YIELDING

You have probably heard of the man who bought a farm & soon after met his nearest neighbor.

"Have you bought this place?" asked the neighbor.

"Yes."

"Well, you've bought a lawsuit."

"How is that?"

"Well, sir, I claim your fence down there is ten feet on my side of the line, and I'm going to take the matter to court & prove it."

But the newcomer said, "Oh, no, you needn't do that. If the fence is on your side of the line, we will just take it up & move it."

For a moment the other man was nonplused. Then he said, "Do you mean that?"

"Why, yes, of course I do," was the answer.

"Then," said the man who a moment before had been so confrontational, "let that fence stay just where it is!"

Christian brotherly love had made a friend & accomplished what no trial before the highest court in the land could have brought about.

- Church Management.(moreillustrations.com)

“Sometimes Satan provokes us to harden our spirit. It can become stiff, unyielding, narrow and selfish. Such a spirit cannot work with God nor can it do His will.” -  Watchman Nee.

Mat 5:40 (WE): “If anyone takes you to court to get your shirt, let him have your coat also.”

“You can be confident that, as you yield to the Spirit of Christ, you will learn to walk in the abundance of God's power and blessings.” - Derek Prince.

THE BAD NEWS, WORSE NEWS AND THE GOOD NEWS!

Doctor to patient: “I have bad news & worse news.”

Patient: “So let’s have it.”

Doctor: “The bad news is that you only have 24 hours to live.”

Patient: “I can’t imagine what could be worse than that!”

Doctor: “I forgot to tell you yesterday.”

- (ministry127.com)

“Jesus did not come to live as an example of how to die as a martyr, but as a substitute, taking the place that we deserve in order that we might enjoy what we don't deserve. This is good news. Let us tell all our friends!” -  Alistair Begg.

“Let others report bad news; we'll share the good news.” -  Woodrow Kroll.

Heb 4:2 (GNT): “For we have heard the Good News, just as they did. They heard the message, but it did them no good, because when they heard it, they did not accept it with faith.”

WHY TROUBLE GOD?

Dr. Adam Clarke, the great commentator, was a slow worker & he could only produce his wealth of literary treasures by long & patient toil. He therefore made it his custom to rise early every morning.

A young preacher, anxious to emulate the distinguished doctor, asked him one day how he managed it. "Do you pray about it?" he inquired.

"No," the doctor quietly answered, "I get up."

Mr. Moody used to tell how once he came upon a group of wealthy American Christians praying for the removal of a debt of $500 on their church building.

"Gentlemen," said Mr. Moody. "I don't think if I were you, I should trouble the Lord in this matter."

- Light. (moreillustrations.com)

Js 4:17 (LEB): “Therefore, to the one who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

“We should always look upon ourselves as God's servants, placed in God's world, to do His work; and accordingly labor faithfully for Him; not with a design to grow rich & great, but to glorify God, and do all the good we possibly can.” -  David Brainerd.

GLUTTONY

A clergyman was quite ill as a result of eating many pieces of mince pie.

A brother minister visited him and asked him if he was afraid to die.

"No," the sick man replied, "But I should be ashamed to die from eating too much."

- (moreillustrations.com)

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.

PROGRESS

David Livingstone, great explorer & Christian pioneer, wrote in one magnificent sentence:

"I will go anywhere - provided it is forward."

- Houston Times (moreillustrations.com)

“Being satisfied with things the way they are is the quickest way to stop progress.” – Unknown Author.

1 Tim 4:15 (NET): “Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.”

“We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.” - C.S. Lewis.

“Pride is a barrier to all spiritual progress.” -  Harry Ironside.

THE BIBLE

D. L. Moody on the Bible:

“What can botanists tell you of the Lily of the valley? You must study this book for that.

What can geologists tell you of the Rock of Ages, or mere astronomers about the Bright Morning Star?

In those pages we find all knowledge unto salvation; here we read of the ruin of man by nature, redemption by the blood, and regeneration by the Holy Ghost. These three things run all through and through them.”

2 Tim 3:16 (NLT): “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

“Read the Scripture, not only as a history, but as a love-letter sent to you from God.” -  Thomas Watson.

LISTENING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

In the world of technology there is a new development called Hyper Sonic Sound (HSS). The inventor, Elwood “Woody” Norris, has engineered sound waves to travel like a laser beam for about 150 yards.

This allows sounds to be heard by a person in a particular place but not by those immediately around them. You could be listening to music or specific instructions while those standing next to you would be left in total silence. If you move out of the tightly formed path of these unique sound waves you too will be unaware of any noise.

God's communication with us is very similar to these sound waves. We must be in the right place to hear the Holy Spirit & when we’re there the message is clear.

If we move away from the pathway of His voice we become unaware of the fact that He is communicating with us & we consequently miss the message.

- Source: Reader's Digest, March, 2005 (ministry127.com)

Lord Jesus Christ declared in Jn 10:15-16, “…My sheep… will listen to my voice…”

“A clear conscience is absolutely essential for distinguishing between the voice of God and the voice of the enemy. Unconfessed sin is a prime reason why many do not know God's will.” -  Winkie Pratney.

TRUSTING IN DARKNESS

Two Christians were once speaking of their experiences.

One said, "It is terribly hard to trust God & realize His hand in the dark passages of life."

"Well, brother," said the other, "if you cannot trust a man out of your sight, he is not worth much; but if you cannot trust God in the dark, it shows you do not trust Him at all."

- Courtesy of Moody Monthly. (moreillustrations.com)

Ps 62:8 (GNT): “Trust in God at all times, my people. Tell him all your troubles, for he is our refuge.”

“In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.” -  Francis Bacon.

