In Sermon Illustrations: "A Present Help"

[280]. A Message From A Poem – The Lord In Our Affliction

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 28, 2026

[280]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE LORD IN OUR AFFLICTION This was one of my first poems. This poem came from a period that was very difficult for me when a nasty, concerted attack was made against me. That is when the Lord led me into writing poems with His help. Right back then I would not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:15, Matthew 13:21

Tags: Comfort, Suffering, Help, Affliction, Trouble, Christian Poems, Persecution  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Story Is Told Of A Sunday Class That Had Been ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Nov 18, 2004

The story is told of a Sunday class that had been asked the question, ¡§in your time of discouragement, what is your favorite Scripture.¡¨ A young man said, ¡§the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want Psalm 23:1.¡¨ A middle age woman said, ¡§God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life, Death, Workplace Unemployment

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Story Is Told Of A Father Of 5 Who Came Home ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on May 15, 2001

THE STORY IS TOLD OF A FATHER OF 5 WHO CAME HOME WITH A TOY, HE SUMMONED HIS CHILDREN AND ASKED WHICH ONE SHOULD BE GIVEN THE PRESENT. "WHO IS THE MOST OBEDIENT, NEVER TALKS BACK TO MOM AND DOES EVERY THING HE OR SHE IS TOLD TO DO?" HE ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:9-10, Genesis 5:3-16

Tags: Father's Day, Father, Faith, Doing God's Will, Obedient, Respect, Present  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

And It Came To Pass...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 15, 2011

AND IT CAME TO PASS... "The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me." -- Martin Luther During a Sunday class the question was asked, "In your time of discouragement, what is your favourite Scripture?" A young man said, "The Lord is my ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Bible Influence, It Came To Pass

On Top Of The Fencepost  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 12, 2002

ON TOP OF THE FENCEPOST Alex Haley, the author of "Roots," had an unusual picture hanging on his office wall. It was a picture of a turtle on top of a fence post. When asked, "Why is that there?" Alex Haley answered, "Every time I write something significant, every time I read my words & think ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:2-12, Psalm 8:1, Psalm 8:1

Tags: Joy, Help, Gratitude, Thanksgiving Holiday, Thanksgiving, Thankfulness, God's Provision  (view more)  (view less)

Think Before You Volunteer!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 10, 2023

As the storm raged, the captain realized his ship was sinking fast. He called out, “Anyone here knows how to pray?” A pastor stepped forward. “Captain, I know how to pray.” “Good,” said the captain, “you pray while the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Help, Selfishness, Good Samaritan, Servants, Liars, Volunteers, Volunteer Day  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Five Life Lessons For A Three-Year Old

Contributed by Gregory Fisher on Sep 27, 2017

At the age of 3 years old, our family lived with my maternal grandparents while my father was in seminary. One day the kid living next-door to us came up to me and said, “Greg Fisher I am going to give you a bloody nose.” The next thing that happened—when he did, in fact, punch me in the ...read more

Tags: Lamentations, Violence, Truth In Love, Psalm Of Lament, Helpful Lessons, True Crime, Helpful People, Life Lessons, Lament, Childhood, Bullying, God Allows, Comfort One Another  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

Never Mind, God  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Apr 30, 2001

NEVER MIND, GOD A man was putting a tin roof on his barn when all of a sudden he slipped and began to slide down the roof. He cried out to God to save him. No sooner had he got the words out of his mouth, a nail caught his pants and stopped him. When he stopped, he said, “Never mind, God. I took ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:7-12

Tags: God's Omnipotence, Help, Prayer, Pride, Provision, Miracles, Fearfully, Soul, Wonderfully Made  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[073]. Poem Message – Excerpts From Psalms Part 4 – Psalms 20, 118, 55

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 3, 2025

[073]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – EXCERPTS FROM CERTAIN PSALMS PART 4 – PSALMS 20, 118, 55 {{Psalm 47:5-7 “God has ascended with a shout, the LORD, with the sound of a trumpet. SING PRAISES TO GOD, SING PRAISES. SING PRAISES TO OUR KING, SING PRAISES, FOR GOD IS THE KING of all the earth. SING ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 47:5-7, Psalm 20:7, Psalm 118:6, Psalm 118:22, Psalm 118:24, Psalm 55:6, Psalm 55:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Deliver, Trouble, Poems, Wings Like A Dove, Help, Burden, Cornerstone, Confidence, Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[079]. A Message From A Poem – Faithful, Lord, You Are To Me And Us

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 12, 2025

[079]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FAITHFUL, LORD, YOU ARE TO ME AND US [THIS IS WHAT I WROTE IN 2022]. Recently I had to go to Townsville for a major ear operation to address a problem I have had for over a year and which would not be treated at the local Queensland State hospital because they ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:20, Romans 8:27-28

Tags: Problem, Ear Operation, Townsville, Caring God, Faithful, Victory, Help, Poetry, Poem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Nation Of Bible Illiterates  PRO

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Jan 25, 2010

A Nation of Bible Illiterates George Barna wrote The State of the Church in 2002. Barna conducted a survey of self-pronounced Christians and here’s what he found about their knowledge of the Bible. These are Christians. • 48% could not name the four Gospels. • 52% cannot identify more than two ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36, Psalm 125:1-5, Genesis 1:1-19, Galatians 5:18-22, Ephesians 6:10-17, Romans 15:1, Daniel 3:12-23, Isaiah 55:10-12, Romans 12:15, Acts 5:12-42, 1 Peter 1:13-25, Galatians 6:6-10, Psalm 119:11, Revelation 8:1-17, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, Acts 2:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible Study, Crossroad, God's Promises, Soul Winning, Diarrhea, Healing, Perseverance, Abraham, Help  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[232]. A Message From A Poem - Reflections On The Christian Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 20, 2025

[232]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REFLECTIONS ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE The poem explores some aspects of our faith. Each stanza makes a statement beginning with "What". STANZA 1 – Christ is glorified, and one day we will share in that glory. STANZA 2 – As perfect Man Jesus helps us in our ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:10-11, Titus 2:13, Romans 5:6, Hebrews 2:18, 1 Peter 1:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Christian Poems, Comes To Our Aid, Glory, Worship, Hope, Help, Helpless, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's Better Higher Up! (08.31.05--Sickness!--John ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 30, 2005

It’s Better Higher Up! (08.31.05--Sickness!--John 16:32) Webley our oldest dachshund has a thing about long walks. Simply, he doesn’t like them very much. Webley is eight and getting up there in years. Anything over a mile or so can be grueling for him. And, because of this the pads of his paws ...read more

Scripture: John 16:32

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Lutheran

Fishers Of Men

Contributed by Rick Palmer on Oct 15, 2018

While fishing in the dark in a very deep canyon can present very obvious problems it can produce some unexpected experiences as well. It was a warm summer night about 2:00 AM, dark would be an understatement as the moon was nonexistent at least in the bottom of our canyon. Trout was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:19, 1 Corinthians 2:2-5, 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, John 16:8

Tags: Spirit Of Truth, Gospel Presentation, Filled With The Spirit, Evangelism, Judgement, Holy Spirit, Sin, Gospel, Righteousness  (view more)  (view less)

[304]. A Message From A Poem - They Have Gone To Be With Jesus

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 4, 2026

[304]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - THEY HAVE GONE TO BE WITH JESUS Right at the outset I want to say I LOVE THIS POEM. IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. I love it because the Lord gave it freely to me and the truth of it now for 27 years has been part of the way I address the loss of a Christian loved one. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Tags: Present With The Lord, Absent From The Body, Christian Poems, Christian, Jesus, Heaven, Home, Gone, In Christ, Death  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unexpected Journey Thru Cancer

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 12, 2024

The unexpected journey and a second Dove appeared on a difficult day walking thru cancer: I hit another rough day in the journey after my second surgery with Dr. Q – He got back pathology and said it did look good the light showed cancer lining my bladder like a carpet. When the Dr, Q called to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-3

Tags: Encouragement, Cancer, Hope

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Received The Following Story As One Of Those ...  PRO

Contributed by David Brockhouse on Apr 3, 2008

I received the following story as one of those “dreaded” forwarded emails. I think it’s a fitting way to end a Wednesday Lenten message on Obedience ----from the eyes of a child. Story of God lives under the Bed. I envy Kevin. He thinks God lives under his bed. One night he was praying out loud ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:7-8

Tags: Fear, Doubt, Outreach, Man, Support, Obedience, Wish, Bottle, Genie, Love Others, Shepherd, Help, Trusting God, Goodness, Restoration, Finish  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

[244]. A Message From A Poem – Being A Part Of The Body

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 26, 2025

[244]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BEING A PART OF THE BODY I would call this an unusual but interesting poem. The message is an important one though because so much is involved – harmony, nurture, compassion, serving one another, building up the Body of Christ. The poem came to me with the first ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-6, Ephesians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 1 Corinthians 12:27

Tags: One Another, The Body Of Christ, Members Of The Body, Christian Poems, All Have Gifts, Part Of The Body, Comfort, Help, One Body, Gifts  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[316]. Poem Message - To Be Absent From The Body And At Home With The Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 20, 2026

[316]. A POEM MESSAGE - TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY AND AT HOME WITH THE LORD This poem means a lot to me. What of the future? What of the glorious hope? What of the Christian’s destiny? These questions all have one answer – TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY IS PRESENT WITH THE LORD! That is taken ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:4, 1 Corinthians 2:9, 2 Corinthians 12:4, Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Death, Destiny, Home, Called, Citizenship In Heaven, Present With The Lord, Absent From The Body, At Home With The Lord, Christian Poems, Passing Through Death, Inexpressible Words  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Screamed For Ice Cream And Got In Trouble.

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 14, 2023

Trouble is not my middle name, although it sure could be; just ask The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. I try to keep out of trouble, but my definition differs from my wife's. What she considers to be trouble is just about everything I do. I will not ask her how I can keep from doing what I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1

Tags: Taste, Trouble, Ice Cream

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance