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God's universal love, the necessity of a personal response to grace, and the importance of holy living.
Key question: “How does this text call for a personal decision of faith and empower the believer to live a holy life?”
18421 illustrations found
As I ponder the theme of repentance today, I am drawn to the profound wisdom of Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. Imagine a young...
As we delve into the profound intersection of Providence and Christian theology, I invite you to turn your heart to the beautiful words of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. In this passage, we are painted a vivid picture of love—one that is...
As we reflect on 2 Timothy 1:7, we encounter a profound truth about the nature of God’s grace in our lives. Paul writes, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and...
In a small town not far from here, there lived a woman named Mary. She was known for her gentle spirit and unwavering kindness, always greeting everyone with a warm smile. But beneath that calm exterior, Mary carried a heavy...
Dear Heavenly Father, As I sit in quiet reflection, I am drawn to the powerful words of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46, where He separates the sheep from the goats—a vivid picture of judgment that reveals the heart of our faith....
The sermon emphasizes the importance of both personal faith and social action in true Christianity, as taught by John Wesley. It highlights the concept of prevenient grace, which enables individuals to choose God, and stresses that genuine faith must manifest in works that transform communities. The call to love God and neighbor is central to the Methodist tradition, advocating for both personal renewal and social reform.
The sermon illustration emphasizes the importance of both personal faith and social action in true Christianity, as taught by John Wesley. It highlights the concept of prevenient grace that enables individuals to respond to God, and stresses that genuine faith must lead to transformed communities through acts of love and justice.
Dear Heavenly Father, As I come before you this evening, I find myself reflecting on the fractured landscape of political division that surrounds us. It’s like a vast chasm, filled with anger, fear, and misunderstanding. Yet, in the midst of...
A wealthy man left his entire estate to his estranged nephew. The lawyers delivered the documents; everything was legally his. But the nephew never opened the envelope. He assumed it was another rejection letter and threw it away. He lived...
Wesley taught that the Spirit's fruit grows through cooperative effort: we use the means of grace—prayer, Scripture, communion, fellowship—and the Spirit produces growth. It's not automatic but neither is it self-generated. A gardener cooperates with nature: plants, waters, tends. Fruit grows.
John Wesley traveled an estimated 250,000 miles on horseback, preached over 40,000 sermons, and worked until his death at 87. At 86, he complained in his journal that he couldn't preach more than twice a day without getting tired.
God had plans for the exiles, but notice: He called them to participate. Build houses. Plant gardens. Seek peace. The future wasn't passively received but actively pursued in cooperation with God. Jeremiah 29:11 is promise AND invitation. God's good plans include our responsive action.
As we gather today to reflect on the intersection of social media and faith, let us turn our hearts to the comforting promise of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to...
A Japanese art form called kintsugi repairs broken pottery with gold, making the cracks visible and beautiful. The philosophy: breakage and repair are part of the object's history, not something to hide. God works similarly.
Dear Heavenly Father, As I pause to reflect on the profound gift of Redemption today, I find myself drawn to the words of Galatians 2:20, where Paul boldly declares, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I...
Wesley taught entire sanctification—a heart so filled with love that other motives are displaced. "Love is not jealous... not boastful... not proud." These negatives describe what love pushes out. Where perfect love reigns, jealousy, pride, and self-seeking have no room.
John Wesley was a radical experimenter in holiness. He tried rising at 4 AM, fasting twice weekly, giving away most of his income—all testing how completely he could offer his body. "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice." Wesley took...
On a chilly autumn afternoon, a young woman named Clara walked along a leaf-strewn path, her heart heavy with a question that had lingered for years: "What is my purpose?" Having faced injustice in her life—a family torn apart by...
In Victor Hugo’s *Les Misérables*, we find Jean Valjean, a man burdened by the chains of his past, standing at a crossroads. The Bishop, a figure of grace and compassion, gently points him toward a new path—a path illuminated by...
Dear Heavenly Father, As I pause to reflect on the “Hell” we confront in our lives, I find myself drawn to the profound wisdom of Colossians 1:15-20, where we are reminded that in Christ, all things hold together. This truth...
Jeremiah 29:11 brings us a profound assurance: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. In this passage, God’s promise is not just a reassurance of future prosperity; it is an invitation to embrace the transformative...
The sun was setting on a small town as a young boy named David sat on the steps of his porch, a baseball glove resting beside him. Just the week before, he had been chosen to pitch for his little...
As I sit here, reflecting on the intersection of technology and human connection, I am drawn to the comforting words of Psalm 23:1-6. Picture the imagery—the Lord as our shepherd, guiding us through the valleys of life, even the valleys...
In a quiet corner of our community, there lives a woman named Clara. Once a gifted artist, her life took a sharp turn when a series of poor choices led her into addiction, robbing her not only of her talent...