Ps 112:4 (GNT): “Light shines in the darkness for good people, for those who are merciful, kind, and just.”

WHY EVERYONE BUT GOD?

How often we trust each other,

And only doubt our Lord.

We take the word of mortals,

And yet distrust His Word;

But oh, what light and glory

Would shine o'er all our days,

If we always would remember

God means just what He says.

- A. B. Simpson. (moreillustrations.com)

Ps 118:9 (CEB): “It’s far better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust any human leader.”

“We cannot always trace God's hand, but we can always trust God's heart.” -  Charles Spurgeon.

CONFRONTING SIN

When Nicephorus Phocas (Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire from 963 to 969) had built a strong wall about his palace for his own security, in the night-time he heard a voice crying to him:

"O emperor! Though thou build thy wall as high as the clouds, yet, if sin be within, it will overthrow all."

- (moreillustrations.com)

“Every sin is a mistake, as well as a wrong; and the epitaph for the sinner is: ‘Thou fool!’" -  Alexander MacLaren.

Lam 2:14 (GNT): “Your prophets had nothing to tell you but lies; their preaching deceived you by never exposing your sin. They made you think you did not need to repent.”

“A gospel that does not confront sin is not the gospel of Jesus Christ.” -  John MacArthur.

GOD’S ASTERISK

You often find in a book or manuscript a star calling your attention to a footnote or explanation. That star the printer calls an asterisk.

But all the stars of the night-heaven are asterisks, calling your attention to God, an all-observing God.

Our every nerve a divine handwriting; our every muscle a pulley divinely swung; our every bone sculptured with divine suggestiveness; our every eye a reflection of the divine eye.

Source: The Wisdom and Wit of T. De Witt Talmage (ministry127.com)

Ps 19:1 (GNT): “How clearly the sky reveals God's glory! How plainly it shows what he has done!”

“Turn your scars into stars.” -  Robert H. Schuller.

A BROKEN HEART

For many centuries, through many dynasties, a village was known for its fragile, expensive porcelain. Especially striking were its urns. High as tables, wide as chairs, they were admired around the world for their strong form & delicate beauty.

Legend has it that when each urn was finished, there was one final step. The artist deliberately broke it & then put it back together with gold filigree. An ordinary urn was thus turned into a priceless work of art.

What seemed finished wasn't until it was broken!

People throw broken things away, but God never uses anything until He first breaks it.                                 

- (aksermonillustrations.blogspot.in)

“Before God could bring me to this place He has broken me a thousand times.” -  Smith Wigglesworth.

Ps 51:17 (EHV): “The sacrifices God wants are a broken spirit. A broken and crushed heart, O God, you will not despise.”

“God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.” -  Vance Havner.

“God can never entrust His Kingdom to anyone who has not been broken of pride, for pride is the armor of darkness itself.” -  Francis Frangipane.

IT’S EASIER TO MAKE A NOISE

We read the other day of a man who had set-up a dynamo-battery system to operate an electric light for his room. After a while the light "flickered & faded."

A friend was called in & after examination he told him that his plant would never again run a light, but it might run a call bell. It wasn't strong enough to make a light, but it could make a noise.

This needs no explanation. We have all seen samples of religion that weren't strong enough to make a light but that could make any amount of noise.

- From Herald and Presbyter. (moreillustrations.com)

1 Cor 13:1 (ERV): “I may speak in different languages, whether human or even of angels. But if I don’t have love, I am only a noisy bell or a ringing cymbal.”

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.”

THE DEVIL’S BROKEN PROMISES

In 1939 just before the outbreak of World War II, Germany & Russia signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. This treaty promised that neither nation would attack the other & it laid out a plan for how they would divide the nations of Eastern Europe between them.

Yet in 1941, without warning or provocation, Adolf Hitler sent his tanks across the Russian border in a sneak attack. Hitler had no interest in keeping his word; the treaty was meant only as a temporary measure until he could do what he wanted.

The devil will you tell you anything you want to hear to get you to do what he wants you to do. He is a master liar; in fact, Jesus declared Satan to be "the father of lies" (John 8:44).

The devil breaks every promise that he makes. He never delivers what he leads us to expect. While sin may be enjoyable for a little while, it always leads to a bitter end.

Source:‘The Collapse of the Soviet Empire’ - George J. Neimanis (ministry127.com)

Pro 14:12 (TLB): “Before every man there lies a wide and pleasant road that seems right but ends in death.”

TRUST IN THE LORD!

A consecrated Christian worker writes in a personal letter to a friend:

"The truth is, I have been pretty much worried by the financial situation & yesterday the Lord sent peace into my heart, so that now I have that sweet assurance that He will provide in His own time... I have been learning that the kind of trust that God wants is when everything is gone & only God remains."

- Sunday School Times. (moreillustrations.com)

“Trust in yourself, and you are doomed to disappointment; trust in your friends, and they will die and leave you; trust in money, and you may have it taken from you; trust in reputation, and some slanderous tongue may blast it; but trust in God, and you are never to be confused in time or eternity.” - D. L. Moody.

Ps 118:8 (KJV): “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

BACKSLIDING

Mr. Moody once told of an aged Christian, with many active years of faithful service to his credit. Circumstances caused him to lose out in Christian experience in a measure.

After considerable mental & spiritual conflict he came to entertain the mistaken conclusion that it was the will of God for him to be lost.

Then something whispered within him: "Suppose there is a hell for you, what would you, with your disposition & habits, do there?"

The quick answer was, "I would set up a prayer meeting," and with the words came the light of God to show him the absurdity of it all. He put away backsliding out of his heart & renewed the altar of the Lord.

- Sunday School Times (moreillustrations.com)

The Bible says: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” (Heb 6:4-6 KJV).