In Sermon Illustrations: "Love Life"

It Is Like The Brand New, High Tech Fire Helmets ...

Contributed by Deborah Westbrook on Aug 13, 2008

It is like the brand new, high tech fire helmets sent to a big city fire department to try recently. They were shiny, reflected light, had adjustable sizes, even a built in radio receiver. There was only one problem. When they were exposed to high heat they melted. But our lives are like that. ...read more

Tags: Strength

Denomination: Methodist

A Missionary To South America Once Wrote A ...

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Sep 6, 2008

A missionary to South America once wrote a reflective piece about his life in the jungles. He and his family knew the discomforts of such things as snakes and bugs. He told how he and his family were cleaning the house one day when they decided to take a break and have some tea. While sitting at ...read more

Tags: Servanthood

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Thou Wast A Bond-Man

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Jan 18, 2009

Thou Wast a Bond-Man John Newton, the former slave-ship captain, was so grateful for God’s gracious dealings with him that when the vicarage at Olney was refurbished he had two sentences from Isaiah 43:4 and Deuteronomy 15:15 painted over the fireplace of his study: ’Since thou wast precious in my ...read more

Tags: Christian Witness

Denomination: Baptist

What Is A Mom?

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on May 8, 2011

WHAT IS A MOM? What is a mom? Is she the one that gave birth to your life? Is she one who raised you with the warm embrace of her arms? Is she the woman who gives the all of life, so that yours could be prosperous and long? Many mothers are probably all theses, and many things more. Moms are ...read more

Tags: Mother's Day

Denomination: Lutheran

Journaling Experiment

Contributed by Brad Henry on Jul 26, 2011

JOURNALING EXPERIMENT Please try this experiment. Take out a piece of paper and on the left side of the paper write down all the things that you are burdened with. On the right side of the paper write down all the things that God has either protected you from or trials that He has gotten you ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Six Kinds Of Toxic People

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 19, 2012

SIX KINDS OF TOXIC PEOPLE Life Coach Cheryl Robinson says there are six kinds of toxic people. There are the blamers who are always complaining about what is wrong in their life and blaming others. Then there are the drainers. They’re like vampires who will come and suck everything out of you ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: Methodist

The Trouble Telescope  PRO

Contributed by Perry Greene on May 8, 2013

THE TROUBLE TELESCOPE Most of you have seen the wonderful images from the Hubble Space Telescope. From the far reaches of space, we're able to see God's most breathtaking creations. Do you remember that in the beginning the Hubble Space Telescope was not the wonderful machine that it is today. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:12

Tags: Self

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Romans 1:22

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 23, 2019

Romans 1:22 Life is so much vanity. We live on the brink of insanity. This is so very, very odd For creation is in the image of God. We plod along in our sin Knowing that we cannot win. Our souls so easily we sell To that pawnbroker of Hell. Instead of singing, "How Great Thou ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:22

Tags: Sin, Vanity, Hypocrisy, Religion, Traditions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Quotes On Suffering For Christ

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

There is a certain kind of maturity that can be attained only through the discipline of suffering. - D. A. Carson Do not kick against suffering, for in so doing you may be fighting against God. - Spurgeon Life without struggle and difficulty is thin and tasteless. How can a noble life be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:10-12

Tags: Pain, Spiritual Warfare, Discipleship, Suffering, Take Up Your Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Muscle

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 19, 2009

SPIRITUAL MUSCLE I was visiting Pink at the nursing home. His legs had been like sticks, because he could have no therapy until his sore healed. Skin hung down, and he had no muscle. But now he is getting rigorous therapy; the skin has tightened, and muscle is now beginning to form. That’s ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Independent/Bible

No Renovation...demolition!

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Mar 22, 2010

NO RENOVATION...DEMOLITION! My son and daughter in law are wanting to renovate their home. They need more space with a new baby coming. As it is, my granddaughter sleeps in what was once a large walk-in closet. So they really need some space. Even then the house will still be small. The house ...read more

Tags: Born Again

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wilderness ...

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Aug 6, 2010

Wilderness Christians NOTE: 4 marks of a wilderness Christian. 1) His body is with the church, but his mind and heart are still in Egypt! ILLUS: They are like a compass in a land of two norths. They vacillate between the two readings and thus constantly wander! James 1:8 A double minded man ...read more

Tags: Unbelief

Denomination: Baptist

Training In Godliness

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Sep 10, 2010

TRAINING IN GODLINESS Our daughter-in-law has participated at times in triathlon competitions. The triathlon is an endurance event in which you swim a certain distance, ride your bike a certain distance, and finally, and without resting, run a certain distance. It is a very demanding test of your ...read more

Tags: Disciplines General

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Story Of The Christian Lion

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 20, 2022

A missionary in Africa was walking through a jungle when he heard the ominous roar of a lion behind him. He was very scared and dropped immediately to his knees and started praying feverishly! "Oh Lord," prayed the missionary, “You know I have served you my whole life. I have even ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: Thanksgiving, Protection, Prayer, Humor

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being Persecuted

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 13, 2023

As we live our Christian lives there are a lot of questions that are related to the Christian Life that don't really fall into life and death categories. Questions like: what's your favorite version of the bible? How can I be a better group member? Or the BIG ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION: if a ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Tags: Persecution, Suffering

Denomination: Baptist

Goliath Has To Fall

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 6, 2024

Just as the Israelites have accepted that it was impossible to defeat Goliath, who kept on mocking and defying Israelites for 40 days, morning and evening, causing dismay and great fear. So many times we also have accepted that it’s difficult to defeat the Goliath-sized difficulties or prayer ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:26

Tags: Faith, Hope

Factor In Fallenness

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 1, 2025

A few years ago, our congregation joined with many churches in the area praying for a 6-year-old boy with extremely aggressive form of brain cancer. Of course, we prayed for a full healing so that the boy could have a long life. He died within 6 months. His parents grew in their faith of a God ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4, 1 Peter 3:17

Tags: Healing, Prayer, Suffering, Fallenness

Denomination: Methodist

Sowing And Reaping

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 20, 2026

I want to remind you of a basic truth of Scripture - the Law of Sowing and Reaping that we read about in Galatians 6:7: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” I always illustrate this with the same example: if I plant an apple tree, can I expect ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7

Tags: Peace, Sowing, Reaping

Denomination: Methodist

Brother Andrew Tells Of Being In Hospital Full Of ...  PRO

Contributed by John Gullick on Dec 2, 2000

Brother Andrew tells of being in hospital full of resentment and hatred during the Indonesian war in 1946. Whilst in hospital a bible had been delivered to him. One day - he writes - I asked the nun who came to bathe me how it was that she and the other sisters were always so cheerful. "Why, ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, God's Provision

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

President Franklin D. Roosevelt Got Tired Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Beaird on Nov 2, 2000

President Franklin D. Roosevelt got tired of smiling that big smile and saying the usual things at all those White House receptions. So, one evening he decided to find out whether anybody was paying attention to what he was saying. As each person came up to him with extended hand, he flashed that ...read more

Tags: Disciplines Meditation

Denomination: Pentecostal