Search Illustrations
Ephesians 2:8-9 · WEB
8for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9not of works, that no one would boast.
388 results found
The Power of Courage - Story
In a small village nestled among rolling hills, there was a young woman named Miriam. She was known for her kind heart and generous spirit, but she often wrestled with her fear of stepping out in faith. One day, a...
Practical Faithfulness - Illustration
Imagine a gardener tending to a patch of earth. Each day, regardless of the weather, they rise early, pulling weeds and nurturing the soil. They don’t fret about immediate results; they understand that growth is a process defined by faithfulness...
Understanding Self-control - Application
As we explore the profound theme of self-control, we must first understand its deep roots in Scripture. The Hebrew word for self-control, *mishpat*, speaks to a sense of restraint and justice, an inner fortitude that allows us to govern our...
Understanding Kindness - Commentary
Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our own works, so that no one can boast. This profound truth reveals not only the heart of the Gospel but also the transformative nature of...
When Hope - Story
A few years ago, I met a young woman named Sarah who had faced a profound crisis in her life. She had just lost her job, and to make matters worse, her family was struggling financially. Each day felt like...
When Self-control - Story
Maria had always been known for her fiery spirit. Growing up, her friends would joke that she had the temper of a bull and the persistence of a mule. While her passion fueled her ambitions, it often led her into...
When Self-control - Contemporary Example
In a small town, there lived a man named Tom. For years, he battled with a severe addiction to alcohol. Each night, he would drown his sorrows in a bottle, believing it was the only way to escape the pain...
The Power of Gentleness - Story
A few years ago, I met a woman named Ruth at a community center where I volunteered. Ruth was known for her fiery spirit. Yet, behind that fierce exterior lay a heart burdened by her past. She had been deeply...
The Example of Faithfulness - Contemporary Example
There’s a story I hold close to my heart about a woman named Grace. She was a beloved member of our parish, known for her gentle spirit and profound faith. In her later years, Grace faced an unexpected challenge: a...
The Power of Justice - Contemporary Example
Sister Mary lives in the heart of a neighborhood often shadowed by despair. Just last month, she stood on her porch, watching as young men filled the streets, trapped by cycles of hopelessness. But then, something remarkable happened. Inspired by...
Lessons from Kindness - Story
Mary had always been the quiet one in our church. With her soft smile and gentle demeanor, she seemed to blend into the backdrop of our vibrant community. Yet, on a chilly December evening, she stepped into the spotlight in...
Lessons from Humility - Contemporary Example
Elizabeth, a devoted single mother, faced the daunting challenge of raising her teenage son, Jason, on her own. Life had not been easy; there were days when she felt utterly overwhelmed, questioning her capacity to guide him. However, in the...
When Courage - Contemporary Example
In a small town not far from here, a young woman named Anna faced an insurmountable challenge. She had always dreamed of becoming a nurse, a calling rooted in her desire to help others. But as she approached her final...
The Example of Kindness - Contemporary Example
One evening, as the sun began to set over the neighborhood, a young man named Jamal stood on the corner, his heart heavy with the weight of regret. Just a few months before, he had been on a path of...
The Example of Peace - Story
In a small village nestled between rolling hills lived an elderly potter named Thomas. His hands, worn but skilled, shaped clay into delicate vessels that radiated beauty. Thomas had a deep understanding of how the pottery process mirrors our spiritual...
The Power of Justice - Story
Last summer, I found myself volunteering at a local community center, and one afternoon, I met a young woman named Keisha. She walked into the center looking weary but determined, carrying a heavy backpack filled with books—her lifeline of hope....
When Understanding - Contemporary Example
There’s a story about a young man named Jason who found himself drifting through life, feeling lost and empty. He had grown up in the church, but to him, faith felt like a relic of his childhood—something he’d outgrown. He...
When Forgiveness - Contemporary Example
Last summer, my friend Sarah faced a heart-wrenching dilemma. Her sister, whom she had loved deeply, betrayed her trust by sharing a family secret that caused rifts in their entire family. Each time Sarah gathered with family, she felt the...
Lessons from Kindness - Biblical Analogy
There’s a story I came across recently that beautifully captures the essence of kindness and transformation, much like Mary’s journey in the Gospel. A woman named Sarah spent years feeling isolated and unworthy. After a challenging divorce, she moved to...
Lessons from Forgiveness - Story
Sarah sat quietly in the back row of her church, her heart heavy with the weight of past hurts. Years before, she had experienced betrayal from someone she once called a friend. The wound festered, growing into bitterness that colored...
The Example of Peace - Contemporary Example
There’s a story I once heard about a man named David, who lived in a small town. David had a reputation for being gruff and unyielding, a distant figure even among friends. His heart had grown hard after a betrayal—one...
The Power of Peace - Story
There was a small village nestled in the mountains, where the air was crisp and the days were painted with the hues of dawn. Among its townsfolk lived a woman named Maria, known for her radiant smile and unwavering faith....
When Understanding - Story
David, the shepherd boy turned king, once stood on the precipice of his greatest challenge. When faced with Goliath, he didn’t carry a sword or wear armor; he brought with him the faith of a simple heart. As he walked...
The Example of Peace - Contemporary Example
Last summer, I met a man named Alex at a local park. He sat on a bench, lost in thought, with a well-worn Bible resting on his lap. I noticed the deep lines etched on his face, a map of...