In Sermon Illustrations: "Jewish Understanding"

The Lost Donkeys That Found A King

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 24, 2025

The Lost Donkeys That Found a King My name? Oh, I’m Dusty—one of the donkeys that belonged to Kish, a farmer from the tribe of Benjamin. Life was simple for us: graze, walk, carry, rest, repeat. I never imagined I’d be part of something royal! But one morning, our fence gate swung open, and off ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:28-31, Genesis 22:3, 1 Samuel 9:3-20, Judges 15:15, Matthew 21:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Purpose, Faith, Service, Humility, Obedience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

When Everything Fails, It’s Over

Contributed by James Snyder on May 9, 2020

During this time of seclusion, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and Yours Truly has spent some significant time binge-watching some of those Hallmark mystery movies. After a while, they all look alike, but my wife loves them, therefore, so do I. The other night as we were watching, one of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, Job 2:9, Job 13:15

Tags: Attack, Humore

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Junk Is A Matter Of Personal Definition

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 10, 2020

I thought I had everything organized and in order. It just shows how useless my thinking is these days. There are many piles in my office and on my desk, and I know what is in each pile. Everything is organized to my specifications. My rule is: if I can't find something, I don't need it. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:3

Tags: Work, Humor, Planning, Office Space

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Ain’t 16 Anymore

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 24, 2021

I’ve had so many birthdays in my life that I really don’t know how old I am. All I know is that I’m one year older than I was last year. I would not be able to remember when my life began if it wasn’t for paperwork.. To many people, numbers are very important, but in my opinion, a number is just a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Birthday, Growing, Responsibity

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Love My Imperfections

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 11, 2021

Dr. James L. Snyder Unlike most people, I love my imperfections; those imperfections of mine do not cause me much trouble. I know most people like to focus on their perfections so that they can impress other people. But what about people like me who have no perfections to boast about? If I had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:48

Tags: Maturity, Perfection

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It Never Dawned On Me Until

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 20, 2022

I must confess I am too poor to pay attention at this time in my life. I hope one day I will win the lottery and be able to afford to pay attention. But, of course, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage says that you can’t win a lottery unless you play the lottery. Well, I don’t play the lottery. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Attention, Listening

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Harmonious Melody Of Hummingbirds

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 27, 2022

A few months ago, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage bought a harp and began teaching herself how to play it. She can play the piano, organ, flute, and sometimes me. Now she has graduated to the harp. So I guess she’s preparing for heaven, where she’ll play a heavenly harp. She was quite quick ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:12

Tags: Music, Hearing

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Who’s The Clown Now?

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 5, 2022

As a young person, I was fascinated with clowns. My first encounter was at a circus I attended with my family. The main character in the circus was the clown. When I first saw those clowns, I was scared almost to death. I've never seen anything as scary as those circus clowns. That began my ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

Tags: Humor, Clowns, Circus

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Why Does Monday Have To Follow Sunday?

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 9, 2024

The older I get, the more I wake up not knowing what day it is. That is particularly true on Mondays. My favorite day of the week is Sunday. I enjoy attending church, fellowshipping with other Christians, and of course, the Sunday worship services. I enjoy Sunday morning and evening like no other ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6

Tags: Stress, Frustration, Planning

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Saw This Incredible Answer To Prayer For Healing

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 13, 2024

While pastoring a Southern Baptist church in Texas, one day I heard that one of our church members was in the hospital after being bitten by a brown recluse spider. It was a pretty serious situation. The doctor had told the young mom that they may have to amputate her hand if the swelling did not ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit, Healing, Satan, Prayer, Unity, Anointing, Testimony, Elders, Miracle  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

So What If I’m Crazy?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 17, 2024

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and her wonderful husband are celebrating 53 years of marital bliss this year. What an accomplishment! It doesn’t seem possible that we have been married 53 years. After all, we don’t look that old! At least she doesn’t. It’s amazing how time flies; if ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Unity, Relationships, Crazy

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It All Boils Down To One Thing

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 23, 2024

Of all the things I have learned, one has made a difference in my life. I hear stories about how married couples are unhappy. Today, something must be wrong with you if you haven't been divorced and remarried five times. I always figure that the person who has been married five times ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Marriage, Relationships

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

How Coffee Has Changed My Life

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 1, 2025

Recently, I was sitting drinking a nice hot cup of coffee. It's the first thing I do, and I can't get anything done until I do. I was thinking about this coffee as I was drinking it and remembered there was a time when I did not like coffee at all. When I was young, my parents made coffee ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32

Tags: Life Change, Coffee

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

[075]. Poem Message – Excerpts Psalms Part 6 – Psalms 141, 147, 140, 68

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 7, 2025

[075]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – EXCERPTS FROM CERTAIN PSALMS PART 6 – PSALMS 141, 147, 140, 68 {{{Psalm 108:1-3 “My heart is steadfast, O God. I WILL SING, I WILL SING PRAISES, EVEN WITH MY SOUL. Awake, harp and lyre. I will awaken the dawn! I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 141:8-9, Psalm 147:5, Psalm 140:12-13, Psalm 68:35, Psalm 141:3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Enemy, Light, Praise, Salvation, Prayer, Sing, Poetry, Poem, Heals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It’s Not Always What I Don’t Know

Contributed by James Snyder on May 17, 2025

I would be the first to admit one truth about myself: I don’t know everything. To quote a politician, “I don’t know what I don’t know.” That has been the theme of my life for as long as I can remember. It all began with my parents. Whenever I got into trouble, they would usually respond, “Don’t ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 2:1-2

Tags: Wisdom, Memory

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

And Then It’s Monday… Again

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 26, 2025

I'm not sure if it's just me getting old or something altogether different. Time seems to go by fast. My father used to say, "The older you get the faster time goes." I'm finally beginning to understand what he meant by that. At the time, I laughed at him and didn't ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-15

Tags: Time, Monday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Fact That God Forgives Us And Blesses Us When ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Jul 11, 2001

The fact that God forgives us and blesses us when we don’t deserve it, and of course, we never really deserve it, is what makes grace such a risky thing. Author Philip Yancey, in his book What’s So Amazing About Grace, calls these things loopholes. We all understand loopholes. Webster’s defines ...read more

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness For Others, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Once Was A Man Who Very Adamantly Believed ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 20, 2001

There once was a man who very adamantly believed in living by faith. He believed that, so long as he prayed in Jesus’ name, believing in faith that God would provide his need, he would receive whatever he asked for. One day he stood up in church and declared that from that day forward, he was ...read more

Tags: Faith, Money, God's Provision, God's Will, Poverty, Provision  (view more)  (view less)

Something For Nothing?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 30, 2002

SOMETHING FOR NOTHING? Are you hoping for personal change this year? Are you planning to reach your goals by way of hard work or wishful thinking? Do your plans for growth in the New Year sound like this: From the Desk of: Don Genereaux Honorable Secretary of Agriculture Washington, ...read more

Tags: Government Handouts, Goals, Circumstance, Life, Plan  (view more)  (view less)

I Had The Meanest Parents In All The World. When ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on May 3, 2002

I had the meanest parents in all the world. When I was seven years old they dared to spank me just because I told them I would not do what they asked me to do to help around the house. My friend next door never got spanked. He didn’t have to help at home. He had nice parents. I had the meanest ...read more

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: Evangelical Free