In Sermon Illustrations: "Guiding Light"

[159]. A Message From A Poem – Good Seed In The Thorny Ground

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 9, 2025

[159]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GOOD SEED IN THE THORNY GROUND This poem was written for a recent message in a series I am currently doing on the Parables of the Kingdom from Matthew 13. It relates to the third soil type in the parable known as The Sower, {{Matthew 13:22 “The one on whom seed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:31-34, Ephesians 5:11, Matthew 13:22

Tags: Riches, Priorities, Choked, Good Seed, Parable Of The Sower, Worries, Thorny Ground, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[216]. A Message From A Poem - Place The Lord Always In Your Focus

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 3, 2025

[216]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - PLACE THE LORD ALWAYS IN YOUR FOCUS Placing the Lord always in your focus means having Him as THE priority in your life. So often we ask Jesus to share our priorities but it must not be like that. We have many priorities over our lifetimes. Sometimes work must ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Matthew 22:37, Matthew 6:33

Tags: Priorities, Focus, First, Priority, Christian Poems, Jesus Is Number 1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parson's Got Converted (By His Own Sermon)

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

William Haslam was a high church Anglican vicar in Cornwall in the 19th Century. In 1851, he had gone to stay with a friend, Mr, Aitken who had challenged Haslam that he wasn’t converted. During that week, Haslam was shocked that he had nothing to offer his congregation as they were dying. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:42

Tags: Revival, Corn, 19th Century

Denomination: Anglican

[307]. A Poem Message - This Poor, Sinful World – With God In Control

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 11, 2026

[307]. A POEM MESSAGE - THIS POOR, SINFUL WORLD – WITH GOD IN CONTROL God is in control. God always has the control and the whole of the universe one day will come together in the new heavens and the new earth and sin is gone forever. The poem begins with what I see as a fact. If there was ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:4-5, John 1:3

Tags: World, Sin, Judgment, Control, Meaningless, Coming Judgment, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Sinful Word  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[308]. A Message From A Poem - This Sinful World Faces Reality

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 11, 2026

[308]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - THIS SINFUL WORLD FACES REALITY The opening line sets the theme of this poem – “The differential is greater now than ever it was,” and becomes a contrast of what is righteous and what is wicked. The gap is widening and wickedness is growing. The 6 stanzas - each ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:3, Revelation 21:1-2

Tags: World, Judgment, Reality, Decline, Coming Judgment, Sin In The World, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Guidance Behind Enemy ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 30, 2012

GUIDANCE BEHIND ENEMY LINES Every Monday night, when I was not sacking groceries at the Piggly Wiggly, we would go to the library in Dothan. One Monday evening, I “accidentally” found a paperback copy of William C. Anderson’s book, BAT-21. It was a story about Iceal "Gene" Hambleton, a U.S. Air ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:105

Tags: Golf, Christian Disciplines

Vernon And Joey

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Oct 13, 2012

It is fitting that we begin with a true story involving three main characters: an elderly man nearing death, a kindhearted woman in robust health, and a deceased boy very much alive. Five months earlier, physicians had diagnosed sixty-five-year-old Vernon Samuels with terminal lung cancer. They ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:3-4

Tags: Death

Denomination: Baptist

A Shortcut Is Not Always That Short

Contributed by James Snyder on May 1, 2021

I have always appreciated shortcuts in life. If I can find a shortcut, I will take it because time is valuable to me. I take pride in coming up with a shortcut that actually saves me time. However, not all of my shortcuts have really been that short and I have paid the price. Last week, for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:8

Tags: Humor, Shortcut, Wrong Way

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

My Little Red Bible - The Living Word Of God

Contributed by Perry Hancock on Nov 10, 2021

My Little Red Bible - The Living Word of God Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and powerful..." When I was 6 years old my parents gave me a little red Bible. Today, if you saw it, you would say that it has surely seen better days. Every time I pick it up it loses a little ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Tags: The Bible, Scripture, The Word Of God

Denomination: Baptist

Have Nose, Will Snore

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 8, 2022

Dr. James L. Snyder Having been married as long as The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and myself, there are very few things we disagree. I run by the idea, “Do you want to be happy, or do you want to be right?” That has guided me through many a storm these past years. Almost every day, I ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Unity, Agree

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Do I Need To File A Missing Persons Report?

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 10, 2022

Every week comes and goes, and some go faster than others. Such was last week. It started pretty well, but then everything went downhill. I had my semiannual doctor's visit. After all, he has kids that need to go to college. After his complete examination of me, he said, "You're ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10

Tags: Police, Thrift Store

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Another Celebration In The Bank

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 11, 2023

This month The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I celebrate the 52nd anniversary of our engagement. In August, it’ll be the 52nd anniversary of our wedding. I can’t believe we have been together for 52 years. But, alas, here it is. I first met her in September of 1970 when I went to Bible ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Marriage, Celebration, Anniversary

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Life Can Be A Series Of Dreams

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 7, 2023

Lately, I’ve been having some fascinating dreams at night. Usually, I don’t give much thought to dreams, but lately, I’ve been thinking more about them. Last night, for example, I had this exciting dream, and everything seemed to be coming in my direction, and then I woke up before the end. Once I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Tags: Dreams, Fanasty

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Unlocking Your Godly Potentials

Contributed by Godsgift Bee Willie on Feb 13, 2025

Deus Vocatio (Called of God) and the Mission Idea of The Called of God and God's Mission However; The idea of the called of God in systematic theology by Louis Berkhof point it out clear that "Calling precedes or predate regeneration; this mean calling go back to Jeremiah 1:5 that reveals ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5, Isaiah 61:1-7

Tags: Potential, Unlock, The Call Of God

Denomination: Pentecostal

[202]. A Message From A Poem – Pictures From A Counting Song – (Part 2)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 16, 2025

[202]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – PICTURES FROM A COUNTING SONG – (PART 2) THIS SECOND PART OF THE POEM IS PART 2. IT CONTINUES FROM THE PREVIOUS POST. “ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE” OR “1, 2, BUCKLE MY SHOE” is a counting song dating back to late 18th century in the USA. It was heard for the first ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Counting Song, Song For Children, Wrentham Massachusetts, Songs For The Nursery, Christian Application, Nursery Rhyme, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[344]. A Message From A Poem - Why, Lord, Why? The Lament For My Birds

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 1, 2026

[344]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - WHY, LORD, WHY? THE LAMENT FOR MY BIRDS This poem is in blank verse because I just did not feel like any rhyme. It is written “as is”, just giving out my feeling. I very rarely write blank verse; I think maybe 2 or 3 times. The subject is about the terror of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1, Jonah 4:6, Romans 8:20-22

Tags: Compassion, Understanding, Lament, Sorrow, Cunning, Unfairness, Snakes, Finches, Brown Tree Snake, Boiga Irregularis, Evil Snake, Sly, Night Tiger, Snake Of Satan  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pappy Was A Pleasant Fellow. His Face Was Quite ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Heartsill on Oct 25, 2000

Pappy was a pleasant fellow. His face was quite drawn from age, but when he smiled, even his wrinkles seemed to smile with him. Pappy owned a pawnshop. Everyone who knew him respected and adored him. There was a room in the back of his shop where he spent time tinkering with his own precious items. ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Parable Prodigal Son, Parenting

Denomination: Baptist

Give Me Liberty  PRO

Contributed by Michael Gibney on Aug 7, 2002

GIVE ME LIBERTY March 23, 1775. A man with his eternal perspective addressed the House of representatives and said, “ No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same ...read more

Tags: God's Omniscience, Independence Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Forgiveness In Action  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 6, 2004

Forgiveness in Action Pastor Hayes a man in his middle forties, was well-loved by his congregation, and faithful to God and to his family. He enjoyed a successful ministry in an exuberantly vital, growing church. Just when everything seemed to be going well, a cloud came over this man and his ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Wesleyan

Barna On Parenting

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 22, 2009

BARNA ON PARENTING George Barna in his book "Revolutionary Parenting" gives us the bad news about the family today -- especially many Christian families: What does God measure? In other words how does God evaluate what is a healthy family and an unhealthy family? Barna states: What does God ...read more

Tags: Family

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational