Illustrations from Matthew
1153 illustrations referencing Matthew
When Gun Violence and Christian Response Meets Real Life
In a nation plagued by gun violence, Christians are called to respond with both compassion and action. Consider the story of Pastor Maria, who organized her congregation to support families affected by a school shooting in their community. Instead of offering only thoughts and prayers, they provided practical support, advocated for gun safety legislation, and worked to address the root causes of violence in their neighborhood. This contemporary example of Christian response to gun violence illu...
Quiet Time: Political Division & Unity
Dear Heavenly Father, As I reflect on Political Division & Unity in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Matthew 25:31-46. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes and respond with the love and grace you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Political Division & Unity. May my actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Take a moment today to consider how God mi...
Quiet Time: Global Pandemic & Community
Dear Heavenly Father, As I reflect on Global Pandemic & Community in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Matthew 25:31-46. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes and respond with the love and grace you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Global Pandemic & Community. May my actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Take a moment today to consider how God ...
Devotional: Questioning Traditional Doctrines
Dear God of Love and Justice, As I reflect on Questioning Traditional Doctrines in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Matthew 5:9. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes of love and respond with the compassion and justice you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Questioning Traditional Doctrines. May my actions reflect your character of love and work for the transformation of our world into your k...
Quiet Time: Interfaith Dialogue
Dear God of Love and Justice, As I reflect on Interfaith Dialogue in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Matthew 5:44. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes of love and respond with the compassion and justice you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Interfaith Dialogue. May my actions reflect your character of love and work for the transformation of our world into your kingdom of justice and peace...
Quiet Time: Inclusive Language for God
Dear God of Love and Justice, As I reflect on Inclusive Language for God in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Matthew 22:37-39. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes of love and respond with the compassion and justice you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Inclusive Language for God. May my actions reflect your character of love and work for the transformation of our world into your kingdom of...
Daily Leading Toward Peace
Dear God of Love and Justice, As I reflect on Leading Toward Peace in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Matthew 5:9. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes of love and respond with the compassion and justice you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Leading Toward Peace. May my actions reflect your character of love and work for the transformation of our world into your kingdom of justice and peac...
Finding God in Mental Health & Spirituality
Mental health struggles are often hidden in our churches, yet they affect nearly everyone. Like the woman who touched Jesus' hem in the crowd, many suffer in silence, afraid to speak up about their anxiety, depression, or trauma. Consider Marcus, a worship leader who shared his battle with depression from the pulpit. His vulnerability opened doors for others to seek help and support. The church became a place of healing, not just spiritual, but emotional and psychological as well. This modern ...
Modern Examples of Enemy Love
In our modern world, Enemy Love presents both challenges and opportunities for people of progressive Christian faith. Like the biblical characters who faced similar struggles in their time, we too are called to navigate these waters with wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to justice. Consider how Matthew 5:9 speaks to the contemporary issues surrounding Enemy Love. The timeless truths found in Scripture provide a foundation for understanding and responding to the complexities of our current s...
A Contemporary A Better Political Imagination Story
In our modern world, A Better Political Imagination presents both challenges and opportunities for people of progressive Christian faith. Like the biblical characters who faced similar struggles in their time, we too are called to navigate these waters with wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to justice. Consider how Matthew 5:9 speaks to the contemporary issues surrounding A Better Political Imagination. The timeless truths found in Scripture provide a foundation for understanding and respond...
Evening Prayer: Clobbering the Clobber Texts
Dear God of Love and Justice, As I reflect on Clobbering the Clobber Texts in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Matthew 25:35. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes of love and respond with the compassion and justice you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Clobbering the Clobber Texts. May my actions reflect your character of love and work for the transformation of our world into your kingdom o...
The Reconciliation and Forgiveness Challenge
In our modern world, Reconciliation and Forgiveness presents both challenges and opportunities for people of progressive Christian faith. Like the biblical characters who faced similar struggles in their time, we too are called to navigate these waters with wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to justice. Consider how Matthew 22:37-39 speaks to the contemporary issues surrounding Reconciliation and Forgiveness. The timeless truths found in Scripture provide a foundation for understanding and re...
Lessons from Social Media and Community
In our modern world, Social Media and Community presents both challenges and opportunities for people of progressive Christian faith. Like the biblical characters who faced similar struggles in their time, we too are called to navigate these waters with wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to justice. Consider how Matthew 25:31-46 speaks to the contemporary issues surrounding Social Media and Community. The timeless truths found in Scripture provide a foundation for understanding and responding...
Spiritual Insight: Immigration and Welcome
Dear God of Love and Justice, As I reflect on Immigration and Welcome in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Matthew 25:35. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes of love and respond with the compassion and justice you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Immigration and Welcome. May my actions reflect your character of love and work for the transformation of our world into your kingdom of justice ...
Contemplating Mercy
Dear Heavenly Father, As I reflect on Mercy in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Matthew 25:31-46. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes and respond with the love and grace you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Mercy. May my actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Take a moment today to consider how God might be calling you to engage with Mercy in...
Lessons from Climate Change & Stewardship
The climate crisis is perhaps the greatest moral challenge of our generation. Like the parable of the talents, we have been entrusted with a precious gift - our planet - and we will be held accountable for how we steward it. Meet David, a church youth leader who organized a "Green Sunday" where his congregation committed to reducing their carbon footprint. They installed solar panels on the church roof, started a community garden, and challenged each other to carpool to services. What began as ...
The The Bible is Not a Sex Manual Challenge
In our modern world, The Bible is Not a Sex Manual presents both challenges and opportunities for people of progressive Christian faith. Like the biblical characters who faced similar struggles in their time, we too are called to navigate these waters with wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to justice. Consider how Matthew 25:35 speaks to the contemporary issues surrounding The Bible is Not a Sex Manual. The timeless truths found in Scripture provide a foundation for understanding and respond...
Real-World Science and Faith
In our modern world, Science and Faith presents both challenges and opportunities for people of progressive Christian faith. Like the biblical characters who faced similar struggles in their time, we too are called to navigate these waters with wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to justice. Consider how Matthew 5:44 speaks to the contemporary issues surrounding Science and Faith. The timeless truths found in Scripture provide a foundation for understanding and responding to the complexities o...
The Social Media and Community Challenge
In our modern world, Social Media and Community presents both challenges and opportunities for people of progressive Christian faith. Like the biblical characters who faced similar struggles in their time, we too are called to navigate these waters with wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to justice. Consider how Matthew 25:31-46 speaks to the contemporary issues surrounding Social Media and Community. The timeless truths found in Scripture provide a foundation for understanding and responding...
The Mental Health & Spirituality Challenge
Mental health struggles are often hidden in our churches, yet they affect nearly everyone. Like the woman who touched Jesus' hem in the crowd, many suffer in silence, afraid to speak up about their anxiety, depression, or trauma. Consider Marcus, a worship leader who shared his battle with depression from the pulpit. His vulnerability opened doors for others to seek help and support. The church became a place of healing, not just spiritual, but emotional and psychological as well. This modern ...
Prayerful Redemption
Dear Heavenly Father, As I reflect on Redemption in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Matthew 25:31-46. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes and respond with the love and grace you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Redemption. May my actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Take a moment today to consider how God might be calling you to engage wit...
Evening Prayer: Political Division & Unity
Dear Heavenly Father, As I reflect on Political Division & Unity in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Matthew 6:25-34. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes and respond with the love and grace you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Political Division & Unity. May my actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Take a moment today to consider how God mig...
Evening Prayer: Social Justice & Christianity
Dear Heavenly Father, As I reflect on Social Justice & Christianity in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Matthew 25:31-46. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes and respond with the love and grace you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter Social Justice & Christianity. May my actions reflect your character and draw others closer to you. In Jesus' name, Amen. Take a moment today to consider how ...
Morning Meditation: We Have What We Need to Practice Love
Dear God of Love and Justice, As I reflect on We Have What We Need to Practice Love in my life today, I am reminded of your wisdom found in Matthew 25:31-46. Help me to see this area of my life through your eyes of love and respond with the compassion and justice you have shown me. Guide me to be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing wherever I encounter We Have What We Need to Practice Love. May my actions reflect your character of love and work for the transformation of our worl...